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In the quiet, peaceful expanse of Heaven, there is no rush, no chaos, just the gentle hum of eternity. It is a place of light and warmth, where the world feels perfectly balanced, and every breath is full of peace. Ivan stands near a serene lake that reflects the colors of a sky he’s never seen before — a golden sunset mixed with shades of violet and soft lavender. It’s the kind of beauty he never thought he’d experience, but it’s also the kind of beauty that now feels so distant, as though it belongs to someone else.
His thoughts, though heavy with memories, feel lighter here, almost as if the burden of the world has been gently lifted from his shoulders. The pain of his sacrifice — of leaving Till behind — is muted by this place, but it still echoes deep in his chest.
He isn’t sure how long he’s been here. Time, in this place, works differently — there’s no clock, no countdown. It feels like an eternal moment, suspended in a calm that Ivan hadn’t realized he needed. He wants to let it consume him, to surrender to the peace. But his heart is still restless, still yearning for something… or rather, someone.
Till.
He misses him — his loud, eccentric energy, his deep, rumbling laughter, the chaotic beauty of their music together. In life, they had been inseparable. And now, in death, Ivan is left with the haunting knowledge that he is no longer part of Till’s universe.
And yet, even in this ethereal world, his love for Till burns brighter than the soft, endless light surrounding him.
Till is still back there, on that planet, grieving, carrying the weight of Ivan’s sacrifice. Ivan had given everything for him, and yet, now he is left here alone, wondering if Till will ever understand the depth of what he gave. His love had been more than words; it was the promise of his very soul, the pledge that no matter what, he would never leave Till. But he’s gone now, separated by an infinite chasm, and Ivan fears that the one person who needed to hear those words most will never truly understand.
The quiet of Heaven is disturbed by a soft, ethereal glow, a warmth that doesn’t scorch, a light that doesn’t blind. Ivan turns, startled, to see a figure emerging from the mist — a woman.
Her presence is calm, dignified, and radiates an aura of unconditional love. She’s older than him, her face soft with years of wisdom, and her eyes shine with a deep knowing that Ivan instantly recognizes as maternal. She wears a gentle smile, like someone who has seen much of the world but remains unshaken by it.
Ivan doesn’t know her, but there’s something familiar about the softness in her gaze, the way she watches him as if she’s been waiting for him for a long time.
She looks almost like Till — the same sharp features, the same elegance — only softened by time, by the love she has undoubtedly poured into her son’s life.
“You must be Ivan,” she says, her voice a quiet lullaby that seems to vibrate through the air and settle deep into his bones.
Ivan nods, unsure of what to say, but there’s something about her presence that comforts him, as if he’s been seen in a way he hasn’t been for a long time.
“I’ve heard of you,” she continues. “I... saw what happened…”
Ivan’s heart skips at the mention. He hadn’t expected to hear... about that here, not in this place. The memories of the sacrifice — his final moments, the chaos of it all, the bitter ache of leaving Till — flood back in a rush.
The woman steps closer, her gaze soft but knowing. “I am Till’s mother.”
Ivan’s breath catches. He wasn’t expecting this — not in a million years. Till’s mother. The person who gave him life, nurtured him, and, no doubt, worried for him. The thought of her fills him with a quiet reverence, but also a deep, humbling sense of responsibility.
“I never got to meet you,” Ivan says softly, feeling a pang of regret. “I wish I had… under different circumstances.”
Her eyes glisten with understanding, and a shadow of sorrow passes across her features. “I know, my dear. I know. But your love for him is enough. I saw everything — how you stood by him, how you saved him.”
Ivan feels a lump rise in his throat, his heart suddenly heavy with emotions he doesn’t know how to manage.
“I didn’t do it for glory,” Ivan says, his voice thick with the weight of his sacrifice. “I did it because... because he’s everything to me. Till is my universe. I’ve never known a love like his. I’d have given anything, everything, just to keep him safe.”
Till’s mother doesn’t flinch at his words. Instead, she steps forward, placing one gentle hand on his shoulder. The warmth of her touch spreads through him, a reminder of the love and care she must have shown Till throughout his life.
“I know what you did for him,” she says softly. “And I am so grateful to you. You’ve given my son the chance to keep living. You’ve given him hope again.”
Ivan bows his head, overwhelmed by her words.
“It was the only thing I could do,” he whispers. “I would do it again in a heartbeat. I could never leave him behind. He’s my love… my everything. He’s always been… everything.”
Her gaze softens, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “I know, Ivan. I see that now. You are his protector, his best friend, and his heart. The love you share for him is the kind that transcends time. It’s the kind of love that will never die.”
A tear slips down Ivan’s cheek, though he’s not sure why. Perhaps because this woman, the one who birthed the man he cared for most, is offering him a kind of solace he never expected. A kind of understanding that transcends the harshness of the world.
Till’s mother reaches forward, brushing away his tear with the back of her hand. “You’ve always been there for him, even when he didn’t know it,” she murmurs, her voice like a soft breath in the stillness of the afterlife. “And you always will be.”
Ivan feels a warmth in his chest, a connection that goes beyond the words they share. He feels Till in everything around him — in the rustle of the breeze, in the ripple of the lake, in the warmth of this place that feels like the arms of the universe itself holding him close.
In this moment, Ivan understands something. He might have left the world behind, but his love for Till — their bond — is unbreakable. It exists here, in Heaven, and it will follow him wherever he goes.
The stars begin to twinkle overhead, their light shimmering across the waters. Ivan’s gaze lifts to the sky, and for a moment, it feels as though Till is there with him, as though he can hear his voice, feel the heartbeat of their connection across the cosmos.
"I'll always be with you," Ivan whispers to the stars, his heart full of love and longing.
Till’s mother places a hand on his arm, giving it a gentle squeeze. “And he will always carry you with him, Ivan. You will never be truly apart.”
Ivan closes his eyes, breathing in the peaceful air. For the first time since his sacrifice, he feels at peace. Not because he’s here in Heaven, but because he knows Till is out there — carrying his love with him, as he always will.
In this quiet moment, there is no need for more words.
Because Ivan understands now — their love, their bond, will last forever. It’s eternal.
And as long as the stars shine above, Ivan’s heart will beat with Till’s, no matter where they are.
