immortal • egobang

10| the end of all things

The last day of Arin's life was the best day of his life.

He wasn't sure how he came to this conclusion- he has lived many days and there's lots to compare it to.

But it was like a good book series coming to an end, it needed to happen and Arin was handling it with anticipation and dread.

To be frank, Arin was terrified of dying. He's never really thought about it, so he's never accepted it. He's been on the earth for so long his mind can't wrap around the fact that he's going to be gone. That he's simply not going to exist anymore. One day, he'll be totally forgotten, like he didn't exist at all.

It's weird. Everyone experiences dying and yet no one knows what happens during it.

It's weird.

Arin considers when he was diagnosed with ADHD to be the start of the end.

It wasn't a bad thing, Arin just didn't know what to think of it. His body healed itself, but it had something wrong with it. It set in perspective that he was a human being just like everyone else. He wasn't perfect.

He wasn't sure if he's always had ADHD or it was something that developed overtime. No one really cared about mental illnesses in the past so he didn't know. But he took it as a sign that maybe this was the last chapter in his life, his body finally wearing down overtime.

Arin knows he's lucky to have lived in the 21st century. Advancements through the years made the technology something incredible to experience. Practically everything was completely different than how it was 500 years ago and it blew Arin's mind. Arin could easily say that this was the happiest point in his life.

He made friends with people he's sure he's seen before. Barry Kramer, for one, was an example. But Arin can't remember where.

Arin also met Ross O'Donovan again. He remembered Ross clearly- their conversation about Arin's healing capabilities plaguing Arin's mind almost days. Ross was the one introduced Arin to Danny.

Ross discovered Danny as one half of a band on the internet. He promptly showed Arin the band, Ninja Sex Party.

Arin was amazed at the odds of that happening. But his heart beat with a certain pride and love when he saw Danny so incredibly happy and singing. Danny had an amazing voice that swept Arin off his feet.

Arin animated and put his short videos on the internet. This was how he first spoke to Danny, explaining what he did and how he would love to work with the band over an email.

They accepted Arin's offer and Arin was beyond happy.

They first met at a coffee shop. It was weird thinking that was the first time they met when they've met each other so many times.

Arin also met Brian Wecht at the coffee shop. Arin remembered Brian. It was hard to forget the look he gave as he stabbed Arin.

They all spent many hours together. Arin got to see the writing process as they created a new song. It amazed Arin.

Soon, Arin and Danny just started hanging out as the two of them. Danny explained the origins of the band and what motivated to keep him going. They made a fast friendship, quickly, it was hard to think of Arin without thinking of Dan right after.

They were just friends for a long time. It pained Arin to not hug and kiss Dan, but Arin just loved being able to be with Dan and seeing him happy. He wasn't going to pressure Dan into anything.

Before they had anything romantic, Arin told Dan that his was immortal. Dan didn't believe it at first, thought Arin was joking like Ross had did a long time ago. But Dan realized that Arin was serious when Arin told stories of what he's been through. That brought them closer.

There wasn't a definite date in which they transitioned into boyfriends. The lines had been blurry for a while. Arin didn't even realize what had happened until he thought it about when correcting someone that they were boyfriends and not friends.

Arin told Dan about his past lives. Dan was weirded out by it at first but he got over it and it brought them closer.

When Dan proposed to Arin, Arin could barely remember how to breathe.

It took Arin completely by surprise. Arin himself had been planning how to do it to Dan, he even was at a ring store not that long ago. But Dan took him on a lovely night, ending with them laying on the grass surrounded by flowers and stars and Dan on one knee in front of Arin.

When they got married, Arin couldn't believe it.

Arin didn't think he was ever going to marry Dan. Same-sex marriages were something unspoken of for the longest time. But here he was, marrying Leigh Daniel Avidan. Becoming Arin Avidan.

Arin cried a lot that day.

At the point, Arin didn't know what he was going to do. He didn't know how he was going to continue living after experiencing this with Dan.

They have spent many years together. Arin told Dan about the conversation he had with Ross about dying.

After he had finished, Dan had grabbed Arin's hands, looking at Arin's eyes with tears in his own. "Big Cat," the nickname sent goosebumps up Arin's arms, "I don't want to grow old without you by my side. But you said you've seen me die," his voice cracked on die, "so many times. Maybe I should repay you."

Dan understood what Arin was saying. Arin didn't want to live anymore. His life feels complete. It's not fair to Dan, who fell in love with Arin and still had lots of life in this one life to live. But Arin knows how much it'll break both their hearts when Dan's growing old but Arin isn't. Arin knew it was better to leave earlier than later, even if it wasn't. Dan deserved a chance to be able to fall in love again.

It wasn't long after when Arin laid at the bottom of a lake. He felt like he had forever to think things over. He knew how incredibly unfair it was to Dan. How unfair it was to all his friends.

Arin knew it wasn't going to be too long before he saw Dan again. Maybe he would see him in an afterlife, or perhaps Arin would be reborn. Wherever Arin's going, he knows it going to be with Dan.

Arin knew that it was working. His chest feeling tight - although, that could just be from thinking of Dan for too long.

Arin had been looking with eyes opened in the murky water of the lake. But with one last heartbeat, he closed his eyes. And died.

•

Arin and Dan met each other again many years later, sharing notes in the back of a classroom.