Deus Ex Diluvium (Ryden)

The Trial; part 2

"Morning!" Brendon's smile was wide and radiant, yet his eyes hinted at exhaustion. He probably had been awake all night, watching over Ryan. Guilt gnawed at him.

"I'm sorry..." He ran his hands anxiously through his disheveled hair, glancing at Brendon and glancing away.

"For what?"

"For falling asleep."

"Seriously? I don't care about that, man, you needed it. I was being ridiculous anyway. We should both try and be as well rested as we can. I won't do that again. You sleep well?"

"I... Yeah, I guess so." He didn't want to burden Brendon with what he'd just been through. He seemed so cheerful, smiling and casting furtive, admiring glances at Ryan when he thought he wasn't looking.

"Great. No weird dreams?"

"No..." God, he hated this. It was a small lie, and it was for Brendon's benefit, but he still felt horrible. The trust and love shining in Brendon's eyes wasn't making it any better.

"Ryan," He knelt beside him, his expression becoming earnest. "What you said last night. Did you mean it?"

"Of course I did. I do love you. I realised when you were talking about soulmates and I know you don't believe in them but you're the closest thing I've got."

Brendon nodded thoughtfully. "I think I realised on the train. I honestly thought you might choose to stay and I knew that if you did, it would destroy me."

"It didn't even cross my mind to leave you. I'll always stay with you. Well, for as long as you want me."

"I'll always want you."

Ryan lay back, gazing wonderously up at the sky. He was surprised. Surprised that despite everything, despite the flood and the running and the dream he'd just endured, he was blissfully happy.

For what felt like the first time ever, he felt a surging appreciation for life and beauty. Every colour seemed impossibly vibrant, the sky impossibly wide, the world brimming with infinite possibilities he knew didn't exist, but they brought him joy anyway.

It's incredible how being with one beautiful person can uncover the beauty of everything around them.

Life felt worth living, worth fighting for. Because life included Brendon.

"I suppose we'd better go," Brendon yawned, interrupting his worship of the world.

"You sure you don't want to sleep?" Ryan wouldn't recommend it, after what had happened to him, but Brendon did look tired.

"Maybe later. I can't right now. We really have to go."

Ryan recognised the urgency in his tone. "Oh, so it's like that."

"Yeah."

The journey was more difficult than it usually was. Carrying the bags felt more tiresome, although by now Ryan had grown used to their constant weight. The trail Brendon had chosen was leading them almost directly upwards, which didn't help.

He sat down for a second, trying to redistribute some of the weight of his belongings, waving at Brendon to continue on.

He hovered ahead of him, unwilling to move too far apart, waiting for Ryan to get up again.

"Hey," Ryan called after him, gritting his teeth. "I'm not too keen on the whole climbing a mountain thing. You think we'll be going back down soon?"

Brendon had turned a corner and disappeared from sight. Sighing, Ryan hurried after him, mouth opening to repeat his concern.

He stopped as soon as he saw the frozen horror on Brendon's face.