Warning: Spoilers for those who haven't read final book.
Wish I owned something... maybe just Riff? C'mon...
So… will I die alone afterall? Just like father said so long ago…? Alone, living in solitude… I'll…
Cain was shaken from his thoughts as footsteps approached. As he glanced up warily, he was met by the smiling face of Riff.
"How… did you know I was here…?" Cain stammered as his manservant approached, "I'm not wearing that piercing anymore… didn't you confess that it was the resonating of that thunder stone that allowed you to find out where I was!" Cain exclaimed, tears in his eyes. "I discarded that wretched thing! So why then…?!" Riff's expression shifted to one of soft sadness as he produced the square stone.
"This?" he asked, letting it fall and shatter to the ground.
"This was a gift to Rifael from Alexis for the purpose of finding you… but I did not need it's power to aid me." Riff smiled, crouching before his master.
"So then… my whereabouts… how in the world did you…" Cain frowned.
"It's just as I said before… I am in tune with you with my entire self. I sense your favorite breezes, small places, shady trees… I follow those." Riff explained, "If you were sad or crying, that breeze would carry your sorrow… and I would feel a bit sad and hurry off on foot… and, look, there you were…" Riff smiled as Cain felt the urge to cry growing even stronger. "As for Rifael… that may be why he believed so strongly in the power of the stone." Riff chuckled. Cain could not hold himself anymore, as he flung himself into the other man's arms.
"You're really late!! I'll cut your wages!" Cain cried, "RIFF…!!!" Riff held his young master sorrowfully.
"I beg your pardon…" Riff murmured, "Here… Lord Cain…" He pulled away just far enough to secure the Doctor's necklace around his master's throat. "This… it was the final wish of your elder brother that this be entrusted to you." Riff explained, "He hated and hated you… even so, he could not allow you to be killed, his true feelings, he…" Riff trailed off, "This duration of time is the last of his life, given to me… but it seems the amount wasn't sufficient… Please forgive me, Lord Cain… I do not have time to accompany you to Hell…!" Riff stated softly, as his right arm and the right side of his face began to melt away. His face became covered by his hair, but his hand, reduced to nothing but skeleton, was clearly visible. Cain's eyes widened in horror and he grabbed Riff's vest.
"I'll have none of your nonsense! I wont allow it!" Cain cried, "You swore your very soul to me!!" Cain exclaimed as he clung to his servant's chest. Just then, the ceiling began to collapse, starling both men. Reacting on instinct, Riff pushed his master out of the way of the falling glass and brick.
"Please forgive me…" Riff repeated. It's best if I alone am subjected to the blade of Hell's judgement. As for the curse you have suffered, I will carry it entirely…
"You're rather conceited…" Cain voiced. Riff glanced down in surprised horror as his young master grabbed his sleeve, smiling. I wont allow you to just do as you please…
Cain once again found himself jumping into that man's arms. That man was stiff for a moment, before wrapping his arms protectively around his young charge.
Don't flatter yourself into thinking you'll be able to run away from me now…
Then they kissed. Time stood still as the shards from above fell around them, as they tangled in a twisted embrace that would last an eternity…
I love you…
I love you too…
Forever…
And ever…
And ever…
Forever…