Prologue

The world was in shades of black and white with tints of gray as the people gathered in the cemetery, sheltering themselves from heaven's tears, with the exception of one.

A young man knelt next to the grave, his tears blended with the rain that poured on him. Lonesome green eyes stared at the tombstone through red bangs matted against his forehead. He held a red rose close to his chest, squeezing the stem of the dying flower until his knuckles blanched. A thorn pierced through his pale skin and fresh blood ran down his hand to his wrist, but paid no heed to the wound. Yes, it was painful, but it did not compete with the pain he had in his heart.

The priest hovered over him, preaching, but he could not hear what was being said. His ears refused to work, they could not decipher the words clearly. He felt as if everything was going in slow motion, the seconds ticking sluggishly as the casket made its descent into the earth.

He wanted to believe this was a dream, that he'd wake up from this place and to reality. When he'd awake from the world of slumber, he would find his love sleeping peacefully beside him, holding him. But deep down, he knew this was not a dream, it was really happening, and seeing the name of his beloved on the tombstone only confirmed that.

People paid their respects before they all left the cemetery. A man, about his age with black shaggy hair and bright blue eyes looked down with him, concerned. The man glanced back to the tombstone then back to the redhead silently crying. He placed a comforting hand on the other's shoulder and gave him a sad smile. He patted the redhead's shoulder and slowly walked down the slope to his vehicle, where he would be waiting for the other to come when he was finished.

The red-haired man remained in place, his shoulders shaking, whether from the cold or from his crying, he did not know and he did not care. He whispered words in hopes that maybe his significant other could hear them, even in death. He delicately placed the rose on the grave, his eyes fixed on the name engraved on the stone once more. He stood, shoulders hunched, head hanging as he whispered. "I love you. I will never forget you."

With a final goodbye, he turned and walked towards the car, unaware of a blonde-haired man standing behind a tree, watching him. The man turned around with a pained expression. Blue eyes closed, allowing the stray tears to roll down his cheeks.

Wiping the tears from his cheeks, he glanced behind to where the redhead was moments ago, then looked to the gray sky. A ray of light pierced through the dark clouds and embraced him, in which he welcomed. Two white wings sprouted from his back, bold and valiant. He flapped his wings and flew to the heavens.