Nick knew that he didn't have very much time left. His body was wearing down on him and he knew that it was only a matter of days, hours even until his time was up. The knowledge of Nick's impending fate didn't stop Kevin from giving him all of the love that he had to share. He spent every minute possible with the boy, holding his hand, supporting him, kissing him when they were alone, but it didn't seem like it would ever be enough. He didn't want to let Nick go, as selfish as it seemed, he loved the boy and he wanted to see him grow up, succeed, maybe even move in with him at some point to a place where they could always be alone, a place where they could be as romantic as they wanted all of the time and no one would know. It killed Kevin that Nick wouldn't get to see 16, that he wouldn't get to drive or vote or have a family, even if it was an adopted one with his brother, Kevin.
"Kevin…" Nick leaned over to Kevin in bed one night.
"Yeah baby?" Kevin kissed the corner of his brother's mouth.
"Kevin, I-I don't think that I'll see you tomorrow…" Nick tried to hold back the tears he was feeling.
"Nicky, what are you saying?" Kevin sat up, terrified by his lover's words.
"I'm saying that I think this is it, this is my last night here…my last night with you and then I'm…you know…" Nick trailed off, letting a hot tear roll down his cheek.
"Let me take you to the hospital," Kevin begged.
"No." Nick shook his head. "I don't want to die in that horrible place, I want to be here, with you…I want your arms around me, I want to go in my sleep, that way it won't hurt." Kevin tightened his arms around Nick and kissed the boy deeply.
"I love you, you know that?" Kevin looked sadly at Nick, not even trying to fight tears of his own. He wasn't ready for Nick's life to be over.
"I know Kev, and I love you too, more than anyone else in this world." Nick kissed Kevin softly, gently, transferring all of the passion he had left into his brother's body.
"Are you scared?"
"I was…but you're here, you're arms are keeping me safe, so no." Nick shook his head. "I'm not scared, I'm ready…just promise me that…that you'll live your life however you want here, get married, have a family, but when you come to heaven, I want you to promise that it will just be me for the rest of eternity."
"It's always been you Nick, and it always will be." Kevin cried softly, letting his tears hit the pillow and mix with Nick's. "Come on baby, sleep." Kevin pulled Nick in to his chest, loving the boy more than he ever had.
"I love you," Nick whispered. Both boys slowly fell asleep. At some point in the night, Nick slipped away from Kevin, his sole leaving his body behind, and though he was ready for it, when Kevin awoke he couldn't hide the tears. Once they took Nick's body away he went outside and looked up. It was a beautiful day and he knew that it was because of Nick, he knew that his heart would heal because Nick would be waiting for him where it really mattered, and that one day less than a lifetime from now, they would be together again.