A/N: I like to call this my "bombshell" chapter. I think you'll see why soon enough. It may be short, but it's got great impact. *wicked grin* Enjoy! (If you can…)

Until Death Do Us Part

Delusive Longan

I couldn't breathe for a few moments. He pushed me on the shoulder to bring me back to attention.

I sit down on the edge of the bed and trace my finger along a scar on his leg. His bandaging looks as if it was done in the dark and when he was cramped for time. That could have been the case, really.

"Can you tell me what happened at the battle?" I don't know if I want to hear it, but there's something I obviously need to know.

"Not a thing. Not a damn thing."

"So you're not going to tell me? You lost, right?"

Agatio glares at me. "That's a stupid question, yes we lost! The only reason I bothered looking for you is to find Alex and tell him what I think of him… with my fists."

Ooh.

Alex walks through the door. He normally makes quiet entrances, but creaky door hinges kind of spoil that.

"Well, well, hello there Agatio. I wasn't expecting to see you here."

"You weren't expecting to see me alive, were you?"

Alex strokes his chin. "No, not really."

"I'm here to fight you," says Agatio, practically growling.

"Now why ever would you want to do that? In your current state?" Alex obviously doesn't believe him.

"Yes. I'll beat you too," Agatio stands up. Alex chuckles, amused by something.

In fact, I am terrified. Agatio treats me like dirt most of the time, but I will always owe him more than I can repay.

I wasn't a natural born fighter. I had to have someone teach me how to stand up for myself. That's where Agatio came in. Strongest of the Fire Clan, I figured I couldn't get a better teacher.

He mostly taught me physical attacks, our Psyenergy attacks are unique, but it still helped a great deal. And after a while, I didn't get picked on anymore.

I drift back into the real world and notice that Alex and Agatio aren't there. I rush outside and look around. Sure enough, they snuck away while I was daydreaming. Dangit!

From behind me I hear a loud thwack. I turn around just in time to see Agatio catch Alex's unmoving body in his arms.

I gape.

"Before you get upset about me killing your boyfriend, I better explain something to you."

He… Alex is dead? I try clamping my mouth shut. No response.

Agatio swallows. "Do you have a shovel? I'm not trying to mock him, not matter how mad I was. Just help me dig a grave."

I had faced the shock of losing my loved ones before. That cute little brat Karst was dead… now Alex? I remembered my mother and Menardi.

How could I lose him?

I felt stiff and unmoving as I grabbed the shovel. Upon careful thought, I brought a piece of wood that had come off the frame of the house to use as a grave marker.

It goes without saying that we walked in silence. Something in the back of my mind pointed out that I was going to bury my lover with help from the man who killed him. That can not possibly be a typical scenario.

I wanted to know what would possess Agatio to do it. The question I wanted answered most was "why?".

"This is a good spot." I stopped, dropping the shovel and board on the ground. Agatio did all the digging. I suppose I was very glad he would do that. Out of consideration of some sort for the dead. His victim.

I first worked with Alex to light the lighthouses, so that Menardi could have her way. It was what Alex wanted too. I didn't care that much. So why did I help them? I had a crush on Alex. I was dealing with my feelings for guys, the ones that others considered different, or wrong. So I traveled with Menardi to keep safe from those feelings.

She was my friend. She had weird goals, but she was my friend.

Agatio finished digging. He was about to pick Alex up but I asked him if I could lay him to rest. I did not turn to face him when I spoke.

I knew he could not possibly refuse.

Alex was really heavy, his body taller than mine, but of course, I dealt with it. His body was cold as I picked him up. His hair swayed, touching my fingertips.

I held Alex for the last time. I even broke down enough to let his element drip from my eyes. I brushed my tears away from his face and kissed his cheek.

I ignored Agatio's stare.

I did my first job of laying him down and Agatio filled the grave. It was time to complete my second task, which was to place the grave marker. I also gave him a simple blessing, for him to do well in a place away from earth.

Last duty? I cried.

A/N: When the flamers kill me, I wanna be buried next to Alex. *laughs like crazy*