R_M : Well , I haven't posted a note at the top of the fic for quite a long while . Perhaps I've never had a reason to – until now . Did I ever tell you guys that I was a clairvoyant ? Nope ? Well , I am . I can actually predict your reaction to this coming chapter . I don't want to tell you what your reaction will be because I don't want to spoil everything for you , but I'll carry on my little note at the end of the chapter .
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" Hmnmm ..." Ken murmured appreciatively as Schuldich nuzzled his neck .
They were seated at the park bench , basking in the warm sunlight as they watched a family of swans gliding on the smooth surface of the emerald-colored lake .
Ken had awoken naked in Schuldich's arms , and it felt like it was the rightest thing ; opening his eyes to see Schuldich's handsome face .
It was their first day as 'real' lovers and they had driven off to a large park outside the city , a large attraction because of the hundreds of swans resting there during spring .
Behind them , families picnicked on little mats with baskets of food , laughter was ringing in the air and both of them felt happy . It seemed like they were a family on their own . Just Schuldich and Ken . Ken and Schuldich .
They were anonymous there ; nobody paid close attention to them ; nobody cared that they were two people enjoying the sunlight and nobody knew that the redhead was actually the famous photographer Schuldich Schwarz .
Schuldich kissed Ken on the cheek , ignoring the shocked stares of the little children as they paused from their frolic around the park and screams and shout their hearts out .
Ken gave him a good-natured smile and marveled for the hundredth time that day how handsome Schuldich looked with his olive eyes , his crooked smile and his thick orange hair . He laid his head on the firm chest and sighed happily .
Schuldich fixed a soft stare on the crown of chestnut hair resting on his chest . " You know I love you right ?"
Ken's head bobbed . " Mmmhhmmm ..."
Schuldich turned and watched as a pair of swans cut through the mirror of water , and commented as if it were a sudden idea ." Why don't I take a picture of you with the lake ? It'll be perfect . I promise it's going to be the best print I'll ever make ." Schuldich said , nudging Ken's chin to face him .
" Only if you promise that we'll have a picture together ." Ken replied . He kissed Schuldich's jaw lightly and raised an eyebrow in question .
Schuldich mock-frowned . " What ?! And have other people touch my beloved camera ?!"
Ken laughed . " You promise ?"
" Yeah , yeah . Now stand with your back against the lake . The light's just perfect for a colored shot ."
Ken obliged . He squinted under the blinding glare . " Isn't this a little bit too much sun ?" He called out .
" Never fear . I am the great Schuldich , trust me ."
Ken laughed .
" Now look here , luv ."
Ken stood at the edge of the water , leaning sideways casually , his hand poised on his slim hips and a little happy smile twitching on the corner of his lips .
" Ready ?"
" Wait !" Ken patted down the brand new denim pants he had borrowed from Schuldich and smoothed down the navy blue buttoned-down shirt open at the collar , revealing his collarbone . He ran a hand over his messy hair and gave lopsided grin .
" Hey ! Don't bother . You look great anytime ." Schuldich said fondly , half-joking .
Dear God ! He loved this boy !
" I want this to be the shot you remember me by ." Ken called out with a happy laugh . Schuldich raised his head , wondering what he meant , but Ken resumed his position and he lowered his eye back to peer through the camera .
" One ..." Schuldich counted . " Two ... three ..."
It all happened so suddenly and there was nothing else he could do but watch in horror through the lens ...
Ken's eyes rolled back , his head was thrown backwards , drops of blood suspended in mid-air , his hands were limp before him , his shirt flapping in an invisible wind . His left foot was hovering over the grass , as if taking a wild leap forward just as the family of swans raised their wings to take off in panic .
Click !
Within that second , Schuldich had captured the worst sight of his life .
Within that second was an eternity that never ended ...
The park was silent , save for the large splash that send tidal waves of water into the air . The love of his life had just been plunged into the icy waters and people only watched , stunned , as the laughing attractive brunette fell suddenly backwards into the water ; his eyes losing all their sparkle .
Schuldich opened his lips in horror , the camera slipping from his fingers and landing with a soft thump on the grass .
Was it just a horrible nightmare ?
Drops of icy water splattered on his face , bringing him to his senses .
No ! Real ! It was all real !
He sprang into action and sprinted to the lake's edge before diving beneath the surface . The water was deep, it dipped suddenly and the water reached six feet . What had seemed so clear from above was murky green instead .
His eyes searched , but no Ken .
He tried to choke down his panic , his heart was beating like a drum .
Dum–dum ... dum-dum ... dum ...
He saw a shadow and lunged deeper into the depths – his lungs were bursting , but he had to save Ken ! He had no trouble going down , his boots and his thick clothes were dragging him down .
He stretched out his hand and grabbed a boot and pulled with all his strength . Ken was drifting down with his arms trailing over his head .
He held Ken's body against his own as he fought to surface . They were being dragged down by their clothes but he didn't have time to take any article off ; he should get Ken up or they were both going to drown .
I can see the surface !
Brighter and brighter it became . The sun's luminous face was growing larger with each struggling moment as he fought for the surface , gripping Ken on the arm ; like a beacon in the blinding darkness .
He felt rough hands heave him out of the water , another pair wrenched Ken from his grasps and they were now on the grass , making little puddles of mud . He sputtered and coughed all the putrid water before turning quickly to Ken .
His head was lolled to one side , his eyes closed . Fresh trickles of blood came down from the corner of his lips and from his nose .
Schuldich's eyes widened , his heart had skipped a beat for a moment , having a dark premonition .
The people had gathered around them now , and two of the men were talking through their cellphones , calling for an ambulance ...
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Everything was a blur .
He didn't know when the ambulance came ; he didn't remember what exactly happened .
Suddenly , he was seated on a bench in the ambulance staring at Ken's limp body being pierced by needles and tubes . An oxygen mask was placed over his nostrils and he could hear the strange sound of Ken's laboured breathing . Woosh ...
His teeth chattered despite the rough thermal cloak that the medical personnel
had given him and he could feel goosebumps rising on his skin .
"Be okay ..." Schuldich murmured as he clutched Ken's lifeless hand in his own , but there was no response .
It took all of his strength to fight away the tears .
He didn't want anyone to see him cry , his tears were only for Ken .
Just for Ken .
How could God be so cruel ??
How could He let you taste heaven for a fraction of a moment and take it away all so suddenly ?
No ... Schuldich wasn't going to let Ken go .
He was going to fight fate if he had to .
There was no way that he was going to lose Ken again , no way at all in heaven or in hell ...
NO WAY .
NO GODDAMN WAY .
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R_M : Wow ... just nine reviews for chapter fifteen huh ? That bad ? I guess I didn't make it fluffy and wuffy enough for most of you – come to think of it , I guess it isn't so bad (I was content with just 3 or 4 reviews per chappie before , but you guys indulged me on this ! ^______^) . Anyway , I aim to please ne ?
Hmmm ... lemme guess ... you're not in any way pleased right now , are you ? O_O;; Well , you guys saw it coming , (Whisper_Reilman most especially) and I gave it to you so I guess it's no big surprise after all . *ducks from under the barrage of flying furniture and books* Well , there's nothing more I can do . The basic plot had already been formed right from the start and chapters are just waiting to be written .
I'm not sure if I can continue to post chapters semi-regularly , because I am quite short of chapters right now and I don't exactly have the time considering that there are many school projects waiting to be launched soon . Hopefully , this fic won't be put into a hiatus (look what happened to the others that I put into the limbo I called 'hiatus') So if you don't want that to happen ... please give me some (or if you want maybe even many) feedbacks . Flame me , blame me , maim me for all I care (O_O);;; just tell me what you think and give me inspiration to MAKE time to write out the last remaining chapters .
I'm afraid I won't be able to write notes to you today . I am currently in the state of being brain dead due to lack of sleep . Please pray that I regain those sleeping brain cells by tonight because I have a major test tomorrow ! (God I hate Calculus and Calc professors !) Be assured though that I am very grateful for every single one of those nine reviews . I will write you next time , and thank you one by one when I post the next chappie !
Thanks ! (And if you kill me now , you won't find out what the ending of the fic is)