As the video call connected, I could hear Liam's mischievous chuckle before his face even appeared on the screen. When he finally popped up, I saw that his grin stretched from ear to ear. It was the kind of grin that only Liam, the biggest troublemaker I knew, could pull off.

"So did you do it? How'd it go?" he asked, bouncing around on his bed with excitement. His grin only grew wider as he waited for my answer. It was as if he was daring me to say that I had chickened out.

I could still picture Liam's room in my mind's eye. The walls were still covered in posters of his favorite bands, and there was always a guitar lying around somewhere. I could see the sunlight streaming through his window, casting a warm glow on everything in the room. It was almost as if I could still hear him humming the melody of Bucktick's "Kiss Me Goodbye." I remember practically begging him to listen to the band once, and now he adored them. I'd watch him rather carefully as he put in yet another piercing, his nose practically touching the mirror while doing so. It was the kind of room that you never wanted to leave, and I could see why Liam spent so much time there.

As I thought about Liam's room, I realized that I missed him more than I had realized. It had been too long since we had talked face-to-face or touched one another. I was grateful for the chance to catch up with him in just two more years. May 26th, to be exact. I just had to hold on until then to see my angel. The only person in this world that could genuinely make me feel complete.

Liam's question snapped me out of my daydream, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I knew exactly what he was referring to. "Oh yeah! Horribly on my end!" I exclaimed. "He thought I was trying to steal his boyfriend! Can you imagine how awkward it was to even pretend to seduce someone, let alone your friend's boyfriend?"

Liam's laughter echoed across the room, and I could picture him trying to stifle it with his porcelain hands. Though, laughter was quite infectious, and I couldn't help but grin as I listened to him. "How hilarious is that!" he exclaimed. "Poor Misaki, but even more so poor Akihiko! I bet you felt as awkward as a penguin in the desert!"

I laughed along with Liam, enjoying the moment of levity. It had been a rough week, and I was grateful for the chance to let loose and have some fun. "Very funny!" I said, still chuckling. "But I've already explained everything to Misaki, and he says that when he meets you, you're toast too!"

As I imagined Liam and Misaki meeting for the first time, I couldn't help but smile. They were both such important people in my life, and I was excited for them to finally meet. In a way, they reminded me of one another. The difference was, Liam was a bit on the wayward side of things.

"Why am I in trouble?" As expected, Liam's cocky smirk faded from his dainty, almost fairy-like face. "Without my grand scheme, he would have never confessed his love for Akihiko! I should be hailed as a grand hero! Don't ya think, Kei? I'm no prankster, he could think of me as a relationship therapist even! You know what I always say, a man who rejects an unexpected love when it is presented before them is a fool! It's one of life's greatest pleasures!""

Albeit defensive, I could still see contentment all over his face as if, if he were given a second chance to do it again, he wouldn't change a thing. Liam had always had a different way of going about life, but things always seemed to work out for the best.

"Sure, Mr. Love Guru," I said sarcastically. "Be sure to bring your boxing gloves to our wedding as well. I don't believe Misaki's going to take it easy on you."

Liam merely chuckled at my comment, his eyes sparkling like the ocean on a sunny day. I couldn't help but imagine what it would feel like to kiss him through the screen right then. His lips would be soft against mine, and our fingers would be intertwined once more.

"Whatever happened to my love's sweet little pebble of a friend he told me about?" Liam teased. "Can't believe he'd even think about beating up a sickly man on the poor bloke's wedding day. Tsk, tsk. You wouldn't let your best friend beat up your hubby, would you?"

I couldn't help but laugh at Liam's words, I once again found myself grinning back at him. "Never, Liam," I said, sighing deeply. Liam knew he had me wrapped around his finger, and I didn't mind one bit.

"Duh! It's because you love me, huh Kei?" My angel crossed his arms in delight, and I couldn't help but smile at him. Liam brought out the innocence in me that I thought I had lost.

"Yup! Always and forever, until my last dying breath," I replied.

"Even then, let's be together. Let's choose each other in every universe," Liam proposed, his eyes sparkling with hope.

I once again closed my eyes and imagined a world where Liam and I could be together forever. A world where nothing, not even his illness, could tear us apart. It was a beautiful world, full of love, laughter, and warmth. A world that we built together.

"Sounds like a plan," I said, opening my eyes and smiling back at the screen. Everything around me faded away, and all that was left was Liam and me, together in every universe. "These two years cannot pass sooner. Seeing you again is all I can think about."

—-
Liam's smile faded after ending the call with his beloved. His mother placed a cold towel on his forehead, but the warmth of the pillows did little to ease the weight of his heart. "I don't think he understands, I am unsure if I will even make it to two years." Liam said, his voice heavy with sadness. He was not afraid of death, but he was afraid of leaving Keiichi behind. The thought of Keiichi suffering without him was unbearable. It was like standing on the edge of a cliff, looking down at the vast expanse of the ocean below. Liam knew that one day he would have to jump and be free, but he couldn't help thinking of Keiichi. Keiichi was the one person who kept him tethered to this world. Liam was put on this Earth to make Keiichi happy, and he wouldn't stop until he knew Keiichi was okay, even if that meant he wasn't the one to do it.

Tears welled up in both Liam's and his mother's eyes. She knew just how much the pair loved each other, and she wished there could be a forever in sight. "I have an idea!" she said. "Why don't we write him a special letter? And you could finally work on that audiobook project you wanted to gift him too, so he can hear your voice! Those will be sure to make him happy. We have ample time! Let's have hope, yeah?"

Liam's mother's words were like a beacon of light in the darkness. The thought of Keiichi hearing his voice long after he was gone and being able to read his letters as many times as he'd like brought a sense of peace to Liam's heart. He would do everything in his power to assure Keiichi that he was loved.

AN: Thank you do much for sticking around and reading! Feel free to follow me on Wattpad under the penname DionysusDreamer to follow this story and my future original works. ❤️