Even though Frank was exhausted, he couldn't seem to stay asleep for long; his mind was churning with the surplus of old memories that Billie Joe had restored to him, but most of all, it was worry that was keeping Frank awake, fear that refused to let his eyes stay closed for more than a few minutes at a time.

The words of the seventh prophecy of Joshua swirled around in Frank's head, taunting him with their obscure nature and all the what ifs they brought with them.

Nature dawns clear and bright

Two worlds separate

All starts to fall

Gold is tarnished and darkness comes

-

When gold becomes stained

Darkness hides light

One choice to make

Disaster or new life

-

Can gold reveal light

Can darkness polish gold

True love can renew all

Or destroy every living soul

-

When they unite

A chance will arise

One final stand

One sacrifice

-

Two becomes one

Or two can break

This is the end

Or is it the beginning?

So much more was clear now than it had been when Frank had first heard it, but that wasn't enough, Frank needed to know what was going to happen so he could walk into this with his eyes wide open.

It was a pointless effort though, because if anyone could unearth the prophecy's true meaning, it was Billie Joe, who wasn't here any longer, and Frank had a feeling that he would keep the information from Frank even if he did know.

And really, Frank knew enough, but that one damn line was seared behind his closed eyelids, and the implications of it were making Frank want to throw up.

One sacrifice

But maybe Frank was overreacting, maybe no one had to die, which was all he could assume the word sacrifice meant, but maybe this was his sacrifice, giving up his perfect life with Gerard to save the world, and if he made the right choice and returned to Heaven, everything would be okay in the end.

But maybe not, maybe one of them would have to give up their life, but Frank wasn't getting anywhere with this train of thought, and all he was accomplishing was to make himself sick with worry. Once he and Gerard were restored to their original states, Billie would be able to tell if either of their deaths were in the near future, Frank would just have to pry it out of him first, if he could find the courage to that is.

Exhausted with his never ending musings over the things that he couldn't change, Frank slipped out of bed cautiously, making sure not to disturb Gerard, even though he shouldn't have bothered; he could probably start jumping on the bed and Gerard would simply roll over and try to go back to sleep.

Feeling grimy from last night's escapades, Frank decided to take a shower. He still smelled slightly like vomit, and maybe the soothing sensation of water pouring down around him would help Frank relax.

Unfortunately, that didn't seem to be the case, and even though his muscles began to loosen up under the heated stream, his mind didn't, but Frank wasn't really surprised. He had regained an entire lifetime worth of memories all at once, so it was only natural that his brain was working overtime in an attempt to process them.

Frank wasn't getting anywhere thinking about the past though, and he should really be more worried about the present, especially what he was going to tell Gerard, because he couldn't just blurt out the whole truth, but Frank couldn't really lie to him either; he was always painfully obvious when he tried, and Gerard could pick up on the tiniest omission.

Frank didn't know which route would be the best to take, but he didn't have a lot of time to plan this out, and no matter what he said, Gerard was going to be confused. Frank truly wished that there was some way Gerard could have regained his memories of his old life as well, but apparently that was impossible, and that left Frank to try and fumble his way through this fucked up situation to the best of his ability.

Sighing loudly in frustration, Frank shut off the tap, grabbing a dry towel to wrap around his soaked body, making a mental note to take the pile of used towels down to the laundry room sometime today, but then he remembered that he wouldn't be living here for much longer, and if everything went as planned, he would be in Heaven by tonight, so laundry was no longer important.

Throwing on a clean shirt and boxers, Frank crawled back into bed, pressing his damp hair against Gerard's bare chest, listening to the gentle sound of his heartbeat. Frank felt his worries instantly soothing as he timed his breathing with his husband's, because no matter what happened in the future, he would have Gerard with him, and he was going to do everything in his power to make sure it stayed that way.

"Hmm..." Gerard mumbled sleepy as he attempted to turn over, but Frank's weight on his torso prevented him from moving very far.

"Baby, you awake?" Frank asked eagerly, desperate for his husband to wake up so he would no longer be alone with his thoughts.

"No...go away..." Gerard groaned, pushing against Frank's arm weakly in a way that Frank could only describe as adorable.

"If you get up, I'll make you coffee," Frank promised, hoping that Gerard's love of caffeine would overcome his drowsiness.

"I don't believe you," Gerard huffed, causing Frank to giggle at his grumpy continence.

"Ugh...you big baby," Frank teased, decided to simply get up and brew the coffee anyway. Gerard wouldn't be able to resist once he smelled his favorite beverage, and it wasn't like it was that early; Gerard usually got up around nine to work on his paintings, and it was already eight-thirty, so Frank didn't feel bad for his persistence.

Heading downstairs quickly, Frank loaded the coffee maker with Gerard's brand of choice, chewing on a muffin as he waited for their drinks to be finished. Pouring the coffee into two mugs, Frank carefully made his way back to the bedroom, because their carpet really didn't need any more coffee stains.

"Baby?" Frank called out as he nudged the door open with his hip, setting Gerard's coffee down on the nightstand when he realized that Gerard had already fallen back asleep, his face smothered by a pillow and his ass up in the air. "I kept my end of the deal, now get up lazy," Frank giggled, poking Gerard's side in the one spot that Frank knew was especially ticklish.

"I don't wanna...you go to sleep," Gerard whined.

"Oh come on Gee, it's not even that early," Frank pleaded, ceasing his actions when Gerard opened one eye blearily, and even though Frank could tell that Gerard was trying to glare at him, he didn't look very intimidating with his hair all messed up and sleep clogging his hazel irises.

"Not that earlier my ass," Gerard argued back, but he did sit up, snatching Frank's cup out of his hand with a soft chuckle before taking a sip.

"I made you your own jerk, but whatever, have fun drinking my spit."

"I like your spit, it adds to the flavor," Gerard giggled, sticking his tongue out at Frank before burying his face back in the coffee mug. "Seriously sugar, why the hell are you up at this hour?" Gerard asked when he had finished off his drink, his eyes gazing at Frank's cup longingly, causing Frank to cradle the mug against his chest protectively.

"I was having problems sleeping," Frank sighed, which was the truth, just not the entirety of it, but starting this conversation with 'two guys broke into our house last night, but it's okay, apparently we used to know them in our other lives when I was an angel and you were a demon' probably wasn't the best idea.

"Aw baby...was it the dreams again?" Gerard was instantly on edge, scooting closer to Frank's side so he could clasp Frank's hand in his.

"No - actually, just...I have a lot on my mind."

"Do you want to talk about?" Gerard pressed gently, a worried expression crossing his face as he eyed Frank up and down subtlety.

"Yes...but I don't know where to start." Frank groaned in frustration, tugging at his hair as if that would help his brain think of a logical way to explain this. Frank had been so eager for Gerard to wake up so he could get this newfound information off his chest, but now that the moment had arrived, he wished he could put it off for just a little bit longer.

"You know you can tell me anything Frankie, I won't get mad..." Gerard promised, and by the fearful look on his face, Frank could tell that his husband was already jumping to the worst possible conclusions, probably something like Frank cheating on him, even though Frank would never even consider that, but Frank being unfaithful was much more believable than what he was about to reveal, and he knew the way Gerard's mind worked.

"Okay...so -" Frank stammered out, lacing his hand though Gerard's as he tried to decide where to start. He knew he had to hurry up and explain himself soon before Gerard began panicking; he was already worrying his lower lip in between his teeth, which was a nervous habit he had when he was particularly anxious.

"Fuck Frank - just spit it out before I have a heart attack," Gerard whined, his fingers tightening around Frank's until the contact became borderline painful.

"Well, it's not bad - I mean, not really, so stop looking at me like I'm going to leave you okay?" Frank chuckled weakly at Gerard's surprised expression, but he should have known by now that Frank had become an expert at telling what Gerard was thinking. "It's more crazy than anything else, and I don't know how to explain it without sounding like I've lost my mind."

"Just say it, and if I don't believe you, you can prove it to me," Gerard shrugged, and Frank really wished it was all so simple, but Gerard was right, even if he didn't take Frank seriously, he could have Brendon and Billie Joe show him their wings when they arrived; that had been enough for Frank to stop doubting them, so it should work for Gerard.

"Okay...just try and keep an open mind." Frank took a deep breath, bracing himself for whatever Gerard's reaction would be. "So what would you say if I told you I knew why all the strange natural disaster are occurring, and not only that, but I knew a way to stop them?" Frank decided not to dive straight into everything all at once, because maybe if he eased Gerard into this, he would be less skeptical when Frank told him he used to be an angel.

"I...I would be confused, but I would want to hear your theory," Gerard played along with what he believed was a hypothetical situation despite the look of confusion that passed across his face.

"And what if I told you that it wasn't the earth shifting, or some scientific shit, but it was actually a mythical creature called the Leviathan?" Frank continued with the what ifs, gaining himself some more time as Gerard pondered his question.

"I - I don't know, but I think that would be pretty freaking cool," Gerard smiled weakly. Frank should have known that would be Gerard's response, he was the one who wanted to make friends with the killer bat people who attacked Tokyo.

"So you remember how you thought that person who saved you was an angel?" Frank pressed, throwing Gerard off with what seemed like a random subject change, but hopefully Gerard would understand soon enough.

"Uh - yes...but what does that have to do with anything?" Gerard questioned, his brows furrowing as he tried to comprehend where Frank was going with this.

"Okay - this is where things are going to get really fucking weird, but what if I told you that I was an angel too...or - I used to be at least."

"Can angels even become humans, I mean - wouldn't you turn into an angel when you died, or are you saying all humans are angels before they are born somehow?" Gerard was trying his best to play along with Frank, but Frank could tell that Gerard was completely lost.

"That's the thing, I did die before, this hasn't been my only life, and it's not yours either - you can't remember it, but I can, and you have to trust me on this, because now Heaven needs us back, and without us, the world is going to end," Frank stumbled over his words, his heart pounding in his chest as he gazed at Gerard, waiting for him to say something, but Gerard simply stared at Frank with a bewildered expression.

"Sugar...are you sure you didn't just have a really vivid dream?" Gerard asked tentatively, his hand reaching up to graze Frank's forehead gently, presumably checking for signs of a fever.

"I know you don't believe me, and honestly - I wouldn't believe me either if I were you, but I'm not making this up Gee. Two angels came to me last night, they restored all of my memories, and now everything makes sense. Remember how we had this connection between us the moment we met, well - it is because we knew each other before, we fell in love already, we just couldn't remember it - fuck Gee, it explains everything, even my weird emotional fits, and although I'm scared, I'm also so fucking relieved, because I'm not mentally unwell, or whatever, I was just experiencing old emotions."

"Okay...I still don't understand Frank, I mean - I like the idea of us meeting before, that's actually pretty fucking poetic, but if you can remember all of this now, why can't I? You said I was an angel too right...so where are my memories?" Gerard spoke slowly, and Frank could almost see the cogs in Gerard's brain turning rapidly as he tried to give Frank the benefit of the doubt.

"You - you weren't an angel Gerard, you were a demon, but you weren't evil or anything; apparently the way you die determines whether you end up in Heaven or Hell to some extent," Frank explained, tears swimming in his eyes when he recalled how Gerard had ended his first life, because he had glossed over it initially, but now the fact that Gerard had killed himself began to sink in, and even though Frank hadn't known Gerard before he became a demon, the thought of him taking his own life still fucking hurt.

"How...how did I die?" Gerard nudged Frank gently, snapping him out of the past and back into the present.

"You...you killed yourself, I don't know why exactly, we didn't talk about it much, but that made you a demon, and I was charged with eliminating you, but I couldn't, and we ended up falling for each other instead."

"And what about you, how did you die before?" Gerard seemed less dubious now, and Frank was ecstatic over the fact that Gerard was taking this seriously and that he hadn't tried to commit Frank to a mental hospital - not yet anyway.

"I was in a car accident, I was killed on impact." Frank's memories of the crash were fuzzy, and he really didn't remember too much from that particular night, but he assumed that was because it had happened so long ago, so he didn't really have much else to explain to Gerard on that front.

"Okay, so you are telling me that two angels gave you back all of your memories, but now we need to go back to Heaven with them, and for some reason, I won't be able to remember my old life...is that because I am demon - or is it something else?"

"It's because - because our situations are different, not just our races. I was still alive when I got changed into a human, so my memories were easily accessible, or something like that, but you..." Frank trailed off, his throat closing up as tried to ignore the vivid pictures flashing across his brain.

"I died...again?" Gerard finished Frank's sentence for him, waiting for Frank's nod to affirm his assumption. "So...will I ever remember my old life?"

"Yes, but not until you see God, they are the only one who can restore your lost memories," Frank sighed heavily, silently thanking Gerard for not asking how he had died a second time, because Frank wasn't ready to recount that specific memory out loud.

"I - I don't know what to think, but honestly, I know you Frank, and there is no fucking way you could make up this good of a story unless it was partially true, but - I am a bit skeptical," Gerard finally spoke up after a few minutes of silence, during which Frank had squirmed uncomfortably as Gerard stared off into space.

Frank was shocked at how well Gerard was taking this; he had expected Gerard to laugh in his face and tell him to go back to sleep, but Frank should have known that if anyone would believe this crazy, seemingly fictional tale, it would be Gerard. Frank couldn't even count how many times Gerard had whined about real life being boring, and wouldn't it be so cool if he could live in one of his comic books, so his acceptance of this whole situation made sense.

"Fucking hell Gerard - I love you so fucking much," Frank grinned widely, tackling Gerard to the bed as he wrapped his arms around him, his joy at Gerard's open-mindedness causing him to be overly affectionate.

"I love you too sugar," Gerard giggled against Frank's chest, "but if this is all really happening, then what do we do now?"

"Now we get ready to leave, and then I will call my friends, the ones who gave me back my memories. They want to take us to Heaven tonight if you are ready, and don't worry, once they get here, I will make them do some cool angel stuff, because I can tell you are still humoring me."

"I'm sorry Frank, I really want to believe you, and I'm trying, but it all sounds so insane, and it's not like I don't think you think you are telling the truth, I just...I need a bit more proof - you know? I don't have any old memories to fall back on, or whatever, but if you are correct, then I will soon."

"I know Gee, and seriously, I'm so relieved that you aren't freaking out, and after tonight, this will all make sense, I promise."

"I trust you Frankie," Gerard whispered softly, pressing a gentle kiss to Frank's cheek once he was done speaking.

And even though Gerard was still skeptical, Frank didn't care, he had been expecting that from the beginning, and in a way, it made Frank love Gerard more than he already did, because Gerard was leaping into this completely on faith, faith in Frank, and that meant the fucking world to him. It gave him hope that they could get through anything together, and no matter what was awaiting them in Heaven, Frank wasn't afraid anymore, not when he had Gerard by his side.

Ugh...I literally hate this chapter, but I have had it sitting around for ages as I attempted to edit it, and I can't think of any way to make this better.

I had no idea how to write Gerard's reaction, I wanted to make him try and understand Frank, but also not instantly believe him, but I couldn't seem to get this part just right...oh well.

I am off to scavenge for food now, so let me know what you guys think, was this okay...or complete crap?

Chapter dedicated to rxckbxndsyolo

((((hungry vibes))))

<3 starr