.:Many Years Earlier (Basically when they're in 8th grade):.

The first place Paul went was to the birch tree in the courtyard.

The first bell hadn't rung yet, so most of the students were hanging out around the area in front of the school. He always met his friends at the birch tree. It was kinda like their territory. Their own little base where no one could hurt them. As he walked towards them, Paul noticed that Matt, Edd and Tom weren't there. That's when he remembered- Matt was probably in the auditorium practicing for the play that was coming up, Edd was out of town so his family could take care of a sick aunt and Tom most likely was in the principals's office getting a lecture of some sort.

He then noticed something else. His friends Tord and Patryk were talking, and both seemed pretty happy about something. He just was able to hear Patryk say "Alright, I'll do it after school,". "Hey guys," Paul said. Patryk turned around to look at his friend, "Hey, Paul!" "'Sup," Tord said, smiling. "What are you two talking about?" Paul asked, leaning against the tree. "Oh, I was just telling Patryk about a new computer game that came out," Tord replied, "I'll have to show it to you two,". Paul had a strange feeling about the statement however, as if Tord wasn't telling the truth... he shrugged it off though, and as the bell rung, Patryk walked over to him and said "Hey, can you meet me on the east side of the courtyard after school?". "Yeah," Paul smiled. "Thanks," Patryk smiled back, then ran to get to his first class. Paul sighed. He always got this weird feeling around Patryk, as if he wanted to just blurt out something. As if he wanted to confess to something, except he didn't know what it was. He always pushed aside the feelings, however, but this time he just couldn't. Paul didn't really concern himself with it, however, as he headed for his first class.

After school, once the bell rung, Paul practically sprinted out of the building to the east part of the courtyard. He had barely been able to concentrate on much except for his meeting with Patryk the entire day. Paul's heart was pounding, and it was only pounding more when he saw Patryk walking towards him. "Hey," Paul greeted receiving a "Hi,"in return. "So, why did you want to meet me over here?" Paul asked. He could just see Patryk blush. "There's actually something I've been meaning to tell you," Patryk said nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yes...?" Paul said, feeling his cheeks heat up as Patryk stepped closer to him. "Well, Paul, I...." Patryk sighed, "I... really like you Paul. Like... more than just like a friend. I... I love you," Paul knew he was blushing now. Patryk, however, looked at the ground, not noticing. "I-I understand if you don't feel the same... or if you don't want to see me again... I'll just go," Patryk turned to walk way, but Paul grabbed his arm, stopping him. "Wait," He said, and Patryk turned around to face him again.

Paul now had a definition for the butterflies in his stomach and the urge to confess to some unknown thing.

Love.

Paul pulled Patryk into a hug, whispering, "I love you too,". Patryk only smiled, hugging his new boyfriend back.

That's when they heard the shutter sound of a camera and saw a bright flash. Matt stood nearby with his phone, Tord and Tom nearby. He was smiling widely. "YOU TWO ARE SO CUTE TOGETHER!!!" he squealed. Patryk only smiled, and the two gay children walked over to their friends. "Waitwaitwait, I've got something~!" Matt said, pulling off his backpack and digging around inside it. As he did this, Tom turned to face them, "Somehow I just knew you two would get together,". "This was what you two were talking about, wasn't it?" Paul asked, facing Tord. "Yep," Tord said, "And judging by the current events I take it the plan turned out pretty well," he smiled. "Found it!" Matt suddenly exclaimed, hopping up and slipping something around Paul and Patryk's necks. They were necklaces, each with half of a heart on it. "Perfect~!" Matt said, taking another picture. Paul now recalled that he had seen a similar pair of necklaces somewhere, more specifically when Matt gave one from a pair to Edd just before he left Friday. Heck, Matt had his on every time since then. "And there's on more left for Tom and Tord~!" Matt purred as he zipped up his backpack. Now Tom became a blushing mess. "EXCUSE ME WHAT," He said as everyone else laughed. Matt then smirked, "Trust me, it'll happen,". "I'll believe it," Patryk said, Paul nodding in agreement. "Whatever," Tom growled, still blushing slightly.

.:Now:.

"Pat, get out of here, you'll only get yourself hurt," Paul coughed, barely audible over gunshots and explosions and shouts around them. Patryk held his boyfriend in his arms, the only thing between them and the rest of the war a pile of rubble. Paul had been shot in several places, now unable to fight. There were no medics around, and no way to stop the bleeding.

Paul was going to die.

As Patryk held Paul close, he remembered something.

The necklaces.

They always had the necklaces on under their sweaters. When Paul saw Patryk pull out his necklace, he reached up weakly and did the same for his own. Patryk lifted Paul up slowly, pressing their foreheads together. A metallic click was heard. Tiny magnets on the necklaces cased them to snap together, forming one heart. Patryk kept giving Paul small kisses, singing the chorus of "You Are My Sunshine", whispering, "It's gonna be okay," and "You're gonna be okay," over and over even though they knew the truth. Patryk could feel the tears running down his face. The pain was unbearable. Paul reached up again, cupping Patryk's cheek in his hand as he gave him a passionate kiss on his lips. He pulled away after a good ten seconds and whispered, "I love you, Patryk,". Patryk could barely speak-his throat ached from crying- but he managed to squeeze out, "I love you too, Paul,". Paul smiled weakly, good eye fluttering closed, going limp.

He was gone.

"Red Team, retreat!" Patryk heard. Soon after, he saw Tord, hair messed up and uniform bloodstained. He reached out his hand to help Patryk up. "He'll get a proper burial," Tord promised.

The two halves of the heart didn't come apart until Patryk placed the body in the casket.

Matt was downright sobbing. Edd had one hand wrapped around him, the other stuffed in the pocket of his dress pants. Tom even looked sad, and Tord just stared at the ground, trying to hid his own tears.

Patryk stood by the casket, watching Paul's lifeless body. It was as if he expected the man to sit right up, apologize for scaring Patryk so badly, pulling the man into a warm embrace.

But it never happened.

Patryk could hardly bare it. He tried and tried. His friends told him that it would be okay.

But it never would. Not without Paul.

Now, Patryk sat on his bed, clutching a pistol tightly. A note sat on the bedside table. All it said was "I tried, I really did, but I just can't do it. Not without him... without Paul. I'm sorry.". He lifted the gun to his head and braced himself. "I'm coming, Paul," was the last thing he said before he pulled the trigger, and with a loud, instantaneous bang, the world faded to black...