Tom's face inevitably heated up as he gazed at Tord. They were sitting on a grassy hill under a tree, the leaves swaying and rustling. The moonlight reflected perfectly off of Tord's features and it turned his red hoodie silver.

"Do you like it?" Tord dragged his gaze away from the stars and over to Tom. His eyes were sparkling with joy.

"I... love it," Tom gave him a half-smile, tilting his head to the side a bit and his heart racing. "How did you find this place?" He looked at the night sky.

"I just did." Tord replied simply and leaned back, his hands propping him up.

A slight breeze tugged at them, ruffling their hair. Tom let out a breath of... well, he didn't quite know. Happiness? Relief? Maybe both. He glanced at his lover, then down at his lap, and back up again. "I love you."

"I love you too," Tord smiled, showing his sharp canines, and ran a hand through his honey-brown hair. "Too much for you to even know." He sighed heavily.

Tom slid his hand so it was on top of Tord's. They looked at each other lovingly. "Same here," Tom shrugged, offering a weak smile. "You're too perfect, y'know? You just-" He cut himself off. "Hah, never mind."

"Is the list too long~?" Tord teased, leaning in and brushing his nose against Tom's soft cheek.

"Yes." The Brit chuckled and kissed Tord's temple. "But I think I could name at least five."

"Go ahead," Tord pulled away and crossed his legs. "Five things. Start."

"Well, first of all, your beautiful face," Tom counted on his fingers. "And then theres your eyes--goddamn, those eyes... Anyway, the way you don't even think before acting! Risky as all hell. I love that." He continued listing things until he reached five.

Tord's eyes were brimming with tears of joy and love but he pushed them back. "Alrighty, my turn!"

"Okay," Tom nodded with a breathy laugh.

"Get ready!" Tord clasped his hands together. "First, your fucking voids for eyes! They're beautiful! Second, your voice... smooth as fuck. Third, the way you think. Honestly, you're the smartest person i've ever met. The fourth is simple; you're hot." Tom blushed at that one. "Lastly, you in general. Your body, your ass--hot damn--everything."

"I- um..." Tom's face was burning red. "Th-Thanks...?" He hunched his shoulders in embarrassment.

Tord wrapped his arms around Tom and pulled him close, burying his nose into the crook of Tom's neck.

And just like that, they fell asleep in each other's arms, under the stars.

Tord woke up with a jolt in his bed. His legs were tangled in the stained sheets. He wrinkled his nose at the stench of alcohol, cigars, and loneliness. He looked over to his bedside table where a picture of Tom sat. Tord picked it up with a shaky hand as tears rolled down his cheeks.

"No... not again..." he choked out. "It felt so real, I-" Tord's words turned into a sob and his body instinctively curled into a ball.

Memories rushed back to him like a waterfall.

Tom was dead. And had been, for a very long time.