Raziel's POV

Earlier this morning, Lance watched as Declan and Kai made all of his favorite dishes. While they were having fun in the kitchen, Zorander and I spent the morning introducing Gabriel to some of our favourite television shows.

The demon scowled and pretended to hate spending time with us, but he wasn't fooling anyone, not even Gabriel who has taken a liking to teasing him. Now, the six of us are sitting at the dining table and chatting as Lance enjoys his last meal with us before he leaves.

Lance decided that he wanted to become a grim reaper and that gave him only one week with Declan until the two would be separated for six months. They decided to make the most of the week, and he and Declan were inseparable. They went to classes together, ate every meal together and everyday after school they would go on a mini date. Although this chapter of their lives was ending, they both believed that their love was strong enough to survive anything.

"Orientation starts in two hours and you still need to meet with Saphael before it officially starts," Gabriel says.

He gives Declan a potion which will let him keep his memories when Lance is erased from existence and Declan quickly drinks it. I explained to Kai earlier that since he's bonded to me, he won't need a potion and his memories will be protected through our bond.

Lance nods and turns to Kai. "Thank you for everything. You've been the best friend I could have hoped for. Thank you for being so kind to me and I really appreciate you giving Declan a chance. Please take care of him when I'm gone."

"Of course! I'm really happy I met you! As soon as orientation is finished, I'll have Raziel take Declan and I to visit you!" Kai flashes Lance a smile, wiping away the few tears that fall from his eyes. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too." Lance turns towards me and smiles. "Thank you for all your help with Declan and with trying to get me to Heaven. I truly appreciate everything you have done. Take great care of Kai, he's a gem."

I smile. "I will."

Lance eyes the demon at the far end of the table. "You still scare me a little, but you're much nicer than I initially thought. Thank you for trying to help me."

Zorander smirks and Lance's gaze finally fixes on Declan. The two give each other a sad smile and that's enough to bring tears to Lance's eyes.

Declan reaches towards Lance, his hand hovering as close as possible to Lance's face without going through his ghastly form. "Thank you for coming back to me. I don't know how I'll survive the next few months without you, but I'll try."

A tear runs down his cheek and he quickly wipes it away. "I love you, Lance, I think I always have and always will. I'll miss you and I'll be counting down the days until I can see you again. You'll kick ass as a grim reaper. I know it."

"I'll make you proud," Lance says. Smiles spread across their faces as Lance's tears run unfettered down his cheeks. "If I had a do over, I would still come back to you. You mean the world to me. I've cherished every moment that I've had with you, every smile, every touch, every conversation. I love you, Declan, more than anything. I'll be counting down the days until you come see me."

Lance's last few words are whispers as the greenish yellow light which Gabriel is emitting seems to hug Lance and carry him towards the angel. The light engulfs him and he disappears. Gabriel then stands, flaps his wings and disappears from the room.

As soon as they do, Declan whimpers and clutches his chest as the tears he was suppressing finally break free.

Kai rushes over to him and squeezes him into a tight hug. "Six months will fly by, you'll see."

Declan sniffles and nods, still clinging to Kai. I gesture to Zorander to follow me to the living room so that we can give the brothers some space, and he complies, grabbing a pack of chocolate coated cookies on the way to the living room.

I plop down onto the couch next to him as he opens them. I turn to face the demon and smirk. "Zor, why are you still here? Are you waiting for a certain angel to return?"

I grin when the demon glares and clenches his fists. Two things that irritate him all in one breath!

"I have no interest in him," he snarls. "I'm here for the free food."

"Tell that to the blush on your face."

"What!" Zorander's hands fly up to his cheeks and I burst out laughing. "I hate you."

My laughter only increases when the demon glares and crosses his arms.

"Is this what it felt like all those times I laughed at you," he mutters and I nod.

When I finally get my laughter under control, I say, "so, Gabriel?"

Zorander shrugs and his hard to read poker face returns. "Not interested."

I roll my eyes and grab a few cookies from him, popping one into my mouth. He's definitely interested, and I'm almost certain Gabriel's interested in him too.

A yellowish green flash suddenly appears before us and Gabriel grins before coming to sit in between Zorander and me.

"How did it go with Lance?" I ask.

"I saw him talking to some of the potential reapers, so that's a good sign," Gabriel says.

Declan and Kai enter the room, both no longer crying. Kai sits next to his brother even though I can see him trying to figure out if he should just come snuggle with me. Gabriel gives the two of them a more detailed account of how it went when he dropped Lance off in Heaven before Declan says he has to go pick up his mom from work.

Kai sees him off, and Zorander decides that he's leaving as well. Gabriel pesters him about seeing Melkopnius, who is no longer sick, until the demon finally caves and agrees.

Kai and I sit in silence for a while and I hold him close, planting kisses in his hair ever so often. He eventually lifts his head and I peck his lips before giving him a small smile. "Are you okay?"

He smiles and nods. "I'll see Lance again. I'll just miss him until I do." His gaze drifts behind me and he groans. "I have to meet Milan at the library to work on an assignment."

He pouts and I flatten his lips with another kiss. We stay cuddled on the couch for a few more minutes before Kai grabs his books and we head outside. His phone pings shortly after we get into the Uber, and when he reads the message, he bursts into a fit of giggles. "Raz, look what Zorander sent to the group chat we have with Declan!"

Kai adjusts his phone a little so I can see the screen. Melkopnius is wearing two little, lime green top hats, one on each of their heads, and Zorander is on one side of Melkopnius scowling at Gabriel who is standing on the other side and wearing vampire teeth and a gold crown. The message under the photo says:

Don't worry, Lance will be okay! Your love is strong and you will be seeing each other again soon. From Gabriel (because Zorander didn't want you to think the message was from him).

Their silly antics even bring a smile to my face and the photo seems to put Kai in a much better mood because he spends most of the Uber ride talking about how cute Zorander and Gabriel would be together.

Milan practically jumps on Kai as soon as he's out of the car and they instantly become a giggling ball of affection. "You didn't call me all weekend!"

"I'm sorry! And it's only Saturday evening!" Kai says with a giggle before frowning. "A close friend of mine moved today. I won't be able to see him for a few months so I spent the whole day with him."

"Oh Candy Cane, do you want to talk about it? We still have a bit of time until we need to work on the project."

Kai nods and she invites me to tag along but I decline her offer. I saw some people exiting a shop with sugary bread sticks not far from here, and as much as I want to do everything with Kai, I know that I can't smother him.

Kai smiles and pecks my lips, and I wave as he and Milan hurry into the coffee shop across the road from the library before I stroll down the sidewalk towards the little shop selling sweet treats.

Thank you for reading! ❤

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