My submission for the writing contest by TheBroadwayJay

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Shine and Be Mine series (four books) by TheBroadwayJay, I recommend you check it out because it is an absolutely awesome read. And, the series is coming to a close, so all the work is completed (which means you can enjoy all of it without waiting for updates).

Tom: Deceit
Lea: Remy

Note: It's unlikely that you will understand the story if you haven't read the series, so go read it!

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The night crept by, making the hours of the long night seem even longer. With the cold that bites the prison cells, they could hear the small sounds of metal shrinking and wood moving. Lea had been unable to sleep—but that comes to a surprise to no one. He had been utterly silent, facing the wall while his mind ran with erratic thoughts, jumping here and there. 'Was going to Brian ever a good idea?' He thought to himself as he heard Tom shifted on his bed on the top bunk.

And the reversal process that Virgil discussed... It had brought him much discomfort, curiosity and excitement all at once. If he were to take it, would it be true that he wouldn't remember anything that has happened since the experiment? Would he forget about Tom? Oh, Tom. Something about him captivated Lea; the way he acts so confident but shrink away from conflict, the way he's protective to those he cared about—Lea himself, in this case. Tom had always been a puzzling case for him, and Tom's presence brings comfort and a sense of safety that at times he didn't want to let go. It seemed nice to just stay in Tom's embrace forever and he wouldn't miss anything else.

"Tom?" He called out, his voice sounded loud in the quiet night.

"Lea," Tom responded, jumping out of his bunk. His voice held much concern and care when he asked, "What's wrong?"

Lea sighed, sitting up on the stiff bed. He could feel his heart clench with warmth with how Tom was always there for him. He pats the space in front of him for Tom to sit. For a while, they only sit together in silence, Lea's head on Tom's shoulder and their fingers intertwined.

"What's wrong?" Tom asked again, rubbing his cheek on Lea's head.

"I—do you think the reversal thing that Virgil talked about will work?" He could feel Tom stiffened at the question. "What I mean is, would it bring back all my memories?"

"I think it will..."

There was an unanswered question lingering between them. They both knew it was a question they both wanted answer to, yet they were too afraid to ask—too afraid to know the answer. They both knew what they could lose. And with the reversal experiment, it seemed the question shifted from will it happen to when will it happen. Tom brought his arms around Lea's slender figure, enfolding him in a tight embrace. He had suddenly felt protective, like he had to shield Lea from whatever it was that's trying to take them apart.

"I don't want to lose you..."

"Tom, what are you talking about?"

"Look... I know you're gonna want to—to take that reversal thing. I just—I'm scared that you won't remember me anymore."

Drops of tears fell down his face, but Tom didn't even seem to notice. His voice remained steady. There were so many possibilities with this plan they have, and in some parts it felt so risky. Though Tom knew he can't be selfish.

"Hey, I won't take the reversal process if it means forgetting you. I won't take it if you're scared." Lea pulled back from Tom's hold, cradling his face and pressing their foreheads together. "Don't cry, it's going to be okay. We've been through absolute shit together, so why not do that again, right?"

"But if you take it—"

"I won't forget you." The words were said a finality that it didn't seem possible to change Lea's mind. "I promise, I won't forget you. And if taking the reversal process means forgetting you then I don't want it..."

It took so much for Tom to disagree. It took him so much willpower to not say yes to what Lea said and be done with this conversation. But he didn't want that for Lea. He wanted for Lea to have a better life, remember what he had before he was imprisoned. It's unfair for Lea to sacrifice his opportunities for Tom alone.

"No, you can't do that. Nevermind what I said, you have to take the reversal process."

"And what if I forget you? I know I won't, but there's still a chance that I might."

"No, no, listen. Let me ask you... do you love me, do you care about me?"

"Of course I do," Lea said, tracing patterns on Tom's scarred face. It was the face of familiarity. The face of something he cared. "You know I do."

"Then do this for me. Take the reversal process. I want you to have a life outside, Lea." Tears were starting to fall again, each drop followed by another. Tom struggled to keep his voice firm. "I don't need you to die for me. I want you to live for me, so you have to do it. You can have safety, you can remember everything and you can have an actual life! Imagine that... you won't even remember me. It would—it would be so—so easy for you..."

"Stop it. Tom, stop it."

"Find someone else for—for you to care for, to love. I know you can do it. Live for me, because it's the best chance you will ever have." He let out strangled sobs, looking at Lea with so much adoration and admiration. He wiped the tears that flowed over Lea's cheeks, too, and collected him into another protective embrace. "Live for me... you can have—you can have a good life and—"

"No! Stop it. I don't want it, Tom." Lea, too, was starting to shed some tears. "I don't—I don't want anyone else. No one had ever treated me the way you do, so I'm never letting you go."

The two stayed in their embrace for long, feeling broken-hearted yet whole at the same time. For now, their conversation stops. For now, all they will do is stay in each other's arms, basking in each other's warmth. There will be a difficult decision to make, and there will be doubts and fears. It was an unpleasant thought, but it was necessary.

Tom pulled back a little, placing a hand against Lea's face. Slowly, he pressed his lips against Lea's, pouring all his emotions. Let it be known how much he cared and how much he loved. Let it be known the lengths he was willing to go through for the one he loved. Let it be known that he had a heart. Their lips moved so achingly slow, savoring each other's taste and staying in the moment. Lea shifted a fraction, deepening the kiss as he sighed. They kissed again and again and again like it was the end of the world—like it was the end of their world. They kissed like it was their last time together.

The night still crept on. It was going to be a long night, but for once the night was comforting instead of gripping. The two slept with limbs tangled on the cramped bed, but it was enough for them. As long as they can stay together, it will always be enough.

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So, this was shorter than most of my other writings, but I still hope you like it. Admittedly, this was supposed to be fluff, but it ended up being some angst. Capturing the emotions was quite a challenge, but it was much fun to write. 

To TheBroadwayJay, I really hope you like this. It was a great challenge to practice my writing muscles. This was much shorter than I originally intended, but I still hope you enjoyed it.