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The two boys sat in silence. It had been silent for what felt like hours. They once knew everything about each other. Every inch of skin, every corner of the other’s mind.
That’s what Oz thought. Turns out there was more to Jade Valko and Miles Ardor’s past. A darker, twisted past. A past that included torture, murder, and a fucking pig mask. That’s how Oz found out. Bloodstained pig mask in the top of Miles’ closet in a dark corner.
“What did it feel like.” Oz croaked. Not talking caused a buildup in his throat.
“What did what feel like?” Miles desperately tried to get a second of eye contact from Oz.
“Dying.” At least the dumb part of him stayed. Something familiar for Oz to latch onto.
“Oh.” He paused, looking back down at his own blood covered shoes. Same ones from that night 4 years ago. Same ones on his limp feet when a knife was plunged through his heart. All while the love of his life watched.
“The, uh, adrenaline kept me mostly numb. My hearing went first, conscious last. I don’t really remember anything else.” He was quieter than usual, or the Miles Oz knew. Oz could tell he was trying to keep it together. He’d do the same posture when Oz needed space after an overwhelming day.
“Were you scared?” To that question Miles furrowed his brow. This one took more time to answer. Did Oz strike a nerve? Did he totally fuck this up?
“I don’t think so. I think I knew it was going to lead to that. Maybe I knew that since the very beginning.” Now Miles was bouncing a knee and playing with his fingers. He was nervous, extremely nervous.
“Hey,” Oz put a hand on his shoulder, Miles flinched. “Sorry, I shouldn’t be asking those things. I guess I just,” he paused again. Wondering if he should tell the truth, “missed you.”
Miles froze. Months of awkward glances. Barely a word between the two lovers, past lovers. Everyone welcomed Miles back with smiles and open arms. Oz couldn’t bring himself to do the same. This is the closest they’ve ever gotten to being normal.
“I missed you too.” Miles wiped his forearm against his face. He was crying. Oz took Miles’ hand, holding just the pinky and the ring finger just like he used to. The corner of his mouth turned upwards, he sniffled quietly.
“I should be apologizing Oz. Shouldn’t have put you in that situation, you never should’ve seen that. You have every right to hate me, seriously. I want the best for you, I don’t think I’m that.” Miles was shaking now, all his other nervous tendencies coming back worse than before.
“Thanks. Mi,” It’s been awhile since he had been called that. “I don’t think I hate you. I don’t think I could after all you’ve done for me. I wish you would’ve told me about all of this. I wish I didn’t see what I did.” Oz scoffed, Miles relaxed from his tensed up state, letting out a chuckle of sorts. Wiping his wet face and looking right at Oz. He always did love his eyes. Oz looked back this time.
“With all the stuff you know now I don’t think you could get away from me. You’re probably cursed.”
“Shut up, don’t joke about that.”
“You’re right, sorry.”
They had so much to talk about. There wasn’t any rush, considering how Miles had just came back from the dead. They could take all the time they needed to be them again. Maybe this time would be different. It was finally time for them to heal, it took way too long for it to be doable. All this pain and suffering was finally coming to an end. They could move on.