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"Mr. Milverton! Get away from there!" Ruskin shouted and like he had just gone insane, he jumped towards his boss to save him from the line of the bullet. He noticed that there was an assassin in the crowd too late, so he couldn't disarm the man in time anymore, taking his gun away. He had only one chance left to save his employer's life - to toss him away and jump at his place. Ruskin was very well aware that he might die doing so, but he didn't care. He loved Mr. Milverton more than anything else in the world. He was the meaning of his life. Without him, he didn't want to go on. He rather made the sacrifice and died instead of him.
He felt as he touched Mr. Milverton's arm and pushed it. With the same move, his body took his employer's place. He only sensed a few moments later that he got shot. The bullet dived into his chest, Ruskin could feel it in his flesh, but he didn't feel any pain. Everything became numb as he fell to the ground while the blood kept pouring from his scar.
"Ruskin!" He heard Mr. Milverton's voice, but it was faint and weak. Ruskin couldn't see him, he could only see a black shadow leaning above him as the world started to get darker and colder. Ruskin let out a sigh and forced a smile onto his face. He was able to save Mr. Milverton. He didn't live and won’t die for nothing.
"You will be alright, sir." He whispered with his last strength. "I know that you will be..."
The darkness finally became victorious. Ruskin couldn't see or sense anything anymore. He fell into the void like a lifeless doll.
*****
His consciousness started to realize slowly. Time stopped existing for him, so he had no idea how long it took for him to come to terms with the fact that he was a human. It was like he was reborn again in his mother's womb. He had no memories, he didn't know what happened to him and why he felt this aching pain. He had no knowledge of his own name either.
If he even had one.
The wave of the pain flooded his body and it became stronger. He let out a faint moan. He was sure that no one was there to hear it, but a moment later, a response came. First he only heard a quiet murmur - then it became clear that it belonged to a man who was sitting next to him. He felt a touch on his hand. It was the first feeling ever since he began to come back to his senses which didn't make him uncomfortable. It was a warm and soft touch. He liked it. It comforted him and eased his pain. He suddenly felt like he was at home.
"Ruskin!"
Now he heard the voice much clearer. He didn't know how, but he was sure that the voice belonged to the one who was holding his hand. It was filled with mellow care, just like his touch. Was he talking to him? He didn't doubt that. Is Ruskin his name? In that case, it needed to be even if it sounded strange to his ears.
He forced his eyes to open. The light blinded him at first and increased the pain again. Then it all disappeared as Ruskin stared into a mesmerizing golden gaze.
The man who was watching him from above was someone Ruskin was sure he had never seen before. He definitely wouldn't be able to forget him if he ever laid his eyes on him. The man radiated a strange power and he was the most beautiful being Ruskin ever saw. His silver, curly hair was sparkling in the sunlight. He wore glasses, but this didn't hide the vibration of his eyes. His facial features were ethereal and handsome, but the worry still shone through. Ruskin didn't understand why he was worried for him and how he knew his name, but it was clear that he was somehow important for this man. He just watched him and his heart started to beat faster, like it was about to explode. He didn't feel pain anymore, just this sensation spreading over his body. He could recognize it, even if he was sure that he never felt it before.
He was in love. He fell in love with the man who leaned above him.
A smile appeared on the corner of Ruskin's mouth. He held the hand stronger in his own.
He didn't know anything about himself, only one thing was clear. That he never wanted to let this beloved hand go.