By the time night came, Albel had already left, for visiting hours were over. Orion himself had passed out on, or rather in a chair nearby where Roxas slept. Ghosts didn’t need sleep but hey. When did logic ever seem to exist around him. Beside him, Roxas had already awoke and sat perched in the windowsill; staring up towards the night sky.

Not once before had even the idea of death phase him once. It was just a way of life. Something that inevitably happened whether you wished it or not. Yet lately, just the idea of it forced him into panic. What if his last day was tomorrow? What if tomorrow his lungs gave up and decided that day was the day they’d finally give in and shut down?

There was so much he still wished to do. So many places he wanted to see.

Out of everything Orion could have awoken to, he chose the loud sigh Roxas breathed as he drew his legs up to his chest. His body immediately gave up floating and dropped him from his midway point in the chair straight to the floor. He landed with an exaggerated ‘oof’ and turned towards the noise. It took a second to drink in the solemn sight before him. The paleness of the man’s skin mixed with that of the pale moonlight was a sight to behold. It was almost as if Roxas was the ghost and Orion was still alive.

Shaking away the awe, he lifted himself off the floor and approached. “Is everything alright? You uh, gave us quite the scare earlier. More me than Albel but-”

“Shhh. You really are a chatterbox. I wonder if that’s why I like you.” A finger was placed over where Orion’s lips were. Silence quickly filled the ghost as he stared in confusion. “You know, back in the day, believe it or not you turned quite a few heads. You’re aloof, noisy even but you hold a charm that stays with those around you. No wonder why Albel likes you too.”

Blink.

“B-but if you say you like me too, what about Albel?”

“Can’t two friends share a crush? It’s 2019 who cares what kind of love you have or share with one or more people. It isn’t like I fully stand a chance anyway. He wins in the time compartment.” Roxas weakly laughed and patted at the space beside him. Orion cast a glance to his companion before floating his way over to take a seat by the window.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Like, can a human fuck a ghost?”

Orion’s eyes shot wide, his cheeks flushed and he aggressively shook his head. “I wasn’t thinking of that before but I am now...No! I wanted you to maybe tell me about yourself. How all this came to be.” Back to seriousness, he leaned in and lay his hands atop the others own and cursed silently as his palms disappeared through. “I know it may sound weird but, I want to make whatever time you have left count! You’re my very precious...friend.” The last part was a little forced after that confession. One he knew not if it was real or a joke. “I want you to have good memories. I know Albel will want the same. You deserve only the best!” His eyes twinkled with determination as well as desperation.

“If I didn’t know better, that was a confession in itself.” Roxas grinned as Orion glared back. “I kid. A guy can dream." Turning away, he pulled his legs closer to his chest and hummed. "I guess I can share a little."

"Albel and I met when we first started school. Believe it or not, he was a broody, moody child back then. Things at his home were spiraling out of control. Yet every day, I made absolutely sure to piss him off by either messing with him, or forcing his attention on me. If he thought of other things, he wouldn't have time to think about the bad, you know?" Orion nodded.

"We stuck like glue ever since. We joined sports together. We shared meals, DVDs, games, we shared almost everything. Hell, our interests were so similar that we shared crushes. None ever lasted. They hated the idea of being shared, or always having someone else around." Roxas leaned back and sighed. "That only changed when I got worse. We've known I had lung cancer since I was who knows how old, but the prospect of it never fully sunk in until perhaps six or seven years ago. That might have been when I backed off the idea of letting my feelings be known and let Albel have his way. You know what the best part was? Every attempt at a relationship he had I still found a way to force an end to. Women are fickle creatures. They want to be the center of attention."

"But then, why me?" Orion was still extremely confused.

"You're the one thing he refused to let go of. After a while, you piqued my interest and I soon realized why. We really do like the same things." Roxas turned to the side, leaned in, and attempted to rest their foreheads together. "I'll help you further win his heart. But can I ask you to hold onto my own for the time being?"

"I don't see why I can't but-"

"Shhhhh. You talk to much. That's all I need."

With that, the panic faded from Roxas and sleep took over. Orion may have still been confused, yet he too soon relaxed and figured that a topic for another day.