The first thing I hear is faint beeping. Is this what heaven sounds like? A beeping heart monitor ?

My eyelids feel like they are weighted down with coins. I slowly peel one open, just slightly, enough to see a bright light shining down into my eyes. Why is heaven so bright?

Once my eye gets used to the light I open it fully, along with the other one. I look around, perplexed. Where am I? I’m guessing not heaven.

Slowly, all the previous events come rushing back to me. I jerk my hand to my stomach, and feel no pain when I prod my wound. I can feel some bandages wrapped around my torso, but the pain is gone completely.

Relief floods through me. I’m alive. I cough, making the first sound since I woke up. Suddenly I see movement in the corner of my vision.

“Here, you’re probably pretty thirsty.” Will steps into my line of vision, holding a cup of water. I struggle to a sitting position, and Will quickly shoves a few pillows behind my back so I can sit up easier. He hands me the glass, and I gratefully take it and gulp down the water. He takes the glass silently, filling it up with water once more, and handing it back. I say nothing, just accept the water and drain it again. We do this for a few more cups, until finally I can drink no more.

“So…” Will says, gripping the back of the chair that he had probably been sitting in before I woke up. “How are you feeling?” His question is hesitant, his posture stiff, as if he’s afraid to do or say anything.

I bunch my eyebrows in confusion. “Why are you standing there like you’re about to get shot?” I see him wince, then wince myself. “Bad example?”

He shakes his head, taking a small step forward. “How are you feeling?” he says again, a small hint of panic in his voice.

“What’s wrong? Can’t you see I’m fine?” I pat myself, as if to prove this to him.

Will plunges his hands in his hair, sinking down into the chair. He had cleaned the blood off his face and neck, but his shirt and hair were still coated with my blood. “Luka, you died. Your heart… your heart stopped. The doctors were just about to give up, but then...” I feel a wave of shock crash over me, leaving me speechless. “I… I thought I’d lost you.” His voice breaks. He drops his head into his hands, mumbling between his fingers, “I thought you were gone.” He looks up then, and Will, my strong Will who never cries, had tears streaming down his cheeks. Will suddenly stands up and steps over to the side of my bed in one fluid motion.

He looks down at me, hesitantly putting a hand on my face, as if to reassure himself that I am truly there.

My lips tremble, but still I manage to say, “I’m fine, Will. I don’t know what happened, but I’m here now, and I’m not leaving.” This seems to finally convince him. Will exhales a breath I hadn’t known he’d been holding, stooping down low to rest his forehead against mine.

“You’re really fine?” he whispers. He wraps his arms around me, holding me tightly.

I smile softly, “Yes, Will. I’m fine.” He huffs out a laugh, hugging me tighter. I pull back slightly, tilting my head back to look at him. “I’m tired. Let me sleep.”

Will nods, unwrapping his arms from me and backing away, turning to head to the door.

“Wait,” I say uncertainly. “Stay with me.” He pauses mid stride, turning back to look at me.

“Okay,” Will says, walking back to the chair and sitting down. He doesn’t sit back, but leans forward, resting his forearms on his knees and stares at me.

I shake my head, a small frown on my face. “No,” I say, my breath hitching in my throat. “Lay with me. I’m cold. These hospital blankets are shit.”

He says nothing, just silently stands and walks over to the bed. I pull back the covers, sliding over to make room for him. Will kicks off his shoes, then climbs quietly into the bed, pulling the covers back up. I stare at him as he sits there, as if unsure as to what to do next. I wiggle down into the covers, snuggling up close to him. Will seems to relax slightly, wrapping his arms around me and he lays down against the pillows.

“Good night, William.” I say, my eyes drifting shut.

I hear him chuckle, and he whispers, “It’s two in the afternoon, Luka.”

I don’t open my eyes, but only say, “We are going to sleep. Therefore, it is night.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

I scowl, lifting my head up and squinting my eyes to look at him. “It’s nighttime somewhere in the world.”

He shakes his head, a smile playing on his lips. “Just go to sleep.”

I smile, saying nothing and closing my eyes once more.

I quickly hear the soft snores of Will, and soon drift off myself.