"I don't think I could say thank you enough, Jamie. For everything."

"You don't have to thank me." Jameson smiled at him, a genuine smile that Liam hopes to embed in his mind. "It's been my pleasure."

"No, I do. You're the only person that treats me like—" Liam paused, the words lodged in his throat. Jameson watched Liam's eyes search his face, a peculiar glint swirling inside. "Like a person."

Jameson gave him a soft smile. "Why wouldn't I?"

"It's just people look at me, see the cane or the shades, and treat me like some charity case. Like some fragile person that always needs help." 

"You aren't a charity case. You trekked that hike like a champ. Probably even hit a record for how far you throw those stones."

"I only completed the hike because you were there."

"You're more capable than your prognosis says. Your disease doesn't define you." Jameson scoffed. "Besides, it took me a whole year to jog the whole thing; it took you this once to make it to the waterfall."

Looking away, Liam made a face. "Again, we walked it. Very slow, might I add. And you were there to prevent me from falling or hurting myself. Jogging it is a very different story."

"Did you enjoy it, at least? Aside from that near fall?"

Liam nodded before scanning Jameson's face. "Of course. I would've never known that waterfall existed. It was beautiful."

"I'm glad you could see it," Jameson implored before realizing his choice of words. "Sorry—"

"Me too. I think I'll be able to remember it for a long time, including the crazy adventure it took to get there. Near fall and all." Liam hadn't been fazed by the word choice, lost in the memory of trail. 

Liam hadn't voiced it, but he knew that the reason he was sure this memory would last was entirely a result of Jameson. He just hoped the memory of what Jameson looked like and who he was would stick just as vividly. The doctors had warned him that face-blindness was also common and that had been another fear of his. It had been why he didn't mind his overbearing sister, who hindered his need to be independent. He couldn't bear the thought of losing the memories and sights of people he's loved and cared about. He didn't want to forget what his sister looked like, or his parents, and even Jameson. 

Had it not been for Jameson's company, Liam's memory of this place would only be of the place he sat on the sand. He had—pun intended—opened Liam's eyes to the hidden beauty of all the lake had to offer, not just what was on the surface. Despite how brief their interaction had been, Liam had grown and learned a lot from the jogger that he couldn't bear the thought of his presence vanishing along with his sight.

And Jameson was no different. Liam had taught him all there was about taking in everything, not taking it for granted, how to cherish every minute, every second like it was your last.

Jameson wouldn't ever take these memories of being at the lake for granted. Learning about Liam and his life had left a permanent impression on him, one Jameson was sure to carry around for a while, if not the rest of his life.

"Do you mind if I touch your face?"

"My face?"

Liam glanced away. "I just—I'm scared of forgetting this. I want to remember this. You, this place, this feeling. I don't want this memory to fade like everything else will."

"Uh—"

"It's weird, sorry," Liam rushed out, his cheeks flushing pink as he ran his hand through the sand. "I shouldn't have said that."

"No." Jameson shook his head before reaching for Liam's hands. "It's not weird."

He was gentle, slow in bringing Liam's hands to his face. As awkward as it would have been years before his diagnosis, Liam was grateful for this delicate moment, wishing it would last even longer in hopes the memory would too. 

His eyelids fluttered, adjusting to the light as what little of his vision remained took in Jameson's face. In this lighting, Jameson could just make out Liam's eyes as they trailed to meet his. 

Liam was tentative, gentle, and methodic in the way he traced his features, in a way that sent a chill down Jameson's spine. He had never felt such delicate hands on his face before, one that absorbed the flaws and imperfections of his skin like a sponge. 

To Liam, Jameson's skin was supple, despite the rough patches adorned his jaw, the stubble just beginning to breach the skin. He could feel the baby hairs that still decorated Jameson's face, the sebum-filled pores near his nose, all making his face unique. From the scar tissue of an old injury, the microscopic textures of his skin, a possible scab from shaving, all illuminated in Liam's fading vision and grasp. Things, if given a chance, he'd never grow tired of touching it. Every inch of skin carving a map of memories, years worth of history looking back at him. 

Pulling his hand away from Jameson's cheek, Liam reached his hand up, his fingers feeling the soft light tangles as he ran it through Jameson's dark brown hair. Something he wished he could treasure forever.

"Your hair," Liam pointed out. "As dark as the stones at the shores of the lake. That's how I'll remember them. And the memories, that's how I'll remember you."

"Remember me?"

Liam hummed before pulling Jameson's hands into his own. "I've learned so much, seen and felt so many things these past few months."

"So have I," Jameson breathed. 

"I don't think I could forget it. I wouldn't want to." Liam let out a shaky breath. "From the view at the shore to the waterfall, even just listening to your story and nature around us. I'll forever be indebted to you for that."

Letting out a nervous laugh, Jameson rubbed the back of his neck. "Please, Liam. Being there for it was an honor. I think I learned the most here. From skipping stones to seeing this place differently to really appreciating what was there all along. Truly, I think I'm more in your debt."

"Agree to disagree, then?"

"Agree to disagree." The two shared a smile, taking each other in before looking at the view of the mountains before them. Their own piece of the lake that they could call their own, and memories that would last a lifetime. "Don't forget about this small little town, now, Mr. City Boy. You should visit someday."

"I should," Liam replied, his eyes meeting Jameson's face. "I really should."

"You should," Jameson echoed before grabbing Liam's hand abruptly. "I almost forgot; I wanted to show you something."

With a laugh, Liam shook his head. "I don't think I can handle another hike."

Jameson scoffed. "It's not that. It's in my car; I'll show you."

Liam didn't know what compelled him to pick up the stone beside him, a perfect skipping stone that he had considered saving. He wasn't sure when his last visit to the lake would be, but he wanted to hold onto a piece of the lake wherever he went. Scooping his bag and the stone in his hand, he let Jameson guide him up the slope toward that beat-up Camry. 

Wrapped in a towel, Jameson unfolded it, a flat piece of wood by the looks of it. "Close your eyes."

"This again?" Liam obliged as Jameson extended his hands, his palms open in the air. He handed the wooden slab onto Liam's palms, surprisingly lighter than anticipated. 

"Open."

Like he did at the waterfall, Liam's eyes adjusted to the light, blinking rapidly before focusing his vision on the piece of wood in front of him. 

His mouth dropped open in shock at the sight before him. A carving, detailed impeccably of the view they had both grown to love. One that Liam had wanted to be etched into his mind, now etched into some beautiful wooden slabs.

"Jamie—"

"For you," Jameson said softly. "It's made with some redwood from the shop, harvested nearby, actually."

"This is gorgeous, perfect even."

Jameson smiled, running his hands over the hand-carved edges of the piece. "You wanted to be able to remember this place, so I thought, what better way than to make it one you can touch."

Liam shook his head in disbelief. "This must've taken you so much time, you didn't have to—"

"Please, I know how much you love this place."

"I don't even know what to say."

"That's okay. You don't have to say anything at all."

Liam thanked him, wondering how on earth he could repay Jameson for all that he's done. It wasn't just the carving, but for everything, from the new trails to just sitting there and being in his company. 

He didn't have much to give Jameson, but the stone he had meant to display at home felt heavy in his pocket. Determinedly, he pulled it out and turned to Jameson.

"For you," Liam held the stone to Jameson. "It's not much but, I want you to have this. It's probably one of the best stones I've found to date; perfect for skipping."

"Liam—"

"For you," Liam insisted. Pointing to the beautiful carving, he added, "a stone is not worth as much as what this means to me, but I hope this will remind you of this place, wherever your hopes and dreams take you."

"Please, how could I forget this place? And besides, this carving was inspired by your drawings in the sand. It's as much as your creation as it is mine."

"Thank you, really, Jamie." Liam couldn't help but feel the ridges and curves that made up the carving. "You made me feel proud to call this place a home, and now I can take it with me."

With a grin, Jameson held up the skipping stone proudly. "And so can I."