A new pattern took control of Vincent’s life. Instead of hiding out in his room until Ian left for work, he was dragged out of bed and to the dining room to eat breakfast with Ian before being shoved out the front door to accompany Ian to work. Even the lock on his bedroom door was removed!

Vincent couldn’t stand how Ian tried to control him so much. Couldn’t he see by now that Vincent would never be Eton? He wasn’t Eton! He tried to tell that to Ian over and over, but Ian refused to believe him. A fleeting feeling of sympathy flashed through Vincent when he realized just how in love Ian was with someone who was gone.

With a grimace, Vincent immediately shook that thought away. A man shouldn’t be in love with another man. It was unnatural, ungodly. He wouldn’t tolerate it or entertain it in the slightest, no matter how much Ian tried to force their company.

When he was at Ian’s work, listening to him make deals with criminals and talk about torturing people, Vincent buried himself into all of the history books on the shelves in Ian’s office. There were even a few magazines that struck his interest and gave him some insight into the time period that he had woken up into.

A lot had changed since 1935. One of the things that shocked him the most was that the world went to war again from 1939 to 1945. After the terror and destruction of the Great War from 1914 to 1918, he didn’t think that there would be another war. Hadn’t these people learned their lesson? Apparently not.

Awful, inhumane acts kept happening throughout history after he supposedly died. He read about the horrific genocide of Jews in Europe, the Holocaust, the Vietnam War, the bombing of the World Trade Center, and so many other terrible events that made a heaviness settle on top of his chest.

So much of the world changed while he was floating aimlessly somewhere. A country named Israel was formed, and something called the Civil Rights Act was signed to end segregation. His head nearly felt like it was spinning from all the information that he took in, and he even overcame his dislike for Ian briefly to ask him questions.

Why did the world lust for war so much? Why was there so much hatred between people? What was the future going to look like? Would things possibly get even worse than they were in the past?

Honestly, Vincent felt trapped. If he went back to his time, he would have to live through a lot of the awful things that he had read about. If he stayed here in this time period, there was no telling what awful things he would have to live through from here on out.

All of the unknown possibilities petrified him, but he had to remember that God was watching over him at all times. What happened was meant to happen. That brought him a little bit of comfort, but he couldn’t help but feel alone at times in this new world.

Vincent lowered the technological advancement history book that he had in front of his face, taking a peek at Ian as he worked at his desk. His eyes automatically ventured over Ian’s serious face down to his broad chest under his white button down shirt. He stared for a hint too long, drawing Ian’s eyes to his own. He shook his head at himself, lifting the book to cover his face.

He could tell that it was a brand new book by the smell of its pages. In fact, he had noticed quite a few new books on the shelves since he started reading in Ian’s office. He wondered if Ian had bought more books for him. It wouldn’t completely surprise him. Ian did everything in his power to try to make Vincent happy.

Maybe the man had a heart somewhere, but there was a lot of darkness around Ian. However, if he had a heart, maybe he could be saved. Vincent didn’t know if he was strong enough to help bring Ian to God so that he could be saved, but he could try if this was God’s wish for him.

“Something on your mind?” Ian asked from his desk.

“No,” Vincent said without looking up from his book. He heard a sigh before a rapid clacking sound. He dared a look up at Ian, seeing him interacting with something called a computer that he read about. It was like a typewriter with a screen, but evidently, even more things could be done with it. He hadn’t ever seen one up close before.

His curiosity got the best of him as he continued to watch Ian type away. He stood from the couch and walked over to Ian’s desk, abandoning his book on the cushion. He wanted to see this computer for himself.

Ian looked up at Vincent, an expression of surprise taking over his face. He even tensed up slightly as Vincent moved to stand beside him.

“Everything okay?” he asked as he eyed Vincent.

Vincent stared at the screen attached to the typewriter-like device. It was like a flat typewriter, though. He saw so many colors and pictures on the screen, reminding him of the television that was in his bedroom. Technological and medical advancements never ceased to amaze him. Morally, the world didn’t please him, but he couldn’t deny that the inventions were incredible.

“Just looking,” he replied. The book that he read didn’t do the computer justice. It was such a strange, advanced device. He would’ve expected such technology to only exist in science fiction novels.

“You don’t remember how to use a computer?” Ian asked, lifting an eyebrow at Vincent.

“These don’t exist in my time,” Vincent replied as he leaned closer to the screen, inspecting the words. He was used to everything being on paper or on some sort of other material.

Ian gently took Vincent’s arm and pulled him back a step from the computer.

“Careful. It’s not good for your eyes to be that close,” he said, his hand remaining on Vincent’s arm.

For some reason, Vincent’s chest tightened at the feeling of Ian’s strong hand around his arm. He cleared his throat and pulled his arm away, trying to ignore how his body warmed up. No matter how hard he fought against the sensation, it settled in his body. He tried to convince himself that he only reacted that way because he was overwhelmed by the computer.

“Why don’t you try typing?” Ian suggested, motioning to the keys.

Vincent flexed his fingers in an unsure manner before tentatively touching a few keys with his fingertips. He clumsily pressed down on the keys, his eyes shooting up to see letters appearing on the screen. A look of amazement crossed his face.

Ian watched Vincent with a small smile, slowly scooting closer to him in his chair.

“Everything can come back to you. You just have to give it a try,” he said in a comforting tone.

Vincent frowned slightly. Ian just didn’t understand that this wasn’t a memory problem. It was something beyond what he could imagine or accept. As frustrating as it was for Vincent, he was growing tired of fighting about it all the time. He was already worn down by being in a time period that was so foreign to him. Now, he had a gay man lusting after him too. It was too much.

“This is a mouse, right?” Vincent asked as he pointed to a device next to the keyboard. He remembered seeing a picture of one in the book that he read.

“Yeah. Here, let me show you,” Ian said, gently taking Vincent’s hand and placing it on top of the mouse. He guided the mouse around, pointing to the cursor on the screen. “Now, click.”

Vincent nearly flinched when he felt a clicking sensation under his forefinger. His eyes then became caught on Ian’s hand on top of his. He swallowed hard, trying to keep his heart from racing. He hated these sensations and feelings with a burning passion, but was that what he was feeling? A burning passion?

Vincent’s eyes trailed up to meet Ian’s. He didn’t even realize how close Ian was to him until then. Their shoulders were brushing, and Ian’s fingers started to sift between Vincent’s in an intimate hold rather than a helping grip. Vincent felt frozen in place as he stared into Ian’s eyes.

Suddenly, Ian grabbed Vincent’s hips and pulled him onto his lap, making Vincent straddle his waist. Ian placed a hand on the back of Vincent’s neck, drawing him down to crash their lips together.

Vincent was too stunned to move for a second. Ian’s lips were so warm and soft against his own, and the smell of Ian’s cologne washed over him like a wave. For a moment, he wanted to revel in it, but reality crashed down on him. He pulled back quickly, immediately striking out at Ian and slapping him in the face.

“What are you doing?” Vincent shouted as he stumbled off Ian’s lap. Not only was he angry at Ian for crossing a line, but he was also angry at himself for not pulling away immediately. For a moment, it was almost like… he enjoyed it. Guilt rose in his throat like bile as he stepped away from Ian.

Ian rose from his chair, looking as upset as Vincent.

“I’m trying to save us, Eton!” he shouted. “I need you back. I can’t handle whatever this is!”

Vincent flinched at Ian’s booming voice. Uncontrollably, he started to shake, starting at his hands and trembling along his entire body. His chest grew tight, and his throat felt like it was closing up. He felt so conflicted, so guilty. God wouldn’t want this for him.

Ian sighed, his shoulders dropping. He brought his hands up behind his head, breathing through his frustration until he managed to calm down.

“I’m sorry for shouting,” he said, taking a step closer to Vincent. “Look, I’ll go slow, okay? But I need you to meet me halfway. I need you to try.”

Vincent lowered his eyes, feeling his eyes burn. He didn’t understand what God was asking him to do. He had woken up in a confusing nightmare, and he couldn’t help but wonder if a part of Eton was still with him. Maybe that would explain his sinful desires.

Ian moved closer, stopping right in front of Vincent.

“I know this is hard for you, but I’m suffering too. I’ve waited so long for you to wake up, and then you do, but you don’t even remember me or the love we’ve shared,” Ian sighed as he shook his head sadly. “You’re the love of my life, and it’s like you don’t even love me anymore.”

Vincent felt his heart ache slightly. He shouldn’t sympathize with someone like Ian, who had committed more sinful and morally incorrect acts than he could count. However, there was pure misery in Ian’s voice. He was genuinely destroyed on the inside, but it wasn’t like Vincent could do anything about that. Unless God wanted him to save Ian’s wretched soul.

“I’ll take care of you, okay? You don’t have anyone else but me, and I’d never abandon you,” Ian promised him. “But you have to help me help you. That means doing what you used to do, hanging out with me and taking up some of your old hobbies.”

Vincent sighed, shaking his head. Ian was asking him to live a life that he had no familiarity with. Plus, Eton lived a life that Vincent didn’t agree with.

“I cannot do what you’re asking of me. I’ve told you before that I’m not Eton. I’m Vincent, an entirely different person than who you think I am,” Vincent explained, hoping that Ian got that through his head and spared them both the misery of this.

“No, you’re not. It’s just your mind playing tricks on you. I looked it up, and it says that amnesiac patients can create new personalities of themselves as a coping mechanism,” Ian replied, being as stubborn as usual.

Vincent knew that this wasn’t the case, but he knew that Ian would never believe him. As long as he saw Eton’s body in front of him, Ian would believe that Eton’s soul was still inside of him. Vincent had to figure out another way out of this.

“I promise I won’t touch you if you just work with me,” Ian swore, putting his hand up.

Vincent stared at Ian, weighing his options. He knew that he wouldn’t make it in this world alone if he ran away. Plus, God dropped him here with Ian for a reason. It was down to him to correct what was broken, what was unholy. That meant doing whatever was necessary to make Ian let God into his life.

“Okay. I’ll try,” Vincent replied with a small nod. “It’s just… been a lot. Everything is so different.”

Ian smiled faintly and nodded.

“I can imagine that it’s overwhelming. I’ll help you with whatever you need. Just don’t shut me out,” he said in a comforting tone.

For a moment, the apprehension that Vincent felt toward Ian melted away. Ian could seem so kind at times, but it was only toward Eton. Eton must’ve been the soft spot in Ian’s tough exterior. No wonder it hurt Ian so much when Eton was shot and put into a coma for years.

“Okay,” Vincent said, figuring he could take a different approach to this situation. Instead of shoving Ian away, maybe they could be… friends. Ian would trust Vincent, and Vincent could guide him toward God. That was his new plan.

“Will you come down for breakfast tomorrow without me having to drag you out?” Ian asked him, his smile looking amused.

Vincent forced a smile and nodded. He needed to play nice, even if Ian was a dangerous mafia man. Instead of poking the bear, Vincent figured that making the enemy think that they were friends was the best route.

“Sure,” he said. He would have to be flexible and strong at the same time as he ventured into this new territory. God trusted him as his soldier on this battlefield. If he ran into sin during the fight, he would repent until his soul was wiped clean.

“Good,” Ian replied. For a second, it looked like he was going to reach out to Vincent, but he stopped himself. “I’ll let you get back to reading.”

Vincent nodded, watching Ian walk back to his chair. He let out the breath that he didn’t know that he had been holding, retreating back to the couch and picking his book back up. However, for the rest of the day, he couldn’t concentrate on the words in front of him. All that he could think about was the tingling warmth left behind on his lips after that sudden kiss.