"Blessed" with a Curse

“Austin…I’m sorry…I’m so sorry…”

Alan…?

“All my fault…All my fault…!”

I opened my eyes to see him sitting in a chair next to the bed, his hands holding mine.
He pressed a gentle kiss to my knuckles and continued to cry.

I’m back…! I’m alive!

“Alan…”

My voice was hoarse and quiet.

“Alan…!”

He looked at me with wide, tear-filled eyes.

“A-Austin…?!”
I reached up and brushed his cheek with my thumb, wiping away a couple of tears.

“Hey…don’t cry, beautiful.”
He still stared at me.

“Is it really y-you? You’re not…not a ghost…?”
I shook my head and pressed my lips to his.

I’m alive…he’s alive…

“It’s so weird…”
He looked at me, confused.

“Almost a year ago…I wanted to die…I couldn’t stand living anymore…”
I ran a hand through his messy ginger hair.

“I…I saw my mom…and my best friend, while I was gone. I talked to them…I realized how much…I wanted to live again…because…that would mean that I would get to be with you again.”

I felt tears welling up in my eyes as well.

“I was scared, Alan…! I didn’t want to die…! I didn’t want to leave you!”

He hugged me tightly, burying his face into my neck.

“A-Austin…! I-I…”
He was crying again.

I kissed where they placed the bandage on his forehead and shushed him.
“It’s gonna be okay…we’re gonna be okay.”

He nodded and pulled away, looking at the door.

“What is it?”
He gave me another confused look.

“What are you looking at, Alan?”
His eyes widened again.

“Kellin…you…you can’t see him?”

I felt my stomach drop.

I can’t see Kellin? I…Is this what happens when you’re brought back to life a second time?

I started to panic a little, but…

‘I know there have been times of loss, but whenever you lose something, you gain something in return.’

Mom’s words played through my head, calming me down a little.

“Is he saying anything?”
“He says that he’s proud of you…what’s that supposed to mean…?”

I smiled to myself a little.

I understood what he meant.

“Did he say anything else?”
“No…he…just left.”

Alan still looked confused and I couldn’t help but chuckle a little.

“What is it?”
I shook my head and kissed him again.

“I love you, Alan.”

There was a huge blush across his cheeks, but he eventually smiled.

“I-I love you too, Austin…”