He.
Was.
Losing.
Him.
When he opened his eyes, D’Artangnan was standing at the foot of the bed, fully dressed. Only, this time, it wasn’t fatigues.
It was his Marine blues.
“I would have loved you forever,” he said, staring into his eyes.
When he did, Graham saw the deadness there. He knew why it was too.
It was because of him.
With his selfishness, he’d damned this man to something hellish too.
“Did you find love after me?” he asked, sitting up and going there with what strength he had left.
This was his sin.
So he should bear it.
“No,” D’Artangnan said. “I never found this again. I didn’t even come close,” he said, touching his shoulder with his fingers. “I almost died without every seeing you again.”
Tears slipped down Graham’s face.
“I’m sorry,” he admitted. “I’m so sorry I didn’t just trust you, D’Artangnan. I hate that I was unable to give you the chance to prove you loved me.”
The man stood there.
“It’s no longer D’Artangnan. That man died a long time ago, Graham. You killed him with your words and ultimatum. You put him in the grave. He died that day, and has been dead since.”
He was aware.
And that hurt.
“I wish I didn’t hurt you.”
Only, it didn’t matter.
And Graham knew the truth. What was done, was done, and there was no way he’d get that miracle from the universe.
Why?
He simply wasn’t worthy of it.
As D’Artangnan picked up his ruck sack, it struck Graham how handsome he was with his cover under his arm, and his chest decorated with countless medals from battle.
He memorized that moment.
Because he knew he wouldn’t get redemption.
The bottom line was the bottom line, and he didn’t deserve it.
As D’Artangnan walked to the door, the click of his well-polished Marine shoes was the only sound in the room other than his heart breaking into pieces.
