Chapter Text
Days and weeks passed by. Or at least they ought to have. Once Enrico introduced watches and clocks into the new reality, it took a while for them to adjust. It saved them some trouble to simply reset them all to midday and create a brighter sky more reminiscent of late twilight with its fiery glowing horizon. Daytime. It was not quite the same, but order and stability was of utmost importance in this realm.
About three months had breezed by like nothing, he eventually calculated based on assumptions and rough estimates. During these three months he made a visit to the meadow, seeing that it had slowly but surely begun to host new life. The tall grass only barely breached the earth, and there had been small, pale blue flower buds among them. Progression of time. Enrico wondered whether he'd be able to locate the spot in a year. Would it be forgotten by then, who laid beneath the earth? Would he forget?
Then again, Dio couldn't quite let go of the idea that he held a greater responsibility to shield him from harm. It resembled guilt, though a man like him would never admit to harboring such a weakness. Currently the concern was disguised as a concern for the future expansion of Heaven being delayed. Both of them had failed to protect the other, and as a consequence came the gnawing, restless fear of it happening again. That was precisely why Pucci decided to maintain their relationship as it had been. He understood fully well how Dio functioned, that ultimately this was a bond made out of convenience and shared aspirations. Anything beyond that would be new and uncomfortable for both of them to explore, the idea alone made him feel agitated.
But could something remain unresolved, if they were both keenly aware of its presence? The way Dio looked at him told Enrico that he was attempting to figure out what was wrong. Could be well on his way to guess the truth, in fact. Dio had always possessed a natural talent for figuring people out and exposing their vulnerabilities.
When he returned Dio was of course nearby, pretending to be occupied writing and like he was only feigning interest out of courtesy. "So, you were visiting my grave. How come I cannot go?"
That was the damning factor which exposed the lie. Pucci had already explained that to him. "It has to do with encountering yourself. Reality will draw you together in an attempt to balance things out, as another you explained it. I cannot say for sure what happens, but it is highly dangerous."
"And how could he possibly know what happens, if it is so dangerous?"
"It was a she, actually. The first I met."
Dio immediately looked up from his pretend work. "A woman? What did I look like? Stunning as usual, I presume. What a shame we cannot visit that realm again."
"I believe she wouldn't be appreciative, were you to visit. Don't get your hopes up."
Something about this conversation seemed inappropriate in nature, so it had to be put to an abrupt stop. It wasn't helping that Dio was fully aware of the fact he was expressing a sudden, abnormal interest in himself.
"Alright, I get it." Dio said. "Then I will not go with you to the gravesite. Or anywhere else, for that matter."
How weird. Enrico did not imagine he had much of an interest in visiting, and the sullen silence that followed fell sharply pointed at him, specifically. That was how it felt, at least. "If you wish to visit other realities, I could attempt to look for-"
As he was about to take a step forward his vision darkened again. Despite all efforts Enrico lost balance this time. Even through the dizzy haze, that familiar and abrupt sensation of time having passed by could be felt. As Enrico's vision returned, Dio had crossed the room and taken hold of him before he fell. A face usually devoid of any type of concern now featured a set of narrowed eyes and a tense frown.
"Not that it's any of my business, Enrico, but don't you think this is becoming an issue?" He somewhat cautiously began. "You cannot build Heaven in such a short period of time without hurting yourself."
"I could work around it. Don't worry about me so much, Dio."
But truth be told, his feet still were unreliable. An idea that this labor was not designed for man to undertake was beginning to form, and it frightened him more than he would admit to consider himself incapable of it. Not after all the sacrifices made along the way. It could not end up like this.
Dio smirked at his stubbornness. "Then I will let go of you, if you feel better already. You ready? Three, two-"
"Alright, fine." He interjected. "You do not need to mock me, you know? I wish things were different, too."
"Then begin the recovery process by trusting in me. We're friends, aren't we?"
Dio's arm trailed down to his waist for a better grip as he led the way to the nearby bed. This simple gesture and close proximity now combined two problems into one fretful mess. Enrico needed his help now, but could not be this close without clamming up and avoiding the intimacy of the moment by attempting to act normal. Needless to say, it did not work. Dio made no effort to hide how he felt about the question remaining unanswered, though he graciously opted not to mention it.
Now resting atop the bed, Enrico had to admit this had been exactly what he needed. The weariness flimmered without an end in sight, and he felt as though he could've slept for days.…If it weren't for the man aimlessly lingering by the side, as if preparing to ask a question.
It was always a hundred times worse when Dio hesitated. That meant it held weight, a significance he rarely placed on anything concerning others.
"...Lately, I cannot help but feel that you've been distancing yourself."
It was inevitable. Stubbornly and naively enough, Enrico had held on to the desperate wish that this subject would never be brought up and that they would keep ignoring it. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in an attempt to still his heart.
"Enrico, I can tell you're deliberately hiding something from me." Dio continued, voice growing sharper. "I have some ideas of what that could be, but you can be impossible to read, even for myself. But if you will not share with me what troubles you, then I will have no choice but to assume it's something malicious."
Enrico couldn't help but bitterly smile. "Do you remember when you confronted me once, believing that I was going to take The World from you and set out to achieve Heaven myself?"
"Of course. I didn't forget. But you have changed a lot since then, haven't you? You became independent, strong, and capable of cutting losses."
It was true. Back then, he lacked the life experience and maturity to realize his own worth and potential. What Dio didn't know, however, was that the vow he made never lost its integrity during the years. If anything, it had been strengthened and hardened by time. Moving quietly, almost without making any sound, Dio chose to seat himself on the other side of the bed. His weight sunk into the mattress, felt comforting in direct contradiction to the uncertainty of that action.
"I've already failed you once." He finally said. "What truly prevents you from seeing it as a sign to move on, knowing what you've accomplished here on your own? It always ends that way, after all, with others betraying my trust and taking advantage of having once gained it. Power, wealth, women, pride…All such things distract from the true cause, I would know."
Enrico made himself look at Dio now that the accusation had been presented. "I'm not interested in any of these things of the material world. You know it as well as I do."
"Then why? Explain to me what it is you are so desperately keeping away from me, I need to know. Do not make me beg for an answer."
"Dio-"
In a sudden outburst of emotion, Dio turned to face him and took hold of his hand to demand his full attention. Slit pupils fixated on him now with urgency, bitterness, desperation.
"Enrico." He pleaded. "Do not make us enemies. You are all I have now, I won't lose you again!"
"But don't you see? I am trying to prevent that from happening!"
He recoiled. It wasn't intentional, but somehow the words came out much harsher than they needed to be. They were not meant to be spoken at all, because now it would all be revealed. Dio blinked at him in surprise, startled by him raising his voice. Oh, why had he said it? Enrico wanted to look away, to get out of this situation and leave behind what was meant for him only to know. A secret he'd kept for decades, sometimes even from himself for it was so dangerous to let out.
But this was it. It was now or never. He'd lose Dio for sure if he chose to keep quiet now.
Shakingly, he took a deep breath. "I don't want to lose you, Dio. Please, don't make me do this…"
It was too much. So difficult to concentrate and remain composed with all that had happened.
"I know." Dio softly spoke. "I wish I didn't have to do this, but you're worrying me now. You've never been this anxious around me before…"
Of course he had to lean in closer, crossing the distance between them and firmly placing a hand to his left as if to prevent any escape. And now Dio looked down at him from almost directly above. He was so breathtakingly beautiful, it felt as if Enrico would stop breathing if he looked for too long. How the flowing, wavy locks of hair fell down into sharp spikes framing his face, which had the perfect appearance God must have had in mind creating Adam. Those eyes. They seemed more animated and mesmerizing than a mortal could ever hope to achieve, so brilliantly bright and infused with specks of color almost like liquid gold.
There was no denying it. Words no longer mattered, for Dio could undoubtedly tell how his pulse thudded in his veins now, always honed in on the sound of life. And it worked like a charm. Dio had won. There was no opportunity for him to evade the truth here, not this close together and with the vulnerability of his exposed throat in mind. And certainly not with those eyes silently begging him to be merciful now, begging for an intimacy he had never given.
"Dio." Enrico whispered. "I've been in love with you since the day I met you."
Dio smiled sadly. "I know."
"You know…?"
"It was the last thing you ever said to me. I suspected it for a long time, but I had to remain your mentor and guide. It was what you needed at the time." He quietly spoke, the memories bringing out some emotions that were still fresh and stinging. "But it isn't like that anymore, is it now? You would thrive on your own as well as by my side."
His mind was racing at the speed of light, but standing perfectly still simultaneously. Enrico didn't dare speak in case Dio suddenly came to his senses and chose to leave things as they were. But he never did. Instead Dio carefully leaned down further, closer, until Enrico could feel his breath against his lips.
Everything froze in that moment when their lips met. So gently, slowly, as if to ensure he wouldn't be startled by it. It was so soft, yet incited something that could only be compared to a numbing electric shock buzzing through his mind and down his body. It suffocated all kinds of protests until they'd all but disappeared, leaving only that thrilling sensation of a euphoric rush.
Then Dio broke away, and with it came a flash of irritation. Why did he instigate, if only to hold back? It felt infinitely worse than not being kissed by him. But that selfishness soon passed. They hadn't finished talking things out, after all.
Dio's eyes shone with delight. "I am forever grateful to have met you, Enrico. The way I feel now…I would never have experienced it, were it not for meeting you at your prime. Sometimes I wonder whether you actually need me here, but knowing you've willingly and confidently made this decision makes me more interested in you than I've ever imagined I could be."
"Is that truly how you feel…?" Disbelief, mixed up with joy. This did not feel real. He'd prepared for such a drastically different response.
Dio was saying he'd fallen in love with him in this brief period of time they'd spent together, creating their own personal idea of Heaven. Enrico wasn't sure what to do now. He'd gotten everything he had ever wanted. Wasn't this too good to be true?
"And why are you looking at me like that, now?" Teased Dio with a more mischievous tone of voice. But beneath it, he still appeared so innocently happy. "If that was all you were hiding from me, then we have nothing left to worry about. Hasn't it ever occurred to you that our ambitions always align?"
It wasn't a lie. This was reality, and it was not abruptly twisted into a grim turn of events. Hand trembling just enough to be noticed, Enrico took hold of Dio's. And Dio met the touch with his own, fingers closing around and intertwining with his own. Not once was there an ounce of hesitation.
"The rest of eternity." He spoke in a low voice. "Will you sacrifice your life to spend it by my side?"
"I would not be here if I wasn't ready to make that commitment." Dio said.
And then they both fell quiet, unsure of what was next. Just like with friendship, love was an abstract concept others so carelessly used that it felt pointless to attempt and pin it down. They understood it as little as anyone else seemed to do.
"...Then, will you start by staying with me now?" Enrico eventually asked. "I need to rest, and I'd feel at ease if you were here by my side."
Dio's eyes triumphantly sparkled. Anything to keep me close , they seemed to lightheartedly taunt. But he dutifully did as requested, laying down as well and placing a protective arm over him, pulling him close.
"If anyone disturbed you, I'd hurt them beyond recognition." He murmured, a pale hand coming up to caress his cheek. "Nobody shall separate us, not even you."
Enrico took his hand again, squeezing it lightly. Ecstatic as he was, things still felt unfamiliar and overwhelming. They'd have to take things slow now. "I'll hold you to your word, Dio."
Dio grinned. "Oh, you won't need to."
And that was how he began his long rest, now at last able to relax like he hadn't before during his long life. When Enrico woke, it would be to Dio patiently yet restlessly waiting, eager to set off together as one into a brand new future of uncertainty. Heaven was theirs. Naturally, their enemies would try to bring it down and tear it into ruin. But it was theirs, and it would not fall as long as both their hearts were still beating. Dio did have a heartbeat, a faint pulse you could only feel with your ear pressed against his chest.
Enrico listened to it as the world faded into a serene, velvet darkness.