• Alyx strolled into his room and saw Will standing there, making him stop in his tracks and blink furiously. He hesitantly smiled at the sudden rush of joy that he hadn’t felt in awhile. “W-What are you doing here?!”

    “I told you I’d visit!”

    “But..”

    “Long time no see, right? I missed you.”

    Alyx pursed his lips into a smile as he heard the words from the blind man that would have always made him roll his eyes but now brought him a certain relief as tears began to form in his eyes, “I missed you too. I missed you so much, Will. I can’t even put it into words.”

    “You don’t have to, I understand.”

    Alyx slowly walked over to his bed and sank down onto it. “I can’t believe you’re here though.. Like you’re really here..”

    “It wasn’t easy, be grateful.”

    “Oh, I am.. I promise..”

    Alyx watched Will as he walked around his room. He picked up a flower from on top of Alyx’s dresser. “You kept these?”

    “Yeah, all those stupid flowers you used to give me on our bro dates.. I kept one from every bouquet.. I’m glad I did though.” Alyx was smiling, but his eyes were stuck to the ground, unsure how to feel.

    “I’m glad too..” Will’s words were quiet. “I can’t stay long, soon I’m going to have to leave and I don’t know when I’ll be back. There was.. something I wanted to tell you..”

    Alyx stood up slowly and walked over to him, leaning into his dresser. “What is it?”

    “Well.. It’s not like it matters anymore but.. I.. I lo-” Alyx was reaching out to Will as he struggled to tell him what was on his mind.

    Little pattering could be heard rushing up to the door to Alyx’s room. He turned and saw little William smiling up at him. “Who’ya tawkin’ to daddy?”

    Alyx turned back to see an empty space where Will was just standing, his hand not reaching out to anything anymore, before he closed his eyes for a moment. “I was talking to someone very special, kiddo..” He turned to the little boy with his best smile and held his hands out, suddenly chasing after him. The child’s eyes widened as he took off down the hall, squealing and giggling.

    “I love you..” Alyx stopped mid-chase and turned around, no one standing there. He frowned and swallowed, his mouth slightly dry from the whole encounter before he continued playing with his son.