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But he was so close now.

Will spared only the briefest of glances to make sure there was no security around, then climbed it, gasping for air as he practically threw himself over the top. He landed hard, ignored the pain, and got up.

“Itori!” He whisper-shouted as he staggered up onto the road. The water had shrunk again, and now was a tiny puddle far off. He started down the other side toward it, shoes sticking hard in the mud.

“Itori!” This one was louder as Will fumbled to pull off his shoes, then undo his pants.

He got to the water and the fear was almost all-encompassing. Where was he? Had he already gone? Should Will be searching the land instead?

And then he remembered how Itori always knew it was him. He pressed his lips together, still trying to catch his breath, and started to hum.

As he did, he stripped the rest of his clothing off, leaving them behind him as he waded into the water. He hummed louder, louder, desperate for it to work.

Just as he was beginning to despair, to turn his head toward the grocery store and the lake there, he felt bubbles. They trickled up around him, and he flailed in the water, heart-tumbling in hope.

Itori came up out of the water, just before him.

Will threw himself at Itori, wrapping arms around him. “Oh my god, you’re here! You’re here! I thought–I thought you might have left.”

Itori’s arms closed around him, but he felt frail. Smaller than he’d ever been.

“I should have, but I could not make myself go. I wanted to see you,” Itori said into his ear like a secret.

“I’m so sorry,” Will gasped, holding him tight. “They tried to arrest me, that’s why I wasn’t here at sunset. I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’d never abandon you.”

“Arrest you?” Itori pulled back to look at Will’s face.

“It’s fine, I got away. It doesn’t matter now.”

But Itori looked troubled. Will leaned in and kissed him.

“You are okay?” Itori asked when they parted.

Will smiled, the stress of everything he’d gone through melting off him. “I am now. Better than okay. But you–you looked drained.”

“I am. I—I thought you were not coming. I would not have blamed you if you had made that choice, but it hurt.”

“I’m so sorry,” Will said again, his heart aching. “But this is my choice. That life has never been mine. It was not something I would've ever chosen. But this, us, I chose it. I choose you.”

Itori kissed him harder, and Will felt it down to his toes.

“Is it selfish to be glad?” Itori asked when they parted.

“No,” Will said, unable to stop another smile. “Be selfish.”

“You have my heart,” Itori said, solemnly. “All of mine is yours, for flood or famine.”

The words sounded practiced, like a ritual.

“And you have mine,” Will said right back. “For flood or famine.”

Itori nodded, and took Will’s hand. “Then we go?”

“Yes,” Will said with emphasis.

So Itori led him down into the water.

They came up in the other lake, behind the grocery store. Will felt the hum of energy again. It wasn’t as strong as it had been yesterday, but it was still here. Still alive, if dwindling fast.