They both looked at each other and laughed, but soon the laughter turned to sadness.

Hours seemed to pass, but in reality, it was no more than thirty minutes. They were both strangely silent and the only noise in the room was the slow rattle of Daniel's breathing.

It hadn't been so loud when Darren had entered the room, but it was plain to see that Daniel, his lover and soul mate, was deteriorating.

"Danny, do you want me to get a nurse? You sound...ill." Darren asked, searching for the right words.

Daniel sighed and shook his head.

"Dont bother them. Just come here and hold me." He responded.

Darren stood up from his seat and walked to Daniel's bed. He wrapped his arm around his lover and allowed him to rest his head on his arm. He leant down and kissed Daniel's cheek.

"Goodbye Dazza, I'll be watching over you," Daniel whispered suddenly.

Tears pricked at the back of Darren's eyes once more.

"Danny, dont be silly, you're..."

Darren stopped. He saw Daniel's eyelids slide to a close and he suddenly became limp.

The room began spinning. The next thing Darren knew he was on the floor on all fours. Tears were covering his face and he couldn't get his eyes to focus.

A pain ran through his body, his heart had broken. His own sobbing filled his ears as he collapsed down on the floor and curled up. He was unaware of anything happening around him.

He felt as though he had been dropped into a bubble of sorrow. He felt a hand on his shoulder and he could hear a woman's voice.

"Would you like a few minutes alone, y'know, to say goodbye properly?" She asked.

He didn't remember replying, all he knew was that when he stood up the room was empty.

He walked towards Daniel's body and took one of his ice-cold hands.

"Good bye my soul mate." He whispered.

He took a deep breath and began to sing.

"Time now to spread your wings

To take to flight

The life endeavour

Aim for the burning sun

You're trapped inside..." He began to sob as he sang.

"But you can still be free

If time will set you free

And going higher than the mountaintops

And go high the wind don't stop

And go high

Free to fly tonight

Free to fly tonight."

As he sang the final note, he saw something lift from Daniel's body. It became invisible, but he was aware of it standing next to him. He felt the brush of somebody's lips on his cheek and heard a soft, low whisper.

"Thank you, Dazza." It whispered.

"No, thank you, my love." Darren replied.

© Rebecca Crossan 2003