Life has a funny way of screwing you. Just as things were beginnning to fall into place for Alan, everything turned to hell. Even after the red head's home had burned down, he still remained positive. He believed the key to happiness was looking at the bright side of things. When he met Austin, he immediately wanted to teach the broken man his mantra of staying positive. He wanted to fix Austin. Alan really believed he was close to achieving that too. He could see the progress Austin was making. The elder boy had been smiling more, thinking more of himself. He was finally finding happiness, thanks to Alan.
Shayley Bourget had been Austin's best friend, his confidant. Ten years of friendship was broken when Austin came home early from work to surprise his wife on her birthday. Austin bought her favorite flowers and made reservations at her favorite restaurant. When he entered their apartment, he immediately knew something was wrong. He could hear them, but he went to the bedroom anyway, because it just couldn't be true. However, his ears hadn't betrayed him- but his best friend and wife sure had.

It's weird how Austin's downfall is once again caused by one of the ones who destroyed him before. Austin was too kind to not accept his (ex)best friend's apology. After all, his mother always said that you have to treat the world btter than it treated you. So when Shayley called, Austin didn't hesitate to help him.

The machines that Austin is hooked up to are the only things keeping him alive. The sight of him so broken and barely alive is a heart wrenching one. He is bruised and covered in bandaging. His left arm is broken, and has a cast. He has a tube down his throat because he can't breathe on his own. They won't be sure if he has brain damage until he wakes up. When Alan saw him, he immediately broke down into tears. Austin's father came three days after Austin arrived at the hospital. When Alan imagined meeting Austin's father, he never thought it would be like this. He had never seen someone as sad and worried as Robert Carlile was for his son.

Two weeks went by, and Austin hadn't been responsive. The only progress Austin made was having his breathing tube removed, replaced with a oxygen mask. The doctors began to talk to Robert, telling him that there was a big chance Austin wouldn't wake up- that he was gone. Alan sat by elder's side as Robert talked with the doctor outside, his hand resting on Austin's. He felt Austin's hand twitch under his and his eyes widened, head shooting up to look at Austin's face. His eyes were open, barely. He turned his head, eyes resting on Alan. He lifted his hand shakily, pulling his breathing mask down. Alan was in tears, shaking his head.

“Austin, shh, just rest okay? I'll go get the doctors-”

The red head stopped talking when Austin shook his head. When Austin spoke, Alan froze. Austin's voice was a hoarse whisper, and Alan had to strain his ears to hear him.

“I love you.”

Alan couldn't even say it back. He wanted to, because he did, he loves Austin more than there are stars in the sky, hairs on his head, cells in his being. But before he could even open his mouth, Austin's eyes closed and he went limp, and then very still. His harsh breaths ceased and the only sound in the room was a loud continuous beep. Alan could only watch as the love of his life slipped away, watch as the doctors and nurses rushed in and start yelling medical terms to each other that Alan's uneducated ears couldn't understand. He didn't really want to understand though, didn't want to understand that Austin's heart had failed. The doctors and nurses worked to revive Austin, while one of the male nurses had to drag a sobbing Alan out into the hallway with Robert.

'Austin's heart was too big.' Is what Alan tells people when they asked what happened that day. It took him months to be able to talk about Austin, but when he could, that's what he'd say. It was true in both senses; Austin's Aorta valve was too large, and had torn during the wreck. The doctors didn't catch it, and during the two weeks he was in the hospital his heart grew weaker and weaker. Austin also had a big heart in the sense that he was the most kind and loving person Alan had ever met. They say it was a miracle that Austin had woken up that day. When asked if Austin had said anything when he did wake up, Alan just shakes his head sadly, saying that he just looked at Alan. Austin's last words were for Alan, and Alan alone.

After awhile Alan was able to smile and mean it, laugh without forcing it. Mostly because he knew that's what Austin would have wanted- for Alan to be happy.

The ginger goes stargazing every friday night, lights a candle for Austin every holiday, and leaves the prettiest rose on Austin's grave everyday.

Alan misses him and will always love him; he'll never love anyone like he loves Austin.

Notes

This ending hurts so badly.
I wrote a happier ending, but I didn't like it very much. This one just seemed more likely, and it fit better. Maybe I'll post the other ending someday.