"No." It was a single word that broke apart intimacy, shattered memories and latched little hooks into the present. The now. The here. Salvador's eyes snapped open. They were the purest flood of rust-colored iris. This was his time. Hours and days of healing. There were scars aplenty but no more pain, no more aches.

He looked the sinner in the eyes, then. Looked Tohias in the eyes and smiled the one true smile he kept reserved only for him. Not quite so feral. Not at all edged. Something that really belonged on the face of a human boy instead of the monster he truly was.

"No more waiting, mi alma." No more scripture. No more citations. No more written words given a voice so that they could be heard beyond reading. These words were knew. He could find them now. He could speak them.

"I love you," he said. "Te amo. Ti amo. Vos amo. Taim i' ngra leat. S' ayapo." In every language he knew, he spoke those most important words. Except for the one that did not translate the sentiment properly, and thinking on that made him chuckle a little. "Sí. I love you, Tohias. Mi alma."

Sin had said himself that it was a sentiment that couldn't be said enough. Though he tried. He said it in as many ways as he knew how and sealed it with a kiss. Returning the favor by pressing lips to lips, but this one lasting longer than the first. Broken when he spoke again. "But no more waiting, hermano." He shook his head and smiled. "No more need to wait."

He was here now. He wasn't going anywhere any time soon. Only a week ago did we meet; only two days did I lose you to winter, and yesterday I got you back again. "And tomorrow I'll still be here," he repeated. "Siempre." Even though...

Tomorrow never comes.