Epilogue

The petals don’t disappear from one day to another, for a while Mark continues coughing primrose petals, the only difference is that Jackson is with him, patting his back, soothing encouraging words to help him as the flowers in his stomach disappear. Luckily, the petals never come out with blood again.

Helping Mark, holding him tight after a fit, promising everything will be all right, has helped Jackson to strengthen his feelings for Mark, every day getting closer to how things used to be at one time.

Day after day, the petals become less frequent and Mark is recovering, colour is back to his cheeks, his eyes aren’t hollowed, his body not just a skeleton. Mark looks alive again, healthy and joyful, oh so joyful. Having Jackson, being able to express his feelings makes his shoulders lighter and his whole body buzz with vitality. Mark smiles all the time and he feels with unmeasurable energy. Every time Jacksons looks at him and Mark can see the younger’s emotions reflected in his gaze, Mark knows one of his flowers disappears as he starts to be more and more certain that it’s true, Jackson is loving him back.

Jackson tries not to think of what he did, but it’s impossible when he looks himself in the mirror and sees the scar on his chest, a constant reminder that once he got rid of his feelings for Mark. Regret always makes him wince, because so much would’ve been avoided if he had been more honest about his feelings, if he had just confessed. Pushed by that regret, Jackson makes sure to always follow his heart and be honest with what he feels, especially about Mark.

At night, Jackson often comes to see Mark to his room. The older smiles lazily and moves closer to the wall to make room for Jackson on his bed, the younger immediately cuddles up to him. It’s when Jackson is like that, hugging him without saying anything, just enjoying each other’s company that Mark is reassured it’s happening, he’s not stuck in an unrequited love.

“Markie,”