Glimpse of The Past

Devil dreams that he walks into the Garden like normal but it looks… different? Trees are a lot smaller and there’s a lot more open space. There's also people walking around? They don't seem to notice him. For some reason, seeing the Garden full of people was… strange. They walked up and down the paths like it was nothing. Kids ran up and down the grass without a care in the world. People even had the gall to pick flowers. Something was deeply wrong. 

 He strides into Garret’s house like normal, but what was to him a kind of sparse room is now a storefront full of colorful bouquets and flowers; complete little greeting cards and teddy bears to go with them. Somehow, even more people were there. Simply picking out potted plants and looking over the merchandise. Devil looks over and to his utter shock, sees a tall-ish guy helping some little old lady with picking out some orchids. Long black hair swept off his shoulders, a worn flannel shirt, a well-loved green apron. It's Garret but... like he was at Devil's age. Before heartbreak and time could drag wrinkles into his face. Before the curse that afflicted him could twist him into a giant monster. His cheeks still pink with life, wearing a genuine happy smile.

"G...Garret?" Devil says, still not believing what he's seeing. Garret perks up to look at him, he smiles politely. Excusing himself from talking to the older lady, he approaches Devil. 

"Hi! Uhm, yes I'm Garret" He wipes his hands on his apron. Devil notices his eyes are a dark brown rather than glowing white. Devil can't bring himself to say anything, the words just get stuck in his throat. Garret looks him over awkwardly.

"Ah... um... sorry, have we met before? I have to admit my memory is kinda fuzzy." He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. It was strange to be eye-level with Garret. He was so used to craning his neck to look up at his melancholy, yet handsome, face.

Before Devil could do or say anything more, a short chubby lady comes from the back of the shop. Her coppery red hair was in a braid that cascaded over her shoulder, freckles dotted her cheeks as she smiled sweetly at Devil. 

"I'm sorry to interrupt," her voice sounds clear and sweet like the chime of a bell. "I need to borrow him for a sec in the back, can I ask you to wait here a moment?" She touches a gloved hand to Garret's arm. Devil nods stiffly, still in shock. 

"C'mon Gary, I can't get down the plant food from where you put it, haha." She takes his hand, making him smile and blush, and together they vanish behind a staff door, leaving Devil to process what just happened. 

His feet felt cemented to the linoleum floor. The feeling of dread that only hindsight could provide. The only thing he seemed to be able to focus on was how… happy Garret seemed to be. He looked light on his feet, like at any moment he could start dancing. As quickly as it all began, the dream faded in an instant.

Devil snaps awake, laying on Garret's bed in the room that Sarah brought Garret to. He clutches his chest, trying to steady his racing heart to no avail. He swallows grimly, slipping his t-shirt back on his body.

He staggers out the door to the other room. Mapping out where the glass cases of bouquets and shop counters were. He couldn’t help but feel dazed by how there was now just dusty empty space. 

He felt his stomach sink to the floor. This was going to be the place Garret was going to raise his family in. This was his pride and joy. He had heard Garret reminiscing here and there about it. He knew enough not to pry too much. But to basically see it in the flesh… to see how much the light and love has really left this place… it was crushing. 

He wandered out of the house to find Garret sitting on a bench nearby. Idly smoking a cigarette as if he was waiting for him. The sun was beginning to set, he must have been asleep for a few hours.

"'Bout time you woke up. I dunno how you manage to sleep so much..." he grumbled as he took a drag. After seeing him in the dream, Devil really took in how different he looks now. Silver hairs glitter between strands of black, hairline receded a bit. Dark circles weigh heavy around his eyes and wrinkles pressed into his face. Not to mention being ungodly tall. He was pale now, an almost dead grey. Garret put out his cigarette.

"You starin' at me for a reason there, kid?" He looked back at Devil with otherworldly white eyes. He began cracking the knuckles of his big hands absently. 

"No... um... I just..." Devil still hadn't figured out what to say. He ran his hand through his hair. "I think... you really do miss her a lot, don't you?" He stuck his hands in his pants pockets, looking away to avoid Garret's gaze. 

Garret squinted at him in confusion before grim realization washed over him.

"You saw her... in your dream? Right?" His normally deep and commanding voice sounded so quiet and small. It twisted Devil’s heart even further to hear. Devil could only nod. The pit in his stomach was making it hard to speak.

Garret nodded back thoughtfully. 

"I do miss her. I miss her so much." He bit his lip as he looked out over the Garden. "I guess you understand more now, huh?" He sighed deeply, crossing his arms.

Devil silently walked up and sat on the bench next to him, unsure of what to say. They both sat in silence as the sun crept further down the horizon, flowers casting long dark shadows over whatever they could reach. It seemed like forever had passed before Garret broke the silence.
“That’s why I don’t sleep much.” he sounded distant.
“Huh?” Devil looked up at him. Garret was still staring out into the distance.
“When I sleep… I just see my memories. I see their faces again.” He swallowed hard. “It’s… unbearable to wake up and they’re not actually here with me. I jus’ stopped sleeping after a while.”

Devil stared at the ground. He didn’t know what to think or feel.

“I’m… I’m sorry.” He managed to mumble out after a moment. 

Garret looked down at him. He had his usual flat poker face, but his eyes seemed somewhat softer. Devil was soon caught off guard by a massive arm draped over his shoulders, Garret pulled him into a sideways hug.

“Thanks.” He spoke softly. 

To his chagrin, Devil felt a cold tear roll down his cheek. He still didn’t know how to put his feelings into words, the only thing he could think was just.. Empathy…

The two men sat on that bench for a while more, watching the oranges and pinks vanish from the sky and melt into a solid, starry black. The pale moon bathing the flowerbeds in an ethereal silver light. Neither really wanted to speak. It was just nice to have each other. Alone together.