Nothing changes.

Devin closed his eyes and turned his face to the sky. The low animalistic sounds of the undead echoed from behind the wall. He pressed his hand against the coarse brick, imagining what was on the other side. Blood, rot, pain, death.

Could they change this freakish reality? Could they really do something as grand as save the world?

He opened his eyes and stared toward the dirt mounds near the far wall. Stuck in the raised ground were pieces of boards, the names of the dead crudely carved into them.

No, not me. The burden of salvation lay with Noah. Devin breathed in a steady breath and glanced to where Noah was standing near the vehicle belonging to Mac’s group. He would do everything in his power to help Noah, to protect him.

I can keep him safe. He had to believe that.

With a sigh, Devin leaned back against the wall. He tilted his head and eyed the members of the group he was heading out with. It wasn’t just himself he had to believe in.

Could they be trusted?

Any doubts he still had about Kerry and Hank were because of his own issues and had nothing to do with them. They had already proved themselves. In his heart he knew he could trust them. It was the ghosts in his head that sometimes clouded the truth from him. For Mac and the ones in his group who were going back out, Devin wasn’t sure how he felt. They had helped them in Garnett, but he was well aware of the reasons for that.

Noah.

“You got it?” Mac passed a pack to Yara as they loaded supplies.

Devin pursed his lips. He had yet to figure out exactly who these people were, but there was one thing he did know. If it came to it, they would protect Noah, and for now that would have to be enough.

“You’re an idiot,” Kerry said as she tapped her fist against Noah’s shoulder.

A smile curled the corner of Devin’s mouth when Noah laughed, after he shared a brief but carefree moment with Kerry. However, the wince that flashed across Noah’s face following it, caused fear to course through Devin’s heart. He understood Noah’s desire to get on the road as soon as possible, understood that every day they delayed they risked further death, and not just for them.

Still, I wish he wouldn’t push himself.

Noah’s stomach wound was healing, but what he needed more than anything was time.

Time we don’t have. Devin glanced back at the graves of the people they had lost. “Time nobody has.”

“Time?” Noah wore a curious expression.

Devin blinked. When did he get so close? “It’s nothing.”

Folding his arms, Noah leaned against the wall. He turned his face upward. “Are you really okay with this?” He gazed at the sky.

Devin glanced at his feet. He scuffed the worn toe of his boot against the dirt. “I’m not sure I’ll ever be okay. Not with any of it.”

Even in the few short months they had known each other, Noah’s appearance had changed so much. His features were grimmer, his hair longer, the tips of his shaggy locks starting to curl. The way he held himself had changed from guarded but self-assured to a picture of dropped shoulders and weariness.

Noah had been a breath of fresh air at exactly the right time. Something Devin had desperately been in need of. Though Devin still carried his demons and regrets, he had begun to believe there might still be some reason to stick around, a place for him in the tattered world.

“That said, I’m going with you,” Devin said. He smiled when Noah looked at him. “I tried hard to ignore it but…” He stared at the ground and balled his hands into fists. “I care about you, Noah. I love you.”

“Same,” Noah said and wrapped his hand around Devin’s.

Devin relaxed his grip, allowing Noah to thread their fingers together. Noah’s hand was warm, strong, and comforting. Whatever lay ahead, they could face it together. Devin pressed his free hand over his jacket pocket. He ran his fingers in idle circles over the material, feeling out his grandfather’s ring. He had tried to return it to Emily, but she had refused, seeing the gesture as him admitting he didn’t think he’d be coming back. She didn’t want the ring, didn’t need some trinket to remember him by because they were going to see each other again.

But what will I be coming back to? He considered the prison building. Even without him, Hank, and Kerry this place would survive. There were others who were just as capable as him. They’ll be okay.

“I want you to have something.” Devin reached in his pocket, hesitating as he caught hold of the chain the ring was threaded on.

“Okay,” Noah said. He tilted his head to one side as Devin released his hand.

“This belonged to my grandfather.” Devin cupped Noah’s hand and lowered the piece of jewelry into his palm. “I want you to have it.”

Noah gazed at the necklace. “Devin. I don’t know. I mean, you should keep it.”

Devin shook his head. “Apart from Emily, he was one of the few people who accepted me for who I was. He always had my back.” He closed Noah’s fingers around the ring. “And I want you to know I’ll have yours. No matter what happens from here on, you’re not alone.” And maybe it’ll remind you of that the next time you think about running off and doing things by yourself. He pulled his hand away and waited.

Noah uncurled his fingers. “You’re serious?”

“It’s just a ring.” Devin shrugged. “I just wanted—” He tensed as Noah pulled him into a tight hug.

It’s just a ring. He buried his face in Noah’s shoulder and pressed his hands to Noah’s back. Before he had met Noah it was as if he had been falling deeper into darkness. It had been Emily who had first seen it, but Noah who had saved him in more than one way.

“Thank you,” Noah said against Devin’s cheek.

Devin didn’t know what to say. “Okay.” He hadn’t had the chance to give it to Connor. I don’t want to regret waiting. Not this time. “Here,” he said as he put space between them. He picked up the necklace by its clasp and fed it through his fingers. The chain was long enough to slip over Noah’s head without undoing it.

Noah lowered his head, allowing Devin to slip it on. He smiled as Devin untwisted the ring and lay it flat against his chest. “I’ll take good care of it.” He placed his hand over Devin’s and smiled.

“I know you will.” Devin slid his hand down over Noah’s body, catching the waistband of his pants before lowering his hands to his side. He looked up at Noah, widening his eyes as Noah cupped his face and drew him in for a kiss.

“I love you,” Noah said against his lips.

Devin closed his eyes, let Noah’s warmth tumble over him. It hurts. Love hurts. He had avoided the feeling out of fear. I don’t want to be scared anymore. He slowly opened his eyes when the kiss ended.

“Ready?” Noah asked.

Devin gazed over Noah’s shoulder at the people waiting for them. Kerry, Hank, Mac, Brandon, Yara. Neither of them were alone in this. He and Noah had friends, allies, and together they could do anything, overcome anything.

I will believe in them. Devin wrapped his hand around Noah’s. I believe in us. He gazed up at the place he had called home. He had already said his goodbyes to Emily and the others. I’ll see them again.

Noah tightened his hand around Devin’s. Maybe it was out of his own fear. The fear that Devin was having doubts and might change his mind. But that wasn’t going to happen.

Devin threaded his fingers between Noah’s and said, “Yeah. I’m ready.”