The Gold Medal Rose

Gold Medal Rose

Lucien stared at the flower in his hand, its golden petals and sharp stem filling his nose with a sweet scent.

"It's a Gold Medal rose," Pierre said.

"These are one of my favorite roses. It's beautiful, Pierre. Thank you."

"Don't thank me, I didn't make it.You could ask for something better from a Frenchman, but you have this one. It means a lot to you. How are you feeling?"

"I'm good," Lucien said. "I slept well."

"Good. Maybe you won't have that night-time problem again." Lucien frowned and gripped the Gold Medal rose tighter. "Not at night, but I'm going to take a nap later today. All this walking and talking have worn me out."

"Are you sure you should rest?"

"I'm tired, Pierre, but I don't feel too tired." Pierre helped Lucien to his feet. "If you need anything, just ask," he said. "I'll come by later if you don't wake up on your own." Lucien said thank you, and watched Pierre walk away.

A sharp voice inside him snapped, Don't talk about the past! You don't have to tell him about your night-time problem if you don't want to. You don't have to tell him that your mother died last year.

Why?

Because he'll think something is wrong with you. Lucien released a shuddering breath. He didn't have to think about why he didn't want to. I just don't want to relive that memory.

By the time Pierre returned, Lucien had fallen asleep.
For the next few hours, Pierre walked Lucien through the rest of his day. He asked Lucien about his work at the salon, his life in Paris and his best friend, Henri, Henri Duhamel, who was twenty-seven, tall, dark-haired, blue-eyed, and handsome.

Henri was married with two children, yet he had a secret life. When Pierre told Lucien about his fiancé's death in an auto accident last year, Lucien sat on the edge of his bed and cried. He had never felt so sorry for someone in his life.

Pierre pulled his bed to the corner of the room and sat beside Lucien and took his hand. "Don't think about her death," he said. "It was a terrible accident," Lucien said. "I loved her, Pierre" He sighed and dropped Pierre's hand. "I loved her so much."

He leaned back against the headboard and stared at the ceiling. "I wish she had taken me with her," he said. Pierre didn't speak, but his eyes dropped to Lucien's left hand. He stared at the ring with the amethyst in its center. "Lucien," he said. "This ring is a gift from your mother." He watched as a tear trickled down Lucien's cheek.

Lucien lifted his head, and he stared at the ring, studying the stone with curiosity. "She told me it would protect me from evil, just like you said," Lucien said. "She said, if someone tries to hurt you, to give them this ring. She told me to give it to someone I cared about."

"She wanted you to have the one thing that would make sure you'd be safe."

"She's right," Lucien said. "This ring kept her safe."

"Yes." Pierre gazed at the ring. "She is here, in the ring."

Lucien smiled. "That's the first time she's ever said that."

A memory flashed through his mind.

"Your mother was amazing," they slowly drifted off to sleep, with Lucien crying his eyes out until he passed out in Pierre, his best friend's arms. While he fell asleep he felt a familiar feeling in his stomach, like butterflies.

*-*-*-*

Lucien awoke to the sound of rustling, and rubbed his eyes as the morning light from the window shone in his eyes. "Pierre?" He muttered gaining the attention of his friend who was frantically looking for something. Pierre turned to him, "oh, good morning" he sighed "what are you doing" Lucien said through a yawn. "I- Lucien, I'm leaving the country".

"What? Why?!" Lucien asked confused.

"You heard me right, I'm leaving the country!" Pierre said "I don't know when I'll be back, but I want to say my goodbyes and to you, since I know I won't see you again"

Lucien was speechless, he hadn't meant for this to happen, he wanted to forget everything, forget Pierre, forget why he was in this mess, forget why they were in this mess.

Pierre knew Lucien had taken a liking to him, but it was probably because he was very patient and caring. Lucien had always been a sensitive, caring person. Even though they didn't have much time together, he always made sure to visit him every weekend.

Lucien stood up, getting out of bed and walked over to Pierre, taking his hand in his he pulled him close.

"It's fine" Pierre whispered

"You know I love you, don't you" Lucien said

"I know you love me" Pierre said "I just hope you know that I would never do anything to hurt you. You're my best friend and you deserve to be happy"

"I know, but it still hurts" Lucien muttered "I know you're sad" Pierre whispered as he pulled him close again.

Lucien held his breath and released it slowly. He knew this wasn't the way to say goodbye, but he couldn't even think of a better way. It was hard, and he was being selfish. But it was the only way he could see it.

Lucien waited until the situation had resolved, he knew he wasn't the only one that was devastated by this.

"Pierre..."

"Lucien?" Pierre said

"I can't come with you... can i?" Lucien asked.

"I'm afraid not, I'll come back as soon as i can i promise" Pierre replied.

"But what about next year, what about my birthday, what about when I move to Japan? You are the only family I have here, if I don't see you again, I'll die!" Lucien exclaimed

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry" Pierre said "I wanted to tell you before, but I didn't know how to..."

Lucien watched Pierre for a moment, thinking about everything, how they had been through in a very short amount of time. He knew they would always have each other and everything would be alright.

"Thank you Pierre, thank you for everything. I love you"

"I love you too, and i will miss you very much"

"I'll miss you too" Pierre said

"I'll miss you"

"And..."

"And..."

"And, I love you"

The clock struck five. And Pierre left, leaving Lucien to deal with his emotions. Knowing he wouldn't see Pierre for god knows how long. "I love you... more than a friend" he said, however Pierre was already gone.