Apocrypha

Chapter 7

“For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though its root may grow old in the earth, and its stump may die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water, it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.”
Job 14:7-9

WHILE SLEEPING, Lysander hoped that Gabriel would be able to sleep peacefully. Gabriel had seen many dark aspects about America that he was not used to. He watched people get executed, heard about shady operations, and himself became a victim of that very system. 

As horrible as it was, Lysander felt a bit of happiness. It was always his fantasy to see one of the elites face a fall from grace and get a taste of the extremities the rest are subjected to. But his human part came in, and he realized that it wasn’t Gabriel’s choice to be born into wealth. He is the victim of what others forced onto him. 

Lysander slept in what he recalled being called the green room. His bed was in the middle of the room with the moonlight shining directly onto him. 

He felt guilty that Gabriel was alone while he was dealing with an internal conflict. But Gabriel insisted he needed to be alone. And if he wanted help, he was going to need to look for it. 

Due to Lysander’s life, growing up with dangers around him, he could sense when there was someone else in the room with him. He opened his eyes and quickly jolted up. 

A figure stood in the moonlight, looking down at him. The milk white glow of the moon shone onto Gabriel’s blonde hair, making him seem ethereal. The light also made his pale skin glow brightly. 

Falling down Gabriel’s face were tears that landed on his cheekbone, onto his jaw, and dropped down to his shirt. He was both beautiful and depressing to watch. 

“Gabriel,” Lysander muttered. “Do you need something?” He began to stand up next to Gabriel. 

Gabriel did not reply but continued to sob and wiped his face with his arms. They were both standing in the middle of the room, not saying anything. Lysander began to look around and found a loose shirt to help wipe the blonde man’s face.

“There, there. It’s okay. You aren’t alone.” Lysander said.

Gabriel stuttered out, “You said I can come to you, right?” He asked. His voice quivered from the deluge of emotions emerging in a single night. 

“Yes, I did. So, if you want–” Lysander was caught off guard when Gabriel lunged into a hug and held onto him tightly.

“I’m sorry,” Gabriel muttered as he sobbed on Lysander's shoulder. “I hope this is fine.”

Lysander placed his hand on Gabriel’s back and began to pat it. He let Gabriel hold onto him. He wondered how long it had been since Gabriel had been held. He also wondered when was the last time he was hugged in this way.

They both relished this personal touch as they stood, embracing one another, not caring for a single thing but who they were holding. 

Gabriel smelled Lysander’s scent. It was an earthy scent, reminding him of the pine trees they had walked through. And for a strange reason, it calmed him down to the point his legs began to give out. 

“Why don’t we sit?” Lysander suggested. The two sat on Lysander’s sleeping bag. Gabriel kept his head on the other man’s shoulder. He wasn’t crying as much now, but he knew he wasn’t done. 

“You know, we’re definitely going to be exhausted tomorrow because we didn’t get a full night’s rest.” Lysander tried to lighten the mood.

Gabriel let out a small quivered huff of air from his nose. Snot was starting to come down his nose. Lysander handed him a handkerchief from his coat pocket, which he used to clean his face.