Apocrypha ✔️

Chapter 46

"The righteous cry, and the Lord hears them, he delivers them from their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Psalm 34:17-18

THE SUN beamed down with glorious rays. It had finished raining, and now the warmth was refreshing to be felt again.

Gabriel rubbed his eyes as he stood up from the couch, making his way to the kitchen. He brewed tea and drank it slowly, looking out the window.

"Morning!" Lysander said, entering the kitchen. He hugged Gabriel eagerly.

Lysander chuckled at Gabriel's beard. Despite saying he never wanted a beard, Gabriel had kept forgetting to shave.

"Did you stay up late again?" Lysander asked. He pushed Gabriel's blonde hair back.

"I had to finish up the report before the deadline." Gabriel replied. He could smell Lysander's conditioner.

"So, are you free today?" Lysander asked.

"Sure, I've got time."

Lysander traced his finger over Gabriel's ring. He still loved him, always.

"Join me for some dancing." Lysander said, approaching the radio atop the fireplace.

"Not again," Gabriel groaned. "I spent two hours dancing with you last night. That's why I had to pull an all-nighter."

"We can dance forever or never, you pick." Lysander replied.

Gabriel rolled his eyes and marched over to his lover; his wonderful and loving husband.

Before they could dance, there was a knock on the door. Lysander cursed silently and opened it. Cassio was on the other side.

"This better be important." Lysander said.

"Woah, calm down, man. Horatio made cookies and wanted me to bring you some." Cassio said, holding up a plastic container.

Gabriel poked his head out of the door. "Ooh! We'll take them." Gabriel was handed the box.

"Uh, what else?" Cassio muttered to himself. "Right! Aaron and O are planning some get together later. He recommends we all bring something."

Gabriel and Lysander agreed. When that was done, they sat back on the couch.

"O. Do you think the story is true?" Gabriel asked.

"What is?" Lysander asked, already eating the food.

"That Aaron's friend forgot his name and that's why we now call him O."

Lysander shrugged. "We might never know. It's best not to dwell on it now."

Gabriel and Lysander got dressed for the day. They exited their house and looked around. The smell of rain still lingered in the air after the many days of rain that had passed.

It was a small compound that the government had built just for them. They could live secluded, close proximity to a nearby town, and no one would know of Gabriel's existence.

Only this time, unlike their old home in the US, Gabriel didn't feel on edge every minute. Should anyone find out, at least their safety was guaranteed.

They had what they needed in this place.

Their first stop of the day was a tree planted in the center of the compound: A maple tree. There was a sign under it that read 'Timon's Tree.' They would always honor his sacrifice. Without him, none of them would be here.

"I wish he could see us today." Gabriel said, looking up at the green leaves.

"Part of me feels like he is."