short stories, drabbles and writing prompts

he received a letter with only two words: He's alive

He had trouble believing the neatly written words that seemed to scream from the piece of paper. At first he had almost missed them, as they were small and hidden in the upper right corner of the paper. He's alive, the words echoed loudly in his head long after he had folded the paper in half and put it on the coffee table. 

It has been almost half a decade since the last time they he had received any news of him. Five years ago they had parted ways when he was forced to stay behind and let his friend go to fight in a war that wasn't ever theirs to begin with.

Six months in he had gotten a telegram and never was he more fearful than for the news it could bring. Reading the message was the hardest thing that had crossed his path. After days of pacing and imagining every possible outcome he had finally gathered the courage to open it and face the unescapable truth.

Braver for the most terrible he slowly started to read the note. A wave of relief washed over him as the good news came to him, the feeling of happiness however only lasted for a short second. Agonising worry and fear replaced his relaxed state as the underlying meaning sunk in. His friend was doing fine considering the circumstances on the other hand it also meant that the fighting was not over.

The wait for more news grew intolerably long and hope slowly faded with each passing day. Over the course of the years he stopped waiting for a single sign of life. Each eventually he had given him up completely and in his mind he hurried his best friend.

The saddest thing about this was not the loss of the one person who had always been  there by his side, it was the loss of his soulmate. He had come to peace with the idea of never finding a love more true and more satisfying than one he only dreamed of in the loneliest of nights. 

He knew that those hazel eyes would never return a passionate and loving gaze and the taste of the most sinful lips was an unsolvable mystery. Forgotten were the memories of his warm embrace and how his soft hands wiped away tears the last time they had seen each other. 

Three years ago  he had accepted the death of the one person he had loved beyond measure and it broke his heart every single day.  Over the years many ways to take his life have been an almost irresistible temptation but something always kept him from doing so. Never had the reason why presented itself, never until late the moment on which he expected it the least.

He's alive. The with patience written words brought back every feeling he had felt in the past years. Sadness, fear and loneliness were only some of the emotions that washed over him. Taken by the sudden  surprise the paper fell to the ground him following a mere second later.

For the first time in years he let himself cry. Not just some tears you can wipe away easily but the heart wrenching overwhelming kind. He couldn't handle it anymore, not knowing if they would ever reunite or even knowing how he had been all there years.

The loud sobbing overpowered every other  notice and could be heard from outside his house. The sounds of cars passing by, loud cheering and the ringing of the doorbell were blocked out. It felt like time had stopped and all that happened was him curled up on the floor bawling his eyes out for the long lost love.

He didn't hear a familiar and loving voice call out for him nor did he hear the crashing sound of a door being kicked in. The person running towards him was not seen as his entire world had disappeared devoured by his cries.

Suddenly there were strong but arms holding him gently, rubbing his back in a soothing manner. Although he could not quite figure who was holding him, he did know the feeling. It was like he had finally found a home after years and years of meaningless living.

The tears starred to try up and he gathered the courage to look up to whom had been there. He never anticipated that the most beautiful hazel eyes would be staring back at him. His heart was beating rapidly and tears started to fall down on his cheeks again. This time the crying was not out of sadness, anger or which of the horrible feelings he had had the past few years, the tears were those of utter bliss, excitement and relief.

Smiling he clung onto his friend for dear life as he feared this moment wouldn't last. His friend hugged him back. No word were exchanged for their silence said it all, the worries the miss and most of all the love. When they did pull back from the embrace they gazed in each others eyes. Looked at one another, taking all the changes and similarities in.

This is my moment, I have to kiss him now before it's too late. Trying to scrape all of his courage together seems hopeless as he finds himself lost in the most gorgeous eyes. He  missed the love you can see in them and how they make you feel safe. All worries disappeared with one look into those eyes. He is lost, bewildered but more sure than he has ever been in his life. He wants him and nothing on earth could he want more than the man who is crouched on the floor holding him.

Kissing him is the only thing he wants right now but the thought of rejection makes him question everything that seemed undoubtable just a few seconds ago. Suddenly it didn't matter anymore, the doubts and questions. The one second all the worst scenarios were flowing through his head and the next he had leaped forward and kissed him.

It felt like the most wonderful and most impossible dream. Nothing in his entire existence could have compared to the warm lips soft and sweet against his own. Electricity sparked between the two old friend. They understood all the other had wanted to say or had  felt during their time apart. No words could explain the missing, worry, desperation and love in a better and more sincere way. When the broke apart he finally said the words he wanted to say all those years ago .

I love you.