Our Glory is Now //Jeffmads Oneshots

Kisses

One kiss behind the football field.
It was March.
The sunset was behind them in a beautiful array of colors.
Smiles and laughter pierced the empty sky.
It was perfect.

Two kisses in the hospital room.
One on each cheek.
It was June.
The walls were bleach white and bare.
Tears fell from both their eyes while the others watched.
It was a hope in the darkness.

Three kisses in the apartment on West Street.
It was August.
The stairs were an ugly back drop, but no one could care.
The ground was clean, no blood, no water,
And it was good enough for both of them.

Four kisses in the bar they weren't supposed to be in.
It was September.
The air smelled of alcohol, the noise was suffocating.
Angelica had to drive them home.
It was a little blurry, but it was worth it.

Five kisses in a new hospital.
It was November.
The walls were pale green, chipped in the corners where there were unkept.
Everything was silent except for the heart monitor on Thomas's bedside.
James took his hand and held it, the pair not looking at each other but knowing that the other was there.
It was hard.

Six kisses on the death bed.
It was February.
Thomas's death wish was what he always wanted:
"I want James to sit with me,"
Everyone else left and James remained, and with what breath remained in his body, Thomas pulled him in for the kisses that he wished he would be able to give all through James's life.
It was shattering.

Not another kiss for the next 50 years as James sat on his porch in Brooklyn.
He watched the sun set everyday, dreaming of March.
And when, at the end of those 50 years, he could feel Thomas behind him like a shadow, he chuckled and called to the personal nurse just inside.
"Dolley,"

"Yes, James? Is something wrong?"

"No, Dolley, everything's perfect. I just wanted to say goodbye."

"Oh, Oh, sir, we can—"

"I'll be okay. Thomas is there. Say goodbye to me, Dolley."

"Goodbye, James. If Thomas was anything like you described all these years, you'll be happy again, and God bless that,"

James smiled.

It was time for another kiss.