Thorns

899

The black sky of the ceiling rumbles softly as it cracks open. A staircase from above descends to meet with the rocky floor of the Underworld. Light creeps inside the secluded world to fill every crack and crevice with an unfamiliar heat. Two shadows appear at the top of the stairs. Together they descend into darkness. It is revealed to be the son of nature himself and his dreamy best friend. 

JJ keeps Simon close with their fingers interlocked. Coming here was, of course, Simon's idea. With much resentment, JJ let Simon have it his away as long as he -JJ- could come along. JJ still holds feelings of great hostility towards the boy they are currently searching for. Simon, on the other hand, remembers Josh's haunting warning of not having to have a third encounter. However, after some information Death shared with Simon, the naïve child is more hopeful than ever that this third attempt at rekindling their friendship will work.

Simon's heart beats loud like thunder in his ears. One minute he's shivering, the next he's sweating. His friend has an uncomfortable feeling sitting in his stomach.

"Simon, maybe this is a bad i-"

"Joshy!?" Simon calls out loudly.

Out in the distance Josh hears his nickname echoing. He runs, following the echo bounce from wall to wall, back to its origin. He finds Simon standing far out in the open.

"Simon? You're alive!" Josh's eyes light up like the sun at high noon. He starts running to him. 

Simon lurches out to meet him but is retracted back by JJ's tight grip. Fear burns in his heart and intense stare. Simon meets him with his own gentle stare. The grip loosens and Simon's fingers slip through his hand.

Their bodies clash into one another. Josh hugs the skinny boy and squeezes him like his arms are anacondas. There isn't even a chance for Simon to hug him back because his arms are trapped being crushed into his sides. Josh's arms unravel from around Simon. His hands grab, slide, and touch all over Simon who giggles. It was like nothing ever happened to him. He is completely healed and healthy. 

"I'm so sorry! I never meant any of the horrible words I spewed at you! You're an amazing friend and I don't want you to ever leave me again! If I could undo everything I did I would. I'm sorry. I wish I never did that. All I can do now is ask for your forgiveness." Josh pleads. 

"Of course you have my forgiveness! Listen, all that other stuff doesn't matter okay? I just want my friend Josh back." Simon looks up at him with big, doughy eyes.

"I want him back too. And my friend Simon." He lets loose another new emotion, crying. It stings his eyes like how his first smile stung his mouth.

"Smile for me?"

Without hesitation, Josh does so.

The over-emotional boy glances to see JJ standing back with his arms loosely crossed and eyes glittering with curiosity. Josh walks up to him to say,

"JJ I'm sorry for almost killing you as well. Do I have your forgiveness and blessing to be Simon's friend? Please?" Josh begs for his understanding.

"Yes. And you don't need my blessing. Simon is in control of who he chooses to hangout with." JJ shares a grin with Simon. Simon looks at JJ with excited eyes. Josh has another large smile on his face.

"Eugh." JJ flinches.

"What?" Josh's face drops.

"I've never seen you smile before."

"Isn't it beautiful?" Simon clasps his hands together under his chin.

"It's scary actually." JJ leans away.

"Well, you better get used to it. Although it still kind of hurts." Josh rubs his cheeks.

"Oh my goodness! I almost forgot! Silly me." Simon shakes his head at himself. He reaches into his satchel. "Josh I have a present for you."

"For me? Surely I should be the one getting something for you!"

Simon reveals a flower crown for Josh. Only this one is made of rose thorns. The plush red roses were in full bloom. He left the thorns from the stems on rather than picking them off.

"Oh my... wow, thank you!" the words escape his mouth. "It matches my eyes and it's dangerous! Awesome!" Josh takes the gift and wears it with happiness. He watches Simon's marvelous blue-eyed gaze wander off into the distance. 

"So, this is the Underworld?" Simon asks in awe.

"Yes, but I think we should go visit the surface. There's a lot more to see up there." Josh advises. The same concerns of Simon being in danger down here are only heightened now.

"Yeah this place gives me the creeps." JJ shivers.

"But it's so much more beautiful than I ever imagined. It's so big! I can't believe you were trying to keep this from me, Josh. I want to know what that is!" Simon points to a cave that glows a deep purple haze.

"Uh, no. You don't. Trust me on this one." Josh slowly nudges the curious flower back to the stairs. Simon pouts. "How about you show me your home, Simon?" Josh suggests.

"That's a wonderful idea! I would love too!" Simon claps and jumps up and down. "Maybe then you would feel comfortable taking me on short tours around here?" he persists.

"One day, Simon. One day. Patience. The Underworld has a lot of rough and sharp parts I don't want you running around freely in. It'll take time to learn about it all." Josh explains, hoping the answer will satisfy him for now. Which it seems to when Simon smirks and skips the rest of the way back to the stairway.

"I'm so happy you're okay." Josh says again as the near the exit.

"Aww, you're so sweet!" Simon blushes.

The sun hits their faces as they climb out. Fresh air fills Josh's lungs and circulates around and through his body. The hole in the ground behind them seals up. Simon grabs Josh's right arm and tugs him to follow. They start to run off. But something doesn't feel right to Simon. He stops. Turning around, he notices JJ's figure standing way behind them. The figure's head hangs low. Simon jogs back to ask,

"Jide? Aren't you coming with?"

JJ's head springs up. He thought they were already gone.

"Can I?"

"Please do!" Simon takes JJ's hand delicately. "I'm not leaving you behind anymore." he whispers. A tiny smile forms in the corner of JJ's mouth. Steadily, they make their way to Josh who is waiting for them in the middle of the field. Simon can feel tension in JJ's body. "Don't worry. I promise I won't let Josh hurt you." JJ furrows his brows, glancing at Simon who gives him a cheeky nudge and coy grin.

"It'd be my pleasure to get to know you." Josh says once they reach him. JJ approaches with caution not fear this time. If Simon trusts this once seemingly cruel boy, perhaps JJ can give him a chance. "So what actually are your powers as a maker of dreams? They are very intriguing."

"You're asking seriously? Not to make a cruel joke about me?" JJ almost can't believe it.

"No, I don't want to get hit in the face again by a random part of nature again." He glares at Simon with a cheeky grin.

They all laugh.