..after the storm.

The tender boy steps out into morning- around him the sounds of the city rattle and roar. The streets are damp and the air is mild, milder than usual for this time of year, soft as he is feeling.
He has just left the beautiful boy sleeping for the last time- the last time until the next time, and he does not know when that will be.

His heart is not heavy with sorrow; he is certain that their paths will cross again...it is a sweet sadness that he feels wrapped around him- he is sad bacause his companion is going far away, sad because he will not be able to hear his laughter or see his open smiling face in front of him, sad because he will not feel his strong compact body next to his, on top of his, intertwined, hands laced together and holding fast...he is sad because he is losing his friend, but not forever.

Rewind to earlier the previous evening..the beautiful boy, all heavy boots and black jeans, leather jacket and wallet chain, takes his hand and looks into the tender boy's eyes. The tender boy smiles, then notices that his friend is crying. He pulls him close and strokes his soft dark head..the beautiful boy speaks in a whisper "I'm sorry...I'm so sorry....."; he leans hard into the tender boy, his arms wrapping tightly around his body. He sniffles and looks up and wipes his eyes with the dark blue handkerchief he keeps in his left hind pocket. The tender boy holds him and lets him speak his heart, then reveals his own.

"You are silk and steel, and golden in your core..remember that...remember what I say to you....remember you are loved, remember you are forgiven."

There were times when the beautiful boy was sharp, cutting the tender boy- circumstances were difficult- the tender boy knew this- all was forgiven in the moment, but the beautiful boy struggles with his mistakes. They gnaw at him like a stray dog on a chance bone discovered while scavenging..they weigh on him like so many stones in his pockets, making his steps heavier than, perhaps, they need to be. The tender boy knows this. He places his chin on the beautiful boy's shoulder, turns his head to kiss his cheek, and lets him cry. His tears wash away the distance between them.

The tender boy thinks back to longer days and knows that he is different than he was before they met, before chance and circumstance brought them together...he is so glad that everything transpired as it did...and he will make mistakes, he will continue to learn- he will become a better boy- his journey has begun in earnest.