The Promise

It's dawn. He promised me. I know he'll be here.

Ten months ago, Caleb and John were enlisted to fight in the war in Europe. They're friends when since grade school. However in high school, things changed. John felt differently for Caleb. It was more than friendship. He denied that it was love. But it was a miserable denial. He love him.

Then the war broke out. All reserves were called. And they found themselves crossing the Atlantic to fight a war. It's the most unexpected place were love will blossom.

One time in their camp, John asked Caleb to walk around the forest. He misses his home. His family. Yet with Caleb around, he felt most secured. But the loneliness escapes him. In his faces, lines of agony and hope are obvious. He was sad for being away, yet happy to be with the man he truly loves; only that he can't tell Caleb everything. He don't want him to be distracted with him.

As they walk, he felt Caleb's arms swing towards his hip. Wrapping around him. Tightly.

He was surprised with the expression of affection and he looked at Caleb. Their eyes met, and he know what those of eyes Caleb say. No need to speak. It's all there.

Caleb inched closer to him, pressed his body on him. He's warm. He's manly scent reaches him.

In the middle of the dark woods, Caleb softly touches John's lips with his.

"I love you John." Caleb said.

The words are eternal. In the silence of the forest, John felt like bells clang. It was a moment he had always dreamed of. He closed his eyes as he kisses the lips he always longed for. The warmth of it took away all his anxieties. He is free.

Outweighed by the other, they fell onto the grass. The breeze was cold. Yet he's flushing. It's like he's having fever. There's no hesitation. No limits. It's love. Love stored for each for so long. And now it's finally expressed.

After it all, they fell asleep. John embraced Caleb tightly. The other reciprocated.

It is not the sun that woke the camp. It was the shots.

Men are called to assemble. The enemies are around. The lieutenant decided to break the group. One will deceive, the other will attack at the rear. As all love stories are torn asunder, the two were separated. John was grouped with attackers. Caleb with the decoys.

At the commencement of the plan, Caleb reached for John and handed him a white rose. "John, your love is pure. I'll come back for you. I promise. Wait for me." And he left.

The fighting went on. Nobody came back. No more regrouping. All was lost. Yet John survived.

He waited. He waited at the place where they did their love. But no Caleb came.

For months, he looked for Caleb. Still no news of him. But he know he'll be back. He can't die. He just can't.

Tired, he went back to the woods. Now all hope is gone. But he can't resist going back. He wanted to smell the scent Caleb might have left. Unmistakably, he smelled it. He's here! But where? He shouted his name. The name of Caleb echoed through the woods, answering him.

Then someone touched him. It was him. John wanted to be angry. For all the waiting. For worrying too much. Yet the peaceful look of Caleb took him. He was calmed.

Without speaking Caleb kissed him again. The last kiss.

"I came back for you. I have fulfilled my promise. John I love you. But this is the end. The end for me. Not for you."

Then he hugged him. John felt the tears flowing from his lover's eyes. John can't move. Then he fell.

The heat of the sun woke him up. It was all a dream. Yet the scent is there. The grasses are unusually soft. But no, it was not the grass. It was roses. White roses.