Sunset

by K.H. Ivywater

Written before December 27, 2001.

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As the breeze gently played with his dark hair, William stood at the edge of the ravine, his eyes slowly dancing over every detail. He watched the sun fade into the horizon beyond the trees as the last streaks of light kissed the earth. A calm settled over him, his worries washing away with the diminishing glow. The trees were orange and yellow, marking autumn's arrival.

William closed his eyes, listening to the sounds of the woods. A thousand questions that philosophers had argued upon over the ages ran through his mind, but he knew that they would never be answered. They were unimportant in the scheme of things. The secret of life was to enjoy every moment of it. Nothing was to be taken for granted, from the descending sun to the sound of locusts in the forest.

He recognized the familiar presence even before he heard shoes scraping against the fallen leaves. A moment later he was aware of Jared standing beside him, even though his eyes were still closed. William smiled as his companion said nothing. Jared understood him.

William opened his eyes, and they stood silently, breathing in the scent known only in the October twilight. As he regarded the beauty around him, he let a content sigh escape his lips. He turned to his friend at last, and met his gaze.

Soul mate. The phrase echoed through his mind as if someone had spoken it in a hollow cave. William knew that he had found his soul mate. Within Jared's eyes, all things were defined. He could feel himself drowning in their azure depths even now, and he could think of no better death. Fear was foreign to him when Jared was there. Meaning was an empty concept, for the only idea he could grasp was love. They were untouchable when they were together, the outside world of no consequence, reality nothing but an illusion.

Jared's lips formed a smile, and he gently took William's hand in his own. William leaned against the body of his lover, closing his eyes as the wind caressed their forms. The sky was darkening, and the breeze was growing colder. Wordlessly, Jared began to lead them back towards the house.

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The End