Context: You knew them both since you were a child. You had your special place, down by the creek, where the three of you would meet up to go on grand adventures, play pretend, or talk about the future. No matter what sort of future it was, you were sure your two best friends would be with you through it, all the way to the end. You've just left one's funeral and your footsteps take you back toward that creek. Toward a place, only the three of you knew. What you'll find there after all these years? Who is to say?

Setting: That special place by the creek, where the sun turns to glitter to kiss the water's surface

Tags:[M4A][Ex-Bestfriend Speaker][Grieving Listener][Reunion][Grief][Comfort][Reverse Comfort][Catching Up][Making Amends][Confession][Cuddling][Mourning][Dysfunction][Vulnerable][Sweet][Kind of Wholesome?][Coping][CW: Mentions of Death/Alcoholism/Abuse]

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***

[Scene opens within a sunny forest by a strong, flowing creek]

[SFX: A gentle ripple of a creek]

[You head down by the creek to a secret place where you grew up. Unsurprisingly, he’s there]

“Hey, stranger. Figured you’d come this way once they were done burying Josh…”

[Pause]

“Have a sit with me? I wasn’t sure what I should bring for drinks… That shitty beer Josh loved so much, that shitty coffee he pretended to like when around his cultured friends, or the same juice boxes we’d have out here together as kids… Settled on the juice boxes, ultimately. Grape, apple, or orange?”

[Pause]

“A fine choice. Here you are. A toast to… Josh, I guess…”

[You toast with him and sit by the creek in silence for a bit]

“...I’m sorry I didn’t say hi at the funeral, I just… Would’ve been a bit awkward to throw my arms around you at his funeral, of all places…I know you weren’t with him for a good few years, but… Listen. Can I ask something?”

[Pause]

“... Do you miss him? Even though… he was awful?”

[...]

“You can’t tell me he’s not awful, now. Not with… not with everything that came out before he-!”

[...]

[Your old friend exhales shakily]

“...I’m sorry. Yelling at you again isn’t going to vindicate me… I’ve already been through the pain of learning my best friend was… a fucking monster. Now you’re having to live it, and I’m being a massive asshole about it. I… I am sorry… I didn’t come here to start a fight.”

[...]

[SFX: The creek moving forward]

“...It’s been years, hasn’t it? Since we last saw each other.”

[Pause]

[You start to apologize but he holds up a gentle hand]

“No. You don’t need to apologize for what happened that night. All you did was invite me out to dinner alongside your boyfriend. Three people that have known each other since they were in their single digits getting dinner together. And me giving you a hug was enough for him to threaten to kill us both if I didn’t leave then and there. That… That wasn’t on you.”

[...]

[Despite all the time, he lies on his back beside you and pats on his chest]

“Nnh… here, let me lie down. Here. My chest is a little more defined these days from lugging camera equipment, but it should still be plenty comfy if you’d like.”

[SFX: The Listener lying down]

“There you go… It’s still beautiful in our little secret spot by the creek here, isn’t it?”

[Pause]

“Yeah. I always wanted to come back sometime and snap some shots, but… fuck, I don’t even know… When I got the call, it was 2 AM and I really didn’t know how to cope. It was between, ‘Josh, my best friend of ten years is dead???’ and ‘Josh, the belligerent bully who threatened to kill me is dead’. I feel shitty, but I asked about you immediately. I didn’t know then that you two had split years ago, but the thought of something happening to you, I…”

[Pause]

“Good. It’s… It’s so nice to see you again. I thought it’d be more awkward, more painful, but you’re still you and I’m me, and we still love each other, after all of this time… The Three Amigos, down one…”

[Pause]

“Yeah, I can run my fingers through your hair. Whatever you need, I’m here.”

[SFX: The creek pressing on, for a bit]

[...?]

“Hm?”

[Pause?]

“Do I remember how competitive Josh was?”

[His sternum shakes a bit as he laughs quietly]

“I remember… We had our heads together, looking up at the clouds while the creek ran. You asked us what we wanted to do or be when we grew up… and in the one moment of suaveness I’ve ever had, I think I responded, ‘I’m gonna marry you!’. Must’ve had a reaction because Josh was up the next second with his little, ‘No, I’m gonna marry you in a castle with a dragon!’ and… I mean, damn, what eleven-year-old can keep up with that, huh? Heh…”

[Pause]

“Oho, yeah…That man was competitive as all get out. The man dared ME to eat thirty-six tacos! And then got mad at me for turning him down and the massive stomach ache he got the next day like I did anything else in Mexico besides some sightseeing and animal watching!”

[Pause?]

“True, I did get that shot of one of those gorgeous Great Kiskadees snatching a taco out of his hand. Still have that one framed in my office, heh… I… wanted to thank you, by the way…”

[Pause?]

“That old camera you gave me…. The day we first met here, just before Josh arrived. You saw how interested I was and just… gave it to me. You gave me a passion to pursue… I still have that camera, even though it’s practically falling apart now. It meant everything to me… still does.”

[SFX: The creek carrying on]

“...He hated that you gave it to me, you know…”

[Pause?]

“I mean… the man hated everything I did with you that didn’t also involve him. He obsessed over you… scared me senseless. I guess I’d sort of hoped he’d… I dunno, calm down once you two were together, but instead of being paranoid he could never have you, now he was paranoid someone would steal you away…”

[...]

[His voice hitches, hand lingering over your crown]

“...I still miss him, too…”

[There’s a relief in finally crying, though it is terrible]

[Pause!]

“I wish he would’ve just gotten some… some fucking HELP! He had EVERYTHING! Money, fame, glory, YOU, for fucks sake! What sane man could possibly want more?! I swear to God, I wish I could just grab his corpse and shake him and scream at him until he wakes right back on up, does that little annoying ‘bro laugh’ and then just… gets better…”

[...]

“...I’m sorry I never tried to reach out… I was… I was scared he was going to hurt you… That’s me, though, always the weak little baby bird, too scared to call out big, mean Josh… You’d think for someone who photographs and films dangerous wild animals, I’d have a bit more of a spine when it comes to my own species…”

[Pause]

[He exhales quietly, wiping his face with his sleeve]

“Here’s to Josh… the football star turned actor, the high school drunk turned alcoholic, the bully turned beater, and the monster we all saw coming...Rest in peace, brother. We’ll pour out a grape juice box on your behalf…”

[Pause]

“...I hope he’s not in any more pain, too, sweetheart. And I hope you won’t be either after you’ve had time to heal. You don’t have to forgive me, but I’m going to do my best to make sure you’re taken care of, alright?”

[...]

[He gently pats your head]

“I think I’d like to talk things out more elsewhere as well, yeah. I’ve… God, I’ve missed you. I don’t want it to have to be a funeral that brings us back together again, alright? Maybe burgers instead?”

[Pause]

[He laughs quietly, easing in the splendor of the shade]

“Burgers it is.”

[SFX: The creek carrying on/gentle forest ambiance]

[To be continued?]

Note: Ay look, I wrote a fairly normal thing :D