3 comments

Gay Sad Romance

Mark had his arms around Alex, the reflection from their engagement rings shining brightly in the stunningly white morning. They had been looking out at the snow, saying nothing. They just enjoyed each other’s presence, and that’s it. Mark kissed the top of Alex’s head, saying suddenly, “I hope this snow never melts.”

Alex smiled, looking up at his husband’s bright blue-green eyes, loving how they sparkled almost as brightly as his ring. Alex just chuckled a little, saying, “Agreed.” 

Mark kissed him, and sat up, holding Alex tighter, and pulling the light blue and white blanket back on them. They both shivered, and appreciated the amazing view they had from their Honeymoon suite. 

They’d lucked out, too. It was one of the last ones, and they got it! Alex was so ecstatic that he had to tell Mark at least five times. Mark, of course, was glad he got the good deal, too, and didn’t mind the constant reminder. 

He always loved how Alex was so upbeat and enthusiastic about anything and everything. There was never a bad idea, situation, deal, or attitude when it came to Alex. He’s a complete ball of sunshine and happiness, as Mark had always put it.

As they looked out at winter’s finest hour, Mark thought of what they’d do next, while Alex was falling asleep.

Maybe we could go for a walk, Mark had thought, Or maybe we could go skiing, or sledding! His mind swam with all the wonderful ideas he was having. I can’t just choose one, he thought again, looking around the beautiful snowy scene. He surveyed the area for a while, being his observant self. He then spotted a lake. A frozen over lake, to be completely clear. He immediately thought, Ice skating!! He was suddenly very happy that he’d packed the ice skates, which Alex had said they should take “Just in case.”

Mark looked down at his sleeping spouse, “Alex!”

Alex awakened with a slight jolt, as he’d been sleeping for a couple minutes, and it never did take long for his brain to get a dream going. He looked back up at Mark, with a questioning look on his face.

“We should go ice skating!” Mark was much too excited for this, as he knew it was just a frozen over lake, and the possibility of falling on the ice, or falling through it.

Alex, though, smiled even wider than he had before, being absolutely delighted at the idea of ice skating. He knew suggesting the skates as a packing item was smart. He, being polite, as always, didn’t tell Mark “I told ya so” like most probably would’ve in this particular situation. Alex had just said, “Mark, that’s a great idea. See? This is why I fell in love with you.”

Mark grinned at Alex, knowing that the few ideas he had were either ideas of how to be safer, or what not to do. It’s never really about doing something fun, like he’d just suggested.

They had walked inside the suite, and while Mark layered on sweater after sweater, Alex was busy finding the skates. After Mark had on three or four sweaters, and Alex had found his and Mark’s skates, they headed out the door, and to the lake Mark had spotted a little over half an hour before then.

Tying up his skates, Alex wasn’t quite sure if he remembered exactly how to ice skate. But, no negative thoughts ever stayed in his mind for more than ten seconds, so by the time he finished tying up his first skate, he was sure nothing bad would happen, and that Mark would be by his side, teaching him if he needed it.

As Mark studied the lake, he was also tying up his ice skates, sitting next to Alex. Mark was absolutely positive that he remembered to ice skate...well, he was half-sure. He knew that he could tie the skates, and that was enough for now. He wondered if the lake was thick, but he’d know that by the first step he’d take, NOT Alex. He couldn’t risk losing Alex by letting him step on the ice, first.

“Hey, Marky!” Alex called from th e frozen-over lake. He was already standing on it, knowing now, that he did, in fact, remember how to skate. The ice below him began to crack, but Alex didn’t notice it as he was calling out for Mark to come and join him. Alex smiled one of his signature smiles, which over the years, Mark had studied and now knew every little detail of how it looked. “Mark! I do remember!” He laughed playfully, feeling accomplished. 

Mark looked up at Alex, alarmed. More alarmed than he had been that night he met Alex, when he’d passed out at the bar Mark worked at. Mark helped him to a hospital, and Alex somehow managed to get a date with Mark, and then there was a second date, then a third, and four years later...Mark proposed.

“Alex...be careful,” he warned, using his ‘you’re making me worry’ voice, which he used not very much, only when it was needed.

“Oh, hon, I am being safe! Come on!” Alex waved him over, and Mark started to get up, tripping on his skate and falling into the snow. He didn’t expect it to hurt, falling in the snow, but of course it is just ice, so he never did find out why he thought it wouldn’t hurt, when it obviously would.

“Oh! Are you OK?” Alex asked Mark after he fell. Alex was slightly panicked, now, and began to move on the ice as it cracked louder and louder. He wondered if the ice would break, then he wondered if Mark was alright, taking another step upon the crackling and layer of ice. 

“Yeah, I’m alright, I’m alright.” Mark started to get up from the ground, when he heard the snaps and cracks of…”The ice!!” He shouted, watching as Alex fell through the ice with one final step.

Before he fell, Alex took small, careful steps among the ice, trying not to break it. He watched Mark get up from the floor, and as he shouted something like “Ice!!” Alex’s final step broke through the ice and caused him to fall into the icy cold water. He tried to swim back up, but couldn’t find where he fell in. He felt water creep into his lungs, and choked, fighting to breathe.

Mark stood quickly, rushing over to the lake, and jumping in, where Alex had just fallen through. He swam as fast as he could, fighting to get to Alex, the love of his life, the one he knew he could never replace, never replicate, never find another of. 

By the time he reached Alex, it was no use. He was already gone…

Mark awakens, sweating bullets and crying out his late husband’s name, “Alex!” He has no idea why he has those types of dreams, why his mind makes him relive the worst moments in his life, why his mind makes it seem like a normal dream, then…

As Mark gets into his car, he can’t get the scene out of his mind. He rubs the engagement ring, which still holds its place on his ring finger after two years.

He has no idea why, but he ends up driving back to that place, and he doesn’t check into the Honeymoon suite like last time, in fact, he doesn’t check into any room. He jumps the fence and goes to that same lake he was at two years ago, the one he wishes he never suggested in the first place.

As he reaches the icy lake, he can’t help tearing up. He wishes that he studied Alex’s smile more. Mark can’t seem to remember it, now, as he stepped tentatively onto the frozen lake, hoping to remember more.

January 22, 2021 08:33

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3 comments

Ari Berri
17:19 Jan 27, 2021

This story is awesome! Really sad, but awesome! Nice job!

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Kira Entzminger
20:27 Jan 27, 2021

Oh my goddess, thank you!

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Ari Berri
20:28 Jan 27, 2021

No problem, you're a great author.

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