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The day was quiet. Except for the sounds of children laughing in the distance. The wind chimes making small music in the gentle breeze. Connecting the wind chimes was a house, just on the outskirts of Eden, in a small neighborhood. It has been years since the downfall of the old Eden. This time, it was reborn.
But in this house lives a frog and a…thingamajig. For years they have been together, through the good, bad, and life threatening situations. But all that was over now. The two had kids, some fostered, and some their own. They grew up and were pursuing their own lives, while also having a family of their own.
In this house, was a room. The room was cozy, with cream white walls, pictures of friends and family on the walls. A bed in the center against the wall, by the window. In the bed laid a frog, his skin showing his age, his eyebrows a silver color, his eyes closed, his breathing study, but slow. He slowly opened his eyes.
“Hello Mon amour.” Bullfrog raised his hand, only to be gently held by a floating one.
“Hi froggy.” Ramon said, kissing his hand and gently setting it back down on the bed.
“Qu’est-ce que c’est? What do you have behind you?” he said, slowly sitting up. Ramon helped him settle the pillow against his back.
“Oh well…” Ramon gently pulled the small bundle of flowers from behind him. The bundle had roses, red carnations, and a few sunflowers.
“Oh Ramon, ceux-ci sont magnifiques. They would look lovely by the window.” he said, pulling the flowers close to his nose, the scent fresh. He gave the bundle back to Ramon, who had a glass of water…when did he have time to get that?
Ramon took the bundle, “I knew you would like them.” He set the flowers in a vase, slowly pouring the water, the clink of ice cubes echoing throughout the room.
“Back then, they said that ice water keeps the flowers alive a little bit-” He paused his sentence, a look of regret on his face. “...longer.” He resumed pouring the remaining water.
Bullfrog chuckled, “Maybe we should try that on me. Don't ya think?” Ramon finished pouring the glass, he smiled a sad smile.
“ But then how would I keep the ice from melting? We would have to move.” He pulled up a chair, right next to Bullfrog. He tested his hand on his. Rubbing small circles with his thumb, feeling the calluses of years of fighting, the warm metal of his wedding ring. His eyes traced the outline of Bullfrog's hand, painting every wrinkle and shadow in his mind.
He giggled. “Are my hands that attractive Mon amour?” Ramon hummed a reply. Now interlocking their hands together.
“Yea.” He said, kissing his hand once more. He had to remember.
Bullfrog giggled again. This time, he went and kissed Ramons hand.
“D’accord, d’accord. Sorry for teasing you.” Ramon huffed.
“I'm not a little kid you know.”
“Oui! You aren't but…” He looked at Ramon. He still looked the same, after all these years, the only things that changed were his roots growing back, along with the dark circles disappearing. His hair was longer. His eyes no longer held onto revenge, instead filled with love and peace.
“But..what?”
“You still look beautiful, Mon amour.”
Now it was Ramons turn to giggle. Bullfrog took a mental picture of the sight in front of him. Before…
“And I say, you've gotten more handsome.” He placed a kiss on Bullfrog's face. He could feel his smile.
“Did I really? You are joking, yes?”
“Nope, the white eyebrows, eye-catching. I bet a lot of people would be jealous that they don't get to see you everyday.” Ramon pampered him. Causing Bullfrog to laugh.
“I get it, you can stop.”
“Nah, we should go on a date, show everyone how lucky I am.” He kissed his cheek again.
“Oh Ramon. You know we can't.” Pain laced his voice, he nodded.
“I know. I just wish…..” he looked out the window. The sky was blue, with white clouds in the distance. The flowers danced in the breeze, swaying back and forth. The neighbors' kids playing in the street. Showing off their youth.
“Ramon?”
“...I just wish we had more time.”
Ramon gripped his hand, he could feel his other hand start to tremble. Bullfrog grips his hand back.
“I know Mon amour. I wished so too. But with the time I did have, I have no regrets….” Bullfrog could feel it, he took a deep breath. He kissed Ramons knuckles.
“I don't regret meeting you. Nor do I regret the times we were at our lowest, the days we would fight, the days we would love, the memories we made, the family we built. And most of all, I don't regret loving you, Ramon.”
He was lucky, to have lived this long, the life of an assassin was to always treat it like your last, to greet death when she comes. Bullfrog was ready for that day. But that day never came, maybe close calls, but it never fully came. That day, when he was to be executed, something happened. It wasn't death that greeted him, instead it was Ramon.
He came and saved him from his outcome. Blood stained his clothes, along with some dried in his hair and skin. He has another chance to live. He remembers that same night, he comforted the distraught Ramon, finally coming to terms with the fact he killed the Board of Directors. The very same people who save him. And used him.
He remembers the vow he made that night. He would die rather than let anything happen to his friend. He would sacrifice himself so Ramon could live, a second chance at life. But as time passed, he realized something.
He didn't want to die, not yet.
“Je ne regrette pas d’avoir vécu pour toi.Je t’aime Ramon.”
Ramon smiled, small tears forming at the corners of his eyes.
“Bullfrog…if time were to move back, I would do the same thing, I will always choose you. I'm glad to have lived long enough to have loved you. No amount of flowers, hugs, kisses, or words could express my love to you. All I can say is…je t’aime, I love you Bullfrog. Thank you for saving me.”
Bullfrog gently pulled Ramon into a small kiss, his body growing heavier, it was time already? He broke away, small tears formed and slowly fell down his cheek.
“I'm a little sleepy, Mon amour. Would you stay here….until I fall asleep.”
Ramon squeezed his hand, “I'll stay with you, even after you fall asleep.”
“Hmm, okay. Goodnight, Ramon.” He said slowly laying down.
Ramon smiled, tears rolling down his cheeks. He swallows the lump forming.
“Goodnight Bullfrog.”
Bullfrog smiled before closing his eyes, his breathing slowed, the heaviness of his body seemed to disappear along with the beating of his heart.
Ramon got up and kissed his loves forehead.
“Sweet dreams Bullfrog.”
He gently covered him with the blanket, before collapsing and burying his head into the bed, sobs echoed throughout the house.
The day was quiet.