When I first met you, I thought you'd end up walking away like everyone else did.
I thought you wouldn't put up with my sociopathic ways and erratic lifestyle.
But you did.
.
On our first case together, I thought that I was going to die.
I didn't think you'd run into danger to save someone you'd just met, much less kill for them.
But you did.
.
After you got strapped to a bomb by my nemesis, I thought you'd run away screaming.
And I would have understood, because I never wanted you to risk your life for my sake.
But you did.
.
When one of my experiments destroyed your favorite jumper, I thought you were going to kill me.
I bought you a new one but I didn't think you'd just accept it with a smile and move on.
But you did.
.
After I locked you in a lab to experiment on you, I thought you'd be furious with me.
I thought that after I'd traumatized you this way, you would never trust me again.
But you did.
.
When I faked my death and left you behind, I knew I'd done something unforgivable to you.
So when, two years later, I saw the betrayal in your eyes, I thought you wouldn't forgive me.
But you did.
.
When you got married and started a family, I thought it was the end of our friendship.
I thought that with your new life you wouldn't want to waste your time with me anymore.
But you did.
.
When I relapsed and saw how angry and disappointed you were, I thought I'd gone too far.
I thought you wouldn't have the patience to deal with another addict in your life.
But you did.
.
When you lost your wife and unborn child, for the first time in my life, I got terrified.
Terrified that this time you were broken beyond repair and wouldn't get back up from that.
But you did.
.
Every time I thought you'd leave, you stayed.
Everything I've done that was A Bit Not Good, you forgave.
Every time I thought I'd gone too far, you brought be back on track.
Every time I thought you couldn't take anymore, you stayed strong and kept fighting.
.
I once said that you were the best and bravest man I've ever known, and you keep proving me right every day.
I still don't know what I've done to deserve a friend like you but whatever it was, I'm glad I've done it.
.
Because, you see, when I was a child I thought I'd always be alone.
I thought I was a freak that no one would ever bother to try to understand, let alone befriend.
But you did.
This was inspired by the very moving Merrill Glass poem, entitled "But you didn't", which I highly recommend you read.
nerwende