An Unexpected Connection

Bonus 7 - Argument and nightmare

Raihan had just finished a long day at work when he was confronted by one of his colleagues, Detective Dylan. Dylan had always been a tough and uncompromising cop, but Raihan had never expected what came next.
"What the hell is going on between you and Alejandro?" Dylan barked, getting right in Raihan's face. "You're supposed to be on our side, not his. You're a disgrace to the badge, and if you don't cut ties with him right now, I'll make sure you're kicked off the force."
Raihan felt his blood boil at Dylan's accusations. He knew that he had nothing to be ashamed of, but he couldn't help feeling angry and frustrated at the same time. He tried to explain himself, but Dylan wasn't having any of it.

"You're making a huge mistake, Raihan," Dylan spat. "You're putting your career, your reputation, and your life on the line for some drug lord. Do you really think he cares about you? You're just a pawn in his game, and he'll toss you aside the minute you're no longer useful to him."
Raihan felt like he was drowning in Dylan's words. He wanted to defend himself, to make Dylan see reason, but he couldn't find the words. He felt like he was being attacked from all sides, and he didn't know how to fight back.

When he finally made it home, Raihan was exhausted and emotionally drained. He tried to go to sleep, but his thoughts kept turning back to the argument with Dylan. He tossed and turned, trying to shake the memories of Dylan's angry face out of his head, but they wouldn't go away.
Eventually, Raihan drifted off to sleep, but his rest was short-lived. He was soon jolted awake by a nightmare, a vivid and terrifying vision of Dylan's accusations coming to life. He felt like he was suffocating, like he was trapped in a world that didn't want him.

Desperate for comfort, Raihan grabbed his phone and dialed Alejandro's number. He didn't say anything when Alejandro answered, but he didn't have to. Alejandro could hear the pain and fear in Raihan's voice, and he knew that something was wrong.
"I'll be there in ten minutes," Alejandro said firmly. "Just hold on, okay? I'm coming."

True to his word, Alejandro arrived at Raihan's apartment a few minutes later. He found Raihan curled up on the couch, tears streaming down his face. Without a word, Alejandro pulled Raihan into his arms and held him tight.
"It's okay, mi amor," Alejandro whispered, stroking Raihan's hair. "I'm here. You're safe. You don't have to worry about anything."

Raihan clung to Alejandro like a lifeline, grateful for the warmth and comfort that he provided. They stayed like that for a long time, just holding each other and breathing in each other's scent.
Eventually, Raihan's sobs subsided, and he looked up at Alejandro with tired eyes.
"Thank you," he whispered. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Alejandro smiled softly and brushed a stray tear from Raihan's cheek.
"You don't have to do anything alone, cariño," he said. "I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

With those words, Raihan felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but with Alejandro by his side, he felt like he could face anything. He closed his eyes and let himself drift off to sleep.