An Unexpected Connection

Bonus 36 - Haunting past

The storm raged outside as Alejandro and Raihan sat on the couch, engrossed in the TV show playing before them. Lightning flashed, briefly illuminating the room, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Suddenly, Alejandro noticed Raihan's tears, glistening in the dim light.

"Raihan, what's wrong?" Alejandro asked, concern etched on his face.

Raihan sniffled, wiping away his tears. "It's nothing, really," he replied, his voice trembling.
"No, it's not nothing. You're crying, and I want to understand," Alejandro insisted, his hand gently reaching out to Raihan's cheek.

Raihan took a deep breath, surrendering to the weight of his emotions. "It's just... I was thinking about my time in the military. The things I saw, the things I had to do... It's been haunting me lately."

Alejandro's eyes softened with understanding. He wrapped an arm around Raihan, pulling him closer. "You don't have to carry that burden alone, Raihan. I'm here for you, always."

Raihan leaned into Alejandro's embrace, finding solace in his presence. "Sometimes, I wonder if I could have done things differently, made better choices. But I was just following orders."

Alejandro sighed, his voice filled with empathy. "War is a complex and brutal reality, Raihan. You did what you had to do to survive. You're not defined by those choices. You're defined by the person you are now, the person I love."

Silence settled between them for a moment, broken only by the sound of raindrops hitting the windowpane. Raihan finally spoke again, his voice more steady this time. "Thank you, Alejandro. Thank you for understanding and for being here for me."

Alejandro pressed a gentle kiss to Raihan's forehead. "Always, mi amor. We'll face our demons together. You're not alone in this anymore."

Feeling a surge of gratitude and love, Raihan mustered a smile. "I don't know what I did to deserve you, Alejandro, but I'm grateful every day."

With a shared understanding and an unspoken promise to support each other, they stayed on the couch a little longer, basking in each other's presence. When the time came for Raihan to retreat to his room, Alejandro turned off the TV and followed him, determined to provide the comfort and support his boyfriend needed.

Their love would weather the storms, both literal and figurative, as long as they stood by each other's side.