A portrait of the unseen [COMPLETE]

Sacrifice

As I lay in bed with Lexa, her warmth enveloping me like a comforting embrace, I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over me. Having her back in my life felt like coming home, like all the pieces of myself that had been scattered were finally coming back together.

In the quiet intimacy of the moment, I found myself opening up to her in a way I never had before. I told her about my past, about the darkness that had haunted me since childhood.

"When I was a kid," I began, my voice barely above a whisper, "I nearly died. Our driver tried to kidnap me because of something that happened with his son."

I could feel Lexa's grip on my hand tighten, her eyes filled with empathy and understanding. "He threatened me, told me to remember his face before he killed me. It left me traumatized, unable to trust anyone, unable to recognize faces."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I spoke, memories of that terrifying ordeal flooding back with painful clarity. "I hated my family for a long time after that," I confessed, my voice shaking with emotion. "I blamed them for what happened, for not protecting me."

Lexa pulled me closer, wrapping me in her arms and holding me tight. "Ryu, I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice filled with compassion. "You never deserved any of that. It wasn't your fault."

I buried my face in her chest, seeking solace in her comforting embrace. "I know," I murmured, the weight of my past heavy on my shoulders. "But it's still hard to let go of that anger, that fear."

Lexa gently stroked my hair, her touch a soothing balm to my wounded soul. "You don't have to let go of it all at once," she said softly. "Just take it one step at a time, and I'll be here every step of the way."

As we lay together, wrapped in each other's arms, I suddenly remembered something important that I had been meaning to share with Lexa. With a surge of excitement, I reached for my phone and pulled up my Instagram profile for photography.

"Lexa, I want to show you something," I said, my voice tinged with enthusiasm.

She turned to me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "What is it?"

I handed her my phone, displaying the collection of photos I had taken on my journey of rediscovering my passion for photography. Each image captured a moment, a feeling, a glimpse of the beauty I had found in the world around me.

Lexa's eyes widened as she scrolled through the photos, her expression shifting from surprise to awe. "Ryu, these are incredible," she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine admiration. "I had no idea you were so talented."

A rush of warmth spread through me at her words, a sense of validation and pride swelling in my chest. "Thank you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Photography has always been a part of me, but I lost sight of it for a while. Being able to share it with you means everything to me."

Lexa smiled, her gaze softening as she handed back my phone. "I'm so glad you found your passion again, Ryu," she said, her voice filled with warmth. "And I can't wait to see where it takes you."

As we cuddled close, the weight of my past trauma felt a little lighter, replaced by a newfound sense of purpose and joy. With Lexa by my side, I knew that anything was possible, and I was ready to embrace the journey ahead, one photograph at a time.

As the morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, I reluctantly watched as Lexa prepared to leave once again. Despite the unease gnawing at my stomach, I knew this was part of our reality – her commitments and my own.

"I'll be back before you know it," Lexa reassured me, her voice soft but filled with determination. "And in the meantime, we'll stay connected. I'll call you whenever I can, and we'll keep in touch through messages and video chats."

Her words offered some solace, but the ache of her absence lingered nonetheless. I nodded, trying to hide the hint of sadness in my eyes as I hugged her tightly goodbye.

"You don't need to worry," she added, her gaze meeting mine with unwavering sincerity. "We'll make it work, Ryu. Together."

And so, as Lexa stepped out the door, I forced a smile, willing myself to believe in her promise. As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, we stayed true to our word, staying connected through phone calls and messages. Lexa even began following my Instagram account for photography, leaving encouraging comments and support that meant the world to me.

Despite the distance between us, our bond remained strong, a beacon of light guiding us through the challenges of our separate paths. And as I continued to pursue my passion for photography, I knew that no matter where life took us, Lexa would always be there, cheering me on every step of the way.

As I immersed myself in the world of photography once again, capturing the beauty of the world through my lens, a thought began to take root in my mind – the idea of going back to school to pursue a major in photography. It felt like a natural progression, a way to deepen my understanding of the craft and hone my skills to new heights.

I broached the subject with my father one evening, tentatively sharing my aspirations and hopes for the future. To my surprise, he listened intently, his expression thoughtful as he considered my words.

When I mentioned the possibility of studying abroad at a prestigious photography school, his response was nothing short of supportive. "Ryu," he said, his voice filled with pride and encouragement, "if that's what you want, then I'll do everything in my power to make it happen. You have my full support."

His words filled me with a sense of gratitude and determination. Knowing that my father believed in me and was willing to invest in my dreams gave me the courage to take the next step forward.

With his support behind me, I began to research potential schools and programs, envisioning a future where I could immerse myself fully in the world of photography, surrounded by like-minded individuals who shared my passion and drive.

Even though I feel like It is good to leave the country to study it made me feel sad because I will leave Lexa

During one of our late-night video calls, as we shared our thoughts and dreams, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in my chest. The idea of studying abroad, while exciting and full of potential, also filled me with a sense of sadness and apprehension.

Gathering my courage, I broached the topic with Lexa, knowing that our relationship would face new challenges if I decided to pursue my education overseas. "What if I study abroad?" I asked tentatively, my voice betraying the uncertainty swirling within me.

For a moment, there was silence on the other end of the line, and I held my breath, waiting for Lexa's response. When she finally spoke, her voice was filled with warmth and understanding. "Ryu," she said softly, "I want what's best for you, even if it means being apart for a while."

Her words were like a balm to my worried heart, soothing my fears and doubts. Knowing that she supported my dreams, even if it meant distance between us, filled me with a sense of gratitude and relief.

But despite her reassurances, a part of me couldn't shake the feeling of sadness that lingered in the back of my mind. The thought of being separated from Lexa, even temporarily, tugged at my heartstrings, reminding me of just how much she meant to me.

As we continued to talk, discussing the possibilities and weighing the pros and cons of studying abroad, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for having someone like Lexa in my life – someone who understood me, supported me, and encouraged me to chase my dreams, no matter where they might lead.

In the end, our conversation left me with a newfound sense of clarity and determination. While the idea of leaving Lexa was daunting, I knew that our love was strong enough to withstand any distance or obstacle. And with her by my side, cheering me on every step of the way, I felt confident that together, we could overcome anything that came our way.