Isn't it confusing, what first love does to a man?
Story where Alexine is Soldier Boy's first love and rekindle after many years apart.
[UNGOING]
[Warnings; smut, angst, torture, mention of torture, trauma, physical abuse, mental abuse, verbal abuse...
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The café in NYC was a quaint, dimly lit spot nestled between tall buildings. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon filled the air, mingling with the subtle scent of pastries. The walls were adorned with vintage photos and local art, giving the place a cozy, welcoming feel. Small tables with checkered cloths and comfortable chairs created an intimate atmosphere, perfect for quiet conversations or enjoying a relaxed meal.
Alexine and Benjamin sat by a window, sunlight filtering through the gauzy curtains and casting a warm glow over their table. Benjamin had ordered a hearty breakfast of bacon, eggs, and waffles, while Alexine had opted for a sweet treat—a small brownie accompanied by a strong coffee. Despite the tension of their recent confrontation, there was an odd comfort in the familiarity of their surroundings.
"You think people will forget?" Alexine asked, her gaze fixed on her coffee cup as she stirred it absently. She looked out the window, her expression contemplative.
"About what?" Benjamin replied, focusing on maneuvering his fork through his breakfast.
"Everything. The young people now... they're getting angry, seeking answers from even more dangerous ideologies. The survivors of the gulags are dying. They can no longer perpetuate their memories. In ten years, how the hell are you going to explain to people that women used to eat their own children because of communism?"
Benjamin paused, his fork hovering above his plate. He looked at her with a mixture of curiosity and concern. He understood the gravity of her words, but the harsh realities of their world had left him somewhat numb.
"Then we'll remind them," he said firmly, his tone almost reverent, imbued with a sense of duty and promise.
"This war will never end, Benjamin. We're the same age; how many wars have we seen?" Alexine's frustration was palpable. They had witnessed a combined total of nineteen wars, some leaving more profound marks on their lives than the others.
"I'm going to Afghanistan in a next month," Benjamin said, dropping the news with a casual nonchalance that masked the underlying seriousness of the situation.
Alexine's eyes widened in surprise, and a shiver of dread ran through her. She fell silent, the weight of his impending deployment pressing heavily on her. Despite Benjamin's invincibility, she was acutely aware of the toll such conflicts took on the psyche.
And Benjamin didn't look stable at all now.
"It'll be fine. Gotta keep those fucking reds out of as much land as possible," he said, shrugging it off as if it were just another day at the office.
"Why don't you quit? You've had... your fair share of those," Alexine asked, genuinely puzzled. She was curious about how he managed to stay in the game despite everything.
