Written With Love [slash]

Reason for dedication: For making this AMAZING cover! :)

Well, this story is certainly a first for me: a truly realistic story with things that may happen to someone in the real world.

The guy that I've picked to play Riley Brook is Austin Butler.

I hope that you enjoy! :)

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Prologue: A Tearful Goodbye

December 4th, 2003

I couldn't sleep last night; my mind was too bothered by what today was.

My fiance's deployment from here in New York to Afghanistan was today.

I had been tossing and turning all night, not able to stop the fear from creeping into my mind like a little boy trying to tell himself that there were no monsters underneath his bed. But I wasn't a little boy; I was a full-grown man. While I knew that there were no monsters underneath my bed, I acknowledged that there were monsters everywhere in different forms, but they were especially omnipresent in my mind.

 I should have been at ease since I was getting married in about one year to the love of my life: Riley. Thank god for the people in Massachusetts. While next December may be a while away, a wedding took time to plan, and I had to make sure that everything was simply perfect...or, as close to perfect as I could come.

I should have been at ease because I had Riley. The warmth that always radiated from his body, but even more so from his beautiful smile. His soft, baby eyes that just melted my heart. His light blonde hair that was always so soft whenever I ran my hands through it, whether it be while we were watching a move together, when we were in a long, heated, passionate kiss, or just simply enjoying our time with each other.

Riley told me that they're going to cut his hair a few weeks ago right before I left for work. I was silent until dinnertime. I hadn't spoken to a soul all day. I suppose that Riley's hair meant so much to me just because it was like my version of a security object or sound; like how I was always able to recognize my mother approaching since she always carried her keys which made a distinct jingle as she walked; or perhaps Linus's blue blanket from 'Charlie Brown'; or even a hug or kiss from one's parents.

Although I kept willing my mind to cease its incessant whispers of pessimism, my mind would not obey. Last night, I lay in my bed with Riley's strong arms holding me close to him, yet my eyes never closed. I usually would be able to fall asleep not long after we had both gotten into bed since Riley would always breath softly on my neck, easing my mind and my body with a single breath.

I just couldn't feel at ease with my knowledge of what will be happening soon. How am I supposed to feel knowing that Riley could get killed from a bullet wound or get blown up?

“Morning, Andrew,” I heard Riley's masculine voice reverberate around me as his large, warm, calloused hands rubbed my bare back gently in a soothing motion. He placed a kiss on my neck, turning my stony expression into one with a light smile on it. “Today's the big day; the day that I've been dreading just as much as you, Andrew.”

I turned my head to look into his light blue eyes. How did he know that I'd been stressed about him leaving? I was very careful about how many somber emotions I showed to him...well, except for the hair incident, but nothing more than that!