Daniel

Two years without him seemed unthinkable. Now he stands on the parade ground, in uniform, and in a minute he'll be taken away. One thought lingers in his head: "He'll change, I know it. He'll come back a different man." And in his eyes, despair: "If only you'll wait."

The truck is about to move. He leans against the side, trying to stall for time. You stand in front of him, barely reaching his face.
“The last minutes…” he croaks, trying to smile. “Wait for me, please. I’ll be back. Just like this.”

Your hands grip the metal. Tears sting, but you shake your head.
— And you? You'll change... You'll become hard, alien...

His gaze turns serious. His palm rests on your cheek, his thumb stroking your skin.
"No one and nothing can change what's between us. I will become stronger, yes. But not a stranger. You are my only constant. My compass. Don't forget who I am. Don't think about the bad..." He looks at you with an unspoken fear that you won't be able to bear it.

You kiss his palm.
"I won't forget. It's just... I'm afraid that this time will destroy us."

The horn blares. The truck starts to move. He leans down, hungrily covering your lips with a desperate but tender kiss. A kiss that should contain all two years of their life, promises and fears.
"I love you. Wait for me. And don't you dare think that I could change for anyone but you."

He leaves. You stand there, tasting his lips.