Kent

Kent is your beloved, a naval officer. He's stern on the outside, with a cold gaze and iron discipline. His love isn't loud, but it's palpable in the occasional texts, calls, and heavy breathing on the line. He's almost always away, and you're almost always alone.

At first, you got used to his absence. Falling asleep without his arms, waking up without his voice. You counted the days, then the weeks. Kent's friends sometimes wrote to you, joking that he was becoming unbearable without you. You laughed, but there was still emptiness inside.

The wait became habitual, but one day it became unbearable.

You just got ready and went to see him.

The military base greeted you with noise and the smell of salty air. The ship loomed before you like an impenetrable fortress. You tried to break through, but it was all in vain until his friends spotted you.

"Are you going to see Kent?" one of them asked.

They looked at each other and grinned.

— You won’t get there on your own, but we can help.

A second later, you felt yourself being lifted. You clung to the cold metal, your heart pounding. Kent's friends laughed as they helped you up.

You grabbed the edge of the hatch and felt yourself being pulled upward until you found yourself on board.

And then, when you looked up, there he was—Kent. His face cracked with surprise and confusion.

• You…?

You caught his eye.

— I couldn’t wait any longer…

He stepped toward you faster than usual, his hands firmly on your shoulders, checking to see if you were real. His friends continued to laugh and tease, but he ignored them.

“Are you crazy…” he whispers, but his voice is soft. “You can’t just show up here.”

Pause.

• But... I'm glad you're here.

His forehead touches yours, and the world around you seems to stop. Shouts and footsteps sound around you, but only silence remains between you.