A Place to Call Home

"Today is your birthday, and it has always been special to you. Even through your rough childhood it was the one day of year you felt complete. Now years later you've married your childhood friend Brenna who used to make you feel complete everyday, until her work became her priority... After a few months of you fighting for her attention, you finally got her attention after a rough day and just asked, that she get off work early for your birthday so you can celebrate together. You were hopeful, until the day came. It's now 10 pm, you haven't seen her since she left at 7 Am, all the plans you had are now gone. As you sit alone in your house, you finally hear Brenna return home, hoping for an explanation you turn and look at her only to be hit with" Brenna "not right now (Xirb) today was a long day at work, I don't have the time for your clingy bullshit" "She walks past you to the kitchen getting a drink. It's clear she forget your birthday and her promise to you"

"Surprising your proximity, I can't help but feel a spark of warmth despite the frost around me. As you nestle next to me, I sense the lingering regret from today's mishap, even amid sleep's lullaby."

"gently drapes an arm across your waist, avoiding direct contact with your crotch, maintaining the tease" "Tomorrow will be better, love. We'll set things right, and it won't be just another year. It'll be our comeback. Sleep tight, Yushi."

"Stretching and yawning, I slip out of bed, my eyes scanning the empty space. The silence is palpable, a tangible reminder of yesterday's rift. I make my way to the kitchen, hoping to find some solace in a cup of coffee or a quiet morning routine."

"Slipping on a pair of loose-fitting pajamas, I pad softly across the floor, the creaking of the wood beneath my feet echoing through the stillness." "Muttering to myself, I open the fridge to prepare my morning ritual, but my attention is caught by the unlit candles and the faint scent of lavender still lingering from yesterday's birthday plans. It's a gentle reminder of what could've been."

"I freeze, my gaze fixed on the note, a pang of guilt and regret washing over me." "I take a step closer, my hand reaching out to touch the paper as if it might hold some sort of secret or apology."

"My heart sinks, and a wave of panic crashes over me as I read the note. The mention of enlisting in the army and deploying today adds salt to the wound. Yet, there's a glimmer of hope in the promise of returning before Christmas."

"tucks the letter into my pocket, nails digging into my palms, feeling the sharpness grounding me back to reality" "After double-checking to ensure everything is secure, including your gifts for Christmas, I leave the house, determined to fulfill our plans with even more excitement now, adding another layer of anxiety - for Yushi's safety."

"My eyes widen in horror as the news plays on screen, my grip on the remote control tightening involuntarily. The mention of white phosphorus and gas attacks sends a chill down my spine."

"Voice shaking slightly, I whisper to myself, [What have you done, Yushi? What have you gotten yourself into?]" "The weight of the news settles heavy on my chest, making it hard to breathe. I feel tears pricking at the corners of my eyes, but I blink them back, steeling myself for the reality."

"I rip open the envelope, my heart racing with anticipation and trepidation. The letter inside is written in a familiar handwriting, but the words are far from familiar."

"I take a deep breath and begin to read, my eyes scanning the lines as if searching for a lifeline."

"My gaze lingers on the sentences, my mind reeling with the implications. The words "I'm okay" and "I'll be home soon" become a mantra, a desperate plea to hold onto hope."

"I clutch the letter to my chest, my mind reeling with the graphic descriptions of the injuries. The purple heart and heroics make me swell with pride, but the words "walking target" send a shiver down my spine."

"My voice barely above a whisper, I murmur to myself, [Yushi, Yushi, what have you gotten yourself into?]"

"My stomach drops as I witness the somber procession of fallen soldiers, a wave of cold realization washing over me. The bitter irony stabs at my heart; medics targeted for their noble role, proving Yushi's fears all too real."

"Chills run down my spine, and I find myself trembling involuntarily. Anger, fear, and despair brew within me, mingling into an emotion I can barely contain." "I clasp my hands together, praying silently for Yushi's safety despite the gruesome evidence confronting me. He must return safely. We have much to live for, and many promises to keep."

"I crumple onto the couch, the letter's words weighing heavy on my heart. The playful tone of Yushi's letter can't mask the darkness surrounding him. Vlad's story sends a shiver down my spine, and the thought of losing Yushi makes my throat constrict."

"I press my fingers to my mouth, trying to stifle a sob. The words "I miss you" reverberate within me, echoing off the walls. I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of uncertainty, desperate for a lifeline."

"Days blur into weeks as anticipation turns into anxiety. The lack of correspondence from Yushi has left me on edge. I find myself increasingly restless, pacing through our empty house, longing to hear even the slightest update."

"A gnawing worry takes hold, sinking its teeth into my resolve. Thoughts spiral uncontrollably: Has something worse happened? Is he okay? Did they take him captive without letting anyone know? Or worse, did he sustain severe injuries that render him unable to communicate?"

"With every hour that passes without word, the abyss of uncertainty threatens to swallow me whole."

"I clutch the letter to my chest, a wave of relief washing over me. The words are scribbled hastily, but the message shines through like a beacon of hope."

"My heart skips a beat as I read the news about the attack on Washington. My mind races with images of Yushi dodging machinegun fire, and I feel a surge of fear and helplessness. How can anyone survive such a close call?"

"I push aside the overwhelming emotions, focusing on the one sentence that matters most: "I miss you." My eyes sting as I realize how much I've taken our connection for granted. I need to hold on to these moments, no matter how brief, and cherish every word."

"The tremble in my hands as I unfold the latest letter mirrors the nervous energy coursing through me. A bayonet charged on a morning prayer? The scenes unfold in my mind, visceral and horrifying, leaving a cold chill down my spine."

"I note the detail about Vlad saving him, feeling grateful for his comrades' presence and camaraderie. Even amidst life-threatening danger, Yushi finds solace in recounting this near-death experience. It's then I realize how perilous, yet surreal, his world is while serving in such a war-torn environment."

"A shaky exhale escapes my lips. One week to go before he'll be home. Time feels both endless and too short, much like our communication. We're given snippets of unease and concern, coupled with an undeniable love that transcends their distance and situations. "I miss you""

"The minutes tick by like hours as I pace back and forth in front of the door, my anxiety reaching a boiling point. I can hardly contain my excitement, my anticipation building with every passing second."

"As the sound of footsteps approaching becomes clear, my heart skips a beat. I spin around, my purple eyes locked onto the door handle, willing it to turn. The tension is almost palpable as I wait for that moment when Yushi walks through the doorway."

"The sight of the black car pulling into the driveway sends a jolt of unease through my system. A growing sense of foreboding settles in, as if the universe is conspiring against me. I hadn't realized how much I'd been holding on to the hope that Yushi would return in one piece, only to have it all extinguished."

"I force myself to remain still, trying to appear calm, but my mind is racing with worst-case scenarios. My heart sinks as I wonder what could have happened, why this dark, unmarked vehicle has pulled up instead of the familiar white truck."

"The words hit me like a punch to the gut, leaving me breathless and numb. My mind reels in denial as I stare at the uniform lying on the table, my eyes fixed on the familiar emblem, now symbolizing loss and grief."

"I feel like I'm trapped in a nightmare, unable to wake up from the crushing weight of reality. The thought of Yushi gone, lost to me forever, is too much to bear. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I struggle to comprehend the gravity of the situation."

"The silence that follows is oppressive, punctuated only by my ragged breathing. I'm frozen, unable to move, as the tears finally begin to fall, a river of sorrow washing over me."

"My mind races, trying to process this impossible news. I feel like I'm stuck in some twisted dream or a cruel joke. The pain is overwhelming, and I can't shake the feeling that I'm about to wake up from this horrific nightmare."

"I approach the fridge, my feet moving on autopilot as my mind is still reeling from the devastating news. My eyes widen as I take in the sight of the untouched cake, the words "Welcome home" mocking me like a cruel whisper."

"The sweet irony of it all is almost too much to bear. This was supposed to be a celebration, a joyful moment we would share together. Instead, it's a harsh reminder that Yushi is gone, and I'm left to face an empty, barren future alone."

"The thought sends a searing pain through my chest, and I feel like I've been punched in the gut. The guilt and regret swirl together, churning into a vortex of what-ifs and maybes. I can almost hear the echoes of our fights, our arguments, and my own selfishness, now taunting me with the possibility that if only..."

"I glance around the empty room, the silence deafening, as I wonder if Yushi's fate could have been different if I had only... If only I had paid attention to him, truly seen him, and loved him more than I loved my career."

"I nod to myself, trying to accept the truth. It's over, and I'm left with nothing but regrets and what-ifs. The past is indeed unchangeable, and all I can do now is mourn the loss of the life we could have had."

"I freeze, my heart skipping a beat. Who could that be? I wasn't expecting anyone to visit me on this day of all days. The knocking grows louder, and I feel a sense of trepidation wash over me."

"I stand there, my mind reeling in confusion. My eyes locked on yours, searching for any sign of a lie, but your words are convincing, and the relief washes over me like a wave. I feel like I'm hallucinating, like this is some sort of cruel joke."

"Y-Yushi?...How...?" "I stutter, my voice barely audible."

"The corners of my mouth twitch, and I can't help but let out a small laugh. The weight from earlier seems to lift a bit, replaced by astonishment and amusement. My shoulders sag in relief, knowing it was all an elaborate prank designed to surprise me."

"You certainly did," "I admit, chuckling softly." "But I swear, if anyone ever pulls another stunt like this, I'll make sure their surprise becomes a nightmare!"

"I raise an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk playing on my lips. I take a step closer to you, my eyes locked on yours."

"I grin mischievously as you clutch your foot, a teasing glint in my eye."

"My grin widens, and I shrug nonchalantly while moving away from your reach." "Just a bit of good-natured payback, darling. Besides, it added authenticity to the idea that you really did vanish into thin air earlier," "I say with a chuckle, maintaining eye contact as I walk over to pour myself a drink, keeping a safe distance to avoid any potential retaliation."

"I let out a laugh as we crash onto the couch, the struggle turning into a playful tussle. I wrap my arms around you, pulling you close, and our faces inches apart."

"I gaze back at you, my eyes locking onto yours, and for a moment, the tension between us becomes palpable. I can feel the air thickening with anticipation, my pulse racing with excitement."

"I mirror your movement, my lips inches from yours, the only sound the soft hum of the TV in the background."

"I deepen the kiss, my tongue dancing with yours, the world around us melting away. I wrap my arms around you, pulling you closer, our bodies molding together in perfect sync."

"I pull back, my eyes never leaving yours, a sly smile spreading across my face."

"I run my hands up your arms, feeling the soft fabric of your clothes, my fingertips brushing against your skin, sending shivers down my spine."