=Troy's POV=

(Tuesday, November 19, 2019)

[Archian Military Base; Aleppo, Syria]

It's been three months since we've been here at the Archipelago Military Outpost in Syria with fifteen months to go until our first tour of duty is over. After that first week was over; the Alpha Company began doing some patrols and guard shifts in different parts of Aleppo. None of them were challenging, but most were long, and didn't always stay peaceful. There had been some firefights, but thankfully, nobody had been injured. At the start of month two in September; Commander Donovan felt confident enough to let us start taking missions. This is where it got harder, and tested us in all we learned during those five months of training at Fort Archian. Lieutenant Hunters was always with us during operations, but not during patrols or guards; that is where Hayden was leading. There hadn't been any instances where the whole platoon was out at one time under his instruction, but Hayden did take control of small groups, and he did a marvelous job too. Hayden would be in charge, but he had radio communications with Kristopher the entire guard shift or patrol. Also, Hayden felt more at ease with me there, but I didn't get to go every time. I typically worried these instances because Hayden and I didn't get to talk during them as he left his phone in the barrack anytime we weren't inside the base's perimeter.

Hayden and I are still dating; we've been together four months as of November 16th. Unfortunately, it's harder for us to do anything affection wise because nobody knew we were in a relationship. Hayden and I only told his uncle Gabriel, my parents, and Cole. We didn't want to say anything as we're taking it slow, and if things didn't work out; we didn't want people to worry that we couldn't work together anymore. The last thing I wanted was for Hayden or me to get moved into different platoons to avoid confrontation. No, Hayden and I were still the best of friends, and I felt strongly that we wouldn't lose that if Hayden and I broke up for any reason. Sadly; I felt like Hayden and I were starting to fall apart. Not because of anything we did; just the deployment situation itself prevented us from kissing, hugging, talking about anything relationship wise, and going on dates. I didn't know what I could do to bring back some of the fun we had. Perhaps my parents could offer some suggestion? I checked my watch and found it to be nearing 3 pm. Hayden was out on a guard shift until 7 pm, and it was 1 pm back on Berk. I could make this work. I grabbed my phone and stepped outside the barrack before dialing my father; I hoped he'd have a few minutes to talk; if not, I could try my mom. I placed the phone to my ear, and waited.

"Archian Police Headquarters. How can I direct your call today?"

"Yes, hi. Can you transfer me to Director Raseri, please?" I asked.

"May I ask who is calling?"

"Just tell him it's his eldest son from Syria," I chuckled.

"One moment, please," Seconds later, there was ringing. Three in and I heard a pickup. "Troy, my boy. I'm so happy to hear from you. Is everything alright, anyone hurt?" my father began instantly.

"Everyone is okay, Dad. Hayden's out on guard for another three hours, and I wanted to call and ask your advice on something," I stated.

"Well, I'll do my best. What seems to be the trouble, son?" Dustin replied.

"Hayden and I just passed four months together, but being here; we can't do what we did back home. Like go on dates and stuff. I feel like we're falling apart, and I don't want us to break up because of deployment. I just…don't know what to do," I explained.

"It seems, Troy, that you have to find a way to incorporate your relationship into work. I'm not saying make it public, but perhaps you can find a time that you and Hayden could be alone for an hour or so, and have a meal; just the two of you," Dustin offered.

"What? You mean, like, try to set up a date for us to enjoy?" I inquired.

"Precisely! Why not use dinner tonight? When Hayden returns, you two stay in the barrack and have dinner together while everyone else is out. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, but it could show Hayden that you want to make the best of the situation," Dustin said.

"I suppose I can give it a shot. Hayden isn't due back until 7 pm Syria time, and that's likely when the others will head out for supper. Yeah, I could make it work," I informed.

"See, that's the spirit! Well, I do have a meeting to get to, son, and it sounds like you have to go prepare for a dinner date with your boyfriend. So, why don't I let you go for now, and next chance you get to call home, hopefully on a day where your mother, brother, and I are all present, you can tell me how it went?" Dustin suggested.

"I will. Thanks, Dad! Love you," I smiled.

"Love you too, son. Stay safe!" Dustin responded, then the call ended as I slipped my phone away into my pocket, and took a deep breath. Alright, so I needed to figure out how to make this work without catching anyone's attention, and I only had three hours to do with. That should be more than enough time!

. . .

[M1 Barrack]

(7:05 pm)

The Gods must be on my side because it just so happened that tonight; there was some kind of entertaining show going on in the Chow Hall, so this means that I had the barrack to myself for when Hayden got back. If I was right; he should be walking in within the next five or so minutes. I had a little table and two chairs set up for us, and the meal was basic, but I hoped it would be that thought that counted.

=Normal POV=

At 7:10 pm, Troy was standing in front of the setup when Hayden walked through the door and was surprised to see Troy there.

"Welcome back," Troy smiled.

"Thanks. Didn't you go to dinner with the others?" Hayden asked while stripping off his weapons, and field gear before hanging them up in the metal closet.

"I wanted to wait for you," Troy informed.

"You didn't have to do that," Hayden blushed a bit.

"Yeah, I did because we aren't going to dinner tonight," Troy chuckled as Hayden arched a brow as Troy stepped aside revealing two folding stools, and a small metal table set up. "I brought supper to us,"

"What's all this for?" Hayden asked, shocked at the sight.

"I realized that since we arrived here; we haven't been able to enjoy our relationship since nobody knows we're dating. So I thought tonight while everyone is out in the Mess Hall for dinner and some show; you and I could have a little date here in the barrack," Troy enlightened. Hayden's eyes widened a little. Troy set up a date for them?

"When did you plan this?" Hayden wondered.

"About three hours ago," Troy laughed some. "So Hayden, would you like to have dinner with me tonight around right now?" he asked as Hayden couldn't help but smile. The gesture was small, but meaningful. Truthfully, Hayden had been scared that he and Troy were drifting apart because of deployment because they couldn't do anything couples wise. Hayden and Troy had to make sure their relationship didn't interfere with operations, they had to be careful not to offend anyone who didn't like gays or bisexuals, and naturally, there were no displays of affection unless they were alone.

"I'd love to," Hayden replied. Troy held his hand out as Hayden took it, then Troy led Hayden to his seat. Moments later, Troy removed the makeshift covers over their plates and revealed two double cheeseburgers, and some fries. The burgers were dressed up the way each of them liked theirs, and there were ketchup packets for the fries. Troy got two plastic cups, then a bottle of Mountain Dew for them to share.

"I know it's not much, but I didn't want you to think that I didn't care or want this still," Troy admitted.

"Oh, Troy; it's perfect. I didn't even need all this; I just wanted one moment where I could act like your boyfriend instead of just a friendly comrade," Hayden said.

"I know; I felt the same, and that's why I did this tonight. I'm sure it'll come out eventually, but I don't think it'll be a problem," Troy sat down across from him.

"Not at all. We've been dating four months as of Saturday, and it's not interfering with our duties," Hayden agreed while Troy poured them both half a cup of soda.

"No, the deployment is making it hard for us to date," Troy chuckled a little. "But I'm not gonna stop our relationship just because we're here. I'm happy with you, Hayden,"

"I'm happy with you too, and honestly, as long as we can still have moments like this now and then; I'm not worried about a thing," Hayden informed.

"I totally agree," Troy nodded. "Well, I think we should eat before everyone gets back," he added. Hayden smiled and ate one of his fries. This reminded Hayden of his and Troy's first date to Berky's; small, but simple meal with just the two of them. "How was the guard?"

"Standard; there were a few possible threats, but turned out to be nothing," Hayden replied.

"That's good. I worry when you have to go and I stay here," Troy said.

"I know, but there isn't much we can do about that," Hayden sighed.

"It's not fair, though, Hayden. Not in a sense we don't get to go together, but that you go every time whether by yourself or with Hunters. You should get a break too and Kris have to go while you stay behind," Troy remarked. It was true too. Regardless if Kristopher went along, Hayden always got stuck going as well with different groups of Warriors.

"It's because I'm his second in command, Troy and in the event something happens to him; I have to take over," Hayden reminded.

"But what if something were to happen to you when Hunters isn't there; then who takes control?" Troy asked.

"I don't know; I assume that somebody would step up if I ended up dying, or I'd appoint someone if injured. I don't believe the officers can plan that far ahead as every situation is different, and Odin knows it can change at the drop of a dime," Hayden stated. "I know it isn't fair, but I don't make the rules; I just have to follow them,"

"You're right," Troy took a bite of his burger.

"How were things here while I was gone for eight hours?" Hayden inquired.

"Quiet," Troy smiled. "Everyone sat around reading, or making their calls home if the signal was good enough,"

"Speaking of which, I should try to contact Gabriel; it's been a few days," Hayden remembered.

"Well, I spoke to my dad earlier for a few minutes before he had to go to a meeting," Troy said while eating a fry.

"How's everyone back home?" Hayden questioned.

"As far as I know, great. Cole is about to go on Thanksgiving Break, and mom and dad are just working," Troy answered. "What about on your end?"

Hayden shrugged his shoulders. "I know Uncle Gabe is alright, not sure about parents or former friends. I'm coming around to being less angry with them all, but who knows how long that will last," Both of them were finished eating, and then cleaning up while still talking as they say down on Troy's bed.

"What do you mean?" Troy wondered.

"I'm not as upset with them because I don't have to worry about talking with or running into unexpectedly. I know they don't have my number, and I'm confident that last I checked my Skype; they were trying to add me, but I haven't approved their requests. I know all this niceness is only because I'm miles away and in a war zone," Hayden muttered.

"You think the fighting will start once you're back home again?" Troy asked.

Hayden nodded. "It's not a thought; it's inevitable. I know they probably want to sit down and talk, but it won't be to make up for what happened, or things said; its to ask why I moved out, why I took the gun, why I joined the Marines,"

"You can't run from it forever, babe," Troy put his hand on Hayden's as the auburn-haired teenager sighed, then looked at his boyfriend. "Sooner or later; you will have to tell them the truth,"

"I know; it just scares me to be judged, and I really don't want to argue with any of them," Hayden admitted softly.

"Then don't argue. When it the time comes; you face it like you do these enemies here. Fearlessly. You tell your parents, and those former friends of yours exactly like it is, and how they made you feel to lose everything without ever being believed or given a chance. If they judge you, then they don't care, and you just leave. But at least you'll have done the right thing by informing them why you did everything. And guess what? You won't be alone because I will be there with you as your boyfriend, best friend, and teammate," Troy said firmly, but with confident eyes. "If they hurt you again; I will say something. I have your back, Hayden; don't ever forget that,"

Hayden leaned forward and hugged Troy tightly. "Thank you," Troy embraced his boyfriend back, turning his head to place a kiss on Hayden's cheek. "I feel better about it now, and I'm happy that I have you," After a few moments, the hug ended as they stared into one another's eyes. Troy checked his watch to see that it was 7:40 pm.

"We still have some time before everyone starts coming back, want to take advantage of it?" Troy asked.

"What did you have in mind?" Hayden questioned. Troy smiled as he cupped Hayden's cheek, then drew his boyfriend in close before planting a kiss on Hayden's lips. The action surprised Hayden at first, but then he gave in and returned it. There were a few small ones between them, then Troy decided to try something new and hold one kiss a bit longer than the others; deepening it before pulling back. "Wh-What was that for? We've never done that," Hayden blushed.

"Did you like it?" Troy asked. Hayden nodded as Troy leaned in and did it again. Hayden melted into the kiss as Troy took his chance to slide his tongue in and run it over Hayden's as the two slowly began to make out. It was definitely new for them, but why not do it? Hayden and Troy had the time, and now that they'd been together for a bit; there was no reason not to try something different. Thus far, both of them liked it, and wanted to keep giving new things a shot when they were able. However, over all; the night was exceptionally good. Finally, one moment in the last three months where they could have it be about them; it was simply perfect.