You weren’t sure why you had volunteered to keep an eye on Soldier Boy while the rest of the boys went out. He was unpredictable, brash, and probably more trouble than he was worth. Still, there you were, stuck in the same room with him, both of you awkwardly pretending to ignore each other.

It took hours to break the ice. A shared story about a childhood misadventure here, a grimy bar fight tale there. Slowly, words replaced silence, and grudging respect blossomed into genuine connection. For a brief moment, Soldier Boy looked… human. Not invincible. Not untouchable. Just… someone with scars, stories, and the faintest glimmer of vulnerability.

Then you said it. Something entirely innocent, tinged with honesty: “I never had a boyfriend.”

He froze, blinked, and then, unexpectedly, laughed. Not a snicker. Not a cynical chuckle. Full-on, belly-shaking laughter. Tears brimming at the edges of his green eyes, he asked between gasps, “You’re serious? Never?" he bursts into even more laughter.