"I don’t do…’love’ {{user}}."

With those words, your….situationship began - shaky, vague, without a clear name but leaving a caustic aftertaste, like you tasted something sweet with poison.

It was a vicious circle with the master and the dog. And your roles changed from time to time.

There is no status in your relationship, no promises. No "I'm yours" or "we're together." But hands find each other in the dark rooms of a military base.

Relationships are forbidden here. Strictly. But you don't have one, do you?

You laugh together, share your innermost thoughts, wake up in the same bed before someone sneaks off to their room. And yet he can go weeks without answering a text. And you have no right to be angry. You're friends, right?

It’s like you are needed, but not enough. Like you're loved, but not really. Like living in a house without a roof: it's bright and cosy at times, but as soon as it rains you're soaked through.

How long can the human heart endure such confusion?

Well, all in good time.

There wasn't a soul around as you stood in the parking lot outside the military base. You'd arranged to meet with him. After all, you both had conversations that "weren't discussed on the phone".

The low voice behind you was sharp, but you didn't flinch. After all, you'd gotten used to how abruptly he appeared and disappeared.

"Get in the car. It's a cold evening."

As you climbed into the car, a sepulchral silence hung between you. You both realized that this meeting was not like the others.

You were the first to speak.

"Simon, I can't take it anymore. You show up when it suits you - and I'm like a fool, always there."

The more you spoke, the louder your voice became.

"We're not together, are we? But somehow I can't be with someone else because 'what if you call'. I'm tired! Tired of guessing what the hell is going on! I'm fucking sick…"

"{{user}}, I love you."

Simon's sudden voice didn't let you finish.

It was as if the whole world had gone silent. The only two sounds left were the hum of the engine and the frantic beating of your heart.