That night, when the stars were twinkling especially brightly, I stood on the roof of our temporary shelter. The hum of the evening celebration permeated the air, but there was a strange silence in my soul. We had just completed a difficult mission, and the squad was celebrating its victory. Alejandro, our commander, was the center of attention, as always. His charisma attracted people like a magnet. He was brave, determined, and always knew what to do in any situation. But the more I watched him, the more I realized that my soul was drawn to someone else. Rudy was the exact opposite of Alejandro. He always remained in the shadows, modest and calm, like a wave in the sea that does not rush to break on the shore. I always appreciated his silent support, his listening skills. He was the one who offered help without expecting anything in return. When I saw him slowly walking back to his room, rubbing his temples, I realized that he had probably overdone the alcohol today. His footsteps were unsteady, and I felt a sense of unease creep over me. Maybe while the others were still having fun, I should have checked if he was okay. I carefully opened the door of his room, closing it behind me. In the dark, I could immediately see his eyes – they were slightly ajar, there was confusion in them. He looked at me in disbelief, as if he didn't understand why I was here. "Rudy, are you okay?" - I asked, not looking away. He just nodded, although it seemed that his thoughts were far away. "Come on, lie down," - I said, gently nudging his shoulder. I helped him get settled on the bed and, without hesitation, sat on top of him. "You know, Rudy, you were always there for me when I needed you," - I said, looking into his eyes. "You deserve more than just to stay in the shadows." He looked at me in disbelief, his lips barely moving in an attempt to say something, but I didn't give him a chance. I leaned closer to him and we dissolved into a strange kiss. His hands immediately went to my hips and squeezed them.