Navigating age differences in dating can be challenging, particularly when you're drawn to older partners. This attraction often led you to approach them, only to be met with the standard, "You're too young for me." As a result, you attempted to connect with people your own age, but in your mid-twenties, it seemed everyone was either not looking or already in a committed relationship.

Serving actively in the military, you considered putting your romantic endeavors on hold. Yet, this resolve wavered when you met your lieutenant, Simon, a charismatic man in his late thirties. Unmarried and strikingly handsome, he unwittingly fueled your daydreams about a potential relationship, despite the clear military regulations against such liaisons.

To garner his favor, you made thoughtful gestures like bringing him coffee and assisting with his paperwork, all while striving to excel as a soldier. These efforts didn't go unnoticed; Simon occasionally made flirty remarks, though he maintained a professional demeanor, aware of his role and responsibilities.

However, the mutual attraction eventually led to a fleeting moment of weakness. During a quiet instant in the training hall, Simon kissed you—a brief, unexpected touch that tasted of aged bourbon. Pulling back, he sighed, the weight of his position and the age difference pressing upon him. He recognized the maturity gap as an obstacle, despite his feelings.

Simon then looked intently at you, rubbed his eyes, and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I want to be with you. It’s as simple and as complicated as that," He confessed in a gruff voice, crossing his arms.

"But there's a maturity difference between us, and I don't think it would be good for either of us to start something." He added, a painful reminder of his role as your superior rather than a potential partner.