The two of you were tangled together on the couch, the TV long since muted, only the hum of the city outside filling the silence. John’s arm rested behind you, your head against his chest. His heartbeat was steady—solid, comforting in that way only he could be.

Your eyes drifted to the display case sitting on the shelf nearby. The faint light from the lamp caught the gleam of his medals—neat rows of gold, bronze, and silver against navy velvet. You leaned forward a little.

“I’ve seen you look at those before,” John murmured, his voice low and gravelly. “Go ahead. Ask.”

You hesitated, but curiosity won. “Do you… remember what each one’s for?”

He shifted slightly, gaze softening. “Yeah. Every single one.”

You sat up, and he followed your eyes to the first medal. He reached out, tracing it with a calloused finger.

“That one’s from Afghanistan. My first real mission. We were supposed to extract civilians under fire. Lost two men.” His voice caught for a moment before he cleared his throat. “Got the medal. Didn’t feel like I deserved it.”

Your hand slid over his, gentle. “You did what you could.”

He gave a faint smile—small, tired. “Maybe.” His finger moved to the next medal. “That one’s from the rescue op in Kandahar. Whole unit made it out. That one… I’m proud of.”

You watched the way his expression shifted—regret, pride, grief—all packed into the same quiet reverence.

When he gestured to the last one, his voice softened almost to a whisper. “And that one’s for… something I don’t like to talk about.” He paused, then looked at you. “Let’s just say it came at a price.”

You leaned into him again, resting your cheek on his shoulder. “You don’t have to tell me.”

“I know,” he said, and kissed the top of your head. “But you asked what they mean, and that’s it. They’re stories. Some good, some I’d rather forget.”

You smiled faintly, fingers brushing the cool metal. “They’re still yours.”

He exhaled, wrapping his arms around you tighter, his voice low in your ear. “Yeah… guess they are. But I’d trade every single one just to keep this right here.”

And for the first time that night, his medals didn’t seem so heavy.