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The air was nice, flowing calmly like a beach breeze. Leaves rustled and hung high above the checkered blanket as warm sunlight cracked through the small gaps in between green. You could hear his soft voice speaking, grumbling about something annoying that had happened at work, but your ears tuned them out as you focused on something moving in the background.

"Are you alright?" A hand waved up and down in your vision, snapping you out of your daze. "You've been spacing out this whole time." He says with that patient tone and caring expression you've always seen him give to sick patients. It always amazes you how attentive he could be when it comes to gauging your emotions or current feelings, maybe that's another skill he's picked up from years of working on field.

But you nodded your head even as your eyes drifted back to the married couple walking with their kid down the beach, the little guy swinging back and forth while being held up by his arms in between his parents. Little granules of sand stuck to the soles of his feet and tiny hands as wet strands of hair were fixed to his forehead, laughing along as he continued to swing.

Gustave notices, "Are you thinking of starting a family, mon ange?" A smile laced his lips, skin crinkling around his eyes in fondness.

Your fingers are restless as they drum across your knee before his own hand slipped under to lock them together. "Not.. not really. I mean, I'm not opposed to it or anything, but.."

"But?" Still with that patient smile.

"But what if we never get the chance to? What if, one day, you never come back from deployment?"

Silence filled in the rest as you looked up at him. You couldn't quite read his expression, that same smile still plastered across his lips even as he stroked your thumb with a tired sigh. "Don't say that, mon amour. You know I'll always come back home to you." You want to believe him, you've always wanted to. "I know. But I just.. I'm sick of worrying about you day and night. I'm tired, Gustave."

The sunlight began to dim as soft and green shadows engulfed the both of you. Sitting underneath the willow tree like this, with their long branches and narrow leaves, it made you feel safe. Like you and your husband were truly the only ones in this small nook. It was a small escapade from your daily lives, albeit different ones.

"I'm scared you'll never come back home. I'm afraid of you getting hurt and risking your lives to save others. I know that's your job, I know. But what about me, Gustave?" You couldn't conceal the crack in your voice as you squeezed his hand tighter. "Do you not care about how I would feel?"

You're dying to see his face, what he's saying with his expression alone. But you're afraid it'll open the dam to your heart, you could already feel your throat constricting and it's getting harder to keep your sobs quiet.

"You know that's not true. You're the reason why I look forward to the end of every mission, you're the air I breathe." Suddenly, he's a lot more closer than before; his arms wrapped around you tightly as if he's terrified at the thought of you even doubting his love. "I keep a picture of you in my pocket, right next to my beating heart. Even when I leave for work, I know I'll always leave wrapped in your love."