“Yes, Captain, your duty is the only thing that matters.”

The words of that silken voice touched him like the coarse habits of monks. How could he be worn by the statement? It had been delivered in the factual manner of his First Lieutenant, but it scarred his spirit. It was if those words had branded him for eternity, condemning him to loneliness.

What had he done to William to weather their relationship? No, it was what he had neglected with his head in the clouds, allowing it to rain upon their love. Could they be rescued from this flood before all their affection was drowned? Yes, there was opportunity to quench this thirst, but would he encounter the drought as only dry words had been spoken between them; but he could not recall the last time they had kissed…

Oh, William, had he transformed their love to dust? Had the fountain of stone crumbled beneath his neglect, disintegrating as his hands grasped ambition. He must seize the moment before the tenderness eroded with the cruel Winter wind, for William was turned to abandon him to his career. No, William! He could not leave him exposed to the elements, laying naked and alone.

He seized the hardened arm of his lover, which tensed beneath his calloused hands.

“No, you can’t leave me this way. You can’t!”

William smiled sardonically as he brushed away the hand like some bothersome insect, but not worth the effort of smothering to death.

“Yes, Captain, I can. Only now do you realize what you’ve lost. You may have won many battles, but this will not be among them.”

“William, please-”

“You have your whole career ahead of you, Captain. That is your duty, to serve King and Country.”

“But what will you do?”

“I’ll survive. I have my life to live, and I believe you have yours. Now good-bye.”

William strode out the door, not pausing to stare at the Captain who had tears streaming down his cheeks.

Yes, it had rained upon their love. And now it had drowned in the flood. What was left to keep him afloat? Not his career. Not his family. Nothing. There was William, but he had drifted away. No! Not William! How could he have not seen the thunderclouds? Why? Damn! He would never know anything amid these tears, save regret.