The rain pelted down mercilessly, bringing with it an air of coldness. There was hardly anyone outside at the moment. The ground was wet and slippery, while the roads were no longer usable.
Despite the harsh weather, a tall figure stood outside, his masculine frame drenched from head to toe. His sleeveless top clung to his body, showcasing the muscles hidden beneath his clothes. His sweatpants hugged thick thighs, giving him a sexy vibe.
His face was hidden behind his long hair. Behind him, a fancy military tent stood erect, housing a few others. A soft whimper escaped from his lips, silent tears getting washed away by the rain.
His heart bled, yet no blood was visible to the eyes. Scars buried deeply were once again unearthed. The gloomy weather mirrored his mood, syncing seamlessly with his emotions.
***
Gunfire could be heard coming from the tent. Occasionally, angry voices could be heard followed by deep manly chuckles. The three men in the tent were having a good time playing with their gadgets.
"Hey, bro, why is the boss standing outside? Isn't he cold?" the youngest of the three asked after their game came to an end. His voice had traces of change. His handsome face still had some baby fat, giving him a childish, adorable gait.
Roman placed his phone away and turned his attention toward his younger brother. Looking at the curious and concerned teenage gaze staring back at him, he couldn't help but ruffle the boy's hair lovingly. Unlike the younger, Roman's handsome face was well defined.
His sharp jaw and lean figure were comparable to those of a supermodel. Coupled with his easy-going nature at the moment, he was simply perfect. He smiled warmly at his brother.
"Little brat, don't worry about Juan. He is a doctor, remember? He understands his state better than we do. If he falls ill, he can always heal himself. In case he can't, we are here for him. Why don't you go to sleep,mmh? I will check on him soon."
Despite the comforting words he uttered, his heart sank, a familiar heaviness settling within. His gaze maintained the warm facade they held, giving nothing away.
The boy pouted petulantly; however, he agreed without objection. While Roman's love for Jasper was known to all, Jasper's admiration and worship for his brother was more famous.
The teenager stood and pecked his older sibling's cheeks before making his way to the makeshift bed. From the lack of awkwardness and warmth in Roman's gaze, one could easily conclude that this was a habit between the two.
The smile that appeared on Roman's face was fixed for a while. He stood up and helped tuck his brother in before leaving a soft kiss on his temple. His emerald orbs travelled to the other side of the tent, where another man slept. His long hair obscured his face.
Roman made his way towards Mason's bed and adjusted his blanket. He took the phone away from his hands. He couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his lips. This friend of his was always like this. He would fall asleep in the middle of things the second he heard the sound of the rain falling.
Roman couldn't fault the man, though, since he had a hectic work schedule that messed up his sleeping schedule. He observed him, his gaze warming up with fondness.
Before leaving his side, he removed the stray hair from his face, adjusted his sleeping position, and walked away. His feet led him outside the tent, where his best friend stood in the rain. He stood with him, no words spoken.
Juan knew that he had company. He also knew who it was but chose to stay silent. If one looked at him closely, they would discover his quivering shoulders. His cheeks were wet from the mixture of rainwater and tears. This was why he enjoyed the rain. It could perfectly hide his pain from the world.
Roman placed a hand on Juan's shoulder in a comforting gesture. The man appreciated it.Among his group of friends, he was closest to Roman. Unlike him, the latter was a selfless and sensitive fellow.
Roman was one of the men he knew with the highest emotional quotient. He loved deeply and cared to death for those he held dear. Juan felt honored to be one of those whom Roman held dear to his heart.
Sadly, this trait was known only to a few. To the rest of the world, Roman was known as a cold businessman. He was an introverted person who found comfort and a sense of home in those he cared for. For this reason, he hardly interacted with people outside formal and business settings.
Juan momentarily forgot the reason for his foul mood and turned his gaze to Roman. He removed the wet fringes from his forehead, exposing his amber glowing orbs.
A cheeky smile took over his face, softening his features further. He couldn't help it after witnessing the concerned and silent pain in his friend's emerald orbs.
Feeling playful, he pulled the other closer, coming chest to chest with him. His arm circled the other's waist as his other hand wiped away the wetness from his face.
"Say, Roman, are you perhaps in love with me? I won't mind if you are, you know. Besides, I am handsome, wealthy, successful, talented, and…"
"A womanizer!" came a clipped tone cutting his narcissistic self-praise short. He didn't mind how close their bodies were. He could feel the heat from the man's breath on his face and his heartbeat close to his own.
The two men grew up together and knew every little detail about each other. They shared clothes, bathed together, and even did some unthinkable things together in their teenage days. Even so, neither felt uncomfortable with the other. They loved each other to death with no preconditions.
Juan narrowed his gaze at his friend and pulled him even closer. " But you love me no matter how filthy I get. And I love you too, brother. You are the best thing to happen to me aside from Shay. Thank you for being here, always. "
He made a kissing gesture to scare the man, only to be gently pushed away. "Behave, Mr.! We wouldn't want to be caught in such a compromising situation, right? My lips aren't for you to taint, thank you, but no. However, since you need some love, come here. Let me hold you. "
Juan fell pliant in his friend's hold. This was the only person he allowed to see him in his current state. He was a mess inside out. Standing in the heavy rain, the contrast between their bodies was more pronounced—one masculine, the other lean yet fit. A comfortable silence settled between them.
The rain was ignored by the two. Roman was naturally a caregiver. At some point, he broke the silence. "Are you okay, Bro?"
Juan chuckled at that. He loosened his grip on his friend and spoke from his heart. " If you were a girl, I would marry you. Too bad you aren't one. But then again, at this rate, I would end up all alone. Would you like to grow old with me?"
Roman pushed him away again. " Ewww, now you are taking it too far. You should go to bed after washing up. I left the water on the stove. Let me enjoy the rain for a while."
Juan smiled, sadness slipping back into his orbs. He wasn't the only one with demons from the past. He hugged his best friend once more before walking away.