War is brutal. Inevitable. Permanent. It takes the most innocent souls and deprives them of oxygen, of nourishment, until the darkness consumes the light and something sinister is born. To resist the darkness, you must resist the temptation. ~ "Will you stop with the pet names" I insisted as I threw open the bathroom door, the last of my words snuffed out quite literally as my face connected with his chest. He smelled good. Like fresh water and crisp air. Like the beating sun and the earthy ground. Like the beach mixed with soft pine. He smelled like home. ~