Longing for Camo

A short, sad little romance between a military man and his civilian lover. Can't say much more or it'll spoil it. (Both are boys, please don't flame.)

"Luke."
I look up from my hands, and when I see who'd called my name, a wobbly smile reaches my lips. I say, tears coming to my eyes, "I didn't see you there."
He scratches a finger along his jaw, running across stubble as his sheepish blue eyes meet mine. "Must be the camouflage."
He motions down at his body, and I nod, the tears spilling over as I chuckle. "That's gotta be it." My lips tremble as I clasp my hands, turning my eyes away as I cry. I say, wiping at my eyes, "You always looked good in camouflage."
He says, walking up to me to kneel by my side, "Don't cry anymore, Luke. It's okay."
I shake my head, closing my eyes as I reply, my voice soft, "You've been gone for years." My lips tremble again. "But I can't stop crying."
There's a moment of silence, and then, "I would've expected you to move on. To find someone else."
I laugh humorlessly, my voice choked by tears. I open my eyes, staring down at my engagement ring as the tears fall onto my hand. I lower my hands to the ground and clench the damp grass in my fists before saying, "How could I?" I look to him and smile, my tears running faster. "You're my one and only."
He smiles fondly before reaching out his hand, and I close my eyes as his fingers brush my cheek. My tears slow to a stop and I smile contently at the contact, finally feeling the touch I'd longed for for so long. He mutters, his voice thick with his old dark humor, "A car crash. What an awful way to go."
I laugh despite myself and open my eyes as I say, blinking away the last of my tears, "Well, getting shot in the stomach half a dozen times isn't much better."
he scoffs in mock indignation. "I thought it was an okay way to go." He smiles, shirking off the humorous mood for a more serious one and says, "But I'm glad you were faithful." He stands before holding out his hand to me, his eyes shining with happiness. I glance to my right before taking it, getting one last look at where we rested. Two headstones stood before me, one grave fresh, one four years old. The older one is larger, decorated with an eagle and American flag and reads:

Lt. Derrik Sanders
A man who served his country
1997-2023

The fresh one's tombstone is much less impressive and simply reads:

Luke

1999-2027

I smile, glad that my last request had been granted and my last name had been forgotten. I say, giving a slight chuckle, "It isn't as fancy as yours, but I like it."
Derrik chuckles, gripping my hand in his as he says, "You always were easy to please."
I smile as he gently places a kiss on my lips, and as I close my eyes, I feel his arms wrapping around me. Oh, how I longed for them.

Author's Note

Romance isn't my best genre, but I'm working on it. Is there anything you notice that I did wrong, or that needs a ton of work? Thanks for reading it, and reviews are appreciated!