Micro fiction: Aloha

General Harper struggled to contain herself.
Outside her tent everyone was in close proximity, listening for her next command, speculating on her meeting and hustling to prepare for tough times ahead.

Inside, with him, all had to be quiet. No place for loud memories of their past. Strong actions that had kissed away some hurts and inflamed others. Old betrayals stinging like open wounds.

Then he came closer, reached out and moved her fringe aside. His unusually gentle fingers soothing away the worry lines of her headache.

She inhaled his breath and exhaled her General.
He waited.
She lost control of one silent tear.
He pulled her into his arms.
She held on for the longest time.

And then, she let him go.