Reputation

I'd kiss you as the lights went out

Swaying as the room burned down

I'd hold you as the water rushes in

Maya and Carina walk out of a cozy Italian restaurant, their bellies full of delicious pasta and wine. Holding hands and lost in their own world, Carina leans in to kiss her wife.

A burly man with a buzz cut and a sneer on his face, looks at them with disgust. "What the hell is wrong with you two?!" he shouts, his voice filled with venom.

Maya and Carina pull away from each other, startled by the man's outburst. They look at him, confused and frightened by his aggressive tone.

They try to ignore him and try to walk past the man, but the man steps in front of them. "What's your problem?" Carina asks, her voice filled with defiance.

"You two disgust me," the man yells. "Freaks like you don't belong in our society."

Maya could feel her heart racing in her chest. She knew the dangers of being openly gay in a world that often frowns upon it. "Let's just go," she whispers to Carina, but the man wasn't done yet.

"You think you can just flaunt your disgusting lifestyle in public and get away with it?" he says, reaching for something in his pocket.

The man snarls and pulls out a knife from his pocket. "I'll show you what happens to perverts like you!" he exclaims as he lunges towards them.

Maya reacts quickly and pushes Carina out of the way, taking the blow meant for her. The knife pierces through her chest, and she falls to the ground, gasping for air.

As the man runs away, disappearing into the night Carina screams and kneels down beside Maya, trying to stop the bleeding. "Please, somebody call an ambulance!" she cries out, tears streaming down her face. Passersby rush to their aid and call for an ambulance.

Carina cradles Maya's head in her lap, trying to keep her as comfortable as possible while they wait for the ambulance to arrive. She could feel Maya's body shaking, and she knew that time was running out.

"Bambina, stay with me," Carina whispers, tears streaming down her face. "You promised you wouldn't leave me. We still have so much to do together."

Maya's eyes flicker open, and she tries to speak, but all that comes out is a violent cough, and blood gushing from her mouth.

"Shh, don't talk, my love," Carina says, her voice breaking she pushes blonde strands off her wife’s face. "Just save your strength. You're going to be okay. You have to be okay. Help is coming."

Maya's eyes were growing dimmer, but Carina could see a flicker of recognition in them. She knew that Maya could hear her, even if she couldn't respond. She leans over to kiss Maya's forehead, feeling the warmth of her skin and the dampness of her sweat.

"I'm here, Maya, I love you" Carina whispers, her voice shaking as she presses another kiss to her forehead. "I'm not going anywhere. Stay with me bambina”

Maya takes one last shallow breath before her body goes limp, and Carina knows that she was gone. She cries out in anguish, holding Maya's lifeless body in her arms.

And darling, you had turned my bed into a sacred oasis

Carina wakes up in the middle of the night with a start, her heart racing and her breathing coming in short, panicked gasps. She was covered in sweat, and she felt like she was suffocating.

She looks around the room, disoriented and confused, trying to make sense of where she was and what was happening. And then the memories come flooding back, and she realizes that she had been dreaming.

Maya, who was sleeping beside her, was immediately jolted awake by the sound. "Carina?" Maya's voice was soft and gentle, and it cut through the darkness like a ray of light. "Are you okay?"

Carina turns towards Maya, tears streaming down her face, and throws her arms around her. She buries her face in Maya's shoulder, clinging to her like a lifeline.

"It’s just a bad dream my love," Maya whispers soothingly, rubbing Carina's back gently. "You're safe, you're here with me."

"It was so real," she manages to say through her tears. "I lost you."

Maya holds her even tighter, understanding the fear that was consuming Carina. "I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere," she says softly. "You're safe with me, always."

Carina takes a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Maya helps regulate her breathing, placing a hand on Carina's chest "Take deep breaths, in and out," she coaches gently. "In...and out. That's it. Keep breathing with me."

She strokes Carina's hair and whispers words of comfort, telling her that everything was going to be alright. She continues to hold Carina close, rocking her gently back and forth. Slowly, Carina's breathing begins to even out, and her grip on Maya begins to loosen.

Carina turns to Maya and mumbles, "Can we lay down please?" Her voice was shaky, and her eyes still filled with fear.

Maya pulls Carina close, feeling the warmth of her body against her own. She wraps her arms around Carina, holding her tightly as Carina buries her face in the crook of Maya's neck. Maya runs her fingers through Carina's hair, soothing her with gentle strokes.

"Do you want to talk about the nightmare?" Maya asks softly

Carina shakes her head and whispers, "No, I don't think I can."

"That's okay," Maya replies, stroking her hair. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. I'm here for you, always."

Carina lets out a deep breath and snuggles closer to Maya, feeling safe and loved in her arms. As they lay there, Maya continues to rub Carina's back in slow circles, offering her comfort and security. Maya whispers softly, "I'm here for you, love. You're safe with me." over and over again.

As they lay in the darkness, Carina's grip on Maya grows weaker until she finally falls back asleep, exhausted from the intensity of the nightmare. Maya holds her close, savoring the warmth of Carina's body against her continuing to rub her back until she falls asleep.

My, my love had been frozen

Deep blue, but you painted me golden

Oh, and you held me close