Rafal made his way through the busy New York City streets, trying not to bump into anyone.

    Rafal stopped when he noticed a group of people protesting. He let his eyes scan the signs and what they said.

    Most of the signs depicted the Palestinian flag with the words ‘cease fire now' and other words along those lines.

     The young Israeli-American sighed. He had been recently hearing about the tragedies that were happening to the people of Gaza—-Rafal found it absolutely sickening.

    Rafal took note of where the protest was taking place. Anjam will want to hear about this, Rafal thought to himself before continuing back home to his apartment.

    When Rafal entered the apartment, his boyfriend—-Anjam—-had a mat out and was praying in the direction of Mecca.

     Rafal closed the door quietly, not wanting to disturb his boyfriend's religious practices.

     Anjam had come over from Palestine about five years ago and he still had family living in the Gaza Strip.

     Rafal picked up the two's cat, Aja, when she tried to rub up against Anjam. “Aja,” he whispered to the cat—-he was careful not to make his voice too loud. “Anjam's praying. Leave him be, okay?”

     Aja softly meowed as she squirmed in Rafal's arms.

     Rafal was allergic to cats—-but, regardless, he still got Aja.

      Aja had been a present to Anjam.

     Anjam loved cats.

     When Anjam had finished his ritual, Rafal released Aja, letting her run off through the apartment.

     Rafal sneezed.

    “Aww… No…” Anjam began as he walked toward his boyfriend. “A poor little boy's covered in cat hair. His one weakness.” Anjam took a lint roller across Rafal's shirt to clean the hair off.

     “Thanks.” Rafal sniffed. He then noted the shattered look that Anjam's face slipped in to. “An… What's wrong?”

      Anjam sighed. “Nothing, nothing,” he insisted.

     “An… You're not okay.” Rafal placed a conforming hand on Anjam's arm. “You look distraught. Talk to me.”

      Anjam sighed once more. “I was reading up on Gaza today.”

      Rafal's heart sank a little. “You were… You're fearing for your family… Aren't you?”

     The Palestinian nodded. “Yeah. I am.” He sniffled. He blinked his eyes closed, which allowed tears to trickle down his cheeks.

     Rafal quickly wrapped Anjam up in a tight hug, stroking his hair.

     Anjam sobbed into Rafal's chest.

     Rafal tried to protect the other man in his embrace. “Shh… It'll be okay.” He kissed the top of Anjam's forehead.

      Once the two pulled away, Rafal wiped away Anjam's tears with his thumb. “I'm… I'm gonna pray for your family's safety, okay?”

     “O-Okay.” Anjam's voice broke.

      “Baby…” Rafal started before kissing Anjam's forehead again, calming the other man down a little bit.

     Anjam wiped the tears out of his eyes with his jacket sleeve.

     “Hey um…” Rafal began to say. “I saw a protest on the way home. …It's for Gaza… Are you interested in it?”

     Anjam nodded. “Yes. I am.”

    “Alright. We'll go over there.” Rafal grabbed onto Anjam's hand before gently placing a kiss on Anjam's lips.