He barks out a rich, throaty laugh, one she has never heard before. The openness brings a smile to her face.
“No, nothing like that, although he did help me realize I was attracted to men as well as women.”
“So, he was your sexual awakening? I get that, dudes a fucking smoke show,” she practically purrs, picturing Riley at their lake, glistening in the moonlight.
“God, no. I met Riley at basic and he became like a brother to me,”
We got stuck in the same unit and just hit it off. We’ve gone through the ringer together. He is my brother and nothing else. I was supposed to be with them on that mission, but he got promoted before me. We got in some stupid fight that ended with me thrown off the roster, that was the mission he got shot down and taken. I took a step back in my career to help him through all his shit. I hated the idea of him getting his own unit to destroy the Komarov Empire Imperial Movement, but I didn’t hesitate to join when he asked. We fought a lot, but I was there through it all. It’s hard to watch him risk his life over and over again. It sounds stupid saying all this out loud. He is a grown man who can handle himself.” Alex sighs, shaking his head at his own realization.
“I get it. You worry about him; there is no shame in that. I’m glad he has you in his corner. He is going to need everyone supporting him when we finally get him home.”
The conversation fizzles out, uncomfortableness finally fading between the duo. Trees touching the clouds shoot past as they navigate the winding roads. Eventually, the clearing thins, opening to a small town outside of the base. Dread oozes the moment they pull past the gate.
“Well, we're early. Tank should be here soon. I have to meet with Scott and get the okay for us to leave in a few days. You should be clear to hide in the gym and get a head start. Text me if you need anything,” Alex says, pulling his truck into a parking spot and hopping out, not bothering to wait for Liz.
She follows his lead, climbing down and power walking in the direction of the gym.
“Honey B, wait up!” an agitating voice yells from across the lot.
Unsure of what irritates her more: the obnoxious nickname or the fact he found her within minutes. Liz keeps her head down and pretends she didn’t hear. She can’t ignore it for long before footsteps quickly approach, slowing their pace when they catch up to her.
“Mikey not coming today? Do I finally get to train you?” he asks, a little too hopeful for her liking.
“He’s on his way. You can go bother literally anyone else,” she snaps, keeping her head down, continuing on her way.
“I’m just trying to help. Part of the team now, remember?” he utters.
“Then go follow Alex around and not me,” she argues.
“I would if he had an ass like yours,” Matt blurts.
He stops in his tracks, hanging his head at his mistake. Liz ignores it, still marching her way to the gym. Once Mikey gets there she will be in the clear and left alone, she just has to hold out until then.
“I’m sorry!” Matt calls after her, jogging to catch back up. “That one slipped out. I’m sorry?—”
“Oh my god, will you just leave me alone!” she shouts, stops, and turns on her heels, not caring about the attention she is drawing “We have known each other for what? A couple of weeks? And yet you track me down and follow me like a lost fucking puppy. I don’t know you, and you sure as hell don’t know me, definitely not enough to speak to me the way you do. So, for the love of god, back the fuck off.”
“I said I was sorry. I’m trying to get to know you, but you won’t let me. Excuse me for wanting to be friendly with the people in my unit. I’m cool with every single person, but you, and do you want to know why I think that is? I think you’re just as attracted to me as I am to you. You know, if you let yourself accept that you’re not in a relationship with your commanding officer likeyou want to believe, you would realize that we would get along really well. You act like a bitch to distance yourself?—”
“Did I just hear that right,” a booming voice rings out across the lot. Soldiers of various ranks scatter across the blacktop, trying their best to look like they weren’t watching the fight between Liz and Matt. They both snap to attention as Mikey strides over, looking like the sergeant he truly is. “I will ask again. Did I just hear you call your fellow soldier a bitch?”
“Yes sir, but—” Matt stammers, only to be cut off by Mikey’s domineering voice once more.
“Miller! Front and center.” A scrawny kid, no older than nineteen with buzzed blond hair and thick glasses, rushes to his side, quickly standing at attention. Mikey ignores him, still aiming all his anger at the man in front of him. “Since you have no respect for the women at this base, you get to apologize to each and everyone for being disrespectful. Private Miller here will help you get a list of names and make sure you do a thorough job. I expect every name on his list to be checked off by morning, and start with the highest rank, I’m sure they will be thrilled to know how you treat their sisters in arms.”
The two men sulk away, heading in the opposite direction. They watch as Private Miller leads Matt to the admin building, taking his babysitting task very seriously. When they are far enough away, Mikey spins, smiles ear to ear, and pulls Liz into a tight hug, lifting her effortlessly off the ground.
“My hero.” Liz fake swoons, giggling into his neck before he places her back down. She loops her arm through his and nearly drags him the rest of the short walk to the gym, ready to focus on anything but their failed mission.
The room is nearly empty when they arrive, nothing more than a handful of soldiers trying to fit a workout intotheir busy schedule. An hour into their cardio, Liz is dripping sweat. She’s jogging fast on the treadmill when Mikey finally speaks up.
“So, the last week has sucked.” Beeps sound from the machine and the belt slows. Mikey drops from a run to a fast walk. Liz follows suit and slows to match his pace.
“I think sucked is an understatement. I don’t even know how to describe how scared and miserable I have been. I thought the missions were going to be the worst part, but they aren’t. Coming home without him and having to live with that is…” she chokes, wiping a tear from her cheek before anyone notices.
“I would say, now you know how he felt, but what you are going through is so much worse. How about we try to have some fun tonight? Just me and you?” It is clear he is trying to make up for something, but Liz cannot think of anything he has done to warrant it.
“Why? What did you do? I mean, yes, obviously I would love some best friend time and have a couple of hours where I don’t want to bash my head into a wall, but the way you’re saying it, something is off.” She eyes him carefully, and he won’t meet her gaze.
