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topoeiaz · 2 months

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Decrescendo (CoD) John Price x OC

18+ blog • minors dni

content: fluff, hurt/comfort, smut

warning: military inaccuracies, human trafficking, implied sexual trauma

word count: 30.2k

summary: Her personal mission of infiltrating a human-trafficking ring had been a success and an opportunity to escape the leader presented itself when her colleagues raided their base. As she readjusted to her normal life, flames are kindled and tears are shed. She had found her way back home in the people she held dear and she awaits the day her sister would come home too.

a/n: so. I got lured into the cod fandom through good smut writing. fr truly changed the smut scene for me ngl. also, despite the title, there's nothing musical in this lol. and I realised while proofreading that the romance isn't as focussed on as I thought it was, woops. happy reading!!

cod masterlist • ao3

It was a noisy night.

The assignment was straightforward; infiltrate the target organisation’s base, preferably capture the human-trafficking ringleader alive, and hack into their system to download their records. Nothing new, nothing surprising. So why was it, the boys wondered, that they had found themselves struck confused at the scene before them?

The mission flowed seamlessly, there was nothing of note as they took down the two-story hideout’s members guarding the boss in his office. They had lost a couple of their own – as inevitable as it was upsetting – but they had eventually managed to reach their destination at the top floor. Eyeing the team to gauge their preparedness to tackle the final room, Captain John Price gave a solid nod after his orders before he slammed the locked doorknob open. Immediately bullets came barrelling through the wood, as expected, and the boys waited for a moment of pause before rushing into the room and assuming positions to cut the corners and aim at those who had a gun pointed to them, save for the man in the back, middle of the room, in front of the of the office table.

A feminine voice shrieked fearfully as the organisation’s men collapsed one by one. Veterans in their skills, none of Price’s men had taken a fatal shot by the time the battle died down. That ended up with the ringleader coming into a faceoff with the British S.A.S. men, the rest of the Price’s team settling themselves outside the room to watch for any stray attacks. It was only then, that the boys had noticed the woman in the room, stood behind their target who had an arm out in front of her protectively as his other hand held a gun trained onto Price. Intel had told them that the leader had a woman, but they had also been briefed that he would be in a meeting during their attack. They had not expected for the unnamed lady to grace them with her presence that evening.

“Claudio Agustine. You’re outnumbered, I suggest you surrender this instance.”

Agustine scoffed with a manic grin etched onto his lips. “You’ve come here for my records, no? Unfortunately for you, I’ve reset the computers in this building so you can’t access the data here.”

The boys cursed under their breaths when they realised that they really do have to capture Agustine alive now so that they didn’t end this assignment empty-handed and for naught. One of them, Johnny “Soap” MacTavish, spoke into his radio to update the team on their situation and, understandably, received the new order to keep Agustine alive.

At Soap’s callout to Kate Laswell’s alias, the tearful woman cowering behind Agustine perked up her ears. The flag patched onto the unexpected attackers’ uniform and their overall familiar design had kindled hope in her at first glance, but now with the confirmation that the men operated under Laswell’s command, she was confident that she had been blessed by the Grace. Her thoughts remained locked in her though, and she easily let none of it slip past her frightened expression and trembling figure. Now, to find an opening to take her chance…

Thinking that he was in the superior standing to propose an exchange, Agustine continued, “you take me in, that I cannot escape, but you must also take Tara.” Tara, the woman whom he loves, made a sound of surprised confusion in the back of her throat, one that she did not have to fake, as she snapped her head up to look at her ‘protector’. “You treat her well – the best she deserves – and let me keep her beside me at all times.”

Ah, Tara realised, he really was head over heels for her – and selfish, of course. Once again, her disdain for the man went unknown as she batted her eyelash up at him like a lovesick fool. “Oh, Claude! How could I ever stay away from you even in these circumstances!”

Baffled at her breathless tone as she sobbed pathetically at the idea of parting with her lover, the men unanimously thought of her to be a bimbo, unknowingly playing into her success.

Price corresponded with Laswell this time, giving a slight instinctual nod at her response despite her inability to see it. “Alright, Agustine. You get your wish. Drop your weapons and hands up where I can see ‘em.”

Agustine, always a difficult person to work with due to his own faults, opted not to let go of his gun but instead, clicked the safety on and aimed it at the ceiling with his hand up in a ‘white-flag’ hold. His other hand went up to caress Tara’s cheek lovingly, his eyes gleaming with adoration – and specks of apprehension at his situation – as he gazed upon her eyes.

“Oh, sweetheart. I promise that everything will be just fine, yeah?”

He had loosened his grip on the gun; now was her chance. Just as the men took a step forward to begin apprehending Agustine, Tara moved. Speed unmatched and unexpected to everyone, her movements were a blur. One moment, the couple seemed like they were sinking down the Titanic together, helpless but in love, and the next, Tara had flipped Agustine onto the floor, body facing up, and she had his gun trained onto his head as she stood above him. Her face went blank, an expression she had befriended in the darkness of the nights for the past half a year; gone were the affections she had been faking for the man under her, who had his hands around his neck where she had struck earlier as he wheezed.

Hence, the stupefied looks on the boys’ face at the turn of events that the mission had taken.

“Swe- et- hea-” a sharp gasp, “-rt?”

Tara’s eyes narrowed. She flicked off the safety switch in the gun she held – hers, for now – and trailed its aim onto the floor beside his head before pulling the trigger and returning her aim onto him. The sudden single sound was blaring enough to cut off Agustine’s wheezes for a quick moment, disbelief clear in his eyes as he stilled in place.

“Call me that again and the next one goes into your eye.”

Managing to snap out into clarity for a moment, Price started, “we need him alive, lo- uh… Tara.”

Her eyes didn’t leave their sights on her ‘lover’ and a sardonic grin made its way to her lips. “Fret not, sir. I’ll make sure not to hit his brain.”

Understanding was beginning to cross Agustine’s features and Tara was undeterred by the hurt and anger flickering in his expression.

Remembering his concealed knife, Tara’s eyes flickered to his right hip and in a split moment, shot at where it was attached to his strap with easy precision. Ignoring his cries, she brought a foot out to kick away the sheath and its dagger towards the group of men who were still watching with a total loss of grip at the situation.

When Agustine went to clutch at his hip, Tara feigned sympathy and crooned at him. “Aww, did I somehow graze you, darling? Are you in pain?” Venom dripped from her mocking tone and Agustine gulped – with immense difficulty – at the unbridled disdain she now let loose in her façade. She huffed when she received no response and turned to the military men instead.

One of them, the big guy on the left sporting a skull mask, had his gun targeted on her and she silently respected his suspicion of her. Price stood slightly in front of the rest of the squad and so, she decided to address him. “Sergeant Levina Riven, previously under the direct orders of Captain Joshua Mavers. Likely presumed dead following my failed evac on the assignment to infiltrate Agustine’s West Manford base early this February.”

Their doubts were obviously etched onto their skins. Price relayed Tara’s – Levina’s – claimed identity to Laswell, along with his description of her appearance.

“Sounds like her. I’ll have Mavers confirm her identity when she’s here. Stay vigilant.”

The boys narrowed their eyes in suspicion to which she only responded with an innocent tilt of her head. Her gun remained unmoving as she kept Agustine in her peripherals.

“Right. We’ll have to keep you in custody until we get back to HQ. Same thing, drop your weapon and hands up.”

Levina frowned for a moment as she turned back to Agustine, who was now fuming at her deception, before clicking on the safety and tossing her gun towards the men. Now, not being held at gunpoint and under a false sense of security at the thought that he could overpower the woman, Agustine raised his torso and reached for Levina’s nearest leg. However quick his actions were, her senses were sharper and she clocked his incoming attack before he could touch her. She brought a leg up and slammed it down onto his thighs mercilessly, her stiletto heels digging into the flesh down to its hilt as blood splattered out. Agustine let out a pained scream, again when she lifted her foot up to expose his wound, and tears escaped him uncontrollably as he tentatively clutched at his leg.

Unwavering, Levina only clicked her tongue at the ruined state of her heels before giving the astounded men her full attention. She obediently offered her hands out towards them with a saccharine smile playing on her lips. “You’re free to arrest me now.”

In the discord of sobs and curses, bathed in the calm haze of the moon, Levina’s eyes gleamed devilishly.

The men wasted no time in apprehending both their targets after that. Upon the failure of salvaging anything from the computers in the building, the group made it back to the outskirts of the base where they were then picked up by their ride.

Levina spent the entire ride with her eyes locked onto the floor, deep in thought, as she tuned out Agustine’s whimpers – the medic had patched him up during the flight – and the whirring of the helicopter. No one had tried engaging her in a conversation, much to her relief, and exhaustion carried through the air.

The sun was peeking over in the horizon as they began to land. Soon enough, everyone was making their way out of the vehicle to greet the rest of the team holding the fort down. Levina stayed amongst the back of the group and watched as Laswell said something to Agustine before ordering her men to take him to his cell. She caught Laswell’s eyes when the latter skimmed her gaze over the team and she was ordered to come forward. Laswell hummed in acknowledgement when she stated her name and rank before looking off to the side to beckon Mavers forward. His eyes took Levina in with heightened suspicion, trailing over her features, before he nodded resolutely in confirmation.

“Sergeant Riven!” The aforementioned woman straightened up further. “Welcome back.”

“Thank you, Captain.”

The apprehension in Laswell only cleared up slightly as she regarded her returned subordinate. She then called for the higher-ups to join her for a debrief, which Levina was to follow along, and dismissed the others before leading the way to her office.

Once again, Laswell called Levina forward while the others settled themselves around the room.

“State your reason as to your role in Agustine’s ranks.”

Levina’s hands were still tied behind her as a precaution so she couldn’t give her salute and started explaining immediately. “Ma’am. My team had been tasked with the assignment to infiltrate Agustine’s base in West Manford early this February. We managed to retrieve only half the data when Agustine’s backup arrived. I was separated from my team during the evac following their ambush in the woods and managed to escape to the riverside with my radio busted. I came across a town after a few days and stayed there under the generosity of an old lady who had come across me. The town had little to no technology so there was no way of establishing comms with HQ.

“I met Agustine in the pub there one night and made the impulsive decision to settle for a long-con and flirt my way into his ranks to gain intel on his organisation. By the third month, I was allowed into his most confidential of meetings and I now have the locations of his operations, the identity of the big-name buyers, and the partners of his association to my knowledge. It was only recently that I began planning an escape but it seemed that I have been beaten to it with the arrival of your team.”

An eyebrow raised in respect for Levina’s efforts, Laswell nodded approvingly. “We’ll get someone to curate your intel in a moment. Meanwhile, it is odd that you have chosen to work alone just to take down Agustine. Why made you decide to avenge your loss?”

Hesitance shone in Levina with the way she kept silent for a moment. Knowing there was no way out of answering her superior, however, she eventually cleared the air.

“Sergeant Richard Shane had recognised the victims in the records as missing persons during the initial assignment. He was scrolling down the list of the victim’s pictures when I came across…” her breath caught in her throat as her memory of that moment before they got ambushed flickered in her mind, “my sister.”

Laswell’s eyes softened with sympathy and Levina didn’t have to look around to know that the others were looking at her similarly.

“My deepest condolences. We have started tracking down the buyers whose identities were included in the victim’s records but we have not come across another ‘Riven’ amongst the ones that we have managed to obtain.” Laswell offered her a reassuring smile, “rest assured, Sergeant. With the intel you will provide, we will track her down eventually.”

Levina willed her voice to not crack as she replied, “yes, Ma’am.”

Laswell had Price release the rope tying her hands together and she flexed them to get the blood rushing once again.

She stayed even as Laswell then began to debrief the current assignment, staying silent as she listened. Once they had been dismissed, Laswell led her to a transcriber who would take note of her 4 months’ worth of knowledge of Agustine’s meetings. The task ended up taking hours and before she knew it, she had missed breakfast. Coming to save her grumbling stomach, however, came in the form of Sergeant Ardour Crawley, her previous – was she still to be under Captain Mavers’ command? – teammate.

Word had spread of the return of a presumed killed-in-action colleague that morning and Mavers had confirmed Levina’s presence earlier. Crawley had noticed her absence in the canteen though and took it upon himself to save a sandwich for the woman. They ended up sitting on a bench overlooking the men in training as Crawley caught her up on the past over half a year’s updates and gossips while she munched on her food.

“… and that group of four became known as the team that were called upon whenever the military wanted to get. Shit. Done.” Crawley punctuated for dramatic emphasis which earned a hum of understanding from Levina. “I’m glad they were the ones who ended up rescuing you, they’re a capable lot after all.”

In his Grace, he didn’t confront her on her lack of words and wandering gaze. He was used to her noncommittal hums which told him that her attention was still on him, but he did get concerned when her only response thus far had been an “oh…” when he had told her of the demise of the rest of her original team over the past months – a few had died in that same assignment in West Manford while the rest met their ends in other missions.

To his dismay, Crawley had to leave soon enough to return to his duties. His worry placated slightly when Levina shot him a reassuring smile, but her sudden expressiveness had also brought upon more concern for her well-being. So, with a final sad smile – he would’ve patted her back if not for the way she had flinched when he hugged her in greeting earlier – he left her to her thoughts.

Levina had a few hours to spend before she had to meet with Laswell again after lunch. “To talk about your next steps,” the Station Chief had said, “I’ll let you think through it until then.”

Prior to her unexpected rescue from Agustine, Levina had only started to think about her preliminary strategies as to how to escape Agustine’s clutches and relate her intel back to the military. She had not thought further onto what she would do if she managed to make it back to HQ. Now that she was here, in all her glory of trauma and weariness, she could only think of resting her psyche after seven months of acting like a bimbo; to go home and reassure her father of her ‘alive’ status, despite the news of her death that had arrived in a phone call all those months ago.

She didn’t doubt Laswell’s humanity – surely she’ll be willing to give her at least a few days off? In the off-chance that she wouldn’t be granted time off, however, Levina had no qualms in retraining into a skilful S.A.S. soldier as that was what she was good at. So, perhaps the question isn’t about what she would do now that she was safely away from Agustine; instead, she had to ask herself: will she ever feel back to herself again?

Somewhere during the seven months of operating as a different person, she had lost a part herself. The mental exhaustion that came with keeping up her pretence as an incapable-of-thought woman, whose personality was only being pretty, meant the occasional thought in her mind to revert back to that state of being. Moreover, she was tired of putting up animated expressions that had once charmed Agustine, and now it took a lot of effort to even put on an expression that was something other than ‘blank’. Long, had she numbed herself to listening to the heartless chatter of Agustine’s men as they talked about their business. She feared losing herself to the extent that she grew to stop caring – she felt palliated to know that her fear at least told her of the remaining humanity still left in her.

Then, there was also physical affection. Agustine had been a physical man; after all, it took only a couple of weeks before she became a regular in his bed.

When she first made up her mind to conduct the long-con against Agustine, one of the things that fought against the decision had been the idea of becoming a prostitute for the disgusting man. One factor had been the fact that she had been a virgin prior to Agustine, and that she had wanted to save it for a more respectable man – a hopeless romantic she had been, perhaps even now in the depths of her heart. There had never been someone in her life who she got to call her lover. As a result, all the romantic affections she had ever received would forever be associated with that sorry excuse of a man, at least until the next time she found someone she decided was worthy to love her. She wasn’t an active pursuer of love, though – despite her dream to fall in love one day – so it was uncertain just how long it would be until she could escape associating romantic and physical affections with Agustine. That is, if there was even someone out there who would want her, broken and lost as she feels.

Levina was snapped out of her thoughts when she felt a presence in the space next to her, on the bench. She turned to the figure and regarded the stranger with a questioning gaze – it seemed that for the meantime, as her expressions worked on themselves to start showing up again, her emotions have settled on communicating with her eyes – his face familiar amongst the men that had a showdown with Agustine earlier.

“Sergeant Kyle Garrick, or more commonly, ‘Gaz’.” Gaz extended a hand out and Levina offered her hand only after a beat of tentative silence.

Still mindful of her manners, she managed to speak in a quiet voice. “Sergeant Levina Riven.”

The reflection of her empty shell was a huge contrast to the adrenaline-filled woman Gaz had met earlier, but he only kept that thought in himself as sympathy washed over him. He had seen his fair share of soldiers with trauma, and he only dreaded to think what Levina had to go through to stay by Agustine’s side under an act.

Kind soul that he is, he offered an unopened bottle of water to her. “One of the hotter Autumn days, the forecast said. You’ve been out here for a while and I don’t see any sources of hydration around you.”

In the same low voice, she muttered a “thank you” and took the bottle, untwisting the cap before taking only a small sip of it despite the intense heat that she had not even registered. Gaz knew better than to force her to drink more, a small win is a win, nonetheless. He, too, had been watching the group of soldiers’ training from another angle, sleep escaping him despite having only returned from an assignment, and he had grown perturbed when he had noticed Levina’s unmoving form for the past hour or so. Thus, there he was, after battling with himself to decide whether to leave the woman alone or to come up and attempt befriending her.

And befriend her, he will, for he had decided to do so.

“Say, Riven,” a questioning hum came from the girl, “if the British Army were to engage in a battle with twenty thousand emus, who do you think would win?”

A pause.

Levina turned away from her stare into the air to lock eyes with Gaz, only to be met with utter seriousness in his face. She stared wordlessly for a moment, uncertainty ringing in her head at the topic of conversation, before facing forward once again with a simple mutter of “emu” leaving her lips.

“What?!” Incredulous at her opinion, genuine disbelief crossed his expression. “Surely we’ve learnt from the Australia’s Emu War! There’s no way they’d win again.”

She gave a shrug. “Who’s to say they didn’t learn from the war too?”

Gaz prided himself in managing to get Levina to speak out an entire sentence, at the expense of learning of her opposing opinion in their – almost meaningless – debate.

“Okay, that’s fair, didn’t think that way. But they don’t even have hands!”

Another shrug, “fast legs.”

Cue their light-hearted discourse over the feasibility of winning over emus in a hypothetical war setting. Levina mostly responded with short quips, a shrug, or a hum, which didn’t discourage Gaz at all, remaining as patient as ever as he led the conversation. The topic somehow switched from emus to other animals, to the comparison of a gun against a sword as a more reliable weapon, to the flaws of human evolution that has led to the current state of the world.

Needless to say, they were quick to arrive at that stage of their friendship where the questions got too real and they began considering the likelihood of human extinction within the next couple of generations.

Levina appreciated the breath of fresh air that Gaz had brought with him. For so long now, her only person of correspondence was Agustine and Agustine alone, that meant that she had forgotten what it was like to chat nonsense with someone. Keeping up with the conversation also meant less room for her mind to fumble into the deep ends of hopelessness in her heart, and this could be the start of her healing process. With that thought in mind, she tried to lengthen her answers by offering more of her thoughts or even by asking questions. Judging by the encouraging smile Gaz sent her whenever she spoke up, he must have clocked onto her efforts.

It was odd to have someone listen to her. Playing Agustine’s bimbo had been a role where no one had paid any attention to her deliberately thoughtless words and only looked at her like she was some doll whose only asset was her looks. She had to keep repeating in her mind that those days of being used for her body were over, and that Gaz was being genuinely friendly out of the kindness of his heart – something she had last seen in the form of the granny who had taken her in, in that town she had stumbled upon.

Lunch time came eventually, as signalled by the trainer’s dismissal of the group of soldiers a good distance away. Unfortunately for Levina, the men had to pass by her bench on their way to the dining hall and she was subjected to leering eyes and low whistles that, unbeknownst to her, had started ever since they had first noticed her nearby presence. Only now did she realise that she was still dressed in the same clothes that Agustine had picked for her night; a dark blue nightdress with a low sweetheart neckline and a thin cardigan thrown over her shoulders, with the same stiletto heels – because Agustine didn’t understand practicality and had her wearing heels 24/7 – that she had stabbed him with. Chills ran down her bones at the sense of déjà vu as familiar irrational thoughts attacked her mind. She felt like a newbie again, seventeen and out of her depths among the masculinity that reeked all over the base.

“-Riven? You alright?”

“Hm?”

She quickly, with concerning ease, wiped away the insecurity in her eyes and put on the same reassuring smile she had sent Crawley. It seemed that the only times she let her face contort expressively were only when she had to fake her emotions; and she knew that Gaz had caught onto that, if his sceptical look was anything to go by.

Deciding to let her go, however, he didn’t bring that up and instead, pointed to the direction of the dining hall with his thumb. “You heading to lunch?”

She hesitated. Sure, she could do with more food, but she wasn’t keen on attracting more unwelcomed attention with her getup. Though, she really was hungry… Perhaps she’ll just channel her Tara Darwin identity again and strut there in all her confidence.

Her stomach growled at that moment and a decision was made for her. Fake it ‘til you make it, they said, and fake it ‘til she made it, she will.

Gaz grinned knowingly at her and stood up just as Levina did. They kept to silence as they headed to their destination and upon their entrance to the hall, she was hit with momentary panic at not having a place to sit. That was quickly abated, thankfully, when she spotted Crawley waving at her in invitation from his seat. She gestured to the line queueing for food and he gave an ‘okay’ sign of understanding.

“I’ll sit with a friend of mine. Thank you for the… water.”

A breath of laughter left Gaz and he turned to regard her with an amused glint in his eyes. “Of course, Riven. Can’t have you passing out from the heat now, can I?”

He had understood her connotation, that she had appreciated his company for the past few hours. He felt a sense of accomplishment at having made friends with the respectable woman and inwardly hoped for her to feel better as time would pass.

They parted ways once they had their tray of lunch in hand and Gaz beelined for his usual table where Captain Price – as she had learned during the debrief – was already present while Levina started towards where Crawley had saved a seat for her beside him. She ignored the distinct tap, tap of her heels against the wooden floor and the looks it garnered as she walked to her table. Her periphery vision showed a couple of men nudging their friends as their eyes left a heavy trail as they skimmed down her body. Suppressing her shiver of discomfort as she made the final steps, she forced her lips up into a cordial smile to the people in Crawley’s table – his current team, she surmised. Right in her guess, they each introduced themselves to her once she had sat down.

“Levina Riven. Crawley’s previous teammate, presumed dead for months.”

One of them then asked her what it was like to operate a long-con mission, which earned him a slap up the back of his head from Crawley. Gossips spread quick in the army, because what else could soldiers do other than train when bored?

Giving a lopsided smile, she answered, “besides the care pack you receive that consists of trauma?”

That got her a few laughter and they got the hint to stay off the unpleasant topic for the meantime. Crawley steered the conversation away and Levina only barely tuned in into their chatter as she ate, offering her thoughts only when they were asked for. It wasn’t like she hated the group of friends, she was just finding it hard to get a footing while dressed vulnerably amongst the uniformed men.

It’s not Agustine anymore, she repeated, you don’t have to fake it anymore.

The urge to reclaim Tara Darwin’s personality sat within reach of her grasp, so that she didn’t have to deal with her insecurity weighing on her mind – not insecurity over her body, but over the idea that her only notable trait was her body. Currently, with her lack of expressions and words, perhaps she really was nothing but a doll.

Ridding herself of that thought, she looked to the clock and finished up her meal quickly. She shot the table an apologetic smile when she was done and stood up as she reasoned her early leave with the excuse that she had to meet Laswell soon, never mind the fact that the Station Chief had stated she was free to come by her office whenever she was done with her lunch.

Once again, pulling up Tara Darwin’s confidence in her steps, Levina went to return her tray before exiting the stuffy room without catching anybody’s eyes. She slowed her steps down as she made her way to Laswell’s office, before stopping in her tracks in front of her door. Taking a deep breath, she brought one fist up to knock her knuckles against the door and stated her name and purpose as per Laswell’s request. Only once she was given permission did she enter the room with steady steps.

“Sergeant Riven, do sit down.” Levina settled on the seat across the desk in front of Laswell and kept her back straight as her superior began, “did you managed to think it through?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Do share, Sergeant.”

An explicit order to voice out her opinions by a figure of authority? How she had missed the humane way the S.A.S. Army ran compared to Agustine’s organisation.

Levina didn’t let her hesitance linger around. “If it is no trouble, I would like for a few days of leave to rest and catch up with my father. After that, I am willing to return and retrain with the others or under any specific arrangement you propose to get back on my feet sooner rather than later.”

Laswell gave a nod of agreement. “No different from what I had in mind. Three weeks of leave, and these do not count towards the agreed yearly number of PTOs you have, and then you are to come back to undergo training under a supervisor – training with the fresh recruits will only slow you down. You will be wired your pay for the past seven months by the end of this week for the work you have done in accumulating valuable intel. Any more to add, Sergeant?”

A longer leave than she had thought she might receive, no PTOs deducted, and seven months of salary? Oh, how she had really missed this place. “None, Ma’am.”

“Good. I have skimmed through your intel on Agustine and commencement of extracting information from him will begin tonight. I request that you stay here for the night in case you are needed for it. Any questions?”

“None, Ma’am.”

Another nod from Laswell as she wrapped up their talk. “You will stay in room 104 in the barracks for the night and after your leave. I trust that you know where it is?”

Room 104 had been her previous room, for it was one of the two double bunk-beds room that housed the women in the station.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Alright.” Expecting to be dismissed, Levina was confused at Laswell’s pause. The Station Chief had a pinched expression on her face as she thought her words over. “Did none of my men offer you a change of clothes at all? Not even a single jacket?”

Surprised at the turn of conversation, her “none, Ma’am” had lost the strength to its tone and came out slightly quirked as a question.

Laswell sighed, disappointment clear in the shake of her head. “Men.”

Perhaps it was the sense of camaraderie that she felt they had as two women in a cluster of masculinity, but whatever it was, Levina had felt secured enough to let a sincere grimace take over her expression. “Men, indeed.” And perhaps it was that same understanding as a woman Laswell felt that made her not reprimand Levina for speaking without prompt.

Laswell dismissed her soon after that and she now found herself sat on her assigned bed after showering and changing into a spare grey tee and cargo pants she had found in the locker that had come with the sleeping arrangements. The other occupants of the room weren’t in at the moment so she had time alone to sort through her thoughts.

Except, as if her thoughts had decided to pull up on a strike against her mind, none stayed around long enough before her mind dozed off into thoughtlessness. Deciding that it must be her exhaustion catching up to her after a restless night, she decided to lay under her covers to get a moment of shuteye in, seeing as she had no duties to commit to that day.

However, what she had intended to be a nap ended up becoming an entire sleep in, and she only woke up hours later in the quiet of the night.

Glancing at the alarm clock, she had over an hour before it would ring through the barracks simultaneously with the other room’s. Her body felt well-rested though, and sleep wouldn’t take her back in despite her pleas and so she opted to start preparing for her day.

A quick shower later left her even more refreshed, though she only had the same outfit to change into, and she put on her complimentary pair of sneakers before heading out of the barracks. The sun had yet to grace her with its presence so she settled on roaming around under the guide of the moonlight, something she hadn’t realised she had missed until now – freedom. She had been too busy assuring herself of her identity and worth that she had forgotten she now held full autonomy over herself. Months of feigning total submission under Agustine had really taken a toll on her to that extent.

Agustine this, Agustine that. She yearned for the day that man won’t appear in her mind even once, not the tiniest sliver of him.

Her mindless walk under the cloudy sky ended up bringing her back to the bench she had taken up the morning prior and she sat at the same exact spot as she awaited dawn. It seemed that the bench was one that determined fateful meetings for her, for it wasn’t long before she found herself in a similar situation as yesterday with Gaz.

Eyes trained forward and ears ringing with memories of her months spent in hell, she had not anticipated a figure to make their presence known by sitting down beside her. The waft of espresso scent brought her back into reality and she glanced at the man beside her.

Because mum and dad had not raised an unrespectful lady, she straightened up and greeted her superior with a quiet but steady voice. “Captain Price.”

“At ease, Sergeant.”

From what she had gathered from his interactions that she had seen until now – and the gossip that Crawley had filled her in on previously – Price was not a stuck-up captain who bullied their subordinates. That as a consideration, she relaxed her shoulders and back only after a moment of hesitation and brought her hands onto her lap to fiddle with her fingers subconsciously.

“Laswell wants to see you after breakfast, in her office.”

“Understood, Captain.”

Her reply was immediate and had cut through the thick air in between them with precision. Upon learning of his intention at approaching her, she eased up further, though, confused when he remained by her side even at the first glimpse of orange in the horizon.

Entranced by the view she had not witnessed in a long while, for Agustine had always kept her in his arms until he woke up hours past dawn, she spared the man beside her no thoughts and kept her gaze locked onto the palettes of shades that the sun created against the blue sky. Distantly, she hoped against all odds that she could one day rise over the constant haunting of Agustine as the sun had peaked over the skyline. A slow process, perhaps, but she would eventually get there.

Moments after the sun had made its full appearance in all its glory, the pair heard multiple alarms go off at intervals of seconds from the barracks, signalling them of the time and availability of breakfast in the dining hall.

“And that’s my cue.”

Price got up, careful so as to not spill over his cup of strong-smelling coffee, and offered her a resolute nod of greeting. As if he knew the plagues of her mind, he continued, “you’ve fought well against him thus far. He can’t break you now, more than ever. Not anymore.”

Without giving her a chance to respond, not that she had any idea what to say, he left her staring after his back as he walked away. Mulling over his words, she silently thanked him for his acknowledgement that, indeed, the past seven months had been a fight. Her fight for justice for all the trafficked victims of Agustine’s operations, and for her sister and mother who she had to mourn over when she had only been twelve. A fight that had yet to cease now, and a fight that she would emerge victorious one day. However muted it was, action-wise, it had been a fight; she hadn’t thought of it that way.

She stayed outside for a little while longer before making her way back in to the hall to grab breakfast. Price was absent from the table she had seen him and Gaz took yesterday, but there was someone else already there amongst the few people who was early to breakfast. He sported no skull mask which meant that, by the process of elimination as she went through the mental list of Task Force 141’s names that Crawley had shared with her, the person was Soap.

She took her eyes off of him before anyone had even noticed her stare and minded her business as she got herself another sandwich for the morning. Choosing to eat her meal on the same table Crawley had invited her to previously instead of bringing it outside or to her room – or, Grace forbids, the bathroom like some high school loser in the movies – she took slow bites as her mind wandered off to theorise what Laswell needed her for later on. It was likely to do with Agustine, as Laswell had shared her purpose for staying the night in the barracks was for that, and she only hoped that she didn’t have to meet her tormentor again.

Much to her dismay, her hopes went unanswered as, moments later, she found herself walking alongside Laswell towards Agustine’s cell. Apparently, the man had kept silent all throughout his questioning, and he had asked after her one too many times for it not to be a silent request to see his former lover once again. Honest to Grace, Levina wasn’t sure why they still needed Agustine alive with the intel that she had provided, but she supposed a confirmation of her perspective was preferable to the Army. Though, she doubted that Agustine would really sell out his organisation that easily. She had lived with him for months, for fuck’s sake, she had taken the brunt of his angers and had listened to his darkest confessions with attentive ears. She knew better than anyone just how much he prided himself in having built his organisation from the ground up ever since his youths when he was still a part of a Mafia group – he had done it under wraps and had massacred the high-ranks of that Mafia once he was powerful enough, thus dismantling that one Mafia group but creating a human-trafficking organisation in its stead.

When one realised just how formidable Agustine was as an enemy, it really was almost incomprehensible and laughable how Levina had managed to wriggle her way into his ranks with a bat of her eyelash and a sway of her hips. Her impulsive disguise as a bimbo really might just spell the end of Agustine’s reign, she realised belatedly. Oh, the flaws of stupid men who think with their cocks.

As the pair of women neared their destination, Levina tried reasoning with her mind that this could be the final time she had to come face to face with Agustine. A closure, if she would. She wasn’t sure what went through the higher-up’s mind to decide that her presence might coax him into exposing his organisation but she’d amuse them for now. If her visit ended up producing no results, that was no fault of her own.

The guards let them into the station’s prison and they entered a room to see Agustine handcuffed to the table of the questioning cell on the opposite side of the one-way mirror. A few other associates were there to greet their arrival and judging by their expressions, they still had not made any progress with getting Agustine to speak.

“The only topic he would skirt around was you, Sergeant Riven. Won’t stop expressing his anger at ‘Tara’, which Price had explained was your alias.”

The more Agustine stayed within her vision, the more uncertain Levina was of her role. “Why would my presence affect his resolve to stay silent?”

“We are holding onto any possible thread at this point. You might be the key, you might not be; there is only one way to find out, Sergeant.”

“Right…”

“Ready when you are,” they had said. She swallowed her words that had wanted to shoot back that she would never be ready, not in the near future at least, along with her nerves as she willed her soul, body, and mind to remain strong in his presence. With a final deep breath, she turned the doorknob to the holding cell and entered with a blank face.

“Ah, Tara, darling. At last, you’ve shown yourself!”

His familiar condescending tone scratched at her brain harshly. “What do you want.”

A mocking grin made its way to his lips as he languidly leaned back in his chair. “Not even a “hello, how are you, Claude?” or an apology for betraying my trust? My love?”

Disgust crawled under her skin at the reminder of his rather physical show of love and of the idea that she had spent uncountable nights under his ogling and wandering hands. Not wanting to show just how much Agustine affected her, she forced herself to take a seat across him.

“I’ll consider it if you start talking.”

His eyes flashed with anger and she applauded herself for not flinching.

“About what, sweetheart? About the tricks and the lengths you’ve gone through to bewitch me? You want me to confess my love for you that you have trampled on without so much as a care? How about describing all the shameless things you’ve done in bed just to keep me satisfied? Hmm?”

Tara Darwin may have shed her sense of embarrassment for a while now, but Levina Riven had not. The two identities battled each other to shoot back her response and the winner was clear when her eyebrow sarcastically went up in feigned confidence. “What, do you want me to strip down to my socks and masturbate in front of them while we’re at it?”

The bimbo-ness of Tara Darwin’s personality in her may have been absent but holy Mother, she had not expected her candidness. Evidence of her time spent around the crass language that Agustine’s men had used, perhaps.

Annoyed at Levina’s avoidance of his bait, he dropped that tactic. “You know I won’t say shit to you guys. You’re just wasting time here.”

Grappling to grab a hold of Levina Riven’s identity, she schooled her expression once more. “Do you want me to put you out of your misery, then? If we have no use of you, I’m not against disposing you.”

Agustine let out a bark of laughter. “And then what? My people will continue even without me, you can’t do anything about that.”

So, the others have kept silence over Levina’s gathered intel on him… She wasn’t trained to question suspects so she had no idea what strategy that was but she would respect it. Knowing that this was going nowhere, she rolled her neck side to side to ease the joints, creating a series of cracks that echoed in the room. “Right, well. If you won’t speak then I’m done here, really.”

She stood up and an idea struck her on how she could begin closing this chapter in her life. Leaning over the table, she brought one hand up to take his chin and lift his face up towards her. With a single word, she cleared the apprehension in his face and his eyes stared back lifelessly as he was subjected to the memories of his past trauma that the word had brought up.

“Marcire.”

The rest of the team, which had expanded with the addition of Captain Price and Gaz, looked at her with varying degrees of oddness etched onto their features when she emerged from the holding cell. She looked questioningly at them and glanced at Agustine’s shell-shocked state when Laswell pointed towards him. “What did you say to him at the end?”

“Marcire; Italian for ‘rot’. He associates that word with a couple of past traumas from his time in the Mafia.” It was probably a really low, bitch move on her part to pull up his trauma, but he is a human-trafficker. He had been served at a level that he himself served.

“Just how much did he confide in you…”

Levina gave a noncommittal shrug. “I did find a wedding ring in his drawer one day. I was spending 24 hours a day by his side then, so there could have been no one else he was seeing.”

Her confession brought surprise to the room as each of them realised that they had underestimated just how flawlessly Levina had single-handedly tricked Agustine. Acting hadn’t even been one of the skills listed in her file – that needed updating, quick.

Another one of her associates cleared his throat. “Right. We’ll try questioning him again once he’s snapped out of his… current state. Thank you for your time, Sergeant Riven.”

“Of course, sir.”

Laswell then turned to address her and she stiffened her back and shoulders slightly. “I have approved your leave for the next three weeks. You are free to leave any time after noon today.”

“Thank you, Ma’am.”

Upon having nothing more to add from either side of the party, Laswell then dismissed her and she left the prison with Gaz following after her. It was only after they made it outside that Gaz struck up a conversation with her.

“Heard you were leaving today and wanted to catch you before that. I only realised earlier that I haven’t gotten your number and that was unacceptable!”

Levina didn’t stop in her tracks as she aimlessly walked around the HQ once again, but it was a near thing. “I don’t know where they kept my phone.” At Gaz’s confusion, she clarified, “from back when I was first presumed dead. I tend not to bring it with me during missions.”

In agreement that her then-captain would likely be the person who would know the whereabouts of her personal cell, they decided to head up to Mavers’ office. There, they found him alone and busy with paperwork but he, nevertheless, invited them in. As it turns out, the Captain had sent all of Levina’s personal belongings back home, to her father, as per the guidelines, so, high possibility she’d find the device amongst them there. With a grateful nod to him, the pair left the office just as quickly as they had entered and recommenced their walk around the vicinity; not before Gaz had asked to borrow a slip of paper and a pen, though.

“There. So that you can text me whenever you’ve found your phone.”

She pocketed the paper with Gaz’s phone number written on it with a touch of appreciation. Prior to Gaz, her only friends had been her team and her roommates in Room 104, and so far, that entire team had been wiped out, save for Crawley, and she had yet to reconcile with the ladies as she had been dead-asleep when they had returned to the barracks the evening before.

A fresh chapter in her life, indeed.

Words escaped her when she tried to voice out her gratitude to him. No matter, there was still a lifetime ahead of her – however short it may be due to her line of work – to express herself.

The weather was cooler than it had been yesterday and there were no hints of grey clouds in sight. Deciding that it was a good day to bask in the sun, they ended up sitting on the same bench from the day before – and that morning, for her. As Levina was to leave and return to civilian life in a few hours, they ended up talking about the pre-military life that seemed so far away now; from childhood dreams to subjects they had enjoyed in school, even insignificant crushes in elementary because, who hasn’t had them?

Gaz was sharing an anecdote of the time he had pissed his pants due to stage fright when they were interrupted by the approach of another man. They spotted Soap closing his distance to the pair with purposeful strides and Levina didn’t miss the way Gaz lit up in understanding.

“He probably needs me for something- we’ll have to cut our time short, unfortunately.”

He gave her a frown and she was saved from having to respond when Soap arrived in front of them. The newcomer extended a hand to Levina as he introduced himself. “Sergeant Johnny MacTavish, better known as ‘Soap’. Gaz’s teammate and the best-looking lad in the station.”

She felt rude, meeting his cheeky and playful grin with a blank expression, so she strained an upward curl of her lips into a harmless smile. Hoping that her moment of hesitation to take his hand went unnoticed, she stated her name and rank in exchange.

His brightness unwavering even at her muted response, his grin remained in place as he snapped his hand onto his waist, casting his extended shadow onto the pair sat on the bench.

“I see that Gaz was quicker than me! Would like to say that I’m a big fan of yours; shame, what he did to your heels, but that was a badass move if I’ve ever seen one.”

“Oh.” Levina blinked in pleasant surprise, “thank you?”

It was a calculated but rash decision, to stab Agustine’s thigh with her pointed heels. She had no weapons on her back then, when she had realised that he was planning to catch her off-guard, and he would, no doubt, overpower her with sheer strength if she had not used everything she had to her advantage. She hadn’t even been sure if the stiletto would be sharp enough to cut into his flesh but surprised, she was, when it did without so much of an obstruction. And that action had given her a fan… the Grace up above could not tell her if that was a good thing or not.

“Anyways, I’d love to chat more with you but alas, duty has called for me and my mate, here.” Gaz stood up with a sigh and Soap wasted no time in throwing an arm around his shoulder. “I’ll see you around, yeah? Don’t be a stranger.”

Gaz offered her a smile. “Text me when you’re free, a’ight? Enjoy your well-deserved leave and stay safe, Riven.”

“Will do.”

The pair of men left her with a lasting grin and Levina let her eyes linger after them as they got further away. A sigh escaped her at her lonely circumstance and she opted to remain in her seat for a while longer. Her clothes blended in amongst her colleagues so she felt better in her skin compared to when she had been in a nightdress. Thus, she didn’t mind her current spot near the soldiers undergoing outdoor training.

It was a mindset she had trained to achieve, and so did every woman in the field, to find her place within the dense fog of masculinity and testosterone, and to hold it strong against the judgmental looks and condescending tones sent her way. That feminine force in her had weakened over the months as Tara Darwin’s submissiveness to men vigorously fought against her true psyche, but she knew it was still within her – she just had to patch herself back up.

When it was a few minutes to noon, she headed back to her room to double-check if she had left anything behind – never mind the fact that she had arrived empty handed. She felt silly, debating over whether she wanted to keep the white pair of Louboutin heels gifted by Agustine, for it was, after all, so bloody expensive (pardon the pun) and worth it to put in the effort to clean off the blood. Quick in her decision, however, she decided against it to save herself the headache of having a parting gift from the despicable man; the mental lasting touches of his were enough of a burden, she didn’t need physical ones too.

Disposing Agustine’s money’s worth of outfit, she washed her hands clean of the unseen contamination afterwards, scrubbing the soap harshly against her skin like she did her entire body in her first shower back here.

In a spur of the moment – her decision-making skills really were as impulsive as they come, she realised – she decided to leave after having her lunch here so that she didn’t have to stop by somewhere on her way back home. She met Gaz’s and Soap’s waves with a nod, giving another one to Price when he had turned to see who the pair was greeting in curiosity, and took her tray to Crawley’s table once again. With an almost-minute friendly smile plastered onto her lips, she greeted the occupants of the table and settled into silence as she ate her meal, speaking up only when prompted. She finished up in no time, more than eager to see her father again, and set her destination to home as she walked out of the compounds.

The Army had issued her a temporary spare card to take the public transport back home seeing as: one, her personal card was sent home following her ‘death’; and two, her car was also sent home and was, more than likely, sold by her father as he had no use of it – as he got older, he decided not to risk driving with a flawed eyesight and opted to take the public transport instead.

It was a two-hours ride back home and she had only her mind to keep her company. Two hours of boredom felt almost quick in comparison to seven months of hell though, and before long, she found herself standing in the doorway of the humble flat she had made into a home with her dad – the initial house for her entire family had been too big – too painful – to maintain.

Levina felt her heart beat out of her chest and shook her hands to get rid of some nerves. With a shaking hand, she pressed the button for her apartment number on the intercom and waited for a response. It was a Saturday which meant that her dad wouldn’t be out for work, and Laswell had mentioned previously that they would give him a heads up regarding her not-dead state of wellbeing. Only two seconds had passed when she heard the audio crackle over the speaker and then a voice calling out.

“Vina?”

She felt tears prick her eyes at the familiar cadence she had missed dearly and her voice came out shaky when she responded, “dad?”

“Bless my heart- it’s you!”

The door to the building buzzed open and she wasted no time in tracing her steps to the elevator. She wrung her hands to settle the urge to spam the elevator door close and tapped her foot as she was brought higher and higher into the building. She sped her way to the right unit and anxiously knocked on the door the moment it was within reach. The door swung open and she only got a glimpse of her dad’s face before she was brought into a tight hug.

“Oh Vina, you’ve come home! You’re alive! You’re alive-”

He cut himself off with a sob that wracked through his entire body and she was immediately crying with him, didn’t even bother holding her tears back.

“Dad-” Levina sobbed as she tightened her hold around her dad, “I’m sorry- I’m so sorry-”

“Not your fault, darling,” she felt him shake his head, their hairs ruffling against each other, “not at all…” And oh, how she had missed the soothing affection that came with being called terms of endearments.

He pulled back and kept Levina near with a grasp on her shoulders, then brought a hand up to gently brush away the hairs that had stuck onto her face. “Let me look at you- oh, sweetheart… you’ve gotten even more lovely since!”

In the comfort of her father, she felt her mind ease enough that expressing herself didn’t feel like a chore.

Fondness pulled the corner of her trembling lips upwards as she let out another sob. “I’m home, dad- I’m home.”

They eventually made their way inside the unit and locked the door behind them. Settling on the couch, their hands remained clasped as they tried to make up for the seven months that had forced them apart.

Her wellbeing always a priority in his heart, his eyes shone with worry as he asked, “have you eaten? I can whip out something quick if you need. Was there anything in particular that you’ve missed eating? Mom’s special carbonara? Roast chicken? Or-”

“Slow down, dad! I’m alright!” A watery laugh escaped her, “I had lunch before I left the compounds so I’m good.”

Placated slightly, her dad quietened down as he raked his eyes over her face, taking in the features he had missed. She did the same, trailing her eyes as she matched their similar features in his nose and eyes. Her lips mirrored her mom’s but her sister had gotten dad’s. Speaking of…

Levina felt another round of tears threaten to slip out but managed to reign it in for the sake of not worrying her dad. Laswell had specified the need to keep Agustine’s records confidential within the military for the meantime so Levina didn’t have the greenlight to let her dad know of his youngest daughter’s fate. She silently strengthened her promise to do everything she could to bring her sister back if she was still alive.

The reunited pair of family ended up talking the afternoon away as they caught each other up on their lives. Levina had confided in him, tears streaming down her face, of her fear of losing her identity and of her grief over her mental exhaustion at expressing herself. He held her in his arms and she felt like a child all over again, with the way he caressed her hair as he listened attentively to her worries.

“Oh, Vina. Despite everything, you are still you. My daughter whom I cherish so much, the girl who gave the ‘monster under the bed’ a teddy because she hadn’t wanted it to be lonely, the woman you have grown to be whose parents are so, so proud of.”

That had rightfully earned him another wave of cries from Levina.

“We’ll take it one step at a time, yeah? No need to rush, there’s all the time in the world to give you the space you need to heal. And don’t you think for one second that you’re alone in all of this, I’m here for you whenever you need me, love.”

Always so patient, her dad was. She did, after all, inherit that trait from somewhere – and how validated she felt when she acknowledged that no, her only trait wasn’t her pretty looks, there was much more to her than that.

They ended up ordering in for dinner, their crying session having seeped away their energy. After a shower, she didn’t stay up long before turning in for the night, her dad following not too far behind. He had kept her room clean despite her months of absence and she found the belongings that the Army had sent home all packed in an unopened box.

She rummaged through it in search for her phone and its charger, then plugged it up to let it charge overnight as she slept. Exhaustion pulled her into sleep quickly and left her dreamless that night. The sun was only beginning to peak over the skyline when she woke up and her room lit up in the faintest of light. The cool tile under her feet grounding her, she headed to the kitchen to prepare a cup of black tea for herself and her dad, knowing that her family was full of early birds and that he’ll be seeking his own shot of pick-me-up in a moment. True to their persisting routine, her dad shuffled out of his room not long after and beelined for his own cup after giving her an affectionate hug.

A comforting silence blanketed over them in the chilly autumn air. Levina scooted closer to her dad when he sat beside her on the couch and leaned her head against his shoulder, his arm coming up to keep her close. They spent the early morning gazing out the big living room window that looked over the other buildings, as they simply basked in each other’s missed presence.

As if no time had been lost between them, they settled into their previous patterns whenever Levina would stay over in between deployments. Except, the solemn air fleeting past them told of the hardship that they have suffered from to get to this dear moment in time.

The reminders of love that she received from her dad were able to wipe away some associations of love that she had with Agustine. Her dad’s companionship over the days had also helped her fully accept the fact that she was now out of reach from Agustine. He could no longer worsen her state and ruin things for her any further; or in Price’s words, he couldn’t break her now. That realisation gradually, bit by bit, eased the weariness that had locked up her expressions. There was no more Agustine, hence, no longer a need to keep her psyche fortified against the fear of being unloved. Trips to the movies, restaurants, and shops with her dad were opportunities to test out her expressiveness and by the end of her third week, she could at least manage genuine grateful smiles to strangers. Her confidence in her ability to heal took its time to rise but rise, it did.

The day she had to return to her duties had been a teary day but both of them had strengthened their resolve to not cry because they will meet again, as they have always promised. She decided against purchasing a car and opted to take the public transport instead as she didn’t tend to venture elsewhere besides the compound and her home. Levina was to arrive at her compound by noon so, with the two hours ride to consider, she left early in the morning after bidding her father farewell.

When she made it to the compound, it was a while before lunch time would start so there were soldiers roaming around the station. With foresight, she was dressed in the same grey tee and cargo pants that blended into the surroundings so she didn’t capture a significant amount of attention as she headed to the barracks. Once she had deposited her belongings, she walked straight to Laswell’s office to report her presence. Upon Laswell’s permission, she walked in, feeling more herself than the last time she had been here.

“Sergeant Riven. It’s good to see you well.”

Laswell launched into business immediately, sharing that Agustine was now in the custody of the state prison after the never-ending failures to pry information out of the man. The next assignment to tackle one of his bases of operations would happen in the coming weeks in hopes of attacking his men in the middle of their chaos of their missing ringleader. If that assignment went well, they would be looking at finally having the complete records in the organisation’s system.

“We now have options to discuss in terms of locations and who to watch out for during these missions all thanks to you, Sergeant. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.”

They then talked about Levina’s current position in the station; Lieutenant Mitch Mordell had been tasked with supervising her training and she was to obey his direction in the meantime. Officially, Levina had not been appointed a team to work with but Mordell had promised good progress within two months so her file would be updated then for the team captains to consider her as an asset. Training would start the next day, but Mordell had requested to pass along his message asking Levina to meet with him after lunch that day.

“Any more to add, Sergeant?”

“None, Ma’am.”

“Dismissed. Welcome back, Sergeant.”

Now with minutes to spare before lunch time opens, Levina decided she might as well wait in the dining hall which, upon entering it, it seemed that a few others had decided to do the same. She spotted Gaz and Soap chatting at their table just as Soap looked up reflexively upon her entrance.

“Riven!”

Now that had attracted the room’s attention.

Her hand paused in the air mid-wave and she blinked in series, caught off-guard by the loudness of Soap’s voice. Pointedly ignoring the others in the room, she walked over to the pair with the intention to say hi. They were friends after all – Gaz and her had corresponded over texts and, a week into it, he had passed along Soap’s request to have her number. They were pleasant people to talk with, she had decided, and they didn’t judge her preference of using emoticons over emojis.

Once she was stood at the head of the table, Gaz on her left and Soap on her right, the former made a sound of wonder as his eyes darted to run their gaze over her hair.

“New hairstyle? It suits you, Riv.”

“Hell yeah, you look good with it!”

As per the cardinal rule to a lady’s guide on how to get over a breakup – though, it wasn’t exactly the ‘breakup’ part that she was trying to get over – Levina had gone to the salon to get her hair cut. Inexperienced with hairstyles for she had always stuck to a simple long style that she could braid for practical purposes, she simply allowed the hairstylist to find the best fit for her. Thus, she ended up with a slightly-past shoulder-length wolf cut and a perm to keep the curls consistent – seeing as she wouldn’t be able to style it manually every morning – that she could still gather into a braid if needed. Needless to say, the mirror gave her a boost of self-confidence and she was happy with her new something that made up her identity as Levina Riven.

“Thanks, guys.” Here, she could manage the slight smile to her lips to convey her gratitude. That seemed to brighten Gaz up and he could see that she had been truthful in her responses of ‘doing great’ wellbeing whenever he had asked her over text. “Just thought I might switch it up for a change. Giving credit where credit’s due, the hairstylists did a great job.”

“Well, credit where credit’s due, I think you did a great job pulling it off.” Soap gave his classic cheeky grin. “And also, in sitting still long enough because- let me tell you, my ass cannot do that.”

A breath of amusement left her in an exhale that didn’t go unnoticed by the pair, much to their delight at having tugged on her sense of humour.

“Anyways, why’re you still standing?! Here- sit, sit.”

“Oh.” Levina eyed the empty spot that Gaz had scooted further along the bench to create. Uncertainty washed over her and she glanced at the clock, then Crawley’s empty table, before deciding to take the boys up on their offer. “Well, if you don’t mind…”

“Not at all,” Gaz waved away her concerns with ease.

“So, how have you both been?”

At Levina’s question, they took turns sharing snippets of interesting stories that they had not shared previously. They ranged from the latest gossip in the compound, to their personal accounts of the different ways they got their ass beaten by each other during hand-to-hand combat training.

By the end of it all, the hall had already opened for lunch. Levina stood up to join the two in grabbing her own share of food but she paused when Soap narrowed his eyes at her. She subconsciously tilted her head in question.

“You’ll come back here once you grab your food, won’t you? You haven’t told us how you’ve been!”

Turning to Gaz for help had been useless because she caught him nodding earnestly instead, in complete agreement with Soap. “Can’t just leave us hanging like that.”

Her lips parted in genuine surprise. “I’ve got someone wai-” but her words got lodged in her throat when she realised that Crawley hadn’t even shown up yet. A different approach then. “I wouldn’t want to intrude the others you normally sit with.”

At that moment, Soap seemed to have spotted something – or rather, someone – behind Levina and he brightly cheered out, “you wouldn’t be! Isn’t that right, Cap?”

Price rounded the table from where he had appeared from behind Levina to take his seat on the free space beside Soap, diagonally across her. An eyebrow quirked up at the scene in front of him, his eyes lingered slightly on Levina’s instinctively stiffened figure before addressing the men. “At ease, Sergeant Riven. And why are you all stood in place like a pack of flamingos?”

Soap preoccupied with feigning mock offense at Price’s comment, Gaz explained in his stead. “Say, Cap, you wouldn’t mind if we invite Riven here to our table for lunch, would you?”

“What is this, elementary school?” Price turned to her once again. “Sit wherever you want, Sergeant. Though, keep in mind, the boys hold grudges.”

“Right…” Bewildered at the situation, she hadn’t even noticed that her eyes had opened slightly wider.

“Great! You stay here, Riven, and I’ll go grab you a tray.”

Nope, she decided, that was too much for her to handle.

The boys had immediately left the table after Soap had stated his offer and she quickly exited the bench to catch up after them. “I can do that myself, thank you very much!”

It spoke volumes just how needed her leave was to heal herself with the way she was able to exclaim and hold her voice steady when just three weeks ago, she could only manage low mutters and a stoic face when she didn’t have to answer to a figure of authority. Besides her dad, she had Gaz and Soap to thank for to have made this much progress; and perhaps even Price for his brief words of encouragement that had acknowledged her strength and perseverance.

“I’m glad you have good people with you there,” her dad had said when she told him of the new people she had met, “you don’t have to be alone to heal from your wounds.”

Lunch, overall, had been an enjoyable affair. She got to speak of her outings with her dad and, though she had not voiced it out, the others knew that the most significant part of her three-weeks leave had been the steady growth she’s made in healing herself.

Time passed by in a blur and they soon had to part ways. She headed straight for Lieutenant Mordell’s office and knocked on the door upon her arrival.

“Name and purpose!”

“Sergeant Riven! You asked to see me, Sir!”

He announced for her to enter and she did so with a bated breath.

She took her respectful stance across his desk in front of him and noticed the way the burly man stood taller than her and had a stony expression on his face. He hummed in thought for a moment as he took her figure in methodically, then nodded to himself as if she had somehow already passed his first test.

“Sergeant Riven!” His voice boomed slightly in the compact room and she didn’t allow herself to waver even the slightest.

“Yes, Sir!”

Pleased with her effort in matching his tone, he eased down his volume. “As Laswell has likely told you, I will be in charge of your personal training until you’ve gotten back on your feet. I’ve given my word that two months will be enough time to manage that and I do not go back on my words, do you understand?”

“Understood, Sir.”

“I’ve read your file and have heard good things about you from Captain Mavers, Sergeant, I suggest you live up to your potential and make us proud, you hear me?”

“Yes, Sir.”

He gave another nod and then took his seat behind his desk. “Sit down, Sergeant. I’ll run you through the strategies I’ve planned.”

Intensive training, he had called it, and she could see why. Her muscles almost ached at the thought of all the physical exertion she’d have to undergo for the next two months and she already dreaded the weeks when she’d be on her period. She couldn’t complain though, it was for her benefit after all. He gave her a copy so that she wouldn’t go into everyday blindly and for that, she thanked him. All in all, Lieutenant Mordell was a stern but not an unreasonable man, suitable to be the one to push her to her limits for the coming months. She just hoped he’ll do so kindly.

That night, she was able to reconnect with her roommates. There wasn’t much that had happened over the past eight months that she could share freely with the girls so she spent most of their chatter actively listening to the others talk, quipping on occasions.

With how good her day had gone, it seemed that the world had wanted to rectify the balance because she found herself waking up groggy the next morning as memories of her time as Agustine’s woman had plagued her all night. For what felt like an entire minute, she then stood under the flow of steaming water as if she could wash away the lingering feel of his touches that continued to haunt her. Nightmares weren’t uncommon to her; years of serving in the army had inevitably compiled tons of horrific materials for her brain to choose from to suffice as great content to reminisce during her sleep. Though, Agustine would undoubtedly reign supreme as the ‘content of the year’ that would show up to fight against the peaceful moonlight in her mind, much to her dismay.

Her schedule would start at a much more appropriate time in the morning so she was free to do anything until then. Not one to break habits, she settled onto the fateful bench and stared forward into the empty sky, awaiting the first glimmer of sunlight. Also a creature of mornings, it seemed, Price had joined her moments later with his steaming cup of coffee in his hands.

He had spotted her fixing her posture when she had first caught sight of him and, before she could even greet him in respect, he had knowingly huffed out an “at ease, Sergeant”, voice rough from unuse but warm against the chilly air.

They settled into companionable silence as the sun began to rise. When her thoughts of Agustine had crescendo-ed into fortissimo, she began to unknowingly scratch at her inner wrist where he had, more often than not, held her down against the bed as he played her body in tune with his sick fantasies. Her mind had been replaying her pain and distress when it abruptly went static when her ears had picked up on a sound in the real world.

She turned towards the source of her well-timed rescue and the blue taking over her sight grounded her more than the sky had ever done in the past three weeks – which said a lot seeing as the sky had provided sanctuary for her when the nights had been particularly bad. Unlike the clear blue that submissively made way for the sun to take its place, this new blue had stormy greys woven into it to emphasise the strength behind it. Blue had always been her favourite colour, but it was only now that she had decided on a favourite shade.

Blinking slowly as she regained her bearings, the specks of concern in Price’s eyes grew with every second that passed in silence. She rewound the past minute in her head and relistened closely to the sound that had brought her back to reality.

“Oh.”

Price had called out to her and she had unintentionally responded with an intense staring contest. Way to go, Lev, she grimaced inwardly, such a perfectly functional human being you are.

“Sorry, Captain- head in the clouds.”

Searching her eyes and finding none of the toxic haze that had been prominent in them prior to her snapping out of her daze, he passed off his sigh of relief as an exhale and glanced up. “It’s a clear sky this morning, Sergeant.” Her lips quirked up and he found himself mirroring it.

Taking his words for it – she had no idea where that sense of trust came from – her eyes never casted themselves upwards even as she responded assuredly, “so it is, Captain.”

The cacophony of alarm clocks ringing started at that moment and she turned back to face forwards at his previously-proclaimed ‘cue’ to leave. It seemed that she was right when he stood up, but she faced him again when he addressed her.

“You drink coffee, Sergeant?”

She had a speculation as to where this was going and found herself willingly playing along to his proposition. “More of a tea person, Captain.”

“Black?”

“And no sugar.”

He had unquestionably been caught but he didn’t let that faze him the slightest. “I’ll make a note of that, Sergeant.”

“Thank you, Captain.”

Her gratitude had escaped her in a low voice but he easily picked up on it anyway. With a final nod to her, he left her bubble of safety without popping it in his stride.

A thoughtful man, Price was. His calm patience at letting her return to her senses in her own time was an admirable attribute of his and she had felt respected upon being subjected to it earlier. She was uncertain as to why his eyes had become the most impactful grounding material for her thus far and she didn’t even know if she wanted to further investigate the matter – not that she would know how to do that in the first place. For singlehandedly pulling her out of the depths of her mind’s torment, she appreciated him. And if her hypothesis regarding the reasoning behind his question on how she preferred her drink was right, he must’ve at least also liked her company enough. She felt a comforting fuzziness in her chest and quickly waved it away.

She wasn’t born yesterday; she recognised the kindling flame in her heart. Fear prevented her from tending to it though, but hope bared its fangs and warded off any attempts in extinguishing it. So, she’ll sit back at watch it nurture on its own for now.

Not wanting to risk being late for her schedule, she only stayed outside for a moment longer before heading back in for breakfast. Always a person who got easily anxious about being late, she ended up in the gym early. Mordell arrived while she was in the midst of stretching and she swiftly stood up straight to salute her lieutenant.

Cue the commencement of her intensive training.

Mordell’s curated plans had not allowed for an easy beginning, immediately kicking off into pushing Levina past her ‘pathetic limits’, as he had dubbed. She had visited the local gym during her leave and had, too, been appalled at her maximum capability – it had dropped so low that it was almost as if it was her first day in cadet training. She could only imagine the pinched expression Mordell would have if he knew about that.

Getting her stamina back up was her priority in the past three weeks, and she applauded herself for that decision because it proved beneficial when Mordell gave her only small windows of breaks throughout the day. Her lunchtime now had a time limit and she could only stuff her face of her meal ceaselessly, much to the bemusement of Crawley and his team.

She didn’t hold back from putting in all her efforts which resulted in the lack of beratement from Mordell at the end of the day. There was no escaping his harsh words entirely though, and all she could do, other than try harder, was to fortify her mind against the – almost – degradation. Mordell was at least a more respectful person than the trainer during her cadet training; those times were bad enough that they had shown up as nightmares a handful of times even years later.

Finally, the final half an hour of dinner had come, which signalled the end of the day’s schedule. Her arms were limp by her side, sore from overexertion, as she trekked her way to the canteen. She tended to be amongst the early-comers of mealtimes and had expected less people towards the end of them, thus, rendering her slightly surprised when she entered the canteen only to see that it was rather packed.

As if he had been waiting for her arrival, Gaz was already waving to catch her attention when she walked into the hall. Upon meeting her eyes, he patted the empty seat next to her and she was about to give a nod when her eyes fell upon the rest of the table’s occupants who had reflexively turned towards her at Gaz’s actions.

Oh, she realised, the whole gang was here.

Lieutenant Simon “Ghost” Riley was an easily distinguishable person; built tall and broad, with the unmistakeable face covering in the form of an iconic skull mask on-field or a balaclava off-field. The lower half of his face covered, Levina couldn’t get a read of his expression at Gaz’s invitation to her.

Sporting a lopsided smile that was half genuine, she gestured to the empty queue for food which Gaz understood. She wasn’t sure how her presence would be taken by the lieutenant but seeing as he had remained in place even as she approached with her tray in hand, she surmised that he at least didn’t already dislike her.

A round of greetings came from the three men she was already familiar with when she reached the table, countering with her own “hey, guys”. Whatever had happened that morning with Price, it established a strong enough connection between the two that he didn’t even bat an eyelash when she didn’t immediately salute him; if anything, he seemed pleased at the lack of her gesture of respect.

Her eyes naturally landed on the only person she had not greeted and she offered him a warm smile. “Sergeant Levina Riven. Under the direct orders of Lieutenant Mordell.”

“Lieutenant Ghost. Task Force 141.”

Despite being obstructed, his voice was as sharp as the greeting nod he gave.

Having cleared the introductions, she took her seat next to Gaz and noticed that the area of the table in front of both Price and Ghost were clean, while Gaz and Soap had an empty tray. She couldn’t help but wonder if they usually stayed for dinner even after they had finished their meals or if they had done so this time because of her…

“Told you she wouldn’t run.” Pride was clear in Soap’s tone as he addressed Ghost, who gave a gruff of acknowledgment in response.

Just like that, dots connect in her head and she regarded Soap with an eyebrow raised, lips curled into a sliver of an amused smile. “You taking bets on me now? That’s hurtful, Soap.”

The aforementioned man stammered a defence, taken aback by her accurate judgement and the rare expressiveness to her words. Perhaps his playfulness had infected her.

Gaz shook his head in mock disappointment at the way his friend had easily exposed them. “Dumbass.”

Just before she started digging into her food, she added, “and for the record, why would I?”

She missed the glint of approval that flickered in the men’s eyes, though, she caught only a glimpse of a pleased smile on them before she looked to Ghost who had spoken up.

“These men like you too much so I thought I’d see for myself why.”

Surprised at the implication that she was a common topic of conversation amongst the men, she hadn’t even realised that her smile had gone a tad shy.

“Well, I’ve no idea what they’ve been telling you but I’m flattered, nonetheless.”

“Only the good things, Riv, only the good things.”

They asked her about her first day of training, how it was like to be under Mordell’s supervision. Their conversation then turned to reminiscing their cadet years, bonding over each other’s complaints of the harsh words they had to endure and unanimously agreeing that Price’s experiences were the worse with how military the way things had ran in his time.

Levina also got to see the 141’s dynamic and she commended Price for his choice of men to take under his wings. They were all honourable men, as far as she could see, each with their own set of characters and beliefs that individually distinguished them. It struck her as odd that they’ve decided she was worthy of their time, and she let their implicit validation of her character solidify the cultivating idea that she was more than just a pretty face and body. They treated her well, she liked them.

Her fatigue caught up to her in her sleep that night and her mind took a day off from picking on her in her dreams. She woke up with her entire body sore and languid, and her remedy came in the form of a hot shower and a cup of black tea.

Correct in her speculation, Price had brought two cups of drinks that morning, handing her one that had been made to her preference.

“You are a saint, Captain.”

He had given her a mirthful smile as he made to sit beside her.

“You don’t always have to keep up formalities with me, Sergeant.”

“I mean, you do call me ‘Sergeant’ a lot, Captain.”

“Touché, Sergeant. Touché.”

A delightful breath of air left her in an exhale. “Can I call you ‘Price’, then?”

“You’re more than welcomed to, Riven.”

A beat.

The flames crackled stronger.

The morning chill stood no chance against the combined warmth of her heart and the tea, both of which were prepared lovingly by the man beside her. Oh, how he had made a home out of her.

As the weeks passed, dinnertimes and mornings became her favourite parts of the day.

The group of men had, without her knowledge, agreed to occupy Levina’s dinners whenever they could. Their schedules didn’t always match but that didn’t stop them from insisting that she joined whoever was available when she was. Most of the time it was Ghost – she had learned over many conversations that he was a man who valued consistency – and at least one other person. But, by the time there came an evening where it was only him, they had already grown closer to the point where he had not minded eating in her presence.

The boys provided her a relief from a full day of hard work. They engaged her in affable chatter that opened more doors between them to grow closer, or, in the days where training had been too harsh, they still left the door open but didn’t impinge on her bubble. Their consideration only made her want to treat them equally, asking about their days with sincere interest or understandingly laying off of them when they seek quiet tranquillity after an awful day.

They had each other’s backs, the boys and her. Their friendship had been built on compassion and respect ever since they first met with weapons in each of their hands – guns in theirs, and deception in hers – though, they were never pointed at each other – except Ghost did but she held nothing against his initial apprehensions.

And then there were mornings. Those were when she got to watch her psyche’s fire develop, inching closer and closer to it as her hope gradually began to subdue her fear. She had gotten to the point where she could feel the first wave of heat wash over her, enticing her to approach nearer – to take her shelter behind it. It wasn’t like Price had done anything different, no. It was simply the fact that he allowed her to take her place beside him every morning without fail, putting effort into brewing her tea correctly, and letting her take over the reigns of their budding relationship – giving her the control that she needed, unlike Agustine who had dominated over her at every second.

She couldn’t say for sure that Price felt similarly towards her. He never gave any inclinations that he did, but neither had he rebuffed her in any way, whatsoever. Months of operating under an entirely different identity meant that she didn’t want to shut in her feelings anymore. That resulted in a new quirk of hers: unless she had to – that is, in front of anyone else other than her dear ones – she didn’t stand in the way of her eyes’ tell-all. ‘The eyes are the window to the soul’, indeed. That, paired with Price’s undeniably sharp intuition, hinted at the idea that he knew of her sprouting crush on him.

Levina could only imagine what she looked like in his eyes. Did her eyes gleam in adoration? Did her gaze linger on him at dinnertimes shared with the boys? Grace knows, the others might have also picked up on her emotions if she did.

The station didn’t have books to turn to that could help her; there were no ‘An Idiot’s Way to Know If He Has a Crush on You’ or ‘Dating 101: How to Manage Your Crush’. She could technically talk to her roommates about it, initiate a classic boy-talk sleepover, but that would only create rumours and gossips – Grace forbids, what if she got caught wanting to fraternise and more with her superior? So, yeah, not the best idea to risk that.

That left her with one more material that she could turn to for aid: memories of Agustine.

Needless to say, that was immediately out of question. Though, perhaps she could refer to them as a guide on how to spot red flags in a man.

All that is to say, she might not know the nature of his feelings for her – and every day, hers only grew stronger – nevertheless, she was content with their current stage of relationship. If more would happen, that would be to her joy; but she wasn’t selfish, she would take what she can get.

Blessed by the Grace, however, it turned out that all her worrying about the reciprocity of her feelings would come to a halt one day. And that had come with news.

The first two weeks of her training had come and gone, and it was now the third week. Sometime before she had reached her window for lunch, Mordell had actually wrapped up the day’s schedule rather abruptly.

“Laswell wants to see you. Go freshen up and see her. You can have your lunch after that and then you’ve got the rest of the day free.”

Levina did just as he ordered and visited Laswell’s office once she had showered. Lunch had already started so the quietness of her path on the way there felt oddly eerie to her. The uncanniness to her day so far only foretold the news that would be shared to her, however, where she would then be stood in front of Laswell as the earth-shattering words flowed out of the Station Chief’s mouth.

Her ears rang with screams and cries that sounded familiar to her, accompanied by a blaring siren as words of condolences and apologies began filling her head. Her eyes were locked onto the screen of the computer that Laswell had swivelled so that she could see two pictures of a girl, at different ages, and her listed details beside it.

Name: Aurora Riven (006)

Acquisition: March 27th, 2007 (8 years old)

Sold: October 16th, 2015 (16 years old)

Bid Price: $3,000,000

Bidder: Jake Griffon

The top picture had been exactly how Levina remembered her sister. Wide-eyed and innocent, she was just a child- she was eight, for fuck’s sake! Her pigtails were dishevelled, bangs unkempt, and her face was streaked with uncountable tear stains and swipes of blood. Her frightened expression here would forever haunt her.

The picture below it was the one she had seen back in February. Presumably when she was sixteen – a commemorative picture taken for the day she had been sold. Her appearance was tidy, the absence of a hair out of place and bloodstains were a sharp contrast to the first picture. Her smile here reminded Levina of Tara Darwin but whereas both Tara and Aurora seemed to be genuinely smiling, despite the years of absence, Levina knew her sister enough to tell that the latter was faked. How much had her sister gone through to have learnt how to pass off her expressions as sincere – Grace, she didn’t want to think about it.

But she had to, because reality was that and they were both living in it.

Bile made its way up her throat and she had to quickly swallow it down with great effort. Tears prickled at the corner of her eyes and this, she unfortunately couldn’t keep at bay. Laswell understood though, and she didn’t bring it up nor condemn Levina for it, sympathy clear in her eyes and her tone as she addressed the only other person in the room.

“As I’ve said, the mission was a success and we now have their system’s data on our side.”

Levina couldn’t even feel the relief if she wanted to. She only barely registered Laswell’s words in her chaotic mind.

“We’ve recognised that the name ‘Jake Griffon’ was one of the big-name buyers in your intel and we’ve ran the numbers on the records. He has bought over eight people from Agustine; it seems that she was the first.”

She took a sharp inhale.

The first. The insinuation was heavy; Griffon would’ve treated the first one he bought as an experiment before he had decided that he wanted more.

The first. Aurora had no one to relate to and she would have been all alone to fend for herself.

The first.

A pause.

Memories began invading her mind of all the times Griffon had come up as a topic in Agustine’s meetings.

“Another one?! We all know he’s loyal to that first bitch he bought- why’d he come back?!”

“They say that the beau he first took in was an easy sell. Wish I was buying then; would’ve snatched her right up from all those disgusting men!”

“What was the feedback he gave when he first came back to buy a second one? “Need me another one of those pliable bitches that you sell”, wasn’t it?”

…

Oh.

And that wasn’t even the end of the list.

Oblivious to the severity of Levina’s mind fracture, Laswell continued. “As someone who holds a high number of victims with him, he is now amongst the top target to prioritise. As of now, I am unable to tell you when an attack on him will be launched, but I will let you know once I can.”

Taking Levina’s silence as her shortage of things to add, Laswell dismissed her soon after.

Levina had one hand up on the wall as she walked away from the room. She was terrified that if she let go, there wouldn’t be anything to ground her into the real-world. But her suppressed bile had decided to come back and she couldn’t hold it in this time.

Disoriented as she ran towards the direction she was sure was to the nearest bathroom, she collided against something in full force and only stayed upright because a pair of hands held her shoulders firmly.

“Riven?”

She couldn’t even feel relieved at seeing the balaclava-clad man through her tears and weakly slapped at his arms to indicate that she wanted to be released. She’d voice it out but her lips were preoccupied with keeping shut so that the bile wouldn’t shoot up her throat, a task helped only by one hand covering her mouth securely.

Ghost did as she signalled and she wasted no time in dashing off, apologies and guilt in the back of her mind, leaving him staring after her disappearing figure in confused concern. He had seen the panic and grief crystal clear on her quivering figure which had immediately alarmed him. Never the person who others would seek out for consolation, however, he could only obey her silent request and before he knew it, she was gone. At a loss, he switched his target destination and walked back where he had come from, back into the dining hall again where his team was looking up at him in surprise.

“’Sup, Lt., you forgot sum’n?”

Shaking his head, he pointed his thumb towards the door.

“Riven- she uh… she was crying?”

Instantly, he had all of their full attention.

“What?!”

“Who-”

“Fuck, she must’ve talked to Laswell-” Now, that got his – and the others’ – attention. “where’d she-”

“The nearest bathroom from Laswell’s.”

A breeze, and the man was gone.

The three of them watched, stunned, as Price rushed out of the hall in record time. He hadn’t even bothered returning his tray, his primary concern set on Levina and all other thoughts pushed behind her.

“Should we…”

Gaz shook his head, regret crossing his features. “Price seemed to know what’s going on – we don’t. Might just make things worse if we show up.”

“Right.”

Sure, they’d seen Price move with agility – because despite his older age, he was a trained soldier – but those times were in the field and with his life on stake. Never, did they think, they’d ever see him move with such urgency for some girl unless it was an emergency. Except, it wasn’t just some girl in this case, was it?

Levina Riven had grown into their hearts, one way or another, and they genuinely loved the woman. A tribute to her name, she had struck Agustine out of the blue and torn down his empire from the top of his ranks – or at least, she was the reason for its current fall. The suddenness of her arrival in the form of her abrupt takeover of Agustine in his office that fateful day had gained her all their respects, which only continued to grow as they got to learn her character; her warmth, strength, and genuineness, among others. They couldn’t even begin to imagine what she had to go through in those seven months, dangling herself at the mercy – or lack thereof – of a heinous man. Yet, here she was, standing tall in the faces of her ghosts and conquering them one by one. It pinched at their hearts to know that she was currently suffering, but Gaz was right. If anything, they were glad that she had at least Price to confide in her troubles at the moment; he was a good man.

A good man who was presently clutching at his patience outside the ladies’ bathroom.

If he listened closely – mind you, his ears had years of training to pick up even the tiniest of sounds – he could hear heart-wrenching sobs echo from the door in front of him. Uncontrollable cries and sharp gasps continuously rained down from her and he could do nothing but listen as his heart shattered bit by bit. Fuck, he thought, she’ll come out when she’s ready.

But what if she wants someone right now?

She had no idea he was there so even if she did seek a comforting presence, she wouldn’t know that she had one right outside two sets of doors. That in mind, he brought a fist out and tapped it against the door hard enough for her to hear.

“Riven?!”

A pause in her weeping, only sniffles sounded. That meant that she had heard him.

“It’s John! I’m here if you need anything! Or- tell me to leave if you’d prefer that!”

He had missed the sound of her cubicle opening but he perked up at the sound of a tap running. Taking a step back so that he wouldn’t overwhelm Levina with his figure, her footsteps against the floor soon approached and the door opened slowly.

“John?”

The crack in her voice took his heart down with it.

“Oh, lov’ie- c’mere.”

His invitation brought around a fresh set of tears and he easily caught her when she rammed into his chest, her arms looping around his torso in seek of something to ground her.

Upon feeling one hand softly caressing her back and another gently running down her hair, the comfort that he brought had tugged on her vulnerability and she allowed herself to wail, unrestrained, in the safety of his arms. His scent, smoky and woody, hazed over her mind soothingly, quelling the horrific thoughts that had taken advantage of her solitude and had ambushed her.

“I’m sorry, Aurora- ‘m so sorry-”

“Shh, not your fault, love. She knows it’s not your fault.”

Levina shook her head, her memories haunting her relentlessly. “I’m a monster- Grace, I let him touch me!”

“Hey- hey, now. Look at me, lov’ie.”

She pulled back only enough so that she could face him. “There you are – not a monster, no.”

“But-”

He shook his head resolutely. His hand moved from her hair to cradle her cheek delicately, thumb wiping away her tears as they fell.

“All I see is a strong woman, heart full of love and so, so beautiful. A force to be reckoned with; someone who has gone through so much because she was determined to save her sister.”

The tenderness in his tone was reflected in his eyes. She could feel his conviction that was entwined into the blue, his secure belief in his soft words.

“A devoted daughter whose parents are beyond proud of. A person whom we all love and care for because she deserves it – deserves to be loved and appreciated for all the good that she’s done selflessly.”

And she’s crying again, now for a different reason.

Her hands clutched the back of his shirt tightly as she searched his face of any hint of lies – of wavering confidence – and finding not even one speck of it in his entire being. She buried her face into his shoulder, heart full of love – true to his words – and gratitude for the man.

“Grace, John. You can’t just say that so- so confidently like that!”

His shoulders shook when he let out a light laugh. “I only say it because it’s true, love. Wouldn’t have said it if I wasn’t sure even a tad.”

She felt him drop a kiss on top of her head and she tightened her arms around him. His confession of what he thought of her had taken her breath away, rendering her speechless as thoughts of him filled her with endless affirmations that she was a good person – someone deserving of love because she loved.

She loved her sister and she had done what she could to bring her home. There was nothing she could do to rectify the entire ordeal, their fates had been sealed that day of the home invasion, but she could try now – and try, she would, to the best of her ability. Aurora would come home, she would make sure of it.

Unbothered by her lack of words, John simply held her right then, right there. His hands never stopped their reassuring caress as he patiently waited for her sniffles to die down to a steady breath. Grace, she loved this man.

Unkeen to show up in the dining hall in her state, John led her to his office instead. His hand fixed itself onto the small of her back, not forceful but steadying. The plan had been to let her rest in his office while he went and grabbed her something from lunch – anything more filling than the energy bar he had in his desk – but that flew out the window when they spotted three figures stood outside his door with two sets of wrapped sandwiches in the hands of one of them.

“Guys?”

Upon hearing Levina’s voice, their kicked-puppy expressions lit up as their heads turned to regard the approaching pair.

“Riv! And Cap.”

John huffed at the too-serious-to-be-sincere tone of disappointment Soap had used when addressing him. Though, with the way that had earned a giggle from the woman beside him, he’d let Soap off any day.

“Sorry I ran off on you earlier, Ghost. In my defence, I really did have to puke.”

“No harm, glad you’re a’ight now.”

She didn’t miss the worry that crossed their expressions and gave them what she hoped was a reassuring smile.

Everyone entered the office once John had unlocked it, spreading around on the two couches facing each other that were separated by a wooden coffee table. She ended up in between Gaz and John, the latter on her right, and opposite Ghost and Soap, sandwich in hand. Figuring Ghost must have told the others of her earlier state, and hence, how John had known where she was, she decided to clear the air to ease them of their anxieties.

They listened attentively as she shared her sister’s current situation, how that had been her drive behind her long-con, and her belief that she was still alive based on what she had heard in Agustine’s meetings, however passing the remarks about her sister were. The boys shared their sympathies, cursing Agustine out and assuring her that her sister would come home. Their support touched her and John’s words repeated in her head.

A person whom we all love and care for because she deserves it.

They let the pair eat – because John had unceremoniously left lunch mid-way – while they began conversing about anything and everything. Recognising that she had had a rough day though, the trio left the pair to unwind. Unbeknownst to them, Soap had been about to naively question as to why Levina was staying at John’s but a quick pinch to his side from Ghost had shut him up quick.

It was a new venture, their flourishing relationship, and they silently agreed to keep matters private for the meantime as they endeavoured to see where it would take them. So, it was only when the door had shut after the boys that she allowed herself to inch closer to John, his arm instantly going around her back to hold her by her waist as she leaned against his side, head falling onto his shoulder. Her arms went to loop around him in a side-hug and she felt him tug her closer to plant his lips on her head, before resting his head on hers.

“She would’ve liked to meet you and the others. My mum, I mean.”

Her voice was low to match the serenity between them, fondness discernible in her words. Inevitably, her thoughts had fallen onto her mother whose life had been taken away too early – unfairly – by the hands of the home invaders who had taken away Aurora.

“Yeah? Would’ve loved to meet her too. Thank her for having raised an absolute dear.”

She hummed a pleased sigh, confession at the tip of her tongue. “We bonded over our love for love, growing up. H’ve always dreamt of falling in love, but mum made it hard because she’d always say, “they won’t deserve you, not until they’ve built you a fire that doesn’t consume, but gives”. Never knew what she meant until I’ve found one that gave me peace; gave me safety, comfort.”

His hand tightened its hold on her waist. “Someone’s built you one?”

She hummed, affirmative, lifting her head up to meet his eyes – the blue that had intensified under the utter adoration written over them.

“He’s been tending to it every morning.”

Fondness brought his lips up into a tender smile. He leaned in, slowly to give her time to react, and placed his lips onto hers in a soft touch. Their eyes fell shut for that brief moment. She felt his hand brush away her hair before cradling her face to hold her head steady when he pressed forward, pouring his affections into the kiss, before pulling away.

“I’d build you a home with a massive hearth to go with it too.”

She was certain that her eyes were shining with unbridled love, but she didn’t mind it for there was reciprocity in his eyes. “’m no good with architecture, but I’d at least give you a hand somehow.”

“So long as you’re there, love. I’d make sure the place is big enough to host the boys too. ‘nd your dad and sister.”

Grace, he knew her heart so well. “Family nights with everyone.”

“Mhm. Then there’re nights for the both of us.”

“I’d love that. W’d love everything about it; the hearth, the size… you.”

“Yeah?”

“Mhm.”

The quietness – the peace. The domesticity of it all had been gradually lulling her to sleep. Her enervation fogged her brain, but she still had enough clarity to express her psyche truthfully. A content hum vibrated from her throat, like a cat purring under the affection it received, successfully tempting John to pet her head gingerly and further pulling her into unconsciousness. She blinked her eyes open, unsure when she had even closed them in the first place, and laid her feelings bare for John to see.

“Love you.”

His eyes glinted. He detected no inkling of deception in her words nor soul, and he could feel her emotions flow out of her to envelop him comfortably. His answer was clear – inherent in his mind, soul, and body – and nothing could stop him from conveying it to the one who had struck him with so, so much yearning. Levina was a once-in-a-lifetime wonder and he would hold onto her for as long as she allowed him to.

“I love you, too.”

She fell asleep not long after that, the warmth of her partner cozying her to dreamland. Blurry images of an unfamiliar interior accompanied by the distinct figures of her loved ones brought her an abundant of joy and she swore to turn it into a real-life memory one day.

A gentle stroke of her hair and a call of her name stirred her out of sleep. The dream-induced happiness was still present and when her bleary gaze fell onto John, she realised that that artificial happiness would never measure up to the genuine one that he sparked in her.

“Dinnertime, lov’ie. You up for that?”

She gave an affirmative hum and sat up – John must have laid her on the couch while she was asleep – stretching out her limbs to further bring herself awake. The admiration in John’s eyes, as he looked up at her from where he was crouched in front of the couch, knocked the breath out of her lungs and she could just feel the love, love, love swirling giddily in her.

Unable to resist her desires, she reached out to hold him by the juncture of his neck and head and leaned in to press a chaste kiss on his lips. He grabbed onto one of her hands and held it securely in his. Their hands remained clasped even as they made their way out of his office, only separating at the first sight of someone else. It was a mutual decision to do so, and she didn’t mind it – too much – because she valued her privacy for now.

The others were already in the dining hall by the time the couple got there. Relief washed over them at her well-rested appearance and the little smile playing on her lips, no doubt an effect of being with their captain. The pair seemed to almost glow in the presence of each other and the boys were glad that they had found each other.

After leaving Levina with John earlier, in the privacy of Ghost’s office, they were unconstrained in talking about the pair of lovebirds – all in good heart. They hadn’t missed the lovelorn eyes they would send each other when one wasn’t looking and, after realising just how bad her break down must have been upon learning the reason behind it, knowing that John had managed to bring her back to safety had confirmed their hypothesis.

Dinner that evening felt even more homely to Levina. Constant validation from John had turned on a new light to view herself and her boys – her additional family. She was loved and she deserved it, John’s words looped around her head, she was a good person and she loved with all her heart. She was more than her beauty – it was her heart’s beauty that made her who she was. No more pretences needed, she was safe and sound. Not broken.

With her newfound strength, the days seemed to pass by indistinctively. Most of her time was, of course, spent training under Lieutenant Mordell. She had her moments of rest from dinner until breakfast, finding refuge in the boys. It was soon the last day of her training where Mordell would have her run through every drill under his close watch. The day had started with waking up from a dreamless sleep, a warm shower to ease her nerves, and John.

They had met with a kiss as he handed over her cup of tea, before settling themselves into their usual position where Levina had her legs up and folded to the side with one arm looping round John’s back as she leaned into his side, his arm also rounding her back to hold her close by the waist. It was winter now but that didn’t stop them from putting on layers to battle against the cold.

“How’re you feeling today?”

She gave a hum, thinking over her words as she picked through her nerves. “Nervous- very. But I’ve also seen more approving nods from Lieutenant Mordell in the past week than ever, so I think I’ll do fine.”

“Mhm, ‘course you will. Ghost also has high hopes for you and you know he doesn’t give them out easily. You’ll do wonderful, love.”

Snuggling further into him, she breathed in his woody scent, feeling it soothe over her skin. His words tickled her heart and she allowed her flames to travel through her body to alleviate her burdens.

His confidence in her didn’t end there, however, and she found herself flushing lightly during breakfast as she stared at the unfamiliar soldier who had entered the dining hall with a bouquet in his arms.

“Delivery for one ‘Levina Riven’ from-” he squinted his eyes at the tag connected to the wrappings “-‘your Firestarter’?!”

So that was why John had decided to stay for breakfast.

The room had quietened down at the man’s exclamation and she could feel multiple eyes on her. Her blush clear on her cheeks, she avoided meeting anyone’s eyes as she got up from her seat to beeline straight to the man stood in front of the door. Hushed whispers gradually grew louder to a normal volume. Though, she could tell that some of the topics of conversations were centred around her. Exchanging a word of thanks with the deliverer, she carefully took hold of the bouquet and rushed back to her seat with the boys. She cleared her throat as she sat back down, trying to regain her composure but to no avail when she locked eyes with John.

The sweet smile playing on his lips were enough to still the world around them. She barely registered Gaz leaning over to catch a glimpse of the bouquet with a question directed at her. The outer corner of John’s eyes crinkled as he watched her every reaction, harsh lines softening his features that she wanted to trace with her fingertips – or lips – so badly. His eyes gleamed with pride at having caught her off-guard, gratified to see the warmth to her cheeks matching the pink Astilbes that stood tall amongst the Siberian Squills and yellow Peonies in her bouquet.

He nudged his head in the direction of her left, amusement radiating off of him. Levina turned, only to be met with Gaz’s teasing grin. It was then that she remembered that he had asked her something and she had yet to reply. A sheepish smile made its way to her lips, “sorry, what was that?”

“He asked if you’ve gone deaf.”

Soap proceeded to yelp when Ghost ruthlessly slapped him at the back of his head.

Gaz shook his head and nodded to the bouquet in her arms. “What’d he get you?”

“Oh,” her eyes flickered around the pastel palette, “uhh… I think these ones’re peonies?”

Helpless at identifying the flowers, she looked to John whose smile had not faltered the slightest. He gave an airy chuckle at her lost expression and fought the urge to lean over for a kiss when she pouted at him. One by one, he named the flowers and gave a short explanation for each of their meanings.

Patience, “I will be waiting for you”. Hope and perseverance. Good luck.

The boys’ crooning filled her ears but her mind was fully entranced by her sight and John’s echoed voice.

The Siberian Squills encouraged her to stay strong – that it would all go well in time, so long as she kept her spirits. The best wishes he conveyed through the yellow Peonies were charming. It reminded her of the breathtaking kiss that he had given her earlier this morning – a ‘good luck’ kiss, he had said. The pink Astilbes; they’ve long revealed their thoughts on one another, so what could he be waiting for? They’ve yet to unclothe each other so, perhaps it could be about that? But, no; she understood him enough to know that he wouldn’t display that patience out of the blue – he would never risk an impression that would pressure her to bare her body like that, not after what she had gone through.

The other two flower types had something to do with their jobs; that she’d get her sister back in due time and that she’ll manage today’s intensive training’s final inspection well. And then what? Once she had passed that, she’ll be given assignments to complete, and she can’t do that if she didn’t have a team. The decision as to where she would end up all depended on who wanted her, which captain-

Oh?

Captain John Price.

John was a captain.

She had long forgone calling him ‘Captain’ unless someone else, bar her boys, was present that she’d forgotten he was one. Stories of Captain Price were commonly regulated around the compound; tales regaling his competence, his unfailing capability, the long list of his accomplishments. She had heard others share their desires to operate under his orders – that he was a famously sought-after man in the Army. The Captain Price who led TF141 with dignity.

The John Price who loved her, and she, him.

Her John.

Surely he hadn’t meant-

Her hands paused in its subconscious brushing of the petals as she lifted her head. His eyes were already on her – Grace, did he even look away once? – and he raised an eyebrow in question when he registered the uncertain surprise on her face. Right, she thought, he can’t read minds.

Shaking her head to get rid of her theories – because she’ll know the outcome of her team appointment in the coming days anyway – she gave him an appreciative smile that she hoped had passed along the emotions from the bottom of her heart. Her mind began to wander as to where she might find a vase in the station as she laid her eyes on the blooming buds again, her fingers moving from petals to petals to feel the smooth texture as the non-imposing fragrance wafted over her nose.

The final inspection went great. Though, she had been surprised by the existence of an audience at every station of the drills. Apparently, the newbies’ trainer had given the men some time off that day and had told them of the occurrence of her drills.

“Told ‘em I’d be testing a returning veteran on her foundations,” Mordell had told her when she had first spotted the fresh faces surveying her, “guess they wanted to see an example of what they could be by the end of their newbie training.”

Oh, the subtle but heavy pressure he had placed on her shoulders.

But that went alright!

The boys had given her a round of congratulations when they met again at dinnertime. Finally the end of eight continuous weeks of maximum effort, the boys had promised to treat her to a night of drinks that weekend. John had then walked her back to her room and had left her breathing heavily in front of her closed door with a heated kiss.

Thank Grace, he had left before she entered her room because the other girls had been in and, judging by their knowing grins, they had a fairly good idea what had caused her face to flush. They didn’t pry though, only voicing out their light-hearted envy at the vase of flowers that she had decided would suit the room – the girls had agreed too.

Then, she had woken up to snowfall.

Standing at the doorway to the barracks, she reached a hand out to catch the snow with her ungloved palm. Mesmerised by the glittering flakes, and assured with the belief that the only other person who would see her then would be John, she hadn’t heard his footsteps approach behind her and startled slightly when she heard his gruff voice and felt a pair of hands reaching for her waist.

“You’ll catch a cold, love.”

Pivoting on the spot, her face lit up and John was quick to give her a peck on her lips. She took her cup from him and let the warmth fuel her blood when she took a sip.

“Mm, it’s pretty though.”

Upon her revelation that she wanted to watch the snowing sky, he turned her back around and stepped in so that she had her back flush against his chest and wrapped his arms around her midriff, thereupon she could enjoy the sight while still having him pressed up against her.

She felt dizzy knowing that John would satisfy her requests without question.

They shared their plans for the day. Due to the weather showing no signs of stoppage, schedules had been halted and plans were limited to indoor activities. Coincidentally, the times they had set aside for the gym had intersected and oh, how torturous of a time it had been for the both of them.

The immense size of the gym had not – could not – stop their eyes from wandering.

They worked on themselves separately and there was a considerable amount of distance between them even as they moved from one machinery to the other. Once they had a set going on, their focus rendered them oblivious to the world and it just so happened that when one of them were deep into their workout, the other would be resting. Hence, they had not even noticed each other eyeing them up with need burning in the other’s gaze.

Each had their own ardent tension plaguing their minds that evening, and it all came to a head the next day, where they had shared a fervid moment that morning that only teased them with what was to come that night.

It was a Saturday morning – the weekend night out with the boys was to happen that night. The couple had found themselves in the same position as the morning prior, except it wasn’t snowing. The dawn air was chilly enough to avoid though, so they stayed indoors and only gazed out the window.

Or, at least, Levina was doing that while John had his face buried into the juncture of her neck.

Their individual tensions, brought over from the other day, had coalesced into a palpable haze dancing around them. Unwilling to let it cloud his mind, John allowed himself to only pepper her skin with lingering kisses, unaware of the effect he was making on her. When he had unknowingly nudged on a sensitive area near her pulse point, she accidentally let a whimper escape her throat and it was only then that he paused. Having mistaken the noise as a sound of protest in his panic, a string of apologies immediately left his lips as he lifted his head up, only to stop abruptly when his breath got caught in his throat upon seeing her face.

Levina had been worrying her lower lip with her teeth in an attempt to suppress the noises she had been wanting to make ever since John had started his ministration on her neck. That had given her a naturally pouty lip that only brought upon chaos in John’s mind. Her cheeks were tinted pink from the cool air and the heat of his touch, his scent – him. And then, there were her eyes that had rendered his brain static; his thoughts only on her and her alone.

Having to look up at him due to their heights, her eyes opened rather widely and he could nearly see his reflection if he tried hard enough. Her eyelash batted at him innocently, a far cry from the thoughts running uncontrollably in her mind; the thoughts that she was sure he could get a read on by the look in her eyes. They were almost teary, shining in the dim lights of the barracks and the subtle glow of the waking sun. Her desire was clearly written on them, with a hint of plead for him to cease his teasing kisses and to do something-

And who was he to deny her needs?

It was a miracle that his coffee didn’t spill over with how fast he had been in swooping down and capturing her lips. Surprised by his fervour but beyond pleased with it, a reflexive moan echoed from her throat which he eagerly swallowed down. She adjusted herself to face her body towards him and brought her unoccupied hand up to tangle itself in his hair. His arms around her waist tightened their hold and pulled her closer towards him – he had to rapidly calm himself down once he felt her clothed breasts press up against him.

Their tongues met in a messy dance. Breaths were exchanged with a rush of hot air, the occasional sighs adding into the mix. His hand roamed her back, up her spine to her nape, where he held her head steady as he pulled back slightly. Her whine at the loss of his lips promptly turned into a gasp when he attacked her neck instead. But unlike the earlier pecks he planted throughout her skin, he went straight to the spot that had elicited a whimper out of her and bit into it lightly. To allay the – pleasurable – pain, he proceeded to lick and suckle at her skin, drawing out mewls after mewls from her. He tasked himself to locate as many of her sweet spots as he could, up her neck and down to her shoulders.

“Oh, John…”

The breathy tone of her voice calling out to his name earned her a groan out of the man. As if that wasn’t enough to heat her up, his assault on her skin had ramped up a notch and she found herself putty in his arms. Grace, she would just have to change her underwear later with how damp she could feel herself get. He had also given her enough material to reminisce tonight when she would have to relieve herself of her lust; from the way his eyes had darkened when he had noticed just how desperate he had made her, to the stiffness she could feel prodding into her thigh.

Honing into the area that she seemed the most responsive to yet, he nipped at it mercilessly.

“Ah- h-”

He soothed the reddened patch with kitten licks, giving a final wet kiss onto it before he lifted his head up to plant a chaste kiss on her lips. His eyes strayed to the ruined state of her neck and collarbones, appreciating the cherry marks scattering the expanse of her exposed skin, then to her debauched face – watery eyes, flushed cheeks, kiss-bitten lips, and lust all over her expression.

“Fuck, love. Y’look so pretty all ruined like this.”

Her lips curled up at his compliment, a personification of seductive in her smile and breathless voice. “Yeah? Wanna look pretty for you.”

“Shit-” she was going to be the death of him. He returned to his lips onto hers and muttered in between kisses, “ always so pretty for me, love. So good f’me.”

She hummed, content and in bliss.

They both knew that they had a time limit – and despised it. That in mind, they forcefully slowed down to innocent – not really – kisses accompanied by praises shared under their breaths. They had to excuse themselves to their bathrooms before the barracks came alive lest someone walked in on their dishevelled state; John, to alleviate himself of the pressure in his pants, and Levina, to conceal the marks that remained exposed despite her jacket – except, she had missed one and had to enlist her bunk-mate’s help when the latter had pointed it out with a teasing grin. Bless her heart, her roommate had not asked any questions.

The rest of the day went as planned. The boys and Levina had lunch at the compound before they all left with permissions from the signed short-leave form for the day. The five of them occupied John’s car as he had volunteered to be the driver for the day, who then gave everyone a ride to their respective places to spend the rest of the day before they would reconvene in the evening. Levina’s place had been the second nearest so she alighted the car once it stopped in front of her apartment.

“Text me when you’re leaving, hm?”

John had rolled down his window and she turned to him, momentarily stupefied by the sight of him with one hand on the steering wheel and a casual arm draped over the window. She gave an affirmative hum as she flicked her eyes back from the muscles enhancing his arm to his eyes, which twinkled upon having caught her gawking at him.

She gave him a sheepish smile, “drive safe, love.”

“Will do.”

Ignoring the two other men in the car – they already knew of their relationship even without having to tell them – she leaned down and gave John a peck on his lips.

“See you tonight.”

Leaving him with her whisper chiming in his head, she walked up the path to the building and accessed the front door with her key card. She gave her dad a hug once she made it to her unit and leaned against the kitchen counter as she waited for the kettle to boil.

“He drove you here then, your John?”

“Mhm. Dropped Soap off first, then, it was me. Ghost and Gaz are next.”

“Driving you back later? After the pub?”

“Yep! He won’t be drinking, so you can relax, dad.”

She grinned knowingly when he gave an approving nod as he considered her words, muttering something about John being a responsible man.

Never one to judge her love life, she had no qualms in telling her dad over the phone about John the day after the couple had gotten together. Her sister’s circumstances still confidential, she could only cite that previous day as a ‘particularly hard time’ to her dad and shared with him how John had managed to get her back on her feet. How he had chosen to comfort her over finishing his lunch, the way he had not held back from confessing his true thoughts of her – unlike the boys in high school who avoided doing that in fear of their broken masculinity – and the safety and love that his fire gave her, just like her mother had always said.

Her dad had consoled her when tears had threatened to escape as she remembered that day, and he had voiced out his gratitude for John after all that she had told him. But dad would, of course, always be dad, and he was undoubtedly protective of his daughter. Though, knowing how happy John made her, her dad’s worries were at least somewhat assuaged.

They spent the afternoon talking in the living room until she had to prepare for the night out. This being the first time she could have an extended rest since her intensive training had started, she was determined to pamper herself.

One long shower later, she had her hair up in a towel-twist and she was sat in her vanity, delicately putting on her makeup. Having spent most of her teenage and adult years in the military meant that makeups were a rare treat so she stuck to the style that she knew and only accentuated her features with cosmetics – and to cover the marks on her neck. Then, it was her hair’s turn to focus on and she dedicated enough time to style the wolf cut properly instead of leaving it up to the permed waves to do its job. By the end of it all, she applauded herself on a job well done as she stared at herself in the mirror.

The Evil Queen could never, she thought.

After mulling it over for a while – more time than she should, really – she picked out a black semi-sweetheart tube top to go with a pair of jeans, and a black jacket over it to shelter her from the cold. Spraying her perfume once she managed to zip the curve-defining top up, she grabbed her purse to pack the things she might need. Aside from the necessities, she brought her travel-sized makeup products in case she wanted to touch up her face and then a thought crossed her mind. Glancing at her mirror, she surveyed her collarbone area where she knew John’s marks laid. She would rather keep it hidden from her dad when she had to see him later, but John?

…so pretty all ruined like this.

Her cheeks flushed lightly at the low voice echoing in her mind. Right, she thought, that was a decision made for her. She fitted a small bottle of makeup remover and a couple of cotton pads to go with it into her purse and searched for her phone for the time. Not late, plenty of time. Though, as she scrolled through her notifications, some of the boys were beginning to leave so she might as well. Giving herself a final once over in the mirror, she grabbed her selected heels for the night and exited her room.

“Look at you! You look gorgeous, sweetheart!”

She grinned at her dad and pecked his cheeks in thanks. Ordering herself a ride, she bid her father goodnight and went downstairs to wait for its arrival. Once she was on her way, she sent a quick message to the others and shared her location upon Ghost’s demand. It was a silent ride and she gave her thanks to the driver when they made it to their location.

She aimed straight for the semi-circular booth at the far left-hand corner where John had saved a table for them and spotted him and Soap already there. Their senses sharp, they had noticed her approaching and Soap sent her a wave.

“Lev!”

“Hey Soap! John,” she gave the latter a greeting kiss after she had entered the booth to take her place next to him. His arm immediately slithered past her back to hold her waist securely.

“You look stunning, love.”

“Yeah? So do you, John,” she glanced down to his chest where she could see his shirt hugging his muscles and involuntarily bit her lip. “You look good.”

His hand gripped her waist tighter and she knew her gawping had been caught red-handed. She feigned innocence and returned his heavy gaze with a sweet smile before turning to look at the other occupant at the table, trying to ignore the heat in her gut that had been ignited.

Ghost and Gaz arrived soon after and the first round of drinks went by in a flash. Conversations were had, laughs were shared, and playful debates were brought up. When Gaz had gone to the bar to get them more drinks, Levina excused herself to ‘touch up her makeup’.

In the bathroom, she wiped the stretch of her neck clean of products and reapplied her lipstick, taking her jacket off too seeing as it was rather warm indoors. Once she was satisfied, she re-entered the pub just as Soap walked past her towards the men’s bathroom. He gave a low whistle when he caught sight of the marks and she shot him a proud grin.

“Look at you! Poor lass got herself mauled by a beast!”

He then assured her that he would give them more time alone than the bathroom needs him – Ghost had gone ahead to help Gaz with bringing the drinks over – giving her a high-five for the fun of it. His positive reaction had fuelled her confidence even more and she let herself saunter up to the booth. It was only when she was close enough could John make out the marks littering her skin in the glow of the lights.

“Fuck.”

John already had trouble keeping his eyes away from her exposed skin ever since she had first walked into the pub, only for her to expose more and reveal the evidence of his claim on her.

Grace, the tease.

His eyes dipped to her neckline and spanned across her bare collar, tracing each fading mark up her shoulders to her neck. He readily reached an arm out to pull her closer by her hips when she made to sit next to him, his other hand going up to trail his fingers over the pink skin. The marks that he had made on her – his marks.

His Levina.

He finally looked up to meet her eyes and nearly groaned upon seeing the pride and confidence in them. “Shit, love. D’you like ‘em that much?”

She rested her arms on his shoulders and linked her hands behind him, keeping him from straying away – not that he ever would. She hummed, the sound tantalising to his ears.

“Very. Do you not like them?”

The obvious pouty tone to her words allured him and his lips were on hers before he knew it. The muffled whimper she made went straight to his lap and he had to resist the need to have her on top of him at that moment. Pulling away slightly, distantly aware that they were very much in public, he managed to make out his words in a gruff.

“Course I do, lov’ie. So much so, I’m tempted to give you more now.”

She giggled when his lips slipped downwards and began kissing her chin, down to the neck. “Can’t do, John. The others’ll be here soon.”

This time, he did groan into her neck, frustrated at the cockblock.

She pulled his head out of the juncture below her ears and gazed deeply into his eyes, her next word full of promises and yearning.

“Later.”

There was no hint of hesitancy in her tone nor expression. She had only had a mocktail thus far and had another glass of juice coming up so they both knew she was clear-headed. The heavy desire running through her bones showed in her eyes and John knew he was fucked.

The boys then came in to break their staring contest, teases at the tip of their tongues. John only grunted in response though, brain too frazzled to think of a comeback when Levina had her hand resting on his thigh dangerously.

They nursed themselves to two more rounds of drinks before they had to call it a night when Soap wouldn’t stop singing into their ears and the topics of their talks gradually became sadder and sadder. They also had to suddenly pull Ghost back – all hands on deck – when he almost walked straight into the glass door without any indication of opening it.

The car was blanketed in a comfortable silence during the ride back to base. Three of them had alcohol buzzing in their blood, enough to render them serene and, in Gaz’s case, knocked out. The fully-conscious pair helped them into the barracks where they then insisted that they would be fine alone.

“We’re not gon’ leave you blue-balled no more. ‘ve a safe sex, lass, Cap’n.” Soap had whispered, or at least tried to. It came out more like a series of hushed gibberish.

That had pulled out a shy grin from Levina and a sigh from John. Only when the boys had turned around the corner did the couple look to each other.

He closed the distance between them and brushed her hair away from her face, taking in her patient smile with one of his own. “You sure about this?” She hummed affirmatively and was about to nod when his hold on her chin stopped her. “Words, darling.”

His assertive tone had her biting her lip as she shyly blinked up at him. “Yes, John. Want you to have me,” Her hand trailed up to hold his cheek, feeling the rough scratch of his beard on her palm, “as much ‘s I want to have you.”

“You have me, love. Always have.”

He surged in to plant a short, but heavy, kiss on her lips. “Shall we?”

She hummed again but paused when she remembered his words, “yes, please.”

With an arm wrapped around her back, he led her towards his room.

His room was quaint. It was evident that John tended to spend more time in his office than his bedroom when her eyes fell on the neat stacks of papers decorating his desk. Otherwise, the place lacked any notable decorations and was simply very John.

How charming, she thought fondly.

His eyes were already on hers when she turned back to him. As if he could guess her thoughts, his eyes softened and he tugged her to his chest, her arms going around his neck to stabilise herself. He dipped his head low to meet her lips softly and she couldn’t help but smile into the kiss at his tenderness.

She pressed forward and tilted her head to deepen the kiss and he followed suit. His hands wandered upwards to her shoulders where he grabbed hold of her jacket. Receiving his hint, she shrugged off the garb and let him toss it aside in the vague direction of his chair – it ended up on the floor and she breathed out a laugh when the thump sounded. A shiver coursed through her at the feel of his wandering hands before his lips parted from hers to start leaving kisses down to her shoulders instead. He paved a path of light kisses connecting the old marks, then, up to her ears where he whispered for her to, “jump.”

Her trust in him unwavering, she obeyed his request straight away and wrapped her legs around his hips just as his hands caught her by her thighs without as much as a grunt. Their lips met again, more heated this time, as he brought them to the edge of his bed to lay her gently onto the sheets. Her breaths hitched when his lips began to nip onto the uncharted territory, that was her sternum, while his hands moved up and back to feel out for her zipper. His movements as he unzipped her top was slow, always giving her the silent opportunity to stop him in case she changed her mind. His consideration struck her heart with more affection and she lifted his head up to give him a short giggly kiss of gratitude. That brought a fond smile out of the man, his endearment for her growing upon seeing her joy.

Finally, the zipper unlatched and he pulled the top off of her body, adding it onto the growing pile without taking his eyes away from her. The darkening of his gaze as he studied her body with the intention of etching it onto his brain only added fuel to the fire in her gut and she couldn’t help but let out a whine when he made no move to touch her.

“Hm?” Understanding her wordless cue, his hands moved up from her clothed hips to map out her bare skin. Up her waist, in towards her stomach, up again to catch her breasts in both hands. A gasp left her when he thumbed her nipples gingerly and the first moan of the night, in a series of many. escaped her when he pinched them harshly, just a touch away from pain. “’s this what you wanted, sweetheart?”

“Yes, please…”

The breathy tone of her voice aroused him further and he leaned in to place a kiss on her chest. “Y’don’t need to worry, sweetheart. ‘m gonna take care of you.”

Another kiss onto her breast, “my pretty girl.”

One more, nearer to her bundle of nerves, “so beautiful.”

She could feel his beard tickle her bud this time, “fuck, the things you do to me.” And then he took one nub in his mouth.

A broken moan sounded from her as he swirled, flicked, and pressed his tongue against her nipple, his hand coming up to mimic the actions on her other breast. She keened when he sucked on it lightly and she subconsciously pushed his head closer to her chest.

“Jo-hn-”

He hummed in acknowledgement without pausing in his movements. Switching to latch onto the other breast, the cool air hitting her wet bud as his fingers toyed with it alongside his mouth playing with the other sent a rough wave of pleasure to her cunt and she felt herself gush before she knew it, her eyes crossing involuntarily. “Fuck!”

With the way her legs twitched around his hips in the aftershock of her mini-orgasm, it was unavoidable that he realised what had just occurred. He let go of her nub with a wet pop and grinned at her in wonder. “Did you just cum, sweetheart?”

A flush made its way to her cheeks and she smiled sheepishly. “I think so? ‘s never happened before.”

“Fuck, love. That’s hot.”

He recaptured her lips with speed while his hands drifted to her hips to undo her jeans, hooking his fingers into her bottom garments to tug it down her legs. She lifted her hips up to aid in his task and let him discard her pants and underwear at once, leaving her completely nude under his touch.

Separating himself from her, he got down on his knees and brought her legs up onto his shoulder to plant kisses up her calf to her thigh. He then pushed her thighs open wider which prompted her to lift her legs up to plant her feet on the edge of the bed comfortably, thus, exposing her glistening cunt to his hungry eyes.

He traced a finger up her slit, gathering her dampness up to her clit which he pressed gently before rubbing it in tight circles. Listening to her trembling breaths for any indication of her pleasure, he stopped his ministrations and, instead, prodded her entrance with his middle finger. Considering her state, it slipped in with ease and he added in another finger after a few thrusts. Feeling the stretch, little slips of moans left her throat which quickly turned into a mewl when he curled his fingers upwards. Once he had found her sweet spot, he massaged it gently to pull out more noises from her. Only the best for his lover, doubtlessly, he leaned in to flick his tongue against her swollen clit. Taken by surprise for her eyes were currently closed, an unrestrained moan echoed in the room when his lips engulfed her clit to administer similar movements as he had done to her nipples earlier.

The lewd sounds as he lapped and sucked on her only fogged their minds in more lust. With the desperate and earnest attention he gave her clit while his fingers pumped in and out and curled against her sweet spot, it didn’t take long for her to feel another orgasm approach.

“John! ‘m gonna cum- ha-”

She didn’t even know that his actions could get any more intense but he managed it somehow. The coil in her guts tightened harshly before, all at once, it loosened up and unravelled, sending waves upon waves of pleasure through her body. His name left the tip of her tongue as her eyes rolled back reflexively, her hands clenching the bedsheet underneath her tightly and her legs stiffening in place as he guided her in riding out her orgasm. The pleasure eventually became too much and her hands flew to his head to push it away from her sensitive nerves. His fingers slowed down its thrusts into an eventual stop and he pulled them out as he rose from his knees to level his head above hers.

He allowed a moment to admire the sight of her post-orgasmic state; eyes gleaming with unshed tears and lips parted as she panted for air. Giving her space to catch her breath, he kissed her down her neck appreciatively, only returning to her lips once her breaths had evened out slightly.

“Mm, you did so good for me, love. My good girl, hm?”

“Yours…” She gave a satisfied hum, tasting her sweet tang on his tongue.

Her hands went under his shirt to get a feel for his muscles and he pulled away briefly to take off the clothing. She tracked her fingers all around his torso, pressing into his flesh lightly as she memorised each section of stiff muscles and soft fats that formed his body that she loved so much. The awe in her expression as she eyed his body gave him more confidence than he knew what to do with, choosing to take this opportunity to shed off the rest of his clothes instead. She zealously drank in the sight of him in all his glory, her eyes falling onto his hand stroking his length languidly.

He pulled her closer to the edge of the bed and she lifted her upper body up, resting on her propped-up elbow behind her. Reaching in between them, she wrapped a hand around his girth, biting her lips upon feeling the angry veins running across his skin as she caressed him up and down. The sound of his breath hitching brought her eyes back to his and she was shameless in conveying her need through her stare. Unable to resist her allure, he rested an arm on the bed and caught her lips in a feverish kiss, leaving them breathless when he asked, “condom?”

She shook her head. “IUD. And clean. You?”

“Clean.”

The teasing grin on her lips was as bewitching as any and her eyes seemed to gleam under the lights. As she swiped her thumb over the tip of his cock, she invited, “have me, John. ‘m yours.”

“Yeah? You’ve got me, too, lov’ie- fuck,” he grunted when she squeezed her hand around the head as she pumped him shallowly, drawing out a bead of precum which she proceeded to smear over him. Decidedly not enough lubricant, she angled him down to rub the head against her slit, gasping when it caught onto her clit. He aligned his hips with hers for ease and moved it so that he was rubbing his length against her cunt, covering himself in her slick and priding himself in the little breathless moans she made. Once he paused in his movements, she took the chance to line up his cock against her cunt, meeting his eyes with so much certainty that he didn’t hesitate in pushing in slightly.

She whimpered when the head slipped in without resistance and watched the concern flicker in his eyes the more he filled her. He paused when she took a sharp inhale halfway in and opted instead to pull back slightly before thrusting forward in slow shallow thrusts. That helped her adjust to his size and he had her moaning softly soon enough. With every thrust, he slipped further in, bit by bit, as her sweet noises grew in volume along with his low grunts.

“Please…”

“Hm? What d’you need, sweetheart?”

Her voice was desirous, a reflection of her expression, as she whimpered out, “more, please.” At the last bit of length yet to enter her, he did as she pleaded and pushed forwards with force so that her hips were flush against his. “Oh, fu- hah-”

He gave her a moment of recess before starting out his thrusts at a faster rate, groaning at her tightness clenching down on him. Her hands searched for purchase in the sheets below her and he gave her right hand his left to hold onto instead, intertwining their fingers and letting her grip onto it as hard as she wanted.

The obscene squelch every time he drove into her had him looking down where their bodies met and he nearly moaned at the filthy sight of the white rings and streaks of fluid decorating his cock as her juices spilled onto the floor excessively. “Shit, love. You’re dripping. Creaming all over me, too.” She gave a whine, as if embarrassed, but he knew better. “So fucking wet for me, hm?”

Nodding, she glanced down to see his length covered in white liquid – her juices – and fuck, wasn’t that such an arousing sight? “Mm- ha… ‘s all yours, John. ‘m all wet f’you.”

Seeing her try to speak in between moans and pants to declare that she was his turned him on even more than he thought could be possible. Wanting nothing but bliss for her, he slanted his hips to aim his thrusts upwards and-

“John! Fuck! Ha… I- oh my…”

He delighted himself in hearing her nonsensical blabber as pleasure overtook her senses. Gone, were her rational thoughts, and all she wanted was to let him know just how good he made her feel.

“So good… fucking- ha- h- y’feel s’good…”

“Yeah? Fuck- y’feel so good too, lov’ie. So tight, so warm for me.”

At his praise, a little grin made its way to her lips, so innocent – so sweet – that it looked utterly erotic.

That triggered another wave of arousal over him and he could feel his edge approach in the far distance. He wouldn’t finish without her, however, and he trailed one hand down her body to circle her clit firmly. Her arms gave out below her and she fell back with a cry.

“Oh, my Grace. Oh, Grace- oh, fuck!” Her hand clutched his tighter as her pitch went higher and higher. Her other hand left the mattress and grasped onto his shoulder instead, digging her nails into him with every movement that brought her closer to the edge. “’m gonna cum- oh, fuck! ‘m c’mming!”

He tightened the circular motion of his thumb on her clit and pressed harder. “Yeah, sweetheart? Cum for me, darling- fuck!”

Arching her back off the bed, she came with a cry of his name and subconsciously clenched her walls around his cock. The added pressure added more pleasure and his speed faltered as he was brought nearer towards his own orgasm. He held it back and maintained his thrusts as best he could to help her ride out her orgasm and only gave in once she started cursing in oversensitivity. “Fuckfuckfuckfuck- fuck! ‘s too much-”

“Shit- Vina!”

He groaned lowly at his final thrust and kept his hips glued against hers as he unloaded himself in her. The feeling of warm liquid spurting out of him drew a long moan out of her and she eased her grip on him. He gave two more short thrusts to milk himself fully before pulling out of her with a grunt, watching as the mixture of their cum dribbled out of her spent cunt and joining the pool of her liquid underneath.

Leaning forwards to connect their lips in a lazy kiss, he brushed her hair away from her face and surveyed her expression worriedly. “You feeling alright, lov’ie?”

“Mhm…”

She pulled his head nearer for another kiss and he smiled into it when she wouldn’t let go. “H’v to clean you up, lov’ie.”

“’Kay…”

A laugh rumbled through him when she frowned and he gave her another short kiss to appease her. “I’ll be back in a bit, yeah?”

She gave another affirmative hum and he withdrew off of her to head to the – thankfully – en suite to grab a washcloth after running it through warm water. He returned to wipe her skin clean before doing the same to the bed and floor. Rummaging through his clean clothes, he put on his boxers and passed an extra pair to her, who had regained enough will to sit up and watch as he tidied up the pile of their discarded clothes.

Once he was done with everything, she extended her arms for a hug, only to yelp in gleeful surprise when he lifted her up instead. He settled her under the duvet, switched off the lights, and slipped right beside her, her limbs instantly reaching out for him to cuddle against. They made themselves as comfortable as they could in his cot and settled down tiredly, his left arm under her head and the other thrown over her while both her arms wrapped themselves around him securely. She gave a content hum and nuzzled into his chest, finding solace in his presence.

“It wasn’t too much?”

John’s voice was quiet in the dark, seeking for an answer to nip his anxiety in the bud. He felt Levina shake her head, her matching tone weaving into the moonlight peeking through his curtains.

“It was good- better than good. ‘t was wonderful.” She pressed a kiss onto his pec reassuringly. “Thank you.”

An understanding smile crossed his lips and he similarly placed a kiss on top of her head. “Don’t have to thank me, lov’ie. I’ll always take care of you, give you all the loving that you need. I’m yours.”

He glanced down when she lifted her head. They could barely see each other but the love they shared would always glow even in the darkest of days.

“I’m yours, too, John. Always.” Her hands caressed his back in slow brushes while he brought his hand up to stroke her hair gently. “I love you.”

His lips could only reach her forehead in their position but that didn’t stop him from pouring out his affections for her with his kiss. “I love you, too, Lev.”

She hummed and returned her head to snuggle into his chest. “G’night, John.”

“Night, sweetheart.”

Their minds were quiet that night. The phantoms of their terrors steered clear of them, unable to approach the protective shield erected by their mutual love, entwined while in the presence of one another.

When they woke up the next morning, they indulged in spending a moment of domesticity in bed, kisses here and there as they merely relished in each other’s warmth. When they felt ready to start the day, Levina left, wrapped in John’s clothes, with last night’s outfit in her arms to deposit them in her laundry. Once she took a shower in the women’s common bathroom and ensured that she had covered all of John’s lovingly-placed marks splattering her skin, she left for the common room where John had been waiting with two filled cups in hand. Cuddled up together on the couch, they spent most of their available moments together in content silence, mind, soul, and body still fulfilled from last night’s act of intimacy. The flame of the barracks hearth couldn’t compare to the blazing passion crackling in their hearts for each other.

Breakfast was filled with grumblings from the hangover men, much to Levina’s amusement. John had gone ahead to settle some paperwork and had found her again in the shooting range before lunch with a message from Laswell.

“Meeting in five, you’re needed.”

“Understood, Captain.”

They were good at keeping the affections in their tone at a respectable level. Though, it was obvious that they were at least slightly fond of each other with the way John lacked a certain sharpness to his eyes that presented itself around others, and the way Levina didn’t completely stiffen up like she does with other superiors.

A friendly distance between them, they made their way to Laswell’s office. Levina narrowed her eyes in suspicion when the door opened to show Gaz, Soap, and Ghost also present; she had a feeling where this was going but quietened her thoughts to not get her hopes up. Laswell didn’t dawdle any further and opened up the meeting after Levina had paid her respects.

“Sergeant Riven, you have completed your intensive training under Lieutenant Mordell three days ago and your file has been updated with the necessary changes since then. The captains have given their consideration over your file and,” Laswell pinned Levina with a raised eyebrow, “you are fairly popular, I must say.”

Thankfully, Levina was saved from having to form a reply when Laswell continued. “I’m sure you have caught onto the reason as to why you’re here so I won’t delay any further. Sergeant Riven, meet your new team.”

Levina inwardly buzzed with exultation, careful not to let her emotions slip out too much in her small smile. She spared the team – her team – a glance and was met with a grinning Soap and a smiling Gaz while Ghost and John sent her a nod. Her heart felt heavy with the pride reflecting in their eyes and she swore to herself to never let them down even a smidge. She then turned back to Laswell who had a satisfied look on her face. “I’d say ‘I hope you get along well’ but I trust that you already do.”

Laswell went through the administrative matters for the rest of the meeting and ended on the note that they had an assignment coming up in a couple of weeks and that more would be said about it in a meeting later that week. Afterwards, as they were walking towards John’s office to discuss team norms and culture, with Soap’s arm thrown over Levina’s shoulder and Gaz on her other side as Ghost and John followed closely behind, elation and chatter high in the air, she knew she belonged.

When their assignment rolled in two months later, their immense success only proved her right. No casualties nor fatal wounds on their side, their task goal achieved, and no surprise ambushes; needless to say, they had celebrated it with a few rounds of drinks.

They had grown closer, the boys and Levina. They had come to the point that she had not hesitated to take off her top, leaving her in her modest sports bra, when it got too hot in their private sparring room. The first time that had happened, the boys had simply cheered her on with rather polite catcalls and whistles, teasing the captain when they saw that the love bites didn’t stop at her collar. John had taken all of their remarks in a stride with a proud look on his face, eyes grazing her skin all over as she laughed at the others’ comments. She had done the same when the teasing comments were aimed at her instead, that time when she had left her own marks on John and he, too, had discarded his shirt.

“You wish you had hickeys on you too,” she had retaliated, “imagine being lonely, couldn’t be me.”

The boys had not held back in sparring against her that day. Though, really, they had never limited themselves, so perhaps it was more of them going extra harsh on her. She could still feel the phantom pain of the bruise she had gotten when Gaz had flipped her over his shoulder. Ow.

Then, there was her and John. Grace, how she loved her man. They had spent more nights together following their first, mostly when the day had been particularly harsh on either one of them and they had sought the other’s comfort. Every day only pulled Levina and John deeper into their love for each other but they were still careful not to let it cloud their mind when responsibilities were heavy on their shoulders. They could switch to ‘work’ mode when they were in a professional setting, and the threat of death on-field helped prevent their affections from interfering with making rational decisions fit for a sergeant and captain respectively. It was only after their mission that they allowed themselves to express their worries and fears of losing each other as lovers, rather than soldiers.

“I won’t ask you to not make those kinds of decisions again because I know it’s your duty as a captain. So, be careful,” they had their foreheads pressed together as tears glimmered in her eyes upon remembering the close call John had experienced in the field. “Know that I’m with you, always.”

“And neither will I ever order you to stay back where it’s safe for my selfish reasons. You are a capable soldier that I, as your captain, am proud of. Keep me in your heart, always, and stay alert.”

Their unfailing understanding for each other only strengthened their love; they were confident that nothing could break it and – Grace forbids – if something tried, they would defend it to their last breaths.

As with any teams that had at least one member of each opposite sex in it, rumours circulated the compound of a possible couple within TF141. Currently, Gaz and Soap were the top contenders in being Levina’s rumoured partner with Ghost trailing not far behind. John was barely in the ranking, much to their relief, and he was only there because there were gossips of how she had slept her way into the team. Typical sexist behaviour, she had learned to ignore them the first time she had been assigned a team.

Nothing of significance occurred as months passed. They had been assigned a few missions, conquered them without major losses, and took weeks in between deployments to rest and recuperate. It was one of the latter times towards the end of the year when a momentous event rocked Levina’s world.

The team had just gotten back from their few nights long of an assignment, had been debriefed and dismissed, when Laswell called her into her office. Nervous anticipation coursed through her. The last time they had another one of these meetings, Laswell had told her that the mission to raid Griffon’s manor was to happen sometime this month. Details were understandably kept vague as the task had been assigned under the watch of another military branch more suited to the mission objectives.

Laswell had a sliver of a smile on her lips when Levina walked in. The small spark of hope in her intensified and singed her nerves. Once the salutations were given, Laswell seemed to soften and her the roughness to her voice were notably absent. “Good job on the recent assignment, Sergeant. I expect you know why I’ve called you here?”

Levina gulped, keeping her voice steady as she suggested, “to update regarding my sister’s circumstances, Ma’am.”

Laswell nodded as she rounded her desk to stand in front of Levina unobstructed. “The mission to retrieve Agustine’s victims from Jake Griffon’s manor occurred a few days ago.”

A beat.

“They have succeeded in meeting all the task objectives.”

Levina let out a heavy breath she didn’t even know she was holding. Blood thrummed in her ears and she could feel as if her guts had contracted to make space for her violently-beating heart. She bit her tongue so that her barrage of questions wouldn’t escape and gave Laswell a nod to green-light her readiness to hear more.

“They’ve had all the victims go through a mandatory checkup and Aurora has been reported to be physically well. For the healthy ones, they are now searching for any living relatives to reunite with them and bring them home.” Levina’s eyes went wide and her throat clogged up with unmistaken relief. She willed her tears to stop its production as her heart nearly burst with Laswell’s next words, “I wish you and your family a happy life, Sergeant Riven.”

Levina took a trembling breath in. “Thank you, Ma’am.”

Laswell didn’t admonish the shakiness to her tone and continued with more good news. “They’ve sent a ride to bring you to pick your sister up in their base. They’re waiting in the front gates but do take your time to prepare. I’ve signed off the two months leave that we have agreed on as preparatory measures and I’ll see you after New Year’s, Sergeant. Take care.”

Levina took one shake breath once she had left Laswell’s office.

In… Out…

And then she was rushing off to her barracks to collect her belongings. She had, thankfully, already showered and changed off into a casual training outfit so, with a quick word to her present roommates, she was out of her room in a fly. With no idea where her team were to bid goodbye, she headed straight to John’s office in hopes that he was at least there. His voice echoed through the door upon her knock and she stated her business, her smile clear in her tone. “Sergeant Riven! I have news from the chief, Captain!”

“What news do you have…” John’s words trailed off when Levina sped towards him after closing the door, forgoing any hint of propriety which told him she had come for personal business. “Love?”

She rounded his desk and he stood up to meet her concernedly, catching him in bemused surprise when she reached out to pull his head towards her in a kiss. Always a welcomed action, his hands fell on her hips as he instinctively tilted his head to press forward and she followed suit but pulled back only after a brief moment. Her words were rushed as she told him that her sister was back and that she was here to say her farewells as she’d be leaving right after. A grin had formed on his lips as she shared her elation and he cradled her cheek softly with one hand.

“Let me know once everything has calmed down, yeah? I’ll let the boys know too so don’t worry about that.”

“I will, thank you,” her voice was breathless as she caught her breath after her rushed explanation. “Need to leave now, I’ll see you soon, love.”

He gave her another quick kiss and brushed away her hair from her face. “See you soon, lov’ie. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

The ride to the other base took about an hour. Now that the confidentiality of it all had been lifted, she spent the entire ride in a call with her dad. Tears were shed and hearts were filled as she told him everything, from how she had first founded out Aurora’s fate to the reunion happening soon that they thought they could never have in their entire lifetimes. She ended up pulling her dad away from work but he insisted that his boss would understand – and, well, if they didn’t, Levina would have a couple of words to offer to his superior.

Finally, they had reached their destination. Levina followed the driver as he led her to the medical bay in the compound and left her standing in front of a private unit with a knowing sympathetic smile. Her heart was pounding like never before and she lifted a shaking fist up to rap it against the door.

“It’s unlocked!”

Oh, Grace- her voice.

It was different, yet reminiscent of the high-pitched voice she had last heard almost two decades ago. Gone, were the cheeriness and innocence of a child and in place, it was lethargic and dull, haunted by the horrors she had been forced to endure. Her heart broke at the familiar tone that resembled her own back when she had just escaped Agustine, but she was hopeful that her sister could heal – that she would heal.

Twisting the doorknob, she pushed the door open slowly and her eyes immediately fell onto the girl – the woman – sitting up on the bed, hooked onto an IV bag.

“Rory?”

The name came out trembling and airy but the woman had heard Levina, nonetheless. Levina could see the moment recognition washed over the still figure and her name left the woman’s lips in, just as, a vulnerable voice.

“Vina?”

“Oh, Rory.”

Levina barely registered herself closing the door behind her before she was beside the bed in a heartbeat. Aurora had an arm reaching out to her and she didn’t hesitate to lean down and bring her sister into a tight hug, her tears falling unrestrained.

“Vina,” Aurora was also sobbing into her shoulder, body quivering as she croaked out her name in choppy breaths. “You’re here, Oh my Grace- it’s actually you.”

“I’m here, ‘m here. You’re safe with me, it’s alright now- you’re here.”

Disbelief and reassurances were exchanged in endless watery gasps, arms remaining locked around each other for some sort of material to hold onto for support. Levina had adjusted to sit on the bed to bring Aurora closer without having to break her back and it was only when Aurora pulled away slightly did she allow herself to do so too, keeping each other in their arms.

Levina gently caressed Aurora’s cheek, eyes scouring her face to remind herself that Auora’s here, her sister was coming home. A proud smile on her face, albeit with a hint of bitterness for all the time lost, Levina’s voice was soft and loving, “you’ve grown so much, love, y’ve been so strong all this time, yeah? My sweet Aurora…”

The younger shook her head, expression pained as more tears fell. “Had to be- didn’t wanna be but had to, otherwise he’ll- I- it’s-”

Levina shushed her sister lovingly and pulled her head to her chest so that she could hold the latter in a protective hug. “It’s alright, s’alright. A lot has happened but not anymore, yeah? You don’t have to be strong alone anymore- I’m here, dad’s here. We’ll move forward together with mom watching us up above, hm?.”

She felt Aurora nod her head as her arms wrapped themselves tighter around her torso.

The staffs must’ve known of Levina’s arrival because the sisters found themselves alone long enough to calm down the best they could. Levina was now sat beside Aurora so that she could hold her sister to her chest better as she patted her head – much like how their dad had held her when she first came home after her supposed-death. They were mostly silent, save the sniffling and hitched breaths, simply revelling in each other’s missed presence after all those years of separation.

The nurse came in well over an hour later and checked Aurora off for discharge, taking off the IV still hooked onto her and giving a couple of pointers to note of to take care of the bruises littering her body. No major injuries or harm had fallen upon Aurora, physically, and Levina only felt sick when she remembered Agustine’s men’s words on how her sister had been Griffon’s favourite.

They ordered a ride back home, which meant about another hour until they finally reached home. Their dad was in when they entered their flat, having taken time off from work earlier, and they had another round of a tearful reunion in the living room.

Dinner had to be delivered when evening came and they had forgotten about it. Aurora had gone for a shower afterwards and resumed her position in her dad’s arms on the couch while Levina sat beside the pair, bringing her legs up so that she could face them and lean her side against the back of the couch comfortably. They made small talks, updating each other on what they had missed. When Levina told of her current job in the military, Aurora brought up how a soldier from her rescue team had been the first one to tell her that she had a family still.

“Said my sister was the reason why they knew where I – and the others – were in the first place. Owed it all to you, apparently? They were borderline fanboying, I’m pretty sure.”

That had led to a conversation on how Levina had gotten the knowledge of Aurora’s whereabouts in the first place. Aurora was empathetic as she listened and both women shared a mutual understanding of their past horrible circumstances.

Aurora ended up falling asleep in her dad’s embrace and they moved her to Levina’s bed carefully. They shared a brief talk on sleeping arrangements and Levina was happy to take the couch for the meantime – and ever, if she was to stay over during her leaves from the compound – but they’d see what Aurora thought about it too. Levina sent a quick text to her team to ease their worries before she headed off to sleep.

The day had felt unreal – everything had felt unreal ever since she had found out her sister was still alive. Aurora hadn’t talked much about her time in captivity, understandably so, and they would all give her the needed time and space to open up if she ever wanted to. They had set an appointment with the appropriate psychologist to help guide her healing process, however slow it may be. They were a patient bunch, a prominent trait in their lineage, and no one was going to rush Aurora and pester her with unwelcomed pressure. They’d figure things out one by one, baby steps. What mattered most was that Aurora was home and she would heal.

It was a quiet night.