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The golden light of the afternoon fills the common room which is accommodated by soldiers talking while being spread lazily on the couch and chairs, tired by hours of training. Simon is sitting at a table with Connor next to him as he scans the room, checking on all of the soldiers and their half-lidded eyes and their tired discussions, before he looks at Connor. “You look fucking exhausted.” He says.
After getting no reply, Simon rubs his boot against Connor’s, before they finally meet eyes. He gets a tired, gentle smile, and a nod in return.
—
“What did I say, Connor. Haven’t I made it clear enough? Look at me for christ’s sake!”
“I just-“
“Just what? Huh? I’ve told you all of the risks. People aren’t blind, Connor. And they will look at us differently if they find out about… this—us!”
“I’m- I’m sorry…”
“No. We’re soldiers. We aren’t teenagers hiding behind the bleachers anymore. This is different!”
—
The night is cold, a damp scent filling the small room. The moon casts through the curtain thats travels across the bed in a thin line. The room is completely silent apart from steady breaths from the bed. Without saying anything, Simon grazes Connor’s hand, and gently rubs his thumb across the back of his hand.
“Are you.. okay?” Connor whispers.
“Always.” Simon replies bluntly. Their hands stay locked together. “I’m just thinking. About… us.”
Connor rolls over and leans into Simon, resting his head on his chest. Simon stiffens a little before sighing. He shifts and pulls the covers higher over them both, before wrapping his arm around his waist. “It doesn’t matter. Just get some rest.” He murmurs.
—
Connor wakes up to cold air and an empty room. Simon is gone, likely training at this time. He shakes off the groggy feeling and stands up before walking to the window, opening the curtains and then the window. It’s windy and pouring it down with rain. Outside is Simon, who is watching recruits whilst they do intense physical training. The door opens. “Don’t you have somewhere to be, Recruit? Stop gawking out the window and GET OUTSIDE!” The drill sergeant yells.
Connor tries to come up with words to say, but nothing comes out. He bends down to grab his clothes, before getting stopped. “Did i tell you to get proper? I think I said GET OUTSIDE! NOW!”
Connor shamefully walks past the drill sergeant and into the hallway, wearing only boxers. The drill sergeant follows him. “You sleep like a tornado, Recruit?” He yells.
“No Sergeant. I.. I sleep pretty hard.” Connor stammers, not planning on telling what really happened. He’d rather not out his secret.
“Pretty hard my ass.” He mocks, shaking his head but saying nothing.
They get outside and Connor tenses as he is hit with the cold wind and hard rain. The two walk up to the group of training recruits.
“Look who’s been tardy this morning, LT.” The drill sergeant says sarcastically as he gestures towards Connor.
Simon’s gaze flashes to concern for a brief moment, before he corrects it. “Well look who decided to show up,” he turns to the drill sergeant, “I’ll take this.. lazy recruit from you now.”
They both nod at each other before the drill sergeant walks back inside. Simon looks to see if all of the recruits are still training, before gripping Connor’s arm and pulling his shivering form aside.
“Why.”
“Oh yeah and I’m fine thanks for asking.” Connor shivers, looking up into Simon’s eyes.
“Don’t make me repeat myself.”
“I woke up late-“
“You woke up late.” Simon scoffs
“Why didn’t you wake me up? You were just.. gone!”
“I had to make sure that no one saw.. us.”
“So you let me wake up late and get humiliated by the drill sergeant.”
“You’re lucky he isn’t watching this morning.”
“So does this mean I can get dressed?”
Simon laughs, “No. I want to… see.”
With that, Connor gets shoved towards the group, receiving some looks, but everyone is too concerned on the weather and the training to really pay much attention.
—
“Alright get inside, that’s enough.” Simon yells and sighs of relief fill the air as everyone starts walking towards the door to get out of the rain. Connor gets stopped by Simon.
“Come with me,” he drags him by the arm to behind a big stack of mats and other equipment.
“What? I’m fucking freezing, I’m going hypothermic out here!” Connor shouts at him. Simon takes off his jacket and puts it around his shoulders, before grabbing his cheeks and pushing him back against the stood up mats, and kisses him deeply.
“I advise you to remember…” Simon breaks the kiss, “that I am your lieutenant, and you shouldn’t talk to me like that,” before kissing him again.