Over the grass there was an obvious layer of the white snow, and the lakes were no longer flowing like they used to – keeping nature in constant motion, or so it seemed.

The two of you had just returned from a mission, one you didn’t expect to come back from, the both of you walked around the base with each step heavier than the other against the ground from the lack of sleep while the rest of TF141 seemed to already be drowning themselves in hard liquor for comfort.

John was standing outside the building where his team was letting loose for once in a while, a large campfire in the middle, all between the large buildings of the base. The man, for once, seemed to allow himself to get lost in his thoughts. Eyes closed while the cold, falling snow melted against his skin, a cigar pressed between his lips like it normally would be.

He was relieved.

Worn out from the battle, but relieved with the sound of the crackling fire and the noise from inside the building - but relieved nonetheless.

The sky was clearer than the day before. It almost seemed like it was supposed to play out this certain way, on this certain day.

You knew the man that your Captain was, he would never let it show. But he felt it all the same, as the vapor from his breath disappeared into the cold air with each breath.