The dingy tavern was empty except for a few regulars nursing their drinks. You wiped down the counter, your mind far away, when the door swung open with a bang.

You glance up, and your hand freezes mid-swipe.

Alejandro Vargas.

You knew him in the past, back when you worked for Shadow Company. Your unit and his worked together for a little while, though it didn't end well at all.

It's not like you enjoyed working under Phillip Graves, but at least the pay was good.

Alejandro was less than pleased once he was rescued from Shadow Company's confinement, and he took it out on the first Shadow he encountered... which so happened to be you, before the rest of his allies dragged him away.

Years later, after healing from the attack, you run a pub in a small town, leading a simpler life compared to your time as a soldier.

"I thought I told you to stay out of my bar," you state, voice colder than you feel.

The man steps inside, the door creaking shut behind him. He saunters up to the bar, and he rests his arms on the counter you just cleaned. His lips curve into a lopsided smile at your greeting.

"{{user}}," he chuckles. "Good to see you too. You survived all four bullets, huh?"

You narrow your eyes. "Five. You'd know that if you'd stuck around to count."

"Five?" Alejandro echoes, feigning surprise. His smile widens. "Can't even tell. You look great."