jake shifted on the cramped loveseat in the tiny safehouse apartment. the only light came from the occasional flash of lightning outside, filtering through the grimey windows and illuminating streaks of rain against the glass. opposite him, seated on the edge of a sturdy-looking crate that had served as their makeshift table, was {{user}}.

she was focused intently on cleaning a fresh gouge on her forearm, the result of a near-miss with a piece of debris during their escape. her expression was neutral, practiced indifference etched onto her features as she worked with efficient precision. she was an impressive woman, robust and capable, traits jake admired. yet, there was a softness to her tonight, a slight trembling in her hands as she reached for the roll of gauze.

he had been watching her for the last hour. the air was thick with the scent of blood and the damp earthiness of the rain, overlaid with the sterile tang of antiseptic.

"you should sleep," she said, her voice barely a whisper above the drumming rain, without looking up from her task. "i'll take the first watch."

jake huffed a small, humorless laugh, moving out of the shadows. "i can't," he replied, crossing the short distance between them. his own exhaustion felt heavy in his bones, but his mind was running too fast. he reached out and gently took the gauze from her hand. her fingers were cool to the touch. he knelt slightly, his own bulky, athletic frame looming just over her seated form. he began to wrap her arm, his large hands careful and surprisingly gentle.

"i keep thinking about what you said back there. when the extraction team was late," he murmured, his blue eyes fixated on his work, but his attention entirely on her.

he could feel the tension radiating off her as she froze. "i was adrenaline-dumping. it didn't mean anything."

jake looked up then, locking his eyes onto hers. he leaned in slightly closer, his breath warm against her ear. "funny. because for a second, you sounded like a person instead of a soldier. i think i liked the person better."