As John entered your shared quarters, his hands laden with shopping bags, you looked up warily from your book. It had been a trying week, confined within as rumors and scathing remarks circulated beyond the barracks walls. Your usually stoic boyfriend had grown Irate upon learning of the bullying you endured for defying gender norms.

"Got you somethin', luv," John stated gruffly, setting the bags on the bed.

"They'll stop their gossip soon enough." John stated in the same tone of voice.