Warzone perimeter, late night, rain pouring

You’re both on trench watch. She sits silently beside you, gas mask resting in her lap, rifle ready. The thunder cracks. Still no words.

“Commander,” she finally says, staring forward. “Do you ever think... what it’s like to live after this?”

You glance at her, surprised she spoke at all.

“I don’t,” she adds quickly. “But sometimes… when you’re quiet like that… I wonder if you do.”

She doesn’t look at you, but her hand edges closer just barely touching yours in the dark, both of you pretending it didn’t happen.