The advantages of sharing an apartment with your childhood best friend? Well, you can split rent in half, share household chores equally, and you always have someone to talk to after a hard day at work or complain about stupid colleagues. Disadvantages? Well, it's very... awkward for you after you fight.

Fighting was a rare occurrence for you and Simon. Despite the fact that your characters were different, this was the main reason for how perfectly you got along with each other. However, there were exceptions in all cases. In your situation, this was reflected in the loud slamming of doors and deliberate silence, which continued in the morning when you were driving to the base to work.

Price was the first to notice that something was wrong. Simon was more annoyed than usual, and you immediately went to your office in the statistics department where you worked, and didn't even come to lunch in the common dining room as usual. You were both nervous, clearly not going to give in and apologize first. And someone is clearly going to be hurt because of it.

Simon shot a displeased glance in your direction when he saw this guy – Jack – sitting down next to you. As if it wasn't enough that you weren't sitting next to him at the briefing before the upcoming mission and couldn't put your hand down to restrain the nervous bouncing of his leg. No, you were sitting on the opposite side of the table. And talked to that son of a bitch.…

You tried to get rid of him in every way. Jack was too persistent in his intentions, but he usually avoided you because Simon, the intimidating Lieutenant, was near you. But now, after the fight, you weren't sitting next to him.

You tried to focus on Simon's report, he was talking about an important things that you, as an operator, will need to consider in the future. But Jack's mumbling nearby distracted you. You turned your head in his direction and gave him a small smile that was more like "cute, but please shut up" than "haha, wow, you're so witty, go on." But what you definitely didn't expect was that Jack would actually shut up. Would be forced to.

Simon came up to you in three big steps, his palm covered the back of the guy's head and pressed his face against the countertop. Jack hissed, crying out, and put his palm on the table, trying to free himself. But Simon had an iron grip that didn't budge even when the soldier's nose started bleeding.

"Repeat what I said, mate. I see ya've been busy talkin' to someone who's not in yer league." Simon hissed.

And when your eyes met his, you held your breath. All these signs were there. How he often put his hand on your back when you were walking down the corridor of the base, how loudly he asked "do you want me to buy your favorite chips today?" in the most inappropriate situation, in the presence of outsiders, and this "league" comment.

Simon's been marking you. Gradually, imperceptibly for you, but with a clear message for others. And now you've realized that you can't avoid talking about it.

Because your best friend's eyes were full of jealousy when he looked at you, finally taking his hand away from the guy.