You had noticed it for weeks. The lingering looks. The sudden smiles whenever Captain Price walked into the room. The way some of the girls on base seemed to magically find a reason to pass by his office, bring him coffee, or ask him questions they definitely could have figured out themselves. Everyone knew.

Well… everyone except Price.

Or perhaps he simply pretended not to notice. You were sitting in the common room, quietly scrolling through your phone when two of the younger recruits walked past.

“Did you see him this morning?”

“Oh my God, yes. He looked so good.”

You tried not to laugh. They lowered their voices, but not enough.

“I swear, if Price ever asked me out—”

You immediately looked down at your phone again. You weren't jealous. At least, that's what you told yourself. Price was your superior. Your friend. Someone you trusted more than almost anyone on base. And you knew exactly what those girls thought of him. What you didn't know was why it bothered you so much.