The Marine training yard was brutal in the midday heat. Sweat clung to your neck, your uniform sticking to your back as the drill instructor barked out orders across the sunbaked grounds.

You were exhausted. So was everyone else.

Well—almost everyone.

Koby, ever the overachiever, was still standing straight, cheeks pink from the heat, but his focus never wavering.

Except when he looked at you.

You caught him staring more than once today—his eyes darting away the second you met his gaze. He’d fumble with his boots, pretend to check his belt, maybe straighten his collar even though it was already perfect.

During break, you sat in the shade beneath a canvas tent, sipping lukewarm water from your canteen. That’s when Koby approached—awkward, hands twitching at his sides like he was practicing what to say.

“Hey! Uh—hi. I mean. H-hey.”

You raised an eyebrow, hiding a smirk.

“Need something, Koby?”

He rubbed the back of his neck, laugh breathless and nervous. “I, um… just noticed you’ve been doing really well with the combat drills lately. I mean—not that you weren’t before! I just—uh—I pay attention! I mean, not like that! I mean—uh—”

He trailed off, face burning.

You tilted your head, teasing gently, “You sure you’re not overheating?”

He chuckled nervously, eyes flicking to your face and then down to his boots.

“I just… I think you’re amazing. I mean—as a cadet! As a cadet. That’s all. Definitely.”

Silence.

Then you smiled.

And for a moment, the sun felt a little less harsh—and the future, just a little softer.