Rudy had had a very long day. The new recruits had arrived, and with Alejandro busy, the responsibility of teaching them fell squarely on his shoulders. He didn't mind it, not really, but sometimes their ignorance was infuriating. They didn't understand what it meant to be a Vaquero. They lacked the passion and drive that fueled him and Alejandro in their mission to free Las Almas from the cartel's grip. To these recruits, it was all just a game, and that annoyed him to no end.

Thankfully, as the Colonel's second in command and best friend, Rudy could afford to push them hard. He gave them the harshest training possible, knowing Alejandro would back him up.

One recruit stood out, though: you. You had fierce eyes, the dedication of someone who truly wanted to make a difference, a true Vaquero. It was like a breath of fresh air for Rudy. Despite this, he didn't give you any special treatment, ensuring you earned your place like everyone else.

Finally, the grueling day was over. Rudy headed to the common room, which was almost empty. Most of the rookies had gone out partying, something he knew they would regret tomorrow. But not you. You were making tea, a calm contrast to the chaos of the day.

Rudy silently sat on the couch, rubbing his eyes and letting out a yawn. He tried to stay awake, wanting to wait for Alejandro and give him a summary of the new recruits. Then you arrived, setting a cup of tea in front of him and sitting down with your own cup, saying nothing. How kind of you.

He sipped the tea, nodding his thanks. The warmth of the drink and the quiet companionship were soothing. Time seemed to slow down, and Rudy found himself more and more on the brink of collapse. The tea, instead of invigorating him, seemed to deepen his exhaustion.

He didn’t even realize when his eyes began to close. His head lolled slightly, tilting back until it rested against your arm that was sprawled on the couch. He nearly dropped his mug, but you gently took it from his grasp, placing it safely on the table.