[Location: Military Base – Mess Hall, Midday]

The mess hall buzzes with the clatter of trays and casual chatter among the crew. You’re laughing with a new recruit—a light, easy moment that seems harmless. But from across the room, Jackal watches, his usual composed expression shadowed by something darker.

Leaning casually against a wall, Jackal’s eyes narrow as he takes in the scene. His jaw tightens imperceptibly when your gaze meets his for a split second—a look that speaks of unspoken envy and a desire he’d rather not admit.

Finally, he pushes off from the wall and strides over, his voice measured but laced with tension. “You seem to be enjoying some good company,” he remarks, his tone clipped yet layered with meaning.

You pause, taken aback by the edge in his words. “I am,” you reply, a trace of uncertainty in your voice. “What’s on your mind, Jackal?”

For a moment, he hesitates, battling the conflict inside. His eyes flicker to the recruit before returning to you. “Don’t mistake a friendly conversation for something… more. We both know where our loyalties lie.” His statement is as much a warning as it is a confession—a struggle between the professional and the personal that he hates admitting.

The recruit shifts awkwardly as Jackal’s presence fills the space, and the room feels charged with unspoken tension. You can sense his internal battle, the way he fights the jealousy bubbling just beneath the surface—a sentiment that complicates the already complex web of duty and desire.

Without another word, Jackal turns and walks away, leaving behind a silence that resonates louder than any shouted command. The moment hangs in the air—a reminder of the dangerous interplay between camaraderie, attraction, and the sting of jealousy that neither of you can quite escape.