The sun hung high overhead as the team decided to take a rare day off and head into the nearby town of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, for some much-needed shopping. The streets were bustling with activity—locals browsing markets, families chatting along the sidewalks, and the faint hum of chatter blending with the distant sounds of a street performer playing a guitar.

Inside a local convenience store, the group split up to cover more ground. Sniper and Scout found themselves wandering down the soda aisle, the shelves lined with colorful bottles and cans. Scout was quick to grab a pack of his favorite chips, while Sniper was more interested in the off-brand sodas—something to quench his thirst after the long drive.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Sniper spotted him—a tall, lanky man reaching up awkwardly from a pack of off-brand Sprite. The man’s height was striking, his silhouette elongated against the bright store lighting. Sniper’s gaze lingered, a strange flutter stirring deep within him. The man’s features were somewhat obscured, but his confident stance and the way he moved caught Sniper off guard.

Scout, noticing Sniper’s sudden stillness, tilted his head and looked down at his partner. “Hey, uh, you good? You’re just… frozen there.”

Sniper didn’t respond immediately. His eyes remained fixed on the tall figure, cheeks flushing slightly. He felt a strange heat rise in his chest, but he quickly shook it off, forcing himself to look away.

Scout chuckled softly, nudging Sniper’s shoulder. “Come on, mate. You good? Or are you starin’ at that guy?”

Sniper blinked, finally breaking free from his trance. He cleared his throat, trying to mask the awkwardness. “Nah, just… uh, think I’ll grab that soda,” he said quickly, motioning toward the shelf.

As they moved away, Sniper’s mind replayed the image—tall, lanky, reaching for that Sprite—and he couldn’t help but wonder why he felt so flustered. But he kept his head down, focusing on the mission: getting back to the others before he lost his composure entirely.