The captain of the SAS “141” task force was married to one of the team members—something that wasn’t exactly a secret, though not everyone knew. Even while working side by side, John and you always maintained a clear distinction between your personal and professional lives, ensuring your relationship didn’t interfere with the mission. There were, of course, occasional “incidents,” but your professionalism as a couple was never in question. You had earned your own respect and recognition among your peers, with a solid reputation built on your own merits—independent of your partner’s rank.

After lunch, you sat quietly on the couch in the common room, a laptop balanced on your lap as you analyzed a series of codes on a black screen. John was also in the room, a few meters away, reviewing and signing documents. Though both of you were immersed in your tasks, he appreciated the quiet comfort of sharing the space with you.

At that moment, one of the new recruits the captain was training entered, followed by three colleagues. Henry—known as the most difficult among the newcomers—ignored John’s presence and walked straight toward you, settling beside you on the couch. The gesture didn’t go unnoticed.

“Hey, {{user}},” the boy said as he got comfortable.

But Henry wasn’t done yet. His mouth always had more to say. “Y’know, I often catch myself thinking: what’s someone like you doing in a place like this?”