Green Beret | MCU (On Hold)

💣CHAPTER 1💣

Afghanistan Base 2012

Troyton Kemp strides into the tent, the designated briefing room, with a burst of energy, arriving bright and early. As he indulges in a secret stash of Haribo's, a mischievous smile plays on his lips. "Soldiers," he cheerfully addresses the team he is presently collaborating with.

The soldiers, still in a haze of sleepiness, mumbled their response to the captain. It was no surprise, given the relentless schedule they had endured. From early morning training to a long day in the field that had extended well into the night, exhaustion had become their constant companion.

Troy, struggling to find his words, approached an unoccupied chair and collapsed into it. He turned to the rest of the team and inquired, "Usually, I'm in the loop before you guys, but this time, I'm completely clueless. Any of you have a clue about what this briefing is all about?"

He was met with a variety of responses, from a simple "No." to a casual "Nada." and even a playful "Nope." But it was the unexpected "Fuck no." that made Troy burst into a small chuckle. Determined to lift the heavy atmosphere that had settled in the tent, he swiftly changed the topic of conversation, bringing a much-needed sense of lightness to everyone present.

Troy despised the dreary and somber atmosphere, particularly since they were deployed in a tropical setting that already lacked a vibrant ambiance.

"Did anyone see Hemmings bust his ass this morning in PT? He had me cracking up so much that I fell flat on my face doing the plank." Troy shared the incident as the whole team burst into laughter, filling the room with immense joy, just as Troy had expected.

However, Hemmings quickly retaliated, defending himself with a sharp comment although there was humour in his voice, saying, "Shut it Kemp!".

Troy, a leader known for his down-to-earth nature, always managed to lighten the mood and crack jokes with his teams. This came as a surprise to some soldiers, considering the challenges he had faced in the past and the impact it had on his life. Whether the changes were profound or subtle, they were undeniable. The soldiers stationed at various bases were well aware of the team he had lost and how it had transformed him, particularly on a mental level. It was remarkable to witness Troy's sense of humor still intact, even when his focus wasn't solely on the mission or during tough days, which were rare. Many soldiers were grateful that he hadn't lost his ability to find humor after the incident and throughout his time in the Army. They appreciated being able to approach him as if he were a fellow soldier, a rarity in today's military.

Troy pretended not to hear Hemmings' call, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over him. He carried on with his story, relishing in the opportunity to share the hilarious incident. "Oh man, you should've been there! He barely made it halfway up the rope climb before he slipped and landed right on his ass. And the best part? He quickly glanced around to make sure no one saw him before casually walking away, acting all smooth." The room erupted with laughter, and poor Hemmings couldn't help but bury his face in his hands, desperately trying to conceal his embarrassment. His face turned as red as a ripe tomato, making everyone laugh even harder.

Hemmings let out a groan, realizing that he wouldn't be able to live this embarrassing moment down. He lifted his head from his hands and glanced across the room, only to find the Captain smirking at him.

"Rest assured, I'll make sure to mention it during the heartfelt speech I'll deliver at your wedding with Emma," Troy playfully mentioned Hemmings' future spouse while they continued to share laughter.

"I've got you covered," Richardson assured Hemmings, patting his shoulder with a reassuring smile on his face. "I'll be ready with tissues as soon as Kemp starts."