Taking Reins/Can't Look Back (Hitch Dreyse x Male Reader)

Prologue: Training Days

The year was 847

"Oh- my head..." You finally opened up your eyes, finding yourself in the dirt along with a concerned look from Marlo.

"You're awake, good. Commandant Ludveck wants us to move the equipment back to the storage." He kneeled down and held out his hand. "I apologize for that punch back there."

"Don't worry about it." you grabbed onto Marlo's hand, using him to get back on your feet. The sun was beginning to set behind them, the breeze cool and relaxing, it was just... peace; no hit in the head could ever change how beautiful today was. "So, equipment... where is that exactly?" 

He gave a deep sigh "Follow me." 

You started carrying most of the supplies, including the many scattered air canisters riddled all over the fields. 

Several minutes passed, so you decided to break the silence. "How long was I out this time?"

"Ludveck told me 10 minutes, apparently you've been out for longer?"

You gave out a discontent sigh, need you say more? "Enough about me, what do you want?"

"What do I want..?" Marlo paused for a moment, until he gave a sure nod. "I want to join the Military Police."

"You could do better than join those layabouts." 

"Hm? What do you mean sir?" You and Marlo turned to the tall, well built commandant. From his well-combed platinum blonde hair and his rugged five-o-clock shadow, he gave a rugged, yet trustworthy appearance, despite his eye bags. 

"Someone as hard-working as yourself deserves to be somewhere where you will be appreciated, such as the Garrison Regiment, or possibly the Scouts."

You decided to chime in. "The Commandant has a point, I've seen more MPs in my mother's pants than out there enforcing the law." Only a somber sigh could be released after that. 

"Listen to Y/N, Marlo. He is from Stohess after all." He pulled out a flyer from his bag. "Look, Captain Rico is looking for some strong men and women, and you two would be a perfect fit."

"If I may, Commandant Ludveck." Marlo interrupted before stepping on an empty box. "I want to prevent that in the future, I want to repair the military police so that those who are dishonest pay their dues." He took a deep breath. "So that people like the ones who were in your mother's bed will be punished, Y/N."

You gave him a smile, you couldn't help it. His dream was lofty, but endearing. Taking a look at Ludveck, you could tell he felt the same way. 

"That's a big dream Marlo, you sure you can fix something that unrepairable?"

"The good guys win in the end, Commandant Ludveck, if Marlo thinks he can do it, then I wish to support him." 

Ludveck gave a sigh, defeated. "You two are too hopeful for your own good..." He gave a chuckle afterward. "More of the cadets should take after you two."

You and Marlo shared a smile to each other before Ludveck began to head back to his office. "Continue working hard, then we'll see if they do win in the end. Have a good night boys." 

Ludveck opened up the door to his office. "-and Marlo, please step off of the box."

"Night, Commandant!" 

"I'm pleasantly surprised you understand me so." He got off the soap box. "That brings up the question..."

"Go ahead."

"You were safe in the interior, so why did you join the cadet corps?"

There was a pause in the air. "I want to be a hero, a legend like in the books I used to read!" 

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In the barracks, Marlo continued to listen to you and your abridged version of the tales you've read, such as "The prince who united the fractured kingdom into one." or "The legendary twins who battled the fearsome demon king." 

"You just talk and talk, don't you..." one of your comrades, Heath commented. "I'm trying to sleep, damn it!"

"Heath, you're the last one to be talking about 'trying to sleep' buddy." An uncharacteristically mellow Dominic interjected. "If I have to hear you talk about how Nanaba's a 'goddess among men.' I'm actually going to cry."

"Am I wrong, am I wrong?!"

"I don't care if you're wrong, you're just annoying."

Just as the argument began to finally settle down, the shower door opened. "Rico's the best!" shouts your third roommate, Lex. 

"You did not just bring Rico into a Scout conversation, I'm just hearing things."

"Yes." "I." "Did." 

"Both of you are annoying..." Dominic turns to you and Marlo. "You two, help me out here before Ludveck gets involved."

"That's enough you two." Marlo get in between Heath and Lex. "Break it up."

"Okay, I don't see Ludveck anywhere." You peeked through the curtains, not seeing any angry commandants. "Phew..." A sigh of relief snuck out as you shuffled back into your bottom bunk.

"You know what, Y/N?" Dominic butted in. "Tell me the story about the mercenary and the lost princess, that one seems interesting!"

"Gosh, I didn't know you were interested." your cheeks turned rosy as you were overcome with bashfulness. "Alright, I'll tell you guys about the Mercenary and the Lost Princess."

After the round table of story telling, such as Dominic's "The Ogre and the Princess." Marlo's tale of "The one who flew too close to the sun." and the strange amalgamation of a story Heath and Lex tried to put together about a journey "to find a city full of riches." everyone decided it was time to finally go to bed. 

"Good night: Heath, Lex, Marlo, and Y/N. Don't slack off tomorrow, got it?" Dom whispered before covering himself in his sheets. 

"Got it..." you said as you finally dozed off to sleep.