Admire (DJ x Commander)

Chapter 12 : DJ

DJ glanced at the endless sky above him. The clouds floated carelessly through the sky, paying attention to nothing but the gentle wind that encouraged them to fly on by. 

It was a nice morning, but it seemed so peaceful that it was almost sad. It was a strange feeling, but somehow just felt right. 

DJ sat silently in the small circle of chairs around the fire that had formed. 

"You alright, DJ?" Someone amongst the chatter called out to him, but he didn't care to see who it was.

"Yeah, I'm good, thanks. I'm gonna go exploring for a bit." He said while standing up carefully, grabbing his crutches. 

He felt the eyes on him as he staggered away.

Commander hadn't really stayed for breakfast that morning. DJ frowned slightly, and a picture of Commander's face popped into his brain from earlier. He looked nervous, pale, maybe sick? Stressed?

DJ worried for him. He never really wanted to talk with, well, anyone. He never ate, never slept, and never really looked like he was having a good time. 

DJ reached the Commander's quarters and peeked in. He wasn't there. He twisted his head to see if he could be anywhere nearby, but, alas, nowhere. 

DJ left. He didn't want to snoop although that might help him understand Commander a bit better. He sighed, and kicked the ground with his good foot. 

Looking into the distance he saw paintballer digging through some things in a storage container. 

"Hey paintballer." He said to him once he was close enough.

"Heya." He didn't turn to face DJ, and seemed adamant on digging through the container. 

"Whatcha doin?" 

"Oh, y'know. Looking for stuff." 

"Like what? Haven't you been here for a while? I would expect you to know where everything is."

"I know, I know. I'm looking for a specific keycard, or a pin number, or something." He stood up and looked at DJ. "Yes, I've been here for a while but in a place as big as this, a card is NOT easy to find. There's been a lot of days where y'know, there's nothing you need so you don't work for anything."

"So.. why do you need that card?"

"There's been a door here that leads into some military chamber. I've never been able to open it. I assume there's some useful things in there that you guys could use."

"Why would you do that for a bunch of strangers you've never met??" 

He snickered. "Oh, I know a few of you. I knew scout a while back, was one of my best friends. Now stop asking questions." He picked up a piece of what looked to be trash and threw it to the side.

"Okay okay, one more, can I help?" 

"'Course, but I dunno how much help you'll be with that screwed up leg. We're looking for something that looks official, a card, ID, or a---- BADGE."

Paintballer scrambled out of the container and held up the metallic slip he found to a symbol painted on the walls around the bay. It was hard to make out due to the wear and dirt caked onto it, but it seemed to be a match. 

"C'mon!" 

"Heh, alright." 

DJ gripped his crutches and tried his hardest to keep up with paintballer through the endless containers and boxes. A large door with small strips of hazard tape- worn and scratched- decorating it with a captivating energy. 

Some boxes sat in front of it, littered with small card shaped objects of multiple different colors and materials. Paintballer swept the cards off quickly and pushed the boxes to the side. 

A small card reader rested on the wall, waiting, biding it's time. A faint red LED sat in the corner of it and above the large door. 

"I can only hope this is my lucky day." Paintballer rubbed his hands together. "Come on, baby!" 

DJ panted, catching up to Paintballer, finally. "Let's... huff.. do this thing!!.. huff"

Paintballer smiled ear to ear and hovered the badge over the reader. 

There was a moment of hidden tension. Electronics whirred and clicked beneath the concrete and Paintballer fidgeted for a moment in nervousness.

A small beep sounded and the LEDs turned a ghastly green. 

"YES!" Paintballer cheered. "YOU ARE LITERALLY THE BEST GOOD LUCK CHARM I'VE EVER HAD" Paintballer jumped and hugged DJ. 

"HELL YEAH, MAN." DJ was happy that Paintballer was happy, but it felt a little weird hugging someone he didn't really know. He would rather- 

Paintballer interrupted his train of thought. "Now, why aren't the doors o-" 

A blaring siren shook the air around them. DJ was sure everyone in the bay heard that. Paintballer covered his ears, but DJ was used to his loud music so it wasn't that bad for him. 

"WHAT IS THAT NOISE?" DJ shouted over the sound, trying to make it to Paintballer.

"WHAT?" Paintballer yelled. "PROBABLY SOME WARNING SYSTEM, HOPEFULLY NOTHING DANGEROUS!"

The massive metal doors creaked and groaned as they opened. After a few moment's DJ could hear some footsteps approaching. Commander and Slugger turned the corner.

"PAINTBALLER? DUDE, WHAT IS HAPPENING?" Slugger shouted. 

Commander walked to DJ's side, calling out to him, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING OVER HERE? ARE YOU OKAY?" 

DJ smiled at the concern in Commander's voice. "I'M COMPLETELY FINE, SEE?" DJ gave him a big thumbs up and a smile.

Commander seemed to bite his tounge. "ALRIGHT.." He shoved his hands in his pockets and raised his shoulders. 

Paintballer and Slugger babbled loudly near the scanner. Slugger seemed confused and angry, for some reason. 

The doors finally finished sliding open and left an almost seamless gap where they slid out. The sirens stopped. The group uncovered their ears tentatively. Dust seemed to settle out of the dark opening.

"Well, I guess there's nowhere left to go but inside." Paintballer said confidently.

"Ready?" DJ smiled.

"Woah- woah- woah!" Commander put his hands up cautiously. "We don't even know what's in there! It could be nuclear warheads or something." 

"Listen, Com. There's no room for caution in a life lived to it's fullest." DJ shrugged.

"We have to at least-" 

"We'll be careful." DJ held up his pinkie.

Commander hooked his pinkie onto DJ's and closed his eyes. "Alright." 

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I hope this chapter was enjoyable! 

Thanks for sticking around, and stay tuned for the next one! Trying my best to push them out for you guys. I know how much you enjoy them, and I must say that I'm flattered.

Thank you :>