More Than a Soldier

Chapter 18 - Drunk

Y/n's POV:

Being home felt almost surreal. Whilst we were eating dinner, I was waiting for the moment I woke up or had to leave. But it never came. I'm home for good. I'm back with my family and I'm excited for where the next few months are going to take me. I've got a little over two weeks of leave before I have to head back to work. I then plan to officially hand in my notice to the Army for my PVR. Assuming that Scar is onboard too. 

I'll still have to give a few months' notice, but with my terminal leave, I'll probably only be in uniform for two months max. Though there is an anxiety that comes with that. This has been my whole life and I'm going to be in a position of the unknown. I know that I don't need to worry about running out of money, but I want to still provide for my family and to find something that I love. But I don't need to think about that now. I can focus on enjoying this time with everyone first.

Once everyone has gone that night, I carry Ava up to bed. The early start and all the excitement has tired her out completely. Once she's tucked in, I join Scarlett in our room to get ready for bed. She's sat at her dressing table doing her facial routine, so I slip past her, not without giving her a quick kiss on the head, to the bathroom and start to get ready myself.

I'm relieved to get out of my uniform, knowing that I don't even need to think about wearing it over the next couple of weeks. As I'm slipping on my vest top, I feel some arms slip around my waist and I pull on them to hold Scarlett as close as possible. She places some kisses on my shoulder before our eyes meet through the mirror. But her face suddenly morphs to one of worry.

The next thing I know, she's spinning me around and pulling at the neck of my vest top. "What's this?" She asks, gently running her finger over the fading bruise on my chest. I had completely forgot about that and now I need to explain it to my fiancé without worrying her even further. I take her hand and lead her back into the bedroom. "Let's get into bed and I'll tell you." I suggest. She reluctantly agrees, now being the one to tug me under the covers.

She rests on her elbow and looks at me with a furrow in her brow as she waits for me to explain. "In Lashkargah I got hit in my vest." I explain, being careful of the words I use, but she sees straight through them. "Hit by what Y/n?" She questions sternly. "A uh, bullet." I mumble. But before she can panic too much, I jump in. "But I'm fine and I was then. The vest did its job and it just bruised. I'm ok." I reassure her.

I watch as the emotions wash over her face. Her eyes gloss over as she reaches down and slowly runs her finger over the edge of the bruise. "You got shot?" Her voice waivers as she speaks. I just nod. "Why did you tell me? You were hurt. I should have known." She starts to ramble. I quickly sit up and pull her into me, resting her head against my chest as I hear her breathing pick. "Hear that? It's my heartbeat. I'm safe and I'm home." I comfort her, running my hand up and down her back to help calm her. "Yes, it hurt like a bitch. But I wasn't hurt. It winded me, but that was it. Please don't worry." I almost beg her. I hate seeing her like this. "How can I not worry Y/n." She starts but I stop her. "Because I'm not going anywhere like that again." I jump in and it's like she had forgotten that I'm home for good for a moment.

She sighs, her gaze dropping once more. The bruise isn't that visible anymore, but it's clear looking at it, that it was once a nasty colour. "I just hate the thought of you being hurt." She sniffles and then pulls me close to her. "I know. But now I'm home. That isn't something that you need to worry about. You're stuck with me." I grin at her, and she lets out a small laugh. "Ok. Let's sleep. I'm sure you're tired from jetlag and travelling." Scarlett says, adjusting herself so she's practically lying on top of me. "You comfy?" I chuckle and she nods, squeeze me tighter. "Get used to it." She mumbles sleepily.