‼️ PAUSED ‼️ ❝ 𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐀 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐂𝐘 ❞ ~ [ᵂᵉˡᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᴴᵒᵐᵉ/ᴿᶠ ᵂᵃˡˡʸ ˣ ᴼᶜ]

[𝟐𝟒.] 𝐀 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞

"Bound by duty, united in purpose, soldiers forge not just alliances but enduring friendships, where loyalty and camaraderie stand as unbreakable shields in the crucible of service."


             _______ 💉 ______

 
  
A week had passed since Vincent's recovery had started showing signs of success.
His movements were freer, but he exercised caution, mindful not to strain himself and risk reopening any of his still-healing wounds.
He swung his legs off the edge of the bed, feeling the cool clinic floor beneath his bare feet. It was time to get back to work.

  

  

However, a sudden realization struck him – he had forgotten to plan for a change of clothes.
He grumbled under his breath, berating himself for the oversight. 
Glancing around the clinic room, he hoped to catch sight of a spare shirt, but he found none.
Then, his eyes landed on a stool next to his bedside, and to his surprise, a black shirt was neatly (and magically) placed there.

  
  

Fixated on the yellow sticky note perched atop the neatly folded black shirt, he reached out, peeling the note from the fabric. 
The handwriting on the note was unfamiliar, clear but hastily written;

"Terribly sorry that the medic tore your shirt last time :((
So we decided to get you a spare from a thrift store. Luckily your tie and your suspenders were in good shape tho! :D
Hope you recover soon, Commander!!!
P.S - Slick Nick n Squad!"

  

  

  

Vincent's lips curved into a grateful smile. Slick Nick, always the resourceful and the comedic one. 
His trust in the team had seemingly paid off, despite their earlier discussions. 
He unfolded the black shirt, examining it to find that it was indeed in good condition. 

 
  

It seemed to fit well enough for his current situation. He smiled as he noticed that his tie and suspenders were neatly hung nearby. 
It was clear that his team had gone out of their way to ensure his comfort during his recovery.

With a sense of camaraderie and gratitude, Vincent donned the fresh shirt, adjusting his tie and suspenders with care. It was a stark contrast to his usual uniform, but it was a welcomed change.

  

  

However, the internal conflict churned within him. The orders from the Head Director ran contrary to his own instincts, and the pressure felt unbearable.
He hesitated, caught between his loyalty to the team and the coercive demands of the Director. 

The decision felt crucial and daunting.

  

  

His thoughts swirled, as he deliberated on the weighty implications of the Head Director's demands, the potential outcomes, and the risk to his team. 
The conflicting pressures mounted, setting a battlefield within his mind. 
The thoughts and decisions that were seemingly clear before now seemed clouded, shrouded in doubts and fear of the unknown.

  

  

His vision shifted to the clock on the wall. Time seemed to have raced faster than he anticipated.
As he prepared to leave the clinic, he gently folded the yellow note and slipped it into his pocket, a silent acknowledgment of the thoughtful gesture from Slick Nick that had made his day a bit easier — even as his discomfort persisted at a profound level.