𝐌𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐚 𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐝 || (Triple Frontier Fanfiction)

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟔 ~ 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐨

"How many times do I have to tell you? This is the real army, not some fucking schoolyard."

"Oh, I forgot. I need your permission before I have an opinion or speak my mind. I'm terribly sorry for not meeting your standards, oh wise one. But thank you for your valuable guidance, Captain Obvious. I'll be sure to file that away in my 'useless advice' folder next to 'water is wet'."

"Jesus fucking Christ, Zeremy! For the love of god, do you ever learn or are you always as brain-dead as a pigeon? If I have to tell you once more to do the mission like a professional instead of having your brain all over the floor because of your incompetence, I swear to god I will personally shoot your brain and see if it'll grow two sizes. Idiot."

"Well, it seems I'm the only one here with any brains since I've managed to survive all your attempts to insult my intelligence. Look. If you want to waste your time trying to make me feel bad with your insults, go for it. Just know that I'll be laughing at your futile efforts to the bank, literally and figuratively."

Damn it, Zere... Damn it. You're so stubborn sometimes.

My gaze pierces into her, a disapproving frown etched on my face, my annoyance crystal evident. My voice is firm and authoritative, laced with a sternness that brooks no argument. Each word is deliberate and leaves no room for negotiation.

"I know I'm older than you, every one of us, but have some goddamn respect!" I snapped, my voice filled with stern authority. "You might be a newbie, but I've been around a damn sight longer. Don't think your age gives you any special privileges around here. You're a perfect example of why some think women don't belong in the army, and you're nothing but a liability to us all." I paused momentarily, my gaze locked onto hers, the seriousness in my tone unyielding.

I continued, my voice firm and inflexible. "Apologies and regret mean nothing to me. If you're truly remorseful, then prove it through your actions. You may not know this yet, but I don't trust apologies. Anyone can say they're sorry, but the proof is in the pudding. Make your actions worthy of my trust and respect. No more empty apologies. Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

My stern demeanor faltered momentarily. I was taken aback by her response, a soft 'Yes, sir' escaping her lips. I had been tough on her since her arrival, despite our partnership. But now, hearing the apology stirred a twinge of guilt within me. All I wanted was her safety and her well-being. I swallowed any soft feelings that might have been starting to surface, reminding myself that being tough on her was necessary for her own good. The tense silence was broken as I took a deep breath and exhaled heavily, my frustration giving way to a bit of regret.

"Hey, look, I'm sorry. I let my frustration with you get the best of me." I sighed, my voice softer now, "But honestly, you're the only woman who hasn't been scared of me or avoided me since I made my reputation as the scary one. I think you can handle anything I throw at you. So let's just get this over with. What did you want to talk about?"

With a calmer demeanor, I waited for Zeremy's response, my eyes studying her expression. Despite my gruff exterior, there was a part of me that was relieved that she wasn't intimidated by my fearsome reputation. It was rare to find someone who could handle my tough approach, and deep down, I respected her for it. She looked at me for a moment as if processing my words. Then, her expression softened slightly, her shoulders relaxing as she spoke

"My failure in mission?"

Her response is simple, and I take in the sight of her frown and dejected expression. The words hung heavy in the air, and I observed as her frown deepened and her expression turned dejected. At that moment, I felt a pang of guilt and immediately softened my harsh demeanor. Seeing her like that tugged at my heartstrings, and I realized that beneath my tough exterior, there was a part of me that cared deeply for her well-being. I responded, my voice softened yet still carrying a hint of my usual bluntness.