𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙮 𝘿𝙤𝙜𝙨 (s2): Modern Crusaders

13| This Is Why

[POV: Rune]

As I finished the tasks I got assigned at the hangar, I stopped by basic training's obstacle circuit, hoping I could catch Carter on the way back. Unfortunately, it seemed like they were already done. Only a few soldiers were still hanging around here, including Bob.

He was laughing alongside his mates. As soon as he noticed me staring at him, he ran up to me.

- Rune!- He shouted.

I nodded and squeezed his arm.

- Are you looking for Carter? Or Harper? Or Donovan?- He asked, amused.

- I was hoping to run into Carter, nothing important.- I said, and noticed his mates staring at us.

- We had Harper all day and we have Donovan in the evening, so I haven't seen Carter around...- Bob raised a brow.

- I'll catch him later.- I said, defeated.

- I'm sure you will. Do you want to come with me to the hospital? I have to go meet someone.- He asked me.

- The hospital? Why?- I said, and began following him.

I really don't have anything left to do until I get to know from my supervisor.

- One of the first days of service, I got sent to the emergency room because I couldn't breathe.- He explained- That was because I had been binding for some days straight, and began hurting myself.-

Thankfully I'm already caught up in that 'binding' situation. From what Carter explained, he used to do it too, and it didn't help with the fact that he was severely underweight as well.

- And so, a nice nurse noticed my situation and called a much nicer doctor, Dr Pierce...- He sighed, excited.

- Uh...- I said, walking by his side.

We crossed to the hospital's side, and kept talking.

- Are you into this doctor or what?- I laughed.

- Definitely. She's beautiful, and so smart.- He talked, and nervously scratched the back of his head.

- What's her specialty?- I asked, amused.

- She's a plastic surgeon, specialised in gender-affirming surgery.- He smiled- She asked for my situation, and we kind of had a heart to heart conversation...-

- They have a gender-affirming specialised surgeon at Stratford's military hospital?- I laughed out loud.

He cracked up as well, as he held onto my arm.

- Well, I'm glad you found yourself a girlfriend.- I said.

- No, that's the problem.- He said, suddenly changing his tone- I think she already has a boyfriend. And I'm sure I'm nothing more than a patient to her.-

I stared at him, as he stopped walking.

- Why don't you ask her?- I asked.

- Are you insane?- He laughed- See, this is what I admire from you. You're straightforward. That's, like, so cool.-

I think no one has ever said that to me. To 'admire' me, that's extreme. But I can't lie, that made me feel a little bit content.

- And how do you know she has a boyfriend? Maybe you're just imagining things.- I said.

- No, there's this guy who's always glued to her. No matter where she goes, he's always there, holding her arm or touching her hair.- He said, conflicted- He's so annoying, and the worst part is that he is pretty hot as well.-