Cracking The Commander (DJ x Commander)

CHAPTER 20

DJ remembered that morning all too well.

Nobody knew where that Ranger guy went. His room was empty, every room where he'd typically sulk in was void of him, he just seemed to disappear. Completely.

It was only then when Commander left the base to seemingly find, in his words, "that damn traitor!", and didn't come back immediately with the guy in tow, DJ knew something was wrong.

He remembered the loud swear of Medic, who could be heard just down the hall, seemingly in the infirmary. And he certainly remembered seeing her run past him, nearly knocking DJ flat on his ass. She was carrying a hastily put together med kit. He could recognize that bright red case anywhere.

Considering just how early it was, and the only notable individuals awake had just left the base in a hurry, he was all alone. It made his stomach churn in anxiety. What happened? He hoped that his gut wasn't right. He chewed his lip and sucked in a breath. All he had to do was wait for information, he supposed.

Time passed, of which DJ lost track of. By the time DJ was just about to come to the haunting conclusion that either Ranger or Commander was dead, the doors to the base swung open, with Commander covered in blood standing there — visibly shaken.

"Comm! Are you okay? Holy shit!" DJ gasped. "Why are you covered in blood?!"

Multiple towers' heads popped up, eyes wide, also shocked at the appearance of their leader drenched in blood. But nobody dared to move.

Commander didn't meet DJ's eyes, or anyone's for that matter. All he did was push past them, mind set on something completely different than answering DJ's concerns.

"Are you hurt?" He followed, brows furrowed. "You can't just fucking walk in here covered in blood and ignore me!" Commander's ignorance was starting to piss him off bit by bit. "I know you don't like me right now, but—"

"Ranger shot himself." Commander whipped his head around to snarl. DJ's eyes boggled. "I was holding him to stop the bleeding. I'm going to see him in the infirmary. Are you fucking happy now? Christ, you people don't let me have any moment to myself!" His hands were thrown up in the air before he continued trudging to the infirmary.

DJ let him go, only to quietly trail behind in shock. Ranger? Is he dead? Did he seriously commit suicide? Fuck, oh my god. He barely knew the kid, but it still hit him like a truck.

Commander continued to ignore DJ as he just about knocked the door down to see Ranger. "Is he okay?" He asked as he walked into the room, DJ peeking in afterward.

DJ watched Medic pull down a blue mask, face sweaty and clearly exhausted. "His hand is badly wounded. He's lucky he missed, that shot would've killed him had it hit his head." She sighed, then turned to gently pull back a curtain that hid one of the beds from any prying eyes. "Ranger, Commander's here to see you." Her voice was soft as she talked to Ranger, who was staring at the wall in front of him, distant.

Ranger looked half dead. His eyes were red and puffy, body shaking, and lip quivering. His hand, the one he shot, presumably, was wrapped with gauze, of which was already becoming red with blood. DJ was slightly thankful he couldn't see the wound from here. Or at all.

Expecting gentleness from the leader, DJ was surprised when he started yelling. "What in the hell were you thinking?!" Commander, once again, raised his hands. Medic stepped back, equally as surprised as DJ.

Ranger was still staring at the wall, unresponsive to Commander's raving.

"Why the fuck would you do that?! Do you have any self preservation?! How could you?!" He cried. "Ranger, look at me, boy."