Defenders of Destiny Bk 1: Destiny Begins

Nostalgia.

Warning ⚠️: This book contains graphic content. Viewer discretion is advised.

"Can I ask you something?" Axle murmured as he gently kissed along Eve's shoulder, smiling as she hummed a reply, her eyes remaining closed as he trailed a hand down her bare hip.

This woman was like his own personal brand of heroine, he was addicted and couldn't escape those beautiful green eyes of hers that seemed to regard him with such a bitter coldness. They held him in place, turning his legs to jello no matter how hard he tried to remain strong. She'd always had that hold on him... For as long has he could remember. Ever since she'd stormed into his life, barking orders like she was born to do it, he'd found himself following each and every little word... No matter how much he didn't want to.

"You ever think about the good old days? Back when we were young and stupid? Those nights we all had to huddle up under a blanket in the pouring rain. In a tent together with absolutely no way of starting a fire." Eve's eyes opened as he spoke, his words causing her to falter as her green eyes gazed ahead of her into the darkness, seemingly lost in thought.

"No. I don't. Why would I? The man I loved back then is dead. So are half of our old battle buddies. Why would I think on that when all it brings is unhappy memories?" Axle's hand stilled at he silently cursed himself for bringing it up in the first place but he had already started a conversation that he knew he would have to finish. His movements stilled as he contemplated what to say next, fingers beginning to rub her hip lightly as a form of comfort for himself... Though he knew no matter what he did, he could never bring her comfort.

"Because even though it's all gone now, we still had fun. I cherish every happy moment I had with all of them back then. Especially the memories I made with you. Like the night we first kissed... It's a shame that it took years for us to finally be in this position." Eve abruptly pulled away as she sat up, grabbing her discarded clothes as she began to quickly get dressed, Axle cringing as he realized he had probably said too much.

"Sentiment is for the old and dying. I do not intend on dying anytime soon so I do not dwell. Neither should you. You sound like a tender hearted old fool. I brought you here to work because I expected you to train soldiers better than what we once were. If you are at the age you wish to retire with your memories then I may have to rethink that." Eve snapped as she tossed Axle his pants before she began to button her blouse, sitting behind her desk to get as far away from him as she possibly could.

"You misunderstand, ma'am. I will take my leave as I seem to have caused some form of miscommunication. Send for me should you need me again." Axle kept his expression blank as he slipped into his camouflage cargo pants before grabbing his black shirt, slipping it over his head as he made his way from the office without waiting for a reply.

Axle let his face fall as the office door shut behind him, running a hand over his face with a quiet curse at his own stupidity.

An old mission isn't exactly the most romantic thing to talk about but... He missed those times. He missed his friends and how happy Magdalene had seemed back then. Sure, she had always had the mentality of work first and fun later but the times she actually allowed to enjoy herself were always more fun than he had ever had. He needed someone to talk to, spending time with her only brought on more memories of the past and he'd kept it bottled up for such a long time now...

His mind wandered as he allowed himself to remember the good times... The times he had enjoyed with his friends before they had fallen apart.

"Something on your mind?" Doyle questioned which caused Axle to falter as his expression immediately hardened, turning to face Doyle with his good eye as his jaw tensed.