IV: MARS

break.

Venus knocked on the tall wooden doors of the Mars squadron. She knew they had security camera set up, but she felt it was polite to knock anyways. Gears could be heard moving from the other side and the ground beneath her feet began to shake as the doors opened. The next set of doors where all the way at the main entrance, but first she would been stopped by a security guard.
"Name."
"Venus."
"Reason for visiting."
"I'm visiting Officer Mars." She said trying not cringe. She felt weird calling him by his title.
"Relation to Officer Mars."
"Uh...Friend?"
"He doesn't have friends. Your entry is denied."
"Well I AM his friend! I don't care if he says otherwise! Call him and tell him I'm here-"
"Sir, let her in. She's a friend."
Venus looked to see a man in uniform.
"Baddar!" She squeaked in excitement.
After he had pried himself from her hug, he started leading her to where Malakai was staying.
"I almost didn't recognize you in your uniform! And you've shaved off all your hair!"
Baddar chuckled.
"I think it'll make me look more serious to the new recruits." He pauses before switching topics.
"You must be really worried about him to come all the way over here. Do you think it's that bad?"
"I won't know until I talk to him," She answered.
"But I owe him an apology regardless. This wouldn't have happened if I hadn't gotten involved."
"Hey, don't blame yourself for this. You were only trying to help."
Venus nodded, but looked down as she walked.
"I feel like I just make things worse when I try to help."
"At least you're trying."

There was a soft knock at the door, too soft to be the hands of anyone in the Mars squadron. He dragged himself off the couch to answer the door. A familiar strawberry blonde was standing there with a mini bouquet of yellow roses. And then there was Baddar, of course.
"Hey boss, you have a visitor!" He said with too much excitement.
"I can see that, Baddar. Come in, Venus."
"What, no invite for Baddar?" He asked dramatically.
"Get back to your post." Responded Malakai while closing the door.

Once inside Venus set the flowers down on his granite counter. The room was dark except for a single reading lamp in the sitting area.
"Sooo I heard what happened yesterday. But I want to hear it from you." She said without making eye contact.
"Whatever you heard was probably true." He said crossing his arms. Venus turned to look at him.
"I know what they told me isn't the full story. What did they do to you?" She asked sincerely. Her eyes were watery, and the sight made Malakai want to cry.

It's not often that Malakai breaks down. But maybe it was the warm glow from the lamp or the glasses of Vodka he had earlier that made it feel so comfortable to just fall apart right on the floor.