Love KIA (Damon Baird x Reader)

Chapter 3: Dead, but not Quite

"You could have killed the both of us!" I exclaimed, standing up and grabbing my gun from the ground.

"But I didn't! I saved us, so you're welcome." Baird replied, doing the same.

As we stood, we could hear the sound of the blockage breaking, the horde of wretches coming through and rushing to the now broken window.

"Hold the praise, we arent clear yet. The other are on the other end of the building, let's go!" I called out, making my way to the front of the building, Baird following.

"You know, you could at least thank me. Chances are, we wouldve ended up like that team in there." Baird said, running behind me.

"Or we couldve ended up splattered on pavement. The hell were you thinking?!"

"I was thinking, I would rather a quick death, rather than a slow painful one at the hands of wretches. Figured you would rather that too, rookie."

"I'm not a rookie."

As we rounded the corner to the front of the building, the others were busy fighting off their own wretch horde. I could hear the Raven in the distance, but knew it wasnt going to land unless we got somewhere less inhabited by hostiles.

"Retreat back to pickup! Go!" Marcus ordered.

After ordering us to retreat, Marcus tossed a frag grenade towards the building where the wretches were piling out of. The rest of us began running back to where we were originally dropped off, ignoring the blast of heat behind us as the grenade detonated. We held off any wretch the explosion didnt kill, before eventually losing them. As the Raven landed, we all climbed inside, buckling in as it took the air once more. Out of breath, Dom managed to speak up.

"I've never seen that many in one spot before! That was like a whole colony! I thought for sure we were gonna get killed." He panted, looking at Baird and I, "How did you two get out?"

"Baird threw us out a window." I stated, crossing my arms.

"And we all lived, you're welcome. What other choice did we have?" Baird asked, looking over at me.

I thought for a moment, "..none. Ok, fine. But next time, warn me first."

"I did warn you. Kind of."

"Yes, by grabbing me and throwing me out a window."

"Alright, alright," Marcus interrupted, "You're both alive, that's what matters. That's more than can be said about that other team."

The Raven then went silent. Dom looked down at the COG tags in his hands, looking at the names. He frowned, and read them off.

"Eric Hendrickson.. David Hicks.. Jeremiah Potts.. Ronny Peterson.." He sighed, "Anyone know them?"

"Cant say I do.." Marcus noted, "But Hoffman will make sure their families are notified."

"If their families are even still alive." Baird commented. He didnt sound snarky about it though, that comment of his was oddly.. sincere.

Yet that comment got me thinking. How many of us here actually had family left? Marcus lost his, I know that much. His father was what he had left, and he died years ago. All my family was dead.. killed on E-Day or during the Hammerstrikes.. But what about Dom, Baird and Cole? It kind of hurt to think about. I turned my attention away from the others, and looked out at the remains of the city below. It was hard nowadays to find solace in anything anymore. Just endless feelings of remorse, heartache and pain.

"Hey, (L/n)." Baird said, nudging my arm.

"Yeah?" I said, looking over at him.

"Sorry for throwing you out a window."

"Its fine... thanks.. for not killing me when doing it."

Baird laughed a bit and patted my shoulder, turning back to the others. I just stayed silent and looked back out the window. I may not have been killed jumping out that window, but I felt dead. I've felt dead for years. Losing team after team, and being too late to save yet another group.. hearing their names, not knowing if they even have family to mourn their death. If no one is left to mourn them, then i will. It's the least i can do for showing up a moment to late.

_____________

After we told Hoffman of the groups fate, and handed in their COG tags, we all made our way to the closest cafeteria. While food was scarce, and lacking any and all flavor, eating was still a calming experience. Something I always managed to look forward to in the day. The menu for today was potato, some kind of meat (I'm still not sure what it actually is), and corn that was slightly discolored due to its poor growing conditions. Still edible, so I cant complain much. As I took my food, and made my way to a table in the back of the cafeteria, while the rest of Delta sat together at the other end of the room. They may be a squad now, but i still didnt feel at home. A part of me was afraid to even get close, afraid that if i did, it would end in disaster.

It didnt take very long for them to notice I wasnt there, and within minutes, they were all up and walking over to my table. They set their trays down, and seated themselves. Dom sat next to Marcus, across from me, and Cole and Baird sat either side of me.

"Why you all by yourself, (Y/n)?" Dom asked, looking over at me.

"I didnt realize we were supposed to est together." I remarked.

"Well, it's not required, no," Dom laughed, "But it's no fun eating alone."

"Yeah. Besides, dont you wanna get to know us? We're all stuck together till we die, so we might as well know some shit." Baird commented, shoveling his face with potato.

"I'm good." I said.

They all looked at each other, then turned their attention back to me.

"Hey you ok?" Cole asked, putting his hand on my shoulder.

I stood up, grabbing my tray, "I would really like to eat alone. Let me know when we leave again."

I made my way to another empty table, leaving the four to themselves. Marcus was the only one who seemed to have an understanding expression, while the others just looked confused or worried.

"What's their problem?" Baird asked.

"None of your buisness, Baird, and dont push it." Marcus stated sternly.

Dom sighed a bit, "I'm sure theyve got a reason. If they wanna be alone, that's their choice."

The peace didnt last very long, as Hoffman had contacted all of us over coms. "A new order," he said, "Something new." It didnt really strike an interest.. that was, until he said "glowing wretch".