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I'd been walking for about 45 minutes since I left the base. My job today was to scope out the area around the facility, which basically meant keeping watch.
At first, I followed my captain's orders to the letter. "Get out there and keep watch, don't think you're getting the day off. Move it!", he said, and that's exactly what I did.
I patrolled the perimeter, ears open for any sign of trouble. But after a while, I started to get bored. The routine was dull and there was nothing new to see. So I decided to venture a bit further, into an area I hadn't explored before, to see if I could find something interesting.
The idea made me nervous, like I had a knot in my stomach that I couldn't untangle. I'm a person who values discipline and routine, and the possibility of being reprimanded by my boss made me sick. But despite my cautious nature, I also felt a desire for adventure, something I needed to feel alive. I decided to head straight in the opposite direction. Walking with muddy boots was like trying to run through a swamp, every step was an effort, but I didn't want to stop. No one was watching or listening, it was like the whole world had come to a standstill, and I was free to do whatever I wanted.
"What are you doing?"
A shiver ran down my spine when I heard the voice behind me. I let out a sharp yelp and spun around to face the person standing right behind me, my heart racing at a thousand beats per minute.
"Ted, you scared me!"
The sniper snorted and gave me a warning look.
"You don't want to get assigned extra duties, do you?"
I rolled my eyes and pushed him away, starting to walk off. With the captain MIA and Steve stuck in his tank, I had to seize the opportunity. I heard the sound of footsteps behind me, steady and purposeful. I glanced back to see only him trailing behind me, his eyes locked on me behind those weird glasses.
"Where are we headed?" he asked, falling into step beside me.
"No idea" I muttered, keeping my gaze straight ahead.
The base was getting farther and farther away, until it was almost out of sight. I looked at my hands and felt a slight tremble, as if my body was trying to express the anxiety building up inside me. I didn't know if it was excitement or fear, but the sharp pain in my chest grew as I walked.
"We'll reach a lake in a couple of hours." he said, smiling. "How do i know? I've snuck out of this damn base plenty of times to slack off."
"You're a scoundrel". He laughed, amused.
After what felt like an eternity, the path narrowed into a winding trail, and the sand seemed damp and slippery. The air blowing through the area ruffled his pointed hair, and the bandages on his hands seemed to dance in the wind. He cleared his throat as he continued walking and asked, with a hint of impatience in his voice, "Are we there yet?" Beside him, Ted pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it with a smooth motion, and took a deep drag.
Bill had always thought that Ted was an enigma, someone who seemed to have two different personalities. At the base, Ted was a rough and foul-mouthed man, who didn't hesitate to insult someone or hit them in front of everyone. But with Bill, he was different. He was funny and had interesting stories to tell. Bill wondered why Ted didn't treat him with the same roughness as the other soldiers. Was it because he was an inexperienced rookie who needed guidance? Or maybe because he felt sorry for him, with all those bandages on his body? But it didn't make sense, there were plenty of new recruits at the base and Ted didn't seem to talk to any of them. Or was Bill just imagining things.
"Bill?"
Bill was lost in thought, wondering about Ted's personality and why he seemed to treat him differently from the other soldiers. Suddenly, he heard his name being called.
"Ted... what?" Bill turned to Ted, who was extending his hand towards him.
"Do you need help climbing up?" Ted asked, his voice full of patience. Bill looked down and realized they were standing in front of some large rocks that they needed to climb to continue their path. He hadn't noticed that Ted had offered his hand to help.
"Oh, no... it's not necessary" Bill said, feeling a bit embarrassed for not understanding what Ted meant. Ted chuckled and stepped closer to Bill.
"Come on, don't be proud" he said, his voice full of good humor. Bill smiled and took Ted's hand, feeling a slight spark of electricity when their hands touched. Ted helped him climb up the rocks, and Bill felt grateful to him.
After climbing the rocks, Bill and Ted continued walking for a while longer, until they reached a serene and peaceful lake. The sun shone on the surface of the water, creating a perfect reflection of the trees and mountains surrounding them. Bill stopped dead in his tracks, surprised by the beauty of the place.
"It's incredible!" Bill exclaimed, unable to help himself.
Ted smiled and sat down on a rock near the lake, saying nothing. Bill sat down beside him, and they both fell silent, gazing out at the lake. Bill felt a bit uneasy at first, but soon relaxed and let himself be carried away by the peacefulness of the place.
Ted watched him with a soft and affectionate gaze, as if enjoying the moment. Bill realized that Ted was looking at him, but said nothing. He simply sat there, enjoying the scenery and Ted's company.
The silence between them was comfortable and relaxed, and Bill felt grateful for the opportunity to share this moment with Ted. They didn't need to talk; simply being there together was enough.
After a while of silence, Ted turned to Bill and said: "This place is my refuge, man. I come here to get away from all the bullshit at the base. It's the only place where I can be alone and not have to deal with all those idiots who can't even figure out how to load a damn gun."
Bill was a bit taken aback by Ted's crude language, but he realized it was just a way of speaking that Ted used all the time.
"I see" he said. "It's a really beautiful place." Ted smiled, and for a moment, Bill saw a glimmer of vulnerability in his eyes.
"Yeah, it is." Ted said. "It's the only place where I can be myself."
Bill leaned forward slightly, interested.
"Yourself?" he repeated, his voice low and curious.
Ted looked him straight in the eye, and Bill felt like he was seeing something deep and true in his gaze. The connection between them was like a spark of electricity, and Bill felt a little dizzy.
"Yes" Ted said, his voice low and husky. "No masks, no pretenses. Just me."
Ted's gaze was intense and profound, and Bill felt drawn to it like a magnet. For a moment, they just sat there, looking into each other's eyes, saying nothing. The silence between them was like a warm and comforting hug, and Bill felt like he was home. Then, Ted looked away, and the moment was broken. Bill felt a little disoriented, like he had been woken up from a dream.
Bill cleared his throat, a bit nervous.
"Ted, can I ask you something?" he said, trying to sound casual. Ted looked at him with curiosity.
"What?" he asked. Bill took a moment to formulate his question.
"Why do you treat me differently than everyone else?" he asked finally.
"Differently?" he repeated. "Well, it's just that I really like you, Bill." Bill felt a bit surprised by Ted's frankness.
"Yeah?" he asked, trying not to sound too excited. Ted nodded.
"Yeah. I hate everyone, but you're different. You're... tolerable." Bill laughed, a bit relieved.
"Thanks, I guess." Ted smiled, and for a moment, Bill saw a glimmer of warmth in his eyes.
Ted chuckled again, a low, husky sound.
"Most people don't dare ask me why I treat them a certain way. But you... you're curious."
Bill felt a little flattered by the compliment.
"What about the others?" he asked. "Do you really hate them?". Ted shrugged.
"I just don't care about them" he said. "But you... you're someone who matters to me. You're like... my friend, you know?"
Bill felt a little emotional about Ted's words. "Your friend?" he repeated, smiling. Ted nodded.
"Yeah. You're someone who gets me, who doesn't judge me."
Bill felt a little overwhelmed by emotion. He leaned in and took Ted's hand, feeling a warmth and connection he hadn't felt before. Ted didn't pull away, just looked at Bill.
"Thanks, Ted" Bill said, his voice barely audible. "It makes me feel... good."
Ted gazed at their intertwined hands, feeling a warmth and connection he hadn't experienced before. But suddenly, he felt uncomfortable.
"Damn, Bill..."
"What's wrong?" he asked, not understanding Ted's concern. Ted shrugged.
"It's just that... holding hands is something gay people do, right?" Bill smiled, feeling a warmth in his heart.
"There's nothing wrong with holding hands, Ted" he said. "It's just a gesture of friendship."
And with that, Ted and Bill sat in silence, their hands still intertwined, enjoying the warmth and connection they felt between them.
Hours later, Ted and Bill were back at the base. The tension and discomfort of before had disappeared, and they felt more relaxed and comfortable with each other. Suddenly, a figure approached them. It was the captain, with a serious expression on his face.
"Bill, where have you been?" the captain asked, his voice firm.
Bill stopped in his tracks, looking at the captain with a mix of surprise and fear.
"I was... uh... doing a reconnaissance, sir" Bill stuttered.
The captain frowned.
"A reconnaissance, huh? Without permission, right?"
Bill swallowed hard.
"Bill, your punishment for disobeying orders will be to sweep all the rooms in the base" the captain said, handing Bill a broom.
Bill knew that sweeping all the rooms in the base was a humiliating and exhausting punishment.
"Sir, please..." Bill began to say.
But the captain interrupted him.
"There are no appeals, Bill. You're going to sweep all the rooms in the base. And don't go anywhere without permission again" he said and walked away.
Bill stiffened, knowing he had no choice but to accept his punishment. Ted approached Bill, who was standing with a resigned expression.
"Uh, Bill..." Ted said, not quite sure how to apologize.
Bill stopped and looked at him, with a weak smile on his face.
"Don't worry about it, Ted, my outing was worth it."
"I'm really sorry" Ted said, ruffling Bill's hair with his hand, like he was petting a puppy.
Bill chuckled and leaned forward, enjoying the touch.
"You're crazy, Ted."
Ted laughed again and continued to ruffle Bill's hair, feeling a sense of warmth and connection with his friend.
"I don't care" Ted said. "You're my friend, and I'd do anything for you."
Bill looked at Ted with a curious expression.
"Would you really do anything for me?" Bill asked, with a smile on his face.
Ted nodded his head without hesitation.
"Anything."
Bill laughed and stepped closer to Ted.
"Even if I asked you to help me sweep?" Bill asked with a mischievous grin.
Ted burst out laughing and shook his head.
"No way, dude" Ted said, laughing.
Bill laughed too and playfully punched Ted's arm.
"You're a terrible friend" Bill said, smiling.
Ted shrugged. "I'm a realistic friend."
"It's okay, it doesn't matter" Bill said. "I can do it alone."
Ted smiled and approached Bill.
"You know, Bill, you're an fucking amazing friend" Ted said. "I'm glad to have you in my life."
Bill blushed.
"Oh... I'm also glad to have you with me, Ted..."
But just as Bill was about to say something more, Ted turned around and walked away, leaving him alone with his broom.
Bill stood there, smiling, and whispered:
"I'm really glad..."