Chapter Text
You were a natural, the textbook soldier and a fast learner. That's why Chimera was happy to take you in.
Though, not everyone agreed with having such a young recruit on board. Protests were whispered through private conversations in the halls, speaking of how you were ill experienced. Though, there was one who didn't attempt to be as secretive. And that was none other than Sebastian Krueger.
You two never got along. Like blood to fire, you could never come to agreements over the pettiest of things. You messed up on a mission? You should've been prepared. Though, if he messes up? Well, who cares. He knows better. He's more experienced.
You had just finished cleaning your blade as Krueger's unit came back from their mission, everyone looking weary and beat from the blazing sun. you stepped out to greet a good friend of yours, the one who had shown you the ropes when you first joined.
“You look hell ridden.” You mused, offering to take the bag from Iskra’s shoulders.
“Who doesn't?" She scoffed under her breath, following you back inside the base where soldiers bustled about and AC blasted. You smiled, grabbing a water bottle and tossing it to her, to which she happily accepted, all before continuing:
“You're going to head to the bar with us later, rookie?” She asked, tilting her head back to continue drinking. You paused. The bar? You couldn't drink… though, why not tag along?
“I mean, I can,” you nodded. “But don't you guys want to rest first before... I Dunno, getting hammered?” Iskra smirked, rounding the corner to enter the armory, pointing to a table for you to set her stuff down.
“Theres no rest around here.” As she began to unload, you felt a heavy presence enter the room. You instinctively stiffened, glancing over your shoulder to meet the cold gaze of Krueger.
His gaze was intense behind the mesh of his mask, the two of you locked on to the other before Iskra cleared her throat, inclining her chin to her weapon. You reluctantly tore your eyes away from the Corporal's, tending to the gun.
“Before I go, I have to debrief. You can meet me there.” She told you, and behind you, Krueger spoke up.
“Meet you where, the bar?” He asked, German accent thick with accusation.
“Yes, why?” Iskra asked, pausing in her ministrations.
“The kid probably can't hold liquor, let alone drink legally.” He sneered, pointing his sheathed blade to you. Iskra glanced at you, shrugging.
“No, perhaps not. Though she can be our designated driver.” Her solution made Krueger growl, turning back to his own business with tense shoulders. Iskra paid no mind, even as you stood uncomfortably between the aftermath of confrontation.
You finished up quickly, making an excuse to leave, making yourself scarce in face of Krueger.
—--------
You found yourself showing up to the bar later than expected, each step bringing you closer and closer to the lively atmosphere inside. You stepped through the crowd of men and women to bring yourself closer to the bar, looking around curiously for a familiar face.
How awkward, being in a bar alone. The people were clearly drunk, so maybe making new friends wouldn't be horrible.
You slid into a barstool, taking your phone out and scrolling mindlessly before the bartender found you.
“What would you like to drink?” The young man asked you, shaking an alcoholic
beverage in his hands. You simply ordered a soda, sipping on it slowly to ease your nerves.
Your leg bounced absentmindedly under the black marble counter, strobe lights flicking around you as you strained to hear the audio from your phone over the music.
The rowdy crowd only grew more intense as more soldiers showed up, celebrating their victorious missions and camaraderie. More and more people started to surround you, and inevitably, you were thrown into a conversation with people who were less than sober.
An older gentleman in particular was feeling considerably loose tongued, leaning too close and settling himself in your space. You laughed awkwardly at his jokes, politely declining when he offered to buy you a drink.
“Eh? Why not? It's on me.” He smiled kindly, waving his hand to flag down the bartender. You winced, shifting away so your knee wouldn't be brushing up against his.
“I’m too young-’ He cut you off with a look, glancing over your features shamelessly.
“Youngsters like you know how to live it up, most people your age jump to my offer!” He was boisterous and adamant, leaving you feeling perturbed and cringing internally. Under the bar, a weight settled against your thigh, making you jump. In the same moment, a dark shadow loomed over both of your figures.
“Do you have business here?” The unmistakable voice of Krueger. You would've breathed a sigh of relief, only if it wasn't for the livid look in his eyes, making him look more like a maniac than ever. The old man stuttered, retracting his hand quickly.
“I'm sorry-” he swallowed, retreating quicker than he had appeared. Krueger glared daggers into the back of the man's head on his way out, turning his gaze to you once the other guy was out of sight.
You two sat in tense silence for an uncomfortable moment, your fingers curled tightly around the grip of your phone case.
“Thank you.” You finally muttered, albeit reluctantly. He wreaked of alcohol; pupils dilated under the slit of his balaclava.
“Here I am, saving your arse once again.” He sighed, surveying the room before eventually finding you again.
“You ain't talking to anyone from base?” He looked annoyed that you were just sitting here alone, each thought only amping up his already poor attitude.
“No, I haven't really bothered to look.” you told him honestly, the gears shifting in his head momentarily before finding a response.
“That makes me wonder why you even bothered showing up.” He bitched, stepping closer and invading your space, the warmth of his chest seeping uncomfortably into your back. His emotions escalated quickly, in honor of the liquor he had drunk.
“You think you're hot shit, love?” He hissed, reaching past you to snatch your phone, turning it off with a click to the side. “Think again. this ain't a place for someone like you.” he set your phone down, staying in your space momentarily before being gracious enough to lean back incrementally.
“Just- get out of here, before someone gives me a reason to start a scene.” he huffed, stepping back just enough for you to slip by. You sat there, awestruck by the blatant dismissal.
Silently gathering your things, you stood up, maintaining eye contact before walking away, heading to find Iskra who you spent the rest of the night with.