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Mophead stares up at Munroe through the strands of their hair, eyes heavy.
It’s raining out, water drips down their face, making white hair stick to their face. They sit outside the barracks, it’s night. The rest of their group is fast asleep.
Mophead thought Munroe had been as well. They hadn’t been able to sleep after a party that the entire barracks had. They had alcohol. The Lieutenant said this was the first and last time. Mophead is more than okay with that, never having drank before, at least that they could remember, they drank far too much.
So, movement still sloppy and words slurred they rolled out of their bed, moving to kneel next to Munroe’s to talk to him.
Mostly nothing, how their day went as if he wasn’t there the whole time, what they thought of dinner and whatever odd interaction he heard from Carrie and Warwick today.
It changes, though. Soon the whispers turn into confessions. They wish they knew who they were, they wish Munroe would tell them about Eriche so they could mold themselves to be him. They wish the machine hadn’t been able to scrap them back together. They hope the next time they die at war their body isn’t recovered.
Munroe sat up in bed, eyes wide and lips parted.
“You should get some air.” He said, voice low. “Come on, I’ll go with ya.”
It’s odd.. being the only thing awake for miles besides the bugs. A breeze passes through the air and both soldiers shiver.
Munroe turns his head and smiles at Mophead, wiping hair away from their face.
“You’re uh.. supposed to be looking at the stars.” Munroe smiles, hair falling over his own face.
“I prefer this.. plus, I can see you better.” Mop smiles widely, teeth showing through their lips. They turn their head away, cheeks flushed.
“You should be careful.. other people could hear ya..” Munroe sighs, running a hand over his face. He cringes at himself as he feels his cheeks heat. “What d’ya mean you can see me better?”
Mophead’s smile fades, just for a moment before the corners of their mouth curve upwards again. They look back to Munroe, blinking slowly. “You’re not as.. well I don’t know! It’s just easier.” They say it like it’s obvious.
“Can you ah- normally not see far away?” Munroe squints at Mop, making his own vision blur.
“Can you not? I thought everyone couldn’t..” Mophead frowns, gaze darting towards the ground. They almost look ashamed. “I would’ve brought it up to the nurse if I had known..”
“Maybe that’s why you’re such a terrible shot.” Munroe laughs, hand moving to ruffle Mophead’s hair. They groan and let themselves fall onto the ground. Munroe sighs. “Your clothes are gonna be soaked.”
“I’ll change when we get back.” They shrug, ignoring the way the wet fabric sticks to their skin. “I’m sure you won’t be too upset about that.”
“Shut it.” Munroe frowns, laying next to Mophead on the ground. “You gotta be careful.”
“No one’s out here, Munroe.” Mophead hand finds Munroe’s and they intertwine their fingers. Munroe’s thumb runs across a scar on the back of their hand.
“You can never be too careful.” He whispers back, eyes darting to the vast land around them.
For a moment, they are silent. The only problems are their wet clothes and people hearing words only meant for each other. For a moment they don’t have to worry about war and bloodshed. For a moment they can pretend that they are a normal couple, that Mophead knows anything about themself, that Munroe isn't pretending the hand in his is Eriche’s.
Mophead turns, body now facing Munroe. He turns as well, hand reaching out to their cheek.
Their lips connect, unsure on who started it. Mophead smiles into the kiss and Munroe can taste the alcohol on their lips.
It’s soft, gentle. It’s nothing like the quiet, hidden kisses Munroe had been used to from Eriche. Mophead’s hand finds its way to Munroe’s hair, now messed up and their hand holds the back of his neck.
He pulls away, eyes wide and cheeks flushed.
“Let’s get goin’..’s late out.” Munroe stands, offering Mophead his hand. They take it, still unsteady on their feet when they rise. He laughs at them, thinking of a deer standing for the first time, legs long underneath its small body. “Yer gonna feel awful in the morning.”