“I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me.”

– Roy Croft

Three years earlier…

The sky blazed as if it were made of gold, the sun’s rays shining down upon the crowd as if the very star itself could not contain its happiness. The brilliance of the spring day was evident to all who were present, a glorious moment that would be held within their hearts forever. At the end of the rows stood the two, he in the dark colors of his uniform and she dressed in a dress of purest white. Flower petals from the cherry trees above fell upon their heads, the couple too deeply wrapped in their embrace to notice or even care. Even the sounds of cheers and applause from their friends would not rouse them from their moment together, a day that had been longed for and dreamed of for so long that it seemed like a childish fantasy never to come true. But now, as they pulled apart at last, their faces aglow with irrepressible joy, their moment had finally, finally come.

“Sorry for the wait,” he said, kissing her again for good measure.

“And don’t you ever make me wait so long again!” she replied, her face shining with irrepressible joy. Every inch of her shone, her dark red hair flowing with an energy that seemed to radiate from deep within her very soul.

Captain Davis, the chaplain who had overseen the ceremony, took his place behind the couple and stood as tall as he could manage. “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you for the first time as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Marcos Reyes!”

The sound of cheers met their ears once more, a deafening clamor that nearly knocked them off their feet. Marcos could only smile at the sight, not knowing which memory would stick in his heart longer: Lieutenant Armor sitting in the midst of the crowd and giving him a tip of his Stetson, their old school friends practically jumping out of their skins in excitement (and Rarity absolutely bawling through it all), or the fact that he was seeing any of it at all. He looked over at his fiancé -no, his wife- and saw the same smile, the same joy he felt reflected in her, and he settled on that instead.

“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go!” he said, taking her arm in his and the two raced out and away from the crowd, all decorum and ceremony forgotten- he may as well have been wearing street clothes, with all the respect he gave his uniform. To him, all that mattered was the beautiful woman at his side, the hope and dream he had waited for his entire life. As long as she kept smiling, then he knew it would be alright.

The reception was a boisterous, raucous affair, in no small part due to Marcos’ fellow Cavalrymen who had been invited. Most still young enough to be mistaken for young boys, their party-centric attitude was in full display, no thanks to the bountiful alcohol that flowed from the open bar. Staff Sergeant Iron Will, a man long ago recognized for his lack of inhibition, had simply decided to park himself as close as he could manage, already tipsy and eager to continue.

“Colorful group of friends you’ve acquired,” Sunset remarked, giving a giggle as a young man named Brenner talked eagerly with Applejack- unaware of a very displeased older brother nearby. “I don't think he'll know what hit him if he makes a mistake.”

“Ah, don’t let it fool you, they’re best friends,” Marcos replied pleasantly. “They’d fight and forget what it was about ten minutes later.”

The two sat nestled together on the premiere table in the hall, overlooking the others and watching the commotion and camaraderie that permeated the venue. Sunset looked out and saw the faces of her old friends, her roommate from college, even her mother-in-law; the entire crowd seemed ecstatic to celebrate the occasion, even perhaps a bit relieved.

“I think they needed this,” she whispered to him. “A reason to be happy and forget for a moment.”

“I think we all did,” he said, looking around at the pristine setting, his eyes wide as he soaked it all in. “I’m… I’m here. Am I really here? Did we seriously just get married?”

“Yes. Yes! You’re with me again, right where you should be!” Sunset cried, her cheeks aching from the smile that stretched across her face. “And you get to enjoy it all.”

Marcos looked down at her, taking her face in his hand and gently placing a kiss on her lips. “You look unbelievably beautiful,” he breathed. “Even more than usual.”

“There’s the man I’ve missed,” she said, kissing him back- and once more on the nose for good measure. “I almost forgot how cheesy you can be.”

“Sunset! Sunset!” A slender, elegantly-dressed woman raced up to the table where the newlyweds sat, reaching across the table to give her friend a back-breaking hug- or as best as she could manage. “I’m so happy for you both, I know you’ve waited so long for this, we’ve all been wishing this for you and now it’s here!”

“Rarity! Good to see you, it’s been ages since we last met!”

“Rares, you actually stopped crying! Congrats yourself!” Marcos said cheekily.

“Oh don’t even get me started again, I’ve already ruined my makeup,” Rarity replied, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief for safe measures. “Oh, but you don’t know how long we’ve all been hoping and praying for you- both of you, it must’ve felt like an eternity…”

Sunset laughed. “Rarity, I get that people cry at weddings sometimes, but maybe you went a bit overboard? It’s supposed to be a happy day!”

“And it is darling, I don’t know if I could be happier really, I just… oh, forget it then. It’s such a lovely wedding! And so many new faces, are all the men in uniform your friends?”

“Somehow, yeah,” Marcos answered. “Apparently the Army thinks I’m an alright guy.”

“And you most certainly are, darling, you are! And I must say…”

Rarity drifted off into thought, her eyes settling on any man wearing a uniform while her hand went to her chest, a smile suggesting her breath might have been taken away.

Sunset giggled. “Umm, Rarity? Still there?”

“Oh yes, yes, of course,” she replied, albeit rather distantly. “I- I must say… tell me Marcos, your friends… are any of them –erm- free at the moment?”

Sunset and her husband did their best not to laugh aloud. “I think… just about any of them would love to talk with you,” Marcos said.

“Would they really?” Rarity said happily. “Well, I must… it’s been such a lovely wedding, I can’t tell you how happy I am…” she began to drift back into the crowd, inching her way towards a group of Second Platoon soldiers. “Truly, it has. I- I’m going to see if I can get a- quick word in…”

The couple immediately broke out laughing as she walked towards the table of young Cavalrymen, who seemed awed by the presence of their beautiful friend.

“Rarity, you haven’t changed a bit,” Sunset sighed. “Oh no, I don’t know who to feel worse for.”

“I feel like I just fed her to the wolves,” Marcos said.

“They’ll never know what hit them.”

“Judging by Brandt’s face, her presence was a blow enough.”

Sunset laughed, her smile fading somewhat, becoming tinged with a bemused sadness. “It’s so strange,” she said simply.

“What’s strange?” he asked, turning to look at her. “You alright? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, really,” she said, “I just started thinking… you’ve spent nearly two whole years with these men and this is probably the first time I’ve ever seen any of them. It’s like you went and started a whole other life that I’ve never seen before.”

He took her hand in his, giving it a small squeeze of reassurance. “They’re part of your world now, too,” he promised. “And they’ll love you, too. Come on, let’s meet a few of them!”

“Huh? Marc, wait-” Sunset almost stumbled and fell as her husband took her by the arm and towed her along, heading into the tables to mingle with their many wedding guests. Marcos’ eyes were peeled for his closest friends, whom he soon found sitting together at a table off in the corner.

“Hey, the man of the hour!” Collie roared, leaping from his seat to give his closest friend a hearty greeting. “Congrats man, you sure as hell know how to throw a good party.”

“Thanks, man. What’re you doing back here in the corner, I figured you’d be right in the thick of it.”

“Ah, this is closer to the booze –by the way, the lineup you got is fucking awesome.”

Marcos gave an uncomfortable chuckle and turned to his wife.

“Oh! Uh, yeah, sorry about that, uh…” Collie stumbled a little bit, his face growing a deeper red every second.

Sunset gave a gentle-hearted laugh. “You’re fine, I understand how easy it is to be rough. It’s nice to meet you, Mr..?”

“Uh, Collie. Specialist Wil Collie, ma’am,” he replied, taking off his Stetson and giving her hand a friendly shake. “I’m in the same platoon as your husband, we’ve been together since OSUT over in Fort Benning.”

“It’s great to see you in person, Marcos has talked a lot about you.”

“Lady, not as much as he’s talked about you,” Collie said brusquely. “I’ve been around this Hispanic wackjob for almost two years and I don’t think there was a day he didn’t mention your name. We could not get him to shut up about you at all, he was completely obsessed with you.”

“That certainly sounds like him,” she said with a grin.

“I like bragging about you, it doesn’t bother me,” Marcos said plainly.

“Yeah, now I understand why,” Collie replied. “Dude, how did you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Come on, she is so out of your league, man. Your wife should be a supermodel, not an Army wife. There is no reasonable explanation for how high you pulled.”

Sunset’s eyes flared, though her smile remained. “I don’t think I could have found anyone better,” she replied defensively.”

“Huh? Oh, no, I’m just messing with him, your husband’s a great guy,” Collie said quickly, noticing her discontent. “He’s- he’s one of the best. Brave to the point of insane, there’s no one I’d rather have by my side.”

“I could hardly agree more,” said a new voice from behind, and Marcos turned around to see Lt. Armor standing behind him, a pleasant yet tired smile upon his face. “Congrats, Reyes, I know you’ve waited a long time for this.”

“Sir!” Marcos cried, giving a small start of surprise. “I didn’t know you’d come, I thought you said it was up in the air.”

“Cadance convinced me I should go and relax for a bit.” Turning to Sunset, he gave a small bow and said, “My apologies for the absence of my wife, Cadance. We’ve got a little girl at home and she’s not been feeling her best lately, so she had to stay home.”

“No, I understand, it’s alright,” Sunset said pleasantly. “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”

“And the same to you, Mrs. Reyes. Your husband’s been telling us about you for a while, I think he might like you.”

Sunset turned to Marcos. “Did you talk about anything else besides me?” she asked.

Marcos pondered it for a moment. “No, not really,” he answered.

Lt. Armor laughed as Sunset shook her head in embarrassment. “I hope you enjoy your time in the Army. I’ll make sure my wife drops in on you to help you settle in, it can be a difficult transition sometimes.”

“Thank you, very much,” she said gratefully. “I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

It felt like the evening would never end. The newlyweds spent their night meeting with friends both new and old. They laughed and told stories, and danced the night away. To Sunset and Marcos, it felt like a fairytale; a dream so deeply longed for that it could never actually come true. Neither wished for it to be over.

Before too long, the night grew dark and the moon’s pale light seeped out into the southern skies, signaling that it was time for the festivities to come to an end. The two found themselves thoroughly exhausted yet filled with extravagant joy they said their final goodbyes, departing in an aged sedan for a quiet, secluded hotel in which to be alone.

It was late when the couple arrived, quietly checking in and heading to their room. It was a pleasant thing, cozy and inviting with a single king-size bed nestled in the corner.

Without hesitation, the two headed over and immediately collapsed upon its plush sheets, the commotion of the day having wrung them through. “Wow,” Marcos breathed. “I didn’t realize weddings were that stressful, did you?”

“No, I really didn’t,” Sunset groaned, rubbing her eyes. “I should’ve gone for something simpler, that was exhausting. I feel so bad for the girls, they were even more worn out than I was.”

“So now what?”

“I think I’m gonna wash up,” Sunset said, managing to rouse herself from the bed and walk over to the bathroom.

Marcos pulled himself into a sitting position, rubbing his face this way and that. It had been an exhausting day, yet also the best day of his life. Finally, after nearly two years of waiting and all the chaos in between, they were finally, finally-

Sunset gave an ear-piercing shriek of ecstasy and Marcos suddenly found himself flung into the wall by his new wife, her arms around his neck as she barraged him with a flurry of kisses. “It happened, it finally happened, it finally HAPPENED!” she screamed, her face afire with absolute delight. “I can hardly believe it, we’re finally married, we’re really together!”

Marcos found her joy impossible to ignore, laughter erupting from within him as he held her close, felt her lips against his own, felt the softness of her hair as it brushed his face, her warm body in his arms. It was all impossible, a dream too good to be true, yet here she was. “You’re mine at last,” he whispered. “I waited every day for you, just to see you again.”

“And here I am,” she said, leaving a lingering kiss upon his lips. “And I’ll never let go.”

Their eyes met, the joy burning inside them suddenly became solemn, the two suddenly becoming aware of one another. He could feel her hands on his chest as she sat on his lap, her breasts against his hands. She felt his body stiffen with a desire so long dormant it may as well have just been born. Her eyes, as clear and soft as pools of water, met the darkened gaze of her husband; they could scarcely look away from one another, as if they were seeing one another for the very first time.

She rose to her feet and stepped away from him, looking upon her husband with an overwhelming desire, a hunger she never knew she possessed. “Go on,” she whispered. “Take it off.”

Marcos didn’t have to ask what she meant. His body pulsed with longing, the feelings he had kept dormant for a time too long. Slowly, surely, he undid his shirt and tossed it aside, the rest of his clothing soon to follow.

Sunset gave a gasp, her eyes showing her shock at his appearance. The strong, muscle-bound boy she had known had disappeared, replaced with a proud, battle-hardy warrior. Though some of that boyishness remained, what now stood before her was something new. War had stolen his youth from him, instead blessing him with a quieter, deeper strength. Her desire did not lessen, but instead deepening as she gazed at the man she had loved for so long, the one who she now called her husband.

“Now you,” he said.

She felt a tremor in her heart. “You already know what you’ll see,” she said faintly. “What I’ve done to myself.”

“And nothing you’ve done could ever hope to stop me from loving you,” he replied. “Don’t be afraid. I want to see you again.”

The words of affirmation set her insides aglow, a small smile blossoming upon her face. Sunset took her time, each bit of clothing being removed with a delicate, sensual grace that Marcos never knew she possessed. She was teasing him, tormenting him with his own longing. Naked as he was, it was impossible to hide from her. Her eyes had not drifted from him, her gaze glowing as she watched his desire grow. His yearning for her heartened Sunset like nothing ever had before.

Sunset threw her bra aside, laying herself bare before her husband, allowing him to bear witness to the many scars and burns she had suffered. She could hear the taunts from those who had once hated her, the sound of her own failures rung in her ears. The mark of her sins would fade, but she would bear them forever. She watched tears form in his eyes and for one horrific moment she believed she saw pity in his eyes.

“You’re more beautiful than I ever remembered,” Marcos said, walking towards her and taking her in his arms. “More perfect than I could’ve imagined.”

She leaned in and kissed him, a deep, passionate kiss that she could hardly bear to break. He kissed her again, his lips running down her neck and onto her bare chest. She felt a rush overwhelm her senses and she fell onto the covers, his powerful body atop her. His strength gave her comfort unlike anything in her life before, to be so deeply desired and loved by such a man. To her he was a hero returning from conquest, victorious and as glorious as a king from days gone by.

Marcos could hardly bear to tear himself away from her body, her skin soft and inviting as the warmth of the seas. Her hair was a crimson river that flowed across the sheets, and her face more beautiful and resplendent than any priceless jewel. That such an elegant, beautiful thing such as her could love him brought him delight unfathomable. To him, she was the very form and figure of perfection.

“I waited so long for today,” he said, his eyes shining with unbearable happiness. “I missed you.”

She pulled him to her and kissed him once more. “Welcome back, my love,” she whispered.

And for a while, neither of them said much of anything.

Marcos wasn’t sure what roused him from slumber at first, a warm contentedness having taken hold of his body. He felt sore, worn and fatigued, yet filled with a peace that he knew he could never name. He reached across the bed for his wife, to feel her in his hands, but instead he grasped at empty air. He rose and saw that the sheets, too had been tossed aside, his wife standing at the balcony with a bedsheet wrapped around her naked frame.

“What time is it?” he asked, taking her in his arms.

“Almost sunrise,” she replied, caressing his cheek with her free hand. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t sleep. I hope I didn’t wake you.”

“Not at all,” he replied warmly. “Is everything alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” she said.

Marcos gave a gentle laugh. “Are we really going to start this marriage off by lying to one another? Come on… tell me the matter.”

Sunset’s expression became clouded, emotion beginning to well within her. “It’s… it’s just…”

“Just what?”

Sunset didn’t say another word, simply whirling around and fiercely kissing her husband, holding him so tightly that is was as if she feared he would leave her. He stumbled backwards, her passion nearly toppling him over. When she finally released him he saw her chest was heaving, her eyes glistening with tears. “You don’t know what it’s been like,” she whispered. “It’s like you’re back from the dead.”

Marcos said nothing, holding her in his arms and giving her all the assurance and comfort he could, simply letting her speak when she was ready.

“Every day felt like an eternity, it could be so easy to believe you were never coming home,” she said. “And I was always afraid that if- that if something happened to you then I’d never hear about it because I was only your fiancé and not your wife. What if you had died and I’d never known? I would’ve spent a lifetime waiting to see you again, and you never would have come home.”

“It’s OK,” he whispered gently. “I’m here. I made it back. I came home.”

Sunset looked up at him and smiled. “Thank you. Just for coming back, thank you. I can’t imagine what you’ve had to go through.”

As she rested against his chest, he could feel it in the distance. The sound of gunfire and explosions and screams, the heat of fire and flame, the crushing roar of steel and metal and that all-consuming terror that always threatened to overwhelm. His body turned cold only for a moment, and then disappeared. He was not there, but back in a hotel on a summer morning, watching the sunrise with his beloved wife.

“I hope you never do,” he said.

The alarm on his phone erupted with a din so unpleasant that it could be harkened to the scream of a dying cat. In the darkness, Marcos’ hand fumbled around for the one faint light that he could see. After more than a momentary struggle, he managed to find the snooze button and gave it a gentle tap, silencing the dreaded beast.

Slowly, with much yawning and groaning, he managed to rouse himself from the covers of his very soft, magnificently warm bed, and take a peek at the time. 0500, Monday Morning it read. The beginning of another work week. He noticed a small notification in the corner, a text message sent about ten minutes ago. Flipping it open, he found a small note from Big Mac:

Room inspections this morning. Section Leaders take charge on this one.

“Great,” he muttered.

“..Mm? What’sthematter?” Sunset said sluggishly, her voice still thick with sleep.

“Ah, Mac wants room inspections done,” he said. “I gotta go, see you tonight.”

“Later,” she replied, turning back into the covers and going to sleep.

She had barely been awake for that, he thought to himself. He gave himself another groan and began to fumble for his PT uniform. It would be a long Monday morning.

In less than ten minutes he was out the door, freshly shaven from the weekend and off towards the barracks where several of his soldiers lived. Though it was early, the roads on-base were already filled with activity. People all across the installation, and even more from off-post, were hurrying to their workstations for first formation of the day.

Before too long Reyes found himself outside a quiet barracks building, not far from work. The place was quieter than the rest of the base, many of the soldiers within unwilling to awaken early. Such was the life of the single soldier, Reyes mused.

After a few knocks, the barracks room door swung open to reveal a disheveled young man with dirty blonde hair, his eyes still heavy with sleep. “Oh, yeah. Hey, Sergeant,” he grunted.

“Hey, Bright,” he replied, walking into the small room.

“At ease-”

“Shuttup,” Reyes said with a wave of his hand, surveying the room as quickly as he could manage. A few plates on the countertops, a trash bin set to overflow, and a stained bathroom sink. “Eh, better than last time. You know what needs fixing.”

“I gotcha, Sergeant,” Bright replied. “Early morning for you?”

“I hate you,” Reyes replied.

“Course you do, why else am I your Gunner?”

Reyes finally laughed, breaking a quick smile. “Aight, finish getting ready, be at Squadron by 0600. You know the drill.”

“You got it.”

Reyes headed for the door, pausing before going through the threshold. “Call ‘at ease’ and I swear I’ll punch you in the face.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time, Sarnt,” Bright said as the door slammed shut.

The process continued for several more rooms, Reyes fulfilling his duties as a non-commissioned officer. It wasn’t a rank he had particularly fought for, but one he had gained soon after their last deployment. Despite his initial misgivings, he had discovered that he possessed a real knack for the job, though no desire to truly advance any further.

“I have yet to discover why Black is such a continuous slob. You’d really think he would’ve learned how to clean his dishes by now,” Marcos said as he entered his platoon’s office, seeing Big Mac already hard at work on the computer. “If it weren’t for Wenseley in the other room, I don’t think it would ever get clean.”

Big Mac ignored him, continuing to work on a spreadsheet and ignoring his friend.

“Oh come on, Platoon Sergeant Macintosh, you haven’t suddenly gotten too big for your boots have you? Sure, you’ve got the E-6 and I’m only an E-5, but come on, relax a little.”

True to form, Big Mac said nothing, only turning to give his friend a withering glare before returning to work.

“Gee, thanks. Nice to know your first friend in the Army is now beneath you,” Reyes said drily.

“I could make you do pushups,” Mac replied, his gravelly voice finally entering the fray.

“As if to prove my point. You made me do room inspections, I get to annoy you a bit. Let it happen.”

Big Mac gave a small sigh and continued to work. “We’re running today. You gonna be good?”

“You mean my calf? Yeah, should be,” Reyes said lightly. “Sunset’s been checking on it every now and then, said it’s healed well. It’s just gonna take a lot of time for it get used to a lot of use.”

“You mind leading, then?”

“Nah, I got you.”

“Good.”

Reyes regarded his friend as the older man continued to work, fulfilling his duties of Platoon Sergeant as diligently as ever. The two men had enlisted the same day, trained together, and had fought together for years now, the two men near equals in their prowess of war. Yet, when the absence of a Platoon Sergeant arose, it surprised no one that Big Mac had been the one to receive the nod, and the rank therein. At first, during harder times, the choice had galled Reyes. But after a year of being in garrison –and through his own troubles- it was quite truly the most logical decision. Big Mac was older, more mature, and despite the hardships they had endured, had shown little wear under the circumstances. Though a man of few words, he was a highly qualified leader.

As time went on, the sounds of activity began to reach their ears from the floor below, as the rest of Knight Troop slowly filtered into the bay. In tired, lowly voices, the men discussed their weekend events, random topics and exploits, and –in true military fashion- their great desire to not be at work at all.

“How’s AJ and the others?” Reyes asked, turning to Big Mac. “I know Sunset’s been in touch with her lately, but I haven’t spoken to her in a while.”

“Mm.” Big Mac gave a shrug and didn’t respond. His once-unbreakable relationship with his younger sister had grown strained in the years since their enlistment, the needs and brotherhood of the Army having slowly taken primacy in the older man’s mind.

“Granny Smith finally retire from working the cafeteria?”

“Mm.”

“… Has talking to them been that bad?”

Big Mac sighed and slammed his decrepit laptop shut. “Don’t really know how to anymore,” he admitted, his eyes darkened with displeasure. “Hard to fit.”

Reyes gave a rueful nod, understanding his friend’s troubles all too well. “Maybe it’ll get better when the war’s finally over. You’ll get to go back home.”

“Eeyup.”

“At ease!” came the cry, as the doors opened and in sauntered a man far larger than life- First Sergeant Iron Will, a mountain of a man with self-confidence more mighty than his own ego. Having been with Knight Troop before the war, he was an admired and rightly feared individual for his unparalleled battle prowess and strength. Uncompromising in his discipline, he was a fearless leader of his soldiers.

“Morning, fuckers!” he roared with his usual enthusiasm, the early morning doing nothing to dampen his spirits. “Sergeant Mac, Sergeant Reyes, 1st Platoon all here?”

“As always, Top,” Reyes replied, having long grown accustomed to being Big Mac’s mouthpiece.

“Alright, let’s get this shitshow going. Commander’ll be here in a minute.”

“Hooah,” was the reply, and the two men walked outside for the first formation of the day, the sun only just beginning to creep over the horizon.

The Army, however mundane and irritating it could be, provided a rhythm for its soldiers. Morning formation, PT, everything scheduled as best as such a massive organization could muster. In the chaos of life, it gave Reyes comfort- there was some order in the world still.

“Hey, mind if I join you guys this morning?” Reyes looked behind him and saw the quiet, friendly smile of his leader: Captain Armor, Commander of Knight Troop and –in Reyes’ eyes- the finest soldier in the Army. An efficient leader, down-to-earth, and relentlessly brave, Cpt. Armor was a personality that inspired other soldiers to follow his lead.

“Morning, sir,” Reyes said, giving his leader a quick salute. “We’re running this morning if you’re up for it.”

“Course, always,” Cpt. Armor answered. “Let’s get it started.”

Reyes’s leg was still twinging, even after a hot shower and some rest. Perhaps it was the change in temperature, or maybe he had overworked it in the platoon run. Either way, the pain was an unwelcome guest, the muscle throbbing with every step he took.

“Has Sunset looked at it lately?” Cpt. Armor inquired, noticing his soldier’s ungainly pace. The two men were walking through the motorpool together as each vehicle’s Gunner and Driver set to work on their vehicles, performing that unwelcome, most loathed ritual of the Cavalry: Maintenance Monday.

Reyes shook his head. “It was hurting a bit on Saturday, but I figured it was nothing. Dunno why it’s acting up again.”

“Keep an eye on it, make an appointment if you think you need it. You’re one of the last senior leaders I have left in this Troop.”

“I’ll make sure, sir,” Reyes said, watching Bright work on their vehicle, the younger man’s face suggesting a growing displeasure. “Bright, what’s up?”

“Ah, the fucking thing’s got an oil leak,” Bright answered angrily. “Stupid-ass piece of shit, why does every humvee in this god-forsaken place always suck shit?”

“Write it down, make sure the mechanics get to it,” Reyes replied. “It’s not on the ground, is it?”

“Nah, not enough to overflow, Sarnt. But enough for the thing to be dry. I’ll get it taken care of.”

“Always the model of Army efficiency,” Cpt. Armor remarked as the two continued on.

“And the antithesis to Army discipline,” Reyes replied. “His work ethic is the one thing that saves him from getting kicked out.”

“Has he given you any issues lately?”

“No, sir, just very mouthy as always. I’m ready for it all to be over with.”

Cpt. Armor looked at the war-worn Sergeant. “How long until you leave the Army now?”

“Eleven months. Sunset’s been trying to urge me to find a technical school somewhere, or use the GI Bill to go to college.”

Cpt. Armor laughed. “Sergeant Reyes, a college man. You should go for it- after all, it’d be free.”

Reyes shook his head. “I’ve got skills elsewhere, sir, I’d just waste my time. I’m looking at maybe taking up a trade somewhere, maybe on the West Coast so Sunset can go after her Masters like she’s been wanting to.”

“Have you started making plans?”

“Only just. Other things have… been in the way, I guess…”

The older man studied his subordinate. “Have you two been doing OK?” he asked.

“More or less. We’re not at each other’s throats and we’re not ignoring each other. It’s just been a bit awkward more than anything.”

“And you’ve both been keeping up with-”

“Yessir, she’s been staying in counseling with Cadance, I’ve been staying in therapy. My next appointment is tomorrow.”

“Good man,” Cpt. Armor said, giving Reyes a friendly whack on the back. “Get yourself back together. When all this is said and done, I’ll do my best to help you transition back to being a civilian.”

“Thanks, sir,” Reyes said, the two men departing as Reyes continued to hear Bright’s violent curses rippling across the motorpool. “Such is the workday.”

“Heads up. New guys incoming,” Big Mac said the moment Reyes walked in the office.

“We’re getting new soldiers?” Reyes echoed in surprise. “When?”

“Friday,” Big Mac replied. “They’ll be put under you- two new dismounts.”

“Did we get anyone else?”

“Sergeant Buck’s getting one. 2nd Platoon is getting a new Lieutenant.”

“Wow, it only took them almost a whole year. Wonder why now of all times.”

The two men avoided looking at one another, each having their own private suspicions as to the nature behind their new additions, but neither would dare speak that horrible fear aloud in case it came true.

“It’s 11:30. Go eat,” Big Mac said, turning to the battered min-fridge in the corner of the office and extracting a microwavable meal.

Eat. Lunch, mine should be in there, Sunset made one for me last night- “Oh come on,” Reyes groaned, bending down to peer at the fridge. “I am such an idiot.”

“Mm?”

“I forgot my lunch at home,” Reyes said unhappily, slamming the fridge shut. “Ugh, I’m gonna go grab some Subway or something. Be back at 1300.”

“Eeyup.”

Reyes walked slowly to his car, fumbling in one of the many pockets of his uniform as he searched for his keys. The day was a warmer one, the southern springtime slowly beginning to dominate the air and push the last remnants of winter away. The warmth of the sun was a welcome guest.

As he settled in the driver’s seat, Reyes grabbed his phone and saw he had a message- from Sunset:

Hope you have a great day today, love you!

Without warning, a smile broke across his face. The gesture had been so simple, but the simple words of affirmation had heartened his spirits. “Still, even after all of it,” he mumbled. “Love you.”

As he drove along, he checked his watch; plenty of time for a bite to eat and then some. As a plan began to form in his head, his mind drifted to the physical therapy center not far away. Maybe he could do something nice for a change.

Sunset pushed her hair out of her eyes as she pored over her notes, transcribing her morning’s work onto her computer. Each patient she worked with had been under her care for some time now, whether it be an amputee learning to walk again or a soldier healing from muscle damage, each one was given the same level of care and skill she could possibly offer. It was difficult work, but for Sunset, the milestones she was witness to made the time and struggle worthwhile.

“How’d it go today, sweetheart?” said Rose, a fellow staffer at the clinic. A geriatric woman with a knack for gossip, she nonetheless was a good friend of the younger woman.

“Well Mr. Morrison was his usual gloomy self, as you might’ve guessed,” Sunset answered. “He’s not making progress as quickly as I’d like, but I know my frustration will only make it worse for him. This new prosthetic just isn’t adapting as well.”

“I thought I heard him,” Rose said drily. “And smell him, too.”

Sunset sighed, pushing her notes aside. “Yes, he reeked of alcohol again. I don’t think he has much in the way of support ever since he was discharged. He was never married, no children to speak of.”

“What’re you going to try and do?”

Sunset threw her hands in the air. “I’ve recommended counseling, but he never takes it. I’m starting to worry about his condition. It’s like he lost his sense of self when he lost his leg.”

“Same thing happened to my husband way back when. Never was the same when he lost his eye.”

“Yes, you’ve told me before,” Sunset said distantly, starting to settle in her own thoughts. Conversations like this made her nervous, particularly when she knew how close she had come to losing her own husband forever, and the two of them were by no means out of the woods yet.

“Sunset…”

“Mhm?”

Rose peered down the hallway, a confused expression on her face. “Is… is that your husband?”

Sunset rose from her seat with a start and stared down the hallway to find, to her great surprise, Marcos walking down the hall with a look of great uncertainty on his face. “Oh- oh my gosh. Umm, see you-”

Marcos had only been to Sunset’s workplace once before, long before his last deployment. With each passing moment, his uncertainty grew louder in his brain- perhaps his great idea hadn’t been so great after all. Where even was she in this place?

“Marc- hey, it’s great to see you, what’re you doing here?” Marcos felt a pair of arms around his waist, and suddenly found his face buried in the beautiful crimson and gold hair of his wife. She released him and looked up at him, happiness and confusion written across her features. “Hey, stranger,” she said warmly. “Don’t think I’m not happy to see you, but… why are you here? What’s up?”

“Umm…” Marcos hesitated. “Forgot my lunch when I left this morning,” he said, his words stumbling. Come on, dude, she’s your wife. Relax a little.

Sunset smiled. “Yeah, I noticed when I got up. Sorry, I should’ve brought it to you before I came to work.”

“No- no, it’s alright, I grabbed lunch,” he said, holding up the Subway bags in his hand. “And, I started thinking, well… I dunno if you’d had- food, or something…”

Sunset’s eyes widened. “Are you asking me to have lunch with you?”

Marcos felt his confidence shrivel. “Only if-”

“Of course I will, I don’t know why I haven’t offered it to you before!” Sunset said, her face absolutely beaming. “This is so sweet of you-come on, I’ll take you to the lunchroom.” Without another word, her hand slipped into his as she gently guided him away.

The lunchroom was plain, though surprisingly accommodating, with several plain black tables for all who worked here. A microwave and fridge sat in the corner, and a table near the center of the room was occupied with a small group of workers, all of them too focused on their food to bother noticing the new arrivals.

“Thanks for this, by the way,” Sunset said, leading her husband over to a table near the window. “I’m honestly starving, I didn’t realize it’d been so long since I last ate.”

“Oh, uh, you’re welcome,” Marcos said nervously, taking a seat across from her. Oh for the love of God, stop being such a pussy. You’re trying to do the right thing, don’t screw it up.

Sunset, taking notice of the seating arrangements, arose from her seat and took a place directly beside her husband, giving him a warm smile. “I don’t bite, you know,” she said playfully. “I think you would’ve found that out by now, don’t you agree?”

Marcos nodded as he started chewing, avoiding eye contact. He couldn’t explain his newfound apprehension, or what could possibly be making him so uptight. He had to calm himself, he had to…

“Hey, sweetheart,” Sunset put down her food and took hold of her husband’s free hand. “Marc, look at me, OK?” her soft eyes met his haunted gaze, and she again broke out a smile. “Thank you so much for this. I love it, you were so sweet to think of me- and so spontaneous, too! It means the world to me.”

Finally, after a moment that seemed to last forever, Marcos began to relax, giving his wife a small, but distinct smile. “Thanks,” he said quietly. “And thanks for the message this morning- it meant a lot.”

“You’re very welcome,” Sunset said happily, her insides practically glowing with pleasure.

Their lunch went by with little more conversation, the young couple simply enjoying the company of one another as they ate. Sunset felt the tension leaving her husband’s body with every passing moment, hearing his breathing relax and become calm. And, though she wouldn’t say it aloud to anyone, she thought she felt his gaze stealing glances at her every now and then. The thought made her smile.

Finally, after a time, Marcos drew his phone and checked the time. “I’ve gotta get going,” he said plainly.

“I understand. Have a great rest of the day, OK?” Sunset said, standing up and walking with her husband to the exit. “It was great to see you. We- we should make a habit of this. Do it every now and then.”

“Sure, if you want to.”

“Of course I want to,” Sunset said stubbornly. “There’s no other man I’d rather spend my time with, and don’t you forget it.”

Marcos smiled, and even shook with an internal chuckle. “Thanks, Sunset.”

“I’ll see you when I get home, OK?” Sunset said, giving him a hug. As she pulled away from his chest, she looked up at him, considered him for a moment before leaning up and planting a soft kiss upon his lips. “Love you!”

“Love you, too,” Marcos said as she departed, for some strange reason finding himself breathless. He could still feel the warmth of her touch, the softness of her lips upon his, even as she walked away. She looks great. Maybe… maybe you did alright today.

Sunset turned and watched him leave, hardly able to contain her happiness. Her misgivings and discouragement from the morning had disappeared, replaced by the thought of her husband’s genuine efforts. It was a small, tentative step he had taken, but every smile he had given spoke of a renewing confidence, and a resurrection of his spirit.

Maybe, after all this time, he was finally coming back.

Author's Notes:

Want to know something interesting? This is the first thing I've written in nearly a year. So odd to think the last work I put in was in March of last year.

If you can't tell, 2017 was a difficult year.

Either way, I hope you enjoy. Feel free to leave your thoughts below- and here's hoping I can be better about updates in the future.