Open rp

Things calmed down. The private's external wounds were healing nicely, the stitches on her chest were already waiting to be removed, her ears no longer needed bandages, the two small snugs were healing nicely. And, in the meantime, her birthday had arrived, she officially turned 20. She never had a big celebration, the people around her usually didn't even know, she only got a small gift from 1-2, but that was more than enough for her. Today, however, she decided to go alone to the nearby pub where she knew the bartender and knew that they wouldn't ask for her ID, because she might not have been drinking ever in her life, but she could use a glass on occasions. Especially now.

She put on the shemagh she had cleaned since then, put on a black turtleneck sweater, a simple leather jacket, then a pair of loose black jeans and a pair of black boots she had borrowed from Phoenix and looked at herself in the mirror. I look like a man, I like it, she thought.

She soon left the base, nodding to the guards. It was already dark outside, the rain was drizzling lightly and she only had a 20-minute walk ahead of her. When she got there, se nodded to a couple of acquaintances in front of the entrance, of course they didn't recognize her because of the shemagh and basically different body but it didn't really matter. She opened the door, entered the almost full bar and her eyes widened immediately when she saw the person sitting on a chair leaning against the counter. What are they doing here?

Phoenix was sitting by himself, nursing some fruity cocktail as he stared down at his phone. There was some random video playing that he was entranced by, seemingly unaware of the world around him.

He had come to the bar to drink his night away, having been here for at least a few hours. Today sucked. It always sucked. Every single year, Phoenix did something so that he didn’t have to think about it. Before, it was throwing himself into his work and training his team. Now? Now, all he could do was drink. The last thing he wanted to do was bother anyone.

Boots' heart skipped a beat when she saw the man's condition and she hesitated for a few seconds before stepping inside and closing the door behind her. Now this is a birthday surprise.

At first she didn't go over to the wasted man, she just sat down at a table further away and watched him. He must be here because he wants to be alone. What could have happened? I need to help him. But what if he doesn't need it? She thought as she leaned her elbows on the wooden tabletop and rested her forearms on each other. The place was relatively warm but she didn't take off her jacket.

After five minutes she took a deep breath and got up, walked unobtrusively to the counter and sat down two chairs away so that the man's back was towards her and ordered a glass of beer. She pulled the bottom of her shemagh under her chin and sipped the cold drink.

There weren't many women in the bar, but she noticed one who walked around in a red cocktail dress, always talking to a man who later gave her money and she put it in her purse and moved on to the next person. It was when this woman approached Phoenix and addressed him that the private really raised her head. "Hi, honey. Wanna make a bet with me?" The woman spoke. At that Boots just continued drinking her beer but listened intently.

Phoenix had just finished his drink, his tongue stained a light blue from the blue dye in the drink, when some random woman he’d never met before approached him. He tensed, his first instinct assuming that she’s some kind of threat, but quickly relaxed. If she was a threat, it’d be easier for her to think that he wasn’t one as well.

“A bet you say?” Phoenix asked, turning in his seat and look at the woman. He carefully scanned her for any sort of threat, taking note of her dress and purse. He couldn’t lie and say that she wasn’t pretty, but she wasn’t his type.

Phoenix took a second to also look around the bar, his eyes catching on a specific person before looking back to the woman. That couldn’t be Boots. Why would she be here? “Y’know, I normally don’t make random bets in random bars. But I don’t mind making an exception for a pretty girl like you.” The words made him want to crawl out of his skin, but he couldn’t help it. He flirted like he breathed. It was his whole job.

"You're full of flirt, pretty boy. I like you." The woman smirked and leaned one elbow on the counter seductively, twirling a lock of hair with her other hand. It was a practiced move. "Now that we're here at the counter, I'm a little thirsty. I'll bet you $100 that I can drink 2 pints of beer before you can drink a shot. Want to know the rules?"

Boots could only hope that the man didn't notice she was there, so that it wouldn't cause more trouble, and at first she just rolled her eyes and took another sip of her beer when she heared his response. But when she heard what the woman wanted to play with him, she slammed the glass on the counter, not too loudly of course. She knew this bet. Phoenix had no chance of winning and would only lose $100 if he went in, but he looked pretty down already. Leave them alone, it's his business. But-... No. just leave him alone. She pulled back her shemagh and continued to watch, now turning toward them.

This was a scam. Phoenix knew it just from how the woman was behaving. But he wouldn’t lie and say he wasn’t at least slightly intrigued. “Well, that doesn’t seem too hard. What’s the catch? There’s always a catch. Are my hands tied behind my back? Am I blindfolded? Do I have to drink it upside down?”

All things that he’s done before at the request of the Shadows that he used to train. It wasn’t often they got him out to drink, but when they did he always made sure it was worth their while.

100 dollars wasn’t even a real dent in his pocket, but he couldn’t say that he was too eager to give it up, either. If he knew he couldn’t beat the scam, then he’d say no. But if he could, or could at least give it a shot, he’d probably agree. Just to try and brighten his night ever so slightly.

No... NO. He's a grown ass man. Leave him alone. No. Hey... HEY, stop it. Stop it NOW. ARE YOU FUCKING STUPID?? Boots thought as she put the money for her beer on the counter next to the glass, stood up from her chair and took two steps forward. She froze for a moment as she managed to control herself but it didn't matter. The woman noticed her.

She sighed. Jesus Christ.

She took a third, slower step forward, a few of the people around them watching as she gently put one arm around the man's waist and stepped to his side. She looked at the woman from behind her shemagh with piercing eyes that could kill. It's been a while since she's done anything like this, anything flirtatious.

"Hi, my heart, would you like to introduce me to your friend?" She said in a calm but deep voice. The stranger looked up at her and looked her over as if she were a bag of trash. "We have business with the boy, don't you see?" Boots snorted at that. "Get your pretty ass out of here, you scammer kurrva." Her hand squeezed his side a little, perhaps instinctively, as if protecting him, even though she knew exactly that he wouldn't need it. Then why am I doing this? She hoped that he wouldn't interfere and could take care of this woman herself.

Phoenix doesn’t flinch as he feels the arm wrap around him, years of training and undercover ops where he had to act natural having him just smile and lean into whoever it is that was touching him. “Hi, dearest,” he said, finally looking up at the person.

Boots. He could recognize her easily, even if she tried to disguise her voice. His smile came naturally, happy to see her well enough to be out and about. “I was just talking to this lovely woman about a bet. 100 dollars, do you believe it? She was just about to tell me the rules of it.”

He didn’t interfere further than that, letting Boots take care of getting rid of the woman. He was too drunk to really care much, anyway. The woman let out a frustrated noise and walked away, likely to go scam someone else. “I might have to pick up Hungarian, too,” Phoenix joked, looking up at Boots with a smile.

Boots was blushing like hell at the whole situation.

The woman laughed. "Don't be so nervous, we're not even allowed to talk, chica?"

"Tudod ki a faszom a chica, now get out of here." Boots replied. When the woman finally left, she let go of the man and looked at him seriously. "The rule is that you can only touch your glass after she's finished her first pint of beer and put the glass down and you can't touch each other's glasses. If you go in, she'll drink the first pint of beer and turn her glass over and put it over yours so you can't touch it. Then she'll drink the second pint and win." She explained.

Her gaze slowly softened as she looked into his eyes. After that, she looked down and rubbed hers with a sigh. How drunk he is? I can't really tell but he stinks of alcohol. Should I just leave now? Should I ask something? Why wasn't he suprised when I touched him? I'm so dumb.

"Fucking hell..." She murmured. "I'm sorry for all that... but man, respectfully, you look like if you try to stand up now you will fall and sleep on the floor."

Phoenix watched the interaction with an amused smile, looking up at Boots as she pulled away. He listened as she told him what the scam would have been, nodding slowly. “Then I would just put my hands flat on the counter top around the shot, without touching it of course. If she put the glass on my hands, then she’s purposely trying to get me to lose by cheating. If she doesn’t, then I drink my shot and win. Easy peasy.” He paused and looked around. “Or I just ask someone else to move it for me. No rule breaking there, technically.”

He smiled at Boots and laughed a little. “Yeah, I suppose that’s fair. ‘M drunk as hell right now. Planned on just sleeping it off in the alley outside and praying that no one robbed me.” Phoenix gestured for her to sit next to him, resting his elbow on the counter and leaning to the side a bit. “What brings you here?”

Yes, I'm an idiot. But maybe his ideas wouldn't work if he didn't know the rules? I don't know, let's just leave it at that. Her heart sank seeing the man like that and her face remained serious.

She shook her head and sat down on the chair next to him before she and the bartender exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

"It's my birthday. I don't usually celebrate, but I came here for a drink." She said, turning to Phoenix, already planning how to take him home. Where did he live, where to take him? She leaned on the counter with one elbow and propped her head on her fist. Then she chuckled a little. "You're probably having a better night with me sitting here than if that random woman was sitting on your lap," she joked. She'd heard before that drunk people were honest, but since she'd never been drunk enough to experience that, she didn't quite know yet. She was green about almost everything and wondered what could have happened to get the man here. Tungsten, who saved her life. "And what brings you here?"

“Your birthday?” He said, an eyebrow raised. Well that was interesting. The thought crossed his mind that she might not have technically been allowed in the bar, Phoenix being fairly certain that she wasn’t 21 yet but not knowing the laws of bars overseas. He didn’t say anything, though, not wanting to ruin her night more than he already had by making her save his ass.

Phoenix let out a laugh and nodded, watching carefully as Boots sat down. “Oh, trust me, I wouldn’t be letting her sit on my lap at all. Not unless it was for an op, and I’m very much off the clock for the time being.”

He tilted his head and thought about it. Why was he here? The memory came back to him, and he hummed. “‘S a bad day today. Don’t have any work to throw myself into, so…here I am.” He didn’t want to share exactly what the bad day was, not in front of all these people. “But ‘s your birthday! You should be celebrating, having a good time. Not looking over a sad sap like me.”

Boots decided to stay with him and help him even if the man didn't need her. Of course she was curious about what had happened to him, but it wasn't her business. He would tell her later if he wanted to, Maybe I'll ask him later.

Phoenix's presence was a real surprise for Boots, but it wasn't a bad thing at all. The guilt from her heart faded a bit again after she saved him $100. She looked around at the people, then at the man's empty glass, and swalloved. She was inexperienced in drinking because she rarely went to bars or pubs, but she was used to the strong smell of alcohol on the base.

She let out a small huff and shook her head. "I'm glad to spend this time with the person I can thank for making me live this long." She looked Phoenix over and spoke in a calm voice. "I'd invite you for another round, but what do you say we go home instead?" Then she wondered what 'home' was in this situation. The base? Phoenix's place? She didn't know where the latter was, but she didn't dare ask him yet. She knew that no matter how close she was to a drunk person, she had to think in steps, not rush.

Phoenix just shook his head and let out a huff. "C'mon, I'm not the only reason you're still alive. Gotta wanna live in order to be 'saved,' and you definitely wanted to live," he said, leaning against the counter some more. He debated just lying down against it, but he decided not to for the simple fact of he had company. It felt rude.

"I mean..." he trailed off, thinking about it. It was probably for the best that he went back to the base seeing as he was way too wasted to try to drive but too tired to think about getting a ride. "That's probably smart. I'm sure Jeanz is wondering where I am. Been crashing on the couch in her office 'till she sends Clara back to the farm."

The thought made him giggle, and he ended up leaning against the counter. "Ohhhhh, I'm sooooo drunk. Sorry, Boots. 'S your birthday. Your birthday! Oh, that's so exciting. You shouldn't have to take care of some drunk dude on your birthday. We should...should get Lynx to bake you a cake. I'd do it, but I'm sooo drunk." He was at the point of being drunk that he was rambling mindlessly.

Boots had no idea Jeanz's sister was here at the base, and for a moment she considered whether she would like to meet her.

As the man chuckled and leaned against the counter, the private was completely confused about how drunk he was, but she realized that probably that last cocktail just kicked in. Her eyes grew more concerned. Lynx? Bake her a cake? That would be cute, but they'd only met once, and Phoenix probably wouldn't remember much of the idea the next morning anyway. God he's so sweet.

It sure was strange to see one of her idols in such a state. She lifted her elbow off the counter before getting up from her chair and walking over to the man without question. "Na gyere, Tungsten." She said softly as she carefully pulled him into a normal sitting position by the side of his chest and wrapped his good arm behind her neck. She grabbed his hand around her shoulders with one hand and her waist with the other, and with a small groan, she pulled her up from the chair. They slowly walked out of the bar into the empty parking lot.

Phoenix let himself be pulled up, not doing much to fight it. Not like he could, with how strong that last cocktail seemed to be. He knew he shouldn’t have trusted how sweet it was. Those ones were the kinds that hid just how strong of alcohol was in it until it was too late.

“Oooookayyy.” He couldn’t help but draw out the words, finding it humorous. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, his other one resting limply at his side. He already paid for all of his drinks, already deciding that cocktail would be the last one before he ordered it, so he had no issues with just leaving.

It took a bit of stumbling, but eventually the two made it to the parking lot. Phoenix breathed in deeply, enjoying the feeling of the outside air against his face. “‘S nice out,” he murmured, stumbling in time with Boots. “A little chilly, but ‘s nice. How’re we getting home? Cuz I can totallyyyy walk.”

Boots stopped and turned her head to the side to look at him with soft eyes.

Touch still felt a bit like bugs crawling under her skin, but now it was about helping to a close person and it didn't really matter. Her heart sank as she and Tungsten headed for the sidewalk and they started walking back to the base, because Boots had come on foot but she didn't mind taking the man like this. If he hadn't come on foot then she would come back the next day for the car but this was how she wanted to handle it now, to ease on her guilt. Maybe it made no sense.

First he had carried the private bridal style in his arms, now she was carrying the man, holding him steady so he wouldn't fall as they walked. Sometimes she muttered something to herself in Hungarian, but of course Phoenix didn't understand. "I see you can walk, but now I'll help you." She said softly and looked up at the stars for a moment before turning back to him and sighing. "Oh, Tungsten. I wish I understood you and everything else." After a minute of silence later, she spoke again. "So you usually sleep on Jeanz's couch?"

Phoenix walked with her, trying to focus on putting one foot in front of the other. It was easier since he had Boots to lean on, less pressure of what would happen if he fell.

At her words, he paused, stopping completely to think about what he wanted to say. It was one or the other. Either use his brain power to walk or to think of what he wanted to say. “‘S not all it’s cracked up to be,” he slurred, continuing to walk. He would just say whatever his brain thought of without really thinking about it. “Knowledge kinda sucks sometimes. I kinda suck sometimes.”

At the mention of the couch, Phoenix hummed. “Yep! Onnnnn the couch. ‘Cause I don’t have a bed, so I sleep on the couch. ‘Least until I get to the farm. You should…should come visit. Could teach you and Clara some things ‘bout knives and fighting. ‘M sure that Jeanz would love it.” He wobbled slightly but didn’t fall, thankfully, instead just leaning against Boots some more in an attempt to stabilize.

“How’ve you been, Boots? How’s your birthday been?”

When he stopped, Boots tried to keep walking but instead stopped to steady themselves. She let out a small huff at his words. "You're right. But you don't suck right now." She gently touched their heads before they continued walking.

As he talked about Jeanz, she just listened, concentrating on understanding what he was saying. Where does this man live anyway? She nodded a few times before answering quietly. "The farm sounds good. I love animals and Jeanz is like a sister to me, but... I don't know if she feels close enough to invite me. Maybe one day." She sighed heavily. As he stumbled, she immediately squeezed his waist to steady themselves and looked at him to make sure everything was okay. As soon as they regained their balance, she stroked his waist a little. She cared about him a lot. "I'm all right, my chest is healing and everything." This is gonna be a long walk. She smiled again and looked at him as they continued walking. "My birthday? It was really good, I even met a guy," she wondered when he would realize she was talking about him, just curiously playing.

He stared down at his feet still, only sparing a glance up a few times. He regretted it every time, though, because it was like the world was spinning around him. Still, Phoenix listened as Boots spoke, not wanting to miss a word. “Jeanz…Jeanz wouldn’t miiiiind. She lovessss people. ‘Specially th’ people like you, cause you’re sweet. She may like her candy sour, but she likes her people sweet. ‘N traumatized. You got pleeeeenty ‘f that now.”

At the mention of a guy, Phoenix furrowed his brow. “A guy?” he questioned, risking another glance at her before dropping his head to look at the sidewalk again. “What kinda…guy?”

Boots smiled to herself under the fabric. "...I guess. Thank you tho. She'll invite me if she wants." It would be very honorable, but we'll find out later. I don't want to get carried away just yet.

She chuckled at his question and turned her head away for a second. "A very funny guy who I really like. Very strong and incredibly polite." She continued while looking ahead. There weren't many cars passing by on the road, it was a quiet night. Then the private realized from his gaze and that if he raised his head so little, it probably felt like he was on a roller coaster. It was also possible that he was going to throw up and her eyes became a bit more concerned. "If you need to throw up, let me know and we can stop, okay?" She said softly.

“Funny and strong and polite,” Phoenix repeated. “Sounds decent. You better….better ouch ‘m if he doesn’t anythin’ stuuuupid.” He let his eyes flick to the road, watching as a single car drove by.

“I don’t…don’t gotta puke,” he said, even though the world was still spinning. He gripped onto her just a bit tighter and let out a shaking breath. “Could go fooooor…a waaaater. Nice ‘n cold. Like ice. But without ice, ‘cause it’s too hard to chew sometimes.”

The nonsense was starting to flow freely from his mouth, a steady stream of anything leaving his mouth. It was harmless things ranging from why he loved the color purple to his opinion on grass. If it caught his eye, then he would talk about it. “How much longer ‘till we get back to base?”

Boots just let out a huff, rolled her eyes then also looked at the car that was passing by them. You're an idiot. she told herself. If he threw up, it probably wouldn't go to the private, at least half of it.

Little goosebumps ran down her spine as Phoenix squeezed her tighter. "Yeah. We can get some water when we get home. We'll wash your face and then you can go to sleep." She reassured him in a soft voice. As the man spoke, Boots just listened in silence, mainly paying attention to how they were moving and not to fall. It crossed her mind that she would carry the man further with a fireman's grip and she hadn't given up on the idea yet, but for now they just hobbled along the sidewalk.

She answered his question a little breathlessly. "About five more minutes. We'll be there soon." Why am I so stupid? Her heart gnawed again as she thought through the mission and the present in her mind willy-nilly. She let out a big breath as they countinued walking. "Who do you think is most worried about you at the base?" She asked to pass the time, and because she was curious.

He hummed and blinked slowly. The thought of doing anything other than just collapsing on Jeanz's couch hadn't crossed his mind, but he couldn't say that he minded it much. "Okay," he murmured.

Five minutes. That wasn't too long, right? Not too long at all. "Uhhhhhhhhm...." He had to think about it. Who would be worried about him?

"Maybe....Jeanz. Cause I told her I was going to the bar but not when I'd be back. 'Nd uhm...think that's it. Cause everyone else 's either off base or doesn't know 'm drunk as hell right now," he answered after a second.

When they made it to the base, Phoenix smiled. It was funny how this place was the closest thing to home that he had gotten in all 29 years of his life. "Y'can take me to Jeanz's office," he told Boots. "Jus' dump me on her couch."

As they entered the gates and then the building door, Boots let out a deep breath. "Okay, but first we'll get you some water."

They headed for the bathroom, Boots nodding to the guards as she supported Phoenix. When they got there, the private entered the men's bathroom without hesitation and helped the man lean over to one of the sinks. With the hand that had been holding his hand, she carefully turned on the tap and held her fingers under the water before speaking gently. "Wash your face first, then you can go to sleep, okay?" Why do I care so much about him? It doesn't matter, don't think about it.

Once they were done with that, Boots turned off the tap and they walked over to Jeanz's room, but the door was locked. She sighed and went down to the rec room with Phoenix, where the private carefully pushed the door open and sat the man down on the beanbags. "Is this good?" she asked.

Phoenix smiled and waved at the guards as they went into the building, not minding when they just look at him funny and keep staring forward.

Boots coming into the bathroom with him doesn’t even make Phoenix blink twice. He didn’t care which bathroom she was in, so long as he could get done what needed to be done. When Boots turned the water on, Phoenix didn’t hesitate to lean over the sink and splash the water on his face, taking good care to not scrub too hard on his scars.

Phoenix had half the mind to tell Boots that he could pick the lock, but with how hard it was for him to keep a solid grip on things, maybe it was for the best that they just went to the rec room.

He curled up on the beanbag, laughing at the sound and the feeling of it. “‘S sooooo good, Boots. You should…should sit down on the other one. ‘Cause it’s your birthday, and beanbags are fun.”

Boots let out a small sigh, shrugged her shoulders and sat down on the beanbag near Phoenix, smiling faintly. "You say so?" She pulled her legs up and leaned her elbows on her knees, staring straight ahead. So what am I gonna do now?

She chuckled softly. "Yeah, I guess they're fun." Then they just sat there, the private watching the man to see if everything was okay, if he was holding up, if he was going to fall asleep. She started tapping one of her feet softly to a song that had been going on in her head for a long time, but she didn't say anything. I should stay here and take care of him. She looked at her watch then rubbed her eyes and after a few minutes she stood up, walked over to Phoenix and took off his boots. "Well, you can sleep a little more comfortably." She put her own shoes and the man's by the door before walking over to the small counter to get a glass of water. "How are you feeling, Tungsten?"

Phoenix watched curiously as Boots got up from her bean bag chair, tilting his head as she started to take off their boots. He hadn’t thought to take off his shoes, having grown used to wearing them while he fell asleep. It’s not like he chose to, it just sort of became a habit after a while of being too exhausted to take them off. “Thank you, Boots,” he said, settling further into the beanbag chair as he watched her put their boots by the door.

It was so comfortable and it was a wonderful that he hadn’t fallen asleep yet. But he didn’t want to leave Boots hanging, so he watched her go to the sink to get some water. “Don’t feel like Tungsten,” he joked. “Feel more liiiiiike…. Sodium. ‘S a soft metal. I loooooved chemistry. Had the whoole periodic table memorized when I was a little kid.”

Boots nodded with a smile as she listened to Phoenix and grinned before leaning against the counter, unwrapping the fabric from her head and setting it aside to take a sip of water from her glass. "The periodic table is big." She agreed.

She looked at the man with gentle eyes and put her glass down a bit to rub her face. Her ears were clearly healing nicely. She lifted her head as she realized that she should give the man a drink too. She pushed herself away from the counter to get another glass and fill it with cold water. It would really be hard to chew an ice cube right now.

With the full glass in her hand, she walked over to him and squatted down next to the beanbag, carefully reaching under the man's head with one hand to support him. "It'll be fine, it's cold, but I didn't put any ice in it." She didn't even ask if Phoenix wanted it, she just smiled a little to herself.

Phoenix watched as she sipped at her water, vaguely wishing that he had water too. Then he watched Boots grab another glass and fill it with cold water, bringing it over to him. “You’re like….a mind reader,” Phoenix mumbled as she walked over. He couldn’t help but notice that her ears were healing nicely. That was good.

He let his head be held up as he grasped at the bottom of the water glass. It was probably for the best that Boots hadn’t let go of it considering the fact that Phoenix didn’t really trust himself to hold it by himself. “Thank you,” he mumbled before starting to drink. Slowly, at first, before speeding up about halfway through and chugging the rest of the water.

When he was done, Phoenix pulled away and settled back onto the bean bag chair. “You should….come sit down again. ‘M gonna fall asleep soon. Wanna talk for a bit b’fore I do, though.”

"No problem." Boots said softly, and as the man finished drinking, she carefully and slowly released his head before standing up and going back to the counter to put down the glass. She looked at the shemagh for a few seconds but decided not to put it on.

As Phoenix spoke, she turned back to him and looked at him with calm but tired eyes. What does he want to talk about? Finally, she walked over and sat down on the beanbag next to him.

She stretched her legs out with a sigh and looked down at Phoenix. "Yeah? You could use a long, deep sleep right now." How honest are drunk people? As she exhaled, she realized how tired she herself was.

He watched as Boots sat back down, smiling a little. He could feel sleep starting to creep up on him, but he didn't let it take him under just yet. "I could," he said with a shrug. "But 's been a minute since we got to talk. Just...wonderin' how you're doing is all."

Phoenix had been worrying slightly about her and her injuries. After he had dropped her off, he had a contract that he had to work on that meant being gone for a little bit with no way to check on her. He felt bad, just disappearing like that. "Your ears are healing nicely. And you helped carry me like it was nothing, so I'm guessing your chest is better too."

He could feel himself starting to sober up again, the water already doing wonders. Maybe he shouldn't have drunk so much. His head was going to be killing him in the morning, he could feel it.

Boots shrugged and smiled faintly. "Yeah, you're right." The private was also curious about how Phoenix was doing and thought she'd ask why he was at the bar. They hadn't seen each other since he rescued her and took her back to the 141.

As the man mentioned her wounds, Boots instinctively reached for her ear to feel what was left of it, satisfied that it hurt a lot less. "It was only a mile. But yeah, the skin grafts are fitting well and healing nicely, I can do some work now," she said with a small smile. It was good to be here on base, although the cabin wasn't bad either. "I got into a new platoon, got a uniform... I just remembered, I need to return you the boots I borrowed." She looked down at the man again. "What's happened to you since then? It's good to see you alive."

Phoenix shrugged and moved around a bit on the beanbag chair, trying to find a more comfortable position. He ended up settling for lying on his back with his legs kicked out in front of him, his hands resting on his stomach as he stared at the ceiling. “A mile’s still a mile,” he said. “But tha’s good. ‘M glad you’re healing okay.”

He listened, glad that she was getting back into the swing of things. Events like those, they live with you for the rest of your life. He would know. “Y’can keep ‘em,” he said, turning his head to look at her a little. “You’ll use ‘em better than I will, I think. But ‘s good that you’re getting y’r life back. Good that they aren’t writing you off. Y’got potential. Can see it from a mile away.”

Phoenix was definitely rambling a little, the alcohol making him looser with his words that he was used to. The prospect of talking about himself made him pause, but he decided why not. No harm to be done. “Been doin’ a whole lotta nothin’ interesting. Work. Sleep. Eating when I can. But ‘m alive. Better than some can say.” He yawned and stretched out a bit more before curling up into the fetal position. He could never sit still for very long. But this was comfortable.

The private watched the man stretch out and looked down at her boots. "Thanks." She mumbled with a smile, then let out a small huff. It's really nice to talk like this, I should have done more of it earlier. "And you were right, they pay me enough to go to a psychologist."

Boots saw that the water had helped Phoenix a little and sighed, thinking about the headache he was going to have in the morning. He would be the first to experience it anyway and Boots the second. As he talked about himself, the private just listened and once nodded. There must be a reason he was at the bar, I'll ask.

As the man curled up, Boots yawned before, without thinking, carefully lifted one hand and placed it behind the man's head, gently running her fingers through his hair. What the hell, he's a 30 year-old man, what are you doing? Then she just sighed. She was too tired to care, and she had no idea how the man would react, but when she realized it, her hand was already there and she didn't pull away. She felt like it would help. He won't remember this when he wakes up anyway, she calmed herself as she sat and after a few quiet seconds she worked up the courage to ask. "I'm just curious, you don't have to tell me if ye don't wanna, but what kind of day is it today that made you get drunk?"

The hand in Phoenix’s hair was unexpected but not unwelcome. He just stared at Boots for a second before looking away. Eye contact was finicky for him nowadays. He wouldn’t comment on it, and Boots hopefully wouldn’t comment on the way that Phoenix relaxed slightly.

At her question, he paused. Did he want to talk about it? What power would it give her over him? God, what was he thinking? Boots wouldn’t try and manipulate him. He’d tell her. Not like it mattered all that much in the long run. This wouldn’t help her find anything about his past.

“My mom died,” he said simply, blinking slowly. “Not today. But. Couple years ago. ‘Nd it still gets to me. Even if I hated her guts the same way she hated mine.” He laughed bitterly and flopped his cheek against the beanbag.

He let out a small groan and squeezed his eyes shut. “Sorry. ‘M being real depressing on your birthday. ‘S that why you were at the bar? Cause…real. My subordinates used to try and get me to drink on my birthday every year.”

When she looked back into Phoenix's eyes and felt him relax a little, she herself calmed down and let out a small sigh. If she could help him with at least that much, she would.

As she listened to the man's story, her heart felt heavy. She didn't comment on it, she didn't know what such a bad motherly relationship was like, but she was sure that at that moment she would have given her life to make Phoenix feel better.

And of course she felt very honored that the man would tell her such things about himself. She let out a big breath and looked in front of her. When the man spoke again, she looked back at him and smiled a little, speaking softly and gently. "It's much better to be here with you than drinking alone in a bar on a day that's not really special to me, don't apologize." She looked away again and sighed, stroking the man's head with her thumb for a second. "How are you? Do you need more water?"

(OPEN RP)

It had been a couple days since the resident happy redhead had left on her mission. Jeanz was due back today. However, no one was prepared for how she returned. How...unlike herself she would be.

She was told it would be simple, fly out to the location, go in and rescue a captive, young girl around 19. Jeanz didn't realize that it would be the same place. That she would be thrust back into that horrifying month ordeal.

Jeanz had boarded the helo like usual, greeting Nikolai who in turn greeted her, although with a bit of hesitancy. He knew where he was flying her. She was on the mission by herself, because it was supposed to be quick, in and out, take out anyone who was in her way.

She mentally went over what she had to do as they flew, everything in her freezing as she saw where they were flying. A small gasp left her lips as she stared down at that familiar building. The one where she had been tortured. The one where she had let all the rage consume her. Had killed over 20 men when she got free. She hadn't been back since she escaped. Had barely even thought of the place since then, knowing it could trigger her. Her eyes were wide as Nikolai landed, knowing she was about to go back to one of the worst places in her life.

~~~~~~~~~~~ Three days later, Jeanz returned to base. Her mission successful. Jeanz, however, was different. Nikolai hadn't been able to get a word out of her on the trip back.

She didn't speak, just sat in the helo, her face devoid of emotions. When they landed, she got out without another word, making her way inside. She was bruised, her uniform torn in some places. Covered in dirt, her usual happy hazel eyes were empty and dead. Jeanz had some new scratches and cuts on her face and the rest of her body. Soldiers welcomed her back, expecting the normal smile and happy greeting. There was none. She would turn her head and look at who greeted her, but she didn't say anything, almost staring through them.

She made her way through the halls, heading to her room. Her head was heavy, stuck in a loop of her torture at the place she had just come back from. Stuck on the girl she had rescued. Stuck on the blood that had dried on her face, hands and uniform.

Her body was exhausted and her mind haunted. She wasn't Jeanz anymore. She was a shell. Just barely existing, barely there. Even if someone bumped into her, it was as if Jeanz didn't process it, didn't respond to it, didn't care.

She didn't fucking care about anything right now. A brief flash of wishing she hadn't come back from the mission flashing through her mind. She didn't deserve to leave that place twice. Didn't deserve to be walking through these halls. Didn't deserve anything she had right now. She should have died the first time she was in that bunker. She shouldn't have made it out alive and scarred. Marred for the rest of her life, made into this ugly thing. She shouldn't have been there or here.

Jeanz was one of the most beautiful souls Boots had ever known. If anyone needed help? She was there. If anyone was feeling unwell? She offered to talk to them. In the minds of the privates, she was there like The Sergeant. The big sister. After all, she had raised them when they were here in basic training.

Boots, while she was a little more inexperienced, didn't understand how with those scars on her back, after what the sergeant had been through, how she had the strength to smile so much? The private had already missed her when she was lying on the couch in her office and first heard that she was going on a mission. She had seen from a window Nikolai preparing the helicopter and Jeanz boarding into it, fully equipped. Like the angel of death. Boots thought of her with deep respect. It shouldn't be a difficult mission if you're sent alone, right?

No. Her heart almost withered when she heard a few days later how Jeanz was doing. When she found out she was back, she was relieved and happy, but from the expressions on the others' faces she suspected something was wrong. Then she asked. What could have happened to make Jeanz in this condition? A new trauma? Or an old one?

When she had time to sit down and think, she just went into the mess hall, slouched down at a table and tapped her fingers on the tabletop. I can't help her. What can I do? She carefully tapped the stitches on her chest under her T-shirt with her hands, feeling only a cautious tingling on the skin grafts. But at least these wounds are healing and the shemagh will take care of the rest. But Jeanz? What's up with her?

One day after dinner, she put her empty tray on the counter and instead of taking a shower, she walked over to the other woman's office. Her footsteps echoed a little in the dark hallway. She stopped in front of the door and thought, but instead of knocking she just sat down, leaning her back against the wall and putting one hand in the gap under the door so that if Jeanz was inside, she could see that there was someone outside. It probably didn't mean anything. It might have been a waste of time, but Boots was doing it for both of them. She couldn't have helped at that moment otherwise.

Jeanz had barely been seen around base since she had gotten back. No one had actually spoken to her since her arrival back at base. It was like she had turned into a ghost, barely there. Whenever someone did see her, she just stared straight through them, no trace of her smile or usual personality.

Jeanz holed herself up in her office, working late into the night. She didn't sleep much, waking up from nightmares when she did. She knew she didn't look the best, probably looked like a walking nightmare.

She didn't put her hair up anymore, instead of a braid, it just hung loose and limp around her face, her usual happy hazel eyes dead and haunted. Bags under her eyes, dark, showing she hadn't had a proper sleep in days.

Jeanz was in her office, it was well past dinner time, no one had seen Jeanz in the mess hall since she had been back. A movement caught her attention, her entire body tensing. She saw the fingers peek under her door, staring at them for a while. Who was on the other side of her door? Why? She shouldn't be here. No one had bothered talking to her after she got back.

Jeanz stood up, making her way over to her door. With a sigh, she sat down on the other side of her office door, her hand landing on the fingers. She couldn't talk right now, but she was still a sergeant, still had to make sure those under her were okay. If this was one of the privates or recruits, maybe they were too scared to knock on her door, maybe they needed comfort.

If she couldn't do something about herself, she could at least help them.

When Boots first heard that Jeanz was back, she had looked for her with her eyes everywhere. She had no idea that her traumas came back so much until she heard the rumors from the few people who had seen her.

Her own wounds were healing nicely compared to when she came back and, after a pit of strict healing time, started training more to distract herself from still how fucking weak she really felt. She hadn't really known how her own and other people's traumas worked until now, but she was starting to figure it out. With skin grafts instead of breasts and all muscular, she liked looking in the gym mirror more than before. The shemagh had only added to it.

When she felt Jeanz's fingers touch hers, a small wave of warmth ran through her. She sighed, turned towards the door and carefully leaned her head against the wall before slowly stretching one of her legs out. She lifted her index finger a little and carefully began to stroke Jeanz's. She remembered how she carried her to the medical room after her fight with Thomas and smiled for a moment. She still owed the Irish a lot. The sergeant probably still had no idea who was behind the door, Boots was a little curious who Jeanz would guess, but she didn't care really much at the moment. She was just thinking about how she could help. What would I need? - she repeated in her mind.

She opened her eyes to look around the corridor before she just leaned back against the wall and after a moment of thought she spoke in a gentle voice. "I'm glad you're still alive. I missed you."

(OPEN RP)

It had been a couple days since the resident happy redhead had left on her mission. Jeanz was due back today. However, no one was prepared for how she returned. How...unlike herself she would be.

She was told it would be simple, fly out to the location, go in and rescue a captive, young girl around 19. Jeanz didn't realize that it would be the same place. That she would be thrust back into that horrifying month ordeal.

Jeanz had boarded the helo like usual, greeting Nikolai who in turn greeted her, although with a bit of hesitancy. He knew where he was flying her. She was on the mission by herself, because it was supposed to be quick, in and out, take out anyone who was in her way.

She mentally went over what she had to do as they flew, everything in her freezing as she saw where they were flying. A small gasp left her lips as she stared down at that familiar building. The one where she had been tortured. The one where she had let all the rage consume her. Had killed over 20 men when she got free. She hadn't been back since she escaped. Had barely even thought of the place since then, knowing it could trigger her. Her eyes were wide as Nikolai landed, knowing she was about to go back to one of the worst places in her life.

~~~~~~~~~~~ Three days later, Jeanz returned to base. Her mission successful. Jeanz, however, was different. Nikolai hadn't been able to get a word out of her on the trip back.

She didn't speak, just sat in the helo, her face devoid of emotions. When they landed, she got out without another word, making her way inside. She was bruised, her uniform torn in some places. Covered in dirt, her usual happy hazel eyes were empty and dead. Jeanz had some new scratches and cuts on her face and the rest of her body. Soldiers welcomed her back, expecting the normal smile and happy greeting. There was none. She would turn her head and look at who greeted her, but she didn't say anything, almost staring through them.

She made her way through the halls, heading to her room. Her head was heavy, stuck in a loop of her torture at the place she had just come back from. Stuck on the girl she had rescued. Stuck on the blood that had dried on her face, hands and uniform.

Her body was exhausted and her mind haunted. She wasn't Jeanz anymore. She was a shell. Just barely existing, barely there. Even if someone bumped into her, it was as if Jeanz didn't process it, didn't respond to it, didn't care.

She didn't fucking care about anything right now. A brief flash of wishing she hadn't come back from the mission flashing through her mind. She didn't deserve to leave that place twice. Didn't deserve to be walking through these halls. Didn't deserve anything she had right now. She should have died the first time she was in that bunker. She shouldn't have made it out alive and scarred. Marred for the rest of her life, made into this ugly thing. She shouldn't have been there or here.

Jeanz was one of the most beautiful souls Boots had ever known. If anyone needed help? She was there. If anyone was feeling unwell? She offered to talk to them. In the minds of the privates, she was there like The Sergeant. The big sister. After all, she had raised them when they were here in basic training.

Boots, while she was a little more inexperienced, didn't understand how with those scars on her back, after what the sergeant had been through, how she had the strength to smile so much? The private had already missed her when she was lying on the couch in her office and first heard that she was going on a mission. She had seen from a window Nikolai preparing the helicopter and Jeanz boarding into it, fully equipped. Like the angel of death. Boots thought of her with deep respect. It shouldn't be a difficult mission if you're sent alone, right?

No. Her heart almost withered when she heard a few days later how Jeanz was doing. When she found out she was back, she was relieved and happy, but from the expressions on the others' faces she suspected something was wrong. Then she asked. What could have happened to make Jeanz in this condition? A new trauma? Or an old one?

When she had time to sit down and think, she just went into the mess hall, slouched down at a table and tapped her fingers on the tabletop. I can't help her. What can I do? She carefully tapped the stitches on her chest under her T-shirt with her hands, feeling only a cautious tingling on the skin grafts. But at least these wounds are healing and the shemagh will take care of the rest. But Jeanz? What's up with her?

One day after dinner, she put her empty tray on the counter and instead of taking a shower, she walked over to the other woman's office. Her footsteps echoed a little in the dark hallway. She stopped in front of the door and thought, but instead of knocking she just sat down, leaning her back against the wall and putting one hand in the gap under the door so that if Jeanz was inside, she could see that there was someone outside. It probably didn't mean anything. It might have been a waste of time, but Boots was doing it for both of them. She couldn't have helped at that moment otherwise.

Boots opened the door and stepped inside before carefully closing it. The usual fabric covered her face.

"Can I stay here on the couch for a bit? Just a little."

Jeanz looked up at Boots, giving her a smile. "O' course. Ye know yer more than welcome ta."

Boots softly smiled and walked to the couch.

"Thank you." She said with a quiet, tired voice before laying down and curling up into a ball on the couch.

Jeanz nodded her head. "O' course," she responded, her tone kind as she looked over at Boots. "Ye doin' okay, Boots?"

"Yeah.. just exhausted." Boots responded with the same voice. "I'll be alright."

A few silent seconds later she looked up at Jeanz. "And how are you doing?"

"Take a nap if ye need ta," Jeanz told Boots, turning back to her paperwok. "I'm good. Gettin' all my paperwork wrapped up for my next mission coming up."

Boots nodded.

"Where will the mission be if ya don't mind me asking?"

"Somewhere in Russia. All Price would give me at tha moment." Jeanz answered with a small shrug of her shoulders. "Just 'ave ta go rescue someone bein' held captive."

Boots nodded again before turning on her back with a sigh and staring at the ceiling.

"Wish you the best. I'll invite you out for a drink when you get back."

Jeanz gave her a smile, watching her for a moment. "Aye, tha' sounds good ta me. Ye can take a nap if yer tired."

Boots let out a long sigh and closed her eyes, slowly getting lost in her own thoughts but she didn't fall asleep. She just enjoyed the silence.

Boots opened the door and stepped inside before carefully closing it. The usual fabric covered her face.

"Can I stay here on the couch for a bit? Just a little."

Jeanz looked up at Boots, giving her a smile. "O' course. Ye know yer more than welcome ta."

Boots softly smiled and walked to the couch.

"Thank you." She said with a quiet, tired voice before laying down and curling up into a ball on the couch.

Jeanz nodded her head. "O' course," she responded, her tone kind as she looked over at Boots. "Ye doin' okay, Boots?"

"Yeah.. just exhausted." Boots responded with the same voice. "I'll be alright."

A few silent seconds later she looked up at Jeanz. "And how are you doing?"

"Take a nap if ye need ta," Jeanz told Boots, turning back to her paperwok. "I'm good. Gettin' all my paperwork wrapped up for my next mission coming up."

Boots nodded.

"Where will the mission be if ya don't mind me asking?"

"Somewhere in Russia. All Price would give me at tha moment." Jeanz answered with a small shrug of her shoulders. "Just 'ave ta go rescue someone bein' held captive."

Boots nodded again before turning on her back with a sigh and staring at the ceiling.

"Wish you the best. I'll invite you out for a drink when you get back."

Boots opened the door and stepped inside before carefully closing it. The usual fabric covered her face.

"Can I stay here on the couch for a bit? Just a little."

Jeanz looked up at Boots, giving her a smile. "O' course. Ye know yer more than welcome ta."

Boots softly smiled and walked to the couch.

"Thank you." She said with a quiet, tired voice before laying down and curling up into a ball on the couch.

Jeanz nodded her head. "O' course," she responded, her tone kind as she looked over at Boots. "Ye doin' okay, Boots?"

"Yeah.. just exhausted." Boots responded with the same voice. "I'll be alright."

A few silent seconds later she looked up at Jeanz. "And how are you doing?"

"Take a nap if ye need ta," Jeanz told Boots, turning back to her paperwok. "I'm good. Gettin' all my paperwork wrapped up for my next mission coming up."

Boots nodded.

"Where will the mission be if ya don't mind me asking?"

Open rp

Things calmed down. The private's external wounds were healing nicely, the stitches on her chest were already waiting to be removed, her ears no longer needed bandages, the two small snugs were healing nicely. And, in the meantime, her birthday had arrived, she officially turned 20. She never had a big celebration, the people around her usually didn't even know, she only got a small gift from 1-2, but that was more than enough for her. Today, however, she decided to go alone to the nearby pub where she knew the bartender and knew that they wouldn't ask for her ID, because she might not have been drinking ever in her life, but she could use a glass on occasions. Especially now.

She put on the shemagh she had cleaned since then, put on a black turtleneck sweater, a simple leather jacket, then a pair of loose black jeans and a pair of black boots she had borrowed from Phoenix and looked at herself in the mirror. I look like a man, I like it, she thought.

She soon left the base, nodding to the guards. It was already dark outside, the rain was drizzling lightly and she only had a 20-minute walk ahead of her. When she got there, se nodded to a couple of acquaintances in front of the entrance, of course they didn't recognize her because of the shemagh and basically different body but it didn't really matter. She opened the door, entered the almost full bar and her eyes widened immediately when she saw the person sitting on a chair leaning against the counter. What are they doing here?

Phoenix was sitting by himself, nursing some fruity cocktail as he stared down at his phone. There was some random video playing that he was entranced by, seemingly unaware of the world around him.

He had come to the bar to drink his night away, having been here for at least a few hours. Today sucked. It always sucked. Every single year, Phoenix did something so that he didn’t have to think about it. Before, it was throwing himself into his work and training his team. Now? Now, all he could do was drink. The last thing he wanted to do was bother anyone.

Boots' heart skipped a beat when she saw the man's condition and she hesitated for a few seconds before stepping inside and closing the door behind her. Now this is a birthday surprise.

At first she didn't go over to the wasted man, she just sat down at a table further away and watched him. He must be here because he wants to be alone. What could have happened? I need to help him. But what if he doesn't need it? She thought as she leaned her elbows on the wooden tabletop and rested her forearms on each other. The place was relatively warm but she didn't take off her jacket.

After five minutes she took a deep breath and got up, walked unobtrusively to the counter and sat down two chairs away so that the man's back was towards her and ordered a glass of beer. She pulled the bottom of her shemagh under her chin and sipped the cold drink.

There weren't many women in the bar, but she noticed one who walked around in a red cocktail dress, always talking to a man who later gave her money and she put it in her purse and moved on to the next person. It was when this woman approached Phoenix and addressed him that the private really raised her head. "Hi, honey. Wanna make a bet with me?" The woman spoke. At that Boots just continued drinking her beer but listened intently.

Phoenix had just finished his drink, his tongue stained a light blue from the blue dye in the drink, when some random woman he’d never met before approached him. He tensed, his first instinct assuming that she’s some kind of threat, but quickly relaxed. If she was a threat, it’d be easier for her to think that he wasn’t one as well.

“A bet you say?” Phoenix asked, turning in his seat and look at the woman. He carefully scanned her for any sort of threat, taking note of her dress and purse. He couldn’t lie and say that she wasn’t pretty, but she wasn’t his type.

Phoenix took a second to also look around the bar, his eyes catching on a specific person before looking back to the woman. That couldn’t be Boots. Why would she be here? “Y’know, I normally don’t make random bets in random bars. But I don’t mind making an exception for a pretty girl like you.” The words made him want to crawl out of his skin, but he couldn’t help it. He flirted like he breathed. It was his whole job.

"You're full of flirt, pretty boy. I like you." The woman smirked and leaned one elbow on the counter seductively, twirling a lock of hair with her other hand. It was a practiced move. "Now that we're here at the counter, I'm a little thirsty. I'll bet you $100 that I can drink 2 pints of beer before you can drink a shot. Want to know the rules?"

Boots could only hope that the man didn't notice she was there, so that it wouldn't cause more trouble, and at first she just rolled her eyes and took another sip of her beer when she heared his response. But when she heard what the woman wanted to play with him, she slammed the glass on the counter, not too loudly of course. She knew this bet. Phoenix had no chance of winning and would only lose $100 if he went in, but he looked pretty down already. Leave them alone, it's his business. But-... No. just leave him alone. She pulled back her shemagh and continued to watch, now turning toward them.

This was a scam. Phoenix knew it just from how the woman was behaving. But he wouldn’t lie and say he wasn’t at least slightly intrigued. “Well, that doesn’t seem too hard. What’s the catch? There’s always a catch. Are my hands tied behind my back? Am I blindfolded? Do I have to drink it upside down?”

All things that he’s done before at the request of the Shadows that he used to train. It wasn’t often they got him out to drink, but when they did he always made sure it was worth their while.

100 dollars wasn’t even a real dent in his pocket, but he couldn’t say that he was too eager to give it up, either. If he knew he couldn’t beat the scam, then he’d say no. But if he could, or could at least give it a shot, he’d probably agree. Just to try and brighten his night ever so slightly.

No... NO. He's a grown ass man. Leave him alone. No. Hey... HEY, stop it. Stop it NOW. ARE YOU FUCKING STUPID?? Boots thought as she put the money for her beer on the counter next to the glass, stood up from her chair and took two steps forward. She froze for a moment as she managed to control herself but it didn't matter. The woman noticed her.

She sighed. Jesus Christ.

She took a third, slower step forward, a few of the people around them watching as she gently put one arm around the man's waist and stepped to his side. She looked at the woman from behind her shemagh with piercing eyes that could kill. It's been a while since she's done anything like this, anything flirtatious.

"Hi, my heart, would you like to introduce me to your friend?" She said in a calm but deep voice. The stranger looked up at her and looked her over as if she were a bag of trash. "We have business with the boy, don't you see?" Boots snorted at that. "Get your pretty ass out of here, you scammer kurrva." Her hand squeezed his side a little, perhaps instinctively, as if protecting him, even though she knew exactly that he wouldn't need it. Then why am I doing this? She hoped that he wouldn't interfere and could take care of this woman herself.

Phoenix doesn’t flinch as he feels the arm wrap around him, years of training and undercover ops where he had to act natural having him just smile and lean into whoever it is that was touching him. “Hi, dearest,” he said, finally looking up at the person.

Boots. He could recognize her easily, even if she tried to disguise her voice. His smile came naturally, happy to see her well enough to be out and about. “I was just talking to this lovely woman about a bet. 100 dollars, do you believe it? She was just about to tell me the rules of it.”

He didn’t interfere further than that, letting Boots take care of getting rid of the woman. He was too drunk to really care much, anyway. The woman let out a frustrated noise and walked away, likely to go scam someone else. “I might have to pick up Hungarian, too,” Phoenix joked, looking up at Boots with a smile.

Boots was blushing like hell at the whole situation.

The woman laughed. "Don't be so nervous, we're not even allowed to talk, chica?"

"Tudod ki a faszom a chica, now get out of here." Boots replied. When the woman finally left, she let go of the man and looked at him seriously. "The rule is that you can only touch your glass after she's finished her first pint of beer and put the glass down and you can't touch each other's glasses. If you go in, she'll drink the first pint of beer and turn her glass over and put it over yours so you can't touch it. Then she'll drink the second pint and win." She explained.

Her gaze slowly softened as she looked into his eyes. After that, she looked down and rubbed hers with a sigh. How drunk he is? I can't really tell but he stinks of alcohol. Should I just leave now? Should I ask something? Why wasn't he suprised when I touched him? I'm so dumb.

"Fucking hell..." She murmured. "I'm sorry for all that... but man, respectfully, you look like if you try to stand up now you will fall and sleep on the floor."

Phoenix watched the interaction with an amused smile, looking up at Boots as she pulled away. He listened as she told him what the scam would have been, nodding slowly. “Then I would just put my hands flat on the counter top around the shot, without touching it of course. If she put the glass on my hands, then she’s purposely trying to get me to lose by cheating. If she doesn’t, then I drink my shot and win. Easy peasy.” He paused and looked around. “Or I just ask someone else to move it for me. No rule breaking there, technically.”

He smiled at Boots and laughed a little. “Yeah, I suppose that’s fair. ‘M drunk as hell right now. Planned on just sleeping it off in the alley outside and praying that no one robbed me.” Phoenix gestured for her to sit next to him, resting his elbow on the counter and leaning to the side a bit. “What brings you here?”

Yes, I'm an idiot. But maybe his ideas wouldn't work if he didn't know the rules? I don't know, let's just leave it at that. Her heart sank seeing the man like that and her face remained serious.

She shook her head and sat down on the chair next to him before she and the bartender exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

"It's my birthday. I don't usually celebrate, but I came here for a drink." She said, turning to Phoenix, already planning how to take him home. Where did he live, where to take him? She leaned on the counter with one elbow and propped her head on her fist. Then she chuckled a little. "You're probably having a better night with me sitting here than if that random woman was sitting on your lap," she joked. She'd heard before that drunk people were honest, but since she'd never been drunk enough to experience that, she didn't quite know yet. She was green about almost everything and wondered what could have happened to get the man here. Tungsten, who saved her life. "And what brings you here?"

“Your birthday?” He said, an eyebrow raised. Well that was interesting. The thought crossed his mind that she might not have technically been allowed in the bar, Phoenix being fairly certain that she wasn’t 21 yet but not knowing the laws of bars overseas. He didn’t say anything, though, not wanting to ruin her night more than he already had by making her save his ass.

Phoenix let out a laugh and nodded, watching carefully as Boots sat down. “Oh, trust me, I wouldn’t be letting her sit on my lap at all. Not unless it was for an op, and I’m very much off the clock for the time being.”

He tilted his head and thought about it. Why was he here? The memory came back to him, and he hummed. “‘S a bad day today. Don’t have any work to throw myself into, so…here I am.” He didn’t want to share exactly what the bad day was, not in front of all these people. “But ‘s your birthday! You should be celebrating, having a good time. Not looking over a sad sap like me.”

Boots decided to stay with him and help him even if the man didn't need her. Of course she was curious about what had happened to him, but it wasn't her business. He would tell her later if he wanted to, Maybe I'll ask him later.

Phoenix's presence was a real surprise for Boots, but it wasn't a bad thing at all. The guilt from her heart faded a bit again after she saved him $100. She looked around at the people, then at the man's empty glass, and swalloved. She was inexperienced in drinking because she rarely went to bars or pubs, but she was used to the strong smell of alcohol on the base.

She let out a small huff and shook her head. "I'm glad to spend this time with the person I can thank for making me live this long." She looked Phoenix over and spoke in a calm voice. "I'd invite you for another round, but what do you say we go home instead?" Then she wondered what 'home' was in this situation. The base? Phoenix's place? She didn't know where the latter was, but she didn't dare ask him yet. She knew that no matter how close she was to a drunk person, she had to think in steps, not rush.

Phoenix just shook his head and let out a huff. "C'mon, I'm not the only reason you're still alive. Gotta wanna live in order to be 'saved,' and you definitely wanted to live," he said, leaning against the counter some more. He debated just lying down against it, but he decided not to for the simple fact of he had company. It felt rude.

"I mean..." he trailed off, thinking about it. It was probably for the best that he went back to the base seeing as he was way too wasted to try to drive but too tired to think about getting a ride. "That's probably smart. I'm sure Jeanz is wondering where I am. Been crashing on the couch in her office 'till she sends Clara back to the farm."

The thought made him giggle, and he ended up leaning against the counter. "Ohhhhh, I'm sooooo drunk. Sorry, Boots. 'S your birthday. Your birthday! Oh, that's so exciting. You shouldn't have to take care of some drunk dude on your birthday. We should...should get Lynx to bake you a cake. I'd do it, but I'm sooo drunk." He was at the point of being drunk that he was rambling mindlessly.

Boots had no idea Jeanz's sister was here at the base, and for a moment she considered whether she would like to meet her.

As the man chuckled and leaned against the counter, the private was completely confused about how drunk he was, but she realized that probably that last cocktail just kicked in. Her eyes grew more concerned. Lynx? Bake her a cake? That would be cute, but they'd only met once, and Phoenix probably wouldn't remember much of the idea the next morning anyway. God he's so sweet.

It sure was strange to see one of her idols in such a state. She lifted her elbow off the counter before getting up from her chair and walking over to the man without question. "Na gyere, Tungsten." She said softly as she carefully pulled him into a normal sitting position by the side of his chest and wrapped his good arm behind her neck. She grabbed his hand around her shoulders with one hand and her waist with the other, and with a small groan, she pulled her up from the chair. They slowly walked out of the bar into the empty parking lot.

Phoenix let himself be pulled up, not doing much to fight it. Not like he could, with how strong that last cocktail seemed to be. He knew he shouldn’t have trusted how sweet it was. Those ones were the kinds that hid just how strong of alcohol was in it until it was too late.

“Oooookayyy.” He couldn’t help but draw out the words, finding it humorous. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, his other one resting limply at his side. He already paid for all of his drinks, already deciding that cocktail would be the last one before he ordered it, so he had no issues with just leaving.

It took a bit of stumbling, but eventually the two made it to the parking lot. Phoenix breathed in deeply, enjoying the feeling of the outside air against his face. “‘S nice out,” he murmured, stumbling in time with Boots. “A little chilly, but ‘s nice. How’re we getting home? Cuz I can totallyyyy walk.”

Boots stopped and turned her head to the side to look at him with soft eyes.

Touch still felt a bit like bugs crawling under her skin, but now it was about helping to a close person and it didn't really matter. Her heart sank as she and Tungsten headed for the sidewalk and they started walking back to the base, because Boots had come on foot but she didn't mind taking the man like this. If he hadn't come on foot then she would come back the next day for the car but this was how she wanted to handle it now, to ease on her guilt. Maybe it made no sense.

First he had carried the private bridal style in his arms, now she was carrying the man, holding him steady so he wouldn't fall as they walked. Sometimes she muttered something to herself in Hungarian, but of course Phoenix didn't understand. "I see you can walk, but now I'll help you." She said softly and looked up at the stars for a moment before turning back to him and sighing. "Oh, Tungsten. I wish I understood you and everything else." After a minute of silence later, she spoke again. "So you usually sleep on Jeanz's couch?"

Phoenix walked with her, trying to focus on putting one foot in front of the other. It was easier since he had Boots to lean on, less pressure of what would happen if he fell.

At her words, he paused, stopping completely to think about what he wanted to say. It was one or the other. Either use his brain power to walk or to think of what he wanted to say. “‘S not all it’s cracked up to be,” he slurred, continuing to walk. He would just say whatever his brain thought of without really thinking about it. “Knowledge kinda sucks sometimes. I kinda suck sometimes.”

At the mention of the couch, Phoenix hummed. “Yep! Onnnnn the couch. ‘Cause I don’t have a bed, so I sleep on the couch. ‘Least until I get to the farm. You should…should come visit. Could teach you and Clara some things ‘bout knives and fighting. ‘M sure that Jeanz would love it.” He wobbled slightly but didn’t fall, thankfully, instead just leaning against Boots some more in an attempt to stabilize.

“How’ve you been, Boots? How’s your birthday been?”

When he stopped, Boots tried to keep walking but instead stopped to steady themselves. She let out a small huff at his words. "You're right. But you don't suck right now." She gently touched their heads before they continued walking.

As he talked about Jeanz, she just listened, concentrating on understanding what he was saying. Where does this man live anyway? She nodded a few times before answering quietly. "The farm sounds good. I love animals and Jeanz is like a sister to me, but... I don't know if she feels close enough to invite me. Maybe one day." She sighed heavily. As he stumbled, she immediately squeezed his waist to steady themselves and looked at him to make sure everything was okay. As soon as they regained their balance, she stroked his waist a little. She cared about him a lot. "I'm all right, my chest is healing and everything." This is gonna be a long walk. She smiled again and looked at him as they continued walking. "My birthday? It was really good, I even met a guy," she wondered when he would realize she was talking about him, just curiously playing.

He stared down at his feet still, only sparing a glance up a few times. He regretted it every time, though, because it was like the world was spinning around him. Still, Phoenix listened as Boots spoke, not wanting to miss a word. “Jeanz…Jeanz wouldn’t miiiiind. She lovessss people. ‘Specially th’ people like you, cause you’re sweet. She may like her candy sour, but she likes her people sweet. ‘N traumatized. You got pleeeeenty ‘f that now.”

At the mention of a guy, Phoenix furrowed his brow. “A guy?” he questioned, risking another glance at her before dropping his head to look at the sidewalk again. “What kinda…guy?”

Boots smiled to herself under the fabric. "...I guess. Thank you tho. She'll invite me if she wants." It would be very honorable, but we'll find out later. I don't want to get carried away just yet.

She chuckled at his question and turned her head away for a second. "A very funny guy who I really like. Very strong and incredibly polite." She continued while looking ahead. There weren't many cars passing by on the road, it was a quiet night. Then the private realized from his gaze and that if he raised his head so little, it probably felt like he was on a roller coaster. It was also possible that he was going to throw up and her eyes became a bit more concerned. "If you need to throw up, let me know and we can stop, okay?" She said softly.

“Funny and strong and polite,” Phoenix repeated. “Sounds decent. You better….better ouch ‘m if he doesn’t anythin’ stuuuupid.” He let his eyes flick to the road, watching as a single car drove by.

“I don’t…don’t gotta puke,” he said, even though the world was still spinning. He gripped onto her just a bit tighter and let out a shaking breath. “Could go fooooor…a waaaater. Nice ‘n cold. Like ice. But without ice, ‘cause it’s too hard to chew sometimes.”

The nonsense was starting to flow freely from his mouth, a steady stream of anything leaving his mouth. It was harmless things ranging from why he loved the color purple to his opinion on grass. If it caught his eye, then he would talk about it. “How much longer ‘till we get back to base?”

Boots just let out a huff, rolled her eyes then also looked at the car that was passing by them. You're an idiot. she told herself. If he threw up, it probably wouldn't go to the private, at least half of it.

Little goosebumps ran down her spine as Phoenix squeezed her tighter. "Yeah. We can get some water when we get home. We'll wash your face and then you can go to sleep." She reassured him in a soft voice. As the man spoke, Boots just listened in silence, mainly paying attention to how they were moving and not to fall. It crossed her mind that she would carry the man further with a fireman's grip and she hadn't given up on the idea yet, but for now they just hobbled along the sidewalk.

She answered his question a little breathlessly. "About five more minutes. We'll be there soon." Why am I so stupid? Her heart gnawed again as she thought through the mission and the present in her mind willy-nilly. She let out a big breath as they countinued walking. "Who do you think is most worried about you at the base?" She asked to pass the time, and because she was curious.

He hummed and blinked slowly. The thought of doing anything other than just collapsing on Jeanz's couch hadn't crossed his mind, but he couldn't say that he minded it much. "Okay," he murmured.

Five minutes. That wasn't too long, right? Not too long at all. "Uhhhhhhhhm...." He had to think about it. Who would be worried about him?

"Maybe....Jeanz. Cause I told her I was going to the bar but not when I'd be back. 'Nd uhm...think that's it. Cause everyone else 's either off base or doesn't know 'm drunk as hell right now," he answered after a second.

When they made it to the base, Phoenix smiled. It was funny how this place was the closest thing to home that he had gotten in all 29 years of his life. "Y'can take me to Jeanz's office," he told Boots. "Jus' dump me on her couch."

As they entered the gates and then the building door, Boots let out a deep breath. "Okay, but first we'll get you some water."

They headed for the bathroom, Boots nodding to the guards as she supported Phoenix. When they got there, the private entered the men's bathroom without hesitation and helped the man lean over to one of the sinks. With the hand that had been holding his hand, she carefully turned on the tap and held her fingers under the water before speaking gently. "Wash your face first, then you can go to sleep, okay?" Why do I care so much about him? It doesn't matter, don't think about it.

Once they were done with that, Boots turned off the tap and they walked over to Jeanz's room, but the door was locked. She sighed and went down to the rec room with Phoenix, where the private carefully pushed the door open and sat the man down on the beanbags. "Is this good?" she asked.

Phoenix smiled and waved at the guards as they went into the building, not minding when they just look at him funny and keep staring forward.

Boots coming into the bathroom with him doesn’t even make Phoenix blink twice. He didn’t care which bathroom she was in, so long as he could get done what needed to be done. When Boots turned the water on, Phoenix didn’t hesitate to lean over the sink and splash the water on his face, taking good care to not scrub too hard on his scars.

Phoenix had half the mind to tell Boots that he could pick the lock, but with how hard it was for him to keep a solid grip on things, maybe it was for the best that they just went to the rec room.

He curled up on the beanbag, laughing at the sound and the feeling of it. “‘S sooooo good, Boots. You should…should sit down on the other one. ‘Cause it’s your birthday, and beanbags are fun.”

Boots let out a small sigh, shrugged her shoulders and sat down on the beanbag near Phoenix, smiling faintly. "You say so?" She pulled her legs up and leaned her elbows on her knees, staring straight ahead. So what am I gonna do now?

She chuckled softly. "Yeah, I guess they're fun." Then they just sat there, the private watching the man to see if everything was okay, if he was holding up, if he was going to fall asleep. She started tapping one of her feet softly to a song that had been going on in her head for a long time, but she didn't say anything. I should stay here and take care of him. She looked at her watch then rubbed her eyes and after a few minutes she stood up, walked over to Phoenix and took off his boots. "Well, you can sleep a little more comfortably." She put her own shoes and the man's by the door before walking over to the small counter to get a glass of water. "How are you feeling, Tungsten?"

Phoenix watched curiously as Boots got up from her bean bag chair, tilting his head as she started to take off their boots. He hadn’t thought to take off his shoes, having grown used to wearing them while he fell asleep. It’s not like he chose to, it just sort of became a habit after a while of being too exhausted to take them off. “Thank you, Boots,” he said, settling further into the beanbag chair as he watched her put their boots by the door.

It was so comfortable and it was a wonderful that he hadn’t fallen asleep yet. But he didn’t want to leave Boots hanging, so he watched her go to the sink to get some water. “Don’t feel like Tungsten,” he joked. “Feel more liiiiiike…. Sodium. ‘S a soft metal. I loooooved chemistry. Had the whoole periodic table memorized when I was a little kid.”

Boots nodded with a smile as she listened to Phoenix and grinned before leaning against the counter, unwrapping the fabric from her head and setting it aside to take a sip of water from her glass. "The periodic table is big." She agreed.

She looked at the man with gentle eyes and put her glass down a bit to rub her face. Her ears were clearly healing nicely. She lifted her head as she realized that she should give the man a drink too. She pushed herself away from the counter to get another glass and fill it with cold water. It would really be hard to chew an ice cube right now.

With the full glass in her hand, she walked over to him and squatted down next to the beanbag, carefully reaching under the man's head with one hand to support him. "It'll be fine, it's cold, but I didn't put any ice in it." She didn't even ask if Phoenix wanted it, she just smiled a little to herself.

Phoenix watched as she sipped at her water, vaguely wishing that he had water too. Then he watched Boots grab another glass and fill it with cold water, bringing it over to him. “You’re like….a mind reader,” Phoenix mumbled as she walked over. He couldn’t help but notice that her ears were healing nicely. That was good.

He let his head be held up as he grasped at the bottom of the water glass. It was probably for the best that Boots hadn’t let go of it considering the fact that Phoenix didn’t really trust himself to hold it by himself. “Thank you,” he mumbled before starting to drink. Slowly, at first, before speeding up about halfway through and chugging the rest of the water.

When he was done, Phoenix pulled away and settled back onto the bean bag chair. “You should….come sit down again. ‘M gonna fall asleep soon. Wanna talk for a bit b’fore I do, though.”

"No problem." Boots said softly, and as the man finished drinking, she carefully and slowly released his head before standing up and going back to the counter to put down the glass. She looked at the shemagh for a few seconds but decided not to put it on.

As Phoenix spoke, she turned back to him and looked at him with calm but tired eyes. What does he want to talk about? Finally, she walked over and sat down on the beanbag next to him.

She stretched her legs out with a sigh and looked down at Phoenix. "Yeah? You could use a long, deep sleep right now." How honest are drunk people? As she exhaled, she realized how tired she herself was.

He watched as Boots sat back down, smiling a little. He could feel sleep starting to creep up on him, but he didn't let it take him under just yet. "I could," he said with a shrug. "But 's been a minute since we got to talk. Just...wonderin' how you're doing is all."

Phoenix had been worrying slightly about her and her injuries. After he had dropped her off, he had a contract that he had to work on that meant being gone for a little bit with no way to check on her. He felt bad, just disappearing like that. "Your ears are healing nicely. And you helped carry me like it was nothing, so I'm guessing your chest is better too."

He could feel himself starting to sober up again, the water already doing wonders. Maybe he shouldn't have drunk so much. His head was going to be killing him in the morning, he could feel it.

Boots shrugged and smiled faintly. "Yeah, you're right." The private was also curious about how Phoenix was doing and thought she'd ask why he was at the bar. They hadn't seen each other since he rescued her and took her back to the 141.

As the man mentioned her wounds, Boots instinctively reached for her ear to feel what was left of it, satisfied that it hurt a lot less. "It was only a mile. But yeah, the skin grafts are fitting well and healing nicely, I can do some work now," she said with a small smile. It was good to be here on base, although the cabin wasn't bad either. "I got into a new platoon, got a uniform... I just remembered, I need to return you the boots I borrowed." She looked down at the man again. "What's happened to you since then? It's good to see you alive."

Phoenix shrugged and moved around a bit on the beanbag chair, trying to find a more comfortable position. He ended up settling for lying on his back with his legs kicked out in front of him, his hands resting on his stomach as he stared at the ceiling. “A mile’s still a mile,” he said. “But tha’s good. ‘M glad you’re healing okay.”

He listened, glad that she was getting back into the swing of things. Events like those, they live with you for the rest of your life. He would know. “Y’can keep ‘em,” he said, turning his head to look at her a little. “You’ll use ‘em better than I will, I think. But ‘s good that you’re getting y’r life back. Good that they aren’t writing you off. Y’got potential. Can see it from a mile away.”

Phoenix was definitely rambling a little, the alcohol making him looser with his words that he was used to. The prospect of talking about himself made him pause, but he decided why not. No harm to be done. “Been doin’ a whole lotta nothin’ interesting. Work. Sleep. Eating when I can. But ‘m alive. Better than some can say.” He yawned and stretched out a bit more before curling up into the fetal position. He could never sit still for very long. But this was comfortable.

The private watched the man stretch out and looked down at her boots. "Thanks." She mumbled with a smile, then let out a small huff. It's really nice to talk like this, I should have done more of it earlier. "And you were right, they pay me enough to go to a psychologist."

Boots saw that the water had helped Phoenix a little and sighed, thinking about the headache he was going to have in the morning. He would be the first to experience it anyway and Boots the second. As he talked about himself, the private just listened and once nodded. There must be a reason he was at the bar, I'll ask.

As the man curled up, Boots yawned before, without thinking, carefully lifted one hand and placed it behind the man's head, gently running her fingers through his hair. What the hell, he's a 30 year-old man, what are you doing? Then she just sighed. She was too tired to care, and she had no idea how the man would react, but when she realized it, her hand was already there and she didn't pull away. She felt like it would help. He won't remember this when he wakes up anyway, she calmed herself as she sat and after a few quiet seconds she worked up the courage to ask. "I'm just curious, you don't have to tell me if ye don't wanna, but what kind of day is it today that made you get drunk?"

Boots opened the door and stepped inside before carefully closing it. The usual fabric covered her face.

"Can I stay here on the couch for a bit? Just a little."

Jeanz looked up at Boots, giving her a smile. "O' course. Ye know yer more than welcome ta."

Boots softly smiled and walked to the couch.

"Thank you." She said with a quiet, tired voice before laying down and curling up into a ball on the couch.

Jeanz nodded her head. "O' course," she responded, her tone kind as she looked over at Boots. "Ye doin' okay, Boots?"

"Yeah.. just exhausted." Boots responded with the same voice. "I'll be alright."

A few silent seconds later she looked up at Jeanz. "And how are you doing?"

Boots opened the door and stepped inside before carefully closing it. The usual fabric covered her face.

"Can I stay here on the couch for a bit? Just a little."

Jeanz looked up at Boots, giving her a smile. "O' course. Ye know yer more than welcome ta."

Boots softly smiled and walked to the couch.

"Thank you." She said with a quiet, tired voice before laying down and curling up into a ball on the couch.

Boots opened the door and stepped inside before carefully closing it. The usual fabric covered her face.

"Can I stay here on the couch for a bit? Just a little."

*leaves a bag of vanilla flavored hot chocolate powder on the floor*

Open rp

Things calmed down. The private's external wounds were healing nicely, the stitches on her chest were already waiting to be removed, her ears no longer needed bandages, the two small snugs were healing nicely. And, in the meantime, her birthday had arrived, she officially turned 20. She never had a big celebration, the people around her usually didn't even know, she only got a small gift from 1-2, but that was more than enough for her. Today, however, she decided to go alone to the nearby pub where she knew the bartender and knew that they wouldn't ask for her ID, because she might not have been drinking ever in her life, but she could use a glass on occasions. Especially now.

She put on the shemagh she had cleaned since then, put on a black turtleneck sweater, a simple leather jacket, then a pair of loose black jeans and a pair of black boots she had borrowed from Phoenix and looked at herself in the mirror. I look like a man, I like it, she thought.

She soon left the base, nodding to the guards. It was already dark outside, the rain was drizzling lightly and she only had a 20-minute walk ahead of her. When she got there, se nodded to a couple of acquaintances in front of the entrance, of course they didn't recognize her because of the shemagh and basically different body but it didn't really matter. She opened the door, entered the almost full bar and her eyes widened immediately when she saw the person sitting on a chair leaning against the counter. What are they doing here?

Phoenix was sitting by himself, nursing some fruity cocktail as he stared down at his phone. There was some random video playing that he was entranced by, seemingly unaware of the world around him.

He had come to the bar to drink his night away, having been here for at least a few hours. Today sucked. It always sucked. Every single year, Phoenix did something so that he didn’t have to think about it. Before, it was throwing himself into his work and training his team. Now? Now, all he could do was drink. The last thing he wanted to do was bother anyone.

Boots' heart skipped a beat when she saw the man's condition and she hesitated for a few seconds before stepping inside and closing the door behind her. Now this is a birthday surprise.

At first she didn't go over to the wasted man, she just sat down at a table further away and watched him. He must be here because he wants to be alone. What could have happened? I need to help him. But what if he doesn't need it? She thought as she leaned her elbows on the wooden tabletop and rested her forearms on each other. The place was relatively warm but she didn't take off her jacket.

After five minutes she took a deep breath and got up, walked unobtrusively to the counter and sat down two chairs away so that the man's back was towards her and ordered a glass of beer. She pulled the bottom of her shemagh under her chin and sipped the cold drink.

There weren't many women in the bar, but she noticed one who walked around in a red cocktail dress, always talking to a man who later gave her money and she put it in her purse and moved on to the next person. It was when this woman approached Phoenix and addressed him that the private really raised her head. "Hi, honey. Wanna make a bet with me?" The woman spoke. At that Boots just continued drinking her beer but listened intently.

Phoenix had just finished his drink, his tongue stained a light blue from the blue dye in the drink, when some random woman he’d never met before approached him. He tensed, his first instinct assuming that she’s some kind of threat, but quickly relaxed. If she was a threat, it’d be easier for her to think that he wasn’t one as well.

“A bet you say?” Phoenix asked, turning in his seat and look at the woman. He carefully scanned her for any sort of threat, taking note of her dress and purse. He couldn’t lie and say that she wasn’t pretty, but she wasn’t his type.

Phoenix took a second to also look around the bar, his eyes catching on a specific person before looking back to the woman. That couldn’t be Boots. Why would she be here? “Y’know, I normally don’t make random bets in random bars. But I don’t mind making an exception for a pretty girl like you.” The words made him want to crawl out of his skin, but he couldn’t help it. He flirted like he breathed. It was his whole job.

"You're full of flirt, pretty boy. I like you." The woman smirked and leaned one elbow on the counter seductively, twirling a lock of hair with her other hand. It was a practiced move. "Now that we're here at the counter, I'm a little thirsty. I'll bet you $100 that I can drink 2 pints of beer before you can drink a shot. Want to know the rules?"

Boots could only hope that the man didn't notice she was there, so that it wouldn't cause more trouble, and at first she just rolled her eyes and took another sip of her beer when she heared his response. But when she heard what the woman wanted to play with him, she slammed the glass on the counter, not too loudly of course. She knew this bet. Phoenix had no chance of winning and would only lose $100 if he went in, but he looked pretty down already. Leave them alone, it's his business. But-... No. just leave him alone. She pulled back her shemagh and continued to watch, now turning toward them.

This was a scam. Phoenix knew it just from how the woman was behaving. But he wouldn’t lie and say he wasn’t at least slightly intrigued. “Well, that doesn’t seem too hard. What’s the catch? There’s always a catch. Are my hands tied behind my back? Am I blindfolded? Do I have to drink it upside down?”

All things that he’s done before at the request of the Shadows that he used to train. It wasn’t often they got him out to drink, but when they did he always made sure it was worth their while.

100 dollars wasn’t even a real dent in his pocket, but he couldn’t say that he was too eager to give it up, either. If he knew he couldn’t beat the scam, then he’d say no. But if he could, or could at least give it a shot, he’d probably agree. Just to try and brighten his night ever so slightly.

No... NO. He's a grown ass man. Leave him alone. No. Hey... HEY, stop it. Stop it NOW. ARE YOU FUCKING STUPID?? Boots thought as she put the money for her beer on the counter next to the glass, stood up from her chair and took two steps forward. She froze for a moment as she managed to control herself but it didn't matter. The woman noticed her.

She sighed. Jesus Christ.

She took a third, slower step forward, a few of the people around them watching as she gently put one arm around the man's waist and stepped to his side. She looked at the woman from behind her shemagh with piercing eyes that could kill. It's been a while since she's done anything like this, anything flirtatious.

"Hi, my heart, would you like to introduce me to your friend?" She said in a calm but deep voice. The stranger looked up at her and looked her over as if she were a bag of trash. "We have business with the boy, don't you see?" Boots snorted at that. "Get your pretty ass out of here, you scammer kurrva." Her hand squeezed his side a little, perhaps instinctively, as if protecting him, even though she knew exactly that he wouldn't need it. Then why am I doing this? She hoped that he wouldn't interfere and could take care of this woman herself.

Phoenix doesn’t flinch as he feels the arm wrap around him, years of training and undercover ops where he had to act natural having him just smile and lean into whoever it is that was touching him. “Hi, dearest,” he said, finally looking up at the person.

Boots. He could recognize her easily, even if she tried to disguise her voice. His smile came naturally, happy to see her well enough to be out and about. “I was just talking to this lovely woman about a bet. 100 dollars, do you believe it? She was just about to tell me the rules of it.”

He didn’t interfere further than that, letting Boots take care of getting rid of the woman. He was too drunk to really care much, anyway. The woman let out a frustrated noise and walked away, likely to go scam someone else. “I might have to pick up Hungarian, too,” Phoenix joked, looking up at Boots with a smile.

Boots was blushing like hell at the whole situation.

The woman laughed. "Don't be so nervous, we're not even allowed to talk, chica?"

"Tudod ki a faszom a chica, now get out of here." Boots replied. When the woman finally left, she let go of the man and looked at him seriously. "The rule is that you can only touch your glass after she's finished her first pint of beer and put the glass down and you can't touch each other's glasses. If you go in, she'll drink the first pint of beer and turn her glass over and put it over yours so you can't touch it. Then she'll drink the second pint and win." She explained.

Her gaze slowly softened as she looked into his eyes. After that, she looked down and rubbed hers with a sigh. How drunk he is? I can't really tell but he stinks of alcohol. Should I just leave now? Should I ask something? Why wasn't he suprised when I touched him? I'm so dumb.

"Fucking hell..." She murmured. "I'm sorry for all that... but man, respectfully, you look like if you try to stand up now you will fall and sleep on the floor."

Phoenix watched the interaction with an amused smile, looking up at Boots as she pulled away. He listened as she told him what the scam would have been, nodding slowly. “Then I would just put my hands flat on the counter top around the shot, without touching it of course. If she put the glass on my hands, then she’s purposely trying to get me to lose by cheating. If she doesn’t, then I drink my shot and win. Easy peasy.” He paused and looked around. “Or I just ask someone else to move it for me. No rule breaking there, technically.”

He smiled at Boots and laughed a little. “Yeah, I suppose that’s fair. ‘M drunk as hell right now. Planned on just sleeping it off in the alley outside and praying that no one robbed me.” Phoenix gestured for her to sit next to him, resting his elbow on the counter and leaning to the side a bit. “What brings you here?”

Yes, I'm an idiot. But maybe his ideas wouldn't work if he didn't know the rules? I don't know, let's just leave it at that. Her heart sank seeing the man like that and her face remained serious.

She shook her head and sat down on the chair next to him before she and the bartender exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

"It's my birthday. I don't usually celebrate, but I came here for a drink." She said, turning to Phoenix, already planning how to take him home. Where did he live, where to take him? She leaned on the counter with one elbow and propped her head on her fist. Then she chuckled a little. "You're probably having a better night with me sitting here than if that random woman was sitting on your lap," she joked. She'd heard before that drunk people were honest, but since she'd never been drunk enough to experience that, she didn't quite know yet. She was green about almost everything and wondered what could have happened to get the man here. Tungsten, who saved her life. "And what brings you here?"

“Your birthday?” He said, an eyebrow raised. Well that was interesting. The thought crossed his mind that she might not have technically been allowed in the bar, Phoenix being fairly certain that she wasn’t 21 yet but not knowing the laws of bars overseas. He didn’t say anything, though, not wanting to ruin her night more than he already had by making her save his ass.

Phoenix let out a laugh and nodded, watching carefully as Boots sat down. “Oh, trust me, I wouldn’t be letting her sit on my lap at all. Not unless it was for an op, and I’m very much off the clock for the time being.”

He tilted his head and thought about it. Why was he here? The memory came back to him, and he hummed. “‘S a bad day today. Don’t have any work to throw myself into, so…here I am.” He didn’t want to share exactly what the bad day was, not in front of all these people. “But ‘s your birthday! You should be celebrating, having a good time. Not looking over a sad sap like me.”

Boots decided to stay with him and help him even if the man didn't need her. Of course she was curious about what had happened to him, but it wasn't her business. He would tell her later if he wanted to, Maybe I'll ask him later.

Phoenix's presence was a real surprise for Boots, but it wasn't a bad thing at all. The guilt from her heart faded a bit again after she saved him $100. She looked around at the people, then at the man's empty glass, and swalloved. She was inexperienced in drinking because she rarely went to bars or pubs, but she was used to the strong smell of alcohol on the base.

She let out a small huff and shook her head. "I'm glad to spend this time with the person I can thank for making me live this long." She looked Phoenix over and spoke in a calm voice. "I'd invite you for another round, but what do you say we go home instead?" Then she wondered what 'home' was in this situation. The base? Phoenix's place? She didn't know where the latter was, but she didn't dare ask him yet. She knew that no matter how close she was to a drunk person, she had to think in steps, not rush.

Phoenix just shook his head and let out a huff. "C'mon, I'm not the only reason you're still alive. Gotta wanna live in order to be 'saved,' and you definitely wanted to live," he said, leaning against the counter some more. He debated just lying down against it, but he decided not to for the simple fact of he had company. It felt rude.

"I mean..." he trailed off, thinking about it. It was probably for the best that he went back to the base seeing as he was way too wasted to try to drive but too tired to think about getting a ride. "That's probably smart. I'm sure Jeanz is wondering where I am. Been crashing on the couch in her office 'till she sends Clara back to the farm."

The thought made him giggle, and he ended up leaning against the counter. "Ohhhhh, I'm sooooo drunk. Sorry, Boots. 'S your birthday. Your birthday! Oh, that's so exciting. You shouldn't have to take care of some drunk dude on your birthday. We should...should get Lynx to bake you a cake. I'd do it, but I'm sooo drunk." He was at the point of being drunk that he was rambling mindlessly.

Boots had no idea Jeanz's sister was here at the base, and for a moment she considered whether she would like to meet her.

As the man chuckled and leaned against the counter, the private was completely confused about how drunk he was, but she realized that probably that last cocktail just kicked in. Her eyes grew more concerned. Lynx? Bake her a cake? That would be cute, but they'd only met once, and Phoenix probably wouldn't remember much of the idea the next morning anyway. God he's so sweet.

It sure was strange to see one of her idols in such a state. She lifted her elbow off the counter before getting up from her chair and walking over to the man without question. "Na gyere, Tungsten." She said softly as she carefully pulled him into a normal sitting position by the side of his chest and wrapped his good arm behind her neck. She grabbed his hand around her shoulders with one hand and her waist with the other, and with a small groan, she pulled her up from the chair. They slowly walked out of the bar into the empty parking lot.

Phoenix let himself be pulled up, not doing much to fight it. Not like he could, with how strong that last cocktail seemed to be. He knew he shouldn’t have trusted how sweet it was. Those ones were the kinds that hid just how strong of alcohol was in it until it was too late.

“Oooookayyy.” He couldn’t help but draw out the words, finding it humorous. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, his other one resting limply at his side. He already paid for all of his drinks, already deciding that cocktail would be the last one before he ordered it, so he had no issues with just leaving.

It took a bit of stumbling, but eventually the two made it to the parking lot. Phoenix breathed in deeply, enjoying the feeling of the outside air against his face. “‘S nice out,” he murmured, stumbling in time with Boots. “A little chilly, but ‘s nice. How’re we getting home? Cuz I can totallyyyy walk.”

Boots stopped and turned her head to the side to look at him with soft eyes.

Touch still felt a bit like bugs crawling under her skin, but now it was about helping to a close person and it didn't really matter. Her heart sank as she and Tungsten headed for the sidewalk and they started walking back to the base, because Boots had come on foot but she didn't mind taking the man like this. If he hadn't come on foot then she would come back the next day for the car but this was how she wanted to handle it now, to ease on her guilt. Maybe it made no sense.

First he had carried the private bridal style in his arms, now she was carrying the man, holding him steady so he wouldn't fall as they walked. Sometimes she muttered something to herself in Hungarian, but of course Phoenix didn't understand. "I see you can walk, but now I'll help you." She said softly and looked up at the stars for a moment before turning back to him and sighing. "Oh, Tungsten. I wish I understood you and everything else." After a minute of silence later, she spoke again. "So you usually sleep on Jeanz's couch?"

Phoenix walked with her, trying to focus on putting one foot in front of the other. It was easier since he had Boots to lean on, less pressure of what would happen if he fell.

At her words, he paused, stopping completely to think about what he wanted to say. It was one or the other. Either use his brain power to walk or to think of what he wanted to say. “‘S not all it’s cracked up to be,” he slurred, continuing to walk. He would just say whatever his brain thought of without really thinking about it. “Knowledge kinda sucks sometimes. I kinda suck sometimes.”

At the mention of the couch, Phoenix hummed. “Yep! Onnnnn the couch. ‘Cause I don’t have a bed, so I sleep on the couch. ‘Least until I get to the farm. You should…should come visit. Could teach you and Clara some things ‘bout knives and fighting. ‘M sure that Jeanz would love it.” He wobbled slightly but didn’t fall, thankfully, instead just leaning against Boots some more in an attempt to stabilize.

“How’ve you been, Boots? How’s your birthday been?”

When he stopped, Boots tried to keep walking but instead stopped to steady themselves. She let out a small huff at his words. "You're right. But you don't suck right now." She gently touched their heads before they continued walking.

As he talked about Jeanz, she just listened, concentrating on understanding what he was saying. Where does this man live anyway? She nodded a few times before answering quietly. "The farm sounds good. I love animals and Jeanz is like a sister to me, but... I don't know if she feels close enough to invite me. Maybe one day." She sighed heavily. As he stumbled, she immediately squeezed his waist to steady themselves and looked at him to make sure everything was okay. As soon as they regained their balance, she stroked his waist a little. She cared about him a lot. "I'm all right, my chest is healing and everything." This is gonna be a long walk. She smiled again and looked at him as they continued walking. "My birthday? It was really good, I even met a guy," she wondered when he would realize she was talking about him, just curiously playing.

He stared down at his feet still, only sparing a glance up a few times. He regretted it every time, though, because it was like the world was spinning around him. Still, Phoenix listened as Boots spoke, not wanting to miss a word. “Jeanz…Jeanz wouldn’t miiiiind. She lovessss people. ‘Specially th’ people like you, cause you’re sweet. She may like her candy sour, but she likes her people sweet. ‘N traumatized. You got pleeeeenty ‘f that now.”

At the mention of a guy, Phoenix furrowed his brow. “A guy?” he questioned, risking another glance at her before dropping his head to look at the sidewalk again. “What kinda…guy?”

Boots smiled to herself under the fabric. "...I guess. Thank you tho. She'll invite me if she wants." It would be very honorable, but we'll find out later. I don't want to get carried away just yet.

She chuckled at his question and turned her head away for a second. "A very funny guy who I really like. Very strong and incredibly polite." She continued while looking ahead. There weren't many cars passing by on the road, it was a quiet night. Then the private realized from his gaze and that if he raised his head so little, it probably felt like he was on a roller coaster. It was also possible that he was going to throw up and her eyes became a bit more concerned. "If you need to throw up, let me know and we can stop, okay?" She said softly.

“Funny and strong and polite,” Phoenix repeated. “Sounds decent. You better….better ouch ‘m if he doesn’t anythin’ stuuuupid.” He let his eyes flick to the road, watching as a single car drove by.

“I don’t…don’t gotta puke,” he said, even though the world was still spinning. He gripped onto her just a bit tighter and let out a shaking breath. “Could go fooooor…a waaaater. Nice ‘n cold. Like ice. But without ice, ‘cause it’s too hard to chew sometimes.”

The nonsense was starting to flow freely from his mouth, a steady stream of anything leaving his mouth. It was harmless things ranging from why he loved the color purple to his opinion on grass. If it caught his eye, then he would talk about it. “How much longer ‘till we get back to base?”

Boots just let out a huff, rolled her eyes then also looked at the car that was passing by them. You're an idiot. she told herself. If he threw up, it probably wouldn't go to the private, at least half of it.

Little goosebumps ran down her spine as Phoenix squeezed her tighter. "Yeah. We can get some water when we get home. We'll wash your face and then you can go to sleep." She reassured him in a soft voice. As the man spoke, Boots just listened in silence, mainly paying attention to how they were moving and not to fall. It crossed her mind that she would carry the man further with a fireman's grip and she hadn't given up on the idea yet, but for now they just hobbled along the sidewalk.

She answered his question a little breathlessly. "About five more minutes. We'll be there soon." Why am I so stupid? Her heart gnawed again as she thought through the mission and the present in her mind willy-nilly. She let out a big breath as they countinued walking. "Who do you think is most worried about you at the base?" She asked to pass the time, and because she was curious.

He hummed and blinked slowly. The thought of doing anything other than just collapsing on Jeanz's couch hadn't crossed his mind, but he couldn't say that he minded it much. "Okay," he murmured.

Five minutes. That wasn't too long, right? Not too long at all. "Uhhhhhhhhm...." He had to think about it. Who would be worried about him?

"Maybe....Jeanz. Cause I told her I was going to the bar but not when I'd be back. 'Nd uhm...think that's it. Cause everyone else 's either off base or doesn't know 'm drunk as hell right now," he answered after a second.

When they made it to the base, Phoenix smiled. It was funny how this place was the closest thing to home that he had gotten in all 29 years of his life. "Y'can take me to Jeanz's office," he told Boots. "Jus' dump me on her couch."

As they entered the gates and then the building door, Boots let out a deep breath. "Okay, but first we'll get you some water."

They headed for the bathroom, Boots nodding to the guards as she supported Phoenix. When they got there, the private entered the men's bathroom without hesitation and helped the man lean over to one of the sinks. With the hand that had been holding his hand, she carefully turned on the tap and held her fingers under the water before speaking gently. "Wash your face first, then you can go to sleep, okay?" Why do I care so much about him? It doesn't matter, don't think about it.

Once they were done with that, Boots turned off the tap and they walked over to Jeanz's room, but the door was locked. She sighed and went down to the rec room with Phoenix, where the private carefully pushed the door open and sat the man down on the beanbags. "Is this good?" she asked.

Phoenix smiled and waved at the guards as they went into the building, not minding when they just look at him funny and keep staring forward.

Boots coming into the bathroom with him doesn’t even make Phoenix blink twice. He didn’t care which bathroom she was in, so long as he could get done what needed to be done. When Boots turned the water on, Phoenix didn’t hesitate to lean over the sink and splash the water on his face, taking good care to not scrub too hard on his scars.

Phoenix had half the mind to tell Boots that he could pick the lock, but with how hard it was for him to keep a solid grip on things, maybe it was for the best that they just went to the rec room.

He curled up on the beanbag, laughing at the sound and the feeling of it. “‘S sooooo good, Boots. You should…should sit down on the other one. ‘Cause it’s your birthday, and beanbags are fun.”

Boots let out a small sigh, shrugged her shoulders and sat down on the beanbag near Phoenix, smiling faintly. "You say so?" She pulled her legs up and leaned her elbows on her knees, staring straight ahead. So what am I gonna do now?

She chuckled softly. "Yeah, I guess they're fun." Then they just sat there, the private watching the man to see if everything was okay, if he was holding up, if he was going to fall asleep. She started tapping one of her feet softly to a song that had been going on in her head for a long time, but she didn't say anything. I should stay here and take care of him. She looked at her watch then rubbed her eyes and after a few minutes she stood up, walked over to Phoenix and took off his boots. "Well, you can sleep a little more comfortably." She put her own shoes and the man's by the door before walking over to the small counter to get a glass of water. "How are you feeling, Tungsten?"

Phoenix watched curiously as Boots got up from her bean bag chair, tilting his head as she started to take off their boots. He hadn’t thought to take off his shoes, having grown used to wearing them while he fell asleep. It’s not like he chose to, it just sort of became a habit after a while of being too exhausted to take them off. “Thank you, Boots,” he said, settling further into the beanbag chair as he watched her put their boots by the door.

It was so comfortable and it was a wonderful that he hadn’t fallen asleep yet. But he didn’t want to leave Boots hanging, so he watched her go to the sink to get some water. “Don’t feel like Tungsten,” he joked. “Feel more liiiiiike…. Sodium. ‘S a soft metal. I loooooved chemistry. Had the whoole periodic table memorized when I was a little kid.”

Boots nodded with a smile as she listened to Phoenix and grinned before leaning against the counter, unwrapping the fabric from her head and setting it aside to take a sip of water from her glass. "The periodic table is big." She agreed.

She looked at the man with gentle eyes and put her glass down a bit to rub her face. Her ears were clearly healing nicely. She lifted her head as she realized that she should give the man a drink too. She pushed herself away from the counter to get another glass and fill it with cold water. It would really be hard to chew an ice cube right now.

With the full glass in her hand, she walked over to him and squatted down next to the beanbag, carefully reaching under the man's head with one hand to support him. "It'll be fine, it's cold, but I didn't put any ice in it." She didn't even ask if Phoenix wanted it, she just smiled a little to herself.

Phoenix watched as she sipped at her water, vaguely wishing that he had water too. Then he watched Boots grab another glass and fill it with cold water, bringing it over to him. “You’re like….a mind reader,” Phoenix mumbled as she walked over. He couldn’t help but notice that her ears were healing nicely. That was good.

He let his head be held up as he grasped at the bottom of the water glass. It was probably for the best that Boots hadn’t let go of it considering the fact that Phoenix didn’t really trust himself to hold it by himself. “Thank you,” he mumbled before starting to drink. Slowly, at first, before speeding up about halfway through and chugging the rest of the water.

When he was done, Phoenix pulled away and settled back onto the bean bag chair. “You should….come sit down again. ‘M gonna fall asleep soon. Wanna talk for a bit b’fore I do, though.”

"No problem." Boots said softly, and as the man finished drinking, she carefully and slowly released his head before standing up and going back to the counter to put down the glass. She looked at the shemagh for a few seconds but decided not to put it on.

As Phoenix spoke, she turned back to him and looked at him with calm but tired eyes. What does he want to talk about? Finally, she walked over and sat down on the beanbag next to him.

She stretched her legs out with a sigh and looked down at Phoenix. "Yeah? You could use a long, deep sleep right now." How honest are drunk people? As she exhaled, she realized how tired she herself was.

He watched as Boots sat back down, smiling a little. He could feel sleep starting to creep up on him, but he didn't let it take him under just yet. "I could," he said with a shrug. "But 's been a minute since we got to talk. Just...wonderin' how you're doing is all."

Phoenix had been worrying slightly about her and her injuries. After he had dropped her off, he had a contract that he had to work on that meant being gone for a little bit with no way to check on her. He felt bad, just disappearing like that. "Your ears are healing nicely. And you helped carry me like it was nothing, so I'm guessing your chest is better too."

He could feel himself starting to sober up again, the water already doing wonders. Maybe he shouldn't have drunk so much. His head was going to be killing him in the morning, he could feel it.

Boots shrugged and smiled faintly. "Yeah, you're right." The private was also curious about how Phoenix was doing and thought she'd ask why he was at the bar. They hadn't seen each other since he rescued her and took her back to the 141.

As the man mentioned her wounds, Boots instinctively reached for her ear to feel what was left of it, satisfied that it hurt a lot less. "It was only a mile. But yeah, the skin grafts are fitting well and healing nicely, I can do some work now," she said with a small smile. It was good to be here on base, although the cabin wasn't bad either. "I got into a new platoon, got a uniform... I just remembered, I need to return you the boots I borrowed." She looked down at the man again. "What's happened to you since then? It's good to see you alive."

*pops the vent open and falls down into the hug*

mph

*gently holds you*

What's up?

*dosnt sign anything just goes limp*

Mrp

*Holds you tighter* Yeah?

Signs

Tired, body hurts

*sighs that sad big sigh dogs do*

*gently caresses your back* Wanna go sit down somewhere? There are beanbag chairs in the rec room.

Mhm *hops up and wraps legs and arms around you*

*holds you with one arm on your back and one on your thigh while walking to the rec room, there I set you down on a beanbag*

*I wiggle around creating a nest out of the bean bag and curl up*

Signs

Thank

Sit with me?

*lays down next to you on the beanbag with a big sigh.* My pleasure.

*I move over and let you lay, I lay my head on top of yours*

Signs

Beanbag bros

*I let out a small huff and crack a small smile.* Beanbag bros. We need a good sleep.

*closes eyes and yawns*

Mhm

*Also yawns and tilts head a bit more toward you before closing my eyes* Have a good rest, Roach.

*falls asleep and instantly snores like a freaking chainsaw*

*can't sleep but doesn't move for a while, then gently lifts your head a bit so your throat is straight and you won't snore, gives a goodnight smooch on the forehead then goes to sleep too*