Private Tales Reshuffle

[Samantha Black]

The night simmered on just as she intended. After finding a new kind of connection in the tub, the pair of them joined Mess, Cookie, Fern, and Mizer for dinner in the flat. Introductions made, stories told, laughs shared, bellies full, one by one the group drifted off to their preferred places of rest. Some to their rooms, others to their own little corners of the home. Sam and Eli to the top floor Lieutenant's bedchamber.

Drinks were poured and clothing slowly shed. They rediscovered that new connection all over again. One where the pounding of hearts was not from overexertion typical of their collisions, but of something less tangible. Sam tasted a part of Elias' soul she never had before, and bared her own for him without the metaphysical armor and walls. As the night grew old, she wasn't sure if she was drunk on him or the drink.

Alas, she folded from emotional exhaustion more than anything, and drifted into the deepest sleep of her life coiled against his side.

 

[Elias]

Elias gelled with his squadmates easier with Sam there. It truly was a happy night for him, and he'd likely remember it for the rest of his life. He was distracted, though. What had sparked between him and Sam in the bath? He asked himself that, and unable to find an answer, anticipated his next moment alone with his friend and squad leader.

Well, even exploring new emotional grounds with Ral late in the eve hadn't yielded concrete answers. Sam knew well of his boundless vigor. Very few kept up with Eli, whether it was in the bed or on a battlefield. Tireless as he was, and though he always enjoyed romps with new and familiar faces, Elias could safely admit that he had never truly had his fill. He had yet to experience true satisfaction.

As the pair slumped on the bed and he took a long look at Sam's face as she burrowed into his side, a final thought crossed his mind before falling asleep. Satisfaction. Maybe it was something like this.

---

For how long did he walk? For how many miles did his bare, blistered feet carry him? Elias finally collapsed onto his hands and knees. He looked around. Dry, cracked earth endlessly spanned in all directions. The ruthless sun loomed overhead, forbidding any life from persisting in the wasteland. He wanted to cry out in despair, but no sound could escape his dried-out throat. It was so tiring. All he needed was to rest a while. He would be fine after lying down.

A man and woman's voice called out to him in unison. He could not hear their words, but he knew that he could not stop. In that lifeless place, he only needed to see what was in front of him. All he could do is keep moving forward.

---

Upon waking in the morning, Elias could only vaguely recall the unpleasant dream. He curled his toes under the sheets and swallowed hard. Relief. His chest heaved with a deep sigh and he felt content to just lie in bed for a while.

When Sam finally stirred, he kissed her brow with a warm smile.