Author's note: Another one written a few years back.
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How do you tell someone it's going to be okay, when you both know otherwise? What do you say to make it better? They had been made to kill. To administer death in a clean and timely manner, all the while feeling nothing inside for the intended victim. And they were good at it, very good. But they hadn't been trained for this.
They weren't supposed to have these feelings inside them. This affection for one another. Camaraderie, sure. But not true friendship. And Max had no doubt the bonds between Alec and Biggs had been strong, more like the bonds of brothers than just fellow soldiers.
So what was she supposed to do now? Biggs was gone and had left a lost and grieving friend to continue on without him. Max knew Alec was feeling truly alone right now and felt the need to do something - help his ease his pain in some way - but what? How? She was a woman of action, not soothing words - and so was Alec. Besides, there was nothing helpful to say at a time like this. Biggs was dead and he wasn't coming back. It wasn't going to be okay.
Still, she couldn't stand idly by and watch him suffer in silence. So Max did all she could think of. She wrapped her hands around him and held on tight. It wasn't much in the grand scheme of things, but maybe it would be something.
It wasn't long before she felt a strong set of arms wrap fiercely around her in return.
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