Saying Goodbye
The morning John had been dreading was finally here. He had been dreading it for almost a week now and in some sense was glad that it would soon be over. In his bedroom he stood in full Marine core dress uniform, even his hat was sitting on the side table waiting to finish the look. All he had to do was put on his tie and head off to the funeral of one of his old marine friends. The tie remained in his hands as he focused on his reflection in the mirror, troubled.
"John, your coffee is on the counter," The owner of the voice poked her head into the room "Hurry up otherwise it will get cold."
"I'll be there in a minute." John told her, not sounding convincing.
Shayera remained in the doorway for a few more moments before she entered. She walked in and came over to him, laying her palm against his cheek when she reached him.
"It's going to be okay John, I'm sure you'll see him off with honour." She smiled a little not sure if her own military sentiment was fitting for Earthly customs, but John did seem a little better.
"Just makes me wonder if things would have been different if I hadn't left the core."
Shayera frowned slightly, "A lot of things would be different." She took the tie from his hands and slipped the fabric around his neck, beneath his collar "Do you miss it?"
He nodded slightly "Sometimes. It's a way of life y'know?" He asked her hoping that she would understand from her own military background. She seemed to when she nodded her head.
For a few moments he watched her expression as she changed from a concentrated frown to one of somewhat annoyance. When he looked down he understood why.
Shayera didn't actually know how to tie a tie. She'd made more knots than anything else.
"Here, let me show you." John said softly as he gently removed her hands and worked out the knots in the fabric. He then proceeded to show her how to tie it and finished up with a satisfied smile.
Shayera examined his handiwork before she reached up and untied it all, deciding that he wasn't going to leave unless she did it for him. She always saw on television how human women fixed the ties of the men they cared for and she figured that it was the best way she could show her support for the tough day he had ahead of him.
John smiled when she was done and only slightly adjusted the knot she had made.
"You're a fast learner."
Shayera smirked "I have to be." She smoothed out his lapels and aligned his ribbons "I wish I could come with you, but since I can't…" She tip-toed and kissed his cheek softly "I'll be right here when you get back."
John fixed her with an appreciative smile before he leant down and put his arms around her, pulling her close against his chest and holding her tightly. It was going to be a hard day having to bury one of his friends but he was comforted knowing that no matter how hard it would be, he could come home to the warmth and comfort of Shayera who understood how difficult it was to lose a friend in the military.
He continued to hold her without a word and she never complained. Eventually though he released her, kissed her softly and then gathered his hat and coat, leaving the apartment in silence as he made his way to the cemetery to bid an old friend goodbye.
