Chapter 15: Breaking Bonds
It was only 6:30 on Arctic time, and yet already the sky had become blanketed in a thick layer of darkness, it's smaller cover of such bright stars the only light such a blanket provided upon the still waking world. Why, even the moon appeared visible amongst the vast darkness, giving off its own gentle light. Unfortunately, such a light could only bring sorrow to Patton's face as his eyes remained ever intent on the gentle orb, lost within the thoughts of his own mind as his gaze remained ever intent on such large craters. That is, at least until he unleashed a rather deep sigh.
"I'm so sorry...my angel", he finished in a melancholy tone as he continued to gaze at the moon, sorrow still clearly detailed in his black eyes as he did so.
Sighing once more, the young Drill Sergeant's mind still seemed preoccupied with his own thoughts as he went to leave his office.
"Gee, I never knew you could be so melodramatic", said a soft, yet stern voice from across the room.
Despite the surprise he felt at first, Patton was quick to pull out his trusty S.C.A.M.P.P. From his cargo pants as he aimed in the direction the voice came from, his gentle eyes now described intent determination as he did so.
"Who's there", his gruff voice low yet authoritative tone as he spoke. "Show yourself!"
"You never change, do you Patton", asked the possible intruder, a stern tone clear in their rather feminine sounding voice even as the young boy's grimace tightened. "If I were you, I would consider removing your finger from that trigger."
"Really", he asked halfheartedly, even raising an eyebrow in disbelief. "And what makes you think I won't just shoot and lock you up any second now? I am a credible operative after all."
"Enough that you would pull the trigger before proper inspection", asked the soft yet stern feminine voice once more.
Although suspicion was still present on his face, the young Drill Sergeant walked over towards the lounge area of his office as he turned the lights on. But as he did so, his mouth could only drop as he came to realize just who this "intruder" turned out to be.
Why it was none other than the object of his current thoughts; Rachel herself. And even though she sat perched atop one of the few stools in the lounge area, a stern expression was clearly detailed upon her beautiful face as she stared at him, her arms and legs crossed in a similar stern manner. Truthfully, his black eyes, his mouth remained wide open as his cheeks became flushed with a rather deep pink hue.
"R-Rachel", he stuttered, putting the gun away as clumsily, and as embarrassed as one could be. "Really, I'm sorry about that. I mean, if I'd known that that was you, I never would have-"
"Don't worry about it Patton; it's alright", the young blonde calmly replied, giving him leeway to take in a deep breath of relief.
Yet, a very peculiar question could only arise inside his mind; just why what was she even doing at Arctic Base so late in the first place? Last minute business? NO; especially not with such an unsettling look upon her face. Though his time to ponder seemed to come to an end as the raven haired boy gave his superior a suspicious stare, opening his mouth to speak as he did so.
"Say", he began in a suspicious sounding tone. "How did you even get in here?"
"A former top spy never reveals her secrets", replied the young Supreme Leader.
"You snuck in through the back, didn't you", he asked, raising an eyebrow in devious suspicion before silence befell the conversation momentarily.
"That's classified", she replied rather quickly.
"Besides", she continued almost immediately. "Banter was not the reason I came here."
"Oh really", replied the suspicious sounding raven-haired boy. "And just why are you here?"
"I'm here because I need to discuss something with you", the young girl stern explained, pausing for a brief moment before opening her mouth to speak once more. "Events regarding what happened here during the ZERO incident."
Upon hearing that statement, Patton felt himself cringe in fear. Fear so fresh it sent shivers up his spine, fear so fresh he could even feel his chest tightening an his mouth felt it was unable to open itself even temporarily. Why, he could even the fear still pulsing inside him as his now nervous gaze met with her stern yet suspicious looking gaze.
"Wha-What are you talking about", Patton asked, nervousness clearly seeping through his voice as he did so.
"It's come to my attention that you didn't exactly write up everything that happened during the incident...especially if it pertained directly to you...", she sternly explained, the intensity in her chocolate brown eyes enough to make him gulp in nervous unease.
"Who told you that", the young boy asked as nervousness seeped through his voice once more.
"I have my sources", the young blonde replied in a stern yet casual tone.
Upon hearing that sentence, the raven haired boy immediately cursed the name of his friend Jeffery under his breath, as if he instantly knew just who the perpetrator was exactly. Curiosity however, got the better of him once he sighed in frustration, turning to face his superior with curious intent in his black orbs as he did.
"How much were you told exactly", he asked in a stern yet curious tone.
"Well...I've been informed that you not only lied about actual events, but that you also signed a contract with Grandfather, exchanging your youth as a bargaining chip. But for what reason I'm not aware of. Is this true", she asked, her tone stern yet calm in its delivery.
As soon as she answered that question however, a blanket of silence erupted over the room as she watched Patton intently, even able to see his face become regretful as his gloved hand became a tight fist. Surely enough though, the silence came to end the moment the young boy looked up to face her once more, his face more stern, almost determined this time as he opened his mouth to speak.
"Yes...", he admitted, his stern tone still unable to veil its obvious nervousness.
As if it were prophecized, silence encased the room once more. What's more, Rachel's stern grimace never once left her beautiful face even as she uncrossed her arms and legs to be in a more comfortable position, opening her mouth in attempt to end said silence once more.
"Well Patton, I have one thing to ask you", the young girl calmly replied, allowing for silence to resurface before speaking once more.
"Are you out of your mind! What the hell were you thinking", she angrily asked, no longer attempt to hold back her rage for even a second.
"Look Rache, I understand what I did was wrong and stupid, but you have to understand that I was only doing what I thought was right at the time", the young boy defended, his tone stern in its determination.
"Oh, and I suppose making Faustian pacts falls under that category for you", she angrily retorted as her male friend raised a confused eyebrow.
"What? Look, what was I suppose to do, just stand around and do nothing", he asked in a much frustrated tone than he had previously done.
"If you really had no one else to protect, you could have come to Global Command; you could have fought alongside your fellow operatives to protect our base, fight alongside me! But instead, you decide to turn around and pull a stunt like this", the young blonde angrily retorted.
"Oh and you don't think I regret that? You don't think that I haven't had my moments where I just shut down, where I wish I could just erase everything I've done? Having sleepless nights for days because I don't know how to make it go away", the Drill Sergeant asked as his frustrated tone increased once more.
"So then do it; I took responsibility for every single one of my mistakes during the incident Patton. And even if it hurts to talk about it, at least I know I've atoned. If you really feel sorry for what you've done, then you'll atone for your guilt", the young leader explained, her tone stern yet frustrated and authoritative all at once.
Unfortunately though, she failed to see the the regretful expression tightening upon her dear friend's face, even in his black eyes. His fist even began to shake a little as he let out yet another regretful sigh.
"Rache, I can't do that", the young boy explained, his tone low yet oozing with regret.
"Why? Because of your reasoning", Rachel stern yet angrily asked. "What was it anyway?"
"I already told you; I can't do that", Patton explained, his frustrated tone slowly turning into one of anger.
"Oh, I see. So you're just going to leave me in the dark; you're just going to assume that I'll accept your lack of an answer and forget this ever happened. Well I won't. After all, how do I know your reason wasn't selfish or unmitigated? How would I know if you actually did something so vile you'd rather not say?"
Yet hearing such words was enough to make Patton's face tighten with anger, even his fists began to tighten grew as he listened to the continuing relentless composure he usually admired before finally opening his mouth to speak.
"I did it for you, okay", the young boy angrily shouted, silencing her in the process.
"Wha...What", the young blonde asked, a look of surprise, even confusion now clearly visible on her soft face.
"That's right", he sternly admitted before continuing. "I signed that contract you spare you from his wrath, all because I couldn't bear seeing you be someone you're not. But what does it matter, I was tricked and you fell at my hands instead of being protected by them."
"So go ahead; call me a traitor, decommission me for all I care! All I know is that I was thinking of you" he sternly explained, taking a breath before he managed to open his mouth once more.
"I'm sorry Rachel...But I can't help it if I want to protect you...I mean I...I love you just the way you are..."
Once he uttered those last eight words, a silence like no other swept across the room as Rachel sat there, unmitigated shock clear upon her beautiful face as she absorbed everything she'd just heard. The raven haired boy on the other hand, tilted his head down in embarrassment as his cheeks became stained with red blush. Saying such words was bad enough, but now he stood there, waiting to hear the answer he so deserved for making such a remark.
"Thank you", replied the soft yet angelic voice that belonged to the young blonde, causing him to look up and stare at his Supreme Leader as shocked formed upon his face.
"Thank you", he asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion as he did.
"Yes, thank you for being honest with me", she calmly explained. "I must admit, I was a little nervous at first...I couldn't imagine someone as sweet as you doing something so selfish without intent...But having heard your argument, I think I understand your position a little more..."
Yes, it doesn't excuse what you did, but I'm sure you're fully aware of that already...", the young blonde explained, her words enough to surprise the usually calm Drill Sergeant before opening his mouth to speak.
"Just like that? But then what about...well...you know...", the young boy asked as he felt his cheeks being stained with red blush, unaware of the blush creeping upon his dearly beloved's face as well.
"Well, let;s just say that I appreciate your honesty...and I hope that you can appreciate how I feel...", the young girl sweetly yet calmly explained.
And as she said those words, Patton let out a small sigh. At first, his face became drowned in sadness, yet ever so gently did it become engrossed in the acceptance he felt he could take form her words, that is until his black eyes widened as he witnessed a single tear-drop escape her melancholy looking chocolate eyes. Walking over ever so gently, he raised a single finger towards her face, allowing for the soft tear to gently splash on top of his gloved finger, causing Rachel to stare at him in surprise.
"If that's true, then why are you crying", he asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion as he did so.
Although confusion was evident on her face at first, a quick check made her gas in shock as she began to wipe her face onto her orange sleeves. All she felt she could do now was give him a sweet smile of reassurance, which she did.
"What are you talking about? I'm not crying", Rachel calmly explained.
"I beg to differ, you are", Patton replied as he crossed his arms, his face now intent with suspicion as her eyes widen ever so briefly with fear.
"Patton, I can assure you I'm not crying", the young blonde sternly defended.
"I'm not buying for a second, and you know it", the young Drill Sergeant sternly admitted, his words enough to make her face twitch with anger.
"Well, I'm flattered by your sudden authority. But don't I have a right to keep to myself", the young girl asked in a stern yet authoritative tone.
"Don't I have a right to an explanation", he asked as her eyes widened in realization.
A moment of silence then cut across the room as Patton sternly stood there, waiting for his answer as Rachel sat there, her eyes as wide as they had been before. She couldn't say, she thought to herself. She couldn't possibly admit feelings she buried for even longer. Yet one look at his stern face and she could feel herself cracking, she even chuckled a little before opening her mouth to speak once more.
"You're really the only one who can break me, aren't you", the young girl began, her soft words enough to make him raise an eyebrow. "It doesn't seem to matter; you always see through me, you always give me the support I need and the words I want to hear, just hearing you is enough to brighten my day."
"You even managed to break me that day; because all I could think of was how much I wanted you back, how much I wanted to hear you laugh and tell me that things will work out no matter what happens...And that never came...And even now, all I want is for you to know that you're not alone...that you're not the only one who's suffering today...", she explained, her weak smile ever present despite the obvious squeakiness of her voice.
"I'll admit, your constant impulsive streak and your lack of responsibility drives me up the wall...but even so I...I...I can't help but be attracted to what a kind person you are...", she finished.
All at once, her smile began to waver, her body began to shake as she buried her face in her hands, whimpering sobs beginning to escape her mouth as her shoulder continued to shake. All at once, the raven haired boy's eyes began to waver in regret, even sorrow. His chest grew tighter, even his stern grimace began to waver before he finally took hold of her moving shoulders, surprising her as she came to face hurt filled black eyes.
"Oh Rachel, I'm so sorry", he began in a sorrowful tone, causing her eyes to widen as he did.
"Sorry", she asked, her angelic tone now clearly filled with concern.
"I'm so sorry for not realizing your pain...I was so caught up in how I was feeling that I didn't even notice everything you were going through. I couldn't even realize that you love me, and I'm the one who always wants to see you happy...I don't even deserve to love you...", the young boy explained as his tone became shaky, even allowing a few rare tears to escape down his face.
Yet what he could not see was the surprised, yet touched look that grazed her face. Slowly however, did it that sweet smile graze her face once more as she began to gently stroke his hair with her slender fingers.
"You don't need to feel ashamed of that Patton, it's okay to be selfish every once in awhile", Rachel said, her tone comforting, almost motherly in its reassurance. " Besides, your previous concerns over my feelings if proof enough."
"Then I want to continue with that", he said in a whispery yet determined tone.
"What", she asked, her eyes widening in curiosity as he brought his back up to meet her gaze once more.
"I want to know your pain, always...And I want you to know my pain", he began. "I want us to solve our problems...together...", he finished, his tone whispery, yet determined. Almost romantic even.
Almost instantly, could the young blonde feel blush form inside her cheeks. Yet almost immediately could she feel herself overcome by sorrow as her glazed looking chocolate eyes expressed.
"Oh Patton...That;s very sweet, but I don't know...", the young blonde calmly explained.
"Oh come on", the young boy said rather softly. "It's not like the rules say we can't be together."
"No, but even so", she continued on. "I'm not willing to risk your safety."
"I can, especially if your happiness is concerned", he expressed in very sweet yet determined manner, even as she shot him a look of disbelief.
"You can't promise me that", the young girl softly yet sternly decreed as she watched his assuring eyes soften in melancholy.
"I know", the raven haired boy said rather glumly. "But if I can, I'd like to work towards making that a goal for you", he finished as the young blonde felt her eyes widen once more.
"But-"
"Come on Rachel", he said in a soft tone as his smile remained fixated on her face. "Don't throw away the happiness you want. You work so hard, you deserve to have what your heart wants, don't you think?"
A moment of silence was once again thrusted upon them as Rachel sat there, feeling tingly inside from the words of the boy that continued to smile so softly at her. Inside her, there appeared a growing resistance to such a notion, though one that proved weak the more she gazed into his gentle black eyes.
"Well...I suppose, but-"
"Just let me try Rache...I know I can make you happy...", he said as he continued to smile softly at her.
And with that, the raven haired boy gently caressed her cheeks as he gently placed a passionate kiss on her lips. True, she was taken aback at first. Though eventually, she found it intoxicating as her eyes closed shut, and her lips delivered their own amount of passion to his own. After what seemed like an eternity, the two kids broke their lip lock, continuing to stare at each other dreamingly as if the moment had never ended.
"Well", the young boy softly asked.
Shortly after did the young blonde sigh, opening her mouth to speak as she did so.
"Well...normally I wouldn't go along with this", replied the young Supreme Leader.
"But you will...won't you", the boy asked in a devious, almost assuring manner.
"Well I'll have to if you such desire and determination", the young girl replied, her tone reassuring as she gave him a devious stare, one which he thoroughly requited.
"I knew you'd see it my way" he said rather deviously, his usual devious smile surfacing onto his face as he did so.
"Oh really", she asked in a devious tone. "And what would you have done if I said no?"
"Well since you gave me the reply I wanted to hear, I would've pestered you until you said yes", he deviously replied. "Well, that or until you just hit me, whichever came first."
Upon hearing his joke, the young blonde could only muster a hearty laugh. Though her laugh proved fairly infectious, for soon after did he find himself chiming in with her laughter. Surely enough though, their laughter was ceased by silence, a silence that was short lived as Rachel opened her mouth to speak one more.
"So", the young girl began in a much chipper tone. "Can you feel your guilt suppressing?"
"Well", he began. "It's going to take awhile before it all goes away. But...I doubt it'll take long now..."
Smiling deviously at one another, the young Drill Sergeant leaned his handsome face into her beautiful face, leading his beloved angel into a passionate kiss once more. This time however, the kiss proved much deeper as Rachel rested her soft hands on his warm chest, giving him credence to wrap his his arms around her slender waist.
As if within an instant, they broke their previous bonds, creating a new bond that would surely last an eternity.
End chap. 15
