((Thank you all for the reviews. I know my MC isn't necessarily interested in a romantic relationship with anyone on account of him not wanting to hurt people with his issues. I ask you, dear readers, to be patient.))

Terminal Leave was winding down by his estimates, soon that "Army" well would be tapped. Though he had a nice reserve to get by on, he didn't want to just be a lump. He'd have to think of something fast, his side hustles were only supplementary at best. But what to do though? He pondered. He was a Rifleman, not really a versatile skillset. I could be a Cop or a Security Guard. Zachary didn't appreciate the idea of exchanging one set of uniforms and grooming standards for another, though the salary was lucrative enough he could afford some hobbies, and they could buy back his time meaning he wouldn't be treated as a run of the mill Recruit. He curses himself; these were things to think about when he first got back. "Priorities man. C'mon!" He taps his forehead in a scolding manner before cracking open his laptop and began to rapidly fill out applications.

He could re-enlist, nothing saying he couldn't do it. Changing his duty positions would have to happen; change to something more 9-5ish with less hustle/bustle and more of an office setting. He always envied those guys. Except for field exercises, they got to stay in doors while he and his boys roughed it in the bitter cold or sweltering heat. "Hmmm." He pondered his options some more.

The doorbell rings. He promptly closes the computer and answers it. To his surprise Sayori stands there looking down and away. The two stand there in silence, neither making a move, it created a sense of awkwardness.

"Don't make me say it."

"Say what?"

Zachary sighs, "'Are you lost little girl'?" He chuckles much to her dislike. "Just because you're bigger than me doesn't mean you can tease me about my size." Her blue eyes glare up in protest.

"Can't help it. Sometimes it's just hard to take you seriously."

She pouts and fiddles with her fingers. "C-can I come in?" He clears the way. Sayori marches herself into the kitchen; she rummages through the various cabinets including the fridge. "What are you doing?"

A box, a bowl, and milk. She begins pouring the breakfast grains and milk without saying a word to him. Zachary wanders over to her, his eyes never leaving her. She begins to deliberately and almost furiously shoveling the food into her mouth. What the hell is going on? He leans in, still watching her as she devours his food that she prepared for herself.

"So?" He raises a brow. Sayori looks at him, gulps down the rest of the bowl and sloppily wipes her face of any residual milk. "You really know how to turn me on." Her brows furrow as she blushes. "I wanted to see you today. I feel neglected while the others get to have you all to themselves."

"I don't think-"

"Let me have this!" She interrupts. "I wanted to go out. Hang out. Let's do something today." Zachary scoffs and relents. "Whatever you want." He smiles and she returns one with gleeful sounds. He leaves the kitchen for his room. "Just let me change real quick."

Minutes tick by and he returns wearing a simple long sleeve blue-plaid pattern button up with black jeans and rugged looking shoes. "Yeah I'm not elegant nor formal." He says as he presents the outfit. Sayori shakes her head, "You look fine. Let's go!" She proceeds to take his arm and yank him out of the house.

First was a stroll through town, she drove despite his protests. She insisted that this was her treat, their day together. Wandering from shop to shop, purchasing a coffee or two. They spent more time bounding from display window to display window than conversing or shopping. It was almost like taking child along, without the hassle of buying up everything in sight. With everything that happened, it impressed him how Sayori had such an innocence about her, as if the soul sucking aura of the world just couldn't phase her; even when it clearly did.

"So, now that we've walked all over town. What do you want to do next?" Zachary says as he finishes his now cold cinnamon roll. Sayori's smile brightens, "How about a movie?" He recoils at the thought. "No. You choose cheesy rom-coms and I just can't-"

"Pleeeeaaase?" She begs, those blue orbs catching the sunlight just perfect. He sighs in defeat. "Fine. I suppose I am at your mercy." She laughs in triumph. "Yes!" Don't be happy about that. He laughs inwardly. Off to the theaters they went; no snacks as she wanted to go out to a restaurant afterwards, but a giant cup of the sweetest tea any establishment could offer was provided. "Bleh! Sayori that's too much sugar." Zachary coughs and scrapes his tongue against his teeth. The sweetness was so overbearing it was hard to tell where the tea ended, and the sweetener began. She didn't see seem to mind; she gradually drained the massive cup ignoring the "negative" vibes he put off and giving the occasional "how dare you" glare.

As the movie wore on never once did she take her eyes off the screen. Zachary on the other hand? He slumped over, wrist embedded in his jaw as he desperately struggled to stay awake. The only thing keeping him alert were Sayori's cries of laughter, shock, and awe. She was much enthusiastic about the film than he was, and it truly showed.

"Zachary." He grumbles, shifting in the seat. "Zachary!" She shakes him, his eyes remain shut. Sayori, visibly frustrated, begins to shake him rather violently. "Wake up you jerk!" His eyes snap open, and through the sparsely lit theater he makes the silhouette of his childhood friend.

"Wha-what happened?"

"You slept through the whole movie."

"I-I'm sorry Sayori. I-I"

"Save it. Let's just go." They exit the theatre, each not saying a word to the other. The sun began its twilight phase and Sayori wondered if dinner was even worth it. Should I bother? He might sleep through that too. She decides a final hurrah to save the day. It's a quaint place, not terribly fancy but the atmosphere is enough for it to be inviting and pleasant. They grab a table and look over their menus.

Zachary lowers his to pass a glance at his friend; she holds her menu as if it's a shield. "I'm sorry for spoiling our movie outing." She doesn't say anything, her head bobbing up and down as she scans through the entree's. "Sayori?" He says again, his embarrassment level rising as he tries to gain her attention. He sighs and turns back to his menu.

She looks past her makeshift barrier. From her position, his face is awash with guilt and disappointment. "I forgive you Zachary." She says finally. "I'm not mad, really." She places the menu down to look at him directly. "It's just, it feels like I'm boring you. That you'd rather be doing something else. Anything really."

"I'm just not into those movies. I tried. Really, I did."

"I know. I appreciate that." She frowns. "It's okay if you're not interested in the things I like or the stuff I do."

"That's not it."

She chuckles. "You don't have to lie to me. I enjoy your company, even if the feeling isn't mutual. I understand Zachary." What the hell was she talking about? Zachary felt himself getting agitated, he didn't like people accusing him of things that weren't true. He takes a deep cleansing breath and releases the tension as he exhales. "I have to say, I don't know where this is coming from." Before he could continue, the waiter approaches and takes their order. The moment to address it had passed with the sudden intervening of the third party.

"We'll wrap this day up after we finish eating." She smiles. The rest of the meal went without much talk, mostly compliments on the food later placed in front of them. When the time came and the plates were cleaned off, Sayori paid the cheque completely ignoring Zachary's insistence.

They entered her car and she began to take themselves home. "Make a turn at this light." Sayori shifts her eyes in confusion. "Why?"

"Just do it." He leads them a quiet street near the edge of town. "Pull over." She reluctantly complies and he gets out. Zachary gestures her to follow. After some time of walking, he leads her to an overwatch with a view of the entire town. Sayori's eyes widen at the view. "It's like a bunch of birthday candles." She says aloud causing her friend to laugh.

Zachary takes a seat letting his legs dangle over the cliff side. He pats the spot next to him. "Sayori listen." He starts as he turns back to the view. "You're my best friend in the whole world and I don't want you to think I don't value our time together." She nods absent-mindedly.

"It's not that Zack. I really wanted to spend time with you, for you take an interest in what I like."

"I understand."

She bites her lower lip, still captivated by the view. "Do you though? I mean, ever since you've been back, you've been very distant. Sure, you're the same person. But you're also not." Her eyes dart back and forth between him and the overwatch. "You frighten me." The words leave her lips and not even she could believe she said them. His heart pounds at his chest and his stomach churns. Yeah, he was disgusted with himself thus far; having to hear those words from someone once so close to him made it worse.

"I've seen a side of you I never thought existed. I know you said you were in the Army and all; but it became so real the things you went through. I wanted you feel like things were 'normal'." Sayori takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, focusing hard on what she says. "Seeing how you've acted, the absolute look of despair on your face. I never want to see you like that again." Tears begin to flow. "It reminded me of when I had the 'rainclouds' and you helped me through it. I wanted to help you, like you did for me." She looks down trying to avoid his gaze.

"I wish I knew what to say about that." Zachary turns away as he runs his hand through his hair. She laces her fingers together and squeezes them. "I want to be there for you. Zachary, I want us to be more than just friends. I thought I could forget about you, but you're back and I just-"

"Sayori, stop." He interjects in a somber tone. "I'll tell you what I told Monika: 'You don't want someone like me.'" Suddenly her blue eyes looked even bigger than before, she didn't cry, but her gaze was piercing. She reaches for his arm; he doesn't pull away. "Why would you say that?"

"Because there's too much there. You want someone who this messed up?"

"W-we can work through it. Like y-you helped me."

"You described your depression from back then as 'rainclouds'. I'm in the middle of a fucken hurricane. Anxiety, PTSD, insomnia? These are all things I'm battling right now, it's about all I can do to keep myself from eating a bullet." She wraps arm around his and scoots in closer. "I'm too broken."

"We're all broken." She rests her head on his shoulder.

"You're so persistent." He rests his head on hers. "I'm not giving up on you." She whispers as she nestles in closer. Zachary sighs heavily and continues gazing out. I probably shouldn't have come back.

Days and weeks went by. Officially, Zachary was no longer a member of the Active Duty Army. Though he was still contractually obligated a total of 8 years, that would be 4 and a half years as an Inactive Ready Reserve Soldier. Basically, on call when shit goes down. His relationship with the 4 women he had known since High School had improved, their appearances around his house much more frequent with his "episodes" less so.

One particular weekend had hit, the man whom they had grown fond of was nowhere to be found. All they had was a group text message that was ambiguously written "gone to work". Sayori would be the first one to arrive at his house, finally she obtained key that worked again much to Zachary's protests about privacy. If there were any clues as to where her childhood friend had gone, the maybe he left them in his room. She scoured the small space: his dresser, his bed, closet, even his pantry. That last part was more or less just to pillage his snacks. Being nosy is hungry work.

It became abundantly clear Zachary was nowhere to be found. "Well, he said he was 'working', but what kind of work would take place on the weekend? He could at least call?!" She complained to the wind. The others didn't seem to mind too much, everyone had pretty much accepted his newfound sense of isolationism, favoring to keep things to himself and share only what he felt was necessary to the group. It's Sunday though! Where could he have gone?

A sedan rolls up to the house. Who steps out? "Zachary?" The man waves to Sayori as he makes his way up to the front door in his Army fatigues, completely ignoring the fact she broke into his home. "Why are you dressed like that?" She askes with a puzzled look.

"I'm in the National Guard now."

"The what?"

"One weekend a month; two weeks a year. I don't know, side hustle while I work a normal job. I feel rather relaxed in the Uniform."

"What if you leave again?"

"I'll keep in touch. I won't be traveling much anywhere. If I do, it won't be for long."

"I don't like it."

"I figured. I feel at peace though. Among likeminded individuals and instead of sulking, we joke about our experiences. And besides, you get to see your best friend lookin all sexy." She blushed, a bashful smile subconsciously painting itself on her face. "I-I guess so." He wraps an arm around her, pressing her head against his chest. "Thanks for bein there for me, even if you didn't feel like you could do anything."

"W-what are friends for right?" She returns his hug. Together they both walk inside, and it wouldn't be long until the rest of the former Club invited themselves to his house. Each taken aback at him deciding to stay in, at least until his obligated 8 years were up.

"You gotta show us your uniform!" Monika shouts excitedly.

"I actually wouldn't mind seeing how it uh, suits you." Yuri adds.

"Me too." Natsuki tries to downplay her intrigue.

"Yeah, we'll see about that." Zachary kicks back on his couch with a bottle of beer with the rest of them as they conversed, laughed, and enjoyed each other's company.