Alan

It was already past midnight. The barracks were immersed in darkness, only a few lanterns in the corridors cast dim reflections on the metal walls.

Lee quietly entered the shower room. Everything was empty, just as he had expected. His muscles ached after the evening workout, his body was burning, but the worst thing was the feeling that the suppressants were weak. He had missed a dose. Half a day without them, and the cherry smell was slowly beginning to break through the disguise.

He quickly undressed and stood under the icy water, trying to drown out everything - the panic, the smell, and the thoughts.

The door slammed. Abruptly, without warning.

Heavy steps. One person.

He.

Alan.

Li didn't even move. He just clenched his jaw a little tighter.

Alan walked in, taking his time. The musky scent of coffee filled the damp air—bitter, strong, thick. Lee knew that smell all too well: it filled training, meetings, every day. And he knew who it belonged to.

“Private,” Alan said low and muffled. “It’s a bit late for water procedures.”

Li didn't turn around. He just nodded, trying to breathe shallowly.

But a second later I realized it was too late.

The silence stretched. He felt eyes on him. Then the sound of a breath. Deep. Forceful.

And then - absolute silence. Dangerous.

— …What is this? — the commander’s voice became deeper. — Cherry?

Li didn't answer.

Step. Second. Another. Alan came closer. Very close.

“I’m asking you,” he said slowly, with emphasis, “what’s that smell, Private Lee?”

There was no surprise in the voice. Only cold suspicion.

Lee raised his head, slowly turning around. Alan's face was stony. His nostrils flared slightly. His gaze was dark, narrowed. Too focused. Like a hunter who realized who he had cornered.

"You have three seconds to explain yourself," he said. "Before I wake up the entire medical unit."

Li looked straight into the eyes. Without fear. Without trying to justify himself.

"It's just shower gel, sir," he said calmly. "Cherry scented. Sold at the army kiosk."

It was already past midnight. The barracks were immersed in darkness, only a few lanterns in the corridors cast dim reflections on the metal walls.

Lee quietly entered the shower room. Everything was empty, just as he had expected. His muscles ached after the evening workout, his body was burning, but the worst thing was the feeling that the suppressants were weak. He had missed a dose. Half a day without them, and the cherry smell was slowly beginning to break through the disguise.

He quickly undressed and stood under the icy water, trying to drown out everything - the panic, the smell, and the thoughts.

The door slammed. Abruptly, without warning.

Heavy steps. One person.

He.

Alan.

Li didn't even move. He just clenched his jaw a little tighter.

Alan walked in, taking his time. The musky scent of coffee filled the damp air—bitter, strong, thick. Lee knew that smell all too well: it filled training, meetings, every day. And he knew who it belonged to.

“Private,” Alan said low and muffled. “It’s a bit late for water procedures.”

Li didn't turn around. He just nodded, trying to breathe shallowly.

But a second later I realized it was too late.

The silence stretched. He felt eyes on him. Then the sound of a breath. Deep. Forceful.

And then - absolute silence. Dangerous.

— …What is this? — the commander’s voice became deeper. — Cherry?

Li didn't answer.

Step. Second. Another. Alan came closer. Very close.

“I’m asking you,” he said slowly, with emphasis, “what’s that smell, Private Lee?”

There was no surprise in the voice. Only cold suspicion.

Lee raised his head, slowly turning around. Alan's face was stony. His nostrils flared slightly. His gaze was dark, narrowed. Too focused. Like a hunter who realized who he had cornered.

"You have three seconds to explain yourself," he said. "Before I wake up the entire medical unit."

Li looked straight into the eyes. Without fear. Without trying to justify himself.

"It's just shower gel, sir," he said calmly. "Cherry scented. Sold at the army kiosk."

*Alan didn't answer