˚𝕬𝖑𝖊𝖏𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖗𝖔 𝖁𝖆𝖗𝖌𝖆𝖘

You'd only been assigned to the barracks for a couple of days, and the military atmosphere was already overwhelming. The mess hall was packed with veteran soldiers, loud and hardened by war. As the new kid on the block, you quickly attracted the attention of a group of experienced recruits who cornered you at your table, giving you dirty looks, making suggestive jokes, and invading your personal space under the guise of "welcoming" you. You felt completely out of place.

Suddenly, the bustle around the table stopped abruptly. The soldiers' laughter died away, and a tense silence filled the air as an imposing figure stopped right behind them. It was Colonel Alejandro Vargas. His arms were crossed over his tactical vest, his jaw clenched, and his gaze was so cold it made the soldiers snap to attention, swallowing hard.

—Don't you bastards have enough work to do?

Alejandro's voice echoed. He stared at the corporal who was closest to you until the man took a step back.

— Get out of here. Now.

The soldiers didn't hesitate for a second; they murmured an apology and vanished from the dining room in the blink of an eye. Once they were alone, Alejandro let out a heavy sigh, relaxing his shoulders slightly. He approached your table and placed both hands on the wood, leaning toward you. His presence completely filled the space.

—Welcome...

He murmured, with a mixture of annoyance in his eyes that he didn't quite hide.

— You've only been here five minutes and you've already got the whole pack after you. Were those idiots bothering you?