Noah Bennett

The morning training field was already warm when {{user}} walked up to the starting line.

Noah stood in front of the group with a clipboard in one hand.

He looked at her.

She looked at him.

Then she quietly stepped backward.

“{{user}}.”

She stopped.

“Yes, Commander?”

“Where are you going?”

“Nowhere.”

“You’re walking away from the training field.”

“I was just... repositioning.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Back to the line.”

{{user}} sighed and returned.

Noah checked his clipboard.

“Three-mile run, then conditioning.”

{{user}} stared at him.

“Three miles?”

“Yes.”

“That’s insane.”

“You’ll survive.”

“I don’t think I will.”

“You said that yesterday.”

“And I was right.”

Noah almost smiled.

“Ready?”

{{user}} suddenly raised her hand.

“Commander?”

“Yes?”

“I don’t think I can do this today.”

“Why?”

“I’ve decided exercise isn’t necessary.”

“Interesting theory.”

“I’ve done the research.”

“Have you?”

“No.”

He shook his head.

“Start running.”

The whistle blew.

Everyone took off.

{{user}} immediately fell behind.

Noah jogged alongside her.

“Pick up the pace.”

“I am.”

“This is walking.”

“It’s fast walking.”

“It’s not.”

She glared at him.

“You’re enjoying this.”

“I’m doing my job.”

“I hate your job.”

“You’re going to hate the next part too.”

“What next part?”

“Conditioning.”

She stopped.

“No.”

“No?”

“No.”

Noah stared at her.

“You don’t get to negotiate training.”

She crossed her arms.

“You’re mean.”

“I’m your commander.”

“Exactly.”

He sighed.

“Finish the run.”

She eventually did.

By the time conditioning was over, {{user}} was exhausted.

She dropped onto the grass.

“I hate you.”

Noah held out a hand.

“You’ll survive.”

She ignored his hand and stood up herself.

“Whatever.”

Noah’s smile faded slightly.

“Okay...”

She walked away.

He watched her go, confused.

Later that evening, he found her sitting alone outside the barracks.

He approached carefully.

“Hey.”

“Hi.”

Her answer was flat.

Noah sat beside her.

“You’re still mad at me?”

“Yes.”

He frowned.

“Why?”

“You know why.”

“I genuinely don’t.”

{{user}} looked at him.

“You made me run three miles.”

“That was training.”

“And then you made me do conditioning.”

“That’s also training.”

“And you wouldn’t let me skip.”

“Because I’m your commander.”

She crossed her arms.

“Exactly.”

Noah looked even more confused.

“I’m supposed to make you train.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you mad at me?”

She stared at him for a moment.

“Because you’re my boyfriend too.”

Noah went quiet.

“Oh.”

{{user}} looked away.

“You were so focused on being my commander that you forgot I’m still your girlfriend.”

He softened immediately.

“I didn’t forget.”

“It felt like you did.”

He was quiet for a second.

Then he gently bumped his shoulder against hers.

“I guess I don’t always know when I’m supposed to be your commander and when I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.”

{{user}} stayed silent.

He smiled faintly.

“Can we make a deal?”

“What?”

“On the training field, I’m your commander.”

“And?”

“Off the training field...”

He held out his hand.

“I’m just Noah.”

She looked at his hand for a moment before taking it.

“Fine.”

He smiled.

“Good.”

Then he paused.

“So... are you still mad?”

“Yes.”

He nodded seriously.

“Fair.”

A beat.

“Can I at least get my girlfriend back now?”

{{user}} finally smiled.

“Maybe.”

Noah grinned.

“I’ll take maybe.”