An hour into the trip word had spread through the tired, injured, and worn out caravanners and a line had formed that stretched through the ship. A wonder that many had been wanting ever since they had started on their journey and something that would be ideal for their injuries. A marvel so sorely needed friends helped their more injured friends into its warm or cool embrace.

A shower.

Everyone wanted to feel the wonder of temperature-controlled water and fine soaps on their bodies. Each one finding a soap dispensed just for their body type hand-picked by Truck-kun in secret. She didn’t want to reveal herself to just anyone after all.

Those who could not walk on their own easily were helped towards the shower room by friends or allies. Everyone laughing and joking as they lined up all excited for a cleaning experience normally reserved for those higher up in status. Everyone was friendly with those who had skin were at the front, followed by scales, and then those with fur at the back of the line. They sorted themselves this way so that those who wouldn’t take as long got to go ahead and finish before those who would need a long time. The only exceptions were those with notable injuries so they could get their wounds cleaned to prevent infection.

John slid through the crowd to return to his room with a glass of energy drink. They had not even been in this new world a full day and they had been in multiple fights, a couple of battles, hauled a magic gem that could double as a lobby centerpiece for an office building, added a frog woman to their team, fought a bandit raid, and now were playing ambulance with him having a muscular gnoll woman relaxing in his bed. She had been one of the first ones to shower and while she cleaned herself up he had the sheets swapped just in case. Sheets he had never even gotten to lay on yet.

He looked down the line knowing who they were transporting now. Jack had just pulled him aside and explained their “questionable” organization. John didn’t mind though. He had trained with Jack who he knew had a past and most of his old squad mates had gone to “alternative” occupations unable to find normal employment. He almost took a few of those jobs himself one time when money was tight and the medical bills were piling up.

He slipped back into his room and sat back down on his chair looking at the Gnoll woman who was just happy to lay still for a while. She reached up and tapped at parts of her reflection in the metal ceiling above her head. “So many scars, so many stories.” Her eyes then went from her own body to John, looking him over once more. “You know, for a soldier you don’t have many scars.” She pointed out.

“You saw how easily Jack killed those bandits right?” John asked as he leaned back in his chair. Once she nodded he continued on. “Well. Imagine whole armies with weapons like that and quite a bit more that are more powerful. We have weapons that can blow apart wagons from over the horizon, guns that can rip through the strongest armors, and rolling castles armed with weapons that can rip apart other castles.” He explained trying to keep their tech level in mind. “In our world you either don’t get hit so you don’t get a scar, or get hit and be left with a scar that takes an arm or a leg with it. Anymore and you wind up dead, usually on the spot.” He explained.

She went quiet for a bit and looked back up at her reflection lost in thought. “I kinda know the feeling. I kill mainly bandits right now, but I served time in a major army as one of their elite ranged units. Me and my large crossbows’ main targets were mainly their mages. As someone who doesn’t exactly have much magic myself it was rather… difficult dealing with them fighting back. All I could do was slowly launch massive bolts while they flung fire, lighting, ice, stone, and more at me.”

John looked over at her and nodded. Sure, they had different experiences and the likes, but maybe she did understand.

“So… Do you know then…” John took a deep breath. He always hated trying to talk to other vets about this. Always was scared that his problems were never as important as those who actually got nailed by an IED or something. However now he was with someone that had no context, nothing to really judge him on that might just understand what he was going through.

“Do you know what it’s like to have to always be worried? To know that at any moment you could just… die? O look at a buddy that was alive one moment and doing everything right only to be… gone the next?” He asked her slowly as he looked away from her.

There was a long pause before she answered. “Yeah. Lots of assassins would be sent after elite units like me. Had a longbowman that used to be right by my side on most lineups. Older, talented, well trained, and experienced elf that could put his arrow through a knight’s helmet slit with ease. We were just riding in a cart one day before his head just… fell off. We were talking and laughing one moment, then the next we were hunting the assassin.” She took a deep breath. “Never caught the bastard.”

Silence fell between them. John knew it was his turn to share, but he needed just a moment to build up the courage. He finally knew just the story to share. “We were riding in a car, a wagon that moves itself and made of metal and glass. Me, my sergeant, and a couple of others that is.” He started as he looked over at her. “One moment my sergeant was laughing and the next thing I knew most of head was all over me. A sniper, a person very good at shooting things a long way away, had gotten him through the car window. Saw his officer’s markings and took the shot. He died instantly and we never could figure out where the shot came from. He was a father of two, top of his class, tough as hell, and one of the best overall. Just- “he snapped a finger. “-gone.”

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

They just sat there a bit longer before John looked at his empty hands. He was sitting here relaxing while others on the ship were injured and he was sure Nelva and Jack were working their asses off. He took a deep breath and started to get up. “I probably should see what I can help with.”

Finally, Truck-kun spoke up, only able to be heard in the room.

>All guests are stable and recovering. Jack is currently checking on food and making sure everyone is fed while Nelva’s healing has slowed down. Your assistance is not required.

John paused, still wanting to go out and help before a voice gently called out to him. “Sit down, relax, they have it. You are not on watch or on duty soldier.” He froze, staring down at his hand on the door handle. “We both did our duty and service. We both helped. We did what we could. I have seen enough men and women who still carry their duty before themselves even after they leave. Come, sit, relax.”

He gripped the handle tighter before letting out his breath and slowly letting his fingers slide off. “But… alright.” He then walked back to the chair and sat down.

“Night is almost here.” She pointed out as she looked over at him. “And I haven’t made these bedsheets bloody or dirty after you changed them. How about you shower and we share a bed?” She asked softly. “Honestly? I haven’t exactly slept alone in a room in years, and like hell I am making you sleep on your own floor.” Her sharp, powerful fangs glistened as she flashed them in a beautifully intimidating smile. “Don’t worry. I’m to injured to try anything.”

“What about me?” John asked as his eyes looked over her. Sure, she was huge but there was plenty of room on the bed. It had been a long time since he shared a bed with anyone. Even non sexually. After he got out, he never spent the night over anywhere really, and in service they had long banned bed sharing. Hot bunking was fine, but two at a time was no longer allowed. He rubbed his chin realizing the last time he had done it was when he was a kid and had to share with his brother since there just wasn’t enough room in the tiny apartment.

“Oh please. You didn’t even get a feel when you had to change bandages!” She pointed out with a lough laugh. “If I wasn’t seeing how much you kept staring I would think you were not interested at all!” She pointed out as her laugh got louder and harder before she let out a small whimper holding onto her side. “Ahhhhhh fuck. Too much laughing too soon.” She growled out.

His own laugh carried through the small room before he got up and stretched. “Alright alright. I don’t know how much of a cuddler I am though.” He confessed as the ex-soldier once more went to the door.

“Don’t think that will be a problem with all these fekkin wounds.”

“Fair enough.”

He then slipped out of the room and took a breath. He walked towards the almost empty showers before picking a stall and letting the cool water rush over him. He took his time, letting his mind try to sort out the many mixed thoughts and feelings he had. About her, about his past, about what he was even doing. He watched the water run over his body washing the soap off as he made up his mind.

Why not?

Why not relax with her? She was literally asking him to just relax and share a bed. No big quest, no expectations, nothing but a companion. Besides, while things were different she did get some of what he had been through. She understood the difficulties and maybe even a bit better than him.

Plus, holy SHIT at those abs!

He turned the water a bit colder to drown those thoughts fast. He was going to be sleeping with her and he didn’t want to get too excited. He knew then that he was going to offer her a place on the ship. Jack invited Nelva and John would invite her. Everyone wins and it was only fair. Besides, he doubted Jack wouldn’t approve of her anyway, doubly so if she could “help” John.

Not that he needed help. He was the one that helped others!

Right?

He took one last deep breath before turning off the water and getting out of the shower. He slipped on boxers and got a t-shirt and sweat pants to sleep in from Truck-kun. He normally slept in his boxers, but he also normally slept alone.

With that he took a deep breath and walked back to his room. He could see pretty much everyone else settling in for the night with most of the injured long lost to the land of dreams. He paused at his door to get himself ready for what he was about to do while suppressing all the disrespectful thoughts he was having.

Once he was ready he opened the door to a dimly lit room, closed it behind himself, then slowly slipped into the very warm bed. He froze once he felt her hard body and began to have second thoughts before he felt an arm wrap around him and pull him in. He laid next to her keeping just a bit of room between them.

He couldn’t help but take in her scent, like he was in bed with the plains themselves with a hint of smoke. He looked at her face with that scary, beautiful smile, then watched as she let out a yawn and drift off to sleep quite quickly, her arm still on him. His own eyes looked her over once more before he too let them close.

It was nice to be this close to someone again. Someone that he could trust could care for herself. His mind drifted back to how safe he felt laying among his brothers and sisters in the field and how you just never got that when you returned. As he started to drift off, he could feel her pull him just a bit closer. Just like how his brother used to when they were younger, and he needed to feel John nearby. He couldn’t help but grin thinking she was downplaying things just like he had been, that she needed him to keep watch over her but didn’t want to pressure him.

“Mmmm, so warm and soft… Good… smell.” slipped from her lips as she moved just a bit closer. He froze as his eyes shot open to look at her. That did not need protection! Why would she want to share a bed with him then? His racing mind slowly started to run out of energy as he started to drift to sleep. Maybe there was more than someone needing protection or help? Maybe he could just be there for someone? But his duty was to help and protect! It always had been!

But… her arms felt stronger than his and yet her touch was so soft. Maybe he should relax some? How does one even relax? He never really did much for himself before, so he really didn’t know what to even do. He decided it was something he could sort out later when he had some sleep and slowly let his mind drift off to sleep.

The last thoughts he had for the night were about how he liked how she smelled and hoping his dreams stayed respectful.