#aodh

“Enter.” 

“You wanted to see me sir?” 

“Yes. We have a new addition to our team as you know and they are arriving today.” The Captain finally set down the pen he was writing with and placed the papers aside. He gestured to the chair across from him. “Sit.” 

I do as told 

“We have yet to clear out… his… room,” The Captain says hesitantly. He was referencing a rather vile person who had been a soldier with this team, not for very long but long enough to leave an untasteful trace. The new addition was to take his place. “in the meantime, I am asking you to host him.” 

“Of course, sir. I would be happy to.” 

“Good…” The Captain trailed off. He had a tendency to blame himself for anything that goes even slightly wrong with the team. It was part of what made him a good captain but anyone who looked could tell that it took a toll on him. 

“...sir.” 

“Dismissed.” 

A beat passed before the scrape of the chair legs could be heard. Another before the door closed with a soft click behind me. 

The rest of training went rather quickly and we were released for the evening and night. The guys were a bit more riled up than usual because of the upcoming weekend break they were getting which meant I could break apart from them fairly easily. I needed to head back home to start dinner. The ‘newbie’ was going to be there soon and I didn’t want to start out on a bad foot. 

After a quick clean up I started on the food. An apron tied on and an old recipe book open on the counter, my slice of paradise. I wasn’t too far into the process when I heard a small thud outside my door and the noticeable sound of keys unlocking a door. They’re here. I grab a towel as I walk out to wipe my hands off. 

“Hi.” …wrong move. …funny…but wrong move. They near hit the door frame from how high they jumped. I try to stifle the smile but I don’t think I succeed too well. “You must be my new roommate.” 

“....must be…?”

I wipe my hands and sling the towel over my shoulder. I was going to shake their hand but I’m slightly scared to move for their sake. 

“...would you like some food? I can bring it to the doorway if you’re more comfortable there.” I gently tease hoping to break some of the ice that was quickly forming. 

“...um, no, no it's alright.” They slowly step fully inside and shut the door behind them. “The bringing it to the doorway… not the… food.” A slight press of their lips together and I decided to back off a little. I had always been told I could be too much at times, and I really didn’t want to mess this up. 

“Let's restart,” I almost plead, “Welcome, would you like some food?” 

“Yes please.” 

“Alright, it’ll be a bit longer till it’s done so let me show you your room.” 

A small nod from them and a breath of relief left me. I hadn’t screwed it up yet. I turned and walked off to his temporary room. Each of us (on the team) had a small spare room for family or whatnot. We had a lot of recruits that we trained and they, as well as various teams we would work with, would take up residence in the other small apartments. 

“Make yourself at home, I can come get you when the food is ready if you like.” 

Another nod and I'm heading back to the kitchen. The routine of making food calms my nerves. It’s funny, I can face down countless enemies and near captures, hell, actual captures, but THIS gets to me. A scoff and a shake of my head and I’m back to normal. 

Once the food is done I wash my hands again and get out a couple plates and utensils before heading down the hall. 

Three knocks