I'm not sure if some reviewers actually read the story's description before clicking it or not. But its written clearly that this is slash, which means Man on Man love, which means yes there are gay characters here. And like I said earlier, if you don't like that kind of things, then don't bother reading it.

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A new bond

Its have been 1 day, 3 hours and 26 minutes since Dunn has found his journal. Since their little fight. Since Ramirez started feeling impossibly withdrawn from everyone.

Of course, he'd still do his chores, go to the training, clean weapons and stash the ammo for later needs. But he was still feeling withdrawn. He hardly said a word, hardly focused on his works and sometimes, he'd stare at space for too long that Foley has to poke him. Even Foley started worrying. He could see it in his usual stoic expression, something that wanted so bad to ask what was wrong, but knew it was none of his business.

Even if he did ask, Ramirez would never tell him. He knows better than telling anyone of what happened, and he knew the consequences of their commanders knowing. God, he felt shitty, he wished he could just sleep it away like he always did back home. Whenever something bad happens, he sleeps the whole day and wake up with a better mood. But here? He'd be damned if he slept before their specific time.

"Ramirez." Looking up when he heard his name, his eyes landed on Foley who was standing above him, staring at him with clear confusion… maybe he was too deep into thinking again that he didn't notice he was there before. "…Sir."

"We need to talk. Follow me." Oh great, that just exactly what he needed right now. He slowly stood up, putting away the gun he was cleaning and following after Foley. Okay, if he asked, he'd simply lie to him. Once the older man stopped and turned to face him, he had a stern, yet fatherly look on his face, and if he didn't know any better, he'd guess the man cared for him… maybe he did, but at that moment, no fucks given.

"You've been very distracted lately. Is something wrong? Did you have a fight with Dunn?" Oh wow, he knew, great. Either way, he'd still lie, just to avoid anything. Shaking his head slowly, he'd look down at his feet, then away from the other, trying to think of a reply. "…No sir, lacking sleep is all." He hoped Foley wouldn't dig any further, but the look on his face proved otherwise.

"That doesn't look like it, Ramirez. It has something to do with Dunn, doesn't it?" He asked again, and god, James wished he could punch him square in the face… but he can't. He had enough respect for this man to prevent him from doing it. "Maybe… we just had a small argue over nonsense. H-how did you know it had Dunn in it anyway?"

The sergeant nodded slowly, knowing better than to dig into this problem, though if it proceeded, James knew the man would be more than forceful to fix it. The older man never liked his men hating on each other. "He's more quiet than usual, holding some journal he wouldn't let go." …Wait, some journal? Was it his journal!?

Taking a deep breath, he nodded and looked away again, only to be forced to look back at Foley when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Fix this problem between you two, or I'll have to interfere." Said the sergeant, receiving a slow nod from James. Soon after it, he left, leaving Ramirez to think of what to do next. Should he really go talk with Dunn?

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Dinner time came sooner than he wanted, and with his fail attempts to tell Jacob he was not hungry, he got dragged down to the dining hall with no further complaints. Jacob knew, and didn't speak further into it which he was grateful for. But the man still wanted him to have a good sleep and a full stomach. And seriously, sleeping with an empty stomach wasn't that pleasant.

The place they sat on was just opposite of Dunn who was so focused on his food to realize Ramirez was sitting right in front of him. And fuck, the way he looked wasn't too good. He looked worried, to say the least, eating with one hand and holding his all too familiar journal in the other. And for some reason, Ramirez wanted to know what was going through Dunn's head right now.

Not long after he sat, Jacob came back with two trays of food, making Ramirez feel even worst for letting his friend do that for him. He took it with a quiet 'thank you' and started eating slowly, eyes focusing on his food and trying his best not to glance over at Dunn.

In the middle of his eating, he felt Jacobs foot kick his own foot but resumed eating, knowing what does that mean very well. Back when he first liked Dunn, he used to tell Jacob that if Dunn ever stared at him, he should kick his foot. And today, he did, which made James take a deep breath and rub his forehead, pretending he was bored and then slowly looked up.

Their eyes met for whole 3 seconds before Dunn looked back down at his plate, and Ramirez could swear he saw more than just his usual bored and chilled look. He saw longing, and somewhat hurt… but he wasn't a Psychologist, so he wasn't sure. He had seen a lot of people showing emotions through their eyes, face expressions, and body movements, but Dunn was harder to decipher. So yes, he wasn't sure.

His own eyes returned back down to his food, finishing what's left of it and quickly getting up to leave. Jacob following a minute later. He went straight to his quarters, sitting on his bed and digging under his pillow, only to be disappointed when he remembers that Dunn had his journals. Man, it'd be so boring without it…

Lying down on his bed, attempting to close his eyes and get some sleep before someone landed rather harshly beside him. Opening his eyes slowly, he already guessed who it was, but never guessed he'd look this surprised. "JAMES WAKE UP! Foley is talking to Dunn and Dunn looks so pissed!"

Okay, that was unexpected at all. He looked up at Jacob with wide eyes, trying to find something to say, trying to get up or even move at all… So Foley was ready to interfere. God, he wished not. Please not. "Ramirez!" the call made both the privates to look back at the door, where Dunn was standing with a frown on his face. "Get up, I need to speak with you. Alone."

Oh heavens, where is the mercy when he needs it. He slowly stood up, giving Jacob a worried look before he made his way out of the quarters, met by no other than Dunn who grabbed his arms and dragged him to where they fought before. Behind the quarters where no one can see or hear. He had a hesitant look, yet he looked pissed and a mixture of annoyance. All at once.

"Alright, alright before Foley shoves his nose into this, we need to find a way to… to settle on a solution." Said Dunn, not meeting Ramirez's eyes just yet. James didn't speak, found it enough to just listen to him talk, agreeing on whatever he had to say. But really, he didn't know what to say himself. "…So first, we need to act cool toward each other, like nothing happened, okay? We wont be daydreaming either, that will make it even more suspicious and last, I'm keeping the journal."

The first two were okay, he actually accepted them willingly, but the last? Oh hell no. "But that's my journal… I want it." James said, furrowing his brows slightly and looking straight at the older male. The other shook his head slowly, patting the journal he wouldn't seem to let go on his own chest. "No, its staying with me."

"Why?!" asked Ramirez, stepping closer. "Hey! I'm still hired ranked than you are, keep your voice low." The Corporal said, looking away with a sigh. "I'll get you another one, but like I said, this one's staying with me. Unless you want Foley to guess."

James groaned, rubbing his forehead slowly then lowering his hand, still looking straight at the older male. "He guessed because you keep taking it everywhere! Just burn it or whatever… its better than anyone finding it."

Dunn shook his head again, tightening his hand on the journal. "No! Burning it would be waste-…" He sighed yet again, trying to calm his already boiled nerves. "Look, they're gonna search the privates' quarters again, and it'll be more than likely they'll find it if it was with you. At least let me have it until the inspection is over."

James stayed quiet, staring at the other for a while before giving a slow nod, finally deciding to let the other have it…for now. A minute or two has passed before any of them started talking again, and each time their eyes met, one of them would look away, and vise versa.

"So…we're cool?" Asked the corporal, who sounded awfully hesitant right then. "Yeah, but, what of the things you saw in it? I mean… you're okay with me after all that?" Now it was James' turn to ask, who was hesitant himself, hoping he wouldn't receive a negative reply.

But what he didn't expect is Dunn to smile, playfully punching his shoulder. "I'll tell ya that later! For now, lets just focus on acting normal so Foley doesn't think we became enemies and whatever…" He waved his hand at his last sentence, which made Ramirez smile in return and nod. Alright, that can happen.

Tell him later… so he'll have to wait to get the answer.