A Brother-In-Arms

"Colonel Rosenberg...? "1

The young officer looked up from his papers, the feather pen still in hand. First Lieutenant Miller figured the Colonel must be exhausted, though the officer kept his expression professionally stoic. A droplet of ink ran down the point of the quill and dripped onto the paper, but his distant gunmetal grey eyes didn't seem to notice.2

"Are you well, Colonel? Have you any needs?"3

"I'm fine, Lieutenant." He went back to whatever he had been writing. "Thank you for your service."4

His concerned assistant wasn't satisfied. "Sir, you need rest."5

The Colonel sighed. "How much rest do I really need if all I'm doing is sitting at a desk all day writing?"6

"At least let me run a hot bath for you."7

He received no response.8

Lieutenant Miller approached him, his knee-high boots giving their signature authoritative click when his heel struck the marble floor. He set his hands on his officer's shoulders. Rosenberg flexed them with slight agitation, and Miller let go.9

"Your shoulders are very tense, sir. Please, if nothing else, allow me..."10

First Lieutenant Miller had served the Colonel for three war-torn years now, since they were both 18, and knew the slightly senior young man's every move. Therefore, he knew the slight sigh that followed his question was a reluctant "okay".11

Miller put his hands back on Rosenberg's shoulders, keeping his touch gentle but firm. The Colonel relaxed almost immediately. A moment later he dropped his quill back into the inkwell and rested his head in his hands.12

"Too hard, sir?"13

"No," he answered simply.14

For a long while neither of them spoke. It was just the two officers, just two more souls who had survived the battlefield by Grace and Grace alone.15

"Miller."16

"Yes, sir?"17

Another long pause. The First Lieutenant knew that Rosenberg would speak when he was ready. He continued to work just under his officer's neck.18

Colonel Rosenberg sighed. "They destroyed Siaen."19

"Aey'ah!" the Lieutenant gasped. "Any word on your brother, sir?"20

Colonel Rosenberg said nothing. All he did was silently pad his eye with the sleeve of his officer's coat. His Lieutenant gave a slightly distressed sigh and leaned over onto his officer's shoulder, embracing him as best as he knew the Colonel would allow.21

"Miller..."22

"Yes, sir?"23

The Colonel reached across his chest to lay a softly trembling hand over his Lieutenant's.24

"Remind me never to let anything happen to you."25