Fin grinned at me. “It’s okay, Dad, I remember all my maths lessons, budgeting as well as aerial ballistics. I’ll be fine.”
“Good, because I’m going to miss you.” I hugged him yet again.
“I’ll write,” he promised over my shoulder.
“No, you won’t,” Ang said. He had a hand on each of our shoulders. “Rhastac doesn’t allow first years to communicate with the outside world. But we’ll be here after your first year, eager for news.”
“Remember—”
“Sullivan,” Ang said softly. “Time to let the boy go.”
My throat was dry as a desert, and I fought to keep my eyes that way too. Fin moved out onto the platform to Dora. Then he turned, stood at attention, and saluted us all. And every man jack of the Fortress, even Ang, did the same.
“He’s got a good day for it,” Gahunia said.
Fin ran up Dora’s leg and on to her back, gained the seat bone in such a natural flow of movement it was almost liquid.
“Aye, it’s a great adventure before him,” Fenwick agreed.
Then Fin saluted again, and Dora launched, her great wingspan carrying them swiftly to a flight elevation and away.
“I almost envy him starting the journey,” the Quartermaster said as he turned to go inside.
“Shows how long ago you were in college,” Jimny said, trailing after. “It’s brutal. I wouldn’t go again for coda.”
Aware that others were going inside, I stayed and watched, waiting until I could see them no more. Then I waited some more. I felt a touch on my elbow.
“Sullivan?”
I sniffed and turned to face him. “Yes, Flight Captain?”
He shook his head. “Now is not the time for ranks.”
I dragged in a shuddering breath. “I can’t believe he’s gone already.”
Ang’s smile was sad, and perhaps his eyes were a little more damp than normal. He moved closer, wiped a tear and traced the line of the scar on my cheek. Gods, this man was dear to me. Then he embraced me. And I leaned into him.
“Feels like we only just got here.”
Ang’s arms tightened around me. He always knew when not to say anything.
* * *
Life went on. Just quieter. Especially in our — my rooms. I took to eating in the canteen more. Only that had the downside of meaning I saw and heard how everyone else was continuing with life as usual. Only my life was unusual. I had no one to care for. That felt like a first.
I came off shift and headed to my rooms. Cooking was a quiet affair, and it was only as I was serving the rice that I realised that I had made enough for two.
The knock at the door was a surprise. I called for my visitor to come in as I returned the pot to beside the stove. Ang Shi stepped in.
“Have you eaten?” I asked.
The question seemed to catch him off guard. “I have not.”
“Then would you like to join me for chilli and rice?” I asked. “It seems I can’t get used to cooking for one.”
He very nearly smiled. “I should like that.”
I noticed he was wearing the jeans again. After two years, they had softened and moulded to his form. They looked even better. I swallowed as I smiled and served the second helping. It was nice. Sitting at the table, just the two of us, talking.
