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Pushing his way into the tent, Sean released a sigh of relief as the warmth trapped by the tent’s thick canvas surrounded him. He struggled with the straps of his backpack but managed to dislodge it and let it fall to the floor. The tent was equipped with bunk beds for the two soldiers and a few pieces of equipment, including a small TV plugged into a power strip. From behind the tent came the low hum of what Sean assumed was the generator.

Flopping gracelessly into one of the few folding chairs, Sean let out another groan. “Thank Christ, that’s over.”

Ricardo sat opposite him after removing his equipment. Instead of the expected look of relief, there was a quiet, thoughtful expression on his friend’s face. Sean looked closer, raising a brow as he realized Ricardo was gearing up to say something.

“What?” Sean finally said, not liking the silence.

“What’s going on with you two?” Ricardo asked.

Sean blinked. “What?”

“You and Aidan.”

Oh.

Sean shrugged. “I guess after you save each other’s ass, you stop worrying about how much the other person drives you nuts. He’s still a pain in the ass, that hasn’t changed.”

“Yeah, but ever since he found you, you two have been different.”

“We talked. We got over it,” Sean said, not wanting to get into his weird dream.

“And now you’re finding him funny.”

“It’s either that or try to kill him every time he makes some stupid joke.”

Ricardo cocked his head. “Wanted to ask you something.”

Sean wasn’t sure if he wanted to hear whatever was about to come out of Ricardo’s mouth. The man looked way too damn serious when the two of them should be relieved they got through the week in one piece. That and he knew damn well Ricardo was probably the most observant person Sean had ever dealt with, even more than Clint had been.

Sean sighed. “What?”

“What happened with you guys the other day?”

Sean hesitated. “What? You’ve been with us the whole time, except for when I...got my ass handed to me by a mountain.”

Ricardo frowned. “Except the night we camped, you two disappeared on your watch.”

Sean’s eyes widened. “We didn’t leave you guys!”

“Not what I’m saying. There’s no way either of you would have left the three of us sleeping without being nearby. But you two had been bickering the whole day, and then suddenly, you’re both gone for a bit?”

“And?” Sean asked defensively.

“And you came back quiet.”

“You were all sleeping.”

“You were still bickering before that. And then there’s how you two acted before we headed out here.”

Sean blinked. “I...were we?”

“Sean.”

Ricardo hadn’t exactly called him out, but there was no denying he knewsomethingwas going on. Sean sighed, looking down at his lap and shrugging.

“I don’t know how to answer your questions,” he admitted.

“You’ve been fucking,” Ricardo said bluntly.