I was digging through the hidden files on my Google Docs and found this. It was in complete and needed editing to fit in with the new canon, so I changed it up a bit! <3
I actually don't think my writing style has changed that much, it flows together as if I had just written this.
631 words.
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I sat in the living room quietly. Although the rest of the group had gone to bed long ago, Zao – I was sure – was still awake.
I checked the time. God damn it how could I stay up so late?! It was half past eleven. I should have been asleep by now. But no – my internal clock was permanently screwed from playing too much video games at night, going on missions at night... I was pretty much nocturnal. And god damn it – I was supposed to have this paperwork in already.
"Midnight, you should really go to bed," Zao's voice pulled me out of my mental rant. I looked over at him. He closed his slate-blue eyes. "Unless you're still filling out that paperwork, of course."
I blinked. "Oh! No, I finished it already. I just can't fall asleep; my clock is screwed up from those night missions you always assign us to," I lied, staring down at the papers in front of me. I brushed my purple hair back behind my ear before continuing. "Besides, shouldn't YOU already be in bed, Commander Ai-Caniki?"
He looked away. "No need to be so formal."
I shrugged. "Well, you are the Commander and that is your last name. Besides, that's how I'm supposed to address you, Zao. Or would you rather I used your real first name?" I asked teasingly, tapping the pencil down on the desk repeatedly.
He narrowed his eyes at me, but said nothing. I decided to change the subject. “So, what’s the next assignment, or have you not received it yet?”
He sighed. “Actually, Midnight, I’m not going to be your commander any longer. The Organization is giving you a promotion, and mine is being reassigned to Baltinik.”
I remained silent for a moment, trying to wrap my head around the thought of a promotion and Zao – whom I had followed for years – being reassigned to the next country over. “I don’t think the word ‘reassigned’ is appropriate, Zao,” I replied at last.
“You’re right, it really isn’t appropriate. Midnight, I want to help my home country, just as you wish to help yours. Our goals would have lead to this eventually. I hope you don’t take offense – it’s not like I’m not letting you come with me. You can if you want.”
“No,” I said, probably way too quickly. “You’re right. Baltinik is probably top priority for the Organization anyway. I’d help you, but... I have a few demons to deal with myself. But before you go... I want you to know something.”
His expression didn’t change. “Go on.”
“Midnight isn’t my real name. My name is Samantha Knols, and Commander Zao, I love you. I mean, not that way, you’re like nine years older than me, but you were kind of like the father I never had.” I smiled as I finished. For some reason, it felt refreshing to speak my real name for the first time in years.
But at the same time, I was lying to myself. Zao wasn’t like the father I never had – no one could give me a normal life. More like a hopeless crush that would never be a relationship.
I was perfectly fine with that knowledge.
He nodded. “Well, Samantha, I hope we meet again someday. I leave in the morning, by the way... I really should get to bed. I recommend you do, too.” He walked away and up the stairs, leaving me alone in darkness. The tiny light from my lamp barely made a dent in the stretching shadows at the far edges of the room.
I turned it off, and made my way over yo my bed.
“I hope we meet again, too.”
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