13 Boyfriend? (Alt.)

Mr. Armeen, might I remind you that you are at present, 'under my custody.'"

I'm gonna sound so cool.

"As my prisoner, my involvement with you is strictly limited to your security and supervision within this facility."

Don't look so disappointed just yet, sweetie.

"I do recall, however, that Hunter regulations don't forbid relations between enlisted and civilians—including those employed by government contract."

And punchline. I deserve a pat on the back for that. A+ Material.

"Understood, ma'am." He says in that sly, sexy, almost defiant tone I'm starting to like, "I won't resist if you need to handcuff—I mean, apprehend me."

Woah. Next level already. Good boy.

"Under 'normal circumstances' Mr. Armeen, I would 'apprehend' you as you suggested. Should you have 'resisted,' it would be well within my 'authority' to force you 'into submission.'"

We're both having too much fun flirting like this. But, back to military voice. "However, my colleague may find it questionably inconvenient that his client be bound and unable to comply with any necessary signatures."

So cool it before Wolfgang gets here. He's about to park, according to my monitor.

"Fine, fine. I guess that Gunnery Sergeant's here?"

A knock on the door. I open the door and stand at attention, amused by Felix's surprise at Wolfgang's size. C'mon. I could power lift two of Wolfgang. I'll show you one day.

"At ease, Specialist. You are Mr. Armeen, I presume? I assume Captain US4-D1-1 and Specialist US4-D1-11 have sufficiently briefed you on this offer of employment?"

I can't help but chuckle. Wolfgang is never this serious. I'm just waiting for that big Santa Claus laugh of his to break the ice. This is a delicate situation, though, so maybe he'll keep his poker face.

"Yes sir, and I am ready to review the terms of this offer."

"'I am ready to review the terms of this offer.' Ha! Nobody actually talks like that." And there's the Wolfgang I know.

"Have a seat, kid. This is MY place now. Haha!" He's laughing hysterically. He's guiding us down to the living room like he owns the place. Felix 'lives' here but, technically, Wolfgang's right. This place is now under US4-D1 control.

Felix is completely confused. He was probably expecting a shakedown as rough as Athena's.

Wolfgang extends his hand. "I'm Gunnery Sergeant US4-D1-4 'Wolfgang.' Nice to meet you, Felix. I do have to remind you that, at present, your status is equivalent to that of a prisoner of war. Any acts of 'aggression' or 'inappropriate conduct' directed towards Specialist Atlasz is not only illegal, but can be viewed as an act of hostility. It is within her authority to 'subdue' you as she sees fit." He says, suggestively while winking.

"Wolfgang!" Oh my god, can he not be so embarrassing? He won't stop laughing. Athena had set up a professional exchange, and here goes Wolfgang screwing it all up. Did you really have to send HIM, Athena?

"As I was saying, Mr. Armeen. Please review the material in front of you. Do take extra care in reviewing our code of conduct. Do note that as a government—and technically civilian—employee, the restrictions on sexual relations between active duty Hunter personnel do not apply to you."

This is how it feels to be internally screaming.

We're in a house with a bloody front door and two bodies still laying around, but Wolfgang is making dirty jokes.

After his laughing calms down, he continues, "Felix, right? You've been through a lot today. Your home is a murder scene. You rode in a car with a Rogue Demon while under our Scout Sniper's crosshairs. I even wrecked your car, inside out. To top it off, your girlfriend put a gun in your face. That's the world you'll be a part of by signing this contract. Will you still do it?"

"Yes." He answers quickly with certainty.

"Why? If you have some deluded thoughts of wanting to protect Janine, throw them out now. If anything, she'll be protecting you. You? You'd be in her way."

Wolfgang, why are you being so hard? He's my superior, so I can't do anything but listen. But Athena sent him for a reason. Maybe this is why.

"Yeah. I do have those thoughts. Say what you will, Gunnery Sergeant Wolfgang, but I want to protect her, any way I can."

I'm touched. I mean, he can't really do much for me, but I'm touched.

"But that's not the answer you wanted, is it?"

"It wasn't." Wolfgang answers, flatly.

"With Cesar and Alice dead, I have nowhere to live. With my car wrecked, I have nowhere to go. I'm a broke college student that has terrible luck with demon attacks. First, I lost my parents to them, then my jobs, and now my home. I need this opportunity and can't afford to screw it up."

I didn't know he lost his parents to Rogues. It's pretty humbling that he's still into me, though. Guys with stories like that tend to hate Reborn.

"I see. Kid, where did you learn to think and drive like you did?" Wolfgang asks a completely random question.

"If you're asking if I had some sort of training or something, I didn't. I was just following my gut and improvising. Luck." That's how he confused Feng? Off instinct and guessing? I kind of want to see how he is if I teach him how to shoot.

It looks like Wolfgang thinks the same.

"Interesting. You're at least honest with yourself. What if I told you there's a way to make yourself useful? Work with us I promise the Warrant Officer won't be shooting at you this time."

"What do you mean?" Felix asks, with genuine curiosity. I don't like where Wolfgang is going with this.

"I mean that kids like you--who don't have their heads up their asses--can learn something. I mean that our Scout Sniper liked the tricks you pulled in those streets. Our Administrative Chief wondered how you stayed below District 1's radar by living in this place. And me? I want to know how you moved parts around in that car to get it to run like it did."

"Wolfgang, no. He doesn't have to do that. It's not part of the job. That will get him too involved." I want all of this to keep Felix safe, not throw him back into someone's crosshairs.

"Felix, it's sweet that you want to protect me, but I can protect myself. I know it's not what you're used to, but I'm a Reborn, remember? It's okay to let me help you instead."

"I'll think about it, sir."

"Good."

"Wolfgang! Are you crazy? Felix, no. You said yourself that this is all going by too fast. Think this through."

"Exactly," Wolfgang says, in agreement.

"I wasn't actually expecting you to be so cooperative. I just wanted to see if you had the right intentions. And it looks like you do. Clearly, for your survival, you need this job. But for her," he gestures to me, "you want this job."

"On that note, this is highly unorthodox. This is happening because our squad fucked up your life, and we don't want to make you homeless. But don't think for a minute we don't see where this is going. I hope you two don't think you're fooling anyone." He glances at both of us.

"Just be responsible about it. No one wants to deal with your bullshit if you two don't work out. And remember, Felix; we can dump you anytime."

"Understood, sir." Felix finishes signing the last few documents and returns them to Wolfgang.

"By the way, Specialist Atlasz, report to Warrant Officer 'Feng' at headquarters tomorrow at 0900. Hint: It's nothing bad. I promise. And don't forget to complete your TWO reports to the Captain. You're a Hunter. We expect you to handle these things autonomously."

Right, I still have to send Heron and Athena my notes on that crater in addition to this whole mess.

"Mr. Armeen, be back here at 2PM. You'll help our Administrative Chief, Staff Sergeant 'Heron,' unload her gear and install whatever equipment she wants. Now, I better get going before I get used to you kids calling me 'sir.' And listen, kiddo." Wolfgang says to me before leaving. "You did really well tonight. You stepped up and really showed what your talents bring to the table. Until him." He points back at Felix.

"I've worked with the Captain for six years now. She isn't doing all of this because she likes you, Janine. It's because you fucked up. But she wants to give you a chance to make good on your mistake. Don't let this get to your head because, I'll be honest, you made a stupid decision. We know this boy is innocent NOW, but we had no way of know that. He was too much of a risk to gamble with. The end doesn't justify the means. Don't make Athena regret covering your ass."

The door closes, but gently. I won't let you—or the Captain—down, Wolfgang. I promise.

"Did he just say you should have killed me?" Felix asks, surprised.

"Yup. But what did I do instead?"

Silence. That's fair. I technically did a lot today, so he probably won't see this coming.

"I'll remind you, then."

I'm a Reborn. Did you forget how fast I am, Felix? I jump on him and slam him into the wall and pull his face into mine. We'll have to handle the two dead bodies after. I can get his mind off that by distracting him with my body, first.