Meeting Gabriel (3) – Maritsu and Gabriel’s POV (3)

-Gabriel POV-'

Let's start by introducing myself. I am Gabriel.

It might be a name you're unfamiliar with, so I will tell you a bit more about myself.

Before he continued his story. Gabriel fell into thought.

He remembered the promise he had made like yesterday. Although sometimes it seemed like it was a lifetime ago.

I know you don't know me, but I know who you are. When he saw the guy in front of him freeze, because of what he said, he pretended not to see it.

I am an officer in the army. The only reason I gave you a chance to explain your actions was because I know very well that you are a wonderful human being.

I have heard your name before, Maritsu, and you're a fantastic soldier and an even better superior.

You usually take care really well of the soldiers under your command. Take on the most risky jobs yourself, and if the soldiers in your command are injured, you always seem to take care of them really well.

When he saw the person in front of him getting more nervous, he realized the guy was getting nervous, because he had the feeling someone had been watching him in the dark.

He also felt that where before the guy had been calm, he seemed to have started to emit hostility. His eyes glinting with a viciousness it didn't hold before.

- Maritsu POV-

Why had the guy been watching me?

He said his name is Gabriel. It isn't a name I saw before during my investigation, but maybe I am wrong?

Why would a guy who doesn't know me keep watching me if he wasn't involved in my brother's death?

When his thoughts turned darker, he looked at Gabriel with hostility.

Had he missed something?

Then he heard Gabriel say: "The reason I have been watching you is simply because you have been shooting up the ranks."

"I know officers who have abused their authority given by their position before."

"I wanted to monitor you. To make sure that you didn't abuse the position given to you and took care of people under your command."

It was like someone knocked all the wind out of him. He did something he promised himself to never do. He had made an assumption.

He had assumed someone's guilt based on nothing more than a guess. As soon as he realized this, the hostility which swirled around him disappeared in the blink of an eye.

- Gabriel POV-

He didn't know what he had said, but the hostility around Maritsu disappeared like it was a balloon which was punctured.

No matter what I said though it's a good sign. I might not have to call the guard. I might reach him, so that we can prevent him from going to jail.

However, if Maritsu remained stubborn, he would have to call the guard and let him be taken away.

No matter how much he appreciated somebody. He wouldn't put the armed forces in danger. So he would need an explanation for his behavior.

If he didn't get that explanation, he would have to hand it over to the investigators. He would only do that, though, if it was his last resort.

He would have to open up more if he wanted the same in return.

He took the dog tags from his neck: "You see this kid? I saw you grasping an identity card just now."

"It must mean a lot to you to have developed the habit of touching it whenever you are nervous."

"My dog tags come with a story. I hope you will listen. If you are ready after listening to tell me why you broke into that superior's office. Then I will listen to your story as well."

"If you refuse to still tell me anything after I have told me your story. I will have no other choice than to send you to jail."

"I just want to be upfront and honest with you. I cannot leave a liability running around without having a good reason, too."

"I am responsible for the safety of all the soldiers, and unless I know you will not endanger their safety, I cannot let you go free."

-Maritsu POV-

He might not have liked that Gabriel had been monitoring him. However, since Gabriel admitted it magnanimously, it was hard to hold a grudge.

Besides that, if there was any reason to be monitored. The safety of the soldiers was an excellent reason. In his opinion. He could never blame Gabriel for that.

After all, if someone had been watching over his brother's superiors, he might still be alive. That was something that could only happen in his dreams, though.

He relaxed, though, ready to listen to Gabriel's story. Without bias this time.

Before that, he silently wondered. Did I really grab my brother's dog tags? I never noticed that I had such a habit.

When he saw Gabriel take out dog tags, he was stunned. Any person in the army obviously only had one set of dog tags. Why did he have so many?

Then he listened to how Gabriel poured his heart out. How he bore witness to the death of his teammates. How he made a promise to himself that very day in court when he had disappeared in the crowd, like he had never been there and how he had been working relentlessly to achieve the goal he had set out for himself.

Their story was so different, yet so similar, that it brought tears to his eyes. He could feel and hear Gabriel's agony, loneliness, and helplessness.

He could hear that so clearly, since he had experienced something so similar.

Maritsu might have lost his brother, but he had lost several brother's at once. He couldn't imagine how he survived the grief he must have experienced.

They might not have been related by blood. However, sometimes blood was a lot less important than a friendship and trust build over time in life and death situations.

He should know he had built several of those himself.

They both lost people dear to them because of unscrupulous superiors. Then and there he decided that maybe he didn't have to fight alone anymore. They both didn't have to. He would risk it all this once. To a man who bared his soul to him.

Who reminded him so much of his big brother. He would risk it all and tell this man his story.

-Gabriel POV-

Gabriel saw the man in front of him relax. He knew Maritsu was ready to listen to what he had to say. He fell into memory and told everything, baring his soul. For the kid in front of him to see.

Something inside of him told him that was the only way to reach him and that it was important to reach him. Although he couldn't tell why. It was the same instinct which had made him lead the kid to his office instead of calling the guards.

He imagined that if he had a little brother, he would just be like Maritsu. Which made him want to protect him.

The kid had proven before that he could be trusted by not attacking him when he had turned his back. Therefore, he followed his instinct once more and told his story.

He saw the sadness come of the kid in waves as he was telling the story. A sadness he recognized all to well. When tears formed into Maritsu's eyes, he knew he should have guessed correctly.

The kid didn't hold any malice. He was just lost. Like he had been such a long time ago, before he set a goal for himself and made himself that heavy promise.

After he was finished telling his story, he looked Maritsu in his eyes. Those eyes still shimmered with sadness and loss.

"Now I told you my story. Are you ready to tell me yours?" Gabriel asked. Once again, putting the dog tags back around his neck.

His neck felt empty without them. It felt lighter than it usually felt, but he would carry this weight for a long time to come. At the very least, until he fulfilled his promise.

Only if he fulfilled his promise the weight of the dog tags would disappear. Not because he wouldn't wear those dog tags any longer.

He still would. He would wear his comrades with him until the day he died. The dog tags were heavy not because of their weight, but because it represented the promise represented he had made to his fallen brother's.

"Whatever you will tell me it won't leave these office walls, it will just be between me and you."

"Even if I find out that your reason for being in that superior's office wasn't valid enough, and I have to send you to jail. I won't breath a word of what you will say to me. I promise, and my promise is my bond."

"The only thing what would be an exception to that promise is if what you did endangers others. I cannot condone that."