All of original Spartan-II’s remembered their brothers and sisters who’d washed out of the program for all manner of horrific reasons. In a way, the ones who had died had gotten off lucky. Others were crippled for life or in the rare cases such as Serin or Matt, they were still capable of serving in a military capacity if not as a Spartan.
John had taken each loss as a personal failure and Kurt’s heart had ached for John because as team leader, he’d understood that responsibility all too well. It was that same empathy that had made Kurt-051 such an unusual Spartan and in the end, had lead him to the place he was now. Who better to train children than the one Spartan who never quite managed to suppress his emotions and embrace the coldness that others like Linda took to so well?
Bright hazel eyes looked the other man over watchfully and the emotion in them gave him away even if Kurt managed to school his expression into something more neutral. He was happy to see Maine even if military protocol dictated he not show it.
He crispy returned the salute even as the corners of his lips twitched with a repressed smile. “You as well, Matt,” It felt odd, having another II salute him. Kurt had become more comfortable with the role of an officer over the years but it was strange to realize he outranked the people he’d trained with for years.
Automatically, his gaze seemed to focus in on Maine’s throat thanks to the fact that the poor man sounded like he was trying to garble broken glass. “You’re injured?” Was that why he was on the Hopeful? Kurt had no idea why else another II would be here. Not that he was supposed to be here that was. But trust a II to find their way into places they didn’t belong.
no subject
John had taken each loss as a personal failure and Kurt’s heart had ached for John because as team leader, he’d understood that responsibility all too well. It was that same empathy that had made Kurt-051 such an unusual Spartan and in the end, had lead him to the place he was now. Who better to train children than the one Spartan who never quite managed to suppress his emotions and embrace the coldness that others like Linda took to so well?
Bright hazel eyes looked the other man over watchfully and the emotion in them gave him away even if Kurt managed to school his expression into something more neutral. He was happy to see Maine even if military protocol dictated he not show it.
He crispy returned the salute even as the corners of his lips twitched with a repressed smile. “You as well, Matt,” It felt odd, having another II salute him. Kurt had become more comfortable with the role of an officer over the years but it was strange to realize he outranked the people he’d trained with for years.
Automatically, his gaze seemed to focus in on Maine’s throat thanks to the fact that the poor man sounded like he was trying to garble broken glass. “You’re injured?” Was that why he was on the Hopeful? Kurt had no idea why else another II would be here. Not that he was supposed to be here that was. But trust a II to find their way into places they didn’t belong.