“I should hope so or we’d have to have an intervention for you.” Kurt teased with a laugh as he and Matt left the armory behind. It didn’t escape the brunette that he’d probably laughed and felt happier in the past few weeks than he’d been in the past decade.

He sensed Tom and Lucy had noted the change in his demeanor and Mendez had given the two of them some knowing looks but thus far hadn’t called the two Spartans out. But honestly, he was just too damned thrilled to be reunited not only with a fellow II but also his original squad mate and the man who was as close as he had to a brother in everything but blood.

“Heh, Mendez hasn’t lost a step even with age. Sometimes I’ll hear him shouting at the recruits all the way across the compound and have to fight the urge to snap to attention myself.” He confessed with a wry look.