The Education of Sebastian & the Education of Caroline(242)

The bathrooms were basic, and I was dreading becoming familiar with them. But at least I wouldn’t have the incredibly gross job of burning the waste every day. I wondered if it would be reserved for a punishment duty.

I brushed my teeth and rinsed with a mere mouthful of tepid water, swiped some of the dust off my face with baby-wipes, kicked off my boots and laid my body armor where I could reach it in a hurry. I knew I was probably a little ripe from a day of constant sweating, but I was too tired to care, and it wasn’t as if I could slip on my yoga pants after soaking in a hot tub.

Instead, I listened to the sounds of the camp around me: men going to their sleeping quarters, others going on watch. I realized what was missing—there was no birdsong. Nothing, not a single sound of any animal at all. The thought disturbed me, waking me more thoroughly than the alarm I had slept through this morning.

And then I heard a soft footfall outside my door.

“Caro?” he whispered.

I pushed open the door, and saw Sebastian crouching in the dim light. He wound himself through the narrow opening and wrapped his arms around me, holding me tightly.

“It’s like a dream having you here,” he murmured. “I keep thinking I’m going to wake up and find I’ve imagined you.”

I clutched him tightly. “My dreams aren’t usually this good.”

“Mine are,” he whispered, softly. “Or they used to be. When you first left, I dreamed about you all the time.”

“What was I doing?” I said, stroking his cheek.

He leaned into my hand, breathing deeply. “Mostly, we were just by the ocean, walking on the beach.”

“Mostly?”

He grinned. “Sometimes we did other stuff.”

“Stuff? I’m not sure I know what you mean by ‘stuff’,” and I rubbed the front of his pants suggestively, hoping he’d feel the need to elucidate.

“Caro!” he groaned. “Fuck, I just came to make sure you were okay in here. I have to get back to the comms room.”

“Right away? You can’t take a few minutes?”

He kissed me hungrily. “I really can’t, baby. Grant’s waiting for me.”

“You’re such a tease,” I said, slapping his ass. “You come in here, raising my expectations…”

“That’s not the only thing that got raised,” he said, dryly.

I smirked at him. “Well, I’d have been happy to meet those expectations, but apparently you have to go be a soldier.”

“Actually, I have to go be an interpreter … I could try and come back later, Caro.”

“Sebastian, seriously: do what you need to do. You know where I am, and I trust you to know whether or not it’s safe to take that risk. It worries me that I’m a distraction here for you. The most important thing is that you focus on your job. We’ve got the rest of our lives after that.”

He kissed me again, then rested his forehead against mine.

“I’m a lucky bastard—thank God for you, Caro.”

“I’ll see you at breakfast, Chief,” I said, running my hand over his hair.

“One other thing,” he said, looking at me seriously, “there’s been some radio chatter and the Taliban definitely know we’re here. I don’t think they’ll do anything tonight—they’re not in position, from what I can work out, but if you hear someone yell ‘incoming’, get your body armor on, keep your head down, and stay in here away from the windows. Whatever happens, Caro, stay in here. Everyone out there knows what they’re doing: we don’t need your help. You know what I’m saying, baby?”

I hugged him tightly. “I promise. I don’t want you thinking about me when you have more important things to concentrate on.”

He smiled briefly. “There isn’t anything more important than you.”

Then he kissed me gently, pressing his soft lips against mine. A moment later, and he was gone.

I settled back on my mattress, enjoying the relative coolness of the night air. I hoped Sebastian would be able to come back later, but I wasn’t counting on it. Just knowing he was nearby was soothing.

The alarm on my wristwatch awoke me shortly before dawn. I sat up abruptly, my heart hammering in my chest. I could see a dark shadow curled up in the corner of my room. It moved and stretched.

“Sebastian!” I whispered. “What are you doing?”

“Hey, baby,” he mumbled, sleepily.

“How long have you been there? Why didn’t you wake me up?”

“Couple of hours, I think. I didn’t want to wake you—you looked so peaceful.”

I crawled up the mattress and wrapped my arms around his neck. I could feel the stubble on his cheek.