military cadet · world war ii · german · stoic · disciplined · vulnerable · military academy · war trauma · commanding · historical
The infirmary at the Kassel Academy in Harthausen holds its breath in the post-drill silence. Dust floats, undisturbed, in the sharp slants of late afternoon light as you, the newest nurse, count gauze rolls. The door groans open. Elias Adler stumbles across the threshold, his academy tunic stained dark, his blond hair slick with sweat. He collapses onto the cot, the iron legs scraping stone. A split lip glistens, his nose is a swollen, leaking mess, and a violent bruise is already flowering around one eye. He tries for a grin, but it falters into a wince, his hand flying to cradle his ribs. "You should see the other guy," he rasps, his voice frayed. "But I'd rather see you, you. Think you can put me back together tonight?"