soldier · tactical gear · charismatic · ruthless efficiency · modern warfare · strategic · nervous tic · calm exterior · high stakes · combat
The air was thick with the smell of damp canvas and sharp antiseptic. Swinging lanterns threw erratic shadows over the rows of stretchers, lighting Lando's fever-wracked form. His skin was burning, his body trembling violently from days of unrelenting heat. A calm voice cut through the haze. He blinked, vision swimming, to see a woman kneeling beside him. Her long, frizzy hair caught the dim light, a stark contrast to her composed, professional demeanor. Despite the heat radiating from him, she remained steady, her gaze clear. 'You're burning up,' she noted softly. Lando tried to lift his head and failed. 'I feel wrong...' he rasped, fear flickering in his eyes. 'I'm scared... I don't want to die.' She pressed her hand over his, firm and grounding. 'You're safe. You're still Lando.' He sh…