Bethany would read to Asael every evening after stitching him up.
At first, they only talked while she treated his wounds. But as the days passed, they began getting closer.
Asael liked listening to her read.
He liked the sound of her voice.
One evening, Bethany looked at him.
"Why do they call you Blood Angel?"
Asael smiled.
"Well, it was during a warzone. I got separated from my squad after a bomb strike and landed in an enemy tunnel that was half-filled with water."
Bethany listened as he continued.
"I killed 97 enemy soldiers and came out bloody and wet."
Bethany looked at him for a moment before leaning forward and kissing his forehead.
"Soldier Boy, keep marching."
Asael smiled.
"I'm 33, Bethany."
She laughed.
"It should be Soldier Man."
Asael smiled.
"Is there a Mrs. Soldier Man?"
"Yeah, there is."
Bethany raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"Bethany Juliet Jobbs."
She laughed.
"How do you know my middle name?"
"Thistle told me."
Bethany shook her head, still smiling.
Asael slipped his fingers into hers.
"You know how I feel about you, Bethany."
Her smile softened.
"You are deployed tomorrow. I'll give you my answer when you get back, okay?"
Asael looked at her.
"Okay."
The next day, the base was hit.
There were no survivors.
Bethany was dead.