Weapons Practice

[capt-kasya.livejournal.com]

Kassian managed to keep his expression composed, though he was fairly sure that Isaev's seemingly-casual words were another innuendo.

Isaev was good at that.

Among other things.

He nodded, to Ocelot first, then Isaev. "That sounds good," he said, then saluted the Major briefly before taking his leave. Isaev followed.

As they walked to the north artillery range, boots crunching in the gravel, Kassian glanced at the young lieutenant sidelong. It had only been yesterday morning, when they'd been at the range, practicing. He recalled the way Isaev had watched him.

It felt like a lot of things had happened since then.

Sleep had barely been one of them.

Kassian wondered, briefly, if he was too old to be doing this. An affair with a hot-blooded young officer had not really been on his agenda when he'd arrived here not even two days ago.

Ill-advised, perhaps. Or even reckless. But part of him didn't care. There had been too few good things in a life whose canvas had been painted in blood and shrouded by loss.

This was a good thing, and Kassian felt willing to let himself enjoy it, until...

...

He let his mind skip over that part.

They arrived at the range and headed to the lanes. "All right," Kassian said as he looked down their lane, automatically judging the distance. "Before we start, you should know I'm not very good at this."