Day 0. 

Every now and then, the high-ups make this weird decision: Making the defence units train together. For the sake of “team building” or whatever. 

Somehow, either by accident, bad luck…or fate..Unit 3 and Unit 7, always end up paired together. 

And the best part. These two units cannot stand each other. 

“Well, look who's here….Captain Aari” Nalan, captain of Unit 3 and a full time menace smirked, throwing his bag over his shoulder. His Alpha pheromones filled the hallway, showing dominance. “I thought you’d retire after our last training session." 

Aari, captain of unit 7, glanced at him. Looking bored, as if he just woke up and already tired of the world. 

“Retire?" he said, flat. “If I did, then who would explain to your team how they only won because we were going easy” 

Nalan scoffed. “Ah, the old 'we let you win’. Classic. Next time, you go easy, make sure to brief your team. They looked like they were fighting for their lives” 

“Fighting for their lives?” Aari chuckled. “Of course, It takes effort to pretend your team was a threat. Should’ve won an award for acting.” 

A beta from Unit 7 made a choking sound, probably trying not to laugh. 

“Already starting?” groaned Sergeant Kael from Unit 7. “Can’t we have just one peaceful day?”

“Ahem… “ Zian, Sergeant of Unit 3, appeared with a tab in his hand. 

“The dorm assignments are up…Some of the rooms are under maintenance due to pipes issues. So…” 

A long pause.

A deep exhausted sigh.

“…captain Aari and captain Nalan. You two are sharing a room.”

Silence.

Then—

"WHAT-"

"EXCUSE ME --"

“Is this some kind of torture..” 

“I don’t room with a guy who stinks like pig shit” Aari snapped, grabbing Zian’s shoulders and shaking him dramatically. 

“What! P-Pig” Nalan scoffed. "As if you can smell anything past your stinking socks” Then he added, smugly. “I’ll share with the zian” 

Zian held up a hand.  “As I said…there are not enough rooms. Me and Kael are already bunking with the boys.” 

“I’ll share with the boys–” Aari started, soon interrupted by Kael. 

“Yeah sure. If you are fine lying between a dozen beta snoring like tanks and farting protein bars” 

Aari glared. 

Nalan glared harder. 

****

Shared room. 

The room is neat. Two desks, a cupboard, a potted plant, and a large bed. 

Nalan took a duct tape and started taping it across the bed, dividing it. 

Aari stared. “What are you, five?” 

“Cross the line and die” Nalan said, as he threw the tape dramatically and started unpacking his luggage. 

“Oh- don’t worry. I’d rather sleep on the floor than touching your contaminated side.” Aari replied, already touching the sheet on Nalan’s side. On purpose. 

They worked in silence for five full minutes, just unpacking the stuff. 

Suddenly, Nalen started sniffing the air. “Wait…Lavender?"

Aari was already lighting an incense stick. “It’s calming. You clearly need this.” 

Nalan frowned. “What’s next, scented candles?” 

“Hmm..” Aari took a scented candle from his luggage and placed it on the table. 

“You are…Unbelievable.”

“You’re welcome.”