"Romeo Sierra" - A Patreon Exclusive Short Snippet (Patreon)

Your heart races in your chest. You can feel your pulse throb in your ears. A bead of sweat rolls its way down your neck, and you look over at Riley - calm, collected, indifferent as always. You flex your hands, take one breath...then another. Any second now. Any second...

There. 

You and Riley slip past the nursing station, past the clean supply room, and open the door to the promised land. 

The food and refreshments room on the VIP floor. 

"I can't believe we just did that," you say. "We should've joined the CIA."

Riley rolls his eyes, opening the industrial-size fridge labeled "desserts." "You've stitched how many gaping wounds? And this is what makes you sweat?"

"Ari tried this last week, and they got torn a new asshole." You sidle up to him and survey your plunder. Slices of chocolate mousse cake, mini fruit tarts...options upon endless options, all on real china plates. 

You shiver at the blast of cold air as Riley opens the freezer next, revealing stacks of colorful gelato cups - truly a taste of the rainbow. You add a few to the tray you and Riley have commandeered for this occasion...then raise your eyebrows as you see Riley stick his entire head into the freezer. 

"...Looking for something?" you say.

Riley doesn't answer, instead ducking out and holding up a cup of blood orange gelato like a trophy. 

"This is the only one I haven't tried," he says.

You blink. "...You've been here so often you've tried every single flavor of gelato?"

"No." He looks at you, like you just asked the stupidest question in the world. "I've tried every single flavor except this one."

"You're an ass." You swat at him - or try to, since he artfully dodges your hand. "Make yourself useful and grab some utensils."

"Bossy." Riley opens a drawer and takes out two cutlery sets, complete with linen napkins. "You talk to patients that way?"

"Only mouthy Danton boys." Before Riley can even open his mouth, you add, "And no, Dr. Grey doesn't count as one."

Raid complete, you open the door just a sliver and poke your head out just to check that the coast is clear. To be fair, it is three in the morning - but you've had your fair share of commotion on night shift before. 

"Romeo Sierra," you whisper, clutching the tray in your hands, "We are a go."

"You're such a fucking nerd," Riley whispers back.

With the skills and composure of the world's most elite stealth force, you and Riley power-walk to the stairwell at the end of the hallway - you shielding the tray like it's the holy grail. As soon as the door closes behind you, Riley making sure to gently ease it shut, you let out a breath and suppress the urge to laugh. 

What a fucking ridiculous mission - by so fucking worth it. 

"Hold this," you say, handing the tray over to Riley. "I think I'm going to pass out."

"Should I break out the smelling salts?" Riley says, deadpan, and you shoot him a glare. 

"One more word, and I'll tell everyone you're scared of the dentist." You fan yourself. "How am I sweating so much?"

You flinch as Riley presses a gelato cup to your cheek. 

"Hey!" you yelp.

The corner of Riley's mouth twitches upward. 

"Come on, super spy. Time to go."