Leon's relief at seeing Jasper back on his feet was quickly overshadowed by a familiar sense of unease. He didn't like owing people, and he certainly didn't like the way Jasper's near-death experience had made him feel. It was a weakness, a vulnerability he couldn't afford.

  "So," Jasper said, his screen shifting to a curious emoji, "what did I miss?"

  Leon shrugged, turning away to busy himself with his training equipment. "Nothing important. Just the usual lectures and simutions. You didn't miss anything worth dying for."

  "Hey, dying is never worth it!" Jasper protested, his screen fshing a disapproving frown. "But seriously, did Director Chen say anything about what happened? Did we pass the test?"

  Leon paused, his hand hovering over a set of weights. He hadn't heard anything official, but he knew they had aced the simution. They had saved the day, even if it had nearly cost Jasper his life.

  "I don't know," he said, his voice deliberately casual. "But I doubt they'll be handing out medals anytime soon. We just did what we were supposed to do."

  He began his workout, focusing on the burn of his muscles, the rhythm of his breath. He needed to regain control, to reassert his dominance. He couldn't allow himself to be distracted by Jasper's presence, by his relentless cheerfulness, by the unsettling emotions he stirred within him.

  But as he lifted the weights, his mind kept drifting back to Jasper. He couldn't shake the image of him colpsing in his arms, his body limp, his screen bnk. He had been so close to losing him, and the thought sent a shiver down his spine.

  He tried to dismiss it as a natural reaction to a stressful situation. He wasn't friends with Jasper. He didn't care about him. He was just a roommate, a teammate, a means to an end.

  But deep down, he knew it was more than that. There was a connection between them, a bond forged in the heat of battle, that he couldn't deny. He didn't understand it, didn't want it, but it was there nonetheless.

  "So," Jasper said, interrupting Leon's thoughts, "are we partners for the next simution? Or are they going to stick me with someone who doesn't try to kill me?"

  Leon lowered the weights with a cng, his jaw tightening. He didn't want to be partners with Jasper again. He couldn't afford the distraction, the risk. But he also couldn't deny that they worked well together. They had a synergy, a connection that transcended their differences.

  "I don't know," he said, his voice noncommittal. "We'll see what they decide."

  He turned away, resuming his workout with renewed intensity. He needed to focus on his training, on his goal. He couldn't allow himself to be sidetracked by Jasper, by his unsettling presence, by the emotions he couldn't control.

  But as he pushed himself to his limit, he couldn't help but wonder what the future held for them. Would they continue to be partners, forced together by circumstance? Or would they drift apart, their paths diverging as they pursued their separate goals?

  And deep down, a small, unwelcome voice whispered, which outcome did he truly desire?

  Later that day, Director Chen summoned Leon and Jasper to her office. The summons was brief, terse, and left Leon with a knot of anxiety in his stomach. He had a feeling this wasn't going to be good.

  They stood before her desk, their expressions guarded. Chen studied them for a long moment, her gaze piercing, her expression unreadable.

  "Woods, Screen," she said, her voice devoid of emotion, "your performance in yesterday's simution was... unconventional. You demonstrated a level of initiative and resourcefulness that is commendable. However, you also disregarded protocol and took unnecessary risks. Your actions could have had catastrophic consequences."

  Leon's jaw tightened. He had known this was coming. He had never been one to follow the rules, to conform to expectations. He had always done things his own way, and he wasn't about to change now.

  "We did what we had to do," he said, his voice defiant. "We saved the situation."

  "That is not the point," Chen retorted, her voice hardening. "The point is that you acted recklessly, without regard for your own safety or the safety of others. You are DAM recruits, not vigintes. You are expected to follow orders, to adhere to protocol, to work as a team."

  She paused, her gaze shifting to Jasper. "Screen, you showed remarkable courage and control in yesterday's simution. However, you also allowed yourself to be swayed by Woods' recklessness. You must learn to think for yourself, to make your own decisions, to resist the influence of others."

  Jasper nodded, his screen dispying a contrite emoji. "Yes, Director," he said, his voice subdued. "I understand."

  Chen sighed, her expression softening slightly. "I am not going to punish you for your actions. You both demonstrated exceptional potential, and I believe you have the capacity to become valuable assets to DAM. However, I am assigning you a new training regimen, designed to improve your teamwork skills and your adherence to protocol."

  Leon's heart sank. He knew what that meant. More simutions, more lectures, more exercises designed to break his spirit and force him to conform.

  "You will be working closely with Sergeant Reynolds," Chen continued, her voice firm. "He is one of our most experienced and respected instructors, and he will guide you through this new program. I expect you to cooperate fully, to learn from his expertise, and to demonstrate a willingness to work as a team."

  Leon's stomach churned. Sergeant Reynolds was a hardass, a stickler for the rules, a man who believed in discipline and order above all else. He was everything Leon despised.

  "Dismissed," Chen said, her voice curt.

  Leon and Jasper turned and walked out of her office, their expressions grim. As they stepped into the hallway, Leon couldn't resist a snort of derision.

  "Sergeant Reynolds," he muttered. "This is just great."

  Jasper sighed, his screen dispying a nervous emoji. "Well," he said, his voice subdued, "at least we're in this together."

  Leon gred at him, his jaw tightening. "Don't get any ideas, Screen," he snapped. "This doesn't change anything. I still work alone. And I don't need your help."

  He turned and walked away, leaving Jasper standing alone in the hallway, his screen dimming to a soft, neutral gray.

  He didn't understand why he was so angry, so defensive. He only knew that he needed to push Jasper away, to protect himself from the emotions he couldn't control.

  But as he walked down the hallway, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was making a mistake. That he was pushing away the one person who truly understood him.

  And that, perhaps, was the scariest thought of all.

  Leon’s curt dismissal of Jasper in the hallway wasn't born of malice, but of a deep-seated fear. He feared the vulnerability that came with relying on someone, the potential for disappointment, the inevitable pain of loss. His father’s failures had taught him that much: trust no one, depend on yourself, and never let anyone get close enough to hurt you.

  But despite his best efforts, Jasper had managed to breach his defenses. His unwavering optimism, his surprising intelligence, and his selfless courage had chipped away at Leon's carefully constructed walls. And that terrified him.

  He found himself repying the simution in his mind, analyzing every detail, every decision. He had been reckless, impulsive, willing to risk everything to contain the anomaly. But Jasper had followed him, trusted him, put his own life on the line. And for what?

  He tried to convince himself that Jasper was just naive, that he didn't understand the dangers they faced, the sacrifices they had to make. But deep down, he knew that wasn't true. Jasper was smarter than he let on, more perceptive than he appeared. He saw through Leon's gruff exterior, recognized the pain and anger that fueled his every action.

  And that was precisely why Leon needed to keep him at arm's length. He couldn't afford to let Jasper see too much, to understand too deeply. He had secrets, wounds that he couldn't bear to expose. And he feared that Jasper, with his uncanny ability to connect with others, would unravel him completely.

  Meanwhile, Jasper watched Leon walk away, his screen dispying a complex mix of emotions. He was hurt by Leon's rejection, but he wasn't surprised. He had sensed the darkness within him, the pain that drove him, the fear that consumed him.

  He understood Leon's need to push people away, to protect himself from vulnerability. He had experienced his own share of rejection and prejudice, due to his unusual appearance. He knew what it was like to be judged, to be ostracized, to be seen as different.

  But he also knew that connection was essential, that everyone needed someone to rely on, someone to trust. He had learned that the hard way, growing up as the only kid in his town with a television for a head.

  He had been bullied, ridiculed, and excluded. But he had also found acceptance, friendship, and love. He had learned that true strength came not from isoting oneself, but from embracing one's differences and connecting with others who understood.

  He saw the potential for greatness in Leon, the raw talent, the unwavering determination, the fierce loyalty that he kept hidden beneath his gruff exterior. He believed that Leon could overcome his demons, that he could find peace and happiness.

  But he also knew that he couldn't force him. He had to be patient, to earn his trust, to show him that he was worthy of his friendship.

  He sighed, his screen dimming slightly. He had a feeling this was going to be a long and difficult journey. But he was willing to take it. He believed in Leon, even when Leon didn't believe in himself.

  The summons to Director Chen's office had been unsettling, to say the least. Jasper had expected praise, recognition, maybe even a pat on the back. Instead, they had been reprimanded, criticized, and assigned to Sergeant Reynolds, the Academy's resident hardass.

  Jasper couldn't help but feel a little discouraged. He had risked his life to save the simution, to protect his fellow recruits. He had thought he had proven himself, shown that he was capable of being a valuable asset to DAM.

  But apparently, he had been wrong. He was still seen as different, as an outsider, as someone who needed to be controlled.

  He couldn't help but wonder if he would ever truly belong, if he would ever be accepted for who he was. He had always dreamed of being a hero, of using his unique abilities to help others. But maybe he was just kidding himself. Maybe he was destined to be an outcast, a freak, a walking television set that no one could ever truly understand.

  He pushed the thought aside, reminding himself that he couldn't give up. He had come too far, worked too hard, sacrificed too much. He had to keep fighting, keep proving himself, keep believing in his dream.

  And maybe, just maybe, he could help Leon along the way. He could show him that it was okay to be vulnerable, to trust others, to embrace his emotions. He could help him tear down the walls that he had built around his heart, and find the peace and happiness that he deserved.

  But first, they had to survive Sergeant Reynolds. And that, Jasper suspected, was going to be a challenge of epic proportions.