SO BLIND

By Enola Jones

Written for the 12 days of Christmas challenge day 10: Use the line “No use complaining! I just didn't see it!”. Translated From Czech.

You know, for somebody that is so smart, I can be so blind.

No, no use complaining. I just didn't see it. It was in front of my face, and I didn't see it. I tried to make it what it wasn't.

Two months ago, at a party, I saw Rodney giving the Colonel an envelope and heard him tell him not to open it until he was in his quarters. Immediately after, I saw the Colonel slink from the party.

Twenty minutes later, I heard Rodney talking to the Colonel about watching his six and heard him wish him a Merry Christmas. His voice was tender and his eyes were about the softest I had ever seen them.

At that moment, I realised that they were in love. That was a love letter Rodney had given him. There was no other explanation.

So, over the next few weeks, I teased Rodney about it. About his clear infatuation. He would give me increasingly irritated looks.

Today, the Colonel was in the labs helping with what we still jokingly call 'light switch duties'. He was the only soldier in the labs.

Suddenly there was a small explosion and the entire lab went into lockdown --- safety protocols. The Colonel suddenly started barking orders to another soldier. But he was the only soldier there.

And I suddenly realised he had been talking to Rodney. And I saw Rodney as I had never seen him before.

I --- I had not realised that he had trained for months. I had not realised that he was as much a soldier as he was a scientist. I had not realised.

It soon became apparent that three were needed to brute force the door open since the controls were fused. And so, I reached back for my own military training and became the third soldier the Colonel needed.

But it was Rodney who held me in strong arms as I vomited after the crisis was over and the flashbacks happened.

There will be no more teasing Rodney. Not about his love affair with the Colonel. You see, it does not exist.

I have rarely met a man who cares so deeply for a friend that he would change himself to become what that friend needs. Yet that is exactly what Rodney has done.

I did not see it. It would seem I am as blind with my glasses on as with them off.

THE END