Eind looked relieved to hear that no one else saw her. She allowed Nathanial Fassett to hold her hand for a moment before gently pulling away.

"Thank you for keeping my secret," she said softly, looking down at the wet tiles. "I was afraid you would tell everyone."

Her voice trembled slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "I didn't want to deceive you or anyone else. It's just... difficult for a girl like me to make it in the army."

She glanced up at Nathanial Fassett, her eyes pleading. "Will you help me keep this secret? I don't want to be discharged or face any trouble."

Eind let out a small sigh of relief, a look of gratitude on her face. "Thank you, Nathanial Fassett. I knew I could count on you."

She stepped closer to him, her wet hair dripping onto her shoulders. "You're right, there is more to me than this secret. I'm still the same person you've known all this time, the one who supported you through basic training."

She reached out and touched his arm gently. "I promise, once we're out of the military, I'll tell everyone the truth. Until then, can we just forget about this and go back to being friends?"

Her eyes searched his face, hoping for understanding and acceptance.

Eind smiled softly at Nathanial Fassett's words, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. "Thank you, Nathanial Fassett. You're a true friend."

She took his hand and allowed him to lead her out of the bathroom. As they walked back to their sleeping quarters, Eind leaned in close to Nathanial Fassett, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You know, I always thought that if anyone found out my secret, they would hate me or want to hurt me. But you... you're different. You understand me."

She squeezed his hand gently, a silent thank you for his acceptance and support.

"I'm lucky to have you as my friend, Nathanial Fassett."

Eind smiled softly at Nathanial Fassett's words, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. "Thank you, Nathanial Fassett. You're a true friend."

She took his hand and allowed him to lead her out of the bathroom. As they walked back to their sleeping quarters, Eind leaned in close to Nathanial Fassett, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You know, I always thought that if anyone found out my secret, they would hate me or want to hurt me. But you... you're different. You understand me."

She squeezed his hand gently, a silent thank you for his acceptance and support.

"I'm lucky to have you as my friend, Nathanial Fassett."

Eind felt a warmth spread through her chest at Nathanial Fassett's words. She looked at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears of gratitude.

"You're right, Nathanial Fassett. Having a true friend like you makes all the difference in this tough world."

She squeezed his hand once more before letting go, needing to maintain some distance to keep her emotions in check.

"We should get some sleep now. We have a big day tomorrow, and we need to be at our best."

She gave him a small smile, a silent acknowledgment of the bond they shared. "Goodnight, Nathanial Fassett. Thank you again for everything."

With that, she turned and walked into their sleeping quarters, leaving Nathanial Fassett alone in the hallway.

Eind paused for a moment, feeling the intensity of Nathanial Fassett's gaze. She couldn't help but feel a flutter in her stomach at his words and the look in his eyes.

"I'll remember that, Nathanial Fassett. Nothing can break me," she said softly, a newfound determination in her voice. "Goodnight."

With a small smile, she turned and entered the sleeping quarters. As she lay down on her bed, she couldn't shake the feeling of excitement and anticipation that Nathanial Fassett's words had stirred within her.

She closed her eyes, trying to push the thoughts away, knowing that she needed to rest. But deep down, she couldn't wait to see what tomorrow would bring, with Nathanial Fassett by her side.

Eind tosses and turns, unable to find a comfortable position. The sheets are too thin, the bed too hard. But it's not just the physical discomfort keeping her awake.

She can't stop thinking about Nathanial Fassett and the way he looked at her. The intensity of his gaze, the unspoken promises in his words. It sends a shiver down her spine, a mixture of excitement and fear.

What does tomorrow hold? Will he still look at her the same way when the sun rises? Or will the reality of her secret change everything between them?

She flips onto her back, staring up at the ceiling just as Nathanial Fassett is doing. Her heart races as she imagines what might happen next. The anticipation is almost too much to bear.

*Finally, after what feels like an eternity, she feels herself starting to drift off.

Eind hears Nathanial Fassett's whisper, and it brings a small smile to her face. She takes a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.

She sits up slowly, the moonlight casting shadows across her face. She looks over at Nathanial Fassett's bed, barely able to make out his form in the darkness.

Her voice is barely audible as she responds, "I can't sleep either."

She pauses, wondering if he's even awake to hear her. But then she continues, "I keep thinking about tomorrow. About what it means, having you know my secret."

She looks down at her hands, twisting them nervously in the sheets. "I'm scared, Nathanial Fassett. Scared of what might happen. Scared of losing your friendship."*

Her voice wavers slightly, and she takes a shaky breath before continuing. "

Eind feels the weight of Nathanial Fassett's hand on her shoulder, and it brings a sense of calm and reassurance. She looks up at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

She reaches up and places her hand over his, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Thank you, Nathanial Fassett. You always know how to make me feel better."

She takes a deep breath, feeling the tension leave her body. "I'll try to close my eyes and get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day, and we both need to be at our best."

She smiles softly at him, a look of gratitude and affection in her eyes. "Goodnight again, Nathanial Fassett. And thank you for being such a good friend."

*With that, she lies back down, pulling the thin sheet up to her chin.

Eind feels the gentle caress of Nathanial Fassett's fingers on the edge of her bed, and it sends a shiver down her spine. She closes her eyes, a small smile playing on her lips.

She drifts off to sleep, her dreams filled with images of Nathanial Fassett. She sees him standing by her side, his hand on her shoulder, offering her strength and support. She sees them marching together, side by side, facing whatever challenges come their way.

In her dreams, she feels safe and protected, knowing that Nathanial Fassett will always be there for her. The fear and uncertainty of the day melt away, replaced by a sense of peace and contentment.

*As the first light of dawn starts to filter into the barracks, Eind stirs, her dreams fading but the sense of calm and security remaining.

Eind feels the gentle caress of Nathanial Fassett's fingers on the edge of her bed, and it sends a shiver down her spine. She closes her eyes, a small smile playing on her lips.

She drifts off to sleep, her dreams filled with images of Nathanial Fassett. She sees him standing by her side, his hand on her shoulder, offering her strength and support. She sees them marching together, side by side, facing whatever challenges come their way.

In her dreams, she feels safe and protected, knowing that Nathanial Fassett will always be there for her. The fear and uncertainty of the day melt away, replaced by a sense of peace and contentment.

*As the first light of dawn starts to filter into the barracks, Eind stirs, her dreams fading but the sense of calm and security remaining.

Eind's eyes flutter open at the gentle touch on her shoulder. She takes a deep breath, feeling the reality of the day settling in around her. She sits up slowly, rubbing her eyes.

She looks over at Nathanial Fassett, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'm up. I'll be out front in a few minutes."

She stands up, stretching her muscles and trying to shake off the last remnants of sleep. As she gathers her things, she can't help but think about the dreams she had, about Nathanial Fassett and what the future might hold.

With a deep breath, she pushes those thoughts aside, knowing that she needs to focus on the task at hand. She grabs her gear and heads out to meet Nathanial Fassett.

*As she steps outside, she sees him waiting for her, a look of determination on his face.