Icee
*insert title here*
STEVE
Lake of Rage: Shoreline
Steve looked over at Link when he spoke. He hadn't realized until now that he was starting to sway a bit on his feet. A few times he even started to fall but second instinct kept him standing. Maybe Ishmael's comment got to him more than he thought, to a point he wasn't wanting to aknowledge his exhaustion anymore?
He also heard Link mumbling to himself. Sounded like a curse. Great. Now he was inconvienencing him too, wasn't he?
"Uh, no, that's okay, I'm sure I can make it just a bit longer. I mean, I'm a soldier, right?! I should be the one walking circles around you guys! N-never mind the fact that I was up for two days straight and didnt get my break from patrol due to all this mess! Who cares! A soldier like me can handle this!!"
He wasn't sure that his travelling partner was listening. He was likely just rambling into nothing. Was he really that sleep deprived? Maybe. But Steve also knew there was something more to his sudden lack of confidence and perhaps Ishamel's insult had gotten it to the forefront of the soldier's mind.
This was the first time he was away from John for an extended period. The only other time he was without the commander close to his side was when he was kidnapped as a prisoner of war. He almost always looked to John for advice and confidence. The only reason John wasn't at his side during patrol was because of some "pending paperwork". Of course Steve knew that was John's fancy way of saying "I'm too tired to ride the tank with you today, Steve". Not that he minded. John had a lot more on his plate tban he ever would. He often wondered how the captain did it.
He could see it in his head now: John would be giving him a lecture if he were here right now. Probably would have said something similar to Ishmael in all honesty. Probably would have added some sarcastic remark about how Steve was such a weenie and maybe what had happened during his time as a war prisoner caused it. Steve needed to get it together. He was older than all these guys. Probably. Definatrly older than Link that is and a soldier to boot!
Though Steve had to admit he wouldn't mind if John suddenly appeared and lectured or made those smart comments. He'd honestly welcome it. He wondered how John was faring with him having gone missing for a second time...