Word count: 1474

////////////////////////////

There on the shore (y/n) sat huddled on the cold sand while taking in the ocean with her senses. She loved how the ocean made her calm in troubling times, but this time it was different as she fiddled with a locket. Staring in the distance she fell deep in her thoughts letting the memories flood in like the tide. "(Y/n), I have to tell you something." She recited quietly. Dislodging her head from her legs she took in the crisp air, a memory projected her way into her vision.

///////////////////////////

The dust had settled in the stagnant air, with heavy eyes (y/n) found that she was in the same spot before the explosion occurred. It was so quiet that you could hear a bullet case drop on the rubble covered floor. Her eyes snapped, an attack fell on the base and her first response was to fall unconscious. With a heavy body and a fuzzy mind, (y/n) tried to lift her head scanning the area but she found no one, was she left behind? She let her head fall harshly, pain resonated through her whole body.

Feeling something stirring underneath her head she looked towards to the hovering warm eyes above her. With a few moments of adjusting her vision, she found that the pair of eyes belonged a fellow private in her squad. "Ah, you're awake, that's good. How are you feeling?" His voice was soft.

"I feel like I got slammed into a wall..." The male laughed at her statement.

"Yeah, an explosion can do that to you."

"What happened when I was out?" She quietly asked.

"A lot."

"God...I'm a terrible excuse for a marine."

"Don't say that. It wasn't your fault that we got attacked."

"Yeah, but I could've done something to help."

"What could you do? We were outnumbered. Not only that, we're low ranked marines with barely any training." A sigh escaped her lips, he was right. "I was able to contact headquarters about what happened, but I don't know if they got the full message through, so I guess we just sit here and wait for them." After a few hours passed (y/n) was able to force her body to sit up and scoot next to her colleague, but other than that nothing had changed.

"What if they don't come?" (y/n) said between her knees.

"They will, I know it," he reassured but (y/n)'s pessimism continued.

"I just want to go to sleep and forget everything, but I can't."

"I do too, just hold on a little longer."

"I don't think I can..." (y/n)'s voice quivered, tears threaten to fall. looking over to (y/n)'s small frame, he wrapped his arms around her for comfort.

"Hey...look, I know it seems bad at the moment, but it will get better. Once we get rescued you can sleep for as long as you want, but if we get stuck here then at least you don't have to die alone," (y/n) smiled at the statement. "You can use me as a pillow if you want, I know it's not enough, but- "

"No," She rested her head on his shoulders and shut her eyes "It's enough." A few more minutes passed and a distant shout echoed through the ruins,

"Is anyone there! State your location if you can hear me!" The two looked at each other with eyes filled with relief and hope.

"Over here! Keep moving down the hall!" Derek replied. When they were found, both managed to safely return to a ship for medical treatment. "Hey, I never got your name by the way."

"Oh, my name is (y/n), what's yours?"

"(y/n) huh? Nice name, my name is Derek."

////////////////////////////////////

She swallowed a lump in her throat as she remembered his name. She hated how she remembered everything so clearly. She hated how her mind kept replaying memories that she should've forgotten, but she couldn't stop herself from remembering him. She wrapped her hand around the band as she remembered another precious memory of her time with Derek.

////////////////////////////////////

Laughter filled a ship's mess hall as (y/n), Derek, and many others celebrate over their newfound victory. "Those pirates got nothing on us! We're unstoppable!" They cheered. After the incident with the base, both (y/n) and Derek couldn't live down the shame. So to make up for their mistakes both trained and fought hard to prove themselves worthy to the higher ranks and all of their hard work was worth it.

"Cheers for Commander Derek and Lieutenant Commander (y/n), for their quick thinking and sheer power!" A soldier applauded, followed by the flourish of the other crewmember's cheers. (y/n) loved the excitement and energy they gave off, but the after effect of the battle took its toll on her mentally and physically. Taking a step outside she took in the crisp air as she listened carefully to the peaceful sound of the waves crashing. Derek joined her side a few moments later as she slumped over the railing.

"You doing ok?" Derek asked.

"Yeah, just tired." (y/n) informed.

"I've been through so much with you, (y/n). I know when something is bothering you." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Tell me what's wrong," He pleaded.

With a frustrated sigh she shrugged his hand off, "There's nothing wrong, I'm fine, really. I'm just exhausted." Her head fell forward.

"(y/n)..." Derek's eyes soften at her. "Please, tell me what's the matter."

"It's just that, I going through something and I don't think that there's a way I'm going to get through this..." She muttered.

"What do you mean? You can, you're a marine after all."

"That's the thing."

"What is?"

"I... found out that an old friend of mine was alive all these years..." She paused, "His name is Trafalgar D. Law, The Surgeon of Death." The air was still, (y/n)'s eyes drooped as she stared down the ocean, "As I said, there's no way I'm going to get through this..." She felt a warm embrace wrap around her.

"Of course you will."

"No, I won't."

"You will, you want to know why? Because I'll be there every step of the way." Derek beamed his infamous smile that always lifted her spirits.

"Will you now?"

"Of course I will, I'm willing to fight for you." A grin was etched on her face, she pulled away from the embrace.

"Ha! That's what they all say."

"Well, I'm not like them" he denied.

(Y/n) scoffed, "Sure you Aren't."

"Alright then, If I manage to get your friend to be in good terms with the government then will you marry me?" Laugher erupted from (y/n)'s lips. She clutched her stomach and wiped her tears away when she had calmed down.

"Good luck with that you're gonna need it!"

"Don't worry, I'll succeed."  He said confidently.

"I like to see you try!" (Y/n) hollered as she went back inside to rejoin the party.

///////////////////////////////////////

Tears streamed down her face when she remembered their promise. They never got married, but (y/n) and Derek still managed to get in a relationship. Oh, how she missed those sweet and precious time with Derek. She remembered how on one of their monthly anniversary Derek gifted (y/n) with a locket that included a picture of them both inside. It was a heartfelt moment as Derek lock the chain of the locket around her neck. 

Even both still manage to keep the relationship going while being marines, others saw their relationship as a mistake. When Derek got promoted to a higher rank (y/n) was happy for him, even though it caused them to be in different places at different times, she knew that Derek remained happy. However, because of his higher rank, others began to doubt if the two can still manage to make relationship stable. The two would often laugh at their skepticism, but it was only a matter of time that they began to be skeptical themselves. Stress built up over time and their schedules did not give them a chance for either of them to meet up and comfort one another when they needed it.

Emotions kept getting in the way of being a marine, so for the safety for her and others (Y/n) quit the Marines a week later after their break up and packed everything up, including the precious locket Derek gave her. The same locket that her hand clenched was snapped from her neck, tears poured down like waterfalls and her breathing turned ragged."He said that he loved me. That he'll fight for me and be there every step of the way, but He...I..." (Y/n) clamped a hand over her mouth to prevent the pitiful sounds she choked out. She still loves Derek to this day, but she will never know if he ever continued to love her back as much as she did.