Zander's mock threats only spur Greg and I into another peal of shameless laughter, the joyful sound ringing out in stark contrast to the solemn backdrop of the medical tent. In this moment, it's almost possible to briefly forget the chaos of war raging around us and simply revel in the levity of shared teasing and camaraderie.
The gruff medic attempts to maintain his scowling facade for a few more beats before it finally crumbles in the face of our persistent giggle-fit. A reluctant grin tugs at the corners of Zander's craggy mouth as he shakes his grizzled head in bemused resignation.
"You two are a couple of right royal pains in my ass, you know that?" He grumbles without any real venom. If anything, I detect a glimmer of wry affection flickering behind his flinty stare as he watches
