Alas, nothing ever came from their endeavors. Val and Benny were constantly thrown around by the military, and their personal agenda had to be placed on the back burner. So much so, that it flickered out without a trace.

Val, Frankie, and Santiago, known affectionately as Los Tres, found themselves in a bustling bar in the heart of Mexico. The air was thick with laughter, music, and the aroma of tequila. It was a night for friends to unwind, a respite from the rigors of their demanding lives as elite soldiers.

The trio, seated at a cozy corner table, was surrounded by an atmosphere of joy and celebration. Glasses clinked, and laughter echoed as they shared stories, reminiscing about their countless adventures together. The bond they shared was forged through years of camaraderie, trust, and a deep friendship that withstood the test of time.

As the drinks flowed and inhibitions loosened, the conversation turned to lighthearted banter. Frankie, the charismatic storyteller of the group, regaled them with exaggerated tales of their past escapades, embellishing the details for comic effect. Santiago, with his quick wit and infectious laughter, chimed in, adding colorful commentary to Frankie's stories.

Val, her eyes sparkling with amusement, joined in the laughter, occasionally interjecting with her own anecdotes that left her friends in stitches. They reveled in the shared memories, the unspoken understanding of the experiences they had weathered together.

With each round of drinks, the atmosphere grew livelier, their camaraderie deepening. The bar patrons glanced their way, captivated by the trio's infectious energy, the genuine bond that radiated from their every interaction.

As the night wore on, fueled by the warmth of friendship and the taste of tequila, Frankie and Santiago playfully shifted their attention to Vala's love life, or lack thereof. It was a well-known topic of jest among them, a subject that Val both embraced and teased them back about.

Frankie, his voice filled with a mischievous tone, leaned forward, his eyes glinting with humor.

"Val, you've broken so many hearts, you've lost count. Admit it, you're just too intimidating for the mere mortals out there," He remarked.

Santiago, his laughter echoing through the bar, chimed in, his voice carrying a hint of mock seriousness.

"Oh yes. You've got that combination of beauty, brains, and badassery that sends them running for the hills," He added, then brought his drink up to his lips.

Val, her cheeks flushed with both amusement and a playful defiance, countered their teasing.

"Come on, you two. I've just been focused on my career. Love can wait, right?" She asked.

Frankie and Santiago exchanged knowing glances, their laughter subsiding.

Their words hung in the air, a silent reminder that amidst the chaos of their lives, there was still room for connection and the possibility of finding love. Val, her gaze shifting between her two best friends, felt a stirring deep within her heart. Their bond had taught her the importance of vulnerability, trust, and the power of shared experiences.

Amidst the playful banter, a moment of quiet settled over the trio. Their laughter faded, replaced by a shared understanding and unspoken gratitude for the unbreakable friendship that anchored their lives.

Val raised her glass, her voice filled with sincerity.

"To Los Tres. Salud!"

Their glasses clinked together, a resounding chorus of laughter and celebration reverberating through the bar. In that moment, surrounded by the pulsating energy of the night and the unwavering support of her friends, Val felt a profound sense of belonging.

The night continued with laughter, toasts, and the joy of being in each other's company. They danced to the rhythmic beat of the music, twirling and swaying in unison, the barriers of their everyday lives momentarily forgotten.

As the night wore on, the music shifted to a sensual Spanish rhythm, filling the air with its infectious beats. Val, Frankie, and Santiago, their inhibitions loosened by the night's revelry, found themselves drawn to the dance floor. Their bodies moved in perfect sync, swaying and twirling to the passionate melody.

Their movements were an intricate dance of friendship and desire, a melding of emotions that transcended the boundaries of language. English and Spanish effortlessly intertwined as they laughed, shared stories, and whispered words of encouragement and affection.

Frankie, his voice laced with playful exuberance, called out to Val in Spanish.

"Ven, amor, baila conmigo. Vamos a mostrarles cómo se hace. (Come, love, dance with me. Let's show them how it's done.)"

Val, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and laughter, responded in kind.

"¡Claro! Vamos a hacer que todos se mueran de envidia.(Of course! Let's make everyone envious.)"

As they danced, their bodies moved in sync, the passion of the music igniting a fire within them. Their gazes locked, and the lines between friends and lovers began to blur, fueled by the intoxicating energy of the night.

Santiago, unable to resist the magnetic pull of the moment, joined them on the dance floor. His movements were confident, his hips swaying with a rhythm that mirrored the beat of their hearts. The trio became a seamless unit, a visual symphony of bodies entwined in the language of dance.

Their steps became a conversation, a sensual dialogue that spoke of their deep connection and shared experiences. The music enveloped them, filling every fiber of their beings as they surrendered to the passion and intensity of the moment.

In between twirls and dips, Val's laughter mingled with the music, a joyous sound that reverberated through the crowded bar. Frankie and Santiago, their eyes locked on her, couldn't help but feel their hearts skip a beat, their movements reflecting the desires that pulsed within them.

Frankie, his voice filled with a mix of admiration and playfulness, leaned in closer to Val.

"Val, bailas como un sueño. Eres una diosa de la pista.(Val, you dance like a dream. You're a goddess on the dance floor.)"

Val's cheeks flushed with a mix of delight and bashfulness.

"Gracias. Pero ustedes dos tampoco se quedan atrás. Los dos son unos bailarines increíbles.(Thank you, Frankie. But you two are no slouches either. Both of you are incredible dancers.)"

Santiago, his voice laced with a hint of teasing, added,

"Claro, Val. Pero lo que más nos gusta es bailar contigo. Eres el alma de esta fiesta. (Of course, Val. But what we enjoy the most is dancing with you. You're the soul of this party.)"

Their words hung in the air, their meaning deeper than just the playful banter. In the shared language of their bodies, they expressed a yearning that went beyond friendship, a magnetic pull that defied definition.

As the night neared its end, they found themselves drawn together, their bodies moving in a slow, intimate embrace. The pulsating music faded into the background as their gazes met, a moment of unspoken understanding passing between them.

As the night continued, the energy in the bar intensified, drawing a diverse crowd of revelers. Among them was a man, emboldened by the festive atmosphere and his own liquid courage, who set his sights on Val. Oblivious to her disinterest, he approached her with a confidence that bordered on arrogance.

Val, her body language closed off and her eyes conveying clear disapproval, tried to deflect his advances with polite but firm refusals. However, the man persisted, his words becoming more intrusive, his actions growing bolder. He reached out, attempting to put his hands on her, crossing a line that ignited a spark of anger within her.

Frankie and Santiago, ever vigilant and attuned to Val's well-being, immediately reacted. They rose from their seats, ready to intervene and protect their friend from the unwelcome intrusion. Their movements were fueled by a combination of loyalty, concern, and an innate sense of chivalry.

But before they could intervene, Val swiftly stepped back, her eyes flashing with determination. She placed a firm hand on the man's chest, creating a physical barrier that spoke volumes of her strength and resilience.

"No, thank you," She said, her voice laced with a steely resolve, "I've made it clear that I'm not interested."

The man, taken aback by Val's sudden assertiveness, tried to dismiss her words with a dismissive chuckle.

"Come on, baby. Don't play hard to get. I can show you a good time."

Frankie's voice, sharp with anger, cut through the air.

"She said no, and that means no. Back off."

Santiago, his stance conveying unwavering support, added, "You heard her. She's not interested. Leave."

The man's bravado wavered for a moment, his eyes flickering between Val and the two men who had risen to her defense. But as his pride and stubbornness kicked in, he attempted to brush off their warnings, reaching out once again.

Val's gaze hardened, her voice firm and commanding.

"I'll say it one more time, and I suggest you listen carefully. Leave. Now."

In that instant, Val's strength and determination shone through, proving that she didn't need anyone to defend her. Her resilience, honed through years of rigorous training and unwavering self-confidence, radiated like a force field around her.

Yet the man did not seem to grasp the concept. He attempted to lean closer, but in his drunkenness, his balance was not up to par, and so Val only had to land a quick kick to his shin in order to bring him tumbling down.

" Told you."

Val turned to Frankie and Santiago, her eyes filled with gratitude and a touch of amusement.

" What, didn't think I could handle myself?" She teased as she took the shot glass from Santi's hand and downed it herself.

" We know you can handle yourself, mama," Santi said, " And that was my drink, by the way."

" I know," Val shrugged as she handed him the empty glass, " I'll buy you another one."

She guided Santiago to the bar with her hand wrapped around his, and ordered him another shot just like she had promised.

That night, Val was escorted out of the bar with her best friends. Frankie's arm was wrapped around her waist as Santiago began stumbling on the pavement.

" You good, hermano?" Frankie pondered.

" Yeah! Yeah, totally fine," Santiago slurred, obviously lying through his teeth.

" You need some help, hun?" Val asked as she stayed tucked into Frankie's side, watching with amusement as Santiago could barely stand up straight.

" I'm gooood, mama. Y'don't need to take care of me," He hiccupped, " Imma big boy!"

Frankie and Val exchanged a glance, one that ended with them both laughing as they forced Santiago into a cab, where he insisted on laying down in both of their laps. Frankie's hand combed through Santiago's hair as Val rested her head on Frankie's shoulder. She felt the effects of the alcohol, but clearly not as much as Santi, who had been drooling on her thigh the entire trip.

Two-thirds of Los Tres dragged the other third up the stairs into his apartment, where he immediately collapsed on the floor giggling.

" I got it," Val sighed as she bent down to bring Santiago's arm around her neck.

She then lifted him off the floor with ease, and followed Frankie, who opened the bedroom door and allowed for Val to drop the drunk onto the bed. Both Val and Frankie removed Santi's shoes, all whilst he continued to giggle in the comfort of his bed.

" What's so funny, mi hombre?" Val pondered as she placed a bottle of painkillers at his bedside.

" I got a hot mami," Santi slurred as they placed a blanket over him, " And a hot papi."

Frankie rolled his eyes.

" I'll be reminding you of this tomorrow," He chuckled, " Night, bitch."

Val and Frankie left the bedroom door opened, but ventured to the living room, where they both collapsed onto the couch. This time, Val was the big spoon and held Frankie between her thighs.

In that moment, as she brushed Frankie's hair with her fingetips and listened to the sounds of Santiago's defeating snores, she found herself smiling, to no one but herself. She smiled because of how happy she was. She had a group of best friend that she would die for, and that would all die for her. She'd spent years under going rigorous training, and now she was an accomplished soldier in the Special Forces.

Yet her discharge papers loomed over her head. She knew at some point she was going to get out. Tom already had, followed by Will, and soon enough Benny was trailing behind his older brother.

All that was left was Los Tres.

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