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#band of brothers fanfiction
hbowardaily · 24 days
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It's been three years since we last collected all the writers of this fandom, now with new content available it is due time to redo/update the HBO War Masterpost!
If you write for any of the HBO War shows (Band of Brothers, The Pacific, Masters of the Air, Generation Kill), please fill out this form and you will be featured on the masterpost with the other writers!
To make things more searchable the masterpost will be available on a Google Spreadsheet. Without further ado:
The Masterpost
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softspeirs · 8 days
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on leave
A/N: Obviously this goes without saying that there's almost no historical basis for this interaction to happen, except that there's a brief window of time in the late summer of 1943 where Easy and The 100th could have interacted... but that's why I love fanfiction. Thanks to @basilone for enabling me. Meet my BoB OC Kat Gray. You can learn more about her in Barren Soul. No pairing for this fic except a hint at something if you take a cue from Bucky Egan.
"You know, it's nice that the Airborne finally decided to show up." Bucky says, tilting his head and gesturing with his glass.
They've been back from Africa for two days, and the brass decided everyone could do with some leave. They've got a few days in London while the new replacements arrive, and it seems that half the units in the US Army had the same idea.
This pub in particular is packed with soldiers, airmen, and civilians alike.
Next to him, Cleven and DeMarco share an aggrieved look.
"What?"
"Can you just--" Gale straightens his jacket, leans in, "--try not to start a fight? For once?"
"Don't count on it." Bucky grins.
A roar from the corner of the room grabs their attention, and they shift on their barstools to watch how the game of darts is getting on. There's a new addition to the roster, Bucky notices.
"You're a cheat!" A man says, and the woman in question raises her eyebrows.
"When have you ever known me to be dishonest?"
"The last time you gave me stitches and told me it wouldn't hurt."
She rolls her eyes. "That was an accident, and you're too sensitive, Luz."
"Interesting." DeMarco says under his breath. "You ever heard of a woman in the paratroops?"
Buck smirks. "What, you haven't read the papers? Experimental unit."
"Any girl who can jump out of a plane is alright in my book." Bucky says, as he takes another gulp of his drink, "Probably a little crazy, but alright."
They interrupted by a First Lieutenant who looks like he's already had a few, but all the same, he squeezes in on the other side of Benny, signaling the bartender. "Majors, Captain." He says, two fingers at his temple in half-hearted salute.
"You with the Airborne?" Bucky asks, louder to be heard over the band.
"101st."
"100th Bomb Group." Buck says, holding out his hand to shake. "Gale Cleven. This is Major John Egan and Captain Benny DeMarco."
"Lewis Nixon." The man says, a few pints set down in front of him by the bartender. Nixon looks up in thanks and then turns back to the men in front of him. "100th Bomb Group... you're flying B-17s, right?" He whistles. "I wouldn't know what to do with a plane like that."
"Jump out of it, probably." Bucky says.
"Nix--" a female voice interrupts them, "Need a hand?"
The woman in front of them is brunette, her hair tightly pinned and tucked beneath a garrison cap. Bucky instantly straightens, grin firmly in place.
"I wouldn't." Nixon mutters, giving Bucky a look out of the corner of his eye. Turning to the woman, his face softens a fraction. "This is Corporal Kathryn Gray."
Introductions are made, and Bucky can't help himself. "What's a girl like you doing with an outfit like this?"
Her eyes narrow, and he gets the feeling he's put his foot in it, though he was just trying to be funny.
"A girl like me?" She asks, her tone neutral, but that steel look in her eyes. "What am I like?"
"Christ." Nixon mutters, running his free hand over his face.
"What?" Gray asks. "Just making conversation."
"Just starting trouble, more like."
"Funny," Buck says. "We just had a similar conversation. He elbows Bucky in the ribs.
"All good over here?" Another Lieutenant appears, this one shorter, eyes hard. His reddish hair and sharp jaw make him stand out among the rest of the group, but Bucky's not stupid enough not to notice the way they're all glancing over to the bar, prepared to close ranks if needed.
He holds his hands up. "Just fine, Lieutenant--"
"Welsh."
Benny interrupts, ever the peacemaker. "Gray, what line of work you in? We were reading about the women paratroops in the paper the other morning."
She turns to Benny with a smile, and Bucky frowns. He had asked the same question! Well, he asked it his way, and Benny has that unassuming way of talking. Even though they're both from the Midwest, somehow Bucky just doesn't come off as disarming as his friend from Chicago.
"Medic," she says proudly.
"Tough job." Buck says quietly, though his lips are quirked to show he means no harm. "What made you go that route?"
"Dad's a doctor. And I wanted to help." She says simply.
"Kat!" A loud voice bellows from across the room.
"Duty calls." She says dryly. "Majors. Captain." She looks back at her own Lieutenants. "Sirs." She says, but it sounds sarcastic. Bucky blinks in surprise at her tone.
Welsh and Nixon both grumble and roll their eyes, neither of them making any move to admonish her.
"She sure made that sound like an insult." DeMarco says.
"Word to the wise, in case you ever find yourself with a woman in your unit-- and you will, soon enough--" Nixon says, "She'll call you by your rank, but don't for a second think that means she takes you seriously or will listen to anything you say."
"And it's useless to try." Welsh says, and holds up his glass for Nixon to cheers.
"Sounds like my kind of girl," Bucky agrees under his breath, and gets another sideways glance from Nixon before he makes his excuses and heads off with Welsh, the both of them greeted with cheers, slaps on the back, and sounds of approval from their guys.
"He was right--" Buck says. "I wouldn't."
Bucky frowns. "What do you mean?"
"Over there." Buck tilts his head in the direction of the opposite corner of the room. At a table with one other man, there's another Airborne Lieutenant. Dark hair, darker eyes, and he's tracking Corporal Gray as she moves in the room.
"Huh." Bucky settles back into his seat, elbow on the bar behind him.
Buck turns around, chuckling when Bucky curses under his breath. "Better luck next time, Romeo."
Bucky watches as Kat Gray as she flits between her men, an easy smile on her face. They nudge her and crack jokes, and all bravado aside, he can see why she fits right in. These guys clearly care about her, and she about them.
She shows it with a quick touch to one mans arm as she leans behind him to talk to someone else, as she winks at another guy who rolls his eyes and nudges her in the arm as he claims the seat on her right.
A half hour later, they're getting ready to clear out when Bucky sees her approach, an armful of empty glasses in tow. She sets them on the bar on the other side of him, and nods her thanks when he takes the last few from her hands.
"How long left on your leave, Major?"
"Just one more day. Then it's wheels up." He says, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.
"Good luck." She says simply. "I can't imagine what it's like up there."
Bucky feels the smile slipping off his face, but he does his best to try to keep it up. He doesn't want to think about flying right now. He doesn't want to think about Curt, or Buck flying in on no engines, none of it.
"You take care on the ground and I'll do my best in the air, okay?"
"Yes, sir."
He can't help it, he laughs. At her confusion, he grins. "I have it on good authority that when you say sir, what you really mean is--"
"Don't finish that sentence," Buck says, amused. "Corporal. Have a nice night. Good luck."
"You two, Majors." She says, and then she's off, a Sergeant and Nixon waiting at the door for her.
He sees the Screaming Eagle on her arm as she goes, and he shakes his head. "Lady medic."
"You're gonna need a medic if you don't get to bed soon." Buck mutters. "Let's go."
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blueberry-ovaries · 2 months
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CHAPTER TWO: MAYBE HELL IS A LARGE MOUNTAIN IN TOCCOA, GEORGIA
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A/N: Welcome to chapter two of hiraeth! This one is a long one and i’m not to sure if i’m happy with how it turned out, but i didn’t want to not post something so here it is!
Word Count: 2.3k
Content Warnings: period typical sexism, inaccurate historical retellings, violence, blood and war related injuries, PTSD, Winnie’s hatred of authority, bullying (?), probably OOC writing and horrible americanisation of words
< previous chapter > - < next chapter >
Eating rats in Africa had to be more enjoyable than running up a mountain in full pack gear. Especially when your CO hated your company and by extension you
To answer the question what the fuck is a currahee? Winnie was forced into her brand new boots, and a much too large uniform, to run up a large mountain. Not only did she twist her ankle in the first five minutes, but if one more man kicked dirt into her eyes, she might start getting violent.
Lieutenant Sobel was a sadist. Winnie decided on mile two of the run. Given the fact that it looked like he was almost enjoying their looks of despair. As Sobel watched her red faced and sweaty body push past the men on the mountain, she could almost hear the taunting words and insults spilling from his tongue. Although smaller by quite a margin, Winnie had months of active duty behind her, helping aid her in this, rather ridiculous climb. Now that is something she could hear, the grumbles and insults from the men in her company, not many liked the idea that some scrawny looking kid they’ve never met, beating them up currahee.
The top of currahee was an amazing view, not the Winnie got to see much of it. Her CO yelling at her that ‘this isn’t good enough for easy’ or that ‘woman in the military are to blame for our time up currahee’. Like she wasn’t the fastest person to haul ass up the mountain.
The bottom of the mountain left easy company in a pile of doubled over figures with their hands on their knees, sucking in as much air as possible.
“look at that, miss face scar thinking she’s better than us” one of the men mutter between gasps
“what do ya think she did to deserve that one?” another mumbled
Clenching her jaw, Winnie stretched out her neck. no fighting on your first day. A deep breath and an internal lecture on formality she rolled back her shoulders, walking towards the showers as instructed. Now the problem she faced was that there were no women’s showers, which meant, finding a time where there was no men in the shower would be difficult.
After finding a clean pair of clothes. something not covered in dust or ticks! Deciding she was far too sweaty to not shower before the dinner service, she took a faster pace. if i can shower quickly, wearing my undergarments, i can get to the food hall before everyone and-
“outta my way” accompanied by a harsh shove
“watch it dumbass” she hisses back, dusting the dirt off her shorts
“whaddya say to me?” his nostrils flare
“do i have to spell it out for you too?” Crossing her arms over her chest
Both soldiers stand nearly face to face, although in Winnie’s case more face to chest. Her rather short temper was not helped by months at war, and her counterparts clear distaste for her was not helped by her smart mouth.
“Hayes, Cobb, is there a problem here?” Winters crosses his arms over his chest
“not at all lieutenant” Winnie responds, her eyes never once softening from their glare.
With a quick look up and down the taller man, Winnie pushed past him with a shoulder bump and made her way towards the shower block. For all the money the United States Government has put into its military, you would think that maybe the showers would be more than four walls with a flimsy lock. But no! i have to shower and watch my back.
Luck. Something that is not entirely on her side. After the fifth scar, Winnie decided that if there was a God, he was playing with his food before eating it. Luck, was being able to shower without being interrupted, and thanking her lucky stars, she was showering. Maybe it had to do with how quickly she ran to get her clean clothes, or maybe, just maybe, Luck was on her side. The cold water hit her chest, with a choked gasp Winnie jumps backwards.
———
The sweltering heat of Africa was dry. Bugs bite the exposed skin of their legs, now visible after doc let them borrow his scissors. My rash had been present for three days, doc said once it hits a week, we start to worry. I wasn’t worried. As long as the bugs didn’t come near me. Fighting off the Germans was one thing, but bugs? that was a whole new ball game.
They tried to give us shifts down at the ocean. It wasn’t the best option for a shower, but after months in the heat, any water was good enough to clean the mud and grime from our blood stained skin.
The best factor was that the ocean was cold. Even five minutes to dunk yourself under the water and slapping a wet slouch hat on your head was enough to keep you going for the night.
The salt water stings. Eyes blurring as they’re opened under the sea. A burning wound. The ocean turning red. With a strangled gasp and her wet hair sticking to her face like a second skin, she paddles. Winnie holds her left shoulder with her hand, legs kicking wildly as a shot rings through the air.
“Sniper!” her voice is hoarse as she yells for her friends to take cover.
Groaning as she lands on the sand with a wet thud, blood coating her fingers a deep crimson. Dust coating her skin, and a lasting feeling of the cold water sticking to her body.
——
Winnie shakes her head like she can shake the memories loose from her brain. Her hand slams the faucet down, the shower instantly stopping the stream of cold water. not in africa not in africa. Her hands work quickly, drying herself, changing into her uniform. The sooner she could get out of here and eat, the better.
The cold door held her weight as she rested her forehead against it. Eyes screwed shut her chest shuddered with half taken breaths. in. out. in. out. Only allowing two minutes to crack before she pieced herself together. She had things to do. With her dirty clothes in hand, now dropped into the wash bin, Winnie set out for dinner.
left. right. left. right. one foot in-front of the other.
Army food was nothing of great expectation. Army chefs who aren’t actually chefs, mass producing meals with food that Winnie isn’t all to certain is food. Nonetheless, anything was better than eating rats. So she kept her mouth shut, made sure to say thank you to the cooks, and took her tray, sitting at the corner of the table, plenty of room for the men to sit.
Soon enough, tables filled up all around her, and as expected Winnie was the plague. At least, she’s certain people thought she was. That was the only reason for a full table of easy company men to be pushed into one side of the table.
“i don’t have rabies you know” she muttered towards… Johnny was it? Maybe it was Joe “it won’t kill you to sit next to me”
Poking at the concerning loaf shaped meat on her tray, she glanced up as someone coughed. The seat opposite her was about to have an occupant. really wish i learnt those names. He looked out of place, and quite frankly awkward.
“Is this seat taken miss?” He had a soft voice.
“Go ahead” She sighed softly, an open hand as she pointed to the chair
“I hope you don’t mind, the other side is lookin’ a little cosy for my liking” he explained
“Not at all… as long as you don’t mind sitting with the outcast” poking at her meat loaf. If she avoided eye contact, maybe it would be less awkard
“My ma always said it wasn’t right to be mean to someone just ‘cause you don’t know ‘em” The man spoke softly, but he held a fond look when he mentioned his mother. It was rather sweet Winnie thought.
“Well your ma must be a real nice lady” with a smile Winnie looked up at the man “Winnie”
“Darrel… But everyone calls me Shifty” he responded kindly
“It’s lovely to meet you Shifty” she nodded, and responds in a soft, almost embarrassed tone “thank you for sitting with me-“
Chatter around the room stops as the doors to the cafeteria slam against the walls. Standing like Satan at the gates of hell was Sobel, a harsh glare set on his pointed features as he scans the room for his prey. Winnie knew it. as soon as his head swivelled around the room. It was her.
“What do you think you are doing” his voice carries through the now quiet room, he strides to stand next to Winnie
“Stand at attention.” he snaps
Shooting out of her seat, her hand snaps into attention
“Lieutenant Sobel… sir?” her eyebrows crease slightly “is there a problem sir?”
“Do you enjoy making a mockery of the United States Military Private Hayes?” he sneers
Winnie’s face flushes red, All eyes were on her, as she stood at attention, Sobel not saluting her. She had never felt so much hatred for a man, and she’s known him less than twelve hours.
“It’s Sargent” she mutters
“Are you disagreeing with a commanding officer private” the look he gives is one of total contempt, she was beneath him and he wanted her to know it. Still he salutes her.
“It’s. sergeant.” her teeth grit
“Are you implying that your commanding officer is wrong, private Hayes” His tone implied that he was right, even if he wasn’t. A challenge. And boy does she like a challenge
“When my commanding officer refers to me using the wrong rank, then it would seem he, is in fact wrong” she narrows her eyes “my rank may not be from the United States Military, but it is in every way, a rank. I worked for that rank and it would be appreciated if my commanding officer would acknowledge that fact… Sir”
A low whistle settles through the crowd, a soft “oh shit” comes from one of the easy men
“Winnie-“ shifty’s plea is cut off but an angry Sobel
“Respect seems to not be taught in your country. You will not have such blatant disrespect for a commanding officer.” Sobel seethes, a vein popping in his forehead “you will leave the remainder of your meal, and run currahee with your pack. And you will run it without drinking from your canteen, until you understand what respect is.”
Winnie’s jaw clenches so hard she fears she may have cracked a tooth. She tries to not glare at her CO.
“Do i make myself clear.” he asks, his voice low and threatening
“Yes. sir.” she grits out. Saluting.
——
The Georgian air was much warmer at night than Africa or New Guinea. But with the added weight of a full pack, complete with her canteen and new boots. New unbroken boots. Winnie was slowly warming up. The weight was not a new feeling. Carrying all her belongings, her comrades, weapons, anything of importance up the treacherous slopes and hills of Kokoda, the pack was not her worry for her punishment.
The lack of food, even if it tasted like wet cardboard and had the consistency of beans in jelly, was sustenance. And was she going to need that right now. By the time she reached her second dessent from currahee, Winnie noticed the little swirls in her vision. Still, she refused to drink from her canteen. She may be hot headed but she was not crazy enough to disobey a direct order such as this one.
Her feet felt like she was dragging them through the muddy walkways on New Guinea. Like she was up to her calves in mud so wet it was like quicksand. She felt like the world was on her shoulders, Hike three up Currahee left black dots in her vision. But Winnie was nothing if not stubborn, and if she was told to hike, well she was going to hike, if it meant proving her CO wrong.
The fall broke her nose. Atleast, she’s pretty sure it did. She can’t exactly see or hear who was talking to her, but she’s pretty sure he said the words ‘broken’ and ‘idiotic’. The stars looked pretty from here. It’s been so long since she’s been able to lay and watch the sky
“-an you hear me?” a southern drawl sounds
“What?” a mumbled response, as she rolls her neck side to side
“I said can you hear me?” the man asks, he had a rather deep voice. it was comforting however, rather than intimidating
“Yeah” groaning at the now present pain in her face, Winnie forced herself into a sit
“Take it easy, you hit your head pretty hard” he mumbles
“What happened?” Winnie blinks a few times, clearing the spots in her vision, her nose throbbed, and she was sure it needed to be reset
“You broke your nose” He answers off handedly, reaching up to feel around her nose
“How do you know.” Defensively Winnie pulls away from his hands “stop touchin’ me, you can’t just touch people without asking, especially when i don’t know you”
“Would ya stop bein’ difficult and let me fix it” he sighs, his accent getting thicker in irritation
“No. I don’t know you, how do i know you won’t just make it worse” tilting her head defiantly
He sighs in irritation
“Eugene Roe, medic” he drawls “now will you let me fix the nose ‘fore it gets worse”
reluctantly, she nods. Staring at the man with curiosity. He was handsome, there was no denying that. But he was reserved, not in the way Shifty was, like Eugene Roe was purposely closing himself off.
“i’m gonna set it now” he warns “one. two-“
A loud crack sounds through the air, followed swiftly by a string of curses. Winnie now hated yanks and their medics.
——
A/N: HI! i really hope you enjoyed chapter two of hiraeth! it will start to pick up shortly, but unfortunately the only way this chapter was getting written was if it was a ‘building chapter’ nonetheless i hope you enjoyed!
TAG LIST: @malarkgirlypop @mads-weasley @footprintsinthesxnd @bucky32557038ww2 @grumpy-liebgott @executethyself35
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mercurygray · 2 months
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The Darkening Sky - Chapter 53 - The End
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It was the end of the war, and Joan was tired.
She could say that, now, where there wasn't anyone to hear her. They'd done a ten-miler today, hot on the heels of a seven mile pack march the day before. If she listened hard enough, she thought she could still make out the complaints from the replacements, drifting in from the courtyard outside, and the old hands roundly reminding them that war was hard, pain was temporary, and they'd be glad they'd had the practice when they were running to find a foxhole.
Temporary or not, her leg was still hurting, though not as much as it had been. The old wound from Carentan was being tested, and so far it was holding, but only time would really tell. She'd practically fallen into her bed the night before, thin lipped and sore, and Dick, tired himself, had wrapped himself around her and gently massaged the muscle until it was bearable once more. "You know you don't have to run these," he'd suggested softly, trying to be helpful as sleep started to come for the both of them.
The mere thought made her bristle with rage. Wound or no wound, her place was at the front, or she was no better than the men she despised. "What kind of leader sits them out?"
[read the final chapter, and the rest of the story in its entirety, here on AO3!]
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theweirdgoodbyes · 1 month
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“C’mon, lemme help you. You’re breakin’ my heart.”
It’s a Thursday night, the Eagles are playing against the Patriots, and Babe Heffron is one miserable son of a bitch. He had called Bill for an emergency meeting after a particularly gruesome day at work, which including him chasing a student eloping out of the building and down the streets of Philadelphia in 15 degree weather. Why administration hadn’t listened to him about needing locks on his doors, he’ll never understand. Babe ended the day freezing, frustrated, and with a pile of paperwork. He loved his job as a special education teacher, and loved making a difference in young lives. But days like today always brought him back to their familiar spot, The Currahee, much needed beer in hand. One beer had turned into two, and then three, and then Babe lamenting his lonely existence as a perpetually single gay man.
“Pussy hound Bill Guarnere wants to help me pick up a guy? Has hell frozen over?” Babe asks sarcastically, pressing two fingers to the pulse in his neck, “Am I dead?”
“Shaddup. Don’t act like the guys wouldn’t go crazy over me.”
Babe leans forward, reaching out to pat Bill’s arm, “Oh, baby, you drive me crazy alright.”
Babe would do anything for Bill Guarnere. When they were sixteen, and Babe finally understood why he didn’t look at girls the way other guys did, he was terrified to tell Bill that he was gay. Bill, all rough edges and macho energy, had been his best friend since the first day of kindergarten. “You tryna play?” Bill had barked at him the moment Babe stepped into the classroom, still clinging to his mother’s legs. From that moment on the two of them were inseparable. The idea of losing Bill was scarier than anything he could think of, and it took Babe months and several pep talks in the mirror to muster up the courage. So one fateful night, as they drank some stolen beers on Babe’s childhood trampoline, Babe just blurted it out.
“Bill, I like guys.”
Bill was silent for a moment, before tossing his beer over the netting and rolling on top of Babe to envelop him in a giant hug. Babe hugged him back and fought back tears against his shoulder, comforted by Bill’s gruff assurances that best friends forever meant forever. Ten years later, here they are, still thick as thieves, and Bill is adamant that all of Babe’s problems will be solved by getting laid.
“Alright, ‘nough of the funny business,” Bill puts his hands up, as serious as he could ever be. “You want my help or not? I’m tired of listenin’ to you piss and moan over what’s his face.”
“Henry,” Babe sighs, thinking of his ex boyfriend. They had only dated for the summer while Henry was doing an internship in the area. He had gone back to Buffalo in August, and Babe’s love life has been bleak since.
“Yeah, Fuckface McGee, him. You were too good for him, Babe, didn’t I always tell you that?” Bill raises a furry eyebrow, forgetting that according to him Babe was too good for every boyfriend he’s had. He had also taken up the obnoxious but well-meaning habit of running every guy Babe had ever spoken to through the database at the police station, with something as small as a speeding ticket enough to make him concerned. “How long have you known me?”
“Too damn long.”
“And have I ever steered you wrong?”
Before Babe can open his mouth, Bill points at him with a shake of his head, “Don’t answer that. Take a good look around this bar and take your pick. Daddy’s gonna help you.”
Babe looks around the bar. It’s a freezing night in January, so it’s only regulars like him and Bill who have no better place to be. He scans past familiar faces until he sees someone he doesn’t recognize.
“Him.”
Bill turns to look. This stranger is sitting at the bar, eyes laser-focused on the game playing above him. Babe can’t make out the color, but can feel the intensity in them from across the room. He’s got a short crop of black hair to match his furrowed brows, a bit of stubble, and lips that Babe is very interested in seeing up close.
“That guy? The little one with the face?”
“He’s not little.”
“You think he’s on your team?”
Babe keeps looking at this handsome stranger, taking more of him in. His gaydar has always been horrible, highlighted by the confident kiss he had once given his buddy Welsh only to gently be told that friends is all they would ever be. Babe runs on the assumption because it’s 2024, and the world is a much more accepting place than it was ten years ago, that trying to hit on a straight guy isn’t the worst thing that could happen. The stranger is still wearing his coat, despite the stuffy bar air, arms crossed and hands tucked under his armpits like he’s cold. He’s found a lonely corner of the bar, and the drink in front of him is empty. He’s got an air about him that’s says “leave me the fuck alone”, and Babe sees him shake his head when the bartender goes over. Maybe he’s getting ready to leave, he thinks. Babe starts to second guess himself, and begins looking around to see his other options. Handsome Stranger’s mysterious vibe is intriguing, but the possibility of rejection would put Babe in the ground after his rough day.
“I’m goin’ in,” Bill stands up before Babe can protest and struts over to the bar, misplaced confidence oozing out of him.
Babe can only watch in horror as Bill plops himself down next to Handsome Stranger, sticks out a meaty hand, and begins to jabber away. He decides that’s all he needs to see and sets his sight on the nearest TV just in time to watch the Eagles make a touchdown. At least it’s a good day for the Bird Gang.
A moment passes and Babe finds the courage to look back at the bar. He sees Bill stomping back over to him, face contorted in a scowl that Babe is all too familiar with. The conversation cannot have gone in his favor. The guy is definitely straight, potentially homophobic based on Bill’s visible anger.
“What did he say?” Babe dares to ask. He puts his glass to his lips, praying for a miracle.
“First of all, kid must be fuckin’ blind because he took one look at me and says ‘Absolutely not’.”
Babe chokes on his beer, sputtering foam all over the table. He pounds his chest with his fist, willing himself to breathe through his laughter. It’s not often that Bill faces rejection, and the obvious wound to his ego is something Babe will savor for years to come.
“So I says, ‘Listen, toots’-“
Babe’s laughter is cut short and he groans, because of course Bill would make an ass of himself, and by extension, Babe. “Bill, no, you did not call him ‘toots’-“
“I says, ‘first of all, you ain’t my type, with the lack of tits and that pissy pout-“
“BILL!”
“-and you ain’t for me, you’re for the poor fucker sittin’ over here’”, Bill plops back down in his chair, shaking his head. He finishes his beer and sighs, like the interaction has exhausted him, “And then I walked away before I punched him in the mouth.”
Babe just drops his head down on the table. This isn’t the first time Bill has been an absolute beast in public, and it certainly won’t be the last. Babe’s minuscule dream of a night not spent alone has been dashed.
“You need a muzzle,” he mumbles to the wood, “I’m gonna have to tie you to the pole outside. Put up a sign that says, ‘please don’t pet me, I bite’.”
“Don’t be a prick. Can’t say I didn’t tr-“
“Hey.”
Babe looks up and Jesus Christ, Handsome Stranger is standing right in front of him. Although the bar is quieter than usual, the man had appeared with such silence that Babe wonders if he appeared out of thin air. He can barely believe this is real, certain that the guy was either straight or so repulsed by Bill that all hope was lost.
“Hey,” he squeaks out. Oh, Christ. He clears his throat and repeats himself, “Hey.”
The guy stares at him with those dark eyebrows still furrowed, like he’s looking at something under a microscope. Suddenly self-conscious under his unrelenting gaze, Babe runs his hand over his forehead, trying to rub away any red mark that might be left from slamming his head down.
God, up close he really is hot. His eyes are somewhere between blue and grey, complimented by the blue scrubs he’s wearing under his coat. Babe feels his cheeks turning as red as his hair, but unable to look away from those unblinking eyes. Over the hum of distant conversations and game commentary, Babe wonders if Handsome Stranger can hear his heart thumping out of his chest.
“You his friend?” He sticks a thumb at Bill, who immediately straightens up.
“His best friend, actu-“
“Give me your phone.”
Babe could fall out of his chair. There’s no way.
“My what?”
“Your phone. It’s right there.” Handsome Stranger points to where it rests on the table next to Babe’s glass.
“Oh, yeah, sure, here.” Babe scrambles to grab his phone and unlock it, handing it over quicker than he would like to admit.
The stranger taps at it and then quickly types something in and hands it back to Babe. He looks to see his contacts open, with a new addition: Eugene Roe. He doesn’t recognize the area code, explaining why he’s never seen this Eugene before tonight.
“Cool beans,” is all Babe can think to say because holy shit, he did not expect Bill to actually pull through with this. When he looks up again, Eugene Roe is gone. He looks to the door just in time to see it swing shut, catching a quick glimpse of white sneakers walking away.
Bill gives him a shit eat grinning and grabs his shoulders to give him a rough shake.
“Cool beans? What are you, fuckin’ twelve?”
“I panicked,” Babe defends himself. He can’t help but smile and looks back at his phone. He wonders if it would make him seem desperate to text him right now. Yeah, it would, he decides, maybe he’ll wait an hour-
Bill cackles, a sound that shocks Babe back into reality. “Never say I never did nothin’ for you, even though that guy is already on thin fuckin’ ice with me. Now go buy me a beer. The king is thirsty.”
Babe happily obliges, making his way over to the bar in a half-daze. While the bartender pours Bill’s beer, Babe looks back over to where his handsome no-longer a stranger was sitting. Eugene Roe, he thinks, who are you?
(Now posted on my ao3 with some edits! https://archiveofourown.org/works/53977666#work_endnotes)
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kilojulietsierra · 1 month
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Finders Keepers - Capt Ronald Speirs x Nurse!OFC
Summary: Lt. Elaine Walker is apparently the only nurse in her unit not terrified of the new Easy Company CO. As such she gets to know him just a little bit better than anyone else.
Warnings: All of my content is considered 18+ only, slow burn, fluff, eventual relationship, secret relationship, not so secret relationship, flirting in the middle of a war, smoking and drinking, allusions to sex canon typical language, violence and events.
Disclaimer: this work is based on the HBO series Band of Brothers and is in no way meant to disrespect the real heroes of Easy Co.
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~~~~~~
She woke up all but burrowed under the covers, warmer and cozier than she'd been in longer than she could remember. On the verge of sleep and waking something was nagging at her. Fighting to stay asleep she wrapped her fist tighter around the edge of the blankets, giving them a tug.
The blankets came freely and she burrowed deeper into her pillow. The one hand she had out in the cool air of the room reached out to the other side of the mattress and stretched out the stiffness. That was when she realized what had awoken her in the first place.
Cigarette smoke.
Reluctantly she cracked her eyes open, it was still dark, the night air was cool and quiet.
"Over here." Ron broke the silence. HIs voice was smooth and quiet, barely disturbing the darkness.
Once her eyes adjusted to the light Elaine saw the cherry red end of his cigarette, "Come back to bed."
"Go back to sleep." HIs voice stayed just as hushed as before, the end of his cigarette glowed brighter for a moment.
"I will." She stretched her entire body and chased after sleep once again. "When you come back to bed."
Across the room he huffed out a silent laugh and took one last, long drag on his cigarettle. In the dark his steps were noiseless and only the faintest shape of him was visible, a silouhette as he passed in front of the moonlit window.
Her eyes had slipped closed once again, only opening when the bed dipped with his weight. She sighed contently as he slid under the blankets beside her once again. Once he was settled he wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. "You enjoy bossing your CO around Walker."
Eyes closed and a sleepy smile on her face she rested her head on his chest. "Technically, you're not my CO."
That earned her another huff, a laugh, or as close as it would get. "That so?" His fingers stroked up her bare back. "Pretty sure your chief is reporting to me while your unit is still attached to Easy."
She felt his eyes peering down at her, could imagine the look on his face. Keeping her own eyes closed she chose not to respond.
The next time he spoke the words were whispered directly in her ear, "That would make me your commanding officer," He ducked his head to place a kiss behind her ear, "Technically."
Laney chuckled and pressed herself tighter against him, dropped a kiss of her own against his chest. Followed quickly by her teeth nipping at his pec. "Wise ass."
Ron hissed a little at her sharp teeth, but only retaliated by rolling them over so he was on his side and her back was flush against his chest. "Thought I told you to go back to sleep." He whispered against her ear again,
She settled back against him and hummed. letting her eyes slip closed. "What woke you up?"
His arms around her and his face pressed against the back of her neck he kissed her there. "Just a dream."
"Same one?"
Behind her Ron only hummed.
During the day he was a man of few words for the most part. Being promoted to Captain apparantly hadn't changed that much from what she heard. But, here in Austria, especially with her, he would losen up some. One of those times, late at night, laying in bed together he had told her about his nightmares.
Most of the men had them, she knew that all too well. The boys that came into the aid stations, the hospitals, they all trembled, moaned, sometimes screamed in their sleep. She had seen it plenty of times. They would startle awake. Their sleep haunted, dreams of earth exploding, shells raining down, the images of their friends bloody and mangled beside them..
Captain Speirs was no exception.
"Go back to sleep." Rons voice was even softer as he pulled the blankets up closer around them and settled in.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Captain Speirs, Sir?"
Speirs turned around, "What?" he snapped, already sick of people coming and asking him stupid questions.
"SIr, the nurse corps is asking where to set up." The soldier standing in front of him stared blankly as he waited for orders.
Speirs breathed deep through his nose and glanced out the grimey, half shattered window, "Take three men and clear a building across the street."
"Yessir." The boy left to do as he was told.
Less than an half an hour later, as he leaned on the back of the couch talking to a shivering, coughing Lipton, Speirs was once again interrupted.
~~~
When the chief nurse came to them they were unloading the last of the supplies. "Captain Winters is requesting someone to report to company E CP, they have men there that need attention."
Elaine and the other nurses stopped what they were doing. One of them spoke up, "Why can't they just come here? We are almost set up."
The chief nurse simply stared back at them, "Apparantly they're too busy."
"Isn't that what medics are for?" Another girl asked.
"Will one of you please, just go report to Captain Speirs. Don't make me order you."
The girls all exchanged a look. "Captain Speirs, ma'am?" Even the nurse corp had heard the stories. Boys coming into feild hospitals and aid stations were full of them. The nurses had all heard of the infamous Captain Speirs by now.
"Yes, Captain Speirs. He's the Easy Company commanding officer."
Glancing amongst themselves the nurses remained silent. After a long, tense moment Elaine jumped down from the truck with a humph and grabbed her kit, "I'll go Teresa." She slung her bag over her shoulder and took a look around at the wide eyes staring at her. With a snort she added, "I could use a cigarette anyway."
Laney ignroed the snickering and whispering behind her as she jogged across the street. Stepping quicker at the sound of artillery screaming overhead. Once she made it across the street to the company CP she ducked inside as a shell hit somewhere nearby.
The men looked up as she entered. One of them standing behind the couch looked her over as he stood to his full height, "Aid station is set up across the way."
Laney squared up to the Captain from across the room, "I'm well aware SIr. I've been sent to see to someone here."
The man on the couch sat up a ittle straighter, fighting back a coughing fit. "See who?" A shiver rolled through him as soon as he finished talking.
With a snort and a hint of a smile Laney shrugged out of her satchel and walked over to the couch, "I'm willing to bet that'd be you Sargent." Kneeling down beside him she gave him a quick once over and felt at his cheek and forehead. "You should be laying down somewhere trooper."
"Exactly what I said." Speirs spoke up from behind the couch, his eyes meeting hers and his lips twitching the slightest bit as though he may smile if he weren't careful. "In the back. Let her take a look at you Lip, that's an order."
With a cough and a little help, Sargent Lipton got to his feet, taking the blanket with him. "Yes Sir."
Speirs nodded to Lip and then looked back to Laney, "What's your name, Nurse?"
Laney shot him a look, "Lieutenant."
"Your name is Lieutenant?" His lips twitched again.
"My rank." She wrapped Liptons arm over her shoulders and picked up her bag. "If you'll excuse us, Sir?"
Speirs' eyes were dark and he did finally crack the barest of smiles as he nodded his approval, "Lieutenant. Lip, get some rest."
"Sir." Lip nodded and together he and Laney headed for the back of the building.
At the door Laney tugged Lipton to a stop and turned back to Speirs, "Say Captain, got any cigarettes?" Lip jerked his head up to look at her in surprise.
Back in the main room Speirs met her gaze with an honest to God smirk, "Fresh out."
~~~
Later that evening, when Laney had finally finished with the officers and non-coms and their multitudes of 'minor' ailments they'd all been dutifully ignoring, she was surprised to find that Speirs was still there.
He sat in relative darkness, save for the one kerosene lamp turned down low in the corner. His eyes were closed and he was slouched back in his chair, one muddy boot kicked up on the desk. Laney thought he must be asleep so she stepped quietly past him.
"Lieutenant Walker." Laney stopped in her tracks, not questioning how he'd gotten her name, and turned back towards the desk he'd moved into the corner and away from the windows. Now his eyes were wide open but his posture remained the same. "Captain."
Speirs seemed to be studying her intently for a long moment. "How are the men?"
Taking a breath, forcing herself to relax, Laney kept her voice down to match his, "Wore out." She took a few steps closer, "To say the least."
He nodded. "A little out of uniform aren't you Lietenant?" His eyes held hers, a hint of something in them. He looked her up and down, taking in the state of her dress.
A pair of hand me down jump trousers and a four pocket jacket a size or two too big over layers against the cold. She carried a bag like a medic, noticeably emptier than it was when she arrived, a battered helmet with the red cross peeling on one side . He saw a pair of fingerless gloves tucked in the utility belt she had cinched around her waist and noticed that the brown leather was stained darker with blood.
Laney rolled her eyes and cocked her hip, "Well, Sir, a white dress and stalkings don't fair too well on the line."
Speirs chuckled. "Appreciate you taking care of them."
"It's what I'm here for." She spared him a smile. "How 'bout you Captain?"
"How about me?" Foot still propped on his desk he crossed his arms, smirking again like he had earlier.
"Need me to take a look at anything?" She nodded his direction for emphasis.
Speris shook his head, "I'm doin' just fine Lieutenant." He held her gaze for a moment and eventually bobbed his head towards the door, "Go get some rest."
"Yes sir." She hiked her bag higher on her shoulder and turned to leave, "Good night Captain."
"Good night Lieutenant." At the door she stopped, and dug through one of her jacket pockets until she pulled out a crumpled pack of Lucky Strikes. She tossed them to the Captain and chuckled when he had to quickly uncross hs arms to catch them. "Laney."
Speirs held up the pack of smokes in thanks, "Ron."
He watched her smile and then disappear out the door. Once she was gone he chuckled to himself and pulled a cigarette out of the pack and lit it. He was still smiling when he stuffed the pack in his pocket, recrossed his arms and closed his eyes again.
~~~
When Easy moved out of Haguenau, Laney and the other nurses hung back with the rest of the support staff. At least until they could receive word from Easy and the rest of the battalion that Sturzelburg was secure enough for them to enter. Once they had received the all clear they rolled in with their jeeps and trucks.
At the center of town they dismounted and it was Lieutenant Elaine Walker that was once again sent to the CP. After their group of nurses had linked up with Easy on the other side of the French/German border Lieutenant Walker had been designated the unofficial go between for the Nurse Corp and Easy Company. The other nurses were still hesitant to approach the Company CO.
They apparently weren't so scared of him that they didn't gossip about him plenty. Speirs, Nixon, Winters... Of course any of them would volunteer to go to Nixon or Major Winters in a heartbeat, bicker for the chance even. Captain Speirs on the other hand, well, Laney was the lucky one. Not that she minded all that much anymore, if she were telling the truth. Her interactions with the Captain were limited but they got on well enough. Quite well actually.
Laney approached a group of soliders congregated on the steps of one of the shops. "Any of y'all seen Captain Speirs?"
The lot of them stood up a little straighter. One with southern accent, much thicker than her own, spoke up, "Yes ma'am, he's clearing houses down that way." He pointed down the street.
With her thanks Laney headed down the street. She finally found him in the fourth house she checked. He was jogging down the stairs with a trayful of treasures. "Lieutenant Walker." Speirs spared her a fraction of a smile as he stopped at the bottom of the stairs.
Laney chuckled as she walked over to see what he'd found. "Captain." She plucked the silver tray dangling from one hand out of his grasp and studied it. Flipping it over and over watching the way the sun bounced off the surface.
"Have they set you up somewhere yet?" He moved to prop a hip on the table.
"Not yet. We just rolled in." She set the platter down and continued to peer through his newest collection. "You've been busy." Laney picked up an intricate, decorative hair comb and admired it. Her fingertips tracing the delicate, silver flower petals. It was the kind that was too pretty to be used.
Speirs huffed out a laugh, "I'll have the boys clear a house for you. Help you ladies get up and running."
"Thank you, Sir."
"Told you," He ducked his head slightly to catch her eye, "Call me Ron." He was grinning when he said it and he grinned a little wider when he caught her smiling down at the floor.
Laney looked at him out the corner of her eye, "Right... Ron." She turned to face him, still holding the silver comb. "How much of this stuff you sent home already?"
His face remained the same as he shrugged. "A little here and there."
She chuckled, "Mhmm, a little." Laney took one last look at the comb and set it down carefully back on the tray. "Who should I find? To get us a building?" She noticed the way his eyes flicked from the movement of her hands back to her face. The fact she could get away with snooping through his loot without retribution pleased her more than it should.
Speirs smirked, stood up straight and situated his grip on the tray full of treasures. "I'll grab some men."
"What about your treasures here?" She pointed.
His face sobered slightly, "We'll stop on the way." He nodded toward the second tray she'd left on the table, signaling for her to make herself useful.
When she reached for the empty tray a noise upstairs caught her attention, stopped her in her tracks. Her head tipped back she looked up at the floor above them. It was pretty obvious what the source of the noise was and Laney pulled her lips between her teeth, trying not to laugh. "Glad everyone else is enjoying themselves."
She walked towards the door where Speirs was waiting and she tried not to turn too red when her gaze met his for a second too long. She felt his eyes on her as she walked out of the building in front of him but him nearly getting ran over by the jeep broke the tension as she tried and failed not to laugh.
His scowl was half hearted but no less effective as he pointed her towards the APO.
Laney also couldn't help but notice the way the soldiers jumped out of his way or the looks they gave her as she followed him in. She was still staring them down on their way out the door when Ron sat his loot down on the counter for the private.
WIth one hand he set the two packs of smokes down and with the other deftly grabbed the comb off the tray to sneak it back in his pocket. "Laney."
She spun around and chuckled when he pointed to the tray she still held. Laney handed it over and stayed in the same spot as Ron conducted his business.
When he was done he turned to leave and had made it to the door, his hand settled on her back to guide her out when the private had spoken up.
Laney had stiffened slightly under his hand. He'd never touched her before and while it was unfamiliar it was not unpleasant. His hand stayed there as he looked back to the Private and had given him that unsettling smile. "Finders keepers." Rons fingers had flexed at her back as he'd said it and then he had ushered her out the door.
~~~
Laney had followed the low murmur of mens voices and smell of cigarette smoke down the stairs where battalion had set up HQ.
When she found the source Lipton was the first one to notice her, "Evening ma'am."
Speirs looked up from his cards, lips twitching as he gave her a nod.
Harry gave her a big smile, "Lieutenant Walker! Lovely night ain't it."
She chuckled as she stepped further into the room, "Isn't it past you boys bed time?"
"Mom said we could stay up late, as long as we finished our schoolwork and brushed our teeth." Harry giggled at his own joike.
Laney glanced around the table. Harry had quite the collection of bottles beside him, Lip a single bottle of half drank beer and the Captain had an empty bottle and a coffee cup in front of him, a cigarette smoldering between his fingers.
Speirs was the one to question her, face unreadable but his eyes searching hers, "What brings you by Lieutenant?"
Hands braced on the back of Harrys chair she shrugged, "Dropping of requisition forms, hard to get paperwork done furing the day." She held Rons gaze a moment longer before she broke away, "So, who's winning?" She looked over Harry's shoulder and gave him a consoling pat on the arm, "Obviously not Lieutenant Welsh here."
Harry groaned as Lipton laughed and Ron raised again. "I'm out." He dropped his cards face down on the table. "That's just plain rude."
Laney laughed and threw the other two men a wink. "Y'all stay out of trouble." She turned to leave but Liptons voice stopped her in the doorway.
"You play cards Lieutenant?"
She turned to look back at him, momentarily distracted by watching Rons hand shuffle the deck of cards. "Better than Harry." They all shared a laugh and she watched as Ron started to deal. Harry grrumbled but Speirs and Lip both smiled.
"Have a seat." Ron flicked his eyes up to hers as he dealt.
"Don't have any cash."
"Use Nix's." Ron had already dealt her a hand at Nixons empty seat. He quirked his lips into a smile, cigarette dangling between them as he spoke, "He won't miss it."
After a moment of hesitation she smiled, "Sure." and made her way around the table to take Nixons empty seat.
Lip stood up, "Care for a drink ma'am?" already on his way to grab her a beer.
"You can call me Elaine, you know that right?" Laney smiled as she sat down, and couln't help but catch the look on Ron's face.
He hid a smile by taking a long drag on the end of his cigarette, obviously pleased he was still the only one that got to call her Laney. Hands dealt, fresh cigarettes lit and a bottle of beer in front of her, Ron looked up and gave her smirk, "Ladies first."
A couple hours later Laney collected her most recent winnings with a giggle much to the disdain of the men around her.
"This is your fault." Harry stabbed a wavering finger in Liptons direction.
"Not his fault you're a shit card player." Laney smiled as she straightened out the dollar bills and added them to her stack. The couple beers she'd had were hitting her and she was enjoying herself.
Lip was glassy eyed and grinning as he collected the cards to reshuffle.
Ron had finished his coffee then had one more drink himsefl. His eyes were still sharp but he was slouched back in his chair and had run his hand through his hair enough it was hanging over his brow as it sometimes did. "Don't be a sore loser Welsh."
"Easy for you to say, she didn't take all your money." Harry groused as he scowled at his empty beer bottle.
"Not all of it." Ron smirked at her as she folded her winnings neatly and pushed back from the table.
"Wait, where you going?" Lip looked up mid-shuffle.
"Gentleman, it's been fun, but I think I'm gonna call it a night." Laney smiled wide as she pocketed the cash she had collected.
"Not gonna walk off with Nix's money are you?" Ron looked up at her, still with a smirk on his face.
"Like you said, he won't miss it." She pushed her chair in and waved them all a, "Good night."
Ron sat up straighter, "Where are you billeted?"
Laney leaned on the back of the chair, tipsy enough she had to think for a second, "We have a house, other side of town."
WIth a glance at his watch, Ron pursed his lips and snubbed out his cigarette. "It's late, I'll walk you."
As the two of them left the room Lip and Welsh exchanged a look, a long and knowing look.
~~~
The girls were exhausted, all of them sitting around the long, dining room table eating in silence. After the things they had seen that day outside of Lansburg, none of them had much to say. Or much of an appetite for that matter.
Laney was sitting about halfway down on one side. Staring at the meal they had scrounged together for themselves. She couldn't bring herself to eat any of it though. Not after that.
All of them startled slghtly at the sound of the heavy front door opening. They all seemed to hold their breath while they waited. A moment later Captain Speirs and Lieutenant Lipton appeared in the entryway. Both of them just as exhausted as the rest of them.
Their chief nurse stood up to greet the officers.
Lipton offered a brave attempt at a smile. Speirs merely nodded, "Ma'am. Can you spare one of the nurses?"
Teresa, the chief nurse, asked "Has something happened?" The fear of what else they could possible have found evident in her voice.
"Nothing ma'am." Captain Speirs removed his helmet and shoved his sweat soaked hair back, "Our medics are all still at the camp and, well," He exchanged a glance with Lip, "I'd just feel better if someone could take a look at a few of my men."
WIthout a single word every eye in the room turned on Elaine. With closed eyes she took a deep, fortifying breath. Then she pushed back from her untouched plate and stood on tired legs. "I'll go." She didn't spare a look at her fellow nurses as she walked past them all to grab her coat and bag from the hooks by the door. Shrugging into the jacket she turned to Speirs and Lipton, "Lead the way." The men both nodded and replaced their helmets on their heads.
~~~
If Laney thought she was exhausted after a day of assisting at the camp, then she was well and truly done for after the evening of taking care of the shocky servicemen.
There was no class or training they had been given to know how to care for the young men that saw the atrocities that had been found that day. She had done the best that she could but it felt wholly inadequate.
She had stopped in the sitting room of the home in use as the CP and dropped her bag and helmet on the floor by one of the overly ornate sofas before dropping herself onto it with a pathetic groan. Her intention had just been to sit for a moment, but then as she sat her muscles turned to jelly and her eyes became heavy. Almost without thought she stretched out to lay down.
Laney jumped awake a short while later with a start. Heart pounding in her chest and blood rushing in her ears, her eyes flew open. What had awoken her was the weight of a blanket settling over her. Once her vision cleared she saw that it was Speirs who was laying the blanket down.
"What's wrong?" She started but was cut short.
Speirs shook his head. "Nothing." and then put a firm, reassuring hand on her shoulder to keep her from sitting up. She had a fleeting thought that his eyes looked softer, almost sweeter than she'd ever seen them.
He was also closer to her than he'd ever been before. His hair was still a disheveled mess and his face looked as tired as she felt. For some reason, possibly the exhaustion, she did not argue or ask futher questions. Instead she closed her eyes and sunk back into the couch.
Before she drifted off to sleep again she felt the blanket as it was pulled back over her and the warmth of a hand smoothing over back.
When she woke she could tell she had not moved an inch, the blanket wrapped tight around her as she huddled on the couch that wasn't nearly as comfortable as it had felt when she first dozed off on it the night before. As she sat up the thin wool blanket pooled around her waist and every bone in her body ached.
Without much of a thought she draped the blanket over the back of the couch, collected her bag and helmet off the ground, and left to head back to the building where they had set up the hospital. It was when she ran into one of the other nurses in the street that she learned Hitler had committed suicide.
The end was in sight at last
~~~
Later, in the back of a jeep following along behind Easy company on their way to Berchtesgaden, Laney sat with with her knees bent and her boots braced against the back of the seat in front of her.
The country was beautiful and the morning chill in the air invigorating to their tired bodies and souls. For somethhing to do more than anythng she shoved her hands in the pockets of her jacket and tipped her head back, intending to take a nap.
There was something in her pocket she didn't immediatly recognize. At first she thought it might be a pair of scissors she forgot to put back in her bag. The touch of cool metal against her fingers led her to believe, but it didn't feel quite right. When she pulled the item from her pocket her breath actually caught in her throat.
In her palm lay the beautiful silver comb she had been admiring from among Captain Speirs loot back in Sturzelburg. The one with the intricate flower adorning the handle.
On reflex she cloesd her fingers around the comb and shoved it back in her pocket before the other girls in the jeep could see. The whole rest of the way to Germany her mind spun. Had he given it to her? When though? Surely she'd remember. Last she had seen it she had laid it carefully on the tray with the rest of his haul. He must of snuck it in her pocket. Then she remembered.
The night after they had found that camp, she had fallen asleep on the couch and woken up to him, Ron, giving her a blanket.
Inside her pocket she couldn't stop running her fingers over the intricate engraving on the body of the comb. She also could not stop herself from thinking about Captain Speirs.
Once they were in Berchesgarten everything went fast. Once the town itself was clear, an easy feat for the boys as it was mostly abondoned, the nurse corp got to work setting up the aid station in a floor of the hotel.
Laney hadn't seen Speirs since they arrived but she tracked him down easily enough that afternoon. She found him on a balcony of the hotel smoking a cigarette with his back to the railing and his thompson leaned up beside him. He looked up at her as she came out onto the balcony.
For a moment he looked like he was going to say something but with a smirk laney just leaned against the door and held the comb up for him to see. Instead of whatever he had been about to say he just smiled and dragged on his cigarette. "Where'd you get that?"
Her eyes flicked to the back of her head quickly before she put the comb back in her pocket. "That's what I've been wondering." She crossed the small balcony to lean against the railing beside him.
He held her gaze for a long moment. Smirking when she didn't look away from him. "Finders keepers."
Finishing the rest of his cigarette Speirs stood up straight. He was closer now and she had to look up slightly to look him in the eye.
Rather than say anything else Laney placed one hand on his jaw and stood on her toes to kiss him on the opposite cheek. "Thank you Ron."
When she pulled back Ron still had that easy smirk on his face as he gazed down at her. Rather than admit to anything he gave her a wink and headed back inside. At the doors he paused and turned back to her "We're down a medic."
Her blank stare was her only response.
"Easy is going up there." He nodded towards the Eagle's Nest and then back down to Laney. "Wanna come with us?" Speirs shrugged, "Just in case."
He was doing that thing again. Where his stare was dark and calculating but the very corner of his lips twitched like he was holding back a smile.
Laney slouched back against the railing, "Just in case." She repeated his own words back to him.
With a nod Speirs said, "C'mon." And so that was how she found herself in the back of a jeep as it climbed its way up the switchback roads of an Alpine mountain. Creeping ever closer to the supposed last Nazi stronghold.
At the top of the mountain the first few men of Easy company were at the door staging to enter by the time Laney jumped down out of the jeep behind Speirs. Halfway to the door Speirs put a hand to her elbow and stopped her in her tracks. "Here. Stay close," He left his hand on her a moment longer than necessary, "Just in case."
Laney snorted, "Yeah. Just in case."
Speirs gave her a nod, nudged her behind him and the others. After the first group of soldiers were through the door she followed them in.
For her part Laney just looked around. Keeping within sight of at least one of the men at all times. It was almost on accident that she stumbled upon the room with the three dead Nazi officers. She wasn't sure how long she had been standing in the doorway when Speirs appeared behind her.
She flinched a little, snapped out of her daze, but stilled when she felt his hand in the middle her back. He guided her further into the room so he could step past her and one by one kicked over the bodies, his pistol at the ready in one hand, though it was obvious he wouldn't need it.
As he knelt down by one of them Laney circled the room. She came to a stop in front of a desk to one side and decided to take a hint from the others, so she started rummaging. Not much caught her eye other than a silver cigarette case she found with the Nazi eagle on it and a set of fountain pens. The others could take the big stuff. At least this way she could say she brought something back with her.
When she turned back towards Speirs he was digging through the last German's pockets, but his eyes were on her and he had a smirk on his face.
Laney shoved her trinkets in an inside jacket pocket and shrugged, "Finders keepers. Right?"
WIth a nod he jerked something out from under the dead mans torso and stood up. Speirs took his own sidearm and slipped it into its holster before holding the luger up between them. As he walked back towards her he dropped the magazine out of a Luger he had apparently found, checked the chamber and slammed the magazine back home. "Here." He came to stand directly in front of her and offered her the pistol.
She must have looked as uncertain as she felt because he spoke up. "How many nurses you think get the chance to take a German officers sidearm home as a souvenir?" He nodded to her and gestured to the handgun again.
It felt strange in her hands. She was smart enough to know that the officer Ron had found this gun on had used it to take his own life. It felt wrong, but Ron was right. "You don't want it?"
He smirked, "I've got plenty." and took the Luger from her before grabbing her shoulder and spinning her around so he could stow it in her bag for her. When he spun her back around he kept his voice down, "Don't let anyone know you got that."
Laney nodded and without another word between them he led her out the door. At the door a loud, echoing pop caused Laney to flinch. Her hand jumped out to fist in Rons sleeve and she took half step backwards.
Ron tensed slightly but breathed out a sigh of exasperation, his right hand smoothing up and down her back as he coaxed her forward into the main hall. Where they found Malarkey swigging straight from a champagne bottle.
She couldn't help but laugh at herself as Ron sent the trooper out to guard the entrance until WInters could arrive. For a moment Laney couldn't help but get lost in his eyes and the way he turned back to look at her. There was something in them she couldn't put a finger on. She knew what she hoped it was and for a moment she felt her body lean in, caught the way those hard eyes softened, and then another loud pop had her heart jumping up into her throat again. Once again she flinched and grabbed ahold of Rons jacket, the front of it this time as she broke into giggles.
"Your boys are gonna kill me, I swear." She berated herself for being so jumpy.
Ron put his hand on her again and looked unmistakably irritated, "Not if I kill them first." He chewed on the inside of his cheek as he gave her side a comforting squeeze. When he saw her still smiling he relaxed a little. He heard Welsh and Nixon, their voices carrying well through the castle like halls. Eyes still just as dark, but with a little less murder in them, Ron spared her a grin. "Stay and celebrate?"
Her heart in her throat again Laney released her death grip on the front of his jacket and returned his smile. "I better head back. They were still setting up BAS when I left."
WIth a slow blink, as if to collect himself, Ron nodded and seemed to wait until the last possible second to remove his hand from her waist. He had just let her go when Nix entered the room to order all champagne bottles be rounded up for questioning, at once.
Laney chuckled and shook her head, "Y'all try not to have too much fun." She smiled at Ron and then turned to leave, patting Nixon on the shoulder as she passed by.
~~~
Ronald Speirs was not the kind of officer made to sit at a desk. He despised it and tried to avoid it at all costs. Now that the Nazis had surrendered however, he found he spent much more time doing exactly that than he did running into the fire. He'd prefer that.
He was leaning on his desk, staring at reports when there was a knock at his door. "Enter." He didn't look up when the door opened. He didn't look up until whoever had come into his office had gone a long moment without speaking. So, annoyed, he stood up straight to address them.
The sight of Lieutenant Elaine Walker in her dress uniform stopped him with his mouth hanging open. The scowl wiped right off his face.
She was biting back a smile by the time he squared himself away.
"Good to see you in proper attire finally, Lieutenant." If his gaze lingered a little too long anywhere she apparantly wasn't going to call him out on it.
"Glad you approve, Sir." She nearly chuckled as she stood before him.
It wasn't that Speirs wasn't used to seeing other nurses on the line in scrounged, patched, borrowed gear. It was also plenty common to see them running around in the more practical uniform of trousers and shirts. So common that Ron hadn't really stopped to consider the alternative.
"God, you are beautiful." He threw pretense out the window. The war was as good as over. They were safe in Austria.
To her credit, as surprised as she appeared to be, Laney laughed. Smiled bright with flushed cheeks. "Glad you finally noticed."
Speirs chuckled, leaned back to sit against the edge of his desk like he had been when she had first entered his office.
"Oh I noticed before but..." He trailed off, honestly not sure how to finish his thought.
Across the room Laney leaned against the doorjam, still smiling. "Amazing what a skirt and pair of heels can do. Isn't it?"
Ron licked his lips and looked down to the floor, chuckling softly. "Unless you prefer your girls in boots and baggy pants." She was poking fun at him now, enjoying her upperhand.
"Come up here just to torture me Lieutenant?" He looked back to her out the corner of his eye, doing his best to sound stern.
She stood up straight, "No Sir, but it is fun." Laney approached him and his desk. She came to a halt a respectable distance away. "The others are still too scared to talk to you." They shared a smile. "Came up to see if Easy was going to require our unit full time or if we could help out the hospital they have set up in town. They need help prepping wounded to relocate or ship back to the states."
Speirs sobered slightly and crossed his arms. "Don't think second Battalion will be seeing much action anytime soon. Surely the hospital needs you more than we do." He seemed regretful to say it, "I'll check with Winters, but I see no harm in it."
"Yes Sir, thank you." Laney nodded and stood up straight, gave him a small, sincere smile. "It's been an honor Captain. For all of us."
Speirs nodded. Looked her in the eye and returned her smile. With a final nod and a click of her heels she turned towards the door and headed to leave.
Ron decided to push his luck just a little further. He stood up straight and called after her, "Laney."
She stopped in her tracks and turned to face him, but didn't say anything. Just gave him that same, easy smile.
He closed the distance between them and appreciated the fact that even though his strides were purposeful she stood her ground. When he stood in front of her finally he looked her over once more and then settled his gaze on hers. He didn't say anything. He didn't have to.
By the time his hand had moved to cup her jaw, her gorgeous green eyes had slipped closed and her lips parted for him as soon as his mouth covered hers. He was about to pull back, keep it brief, when she moaned. A tiny, sweet little sound in the back of her throat and Ron decided he wasn't done yet. He slid his hand around from cupping her cheek to hold her by the back of the neck.
That action caused her to lean into him, her hands braced against his chest as their kiss escalated. Finally regaining the little bit control he'd let slip, Ron pulled away from her. Keeping her close with the hand still cradling the back of her neck.
WIth her eyes still closed Laney whined the slightest bit at the loss, the fingers of her right hand fisting into the fabric of his shirt. Ron had to close his eyes and breathe deep.
He allowed himself one more, a soft pass over her lips as he held her chin by his thumb and forfinger. This time when they seperated her eyes were open and she was smiling.
Her eyes locked on his for a moment before she licked her lips and chuckled, "I should go before they start to worry what you might have done to me."
All Ron could do was chuckle and nod. Then kiss her one more time.
"Ron..." She returned the kiss and then chased after another, "I really should go."
He hummed an affirmative just as he pulled her back into him. Smiling into this one, final, kiss as she started to laugh. "You better go."
Laney nodded, rolling her eyes a bit as she pushed away from him. "Y'know..." She backed towards the door, "It's only a five, maybe ten minute drive into town from here."
Ron wached her like a hawk as she backed away from him. Her pupils still dark and wide, her cheeks a pretty pink. He pursed his lips and nodded, "Good to know."
God help him and his unholy thoughts as he watched her wink and turn away from him to finally walk out of his office. He kept his eyes on her backside until all that remained was the sound of her heels clicking down the halls.
Mind spinning with the possibiliies he reached into his shirt pocket for his smokes and frowned when he came up empty handed. He swtiched and reached into his other pocket but no luck. He finally cracked a wide smile and laughed quietly to himself as he looked out the empty doorway. With a shake of his head he walked back around his desk and dropped into his chair, already formulating a plan to go steal them back.
~~~
Laney smiled up at him as soon as she opened the door. "Captain, odd seeing you here this late."
"Your friends downstairs think you're in some kind of trouble." Ron cocked his head at her, keeping up the charade of a disgruntled CO.
"Am I?" She leaned against the door and looked up at him expectantly. "Depends on if you used up all my smokes." He cracked a small smirk.
Laney stepped back, leaving the door open, and walked across her small hotel room to pick up a pack of cigarettes off the dressing table. She held them out at arms length and Speirs took the hint to come rest the way into the room.
He swung the door shut behind him and took the smokes from her. After a quick glance at the pack he looked back at her. "You didn't take any."
She shrugged, "Don't smoke."
Ron scoffed and tossed the pack back where she had grabbed it. Then he reached for the sleeve of her shirt. Tugging her closer as he looked her over.
She'd removed her jacket and tie, kicked off her heels and was walking around in stocking feet. Her hair was down too and Speirs realized he'd never seen it that way. It was a pretty auburn color and hung just past her shoulders.
Laney came easily when he pulled her to him, resting her hands on his torso as she stepped in close. Her voice was soft as she asked, "How long can you stay?"
His hands settled on her waist and pulled her the last little bit closer. "Awhile."
This time when he kissed her she stood up on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck. And this time he didn't have to stop.
~~~
Ron found he couldn't tell her no when she asked so sweet, voice soft and sleepy with her eyes fighting to stay open, for him to stay. She felt so good; naked and warm and relaxed as she lay beside him.
Laney had laid her head on his chest while he smoked a cigarette, her leg hooked over his and her fingers tangled in the chain of his dog tags.
He smiled when he felt her breathing get shallow and the unmistakeable twitches as she fought sleep. Ron switched his cigarette to the other hand and tipped her face up to his. His own eyes were growing heavy as he smiled at her softly, fondly. "I'll have to get up early."
She huffed out a snicker and pried her eyes open, "As long as you're quiet about it."
WIth a shake of his head Ron rolled his eyes and dropped his head back into the pillows, more relaxed than he'd been in too long. He took a long drag, hurrying to finish the last of the cigarette, "Oh you're waking up too, sweetheart,"
"No Sir." The humor in her voice was as thick as the exhaustion and the southern accent. "Not a chance."
Ron smiled around the end of his cigarette and let smoke roll out with his chuckle. He stretched one long arm out to snub it out in a dish on the table and tipped her face back to him as he settled into bed fully. "Darlin," He kissed her firmly and thouroughly and when he finished his sentence he did it a breath away from her lips, "If I wake up in bed with you I'm gonna have to have you again."
Ron kissed her again, before she could form a response and so it came out as a pleased little moan in the back of her throat. When he did pull away she was smiling, "I'll allow it."
God she made him smile. He had started to realize that, when it was just the two of them, he couldn't help himself. Especially now that they were kissing and falling into bed together. Speirs ran his fingers through her hair and cupped the back of her neck to kiss her once more, "Good night sweetheart."
Laney smiled into the kiss and her whole body seemed to melt, "Good night." She was asleep as soon as her head laid back on his chest and with a content sight Ron let his eyes fall closed and followed right behind her.
~~~
A few days later Laney was in a jeep with three other girls heading around the lake and up the hill to Batallion HQ. The hospital that had been set up was immediately flooded and was already low on supplies. They'd volunteered to make a run to batallion mostly just for an excuse to get out of the wards.
The nurse driving slowed down as they came to the guard gate. While the guard checked their papers Marge, the girl riding shotgun, pointed to a field ahead of them and off to the side. "Would ya look at that?" The guard let them through and they all looked where Marge was pointing.
Out in the field Easy Company was doing morning PT. Even from this distance Laney could recognize Ron standing at the front of the formation. As their jeep came closer they could hear him too.
Back in the jeep they had slowed to almost a crawl, all of the girls staring on with no shame. Marge spoke up, "Man what I'd give to be down there."
"Doing pushups?" the girl driving asked.
"No, on my back under one of those paratroopers." Marge joked, eyes still fixed on the company as they kept up their pushups.
"Jesus Christ Marge." Laney and the girl beside her both laughed.
Marge continued, "Have you seen some of these guys? I mean I can see their muscles from here."
Down on the field Speirs was yelling again. He had the men holding on an up and apparantly some of the replacements weren't performing up to his standards. From their spot on the road the nurses could see the backs of some of the men shifting, the strain of holding that position for too long too much on them.
Claire, usually one of the quieter ones, spoke up. "I'm half scared of him, but boy that Captain Speirs..." She didn't finish her thought beyond that.
Claire was a new addition to their unit, she hadn't been around for the early days when Speirs was more often covered in sweat, mud and blood. She only knew the clean cut, squared away Captain.
Up front Marge snorted, "I don't know what's got him in a mood today, but I tell you what, I'd let him yell at me like that all he wanted."
Laney laughed, "Marge you got somehin' wrong with you, y'know that right?" She knew it was the replacements that were grating on him. He had complained about them the night before. The newest of them had barely seen real combat and as far as he was concerned that meant they'd never be good enough. The training they'd received before shipping out was nowhere near enough and it showed.
"All I'm sayin' is, if he wanted to... he could." Marge winked at them all and left the rest up for interpretation.
Again Clare surprised them all a little, "I'd just be happy if he came in to get stitched up, even once. Just to see him with his shirt off."
She was glad none of them were looking at her when she had to bite her lip to keep from smiling. "You said the same thing about Nixon, and Major Winters."
"And Bull, and Lieutenant Lipton." Marge added on with a laugh. "But come on Elaine, you sayin' you wouldn't want to get some exercise with one of those strapping, young men?"
The jeep was moving again and Laney spared one more glance at Speirs, up on his feet again and giving orders. "I can't stand push-ups."
The girls all laughed and continued on towards the HQ. Laney thought to herself, still fighting back a smirk, she wasn't one to get overly crude or share gratuitous details with the girls, but there was a little part of her that would get some real enjoyment out of wiping that smirk off Marge's face.
Marge and Laney were two of the four nurses that still remained of their original unit and so they had known eachother since the beginning. They were good friends, but certainly had their differences. Marge had never hidden that she liked certain things about her men, and enjoyed certain activities in the bedroom other girls would balk at.
Laney knew this about her and one of these days she fully intended to ruin Marge's daydreams about Captain Ronald Speirs.
Her friend Marge had made poor Claire blush so red the other night Laney thougt they might have to get the poor girl a bag of ice and a rosary. Recounting a story of a rendevous she'd had with an RAF pilot that involved some ropeburns, plenty of bruises and if Laney were honest, if a man had said the things to her that pilot had said to Marge, well... she would have pistol whipped him. That was Marge though, she liked that kind of thing.
When Laney sat there in that jeep and thought about being with Ron the the last few weeks, especially the night before, she smirked.
He'd been waiting in her room for her when she'd come back from her last rounds of the night. She found him sitting in the chair by the window with his boots up on the sill and a cigarette in his hand. He hadn't even said anything when she came in, just watched her as she kicked off her heels and walked over towards him. WIth one last drag on his cigarette he tossed it out the window, then reached out for her waist and pulled her down onto his lap.
"Hey." She leaned down to kiss him. It was almost habit already.
His kissed her back and gave her hip a squeeze. Watching her as she immediately settled her weight into him and closed her eyes. "Tired?"
"Mhmm." was her only response.
Of his own accord Speirs began pulling the pins from her hair until he could comb his fingers through it. For such a violent and intimidating solider, with her he was a gentle man. Sure he'd given her a swat on the ass here and there if she talked back and he could certainly manhandle her around the bedroom, but he'd never hit her or hurt her, she knew that. They'd tease eachother, he'd whisper things in her ear that made her cheeks bloom red but he'd never disrespect her.
As she had sat there in his lap, his fingers combing out her hair Laney couldn't help the feeling that overtook her. The way he looked at her so intensely, so intently. He was a hard man, all muscle and backbone, no fear of death. He was a leader of hard men. An animal. A killer. Yet, as she leaned down to kiss him she had felt his hand so soft and careful at her cheek, his rough thumb stroking her delicate skin.
She was certain then and she was certain now, she was falling in love with Captain Ronald Speirs. The only reason that didn't scare the absolute hell out of her was because she was fairly certain he was falling in love with her too.
~~~
Laney lay in bed on her stomach, snuggled in blankets and her arms wrapped around the pillow where she rested her head. She was beyond comfortable and watched with a slight smile on her face as Ron reassembled the handgun he had just meticulously cleaned.
He sat on the couch across the small apartment from her, wearing only a pair of trousers he had pulled back on and his dog tags. His hair a dishevelled mess, a cigartte hung from his lips and smoke rolled out his nose as his steady and practiced hands moved through the pieces of his sidearm until it was whole again. Shiny, spotless and in perfect working order. He blew out a puff of smoke as he worked the slide back and forth a couple times, then squeezed the trigger and let it snap forward with finality. His thumb released the hammer before he set the .45 down on the table and grabbed the cigarette from his mouth to knock the ash off into a tray. "You're staring." His voice was soft and low and he grinned without looking her way.
Laney smiled wider and stretched slightly under the sheets. "You're fun to stare at."
Speirs snorted out a laugh as he reached for the rag and jar of polish also on the table. "Why don't you get some sleep sweetheart?" He prompted as he popped open the tin of polish and swiped the rag through it. Setting the tin down and picking up one of his boots.
"Mmmm, not all that tired yet." Finally Ron looked up at her, barely turning in her direction, with a hint of a smirk on his face, "Sayin' I didn't wear you out enough?"
Laney giggled and felt her cheeks flush. "Oh that's not what I'm sayin' at all." She bit her lip when Ron gave her a smile and a wink. "You just shine your boots and let me enjoy the view." He snorted out another chuckle and went to work polishing his boots while Laney burrowed in deeper and did just that.
She didn't think she'd ever get tired of seeing him like this. Half naked, skin still glowing with a sheen of sweat in the lamplight, scars and hard earned muscle on display certainly, but also relaxed, smiling, teasing. She also found she enjoyed when she got to watch him in his element, even when it was something as simple as getting himself squared away for the ceremony tomorrow.
"Ron?" Laney broke the silence a bit later.
"Hmm?" Was his only response. "You have any books to read?"
"Tired of the view already?" He poked at her as he worked a brush back and forth over the leather of a boot.
"No just askin' is all." She caught the look he gave her, a sideeyed smirk, and she bit her lip.
He had mentioned before how he liked that her southern accent got a little thicker when she was tired. Proof he had worn her out after all. Attention back on his boot Ron answered her, "Had a couple one of the boys loaned me, gave 'em to Lip the other day though."
Laney groaned a little disappointed.
"Just down the hall."
"I'm not gonna just knock on his door in the middle of the night." Laney scoffed.
"He's not there." Ron examined the boot carefully before going back to it, "Filling in at the checkpoint tonight." Laney stayed silent for awhile, weighing her options. "Just put some clothes on and go get one." Before she could respond Ron tossed his other boot at her, it bounced on the bed right in front of her and he grinned, "Either that or lend a hand."
She didn't see Ron stop what he was doing to watch her. Didn't see the way his eyes tracked her the second she was out from under the covers, as she walked to pick up the shirt draped over the back of a chair and then buttoned it as she padded to the door on bare feet. It wasn't until she was at the door that she stopped and caught him looking.
He gave her an easy smile for being caught out. "To the right, door across the hall."
She felt silly as she snuck the short way down the hall in nothing but a collared shirt. At the door she stopped and listened for a long moment. When she didn't hear anything she knocked softly and waited again. When there was still silence she twisted the doorknob and poked her head inside.
The room was dark so she had to flip the light on and a part of her still expected to accidentally wake up Lieutenant Lipton. That was not the case however and all she found was empty room and after some searching a small stack of books on a table by the bed. Carefully she picked one up and turned to head back out the door.
Only to be stopped dead in her tracks by the solider himself standing in the door. "Ma'am." For Liptons part he looked more embarrased the Laney did. His eyes darting everywhere but her.
"Lieutenant," Laney gave a smile and shuffled her feet, "Sorry to snoop, but..." She held up the book, "Tryin' to find somethin' to read."
Lip nodded meeting her eye finally, "Not a problem." He unslung his rifle and gestured to the stack of books, "To be honest with you though, the other one is better."
Laney chuckled at the awkwardness of it all and nodded, taking his advice she switched out the books and moved to sneak back out of the room. "Night Lip."
Behind her Lip smiled, "Night Elaine."
She lingered in the hall until she heard his door shut, and then she scurried across the hall and snuck back in to Ron's quarters. She barely had the door closed before she was laying into Speirs. "Why didn't you tell me he would be on his way back?"
Ron looked up, confused at first, and then chuckled. "Laney..."
"I'm glad you think it's funny!" She continued as she stalked across the rooms towards him, "I had to hide in the hall until I knew for sure he had his door closed. So, he didn't see what room I went back to!"
Still grinning Ron set his boot down on the floor and tossed the rag on the table. "Come here." He waved her over and she came, even though she was scowling. Once she was close enough he took her by the hips and pulled her down to straddle his lap. Ron held her there and gave her a kiss, "Baby," he gave her another kiss and then caught her eye, "Shirt you're wearin' still has my bars on the collar." He reached up to tug at the collar of his shirt for emphasis, unable to hold back his shit eating grin.
Laney turned bright red again. "Oh my God, wipe that stupid smirk off your face!" She smacked him in the chest, "I could literally kill you right now." She twisted her neck, first to look down at the bars in question and then to the shoulder to see for herself, the screaming eagle patch, the combination as good as a dead giveaway.
Ron just grinned and and pulled her to him for another kiss. "Looks good on you."
"I'm serious." She mumbled against his lips.
"So am I." He continued to kiss her, his hand at the collar slid up the side of her neck and carressed her there.
She relaxed a little, let herself sink further into him. When she pulled back her eyes were softer, but she still grumbled, "I'm mad at you."
Ron chuckled and dropped both hands back to her hips , "I know." He tugged her hips tighter against his own and kissed her slowly, "Someone must have relieved him early." With another soft, slow kiss he looked her in the eye, still with a smirk on his face and promised her, "Lipton won't say anything sweetheart."
Laney smacked him half-heartedly on the chest with the book. "Would you care if he did?"
Licking his lips he held her gaze, "Would you?"
He kissed her again, neither of them needing to answer the question outloud, before she laid down on the couch beside him, tucked her feet into his lap and picked up the book. Ron stroked a hand up her long, bare leg and watched her for a moment. Taking his turn to the enjoy the view, more than appreciating the sight of her in nothing but his shirt, captains bars and all.
"Boots aren't gonna polish themselves trooper." Laney admonished from behind her book, a smirk evident in her voice.
Speirs grinned and gave her calf a squueze before reaching for his boot and polish again.
That next morning when Laney woke up she was warm and comfortable in bed, light shining through the windows and Ron sitting next to her on the edge of the bed. He had his hand on her back to coax her awake. "Time to get up sweetheart" His voice was hoarse, like he hadn't got enough sleep.
Laney groaned and squinted against the sun. "What time is it?"
Ron repeated, "Time to get up." then gave her another shake.
She grumbled again, and wondered how late he had stayed up the night before. She didn't remember, but she must have fallen asleep on the couch. Which would mean Ron must have carried her to bed. That thought made her smile and she rolled over, stretching out her tired muscles and looking up at Ron.
He was freshly shaved and his hair was combed. His eyes still tired but his face looked soft, at ease. "You look good." Her half awake brain betrayed her and she let the words slip out aloud.
Ron smiled, breathed out a quiet chuckle, and leaned down to give her a quick kiss. "Sweet. You still gotta get up."
Laney chuckled a little at herself as she sat up with a groan. Her new position put them face to face and she smiled. "I'm up."
"Mhmm." His eyes looked her over before he kissed her again. With the last pass of his lips he reached up to the collar of his shirt she still wore and unpinned his insignia. "Need these." He stood up from the bed then and turned to go to the mirror.
"Here," Laney stopped him as she crawled out from under the covers. She took the pins from him and straightened his collar before she snapped them into place. FIrst his infantry insignia and then his captains bars. As she adjusted the bars Rons hands settled low on her hips, and then he slid them down to cup her ass with a smirk. Laney returned his smirk and looped her arms around his neck.
They stayed that way for a moment until Laney broke the silence. "Why'd you let me sleep so late?"
Ron pulled her closer, his eyes darted all over her face until he settled them on hers. "I like keepin' you here long as I can." When that made her smile he gave her one more kiss. "Get dressed. I'll call you a jeep up."
~~~
Laney sat at the end of the couch reading a book she'd got second or third hand from one of the girls. One hand kept the book balanced on the armrest while the other rested on Rons chest. Her palm tucked inside his partially unbuttoned shirt with her fingers stroking idly back and forth as she read.
Ron laid stretched out over the length of the sofa, his head in her lap and his eyes closed. He'd dozed off with a cigarette still smoking in the ashtray.
It wasn't even midnight yet when pounding on the door startled them both. "Captain!" Bang! Bang! Bang! "Captain Speirs Sir!"
Laney's heart thudded in her ears as Ron shot up from her lap, "Jesus Christ," He laid a hand on her thigh as he stood up, "Stay."
Ron got off the couch and strode to the front door. "What?"
"It's Grant Sir, he's been shot. It's real bad Sir."
"Fuck. Give me a minute."
"Sir!" "
What?"
"I think it was one of our own guys." Speirs swung the door closed and went to grab his jacket and cap.
"Ron, what's going on?" Laney had walked out to the entryway behind him and was watching Ron with wide eyes.
He grabbed his gun belt off the chair, "Someone's been shot. Stay here."
"Jesus...I'll come with you." Laney moved to grab her jacket but the tone of his voice stopped her cold.
"No."
"Ron, I can help. I should go."
"No!" Ron stopped her as he strapped on his gun belt, "I said stay here."
Laney shrunk slightly, but did not argue. This was Captain Speirs, not Ron, giving her an order "Okay."
Once Ron made it down to the jeep and saw Grant however, he changed his mind. He grabbed the private that had driven the jeep up, "Go get Laney. Now!"
"Laney, sir?"
With one hand holding the plasma bottle for Doc Roe he grabbed the private by the collar with the other, "Liutenant Walker. She's upstairs, in my quarters. Go get her, now!"
As soon as the private returned with Elaine in tow her mouth dropped open at the sight of the man now laid on a stretcher on the hood of a jeep, "What the hell happened?" Without waiting for an answer she jumped in to help Eugene.
"He been shot." The cajun deadpanned as he tried to start an IV.
"God...." Laney stared at the mangled side of the boys head for a moment before she grabbed for Roe's bag and dug for a bandage, She turned to Ron, "The surgeon, they're set up at the school in town."
WIth a short nod Ron hoisted her up onto the hood of the jeep and turned to the privates, "Find Talbert, tell him where we're going."
In town the men had carried Grant inside while Laney ran to find the surgeon. She had found him asleep at his desk with an empty bottle of schnapps still in his lap. Throwing rules and regulations out the window she all but drug him to the gymnasium.
Where she stood there and watched Ron hold his young Sargents hand. "Jesus,"
"What?" Ron looked up at the surgeon.
"He's not gonna make it." The surgeon mumbled around a cigarette.
Roe questioned, "You can't operate on him?"
"Not me, you'd need a brain surgeon." The doctor pinched the bridge of his nose already walking away, "Even then I don't think he stands a chance."
Laney stood beside Doc Roe and watched their faces fall, watched Ron clench and unclench his jaw. As the surgeon walked away she breathed deep and caught Rons eye, "Ron."
He looked up, eyes hard and jaw set, even as he still stroked a thumb back and forth over Grants unmoving hand.
"There's a hospital, a German hospital, in the next town. A real hospital."
~~~
Unsure what else to do, Laney had gone back to Rons room and waited. She sat in the dark, in a chair in the corner of the room, and stared out the window until she heard the door knob turn.
Rons eye's were cold and distant when he walked through the door. His frame rigid and his stride very much that of the stoic commander and not his somestimes causual swagger. His eyes jumped to her briefly but did not stay. He first shut the door behind him and turned the lock and then unbuckled his gunbelt to hang it on the hook.
Speirs did not speak as he walked over to the table beside her and grabbed a cigarette from the pack he had left there.
It was when he raised the lighter to the end of the cigarette that she noticed the red on his hand. "Ron, there's blood on your hand."
She reached out to grab his wrist but he carefully tugged it away from her. "Let me see."
"It's not mine." His voice was low and as cold as the look in his eyes.
"Grant?" She probed, looking down at her own hands briefly. She did not think the blood was his either.
Ron inhaled a deep drag off the cigarette and finally spared her a look, "Kraut doctor says he'll make it."
Her gaze slid back to the blood on his hand, "Did they find the guy?"
He did not answer right away. Instead he walked to the wash basin and scrubbed the blood from his hands, cigarette hanging from his lips the whole time. Ron didn't even bother drying his hands before he shrugged out of this jacket, tossed his cover on a table and unbuttoned the top buttons of his shirt. Finally, as he sat on the bed to unlace his boots, he paused and leaned his elbows on his knees. "Yeah." After a moment he resumed unlacing his boots, "We found him."
Laney watched, mesmerized as Rons hands flew through the laces. The steady, back and forth motion of him unlacing first one boot and then the other gave her something to focus on. Rather than think about the blood on his hands. Once his boots were off and tossed towards they're normal spot Ron leaned his elbows on his knees again and hung his head. "MPs have him."
She did not expect the wave of relief that poured over her. Laney stood up then and moved to stand in front of Ron. She carefully, with a featherlight touch, stroked a hand over his dissheveled hair. She couldn't describe how grateful she was that Ron had not done something to the man. As much as he certainly deserved it. There was no doubt in her mind that Ron would murder the man for what he had done to Grant. The problem was they weren't on the front now, something like that couldn't just be written off as a tall tale anymore.
Ron hummed slightly at her touch and so she thredded her fingers through his hair and combed it back from his face. After the third or fourth pass he sat up straight and with one last, long drag he pulled the cigarette out of his lips. He tipped his head back to look up at her and with the hand not holding the cigarette he pulled Laney closer.
Unsure what else to do she combed her fingers through Ron's hair one more time and spoke softly. "Should try to get some rest."
His eyes closed briefly as her fingers passed through his hair and then he opened them again and nodded. He said nothing as he stood up. He moved to step away from the bed and Laney but he stopped, his hand still on her hip, and leaned down to press a kiss to her temple.
Later, in the early morning hours, once Laney had finally fallen asleep, Ron laid in bed and smoked the rest of his pack of cigarettes. The whole time he had stared at the far wall, seeing nothing, and stroking his free hand over Laney's bare shoulder.
~~~
"How come you've never asked?" Ron interrupted the silence one evening, letting smoke roll out through his nose as they lay in bed together.
"Asked what?" She had to tilt her head up to look at him from where she lay on his chest. Her thumb absentmindedly stroking a scar low on his hip from a machine gun round he'd caught while still a platoon leader with Dog Company. His second purple heart.
He looked down at Laney, eyes soft behind the hair hanging down over his brow. "If the stories are true."
Laney put her head back where it had been, her ear resting over his steady beating heart. "Well," She started out, "The way I see it, you shooting one of your guys is...unlikely, the Germans though. I figure that's probably true, whatever number it actually was."
His hand strocked up and down her back once before he settled it low on her hip where it had started. "That's it?"
She pushed herself up on one elbow so she could look him in the eye. "Am I wrong?"
Ron took another drag on his cigarette and turned his head to the side to exhale the smoke away from her. When he met her eyes again he reached up and swept a strand of hair out of her face. "What would you think of me if it was true?"
Laney plucked the cigarette from his lips and leaned across him to put it out in the bowl he'd been using as an ashtray. Though his hand smoothed over her bare back as she did so he looked less than pleased when she settled back next to him which just made her grin. "Little late to ask that now, don't ya think?" She leaned down to kiss him but pulled back before they could get carried away again.
They'd been in Austria long enough now Speirs was getting used to having a warm bed to sleep in everynight and a beautiful woman to share it with. There'd been plenty of times during their time on the line and then travelling through Germany when he'd wondered why she never seemed uncomfortable around him when so many others did.
These last few weeks when they'd been spending more time together, getting closer, sleeping together, the thought had been nagging at him more. "Kept expecting you to bring it up." He sat up a little further against the headboard, reached up to push some hair behind her ear and pulled her down to kiss him again, a little longer this time.
With a deep breath Laney licked her top lip and made certain he was looking her in the eye. "Ron," She paused to kiss him again, "You smoke like a chimney, you're a kleptomaniac,"
Ron snorted, "Kleptomaniac."
"You enjoy terrifying people, a little too much if we're being honest, you have no sense of self-preservation," She paused and tipped his chin back towards her as he had tipped it up and away to stare at the ceiling. Once he was looking at her again she added one final thing, "and you have this tiny little scar on your face right here." She poked at it, teasing, "But that's kinda growing on me."
His eyes were hard when he arched his brow at her, waiting for her to make her point, but the hand on the small of her back was still gentle as he stroked it up and down the base of her spine.
"These are all things about you that bother me."
Ron rolled his eyes again and shook his head.
"The fact that you are a soldier that has to do things, that has to follow and give orders, that I... and people like me could never imagine living with... that will never bother me. Doing what you had to do to survive this thing and to be a good solider, that will never bother me."
He didn't say anything at first. Just held her gaze intently. When he did speak it was under his breath, "Kleptomaniac." Followed by a snort of derision which just made Laney giggle as she settled back against his chest.
"That's the one that got you?" She toyed with his dog tags as she chuckled to herself.
With one arm wrapped around her waist to hold her firm he responded, "If it bothers you why don't you give it all back?" He pinched her side, taking the opportunity to tease her back. Ron knew good and well she had a stash in her foot locker of the trinkets he'd been acquiring for her. Including the silver comb wrapped safely in a silk scarf.
Raising up again to look him in the eye she feigned outrage, "Now Sparky, there's no need to be drastic."
"Oh," Ron nodded dramatically at the drop of the nickname, "I see how it is." He cracked a smirk and flipped her over onto her back and kissed her while she laughed. "Well, for the record..." He waited for her to focus up, "You snore."
Her eyes flew wide, "I do not!" She shoved at his chest and shoulders, his laughter only stoking her irritation.
His muscle and bodyweight was no match for hers and so he continued to keep her pinned down, one hand keeping her hands at bay. "You do too, sweetheart. Mouth open and everything."
Laney struggled to get a hand free or any sort of leverage to push him off of her, even as Ron began kissing from her collar bone, up her neck to her ear. She had calmed down quite a bit by the time he sucked her earlobe into his mouth. When he heard her let out a soft sigh he kissed behind her ear and whisperd, "But that's ok, it's kind of growing on me."
She was giggling again and as soon as he released her hands they were on his back and pulling him closer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This time when she woke up the sun was peaking through the windows and Ron was still in bed with her. He'd fallen asleep with his arms around her and had kept her pulled close the rest of the night.
Laney could barely remember ever sleeping so good as she had the last month or so. Whether she came up to the house he and a few other officers had commendeared or Ron snuck off to the hotel in town where her and the other doctors and nurses were staying. Nobody that knew batted an eye anymore. It all felt a little surreal if she thought about it too much. Where they were, how they'd come to be here and what had brought them together. Something else she tried not to think about was what would happen when the 101st got shipped off to the Pacific and Ron would leave. Part of her sometimes feared that would be the end of this.
"I can hear you thinking." Rons voice was rough and gravelly. It often was when he first woke up. Too many cigarettes.
Laney scoffed and closed her eyes, pushing back into him and snuggling as close as she could before he'd have to get up for the day.
Behind her Ron coughed and then twisted her around until she was draped over his chest, her leg hooked over his waist and his hand stroking her thigh. "What's on your mind?"
For a long moment Laney didn't answer him. Ron just held her close and continued to play with her hair.
After she took a deep breath Laney shuffled up a little higher so her face was burrowed against his neck. The stubble on his jaw scratching pleasently against her temple. "You're going to stay in the Army aren't you?"
Ron took a deep breath of his own and when he answered his voice was stil rough, his lips brushing against the hair at the crown of her head. "Yeah." He nodded and then dropped a kiss there. When she didn't repond further, Speirs added. "That's what you're thinkin' about."
It wasn't a question and so she didn't say anything.
"Sweetheart, look at me a second." Ron kissed the top of her head again before tipping her chin up to look at him. "It's where I belong."
Laney was annoyed that her eyes were burning and she had to fight back the tears, "I know." She closed her eyes, trying not to embarass herself.
"Will you wait that long?" HIs voice was almost a whisper and Ron didn't even try to make her look at him.
Her eyes snapped open though as she twisted her head to look at him, confused.
"Until I get back from Japan?" His expression was unreadable and he continued on in her stupified silence. "I'd prefer to buy you a ring, do the church, class As, white gown and all that." His lips twitched but he fought it and kept going, "If you don't wanna wait I understand. We can always find a chaplain. I'm sure I can find a ring that'll fit but I figure you'll give me hell if I steal our wedding rings."
"What the hell are you talking about?" It came out much more aggressive than she meant but Laney was sitting up now wideeyed and staring at Speirs like he was delusional.
Licking his lips all he could do was smile, pry his eyes away from her exposed breasts as he sat up and leaned back against the headboad. The sheets pooled in his lap. His smile grew a touch wider when he watched her eyes dart from his face to the spot where his dogtags hung against his chest, then lower and then back. Once she was looking at him he clarifed, "Would you rather get married now, before Easy ships out to the Pacific or do you want to wait until I'm back? Do everything the right way?"
Laney could not stop staring at him blankly. This was not how she imagined this conversation going. "Don't you think you should be asking a different question first, Captain?"
Ron knew the title was a dig, payback for the trouble he was putting her through.
"Oh no, I already know the answer to that question sweetheart."
He looked so smug she wanted to smack him across the face. But as she sat there in bed glaring at him his words sank in, really sank in. Once she started to smile she couldn't stop it. Even as she shoved her finger in his face, "Ronald Speirs, if you steal me a wedding ring I will kill you. Do you understand me?"
Breaking out in laughter Ron reached for her and pulled her so that she straddled his lap. "Understood." He pulled her in for a kiss. Keeping her there until his hands on her hips coulld pull her tight and close. His chuckle was almost a growl when she rocked her hips against him once only for her to slip away and shake her head at him.
"No sir," She crawled off his lap, batted his hands away as she tugged the covers up around her, "You're still in the army so no funny business, you have to get up and report to PT." She pushed and shoved him out of the bed with laughter and a smile on her face ear to ear.
Accepting his fate Ron stopped at the edge of the bed and leaned over her. "Laney,"
Her smile softened as she looked up at him, eyes darting to the side as he twined his fingers through hers.
"I love you and I am going to marry you."
~~~The End~~~
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siren-meets · 3 months
Text
Your Braids Like a Pattern (BoB OFC One-Shot)
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Nora Price doesn’t want to admit that her deteriorating hair in the Ardennes is bothering her. Luz and the boys offer some much-needed TLC.
Word count: 1820
Warnings: None! Platonic unless you squint ;)
A/N: My best friend finally joined the BoB fandom, and she dragged me back with her head-first. Thanks @indigo-graves! Check out her writing, too!
Nora knew that her hair was ruined. She knew it when her French braid had turned into an indiscernible mass of frizz. She knew it when the braid got wet and shrank into a sopping bird’s nest, which then turned into a dry and brittle bird’s nest. She knew it when Luz and Lipton’s eyes flitted upwards whenever she took her helmet off.
Lipton had tried to say something— in his own way. Take care of yourself. Why don’t you visit Nixon and Winters’ tent? They’ve got more amenities over there.
He and Luz— her foxhole mates— had been whispering about her for days now, and she had a feeling it wasn’t just about her hair. She had been brushing off the men’s concerns left and right. She was sleeping in a foxhole. She’d be damned if she was the one worried about her hair. She was fine.
Then, the wrong man had made the wrong comment on the wrong day.
It was midday, and the men had all congregated near a low fire where Malarkey had whipped up a pot of beans to distribute for lunch. Nora had spent the day making house calls to different foxholes to check that the men were changing and airing out their socks in a rotation that would prevent trench foot.
“Here, Nora,” Guarnere greeted, handing her the tin cup of beans that he had just received from Malarkey. She nodded her thanks as he grabbed another for himself. Babe came up next to her, a pair of socks slung over his shoulder.
“I can’t tell if these are drying or just freezing,” he said, gesturing to the socks.
“As long as they aren’t on your feet…” Nora murmured around a mouthful of beans. “You could get them away from my food though.”
She said it with a tired but teasing tone, taking a step away from the younger man, and he scoffed. “Yeah, better step back anyway— I wouldn’t want your hair to start eating me.”
Nora’s posture tensed as she became suddenly very aware of herself. The men nearest them had gone quiet, noticing the change in her demeanor, and after taking a few more bites of her beans, she handed the tin cup off to Malarkey.
“I’ll be in my foxhole if anyone needs me — gonna try and catch some shut-eye in case there’s any shelling tonight.”
She excused herself and Luz, who had been happily chatting with Muck and Penkala, groaned.
“Jesus, Babe!” He griped. “You had to bring up the hair?”
“What?” Babe said, his eyes wide as he looked around at the disapproving faces of his companions. “She ribbed me, and I ribbed her back.”
He was met with a chorus of chiding from the other men as Luz went after Nora.
When Luz arrived at the foxhole, Nora was attempting to yank a comb through her matted locks.
“Woah, easy there,” he said, dropping into the hole next to her. She grunted with frustration as she tried to remove the lodged comb; her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“Hey, Babe didn’t mean anything by that, you know,” he said, grimacing as he watched her.
“I know,” she said between greeted teeth. “I don’t care. It’s just hair.”
“Yeah,” Luz agreed, despite the fact that she very clearly did care.
She struggled with the mess for another minute before finally freeing the comb and taking in its broken teeth. Her face began to crumple, and Luz tensed.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“I’m gonna have to cut it all off,” she said. Her voice had the tiniest waver to it, though he knew she was trying her hardest to hide it.
“What?” He scoffed. “You’re crazy! No one’s cutting it off.”
He gestured for her to turn her back to him, and he got on his knees behind her, assessing the damage. He was glad she couldn’t see his face. He prodded at it a bit. “This is—yeah, we can work with this.”
He held a beckoning hand over her shoulder, and she reluctantly surrendered the comb to him. “You think so?”
“Oh, absolutely,” Luz said as he started picking at the mass with the comb’s remaining teeth. “We’ll get you sorted.”
“Thanks,” Nora replied, and he felt a pang in his chest when her voice came out small. “I know it’s stupid…”
“It’s not stupid,” said Luz. “What’s stupid is this comb.”
The two were quiet for a long while as Luz worked through the knots. He hoped he wasn’t doing more damage than help.
“Maybe I should just cut it off,” Nora whispered. “Braiding it to keep it out of the way is what got me into this mess.”
“Nope,” said Luz. “I promised that not a hair on your head would be harmed on my watch, and that includes…well, your hair.”
Nora laughed and sniffled. Her shoulders had relaxed considerably since he started. “How’s it going back there?”
Luz sat back on his heels to survey his work. “I think we’re gonna have to take it in stages.”
Three hours later, they were starting to see some progress, but not nearly as much as Luz had led Nora to hope. When his arms grew tired, Lipton, who had returned to the foxhole, took a shift with the new comb he had sourced.
Nora’s scalp was starting to feel tender, and she made a point not to look at the comb to make note of how much hair was coming out.
“It’s only because your hair’s so thick,” Luz assured her. “That’s a good thing.”
Nora winced as he pulled as a particularly difficult tangle at the top of the matted section. Joe Toye, who was passing by their foxhole on the way to watch the line with his rifle slung over his shoulder, made eye contact and tipped his chin in acknowledgement. Nora waved, cringing when she felt a particularly taut hair release from her scalp.
Toye slowed, lingering near the hole for a few moments wordlessly as he watched Luz work.
“Everything okay?” Nora asked, wondering if he needed medical attention. He glanced in the direction of the front line and back as if debating with himself. His tongue was pushed into his cheek in that perpetual expression of frustration he wore.
“Luz, the Germans would be gentler than that,” He groused.
“Hey, what do you want from me?” Luz said between clenched teeth as he placed the comb in his mouth and attempted to work the knot between his fingers instead. “I’m tryin’ here.”
“You gotta start at the bottom,” Toye said. Luz’s movements paused as he processed the instruction.
“Brush up?” He said. “How does that make sense, Joe?”
“No, you gotta—” Toye growled, glancing around before taking his rifle off his shoulder and propping it in the side of the foxhole. “Move over.”
Luz ceded to the man, moving to sit on the edge of the foxhole. Toye knelt behind Nora and took the comb from Luz with a glare. He started at the bottom of the matted section, picking at it in short, downward movements. “You still comb down, you just do it like this and work your way up.”
The relief was almost instantaneous, though Nora didn’t say anything out of respect for the comfort Luz had been trying to offer. Toye continued to work gently at her hair, and when Lipton returned to the foxhole to see that progress was finally being made, he offered to take Toye’s spot on the line while he worked.
After Nora’s original panic had passed, she continued to feel self-conscious about the attention that was being paid to her problem. She had dreaded the other men teasing her friends for “doing her hair,” even in good fun, but the company seemed to be united in sympathy for her struggle. That, and she suspected Toye’s eyes were daring them to say something.
Even Nixon and Winters came in to check on their progress when they heard about the effort. Nixon crouched in front of Nora and pulled out a bottle of hair tonic. “I don’t know if it’ll help with the detangling, but it should help with some of the damage.”
She thanked the Captain profusely as Luz took the bottle and began dousing her hair in it. Toye and Luz bickered over her head about the best way to distribute it into the matted section. When Toye needed to head back to the line, Luz took up his post again with a much gentler touch now that he had been shown some technique. Toye had uncomfortably brushed off her heartfelt thanks, and she made a mental note to source a pack of cigarettes for him instead.
It wasn’t long before Babe came along with his tail tucked between his legs. “Hey, Nora,” He said with a nervous chuckle. “Lookin’ good!”
“Relax, Heffron,” she said. “I’m not mad.”
His relief was palpable. “Oh, phew! Cause, you know I didn’t mean it. I was just razzing you.”
“I know,” said Nora.
“If you’re really sorry, why don’t you grab a comb,” Luz said, gesturing to the extra that Lipton had left laying on his pack. Babe did just that, plopping down next to Luz. The three of them chatted and laughed as the two men continued to chisel away at the loosening mass, and Nora, for the first time in weeks, felt more like herself.
After eight hours and several rotating shifts, Luz shoved at Nora’s back. Nora, who had been drifting to sleep sitting up, pitched forward and turned to look at him. “What? Shelling?”
“No, not shelling,” Luz said, smiling. “Watch this.”
He pulled her closer again and placed his comb at the crown of her head, dragging it from root to tip with no resistance. His face was open and anticipatory as he watched for her reaction.
Nora reached back to run her hand over the hair, gasping at how silky it felt. She had anticipated much worse for the end result. She laughed, her eyes tearing up with unshed tears of relief. “Luz, you’re my hero.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know,” he said, waving a dismissive hand despite the proud glow on his face.
“I’m serious,” she said, refusing to let him brush this off. “I don’t know what I would do out here without you.”
“Yeah, well,” he said, swallowing. He glanced again at her hair, which she had now pulled over her shoulder to run her fingers through, and then back at her face. She could tell by the look on his face that he wanted to say something serious, but true to his nature, he landed on a joke instead. “Want me to braid it for you now?”
She shoved his shoulders, fighting a smile as she watched him throw his head back in laughter. “Alright, too soon. How about you just leave that down? It’s cold out here.”
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rogue-durin-16 · 1 year
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This is a fun idea that I’ve had rolling in my head for a while, but you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to! What if the reader likes to draw, so obviously, when surrounded by those snackable men in East company, she draws them! She puts little notes next to the faces (ex. Thinks he’s gods gift to women, or sweetest man alive), and maybe how some of the Easy boys would react to flipping through the sketchbooks and seeing the notes? With Toye, Luz, Bull, and Shifty?
A/N: I drew them for no reason. In like half an hour. I am so stupid somebody sedate me. Btw I actually read this when you sent it and thought omg I love it, and then completely forgot it existed. Enjoy these super delayed headcanons? <3
Warnings: none
JOE TOYE
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"Hey, whatchu got there?"
Bad start.
You halfheartedly let him flip through the pages and this man's slack jawed.
Keep in mind that, while Joe knows you sketch in your free time, he has no idea you sketch them.
Double shock when he gets to his face.
Doesn't process the silly notes at first because something's not clicking.
You drew him. Him. Out of- him?
Tries his best not to blush
Genuinely doesn't know how to react
AND THEN HE SEES THE NOTES
This man cannot hold back a little smile of endearment when he reads 'toughest motherfucker' because that's a big ass compliment.
Specially considering he thinks he's a dud.
'an actual sweetheart' this man choked on his own words. A SWEETHEART. HIM. A-
"Do you... Like it or...?"
"It's— yeah no, I-I love it. They're really good huh..." Tries to act cool while he hands it back.
He can't look at you in the eye for a hot minute because you made his brain shortcircuit with a quick sketch.
Tough and a sweetheart. No one had ever called him a sweetheart.
Toye knows he's got a soft side to him, but it's buried so deep he never thought someone would notice.
Bot you did, and it keeps him up at night for months I'm not even kidding.
GEORGE LUZ
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George is bored. He's very vocal about it.
You don't care. You're very vocal about it too.
Well too bad because Luz wants attention so he's going to annoy you until he gets some.
Verbal vexation doesn't work because you're currently focused on sketching Malarkey, so he switches to plan B; snatching the sketchbook away from you.
Immediately teases you about drawing Don while you chase him through the house you're billeted in.
Flips through the pages without actually seeing shit because initially he just wanted your attention and he got it.
But then he catches a glimpse of his face and sudden he's actually interested.
A boyish grin lights up his gaze.
He's way too happy about a damn sketch and he knows it but he can't help it.
You drew him and he looks handsome. He has never thought of himself as handsome but apparently you did.
Shoves you away to read the notes.
'Easy's source of joy'. THE REASSURANCE HE FEELS-
He snickers at the 'human lucky charm.
Then his head snaps at you in disbelief.
"SHORT?!" He's FLABBERGASTED. It's your turn to laugh.
Also run because George is so chasing you.
He's not sure what he's gonna do when he gets you. Probably hit you with the goddamn sketchbook. Probably kiss you idk he'll see.
BULL RANDLEMAN
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Bull knows you sketch them for fun.
He's caught a glimpse of a couple of drawings here and there but never said anything, not even to you.
But now you two are sitting by each other's side at a bar in silence and he's adamant about making a conversation with you.
He bumps your arm, tilts his chin at you and then at the sketchbook peeping from your bag.
"Can I see 'em?"
How are you gonna say no to this absolute darling? To be fair you forgot about the little notes on his drawing.
He nonchalantly flips the pages, occasionally nodding and making quiet comments.
"You got talent, Y/n/n."
He's got the book wide open so you can see what he's seeing. And you see his drawing. And the notes.
Bull's heart swells at the sketch. It shouldn't surprise him— the fact that he's got his own page, but it does.
He reads the first note and the corner of his lip twists up. HE READS THE SECOND NOTE AND SNORTS.
He quirks a brow at you. "Anything you wanna tell me?"
You're mortified. He assures you he's completely kidding. Congratulates you on the drawings. Gives it back and watch your every move.
Husband material huh?
SHIFTY POWERS
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Shifty makes eye contact with you while you're sketching him. Thrice.
First time you give him a mortified smile and he doesn't get why, but he returns it.
Second time he knows something's up. He sees the sketchbook.
Third time he walks up to you.
You attempt to uhm pretty much run away because you just finished so there's no need to stick around anymore.
He cuts through and get to you before you can leave.
"What were you drawing?" He asks, but he means 'were you drawing me?'
You show him and his eyes light up with joy.
He struggles with words but his visage is a very telling sign that he actually loves it.
He goes through everybody's sketch and asks if you were gonna add any notes to his.
The fact that he seems so excited about it dims your embarrassment and gives you a little bit of courage.
So you take back the sketchbook and scribble the notes before giving it back.
HE LOOKS EVEN HAPPIER.
'certified guardian angel' HELL YES, HE'LL KEEP YOU SAFE ANY DAY.
'lovely but deadly' he wants to kiss you. Much like Toye, he's not used to people seeing both parts of him, but... You do?
"Could I... Maybe... Keep it?"
You're surprised no one else has asked for the drawing. Maybe they assumed you wouldn't give it away.
Shifty's eyes widen momentarily when you rip the page and hand it to him.
He'll cherish the sketch forever.
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Tags:
Band Of Brothers: @francois-ceverts @chubbypotatoepie @tvserie-s-world
Permanent taglist: @elia-the-bibliophile @randomparanoid @karlthecat15722 @thebutchersdaughtersblog @amourtentiaa @comfort-reads
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mrs-murder-daddy · 6 months
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This is my entry in the HBOWarDaily's Short Story Exchange! This is written for the wonderful @rosemarynightmares-art
A/N: I tried to make it vague about where in Europe the reader is from but she is in England for some reason. Why? Who knows? Also this title has nothing to do with the fic I just like the sound of it
TW: Brief mentions of sexual harassment committed against Chuck but it's not graphic or explicit, outdated ideas about masculinity and unwanted sexual advances
I Should've Known It Was Strange You Only Come Out at Night
Chuck Grant x Reader
It's a cold night in Aldbourne, the perfect night to be rugged up in your nice warm bed. Instead you're out celebrating with friends. Betty had scored a date with a handsome American soldier and naturally the rest of your friends thought it was a reason for celebration.
The pub was packed, half of the patrons were the American soldiers and the other half were young people from Aldbourne (and surrounding villages), eager to catch a peak at them. Your friends quickly began their drinking, never without a pint. You decided to pace yourself, ready to keep an eye on them.
When Betty nearly fell out of her chair on her way to get another round, you suggested she accompany you to the bathroom. You helped splash her face and fix her hair. Then you made your way back out. You did a little head count, making sure no little sheep got lost.
You only counted four. There was a fifth, where was the fifth? You sat Betty down at the table and asked the girls to look after each other while you found your fifth. You strained to look through the crowd, the loud hubbub of conversation distracting you. Then you spotted her. Her red hair wasn't hard to miss, it matched Betty's so sweetly.
Clara was not your friend really, she was Betty's little sister who 'just had to come see the men' with you all. She was freshly 18 and a very naive 18 at that. You waded through the crowd to grab her attention when you noticed something off. She had cornered a man, a very handsome man.
She had him backed against a booth seat and her hand was placed rather high on his leg. His face was nothing short of discomfort.
You didn't mean to be quite so violent but you pulled her arm hard to get her away.
"Clara! What do you think you're doing?" You shouted and pushed her not-so-gently back towards your table. You turned to the man and asked, "Are you alright?"
He seemed to snap out of some distant expression and turned on the charm. "Better now you're here."
You saw through it though, "I won't make excuses for her but I do feel I should apologise for her behaviour."
The soldier sniffed and tried to shrug it off, "Nah it's flattering to get that kind of attention."
You decided to let it go, but continued, pointing over your shoulder, "Look I have to herd them all home but if you wanted me to walk with you too, or come back here and check in with you I can."
He got a strange little smile on his face. "I think I'd like that."
You did exactly as you said, coming back to find the man nursing another beer.
He smiled up at you gently as if he didn't expect you to follow through.
"You know you can tell me honestly, are you okay? What Clara did isn't right."
He looked into his pint glass as if it had the answers but instead he found nothing. He just shook his head.
You nodded in understanding and instead held your hand out to shake his. You gave him your name and he gave his.
Chuck Grant. Well it certainly sounded like an American name.
"Hey do you wanna get out of here?" He said suddenly.
"Uh, I'm not sure that's a good idea after… you know…"
Chuck laughed a little too loud and clarified. "No I meant just for a walk or something, it's too loud in here."
You weren't sure why but you agreed. He offered his arm for you to link up and led you outside, ignoring the whistles and catcalls.
While you walked, you spoke about many things. Life back home, what you'd be doing if it weren't for the war, and what you hoped life would be like after. About ten minutes in, you began to shiver. It was much colder than you expected.
Chuck stopped and began to shuck off his jacket, ready to offer it to you. You protested immediately and offered shyly if you could share it.
He smiled and held his arm up for you to tuck under. You looked for confirmation before wrapping your arm around his waist.
The walk back to your sharehouse was one of warm conversation, both literally and figuratively. You were tucked into a handsome man's coat and he… well he had the prettiest girl in Europe under his arm.
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mlmxreader · 7 months
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Cleaning Up | Eugene Roe x m!reader
@satan-incarnate-666 asked: “You do make me laugh” same as above
summary: it's been so long, and he's constantly been on your mind, but at least you end up finding him again.
tws: nudity (nonsexual), swearing, mentions of blood and excrement, smoking
support your fanfic writers by reblogging what you read & enjoy
Roe was always on your mind; you could never forget his face or his voice or the way he smelled. Every town and every derelict village you and your regiment passed through, there was always something that made you think of him.
You wrote to him every day, always detailing what had reminded him of you and how; you never expected him to reply, but you sometimes got a response from him. Every night, you could still feel his arms around you, holding you tightly the way he used to when you were at base; even when you  were sweating and you were too hot to sleep, you could still feel him holding onto you.
With each passing day, with each village and town you passed through, you could feel him getting closer; by the time you arrived at the camp that Easy Company had made, you were more than excited.
The second you heard his voice, you perked up, and ran off without saying a single word; dropping your pack on the way, letting your rifle clatter to the ground, tossing your helmet to the floor before you crashed right into him, howling his name and hugging him tightly.
Roe couldn’t help it, laughing softly as he held onto you and did his best not to cry; he didn’t think he would ever see you again, he didn’t think he would ever feel you hold him again.
Even if he did dream of it every night, and even if he could have sworn that you kept coming into his dreams and telling him that you wouldn’t be long, you would see him again. He had gotten every letter that you had sent, although they arrived days apart.
He wanted to cry, so fucking happy and so fucking relieved to see you again that he couldn’t cope with it.
Overwhelmed so terribly that all he could do was cling onto you, the fabric of your shirt bunched up into his hands at the back of your shoulders; he pressed his face against the side of your neck, not caring that your sweat dripped onto him and stained his skin.
He was just too fucking happy to see you again, to know that you were alive and that his dreams had all come true - you had come back, you had found him.
Amongst everything else, you had fucking found him again. 
You pulled away, cupping his face in your hands as you grinned, using your pads of your thumbs to wipe away the tears he didn’t realise he had shed. “Oh, Eugene…”
“Hi,” he whispered. “You, uh, you look good.”
You shook your head, licking your lips as you dared to laugh softly. “Are you joking? I stink, I’m greasy and dirty and sweaty. I’m gross and sticky.”
“Still,” Roe murmured, shaking his head. “You look good.”
“You look better,” you told him, daring to kiss his cheek. “Did you get my letters?”
He nodded. “Every single one. I couldn’t reply.”
“You got them, though,” you whispered. “That’s what matters - and you didn’t write me a Dear John, either.”
Roe shook his head, looking almost offended that you would ever think he would do such a thing. “Never.”
“I missed you,” you breathed out, gently tracing his jaw. “I really did.”
He smiled, putting his arm around your shoulders. “There’s a river nearby… if you’re wounded, I can look at it.”
You didn’t need to say anything as you let him take you there; it was through some woodland nearby, just a short walk from the camp. No one would go looking for you, everyone had seen your reaction to seeing Roe again. It was obvious that you had simply gone off with him again, so no one batted an eye.
But while you stripped off and practically dived into the murky olive waters, Roe sat on the bank, guarding your clothes as he smoked a cigarette and watched you; he couldn’t help but to laugh when you gasped loudly at how cold the water was.
“You do make me laugh,” he said fondly. He had missed that, the way you made him laugh.
“It’s fucking cold!” You howled. “Freezing!”
“I’m not joining you,” Roe told you, shaking his head.
But you flashed him a pleading look, and he couldn’t resist it, flicking his cigarette aside before stripping down and folding his things beside yours. He didn’t notice that his boots had fallen slightly, leaning on yours; he thought you were joking about the water until he got waist deep, flinching and jumping slightly as he shivered. 
“What was that about not joining me?” You joked with a raised brow. 
Roe scoffed, shaking his head as he ducked his head under the olive waters; he scrubbed out a little bit of dirt from his hair, and brought his head back up. He wasn’t expecting it when you kissed him softly, but he didn’t mind either. 
“Shut up,” he said softly, stealing another short kiss. “I missed you.”
“I missed you, too,” you told him softly. “I wish we’d have met when I wasn’t so fucking gross and sweaty.”
Roe shrugged, shaking his head as he dared to laugh softly. “You’re the cleanest guy I’ve seen in weeks, and you’re not bleeding all over me so… I don’t mind it.”
It was true, in the time that you had been apart, Roe had seen so much worse than you; soldiers with limbs hanging off, their jaws only just clinging on by threads of thin flesh. He had seen soldiers bleed out, staining his uniform; he had seen soldiers coated in thick mud as well as their own guts.
Soldiers caked in shit where they had fallen into pits dug out for it. Soldiers coated in thick clay and mud for days on end when there was no water sources to bathe in and no soap. He had seen and smelled so much worse.
By his standards, you were pretty clean, so he didn’t really mind.
Besides, he was just happy to see you again. Sweating and dirty or not. 
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mylastresortiswriting · 6 months
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"Youngblood"
Eugene Roe x femReader
Hey @softguarnere, I was the person to write the short story for you.
I have to admit it was quite a challenge, but a fun one as it would turn out.
It is my first time writing something like this, so I hope you like it :)
PS: I am sorry, but it is a bit longer than 1,000 words, not including the song text.
PPS: If there are any mistakes, then please correct me, it is late night/really early morning right now for me and I had quite some trouble to coordinate everything here on Tumblr.
Warnings: mentions of past bullying
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Remember the words you told me, "Love me 'til the day I die"
You know him since Middle School, he was the new kid, who came to your school.
Surrender my everything 'cause you made me believe you're mine
From the beginning on you disliked him, maybe even hated him, for something he is not to blame, but you only realize that a few years later.
Yeah, you used to call me baby, now, you're calling me by name (mmm)
You always seemed to notice him when no one else did, but you never realized why, certainly not because you were interested in him or so you thought.
Takes one to know one, yeah, you beat me at my own damn game
The reasons why you disliked him for almost all of Middle School were silly as you would realize later on.
You push and you push and I'm pulling away
Pulling away from you
He was bullied by three other kids from your grade and the rest, including you as well as the teachers, never stood up for him and simply ignored it.
I give and I give and I give and you take
Give and you take
The boy himself never stood up or said anything, trying to ignore it as best as he can, which was basically the reason why you hated him, silly and unreasonable as you now know.
Youngblood
Say you want me, say you want me out of your life
Once you got into High School you realized that the bullying stopped, since the three teenager went to another school, and that he actually slowly starts to talk to the others, but mostly only to the people he didn't know from Middle School.
Then I'm just a dead man walking tonight
But you need it, yeah, you need it all of the time
And around that time you look at him more and more until you are hit with the realization that you have a crush on him.
Yeah, ooh, ooh, ooh
Youngblood
Somehow you managed to befriend him and apologize as well and not much later you get together.
Say you want me, say you want me back in your life
Everything went well until it didn't.
~
So I'm just a dead man crawling tonight
'Cause I need it, yeah, I need it all of the time
Yeah, ooh, ooh, ooh
"[Y/N], is everything okay?", Bill, one of your best friends since Elementary School, asks, pulling you out of her thoughts,"You have been really silent today, that is quite unusual. Did something happen?"
Lately, our conversations end like it's the last goodbye
You try to wave it off:"No, everything is fine...", but your voice trailing of at the end of the sentence gives the lie away.
Then one of us gets too drunk and calls about a hundred times
Nix chimes in:"Don't lie, just tell us, it can't be that bad, I mean you didn't kill someone, did you?", having only listened and watched so far.
So, who you been calling baby? Nobody could take my place
"No, I didn't kill anyone.", you reply, annoyance lacing your voice.
When you're looking at those strangers, hope to God you see my face (ooh, ooh)
Nix and Bill roll their eyes as you don't continue and now it is Joe's, who just arrived after talking to Web, his boyfriend, about when they are going to meet up after school, turn to question you:"Hey, friends, how is it going? Now, what is going on with you, [Y/N]? Trouble in paradise?", this was a suggestion no one made so far and judging from your reaction he is right, which obviously gets their attention.
Youngblood
Say you want me, say you want me out of your life
"Seriously? Did Eugene did something? Just tell us, we can deal with it!", Bill says, anger visibly in his face, Nix and Lieb nod as all three of them cast a glance over to the table at which Eugene and Shifty are sitting, Eugene is currently explaining something to Shifty, who nods along, oblivious to the stares he just receives.
Then I'm just a dead man walking tonight
But you need it, yeah, you need it all of the time
"Probably feeling, but ignoring it. He told me, that he got quite good at that.", you think to yourself, following their gaze, before speaking up to clarify what is going on:"No, no, no, he didn't do anything, we just had kind of a disagreement...a argument...Well, I don't know what to call it, but don't worry, he will probably approach me to talk about it, he just needs some.time to cool off and get his thoughts sorted out."
Yeah, ooh, ooh, ooh
Youngblood
"That is a relief, but what exactly did you disagree about?", Nix further wants to know.
Say you want me, say you want me back in your life
You just shrug your shoulders:"I don't really know, I guess I said something, which hurt him....We will see, I will keep you posted. Now, doesn't everyone of us had to go to the next period, I don't think our teachers would appreciate us being too late again.", with that you signal, that for you the conversation is over now as you quickly pack everything up to get to your next lesson in time.
~
So I'm just a dead man crawling tonight
The rest of the day you are left wondering what exactly went wrong, not finding anything, so you hope that your boyfriend will explain it to you later, which he luckily does.
~
'Cause I need it, yeah, I need it all of the time
Yeah, ooh, ooh, ooh
It is already 9pm when your doorbell rings and for a moment you are left wondering who it could be, before you carefully sneak downstairs to see who it is without them seeing you as you are at home alone this night, your parents are at some stupid company party or so, like almost every second Friday.
You push and you push and I'm pulling away
Pulling away from you
Peaking outside you can see your boyfriend, who nervously stands in front of the door, waiting for you to open up, which after some debating with yourself you do.
I give and I give and I give and you take
Give and you take
"Can I talk.."
You're running around and I'm running away
"So what exactly is your problem..."
Running away from you
Both of you begin, interrupting the other one.
Mmm, from you
Youngblood
He motions you to go first, which you do, sounding slightly angry:"Well, for starters, I want to know what your problem with me exactly is!", realizing too late that it came out meaner than expected and according to Gene's body language he agrees with that.
Say you want me, say you want me out of your life
Getting himself together he quietly says:"That is exactly why I came here, to talk about it with you and to apologize and explain myself. Is that fine with you?"
Then I'm just a dead man walking tonight
But you need it, yeah, you need it all of the time
You need to think about that for a moment, not happy about his behavior towards you, but if it really was your fault, even by accident, then you would like to apologize as well.
Yeah, ooh, ooh, ooh
Youngblood
"Come on in."
Say you want me, say you want me back in your life
He follows you into the living room, sitting down on the other side of the couch, facing you.
So I'm just a dead man crawling tonight
Expectingly you wait for him to begin.
'Cause I need it, yeah, I need it all of the time
Yeah, ooh, ooh, ooh
Nervously, even more than before, he looks down at his fidgeting fingers, before quietly speaking up after clearing his throat:"Well,..I kind off have been taking my distance from you, because I wasn't sure, if you still want to be together with me..", before he can continue you interrupt him, nearly shouting:"What the fuck does that mean? Why shouldn't I want to be together with you? Give me one good reason!", which he provides, even more anxious than before.
You push and you push and I'm pulling away
Pulling away from you
"Yesterday you said to me, that you didn't want to be together with someone, who can't stand up for themselves or others...And as you know, I am not that good at standing up for myself...", his voice trails off, wanting to explain it some more, bit seemingly not finding the right words.
I give and I give and I give and you take
Give and you take
Shocked you realize what he means and letting out a breath you tell him:"Oh, sweet Jesus, oh my god, Gene. I am so sorry! I didn't really think about it when I said it.
Yes, it this important for me, but not the most important thing and only if someone does or doesn't do both of it.
And there is a reason why it is hard for you to stand up for yourself.
Still you always stand up for others, if you see that they aren't treated well.
So, there is no reason for me to not be together with you, you are the most important person in my life right now.
I love you so much, so never ever think less of yourself just because of something silly I said.
Next time just please talk about it with me immediately."
Youngblood
Say you want me, say you want me out of your life
"Really?", this simple question shatters your heart completely and tears start to appear in your eyes as you close the distance and hug him.
Then I'm just a dead man walking tonight
It takes him a second, before he hugs you back, patting your back, apologizing:"I am also sorry for not talking with you sorry and for hurting your feelings. I love you too."
~
For a minute there both of you just hold onto the each other and as soon as your calm down again you let go of each other and be look at you and with an amused look on his face he asks:"So now, that everything is okay, what are we going to do?"
"You want to stay here for the night? My parents are away and I have nothing to do. You?", you reply, asking him in return.
He shrugs his shoulders:"I have nothing against that, I also have nothing to do and my mom is okay with me staying over, probably expects me to do so honestly.", he lightly chuckles, making you grin.
Somehow this results in you break out into laughter.
Calming down you want to know:"What do we want to do?"
He thinks about that for a second:"What about doing a Star Wars movie marathon?", he stops, adding,"By the way, I have to be at 11am the lastest, I want to say goodbye to my brother, who is going back to college."
You nod in agreement:"Sounds good, why don't you turn on the TV and start the first movie, while I am getting a few snacks from the kitchen?"
He gives you thumbs up and soon as you stand up.
~
The next few hours, so basically the whole night, you spend watching the movies and talking about basically everything, at some point you completely stop watching the movies and instead only talk.
At some point you look up and see the clock over the TV, shocked at seeing the time, which you tell Gene:"Gene, it is five a.m."
"We talked basically all night?", he replies, just as surprised as you.
Looking at each you burst out into loud laughter, seeing that the other one looks just as funny as the other one.
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claudycod · 3 months
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since I joined the Band of Brothers fandom on june 2023 I've read all the fanfics on ao3....
I loved every single one of them but... now what?🥲😂
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softspeirs · 3 days
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Barren Soul: (13) Shaking Hands
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A/N: I am back after a hundred years. Please enjoy this (medic trio-heavy) chapter - I am hoping to not take so long in between updates this time!
“Stop– stop moving, Cobb! Jesus Christ.” Kat mutters, trying to get him to sit still. He was hit during the most recent shelling - it’s not life threatening, but it’s finicky work trying to get these pieces of wood and other debris out of his wounds, and obviously painful. It’ll be more painful if she accidentally stabs him with her tweezers, though.
“God dammit that hurts.” He mutters. It’s the first words he’s said to her in weeks. He keeps to himself a lot, she’s noticed, and he obviously doesn’t like her.
She’s a little surprised he’s even letting her do this for him, rather than asking for Doc.
“It’ll hurt more if I miss anything and you get an infection,” she scolds. “Now hold still.” She sighs, trying to soften her voice. “Think of something else. Back home.”
“What’s the point in thinking of that?” He asks, almost to himself. There’s a new tone to his voice she’s never heard before.
“Okay, think of something else then. Before all this.” She gestures with her other hand to the woods around them, and he finally settles.
“Hard to remember a time before all this.” He admits.
Kat has to agree with him there - they’ve only been in the Bois Jacques forest for just over three weeks, but it’s easily been the longest three weeks of her life. The cold and the snow are the least of their worries, though Kat has been near tears at moments trying to get the feeling back in her toes and fingers. The worst part for her is the anxiety, knowing at any moment the forest could split apart with the sounds of artillery and machine gun fire. There’s absolutely no reprieve, nothing to keep them from the endless gray days and rocketing heart rates at a moment’s notice.
She and Cobb are both quiet while she works, his eyes moving from the tree line to watching her pick and tweeze. He winces a little at a particularly big piece. When she glances up, his eyes are on her face, a contemplative look there. He looks away quickly, clearing his throat.
“Where are you from, Cobb?” She asks gently. She realizes that she barely knows anything about the man.
“New York.” He responds.
“Ah,” she says with mock seriousness. “That explains the attitude. You damn Yankees.”
Read on AO3!
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blueberry-ovaries · 3 months
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PROLOGUE: THE STORY OF WINIFRED HAYES
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A/N: Welcome to the first official chapter of Hiraeth! Please enjoy and feel free to leave comments or questions! If you would like to be tagged in the chapters please let me know!
Content warnings: none
chapter one
When the whispers of war reached her home, Winifred Hayes was just fourteen, a high school student terrified of the looming violence that would hold the men of her home captive. She knew the phenomenon of proving strength and bravery would take prisoner the young minds of boys pretending to be men. Boys playing dress up in a soldiers uniform.
November 1940, the Australian army starts conscription into the war. All able bodied men between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five were to join the ranks of the ANZACs. A man from each family to fight with bravery and strength. To bring pride to their families and their nation.
George Hayes, her father, a retired Great War Vet who knew the horrors of war greater than most. On the front lines in Gallipoli, he knew how to fight a hard battle, and to go down swinging. Winnie knew in her heart the if he were to take the call, he wouldn’t come home. His kneecap, shattered by a stray bullet on the sandy hills of the Turkish beaches. His limp a constant reminder to the people, of his sacrifice. To him, it was more than a constant twinge, instead a nagging reminder of his survival. That he was alive, and his friends, his brothers, lay nameless in the sand, forgotten by the progress of time, rotting corpses of failed advancements. Now, he works tirelessly on the family farm, milking cows, cutting wheat. Supplying the family bakery on main street.
Winnie always knew what she thought was right and wrong. In school, she knew that words were not always satisfactory in resolution, that sometimes bloody knuckles and split lips were necessary. After one too many call home letters, her father decided, if she was going to fight, she may as well do it properly. To throw a punch, to fight to win. Fighting to win meant, doing anything she had to, pulling hair, biting skin, Winnie would do what was necessary, no one made fun of her family.
With her older brother unable to fight and her father not likely to come home, Winnie knew.
As she raised the scissors to cut her hair, and stole her brothers name, Winnie knew it was right. As her mother cried while neatly fixing her torn ends, pleading in fear, or her father swallowed down a mixture of pride and shame, she knew, if she was caught, the response could be nothing short of deadly, still, she packed her bag, kissed her mothers tear stained cheek, and pulled her siblings in for one last hug. And if she cried when her dad clapped her on the back and pulled her into a hug, then she knew what she was fighting for.
————
TAG LIST: @malarkgirlypop @mads-weasley @footprintsinthesxnd @bucky32557038ww2 @grumpy-liebgott @executethyself35
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mercurygray · 7 months
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The Darkening Sky - Chapter 49
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Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Original Female Character(s), Lewis Nixon, Richard Winters, Harry Welsh, Ensemble Cast
Additional Tags: Alternate History, Women Being Awesome, Women in the Military, World War II, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence
“Some will say that it is a sad state of affairs when a country asks its women to go to war. But there is nothing sad about patriotism, and from coast to coast, America’s women have answered the call in record-breaking numbers, happy and willing to serve in all branches of the service - including, if the posters are to be believed, an entirely new co-ed parachute infantry unit.“
---
She would be glad when they stopped moving forward.
Billie had been glad to see the back of Landsberg - they all had.
But every drive forward now pushed them deeper and deeper into the unknown. They were in southern Germany now - or Bavaria , as Webster hastened to correct. Hitler had held his rallies in Munich, recruited his first Brownshirts here. This was the birthplace of National Socialism, and resistance was growing more fanatical, more desperate. Nixon informed them that many of the remaining units in the field had been given last man orders, charged to hold on and hold out at all costs. Speirs informed them that Winters didn't want the battalion taking unnecessary risks.
It's a war, Billie wanted to say. Isn't risk what got us all here?
[read more of this chapter and catch up on the whole story here on AO3]
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theweirdgoodbyes · 10 days
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misadventures at nix’s tavern
“Joe, you’re fired.”
“No, I’m not.”
Lewis Nixon put his head in his hands and wonders why the fuck this needed to be happening today of all days. Despite never advertising as such, but possibly having to do with his brusque employees and inability to keep a female hire, Nix’s Tavern had gotten the reputation as both an Irish bar and a gay bar; March 17th and June 28th were their busiest days of the year. It was the morning of Saint Patrick’s Day and all hands were on deck to keep shit as together as possible: Joe was an active hindrance to that. Joe, all 135 pounds of him, was his best bartender and worst nightmare rolled into one. He could make a drink quicker and better than anyone, was never late, and managed to piss off everyone who stepped in the door, highlighted by last night’s disaster.
“Joe, don’t do this to me today. C‘mon, man.”
“You can’t fire me. What did I do wrong?” Joe, who he doesn’t even remember hiring by the way, throws his arms up.
“What did you-Joe, do you remember calling a woman a troglodyte last night? Because I do. Do you remember her throwing one of my martini glasses at your head? You still smell like olives.”
“I didn’t call her a troglodyte, I called her boyfriend one,” Joe shrugs, looking back at the bar he had been summoned from, “Can I get back to my prep?”
“Her boyfriend, oh, my deepest apologies,“ Nix presses his hands together in mock remorse, “Yes, you called her boyfriend a troglodyte. That makes it so much better. Joe, I cannot fucking have you here tonight. Just go home. Please, man.”
“You can’t expect Welsh and Luz to be on bar alone!” Joe cries, pointing at the two other bartenders who are supposed to be cutting limes but seem to be having more fun balancing shot glasses on their palms.
“They have each other. Put the fucking glass down, George!” George shoots Nix a quick thumbs up before the three glasses he has balancing in his other hand fall to the floor and shatter. George just gives him a shrug. God, this day needs to be done with already.
“Lew, are you fucking stupid?”
“Stupid for letting you work here? Stupid for opening this place? I’m the biggest idiot on fucking earth.”
“Lew,” Joe says, as serious as Joe can ever be, “I’ll be good tonight. Promise.” It’s a bold faced lie, but they both know that Joe needs to be here. A fact that Nix hates and Joe will never let him forget. For all his flaws and abilities to irritate the shit out of most of their customers, Joe had been a godsend after Buck quit.
“Joe, I swear to God,” Nix says, the same warning he’s given him time and time again, “Last chance.”
“Last chance.” Joe gives him a shit eating grin and a wink before getting up from their table and heading back to the bar, grabbing a pan and broom on the way to clean up George’s mess.
Joe fucking Liebgott, Nix laments as he gets up and makes him way to the kitchen to check on Malarkey, I hope you get your ass kicked tonight.
Enjoy this little add on to my other dive bar!au posts, all of which are now tagged under “misadventures at nix’s tavern!
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