#he hums artie shaw!!!!

[sluttyhenley]

Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the War Against Nazi Germany Donald L. Miller

[major-mads]

Chapter 7: Lucky 25

John "Bucky" Egan x Ruth Morgan (OFC)

Series Masterlist

A/N: please comment or reblog and tell us what you think!! thanks for reading!! <3

Collab: On a Wing and a Prayer by @footprintsinthesxnd

Word Count: 11k

Thursday, September 16th: Thorpe Abbotts AAF Base, Norwich: 1300 HRS: 1 PM

Hope’s back ached as she bent over her old Singer sewing machine, silk fabric sliding effortlessly as the needle punched thread through it. Silk was hard to come by with rationing, and there was no way, even with Hugh’s help, that she could afford a new wedding dress. Luckily for her, Frank had a knack for making things disappear from the storeroom on base and later making them reappear in the girls' hut. 

Ruth hummed Artie Shaw out of tune from behind her as the blonde cut out more fabric from the pattern, laying the pieces of cloth over the tissue paper cutouts. Tatty and Helen hand-sewed small pieces of lace together, just some odd cuts they’d gotten from the local fabric shop.

The girls worked hard all afternoon, measuring, cutting, and sewing. The dress was coming along nicely, and with only three weeks to go until the big day, Hope was anxious to get it finished in time. 

The Singer buzzed along nicely as three familiar heads poked around the nissen hut door.

“Knock, knock,” Hugh called out, stepping inside, his hands on his hips as he assessed the girl's work. Gale and John followed him closely. 

“You guys can’t be in here,” Helen scolded.

“It’s bad luck to see the dress before the wedding, Cleven,” Tatty hissed, marching over to the men. “You better get going before…”

“My dear Tatty, don’t be so defensive, I merely come to offer my services,” Hugh bowed dramatically. 

Hope snickered, all too aware of Hugh’s sewing skills, “I don’t think your skills are required here, Hugh. You’re not really one for a needle and thread.” 

Hugh scrunched his face up at her just like he’d done since they were children, and before he could throw out any more ridiculous ideas, Gale stepped forward.

“I don’t want to cause trouble, I merely want to spend some time with my girl,” Gale smiled charmingly at Tatty who moved aside.

“No wonder Hope can never say no to you, Major. That damn smile.” 

Gale made his way across the room just as Hope finished covering the dress with a sheet. “Hello darling,” he leaned down, pressing his lips to hers, “I’ve missed you.” 

“I’ve missed you too,” Hope stood up, pressing her lips against his again, smiling into his touch. 

“Tatty, come on,” John all but whined, pointing into the hut while Tatty stood firm on the doorstep. “It’s me.”

“And that is exactly why I’m not letting you in. You’d get your grubby mitts all over the dress.”

“I wouldn’t dare! Please,” John clasped his hands together, looking rather sad and pathetic until Tatty sighed. 

“Fine, but one step out of line, Major, and you’re out.” 

John moved past Tatty towards Ruth who was still sitting on the floor, surrounded by a collection of differently shaped pieces of silk. 

“Never knew you were such a seamstress,” he grinned, kissing her gently and enjoying the familiar blush that crept across her pale cheeks.

“Well, I’m a woman of many talents,” Ruth retorted, grinning up at the Major.

“That you are.”

“Hugh, put that fabric down now,” Hope hissed, moving away from Gale’s arms to scold her brother, smacking his arm until he released the precious fabric. “Do you have any idea how hard it was to get a hold of this?” 

“It’s just some silk, I’m sure any white fabric would do,” Hugh replied nonchalantly, pushing the reeling of cotton across Helen’s desk and glancing awkwardly around the room as it fell to the floor.

Hope sighed, “Hugh, for once in your life, please just be serious and stop acting like a child. It’s for my wedding day. Please don’t mess this up for me.” 

Hope loved her brother dearly, but sometimes it felt like she had to do all the work in their relationship.

Hugh nodded apologetically, “I will. I wouldn’t dream of ruining your big day, Little Bird.” Hope smiled at her childhood nickname, it had been a long time since he’d called her that. “But is there anything I can help with?” 

“Yes, there is,” Helen grabbed ahold of Gale and John’s sleeves, marching them towards Hugh, “You can take these two and keep them out of trouble until this evening.”

“Oh, come on, we just got here,” John groaned, glancing at Ruth in the hope of some sympathy, but she just waved at him. Gale glanced around Helen, blowing a kiss in Hope’s direction before the three men descended from the hut.

“You ladies have fun now, we’ll see you later,” Hugh called out, slamming the door dramatically. 

Helen turned back to the group, hurrying back to her spot beside Tatty, “I honestly don’t know how you’ve put up with Hugh for so long.” 

“I didn’t have much choice,” Hope laughed, turning back to the sewing machine, “He’s my brother after all.” 

A few moments passed until another knock sounded at the door, and Helen marched back over with a groan, slinging it open to reveal John leaning on the doorframe. 

“What is it?”

He peered around the woman, his eyes falling on Ruth. “Can I get a kiss?”

“You just got one!” she giggled, rising to her feet and approaching the door. “You’re so needy.”

Helen moved out of the doorway, chuckling as Ruth rose on her tiptoes and quickly kissed John before pushing him out the door with a wink. “See you later, hotshot!”

As the door closed in his face, John couldn’t help but shake his head at Ruth, his heart racing at the mere sight of her. Buck clapped his shoulder and turned him toward the nearby mess hall where Hugh walked a few feet ahead of them. “You gonna tell her tonight?”

“If Dye gets back in one piece, I will,” Johnny nodded, scratching his mustache. 

“He will.”

One Week Earlier: September 10: Thorpe Abbotts AAF Base

The mess hall was unusually quiet as John and Gale sat eating their breakfast, having missed the morning rush by sleeping in an extra hour. They both laid awake the night before, their minds unable to shut off after the events of John’s party. Since they’d arrived, Bucky was silent, only speaking to thank the mess hall worker for his coffee.

Buck stared at him skeptically, taking in his slightly pursed lips and distant gaze that focused on the plate of eggs, bacon, and toast in front of him. “I can hear the gears turning from here, John. What is it?”

A few beats passed until he spoke up, his eyes remaining on his food. “Ruth.”

“Hmm,” Gale nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. “What about her?”

“Everything…I can’t get her off my mind, Buck. I don’t know what’s going on.”

‘I do,’ the younger man thought.

John shook his head with a sigh, his brow creasing as his conflicted gaze lifted from the table. “I can’t explain it.”

Gale put down his coffee cup and smiled softly at his friend. “I can…you love her.”

“I don’t know, Buck.”

“What don’t you know?” he asked as his brows furrowed. Gale saw the deep thought behind the Major’s eyes and realized the confident and boisterous John Egan was nowhere in sight. This Bucky was unsure of himself, facing emotions he’d never felt before. Buck’s voice softened as he continued. “What do you know?”

John raised a questioning brow and Gale leaned his elbows onto the table. “How do you feel around her?”

“I don’t-” Bucky frustratedly groaned, sitting back into his seat. ”I don’t know how to explain it.”

“Just try.”

Every moment he shared with Ruth replayed like a film in John’s mind as he tried to find the words to describe the way he felt.

“When I think about her,” he finally began, a fond smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “It just…It just does somethin’ to me, Buck, and can’t think straight.”

Gale listened intently, nodding along as John continued, his voice growing softer.

“And after last night, how she did all that for me? I’ve never met anyone like her.” His brow creased in thought as he struggled to find his next words. “She’s…she’s-”

“Everything,” Buck finished, Hope’s smiling face forming in his mind.

Gale’s words hung in the air for a few moments as the Majors thought of their beloved nurses. 

Bucky nodded slowly, his gaze drifting to the window where the morning sun filtered through the glass, lighting up the mess hall in a golden glow. He took a deep breath as he finally came to terms with what he was feeling. 

John Egan was in love.

“Yeah,” he murmured, his deep voice rumbling in his chest. “She’s everything.”

A knowing grin painted Gale’s face as he repeated his earlier statement. “You love her.”

“That how you feel about Hope?”

“Yeah, it is.”

As Buck’s words settled over them, John felt a weight lift off his shoulders. It was as if hearing the words out loud made them easier to grasp, and he couldn’t deny it any longer…he was in love with Ruth Morgan.

But even as the realization settled in, Bucky couldn’t shake the uncertainty that lingered in the back of his mind. This was a new territory for him, uncharted skies that both excited and terrified him. He’d always prided himself on his wild heart, but now he found himself willingly surrendering to feelings he’d managed to avoid for so long.

“You know,” Gale began, breaking the silence that had fallen over them. “You should tell her. It’s pretty clear she feels the same way.”

“We said we’d take it slow.”

Cleven pushed his plate aside and leaned further over the table. “So? When have you ever been one to follow the rules?”

Finally, John’s serious expression faded and he shook his head with a chuckle, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “And when have you ever encouraged me to break them?”

“Today,” he shrugged. “But only cause you need an extra shove.”

“Should I get used to this new Buck?”

“Don’t count on it,” Gale smirked as he sat back in his chair, taking a sip of his coffee. 

1900 HRS: 7 PM 

The lively sound of Glenn Miller filled the Officer’s Club as the band brought the hall to life. Couples jitterbugged and lindy-hopped across the dance floor, and happy conversation filled the air, including loud cackles and laughter from a table in the bar section where Hope and Ruth sat with their Majors. They were reminiscing about their time in San Angelo, Texas, with the girls’ under their arms and Hugh to the right of his sister.

Buck took a sip of his ginger beer with a raised brow. “Isn’t that where you picked up that damned jacket?”

“Sure is,” John replied and sucked his teeth. “My pride and joy.”

“So that’s where you got it,” Ruth giggled, shaking her head.

“Well,” he shrugged, holding a hand up defensively. “It was being discontinued, so I had no choice.”

Sitting up in his chair across from them, Hugh let out something between a chuckle and a scoff. “It was a choice, alright.”

Hope’s eyes met Ruth’s at the comment, waiting for a snarky comeback from the Major, but the blonde just patted John’s chest consolingly before he could respond. “It was being discontinued for a reason, John. Have you seen that thing?”

“Thank you. It always looks dirty,” Gale interjected as he smirked at John. “Seems Ruth is on my side for this one, Bucky.”

A giggle escaped Ruth’s lips and she sheepishly looked up at Johnny to see him already staring down at her, a playful frown on his lips a few inches away. “Say it isn’t true, Ruthie.”

“Sorry, hotshot,” she laughed, her eyes unable to resist flicking to his mouth at their close proximity. “Buck’s right, hon, but know you’re still my favorite Major.”

John’s frown faded and his lips curled into a mischievous grin as her laughter filled the air, and to his surprise, she leaned up and kissed him softly. Ruth pulled away after a moment with bright pink cheeks. The taste of her drink lingered on Bucky’s lips as his gaze locked with hers, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. 

His plans to finally tell her how he cared about her, how he loved her, flashed in the forefront of his mind. But even as he stared down at her smiling face and a wave of pure adoration washed over him, his stomach swirled with nervousness. 

What if she thought it was too fast? Too soon? Too much?

Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, John forced himself to look away and took a sip of his pint before turning to Hope and pointing at her across the table. “And whaddya think, Hope? About my jacket? It’s nice, right?”

The woman met Ruth’s lovesick eyes and chuckled, shaking her head slightly. “It’s not the worst thing I’ve seen, but I prefer Gale’s.”

Gale smiled smugly, pressing his lips firmly to her forehead, “That’s my girl. Always knew you had good taste.” 

“Well, of course, I do. I picked you didn’t I?” She grinned at him, leaning up to press her lips to his, smiling into the kiss.

“Well, that’s right. You sure a lady with a good eye,” Gale mused, nuzzling his nose into her neck.

“Gale,” she chuckled, feeling his breath tickling against her collarbone, while her fingers carded through his tousled, blond locks. 

“Gaaaale,” John teased, dramatically drawing out the name with his eyes closed. “What kind of name is Gale, anyway?”

Hope’s eyes widened in amusement as Gale groaned beside her, having heard the joke a million times before. “Well, what kind of a name is Bucky?” she asked, tilting her head with a sarcastic grin. “Now Buck I can get because he’s a dashing young man, but Bucky? I don’t know…”

The group burst into laughter and John tried to send the woman a dirty look, but he couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from curling into a smirk and joining in with them. Before long, he itched for a dance and stood to his feet, pulling Ruth toward the dance floor.

“I think it’s time for a dance, Ruthie.”

“Alright, I’m coming!” she giggled, sending Hope a wave as she tried to keep up with Bucky’s long strides in her tight skirt.

The couple found themselves at the edge of the dancefloor, swaying hand in hand to the soft trumpet solo ringing through the hall. Ruth rested her head on John’s chest, calmed by the gentle thrum of his heartbeat beneath her ear and his warmth as they danced. 

She could’ve stayed there in that moment forever…just her and her hotshot…just her and the man she loved. 

“You look beautiful, sweetheart,” he murmured against her hair, breaking the silence between them. “I know I told you earlier, but you do.”

Lifting her head from his chest, Ruth smiled sheepishly at him. “Thank you. I don’t normally wear my dress uniform, but-”

“Oh, I’m so glad you did.”

She raised an eyebrow and slid her hands around his neck. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah,” he nodded with a smirk, his eyes drifting down to her breast pocket area that proudly displayed her pair of wings and lieutenant’s bars. “I’m a sucker for a woman in uniform.”

“So I need to worry about the WACs?”

Bucky chuckled, tugging Ruth against him. “Don’t worry. You’ve got nothing to worry about, lieutenant.”

As the music swirled around them, John’s gaze softened as he looked into her deep blues. Leaning down, he brushed his lips against hers in a tender kiss. Ruth’s cheeks flushed pink as she returned it, her fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck, melting into his embrace. She felt him smile against her lips and pulled back to get a good look at him.

“What are you smiling about, Major?” she joked.

Bucky wanted to say, ‘How much I love you,’ but anxiety churned in his stomach and he couldn’t go through with it.

“Just you.”

Rolling her eyes, Ruth pecked the corner of his lips before returning her head to its place on his chest. “I’m so happy for Gale and Hope.”

“Me too,” he replied, his eyes scanning the room for the couple. “Speaking of Buck…where is he?”

Ruth joined him looking for their friends, but she had no luck and wiggled her eyebrows at Bucky. “They’re probably having some alone time.”

He sent her a mischievous smirk, and she knew what he planned to do. “Leave ‘em be, Johnny,” she groaned, sighing as he pulled her along behind him toward the door. “Don’t bother them.”

“But it’s my job to bother Buck.”

Before Ruth could respond, he flung open the side door and stuck his head outside. By the wild grin on his face, she knew he’d found them. “Hey, Lovebirds! Hurry up, you're missing the party!” 

“Five more minutes!” she heard Gale groan, and then John closed the door, a proud smirk hanging from his lips. 

“You’re terrible.”

Bucky shot her a wink and led her back to their table, settling back into their seats as they saw Gale and Hope enter the hall and begin swaying slowly. 

“Would you look at that?” John scoffed, sipping his pint and throwing an arm over the back of Ruth’s chair. “I’ve been trying to get Buck to dance for years and Hope did it in two months.”

The couple couldn’t help but watch their friends dance, both with lovesick smiles as they got lost in the song, spinning around the floor with a practiced grace that neither Ruth nor John expected. 

Buck was good at dancing.

Their concentration on the couple was broken when yells echoed through the air. Following the sound, they saw Harry throw peanuts across the table into Hugh’s mouth, laughing hysterically as Hugh caught another one. 

Ruth opened her mouth to speak but was cut off when Hope beat her to it.

“I leave you two alone for all of five minutes and you wreak havoc,” Hope tutted, patting Harry on the head like a small child. “If you choke on all those nuts Hugh, I swear…”

A giggle escaped the blonde’s lips at the comment and John chuckled beside her.

“Alright mother,” Hugh laughed, throwing one of the nuts at his sister. 

Hope and Gale took their seats beside Harry, settling easily beside each other with Gale’s hand draping lazily around her shoulder. The six of them fell into easy conversation, and soon, the table became more crowded when Veal, Crank, Brady, Blakely, and a few other airmen joined the group. Laughter and wisps of cigarette smoke filled the air as the men and the two nurses unwound, enjoying the company of friends.

Ruth remained tucked under Bucky’s arm, listening to yet another story from training in the States. This one was about a failed exercise where several forts experienced ‘equipment malfunctions’ and ‘discrepancies’ that forced them to land in or near the hometowns of family and girlfriends. 

Crank grinned, shaking his head. “Yeah, the Hundredth almost got canned after that.”

“And I got demoted for the first time,” John chimed as he thought about just how many times he’d changed commands over his time with the 100th.

Eyes widening in surprise, Ruth playfully smacked his chest. “For the first time? I thought you getting demoted back to Squadron CO only happened once?”

“It would’ve been three times if LeMay would have found him or Buck that day he came to base,” Kidd added.

Nudging Buck with her shoulder, Hope smirked. “And what about you, Gale?” 

Gale shrugged as he hid a smirk behind his glass of ginger beer. “I don’t know why LeMay thought both of us were responsible for the ‘raunchy discipline’ on base.”

“So you’re sayin’ it was just me?” John asked with an incredulous grin.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

“I mean,” Benny started, trying to hold in a laugh as he rubbed Meatball’s head affectionately. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Buck tear up a bar with a narwhal tusk.”

Laughter erupted like a sudden burst of fireworks around the table, echoing around the lively room and drowning out the music. 

Narrowing his eyes at them, John pointed around the table.  “Technically, none of you dodos saw any of that!”

“We didn’t have to. We saw the aftermath,” Brady called out through his chuckles.

After a few moments, the laughter died down, and the large group broke into smaller conversations. 

Gale spoke quietly to Benny as Hope whispered with Hugh, and Ruth listened as Jack shared more stories of John’s escapades back in the States. Before long, the two majors went at it as they often did, but Ruth’s attention was drawn away by Hugh and Hope slinking away from the table and disappearing into the crowd.

‘This outta be good,’ she thought.

When the band slowly faded out, Ruth smirked, knowing what was most likely coming. She peered over at Gale, expecting him to be watching Hope, but he was engrossed in a conversation with Benny and didn’t seem to notice his fiancée’s absence from the seat beside him. 

The band thrummed to life, music springing out across the room in a less-than-subtle fashion that had all heads turning toward the siblings. Then Gale’s eyes found Hope’s across the room and he did a double take, glancing back at her empty chair in confusion. 

Ruth pointed at siblings, a wide smile painting her face as she whispered in John’s ear. “This is gonna be interesting. They both can sing.”

“Sparky? No way,” he griped with a grimace. “No way he’s got better pipes than me.”

Giggling, she patted his cheek lightly and turned back to the stage. “Just wait and see, hon.”

Hugh took his place in front of the microphone, encouraging Hope to do the same as he pressed his lips near the cool metal grille. The conductor gave them the queue, and she took a deep breath before singing into the microphone.

“One of our planes was missing, two hours overdue. 

Yes, one of our planes was missing with all its gallant crew,

The radio sets were hummin', they waited for the word,

Then a voice broke through that hummin',

And this is what they heard!”

The song, rather aptly chosen by Hugh for Dye’s 25th mission, began to flow easily. Hugh joined in, belting out,

“Comin' in on a wing and a prayer!”

The second Hugh’s voice rang through the speakers, the skeptical smirk on John’s lips fell, and he raised a brow at Ruth, who just rolled her eyes at his reaction.

“I told you he was good.”

“I never said he was good,” he defended.

The corners of the blonde’s eyes crinkled as she laughed. “You didn’t have to.”

Around them, some of the crowd began to join in, all looking at Dye whose cheeks were growing redder by the minute as he stood beside Lil, trying to shield his face. 

“What a show (What a show),

What a fight (What a fight).”

The instrumental section began to play, and the couple watched as Hugh took Hope’s arm and spun her around in quick concession. A wide grin spread on Ruth’s face that matched her best friend’s on stage. 

With her eyes glued on Hope, Ruth started to sing along. Her voice was slightly off-key, but she didn’t care, continuing to sing quietly where only John could hear. The man couldn’t look away from her smiling face as she sang. His gaze wandered over her face with a gentle intensity, watching how her lips moved, the slight quirk of her smile adding to her already breathtaking look.

“Yes, we really hit our target for tonight,

How we’ll sing as we limp through the air,

Look below, there’s a field over there.”

Ruth’s eyes flickered over to John and caught his gaze. For a brief moment, their eyes locked, and she noticed the same vulnerable glint in his eyes as the night he told her of his past. She offered him a questioning look, silently asking what was on his mind.

Johnny’s mind raced as his lips parted slightly. He wanted to tell her how he felt, but the words caught in his throat. Instead, he sent her a small, reassuring smile and barely shook his head as if to say, ‘nothing.’

There was something in his eyes that Ruth couldn’t quite put it into words, but it made her heart flutter nonetheless. With a soft nod, she turned her attention back to the stage, her hand reaching for John’s beneath the table, intertwining their fingers gently.

The Major’s heart sank as Ruth turned away, his own hand squeezing hers softly in response. He cursed himself silently for his inability to tell her how he felt, and frustration bubbled up within him.

How many more opportunities would he let slip away without telling her the truth?

“With our full crew aboard,

And our trust in the Lord,

Comin’ in on a wing and a prayer.”

As the song came to a close, Hugh wrapped his arms around his sister, squeezing her hard before grasping her hand and pulling her down from the stage. Hope hopped down the best she could, ignoring the small ripping noise from her skirt that would surely be a problem later. Hugh had a little skip in his step as they made their way back to the table.

Hugh threw himself down into his chair, downing the last of his whiskey, while Hope took her seat beside Gale, his face still in awe and his lips turned upwards into the largest smile.

“Have I ever told you how amazing you are?” He mumbled softly, kissing her cheek, letting the rough stubble on his chin graze against Hope’s cheek. 

She squirmed, laughing lightly, “Oh only about every hour that I’m on base and in every letter.”

“Good,” he mused, kissing her cheek once more, “Because you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met…” Gale was broken off by Bucky’s loud declaration. 

“What the hell was that, Sparky?” John asked with a mischievous grin, his eyebrows raised at Hugh. 

Scoffing as he settled into his chair, the lieutenant rolled his eyes. “I sounded a helluva lot better than you ever have…Isn’t that right, Croz?”

Harry’s expression dropped, his eyes widening nervously as he darted glances between Hugh and his Squadron CO, who sported a smirk and an eyebrow raised expectantly. “Uhhhhh…”

Ruth was in the middle of sipping her when the comment left Hugh’s lips, and she choked on the liquid, her hand flying to cover her mouth as she coughed, trying to regain her composure. Immediately, John’s hand on her chair moved to rub her back as he ducked to check on her, the rest of the table turning their attention to the pair. Before he could speak, she waved him off with a sheepish smile, finally managing to swallow. 

“Sorry about that,” she rasped, wiping at her eyes. “I’m alright…please continue.”

Looking around the group, Ruth met Hope’s concerned gaze and sent her a teary grin, her pale face splotchy as she caught her breath.

“Where was I?”

Bubbles chuckled under his breath before sending Hugh a smirk. “You were complimenting Bucky’s singing abilities.”

“Right! I-”

“Everyone look here!”

A flash of light momentarily blinded the group as Captain John Schwarz, the 100th’s photographer, stepped forward with his camera in hand. 

“Alright, everyone, let’s get a good one!” he called out cheerfully, adjusting the settings on his camera.

The group quickly turned toward him, and Ruth managed to put on a bright smile for the photo despite still trying to clear her throat. They all posed in their seats, and John’s arm draped casually over the blonde’s chair, her hand resting on his knee as she leaned into him.

With the click of the camera, the Captain took the picture, but before he could step back, John called out to him with a grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Hey, Schwarz. Mind getting a picture of just the two of us?”

He nodded enthusiastically, adjusting the camera to focus on the couple. Bucky flashed a charming smile as he reached over and gently tugged Ruth from her chair into his lap.

“Hey!” she protested playfully, her cheeks flushing pink as John wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her close.

Ruth giggled as Johnny leaned in, his cheek pressing against hers as they posed for the picture. Despite her initial protest, she found herself melting into his embrace. The photographer chuckled at their antics, capturing the moment with a few clicks of his camera. She glanced up at the Major just as Schwarz lowered his camera, and Bucky planted a soft kiss on her lips.

The table erupted into a chorus of whistles and hoots, their friends cheering them on as they kissed. Ruth laughed against John’s lips, feeling a rush of happiness and warmth enveloping her. Pulling back slightly, John gazed into her blue eyes, his own filled with pure adoration as her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink. 

“Alright, lovebirds. That’s enough,” Gale grinned, repeating Bucky’s words from a few minutes before. 

Schwarz moved around the table, snapping a photo of Demarco and Meatball, Hugh with poor Harry in a headlock, until he moved around to Hope and Gale. Buck stood up, leading Hope slightly away from the table, and wrapping his arms around her from behind kissing her temple. Hope grinned widely at the photographer who snapped the picture with his own smile.

Hugh appeared beside the Captain, mumbling something under his breath before moving over to the couple. 

“Could I please borrow my sister, Cleven?”

Gale looked a little forlorn as he released Hope from his embrace, stepping back towards the table. Hugh pulled his sister into his side, a bright smile on his lips as Schwarz took the photo. 

Back at the table, Hope slipped into her seat beside Gale, his arm draping over her shoulder as they got comfortable. Ruth sent her a bright smile from her position on John’s lap, and soon the group’s conversation picked back up, laughter filling the air once more. This continued for a little while longer, but when Dye made his way over with Lil under his arm, there was a shift in the air.

It was almost unnoticeable at first.

Ruth chuckled under her breath, watching John take a drag of his cigarette across the table and point to Dye as he neared the group. “There’s our very own Charlie Robertson!”

She’d moved back to her own chair when he got up to get her another ginger beer. Ruth learned her lesson with alcohol after waking up with a raging migraine the morning following John’s birthday party.

“Charlie? Who’s Charlie?” Lil asked, trailing behind Glen and smiling at John as she passed him on his way back to Ruth.

“Not me,” Hugh snickered, sipping his whiskey with a grimace. The British liquor was nothing compared to the ‘good ole American stuff,’ as he called it. In his footlocker sat an unopened bottle of VAT-69 he was saving for his own 25th mission.

No one else thought anything was wrong with the alcohol, but Hugh just had his particular taste and he stuck to that.

“1922. White Sox at Tigers. No runs, no hits, no errors,” John answered, his hand gesturing in the air with each word before sinking into the chair beside Ruth. He kissed her on the cheek quickly, scooting his seat closer to her until their shoulders touched and she wrapped her arm around his bicep, whispering into his ear.

“He threw the last perfect game, right?”

“Sure did,”  he grinned, shooting her a wink. “Way to go, Slugger.”

Benny nodded from beside Hope and Gale, not having heard the blonde. “Yeah, he’s the last guy to throw a perfect game.”

“Til’ now!”

“You get to go home before Florida?” Jack asked, but the conversation soon Ruth faded as she turned her gaze to John with a fond smile. She traced the outline of his face, her eyes trailing over the dark pink scars from Regensburg, the slope of his nose, his mustache, and the natural pout of his lips…the soft lips she’d kissed dozens of times. The warmth of his touch seeped through her uniform, and a feeling of contentment washed over her. 

Over the last week, the couple exchanged multiple letters corresponding about the party and how each was doing, but John mainly raved about how much he liked his birthday present. 

‘Doll, I think I’m hooked…’ John wrote two days after the party.

She was broken from her inner dialogue when the toothy grin on John’s face suddenly fell, and Ruth’s heart jolted in concern as she became aware of the hush that fell over the group

“We’re all that’s left, aren’t we?” 

At Glen’s question, her eyes quickly scanned those around them and found that all the airmen shared the same pained and exhausted look. Curt’s smiling face flashed in her mind…a reminder of the sacrifices of the heroes from the 100th. 

Hope’s wandering eyes met Ruth’s across the table, and she sent her a weary frown at the way the lively men quieted, each lost in their thoughts. 

Blakely spoke first, breaking the silence that fell over the group “12 crews out of-”

“35 that flew in from Greenland,” Crank finished.

With his lips in a tight line, Bucky nodded solemnly. “That’s right.”

Ruth reached out, her free hand finding John’s atop his chair’s armrest, squeezing it gently. He didn’t meet her gaze, but she felt him deflate slightly beside her just before Gale began to speak.

“We’re just happy for you, Dye.”

“That’s right. We are,” John added, his voice deepening as he raised his glass. “Very happy for you. Very happy.”

Glen held out his drink to the group. “And to all the fellas that aren’t here tonight, who should’ve been.”

The table broke out into quiet mumbles of agreement as they all lifted their glasses in a toast before tipping them back. Ruth’s ginger beer fizzed as it traveled down her throat, and beside her, John downed the rest of the amber liquid in his glass, unfazed. She watched him stare at the tabletop in front of them for a few seconds until Dye’s voice filled the air.

“Gentlemen…and ladies, I’m gonna go check on the boys, make sure they aren’t celebrating too hard without me.”

As he walked away with Lil tugged against his side, John’s eyes followed them and he pointed in their direction, muttering, “Charlie Robertson,” under his breath.

The jovial atmosphere from before shattered as the group remained quiet despite the raging party around them. And to think…John’s day had started off so well, had gone off without a hitch until that very moment.

He got to see Ruth, and Dye made it back from his 25th Mission, but as Bucky leaned back in his chair, he couldn’t help but be bothered by all the new faces and the lack of old ones.

Even Ruth’s presence beside him wasn’t enough to quell the rising anger and frustration that swirled in his stomach when he thought of the numbers. 

Out of 35 crews that flew in from Greenland, only 12 remained. 

120 men out of 350…230 gone in the matter of a few months. 

‘Will we all just be another number? Another crew marked off the list until replacements come and fill the huts like we never existed in the first place?’ 

These questions floated in his mind while his gaze stayed on the empty glass in front of him. “I’m, uh, gonna get another drink. I’ll be back,” he announced quickly, rising from his chair and turning toward the bar. Ruth’s anxious eyes followed him before she glanced back at Hope.

Buck watched him go with a pang of concern and kissed Hope on the temple, promising his return before he got up and followed after his friend. The women shared a knowing look as they watched the men they loved disappear into the crowd. Seemingly following their Majors, the rest of the men got up and trailed after them a few minutes later, leaving Hope and Ruth alone at the table.

“I’m worried,” Ruth muttered, chewing her bottom lip nervously. “What happens if John or Gale don’t make it back one-”

Hope cut her off quickly and moved to sit beside her.  “Hey. They’re going to be fine, Rue. Before long, we’re gonna be celebrating their 25th mission, alright?”

“Alright,” she whispered as her gaze fell to the table.

The dance floor cleared over the next few minutes, and just a few couples remained dancing. In the middle of the floor was Helen, wrapped up in the arms of an airman they’d never seen before. Wide grins grew on their faces as they watched her place a few kisses against the dark-headed stranger’s jawline. Over his shoulder, Helen’s eyes wandered to the two women sitting alone, and Ruth smiled, giving her a thumbs up as Hope winked at her.

Feeling someone’s gaze on her, Hope scanned the room, meeting the familiar but concerned blues of Gale across the room from where he leaned against the bar beside John. They talked to yet another new airman the girls had never met, but even she could see the grimace on Bucky’s face as he leaned closer to the man, gesturing his hands out.

She glanced over at Ruth who thankfully was too busy tidying up the mess the men left before returning her eyes to her fiancée. In the few seconds she’d looked away, the replacement airman disappeared, and the two Majors stood alone.

“Come on, Rue. Let’s rejoin the party, shall we?” Hope asked, rising to her feet and offering Ruth her hand with a forced smile.

She knew something was up with John. She could tell by Gale’s body language alone.

The blonde took her hand, allowing Hope to lead them towards the men. But just as they passed Helen and the dancing soldier, Colonel Harding and Major Bowman stepped through the doors and sauntered over the bar, a fat cigar hanging from Chick’s lips. 

“My boys!”

Not wanting to interrupt, the women stood on the outskirts of the group, moving to stand beside Tatty, even though both Buck and Johnny sent them a questioning look. Ruth scanned Bucky’s face, but her smile fell when she immediately noticed the line between his brows and the muscle twitching in his jaw.

“Listen up! I just had a mood-killing conversation with Doc Stover. He thinks you sissies could be getting flack happy.”

“No, not us, sir,” the airmen chorused.

“I told him war is war. The longer you go at it, the more it screws a man up. And it’s been that way since the first caveman son of a bitch picked up a club and went after the other. Did cavemen go for head-shrinking?”

As the men shook their heads, Ruth and Hope shared a wary glance. 

Where was this going?

“No! Damn sure not! What counts is that you soldiers show up ready and able to fight. What you do between battles…” Harding trailed off with a chuckle, smirking as he took a drag of his cigar.

Hope watched as Buck remained stoic, no reaction on his face, but John looked over at Ruth, sending her a wink. “I like your style, sir!”

For the first time, Bucky’s wink didn’t make her heart skip a beat…it made it drop into her stomach. His grin was so clearly forced that her mind went haywire, and he was the only thing she could focus on. Sensing the blonde finally picked up on John’s demeanor, Hope silently intertwined their hands, squeezing Ruth’s reassuringly.

Red broke his silence, shaking his head slightly as he spoke. “Aerial combat like this hasn’t been around since the caveman, sir.”

“Of course not, Red. Every war has its novelties,” Harding dismissed the Major, turning to look at the dance hall. A few seconds later, his demeanor changed, and his voice grew serious. “Who the hell decorated this fiesta?”

Everyone looked around the group before Jack hesitantly spoke. “I put together a committee, sir.”

Craning their heads to see around the Colonel, the women confusedly searched the hall for what he possibly could be upset about, but had no such luck.

“The damned plane looks like it’s in a nosedive.”

The sound of chuckles filled the air as John grinned over at Ruth. “Fire ‘em. Fire the committee…Ruth can decorate next time.”

She did her best to smile back at him, but it was just as forced as the grin on his lips.

“I won’t bother next time,” Kidd muttered.

Harding seemed to move on and faced the men again, waving them all closer. “Come on, get in. Come here. Got something to tell ‘ya.”

Hope and Ruth stepped forward, watching the Colonel over Tatty’s shoulder, their eyes moving between their Majors and the CO. 

“You know how we could end this whole thing tonight?” Chick asked, his face scrunched into a half-grimace as he leaned into the group. “We fill up one of our forts with as many 500-pounders as she can hold, we bomb the hell out of Hitler’s hidey-hole.”

The grin on Johnny’s face fell, and he tilted his face to the floor with slightly pursed lips for a moment before returning his gaze to Harding. His forced smiles and strained banter only added to the underlying tension in the room. Ruth’s fingers tightened around Hope’s hand, seeking reassurance as Chick continued.

“I’m sure Red and Bubbles could locate that mustachioed little fucker.”

Bubbles grinned proudly. “Yes, sir.”

“Well, now who’s flack happy?”

The second the words left John’s mouth, Ruth’s heart plummeted, and a knot formed in the pit of her stomach. She held her breath waiting for what would happen next.

What happened in the last few minutes to change his attitude completely?

All the officer’s went silent, shooting each other worried looks while Bucky and Harding stared at each other.

“Who?”

“You are,” John nodded, his expression bearing no trace of any amusement.

Harding smirked, “You are.”

“No, you are,” Egan leaned forward, thwacking Harding’s chest with his hand. “Sir.” 

The next few seconds seemed to stretch on for hours as the atmosphere became even more tense, the room seeming to hold its breath. Gale quickly glanced over at Hope, his eyes filled with concern, much like the rest of the officers. The blonde beside her didn’t notice Buck, unable to tear her eyes away from John, who looked like he was teetering on the edge of an outburst.

The Major and the Colonel stared at each other until a smirk broke out on Chick’s face and he chuckled, the rest of the group following suit when the tension eased.

“Mmm, Single fillies. Come on, boys. Let’s get the lead out!” Harding smirked, taking a drag from his cigar, and left the party with Red trailing behind him.

The officers dispersed out onto the dance floor, leaving John, Gale, Hope, Ruth, and Benny at the bar. 

Gale turned to catch Hope’s eye, his face saying ‘hold on while I talk to him’. Hope nodded in agreement, catching Ruth’s arm and leading her away from their men. 

“What about John?” Ruth looked hastily over her shoulder for him, meeting his conflicted eyes momentarily, but Hope pulled her on. 

“Gale’s going to talk to him, it’ll be okay. They’ve been through a lot, remember? It’s bound to catch up with them all at some point, and we just need to be here to help them if they fall.” Hope led her back to the table, sitting her down and placing the glass of ginger beer in front of her. 

Hope hated watching Ruth’s worried eyes keep darting back toward the boys, but she knew that her own eyes kept drifting back to Gale’s. If this evening had taught her anything, it was that life was more precious than they could ever realize, and each moment should be cherished. 

They needed a distraction from their anxieties, and Hope blurted the first story that came to mind.

“Do you remember that day when you were new to the Grove and you walked in on Frank naked?” 

The blonde’s cheeks immediately heated up as she buried her head in her hands, “How could I forget? I’d only known the man for three days.”

Hope laughed too, “Well, it could be worse. On my first day on base, he nearly ran me over with a jeep. That was before he realized I was on his plane. He bought me a beer that same evening to apologize.” 

Ruth laughed, imagining a younger Hope giving Frank hell for trying to run her down. 

“We had a medical technician on our plane with us back then. Joseph was his name. He was a right pretty boy…thought he was the bee's knees but I soon told him otherwise.” 

Ruth chuckled, knowing Hope probably gave the poor boy hell. It was strange thinking back to when they first came to the Grove, the airbase that had quickly become their home and safe haven. 

“It seems like a lifetime ago that I met you, Hope. I thought you hated me at first.”

“Oh, I didn’t hate you…I just thought you weren’t going to make it,” Hope replied honestly, feeling slightly guilty about how she’d misjudged her best friend. “You soon proved me wrong though, Rue. You’re a good nurse.” 

Hope looked up as Gale approached them, smiling brightly at her while John still stood near the bar still looking quite somber. Ruth stood up, quickly excusing herself as she made her way over to the bar, resting her hand against John’s arm.

“Hey,” she whispered, her blue eyes filled with worry. “Let’s go somewhere we can talk.”

He nodded, allowing her to take his hand and tug him to the door.

“What’s going on in that head of yours?” she finally asked when they excited the club into the English night, her voice soft with concern.

John pursed his lips and a flicker of hesitation crossed his features before he shrugged. “Nothing. What do you mean?”

“John,” Ruth urged, her voice hardening as she gave him the look that always made her students squirm in their seats. 

And her tone…it was only used when dealing with problem students, the ones who lied directly to her face when she already knew the truth.

He sighed, his shoulders slumping ever so slightly. “I’m fine.”

“What was that, then?” Ruth pressed, refusing to let it go. She needed to know exactly what was wrong…needed to help him in whatever way she could.

But how could he tell her the truth?

He could go down the next day and it would be like he never was there in the first place. Gone like the 230 men they’d lost.

How was he supposed to tell the woman he loved that she could lose him in the blink of an eye?

That he could lose her just the same?

That he couldn’t write another life-shattering letter to a boy’s family?

His nervousness to confess his feelings was replaced with guilt, anger, and frustration that compounded in his chest, creating a volatile mixture that was bound to explode. 

“Nothing,” he insisted, his tone growing defensive. “Like I said.”

“Please don’t lie to me,” Ruth pleaded as she grasped his hand, her voice barely above a whisper. “I know-”

The flood he’d been trying to hold back finally broke, and his voice raised just a fraction as he pulled his hand from hers. “Damn it, Ruth. I said I’m fine!”

The sharpness of his tone caught the woman off guard, and she recoiled slightly, blinking furiously to hold back the tears threatened to fill her eyes. “I’m just trying to help,” she whispered.

Without another word, she turned and walked back into the dance, leaving Bucky standing there in the chilly night. His hands moved to his hips as his chest heaved, the anger slowly leaving his body and morphing into guilt as his mind replayed her baby blues shining with tears and the tremble in her voice.

He was supposed to be a better man, someone worthy of her, and what did he do at the first chance?

Despite the mix of emotions within him, Johnny knew she was only trying to help, only trying to be there for him, and he’d raised his voice at her. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm himself before following after her, his heart pounding in his chest.

Pushing open the door and stepping inside, the sounds of the party filled Bucky’s ears, but for once, he couldn’t bring himself to care that the band played ‘Blue Skies’. His eyes scanned the bustling club and caught a glimpse of her blonde hair disappearing into the women’s bathroom.

John hesitated where he stood in the middle of the club, lost and unsure of what to do next. He knew he needed to talk to her, to make things right, but he also didn’t want to intrude on her privacy. Frustratingly running a hand over his mouth, he caught sight of Gale on the dance floor where he swayed slowly with Hope. Buck’s brow furrowed in confusion as he glanced in the direction Ruth had gone over Hope’s shoulder. With a nod of his head, he silently urged Johnny to go after her. 

It was the push that he needed to make a decision.

Swallowing thickly, he approached the bathroom door and knocked, his knuckles rapping against the wood gently. “Ruthie, can I come in?”

His heart sank when he heard sniffles from inside.

“Please,” John murmured softly, his voice barely audible through the door.

A few seconds ticked by and he was about to ask again when the door clicked open, giving him a view of her reddened and splotchy face. Ruth backed up, allowing him to slowly push in the door. She stood before him with her arms wrapped tightly around herself, barely meeting his gaze as her eyes remained on the floor. John silently stepped into the room and closed the door behind him gently, muffling the sounds of the party outside.

They stood there silently for a few moments until Ruth finally looked up at him, quickly wiping a tear from her cheek as she chewed on her bottom lip. 

“Come here,” he mumbled, pulling her softly into his chest, running a hand up and down her back. “I’m sorry, doll. So sorry.”

Ruth stiffened for a moment before relaxing against him, burying her face into his chest.

“I’m not mad at you. I just,” he sighed against her hair. “I hate myself for making you upset. I know you’re just trying to help me.”

She lifted her head from his chest and broke her silence, her voice wavering. “Then talk to me.”

John stared at her for a moment, running his fingers through her hair gently as he thought of a way to explain what he felt…the weight he felt on his shoulders. “There’s nothing you can do about it, Ruth,” he muttered, his face tilting to the ground.

“I don’t care,” the nurse answered quietly, reaching up and gently lifting his face to meet her teary gaze. "Just…just please don’t shut me out.”

For a moment, they stood there in silence as Bucky nodded to himself with his lips pulled into a tight line. When he finally found the words, his voice was barely audible as he fought to keep his composure. 

“You heard Crank earlier. We’ve lost so many boys, and I-,” he cleared his throat, looking over her shoulder at the wall while fighting the burning sensation in his eyes. “I don’t know how much more I can take.”

Ruth’s heart broke at his confession, and she cupped his cheeks and pulled him down to her, their foreheads pressing together.

“John, you are going to get through this. We are going to get through this,” Ruth whispered. “I’m right here, and I don’t plan on going anywhere. You can talk to me, alright?”

He released a shuddering breath against her face, allowing his eyes to flutter shut as he savored the feeling of her warm touch. The three words he’d been meaning to say all night danced on the tip of his tongue but refused to pour from his lips.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve you. I-”

“You didn’t have to do anything,” she interrupted, her thumb caressing his cheekbone lightly. “I know I don’t say it enough, but thank you. You make me so happy, Johnny.”

Bucky raised his hand to cover her much smaller one on his cheek as he sent her a soft smile. “I should be the one thanking you. You…you mean everything to me, Ruth. Everything. And I’m so sorry for talking to you like-”

“Just kiss me,” she whispered, her eyes flicking to his lips.

John immediately obeyed, tilting his head to connect their lips softly, their worries fading away as they lost themselves in each other. Ruth’s hands slid from his face to the nape of his neck, her fingers tangling in his hair as she deepened the kiss with an eagerness he’d never seen from her before. He fought against every instinct in him urging him to take things farther, but she deserved more than that…they both did.

As they pulled away from the kiss, they remained wrapped in the other’s arms, their breaths mingling in the air between them. John’s gaze softened as he looked into Ruth’s eyes, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. He noticed the remnants of tears still clinging to her lashes, her eyes red and puffy, and his hand raised to brush her hair behind her ear.

“I’m getting a weekend pass to London,” he said breathlessly, nervously peering down at her. “Come with me.”

Ruth grinned and pecked his lips again softly. “I’d want nothing more.”

In that moment, with Ruth in his arms, John Egan vowed London would be the place…would be the time he’d confess his love for her. 

How he couldn’t imagine life without her.

London…it would be the place that everything changed.

Monday, September 20th: AAF Grove, Berkshire: 0700 HRS: 7 AM

Hope let out a long sigh as the C-47’s wheels left the runway in one swoop, rising above the airstrip and leaving the base far below them as they climbed into the clouds. Frank talked quietly to Bill in the cockpit, and both girls couldn’t help but smile at their pilot's antics. He was a good pilot, but as a mentor, he was a hard task-master, and Bill was being put through his paces. Ruth pulled John’s latest letter from her pocket, rereading his words with a small smile.

September 17th My Ruth, Hey, slugger. I hope you’ve had a good few days. Have your runs been okay? Has Frank been nice to you? You know I won’t hesitate to rough him up if not. I have been unable to keep my mind off of you…as usual. Schwarz developed the pictures from the party yesterday, and I’ve found myself staring at our photo for longer than I’d like to admit. You’re just so beautiful…the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on…have I told you that? Schwarz also gave each Buck and Hugh individual pictures of them with Hope. I’m pretty sure Buck is sending copies of the letter he’s writing from his bunk. You’ll find one of us in this envelope, as well. I’m sure you’ll love it just as much as I do. I keep my copy in my breast pocket, next to my heart so you’ll be with me everywhere I go. When I start to spiral, I just look at you and your smiling face, and I remember what all this is for. Every day I ask myself how I got so lucky that you landed on my base out of the hundreds scattered around England, and after months of wondering, I still have no explanation.  All I know is that I kiss the lucky cross around my neck every time I leave and come back from a mission, thanking Mrs. Virginia Morgan that I made it back to the ground…back to you. I still can’t believe you wouldn’t take it back, Ruthie, but I promise to keep it safe until you’re ready to.  I can’t wait to take you to London, doll. Did your CO approve your leave? I can try to pull some strings if she doesn’t. Maybe I could give her a call and use my charm to convince her? What do you think? Stay safe up there for me, alright? Yours Completely, John Egan P.S. The Yankees swept the Athletics in their series, keeping their 9-game win streak alive. We’ve got the American League in the bag! What do I always say? The Yankees always end on top! Remember that, doll. You’ll be hearing it a lot after we win the World Series next month.

Both women received letters from their Majors late the night before and immediately wrote their responses, promising to send them the following morning. But when they were called up for a run before dawn, both dashed to the post room before hurrying back to ‘The Angel.’ 

“So how is the hotshot then?” Hope asked with a grin, amused by Ruth’s embarrassed expression, her pale cheeks blushing deeply. 

“How do you know I call him that?” Ruth asked curiously, but Hope just shook her head with a chuckle. 

“Ruth, you've read his letters out loud enough times when I’m around that I’ve basically read them myself.” The blonde nodded slowly, half listening to Hope and the other half of her too engrossed in John’s words as she reread them again. After a few moments, she looked up from the letter.

“I wrote to my parents about John the other day,” Ruth called out over the engine’s whine, a fond smile on her lips.

“Oh yeah?”

The blonde nodded. “Yeah.”

“What all did you tell them?” Hope asked with a raised brow.

Ruth’s innocent smile turned into a mischievous smirk as she chuckled to herself. “Well, my Mama always reads the letters, so I wrote the basics for her to tell my Dad and Jamie, but gave her all the details.”

“John’s right,” she laughed. “You are a sneaky woman.”

Shrugging, Ruth pulled out the picture he sent from her pocket, her heart fluttering as she studied it, tracing the lines of John’s face on the small photo. She was glad to finally have a piece of Johnny to carry around with her, being able to whip it out whenever she missed him or just wanted to see his handsome face.

The plane rocked from side to side as they gained altitude, and the large metal bird flew ‘through the ‘gate’ as Frank liked to call it as she moved to full throttle, soaring up into the clouds. 

“Stop being a clot,” Frank hissed to Bill, flicking a few switches in the cockpit with a long sigh, “You know what you’re doing kid, but shit, try using your head sometimes okay?” 

“Yes Sir,” Bill nodded shyly, turning his attention back to the plane's control panel. The girls smiled at each other, listening to the two men bickering in the cockpit

“Where do you think the boys are right now?” Ruth asked, looking up nervously at Hope. She always worried when she thought of where their men could be. The thought of them in harm's way made her sick to the stomach. 

Were they flying like girls were? Were they in danger? 

Hope slouched in her seat as the plane leveled out, “I don’t know, Rue. I’d like to think that they’re at Thorpe Abbotts. Hugh’s probably getting into some sort of trouble or terrorizing poor Harry Crosby. John is probably having some coffee with his whiskey about now at breakfast.” This caused Ruth to laugh lightly at the thought of John’s usual morning routine.

“What about Gale?” 

Hope took a little longer to reply this time. “I think Gale would… well I don’t know. He’s probably either eating breakfast with John, walking Meatball, or he’s with his baby.” 

“His baby?” Ruth sputtered, cocking her head and looking at her friend for the answer.

“His Fort, ‘Our Baby’,” Hope laughed, watching as Ruth nodded, understanding the men’s attachment to their Forts. She guessed they all felt the same way about their own plane, although Ruth thought if she never had to fly again it would be a blessing. 

The pair soon fell into silence, both organizing their mussette bags for the hundredth time, as if they hadn’t checked all their supplies pre-flight. Hope moved up to the cockpit to check in with the pilots while Ruth moved along the racks of supplies, laying out fresh blankets on each cot, humming an Artie Shaw song to herself as she went.

“How’s it going up here, boys?” Hope leant over Frank’s shoulder, watching as the cloudy sky unfolded before them. 

“Can’t complain,” Frank replied plainly. “I think Billy Boy here is getting the hang of things at last.” The young pilot grinned at the compliment and Hope couldn’t help the sense of pride that filled her chest. They’d had several copilots training with Frank, but Bill was definitely the girl's favorite. 

Looking back out the window, Hope pointed towards the dark clouds erupting ahead of them. 

“Hey Frank, what’s that up ahead? That’s not what I think it is…right?”

“That, my dear Hope, is flak fire,” he said regretfully. “Looks like we’re heading to the movies. I suggest you girls grab a seat…Ruth may want a blindfold for this next part.” 

Hope swallowed, nodding quickly before rushing back to her seat. Bill talked quickly to Frank in the cockpit but remained calm, it wasn’t anything they hadn’t been through before. 

Ruth’s fearful eyes widened as Hope explained what Frank had told her before swiftly strapping herself into her seat. Her mind raced at all the terrible outcomes that could occur. 

What happens if they go down? 

What would happen if they just blew up over Germany? 

She tried to put on a brave face but she knew Hope would see right through it, she always did. 

The plane swerved as flak erupted around them, swooping and diving as the black clouds and wuffs from the Ack-Acks flew wildly around them. Hope and Ruth were thrown around in their seats as the plane swerved, flack bursts shaking the bird. They were very grateful that they always secured all their supplies and stretchers down pre-flight.

Hope’s fingers dug into the metal seat and her eyes closed as her stomach flipped in circles with each turn. She’d not had any issues with her motion sickness since her training, but the urge to vomit up her breakfast only grew as the bile rose in the back of her throat. 

Ruth opposite from her was as white as a sheet, her already pale face now the color of a corpse with her lips set in a thin worried line. Her teeth clenched tightly together and her eyes squeezed shut as flack pierced through the plane's fuselage above her head. 

“Shit!” Ruth shrieked, covering her head with her hands.

“You okay, Rue?” Hope shouted over the noise of the war around them. A glossy-eyed and panting Ruth only nodded quickly in response.

Bullets ripped through the riveted sheets of the fuselage with a series of metallic pings, piercing through easily and sending metal flying into the cabin like confetti. With the chaos surrounding them, Ruth barely noticed when a piece of shrapnel flew past her face, just grazing her temple. Flak fire continued to blast in the air surrounding the skytrain and the noise was deafening to everyone inside. 

How could anyone think strategically in these conditions? 

“OH FUCK!” Frank’s voice shouted from the cockpit as he leaned over to Bill, “Stay with me, kid.” Bill’s lifeless body lay wide-eyed staring straight ahead, his young face frozen, expressionless. “DAMMIT!” 

“What’s wrong, Frank?” Hope called out as she unbuckled herself and stumbled from her seat, edging her way towards him. 

Ruth’s eyes widened. “Hope! What are you doing?!”

She simply sent her a worried glance, seeing the blood trickling down Ruth’s cheek before disappearing from view, and the blonde stared at her in disbelief. When another burst sent burning hot metal through the plane’s fuselage around her, Ruth’s eyes clenched shut, her head bowing as she mumbled a prayer for them, her hand instinctively reaching up for her usual comfort… her necklace….her lucky necklace that now hung around the neck of John Egan.

“Our Father, who art in heaven…”

In the cockpit, Frank didn’t turn to face Hope when he spoke, his eyes trained on the incoming fire from the Messerschmitts flying in all directions around them. 

“We have been fucked by the fickle finger of fate and today is not our day. We’re down to one engine and she isn’t sounding too healthy. We’re littered with holes and,” he paused, his throat constricting as he motioned to the young boy who lay dead beside him. “And the Krauts…they got Billy.” 

The plane juddered and smoke poured from the remaining engine with a horrendous screech as Frank took a steadying breath. The next words to leave his lips sent a shiver down Hope’s spine. 

They were the ones every airman, flight nurse, and pilot prayed they’d never have to hear…

“There goes the last engine. We’re going down!”

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[instructionsnotincluded]

Is music one of the things Frank and Rosie will bond over? She’s gonna get such a kick out of the story of him humming Artie Shaw isn’t she?

Oh yes! Among a few other things as well, I’m really excited to write more about their friendship, he’s going to be such a strong pillar of support for her after Bucky goes down.

[footprintsinthesxnd]

Chapter 7: Lucky 25

Gale Cleven x Hope Armstrong (ofc)

Series Masterlist

This story is based on on the fictional portrayal of these men from the MOTA to series.

Summary: With Dye reaching his 25th mission tensions are high among the airmen, while wedding planning is in full swing for the Clevens. But not everything is destined to go as smoothly planned.

Collab: A Pair of Silver Wings by @major-mads

Thursday, September 16th: Thorpe Abbotts AAF Base, Norwich: 13:00

Hope's back ached as she bent over her old Singer sewing machine, the silk fabric sliding effortlessly as the needle punched thread through it. Silk was hard to come by with rationing, and there was no way, even with Hugh's help, that she could afford a new wedding dress. Luckily for her, Frank had a knack for making things disappear from the storeroom on base and later making them reappear in the girls' hut.

Ruth hummed Artie Shaw out of tune from behind her as the blonde cut out more fabric from the pattern, laying the pieces on cloth over the tissue paper cutouts. Tatty and Helen hand-sewed small pieces of lace together, just some odd cuts they'd gotten from the local fabric shop.

The girls had been working hard all afternoon, measuring, cutting, and sewing. The dress was coming along nicely, and with only three weeks to go until the big day, Hope was anxious to get it finished in time.

The Singer buzzed along nicely as three familiar heads poked around the Nissan hut door.

"Knock, knock," Hugh called out, stepping inside, his hands on his hips as he assessed the girl's work. Gale and John followed him closely.

"You guys can't be in here," Helen scolded.

"It's bad luck to see the dress before the wedding, Cleven," Tatty hissed, marching over to the men. "You better get going before..."

"My dear Tatty, don't be so defensive, I merely come to offer my services," Hugh bowed dramatically.

Hope sniggered, all too aware of Hugh's sewing skills, "I don't think your skills are required here, Hugh. You're not really one for a needle and thread."

Hugh scrunched his face up at her just like he'd done since they were children, and before he could throw out any more ridiculous ideas, Gale stepped forward.

"I don't want to cause trouble, I merely want to spend some time with my girl," Gale smiled charmingly at Tatty who moved aside.

"No wonder Hope can never say no to you, Major. That damn smile."

Gale made his way across the room just as Hope finished covering the dress with a cloth. "Hello darling," he leaned down, pressing his lips to hers, "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too," Hope stood up, pressing her lips against his again, smiling into his touch.

"Tatty, come on," John all but whined, pointing into the hut while Tatty stood firm on the doorstep. "It's me."

"And that is exactly why I'm not letting you in. You'd get your grubby mitts all over the dress."

"I wouldn't dare! Please," John clasped his hands together, looking rather sad and pathetic until Tatty sighed.

"Fine, but one step out of line, Major, and you're out."

John moved past Tatty towards Ruth who was still sitting on the floor, surrounded by a collection of differently shaped pieces of silk.

"Never knew you were such a seamstress," he grinned, pressing his lips to hers and enjoying the familiar blush that crept across her pale cheeks.

"Well, I'm a woman of many talents," Ruth retorted, grinning up at the Major.

"That you are."

"Hugh, put that fabric down now," Hope hissed, moving away from Gale's arms to scold her brother, smacking his arm until he released the precious fabric. "Do you have any idea how hard it was to get hold of this?"

"It's just some silk, I'm sure any white fabric would do," Hugh replied nonchalantly, pushing the reeling of cotton across Helen's desk and glancing awkwardly around the room as it fell to the floor.

Hope sighed, "Hugh, for once in your life, please just be serious and stop acting like a child. It's for my wedding day. Please don't mess this up for me." Hope loved her brother dearly, but sometimes it felt like she had to do all the work in their relationship.

Hugh nodded apologetically, "I will, I wouldn't dream of ruining your big day, Little Bird." Hope smiled at her childhood nickname, it had been a long time since he'd called her that. "But is there anything I can help with?"

"Yes, there is can," Helen grabbed ahold of Gale and John's sleeves, marching them towards Hugh, "You can take these two and keep them out of trouble until this evening."

"Oh, come on, we just got here," John groaned, glancing at Ruth in the hope of some sympathy, but she just waved at him. Gale glanced around Helen, blowing a kiss in Hope's direction before the three men descended from the hut.

"You ladies have fun now, we'll see you later," Hugh called out, slamming the door dramatically.

Helen turned back to the group, hurrying back to her spot beside Tatty, "I honestly don't know how you've put up with Hugh for so long."

"I didn't have much choice," Hope laughed, turning back to the sewing machine, "He's my brother after all."

A few moments passed until another knock sounded at the door, and Helen marched back over with a groan, slinging it open to reveal John leaning on the doorframe.

"What is it?"

He peered around the woman, his eyes falling on Ruth. "Can I get a kiss?"

"You just got one!" she giggled, rising to her feet and approaching the door. "You're so needy."

Helen moved out of the doorway, chuckling as Ruth rose on her tiptoes and quickly kissed John before pushing him out the door with a wink. "See you later, hotshot!"

As the door closed in his face, John couldn't help but shake his head at Ruth, his heart racing at the mere sight of her. Buck clapped his shoulder and turned him toward the nearby mess hall where Hugh was a few feet ahead of them. "You gonna tell her tonight?"

"If Dye gets back in one piece, I will," Johnny nodded, scratching his mustache.

"He will."

…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…………………….

One Week Earlier: September 10: Thorpe Abbotts AAF Base

The mess hall was unusually quiet as John and Gale sat eating their breakfast, having missed the morning rush by sleeping in an extra hour. They both laid awake the night before, their minds unable to shut off after the events of John's party. Since they'd arrived, Bucky was silent, only speaking to thank the kitchen staff for his coffee.

Buck stared at him skeptically, taking in his slightly pursed lips and distant gaze that focused on the plate of eggs, bacon, and toast in front of him. "I can hear the gears turning from here, John. What is it?"

A few beats passed until he spoke up, his eyes remaining on his food. "Ruth."

"Hmm," Gale nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. "What about her?"

"Everything...I can't get her off my mind, Buck. I don't know what's going on."

'I do,' the younger man thought.

John shook his head with a sigh, his brow creasing as his conflicted gaze lifted from the table. "I can't explain it."

Gale put down his coffee cup and smiled softly at his friend. "I can...you love her."

"I don't know, Buck."

"What don't you know?" he asked as his brows furrowed. Gale saw the deep thought behind the Major's eyes and realized the confident and boisterous John Egan was nowhere in sight. This Bucky was unsure of himself, facing emotions he'd never felt before. Buck's voice softened as he continued. "What do you know?"

John raised a questioning brow and Gale leaned his elbows onto the table. "How do you feel around her?"

"I don't-" Bucky frustratedly groaned, sitting back into his seat. "I don't know how to explain it."

"Just try."

Every moment he shared with Ruth replayed like a film in John's mind as he tried to find the words to describe the way he felt.

"When I think about her," he finally began, a fond smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "It just...It just does somethin' to me, Buck, and can't think straight."

Gale listened intently, nodding along as John continued, his voice growing softer.

"And after last night, how she did all that for me? I've never met anyone like her." His brow creased in thought as he struggled to find his next words. "She's...she's-"

"Everything," Buck finished, Hope's smiling face forming in his mind.

Gale's words hung in the air for a few moments as the Majors thought of their beloved nurses.

Bucky nodded slowly, his gaze drifting to the window where the morning sun filtered through the glass, lighting up the mess hall in a golden glow. He took a deep breath as he finally came to terms with what he was feeling.

John Egan was in love.

"Yeah," he murmured, his deep voice rumbling in his chest. "She's everything."

A knowing grin painted Gale's face as he repeated his earlier statement. "You love her."

"That how you feel about Hope?"

"Yeah, it is."

As Buck's words settled over them, John felt a weight lift off his shoulders. It was as if hearing the words out loud made them easier to grasp, and he couldn't deny it any longer...he was in love with Ruth Morgan.

But even as the realization settled in, Bucky couldn't shake the uncertainty that lingered in the back of his mind. This was a new territory for him, uncharted skies that both excited and terrified him. He'd always prided himself on his wild heart, but now he found himself willingly surrendering to feelings he'd managed to avoid for so long.

"You know," Gale began, breaking the silence that had fallen over them. "You should tell her. It's pretty clear she feels the same way."

"We said we'd take it slow."

Cleven pushed his plate aside and leaned further over the table. "So? When have you ever been one to follow the rules?"

Finally, John's serious expression faded and he shook his head with a chuckle, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "And when have you ever encouraged me to break them?"

"Today," he shrugged. "But only cause you need an extra shove."

"Should I get used to this new Buck?"

"Don't count on it," Gale smirked as he sat back in his chair, taking a sip of his coffee.

…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…………………….

1900 HRS

The lively sound of Glenn Miller filled the Officer's Club as the band brought the hall to life. Couples jitterbugged and lindy-hopped across the dance floor, and happy conversation filled the air, including loud cackles and laughter from a table in the bar section where Hope and Ruth sat with their Majors. They were reminiscing about their time in San Angelo, Texas with the girls' under their arms and Hugh to the right of his sister.

Buck took a sip of his ginger beer with a raised brow. "Isn't that where you picked up that damned jacket?"

"Sure is," John replied and sucked his teeth. "My pride and joy."

"So that's where you got it," Ruth giggled, shaking her head.

"Well," he shrugged, holding a hand up defensively. "It was being discontinued, so I had no choice."

Sitting up in his chair across from them, Hugh let out something between a chuckle and a scoff. "It was a choice, alright."

Hope's eyes met Ruth's at the comment, waiting for a snarky comeback from the Major, but the blonde just patted John's chest consolingly before he could respond. "It was being discontinued for a reason, John. Have you seen that thing?"

"Thank you. It always looks dirty," Gale interjected as he smirked over at John. "Seems Ruth is on my side for this one, Bucky."

A giggle escaped Ruth's lips and she sheepishly looked up at Johnny to see him already staring down at her, a playful frown on his lips a few inches away. "Say it isn't true, Ruthie."

"Sorry, hotshot," she laughed, her eyes unable to resist flicking to his mouth at their close proximity. "Buck's right, hon, but know you're still my favorite Major."

John's frown faded and his lips curled into a mischievous grin as her laughter filled the air, and to his surprise, she leaned up and kissed him softly. Ruth pulled away after a moment with bright pink cheeks. The taste of her drink lingered on Bucky's lips as his gaze locked with hers, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

John forced himself to look away and took a sip of his pint before turning to Hope and pointing at her across the table. "And whaddya think, Hope? About my jacket? It's nice, right?"

The woman met Ruth's lovesick eyes and chuckled, shaking her head slightly. "It's not the worst thing I've seen, but I prefer Gale's."

Gale smiled smugly, pressing his lips firmly to her forehead, "That's my girl. Always knew you had good taste."

"Well, of course I do, I picked you didn't I?" She grinned at him, leaning up to press her lips to his, smiling into the kiss.

"Well that's right. You sure a lady with a good eye," Gale mused, nuzzling his nose into her neck.

"Gale," she chuckled, feeling his breath tickling against her collarbone, while her fingers carded through his tousled, blond locks.

"Gaaaale," John teased, dramatically drawing out the name with his eyes closed. "What kind of name is Gale, anyway?"

Hope's eyes widened in amusement as Gale groaned beside her, having heard the joke a million times before. "Well, what kind of a name is Bucky?" she asked, tilting her head with a sarcastic grin. "Now Buck I can get because he's a dashing young man, but Bucky? I don't know..."

The group burst into laughter and John tried to send the woman a dirty look, but he couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from curling into a smirk and joining in with them. Before long, he itched for a dance and stood to his feet, pulling Ruth toward the dance floor.

"I think it's time for a dance, Ruthie."

"Alright, I'm coming!" she giggled, sending Hope a wave as she tried to keep up with Bucky's long strides in her tight skirt.

Hope chuckled, taking a small sip from her ginger beer, her eyes following the couple as they took to the floor and 'Danny boy' began to play.

She swayed slowly in her chair, Gale's arm around her as she enjoyed the music.

Hugh slammed his glass down loudly against the wooden table, causing a few startled faces to look over at him.

"Well I've already finished my first glass, anyone else want another drink?" A chorus of 'yes please' followed. Hugh stood up, dragging Hope along with him, "Come on, you can help me bring them over."

Hope went to complain but he raised an eyebrow which meant he wanted to talk. She followed him, placing a quick kiss to Gale's cheeks that left him glancing longingly after her.

Hope leant against the bar, placing her now empty glass down next to Hugh's.

"So your dress is all finished then?" Hugh asked, passing Hope a glass of whiskey that she eyed suspiciously, "Don't worry, it's the good stuff." Hugh motioned to the hit flask in the top of his jacket pocket.

"You're unbelievable," she sighed, taking a sip and wincing as the amber liquid burned her throat.

"Hey, I'm not a big drinker, I drink socially and so I want it to be something I actually like," he cocked his eyebrow at her, but Hope just shrugged.

He had a point.

Their father had always been a heavy drinker and so Hope and Hugh had vowed they wouldn't be like him. They both drank but neither had been more than a little giggly rather than black out drunk.

"I can't imagine getting to 25 missions," Hugh admitted, leaning casually against the bar as he took in the scene.

Hope glanced up at him, waiting for the punchline that never came. "Don't say that. Don't ever say that, Hugh. You're on 21 missions now. There's no reason you won't get those other 4, and then you'll be back to the States. You'll have the life of luxury selling war bonds with a girl on each arm."

Hugh smirked, chuckling as he took another sip of his whiskey, "We'll see. It's a miracle any of us make it to 25 missions. Hell, even you got hit. I don't know what I'd have done if..." Hugh gulped, turning back towards the bar, but Hope wasn't about to let him shut her out.

"But I didn't, alright. You can't get rid of me that easily, okay. We're Hope and Hugh remember, always."

Hugh nodded, throwing his arms around his younger sisters and pulling her close to his chest, "I don't know what I'd do without you, Little Bird."

"Well it's a good job you'll never have to find out."

Hugh pulled away, looking down with a small smirk, "You know there's a big empty stage up there waiting to be filled. How about you and me, in say half an hour?"

Hope couldn't resist, nodding excitedly, "You've got a deal."

"Alright!" Hugh shouted a little too loudly, ignoring all the eyes that fell upon him. "Let's give 'em something to remember."

The arm draping around Hope's shoulder made her jump until her fiancé smiled down at her. His blue eyes seemingly bluer than ever as he gazed at her, a soft smile on his lips.

"What are you two planning?" He raised an eyebrow, looking between the two siblings like a father questioning his unruly children.

"Us!"

"Plotting!"

"Never!" They spoke the last part in unison, shaking a horrified look that Gale could suggest such a thing.

He sighed, chuckling under his breath, "Alright Armstrong's keep your secrets, but could I borrow my fiancée for just a moment?"

Hugh sighed jokingly, relinquishing the hold her had on his sister's arm and pushing her lightly towards Gale who only pulled her closer, pressing his lips soothingly to her forehead. She smiled into the kiss, his arms wrapping around her made her feel like they were the only two people in the room.

Gale led her over to the door and she went out into the evening, the warm summers air greeting her pleasantly. His hands remained firmly on her hips so he could spin her around, grinning when she came to face him.

"I have something to tell you," he spoke seriously, but his was probably the most serious she'd ever seen Gale. Even when he'd asked her to marry him he'd seemed less serious.

Hope's face fell and she reached up to cup his cheek, rubbing her thumb gently over the rough stubble. "Whatever it is you can tell me. Everything will be okay."

Gale nodded, his hands coming to rest on her own cheeks, "I don't want you to be mad or upset but I wrote a letter to your parents."

Hope swallowed hard. The image of her parents receiving a letter from the fiancé they had never met and somehow seemed to despise nearly brought her to tears.

Gale's heart instantly shattered at the desperate look on his girl's face, chewing her lips anxiously.

"Hope, I asked for their blessing and they said yes. I explained how much you meant to me, how I'd do anything for you and that I want to marry you. I want to make it official and make an honest woman of you."

Hope chuckled at the honest woman part, she wasn't sure her parents would have approved of their recent night together, but what they don't know can't hurt them.

"I love you, Hope," he admitted, looking down at her like he was saying those words for the first time. His hands found their way around her back, running up and down her spine, making her shiver.

"Here," he removed his jacket, wrapping it around her shoulders. "It looks good on you."

Hope blushed, stepping forward to clutch his shirt, "What did I ever do to deserve you?"

"Well, maybe it's because you're the most amazing woman I've ever met, and I can't believe you're mine." He pulled Hope away, twirling her around before her back came to rest against his chest, swaying to the music that drifted through the open doors to the hall.

"I can't wait to become Mrs Cleven," Hope admitted, enjoying the feeling of Gale's hand curling tighter around her. He hummed softly, planting a soft kiss to her temple. Hope wondered how long they could get away with staying outside before someone missed them.

Her question was quickly answered when none other than John Egan's wild face appeared in the doorway, "Hey Lovebirds, hurry up you're missing the party!"

Gale groaned, burying his head into Hope's hair, "Five more minutes!"

Hope chuckled, catching hold of Gale's hand, "Come on Cleven, you owe me a dance."

For someone who didn't like dancing, Gale wasn't half bad. He easily led Hope around the floor, his right hand resting firmly on her hip and the left clasping her own.

His eyes never left hers and they swept around the floor as if they were the only ones in the room.

"I finished my wedding dress today," Hope spoke softly, just loud so Gale could hear her, a gentle smile on his lips.

"Oh really," he mused, spinning her around until she came back into his embrace. She nodded happily as Gale pressed his lips against her forehead. "I can't wait to see you in it," he kissed her again, "and out of it..."

Hope blushed, hiding her head against his chest. She was surprised by his forwardness, but then again they were going to be married in less than a month and then she would have him all to herself.

The song drew to a close but Gale's arms remained firmly around her.

"Gale?" Hope reached up, cupping his cheek, her thumb running along his sharp jawline. "What's wrong?"

Gale shook his head, "Nothing, nothing's wrong, Love." He tried to pull away but Hope pulled him back.

"Gale, please."

His cobalt eyes grew stormy as a melancholy smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, "I try to tell myself that every time you go up you'll come back, that you'll always come back to me..." Gale sighed, rubbing his hand over his chin.

"I can't lose you, Hope. I love you and..."

"Where is this coming from, Gale? Don't think like this, alright? I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere. In a few short weeks I'm going to walk down the aisle and become Mrs Cleven," she pulled him down to her, brushing her lips briefly against his. "Then we'll go on our little honeymoon to London where we can spend all day together... in bed.., making love..."

Gale cut her off, pressing his lips firmly to hers, "You'll be the death of me, Mrs Cleven."

"Oh no, you're not going anywhere, Major. Not a chance."

The couple laughed, kissing once more as they suddenly came to the realisation that another song had started playing and couples had already begun to dance around them.

Gale chuckled, linking his arm through Hope's and leading her back to the table where most of the others were still seated.

Harry was throwing peanuts across the table into Hugh's mouth, laughing hysterically as Hugh caught another one. John and Ruth amusedly watched them for a moment until Hope spoke up.

"I leave you two alone for all of five minutes and you wreak havoc," Hope tutted, patting Harry on the head like a small child. "If you choke on all those nuts Hugh, I swear to God..."

"Alright mother," Hugh laughed, throwing one of the nuts at his sister.

Hope and Gale took their seats beside Harry, settling easily beside each other, Gale's hand draping lazily around her shoulder.The six of them fell into easy conversation, and soon, the table became more crowded when Veal, Crank, Brady, Blakely, and a few other airmen joined the group. Laughter and wisps of cigarette smoke filled the air as the men and the two nurses unwound, enjoying the company of friends.

Gale's free hand moved to rest against Hope's thigh and she shuffled closer into his side, enjoying the chance to relax amongst their friends. This one was about a failed exercise where several forts experienced 'equipment malfunctions' and 'discrepancies' that forced them to land in or near the hometowns of family and girlfriends.

Crank grinned, shaking his head. "Yeah, the Hundredth almost got canned after that."

"And I got demoted for the first time," John chimed in as he thought about just how many times he'd changed commands over his time with the 100th.

Eyes widening in surprise, Ruth playfully smacked his chest. "For the first time? I thought you getting demoted back to Squadron CO only happened once?"

"It would've been three times if LeMay would have found him or Buck that day he came to base," Kidd added.

Nudging him with her shoulder, Hope smirked at him. "And what about you, Gale?"

Gale shrugged as he hid a smirk behind his glass of ginger beer. "I don't know why LeMay thought both of us were responsible for the 'raunchy discipline' on base."

"So you're sayin' it was just me?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying."

"I mean," Benny said, trying to hold in a laugh as he rubbed Meatball's head affectionately. "I don't think I've ever seen Buck tear up a bar with a narwhal tusk."

Laughter erupted like a sudden burst of fireworks around the table, echoing around the lively room and drowning out the music.

Narrowing his eyes at them, John pointed around the table.  "Technically, none of you dodos saw any of that!"

"We didn't have to. We saw the aftermath," Brady called out through his chuckles.

After a few moments, the laughter died down, and the large group broke into smaller conversations. Hugh nudged Hope's arm, distracting her enough for him to pull her away from Gale, who's hand was resting on her chair.

"Shall we do it then?"

She grinned back at him, nodding enthusiastically.

How could she say no to Hugh and his troublesome ways?

It had always been the two of them, even as kids she'd gone along with his plans.

She glanced back at Gale, noticing that he was still deep in conversation with Demarco, his eyes trained on the pilot in front of him as Hope disappeared into the crowd.

Hugh had been begging her to sing with him at a party ever since she'd got on stage and sang with John. 'It will be like old times,' he'd promised, recalling the many times they'd sung at friends' birthday parties or family gatherings while growing up.

They weaved through the many bodies that filled the hall, making it rather warm and clammy in a claustrophobic sense. Hugh stopped occasionally to greet someone he knew. Helen and Tatty were sitting at one of the tables they passed and Hope winked at them, encouraging their gossip as they watched in confusion as the siblings continued towards the stage.

Hugh hopped up with ease, turning to help Hope as she struggled with the tight pencil skirt of her dress uniform. She had to try and keep some modesty, and she managed to step up with as much grace as she could muster.

The two microphones stood center stage, which Hope began to wonder whether this was Hugh's doing. Had he really planned this all ahead of tonight?

Hugh stood at the back of the stage, sharing a few hushed words with the band, before passing over a few notes. The conductor nodded, turning to pass on the request to the rest of the band who were sitting there in utter horror, as the two siblings took their places.

Hope wondered if they thought they were about to relieve the night of her first party at Thorpe Abbotts where she'd sung with John. At least she knew that Hugh was a lot better singer, not that she'd ever hurt John's feelings by telling him that. Then again, knowing Hugh and his theatrics anything could happen.

This really could go one of two ways.

Hope's eyes scanned the crowd, noticing that Gale was still deep in conversation and oblivious to her disappearance, his hand still resting on the back of her now empty chair. She wondered if he'd notice soon and look around to check on her. She knew he didn't mean to ignore her, too engrossed in whatever DeMarco was telling him, but she also knew that when he realised he'd apologise profusely later, which made her smile even more.

The band thrummed to life, music springing out across the room in a less-than-subtle fashion that had all heads turning towards the siblings. Ruth was pointing at them as she whispered something in John's ear, while Gale did a double take, glancing back at the empty chair in confusion.

Hugh took his place in front of the microphone, encouraging Hope to do the same as he pressed his lips near the cool metal grille.

Hope felt the music flowing up through the stage and through her body. She often wondered that if she hadn't become a nurse then maybe she would have been a singer. Somehow performing for the troops in USO clubs just didn't have the same appeal as nursing.

"One of our planes was missing, two hours overdue.

Yes, one of our planes was missing with all its gallant crew

The radio sets were hummin', they wait for their word

Then a voice broke through that hummin'

And this is what they heard"

The song, rather aptly chosen by Hugh for Dye's 25th mission, began to flow easily. Hugh joined in, belting out

"Comin' in on a wing and a prayer"

The crowd began to join in, all turning to face Dye who's cheeks were growing redder by the minute as he stood beside Lil, trying to shield his face.

"What a show (What a show)

What a fight (What a fight)"

Hope was pleasantly surprised by their harmonisations, all things considered they hadn't properly sung together in years, and yet Hugh was keeping time with her like it was only yesterday.

The instrumental section began to play and Hugh took her arm, spinning her around in quick concession. The room blurred around her, bright colours flashing into one, and yet she could still make out Gale. He hadn't moved from his spot, bright, blue eyes never leaving hers, his lips pulling upwards into a warm smile.

Hugh's firm grip on her hips was the only thing preventing her from becoming airborne as he spun her again. She felt a little like a ragdoll, and only hoped that she looked as though she was keeping up with her brother.

The song came to life again and Hope was back on the microphone, tapping along without missing a beat. Hugh grinned widely at her. It was lovely to see Hugh so carefree, despite his wild antics he always had worry lines streaking his forehead but now his face was smooth, he looked ten years younger.

As the tempo slowed and the song came to an end Hugh wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her hard, "Thank you, Hope."

"For what?" She pulled back, watching his face worriedly for any sign that he was going to give away what was eating away at him.

Hugh shook his head, "For being here," he laughed, returning to his normal jolly personality. He grasped her hand, pulling her down from the stage. Hope hopped down the best she could, ignoring the small ripping noise her skirt made, that would be a problem for later. Hugh had a little skip in his step but Hope couldn't help the anxious feeling that grew inside her.

Hugh threw himself down into his chair, downing the last of his whiskey, while Hope took her seat beside Gale, his face still in awe and his lips turned upwards into the largest smile.

"Have I ever told you how amazing you are?" He mumbled softly, kissing her cheek, letting the rough stubble on his chin graze against Hope's cheek.

She squirmed, laughing lightly, "Oh only about every hour that I'm on base and in every letter."

"Good," he mused, kissing her cheek once more, "Because you're the most amazing woman I've ever met..." Gale was broken off by John's loud declaration.

"What the hell was that, Sparky?" John asked with a mischievous grin, his eyebrows raised at Hugh.

Scoffing as he settled into his chair, the lieutenant rolled his eyes. "I sounded a helluva lot better than you ever have..Isn't that right, Croz?"

Harry's expression dropped, his eyes widening nervously as he darted glances between Hugh and his Squadron CO, who sported a smirk and an eyebrow raised expectantly. "Uhhhhh..."

Ruth was in the middle of sipping her when the comment left Hugh's lips, and she choked on the liquid, her hand flying to cover her mouth as she coughed, trying to regain her composure. Immediately, John's hand on her chair moved to rub her back as he ducked to check on her, the rest of the table turning their attention to the pair. Before he could speak, she waved him off with a sheepish smile, finally managing to swallow.

"Sorry about that," she rasped, wiping at her eyes. "I'm alright...please continue."

Looking around the group, Ruth met Hope's concerned gaze and sent her a teary grin, her pale face splotchy as she caught her breath.

"Where was I?"

Bubbles chuckled under his breath before sending Hugh a smirk. "You were complimenting Bucky's singing abilities."

"Right! I-"

"Everyone look here!"

A flash of light momentarily blinded the group as Captain John Schwarz, the 100th's photographer, stepped forward with his camera in hand.

"Alright, everyone, let's get a good one!" he called out cheerfully, adjusting the settings on his camera.

The group quickly turned toward him, Hope beamed up at the photographer, enjoying the feeling of Gale pulling her closer into his chest. Hugh sat beside her, his hand resting against her shoulder and he gave it a light, reassuring squeeze.

With the click of the camera, the photographer took the picture, but before he could step back, John called out to him with a grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Hey, Schwarz. Mind getting a picture of just the two of us?"

He nodded enthusiastically, adjusting the camera to focus on the couple. Bucky flashed a charming smile as he reached over and gently tugged Ruth from her chair into his lap.

"Hey!" she protested playfully, her cheeks flushing pink as John wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her close.

Hope chuckled, watching her friends' antics when Gale mumbled, "Should we get a photo too? The photo I have of you is getting a little worn around the edges."

Hope nodded, placing a small kiss on his lips, "Well, you gotta stop looking at it."

"I try, you're just too damn beautiful." He kissed her again, this time a little harder, his right hand weaving into her hair, while his left cupped her cheek. For a moment Hope forgot where they were until Hugh elbowed her in the ribs.

"Hey, Clevens keep it in your pants there are children present," he pointed at Harry who was blushing furiously, trying to avoid eye contact with the couple.

Hope sniggered, leaning over the best she could with Gale's hands gripping her waist, "Sorry Croz."

The navigator gave a curt nod, turning back to see what Captain Schwarz was doing.

"That reminds me, did you get through all those condoms Frank gave you?" Hugh leant back on his chair, a cheeky grin on his face.

Hope leant over smacking her brother hard on the chest, causing her palm to sting. Before she could retort the comment Gale chinned in.

"Don't worry, Hugh, we put them to good use."

Hugh remained silent, looking between Gale and Hope with a deadpan expression. Hope's cheeks grew redder but Gale's lips turned up into a triumphant grin. He'd left Hugh speechless.

Gale laughed softly, peaked over at John and Ruth, who were in a tight embrace, lips sealed in a kiss.

"Alright, lovebirds. That's enough," Gale grinned, repeating Bucky's words from a few minutes before. A bright blush spread across Ruth's cheeks and Hope knew she'd tease her about it later.

The photographer moved around the table, snapping a photo of Demarco and Meatball, Hugh with poor Harry in a headlock, until he moved around to Hope and Gale.

Gale stood up, leading Hope slightly away from the table, wrapping his arms around her from behind and kissing her temple. Hope grinned widely at the photographer. She realised that the next time they'd have a photo like this would be their wedding day. The image of her silk dress hanging in the Red Cross hut only made her smile wider. She was excited for her wedding, but she was even more excited for four uninterrupted days with the man she loved in London. It would be the longest amount of time they'd spent together in concession and she couldn't wait.

Gale felt his heartbeat quicken as Hope leant against his chest. He couldn't believe his luck. The woman in his arms was going to become his wife in a few short weeks. He wasn't sure what he'd done to deserve such an incredible woman but he promised himself that he'd tell her how wonderful she was every day for as long as he was able to.

He smoothed her brown locks away from her neck, pressing a firm kiss to her cheek.

"I love you," he mumbled under his breath, enjoying the light pink dusting that grew over Hope's nose.

"I love you too."

Hugh appeared beside the Captain, mumbling something under his breath before moving over to the couple.

"Could I please borrow my sister, Cleven?"

Gale looked a little forlorn as he released Hope from his embrace, and stepped back towards the table.

Hugh pulled his sister into his side, a bright smile on his lips, his eyes shining as the photographer snapped the photo.

"I'll have to send it to Ma and Pa with my next letter, they'd love it," Hugh smiled thoughtfully.

"Yeah, I think they would," Hope added, realising that it had been a while since her last letter home. She decided to write one as soon as they were back to The Grove, and might even slip a picture of her and Gale in too.

Back at the table, Hope slipped into her seat beside Gale, his strong cologne filling her nostrils and she instantly felt at ease. His arm came around to drape over her shoulder as they resumed their previous positions. Ruth sent her a bright smile from her position on John's lap, and soon the group's conversation picked back up, laughter filling the air once more.  This continued for a little while longer, but when Dye made his way over with Lil under his arm, there was a shift in the air.

It was almost unnoticeable at first.

Ruth chuckled under her breath, watching John take a drag of his cigarette and point to Dye as he neared the table. "There's our very own Charlie Robertson!"

"Charlie? Who's Charlie?" Lil asked, trailing behind Glen and smiling at John as she passed him on his way back to Ruth.

"Not me," Hugh snickered, sipping his whiskey with a grimace, it wasn't as good as the VAT-69. In his footlocker sat an unopened bottle of VAT-69 he was saving for his own 25th mission.

No one else thought anything was wrong with the alcohol, but Hugh just had his particular taste and he stuck to that.

"1922. White Sox at Tigers. No runs, no hits, no errors," John answered, his hand gesturing in the air with each word before sinking into the chair beside Ruth. He kissed her on the cheek quickly, scooting his seat closer to her until their shoulders touched and she wrapped her arm around his bicep, whispering into his ear.

"He threw the last perfect game, right?"

"Sure did,"  he grinned, shooting her a wink. "Way to go, Slugger."

Benny nodded from beside Hope and Gale, not having heard the blonde. "Yeah, he's the last guy to throw a perfect game."

"Til' now!"

"You get to go home before Florida?" Jack asked, and Hope turned to Gale, nuzzling her head into the crook of his neck.

"You're nearly at your 25 missions," she mused, running her fingers absentmindedly up and down his thigh. Gale nodded slowly, pressing a small kiss against the top of her head, mumbling a yes.

He'd barely thought about his 25 missions if he was being honest. His main concern was to survive each mission and to get back to Hope in one piece. The thought of completing his 25 missions and being shipped back to the States to sell war bonds, and leaving Hope behind filled him with anxiety. He'd be leaving his wife in a war zone while he'd have a comfortable life back home.

Hope's thumb brushing across his cheek drew him back to reality.

"What's on your mind?" She asked, her eyes filled with concern and he instantly moved forward to kiss her, his lips pressing softly against her own. He could feel the tension in her shoulders dissipate and she relaxed into his arms. The warmth of his touch enveloped her and brought on a fuzzy feeling inside her.

"Nothing, Sugar," he mumbled, burying his head into her hair and healing deeply, enjoying the fragrance of her perfume.

She chuckled, reaching up to push his head away so she could face him, "Talk to me, Gale."

He sighed, leaning back in his chair and moving around so he sat directly in front of her, "I was just thinking about my 25th mission."

Hope could see the sadness filling his blue eyes, glistening slightly with unshed tears. "Gale..." she pressed her lips against his forehead, ignoring the fact that she left a red lipstick stain, cradling him close.

"You're gonna make it to your 25th, I know you will."

"But what about you?" He mumbled, clutching her hands in his lap.

"Well I'll be here, doing my job until the allies win and then I'll come back to the States to be with you."

Gale sighed, "But why should I be back home safe when the love of my life is still in danger? It's not fair, Hope. I want to be here with you. I've been thinking about staying on after my 25 missions, maybe get a promotion so I can stay here with you."

Hope shook her head, "No Gale, you get that chance to go home you take it, okay? You promise me you'll take it. My job will be a whole lot easier when I know you're safe." She bit her lip, chewing at the red lipstick as she waited for him to reply.

Gale was torn, he hated seeing Hope so torn up, the unshed tears in her dark eyes tugging at his heart strings. "All right," he replied, pressing his lips to hers once more. He wasn't sure whether he could keep his promise, but for now she let out a sigh of relief.

"We're all that's left, aren't we?"

Hope and Gale suddenly became all too aware of the conversation going on around them. Hope glanced around the table at the other airmen, all wearing the same downtrodden and exhausted expression. Harry Crosby, but his quivering lip nervously, as if he could cry at any moment. Hugh's eyes were downcast and he picked anxiously at the cuff of his uniform.

Hope's wandering eyes met Ruth's across the table, and she sent her a weary frown at the way the lively men quieted, each lost in their thoughts.

Blakely spoke first, breaking the silence that fell over the group "12 crews out of-"

"35 that flew in from Greenland," Crank finished.

With his lips in a tight line, Bucky nodded solemnly. "That's right."

Ruth reached out, her free hand finding John's atop his chair's armrest, squeezing it gently. He didn't meet her gaze, but she felt him deflate slightly beside her just before Gale began to speak.

"We're just happy for you, Dye."

"That's right. We are," John added, his voice deepening as he raised his glass. "Very happy for you. Very happy."

Glen held out his drink to the group. "And to all the fellas that aren't here tonight, who should've been."

The table broke out into quiet mumbles of agreement as they all lifted their glasses in a toast before tipping them back. Hope took a long swig from her ginger beer, as Gale took a sip from his own. Everyone's faces remained somber as they drank and a few seconds later Dye's voice filled the air.

"Gentlemen...and ladies, I'm gonna go check on the boys, make sure they aren't celebrating too hard without me."

As he walked away with Lil tugged against his side, John's eyes followed them and he pointed in their direction, muttering, "Charlie Robertson," under his breath.

The jovial atmosphere from before shattered as the group remained quiet despite the raging party around them.

Gale pulled Hope closer, his left hand clasped in her on her lap, his finger running over the engagement ring adoring her finger. It was a constant reminder of their hope for the future, of their lives together, of their love. It was all he needed to keep him going despite the horrific odds.

Hope reached over, squeezing Hugh's hand to which he sent her a small smile in return.

Hugh's heart had sunk as he realised how truly lucky he was to still be here, with his sister and his friends, when so many were not. Gale looked lovingly down at Hope and the pair shared a small kiss. Hugh couldn't have been happier for them, truly, but his heart ached for a love like theirs. His arms remained empty, and despite all the women he'd flirted with and kissed none had ever been love. The realisation that if he went down no one would mourn him other than his sister. He'd never know true love.

Hope could sense the tension in the room, each man lost in his own thoughts. Glancing around the table it became abundantly clear of all the men she had met on base when they had first come to Thorpe Abbott who were no longer here.

"I'm, uh, gonna get another drink. I'll be back," John announced quickly, rising from his chair and turning toward the bar. Ruth's worried eyes followed him before she glanced back at Hope.

Gale watched him go with a pang of concern and kissed Hope on the temple, promising his return before he got up and followed after his friend. The women shared a knowing look as they watched the men they loved disappear into the crowd. Seemingly following their Majors, the rest of the men got up and trailed after them a few minutes later, leaving Hope and Ruth alone at the table.

"I'm worried," Ruth muttered, chewing her bottom lip nervously. "What happens if John or Gale don't make it back one-"

Hope cut her off quickly and moved to sit beside her.  "Hey. They're going to be fine, Rue. Before long, we're gonna be celebrating their 25th mission, alright?"

"Alright," she whispered as her gaze fell to the table.

The dance floor cleared over the next few minutes, and just a few couples remained dancing. In the middle of the floor was Helen, wrapped up in the arms of an airman they'd never seen before. Wide grins grew on their faces as they watched her place a few kisses against the dark-headed stranger's jawline. Over his shoulder, Helen's eyes wandered to the two women sitting alone, and Ruth smiled, giving her a thumbs up as Hope winked at her.

Feeling someone's gaze on her, Hope scanned the room, meeting the familiar but concerned blues of Gale across the room from where he leaned against the bar beside John. They talked to yet another new airman the girls had never met, but even she could see the grimace on Bucky's face as he leaned closer to the man, gesturing his hands out.

She glanced over at Ruth who thankfully was too busy tidying up the mess the men left before returning her eyes to her fiancée. In the few seconds she'd looked away, the replacement airman disappeared, and the two Majors stood alone.

"Come on, Rue. Let's rejoin the party, shall we?" Hope asked, rising to her feet and offering Ruth her hand with a forced smile.

She knew something was up with John. She could tell by Buck's body language alone.

The blonde took her hand, allowing Hope to lead them towards the men. But just as they passed Helen and the dancing soldier, Colonel Harding and Major Bowman stepped through the doors and sauntered over the bar, a fat cigar hanging from Chick's lips.

"My boys!"

Not wanting to interrupt, the women stood on the outskirts of the group, moving to stand beside Tatty, even though both Buck and Johnny sent them a questioning look. Ruth scanned Bucky's face, but her smile fell when she immediately noticed the line between his brows and the muscle twitching in his jaw.

"Listen up! I just had a mood-killing conversation with Doc Stover. He thinks you sissies could be getting flack happy."

"No, not us, sir," the airmen chorused.

"I told him war is war. The longer you go at it, the more it screws a man up. And it's been that way since the first caveman son of a bitch picked up a club and went after the other. Did cavemen go for head-shrinking?"

As the men shook their heads, Ruth and Hope shared a wary glance.

Where was this going?

"No! Damn sure not! What counts is that you soldiers show up ready and able to fight! What you do between battles..." Harding trailed off with a chuckle, smirking as he took a drag of his cigar.

Hope watched as Buck remained stoic, no reaction on his face, but John looked over at Ruth, sending her a wink. "I like your style, sir!"

For the first time, Bucky's wink didn't make her heart skip a beat...it made it drop into her stomach. His grin was so clearly forced that her mind went haywire, and he was the only thing she could focus on. Sensing the blonde finally picked up on John's demeanor, Hope silently intertwined their hands, squeezing Ruth's reassuringly.

Red broke his silence, shaking his head slightly as he spoke. "Aerial combat like this hasn't been around since the caveman, sir."

"Of course not, Red. Every war has its novelties," Harding dismissed the Major, turning to look at the dance hall. A split second later, his demeanor changed, and his voice grew serious. "Who the hell decorated this fiesta?"

Everyone looked around the group before Jack hesitantly spoke. "I put together a committee, sir."

Craning their heads to see around the Colonel, the women confusedly searched the hall for what he possibly could be upset about, but had no such luck.

"That damned plane looks like it's in a nosedive."

The sound of chuckles filled the air as John grinned over at Ruth. "Fire 'em. Fire the committee...Ruth can decorate next time."

She did her best to smile back at him, but it was just as forced as the grin that hung on his lips.

"I won't bother next time," Kidd muttered.

Harding seemed to move on and faced the men again, waving them all closer. "Come on, get in. Come here. Got something to tell 'ya."

Hope and Ruth stepped forward, watching the Colonel over Tatty's shoulder, their eyes moving between their Majors and the CO.

"You know how we could end this whole thing tonight?" Chick asked, his face scrunched into a half-grimace as he leaned into the group. "We fill up one of our forts with as many 500-pounders as she can hold, we bomb the hell out of Hitler's hidey-hole."

The grin on Johnny's face fell, and his tilted his face to the floor with slightly pursed lips for a moment before returning his gaze to Harding. His forced smiles and strained banter only added to the underlying tension in the room. Ruth's fingers tightened around Hope's hand, seeking reassurance as Chick continued.

"I'm sure Red and Bubbles could locate that mustachioed little fucker."

Bubbles grinned proudly. "Yes, sir."

"Well, now who's flack happy?"

The second the words left John's mouth, Ruth's heart plummeted, and a knot formed in the pit of her stomach. She held her breath waiting for what would happen next.

What happened in the last ten minutes to change his attitude completely?

All the officer's went silent, shooting each other worried looks while Bucky and Harding stared at each other.

"Who?"

"You are," John nodded, his expression bearing no trace of any amusement.

Harding smirked, "You are."

"No, you are," Egan leaned forward, thwacking Harding's chest with his hand. "Sir."

The next few seconds seemed to stretch on for hours as the atmosphere became even more tense and the room seemed to hold its breath. Gale quickly glanced over at Hope, his eyes filled with concern, much like the rest of the officers. The blonde beside her didn't notice Buck, unable to tear her eyes away from John, who looked like he was teetering on the edge of an outburst.

The Major and the Colonel stared at each other until a smirk broke out on Chick's face and he chuckled, the rest of the group following suit when the tension eased.

"Mmm, Single fillies. Come on, boys. Let's get the lead out!" Harding smirked, taking a drag from his cigar and left the party with Red trailing behind him.

The officers dispersed out onto the dance floor, leaving John, Gale, Hope, Ruth, and Benny at the bar.

Gale turned to catch Hope's eye, his face saying 'hold on while I talk to him'. Hope nodded in agreement, catching Ruth's arm and leading her away from their men.

"What about John?" Ruth looked hastily over her shoulder for him, but Hope pulled her on.

"Gale's going to talk to him, it will be okay, Ruth. They've been through a lot, remember? It's bound to catch up with them all at some point and we just need to be here to help them if they fall." Hope led her back to the table, sitting her down and placing the glass of ginger beer in front of her.

Hope hated watching Ruth's worried eyes keep darting back towards the boys but she knew that her own eyes kept drifting back to Gale's. If this evening had taught her anything it was that life was more precious than they could ever realise and each moment should be cherished.

They needed a distraction from their anxieties, and Hope blurted the first story that came to mind.

"Hey Rue, do you remember that day when you were new to the Grove and you walked in on Frank naked?"

Ruth's cheeks immediately heated up as she buried her head, "How could I forget? I'd only known the man for three days."

Hope laughed too, "Well it could be worse. On my first day on base he nearly ran me over with a jeep. That was before he realised I was on his plane. He bought me a beer that same evening to apologies."

Ruth laughed, imagining a young Hope giving Frank hell for trying to run her down.

"We had a medical technician on our plane with us back then. Joseph was his name. He was a right pretty boy, thought he was the bee's knees but I soon told him otherwise."

Ruth chuckled, knowing that Hope probably gave the poor boy hell. It was strange thinking back to when they first came to the Grove, the airbase that had quickly become their home and safe haven.

"It seems like a lifetime ago that I met you, Hope.I thought you hated me at first."

"Oh, I didn't hate you...I just thought you weren't going to make it," Hope replied honestly, feeling slightly guilty about how she'd misjudged her best friend. "You soon proved me wrong though, Rue. You're a good nurse."

Hope looked up as Gale approached them, smiling brightly at her while John still stood near the bar looking quite somber. Ruth stood up, quickly excusing herself as she made her way over to the bar, resting her hand against John's arm as she spoke softly before they retreated outside.

"Is he gonna be okay?" Hope asked, worried for what Ruth would have to face next. She knew John would never hurt her purposefully but she also knew he had a short fuse and could say something that would break her heart.

"When have you ever known John not to be okay," Gale chuckled, "I got him a pass to London for a few days and he's gonna ask Ruth to go with him."

Gale leant a little closer to Hope, "Which means that we could have some alone time..."

"I like your thinking, Major," Hope grinned, walking her fingers up to his chin where she tilted his head down and brought their lips together. Gale's hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her close and beginning to sway to the music, while their lips remained together.

The beat from the band quickened as 'Blue Skies' came into full swing.

"Hey, it's John's song," Hope laughed, and Gale just groaned, hiding his head in the crook of her neck for a moment before replying.

"But you sing it so much better than he does."

Hope hummed in agreement, resting her head against Gale's chest, her eyes half closed as he led her with ease around the floor.

Gale's eyes shot up when he noticed Ruth hurrying through the dancing couples, heading straight for the bathroom at the end of the hall. Her blonde locks covered most of her face as she shielded herself from view, but Gale caught sight of her cheeks, red and blotchy which only ever happened when she cried.

Soon after she disappeared, John came into view. He hesitated where he stood in the middle of the club, lost and unsure of what to do next. Gale watched his best friend as he seemed to debate his options. Whatever had just gone down between the couple must have been serious.

Frustratingly running a hand over his mouth, John caught sight of Gale on the dance floor where he swayed slowly with Hope. Gale's brow furrowed in confusion as he glanced in the direction Ruth had gone over Hope's shoulder. With a nod of his head, he silently urged Johnny to go after her. It was the push that he needed to make a decision, and John quickly disappeared in the direction Ruth had vanished.

Gale felt his shoulders sag as the tension began to lift, whatever was going on with Ruth and John he was sure they'd work it out, he just didn't want to worry Hope about it on one of her rare evenings off.

A cold object on her leg caused Hope to jump, leaping forward into Gale's arms. He stumbled back, laughing heartily as Meatball sat beside them.

"Goddammit Meatball! I nearly had a heart attack," Hope scolded, reaching down to scratch the dog's head.

"You didn't mean it did you, Meatball," Gale scooped down, lifting the large husky into his arms, he snorted, turning his head to avoid the husky's large tongue lapping across his face.

"Fancy a dance Meatball?" Gale began to sway across the floor, the large dog sitting comfortably in his arms. Hope watched in awe as he spun slowly around the floor. He was oblivious to the strange glances he got from the other couples on the floor. Hope wondered if he'd dance with their children like that. She could see him now, clutching a small child in his arms as he swayed around the floor with them.

Gale's eyes met hers across the floor and he smiled cheerfully at her, as he made his way back over to her, placing Meatball back on the floor. She'd headed back to Demarco who was still at the bar and Gale took Hope into his arms.

"I love you, Gale Cleven," Hope declared. She'd been so nervous to tell him how she felt to begin with and now it was second nature to love him. How could anyone not love Gale? She was just so grateful that he loved her back.

"I love you too, Hope, always," he brushed a few loose strands of hair from her face, running his thumb over her cheek bone.

"When's your next mission?" Hope asked, playing with Gale's fingers as she asked the nerve wracking question.

"I don't know yet," Gale admitted, "Although 'Our Baby' is already so whenever the light goes on we'll be off."

Hope nodded sadly, regretting asking the question that she always feared the answer to. She knew that there was always a risk and yet somehow a mission before their wedding just seemed so ominous.

"Hey," Gale tugged on her hand, "Come with me."

She followed him obediently through the kitchen and out of the side door into the cool night air once more. Gale's hand remained firmly on her waist as he led her over to a bench situated on the grass.

Hope hopped up onto the bench while Gale sat on the seat below, his hand running up and down her bare thigh soothingly, until it brushed against her scar. Hope jumped with a gasp, shoving Gale's hand away.

"Hope? Are you alright, Sugar?" Gale's blue eyes swam with concern as he reached out again to his fiancée, this time his hand came to rest on her thigh covered by her dress. "Does it still hurt?"

Hope shook her head, tears slipping from the corners of her eyes as she tried to contain the emotions that threatened to bubble over.

"Then what's wrong, Sweetheart? You know you can talk to me about anything? We're in this together," Gale pleaded, moving so he could sit directly in front of her, both his hands now resting on her thighs.

Hope exhaled slowly, letting out the breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding, a breath that she'd been holding ever since the accident. "I haven't been sleeping well," she began slowly, her hands coming down to clutch Gale's. "Every time I close my eyes I relive the accident again and again. I just can't seem to move past it and..."

The desperate sob escaped her lips and Gale immediately jumped into action, climbing onto the bench beside her and clutching her close as she began to bawl into his dress uniform. Her body felt so small and frail in his arms and as her shoulders shook violently, Gale thought each one might break her.

"I just can't take it anymore."

That was the final straw, he enveloped her now, his whole body surrounding her, holding her close, comforting her. His own silent tears began to slip down his cheeks as the woman he loved broke before his eyes, and there was nothing he could do to help her. Gale moved his arm to rub small circles up and down her back, soothing patterns that eventually helped her breathing to calm.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, wiping her hand across her cheeks, trying to avoid smudging her makeup that she'd so lovingly applied that afternoon.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Sugar. Nothing at all, alright? I've got you now and I'm never gonna let anything bad happen to you, I swear," Gale placed his index finger under her chin, tilting her head towards him so he could press a gentle kiss against her lips. Their mouths molded together easily and Hope soon found herself slipping her tongue into Gale's mouth, fighting against his own tongue for dominance, while his hands roamed over her curves.

They both pulled away, a little breathless but with wide smiles on their faces.

Gale chuckled softly, running his hand through her dark curls in an attempt to tidy them up from where his hand had wound around them.

"We should've heading back inside... before they missed us," he spoke between kisses, his breath fanning over her cheeks.

Hope nodded sadly, crawling down off the bench. For a few moments she'd been distracted enough not to think about how awful everything else was, and Gale could tell.

"How about you spend the night with me?" He suggested, throwing his arm around her shoulder and waiting patiently for her answer.

"You know we can't, Colonel Harding found out last time," she giggled remembering how Hugh had informed her that the whole of the officer's hut knew what they'd been up to at John's party.

"No, not in the officer's hut, but I have a fine plane you have yet to meet and if we pad her out I reckon she could give us a good night's sleep."

Hope's heart swelled as she looked up at Gale in the moonlight, "You'd do that for me? You'd sleep in a Fort just to be with me?"

"I would sleep anywhere as long as I have you by my side," he assured her, grasping her left hand and thumbing over the engagement ring. "When I gave you this ring I promised you that."

Biting her lip and tears trickling down her cheeks, she nodded hastily, leaning up to kiss him once more. "What did I ever do to deserve you, Gale?"

"You landed on the right airbase, that's what. My life has been so much better since the day you flew into it."

With happy tears slipping down both cheeks, they made their way back inside where the party was still in full swing, taking their original seats.

Hugh was standing with Demarco and Harry at the bar when they walked in, giving her a worried look but Hope just shook her head with a smile, before taking residence in Gale's lap. His hand rested firmly against her scared thigh.

"You know, if we have children I'm gonna tell them their mum's a war hero, and she's got the scar to prove it."

Hope smiled sweetly at his antics, the fact that he was thinking about kids too made her heart swell even more as her love for him grew.

"Well, I think it's their dad who will be the war hero, he'll have completed his 25 missions and all."

The couple laughed lightly, swaying along to the beat as the band played 'Bless 'Em All'. Something about what Gale had said earlier replayed over in Hope's mind, 'We're in this together', and they indeed were. Maybe things weren't as bad as Hope thought they were, and with Gale by her side how bad could things really be?

…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….………………….

September 20th 1943, The Grove, Berkshire 05:00

Hope let out a long sigh as the C47's wheels left the runway in one swoop, rising above the airstrip ,and leaving the base far below them as they climbed into the clouds. Frank talked quietly to Bill in the cockpit, and both girls couldn't help but smile at their pilot's antics. He was a good pilot, but as a mentor, he was a hard task-master, and Bill was being put through his paces. Ruth pulled John's latest letter from her pocket, rereading his words with a small smile.

"So how is the hotshot then?" Hope asked with a grin, amused by Ruth's embarrassed expression, her pale cheeks blushing deeply.

"How do you know I call him that?" Ruth asked curiously, but Hope just shook her head with a chuckle.

"Ruth, you've read his letters out loud enough times when I'm around that I've basically read them myself." The blonde nodded slowly, half listening to Hope and the other half of her too engrossed in John's words. After a few moments, she looked up from the letter.

"I wrote to my parents about John the other day," Ruth called out over the engine's whine, a fond smile on her lips.

"Oh yeah?"

The blonde nodded. "Yeah."

"What did you tell them?" Hope asked with a raised brow.

Ruth's innocent smile turned into a mischievous smirk as she chuckled to herself. "Well, my Mama always reads the letters, so I wrote the basics for her to tell my Dad and Jamie, but gave her all the details."

"John's right," she laughed. "You are a sneaky woman."

Hope had her latest letter from Gale tucked safely into her top pocket, 'It's close to my heart, just like you,' she always told him. His words always brought her a deep sense of comfort that she'd never felt before. Somehow it felt that he was giving her one of his warm, loving embraces as her eyes trailed over his words.

The new addition of, 'you are the love of my life' made her heart beat rapidly in her chest every time she thought about it. She could picture him now, tucked away at his desk in the corner while John and Hugh chatted loudly, probably interrupting his train of thought with, 'Buck, does this sound right?' as John wrote his own reply to Ruth's letter. It amused her that he now signed his letter from 'your Gale'.

Unable to resist, she pulled the letter free from her pocket, unfolding the page lovingly and smiling as the picture that came with it. Their two smiling faces looked back at her, Gale's face lit up with a bright smile while he held her lovingly in his arms. The second picture in her pocket was of her and Hugh, both smiling cheekily like they had in so many pictures as children.

She thumbed the edge of the letter, reading over the last words Gale had sent to her. She'd posted her reply just that morning, having dashed to the post room with Ruth before hurrying back to 'The Angel'.

September 17th 1943

To my dearest Hope,

I know I'm getting sentimental and that this is my third letter in the same week but I can't help myself. I just want to be close to you again. You're my everything Hope. Everyday that we're apart I know will make our reunion even sweeter.

I don't know how other couples cope being separated for years due to this wretched war. I can barely be away from you for a week without thinking of hijacking a Fort to come and see you. Without your smile the days feel darker but just knowing that you're out there somewhere waiting for me fills me with Hope.

The thought of our wedding coming round so soon keeps me going each day, knowing that in just a few short weeks you'll become Mrs Cleven and that's all I could ever want from this life, to have you with me always. Four days away from everything will be a pleasant relief from all the missions, just to be away from war with you. I bought your wedding gift the other day, it's not much but I just wanted to give you something on the day.

John and I picked up the rings from the jewellery shop in Norwich yesterday and I'm pleased to say that mine fits like a glove. I can't wait to wear it always. You mean everything to me Hope.

I know this week has been tough on you but know that I am always with you, no matter what, and I'll always be here when you need me.

I hope that you will be able to visit Thorpe Abbotts again soon. I know John would also appreciate a visit from Ruth, and even Hugh enjoys your company, despite him being adamant that he doesn't.

I love you always.

Your Gale

Hope smiled fondly at the thought of their wedding rings, tucked away in a box in Gale's bedside draw, probably alongside all of her letters.

The plane rocked from side to side as they gained altitude, and the large metal bird flew 'through the gate' as Frank liked to call it as she moved to full throttle, soaring up into the clouds.

"Stop being a clot," Frank hissed to Bill, flicking a few switches in the cockpit with a long sigh, "You know what you're doing kid but try using your head sometimes okay?"

"Yes Sir," Bill nodded shyly, turning his attention back to the plane's control panel. The girls smiled at each other, listening to the two men bickering in the cockpit.

"Where do you think the boys are right now?" Ruth asked, looking up nervously at Hope. She always worried when she thought of where their men could be. The thought of them in harm's way made her sick to the stomach.

Were they flying right now? Were they in danger?

Hope slouched in her seat as the plane leveled out, "I don't know, Rue. I'd like to think that they're at Thorpe Abbotts. Hugh's probably getting into some sort of trouble or terrorising poor Harry Crosby. John is probably having some coffee with his whiskey about now at breakfast." This caused Ruth to laugh lightly at the thought of John's usual morning routine.

"What about Gale?"

Hope took a little longer to reply this time. "I think Gale would... well I don't know. He's probably either eating breakfast with John, walking Meatball, or he's with his baby."

"His baby?" Ruth spluttered, cocking her head andlooking at her friend for the answer.

"His Fort, 'Our Baby'," Hope laughed, watching as Ruth nodded, understanding the men's attachment to their Forts. She guessed they all felt the same way about their own plane, although Ruth thought if she never had to fly again it would be a blessing.

The pair soon fell into silence, both organising their mussette bags for the hundredth time, as if they hadn't checked all their supplies pre-flight. Hope moved up to the cockpit to check in with the pilots, while Ruth moved along the racks of supplies, laying out fresh blankets on each cot, humming an Artie Shaw song to herself as she went.

"How's it going up here, boys?" Hope leant over Frank's shoulder, watching as the cloudy sky unfolded before them.

"Can't complain," Frank replied plainly. "I think Billy Boy here is getting the hang of things at last."

The young pilot grinned at the compliment, and Hope couldn't help the sense of pride that filled her chest. They'd had several copilots training with Frank, but Bill was definitely the girl's favourite.

Looking back out the window, Hope pointed towards the dark clouds erupting ahead of them.

"Hey Frank, what's that up ahead? That's not what I think it is...right?"

"That, my dear Hope, is flak fire," he said regretfully. "Looks like we're heading to the movies. I suggest you girls grab a seat...Ruth may want a blindfold for this next part."

Hope swallowed, nodding quickly before rushing back to her seat. Bill talked quickly to Frank, but remained calm, it wasn't anything they hadn't been through before.

Ruth's fearful eyes widened as Hope explained what Frank had told her, before swiftly strapping herself into her seat. Her mind raced at all the terrible outcomes that could occur.

What happens if they go down?

What would happen if they just blew up over Germany? Boom!

She tried to put on a brave face but she knew Hope would see right through it, she always did.

The plane swerved as flak erupted around them, swooping and diving as the black clouds and wuffs from the Ack-Acks flew wildly around them. Hope and Ruth were thrown around in their seats as the plane swerved, flack bursts shaking the bird. They were very grateful that they always secured all their supplies and stretchers down pre-flight.

Hope's fingers dug into the metal seat and her eyes closed, as her stomach flipped in circles with each turn. She'd not had any issues with her motion sickness since her training, but the urge to vomit up her breakfast only grew as the bile rose in the back of her throat.

Ruth opposite from her was as white as a sheet, her already pale face now the colour of a corpse with her lips set in a thin worried line. Her teeth clenched tightly together and her eyes shut tightly, as flack pierced through the plane's fuselage above her head.

"Shit!" she shreiked, covering her head with her hands.

"You okay, Rue?" Hope shouted over the noise of the war around them. A glossy-eyed and panting Ruth only nodded quickly in response.

Bullets ripped through the riveted sheets with a series of metallic pings, piercing through easily and sending metal flying into the cabin like confetti.

With the chaos surrounding them, Ruth barely noticed when a piece of shrapnel flew past her face, just grazing her temple. Flak continued to blast in the air surrounding the skytrain, the noise was deafening to everyone inside.

How could anyone think strategically in these conditions?

"OH FUCK!" Frank's voice shouted from the cockpit as he leaned over to Bill, "Stay with me, kid." Bill's lifeless body lay wide-eyed staring straight ahead, his young face frozen, expressionless. "DAMMIT!"

"What's wrong, Frank?" Hope called out as she unbuckled herself and stumbled from her seat, edging her way towards him.

Ruth's eyes widened. "Hope! What are you doing?!"

She simply sent her a worried glance, seeing the blood trickling down Ruth's cheek before disappearing from view, and the blonde stared at her in disbelief.

When another burst sent burning hot metal through the plane's fuselage around her, Ruth's eyes clenched shut, her head bowing as she mumbled a prayer for them, her hand instinctively reaching up for her usual comfort... her necklace....her lucky necklace that now hung around the neck of John Egan.

"Our Father, who art in heaven..."

In the cockpit, Frank didn't turn to face Hope when he spoke, his eyes trained on the incoming fire from the Messerschmitts that flew in all directions around them.

"We have been fucked by the fickle finger of fate and today is not our day. We're down to one engine and she isn't sounding too healthy. We're littered with holes and," he paused, his throat constricting as he motioned to the young boy who lay dead beside him. "And the Krauts...they got Billy."

The plane juddered and smoke poured from the remaining engine with a horrendous screech as Frank took a steadying breath. The next words to leave his lips sent a shiver down Hope's spine.

They were the ones every airman, flight nurse, and pilot prayed they'd never have to hear...

"There goes the last engine. We're going down!"

Tags: @georgieluz @docroesmorphine @major-mads @violetdaze25 @bcofl0ve @precious-little-scoundrel @blurredcolour @artlover8992 @b00ks1ut @xxluckystrike @hockeyboysarehot @groovin2beats @kmc1989 @ginabaker1666 @hesbuckcompton-baby @forsythiagalt

[prune-life]

Patience, baby (Samuel Drake x Reader) One-shot

Please read the A/N so you won't be confused, thank you!

Tagging: thank you so so much @missdictatorme for wanting to be tagged in this monstrosity of an attempt of a fanfic

Warnings: Nothing, but the reader has a moment (But, Sammy to the rescue! (Yay!))

A/N: Okay, where to begin? lmao I initially wanted this to be a 1920s AU but it got mixed in with a lot of my ideas so, just take it with a grain of that 100 years old, 20s-70s salt. All the flapper slang will be under the fanfic! Also hi hello hi this is my first time writing a Sam fic and I was disappointed when reading this crap, but I do hope you'll enjoy it nevertheless haha. Thank you for reading! (Also, Sully is a bartender, hope you like it!) Also, also, sorry for any grammatical errors!

✧*。 ✧*。

A suggestive tone picked up when you entered the many familiar rooms within the of yore building. It was no grand, simply striding between the many alleys and rat holes which imitated a classic neighbourhood, including the rats within - the people - giving it an excellent vibe of life and long driven days with thrill and fun.

Despite the early-late chatter and noises that eluded out of the nifty house, it never ceased its lively, but overly relaxing atmospheres.

That is, after all, what you came for.

Artie Shaw's clarinet waltzed, his music coming out of a crooky gramophone near the corner of the counter, where stood the man that you’ve been meeting almost the whole week until now, this glamorous week being more than welcoming to the many ideas and opportunities you’ve been met with. Today was, to your own anticipation, hopefully the same day as the others have been.

“Hell-o, darling. When did you get here?” the hair greying man greeted out of nowhere once you stood infront of his wooden counter, a cigar hanging from the side of his mouth, his frame sporting a white button-up, complimented by a typical black vest with - what appeared to be under the everlasting, golden dim of light – an embroidered rose with a story tale red down the sides of his torso.

His grim hands worked themselves on a glimmering piece of glass, which even from your own position, smelled of the nectar called alcohol.

“Just now, all these nights have me feeling like a lonely dud.” You sighed, slumping your shoulders, the black, thick coat which kept you warm throughout all these nights revealing a white fuzz from the inside. You slipped it off to the crook of your elbow and reached the stool you’ve placed yourself yesterday. And the day before. And the day before that. “What about you, Victor? Still have that cuddle-cootie slat biting on your ankles?”

Sully stopped in his tracks, rising an eyebrow at you curiously, before exhaling, a smile tugging on the corners of his smoky lips. He set down the freshly washed and wiped glass infront of you and turned himself around, reaching for the drink of runny rum, which had the nickname of your 'usual'.

“I believe they had a wonderful... Night. Together.” His gruff voice directed towards you, and he tilted the bottle forward. "Elena is quite the catch, Nate's doing well for himself."

You put your palm onto the ring of the cup, giving him a subtle smile, and he halted.

“Not today.”

Sullivan’s arm spread wide and he slightly bowed, turning around, setting the glass up on its mighty spot, “What will it be, then?”

“Just juice will do,” you whispered, looking around the bar, before giving him a twinkling wink, “only for tonight.”

You continued after he popped open a boring bottle of fruit juice, setting it infront of you like it’s the holy essence itself.

“I’d think that Elena would know better than to... Get it on with a forty-niner,” you took a short sip from the bottle, quickly putting it down, “no offense.”

“Don’t say that to me,” he chuckled, “feathers is much obliged, they might've had a couple too many drinks than was planned,” Sullivan sent you an amiable grin, before you turned around and stood on your feet.

“Going to test your skill on billiards?” he questioned from behind you, tapping his finger on the side of the juice jar.

“As if I ever will,” you smiled back at him from behind your naked shoulder, the pearl necklace hugging your neck tight shifting, “I’d much rather keep it calm this time, had a stressful day.”

“Want to talk about it?” Sully offered.

“Nah, I’m alright,” you sighed, but looked forward and began step-stepping away form the busy man.

Victor exclaimed after you through the loud musica, “No hesitation to talk to me, sugar!”

You smiled to yourself.

I know.

✧*。 ✧*。 ✧*。

A tiny tinkle rung above your head, your shoulders immediately getting the breeze of cold air from the closest window, hair bobbing with the silent wind. Music played, this time in a hum, the people around the table eager and keen, some of them hanging by big cushioned seats under a light that shined in the middle of the pool table, as above, so below, a glass visible inside it, staring almost trimmed back at you with it’s shiny reflection.

The place was a brown green aesthetic, with alcohol and cigarettes flaring up your nostrils, wafting through the air like a swarm of bees. The people were lucky there was a window.

“Hey, dude look at you making a spiffy!” an arm swung over your bare shoulders, the warmth creating a sudden, harsh sensation.

“Hey, Chlo,” you snickered at the drunk girl, her ponytail swimming around from behind her neck as always. Her shimmy moving ignited your alert, her stumbling more than foreign to her usual self.

“I’ll tell you what, I’ve seen some keen molls around gin mills- Jesus,” Chloe followed, before Harry stood up infront of the two of you.

“She’s... wasted,” you laughed gently, grabbing her arm and hoisting her arm up yourself, her legs regaining their balance.

Harry nodded in return, crossing his arms over his chest with a soft, inaudible sigh that you only caught by a grumble.

“Bad day?” you asked, pointing to the girl.

“Bad day,” He nodded, “we all have them.” He continued, chuckling, grabbing the girl by her armpits and quickly striding with her to the closest, unoccupied cushion that could work as her own throne.

You shook your head at the girl, eyes trailing around the pool game.

The silent group of people that orbited the room were engaged in touchy-feely kisser conversations, and you felt a sudden feeling of loneliness run over you.

You decided to pack your loneliness out on the club of crickets that played out by the dumpsters from behind the bar's doors.

Together with the unboxing of your halfway empty cigarette box, the everlasting, sickening strawberry scent piled in a round swiftly sticking onto you and your clothing. Your run down, 20s lighter flickered your cigarette on and you took the deepest breath you have all day.

Alone with your thoughts, finally being able to breathe, your back goosed up from the cold, accomodating with the change of icy temperature. And you enjoyed it. To an extent, it brought you an unfamiliar feeling of serenity.

In this hectic world, it was hard to find this one feeling. Except it was there, for a split second, growing and manifesting into euphoric silence.

Tears suddenly welled up in your eyes, and you took another drag of your cigarette, your exhalation a shaky breath.

Warmth spread on your cold shoulders, and the moment you didn’t budge, a sweet, honeyed voice whispered in your ear.

“’vening, princess,” rough hand slithered their way around your shoulders, gently ringing themselves around you, a subtle contact of the person’s lips sitting atop of your exposed shoulder.

You slightly smiled and blinked the tears away, tilting your head to the side to give better access.

Chapped lips enveloped your skin in tender butterfly kisses, and whilst your bad mood didn’t exactly falter, you felt a strand bit better just because of his presence.

“Hey... Sam, where have you been?” you breathed out when his mouth moved to your jaw and began rubbing his cheek against your own, hugging your waist from behind, front lingering on your back for deeper contact. The warmth of his opened button up warmed up your whole spine.

“Funny story. For another time,” he chuckled slightly, the scarred skin of his temples sitting under your jaw, his hair tickling your side gently, “where have you been?” he asked softly.

You inhaled sharply, but didn’t budge, holding the breath for a little longer, eyes focusing on the lamps of the back alley. They flickered and peppered the scene with a nice glow, and your eyes adjusted only to a fraction of the flashing lights.

Sam suddenly took hold of your wrist and brought the cigarette hanging loosely between your fingers to his face.

Snapping out of the brief trance, your head turned to his side, and your breath hitched in your throat when you tried to take another, without exhaling.

The handsome man stared into your eyes, before he took a slight drag out of the cigarette, smoke slipping past his ever chapped lips upon taking it out.

Just then did you force the breath out.

“What’s on your mind, dove?” he took the cigarette in his other hand and raised his other one to caress the other side of your face with his knuckles.

“There’s alot of things on my mind,” you sighed, closing your eyes for a split second, letting your cheek press onto his knuckles, his bruised skin inching closer into the plush.

Sam remained quiet, straightening up, and your eyes snapped open at his movement.

“Let’s go for a ride.” He said, slipping the cigarette into his mouth, hopping off the stairs, grabbing your hand.

You raised your eyebrows, but smiled slowly and pushed your coat up, reaching your hand out, your fingers intertwining into his.

“Where to?” you asked.

“You’ll see,” his eyes lingered on yours.

You took a step forward, “Alright.”

✧*。 ✧*。 ✧*。 ✧*。

The wind splashed into your face like cold water, each and every single bump available on the road making Sam’s motorcycle jump up and down. The green and yellow hue that blended in with the night created a soothing vibe, and you couldn’t help it when your voice chimed out in an exaggerated yell of excitement the more Sam sped up.

Sam was a good driver, especially on motorcycles, so you trusted him with his skills to not crash the two of you into a nearby dump.

The screeching of tires suddenly stopped your voice, and you fed your sight to the beauty of reflections within a far sea that stretched out into the unknown over its width.

The many shades of purples, blues, greens, yellows and even pinks created a translucent shade which screamed in your face.

“Wow..” you breathed out, stepping off the vehicle, your low heeled t-straps clicking along your speedwalk to the metal fence separating you from the ocean.

You heard Sam’s steps behind you, their sound coming closer and closer, before he was right beside you, his hand flying to your own, fingers slithering their way between yours.

“Do you.. you like it?” he stammered out, his voice a soft snickery, eyes watching your every move.

“Do-do I like it?” you whispered, the cold catching onto you slowly, “Sam, it’s... Beautiful,” you giggled, tapping the fence. “But cold.”

He let out a breathless chuckle, standing closer to your frame, his finger curling under your chin, “Sure is.. look at you, going all shaky on me?”

Your knees slightly buckled and you pursed your lips in embarrassment, gaze flowing down to the waters.

Sam’s finger tilted your head back to face him, your eyes locking onto his shining, hazel ones once more.

Your teeth gently dug into your bottom lip, the plump skin creating a sudden pillow for your ever growing nervousness. His warm fingers spread under either side of your jaw, and before any of you could speak a word, your lips were seduced by his in a slow, starting kiss, your hands trailing up his chest, to the crook of his neck, where you ringed the exposed flesh of it in a slow, lustful motion.

His chest rumbled in a groan when your fingers dug into his scalp, and you tugged back. The tip of your tongue spread on his bottom lip, and he much obliged in twirling his own over yours, slowly and steadily, gaining control over your pace.

The cold pipe holding the fence in place pressed against you, and the coat which provided enough warmth for the time being of your heated moment, turned into pudge, sliding down your shoulders, far off your elbows and fell on the ground, the length now shocking your skin through your thin gown, the frozen material hissing on your lower back.

You squeaked and jumped, Sam holding your hips in place so you wouldn’t fall over, your arms tightening around his neck, lip slightly bruised red from the gentle nibbling he’s been giving you.

“You okay?” he asked, his lips quivering in a held back laughter.

“Oh, oh yeah, yup,” you cleared your throat, reaching down for the coat, putting it over your shoulders hastily, “absolute dandy, swell.”

You looked up at him through a pout, I ruined the moment, what a way to go..

Sam sucked in his lips and licked them, tilting his head and coming down to your height, giving you a quick, breathless kiss, before scooping you up, his strong arms ringing under your armpits.

He took you like a ragdoll, hanging you to his full height, walking towards the motorcycle.

“Well, doll, seems like the clock’s ticking and we’ve got a bit more time to go,” he said in a sing-song voice, plopping you down on the back seat, your form emitting a gentle huff, “and I know just the right way to make you mine throughout all of it,” he sent you a kiss on the cheek, hand on your shoulder, a slight smirk candying his handsome face.

You pursed your lips into a thin line and looked up at him in anticipation, eyebrows rised whilst awaiting his proposal, which you would without hesitation, accept.

“How is that?” you slowly asked, letting a small smile appear.

“With drinks, of course,” he bowed down to you, giving you a smooch on the lips hastily, before he sat on the motorcycle.

You slumped behind Sam in disappointment, but continued on slipping your arms through your clothes nonetheless, giving him your soft, sad puppy eyes that bore into his back.

Sam gave you a side look, before turning around fully, a finger rising up to under your chin.

“Don’t worry, baby girl, I’ll make sure you won’t be able to walk tomorrow.” His slow whisper forced your breath to hitch, goosebumps running up your arms surprisingly, and before you could respond, the motorcycle worked more as a stimulation to your growing nerves than you could’ve expressed to him.

The rest of the night bugged your mind, your eyes always flickering to the clock, counting minutes with Sam only giving in his mischief through those sinful, hazel eyes, the message in them always demanding to you, 'Patience, baby.'

✧*。 ✧*。 ✧*。 ✧*。 ✧*。

Dud - A wallflower

Forty-niner - A man who is prospecting for a rich wife

Slat - Young man

Cuddle-cootie - Young man who takes a girl for a ride on a bus

Feathers - Small talk; light conversation

Spiffy - Elegant appearance

"I've seen some keen molls around gin mills-"

Keen - Attractive or appealing

Moll - A gangster's girl

Gin Mill - A bar

[jtownraindancer]

Dean Winchester X Reader: Autumn

{I know I started this super late, but life’s been too busy up till now to actually write. Hoping to get caught up quick though. *fingers crossed*}

*

The first time you met him, he was a junior field agent for the FBI, going by the name of Freely, and he was investigating a series of disappearances.

The second time you met him was in an entirely different part of the state. He was now going by Inspector Tombes, closing off the bar you were working in for a possible "roach infestation." No infestation had ever been found, and you put the coincidence from mind until nearly two years later.

When you bumped into him in a gas station outside London, Ohio, him flirting under the pseudonym of Campbell, you finally called his bluff, recognizing the black beauty idling out in the parking lot.

Four weeks, five in-depth conversations about the supernatural, and exactly two existential crises later, he was simply 'Dean,' and the two of you were vehemently arguing about the proper preparation of a homemade cheeseburger, trying to snatch ingredients from each other as you worked over your suite's tiny stovetop.

He won easily, height and strength offering him a significant advantage as he danced around you, not-so-politely pointing you towards the small settee, mischief written in jade eyes.

Casually flipping him off, you crossed the room, grabbing the closest book, and flopping onto one of the beds with a melodramatic huff.

Some local college station was playing through the ancient FM on your nightstand, a Saturday evening special of "Spooktacular Hits," everything from Ministry to Artie Shaw.

Poor reception left each song tinged in static, somehow harmonizing perfectly with the lingering scent of cigarettes and leather, the flickering red of the Vacancy sign, and the lingering aftertaste of your coffee.

You allowed yourself a moment to soak it all in: Dean's voice as he hummed along with each song, the light pressure from the uneven springs of the motel bed, the water stains on the ceiling, and the small dents in the old television set.

Your friends had been concerned, worried, suspicious. You hadn't really been the adventurous type, nor were you the sort of person to simply decide to just "hit the road," especially when you had only known the guy for about two weeks.

But something had kept drawing you and Dean into each other's paths, over and over again. It couldn't be simple coincidence, but you weren't quite ready to believe in Fate just yet.

Whatever had drawn the two of you together, you counted it as a blessing.

After the initial call on his bluff, the two of you had fallen into a friendship that was as easy as breathing, bouncing off of each other's quirks as if you had known each other your whole lives.

You hadn't realized how desperately you needed something like that.

Your eyes continued to skim the pages, but you couldn't really focus on the words, half-distracted by the determined cook and the many memories already tied to him.

You had only been travelling together for two weeks, but the road so far had taken you to the coastline, through a desert, and now you were exploring a small town in the mountains.

The leaves were already starting to change here, the autumn atmosphere claiming the town as they prepared for festivals, bonfires, and more. You planned to drag Dean to at least one event, hoping to find some souvenir to keep on your dresser.

You doubted that you'd have the chance to even stop for a breath once your vacation ended and you finally went home.

Your creeping despondence summoned a sigh, one that caught Dean's attention immediately.

"You okay?"

You took a moment to study him: the relaxed shoulders, the ear slightly turned back to you, the perfect bow tied in his apron, the slightest shag to his hair that had steadily been growing out for the past month.

Here he was, taking a hiatus from his own job just for you, and now he was making you burgers from scratch and humouring you with a wine tasting later.

How on Earth were you lucky enough to have earned this?

"Yeah; I'm good!"

You made up some quick lie about your book, implying that the protagonists were both idiots who clearly needed each other, but were both too stubborn to actually talk about it.

He either bought it or successfully pretended to believe you, turning back to his work with an assenting comment, adding on a grunt vaguely resembling the words: "sounds familiar."

You allowed your mind to wander again, eyes drawn to the open curtains and the peaks beyond.

In a few weeks, you'd be home again, picking up another job and getting back to the day-to-day repetition and ennui.

Dean would be back on the road, saving people and hunting things, keeping the world safe from behind the scenes.

Like most friendships, you doubted you'd stay in touch forever, doubted that you would ever intentionally run into each other.

But who knew?

You had grown so close in such a short time, so maybe-

You joined him moments later at the table, teasing him over his drink selection, savouring the spark to his eyes as he teased you right back for yours.

He seemed years younger than the man who had bought you Swedish Fish at Shell in September, as if decades of torment had lifted from his shoulders. Even the small wrinkles near his eyes seemed to disappear with his smile, tugging at your heartstrings, your own smile soon appearing.

Maybe you would drift away from each other.

But you and Dean had run into each other many times before.

Something was telling you that this was far from the end.

*

[redhoodssweetheart]

Rhode Island is Famous for You

Pairing: Bucky x Reader

Word Count: 3.7K

Warnings: Fluff, it’s just fluff y’all.  

Description: You’ve had a crush on Bucky since you joined the Avengers, he’s had a crush on you as well.  Things start to shift between the two of you when the song Rhode Island is Famous for You by Blossom Dearie brings the two of you closer.

A/N:  This song is such a good one, and I fell in love with it the moment I heard it.  Here’s a link to it if you want to hear it: Rhode Island is Famous for You by Blossom Dearie. I hope you all enjoy this!

You were on one of the treadmills in the Avengers’ gym. You had a free day and decided to spend it doing things you enjoyed or found comfort in. You liked being in the gym looking out the windows as you ran.  The sprawling green lawns and the bright, blue sky made running a bit more enjoyable.

Unfortunately, it was rainy today so the view was a little drearier than normal, but you didn’t mind so much. Lightning flashed across the sky and you could faintly hear the sounds of thunder over your music.

You were listening to some new music you had on your iPod, you had asked F.R.I.D.A.Y. to fill it with music that you would like but hadn’t heard before. You were getting tired of running to the same thing all the time.

Unbeknownst to you, Bucky had entered the room with Steve and Sam. The three of them were taking advantage of the day off as well. Bucky paused when he entered, he had had a crush on you since you had joined the Avengers a few months ago.

Sam took notice and grinned, gently nudging Steve and pointing toward Bucky. “Dude, when you gonna man up and ask her out?”

Bucky shot a panicked look at Sam, “Shhhh!”

You heard the commotion behind you and turned and saw the three friends standing behind you. Steve was shaking his head trying not to grin while Bucky was giving a smug Sam a panicked look. You pulled your earphones out and said, “Hey fellas, coming in to train?”

“Yeah Y/N, we won’t disturb you will we?”  Steve asked, ever the gentleman.

You shook your head, “No, I was about to leave anyway and enjoy the rest of the storm from the common room. So the gym is all yours.”  You hopped off the treadmill and head for the door. You flashed them one last smile before reaching the door.

Copper comes from Arizona Peaches come from Georgia And lobsters come from Maine The wheat fields Are the sweet fields of Nebraska And Kansas gets bonanzas from the grain

You nodded your head along to the song that had just come on. It was one of the new ones and you enjoyed the easygoing nature of it. It was perfect as you stared out the window watching the storm play out.

It would be over soon so you wanted to enjoy it for a bit longer.  Lightning streaked across the sky followed by a clap of thunder.

Old whiskey comes from old Kentucky Ain't the country lucky New Jersey gives us glue And you, you come from Rhode Island And little old Rhode Island Is famous for you

Bucky had come into the common room and was standing behind you, he was hesitant to move toward you.  Sam and Steve had bugged him half to death to go join you, they had been bugging him since you had left to go after you.

He stood back just watching you for a moment. You looked completely at ease, he hated the thought of disturbing you. In the end, he chickened out and hid out in his room for the remainder of the evening.

“If you don’t get your sorry butt in there I’m going to go and spill to Y/N that you’ve been pining after her like some lovesick puppy since the moment she stepped foot in the compound,” Sam hadn’t been happy when he had found out that Bucky had chickened out the other day.

Bucky sighed and stepped into the kitchen. You were in there making breakfast for the others. It was something you did from time to time when you were in a good mood.

Your hips were swaying to an unheard melody and you were humming a song quietly to yourself. Bucky spied your earphones. “Doll?”  He called out loud enough that he hoped you heard him.

You looked up and pulled one of your earphones, “Yeah Buck?”  The smile you gave him made his heart stopped, you only ever reserved that bright smile for him.

He shifted from foot to foot, feeling more nervous now.  He could just imagine that Steve and Sam had their ears pressed against the door listening in.  “Uh, I was wondering if you wanted some help makin’ breakfast?”

You nodded your head enthusiastically, your heart thundering in your chest.  Bucky had always been your favorite person in the compound, and you had had a crush on Bucky for some time now.  The two of you were both too shy to do anything about it.  “I’d love that, Buck.  You can start the toast and then start on a new batch of pancakes, Thor's coming and that man can pack away the food.”

Bucky chuckled, Thor wasn’t the only one that ate the Avengers out of house and home. He and Steve could pack away just as much as the god could.

The two of you worked in silence, both of you sneaking glances and trying to figure out how to continue the conversation. Bucky glanced at the iPod laying abandoned on the counter. “What were you listening to?”

Your eyes lit up in excitement, “This new, well old, song. I had F.R.I.D.A.Y. put new music on my iPod and the other day when I was watching the storm. It’s called Rhode Island is Famous for You. It’s such a cute song.” You walked over to your iPod and stuck it in the dock and hit play.  The sounds of Rhode Island is Famous for You filled the room.

Bucky listened to the song as he worked, he could hear you humming it under your breath.  The two of you listened to the song and once it was over you stopped it before another song could start, and looked up at Bucky with an expectant look.  “It was good, doll,” he liked the way your cheeks heated at the pet name.  “What else you got on there?”

You excitedly started your music back up.  You continued to talk about some of the songs and how they were old favorites and how the newer ones F.R.I.D.A.Y..  Your face lit up as you told him about how some songs had memories attached to them, some of them even reminded you of your favorite books.

By the time all the food had been made Bucky felt like he knew you a bit better and felt himself easing up around you.  “What about you, Buck?  What are some of your favorites?”

You and Bucky began carrying the plates of food into the dining room, the others hadn’t decided to grace you both with their presence so you had time to talk more freely.  “There was this song, it was called Stardust by a guy named Artie Shaw.  Was a great song to slow dance too.”

“Anything newer you like?  Or do you prefer music from your own time?”  You noticed that he finally didn’t seem as uptight around you like he normally was.  He was opening up a bit more as well, and you were thrilled to learn things that the others might not know.

He shrugged and took another plate from you, “I haven’t really given music from this time a chance if we’re being honest.”

“Well we’ll just have to fix that,” you said with a smile.

He went to say something else when the others began trickling into the room and cut him off.

Over the course of the following week, Bucky came to you more and more asking for new song recommendations.  The two of you would spend time on the couch just listening to music and talking.  You introduced him to some classic rock bands and he showed you songs from his time as well.

Your conversations slowly morphed into other things as well.  As the two of you listened to the music playing softly in the background you would trade book and movie recommendations.  Bucky was still behind on the times and he wondered if there was anything that Steve may have missed.  You offered to show him anything he wanted.

One day the two of you were in the common room when Rhode Island is Famous for You came on and that soft smile Bucky had come to love lit up your face.  He knew that this one was one of your favorites.  

Copper comes from Arizona

Peaches come from Georgia

And lobsters come from Maine

The wheat fields

Are the sweet fields of Nebraska

And Kansas gets bonanzas from the grain

An idea came to Bucky and he stood up, holding out his hand to you, “Dance with me?”

You nodded your head eagerly and let Bucky pull you into his arms.  He twirled you around the room with expert ease, “Tell me, Sarge, how many dames did you twirl around the dancefloor when you were younger?”

He chuckled bashfully, “There were a few.”

You arched a brow, “Mmmhmm, Steve has said you were quite the ladies man, Buck.  I’m pretty sure there were more than a few dames that you took for a spin around the dancefloor.”

He sighed, “I’m gonna kick Steve’s butt later.”  He looked back at you and said, “All right, so I did take many a dame out dancing back in the day, but I haven’t been dancing in a long time.”

“Coulda fooled me,” you said.  And he could have, the way he moved you around the room, never missing a step.

Grand canyons come from Colorad-a

Gold comes from Nevada

Divorces also do

And you, you come from Rhode Island

Little old Rhode Island

Is famous for you

Bucky looked like he was about to say something when Sam came in, “Hey guys, sorry to interrupt, but we have a mission.  Suit up, Steve’s gonna debrief us in the Quinjet.”

Bucky had been on the verge of asking you out on a proper date when Sam had come in.  He sighed, and you noticed his disappointed.  “We’ll be there in a moment.”  Sam disappeared out the door to get ready himself.  Bucky looked down at you, “I guess we’ll pick up the music session later, doll.”

Pencils come from Pennsylvania

Vest from Vest Virginia

And Tents from Tent-esee

They know mink where they grow

Mink in Wyo-mink

A camp chair in New Hamp-chair

That's for me

Bucky left the common room first and you stood there for a moment, the song still playing in the background.  You had enjoyed these little sessions with Bucky and your crush on him had grown more and more.  And there were moments when you thought that he might like you back.  He would get this look on his face like he was lost in thought and sometimes his eyes would travel down to your lips as you talked.  

At that moment you decided you were going to take a leap and do something about your feelings for Bucky and pray that you were right about how you believed he felt about you.  After this mission, you were going to ask Bucky Barnes out on a proper date.

You had come back from your mission two days ago and you were standing outside of Steve’s door, gnawing on your lip as you debated asking him for help.  Slowly you raised your hand and knocked.

A second later the door opened and Steve appeared before you with a confused look on his face, “Y/N?  Is something wrong?”

You shook your head, “Nothing’s wrong, but I need your help.”

Steve pulled you inside and listened to your request, a smile forming on his face as he heard your idea.  “We’ll need help if we want to pull this off.”

“I know,” you told him.  You had suspected that your request would take more than two people to pull it off.  “When do we start?”

You got Sam to take Bucky out, he gave you a salute and went to find Bucky.  When the two of them were gone F.R.I.D.A.Y. gave the rest of you the heads up and you began to fulfill your plan.

The team and you transformed the common room into a small dance hall. Steve filled up the music queue with some of yours and Bucky’s favorite songs while the others put up Christmas lights and made sure the furniture was out of the way.  When the heavy lifting was done Steve told you that you and the girls could go get you ready for the evening.

Wanda and Natasha eagerly pulled you away to your room where your outfit for the evening was waiting.

Steve sent Sam a text telling him it was okay for him to bring Bucky back to the compound.  Sam was relieved because Bucky was getting suspicious as to why Sam suddenly wanted to hang out with him.

When the two of them returned Steve led Bucky back to his room and said, “There’s a suit on your bed, change into it and wait for someone to come get you.”

Bucky groaned, “Please tell me Stark isn’t throwing another party.  Steve, we just came off a mission.  I just want to relax, I do not want to converse with people in fancy suits.”

Steve chuckled, “Just trust me on this one, Buck.  You won’t regret it.” With that, he left Bucky alone.

On the floor above, you were still getting ready, Natasha read the text from Steve that told her that Bucky was back in the compound.  “He’s here,” she announced as Wanda finished your makeup.

You stood, your hands shaking slightly, “What if he doesn’t like this?”

Natasha rested her hands on your shoulders, “Pull yourself together woman.  Bucky Barnes has the biggest crush on you and has been pining after you for months.  You are no better.  I swear your eyes literally turn heart-shaped whenever the man speaks.”

You scrunched up your nose, “They do not!”

Natasha snorted, “The two of you are hopeless, it’s amazing you even came up with this idea without some form of help.”

“I am perfectly capable of asking a man out on a date, Natasha.  And Bucky has not been smitten with me since the beginning, we were only ever just friends if that.  We didn’t start talking about things other than the missions until here recently.”

“Just trust us, he likes you,” Natasha said.  “Now go get him.”

You nodded your head, giving yourself a mental pep talk.  “Okay, okay, I’m heading down now.  Please for the love of all that is pure and good in this world don’t let the boys spy on us.”

“We wouldn’t dream of it,” Natasha said.  

Wanda had her fingers crossed behind her back, “We’ll behave.”

You were satisfied with their answers, “See you tomorrow.”

“Bye,” they parroted.  They waited until they heard the elevator ding before rushing down the hall toward the surveillance room.

The others were already there watching you as you made your way toward Bucky’s door.  Steve passed Natasha a bowl of popcorn and a soda.  “How’s she feeling?”

“Nervous, didn’t want to believe that Barnes was actually smitten for her,” she responded before popping some popcorn in her mouth.  “What’re we betting?”

Sam spoke up, “I bet twenty bucks that Y/N would kiss Bucky first.”

“Nah-uh,” Tony shook his head.  “Tin-man is gonna make the first move of the night.”

“My bets on Y/N,” Wanda said as she snuggled closer to Vision.  “Bucky’ll be too nervous to even think about kissing her.”

The others took their bets, half saying Bucky would kiss you, the other saying you would kiss him first.

While they were taking their bets you had just come to a stop in front of Bucky’s door.  You took a steadying breath before knocking.  You heard Bucky coming towards the door and when it opened you sucked in a breath.  He was fixing his tie, his hair had been brushed back neatly, and he looked dapper in a suit.

This was your favorite look on Bucky, you loved how the suits looked on him, how his cologne smelled.  He didn’t go to parties often, but when you did you savored every minute of a dressed up Bucky.  He seemed surprised to see you there, “Hey doll, are you my escort for the night?”

It took a moment for your mind to catch up.  “Mmmhmm,” was all you could manage at the moment.  He chuckled and you seemed to snap out of your daze.  “Here,” you reached up and fixed his tie so that it was straight.

“Thanks,” he said.  “I hate wearin’ these things.”

“Why? You look so nice,” your cheeks heated a bit.

Bucky preened under the compliment, “Like a man in a suit do you, doll?”

“Little bit,” you responded with a grin.  “You ready?”  He nodded and offered you his arm which you gladly took.  The two of you took off down the hall toward the common room, the sounds of music muted by the closed doors.  When he pushed them open he was confused to find the room empty.  “What’s going on?”

You cleared your throat and looked up at him, “We got interrupted last time we were dancing and I was having such a lovely time.  I planned this because well, I have a crush on you, Bucky Barnes.  And I wanted to do something special and I thought you might like to go dancing with me.”

Warmth spread through his body as he looked at the set up of the room.  It clicked that this was why Sam had taken him out that day and why Steve had told him to put on the suit.  Bucky wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled you closer, your hands coming to rest on his chest.  “You did all this for me?”

“Yes, is it too much?”  You were a little worried that maybe you had gone overboard.

He shook his head, “It’s perfect, doll.”  He swept you out onto the makeshift dance floor and spun you around to the music.  He recognized some of his and your favorites.  Some of the songs took him back to when he would dance with the women in his time.

You were having such a lovely time, you had confessed your worries about dancing to Bucky early on in the night and he had told you not to worry about a thing.  Your lack of experience didn’t have an effect on the evening at all.  Bucky lead you around with expert ease.

“I think you lied to me the other day when you said you hadn’t been dancing in a while, Sarge,” he dipped you and when you came back up the two of you were mere inches from the other.  

His eyes darted down to your lips before making their way back up to your eyes, “What can I say?  I have a wonderful partner.”

“This is all you, Buck.”

“Give yourself a little credit, doll.  You’ve been keepin’ up with me all night.”

Rhode Island is Famous for You came on and you smiled, “Our song.”

He beamed at you, “We have a song?”

You laughed, “Well seeing as how this is the song that brought us together I’d say we have a song.”

He rested his forehead against yours, “I guess we do.”  The two of you were gravitating closer to one another and you were so sure he was going to kiss you when he paused and said, “One second, doll.”  He pulled away from you and walked over to the control panel that controlled the video cameras and other electrical appliances in the room.  He taped a few buttons and overrode several of Stark’s protocols. He knew it would take at least half an hour before they would be able to see anything again.

“They promised they wouldn’t spy,” you told him as he strode back over to you.

He swept you into his arms again, his flesh hand coming up to cup your face, his thumb stroking your cheek.  “Do you really think that they would listen to you?”

You sighed, “No, not really.”

“Me neither, and I’d really rather they not witness our first kiss,” his whispered.

You hummed, “Me too.”  Then you closed the distance between you and Bucky.  Fireworks going off behind your eyes, Bucky’s grip tightened on you.  The two of you pulled apart slightly, grinning like lovesick teenagers at one another before his lips met yours again, this time he deepened the kiss.

“Wanna get out of here?”  He whispered when he pulled away again.  He knew that they would be trying to fix the cameras and he didn’t want to run the risk of the others seeing the two of you lip locked in the common room.

“Thought you’d never ask, Buck.”  He took your hand and pulled you toward the garage, you’d have more privacy in the city than you ever would at the compound.  The night was still young too and there were endless possibilities out there waiting for the two of you.

The others were yelling at Tony to fix the screen and get the two of you back.  Tony was trying as best he could, but all his commands were being overridden.  Steve was sitting back grinning at Bucky’s antics.  He knew that Bucky would know the two of them would have no privacy.

Movement on one of the other monitors caught his eye and he looked over to see you and Bucky rushing toward the garage together.  The two of you were laughing at something, and Steve couldn’t help but grin.  The others were too busy trying to get the feed back for the common room that they hadn’t even noticed the two of you slipping out of the compound altogether.

“Have fun you two,” he murmured before slipping out of the surveillance room and heading back to his room for the rest of the night.

And minnows come Minnesota

Coats come from Dakota

But why should you be blue?

For you, you come from Rhode Island

Don't let them ride Rhode Island

It's famous for you

[star-trekkin-across-theuniverse]

A Song For My Soulmate, pt 2

Steve found himself humming the song as he made himself a sandwich. It was funny how quickly all the music he listened to was taking on significance. She would know what his musical taste was just by the music he sat back and enjoyed, but more so, it would help her to figure out when he was trying to communicate.

He was trying to come up with something that would ease her into the idea of exactly who he was, and was carefully listening to something significant to who he used to be every night at around eight pm. Tony had facetiously suggested the old war bond song, but Steve had immediately cut that idea off. He didn’t want to scare her.

He brought his sandwich to the living room, and put the plate down beside his chair, checking the time on his phone. He had five minutes to queue up Artie Shaw and get settled with his food when he was nearly knocked off his feet by the intensity of the music she was listening to.

The song wasn’t something modern, but it certainly wasn’t his era. It was much more reminiscent of the music Tony would queue up in the lab when he was pulling an all-nighter. Hard, loud, lots of guitar and drums. She’d been quietly listening to his music for days now, so much so that he’d nearly forgotten the communication was a two-way channel. He bolted down the hall to the elevator and jammed the button frantically, hoping to get to the lab before the song ended.

It wasn’t the most creative of lyrics, but when he burst into the lab, he was able to almost follow the chorus, and started singing before checking to see if Tony was alone.

“I really wanna know Who are you? Who, who, who, who? Ah, who the fuck are you? Who are you? Who, who, who, who? Who are you? Who are you? Who, who, who, who? Oh, tell me who are you? Who are you? Ooh I really wanna know Oh, I really wanna know Come on, tell me who are you, you, you, ah you?”

Tony started laughing. “Did you just drop the f-bomb, Cap?” He glanced over at Bruce, and another, unknown scientist, who were both trying to smother their laughter, unsuccessfully. Steve felt his cheeks heat in embarrassment and his shoulders dropped.

“I guess it doesn’t actually matter who the song is by, right? She just wants to know who I am?” It was mostly rhetorical.

“It’s called Who Are You, and it’s by The Who,” Bruce offered, patting his shoulder as he walked past. “So I guess the big question is, are you going to tell her?”

“What if she has no idea who I am? She could be from anywhere in the world. I was reading on the internet this morning that there’s over seven billion people on the planet. It’s pretty arrogant to think she’ll know American history well enough to know who Captain America is. And there aren’t any songs called ‘you scared the crap out of my, and my name is Steve’, unfortunately,” he shrugged. Tony laughed again.

“Start with where you’re from. Here. I’ve been creating a playlist for you.” He tossed an iPod toward Steve, who caught it with one hand.

“Beastie Boys?” Steve asked, looking at the first song on the playlist.

“Trust me. Tomorrow night, settle in and enjoy at least two tracks. She’ll be able to figure it out, and then maybe she’ll offer up some more info about herself,” Tony offered. “I’ll even come sit with you.” Steve nodded and felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment again.

“Sorry for interrupting like that,” he apologized as he backed out of the lab.

XxX

All week, the guy had been listening to some serious grampa music. It wasn’t that it was bad, she reflected, but it was definitely from her grandfather’s era. He was clearly trying to send her a message, because for five days in a row, spot on at eight at night, her head would fill with whatever he’d selected for his radio show for the night. After a couple of songs, the music faded away, and she was able to return to whatever she was up to.

She’d countered his consistency with her own broadcast last night, however.  There was no way to put the question burning in her head better than The Who, and she’d danced on her coffee table, flailing away at an imaginary air guitar as the song crescendoed through the living room. She’d only turned it down when the neighbour from across the hall had banged on her door asking her to turn it down.

“Sorry, it got away from me!” She’d apologized, beaming a bright smile as she hid her bottom half behind the door. She’d had one of those days where she’d immediately stripped down to a tank top and undies the moment she’d walked in the door, and hadn’t bothered getting dressed.

“No worries. I thought the building was soundproof, but I guess those of us on the lower floors didn’t get included in that retrofit,” her neighbour had smiled.

“Well, even from the twenty-fifth floor, the view is awesome, so I’ll keep the volume down, and not complain, how’s that?” She offered. Her neighbour had smiled and given her a wink as she’d shut the door. Everyone in the building was friendly, which was weird, in her experience. She supposed it came from living in what was essentially company housing. When she’d been hired for the employee medical clinic, she couldn’t believe she’d found an employer who was seriously willing to provide it all and pay more-than-fair wages. But two years in, and it was definitely a dream come true.

It had been a long day. The boss had authorized free flu shots for all employees, so the clinic had been slammed with folks waiting. She felt like a syringe with a pulse by the time she’d plodded off the elevator and stripped off her scrubs, two hours later than her usual end of shift. It was going to be another tank top and undies night. Thank god she didn’t have plans. She was flopping down on the couch with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s and a spoon when she noticed the time. It was 7:59, and about to roll over to the hour.

Just as expected, there was music. Unexpectedly, it was not Big Band. Initially she couldn’t follow what she was hearing, and then, slowly, she caught it, just before the chorus.

“We got a safe in the trunk with money in a stack With dice in the front and Brooklyn's in the back.

No sleep till No sleep till Brooklyn, no sleep till Brooklyn !

Ain't seen the light since we started this band M.C.A. get on the mike, my man! Born and bred Brooklyn The U.S.A.”

She sat up, nearly dropping the ice cream. The Beastie Boys had been one of her favourite groups growing up, and the song had to be significant. Was her soulmate telling her he was in Brooklyn, or from Brooklyn? In this entire world, he was that close? She put down the pint, and grabbed her phone, quickly searching her playlist and queueing the song on the bluetooth stereo. She settled back into her chair with the spoon and Chunky Monkey and let her response wash over her.

“One hand in the air for the big city Street lights, big dreams, all lookin' pretty No place in the world that could compare Put your lighters in the air everybody say yeah, yeah, Yea, yea

In New York, Concrete jungle where dreams are made of There's nothin' you can't do Now you're in New York These streets will make you feel brand new Big lights will inspire you Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York”

XxX

Steve sat up on his own couch and made eye contact with Tony, who was lost in the second Beastie Boys cut on the iPod. “Holy crap. She’s from here.”

[beckzorz]

Out of Nowhere (8/21)

Pairing: Bucky Barnes/OFC Summary: An offhand comment at work draws Jesse Kaplan into the orbit of Bucky Barnes. Bucky’s excited at the prospect of normalcy, but there’s nothing normal about falling in love with the Winter Soldier. Words: 1359 A/N: The song for this chapter is “Nightmare” by Artie Shaw from Ultimate Big Band Collection: Artie Shaw. There’s something different about this chapter—bonus points if you figure it out! Tell me what you think!

PART 8: "NIGHTMARE”

Jesse woke up. She was in her own bed. Early morning light filtered through the drawn blinds. She blinked.

Hunger pains clawed at her stomach. Jesse doubled over with a groan. She stumbled to the bathroom, rinsed her face, and brushed her chalky teeth. Only then did she pull open the fridge. She wrinkled her nose. The fridge smelled rotten, but the cheese smelled okay. She bit right into it and collapsed at the kitchen table.

The apartment was silent. Jesse’s head lolled as she chewed. The clock over the stove read 10:32. The microwave read 10:31.

The harsh sound of the door buzzer rang through the apartment once, then twice. Jesse dropped the cheese on the table and stood up. Her vision blurred. She paused.

The buzzer rang again, this time long and furious and unrelenting.

Jesse hobbled to the receiver by her front door and spoke into it.

“Hello.”

“Let me in.”

It was Bucky Barnes. His voice was low and insistent.

Jesse pushed the button to let him in. She glanced down. Her gray dress was wrinkled. She turned to change.

The knock at her door came before she reached her bedroom. Jesse went back to the front door and opened it a crack. “Hello?”

Barnes pushed the door open and barrelled inside, nearly sending Jesse toppling to the floor. He shut the door behind him and double-locked it. He gripped her shoulders—she blinked at him—and looked her over.

“Where have you been?” he demanded.

“Wh—at the hospital!” she sputtered. She wriggled out from his grip and scowled. “What the hell, Barnes?”

Barnes frowned and stepped back, dropping her shoulders. “What happened to your leg?”

Jesse looked down. Under her knee, only half-concealed by her leggings, was a greenish bruise, garish against her pale skin. “Someone kicked me. It was an accident.”

“That doesn’t look like an accident,” he said. He ran a hand through his hair, pushing it back from his face. “Jess…”

“What?” she asked.

“Did you apologize for that?” He nodded down at her bruise.

“No,” she said. Her brows drew together. “What are you doing here?”

Barnes frowned. “You missed our meeting. And you didn’t answer my texts.”

“Our—” Jesse scratched her head. She glanced at the calendar, but nothing was written down for today. “I just woke up. My schedule’s all messed up. Sorry.”

“You didn’t even put it on your calendar,” he said accusingly.

“I was sick,” she said. “Are you seriously policing my calendar when I was just in the hospital?” He pursed his lips. Jesse sighed. “I’m still not feeling great. I’m sorry I missed the meeting.”

Even though she’d apologized, Barnes’ face went blank. “I shouldn’t have come,” he said.

“It wasn’t necessary,” Jesse said. “But I appreciate it!”

His eyes roved over her face. “Do you?”

Jesse gave a little smile. “Yes. I don’t usually get home visits.”

He smiled back, tiny and hesitant and gentle and—

“I need to get back to bed,” she said. Her body moved to the door, ushering him out. “Thanks for checking up on me.”

Before he could even respond, she’d shut the door. She double-locked it again, then slid down to the floor with her hand pressed against the smooth dark wood. A tinny recording echoed through her apartment. Jesse went back to her bedroom to answer her phone.

“Hello.”

The tinny music kept playing.

“I’m a doctor. You need to listen to me. Do whatever you need to do to make that man leave you alone.”

—

Jesse took a nap, showered, and went through her fridge. She poured the sour milk down the sink and put the crushed carton in the recycle; the moldy blueberries went straight in the trash, plastic and all. The freezer was fine. She took out a few slices of bread and made herself a PB&J.

She chewed, swallowed, drank water.

After a few hours, she made her way into Fran’s room. The succulents were still alive. She checked Fran’s email and watered them as instructed. She talked to her parents on Skype as long as she normally did. She ignored the string of frantic messages from Adrian.

The rest of the day passed in silence.

—

People at work were relieved to see her. As soon as Jesse walked in, Robin came over to ask after her health. Zach welcomed her back with a genuine smile. People Jesse rarely interacted with stopped by her desk throughout the day with questions, questions, questions.

“I was in the hospital. I caught a bad virus,” she repeated. “I’m mostly better. Apparently not contagious.”

They usually backed away after that line.

Apart from the string of interruptions, Jesse worked diligently. The pile that had built up by her desk during her absence was half gone by the end of the day.

Jesse took the subway home. She made herself dinner, checked on the succulents, and went to lie down.

When the tinny call came, she was ready.

—

Tuesday was much the same as Monday, though Jesse’s colleagues had mostly gotten out their prying questions. Jesse continued working on her pile of overdue tasks. She took lunch early to avoid a crowd. The break room was empty. She set her phone next to her sandwich. The little television mounted on the wall was playing the news as usual.

    [ A new tangle emerges in an ongoing local     [   story.   the recent slew of home break-ins     [ have now begun matching up with the mi

Jesse changed the channel.

—

Fran came home that night, exhausted and chipper. Jesse listened to him talk as she reheated leftovers for him. No aurorae, but plenty of fjords. He thanked her for keeping his succulents alive.

“They’re hardy,” she responded. “They survived me.”

—

On Wednesday, Robin called Jesse into her office.

“How are you doing, Jesse?” Robin asked.

“Alright,” Jesse said. “Still a little more tired than I’d like, but it’s getting better.”

Robin nodded with a sympathetic wince. “You seem to be doing well. I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate you getting so much done so fast. With Marilyn out of the office, it’s a real relief to have you back!”

Jesse blinked. “Thank you,” she said seriously. “Focusing is helping a lot.”

“Great,” Robin said. “That’s all.” She waved Jesse off with a cheery smile.

Jesse went back to her desk.

She worked.

—

When Jesse turned the corner to her apartment, she paused. A tall man was sitting on the steps up to her apartment. She couldn’t see his face, but his dark hair was tucked behind his ears and he wore a jacket and gloves although it was almost summer. Jesse hesitated. That might be Barnes.

She turned to go back, but he must have noticed her.

“Jesse,” Barnes called.

Jesse turned back. He’d stood up. He was not smiling.

“Oh, hello.” Jesse walked towards him. She breathed evenly; her pleasant expression was fixed on her face. “What brings you here?”

“Just checking up on you,” he said.

“You could have texted.”

“I could have,” he agreed. He stuck his hands in his pockets and regarded her from two steps up. “Sorry for Sunday.”

“Thanks,” she said automatically. “Though I’m not sure this is any different.”

A hint of a smile touched his lips, but it did not hold. “I talked to Marilyn. She wants us to have those lessons ready as soon as we can. Do you have time for that now?”

Jesse chewed the inside of her lip. “I guess.” She walked past him up the stairs and unlocked her door. “After you.”

He hummed and went inside, though he waited for her to go up the stairs ahead of him. She climbed slowly, buying time; he matched pace behind her. She unlocked her door and went in. He shut the door and locked it behind him.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“Fine,” she said. “You?”

“Alright. Can I have some water?” Barnes asked.

“Sure.” She gestured towards the couch. “You can sit, if you like.” Jesse turned to get a glass, and then a deafening knock echoed through her head.

Everything went black.

[benevolentsam]

Sam's favourite thing about the bunker was how he always managed to find something new hidden in a cupboard or under some bed. Despite having lived there for over a year, Sam was still finding new things every day. It was amazing what he found; books and music and little wooden toys. There was a chess set made of pearl and opal that Sam found wedged between a mattress and it's bed frame. There was beauty in holding a piece of history in your hands. It was a beauty Sam couldn't get over.

One day, some time after Dean had left and Sam was searching for a trace of someone, he found a box of vinyl records. He recognised most of the names, big band singers like Frank Sinatra and Artie Shaw. One album that particularly caught his eye was that of Glenn Miller. The soft jazz music was something he remembered fondly from his days at college functions, parties his teachers would invite him to. It provided him with something familiar to comfort him without his brother being there. 

The record had been on a constant loop since Sam found it.

At some point, Cas returned with a tired smile on his face and little news about Gadreel. It didn't matter, Sam was just glad to have some company. The sound of the record player whirring was bouncing off the walls and driving Sam a little stir crazy, but the alternative was silence and God did silence kill his brain. Cas did the usual wash up, changing his clothes or at least cleaning them, before popping his head round the door of the library.

"Sam, what is this music?" He asked. Sam supposed he hadn't heard much music besides what Dean made them all listen to.

"It's called swing music, made by a guy called Glenn Miller," Sam told him.

"I like it," Cas hummed, drifting into the room. His feet seemed to skirt across the ground like a ghost. "It's a lot less depressing than the music Dean listens to." Sam laughed. He had that right.

Cas began to dance around the room, surprisingly well for an angel who had never danced before. He was gliding and sliding and looking as graceful as ever. The feeling was infectious, and soon Sam joined in Cas' dancing. He was a lot less graceful, tripped over his own feet more than once, but he was having fun for thr first time in a long time.

It didn't take long before Sam and Cas collided into each other. Sam fell to the floor and Cas promptly fell on top of him, knocking the wind out of his lungs. Still, the smile on Sam's face would not break. It was the most free Sam had felt in years. All thoughts of Gadreel and Dean and Metatron had left his head, the only thought being Cas' warm hands and the way they held onto his own.

"Would you like to try that again?" Castiel invited, and who was Sam to deny an angel asking him to dance?

10/365