#lewis nixon imagine series

[yourspeirs]

Why does he always look like he's lovestruck? T_T

[mads-weasley]

Summary: After (y/n) signs up for the WAC's Athena Program, she joins the war with Easy Company, unaware of how much her life will change over the next few years.

Enchanted

Out of the Woods

Haunted

Evermore

Breathe

Daylight

Paris

You Are In Love

Lover

State of Grace

Labyrinth

You’re On Your Own, Kid

Forever Winter

Soon You'll Get Better

Right Where You Left Me

Castles Crumbling

Innocent - currently on break!!

epiphany playlist

message or comment if you want to be added to the tag list!!

[mads-nixon]

Epiphany Pt. 12: You're On Your Own, Kid

Lewis Nixon x Reader

Masterlist

Series Masterlist

Title inspo - you're on your own, kid: taylor swift

A/N: this is my first post on my hbo war side-blog! yay! this chapter is the calm before the storm, y'all. this is about the fictional portrayal of easy company on the show. nothing but love and respect for veterans on this blog!

Word Count: 4.1k

Summary: Ill-equipped and poorly supplied, (y/n) and the rest of Easy do their best to survive in the frozen Ardennes Forest of Bastogne.

Warnings: description of injury, very soft lew

December 20, 1944: Ardennes Forest, Belgium

The forest lay under a heavy blanket of snow, the silence only broken by the occasional gust of icy wind, quiet conversations, and the all-to-familiar whistling of incoming shells. (Y/n) sat on the edge of her foxhole, her breath visible in the cold air as she gazed out at the German line. Through the veil of swirling snow, she couldn’t make out their silhouettes, but she knew they were there. It was a landscape of paradoxes: serene yet charged, beautiful yet deadly. 

With her gaze still fixed in the white haze, she felt a surge of frustration and anger rise in her. It was fueled by the knowledge that the Krauts had the supplies that they desperately needed. It was a cruel twist of fate that Easy was hungry, cold, and struggling, while the enemy, albeit just across the way, had the sustenance and warmth they lacked. They had a few missed supply drops to thank for that.

The air was frigid, cutting through layers of clothing and seeping into her very bones. (Y/n) hugged herself, arms wrapping tightly around her body in a futile attempt to capture a semblance of warmth. Her gloved fingers, numbed by the cold, clutched at the fabric of her uniform, seeking refuge in the familiar touch.

“(Y/n), remind me to never complain about the heat again,” Skip jested through chattering teeth, a weak smile attempting to mask his discomfort. 

“Yeah, this makes those Georgia summers seem downright pleasant,” Don added with a forced chuckle, the words barely leaving his blue-tinted lips.

Skip waved a hand in front of (y/n)’s distant gaze, breaking her trance and pulling her back to reality. “Earth to (y/n). You with us?”

Shaking from her thoughts, she turned towards the group, forcing a chapped smile. “Yeah,” she muttered, pushing herself up from where she sat in the foxhole, trying to get blood circulating in her numbed limbs. “I’ll be back.”

“Don’t get lost out there,” Malarkey called out, his voice tinged with concern as she swung her rifle onto her shoulder. 

“A walk in a winter wonderland,” Skip chimed in, his grin mischievous as he wiggled his eyebrows. “Is that code for, ‘going to see your favorite captain’ by any chance?”

A playful scoff escaped her lips in a huff. “Shut up, Muck. I can’t feel my toes, so I’m going for a walk to fix that.”

Malarkey shrugged, feigning innocence. “Yeah, sure. Have fun on your walk.”

The woman shook her head fondly at her friends as she slowly walked away from the foxhole. Her limbs didn’t want to work correctly, so she found herself doing a pitiful half-limp around the forest as she attempted to get some blood flowing to her feet. 

Despite her and Nix’s efforts to be discreet, the Toccoa men who had watched them from the beginning couldn’t be fooled. While nothing was openly acknowledged, there was a shared understanding that something was going on between the couple. Only Harry and Dick knew for certain, and only because they grilled Lew when he returned from Paris.

Maybe she would pay her favorite Captain a visit.

“Hey, Cripple!” someone called out. Groaning, (y/n) turned to face the voice, ready to retort when the very ground beneath her seemed to tremble and shudder violently. An explosion erupted from behind her, a deafening roar as the shockwave threw her off balance, sending her to the ground in a heap. 

She curled into a protective ball, her hands instinctively shielding her head as the world was swallowed by chaos. The relentless barrage of mortars painted the sky, their descent announced by menacing whistles. The once serene forest became a frenzied battleground, trees splintering and snow erupting into wild flurries. 

Amidst the disarray, a call pierced through the mayhem. “(Y/l/n)! Over here!”

Scrambling to her feet, her heart raced with adrenaline and drowned out the pounding explosions. She didn’t spare a moment to see who called, her focus solely on getting to cover. (Y/n) snatched up her rifle from the snow-covered ground and sprinted towards the direction of the voice, her heavy breaths misting in the frigid air.

As she ran, her foot caught a fallen tree branch and she was sent tumbling into the freezing embrace of the forest floor, awkwardly landing on her arm. Pain flared in her wrist as she fought to get to her feet, panicking at being exposed without cover. Then, like a savior, a hand extended towards her and hauled her into a nearby foxhole. 

Joe Liebgott’s face appeared in front of her, and his eyes reflected the same fear and helplessness that she felt. She let go of her rifle, allowing it to rest in the snow as she clamped her hands over her ears, desperate to drown out the deafening noise that assaulted her senses. (Y/n) clenched her eyes closed, seeing refuge in the darkness as Joe pulled her tightly into his body, shielding her from the relentless barrage. The concussive blasts continued, each one sending shockwaves through the ground and dirt, snow, and ice raining down on them. She held on, feeling the frantic rise and fall of Joe’s chest against her, praying that it would all stop soon.

Seconds, minutes, hours, (y/n) didn’t know how much time had passed when the earth-shattering blasts ceased. A few gentle pats on her helmet were the only indication it was over. Slowly, she released her grip on her ears, the painful ringing subsiding to the backdrop of her ragged breaths as she looked up at him with wide eyes.

“You alright?” Joe asked, his concerned gaze scanning her for injuries.

(Y/n) nodded, wincing as she flexed her wrist, attempting to brush off the debris clinging to her skin. “I’m okay.”

His eyes narrowed, shifting from her face to her arm and then back again. “You sure?”

“I just landed on it weird,” she replied, clenching her teeth against the searing pain that radiated up her arm with every movement.

“Let me get Doc, (y/n),” he offered, about to get up, but her good arm shot up and pulled him back down.

Sitting up, she carefully retrieved her rifle and climbed out of the foxhole, cradling her aching wrist to her chest. “I’m fine, Joe. Thank you, but I need to check on my foxhole.”

“Alright, be careful,” he called after her as she made her way back toward her foxhole, her chest tight with anxiety. As the shock and adrenaline from the bombardment began to fade, the reality of (y/n)’s situation settled in: her wrist was not just a minor discomfort. What had initially felt like a sharp jab upon impact turned into a persistent, gnawing pain radiating from her wrist and traveling up her arm like tendrils of fire.

Each movement she made, whether to clutch her rifle or steady herself against the uneven ground, sent surges of pain shooting through her hand and forearm. With each passing second, the pain seemed to intensify, becoming an unrelenting companion in the desolate frozen landscape. Her fingers, once nimble and deft in handling her rifle, now felt like lead, unresponsive and clumsy. The smallest tasks, like brushing off the clinging snow or gripping her canteen, became monumental efforts, each movement a harsh reminder of the shelling. A simple flex of her wrist, something that she took for granted in the past, was now an act that set off sharp jolts of pain. (Y/n) found herself trying to ignore the pain, focusing on the task at hand, but the throbbing in her arm seemed to pulse in sync with her heartbeat, making it impossible to overlook. She knew she should probably see Roe about it, but she heard he didn’t have much to work with. So, she made the choice not to burden their already diminished supplies on what was likely just a sprain.

After a while, she found herself approaching the spot she’d left Malarkey and Skip, scanning the area for signs of life. The once-snow-draped ground was now a maze of impact craters and debris. As she reached the foxhole, her heart swelled with relief seeing Skip and Don huddled inside, still in one piece. 

“Hey,” she called out, her voice cutting through the eerie calm. Relief washed over her as they looked up, their faces lighting up at the sight of her.

“(Y/n/n)!” Don exclaimed, a hand clutching his chest dramatically. “We were worried!”

Muck tossed his helmet towards her, a hint of concern on his face. The helmet collided with her wrist, causing her to stifle a cry. “Take a look at this crap, (y/n). They peppered my helmet!”

Gently cradling her wrist, she examined the shot-up helmet in her lap, a half smile playing on her lips. “Good thing you weren’t wearing it, Skip. Was everyone okay over here? I ended up in Lieb’s foxhole.”

“Wasted my dagum coffee,” Smokey lamented from the foxhole ahead of theirs. “It was a whole helmet-full, too.”

A chuckle bubbled from her lips as she watched him setting his contraption back up. “I’m sorry, Smoke. Next time, you should tell the krauts to wait until you’ve had your coffee to shell the crap out of us.”

“You know, I might just do that,” Smokey mused, staring out at the German line with a faraway look. “We need a break.”

“Oh, (y/n),” Don interjected, fishing for something in his pockets. “Do you have any morphine in your aid kit from Holland? Doc’s looking for some.”

“Mine got used up when I got hit,” she replied, her mind drifting back to that night outside Arnhem. “That feels like so long ago now.”

Skip, ever the calculating one, counted on his fingers thoughtfully. “It’s only been what, three months?”

“Yeah,” she murmured, staring into the forest as she contemplated the whirlwind of events since that time. Between getting shot, going to the hospital, then Paris with Lew, and now Bastogne, a lot happened in those three months.

Their conversation carried on, but (y/n) was lost in her thoughts. Her life had changed drastically in this span of time, the most significant development being her newfound relationship with Lewis. A mere week and a half had passed since Paris, yet it felt like a lifetime. Memories of the quaint cafes and charming streets danced in her mind, a reminder of what they were fighting for…a return to a life untouched by the horrors of war.

A crunch of snow behind her snapped her back to the present. She grabbed her rifle, swiftly turning, a surge of pain shooting up her arm. A grimace contorted her face as she eased the strain, her aim dropping as she recognized Lip.

“(Y/n), Winters wants to see you,” he relayed, crouching beside her.

“We’ll catch up later, alright?” Don patted her shoulder gently, a worried look in his gaze as he looked down at her wrist.

“Duty calls, boys. See ya later.”

She pushed herself off the snow with her good hand and started following Lip toward Captain Winter’s tent. As they walked, she saw the destruction the various shellings had left in their wake. Trees were downed everywhere, feet-long splinters littered the snow, and there was the occasional red stain of blood on the white ground.

“Can you believe it’s just a few days till Christmas?” Lip’s voice broke the silence, filled with nostalgia and yearning.

She nodded, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips. “It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? I remember my last Christmas home so vividly…and now, here we are two years later.”

He glanced at her, a fond smile on his face, despite the flicker of sorrow in his eyes. “My wife, JoAnne, makes the best gingerbread cookies on the planet, and I can just see her in the kitchen, working her tail off to make them for our family Christmas party.”

(Y/n)’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “What I wouldn’t give for some gingerbread cookies,” she sighed. “It’s just…well, being away from family at this time, it’s tough. But at least we have each other, right?”

“Yeah,” he replied, nodding ahead of him. “Here we are.”

“Thanks for walking with me, Lip,” (y/n) grinned, approaching the foxhole.

“You’re welcome,” Carwood grinned. “And (y/n), get that wrist checked out.”

Her mouth slightly agape, she looked at him in disbelief. “What?”

“I’m not as clueless as the others. Get it looked at.” His eyes held a genuine concern.

Nodding at him, she walked up to the hole where Dick was crouched, writing a letter. “Captain Winters, sir?”

He looked up from his letter, and an uncharacteristic smirk formed on his face when he recognized her. “(Y/n). Nix wanted to speak with you.”

A flush colored her cheeks as she stood there. “Oh, alright. Where is he?”

Winters nodded to the hole ahead of him. “I’m right here, so please don't try any-”

A blanket was thrown off the adjacent foxhole and Nixon popped out, his dark hair a mess atop his head. “Gosh, Dick, we’re not gonna do anything,” he hissed, rolling his eyes.

Embarrassment coursed through (y/n) at the implication, and she brought a hand to her face, wishing she could disappear. “Yes sir,” she stammered, her voice slightly uneasy as she walked over to Lewis. 

“Are you crazy?” she asked, casting anxious glances around the forest.

Nix shrugged and pointed to Winters. “We’re fine. Dick’s gonna keep a lookout…right Dick?”

“I’m going to be writing my letter,” Winters replied, not looking up. “And I’m not seeing this.”

“Thanks, pal,” Lew called, extending a hand to help (y/n) into the hole.

“Alright,” she muttered, unable to keep a nervous smile from playing on her lips a the thought of some time with him. She started to take his hand with her hurt one, but quickly switched hands, letting the other painfully dangle at her side. He gave her a questioning look as she took his hand, but (y/n) just shook her head, dismissing his concern. To her surprise, he seemed to let it go. 

Nix’s foxhole was a decent size, and (y/n) carefully tried to settle against his side without showing her injury. He pulled the blanket over the top of the hole, insulating the space and giving them a sliver of privacy. Looking around, she spotted an empty pack of Lucky Strikes and his silver flask in the dirt beside her.

“I really like what you did with the place,” she grinned, kicking the empty box with her foot.

Lew chuckled, snaking an arm around her waist and pulling her close, placing a soft kiss in her hair. “Yeah. Interior decorating was always Blanche’s thing.”

His warmth seeped through her frozen uniform, and she sighed contentedly, resting her head on her shoulder as she closed her eyes. The throbbing pain in her hand seemed to slightly fade in his comforting presence. 

“How are things on the line? We still get artillery back here, but it’s not as bad as up there,” he asked quietly, leaning his head atop hers.

“It’s not good, Lew,” she mumbled into his neck. “We’re running low on everything, and the krauts seem to have an endless stream of artillery. It’s like they’re not even affected by the cold or anything. We’re just holding our ground and doing what we can.”

He tightened his grip around her, attempting to offer some comfort. “But you’re holding up okay?”

A half-hearted smile tugged at her lips, tinged with sadness. “We’re surviving, but it’s getting harder every day. The men are tired, Lew. We’re all tired. We’re all hungry. We’re all cold.”

“I know, doll,” he sighed. “Sink and General McAuliffe stopped by earlier, and they didn’t have any good news. Last night, I took a walk on the line at about 0300 and I couldn’t find the 501st on our right flank. I had to pull in 2nd platoon to fill the gap, but the General seemed like he couldn't care less.”

(Y/n) groaned. “His relentless optimism kills me. At least Sink is realistic.”

“‘Hold the line and close the gaps’, was all he said. And that 1st battalion just pulled out of Foy with krauts on their tail…so there’s a bunch of crap coming our way.”

“Of course there is,” she grumbled, bringing her knees up to her chest.

Lew’s thoughts became consumed by worry for (y/n) and what was going to be thrown her way. He gently traced circles on her back, trying to find the right words. “I can’t help but be worried about you, (y/n/n). Knowing you’re out there every time I hear a shelling, it’s…it’s tough.”

She sat up and turned to face him, her eyes reflecting the same fear. “I know, Lew. I’m scared, too. But I’m doing what I can to take care of myself and the guys. We watch out for each other.”

He ran a hand through his hair, frustration clear in his voice. “It’s just hard being here, not able to do much, not even being able to be with you when you’re out there facing the worst of it.”

“You’re doing more than you think,” she said, gently touching his arm. “This helps me so much.”

Lew brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face, his cold fingers gentle on her warm cheek. “Promise me you’ll be careful,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Don’t take any extra risks…please.”

(Y/n) looked into his eyes, finding a sea of emotion. “I promise,” she replied, her voice equally soft.

Nix leaned in, slowly closing the distance between them, his eyes flickering to her lips before meeting her gaze once more. Their lips met in a soft, tender kiss as Lew cupped her cheek. Time seemed to slow down as they kissed, a sense of calm washing over them. As they pulled away, their foreheads rested against each other, their breaths mingling in the chilly air. 

“Have you been able to keep warm at all?” Lew asked softly, his fingers tracing over her gloved hand gently. 

(Y/n) nodded, trying to keep her discomfort at bay. “As warm as one can be out here.”

Lew noticed her wincing slightly and, concerned, his hand unintentionally brushed against her injured wrist. She gasped, tears brimming her eyes as pain shot through her arm.

His eyes widened, fear coursing through him as he quickly retracted his hand “(Y/n)? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

(Y/n) leaned her head back against the hard wall of dirt behind her with a thud. “I tripped during the shelling earlier and landed on it wrong,” she whispered, voice trembling as she cradled her wrist.

“(Y/n),” Lew sighed, his heart aching at her pain. “Have you seen Doc?”

She shook her head, tears welling up. “No, not yet.”

He reached for her hand slowly. “Let me see it, sweetheart. I’ll be careful.”

She hesitantly extended her gloved hand to him, a single tear leaking down her rosy cheek. “You’re okay,” he cooed, holding her forearm with one hand while the other carefully slid the glove off. 

“Shit,” Lew muttered, his brows furrowing at the sight of her wrist. “This is bad, (y/n).”

His concern deepened as he saw the extent of the injury. He had expected it to be sore, maybe a minor sprain, but what he saw made his heart clench with worry and anger. Her once delicate wrist was now swollen to nearly twice its usual size, the skin on her palm and wrist discolored in ominous hues of deep purple and angry black. 

“(Y/n/n),” he said gently, his voice soothing to her distress. “We need to get you to Doc. This could be broken.”

The tears finally fell from her eyes in a mixture of pain and frustration. “I know,” she whispered, her voice quivering. “But the medics are already low on supplies, and they need that for others that are worse off.”

Lew cupped her cheek tenderly, wiping away a tear with his thumb. “Just because someone may be worse, doesn’t mean you can’t be looked after, too. Let me take care of you, please.”

(Y/n)’s expression softened, touched by his sincerity. “Okay,” she nodded. “Thank you.”

He held her wrist gently, a tenderness in his eyes that melted her worries, even if just for a moment. He brushed a feather-light kiss on her injured wrist, a silent promise that he’d take care of her. Nix helped her slide the glove back on, ensuring it offered some support for her wrist. He then threw off the blanket and helped her to her feet, his arm securely around her for support. She wasn’t going to let her injury hold her back, but she knew she needed to get it checked before it got any worse.

Winter’s eyes widened at the pair’s dramatic exit from the foxhole. “You alright, (y/l/n)?” he asked, eyes furrowed in confusion.

“She hurt her wrist,” Lew replied, glancing at Dick who nodded in response. “We’re finding Roe.”

They found Gene in his foxhole, staring off into the forest, a cigarette hanging from his lips. “Hey Gene,” Nix called, catching the man off guard. He jumped slightly, turning around like a deer in headlights.

He sighed seeing who it was. “Captain Nixon, what can I do for ya, sir?”

“(Y/n) here took a tumble during the shelling. Her wrist is pretty banged up.”

Roe nodded, motioning for her to sit down on the edge of the foxhole. “Let’s have a look, chérie.

She did as told, taking a deep breath to brace herself for any pain. The cajun carefully peeled off the glove from her injured hand, revealing the purple and black bruises. The medic furrowed his brows at the sight, his experienced eyes evaluating the damage. He lightly prodded along the wrist, feeling for any unusual shifts in the bones beneath. 

“I’m worried there might be a hairline fracture here,” he explained, his voice carrying a tinge of concern. “But I can’t confirm it without a proper x-ray, and we don’t have any equipment like that back in Bastogne.”

(Y/n) nodded, bracing herself for what she knew was coming. “So, what can we do?”

Roe began to secure her wrist carefully with a makeshift splint, wrapping it snugly to provide some stability and reduce the risk of further damage. “Right now, we’ll immobilize it as best as we can. I’ll wrap it up, and you need to keep it still as much as possible. Ice will help with the swelling.”

Smirking at the situation, (y/n) couldn’t resist a touch of humor. “Well, at least we’ve got an abundance of ice around,” she quipped, waving her good hand at the frozen forest surrounding them. “Nature’s icebox, right?”

Lew chuckled at her attempt to lighten the mood. “The best ice supply in Bastogne,” he replied, playing along. 

As Gene finished the wrapping, she flexed her fingers slightly, testing the newfound stability. The pain had dulled a bit, and it was a relief, albeit a temporary one. They thanked Roe and went on their way.

“I’ve got to go back to the boys,” she said, peering up at him as they walked. 

Lew nodded. “Take it easy, alright? Your arm can’t heal if you keep using it.”

“Yes, sir, Doctor Nixon,” she grinned, fake saluting him with a playful twinkle in her eyes.

They made their way to her foxhole, and Lew resisted the urge to give her a kiss, aware of the many eyes watching. Instead, he gently patted her helmet, a gesture that he’d decided was his new favorite because it sent the front of it down past her eyes.

“Malarkey,” Nix called out, waving his over. “Don’t let this one overdo it. Roe said she needs to take it easy.”

Though he was confused, Don nodded. “Yes, sir.”

With a subtle wink, Lew turned and left for his own foxhole. 

“What happened to you?” Skip asked, eyeing her wrapped wrist as he appeared next to Don. “Did the Captain take care of you?”

(Y/n) laughed under her breath, watching Lew’s figure disappear into the white haze of the forest. “I’m alright.”

Malarkey’s eyes widened as he turned to Muck. “She’s not denying it, Skip!”

“I knew it!” Skip exclaimed triumphantly, the corners of his mouth curling into a grin. She began to walk away when Don gasped suddenly. 

“We have to tell you about Hinkle!”

Tag List: @softguarnere @mrsgeorgeluz @flowers-and-fichte @inglourious-imagines @peggyvan @rebeccapearson @hxad-ovxr-hxart @merriell-allesandro-shelton @shakespear-picaso-lovechild @titiglt @stvrkdream @multifandomfanfic @starlordsatellite @blvestxr @iceman-kazansky @bucky32557038ww2

message or comment if you want to be added to the tag!

[roadtogracelandx45]

Courage Under Fire| Pre War 7| Band of Brothers

@marycorleone @prettyinpayne @ohnoitsthebat

masterlist

part 6

We are getting so close to where Liv and her band of girls to Toccoa and meet the boys. We will start meeting them in part 9 and 10. Part 8 is Olivia, Alice and a new girl Betsy going to Officer's training camp. And we meet Dick Winters.

Pre-War part 7

“You married my daughter?” Katherine questioned causing Olivia, who had been focused on the kids to turn to the two, her eyes going to Lewis who gave her a discreet nod to play along. He was doing this to save her from Davis and anything else that her mother had planned.

“Yes, it’s just something that happened.” The older Stewart daughter added, “I stopped him from marrying Kathy. I came to realize that I loved him and that I wanted him for myself.”

“You know it’s funny that you call her your daughter now.” Lewis started, “You wanted nothing to do with her until you heard that we got married.”

Helen, who was talking to her husband and his brothers which included Olivia’s father, James, smiled proudly, she had to hand it to both her cousin and her niece, they both thought very quickly on their feet and could twist things to make things better.

“James, they aren’t married, Liv wouldn’t do that to you or to the family.’ She started seeing the surprise in her brother-in-law’s eye turn to anger, “She told us before we boarded the flight about what Katherine was doing to her and Marla. Lewis is just trying to save her. He is pushing her to join the Army Nursing Corps as well.”

Furious, James turned to his brother and uncle who had joined them, “You want my 18-year-old daughter to join the Army Nursing Corp? Are you out of your goddamn minds?”

“No,” Finn started keeping his eyes on the trio, “You know your daughter just as well as we do, you know she isn’t going to want to stay home and do nothing not with her brothers and the men she cares about fighting. And she won’t take the money she has rightfully earned from Granddad, and she won’t take money from the Nixons.’

“They offered?” James was floored, he knew his twins were close to the Nixons, especially Olivia. But he never thought that they would offer to pay for her education. Helen nodded her head in agreement, she had a conversation with her aunt and uncle while Lewis and Olivia were getting ready for the rehearsal dinner a few nights prior. And Stanhope had expressed his hope that his son would end up with Olivia.

“They were going to offer it to her in person after the dinner, but Kathy struck her.” She had all the Stewart men's attention then. “That woman raised her hand at Liv?” Michael asked peering around her to look at his niece who was being scooped up into a hug by her twin.

“She has a nice cut on her cheek from the ring.’ She motioned to her cheek, “Though she handled herself just fine today. She almost broke her wrist when Kathy went to strike Lewis after she stopped the wedding.” James looked at his daughter and then at his sister-in-law, there were a lot of things that they were going to have to talk about. ** “Olivia Stewart!” A voice came from the top of the stairs causing Olivia to pull away from her oldest brother who was inspecting the cut on her cheek. “Faith Anderson!” Olivia returned, moving around her brothers and going up the stairs to hug her friend.

When she had first come back to Charleston after the fiasco with Evie and Bill, she had tried to hold Alice at arm’s length, so she didn’t get hurt again. But the girl pushed through the walls and was a constant when she was struggling with Fredrick’s care. Faith's dark eyes shot to where Lewis was at, hovering behind her friend, like another shadow.

“This is Lewis Nixon, he’s Aunt Helen’s cousin. I was at his wedding.’ Faith looked between the two confused, “Why is he here with you then and not with his wife?” “It’s a long story, Alice.” She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, “That I can explain.”

The taller girl studied her friend for a long moment before looking at Lewis, "It's nice to meet you, sir.”

“Don’t inflate his ego.” Bobby teased from where he was standing hanging their laughing nephew upside down his ankles.

‘It’s already big enough.” she agreed with a nod of her head. “You are getting me right here Liv. I am hurt.” Lewis complained, covering his heart with his hands. “Love you.” She grinned before taking her friend’s hand to take her upstairs to talk to her. “Better be glad of the fact that I love you too.” He returned, if he had been with his family, he would have been as open with his affection towards Olivia. But her family was a whole different story.

** The next morning **

James knocked on the door that led to his daughter’s bedroom, he had given her time to get settled and get some sleep, he had known that she hadn’t been sleeping well and he wanted to talk to his brother and uncle about her joining the Nursing Corp.

“Come in.” She called and he pushed the door open, Lewis was coming out of the adjoining bathroom, fidgeting with the tie and Olivia was sitting at the vanity examining the healing cut on her cheek.

“Good morning, Bean. Lewis.” He greeted; he hadn’t been pleased when Helen told him that Lewis had been sleeping with his daughter, but she hadn’t woken up the whole house with her nightmares. She seemed at semi-peace, and he would take that. “Morning Daddy. Everything okay?’ she asked, turning to look at him.

“We need to talk about what happened in Phoenix and the Nursing Corp.’

“I will leave you two to talk about that.’ Lewis commented before dropping a kiss on Olivia’s forehead.

“Don’t start drinking yet, okay? Need you kind of sane to keep the wicked witch away.”

“Of course, sweetheart.” He winked before nodding his head at James and slipping out of the room. “You and him huh?” James asked, “Last you told me you didn’t want to date anymore.”

“I can’t explain it, Daddy,” she started, “other than you and my brothers, he makes me feel safe and brings out a different side to me.”

“What about Bill?”

“You didn’t like Bill either.” She pointed out, “And I am not going to marry Lewis any time soon. If at all. Kathy was a lot like Katherine. I didn’t want him to live through that like we did.”

“He is a big boy Bean.” James started, “But if it had to be between him and Bill, I would pick him. Yes, you and Bill make sense but you two would be so unhappy. This isn’t what I wanted to talk to you about. The Army Nursing Corp.” There was a sudden spark in her eye that made him think he made the right choice. “If you want to join, you can. Andrea and I had a talk about it last night with your uncle Finn, Michael, and Elizabeth Forbes.”

“The General is here?”

“Hmm, there is talk of her and Finn getting married.”

Olivia bit back the rude comment that she had built on her tongue, “That is going to go over real well with Marie and her family.”

“Got that right. They want you to stay here and finish up your schooling at a faster pace, you can get it done quicker without the distraction of Bill or the family.” Olivia nodded her head, she didn't want to admit that she had missed being in Charleston. As much as she loved South Philly, being with her younger siblings and around the neighborhood, she missed being there with her grandparents and great-grandparents. “Andie wants you to come home for Christmas though. She is dead set on it.” “I can do that. Just no snowball fights. I don't think I have ever properly warmed up from the time that Nicholas dumped all that snow down my back.” James laughed, out of his kids, Olivia was the only one who had an aversion to the cold.

The others adapted quickly to it.

“Bobby is already enlisting isn’t he?” She asked after a heartbeat, “After school?” James nodded his head, he hadn’t wanted to let him join after losing Nicholas but he had no choice in the matter.

“Finish getting ready, we have to leave soon for mass and I am sure Katherine is going to want to yell some more at you.”

“I would have to be the Queen of England to have her stop yellin’ at me. But I doubt even that would stop her.” She stood up from her chair and smirked, “Let me tell her I am joining the Nursing Corp.” “Bean, I know this is hard on you but please, please don’t cause a fight that ends up getting the cops called here.” Though James knew that it was nothing new for them to get called to the house when they had something like this going on and with Katherine being around. ** Lewis wasn’t surprised when Olivia appeared next to him at the dining room table nor was he surprised when she picked up his coffee cup that held coffee and Vat .69. “What’s this I hear about you joining?” Bobby started before his sister rushed across the room and clapped her hand over his mouth.

“Robert, shut up! Katherine doesn’t know yet. I am going to tell her when the time is right.” He bit back the laughter that bubbled up quickly, he only hoped that he was there to see Katherine’s reaction to it. If the blow-up was anything like the one from the night it would be a sight to see.

“Do you know what you are doing? Joining?’ he dropped his voice so only she could hear him.

“Do you?’ She returned, “They aren’t sending nurses into active war zones yet, or if they ever will. I’ll probably stay here or be sent to Pearl to help with the hospital there. I’m more worried about you, our brothers, Lewis, Bill, and the other boys in the neighborhood than I am about me going to a military hospital to help wounded soldiers.”   "God help anyone that came between you and one of your soldiers." Lee, their middle brother, commented from the doorway.  He along with Edward had an unsettling  pit in his stomach at the thought of their younger sister joining the Nursing Corp, things were constantly changing, and she could be shipped out to the Pacific where their brothers  Daniel and James were  currently in the Pacific.

And that scared him and scared Bobby, but their father had been right, Olivia was going to do this whether they liked it or not and it was better for them to know where she was than her up and disappear into the night.

[footprintsinthesxnd]

Young Love and Old Money

Summary: this series follows the story of Lewis Nixon and Josephine Wills and their trials, tribulation and love throughout WW2, including stories of their friends in between. Warnings: character death, graphic mentions of wounds, swearing, grief.

Masterlist

The Letters, February to July 1945

Dear Lieutenant Nixon,

I hope my letter finds you and your comrades well. I have heard from Eugene that you have moved on from the Ardennes. I am pleased. I hope it is warmer wherever you are now.

I am writing to you to inform you that Josie has left her job with me at the field hospital. Unfortunately, Captain William Beaumont’s plane was shot down while she was stationed here and he died from his injuries. Josie took it very much to heart and I believe it was the final straw. She says she will go back to England and has a family friend who lives in London that she will stay with. I have enclosed the address below and I think it’s only fair to share it with you. If you have time please do write to her, I feel any words of comfort you offer her will be a great help.

Yours sincerely

Jess Campbell

Lewis' eyes trained on the letter as he took in Jess’ words. Josie had left. She was gone and hadn’t written to him once in the hospital. Lewis could feel the tears burning his eyes at the thought of his wife just taking off.

“What’s wrong, Lew?” Dick asked, stepping into the room and seeing his friend in such distress.

“She’s gone.”

“Who’s gone?”

“Josie. She’s gone, Dick. She’s gone home,” he thrust the letter towards his friend who scanned it quickly.

“Lew, she's gone home. She hasn’t left you. At least if she is back in England you know she is safe. You should write to her too. Support her through all that she’s been through.” Dick did make a lot of sense. Lewis hurried off immediately to write a letter to his wife and to reply to Jess.

To My Dearest Josie,

How pleased I am to hear that you are alright and you are back safe in England. My worried heart can finally stop its anxious fluttering every time I think of you in danger. I miss you terribly but just know that as soon as this war is over I will find you and we can start our lives together properly.

I love you always my darling girl

Yours forever

Lewis

To My Dearest Josie

We have moved into Germany now. Strangely, being here in the enemy country has nearly the same comforts that we had in Aldbourne. Somehow this seems like the safest place so far in this war.

I don’t know if my letters are reaching you anymore. I fear one day I may receive divorce papers through the post but until I do I will continue to write to you my love. I will continue to fight for you until we can be together once more.

I love you.

Yours forever

Lewis

To My Dearest Josie

Some days I imagine that you reply to my letters and that we will be reunited soon.

War can turn people into something so evil that sometimes I barely recognise myself. The horrors that we have witnessed in Germany truly make my stomach turn. I fear that I will never be able to speak of what I have seen and of the men we have lost.

War is hell but to know that you are safe wherever you may be.

I love you, Josie.

Yours forever

Lewis

Lewis sighed, rubbing his face aggressively with his hand, trying to shake off the throbbing handover. He was slouched in the chair by the window, just in his underwear with the pen he’d had in his hand for the last thirty minutes but with the paper still blank. Dick strode in through the door, whistling and his normally chirpy self.

“Morning Lew. Oh dear, is last night finally catching up with you?” Dick laughed watching as Lewis glared back at him.

“Oh piss off Dick. What are you so chirpy about anyway? How come you never get a hangover?” Lewis squished his face against the desk with a loud groan.

“Well I don’t drink for a start and it was VE Day yesterday, that’s got to count for something.” Dick sat down on the chair beside him.

“Yeah and then we’ll probably have to go to Japan now, so what does it matter anyway.”

Dick’s eyes travelled to the blank piece of paper then back to his friend. “Still no word from Josie?”

“No,” Lewis mumbled, “but I guess no word is better than divorce papers.”

“Lew, I've seen the way she looks at you. She loves you so I don’t think she will be sending you divorce papers,” Dick tried to reason with him but Lewis just glared at him again.

“If she loved me she would at least reply to one of my letters, just to let me know she is okay at least. I don’t know what I did wrong,” tears began to trickle down Lewis' cheeks once more and Dick moved in to hug him without any hesitation. “I love her Dick. When I thought I’d lost her in Bastogne I thought my life was over. B-but she was okay and I thought we’d get through this.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong, Lew. Nothing at all alright. We don’t know what Josie went through after her injuries and her time in the hospital. We’ve heard what it’s like from the other men so who knows what she had to endure, and Will dying too must have taken its toll on her.”

Lewis nodded, snuffling into Dick’s shirt but his friend didn’t seem to notice, he only rubbed his back in response.

“You know you could write to her again. You haven’t written since we moved into Austria,” Dick spoke up but Lewis just shook his head.

“No, I don’t think I can.”

Dear Josie,

I fear this may be my final correspondence with you. I am writing to let you know that I will be heading back to England now the war is over. I plan to visit the address that Jess said you were staying at and I would very much like to see you again maybe should you want to you could accompany me back to the States where we can finally make our life together.

I’ve missed you, Josie. I wish you were here with me through all of this but I’m glad you’ve been safe. I love you with every part of my being and I can’t wait to see you again even if it is just to say goodbye.

Love Lewis

The steps were steep and winding up to the fifth floor of the London apartment block. The stairs creaked beneath his feet and the stairwell was stifling with thick, humid August heat. His jacket was slung over his shoulder and his tie was a little loose. He’d made Dick fan him on the train ride to London because he was sweating so much from the stress.

“Lew, it’s going to be fine. I can come with you if you want me to.”

“No, it’s alright. I have to do this. Regardless of the outcome I at least have to say goodbye to her.”

When Lewis reached the door, he double-checked the address one final time before wrapping his knuckles against the wooden door. A muffled voice called from inside and the shuffling of feet came before the door creaked open. Lewis gulped at the sight of his wife, dressed in a large winter coat which seemed rather inappropriate for this time of year, her brown locks pinned in meet roles and her dazzling smile which soon dropped from her lips as her eyes focused on him.

“L-Lewis?” She croaked, her mouth parting as she gasped, raising her hand to her mouth. “It’s you.”

“Surprise,” Lewis said awkwardly, thrusting the roses he’d bought towards his wife. “Sorry, I didn’t call ahead. I did send a good few letters but I didn’t get any reply so I just thought ‘Hey why not turn up and at least say goodbye before going back to the States.” Lewis laughed, his sarcastic tone no longer seeming appropriate as he watched his wife’s lips wobbly as she invited him in. She seemed sad and deflated, nothing like the bold, confident woman he fell in love with.

“Would you like some tea?” She asked but Lewis shook his head, flopping down in one of the armchairs which she sat opposite him.

“It’s good to see you again, Lew,” she reached forward to hold his hand but Lewis pulled away.

“Is it Josie? Is it really? Because from the lack of any goddamn letters I’d have thought that you never wanted to see me again. Do you have any idea how worried I was about you? I didn’t even know if you were alive. Jess told me you were leaving and gave me this address but I haven’t heard anything for months, Josie. For eight fucking months! I assumed you wanted a divorce.”

“I’m sorry,” Josie began to sob and Lewis suddenly wasn’t sure what to say. He’d never seen his wife look so damaged and broken that all he could do was rush towards her and embrace her. He pulled her close against his chest, the tears soaking into his dress uniform shirt but Lewis didn’t care. It felt so good to hold her again, to feel her heart beating against him, to know that she was safe.

He wasn’t sure how long they stayed like that, but gradually the tears dried and Josie sat upright, looking at him from where she sat on his lap.

“Lew, there’s something important I need to tell you but I want you to know that no matter what you can still walk away. I won’t hold it against you I promise and if you want a divorce then I will honour that.” She stood up facing Lewis who just looked at her blankly.

“Darling, why would I want a divor…” Josie opened up the long winter coat that she’d wrapped around herself revealing a very large, swollen abdomen.

“Surprise,” she said jokingly, a nervous laugh following as Lewis’ face morphed into every expression of confusion and surprise the man possessed.

“I-I… well… how? I mean not… not how but… well.” Lewis could barely form coherent sentences as his eyes continued to flicker between Josie’s face and her protruding abdomen.

“Do you remember that night in Reims, eight months ago, before Bastogne? Well, surprise? You did it!”

“Yeah I did,” Lewis breathed out, running his hand through his hair. He still looked utterly stunning when he looked up at his wife again, “I really thought you’d ask me for a divorce. I went through every scenario including begging and crying on your doorstep for you not to leave me but never imagined this.”

Josie sat down beside Lewis again, her hands clasping his, “Oh Lew I’d never want to leave you. Never. You are the love of my life. You’re all that’s kept me going through everything since my accident, after Will died, finding out I was pregnant, all of it. You kept me going. I love you Lewis Nixon with all my heart. I know you had a child with your ex-wife and I know we never spoke about children but…”

“Let me stop you right there, Josie,” Lewis moved to crouch down in front of her. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I never knew I could love another person as much as I love you. A lot of men can help make a child but not a lot of men can be a real father to a child. I want to be this baby's father Josie and I want to be your husband every step of the way for the rest of our lives.”

Josie nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks as the couple embraced once more. This time both of them cried, tears of happiness for they were finally together again and they could start their lives in peace.

Tags: @georgieluz @iceman-kazansky @yeahcurrahhe-e @msmercury84 @blvestxr @dustyjumpwjngs @theflyingfin @jump-wings @kafka-ohdear @kmc1989 @mads-weasley @docroesmorphine @liptonsbabe @sweetxvanixlla @hesbuckcompton-baby @ronsparky @allthingsimagines @whollyjoly @bucky32557038ww2 @malarkgirlypop @hanniewinnix @inglourious-imagines @l13bg0tt @samwinchesterslostshoe

[youcalledmebabe]

If I may? Ghosts-in-Bastogne/Horror-In-Bastogne fic recs!! apologies if you've read these already!

Ice Cold Hands - It all started when Winters saw something, out between the trees.

Ghost Story - In Bastogne Bill is sent on patrol with Babe and Muck, but as they make their way through the woods something strange emerges from the mist in front of them, something that shouldn't have been there.

Vampires in Bastogne - In war, nobody would really notice if a vampire had gone around bleeding out the occasional enemy soldier. He would just be a random soldier, dead and covered in blood, pale and looking horrified in death.

ghosts that we know - The thing is, Babe Heffron spends more quality time with Gene Roe once the medic dies than he ever did when the guy was alive. Life’s funny that way, he supposes.

Understand That I'd Never Let It Go - Anna is not alone in her apartment.

Like Reflections Upon a Polished Surface - Lewis Nixon died in the dirt on the road outside Nuenen, but his ghost lingered beside his best friend and lover. A series of letters from Dick Winters to DeEtta Almon.

eucharistia (this is how meat loves meat) - In Rachamps, just before Easy is sent to Haguenau, Eugene Roe brings Babe Heffron to Father John Maloney for his first confession in seven years.

Ghosts That We Knew - Donald Malarkey is being haunted by ghosts that will not let him survive in peace.

singing like a gun - She’s on the wind when spring comes.

We Are The Dead - Maybe he’ll tell him tomorrow. If no mortar falls on his foxhole in the middle of the night, and he wakes up tomorrow with all of his limbs in place, he’ll tell Dick then.

Haint - Renee stays with Roe after her death, and after the war, and every day he spends with her he becomes a little less alive.

Watching You For Light - At Bastogne, Eugene starts to see ghosts.

Strength to Carry On - Joe Liebgott is haunted by ghosts of his own, but unlike yours, who are few and personal, his ghosts are a great multitude of strangers.

and an AU that is not set in Bastogne but is proper spooky and should be read by everyone:

Lie if God is Sleeping - Gene flipped the puzzle over to read the back. “My name is Edward Heffron,” he read aloud. “I killed a man, and now I’m paying the price. 18,000 pieces. It will take approximately seven days to complete me. For experienced players only.”

What the fuck was a curse this nasty doing in a Philadelphia used bookstore?

there are more... but this is what comes to mind right now ehehe

omg yes you may and thank you so much!! I’ve only read (and loved) lie if god is sleeping and ghosts that we know. I absolutely love a good haunting, a good spook, and I feel like world war 2 is ripe for it so I’m glad other people have felt that way. Bastogne especially strikes me as a place where real and metaphorical ghosts would walk… imagine being in scary woods in the dark for like 16 hours a day while your friends die around you. I’d feel pretty damn haunted! Anyway can’t wait to dive into this list and thank you again for your excellent curation 💙

[pfenniged]

Just so you know, I’ve been listening to the audiobook “Conversations with Major Dick Winters: Life Lessons from the Commander of the Band of Brothers,” and written by Dick Winters’ friend retired Colonel Cole Kingseed, and basically besides being a reflection on leadership skills, important people in Dick Winters’ life, and the follies of people attempting to profit off of people who would become important historical figures, it also has some piping hot tea about the series and the actual Lewis Nixon so hear me out.

So firstly, together with Damian Lewis’ 20th Anniversary podcast reflections last year, the book mirrors a lot of what Cole basically saw in the hiring of Damian Lewis to play Dick Winters. 

So from what Damian Lewis said about the hiring process initially in the 20th anniversary podcast, when he entered the studios when he initially came from England, there was a guy who had just left who was a Canadian actor who looked EXACTLY like Dick Winters. As in, blonde hair, built like a brick shithouse, passably could pass as American, etc. Damian said himself on the podcast that he thought that was basically it for him, because he was very much a redhead, not built like a brick shithouse, and English. 

What he politely left out of that entire story was the tea that fucking Cole Kingseed spilled which was that apparently after they had the final guys coming in to be cast to play Winters, Damian Lewis went out with Ron Livingston and partied till 4am in the morning.

What I’m loving about this is if we piece together both narratives, it’s basically Damian presuming he wasn’t going to get cast, going “fuck it” and deciding to go out with the boys anyhow, getting shitfaced drunk until 4am the next morning because he assumed he could just sleep it off and catch a flight back to England later that week, but no.

What ended up happening is Damian got back to the hotel at 4am, got a phone call three hours later at 7am, saying that Tom Hanks wanted to meet with him for 10am at the studio.

DAMIAN DRANK SIX CUPS OF COFFEE IN THE REMAINING THREE HOURS BEFORE MEETING UP WITH TOM HANKS AND GOT THE JOB.

The next tea that was spilled was about the real Lewis Nixon, and jfc I shouldn’t find this funny but I do.

So basically Dick Winters was telling Cole Kingseed that one of the reasons he didn’t commit himself to someone when he was in the war/overseas was because he noticed that men who were in love basically or had a wife and children basically fell apart quicker in battle, because they had something outside of themselves that they were worried about dying about and basically couldn’t effectively function as a soldier is supposed to.

Basically, Dick literally quoted Sherlock Holmes and was basically going on about having a “cold efficient brain” in battle.

DOESN’T THIS MOTHERFUCKER BRING UP THAT “THAT’S WHY LEWIS NIXON AND I GOT ALONG SO WELL EVEN THOUGH WE WERE TWO VASTLY DIFFERENT PEOPLE” BECAUSE BASICALLY LEW HAD A SHIT MARRIAGE AND HE SAW FIRSTHAND THAT “THERE WAS NO LOVE IN THAT HOUSE.”

NOW.

WHAT THIS PRESUMES IS THAT:

A) At some point before Lewis Nixon divorced his wife, Dick Winters was invited to his home.

B) He saw firsthand in his own polite way that Lew and his wife both fucking hated each other.

C) LEWIS NIXON HAD THE GALL TO ASK HIS TECHNICALLY COMMANDING OFFICER TO ACT AS A BUFFER FOR HIM AT AN AWKWARD DINNER HE PROBABLY HAD TO RETURN TO

D) LEWIS NIXON HATED HIS WIFE SO MUCH THAT BY INSINUATION HE DID NOT CARE IF HE LIVED OR DIED; AND 

E) COULD YOU FUCKING IMAGINE THOSE CONVERSATIONS DICK WINTERS WAS FORCED INTO.

“... This is delicious salmon, thank you for inviting me to your lovely home.”

“SEE, LEWIS- DICK DOESN’T THINK MY SALMON’S TOO DRY.”

“He’s being polite. You’re the only dried-out thing around here, sweetheart-”

“OOPS WOULD YOU LOOK AT THE TIME-”

“IT’S ONLY 6:40-”

“Well, the Pennsylvania Dutch turn into pumpkins around seven, sooooo-”

[thoughpoppiesblow]

Can I get a fluffy Nix imagine where the reader and him adopt a puppy??

Word Count: 320 :(

Warnings: None :)

Pairing: Lewis Nixon x Reader

 A/N: I’m sorry it’s so short! I have no inspiration for reader inserts right now, all of  my attention is on Georgia and CHIYC

Taglist: @hellitwasyoufirstsergeant @punkgeekchic @liebegott @mavysnavy @hoosiers-hoe @floydtab @stressedinadress @vintagelavenderskies @wexhappyxfew

Come On, You Two

Austria was gorgeous. The lake was crystal clear and surrounded by lush pine forests. From your seat by the open window, you could hear the boys playing baseball. You let a soft smile grace your features. They deserved some peace after all this bloodshed.

You felt Nix’s breath along your shoulder.

“Hey you,” you said.

“Hey yourself,” Nix returned as he pressed a kiss to the shell of your ear.

You shivered, then leaned back as Lew wrapped his arms around your shoulders. Your eyes closed and you leaned back against your boyfriend. He continued pressing feather-light kisses to your neck as you hummed in pleasure.

You were shaken from your reverie by a light scratching sound. You and Lew looked at each other in confusion. He stood, and walked to the door. As he opened it, you saw his whole expression change.

“A dog!” He scooped it into his arms, and turned to you with the biggest smile. “Can we keep him?”

You sighed, “Sure, honey.”

“Yes!” Lew said as the dog began to lick his face. It was a scrawny little thing, some type of hound. The more you looked at it, the more you began to fall in love.

 --------------------------------------- The Next Morning -----------------------------------------

You stirred awake to a pressure on your chest and a tongue lapping at your cheek. You rolled over, pressing your face into Lew’s neck. The dog followed.

“Lew,” you groaned, “Lew!” You smacked him in order to get your point across.

He sat up. “What is it?”

“Take the dog out.”

“You do it.”

I was on a patrol last night at 03:00. You do it.”

“Fine,” Nix grumbled. “C’mon Draftee.”

“Draftee?” That woke you right up. “After Easy’s dog at Toccoa?”

“Yes,” Lew said, rubbing the back of his neck. “You don’t like it?”

“No,” you began, “I love it.”

Lew lit up, and Draftee wagged his tail.

“Come on, you two.”

[eugenesmorphine]

When You Two Fight // Richard Winters Headcanon

Taglist: @alienoresimagines​ @hihosilvers​

-When you and Dick fight, it is usually about something bigger of a problem.

-You two really don't fight about smaller problems, Richard is a smarter man than that.

-Though, with the less fights, means the bigger the fights are.

-Fights with him though, they don't get too big. More like just you guys raising your voices at each other.

-Richard is definitely petty at times in these fights, probably giving the silent treatment, ignoring you.

-He thinks that will end the fights, but in reality they just make it worse.

-Arguments with Richard are usually caused by or subjected by his lack of communication, actions between you two of pushing each other away, how serious he is, and other normal arguments. (AN: I don't know who the reader is, so most causes of the arguments are going to be based off him.)

-Arguments usually leave you two angry at each other. So you two just don't talk to each other, kind of just pretending that neither of you exist in the moment.

-This could last for either twenty minutes, or the entire day. Going into when you two sleep. Like I said before. P E T T Y.

-Depending on who started the fight, or what the fight was for, Richard would totally apologize first.

-He'd either do a planned apology or just out of blew apology. Sating that he was wrong, or what he was saying was wrong and stating that he was sorry.

-Though, sometimes, he wants you to say sorry.

-As you should.

How He Apologizes

-He usually apologizes by "surprising" you by making dinner.

-Though, sometimes if he feel like he really messed up or was really wrong, he would take his ass to the nearest flower shop and get you a bouquet of your favorite flowers.

-How sweet.

-He then would over course go into a long tangent about how he is sorry and all that cute stuff.

-I would believe he would ramble on and on until you have to shut him up.

-That could range from literally telling him to stop talking, to kissing him, or hugging him.

-I know, I know, let us think about this for a moment. Makeup sex would be awesome with this man.

-If not that, a night of cuddling up and being all cute and happy.

-He would never let an argument tear you too apart. He loves you way too much.

-He is the best boyfriend ever. He deserves all of the smooches.

[companyofheros]

Band of Brothers quotes || 11/?

[marvelmymarvel]

Dog Tags (Series: Nixon)

Lewis Nixon x Major!Reader

A/N: Let me just explain one thing about me. I. LOVE. DOG. TAGS. I don’t know why I don't know how all I know is that every time I see one of the boys' dog tags I flip and melt inside. And so. I am making an offer. I will write similar versions of this, for any boy you want. Throw me one, I don’t care I will write it because goddamnit those freaking dog tags. Give ME 10 I NEED EXCUSES!!! *Inhales deeply to calm self*….. Anywho. This one is Lews. But like I said if you want a different boy. I’m ON IT. Okay seriously, please. It has to be a thing.

PS: I am gonna make this a series, one for each man that is given to me. The other one I have lined up next is Liebgott. A different Scenario, but the same love and fluff <3.

Synopsis: Dog tags. You didn’t know why, but something about them made them seem safe and secure, just like the man wearing them.

You cuddled into him deeper. Your left hand's fingers were weaved into his brown hair holding him close to your neck as your right hand's fingers were tangled into his chain. You rarely fell asleep holding onto his dog tags, but somehow always awoke with them wrapped around your fingers. “Come on Lew, Y/n” Richard called out as he opened the curtain. You groaned at the harsh light and only cuddled into Lew’s neck harder. The cold metal chain touched your lips and you got a taste of the cheap metal, making your face scrunch up in disgust. You tried to untangle yourself from his grasp, along with your fingers around his tags, but to no prevail, you were stuck. “I’ll be up” Lew grumbled as Dick hit Lew’s hip where your leg used to be. Your left hand ran along his back awkwardly while your right still held his tags tightly. You knew he was lying, he was not going to be up anytime soon. You closed your eyes, knowing you didn't have to get up yet, perks of being a higher up, but then again, your stress was greater which caused you to lose sleep a lot. Maybe that's how his tags got in between your fingers. Maybe it was because you were stressing about the next move and you found solace in the bumps and grooves of Lew's name. Maybe it was because, for that moment, you had him alive and in your hands. It’s all you wanted from this war. You hated drawing up the plans that would push your lover deeper and deeper into hell, you almost apologized to him every time. The world could come crashing down on you, you could lose him. But for that moment. That quiet, peaceful moment, his snores and the coldness of that metal made you slow down. For at that moment, he was safe. You were safe. And you had each other. Your eyes opened tiredly at Lew's movement or lack thereof. Richard cocked his head at you. The last time this happened he had to dump Lew’s own piss onto him. You, of course, weren't there but the glare you sent Richard warned him as you looked at the pitcher. “I’ll get him up” you whispered as you kissed Lew’s forehead. Richard nodded, knowing full well that you would get his best friend up, it was only you who could. “Can you close the curtain Dick” you called out and he did as you said. You waited till you heard the door close before you opened your mouth to speak. Lew pulled you in closer, snuggling into your chest “Thanks” he grumbled causing your mouth to close. You only pushed his head off as you sat on your knees. He chuckled, but it was more of a whiney chuckle like he couldn't get a break. “Come on Lew” you purred as you grabbed the tags once more while leaning down, hovering over his lips he opened one eye. “I like where this is going” he whispered as you straddled his hips. Pulling the chain, he lifted with it, anticipating your lips to greet him. When your lips collided, your fist was wound tightly around the tags, digging into your flesh as his fingers dug into your hips. “Goddamnit do we really have to go” he grumbled before pulling away. You giggled and pecked his nose, finally letting the tags go. Climbing out of the bed you reached out your hand to your hungover boyfriend, you totally used the situation to your advantage, but you got him up. He scooted out quickly and slapped your ass, making you squeal as he lunged for you. Encasing you in his arms, he kissed you again, deeper this time, silencing your giggles and turning them into a moan. His hands roamed up your body till one cupped your jaw and the other fumbled with something below your shirt. Pulling out the chain, he yanked you by your dog tags so that you were looking up at him in lust. “You’ll regret all of this later baby doll” he whispered before kissing you again. You pulled away with your hands on his chest, you could feel that lovely chain under your fingertips and it caused you to smile. You looked up at him lustfully, “Promise?”

Tags:

@hell-itwasyou @desired-love-

[mads-weasley]

Epiphany Pt. 1: Enchanted

Lewis Nixon x Reader

Masterlist

Series Masterlist

A/N: heyyy guys! i've decided to start a lewis nixon series!! and yes, the chapter titles are all taylor swift songs. i'm super excited to post this first chapter! please enjoy and let me know what you think! hbo owns the rights, and this is about the fictional portrayal of easy company on the show. nothing but love and respect for veterans on this blog!

Word Count: 2.3k

Summary: Arriving at Camp Toccoa to join Easy Company, (y/n) (y/l/n), a participant in a new WAC program, has her first encounter with the men of Easy.

It was a hot and unbearable day under the Georgia sun when (y/n) (y/l/n) arrived at Camp Toccoa. She tried to ignore the looks she got from the men as she rumbled by in a jeep, but what she couldn’t ignore was the rambling of her driver.

“Hi,” he introduced, glancing over at her. “The name’s Lorraine. Well, it’s Gerald, but everyone calls me Lorraine.” 

She shot him a kind smile. “Nice to meet you, Gerald. (Y/n) (y/l/n). I’m part of the Athena program.

“I haven’t heard of that.”

“Well,” (y/h/c) began. “it’s a new part of the WAC that’s sending a few women into the Army as a sort of trial run for the future.”

A look of disbelief passed over his face before he reigned it in quickly. “What made you want to join up, then?”

“Well, who wouldn’t after Pearl Harbor?” She asked, wiping sweat from her forehead.

Lorraine simply nodded and kept his eyes on the road, almost as if he was contemplating a woman’s place in war. To (y/n)’s relief, he chose to keep his conclusion to himself. Vest turned down another long dirt road that seemed to lead directly to the base of a mountain she assumed was the famous Curahee. With a deep breath, (y/n) silently prayed she had the strength to prove to him and everyone else that women belonged in the army; that she belonged.

The morning after Sobel’s canteen tirade, Winters and Nixon were in line for breakfast in the mess hall, trying to figure out what to do about their CO.

“So, what did you do?” Lew asked, walking toward an empty table. There were times when he was thankful he was in intelligence instead of with the rest of the men, and most were because of the hell Sobel put them through.

Dick trailed him with a sigh. “Picked six men and gave them latrine duty.” 

“The lucky six?”

“McDonald, Toye, Perconte, Lipton, Muck, and Guarnere,” he stated, sitting across from Lew. 

“Why them?”

“It was their turn.”

Nix chuckled, looking down at his messy food in thought. It was his job to know things, and he happened to hear about a controversial topic flowing down the ranks. “Hey, have you heard about the new WAC program integrating women into the Army?”

“I’m glad you mentioned it. Our own Athena participant should be arriving at 16:00.”

Lew’s head shot up. “In Easy?”

“Yep.”

Lew didn’t have anything against women in the military but also didn’t know how the men would handle it. “What do you think about it?”

“Well,” Dick began, putting down his utensils softly. “I’m trying to have an open mind, but I’m worried about some of the men.”

Nix nodded and took a sip of coffee with a smirk. “We’ll just have to wait and see, then.”

Little did he know that later that day, his life would change forever.

Lorraine and (y/n) arrived at Colonel Sink’s office a few minutes after 16:00, and the woman was almost sick to her stomach with anxiety. While Lorraine was inside informing Sink of their arrival, she tried to calm herself down. All she wanted was to make an excellent first impression on the Colonel and her superiors.

Lorraine returned and ushered her into the small building serving as Sink’s quarters. (Y/n) followed him down a hallway to a single office room. He nodded and closed the door behind her once she entered. The woman turned and raised her hand to salute him.

“Ah, Miss (y/l/n),” Sink called, words dripping with his North Carolina drawl as he held his hand out. “At ease. Welcome to Camp Toccoa.”

She shook it firmly, praying he overlooked their clamminess. “Thank you, sir. I’m happy to be here.”

Sink gestured for her to sit as he took a seat at his desk, which was neatly arranged in piles of folders and other stationery. “When I first heard about the Athena Project, I didn’t know what to think. My wife was the one who showed me that women have the same right to serve their country as us men. She’s a modern Abigail Adams if you understand my meaning.”

“Yes sir,” (y/n) replied.

He interlocked his fingers above the desk. “If I may ask, what made you volunteer for the program?”

“Well, sir,” she spoke softly, willing her voice to stay strong. “My brother was stationed on the Arizona at Pearl Harbor. He was 20. I couldn’t let the opportunity to follow his footsteps pass by.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Thank you for your family’s sacrifice.”

(Y/n) wanted to respond, but her throat seemed to close up on her. Unable to answer, she nodded stiffly, willing the tears from her waterline.

He noticed her distress and cleared his throat suddenly. “Let’s get to it, shall we? You’ll be in Easy Company of the 101st Airborne. You won’t get any special treatment, but we’ll try to accommodate you as much as possible.”

The door scraped open behind (y/n), and she resisted looking back at the newcomer. The footsteps sounded like a single person, and she hoped they wouldn’t catch on to her moment of emotion. Luckily, Sink addressed them, giving her time to gain control of herself.

“ Winters, where’s Lieutenant Sobel?” He asked with furrowed brows. “He’s supposed to be here.”

 Dick spoke up. “I don’t know, sir. I last saw him in the mess hall around noon.”

With a huff, Sink rose and introduced her. “Lieutenant, this is (y/n) (y/l/n), our Athena participant.”

The redhead smiled politely. “Dick Winters. Nice to have you with us, (y/l/n).”

“Hi,” she nodded, shaking his hand. “Nice to meet you, Lieutenant. Call me (y/n).”

Sink led them out of the office and into the main room of the building. “Lieutenant Winters here is going to show you around camp before supper.”

From there, the pair walked around the camp, and Dick informed her of their daily training routine, as well as the expectations of Easy company. Toward the end of their tour, he asked about her family back home and was surprised that she dodged the subject before having to answer. Sensing her discomfort, he made a mental note to not bring it up anymore. 

Before they knew it, it was 18:00, and supper was being served at the mess hall. Dick led her to the large building and ushered them inside. When (y/n) walked into the room, the stench of sweat and body odor mixed with food hit her like a bus. Bile rose in her throat, and it was all she could do to keep from throwing up. 

‘Don’t throw up. Don’t throw up,’ her mind repeated, eyes sinking to the floor.

Dick chuckled beside her. “You get used to the smell,” he quipped. “Let me introduce you to some of the men.”

Before he could take her to them, a shorter brunette man with a boyish look walked up to them, a sly grin on his face. “Lieutenant Winters, sir,” he saluted. “George Luz, ma’am. We’re all glad to have you.”

Two faces popped out from behind his shoulder with smiles of their own. Without missing a beat, George rolled his eyes and pointed at them. “These two idiots are Skip Muck and Alex Penkala.”

Skip smacked him on the back of the head with an aggravated look on his face. “You’re the one that had to be the first to meet her, George, so really, we’re not the idiots here.”

She squinted her eyes as giggles burst from her lips when Luz’s face turned beet red at the comment. She knew immediately that she liked the trio.

“Nice to meet you, too, boys. You can call me (y/n).”

Penkala’s eyes widened and glanced at the two in faux horror. “She called us boys.”

“We are boys.”

“We’re boys,” George mocked. “No, Skip, were men.” 

“How old are you three anyways?” She asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

Alex was 18, Skip was 20, and George was 21. After hearing about their ages, she realized that they were just boys. They still had most of their lives to live, much like millions of other soldiers in their position. Much like her.

Dick left (y/n) with the trio and went to attend to his other duties. Once they took a seat, the boys started rambling on about everything from their terrible CO to the best types of slop they were given at mealtimes. (Y/n)’s eyes wandered around the room for a moment before another pair caught hers. When their eyes met across the crowded mess hall, everything around them seemed to vanish as time slowed to a standstill.

The soft, warm gaze in his eyes felt like a long-lost memory, a memory that had been tucked away in the depths of her heart, waiting for the perfect moment to resurface. (Y/n)’s heart fluttered as she felt an undeniable pull toward him, and she couldn’t help but be captivated by the genuine curiosity and surprise that emanated from his gaze. The man was, without a doubt, the most attractive man she’d ever laid eyes on, and her heart skipped a beat at the realization.

His eyes seemed to whisper, “Have we met?” And (y/n) found herself asking the same question.

She held the stranger’s gaze for a few seconds before he slowly got up and started making his way to her. As he approached her, she noticed him anxiously tousling his well-groomed dark chestnut hair with his hand. (Y/n) was suddenly self-conscious and did the same, taming her hair ruined by the southern humidity. Her heart was racing in her chest, almost anticipating the life-changing moment that was about to happen. 

Making it to her table, Lewis grinned and sat beside her, his smile making her blush slightly. “It seems George likes you almost as much as he likes Rita Hayworth,” he said.

The soldier scoffed, ”No offense, (y/n), but Rita is the love of my life. She may not know who I am, but I plan to change that someday. It’s going to happen. Just wait and see, right Penk?”

Alex raised his eyebrows and nodded reluctantly, “Absolutely, buddy. You’ll show her what she’s been missing.”

(Y/n) pressed her lips tightly together, stifling the sound of her impending laughter. She scrunched her nose slightly as if trying to hold back a giggle. Her efforts, though valiant, were ultimately futile as a few muted snickers managed to slip through her defenses.

She soon gave up, and her laughter filled the air. He couldn’t help but be mesmerized by the sight before him. (Y/n)'s face lit up with joy, and her eyes sparkled with delight. The sound of her laughter was infectious, and he found himself chuckling along, almost entranced by how she expressed her happiness so freely.

“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, (y/l/n),” George said, getting up from the table. “See you all at breakfast.”

Skip and Alex bid their goodbyes as well, following him out of the mess hall. Realizing it was just her and the handsome soldier beside her, (y/n) turned to him with a smile.

Nix stuck out his hand. “Lewis Nixon. As an intelligence officer, it’s my job to know things, so I can’t believe I don’t know your name.”

(Y/n) couldn’t help but notice a subtle nervousness in his eyes matched with a hint of mischief. “Pleasure to meet you, Lewis. I’m (y/n) (y/l/n), Easy’s Athena.”

“Call me Lew,” he charmed, still shaking her hand softly. “We’re happy to have you, (y/n).”

When the realization dawned upon them that they were still holding hands, shy smiles spread across their faces. Lewis cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Have you met Captain Sobel yet?" He asked, grimacing.

"I don't think so. Is he over Easy Company?"

"Yeah. He's also the biggest jacka-"

"There's no way he's that bad," she interrupted, eyes widening.

Lewis chuckled under his breath. "Trust me. Every Friday night, he makes Easy march twelve miles in full gear, just out of spite."

"Do any other companies march?"

“Nope. Just Easy. And after marching last night, he made Dick make up six infractions and punish the men for it. He ended up giving latrine duty to the men who were on this week’s rotation.”

(Y/n) rubbed a hand down her face, groaning. “Lieutenant Winters didn’t say anything about Sobel when he was showing me around.”

“Well, Dick is pretty straight-laced,” Lewis said shrugging with a smirk. “Not everyone can be a cool, calm, and collected intelligence officer.”

"Someone's ego is a little over-inflated," she laughed, raising her eyebrows at him.

“So, how’re you liki-,” he started to ask but was interrupted by someone calling his name. Following the voice, he looked behind him to see Dick near the doors, motioning him over.

“Well,” Nix sighed, looking back at (y/n) with a sheepish smile. “Duty calls.”

As he got up, she called after him. “See you later, Nix.”

She didn’t miss the lack of a ring on his hand, and for the rest of the night, she replayed the enchanting encounter in her mind. How could a stranger seem so familiar? 

Tag List: @softguarnere @mrsgeorgeluz @flowers-and-fichte @inglourious-imagines @peggyvan @rebeccapearson @hxad-ovxr-hxart

Let me know if you want to be added to the tag list!

[admiral-alby]

bob fic recs galore

here’s the fruits of my labour. a working fic rec master-post containing multiple bob ships and many, many amazing fics. the writers in this fandom are absolutely incredible and their talent astounds me every time I read a new fic. all the kudos to y’all. keep on keeping on!

this is a long post. recs and some general notes are under the cut :)

(04/13/21) I’ll do my best to keep this list updated... or I’ll make a part 2 depending on length. if anyone has any recs that are not already listed in this post, please please message me! this is no way an exhaustive list and I’m sure I missed some fantastic fics out there - to get started I mostly just plucked from my bookmarks. I’d be happy to add on new fics for ANY pairing, rare-pairs included. I don’t really have much for rare-pairs in this rec because I haven’t read much yet but that will change soon when I have some more time on my hands to get into them  :)

if you are an author on this list and you would like your work removed from it, please just message me. no explanation necessary I will take it off asap.

I’ll make the disclaimer that while I tried to include some general information about each fic, I did not include tags/warnings. so if you choose a fic, read the tags and proceed at your own discretion.

 @capsparkyspeirs   you’re a lovely human being and this is probably not what you were imagining when I said I’d be happy to rec some fics for you. I admit it got a little out of hand but there’s so many great fics out there I couldn’t stand to choose just a couple to send your way... so you get them all! you inspired me to do this, so this is for you and anyone else who wants to read some great fics but doesn’t know where to start <3

WINNIX (RICHARD WINTERS/LEWIS NIXON)

Long Ago and Far Away (Canon Winnix) by churchkey (Series) Rated T-E / Canon Era / 18013 Words (Total) / 4 Parts / Not Complete

Summary: “A few scenes exploring how Dick and Lew became the timeless cosmic lovers they were born to be.“

*Each part can be read as a stand-alone!

It Happened One Night by raquelelpillo Rated M / Groundhog Day AU / 7704 Words / Complete

Summary: “ Nixon gets the chance to do the day before the big jump over and over and over (or, Every Fandom Needs Groundhog's Day Fic).”

Finding Our Way in the Dark by rilla Rated E / Canon Era / Soulmate AU / 8477 Words / Complete

Summary: “After Dick and Lew share their first kiss in Austria, they open their eyes to find a golden thread binding their wrists together.“

Mutual by miss_grey Rated G / Canon Era / 2105 Words / Complete

Summary: “Dick couldn’t help wondering to himself when exactly Nix had decided that Dick’s personal space had become their mutual space.“

Let Me Be Close by armyofbees  Rated G / Canon Era (Post-War) / 8679 Words / Complete

Summary: “Five things Nix loves about Dick, and one thing Dick loves about Nix.Or,The thing about Nix, Dick is beginning to learn, is that he doesn’t love in halves. Nix loves with everything in him, and sometimes that means moving to the middle of nowhere in Pennsylvania for Dick. Sometimes it means making spaghetti with him because Dick came to New Jersey and planted tomatoes, of all things. Sometimes it means telling without saying.”

Let’s Start the New Year Right by slightlytookish Rated G / Canon Era (Post-War) / 10523 Words / Complete

Summary: “Nix had always been able to pick Dick out of a crowd, even when he was lying on his belly in the dirt two hundred yards away, squinting through binoculars at an entire company of men wearing identical uniforms. It was easier to spot him in the crush of people inside Penn Station, even out of the familiar uniform: the same tall figure, the same bright hair, the same way he always seemed to find Nix just as easily and turn towards him, like an arrow on a compass.”

Lancaster County by raquelelpillo Rated T / AU / 31500 Words / 17 Chapters / Complete

Summary: “Nix is born later. Dick is there. (AU). Set in the summer of 1942 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.”

**It is part of a series with the other works being small ‘extras’ set through the story. This is the main work. It ends a bit ambiguously.

SPEIRTON (RONALD SPEIRS/CARWOOD LIPTON)

The Desolate House by Howling_Harpy Rated E / Canon Era (Post-War) / 26672 Words / Complete

Summary: “It's been fifteen years since Carwood has last seen or spoken to Speirs when they reunite suddenly at an Easy Company reunion and have both recently relocated back to the US. Carwood has promised to his mother to finish packing and cleaning the family's boarding house that's about to be put up for sale, and on a whim invites Speirs to help him. He didn't expect him to actually show up.”

and you on my mind by seabright Rated E / Canon Era (Post-War) / 11081 Words / Complete

Summary: “’You say that you don’t want any of Easy to know that you’re in Boston but you give me your address.’  Following a relationship through the end of the war and beyond.”

Of Soldiers and Secrets by nanuk_dain Rated E / Canon Era / 62988 Words / 26 Chapters / Complete

Summary: “A series of moments in the life of the Easy men, from Foy until after the war, focussing on the development of the relationship of Carwood Lipton and Ronald Speirs.”

Erasure by Howling_Harpy Rated M / Canon Era (Post-War) / 15255 Words / Complete

Summary: “Carwood takes time off from work to visit his mother to get away from his lonely life in Boston. Ron is deployed to Korea and has been for a long while, and after spending a year alone and even longer lying to everyone, Carwood is not sure he wants to live like this anymore.”

Fluences by masongirl (Series) Rated T-M / Canon Era / Soulmates AU / 12818 Words (Total) / 5 Works / Complete

Summary: “ Soulmate AU in which soulmates can sense each other's emotions if they are close enough.”

**Mainly Speirton centric. Part 2 is Winnix & Part 3 is Shifty/Tab.

A Thousand Kisses by Arwen88 Rated T / Canon Era / 1993 Words / Complete

Summary: “ A late night in Hardigny brings Carwood to the room where Ron is dealing with paperwork, but even with a comfortable bed, he can’t find his peace. Late night chats have Ron showing a side of himself that Carwood had not expected.”

stop the world by languageofthebirds Rated T / Canon Era / 3001 Words / Complete

Summary: “The way his hair fell in mussed waves over his forehead made Carwood want to reach out and run his fingers through it. He was sin personified, in that moment.”

**Did I throw in a shameless self promo? Sure did.

WEBGOTT (JOSEPH LIEBGOTT/DAVID WEBSTER)

rivers always reach the sea by bitchbutter (Series) Rated E / Canon Era / 40790 Words (Total) / 2 Works / Not Complete / Last Updated March 17, 2021

Part 1 Summary: “Joe breaks things off with Web in Austria. Of course, nothing with them is ever that simple.“

Part 2 Summary: “The end of the war could be the end of a lot of things. If Joe could let it be.“

if i know you at all, i know you’ve gone too far by starblessed Rated T / Canon Era / 2654 Words / Complete

Summary: “How many stars d’you think there are, Web?” Joe asks after a moment.David has no damned clue. “A lot,” he answers confidently. “Millions.”“Millions,” echoes Joe. The glittering stars are reflected in his eyes, like black pits sending each beam of light back outward. It’s almost hypnotizing, the way they flicker. If he stares too long, David knows he will get lost in them...  and that doesn't seem like the worst way to go.”

Teller of Tales; Song of Songs by thedastardly Rated E / Canon Era (Post War) / 8352 Words / Complete

Summary: “He hopes that he dreams about the mountaintop tonight. He isn’t in the mood to dream of the water, the shore, the everything after, again.”

the only noise beating out is ours by lakehymn Rated M / Canon Era (Post-War) / 3470 Words / Complete

Summary: “Over the next couple weeks, Webster realizes that Liebgott has effortlessly invaded every corner of his life. Even on the days when he barely sees Liebgott at all, he can always find comic books or packs of cigarettes lying around somewhere. It’s almost disconcerting how ordinary it’s beginning to feel to stumble upon someone else’s belongings in his own house.”

push and pull by LT_Aldo_Raine

Rated T / Modern AU / 4115 Words / Complete

Summary: ““got hands like an ocean, push you out, pull you back in” And David Webster never could resist the ocean. OR: Webster snorted, a sardonic sound that echoed across the hotel room. “You don’t know the first thing about what I need.””

hang in there, baby by rilla Rated M / Modern AU / 3116 Words / Complete

Summary: “Written for the Kisstober prompt 'upside down Spiderman kisses'. '“I don’t know what I was expecting when I asked you what your top fantasy is,” Web says, “but it wasn’t this."'”

In His Wildest Dreams by Impala_Chick Rated E / Canon Era / Dream Sharing AU / 3891 Words / Complete

Summary: “While David is in the hospital, he starts sharing dreams with Liebgott.“

Black Ink on Some Blue Lines by thelastfig Rated E / Canon Era & Post War / 10185 Words / Complete

Summary: “It’s been sixteen years since the letter was written, but it never found its way to the one it was intended for. The thing about secrets is they eat away at you, not all at once but slowly over the years, and you begin to wonder, to play out the what if scenarios in your mind. Instead, David buried it away and pretended like it never existed. He should have killed it, he thinks to himself, not buried it while it still had breath in its lungs. In which David remembers his evolving relationship with Joe over the course of the war and decides to deliver a letter.”

LUZTOYE (GEORGE LUZ/JOSEPH TOYE)

The best laid plans by masongirl (Series) Rated G-E / Modern AU / 52652 Words (Total) / 15 Parts / Complete

Summary: “Modern AU in which Joe and George find each other as college students and build a life together.“

each and every day (of the year) by bruce_the_shark Rated M / Modern AU / 21630 Words / 2 Chapters / Complete

Summary: “Joe grins, lifts his hand from George’s hip to grip him by the chin, twists his face around to catch his lips in a bruising kiss. George relishes in it, likes how the taste of Joe’s preferred brand of liquor mixes with the taste of his own on his tongue. He grins against Joe’s lips, knows it’s going to be a good year.”

Babysitting and Other Rationales by aces_low Rated T / Modern AU / 3267 Words / Complete

Summary: “George Luz is a god damn saint, or at least some kind of kid whisperer. And Joe's just trying to keep his head on straight.”

who let the dogs in? by starblessed Rated T / Modern AU / 1869 Words / Complete

Summary: ““And he heard me shouting and I guess it inspired him or something, cause he full-on charged at me, Joe, and before I could even slam the door, he was just —“ George cuts off with an incoherent noise, gesturing grandly to their front door. “In! And then he was running, and sniffing everything, and exploring our shit, and he peed —““Not on my damn couch,” Joe growls.“No, on the nice carpet. Marking his territory, y’know? Except it’s our territory, but I guess it’s his now, because he won’t freakin’ leave.”

BABEROE (EDWARD HEFFRON/EUGENE ROE)

Call me sweetheart, please? by mariamegale (Series) Rated G-E / Modern AU / 95865 Words (Total) / 12 Works / Complete

Summary: “A not-relationship in the making.”

**Each part could be read as a standalone I suppose... But it’s so worth it to read the whole series!

between the walls by CountlessStars Rated M / Canon Era (Post-War) / 2275 Words / Complete

Summary: “ Eugene decides to paint his living room. It should be easy, it really should, but it doesn't go as planned (in more ways than one).”

Walking Wounded by papersky_pencilstars Rated G / Canon Era / Magic AU / 3501 Words / Complete

Summary: “Prompt: Canon-era; Either Gene or Babe have magic, or both. Maybe magic is known or maybe they need to hide it.”

JOHNNY MARTIN/BULL RANDLEMAN

they don’t know about the up all nights (they don’t know I’ve waited all my life) by PotofCoffee Rated T / Canon Era / 22010 Words / 3 Chapters / Complete

Summary: “ Johnny and Bull throughout the war, in a slow meandering dance you might just call love.”

All My Love to Give by Muccamukk Rated E / Canon Era / 8852 Words / Complete

Summary: “ Johnny wants to screw around to pass the time. Bull wants to show Johnny how he feels without having to risk saying it”

The Red String by Arwen88 Rated M / Canon Era / Soulmates AU / 1834 Words / Complete

Summary: “He had to wrench his gaze away from the sickening sight, from the machine that was probably moments away from killing his soulmate. He would’ve thrown himself under that tank if that meant saving his lover, but he couldn’t do it. He had to take care of his men, and so he forced himself to stop looking, to order his men to retreat, to see that they did what he was screaming at them.“

Over Where You Began Muccamukk Rated E / Canon Era / 2949 Words / Complete

Summary: “ The way Bull saw it, Johnny was mad at him now, and Bull had no idea what he'd done wrong. Maybe it was better to just let it lie, let Johnny come out of whatever angry mood he was in on his own, instead of kicking an ant's nest.”

Simple as a Glass of Chocolate by ThrillingDetectiveTales Rated E / Canon Era / 2600 Words / Complete

Summary: ““It was supposed to be syrup,” Johnny muttered darkly. “Says right there on the can!”“Reckon it started out that way,” Bull shrugged, biting his lip against a smile when Johnny narrowed a glare over his shoulder.(In which Johnny and Bull try to sweeten up their sex life and it doesn't go exactly as planned.)”

CHUCK GRANT/RONALD SPEIRS

to Babel, in ruins by captainkilly Rated T / Canon Era (Post-War) / 5114 Words / Complete

Summary: “Chuck knows recovery isn't a linear event. Knows there are times when words will leave him and the night will place him back beneath the dirt. Knows there are things he just can't speak about.Captain Speirs hears him anyway.”

pulse by captainkilly Rated T / Canon Era  / 4706 Words / Complete

Summary: “ Ron Speirs knows how to kill. Knows how to hurt, how to twist, how to maim. He doesn't think he's figured out how to love, not really, not where it counts the most, but the touches he reserves for Chuck Grant beg to differ.. “

AUTHORS

there are so many authors on this list that have written tons of amazing works for one or multiple pairings. as much as I would have loved to, I couldn’t rec all of their works... I had a hard enough time keeping it down to 3 or less works from the same author! similar to fics, I’ve only linked authors that I am familiar with/know have written multiple fics, so feel free to send me more people to add to the list :)

churchkey - is a sweetheart. has multiple amazing winnix works. she has recently gotten into super rarepair toye/malarkey. godspeed I’ll see you there when I read those fics.

ThrillingDetectiveTales - writes for multiple pairings. all of their works are fantastic! every time I see their name as the author I go !! and know it’s going to be good.

Howling_Harpy - has written so many fics. many different pairings. lots of speirton. they’ve ripped my heart out and made me cry but then gently kissed my forehead and put my heart back. I think that’s praise of the highest order.

masongirl - another fantastic author who has written so many amazing fics. tons of speirton and other ships too. also has made me cry and then quietly wiped my tears away.

mariamegale - baberoe queen. that’s all I have to say. I was tempted to just rec all her baberoe fics. check them out!

Muccamukk - another multi ship, multi works writer. i had a hard time only choosing a few of their fics to rec. they’ve got so much to offer!

Impala_Chick - writes lots of great webgott and other pairings too!

captainkilly - if i could rec all her fics I would. there’s some rarepair pieces that are fantastic. I didn’t list it here because it’s more of a character centric piece with an OFC and a little bit of ron/chuck dashed in mostly at the end, but read her form & void series. seriously. read it. I have nothing else to say because her work speaks for itself.

Arwen88 - another writer for multiple pairings with multiple works! love to see it. some great rarepair stuff and also fantastic popular pairings.

LT_Aldo_Raine - love their work! they write for multiple pairings.

[roadtogracelandx45]

Courage Under Fire|Pre War 9| Band of Brothers

part 8

masterlist

ao3

Wattpad

Word count: 5,900

@marycorleone

April 1st, 1942

 Charleston,  South Carolina 

Olivia smoothed her hands over the crisp white skirt of her uniform, she was standing in front of the floor-length mirror in her bedroom, studying her reflection, she had been sworn into the Army Nursing Corp late in March by Elizabeth Forbes using the war-torn bible that her great-great-grandfather had carried with him into several battles of the Civil War including Gettysburg made it seem real.

Putting the dog tags around her neck didn't seem real, neither did putting on the uniform but doing that made it seem real.

She and Alice had gotten orders to go report to Fort Benning for OCS on the 2nd of April and it started feeling more real.

And for the first time, she was flattering in her decision to join.

"You good Bean?" Her Uncle Michael's voice came from the doorway, he had been busy in DC, so he hadn't been able to come down for her swearing-in like Helen had been able to come. 

"Uncle Michael! What are you doing here?" She spun around to look at him, her green eyes dancing in excitement. "Helen called and told me you were going to Benning." 

Olivia nodded her head, "No idea why y'all putting this much confidence in me. I could fail out. Like that." She snapped her fingers causing him to laugh.

"You will do good, Liv, this is what you are meant to do. Does this sudden change of heart have anything to do with you seeing Katherine?"

"Aunt Helen told you about that?"

"Mhm, how did she react to you enlisting?"

"Said she hoped I died." She shrugged her shoulders, "After she got mad at Daddy for signing the papers. They want me to testify for the State against her. Same with my brothers." 

"But they are all shipping out or at boot camp, right?"

"Except for Bobby." She motioned to the letter that was lying open on the desk, "He and Bill are going to enlist together as soon as they get out of school. I guess they both were going to have an exemption because of the factory they were working at, but they tore it up and threw it away."

Michael laughed again. That sounded about right for both Bobby and Bill. 

 "Have you heard from Lewis?" She pointed to the letter underneath the one from her twin, "He is in California. Says I would like it, always warm. Not cold like Philly and here."

"Where are you going with that?" 

"I told him after the war if either one of us weren't with someone else I would marry him. I do love him."

 "But you aren't  in love with him?" Michael asked, unable to help himself.

"I am 18 years old, what do I know about love?" She returned.

"More than what you think. You are a smart girl, Bean; you will figure it out.  Finish getting ready, I am going with you and Alice to the train station. And someone from Benning is going to meet you there."

Olivia nodded, "And two other girls are coming, right?"

"From what Elizabeth said, yes, one is from New York and the other is from California."

"Oh great, another damned Yankee." She complained with a small laugh, Fredrick had not been shy about his hatred of the Yankees and called Andrea that to her face and to her kids' faces. Same with Helen but they all took it in stride because of the love and respect they had for him.

 Her uncle smirked before leaving the room to let her finish getting ready. He had tried to get out of Elizabeth information about the other two girls that were joining Olivia and Alice, but Forbes said that it wasn't fair for Olivia to have the advantage. It was already bad enough that she was handpicked for this, because of her family and her skills.

 And some of these girls could hold that against her and could cause a lot of problems for Olivia. But they had faith in the girl and knew she could handle herself, she just needed to believe that she could do it herself.

**

Train

 From Los Angeles California.

**

Betsy Michaels glanced out of the window again before she yawned and stretched her arms above her head. She had been on the train for almost three days, and she was tired of it. It had been a mistake, the train instead of the bus or taking the Army up on the offer, to fly from Fort Ord to Fort Benning. But being on the train in her own little compartment gave her time to think and really decide if losing her family in order to serve her country was the best idea. And the more she thought about it the more it seemed like it

 was the best idea for her.

Don't get her wrong, she loved her family, but her father was too controlling, and her mother was too weak to stand up for her children or herself. She didn't want to end up like her mother or even her oldest sister who was in the same boat their mother was in.

There was a knock on the sliding door startling her out of her thoughts and she slid open the door on the other side was a dark-haired man with bushy eyebrows, wearing a smirk. "Are you Betsy Michaels?" He asked. "I am. And you are?" "Lewis Nixon. I was told by command to check in on you." She raised an eyebrow and stepped away to let him enter the compartment. "It's been almost 3 days, Mr. Nixon." Lewis managed to look sheepish, he had found the bar cart and spent a lot of time in it.

His way of coping.

"Sorry about that.'  He shrugged, he had gotten a letter from Kathy claiming she was pregnant and that he had to make up his mind about either her and their child or the little tart Olivia. He couldn't bring himself to make that decision yet. Sure, he cared for Kathy and wanted to try

 and be involved with his kid's life but at the same time, he loved Olivia and the light-heartedness she gave. 

"Do you want to talk about it?" She prodded, "You look like you need to talk." 

"There has only been one other person that calls me on my stuff like that is Olivia." 

"Your girl?" She monitored for him to sit across from her, she could just tell by looking at him that he needed to talk, and she was always a good listener. And after the course was over, they probably would never see each other again. 

"Well, you could say that."

**

Columbia, Georgia

*

The first three people that Amber Scott met when she stepped onto the train platform were Elizabeth Forbes, a woman whose respect was demanded right from the start, a woman who was in charge of the program they were entering, and the other two nurses like herself both from Charleston, South Carolina. Olivia and Alice. The latter of the two seemed to be nice and Amber could see herself being friends with her, but Olivia couldn't.

There was something about her that she didn't like. She carried herself with confidence and arrogance that it was almost off-putting. Olivia turned her head and muttered something to Alice who swallowed back her smile and nudged her hip with hers.

"We are waiting on one more girl to show up, from California and we will get you to Benning." Elizabeth started. Something must have clicked in the blonde's head because a beaming dimpled smile formed. And the general offered her a gentle smile in return. 

"Do you know her outside of this ma'am?" Amber asked, unable to help herself. Elizabeth looked at her and then at Olivia, "Yes, her godfather and I go way back. But that has nothing to do with her being in the program."

 Amber turned back to look at Olivia to start Interrogating her, but she had already started moving towards a couple. "Lew! Lewis!" 

 "Does she know him?" 

"Extremely well." Alice laughed, as much as she wanted to stop Olivia from making any sort of decision when it came to her, and Lewis couldn't. Olivia loved him and he loved her. At least that's what Olivia had repeatedly told her.

Hearing his name, Lewis spun around and smiled, "Olivia!” 

Betsy, who was walking next to him, paused and smiled when the woman who she had spent the last few hours hearing about darted across the busy lobby and into Lewis's arms. He picked her up in a hug and pressed kisses to her cheeks and jaw. Careful to avoid her mouth, he knew as well as she did that if they saw that she would be sent home, and he wasn't going to be the one to get her sent home.  

"I missed you." He whispered before he sat her down on her feet.

"I missed you too." She grinned before looking at the girl standing next to him.

"I am Liv." She held her hand out to her. Betsy studied her for a brief second before returning the bright smile and taking the extended hand.

"I am Betsy. Lewis  told me a lot about you."

"Whatever he said, don't believe it. They are half-truths."

"All he told me was that you saved him from marrying a woman that he didn't love." She supplied as the other girls and the General joined them.

"Well, someone had to help him." She paused, "General, this is Betsy."

"Michaels, ma'am."

"Perfect, Lewis." The general inclined her head in the man's direction.

"I am going to meet up with the others, Liv, I will see you there." He pressed a kiss to her cheek, "Betsy, thank you."  Betsy nodded her head before glancing over at Olivia who was watching him walk away, a hint of sadness in her smile. 

"Are you okay?" She prodded softly.

 "Yeah, just the last time someone I cared about walked away in a uniform he ended up dying in Pearl Harbor.' Olivia shook her head and took a breath steeling herself, she hadn't let herself truly mourn for her brother, her uncle, and her great-great-grandfather.

Sure, she had cried in Lewis's arms when she found out, but she threw up walls around herself to protect herself.   She had to be the perfect picture of a well-brought-up Southern Girl. Alice grasped Olivia's hand and squeezed it. 

Thankful, Olivia squeezed it in return. She had been so thankful for Alice being with her from the time she got back from South Philadelphia with the ring that Bill insisted that he didn't lift from the store underneath the one from Lewis and was fighting to keep herself together to get sworn into the Army Nursing Corp to now OCS. She would have fallen completely apart and not have cared if it wasn't for Alice and her grandparents.

***

The bus was groaning and creaking down the gravel road towards Fort Benning, and Amber was fighting nausea, and it was getting worse the closer they got and listening to Olivia tell a story about her twin brother and someone named Bill to Alice and Betsy.

 "That boy is trouble, Livia." General Forbes commented, underlying amusement in her voice.

 "Which one? The one I share DNA with or the one I dated?"

"Both." Both Alice and the General answered with a laugh, neither one had actually met Bill but from the stories that Olivia had told them. But Bobby, they knew how much he coaxed his sister into doing things and quickly talked them out of trouble.  

There was a sad smile on her face as she twisted to look out of the window at the approaching camp. 

"Bobby is Olivia's twin brother," Betsy informed Amber, figuring she hadn't been listening to what she was saying, "From what I understand, this is the farthest and longest they have been separated." 

Amber shrugged her shoulders, she really didn't care about any of the other girls' lives before this. She was told that she had to do good and get that pay raise that was supposedly coming down the ranks for the women to help pay off her father's gambling debt. She wasn't there to make friends.

It would be better if she didn't. 

**

All the boys who had exited the bus in front of the 4 nurses paused and stared at them, they hadn't expected to see women in their program. "Ladies, if you will follow me." One of the instructors said cutting off the stares, they knew that the girls being there with them would be a distraction to them, and vice versa, but it was good for them to learn not to act on those feelings.

"I am Lieutenant Harding. You are going to be under my direct command for the next 12 weeks. I am sure you understand how unique this opportunity is."

"Yes sir." They all returned, Olivia and Alice, exchanging a look. they had at least a little bit of understanding of what was going to happen to them during these 12 weeks. Thanks to Olivia's family and Elizabeth Forbes. 

Alice liked to joke that Olivia was born right into the Army with how much the Stewart household was run like the Army. "This is where I leave you girls, good luck, I will see you in 12 weeks at Camp Meade.' She shook each of their hands, only lingering for a second with Olivia, squeezing her hand, "Write if  you need anything, you got this."

 "Thank you, ma'am." Olivia returned softly, squeezing her hand, "Tell Uncle Finn, I will be fine."

"Who is Uncle Finn?" Betsy asked curious as they started to follow Harding towards the barracks. "My grandfather's brother, and my godfather." She answered quietly, "They are worried about me, especially after losing Nicholas and Great-Great Granddad." 

"Nicholas was killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor." Alice informed for her friend, who looked sad at the mention, "Same with her uncle Thomas." 

The Lieutenant who was leading them towards the barracks paused, interested, he had gone to WestPoint with Michael Stewart and knew that he had numerous nephews and nieces, and had kept in touch with him enough to know that he had great nephews now.  

"Aunt Helen is having a baby, she is dead set on naming it, Nicholas for a boy and Lydia for a girl."  

 He turned to look at the girls once they were outside of the small barracks, "Stewart, Michaels, this side.' He pointed to the two beds on the right-hand side of the room, "Scott, Anderson, other side. The roll call is 20 minutes. Good luck ladies." Harding nodded at each one of them before exiting the room. 

**

"Oops! I am so sorry!" Olivia exclaimed as she collided with a solid body, she had wanted to get to formation and she wasn't paying attention. 

"It's okay." Dick Winters returned steadying her, "No damage done.' "Still, I am sorry, I should have been paying more attention. I have a bad habit of not paying attention to my surroundings when I am focused on something"

"You will have to excuse her," Lewis's voice came from behind her, "She likes to ramble when she is nervous." 

"She is fine." The redhead man said, stepping away from Olivia who he had still been holding upright.

"She also has a name, Olivia.' She cut in annoyance, "And you know that Lewis." 

Lewis glanced down at her and smirked, he knew it all too well, the last night they had spent together, he had gotten a hotel room, and whisked her away, much to Bill's frustration. She got good at certain things. Things that he wouldn't mention to a complete stranger, and things that would embarrass Olivia to have known, and she didn't need that, especially after the last series of letters he got from her detailing her visit with her mother at the prison for women in South Carolina, and how she was embarrassed by Katherine for everything.

Little and big. 

"It's nice to meet you then, Olivia, I am Dick." "You too, Dick, you too.' She offered him a smile and took a step back to Lewis who quickly threw out, seeing the curious look on Dick's face, "Her uncle is married to my cousin.  And she stopped me from marrying Kathy."  Olivia winced and pulled a face that led Dick to believe that Kathy was a miserable person to be around. 

"Figures you would find Lewis, Livvy," Alice commented as she joined the trio. "He found me." Olivia returned, "Alice, this is Dick, I didn't get his last name." "Winters." Dick supplied just as the music was starting to play throughout the camp, signaling that they needed to go to roll call.  

** 

Lieutenants Harding and Anderson started walking up and down the formation, while the Captain, Sanders, was giving orders to them. Olivia oddly felt like she belonged, she had grown up with her grandfather doing inspections of their school uniforms, and their bedrooms every morning before they had breakfast. It was a normal thing in the Stewart household, Alice who started living with them on and off for several months when her parents were struggling had a hard time adapting to it.

Harding paused next to Olivia, his dark eyes flicking over her uniform and then studying her face, "You know, Michael said he had a niece, but he never said anything about how pretty you are." Olivia's green eyes sparked with surprise.

"Sir?" 

"Michael and I went to school together. I am Alex." She thought for a second and then she remembered, "I remember him mentioning you sir."

As if the other two girls felt how uncomfortable Olivia shifted a little closer to her. Harding was impressed that two of the three others were willing to step up and protect their fourth member. They were going to need that sense of commandery when things started getting

 tough. And with the OCS program, it was going to get a lot more tough.

"You are dismissed!" Sanders announced, causing Betsy to rush up to Olivia's elbow, "Are you okay Liv?" She asked urgently, her heart was up in her throat. "I am fine, Bets, it was nothing. Just saying that he went to WestPoint with my uncle.'

Lewis and Dick who had talked into joining them for dinner, appeared, "Come on Liv, it's dinner time." He slung his arm over her shoulder, relieved that he had already said that they were related by marriage so his touching her wasn't out of the norm. He didn't think he could go 12 weeks without touching or being near her. 

The 3 months had been bad enough. 

"We got to talk.' He muttered lowly in her ear. "About what?" She returned, stopping their stride, letting Dick and the girls who were pulling him into shy awkward talk.

"Kathy is pregnant."  It was short and straight to the point, he knew that he didn't have to dick around with her and he was thankful for that. 

 "What? Is she sure?" Olivia questioned, her heart dropping to her stomach, "Is, is it yours?"

"The timeline  adds up." He pulled his flask out of his pocket and twisted the lid open, "Ladies first.' Olivia took it and took a long swallow off of it before handing it back to him. "What are you going to do?" "No idea. But this isn't going to change anything between us Liv, I meant what I said, I love you." 

"I know Lew, I love you too." She started softly, "Whatever you want to do, I will support you. 100%" Glancing around making sure that they were fully alone, he pressed a kiss first to her lips then to her forehead. "Come on, let's go to dinner."

**

June 5th 1942

Fort Benning, Georgia.

***

Amber Scott had enough of everything that had to do with this stupid school that she got selected for. She was tired of getting screamed out for stupid reasons, like the sheets and blankets not being tucked into a certain inch, 6 compared to 7 that it was at a regular camp. Her boots were never polished correctly nor were they in the proper position when Sanders and Harding came into check. The other three, especially Olivia, seemed to be flourishing. They passed their tests with ease and had gotten stronger with the map reading and physical training. Something that Amber had fought hard against for the first few days, they were nurses they didn't need to know this stuff. 

She glanced around the barracks, looking for something to destroy, a habit that she had gotten into thanks to her father. He had a habit of destroying everything in his path when he was drunk and upset. Her brown eyes landed on the letters that were neatly stacked on the end of Olivia's bunk, no destroying letters wouldn't do any good, as much as she hated hearing about the characters in Olivia's life, they were entraining. Even the stories that she, Lewis, and Alice reenacted after a few too many shots at the bar on pass were on par. 

Then her eyes landed on the foot locker that was embellished with Olivia's surname and the US ARMY NURSING CORP logo on it. There had to be something in there that she could use that would make  Olivia as upset as she was.

Quickly, Amber crossed the room and flipped the lid open, thankful that Olivia hadn't locked it like she had in the past after Harding and Sanders had gotten into it. In the small box was a worn leather diary with the initials FJS on it. It was curious that she had something like that, she had known that Olivia's were OFGS, Olivia Franklin Grace Stewart, don't ask her how she knew, she just did. She flipped it open and the first date written on the page was from 1860. Even more curious, she flipped through the pages skipping over the letters and pictures of her family and of her and Lewis at her debutante ball to the later pages that were dated from 1940 on.

**

"Excuse me, Lieutenant. this came for you." One of the runners for the HQ for the OCS interrupted handing Olivia a sealed envelope from the Office of the Navy. 

"Liv? What is it?" Lewis asked. 

"I am not sure, I don't think I can open it.' Olivia returned, "Can you open it?"

 Dick who over the last few weeks became a good friend to not only of Lewis and Olivia but of Alice and Betsy as well, came over closer to Olivia, his hand catching hers. Normally doing something like this would make him nervous and make him blush but he felt oddly comfortable with Olivia. Like she was the little sister he had always wanted. 

 They had been informed the day before that the Navy was making a move on some island in the Pacific and everything was hush-hush about it. All they had been told was that the Enterprise, the boat that Olivia's second favorite brother, James was stationed on and flying from was involved in it. And since then Olivia had been sick with nervous energy. 

Lewis had a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach as he slid his finger underneath the flap of the envelope. 

"Mr. and Mrs. Stewart and family. We regret to inform you that your son James Andrew Stewart was killed in action during the battle of Midway.”  He quickly folded the letter back and pulled Olivia into his arms as the news hit and she started trembling. She was trying so hard not to break down. “It's okay, baby, it's okay.” he smoothed his hand over her hair that had come loose from her braid, and down her back. Dick pulled the crumpled letter out of Lewis’s hand knowing that down the line she would want to read the whole thing.  

“I need to be excused.”  Her voice was coming out in short spurts. “I need you to take a couple of breaths first,”  Betsy ordered,  worried about how sporadic her breathing was. Not even with all the tests that they had taken over the course of the last 8 weeks had she seen Olivia get so out of sorts. 

“Is everything okay? “ Harding asked them to come to a stop. “Just got a letter from the Navy.” Olivia pulled herself away from Lewis and took the handkerchief from Dick to dry her eyes and wipe her nose, “My brother James was killed in Midway. I will be fine in a moment. “ She wiped her cheeks off again. 

“No, you won't.” Amber’s voice came as she joined them looking like the cat that ate the canary. “What are you talking about?” Olivia asked. “Meaning you have been sleeping with him.” Betsy grabbed a hold of Amber’s arm and started pulling her away hissing that this wasn't the time or place to announce anything like that. 

“It's not true, Lieutenant Harding, not since we have been here,” Lewis explained, quickly lying, in hopes it would stop the two of them from getting into trouble and from Olivia getting kicked out of the program. That was the last thing he wanted after she worked so hard on passing the tests. They all did. Except for Amber, she managed to screw everything up.

"Stewart, is that true?" Harding asked, looking at the girl who nodded her head adamantly, teary fury in her eyes. "What is going on here? This has been going on for far too long. You two are working this out now." "Everything is fine, sir." Amber threw in.

"No, it's not," Olivia said at the same time, causing Harding to turn to look at her.

She never voiced any complaints, she kind of went with everything. They had all figured it was because she grew up in a military household. "Explain Stewart."

"Scott has been trying to get me to quit for the last few weeks, talking badly about my family and how I only got here because of my last name. And I understand that it helped a lot, but I am sure I have proved my worth." Alice, who had joined them, slipped between Harding and Betsy and grabbed a hold of her friend's hand. "Well reading what was in your journal, I know it." All in the instant the grief and sadness were gone, and anger was there.

"Watch you say, next Sergeant," Olivia ordered.

"Liv." Lewis started,the more they went through the training the more Olivia was finding herself and the more Lewis found that he was falling in love with her. It was making that decision of what he wanted to do with Kathy and the baby so much harder than it needed to be. 

"What are you going to do? Huh? Ol-iv-ia." Amber taunted, her eyes going to the letter that was in Dick's hand. The familiar typewriter print read out Olivia's name on it. 

"I am sure your dearly departed brother is going to be so disappointed in you carrying on after an almost-married man."

 "Do not talk about my brothers, or I swear to god, I am not going to be held responsible for what I do."

 "Why do you care so much huh?" Olivia closed her eyes and counted to 10 trying to calm herself down but Amber's taunting got worse, she had tried to give the girl the benefit of the doubt.  But she could honestly see that it was a mistake. 

“About you? Or about her brothers?” Alice snapped for her friend. 

“Her brothers.” Amber returned, in the deepest pits of her stomach she was surprised that Olivia would be able to care about her for her how she treated the other three during the 8 weeks they had been there. 

“Sergeant, I am warning you one final time, to watch what you say.”  This time it wasn't Olivia who warned her, it was Lieutenant Harding who did. He had quickly figured it was going to be better for the girls to work it out now before they were all shipped off to Camp Meade, Maryland. They had to be untied in front of the other girls especially since they were going to be the ones that knew what was going on. 

“I am just saying sir, she is a disappointment.” Amber couldn't finish saying anything about Olivia and how her brothers and parents were probably disappointed in her for what she was doing when Olivia’s fist connected with her nose. A satisfying noise like a cigarette pack crumpling and the blood rushing to her ears was the only sound that Amber could hear. 

When the ringing stopped and she was able to see through the stars, she saw that Olivia was being pulled back by Lewis and Dick. "I am fine." Olivia said, "I am good."

"Well, I am not! You broke my nose."

"You fucking deserved it!" She spat as Lewis lowered his mouth by her ear whispering that everything was okay and that nothing was going to happen. 

"Lew, I will kill her if I have to be in the same room with her again."

 "I know, I know." "Nixon, Winters take her to your barracks." Harding ordered, "Sanders and I will come and talk to her after we handle this. Michaels, Anderson stay here."

"Yes sir." Lewis agreed, turning her around and frog-marching her toward the barracks. He knew that she wouldn't do anything else to cause a scene but it was better to be safe than sorry.

**

"Lew, I am fine. I promise I am not going to go back out there and do anything." Olivia said once they were back in the barracks, that momentarily moment of weakness, and she lost her temper.

Dropping his hands from her shoulders, Lewis stood near her, "Liv, I am.'

 "Don't please. Don't tell me you are sorry. I can't hear it again." Olivia said hugging her body, "We all knew this was possible right? Dying?"

"Yeah, it's a big chance," Dick added he had been quietly following them into the barracks, and as she protested saying she was fine. She was clearly not fine, and while he felt like he knew her, he didn't feel comfortable speaking that out loud. 

"It doesn't make this loss any harder. It's okay to mourn his death, Olivia.'

 "She didn't let herself mourn Nicholas' death or Fredrick's death." Lewis directed over her head, she had shifted closer to him for the physical comfort and since it was just the three of them in the room, he felt okay with providing it. 

"Have to be the picture perfect of the Southern Lady." She sniffed, fighting back her tears, "Nana and Gigi would have a heart attack if they saw this." She motioned to the trousers that Harding had secured for her and the other three girls. It was hard for them to do the PT in their

 dresses. 

After struggling through a full day through everything they had to do, Harding took matters into his own hands and got them uniforms that were a little baggy for them but they worked. "Can't have emotions, we have to be steel magnolias, can't dress like a boy." 

"But." Lewis prodded, his hand rubbing down her back, his eyes on Dick, he wanted him to know his Olivia. Dick was starting to become important to him and he wanted them to be important to each other. And for that to happen, they need to know everything.

"But, Papa and Granddaddy, they think that I can do whatever I want. Does that make me and Marla a little spoiled and down the road little Katie? Absolutely. Because of them I climbed trees in dresses and chased after all of my brothers."

"James and her twin especially." "Jimmy was very proud, I got a letter from him yesterday actually. Said he was so proud of me for first facing my fears in flying."

Dick nodded his head, Lewis had come back from their last weekend pass drunk and proceeded to inform him about everything that had happened between him and Olivia and how he went down for her debutante ball. Then Olivia stopped his wedding to Kathy and their confessions and he flew with them to Charleston and spent the holidays with her and her family.

"And for joining the Nursing Corp. He would love to hear about that punch. He and Bobby have been on me to come out of my shell more and become who they know me as and who Lewis knows me to be."

The rest of what she wanted to say was cut off by Harding coming into the room and Lewis and Olivia separating, and the latter using the now crumpled handkerchief to wipe her cheeks off.

"You are going to stay in here for the time being Stewart, and Sanders is going to want to talk

 to you." 

"Yes, sir." She returned. 'Are you okay?" He asked, Michael had written to him once after he found that Alex was in charge of the girls and wanted to make sure she was okay. Like he knew that she was going to do this act. 

"If Uncle Michael wants to know, I am fine. Scarlett O'Hara front. He will know what that means." Harding nodded his head, "We will come and get you in a bit.” “Yes, sir.” She returned, lowering her eyes so he didn’t see her sadness and embarrassment. She hated that she lost her temper and took it out on Amber, regardless of if Amber deserved it or not.  “Don’t worry too much Liv, this is your first offense.” Lewis assured her, “They won’t throw the book at you just yet.” 

“Oh, real assuring Lew, thank you.” 

**

“Come in Lieutenant Stewart,” Captain Sanders said when he heard the knock on the frame of his door, the girl was standing in the doorway, already changed back into her normal white uniform for her nightly rounds in the hospital.  

“Sir.” She returned, stepping into the office after saluting him. 

“I am sorry about your brother, “Lieutenant Harding told me that you two were close.” 

“Yes, sir, he was 3 years older than me and my twin brother, so he was there for everything. Other than Bobby, James was my favorite.” She answered, “I know it’s not your job to care about that. I know I am here for punching Sargent Scott and breaking her nose.” 

Sanders had to hand it to her, she didn’t try and skirt around what she did to Amber like she had done. “It was 8 weeks of verbal abuse, she went through my belongings and read letters and journal entries. I warned her twice not to bring James or my family into it. She didn’t listen.’ Olivia shrugged her shoulders helplessly, “So I punched her. And I would do it again.” 

He swallowed his smile back, “You are going to have to latrine duty with Nixon and a few others for it, and we will mark it on your file. The next step is getting General Forbes involved and then.” 

“We are out of the program. Got it. Best behavior from here on out, sir.”  

[footprintsinthesxnd]

Young Love and Old Money

Summary: this series follows the story of Lewis Nixon and Josephine Wills and their trials, tribulation and love throughout WW2, including stories of their friends in between. Warnings: swearing, mentions of war, heartbreak.

Masterlist Moodboards

Aldbourne December 1943

The last Josie expected on Christmas Eve was to run into a very drunk, very miserable Lewis Nixon as she cycled home from Jess’ house. She’d been over there with Julian celebrating Christmas together. They realised it could be the last Christmas they’d all be together for a long time and who knew what the year of 1944 would bring.

Josie's bike veered to the side as the shadowy figure appeared in the darkness. She wasn’t able to have a headlamp on her bike anymore due to the blackout regulations but she knew the lanes so well and could easily see if any cars with their dipped headlights were coming towards her.

The brakes screeched to a halt, nearly sending Josie over the top of the handlebars at the sudden movement.

When Josie’s eyes met the figure through the gloom she could make out the dark circles that ran under his eyes that no longer seemed to shine with enthusiasm.

“Lewis?” She asked, carefully propping her bike against the hedge. He just continued to stare at her and had it been anyone else she may have been nervous but something drew her to Lewis.

“Lewis?” She reached her hand forward but he flinched away from her, his eyes filling with tears.

“Don’t. Don’t do it if you don’t mean it,” he slurred, wobbling briefly before steadying himself. “Please don’t.” He slumped down on the verge and without a second thought Josie was by his side, kneeling down in the wet grass.

“Lewis, please look at me,” she cupped his face in her hands, turning his towards her but he wouldn’t meet her eyes. The smell of alcohol engulfed her nostrils and she knew he’d been doing more than celebrating Christmas. “Lewis, what happened?” She coaxed him to look at her.

He looked back at her, his beautiful brown eyes glistening as tears began to trickle down his cheeks, his lip quivering as he began to speak. “You did,” he whispered. “You happened. You came into my life…” he hiccuped before continuing. “Y-you came into my life and you completely turned it upside down. Do you know what kind of effect you have on people?”

Josie’s cheeks turned to match the shade of her dress. She shook her head and Lewis sighed. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before, not even my ex-wife.” He looked ashamed to admit it. Lewis had briefly told her about his ex-wife before and how devastated he’d been that she took everything, including their child and his dog.

“Lewis, I can’t… you know I’m engaged.”

“Oh I know, Roe let that one slip. The poor fellow didn’t quite realise what he’d said.” Lewis admitted and Josie could only imagine Eugene’s horror when he realised.

“Lewis, I’m so sorry…”

“Can I just stop you there?” He interjected, raising his hand to her. “I need to say something and if you keep talking I don’t think I’ll be able to say it.”

Josie nodded, grabbing hold of Lewis' hand which he accepted.

“Josie, I think I’m in love with you. I’ve never known anyone who makes me feel the way you do and I know we haven’t known each other very long but I can’t imagine… I don’t want to imagine my life without you.” Josie sat in utter shock as Lewis confessed his heart. Neither of them noticed that the rain had started to pour, too caught up in each other's eyes. “I love you, Josephine Wills. I fear that I will always love you.”

“Lewis…”

“I know. I know. You’re engaged and I’ve heard that he is a very fine RAF pilot. I understand why you're doing this. Having a family that has high expectations of you is difficult, I should know,” he laughed, looking away from Josie before turning back to her. “I just need to know one thing and then I will leave you alone forever. Do you love me?”

“Yes,” Josie replied, without missing a beat. Lewis watched her curiously, studying her eyes, the way her mouth moved, feeling the pulse from her wrist as she spoke. He knew she wasn’t lying to him. Without a second thought, Lewis wrapped his fingers into her hair, pulling her close as their lips met. The kiss was warm and familiar as if they had been kissing each other for years. Josie didn’t want to pull away and from the way Lewis had wrapped his arms around her middle, he didn’t want to either. When they did eventually pull apart the pair were soaked to the skin and shivering against the harsh December wind. “Come on,” Josie pulled Lewis to his feet. “I know somewhere we can go.” She dragged Lewis after her and made a mental note to come back for her bike in the morning.

It was a short walk to the hunting cabin in the woods, it had been recommissioned and part of it was used for the army as storage but the upper flaw was left for the Beaumont family’s use. Josie knew that William’s family barely used it anymore so no one would notice if they sheltered from the rain there. Josie pulled Lewis up the stairs and into one of the bedrooms.

“Here put these on, you must be freezing,” she didn’t look up but tossed a pair of trousers and a jumper at Lewis. Josie thought it was a pair that William had left there one Christmas but she wasn’t about to let Lewis know that. She rummaged around some more until she pulled out some trousers and a jumper for herself. It wasn’t much but it was better than the wet dress she was currently in.

Josie began unbuttoning the front of her dress when a small cough from behind her made her turn. Lewis was still standing on his soaking uniform, cheeks looking a little flushed and the clothes Josie had given him still crumpled in his arms.

“I’ll… umm I’ll just step out a moment.” Lewis all but fell through the door in his haste and the fact that he was still looking at her Josie noted. Once Josie had change she opened the door and saw Lewis sitting on a chair in the hallway.

“Well, I hope you weren’t planning on hiding out her all night,” she commented, her hand resting defiantly on her hip and her left eyebrow raised.

“N-no, I’m coming,” Lewis jolted to his feet, looking a little queasy from how quickly he stood and followed Josie back into the room, where she was slumped on the bed. Lewis gingerly lay next to her, his eyes boring holes into the ceiling in an attempt to not make eye contact with her.

“You know you can look at me. I’m not going to disappear,” Josie mocked, giggling slightly and she leaned closer to Lewis but he didn’t move.

“But if I look at you then it will be real that we are here and you're engaged to another man and I just don’t want to think about that.” Lewis’ eyes glanced at her before returning to the ceiling.

“I don’t love him,” Josie said after a few minutes of silence. “He’s been my friend since we were both children. I’ve grown up with him and I love our friendship but I am not in love with him.”

Josie's confession did something to lift Lewis’ spirits, “but you’re still engaged to him.” Lewis rolled over to face Josie, watching as she reached forward for his hands, entwining them with her own.

“But I don’t want to be.” She leant forward to kiss Lewis and this time he didn’t pull away. His lips tasted strongly of whiskey and his hair was so soft under her fingers that Josie thought he must have washed it that evening. Josie felt herself crawling closer until she was straddling Lewis, her legs on either side of his hips and his hands wrapped around her waist.

“Josie?” Lewis asked, reaching his hand up to cup her cheek. “This wasn’t how I would have planned to say this,” he cleared his throat, pushing Josie back a little so he could lean against the headboard.

“Josie I know we’ve only known each other for 2 months but just knowing you have vastly improved my trip to England.” Josie giggled at this and Lewis couldn’t help but smile with her. “I know that at some point soon we are going to war and I don’t know how much time I have left to tell you this but I love you, Josie. I love you with every part of me and I don’t know what to do when you’re around. When Eugene told me you were engaged I thought my world was over. I understand if you don’t feel the same or you don’t want to go against your parent's wishes. I promise I will understand but if there is a small chance you feel the same then just know that I would spend the rest of my life loving you. You’re my angel, Josie.”

When William had confessed his love for her Josie had been unsure, she knew what she should say and yet it felt forced to tell him that she loved him too. Saying yes to his question felt like a knife in her heart but she’d smiled through. She’d made herself happy about it even if her friends knew she felt otherwise but with Lewis there was no doubt.

“Josie, will you marry me?”

“Yes.”

Aldbourne January 1943

Josie could feel her heart racing with anticipation as she smiled at Lewis, her hands gripped tightly in his. She didn’t think she could ever be any happier than she was at that moment. The vicar spoke softly to them but neither could take their eyes off each other until they said ‘ I do’.

The small crowd erupted around them, clapping wildly and cheering as the couple kissed for the first time as man and wife. Josie could see all their friends standing in the pews: Jess and Eugene, Julian and George, Dick, Buck and Lipton were all there too. Josie felt a little disappointed that her family wasn’t there but after the harsh words shared between them, she no longer had a home or a family beyond the people in the church. Her father had disowned her and her mother was too afraid to speak up so their daughter left them. She had written to William and explained that she was breaking off the engagement. He took it well all things considered and sent a present to the couple for their wedding day. He stopped at Aldbourne a week before the wedding as he was heading back to his squadron. He’d taken sympathy for Josie and the way her family had treated her.

“No, I’m not letting my best friend become homeless, even if she is marrying a Yank.” He jested, elbowing Josie softly. “No, you can use the lodge for as long as you need, Jojo and I won’t take no for an answer.” Josie had never meant to hurt William, they were childhood friends after all and she was glad he had taken the news so well.

Lewis guided her down the aisle and through the large oak doors that she had walked through half an hour earlier on Julian’s arm. Julian was grinning from ear to ear as he led her towards Lewis. As he passed Josie’s hand to Lewis, Julian leaned forward, “Look after her or you’ll have Jess to deal with and she’s scary when she’s mad.”

Lewis smirked, “I promise I’ll look after her.”

The group gathered outside the church for the photographer. Jess and Julian stood on either side, throwing confetti over the newly married couple. Josie couldn’t take her eyes off her new husband and Lewis couldn’t stop smiling. The pure joy in that moment was the happiest they had all felt in a long time.

Luckily the church was a short walk from The Crown and Buck was the first one up to the bar, “this rounds on me.” Lewis and Josie settled into the booth seats in a quiet corner both still too wrapped up in the events of the morning.

“Well I hate to say it Jess, but you’ve got some catching up to do,” Julian laughed, earning a kick under the table from Jess. “What? It’s true. I never thought Josie would be the first one to get married out of the three of us.” That earned Julian a kick from Josie and he raised his hands in mock surrender.

“Julian’s right,” Buck exclaimed, returning to the table with a tray of drinks. “If you lot want to be married and have kids before we ship out you better hurry up.” Jess and Eugene’s cheeks went a bright crimson colour and they both looked nervously at each other. Lewis on the other hand just laughed and Josie wasn’t sure how to react. She knew she definitely wanted children with Lewis but did she want to be pregnant when he shipped out?

“I think it’s best if we wait until this whole debacle is over. The world right now is no place for children.” The others nodded in agreement with her and the mood suddenly felt sour.

Buck looked up, “Well, while you love birds are enjoying newly wedded bliss, myself and the other bachelors should be hitting the town, seeking out some female company.” He motioned to Julian, George and Dick whose turn it was now to be embarrassed.

“Suite yourself,” Buck stood, swigging the rest of his pint. “Congratulations Josie and Lewis.”

“Thank you, Buck,” the pair called as the white-haired man disappeared from view.

“I should be heading off too. I’m going up to London tomorrow for my final training day with my unit before we ship out,” Jess said, standing and engulfing Josie in a hug. “Congratulations Josie and Lewis. I’m so happy for you both.”

“I’ll go with you, Ma Chérie,” Eugene stood too, congratulating the couple before following Jess outside.

“We should probably head off too,” Julian stood, scratching his neck awkwardly. “Because you know George we’ve got that thing.”

“Yes the thing… that we have to do… yes!” George jumped to his feet and hurried off after Julian.

And so the pair were left alone. “Well that was strange,” Lewis said, watching out the window as their friends disappeared in pairs down the street. Dick was the only one left and even he looked like he was itching to leave but couldn’t find an excuse.

“Well, I think we should…”

“I’m going to…”

Dick and Lewis both stopped, encouraging the other to speak before Josie interrupted.

“Sorry to break up this awkward moment, Dick but I’m going to steal my husband away from you. Try not to miss him too much.” Dick chuckled, watching as Josie pulled Lewis along after her. Lewis was beaming from ear to ear as he waved goodbye to Dick who was still nursing his warm, frothy beer.

Josie woke up with the sun streaming in across her face, squinting against the soft rays she sighed contentedly. She felt herself moving closer in the tangle of soft cream sheets to run her fingers through Lewis’ soft brunette locks as he snored quietly beside her. His naked frame radiated heat beneath the sheets and Josie couldn’t help but blush as she thought back on the night's activities. As soon as they had reached the front door Lewis had picked her up, carrying her over the threshold with his lips sealed firmly to hers. They hadn’t made it to the bedroom at first, having stumbled into the kitchen, and then moving to the dining room before Lewis eventually carried her upstairs. Josie whined as she moved her legs under the covers, she knew they would be bruised from Lewis’ grip but it was worth it.

Lewis stirred beside her, a grin spreading across his lips and his eyelids fluttered open, big brown eyes starting up at her.

“Good morning, Mrs Nixon,” his voice was hoarse and deep from sleep and had Josie not been so wrapped up in the sheets she may have jumped on him for another round.

“Good morning, Mr Nixon,” she smiled back at him, kissing his stubbly cheek tenderly. His familiar scent of cigarettes and whiskey filled her nostrils and comforted her.

“Last night was…” Lewis stuttered, his eyes shone with adoration and love as they sparkled in the early golden glow.

“Incredible?” Josie finished his sentence, her lips turning upwards at the corners as she gazed upon her husband. Her husband. She still couldn’t quite believe that their whirlwind romance had come down to this.

“Yeah,” Lewis blushed a little and Josie thought it was even more endearing when he kissed her again. “You’re perfect,” he mumbled into her neck, sending a shiver down her spine as his lips brushed the tender spot on her neck.

“I wish we could stay here forever,” Josie sighed, running her fingers up Lewis’ spine, her nails dancing over the scratches she had left the previous night. She pressed her cheek against his chest, listening to the reassuring beat of his heart.

“Me too.”

Tags: @georgieluz @iceman-kazansky @yeahcurrahhe-e @lieutenant-speirs @sharpshootershifty @liberteuniteegalite @msmercury84 @desert-fern @mayhem24-7forever @blvestxr @dustyjumpwjngs @theflyingfin @jump-wings @kafka-ohdear @kmc1989 @mads-weasley @docroesmorphine @liptonsbabe @hesbuckcompton-baby @sweetxvanixlla

[deelaundry]

RSL got kickbacks from Casting dept?

@samnyangie, you just posted a pic from Violet Hour, with RSL and Scott Foley.  Scott went on to guest on House MD... as did at least 17 other RSL co-stars!  I like to imagine RSL was on an old online bulletin board with his former co-stars and posted casting calls there.

If anyone knows more, please let me know!

Scott Foley ("Sports Medicine"; in a play The Violet Hour with RSL)

Sasha Alexander ("The Down Low", was Jesse on the TV series "Wasteland" - RSL played the character named "Jesse's ex" in one episode)

Eddie Mills ("Clueless"; in that episode of Wasteland with RSL)

Dylan Kussman (the father in "Kids"; in Dead Poets Society)

Cynthia Nixon ("Deception"; in The Manhattan Project (and plays) with RSL)

Kurtwood Smith ("Half-wit"; played RSL's father in Dead Poets Society)

David Strathairn (POTW in "Lockdown"; played RSL's father in In the Gloaming) 

John Laroquette ("Son of a Coma Guy"; played RSL’s father in Corsairs, a TV show that was never picked up)

Frank Whaley ("Mirror Mirror"; in Swing Kids, and in plays with RSL)

Piper Perabo ("Resignation"; in The I Inside with RSL)

Kip Pardue ("Forever"; in Driven with RSL)

Brent Briscoe ("Three Stories"; in Driven with RSL)

Stacy Edwards (Lucy Palmeiro in "The Socratic Method"; in Driven)

Mackenzie Astin ("All In"; in Last Days of Disco with RSL)

Geoffrey Lewis ("One Day, One Room"; in A Painted House with RSL)

Jack Plotnick (Hal Connor in "Broken"; in Ground Control)

Jonathan Fraser (motorbike salesman in "Autopsy"; in Ground Control)

Ann Dowd (Mother Superior in "Damned if You Do"; in the play Candida with RSL)