#the fucking logistics of this sucks. now instead of one good day when the weather and my schedule and pain levels align... I need several??

[lemememeringue]

struggling to process today's session. I am not having a good brain day and it's deeply frustrating to Speak Wrong

[thexam-union]

Riverside Relaxing

First fic to be put up here!! It’s the Chessy Boys up first, which surprises me just as much as it might surprise you! It’s just some soft fluff because that’s what got made :>

Length: 2031 Words

General Overview: It’s too hot outside, and the gang get together to cool off by the water in Land of the Tiger. Also ship moments between Tevel and Apollyon!! They’re grooving!

Warning(s): Mentions of heatstroke (no incidents or harm done, simply concern)

( If you need anything else tagged/forewarned about let me know!! )

The worst thing about the Digsite was the heat. The baking sun made it borderline impossible to work during the middle of the day, the sun’s glare roasting everything through to the point of burning without any hesitation. It was fine when nothing was scheduled, but when you were stuck there all day waiting for sunset? Pain. Suffering, even.

Tevel half-heartedly pushed open the door to Alcor’s office, the beige and yellows of the walls being anything but welcoming as they set themselves down in the chair after haphazardly hanging their jacket on the back of it.

“Please don’t say what I think you’re about to say, but what are you here for?” Alcor said with a short, sharp glare in their direction, before looking back at the computer screen on their desk. He seemed taken aback when they gestured towards the ceiling he got in response. Specifically, the fan. Normally when Tevel comes in all sheepish, it’s probably because something broke, so this was a surprise. “Right.”

“How mad would you be if I said I’m just hanging out here for that and that you’ll have to put up with me or let me go elsewhere.”

“Not very, but that’s just today.” Alcor simply shrugged behind his glasses, sipping at his drink before putting the fan in front of him in Tevel’s direction. “I’m glad you haven’t broken anything.”

“In this weather? No way, I wouldn’t. Thanks, by the way. But yeah, who’s in your personally-manned hell of emails today?” It was a joke, but clearly not anything rough-sounding. Surprising, given it’s Tevel of all people, but he already knew they didn’t like his email practices.

“The Marquess, and a few other people. You don’t get the emails.”

“I’ll level with you, chief, I’ve got your address marked as spam. Doesn’t work, though, you’ll be glad to know. Also, Aludra’s letting people hang out. I know you’re as antisocial as they come, and that neither of us like each other, but it’ll hurt my one entire moral,” They very dramatically put up their index finger, “If I don’t tell you and you get heatstroke.”

“Right. I’m glad you’re conscious of safety on the digsite. I’m actually surprised you didn’t just go.” Tevel shrugged. “Or did you want the go-ahead for tonight to be cancelled first? I know you used the last workplace safety book I gave you as a fuse to spite me. Impressive, but you know how I feel about that sort of thing.”

“Yeah mostly I guess. Heatstroke sucks, and I like to annoy you. Not almost kill you with negligence. Anyway, if you want to CC the information to people that don’t even go here, fine by me, I’m leaving. See you there, yeah?”

“Mhm. I’ll be right out. Thank you, Tevel. Are you sure you’re alright?” They’d just stood up and picked up their jacket, holding it over their arm as their sunhat covered their eyeline. “You’re acting a little strangely, today.”

“I’m fine. It’s too hot to blow up the place, and I can’t burn down Aludra’s place, I’ll feel so bad.”

“I thought you had one moral standard.” Wait, did Alcor just make a joke? What the fuck. What the fuck? He even laughed and everything.

“Uh-- Right, uh, stay hydrated? I’m going.” And with that, the office door was closed and they were braving the sun again. That was so weird? Alcor had never made a joke, and they’d known each other for years. It was mostly disappointed and annoyed glaring in their direction. At least he was going to cool off later? Acting weird is a heatstroke thing, even when you have the fans in the area in your office you’re not safe, they supposed. But, they did their bit, and it was time for some - as Lesath put it - “much needed splashy splashy”.

To be honest, everyone apart from the Marquess was going to be there now Alcor’d been convinced, and even then, Aludra had been trying to set up a nice canopy so the Marquess could get out more? Unsure, though, they weren’t in the building things business. More the blowing things up business. More their speed.

Walking down to Aludra’s perch took a very short amount of time, and getting under the forest cover was all they needed to get going, really! The comfort of the running water was also very nice, although they didn’t expect a short tap on the shoulder. There, but short.

“Hey, chief, what’s up?” They asked, knocking their hat brim up a little.

“I haven’t been officially invited, so I think my presence would go over better if I’m with someone who was invited, if you get what I mean.” Tevel shrugged. “That’s common practice for social engagements.”

“Yeah, but it’s also Aludra. If she can put up with your slew of emails, she can put up with you in person. Plus I don’t think she dislikes anyone. I gotta say, you’re acting off.”

“Off..? How so? I feel fine.”

“Yeah. Too... Person-y.” Tevel made a vague gesture with their hands, like someone would when describing the movement of a bug. “And that sorta thing’s a sign of heatstroke. You’re my boss who’s allergic to fun, and I heard you make a joke earlier.”

“I assure you, I’m fine. I’m not allergic to fun, I’m allergic to your idea of fun. You’re about as self-aware as a teabag at times.” He sighed, shaking his head, but Tevel seemed… happy with that response? And he was the one that was acting strangely?

“That’s the Alcor that I know.” Tevel half-cackled as they tended to, swinging their jacket so it was over their shoulder rather than over their arm. “Good to hear you’ve still got it, chief. Was actually half-worried something’d happened to ya.”

“I appreciate the concern for my safety? That’s weird coming from you, though.”

“Eh. I like things being consistent and-”

“You’re a demolitionist. What part of that is ordered?”

“Explosions happen in the same way almost every time, and it’s pretty. Consistent behaviour’s what helps me sleep at night, I’m sure you can agree on that.” Tevel laughed, nudging Alcor with their arm as they got to the clearing, and the others were starting to come into view. “Besides, I do pay attention to safety laws. I’m qualified, actually.”

Apollyon had their shirt - jacket? - open over her swimsuit, Lesath was curled up on a well-made perch, Aludra had her laptop open a bit away from the water, and even the Marquess was out here! She was sitting on a deck chair near the side of the water under a parasol, though clearly not dressed for it. Hell, even Citala’d been convinced to drop by! That was slightly less impressive than Tevel of all people dragging Alcor along, but the gap wasn’t that big!

“Yo, you brought him along? How?” Apollyon asked as the pair got up to the side of the water, Tevel sitting on the edge of the waterfront beside her and Alcor settling near Aludra, who’d put down her laptop. Probably to talk to each other rather than sending emails.

“Concern about heatstroke.” With a wink and a slight poking of the tongue, Tevel yawned and leaned back. “It’s so cool here I love it so much.”

“And he set with that? I’d thought he’ll drag you over to my place to toss you in the hoosegow instead of coming over!”

“Consider the following, Apple, it’s Aludra’s thing, right? And look at them.” Apollyon nodded a little. “No one can say no to Aludra, sure as hell not him, you know?”

“Them? Mashed? I didn’t know she had taste that bad!” They looked around everyone else, who seemed quite happy to spend a hot afternoon there. “I didn’t know she did that at all to be completely fair. Same with Alcor, he’s a barn sour and that’s it, I thought. Clawing at the gate when he has to leave it.”

“Yeah? I don’t know, I don’t talk to her much and Alcor’s harder to talk to than a brick most of the time.” Apollyon laughed a little at that. “But yeah, bad taste if true, but also the only thing I thought he loved was his email inbox, and I’m probably right on that one.”

“Yeah, he’s a bit of an odd stick, isn’t he? But enough about your work, how you doing, Tev?” Apollyon reached into a small covered hamper crate on their side of the water, and passed over a can of soft drink, cold to the touch. Perfect. “Also, love to see everyone get together like this, y’know? So glad Morava had the idea.”

“This was his idea?”

“Well yeah. Aludra can’t say no to anyone, and Morava’s all over logistics. He got all of us a half-crate of our favoureds, who else would get that done? Even Ali’s roaming around here, she’s having a great time!”

“True! I’m just glad I don't have to do work today, you know how it is.” Apollyon nudged Tevel in the side for that, setting both theirs and her own hat down on top of the drink crate in that order.

“You? Not wanting to blow things to high heaven?” She gave a slight laugh in response to her own point, before taking a sip of drink.

“More likely than you’d think, Apple! It’s dangerous in high heat. You should know that. As much as I joke about ignoring safety, I do pay attention to a little bit. Don’t tell anyone, though, I have a reputation.”

“Secret’s safe with me, Tev. Will say, very surprised the Marquess came down. Must be awkward. She’s just kind of sitting up there with Citala, y’know?”

“I mean if she’s happy to be here? I don’t know her that well. And no, not your time to go ‘I’ll check it out’ and get us both in it. I like being the spooky chaos one no one knows in any meaningful way.”

“Consider the following: Some of us want to know you. Perceive you. Behold you, even.” Apollyon said, looking directly at Tevel for a moment. “You’re knowable! Sorry Tev, I know you! I don’t know how you got here without letting me be there to see you.”

“And to that I say: I better not be! You’re different, though. You know that.”

“If I don’t get to know you I’ll actually be a little upset.” Apollyon laughed a little, yawning before stretching, although it was a quiet invitation for Tevel to lean on her. “You’re one of the funner people to be around.”

“I’m sure you would think that, Apple. You’re also very biased.” Tevel replied, pulling Apollyon’s arm over them in a way that was comfortable for both of them. “Wouldn’t have it any other way, though. You get to see me outside of work.”

“Mhm. Don’t you think your relationship with everyone else would improve if you were knowable, though? I know you want that.” Apollyon had started to gently run their hands through Tevel’s hair with a gentle smile, as they were just comfortable with their eyes closed and resting more on her lap than her shoulder at this point.

“But having to actually talk to people though. Plus, I’m not moving. You can suffer.”

“Oh, I’m suffering with my beloved lying on my lap. The struggle of being with the person I care about most. The anguish that comes with having a day off and spending it with you.” She said with a dramatic emphasis and feigned a fever for a moment. “We’ll improve your mess later.”

“I can’t believe this.” Tevel sounded offended, but didn’t really mean it. After all, how could they? They did in fact sign up for it.

“I hoodwinked you real good, darlin’. Until then, just us, okay?” A wink from Apollyon, and a laugh. This was going to be a rough few weeks, but if Apollyon really thought it was this good idea, then it probably was? Who knew. But hey, it was something for Future Tevel to think about, not the Tevel at this moment by the river. They were more than content.

[jiminrings]

hi so i saw that you're okay with writing blurbs (totally fine if you're not up to it tho) i just wanted to ask about the homebound au, you mention that jimin has a tough love relationship with y/n so can you elaborate more on that?? like how their relationship is? tysm and i love ur writings :((

homebound: tough love

pairing: best friend!jimin x y/n

glimpse: jimin has a tough love relationship with pit stop crew!y/n, and you’re very determined to get him to smile :D

wordcount: 3k

notes: thank u so much baby!!! ur cute and i love you

this is an in-depth take of jimin and y/n’s friendship from homebound, the racer!yoongi fic and in there originally jimin is sO annoyed by u hehe but there iS this piece as his redemption arc // gif isn’t mine!!

in your very humble opinion

first impressions in first days in literally EVERY setting possible last for a lifetime

yeah sure time and influence would change these relationships built on first days bUt of course they matter!!!!

that would be the first memory someone’s ever gonna have of you and that shit’s crazy if u really think about it

you didn’t really pay mind to first impressions at first because you really thought that it’s whatever the other person makes of you,,, for being yourself

but then jungkook happened

and then sUDDENLY YOU BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE THAN YOU’VE EVER BEEN IN YOUR WHOLE LIFE

it’s both your first day for work but for different teams and the two of you could still be up on each other’s throats buT it’s just via text

update: jungkook bought FOUR boxes of donuts all in different flavors and that’s just for his fellow crew members

for his crew chief, he deadass bought him a dozen for himself AND jungkook even made a crepe cake for the guy!! from SCRATCH

for jung hoseok the racer? tiny cups of ice cream cake packed in a little cOOLER he specifically bought for this reason alone

even sent pictures of those two large bags with him that he’s gripping in one hand alone....

your heart warms that oH look a selfie that a smiling koo sent AAAAAAAND he’s flipping me off :))

no worries tho you came fully prepared

you’ve baked red velvet crinkle cookies!! just two of em stacked and in the middle is cream cheese icing that tastes sO heavenly

although only 1/4 of them you did yourself because they looked like they were the only good ones from the two batches you’ve made hehe

the rest of those you just ordered and gODDAMN were they v delectable and scrumptious

now min yoongi the racer couldn’t be here for the first day because uh from what you’ve heard, he’s uh somehwere in malta with his girlfriend and the flights out of malta are cANCELLED aha

that just means you have to pour your all to your crew chief

a separate box of red velvet crinkles

AND THEN

get this

a large tupperware you had to buy,,

filled with different types of pstries and bREAD

cream puffs and pretzels and blueberry muffins then buttered croissants and basically everything else that u could check out with a reasonable expiry date

a little sticky note right in the muddle

“let’s get this bread :D”

bread meaning dubs and dubs meaning wins aHa get it?? get it?? do u get it

you’re really aiming to give it to mr. park jimin himself

you’ve actually never met him but you heard his name a handful when you were still a trainee

park jimin sounds so much of a dignified name it’s absolutely intimidating

much more so when you’re knocking at his door and there’s a gentle hum from inside the door and you’re so nervous to differentiate whether that was a signal for you to come in or dON’T

spoiler alert: you came in at what you assume is the middle of the call your crew chief was making and oh-

oH HE’S A FINE CREW CHIEF ALRIGHT

he’s young!! even looks like he’s just in the same age as you are and you can’t really tel because WOW

you honestly thought mr. park jimin was just an old sack of rice or something

like maybe even fermented rice wine old

you didn’t knOw mr. park jimin is THIS

ok jimin’s peeved because uh that him clearly meant no but also curious at the same time because who r u

he was in the middle of a call with yoongi who’s called him in his office phone which is why he’s sped all the way here, hence why you haven’t seen him in the gathering downstairs

he also acts as yoongi’s manager besides being his crew chief and he’s unknowingly fit into the position

it’s like when a professor groups you and there’s no assigned leader but eVERYONE knows who the leader is even if so

now he’s kinda in the middle of berating yoongi because he should’ve came home tWO days ago but he wanted to extend alright and now look who won’t be coming home for another three days :D

suddenly the door bursts open and he sees an unfamiliar face peeking through and???

“.... can i help you?”

oH RIGHT INTRODUCTIONS!!

“mr. park!! oR should i call you jimin?? should i call you doc like from cars the movie because i thOught that’s what usually happens???”

who are you

who ARE you

you’re so nervous that you went down the cars movie spiel and that’s jUNGKOOK’S move and maybe you’ve been spending too much time with him that you’re morphing into one person

of all the traits you could absorb it really had to be the nervous cars talk :(((

“i’m y/n y/l/n, a crew member!! i was recruited to be a trainee back in uni and i went straight to here and i heard sO much about you-“

..... hmmmmm

either you really did hear about jimin and his name makes up for some news

or you’re a liar

if he’s being frank, jimin’s only started out as crew chief like a year and a half ago

yes he knows he’s young!!!

much more young compared to the stereotypical balding crew chief with the mustache and the sun spots

there’s still some talk on to how he shouldn’t be crew chief at all because he doesn’t have like 100 years of experience like these dinosaurs do bUT HE KNOWS HE’S STILL QUALIFIED

he may be not as experienced but he knows the math!!! he knows the logistics and he knows the statistics

jimin’s smart and agile and he knOws he could handle being a crew chief!!! yeah although yoongi himself is like two years older than him and bossing him is hilarious at times lol

“-and i just wanted to give you this!! y’know... for the official start of my career and a little goodie bag!!!”

he knows what you’re doing

first impressions amirite

he doesn’t care for this shit at aLL because if he may brag.,., people are immediately whipped for him and all he needs to do is smile to their direction

that’s it

oh you’re kinda embarrassing yourself in his opinion lmao but ok

“oh. i usually find red velvet too sweet.”

cool cool

now you get that not everyone is as passive-aggressive as yOU are and how you’d much rather wait to let that person pass before you talk shit

but jimin is really straightforward as you could tell

“it’s okay because there’s bREAD!!”

who doesn’t like bread :))

not uNLESS jimin hates bread or is allergic to eat it because then that means you officially have butchered your first impression

“... huh... whole container.. filled with bread...”

he’s not even feigning his expression

he looks severely underwhelmed and you wanna suck it up because if you’re gonna look tragically displeased with me boss ATLEAST do it behind my back :(((

anyways jimin stands up from his seat and outsretches his hand and that’s your cue to shake it and then leave

one problem though,,,

you see you’re wearing some rings

and he’s wearing some long-sleeves

and you are gracefully unaware that there’s a loose thread by the cuff of it and jimin over here is sporting sweater paws.,..,.

the handshake’s over but yOUR RING IN HIS CUFF ISN’T

“oH i’m so sorry sir let me just-“

you’re tugging your hand off aND FUCK

“no y/n i’ll just-“

jimin tries to be the one to pluck it out from your ring that’s stuck but that’s too late for it now

bECAUSE THE THREAD’S ALREADY BUNCHED UP

and it’s now bunched up and when loosened :))) the thread’s already ran :))) and is very visible on jimin’s slightly expensive shirt :)))

yours and jimin’s dynamic...

it’s uh

it’s unlike no other

literally

jimin is repulsed by you

he finds that you irk him very easily and you don’t know wHY jimin finds you to be in his nerves when you literally do nothing to him

he joins in the team drills to boost morale and let the crew know that not only is he the one heading it, but he’s also with you along the way

“do you want ice cubes in your drink?”

jimin’s sunglasses are perched up just nicely on his nosebridge as he sips on his water that came from the jug

honestly the weather is just sO humid and slightly iced water just won’t cut it

“yeah sure”

he outstretches his hand for you to take the cup and put ice in it but you dON’T

you don’t take it away from him!!!!

instead

jimin sees you plopping down a handful of ice cubes in his cup with your bARE hands

b-buy you’re holding the cooler there mUST be some tongs in there

WHY DID YOU DO THAT

“they r clean and besides!! friends do that!!”

“who told you that we’re friends?”

he is the one who halts all your plans

“stop snacking” is his signature line for u whenever you’re by the pit

and yoongi isn’t even near the box yet wHY can you not snack???

you can’t even protesy because jimin already has his palm open so he coulf confiscate the gummy bears with the promise that “yea sure i’ll give you them when the race is over hmmmm yea”

of course he isn’t gonna stuff it in his pocket

he just plops them down on the table and when you ask him for them????

they’re all hot and melty and disgusting because they were accidentally left in the sun to disintegrate

“do you want some coffee?”

WHAT’S WITH YOU AND SHARING YOUR FOOD

and then he met jungkook

he’s a bit of a brat but eh jimin finds him more tolerable than you

you’re all done with the workout and your trainer sehun is just sO unforgiving like would another eight second break hurt????

you’re kind of passed out by the bench and so is everyone

“i didn’t have any kids ask me for a picture today :((“

typically after the race some people would ask for your photograph!! along with the other pit stop crew members and they just make your day!!!

yoongi isn’t the only superstaer here ok :((

“well maybe if you did your joob good, they’d actually want to be in the same frame as you are.”

jimin snorts in reply without skipping a beat and ahhhh everyone knows the two of you are gonna start fighting again

one

two

usually you just roll your eyes but-

“jimin i don’t kNOW what i ever did to you for you to hate me so much and i’ve literally done nothing but to try and be kind and patient with you!!!”

oh they’re just gonna leave collectively now

“i already know you find me insufferable you dON’T have to rub it in my face every single time.”

you just combusted actually

you’re so over with jimin treating you like a loose thread on his shirt and he discards you every TIME like so

you can’t catch a break and it’s as if you’ve never done anythint good for him ever in your whole career

you don’t make conversation with him not unless it’s for work

you don’t offer him your food

you don’t throw him a smile

he bought a box of red velvet crinkles but then you didn’t even get a piece :((

jimin is shitty at apologies and the guilt’s been eating up at him because yeah he admits that he’s crossed a line there

MULTIPLE TIMES

and most of the times it’s always intentional so that’s even more guilt-tripling

then THE incident happened

and you left

he felt the most apologetic and shitty for that because gOD you’re just so good to everyone and to especially him!!!

he’s treated you so badly and you don’t waver for a single second because up until the last minute, you were still adjusting for him!!!

you were still considering his possible promotion and him in general when he knows to himself that you could’ve easily pinned the blame on him

but you didn’t

you covered for jimin and didn’t want him to be jeopardized by yoongi’s outrage.

“i’m sorry for being an asshole to you all the time.”

the moment the season ended, he’s immediately made his way to kim kradle to apologize to you

again and again

again and again until he wore himself out and cried and you had to stop him sternly just to assure him that you’re not angry at him

he looks out for you in his own ways

jimin’s not very vocal nor showy on how thankful he is to have you as a friend

it’s to when you order a chocolate chip smoothie and then the barista gives you a matcha one and you aBSOLUTELY hate matcha

and u already paid and you don’t want to cause a scene or anything like that

“i thought you hated matcha?”

jimin’s confused because since when did you develop a love for this green thing you’ve vividly described as soggy grass after a rainstorm that tastes like soil and phlegm

“oh i sTILL do!! lmao the barista got it wrong but it’s ok i’ll-“

“absolutely not.”

and then jimin’s immediately taking your cup and the receipt on the table and he’s gOING for the counter and won’t back down even if you’re tugging at his sleeve

not only was your order replaced, you ALSO got a complimentary cookie as the manager’s apology because whew jimin could be scary

it’s when you’re cooking lunch at kim kradle and u are mighty afraid of oil splashes because who wouldn’t????

jimin would nudge you to the side and he’d wordlessly take over for you

you would fall asleep on the floor and he’d prop a pillow underneath your head quietly

if he’s in the mood he’d give you another one underneath your arms

he may call for yoongi to carry you to the couch but ok fine he carried you one time and he’ll never speak of it

he’d let you believe that a ghost carried you there or something

sometimes jimin is just his usual grumpy self and he’s always been that wat

it’s tough love

jimin really drove to kim kradle at 7 in the evening which is out of his way and out of schedule because he should’ve done this errand at the opposite part of the city,,,

but here he is

with some fever medicine and a blanket from your place (he has a spare key) because you’ve been feeling homesick with all the back and forth from kim kradle and yoongi’s place :((

“thanks, minnie. lol if only i don’t love you platonically and u weren’t an asshole to me, you would’ve tOTALLY be my boyfriend rn”

ahem

yoongi would like to make it known that HE IS HERE

he IS the boyfriend

“you guys know that i’m-“

“totally. if only i didn’t find u annoying and a bitch, we could be married right now!!”

yoongi just wants to-

jungkook pats yoongi’s head in amusement

lol he too is a lil jealous because yOU’RE his best friend but anyways

“let them be, yoongs.”

aish he’s right

it’s heartwarming to see

jimin’s only warm to a couple of people and that’s including yoongi

he’s not the most open nor affectionate person in the world but he’s trying ok and that’s good enough!!!

“i TOTALLY would’ve been the godfather to their child though lmaooo”

jungkook snickers for a side comment that’s too LOUD and he’s only half-joking if he’s being honest and-

uHHhH

quick question

is that a flying wRENCH

[smol-and-grumpy]

Dear Dean (Chapter 4)

Re-post

Pairing: Dean Winchester x OFC (Jamie Blum)

WC: 4k

Summary: After taking Saint Lo, by sheer dumb luck, Lieutenant Dean Winchester from the 29th Infantry Division, Baker Company, received a truckload of replacements for his platoon that was falling apart. Little did he know, that one recruit would change his life forever.

Chapter Warnings: There’s some action in this.

SERIES MASTERLIST

July 28th, 1944

Dear Dean,

Guess who got promoted? You’re writing to Sergeant Sam Winchester now, jerk! I expect to be called that forever and always. Other than that, we’re sitting here quite comfortable on the bed you guys made for us. I have to handle a lot of logistics. Sending back POW for camp and shit, Dean, I have pity for them. They’re not doing anything wrong. They fight as we do, they follow orders. Some of them are only 17! Can you imagine? I don’t think that I’ll ever forget them, and I can’t say it out loud but yeah, they deserve better.

Shit, Dean, I’m sorry about that kid. I bet it’s not your fault. It’s never your fault, but you have to go and make it harder on yourself every fucking time, don’t you? I know you. Let it go. Move the fuck on. It’s war Dean, you can’t save them all.

You call the new private Bambi? You’re such a dick, you know that? I bet you do. Btw, how are Sneezy and Dopey? Seriously, Dean, stop giving them nicknames. But yeah, that new private sounds like a treat. Just think that every time he looks at you, that it’s me judging you, alright? I hope he rolls his eyes at you too, you totally deserve it. And hey, if he does, don’t punish him. I swear if you do, I’ll never write to you again, are we clear? I try to sound like someone with authority now. Doesn’t really work all the time, but I’m getting there.

Stay alive, Dean, alright? I miss you, too. Hey, remember Winchester Surprise? That’s better than the K-ratio sitting in my bag since the day we left England. I said I always hated Winchester Surprise, but that thing would be a damn treat right now.

See you around, Dean

SERGEANT Sam Winchester

***

They were preparing to leave Saint Lo and move south to Vier. Fucking finally! As much as Dean enjoyed the rest, his body was itching to fucking move out. He wanted to go home and in order to do that, they need to keep on moving. Need to keep on fighting. Need to win.

The weather could’ve been better for the march. The clouds hung heavy in the sky and there was a dribble of rain and Dean knew that they should’ve considered themselves lucky if it didn’t pour all the way to Vire.

“29 Let’s go!” Captain Mills shouted ever so enthusiastically and apart from the occasional groans of disappointments, they go. Dean chose to ignore Dopey who groaned the loudest. They moved in companies. Baker company were some 400 odd men that were probably going to be hard to miss should the Germans spot them.

As if on cue, it started to rain the moment they moved out, and Private Fitzgerald mumbled something that he’d rather a broad is wet and not him which earned him a punch to the helmet from Harvelle with a low, “Now’s not the time to joke, Fitzgerald!” The others cheered Harvelle on. Dean walked in the middle of the platoon and chuckled at Fitzgerald and Harvelle who were still arguing in front of him.

They marched towards Vire, raiding farm houses in between. It was easy, there were no casualties from his side and they kept on moving with German POWs. Battalion staff would come collect them once they settled into their harbor area.

Dean always felt bad, capturing German POWs. More often than not, they were scared shitless. He would be too, having 10 rifles pointed at him and knowing that one of them could shoot anytime. Some of them were young. Younger than they looked, because war made the men look older than they really were.

“So, who’s up for a joke?” Corporal Barnes asked as he felt morale dropping the further they got. They’d been out there for four hours and it hadn’t stopped raining yet. If anything, the rain even picked on.

“Barnes, no!” Dopey said from the back. “Your jokes are the worst.”

“Barnes, yes!” Barnes shouted back to Dopey. “If you think you can tell better jokes, be my guest.”

“Barnes, no.” Dean needed to end this as their leader. Besides, Barnes’ jokes were really the worst, everyone knew that except of Barnes himself.

Barnes turned to Dean, “Come on, Lieutenant. Not fair. I saw your lips quivering at the last joke I told.”

Dean’s face remained straight. “That’s just because I was holding myself back from barfing.”

“That’s a good one! See Barnes, the Lieutenant is funny!” Dopey called to the front and others agreed.

Dean took a look back and smirked when his gaze fell on Bambi who was a couple lines behind him. He was busy the last couple of days, preparing for his platoon to move out that he didn’t have the time to check how the new privates got along, including Bambi. If he was being honest, Dean avoided Bambi in the first two days after Jim left. He didn’t even know why he did it. He just knew that he couldn’t be around Bambi. He wasn’t ready to feel that weird thing in his stomach again. So, he did what he could do best, keeping himself busy and helping Mills plan their next mission.

But now, in the rain, Dean couldn’t tear his eyes away from Bambi. The small private looked tired and it was like all the life had been sucked out of him, despite the men getting a bit of a rest. If Bambi was bothered already, the way they still keep a tight schedule when they are supposedly resting, then boy, he was going to be in for a freaking treat when shit goes down.

“Bambi on me!” Dean shouted to the back and he could see that at his call, Bambi’s face lit up and Dean watched as the private scrambled to the front to catch up with him, metal of his rifle clacking against his canteen. Dean was glad that they weren’t on noise discipline.

“Yes, sir!” The short guy said, looking up to him and the rain splatter in his face made his eyes stand out even more than they normally would. Even in the grey of the rain, Dean could see the brown orbs clearly, glowing curiously.

Dean kept his voice low as not to raise suspicion on why he called up a private with an order, but has nothing to say in regards of their mission. “How are you?”

Bambi lowered his gaze then, looking down as they march through gravel and rain, their boots splashing through puddles and Dean kind of hoped, that his socks would stay dry. “I’m ok. Just.. missing my brother, is all.”

Dean knew the feeling of missing a brother. He’d been there and experienced it every day since they got on the LCVP to cross the channel over to France.

Still, Dean couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right with the small private. Bambi was different. He watched Bambi, when he talked to Jim. Dean was standing maybe 20 feet away, pretending to listen to Balthazar’s rant about his boots that didn’t fit him anymore and Battalion were not able to provide him with new ones until they would arrive in Vire. Balthazar went on and on and Dean was clinking out of the conversation then. Instead, he watched. He watched, as Jim put an arm around Bambi. Watched, as Jim pulled Bambi close and gave him a peck on the head. Now he doesn’t know how other brothers are doing this because apart from a hug, Sam didn’t get jack from him, but also it wasn’t really his place to go there, but something was weird about it. The way Bambi leaned into the kiss and closed his eyes. They were close, Dean could tell. And it might have been a totally stupid thought that stemmed from deep in his gut, but Dean had to admit, that he felt jealous. He didn’t even know why.

Dean shook his head, trying to get the thought out of his mind. “Good. You’re doing good. We’ll be in Vire soon.”

He didn’t dismiss Bambi, and Bambi didn’t fall back. They kept walking comfortably side by side.

***

July 30th, 1944

They were so fucking close to Vire when they got cut off by German battery. It was just a small village, consisting of 5 to probably 6 farmhouses. Dean knew that it would be too good to be true if they would just get from one city to another without being shot at, but one could still dream.

Now, he found himself jumping out of the way of mortar shells.

The rounds were raining on them, mortars and shells flying over them from somewhere high above and Captain Mills was shouting to Get the fuck down and duck into cover.

Dean couldn’t fucking see anything as the rounds touched the earth and whirled up clouds of dusts. They ducked down and Dean shouted to his men. “Be ready to shoot as soon as the smoke lands!” He pulled his rifle up into his shoulders, his finger ready on the trigger. He fired click click click.

Dean heard how a bullet tore through Private Spengler’s thighs. He could hear Harvelle shouting for a medic. Another round of shells hissing above them and then there was Dean; finger on the trigger. Click click. The counter fire stopped then, all of a sudden, which wasn’t suspicious at all.

“Where are they?” Dean shouted at nobody in particular and then he scrambled up. He swung himself against something that used to be a truck. Only it was riddled with bullet rounds and it probably was on fire at some point not too long ago.

“Balthazar, take three platoon around east of axis, use the trees and high grass as covers. Two platoon, support them with suppressive fire!” Captain Mills was huddled behind the big tree with a couple of new privates who were shaking visibly. It was the first combat they run into after they’ve been replaced.

Balthazar and Novak moved out, leaving more room for Dean and Gabe’s platoons. They heard them. There was shouting and firing and someone screamed for a medic. Shurley, the T-4 Medic of the company was about to get up but Mills pulled him back down. He couldn’t risk it, besides there’s a medic with two platoon. They laid low, listening to the fire of guns, shouting of Germans and their own men. They waited until they clearly heard Balthazar shout out an “All clear!” And that’s when Dean noticed that he’d been holding his breath all along with occasional short gasps.

“It’s not clear.” Someone mumbled. Dean craned his neck over the two bodies next to him to see Bambi pressing his back against the old truck.

“What’s that, private?” Dean asked before he pointed his chin to Bambi. “Bambi, on me!”

Dean watched as the men made way for Bambi to move to him. They were shoulder to shoulder and he turned his head, looking Bambi in the eye. His heart was pounding and his breathing was heavy. So was Bambi’s.

“What do you mean?” Dean asked him lowly and even though Bambi was breathing hard, he was completely composed. At ease.

“It’s not over. Platoons two and three? They went around the right but some stray bullets also came from the left. Clearly they only cleared the right path, and I bet there’s at least one sniper up somewhere. Permission to get up and take a look, Sir?”

“The hell you will,” Dean growled turning around and got on his knees to take a look himself, but Bambi was next to him already.

The private pointed his chin in the direction of an old Barn, standing maybe 200 yards away from the rest of the houses. It was big with a high attic. “There,” Bambi whispered. “That’s where I’d be.” There was a little window that almost wasn’t visible. “Probably about 450 yards, sir. 500 tops. If you give me the go, I can take him out, sir.”

Dean turned back to Captain Mills. “Sir, where our marksman?” Not that he didn’t want to give Bambi a chance, but he really didn’t want to give Bambi a chance when there was a marksman in their ranks who could maybe do a better job. Bambi was a freaking greenhorn, for fucks sake.

“They’re up around, Winchester. Do I need to radio for them to come back? Radio, on me!” Mills was already calling out for the radio man to come over and when the private got up to run towards the CO, his head snapped back and Dean thought that he might have even broken his neck by sheer force. “Shit, Crawford!” Captain Mills shouted and scrambled over to check on Private Crawford.

“Captain! Stay down! Everybody stay down! Sniper!” Dean screamed in his deep voice and the ground shook from everyone who planted themselves on their stomachs and ducked for cover.

“Harvelle! Get me a sniper rifle.” Dean knew that Sergeant Harvelle was always carrying an extra sniper rifle since they lost their shooter some days ago. He shouted his command at Harvelle while he looks at Bambi and sure as hell, Bambi smirked at him.

“Sir.” Harvelle was winding himself in the dirt as he handed Dean the rifle.

Bambi was ridding himself off his haversack and musette bag and put his own rifle on the ground before he took the sniper rifle from Dean, still with a stupid grin on his face. “Thanks, Lieutenant. You won’t be disappointed.”

Dean watched as the small private braced himself and the rifle on the door of the truck and then he adjusted his visor. Dean watched, when the private’s tongue darted out to lick his lips as he concentrated and all of a sudden, Dean’s lips felt very dry and he mimicked Bambi.

“Oh, hi there.” Bambi was whispering to himself, smiling even.

Dean watched as Bambi little fingers pulled the trigger as he huffed out another whisper. “This is for shooting at me, fucker!” A shot hissed through the air and then Bambi turned around, smiling brightly at Dean. “Done.”

Dean grinned then and his men cheered behind him.

“Where the fuck did you learn that from?” Dean was still chuckling and he held out a hand to help Bambi up.

“I have three brothers and they do all kinds of weird shit.” Bambi shrugged, handing the rifle back to Sergeant Harvelle and put on his haversack and musette bag before picking up his rifle from the ground.

“Shit, you’re good.” Dean exclaimed as he put his hand on the private’s shoulder, squeezing. Caught up in the moment, almost forgetting himself, he was tempted to pull the private in for a hug, but he caught himself last minute. “Remind me to never shoot at you, alright?”

“Or you’ll see what will happen, Lieutenant.” Bambi said with a wink.

August 1st, 1944

Jamie dug into the ground with her entrenching tool. They had to dig up foxholes and shell scrapings for the night. The ground wasn’t hard but the deeper she got, the wetter it got, too. It had been raining non stop for the majority of two days and the ground is soaked. She didn’t even know if she wanted to sleep down in a wet and damp foxhole to be perfectly honest. but what other options would she have?

Captain Mills stopped by while she worked on her foxhole and she paused, standing up at attention before the Captain put his arm on her shoulder telling her to be at ease with a calming voice and Jamie relaxed. He then began to praise her for her skills. Jamie felt good, real good. She smiled as the praise rained down on her which is the first time that she really thought that she could make a difference there.

The Lieutenant came back from the briefing with the Captain a little later and he stopped by every shell scraping and manned foxhole, making sure that the men had everything they need and to just randomly talk to them. Listening to their rant, taking in their gripes and even joke around. It was to keep their morale up, Jamie knew that much and Lieutenant Winchester was doing a good job. It would be a while until he would reach her anyway because she chose a place far back, not that she was anti social but she just sometimes needed a break from the amount of testosterone lingering in the air.

She could hear Sergeant Lafitte and Corporal Tran talking about the sweetheart they left at home and how eager they were to finally kill Hitler and go back so they can fuck them and make them pregnant - their words, not hers.

Private Trenton was curious, asking Lafitte and Tran to see the photographs of their girls at home and they compared them; which was a little gross, because then Trenton was saying that he’d been horny all week and asked if he could borrow the photographs to jack himself off. This, of course, angered Tran and Lafitte and it nearly ended in a fight had it not been for Lieutenant Winchester. He happened to walked by and ask how they were, and if they needed anything he could provide. Trenton then asked the Lieutenant a question that got Jamie’s attention. She stopped digging for a brief moment, so she could hear better. “Sir, you also have a sweetheart at home?”

“If yes, don’t give the picture to Trenton!” Tran tried to warn his Lieutenant.

Lieutenant Winchester chuckled at that, but didn’t answer in which Lafitte jumped in jokingly. “The Lieutenant has his Sam, Trenton.” Suddenly Jamie felt as if she was intruding, listening in on them, so she tuned out the talking and returned her focus to her digging.

Jamie dug her foxhole deep and decided to go down and rest. She was not on sentry tonight. Maybe it was some kind of reward. She’d take a nap and maybe if the fire was still on later, she’d make sure to go get coffee, but for now, she just wanted to close her eyes and forget for a moment that she was Private Blum. That she was a woman at war. A woman amongst men. That her family were all out in the field. That she was alone there.

“You alright down there, private?” Lieutenant Winchester’s voice rumbled above her and she opened up her eyes hesitantly.

“Fine, Sir.” She tried to smile, but she felt weak. She wasn’t used to walking for miles with heavy bags hung around her body and a freaking rifle slung on her shoulder.

“Permission to come in?” He asked with a smile so wide, she could see his perfect teeth through the dirt on his cheeks. Jamie didn’t pay much attention before, but then in the hazy light of the evening, when the sun was painting the sky all shades of purple, she could see that Lieutenant Winchester was breathtakingly handsome. How did she miss that before?

“Sure.” She moved a little to press herself to the far side of the wall in order to make room for him. He didn’t need to ask for permission actually. She witnessed before how he slides into a foxhole without asking, for a short nap, whenever one of the occupants was on sentry. The Lieutenant was always too lazy or too busy to dig his own hole and some of them were staying together in foxholes so Lieutenant Winchester could always find a place to nap whenever he wanted.

He placed his bags and rifle at the opening and scrambled down and then he lost balance and almost landed gracefully on his face. Jamie let out a wheeze before she put her hand over her mouth.

“Yeah, ha-ha.” He mocked before she even got the chance to say anything. “Shut it, Bambi!” Lieutenant Winchester took off his helmet and sat himself down beside her in the dirt. Shoulder to shoulder. Jamie noticed the folded picture neatly tucked into his helmet as it was lying upside down in between his feet.

She looked over to him and saw the line of the helmet that dug into his scalp and the bead of sweat that was on his forehead. The crinkles by his eyes. She could watch as a droplet of his sweat made its way down his jaw and dribble down his neck. His heart was pumping fast, she could see the pulsing on his throat. Lieutenant Winchester had freckles on his face. His hair was greasy and slicked back and he smelled like tobacco and wait, was that whiskey?

“You want a smoke?” He asked and Jamie politely declined. She had never smoked and even though she could here, because the cigarette came as a part of their ratio, she didn’t pick up the bad habit. She was never good with shaking off bad habits. But goddamn she could use whiskey. “Oh.” The Lieutenant said, stashing away his tin of cigarettes and didn’t light up one and it surprised her that he had manners. The way he breathed out the word ‘Oh’ that carried the sweet scent of whiskey with it, didn’t slip her mind, though, but she didn’t dare to ask.

He pulled out a big flask from his webbing and paired it with a wicked grin while he raised his eyebrow at her. “Then maybe this?”

She smiled back and tsked. “Lieutenant!” He shushed her immediately, holding a finger to his lips.

He quickly unscrewed it and took a sip before handing it over to her. She held it to her lips and he watched, as she tipped it back, and let the warm liquid go down her throat. It was harsh and it burned, but it was also warm. It was just what she needed. She handed it back to him, coughing a little as the last drop of it got lost in her windpipe and Lieutenant Winchester giggled at that.

“You’re weak.” He said but he didn’t meant it, Jamie knew.

She felt her eyes roll toward the sky in feigned annoyance, before she could really process what she was doing. She didn’t mean to disrespect him, but she was caught up in the moment, and she hoped she wouldn’t be dressed down for it. She was still when she realized what she’d done and the Lieutenant just stared at her warmly, as if his mind was trying to process something. Something important.

They looked at each other and he leaned in a little. Their noses brushed gently. She didn’t know if it was the alcohol or something else all together, but her head started to spin and she wanted to pull away, but she couldn’t, not when he’s breathing hotly against her lips. They were breathing the same air that smelled of sweet whiskey. Jamie closed her eyes briefly, as if she was giving him permission to kiss her and she didn’t even know why she did that, because she was a man and Lieutenant Winchester was a man, too, and he most likely wasn’t queer. The Lieutenant stalled, his face so close, their foreheads touched, their breathing mingled.

Lieutenant Winchester widened his eyes in shock after a moment, and he scrambled away to the other end of the tight foxhole. “Shit, Bambi. I..I..uh.. shit, fuck I’m sorry.”

He grabbed his flask in a hurry, putting it back into his combat jacket and got out of the foxhole. “Sorry…” He said again, his back to her.

Jamie couldn’t say anything. There was no sound that made it past her lips, despite them parting.

He turned around and back to look down at her but his gaze was anywhere, but on her eyes. “You did good the last few days. Keep up the good work.” With that, he was gone.

CHAPTER 5