#John Egan comforting a young sergeant

[freedomforthewin]

Worth It

John headed towards the garden on Thorpe Abbots, his thoughts dwelling with the outcome of the mission that had happened earlier that day.

15 planes had been sent out; only two had come back. And even amongst those two planes, not everyone in them had survived.

John walked into the garden and took a few deep breaths, trying to let the peacefulness the garden was supposed to radiate reach him. Only some of it could. He then continued to walk through the garden, looking at the pretty flowers and other plants while also trying to keep his thoughts and pain at bay.

Soon, he came across a bench that was occupied by Adam Kelly, an 18-year-old sergeant.

Adam had gone on that day’s mission and had come back alive. Chris, his best friend, had been on the same plane as him, but, sadly, Chris had been hit and instantly killed.

Adam’s head was in his hands, and his shoulders shook as he sobbed.

John’s heart broke at the sight.

He took a deep breath and slowly approached the bench.

“Adam?” he called out softly. Adam startled and looked up at John, then turned his head and hastily wiped the tears from his face.

“Major Egan, sir,” he said, trying to compose himself. “I’m fine. I was just…enjoying the garden.”

John gave him a sad smile and sat next to him. Adam tried to control himself, but he couldn’t keep all the pain under wraps. John placed his hand on Adam’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry about Chris,” John said quietly.

Adam’s lip wobbled. He nodded in thanks.

They were quiet for some time.

“You know, when I first signed up for this, I thought I was going to make a difference,” Adam finally said, his mouth curling into a humorless smile. “I thought I was going to help save the world from Hitler. I mean, I knew it would get bad, but I didn’t realize—” he trailed off. “I didn’t realize—” he tried again, then he sighed.

“That it would be like that?” John asked.

Adam nodded.

“Yeah, nothing can quite prepare you for that. You can only truly realize what it’s like when you’re up there.”

Adam looked at him with red-rimmed eyes.

“I had known there was the possibility that I would die,” Adam said thickly, a tear trailing down his face. “I had thought that if I died, I would die a hero. But I didn’t think about the possibility of losing my friends. Of losing my best friend.”

“I’m sorry,” John murmured.

Adam’s lip trembled, and he threw his arms around John. His shoulders shook, and he began to sob. John was surprised at the sudden hug, but he slowly wrapped his arms around the younger man.

“I’m sorry, Major!” Adam said, starting to panic. It was probably inappropriate of him to hug his superior officer.

“No, no,” John said tenderly. “It’s alright. It’s alright…It’s alright.”

Adam started crying harder, letting it out. John rocked him side by side, trying to soothe him.

18, John thought sadly. He’s only 18.

“I didn’t know so many of us would die,” Adam said brokenly.

John hugged Adam tighter, for Adam’s sake but also to try to keep his own emotions under control.

No one said anything for a bit.

“Does any of this really matter?” Adam eventually asked. “We just lose our lives and our friends’ lives.”

“It’ll be worth it in the end,” John said, trying to convince Adam but also himself. “Soon the war will be over, and people won’t die because of it anymore.”

Adam just sniffled.

When the young sergeant felt better, he pulled out of the hug. John looked at him concernedly and placed a hand on his shoulder as Adam wiped the tears away.

“Just so you know, you did do what you said you thought you would,” John told him. “You did make a difference. You did help save the world. You did do that. That’s what we’re trying to do. I know it might seem pointless now, but it isn’t. It’ll be easier to recognize that when this is all over.”

Adam nodded.

“You did good today, Adam.”

“Thank you, sir.”

John smiled and then said, “I think it would be a good idea to set you up with a week-long pass to get some r and r.”

The sergeant’s face fell.

“Adam? What is it?”

“If I go, am I going to get seen as too weak to handle this and get transferred when I come back?”

“No. This isn’t punishment, Adam,” John told him kindly. “This is for you. You’ve been through a lot. You’re grieving. You should take a break. Taking a break will also help you when you’re back.”

Adam couldn’t argue with that. “Alright,” he agreed.

“Alright. I’ll get that set up for you, and then you can go.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Of course.”

Adam brushed a stray dark brown curl away from his eye and then said, “I think I’ll, I think I’ll head back.”

“Okay.”

“And thank you, sir. For, for everything you just did for me.”

John smiled at him. “Anytime, Adam.”

The younger man stood up and started walking out of the garden and nearly bumped into Gale, who noticed that he had been crying.

“Major Cleven, sir,” Adam acknowledged, quickly looking down and to the side to try to hide his face.

“Sergeant Kelly,” Gale acknowledged back softly.

Adam left, and Gale saw John sitting on the bench, looking morose. Gale stood there for a moment before coming up to him and joining him on the bench.

Neither of them said anything at first.

“I heard about today’s mission,” Gale finally said. “Only two planes came back.”

“Two planes but not even everyone on them.”

Gale closed his eyes. “Yeah.”

“Chris Thompson, Adam Kelly’s best friend, was one of the casualties. He was only 18.”

“I see,” Gale murmured sadly.

“These young men,” John said, “they have this romanticized idea of what they’re going to do when they get here. And yeah, they know they could die, but they don’t truly realize how bad this all gets.”

“Does anyone at first?”

“No,” John sighed. “Nothing can prepare you for that.”

“No.” Gale was silent for a moment before he asked, “Adam going to be okay?”

“I hope so. I’m going to set him up with a week-long pass. I think he needs it.”

“Sounds good.”

They both sat on the bench for another minute before John let out a sigh. Gale laid his hand on John’s shoulder. John’s sad eyes met Gale’s solemn ones. Gale rubbed John’s shoulder.

After a little while, he quietly asked John, “You ready to go back?”

John nodded.

The two majors then got up and solemnly made their way back towards the base.

[bejeweledblondie]

Peggy, The Pin Up

-

A/N: I apologize for being MIA I’ve had a lot of very great but time consuming things take over my life! I’ve started a 1940s vintage clothing blog & I’m shocked at how successful it has become. On top of that I’ve got promotions at work & it’s opened so many doors for me. I’m hoping to write a bit more!

Warnings: classic 1940’s sexism, mentions of nudity, female pronouns

Summary: Y/N never expected for her pin up prints to be put out… it causes some disruption on Abbott-Thorpe & one dark curly haired aviator comes to her rescue

It all happened on a Thursday morning at breakfast. Y/N sat there in her crisp white uniform shoveling the chalky yellow substance the army called eggs in her mouth. A dark shadow appeared above her plate & a magazine was plopped down in front of her.

“Don’t even try to deny it, this is you isn’t it?” He asked with a hint of amusement in his voice. Speechless she looked away & noticed that the Army’s shipment of Esquire hit the shelves. “God who knew? We knew you were a tease, but this is just another level.” He started. “Do you know what everyone says about you?” She shook her head shamefully, lying to herself. She had heard rumblings in the sick bay from time to time. Sometimes while fixing a patients IV bag or a even helping move a patient a hemline might rise causing a stir.

Before the pilot could continue his chauvinistic teasing session she immediately grabbed her belongings & swiftly exited. Little did she know a dark curly haired pilot was watching the torment happen. Due to rank he couldn’t intervene but oh he so badly wanted to bury the man six feet under. He had grown fond of the nurse, she was always so kind with his men. Incredibly soft spoken & nurturing when it came to the care she provided. He had walked in on her reading a copy of John Steinbeck’s, “Of Mice & Men” to the wounded pilots one evening. She didn’t have to do that, she could’ve been out dancing at the Officer’s Club. But she voluntarily chose to stay after her shift to read to them. He could tell the men greatly appreciated it too, it gave them a small window of comfort during an incredibly traumatic moment in their lives.

Douglass, also watching the debacle rolled his eyes & sipped his coffee.

“These men act like they’ve never seen tits before it’s insane.” He scoffed. Rosie almost choked on the toast he was eating.

“I mean some are freshly turned eighteen.” Blakely reminded him.

“Still, this is going to cause a huge fucking problem.” He swore. “Rosenthal, you okay?” Rosie had been staring off into the space during the duration of the conversation.

“Go to her,” Douglass sighed. “She may be oblivious but I’m not. You’ll also want to scoop her before someone like Egan does.” With that Rosie excused himself & started to head towards the medical ward. The sterile white environment contrasted heavily from the drab olive green darkness of the mess hall. Injured pilots laid in beds reading the paper, being fed their morning breakfast, or having their vitals taken. Valerie, a nurse he knew was friendly with Y/N was checking the vitals on a young sergeant.

“Val!” He said getting her attention & started over to her. “Have you seen Y/N?” He asked.

“Yeah, she seemed a bit off,” She started. “She begged Major to allow her to just work in supply today. You might wanna try there.”

“Thank you.” Rosie replied & made his way to the supply room. There she stood sniffling & rolling gauze. Her eyes were clouded with a melancholy look as she completed the mundane task. He knocked on the door frame causing her to look up slightly startled.

“Oh Major Rosenthal it’s you,” She said with a slight tremble in her voice. “What can I do for you?” He cringed at her using his rank, usually it would make his blood pressure rise & heart race. But this circumstance was entirely different.

“I saw what happened in the chow hall,” He started. She’s started to wipe away tears. “I just wanted to see how you were doing.” He said wringing anxiously. She sighed deeply & looked away.

“I’ll be alright,” She stated. “I’m just going to lay low for a few weeks.” It broke his heart to see her this way. She was always a little jumpy & anxious to begin with. This situation just poured gasoline on a oil fire.

“No,” Rosie stated. “You shouldn’t let some asshole make you feel uncomfortable.” She stared him with big wide eyes. “If it makes you feel any better I’ll escort you places.” Her eyes softened as she listened to him. A small crimson warmth crept onto her cheeks at the mere mention of him escorting her.

After a few weeks, the heat died out about the pin up nurse. Rosie & Y/N had become closer over the weeks. His protection meant no one would even try to touch a hair on her head. From lingering touches, longing gazes, & of course Rosie sitting on her nightly readings to the wounded pilots. He (like every man on post who took a liking to her) did keep a copy of the pin up photo.

On missions he’d keep the folded piece of paper tucked into the pocket of his sheepskin. A reminder of what he was protecting & fighting for. His calloused thumb would graze over her innocent smile as he admired the image. Even in his bunk, he’d spend some alone time with it after everyone had fallen asleep. During one night after the pin up photo was brought up by a rookie pilot, & in turn making Y/N uncomfortable. Rosie knew he had to make her see what he saw in the photo. After some discussions with Ken Lemmons, he decided to really make sure he was reminded everyday was he was fighting for.

With hands covering her eyes he directed her to the airstrip.

“Rosie I can’t see!” Y/N giggled, tripping over her own feet. He chuckled at her natural clumsiness. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see, you’re so impatient.” He said. He lead her right up the nose to his beloved bomber. “Okay now you can see.” With the removal of his hands & a adjustment to the sunlight she was staring at herself painted on the side of his bomber. The same pin up that graced Esquire months ago that brought them together. She gasped in pure shock at the artwork.

“Oh, Rosie.” She gasped unable to speak. “Did you paint this?”

“With a little help from Lemmons.” He replied. “I want you to see what I see. A beautiful woman. Do you like it?”

“I-wow,” She smiled. “I love it.” She turned around to face him. He was staring down her, admiring the way the sun light reflected off her hair. He brushed stray strands of hair behind her ear. His hand lightly danced across her cheek bone as he stared adoringly into her eyes. He leaned down & placed a tender kiss onto her lips. She reciprocated & kissed back. Her arms wrapped around his neck & his slowly gravitated to her waist pulling her in closer. After pulling a part they rested foreheads against one another.

“God you have no idea how long I’ve always wanted to do that,” He admitted.