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mirkwoodshewolf · 6 years ago

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My brave soldier muse; Eugene Sledge x reader

*Author’s note*

Wow okay so this is something COMPLETELY different than what I usually write. But after reading and actually watching The Pacific a couple months back with my dad, I’ve decided to take a crack at writing for our baby boy Joey Mazzello’s character; Eugene Sledge. Now before I get started I want to start off by saying I do NOT MEAN TO ROMANTICIZE PTSD or other mental illnesses. I know that gets people riled up and I hope I don’t offend anyone with this piece of fanfiction.

I also DO NOT own the pic that I’ve included in the fic, I’m just using it as a visual purpose for the story instead of having you guys try and look it up by watching the opening credits of The Pacific on youtube.

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*1942*

The world was at war. The Nazi’s were planning on world domination but my people of America didn’t want to get involved because we had just started getting back up on our feet due to the Great Depression that lasted over 10 years. But it wasn’t until Pearl Harbor when the Japs bombed it without warning, or even reason.

From then on, every able bodied young man or previous vets from the first world war wanted to sign up and serve. Including my best friend Sidney Phillips and best friend turned boyfriend Eugene Sledge. The three of us have been best friends since the school yard, when a bunch of bullies were picking on me because I was drawing instead of playing during recess.

From then on, the three of us have been thick as thieves, always sticking together till the very end. It was shortly after our junior year of high school that Eugene and I started dating, in fact you may think he finally worked up the courage to ask me out well you’d be wrong.

I mean he tried, he really did but in the end I ended up asking him out. So he took me out to dinner and after—I kissed him, I knew we were made for each other. Of course Sidney had a field day and would constantly tease us any chance he got, especially towards Gene.

Sidney had already been deployed and been on the field on the Marines for a few months now, and Eugene tried to enlist but due to his heart murmur, he wasn’t qualified to go.

I was in my art studio currently working on a new painting that I had in mind. I had my canvas out and was doing the picture in charcoal when I heard the door open and slam shut. I stepped aside and saw Gene storming in and he placed himself right there on my cushioned couch where I would have my models usually sit.

“Still there?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” He muttered. I sighed solemnly and set my charcoal pencil down and grabbed some wipes and cleaned my hands up a bit before sitting down next to Gene. If I’m being truthful, I’m glad the murmur is still there.

I know it sounds selfish of me but I’ve already lost my big brother James Barnes to the war with the Japs, my mama could barely stand and was depressed for weeks till one day she just died of a broken heart. Of course my daddy barely escaped the first World war with only a missing arm but it was during the Depression that finally killed him, without money coming in he couldn’t pay to afford a doctor to come and help him with his arm which had soon gotten infected and he passed away due to the infections of his missing arm and no antibiotics to keep him healthy.

Eugene and Sidney are all I have of family now, and I’m already fearing of losing another brother, I can’t lose the love of my life to this war.

“Do you wanna head for the lake?” I asked him. He turned to look at me and I took his hand and soon I led him out the backway and the two of us headed just down the hill from my house where the lake stood.

Our family home was like a little place of heaven. Wild flowers as far as the eye can see, all varying in different breeds and colors, a small little lake that circled just at the bottom of the hill, and when the sun would hit it, it made the lake shimmer and shine like a beautiful diamond ring.

Sometimes I would come here to sketch and get away from everything of the real world, my own little patch of heaven. Eugene would come here too when he needed to de-stress or get away from it all from the insecurities of his mind. And lately because of his failure to enlist and seeing himself as a failure, he needed this more than I did.

We both lay down on our usual spot and I lay my head right across his lap. His hands gently stroked and played with my hair as the two of us stared up at each other.

“I know you feel happy about me not being able to enlist.” He stated bluntly. I sighed heavily and said to him.

“Gene…..”

“Don’t lie to me. I can see it in your eyes. I know you to damn well (y/n).” I sadly looked at him and said.

“But it’s not what you’re thinking. You know how devastating it was for me to lose my brother. And then I had to take care of my mama and in the end she died of a broken heart from losing a child, not even caring that she left her youngest one behind. And with Sidney now away fighting the Japs I fear that he too will die. Gene I—I can’t lose anyone else in my life, I just can’t I…..” tears started falling down the corner of my eyes.

“Hey, hey I’m sorry, I’m sorry sweet girl, come here.” He pulled me up and embraced me. My head resting against his shoulder as I softly wept. “I’m sorry doll, I’m so sorry. But you do realize that Sidney is about as stubborn as wild hog, he ain’t gonna let no Jap get the best of him, he’s too stubborn for his own good. Always has been.” That at least got me to choke out a laugh. “There’s my happy girl, with that million dollar smile that I love so much.” He said as he separated from me and wiped away my tears with his thumbs.

He softly kissed the corner of my mouth and I said to him.

“I’m sorry Genie I just….I just don’t know what I would do without you in my life. You’re my soulmate, the one I want to spend my life with till we’re both old and grey, sitting on the porch swing back at the house. My muse.” His thumb kept stroking my cheek and wiping away any tears that fell down my face.

“And I’m honored to be your muse. If I could draw half as good as you, you’d most definitely would be my muse as well. But know this my sweet girl, when I do pass and this murmur goes away; know that I will always be there for you. I’m making you a solemn promise right now that I will fight my way back home to you. Because I’m not just wanting to join because of my country, I want to enlist because I want to protect you. If the Japs managed to bomb Hawaii what’s to stop them from coming here in Alabama? I couldn’t live with myself if I came here to see this place burned to the ground and you lying dead burning. And I couldn’t do anything to stop it.”

“Oh Eugene….” I said as I captured his lips softly with mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck, my hands gently combing through his auburn hair while feeling his arms bringing me tighter and closer to him as our kiss deepened. When air became a burden, we separated but kept our foreheads together and our noses brushing against one another every second.

“I love you (y/n), more than a frog loves the bayou, more than a gator needs water to live, and more than birds need to fly. You are my dove, and I want you to always be safe.”

“And I you Eugene Sledge.” We kissed each other again and just remained together in each other’s arms kissing back and forth between each other listening to the birds chirping and the crickets playing their symphonic orchestra.

Weeks passed and I was down by the lake doing a sketch of Eugene in Marine uniform when I could hear footsteps behind me coming down towards me. I knew instantly who it was and I had a feeling that I knew what he had to say.

“It’s gone.” He stated. My heart shattered and I shut my eyes trying to hold in the tears. “I’m planning on leaving for boot camp tomorrow morning, will you come with me to the station to see me off?” I turned towards him and said trying to be happy for him after our talk weeks back.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Plus it’d seem unfair if I went to see my best friend off and not my own boyfriend.” He softly smiled and chuckled lightly before coming and sitting down beside me.

“Promise me you’ll look after Deacon for me?”

“Of course, he’s practically our son after all.” I said. I leaned against his shoulder and sighed softly trying to keep my tears at bay. “Can you promise me something Eugene?”

“Anything.” I turned towards him and picked up my picture that I had been working on and folded it up before holding it out to him,

“Take this picture and be sure to bring it back to me. If you do, I promise to make more of them. But if you don’t, then I give up painting forever.”

“What? (Y/n) you can’t give up painting because of me, it’s been your dream—”

“And my dream wouldn’t be complete without you in it.” I interrupted him. We stared into each other’s eyes as I said, “You are the reason I keep getting inspired Genie, and I want to one day share my fame of being an artist with you by my side and introduce you to everyone as the man whose inspired my paintings. My muse. Most girls would give a ring that symbolizes their heart but I’m giving you something far more precious to me. A work of art that I’ve been working on since the but crack of dawn this morning. But don’t you dare look at it till you get on that train.”

“Why can’t I have a peek of it now?” he asked.

“Because I may not have the strength to let you go if you see it. And I know how fighting in this war means to you. My brave soldier boy.” I stroked his cheek and he leaned against my palm and kissed it.

“You have my word. I will not look at it until I get on the train. I promise to always keep it close to my heart. And when I come back, I shall return it to you.”

“That’s my brave boy.” I said as I leaned forward and kissed him. His arms wrapping around my waist pulling me closer to him.

The next morning right before sunrise, I stood at the train station standing in front of Eugene who was officially dressed in full Marine uniform.

“You got everything you need?” I asked him.

“Yeah.”

“You have my picture on you?”

“Right where I said I’d always keep it.” He said as he patted the left side of his chest.

“Good, now you remember your promise to me?”

“I remember my dove.” I smiled and nodded but could feel my throat tightening up. “Oh (y/n),” I sniffled and felt him hug me and I tried my best not to cry on his uniform and he whispered, “Please don’t cry, I don’t want the last thing I see before I leave to be my best girl weeping her eyes out.”

“I’m sorry Gene I—I promised myself I wouldn’t cry. I’ve even been practicing but I guess it was for nothing.” I choked out.

“Aww doll, shhh, shhh. It’ll be okay. I promise I’ll be back before you can even have the chance to miss me.”

“Not possible.” He softly laughed and looked down at me and cupped my face in his hands. I placed my hands on top of his and guided his left hand towards my lips and kissed each of his finger tips and he said.

“Let me see that smile one last time.” I looked right up at him and did my best to smile for him. “Aww there it is. Keep that smile on that beautiful face for a while longer, long enough for me to forever remember it.” He said as he wiped away any stray tears.

The train whistle blew and the conductor was calling for last minute boarding’s.

“I have to go.” He whispered to me. “I love you so much (y/n) (l/n)”

“And I love you Eugene Sledge. Please stay safe out there, and never forget about me.”

“Doll it’s impossible for me to ever forget about you. Keep painting while I’m away, can you promise me that?”

“I’ll try.”

“That’s my best girl.”

“Promise to write to me?”

“Whenever I can my dove.” We kissed each other one final time and Eugene picked up his bags and boarded the train. I shakily exhaled as I wiped away the tears from my eyes as I soon saw Eugene open his window and wave to me. I waved back smiling and blew him a kiss just as the train was starting to depart.

The last I ever saw of Eugene was him waving goodbye to me, telling me that he loved me till the end of our days.

*Eugene’s POV*

As the train left the station and I could no longer see (y/n), I sat back down on my seat and closed the window up. After a few seconds I then reached into my breast pocket of my uniform and took out the folded piece of paper that would have her drawing that she had made me take.

Like I swore to her, I never did look at it overnight while I was packing my bags. Otherwise I knew she’d have my head if she found out. I unfolded the paper slowly until it was finally unfolded and there on the page was a picture of me.

It was a charcoal drawing of me in full combat gear, the helmet I was sure to wear once I would go out onto the battlefield, probably using either her brother’s or even her father’s helmet as a reference picture. The picture looked like it could be a future shot of what I may look like in my times at war.

My girl was always clever when it came to her art. She always made it realistic, never once giving someone an inappropriate emotion based on the scenario at hand. It was then I finally took notice of a note at the bottom corner of the page. It read as followed;

My brave soldier,

Please come back to me my Muse, my soldier, my love.

-Yours forever

(Y/n) (l/n)

Her name signed in her beautiful penmanship whenever she would sign her drawings and sketches.

I sighed and quietly said her name as I folded the picture up and kissed it before placing it back in my breast pocket and pressed it over my heart.

I promise my love, I’ll fight my way back to you. Remember me. I will come back for you my darling artist.

*My POV. July 21st, 1943*

It had been over a year since Eugene left and life hadn’t been as easy as you would think it would be. I tried to get on with my life working and trying to sell my paintings but with rejection letters coming in left and right, and the workload at the restaurant piling up, I sure wish Gene was still here.

The only upside is when I would visit his parents and make sure our baby boy Deacon was still a happy, healthy dog. Today I had asked to take Deacon for the weekend just to give Dr. and Mrs. Sledge a bit of a break, and since knowing me ever since I was a little girl, they gladly accepted for me taking Deacon, Mrs. Sledge knowing that I needed something of Eugene’s to keep calm by.

As we arrived back at my house after going for our walk in the park, I checked the mail same as every other day. More bills and mortgage payments on the house, but then I came across a letter that was addressed to me and right in the corner it read.

EUGENE SLEDGE.

“Oh Deacy, daddy’s wrote back to us. You wanna hear what he wrote? Huh? You wanna hear what he wrote?” Deacy barked happily and I giggled and led him inside as I said, “Come on let’s go inside and read it.” He barked and raced on inside the house and I followed behind him.

Deacon hoped up onto the couch and I sat down beside him and took my letter opener and slide it through the envelope. Deacon came up onto my lap sniffing the paper so I had to push him back and say.

“Hold on boy let me get it out first of all,” finally I managed to get the letter out and I had seen that it had been written about 4 weeks ago according to the date in the corner. It read as followed;

My dearest, (y/n)

Your words and letters are about the only thing that help bring me comfort in this God forsaken island. It’s always either hot or raining like it does back home during the wet seasons.

I’m so glad that Deacon is doing fine and I can’t thank you enough for taking care of our boy. Please give him my love and tell him that I miss him. But every night when I can, I pull out the picture you gave me before I left and it feels like you’re right there beside me. And it’s shocking how now I’m beginning to look more and more like the picture.

War is brutal and it really changes people. And I’m really glad that you aren’t here to see it, I couldn’t bear it if m best girl changed forever.

In fact funny story, one day when I was looking at the picture, my war partner Snafu (real asshole by the way) he saw me looking at the picture thought I was looking at some porn mag or somethin, so he snatched it away from me and soon he and the other guys in my unit were hassling me. They didn’t believe that my girlfriend the artist ‘captured my ugly mug correctly’ according to them. Telling me that she must either be ‘blind or I had to bribe you to draw me like that’.

I miss you my dove, I miss you so much. Every night I dream about you and our quiet little paradise right in your backyard. Please if you can in the next let that you send, will you include a picture of yourself. Not a photograph but a hand drawn sketch of yourself. I want to see you in art form, draw yourself as beautiful as you make your drawings. (Not to say that you aren’t beautiful in real life because you are, it’s just I’ve never once seen you sketch yourself, and I would like to have a portrait of the beautiful artist that I found myself lucky to call my girl).

I look forward to hearing your response my darling. I love you forever more and I’m always thinking of you.

Yours forever,

Eugene

I laughed and cried as I read his letter. I wiped away the tears and Deacy softly whimpered as he raised his nose up to my cheek and licked my tears away. I laughed sadly as I stroked Deacon’s head and I told him.

“Thanks Deacy, and I know. I miss your daddy too.” I then went over to my desk and took out a sheet of paper and a pen and I began writing my response to him.

My darling Eugene,

Even though this letter arrived four weeks after you wrote this, I am still glad to have received another one at all. It still gives me hope that you are still alive and kicking Jap ass out there. I’m so sorry the weather’s unbearable to you but we’ve survived worse, right?

And I always give your love to our baby boy, he really does miss his daddy so much. Sometimes when I bring him over to my place, he just lays there by the door with his head between his paws just waiting for his daddy to come home.

I on the other hand could be better. I’ve been trying to sell my paintings but each time I’ve gotten rejection letter after rejection letter, I really wish you were here right now. You’ve always known what to say to help boost my confidence up and make me keep striving until one day I get that acceptance letter.

And them boys just be joshin you. My brother’s unit was the same way when he first joined but they eventually became not only brothers in arms but brothers for life. Every now and then the ones who have been honorably discharged come and check up on me just to see how I’ve been holding up. You’re handsome and you always will be handsome.

I’ll try to include a sketch of myself but you know I how feel about it. I never thought I was sketch worthy but for you, I’ll try to come up with something. Maybe then it’ll get your Marine buddies of yours to quite picking on the fact you’re lying about a girl.

I love you Eugene, you’re the light of my life. Keep that promise you made me and come home to me safe and in one piece. Your parents, Deacy and I love and miss you so much.

Your beautiful dove,

(Y/n)

I sighed solemnly and that’s when I noticed my mother’s old camera sitting a few feet away from the entrance to the studio. The wheels and gears began turning in my head as I sat up and grabbed it and tried to see if I could get it to work since it hadn’t been used ever since James died 2 years ago.

When I finally managed to get a good test picture out, I placed the camera a few feet away from the studio couch and angled it to the exact spot I wanted it in. I set the timer and quickly went over to the couch.

“Deacon come here boy.” I whistled and he soon hopped up and set half of his body up on my lap while his lower body came around behind me. I looked up at the camera stroking Deacon’s head so that it would make him stay while the camera soon flashed and took the picture. As I stood up, Deacon hopped off and I went to grab the picture and let it get developed properly.

Once the picture was ready, I took out a sheet of plane paper and a basic pencil and studied the picture and did my best to copy the exact picture into drawing format.

Of course due to my insecurities of drawing myself, my trash bin was filled all the way to the top of failed sketches. Also my job kept me pretty busy so I had to hold off on the sketch for what felt like forever.

Until finally about a month later, I managed to get semi-correct with my portion shown in the picture. Deacon of course looked good as per usual, he’s always been my favorite thing to sketch besides Gene. Whether he was running, chasing the ducks by the river, swimming or lying right under the sun, Deacon was worthy of sketching.

I hoped that Gene didn’t think I was bailing out on him for this late response so I added a quick note to the picture apologizing for taking so damn long. I also went ahead and placed the photo in with the letter and drawing just so he’d understand why it took me so long.

I didn’t hear anything back from Gene until the following year.

1944 was a cruel year. Not only for the war and the lives we were losing but I was depressed because one day Deacon could barely walk anymore. I went to pick him up for the weekend but he barely even noticed I was there. I had asked Mrs. Sledge what was wrong and she too didn’t know. She told me Deacon wouldn’t eat, drink, and he barely got up from his little dog bed.

So we took him to the vets office and it turned out that he had a tumor in his stomach and that there was nothing that they could do about it. So we had no choice but to put Deacon to sleep.

To show him that he wouldn’t be alone, I stayed with him as the vet gave him the injection and my last words to him as I stroked his head gently.

“You’ve been a good boy Deacon. And even though daddy couldn’t be here to say goodbye, just know that he loved you soo much. You’re a good boy Deacy, mama loves you so much and she always will.”

From that day I barely picked up another pencil, hell I barely even went into my studio anymore because of that. Not only that but without Deacon, I began to have nightmares of one day answering the door and like a repeat of what happened with James, the office of the Marines telling me that Eugene had be KIA.

The only upside was when Sidney came back and made a surprise visit. I almost couldn’t believe it, at first I thought I was dreaming but I soon realized that it wasn’t a dream at all. Sidney Phillips had returned home to me, my best friend since childhood had survived the war and returned home.

He told me how he and Eugene actually reunited with each other on the island of Pavuvu several months back. He told me all about the islands he went to, and of course Sidney Phillips can’t go one conversation without bringing up all the exotic women he got to meet whether in Australia, the nurses on base camp, even British girls.

“I swear Phillips you can never go one day without bringing a beautiful girl into a conversation.”

“Ahh c’mon (y/n) you know that no matter how many girls I meet, you’re always gonna be my number 1.”

“Yeah right.” I teased.

“I swear as a Marine you will always be my number 1 best girl, even once I find me a lady of my own you will still be my number 1. You’ve always been like a little sister to me (n/n) and nothing’s ever gonna change that.” I smiled softly at him and he opened his arms and I fell into his embrace and hugged him back. “And Eugene was faithful to you, wouldn’t even look at another woman.”

I slapped him in the back of the head making him cry out in mock agony and I told him.

“You always have to get a rile out of me don’t yah?”

“Well you two are just so adorable that it’s practically my sworn duty to tease you both to no end. I’ve been wanting you both to get together since our start of junior high. Oh speaking of which, I have something for you,” he reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. “Eugene wanted me to give this to you once my licenses expired. He also told me to tell you that he’s sorry that this letter couldn’t be delivered sooner and he explains it more in mushy gooey lovey-dovey detail that you both talk about in your letters.”

“I swear Sid if you read this letter I’m gonna beat your ass from Mobile straight to New Orleans.”

“I promise I didn’t read a single thing, I just know that’s how you both talk. Goof Lord I still remember all the love letters Gene used to make me pass to you in class back in high school. What a nightmare.” I shoved him playfully and opened up the letter and I immediately recognized Eugene’s penmanship.

My darling girl,

It pains my heart to hear from your last letter of what you’ve been going through. And those stuck-up, high horsed business men don’t know true talent when they see it. Your work is a gift from God, I would give up every bone in my body if I could draw half as good as you.

It hurts to not be there to hold you in my arms, to tell you that everything will be okay, to kiss away your tears of heartbreak. But never doubt your skills, I still believe that one day someone’s gonna come and beg to you on their hands and knees for just a simple sketch of your work.

I’m sorry to have to tell you this but this will unfortunately be my last letter for a while. They’re sending my squad out to Okinawa and we can’t risk letters getting intercepted, I asked Sid here to give this to you personally so that it would immediately get to you and that you wouldn’t have to wait for months on end for this one.

If only I could control it, I would say screw it I’ve got a girl worried sick about me, let me write to her I would but unfortunately I can’t. But, I keep your self-portrait right next to mine over my heart. And of course once Snafu and the other guys saw both the photograph and the drawing of you and Deacon, they did what all Marine men do from not seeing a woman for months even years on end.

But don’t worry I set them straight and told them that if they made one single crude comment about you, then my boot would be shoved straight up their asses. And I thought your drawing was beautiful, it’s just how I remember you my beautiful tulip.

I will always love you and you are always on my mind. I hope you realize that and that I dream of you every night, holding you once again in my arms. Because I still have a promise to keep, and you know that once I make a promise, it never gets broken.

All the best love my best girl. Stay strong my best girl.

All the love,

Eugene

P.S. keep and eye out for Sid, ever since joining the Marines he’s gotten an even bigger head than usual, make sure he stays out of trouble back home.

“So be honest, did he mention me at all?” I heard Sid asked. Suddenly I fell to my knees and felt my throat choke up. “(Y/n)? What is it what’s going on?” Tears formed in my eyes and I openly wept.

“I can’t…..I can’t do this anymore!”

“Hey, hey, hey c’mere sweetheart, c’mere” I felt Sidney wrap his arms around me and I wept into his chest. The only thing to come out of his mouth were words of comfort as he held me tighter and rocked me from side to side.

“I miss him Sid, I—I miss him so goddamn much!”

“So do I baby girl, so do I.” he whispered as his hand rested on top of my head and I continued to cry and sniffle into his chest.

“What if this is the last letter I ever get from him? What if he—I…..I know I’ll lose him. Just like I dream every night. I’m gonna lose him just like everyone else in my life.” I sobbed out.

“Hey now, you look at me (y/n) (l/n).” He separated from me and gripped my shoulder tightly. I winced at the strong grip he was giving me and at seeing my face wince that at least got him to loosen up his grip as he said, “I’m sorry, but what kind of bullshit was that that I just heard out of your mouth? Eugene was too damn stubborn to give up when he had that heart murmur as he tried to enlist. He’s too damn stubborn to let his unit get him down when they would tease him about your gooey relationship, and he’s too stubborn to love anyone else but you. You strive him to be better. He will come back to you (y/n). Even if I have to perform some freaky voodoo magic just to bring him back from the dead to do so.”

“Do—do you really think so?”

“I know so sweetie bell. Gene loves you too much to let you be alone. After all that you’ve been through, he won’t kick the bucket just yet. Not unless you’re there by his side and you both are old and gray with 12 mini yous named after me by his bedside.”

“12?” I choked out laughing as I stared up at him.

“Not enough, okay how about 24 then.”

“God Sid Gene was sure right about one thing, your big head has gotten even worse.”

“I deny that. I should have him take that back, so when he does return you give him this from me to him.” He then wrapped an arm around me and proceeded to give me a hard yet playful noogie.

“Gah Sid stop it!!” I laughed out as I tried to free myself from his grip but he kept a tight hold of me.

*Aug. 15th, 1945 3rd Person POV*

It finally happened. The Japanese surrendered to the Allied powers and it was on this day that WW2 had finally come to an end. After America had suffered 4 long, agonizing years since the bombing of Pearl Harbor the military men from each branch were free to go home and return to their families that they had to leave behind.

Eugene Sledge rode on the train bound from East coast to west coast taking all the military men and woman back to their hometowns. As he buttered up his biscuit one of his friends, Romus Burgin asked him.

“What about you Sledgehammer, got any plans back at Mobile?”

“No job, no plans, but the first thing I’m gonna do is see my girl again.”

“Ahh right, the artist. Think she could paint me like one of those French boys?” teased Snafu as he leaned up against the wall.

“Please your ugly mug would break her canvas before she could even start.” Teased Eugene which made the three of them laugh.

“Think she’s gonna come greet you back in Mobile?”

“That is if she hasn’t gotten her big break yet.” Answered Eugene as he popped a piece of his biscuit into his mouth.

The next day, Eugene finally arrived back in his hometown of Mobile, Alabama. He had woken up to see that Snafu and the rest of his unit had left, leaving him the only one in his booth. He gathered his sack and exit the train and walked along till finally he saw his best friend, Sidney Phillips parked along the station standing in front of his car.

Eugene smiled as he walked up to his best friend and tossed him his sack as he said.

“You wanna take this for me or what?” Sidney laughed as he caught the sack and patted his best friend’s shoulder and said.

“Good to see you Eugene.” Gene walked over to the passenger side of the car while Sidney tossed his friend’s sack into the backseat and got into the driver’s seat and soon pulled out of the station and headed on down the road.

As they drove, Eugene asked.

“You talked to (y/n) lately?”

“Check in whenever I can. But you know her, sometimes she’s as stubborn as an ox. Which makes her perfect for you because you’re pretty much the same way.” Eugene sarcastically laughed at Sidney who snickered and then Eugene said.

“What was she doing last you checked on her?” Sidney sighed heavily and said.

“To be honest Gene, I don’t know. I mean this last year has been pretty rough on her but I won’t say any more than that. That’s something for you and her to discuss in your own time. I made a vow to not spill any beans of her secrets.” Eugene nodded in understandment, meanwhile feeling his heart clench at the fact that his girl was suffering, from what he had no idea but he knew he was gonna try to make everything right again.

Finally after driving for about an hour and a half, they reached their destination; (Y/n)’s house. Sidney had parked a few yards away from the front door as a way of surprising (y/n) much like he did when he had returned from war.

“Go and get your girl Eugene.”

“Keep it running for us will yah?” Eugene said. Sidney nodded then Eugene opened the passenger side door and got out of Sidney’s car.

*Eugene’s POV*

I now stood on grounds that I haven’t stepped foot on for what felt like a lifetime ago. I walked up the gravel road until I reached her front yard. Thankfully I didn’t have to go in because right there sleeping on the front porch swing was my beautiful girl.

As quietly as I could, I walked up the three front steps of her porch and stood over her. She certainly has changed since the last time I saw her; her hair now appeared to be shoulder length as she would usually keep her hair up in a messy bun whenever she would sleep, she certainly has grown as her face now looked more mature than that child-like face I’ve always came to love so much.

But she was still as beautiful as the day I left for the Marines.

She had one hand tucked underneath her head while the other was placed on top of one of her many sketchbooks. I slowly reached out and stroked away a strand of her hair and caressed her soft cheek. The first time touching something this soft in what felt like eternity.

She practically looked like Snow White sleeping in her glass coffin, and with the sun bouncing off her giving her that halo look, it was like looking at an angel.

I smiled down at her then I slowly leaned forward and I almost hated to do this but I had to, I hadn’t kissed my girl in forever and if I didn’t do it now, then I’d really go crazy. I gently pressed my lips to hers and god it really did feel like I was home now. Her soft, plump yet slightly chapped lips from all the times she’s licked her lips or bit then whenever she was fully concentrating on a piece she’d be working on, felt like heaven on mine.

After the first soft kiss, I kissed her again and this time I felt her sleepily kiss me back. I smiled into the kiss before I backed away from her, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings as she started to stir and wake up.

*My POV*

I was having the first perfect dream in months. Eugene had come back alive and unharmed and the two of us were down in our little heaven at the lake and that’s when he leaned forward and kissed me.

But the strangest thing happened. Unlike this kiss, it felt almost too real. Like I was actually being kissed physically. As Eugene separated from me, he told me as he faded into darkness.

“Wake up Snow White, wake up.” Soon my dream disappeared into darkness. I softly moaned and stirred awake and that’s when I saw someone in Marine uniform kneeling right beside me. At first I thought it was some sick pervert taking advantage of a sleeping girl on her front porch, but the face soon cleared up and kneeling before me was Eugene Sledge.

My Eugene.

“I guess the saying is true, if you kiss a princess with true love’s kiss, she’ll wake up.”

“Eugene” I muttered softly. I hesitantly reached up to cup his face, fearing that this was still a dream. My heart hammering away like a sledgehammer. He softly smiled at me before taking my hand and placing it over his heart. Even through the uniform, I could still feel his heartbeat. I choked out. “I’ve only dreamed of this about a million times and every time I end up waking up and crying hysterically because you always end up gone in the end. I can’t handle it again if this is a dream. Please, please to God in heaven let this be real.”

“It is my beautiful dove, I’ve come back to you. You don’t need to cry hysterically for me anymore.” He said as he cupped my face with both of his hands, his thumbs stroking the top of my cheeks. His touch sent shivers up my spine as his eyes bored into mine. I lowered my head and wept out.

“Oh yes I do!” Eugene then pressed his lips against mine and I wrapped my arms around his shoulders as we both kissed each other.

His chapped lips clamped onto mine with the most gentlest yet urgent pressure as I felt his strong arms now wrap around my back bringing me down to his lap cradling me while still keeping his lips on mine. I felt his arms go under my knees as he picked me up bridal style and spun me around softly.

Even though our lips separated from each other, our noses didn’t as they kept grazing against each other and we both stared into each other’s eyes. His brown eyes staring deeply into my (e/c) eyes. Both of us filled with tears of joy.

He set me down on my feet but kept a strong grip around my back as we both smiled at each other lovingly. I placed my hand on his cheek and he nuzzled into my palm kissing it while the back of his hand brushed against my cheek, his thumb wiping away any tears that came streaming down like a river.

“Every day for 4 years…..I—I hoped and dreamed that you’d come back to me, but this past year I began to fear that you weren’t I….I tried so hard but I just couldn’t……”

“Shhh, shh, shshsh hey. I’m here now, I’m right here. This is real (y/n), I kept my promise to you. I came back for you. And I’m never leaving your side again.” He said as he brought me closer to him and embraced me tightly. I hugged him back with just as much strength as I could as I wept into his shoulder.

“Hold me.” I wept out.

“Ohh forever and always.” He said.

“Tighter!” I cried out and soon I felt Eugene’s arms wrap around me tighter bringing me closer to him. He kissed my temple, the crown of my forehead, the top of my head, anywhere he could reach assuring me that he was here.

“Although I broke my promise about the picture, I lost it in the last recon mission I went on before the Japs surrendered.”

“I don’t give a damn about the picture,” I looked up at him and cupped his face in my hand, “All I care about is you. You’ve come back to me in one piece, just like you promised.”

“And I never break my promises to my best girl.” He said with that loving smile on his face as he leaned against my palm and kissed it once more. He then brought me in for another kiss and held me in his arms once more.

The day went on and I went with Gene to go see his parents, his ma was about as emotional as I was to see her baby boy back home alive, and his pa had never been more proud of his son in all his years.

That night we all had a welcome home feast at the Sledge manor, Eugene, his parents, myself, his brother Ed and his wife Martha. Everyone was full of smiles and laughs as Edward told us war stories and even gifted Mary with the German Nazi flag that he himself took down during one of his missions.

I noticed Eugene hiding in the corner so I walked up towards him and took his hand in mine as I told him.

“You got no war stories to tell?”

“What’s there to tell? I fought and killed Japs in the worst possible way, seen things no human being should ever see, and there should be men that deserve to be home with their families, not still on those islands rotting away like trash.” I stroked the back of his hand comfortingly and I said.

“I’m not saying tell the stories of what you’ve done. Tell me more about them boys in your unit. The way you talked about them in some of your letters to me, they seemed like you all have become true brothers. Much like James’ unit did. C’mon Gene at least tell me what they were like.” I dragged him out of the darkness and the two of us sat together on the couch and he told me everything about every man he had ever known while serving out there.

He told me about the friend’s he’s made, what he learned from them and told me of how they’d always poke fun at each other but to them it was all out of love, the Marine way anyways.

When it was time for bed, Mrs. Sledge offered me a guest bedroom to sleep in that was right next door to Gene’s bedroom as well as some night dresses for me to wear. But I woke up hearing the sounds of Eugene screaming and crying. I raced out of my room to see Mrs. Sledge looking from the master bedroom worried while Dr. Sledge sat on a chair looking solemn with sorrow and regret.

“What’s wrong with him?”

“He’s dealing with the past trauma of what the war has done to him. He may not have any physical scars but the mental ones will remain forever.” I went over to Eugene’s door but before I could open it, his father told me, “I would force him awake. It will make him lash out at you, and I know Eugene would be even more devastated if he found out he had hurt you.”

“I love him Dr. Sledge, please at least let me try to get a hold of him.” He turned to his wife who looked at him with sad eyes before he sighed solemnly to me and he said.

“Very well (y/n), but don’t touch him or move him at all. That’s usually what causes Veterans like Eugene to lash out.” I thanked him and went inside Eugene’s room.

Even from the darkness and the light of the moon, I could see Eugene thrashing around, sweat glistened on his face and tears staining his cheeks. His knuckles burning white from the grip he had on his sheets as he kept crying and screaming in his sleep.

I slowly walked up to Eugene and grabbed a chair from his desk and sat beside him. I tried to remember the lullaby my old nanny Harriet used to sing to me and my brother as well as my father when he was going through this. I thought and thought about how the words went since she sang it in her native language of Swahili until finally it came to me.

Imba wimbo

Wa upepo

Wakati unajiwa na

Imba wimbo wa upepo

Wakati ndoto tamu

Lala mpaka usiku uisheni

Upepo wa usiku

Wimbo wanko na

Wimbo wangu inaendelea milele

As I sang the song, Eugene began to calm down within the first few lyrics of the song until he settled down completely and his eyes soon opened up and looked up at me. I smiled down at him and stroked the hair out of his face and I said to him.

“It’s okay Genie, you’re not there anymore. You’re in Mobile once again, far from that god awful place. You’re with your family, Sidney, and me. You’re back home with your dove.”

“My dove?”

“That’s right Eugene, your beautiful dove is here.” I said as I took his hand and placed it over my heart. He looked up at me before breaking down into sobs.

“I’m sorry…..I’m so sorry.”

“You’ve got nothing to apologize for Eugene Sledge, you hear me boy? Not a damn thing to apologize for.” I said as I embraced him, laying his head over my heart as I continued to sob. I rubbed his back and stroked my fingers through his hair as I kissed the top of his head and hummed the song once more, hopefully to put him to sleep.

Once I felt him relax and I looked down to see that he had in fact fallen asleep once more, I stayed with Eugene the entire night and never once left his side.

Days passed by and now it was the time for the ball. Every military man was decked out in uniform in honor of celebrating the victory against the Axis powers. I of course had to arrive late because of an interview I had for a new job.

Ever since getting let go from the restaurant, I was jobless and frantically searching for a new job since I practically gave up drawing after Deacon died. Music was playing from the orchestra, the manor was crowded with people both inside and out all dressed to the full T in either tuxes, dresses or Military uniforms.

I walked around hoping to see either Sid or Gene in this crowd when I heard a voice call my name.

“(Y/n)!” I turned around and saw Mary.

“Mary.” She raced up to me and we both hugged each other and kissed each other’s cheeks.

“How did the interview go?”

“Horrible. The guy was a creep I think I should give up the job search.”

“Well you know my brother owns a law firm, I could help get you a job there as his new secretary.”

“No, no Mary I can’t ask that of you.”

“(Y/n) at least consider it. I mean I did ask you last minute to be my Maid of Honor after my first one had to step down because of the sudden premature birth of her baby.”

“I’ll think about it, but you know how I feel about working behind desks.”

“I know honey, you lookin for Eugene?” I nodded and she said, “Well Sidney went out back to find him since he had snuck out. Been gone for god knows how long, come with me and we can bring those two Marines of ours back in here and dance the night away.” She took my arm and guided me towards the backyard.

We soon found the boys outside at the bottom of the stairs that led to the garden. Mary smirked and strutted towards the boys and cried out.

“Sidney Phillips!”

“Yeah!” he cried out as he turned around.

“Will you get back in here and dance with the woman who loves you?”

“I’m coming boss lady!” Sid proclaimed as he stood up. He then turned to Gene and said to him, “why don’t you come on in? And we can find the woman you love and dance with her.”

“She’s already present and accounted for Phillips.” I said as I now stood by Mary. Gene laughed but declined the invite and soon Sidney and Mary went back on inside arm to arm while I walked down and stood by Eugene.

“Have I told you, you look beautiful in (f/c)?” He said to me. I looked down at the (f/c) dress that I had chosen for tonight’s ball….well more like Mary dragged me out to the mall and bought it for me.

It was a floor length velvet dress and I had on the same color velvet gloves that went up to my elbows. Mary had helped me earlier that morning for my interview by curling my hair into gentle waves and helped me with my makeup and I just kept that with the dress I would eventually wear for the ball tonight.

“Mary picked out the dress, I had nothing to do with it. I almost didn’t even wanna come till she told me you were coming. Just without the uniform on.”

“I don’t feel the need to see why I should. I did what I did because I had to. I did what I was ordered to do, I don’t see why I need to brag about all the horrors I’ve done wearing the uniform that I did those things in.”

“And I don’t blame you, besides uniform or not I know what the love of my life did to serve his country. And I’m always gonna be proud of him for it, no matter what.” He smiled softly at me and took my hand in his and placed a kiss on the back of my hand.

“How did the interview go today?”

“Horrible, the guy kept looking at my breasts than anything else. He barely listened to a word I said at all, so I just walked right out of there in the middle of the interview. Spent hours in the shower trying to get the interview off of my, that’s why I’m so late.”

“And it’s a good thing you did. Now do you mind telling me where his address is so that I can beat his ass in for eyein my girl.” I laughed softly and said to him.

“If I knew I would tell you, how did registering for Alabama Poly-Tech go?” I could tell from the expression on his face that it didn’t go too well. “So I guess we’re both in the same boat of terrible days then, huh?”

“They asked whether I did any accounting or journalism while in the Corp.” I scoffed and shook my head.

“I’m sorry Gene.” I wrapped my hands around his arm and leaned up against his shoulder, hoping that would give him some comfort.

“Do you think you can paint me something once we get to your place?” I sighed heavily and looked up at him and said.

“I don’t know Gene……”

“Please? I’ve missed seeing my girl work in her prime element. The way you’d move your pencil when sketching out the bases, the way you’d stroke your brush against the canvas.”

“I haven’t really done anything artistic since Deacon died, and the nightmares of you ending up dead only kept giving me negative influences when it came to my art. After I did one drawing of you dead on the battlefield I immediately burned that picture in the fireplace and swore I wouldn’t paint or draw again until this war was over. Even now I think I’ve lost all inspiration and creativity to even pick up a pencil to even sketch a flower.” I looked down at my feet shamefully as tears formed in my eyes.

I felt Eugene’s fingers softly cup my chin as he raised it up and I was now staring into his hazelnut brown eyes.

“Then let me be your inspiration. You always called me your muse didn’t you? And now that I’m back, I can stand by you and help you figure out what to paint or draw. We’re not thinking of trying to impress others, we’re doing it for the hell of it. To get back the artistic girl I fell in love with the day I first met her in art class back in the 2nd grade.” I smiled at him and said to him.

“I love you Eugene Sledge.”

“And I love you, (y/n) (l/n).” He leaned his forehead against mine and we stayed in that position for awhile until Eugene secretly took my hands and wrapped my left one around his shoulder and I felt his right hand go to my waist as he softly swayed.

“I thought Eugene Sledge didn’t dance?” I teased him.

“You missed the second part; Eugene Sledge don’t dance unless he wants to. And when it comes to his most favorite artist who is also the light of his life, he’ll gladly dance until the end of time.” I smiled and leaned my head on his shoulder and felt him kiss my temple while the two of us kept swaying from side to side.

We soon ditched the party and now we were back at my place. For the first time in over a year, I stood before my art studio. A dark aurora surrounded it like a dark storm cloud over the horizon.

“It’s okay doll, we’ll go in together.” Eugene said as he took my hand in his and gave it a tight squeeze. He did not once force me inside the studio or drag me into it, he waited right there behind me and allowed me to lead him inside. We stood there for lord knows how long until finally I got the courage to step inside the studio.

We sat down at the couch and Eugene handed me a sketch book and pencil. He then brought me close, having me sit on his lap with his arms wrapped around my waist as his head leaned against mine. I opened the sketchbook up and I asked him.

“What would you like?”

“Whatever you feel like drawing. I know I’ll love it either way.” He kissed my temple gingerly and moved his head onto my shoulder. “Take your time darlin, there’s no hurry.” I shakily inhaled through my nose and exhaled through my mouth and pressed the pencil point onto the paper and just paused there.

I thought and thought about what I wanted to draw. I started doing random scribbles at either the top or corners of the page until finally like the flick of a switch, something came to me.

I began drawing out the basic shape of what I wanted. I tried to work out the highlights and shadowing of the drawing. There were multiple mistakes so I had to go through and erase them to the point I almost had no more eraser. That was until Gene handed me one of my 2 inch erasers.

After what felt like forever and multiple mistakes and smudges later, I came to the verdict of a semi-decent picture.

It was of Eugene lying on his back, holding a tiny flower towards the sun.

“It’s silly but it was the first thing that came to my mind…..”

“It’s beautiful, just like you.” I looked up at him and whispered to him gratefully.

“Thank you.” He turned to look at me and simply kissed my temple and leaned his head against mine as he whispered in my ear.

“Draw another one, this time of you my darling dove.” I turned the page and decided to draw a picture of me sitting by the lake, my feet in the water with ripples forming.

The rest of the night was spent me drawing and painting of pictures of either me, Eugene or the two of us together. Until finally we fell asleep right there on the couch cuddled up together holding onto each other.

A few days later, I was currently with Eugene out along his front yard. The two of us sitting underneath the grand tree that grew in their front yard. A small blanket spread out underneath us, my head was resting over Eugene’s chest, his heartbeat echoing through my ear softly beating out my name. While his arms were wrapped around me, his left hand stroking my head while his right kept a protective yet gentle grip along my waist.

“Honestly Eugene, you look like a gangster with those glasses on.” His mother’s voice spoke up as she came towards us with two glasses of iced tea. It’s true Gene was wearing circular brownish sunglasses over his eyes but I told her.

“I think it makes him look handsome, really brings out his hair a bit more.”

“Thank you darling showing some appreciation.” I giggled as his mother softly shook her head at us and handed us our tea glasses which I thanked her for.

“Your brother’s coming for supper this evening. Evidently he’s been named some kind of supervisor at the bank.” She said to us as she now stood in front of us.

“Better get our money out of that bank.” Eugene bluntly said. I playfully hit his chest and muttered.

“Behave yourself.” Now not that I don’t appreciate Mrs. Sledge, I mean she’s been good to me all these years, especially for the last 10 when my family was going through death, depression and financial troubles. She became a second mother to me especially after my mama died, but I knew there had to be a reason why she was still out here talking to us.

And my suspicions were proven correct once she said.

“I’m sure Edward could arrange a starting position for you. As well as an assistant desk job for you (y/n) at the bank.”

“We’re never gonna work at any bank mother.” Eugene said.

“Well….you need to make a plan for the future. The both of you.”

“Our plan is to do nothing for a while, we both talked about it the other night and agreed together that this is what we want to do.”

It’s true. One night while cuddling in bed together, Eugene and I started talking about where we should both go from here. I still wasn’t up-to-par of my drawings that I would normally send in to various companies or museums, and plus no one was hiring so I was practically jobless. While Eugene failed to meet any requirements college requires all because the Marine Corp thought that education was worthless when the real thing you need to know is how to survive.

But of course civilized people don’t know that, nor do they see that to be a good check off your college career, so Gene and I made an agreement to just not do anything for a while.

Just remain together and catch up on the 4 years lost with each other.

“How long is a while Eugene?”

“Leave them alone Mary Frank.” Eugene’s father spoke up. His mother soon walked away from us and whispered to her husband. Patronizing us calling Eugene a boy and me a girl but his father told her.

“Mary Frank you have no idea. What men like him have been through. And (y/n) had to suffer not only the death of her brother and mother, but her father suffered much worse. In a way she’s experiencing what our son has been through just in her own way. Now go on let them be.” With that Mrs. Sledge walked back into the house while Dr. Sledge stayed out for a moment longer before heading back inside.

Eugene kissed my forehead once more before reaching up for his tea glass and taking a sip of it. He turned to me and held it to me. I raised my head and he placed his glass at my lips and I took a sip of his tea before he set it back down and I lay my head back over his heart while his fingers stroked through my hair.

Later that day, Eugene and I made a hike to a field that was about a half mile away from his place. All around you could see tall grass and beautiful wild flowers that varied from pink to yellow specifically in that order, some logs and boulders, rising hills and sometimes birds would come down and sit upon the logs before taking off flying again.

Eugene held up a small yellow flower between his fingers raising it up in front of the sun and that’s when I found myself chuckling.

“What’s so funny?”

“You ever hear the expression ‘life intimates art?’”

“I think you might’ve mentioned it once or twice.”

“Well you remember the first picture I drew in over a year, the night we left the ball?” He then began to piece it together and I laughed softly as he smiled and turned towards me and brushed the flower against my nose making me smile at him and he smiled back.

“Now there’s that smile I’ve been dying to see the second I got home. My happy girl is finally back.”

“All because of you Genie. Had you—then I don’t know where I’d be.”

“Let’s not think about that right now,” he picked up my left hand and very gingerly with his thumb, caressed my left ring finger as he said, “Let’s focus on the now. No more ‘what ifs’ whatever comes our way, we face them together, no matter what.”

“Together forever—”

“Forever more.” I looked down and the next thing I saw, he had tied the yellow flower around my ring finger. I looked back up at Eugene and his eyes held such strength in them after witnessing such horror for as long as he did, but there was also a gentleness to his brown eyes, a warm, affectionate gaze as he stared back at me.

I leaned forward and kissed him and he kissed me back cupping my face gently in his hands. Soon the two of us spent the rest of the day until sunset walking through the fields hand in hand, my flower engagement ring still wrapped around my wedding finger until the day in one year time, it would be replaced with a real wedding ring.

In the years to come, Eugene would receive his Ph.D. in Biology then spend a career teaching at the University of Montevallo, Alabama, while in 1954 had gotten a call from the Washington D.C. art’s institution and they signed a deal with me for their Marine art exhibit that allowed either former Marines or spouses of Marines to write or paint what war has been like for them.

I’ve sold over hundreds of my drawings and paintings to the exhibit and I also teach at the same University as Eugene as the Art’s professor for realism and 3D drawing.

Managing to convince him decades later after finding his notes from the war, I told Eugene to get it published as a book and in 1981 his memoir With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa was published. Together Eugene and I had 2 sons and three grandchildren before he passed away in 2001.

Two months later after his death, I died surrounded by our sons and grandchildren and in heaven I was greeted by Eugene and we spent the rest of eternity together in heaven along every other comrade in arms that Eugene had come to know, and I was reunited with my brother and my parents.

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