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"I can do it."
"I don't mind helping."
I rolled my eyes at Arthur but handed him the crate. "Fine, but if you drop it, I'm gonna kick your ass."
He laughed, falling into step with me as we headed towards the supply trucks. "I would suspect nothing less from someone as fierce as you."
"I can't decide if you're flirting or trying to start a fight." I narrowed my eyes at him, even as we walked side by side.
"Oh, I would never fight you...you'd kick my ass, remember?" He winked those baby blues at me, the scar on his upper lip twitching at the movement.
"Mmm...so you're flirting?"
"Why? Is that a crime?"
I sighed. This was not the first time we had this discussion and honestly, I was getting sick of it. "Arthur, you know Sergeant Randleman is my man."
"I know. I don't know what you see in him though. He just looks like a country hick and I..."
"Stop," I interrupted, already knowing what he was going to say. Some flirting was fine but when someone began to question my relationship or degrade my boyfriend, then I took offense. Especially from someone I considered a friend. "We've had this discussion before and it won't change anything."
"Fine, I just..."
"Jesus Christ! Enough!"
"Ok ok, shit. I'm sorry. I just want you to be happy, alright?" He mumbled. A couple minutes passed between us in a tense, awkward silence as we continued walking before he bumped me cheekily. "So, he's your man? You're not his girl?"
"Damn right he's my man. I'm no one's girl."
Arthur laughed and followed me to the trucks. He shoved the crate on the flatbed of the one directed too. I adjusted the other crates, making room for the ones I still needed to grab eventually. We were supposedly leaving Aldbourne soon and I had volunteered to organize our extra supplies. I liked keeping busy and being organized came easy to me.
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see him run his hand through his black hair, a nervous habit of his I had noticed. Soon he probably would need to get it cut. I wondered if someone in his company cut hair or if I should mention Liebgott to him. I bet for a pack of smokes Liebgott would cut it.
His voice jolted me back from my musings as he took a step closer to me. "Some of us are going out for drinks tonight at the bar. Come join us."
"They call them pubs here. Remember, we're in England."
"Pubs, right. So... you coming?"
I sighed, trying to figure out how I could nicely say no. Again. Most of the other companies did not like having a female paratrooper amongst them. More than one had gotten in my face about it, especially back in Toccoa. Now it just made sense for me to stick with Easy.
Arthur was one of the few exceptions. We had bumped into each other on the troopship over and next thing I knew we had been talking for hours, comparing different books, plays and films. His family was a huge advocate for the arts and it showed in his passionate rants. He also had an easy-going, if flirtatious, manner about him, always trying to make me laugh and check up on me whenever we saw each other. Though lately, he had begun making his intentions known and while flattering, I only saw him as a friend.
Before I could let him down again, he was frequently asking me to go to the pubs with him, I heard my name called loudly. Glancing down the road, I saw several members of Easy's First Platoon sitting or standing around a table, with most smoking or playing cards, or both. More importantly I saw HIM.
I could not help the stupid smile, not even paying attention as a frown appeared on Arthur’s face. "I'll see you around, Arthur."
Without waiting for his response, I started towards the group. Although technically they were not my platoon, they welcomed me with open arms as I frequently found myself in their company.
"Hey! It's our favorite Corporal!" George Luz announced, passing out a new round of cards to those at the table, a cigarette hanging between his lips.
"That's only cause I get cigarettes for you guys."
"Eh, you're an angel."
I laughed with the guys as I finally reached them. It was nice to see everyone relaxing under the shade of the large tree, finally receiving a much needed break from drills and field trainings. I did wonder where they stole the table and chairs from since I had never seen it out here before.
Denver "Bull" Randleman stood on the other side, watching me with a slight curve of his lips, even around the cigar. My heart skipped a beat as I met his eyes, moving around the table towards him. Automatically, he raised his arm just enough for me to slip under it. It was a practiced, almost subconscious, movement between us by now. "Hey, little lady."
"Hey, handsome.” I smiled up at him, a wave of happiness crashing over me. A very familiar feeling whenever I was in his presence, even more so since we started a relationship.
"Who was that you was talking to?" Johnny Martin asked, standing on Randleman's other side. His typical scowl on his face, eyes narrowed, as he stared from me back to where I had just come from.
"Oh, Private Arthur Cox." I supplied, not thinking much about it.
"From Charlie Company?" Floyd Talbert looked up from the card game.
"Yeah."
"I heard from a reliable source that he's been flirting with you." Talbert continued, trading two of the cards in his hand.
"Is that so?" Luz looked back at me, a mischievous grin on his face. "Know anything about that?"
"It's not a big deal. He's just friendly." I shrugged, feigning disinterest. I really did not want them to know all the things Arthur had been saying lately.
"Hear that, Bull! He's just friendly. You better watch your girl." Luz chuckled.
"Hey! I ain't his girl!"
Bull pulled the cigar from his mouth, giving me a small squeeze as he spoke. "It's alright, darlin'. They know I'm ya man."
"Damn right."
"Still, he's been talking about you." Talbert stated, tossing his cards on the table then looking over to me.
Dammit. Why couldn't he just let this go? The others were paying far too much attention to the conversation to my liking. "He knows I'm with Bull."
Talbert shrugged.
"What?" I snapped.
"Might not be enough."
"Tab, what are you saying? He knows I'm not leaving Bull for him." I tried to stay calm. I knew the guys were just looking out for me. They did not trust anyone who wasn't Easy. Randleman's hand slowly rubbed up and down my arm, trying to soothe me. I took a deep breath and leaned my head against his side.
"Maybe. He might keep trying for you though."
"Is that what you would do?"
"If I saw a girl I really wanted...maybe." Tab winked at me, earning a few chuckles from the group. Everyone knew Talbert was a flirt, but a respectful one. If any women were not interested, he always backed off. Though most women never said 'no' to him.
I groaned. "Save me from the stupidity of the male species." I mumbled to myself.
"He ask ya to be his girl?" Bull asked, a smirk on his face.
"Yeah...sort of."
"No proposals?"
I rolled my eyes. He just would not let me forget when a Private from Able Company dropped down on one knee and proposed two weeks ago. Bull had laughed when I told him the story, saying if they really knew me, they would know to bring chocolate. That was my biggest weakness.
"Not this time. He does like to compare the two of you though." I admitted, guilt tainting my voice.
"I ain't worried.” He winked at me. “We know ya just like me for my body."
I patted his chest. "Don't you forget it."
Luz threw down a winning hand, causing the others to groan and the attention to focus back on the game.
I absent-mindedly watched the next game unfold, my mind though on Arthur. Sure, more than once he had made comments about me; and he had made even more comments about how he did not think Randleman was good enough for me. I thought it was harmless or just annoying. Now I was beginning to wonder if I should take it more seriously, if I needed to stop talking to him. If he really was gunning for me, I needed to set him straight once and for all. Right?
There was about a snowball’s chance in hell I would be leaving Randleman. Ever since Toccoa, we had somehow just clicked. At first it had started off as a close friendship, looking out for one another amidst the tortures heaped upon us by Sobel. When some of the other companies would cat-call or yell things at me, he always stood between us, glaring at the men until they backed down. Though I never asked him to do that. More than once I know he took matters into his own hands, or at least orchestrated it so some of the other Easy paratroopers could have their turn swinging punches to defend me...even if none of them ever admitted it later. It was not until one night that I found him at the aid station, getting his knuckles looked at by Doc Roe that he subtly admitted to seeing me as more than a friend. So logically, I kissed him right then and there. If his response said anything, he did not mind too much. After that, things just fell into place for us.
"Hey."
I turned my face up to meet Randleman's eyes, still tucked into his side. My favorite place to be.
"Ya alright?"
"Yeah, just thinking." I slipped my hand into his and squeezed three times, letting him know I was ok.
"Ya want me to talk to him?"
I smiled thinking of my boyfriend confronting Arthur. "No, it's ok. I'm sure this will blow over."
"If you say so, little lady." He pressed a chaste kiss to my temple. It was sweet how whenever he had the chance, he always took it to affectionately touch me. A sweet kiss on the forehead here, an arm tucking me into his side there, even a gentle squeeze of my hand. A silent reassurance of his affection for me. He was not a man of romantic monologues or one-liners. Instead he always reminded me through the simple gestures. I still teased him about it occasionally and he would reply that it was damn near impossible to keep his hands to himself with how beautiful I was and how much he adored me. That always won a kiss from me, even as I blushed crimson.
"You tell us if he tries anything." Martin stated, drawing me back from my thoughts, wary scowl on his face.
I nodded.
"I'm serious."
"You always are." I quipped back, earning a chuckle from Randleman.
Martin huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "Why I put up with you two, I don't know."
"You love us." I teased, fluttering my eyelashes at him. He narrowed his eyes at me but I could see the hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth. Back in North Carolina he had admitted one night I reminded him of his baby sister. When I laughed and told him she was lucky to have a brother like him, that seemed to seal our friendship. Since then he had easily stepped into the role of a big brother.
"C'mon, let's get some food." Bull guided me around the table, arm around my shoulders and mine around his waist. Martin followed us, walking on my other side, grumbling about how food here was shit and he missed his wife’s cooking.
*****
I stared across the field at the sunset. The warm colors transitioned into the cool tones of night right before my eyes. Colors so perfect they would make even the most talented artists zealous to try and capture their beauty. I absent-mindedly wondered how much longer I would be able to appreciate the sunsets. Or would war take that away from me.
It is only at the call of my name did I retract my gaze from the beauty in the sky. I knew who it was by his voice. And also from the fact that all of Easy knew to leave me alone while I was watching the sunsets. I loved my boys dearly but sometimes a girl just needed to get away. I saw Arthur with his hands in his pockets standing a few paces away from me, the tips of his shaggy hair almost covering his eyes.
"Can I join you?"
I shrugged, turning back to watch the painter's sky. It seemed fate had a hand in events today. A conversation needed to happen between the two of us and here he was. Dammit. Silently, he sat next to me, our shoulders almost brushing. Several moments went by like that, both of us just staring at the first of the stars to emerge.
Sighing, I turned to face him, not looking forward to this conversation. "Arthur, I think-"
His chapped lips interrupted me, slammed against my lips with an almost desperation to them. His hands cupped my face, pulling it closer to his. The sharp burn on alcohol was on his breath. I vaguely wondered if he needed liquid courage before doing this.
I sat there stunned for a second. I had thought he was all talk. I never would have expected...this.
In the next second, I tried to pull back, putting my hands on his chest for leverage. This had to be a drunken mistake. I was sure he would apologize after. Instead of releasing me, his grip on me tightened marginally and his tongue forced its way into my mouth.
This time, I roughly shoved him away with both hands on his chest, making him rock back and almost fall over. Before he could recover, I reared back my fist and slammed it into his eye. Pain exploded from my hand but I did not care. Anger and revulsion fueled me. How dare he?!
I rolled back and onto my feet putting necessary space between us otherwise I would be tempted to hit him again. He knew I only saw him as a friend. He knew I had no plans to leave Randleman. Yet he still kissed me without my consent...forced himself on me!
Staring wide-eyed, anger and betrayal warring within me, I watched him right himself and placed a hand over the eye I had hit.
"You're too good for him." In anyone else it might have sounded like begging, but from him, someone I had thought was my friend, he made it sound like he was stating a fact. "You deserve better. Please, give us a chance. I could-"
I turned on my heel and fled before he could finish. If I heard another word from him, I would not be held responsible for my actions. Right now though, I needed Randleman. I needed comfort and someone to soothe the ache in my heart. I needed the taste of someone I did not want off my lips. The feeling of his hands erased from my memory. Of his tongue awkwardly plundering my mouth and leaving a lingering hint of beer.
The barn door slammed open as I shoved it, not even caring about how loud it was. Most of the men should still be awake. The barn they were billeted in was nice enough. There was a cot for each person and plenty of blankets. My feet moved on autopilot, eating up the ground beneath me. I knew he would be on his cot, waiting for me to return like every night to say goodnight before I headed to the house I was billeted in.
"Hey! What's got-"
Whatever Luz saw on my face immediately shut him up. A heavy silence filled the barn as I stormed over to where Bull reclined, cigar in his mouth. He slowly sat up, pulling the cigar from between his lips. Before he could say anything I pressed my lips to his in a bruising, passionate kiss. Something we NEVER did in front of others. I did not care though. I needed the taste of Arthur off my lips. I needed to trade the taste of alcohol for a cigar.
Soon as I released him, I felt loathing towards myself. Bile stung my throat. I just forced a kiss on him. Not to show my affection but in demand to mask the taste of another. What was wrong with me? This was the man I loved. How could I have done this to him? It was selfish. Disgust flooded me, aimed at myself and now all I wanted to do was hide and cry.
Panicking and without a word, I turned to step away but before I could move further, a firm grip wrapped around my wrist, holding me in place.
"Talk to me." He softly said in that calm drawl of his. I could not help but instantly feel some of the tension loosen inside of me.
Tears blurred my vision, disgust at Arthur's actions and my own. I could only stare at the ground, shaking my head. My chest was tight, throat thick with suppressed sobs.
"Little lady, what happened?" He asked quietly, dipping his head to try and catch my eye.
Martin, who had been sitting on the next cot over, spoke up. "Why are your knuckles bruised?" A second later, his voice turned hard and demanding. "Who hurt you?"
The hand holding me, tugged me back, pulling me into his lap. Comforting warmth enveloped me as Randleman wrapped his arms around me. I laid my head on his broad chest, his heartbeat a soothing sound under my ear. I forced the treacherous tears away. This was not something I would let control my emotions. Arthur was not worth it. All this did was show his true colors. A gentle kiss on the top of my head reminded me who mattered most to me. Who promised to always have my back and never doubt me. Like I promised to never doubt him and always be there for him. He was my best friend, my lover...maybe even one day my future.
"He kissed me." I finally muttered, my face still buried in his chest.
"Mmm?"
I leaned back slightly to meet my boyfriend’s concerned gaze. "Arthur….he kissed me and said….well, it doesn't matter now."
"So ya clocked him?" He asked.
I nodded.
"Good."
"I never thought… I didn't think he would force me and…"
"Shhh, s'alright." He rubbed my back, holding me close. "I'll take care of it."
I did not even question his statement, caught up in my own emotions and soaking in his comforting presence. I could not tell if I was overreacting. I felt justified to be upset and angry at Arthur. At the moment, I did not want to think about it anymore. I wanted to forget Arthur and what just happened. I just wanted Randleman, his soft touches and calming aura.
Above my head Randleman and Martin's gazes meet with a darkness simmering underneath. Martin nodded and got up, stalking out of the barn after telling the others to leave me alone.
*****
"Heard ya kissed my girl." Randleman stated, watching the black-haired Private who had made you almost cry. An unforgivable sin in his eyes. A little flirting never bothered him, he usually found it amusing to watch their faces when they realized he was your man. He could practically see the wheels turning, questioning how someone like him could have caught himself such a beautiful, smart, talented woman like you. Often he questioned it himself but thanked his lucky stars daily for blessing him with you.
But when someone actively hurt you. When they made you cry. There would be hell to pay...and he had no qualms about doling out justified retribution.
Arthur looked over his shoulder before turning back to counting boxes next to a supply truck. "Yeah? Who told you that?"
"She did and some of the stuff you've been saying to her." The Arkansas man chuckled. "Got a nice shiner there too."
"So? It's true.' Arthur whipped around, eyes blazing. Though, one eye was distinctly bloodshot with a fantastic array of colors around it. "You're nothing but a redneck that can't-"
"You're gonna need to shut the fuck up before you say another word." Martin interrupted, moving to stand next to Bull in silent support.
"Who the hell are you? Some bodyguard? Redneck here can't fight his own battles?"
Martin glared, crossing his arms over his chest.
The Private sneered. "Your grim reaper look don't scare me."
"That's where you're wrong." Martin stated, rolling his shoulders, signature glare still in place. "I'm not the grim reaper. He's on holiday. I'm his replacement….and I don't need a sickle to beat your ass."
"I don't need to hear this shit." Arthur tried to move around the side of the truck only to come face to face with a grinning Guarnere and smug Toye.
"Hi ya, cowboy."
"Who the fuck are you two?" Arthur demanded, eyes hard and fists clenched.
Toye shrugged, lighting a cigarette. "Concerned citizens."
Arthur tried to move around them but Guarnere shoved him back.
"Shut the fuck up, cowboy, and listen to the man before I kick your teeth in."
"You can kick your leg that high?" Toye asked, looked over to his friend casually.
"You know what- shut up, Joe."
"I'd rather see Martin go grim reaper on his ass." Toye shrugged.
Martin grinned wickedly. "Would be my pleasure."
Randleman spoke up, drawing Arthur's attention back to him. "Ya stay away from my woman. I hear ya talkin' to her again, I can promise ya, they won't find ya body."
"Are you threatening me?" Arthur drew himself up to his full height, which to most guys might have been a challenge, but he was still shorter than the taller than average Randleman.
With the way this jack-ass was acting, Randleman almost wished he would try and take a swing. Give him a reason to knock his arrogant ass on the ground.
"No, son. That's a promise." Randleman exhaled, smoke drifting lazily out of his mouth from his trusty cigar. "We'll be lettin' ya get back to work now."
"Run along, boy." Martin leveled a hard look at Arthur that would have even the devil himself reconsidering his options.
Leveling his own less-than-impressive glare, Arthur looked at the four guys that surrounded him before turning on his heel and walking away.
"I gotta ask." Toye started as they watched the Private leave. He turned to look at his friend. "Can you really get your leg up-"
"Shut up, Toye, before I kick your teeth in."
"I mean maybe Perco or Luz you could but-"
Randleman chuckled as Guarnere tried to put Toye in a headlock. He could only hope this Arthur was smart enough to heed his warning.
*****
I sat in the mess hall, well, the building that had been converted into a mess hall for the Airbourne. Randleman sat on my right, hand holding mine underneath the table. Smoky on my left was arguing across the table with Skinny about something dumb. Honestly, I had already zoned their conversation out. Further down the table, Buck was telling a story from his Rose Bowl days that had those listening in absolute stitches.
A smile teased my lips as I glanced around the table. Sometimes it would randomly hit me how lucky I was to be in Easy Company. They were idiots, but my idiots. Except for Bull. He would always be my man.
I looked up to peek at the other table of Easy boys but froze when I noticed Arthur walking down the aisle, trying to find a seat. As if feeling my gaze, he looked my way. Instead of flashing me his signature smile or a quick wink and continuing on….he glared. Anger flared in me, ready to explode once again. Our paths had not crossed since the day he kissed me, which I was infinitely grateful for. I was unsure how I would handle it if he tried to approach me. Now seeing him, all I could think of was hitting him again. I could tell the black eye I had given him was not as bright, the colors dulling into yellows instead of black and blue. There was a sense of pride that he somehow had to explain his black eye to any who asked.
Then I realized his glare was not aimed at me but to my right, at Randleman beside me. Confused, I glanced up expecting to see Bull listening to Buck with the corner of his lips turned up slightly in amusement. Instead he was staring back at Arthur with a stoic expression and stern eyes. My gaze darted between the two, wondering what was going on. As far as I knew, they had never spoken; though the tension radiating between the two practically screamed confrontation. After a long moment, Arthur gave a curt nod and walked on by.
"What just happened?" I murmured, eyeing my boyfriend.
"Nothin'."
"Bull…"
He glanced down at me, slinging his arm around my shoulders and tucking me into his side. "Told ya I'd take care of it."
I stared expectantly, waiting for the explanation.
"We just came to an understandin'." He finally said.
"Did you threaten him?"
His reply was a brief wink.
I laughed, snuggling closer into his side.
"I told ya, little lady. I'm ya man and I don't take too kindly to others tryin' to take my position."
"Mmm...I think you're a keeper." After a moment, I smirked. "So I probably shouldn't tell you about the Sergeant in Dog Company who tried to give me flowers yesterday."
"Flowers, huh?" He grinned down at me, eyes alight with mischief. "Least he's got class. What ya do?"
"I pretended to be allergic and kept sneezing whenever he tried to talk to me after."
He laughed, planting a kiss to the top of my head. "Do I need to start gettin' ya things too?"
"No," I reached up to kiss his jawline, making him blush. "I just want you...and maybe some chocolate."
"I think I can manage that, little lady."