Chapter Text
Dee had never felt so out of place.
Every guy in his company had wanted to go to the local pub for their weekend pass, and Dee was naturally dragged along with them. He wasn’t even old enough to drink—he was just 18. Everyone else was 21 or older.
Dee sat alone at the bar, taking occasional sips from the glass of water in his hand. He could always talk to a broad, there were lots of pretty British women doting on every soldier in the room, but none seemed to catch Dee’s eye. They all felt too polished. Too fake.
A sudden laugh pierced through Dee’s thoughts. A laugh that made his heart stutter, a laugh that made his face turn red.
A laugh that belonged to Sid Jacobstein.
Sid was the definition of the term “Golden Boy.” He had tan skin, a bit of stubble, and perfect brown curls that Dee wanted to run his fingers through so, so badly. Sid and Dee had been best friends since the beginning of boot camp two years ago, bonding over baseball. Since then, the two had been inseparable.
“Dee! What’re you doin’ here alone?” Sid called, throwing an arm around Dee’s shoulder. “You act like we all hate you or somethin!”
Dee chuckled, feeling the heat of the light pink dusting his cheeks before he fully registered why he was blushing. He noticed Sid has a bottle in his hand, which he was handing to Dee.
“Oh, no, I don’t drink,” Dee said quickly. Sid wagged the bottle in front of his face, a grin spreading from ear to ear. “Are ya sure?”
Dee looked away from a moment before taking to bottle. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to have a little…”
Sid immediately burst out laughing at Dee’s face when he took his first sip. The alcohol burned down the blond’s throat, causing him to cough and cough until the burning was just a dull sizzle.
“Slow your roll, Dee!” Sid laughed, patting his buddy’s back as he coughed. “Didn’t take you for a lightweight.”
“That was my first beer,” Dee rasped, clearing his throat and trying again. “I never thought it’d taste that bad.”
“Ah, you’ll get used to it.”
Sid leaned against the bar, his eyes tracing back to Dee’s every few moments. “Your uniform looks good on you,” he said quietly.
Dee smiled softly, his heart hammering against his chest. “Thanks. You don’t look too bad yourself.”
Sid shrugged, smirking as he ran a hand through his curls. “I try.”
Dee nursed the glass of water in front of him, his blond hair falling in front of his eyes. Sid tapped his finger on the bar absentmindedly, face softening the longer he stared at Dee. “You need a haircut.”
Dee turned slightly, laughing. “I think the last thing on my mind—scratch that, anyone’s mind—is a haircut.”
Sid snickered, nodding. “You got me there.”
Dee smiled and stood, head turning towards the door. “I think I’m gonna turn in for the night. Not much for me to do here.”
Sid’s face dropped, standing quickly. “I’ll come with you! I’ll walk you.”
Dee looked away for a moment so Sid wouldn’t see the joy and elation radiating off his face. “Yeah, if you don’t mind. That’d be nice.”
Dee walked stiffly towards the door, Sid following close behind. The air was chilly despite it being late May, the stars glimmering above them. Neither Sid or Dee saw stars much back home, given the ample amounts of light pollution to received from living in big cities. Stars always fascinated the two.
“Nice night, huh?” Sid prompted, fingers brushing against Dee’s. Dee nodded, breath hitching at the contact. “Yeah.”
Sid noticed Dee’s change in demeanor. The sudden urge to link hands with him, to pull him into his arms and never let go was strong. But this wasn’t some fantasy land where they could do that without problem.
“Here’s my place.”
Sid was jerked out of his thoughts when Dee spoke. Where he’s lodged was a nice little row house, owned probably by some sweet old couple who treats him like their very own.
“Oh. Alright.”
Dee blinked. “That’s it?”
Sid tilted his head. “Well, I usually punch your arm and put you in a headlock, but this doesn’t seem like the appropriate place to do so.”
Dee laughed in spite of himself. “Okay, I get that.”
They were quiet again, standing in front of each other in a most awkward fashion. They locked eyes once, and they both knew what was going on. They both knew the feelings they kept buried deep, deep inside their hearts.
“I-I should head inside,” Dee said finally. Sid nodded, watching as Dee turned and walked towards the door.
“Wait—Dee!”
“Yeah?”
“I’ll catch you tomorrow, right?”
Dee blushed for umpteenth time that night, the moon illuminating the pink on his pale skin. “Yeah, of course. Definitely.”
Sid smiled. “Definitely.”