Travelin' Soldier

The gentle hum of the coffee machine was a soothing noise to Zacky, who was busy clearing tables and wiping them down. It was a slow day for Vesper's, the café he worked at. Sunlight streaked across the floor, the glass windows warm, and the air perpetually smelled of coffee. It's been a few months since he started working here, but Zacky quite liked it. The bosses were understanding, and they were quite nice as well. Going over to the counter and dumping the damp rag back to the bucket of soap, Zacky ducked down to check the baked goods that were on display.

The bell at the door chimed, catching the raven's attention. In his haste, his head collided with the counter and he yelped in surprise and slight pain. Footsteps drew closer, and he vaguely heard the words "Are you alright?" being said as he stood up. Emerald eyes connected with concerned chocolate, and Zacky noted how the man was leaning over the counter to see if he was alright. The action itself was quite endearing, because Zacky knew most people didn't give a damn as long as they got service.

"Are you alright?"

The question snapped Zacky out of his thoughts, and a light dusting of pink appeared on his cheeks as he nodded hastily.

"Y-Yeah. I was just being a klutz, no biggie."

He mentally slapped himself for the last two words of his sentence, but that seemed to satisfy the other. The customer took a seat on the counter, and that's when Zacky noticed his clothing. Army greens, shaved head.

"You're a soldier!"

Zacky blurted out, and he winced at the volume. It wasn't often he met people who were in the army, he lived a fairly mundane life. His exclamation seemed to amuse the other, who let out a warm laugh as he gave a small nod.

"Not officially, I'm leaving for training in a few hours. Just... saying goodbye to Huntington I guess. It's been my home for the past eighteen years."

Soldier boy shrugged, fingers tapping against the marble countertop. Chocolate eyes take in the other boy, and he can't help but like what he saw.

"Really? Well, best of luck to you. I think people who sign up for the army are brave and all, sacrificing their lives so the people back home can live in peace... so what can I get you soldier boy?"

Notepad at the ready, Zacky flashed the other male a bright smile. The other relaxed, small yet shy smile tugging on the corners of his lips. Eyes flicking upwards to see the menu, his eyes scanned the writing before making his decision.

"Can I get a chocolate milkshake please? And the name's Brian Haner, not soldier boy or any other variation."

Brian's smile grew, and Zacky can't help but let his lips stretch to an even larger smile. He jotted down the order on the notepad and flashed another smile before he went to go make the beverage. A few minutes later, a tall glass filled with frothy chocolate goodness appeared in front of Brian. The brunet licked his lips, eyes holding a twinkle of excitement like a child.

"Would you mind keeping me company? Like... sit next to me? I just... well I just want someone to talk to."

Brian asked sheepishly, stirring his milkshake with the straw. Zacky blinked at the unexpected request, but nodded. Walking around the counter, he settled himself on the stool next to Brian's with a shy smile.

"Name's Zacky Baker, nice to meet you."

Conversation flowed between them like water in a creek. It was so easy to find things in common between them. In a matter of minutes, they were laughing and joking around like old friends. Tiny, gentle brushes of the hand and teasingly playing footsie with each other. The time flew by, and Brian glanced at his watch before he sighed. He didn't want to go. It was the first time since signing up that he really wanted to turn back time and stop himself.

"The bus is coming soon, I better go. But hey... listen, I haven't got anyone to write to back home. Sort of the reason why I joined the army, to have a fucking life. But meeting you... well fair to say you've changed my life in a matter of minutes and I'd really like to keep on talking with you. So... is it alright if- would you be... canIwritetoyou?"

The last part was rushed, but Zacky's ears caught the five words. He blushed, but nodded. He was sad that Brian had to go, but hearing that the other boy wanted to keep contact with him was unbelievable.

"I'd love to. It'd be really nice to hear from you."

With that, they exchanged contact details before Brian shouldered his large duffel bag and gave Zacky a wave before exiting.

Off to war

~
It was a few weeks later that Zacky got his first letter from Brian. He eagerly ripped the envelope open and pulled out the letter inside. His eyes scanned the rough scrawl of Brian's handwriting, a grin so large that it hurt his cheeks. It was short, sweet, and didn't have too many details on the training. Just that it was refreshing and Brian really enjoyed it. He bought lined paper and envelopes a few days earlier, just to be prepared to write back to Brian. His letter was quite boring compared to Brian's. It just talked about how work in the cafe was going and how his boss Jason finally introduced his boyfriend to the staff.

It became a regular thing, writing letters and receiving them. He'd daydream about what Brian was doing in training while in class, and spent time in the library reading and smiling to himself about Brian. With every letter he received, he felt his heart yearning for more than just words on paper. He wanted Brian.

Another letter came, and Zacky's heart shattered. Brian was off to Iraq now, the chances of him dying were real now. Zacky couldn't help but write out his concerns, and the letter he got in return was Brian's promise to keep safe.

The letters got more lengthier on Brian's end, speaking of frustrations and horrors he saw. He couldn't disclose much, but what he wrote was enough to send a shiver of fear up Zacky's spine.

The next letter shook Zacky's world. Some of the ink on the paper was smudged, and it took Zacky a while to realise that it was tears that smudged them. His chest tightened as he read the letter, and it was one of the lines that made his heart hammer.

"I know we're heck knows how many miles apart. But I can't stop thinking about you Zacky. I'm so goddamn terrified of saying this, but I love you. I'm a fucking idiot for not saying it sooner and letting it eat me up. I love you. I can't tell you what reeled me in, but you're the first person who made my heart sing. If you're disgusted by this, you can burn this letter and not talk to me again. It's alright. But if you'd have me... can I ask you to send me a picture of you so I can have something to smile at when things get tough?"

He felt like crying, clutching the letter close to his heart. Wiping away the tears, he went to his desk and eagerly wrote out his response, slipping a picture of himself into the envelope before sealing the letter.

~
As the months passed, their love grew deeper. The distance wasn't an issue between them, Zacky liked to think. The letter were sweeter, and Zacky couldn't help but blush whenever he read them. It had been eight months since Brian left, and he was talking about coming home to see Zacky and stay with a friend he made during his patrols who lived in the area. Brian wrote that the fighting was getting more intense, and that he wouldn't be able to send letters for a while. He told Zacky not to worry, telling him to keep on smiling.

It was during one of his classes that the PA system crackled to life, and the principal's voice echoed through the school building. He said the Lord's prayer, and asked everyone to please bow their heads as he listed the names of local soldiers that died in a recent attack in Iraq.

It was a short list, but everyone bowed their heads and blessed their souls for sacrificing their lives. At the name Brian Haner, a scream was heard through the classroom. Everyone's head snapped towards the direction of the scream. Zacky's eyes were wide in horror, tears rolling down his cheeks as he bit on his hand to stop himself from screaming.

He promised

He promised he'd be safe

He promised he'd come back

to ME

The rest of the day passed by in a mush. He walked class to class like a zombie, skin pale and eyes bloodshot. No matter how many times he wiped his face, tear tracks were present. Like an unwanted tattoo. There were whispers all around him, fingers pointing and hushed words behind hands. He didn't care, he didn't give a damn about what they said. His soldier was gone, and he never felt more lonely.

~

Brian's body was shipped back a few weeks later, for his funeral. It was an open casket funeral, with a few people attending. There were two men, both tall and built, who were Brian's friends during his time in training and overseas. They introduce themselves as Jimmy, the lanky blue-eye, and Matt, the dimpled man. They seem to know who Zacky was, and they told the shorter man on how Brian never seemed to shut up about the boy with snake-bites and green eyes waiting for him back home. The thought made Zacky choke, on how much he meant to Brian.

Military men offered their respects to Brian, and then it was Zacky's turn. He took one look at his love in the coffin, before his knees gave way and he collapsed. His sobs loud and heart-breaking. Jimmy gently led him away from the coffin and into a seat, where Zacky clung to the taller man.

They buried his body, a light-coloured tombstone marking his resting place. Slowly, the others left until it was just Zacky, Jimmy and Matt. Jimmy handed Zacky a box, and told him to open it when he got home. With a nod, Zacky said goodbye to the two. He went up to the tombstone, kissing the cool material and promising he'd return before he went back home.

Setting the box down on his bed, he opened it slowly. Inside were Brian's dog tags, pictures of him with friends and in his uniform. Little keepsakes he took from home and put into the box and his picture of Zacky. On the back was written "my heart and soul" along with a small love heart next to it. Once again, Zacky broke down.

~

In the next few years, the raven-haired boy who cried out for the fallen soldier could be seen wearing dog tags. The soldier's grave always had fresh flowers every week, it was kept clean and tidy. Sometimes they'd see someone sat in front of the tombstone and talk to it. A few years down the line, the raven-haired boy's still working at the cafe, and he's still wearing the dog tags. And many years later, there's a new tombstone next to the soldier's own.