Disclaimer: I intend absolutely no disrespect to the actual veterans of WW2. In fact, I regard them very highly in my life, and I cannot be more thankful for what they have done for this proud nation. In any case, I would like to imagine this more based off the mini-series and the actors portraying them as opposed to the actual veterans. Also, RIP Shifty.

Winters sat out on the balcony, writing as he always did, making his peace and focusing his mind on more simple things.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in." He ordered, a slight accent flourishing his words. His pale eyes and his right hand remained focused to the pen that danced on the paper before him.

Light footsteps echoed on the hard floor. "I don't mean to interrupt you, sir," Winters looked up, verifying the soft, Southern accent that addressed him so kindly. It was Darrell "Shifty" Powers. He continued, shifting nervously and looking down at his feet. Dick went back to his writing every now and then as he spoke. "I just wanted to, um.. Say goodbye."

Major Winters looked up, somewhat startled, but not surprised. It would happen eventually, wouldn't it?

"You know, you was.." Shifty continued, struggling to find the right words to say. Winters stood up, and Shifty looked up at him with his eyes half-closed, like he was staring directly at the Sun itself. "You was, uh.. Well, it's been a long time."

Shifty gave a warm smile, but something about it broke Dick's heart. Still, he nodded and threw the pen aside.

"You got everything you need?" This was Winters' way of responding without refusing the farewell. He didn't want to see Shifty leave just yet. The younger man was right, it had been a long time. Maybe too long.

"Yes sir!" Shifty smiled. "I gathered up my loot- pistols, mainly. Paperwork's all done.. I even got my back pay in my pocket." His list was scattered and both men realized how much they took for granted their time together.

Dick stared intently at him, hardly blinking. Shifty still avoided eye contact, looking this way and that, but never at the man he was speaking to.

Shifty continued, stumbling on every word, extending the conversation. Each second was more painful than the last, but neither wanted to end anything just yet. "Back- Back home in Virginia-" He swallowed. "Well…" Shifty actually managed to glance up at the older man for a few seconds. Winters still stood there, awestruck and heated, despite the breeze that dangled through his orange hair.

"I just don't rightly know how I'm gonna explain all this." Winters' gaze became softer. It was hard to stay strong, for both of them. Their bond grew further than just respect and long-time acquaintances; it was obvious there have been things they've been wanting to say for a while now. Even with the threat of death breathing behind their shoulders at every second for these past years, they were each too reluctant or busy to even mention anything.

Winters tilted his head, their eyes level. He almost wanted to smile. He was going to miss this. Maybe that was the reason they denied their feelings in the first place; there was no use in ruining what they had.

"You see, erm, I.. I-I seen- I seen.."

"You're a hell of a fine soldier, Shifty." Winters smiled, sadly. "There's nothin' more to explain."

Shifty looked up at him, their eyes meeting longer than a fleeting second. He bit his lip, nodded slightly. "Thank you, sir."

Dick managed a smirk. They saluted each other, and departed. With longing eyes Winters simply stood there and watched Shifty leave his dark room, hidden from the bright sky outside. He almost fought back tears as Shifty left him, forever. Still, his smile didn't leave his face. If only Shifty had read the letter Winters had been writing. If only he knew it was addressed to him, meant to be sent to his home in Virginia before he arrived.

Instead, Shifty endured the car accident. He didn't make it home straight away. The letter was given to him by his mother when she visited her poor son in the hospital. His bones were still fractured, aching, but the pain was much less severe than what he held in his heart before the war had even started.

When Shifty finally received his letter he placed it to the side of his bed. It had been many long, lonely, agonizing weeks since that near-fatal goodbye. He smiled and his hands trembled when he grabbed the letter. He was excited and sad at the same time, and he now realized just how much he longed for Major Winters' attention, his contact, his always-kind words.

By the time everyone had left him to rest for the night, he turned on a small lamp beside him, refusing even his much-needed sleep for this letter. He welcomed the warm yellow glow of the light beside him as he reached for the letter, hands shaking and desperate, tearing the seal with eagerness and anxiety. Before looking at the beautiful, hand-written sentences that strung so neatly along the page he sighed, closed his eyes, and gulped, attempting to calm himself before reading this. Perhaps he left something behind, somehow did something that required punishment, or maybe Winters had even sent kind words after hearing of the collision with the drunk driver. Shifty didn't care what it was or how unrealistic it may have been, he was more than happy. There were no words to fully describe his relief. After a moment he began reading, heart swelling in his chest, beating rapidly. His toes curls and his breath shivered in anticipation.

The letter read as followed:

Dearest Shifty (Darrell C. Powers),

I began writing this letter before you bid your farewells to everyone here. It was only a matter of time before we sent you back home. I will remain here for a little while longer, finishing my work and watching as everyone leaves me behind. Don't worry, it's not as bad as it sounds.

If this letter was addressed to you, then it proves that I am more of a coward than others have thought me to be. There are things that I could not say to you in person, and to regain any sense of bravery, I will put this in a letter.

To put these words so directly in a letter is difficult, and maybe just as difficult as saying it verbally. I do no not expect a response from you, but I will at least hope you can keep this information to yourself. My feelings shame me. If you do not respond, then I understand perfectly. There is no sense in what I plan to say. If you feel otherwise, then I will gladly receive any response you wish to send me. As I have said before, it will be lonely here in Europe.

Very well. I've prepared myself now. Feel free to curse my name, do whatever you want. I cannot redeem what I've been wanting to say all these years.

I love you.

And I think of you often.

With utmost sincerity,

Major Richard D. Winters

Shifty nearly wept at the site of these words. At first, he did not believe it. He read it several times over before he smiled and his eyes turned wet. Dick Winters loved him and Shifty's feelings were more than mutual. He began placing kisses on the letter, falling in love with every shy word, the fact that so much hard work and thought had been put into this letter, that he had something left of his beloved Major Winters and that something was beyond endearing.

With the horror of the realization that Dick had been waiting all this time and assuming a letter had not been returned out of some twisted, newfound hatred or fear, Shifty gasped.

He would return a love letter of his own tomorrow. Richard Winters would no longer be lonesome overseas.