Hello ^^ ! First of all, I'm new to or, at least, I've never posted a fanfiction on it. I decided to do it now since I had this story on my mind and just wanted to share it with someone :) Blatant inspiration comes quite obviously from Mulan (I love it!) so there's going to be romance but especially brotherood :) I hope you like it - and that you let me know - and I'm sorry whether my grammar is not perfect: I'm not a native speaker so don't be harsh on me hahah I just try to do of my best :)
So...enjoy!
The Lieutenant inhaled the cool spring breeze that messed up his hair. Funny how running when he was not barked to do it seemed so easy, almost liberating. Feeling his legs unclenching and his breath heavy but steady, he smiled inwardly, enjoying every second of it, but it just wasn't the same. He missed his soldiers' jerks during the night march, noting how they helped each other when Sobel looked away. He closed his eyes feeling his muscles growing stronger, his feet moving faster while cherishing such memories, lingering on how they pitifully they formally saluted him now when they met him in the mess hall. Beyond doubt, he could state they miss him, too. He was genuinely and rightly interested in his men and knew the feeling was returned. He always tried to balance the terror Captain Sobel spread across the men with genuine trust in them. It wasn't an easy task and it unfolded during the years they spent together, sweating to run Currahe, doing their utmost to satisfy every Sobel's order and growing closer as they spent their nights all together in their barracks. Dick was conscious he could not simply act as their friend: he was an officer, someone they should've followed with no hesitation. Therefore, his tactic was heartly listening to every need, fear, joy they wanted to share with him, giving them some hints when he could. He scolded them when they got into some bar fights, buoyed them to do of their best and praised them when they succeeded in it. This way, he earned their trust. He didn't have to barks orders because he knew they would've followed him anyway. The men soon started to consider him as someone to rely on, a sort of big brother. He kept the morale up, even when Sobel made it hard to do. He never cursed, never did, never will, but he would've used the worst words in the dictionary to describe that man. Despite it, he never badmouthed about the wimpy CO: it was helplessly. Look at you, he snickered inwardly, you could've reported his lack of expertise so many times, but you covered his mistakes, every time. He tightened his teeth but calmed down quickly: he could not blame him. He was sure Sobel knew he did not deserve Easy Company: he definitely didn't measure up to their physical state or to their knowledges about weapons and maps. He forged capable and brave soldiers, but he didn't belong there. Even his court martial was Sobel's last attempt to put him under a bad light, feeling threatened by the way the men seemed to admire him but he was sure he did not want – or at least, he could – get rid of him: how could've he leaded the men in war without his support? That was the reason he took up the gauntlet regretfully when Sobel decided to throw it. Somehow, it would've been the last battle and the verdict decisive.
Some more steps and he got on the top of the hill that so much resembled the Currahee mountain. Breathing in and out one more he spied to figures in the dark, recognizing by the shadows projected on the grounds the Malarkeys. He inwardly laugh at it because he was able to identify his men's voices in a crowded room and their shadows in the dark: it impressed him.
''Private Malarkey, Private Malarkey'' he saluted, breathing heavily.
''Lieutenant Winters, sir!'' they intoned in the same moment, looking awkwardly at their superior. They were of the same stature and possibly, they were twins: their hair was dark red, their eyes brown-green and shared the same facial features except for the jaw: Don's was defined and tough, while Jackson's was a tinder delicate and his nose more contained than his brother. Summarily, they were quite the same and both proved to be good soldiers.
''What are you doing outside at this hour of the night?'' the Lieutenant inquired but no trace of admonishment could be perceived in his tone.
''We just needed a stroll, sir'' Don urged to reply politely but his voice was shaking, which intrigued the Lieutenant.
''Is everything alright?'' he asked, staring both calmly but worriedly at the two. They frenetically exchanged some looks which bewildered their superior even more. He crossed his arms and arched a brow, waiting for the brothers to answer.
''Nothing sir, we just miss you a lot'' Jackson flattered, sounding somehow desperate ''it's so unfair you're relegated to mess hall'' he continued disgruntled. Dick was both flattered and worried to hear the words, while Don looked daggers at his brother ''he didn't mean such rudeness, sir, excuse my brother'' Don countered. Dick nodded flatly implying he was not offended. Still intrigued but tired, the Lieutenant saluted warmly, ready to run down the hill.
''What the hell crossed your mind, sort of smartass! You want us killed, say it!'' Don seethed breaking the night's stillness. The latter shrugged, sick-and-tired to hear the same words once again.
''It was just what we all think, Don, relax'' Jackson replied, acknowledging his brother would not.
''This is madness, madness I say!'' Don returned to yell. There was no way to make his brother loosen up when caught in his useless anxiety. Useless, he repeated himself, since there was no danger for them to be discovered. They went through two years of training, two years of living each day next to each other and nobody saw through it.
''I told you countless times: the less you open that motherfucking mouth, the more safe we will be. Is it that clear?'' he barked, one more time. Jackson had lost all his strengths to reply and just growled at that, reaching for a massive rock and sitting on the top of it.
''I must've tried some surgery on my vocal cords'' he snickered.
''I must've never let you join the army'' Don replied angrily with clenched fists. Jackson got up and trotted near his brother ''and is it that fair? Letting my brother go away to fight a war waiting relentlessly at home for your news?'' he pointed wryly, turning his back to him ''it's getting cold, let's just go to bed''. Don followed him, pacing aside him.
It heavied on Don Malarkey to be older than him even for only a bunch of minutes. He was the eldest among for brothers, their father died in a car accident when they were children and Don immediately assumed the charge of a father on him, but he was still so young. When the war began, he communicated sadly to his brothers and his mother he would've joined the army, so it was Jackson's turn to take care of them. He didn't reacted particularly, he just whished his brother good luck and took Don's place in running the family.
Jackson could look after himself. Don secretly admitted Jackson had a fine mind and he would've gone far if he only could. He always was the teachers' pupils and Don was always overshadowed by their praises about his twin. Jackson had been working since he was only ten to earn some savings: he already knew he wanted to attend university. ''It's not your place'' Don used to state, sadly considering that the world would've hardly accepted one of his kind to attend the highest grades of education; despite that, Don never put a spoke in his wheel: he felt a sheer proudness for his brother, and he knew their father would've been proud too. Jackson always was even more athletic than him. Actually, Don was a chubby teenager back in the highschool and lost some weight just some years before the war burst and he joined the Army, being at a better shape in that time. But, back in time, there was no surprise when his brother, definitely vigorous and agile, won the local athletic competition.
''I just wish Lieutenant Winters was back with Easy'' Jackson smattered, kicking something on the ground. Don just nodded in response: he missed the good Lieutenant too.
Camouflage was already his forte back then. Don accomplished appraisingly when Jackson asked him to exchange their I.D. cards: they were identical, nobody would've noticed it. Don always thought stupid how society admonished the women's capacities, surrounding them by senseless prohibitions; and they were senseless, especially when it came to his sister. So, Jane became Donald Malarkey so that she could participate to the competition but there was no way she could steal his I.D. again since he was enlisting too, so she created a new one and told nothing to her brother. When Don realized his comrade to be his sister, he whitened in pure fear and bewilderment. She just laid on the bed next to his and blinked coolly, unable to detect any danger from what she was doing.
Two years had passed and Don could not believe they actually made it through. Jane – Jackson improved some camouflage techniques: she showered first and fast and not so frequently, colored her vocabulary with rude words, covered her breasts. Nobody noticed a thing. Sure thing was, nobody could suspect anything when it came to physical exercise. She – he was one of the best, always ahead in her platoon giving hard times to Sobel when it came to find the minimum mistake. She denied everything she was, she cut her long and adored hair and became one of the toughest soldier the Company could claim to have.
''What's bothering you, Don?'' Jackson asked spotting his brother's blank stare.
''Nothing'' he shrugged and then smiled tenderly ''I was just thinking I haven't seen you wearing a skirt for years'' he chuckled patting on his shoulder in comfort.
''You guys hold me tight or I'll start a fire here and now'' Jackson grinned through his teeth, addressing to Joe and Bill and eliciting and a chuckle in agreement. ''Not without us, buddy''. The three kneeled down at the same moment. Thirty push-ups, fifty minutes of running, and finally running again, this time negotiating the obstacles. This was what Sobel claimed to be ''light training'', and to Jackson, Bill and Toye actually was.
''when the hell that quacker is going to get his ass back with Easy?'' Bill whispered breathing loudly, receiving just the sound of deaden chuckles in response.
The finished the training in the late afternoon. Awkwardly, their passes were intact since they made their utmost to satisfy every Sobel's command, successfully triumphing in the task. Cleaning off his sweat, Bill lurked with his two friends. ''Listen up buddies, there's this place in Albourne called ''The lucky corner''. I guess we should make a check on it tonight, uh?'' he blinked to his friend who nodded in agreement. Bill rubbed his hands in excitement, making Jackson rolling his eyes.
''Bill, before we get in any amusement, what did you have to tell us about Winters?'' Jackson said, reporting on Bill's mind the information he wanted to share with his friends.
''Yes'' Bill shrugged and looked conspiratorially behind his back ''there's a gathering tomorrow morning in the farm, all Easy's NCOs participating'' Bill exposit, catching Joe and Jackson attention. Bill lowered his voice and in almost a whisper explained ''we all sign a letter where we state we won't serve as non -commissioned officers for Easy Company unless we get Winters back with us and then we will deliver it right to our good Colonel Sink'' Bill exposits fiendishly but no trace of quivering could be remarked in his tone. Joe and Jackson's eyes widened, the two exchanged nervous looks eliciting a growl from Guarnere ''You both know it's necessary. I will not follow Sobel into combat and I know you feel the same way''. The two just sighed loudly, still uncoinvincedly looked at Bill but inwardly admitting what the Sergeant had stated. Bill received their good luck and then the three parted. Jackson rushed to the showers: he was already late and the boys would've soon come to do the same.