What am I doing? Where am I going? Why am I running? Questions ran through Ray's head as he sprinted to a row of trees about a mile away from his tent. The blonde turned a corner and pulled himself behind a tree pressing his back against the trunk, clutching his chest and panting heavily, "Phew." he sighed with relief as he slid down into sorring position, his heart beat rapidly and he closed his eyes. His face was flushed red with embarrassment and exhaustion from running. "Idiot!" he smacked his face repeatedly as he tried to burn the image of his two shirtless friends, unfortunately he could not.

"Pearlie whatcha doing over here?" Joey's voice surprised Ray, "Ya just ran off."

"Sorry Lieb..." Ray sighed, his face slowly cooled off and returned to its natural hue, "I just- It's rude to walk in on people when they don't have their clothes on- all of them on." Joey couldn't help but burst into laughter leaving the blonde confused.

"Pearlie," Joey plopped down besides his friend, "This is the army, you're bound to see a couple of stark naked men eventually! No matter how polite you are."

"I'd rather... not see any stark naked guys..." Ray groaned.

"C'mon Pearlie, it's late." Joey hopped to his feet and held his hand out to his friend, "Let's go before we get scolded." Ray grinned and was quickly yanked up to his by Joey and they left to their tent. The two walked side by side underneath the stars, somehow Ray felt calm around Liebgott. Sure he was cute, he was sweet and Ray wished that he would notice him.

"Hey there Sunshine," Bill greeted as the two entered the tent, "What happened back there?"

"I was just taken by surprise," Ray looked down as he blushed softly, "My apologies for being rude." Luz and Toye chuckled before Guarnere shot them both a death glare. Soon all five men were in their cots and drifting off to sleep.

Joey's POV

I had my hands tucked under my head while I lay in the darkness of the tent. There's something suspicious about Ray, although it's just a theory but... I think Ray might be a girl! I mean, he wants privacy when he showers and he got all flustered when he saw Gonorrhea and I without shirts on. He acted odd too while he shoved something in his bag...

0600

All of Easy filed out of their tents to the mess hall for breakfast. Joey sat besides Ray as they ate breakfast, Ray enjoyed his company but he wondered why he felt like this- did Ray have a crush?!- Ray's happy and romantic daydreams were interrupted when Bill Guarnere plopped down in the seat across from him.

"Hey there Sunshine!" Bill smirked, "You're bright as ever."

"And you're as square as ever." Ray smirked back, causing Bill to scowl- his lips twitched slightly as if he was trying to hold back a chuckle.

"The drop's today," Ray poked at his food, "Right?"

"Yup," Joey replied as he sipped his coffee, "Landing in Normandy." Ray nodded as he took a spoonful of cereal and munched it happily, Bill gazed at him with awe and wonder.

Bill's POV

I didn't think Sunshine's joke would make me want to laugh, he may be a homo but he's alright that kid. Adorable, kind, gentle, a pain in the ass and an annoying little- wait, why am I thinking these things?!- I hate Ray, he's too much of an altar boy. I don't know why but everytime he glances at me, his bright blue eyes filled with innocence, I want to smother him with hugs-wait no! I want to break his nose! But it's a cute nose. AH WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?! I HATE HIM, IHATEHIMIHATEHIMIHATEHIMILOVEHI- WAIT NO!

Later that day

Ray was sitting between Luz and Toye, the three of them were packing their bag and rechecking if they had all their supplies. Toye began to list off all of his supplies: THREE DAY SUPPLY OF K-RATIONS, CHOCOLATE BARS, CHARMS CANDY, POWDERED COFFEE, SUGAR, MATCHES, COMPASS, BAYONET, ENTRENCHING TOOL, AMMUNITION, GAS MASK, MUSETTE BAG WITH AMMO, HIS WEBBING, HIS .45, CANTEEN, TWO CARTONS OF SMOKES, HAWKINS MINE, TWO GRENADES, SMOKE GRENADE, GAMMA GRENADE, TNT... "And a nasty pair of skivvies!" he finally finished with a complaint about how his bag weighed as much as him.

"Why do you have sugar...?" Ray tilted his head.

"Where do ya keep your brass knuckles?" another soldier added.

"I could use some brass knuckles." Toye nodded with approval, "And I have sugar for the powdered coffee. That's why, Sunshine."

"So is everyone just gonna call me sunshine?" Ray rolled his eyes.

"What? It suits ya!" Bill said from out of nowhere, "Don't it Luz?"

"Sure does!" Luz chimed in.

"You guys are the worst." Ray groaned before standing up with his bag on his back only to wobble and lose his balance. "Oh dear." his arms flailed as he fell on his back like a helpless turtle, the others laughed. Joey passed by and helped the blonde back up to his feet gently.

"Thanks Joey." Ray smiled sweetly.

"Careful there, Pearlie," Joey's voice was calm, Ray adored the nickname he gave him, "Don't want the Krauts to get ya while you're on your back." Ray blushed softly and gently slapped at his friend, Joey chuckled and ruffled Ray's hair. Soon everyone was called to gather around the planes to get ready for their drop, before they hopped on they checked their parachutes to make sure they were in tact. Ray took one last look at the camp in Upottery, England and sighed with pain, tomorrow might be the day he died- the night anyone could die- but he swallowed his fears and followed Joey into the plane.

"What a helluva way to die," he heard one man whisper, "Good luck men."