''…Don?''

At the sound of Norman's voice, everything around seemed to disappear. All the noises of the train station turned into a blur and the time stopped as the young man jumped in the elder's arms with a shout of joy that came out almost like a shriek, but Wardaddy wasn't about to complain because he'd almost yelled too. Don stumbled against the train's wall and buried his face in the kid's shoulder, squeezing him hard enough to convince himself that he wasn't dreaming. It could have been a hallucination, maybe he was actually hugging a stranger like a poor idiot in front of a whole crowd… but no, it was real. His dear friend was standing right there, tight against his chest while tears of pure happiness dripped down his face. The younger man then let go of him and went down the train as people waited for them to move out of the way. Don followed him, his hand unconsciously still on his elbow.

''I…I thought…'' Norman stuttered, his cheeks red and eyes glassy by the emotion. ''I tried to call you but… you never answered and I… I guess I gave up on you. I'm so sorry.''

Wardaddy squeezed the kid's shoulder. ''I told you I always keep my promises.'' He said gently.

''Yeah… I see that now.'' Machine laughed silently while he wiped the tears off his face.

They stood there for a moment, both thinking about something to say. Don scrubbed the back of his head and tried to look around. The Pittsburgh's train station was beautiful, but somehow he couldn't take his eyes off Norman's face. He looked different from the last time they saw each other. He looked… like a man. His hair had grew a little over his military undercut, and this went without talking about the fainted beard that was now covering his cheeks. Still, there was something darkening the picture. The young man's lips were all chapped and he had deep bags under his eyes, probably from lack of sleep. Five months ago, Don would have joked about how shitty he looked, but now he could only worry about his private. They all had it rough the first weeks, but at least they had people around to support them. Norman, however, was completely on his own, forced to deal with problems that were way to be big for him to deal with alone. Don was suddenly even gladder that he'd found him back.

''You want a coffee? My place isn't far from here…'' Norman motioned his chin toward one of the exits, breaking the somewhat awkward silence.

''Gladly.''

Smoggy. This is the best way Collier could describe Pittsburgh. It was a pretty city though, with some beautiful architectures and crowded streets. Nothing like his natal village, lost somewhere in the wilderness of Minnesota. He liked it, but there was nothing to compare to the fresh air of the forests.

They walked for a while, talking about nothing and anything. It felt good to be together once again, chatting like two old buddies hanging out. It was almost strange to be nothing else than friends this time. No more ranks nor orders to yell around, just a bunch of casual conversations and some empty space to fill.

It took them a solid ten minutes to reach that rich district in retreat of the city's heart. The houses were splendid and looking terribly expensive, the yards neatly separated by high hedges and white fences. Don had never seen some place like that before. He had always thought those things only existed in movies.

''Is that yours?'' the man asked with raised eyebrows as his friend made a halt in front of a huge white house.

Norman simply shrugged and nodded while he opened the gate and leaded them toward the front door. The grass was bright green, cut clean on each side of the stone path. Behind the impressive façade Don could see the edge of a massive garden. The youngest pulled his keyring out of his pants pocket and quickly unlocked the door, hands messing with the knob for a moment before he headed inside.

''Welcome in my depression palace.'' Norman sighed as he hung his beret on the hatstand. ''Make yourself comfortable.''

The inside of the house was even cleaner than the outside. Don hung his hat and jacket properly and followed his companion in the dining room. There was an elegant table in the middle of it, lighten by a beautiful chandelier, a large window filling the room with a soft light and a large staircase against the wall leading to the second floor. The elder looked at Norman as he put the coffee pot on the stove in the little kitchen that connected with the main room.

''It's a real pretty house you got there.'' Don said. He sat at the table, careful not to scratch anything. ''But I guess it's boring as hell when you're alone.''

''I couldn't have said it better.'' he heard the younger say from the kitchen. Then, ''Do you have a family somewhere?''

Wardaddy took a moment to think about his answer, blowing a heavy sigh through his nose. He remembered the time when he used to have one, but now… the good memories from his childhood were so blurry in his mind that he barely felt still attached to them at all. The man didn't want to darken the kid's mood even more, but could not bring himself to lie.

''My parents got divorced when I was ten. My momma left with another man and then… I dunno. I haven't heard of her since I got drafted.''

Norman settled two mugs of coffee on the table and sat down in front of Don in silence.

''I'm sorry to hear that.'' He said, staring at his cup.

It made Don smile sadly. The young man had so much kindness in him, it was almost painful to see. He knew that despite of everything, Norman would still and always remain a good man.

''It's okay. It's not like they were very good role models anyway.'' Collier took a sip of coffee. ''My daddy was useless, my mother drank, too much an' too often. My brother was scared of them when we were kids because he and our mother always yelled at each other. Usually, she was the one winning in the end. Let's say she's a piece of work.''

''Look like that trait was well transmitted…'' Norman mumbled, a small grin curling up the corners of his lips against his mug as he crossed his friend's gaze.

Don was taken aback for a moment. He didn't see this one coming, but it was enough to bring back that guttural laugh of his. They started laughing like two idiots, to the point they probably had forgot what they were laughing about at the very beginning. The joke wasn't exactly funny, but it was the glimmer in the eyes of the one who said it, the second that stretched on after that felt like a permission to finally breathe. The stress, the fear and all the anxiety that had gnawed Norman's mind during the past weeks momently flew away, replaced by a warm feeling in the pit of his stomach. His sergeant, the one and only Don Collier, was in front on him, drinking coffee at his table, and this time he wasn't about to disappear and leave him behind. All that time Norman had spent waiting for him, craving to simply hear his voice once again; now he knew he did not wait for nothing.

As he caught his breath and let out a peaceful sigh, silently praising God for reuniting them both, the young man surprised himself looking at Wardaddy, at the shine in his icy blue eyes. At this precise moment, they shared a look and he knew that as long as the man was by his side, he would never have to be scared again.