It was a bright morning outside the Swamp as Chris was excitedly spiraling around his dad, Trapper was sitting on his cot and clipping his toenails with surgical scissors.
Hawkeye was talking into a recorder, with a tape that he planned on sending his dad. Because a member of the 4077th MASH stole a tape recorder from a Tokyo PX and later gave it to a nurse as a "carnal bribe"; the nurse then gave it to Father Mulcahy in what Hawkeye called "a gin-induced fit of remorse"; in turn, Mulcahy quickly gave the recorder to Hawkeye because he didn't want anybody to think he was taping confessions.
Hawkeye was just talking about stuff that happened around camp these days, with a very exciting Chris, who was letting his dad know, he wanted to say something as well. But Hawkeye shushed him and resumed what he was saying.
Like yesterday! When a Turkish soldier kept yelling CHINLI!
The half-naked man didn't want to be helped with his shoulder and didn't want to be sedated also, he only wanted back to fight the Chinese. The man escaped and Hawkeye and Radar found him hiding in the kitchen and now wielding a meat cleaver.
As the Turk was swinging an ax he found in the kitchen, Hawkeye tried to calm him, by acting like a wild man himself, as he copied the behavior of the Turkish man, he made it clear they were going to send him back to the front.
Hawkeye gives the Turk Radar's uniform and a glass of prune juice spiked with chloral hydrate. He then instructs Radar to drive away with the Turk until he passes out, and then bring him right back to camp for surgery. It didn't work as Radar drank the wrong juice and the Turk was the one bringing an unconscious clerk back.
Hawkeye laughed out loud as he told that to the mic, he paced around their tent.
"Chris didn't even get a panic attack as the man was swinging an ax." Hawkeye petted the boy over his head, he was very proud of his kid, there he was, an barely dressed angry yelling man, and Chris stayed out of his way as he looked on with big eyes. No panic attack but he seemed a bit flushed.
The boy looked up at his dad, as he recalled the man. The man was half-naked and swerving a big knife, it really surprised the boy he didn't was more afraid of the man, he felt fear of course, but also some light excitement, he couldn't place right now, it was a strange feeling.
But Chris still wanted to say hi to grandpa, so he dropped his thoughts and tried getting his dad's attention again.
The boy had called his grandfather about three times after the first difficult attempt. And he started to get used to the man.
Daniel Pierce was a doctor himself and even though he didn't have experience with psychology, he knew how to listen, and be patient with people. So the second phone call went slow but was nearly panic free. It also helped that Hawkeye wrote his dad, about some of Chris's triggers.
The child stood in front of his dad as Hawkeye tried to walk around him as he was talking into the recorder with a big smile, he made it a little game by dancing around the small boy, who in turn tried to step in front of his day with a slightly irritated expression.
"Not five feet away from me I see Trapper John McIntyre cutting his toenails. He sells them to the tourists as war souvenirs."
Chris tried to say something as well, but his dad kept saying he would get his turn, he was just starting to be a bit impatient about it as he tried again to get his dad's attention. Hawkeye kept pushing Chris gently out of the way, but the boy was insisting and kept walking in front of his dad pulling his clothes to get his attention.
Hawkeye put his hand on the child's head, brushing through his blond hair, he again tried to gently stir the boy away from him.
"Chris, hush," The doctor told the boy for the tenth time before he continued, he had to fight back a smile when the boy actually pouted.
Chris slowly started to act like a normal kid, he didn't whine or stomp his feet yet, but they were at the pouting now, and it was hilarious. Hawkeye gave the boy a quick one-armed hug.
"Say hello, Trapper." Hawkeye pointed his mic towards the other man.
Trapper didn't look away from his feet as he said "Hello, Trapper"
"Haha, Isn't he clever? He had the bolt in his neck tightened yesterday." Hawkeye said with a grin,
"And now! Without further ado, here's your very impatient grandson!" He pointed the mic towards Chris.
The child got excited and said" Hi grandpa!" and then stayed quiet.
A couple of seconds passed before Hawkeye spoke with a laugh "That's all? Hawkeye almost rolled his eyes.
"All that impatient for, Hi grandpa?" Hawkeye said as he laughed.
"I just wanted to say hi. "
Hawkeye snickered as he held the mic to the boy's face, and said "Well? Nothing more you wanna say?"
Chris seemed deep in thought before he got excited and said "Yeah! Yes! Grandpa! I fed the animals together with Radar, this morning! He even has a skunk! And it's a sweet skunk, I petted it and I even got to hold it. Do you like animals? Grandpa? "
Hawkeye laughed, " He can't hear you now, but he's definitely gonna laugh as he listens to this."
"Oh, I will ask him later." Chris then looked at his dad and asked with pleading eyes. "Can I get a skunk as a pet?"
"No! Absolutely not!" The answer was immediate and emphatic. " You can't keep a skunk inside a house."
Chris sighed but knew it had been a losing battle already.
His father chuckled lightly as he ruffled his hair affectionately. "When we get back to the states, we can talk about a rabbit or something, maybe even a cat, but certainly not a skunk!"
He gave Chris a wink. "Besides, if you had gotten your way, we would have as many animals Radar has by now!"
"Because I gave them to Radar after you said I couldn't keep them," Chris mumbled as he gave his dad a look of displeasure.
The child found about two rabbits and a couple of mice around the camp. And he wasn't allowed to keep them, which he didn't like at all.
"Radar found a lot of them, himself," Hawkeye told the boy.
Radar didn't mind giving the little rodents a home, and Hawkeye didn't want little cases with mice around the Swamp, so Chris gave them to the clerk, so he could at least help to take care of them.
The three of them, headed over to breakfast and sat down with their food next to Radar, who was already eating enthusiastically. Hawkeye sniffed at his food for several seconds before he declared that the little sausages are actually Italian sugars.
Chris snickered as he ate, he didn't mind the food, but his dad always complained about it.
Radar looked at Hawkeye and said, " I'll eat what you don't want."
Hawkeye looked at the clerk before he gave his tray to him. "Your death wish is my command." the small man had his tray full and was eating at a quick pace. Hawkeye looked at the rapidly eating clerk before he said. " Two mounds of mashed potatoes for breakfast?"
Trapper looked at the tray as well as he said "I think I used to go steady with that tray"
Radar gave the men an irritated look as he sped up his eating.
At that moment Klinger came in with the news that Henry needed them for a meeting, so they made their way over there.
Chris first ran back to the Swamp to collect his school book before running back, he could make his work with Radar's help if his dad was in the meeting, he just hoped Radar wouldn't be stuck in that meeting also.
Within minutes Chris was back at the clerk's office, his dad seemed to have waited for him to come back.
"Schoolwork?" Hawkeye asked
The boy nodded eagerly as he held up his book for his dad to see.
Hawkeye didn't seem pleased as got a stern look, and said " Your math and science work?"
Chris looked at him with big eyes, he looked a bit guilty as he nervously started fidgeting with his book. He quickly shook his head.
"Christopher, answer me please!" Chris sighed and looked up at his dad, he knew Hawkeye wanted eye contact if he was being angry-dad.
"No sir, I didn't b-bring my m-math book." Chris was a bit behind on his math work, he was ahead with the rest of his work, but he just really disliked math.
He hoped his dad wasn't that mad at him, as the man seemed to know about his lacking behind.
"Uhuh, I want you to get it, you're only working on your math today, understood? I don't want to see you doing anything else! Because I had quite a shock looking at your homework schedule this morning, You know why?"
His dad always knows everything! Chris thought as he blushed and stared at the ground, his hand still fidgeting with his history book. His father didn't look very happy right now either. It made him really sad when he disappointed his dad. Chris looked his dad in the eye, as he sheepishly said. "Yes, sir... I'm sorry"
"I know," Hawkeye said as he sighed, his stern expression turned back to a normal one as he said. "Well, go on, fetch your math book, we talk about this later." Chris looked at his dad and was relieved to see his dad didn't look angry. "Yes sir," he quickly added before racing back to the Swamp.
Unhappily he put his history book back in his organized army trunk and got his math book.
He ran back and noticed everyone was already in Henry's office. Frank and Margaret were complaining about the lack of military discipline as Hawkeye looked through some personal files, he shouldn't look through.
The boy leaned against his dad getting a one-armed hug, Radar seemed busy with this meeting as well, so he would have to wait.
As he started his meeting, Henry told his personnel that replacements are needed at an aid station and the 4077th is selected to provide a surgeon, scrub nurse, and corpsman until regulars are assigned.
All the adults got quiet before Henry spoke again. " Their surgeon's been killed. Look this is a dangerous mission and I'm not gonna blow any sunshine up your skirts. Any volunteers?"
Margaret got up without hesitation, she would volunteer for this dangerous mission. But now they still needed a doctor and that was what worried the small boy, as Chris nervously looked at his dad, he didn't like this at all, he knew aid stations, and most of it he didn't want to remember. And he certainly didn't want his dad going there. Hawkeye put a comforting hand on the child's shoulder.
"What about a surgeon?" Henry voiced but nobody volunteered.
"Sure got quiet, " The colonel said
Hawkeye looked at the man and said " I don't want anything I say to be misinterpreted." he kept his hand on his son, the doctor needed that contact as much as Chris seemed to need it at this moment, he didn't want to go!
He didn't want the risk of Chris following him and he also didn't want to leave his scared child alone here, both options he wanted to avoid.
They decided the draw straws. Radar told the man they didn't have any straws but he had some Italian sausages.
" I told you they weren't meant to be eaten." Trapper joked.
Radar put the sausage in a bed pan as Henry explained that the one who got the shortest sausage, lost and has to go.
"I should be excused, I'm single!" Hawkeye tried.
Frank snapped back that he was making a mockery out of this!
" I wouldn't make a mockery of drawing burnt sausages out of a bedpan to pick a volunteer for the Purple Heart."
Chris watched nervously as Radar held the bedpan in front of Trapper for the man to pick a sausage.
Trapper picked a normal-sized one and Frank nervously chuckled relieved as he also draw a normal-sized one.
Chris's insides turned cold as fear entered his mind and body, he started to tremble slightly. He knew what this meant. He looked scared at his dad, as the man said. " I don't suppose there are three long sausages in there?"
Everyone looked at him but most remained quiet except for Radar who felt the need to answer the man with a no sir.
Chris his eyes teared up as Hawkeye said "Then I volunteer" he subtly held Chris closer, he would explain and talk to his son later. 'Well, not a lot of math work gonna be finished anytime soon the man thought as he looked at his trembling son.
Klinger was picked to be the corpsman and the enlisted man was not happy about it, he had Radar write down new owners of his dresses if he would die over there. Radar was a bit emotional as he wrote everything down, Klinger told him he wasn't scared, but the clerk was. He was terrified of losing some of his friends.
In the Swamp, Hawkeye was dealing with a crying almost hysterical small boy as Chris didn't want to lose his hold on his father, literally.
Hawkeye explained why he had to go, Trapper and Frank, both had kids of their own and he lost fair and square. He wouldn't back down from that.
He took the child's face gently and looked into Chris's red puffy eyes.
"You will stay here! Remember the last time you came along!" Chris turned bright red but didn't answer. He didn't get the stubborn look but more of a defeated one, which Hawkeye thought was the better option of the two, but he needed to be sure.
"Young man, I will follow through with my threat! You will not follow me with this, if I find you in that jeep, and believe me, I will search for you, I will spank you right there in that jeep before bringing you back here! "
Chris burned bright red as he sniffed and wiped away his tears with his sleeve, he gave a small nod. He didn't want to go to an aid station, and he didn't want his dad there as well. But with his last spanking still fresh in his mind, he didn't dare to sneak along. He didn't want any repeat of that anytime soon.
Hawkeye didn't like to threaten his son, but he refused to let the boy think he could come along. The aid station is very dangerous and in the middle of the battle zone. The doctor would do anything to keep his son right here on the 4077th.
He held the sobbing boy close as he packed his army bag, he was mumbling little endearments to the boy, to soothe him but also to keep his mind from going loony. Everything in his mind told him to stay with his crying son, his boy needed him. But he had no choice.
He made his will, just in case, in war, you needed to be prepared. He would leave anything to Chris, but more importantly, he made sure, in case he would die, Sidney would come to collect Chris and deliver him personally to Daniel Pierce in Maine. The child trusted the psychiatrist, and without Hawkeye, Chris wouldn't have a reason to stay. Hawkeye needed to know his child would at least be safe.
Hawkeye told Trapper that there was a letter in case he would die, that letter is his will. Trapper looked somber at the other doctor as he nodded, letting Hawkeye know he heard the man. They didn't want to talk about the what-ifs.
Hawkeye roughly stuffed his stuff in a duffle bag, a sobbing Chris clenched around his waist.
After he had all his stuff packed, he and Trapper decided on one last drink. They toasted, drank everything in one go, and trowed the glasses towards the door.
Just as Radar wanted to knock, the clerk saw the glass smash in front of his eyes as the man peeked through the door window. The clerk flinched and ducked before he came back up and nervously said, "Jeeps ready, Hawk." Radar hastily turned and left.
Hawkeye picked his son up and held him in his arms as he tried to calm the crying boy down. "There, there," he said softly, rocking the boy slightly.
"Shh...shh...it's okay." Chris wildly shook its head, NO this was not okay! It was NEVER okay when Dad left him! And what if he never came back? He would be alone! No, no, no, Hawkeye promised he'd come back!
Hawkeye carried the boy outside and put him down, he kissed his son on his forehead, and with glossy eyes, he stepped into the jeep.
Radar stands next to Chris and put his arm around the sobbing child. "Keep him safe!" Hawkeye told the clerk before they drove off. Chris almost couldn't resist jumping in the jeep as he heard the engine start. But Radar held him back, the clerk didn't say a word about Chris wanting to go, he just made sure, the boy couldn't.
As the jeep drove off and turned the corner, Radar wanted to resume his work but Chris had a hold of his arm and didn't want to let go. Radar tried to gently explain that he needed to work, but the boy refused. Tears streaming on his face and he looked at Radar with stubbornness. The boy had both his arms clenched around Radar's left arm, Radar sighed, this was going to be a difficult day, he needed a plan for this, or he needed to learn how to work with a sobbing child on his arm. At least it was his left, he could still use his right one.
The clerk walked toward his office a bit slower than usual, as he was guiding a young softly crying child with him.
Radar needed to type some reports, and the clerk managed to get Chris to release his arm for working purposes, but now he had a small trembling crying boy around his waist.
He didn't know what to do, he couldn't cheer the boy up, and he kinda felt like crying too. He was scared his friends wouldn't return as well. So he just let the boy cry and tried to work the best he could.
His reports took twice as long as normal and Henry was not happy.
"But, Sir I can't help it that Chris seeks comfort from me! What am I supposed to do?" The clerk tried to open the little arms gripped around his waist but Chris started crying harder and Radar got very nervous and tried to calm him down.
Chris refused to let go, his fear had control over him completely. He couldn't let go, he was closest to Radar than anyone else on this camp, and he needed to hold on to that if he didn't want a complete panic attack.
Henry also tried to get the boy away from Radar but the boy got almost hysterical and Radar told the colonel he needed to stop right now!
Radar never told the man to stop anything before, Henry was his commanding officer and a bit like a father to him, he would never tell the man to stop anything, but the little panicky boy startled him and got his big brother instincts going. Henry stopped pulling the boy's small arms and gave the clerk a raised eyebrow.
"I'm sorry sir!.. I'm am!.. But he. You know!.. He... He was crying, sir!" The clerk tried to explain nervously.
"Yeah I know Radar, it's okay. I knew something like this would happen." Henry then tried to act stern with the boy, but the colonel didn't even get any reaction out from the child.
Henry sighed and thought about this for a couple of seconds before he shrugged and said. "Just try to do as much as you can, I guess you're the official nanny now!"
Radar gave the man a disgruntled look, he didn't appreciate the term.
Henry just laughed as he returned to his office.
Radar looked at the trembling child, he had never seen a kid be so scared. He wished he could help the child more, this was just so sad.
He worked for over two hours on his reports as Chris slowly stopped crying, he didn't lose his grip, and the trembling didn't stop, but at least Radar's shirt stopped getting wet.
Meanwhile, Hawkeye had arrived and was a bit surprised and very relieved that Chris stayed put. The aid station barely resembles a medical facility – the red cross on the roof was blown away by enemy fire.
They meet Dever, the lead medic, and prepare a makeshift triage and operating room which is literally out in the open. Artillery shells crash all around and wounded soon pour in, making the anemic working conditions even worse. Hawkeye sighed, he would survive this! He needed to!
Radar found out that walking around the unit with Chris holding on to him was also a bit troublesome. Chris was now a bit calmer and held the clerk with only one hand, he didn't cry but looked pale and very scared. Radar thought it was an improvement but he didn't know for sure.
Even lunch went difficult as Chris tried to hold his food tray with one hand so he could hold on to the clerk's shirt with his other one.
Radar took the tray away from the child and somehow managed to get two trays of food to a table as Chris held on to his shirt. Trapper joined them and looked worried at Chris, the boy looked pale and almost in a panic state. Trapper sighed, as Radar looked hopeful to the doctor, but Trapper just shrugged, he didn't know what to do to calm the boy down. Talking didn't help. They reassured the child throughout the whole day already but didn't get any reaction from him.
Radar eat half his tray and Chris just sat there and took one bite. As Radar was eating he felt a small tug on his shirt, swallowing his food he gave the boy his attention and had to listen closely as the small boy whispered the word latrine to him. Radar sighed, yes this was going to be a long day. After Trapper promised to watch his food he took the boy to the latrine.
Chris didn't want to go in alone unless Radar held his hand, so Radar stood next to the latrine with his hand through the semi-closed door. He felt kinda stupid standing like this, but Chris needed him and that also made him feel proud. He felt like the big brother and he felt a rush of affection for the boy.
They washed their hands and got back, only to find Trapper telling them, that Radar's food just run off. He couldn't stop it, it was like a million tiny legs appeared under his food and they ran in every direction. It was such a funny sight all those running sausages.
Radar almost stormed out angry but Trapper pulled his tray from the bench next to him and apologized as he laughed. He was only joking.
Radar sighed, he didn't feel like jokes, he was a nervous wreck. But Trapper just tried to help, the man wasn't happy about the situation as well.
They sat in Radar's office as the phone rang. Radar quickly picked up as Chris tighten his hold and hugged the clerk's arms.
The clerk felt very relieved to hear Klinger's voice on the other side. At the mention of Klinger's name Chris flinched and looked urgently at Radar, anxious to hear about his dad.
As Radar was talking to Klinger he heard a big bang, Radar flinched and asked a bit loudly "What was that!" Chris started breathing faster, as Radar remembered himself he should need to watch what he said around Chris.
The loud explosive sounds got worse but Radar didn't say a word about it, he hoped that would help, but Chris could clearly hear the bangs through the phone as well. Klinger needed to hang up as the bombing continued. And Radar spend a couple of minutes reassuring the child, but Radar was almost panicking himself as he tried to keep strong for Chris. The clerk looked at the pale trembling boy and saw him crying softly. The clerk sighed, it broke his heart to see Chris this way, he never saw Chris that bad up close, he only saw the boy plastered close to Hawkeye at times, but it was very emotional up close.
Hawkeye worked like crazy, he hadn't time to think as he went into full doctor mode as he helpt one after another wounded soldier. Bombs and shelling were all around him, an constant fear and panic accompanied the doctor while he worked.
Back at the 4077th, bedtime for Chris had come and gone. Radar didn't even try getting the boy to sleep alone at his bedtime, Chris would sleep with him tonight, nobody believed the boy would let go of Radar any time soon, so they shared to bed tonight.
The clerk was getting tired as he was getting ready to get to bed, Radar brushed his teeth he tried to get Chris to brush his, but the boy refused.
Well one night couldn't hurt, the clerk thought as they crawled under the covers, it was almost two in the morning but Radar couldn't sleep, Chris still trembled nervously and seemed too scared to fall asleep. Even with Wally and Radar's bear combined. He felt terrible, so much fear and panic, his mind told him the meanest stuff, the scariest whats-ifs.
Radar sighed he felt scared as well and it was a bit lonely in here. "You wanna go to the Swamp?" he whispered to the child. Chris nodded softly, he started responding a bit during dinner with nonverbal communication, it was a small improvement Radar very appreciated.
They took their stuffed animals and headed over to the Swamp.
Earlier Radar managed to change the child into his pajamas but it took about 30 minutes as Chris needed to hold the clerk constant.
Radar knocked on the door of the Swamp before coming in. Chris trailing behind him, holding the clerk's bathrobe.
"Uh, it's me, sir." The nervous clerk said.
"Something wrong?" Trapper asked as he already made his way to get up.
"Uh, no, sir." an uncomfortable Radar said " Um, the thing of it is, I'm, in... Uh... It's so quiet and everything."
Trapper got a gentle smile as he said " That's okay Radar, you can sleep in Hawkeye's bunk."
Radar sighed relieved but Frank started complaining that this is an officer's tent.
"Try to snore importantly, Radar" Trapper said as he gave Frank a boring look.
"Yes, sir, "a happy clerk said as he got under the covers, Chris got into his cot but kept hold of Radar's sleeve. Radar didn't mind, this was he had enough space for his own, while Chris lay next to him on his bunk.
Frank angrily walked to Trapper put his hands on his hips and snapped " That's it? You're not going to tuck him in? No bedtime story?"
Trapper faced Radar and asked "Radar, do you want me to tuck you in and tell you a bedtime story? "
"No, sir!" Radar said as he snuggled closer with his bear, he heard Chris his breathing already slowing down, the child must be exhausted.
" That's it, Frank." Trapper told the other man, dismissing him as he laid down again and faced away from him.
Frank stood there for a second before he got into bed as well, just as he pulled his covers up, Henry walked in. The colonel found it quiet at his tent as well and took a glass of gin as he sat down in Hawkeye's chair. He greeted Rader who was wrapped like a caterpillar with only his face and his bear face sticking out.
Chris had fallen asleep, which made almost every adult optimistic. Frank didn't actually care either way.
Henry talked a bit about the movie tonight, Trapper consoled the man that, they are fine. But Henry felt guilty for sending them.
Late at night when people finally were asleep, Chris woke everybody up by startling them awake with a scream before he started sobbing. Radar jolted awake and looked at the sobbing boy next to him, his mind was still very sleepy and he didn't know what to do!
Trapper noticed Radar's discomfort and rushed over to pick the sobbing boy up into his arms, the child was soaked in sweat as he whimpered softly.
Trapper just held him close, while Frank complained loudly.
A wide-eyed slightly pale Radar looked as Trapper threw a shoe at the other man, shutting him up.
It took a long time before Chris calmed down, but they managed within an hour to all be asleep.
The next morning it didn't get any better, Chris still didn't eat or brush his teeth. Everyone in the unit was worried about their friends and the tension was everywhere.
Henry was pacing his office as he decided he needed Radar, the colonel wanted to walk out at the same time Radar wanted to come in. And they met in the middle of two open doors as the happy clerk told the man, they were on their way back. They are safe and unharmed and everything and they are coming back.
Henry was overjoyed as well as everyone else in the unit. The tension got a lot better around the camp, but little Chris didn't feel much better, they still needed to arrive.
It was about an hour later as Radar walked through the compound with Chris trailing behind holding the back of the clerk's jacket. Radar heard something and stopped abruptly, making Chris walk into him, Radar quickly stabilized the boy as he listened. It sounded like distant singing, his excitement grew as he realized it was them.
He quickly walked towards the sound and saw the jeep appear from around the corner. Chris let out a big sigh of relief and wanted to run towards the jeep, Radar was just quick enough to grab the child. He didn't want Chris to get run over.
The jeep slowed down as they neared and Radar lost his grip as Chris ran towards his dad.
Hawkeye stepped out and almost fall backward as Chris crashed into him, the sobbing boy held the man tight.
Hawkeye felt relieved to hold his kid again as he rubbed circles on the child's back. "Chris, Chris it's okay. I'm here now." the boy just sobbed and trembled.
Hawkeye was a bit shocked at the state his son was in, Chris looked like he was sick, pale with a hollow face, and his eyes were red and puffy like he cried for hours.
Radar watched with amazement as Hawkeye peeled the small arms away from him gently. He was trying to do that for a whole day yesterday and today!
Hawkeye got down to get on eye level with Chris to take a good look at the boy, he held the small face gently between his hands as he wiped a tear away with his thump. Chris looked very pale but didn't feel hot or cold.
The boy stood sobbing in front of his dad, after the quick look-over Hawkeye picked the crying boy up, and as they walked towards the Swamp, Radar quickly explained about Chris not eating and how terribly sad and scared the child was. About how the boy didn't want to let go of him, even during the latrine breaks, how they both slept in the Swamp yesterday so that Chris finally slept before the nightmare and the screaming.
Hawkeye listened to everything Radar told him, it seems like Chris went through his own little hell, the doctor was just glad the child wasn't present in the hell he had worked in yesterday.
"Thank you, Radar! You don't know, how much you helped us yesterday. You really did great, I owe you, big time!" then he gave the clerk a big grin and said, " I'll definitely put in my vote for you!"
Radar stood a bit straighter after the praise but got confused at the voting part.
"Vote for what?"
"To vote you the best of all the seven dwarfs, of course!" The confused look got replaced by an angry one as the clerk said "Oh boy!" and stormed off.
Hawkeye held the crying child tight, first, he needed to get Chris to calm down, then they could eat lunch and after that, a long shower, a drink, and finally get some rest.
Chris made a whimpering sound as he remembered how embarrassing he behaved. He just felt so scared his body had a mind of his own, he just couldn't think straight if he was THAT scared. These days were terrible, he never wanted to feel this way ever again! Next time he would go with his dad, he would even risk a spanking! But everything was better than this!
Hawkeye entered the Swamp and sat on his cot, putting the sobbing child on his lap, embracing his son tightly. He looked at the child who was crying into his neck and stroked his son's hair. "Shh, it's ok, Chris. I'm here. It's over." The man held the weeping little boy tightly, rocking him back and forth gently, whispering comforting phrases until the tears slowly stopped coming.
It's been a difficult time, but they're safe and things will get back to normal again. He was just very relieved to be able to hold his kid. He came close to death yesterday, with all the shooting and bombing around them, and this was the first thing he wanted to do the moment he returned.
Just to hold his son for a couple of minutes and be happy.
