Author note: sorry if it's a bit messy, this is my first time writing fanfiction and English isn't my native language. °v° hope you enjoy anyway. 🌸
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The only reason he left was that Tom made him promise he would deliver the message on time. That it was more important than anything else and there was nothing he could do there after the paramedics arrived.
Now that the job was done, Will made his way back to the battalion where Tom was being attended.
He grabbed one of the doctors.
- did you see him? Thomas Blake. He has a belly wound, black hair…
- fuck off, I don't know. - the doctor said, pushing his hand - if you can walk get the fuck out of here.
He kept calling for Blake despite the cussing until a familiar voice came.
- i can't believe, you bloody bastard, screaming my name all around. Did you go insane?
He turned around to find Tom laying on a dirty bed, his clothes covered in blood.
- yes, I guess I did - he said out of breath but smiling.
Tom grabbed his coat, now serious.
- the message did you deliver it?
- yes, yes. They called off the attack. I got there in time.
- thank God- he closed his eyes, but then opened again- no, thank you. You did it, mate. You saved them, saved my brother's life.
Will turned his head.
- we still at war, it was only for now.
- we are living now, right?
They both smiled. Things seemed very peaceful now.
- did you see him?
- yeah, he's fine. He's cool, as you said, but nothing like you.
- are you saying I'm not cool? - he pushed will out of bed laughing - come back here so I can punch you in the face.
- no way, you can't even lift your arm properly.
They were happy, but the simile faded eventually and things got more serious.
- is it bad?
- not now, I might get better. - he looked at will - thank you. For not letting me die alone there.
- you would do the same for me wouldn't you?
Tom smiled.
He was happy to see his friend's colors come back, happy he wasn't laying cold somewhere and, most of all, happy they were both going home.
Will opened his coat to see the wound. The bandage had fresh blood but it was patched up to stop the hemorrhage.
Tom groaned with pain when he placed the coat back.
- I'm sorry.
- it's okay, hurts when I breath anyway. - he took will's hand to look, but before he could say anything will pushed back.
- it's okay, I've treated it.
Tom nodded.
- when are you going back home?
- when are you going to be able to walk?
- I can't believe you - he laughed.
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When they set foot on England Tom was still needing his friend to stay up. He had a crutch in one hand, but the other kept around Will's neck most of the time. He didn't want to be sent to a hospital, even though it was dangerous to travel like that, he couldn't think of delaying his return, nor his friend's. The docks were full of soldiers coming and going, laughing and swearing like an anthill.
- I guess that's where we part ways, then. - Tom said, not very happy but trying to keep the mood. - hey, we finally got to see our family, and you won't have to leave them anymore.
Will nodded and looked at him. His eyes weren't as shining as the words sounded. Than looked at his bloody bandage, that wound wasn't anywhere near finished either.
- I'm taking you home. I mean all the way.
- What? - Tom looked stunned
- I didn't went through all this trouble to hear that you ended up in a gutter on your way back.
- That won't happen, you know that.
- I won't take chances.
Tom looked a little hurt from the lack of trust.
- That's very noble for someone who didn't want to be picked for the mission.
- Now, that's a whole new level.
- Yeah.
They kept walking away from the docks until the number of men in uniform was almost none.
- Thanks. - Tom said
- Again?
- Yeah. I really thought you'd hate me for choosing you.
- You said yourself, you didn't know what was picking me for.
- I know, but…
- Enough of that. We are home now, I just want to forget it all.
They didn't talk about it again. But the truth is, there weren't many topics to go on that weren't related to war. They talked about the fields, work, family, but everything seemed too distant to relate.
At some point when the train was crossing orange fields Tom turned away from the window and said in a energetic voice.
- Ah, now I know why you want to take me home. You want to see the new puppies.
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When Tom's mother hugged her son, Will couldn't help but wonder how he didn't notice the crushing pain it might have caused. She helped him inside smiling and crying at the same time. Anyone could see how much the Blakes loved each other, it must have been almost unbearable for her to send both sons to war.
He waited outside for the family reunion, Tom's face was on the verge of tears and, if wasn't for Will, he would be crying too.
When things calmed down ms. Blake came outside and called Will in. Her youngest was at the table eating and when his friend showed,he opened a wide smile.
- This is the best soup i've had in years.
Will smiled and ate too. He couldn't tell if it was good or bad, just that it was everything he wanted at that moment.
When both had finished they went outside for a smoke. Will sat on the porch steps beside Tom.
- I guess I should go home now.
- You kidding, right? - Tom said, half worried and half angry. - I won't let you leave now, you gotta at least rest before you go.
Will didn't look very happy about the idea.
- Tomorrow, okay? I won't take you from your family much longer, just until tomorrow. I still want to show you the farm and the pomar. You gotta see the cherries….- He could see that his friend was starting to give in - and I want to take you to my father's grave, I want him to meet you.
- Okay, just until tomorrow.
They talked on the porch until the moon was high then went up to the room.
- I'm sleeping here too? - Will said, looking at the bed made on the ground
- What? It's not like you never slept with a bunch of man in the same room before.
- Yeah, but it's different now…
- We don't have a guest room. I would put you in my brother's, but the thing is, the dog gave birth in his bed so I guess you wouldn't want to sleep there.
It wasn't really about the comfort, Will could sleep anywhere by now, it just felt strange to share a room with someone else that wasn't family.
- By the way, could you give me a hand with it?
Tom took off his shirt and started untying the bandages.
- You shouldn't have let her hug you that way. It started bleeding again.
- Who could refuse a mother's hug? I'd rather crush my body than her heart. - he smiled
- You could've told her you were wounded first.
He shrugged, not paying much attention.
- I'll tell tomorrow, let her sleep peacefully tonight.
Will washed a piece of cloth on the basin and started cleaning the blood.
- You sure don't want to stay longer? Ah, right, your family. - It'll be boring to sit around the house all day. I won't be able to work like this. - ouch.
- Sorry.
- It's fine…. I'll lend you my brother's clothes, they'll fit better -
- Don't talk so much or I'll miss again.
Will didn't seem in a good mood so he really shut his mouth.
For a while, the only sound was their breathing and the water where the cloth was washed. They were sitting cross legged in front of each other, the basin in between.
It was starting to get uncomfortable to find where to look so Tom just fixed on top of Will's head and kept the thinking for himself.
- I think that's it - Will said after a while - I'll put the bandages now.
Tom nodded.
- Means you can talk again.
- Oh… I wasn't really restraining myself, just got very sleepy all of a sudden.
Will looked up and his eyes were almost closing and the cheeks crimson. He reached his hand and touched the back of Tom's neck.
- I think you have a fever. I'll finish it and you lay down.
- Okay. -
That touch only helped to make him even more red and hot. All he wanted was to put some clothes and get under the covers already.
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When Tom woke up the next day the sun was high. First thing he saw was the basin with clean water on the side and the cloth that slided from his forehead. The wound still hurt when he got up but at least the fever was gone. When reached the stairs he could hear his mother talking.
- ...Oh, he is a nice boy. A bit too prideful and adventurous, but always took good care of us, just like his big brother. You know when he was young he...
She went on telling her stories, she alway blabbed about her children to visitors, having two boys in the household was never boring. He didn't care much, until realize that the other part wasn't an old lady from the neighborhood, but William.
He ran down the stairs, almost falling the last three.
- ouch - ouch - Mom! Leave him be!
Will got up and rushed to help him.
- why did you came down like a horse? For christ sake, Tom.
- Oh my God Thomas, you're hurt! Why didn't you tell me yesterday?
- Surprise! - he cracked a smile. - slept well?
One thing Will noticed was that his friend had a rather free spirit at home. He was young and boyish, at least when the war wasn't on his mind. At night he woke up a few times panthing, but Will himself had those experiences and it wasn't something easy do get yourself free.
- I slept too much - he said, sitting at the table - we'll have to rush so you can see everything before leaving.
- There's no need to rush - put a cup of tea in front of him - more important is to recover well. Both of you. - she turned to Will - please stay with us for lunch, Mr. Schofield, I don't even know how to repay you for everything you did for Thomas and for us.
He shook his head.
- There's no need to repay me, I'm sure Tom would have done the same in my position. I'll be happy to have lunch together before leaving.
By the time they finished talking, Tom had already taken his tea with a slice of bread and was heading to the crutch at the door.
- What a lovely day for a walk, it is. Would you accompany me mr. Schofield?
He smiled at his mother's disapproving expression. Will took the last sip of his tea and got up, finding that it was indeed a lovely day outside.
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They walked the alley, past the barn and thought the plantation, until finally get to the pomar.
- They really are blooming here too. - William said, touching the cherry blossoms.
- Yes, it's the flowers season, soon they'll be full of cherries. - he didn't look so pleased now - I wonder how I'll harvest them all like this.
- Let's rest, you must be hurting from walk.
They sat on the ground under the shade of a big cherry tree. The wind blowing and peaceful hills were almost scary, as if they were in a dangerous position. Will kept looking to the horizon waiting for an enemy soldier to rise at any moment.
- Relax, we are safe here. - Tom said - we're very far from the fields.
- It's hard to get used to.
- Yeah. - Thomas looked away - you know what's weird? I was so used to the uniform that now I feel as if I'm naked all the time. These clothes are so fuking light.
Will looked at him and started laughing.
- What? I'm serious, mate, it's awful. - he laughed too.
- I'll miss you, Tom.
- Will you write?
- Only if you answer.
- Of course I will!
- Won't you be too busy with the harvest?
- I will. But still, I'll make time to write.
William smiled.
- You'll really miss me? - Tom asked and will looked at him surprised. Then turned around embarrassed.
- I wouldn't be asking you to answer If i wasn't, right.
- I guess. - he laid down on the grass covering the eyes with the back of the hand - I really wish you'd stay, though.
- What I would do here, Tom? I don't even know how to work the land, I'd be dead weight.
- No, you wouldn't. You'd stay with me, help treat my wounds.
- Ask your mother for that.
- I don't want my mother, I want you to do it. - Tom said angrily
- Why? - he said turning around and facing Tom, who was sitting again.
- Because… it feels better when you do it. Because I like it better.
He lied down again and turned his back to Will, silent. A long moment took place where none of them spoke, only the sound of wind in the leaves was heard.
Will raised his hand and touched Tom's neck.
- I don't have fever anymore.
- I know.
He didn't back off, his hand went to the collar then his shoulders.
- What are you doing?
- Didn't you say you liked it better?
He slided down the spine until the bandages and started to push the shirt out of the way.
Tom turned around facing him.
- I want to see it.
They opened the shirt and will touched the bandages.
- Does it hurt?
- N-no
- Hope it doesn't leave a scar
- It will.
Tom looked at him in the eyes, they were both hopeful and hesitant.
- Sco, come here.
He approached and Tom took his neck in his hand and they kissed.
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