(Untitled)

[soldier_singled]

It's mid-morning before Joe realises what day it is

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[thewordofweb]

I've been mired in my journals and my notes and my books because on this day, of all days, this is the time to reflect and to think. I almost trip on the steps and, by extension, Joe when I find my way to the Compound for new pencils and it doesn't take me long at all to sink down beside him and rub a hand idly across his back.

No words said because right now, I don't really think any need to be.

[soldier_singled]

Joe sighs and leans his shoulder against Web's, eyes closed, laundry basket cradled between his knees.

"Why did you remind me what day it was, baby?"

[thewordofweb]

My hand still idly strokes back and forth, palm fully open as I try and provide some idle manner of comfort, even though I know it's probably doing nothing. "Got so wrapped up in my own thoughts, I guess..." I note unsurely, thumb brushing the cloth beneath it, rubbing down his spine. "I guess I didn't realize until it was too late."

"I thought I was going to die, I was so sure..." I let out a weary and anxious laugh, even though it's years back now.

[soldier_singled]

"Yeah, and here we both are," Joe says, draping his arm around Web's shoulders and squeezing him closer. "We made it. D-Day plus 365. Jesus Christ."

[thewordofweb]

I lean into Joe's touch and turn my nose until it's pressed to his neck, lips hovering precariously by warm skin where I can press a kiss if I want to. "You okay?" I ask carefully, because of all days, this is one of the biggest we're ever going to have cause to recall in our lives. My hand slides down to his waist and rests there.

[soldier_singled]

"Yeah," says Joe, sounding just a little weary. "Yeah, baby, I'm okay. Just a bit of a shock, you know? Realising that it's been a year."

He traces his fingers through the curling hair at the nape of Web's neck.

"Whatcha been doin'?"

[thewordofweb]

It's still so absolutely strange to be sitting in public, to do this, to hear that affectionate endearment trickle off Joe's lips in my direction. "Was writing," I admit quietly. "I skipped most of the jump and progressed to Market Garden, but now I'm backtracking back to the first jump." Then I ran out of lead and had to come here to find more. "I don't even know what time it is," I admit with a weary laugh. Time's someone managed to slip absolutely away.

[soldier_singled]

"Just after lunch," says Joe, glancing down at a watch he's not wearing. "I finished the laundry, so I just gonna go fix somethin', maybe."

[thewordofweb]

I don't exactly ease away when he says he has plans. I'm here, after all, and I'm settling nice and comfortable with him, just trying to hold on. "Let me cook for you?" I offer, feeling like it's something. "You can just relax for once."

[soldier_singled]

Joe gives Web a slightly doubtful look but then he thinks fuck it and relaxes back against Web.

"Sure, Davey. Why the fuck not?"

[thewordofweb]

That gets a warm smile from me because it's a small victory and while it isn't exactly whole and huge, I like it. "I hope you don't mind pasta and veggies," I point out, on my feet and extending both hands to him, waiting for him to tug himself along. "C'mon, I'll even curl up with you after and try and help you forget all about the day?"

[soldier_singled]

"I can eat pasta and veggies," says Joe, letting Web yank him to his feet, with a little smile. "Just try not to ruin any pans, would ya?"

[thewordofweb]

"What, and endure your endless bitching?" I echo, wrapping an arm around Joe's waist and lightly coaxing him against my side while I study his face and lean in to press a one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand kiss against his lips and then stay leaning in for a long moment. "You know," I say quietly. "It's been almost five months, to speak of stretches of time."

[soldier_singled]

"Hey, cook in this kitchen and they ain't even my pans," notes Joe, having assumed everything in the Homestead kitchen as his own.

He's quiet for a moment after that, thinking, until a slow smile spreads across his mouth.

"Yeah, it must be."

[thewordofweb]

I grin at that, tugging him inside lightly and pressing another kiss to his lips when I get the opportunity, sitting him down in a kitchen chair. "Possessive of your pans, are we?" I note lightly, ducking into the fridge and bending over to search for ingredients, allowing a little extra time for looking at his ass, if Joe is so inclined.

[soldier_singled]

"I just don't want everything to taste of burnt," says Joe, sitting down at the table and leaning his chin into the palm of his hand.

"And neither do you."