Toy Soldier » Band of Brothers

𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝟾

𝙳𝙴𝙲𝙴𝙼𝙱𝙴𝚁 𝟸𝟼, 𝟷𝟿𝟺𝟸

On December 26, the day of the last jump, each man got a certificate declaring that he was "entitled to be rated from this date as a qualified Parachutist." Then the proudest moment of all, the one toward which they had been working for six months, the pinning on of the silver wings.

They lined up in full dress uniform as Colonel Sink went up and down the lines, pinning the small, silver wings to each mans right lapel. From that moment, never to be forgotten, each member of Easy, every member of the 506th, was forever special.

It was then announced that they'd be thrown a party, which, of course none of the men objected to. Dressed in full dress uniform, their faces scrubbed clean and their hair combed and fashioned, with their wings, their boots polished, the trousers bloused, they all truly looked the part.

Tommy was stood behind the bar with Luz, handing out drinks to eager hands. His tan face was scrubbed clean, the faint sprinkling of freckles finally visible across the usually dirt crusted bridge of his nose. The carefully starched flight cap was perched atop waves of thick, platinum blonde hair and canted slightly to the side. His clear blue eyes flashed with pride and happiness as he handed off beer after beer, while sipping on his own beverage.

"Give me a drink, Testy." Johnny Martin leaned against the bar.

"Is that an order, Sergeant?"

"I'm half a mind to make you drop and give me twenty right now, Private." the man said seriously.

"Is that an order, Sergeant?" Tommy grinned, showcasing the dimples that made him that much more falsely endearing.

Johnny glared at him for a moment longer before he smiled and winked.

"Congratulations, Martin." Tommy smiled, clasped his hand tightly with his friends, "Here's your drink."

Johnny raised his drink to Tommy before he turned back, the immaculately polished jump boots all the men took such pride in striking against the withered wooden floor heavily.

"You got any more of those, Tommy?" Joe Toye asked, leaning against the empty spot Sergeant Martin had just vacated.

"Corporal Toye, there will be no leaning in my company." Luz leaned across the bar, cross eyes and imitating Sobels tell tale whiny voice.

Tommy joined the other leaning forward and grasping the sparkling pin attached to Toye's right lapel between slim fingers, "Are those dusty jump wings?" he asked in a much worse imitation of Sobel, "How do you expect to slay the Huns with dust on your jump wings?"

Toye rolled his eyes, grabbing the front of Tommy's uniform and pulling him across the bar till they were nearly touching noses, "Testy, just give me a drink."

Tommy looked at him with mocking wide eyes for a second before relenting and allowing an easy grin to slip across his features, "Good idea, Joe." he said, handing the man a full beer, before leaning close once more, "First time you've had one of those." he snickered before raising his glass in a toast, "Three miles up!"

"Three miles down!" Luz and Toye chorused clinking glasses, and going to down them.

"Ten-hut!"

All men immediately stood to attention, keeping their gazes fixed forward as Colonel Sink walked through the ranks of newly minted paratroopers before coming to stand before them on the small raised platform at the front of the room.

"Well at ease, Paratroopers." everyone fell into rank, folding their arms behind their backs, "Good Evening, Easy Company."

"Evening Sir!" everyone chorused.