Throughout It All

29 | Traveling | October 14, 1918

Ooooh things are gonna pick up a little more!! 

Enjoy! :)

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Over the past couple days, Ermal and Race have gotten to know each other. They talk about their childhoods. Race tells them about being a newsie. Ermal tells him about growing up in Italy with their parents being from Albania. Race tells them about his family and their house in New York. Ermal tells Race about how they ended up here in France. Race tells them about Spot and their love. Ermal tells them about their gender neither being male or female, but something else entirely. They've definitely formed a bond.

Two days ago when Ermal found Race, they had taken Race to their small cottage, started giving him nourishment, and plenty of rest. Race would beg Ermal to let him go to Italy, claiming that he was better today. Ermal refused until Race truly seemed like he was healthier.

This morning, Ermal begins driving (yes, driving--Race thanks all his lucky stars for something with a motor) Race to the Italian border.

In all honesty, Race hadn't been that far off. True, he might have ended up in Switzerland if he kept going in the direction he was heading, but he had only been a couple miles away from where he wanted to be.

Ermal asks where in Italy Race wants to go. Race explains that he's looking for his brother, explains that he's part of the 332nd US Infantry Regiment. Ermal's eyes light up with recognition and claims to know exactly where they're heading--a place called Treviso.

And, for the first time since his brother got drafted, Race can finally relax.

This is it. He's finally going to see his brother again.

He can't wait.

Ermal sees Race's smile, and can't help but smiling too. They lost their sibling earlier in the war. If they can reunite a different pair of siblings, then that's all they need.

And so, for both of them, maybe things are finally starting to look up.

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Mush and Spot and the rest of the 79th Division are on their way to Montfaucon, in the hopes of capturing Mounfaucon and breaking through the main German defenses--the Krimhilde Stellung of the Hindenburg Line. Their generals have high hopes for this.

Spot and Mush, however, have misgivings. Major misgivings. Mostly because they've seen the ways these generals have led, and know that they aren't impressed by some of their leadership.

Spot and Mush know that they could very well be marching off to their last battle.

As they continue moving, Mush can't get over the conversation he and Spot had last night.

"I'm scared, Spot," Mush confesses. "I don't know if we're going to make it this time."

"We will," Spot responds, determined. "I know it."

"You say that every time."

"And we've survived every time, haven't we?"

"What if we don't?"

"I can't let that happen. I won't." Spot clenches his fists. "I just can't." He blinks as his eyes start to glisten. "I just ... I need to see Race again."

Without a second thought, Mush hugs Spot. Spot hugs back with all that he can.

"We will see them again," Mush tells him. "And know that I'm always here for you, right? I'm your friend. I always will be."