The Nightingale || John Egan

IX

What Iris saw up in the black sky that night, would have looked like fireworks, if it weren't for the war.
She then realized that she had sent her parents a letter a while ago but she hasn't yet received a response, which was unusual as she was always answered. Her little brother George, who was only four, would at the very end conclude her mother and father's letter with a crooked heart. And every letter sent was kept inside a box, hidden in her suitcase.
But there were complications around and she knew that and maybe, they needed more time to respond. And when she gets back from the next mission, she might find a reply ready to welcome her back on the ground.
She would at times feel confused about her own thoughts, sometimes she would find herself in a position when even though she was fighting in the war, she laughed and smiled and felt affection towards other and at times she felt as if she shouldn't have done those things and then sorrow would overtake all that she felt, and as confusing as it was it left her mind perplexed.

And despite all, she did not dare to show any fraction of weakness on her face. Because she was not the only one.
And there was not one person who did not feel the same.

All were sheltering, and Iris realized just after the bombing that Alissa had gone to the other sheltering.
The silence was filled by footsteps shuffling as those who hid tried to walk out of the shelter, leading them out.
The girl stayed back and decided not to squeeze herself into the crowd of people until there was enough space for her to walk freely in those heels of hers. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her fingers then went to her ear as she realized her grandmother's pearl earrings were still there, she let out a small breath of relief as she took small steps until she was free from the sheltering spot.
Her left arm held onto the elbow of the other as she started walking, her sleeping quarters her destination.

And the silence that surrounded her was what she thought to be the silence that originated from fear, but she breathed soundly, her heart beating at a normal rate, her neck hairs straightening for a reason she did not wish to think further of.

She wished Alissa was here, she believed that when in silence and alone, the deepest thoughts crawl out of the hollow of the mind until it reached the very top, and it would overwhelm one's self being.
So, she hummed.
She hummed a song that had been carved in her mind by someone she had started to believe as insufferable but now, the image of him was different.
Iris did not sing as she walked slowly, but as if the song was a summoning of a certain man, she heard footsteps, fast ones, from behind her.
She forze and stopped humming in the middle of a step and turn around, to realize that Bucky was who was walking fastly behind her, trying to catch up.

"Grey" he breathed out, she remained frozen in her place as she pronounced his surname as well "Egan".
"What are you doing out here all alone?" he asked her and began walking forward and she could do nothing but walk as well, they walked side by side and she answered his question with another question "Why were you following me?"
"I was not".
"If that is how you put it, why are you still here? Your sleeping quarters are the opposite way-"
"Ah, now look who has been following me" he gave her a childish grin that resulted in her annoyance and she decided to not ask further question about his presence.

"Mind if I walk you to your sleeping quarters?" he asked politely, his voice filling the silence.
"Would you walk away if I said I did mind?" she asked looking up at him to only find him once again smiling, because of her.
"No".
"Well then" she said calmly as she crossed her arms over her waist as both walked, at times he hummed the same song she was humming a few moments ago.

She found herself comforted by his presence, not burdened by any thought as she looked up at him and looked immediately away when his eyes glanced at her.

"Have you always liked singing?" she asked out of the blue and it caught his attention.
"Of course, and if I wasn't doing this job I would have definitely been a singer in some band or sort" she was taken aback from his answer and nodded until he looked down at her amused by her reaction "Would you like to say something, Grey?"
"Not really, no".
"Come on, I could get a nice voice".
"How?"
"Practice".
"So all of your singing was...?"
"Just pass time".
"Well, dear John, when the war ends will I find you on a stage and a microphone winning teenage girls' hearts?" she said and a small laugh escaped her, her laugh was like honey, soothing and sweet.

He did not answer or reply as he shrugged, the corners of his mouth lifting.

"You got family back home?" he suddenly asked.
Her heart warmed up at the thought of her family, she nodded and took out her brothers picture from the dress' pocket and handed it to him.
"That's George, my little brother. And then there's mom and dad".
"He looks like you" he muttered as he held the picture close to his face, the only light available was what the moon offered above.
"Really?" she asked, she had never heard anyone say that.
"Really" he confirmed and handed the picture back, she returned the question as he told her he had his mother back home, and that was it.

When Bucky saw the girl walking away from the shelter alone, he had though that he could've talked to her, so with hesitation, he thought twice before following the girl, walking fast but not running, as he believed it might frighten the girl.
And then as he got closer he heard her hum a song all too familiar to him, he smirked before he finally approached her.
He recalled the little time when he too her from her arm and spun her, and the smile she fought hard to keep back but failed miserably, he was winning her heart.

The little road left, they had spent talking, at times adding unnecessary jokes that lead both to laugh greatly, as both fought to lower their laughter.
He felt the need to tell her something, like she looked beautiful , how her hair left down looked heavenly on her and how red and dark blue were breathtaking when worn by her.

"You looked beautiful tonight, Grey" he admitted without looking at the girl in question. She glanced up at him and spoke "You didn't look so bad yourself, Egan".
"I'm flattered, Grey".
"Glad to know, Egan" she said her tone filled with a small laughter.

When they reached her sleeping quarters and turned around to face him "Now who will walk you to your sleeping quarters, Egan?" she smiled kindly, her head tilted and both of her hands intertwined at the back.
He ran two fingers over his mustache and answered with "I'll manage".
"Well, thank you" she said, now her tone sounded shy and timid, as she hesitated, he stayed there, unmoving and not uttering a single word as he took the sight of her in.
She took a step forward and got on her tiptoes and gave him a small peck on his cheek before she stood back down and walked away placing her arms in front of her and heard him say from afar "Anytime," he didn't yell it, he said it as he pressed his fingers to where her lips touched his cheek and when he was sure she was inside he punched the air and grinned.

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Hi!
To whomever is reading my story thank you so so much and I hope you're liking it so far!
There aren't really a lot of John Egan stories here on wattpad so I have decided to write one of my own.