After The World Has Fallen ~ John Egan x Reader

The Newcomers

The voices of the group had caught Y/N's attention. Noticing they were all crowded around the entry fence, she made her way over to the rest to see who was coming in. Some didn't sound too happy and she could see why they were disappointed. Though she never understood the problem with people of a different race as they were no different than themselves. 

One looked critically injured, being carried in by his friends on their shoulders.

Later at night when the group was playing cards, two of those men had walked into their cabin. Everyone went silent, staring at them. 

One of the two decided to speak up. "Second Lieutenant Alexander Jefferson, 332nd fighter group."

Then the other. "Second Lieutenant Richard D. Macon, 332nd."

"Gentlemen", Gale welcomed. "Welcome to paradise."

Y/N stood up from her spot at the table, walking over to the two. "You can take the bunks to your left, and I have ice for your neck if you need it Lieutenant." 

"Thanks", Macon says as they move over to where she had directed them. 

Y/N grabs her ice pack she had stashed when she got and and brought it over to them. Some of the boys were still watching them, unsure if they could trust them.

"Don't mind them", she says handing the man who was laying down the pack. "Its clear they don't get out much", she tries lightening the mood with a sweet smile. "Just stick around the guy with blonde hair who was just talking to you. Welcome to hell boys."

They nod and smile back, happy at least someone wasn't being rude to them just from looking at them.

After the introduction of the new men in the camp, their next few weeks were used informing others of certain degrees of knowledge. Whether it was how to improve the stump grinder, how to make shives,  or how to cut open someone's throat, they prepared for it all. Until one early morning when they were being rushed out of their rooms.

There was a bang on the door followed by someone telling them they had to get out in thirty minutes. He opens their door.

"Goons gave us thirty minutes to be at the front gate. Twenty-three hundred hours, then we march. They won't say how far or for how long", with that he left the room as quickly as he came in. 

"All right, pack it up. Let's go", Gale announces. "Wear the warmest clothes you got."

Y/N groans before rolling out of bed. She grabs her flying pants, nurse jacket, scarf, and gloves, putting them all of as quickly as she could. She stashed her mini med kit they had let her keep in the inside pocket of her jacket, zipping it up to the top and wrapping her scarf around her head as a make-shift tuque. 

Once the group had gathered the essentials, Bucky grabbed Y/N's arm to keep her close, bringing her out of their home for the final time before the Germans started throwing torches to burn everything in sight.

Everyone gets in a line while the Guards shout orders. It was still dark and the snow was blowing. They could tell it wasn't going to be an enjoyable night.

It had been hours, over 20 miles of walking. The sun was rising, but there was no doubt some of them had already gotten frost bite. The wind had picked up about half way through, making Y/N pull her scarf over her face so she would be able to breathe properly.

Another 30 miles of walking and they had made it into a building. Most men rushed to get close to the fire while some continued in normally, knowing there was more than enough room. They took a seat on the side, while Y/N opted to sit in between Bucky's legs with him wrapping his arms around her. She had fallen asleep after she stopped shivering and was out cold. 

Buck crouches down next to Bucky. "Scuttlebutt is we're heading to a train station at first light."

"Scuttlebutt know where we're going?"

"No. Just be ready at dawn."

Dawn came faster than Y/N had hoped with Bucky shaking her awake and standing next to her on a train. No one knew where they were going.

"Hasn't gone exactly how we thought, has it?", Bucky says.

"Not exactly", Buck replies. "You wish you'd done it differently?"

"Can't say I would have. You?"

"I wasn't planning on getting shot down. You know I really did believe that if there was only two B-17s left, be you and me flying 'em. Last few years would've been a lot rougher without you two."

Y/N smiles while John agrees with him.

The train starts slowing down while one man cries out that they stopped in Nuremburg. Definitely did not want to be in the heart of Germany.

They get out of the train, falling back into their lines. It made Y/N sad looking at all the destruction around them. Destruction they had caused.

Walking further in the mud, they made it to a new camp. As they were walking in a man called out Gale's name.

"Jesus, I'll be", Gale says. "George, How the hell are you?"

"Long way from home."

"Hey, this is George Neithammer."

"John", he introduces himself and shakes his hand.

"Y/N", she says, doing the same.

"Only guy I have ever met that knows more about baseball than you do."

"Is that right?"

"Looks like you've got some competition", Y/N laughs.

"Who's your team?", George asks.

"Yankees, you?"

"Cubs."

"There's always next year."

"So I'll see if I can find you guys some tents with fires going. I'm warning you most of them don't", he says while leading the group around the camp.

"That's okay", Gale says. "Happy enough to just get out of the snow."