withstanding the war. ➳ au styles. [on hold; indefinitely] [in editing]

Chapter Six.

Niall’s POV

I grew very fidgety in my seat, shifting my weight back and forth on my hips as the anxiety continued to bubble within me. Harry was just as nervous as I was, but he seemed more composed. This was new for both of us, usually I was calm and reserved and he would not be able to keep still. Something was brewing within his mind, but I knew I was more likely to die in a plane crash than have him tell me.

He was weird like that, always encouraged me to talk to him whenever I felt the need to just get all my frustrations and fears out. But as soon as I started to offer the same thing to him, he just shut down. I had a feeling it was his way of trying to keep sane, but I was aware of the adverse effects it had on people. I hoped everyday he would vent to me, maybe just a little, but he never did.

It was not like he was cold though, he would strike a conversation about anything that did not pertain to the war. He would often ramble on about Marilyn and every perfect thing she did. While it was sickening at times to listen about all the romantic times they shared, I knew he needed this. If he would not talk about the war, but about Marilyn, about how much he missed her, and how much he feared for her safety and well-being, then I would listen, because him venting about something was better than nothing.

The plane was crowded, us men packed into it like sardines. When I first boarded, the smell of dirt and sweat was all I could sense, but it had died off a while back and now I just took in the staggered breathing of everyone around me. Our sudden departure to a place we had just become familiar with to an unstable environment was not one most of us had prepared for. We were all aware this would become our fate, but we just assumed we had a bit more time.

I finally felt Harry move next to me, accidently bumping his arm with mine as he shifted. It was a relief to know he was just uncomfortable as I. I faintly heard his mumbled apology before he returned to his quiet demeanor. His awareness for the unforgiving reality seemed to be absorbed more rapidly as the plane descended. I was more than certain his thoughts swarmed with images of Marilyn, something he accidently confessed one day while rambling on about her.

I clamped my hand around his left shoulder, signaling that everything was to be okay. He understood what I intended and replied with a small smile and a couple of taps on my hand. He let out a shaky breath as the wheels skidded across the rigid ground.

I found myself caught up in making sure my best friend was okay, more than myself and that scared me. While I was concerned for my own life, I often found myself thinking of ways to keep Harry safe and alive. It could have been due to the fact that he had a special someone to return to, and I did not.

But in all actuality, I did, my family. And I knew my family would be devastated if they lost me, but it would be nothing compared to how someone who was in love with me would feel. The way Harry talked about his relationship with Marilyn, it seemed that if one of them were to die, the other one would as well. And what kind of person was I to not find some way to protect that love? In a world as ugly as this one, a person should protect all that fills it with beauty.

As the side of the plane opened up to reveal a white landscape, all the men stood up and grabbed the bag that was rested in between their calves. As I waited for Harry to gather his belongings, and his balance, a soldier I had never seen before bumped into me. When he turned back, his eyes held this aqua blue-green color and his light brown hair was disheveled. He mumbled an apology, holding his hand up, and a smile on his face.

His smiling face was something I was not expecting in this environment. It was reassuring to know that there was going to be a bit of good in our rather gloomy lifestyle. The nameless soldier turned back around and headed out the door and when I looked back at Harry, he was just pulling his bag over his shoulder. We both nodded to each other as we made our way into the blinding light.