ICARUS {d.w}

211 Days Before

The sun was already high in the sky leaving its golden hue upon Pearl Harbor. June stretched as she squinted her eyes at the golden light. She brushed her hair out of her face, then turned to say good morning to Evelyn.

The bed was empty, only a golden shadow remained on the gently folded sheets. June placed her feet on the cold carpet and walked down the stairs. Even in the shadow of the sun, the air remained cold. It was the first time she had felt cold while in Hawaii. As June walked down the stairs she saw a figure standing on the front lawn. She quickly recognized the female figure.

"Eve," June said softly as she wrapped a jacket around her pale arms.

Evelyn turned around to face her friend. After being in Hawaii for a week Evelyn's hand gained a slight tan on her face while June's face had been littered with freckles here and there.

"It's beautiful in the morning," Evelyne said as she turned back to the harbor.

June nodded.

"Rafe would love to see it."

Evelyn turned towards her friend at the mention of her lover's name.

"He always loved the golden sunsets. I think that it brought back memories of the farm."

Evelyn smiled at the thought of Rafe as a child.

"How's Danny?" She asked looking over at her friend.

June didn't try to object Evelyn's comment. This time the sound of his name was different. She wanted to let the thought of him into her mind. June smiled.

"I saw you two last night, out here."

June looked around the yard and let the smile on her face grow wider. She looked at her friend.

"I think I'm fallin' for him, Eve."

Evelyn let a closed mouth smile spread on her tanned face.

"And I know that Rafe would object because it's his best friend and he wouldn't want Danny to hurt me, but I trust him. I trust him more than I've ever trusted anyone and-"

"I don't think Rafe would mind. I think that if you fell for anyone Rafe would be glad that it was someone like Danny. Someone that he knows and trusts."

Evelyn's face softened as she saw a car drive slowly up the road. She recognized the green paint and white star on the side of the door. June turned around when she saw the softened complexion of her friend. Danny was stepping out of the car, but something was different.

"Danny." June smiled as she walked towards him.

Something stopped her. Maybe it was the solemn look on his face or the fact that he was dressed in full uniform. June turned back to Evelyn she already had tears running down her rosy cheeks. Danny looked up from under the brim of his hat, his face was serious. June's heart sank as he walked towards her. June's eye stung. Danny grabbed her arm and pulled her close to him. He placed his hand on the back of her head and pulled her into his chest. After a few seconds, June pulled away she wiped her tears and looked back at Evelyn.

The tall brunette had fallen to the ground as tears flooded her eyes. June ran to her and helped her to her feet. Danny helped Evelyn inside and directed her to the upstairs bedroom. Once Evelyn was sitting on the bed June sat next to her. The other nurses joined the two girls and Danny in the room.

The girls huddled around Evelyn and Sandra wrapped June in a tight hug. Danny nodded and started to leave the room. June detached herself from Sandra and walked after Danny.

"Danny," She spoke softly. "Please, stay."

Danny turned to look at June. June quickly checked on Evelyn but she didn't want to overwhelm her so she left her alone with the other nurses. June slipped her hand in Danny's and they walked down the stairs together. Danny lead June around the corner of the house and to a small garden.

A fountain ran softly in the center surrounded by four benches. The colorful flowers bloomed all around them and the sky was soft blue, no longer a bright gold. Danny sat June down on one of the benches then took a seat next to her. June looked down as the tear pricked at her eyes again.

"You know, he taught me to fly." Danny said with his soft accent. "I always knew that no matter what kind of trouble I got into I'd never be in it alone. He'd be there with me."

Danny's eye grew foggy as tears gathered in them. June looked up and him and noticed the sadness o his face and grabbed his hand. She slowly moved her thumb over his skin.

"Up there he was always pushin' me to be better and faster."

"He always said you were a great flyer." June sighed. "He repeated multiple times the night he told me her volunteered to go to England."

Danny looked over at June.

"Volunteered?" He questioned softly.

June looked over at him.

"He told me he'd been assigned." June looked down as Danny's heart filled with sadness. "He was always tryin to protect me. Protect you."

June looked back up. She wiped a tear with the back of her hand.

"I think he knew." June said quietly. "I knew us better than we knew ourselves, Danny. That's why he never wanted us to be friends. He knew there was something between us."

Danny sighed as he smacked his lips.

"I looked at myself in this uniform and I still don't know who I am. I look like a hero, but I don't feel like it. He always knew what I was destined to be."

"Rafe, always looked the part, didn't he." June smiled. "And he couldn't wait to be one."

A soft sob escaped her mouth. She leaned against Danny's shoulder and he placed his arm around her. Another sob escaped her mouth and Danny tightened his arm around her. June melted into Danny's chest.

✰✰✰

The liquid poured softly. Three pictures were pinned up on the wall and above the cause of death. Rafe's was pinned in the middle and above it read Kill in Action. Underneath was a small clear shot glass. Two out of the three were empty and flipped over the third on, Rafe's glass, with filled to the brim. Danny's hand shook as he topped off the glass. The bar was filled with people friends and colleagues. June had her arm around Evelyn. Red and Betty stood to her right holding each other and the other nurses were spread across the room. Danny poured himself a shot glass and turned to face the group.

Danny stared at the floor as he searched for words. His face was illuminated by a golden light peeking through the dark clouds.

"To Rafe McCawley. The best pilot...and the best friend I ever knew...or ever will know." Danny gulped as he lifted his glass. "To Rafe."

His voice was soft. The rest of the group put their glasses to their lips and swallowed the bitter golden liquid. After June swallowed she looked out at the ocean. The golden sun was setting behind the mirror of water. The wind blew her hair back and smile. She whispered under her breath.

"I know you'll always be here."