Travelin' Solider

The bell over the small café door rang and Harry turned to see which regular it was.

After all, it was a small town in the middle of nowhere. Nobody ever came to visit and nobody ever seemed to ever leave.

Instead of one of the everyday costumers, he saw a tall, young looking blonde wearing army green and carrying a matching duffle bag.

The man plopped down in a nearby booth, sighing tiredly as he put his head in his hands.

Harry picked up the notepad he used to take orders before walking over to the handsome man.

“Hello, my name is Harry. What can I get for you?” Harry asked cheerfully, flashing the blonde a stunning smile.

“The special and some sweet tea please.” he smiled slightly.

“I’ll have your food out in just a second.” he turned to leave but a small voice made him stop in his tracks.

“Sorry, I didn’t catch that.” he turned to face the man curiously.

“Would you mind sitting down for awhile and talking to me? I’m feeling kinda lonely.” he looked down at the table, his cheeks turning bright red.

“I get off in an hour, I know where we can do.” Harry said, smiling reassuringly before turning and strolling back into the kitchen.

“Here ya go, enjoy.” Harry sat the hot plate in front of the solider.

“30 minutes,” he said simply before walking to the next booth.

The blonde smiled before taking a sip of his sweet tea.

“Ready?”

“Yeah,” the man picked up his duffle bag and followed the other man out of the café.

“So, what’s your name?” Harry squinted as the bright sun shone in his eyes.

“Draco,”

“Draco. Draco. That’s a rather unique name. So Draco, why haven’t I seen you before?” Harry kicked some sand as they continued to walk.

“I’m just passing through,” he replied simply, watching the gorgeous brunette twirl around, looking up at the sky with his eyes closed.

“Where to?”

“California.”

“The sunshine state.” Harry chuckled.

“I would ask if you were goin down there to be some big actor but I can see differently.” Harry looked pointedly at Draco’s uniform.

“Where are we going?” Draco asked, purposely ignoring Harry’s last comment.

“My favorite spot in the whole town, c’mon your going to love it.” Harry said, his southern accent shining through.

“You sound like a southern belle.” Draco said with a small smile.

“Hey! I’m a man thank you very much. I can’t help it I have a sweet voice and petite frame.” Harry said, flashing Draco another one of his brilliant smiles to show he was only teasing.

“Close your eyes.” he said suddenly, stopping in front of the blonde.

Draco raised an eyebrow but did as the other said nonetheless.

Harry grabbed his hand and lead him a little ways before he stopped again.

“Okay, open.”

Draco opened his eyes and gasped at the view.

They were standing on a pier over a large lake. The sun’s orangish glow reflecting off the clear water as it went down.

“It’s beautiful,” Draco said.

Harry only nodded before sitting on the edge, reaching to take his shoes off.

“Put your feet in the water,” Harry said, turning to look at Draco as he continued to pull his shoes off.

Draco sat down next to him before pulling his own shoes off.

“This is nice, thank you.” Draco said as they both sat on the edge of the pier, their feet dangling in the cool, refreshing water.

“My pleasure,” Harry replied, splashing the water with his right foot gently.

“I bet you have a girlfriend,” Draco paused when the other man scrunched up his nose gently.

“Or a boyfriend…but I don’t care. I got no one to send a letter to. Would you mind if I sent one back here to you?” he looked hopeful as he stared at Harry, waiting for his reply.

“I’d like that.” Harry smiled at Draco.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay.”

“Harry! You got another one!”

Harry raced into the kitchen, taking the envelope from his mother’s outstretched hand.

“That boy is to old for you, I tell you. Nothing but heartbreak.” the women mumbled as she sat the milk she had just purchased in the refrigerator.

Harry ignored her as he read the letter excitedly.

Dear Harry,


I’m sorry it’s been awhile. Don’t worry but I might not be able to write for a while.

Thank you for the picture, you looked absolutely beautiful in your…band uniform.

Harry could just picture the blonde laughing as he wrote.

Seriously, I put it in the top of my helmet.
It helps me remember what I’m fighting for.
I’m fighting for you Harry.
I’m fighting so that one-day, hopefully soon, I can see you again and we can be together.
I know it might seem rushed but I think I love you Harry. And I’m so scared… so scared I’ll never see you again.
Scared that I’ll never see your stunning smile or the sun sparkling in you messy hair.
But then I remember that day on the pier and I know it’s all worth it.
You’re worth it.

All my love,
Draco.

“I love you too.” Harry mumbled, clutching the tear stained letter to his chest.

“Always,”

“Folks would you please bow your heads for a reading of local dead.” a man said as he stood in the middle of the football field.

Harry stood in his band uniform under the bleachers by himself.

He held his breath and clenched his eyes closed as a man started to read what appeared to be a long list.

“Malfoy, Draco.” he said as if it were just another name.

Harry let out a heart-breaking sob before his legs gave out and he felled to the hard ground underneath him.

“No…no…no” he repeated, tears flowing steadily from his eyes.

“NO!” he shouted, but no one seemed to hear him.

He beat his hands on the ground until they started to bleed from the small, jagged rocks.

He pulled his legs to his chest as he continued to sob, mumbling a strangled “no” in between cries.

Harry stared up at the sun as he dangled his feet in the water.

“Our love will never end,” he said with a half smile as a single tear ran down his cheek.

“I love you. Always,”