#sledgeleckie

Eugene is jolted out of his thoughts when Leckie throws his head back in unabashed laughter, the sound of it cutting through the drone of casual chatter in the mess. As he recovers, hunching to the side and slapping Conley on the shoulder, he looks Eugene’s way. Eugene can’t tell if it’s accidental or on purpose. Either way, Leckie holds his gaze. For a moment, anyway. It’s almost imperceptible from the other side of the tent, but Leckie’s face smooths out when he looks at Eugene, his grin becoming softer. Eugene’s heart thuds and thuds and thuds, like window shutters flapping in a hurricane.

safe where men fall by @ww2yaoi (image text from "The Busy Heart" by Rupert Brooke)

Eugene, everyone in the PTO can see your yearning! God, I love the way this portrays Eugene's crush--he's cringe but he's bold, and I get it: Leckie is charming and experienced and tough and sensitive and he knows Sid in ways that Eugene doesn't anymore and he's smart and he's confident and and and...

The use of Rupert Brooke’s poetry in this is so great—they get to flirt over it (Leckie doesn’t just like the adoration, he likes when Eugene speaks his mind or bites back!) but it also highlights just how big the difference is in their experiences at this point.

sledgeleckie req from @sixtymortars

leckie idk why u thought dress blues would impress u know gene outranks u right

go into the woodland if you seek peace of mind-- as this time when Nature's mood is gentle, quiet and kind, when soft winds fan the trembling leaves about the cloistered glade-- and paths go winding deep into the green and breathless shade.

Summary: In the summer of 1946, Leckie travels down to Alabama for Sid’s wedding. Once there, he rekindles a friendship with Eugene Sledge. They’re both a little lost, a little broken, a little heartsick; it might not seem like the best basis for a relationship, but to their surprise they find themselves stumbling towards one anyway.

the pacific episode 5 / helmet for my pillow