The eagerness and utter innocence being displayed caused Schofield to feel certain emotions he hadn't experienced in a long time
Schofield's jaw clenched, feeling immense sympathy for the younger man who'd been thrown into the whole war mess
Schofield subtly listened to the angry man project onto Blake, it was a rage of profanities and brutally rude remarks which succeeded in making Schofield's heart constrict unpleasantly as the urge to help the boy increased
"Now, go make yourself useful and get the lads water" he said hotly as he shoved a cluster of canteens into the bewildered Blake
The other men in training sniggered and mumbled degrading comments toward Blake whose face morphed into a sad frown
He stormed off in a rut, clearly upset from the events that had just unfolded, Schofield got lost in thoughts staring at Blake's soft features and how hurt and sad he looked
"Don't you have something to do Schofield??" Came the coarse voice of the grumpy Sargent
"Y-Yes Sarge" Schofield stuttered slightly trying to find the proper words after being so helplessly dazed by the young boy
"Well go on then" he said unkindly as he gestured for Schofield to get lost
Schofield in reality didn't have anything to do, he would've normally gone to his usual resting spot against his tree in hopes that the beauty of nature would outshine the tragedy of the war
However today was different, upon seeing the hurt look on Blake's face, he felt almost obligated to go and help out, or at least to give the the young lad some pleasant company
He decided to head to the water pump with a deep sense of purpose, his heart ached for Blake...though he didn't know anything about him, he felt his heart swell at the mere thought of the younger boy
Upon arrival, he was taken aback when the sound of Blake's soft sniffles emanated from where he filled up the canteens
Schofield studied Blake's face, his bottom lip slightly quivered and his face a look of immense sadness and heartache, resembling a distressed child immensely as he released his gloom
Schofield felt his own throat constrict unpleasantly upon seeing such sadness from Blake
Schofield slowly approached him trying to be as polite as possible and not wanting to offend the fragility of Blake in that moment
Blake's head quickly snapped up and he hurriedly tried to wipe any traces of tears away as Schofield approached
"S-sorry" he stuttered our trying to broaden his appearance as Schofield drew nearer
"No need to apologize....here, let me help you" Schofield offered with as soft as a tone he could muster
Blake sniffled and looked up into Schofield's intense sapphire eyes, Schofield found the most brilliant yet soft baby blue eyes in Blake that only caused his heart to melt further
Their eyes remained locked for a few moments until Schofield slowly and carefully reached out and took one of the canteens from Blake's soft, pudgy little hand, their fingers lightly brushed causing a slight shiver to travel through Schofield's body
~ a new face ~
Start from the beginning
