There he lay, in a knot of blankets and sheets as his sleeping body tossed and turned. Sweat dripped down his forehead as shined off the rest of his body. His brown hair sticking to his soaked forehead. Small grunts and low whines escaped his lips as the horrors of the war he had just left replayed throughout his mind. His fingers dug into the sheets, gripping them tight enough that it created small tears in the fabric.
Ronald's eyes shot open as he let out a loud and exasperated gasp. His body lurched upwards as his chest heaved. Sweat slowly dripping down his bare and now exposed skin. He ran a hand through his sopping hair and tried to regulate his breathing.
Ronald Speirs wasn't one for letting his emotions show. Well, besides anger and his threat of authority. Especially back in the war. He was a legend among every man in the Army Paratroopers. He was terrifying none the least. Rumors had gone around the companies about how he murdered a group of German soldiers that had surrendered themselves over to them. Offering them each a cigarette and lighting them for them. Just to go off into a shooting spree and killing at least twenty of them. Or was it forty? Hell, nobody really knew if it was true or not. There had been rumors that he shot some sergeant, or was he a private. Though, the truth was that Ronald was a ruthless man. He was mean, tough, and wasn't afraid of dying. He had beaten a Replacement nearly to death with the rest of Easy Company after the Replacement had shot an NCO.
Now here the Veteran was. Lying in his bed, in a pool of sweat, tears welled in his eyes after another night of being awoken from all the things he put himself through throughout the war. Ronald's eyes darted to the small clock that rested on his nightstand within his small room. It was just big enough for him. Which he didn't mind. It wasn't like he had anyone to share it with.
The clock read '5:43 AM' . Ronald sighed heavily as he threw the already sprawled blankets and sheets to the side. Throwing his legs to one side of the mattress, planting his hands at either side of him. His head hanging low as his breathing was now at a normal pace. Only a few droplets of sweat now dropped onto the hardwood floor that his feet rested on. 'Might as well start the day, Right?' he thought to himself as his pushed himself up to stand. The cold air that came in through his his slightly cracked window, sending a shiver down his spine. Ronald closed his eyes for a moment, collecting his thoughts, and opening them. Going over to his dresser and digging out a pair of pants and a shirt. Pulling the pants over his long legs and over his boxers. Pulling the shirt over his head and pushing his arms through the holes. With another heavy sigh he ran his hands over his face and through his knotted hair. Walking to the bathroom to look at himself in the mirror. Placing his hands on the rim of the bathroom sink, resting his weight down on it as he stared into the mirror.
Deep purple bags rested beneath his eyes. Ronald's eyes a light red from both not sleeping and the common acts of crying. He just huffed and pushed himself off the sick. Turning around to exit and walk into the main area of his home. His lips pressed together tightly as he walked over to the front door. Grabbing his jacket and slipping it over his arms. His eyes went up to the clock that hung up on a wall. The time now was 6:57. The sun was already almost completely up by now. Ron went and slipped on his shoes. Deciding that maybe a cup of coffee at a local diner would cheer him up and help him wake up for the day.
As he walked out of his house and shut the door behind him, he let the cool morning air hit him. Rushing over his body. Ronald inhaled the fresh air deeply, letting it flow around within his lungs for a few seconds before exhaling it back into the air. He immediately felt his tense muscles loosen. He looked forward down the sidewalk and took one more deep breath and shoving his permanent scarred and calloused hands deep into his jacket pockets. Making his way down the pavement, keeping his gaze slightly down and avoiding everyone's view.
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The small bell attached to the top of the diner's main door chimed as Ronald pushed it open with one hand. A waitress turned and looked at him, a warm smile on her lips. Her red lipstick popping as she immediately pulled out a small notepad and pen when seeing Ronald's appearance. She brought him over to a small booth that was open. He ordered a cup of straight black coffee and the waitress darted into the kitchen. Leaving Ronald to sit alone, fiddling his thumbs as he waited in silence.
His mind had been raising as he just staring off at the table he was sitting at. That was until the diner's door chimed once more. Snagging his attention and his eyes darted upwards. His gaze landing on a woman with a light pink dress. It was sleeveless and the hems were lace. The skirt obviously ironed neatly. Her hair was pulled back with a white ribbon tied into a bow. A white headband to push her bangs back. Pink lipstick on her lips and rosy cheeks on her S/C skin. A smile on her lips as she spoke with another waitress. Ronald's eyes were glued to her. So much so that he didn't realize his waitress place his mug of coffee.
"She's a doll, ain't she?" asked the Waitress. A small smile on her face as Ronald awkwardly coughed, knowing he was caught staring. Warmth came to his cheeks as he smoothed down his hair, grabbing his hot mug of coffee and holding it between his palms.
"Yeah, sure," he mumbled, looking out the window. The kind waitress lady chuckled as she turned around.
"Her name is Y/N L/N, let me know if you want anything else Hun," her voice was smooth as she walked back into the kitchen. Ronald's eyes traveled back up to the young woman. She looked so neat and proper. She went and sat down in a booth in front of Ronald. Facing him, she looked up catching his eye. Y/N smiled at him, making Ronald's focus quickly going to whatever was going on outside the window. His cheeks now gaining a darker tint of red.
Ronald definitely changed when he got back to the states. He wasn't as dark or mysterious or mean, now he was kind of quiet. Still keeping the thousand yard stare that could kill, but now he was just by himself. He kind if kept in touch with his old officers, but it wasn't a lot. He wasn't okay in the most part. But, he wasn't the type of man to talk about his nightmares and issues. I mean hell, he was Ronald Speirs, he was supposed to be terrifying and tough. Not broken and as mentally drained as he was.
Y/N studied him closely. She had heard about Speirs, it was a small town after all. And of course, he was a war hero. Word travels fast. She worked with War Veterans before, she knew how much they went through after the Wars. Her father had served in the first World War, she knew that when he left and when he got back, he wasn't the same. And he never was the same. So seeing the dark circles beneath his eyes and the bloodshot redness in the whites of his eyes, she knew what was up. Y/N knew that maybe she could talk to him. Plus, she thought he was kind of cute.
She stood and walked over to the table, standing there for a second. Seeing if the man would notice her presence. But, when he didn't she licked her lip and put her hands behind her back. "Hey, is this seat taken?" she asked sweetly.
Ronald's head turned around quickly to look up at the woman. A toothy grin was being shined down onto him. He swallowed as his mind darted in search for words. He was stuck like a teenage boy drooling over a crush. Ronald was wrong. He was a mess.
"Oh, yeah. I mean no. You can sit there," he stumbled as he looked away. Mentally cursing at himself on how he was acting so foolish. Y/N sat down and placed her elbows on the table, resting her head on her palms. Fingers cupping her cheeks. A smile still on her lips. Ronald sat there awkwardly, it had been a long time since he had last flirted or really had a conversation with a pretty woman. And a woman like Y/N was so much different compared to him right of the bat. Politer, pristine, neat. Almost like a goddamn princess. Whilst Ronald was rough Paratrooper in Europe just months ago. He was used to the grunt life style. In fact, he kind of liked it. He stole, he was rude and coarse most of the time. And usually he just wore whatever he was comfortable with. Ron had lost most of his confidence after the war, he just wasn't the man he was during the war. He was lost. And now with this beautiful woman asking to sit with him, and he had no idea on what to say or do, he was realizing the truth of it.
"So you're the infamous Ronald Speirs? I've heard a lot about you," she spoke as she Waistress came with a steaming cup of tea and place it in front of her. Giving Ronald a cheeky wink before turning and walking away. Y/N reached for her cup and lifted it to her mouth. She even rose her pinkie when she took a sip! Ron thought they only did that in movies! Though, he looked at her confused. What had she heard about him, he didn't know anything was going around about him. She noticed the confused look on his features and places her tea cup down softly.
"The entire town knows about you, your a war Veteran! It's a small town Mr. Speirs, word gets around," she smiled as Ron just nodded, his lips pressed into a think line. She extended her hand towards him. "I'm Y/N L/N, nice to meet you."
Ron looked at her hand and took it within his. Her hands felt so soft against his rough and scarred ones. He shook her hand, not really wanting to let go. "Nice to meet you," his words were low but clear. He released her hand and she pulled it back, lightly lying it on the table. He already missed the feeling of her hand in his. Ronald Speirs would never admit it, but he was starved of a woman's touch. Starved of the feeling of love. With him being in war for three years, where all he saw was pure hatred, anger, and death for so long. Day after day. He forgot what it was like. But he yearned for it. And once he laid his eyes on this.. this princess of a woman, a strange and unique feeling exploded into his chest.
For a few about a minute or so, they sat in silence. It was quite the awkward experience. Y/N felt that maybe he didn't wish for her to stay or to talk to her. 'Well it was worth a try,' she thought as she finished her last sip of tea. "I guess I should be going, it was nice to meet you Mr. Ronald Speirs. I apologize if I intruded in anyway," her words had a hint of disappointment and sadness as she began to stand up. Ronald's head darted up. Feeling bad after hearing her tone of voice. And there was no way in God's green Earth that he would pass up the oppurtunity that he had at this moment, with this perfect woman. He quickly reached for Y/N's wrist, his fingers wrapping around it.
Y/N's focus went down to the hand that grabbed at her wrist. Her eyes followed the wrist and arm to Ronald. Whose eyes were big and practically screamed out how much he wanted her to stay. "No, I'm sorry. It's just.. just.. Jesus Christ why is it so hard for me to just speak to you! You're just really pretty, and so nice, and so different than me. I'm so used to people being scared of me and I'm so tired and... and lost. I'm a mess, but I'm not. Ugh. I got this feeling when I first saw you walk in, I don't know what it was so different, and I don't think I ever felt it before. And I just.. I want to get to know you. And I don't want to be alone, so please stay," his cheeks reddened with embarrassment. Never really having to voice his emotions like he did just then. If any men from Easy saw him like this. So vulnerable, so weak, almost broken. They probably wouldn't even think it was the same man that they heard murderous rumors about and ultimately feared.
Y/N smiled down at him, feeling the rush of heat go to her face and ears. Ron pulled his hand off her wrist and pealed it back and placed it on the table. His lips pressed into a thin line as his leg bounced up in down from the anxiety that flowed through his veins. The little lady sat down and reached for the man's hand. Ronald's body was now shaky slightly as he just did something he never really had down before. He was hesitant when her hand interlocked with his. Just thirty minutes ago they were strangers. Now they were this. This woman had to been a princess from a storybook come to life. There was no way she wasn't. He sheepishly looked up at her, some of his brown locks falling in front of his eyes.
"Alright Ronald,you handsome devil, I'll stay. Tell me a bit about yourself," She was so filled with life, joy, and just straight sunshine. Ronald's ends of his lips quirked up into a small smile as he realized that maybe coming to get a cup of coffee this morning did actually fix him after all.