Frost

I watched her take her first steps with her prosthetic today. It had been a month and a half since the IED and I was proud of her.

"Whoa." She was off balance, but she was walking.

"Just a few more feet, Sin. Come on." The physical therapist and prosthetic specialist were right behind her incase she fell. She took a breath, trying to walk again. She made it to me before losing balance and fell right into my chest. "You did it!" I helped her back up.

"I did.." She breathed, holding onto my arms to keep herself steady. "I did." She looked up to me and I couldn't hide my grin.

I loved seeing people bounce back. As a surgeon, it was a joy to see them recover from such a traumatic injury.

We didn't just do it because we liked to cut. We did it because we liked helping people.

"She'll be able to go home in a week or so. You're still a little under a preferred weight, so pack on a little bit more meat, and we'll be able to fly you home." Her face fell from happy to scared.

"Can you give us a few moments?" I asked the two of them left the room. I helped her walk back to the table that was in here for patients. "Where's your mind taking you?" I took off the prosthetic, the connector, and she spoke.

"I..." She swallowed heavily. "I don't know how thank you for all this." I smiled, rubbing some lotion on for chafing on the stub where her leg used to be.

"You don't have to thank me, Sin." She grabbed my wrist and I looked up.

"I don't want to go home. Not without everyone else."

"We'll be right behind you." I promised, removing her hands from my wrist. "You're not alone." I saw her throat bob. "Come on. Let's go back to your room." I put her connector and prosthetic back on, and helped her back.

I stayed with her the entire time she was here. There were nights when I got called because she was having night terrors, and she had pushed nurses and other doctors away.

But not me.

The Psychiatrists had given her a full hundred percent on PTSD,meaning she'd be receiving a pretty big stipend from the VA for the rest of her life. Not only that, since her leg was lost in combat, she'd receive even more benefits from it.

Once she was settled and I got her to take her meds, I went to sleep on the couch, only to be woken a few hours later by a call from her Dad.

"Hello, Mr. Clairmont."

"Hello, Grant. How is she?" I looked to her, watching her sleep.

"She's scared... But they're releasing her next week after she gains a few pounds."

"Has she not been eating?" I shook my head.

"No, Sir. It's been hard to get her to eat when she pukes it up an hour later because of anxiety."

"She's scared of being alone again." He said quietly. "I know it because we had her hospitalized a few times because she lost so much weight and kept puking up everything a few months after the accident." Her breathing changed, but she remained asleep. "Is she awake?"

"No. I gave her the meds two hours ago, and she'll be out for a bit." I was genuinely worried about her.

"Alright. Tell her I love her, please."

"Will do." The call ended after that and I continued to watch her. I gave it another hour before I succumbed to sleep as well.

*

I walked her to the plane the next week. She was becoming steadier, using a cane for now.

"Call me when you land, okay? It'll be late, but I'll be waiting, okay?" She nodded, stopping before the entrance. "Your parents miss you. They're going to be waiting at the base."

"I know." She sighed, turning toward me. "Thank you." She surprised me by hugging me.

"You're very welcome." I rubbed her back. "Safe travels." She pulled back, then walked into the plane, taking her seat by a few others who would be flying back as well. As the doors shut, she gave me a small wave, which I returned.

Then... I felt empty. An emptiness I had felt for a long time.

I felt empty and alone.

*

Shawn

I landed at midnight, and even though it was late, I was immediately met by my parents.

"Oh, God, Shawn!" My mom was sobbing as I was walking off the plane, her mouth covered. I immediately hugged her, not wanting to let go. Nothing needed to be said. Not with my Dad, either.

"Let's go home." I had each of them on one side, arms around my shoulders, and helping me into the Suburban, and I opened facetime, calling Frost.

He answered almost immediately. "Hey, you. Home yet?"

"Not yet. We're leaving the base now." I sunk into my seat. "I promised I would call."

"I'm glad you didn't forget. I'm about to go into surgery, so I'll call you later, okay?" I nodded. "Get some sleep and some Whataburger." I chuckled.

"I'll get a patty melt and enjoy it for you." He gave me a wink before disconnected the call.

"I could go for some midnight Whataburger." Mom chimed in, looking behind at me as Dad drove. I gave her a smile and tried to relax.

And it was nice being home. Sparks immediately jumped into my arms and I held him close. He was whining and crying but I just shushed and calmed him.

"Mommy isn't going anywhere, sweet boy." I promised, sitting on the couch. "It's just you and me." He settled his head between my neck and I slept just like that.

*

I missed the FaceTime from Frost, but he left me a text.

Just checking in. I know you probably were sleeping. Give Sparks a scratch for me.

And I did.

I also woke up to a full breakfast on the table.

"Good morning." Mom came over with a cup of coffee, made just how I like it. "Did you sleep okay?" I nodded, sipping the cup.

"Sparks always helps with the nightmares." I  looked around.

"Mason let them out a few minutes ago. They're busy running around." I pulled on my prosthetic and got up.

"You didn't have to make me breakfast." I said, sitting at my usual spot.

"Doc says you need to put on weight." My dad chided. "So, stuff yourself with pancakes and sausages, and whatever else you want." I wasn't used to eat breakfast anymore. Now, I could.

So I ate. I ate to make them happy.

"Do you want to maybe go look at colleges today?" Mom asked. I got full GI Benefits from my time in. I had nothing better to do, honestly. "Or would you like to help me head security at the office?"

"I don't know, mom." I forced down a bite of pancake. "I mean..."

"It doesn't have to be today, sweetheart. You just got home. We can do whatever whenever you're ready." I nodded, finishing my plate.

"I think I just want to sleep this weekend." I admitted quietly.

"That is perfectly fine... I know there's things that you can't talk about, but please don't hesitate to talk to us if you're not feeling well." I gave her what I could muster for a smile.

"Thanks, mom."

"James is coming home for the summer... We planned on going fishing in a few weeks." Dad mentioned.

"I'll think about it." I didn't need my brother prodding me about anything that happened. We had a very love-hate relationship. I mean, don't get me wrong, I loved him as a brother, hated him as a person. He was a know-it-all and I didn't like it.

"Are the boys still going to come home on leave?" Mom asked.

"Probably. I left my truck keys with Frost so he could give them to Thor and Loki."

"What about him?" I looked down at my feet. "Oh, honey..."

"It's not anything, Mom." I muttered, not feeling up to talking anymore. "I'm going to go to my room. Thanks for breakfast." I put my plate and cup in the sink, and went to my room.

There was nothing to say to that.

Mom let Sparks in my room when he came back in and shut the door behind him.

I was emotional baggage. That's all I was. I had trust issues, feared driving in the rain, and feared road trips.

Frost tried calling again, but I ignored it.

He'd seen enough of the war-torn me.

It would be for the best if I never saw him again... As much as the thought hurt, it was the truth.

I allowed myself to feel again, then lost it all.

Nothing was worth losing everything.

Not even him.