Letters are italicized, real-world events (and dates) are not. Unitalicized words are the recipient's reactions to the letters. Dates are the date the letter was received, not sent.

"Distance makes the heart grow fonder, said by someone stronger than me."

_____________

March 3rd, 1XXX
Dear Mark,
It's been two days, and I already miss you more than I can describe in words. We landed safely, though I suppose that goes without saying. Even from our barracks, we can hear the constant sound of gunfire and cannon shots.
It's lonely here, but I'm making friends. There's another man here like us, Felix, and as I write this, he's sending a letter home to his lover, Cry. At the training camp, they told us not to make friends, not to get too attached to anything, because everything can disappear in a second, but I would still like to attempt a small friendship.
How's home? How's Chica? Gizmo and Lego? How are you? Tell me everything. Are you still staying with Matt and Ryan and Daniel, or did you go home? I want to know every detail.
I love you and miss you,
Jack

A tear dripped down my cheek and onto the paper, smearing the ink in a few places. I hastily wiped the liquid off the letter. As I scanned over the words again, I could practically hear Jack's sweet voice pronouncing the letters. Already the pain and stress of parting was weighing on my shoulders. Instantly I sat down at the desk and began to write a letter back.

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March 7th, 1XXX
Dear light of my life,
I cannot express to you how grateful I am to finally receive your letter. I cannot comprehend the amount of stress I will feel when you are put into action. The only noises we can hear here are the incessant crickets and frogs. One would almost hope that the frogs would eat the crickets just to shut them up.
Don't you dare even speak like that. You know perfectly well you are going to return home to me healthy and whole. Felix is going to go home to his Cry, and you are going to come home to me. That's an order, soldier.
Home is the same as always. You've been gone seven days, not seven years, love. Chica and Lego are completely and totally insane. Poor little Gizmo misses her papa, though. She howls every night. It's pathetic, and absolutely heart-wrenching.
No, I have not yet mustered the courage to return to our home just yet. I'm terribly frightened of the inevitable emptiness that surely cannot be filled by anyone but you. The others were happy to welcome me, though I'm afraid to overstay my welcome.
I love you more and miss you most,
Mark

I smiled, hearing Mark through the words on the paper, though the idea of tiny little Gizmo growing depressed broke my heart. It was just like Mark to be so stubborn and deny the fact that I might not come home. I sighed, sitting down to write back. The incessant noise in the background seemed to dull the slightest bit as I focused on the ink flowing from the pen.

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March 11th, 1XXX
Love,
You don't have to worry about me. You know I'm going to see you again; perhaps not in this life, but surely beyond. I don't want to get your hopes up. There is a high chance that I will not return home, and you're denying it. Truly, I have come to terms with this. Now it's your turn. You know exactly how much I love you, more than anything on this earth. I would give anything to come home to you this very instant, and lord only knows that I will do my best, but luck is not always in our favor.
Whatever you do, never ever forget that. I love you more than anything on this earth, and I swear to you that I will see you again, in this life or the next. As I write this, shells rain from the sky, bringing hellfire down in curtains. And yet, the men are calm. Accepting.
I love you.
Jack

__________

March 25th, 1XXX
Dear Jack,
If you are still alive after the the shelling of your camp, you must promise to come home to me. Please, I... I wouldn't be able to bear it if you didn't, especially now that...well, I have terrible news for you, and there's no way to tell you other than bluntly. Daniel took his own life on the 19th. I couldn't write to you until now, and after reading and rereading your last letter, I realized that you are right. If you are killed, I will meet you in the next life soon after.
I can only hope that you have not been killed. As of this moment, the idea itself is unthinkable.
Please come home.
Mark

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March 28th, 1XXX
Dear lover,
I am grief-stricken by the arrival of the news about Daniel. He was a fine man and an even better friend. Are Matt and Ryan coping well? This is a significant loss for them, as well as for you. Are you coping well?
You are twisting my words, and while the thought is noble and romantic, I would never permit it. Use this recent loss as an example. If this is how torn apart you are, how will your friends feel to lose the both of you in such a short time span?
As I have told you before, there is no need for you to worry. After the shelling, our squadron was left with but one injured, and it was so minor that the poor fellow was back on duty that very same day. We've seen two minor skirmishes thus far, and both were easy victories.
I miss waking up to your kisses. I promise to come home, if only to experience them once again.
Much love,
Jack

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April 1st, 1XXX
My dearest Clover,
We are coping as well as is possible for such a momentous loss. Daniel was an inspiration to us all. Matt and Ryan have returned to their respective hometowns, as have I. When I return home, though, all of us will be moving into our home. The other house holds too many memories.
I'll find a better example. How would you feel if I were killed while you stood helpless, unable to defend me? Would you not follow me to the ends of the earth?
I miss waking you up with kisses. Please return home to me.
Kisses,
Mark

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April 8th, 1XXX
Dear love of my existence,
I apologize for not responding sooner. We have been marching for days now, and I was unable to find a method of transportation for my letters. We are now stationed approximately fifty miles southeast of our previous stop.
Admittedly, I might respond the same way you are claiming to, but I can only hope that I would be able to find a way to distract myself, throw myself into a passion or hobby, perhaps find a new job, though I know it would be physically impossible.
Perhaps pancakes in the morning, maybe fresh fruit and coffee to accompany your kisses? Do you remember the time when Daniel and Ryan were eating at our house and you spilled the batter everywhere?
Hugs,
Jack

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April 12th, 1XXX
Dear reason for my existence,
My, my, getting greedy, aren't we? And I thought we agreed not to bring that up anymore? If we didn't, then STOP. It was an accident!
I hope the march was not as tedious as it sounds. Do you remember when the only marching you did was in band, and you would struggle forever to get your shoulders squared off? Percussion always seemed so much more difficult than trumpet.
Now that we have switched the roles around, I am unable to bear the thought of you taking your own life in a possibly futile attempt to meet me once more. The obvious solution here is for you to return home soon, and never have to worry about this subject again.
Come home soon, and we'll never worry about the subject again.
Mark

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April 15th, 1XXX
Dear Mark,
For the first time since our arrival, I am scared; not for my own life, but for the life of another. Early this morning, our tent was hit by enemy shells. Felix was badly wounded, and is still unconscious as I write this. He had jumped in front of me to protect me, and as a result, I feel personally responsible for his injury.
The medics say there is a high chance he will never wake.
They have chosen me to be the one to tell Cry and express my condolences, seeing how I was closest to him. I find myself wishing so dearly I had followed the advice given to me and distanced myself.
Please tell me some good news from home.
Love forever,
Jack

__________

Cry,
Perhaps you do not know me, but maybe Felix has mentioned me in one of his frequent letters. My name is Jack McLoughlin; I served by Felix's side. Consequently, I hate to be the one to deliver this news to you, but I am his friend, so they chose me.
I regret to inform you that on the evening of April fourth, Felix Kjellburg was severely, possibly fatally, wounded by an enemy shell which destroyed a section of our camp. As we speak, he is unconscious in the hospital; the medics have said there is a high chance that he will not wake up.
Perhaps I should not mention this, but I feel at fault for Felix's grave injuries. One of the reasons he was hurt so badly, and that I am unhurt, is that he chose to shelter me rather than himself. He had realized that I was unaware of the oncoming destruction, and he jumped in front of me to protect me. I am aware that I held no hand in making his decision, yet I still feel guilty.
My deepest condolences,
Jack

__________

April 18th, 1XXX
Dear Jack,
I am so sorry to hear about your situation, but don't grieve just yet. As long as his heart is beating, there is still hope. As for speaking with Cry, I have no words of advice for you except to tell him what you would want to hear.
Good news from home... tonight I will be a witness to the eternal union of Wade and Molly Barnes. Yes, Wade finally built up the courage to ask the lovely lady to be his own. The pair sends their apologies that you will be unable to attend as well.
You should not feel guilty for another's choices. Felix knowingly and willingly chose to save you, and for that I am eternally grateful. But you did not influence him in any way to make that decision.
Send me the good news when he wakes.
Faithfully yours,
Mark

__________

Jack,
Of all the people who they could have chosen, I'm glad that it was you, rather than someone who didn't know him at all. I know it was hard for you to write, and it was hard for me to read, but you must be confident that he will wake. Stay determined.
I assume you will send news when he wakes?
Once again, I am grateful for your note. Rest assured, Felix will wake soon. He's got a sweet exterior, but he's tough. Stubborn as all hell, too, so as long as he wants to wake up, he will.
Cry

__________

April 22nd, 1XXX
Cry,
Thank you for your kind words, but I feel almost as though they should not be necessary. I knew him for a far shorter time then you did. Should I not be the one consoling you? Though you say there is no need for it.
And I agree!
Felix opened his eyes for the first time this morning. His first words were, "Can I see Cry again?" There is a chance that the answer to his question is yes; the doctors will do a final inspection on him later today and decide whether he is fit to return to battle or should return home to you. I am sure he will be contacting you later in regards to the decision.
All the best,
Jack

__________

Mark,
Felix woke up! I am overjoyed, though I fear for what will become of him if he is sent back into battle. We are preparing to advance tomorrow, so unless he is moved tonight, he will accompany us. Hopefully they send him home; he might have permanent damage to his legs.
Enough about me; tell me, what's happening at home? How are you, Ryan, and Matt faring? What about the dogs? Are they still trying to eat Matt's kitten? Poor thing's going to go insane soon.
Much love,
Jack

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April 26th, 1XXX
Jack,
Thank you so much for everything you've done for Felix. It means the world to me, and I cannot compensate you enough by any means. I hope, for Fe's sake, that we have no further communication.
Thank you, and goodbye.
Ryan Terry

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May 2nd, 1XXX
Jack,
I apologize for not responding sooner – I simply felt that I had nothing to say. Nothing new has happened. We're all doing better, Chica and Lego are okay, and Matt's cat has grown to love the outdoors, so it keeps away from the dogs.
I was just... I suppose scared that I had nothing to say to you. I never thought that would happen. I didn't know how to reply. Just know that no matter how long I go between letters, I still love you more than life itself.
Mark

__________

May 7th, 1XXX
Mark,
Don't worry your pretty little head about it, everything's alright. Believe me, I wouldn't have had a chance to respond anyway. We've been packing up and moving to the front lines, so everything has been terribly chaotic, and loud. We were gassed just as we arrived, and it took a heavy toll on our troops. Those of us who are still able-bodied have been tending to the sick and dead for days now. I never thought that I'd be able to say that I'm used to the sight of rotting, emaciated corpses. And yet...
I don't care about content. Just to hear from you is such a joy in this damned place.
So write back soon :)
Jack

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May 11th, 1XXX
Jack,
Why do they continue to have you advance? Surely there is no need for you on the front lines.
How's Felix doing? Was he sent home or did he advance with you?
Ryan and Matt moved into our house today. It was a sad reminder of what has happened, but we're recovering little by little. How are you feeling about the whole thing?
Mark

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May 16th, 1XXX
Mark,
It's been pretty rough, but I haven't had enough time to think about it and fully process it. It still doesn't feel real, because I'm not able to see him anyway, simply because I'm away.
Felix was told to advance with us, and he tries to hide it, but I can tell he's still in pain. He's got major damage to his legs, and he's suffering, like all of us, from minor effects of the poison gas. As for advancing further, they need continuous replacements on the front because so many men are killed off. That's probably why they didn't send Felix home as well; they can't lose any more men than they already have.
All the men are in high spirits, though, because we rescued a horse. She was caught in the barbed wire in no-man's land, and we made a temporary truce with the enemy to work together to free her. We flipped a coin to decide who got to keep her, and we won. The men have decided to call her Liberty, since that's what we're fighting for.
I guess the truce is over, though, since we're all shelling each other again.
We're supposed to charge in a few hours. I love you and I'll keep my promise. Wish us luck!
All my love,
Jack

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May 19th, 1XXX
Jack,
Luck already isn't on your side, since you're there instead of home with me. But I suppose if you're alright and you were victorious, then you've already returned to your side.
What on earth was a horse doing in the middle of a war zone? Is it possible she escaped from the other side? And how did she survive the shooting long enough to be rescued?
Be safe. I love you more.
Mark

__________

May 23rd, 1XXX
Mark,
All questions we've been asking ourselves. We are assuming she was an enemy horse, as she was wearing their insignia and gear, but she was horribly mistreated there. She's starved and bruised, and even after a week, she's still showing cuts from the barbed wire. As for surviving the gunfire, no one has any idea. She's a living miracle.
We were mostly victorious, with even fewer casualties than normal. However, you are right that luck is never on Jack's side.
Jack has been taken as a prisoner of war.
Felix

__________

May 27th, 1XXX
Felix,
Please get him out.
Please.

__________

May 31st, 1XXX
Mark,
I don't know if we can, but we're sure as hell going to try. We're going in tonight.
He promised.

__________

June 1st, 1XXX

Felix

I screwed the bayonet onto the tip of my rifle, fear and pain causing my hands to shake. But determination kept me working, forcing me through the motions, grabbing my rounds, helmet, and boots. Before I lined up I went over to Liberty's stall, giving her a sugar cube for good luck. She nudged my cheek with her nose, probably looking for more sugar, but I just patted her neck and walked over to the edge of the trench. The higher ranking officers were already pushing people up to the tops of the ladders, preparing to jump out at the whistle.

I scrambled up to the top of my ladder, ignoring the fiercely burning ache in my leg. There was a moment of silence, when the whole world seems to hold its breath, and then the whistle blew.
All hell broke loose. Along the entire front, men burst out of the ground, running, yelling and screaming across the barren, muddy waste of no-man's land. Bullets rained down around me, and men fell like stones. I ran desperately, pushing my body behind barriers and into the mud whenever possible. A grenade exploded to my left, and I shielded my face as clods of dirt fell around me. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled the pin out of a grenade with my teeth and tossed it up and into the trench. I heard the resulting explosion and the pained cries of injured men.
Jumping over my protecting wall, I hopped into the collapsing trenches. I stepped over a few bodies, shooting one that I saw stir. I ran farther into the maze of dirt and wooden planks, panic clawing at my throat as I jogged further and further with no trace of Jack or the other prisoners.

I jogged for a few more minutes. Other allied men hopped into the trenches after me, and we shouted back and forth as we spread out to search. I slowed down until I was merely walking, chest heaving. Eventually, I stumbled upon a small room-like structure. Slumped against the walls were the battered bodies of a few men. None of them appeared to be breathing, but a large pair of sky-blue eyes were staring directly at me.

Immediately I ran to Jack, grabbing his shoulders and shaking lightly. "Come on, Jack, wake up!" He took a shallow breath, then smiled lightly at me.

"Good morning, Mark," he said dreamily.

"No, Jack, come on, it's me, Felix!" I said, panic clearly showing through in my speech.

"How come you never kiss me anymore?" he asked, frowning at me. His eyes were unfocused, and he stared blankly at a point somewhere in the distance over my shoulder. "You used to kiss me every morning, right here," he continued, tapping a spot on his forehead.

"Please, Jack," I said, voice cracking. "Please, you have to come back to the other side."

He sighs. "I just want to go home to my bed, Mark."

"Okay, okay, Jack, I'll take you back to Mark," I said, helping him to his feet, keeping my arm firmly wrapped around his waist.

Once we reached the hospital, I laid him down on a bed and stared directly into his eyes. "Jack," I said firmly. "My name is Felix. We met on the first day of boot camp, when we laughed together at Mr. Ash. Do you remember me?"

He looked at me blankly for a few seconds, then his eyes seemed to clear. He launched himself at me, wrapping his weak arms around my neck. "Oh God, Felix!" he sobbed. "Please, I want to leave! I want to go home!" I hugged him back gently.

"Okay, Jack. We're both going to go home."

__________

June 5th, 1XXX
Mark,
I'm coming home.

__________

June 10th, 1XXX

Mark

I scan the waiting area desperately, searching in vain for a pair of bright blue eyes and gray hair. New truckloads of men, mostly injured, are being dropped off constantly. The room is packed, heat from other bodies suffocating me, and happy reunions taking place everywhere I look. An incessant flood of people streams in from the open doors, and I watch tirelessly, hoping just for a glimpse of Jack.

Suddenly, a young man with blond hair enters the room and locks eyes with me, then shouts something behind him. Jack walks into the room slowly, his eyes meeting my own, and smiles so wide he could light up the entire world. He runs towards me, and I meet him halfway there, picking him up and swinging his body around my own before capturing his lips in a soft, warm kiss.

He leans his forehead against my own, still smiling broadly. "I missed that so much," he whispers softly. I kiss him once more.

"As did I," I reply.

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So this was the winning entry! Let me know what you all think. I personally loved it. It really drew me in. ~skwarlogirlcfc