From the shop window, you watched people gather up on the city streets, standing parralel to each-other on both sidewalks. It was very curious. You hadn't exactly inquired whether anything was going on this weekend, however, noone told you of any news. The magizine you were reading was tossed lazily to the side, as you stood and walked to the front door... Getting closer to the commotion hadn't answered any questions at all.

If you had to guess, there would be a parade. But not only was it the middle of a bastard chilly December, but it was also only maybe One or Two in the afternoon. You checked the store clock and looked under the counter for the newspaper. It was there, albeit heavily read and flipped open. Once it was in plain sight, you squinted your eyes at the front cover.

'LET US CELEBRATE!: ROUND OF TROOPS TO RETURN TO [CITY].

Get ready, because here they come! This wonderful week of December, we're honoring our overseas boys with a parade. This Saturday brings lots of food, entertainment and - their very own appearances all over each float! Beat the chill with a nice coat, folks, because we'll be celebrating 'til the dawn. [...]'

There was an honest attempt to keep things together, but you swallowed thickly at the implication. He might not be here this time. He could've died. Or even enjoyed South America, Korea, or anywhere much more - So much so that he'd stay there forever. He should. Seeking resolve in the greenery or sandy desert, abandoning all work to be done. Yes, that was it..

You shouldn't have been this terrified, coming so close to the glass that each breath left a fog ring.

The sounds of trumpets filled the air, so loud you could hear it through the door, metallic drums' accompanying them in order.

Coming home was something he would've no doubt bragged about in a letter, that's for sure. At the peak of 3 years, you figured that he should've either grown up and pursued something different or...what. He had some signs of slowing up - as in, you haven't received a letter in a good while. But pumping the breaks is never a complete definitive stop. Every silver lining that tried to show itself seemed improbable in the grand scheme of things.

Terror wasn't that strong of a word for this. Your senses were ignited like charcoal as the floats with men dressed in dark camouflage came into vision, adorned with them waving or just laughing.

The circumstances overwhelmed you greatly. What did he want now? Did he even want anything? That was impossible to know. Maybe he'd be disinterested in the difference you've created over the years. They say a girl hardly changes from highschool, but that's all mindless drivel. Sure, a girl wouldn't.. but a woman does. The years have painted a complex and intricate picture on you.

As each monument passed, you somehow managed to be winded down and right back up again. He was nowhere to be seen for the time-being, which was relatively good. A pleasant surprise, surely. It got you to thinking more of what that entailed. Dead or gone.

IF he did die, and that's IF, then it was plenty surprising that he didn't tell the forces you were his wife. That'd be a Lee move to pull - having an officer show up to your house to tell you that the nut perished in battle. Going Boo-hoo up and down the lawn until he had to go tell someone else a similar thing. Or maybe in his last breaths he suddenly realized it was all him, and none you. And thus died peacefully with the truth..

After the roller coaster of emotions you were forced on, you were glad that your shift was due to end. Coming in at Six and staying until Two. He was earnestly half man half plague at this point, the way he made you forget you were even at work.

Departing tasks for the store were plenty simple. No-one was there to purchase any services, all who inhabit the place were busy with the festival. So there wasn't even any cash register duties to fulfill. All you did was wait for next shift's woman to come in before exiting to your car.

Once you started it up, there was an incredibly short drive ahead of you. You held no heavy thoughts the entirety of the time getting home, and walked up the walkway and inside silently.

-

Well, You were right, he wasn't there.

Even if he was, you wouldn't recognize him. Before Lee had the pleasure of knocking at his own front door, he stared in confusion at his appearance. His now permanently wild eyes scanned an equally strange and bulky frame. He'd nearly doubled in size. This added to his height made him look terrible.. he felt like a Frankenstein. At-least his hair was no longer in that miserable buzz-cut.

Once he placed a few hollow thumps on his parent's door, it was obvious his own mother didn't recognize him at first. She then let out a holler fit for an intruder.

" Oh, Baby! You look so different! " Once he was pulled inside, his house turned into a circus. The siblings that were half-dumb when he left were now, well, adults. His mother still reached up to rub his head of hair.

" We've been waiting for you, Leeroy. How come you didn't write us? "

He went red, immediately opting to lie. " Oh, they wouldn't let me.. "

" Wouldn't let you? " His father instantly flew into a rage. He was very much anti-government ever since the draft rolled out, and this was only fueling the fire. " Those idiots didn't even let you send us letters? Why, that's a load of horse- " " We're glad you're home, honey. "

His mother led him deeper in, and though he was elated to see his own family and sleep in his own bed, he only had one thing on his mind. Besides, it was very early in the day. He had hours upon hours to glower at how much the city and it's people changed.

When he peered outside the side window, he noticed a new car parked in your driveway. It puzzled him incredibly, he held onto the sill while staring in confusion. Your parent's vehicles remained, but this new one... had it belonged to a husband? He almost fell out into a frenzy, taking his hat off and throwing it on the floor. The blinds were shut, and he paced over upstairs to sit upon his bed.

Stubborn, stubborn girl! No, It was impossible that you had a husband. He wouldn't believe it. Running hands all over his face, Lee decided to man up and go see things for himself. He hated to admit it, but If it were some shrimpy, lesser male, then he knew that it would be a solvable problem.

Peering out his window at you always was what got Martins in this mess. Always wishing he'd see you walking down the road in something eye-catching. On occasion he did see you, but usually just before scampering right back into your own home.

" Leeroy! " Younger siblings came rolling into his room on whim, attacking the man in a tell-tale manner. The youngest was a sister of his, but the other two were cousins. Apparently no-one had the memo until now.

" Hey, get out of here for a second. "

" But, Lee! This is our first time seeing you in forever! " He rolled his eyes discreetly. " Alright, you three. Go back to where you came. "

He picked the oldest up with surprising leisure. Then, he picked the other up. And the other. He was dumbfounded at his seemingly sudden strength. And then he carried them, with ease, right out and could bend over to place them down without struggling.

By god, he was a man now. As soon as he closed the door on them, he returned to the window. It was extensive how hard he was trying to figure out when he should confront you and this lover. Half of it went to anxiety, nervousness... despair. The other half was his new, compelling wit, telling him that he needed not to fear any longer.

He decided he should ditch his threads. The camo pants could probably stay, but he put the hat and shirt away dejectedly. He didn't need to be in code any more, so it hardly mattered what he put on. When he brought a shirt out of the closet, it was a bit too small for him now. He put on something that used to be a size or two over his, and it still fit like a glove. It was a nice long-sleeve white shirt that he could roll up to his forearm.

Alerted by commotion, his eyes were immediately glued to the window. As soon as he saw the hair colour, he knew it was you. He could only see you from behind, because of the way your houses faced.. but it was you. Hadn't even grown an inch taller since you were both together.

He watched you go for a second before springing into action, jogging out of the house until he was a suitable distance away. He had learned how to follow much better, never alerting the other person through strategy and reclusion.

However, he was just dying to see you up close.

You walked from out of the neighborhood, allll the way to the city without so much as looking over a shoulder. Each step he got closer and closer, until he could smell that familiar perfume wafting off of your clothes and hair.

Then and only then were you keen on the sound of approaching footfall. You turned the corner and came to a halt, looking about to find the owner of the steps. But all you were met with was the empty street, alleyways, and the sound of the winter wind blowing things apart. You spun back around and looked forward, feeling a faintly familiar sense of displacement.

He gently grasped at your arm, then trailed his forefingers down to until he could get a good hold on your hand. The touch was so feather light that you almost thought it was someone you knew, but one curious look over let you know that it was definitely a man. And that man was.. All consuming, forever impendingly him. Before you even thought about screaming, he slapped his other palm over your mouth.

This was when you actually began struggling, slipping out of freeze mode. At first he was unrecognizable but the fog of your memory slowly peeled away. The fear felt so long ago reignited hastily, pure adrenaline behind the eyes you used to scan his new visage. He was huge! He was huge before, but now he was solid as a rock, too. His pale arms bulged each time he readjusted to keep you from being able to run, but each muffled scream broke his heart. You were even trying to speak to him between shouts, but he was just not having any of it.

It seemed like all he wanted to do was keep you still and quiet for the time being. He brought you closer, trapping you in an embrace and getting a somewhat accidental sniff of your hair. At this point even your trembling did nothing to discourage.

Despite the gentleman side of him not wanting to go any further, his ravenous missed-you-to-death side wanted to have all of you as a reward for being so patient. And you looked so beautiful. He never could've guessed all the changes and stagnants you'd go through in what seemed like such short time. " I missed you. " He mumbled into your hair, relishing in the closeness he's never had. This was sublime.. you fit perfectly to him. No amounts of pillow hugging compared.

" Wear me out - Just once, [Name]. We'll make a good couple. I don't want to hear 'No'. " He wrestled against your attempts, but still talked evenly and articulated his words well. This showed that it was no problem at all to wrangle you like a wild animal. " Say yes. I won't hurt you, Say yes. "

You nodded rapidly in hopes that he'd finally unhand you. But this only caused him to pull you closer, his nose brushing back over your hair in a more intimate embrace. He had missed you so, so SO terribly much. It was almost embarrassing what lengths he had ached for you even when you stood before him. You were just so damn disobedient and contrarian. He just wished you would fall inline with your feminine instinct and just submit. He heard from Henson that if a female sees a trustworthy, strong, and most importantly consistent male, her brain will slowly begin to attach to him. Even if she doesn't like it at first. That's why he needed you to say Yes, get the ball rolling. It was fully believable to him.

" Oh, [Name]. You're wonderful. Just be with me. You've seen my letters, I know you have. " He moved you back and forth, squeezing the life out of you. He may not've known how hard he should hug.

" Be good, please. I know you have to go. I'll see you soon. " He placed a chaste kiss on your temple and released you, moving fast enough to dodge anything you'd throw. But, how could you throw anything? It'd pelt him like pebbles. Instead you watched him go, standing a the foot of the sidewalk like you've been hypnotized. In broad daylight, he did this, you mind. He's back for one day and already lurching at you from corners, ignoring your protests. You felt a bit less safe walking to the car at night.