Jack searched every alleyway with Mathew. Where was the bloody American? What had happened to him? His heart pounded every time he saw someone in military dress or with blond hair his length. It made him more nervous.

“Wait,” Mathew said, looking up ahead. He was staring at a park bench with a brunet military soldier slumped on it, asleep. His heart beat sped up as he ran to the man. “William F. Reed!” he shouted when he reached him.

William woke up with a start, falling off of the bench. “Mattie?!” he cried out in shock. He blinked against the morning light, realization hitting him. “What time is it?”

Mathew towered over William. “It’s probably half past ten by now,” he stiffly stated. “Is this where you have been all night? I was worried sick!”

The American backed away a bit at his brother’s loud words, not used to Mathew’s voice being anything but soft and gentle. “I wasn’t feeling well, so I sat down to rest,” he struggled to say. “But I guess I must have fallen asleep.”

Mathew sighed. “You need to work on thinking of others,” he said. He offered William a hand and pulled him to his feet. “Your actions affect more than just yourself, you know.”

William brushed himself off. “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” he sighed. “I get it, Mattie.” He sighed and fixed his glasses, which had been crooked. “Not to say your feelings aren’t relevant, but it was just you who was worried. It’s not like it was anyone else.”

“I don’t care whether you find my feelings relevant or not, Will,” Mathew simply stated. He stepped aside and gestured to Jack. “But don’t you think his would be?”

William’s eyes widened when he saw the Englishman. He glared up at his brother angrily. “You got Jack involved?!” he angrily growled. “How could you do that?!” His eyes flicked over to Jack and he turned bright red as he looked away in shame.

Mathew clenched his jaw but did not say anything. He knew better than to argue with William, especially when his brother was angry. “I had no choice,” he finally said. “He was the last person to see you last night.”

Jack awkwardly stood there, wondering when would be a good time to speak. His eyes took in William, who looked just downright exhausted. “Let’s get him to my place,” he sighed. “He looks like hell and needs to rest.”

William’s eyes widened. “Your place?” he struggled to say. He looked to Mathew. “Shouldn’t I be heading back to the base?”

Mathew shook his head. “Not until you’re able to answer demanding questions,” he answered.

William sighed. “I really messed up, didn’t I?”

The captain sighed. “Don’t worry about that right now,” he answered. “I’ll be with you the whole time. But first, you need to rest in a proper place, not a park bench.”

Jack finally stepped over to the brothers. “Private Reed, you need proper sleep. Let’s head back to my flat. You can sleep there.”

William stared at his friend in horror. “B-B-But last night!” he struggled to say.

The Englishman shook his head. “Don’t worry about that right now, William,” he said. “You need to sleep. Now come along.”

.

William was accosted by Lee the moment they walked through the door. He smiled at the boy. “Hey, Lee,” he greeted.

Lee stared up at William. “You don’t look so good, William,” he observed. “You should sleep. That’s what helps me feel better.” His eyes lit up. “Oh, I know! You can sleep in my bed!”

Jack looked down at his son. “I appreciate the sentiment, Lee, but your bed will not be big enough for William.”

“Then let him sleep in yours!” Lee said, grinning. “I know yours is big enough for a lot of people! It should be big enough for William, right?”

William smiled. “I’m fine with the couch, kid.”

Jack quickly clicked his tongue in disapproval. “There is no door in there to keep sound out,” he said. He held William out of his boots. “I’ll put this bloke to bed. Lee, go play with Victoria.”

Lee nodded obediently and then turned to Mathew. “Hey, are you William’s brother? You look like him! Come play with me!” He grabbed Mathew’s hand before he could answer and dragged him to his bedroom.

Jack walked the other soldier to his bedroom and shut the door after them. “William,” he began.

William cringed. “If this is about last night, then I…”

The British male cut him off, placing a finger on his lips. “Let me talk,” he stated. “What was your reasoning behind kissing me last night?”

The American’s eyes widened in horror. “Look, I’m sorry,” he began. “I was drunk, and I couldn’t hold myself back. I just…”

Jack shook his head. “You fool. Do you know what that did to me?” He bit his lip, unable to look up at the American.

William couldn’t answer. He was stunned, unable to read Jack’s face. “No,” he finally answered, slowly and quietly. “I don’t know what I did, but I apologize. It wasn’t appropriate.”

Jack sighed. “William, I…” He didn’t know what to say. His mind couldn’t process how to put the thoughts into words. He then decided that actions spoke louder than words and pressed his lips to William’s.

William blinked in shock, but didn’t break it off. Instead, his arms circled Jack’s waist as Jack’s snaked around his neck. He pulled the smaller man closer to him, causing the Englishman to gasp against his lips. William didn’t pay attention to the gasp as he licked Jack’s bottom lip. Jack slowly opened his mouth and the American’s tongue slipped in.

Jack felt his knees weaken as William kissed him. His could feel his legs trembling and clung tightly around the man’s neck. He was slowly losing his sanity, yet he was enjoying every moment of it.

William stumbled to Jack’s bed as he began to lose balance due to the intoxicating kiss. He sat and pulled Jack onto his lap, holding the Englishman close to him yet being careful as if he feared the other man would break.

Jack opened his eyes widely when he realized he was seated on William’s lap. He had never sat on a man’s lap before, not since he was a child. Yet this was a different kind of sitting. He loved this man differently than family. It was still a stunning shock for him as he realized the fact that he really did love William. He loved this man the same way he loved his beloved Ming. Every tiny voice in his mind screamed at him, telling him that this was wrong, very wrong. But if it was so wrong, why did it make him feel more himself than he ever had in his life?

William broke off the kiss and stared into Jack’s eyes. “Mathew knows,” he softly said.

Jack sighed. “I figured as much,” he admitted. “William, why is it me?”

The American sighed. “Why wouldn’t it be, Jack? You were the first person here in London who gave me the time of day. You were the first person to be kind to me. Last night, I wanted to tell you how I felt, but I was so worried that you wouldn’t feel the same, so I had to drink until I couldn’t remember my worries. I had to drink myself into honesty.”

Jack leaned his head on the soldier’s shoulder. William was so strong and muscular that it made him blush. “Next time, just say it. It’ll save you a drunken walk down the street.”

William laughed. “Yeah, I guess so.” He smiled and leaned his head on Jack’s, holding the man protectively in his arms. “When did you realize you felt the same?”

The Englishman was quiet for a moment. “I realized it as I laid here last night,” he admitted. “All night I was wondering about if I would ever get to kiss you again. Or what it would be like to kiss you while sober. Just before dawn was when I realized it. You make me feel the same way Ming did.”

William sighed. “I don’t want to replace her,” he said. “It wouldn’t be fair to her memory.”

Jack chuckled to himself. “You wouldn’t be replacing her. She’ll always be in my heart as the first woman I ever loved. But you will always be in my heart as the first man.” He looked up at William and smiled.

The American smiled back and then yawned. “I honestly hope to be the only one,” he quietly admitted. He yawned once more and laid back on the pillows, asleep within moments.

Jack stood up and tucked him in. “As do I,” he softly said, kissing the American’s forehead before leaving the room.