Love In A Fallout Shelter
folder
Romance › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
4
Views:
1,350
Reviews:
11
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Romance › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
4
Views:
1,350
Reviews:
11
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
This is an original piece of fiction, any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. If you wish to post this work somewhere else, contact me first and get permission.
Love In A Fallout Shelter
A/N: First of all I would like to thank my beta, Sabre for her input in the first chapter.
I hope we develop a great working relationship in the future.
I would greatly appreciate your time in reviewing my story, as it feels a little bit like my baby at the momment.
Episode One: Prologue
Dear Editor - I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, 'If you see it in The Sun, it's so.'
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the scepticism of a sceptical age. They do not believe except what they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and invisible in the world.
You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
~ Francis Pharcellus, The New York Sun, 1897
***
Nathaniel Robertson is a rare person. Born with a strong sense of justice and a childlike innocence that if removed would be like amputating his arm, Nathaniel went to school until he reached fourteen years of age, after which he worked with his father in the coal mines that his village was built upon.
Nathaniel did not come from a wealthy family, his father was a coal miner and his mother was a seamstress, as well as the town midwife. His mother left shortly after his eighth birthday to start a new life. She moved to France to live with her sister. She said she wanted to start her career in singing and she was being suffocated in such a small town.
His father was heart-broken and never remarried, unless you count whisky. Many nights Nate had to pry his fathers fingers away from an opened bottle that he held close to his chest while he slept. His father was not a bad man, he cared deeply for Nate and did his best to keep him fed and clothed. He did not want to take Nate out of school, he just could not afford not to.
His father died recently, after years and years of working in the coal mines he developed black lung and died of suffocation one night in his sleep. As his health deteriorated and the war with Germany climbed to new heights, Nate’s father told him to defend his country and do him proud. He said if there was one thing worth fighting for, it was a man’s freedom.
Those words reverberated in Nate’s head since his father’s death, he vowed to join the army as soon as he turned eighteen. That day was today.
***
HERE LIES
JAMES DAVID ROBERTSON
A BELOVED FATHER
A RESPECTED WORKER
MAY HIS SOUL FIND HAPPINESS
Nate kissed the tips of his index and middle fingers and touched the tombstone.
“I’m eighteen today, Dad. Today I become a man. I’m going to the town hall today and enlisting, just like I said I would. I know you will be watching,” A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “You never did let me do anything without looking over my shoulder.”
He stared up at the clouds, the day had a chill though the sun shone brightly. Clouds drifted past, bumping into each other, twisting, making new shapes constantly. “Billy said he would be coming to visit you later today. I think he misses you.” He remembered fondly the late nights his father and his friend Billy Patterson spent playing cards. Billy always brought his daughter Rosie with him. They would play together on the floor. Nate was very fond of her; he did not make friends easily because of a seemingly natural awkwardness that people could sense. Rosie did not see it that way though; even to this day they are still best friends.
Nate sighed and got up off his knees and surveyed the graveyard. Flowers lay at a lot of the new graves; people had been hit hard by this war. Nate wondered if his dad could hear him up in heaven. He wondered if he was lonely without him or happy and with the people he loved.
Walking out of the cemetery and towards the town centre, he passed the local shops he grew up around. The old houses they dared not enter as children because they were said to be haunted by malevolent spirits who would sell your soul to witches. He felt inside his trouser pocket, making sure the piece of paper was still there and hadn’t fallen out at the graveyard. It was there.
“Nate!” Someone called his name, it seemed to come from behind him but as he started to turn around he was knocked over and pinned to the hard pavement. On top of him was grinning red-headed girl with ruby painted lips and a light dusting of freckles across her nose. The bright sun was eclipsed behind her head but tendrils of light shooting out from behind her seemed to make her hair shimmer and gave her a halo.
“Ow, Rosie! What’s the big idea, people are staring.” He flicked his eyes toward the passing men and women who either shook their head and tutted disapprovingly or tried not to look as if they were witnessing a sin right in front of their eyes
“So? When have you ever cared about what other people think?” She was still grinning as she got up off him and dusted her white dress with a floral design that held every possible shade of red and green.
“I don’t. I just don’t want these busy-bodies going back to your dad and getting you in trouble.” He took the offered hand Rosie had given and pushed himself off the ground with his other hand. He shook the dust out of his hair.
“Well, my dad can’t do much to me now. I’m joining the army.” Nate’s eyes widened in surprise, as he tried to get his mind around such a statement.
“But…girls can’t join the army.” His face twisted in puzzlement as he waited to hear Rosie’s explanation.
“Well, no. We can’t. But haven’t you seen the posters? They need all the help they can get out there. I’m going to be a nurse for our troops,” Rosie had always had a kind nature and Nate felt relaxed around her. She would be perfect as a nurse, but he wasn’t so sure about letting her get herself into something so dangerous. “Also, I’m a woman now Nate. I’m older than you remember.”
Nate stifled a laugh. “Sorry ma’am. I forgot how old you are. D’you want help crossing the street?” Nate grinned and ran as Rosie’s face turned scarlet and started to chase him down the street, yelling at the top of her lungs all the various ways she would torture him with a rolling pin.
Before very long they had ran the distance to the Town Hall where they were soon to become members of the British Army. The gave each other a reassuring glance before walking past the painted black wooden doors into the throng of young people who were registering. Among the young people were crying mothers and fathers who hugged their sons, fighting back tears in their own eyes as they said goodbye to their loved ones. Probably forever.
“Good luck.” Rosie said.
“You too.” Nate replied before walking towards one of the three desks set up for registering young men and women.
I hope we develop a great working relationship in the future.
I would greatly appreciate your time in reviewing my story, as it feels a little bit like my baby at the momment.
Episode One: Prologue
Dear Editor - I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, 'If you see it in The Sun, it's so.'
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the scepticism of a sceptical age. They do not believe except what they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and invisible in the world.
You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
~ Francis Pharcellus, The New York Sun, 1897
***
Nathaniel Robertson is a rare person. Born with a strong sense of justice and a childlike innocence that if removed would be like amputating his arm, Nathaniel went to school until he reached fourteen years of age, after which he worked with his father in the coal mines that his village was built upon.
Nathaniel did not come from a wealthy family, his father was a coal miner and his mother was a seamstress, as well as the town midwife. His mother left shortly after his eighth birthday to start a new life. She moved to France to live with her sister. She said she wanted to start her career in singing and she was being suffocated in such a small town.
His father was heart-broken and never remarried, unless you count whisky. Many nights Nate had to pry his fathers fingers away from an opened bottle that he held close to his chest while he slept. His father was not a bad man, he cared deeply for Nate and did his best to keep him fed and clothed. He did not want to take Nate out of school, he just could not afford not to.
His father died recently, after years and years of working in the coal mines he developed black lung and died of suffocation one night in his sleep. As his health deteriorated and the war with Germany climbed to new heights, Nate’s father told him to defend his country and do him proud. He said if there was one thing worth fighting for, it was a man’s freedom.
Those words reverberated in Nate’s head since his father’s death, he vowed to join the army as soon as he turned eighteen. That day was today.
***
HERE LIES
JAMES DAVID ROBERTSON
A BELOVED FATHER
A RESPECTED WORKER
MAY HIS SOUL FIND HAPPINESS
Nate kissed the tips of his index and middle fingers and touched the tombstone.
“I’m eighteen today, Dad. Today I become a man. I’m going to the town hall today and enlisting, just like I said I would. I know you will be watching,” A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “You never did let me do anything without looking over my shoulder.”
He stared up at the clouds, the day had a chill though the sun shone brightly. Clouds drifted past, bumping into each other, twisting, making new shapes constantly. “Billy said he would be coming to visit you later today. I think he misses you.” He remembered fondly the late nights his father and his friend Billy Patterson spent playing cards. Billy always brought his daughter Rosie with him. They would play together on the floor. Nate was very fond of her; he did not make friends easily because of a seemingly natural awkwardness that people could sense. Rosie did not see it that way though; even to this day they are still best friends.
Nate sighed and got up off his knees and surveyed the graveyard. Flowers lay at a lot of the new graves; people had been hit hard by this war. Nate wondered if his dad could hear him up in heaven. He wondered if he was lonely without him or happy and with the people he loved.
Walking out of the cemetery and towards the town centre, he passed the local shops he grew up around. The old houses they dared not enter as children because they were said to be haunted by malevolent spirits who would sell your soul to witches. He felt inside his trouser pocket, making sure the piece of paper was still there and hadn’t fallen out at the graveyard. It was there.
“Nate!” Someone called his name, it seemed to come from behind him but as he started to turn around he was knocked over and pinned to the hard pavement. On top of him was grinning red-headed girl with ruby painted lips and a light dusting of freckles across her nose. The bright sun was eclipsed behind her head but tendrils of light shooting out from behind her seemed to make her hair shimmer and gave her a halo.
“Ow, Rosie! What’s the big idea, people are staring.” He flicked his eyes toward the passing men and women who either shook their head and tutted disapprovingly or tried not to look as if they were witnessing a sin right in front of their eyes
“So? When have you ever cared about what other people think?” She was still grinning as she got up off him and dusted her white dress with a floral design that held every possible shade of red and green.
“I don’t. I just don’t want these busy-bodies going back to your dad and getting you in trouble.” He took the offered hand Rosie had given and pushed himself off the ground with his other hand. He shook the dust out of his hair.
“Well, my dad can’t do much to me now. I’m joining the army.” Nate’s eyes widened in surprise, as he tried to get his mind around such a statement.
“But…girls can’t join the army.” His face twisted in puzzlement as he waited to hear Rosie’s explanation.
“Well, no. We can’t. But haven’t you seen the posters? They need all the help they can get out there. I’m going to be a nurse for our troops,” Rosie had always had a kind nature and Nate felt relaxed around her. She would be perfect as a nurse, but he wasn’t so sure about letting her get herself into something so dangerous. “Also, I’m a woman now Nate. I’m older than you remember.”
Nate stifled a laugh. “Sorry ma’am. I forgot how old you are. D’you want help crossing the street?” Nate grinned and ran as Rosie’s face turned scarlet and started to chase him down the street, yelling at the top of her lungs all the various ways she would torture him with a rolling pin.
Before very long they had ran the distance to the Town Hall where they were soon to become members of the British Army. The gave each other a reassuring glance before walking past the painted black wooden doors into the throng of young people who were registering. Among the young people were crying mothers and fathers who hugged their sons, fighting back tears in their own eyes as they said goodbye to their loved ones. Probably forever.
“Good luck.” Rosie said.
“You too.” Nate replied before walking towards one of the three desks set up for registering young men and women.