Work Text:
It had been exactly one year now.
Much had changed in a year. There was now peace, everywhere. No more air raid sirens, no more radio broadcasts, no more fear of the postman. Men - husbands, brothers, sons - were home. The world was slowly rebuilding itself, healing. Not without a scar, too deep had been the wound. But the craving to leave it behind was too strong to allow standstill, even among those who had lost someone dear.
It was easiest for those like Jimmy, who were too young to remember the Before. They had more now than they'd ever had, more butter, more people, more happiness.
It was not quite as easy for those like James or Helen, who saw the gaps where something or someone should have been. The gaps might not be theirs, but they could still feel them. Innocence they had all lost.
It was bittersweet for those like Audrey or Siegfried, who were grateful, would be grateful for eternity. Who had to live with the fear for so long it had become intertwined with their very souls. Just like a parasite sucking out the happiness, the fear had attached itself so deeply that its puncture marks would never leave. And they had lived the After themselves before. They knew all too well that no amount of time would ever be enough.
For those like Edward or Tristan. Who wanted it to be easy, who wanted to be happy. But who would never have an answer to 'Why them? Why not us?'
But none of them were alone. And whenever it felt otherwise, there was a hand. From a mother, a wife, a brother. Either helping up or simply holding.
And it held. For those who had left and for those who had stayed. Together, they could see the bonfires. Together, they could see the brightness. Together, they could see many more years.