A/N: if you know which war TV series and which episode this was inspired from, you'll win a digital drawing request of your favourite TF2 character from me :)

Hint: some of the dialogue here is borrowed from the episode itself.

(War AU)

Lord, grant that l shall never seek to be consoled as to console.

To be understood as to understand, or to be loved.

As to love with all my heart...

The infirmary always released the same old smell of dried blood, antiseptic, and ultimately, death. Its hallways were lined with stretchers carrying injured and bandaged soldiers. In front was the dumping area, where all the unfortunate folks who couldn't make it, were thrown away. Their decomposing corpses left a nose-scrunching stench of death.

You and Holly were washing your bloody knuckles after treating the injured soldier, a sergeant named Bill. That poor soul, the leg, above to the knee was completely ripped away from him from God-knows-what. The infirmary was completely cut off from the main aid station so the men couldn't be sent back for better medical treatment. Consequently, space for other casualties and medical supplies were scarce. It led you to dread, what would happen if the infirmary took a hit?

"We've got another one!" One of the nurses, who goes by the name of Wendy, called out, dragging a stretcher with an injured but huge-statured soldier on it. Beside the stretcher you presumed was their company's combat field medic as he wore the Red Cross band around his arm. A panic-stricken look took over his rather charming face. He was repeatedly whispering under his breath, "Stay vith us, Heavy!"

Together with Holly, you rushed over to "Heavy", surveying his body condition: Cold and clammy skin, heavy breathing...

Your eyes laid on the pieces of debris lodged deep into his flesh. It seemed like he was hit by pieces of an exploded building. There were shattered pieces of glass on his face and side. Besides that, a bandaged up (probably gunshot) wound was present on his shoulder. You held back a cringe, and got to work. This was definitely not the worst you have seen.

This time, you didn't need to throw this one into the dumping area. Good news, the debris didn't touch nor severe any main arteries. "Heavy" was now lying on the hospital bed, patched up and casually talking to the medic who was beside his stretcher the whole time. But the bad news, well, at least for his company and himself, you estimated it would take a while to heal this type of wound, especially when his dominant side's arm was hit.

"'Zhey got me', you believed Heavy said zhat, doktor?" He melodramatically sighed over having to sit out a few future battles.

The kneeling medic squeezed his good-conditioned shoulder. Reassuringly, he replied, "Nein, Heavy. It's ok, not all of us are immortal. Rest easy if jou vant to get out of bed as soon as possible. I'll visit again tomorrow."

The medic shifted his gaze to you. At first, it looked like he was in a daze until you waved back a bloody hand at him awkwardly, "Sir?" Breaking out of his trance, he made his way towards you whilst avoiding the boxes or obstructions on the ground and rubbing his nape.

"Ach, sorry, I must have been lost in thought! I almost forgot why I vas here in zhe first place!" He looked around before saying, "Jou've got any medical supplies jou can spare?" He was blushing, perhaps out of embarrassment.

"Not much, but I can spare a few," You said, leading him into the supply room. It was filled with a few wooden crates. You passed him one, your hands briefly grazing against his. A tint of pink powdered your cheeks.

"Here, bandages... a bit of morphine, and sadly no plasma, I'm sorry, doctor," You place the stuff inside the crate as you listed them. Though, you were kinda lying about the "bandages", they were, in fact, ripped up bedsheets donated by the people. Despite that, he thanked you and marched out of the infirmary. What a fascinating man. You sighed dreamily.

"Hmm, seeing someone on the side?" Holly teased you, nudging your arm gently.

You rolled your eyes playfully, swatting her elbow away, "N-nooo, you know I'd never do that!"

Holly decided to drop the subject as another injured man was brought into the infirmary again.
—-
It was yet another busy afternoon. Luckily, your infirmary was able to connect with the main aid station and the still-injured men were sent there. It was all thanks to that doctor's division and many others. Come to think of it, he never introduced himself! But you'll give him the benefit of the doubt, he was most likely in a rush. You couldn't exactly imagine, let alone experience, what he had to go through: saving people under fire, whereas you, among other nurses, treat them out of harm's way.

Several other times, you met him again, his purpose being to request for more medical supplies and visit Heavy. But there were times when he was simply getting a hot meal from the eatery down across the road. During these rare moments, you were able to talk to him casually when you seized a chance between shifts. It sets your minds off your stressful jobs.

Subjects such as the "incident" where he accidentally stole one of his casualty's skeletons, one time when he actually performed an appendix surgery on an acting casualty, whom he disliked very much, and even scolding two commissioned officers, a lieutenant and a captain, for giving too much a dose of morphine despite being a non-commissioned officer (NCO) himself. But there were stories where he kept in touch with his civilian roots, talking about his family back at Stuttgart, and himself. Apparently, you had gone through so much conversation that only on your seventh meeting you only learnt his name, Josef Ludwig.

He was a unique character to say the least, and having him say all these things made you feel special. You lived for these moments where you could escape reality with him. Eventually, he grew to be one of our closest friends besides Holly, and caused you to be increasingly, and dangerously infatuated towards him.

Unable to control yourself, you spilled the tea.

On a seemingly normal afternoon that day, both of you were sitting on some wooden crates talking during your break. Both of you remained silent as you observed all of the whirlwind of action happening around you. Perhaps, even brooding on when this war was going to end and questioning the inevitability of death.

Love during war is simply far too reckless, for both parties. Losing the other would definitely cause devastating emotional pain, but that's just a fact of life, is it not?

"You're a really fascinating man, Josef. I might be falling for you..." You said quietly, not daring to look at the eyes of one of your best friends. Tight lipped, you studied the tiny speckle of blood you missed in your washing. Was it yours, or a soldier's?

Shocked he was. But you couldn't blame him. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his sharp nose, something you learnt was a habit of his when he was in deep thought.

He chuckled to himself, taking his helmet off, "Don't vorry, I must also confess that jou are the most talented and beautiful nurse I've ever met, and that I do also have feelings for jou too." He cupped your face in his calloused hand, placing a kiss on your cheek.

Now it was time for you to be shocked, "H-huh? So...we're something now?"

He nodded his head, a goofy smile adorning his face. You returned his kiss with your own, this one lasting longer. By the end of it, both of you were laughing like mad. He picked you up by your waist and twirled you around. Your feet were unable to touch the ground, "Oh god, I know that you're feeling really happy right now but please put me down!"

"Ich liebe dich, Schatz," He whispered after your shoes made contact with the ground, placing a kiss on your forehead.

Perhaps, both of you found it ironic. Amidst all the misery, destruction, loss, conflict, and hate, you were able to find friendship, peace, hope, a new beginning...

And most importantly, love.