Chapter Text
Although victory had been achieved a good few weeks ago, only now was The Captain actually heading, well, home.
It felt like it had just been yesterday; receiving the news from higher ups and then proceeding to celebrate with the same men he'd been ordering around only hours prior, then allowing himself to drink for the first time since the start of the war. The whole day had seemed like an ending, of sorts. Everything he and his men had been working towards all those years had paid off and now all there was left to do was figure out what to do next.
Only, it hadn't been an ending. Things just kept going.
They'd won. But now what? The Captain had been faced with that question whilst he and his soldiers had been moving their military equipment out of Button House so that the family who owned the house may move in again, but the question hadn't really sunk in until now. When he found himself, backpack over his shoulder, exiting the train station and heading into his town
The man hadn't allowed himself a break since moving into Button House. The job had required his full attention. Besides, there wouldn't have been much point. If he had gone back home for a period of time, he never would've been able to relax, because he'd have been far too anxious thinking about how his men would be getting on without him. So it wouldn't have been a break at all, really. Though, now that the war was over, he was allowing himself that luxury.
He wouldn't stay home for more than a month. Although, he wasn't sure what he'd do in that time, or even what he'd do once he returned. Everything seemed a little aimless now, since the aim he'd been working towards all these years had been reached.
Even so, it felt nice to be back in his little town. He'd likely get bored of it soon, though.
As The Captain made his way down the cobblestone Street which led to his house, he couldn't help but feel disappointed at the realisation that no one seemed to know who he was. For the first time in a while, he wasn't wearing his uniform, but he'd still hoped for a few acknowledging looks as he walked by. No such thing, though. Regular life simply continued as he walked down the path, although everyone seemed to be in brighter spirits, as would be expected.
A few people said hello to him as he walked by, to which he had acknowledged each of them with a firm nod of the head.
The Captain's House was in walking distance, but it was rather far out from the rest of town. Secluded. He didn't mind that, really. Especially now. There hadn't been a moment in Button House where things were quiet. Even when everyone was supposed to be sleeping, he often managed to hear soldiers talking to each other in their quarters. Although he had always been too exhausted to yell at them to can it. Finally, he'd get some peace and quiet.
Eventually, he found himself in front of a small wooden gate which had not been opened for around six years. A small smile appeared on his face as he opened it and walked through the front garden. As much as he'd gotten used to Button House, it felt good to be home.
On the opposite side of the hedge, there was another cottage which looked almost identical to The Captain's. When he'd last been here, the place had been vacant. Though, it looked like it was occupied now. The paint job had been done up, with the walls looking a pristine white. The hedge separating the two gardens also looked pretty intact. There were even flowers growing on it. That was nice to see. Better than having the place slowly collapse in on itself. It would really bring the whole area down.
Mind, his whole plan for a month's peace and quiet might be ruined, depending on what his new neighbours were like. He couldn't exactly picture a loud, high energy person buying a cottage near a small, out of the way town, but it could still happen. Although, he supposed that even if he did have the most irritating neighbours in existence, he'd be gone by the end of the month. It wouldn't be his problem for too long.
The Captain's House was exactly the same as it had been when he'd left it. It was dreary, but there was admittedly something comforting about coming back to something so familiar. He set his bag down on the kitchen table and let out a sigh. Well. This was it. The start of a new beginning, so to speak. Or perhaps it was just a pause after the end. The beginning probably wouldn't start until he was back amongst his men.
He'd honestly thought that setting his stuff down and allowing himself some free time would feel more… significant. Like this chapter in his life was truly coming to an end. But, no. He felt the same.
Oh well. Best not to dwell on it. He'd bought some teabags and milk, among other things before getting here, so he could make himself a cup of tea and relax. There was a swing bench in the garden and the sun was out, so it might be nice to just sit there for a while.
Once he'd fixed himself a cup of tea, The Captain entered his garden again. He walked down near the hedge and sat on the swing bench. He let out an automatic sigh, only because that was what people tended to do when they relaxed and he wasn't quite sure how to go about it just yet.
He blew on the cup of tea and took a tentative sip. As he did this, he became somewhat aware that there was someone on the other side of the hedge. He could hear the sound of clipping.
The noise felt somewhat nostalgic. Since the family staying in Button House, who'd moved out temporarily to allow military operations to take place there, intended on moving back in once the war was over, The Captain had tried to keep the garden, and the rest of the house in good condition. That meant he'd made sure the hedges were kept trimmed for them.
However, most of the time, The Captain didn't even need to ask someone to do it. His Lieutenant, William Havers, had always been willing. He'd told The Captain that he found something calming about gardening, so whatever he could do that was closest to that always comforted him.
The Captain smiled at the thought. He'd never understood it, but he had found it endearing. Then again, maybe he only found it endearing because it was Havers doing it… He'd always had somewhat of a soft spot for the man… though he didn't tend to admit it to anyone but himself.
He frowned. All that thinking of Havers ever did was make him feel a bit depressed. The business of Button House had allowed him to distract himself from the thought of his former Lieutenant most of the time. Aside from nights where he lay awake and felt a tad lonely. But, now that he had nothing to do but… spend his time, he'd be able to spend a lot of it reflecting…
Agh. There was no use dwelling on something like that. He set his tea down on the table next to the swing bench and looked over at the hedge. Whoever was on the other side had been clipping the same area the whole time he'd been sitting there. The Captain couldn't help but feel a tad awkward. They were both aware of the others presence, but they couldn't see each other and neither acknowledged the other.
"Busy work, eh?" The Captain called to the unseen figure eventually, figuring he ought to say something.
The sound of clipping stopped completely. There was a long silence before he heard a small "Wh-" noise. He then heard what sounded like garden shears being put down, then footsteps.
The Captain furrowed his eyebrows and sat up. Shy neighbours, maybe? He'd take that over noisy neighbours any day, mind.
However, a figure appeared from behind the larger hedge and leaned over, expression full of shock and confusion.
When The Captain got a good look and realised who it was, his eyes widened and he sharply got out of the chair.
His hair was slightly messed up, but still the same dark brown. Both hands were gloved, but one was holding onto what appeared to be a walking stick. His clothes were different, too. They looked casual. But it was unmistakably him.
"Havers?"