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Chapter Text

~~~

“Anthony..”

“James..”

The pain in his chest and the numbness in his arms was unbearable. He could only manage to feel the swagger stick which he clutched in his hands. All the Captain could see was the blurry outline of his lover as his head rocked back against the wooden floors of Button House, of which he used to stand as commanding officer. Now he lay there, his legacy in shame of his actions. But it was worth it to see him one last time. He just wished he’d been able to talk to him properly, under better circumstances, ask him about the scar he'd gained since the Captain last saw him. 

But no. That was it. That was the end. Except less than 3 seconds later, he got the urge to sit up. Just to sit up. Nothing else. So he did.

He sat up and looked clearly at Havers, who still seemed to be teary eyed at where he had just laid. The Captain followed his gaze and saw himself still laying there, dead. The man quickly sprung to his feet, the pain in his chest still lingering, although much weaker than just a few seconds previously. He still looked the same from what he could tell, but no one acknowledged him. The Captain patted himself down, he still had all his limbs, thank the Lord. He still remained clutching onto his Havers’ swagger stick, he couldn't seem to let go. 

He couldn't let go.

The Captain took a shaking breath, looking down at the scene before him, Havers’ eyes glassy with tears once the medic came in to examine the Captain’s body, which was still strewn on the floor, like the empty package of a man who once was contained inside his own body. Captain couldn't think straight, everything seemed to blur for him, until the next thing he knew his own body was being carried out under a sheet on a stretcher. He was watching his dead body being carried away. 

Havers followed the body, and Captain followed Havers. Follow your dreams, they say. 

They loaded the body into one of the motor vehicles outside the house, Havers unknowingly stood beside Captain, overlooking the moment as the motor drove away. Then Havers wasn't there anymore. Captain looked around, but instead of Havers he saw 5 people, dressed as completely different time periods. 

The people seemed to see him looking at them and began to creep towards him. The Captain held out the swagger stick in front of him as defence, making the strange humans stop in their tracks.

Captain glanced from the caveman, to the Georgian girl, back to the Edwardian lady, then to the Stuart woman and lastly at the regency gent. 

“Who are you? Name yourselves! Name yourselves for God’s sake!” The Captain exclaimed quickly.

“Oh he's a ghost! Would you look at that! Knew we'd get an army man soon enough,” The Edwardian lady spoke to the other people.

“What is arm-y? Does it attach to bod-y?” The caveman laughed aloud at his own joke, whilst the others sighed and shook their heads.

“Sorry, what do you mean I'm a ghost-?” Captain’s eyes were wide in confusion.

“You are one of the unfortunate souls who is unable to pass on to the afterlife just yet, and lingers on as a ghost,” The regency bloke clarified for him in an almost poetic way.

“Oh- So the living people can't see or hear us and we can't change anything?” Captain nodded along with the rest of the ghosts.

“He be a fast learners,” The Stuart woman expressed.

The Captain soon got to grips with the ghosts’ names, Robin was the caveman with the bad jokes, Mary was the Stuart with bad grammar, Katherine, or Kitty as she called herself, was the gleeful Georgian girl, Thomas was the regency chap who was a self-proclaimed poet, and the Edwardian lady was Fanny Button. He let out a small smirk when Fanny announced herself, and it seemed the other ghosts did as well. Thank the Lord it wasn't just him amused by the crude connotations of her name, poor oblivious lady.

“So how did you die?” 

The Captain went still. Memories of mere minutes ago flooded back to him. A sting of pain in his chest stabbed at his heart.

“Thomas! You can't ask that when he’s just died!” Fanny exclaimed, “Maybe let him soak everything in first.”

The poet huffed at Fanny’s criticising but didn't push his question further.

Captain simply stood there until he heard footsteps, footsteps growing gradually closer. He felt the weirdest thing he could possibly feel, a person walking straight through him. He hunched over as the others split ways to let the person through. He felt like he could vomit, putting his hand over his mouth and letting out a low groan. 

“Tis not nices is its?” Mary muttered to him.

The Captain just shook his head, it was one of the worst things he'd ever felt, and that's saying something.

The other ghosts then decided to wander off into the house together, talking about the most ludicrous things, like if motor cars would be able to fly in the future. He chuckled and thought ‘As if’ to himself, following after them.

Chapter Text

~~~

The Captain was bored already. It seemed like decades since he'd become a ghost, but from the changing of seasons he'd been observing, it had only been about 7 years. He had also met another ghost, Humphrey. He was usually just a head, although he sometimes got his body to catch up to him. He seemed quite calm. It was a nice change from Kitty’s constant glee.

There hadn't been many guests at Button House since his day, just Heather Button living at the house, but something was different that day. Heather seemed all in a flap about something, and the ghosts were curious, including Captain himself. They knew that his majesty King George VI had died that year, and his daughter Elizabeth had become queen, but Heather was decorating everywhere with Union flags, talking to herself about what she was going to say when she spoke to them. Who were these ‘them’?

Well they soon found out. 

Soon army men started coming through the gates, being greeted by Heather at the door. Captain recognised so many of them. It was all the same men from the Victory Get-Together 7 years ago. As the other ghosts resided in an upstairs room, away from the chaos, Captain couldn't help himself but to stay in the central room. He had to know if he would be there. He had to see him again.

Captain sighed and stood in the corner of the room for what seemed like hours as the men chatted around him. But then he looked to his left and in plain sight, he had turned up.

Havers walked through the entryway silently, like a mouse, his eyes darting across the room, before he turned and walked out of the house. Captain rushed after him, he had to. He couldn't bear to just stand there surrounded by these men anymore.

Havers leaned against the fence surrounding the driveway, looking out into the fields, and Captain stood at his side, not managing to take his eyes off him for even just a second.

“Hello James..” Havers began, making Captain’s eyes go wide. 

Could Havers seen him? How was Havers a ghost too?

“I hope that you can hear me, wherever you are.” 

Oh. He wasn't dead then. Well that was.. Good..

“When I heard there was another Get-Together here to celebrate the new monarch, I had to come. Just to be near you. Even if you're the furthest away you could possibly be,” Havers continued his mini speech, “But whatever is out there for me, I feel like I'll never be ready for it without you. So I'd like to end my journey here.”

Captain was utterly speechless, trying to fumble out words which just came out as a slurry of noises. He knew Havers couldn't hear him, but he still protested against his actions.

But Havers had made up his mind, even if he could hear Captain. He took out a small cork bottle from his jacket labelled ‘Sodium Hypochlorite’.

‘Bleach-?’ The Captain could barely breathe and started practically yelling at the oblivious man to stop what he was doing.

Captain heard the pop of the cork, and saw Havers tip his head back, swallowing the entire bottle.

His world went in slow motion from that point, making it seem like forever until the bottle was dropped along with its cork onto the grass, and Havers grasped onto his neck. The man hunched over the fence and gasped and choked and coughed.

Captain could barely watch as the life started to drain out of Havers’ body.

It took a good 15 minutes for Havers to collapse onto the driveway, Captain kneeling beside him with his head hung low. A slow and painful way to go. And all for him. He wouldn't even be able to be with him. Havers would pass on. He had nothing left to do. Nothing that would stop him from passi-

“James..?”

The Captain's head darted up at him, the other man sitting up straight whilst his body still lay lifeless on the pebbles.

“Anthony..?”

“What's happening..?”

“You.. You didn't pass on..-”

“Pass on..? What do you mean..?”

“Oh Havers.. You.. You're a ghost..”

“I'm dead.. Oh sir you're crying..” 

Captain was indeed crying. Not much, but he was definitely crying. He couldn't help it. Now no one could see him but the two of them, he could let it out.

Havers began to apologise, “I'm sorry sir.. I had to be with yo-”

“I know..” Captain interrupted, smiling at the other man.

Havers looked down at his body, standing up quickly before asking, “Is there anywhere else we can go-? I don't particularly want to um.. Stay here..”

“Of course-!” Captain stood up with him and started to walk away, Havers following until they both got to the fountain in the driveway, where Havers stopped, holding Captain’s forearm gently.

Captain stopped himself, facing the other and readjusting his arm so their hands became interlinked.

The two men looked helplessly into each other’s eyes, listening to the water running in the fountain.

“Anthony.. I never got to tell you.. I love you..”

“I know.. I love you too James..”

The two smiled to each other, holding each other’s hands, slowly pulling themselves closer to one another.

“Captain?"

The unmistakable voice of Fanny seemed to come out of nowhere, making him jump back away from Havers, turning around to the woman.

“Yes Fanny?” Captain said, still in a startled tone.

“What are you doing out here-? And- Who is that?”

“This is Lieutenant Havers. He was a part of my old army regiment- He has just now become a ghost- And I expect everyone to not bombard him with questions, he is still quite startled.”

“Ah- Well I shall tell the others,” Fanny smiled, well the closest to a smile she can get, at Havers before strolling back into the house.

“You don't want anyone to know about this then?” 

Captain looked back at Havers and felt instant guilt, he knew he wanted to be open about this but he couldn't find it in himself to start to express it. 

“Anthony- I'm sorry..”

“It's okay..”

The two made eye contact before Captain quickly started rambling on about everything to do with life as a ghost, showing Havers round the rest of the house.

Life seemed perfect in that moment, or should I say, Death seemed perfect in that moment.

Chapter Text

~~~

Captain ‘woke up’ without Havers’ presence beside him. He got up, brushing himself off before getting dragged through the wall, making him yelp. 

Captain could only make out “What the-?!” before seeing who it was, “Good lord Patrick-!”

“Sorry Captain! But it's April Fools day and we're all going to scare Alison by hiding from her!”

Two more ghosts had arrived at Button House since Havers’ death, Pat Butcher being one of them, poor chap got an arrow through the neck. The other one being Julian Fawcett. Captain didn't bear to remember Julian’s death, reminded him too much of his own he supposed.

Havers was still nowhere to be seen though.

“Have you seen the Lieutenant yet today Pat?”

Like Captain, Havers had generally opted to be called by his military status, with the exception of Kitty and Robin, who he allowed to call him ‘Tony’ and ‘Lootent’ respectively, since Lieutenant was too long for Kitty to manage saying a lot, and Robin could only pronounce ‘Lootent’, so it simply stuck.

“No I haven't actually- I'm sure he's fine though! He’s a reserved man, likes his alone time. A lot like you Cap!”

The Captain frowned slightly, but quickly stopped when Robin arrived and announced Alison had believed it and had gone to Mike. The ghosts all huddled together behind the wall to Alison’s bedroom before jumping through and shouting ‘APRIL FOOLS!’

The ghosts all laughed together until Alison began to sob her eyes out, making them all stop. Pat and Kitty walked towards Alison to comfort her, letting Captain slip away without being noticed. Havers normally would have been gone by the time Captain woke up, the two didn't particularly want anyone to see them together like that, but for no one to have seen him at all that morning was strange. It did seem a bit bleak outside, so Captain wondered if he had gone out to listen to the spring birds knowing no one would disturb him since it was so dreary outside. He walked outside and eventually saw the Lieutenant sitting in the alcove at the back of the house.

“Morning”

“Ah- Morning sir- How are you?”

“You really don't have to call me sir Anthony-”

“But I think it's formal and quite cute actually”

The Captain couldn't help but turn a light pink shade as he sat down beside Havers. He wasn't one to get flustered at all, but good lord, Havers made him weak.

“No one saw you this morning. I was worried”

“Sorry, if I could write, or touch anything really, I would have left a note saying where I would be. I didn't want to wake you”

The two looked out onto the gardens of Button House, before the silence was broken by the Lieutenant, “I wish we could have been able to appreciate the beauty of this house when we were alive. It all seems so different when you're dead.”

“I suppose- Good lord I can't believe that after over 75 years of- Relationship - That we've never sat here and spoken like this together”

“Yeah- You would have thought we'd done this before, even just once, but we haven't”

Captain opened his mouth to say something about the dreary spring weather, but the other man cut him off quickly by edging closer to him, making their thighs touch. Captain felt a spark run from the point contact straight to his heart, turning to face the Lieutenant, who had, by that point, rested a hand on the other man’s thigh.

“A-Anthony-”

“James”

And in more than 75 years of ‘relationship’ the two had never shared such an intimate moment. Can you believe it? They had avoided this for so long. It had built up inside them, and now it was to become a clear presentation of love.

Havers took the Captain’s cheek in his free hand and the two pushed themselves together. Their lips interlocked and it was pure bliss for both of them. Warmth radiated from the men and it felt like time had paused just so they could have this moment together. It seemed to last forever, until the Lieutenant pulled away from the kiss, the electric energy between them still lingering on. Captain could only make out one word.

“Tony-”

“Tony?”

The accidental use of the nickname made Captain turn a brighter shade of pink than he already was, which in turn made Havers chuckle at the other man. 

“Tony’s good,” The Lieutenant said with a soft smile.

The Captain smiled back, but quickly got up once he heard fast footsteps approaching. Havers also stood up as Robin came running around the corner, calling out for the two of them.

“Alison trying to fool us back! Meeting time!” Robin shouted at them before running back through the wall.

“We should go find out what's happening-” Captain announced and turned back to the other man.

The Lieutenant nodded and stood up himself, walking through the wall as Captain closely followed, swagger stick stuck under his arm.

The two arrived in the main room that the ghosts used for meetings, where the others were awaiting Captain’s instructions. He tended to lead the meetings, he enjoyed revisiting old duties.

Captain’s speech was going well until Alison walked through, and all Captain needed to hear was her saying, “Stuka Dive Bomber in the woods” and he was off. He ran out to the woods, and yet all that lay there was a foam statue of the plane. The man frowned and decided to walk out further into the woods. He sat down on a tree stump and stared up through the trees, thinking about the kiss that himself and Havers shared some minutes prior. The Lieutenant’s lips were so soft against his own, they locked together like puzzle pieces.

Captain just couldn't stop thinking about him.

Chapter Text

~~~

Captain retired to his room in the late hours of the night after an evening watching the stars through the trees. Havers hadn't arrived yet, so he simply spoke to his pillow about the constellations he had observed when he was alone. He sat up on the bed and waited. 

Captain didn't know how long he had been sitting there for but the Lieutenant still hadn't arrived and it must have been well past midnight. They liked to keep their nights together secret, but he’d usually be with him by 11pm. This was strange. Captain frowned to himself and simply laid back, closing his eyes to rest his soul and spirit for the next day. 

Captain woke up bright and early the next morning, still no Havers. The man assumed the Lieutenant had come whilst he was at rest and left before the sun rose. Captain simply got up and started his day as usual, waiting for Alison to start her stopwatch so he could have his morning run.

Soon enough everyone was panicking. Havers hadn't been seen since the night before and the ghosts were expecting the worst. Captain was the worst of them all, though he was trying to hide his anxiety. Ever since Mary.. Moved on.. The ghosts had this subconscious fear that every day would be their last in existence, and maybe this had come true.

Captain ended up wandering off into the land surrounding Button House, when he saw a figure standing at the very far end of the gardens. He quickly ran towards the figure, and lo and behold, Havers.

“Ah hello sir”

“Don't ‘Hello sir’ me Havers! You scared the bally hell out of us!”

“Sorry sir- I just- I don't know what you want from me.”

“What do you mean..?”

The two men made eye contact, fear welling in Captain’s eyes, whilst the Lieutenant seemed to have a whole mixture of emotions building.

“Well you always seem so fearful when we're together, like it matters that we're queer at this point, when times have changed and we're both dead anyway! What does it matter if anyone knows! I just- I don't want to keep on existing in fear. I did that my whole life and I will not continue it any more in my death.”

“Anthony.. I'm sorry.. I'm just scared. I don't know how they'll all treat us.. And you deserve to be treated well..”

“I don't care how I'm treated. Not anymore. I'm tired of hiding. Whether you like it or not I am going in there right now and I am telling those people the truth.!”

Havers turned away from Captain, facing the house and starting to walk towards it with determined strides. Until the Captain held onto his forearm.

“Not today.. Just one more night of secrecy.. Make it fun for the last night..?”

The two met each other's gaze as Captain practically pleaded with the other man.

“Fine.. But tomorrow is the day.. We go down there and we tell them what they deserve to know..”

Captain nodded, and Havers couldn't help but cup his face with his hand. The men smiled at one another, slowly moving their faces closer, until their lips connected, this time more certain. Their eyes closed and it seemed like second nature to them, moving their lips together like clockwork. They pulled away from one another, simply standing there together. That was enough for them at that moment.

They soon returned to the main house, and everyone seemed relieved that Havers was still with them. But no one was happier than Captain. Finally he would be able to just be who he actually was with everyone, and not try to put on this act of finding interest in women and hiding his attraction in men.

“Isn't it great that the Lieutenant isn't moving on yet!” Pat smiled at Captain as he exclaimed it.

“Yes it is Patrick. Very good.”

Pat looked between the two army men and chuckled to himself. 

Captain tilted his head at Pat and questioned, “What are you chuckling for?”

“I just think it's funny how you two are the only two from the same period! What a coincidence!”

Ah. Right. They still didn't know about Havers’ death. Well bally hell that would be a situation they’d have to explain at some point.

“Ah- Yes- Strange isn't it-” Captain could only play along. He dared not to tell anyone about anything to do with either of their deaths.

Once the ghosts, and Alison and Mike, had retreated to their rooms, Captain found himself talking to his pillow whilst waiting for Havers to arrive.

The man found comfort in finding something completely inanimate to talk to, knowing that he could simply ramble on about anything and nothing at all would change anything. 

Just as he finished his waffling, he heard Havers sneak in, smiling at Captain, as Captain smiled back. The Lieutenant laid beside the other man, letting Captain rest his head against his shoulder. For someone so firm and reserved, Captain sure had a soft side.

The two laid together, mostly in silence, just enjoying their last night together in secrecy, before they let it all out. And although it was him who decided to tell everyone at this point, Havers was growing more worried. He was starting to panic about it.

“Sir.. Are you still worried about this..”

“I've already told you, you don't have to call me sir Anthony..”

“And I've already said that you can call me Tony.. Now answer my question..”

“Maybe a bit.. But I believe that if we stick to a strong mindset then we can forget our nerves..”

“You really believe that..?”

“A bit..”

“Same..”

“I'm glad I'll be able to spend all the coming moments with you Tony..”

“I am too James..”

The two chuckled to each other from their cheesiness. Havers wrapped his arms around Captain, who leant into him in return. Captain soon closed his eyes to rest, leaving Havers to his own thoughts, until he too shut his eyes. He couldn't care less if anyone saw them now. They were happy. And thats all that mattered.

Chapter Text

~~~

“Captain!” 

He bolted upright at Pat practically shrieking his name. Havers wasn't there anymore again. He thought he would have stayed that night, especially given the day they'd have today, but he hadn't.

He heard Pat yell his name again, this time more weasel-y. He would have chuckled but he was far too nervous.

He walked into the room and all eyes were on him. However even with a room full of eyes, Havers was the one who caught his attention. He had that look on his face that he couldn't hold it in anymore. It was the same look he gave Captain when he told him that he was leaving for the frontlines.

“Well now that we're all here, I believe you two army men have something to tell us!” Fanny chimed in, good lord they were actually doing this.

“Well- I- Me and Havers- We- We uh- We ar-” If Captain was still alive, his heart would be pounding inside his chest as he got cut off from his sentence.

“Morning everyone!”

Alison walked in and instantly stopped, “Wait what did I just interrupt?”

Kitty huffed, “Captain and Tony were just about to tell us something Alisonnnn!”

“Alright sorry- Although I would like to know this so I'm definitely staying-” Alison smiled and sat down on one of the sofas inbetween Fanny and Robin.

Captain and Havers looked at one another and took a deep breath. 

“Right- Yes well- As I was saying- Me and Lieutenant Havers are um- We-” Captain stuttered. Captain barely ever stuttered. Only when he was scared did he stutter.

Havers clearly saw the sign of his fear and took over, “Captain and I are what you call dating.”

The ghosts’ eyes widened, mouths slightly agape, and all was silent. Captain looked around at them all, feeling their gazes upon him and Havers. 

“You're gay?” 

The men looked to Alison, and the Lieutenant nodded.

Fanny got up and removed herself without saying a word. She had been brought up with this being wrong, no one could really blame her for taking a break from the situation.

They thought it would just be Lady B, but Robin left the room soon after her, and took Humphrey’s head with him. Soon it was just the two army men and Julian, until the politician spoke up.

“Well. That was not what I thought it would be.”

“Julian- Listen-” But it was too late for Captain to plead. Julian left.

They were all fine with it when it was the wedding, why weren't they now? Why weren't they now it was them? They couldn't believe it.

Chapter Text

~~~

Captain and Havers stood there. They didn't know how long for, but Captain was silently having a breakdown.

“Sir.. I'm sorry..”

“You have nothing to be sorry for..”

Captain barely managed to speak without letting a tear loose. They heard footsteps from behind them and turned around quickly, seeing Pat there.

“Hello- Alison has a surprise for you-”

“What is it?”

“You'll see! Come with me” 

Captain calmed himself down before starting to follow Pat, “What's the worst it could be?”

And with that the three walked through the house until they found themselves walking into Captain’s own room.

“HAPPY COMING OUT DAY!” 

Captain jumped back, startled by the shouting, swagger stick poised in an attack position. That was until he realised it was just the ghosts and he quickly lowered it.

The Lieutenant jumped back too and then looked around the room, spotting something hanging above the bed.

“We’ve been anticipating this day so we got you a gift! And by we, I obviously mean Alison-” Pat smiled at the men and joined the rest of the group before pointing at the thing Havers had spotted on the wall.

Captain followed his finger and saw a rainbow flag above his bed, tilting his head and smiling.

“The rainbow flag is a symbol used by the LGBT community as representation, we thought you might appreciate it,” Alison smiled at the men, before quickly turning worried, “Obviously if you don't like it I'll take it down-!”

“No, no we like it.”

Havers smiled at Captain, who was still gazing at the flag.

“Obviously it was a lie when I uh said that it wasn't what I was uh expecting-” Julian nodded at the men.

The ghosts beamed and Thomas stepped forward.

“And like how the stars are always there, 

  We only see them during the day, 

  When we know that they're.. here..?

  When they have nothing else to say..?”

“Thomas fail at po-try” Robin laughed and pointed at Thomas, who stood down from his speech with a huff.

They all chuckled, and Mike walked in at that point.

“Hey Ali- Wait what’s going on-”

Alison went over to Mike and told him about the situation, making him look up and say to literally nothing in his eyes, “Congratulations Captain and Lieutenant-!” 

“Why does he still think we're so tall-” Kitty giggled.

Alison laughed and walked off with Mike, leaving the ghosts to talk among themselves.

Once the ghosts had filtered out of the room, Captain and Havers smiled at one another.

“I told you they'd be okay with it sir”

“Yes, you were right Tony”

“Now I don't have to leave every morning!” Havers laughed and laid on his side of their bed.

Captain chuckled and laid beside them. It was still only morning but it felt like they could lay there forever and never leave eachother’s sides. They intertwined their hands, both of them together, just like they wished they could have done in life. This was truly a surreal dream for them, never did they think that they would live to see representation for who they were, and have it be legal, which they didn't, but they did exist to see it, whether it was in their life or not.

“I've never asked- How did you get that scar..?”

Havers went quiet.

“You don't have to say!”

“No it's okay, you deserve to know.”

“Well..?”

“Frontlines in Africa, ‘42, I was on the night watch, Germans threw over a grenade, caught me off guard. Seems stupid now. After years of war I was still caught off guard by a grenade. Anyway I tried to warn the others, ran down from my post, shouting grenade. Got trapped against the trench wall, braced for impact. It just caught that side of me. The medics told me it was a miracle I ended up just in that specific place and position. If I was just an inch forward then it probably would have blinded or killed me right there and then,” Havers lowered his head.

“Oh Tony..” Captain put his hand on his thigh.

“Don’t feel bad for me.. It was my own fault.. I was being an idiot..”

“It doesn't matter whether you were being an idiot or not, no one should have had to go through that pain.”

Havers looked at Captain and smiled softly at him. 

“I love you Anthony”

“I love you too James”

The men laughed and pulled each other close, hands brushing together. Captain’s dead heart fluttered, as if it were their first kiss, and the Lieutenant pressed his lips against Captain’s. Their mouths moved in synchrony, almost like they were made for one another. Their eyes pressed closed and they were lost in each other's embrace.

“Oh yeah Lieu-” 

The two men quickly pulled away from one another, looking towards the source of the voice and seeing Pat stood there. 

“Er- Yes Patrick-?” Captain cleared his throat.

“Nevermind- You two carry on-” Pat turned on his heels and quickly exited.

“Uh- Well- I-” Captain was soon cut off by the Lieutenant’s lips, which were promptly brushed against the Captain’s own.

The Captain leant his forehead against the Lieutenant’s, looking into his eyes, and gently kissed him.

“Sir-”

Captain hushed Havers as he broke the kiss, making the man chuckle and subsequently making himself laugh aswell.

“Sir- We should probably see what Pat wanted-”

“Yes yes-”

The men laughed together and walked off, hand in hand, to the main room of the house. However, Pat caught them up on the way.

“Ah Lieutenant! Well now that you two aren't- Busy- I wanted to talk to you about your death-” 

Pat slowed himself down as he said it, seeing Havers’ traumatised face.

“Right- Not ready- I get it- What about you Cap-?”

Pat did the same thing of slowing down his voice when he saw Captain’s reserved posture.

“Not ready either! That's fine! Honestly you guys say when you're ready- And we will find something else to do-” 

Pat practically ran off in embarrassment, poor chap, leaving the two men to continue walking where they intended on going to begin with. No one was in the main room, surprisingly, so they just sat down on one of the sofas and spoke about random shit to one another, teenage fancies and their favourite place in the house, etcetera.

Normally as the ghosts filed in for the ‘club’ of the day, Havers and Captain would have gradually edged further away, but it seemed that they got closer and closer now that they were out. They had nothing to fear or hide anymore. They could just exist in peace. 

None of the ghosts, nor Alison, had the heart to wake the army men from their resting on the sofa, they'd had a hell of a day. They deserved to stay in their ghost slumber, Captain’s head slumped on top of Havers’ shoulder and the swagger stick set across both of their laps, held lovingly by both of their hands, Havers’ wrapped around the Captain's with a soft grip.

They truly seemed like they had been made for each other.

Chapter Text

~~~

Lieutenant Anthony Havers looked out from his post, it was almost pitch black, apart from the dim glow of his lantern that had pretty much gone out at that point. There had been basically no action that whole day, he doubted that the Germans would do anything at this point, they would wait until the morning when they were completely unaware. Well, that's what he thought. He suddenly heard the whizz of a grenade flying past his station, before a thump of it hitting the ground in the trench.

Havers’ hairs stood up on end as he felt himself shouting out ‘grenade’ and jumping down from his post. Like an idiot. He started to run down the trench, but felt his jacket stop him in his tracks. Oh shit. He watched himself desperately pull on his jacket to get it free, but it was too late. 

He watched the grenade blow in slow motion, each fragment flying away from it in different directions. He watched as a line of fragments slashed across the side of his cowering face. He watched as dark red blood spilled from his cheek, running down his face in streams, making him yell out for help. He watched his helpless self be carried away by his comrades, the pain growing immensely. 

At this point he wished he'd never left for the front. He wished he'd stayed at his station at Button House. He wished he'd stayed with his commanding officer. 

He wished he'd stayed with James.

It got to a point where he felt as though he couldn't feel anymore pain, and then more pain came. It was excruciating, like he’d been stabbed in the face more than once. He couldn't bear it anymore, he soon drifted into unconsciousness.

Chapter Text

~~~

Havers sat up straight, still on the sofa in the main room of Button House. Captain’s head now leant against the back of the sofa instead of on Havers’ arm. 

He’d had the same ‘dream’ for the past 71 years, each time it became more and more vivid. His scar stung his soul, since it couldn’t physically pain his body, as he sighed. The clock read 6:53, and judging by the fact light was only just beginning to shine through the window, it was clearly AM. The Lieutenant put his hand up to his scar just to make sure it wasn't actually pouring blood, obviously it wasn't but he had to check, these ‘dreams’ were becoming more and more difficult for him to go through. 

The man sat there until the clock chimed 7AM, at which Captain jolted awake. 

“You're up early Tony”

“Yes sir”

“Well I must go for my morning laps”

Havers nodded. The morning laps were a daily thing for Captain to start his day. He swears he'll get faster as time goes on, even though Havers and the other ghosts alike have strictly told him that he won't get any faster because he stays as fast as he was when he died, and he still hasn't gotten faster. Obviously.

Captain still strolled out to the front of the house to wait for Alison to start his timer, leaving Havers to do what he does every morning, watch the news. He finds it interesting, he supposes. He went upstairs to his designated spot just as Alison walked in too. She turned the TV on and switched over to the news channel for him.

“Thank you Alison”

“No problem Lieutenant” 

She smiled at the man and walked off. Havers watched the news until he heard footsteps approaching and he peered around to see Pat in the doorway.

“Julian ruined the game for me again. Want to come down to see Cap finish his laps with me?”

“Sure Pat”

The Lieutenant stood up and strolled off to the front entrance just as Alison met them there, and soon Captain ran through the door, making Alison hit the timer.

“2 minutes 30 still- Captain I don't think I still need to be timing this- I've been doing it for 2 years and you've never gotten faster-”

“I think I will get faster! Over time-”

“It's been 78 years, Captain! It will take literally forever for you to get any faster and I will not be getting up at 7 in the morning every morning for the rest of my life! Especially not with the baby! So just, maybe give the timing a rest. I'll do it every now and then for you, but not everyday.”

Captain frowned and marched away from the situation. Alison sighed and went to find Mike, so it was just Pat and Havers.

“I'll find Captain-” Havers smiled at the scout leader.

“Yeah probably a good idea-” Pat returned the smile and jogged off, probably to help Robin with his crossword, even though he doesn't need it.

Havers followed the direction in which Captain had marched off in, looking into rooms and searching nooks for him. He eventually found him just sat in his room.

“She's right. I won't get faster will I?”

“I'm sorry to say, but I doubt it sir”

Captain frowned as Havers sat beside him.

“Would you like a walk with me around the grounds, James?”

Captain turned his head to face the other man before nodding at him. Havers took the Captain’s hand and pulled him up, through the hallways of Button House and out the back door.

The gardens of Button House weren't in the best state. Alison and Mike hadn't really gotten around to keeping them pristine, the actual house had been their priority for the time they’d lived there. But the gardens were still a pleasant walkway for any bored ghosts, including the Captain and the Lieutenant.

“Ever since Mary moved on, I think I've been trying to achieve things that I wanted to do so much in life, but I just can't do in death,” Captain sighed.

“I understand, but you have to now just think about what you are doing in the present and focus on making the most of it. We may have forever, we may have only another hour. It doesn't matter anymore. We're together and that's all that needed to be..”

Captain looked into Havers’ eyes sorrowfully and nodded, “Yes.. That's all that matters.”

The two pulled out a smile for one another and brought their hands together. They intertwined their fingers and Captain chuckled. 

“Oh- I said I would listen to Thomas’ new poem today-!” The Lieutenant quickly exclaimed.

“Oh.. You should go do that before he gets all hysterical.”

“I'll meet you in the kitchen later, 1500 hours, it should be empty since Alison and Mike will have had lunch at that point and the others will be busy watching television-”

Captain nodded and slowly let go of Havers’ hand, who then strode back towards the house. Captain was left standing in the gardens, surrounded by the sounds of the morning birds.

He decided to continue his walk, letting his mind wander and refresh. He eventually walked back into Button House and looked around for one of the other ghosts to chat to, however he only ran into Alison.

“Ah Alison- Um. Have you seen any of the ghosts around?”

“Captain, I wasn't trying to be mean. But you have to realise that you won't get any faster.”

“I know. Now have you seen anyone?”

“I think mostly everyone is in the snug watching TV-”

Captain nodded and marched to the snug, where he found most of the other ghosts, excluding Thomas, Havers, Julian and Humphrey’s body. Pat turned around on the sofa and watched him walk in with a smile. Captain took his usual place on the sofa and watched ‘Good Morning Britain’, which was surprisingly entertaining. Captain normally found his enjoyment in programmes on super weapons and military vehicles, but he had to agree that Susanna Reid was quite a lovely presenter, and Ben Shephard, well, his face went a bit pink at Ben Shepard.

He continued to watch tv until everyone in the room had filtered out apart from himself and Pat, who soon spoke up.

“What are you thinking of doing now?”

“What's the time?”

“1 in the afternoon I think!”

Captain just nodded before saying, “I don't know. I think I'll go for a walk around the grounds.” 

“Alright! Make sure you're back and ready for Dance Club tonight! Lady B said she would teach us how to do ballroom dancing!”

Captain nodded once again and went downstairs, bumping into Humphrey’s body on his way down. He could hear Humphrey’s head shouting from the room over and sped to him, grabbing the head and putting it onto its counterpart, who was overall very thankful.

“Thanking ya kindly!”

“You're welcome Humphrey”

“You're annoyed I can tell”

“I'm not annoyed so to say. Just rather.. Annoyed..- Alright fine I'm annoyed”

“Mind me asking why exactly?”

“Just something Alison said. But I will get over it.”

“Righty-o” Humphrey smiled and walked off as a whole, whether he’d stay that way all day was a different story.

Captain checked the grandfather clock in the hallway. 1:28. Yes. Yes he definitely had time for a quick stroll around the land.

Chapter Text

~~~

3 O’Clock rolled around and Captain snuck into the kitchen to see Havers sat on one of the chairs.

“Ah Havers- You're here-”

“At ease sir” Havers smiled at the other man, who nodded.

Captain sat on the chair beside Havers, which was conveniently faced towards the Lieutenant. Alison liked to face the chairs towards one another for the ghosts whilst she wasn't using them. Havers smile grew and just as Captain was about to start talking about his walk, they heard many sets footsteps getting closer. Soon Alison and Mike came through the door with the other ghosts following.

“There you two are! We've been looking for you!” Alison grinned.

“Yes- Ah- What is it?” Captain practically grumbled, annoyed that their conversation had been interrupted before it even started.

“We found some old army files and records from your time here! Letters and papers and telegrams and reports! You name it!”

“Well- That sounds fun! Revisiting old memories!” The Lieutenant seemed far too excited for Captain's liking, but at least he was happy.

First up was a cricket report against Dunham Marsh that Captain remembered far too vividly.

“Ah- Yes uh- Maybe we should read these in private-” Captain quickly tried to stop Alison from reading the report aloud to the whole room, but she clearly didn't hear him over her own voice, and started to read out to the ghosts (and Mike).

Captain’s face was soon hidden by his hands as Alison got to the part that he remembered distinctly. Good lord this would be embarrassing.

“Alison I must insist that you continue in private-” Captain exclaimed, but was shushed by Kitty.

“Havers was playing without a cap first, despite the day warming up, his sandy hair tossed about in the summer breeze like wheat as he took the bowling attack apart,” Captain couldn't help turning a bright red throughout as Alison got to the end of his rant, “What majesty! Time itself seems to stand still when one is at the crease with Havers.”

The ghost's eyes were all on Captain, who had turned a deep shade of crimson. (Even ghosts clearly show embarrassment.)

“Well Captain- That was very detailed- We can tell who you were cheering for-” Alison chuckled to herself and the ghosts laughed aloud at him.

“It's nice to know that I was appreciated for my cricket talents,” Havers grinned.

“Yes, well. Maybe we should read these in private.” Captain frowned harshly.

“Alright Captain, I'll set the rest on the bedside table in your room so we can go through them later,” Alison giggled to herself - like a child - and walked out of the kitchen, followed by Mike - who was also giggling like a child may I add.

Captain gazed at the other ghosts, who seemed to be just standing there for no reason and sighed.

Havers saw Captain’s disheartened expression and frowned himself before whispering to the other man, “Come with me”

Havers promptly exited the room, Captain quickly following the man, hand in hand virtually running through the hallways of Button House. The Lieutenant led the CO through the walls (sounds weird I know) and out to one of the farthest parts of the gardens that they loved so much.

Havers sat on the sunny patch of grass, the Captain sitting beside him, and gazed up at the few clouds in the sky. Captain, however, gazed at Havers. Of course. He literally adored that man. The Lieutenant saw him staring and chuckled to himself as the other snapped his head away.

“You can stare, I know I'm absolutely gorgeous,” Havers said in a joking way, tossing his head back as if he was in a L’Oreal ‘Because you're worth it’ commercial.

Captain laughed at his partner’s antics and nodded, “I only stare because you're worth it!”

The men laughed together, just laughed, and leant against each other. The Captain’s hand intertwined with Havers’ and rested on the Lieutenant's thigh. They both smiled and watched the sky until Havers pressed a kiss onto the Captain’s cheek. Captain turned his head to the Lieutenant and pressed a kiss onto his lips. Even as a ghost, Havers’ lips were soft. The CO smiled when he pulled away and stood up, knees creaking slightly. 

“Race back to the house?”

“You're on sir.”

“Right, ready.. steady.. GO-” 

The two took off running back towards the house, the Captain getting a lead by the time they reached the house and ran through the wall, meeting the rest of the ghosts in the main room. 

“How dare you run in this house! It is most improper!” Fanny started ranting.

The men - who were very out of breath - just laughed and sat down on the empty sofa. Fanny seemed very displeased at their reaction but didn't say anything else about it, instead leaving the army men to relax together.

Captain had never been so happy in his life, or in his death for that matter. But thank the lord that Alison hadn't read out the rest of the things he had written-

Chapter Text

~~~

Robin’s epiphany had the house in shambles. Fanny had gone wandering, Julian was acting even more sexual than usual and good lord all Pat wanted was to do some line dancing.

Captain pretended he was fine, but he wasn't. Havers could tell. He was all over the place. Wandering the halls one moment, walking the driveway the next, just sitting on his bed after that. That was the thing with Captain. He never showed his feelings. He had too much hatred for himself built up inside because of his internalised homophobia that he felt like he couldn't tell anyone what was wrong. 

Havers walked into his bedroom and frowned at the man before sitting beside him and resting a hand on his thigh.

“You.. You don't believe Robin do you..?” The Captain murmured out to the Lieutenant.

“I.. I don't know honestly..” The CO sighed at the response, but was cut off by the rest of the sentence, “But.. If he is right.. It has been an honour.. My dearest James..”

“Likewise.. My dearest Anthony..”

The men smiled at one another and stayed silent, both equally enjoying the other’s company, until a spark burst in both of the men. It was as if Cupid had shot another arrow at them. They looked at each other in a strange sort of desperation for the other.

“I love you..” Havers broke the silence.

“I love you too..” Captain returned the statement.

Havers pulled the CO in by cupping his cheeks, kissing him lovingly. The Captain kissed his lover back and the two were lost in a long-awaited, desperate kiss. It definitely wasn't their first, but they had no clue if it were to be their last, so they truly went for it, as army men do. Captain slowly leant backwards, eventually feeling his back hit the mattress as their embrace became gradually more passionate.

They eventually pulled away from one another, letting Captain speak up, “Good lord-”

“You can say that again sir-” Havers chuckled.

“Well I-” Captain was cut off by the grandfather clock in the hallway. 

11 strikes. 11 o’clock. 1 hour left for someone to go.

“I'm just.. I'm going to check up on everyone..-” Havers smiled warmly at the other man and left.

Captain was left alone with his own thoughts and walked down to the front room of Button House. He started at the ticking clock in front of him before hearing someone’s footsteps. Looking to the side he saw Pat’s small stature.

“Not just me then hey?” Pat smiled slightly.

Captain smiled back at the scout leader.

11:26pm.

Most of the ghosts had made their way into the front room, including the Lieutenant. They stood mostly in silence as the clock kept ticking.

“Wait..”

The ghosts looked to the Captain.

“If it's me who goes.. I want you all to know.. What happened when I died..”

Havers looked at the man with a pained expression. It hurt the Lieutenant just as much as it hurt him.

“It's about time..” The CO said and held the other man’s hand.

Chapter Text

~~~

The house was silent. Captain’s story had brought the ghosts into a state of speechlessness.

“I was never the hero..”

“No.. But you are a brave man..” 

The army man smiled at the Edwardian lady until Robin pointed at the clock, “It's time-!”

12:00 Midnight.

The ghosts squeezed their eyes closed as the clock chimed.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12.

Silence.

Button House, for the first time, was completely - and utterly - silent.

Havers was the first to open his eyes. He looked around at a full set of ghosts as they opened their own eyes. Robin was wrong! He got them all worked up over nothing, little rat. He let out a smile and gave Captain’s hand a happy squeeze. 

No.

No.

Chapter Text

~~~

He looked to his side, where CO Captain James Theodore once stood. Instead there was empty air. Robin was right. Little rat.

“No..”

Captain was gone. Just.. Non-existent..

He went the same way he died. Holding Havers’ hand dearly.

Havers stumbled onto one of the sofas. He sat in silence as the ghosts gathered on the sofas with him.

“I.. I don't believe it..” Pat frowned and muttered.

“Neither do I..” Humphrey chimed in.

Alison and Mike soon came back to the soft mutterings of voices. Well that's what Alison came back to, Mike was none the wiser. Looking around at the faces only she could see, Alison recognised a missing dot in her match up.

“Hi guys! What's up with you all-? And where's Captain..?” Alison’s voice trailed off as she saw the ghosts’ pained and sorrowful expressions. Hell even Julian seemed genuinely upset.

“He.. He passed on..”

A few of the ghosts simply nodded in return. Some were too numb to respond. This wasn't like when Mary went. It was worse. No one could pinpoint in their dead minds why it was worse - but it was. 

Maybe it was that they knew it was going to happen and they couldn't do anything about it. Maybe it's that it was now the second of their main group to have passed on. Maybe it's that they didn't get to see it happen. 

For Havers, it was the fact that he didn't get to say goodbye. He was an idiot and shut his eyes whilst the love of his life (and death) moved on. If he had just looked at Captain once more - just said one more word to him - just let him know that he loved him one last time - maybe he would feel better. But no. His love was untimely ripped from his arms once more. And he couldn't bear it.

Alison pulled Mike aside to explain what was going on. Havers got up and, without saying a word, walked off.

He could hear the voice of Fanny behind him who was quickly exclaiming, “Kitty-! Leave him be-! He must want to be alone.”

He assumed Kitty had tried to run after him, but thank god Fanny held her back. He didn't know if he could deal with her at this point.

He walked into the Captain's room, the room he had practically battled with Fanny about, with the lovely garden view and everything just the way he liked it. Captain’s old army papers and records still on the bedside table, remaining untouched since Alison first found them. Captain had pined over Havers since the first day they met, according to the CO it was clear in the records. Havers remembered Captain’s flush as he told him that, and his own chuckle afterwards. Oh how he wished that Captain was there. He wanted to just pull him into his arms and cry to him about how much he loved him. Havers could feel his ghost tears start running down his face. It wasn't fair. He’d only been a ghost for 78 years. Robin had been a ghost for hundreds of thousands of years! Don't get me wrong, Havers liked Robin, but it just seemed cruel that he got to stay but Captain had to go.

Havers wanted to just scream at the universe for taking Captain away from him, not that it would change anything. The universe is a cruel, cruel mistress who doesn't give a flying fuck if she hurts people, and Havers hated her.

The rest of the ghosts, with Alison and Mike, were in silent misery. Captain was a central part of the house, who else would make sure everyone was at Food Club? Who else would run a lap of the grounds every morning? Who else would be their Captain?

No one could ever replace him. Ever. 

Pat had lost a best friend, Kitty had lost a father figure, and most of all Havers had lost the love of his life (and death). 

Mary moving on was a warning.

Captain moving on was a threat.

The ghosts felt pain in their hearts as Alison had to step out of the room, Mike following closely. 

“I did warn you guys-”

“OH SHUT UP ROBIN” The rest of the ghosts shouted at him. He didn’t seem concerned at all. It was like how he was with Mary. The ghosts knew why he was like this but it didn't make it hurt any less. It worked for him, but not for them.

Pat got up and walked off to Captain and Havers’ room, starting to knock but then just saying the noise.

“Knock knock..?”

“What is it Pat?” 

The Lieutenant was audibly devastated as Pat walked in. Havers was laid on the bed staring at the ceiling, completely still.

“You uh.. You okay..?”

“Yeah. Great. Fantastic.”

“He would've wanted you to not dwell on this..”

“Well he's not here to tell me not to is he?!” Havers shouted and turned to face away from the scout leader.

“Lieutenant..”

“Leave me alone.”

“I-”

“Leave. Me. Alone.”

Havers heard Pat’s footsteps gradually fade away and he was left on his own. On a bed meant to be shared. Completely and utterly alone.

Chapter Text

~~~

Captain opened his eyes to the sight of an empty Button House. The room looked almost ghostly. It sounds stupid, trust me I know, but it reminded him of the ghosts you’d see in horror movies. Foggy, with an air of mystery and eeriness about the place. 

What the bally hell was happening..?

He soon saw two very familiar faces enter the room. Two stuart women, one wearing yellow and the other black.

“Mary-? My lord is that you-?”

“Hellos Captain. I'm guessings yous got sucked off”

“I- Did..?”

“Oh yes yous must haves. However I thoughts yous was going to be sucked off much laters-”

“Well- Maybe there's a way I can change this-! I could get back to them and go later..!”

“Oh nos, nos you can't do thats..”

“No, I have to be able to..! I can't just let this happen..!”

“Let this happens..”

“No Mary..! If I can't change this then what can I do..?! I know I'm not the man I said I was, I know I was never the hero..! But I have to be able to.. I have to be able to do something..”

“Thens wake ups”

“What..?”

“Wake ups”

Chapter Text

~~~

Captain felt his eyes slowly close and when he opened them again he just saw Mary and Annie there still, Annie laughing and Mary giggling.

“Oh he did think!” Annie laughed and sauntered away.

Captain sighed and realised he'd just been tricked by two stuarts. Bally hell.

“Sorrys Captain- Annie saids it woulds be the funnys.”

“It's quite alright Mary.”

Mary sped off to follow Annie, leaving Captain to wander. The ghosts had always questioned what was beyond their layer of supernaturality, and now he knew. It was just an empty plain to be roamed. One could say, a ghost, of reality. The CO thought that there must be a way back somehow. He’d already been ripped from Havers once, he couldn't let it happen again. He knew he sounded stupid, even just to himself. This was a one way system; people couldn't just move between the layers when they pleased. But obviously he was going to try.

Captain’s hardly thought-through plan went into action after he’d taken a breath and laid on the floor as he’d laid in 1945. He squeezed his eyes shut, and when he opened them, nothing. He sighed and tried again. 

And again.

He tried until he was practically crying. He lied. He hadn't been ready to move on. He wanted more time with Havers. That's all he could think about as he lay - almost deathly still - on the floors on the eerily quiet shadow of Button House. 

Button House wasn't meant to be quiet. It was meant to have the hustle and bustle of numerous ghosts and people in the rooms. It was meant to have the reciting of Thomas’ poetry (however bad it was). It was meant to have Fanny’s nagging and yapping. It was meant to have the confused wandering footsteps of Humphrey’s body whilst his head sat on a side table somewhere. It was meant to have the laughing and chatting of Alison and Mike - of all of them in fact. In a strange way they brought out the best in one another. Losing someone to this remnant of a house wasn't right. It wasn't like the home that Button House had become.

Captain got up and walked for what felt like hours. He honestly had no clue how long it had been. He hadn't bothered gazing at the clocks. He occasionally heard the warped sound of a chime, but he hadn't cared enough to listen for how many chimes there were.

He instead started seeing memories in his favourite places. He saw him and Havers in the gardens gazing at each other. Actually, he and Havers were everywhere. He saw them everywhere: in the gardens, in the main room, in the halls, in his bedroom, in the kitchen, in the fields. They were everywhere. It reminded the Captain just how much he couldn't bear it without him. It reminded him of those painful years of war without him. The 7 years after his death where Havers was off, probably living his best life without him. The CO couldn't help but think he was enjoying himself at that exact moment without him. That he was happier without him there. No matter how much Captain told himself that Havers quite clearly loved him, the thought stayed at the back of his mind and wouldn't leave.

His dead heart ached as he sat on the copy of his bed. He tried to imagine Havers beside him, his arms wrapped around the CO, whispering how much he loved him into his ear. The Captain looked up at the ceiling as he laid on the bed and felt his eyes droop closed. 

He just wanted his Havers back.

Chapter Text

~~~

What Captain didn't know was that the universe listened to the souls of those trapped in the layers of paranormality. His eyes opened to a clarified version of where he had just been. He found himself standing in his room of Button House; the real Button House; his Button House. Except something was still wrong..

The house was deafeningly silent. There was no air of mystery, or creepy foggy sense anymore. But the silence stayed.

He quickly got to his feet and ran to the main room. 

“What the..-” Pat was the first one to see him, but soon the whole room (except for Mike and the headless Humphrey) had eyes on him.

“W-Where’s Anthony..?”

“He’s.. He’s outside.. In the far part of the garden..” The scout leader replied in shock.

Captain turned on his heels and started running. He couldn’t bear another moment apart from his love. As he got closer to the couple’s favourite spot, the silhouette of Havers grew clearer.

Havers heard the heavy footsteps growing louder, only bothering to turn his head slightly to face whom he assumed was Robin. But it wasn’t. He immediately stood upon seeing Captain’s face and the two lovers, maybe a foot apart, stared at one another for a comfortable amount of time.

“James.. How.. How ar-” Captain cut the Lieutenant off.

“Don’t ask questions Anthony, just bloody kiss me..” 

With that the two closed the distance between them and pulled each other into a long-delayed kiss. And my god was it worth the trauma. The army men didn’t want to let go of each other. They didn’t want their embrace to end. They never wanted to lose one another again. They’d lost each other far too many times already.