Chapter Text
No, that's wrong, it's not possible. It's inappropriate, we are men. He is my Captain, we work together. I can't have a relationship with my Captain; right? What will the others say? This is what mortified Piers Nivans. He always repeated it when he was next to Chris Redfield. How can you stand to have the person you love in front of you and not say anything? Piers suffered that every day. In reality he wasn't sure how he felt. It was the first time he had felt this way about a person. Piers had never had a relationship before. He didn't know what it was to love a person so much. He felt increasingly insecure, but he loved being next to his Captain. He always spoke of him as his hero. He wanted to make his life less complicated than it was already. Piers would do anything for the good of his Captain. He would even die for Chris to keep him safe.
It was Christmas time. For many it was the season of sharing; to be with their families or with the people they loved. For Piers it didn't mean so much. He was used to being away from his family and the task of being one of the best soldiers and snipers in the BSAA didn't let him have a normal life like other men. For him it was enough to call his family and wish them a Merry Christmas and to send the occasional gift. None of that had mattered until now. He felt like a school boy; foolishly in love. Chris Redfield was the only thing on his mind. And on Christmas eve, he was only thinking about what to get his beloved Captain without thinking or hinting of something else. Or maybe that was just what Piers did want?
Understandably, Piers never thought it would be very difficult to get something for the person you liked. What could he get for a man like Chris?
The day that became a disaster in Piers' mind was the day awaited by many, Christmas. It started as a very white and frosty morning. Most of the soldiers were preparing to leave with their families or friends to enjoy the lovely day. Piers got up like any other day. He saw his team mates getting ready to leave, and wanted to go and share the good times with them, but he couldn't. The only thing he could think of at the time was what would Chris be doing today?
Piers decided to leave the base in search of the perfect gift for his Captain. He checked himself in the mirror and fixed his quiff perfectly; upwards, as ever. Then he left the bathroom and put on his favourite scarf. The scarf that he loved so much since it was a gift from Chris. He still remembered the day when Chris called him to his office to give it to him . . .
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Piers was dying of fright at the thought that Chris had called for him. Trying to think of something he might have done wrong for his Captain to ask him to his office. Piers knocked on the door.
"You called for me Captain?" Piers couldn't stop sweating; he was so nervous.
"Yes, come in Piers." said Chris with a charming smile on his face. Seeing that, Piers didn't know what to think.
"Take a seat Piers, umm . . . you’re not here for having done something wrong or anything." Hearing that Piers relaxed his shoulders; they had been so tense.
"So Captain? Can I help you with something? Do you need help with paperwork or a mission?" Chris looked at him and let out a nervous laugh.
"Don't worry Piers, its nothing to do with work." The young Lieutenant blushed a little and lowered his head slightly in embarrassment. Chris continued.
"It's winter, and I know you get cold and that you also like scarves, so . . .err, . . . I have a gift for you." Chris tried to look into the eyes of the younger man but he couldn't hold his gaze.
"You're my best soldier, so I have to keep you in good condition for the battlefield." With a little smile, Chris offered a small decorated box to Piers. "I hope you like it."
When Piers opened the box and saw the scarf, his picked it up in his hands. He liked how soft it felt. He could only imagine how it would feel wrapped around his neck. Suddenly Chris' voice brought him out of his thoughts; he had forgotten that he was with him.
"Try it on. I'd like to see how it suits you." Piers did what his Captain said and put the scarf on.
"How is it? How does it look?" He said it with a smile on his face. It was like watching a small child on Christmas morning. It was a image Chris would always remember.
Chris looked at him and could not help feeling a strange sensation in his chest. In his mind he thought he would love to make this lad smile in that way every day of his life.
"Captain . . ?" Chris' thoughts were interrupted and he focused on the enchanting guy who was in front of him.
"Mmm . . . wait, let me help you with that." He got up from his seat and went to Piers. Then, when they were facing each other, Chris placed the scarf in a different way than the youngster had. When Piers felt the brush of his Captain's fingers on his neck, he had a feeling like an electric current going through his body. He liked it, and he could feel himself going red. He could feel Chris' breath very close to him. He could smell Chris' cologne that he loved so much; it was so intoxicating to him.
"That's better, I think this colour suits you very well." Chris wished he had kept that comment to himself. It caused Piers to go as red as a tomato.
"What's the matter? Don't you like it? I can change it if you want." Suddenly Chris felt heart broken at the thought that his gift was not suitable for his Lieutenant.
"No!" Piers raised his voice a little. It's not that. You don't know how much I love it; it's perfect . . ."
Despite hearing these words, they didn't succeeded in convincing Chris. Something was wrong, he didn't like to see those hazel eyes that he liked so much looking downcast.
"It's just that . . . I feel bad because . . . I have no gift for you Captain, no special . . ." Chris interrupted him.
"Chris . . . When we are away from work, call me Chris." Piers looked at him and spoke again.
"Capt . . . Chris, I didn't bring you anything . . ." Just at that moment Chris took Piers' chin; making him look into his eyes.
"Piers ... it's not necessary. I wanted to give you this because I care. You always work so hard and I never show appreciation for anything you do for me." Piers looked at those beautiful brown eyes that radiated love and tenderness and was lost in them
"But Captain, that's my job, I will always be here for you. Trying to make your life less complicated is not a problem for me. I would do that and more f, for y, you . . ." Piers stuttered with the last words and immediately stopped talking; knowing that what he had just said was wrong. He could not tell the captain how he felt about him. He thought that everything was ruined until Chris moved in closer to him; causing him to become even more nervous than when he had first entered the office. He felt Chris' big hand on his shoulder, which made him get a little tense.
"Let me finish Piers. This is a way to thank you for your excellent work and for always covering my back. It's not much but I thought it would be good for you." Chris got closer to his young Lieutenant; lost in the hazel eyes that drove him crazy.
"Captain, thanks, it's perfect." Piers also moved in closer, not thinking about what might happen.
"It looks perfect on you." Chris was only a few centimetres away. He just wanted to make those full and tempting lips of his Lieutenant his.
The two men were focused on each other's eyes. They did not realize how close they were to one another. Everything felt perfect. Automatically Chris' hands reached for Piers' waist; pulling him in closer. Time had stopped for them. They knew perfectly well what would follow. But when the two drew close for what they hoped would be a romantic and very intimate kiss; the office door opened unexpectedly.
"Bearfield, I've arrived. Are you ready to go?" The female voice sounded lively. "Oh! Have I interrupt something?"
The two men parted somewhat abruptly. Their perfect moment had been interrupted. The moment Piers had so waited for. And worst of all, it was interrupted by the person that he was jealous of and held a grudge against because of the way she spoke to Chris sometimes.
"Jill . . . err . . . I didn't expect you for another two hours." said Chris, scratching his neck in a sign of nervousness.
"Well the plane arrived sooner than I expected, so . . . perhaps I'm interrupting something important?"
Yes, you are, as usual. Piers thought to himself. He actually wanted to tell her, but he knew Jill was his commander and that he could not be disrespectful to her authority.
"Sorry Captain, err . . . I'll go."
Piers fled from Chris' office, almost running. He felt so angry and confused again. Why does Jill always have to be with the Captain? I can't be angry about something just like that. The Captain isn't mine. AGHH! I hate feeling like this, what am I'm thinking . . ?
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Since then, Piers had not wanted to go through another fit of jealousy like that again. But he still felt resentment towards Jill. Maybe it was what was best for Chris. It hurt just to think about it, but he had to accept it.
He left the base in search of a shop where he could buy the gift for his captain. Piers ran into the one person he did not expect to see until later. And that made him get so nervous and yet so happy at the same time.
"PIERS!" Chris' cry was heard from some distance away.
"Piers . . . I'm glad to see you."
Seriously, your happy to see me? Piers said to himself. Hearing that made his morning out happier.
"Captain . . . Good morning." The formal greeting caused Chris to laugh a little.
"Good morning . . . Piers." Chris laughed, he seemed so very happy. Piers could not help blushing; how he hated when he did that!
"I wanted to invite you to a small dinner I'm having today. Friends and colleagues from some time ago will be coming to celebrate Christmas with me. Would you like to come? . . ." An awkward silence fell on their conversation.
" . . . If you already have plans for today it doesn't matter Piers."
"NO! Erm, . . . I would like to come. It would be wonderful to meet others as great as you!"
"Hey, relax." Chris laughed again. "You'll be my guest so I won't let you have much time with the others. I'll get jealous, ha ha."
Piers was not able to hide the broad smile on his face. He loved what Chris had said.
"That's fine Captain" he said laughing. Nobody can replace you as far as I'm concerned."
"OK Piers, I'll see you at eight, alright?"
"Yes Captain, I'll see you later."
That was the end of their chat. Piers was so excited, but also very nervous. Chris would present him to his friends. Should I speak with them or with Chris? But he couldn't worry about that now. First he had to find the perfect gift for his Captain. Of course he would need help; Chris was a complicated man. But he knew just the right person who understood Chris perfectly. And who would be willing to aid him in his mission to find the perfect gift. Piers took out his cell phone and quickly dialled a number. The number of his salvation.
"Hello?"
"Piers! Hi there!"
"Hello Claire . . ."