Work Text:
The Lieutenant sorts through the post for the day, eyes widening at the communique marked urgent. He quickly finishes sorting the post, picking up the envelope and rushing up to the hall where the Captain is talking to the men.
After dismissing the men to begin the emergency lockdown protocol, the Captain and his Lieutenant are left standing in the room. Silence falls over the room as the two men stand near the window, looking out over the grounds of Button House.
Havers is the one to break the silence, looking straight at his Captain, “I know we do vital work here, sir.” he pauses, breathing out a “but,” before continuing, “I want to get involved in the fighting. I’ve put in for a transfer.” He looks away, not wanting to see the reaction on his Captain’s face.
“You’re leaving?” His Captain confirms, almost in disbelief, looking straight towards him.
Havers barely looks at his Captain out of the corner of his eye, not wanting to face the full force of his emotions, responding quietly “there’s talk of a North Africa front.”
“Yes,” his Captain nods slightly, dropping the eye contact they’d shared before stuttering at the beginning of his next address, “Yes well I, I, I, I totally understand, of course.”
Havers looks straight at him, accepting the words, with a gentle nod.
“Carry on.” His Captain instructs with a pained smile.
Havers looks anywhere but his Captain, blinking rapidly, barely whispering a “thank you,” before he turns to leave quickly, trying to school his emotions before he has to face the rest of the men in the house.
—
Later that day, Havers takes a deep breath before knocking on the door to his Captain’s office.
“Come!” He hears the call from within, and opens the door, seeing his Captain turn to face him, smiling slightly in recognition as he greets him.
He walks in, closing the door behind him, falling into a more relaxed stance at his Captain’s orders.
He stands at ease as his Captain continues, “I, I was just thinking about you actually.” He smiles at him, “How’s the emergency lockdown coming?”
Havers returns the smile easily, comfortable with this line of conversation, “Very good sir. Most items have been squared away, as per the order.”
“Excellent.” His Captain smiles.
Havers watches as his Captain begins to move around his desk, talking over him as he begins to explain the actual reason for his visit at such a time, “I’ve come to tell you about…”
He barely hears what his Captain is starting to say as they both laugh slightly, a brief moment of awkwardness falling over them as neither know how to continue.
Sticking to their order, it is his Captain that speaks first, laughing slightly and bouncing on his feet as he does so, looking expectantly at him, “sorry, sorry, I, you first Lieutenant.”
Havers schools his face into the neutral expression he holds when giving out orders to the men, “I’m afraid I’m leaving you sir.” Trying his hardest not to react as he watches his Captain’s face fall as he continues with his news, all the while looking straight at his Captain, “At 1800 hours this evening.”
He watches his Captain blink rapidly, clearly trying to calm his expression, “So soon?” He gestures at his hip, “that will explain your new service revolver.” Havers smiles proudly, following his gesture, allowing his Captain to continue, “I don’t suppose they sent one for me did they?”
Havers feels as if he’s letting his Captain down when he responds, certain that it’s showing through into his face, “only for frontline personnel at this stage, sir.”
His Captain looks down at the ground, breathing out “of course, yes.”
Havers allows himself to continue, smiling, as if he’s doing nothing more than his duty, “it’s North Africa sir. I’ll be able to have a proper swing at fritz.”
His Captain laughs back, miming punching someone as he gives him his gentle encouragement, “you make sure you give them a bloody nose.
Havers smiles back at him, matching the expression on his Captain's face, watching as his smile drops and a different emotion takes over.
“I shall miss you Havers.”
Havers swallows as his face falls, fearing the next words to come out of his Captain’s mouth. Hoping they don’t follow the path he’d most want, the wheels already set too far in motion to turn back now.
But of course his Captain covers for his blunder, correcting himself quickly, “by which I mean, of course, that, we shall miss you, and I know the Button House Eleven will certainly miss your cover drive.”
Havers nods along smiling, “thank you sir.” He takes a breath, “well, if that’s all?” He nods almost expectantly at his Captain.
His Captain nods slightly, breathing out a “yes.”
Havers leans forward nodding as he turns on his heel towards the door, getting the door halfway open before he is interrupted by his Captain’s voice.
“I say havers,” his Captain calls, stopping Havers in his tracks, the door half open, looking back expectantly. “It’s a bally shame we won’t get to finish the operation together.”
Havers smiles back nodding slightly, staring for a second before leaving and closing the door behind him. He straightens himself, back to the door and continues back to his room to begin his packing for his departure.
—
At 1730 hours, Havers finds himself once again standing outside the door to his Captain's office, having just finished his goodbyes to the others on the base. He knocks, those same two knocks that he’s always used, waiting for the response from inside.
“Come!” Calls the response, and he opens the door, closing it quickly behind him, “ah Havers, at ease, at ease.” His Captain nods to him, a neutral expression falling across his face, “I suppose you’ve come to say goodbye.”
“Yes sir,” he nods, “I thought it would be best to do it in person, I’ve already spoken to everybody else, sir.”
“Of course,” his Captain nods, smiling sadly, “you have done good work for this unit, Havers, I’m sure you’ll be missed by us all.”
“Thank you sir,” he smiles back, “permission to speak frankly?”
“Of course, Havers.” He nods moving to stand in front of the desk, hands at his sides.
“I shall miss all of you too.” He smiles, hands dropping to his sides as he glances out of the window, “I’ll certainly miss the birds, I can’t imagine there will be many where I’ll be fighting.”
“Make sure you come back alive, won’t you Havers?” A hint of worry finds its way into his voice.
“I shall try sir, I’ve never seen the white cliffs before but I do hope I get the chance to see them twice.”
“So do I.” His Captain quickly agrees, a slight laugh in his voice.
Havers steps closer holding out his right hand for his Captain to take, “it’s been a pleasure working here sir, I shall certainly miss working alongside you, you’ve made my time here much more interesting than other COs have.”
“I, I, thank you,” his Captain stutters, taking his hand to shake, “that’s very kind of you Havers.”
Havers holds the hand longer than strictly necessary, thinking to himself for a moment before pulling his Captain closer by their joined hands, “I’m sorry sir,” he whispers before gently bringing their lips together.
There is a moment where his Captain freezes and Havers is afraid that he’s going to be reprimanded before his Captain pushes back gently, gripping his hand tighter and raising his other to hold the lapel of his jacket.
They break away after a moment, Havers cupping his Captain’s cheek and resting their foreheads together.
“Once this is over,” his Captain whispers, “come and find me, we’ll find somewhere quiet.”
“Somewhere in the country, with rolling valleys and sheep?” Havers smiles back trying to hide the tears in his eyes.
“If you wish it,” his Captain is close to tears too, “just come back. Please Anthony.”
“I’ll see Dover again, I promise,” he nods, gently pressing their lips together one more time before stepping backwards, pausing for a moment before turning to the door, calming his expression and giving one last smile to his Captain, before walking out of the room.