Chapter Text
“General…”
“Let’s talk another time. Look, he’s awake.”
“Of course, sir.”
Charles looked at the general.
“Am I in the infirmary?”
“You are. Had a nasty crash there, Charlie.”
“Then, what about…?”
He sighed, shaking his head a moment after.
Charles bit his lip.
An air of solemnity hung over the two. An atmosphere kept by the Top Hat Clan, which was replaced with a ray of hope when they found out he was alive.
But not anymore.
“…the report detailed an explosion from the Top Hat Clan’s base. An inside job. I’m assuming that was your doing.”
Charles felt a wave of guilt wash over him.
“That explosion…it was—“
“No need to say any more, Charlie. The wound is still rather fresh.”
Hubert put a hand on Charles’ shoulder.
“Unfortunately in our line of work, this is nothing new. Chin up, Charlie. The best way to respect his sacrifice is to keep pushing forward.”
Fingers gripped tightly around a worn-out blanket.
“…
“Yes, General.”
***
A few weeks had passed.
Charles’ injuries had all but healed.
Charles was sent on some minor missions, nothing on a scale comparable to his previous one.
However, bad memories always stick to you better than the good ones.
“I’m sorry to disappoint your expectations, General…I just, I can’t quite get over what happened.”
“Don’t worry Charlie. Things like this take time. So take your time. I’m sure you’ll be back with us in a few weeks’ time.”
Charles gave a hesitant smile.
“Yes, sir.”
But those weeks had turned into months.
And before anyone knew it, Charles was living a normal life.
Away from the military, away from mistakes and slivers of hope that kept fizzling out.
Away from reminders of him.
It seemed a bit stupid to Charles, really.
He was able to move on from everything else, everything else but this.
He thought maybe, maybe it was because it was his fault the situation had turned out like the way it did.
But not that it mattered now.
“Your total is 23 dollars and 46 cents. Will that be cash or card?”
“Ah. Um…cash today, thanks.”
Cha-ching!
“Please visit us again!”
Charles nodded as he left the supermarket.
“Okay…that should be it. Time to head to the base.”
He got in his car and started the engine.
Today was the anniversary of an unexpected military success, and an unexpected loss.
A year after Henry’s death.
Charles unbuckled himself and opened his trunk to a small bouquet.
It was made up of poppies.
Charles grabbed the bouquet and walked to an uneven stone structure far away from the rows of other military graves.
He placed it down, glancing one more time before walking back to his car.
“Rest well, Henry.”
***
“Congratulations on your medal, General.”
Hubert Galeforce smiled, albeit a bit weary.
“They should’ve given you the medal sooner, sir.”
“I thank you kindly for your words, cheeky recruit of mine.”
The recruit in question laughed heartily.
“But you know why they didn’t give it sooner.”
“You were quite the busy man, General.”
He scoffed.
“Yes, busy training you and all the others.”
The recruit fidgeted.
“Um, General…any news from that pilot you said you trained? It been about a year now.”
“None.”
Sigh.
“I didn’t know this would take such a heavy toll on Charlie’s mental state.
“But I hope the rest is doing him good.”
“Ah, that’s too bad, I was looking forward to meeting this famed pilot of yours, General.”
He shook his head.
“That waiting of yours may very well be a lifetime. It’s looking like Charlie may reach out to retire soon.”
“Well,” the recruit stubbornly continued, “I’ll be able to meet with him soon enough then! He has to come in to send in the resignation form, right?”
The general patted the back of his recruit.
“Very well, but he might request a private audience.”
At this, the recruit understood.
“Alright, I won’t push it anymore sir. But please, our congratulations to him on his successful mission a year ago!”
Hubert chuckled.
“Alright.”
***
“Ah, Charlie! Welcome.”
“General.
“Congratulations to you on your achievement.”
“Haha. No need to be so formal. You’ll be resigning, won’t you?”
“So you’ve heard. My apologies to you for waiting this long, sir.”
“No worries, Charlie. You are welcome to visit our base whenever.
“I’m sure the new recruits would love to see you. In fact, they wanted to congratulate you on your mission.”
Charles gave a small smile.
It was rather reminiscent of the ones he used to have before the Top Hats started their space operation.
“Well, I won’t take up any more of your time, Charlie.
“Go live your life, I wish you well in whatever path you take.
“Just, don’t go criminal on us, alright?”
Charles snorted.
“Yes, sir.”
When Charles reached the end of the tent, he gave one final salute to his former superior, who returned the gesture.