Work Text:
25th of December 2022
“Why don’t we look at the choreography for the ball? I have a few suggestions”
“Later” The Captains face fell as Thomas shut down his idea “We’ll get to the frippery in good time”
“Oh” Captain made a noise of sadness and disappointment as Thomas mounted the stage and started ordering everyone around. Captain slowly walked to the back of the room and took a seat. He had been looking forward to teaching everyone to dance, especially Kitty. As he looked around the room, he remembered when he’d learnt to dance all those years ago.
24th of December 1939
“Alright, listen up” Captain stood in front of his soldiers and addressed them “Tomorrow is Christmas Day and I know it's something we’ve all been looking forward to. If you are going home, I trust that you’re already packed as the truck taking you to the station will be here in an hour. I still need reports finalised and handed in from everyone or else the consequences will be severe, there is a war going on” there was mumbling of unhappiness “Settle down. Now, if you’re staying here for Christmas, you have the next 2 days off before we’re right back into work when everyone else returns. You must remain vigilant and alert. The village pub is hosting christmas lunch and has invited our unit, you are welcome to attend if you wish, if not there is food here”
“Can we go down for drinks and church services tonight sir?” asked Thompson, raising his hand.
“Yes you may” said Captain “Should anyone need anything Lieutenant Havers and I are both remaining here and at least one of us will be at the house at all times”
“So no funny business, we’ll hear about it” chimed in Havers from where he stood behind Captain.
“Exactly” Captain coughed and smiled “That’s all men. I expect everyone back and ready to work on the 27th of December. I wish you all a Merry Christmas. You are dismissed” there was shuffling as everyone got up and left, some wishing him a merry Christmas as they left. Captain put his list of meeting items away in his pocket and turned to see Havers leaning against the wall in thought. “Havers, going into the village tonight?”
“I’m not sure sir” said Havers “I have work to get done”
“But you’ve handed in all your reports, surely you can take a night off” said Captain walking over to the man.
“I don’t know sir, I am conducting other research too” said Havers “Are you going?”
“I don’t think so” said Captain “It's not really my thing, and I have reports to check and send off”
“Very good sir, well. I’d best be off and supervise the officers leaving” Havers smiled “I’ll come see you at our usual check in time at 20.00 hours”
“Yes, very good” Captain nodded Havers off and walked back to his office. There was a pile of papers waiting for him and he sighed, another Christmas alone at work.
25th of December 2022
Captain watched as Kitty sat miserably on stage as Thomas took over and acted out his lines dramatically, completely straying from the original narrative of Cinderella. Poor Humphrey was stuck in the wings, fast asleep. Captain remained where he sat at the back of the room. He didn’t want to be involved in this silly play anymore, he’d have to find a different gift for Alison. Sighing, he caught sight of Julian fiddling with the sound system and was pulled back into his memories.
24th of December 1939
As he slowly read through the reports he heard the truck pull in at 18.00 hours to collect the troops heading home. As time ticked on he heard the other soldiers leaving to go into the village. Sighing, he stood up and stretched, his joints cracking loudly in the empty house. He walked through the halls and into the room where they’d had the meeting earlier. All the chairs were still set up and the Captain sighed. He started to get to work packing up the chairs when he heard footsteps.
“Good evening sir” said Havers, standing in the doorway with a stack of paperwork in his arms. “Need a hand?”
“Ahh Havers” Captain nearly dropped the chair he was holding. “If you want to”
“Of course sir” Havers placed the papers on the window seat and grabbed a chair. “I have the progress reports. I went looking for you in your office but when you weren’t there I decided to see if you had left to go to the village”
“I have not Havers, but if you want to you are more than welcome,” said Captain, moving to start a stack of chairs on the far side of the room. “It is Christmas Eve after all”
“I’d rather stay here with you sir” said Havers “Maybe after this we could have a little drink together. Celebrate the advancements our unit has made”
“Maybe Havers. I have a lot of work to do” The Captain's mind started racing at the thought of being alone with his Lieutenant in an informal work setting. “I’m surprised you didn’t go home or to the village Lieutenant. You’re down there most saturdays''
“Yes sir” said Havers and Captain noticed him carrying the chairs two at a time. “I decided I didn’t want to trek to and from there through the darkness and snow”
“Understandable,” said Captain “Very understandable.” He carried the last of the chairs over to the stacks and watched Havers lift them up. “Thank you for helping Lieutenant”
“I’m more than happy to Captain” smiled Havers. They stood in a comfortable silence for a while, before Havers took a step towards the gramophone sitting in the corner. He knelt down and flicked through the records before picking one out and putting it on, smiling at Captain over his shoulder. “I hope you don’t mind sir, I figured with the house empty I can play some music without the other men giving me grief for my music taste”
“Go ahead Lieutenant, I am not one to judge” Captain smiled and walked over to pick up the reports just as a scratchy tune started to fill the room.
“Sir, wait” Havers appeared at his side and gently took the reports out of his arms, and took his hands. “Dance with me?”
“Havers, I-” Captain stuttered “I am not a dancer”
“Please sir” Havers looked at him pleadingly “Just one dance, I promise”
“Oh…” Captain decided no one else was home and therefore wouldn’t hear or see them “Okay, only if you’re patient with me, I haven’t danced since I was a teenager”
“Of course sir” Havers gently led him out to the middle of the room, and placed his hands on Captains shoulder and held his hand out “Now, one of your hands goes on my waist” he gently took Captains hand and placed it on his waist “And the other holds my hand” he took captains other hand and held it gently “Now, we don’t have to properly dance, just follow me” Havers started to gently lead them around the room in a sort of relaxed waltz fashion. Captain followed, unsure of if he was doing it right, and his mind went into overtime as he rested his hand on his lieutenant's waist. The song finished and Captain smiled at Havers.
“Well, that was rather jolly. Thank you for that Havers”
“You’re welcome sir” smiled Havers.
25th of December 2022:
Captain listened as Julian flicked through various songs on the laptop connected to the speakers. Various waltz, ballroom, and love songs filled the ballroom until a specific tune sparked a memory he had long since buried in his mind. As the song played he was pulled back into his memories
24th of December 1939:
Neither of them had moved and another song started to play. As the scratching turned into a tune Captain felt his heart speed up as the sweet sound of The Way You Look Tonight started to fill the room. He felt Havers drop his hand and a second later his Lieutenant had turned to face him and had both his hands on his Captain’s shoulders. Captain stared at Havers, who smiled back gently. Before he could stop himself Captain cautiously let his other hand rest on Havers waist. They swayed in time to the music, gazing into each other's eyes. Captain felt hot around his neck and prayed he wasn’t visibly blushing. Havers smiled gently at him, his hands firm but gentle on his shoulders and Captain started to relax.
All too soon the song came to and end and the record stopped playing. However, neither man moved from where they stood, and instead just looked into each other's eyes. Just as Captain felt they should get some work done, he felt Havers move closer to him. His heart started beating wildly, but he didn’t attempt to move away. Instead he kept his hands firmly on Havers waist and gently brought the man closer to his body, so their noses were nearly touching. As he gazed into his Lieutenant's eyes, he felt a hand on the back of his head, running through his hair.
“Havers” he whispered
“Captain” replied his Lieutenant and without a moment's hesitation, they leant in and their lips met. Captain was shocked. He’d certainly admired his Lieutenant, and developed a minor crush on him, but never in a million years did he think he’d be kissing him.
All too soon, they broke apart, but stayed close. Haver's hand still rested on the back of Captains head and he smiled at the man in front of him.
“Well… uh…” Captain stuttered and a look of doubt crossed Havers face.
“I’m sorry sir” spluttered the young man, gently untangling himself from their embrace and taking a step back “I don’t know what came over me. It won’t happen again”
“Havers, shh” Captain stepped towards Havers and smiled gently at him “It’s okay”
“Really?” asked Havers
“Definitely” smiled Captain, intertwining his hands with Havers. The Lieutenant stepped closer and pressed a gentle kiss onto Captain’s lips. Captain smiled and rested his forehead against Havers.
“I’ve wanted to do that for so long,” whispered Havers. Captain continued to smile and wrapped his arms around Havers. They held each other for a long time, wrapped in each other's arms before the clock chimed, signalling it was 19.00.
“Why don’t we go have that drink you mentioned earlier, Havers?” whispered Captain, not wanting to break the peaceful silence that had fallen upon the house.
“That sounds perfect” whispered back Havers.
25th of December 2022
“Captain! Your turn to choose a song” said Alison, who was holding her phone “What do you want?”
“Oh uh” Captain thought for a second and smiled “The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra please Alison”
“Love song ‘ey Cap?” Julian wiggled his eyebrows at the man before tuning back to his chess board. Captain sighed and sat down in the corner of the room as once again, the song's sweet tune filled the room like it had all those years ago.
He closed his eyes and smiled.
25th of December 1939
The clock chimed 00.00 hours loudly through the quiet halls of Button House, all its occupants out in the village. Apart from two, who were upstairs, wrapped up in each other's arms.
“Merry Christmas sir” whispered Havers in a sleepy voice, moving closer to rest his head on his Captain's chest.
“Merry Christmas Havers” whispered back Captain, placing a kiss on his Lieutenants head and turning his light off, holding the man tight.
He closed his eyes and smiled.