Chapter Text
As much as the Captain enjoyed - perhaps enjoyed wasn't the right word, but none others seemed appropriate, and the Captain had never been the greatest at language - being in command, it was certainly helpful to have a lieutenant, and Lieutenant Havers was, or so the Captain supposed, the best lieutenant a man could ask for.
With his sharp mind, serious enthusiasm and clear respect for rules, he was a man after the Captain's own heart. The soldiers all adored him (platonically, of course, anything otherwise would surely be stamped out as soon as it was discovered) for his friendly attitude, his light banter and good moods. Privately, the Captain admired these traits - after all, it is good to have a lieutenant who is close with the soldiers, is it not?
It is also good to have a lieutenant who is close with his Captain, and that is why the Captain found his Havers knocking at his office door as he was sorting through paperwork. The soldiers would presumably have been eating, and if it were anyone else, the Captain would have been frustrated at them for leaving them alone, but Havers held a soft space in his heart. All because of the closeness of a captain and his lieutenant, of course.
Havers' charming smile as he handed over a cup of tea to the Captain found that spot in his heart softening once more, and he tried not to react too harshly to the feeling of their hands brushing. Despite the heat of the drink, the Captain took a sip, and instantly regretted it, but when his lieutenant looked at him like that, he always felt the need to do something. It wasn't anything to waste any nights of sleep over, so the Captain tucked it into the back of his mind, where anything unrelated to the war effort went.
"Good morning, Captain," Havers said brightly, as he always did. They had greeted each other previously, at the pre-breakfast trials, but the lieutenant always seemed to value a more personal greeting, and the Captain didn't complain.
"Good morning. I say, it's bally cold out there, isn't it, Havers?"
"Certainly, sir. I think Jones almost fell over when he first stepped outside." Havers remarked with his usual chipper smile. It always felt a little restrained, to the Captain, but he daren't say anything. He wasn't sure if he wanted to know what the lieutenant was holding back.
"Ah, the cold is a terrific motivator for running fast, though, isn't it?"
"Certainly, sir, he got the fastest speed."
"He didn't beat your record, though?" the Captain asked somewhat proudly, as if it were himself who has set the record.
"No, sir."
"Of course not. I've yet to meet a soldier who can sprint so fast. Now," said the Captain, hoping his lieutenant would have an excuse to stay longer, "is there anything specific you wanted to talk about? Only I've got a mountain of paperwork here, and you should be eating. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, you know."
"Ah, I'm afraid not, sir. I would offer to help you with that paperwork, if that would be amendable," Havers said, and the Captain felt a sinking disappointment. Paperwork was hardly a good enough excuse to keep his lieutenant from eating with the other men.
"No, thank you, Havers. Please go along and enjoy your meal."
Havers nodded respectfully, before turning to go down the stairs. The Captain tried not to watch him too obviously as he left.