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It was a quiet evening, well that was because all the soldiers has gone out to a dance that was happening in the village.
It has been a busy week and the Captain thought that his unit deserved a night off so he offered it to them, and they did not hesitate to go.
Two of the men ask the Captain if he would like to come along but he declined, the Captain always made the excuse of "someone has to stay here at the house just in case something were to happen," which wasn't a lie but let be honest, the Captain wasn't really sure if his soldiers would really like to have their Captain joining them on their night off and a chance to have fun, but the Captain appreciated the offer and let them go on their way.
So here the Captain was in this big house all by himself, well, not really, Havers was here with him.
" are you sure you don't want to join the others tonight Havers I think you deserve a night off as well" The Captain said to his lieutenant who for some reason decided to stay behind as well.
"I'm quite sure sir, didn't seem right to leave you here on your own and besides, it nice to have a quiet night in don't you think?"
The captain face heated up from hearing that and stayed quiet not knowing how to respond, but Havers was right about having a quiet night in. It has been a long day and some people do prefer a quiet night in then going out to a party.
" yes I suppose your right" the Captain agreed still blushing slightly.
There wasn’t really mush do, most of the work had already been done. The Captain and Havers are in the briefing, the chairs has been put into the side of the room which made the space a bit wider, and Havers thought it would be a good idea to bring in the gramophone to play a bit of music for themselves so their not sitting in silence.
" Do you not enjoy dancing very much Havers?" The Captain ask wanting to know why Havers didn't want to go into the village with the others soldier’s.
"Actually" Havers began saying as he was setting up the gramophone. " I do to be honest sir, I'm actually known to be quite the dancer back home"
" really? I never knew" the Captain said actually surprised about this new fact about his lieutenant, something he never pictured in his mind.
"It's not something I try to show off sir, but yes, I do enjoy it me and my siblings were all taught it growing up" Havers explained looking at the Captain with a bit of fondness in his eyes.
"I see, dancing is common in your family then" the Captain ask quite interested.
"Yes it is, I wouldn't say we are all brilliant at it, I'm very sure my brother Paul was born with two left feet" Havers laughed, "but yes my mother thought it would be a good idea to teach us all, dancing is how her and my father met so I think she thought it be good for us to know how to dance in case we ever met a very special someone".
The captain smiled hearing this, he can tell Havers loves his family very much and he kinda of felt lucky to be able to hear stories about them from Havers.
"Did her lesson pay off by any chance" the Captain asked.
"It did actually, Paul, Marie and Lucille are all married with children, except for my youngest sister Jane who not in a relationship but I don't think she bothered about all but that it doesn't stop her, she'll go out and dance with her friends any chance she'll get and as for me, well you already know don’t you sir"
He did, when the Captain and Havers were first getting to know each other Havers ask about the Captain wife, a wife that doesn't exist. It not the first time somebody thought the Captain is married, and he not surprised about the question either, a man his age should probably be settled down with someone by now and probably have children as well.
But that wasn't the case for him and it does seem to surprise people when he tell them there no woman in his life, it definitely surprised Havers, the Captain even remembers Havers saying that someone would be really lucky to have someone as kind as the Captain.
The Captain doesn't really believe that, the Captain also asked Havers the same question, even if Havers wasn't married he surely must have a special lady back home waiting for him. Because come on why wouldn't he, the Captain has seen how some of the women here at Button house looks at Havers, he hated it but he didn't blame them Havers was terribly handsome no doubt. He is also kind, helpful and can be very funny at times, not to mention that Havers has a smile that light up a whole room.
"Can you dance sir" Havers asked snapping the Captain out of his thoughts.
"W- what, oh, no, no I don’t really have much experience I'm afraid" the Captain explained feeling a bit embarrassed about it for some reason.
"Nobody has ever taught you" Havers asked with interest.
"No my family isn't much for dancing, my sister dance sometimes. She sometimes tries to get me to dance when we were children and even tried to get me to dance on her wedding day but I was worried I'd do something to embarrass her so no"
"Would you like to try, sir" Havers asked almost sounding like an offer.
The Captain looked up at him a little surprised, he hasn't really thought about it or maybe nobody has ever asked him and thats kind of made him feel sorry for himself, it sounds silly but thinking about it just made him look and sound lonely, maybe he was.
"I... haven't really thought about Havers, I never had any one to share it with"
After the Captain the said that Havers looks at him, and a smile crept up his face like he had an idea.
The Captain then watched Havers go through the box of albums that he brought down earlier on the table.
The captain felt curious again and ask another question.
"Do you know a lot of different dances then Havers" he asked
"I do know a few, I can do a bit of swing dancing which is quite popular, and I know bit of the foxtrot" Havers explained still looking through the albums.
Goodness me Havers must be a dashing dance partner if he knew those dance moves the Captain thought to himself.
"But since you said you haven't had much experience sir, we'll do something simple" Havers said casually.
What did he mean by that the Captain thought.
Finally Havers seem to have found an album and took it over to the gramophone and started to put it into place.
Once the record was in place, Havers put the needle down and music started to play the song 'A lovely way to spend an evening' by the band The ink spots.
This is a lovely way. To spend an evening. Can't think of anything I'd rather do.
The sweet sound of the music played through the gramophone filling up the room and Havers walked up to the Captain and hald out his hand. "Dance with me sir"
Havers said with hopefulness in his voice with a gentle smile on his face.
The Captain was taken it back, was Havers really asking him to dance with him? He stomach flipped and his face felt warm and he doesn't seem to be able to from any words.
"I-I -I'm afraid that I might step on your feet lieutenant" the Captain awkwardly said trying to make it sound like a joke.
"None sense sir, here let me"
Havers took the Captain hands and placed one behind his back and kept hold of the other one. And Havers place his own hand on the Captain back as well.
"Just follow my lead, okay" Havers whispered as he began to move.
The Captain was nervous, not just because he never done this, but because of how close they both were. He knew they were alone but the thought of someone seeing them like this can bring question, but he feels safe with Havers, nobody has ever made The Captain feel more comfortable and nervous all that the same time.
But the universe seems to be kind to them tonight. With the late night talk in his office they never been this close, and the afternoon strolls they'd had where he felt Havers hand brushed against his that probably the closest they ever been until now. Its overwhelming, but he loves it.
Havers can feel his Captain is tense and struggling to make eye contact.
"Sir, it's alright, just relax" Havers said with a gentle voice. The Captain finally looked at him "sorry, I just don't want cockup you see" the Captain laughed little nervously.
Havers breathed out a laugh "sir don't worry, I won't judge you even if you do, I just want you to enjoy this. You can look at my feet if that will help you"
The Captain nodded, every now and then he'll look at their feet just to make sure he getting his steps right, and when he feels that he is getting the hang of it the Captain finally feels himself relax.
They were gently swaying to the music. The Captain put his head slightly on Havers sholder and he feels Havers head rest on the side of his own.
'This is a lovely way. To spend an evening I want to save all my nights. And spend them with you.'
"Are you alright" Havers whispered and the Captain hum in response.
Havers held their intertwined hands close to his chest, he rubbed his thumb gently over the Captain knuckles. The Captain feel Havers gently breathing near his ear, it made him shiver a little but it was comforting the Captain felt so safe in Havers arms, he didn't want to move but there was a question the Captain needed to ask.
"I say Havers, may I ask you something" the Captain ask without moving his head from were it was still on Havers sholder.
"Anything" Havers whispered
The Captain took a breath. "If you enjoy dancing very much, why didn't go with the others in the village"
Havers moved his head to where it was so he can look at his Captain in the eyes. "Do you what to know the truth" Havers ask voice still quiet his eyes seems serious but with has so much affection in them.
The Captain nodded
"I knew if I went I'd probably would have a lot of girls asking me to dance with them" Havers admitted.
"What ever wrong with that" the Captain asked.
"Because I hate the idea of dancing with anyone that.... someone that isn't you sir" Havers confess still not breaking eye contact.
The captain eyes went wide (somehow they didn't stop moving) but the Captain was still slightly confused on what Havers was trying to say to him, the thought of Havers wanting to dance with him instead with any young lady was sending waves in his stomach.
"I... don't know what you quiet mean, Havers"
Havers squeezed his Captain hand. "My mother taught me to dance so I can share one with a person who very special to me" Havers whispered "and I'm dancing with that person right now"
The Captain felt his heart racing, was this really happening, this wasn’t another dream was it, this couldn't be real, it was to good to be real.
Havers continues "sir I have grown to care for you very much, adore you even, but I'm not sure I read this all wrong and you can report me if you need to but, I'm afraid I've fallen in love you"
The Captain thought he cry of joy but his heart broke from knowing that Havers thinks that he would report him to head office, no, he couldn't have that. He needed to let Havers know his feelings were returned.
The Captain let go of Havers hand and brought it to the back of Havers neck, his other hand that was still on his back hold Havers tighter and then rested his chin on Havers sholder holding him close.
Havers tucked his face on the side of the Captain neck hugging him tight, the Captain can feel Havers breath shudder, they were still swaying to the music slightly.
"I'm not going to report you Havers, of course not I feel the same, in love with you I mean, I'm in love with you Havers" The Captain said almost desperately.
Havers breathed out a laugh that almost sounded like a sob, Havers looked back at the Captain with a smile. They both were smiling at each other with such relief, they held each other close.
'Honey child, I'll have to say it again. This is such a lovely way. To spend an evening. And I can't see anyone. Quiet as lovely. As you.'
"Havers"
"I think we are past that don't you think sir?" Havers said with a smirk.
"Anthony" Captain said with a smile before sighing. "You know this is dangerous, right"
The thought of someone discovering them is a painful thought, not only this could cost their careers, but maybe even their lives.
"I know, I know this is risky but, you know I wouldn't let anything happen to you, right sir" Havers ask
"James" the Captain replied with a smile knowing that he can use his given name with this man in front of him.
"James" Havers whispered, somehow their faces has gotten closer. "We can be careful," Havers rested their foreheads together "I-"
The Captain didn't let him finish. He pressed his lips against Havers in a sweet kiss still not letting go of each. Both of them hasn't realised that the song has came to a finish.
'This is a lovely way. To spend an evening. I want to save all my nights. And spend them with you.'
What a lovely way to spend an evening indeed.