requests and oneshots

Shell Shock

A/N Hi all, so I just want to mention that this fic is part of an au where Havers died in Button House and is there as a ghost. The Captain and him both are in love but aren't out to the other ghosts yet. 

Beta read but only by me bc nobody ik has actually watched this :)

November 5th 2020, 21:24

That night, Button House had seemed peaceful. Alison slept soundly in her and Mike's bed, Pat stood beside Mike (who was oblivious to this), both waiting and hoping to see Barclay's fireworks, as the Coopers had decided not to do them that year. Robin snored softly, Kitty curled up on her bed, and the Captain lay stiffly in what had previously been Heather Button's room, though he was still asleep.

However, a sudden bang awoke the Captain, the only ghost of the house that hadn't been expecting it. Alison had explained the idea of Bonfire Night the day before to all ghosts who didn't understand it. The captain had been patrolling at the time, so he had missed the entire thing.

He jolted from the mattress with a yelp, covering his ears as the explosions grew louder and more frequent. Everything seemed to slow down, the terrifying noises the only thing he could now hear. All the Captain could think about was them landing upon the house, striking him and his newfound family down. Some sense breaking through to his trauma blinded mind, he raced towards Alisons room, startling Pat from where he stood, mesmerised by the beautiful, flower-like pyrotechnics.

"What?" Alison mumbled, voice thick with sleep. "Cap what's going on?" The Captain waved a hand in front of her eyes, trying to bring her attention directly to him. "There are bombs Alison! Please, you need to get everyone downstairs! They're so loud!" He rambled on like this for a good few seconds until he trailed off, eyes clouding over when a Roman Candle shot off into the air. It crackled and pounded through the Captain's ears. He could feel it rattle his bones, and if he had a heart, it would've stopped. It was so loud, so so loud and he couldn't breathe, he couldn't breathe and-

"Teddy." A strong, but gentle voice cut through his panic. Havers. He placed a hand on the Captain's shoulder, and pulled him close. The firm grasp of the Lieutenant's embrace comforted him, and he leaned further into it. "It's okay Bear. I'm here. They're just fireworks. It's going to be alright." Teddy rubbed at his face when he realised that tears had been streaming down it. Coming slowly back to his senses, the Captain noticed that he was on the floor in Alison's room, sat against the wall and curled up defensively. Pat, Alison and Mike were stood over them, thought Mike didn't completely understand what was going on. Pat had a sympathetic look in his eyes, and Teddy inwardly chided himself for exposing his weaknesses around his troops.

He knew the look in Alison's face and Pat's eyes. Pity. He knew that look only too well. When he was exposed shortly after the war had ended, and he had felt vulnerable and isolated. Everybody knew. He couldn't stand to see any of them, when they all knew that he was a pathetic criminal.

"Do you think I'm pathetic?" The Captain asked honestly, Havers still latched onto him comfortingly. The ghosts and Alison all froze. She looked at him with wide eyes. "Why on earth would we think that? You panicked Cap. That's okay. To be honest I'm actually surprised it hasn't happened sooner. You've been through a war. Literally." Havers turned to look at his lover properly. "Nobody thinks you're pathetic, Teddy. We were all just worried. Besides it's probably partially our faults. We never came to talk to you about Bonfire Night. You were patrolling and none of us really noticed. I'm sorry Love." William stopped. That last word had not meant to leave his lips.

"Wait, you and Havers are in love?" The Captain nodded sheepishly. "Oh my god!! That is so sweet you two!" Alison looked as though she would burst with excitement. Pat seemed very happy for them. "Wait." The two stopped. "You can't tell anybody though. Especially not Julian. Or Fanny." Havers shuddered, dreading what the prejudiced woman would have to say if she found out. "We wouldn't, don't worry. I'm just really happy for you." reassured Pat. "Oh, and Captain?" He looked up. "It was probably just old shell shock. It happens with most soldiers, I think." The Captain's shoulders dropped a little, as though an invisible weight had been lifted from them. "Thank you Patrick, and you, Alison." He smiled warmly at the two, then turned to Havers and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. William eyes crinkled as he grinned, resting his head against Teddy. "We'll leave you be now, Alison." He spoke softly, and as the exited the room, he mouthed a silent, 'thank you' to her.

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So, what do you all think? Ik its not very long but it is my first fic. Feel free to leave requests like I mentioned in the last chapter or let me know how I did for this one!

Constructive criticism is appreciated, and if theres any bits that you particularly like please do lmk.

Stay safe and healthy :)

Ghost :D