Call You Mine

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Mustang turned to Saint once everything had settled back down, a mixture of concern and disappointment flashing across his face. "Lance, what happened?" shedding the formality of an Air Force commander and addressing Lancelot as his best friend, Arthur continued, "You were disrespectful to Sergeant Jones and attempted to physically assault him, you also got into an altercation with your fellow Air Man it appeared." Pointing to Saint's black eye. "You're lucky it was Sergeant Jones who responded to the call; otherwise, we'd be having this conversation in a very different setting. I'm still not 100% sure that Sergeant Jones won't change his mind about not pressing charges for attempted physical assault. You do understand the gravity of the situation if you receive a Letter of Reprimand, don't you? I'd hate to see you demoted because of one bad decision. This behavior is abnormal for you, what is really going on?" Arthur asked, continuing to study Lancelot, "Is it trouble with Robin?"

Lancelot, a mixture of contemplation and uncertainty, confessed, "I've been struggling with Robin being away and feeling his absence more than I thought I would. You know me, I'm used to brief flings and casual connections; however, I've realized my feelings for him are deeper than anything I've experienced. I called Tinder over for advice and things got out of hand."

Arthur, sensing there were things Lancelot wasn't saying, continued to press Lancelot for information "It's not just about Robin, is it? There is something else bothering you, is it something on a personal level, or professional? I'm here for you Lancelot as your friend, not just your CO."

Lancelot hesitated, should he be honest with Arthur, and risk losing his wings? Or should he keep quiet and do a better job at keeping his demons under lock and key? "It's not just Robin. There's...stuff. You know how it is in our line of work though, the constant grind. No need to drag you into my mess."

Arthur not believing Lancelot, continued to try and coax his friend to be honest with him, "Lance, I need to know the whole picture if I'm going to help you effectively."

Lancelot grumbled "I get it, Arthur. You've always had a knack for reading me, but we've all got our burdens in this job." Lancelot hated telling half-truths to Arthur, but he had made up his mind that he needed to conceal his struggles, he wasn't ready to share yet. The "Lie to Fly" culture made it hard for Lancelot to expose his vulnerabilities, even to someone as close as Arthur.

Arthur sensing that he wouldn't get any more out of his friend tonight, turned back to the revelation of his friend's feelings for Robin. "Lance, while I'm ecstatic that you figured out how you feel about Robin, maybe consider this: next time you need advice try calling your sister, me, or Guinevere instead of Tinder. Trouble seems to find the two of you whenever there's been a little too much drink consumed. You do remember how the two of you got your call signs right? Mustang laughed at the shared memory, Saint and Tinder's story was told often at get-togethers. "Let's get you upstairs and into bed, you've got a long day ahead of you tomorrow," Arthur stated as he helped Lancelot onto his feet, guiding him towards the stairs.

"Arthur," Lancelot continued, as they headed up the stairs and into the guest bedroom. "can I ask a favor? Could we not tell Genevieve and NightShade about any of this, please? I'd rather not lose my head when she comes back from vacation." Lancelot asked Arthur, already dreading the answer.

Mustang responded to Saint's request with a shortlaugh, as he helped Lancelot take his shoes off and settle into the bed, and histone shifted from the informal friend to the formal demeanor of a MasterSergeant. "Absolutely not! You are not above reproach just because we'refriends. If anything, with you being my second in command, you should be heldto a higher standard," Mustang explained sternly. "I'm eager towitness your sister's reaction when she hears about her 'Saintly' brother'smisbehavior while she was away. Maybe that, combined with your two weeks of extraguard duty and base maintenance, will help you remember to stop and think if asituation like tonight ever arises again. I'll be back to check on you later. Ineed to let Gwen know I won't be coming home tonight." With that, Mustang leftthe room, switching off the light but leaving the door open in case Saintneeded him during the night.