Chapter Text
The Captain was a soldier in WW2, he had to be strong and independent and that's exactly how everyone saw him. Everyone in Button House also saw him as rude, over bearing and egocentric.
All the ghosts were in the living room all stood around in a circle, brain storming ideas to try and stop Mike and Alison from selling the house to the hotel company. At the start it was only Kitty who was pleased that she'd have new friends in the house but as time passed they were all in the house together, each ghost had their own favourite perks of living with new guests. Pat loved being able to be friendly and share information. Lady Button loved Alison being able to remove all the paintings of her chesting husband George and The Captain enjoyed having strong men around the house, not that he'd admit that to anyone.
'Strike them while they are weak, the insufferable noises they make during the night. All the banging and drilling. It's unbearable. We must get them to leave at once!' The Captain had said to the other ghosts who were all stood around him. He did like Mike and Alison but he just couldn't stand people finding out his secret and sharing it with the other ghosts. What would they think of him?
'You can't boss us around like that. You aren't the leader of us.' Kitty replied on behalf of the group, clearly having enough of The Captain.
'A...A...Amen!' Piped in Mary, supporting her friend.
'We're not soldiers! It's not the war.' Argued Fanny.
All the other ghosts nodded in agreement. The Captain's heart broke slightly, not that he let this show. He was the ranking officer, how comep no one respect him, he thought trying to think of a reply quickly. The Captain straightened his jacket and cleared his throat and gripped his knuckles onto his light brown swagger stick, that never left his side.
'If this is how you all feel then I shall retreat. You will need me in the end!' He said dryly then he marched out the room trying to look confident.
'Good ridden' shouted Robin.
The Captain mulling over what had happened let out a deep sigh. He tried to keep out the dark thoughts that he wasn't a good enough person or soldier but he knew these thoughts were true and the other members of the house hold had just confirmed this. He just really needed to be alone.
He walked back to his room all while debating whether to go for a stroll in the gardens to keep his mind off his awful life. He just kept walking until he ended up back at his room. That's what had to be done. For the next few hours he isolated himself in his room with the thoughts 'you're not good enough' 'you're not our leader' 'weak' 'usless' ran through his mind until he couldn't talk it any longer. He dropped his swagger stick in defeat, letting it clatter to the floor.
He'd only done this before on a few occasions, when he felt numb and alone. No marks were left upon his lifeless body only the pain that he felt. The Captain took a deep breath trying to calm himself. Slowly, he ran his hand through the bed post keeping his hand there for a few seconds. The pain rushed through him. He knew he deserved this and he knew he needed more. The Captain moved over to the wardrobe and pushed half of his body through into it. Hissing and smiling he moved slightly to keep his body awake.
After another hour or so The Captain still felt low but decided the other ghosts must need his help by now so he walked back towards the living room. Before he got through the door he heard laughter.
'I'm The Captain and I know everything' Kitty laughed.
'I'm in charge and no one can disagree with me' The whole room laughed and giggled. That comment stung The Captain.
'I'm into men who are strong and who do as I say.'
That was the final straw for The Captain, how could they know he was gay. Is that why they didn't like him? Either way The Captain did have a lover back in the war, Jack, he was strong but soft and caring. He loved Jack and missed him so much.
The Captain backed out dropping his head walking back to his room. It's not like the other ghosts would miss him anyway. He couldn't believe what he'd just heard. Even Catherine has said something mean about him and he'd treated her with the most up right respect, just like any other gentleman should.
Walking back through the quiet house Alison noticed The Captain looking unusually casual and not as stiff as he would normally look in his tight greeny brown uniform.
'Wait up Cap' She shouted jogging towards him down the narrow corridor.
'Captain, if you please' The Captain replied. He voice trying to regain some authority.
Alison brushed the comment off and asked 'What's wrong?'
'Nothing wrong ma'am I'm in tip top condition.'
'Are you sure? I'm alway here if you need a chat. You know really appreciate your strategies and effort you put into the problems I've faced while being here.' Alison didn't want to pry and make The Captain aware that she knew of his changed behaviour.
'I'll be fine, if you excuse me.' The Captain turned of his heel and walked away, holding back the tears threating to spill over his eyes.