13Thanks for this idea, Bralt!
A/N: Just so everyone knows, this addition doesn't really fit the genre of humor, but it is more like…friendship, I guess.
I do not own the song Too Late to Apologize
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Crowley gulped. He was seriously regretting the decision to change Halt's lyrics, as now his friend wanted to have a "discussion" with him. He didn't have to think much to guess what Halt had in mind. He thought of skipping this meeting, or sneaking up on Halt, or something else, but his heart wasn't in it. He knew he would just get in more trouble with the Ranger.
Well, you made a mistake. You shouldn't have done it in the first place. Cropper said to him, and the Commandant eyed his horse suspiciously, wondering if he was going mad because of his fear.
"I know, but it seemed funny at the time. He should realize it was just a joke."
You know that attitude isn't going to work with him. Just admit it to him.
"But I can't do that! That would be like…like giving up!"
You know you aren't being very reasonable right now. You're the Commandant.
"Which is why I can't just say it to him. It wouldn't be befitting, somehow."
"Talking to yourself, Crowley?" Halt's voice came to him, and he turned to find his friend smirking at him.
"I was not talking to myself. I was just…er…formulating my thoughts."
"Really." Halt stated, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, I was!" Crowley said, defensively. "And besides, don't you have anything better to talk about than doubting my sanity?"
"Actually, that is precisely the reason I am here. Because I doubt your sanity…specifically in regards to the recent incident."
"What are you talking about, Halt?" Crowley asked, innocently, knowing that it was a futile attempt.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about, Crowley. Don't try to deny it." Halt's tone shifted, turning cold.
"I…oh, very well, Halt. I apologize, okay? It truly was meant to be a joke, nothing else!"
"I'm sure it was."
"I'm perfectly serious. Please…please forgive me, Halt. I really didn't mean any offense to you." Crowley said, quite sincerely.
"Should've thought of that earlier."
"Halt, please don't be like that! How many times do you want me to apologize?"
"Until I can tell that you mean it."
"What? What do you mean? I do mean it!"
"And that's why you're shouting at me, right?" Halt said, sarcastically.
Crowley decided to change his tactics. "I…you know, I always thought you were a reasonable person. That you were someone who was beyond being controlled by emotions. Perhaps I was wrong."
"You are in no place to accuse me at the moment, Mr. Commandant."
Crowley sighed in frustration. "What do you want from me, Halt?"
"Do you want to know what I feel like saying to you right now?"
Crowley was surprised by the sudden change of topic. "What?"
He was even more stunned when Halt began singing softly.
I'm holding on your rope That it's too late to apologize, it's too late
Got me ten feet off the ground
And I'm hearing what you say
But I just can't make a sound
You tell me that you need me
Then you go and cut me down
But wait...
You tell me that you're sorry
Didn't think I'd turn around and say...
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late
Before Halt could go on to the next line, Crowley forestalled him, a puzzled look on his face. "Halt…you've been singing a lot lately. Entirely out of character for you. What is the matter?"
His friend sighed—a fact that only served to worry Crowley even more. "It's nothing, Crowley. Nothing you need to worry about, at least. It's just that…well, I miss Hibernia sometimes. And this place is so much different from there. I find it difficult to fit in at times, and then when someone goes and does something like this…needless to say, it doesn't exactly help matters."
The Commandant looked at his friend in astonishment. Halt was just…well, Halt. He wasn't supposed to get emotional. But he supposed that the Ranger was relatively young. It was understandable that he might be feeling the pangs of homesickness. "Halt…I'm sorry. I didn't even think of that."
Halt rolled his eyes, his old nature back. "You say that as if you think about other things."
Crowley sighed with relief. At least his friend was acting normal, now."I do think about things. I wouldn't be Commandant if I didn't. But Halt…what do you want me to do? How can I make it up to you?"
Halt smiled at him, but it was a smile without humor. "You know what, Crowley?"
"What?"
"Since you're so proud of being the newly appointed Commandant and all that, why don't you try to figure this one out yourself. Come up with how to make it up to me, or something. Do whatever you want."
"What?" Crowley asked, bursting with incredulity.
"You heard me."
"Well…well, ok, I guess." Crowley said, uneasily, still unsure about what Halt was getting at.
"Then it's settled." Halt said. It was a statement, not a question.
"Um…good bye, then."
Halt did not answer. However, if one had glanced at him carefully as Crowley turned away and got on Cropper, he/she would've seen a grin on the Ranger's face. Of course, no one did, and no one was close enough to hear his last comment as the Commandant rode away.
"Oh, Crowley. I wonder what he is going to do. I'm afraid I confused him terribly."
Don't worry, Halt. Abelard neighed and nudged his master's shoulder. He'll come up with something good.
"I know, Abelard. That's what I'm afraid of."
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Well, unless anyone really wants to know what happens next, I think this story is over for now. Thanks for reading! I really appreciate it!