In this tale of pre-Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell forbidden love, Chas is a champion high school-level boxer turned paragon Naval officer who no one would dare accuse of being anything less than masculine. However, he secretly struggles with his homosexuality, which is known only by himself and Esmeralda, his best friend in the French Naval port of Toulon.<br><br>That is, until he’s found out by fellow gay crewman, Michael. The two spark up a relationship, but all is not well when Chas's homophobic bunkmate gets wind of their affair and reacts violently. Now Chas must defend not only himself, but Michael, as well.

Stand and Fight

“Chas?” Michael called softly. “Are you still in there? A few of us are heading back to the ship for the night. You sleeping here or coming with us?”


Chas looked to Esmeralda for an answer. 


“You said you’ll be here tomorrow as well?” she asked. “We can meet up then, go buy you some more journals.”


“Okay. I’ll see you then.” Chas smiled then turned to the door. “I’ll be right out! Just let me find my shoes!”


“So we’re sticking with that lie, are we?” Esmeralda murmured with a smile.


“Until the day I die if I have to.” 


Chas gathered his things and left the room. Esmeralda followed him, and right before he was about to go down the stairs, she whirled him around and kissed him full on the mouth. Chas’s crewmates all drunkenly cheered, except for Michael. He folded his arms and frowned. Chas forced a smile at him. “Come on, man. Don’t be such a prude.” It was only when he went outside into the cool autumn air that Chas noticed the tears in the corners of his eyes.


Chapter 4