"Titus." The Chaplain approached the Lieutenant Captain once after the celebration was done. It was protocol for a Chaplain to formally welcome all of those who got a higher rank (he should've known, he was there when this happened to a few of his battle-brothers) but... this time was different. He knew Titus like no one would, from he was a captain once. Leandros was mainly the one to blame for all those tragic years he spent being considered a traitor, and guilt still weighted badly to this day.
Clearing his throat, the skull helmet turned to face Titus again after a moment of hesitation. "It is a great feat to become the Captain of the Second Company," again, he nearly said, "so I... I came to personally congratulate you on your biggest achievement yet. You had proven yourself to your Chapter time and time again, not faltering even when one of... your brothers... distrusted you." His head lowered a few before rising again. "I look forward to your journey as the new Captain."
Even now, he hadn't been able to fully come to terms with it all. With Graia, with what he'd done. Sometimes, he still thought about back then. Sidonus. Leandros. And everything with Nemeroth. He still felt the pain in his hands form the previous explosions of the power source long before Demerium.
Being met with the Chaplain was still something that left Titus reeling after all this time. Knowing who it was under that helm, it admittedly haunted Titus even after he'd worked to properly apologize when they'd left to join Calgar for another mission. So as Leandros approached, while Titus overlooked a dataslate and was prepared to overlook the nav-table for their next planet to reconquer in Guilliman's name, the Captain stopped and turned to the Chaplain.
The congratulations made his brow raise at first. He hadn't said anything, simply taking in what the Chaplain said-- until the last comment and the lowering of his head.
Titus replied then, in a familiar softer tone as he would've back in the day, mindful of his word choice... however, a thought came to mind, and it was a rare, scathing thought against his own brothers. You weren't the only one who doubted me. Yet, that was pushed to the side-- because at least with Leandros, he didn't blame the man for his suspicion. And now? It was practically his job to be suspicious.
" Thank you, Chaplain. It is a relief and-- quite frankly-- an honor to have such praises from you. However, I think it is best to keep in mind that it is your duty to be suspicious of those you think still have the stain of suspicion, " despite using Leandros's own words, there wasn't any malice to them. Instead, it was a further understanding. Titus wanted to be better. He didn't want to be the same man he was at Graia, succumbing to everything to the point of growing so hateful, " and knowing how I was... I think you had every right to be concerned. "
There was the smallest bit of humor from Titus's old personality budding, however, compared to how he was as Lieutenant. As, he quietly added on, " Especially with my idea of another sub-orbital drop for Demerium. I think you would be yelling if I told you about that plan. "
His voice was warm when mentioning it. Clearly, a friendly jest. It seemed like Titus was finally able to at least be lighthearted about some aspects of Graia.
" I look forward to being able to work alongside you again. It's been some time... and I've been meaning to make a request for you to join my squadron for a mission soon. "














