Oh my god okay so the was I see it, the captain using his title as a name is like a facade he puts up. He wants to be seen for his efforts in the war rather than the sensitive person he really is. He puts up a front of being a war hero because that’s what’s expected of him. “The Captain” isn’t really him, it’s hard for him to be his true self and open up etc etc. We all understand that, right? Good.

Throughout the redding weddy flashback we only ever see havers refer to cap as “sir” (a sign of respect, might I add) not once does he call him “captain” (“communique for you sir, I’m afraid I’m leaving you sir” you get the idea)

In carpe diem, even AFTER havers gets promoted to major (a rank above the captain) he still addresses him as “sir” this is likely and instinctual act, but I also like to see it as him dignifying the captain in front of everyone who is looking down on him. Then, as the captain is dying, he calls him by his name.

Not only does this mean that they were close enough to give each other their first names, but NOT ONCE does havers call him captain. Since the first time he’s on screen, havers looked through the facade and he found what was underneath. He sees the man behind the rank, and he loves him