General information
Pairings: None really, aside from Thomas/Duke of Crowborough, a serving of Thomas/Edward and some minor Thomas/various OCs from the flashbacks. Oh, and there's Daisy's one-sided crush on Thomas. Anyhow, there will be a lot of friendship moments later on, so be warned.
Warnings: Thomas-entered (whether or not you consider this a warning is up to you), gratuitous woobiefication of said character, allusions to his homosexuality (if that's not your cup of tea … well, bad luck) as well as some (partly explicit) sexual content, discussions about religion some of you might find offensive (it's not meant to be, of course), some briefly mentioned OCs (mostly Thomas' family), a bit of fluff later on and – as usual – ANGST. Lots and lots of angst. (You should know me by now.)
Notes: I love Thomas. I absolutely do. Of all the Downton Abbey characters, he's my all-time favourite. Poor guy must've gone through a lot to be so cold … Every time he opens up a little, he shows so much depth and pure, raw emotion it's absolutely stunning. I know I'm probably putting him into a pair of nicely fitting leatherpants, but c'mon! He needs it badly.
Yes, I sympathise with him. A lot. So I thought I'd explore his troubled mind a little and give him the credit he deserves.
This fic takes place in Thomas' head, analysing his thoughts and feelings throughout the series and adding a bit here and there. He also gets a proper past and some background.
I will start at the first episode when he meets Mr Bates for the first time and work my way throughout the entire series, reiterating most of the scenes Thomas was in and some of what could have happened off-screen.
Sorry if I get anything wrong, but I am not a native English speaker and most definitely not an expert on Edwardian Britain (Wikipedia will have to do for now).
I hope you'll like it anyway =)
Format:
'thoughts'
emphasis
/ flashbacks /
"talking"
Will be updated every tuesday! =)
Feedback much appreciated.
xxx
There he is, the new guy.
In his late forties or fifties at least, brown hair, small eyes, a face like that of a pig and a gentle, but wimpy voice – the grandfatherly type, only about a decade to young.
He has appeared out of nowhere, with his crutch and the worn-out leather bag, a perfectly simple sight and yet there is a strange attraction about him and all eyes are immediately drawn to him – he is oddly charismatic, the way he just stands there. It's almost as if he is made out of some heavier material than anyone else in the room, something magnetic.
A friendly smile warms up his pale, pudgy face and his eyes have got a certain soft light in them like someone who has seen many things in this world and is still naïve enough to believe it is a good place to live. Yet, he radiates sadness and grief, begging for attention and refusing it at the same time.
'Someone who's got a lot of pride and doesn't know what to do with it. Just like my father …'
No wonder Thomas loathes him from the very first second. It's a subtle, but intense kind of hate – boiling slowly and quietly deep down in the footman's insides. He has to bite his tongue not to say anything rude.
'A lame valet. What on earth is His Lordship thinking?'
The others seem sceptical as well. Some express their doubts, but the new guy – John Bates – repeatedly assures them that he "can manage".
'Oh, I'd love to see that …'
Thomas gives the older man a sarcastic smirk. That Bates will not last long, of that he's sure. And then, Thomas will be the valet again. Maybe this time, it will be for good.
'God, I hope so …'
Thomas is sick of being a mere footman – serving drinks and food at fancy dinners and being paid for running around, doing nothing more important than looking good and collecting the rich people's leftovers. He hates his job. He hates being bossed around. He hates all of his colleagues, save for Sarah O'Brien, his only friend among them.
Why is he even doing this? The lousy payment can't be the reason. The beautiful mansion maybe? As long as it's not his, Thomas doesn't care. Pretty, that's what it is. Pretty and pretentious and old-fashioned.
'After all, what are white sheets and eiderdown blankets if you cannot sleep in them? What are fancy clothes if you are not the one to wear them? What is expensive food if you are not going to taste it?
It's trash. All of it.'
"Thomas", Mr Carson says, interrupting the footman's thoughts. "Take Mr Bates to his room, show him where he will be working."
'Splendid', Thomas thinks, but doesn't say a word. Quietly, he turns around and Bates follows him out of the kitchen.
"Well, I can't see that lasting long", O'Brien comments for everyone to hear. And Thomas agrees with her from the bottom of his heart.
He is thankful the new valet turned out to be a cripple, but he remains a bit nervous. Even if Bates was to go soon, there still would be no guarantee Thomas would get the job this time. His Lordship likes, but doesn't trust him and both Carson and Hughes detest him anyway. Sometimes it seems like a miracle they keep him even as a footman …
When they reach the stairs, Thomas beams a gleeful smile at Bates, but the future valet manages them surprisingly well, even if he is out of breath and sweating by the time he gets upstairs. Thomas doesn't even bother to help him. Why would he? After all, Bates will have to walk up here several times a day from now on.
Without saying a word, the footman shows the other man his room, which is only two doors away from his own. Since Watson's former room contains two beds, it's bigger than Thomas' own, but other than that, it is a simple room, nothing to be jealous of. However, the happy look on Bates' face still bothers Thomas for some reason.
'Don't get used to it, chap. You're not going to spend more than a couple of nights in here anyway.'
"I shall be comfortable in here", the valet notes and he seems like he honestly means it.
Thomas feels his hopes die down slowly, but surely. Yes, the other man is a cripple – but he is a confident, humble, likeable one. His Lordship will love him.
Listlessly, Thomas shows the other man around the house, explaining the very necessities and not saying much else. He pretty much gives Bates the cold shoulder, not even trying to disguise his lack of sympathy for the newcomer.
Bates does not speak much, either. He seems to confuse Thomas' cold-heartedness with timidity and responds to it with soft, careful politeness.
When they are in His Lordship's room, the valet seems particularly impressed by the earl's much loved collection.
"Snuff boxes", Thomas explains, almost hopeful his rival could turn out to be a thief and thrown out off the house again. "He collects them."
"Beautiful", Bates comments, but unfortunately, his interest seems to be as genuine as it is innocent.
"Funny our job, isn't it?", he muses.
"What d'you mean?", Thomas asks, confused.
"The way we live with all this … pirate's hoard within our reach and none of it is ours, is it."
"No, none of it's ours", the footman repeats, completely taken aback by the fact that the new one just uttered exactly the same thought that has crossed his own mind only a few minutes ago.
Slightly revolted – for reasons he doesn't quite understand – Thomas turns his back on the other man and leaves the room. In the hallway, he meets O'Brien who looks at him with what only he would recognise as mild sympathy.
"I can't believe I've been passed over for Long John Silver", he complains, frowning.
"You should have spoken up when you had the chance. Don't make the same mistake next time", she advises him and while Thomas knows she is right, he cannot hide his frustration.
"Who say there'll be a next time?", he retorts dryly, just when Mrs Hughes passes them by.
"Is this a public holiday no one's told me of?", she remarks, urging O'Brien and Thomas to go back to work again without having a chance to finish their conversation.
'That woman is such a nuisance.'
Thomas' sigh is almost inaudible, but inside of his head, a thunderstorm of fury makes it unable for him to think straight. From this moment on, he is only determined to achieve the position he deserves.
He has missed his chance, but that doesn't mean he is going to give up just like that. He will find a way, of that he's sure. No matter the cost, no matter the methods. He will not fail.
'This is going to be unpleasant …'
A/N: One thing I have to mention: I actually love Bates' character (he is such a teddy bear 3). And I am so very, very angry at both Thomas and Sarah for treating him the way they do. I will not try to excuse this.
While I do believe in the good inside Thomas, I will certainly not make him any better than he is (at least not intentionally). Remember: He is a rude, arrogant prick. That's why we love him, right? =)