Thomas shot Jimmy a gaze from across the servants hall, which was willingly caught with a smile flashed in return. For the past few months, exchanging knowing looks had been a sort of game for them. And if they balanced it out with a few rude remarks, on the odd occasion, it worked successfully at keeping everyone else out of the know.
Things were going good.
Who knew having a secret relationship could be such fun?
Exhausted, Thomas slumped himself on a bench outside the courtyard, and with his back to the door, trying to block out the sounds of the kitchen inside. With time to spare, he shoved his hands into the inside pockets of his suit, relishing in the minor warmth brought by the starchy fabric, fishing out his cigarette case.
Christ its cold!
With shaking hands and frozen fingers, he attempted to light up, only to find the lighter wouldn't ignite.
'Bugger' Thomas muttered under his breath, scowling at the offending object in his hands. He was just about to give up and put both back inside his jacket, when a warm pair of arms reached around the back of his body, embracing him slightly, as they lit the cigarette perched between his fingers.
He took a long drag, feeling the warmth of the tobacco fill his lungs, and watched as it trailed out his mouth, dispersing into the sky. Satisfied, Thomas sighed with relief, happy to finally be able to have his midday smoke.
Smiling, he glanced back slightly. He could see a figure sitting behind him, so close that their spines were aligned, and the arches of their backs were touching.
He didn't even have to look to know who it was.
Finally acknowledging each other, the two men readjusted their seating positions, simultaneously shuffling, so that they were side to side.
Jimmy smirked as he reached a hand out to rub the back of Thomas' shoulders, letting it linger as he spoke.
"Hard day?" he beamed comfortingly, looking in to Thomas' tired, but loving, eyes.
"I've been up since five, hauling around boxes of Christmas decorations and god knows what else! Along with the tasks my own job, making arrangements and plans for the guests, I'm shattered! And all on my bloody own!" Thomas snapped, frowning as he thought about the rest of the days work load. He shouldn't of been short with Jimmy; but what with Carson in bed with flu, Alfred moping around doing light tasks, because of an allegedly sprained wrist carrying a heavy crate (even though I know for a fact there was only tinsel and baubles in there as I unpacked it myself); and with Jimmy occupied preparing the rooms for the Christmas guests, all the workload had fallen down to Thomas and he was fed up.
"Ay, cheer up! The Christmas hustle and bustle will end soon enough! And then it will be back to normal." Jimmy grinned trying to lighten the atmosphere brought down by Thomas' scowl.
"If anything, this is a chance to prove yourself to Carson that you can pick up the pieces in moments of emergency. And plan big events. All good soon-to-be-butlers need to be able to plan ahead!"
Thomas gave a half smile to Jimmy's ridiculous optimism.
On the bright side, Jimmy's company was better than O'Brien's, and it was nice to spend time with someone, with a light and energetic attitude for a change. The most energetic he'd ever seen Miss O'Brien, was when she leaned across the table to pinch his cigarette. Although it would be hard to get used to the fact that the footman wasn't always trying to find a bad situation, or make the mood low with cynical words of criticism, Thomas could quite happily learn to not double guess every comment, thinking that there was an insult inside, which he had spent the last ten years of his life doing.
Jumping to his feet, Jimmy gave Thomas one last smile and a small, yet tender, peck on the lips. Whilst stroking his jaw line, he bent forward slightly to whisper in his ear.
"Tonight?"
Clasping the hand on his face, Thomas brought it to his lips, kissing it lightly on the knuckles.
"Of course! Same time in the usual place"
And with that he was gone, leaving him with only his thoughts, and the lingering sensation of the kiss they shared on his lips.