Chapter One
Author note – this is my first published one so… hope you like it :L this is taking off from a wee bit after the Christmas episode ^.^
Thomas's head drooped once, twice… before coming to rest on the table at which he sat. The moonlight was peeping in through the open window, with nothing else to light the room apart from a flickering candle. The cup of tea by his hand was cold.
Hearing the soft thump of hair hitting a surface, Jimmy poked his head out of the storeroom in alarm, terrified of being caught of stealing a slice of half eaten cake. He was half starving, having being worked half to death by Carson all evening for one of many fancy do's the house was holding. Whilst Alfred, the soft lump, had fallen asleep as soon as his head had hit the pillow, Jimmy had just squirmed uncomfortably until hunger overcame him and he had crept downstairs.
He peeked into the dining room, and a wave of relief washed over him as he saw Thomas slumped in his seat. Then alarm – Thomas slumped in a seat, so soon after being beaten half to death?!
He rushed over. 'Thomas!' he hissed, shaking the slightly older man awake. 'Thomas!'
Thomas did not react well to being shaken awake at midnight, flailing slightly as he tried to hit his attacker. Realising it was Jimmy, he grumbled,' I wasn't sleeping… just resting my eyes…'
Jimmy sighed, thankful that his friend was alright. 'Sorry for scaring you, but I was worried…' he stood up straight; the piece of cake in his hand had begun to crumble and he quickly stuffed it in his mouth. Thomas raised an eyebrow, and Jimmy hastily moved on. 'What are you doing down here anyway?'
'Hey, you weren't the only one Carson forced into hard labour all through the evening,' he said, his tone still annoyed, though there was amusement in his eyes now. 'Come on, my tea's cold, am off to bed…' And with a couple of steps he had left the seat and had made his way to the kitchen, before shuffling up the stairs.
Jimmy sighed again. He cared more for Thomas now – they were best friends, always looking out for each other. But Jimmy worried for Thomas even more now – although grateful for what he had done, he was scared for his injuries – and, though he didn't admit it to himself, he was scared Thomas still had feelings for him.
Carefully putting out the candle, he quickly scurried after Thomas, hoping that any sign they had been there during the night was now gone.
Thomas woke up bright and fresh the next morning. His window was open a crack, and the cool October air was floating in, leaving the room feeling a bit chilly. He stretched and quickly changed; the noise outside could only mean that everyone else was awake.
He stepped outside – nearly bumping into Jimmy in the process.
'Watch yourself,' he grinned, before walking swiftly off to go get a bite of toast before going to dress His Lordship.
All morning, Thomas barely had any time to think – but whenever he did, he always seemed to be next to Jimmy, near Jimmy, in the same room as Jimmy… When this happened, he beamed on the outside, laughing at the bad jokes, slapping his friend on the back. But on the inside, he always felt like he'd die a little. He knew Jimmy would never love him like what Thomas felt, and he knew the feeling was already fading. It just hurt so much, to be near what he wanted all the time, but never allowed to have it.