A/N: Bonding isn't always fun, and it's even worse when you're cranky. Bates and Thomas bond over missing loved ones.
Bates rapped his fingers on the window sill impatiently, watching as the snow fell. The train would be delayed until the morning, and it did not bode well for John Bates' mood. He could see her now, a simple dress flattering her petite figure, her eyes glowing with mirth at some joke he told— but he wasn't there with her. He was stuck in London because the snow had become too much for the trains to manage. The hotels were full in the city, the giant snowstorm having shut down all modes of transport to the north. Sighing, John glared one last time at the falling snow and turned from the window, eager to get through at least another three chapters in his book before he turned in for the night.
A solid knock jolted John out of his concentration and he called out, "Come in." Thomas appeared in the doorway of the servant's hall, and with a nod, Thomas dropped into the seat across from him, the wooden chair grating against the stone floor jarringly. Mr. Mosley had fallen ill, and since no one else was qualified to take on his duties, it was decided that both Bates and Thomas would accompany Mr. Matthew and his Lordship to London for a weekend of legal paperwork.
"Pity, this stuff," Thomas' silky voice cut through the air, and John offered up a hum of acknowledgement as Thomas gestured to the bleak weather.
"It is. We'll be missing the Ball tonight." John observed, tearing his attention from the passage he was on to watch as Thomas lit a cigarette, smoke curling from his lips, reminding Bates of a dragon in a child's tale.
"I suppose you will, Mr. Bates. And Mrs. Bates? Will she be attending?"
John smiled wryly up at him from his teacup. "I doubt it. I'm sure Lady Mary has demanded rest. Shame, really, Anna enjoys dancing."
Thomas grinned at that. It was known to everyone that Lady Mary had taken a keen interest in Anna's pregnancy.
"Are you missing the music? And Jimmy?" It was not widely known outside of a very few people about Thomas' preference, but in the end, John Bates did not particularly care either way. After all that he and Anna had been through, it was mutually decided to put the old rivalry between Thomas and John to rest.
"Maybe, but then, I wouldn't discuss my personal feelings on the issue with you, regardless of what agreement we've come to." Thomas cast a glance at John, smoke hanging in the air as he started pointedly at his fellow servant. No one knew about Jimmy and Thomas, and both men were eager to keep it quiet.
"Touché," John replied, and with less tact than he was capable of, John changed the subject, "I'm sure the weather will be alright tomorrow, at least good enough to get home."
"I hope so, Mr. Bates, I do hope so. The idea of Downton running without us, it's enough to make me shiver."
Thomas grinned crookedly, and with that, the two fell into a comfortable silence, each hoping that the snow would stop before the night was out, and each eager to return to the arms of their loved ones.