Thomas crept back into the hall, wondering how many years he'd have to keep on doing this, lurking under Carson's nose. The under-butler knocked as softly as he could on Jimmy's door. The footman must have been standing because the door opened very quickly and Thomas was ushered in instantaneously. What illusion of safety they had was a closed door.

"Look, Jimmy, I'm sor-." Thomas didn't have time to finish before Jimmy's lips crushed onto his own, the footman's hands gripped the back of Thomas' head with great force, nearly knocking him backward. Thomas seized him passionately, pushing them straight again just in time before they nearly hit the door. They broke apart to steady themselves.

"Christ, that would have woken a few people up." Jimmy looked down after Barrow's remark, sheepish.

"I'm sorry about..."

"I know. But that can never happen again. We can't take that great a risk. It's dangerous enough in our rooms."

"I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me."

"I do." Thomas grabbed Jimmy hard, kissing him, opening their mouths in wild ecstasy. Jimmy moaned. They were almost sloppy with lust, their mouths opening and closing, tongues languorously caressing, their bodies warming to the core as they stumbled further into the room. They reclined on the bed with an oomph not quite disengaging their lips and hands. Yet, they parted lips to undress one another, occasionally stopping to place a kiss on the other's face. Soon, their braces hung down at their sides, their bare chests were exposed and their skin slid softly together as they embraced. Panting and beginning to sweat they stopped, lying half in each other's arms, half apart to cool down their sexual fervor. They sighed.

"Thomas, I..."

"What?"

"I don't know what to say, you give me such pleasure. I've been thinking about you all day."

"I know. The look you gave me in the kitchen," Thomas softly whistled, "I thought we were done for." Jimmy sighed with displeasure.

"I said I was sorry." Thomas kissed his hair.

"I was glad to know you wanted me." Jimmy embraced him more fully, closing his eyes. For a time they laid there in the silence, safe and warm, their naked skin cooling slightly. Thomas opened his eyes.

"You know what I keep doing to you?" Thomas said drowsily, almost mumbling.

"What exactly?" There was humour in Jimmy's voice.

"Like the first time, when I... you know."

"Oh yes. What about it?"

"Why don't you have a go...doing that to me," he suggested softly, rubbing Jimmy's hair.

"I – ah...I'm worried... I'm worried I won't be any good."

"You'll be fine. I'll help you." Jimmy turned to face him, he searched his eyes, his heart beat with anticipation. They slowly began to unfasten each other's trousers. The heat began to rise again. Their trousers quietly slumped to the floor. Thomas turned away and got down on all fours, Jimmy licked his lips and wiped his mouth nervously. Thomas missed the look of concern on the footman's face. Jimmy cleared his throat and ran a hand up Thomas' back, then two. He caressed and rubbed tenderly. Thomas breathed out through his nose a great puff of satisfaction. He let Jimmy work on him for a while but soon he needed more. Pushing his backside into Jimmy softly, he hoped he'd take the hint. He certainly felt Jimmy respond at least involuntarily. The sensation of the footman's ivory accelerated his need.

"Jimmy," he breathed hungrily. The younger man nodded and positioned himself at Thomas' tightness.

"No, use some saliva."

"I've got to gob on my hand and then..."

"Yes." Thomas tried not to sound desperately impatient. Tentatively, Jimmy deposited a large wad of saliva on his hand and worked it over his cock. When the air hit it it felt cold and twitched slightly upward. He was ready. Going by the only reference he knew, he did what Thomas had done that first time; he held onto Barrow's hips. Thomas breathed more rapidly and gripped the bedspread. Kent felt something in him that was like fear but like happiness also. He slid his hands down Barrow's torso and rested them on the strong hips before guiding himself between Thomas' buttocks.

"Yes," Thomas whispered approvingly. Jimmy watched the head disappear and closed his eyes, savoring every second as it slid in half-way. It was all Thomas could do not to jump. He had almost forgotten the sensation and how tight one was.

"Steady as she comes." Jimmy had trouble getting it in, but the saliva was helping. After a couple careful tries, and a few oos and ahs from Thomas, Jimmy was in all the way. He rested on Thomas' back and Thomas himself arched up to meet him. Jimmy kissed his neck sensuously, running and rubbing his hands all over Barrow's solid torso, across nipples and stomach, ribs, flesh. The under-butler trembled with anticipation as he felt Jimmy's hands moving lower, lower. Jimmy reached around in front of Barrow's thighs and grasped his cock. Vigor shot down the length of Thomas' member like an electric current and he called out.

"Oh Jimmy; do you think you can manage both?" There was a pleading softness to Thomas' voice, without hint of doubt or condescension. Jimmy didn't say whether or not he could take charge of both needs, but he gave it a damn good try. He tightened his grasp, simultaneously thrusting forward. It was Thomas' turn to whimper.

"Am I... is it right?"

"God. Yes," Thomas breathed, "Harder." Jimmy obeyed. His diligent naïveté seemed to please Thomas who responded by nudging his backside into him. With every push Jimmy felt his own pleasure coming upon him, he was gaining speed more quickly than he thought, but with it he was losing grip on Thomas' raging hard-on. He felt Thomas fall forward onto his shoulders and a hand join him on Barrow's aching rod. Their hands worked together to bring him off.

"Almost... there," Thomas panted. Jimmy was deeper inside Thomas than he ever imagined. He moved a hand down to Barrow's thigh and forcibly hauled his body onto his at the same moment his other hand tightened over his partner's cock. Thomas exploded with pleasure, moaning into the mattress, his waves of ecstasy setting Jimmy free. Kent's bucking took off at a frenetic pace and he came wildly, only just remembering to curb his noise. His mouth was open wide, gasping for air. They rocked together in a series of slow bucks until they collapsed, all passion spent.

"Did I pass the test?" Jimmy laughed wearily. Thomas nodded in the lethargy of happy exhaustion, breathing out his nose.

"Christ."

"I'm glad you approve," Jimmy said softly into Thomas' neck as he lay on top him. He pulled out but let his distended manhood nestle between Barrow' cleft. He rubbed him down, hungrily feeling the muscles beneath him. The power in this man's body, Jimmy thought to himself, he must have been in great torment all these years. He kissed Barrow between his shoulder-blades and all around his upper back, spreading his hands wide over his dewy skin.

"Jimmy," Thomas whispered into the sheets, tears brimming in his eyes, tears Jimmy could not see. The care in Jimmy's touch, whatever the young man's feelings were for him, was more kind than any sensation he had felt before. He fought so hard not to weep but he did ever so softly. Jimmy stopped suddenly as he realized what was happening.

"Thomas?" No answer, just breathing.

"'ey, 'ey," Jimmy said kindly, taking his shoulders. Thomas sobbed into the mattress to muffle the sound. James kissed up his neck and wiped some tears away. He drew a few strands of hair out of his face.

"Shit, now you think I'm some blubbering..."

"No...no." Jimmy nestled his head next to Barrow's and whispered to him, "It's alright." He wanted to ask him why he was crying, but he knew. Thomas had been tortured with longing for many years and now this kindness and affection was almost too much to bear. And it was the least Jimmy could do after he had comforted him that first time. No, that wasn't it, he thought to himself, It's because I care about him. The thought almost frightened him. It wasn't some passing fling that he would grow out of. Dare he say "love" even in his own mind... Thomas reached up into Jimmy's hair as he sobered himself.

"I'm sorry."

"Why should you be sorry?" Jimmy asked, closing his eyes, content in the feeling of his body across the length of another, against Thomas' body. No answer. They breathed contentedly for some considerable length of time.

"Jimmy? Jimmy?!"

"Ummmm?"

"If we fall asleep and someone finds us..." Jimmy was torn from his bliss with a jolt.

"Oh God!"

"I'd better go."

"Uh, no, I'm so comfortable," Jimmy sighed as he pushed himself up. Although it was good to have the weight off of him, he wanted Jimmy back as soon as he had separated from him. He turned over onto his upper back, resting on his elbows to watch Jimmy stand; he caught his arm and pulled him back down for another sensuous kiss. They held eachother's faces.

"Goodnight," they whispered tenderly.

"Must be the small hours now." Jimmy reluctantly pushed himself off the bed and stood up to put his on his nightwear. Thomas followed his example and put his clothes back on.

"Doesn't seem much point in putting these back on," Thomas said, gesturing to his trousers. They smiled at one another. Barrow headed toward the door but caught Jimmy's hand.

"Thank you for not laughing at me."

"I could never do that." Thomas pressed Jimmy's hand to his lips and turned half-way to the door.

"Neither of us will want to get out of bed tomorrow."

"Oh don't," Jimmy said, grimacing, shaking his head. Thomas looked at the beautiful footman, longing to say how much he loved him, but not daring.

"Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow."