Note: This one shot takes place after 'Days Of Summer'. It's centered around my OC, Michael, who I introduced in a previous story. For context, and to get the most out of this story, I recommend reading chapter 2 of Coming Home, For My Dearest, and parts of chapter 11 of Come Away With Me first.

Chris lit up a cigarette as he took shelter in the shop doorway one late afternoon. It was only a few days after Thomas's surprise birthday picnic that Richard had arranged for him. The weather then had been the perfect picture of summer. Not a cloud in the sky, a gentle breeze to stop the heat from being stifling, a complete contrast to today. It was just after five in the afternoon and it had been raining all day. In fact, it was more of a heavy drizzle. The sky was a whitish grey above the street outside and everything was dripping wet. There weren't too many people around, and despite it being several hours yet until sunset, it was looking darker than it should. Chris breathed out a puff of smoke as he watched a small puddle below the step of the shop. Tiny raindrops caused its surface to ripple as each one landed. It was beginning to overflow. A tiny stream was forming, trickling down into another puddle. He should be going home soon, but he felt like sticking around a bit more. Richard wouldn't mind, now that he was back to normal working at the shop and not at Downton as a temporary valet like he was before, he wouldn't be seeing Thomas until later in the evening when he came home. Chris didn't want to be at home for several hours on his own yet. He was growing tired of being alone. He watched the smoke mixing with the damp air outside of the shop doorway. Richard didn't like anyone smoking inside, as he said the smell hangs on the books in the shop, which was true. Thomas doesn't smoke much anymore, only whenever he's in a bad mood, and even then, it has to be a really bad one to warrant the need for a smoke. He doesn't need the distraction now that he has Richard, Chris thought as he saw a solitary figure cross the road several shops down the street from him. Maybe I'll quit if that happens to me. The person was walking on his side of the street towards the shop now. He didn't recognise him, he was wearing a long overcoat and a wide brimmed hat that, due to the angle he was walking as the man sheltered his face from the worst of the rain, hid his face from view. Chris was preparing himself to tell the stranger that they were closed and to come back tomorrow when the man spoke first as he walked up to him. "Thought it was you! I hoped it would, saved me the trouble of a mile walk to your place," the man said as he pulled his hat back from his face a bit.

Chris immediately recognised the man as his friend Michael. He hadn't seen him since May when he came to Downton while Richard and Thomas were on holiday. "Michael, I didn't know you were coming!" Chris said as he shook his friend's hand.

"I would have sent a telegram in advance but it was a spur of the moment decision, hope you don't mind. You're finished for the day though?" Michael asked.

"Yeah, just taking a break. My boss, Richard, and I often have a drink before I head home," Chris said.

"You get on well then?" Michael asked.

"Yeah we do. We consider each other friends," Chris said.

"That's the best type of working relationship. I can't say the same I'm afraid. In fact my boss is why I am here," Michael said. "I took the rest of today and tomorrow off, thinking it might be for the best until he calms down a bit."

Chris looked at his friend, worried. "Has something happened? Are you okay?"

"Oh not what you are thinking, no he's still none the wiser about me. No, I've mentioned before that he considers himself a bit of a ladies man, a bit of a catch? Well, I caught him with a woman he's recently hired round the back in the stock room. Nothing too involved but he did not appreciate my presence at all. The woman was far too young for him and seemed relieved that I showed up so I don't regret it. She handed in her notice that morning," Michael explained.

"Seems unfair she had to go," Chris said.

"Yeah, but she wouldn't have felt happy continuing to work there I think, so it's probably best that he gets away from him. I pointed her in the direction of someone who I know is looking for a shop assistant where she will be a lot happier," Michael said.

"Well done, good deed for the day done then," Chris said.

"Yeah, but it backfired on me as now he hates me. He can't fire me though as then he would have no one to actually run the business when he's away. I swear I do most of the work, the man is a real arse Chris," Michael said.

"Hmm, well I hope you feel better venting your frustrations, but you did the right thing," Chris said.

"I do, thank you. Though I was hoping for a distraction, which I thought maybe you could help me with?" Michael said with a smile.

Chris chuckled, "You're not as subtle as you think, but yeah we could work something out," Chris said. "But first, why don't you come inside for a bit? I could introduce you to Richard? It would get you out of the rain for a bit at least."

"Yeah I think that would be good. Lead the way," Michael said, taking off his hat.

...

"I'm surprised you put up with him Mr Samson," Richard said to Michael whilst the three of them sat at the kitchen table with some tea. Chris had introduced the man who Richard had seen him talking to outside earlier as 'his mate from Thirsk', and Richard knew that this must be the person that Chris often goes to see on his days off. He knew also that Michael had visited Downton before too, although since he came when Thomas and himself were away in Cornwall, they have never actually crossed paths until now. It was nice to finally put a name to a face, Richard thought. Chris had never told him his friend's name before, Richard knew that Chris liked to keep his private life exactly that- private. They had started talking easily enough, and Richard had learned that the reason Michael was here today was because of having to get away from his less than agreeable employer to let some trouble blow over. Michael was in need of a distraction and came to Chris to find such a thing.

"Well, normally we work together well enough. I mean he often leaves me in charge, takes me for granted a bit I reckon, but he doesn't ask questions about me and I don't make comments about him. I don't interfere, well not normally anyway. Had no choice today," Michael said, leaning back casually in his chair.

"You've never thought about quitting and working elsewhere? Sounds like you have enough experience," Richard asked.

"I can't say the thought has never crossed my mind, but the job market is stretched thin as it is. If you find a secure job you stick with it right? I don't live like a king but I am comfortable, I have enough for what I need and I wouldn't gamble that," Michael said.

"Fair enough," Chris agreed. "Thomas coming home earlier this evening or is he eating at Downton?" he asked Richard, changing the subject.

"Coming home I think, at least he called this afternoon to say he could," Richard said.

"I don't want to get in the way, so I'll leave if you want before he gets home," Michael offered. Nothing needed to be said about Mr Ellis's partner or 'lodger'. Chris had told him that his boss was in a relationship with a man who was officially living with him as his lodger. It was an easy way of explaining such living arrangements to neighbours or the locals so he understood it. All the same he didn't want to poke his nose into anyone else's business if they didn't invite him too.

"Oh there's no need for that. You seem alright Mr Samson," Richard insisted. "Besides, if you are a friend of Chris then you should meet Thomas."

"Agreed, you'd like him," Chris said. "He works up at Downton as the butler."

"Alright then, I'll stick around until you leave then Chris," Michael said. He wondered about the name Thomas. He knew someone once with the same name. But it was a common name and likely only a coincidence that they had the same name. The Thomas he knew from the war though, the one he had developed feelings for, worked in a big house though. He never said the name of the place though and I'm sure he wasn't the butler. Far too young, but that was ages ago, maybe he got promoted? I don't know, we didn't talk much about home. 'Oh shut up,' Michael told himself as he suddenly felt a bit nervous. What if this Thomas was the same man after all?

Just then the door around the side of the building opened and a voice called out, "Richard! You're in luck! I'm all yours this evening!" Michael froze- he knew that voice.

"In here Thomas, Chris is still here and we have a guest of his," Richard answered.

Michael watched the doorway as the Thomas he knew entered the room. All his previous questions were answered as he saw him. This was the Thomas he knew. Aside from last December when Thomas had asked him for a favour and come to the shop where he worked in Thirsk, he hadn't seen Thomas since they parted in France many long years ago. The man he knew in France was different from the one who he saw in Thirsk and the one standing before him now. Thomas in France was a muddle. That is, a muddle of emotion. He was brave and sure one moment, and then a nervous uncertain wreck the next. They had sought comfort in each other, for Thomas that was all it was, but Michael made the mistake of getting attached. The Thomas he saw now looked happy, younger despite being years older than when they first met. He also looked entirely in love with Richard Ellis which led Michael to the conclusion that the ring Thomas bought from him in December belonged to Mr Ellis.

"Michael?" "Thomas?" Both Thomas and Michael said at the same time. Thomas did not expect his old friend to be sitting in his kitchen, especially since he did not invite him. By the look on his face, Michael didn't expect to see him either. Thomas also had no idea that Michael and Chris knew each other.

"What are you doing here?" Thomas asked.

"Chris invited me in, I came here to see him," Michael said.

"You two know each other?" Thomas asked.

"Yeah, for several years now," Chris said.

"You never said you knew him," Thomas said to Chris.

"Well you never asked his name and I didn't know you knew each other either," Chris said.

"And you know Chris?" Michael asked Thomas.

"Yeah, obviously," Thomas answered. Richard was saying nothing. He looked confused.

"You never mentioned you knew Thomas before," Michael said to Chris.

"Well actually I have," Chris said.

Now Michael was confused. "I think I would know if you mentioned Thomas Barrow to me Chris," he said. "I would not be likely to forget that."

"I have talked about him to you before," Chris said. He sighed. "I just never told you his name."

Michael was quiet for a moment as he let these sudden revelations sink in. Then it dawned on him. "Oh! He's the one right? The one you can't stop thinking about!" Michael exclaimed. Chris didn't answer, he just glared at his friend for his lack of subtlety. Michael got the hint. "Crap, sorry. This is all rather coincidental, that's all."

"And you know Thomas how?" Chris asked Michael.

"The war," Thomas answered for him as he sat down at the table with the others. "We spent an evening together once."

"You did?" Richard asked Thomas, trying to hide his jealousy as silly as it was to be jealous at all.

"It was more like a few hours," Thomas said to Richard.

"If I recall, it was more than just once, we found ourselves alone a few times together. Maybe we would have continued if you hadn't got shot in the hand. Never saw you again after that. Not for a long time anyway," Michael said. Richard looked between Thomas and Michael, Chris was avoiding his gaze.

"Yeah well it was the war right? We were all different then, seeking comfort where we could," Thomas said.

"I was really nothing more than that?" Michael asked Thomas.

"I wouldn't say that. I liked you, I hope we were friends at least?" Thomas asked. He heard the hurt in Michael's voice. He never thought about it before, that Michael was more than just interested in him. He couldn't lie and say there was something between them back then when there wasn't. Not from his side of things anyway. Back then, he wasn't sure if he was capable of loving anyone.

"I suppose we were," Michael said. He always knew it really, but having Thomas confirm that any feelings were only one sided, hurt.

Chris had been watching the exchange between Thomas and Michael with interest. Michael had told him that he fell for a Corporal in France before, but never in a million years did he expect that man to be Thomas. It was so obvious now he knew the facts. How strange fate could be, he thought. Michael and I have discussed our affections for another man who hasn't loved us back, we never imagined we'd be talking about the same man. If we hadn't been so cautious, and held back his name, it would have been no secret. "The handsome Corporal from France then Michael?" he asked.

"Right in front of me, yep," Michael said sadly. "God we're fools aren't we?" he said to Chris.

Thomas was feeling incredibly awkward. If it wasn't bad enough that his best friend who he sees pretty much every day has loved him for years, now he finds out his other friend from long ago loved him back then and seems to still. He felt guilty too, he's now at fault for hurting two people instead of one and there is nothing he can do to fix that. Richard, who had hardly said a word, spoke up next. "Right well I'm still trying to get my head around all this. So Michael, you have feelings for Thomas, but Thomas doesn't return them?"

"Yeah, do you have to bring that up again?" Michael asked.

"Sorry, just trying to understand," Richard said. "You told Chris about him, but without sharing any names. Chris-" Richard paused, something stopped him from saying that his friend was still madly in love with his partner. "Well I know, but you told Michael and again never told him Thomas's name. So neither of you knew you were telling each other about the same person. And Thomas, you had no idea that Michael and Chris knew each other. As for me, well I'm left to look at what might be a love triangle worthy of a Shakespeare play!"

"He's right, though I think a Shakespeare play would involve more female characters, but I get your point," Michael said. Despite the situation, he grinned.

"What are you smiling at?" Thomas asked. "I've just discovered I'm making another friend of mine miserable."

"Thomas, you don't make me miserable," Chris said.

"I think if any of us were authors, we'd have a prize plot for a play here," Michael said. Just at that moment there was a meow and Richard and Thomas's cat, Wilde, walked in, snaking his tail around the table legs as he sought their attention.

"Come here Wilde," Richard said, picking up the black cat.

It was Chris's turn to laugh then, and Richard and Thomas caught on at why. "You have a cat called Wilde?" Michael asked.

"Mmm, can't say he'll be much use with writing our play though," Chris said. "Not like his namesake."

"I do think though that I may need a diagram to remind me how all this goes," Richard said, joining Michael at poking fun at their predicament. "You all sprung this on me rather!"

"I'd say. I was hoping to escape drama by coming here, not create it," Michael said. He put his cup down. He had been holding it for ages in his hand now, so distracted by everything that just happened that he forgot he even had it. "Well Chris, perhaps we should get going? Leave these two love birds to each other, while we go and console ourselves somehow?"

"Right. I'll be right behind you," Chris said as they got up, "Just fetch my things from the office."

"Nice to meet you Richard, congratulations on winning Thomas Barrow's affection. You're very lucky," Michael said.

"I hope you're not put off from coming back though. I understand if it might be awkward," Richard said.

"I might pop by this way when I can," Michael said.

"I'm sorry," Thomas said to Michael.

"Shouldn't be. We don't choose who we fall in love with, it just happens. Like I said last year, you made France a bit more bearable Thomas and although you have technically called in the favour I we you, you may do so again and again. If you ever need anything," Michael said, shaking Thomas's hand before leaving out the door ahead of Chris.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Chris said.

"Yes, good night," Richard said before he and Thomas were left alone at last.

"What favour did he do you Thomas?" Richard asked.

Thomas didn't answer, at least not with words. He walked over slowly to Richard and loosened the top couple of buttons of Richard's shirt. Richard didn't stop him, but was curious as to what Thomas was up to. Thomas gently lifted up the chain that held a gold ring that Richard was wearing under his shirt. "He sold me this last December. He got me a good deal for it you see, I never could have afforded it otherwise."

"My ring!" Richard said as he smiled down at the token of Thomas's love for him. Thomas had a similar ring on him too. "He never asked who you were buying it for?"

"No, just accepted that the fact that I was buying it at all meant that I wouldn't be open to reliving some of our time together. Do you think he'll be okay?" Thomas asked.

Richard kissed Thomas on the forehead. "He and Chris have each other," he said. He wasn't sure that was what Thomas wanted him to say.

"As friends. Not more. But I'm glad they finally know, and that we know. Some things should be shared I think," Thomas said.

Richard wanted to take Thomas's mind off his thoughts. He could tell that he felt guilty. It was understandable but not his fault. It was just the way things had worked out. "Come with me?" he said, offering his hand. Thomas took it as Richard led him upstairs.

...

Chris collapsed breathlessly onto Michael's naked chest. It was twilight now. They had got back home several hours ago and had been 'at it' pretty much since the moment they got in the door and up the stairs. Both had been on the receiving end of being rejected by the man that they both wanted, but couldn't have and they both wanted to forget that. They knew they would never forget that, but for now at least, they could try. "Maybe fate is telling us something?" Michael said, as he caught his breath. "That we're meant to be together."

Chris pushed himself up on his hands so he was looking down at him. "Not sure I'm keen on fate and you have always said that you're not the kind to want to settle. But I know why that is now."

"Go on."

"You have set our sights so high that now no one else will do, unless they can be higher still," Chris said.

"Suppose you're right," Michael said.

"You don't mind?"

"That we don't try and make a proper relationship out of our friendship? Nah, I'm not too keen on fate either. Besides, I wouldn't want to ruin our current relationship. I like it as it is."

Chris pushed himself off Michael and sat up in bed next to him. "Can we call ourselves friends though? We keep ending up in each other's beds."

"I don't mind what you want to call us Chris. I'm good with this," Michael said. "Although as I said last time I was here, when you meet the man who is able to beat your feelings for Thomas then I'll be a friend to you still. Though maybe, without this," he smiled as he gestured between them and wiggled his eyebrows.

Chris laughed. "Agreed, and I'll say the same if you can get over Thomas enough to see anyone else," Chris said. They laid in silence for a while, the sounds of evening birdsong outside. "It would have been so much simpler if I'd told you Thomas's name."

"Would have been, but anyway all is revealed now," Michael agreed.

"You could say that again," Chris said cheekily. He felt in a surprisingly good mood considering and it was showing in his words.

"What?"

Chris looked down the bed. They had kicked the sheets off ages ago. Both of them comfortably naked. "You can't help it can you?" Michael said as he caught on to Chris's meaning.

"Fancy trying to distract me once or twice more?" Chris asked.

"Wouldn't hurt," Michael said as he pulled Chris over towards him.

Note: To all those of you who have been following my stories and are desperate for Chris to fall in love, sorry for teasing you. The plan is in motion, I promise!

Next week I will start on my tenth multi-chapter fanfic, titled 'Dark Clouds and Silver Linings'. At least I hope to, I have my covid vaccine next week and so depending on how I feel after I may write next week. If not I'll see about starting the week after- I'll see how I am.