Note: Sorry for the unusually long wait for this chapter, I think it's been 2 weeks! Once again, I haven't found myself in the right mood to write anything until today. I hope this chapter makes you smile.
"Good morning darling!" Richard said, brightly as he walked into Thomas' room, the door being left ajar. Thomas, who was just doing up the last button on his shirt, turned around at hearing Richard's voice. Thomas hadn't been sure as to how smart he should be dressing for this wedding. He wouldn't normally put that much thought into it, but this wedding was different, for many reasons, so he decided to go a bit more formal. Richard liked this look on Thomas, smart but slightly disheveled. Thomas had his tie hanging loose around his neck, waiting to be done up,and his hair was missing its usual organised neatness, similar to how it looked after they had made love.
"You came in last night?" Thomas asked, as Richard kicked the door behind him softly shut, and kissed Thomas fondly.
"Mmm, I did," Richard said, between kisses.
"You should've woken me," Thomas said.
"I wanted to, but you looked like you could have done with the rest. I think you've been working harder than you've realised over the past few days. You slept well though?"
"Yes," Thomas said, blinking several times. He had been able to have a bit of a lie in, and as a result was still a little sleepy, in a pleasant sort of way. "Feels nice to wake at a more reasonable time. Shame we couldn't have taken advantage of the longer night though."
Richard leaned in close to Thomas so that Thomas' ear was tickled by Richard's breath when he spoke, "I'm sure we will find a moment to make up for it." Thomas really wanted that moment to be now, but the morning ahead of them had a tight schedule.
"Who's the flower for?" Thomas asked, changing the subject before he came to the point where he would be unable to resist temptation.
"Oh this! Yes, that's the other reason I'm here," Richard said, looking at the white rose surrounded by a few green leaves in his hand. "They were handing them around downstairs, it's for us to wear apparently. I picked one up for you."
"They will wilt in a few hours on us," Thomas said, the cynical side of him coming out for a moment.
"Yeah, but they will look good for a few hours first. First impressions are what people care about at weddings I think. After that, no one really cares how you look as the day goes on. May I?" Richard said, gesturing to Thomas with the flower and a safety pin.
"Sure," Thomas said, stepping a little closer to Richard again, and straightening out his jacket so Richard could pin the flower onto it. With Richard standing so close to him, Thomas found himself mesmerized by Richard's eyes. He couldn't help but admire Richard's soft eyelashes as they flicked up and down as his blinked subconsciously, and the perfect contours of his face and tanned skin. Richard looked up at Thomas for a split second, enjoying knowing that Thomas was watching him closely.
Soon though the moment was over, and Richard stepped back again. "Perfect," he said.
"Thank you!" Thomas said.
Richard laughed, "I meant the flower, but yes of course you are the picture of perfection too!" They both laughed at that, though Thomas' smile faded a moment or two later and he sat down on the edge of his bed, a small frown forming on his forehead.
"You're actually genuinely looking forward to today?" Thomas asked.
Richard sat next to him, "It is an unusual feeling I'll admit, but yes I am. Not so much about the wedding itself, but spending a whole day out in the world with you."
"As friends though, only as friends," Thomas said.
"To most other people yes, but we know different. Surely that is all that matters? We have to take what we can Thomas," Richard said softly. "Besides, I want to see you dance, looking forward to that," Richard said in a brighter tone.
"I'm not sure I will," Thomas said.
"I reckon you will be asked so many times, you will have to say yes. Women like that tall, dark and handsome look you have going on Thomas."
Thomas smiled in spite of himself. "In that case I'm sure you will be too busy dancing to watch me. You're a new face around here, and a gorgeous one at that."
"Well in that case, we are both done for!" Richard said, in mock defeat, but pleased to see that this made Thomas smile again. "I promise you though, I will find a way to dance with you tonight Thomas. It is simply essential that I do."
...
Thomas and Richard arrived together at the church just before midday. As befitting the idyllic image of weddings that most have in their minds, the sky was a deep blue and the sun shone brightly above them, not a cloud in the sky. They had agreed between them beforehand, that Thomas would introduce Richard to anyone who didn't know him, as a friend of the Downton staff. It wasn't ideal, but it was the best way to avoid any unwelcome questions. It felt a little strange walking down the aisle next to Richard, towards the front of the church, where they met an obviously nervous Andy. Thomas, being the best man, would be sitting at the front of the church for a change. Thomas and Richard shared a look as they sat down in the front pew. Only a few feet to their left, was where they had kissed a few days ago. Those memories suddenly, made any doubts and bad feelings disappear. Thomas looked towards Andy who was fidgeting nervously with his buttons, "Deep breath," Thomas said as he got up and walked over to Andy, who smiled at Thomas' words. "I'm probably the worst person to be standing next to you right now, I have literally no clue as to the right things to say. Pretty much everyone else here is more experienced at this stuff than me," Thomas said.
"I appreciate your honesty Thomas," Andy said. "Most people have no clue as to what to say either, but they never say that. In a odd sort of way, that is kinda reassuring."
Thomas laughed a smile lightning up his face, "Well, I'm glad my uselessness is actually rather useful."
It was Andy's turn to laugh now, "Well you have taken my mind off my worries, thank you." Thomas returned to his place next to Richard, just as the music of the organ started and the congregation stood.
"Well done," Richard whispered in Thomas' ear. They turned to look down the church as Daisy entered the church, accompanied by Mr Mason, who was giving her away. He had become like a father to her, over the years, so that was no surprise. Even though Thomas had no eye for women, he could see that Daisy looked beautiful. No one of their class could afford a wedding dress of the standard that people like Lady Mary or Lady Edith would wear, but the bird egg blue dress she was wearing, along with the flowers in her hair, made her look radiant. It was very hard to imagine that this was the same Daisy who he had seen covered in dirt from a long day's worth of chores at Downton years before. It was clear, from Andy's expression, that he thought the same.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..." The vicar began. The words were predictable to anyone who has ever been to a wedding before, let alone multiple ones, so Thomas found himself phasing out, only half listening to what was being said. He was more occupied by the fact that Richard's arm kept brushing his, every time he moved. He found himself concentrating on that more than the service in front of him. He decided he could feel guilty about that later. As best man, he probably should be paying more attention, since he has an active role to play in this ceremony, but he was now getting distracted by the scent of Richard's cologne.
Richard suddenly nudged him, "Soon be your turn," he said.
"What?" Thomas said, jumping out of his daydream and completely misinterpreting what Richard was saying.
"The rings. Best man," Richard said quietly.
"Oh right, um yes," Thomas said, feeling like a bit of an idiot.
...
The ceremony from then on all went as planned, Thomas, playing his best man part perfectly. He had a sudden moment of panic when he thought he had forgotten the ring but found it in his other pocket. After the I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride part, which was always the part Thomas and Richard found the hardest to bare in the past, and the congregation had cheered the happy couple out of the church into the early afternoon sunshine, Thomas had found himself separated from Richard, who had been captured, making small talk with several other wedding guests. They were lucky to have a photographer at the wedding, it had been the gift from Lord and Lady Grantham, so everyone was busy trying to get the perfect photo as well. Thomas wanted to be with Richard for just a moment but was unable to catch his eye in the chaos, as he wandered off round the side of the church. He did however, catch Daisy's eye who seemed to understand what Thomas wanted. "Mr Ellis, can you fetch Mr Barrow? We need him for the photo," Daisy called over to Richard, who seemed only too glad to get away.
Richard found Thomas round the back of the church away from the bustle of people. "Well that was the best wedding I've been to," Richard said, strolling over to Thomas, hands in his pockets.
"Still had those moments though didn't it?" Thomas said, looking down at the ground.
"When they kissed Thomas, I let myself remember ours. It was practically in the same spot." Richard said, taking a step closer but keeping a moderate distance between him and Thomas, in case anyone should come.
"I did the same," Thomas quietly admitted. They stood there in silence for as long as they dared.
"We should go, they are expecting you for the group photo," Richard said.
"Wait," Thomas said, taking Richard's hand as he turned away. "Today was the best I could hope for. I never imagined I could get any joy out of sitting through another wedding but I was wrong."
"Likewise Mr Barrow," Richard said, turning back to face Thomas briefly, hands still joined. "If anyone else had asked me to a wedding, I would have had a hard time accepting the invitation. You though... well you make even the hardest situations perfect. And I can't resist you." They let go of each other as they walked back round to the front of the church, both hoping that at one point, during the rest of the day's celebrations, that they would get their dance.