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When they sat at the table for lunch, Tom's mother could sense something was off. If it wasn't for her, William wouldn't have lift his eyes from his plate nor spoken one word. She didn't know him enough to realize he was being overly silent, but the chatty son sure made an impression glancing at Will and keeping his mouth shut. Ms. Blake broke the ice for the happiness of her son.
- I'm happy to finally meet you Mr Schofield, Thomas always spoke highly of you in his letters, but it's good to see the picture. - she laughed but her son looked mortified.
Will looked at her startled for being taken away from his thoughts so abruptly.
- it's sad that you're leaving so soon but I wouldn't dare to make you stay longer, I can't begin to wonder how much you miss your family after so long.
- y-yes , it's very kind of you and Tom to let me stay the night. I'll be happy to welcome you and your family in my house, when things settle down.
Ms. Blake smiled kindly. She was much older but didn't took Will for a boy at any second. All of the blakes seemed to have a warmth around them, the kind that makes you feel at home, and it only made Will feel even worse for what happened earlier.
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-Thomas will accompany you to the station. - Ms. Blake said once Will came down the stars with his bag. - He's at the barn feeding the horse, will be here soon.
- There's no need Ms. Blake. It's a long way and with his wound…
- Oh, he's a strong boy. And wouldn't stay home even if I told him to. Anyway… - she took a package on the table - A made sandwiches to eat on the train. I hope you arrive safely.
- Thank you very much Ms. Blake, but still, I think for him to walk all that…
- Who said we're walking? - Tom shouted from the doorsteps then stopped at the knocker - I have a bike, you know? Or you thought we lived isolated here? - Tom said proudly, but then his mother took all that pride away.
- you mean your brother's bike right? - she turned to Will - he said Tom could use so it wouldn't get rusty.
- it's already mine by now.
When they went outside the wind was so strong some of the trees had no leaves left. Tom started the motor and it was loud, but they could still hear the thunder, even though there was no rain yet.
- You think you can drive with this wind?
- Sure, just hold tight. - ouch-
- Sorry.
- No problem, grab on my chest instead.
The rain only started half way, but it was as cold as ice and heavy enough to make them soaked in a minute.
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- there'll be no train today, come tomorrow. - the cashier said without looking up.
- what? I need to go today.
- look at This rain - he pointed outside, but then saw Will's clothes, soaked - or perhaps there's no need, you've been there already.
Will didn't move, you could see the anger in his eyes, his face was dripping. The cashier sighed and took the glasses off, than looked up again.
- Boy, even if the rain stops right now, there's a oak blocking the tracks two kilometers from here. And who knows how many others ahead. - You can wait here until the train starts again, but I'm telling you, its only happening tomorrow.
Tom looked at him worried. He was sad for will but not for what happened. As a matter of fact, he was quite happy about it. There was nothing he could do but to stay one more night.
They waited in the station for the rain to pass but once the night fell there was no sign of it. It wasn't really about getting wet, they were already drenched, but the fact that the wheels wouldn't cross all the mud back to de farm and they would have to spend the night on the cold.
- Let's find a place to stay, we'll end up sick in this clothes.
- I asked the cashier after you left, he said there's a boarding house nearby. They usually take people who don't want to sleep on the station.
Will looked at him serious, but he didn't really have a choice, it was that or die with pneumonia in that cold wind.
Before entering Tom pushed his friend to the side.
- should we take two rooms? - Tom said a bit nervous.
- probably... but I don't have much money on me. What about you?
- not really, I was just going to drop you off.
- then I guess we won't.
They rented the cheapest room with a heater. The pension lady didn't even find odd to two boys share a room due to their state.
- you can go up, I'll call home, let them know I'm not coming back yet.
Will nodded and went. His clothes were heavy and cold and he was starting to feel shivers down the spine. He placed his clock and metal box on the table next to bed, together with the little things he carried on the pockets, then took off the coat. Some drops still fell on the floor drenched as it was. The only think not wet was his undershirt and underwear. Tom probably had a little more luck with the leather jacket, he thought. The clothes where placed near the heater, hoping it would dry by the next day.
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- right, let's set this… - Will said looking at the bed - someone will have to sleep on the floor.
- bloody hell, someone will freeze to death, you mean. I didn't survive the trenches to die like this.
- you have a better idea?
- yes, we share the bed. Simple as that.
Will gave him a grave look. That was the only think he was trying to avoid.
- what if...-
- come on, we are two grown man, we can do this.
He looked at Tom, for his friend could barely pass as a man, he was more like a boy.
- whatever, do as you please, I'm going in because my toes are freezing already.
Will sighed. He was almost shivering from the wet hair and lack of clothes. - make room. - he said while slipping under the covers too. It was so soft and warm he couldn't help but smile.
- what are you doing? - Tom said looking at him lay down at the end of the bed.
- I'm sleeping this way.
- I'm not sleeping beside your stinking feet.
- they're not stinking- Will said half angry.
- I know a soldier's feet. Turn around already.
He did, but not at least pleased with it.
-you're so grumpy since we came home. Do you miss the trenches so much? I didn't take you for a war lover.
Will couldn't help but smile a little.
- you bastard, you know how I hate it.
- there, much better.
They both stayed silent for a while. The rain was still pouring outside and leaving traces on the window.
- we have to talk, you know. - Tom said
- no, we don't. We can sleep.
- about that.
He could feel Will's body tense under the covers.
- was it that bad?
- yes, the worst.
- so why did you do it?
He didn't answer and the silence was there again. He turned around to see Tom's expression, but his friend was too close, so he looked at the ceiling instead.
- I didn't hate t... the kiss. - he muttered - but I hate the fact that we did it. That we wanted to do it... you know it's illegal for two man feel attraction for each other. That kind of attraction, i mean.
- maybe. But it felt good and I liked. And you liked it too, so what's the problem? It may be wrong, but I never felt more right. - he turned his heads and almost touched Will's lips, as he was looking at his nape. - and I wish I could do it again.
- I don't think we can, Blake.
Tom smiled a little and Will lowered his head touching his lips even more. Then turned the other side.
- see... that was why I was afraid of staying longer, of sharing the room.
- I'm glad you did.
Tom stretched his arm and took Will's hand.
- I'm allowed to this much, aren't I?
There was no answer so he kept going.
- You have to promise to visit us again, Sco. And you'll have to stay longer.
- Lots of demands, as always.
He turned his face and they looked at eachother. Somewhere in Will's eyes Tom felt that he would never see him again, nor his letters, and it frightened him.
- Sco, can I kiss you?
He didn't answer but kissed Tom instead, on and on. It didn't end abruptly like last time, they kept kissing until Will's hand was under Tom's shirt and they were too far to go back.
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When Tom woke up he was on the other side of the bed and somehow had his arm on top of Will's face, who had a really annoyed expression while sleeping.
He sat on the bed trying to put his thoughts in order. His chest was hurting more now, maybe he really should take it easy like his mother said.
- Hey, Sco, wake up. It's morning.
Will groaned but didn't open the eyes, only turned to the side.
Tom looked at the clothes hanging near the heater wondering if they were dry, the morning was cold and he could use some cover beside the thin shirt.
He took the watch from the bed table, the only thing he brought beside his own clothes, and looked at Will's old metal box. He carried that everywhere, just like himself carried his family's photo during the campaign. Suddenly an urge to see what was inside took him, if there was a photo of his family too, how were they like, what he protected so dearly all this time. Tom opened the box only to find two pictures. One with two young girls and another with a older woman.