Thomas was rudely woken by the sound of his clock ringing. He turned over and silenced it, with a groan, and rolled back over, his arm falling over Richard, who was still lying next to him. "Thought the hall boy woke you lot in the morning?" Richard said, still groggy with sleep.
"Normally yes. But you need time to get back to your room before everyone else is up," Thomas said, pushing himself up against Richard, not wanting him to go.
"Well least I sort of got to wake up next to you," Richard replied, stroking the back of Thomas' head.
"Really hate that you have to go at all, its not fair that you can't just stay."
"I know," Richard said before kissing him. "But if we want more of this then I should go. I have another two nights here, I'd like to spend them with you."
Thomas smiled at that. "Shouldn't have bothered giving you another room then, should we? Since you're not gonna use it."
"Yes. Would have been more efficent for me to stay in this room for my visit." Richard kissed Thomas again, before reluctantly getting out of bed and dressed enough for him to sneak out of Thomas' room, and back to his own.
"Hang on. Wait a moment, I'd better make sure no one is around out there," Thomas said, jumping out of bed and putting his trousers and shirt on. "I told the hall boy not to wake you though. You are technically a guest here so there is no need for you to get up at this insane hour like the rest of us. I'll get someone to bring a breakfast tray to your room."
They both stopped near the door, "That would be lovely thanks. Though I reckon I'll be up before too long. Early mornings are built into my mind sadly," Richard said. They both kissed again, savouring the moment. Thomas then opened the door and looked around, satisfied the coast was clear, he nodded to Richard silently, to leave. "One thing Thomas," Richard said, whilst leaving the room, "Good morning. Realised I never said that to you earlier." Thomas smiled, squeezing Richard's hand, before letting go and closing the door again.
...
Thomas yawned for the fourth time at breakfast, he was in good spirits because of his night spent in Richard's arms. He also felt good as once again, things had worked out well for him, no one suspected anything, and no one knew anything. Or so he thought. His yawns had gained the attention of a few of those seated near him. It was understandable to be tired at that time in the morning, but having woken most days for years on end at that time, it was unusual to appear so tired. "Did you not sleep well last night Mr Barrow?" Andy said as he came into the servants hall and sat opposite Daisy.
Thomas had to think quickly how to answer that question. "If I'm truthful, then my sleep was a little interrupted. One of those nights I guess, just kept waking up." The lie slipped easily out of him, but unlike years ago, he didn't like lying to people anymore. It made him feel guilty. But its not like he could tell them the truth: I'm tired as I had little sleep because Richard and I spent most of our time having sex in my bed, whilst you lot were sleeping, blissfully unaware of the illegal activities happening only a few doors down from you! Thomas tried to resist blushing at the thought of everything that happened last night. Luckily the conversation turned to other things and Thomas breathed a sigh of relief, although he didn't notice the look Miss Baxter was trying to hide at Thomas' explanation for his tiredness.
...
A few hours later, Richard came down to join Thomas in his office, while Thomas was going through any plans for the rest of the day and the New Year's celebrations happening later on in the evening. It reminded Thomas of how things were when Richard made his first visit to Downton after the royal visit. The two of them just enjoying being in each other's company, even if he was just sitting there in the same room as him, it felt good to know Richard was there with him. "Come in," Thomas answered a knock on the door. They had left the door slightly open, as to avoid any gossip as to what they were doing alone in Thomas' office. "Oh hello Miss Baxter," Thomas answered cheerily. He really was in a pleasant mood today. "What can I do for you?"
"Mr Barrow, Mr Ellis good morning" she said greeting the two men, whilst looking a little nervous. "Mr Barrow, um I was wondering if I could have a word with you in private please. It's a rather delicate issue." She glanced at Richard.
"I've leave you to it Thomas," Richard said, getting up from his chair.
"No, you don't have to go," Thomas said to Richard. "Anything you say to me can be said in front of him, Miss Baxter," Thomas said.
"Unless you want me to leave," Richard said, not wanting to get in the way.
"No Mr Ellis, you can stay if you wish," Miss Baxter said, shutting the door behind her. Thomas indicated for her to sit down, Richard offering her his chair.
"Now what's this about?" Thomas asked.
"Well last night, I was on my way to the bathroom and I walked passed your bedroom and noticed the light on. I was wondering if everything was okay you see, when I-" Miss Baxter stopped for a moment, feeling rather awkward. Richard already clicked as to what this was about, Thomas however, did not. "Well firstly I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable or worried, and I'm not saying you should stop what you were doing but, I just want you two to be more careful in the future. After All, it could have been anyone who had heard you." Thomas still hadn't realised what this was about. "I heard voices from your room. You and um, Mr Ellis. Other types of noises also." The look of calm on Thomas' face suddenly changed as he realised what she was talking about. He didn't know how to respond. His automatic response to defend himself or deny everything, that would normally involve a threat of some sort, didn't apply here as Phyllis was a friend and she could be trusted. So he knew, assuming she hadn't told anyone else, which she wouldn't, that he had nothing to fear really. Which made the situation even more odd as he just wasn't used to people talking about these things with him. Thomas looked over to Richard who was leaning against the wall a few steps behind Miss Baxter. He knew by the look on Richard's face, who was clearly trying not to laugh, that this situation was not serious, like it would normally be. He was amongst friends after all. They both were.
"Right, well um-" Thomas paused, and ran his hand through his hair. "Thank you for your concern. I appreciate that you came to tell us. Can't have been an easy thing to discuss. You are a good friend Phyllis, not sure if I deserve such a good friend. I don't suppose I need to ask, but I trust you won't say anything about this to anyone else?"
"Of course not Thomas! I can keep a secret, you know that." She said, getting up to leave.
"I should thank you as well. After All, Thomas was only one half of the problem," Richard said to Miss Baxter.
"That's okay Mr Ellis. Just be careful though please. Maybe turn the light off next time?"
"Right. Um of course, thank you Miss Baxter," Thomas said, as she left the room closing the door behind her.
Thomas returned to his seat, and collapsed into it, breathing out another sigh of relief. The second that day. "Hmm, well I guess we weren't so unnoticed afterall.," Richard said, perching himself on the edge of the desk near Thomas. "You looked scared."
"Well I'm surprised you didn't. There are only a few people in this world who wouldn't run screaming to the nearest policeman, upon discovering such things." Thomas said, looking up at Richard.
"You are right. In any other case this situation would be a nightmare come true I know," Richard said seriously, silent for a moment. "But since I know who your friends are here and that she is one of them, I couldn't help but see the funny side of this situation."
"Oh yeah, like what?" Thomas challenged.
"Well," Richard thought for a moment. "One thing that came to mind is how would Mr Carson react to knowing the many things that you and I did in his old bedroom last night!" Thomas and Richard burst out laughing at that, like a couple of boys hearing a rude joke.