Thomas was practically alone on the train back from London that night, everyone else in the country seemingly wrapped tight with a loved one at home. He tried to sleep.
When the train pulled up to the village station, Thomas was the only one getting off. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a tall figure draped over one of the benches. Probably a poor man who had nowhere else to sleep tonight. Thomas grimaced when he realized he'd have to walk right past the man. But the closer he got, the more familiar he looked.
"Andy?" Thomas said.
"Mm?" Andy opened his eyes and stretched his stiff muscles. "Thomas! I was looking for you." He yawned.
"Out here in this weather? Waiting for me?"
"Mm-hm."
Jimmy's words echoed in his head. "There's nobody else you know who'd want to send you a valentine?"
"Now what would you be doing that for?" Thomas asked and sat next to him on the bench.
"I…" Andy wet his lips. "It's cold, isn't it?"
"Very, yes," Thomas scooted closer to Andy. Andy didn't move.
"I… wanted to stop you from going to London. Or, barring that, see you when you came back." Thomas looked at him, and Andy met his eyes. "Because Jimmy didn't send you that valentine, I did."
The train had long ago pulled out of the station, and they were alone.
Thomas kissed Andy, gently and just for a second. "Why didn't you tell me?" he said.
"I…" Andy caught his breath. "I didn't think you'd go to London! And… I didn't know if you'd want me like I wanted you."
Thomas kissed him again, and this time Andy parted his lips. They wrapped their arms around each other, and the air about them warmed by several degrees.
Thomas felt something deep within him stirring, something he never could explain, and had learned not to trust. If they were going to make this work, it would take time and effort. But Thomas didn't want to say that tonight. He just wanted to enjoy this.
"Do you… want to walk back?" Andy asked.
"Let's go," Thomas said.