Chapter Text
In the end, it was Thomas who figured things out for the both of them.
It was all quite tidy, really. The family had finally set Thomas up in a cottage three years earlier, in 1931. Richard still remembered when Thomas had telephoned about the rest of it.
“Mr. Bates is finally talking about retiring. ‘Bout time, really, not like His Lordship’s going to chuck him out of his cottage with his wife still working there.”
“Don’t be unkind, I thought the two of you got on now?”
“We do alright. Doesn’t mean he’s not still a wanker. But that’s not the point.”
“What is the point, then, dearest?”
“It’s–-well, I mean, I don’t want to force your hand.”
“Into what? You–oh.”
“Yeah.”
“...”
“I only thought I’d bring it up. It’d be a hell of a change for you.”
“How long?”
“What?”
“How long, do you think, until Mr. Bates hands in his notice?”
“Not too long, I don’t think. I guess winter makes things worse for him.”
“Make sure. Make sure he’s going, and as soon as you are, let me know. I’ll hand in my notice.”
“Ha. Just like that?”
“Of course, silly boy. Easiest decision I’ve ever made.”
The next time they met, they stayed together. Neither of them had to catch a train or count the minutes. They’d set up the attic room in Thomas’s cottage to look lived in, and then settled the rest of Richard’s things in with Thomas’s in the wardrobe in their actual, shared room.
They’d only had a little time together before Richard had to go present himself to Lord Grantham, and get the lay of things from Mr. Bates. Richard wondered how much Lord Grantham knew. He didn’t fear it, from all Thomas had said about the man, but he still wondered. He was genial enough, as well, and chuffed to have the “King’s valet” on his staff, so it was all well and good.
That night, he and Thomas had walked home together. It was bitingly cold, and clouds obscured the moon and stars, and promised snow later on. Thomas had a torch, but it was barely enough to see the ground in front of them.
To Richard, it was the most romantic walk of his life.
In their home– their home! –they started a fire in the hearth and dressed in their nightclothes. It was the first time they were going to bed together without engaging in other activities first, and it was beautiful. Each of them found the other distractingly attractive, of course, and until now they’d indulged as often as they could. But now they had not only this night, but every night after it, and if they wanted to do nothing more than lay cuddled into each other’s warmth, then they’d damn well do it.
They climbed into the bed together. Thomas ran cold, and was already burrowing into Richard’s chest for the warmth he emitted. His freezing nose shocked the skin at Richard’s clavicle, socked feet tangling into Richard’s legs. Richard laughed, and pulled the duvet up higher over Thomas’s shoulders and tucked it under him just a bit, just enough to keep out the cold air. Settled, he began to run his hand through Thomas’s silky, un-done hair.
“You’re a wonder.”
A snort. “You’re soppy.”
“You love it.”
“I do.”
He kissed Thomas’s hair and moved his arm to hold him close, sliding it between Thomas’s shoulders and the duvet. Sheer contentment was just about to pull him under when Thomas said, “Thank you.”
Brow furrowed, Richard asked, “Whatever for?”
“For coming when I called. I…I thought it would be too good to be true.”
Richard held just a little tighter. “But now I’m here.”
“Yes.”
“I’m here to stay, love. Nothing in this world could pull me from you.”
Thomas’s laugh was wet. “I’m just–I’m just so bloody happy. ”
Richard’s own eyes pricked with tears–of all the pain his lover had gone through, and himself, and all the years they were apart and for everyone who had ever come before them and for everyone up at the big house that was stepping in, even just a little, to help their butler be happy. But mostly, with relief. Everything he’d ever gone through, every doubt he’d ever had, was worth it to be right here, exactly where he was.
“You know, love? I happen to agree.”