Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Thomas wasn’t sure how his eating habits could have changed so drastically.
But after the fair in Thirsk, when he had told Jimmy to run and then taken a beating for the man, he hadn’t been able to do his duties. His ribs hurt, the punches were still visible and he got dizzy and tired whenever he’d stand up for too long.
So Thomas had no choice but to stay in bed and rest till he was better.
The footman had even come up to Thomas’ room, with the promise of friendship. Nothing more. But Thomas would take it. He knew Jimmy could never give him what he wanted, he even said so himself. But his friendship was a billion times better than nothing at all.
Since Jimmy had waltzed into Thomas’ life, he couldn’t imagine one without him.
And perhaps now he didn’t need to.
But now he found himself sitting down on his bed most of the day, his back propped up against the headboard and either a book or a newspaper in his hands, whilst a cigarette would dangle from his lips.
Three times a day, a maid would come up to his room with a plate of food and a glass of water. Sometimes Thomas would find there was a piece of cake or some other sort of sweet on his plate too, and he fleetingly wondered if it was because Mrs Patmore felt sorry for him. He didn’t need her pity, but he couldn’t say no to the cake either. It would be such a waste …
~
It had been a week since the fair, and Thomas was sprawled across the mattress, late at night. He felt restless, as he glanced up at the clock. It was midnight. With a sigh he rolled over and sat by the edge of the cot. He groaned in slight pain as he stood up and walked over to get his dressing gown.
“Might as well get something to eat,” he mumbled to himself, as his stomach growled with hunger.
Once in the kitchen, he went straight to the cupboards and smiled upon seeing a big bowl of rout cakes. Surely, Mrs Patmore wouldn’t mind it if he took a few … so the Under Butler grabbed three and started to munch away. Though when he had finished the delicious cakes, he didn’t feel quite satisfied. So three became five, which became six. Thomas didn’t feel hungry any more, but he was still bored and in need of something to do. So he kept his hands and mouth occupied by consuming more rout cakes.
After a while of doing nothing but sitting on the counter and eating, Thomas realized with horror that the bowl was empty. He couldn’t have possibly-?
But then his stuffed tummy let out a quiet growl, indicating that he had indeed, eaten the entire bowl.
“Shite,” he muttered and hurried to put it back in the cupboard, where he had found it. He did it as quickly, as he could muster, but the pain from his injuries and his stuffed belly was slowing him down.
Minutes later, he found himself in bed again, cradling his aching stomach.
And he supposed that was when his eating habits had changed.
~
Mrs Patmore had been furious about the missing cakes, but it hadn’t been long before she found something else to complain about. As usual.
Thomas was relieved, for he craved something sweet, as he laid in bed the following night. He could almost smell the treacle tarts that were left over from earlier. A little smile spread across his red lips and he went downstairs on a small quest to find some. He ate till he couldn’t possibly down another bite.
This quickly became a nightly routine after everyone else had gone to bed. Always eating more than was probably good for him.
And a couple weeks later, when he was ready to get back to work, he realized with a frown on his face that his trousers weren't going to fit.