Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“But I don’t get it. Why do we suddenly need a new footman? Couldn’t Thomas take on the duties?” Daisy huffed as she brought the tea to the Servants’ Hall.

Mr. Bates let out a humorless laugh. “Thomas is far too superior to go back to being a footman.” He turned to Thomas. “Isn’t that right?” Thomas puffed out some smoke from his cigarette, a neutral expression on his face.

“But… it’s so soon after William ‘innit? Couldn’t they wait a bit longer?” Daisy seemed a tad agitated.

“Don’t be so silly,” O’Brien chimed in as she passed by. “With the war over, this house is going back to normal. It’ll barely get by with just one footman. We’ll likely need another soon.”

“Still, it don’t seem right.” She crossed her arms. “Aren’t most men still off at the war? They haven’t come home yet, right? What able bodied man wouldn’t want to fight for his country? And are we sure we want that type of man working here?”

Thomas leaned over to look behind Daisy. “Well, we’ll find out soon enough I suppose.”

Behind Daisy, Carson cleared his throat. She jumped and turned around, and started stammering when she realized not only was Carson right behind her, but whoever the new footman was too. “I uh, apologize Mr Carson! I did not mean to uh-”

Carson held up his hand and cut her off. “That’s enough chattering for now.” He turned to the man beside him. “Everyone, this is the new footman, Mr Roy Bell. He’ll be starting tomorrow, but will be taking today to get his bearings and learn his duties. I expect everyone,” he made a pointed glare at Daisy first, then at Thomas, “to make him feel welcome.” Carson turned to Roy. “I need to quickly sort a couple things out in my office. You can stay and meet everyone here until I’m ready to give you some basic training.” With that, he left everyone to greet the new footman.

Daisy spoke first, still a bit mortified. “I’m truly sorry sir, I didn’t mean to say anything rude about you sir! I’m sure you’re a lovely person!”

Roy laughed and waved it off. “No harm, no foul miss. You can start over if you truly wish.” He held out his hand. “What’s your name?”

Daisy met his hand and smiled shakily. “Daisy, sir.”

“I look forward to getting to know you more, Daisy.”

“God, he’s gonna be one of those annoyingly positive ones, isn’t he?” Thomas mumbled under his breath.

Roy turned towards Thomas. “Will that be a problem sir?”

Mr Bates spoke up before Thomas could. “I wouldn’t worry about it, Mr Bell. He has the problem of being annoyingly negative.”

“Well then perhaps I could be the yin to your yang Mr…?”

Thomas glanced up at him. “Barrow. Thomas Barrow.”

“A pleasure to meet you Barrow Thomas Barrow.” He held out his hand to Thomas.

Thomas didn't take it. Instead he just kept staring up at him intensely. Roy found he couldn't really break the eye contact. Mr Bates stood up to shake his hand instead, bringing Roy back to the present. “And I’m John Bates, his Lordship’s valet.” Thomas glared slightly at Mr Bates when he said that. “And this is Anna.”

Anna smiled at him. “How do you do?”

“Just fine, thank you.” He took a seat across from the chair separating Thomas and Mr Bates. Daisy quickly poured him a cup of tea. He smiled graciously up at her and she scurried away back to the kitchen.

Looking lazily over at Roy, Thomas spoke up. “You never did respond to Daisy’s accusations. Why didn’t you fight in the war?”

“Don’t be rude Thomas, he just got here.” Anna turned to Roy. “You don’t have to answer that.”

“Thomas just likes to feel superior to the rest of us.” Mr Bates added on.

Still smiling, Roy shook his head. “No no, I don’t mind.” He turned to Thomas. “Had I been called to the front, I would’ve given it my best. But my father and brothers had all enlisted, and someone needed to take care of my mother, so we all agreed it was best I stayed.”

Before anyone could respond, Carson returned. “Alright Mr Bell, I’m going to take you through what you need to know and where everything is, and then I shall show you to your room.” He paused before adding, “And if you need any extra help, I’m sure Mr Barrow would be willing. He has been a footman here before.”

“A first footman, to be precise.” Thomas corrected with a smug grin on his face. “But he’ll have to get along without my help.”

Carson grunted, but Thomas’ attitude didn’t seem to phase Roy. “Well then, I suppose I’ll just have to learn everything quickly. Not to worry though, Mr Carson, I do very well under pressure.”

With that, the two were off. When they were out of earshot, Mr Bates turned to Thomas. “Would it kill you to be nice to the new staff? He seems a nice fellow that somehow isn’t put off by your constant smugness.”

“A bit too bubbly for my tastes.” Thomas put out his cigarette and stood up. “And if he wants anything resembling respect from me, then he’s going to have to offer something more than a positive attitude.”

Chapter Text

Roy had been working at Downton for a couple months now and he had quickly found his footing. He was able to learn the order of things and wasn’t afraid to ask for extra training in his spare time, something Carson was happy to give if it meant everything ran smoothly. It was lucky he had taken to things so quickly, given the hecticness the Abbey has been in since the end of the war. But despite the extra duties, the constant changes, and all the different people always going in and out, Roy was able to take everything in stride. He was one of the few bits of normalcy around Downton, even if he was new. It was just nice to have a footman around again.

All those upstairs had taken well to him. Lord and Lady Grantham as well as Lady Sybil had all had conversations, however brief, to get to know the new man. Downstairs, he was very well liked. Roy had quickly made friends with Mr Bates and Anna. Daisy mostly avoided him, though whether it was embarrassment or the fact he had taken Wiliiam’s job, no one could say. Still, he tried to be friendly with her when he could. In fact he was friendly with everyone he talked to. Even O’Brien didn’t have too many bad things to say about him, and even stopped being as nasty to him when she realized nothing tempered his good spirits and friendliness. The only person he hadn’t seemed to charm was Thomas, although Roy chalked that up to the fact that Thomas wasn’t always around. He didn’t, after all, work at Downton anymore, and was likely finding a new job. He made an effort to try and talk with Thomas if Roy did ever see him around. O’Brien talked well of him, and despite the grumblings most people had of him, most had to admit he was clever and determined. Roy was curious about the man and all of Thomas’ efforts to dissuade Roy only made him want to try harder.

It was this wish to know him that had Roy sitting beside Thomas in the Servants’ Hall one afternoon. Although Thomas didn’t look as happy to see him so Roy instead listened more to the conversation around them.

“Will you miss the extra staff Mrs Patmore?” Anna asked as the cook came in with a freshly baked loaf of bread.

“Not really. When push comes to shove, I’d rather do it myself.” She put her arm on the chair Roy sat at. “Though God knows what I’m to feed them on. There’s nothing out there to be had. Oh, well. The Lord tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.”

Across from Roy, Daisy was pouring tea for people. “What about you, Thomas?” She asked. “How much longer will you stay?”

“Well, now the last of the invalids have gone, I suppose I’m finished. I’ll report to Major Clarkson, but he won’t be taking anyone on.”

“Couldn’t you get your old job back here? Be a footman?” Roy asked him.

“Maybe I don’t want to be a footman.”

Anna chimed in before Thomas could continue. “I suppose the hospital will revert back to the way it was before the war.”

“Where will you go?” Daisy looked at Thomas.

Thomas barely glanced up at her as he put out his cigarette. “What’s it to you?” An awkward silence fell onto the table as he got up and left, with O’Brien leaving shortly after him.

Roy wasn’t one to eavesdrop, but he didn’t have much to add to the conversation and he was curious what Thomas would be doing. Besides, they hadn’t gone too far. Was it really eavesdropping if they were right there? Well, behind the door behind him. He couldn’t catch much of the conversation with the chatter at the table, but he could make out that Thomas was seeming to go into the Black Market. Now that was surprising. Roy had heard that Thomas could be shady, but he hadn’t realized they meant that type of shady.

A hall boy came in and gave him a letter. He opened it up and read it.

“Whose it from?” Anna spoke up, snapping him back to reality.

“My mother.”

Well, if nothing else, this gave Roy a reason to speak to Thomas.

The next day Carson gave Roy a bit of time off to go into the village for some errands he had. He had to buy some things for himself and his family and drop off a package and letter. But he had promised to be back by dinner, so he had to make it quick.

It was his first time out in the village by himself. Anna and Mr Bates had given him a bit of a tour a couple weeks into his employment, which he had enjoyed. With Mr Bates’ leg it was more of a leisurely walk, but it meant he’d been able to take in the sights and slow down for a bit. That wasn’t much the case here. Roy didn’t have much of a plan going into the village and so walked from shop to shop to see if they had what he needed. He opened his letter to check what else he needed before walking right into someone.

Roy stumbled a bit and dropped his letter. “I am terribly sorry sir! I’ve been in a bit of a rush and wasn’t paying attention.”

“Obviously.” The man sounded somewhat annoyed. But it was a familiar annoyed.

“Thomas?” Roy looked up to see Thomas out by the village as well. “Oh you don’t know how happy I am to see a familiar face.”

“Mr Barrow to you. And I doubt you’ve ever been anything but happy in your life.”

“Mr Barrow then, if you wish.” Roy let out a chuckle. “And you’d be surprised. But even just seeing you has made this trip worthwhile.” He looked down at his letter again. “Even if I can’t find all I’m looking for.”

“Right, well-” Thomas started to walk by him, “I must be off back to Downton.”

“Wait, Mr Barrow!” Thomas halted and turned back to Roy. “I uh, appear to be a bit lost. I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind giving me directions. You see the clocks in my father’s shop have broken down, but neither he nor my brothers have the time to get the parts to fix them.” Roy let out a little laugh. “I leave for just a short while and already everything is falling to pieces back home.”

“What parts do you need?”

Roy handed him the letter. “I outlined the clock parts in the boxes.”

Thomas skimmed through his letter. “A lot of scribbles on here. How do you read what you need?”

“Oh, uh,” He scratched his head and grinned sheepishly, “it’s just a system that helps me know what’s for what. Normally I’m the only one that reads it, so I’m the only one who needs to know what it means.”

“Hm.” Was all Thomas said as he continued to read. Roy figured he was probably also reading the rest of his letter, but didn’t care much. There wasn’t much there anyway. Just the things his family needed, and something Roy was going to bring up to Thomas anyway. Finally he looked back up at Roy. “I actually have these parts in my quarters back at Downton.”

“Really? That seems like an odd thing to have just lying about.”

Thomas shrugged. “My father was a clockmaker. When I used to wind the clocks at Downton, he sent me parts in case they ever broke down. I don’t need them anymore though, and I’d be willing to sell them to you cheap.”

“That’s very kind of you Mr Barrow! Thank you very much.”

He huffed. “Don’t know about kind. Still making you pay for it.”

“True, but you could have just given me vague directions and gone your merry way.”

He glanced at me. “And I could still do that. Now we should probably head back to Downton if you haven’t got any more business in the village.”

“Right!” Roy took the letter back and the two started making their way back to Downton. Thomas didn’t make much conversation and seemed keen on making it back quickly. Roy didn’t want to bother him too much, because he knew Thomas wouldn’t thank him for it, but he did have one final thing to bring up. “How’s your business going Mr Barrow?”

That caught Thomas’ attention. He faltered in his step, but did his best to cover it up. “I beg your pardon?”

“I accidentally overheard you speaking to Miss O’Brien yesterday. Heard something about going into business. I hope that’s going well.”

“You shouldn’t go listening to other people’s conversations, Mr Bell. It’s not polite.” Thomas lit a cigarette. “But it’s going well so far. Recently got my merchandise.”

“Food, right? How much you got stocked up?”

“Enough.” He stopped walking, with Roy following suit shortly after. Thomas narrowed his eyes. “Why?”

Roy fidgeted a bit with his letter. “You might’ve seen in my letter but… my mother’s having trouble finding enough food for her, my father, and my brothers. Mrs Patmore’s not the only one to realize how scarce everything became when the war ended. She didn’t ask me to get her any, but I’m going to be sending her some money already, and well, with you having a supply…” Roy trailed off.

Thomas smiled for the first time at Roy. Granted, it was still smug, but Roy was going to take what he could get. Though now he was determined to get a genuine smile out of him. “With me having a supply, you want to send some food back to take care of your family.” Roy nodded. The two resumed walking. “Well I’m going to let Mrs Patmore have first dibs, but I’m sure we could work something out later.” Thomas gave Roy a quick pat on the back.

Roy smiled at him. “Thank you, Mr Barrow.”

Chapter Text

“I just need some more time, Mr Carson.” Roy overheard Thomas’ shaky voice as he passed by Carson’s office.

“How long is it since the last patient left, Sergeant?” I’m really making a habit of eavesdropping now, Roy thought to himself. He stood somewhat away, and ready to move if anyone caught him. “You’re trespassing on our generosity.”

“I’ll try to make myself useful.”

“Just find somewhere to go.” Carson ended with. Roy then heard Thomas’ footsteps for the door, so he made his way to the kitchen. Although he was quite sure Thomas had seen him leave. He hoped that Thomas suspected nothing.

That evening, Roy made his way to Thomas’ quarters and knocked. After a second, Thomas responded. “Come in.” Roy entered his room and closed the door behind him. Thomas was sitting on his bed, book in hand. “Somehow, I expected it to be you. I told you, you shouldn’t be eavesdropping on people’s conversations. Namely, mine.”

“I apologize for that, Mr Barrow. I promise I’m not seeking them out.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case.” He closed his book and placed it on the bedside table. “Now, what is it you want? Come to offer your pity before I’m kicked out then?”

Roy shook his head. “No, nothing of the sort Mr Barrow. I might actually have a solution to your predicament, at the very least, a temporary one.”

“And what might that be?”

“I could send a letter up to my father and he could get you a job working in his shop. It’s nothing fancy, but you could give my father and brothers an extra pair of hands to help while you search for something more suited to your tastes and abilities. There’s a backroom in the shop that's mostly there if one of us ever needs to stay late or be there early. I’m sure my father wouldn’t mind you taking it if you don’t mind working late nights or early mornings.” He had been thinking about this since he heard Thomas’ black market dealings had not worked out. Roy had been disappointed that none of it turned out to actually be food, but he placed no blame on Thomas. Obviously he didn’t know or he would’ve asked for money upfront.

Thomas scoffed. “I told you, I don’t want your pity.”

“It’s not pity, Mr Barrow.”

“Is there anything else it could be?”

“I just wish to help.” When Thomas didn’t answer him, Roy tried again. “If it helps, think of it as paying you back for the clock parts you gave me.”

“You already paid for those.”

Roy lifted his finger and smiled. “Ah, but for cheaper than the store would have charged me. Plus you were willing to help me out with my family’s food problems.” Thomas winced slightly and looked away. Ah, touched a nerve. “I know it didn’t go as planned, but the intent was still there and to me that’s all that matters.”

“Obviously different things matter to us.”

“I wouldn’t say that much. You believe the intent behind my actions is pity, therefore you won’t accept my help. Obviously you care a great deal.”

Thomas’ head snapped back to Roy. He stood up and made his way over to the man, making sure to be right up in his face, likely to cause some discomfort. Of course, what Thomas did not know was that the couple times Roy had been so up close to a man, he’d felt anything but discomfort. And at this distance, it was difficult to ignore how, well, handsome Thomas was. Of course he’d noticed it before, but it was mainly in passing. He couldn’t really openly stare at a man who seemed to try and avoid him so often. Thomas too seemed to be examining Roy, but brought both of them back to reality once he started speaking. “And my intent behind attempting to sell you that food was purely greed. I have no care for what happens to you or your family as long as I get my money. Do you truly not see this? I cannot tell whether you are willingly ignorant or just an idiot.”

It was clear Thomas meant to cause Roy some damage. And maybe he did a bit, but with it being the evening Thomas’ mask slipped which made it easier for Roy to not take everything he said personally. “You’re very resistant to help, aren’t you?”

“You’re an idiot.” Thomas scoffed. “And a pretty annoying one at that.”

“I’ll pass on idiot and annoying, but I’ll take pretty.” Roy wasn’t really sure what possessed him to say anything so bold. Especially when taking into consideration who Thomas was, it could greatly backfire if taken the wrong way. Maybe he was an idiot.

Thomas didn’t seem to know how to answer him right away. He seemed to be searching Roy’s face, wondering if he meant anything by that comment. It could easily be passed as nothing if Roy found trouble with it. But it could also be passed as flirting, given that’s what it was. “Well,” Thomas spoke quietly, “I suppose I’ll have to concede on that point.”

When neither of them moved away from the other, Roy saw Thomas slowly reach his hand towards him. Roy met it, and as soon as their hands touched, there was no denying what was happening. Once Thomas had his confirmation, he immediately leaned in and kissed Roy. He brought his hand up to Roy’s cheek and leaned in a bit more, and Roy soon followed suit. Thomas tasted of those cigarettes he seemed to always have in his hand, which normally Roy would’ve hated. But tonight, he can’t get enough.

Sadly, as soon as it started, it was over. Thomas was the first to pull away, although he was still close. He spoke softly. “You’ll have to go for now. In case they suspect something.”

Roy nodded. He didn’t like it, but he understood it. “Will we get to do this again?”

“I hope so. We’ll try to figure something out later. But for now we’ll need to be extra careful.”

“Good night then, Thomas.” Roy gave him one last parting kiss before pulling away completely.

“And Roy,” Thomas stopped him before he fully left. “I’ll think about your offer.”

Roy smiled and nodded. He left Thomas’ room feeling lighter than he had in a while.

Chapter Text

Roy had gone to bed that night feeling happy, but with much to contemplate. Was Thomas only avoiding him and being curt with him before so that he wouldn’t fall for him? Roy had met others who had done that before. Better to chase away anyone they might like so they aren’t caught if they got it wrong. But then again it could have just happened because Roy was the only option. People get lonely, and Thomas isn’t going to stay for too long, so perhaps this is meant to be something quick and then the two of them will just have to move on, rather than a full fledged love affair like the ones a man might dream about at night. Which Roy wouldn’t mind, he’s done it before. He’d just like to know which one this was going to be.

His head ached with all the thoughts swimming around in his mind, but he didn’t care as he crashed into his bed for the night. Roy decided that all of that was a problem for the future. Tonight he would just revel in the fact that Thomas Barrow had willingly kissed him. 

However, despite the feelings he had at night, by the morning, he felt awful. Not because of the kiss, no. His head still ached, as did his entire body. He felt chills along his body, and there was no denying his throat was dry. Mr. Carson had gone up to see why he hadn’t awoken yet, but when he saw what state Roy was in, Carson told him to take the day off. Roy hoped whatever he had caught hadn’t been passed on to Thomas.

Speaking of, Thomas had come by part way through the day to deliver him some food. Roy was surprised that Thomas was bold enough to actually visit him considering just the other day he was avoiding him as much as possible. But when Thomas told him the news, it all made sense. “Mr. Carson seems to be down with whatever you have as well. Bates doesn’t have the ability to bring you food, which leaves either the women or me. I told them I would do it.”

“Lucky me.” Roy grinned and took the soup and drink that Thomas had brought.

“Yeah yeah, don’t act so chipper. It still annoys me.” With that, Thomas started heading out the door, but stopped when he got to Roy’s desk. There was a mess of papers on it, all fully written on. “What’s all this then? You make it a habit to scribble on paper?”

Roy laughed. “I guess I do. All that there is stories. I like to write in my spare time.”

Thomas picked up one of the pages and started reading. “ The Tragedy of the Lost ?”

“I’m afraid I’m not good at coming up with names.”

“I find it hard to believe someone like you could write a tragedy.” Thomas continued reading the page.

“Well, we’ve all got our inner sadness. I just happen to express mine through writing.”

“Oh?” That got Thomas’ attention. He put the page down and grabbed a chair to sit next to Roy’s bed. “And what does the happiest man I’ve ever met have to be sad about?”

Roy’s smile faltered a bit. He spoke softly. “Thomas. I’m a man in a society where I can’t love who I love. I’ve got plenty of sadness.”

“You hide it well.”

“Practice.” Roy wasn’t looking at Thomas anymore, and he was no longer smiling.

Thomas checked out the door to see if anyone was there, then carefully grabbed Roy’s hand and placed a kiss on the palm, before just holding it. With his free hand, he brushed some of Roy’s platinum blonde hair out of his eyes. Roy finally looked at him and gave a small smile. He squeezed Thomas’ hand. After a moment of silence between the two of them, Thomas said, “You write well. That is, from what I am able to read.”

Roy laughed a little. “Yes, I suppose my handwriting is atrocious. I apologize for that.”

Letting go of Roy’s hand, Thomas stood up. “Well, I suppose I must be off now. I have a few things to attend to.”

“Oh! Before you go, have you thought about my offer at all?”

Thomas gave a cheeky smile and looked at Roy. “I have, and while I might take you up on it, I have a plan to get my old job at Downton back.”

Thomas staying at Downton? That was way better than anything Roy could hope for. He was finally just getting to know the man, and he was worried that Thomas would have to leave soon. Roy knew Thomas was clever, so he had no doubt that Thomas would likely get his job back. A big grin spread across Roy’s face. “I wish you luck, then.”

All he got as a goodbye was a nod, before Thomas left the room. Roy started eating the soup that Thomas had brought him. Despite his sickness, the food never tasted so good. 

During the day, Roy wished he could’ve worked on his writing, but he felt far too tired to get up. And even if he managed to get up and go to his desk, his head still ached too much to think. So, he just stayed in bed the whole day. At some point in the evening, Thomas again brought him up some food, but couldn’t stay to chat. Later, Dr. Clarkson came to check up on him. Apparently, the Spanish Flu was making its way around the house, and Roy was one of the first victims of it. Dr. Clarkson told Roy that his case wasn’t merely as severe as some of the others in the house, which Roy felt immensely relieved for. That’s not to say he wasn’t feeling awful and drained. In fact, as soon as Dr. Clarkson left the room, Roy immediately collapsed in his bed and fell asleep.