Work Text:
One.
Thomas made Varian dinner, knowing he was busy with the ERC and would forget to eat. It wasn’t uncommon that Varian skipped meals, so involved with his work and his projects. Thomas always did his best to make sure Varian was cared for, and that included dinner tonight. Thomas lingered on the heart shape of the pasta too long, and the way the shrimp he cooked formed tiny hearts decorating the top of the pasta. He loved to make food for Varian, and he loved making sure Varian was well taken care of, even if Varian never paid much mind to it.
Thomas walked up the stairs to Varian’s room, a plate of food and the bottle of wine in hand, knocking gently as to not startle Varian and his workflow.
“V, can you open up? I brought dinner and wine” Thomas called, wanting to have Varian welcome him in.
“I’m very busy tonight, Thomas, I don’t have time for distractions.”
“I made pasta, its shrimp alfredo, just the way you like.”
The door creaked open and Varian stood behind it. He looked exhausted, tie askew and glasses off. He moved aside so Thomas could come in and they could dine together.
Two.
Varian was taking a hot bath after a long day of work, exhausted and just wanting some alone time. Varian loved Mary Jayne and Dagobert and all the work they were doing in the ERC, but it was starting to weigh on him. He felt like he simply wasn’t doing enough to make any real difference. Americans didn’t care, regardless of how many articles he wrote. Germany and Hitler’s reign were increasing. Varian simply wasn’t doing enough to help people escape.
A gentle knock pulled him away from his thoughts, and back down from the edge of breaking down.
“Varian, I brought a book, may I come in?”
The voice belonged to the love of his life, Thomas. He said Thomas could enter, not bothering to remove himself from the bath. Thomas sat next to him on the floor, and started reading to Varian. Varian smiled, this was a book he had always liked, and had introduced to Thomas when they met in Berlin all those years ago.
Thomas set the book down, and looked at Varian. He moved to his knees, to be higher up next to the bath, and started to gently massage Varian’s scalp, helping relieve the tension there. Varian looked at Thomas, and smiled. Varian enjoyed Thomas’ company, and the way Thomas angled the warm water over his hair so it wouldn’t run into his eyes.
“Mind if I wash your hair..?”
Varian nodded, allowing himself and Thomas to enjoy this moment together, knowing they could be caught at any moment. Varian and Thomas knew the risks, but still allowed themselves to love each other.
Thomas stood shortly after, having finished with his hair, and left without another word, leaving the book behind.
Three.
The smell of hot coffee was filling the kitchen. Thomas had just made a new freshly grounded batch of coffee, and it seemed perfect on this cooler fall day. Thomas loved to make fresh coffee, especially when it was colder out, because he loved the way it made his kitchen smell.
He knew Varian liked coffee too, and wondered if he’d want any. He knew Varian would, because Varian was always a sleep deprived disaster who didn’t know what it was like to sleep or eat when he was in a work driven craze like he was now.
Thomas opened the door to the study Varian currently had himself holed up in, and set down the coffee. It was made in the way Varian liked, with so much sugar and creamer it’d rot your teeth, well, at least Thomas thought so. The irony in the whole situation was not lost on Thomas. Varian, a cool, calm, collected, even closed off man liked his coffee sweeter than the bubblegum ice cream kids enjoyed.
“Hey, I brought you coffee”
“Oh Thomas, you are an absolute lifesaver.”
Thomas smiled. He knew Varian better than most, so he knew this was how he’d say thank you.
Four.
Thomas knocked on the door, but was met with no answers. He gently peaked his head in, and saw Varian out cold on all his paperwork. Thomas saw the coffee mug from earlier, and he saw the piled up plates of food. He knew Varian was pushing himself to the end of what he could manage, and Thomas wanted him to take a break. He gently lifted up Varian and set him in the bed, kissing his head gently and making sure he was comfortable.
Thomas stacked the dishes and gathered paperwork, taking them to the kitchen. He sat at the table, looking over the papers. It was exit visas, legal documents, ways to escape, all sorts of things that would make a normal man crazy. Thomas knew this was important to Vari, so he knew he had to help.
Signature after signature, lines about the refugees and how they’d help America. All things Thomas knew Varian would fight for, even to the point of sacrificing their love.
Thomas returned the papers to the desk in neat piles, sorted by the type of document. A little scrap paper on top the piles was left for him, saying
‘To help you sleep at night, my love.
-T.L.’
FIVE.
Varian had a meeting with members of the ERC today, and was stressing over his outfit. He never usually stressed, but he couldn't decide what combination looked most professional. Thomas sipped a glass of Moscato, the peachy orange flavor appealing deeply to his palate at this time of day.
“V, I think you look great in either option.”
“Yes, but this is to help people, and I’m the face of this operation, so they specifically requested me. I don’t want to show up with a mismatched tie and suit, I’ll look like an idiot.” Varian paced back and forth, the stress of an outfit causing his demeanor to crack.
Thomas set down the wine glass and got up, looking over the options Varian had picked out. He grabbed the navy suit, a deep green tie, and a silver tie clip. He ironed the suit and shirt as Varian got dressed, then helped him tie the tie.
“You look beautiful, Vari.”
“Is it enough?”
“You’re more than enough. You’re perfect.”
Plus One.
“Thomas?” Varian knocked on the door, gently pushing it open. “You have a minute?”
“For you? Always. What’s up my dear?”
Varian walked into the room, holding a bottle of a deep red and a bouquet of lilies, roses, and some other complimentary flowers. He set them on the bedside table, and gently kissed the top of Thomas’s head.
“I want to say thank you… for everything you’ve done for me and I’m so grateful to have you in my life.”
Thomas smiled, and gently kissed Varian. He knew that moments like this could never last long, and yet he cherished them anyways, knowing that Varian would be there, and always care.