[He falls silent as he listens to Steve, interested in what he had to say. Thomas had learned about different labels in the city and what people liked to use whenever they talked about whom they were attracted to.]
You're absolutely right. We do deserve it.
[Taking a sip from the flask, Thomas continues.]
Having a genuine connection with another person can be very fulfilling. I've discovered a few of those here already, and I want them to continue for as long as possible. The way I see it, you have to do all you can to make yourself happy. It took me a while to realise that.
[He pauses for a moment, wondering if he should expand on what he was thinking about.]
Anyway. I know you don't have any trouble in attracting the right kind of attention.
I mean I get a lot of attention. I always have. That probably sounds like something stupid to complain about, but it's not always genuine. And it can be fun-- I'm not complaining about that, but I can probably only count on one hand the number of people on one hand I can talk to like this. Back home? Even less.
[So he is actually appreciative of this. And to think he really did message Thomas to check on him, and it turned into this. He's okay with that though, feeling more relaxed and comfortable now.]
Then I'm sorry it took so long to find people you can talk to in a genuine way. I would like to learn more about you, Steve, and maybe I will feel comfortable enough to share things about myself too.
[He means it.]
I don't think I told you how I injured my hand, did I? [Thomas shows off his gloved hand.] A bullet went right through it when I was in the trenches. Then they sent me home.
[Steve looks over at Thomas and considers him. They've had a very straightforward sort of relationship so far, but he's always felt taken seriously by the other man, and he realizes now just how much he's appreciated that. His smile softens a little before his eyes travel to his hand.]
From the war? [That was about as far as they had gotten before. Steve can't imagine getting shot, and while he's sure the hand is still affected, there are definitely worse places.]
Yes. The Great War as it came to be known. [He rubs at the back of his hand idly, thinking about his time in the trenches and how awful it was. How he didn't want to be there.]
I get pains in my hand now and again, but I don't think there is anything I can do about it. At least I survived.
[He pauses, heaving out a sigh.]
There was a soldier who was blinded by mustard gas so he was sent home to the hospital in Yorkshire. I was home by then and had started helping out with the injured soldiers. I got to know him - I developed feelings for him. But he passed away.
Yeah, we know it by the First World War. [Since there were two in his time.
Steve sits back and listens, not entirely knowing where the story is going, but it's interesting to hear the perspective of someone who lived something he's only read about in History class.]
Oh man. I'm sorry, Thomas. That's probably even harder in your time. With everything you've told me about what gay people have gone through. Doesn't seem fair.
Thank you. [He gave Steve a grateful look.] It isn’t fair. I didn’t even know if he would have felt the same way either. And if he did, we would have needed to be discreet.
[Despite the painful memories, he felt a sense of relief at being able to talk about it.]
I appreciate you listening to me. I don’t trust people so easily and I feel like I can trust you.
I can't imagine having to go through all of that. [War, death, having to hide how much you care about someone. He has a deep respect for everything that Thomas has gone through. Gently he reaches out to put his hand gently on the other man's.]
Don't even sweat it. I'm glad you can feel comfortable here. At the very least you deserve that. I know it can't be easy, but you've got a friend in me. [At minimum. Steve might even consider it a little more than that, but he's also not the best with labels and things himself.]
[Thomas feels a swell of emotion when Steve's hand cover his own. He also felt vulnerable in that moment, but it was alright. Steve made him feel better about it.]
You also have a friend in me, Steve. I might need to work on it from time to time, but I will do my best to be there for you.
[He places his hand over Steve's before leaning in towards him slowly, pressing a light kiss to his lips, pulling back afterwards.]
That's alright. I kinda know what it's like to need to work on things. [He gives an understanding nod. When Thomas leans in, Steve reciprocates, wanting to kiss him now anyway. Thomas deserves to know he's safe here with him. It's not entirely heated, but he pulls away just slightly to look back at him.]
Promise I'll still be here. [He can understand someone trying to find themselves and learn more about how to sort of function.]
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notfoul
no subject
Date: 2023-04-05 10:14 pm (UTC)You're absolutely right. We do deserve it.
[Taking a sip from the flask, Thomas continues.]
Having a genuine connection with another person can be very fulfilling. I've discovered a few of those here already, and I want them to continue for as long as possible. The way I see it, you have to do all you can to make yourself happy. It took me a while to realise that.
[He pauses for a moment, wondering if he should expand on what he was thinking about.]
Anyway. I know you don't have any trouble in attracting the right kind of attention.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-05 10:38 pm (UTC)[So he is actually appreciative of this. And to think he really did message Thomas to check on him, and it turned into this. He's okay with that though, feeling more relaxed and comfortable now.]
no subject
Date: 2023-04-10 01:04 pm (UTC)[He means it.]
I don't think I told you how I injured my hand, did I? [Thomas shows off his gloved hand.] A bullet went right through it when I was in the trenches. Then they sent me home.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-10 08:40 pm (UTC)From the war? [That was about as far as they had gotten before. Steve can't imagine getting shot, and while he's sure the hand is still affected, there are definitely worse places.]
You're okay though?
no subject
Date: 2023-04-12 09:14 pm (UTC)I get pains in my hand now and again, but I don't think there is anything I can do about it. At least I survived.
[He pauses, heaving out a sigh.]
There was a soldier who was blinded by mustard gas so he was sent home to the hospital in Yorkshire. I was home by then and had started helping out with the injured soldiers. I got to know him - I developed feelings for him. But he passed away.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-21 05:06 am (UTC)Steve sits back and listens, not entirely knowing where the story is going, but it's interesting to hear the perspective of someone who lived something he's only read about in History class.]
Oh man. I'm sorry, Thomas. That's probably even harder in your time. With everything you've told me about what gay people have gone through. Doesn't seem fair.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-24 10:48 am (UTC)[Despite the painful memories, he felt a sense of relief at being able to talk about it.]
I appreciate you listening to me. I don’t trust people so easily and I feel like I can trust you.
no subject
Date: 2023-05-04 08:24 pm (UTC)Don't even sweat it. I'm glad you can feel comfortable here. At the very least you deserve that. I know it can't be easy, but you've got a friend in me. [At minimum. Steve might even consider it a little more than that, but he's also not the best with labels and things himself.]
no subject
Date: 2023-05-16 01:16 pm (UTC)You also have a friend in me, Steve. I might need to work on it from time to time, but I will do my best to be there for you.
[He places his hand over Steve's before leaning in towards him slowly, pressing a light kiss to his lips, pulling back afterwards.]
no subject
Date: 2023-05-18 01:27 am (UTC)Promise I'll still be here. [He can understand someone trying to find themselves and learn more about how to sort of function.]
we can wrap here if you like c:
Date: 2023-05-25 08:45 pm (UTC)Thank you, Steve. That means a lot to hear you say so.
[He turns his hand over to take a hold of Steve's and gives it a light squeeze, holding onto it afterwards.]