Congrats Mae!!! Can I have 🌿 with Thomas and Christopher? 💜
thank you so much!!!
when Thomas was ill as a child, Christopher was essentially the only child of a similar age that Thomas really connected with. Because Gabriel and Cecily visited Gideon and Sophie a lot, they spent a decent amount of time together and bonded over their quirks and the fact they both felt like outcasts. They wrote to each other regularly as well.
Christopher was actually the first of the Merry Thieves to realise how Thomas really felt about Alastair. unfortunately, he did not realise how explosive this information could be. they were in the Devil one night, post Chain of Gold, and Matthew had been ranting about how much of a ‘wormy lying coward’ Alastair was when Thomas had come to his defence, albeit in a half-hearted manner.
“Why do you like him so much anyway?” Matthew rocked back in his chair, wine in one hand and the other pointed at Thomas. Well, presumably anyway, because it was two inches too far to the left but Thomas gave him points for trying.
Thomas just rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to explain that he didn’t like him, per say, just that Matthew was being, and always had been, incredibly unfair on him when Christopher piped up from his workbench in the corner.
“Because he’s in love with him, of course.”
Several things then happened at once.
Matthew tipped back in his chair, his face a comical depiction of shock, and sent the wine flying across the room.
James got covered in red wine.
Thomas thought that his heart was going to give out.
“I- What? I am not. No!” He stuttered, his face matching the shade of scarlet James’s shirt had become. “Wherever did you get that from, Kit?”
James helped Matthew, who’s face was still slack with shock, up from the floor. “Matthew, you’re a bloody idiot, did you know that?” James mocked, laughter in his voice. “Also - yes, Christopher, what makes you say that?” He righted Matthew’s chair and helped him into as if he were an elderly man who needed assistance moving, then returned to his place at the table. Matthew’s face still did not change.
Christopher placed down his beaker and turned to face the rest of the Thieves, his goggles squint on his face. “Well, I thought it was rather obvious, is it not?” He walked over and sat down at the table, his hands gesturing animatedly. “You see, figuring out if someone is in love is just like trying to graph an experiment: you look for patterns, specifically in behaviour.” He looked around at the dumbfounded faces of his friends.
“And... and what patterns are there here?” Thomas asked, hesitantly.
“First of all, you followed Alastair around at the Academy. Now, this could easily be dismissed as the quirks of a child but here it fits into our pattern. Secondly, you will not tell us what really happened in Paris. No, don’t try to argue Thomas, i know when you’re lying - or withholding information. Anyway, I happened to overhear Charles talking about seeing Alastair in Paris when I was at Matthew’s, I do not believe in coincidences. Thomas and Alastair were together in Paris. Third, Alastair is the only person Thomas would let see his tattoo. That’s a very intimate, private thing for Thomas, and the fact he’d share it with someone who is apparently a ‘stranger’ is very out of character for him. Hence I have to draw the conclusion that Thomas is, in fact, in love with Alastair Carstairs. And I have to say - i think they’d make a capital couple.”
Stunned silence. Thomas thought his jaw might hit the table.
Finally, Matthew blurted out “That is just preposterous! Never in all my days-”
“Shut up for a second, Matthew.” James looked at Thomas, his golden eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and love. “Remember the last time somebody spilt wine? What is it with you lot and bloody wine, by the way - anyway, it was Thomas. When Matthew told us Alastair was moving to London.” Thomas felt too hot and too cold all at the same time. “Tom? Is it true?”
“I....” Thomas didn’t know what to say. Was it true? He didn’t know. All he knew is that he missed Alastair. Missed talking to him as darkness blanketed Paris, missed watching the shadows on his face change as the city illuminated itself around them, missed walking next to him and talking about everything and nothing. All he knew was that every time he saw Alastair, his heart seemed to beat that little bit faster and if he was next to him he longed to reach out and grab his hand. All he knew was that Alastair was the most beautiful person he’d ever seen, and that he wanted to kiss him, and hold him, and-
James’s voice, soft and comforting, brought him back from his reverie. “It’s alright if you do, Tom.” He looked at the faces of his friends: Christopher’s obliviously hopeful one, James’s small smile, Matthew’s - who had finally closed his mouth - that bore an open expression, one Thomas didn’t see all that often these days, that held so much love he felt his heart might burst. He swallowed thickly.
He stared down at his hands that were knotted so tightly in his lap that his knuckles were white. He could deny it again but, really, he found that he didn’t want to. “I mean... I might? I’m not really sure...” He bit his lip.
“What ho! Excellent!” Christopher ran to his workbench and began furiously scribbling in his notebook. “I was actually right! Of course, I knew i was, but the proof is always appreciated.”
James clapped him on the back. “Wonderful! I’m so glad you told us, Thomas.” Thomas grinned at him, feeling lighter than he had in months.
And then Matthew got up, a broad smile on his face, and came to grab Thomas by the shoulder. “Well! There’s a turn up for the books.” And then the smile was replaced a serious furrow of eyebrows. “I’m happy for you, old chap, i really am, but could you not have picked absolutely anybody else?”
Thomas looked at him, his heart sinking ever so slightly, until Matthew threw his head back and guffawed. “Don’t look so scared! I’m joking - well, partially anyway - but whoever your heart decides to give itself to will be one lucky person. Even if it is sodding Alastair Carstairs.”
Thomas felt himself laughing too, and he felt like it was the first real laugh in an age.
okay, NOT a headcannon but inspiration struck and the opportunity was too good to miss!
Thomas and Christopher always get to read Lucie’s new writing: Thomas because Lucie trusts him to be kind but fair, and Christopher because he actually has a wonderful imagination that has inspired Lucie on more than one occasion. Anyway, after every new read, they get together and discuss what she wrote, how proud of her they are, and how far she’s going to go. She’s their little sister too, after all.
