darker_london | Beautiful (Spectre, Thomas)

When Thomas walked into his bedroom to find his husband on their bed, playing his guitar, he wondered if he could have possibly been happier. Spectre was playing slowly, though his movements were sure. Thomas grinned and when Spectre looked up at him, his heart melted a little bit more. Spectre looked thrilled.

"Flynn helped me," Spectre said quickly. "And it's working. It still hurts if I play too fast or too long, but I'll get there."

Thomas moved to sit on the bed and he crawled close to his husband, kissing Spectre on the cheek when he reached him. "Can I hear?"

"Of course!" Nothing thrilled Spectre more than to play for his husband, and his demeanor as he sat and played Hotel California certainly showed that. His voice was strong and true, and he played flawlessly. Thomas was so relieved he almost cried, though he was sure that wouldn't have helped the situation much.

When Spectre finished, Thomas jumped up from the bed, offering Spectre a standing ovation. It made Spectre flush, which made Thomas grin. "You're all red, Baby!"

"It's because you're a devil." Spectre placed his guitar lovingly back onto it's stand and then he reached his hand towards Thomas'. "Help me up?"

Thomas did just that, pulling the tiny rocker to his still slightly unsteady feet. Then he hugged Spectre and kissed the man's hair. "Want to come downstairs? James has proclaimed that he is hungry and Abby is making some...thing. I think it was French. Or Italian. Or...Chinese..."

Spectre snorted, and he placed his hand in Thomas' giving it a squeeze. "You know I'll never turn down a good feed. Be it Italian, French or Chinese."

Spectre's grin was impish and Thomas saw so much of his husband in that grin. So much of Spectre that had been missing; chased away by what the Templar had done to him. Thomas knew that was how everyone had looked at him after Amaris, but only now did he really understand it. Only now could he know the pain of holding the person you loved in your arms and knowing they were absolutely and completely unable to be themselves. To know that someone or something had chased a fundamental part of themselves away and it was going to take time and a lot of effort to bring it back. Thomas hated that Spectre had been on both sides of that with all his being. "It's why I came to get you," Thomas said gently. He turned to lead Spectre out of the room but he stopped short. "It was really good to hear you play, Babe."

"It was really good to play for you," Spectre smiled. "I love you, Thomas."

"I love you too, Fancy Pants. Let's get your tight arse fed." And then Thomas burst out laughing at his own words. "I didn't think about that when I said it!" And, bringing him further delight, Spectre followed his example, doubling over and laughing himself. "Seeing you laugh like that is worth sounding like a douche," Thomas said when he could breathe.

"It was worth hearing it!" Spectre's voice was high-pitched with mirth. "Let's leave all of that until after tea. Best the kids are in bed..."

Thomas nodded sagely. "No scarring them for life. Got it."

Spectre let out a deep breath and when he smiled again, the expression was relaxed, carefree and genuine. "But later tonight..."

"Ah, later tonight. How fond I am of you..." Thomas winked, softly swatted Spectre's arse, grinning at the whoop that caused, and then he led Spectre downstairs so they could both share dinner with their family.