complaininginthedark:

(so @flintsredhair said there should be a sequel to that last fic so have some post series flinthamilton get married fluff)

–

It was quiet in the house, warm air carrying the faint sound of birds singing their dawn chorus through the cool hallway and into their bedroom. Thomas let sleep fall from him slowly and blinked his eyes open. It never ceased to amaze him, that he was with James again after all those years apart.

None of it was quite what he expected; Miranda was gone, James was different and so was Thomas, both of them had scars they hadn’t had ten years ago…

But that didn’t matter, not in these hours when Thomas was able to watch his lover sleep peacefully at his side. It didn’t matter that they lived under different names in case James was found by an old enemy, because they got to live together and slowly grow old as they’d always wanted. Thomas missed his wife terribly, felt her absence every day like a gaping hole in his chest, but he had part of his soul back. He had James.

James, who had reminded him the night before in a small voice that he knew a captain. And a captain, he said, had certain abilities.

A captain could marry people.

They didn’t have rings, and James’ captain “friend” was in England with his wife, but the seeds of that idea were planted.

Months later they had visitors and Thomas’ stomach tightened in anticipation as a box was presented to him. It was small, wooden, lined with velvet, and inside were two plain gold bands. James had, apparently, sent word to Silver of his intentions and had him find suitable rings. Silver married them on the hill behind their house, under the large tree that stood there. They said vows, not entirely traditional ones but honest nonetheless. James promised to protect and honour him, to live every day with him as if it were their last. Thomas, in turn, promised to love and treasure James, to hold him up when he doubted himself. They kissed, embraced each other and cried. They put flowers on the headstone with Miranda’s name carved on it.

That night they made love slowly. After, their skin still cooling and their bodies pressed together, James planned the garden out loud. There would be squashes in the far end, potatoes and tomatoes and lettuce further up. He wanted to plant an apple tree. Thomas hummed in agreement, watching the low light glint on his wedding rings and smiling to himself.

No, it wasn’t what he had imagined, not really, but it was real. He had James with him, and he would never be parted from him again.