My Home From Home - Chapter 32: Chapter 32

"Shh..." Thomas gently shushed Henry gently, holding his gloved finger up to his lips as he glanced around intuitively with narrowed, scrutinising eyes to locate the direction from which the sound was resonating.  Slowly and stealthily, they treaded through the unbothered white snow; praying that each step they took was as silent as the last. They'd travelled quite a distance from the little clearing they were in before they heard the voices sound closer, clearer, and louder until they finally felt as though they were just behind the thicket from the source.
"Get your pants on, we need to get out of here." Thomas and Henry heard a very familiar voice, prompting them to exchange confused glances before peering through the boughs of the tree they were obscured behind to confirm their suspicions; seeing a little open clearing in the otherwise dense woods and two young men by a tree across the clearing from Thomas and Henry. Timmy Bates and Jacob McAllister.
"Don't tell anyone about us, okay?" Jacob smirked, stuffing his shirt tails into his trousers as he buttoned them and fastened his belt all the while Timmy silently lowered his almost heartbreakingly empty green eyes down to the ground. "Look at me." Seethed Jacob, though Timmy's gaze remained lowered. "I said. Look at me. You haven't told anyone about us, have you?"" Jacob asked authoritatively, his eyes cold adn fixated upon Timmy as the chestnut haired lad simply shook his head; his green eyes practically seeping with a look of pure terror that Henry recognised. "Good boy." Jacob leant in and kissed Timmy on the lips lustfully; it almost made Henry sick at how visibly physical it was and void of any love or tenderness. "And keep it that way, or else."
Henry gasped with a look of horror in his eyes at what he was witnessing. Clearly Timmy was not only being bullied by the boys at school; as well, he seemed to be in some sort of intimate relationship with one of his bullies, a rather toxic one at that. Thomas held his hand up to Henry's mouth to keep him from blowing their little covert operation and locked eyes with him, miming the words. 'Wait here and keep an eye on them, I have a plan'. Henry simply nodded without questioning a thing, watching as Thomas jogged off silently in the general direction from which they'd come
"I-I don't want t-to d-do things w-with you a-anymore." Timmy stammered anxiously, as though afraid for his own safety.
"Excuse me?" Jacobs brown eyes flashed with anger that affectively eclipsed the hurt he felt in his chest.
"I don't like it." Timmy's eyes watered with tears though he fought to stand his ground by looking directly into Jacob's fiery eyes. "You hurt me when the other boys are around. You call me names. And then when we're alone all you want is my body and after you threaten me. I don't like it! I don't like you!"
"Are you serious?!" Jacob stepped towards grabbing him by the collars and shoving him up against a tree. "You think you can end things with me?! Every girl would kill for me to court them and marry them, and you think a freak like you could ever get anyone else. You'll be alone like the loser freak you are." Jacob threw his hands up in utter disbelief, confusion washing over his as he watched the smaller lad cower in fear at his raised hands. "I'm not going to hit you, Timmy..." HE furrowed his brows at Timmy's reaction, his voice taking a noticeably softer tone than before. "Have I ever hit you when it was just you and me?" Asked Jacob, prompting Timmy to shake his head in response. "Then when the hell will you realise I don't want to hurt you!?" Jacob raised his voice again, more in frustration at the situation rather than Timmy; but before he could continue, he was cut off by the a voice beckoning from behind them.
"Hello there, boys!" Jacob and Timmy both jolted in surprise, the taller blond boy backing up away from Timmy at lightning speed as they both glanced up to see Thomas tipping his hat at them whilst sitting on his steed, with a silently passive looking Henry on the horse behind.
"H-hello Constable." Jacob stammered with a forced smile to Thomas and blushing a slight bit as he saw Henry, so as to make it seem like nothing unsavoury had transpired. "Doctor Dunmurry." He nodded towards Henry with a sheepish smile.
"Is everything alright, boys. You're quite deep in the forest." Thomas said nonchalantly though he knew from the way his heart was racing that if he'd only been a second later Timmy would've likely been beaten to a pulp. "I was just escorting the good Doctor back home from a house-call, so seeing as we're all heading back home to Fir Creek, we'd love to take you boys back with us."
"That won't be necessary Constable Wilson, but thank you for the offer. We're fine on our own." Jacob nodded politely, glancing back towards a skittish looking Timmy. "Right. Timmy." HE muttered under his breath. Timmy remained silent, awkwardly rubbing his opposite sleeve with his hand as he glanced up and locked eyes with Henry who simply nodded at him.
"We insist." Persuaded Henry. "It's our duty to get you boys home safely to your mums and dads. Now go on then, hop on, the two of you."
"Jacob, bud, you can come with me." Thomas said out of nowhere, exchanging a subtle glance with Henry.
"And Timmy, mate, you can ride with me." Henry beckoned for Timmy to hop onto his horse as both boys followed directions albeit with the slightest tinge of disappointment evident in their body language.
They rode through the woods making casual, meaningless conversation with the two lads who seemed all too cautious in their alibi; claiming they were only in the woods to work on a science project on leaves. Nonetheless, Thomas and Henry asked no questions since they already knew the real reasons the lads were in the woods.
"Alright, I'll drop Jacob off, you go on and drop off Timmy." Thomas instructed Henry as they approached the outskirts of Fir Creek, giving the raven haired man a subtle look that essentially told Henry his motives; they were each going to have a talk with the boys separately. Thomas with Jacob and Henry with Timmy.
"Alright, brilliant. Good day, Constable. Good day, Jacob." Henry nodded and tipped his hat to both of them.
"Enjoy the rest of your day, Doctor." Jacob blushed with a sheepish smile. "Bye Timmy." He gave  Timmy a cheeky smile, who simply lowered his gaze meekly in return.
"B-bye." Timmy stammered half-heartedly. "B-bye Constable." Timmy blushed as Thomas smiled at him fraternally with the tip of his brown Mountie hat.
Henry trotted on in the opposite direction from Thomas and Jacob; waiting patiently for them to be out of earshot before finally addressing the issue with the poor boy sitting behind him. He'd been in Timmy's situation before; having a toxic intimate partner wasn't uncommon in that era, especially with lads like Timmy; :ord only knew that Henry experienced it at that age. Usually boys like Jacob who suffered from an internalised self-hatred due to their sexualities that they neither understood nor felt proud of; because at the time it was only ever seen as unnatural or shameful.
"We saw what happened" Henry glanced over his shoulder to the chestnut-haired young lad sat behind him on the horse. "We know the truth, Timmy."
"No..." Timmy's eyes widened, his breath growing laboured as he realised just what that meant; they'd been caught, not merely by someone else, but by a law enforcement officer whose job it was to enforce the laws. The laws at the time calling for people who did the things Timmy and Jacob did, to go to jail. "P-please I-I p-please I-I don't want to g-go to jail! W-we..."
"Don't worry." Henry tried to comfort him, though out of his periphery; briefly glancing over his shoulder he could see the tears streaming down Timmy's cheek. "You won't go to jail. Nobody will know about what we saw. But what we do take issue with is the way you're being treated."
"I-I don't understand." Stammered Timmy, dabbing the tears off his cheek and lashes with his woollen jumper.
"Nobody will know about you and Jacob's relations." Explained Henry calmly; a part of him wanted to tell Timmy that he knew what he was going through on a very personal level, but he feared the thought. Secrets ceased to be secrets when anyone other than yourself learn of it. "But what we can't turn a blind eye on is the abuse. I'm sure he makes you feel wanted, maybe at the time you might feel loved. But love shouldn't cause pain. Even if he only hurts you when others are around, that still doesn't make it alright."
"You'll never understand." Timmy muttered under his breath, though it was audible enough for Henry to hear it with his ears and feel it in his heart.
"I understand perfectly." Henry closed his eyes and sighed, he knew this was dangerous to admit to the teenager; But at his age he had purely platonic friends who were like him who understood his plight. Timmy had nobody except for Jacob and for obvious reasons the platonic ship had clearly sailed. "You want to stay with him because you think he's the only one you've got." He craned his neck to look into Timmy's eyes, seeing a look that Henry could only describe as confusion.
"B-but..." Timmy's lower lip trembled.
"I understand your position a lot more than you understand, Timmy." Henry locked eyes with Timmy. "I know how you feel. Somebody is making you feel something that you have been told is wrong, but feels good. But you have to remember that it isn't love, Timmy. Because nobody can love another til they've learnt to love themselves."
"I just feel so alone sometimes." Timmy's voice cracked, sending chills down Henry's spine; he knew what that felt like all too well and being different had that effect on one's psyche.
"If you ever want someone to talk to, I'm here for you. Like I said earlier, think of me as an older brother or uncle who can help you. 'Tis a lonely road that we lot are forced to traverse, but I'm here to help any way i can." Henry said softly as he trotted on towards Timmy's house; the early afternoon sun high over the clear blue skies and reflecting unforgivingly off the snow. "And here we are." He pulled the reins again to halt his horse in front of Timmy's house; it was a quaint little wood home that looked cosy and warm to Henry.
"Thank you, Doctor Dunmurry." Timmy hopped off the horse and glanced up towards the raven-haired doctor with a slight glimmer of hope in his peridot eyes. "I really appreciate everything."
"It's no problem at all, Timmy." Henry tipped his hat to the younger boy, watching as he turned around to leave him before he suddenly called out to him gain. "And Timmy!" He said softly as the lad craned his neck to look at him, letting one of his warm smiles he was known for shine through for the first time in a while. "Don't lose hope, mate. It is terribly easy to do so, but always remember it can get better. You're a smart lad, everyone says it. Your teachers say you have great potential to go to university in the city. Things are better for us in the cities. Just don't lose hope. You've a bright future ahead of you. You just need to be so careful, Timmy. You may not see them now, but there are many of us around the world who are like you. Who see you. Who feel your pain. And we are with you every step of the way. I'm not saying it'll be easy, quite the opposite. But even as the road before you may seem bleak and desolate, know that you're not alone..."
Timmy's eyes welled with tears that differed from the ones before; these tears were hopeful, not hopeless like they had been prior. He nodded and sped off into the house leaving Henry alone once again to think as he instructed his horse to trot on back into town to go home. As if his mind wasn't already filled with thoughts about his cousin, everything he'd learnt from Thomas; he felt as though his skull could implode at any second.
He took Midnight to the stables, brushing his mane lovingly before placing a loving kiss on his head. He glanced over to see Trooper in his stable pen, sleeping soundly; which allowed Henry to assume Thomas was already back home. As he stepped out into the crisp afternoon air, he took a minute to simply let the sun's rays cleanse his soul; it's warmth seeming to bathe over his lightly shut eyelids and create a red glow of sorts before he finally walked back towards the house.
"Do you like aeroplanes?" Henry heard Callum's voice as he walked into the kitchen; seeing Callum sitting at the kitchen table across from Danny who was listlessly playing with his toy biplane that Henry had gifted him for Christmas. Danny simply nodded, albeit disinterestedly, before continuing about his playing.
"When is Henwy coming home?" Huffed Danny, glancing up with his big brown eyes towards Callum.
"I've been asking the same question myself, mate." Callum muttered.
Henry chuckled to himself at the scene unfolding before him; Callum wasn't terribly good at dealing with children and he couldn't help by find amusement in watching him trying to interact with one.
"Hello, hello." Henry sang cheerily, announcing his entrance in the kitchen as the little toddler's eyes brightened excitedly at the sight of his favourite person. But that feeling wasn't one sided, for every time Danny was around he felt this deep paternal attachment within him that made his heart swell.
"Henwy!"Danny slid off his chair and ran up to Henry, hugging the dark haired man's legs as he chuckled and ruffled the little blond boy's hair.
"Hello there, love." Huffed Henry teasingly as he picked up the little boy and scooped him into his arms. "Did you have fun today with Callum?"
"We played with kitty." Danny's eyes glowed bright and big with excitement.
"Oh you did, did you? Do you like the kitty?" Asked Henry, earning him a nod from the little boy as he giggled and buried his precious face into the fur lining on Henry's overcoat.
"And you were playing with your toy aeroplane." Henry pointed out what he'd already known, watching once again as the adorable blond toddler nodded. "You know, love. Callum used to fly bi-planes just like these during the war."
"Weally?!" Danny gasped, craning his neck towards the chestnut haired man across the room who couldn't help but smile at his cousin's way with children; even with Henry's niece, Anna, he was absolutely adept at interacting with children, a talent that Callum didn't have.
"Yes! He was one of the first RAF pilots when they up started during the end of the war." Henry gloated on his cousin a bit; the truth of the matter was that Henry was terribly proud of Callum's bravery during the war effort. "Why don't you go ask him about it, I'm sure he'd absolutely love to tell you all about flying." And with that he set Danny down, allowing for the adorable toddler to run back up to the breakfast table and climb up unto his little chair for the interrogation of poor Callum to ensue.
A cheeky smile crept over his lips, knowing Callum was internally plotting his murder; as Henry knew all too well Callum struggled with talking to children. So naturally Danny, being the curious little lad he was, was going ask Callum every minute question that crossed through his mind. Henry made his way towards the stairwell to freshen up to go back into the infirmary for the afternoon shift.
Hearing Thomas' voice and little Alfies angelic giggles coming from the nursery, Henry took a detour past his bedroom and down the hall. As he approached the open door he leant against the door jamb; a smile blossoming across his perfect alabaster face as he watched Thomas lovingly playing with Alfie as he stood over the cot
"I do hope I'm not interrupting." Henry stalked up behind Thomas and ran his hands up the man's muscularly built chest and torso as he rested his head on the handsome blond's back. "And how's our little man?" He peered over Thomas' shoulder, standing on his tip-toes to see into the cot; observing Thomas' finger playfully tickling Alfies precious little foot to make him giggle endlessly.
"Our?" Thomas blinked confusedly, initially convincing himself he'd misheard Henry. Henry rolled his eyes playfully as he took little Alfie into his arms and carrying him on his hop; placing a loving kiss on his soft cheek.
"Sorry that was a terribly odd way to phrase that." Deflected Henry, realising it was likely a rather presumptuous statement to call Alfie 'his' when in reality he knew he had no right to; nonetheless he couldn't help but feel this deep connection with Thomas' boys, both of them.
"No." Thomas cupped Henry's face in his strong hands, gently coercing his chin upwards to look into his sapphire blue eyes. "I like that you think of him as your own." He cooed, watching as the raven haired young man in front of him blushed a bright rouge, bashfully blinking his gaze back down away from Thomas. "I want you to see him as your own. The boys love you and I can tell you care for them too.
"So um..." Thomas changed the subject sensing the slight awkwardness in the air. "Did you have a talk with Timmy?"
"I did, yes." Henry let out a deep sigh as though exhaling all his worries; if only it were that simple. "I told him to stay away from him and simply cut ties. And just some words of encouragement to keep his spirits up."
"Good, good." Thomas nodded, scratching the back of his neck as he grimaced. "I may or may not have threatened to arrest Jacob if he so much as breathed in Timmy's direction again."
"Thomas!" Henry gasped as he placed a much less fussy Alfie back down in his cot. "Can't say I disapprove, honestly. But one can't help but feel bad for him. He has no business treating poor Timmy that way, but at the same time I've seen so many lads like Jacob. He hurts Timmy because he wishes to hurt himself. He hurts Timmy because he sees himself in him; figuratively. But I will say I didn't have Jacob pegged for one of our lot."
"Didn't you? I could see it from a mile away." Thomas teased, snaking his arm around Henry's waist and playfully pulling him against his body. "I've watched little Jake McAllister grow up, he's always been a pain in the arse, but whenever you're around... he's different. He blushes. He probably should've done better to hide it but like so many lads he certainly has a schoolboy crush on you."
"Don't be daft! He most certainly does not!" Henry's jaw hung open in shock as he slapped Thomas' sculpted chest, rolling his eyes in utter disbelief. "And whilst we're on about schoolboy crushes Timmy turns into a blushing  mess whenever you're near."
"No he doesn't! I'm his Godfather, for God's sake! I watched him grow up! You're most certainly mistaken on that." Thomas scoffed at the thought while Henry placed little Alfie back in his cot.
Henry shook his head with a amused beam about him, clasping his hands behind Thomas' neck and standing on his tip-toes to give the taller man a kiss; watching as the a slight tinge of red permeated across the attractive blond Mountie's lightly sun kissed skin. He wrapped his arms around Thomas' waist resting his head onto his chest and melting into the taller man's body; allowing all the weight in his heart to bear onto Thomas' musclebound frame.
"Hey, Henry? Can I ask you something" Thomas asked again, hearing the smaller man pressed flush against him hum into his chest. "So...Your cousin calls you Harry..."
"Oh erm..." Henry raised his brows, gently pushing himself off of Thomas' body to look into his honey brown eyes. "Yes? I-I suppose he does. All my family and friends call me that." Henry added, watching carefully as the dashing young officer pursed his lips to hide his feelings, lowering his gaze uncomfortably to the floor. "You could call me Harry too, if you'd like. Now that I think on it, it's rather silly I've never told you to call me that before. You're practically family at this point." Thomas' gaze shot up to meet Henry's, a dimpled grin creeping across his lips as he heard those words.
"Family?" Thomas's eyes brightened visibly, running his hand over Henry's forehead to push his dark brown fringe back up atop his head.
"Have I said something wrong?" Asked Henry curiously. "Really I-I'm not terribly sure what exactly we are to one another. You're my friend, but for obvious reasons it's safe to say you're more than my friend. You're like my family, but in many ways you feel more like family than I ever felt my actual family was."
"All my family called me Tom." Thomas snaked his arms around Henry's slender waist. " So we're a family like you say, then if you'd like, you may call me that as well."
"I'd absolutely  love to..." Henry whispered breathily as he lightly parted his lips; raising himself up onto his tip-toes for a kiss, but just as their lips nearly made contact...
"I hate to throw a spanner in the works, lads." Callum rolled his eyes with disinterest as his cousin and his handsome blond beau jumped back away from each other.
"C-Cal I erm..." gulps Henry as he ran a hand anxiously through his dark hair. "Sorry we didn't see you there."
"Clearly." Callum smirked teasingly, folding his arms over his chest though the smirk faded as his cold green eyes scanned Thomas up and down scrutinisingly. "Right, well this has been sufficiently awkward. I shall be in the drawing room with Danny and the wee cat until the dinner gong if you need me."
"Yes, we'll be right down as well." Henry forced an uncomfortable smile as his cousin turned on his heels and made his exit. "It's nearly time to go back down. I should have a light afternoon work-wise so I shouldn't be too tired to cook dinner tonight. I know it's your night, but I reckoned it'd be nice to cook something special since Callum is here. Not to mention I want to see his face when he finds out I can cook." Henry snickered evilly, getting ready to take his leave.
"Hey." Thomas stopped Henry in his tracks, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I have a sneaking suspicion that your cousin doesn't like me."
"Who, Callum!? No, no! Nothing of the sort! You know how our lot are, it takes a bit for us to warm up to people, especially when we don't know who they are." Henry brushed it off as though it were nothing.
"Oh, okay..." Thomas blinked in confusion. "Also um... What is a dinner gong."
"Oh, it's the same gong as a dressing gong." Henry said matter of factly, though judging by Thomas' still perplexed expression it was clear that it'd offered absolutely no sense of clarity whatsoever. "Oh, right, well. It's erm... This gong that the servants ring to let the family know that it's time to be dressed, or that dinner is ready?"
"Dressed..." Thomas cocked a brow at the raven haired lad who glanced around in a daze at what seemed to him like the oddest conversation. "You don't dress yourselves.?"
"Lord, no! That's what he have valets and lady's maids for." Henry gasped in disbelief at what in his mind was a ridiculous question. "I know, it all sounds rather silly, doesn't it?"
"Not silly, just different." Thomas gave Henry a tight slipped smile, as though he wasn't say all he had on his mind. And with that they parted ways for the rest of the afternoon; for despite their upbringings being so starkly different from one another, they shared one thing in common; love.