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Chapter Text

“This is fucking ridiculous.”

“There is absolutely no way I’m putting on a blindfold around any of these pricks.”

“Blindfolds don’t work on me anyway, because I’ve got Jedi skills.”

“Oh piss off, Phil.”

Adam had thought that a Department of Social Affairs and Citizenship team building weekend, at a fucking adult soft play centre no less, was the worst idea Stuart had ever had. Until, that is, he’d announced it was time for half the group to put on blindfolds and be led around a ball pit and foam block obstacle course. And to make it even worse, Stuart had paired everyone up, like they were primary school children. Adam was stuck with Emma, which could be worse to be honest, but poor Fergus had been paired with Phil and looked like he was one more Star Wars reference away from committing GBH with one of the many soft play hurdles that now littered the floor around them.

Stuart blows his whistle to quiet them all down. “This is a brilliant activity to build trust, something which is sorely lacking in this department. Remember, a single arrow is easily broken, but not ten in a bundle.” He shouts across the room from where he is stood on a makeshift platform, made up of garish blocks with animal faces on the side. Adam rolls his eyes for the 300th time that afternoon and tries not to buckle under the weight of so much second-hand embarrassment. “You get a point for every obstacle safely navigated, and you lose a point for any that you hit. Right! Fergus, Phil, you’re up first. Fergus, you wear the blind fold and Phil, you have guide Fergus around the obstacle course.”

At first Adam thinks Fergus is going to throw a complete tantrum and leave, but he obviously decides this isn’t the hill he wants his political career to die on and begrudgingly puts on the blindfold.

“He fucking hates me. He’s obviously just going to walk me into every single obstacle.” Fergus huffs as he finishes tying the blindfold. Adam glares at Phil, trying to silently convey just how much he’ll make him suffer if he actually risks Fergus breaking his neck in a ball pit. But he doesn’t think it’s worked when the first thing Phil does is walk Fergus into one of the padded walls.

“Oops.” Phil smirks and Adam grinds his teeth.

Phil proceeds to guide Fergus into almost every foam block and step on the makeshift course. The only ones he misses are the ones that Fergus happens to step over or around by chance. Towards the end is a series of uneven blocks beside a ball pit. Adam can tell what Phil is thinking as he watches them approach it.

Stuart is still stood on his psychedelic platform and has been tutting throughout Fergus and Phil’s run. “Come on, Phil. I’m not sure you’re trying.”

“Didn’t realise we had Sherlock fucking Holmes in our midst.” Adam mutters, and Emma sniggers. “Don’t be a prick, Phil.” He adds, loud enough for Phil to hear.

Phil just smirks again. “Walk forward four steps.” Fergus pauses, aware that as with every other instruction this is probably going to lead to him walking into something. Eventually he tentatively shuffles forward two steps. “I said four.” Adam wonders if punching Phil would count as team building when it’s something he’s pretty sure everyone else in the room would enjoy seeing.

Fergus steps forward again and catches his foot on one of the blocks. He tries to put his foot down to steady himself but the second block is slightly higher so he loses his balance.

Adam can tell Fergus is about to fall and steps forward to grab Fergus, pulling him upright and holding onto him. Fergus struggles against the hands holding him as he pulls off his blindfold, unsure of who has hold of him. He stills once he sees it is Adam.

“It’s ok, I’ve got you.” Adam mutters. He’s so close to him Fergus can see the flecks of grey in his blue eyes and the dark stubble around his chin. Somewhere at the back of his mind, Fergus knows he should step back and put some space between them, but all he can do is stare at Adam.

Adam hadn’t meant to get quite so close to Fergus. Or at least he’d meant to put some distance between them once Fergus was back on solid ground. This isn’t the first moment they’ve had, but he’s vaguely aware they’re surrounded by their colleagues and now is possibly the worst time to be reminded how much he wants to snog Fergus. But it’s like time has slowed and his brain won’t quite catch up.

“Ah, well caught Adam.” Stuart shouts across the room. “You’re not really supposed to intervene but I suppose it is team work of sorts.”

Stuarts voice, grating as it is, is enough to shake them both out of the moment and they both step back slightly. Adam’s hand lingers on Fergus for a few more moments, to make sure he’s steady.

“Thanks.” Fergus mutters.

“Jesus Christ, get a fucking room.” Adam had almost forgotten that Phil existed. What bliss.

He whips round to face Phil, pauses briefly and then unceremoniously shoves Phil into the ball pit he’d been trying to trip Fergus into. It pretty much descends into chaos from there. Stuart is blowing on his whistle, Phil is screaming about drowning and Mannion is walking off towards the hotel bar. Stuart is probably going to make the rest of Adam’s weekend as miserable as possible as punishment for that misdemeanour, but as he grins at a laughing Fergus, he figures it’s probably worth it.

Chapter Text

It was actually quiet. So quiet that it might have been suspicious if Alison wasn’t able to see all the inhabitants of Button House, living and dead, dispersed throughout the living room.

Alison sat on the sofa with a cup of tea, smiling softly as she looked around the room.

Not that he realised he had a sleep buddy, but Mike was napping on the other end of the sofa with Humphrey; Pat and the Captain were stood at the window as the latter pointed out a bird that had settled on the broken fountain; Julian and Robin were engrossed in a game of Chess; Mary and Fanny were discussing something they’d watched on Loose Women last week; and Thomas was reciting some poetry to Kitty, who actually looked genuinely enthralled.

She still felt a little guilty about the review, it felt dishonest somehow, even though it technically was a genuine review by genuine ‘guests’. But they’d been insistent, particularly the Captain. And if a stickler for the rules was so certain, she figured she was probably ok.

Alison had lost both her parents, and had no siblings, so ‘family’ wasn’t something she had in abundance. Of course she has Mike - sweet, caring, wonderful Mike - who she loves more than anything else in the world, but in the ghosts she’s discovered what it’s like to have a sister who idolises her, a stern but loving father who looks out for her, a cheeky uncle who gets her in, and out, of trouble. In the ghosts she got a group of people who despite being the most mismatched group going, bring a richness to her life she never thought she’d get to experience. And if that isn’t family, what is?

It was no secret that the last few days had had been a real test of her patience, and she isn’t naive enough to think they wouldn’t all drive each other crazy again soon but right now she’s feeling very lucky and full of love for this found family of hers.

Chapter Text

Food club (“If you could have any ice cream, what would it be?”) had been a moderate success despite Julian’s best efforts to derail it with smutty ice lolly references. Alison had joined them briefly, leaving rather sharply as Thomas began to detail the date he’d like to take her on to an ice-cream parlour (she seriously has to start limiting his access to Rom-Coms). The group were dispersing, off to do their own thing before film club later that evening. The Captain was already halfway through the wall, off to do his evening turn about the perimeter, when Pat jogged to catch up with him.

“Fancy some company?”

The Captain looked around sharply, always slightly surprised when anyone, especially Pat, actually wanted to spend time with him despite this being far from the first time Pat has asked to join him. “You’re welcome to join me, if you want.”

It didn’t escape Pat that the Captain never actually said what he wanted, but he knows the Captain is pretty good at letting them know what he doesn’t want, so he’s happy to assume that if he didn’t want Pat to tag along he would say so.

They settle into a steady pace as they make their way away from the house. Pat recalls the first time he realised that the Captain didn’t mind his company was when he actually slowed his pace from a quick march to something more suitable to Pat. Probably an odd thing to remember so fondly, but he does all the same.

Sometimes they chat, sometimes they walk in companionable silence. Today the Captain grumbles about Thomas, a sure sign he’s in a good mood.

“I just don’t see why he can’t leave the poor woman alone. It’s inappropriate, not to mention embarrassing.”

“He is a little over the top.” Pat agrees, “I don’t think he always realises how he comes across.” He adds, trying to sit on the fence in the spirit of fairness.

The Captain huffs. “Young Alison has made it quite clear she doesn’t appreciate his attention, he needs to learn how to keep his thoughts to himself. Unrequited love is just a fact of life.” The Captain coughs, “Or, you know, death. He just needs to keep his thoughts to himself. I manage, and he’s had much longer to practice than I have.”

Pat is about to agree when the Captain’s words sink in. I manage. For just a second he wonders if he should just let it go and not pry, but curiosity gets the better of him. Who might the Captain love but not tell?! He can’t really imagine any of their fellow ghosts being his type, if he’s being honest. “What do you mean, you manage?”

The Captain huffs again. “Well, I love you but I wouldn’t dream of making you feel how Thomas makes Alison feel.” He says it so matter of fact, so resignedly, that Pat initially assumes that he’s misheard.

When he realises he hasn’t misheard he promptly stumbles over nothing and stops walking. After a few more steps the Captain realises Pat is no longer beside him and he turns back to find Pat staring at him with his mouth agape.

“Patrick, are you quite alright?” He asks, as if he hasn’t just turned Pat’s entire world upside down.

Pat stares for a few more moments and then says, “You what?”

The Captain frowns and walks back towards Pat. “I asked if you are ok? You look like you’ve seen a, well, a ghost.”

Pat would laugh if he hadn’t been completely side swept by the Captain’s casual declaration of love. “No, before that.”

The Captain turns away from him. “Please don’t make me say it again Patrick. I promise I won’t mention it again and I’d thank you to do the same.”

Pat reaches out to stop the Captain walking away. “Wait, you love me?”

The Captain turns back to face him, looking confused. “I always have. Surely you knew?”

Pat opens his mouth and then closes it again. He repeats this several times and the Captain shows uncharacteristic patience and restraint whilst Pat tries to re-calibrate everything he thought he knew.

Eventually the Captain shifts uncomfortably. “Well,” he says, hands gripping his swagger stick and twisting it anxiously, “I thought you knew. I thought everyone had realised.”

Pat shakes his head and the Captain looks faintly horrified. He looks like he’s about to bolt and Pat reaches out a hand to grip the Captains sleeve, holding him in place.

“Don’t go. Please.” Pat takes a deep breath. “Stay. I just need a minute to process this.”

The Captain doesn’t leave, but he still looks like he might at any moment, so Pat maintains his grip on his sleeve. He adjusts his glasses with his free hand. “Just to be clear Cap, because I don’t want to assume, are you talking about love between friends or… romantic love?” Two minutes ago Pat would have sworn blind that the Captain tolerated him at absolute best, so to find out either of those two things are an option is more than a little mind blowing.

The Captain tugs slightly against Pat’s grip, his fight or flight mode kicking in and definitely favouring flight as the best option here. But looking at Pat he can’t imagine him ever actually hurting him or thinking badly of him. Pat’s still here, despite his confession, so maybe he can be brave. He closes his eyes, as if bracing himself for impact. “Romantic love.” He eventually says.

He keeps his eyes shut, so when he feels Pat’s hand move from his sleeve to hold his hand, and cool lips and the bristle of a moustache against his cheek he jumps slightly. He opens his eyes in shock. Whatever he’d been expecting, it certainly hadn’t been that. He lifts his hand to his cheek, touching his skin where Pat’s lips had been just moments ago.

He looks at Pat, who is smiling gently at him. “Pat.” The Captain starts but trails off, unable to find the words. Pat squeezes his hand gently. “Patrick, does this mean you- I mean, what does-”

“It means I love you too. You thought you were being obvious, well I thought it was written all over my face every time I looked at you.”

The Captain shakes his head. “I had no idea. I don’t think I’m very good at picking up this sort of thing though. I don’t think I’m very good at any of this.”

Pat laughs kindly and squeezes his hand again. “Well, apparently we’re both pretty oblivious, but I think we’re on the same page now, Cap, yeah?”

The Captain smiles softly and nods. He places a shy kiss against Pat’s cheek, mirroring Pat’s earlier action. “Yes, Pat, I believe we are.”

Chapter Text

Fergus rubs his hands together and tries as hard as he can not to fidget. Adam always tells him off for fidgeting when he goes out on these sort of visits but, then again, Adam isn’t the one stood at the side of a skate park freezing his bollocks off. In fact he’s got a good mind to fire Adam for even thinking that him attending the opening of a community skate park by a local youth charity would be a good idea. The only saving grace was that because Fergus was attending, Mannion’s team had forced him to attend too, and he looked even more ridiculously out of place than Fergus did.

To add insult to injury, Mannion wasn’t fidgeting because he was actually properly kitted out for a mid-November afternoon, including those stupid leather gloves that all evil overlords seem to wear. Phil had probably lovingly helped Mannion put them on. Fergus tries not to grimace outwardly, he actually feels a bit sick at that thought.

Adam, on the other hand, had just kicked Fergus out of the car and told him he’d be nearby. A quick glance around tells him that Adam has fucked off God knows where and left him to freeze.

It feels like forever waiting until the ribbon has been cut and he manages to force a few words out past his chattering teeth. When he can finally leave he looks around for Adam, who is still nowhere to be seen. He glances down at his phone and sees the car is about ten minutes out. He heads towards the road anyway, desperate not to get caught up in any conversations with anyone at this event.

He’s just about to phone Adam when he spots him crossing the street. “Where the fuck have you been? I’m fucking freezing and need I remind you this was your stupid idea.”

Adam rolls his eyes. “I told you to wear some gloves. You wouldn’t even take a scarf.” Fergus just huffs childishly in response. “Here, take this.” He holds out a paper coffee cup.

Fergus eyes it warily. “What is it?”

“Jesus, Fergus. Hot. It’s hot is what it is. Now fucking take it.” Fergus takes the cup and the instant warmth against his freezing fingers feels agonisingly good.

He sniffs the steam. “Is this hot chocolate?” he asks.

Adam’s eye roll is more fond this time. “Of course it fucking is. Now drink it, and stop fucking complaining.” He also pulls off his own scarf and steps in close as he wraps it around Fergus’s neck. It’s soft and warm and Adam’s fingers are hot against his skin as he adjusts the scarf.

“Thanks.” He mutters as he sips the hot drink.

“I just can’t stand listening to you whining.” Adam retorts, already seemingly engrossed in something on his phone. But Fergus can see the smile Adam is trying to hide. Adam might be a complete bastard, but he’s got a soft spot for Fergus and that makes him feel even warmer inside than the hot chocolate does.

Chapter Text

Standing beside him in the lift, Fergus still couldn’t believe that Adam had agreed to be his plus one to this wedding.

***

One month earlier

Fergus sighed for the fourth time in ten minutes. He’d been in an appalling mood all morning and Adam was sick of it. He stood up. “Right, get up.”

“What?” Fergus was staring at him like he’d grown a second head.

Adam nods towards the door. “With me, now.” He stalks out of the office and doesn’t need to look back to know that Fergus is following him.

Adam walks along the corridor until he finds the door he’s looking for. He stops, opens the door and waits for Fergus.

“Adam, what the fuck are we doing?” Fergus grumbles as he finally catches up with Adam.

“We’re having a meeting.” Adam replies, pushing Fergus through the door and closing it behind them.

“In a cupboard?!”

“Yes.” Adam switches on the light. “Now, what’s wrong with you this morning?”

“You seriously locked me in a cupboard to ask me what’s wrong?”

“I locked you in a cupboard because you’re being a little bitch. If you want to have this conversation with Phil listening in, be my guest.” Fergus shakes his head. “Right. So tell me what’s wrong so I can fix it and we can go back to work.”

Fergus stares at Adam, torn between being furious and fond. He’s tempted to say nothing, but Adam isn’t wrong, he has been awful this morning. He sighs. “I’ve been invited to one of my uni friends weddings.”

It’s Adam’s turn to look at Fergus like he’s grown a second head.

“It’s only the evening, but it’s got a plus one.” Fergus adds, like this explains it all. Adam’s face says ‘give me the abridged version’. “All my uni friends are settled down, or at least seeing someone. Every wedding I go to I’m the only one who’s single. It’s depressing.”

“Just invite someone to go with you.” Adam says, like it’s the easiest thing in the world. Which it probably is for him.

“That’s easy for you to say. Who would I even ask? You’re the only person I spend time with outside work, and I doubt you’d want to come to a wedding with me!”

“Well, not if you ask like that.”

“Wait, what?” Fergus looks even more confused now. “Are you saying you’d actually come if I asked you?” Adam doesn’t say anything immediately so Fergus asks, “Will you? Be my plus one?”

“Yeah, alright.” Fergus gapes at him. “Now, can we get on with work without you huffing and sighing every two minutes?”

“Yeah, ok.” Fergus still looks a little stunned as Adam drags him back out of the cupboard.  “Thanks.”

***

Fergus had thought that Adam would change his mind, but he hadn’t. And now they’re here. Fergus glances at Adam. Adam’s wearing a navy blue shirt and he looks so good. Not for the first time Fergus wonders whether it was a mistake bringing Adam, but the temptation of having his friends think that he was seeing someone, especially someone like Adam, was too great to pass up.

The doors open and they step out into the lobby. Fergus sees a group of his mates and feels faintly sick. One of them shouts and waves him over. He glances across at Adam again. Adam gives him a gentle nudge. “Go ahead. I’ll go get us some drinks.”

Fergus just nods and heads over. “Fergus! Alright mate.” George claps him on the shoulder and he does his best not to wince. Fergus didn’t think they were that late, but apparently his friends have still had plenty of time to hit the bar.

He does a round of hellos and spends a few minutes catching up. A few people wander off towards the dance floor and he steals one of their seats. He glances around and spots Dave, who was more of a friend of a friend at university and not someone that Fergus had ever got on that well with. He looks away quickly but they make brief eye contact.

“Fergus!” Dave, who has a yet another new woman on his arm, hones in on him and Fergus is immediately reminded of why he doesn’t like him. “On your own again I see.” He laughs and Fergus grinds his teeth. The fact that none of his friends come to his defence isn’t lost on him, nor is how reminiscent this situation is of his entire time at university.

Fergus opens his mouth to respond, although he’s not really sure what to say, but is saved by Adam placing their drinks down beside him. He glances up at Adam and is surprised to find he looks furious. “Hey, what’s-”

He cut off when Adam leans down and cups his cheek, pulling him into a kiss. After a few seconds, Adam pulls back and sits in the chair beside Fergus, resting one hand on Fergus’s thigh and offers the other to Dave.

“Hi, I’m Adam. Nice to meet you.” Dave shakes his hand and Fergus watches as Adam squeezes tightly.

Dave winces and mutters, “Yeah, you too.”

Fergus sits quietly, still slightly shell shocked, as Adam chats with his friends like he’s known them forever. If his head wasn’t still repeating Adam kissed me. Fuck, Adam kissed me he might be jealous of Adam’s superior people skills.

He’s brought back into the moment by Adam lightly squeezing his leg. “Earth to Fergs.”

Fergus jumps. “Sorry, I was miles away, what did you say?”

Adam smiles fondly. “I asked if you wanted to go and dance?”

Fergus absolutely does not dance. But he finds himself nodding and taking Adam’s hand. He leads them into the crowd of people on the dance floor until they’re out of sight of his friends, and then he continues leading him towards a door that leads outside. He doesn’t stop until they’re outside and a suitable distance from the other guests.

When they finally stop, Adam turns to face him. “I’m sorry.”

Fergus frowns. “What for?”

“For kissing you. I took it too far.” Adam looks genuinely upset and Fergus isn’t sure he’s ever seen him look like that before.

“It’s fine.” But Adam is shaking his head and Fergus isn’t sure he’s even listening. “Seriously Adam, it’s ok. It was nice, and not exactly unwelcome, even if you didn’t really mean it.”

Adam continues. “I overheard that prick taking the piss out of you and I just wanted to wipe the smug look off his face.” By this point Adam is pacing. “It made you uncomfortable and I’m really sorry.”

Adam stops pacing abruptly and looks at Fergus. “Wait, what did you say?”

Fergus realises what he had said and briefly contemplates pleading ignorance, but he really wants to reassure Adam that he’s not upset about this. “I said it was nice.” His voice barely above a whisper. “It wasn’t unwelcome, even though I know you didn’t really mean it.”

Adam stares at him for a few seconds and then the next thing Fergus knows is Adam has got hold of the front of his jacket and they’re kissing again. And Jesus Christ it’s even better when he knows Adam means it.

Fergus finds himself pushed up against the wall, Adam’s lips trailing across his jaw and down his neck. He gasps when Adam bites his neck just the right side of painful and then soothes the bite with his tongue.

“Fuck, Adam.” Fergus is clinging to Adam’s hips, pulling him as close as possible.

Eventually Adam pulls back slightly to put a bit of space between them. Fergus can’t remember running his fingers through Adam’s hair, but he must have done because it’s messed up in a way that makes Fergus want.

“Much as I’m enjoying this, I wonder if we should cool it slightly. We are in public and you’re a government minister.”

Fergus wants to protest but deep down he knows Adam is right. He’s worried if they stop now they might never carry on, and now he’s got this he’s determined not to let it go. “Or, we could say fuck this lot of pricks and go back to our room?”

Adam grins and leans in close to Fergus again. ““I was rather hoping you would say that.”

Fergus grins back, pushes Adam away and then drags him towards the lift.

------------

I'm keeping this flufftober series 'suitable for work' but my initial draft of this was more 'not suitable for work'...! So I decided to post that version separately, for anyone who is interested ;)

NSFW (explicit) version: https://archiveofourown.to/works/50597128

Chapter Text

“Daley! Don’t run ahead too far!” Pat broke into a jog as his ten-year-old son disappears around a corner of the corn maze.

They’ve been in the maze about half an hour now, and Pat is almost certain he’s seen this bit of corn at least eight times already. He’s starting to wonder whether doing this maze was such a good idea after all, but Daley had been so excited that their town was holding a halloween festival this year and had begged Pat to take him. Pat was always trying to find fun things to do with Daley on the weekends he was with him, so this had seemed too good to be true.

Pat rounds the corner and finds Daley talking to a young girl. “Dad, this is Kitty, from my school. Her and her dad are lost too!”

Just as Pat is greeting Kitty, a man appears around the corner, looking slightly frantic. “Kitty! There you are. I thought I’d lost you.”

“Sorry, Dad.” Kitty looks slightly forlorn for a moment and then brightens. “This is Daley, my friend from school! And this is Daley’s dad…” She trails off, realising she doesn’t know Pat’s name.

Pat steps forward and offers his hand in greeting. “Pat.”

“Theodore.” Theodore shakes his proffered hand briefly.

“They’re lost too, Dad.” Kitty and Daley both speak at the same time.

Pat and Theodore both speak over each other in a rush to save face.

Pat squeaks and mutters, “Well, I wouldn’t say we’re lost exactly, Daley.”

Theodore coughs and splutters out, “I know exactly where we are, Katherine.”

Both men glance at each other. “I’m a Scoutmaster,” Pat looks around as he speaks. “So I’ve got a pretty good sense of direction. It’s definitely that way.” Pat points right.

Theodore scoffs and Pat glares at him. “Well, I was a Captain in the army, so I know a thing or two about getting out of a tight spot. It’s definitely that way.” The Captain gestures left.

Kitty and Daley look at each other with a smile.

Pat and the Captain glare at each other for a moment longer. “Humph. Come along, Katherine.” Kitty smiles and waves at Pat and Daley as she follows her dad.

Pat tuts and starts walking in the opposite direction. “What a rude man. Come on, Daley, we’ll be out of here in no time.”

Ten minutes later Pat rounds a corner and walks straight into someone. “Oh God, I’m so sorry!” He looks up and sees the Captain scowling down at him. “Oh, it’s you.”

“Hmmm, taking the scenic route are we?” The Captain looks smug until Pat points out that if he’s lost they both must be. “Damn and blast!” The Captain stalks off at random and Pat does the same. Kitty and Daley roll their eyes kindly and wish each other luck before chasing after their dads.

They cross paths another three times.

Twenty minutes later and Pat is wondering whether he needs to try and call someone to rescue them. He swears the maze hadn’t looked this big from the outside. He stops in a slight clearing to take a breather. Before he can voice these thoughts to Daley, Kitty and the Captain arrive in the clearing.

Pat is about to make a comment but he pauses. The Captain looks about as fed up as he feels. They stare at each other for a few seconds until Pat says, “Ok, I admit it, we’re totally lost. I have no idea how to get out of here.”

The Captain’s shoulders slump and he sighs. “Yes, we’re lost too. I don’t even know which way we’re facing anymore.”

He looks so defeated Pat wants to reach out and put a hand on the man’s shoulder, but he’s fairly sure it wouldn’t be welcome. “Perhaps we should work together?”

The Captain hesitates a second before nodding. “Yes, I think that would be wise, Patrick.”

Kitty and Daley, who had been talking quietly between themselves, tug on their dads’ sleeves. “What is it Daley?”

“Kitty and I think we know the way out.”

Pat looks at Daley, then at Kitty and finally his eyes settle on the Captain.

“Well, lead the way then.”

Pat and the Captain fall into step behind Daley and Kitty, who navigate with much more confidence than either of the adults had managed. Five minutes later they’re stood on the outside of the corn maze.

“Thank you both, very good work.” The Captain actually smiles, looking more relaxed now he’s outside the maze.

Pat nods in agreement. “Yes, orienteering badges all round I think!”

“Can Kitty and I go on the Ferris Wheel, Dad?”

Pat looks at the Captain. “Fine by me.”

“Yes, go ahead.” He looks towards the ride and notices a coffee stand nearby. “We’ll wait for  you by that coffee stand.”

Kitty squeals and grabs Daley’s hand, pulling him towards the ride.

Pat chuckles and when he looks across at the Captain he sees he is smiling softly. “Kitty’s a lovely girl, I’m glad Daley’s got a friend like her. Clever girl too, getting us out of that maze so quickly.”

The Captain’s smile widens and Pat is suddenly struck by how handsome the Captain is. He wonders whether Daley and Kitty meeting in the maze had been as spontaneous as they’d have them believe. “Thank you. Daley’s a smart lad. Kitty speaks very highly of him.”

Pat smiles in return. “Can I get you a coffee?”

“Ah, no better not, or I’ll be up all night.”

“They do decaf.”

“Well, ok then. But please, allow me.” He reaches for his wallet but Pat waves him off gently.

“My treat. Maybe you can get our next one?” The Captain goes a lovely shade of pink but nods. Perhaps, Pat thinks, Kitty and Daley are as good at match making as they are at navigating mazes.

They sit and drink their coffees, taking the opportunity to ask about each other.

Pat learns that Theodore was Kitty’s Godfather and adopted her after her parents passed away when she was four; that he retired from the Army when he adopted Kitty and now works for a local museum; and that he has been single for several years. “Not a bad break up, per se, we just drifted apart I suppose. My priority is always Kitty and he wanted travel, to see the world. We just wanted different things.”

The Captain learns that Pat is a supply teacher and scoutmaster for a local troupe; that he loves camping and being in the outdoors, and that has been divorced from Daley’s mum for nearly two years. “We try to be as amicable as possible, for Daley’s sake. These days I just try to enjoy the time I have with him, rather than focusing on the bad bits. And avoiding Morris when I drop Daley off. Bastard.”

The Captain laughs at the descriptor of Pat’s ex-best friend. Pat laughs with him. It’s nice to be in a place where he can laugh with someone about it, rather than feel sad.

“Do you, ah, I mean have you ever, um,” The Captain stutters. “Have you dated, since the divorce?” He finally manages to get out, he pinkness in his cheeks giving way to a full blush.

Pat shakes his head. “Not really. I’ve been set up on a few blind dates but they never really went anywhere. The last fella was nice, but we didn’t really have much in common.”

The Captain looks up. Fella. He opens his mouth to speak when Kitty and Daley run up to their table. He closes his mouth and sits up straight again. Pat loves Daley more than anything but could curse his dreadful timing. He wonders what Theodore might have said if they hadn’t been interrupted.

Pat looks at the Captain but he won’t make eye contact. Pat sighs quietly and checks his watch. “Well, we’d best be heading off, Daley, it’s getting late. And I’m sure Theodore and Kitty want to get home too.”

Daley and Kitty both look a little put out but give each other a hug to say goodbye. “It’s a shame our plan doesn’t seem to have worked.” Daley whispers in her ear.

“Yes, I was so sure they’d love each other.” They smile sadly at each other.

“Yes, well, it was good to meet you Pat.”

“Yeah, you too Theodore.”

They walk off in opposite directions. Pat wishes he’d at least been brave enough to give the Captain his phone number.

He’s pulled out of his melancholy thoughts by someone calling his name. He turns around and sees the Captain jogging towards him. “Pat!”

“You ok, mate?”

“I, um, I wanted to give you my number. You know, in case you perhaps wanted to go out for dinner some time?” If Pat had thought the Captain had been red earlier, it was nothing to his face now.

Pat grins at him. “Yeah, I’d love that.” He hands the Captain his phone and watches him put his number in with slightly shaky hands. Pat takes his phone back. “Thanks.”

The Captain nods and gives a little wave before he heads off again. Kitty gives Daley a big thumbs up and then follows her dad.

Before they drive home, Pat opens up a new message on his phone.

Pat [19.26] I’m looking forward to that dinner x

Pat [19.27] This is Pat by the way x

Ted [19.28] Me too. Are you free this Friday evening? Ted x

Pat [19.50] Sorry, I was driving home. Yes, this Friday sounds great x

Ted [19.53] Good. I’ll call you later in the week to make proper plans. Ted x

Pat [20:00] Brillopads. Enjoy the rest of your evening xx

Ted [20:01] Night Pat. Ted x

Chapter Text

Adam is hopping in front of Fergus’s wardrobe, trying to pull his sock on whilst also find a clean shirt. He knows he has some spare ones here somewhere. He hadn’t planned on staying over last night, as they try to keep it strictly to weekends, but they’d played squash last night and Fergus’s shorts are really fucking tight. So one thing led to another and by the time they’d finished it had been so late than Fergus insisted he stayed over.

He really hates being late. And Fergus had a meeting at number 10 so he has already left, so Adam can’t even ask him where his spare shirts are. Finally he spots one of his shirts and pulls it from the hanger.

***

By the time Adam gets to the office it’s clear to him that the shirt he’s grabbed isn’t his. Fergus is a size or two smaller than him, so the shirt feels a little too tight across his shoulders and the collar is too snug. He fidgets with the collar in the lift, trying in vain to make it more comfortable. At least it’s just a plain shirt. No one will notice.

***

Wrong. Everyone had fucking noticed.

How can such an unobservant bunch of idiots suddenly become Hercule Poirot the second he picks up the wrong shirt? He closes himself away in Fergus’s office to get away from Phil’s smirking and Terri’s loaded comments.

By 10am Fergus is still not back and when he gets too desperate for caffeine he decides to risk the kitchen. It’s blissfully empty and he prays the kettle boils before anyone comes in.

Whichever god he prayed to must be having a day off because Emma steps into the kitchen, holding an empty mug.

Adam sighs.

“That’s Fergus’s shirt.” Emma smirks, casually leaning on the kitchen worktop.

“It’s just a fucking grey shirt, you can’t possibly know that.” At this point he’s too fed up to even put up much of a fight.

Emma’s smirk turns into a shit eating grin as Adam all but confirms it. “You’ve been wearing the same two shirts the whole time you’ve been here. And I’ve never seen you in that one.” She pauses for effect. “I’ve seen Fergus in it though.”

“Sounds like you spend too much fucking time looking at what shirts we’ve got on. No wonder you lot don’t have any fucking policies.”

It’s weak, and Emma doesn’t even have the good grace to pretend it was cutting. Instead she just laughs. “Oh Adam, I’m pleased for you.” She says, voice dripping with sarcasm. “I did tell you to come out.” And she’s gone before Adam can even think of a reply.

Adam leaves the kitchen without a cup of tea and slams Fergus’s office door behind him. He briefly considers using the sofa to barricade the door but settles for sitting with his back to the door and putting his headphones in instead.

***

When Fergus eventually gets back to his office he finds Adam sitting in his office. He says hello but Adam doesn’t seem to hear him, so Fergus walks over to his desk and into Adam’s line of sight.

Adam jumps. “Fucking hell, Fergus.”

“I did say hello.”

Adam gestures his headphones. “I couldn’t hear you, could I.”

Fergus sits at his desk. “Is there any reason why everyone in the office seems to know we’re sleeping together?”

Adam lets his head fall forward against the desk. “Fucking hell.” He swears, his voice slightly muffled against the desk. “I picked up the wrong shirt this morning and apparently our colleagues are more observant than I’ve ever given them credit for.”

Fergus walks out from behind his desk and stops next to Adam. “The wrong shirt?”

Adam sits up. “I’m wearing one of your shirts. Couldn’t really think up a decent excuse for that, especially not at half past eight in the morning, and before coffee.”

Fergus looks at Adam, his head tilted slightly. After a few seconds Adam shifts self-consciously. “What?!”

“Nothing. I-” Fergus cuts himself off, still looking decidedly distracted. “Actually, can I borrow you?”

“I’m in the middle of something.”

“It’s urgent, I’m afraid.” Fergus walks out of his office and towards the main office door. Adam jogs to catch up with him, ignoring the pointed stares of their colleagues.

Fergus leads him along the corridor until they come to a storage cupboard. Adam knows that cupboard well, having utilised it with Fergus on many occasion until a close call forced them to concede that they should try to keep their relationship out of the work place.

But now Fergus is dragging him through the door and slamming it behind them.

Fergus puts the light on and before Adam can speak Fergus is kissing him. “Fergus.” Adam mutters against Fergus’s lips. He gently pushes Fergus back and Fergus whines. He cups Fergus’s cheek to stop him leaning straight back in. “Fergus, is this seriously because I’m wearing your shirt?”

“So I like seeing my boyfriend in my clothes, sue me.” Fergus is about to lean in again when he realises what he’s said. “Um. Shit. I mean, we haven’t actually discussed that so I…” he trails off and pulls back from Adam.

Adam misses the contact immediately. He doesn’t respond straight away. Instead he reaches for Fergus’s tie and loosens it, pulling it over his head and putting it in his pocket. Fergus is frowning at him, having no idea what Adam is doing. Adam undoes his own tie and slides it off his neck. He loops it around Fergus’s neck and pulls him back towards him. When they’re almost kissing again Adam pauses and fastens the tie, smoothing Fergus’s collar back down. “I like seeing my boyfriend in my clothes too.”

Fergus grins. “Really?”

Adam nods. “Yeah.” He replies, before using the tie to pull Fergus the rest of the way and kissing him again.

Chapter Text

“… so you’re advised not to travel unless absolutely necessary, whilst the amber warning for rain is in place.”

Alison sighed. “I think we’re going to have to call your parents and cancel.” She gestures to the rain pouring outside the window. “There’s no way we can travel anywhere in this.”

“Yeah, I think you’re right.” Mike pulls his phone out of his pocket. “I’ll call mum now.”

“Sorry about your plans, Alison.” Pat says from his place by the window.

Alison looks up. Pat had been so uncharacteristically quiet that she hadn’t noticed him there. “Thanks, Pat.” She notices he doesn’t look his usual, cheery self. “Are you ok?”

Pat seems to shake himself and the next thing Alison knows he is smiling so brightly she wonders whether she was imagining things. “I’m fine Alison. Oh, would you look at the time, I’ll be late for food club!”

He’s gone before Alison can answer. She decides to go and find Mike. Perhaps she can cheer Mike up with the promise of a movie night? It’s only when she’s halfway up the stairs that she realises that food club is always in the lounge. And there are no other ghosts on their way. But why would Pat lie?

“Afternoon, Alison. I hope you and Michael won’t be heading out in this dreadful weather?”

“Hey, Cap. No, we’re definitely staying here.”

The Captain smiles. “I’m glad to hear it.” He starts walking away when Alison stops him.

“Captain, are you off to food club right now?” She asks.

The Captain frowns. “I didn’t think there were anymore clubs today. It is Saturday, isn’t it?”

Alison nods, also frowning. “Is something bothering you, Alison?”

“It’s probably nothing. But Pat looked a bit, well, sad earlier.” It doesn’t escape her notice that the Captain stands up a little straighter when he hears this. “I asked if he was ok and he said he was. But then he told me he had to go to food club and it sort of felt like he was avoiding me.”

The Captain’s frown deepens. “Perhaps I should go find him, check he’s ok?”

Alison smiles. “Would you? That would be great. I need to check on Mike, he’s pretty disappointed about not being able to go and see his family.”

“Of course, Alison, leave it to me.”

***

The Captain searches all over the house, but he can’t find Pat. He even tries the basement, albeit it briefly. He’s starting to get pretty worried when he finally comes across Pat in the attic room. He’s sitting on the side of the unmade bed, staring out of the window.

The Captain doesn’t want to startle Pat, so he clears his throat gently. Pat doesn’t hear him, or if he does he doesn’t react. “Patrick?”

The Captain speaks gently but Pat still jumps. He turns to face the Captain with a smile that the Captain can tell immediately is fake. “Blimey, Cap, you nearly gave me a heart attack.” The Captain raises an eyebrow. “Well, figuratively speaking of course.”

“Ah, apologies, Patrick.” The Captain loiters in the doorway and Pat looks at him expectantly. “May I come in”

Pat hesitates briefly and then nods. His smile has already dropped slightly, like he doesn’t have the energy to sustain it.

The Captain sits down beside Patrick, leaving a respectable distance between them. “Is everything alright, Patrick?”

“Why does everybody keep asking me that today?” Pat tries to laugh but it falls flat. The Captain stays quiet and waits. “I guess I’m not really fine.” Pat continues.

“Well, a very wise man did once try to bestow to me the benefits of talking. I rather took my time, but I can confirm that he was most definitely correct.”

This time Pat’s smile is more genuine. “It’s silly really. The day I came home and found Carol and Morris’s clothes… Well, you know that part of the story. Anyway, I was supposed to be away at camp that weekend but it was cancelled at the last minute due to the weather. Really dreadful storm: rain, thunder, lightning, the works. There was no way I could take the kids out in that so I ended up back home early. Ever since that conversation with Alison, where I realised what Carol and Morris had been up to, the rain reminds me of that day. I always feel so foolish. How did I not see it?”

“There’s nothing foolish about seeing the best in people. Especially the people we love.”

“I suppose, if I’m being honest, it’s Morris’s betrayal that hurts the most. He was my best mate, over thirty years we’d been friends. I just don’t know what I could have done that would make him do that to me.”

“Now listen here, Patrick.” The Captain turns to face Patrick. Pat can’t look away from the sudden steely anger in his eyes. “There is absolutely nothing you did or didn’t do. Sometimes people let us down, they do bad things, but they do them because of their own flaws, not our own.”

“I suppose so, Cap.” Pat sighs. “But maybe if I had been more-”

“But nothing, Patrick.” The Captain insists, grabbing Pat’s hand. “Pat, you are one of the kindest, most thoughtful and loving men I have ever known. Anyone who doesn’t see that, or worse, chooses to take advantage of that, is the one who is at fault. Never you.”

The Captain squeezes Pat’s hand and then lets go. He looks away and sits bolt upright again, worried that his uncharacteristic display of affection might not have been welcome. Pat is quiet for a few moments so the Captain risks a quick glance over at him. He’s rewarded by the sight of Pat smiling, his cheeks slightly pink.

“Thanks, Cap.” Pat looks out at the rain and for the first time since that day he doesn’t hate it. The rain running down the window seems more soothing than sad now, and it has a lot to do with the man sitting beside him. He shifts closer to the Captain. “You know, I think maybe the rain won’t make me so sad in the future.”

The Captain slowly lets himself relax and settles against Patrick’s side. “I’m glad, Pat.”

Chapter Text

1984

Pat looks down at his body and then squeezes his eyes tightly shut. This is just a bad dream. When he wakes up he’ll be at home in bed. Or maybe in a tent. But either way this is definitely just a nightmare.

Pat has no idea who is talking but he keeps his eyes tightly shut.

“You think he gone whoosh or stay?”

“Oh I do hope he stays, it would be nice to have a new friend!”

“Well I don’t, the amount of noise he’s been making with that gaggle of unruly boys.”

“It would be good to have a new audience for my work.”

“Shoulds one of us go look?”

The Captain glances around at his fellow ghosts. They’re all very interested, but no one seems particularly keen to actually venture towards the bus. He supposes it’s down to him as usual. Probably for the best. If that unfortunate fellow does stay, the last thing he needs is Thomas reciting poetry at him or Kitty inviting him for a sleepover. The Captain might not ordinarily be well suited to offering comfort, but he knows a thing or two about the importance of a friendly face when you come round from a shock like this.

The Captain steps forward into the bus. The man is stood beside the drivers seat, eyes tightly closed. He clears his throat. “Hello?”

The man’s eyes don’t open so the Captain steps slightly closer. “I’m the Captain, what’s your name?”

The man still doesn’t open his eyes. At first The Captain thinks he isn’t going to respond but eventually the man says, “Pat.”

“Patrick. Well, shall we think about getting off the bus. Nothing more to be done here, I’m afraid and it doesn’t do any good to linger nearby, trust me.”

Finally, Patrick opens one eye and squints at the Captain. He’s greeted by a stern, authoritative looking man, but he’s grateful that he seems to be treating him very gently and kindly. He nods, letting the Captain take him by the arm and lead him off the bus.

“I think I might be in shock.” Pat whispers.

“I’d be surprised if you weren’t.” The Captain replies, his grip tightening soothingly on Pat’s arm.

Five other people are stood near the bus, all straining to have a look at him. They all start speaking at once but the Captain speaks over them.

“Now then! Pat has had quite a shock and doesn’t need you lot inundating him with questions.” Their mouths all click shut in unison. “I’m going to show him around and find him a room. I’m sure once he’s settled he’ll be happy to introduce himself.”

Pat nods, offering a weak smile to his fellow ghosts, his new housemates, he supposes.

The Captain leads him directly to a room. “It isn’t much, but believe me it’s nice to have your own space.”

Pat nods. He feels like he’s been doing a lot of that over the past fifteen minutes.

“Once you’re feeling more settled I can give you a tour of the house and grounds.” Now the immediate issue is in hand, the Captain feels himself feeling more awkward and out of place again. “If you want, that is. I’m sure one of the other ghosts would be happy to otherwise.”

Pat finally manages a genuine smile. “I’d like it to be you. The others seem nice, but a bit of a lot.”

“Hmm, yes, they are rather. Shall I meet you here at seventeen hundred hours? That’s-”

“Five o’clock. Sounds good to me. Thanks Cap.”

The Captain is so pleased to have found someone who actually understands the military time system he’s willing to let the nickname pass.

***

Present day

“Are you alright, Pat?”

Pat jolts from his memories and finds the Captain looking at him in concern. They’d been watching television together but Pat must have zoned out. “Oh yes, sorry. I was miles away.”

“You’ve been staring at me for about five minutes.” The Captain shifts uncomfortably at the attention, although not as much as he might have done in years gone by.

“Sorry Cap, I was just thinking about my death day actually.”

“Oh?” The Captain frowns. Thinking about Pat’s death always made him feel guilty, torn between sorrow at his death and gratitude that it had brought him one of the best friends he’d ever had, in life or death.

“I was just thinking that I’m glad I saw you first. You made something awful into something that little bit better, and I’m not sure I’ve ever properly said thank you. So thank you.” Pat leans over and kisses the Captain lightly on the cheek.

The Captain feels his cheeks flush, although he’s not sure whether it’s the praise or the kiss. He’s still not very good at accepting a compliment, but he does manage a smile. “I’m glad too, Pat.”

Chapter Text

Adam can count on one hand the number of times he has actually worked in the main office. Usually he avoids it like the plague and works on the sofa in Fergus’s office. His back doesn’t like it, but the company is infinitely better.

He’s in the main office today because Fergus is having a meeting that Adam is definitely not invited to, which seems a bit ironic considering it’s partly about him. About three months ago their relationship had shifted from friends/co-workers to something more romantic. In all honesty they’d been teetering on the edge of more than friends since they’d first met. The lines trodden on so often they’d blurred into nothing. But they’d never actually acted on it, whatever their colleagues thought. But then they had, and it was fucking brilliant. It had been so long coming it was both a massive shift and almost insignificant all at the same time. Everything and nothing had changed.

But despite their usual inability to follow the correct procedures, this felt important enough to do it by the book and they wanted to declare it properly. So Fergus had contacted the relevant people. And now he was in a meeting, looking so increasingly pissed off Adam was starting to feel nervous. He figured the worst case scenario was not being able to work together anymore, but he’d thought that was unlikely. Now he’s not so sure.

He glances over again and watched Fergus run a hand through his hair. Adam wished he was in there to support, or manage it, or something. He is also conscious that all their colleagues are watching, trying to find out what the meeting is about. Only Phil had actually been stupid enough to ask, and Adam had told him to in no uncertain terms to fuck right off.

Suddenly Fergus stands up and his hands come down on his desk hard enough that it can be heard through the door. “It’s not just a fling.” Fergus might get annoyed, and bitchy, and loud, but Adam can count on one hand the number of times he’s actually heard Fergus shout. He’s definitely shouting now. “He’s the love of my life!”

The person sitting opposite Fergus holds his hands out to try and placate him. Whatever the man says to Fergus doesn’t seem to calm him down and the meeting seems to be winding up.

But Adam can’t really concentrate now. All he can hear is he’s the love of my life. He’s also vaguely aware of how silent the rest of the office is now and he’s pretty sure everyone is looking at him. Adam kind of wants to leave the office, but he told Fergus he’d be there when the meeting finished and he’s not breaking that promise.

The meeting ends shortly after that and Fergus sees them out. Adam manages to wait about twenty seconds before he’s out of his seat and following so that he can catch Fergus before he comes back into the office.

When he catches up with Fergus he’s alone and it seems like he’s waiting for Adam, like he knew he’d come and find him.

“Hey. Are they gone?” Fergus nods. He still looks furious. “Are you ok?”

“Not really.” It takes everything Adam has not to reach out to Fergus. “They asked if I wanted to risk my political career for a fling. I’m guessing you heard the rest.” Adam nods. “We can still work together, but we should probably expect a bit of bad press. To be fair, the electorate can’t hate me much more anyway.”

“And fuck them if they do. The press as well. We’ll work it all out together, if you want to.”

“Yeah, I do.” Fergus pauses. “That’s not really how I wanted to tell you that, by the way.”

Adam doesn’t insult them both by asking what Fergus is referring to. “I figured. Still, it’s nice to know.”

His glibness could go either way and at first Adam wonders whether he’s misjudged just how upset Fergus is, but then Fergus snorts. “Don’t be fucking smug.”

Adam laughs. Then his smile softens into something more sincere. “I love you too, you know.”

Fergus smiles back at him and leans in for a brief kiss.

“Shall we go home?” Adam adds. “I don’t know about you but I’m fucking sick of this place and I’d rather be having this conversation at home, preferably in bed.”

“Yes please.”

Chapter Text

Pat smiles at the receptionist as he signs out. “Bye, Sandra. Have a great weekend.”

“You too, Pat. See you next week.”

The school he’s been placed in for a fortnight is doing cross country this afternoon, and that is absolutely beyond Pat’s expertise. He can turn his hand to most subjects, but he draws the line at PE.

So he’s got an early finish, which is an excellent start to an already pretty awesome weekend. It’s his weekend with Daley, so he’s planning to pick him up early Saturday morning, taking him to the cinema in the afternoon and then they’re going trick or treating with Kitty and Ted on Saturday night. And he’s going out with Ted again this evening, which will be their fourth date.

It’s still early days, but Pat doesn’t think he’s connected with someone this well since his divorce.

Pat decides to use his unexpected downtime to walk into town to get himself some lunch. There’s a bakery that’s near the museum where Ted works that does the best scotch egg he’s ever had in his life. He couldn’t believe he’d never been in until Ted had taken him there on their second date and he’s vowed to make up for lost time whenever he can.

When Pat enters the bakery he spots Mary, the owner, sitting with a cup of tea. “Hi Pat. Sorry, I was just taking a breather after the lunchtime rush.” She moves to stand up.

“You’re fine. Finish your tea. I haven’t decided what I want yet, it’ll give me chance to have a look.” A fib, but one he’s glad of when Mary gives him a grateful look and settles back down.

Pat wanders along in front of the glass counter, admiring the many sweet and savoury treats on display. Whilst he can appreciate a nice cake, he’s much more of a savoury man. He’d rather have a slice of pie over a slice of cake any day.

He’s loved discovering things about Ted but possibly the thing that’s brought him the most joy is finding out what a sweet tooth the man has got. He always carried sweets in his pockets, which he insists are for Kitty but Pat has never seen her eat any. And when Mary had greeted Ted by name during their date, Ted had confessed to coming in for a slice of Mary’s triple chocolate cake at least three times a week. He smiles fondly at the memory of Ted flushing red as he shared that little confession.

Mary gets up and walks behind the counter. “Thanks, Pat.” She ties her apron back on. “Right, what can I get you?”

“Have you got any scotch eggs?”

“Got some coming out of the oven any moment now.” Mary walks into kitchen. “Not seen your fella yet today.” She calls through to him. Pat grins and flushes red at Ted being referred to as his ‘fella’.

“I think he’s got a school group in. Probably no time for lunch.”

Mary comes back in with a tray of scotch eggs. “Eat in or take away?”

Pat is about to say eat in when he has an idea. “Take away please Mary. And could I get a slice of your chocolate cake and two teas as well please?”

Mary smiles at him and finishes his order.

Ten minutes later he’s sat in the foyer of the museum, watching Ted finish up his tour. Pat recognises the class from a school he did some cover in a few months ago. He must have made a lasting impression as a few of the children say hello. “Hi Mr Butcher!”

“Hey, kids.” He gives the children a little wave. Ted looks over and spots him, giving him a smile.

When the children are all outside Pat heads over to Ted. “Alright, Cap? Thought I’d drop by and surprise you.”

Ted looks slightly confused at the nickname. “Cap?”

“Oh sorry, just kind of slipped out. I meant it affectionately, I wasn’t making light of your rank or anything. I won’t use it again.”

“No, no, I, er. Well, I could get used to it.” The little smile he was trying unsuccessfully to hide told Pat I could get used to it was probably a massive understatement but Pat is both too kind and too smitten to call him out on it.

“I got let off early so I popped into Mary’s. She said she hadn’t seen you and I guessed you haven’t had chance to stop for lunch yet.” He pops the bag on the desk and offers a cup of tea to Ted. “I know we’re seeing each other later but I thought I’d bring you lunch.”

Ted is eyeing the bag. “I don’t suppose that’s chocolate cake, is it?”

Pat laughs. “Course it is, Cap.”

Ted surprises Pat by leaning over and kissing him on the cheek. “Thank you.”

Well, that was new step. But, Pat thinks as he watches Ted take his first bite of cake and smile at him, he could certainly get used to it.

Chapter Text

Alison, Mike and the ghosts are sat around the television when everything suddenly turns off.

Mike turns to Alison, who in turn looks at Robin. “Is this you?”

“Not me! Not this time, anyway.” He adds under his breath.

Alison narrows her eyes at him but in fairness even Robin would struggle to put the power out in the whole house. “I’ll try and find some candles or something. Can you check the fuse box?” Alison asks Mike, who nods and heads out of the room using his phone as a torch.

“If we’ve actually got any, that is.” Alison mutters as she pulls her own phone out of her pocket and makes her way towards the kitchen.

The Captain falls into step beside her. “What about the candles from the last wedding?”

Pat appears on her other side. “There were some nifty little battery lanterns too.”

Alison smiles. “Thanks guys.” She stops by the basement stairs. “Any luck?”

There’s a crash and then a stream of bad language. A few seconds later Mike appears on the stairs. “Nothing wrong with the fuse box. I’ll try calling the electric company, see if there’s an outage.”

“Ok, I’m going to grab some of those candles and lights left over from Emily and Nick’s wedding.”

“Good idea!” Alison smiles as the Captain and Pat both preen at the indirect praise.

She finds the box of lights and pulls a few out to check the batteries. There’s a few lanterns, a box of candles and a few strings of fairy lights. Well, it’s better than nothing.

“You could set them up in the lounge, Alison. Light the fire, it’ll be just like camping!” Pat grins at her.

“Yeah, ok.” Probably not the worst idea to light a fire. If the powers out the heat is off too and this isn’t exactly the warmest of houses at the best of time.

“Don’t forget the matches.” Alison thanks the Captain and carries the box through into the lounge. By the time she’s finished laying out the lights, and lit the fire, the room actually looks quite cosy.

“Hey, this looks nice. So, the power is out across the whole area but they’re working to get it back on. Might be a couple of hours, might be overnight.”

“There’s probably enough light in here to play a board game, if you like? I think we’ve got Trivial Pursuit around here somewhere.”

Mike nods and goes to find the game.

***

"Yellow. Eurgh.” This will be the fifth history question she’s got wrong. She can feel Pat and the Captain judging her from their spot on the sofa.

“On 17 December 1967, what happened to the Australian prime minister?”

Alison huffs again. She’s about to pass on the question when Julian walks in with Robin. “Oh I remember that! Harold something or other.” He sits down in his usual chair and crosses one leg over the other. “Went missing when out for a swim!”

Alison is about to tell him off for helping her, she really is. But then she looks at her counter, without a single wedge, compared to Mike who is already two thirds of the way to winning. She never wins at Trivial Pursuit. “Erm, I think I read about this somewhere. Did he go missing?”

Mike turns over the card. “Huh, yeah he did.” He hands her a yellow wedge, none the wiser. Just a little help to get started, she tells her guilty conscious. Julian’s proud smirk doesn’t make her feel much better either.

She rolls again and lands on orange. “Which craft uses moss, purl and stocking techniques?”

Mary walks in with Kitty and Lady Button, followed shortly by Thomas and Humphrey. “Why Mike be talking ‘bout knittings?”

Well, she can’t really be blamed for that, can she? “Er, knitting?”

“You’re on a roll.” Mike says, just to cement her guilt.

“Yep. Pink please.” She’ll be good from now on.

“The character Moose appears in which series of dance movies?”

“Oh! I love Moose!” Kitty shrieks. “He’s my favourite in all the Step Up films! Why is Mike asking about him?”

“They’re playing a board game Kitty. You answer questions and if you get it right you collect the little coloured piece that matches the question. The winner is the first person to collect all the pieces, get to the centre and answer a final question.”

“Is Alison winning?”

“Not at the moment, but if you keep helping her to cheat, she may do.” The Captain interjects, disapproval at Alison’s methods clear in his voice.

Alison now has three segments to Mike’s four. She gets a question wrong, to ease her conscious but Mike gets his wrong too.

“What is the name of the research and development project that produced the first nuclear weapons during World War II?”

The Captain sits up straight. “I was just watching a programme about this last week. Fascinating stuff the Man-” He cuts himself off, aware that he was about to do the very thing he’d just told the others off for. Alison glances over at him, trying to give him a pleading look without Mike noticing.

The Captain holds out for a few seconds, but is unable to resist both the urge to be right, and to help Alison. “The Manhattan Project.”

“Is it the Manhattan Project?” Alison asks, with an innocent look on her face.

“Yeah, it is.” Mike says, turning the card back over. “Hey, I bet the Captain would have known that one.”

Alison is glad the glow from the lanterns hides her red face. “Yeah, maybe.”

Mike looks at her, realisation dawning. He then looks up at the ceiling. “Have you all been helping her?”

“Sorry, it was an accident. They blurted out the answers and it was too tempting to pass up!” Alison is glad when Mike wraps an arm around her.

“It’s ok. Last time we played scrabble I might have used an app on my phone whilst you were turning the pages of Lady B’s book.” Alison laughs, feeling less guilty now. “Hey, I bet the ghosts know loads of stuff. We could start again and they could join in?”

The ghosts all nod, looking pleased. Alison smiles at Mike. “That’s a great idea, thank you.” She kisses Mike and as she looks round at the ghosts' happy faces lit up by the soft glow of the candles, lanterns and fairy lights, she’s glad there was a power cut this evening.

Chapter Text

I have re-read this chapter, and upon reflection I'm worried that it refers to a topic that I don't have enough knowledge or experience of to make it accurate or do it justice. I have therefore removed this chapter and will possibly look to re-write it or replace it in due course.

Chapter Text

“And you’re absolutely sure you don’t mind?” Sarah is stood by their front door, holding the smallest bag she’s been able to carry since Ella was born.

“It’s fine, honestly.” Inside, Fergus is decidedly not fine. He still maintains there is no way he should be left in charge of an 18 month old. But he won’t be on his own, Adam will be with him, and therefore he’s telling Sarah the truth. Kind of. “We’ll be fine. Go have your haircut, have a bit of time for yourself.”

“Thanks guys. Just call me if you need anything.” Sarah grins at them both and heads out the door.

Adam walks in and laughs. “What?” Fergus gripes.

“Your face. She won’t be gone for long, I’m sure we can manage with a toddler for a couple of hours.” Adam kisses Fergus to distract him from his sulk.

“Easy for you to say, she actually listens to you.” But he’s smiling.

“That’s because I’m her favourite.” Adam skips out of Fergus’ reach when he tries to swat him and laughs when Fergus sticks his tongue out. “Come on, let’s have a coffee before she wakes up.”

***

When Ella wakes up Adam asks her if she wants to go to the park. He figures getting out of the house will be good for both the toddlers in his life. Fergus is not as appreciative of this gesture as Ella.

Ella insists she wants to walk, so they decide to not take the pushchair. They get about halfway there when Adam can tell that Fergus is getting tired of snails pace. “Hey Ella,” Ella looks up at Adam with a grin, always happy to have the attention of her favourite uncle. “Do you want to go up on my shoulders? We can race uncle Fergus to the park!”

Ella nods and then squeals as Adam lifts her up high onto his shoulders. Even Fergus can’t maintain his grumpy facade when he watches them play together. “Three, two, one… Go!” He shouts, starting to run on one to try and get a head start on Adam.

“Cheat!” Adam calls after him, laughing when Ella copies him.

Even with his head start, Fergus still loses. He wants to blame it on the bags he’s laden with (no wonder Sarah had been so excited to just have one bag with her for her haircut) but considering Adam is carrying a small person on his shoulders he’s not sure his excuse holds much water.

And at least when they get to the park Fergus can sit down. Adam has to help Ella on every piece of equipment. If Adam had a pound for every time he’d heard “Uncle Adam help!” since they’d arrived on Thursday evening he’s fairly sure he could retire comfortably. And if Adam minds he does a very good job of hiding it. He decides to give Adam a rest and walks over to them both.

“Hey, would you like me to push you on the swings for a bit?”

“Yeah, go on then.” Adam replies.

Fergus snorts. “I was obviously talking to Ella.” Adam laughs, checks Ella isn’t looking at him and makes a rude gesture at Fergus. A lady walking past tuts at them, which only serves to make them both laugh even more.

“Come on Ella, let’s go on the swings and uncle Fergus can push us both!” Fergus shakes his head but follows them to the swings.

***

Half an hour of park later, Ella is finally looking a bit exhausted. Her bottom lips starts quivering and Adam, sensing a possible tantrum, scoops her up. “Are you sleepy, little one?” Ella shakes her head but yawns widely. She rests her head against Adam’s shoulder and promptly falls asleep. Adam lets out a sigh of relief. “That could have gone either way.”

Fergus nods. “Don’t tell Sarah how quickly she fell asleep on you, or she’ll want you as an au pair.

They gather the bags up and slowly walk home. At one point Adam stops to carefully shift Ella so he can swap arms. Fergus asks if he wants to swap but Adam shakes his head. “I’m fucking knackered, but if we swap she might wake up, and I think that might be worse.”

When they get home Fergus helps Adam put Ella down in her cot. “You’re definitely her favourite.”

Adam rolls his eyes and grumbles. “I hate it.”

Fergus smiles at him. “No, you don’t.”

Adam looks down at Ella fast asleep, clinging to the bear he bought her for Christmas last year. He strokes her head gently as she stirs, and smiles when she settles again. Fergus wraps an arm around him and they watch her sleep for a few moments. “No,” Adam replies, turning to kiss Fergus’s temple, “you’re right, I don’t.”

Chapter Text

One of the many things the Captain admires about Pat is his punctuality. The routine that Pat has brought into their deaths brings him a great deal of comfort.

Which is why when the other ghosts have dispersed, fifteen minutes after food club was supposed to start, because Pat hasn’t arrived, the Captain is immediately on edge. He looks around the room, trying to contain his panic. Usually when he feels like this he would reach out to Pat for reassurance, but today he’s the source of his anguish. He tries to think back to the last time he saw Pat. Was it this morning? Or, Good Lord, perhaps it had been yesterday?

“Morning Captain.” Alison says as she passes him.

“Alison! It’s an emergency!” Alison stops and turns to face him, looking perplexed. He supposes, with the ghosts’ usual flair for the dramatic, that he can’t blame her for her scepticism. “An actual, proper emergency! Pat is missing!”

“Pat? He was at breakfast this morning.” She frowns, clearly remembering Pat standing over her shoulder whilst she dipped her soldiers into an egg.

“He didn’t arrive for food club. Pat never misses a club.” The Captain insists. Alison is about to speak when the Captain moves closer to her. “What if he’s been sucked off?” He whispers, anguish clear in his voice.

“Moved on.” Alison can’t help but wince and correct him. “I mean, we know that’s a possibility,” She knows there is no point lying to the Captain, “but let’s not panic. Have you searched for him?”

The Captain shakes his head. “Not yet, I-” I don’t want to do it alone.

Alison smiles at him kindly and glances at her watch quickly. “Well, I’ve got time. Shall we start in the garden?”

***

Thirty minutes later they still haven’t found Pat and the Captain can feel himself spiralling.

“I’m sure we’ll find him Captain.” Alison is trying to sound reassuring but even she is starting to worried now.

“But what if we don’t Alison, what if it’s too late and he’s been-” The Captain cuts off as they walk into a clearing in the woods and spot Pat, sat on a tree stump. “Pat.” The Captain whispers and the sound is so relieved, so soft, so intimate that Alison feels as though she’s eavesdropping on something she shouldn’t have heard. She wishes, and not for the first time, that she could reach out and lay a comforting hand on the Captain.

“Pat!” Alison calls out.

Pat jumps and turns around, standing up when he spots Alison and the Captain. “Oh, hi guys. You ok?”

“Are you ok? We’ve been trying to find you. You missed food club and we’ve been worried.” Alison replies.

Pat looks at the Captain and his eyes widen. As a rule the ghosts don’t change much, you stays how you dies, and all that. But the Captain looks haunted and Pat feels horribly guilty. “I’m sorry, I must have lost track of time. I woke up feeling a bit forlorn this morning and couldn’t shake it off, so I thought a bit of time outdoors might do me some good.” He looks between Alison and the Captain as he speaks but then his eyes settle on the Captain. “I didn’t mean to worry you, I’d never do that on purpose.”

The Captain still hasn’t said anything but Alison can feel the relief radiating off him, even if he does still look on edge. She thinks her presence might be preventing the Captain from speaking freely so she says, “I’m just glad you’re ok Pat. I’ll head back, let the others know you’re ok.”

Pat nods, his eyes barely leaving the Captain. “Thanks, Alison.”

The Captain finally speaks as Alison turns to leave. “Thank you, Alison.”

Alison turns and smiles at him. “Any time, Captain. You know you can always reach out to me.” A grateful smile flashes across his face briefly and then he nods.

Pat waits until Alison has left the clearing. “I really am sorry, Cap. I would never…” He trails off. Before it would have felt presumptuous to assume his absence would worry the Captain. They were close, sure, but he was never quite sure what was going on in the fiercely private man’s mind. But now the fear and worry was right there to see. Pat reaches out and lays a hand on the Captain’s arm. “I would never worry you on purpose like that.”

The Captain is silent for just long enough that Pat begins to worry and he lets his hand drop back to his side. “I know you wouldn’t.” He finally says. “I wasn’t worried, Pat. I was terrified. I thought you’d-” He swallows audibly. “I’m just glad you’re ok, Pat. I’m glad you’re still with me - I mean us, still with us.”

Pat is stunned. He’s not sure he’s ever heard the Captain so honest. And then he surprises him further. “Actually, Pat, I did mean me. I’m so very glad you’re still here with me.” He looks at Pat and he’s overwhelmed by the amount of love the Captain is looking at him with.

Pat steps closer to the Captain and holds one of his hands gently. “I’m glad I’m still here with you too, Cap. There’s nowhere I’d rather be.” The Captain closes his eyes, but squeezes Pat’s hand tightly, keeping him close.

When the Captain opens his eyes again, Pat is still there, smiling at him, lovingly. “Cap, can I kiss you?”

The Captain nods and Pat kisses him. It’s achingly gentle and only lasts a few seconds but the Captain thinks it might be the best moment of his entire existence. “Is that ok?” Pat whispers against his lips, his hand stroking his cheek softly.

The Captain shivers delightfully. “Yes, very ok.” Pat’s smile lights up places within him he thought would be dark for all eternity and all he can do is smile back, before leaning in to kiss him again.

Chapter Text

Ted rolls over and stretches, jumping when his hand brushes against someone beside him. He opens his eyes and sees Pat sitting up in bed beside him.

Pat looks down at him and smiles. “Morning, Sunshine.”

“Oh no, you’re a morning person!” Ted groans, stifling a yawn.

Pat laughs and Ted can’t help but smile in response. “Would it help if I went to make you some coffee?”

Ted sits up. “That might redeem you slightly, yes.” He grumbles, unable to stop a small smile creeping onto his face when Pat kisses him and then heads to the kitchen.

It’s been a long time since he’s woken up beside someone. It’s Daley’s weekend with Carol, and Kitty is at a sleepover so the Captain had decided to be brave and invite Pat over for dinner at his house. They’ve been on lots of dates, but it had been the first time they’d been to either’s house for dinner.

The Captain had worried he was being a little too obvious, a little too forward, but Pat had seemed very happy with the development. The Captain smiles as he thinks back to last night.

Pat walks back in with two mugs of coffee and hands one to Ted. “Thank you, Pat.”

Pat gets back into bed beside him and snuggles against his side. The last of the Captain’s usual morning grumpiness dissipates. “So, am I forgiven for being a morning person?”

“Yes, I think you’re fully redeemed.”

Pat gets that twinkle in his eye that the Captain has come to associate with something that is probably going to make him flustered but happy. “Are you sure?” Pat’s hand comes to rest on Ted’s thigh, and the Captain coughs as he inhales a mouthful of coffee. “I can think of some other ways I could make it up to you.” Pat smiles at him, his innocent expression at odds with the hand on his leg.

The Captain feels his face heat up and he puts his coffee mug on the side. He tries to frown at Pat, but he has a feeling it doesn’t have any heat behind it because Pat’s smile widens. “You’re incorrigible.” Ted huffs but he’s smiling.

“Do you mind?” Pat asks him.

Ted shakes his head as he leans in to kiss Pat. “Not at all.”

Chapter Text

Fergus looks around the drawing room at Button House, which is currently acting as the dance floor for the wedding he and Adam are attending. His eyes settle on Adam again, and the woman who is currently laughing, with her hand laying on Adam’s chest. He frowns. People flirt with Adam all the time, so he figures he should be used to it, but it always pisses him off. Even when, like today, Adam doesn’t reciprocate.

Adam makes eye contact with him and Fergus’s frown deepens. He’s fed up with watching this, so he turns away from Adam and walks off, looking for a quiet room to sit and sulk in for a little while.

***

Julian, Robin, Pat and the Captain all look up as a man steps into the library.

“Fucking dickhead.” The man mutters, running a hand through his hair.

“Ooh, lovers tiff do you think?” Julian grins.

“Weddings are always rife with lovers’ quarrels.” Pat says. “You’d think they’d be super romantic but there’s always some row or other.”

“Because weddings stupid.” Robin adds.

The door opens again and another man looks in. He looks relieved and closes the door behind him. “Fergus.”

The man, Fergus, turns around. “What do you want, Adam? I thought you were busy?”

“Don’t be a prick, Fergs.” Adam sighs. “I got away from her as quickly as I could. Did I look like I was enjoying it?”

If Fergus was being honest, he hadn’t. But he wasn’t about to let him off that easily. He crosses his arms and turns away from Adam. “Could have fooled me.”

Adam steps back in front of Fergus and cups his cheek. “You know I love you, right? I’m sorry about that, it’s not fair, I know. I’d fucking hate it too. But I’m with you. And I love you so fucking much.”

Fergus stays mad for a few more moments but then he relents. His shoulders relax slightly and he uncrosses his arms. “Yeah, I know you are, and I know you do. I love you too.” Adam leans in and kisses him.

The kiss gets more heated and Pat and the Captain have to step to one side to avoid the horrible sensation of the living passing through them as Fergus pushes Adam against the wall by the window.

“Good Lord.” The Captain mutters, averting his eyes. “Perhaps it would be pertinent for us to leave?”

“I’m happy to stay.” Julian waggles his eyebrows lewdly. And then he nods towards Pat. “And I think Adam might have caught Pat’s eye, so he’s probably happy to stay too.”

The Captain looks at Pat sharply. Pat looks away from Adam and Fergus but the Captain had already seen him staring. He notices that Pat doesn’t deny it and feels a sharp stab of jealousy that he tries to swallow down. Before he can say anything the door opens again and Alison walks in.

Adam and Fergus spring apart, and look sheepishly at Alison. Alison looks around the room. She looks more annoyed at the ghosts than she is with Adam and Fergus. This isn’t the first wedding at Button House, and they aren’t the first couple she’s caught in the library (or last, she’d wager).

Adam grabs Fergus’s hand and pulls him towards the door. “Sorry.” They both mutter.

Alison laughs kindly. “Don’t mention it. Seriously, don’t.” Adam and Fergus grin before heading out of the door and going back to the party.

Alison waits until they’ve left and then turns back to glare at the four ghosts in the room. “Julian and Robin I can believe, but Captain, Pat, I’m surprised at you.”

Robin, Pat and the Captain all splutter but Julian just shrugs.

“They were having a row, and the next thing we knew they were, well, you know. We weren’t watching.” Pat says.

“Some of my best times started that way.” Julian adds with another lewd gesture, not helping matters at all.

“We were here first.” The Captain insists.

Alison narrows her eyes but then she shrugs. “Please stop spying on the wedding guests.” She turns to leave and then turns back. “I’m fairly sure that guy was an MP a few years back. Must be an occupational hazard.” She narrows her eyes at Julian again and Robin sniggers. “And Captain, the other guy looked so much like you.” The Captain looks at her, shock clear on his features. “Well, a little bit… never mind.” She shrugs again and leaves the room.

The Captain hadn’t been surprised at Alison’s comment itself, although he certainly couldn’t see the resemblance himself. His shock had come from the connotation that Pat, who had definitely been staring at this Adam fellow, would find someone attractive who looked anything like the Captain. He knew that Pat liked men and women. Bisexual, he’d called it, when he’d told them all. But surely not someone who apparently resembled the Captain.

Robin and Julian left the room once the excitement had faded, chess seeming far less appealing than the prospect of spying on more guests.

Pat and the Captain stand in silence for a few moments.

“He was a good looking bloke, but he didn’t really ‘catch my eye’, you know.” Pat finally says.

The Captain huffs. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me, do you, Patrick. Besides, I know he didn’t catch your eye because I can’t imagine that anyone who supposedly looks like me would be your type.” The Captains voice sounds bitter and jealous, even to his own ears, so there’s no way Pat won’t have noticed.

“No,” Pat says. “Not ‘anyone’. Just you.”

The Captain feels like he’s been drenched in cold water. He must have misheard. “What?”

“Just you.” Pat repeats, voice firmer this time. “You caught my eye. You’re my type.”

The Captain still can’t believe what he’s hearing, so he resorts to being defensive. “You know Patrick, I might have behaved poorly, being jealous, but there’s no need to be cruel-”

“Would I?” Pat raises his voice ever so slightly, his hurt written all over his face. “Would I do that to you?” He asks, more softly this time.

The Captain regrets his reaction immediately. “No, Pat. Of course you wouldn’t.” He pauses. “But that would mean that you… that you think I’m…” The Captain seems unable to form the actual words.

Pat smiles again, his hurt and anger quickly forgotten. “It would mean that I fancy you. That I think you’re good looking.” The Captain can feel himself going bright red, but despite his playful tone, there’s no sign of Pat’s words being anything but the truth. “Actually, Cap, I more than fancy you.”

Pat’s words unlock a bravery in the Captain he’s not sure he’s ever experienced before. He reaches out to hold Patrick’s hand. “You know, I, ah… I more than fancy you too.”

Pat’s smile lights up the room and the Captain can’t help but smile back. “It’s a lovely evening, would you like to go for a walk together?”

The Captain nods. “Yes, I would love to.” Pat’s smile gets even brighter and he leads the Captain through the wall and into the garden, still holding his hand tightly.

Chapter Text

Fergus glances at his watch again. It’s 9.15pm and their train leaves in fifteen minutes. They’re already having to catch a late train because Adam had a meeting, and now he’s running late too. Fergus sighs and squeezes the bridge of his nose, willing the headache that’s he’s had for most of this week to piss off. He’s been working non-stop for about two weeks now and he’s exhausted. He likes to pride himself on working pretty hard anyway, but this last fortnight has really been non-stop. He’s worked late every evening, either at home or at DoSAC, and over the weekend. It’s a good job that he and Adam pretty much live together anyway, because they’ve fallen asleep on Fergus’s couch at about 3am most mornings, and been up again at 6am.

And now to top it all off Adam has agreed for him to attend some event in Nottingham, when in all honesty all he wants to do is count down until the weekend so he can sleep for 48 hours straight. He’s not even sure what the event is, only that it’s an early start and lasts all day, so they’re booked in for two nights at a hotel and will be back in London on Friday afternoon. He’s not exactly sorry to be away from DoSAC, but the timing isn’t great.

“Hey, sorry I’m late, the meeting really overran.” Adam jogs up with his bag and hands Fergus his ticket.

Fergus is so tired he can’t be bothered to hold a grudge. Well, not much anyway. He takes his ticket and makes it through the barrier on the third try. Adam gets him seated on the train and takes his bag for him. By the time Adam gets back, Fergus has already fallen asleep against the window.

Adam sits beside him and gently pulls Fergus towards him, so he’s resting on his shoulder rather than the window.

***

Adam shakes Fergus awake at just before 11pm. “Hey, Fergs, wake up.”

“What? Are we there?” Fergus mutters, his eyes closing again almost immediately.

“Nearly.” Adam replies. “Listen, I’ve got to tell you something.”

Fergus sits up from Adam’s shoulder and tips his head back against the seat. “What?”

“The event that we’re going to, it’s been cancelled.”

Fergus’s eyes open and he looks at Adam. “What? They’ve cancelled it at,” He pauses to glance at his watch, “11 o’clock at night?”

Adam grimaces slightly. Fergus can’t get through a fucking ticket barrier but that he notices immediately. “Erm, not exactly. The email came through earlier, when I was at my meeting. I must have missed it.”

“Fucks sake.” Fergus sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “And you’ve only just thought to check your emails now?”

“I was running late wasn’t I, and the signal on the train is crap and of course the wi-fi is non-existent.”

Fergus sighs again. “We’ll have to get a train back to London. Can we get off at the next station?”

“Nottingham is the next station, and I’ve already checked the trains - last one of the night left about 10 minutes ago. But we’ve got a hotel booked.”

“Yeah, but I’ve got work I could have been getting on with. Or I could have actually slept in my bed for more than three fucking hours.”

“I think you’re entitled to a bit of respite, Fergs. You’ve been non-stop for weeks now, you need to have a break.” Adam says, the argument reminiscent of several similar conversations over the last week.

Fergus opens his mouth to argue back, also very reminiscent, but then he closes it again and narrows his eyes. “Did you plan for this to happen?”

Adam briefly considers denying it, but Fergus isn’t stupid, and he still has a lot of convincing to do, so decides honesty is probably the best policy. “Yeah, ok I admit it, I did. You’ve been working really hard, you’re running the risk of burning yourself out and I care about you too much to let you do that.”

“That’s not your call to make, Adam. I’m doing what I need to do, and as my adviser you’re supposed to-” Adam cuts Fergus off.

“I’m not doing this as your adviser, Fergus. I’m doing this as your boyfriend. Please. It was an all-day event, so we’ve got the hotel for two nights. No one will ever know. You’re exhausted, and you deserve a break. Please. For me.”

Fergus isn’t sure he’s ever heard Adam beg. Well, not in this context anyway. And he has to concede that Adam isn’t wrong. He’s fucking exhausted. “Did you seriously fabricate an event, just to get me away from work for a few days?”

Fergus is smiling at him, so Adam figures he might have won this. “I didn’t fabricate it. It was a real event. I thought we could turn up for a bit and then duck out, and that it would give you a chance to have a bit of a rest. But then they emailed late this afternoon to cancel, and it was too good an opportunity to miss.”

The train is coming into Nottingham, so Fergus says “Let’s get to the hotel, we can talk about it properly there.”

***

They fall straight into bed when they get to the hotel. Fergus rests his head on Adam’s chest. Fergus really wants to say yes, but he can’t help but feel guilty still.

Adam can obviously tell because he says. “Think how many extra hours you’ve put in these last two weeks. You can even do a little bit of work tomorrow, if you really want to. And, if it makes you feel any better, I paid for the hotel myself, it’s not on expenses.”

“Ok.” Fergus mutters into Adam’s chest.

“What?” Adam asks him. If he’s honest he didn’t really expect Fergus to agree, at least not so quickly.

“You’re right. I’m knackered, I need a break and no one is going to know.” He sits up and looks at Adam. “And it’ll be nice, to have a whole day in bed with you.”

Adam grins and kisses Fergus. When they pull apart, Fergus lays his head back on Adam’s chest. “This was really sweet of you. I mean probably against more rules than we could count, and totally deceitful, but really sweet. I love you.”

Adam laughs and drops a kiss onto his temple. “I love you too.”

Chapter Text

Fergus slams his mug down in the kitchen, probably slightly harder than necessary.

Every meeting he has with Mannion feels like the worst meeting of his life, and then along comes the next one to piss him off. And it hadn’t helped that he’d forgotten half of what he and Adam had covered in the preparation for the meeting, so Adam had stepped in to save him. Again.

“You know,” Speaking of things that piss him off. Fergus turns round to glare at Phil, hoping that he’d get the message and keep whatever he thinks to himself. It doesn’t work. “I’d find it patronising if my boyfriend thought I was so useless he had to keep coming to my rescue.”

Fergus grinds his teeth. Unlike Phil’s usual drivel, this snarky statement was actually a bit too close to the truth. Except for the bit about Adam being his boyfriend. But he quickly schools his features, lest Phil realise it’s actually hurt him. He tries to think up a retort that isn’t just punching Phil in his smug, stupid face, when Adam appears beside Phil, his face looking thunderous.

“That would require you actually having a boyfriend, though, wouldn’t it. And I can’t imagine there is anyone who is actually that fucking desperate.” Adam hisses. “So why don’t you fuck off.”

Phil looks like he wants to argue but seems to decide against it when he looks at Adam’s face. He sidles back to his desk, grabs his bag and leaves the office without another word.

Fergus wants to feel grateful. He is grateful. But it’s also just another example of Adam having to come to his rescue because he’s fucking pathetic. “You didn’t have to do that. I can fucking handle myself.”

“I know you can.” Adam says easily. “But he needs putting in his fucking place. Consider it a treat to me.” Adam smirks at him and then walks out towards Fergus’s office.

Fergus follows him, not quite ready to let this argument go, even though he knows no good will come of it. The office is completely empty.

Fergus puts his tea down on his desk and crosses his arms. “I don’t need you to keep rescuing me, Adam. I’m a fucking government minister, in case it had escaped your knowledge.”

Adam looks up at him from his phone and frowns. “It hasn’t escaped my notice, no. But in case it has escaped yours, looking after you is my job, Fergus. That’s what you fucking hired me for.”

And, if Fergus is being entirely honest, therein lies the crux of the issue. Adam is only doing this because it’s his job. Not because he wants to take care of him. Certainly not because Adam is his boyfriend. No matter how much he wants him to be. Every time something like this comes to a head, he has to remind himself that they’re really just colleagues, friends at absolute most. If it wasn’t his job to look after Fergus, would he still do it? Almost definitely not.

“I know it is.” Fergus sighs and mutters under his breath, “That’s half the fucking problem.”

When Adam’s frown deepens, he knows that he heard him. “Do you hate me looking out for you, or not Fergus? Because you’re kind of giving me mixed signals here.”

Fergus feels rage build in him again. “Oh, I’m giving you mixed signals. That’s fucking rich.” In for a penny, he supposes. “Maybe I want you to want to do those things, not just because it’s your fucking job. Have you considered that?”

Adam’s expression shifts from anger to something more sad and he stands up in front of Fergus. “Honestly, no. Because I didn’t think considering that was an option.” He’s watching Fergus, and all Fergus can do is stare back. They’re so close Fergus can see the hurt and the confusion, before Adam has a chance to hide it. “Fergs, do you really think I’d do all these things because it’s my job?”

Fergus thinks back to some of the things Adam has done for him over just the last week alone.

Monday

Fergus is already on the phone when he climbs into the car beside Adam, and from the frown on his face Adam assumes it is not a good phone call.

The driver pulls away and Adam notices that Fergus hasn ’t put his seat belt on. He twists around to face Fergus. He reaches over Fergus shoulder, grabbing the seat belt and pulling it round Fergus before clicking it into place. He notices that Fergus has gone silent on the phone, and when they make eye contact Fergus is staring at him. Then he seems to shake himself and goes back to his call.

Fergus will probably chew him out for interrupting his call over a seat belt, but honestly Adam couldn ’t care less.

Wednesday morning

Fergus is rushing, because once again he’s going to be late. He’s late for every meeting he has at Number 10. It’s like his brain knows this is probably the most important meeting in his diary, and does everything it can to ensure he is late every fucking time.

He steps out to cross the road and suddenly is pulled back. The next thing he knows his back is against Adam ’s chest and he’s watching a taxi fly past in front of him.

He twists around and looks at Adam. “Fuck. Thank you.”

Adam ’s face briefly shows a relieved smile before it morphs into a frown. “Can you please be more fucking careful? What if I hadn’t been here?” And if Adam’s voice sounds panicked, Fergus decides the least he can do to repay him is not mention it.

Wednesday afternoon

Fergus steps out onto the street and turns the collar of his coat up, trying to keep the rain from getting in. He starts walking, only pausing to take his phone out of his pocket when it rings.

It ’s Adam. “Hey, where are you?”

“I’ve just left Downing Street. Now heading across Westminster Bridge. It’s pissing it down.”

“Did you take an umbrella?”

“No, I didn’t. I forgot.” Suddenly the rain seems to ease and he looks up to see an umbrella.

Adam falls into step beside him, holding an umbrella over them both. “Thought you might have.” He says, as he hangs up their call.

Thank you, is what Fergus wants to say. Instead he says, “Oh fuck off.”

Adam laughs and moves to take the umbrella away, so Fergus grabs hold of it. Adam just laughs even more.

And those are just the ones he can remember. Fergus focuses back on Adam, who is still looking at him intently, like he’s waiting for Fergus to catch up. Fergus thinks he might be getting there.

“So why do you do them?” Fergus whispers.

Adam shakes his head, somehow looking both frustrated and fond all at the same time. “I do them because I love you, you twat.” He says, before kissing Fergus.

Fergus kisses him back until they have to stop to breathe. “I love you too, in case that wasn’t obvious.”

Adam smirks. “I had an inkling, last 30 seconds or so. But feel free to keep demonstrating how much.”

Fergus rolls his eyes. “You’re the twat.” But then he’s grinning and kissing Adam again.

Chapter Text

The Captain waves goodbye to another trick-or-treater and closes the door. He’s about to head back to his office when his phone rings.

He looks at his watch. He wasn’t expecting Pat to finish his shift for another half an hour. “Hi Pat.”

“Hi, love.” Pat’s tone is slightly on edge, and the Captain is immediately on alert.

“Is everything alright?”

“Yes. Well, no. I’m in a bit of a muddle. Someone’s called in sick, so they’ve asked me to stay on for a couple more hours whilst they find some cover. I wouldn’t usually mind, but I’m supposed to be picking up Daley from Carol’s at five o’clock. I promised him we could watch some Halloween films together.”

The Captain knows how much Pat has been looking forward to this weekend. His time with Daley is scarce enough as it is, without his work getting in the way. Pat is a nurse, it was actually how they met. In the four years they’ve known each other, Pat has never once turned down covering a shift, it’s just not in his nature.

The Captain also knows that he should offer to collect Daley. He and Daley are very close. He was only five when the Captain first met Pat, so he’s been a big part of his life. But he can never quite shake the doubt that he’s bad with children. It just doesn’t come naturally to him, like it does with other people. When he and Daley spend time together, Pat is always around, offering quiet reassurance to the Captain that he’s doing ok.

He shakes himself mentally. He can do this. He’s 43 years old, for goodness sake. He can look after a nine year old for a few hours. Especially if it helps the man he loves. “Why don’t I pick up Daley? I’ve got a spare key for yours, so I’ll sort his dinner out. It’ll leave you more time for watching films.”

“Ted, that would be brilliant, thank you so much. I-” The Captain can hear Pat muttering. “Sorry love, I’ve got to go. I’ll text Carol and let her know you’re picking him up at five o’clock. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

It’s still a novel feeling, being able to love, and to love openly. Five years ago he would never have been able to say it, even if he’d felt it. It’s just one of the many things Pat has given him, both as a friend and as their relationship shifted into something more.

He glances at his watch again. He’s got to pick Daley up in just over an hour. His overnight bag is already packed, because he was planning to stay at Pat’s this weekend anyway. The overnight bag gets smaller every weekend, as most of his life is at Pat’s house now. If he leaves now he should have just enough time to pop into the supermarket before he’s due at Carol’s.

***

The Captain goes straight to the freezer section. Daley’s currently obsessed with dinosaurs, so he figures dinosaur shaped chicken bites will probably be a hit. He heads to the checkout, via the sweets aisle, of course, and spots a display of pumpkins. He hasn’t carved a pumpkin in years, and wonders whether Daley might like to do it. He’ll need something to occupy him, as he has no idea how late Pat might need to work, and he doesn’t want to put a film on because that’s Daley and Pat’s thing. He grabs three pumpkins and goes to pay.

***

The Captain rings the door bell at Carol’s house, with only a modicum of hesitation. It’s not that he doesn’t like Carol. Actually, that’s exactly it. Pat had been going through the divorce when they met and the Captain had never quite forgiven her for treatment of Pat. Especially the affair she’d had with Pat’s best friend- “Ah, hello Morris.” He hopes his face has achieved a neutral expression.

“Daley’s just getting his shoes on.”

“Thanks.” That’s about as much small talk as they ever manage.

Carol appears at the door. “Can you remind Pat that he’s got to have Daley back by four o’clock on Sunday, because we’re going out for dinner with Morris’s mother.” The Captain just nods.

“Cap!” Daley rushes out the door and hugs the Captain. The Captain is always shocked by Daley’s open show of affection, even after all this time, but then how could he be any different being Pat’s son.

He smiles down at Daley and ruffles his hair, causing the little boy to laugh. “Hello, Daley.”

Daley grins up at the Captain and then grabs his hand, dragging him towards his car. “Bye mum! Bye Morris.”

The Captain smirks as he is dragged behind Daley. Pat would never in a million years try to influence his son about Carol or Morris, in fact the Captain has always admired how measured Pat has taught his son to be about the whole situation. But he also knows that Pat  is secretly relieved that Daley won’t call Morris dad, despite Carol’s best efforts, so he’ll be sure to tell Pat this story when Daley’s gone to bed later this evening.

***

Once Daley has had his dinner (the Captain couldn’t help feeling a little smug at how much of a hit the dinosaur bites had been) the Captain places the pumpkins on the dining table. “Have you ever carved pumpkins Daley?”

Daley shakes his head. “Ah, you’re in for a treat then. Now, you have to be very grown up to do this, because you use a knife to cut out shapes in the pumpkin. Then you pop a tealight inside and see how your design lights up. Shall we give it a go?”

“Yes please!” The Captain smiles and proceeds to show Daley how to get started.

***

When Pat finally gets home it’s nearly eight o’clock. The cover had seemed to take forever to arrive, but at least he was home now. The house seemed fairly quiet, which struck Pat as slightly odd. He’d expected that Ted would have put a Halloween film on for Daley.

He stops in the doorway to the kitchen and smiles. Neither Ted or Daley heard him come in the house, so engrossed they are in carving their pumpkins. There’s bits of pumpkin all over the table, and Ted is helping Daley to cut what seems to be a dinosaur shape out of his pumpkin. Pat watches them together for a few more moments. He doesn’t often get to quietly observe Ted with his son, but every time he does it just makes him fall more in love with him. He knows that Ted worries he’s not good with children, but Pat knows he’s worrying over nothing and that Daley absolutely adores him.

He waits until both pumpkin carvers have put their knives down and then taps gently on the kitchen door. Daley and Ted both look up. “Dad!” Daley shouts. “Look, Cap and I have carved pumpkins!”

“You’re just in time for the lighting ceremony.” The Captain says, carefully lighting both pumpkins.

Pat switches the light off and they all step back to admire the pumpkins. “These look great. Very spooky. Why don’t you pop them in the window Daley, so trick-or-treaters know they can knock on the door?”

Daley dashes off with his pumpkin in hand and Pat walks round to stand in front of Ted. Even in the limited light of one tea light, Pat can see how happy Ted is. He can also see several bits of pumpkin in his hair, which he reaches up to brush out.

“Thanks.” The Captain mutters. “We may have gotten a bit carried away.”

“Daley looks like he’s had a great time. You both do.” The Captain nods. “Thank you, for picking him up and looking after him.”

“You’re very welcome Pat. You know I love spending time with Daley.”

“Yeah, I do.” Pat smiles so brightly at him, the Captain can do nothing but smile back. Pat gives him a quick kiss before Daley comes back into the kitchen. “I love you.”

The Captain lets the feeling of being loved wash over him and takes the time to enjoy it. “I love you too.”

Daley rushes back in to grab the Captain’s pumpkin and once he’s placed it beside his own he returns to the kitchen. “Right.” Says Pat, “I’m off to have a quick shower. Daley, can you set up the first film. Cap, you’re on popcorn duty.”

“Sir, yes sir.” Responds the Captain, and both he and Daley give Pat a quick salute, all three grinning widely.

Chapter Text

“… so you just need to keep calm and stay on topic.” Adam is sat at his desk in the main office, facing away from Fergus who is stood in the doorway of his office. 

“Adam.” Fergus mutters. Adam doesn’t look up and continues scrolling through the notes he’s made in advance of a radio interview Fergus has that afternoon.

“It should be fairly non-adversarial, but if you do get any awkward questions you just need to stick to the script, ok?”

“Adam!” Fergus says more urgently this time.

Adam looks up with a frown. “What is-” He pauses when he looks at Fergus, who looks the most pale Adam has ever seen him, and they’ve nursed a fair number of hangovers together. “Fuck, are you ok?”

“No, I don’t feel well. I think I’m going to…” Fergus makes a halfhearted grab for Adam’s desk as he faints and it’s only because Adam moves so quickly he can save Fergus from hitting the desk as he falls.

“Shit! Fergus? Hey, wake up!” Adam leans over Fergus and checks that he’s still breathing, trying not to panic. He’s fairly sure at some point he sat through a first aid course, so he should know what to do, but it’s one thing to do it in theory and another when it’s someone you love.

By now a small crowd has gathered round and Adam’s panic mutates into anger. “Can you fucking step back please, give him some room?” Phil and Terri both take a satisfying step back. Adam, having racked his brains for anything first aid related, is just about to put Fergus in the recovery position when he stirs.

Adam puts his hand on Fergus’s cheek so that he can look at him properly. “Fergus?”

“Adam? What the fuck is going on?” Fergus looks at Adam groggily. He has no idea what’s happened but he’s not sure he’s ever seen Adam look so terrified. 

Adam is so relieved to hear Fergus speak he thinks he might laugh. Or cry. Or possibly both. But he should probably save that for later. “Hey. It’s ok, you’re ok. But you fainted.” That would explain why he’s on the floor then. “I know I’m hot stuff, Fergs, but you don’t need to swoon like something from Jane Austen.”

It’s weak, and Adam knows it, but he has to make light of it or else the panic that’s been bubbling below the surface since Fergus fainted might properly set in. And it makes Fergus laugh, so Adam counts it as a win. Fergus sits up, with Adam holding on to him like he expects him to faint again any moment.

“You’re so full of yourself.” Adam just smiles, pleased Fergus is feeling better enough to be bitchy. 

Adam’s hands find Fergus’s cheeks again and he’s looking at him closely, although he’s not really sure what he’s looking for. “How do you feel? Should I call an ambulance?”

Fergus shakes his head and then winces when the world tilts again. “No, I’m ok. I just wasn’t feeling well. I felt like shit yesterday too, so it’s probably been a little while since I’ve eaten, that’s all.”

Adam looks at him for a while and then concedes. “Ok, but I’m taking you home.”

“I’m supposed to be doing that interview.”

“Yeah, fuck that. I’ll sort it. Let’s get you home.” He stands up and offers a hand to Fergus, helping him to stand up and supporting him until he seems steady.

The crowd has already dispersed, now the excitement has faded so Adam sits Fergus in his chair whilst he gathers his things. Whilst he’s in Fergus’s office he fires off a quick email to postpone the interview and calls for a taxi.

“Right. Come on, taxi’s here.” Adam doesn’t touch Fergus again as they leave DoSAC, but he hovers so close to him he might as well be. When they get into the taxi, Adam gives Fergus’s address.

“You don’t have to stay, you know. I’ll be ok.”

Adam just gives him a look that leaves no question about how stupid Adam thinks that statement is. Fergus, despite still looking pretty pale, looks pleased.

When they get to Fergus’s house Adam tells Fergus to get changed into something more comfortable, and loiters just outside the bedroom door to make sure Fergus doesn’t faint again. He then sets Fergus up on the sofa, with his duvet, and makes some toast.

“Here.” Adam hands Fergus a plate of toast and placing a cup of tea on the coffee table. “I know you’re probably not hungry, but you need to eat a little something. Please.”

Fergus could count on one hand the number of times Adam has said please. So he takes the plate and picks at the toast. It’s exactly how he likes it, and he manages to eat it all. Plus its worth it to have Adam smile at him like that. Adam isn’t soft with him very often, so he might as well enjoy it while he can.

Adam takes the plate away and then sits on the sofa beside Fergus. He pulls the duvet over himself too and turns on the television.

They watch in silence for a few minutes before Fergus speaks. “Thank you, for looking after me.”

Adam glances over at him. He wants to brush off the thanks, or to make light of it, but he doesn’t have the energy. “Anytime.” He replies, and Fergus knows he means it. “But, please don’t get into the habit of fainting at work, I’m not sure I could cope with that.”

Fergus laughs. He moves slightly, then stops. Then he moves again, until he’s pressed up against Adam’s side. This feels like one of those lines they’re always crossing, but after how frightened he was earlier Adam can’t quite remember why that’s such a bad thing. So he decides to cross a few more. He puts his arm around Fergus, pulls him close and kisses his head. Fergus freezes for just a moment and then relaxes against him, wrapping his arm Adam and holding tight. He’s feeling better already.

Chapter Text

Adam glances down at Fergus’s hands and tries not to let his annoyance show. He wouldn’t usually worry, but then they weren’t usually on a Zoom call with half of Number 10. Fergus is picking at his finger nails. Possibly his most aggravating habit, and that’s saying something. Adam has lost count of the number of times he has told Fergus off for this. They’re sharing a laptop so Adam can’t even move away.

Next best thing is kicking him under the desk, which is what he does. Fergus jumps but mercifully he stops picking.

For about a minute.

Adam checks they’re on mute and then sighs. “Please stop fucking picking at your nails.” He mutters through gritted teeth.

Fergus huffs. “I’ve got a hangnail.”

“Well, you wouldn’t if you stopped fucking picking.” Fortunately, Adam is saved from whatever Fergus was going to say in response as it’s his turn to update.

Adam sits back and watches Fergus talking. He’s still picking at his nails whilst he’s speaking. Adam can’t take it anymore and he reaches out to grab Fergus’s hand, blocking him from being able to pick anymore. Fortunately their hands are off camera, so no one can tell. Unfortunately, the unexpected contact does seem to short-circuit Fergus’s brain and he stops speaking.

Adam actually feels a bit bad and is about to let go when Fergus finally starts talking again. “Sorry, disturbed by a bit of background noise here, where was I?”

When Fergus finally gets to the end of his update Adam is still holding his hand. He should probably let go. But then Fergus turns his hand over and laces their fingers together and it’s Adam’s turn to be surprised. He glances at Fergus, but he’s just staring at the laptop. Adam wonders if this is some ploy to mess with his head, to get revenge for disrupting his update. But then Fergus’s thumb starts stroking across Adam’s knuckle. Oh.

Adam looks at Fergus again, and this time he’s looking back, smiling at Adam. Adam smiles back.

Adam grabs his note book and writes ‘drink after work?’ at the top of the page. Fergus takes the pen writes ‘yes :)’.

Well, perhaps it’s not Fergus’s worst habit after all.

Chapter Text

“Well, thank you for sharing Julian. That certainly sounds like an interesting gift.”

The Captain greatly admires Pat’s ability to keep the peace, but he’s fairly sure he could have gone his entire existence without hearing Julian explain what the best gift he has ever received was. And glancing across at Fanny, he doesn’t think he’s the only one. Still, he supposes it was marginally better than Thomas declaring the moment fair Alison first set foot on the driveway.

Pat turns to the Captain. “So Cap, what about you?”

The Captain wishes he was the type of person who could just make things up for Pat’s clubs, but he isn’t. And he has no intention of sharing with the group. “I really can’t recall.” He finally responds.

Pat frowns at him. “Could be anything. A birthday present, or Christmas?”

The Captain sighs. “I think you forget that there was a war on. Not to mention it was over 80 years ago.”

Pat looks a little sheepish, which the Captain hates. “Yeah, silly me.” The Captain hates that even more. “Right, well, I think that concludes today’s clubs.”

The others are quick to disperse and the Captain follows Pat as he heads out into the garden. “Pat!”

Pat turns around. “Hi, Cap. Everything alright?”

The Captain twists his swagger stick in his hands anxiously and glances around for signs of any other ghosts in the vicinity. When it’s clear they are alone he clears his throat. “I… I wanted to apologise.” The Captain tries not to feel offended at Pat’s look of surprise. “For not taking part in your club.” He explains.

“That’s alright mate. Silly of me to expect you to remember after all these years.”

The Captain shakes his head. “What if it wasn’t all that time ago?”

Now Pat looks confused. “Sorry, mate, you’ve lost me.”

“The best gift I’ve ever received. What if it wasn’t all that time ago?” The Captain’s hand flutters unconsciously to rest just below his medals and Pat’s eyes follow the movement before looking back up at the Captain.

The Captain takes a deep breath. “The teamwork badge. That’s the best gift I’ve ever received.” He can’t look at Pat as he confesses this. He’s not even entirely sure why he’s telling Pat, just that he had an overwhelming urge to let Pat know that he was responsible for one of the Captains fondest memories.

“Oh, Cap.” When the Captain looks back at Pat he’s smiling up at him. He steps closer and rests his hand where the Captain had placed the badge. If his heart was still beating he feels sure that Pat would have been able to feel it through his various layers of clothing. “It was very much deserved.”

The Captain feels too breathless and too light headed to formulate a reply. Instead he smiles at Pat. Eventually Pat lets his hand drop but he stays close to the Captain. “You know, nothing in life could ever beat the World’s Best Dad mug from Daley. But in death, I think the best gift I’ve ever been given is a second chance at happiness.”

The Captain stops breathing entirely. Surely Pat doesn’t mean what he seems to be implying? But when he looks at Pat, all he can see is love. “I think that might be a close second for me, yes.” He says, and closes the gap to kiss Pat softly.

Chapter Text

Fergus holds up a shirt and looks in the mirror. He sighs and lays it back on the bed before repeating with a second shirt. He knew it was a bad idea to bring two. Now he has a choice and he’s pretty dreadful at those.

He takes a picture of them both and sends it to Adam.

Fergus [17:43] Which one do you like the best?

Fergus does wonder if he should be more worried that he can’t have one night away from his special adviser without needing him for something, but surely that’s what he pays him for, right?

Adam [17.44] They’re both awful. I wouldn’t wear either of them.

Fergus pinches the bridge of his nose. He’s due downstairs for a fund raising event at half past six, so he really just needs to choose a fucking shirt so he can have a shower.

Fergus [17.44] Thanks for nothing 🖕🏻

Adam [17.45] They’re both practically identical - either will be fine.

Fergus looks at the shirts again. To be fair, they are pretty much the same shirt in two slightly varying shades of grey. His phone pings again.

Adam [17.46] The one on the right

Fergus picks up the shirt. It’s the darker of the two and he holds it up in front of himself. It probably is the nicer of the two. He hangs it up and goes to have a shower.

Adam [17.53] That’s fine, you’re welcome.

Adam [17.58] Just use me and then ignore me, charming.

Fergus looks at his phone and rolls his eyes. And Adam accuses him of being needy.

Fergus [18.03] I was in the shower.

Fergus [18.03] Thanks though.

Fergus puts his phone down and finishes getting dressed. He’s glad to have an excuse to text Adam. It’s a bit pathetic but they spend so much of their time together he ends up missing him when he attends an event like this on his own.

Adam [18.17] Sure you don’t need me to help you get dressed? Decide what pants to wear?

Fergus rolls his eyes again. Adam can be as sarcastic as he likes, but Fergus knows full well that Adam thrives off being needed.

Fergus [18.18] 🖕🏻

Fergus [18.19] *1 image* Actually, managed to get dressed all by myself.

Fergus sends the picture before he really thinks about it. It’s only when Adam doesn’t reply immediately that it suddenly dawns on him that sending a picture of himself to his special adviser could be seen as slightly weird. He looks at the picture again. His hair is still slightly wet from the shower, but the lighting in the hotel room is actually quite flattering. At least it wasn’t a bad photo of him.

Anyway, he doesn’t have time to worry about this because he needs to head downstairs. He dries and styles his hair quickly and makes his way to the lift.

He’s just about to step into the lift when he checks his phone again.

Adam [18.27] 🫠

Fergus trips as he steps into the lift, but fortunately there’s no one else there to witness it. He looks at the message again. He’s not exactly au fait with emojis, but even he knows the connotations of that one.

Fergus [18.28] I’m not sure that means what you think it means…

Adam still hasn’t replied when Fergus has exited the lift. He makes his way to the function room and is just about to enter when his phone pings. He doesn’t really have time but he can’t resist a quick look at Adam’s reply.

Adam [18.30] No, I think it does.

Fergus nearly trips again. No, I think it does. What does that mean? Is Adam flirting with him? If he is he’s got fucking appalling timing. Fergus puts his phone on silent, forces himself to put it in his pocket and tries, without much luck, to not think about Adam or his possibly flirty texts for the rest of the evening.

Adam [19.10] Sorry, that was probably too much wasn’t it.

Adam [19.55] I know you’re just at the fundraiser and not ignoring me but just in case you are ignoring me I’m sorry for taking it too far.

Adam [20.21] Shit. I mean, you could sneak to the bathroom and just drop me a text to let me know I’m not fired.

Fergus could feel his phone vibrating at various points throughout the night and when he’s finally able to leave just before 9 o’clock he looks at his phone.

He heads quickly back up to his room and the second the door is closed he calls Adam.

“Hey!” Adam sounds relieved to hear from him, although he’s obviously trying to pretend he isn’t. “Listen, I’m really sorry about earlier. Can we just pretend I didn’t say that and carry on as normal?”

Fergus pauses before speaking. He feels like they’re on the precipice of something and that how he answers here is perhaps more important than it seems. “Yeah, we could.” He takes a deep breath. “Or, we could not.”

“What do you mean?” Adam sounds uncharacteristically hesitant.

“I mean, you didn’t take it too far. Maybe we need to take it further.”

“Fuck.” Fergus thinks Adam sounds like he’s smiling, but he can’t be sure. He wishes, for several reasons, that they were having this conversation face to face.

“Is that what you want too, or am I totally misreading all this?” Fergus holds his breath as he waits for Adam’s answer.

“I want that too. I want you. Fuck I wish you were here.” Fergus feels himself flush warm. “How early can you get back tomorrow?” Adam asks him.

He glances at his watch. “I could get the train tonight?”

“Fuck.” And this time Fergus knows he’s smiling, and he returns it even though Adam can’t see him. “Yes please.”

Chapter Text

Fergus is stood sullenly at the side of the room, sipping his drink. He fucking hates Christmas parties. Actually, most parties, if he’s being honest, but he’s fairly certain there is nothing sadder than a government department Christmas party.

There’s music, and a dance floor, which is slowly filling up the more drunk people get. He could have gone his entire life without catching sight of Terri dancing in front of Mannion, although the look of abject horror on his face did almost make up for it.

As ministers they’re obliged to attend events like this and Mannion usually only lasts about 30 minutes, which suits Fergus because it means he only has to last 35 minutes.

And to make it worse, he doesn’t even have Adam here to bitch with this year. They usually attend for five minutes longer than Mannion, watch Phil get rejected by every woman in the department, and then they go home to have a takeaway and enjoy the knowledge that they have the whole recess away from their colleagues. But this year Adam is at some seminar in Birmingham and because it was finishing late he’s staying in a hotel. So Fergus is fed up and alone.

Surely Mannion will be pissing off soon? He looks at his watch. Has it really only been quarter of an hour since he arrived?

It’s hot and unpleasant in the room, so he decides to get a bit of fresh air and maybe even treat himself to a cigarette. He puts his empty glass down on a table and heads towards the side door.

“Leaving so soon?” A familiar voice mutters in his ear as he reaches the door.

Fergus turns towards the voice. “Adam?!” Adam grins at him. “I thought you were in Birmingham?”

Adam shrugs. “I was. But it finished early so I thought I’d head back here and surprise you.”

Fergus feels a warmth spread through him that has nothing to do with the stifling function room. He steps closer to Adam. Adam reaches out to lightly grasp Fergus’s jacket and pulls him back into a nook near the door. It’s just dark and secluded enough that he can pull Fergus into a kiss without being seen. They’re not exactly out to their colleagues, although more because it’s none of their fucking business than any other reason.

Adam turns them around and pushes Fergus up against the wall, deepening their kiss. Fergus gasps when they eventually pull apart but Adam doesn’t go far, kissing across Fergus’s jaw and then whispering in his ear. “I saw Mannion leaving as I got here. That means we can leave too.”

Fergus pulls his head back and narrows his eyes at Adam. “Please don’t ever talk about Mannion when we’re snogging.”

Adam rests his forehead against Fergus’s and laughs. “Sorry.” He kisses Fergus again. “Want to get out of here?”

“Fuck yes.” Fergus replies and Adam wastes no time in dragging Fergus towards the exit.

Fergus still fucking hates Christmas parties, but maybe this one wasn’t so bad.

Chapter Text

Pat wipes the streaming rain out of his eyes and glares at the car engine in front of him. In all honesty he has no idea what’s he’s actually looking at but, in lieu of breakdown cover, poking around the engine and hoping for the best seemed like the best option. His Rover 75, his (usually) trusty steed, had broken down in the middle of the worst summer storm Pat could remember. At least Daley is dry in the car, although he’s not sure how warm the car is anymore because they’ve been stopped for over an hour.

And to make things worse they seem to have broken down in the middle of nowhere. One cottage was about a hundred meters away, but when he’d knocked on the door no one had answered.

His first holiday with Daley since his divorce last year and look how it was turning out!

He’s pulled from his morose thoughts by the sound of a car coming down the road. A Land Rover passes them and pulls into the cottage driveway. A tall man with grey hair gets out and walks towards them.

“Hello!” Pat tries to go for cheery, but if the man’s frown is anything to go by he misses by a mile.

“Good lord, man, how long have you been out in this?”

“About an hour. Can’t get the bloody thing going.” Pat sighs and wipes the rain from his eyes again. He nods towards the man’s Land Rover. “I don’t suppose we could trouble you for a lift.”

“I’m afraid it wouldn’t be worth it. Road’s flooded, can’t get through.” The man glances into the car and spots Daley in the passenger seat. Daley waves. “Why don’t you both come in? If the rain stops and the flooding clears I could try and give you a lift, but you can’t stay out here in the rain.”

Pat’s unyielding politeness almost makes him check if the man is sure, but, as the rain runs down the back of his neck or the umpteenth time, his common sense tells him not to look a gift horse in the mouth. “Thank you!” He goes to take off his coat so he can put it round Daley but the man stops him. Before Pat can say anything the man has shrugged his own, much drier, coat off and offered it to Pat. All Pat can do is smile and say thank you again.

They rush from the car to the cottage as quickly as possible and before long they’re all stood, dripping wet, in the hallway.

Pat is trying to stay on the doormat, lest he drip water all over a strangers home, when he realises he doesn’t even know the man’s name. “I’m Patrick, by the way, but please call me Pat. And this is my son, Daley.” He says, pointing down at his seven-year-old son who is currently wrapped in the man’s coat.

“I’m Theodore. Er, Ted.” Ted smiles at the sight of Daley swamped by his coat. It’s the first time Pat has seen him smile and it completely transforms the man. “Right, let’s get you both dry and warmed up.”

Ted points them in the direction of his bathroom, telling them to take a shower. “There’s clean towels in the cupboard. Just leave your wet things in the bathroom and I’ll get them in the tumble drier shortly. I’m sure I can find you both some dry clothes.”

Pat can’t quite believe this man would be so generous to two people he’s never met before. “We really don’t want to be a bother.”

“Nonsense, it’s really no bother. I can scarcely let you back out in this weather.” Ted looks sincere so Pat again decides to just thank his lucky stars. “I’ll get the fire going too. Dry your shoes.”

***

Half an hour later, Pat and Daley are sat in front of the fire. Ted had managed to find some clothes for them both, which was fairly miraculous considering he was at least a head and shoulders taller than Pat. The t-shirt was a little tight across him, but the pyjama trousers fitted ok once he’d rolled them up. He’d even found something for Daley. He looked faintly ridiculous in a pair of adult shorts and t-shirt but he was warm, dry and looked pretty content on the sofa playing his Switch. Pat ruffled Daley’s hair and went to find Ted.

He finds him in the kitchen, preparing dinner. “Can I help at all? I feel awful, invading your home like this and not even helping with dinner.”

Ted looks over at him. “It’s just baked potatoes and beans, Pat. Like I said, it’s really no bother.”

“If you’re sure?” Ted just nods and puts the potatoes in the oven.

Pat looks around the kitchen and spots some photos on the wall. “You’re in the Army?”

Ted looks over again and sees Pat looking at a photograph of him in his uniform. “Not anymore. Retired.” Ted washes his hands and then walks over to Pat. “I was a Captain.”

Pat whistles. “Cor, don’t mention that to Daley or you’ll have him chewing your ear off all evening. He’s at that age, you know.”

Ted doesn’t really know, but he nods with a small smile anyway. “Well, I teach now, so I can do my best but Daley’s a little younger than my usual students.”

Pat’s about to ask Ted some more questions when Daley appears in the kitchen. He holds out his Switch forlornly. “Dad, the battery’s dead.”

Pat sighs. “Well then, you’d best ask Ted if he minds you using his electric to charge it.”

Daley looks up at Ted. “Please can I charge my switch up?”

Ted nods. “Of course you can.” Daley’s forlorn expression shifts into a wide grin and he calls out thank you as he dashes back into the sitting room, with Pat hurrying after him reminding him about not using plugs by himself.

***

After they’ve eaten, and Daley has asked Ted a million and one questions about the Army, Ted heads out to check the state of the road. The rain has eased but he doesn’t think the road will be passable. His suspicions are confirmed and he heads back to let Pat know.

“You’ll just have to stay here. I can set up the spare bedroom. You never know, it might be clear in the morning.”

Pat feels really awful about invading Ted’s home like this, but Daley chooses that moment to yawn widely. It’s well past his bedtime, Pat realises, and he pushes his guilt to one side for now. “Thanks, Ted. I really appreciate it.”

Pat settles Daley in the spare bedroom, with Daley barely able to keep his eyes open moments after his head hits the pillow. Pat has a quick glance out the window and despite the darkness he can see the rain has picked up again. Definitely not going anywhere any time soon.

Pat heads down the narrow staircase and sits down on the sofa just as Ted is adding another piece of wood to the fire. “Ah Patrick, did Daley settle ok?”

“Yeah, he was out like a light. All the excitement of getting to ask questions to his new military friend.” Pat grins at him and Ted feels his cheeks flushing red at the indirect praise.

“Well, I’m glad. It was nice to have such an eager listener.” He pokes at the fire for a few more moments, waiting for the blush to fade, and then he turns back to Pat. “Can I offer you a drink? I’m afraid it’s whisky or whisky though.”

“Whisky sounds grand.” It wouldn’t be Pat’s usual first choice, but given the weather he’s happy to make an exception.

Ted disappears into the kitchen and comes back with two glasses, handing one to Pat. Ted sits down at the other end of the sofa and takes a sip. Pat follows suit. What he knows about whisky could be written on a postage stamp, but it’s smooth and he finds he actually quite likes it.

They sit in silence for a few minutes. Eventually Pat says, “Thank you again for this. I really appreciate it. This is my first holiday with Daley since my divorce and, well, I’m just really glad you were here.”

“It’s truly no problem, Pat. I couldn’t have you and Daley out in that. Besides, I…” Ted trails off and takes a sip of whisky whilst choosing his next words carefully.

Pat follows Ted’s cue of taking a sip, and remains silent for a moment.

“Besides, I’m new to the area, so I don’t really know anyone. And I can’t remember the last time I had guests, so it really is a pleasure to have you here. Albeit, not under the best of circumstances for your holiday…” Ted trails off again and stares into the fire, avoiding eye contact with Pat, like he’s afraid he’s shared too much.

“Well, it might not be how I’d planned it, but I’d say our holiday has definitely improved since we met you.”

Ted looks up at Pat and sees nothing but sincerity. He clears his throat, both pleased and awkward at Pat’s kind words. “Thank you, Pat. I’m glad.”

Pat smiles at him. “So what do you teach?”

Ted smiles and leans forward, pleased to be able to talk about something he’s more comfortable with.

***

Ted wakes up on the dot of 6.30 am, despite the fact he and Pat only went to bed at just after 2.00 am. He should be exhausted, but instead he feels strangely content. He can’t remember the last time he met someone and had such an instant connection with them. He’s not exactly a social butterfly but he feels like he could have stayed up talking with Pat all night.

He quietly gets out of bed, keen not to wake his guests who probably don’t have quite the same body clock as he does. He decides to go for a quick walk and check the roads.

It’s stopped raining and the flooding seems to have receded enough that he could probably get his Land Rover through. He can’t help but feel a selfish flash of disappointment. He makes his way back to the house.

***

Pat and Daley get up just after 7.30 am and Ted offers them breakfast. Pat insists on helping and Ted let’s him, if only to enjoy his company for a little longer.

“I popped out to check the roads earlier. I could probably get you both through to your holiday cottage in the Land Rover.” He tries to keep his voice neutral.

“Oh right.” Ted looks over at Pat. If he didn’t know any better he would swear the man looked disappointed. “Well, that’s good news.” It certainly doesn’t sound like Pat thinks it’s good news.

“Of course, you can never be too careful though.” Ted continues. “It might be best to see how the weather holds out today. I’d be happy for you and Daley to stay another night, if need be.” Pat’s smile warms his heart. “You know, safety first and all that.”

Pat nods sagely, but there’s a happy twinkle in his eye. “Oh yes, safety first, I definitely agree.” Ted returns his smile and they grin at each other.

Chapter Text

“I say, Alison!” The Captain whispered as Alison walked past his room.

“Oh, hi Cap. Everything alright?”

“Yes, I was er, wondering if you would do me a favour?”

Alison narrows her eyes. “I can’t give you more TV time. Any more tanks and I think I’ll have a riot on my hands. Fanny I could just about live with but Julian and Robin can actually mess about with stuff and I can’t deal with that at the moment.”

“No, no! It’s not TV time. I wanted to do something for Pat. We, er… well,” The Captain clears his throat and Alison smiles at him. “I just wanted to do something nice for him.”

Alison is grinning at him now and he shifts uncomfortably. “Oh Cap, yes of course. That’s really nice. What did you have in mind?”

***

“Patrick, would you like to join me on my rounds this evening?” The Captain twists his swagger stick anxiously in his hands, whilst trying to appear at ease.

Pat smiles brightly at him. “Sure, I’d love to.”

The Captain allows himself a small smile. Step one of his plan complete. “Right. Good. Well, this way then.”

He leads them on his usual route. Pat is far too observant not to notice if he deviates from his normal routine, and besides, he still wants to ensure the area is secure before they enjoy the rest of the evening. These days they walk close enough that their hands brush gently as they walk and the Captain considers it one of his greatest achievements that he not only doesn’t flinch at the intimacy anymore but he honestly enjoys it.

Eventually they reach the edge of the woodland area where Alison has set up his surprise so he deviates slightly from his well worn path but if Pat notices he doesn’t mention it. They come to the clearing and Pat, who had been chatting away as they walked, falls silent. He looks at the tent and camp fire in front of them and then looks up at the Captain. “Is someone camping?!”

The Captain smiles fondly at Pat. “Well, yes. We are, I hoped.”

Pat’s confusion morphs into surprise and then into something that looks a lot like love. “Did you do this for me?”

The Captain nods. “Have I forgotten an anniversary?” Pat whispers and the Captain chuckles.

“No, you haven’t. I just wanted to do something nice for you. With you. Just because.”

Pat’s eyes sparkle in the campfire light as he smiles at the Captain. “Thanks, Cap. That’s lovely. You’re lovely.”

The Captain flushes at the praise. “Shall we go and select what wood we’d pick for the fire?” He asks, offering his hand to Pat.

Pat takes his hand and brings to his lips, kissing his knuckles tenderly. “Yes, let’s.”

Chapter Text

“That,” Fergus announces as he drops his bag unceremoniously onto the floor in his hallway, “was the worst fucking day I’ve had in a long time.”

Adam follows him through the door and picks up his bag, hanging it on the banister so Fergus doesn’t trip over it later. “Yeah, not the best.” Fergus hadn’t exactly invited Adam over, but he’s known him long enough to know when Fergus needs the company. “Shall I cook us some dinner?”

Fergus is already laying on his front on the sofa so all Adam hears is a muffled yes. “Brat.” He calls through to Fergus, but rolls his sleeves up and makes a start on dinner anyway.

By the time the food is simmering Fergus has sat up on the sofa. “I’ve got such a fucking headache.”

Adam rolls his eyes and puts a lid on the pan before walking over to stand behind the sofa. “You’re not the first person to have a bad fucking day, Fergus.” He snipes, but his harsh tone is at odds with the way he reaches out to run his hands through Fergus’s hair, just hard enough to feel really fucking good.

“Fuck.” Fergus moans and Adam almost regrets doing this. They’re tactile, but he doesn’t usually touch Fergus like this for this very reason. He’s fucking pornographic if Adam rubs his head or his shoulders. But he’s had a shit day and Adam does actually feel a bit sorry for him, so he carries on running his fingers through his hair and lightly scratching his scalp.

After five minutes Fergus has let his head tip back and he’s fallen asleep. Adam keeps stroking his hair softly until he hears the pan starting to boil. He looks down at Fergus. He looks relaxed and Adam smiles softly, leaning down to place a kiss against Fergus’s temple before heading back to the kitchen. It’s risky, indulging like that, but sometimes he can’t help himself.

Adam wakes Fergus when dinner is ready and they eat together.

“Will you stay?” Fergus asks him when they’ve finished. “Watch some crap on TV with me?”

Adam isn’t sure he’s ever actually said no to Fergus, and he’s not about to start now. “Sure.”

They sit in silence for several minutes, watching some rerun of something that wasn’t great the first time round. Finally Fergus turns to him and says, “You could do that again, you know.”

Adam turns to look at Fergus. “What, cook you dinner? Yeah, I bet.”

Fergus snorts. “Well, yeah. But I meant kiss me.”

Adam freezes and his stomach drops. “You were awake.”

Fergus doesn’t think he’s ever seen Adam blush. But he is now and Fergus decides he likes it, a lot. “Yeah, I was.”

“And you didn’t mind?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Oh.” Fergus watches as Adam goes from looking apprehensive to cautiously optimistic. Finally he smiles at Fergus, who smiles back at him, and leans in. “What about now?” Adam asks him, their lips just millimetres apart.

“Yes, please.” Fergus replies and Adam kisses him.

Chapter Text

Fergus hears movement downstairs in the house but he has no intention of getting up just yet. He has no idea what time it is, but it’s Christmas so he thinks he’s earned a lay in. He’s just drifting back to sleep again when their bedroom door bursts open.

“Hey, wake up uncle Fergus!” Ella shouts as she rushes into their bedroom. “It’s snowing!”

“Yeah, wake up uncle Fergus!” Adam’s laughing as he follows Ella into their room. He lifts Ella up so she can climb onto the bed for maximum Fergus waking impact.

Fergus groans and rolls onto his back, looking blearily up at his niece and his fiancé. One he can forgive for waking him up because it’s snowing. The other is going to have to do a lot of fucking groveling. “What time is it?”

“It’s time to go out in the snow!” Ella replies, completely seriously, and even Fergus can’t be a grinch at that.

He smiles at Ella. “Alright. Alright, I’m getting up.”

Sarah puts her head around the door and laughs at the sight of Fergus being railroaded into going out in the snow by a three-year-old. “Come on, Ella. If you want to go out in the snow you need to put your coat on.”

Adam picks her up and sets her down on the floor. She looks up at him. “I’ll be there in a minute. I need to make sure uncle Fergus puts his coat on too.” Fergus makes a rude gesture at Adam, out of Ella’s sight.

Placated, Ella runs after her mum and Adam closes the door behind her. He goes back over to the bed. “Sorry about that. You don’t have to come out in the snow if you don’t want to.” He doesn’t look sorry at all.

But he does look happy, and Fergus thinks he can probably live with that. Fergus gets out of bed and kisses Adam’s smile. “It’s fine, I’d like to.” Adam grins and kisses Fergus again.

They make their way downstairs and into the garden where they spend most of the morning playing in the snow with Ella and Sarah, with Heather watching from a sensibly warm spot in the kitchen.

They eventually head in when Ella gets tired, which is a good hour after the three adults start flagging, and Adam and Fergus head upstairs to get changed.

“Thank you for waking me up, that was fun.” Fergus admits as they pull on warm, dry clothes.

Adam wraps his arms around Fergus from behind and holds him close against his chest. “It was. And they’re all heading to Norwich tomorrow, so maybe we could have a lay in together while the house is empty?”

Fergus turns his head and grins at Adam. “Even better.”

Chapter Text

Alison and Mike have opened up Button House to the Community Hall people again. They’re having some building work done so it’s a nice few weeks of income, which in the run up to Christmas couldn’t really have come at a better time.

It also means the activities taking place are more exciting for the ghosts (only Robin was into Zumba). Kitty and Fanny have enjoyed watching the Christmas arts and crafts sessions, Thomas was overjoyed to be able to critique the poetry at a creative writing class and Julian had been very interested in a drawing class until he discovered it was still life, as opposed to life drawing.

The Captain had stayed reasonably clear for the most part, but his attention had been piqued by a yoga session. Not for the yoga itself (not with his knees!), nor as Julian had implied because of the handsome man who ran the class, but for the meditation session at the end. They put up quotes on a projector, as inspiration for the attendees and one had caught his eye.

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”

Now, in life he might have scoffed at such a sentiment, but in light of recent revelations he was perhaps more receptive to it. Thinking about that quote, on and off for the last week, has made him realise that he is happier in his own skin in death than he ever was in life. He’d thought that once the adrenaline of finally sharing his story with his fellow ghosts had worn off he might come to regret it, but that feeling had never materialised. He knows this is partly down to his own growth as a person, but he also knows that growth probably wouldn’t have happened without the others. They’ve each, in their own ways, attributed to his growth and in turn his happiness, mostly by not treating him any differently since that evening. Instead their quiet acceptance has allowed him to be more unapologetically himself. From Fanny’s kind words, which meant more to him than she’d ever know, to Julian gently teasing him about the yoga instructor, it feels good to finally fit in, not in spite of himself but because of it.

The Captain smiles at Pat and Kitty as they enter the hall for food club. No, it’s never too late to love yourself and be what you might have been.