Brimsley and Reynolds

Chapter 1

This job was everything and Brimsley knew it. Not even a week ago, he had been working as a butler for a rich man who owned a large estate. That, was a bad job. When he had heard of the opening as Queen's man, he hadn't even thought twice about applying. He had been applying for as many jobs as possible, and what could be better than getting to live in a palace for the simple task of keeping an eye on the Queen? He didn't think he would get it, after all, what did he know about tending to royalty? But for whatever reason, they chose him.

That brings us to this morning. Brimsley is following the head housekeeper. She's strict, as she has to be, as she orders Brimsley about. "This is your room," She says in her shrill voice. She stops in front of two green doors and points to the door on the right."Great", he thinks, "I have a neighbor". Opening the door,  he finds a small bed, desk, and chair. Plain. He also notices another door, one that looks like it would connect to the room next door. The head housekeeper offers no explanation on the strange placement of the door. Brimsley whips his head up as she starts speaking again, walking at a steady pace. He scurries to keep up with her. "Today you will be meeting with the King's man, you will be trained by him until her royal highness Princess Augusta finds us our Queen," He nods as he struggles to remember detail after detail that she keeps throwing at him. As they enter yet another extravagant room of Buckingham Palace, he is met with an unfamiliar gaze. 

Piercing blue eyes lock directly with his. A tall, blonde man stands in the room that the head housekeeper has led him to. He is wearing a similar uniform to his own, except it is black instead of red. The man walks over to Brimsley, his steps sweeping and graceful. He extends his hand. "Good morning, you must be the new Queen's man. My name is Reynolds. Ms. Carter mentioned I would be training you," The head housekeeper, Ms. Carter, nods her head in agreement. Reynolds has a deep and calming voice, and Brimsley at once feels himself becoming flustered as he reaches out his hand to meet Reyolds'. "Nice to meet you," he says in a somewhat squeaky tone. He shakes Reynolds' hand, trying to ignore the heat he feels beneath his white glove. 

Reynolds smiles slightly as he questions further, "And your name is?" Brimsley tries to shake off his unsettled feeling as he manages to more steadily respond. "Brimsley, my name is Brimsley," Reynolds smiles a little more, then abruptly becomes serious as he motions for Brimsley to follow him as he walks. "As the Queen's man, you will have many duties. But your duty of upmost importance is to be of absolute service to the Queen. Whatever her majesty needs, you shall get it for her. Wherever she goes, you go. You are always," he stops suddenly and turns around, facing Brimsley, " to be five paces behind her," 

Brimsey nods as Reynolds begins walking again. He finally works up the nerve to ask Reynolds the first question that comes to mind. "So, is your job as King's man quite similar to mine?" Reynolds once again stops, seemingly contemplating his answer. "No," he says "Your job is much simpler and less important than mine," He once again begins walking. Brimsley stays frozen in place, unbelieving that this man had the nerve to say something like that. "And why do you think that is?" he asks, indignant. Reynolds shrugs, "It's just the way it is," he responds casually. Brimsley can't believe what he is hearing. "So you truly think you are more important than me, simply because you serve the King I serve the Queen?" Reynolds locks eyes with Brimsley, and walks up to him. He stands so close, Brimsley can smell him. Surprisingly floral, pungent, like gardenias. Reynolds leans down to whisper in his ear. "I guess we'll just have to find out," 

Brimsley and Reynolds are finally finished. After almost an entire day of Reynolds explaining thing after thing and Brimsley listening in stony silence, Reynolds's announces that they are done for the day. As Brimsley begins walking back to the green door Ms. Carter had pointed at when he first arrived, he becomes aware that Reynolds is right behind him. Every turn he makes, Reynolds makes. Finally he turns around, catching Reynolds by surprise. "Are you following me?" Brimsley questions. Reynolds surprise quickly fades into amusement. "Absolutely not, it is tradition for the King and Queen's men to room next to each other, did you not notice my door next to yours?" He says in his condescending explanative tone. Now it was Brimsley's turn to look surprised. Then annoyed. He begins walking to his room, trying to ignore Reynolds nagging presence. "Of all the people," He mutters under his breath. "What was that," Reynolds asks, catching up to Brimsley. "Nothing," he says as he finally reaches his door. They both reach for the same door knob, their gloved hands touching. "Wrong door," Reynolds says in his bemused tone. Brimsley pulls away, and opens his door. "Good day," he says promptly "Good day," Reynolds replies. And they both slam their doors shut. 

A/N: I made a playlist that sort of embodies their relationship in this story, I would totally recommend listening to it while reading! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0PaJ6FhC2ePfoGPRCQiEkr?si=4315dd79748b4e7c