Brimsley and Reynolds

Chapter 18

Wind rustled through the green leaves. Everything was so peaceful. Brimsley could hear the quiet chirping of birds, feel the soft grass underneath him, the sun lightly kissing his face. This was perfect. 

Brimsley's eyes were closed, his head in Reynolds' lap. They were sitting in a field on the property of the cabin. It was surrounded by trees, completely isolated and completely beautiful. Brimsley found that his eyes were beginning to grow heavy, and he fought to stay awake. He didn't want to miss a single second of this. 

"Tell me something I don't know. Something true and personal" Brimsley said quietly, trying to keep himself from drifting off. 

Reynolds chuckled, looking down at Brimsley as he softly stroked his cheek. "Something you don't know? I don't think there's anything about me you don't know," he replied.

"Oh come on, there's got to be something. Think," 

Reynolds squeezed his eyes shut, pondering. "Piano. I play the piano, quite well might I add," 

Brimsley's eyes fluttered open. He gazed into Reynolds face, a small smile playing on his lips. "Really? How come I've never heard you play?"

"I get nervous, I've never liked playing in front of people. My mother used to make me play for people all the time, but I always preferred it when I was alone, I felt like I could truly loose myself to the music,"

Brimsley shook his head, closing his eyes again. "When we get back, you're playing for me,"

"What about you? What is something I don't know?" Reynolds asked. 

The sun was right above their heads, but the cool wind and clouds kept the day mild and pretty. "I used to dream of being an artist. Of living in Paris, selling my work and not having a care in the world. It wouldn't matter if I didn't make a lot of money, I could be free. Did you know France recently decriminalized being homosexual? Isn't that amazing? I feel like England will sooner disappear into thin air than allow that to happen," Brimsley said longingly. 

Reynolds kept his eyes on Brimsley, watching his lashes flutter softly. "That's incredible," he replied in a whisper. It was strange, to hear of this life Brimsley had dreamt up. A life he had most likely dreamt of without him in it. Reynolds had never even thought of leaving England, it was all he knew. 

The once blue sky was beginning to darken. Deep grey clouds that Brimsley hadn't even noticed before were starting to move, blocking up the sky. "We should probably head back to the cabin," Reynolds remarked, looking up at the darkening clouds. 

As if in response, a clap of thunder sounded around them. They got up, running back to the warm and cozy cabin, but not before the rain began falling. Brimsley reached out, grabbing Reynolds' hand as they ran back to the cabin in the pouring rain. By the time it was in sight, they were already completely soaked. 

Brimsley came to a halt outside of the cabin, standing in the pouring rain. Reynolds was forced to stop, as their hands were still laced together. "What are you doing," Reynolds shouted above the rain. Brimsley moved, his face now just in front of Reynolds'.

 "This,"

He kissed him, pulling him in as close as humanly possible as the rain ran down their cheeks. Everything was cold, but their mouths were warm as they kissed in the downpour.

They finally made their way out of the rain, the warmth of the cabin a welcome embrace. They pulled off their wet clothes, changing into dry ones. Reynolds wrapped Brimsley in a soft blanket before pulling another around his shoulders. 

Reynolds busied himself with fixing some tea while Brimsley sat curled up on the couch. He carried over the two steaming mugs, snuggling next to Brimsley as he passed him his cup.

"Cream, no sugar for you, and one sugar, no cream for me," Reynolds said as he clutched his warm mug. He leaned his head on Brimsley's shoulder, sipping the tea. It was still raining outside, and the lamp lit cabin was dim and cozy. 

Brimsley picked up his copy of The Forest by Ben Johnson, flipping through to his marked page, his favorite poem of the book. He idly ran a hand through Reynolds' hair as he began to read it aloud, something they had been doing since they had first become involved. They would find poems, romantic pieces, poems that reminded them of each other, or just poems that they found interesting, and they would read them to each other. 

Reynolds smiled as Brimsleys warm voice began to ring out against the sound the the pattering rain.

"Song: To Celia"

"Drink to me only with thine eyes,
And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss but in the cup,
And I'll not look for wine.
The thirst that from the soul doth rise
Doth a drink divine;
But might I of Jove's nectar sup,
I would not change for thine.

I sent thee late a rosy wreath,
Not so much honouring thee
As giving it a hope, that there
It could not withered be.
But thou thereon didst only breathe,
And sent'st it back to me;
Since when it grows, and smells, I swear,
Not of itself, but thee."

Brimsley shut the book, looking down at Reynolds, whose head was now on his lap. "What do you think?" He asked lightly. 

A muffled hum came from Reynolds' throat as he sat up, "It was different. Sensual but still comforting. I love it," he added with a smile.  

They stayed there in silence, Reynolds resting his head on Brimsley again. Neither wanted to speak, but both knew what had to be said. 

"We leave tomorrow," Brimsley said finally. He felt Reynolds nodding. "What will it be like when we return?" He continued softly.

Reynolds forced his head up again, gazing into Brimsley's eyes. "Nothing. We go back to normal, you serve your Queen and I serve my King. We share a room in the nights, and spend every minute together when The King and Queen are with each other," he forced a sad smile. Brimsley nodded his head slowly, thinking over what was being said. 

"You don't...." Brimsley paused, trying to figure out what to say, "Do you think we will ever be able to grow? Trapped in the mansion, serving the King and Queen, never experiencing anything new or...." He faded out again, not even sure what he was trying to say at this point. 

"I think we can grow, as long as we are with each other. I learn more about myself and the world every minute a spend with you," Reynolds said. 

Brimsley didn't know how to respond. He couldn't even understand exactly why he found that life unsettling, but the idea of living his whole life doing the same thing in the same place, with a mad King and the one person he loved a secret from the world, it all terrified him. But what more could be done? This was the life he knew, it was the only life he had. How could he be free if he didn't even understand what freedom was for him?

The carriage ride back to the palace was nowhere near as nice as the ride away from it. The roads were muddy from the rain, and a feeling of melancholy stifled the air in the carriage as they pulled up to Buckingham House's entrance. 

Brimsley was surprised to see a group of palace constables standing in front of the entrance. He stepped out, but stood still as they began approaching the carriage. Reynolds followed close behind him, speaking in his perfectly commanding King's man voice. 

"What can we do for you gentlemen?" He asked lightly.

One of the constables stepped up, crossing his arms as he looked at them both "We're looking for Mr. Brimsley," he said gruffly.

"That's me," Brimsley replied.

The head constable signaled the others, and two constables walked over, grabbing Brimsley and restraining him. 

"Bartholomew Brimsley, you're under arrest under the charges of criminal homosexual activity,"

A/N: Sorry for the cliffhanger by the way😭 I'll update as soon as possible. I just wanted to thank everybody who's reading, voting, and commenting on this story! You guys are so awesome and I just love writing for you!!!! Thanks so much

Kiera😘