'Witness' - The White Bridge Crime Series 3 - LGBT, manXman

16

It was two weeks before the doctors let Tom go home.

He could walk and had full use of his arm, but was under strict orders not to overexert himself.

Freddie moved back into their house and spent every waking hour fussing over Tom, much to his boyfriend's annoyance.

"I'm fine," Tom insisted one morning. "I'm going to work. You can either come with me, or stay at home and sulk because I've left."

Freddie scowled.

"Fine. I'll get my coat."

Freddie drove them both to The Dinner Table, and they went inside together.

Tom kissed Freddie and immediately went to talk to Adrian; although he looked surprised to see his manager back so soon, Adrian greeted Tom warmly, and the pair immediately sank into discussions.

Freddie stepped behind the bar, where Justin was busy making drinks for a party of fourteen that had just come in.

"Hey," Justin greeted Freddie and handed him a tray of drinks to distribute. "You're back, then?"

"Apparently." Freddie scowled. "He shouldn't be working yet. He should be resting."

"He'll be fine. Everyone's looking out for him."

"I hope so," Freddie murmured. "I don't want to lose him again."

Justin reached across and hugged Fred.

"You'll both be fine."

Freddie smiled at him.

"Thanks, Justin."

Freddie settled himself into the routine of stock-taking, checking over the bottles of liquor whilst Justin served the customers.

"Who's that?" Tom sidled over and wrapped his arms around Fred's waist.

"That's Justin, the new barman. Adrian hired him to help me out."

Freddie twisted in Tom's arms. "Why? Are you jealous?"

Tom shrugged.

"Just checking you're not shopping round for a younger model."

"Now, why would I want one of them?" Freddie asked, smiling coyly at Tom.

Tom grinned and wrapped his arms around Freddie.

Freddie buried his face in Tom's neck, inhaling his scent happily.

"I love you," he murmured.

"I know." Tom stroked Freddie's hair for a moment. "We should get back to work," he said softly.

"Yeah."

Fred made no move to leave Tom's arms. He settled deeper into Tom's touch.

"Hey, I have an idea."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Why don't we go to Chez Francois tonight?" Freddie suggested lightly.

"Chez Francois?" Tom raised his eyebrows. "You need to book months in advance to get in there."

Freddie shrugged.

"I thought you might give your friend Mark a call."

"Hm..." Tom hummed softly. "I could try that."

Freddie leant up and kissed him.

"Hey," Tom said suddenly.

"What?"

"Haven't I asked you to Chez Francois before?"

Freddie hesitated, wondering what to say.

"I don't know... maybe when we first started going out..." He lied smoothly. Inwardly, he kicked himself for lying to Tom. "We both agreed it's way too expensive for us."

Tom frowned for a moment, before he shrugged.

"Perhaps. I'll go and call Mark."

Freddie watched him go, before turning back to the bar. He helped Justin mix the drinks for a party of eight and placed the drinks carefully on a tray for Justin to distribute.

Tom came back over a few minutes later, smiling happily.

"He says he can get us in as long as we arrive before eight and have either a starter or a dessert, not both."

Freddie nodded agreeably.

"Alright. I'll ask Adrian if we can head off early."

Fred went through to the manager's office and poked his head around the door.

"Hey, Aidy, Tom and I are going to Chez Francois tonight. Can we leave a few minutes early."

"Sure." Adrian grinned at him. "So, you two are okay?"

Freddie shrugged.

"For now," he murmured. "But... I'm going to tell him tonight. I'm going to tell him everything."

*

Tom unlocked the front door to let himself and Freddie into the house.

"I had a good time tonight." He smiled at Freddie.

"Me too."

Fred leant in and kissed him gently, before turning towards the kitchen.

"Do you want a drink?"

"Coffee, please."

Freddie made them both a drink, and they settled down in the living room.

Tom sipped his coffee for a moment, before putting his mug down on the table, and leaning across to kiss Freddie.

Freddie smiled and leant in to Tom's kiss; he slid his hands up to cup Tom's cheeks, tilting his head to deepen their kiss.

After a long moment, Freddie drew back.

"I need to talk to you, Tommy." He murmured.

"Why?" Tom kissed Fred again. "Why now? Can't it wait?"

Freddie whimpered softly when Tom's fingers rubbed lightly over his crotch.

"No, Tommy." He managed. "Please."

He firmly removed Tom's hands from his body.

Tom scowled disagreeably, but sat back on the sofa.

"Fine. What is it?"

"First, you need to promise me something."

"What?"

"Let me finish, alright? Even if you don't like what you're hearing, let me finish."

Tom stared at Fred for a moment.

"You're not breaking up with me, are you?" He asked tentatively.

"No," Freddie gripped Tom's hands, squeezing hard. "It was thirteen years ago..."