RS/A man in uniform

[thegentlemanthug]

An uneasy truce develops between Drake and Reid, until the Inspector seems to forget the incident and subject them to his usual moods.

So when Drake is called to the Inspector's office, he has no idea what to expect.

"The incident with the jail cells," Reid begins.

"Sir." Drake's voice holds a warning note. He had hoped it had gone away for good.

"It seems you conduct did not go unnoticed."

Drake's jaw tenses. "Inspector, I can-"

"You're being given a commendation. For exemplary conduct. I suggest you find your uniform, Sergeant. There will be a fête outside the station this evening. I expect a couple of Parliamentary members at the very least."

In a daze, Drake exits the office and almost walks straight past his lover in his shock.

Comments

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet watches his lover as he stands at the top of their stairs.

"A finer gentleman I never did see."

[thirstforvice]

"I look like a bloody toff," Matthew grumbles, though there's a smile on his face as he looks his Sergeant up and down.

"And not half as handsome as you, Sergeant."

[thegentlemanthug]

"And you can be admiring of each other later," Mrs Ramsay bustles. "We are going to be terribly late!"

Drake holds open the front door. "Majesty."

[thirstforvice]

"They can hardly start without Sergeant Drake, can they?" Matthew points out, letting himself be bustled out the room.

At Bennet's nickname, he can't help but giggle in a most ungentlemanly manner.

[thegentlemanthug]

Mrs Ramsay is already hailing a hansom and Drake hands her up into the carriage, before offering his hand to his lover.

[thirstforvice]

"Don't even think about removing an inch of that uniform without my say-so," Matthew whispers as he moves past Bennet into the cab. He has never seen his lover look so in need of ravishing.

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet hopes his blushes can be passed off as being a little too warm in his uniform. Mrs Ramsay, however, shoots them a knowing smile.

"I've very proud of you," she says. "Both of you."

[thirstforvice]

"I've not done anything," Matthew points out, sitting with his thigh pressed against Bennet's on the bench of the cab.

"Our Inspector made that crystal clear."

[thegentlemanthug]

Drake's jaw tenses and he grips Matthew's hand. Reid wore a dark bruise on his cheek for a week and that had been justice enough.

"I'm sure you boys have put that all behind you now," Mrs Ramsay says breezily, as if it were a schoolboy squabble.

[thirstforvice]

Matthew harrumphs and falls quiet, watching from the hansom's dirty window as they make their way back towards Whitechapel.

"'s the Sergeant we should be proud of today, is all I meant," he eventually explains himself.

[thegentlemanthug]

"I'm proud o'you every day," Drake says, prepared to defend his position on that to the bloody death.

[thirstforvice]

"You're cute," Matthew laughs, not going quite so far as to kiss his lover in front of their landlady, though he wants to.

"But this ain't my special day."

[thegentlemanthug]

"I'm sure you'll find something to celebrate," Mrs Ramsay says innocently. "I'll plug my ears with wax tonight, shall I?"

Drake tries not to choke.

[thirstforvice]

Matthew decides not to respond to that particular comment, for fear of going too far and saying something that could land them all in trouble.

Thankfully, the hansom is beginning to slow, and it's only a moment longer before they're being disgorged onto Leman Street. "Your adoring crowds await," Matthew grins, alighting first and being the one to offer a helping hand to Bennet, this time.

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet takes the offered hand and steps down into a crowd of people, all dressed in their finery, laughing and joking together.

There are press men, and food vendors, and police officers from all the neighbouring stations.

"It's like a bloody circus," he complains.

[thirstforvice]

"You're our hero, Sergeant Drake," Matthew grins, wanting to do so much more but very aware of just how many people are looking at them.

"Enjoy it. Even you gotta get some sort of pride out of this."

[thegentlemanthug]

"I'm just a soldier," Drake says awkwardly. "I don't want no fuss."

But Reid is already beckoning him towards the stage.

[thirstforvice]

Matthew helps Reid along, giving Bennet a shove of his own in the lower back, to propel him forwards onto the stage. Standing where he has the best possible view, he clears his throat and prepares to cheer louder than the rest of the crowd combined.

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet stands awkwardly next to Fred Abberline, listening to a colourful version of events that night at Leman Street. The crowd boos and cheers like he's a music hall spectacle.

And then Abberline approaches him with a little silver disc in his hand and Bennet has to swallow past a lump in his throat, looking into the crowd to find his Mattie's eyes.

[thirstforvice]

Matthew is, of course, grinning like a loon and clapping and cheering loud enough to be receiving dirty looks from those standing nearby. In a moment of boldness, he presses one hand to his mouth, blowing a kiss in his Ben's direction.

He's sure those around him will just assume him to be particularly flamboyant.

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet blushes at the kiss, as Abberline pins the medal to his chest.

The crowd cheers, the press men take their pictures, and Bennet tries not to think about his lover's excitement, the rumpling of that fine suit.

[thirstforvice]

Matthew waits impatiently for the ceremony to be over, the medal pinned proudly to Bennet's lapel. It feels like forever before his lover is being let down from the stage, and he's falling back into his proper place at his side.

"It suits you," he compliments.

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet turns to grin at his lover, say something about getting them both home, but he is surrounded by his brother officers. They practically carry him away from Matthew towards the The Brown Bear, already singing their drinking songs in anticipation.

[thirstforvice]

Matthew's irritation is barely concealed as Bennet is whisked away to the Bear. He had wanted a quick getaway, was already imagining just how he was going to peel that uniform from his lover's body. Instead, he finds himself with no choice but to follow the crowd towards the pub, resigning himself to a round of drinks before he can have Bennet to himself.

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet is hardly let alone for the next hour, spirits and beer thrust into his hands, many toasts raised and songs sung.

He looks for Matthew, but he cannot escape the insistent press of the officers and their constant supply of drinks.