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]

"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.

[thirstforvice]

Matthew is not completely ignored, many people aware that he had also been there on that fateful night. Thankfully, the story of his own uselessness during the proceedings seems not to have travelled so widely, and for the most part it is congratulations and handshakes that he receives. And enough drinks to take the edge of his bitterness at the fact that he is not at home and naked with his lover.

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet finally breaks away from the celebrations and finds Matthew among the crowd.

"S'fine gin they have here," he slurs, swaying forward so that his nose bumps against his lover's ear.

[thirstforvice]

Matthew takes hold of Bennet by the hip, tight enough for it be pointed, whilst at the same time looking as though he is just keeping his friend upright to a casual onlooker.

"D'you think it's time we hailed a cab?"

[thegentlemanthug]

Bennet's lips brush Matthew's ear as he grins.

"Afore I have you up against this wall?"

[thirstforvice]

"Or I have you..." Matthew leaves the statement hanging between them, as he gives Bennet's hip a firm squeeze and pulls away.

[thegentlemanthug]

Something stirs in Bennet at the thought, a lot like panic but mixed strongly with lust.

He's momentarily dumbstruck, gives in to the desire to kiss his lover's ear, take a nip at it.

[thirstforvice]

"Home time, Sergeant Drake," Jackson suggests, as lips and teeth play at his ear. He's not so drunk to forget the beating he'd received for daring to love another man.

"C'mon."

[thegentlemanthug]

Drake takes Matthew's wrist and slips out of the pub with all the subtly of a carthorse.

He flags down a cab, still keeping a proprietary grip on his lover's arm.

[thirstforvice]

"'m right here," Matthew laughs, trying to make it look a little more as though he's supporting his drunken friend, rather than the borderline groping that is actually occurring.

"Don't worry, I'm not gonna go anywhere."

[thegentlemanthug]

"Nope. Taking you home. Mrs Ramsay has her ear wax an' everything."

Drake tries to grope him and misses, hand snatching at his lover's jacket.