Chapter Text
The plates and utensils from dinner have been cleared away and the hall is filled with the muted sounds of conversation and clink of porcelain as the guests enjoy coffee, tea, or something a little stronger. Tom is talking quietly with Mr. McMath, but his hand rests on top of Billy’s on the table.
The hall is decorated with grey tablecloths and the greenery in the centerpieces of the tables is composed a mix of dark leaves and ivy interspersed with tight, white rosebuds. The tables surround the dance floor with the head table long one side, backed by high windows that give an impressive view of the snow-covered grounds outside the hotel. Candles flicker and the light bounces off the glasses on the tables. The effect, when combined with the chandelier and the lights outside, is that of the space outside the dance floor shimmering in the otherwise low light.
At one end of the head table Hinde glances at his watch, then waves to Barr, who nods. Hinde taps a spoon against his glass and the guests quiet down, some shifting in their seats to try to see what’s happening. Tom’s head swivels and Hinde gives him a single nod. He smiles wide and stands, tugging his gloves out of his epaulette and pulling them on. He smoothes the front of his tunic before reaching down and taking Billy’s hand, pulling him to his feet. Billy pulls his own gloves on while glancing nervously out over the sea of people, lights and decorations.
“You still want to do this? You know we don’t have to.”
“C’mon.”
A flush rises on Billy’s cheeks as he follows Tom around the table to the dance floor. Tom squeezes his hand reassuringly and turns to face him, slotting their gloved hands together neatly. Tom slides his left hand up to Billy’s right shoulder and he lifts their joined hands as Billy settles his hand on Tom’s hip.
The music starts. Tom squares his shoulders, grinning with the tip of his tongue caught between his teeth. Billy steps back, Tom following him after a short, awkward pause. Billy smiles warmly down at him and Tom’s face lights up. He glances down as Billy leads them around the dance floor in a simple waltz.
“Sorry,” Tom mutters as he looks down at his feet again. Billy laughs softly.
“We’re doing fine.”
“I wanted this to be perfect.”
“It is. Relax.”
Together they settle into the rhythm. Tom moves his hand up to the back of Billy’s neck, dragging his thumb along Billy’s hairline. Their joined hands are drawn in closer to their bodies as they drift nearer and nearer to one another, Billy spreading his hand wide on the small of Tom’s back.
Tom pulls back to look up at Billy, whose eyes are moving from him to his mother and back. He smiles and brings their hands to his lips, kissing Billy’s knuckles.
“Don’t worry about her.”
“Can’t not. She’s staring.”
“Course she is. I’m staring. Everyone’s staring.”
“Tom-“
“I love you, this is our wedding, and we’re dancing.”
Tom tucks his head under Billy’s chin, their joined hands now resting on his chest. His fingers trail under the edge of Billy’s jacket as Billy covers his hand with his own. He rubs small circles on Tom’s back and they move in time with the music.
“I love you too, baby boy.”
Tom turns his head and presses a kiss into the fabric of Billy’s tunic, sighing to himself before settling back onto Billy’s chest.
They sway together, arms wrapped around each other, both their eyes closed. Billy’s head is bowed, his nose buried in Henn’s hair. Their steps have all but stopped so that they are nearly stationary in the middle of the dance floor.