for Thomas

[klavierspieler]

The hotel was busy again that weekend. People from all over the world had come to visit the famous Adlon, and Julian figured some of them had come to hear him play, too. He'd been practicing for weeks for the piece he'd be performing that night.

As the band took their places, Julian did the same. He took a breath before placing his fingers on the keys to begin playing. He enjoyed it more than anything, being able to share his art with everyone.

Little did he know that his life would change that night, after a chance encounter.

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Thomas still wasn't sure how he'd been so lucky to get to travel there. It all felt very unreal to him.

He was going to leave, find somewhere else less - well where he'd feel more at home when he stopped. Listening to the music. He was enchanted. He kept to the edge but he watched the band playing.

The piano player... it was dangerous. Especially with Thomas being who he was, who he loved didn't help either. But he just felt a need to stay and listen. And want to hear more.

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He glanced around the room and his eyes landed on the handsome, dark-haired stranger. He was watching from the side, intriguing Julian. But he didn't stare for too long, not wanting to cause trouble for either of them. The attitudes weren't the kindest towards those who loved in a way that society didn't accept.

But he was bold enough to flash the man a smile, maybe a little flirty. He hoped the mysterious guest would stay until the end so that he could approach him.

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Against everything that Thomas thought he should do he stayed, he stayed and listened to the end. The music... he may not understand all the words being spoken around him but the music he did. He stayed towards the edge of the room, of the crowd, a quick exit not too far. But glad that he did when he saw that smile. That smile he hoped meant what he thought when he saw it and was going to be worth the wait.

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It made him happy to see someone appreciate his music like that, and the reaction to his smile was a good one, too.

After the final notes were played, Julian stood up and gave a small bow before he approached the handsome stranger. The smile came back again.

"I haven't seen you around before. Are you here for business or pleasure?" Only the two of them would understand what he really meant.

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"I was passing through, a rare holiday." It was. He still didn't believe it. Thomas smiled.

"Music like that is always a pleasure." He sounded like he went regularly to see concerts. It was different there, that having it on the recordings he'd heard before. Maybe the musician in person helped with his appreciation. "You play excellently."

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"Is that so? Welcome to Adlon." Julian found Thomas's smile endearing. He was definitely intrigued. Hopefully a long stay.

"Danke. There's something so satisfying in expressing oneself with music." And it's when he realized that he was speaking to a British gentleman. A very charming one. "Do you smoke? We could go somewhere more private to continue this talk."

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"I do." He nodded, even if Thomas hadn't smoked before he was going to have said yes right then. Because he wanted to be alone with the man. Find out things and if they were right. At least that way if they were alone he could get away easily of he was wrong. But the longer he was talking to this man the more he hoped he was wrong about needing to get away.

"I'd love one right now." He held out a hand to shake. "I'm Thomas."

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"Excellent," Julian smirked at the handsome stranger. He hoped he was right about things. That would make tonight so much better. He took Thomas's hand, shaking it and lingering in the contact. "Julian. Follow me."

He led Thomas to his own little smoking spot, offering him a smoke only to realize he had one left. "Oh dear.. Looks like we'll have to share." Which didn't bother Julian one bit. He placed it between his lips, lit it, and took a drag before offering it to the other man.

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Thomas's breath caught as the lingering contact. He felt a thrill at it. Nodding and following Julian. More sure he was doing the right thing.

"Oh." Thomas didn't sound disappointed they'd have to share. Quite the opposite and having to keep the joy from his voice and sound more neutral. But he couldn't help a little smile. Since they were in a quieter spot.

He watched Julian light up, watching his hands then his lips as he held the cigarette. He reached to take the cigarette from Julian when he offered it, hands brushing together again. Longer than needed. Making sure that he had the right idea where this could be heading. But he took a drag on the cigarette then smiled as he let the breath go, already holding it out to Julian again to have their hands touch again.

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He watched Thomas for a moment, admiring his hands and lips. With a knowing smile, he reached his hand out to take the cigarette again and this time he gave Thomas's hand a slow caress.

"How lucky that you chose this hotel," Julian said before letting out his breath of smoke. "I was sure I'd have to spend the night alone. No one's really caught my eye until you appeared." He looked into Thomas's gorgeous eyes and he found himself leaning closer, kissing him softly.

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The kiss was completely disarming for Thomas, he was worried, he wanted to enjoy it but he had to ask first, "Do you do this often?"

Was this a trap for someone like him? Was he about to get dragged out and locked up. He couldn't risk that. Julian was so tempting though.

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"No. Can't say I've been surrounded with opportunities." He understood Thomas's fear and he gently caressed his cheek to reassure him. "I have to pretend I'm someone else here... I imagine you've had to do the same."

Julian frowned, taking another drag of smoke. He'd never understand why people were so narrowminded and hateful.

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All too often Thomas did. Then there were times in that it didn't appear, no opportunities nothing that appeared so no one asked. He didn't say or do anything that would arouse suspicions.

Thomas had been lucky at Downton. He knew that. He felt a pang of guilt then making Julian frown, he was handsome and shouldn't be frowning.

"There was a time when I didn't really have to. Where people knew and didn't care. It wasn't talked about but they still treated me like me. Since I've left there I do. Its a risk even travelling because of where I'm from now."

He reached to take the cigarette from Julian, hopefully a suggestion to him that he was still willing.

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At some point during the night they'd moved, as Thomas came back to being awake he was aware he was definitely in a different position than he had been going to sleep. But the best part was that he realised that he was still being held by Julian. Tangled up in the sheets with him.

Thomas could have sobbed with joy knowing that Julian was not only still there but he'd meant what he said. He was still holding him. That felt so much better. He rolled into Julian's embrace, against the other again. Feeling Julian's arm over him. More comfortable for them both.

He moved closer against Julian, pressing his cheek to his chest and closing his eyes, happy again to doze because Julian was still there and they didn't need to be anywhere right away.

[klavierspieler]

True to his word, Julian kept his arm around Thomas through the night, holding him close and keeping him safe. It felt so good to open his eyes and see the man he'd fallen for. He smiled as he watched him sleeping, not wanting to disturb the handsome man's rest just yet.

He reached for the phone to make a quiet call for some breakfast, glad that he was talking to someone who wouldn't mind seeing a man in Julian's bed. He pulled the blanket a bit higher, figuring Thomas might not appreciate being naked for someone else to see. The breakfast arrived a moment later and after waving bye to his friend, Julian decided to kiss his lover awake. "Hey.. Guten Morgen."

[hidden_heart]

Thomas started to smile as he felt the kisses rousing him from his sleep. He had fallen asleep again and... he then smelled breakfast. He realised he was also covered up, he kissed Julian then. A thankful little gesture at how kind he'd been to cover him up. He knew someone else might not have had that care.

"Guten morgen." Thomas repeated a little dreamily.

"You're still here." Though Thomas said it as he meant it, he did not want Julian to leave.

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"Of course. I gave you my word." Julian smiled, kissing the handsome Brit on the lips and lingering. "You must be hungry after last night." He climbed out of bed a little reluctantly and brought the breakfast tray over.

"Hier ist dein Frühstück," he said and gave a small bow of his head, smiling again.

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"Not bad..." Thomas smiled figuring out what Julian said with the tray and time of day, that Julian did that filled him with happiness again, not that he wasn't already but maybe a top up. It wasn't mean spirited either that made him sit up and pull the cover back properly.

"I'm not eating until you join me again." He patted the spot next to him. "I bet you have worked up quite the appetite too."

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"Thank you," Julian grinned at the compliment. He was glad that Thomas understood what he meant.

"Oh I'm definitely hungry after all that amazing sex last night." He took a seat next to his lover, kissing his cheek. "Enjoy, Mein Liebling."

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Thomas pulled the cover over them both and moved the tray so it was between them.

"It was rather amazing wasn't it." He rested his head against Julian for a moment. Smiling. Still unable to believe it was real.

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"Something I've never experienced before." He smiled and nuzzled the top of Thomas's head before he reached for a piece of toast to feed to his lover. Julian felt like pinching himself again.

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Thomas took a bite of toast. Wondering again how he'd got so lucky to meet Julian.

"I haven't had a night like that either." He didn't want another one with anyone else. Only Julian.

[klavierspieler]

"And we can have as many as we want from now on." He smiled as he watched Thomas eat the bite of toast and ate some himself. It was so special sharing breakfast with someone who meant so much to him.

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Thomas finished his toast and poured them coffee each. He smiled as could smell it. He liked the smell of it especially in the morning.

"For you." He moved the cup towards Julian. "And we can. Many of them." As many as they could together.

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Julian looked forward to having breakfast in England. He'd love to try proper tea as well.

"Danke," he said with a smile, taking a sip from his coffee. "Can't wait to see what else we'll think of. I'd love to try many things with you, Mein Liebling. Different positions."