Controlled Love, Part 15: Sharing
Title: Sharing
Series: Controlled Love, Part 15. Start the series here.
Fandom: A Bit of Fry & Laurie
Pairing: Tony/Control
Rating: PG
Summary: Control shares some news.
Disclaimer: No ownership claimed, just oodles of love for these characters.
Sharing
It was two days before the big undercover operation at the state dinner. Tony had received his assignment and wardrobe; he was to be a waiter assigned to serve the head table. He assumed Control would be in a similar role and looked forward to working side by side with his boss and friend.
It was eleven o'clock; he gave a brief tap on Control’s office door. He heard a sound that seemed more a sigh than a "come in," so he opened the door just halfway and poked his head inside. He was careful not to spill even a drop of coffee.
"Good morning, Control. Might I ask if you said 'come in' or made some other sort of sound?" He noticed that Control was holding a piece of paper that looked as though it has been read and folded and reread and refolded many times.
"Oh, hello, Tony. I didn't hear you knock. Therefore, I didn't say 'come in.'"
"I'm most sorry, Control. I'll just close the door and knock louder so you can let me know whether or not this is a good time for me to stop by."
"No, no, Tony, it's quite all right. I'm most happy to see you." It was true-seeing Tony always made Control feel glad.
"Why, thank you, Control. I feel quite the same myself. That is, being happy at seeing you, not being happy at seeing myself." Tony wouldn't want Control to think he was vain.
"Of course, Tony, I quite understand. It's most kind of you to say so."
"Hmm," replied Tony.
As so often happened, an awkward silence settled between them. Each man had vague thoughts of declaring certain feelings but imagined too many obstacles to risk voicing the words.
At last, Tony broke the silence.
"Excuse me, Control, but you seemed to be reading something when I came in. I say that because you were holding that piece of paper," Tony pointed to the paper that Control had laid on the desk, "and you appeared to be looking at it quite intently."
"Good observing, Tony. Full marks. I was indeed reading that very piece of paper."
"Ah, I thought so. May I ask, Control, if the message on the paper has something to do with our undercover operation coming up on Friday?"
"I shouldn't mind at all if you ask that, Tony. I will say right away that it has nothing to do with our upcoming operation." Control thought for a moment, then decided to unburden himself. He really wanted a shoulder to lean on, and he felt Tony was just the right person. "In fact, Tony, it's a letter from Mrs. Control."
"Mrs. Control? That seems somewhat odd since you live in the same house and see each other every day."
Control took a deep breath. There was no turning back now, and the words tumbled deliberately from his mouth. "Well, you see, Tony, Mrs. Control left nearly two weeks ago. This letter is to tell me that she found she loves someone else and wants to make a new life-without me." Control removed his handkerchief from his breast pocket and blew his nose softly.
The letter was word-side up on the desk. Tony didn't want to read it-that certainly wouldn't be very courteous-but he couldn't help but make out a particular sentence: I hope you find joy with the true object of your affection.
Tony was stunned. He hadn't realized that Control was in love with someone else. He was very happy for whoever that person was. Control was a very fine man, and his true love was a very lucky person indeed.
Tony coughed to clear the lump that had formed in his throat. "I can only say how very sorry I am to hear your news, Control. Is there anything I can do for you?"
Control wanted to tell Tony exactly what he would like Tony to do and what he would like to do to Tony to make them both feel good. He couldn't look Tony in the eye for fear of how hot and red his face would get at the thoughts he was trying not to have. Instead, he merely offered, "That's most kind of you, Tony. I shall definitely let you know if I think of anything."
"Well, Control, I'm sure a nice cup of coffee would help at least a little, wouldn't you say?" This was one small thing Tony could do, although there was much, much more he wanted to do. He put the cup on Control's desk.
"Yes, indeed, Tony. A cup of your nice coffee is just the thing. Thank you."
"You're most welcome, Control. Again, I'm sorry for your news and look forward to your letting me know if there is anything I can do to help."
"That's most kind, Tony. Thanks."
Suddenly, Tony got a brilliant idea. "I say, Control. I know it's rather unusual, but I'd be happy to stop back at half two and bring you another coffee. How does that sound?"
Control fairly basked in the warmth of Tony's kind expression and beautiful blue eyes. "Why, yes, Tony, that certainly would be most appreciated. See you then."
"Right, Control. See you then."
Tony felt almost giddy as he closed the office door behind him. He couldn't wait until the afternoon.
Control felt exactly the same way.
Series: Controlled Love, Part 15. Start the series here.
Fandom: A Bit of Fry & Laurie
Pairing: Tony/Control
Rating: PG
Summary: Control shares some news.
Disclaimer: No ownership claimed, just oodles of love for these characters.
Sharing
It was two days before the big undercover operation at the state dinner. Tony had received his assignment and wardrobe; he was to be a waiter assigned to serve the head table. He assumed Control would be in a similar role and looked forward to working side by side with his boss and friend.
It was eleven o'clock; he gave a brief tap on Control’s office door. He heard a sound that seemed more a sigh than a "come in," so he opened the door just halfway and poked his head inside. He was careful not to spill even a drop of coffee.
"Good morning, Control. Might I ask if you said 'come in' or made some other sort of sound?" He noticed that Control was holding a piece of paper that looked as though it has been read and folded and reread and refolded many times.
"Oh, hello, Tony. I didn't hear you knock. Therefore, I didn't say 'come in.'"
"I'm most sorry, Control. I'll just close the door and knock louder so you can let me know whether or not this is a good time for me to stop by."
"No, no, Tony, it's quite all right. I'm most happy to see you." It was true-seeing Tony always made Control feel glad.
"Why, thank you, Control. I feel quite the same myself. That is, being happy at seeing you, not being happy at seeing myself." Tony wouldn't want Control to think he was vain.
"Of course, Tony, I quite understand. It's most kind of you to say so."
"Hmm," replied Tony.
As so often happened, an awkward silence settled between them. Each man had vague thoughts of declaring certain feelings but imagined too many obstacles to risk voicing the words.
At last, Tony broke the silence.
"Excuse me, Control, but you seemed to be reading something when I came in. I say that because you were holding that piece of paper," Tony pointed to the paper that Control had laid on the desk, "and you appeared to be looking at it quite intently."
"Good observing, Tony. Full marks. I was indeed reading that very piece of paper."
"Ah, I thought so. May I ask, Control, if the message on the paper has something to do with our undercover operation coming up on Friday?"
"I shouldn't mind at all if you ask that, Tony. I will say right away that it has nothing to do with our upcoming operation." Control thought for a moment, then decided to unburden himself. He really wanted a shoulder to lean on, and he felt Tony was just the right person. "In fact, Tony, it's a letter from Mrs. Control."
"Mrs. Control? That seems somewhat odd since you live in the same house and see each other every day."
Control took a deep breath. There was no turning back now, and the words tumbled deliberately from his mouth. "Well, you see, Tony, Mrs. Control left nearly two weeks ago. This letter is to tell me that she found she loves someone else and wants to make a new life-without me." Control removed his handkerchief from his breast pocket and blew his nose softly.
The letter was word-side up on the desk. Tony didn't want to read it-that certainly wouldn't be very courteous-but he couldn't help but make out a particular sentence: I hope you find joy with the true object of your affection.
Tony was stunned. He hadn't realized that Control was in love with someone else. He was very happy for whoever that person was. Control was a very fine man, and his true love was a very lucky person indeed.
Tony coughed to clear the lump that had formed in his throat. "I can only say how very sorry I am to hear your news, Control. Is there anything I can do for you?"
Control wanted to tell Tony exactly what he would like Tony to do and what he would like to do to Tony to make them both feel good. He couldn't look Tony in the eye for fear of how hot and red his face would get at the thoughts he was trying not to have. Instead, he merely offered, "That's most kind of you, Tony. I shall definitely let you know if I think of anything."
"Well, Control, I'm sure a nice cup of coffee would help at least a little, wouldn't you say?" This was one small thing Tony could do, although there was much, much more he wanted to do. He put the cup on Control's desk.
"Yes, indeed, Tony. A cup of your nice coffee is just the thing. Thank you."
"You're most welcome, Control. Again, I'm sorry for your news and look forward to your letting me know if there is anything I can do to help."
"That's most kind, Tony. Thanks."
Suddenly, Tony got a brilliant idea. "I say, Control. I know it's rather unusual, but I'd be happy to stop back at half two and bring you another coffee. How does that sound?"
Control fairly basked in the warmth of Tony's kind expression and beautiful blue eyes. "Why, yes, Tony, that certainly would be most appreciated. See you then."
"Right, Control. See you then."
Tony felt almost giddy as he closed the office door behind him. He couldn't wait until the afternoon.
Control felt exactly the same way.