A Table Set For Two
Title: A Table Set For Two
Author: Timelordshines
Characters: Rhys Williams, Gwen Cooper
Rating: PG-13
Words: 593
Spoilers: S2E9
Disclaimer: Characters belong to RTD and the BBC - I’m just borrowing them.
Written for love_bingo prompt "Candlelit Dinner"
Rhys smoothed out the table cloth, stood back and looked at the table with a critical eye. Something was missing. He picked up one of the napkins, folded neatly on the place setting and refolded it into a crown that he put in the wine glass. That was better. He did the same with the other across the table, one light blue, the other pale pink. He checked his watch, the dinner should be ready in about ten minutes.
Even though Gwen had promised to be home early tonight, he had picked something that he could cook and then re-heat easily just before they were ready to eat, knowing that she would be detained at least twenty minutes or so at work. But that was ok. He had got used to her never quite being on time. His girl, too busy saving the world. Rhys smiled with pride.
He went upstairs and had a quick shower, changing into the clothes that he had already laid out. He hadn’t wanted to change into them earlier just in case he spilt something whilst cooking. The black trousers that he had chosen were a little tight on him, but Gwen said they looked good. He put on the dark purple shirt that Gwen liked and brushed his hair before heading downstairs to wait for his wife.
Rhys checked his watch again. Twenty five minutes after Gwen was supposed to be home. She would be here any minute. He checked the food was ready just to warm up in the oven, took the wine out of the fridge and filled a wine bucket with ice. He took the drink though to the other room and set it on the table, lighting the candles in the tall silver candelabra for the finishing touch as he sat down at the table to wait.
After fifteen minutes Rhys was getting impatient and fidgety. He got up and started pacing the room. He checked his phone for what felt like the twentieth time. Still no message. Rhys understood that Torchwood wasn’t exactly a nine to five job, but she could at least text to let him know she was going to be late. Five more minutes and another one hundred checks of his phone and Rhys gave up “Guess we’re not having this dinner then,” he muttered as he flopped down on the sofa and flicked the TV on.
After an hour and a half of mind numbingly dull television and still no message on his phone, Rhys’s rumbling stomach prompted him to get up and dish himself up some dinner.
As he sat alone at the table set for two he ate mechanically, the delicious food seeming bland and flavourless without his lover to share it with.
He finished his food and stared into the burning candles, watching as the flames puttered out.
Eventually, having lost track of time, he heard Gwen’s footsteps on the stairs up to the flat.
Rhys stood up.
Gwen opened the door.
“Where the bloody hell have you been?” Rhys asked, brandishing his phone, “would it have killed you to let me know you wouldn’t be home?”
“I’m sorry Love, it’s been a really tough day.” Gwen looked so tired, upset and lost that Rhys deflated, the fight going right out of him.
“Hey, it’s ok,” he said softly, opening his arms and wrapping his wife in a big hug. He stroked her hair and whispered “It’s ok.”
Because it was.
She was home safe and in his arms, and that was all that mattered.
Author: Timelordshines
Characters: Rhys Williams, Gwen Cooper
Rating: PG-13
Words: 593
Spoilers: S2E9
Disclaimer: Characters belong to RTD and the BBC - I’m just borrowing them.
Written for love_bingo prompt "Candlelit Dinner"
Rhys smoothed out the table cloth, stood back and looked at the table with a critical eye. Something was missing. He picked up one of the napkins, folded neatly on the place setting and refolded it into a crown that he put in the wine glass. That was better. He did the same with the other across the table, one light blue, the other pale pink. He checked his watch, the dinner should be ready in about ten minutes.
Even though Gwen had promised to be home early tonight, he had picked something that he could cook and then re-heat easily just before they were ready to eat, knowing that she would be detained at least twenty minutes or so at work. But that was ok. He had got used to her never quite being on time. His girl, too busy saving the world. Rhys smiled with pride.
He went upstairs and had a quick shower, changing into the clothes that he had already laid out. He hadn’t wanted to change into them earlier just in case he spilt something whilst cooking. The black trousers that he had chosen were a little tight on him, but Gwen said they looked good. He put on the dark purple shirt that Gwen liked and brushed his hair before heading downstairs to wait for his wife.
Rhys checked his watch again. Twenty five minutes after Gwen was supposed to be home. She would be here any minute. He checked the food was ready just to warm up in the oven, took the wine out of the fridge and filled a wine bucket with ice. He took the drink though to the other room and set it on the table, lighting the candles in the tall silver candelabra for the finishing touch as he sat down at the table to wait.
After fifteen minutes Rhys was getting impatient and fidgety. He got up and started pacing the room. He checked his phone for what felt like the twentieth time. Still no message. Rhys understood that Torchwood wasn’t exactly a nine to five job, but she could at least text to let him know she was going to be late. Five more minutes and another one hundred checks of his phone and Rhys gave up “Guess we’re not having this dinner then,” he muttered as he flopped down on the sofa and flicked the TV on.
After an hour and a half of mind numbingly dull television and still no message on his phone, Rhys’s rumbling stomach prompted him to get up and dish himself up some dinner.
As he sat alone at the table set for two he ate mechanically, the delicious food seeming bland and flavourless without his lover to share it with.
He finished his food and stared into the burning candles, watching as the flames puttered out.
Eventually, having lost track of time, he heard Gwen’s footsteps on the stairs up to the flat.
Rhys stood up.
Gwen opened the door.
“Where the bloody hell have you been?” Rhys asked, brandishing his phone, “would it have killed you to let me know you wouldn’t be home?”
“I’m sorry Love, it’s been a really tough day.” Gwen looked so tired, upset and lost that Rhys deflated, the fight going right out of him.
“Hey, it’s ok,” he said softly, opening his arms and wrapping his wife in a big hug. He stroked her hair and whispered “It’s ok.”
Because it was.
She was home safe and in his arms, and that was all that mattered.