Chapter Text
The day had been unbearably warm. Titch would've preferred if it had been a little hotter in fact, since that would mean less humidity. He wiped another bead of sweat from his brow and dragged out a long sigh while straightening his aching back.
There was a haze of heat covering the edge of the fields. They were only days into spring and Titch was sure worse temperatures were to come but for now he was allowed to complain.
For a moment he stood still, soaking in the last rays of sun before it inevitably set again. The farm had a calming presence at this time of day. It allowed Titch to breathe deep and reconnect with the world in a way he struggled to find when working.
For a moment his brain was quiet, letting the stresses of the day fade away with the sinking sun. Nothing needed to hold any significance in that moment. It was just him, the farm and the sun.
But of course, like every good thing in his life something needed to ruin it. Today it was James' piercing voice screaming his name. He didn't have to turn around to be able to tell that James hadn't taken a single step outside the back door.
He sighed once more giving a small, meaningless nod towards the farm and turning to make his way to the house.
~
The house was quaint in comparison to the farm. It was exactly what you'd imagine a British, countryside farmhouse to look like, the rooms were cramped, the walls were bumpy, the floors were slanted and the place was covered in tartan.
Titch kicked his boots off at the door, shoving them next to the bin. He told himself he'd clean them later that day but that was almost certainly not going to happen.
James came into the kitchen again and imediately halted at the sight of Titch. He had probably been hoping to shout across the farm again, it had always been the elders favourite activity as a boy.
"Dad's new hire's in the living room."
Well that was news to Titch.
"Wait- Da's hired someone?" Titch was taken aback. Dad had told him he wasn't going to do this alone. He had told Titch that he'd allow him to help. Oh god, what if dad had just picked someone at random and this guy knew absolutely nothing about farming.
"'parently," James hummed while stuffing his mouth with a biscuit. "Dad wants you in there to talk to him. Have fun mate."
Titch got a firm pat on the shoulder before James hurried out the door, biscuit in his mouth and backpack slung over his shoulder. Only the lord knew where he was going. The answer was most likely playing football but they could never quite be sure.
Titch collected himself, shaking his arms out and breathing deep for a few moments. The living room was directly down the hall from the kitchen so the walk there gave him zero time to prepare for the 6'5 dreamboat of a man that was sitting on the sofa.
His father was still speaking when he walked in so Titch stayed deadly silent, trying to look anywhere but directly into the eyes of this handsome stranger. As soon as his father had stopped talking the supposed new hire stood up immediately taking a step towards Titch.
He had to crane his neck upwards in an almost uncomfortable position just to get a good look at him.
"You must be Titch!" The stranger said enthusiastically, reaching out to shake his hand.
Titch's brain must have short circuited for a moment because all he could think about was how beautiful this man looked in the light of the setting sun. He shoved the thought aside, he could worry about his sexuality later.
"No- I mean yes! Tha's my name... Titch." Great. One minute in and he'd already found a way to make an utmost fool of himself.
"I was jus' telling our good pal Derek here how you might show him around," His father said whilst slowly pushing himself up and out of the armchair. His face flashed a slight grimace that wouldn’t been noticeable if Titch weren't in the room.
"I'd be happy ta'!" Titch responded, the fog of meeting a beautiful man had passed by and settled further back in his mind.
Derek beamed at that and oh god... The fog washed over again, it was heavy and weighed on the sensible part of his mind. If Titch had thought the guy looked good earlier, then he looked ten times better when smiling. His face ignited a room with sunlight where the sun wasn't present.
He didn't have time for this. He couldn't start falling in love with someone he'd just met that would be silly.
"Ye might have to change yer shoes 'owever." Titch mentioned, changing the subject so he wouldn't have to look at the other man's face.
He pointed towards Derek's shoes. The man was appropriately dressed for an interview but he wasn't appropriately dressed to be walking around a farm.
"Ah, didn't think about that." Derek chuckled, rubbing his hand against the back of his neck. Oh lord, he was cute as well...
"What size are ya son?" His father piped in.
"9, sir." He replied, far too formally. They'd have to teach him farm lingo soon enough.
"I've got a pair that'll fit ya, they're just by the door."
His father patted the two of them on the shoulder letting them make their way out and leaving the two alone. Titch tried his hardest to keep looking forward.
~
The sun had almost completely set but the warmth of the day hadn't quite left yet. The fields stretched long and grand in front of them. The aubergines had started sprouting meaning the fields were decorated with greenery and looking as alive as ever.
It had been a rough winter so the sight of aubergines sprouting early in the spring had been a blessing. Father said this year's harvest would be the earliest in his time working on the fields. It was looking to be a good year for the farm.
Titch was only reminded of his company when Derek spoke abruptly, cutting his little mental pride session short.
“I saw some of it while driving in but it really is amazing isn't it…” He said. There was a glint in his eyes and a soft grin on his face. Somehow it seemed like the last stretches of sunlight had ended up trapped in Derek’s face.
Titch had to look the other way to hide the blush that had snuck its way onto his face.
“Aye, she really is beautiful i’nt she.”
Titch shoved his hands into his pockets, hiding the way Derek's presence made him feel all fidgety and nervous. There was no way he was falling in love with a man. Especially not one he's just met.
“Your dad was telling me that you do most of the work around here, it’s really impressive.”
Titch led them down a narrow path between two fields, the one that took you to the barn.
“I really don't do all tha’ much. James and our other assistant Phillip help out a ton,”
The small pathway forced the two pretty close together until their shoulders were a hair way from touching. Titch couldn't help notice how being this close to the other made him feel immediately warmer.
“Dad also still helps out on occasion, but he's taken up most of the paperwork.” He finished.
Two months ago they hadn't been looking for another assistant. Their father was bright and full of life. He was always up working on the farm, slaving away every day until Titch had to send James out to drag him in and rest.
Two months ago Titch noticed he was constantly rubbing his chest. He'd asked about it but of course he was told it was ‘nothing’ and to not ‘worry about him’.
Two months ago their father keeled over while working in the fields. They rushed him to hospital only to be told a few weeks later it was stage 4 terminal cancer.
“He seems to really love this place. From what I picked up in conversation that is.” Derek said, unknowingly bringing Titch out of spiralling.
“It's his pride n’ joy. Farms been in the family for generations now,” Titch looked back out onto the fields. “Honestly don't know what I'd do without this place.”
There was a beat of silence between the two where they mutually appreciated the farm.
“We’re glad to ‘ave you on the team by the way. Derek, was it?” He stopped walking, turning to look up at the other. Christ, this guy was tall. He held out a hand to shake, a small formality since he can't remember reciprocating the last one.
“Happy to be here!” Derek beamed again.
They shook hands again as Titch got to have another good look at the other. His dark brown hair was neat everywhere except the front where it had fallen out of line, splaying over his forehead. His brown eyes crinkled at the sides when he smiled. The smile. The sun clearly wasn't needed anymore, Derek’s smile was a perfect replacement.
He was going to try hard to keep this one around.