Many thanks

[id-ten-it.livejournal.com]

See the post below this one for the plot bunny. I'm sure I wasn't the only one affected?
Also- there's another htree stories which are needing only a little brushing up before they're posted, just waiting till I'm in the mood, so to speak.

Title: Projector
Pairing(s): Algy/ Biggles, Smyth/ Jones (see 'goodbye')
Warnings: Three POV's. First is the projectors, second Smyths, thirdly, Algy.
Summary: Smyth would never admit the real reasons behind knowing he had to buy the dilapidated projector

There’s plenty of things we don’t talk about, of course, and plenty of things we pretend not to see.

Then there are things they don’t see. Things no-one can see but me, and I won’t be telling anyone anyway. Secrets safe with me.

 

A while ago, during a recent spot of leave, Smyth had wondered into an old electrical store and purchased, at a heavy discount, a broken projector. He had the know- how to fix it, the tools and the time and for many days it lay on the bench in the old canvas hangers, being patched up by a group of mechanics who had finished or were taking a break from their more formal work.

 

Good to be feeling whole again, and cared for. There’s others seen to care for as well and it’s nice to get some of that attention myself, instead of watching it, foisting it, upon others.

 

The day it was finished, Smyth rounded up all the lads and treated them to a film, projecting it onto the back wall. They’d brought food and drink with them and it turned into a party. However as an officer he knew his duty full well and offered it to the officer’s mess, via his boss Algernon Lacey. “That’s very kind of you, Flight- sergeant. How about I agree a time when we can move it over. And, of course, you could make use of it two nights a week- you know we usually are otherwise engaged on a Friday and we could say a Tuesday for the other?”

Smyth grinned, “That’s very sporting of you sir. The lads’ll be right pleased to hear that, I can tell you now. I’ll get it shifted over there by tonight.”

 

Firm hands arranging everything to the most comforting satisfaction and providing a sheet as a screen- set up to show me off to my finest. The film was a bawdy one, simple plot line (boy meets girl, girl runs off, boy makes lewd jokes, sings a bit, overcomes various difficulties, finds girl, they get married) though suitable for the clearly tired men watching it. Even ‘Wat’, as various people called the man I saw sitting wearing the badge of logistics group, had his head back, mug in hand.

 

The first night, Smyth held his breath, hoping the thing worked alright. Judging from the occasional bursts of laughter from the mess, he had nothing to worry about. The next morning, Algy shook his hand even as his belted up in his spitfire, “Thanks for the film last night, Flight- Sergeant. Worked a treat.” Indeed, all the officers appeared to have managed a good nights sleep, short though it was.

“Pleasure, sir. Good hunting.” Smyth retired to congratulate the team who’d worked with him, already anticipating their Friday night.

 

Same place, so maybe I’ll be kept here forever. They’re nice, though, and there’s some who do nothing but watch, which is good for my ego, of course. Then there’s a few who doze off, mouths a little open, faces taught. There’s two who sit in the same seats, merely twist around a little when a film is suggested, budge along when another man needs a seat. One is short, fair, slim and sits on the end of the seat. The other, taller, freckled and longer- haired could be mistaken for a boy just out of school, if you ignored his eyes. They’re only soft when he’s with his companion, I noted, when he came in alone tonight.

“Was a bit worried about Mr. Lacey last night, Smyth, but he’s cheered up after watching your good deed. Good to know ones wing is back online.” Biggles nodded at his mechanic, eyes soft as they drifted to his right, noting Algy already suited up.

“Not just my good deed, sir. I’ll pass on the praise, if I may.” He patted the fuselage carefully as Biggles made to start up. The two flyers certainly seemed much more relaxed, also more attuned to each other. Algy needn’t have looked to start up when Biggles was the prescribed distance away and Smyth, looking up for a moment, watched them find each other in the air through what appeared to be nothing other than a sixth sense.

 

They moved me again tonight and the group was younger and older, greasier hands and, on the whole, fewer scars. One of them, Smyth, the one who saved me in the first place, got a huge cheer when he got me going. Silly men, don’t they know I’d do what I would for this Smyth, circumspect and caring as he is?

 

“Come on, lads, early start again tomorrow.” Biggles stretched and placed his cup on the top of the piano as he did so. Algy bobbed up after him, untangling his longer legs with the newborn- foal grace which seemed to plague him when they’d been snuggled so closely for such a time. “You know I don’t like it there!” he exclaimed, taking both cups up to the hatch. “He knows you’ll tidy up after him!” Called out a voice, followed hard up by a Scottish one, “Like an old married couple, you are.” Much laughter and Algy attempted to look upset, failing miserably.

“If that’s so, at least I’m the husband.” He asserted, holding the door open pointedly, bowing Biggles through. Ribald comments drifted across the night air as others followed Biggles out. Algy slipped his hand into his partners as they made their way to their rooms, happy to have a chance to explore familiar territory in a more private, deeper, fashion than possible with a projector entertaining the masses.

 

Smyth would never admit the real reasons behind knowing he had to buy the dilapidated projector, knowing as he did so that it would cut into his nights. Mentally he revised that opinion. He would never vocalise it, but there would always be one who knew, who couldn’t help but realise, given their habit of sitting close under cover of darkness, distracted men ignoring their fond caresses. It was far easier to do these light touches when sitting on a stable seat, instead of trying to fit them in as one was re-arranging the innards of a plane or working on the latest ‘must have’. Although they’d got rather good at doing that, too, Jones and himself.

 

Oh yes, I see a lot. All the awkward attempts at moving beyond friendship, all the exhaustion, all the secrets that people think no-one else is witnessing. Because they see what they want to see, they interpret as they want to interpret. Usually it’s the same old, same old, as the films they insist on watching are. If I could speak I’d tell Smyth to source some more interesting tales.

But if I could talk I’d be tempted to tell what cannot be told, even by pictures. The love which blossoms in the back row. Two devoted couples in one airfield. A good place to have been rescued to, this is.

 

.

Comments

[003chan.livejournal.com]

Oh well, how to sum up my feelings in a civilised way... That's so SWEET! The best read for breakfast ever. I was giggling all the way through and still have the stupid happy smile plastered on my face. It made my day.
I'm so glad I sent Smyth to you with the projector :D He proves again that he's a man in the right place.

*smacks Biggles* putting your cup on top of the piano, you!
'Old married couple', oh yes they are! They do behave like that even in the books. I've been thinking about it the other day.

What a great storyteller our old projector is! We definitely need more stories from it (about snuggling in the back row)!
*impatiently waiting for your three new stories*

[id-ten-it.livejournal.com]

THankyou!
Smyth is such a necassary sort of character, and he refuses to go chasing after anyone other than his beloved Jones, which saves any problem with the others chasing each other round ahve the world.

Ah, they are the best old married couple! Well, feel free to get more projector stories, by all means.

three new stories are still very much trying to get longer. I think they'll be better for the growing, so wait a little longer, please!

[003chan.livejournal.com]

Mmm... another projector story... I need an idea! Where have all of my bunnies gone?

I'll be waiting :)

[id-ten-it.livejournal.com]

You LOST your plot bunnies?

I'm not sure if I'm jealous or shocked.
Oh-er. I just saw your icon. Why didn't I think of that? That is so great!
(Can you do one with an albatross as well? Shooting something...?)

[003chan.livejournal.com]

They've run away :'( I have to go and find them!

Albatross? I shall try to make something for you ;)

[prudence-dearly.livejournal.com]

That was very interesting, having the projector's POV, as well as the standard third-person. And I liked that Smyth's motivation was getting a little quality time with his man :) Biggles and Algy getting teased about being married (and liking it :D) was super-sweet too.

The love which blossoms in the back row
Awww.

Thanks for this :)

[id-ten-it.livejournal.com]

I thought it was a good way to keep the projector in with the story.
Yep, SMyth has ultarior motives too!
Pleased you enjoyed it so.