Gin and Bitterness

Fandom: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy / Smiley series
Rating: G
Setting: Pre Canon
Characters: Mary Alleline, Percy Alleline, Bill Haydon, Jim Prideaux
Primary Pairings: Bill Haydon/Jim Prideaux
Word Count: 393

 General Summary: Jim Prideaux watches Bill at the Circus' annual Christmas party and reflects on aspects of their relationship.

Author’s Note: Back in December 2012, I tackled the 25 Days of Holiday Fic. This was the prompt for 'Tinsel.'


”Oh cheer up dah-ling.”

Jim rolled his eyes at Bill’s deliberately mocked-up drawl as he consoled a sullen Mary Alleline, draping a strand of multi-coloured tinsel about her shoulders like an unbearably gaudy mink. He had spent half the evening with the woman - Percy’s Scotland wife - and while it was in part to save them all from a scene with Percy, he seemed to be enjoying the dancing and gossip, and she certainly was smitten with him. Jim snorted. Then again, who wasn’t smitten with Bill?

Not that it mattered, Jim thought to himself as, glancing up, Bill shot him a wink and a sly grin; Mary wasn’t Bill’s type.