A little Tomphrey headcanon for their small but devoted legion of shippers.💖
I absolutely love the idea of Thomas being in fixation with Humphrey, before he learns to be in love with him.
Something happens to make Thomas's obsession with Alison, transfer to Humphrey. Say Thomas actually hears the full account of Humphrey's death from Kitty, (with all the romantic flourishes only Kitty can bring) . And he becomes infatuated with the 'idea' of this tragic, self sacrificing hero, who sounds like something straight from Keats or Shelley. And thus begins his assault of woo...The poems, the compliments. The mild stalking. Challenging the other ghosts to a duel everytime he feels Humphrey's honour has been comprised. Declaring Fanny his rival in courtship. Even though he's been assured 'repetitively' by all parties concerned, that ship has very much sailed!
Except Humphrey, who's so used to being ignored and/or unwanted... Kinda likes it. It's nice to be the focus of someone's undivided attention. He's a Tudor man of standing. He knows the ins and outs of courtly love and doesn't mind being the object of someone's faithful and virtuous attentions. And most importantly, he's just so innately compassionate and patient, he can accept Thomas at his most... Thomas.
Thus Thomas who expects his suit to be spurrned or at the very best tolerated, becomes aware of how attentive and kind Humphrey is to him. Maybe starts to wind down the melodrama, learns to listen more. And be the tenderhearted, authentic little romantic we know deep, deep... deep down he's capable of.
It may be slow progress, but they have all the time in the world. And eventually, they finally do come to truly care for one another.