I was thinking of a very specific dynamic for Thomas and Vincent post conclave
Vincent is having a very hard time with this whole pope business, he's a man of action, of getting his hands dirty, not of politics and speaking and making statements to thousands if not millions.
He's also very lonely and isolated, many popes had friends and established relationships when entering the papacy, they knew who to trust and had some personal support.
Vincent has none of that, enters it all as a stranger to everyone, if he had friends he left them behind in every place he's been and gone, never really put down roots anywhere and in the Vatican it really does come back and bite him in the worst way possible.
Vincent becomes very despondent and depressed, manages to function because he always has but he sinks deep into this darkness that comes out when he's alone. Finds solace in prayer and that's all he does alone, no hobbies no none work related conversations, just praying and meditating, his personal prayers become more and more desperate and sad.
And then Thomas is there, faith restored, vows to himself to protect this pope and support him in any way he can. And Vincent really admires Thomas and relies on his advice and help but he doesn't feel that it's within his right to impose on Thomas in any personal capacity, Thomas is a senior member of the cardinals who frankly should have been pope instead of him. So he doesn't let Thomas in on his troubles. And Thomas is well meaning but he's a tad oblivious to anything emotionally related that isn't smacking him right in the face.
Eventually he would notice Vincent's depression when it becomes too much for him to hide, maybe he gets thinner again, maybe he starts the day with red eyes after sleepless nights of praying while crying quietly.
And when he figures it out all hell breaks loose. And by hell I mean Thomas Lawrence becomes the most mom friend you've ever met. He is not going to leave Vincent alone. He starts chatting with him about random books he's enjoyed, asks him about music he likes, gets him a personal cell phone to send him pictures of turtles. He offers to sit with him for post work tea time, just to chat and relax while upholding the sacred rites of the English Tea Ritual. He turns up his humor capabilities to 11, suddenly cardinal Lawrence is a court jester at every meeting? And he has English humor so 80% of the curia is baffled by him. But not Vincent. Vincent cracks small smiles at first that eventually turn to full blown laughter, Vincent starts taking more walks outside so he can send Thomas pictures too. Vincent starts listening to music again so he can talk about it with Thomas. Thomas slowly but gently pulls him up, enough so that one day he can tentatively offer Vincent to help him, be an ear to his trouble, be a shoulder he can lean on if he needs to.
And Vincent breaks down crying at that. He clutches onto Thomas and cries and cries and it's ugly and full of snot and cathartic and he's not alone anymore.
Thomas can't carry his papacy but he can carry Vincent
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