"Aneisha has been doing it for years. Perhaps your guards should train in it," he teased lightly before turning to a blushing Edwina. "Your food my lady." Theo bowed and swept an arm as if it was him that had made and carried it all up making the woman giggle. 

"Thank you," she signed back making him smile wider and more genuine. He took a seat at a small table with her where they could sit and talk.

While the pair signed in silly conversation, his eyes could not help but watch as Neal moved about the room again before taking a seat near Fletcher. He could not watch long and instead focused on gently redirected Edwina's hands into the correct positions for the words she was trying to say. His touch lingered as he smiled tenderly at her. 

"You're improving. You could teach, Mr. Truckett at this rate, couldn't she Mr. Daw?"

"I don't know. I kind of like the idea of making my dearest wait. Something about suffering making the heart grow fonder? Oh or was that absence?"

He grinned impishly with a knowing smirk as he passed Fletcher and lead him out of the kitchen. "Do try to not scarf it all down though. I happen to like the eggs."

His eyes watered slightly but he beamed brightly at the other man. He thought he had already fallen for Fletcher but with every word and every touch he fell all the harder for him with no safety net to catch him. It was dangerous. It was beautiful. And he was greedy for more. 

He took the time needed to settle, to straighten clothes and hair, to soothe the flush of his cheeks and return to mild-mannered retired deviant Theodore Archer instead of passionate and starving for affection Theo the Tart.

Aneisha was piling up trays in Fletcher's arms by the time he was finally able to meet in the kitchen. "Kenna," he laughed, "how many do you expect to feed? There's only two of us for tea this morning."

"Her Ladyship demanded you were fed for having missed breakfast, sir. Caused a right mess of things it did. Not to worry Mr. Theo, we'll have it all sorted for you shortly."

"I'm so sorry, Kenna," he murmured looking entirely out of place in his pretty clothes and utterly guilty. Theo was quickly waved off though as the women continued their hustle and bustle around him. He peeked over at Fletcher and just the sight was comfort enough to make the smallest of smiles return to his face. He wasn't alone in this anymore. 

Theo would be lying if he didn't admit that Fletcher being a gentleman and retreating didn't sting him a bit. He felt like he had done something wrong and was being cruel to the man. Like he really was a tart and just kept leading him on and shutting him down. He didn't mean or want to be a tease, at least not right now and like this.

"I'm sorry," he murmured while misbehaving further and drawing him into a tight hug. "Not trying to be a tease. Go. I'll...settle down. Anyone asks I'm looking for...," he paused and looked at the shelving,  "...a candle?"

He smacked Fletcher's chest lightly. "No, none of that. We are going to be good so that this can be a thing that continues instead of ending right here."

Still he leaned into Fletcher's touch like a man equally thirsty and needy. A deep blush flushed his cheeks once more as if the mere mention of it brought it right back to say hello.

"It's your cocky little smirk that does the same for me. I see it and I want—" Theo cut off abruptly, blushing deeper and looking quite bashful. "Nevermind. Are you going to be alright today?"

"I know," he replied a bit pitifully, his brows knit in concern. "But I just really wanted a hug from my beloved. The kisses are a lovely bonus."

So saying he lead in to steal a gentle peck. "I'll be better going forward. I just am greedy. I warned you of this. You know this...all of this was for you, right? Never her. Never the game."

"Oh," she commented looking the man up and down before pouting slightly. "Does this mean I'll see less of you Jack? I always feel safest when you're on duty."

Theo adopted a fake smile to keep from rolling his eyes. "Mr. Daw will be doubling with Mr. Truckett until he learns the routines and comings and goings here. After the ball, the Baron wants to ensure our utmost safety, my dear. Trust you are in good hands.

"Now then, have you eaten? I had Mr. Truckett check on it for us but it seems to be taking a moment. Mr. Daw if you'd be so kind as to escort me to check on it?"

"Oh surely you can have Mr. Trucker escort you dearest? Uh it's just I have something to discuss with Mr. Daw."

"I'm afraid it's the Baron's orders that I be accompanied at all times," Theo said easily, determined to not break his promise and to keep Fletcher from being caught alone with her. "And Mr. Truckett is still not familiar with everything here. You don't mind do you?"

"...no of course not," she replied faking a tight smile that turned to a sneer the moment his back was turned on her.

He nodded to Fletcher to follow him as he made a hasty retreat from the room. Theo did not immediately head to the kitchen however and instead walked down the hall to where one of the house's washrooms were. He looked around to see if anyone was around and then suddenly yanked Fletcher into a closet.

The moment the door closed he embraced him warmly and closely. "Good morning, my heart," he whispered against the man's ear. 

"If there's anything I can do to make your time here more pleasant you need only voice it and I'll see what I can do. Mr. Daw can attest to that given he is unused to our seasonably colder weather and requires more and more blankets at night."

Theo smiled fondly at the men and had opened his mouth to say more when in bounced his fiance. "Oh Theodore darling I'm so sorry I'm late—look at you!" Edwina exclaimed as the nobleman stood to greet her. They exchanged cheek kisses as she fawned excessively over his appearance.

"Oh and who might this be? Jack I know, but I don't think we've met sir?"

He blushed deeper at the praise, his features softening some. "Thank you. A shame then I don't look better out of it," he added quickly with a little smirk, knowing Fletcher didn't have time to reply back.

Theo smiled at Neal's entrance as if welcoming an old friend. "You find my days are indeed very much filled with a great deal of hustle and wait. My bride-to-be is the far more social one. I have no idea how she manages it, she is truly a marvel. Did you sleep well Mr. Truckett? Is your housing to your liking?"

His eyes widened some and his cheeks flushed. Theo had to look away first and lost this round. Fletcher had called him a tart right in broad daylight where anyone could hear. Anyone that is who knew it was Theo being referenced.

"How pragmatic of you, Mr. Daw. It's good to see you settling in here. See that you don't get too comfortable so that security lapses."

"You're the absolute worst...bastard man."

Theo hissed softly and turned as red as his outfit. "The whole house need not know what I get up to by candlelight," he whispered. "You leave my innocent books out of this lest you find yourself with all night shifts. I'm sure Tiff would adore more evenings at home with his loving wife and family."

He took his usual seat at the piano but sat with his back to it. "As long as she desires. This is to be her future home after all. Will that be a problem?"

He made sure to brush the back of his hand against Fletcher's as the man fell into step with him. A brow did raise to be addressed as sir and for a brief moment he felt a little panicked that the night before had all been a mistake or a dream. But then the twinkle in his eye and the pull of his mouth was answer enough. Fletcher was playing with him.

Theo rolled his eyes some with a small smile. "I had a lazy morning in bed and now will be missing breakfast entirely. Too many dreams on my mind it seems."

They entered the piano room and finding it empty, Theo stared intensely at Fletcher. "My fiance is coming," he replied with a small smirk. "Of course I want to impress my beloved. Wouldn't you?"

Theo stayed long enough for him to fall into a deep sleep before finally kissing his brow and slipping out of bed. All his own personals were collected and double checked that no article of clothing was abandoned and forgotten before he finally slipped out and closed the door. Per Fletcher's instructions he bathed and buried his clothes in the hamper. A quick note was written with utmost care and slipped under the man's door. It was as close to a love note as Theo could safely get and he wished he could do more.

But, with his bedroom door quietly unlocked and the moon well high in the sky he too finally crawled into bed with an exhausted yawn. The bed felt so large and cold now that he was alone. It felt like a vast ocean in comparison to being cuddled up so close in Fletcher's arms. He wanted nothing more than to think on all that had happened that evening but the moment his head hit the pillow, he was a goner.

He did not even wake when Fletcher came barreling into his room, a thought that had he known, would have terrified him. But when he did wake it was to the weak sun upon his face and an empty bed. Theo lingered there until the maids came in to make his bed and were startled to find him still in it. He had to take the time to reassure them that all was well and just a lazy morning for him.

But their expressions were those of knowing fondness and they kept their thoughts to themselves that the Young Master was taking some time for himself for once. Once they finally left, he dragged himself from bed and looked over his clothes for the day.

Normally it would matter little to him but he recalled how Fletcher had mentioned he liked how he looked all dressed up fancy for the ball and wanted to be more intentional with his choices. With Edwina coming, he had the perfect excuse to impress as it were. Pity for her that it wasn't her he was trying to woo however.

Theo settled on a red robe set with gold embroidery embellishments and a black silky sash. He preened in the mirror some adjusting his hair this way and that before giving up with a disappointed sigh. Fletcher knew what he looked like. What was the point of trying to be something he wasn't? His misbehaving bangs were just going to fall forward anyway.

And while he did forego the paints and powders he had been strong-armed into wearing for the ball he did dab a bit of cologne oil just below his ears and on his wrists. He smiled back at his reflection, recalling the kisses his beloved had placed there as well as their own secret little discovery. He wondered how long they could both be kept at bay before his face was buried there once more.

Theo exited his room and nodded in greeting to the pair waiting for him there. "Mr. Daw, Mr. Truckett. Good morning. As I am running a bit late this morning, Lady Obower will be meeting us in the piano room this morning. Mr. Truckett if you could see that the kitchen is made aware of this and had some trays made up, I would be most grateful. It's quite alright for you to wait for them to be ready. There's no need for you to have to run back and forth so early in the day," he smiled gently to the other man. 

"It is but so is everything we have done and everything we have agreed to do. They are risks I'm willing to take for our happiness. But, if you're that worried I can leave now?"

Theo smiled at him softly. Who would have thought he would ever have the scowling smuggler turned bodyguard curled up in his arms like a cat? He loved this man so much. It still didn't feel real that they were to be lovers, that he was wanted as much as he wanted the other man back. 

"Mine," he agreed giving the other man a warm squeeze. "And completely yours."

He made a soft sound of sympathy and leaned in to kiss his brow. "I will be just next door when you wake. And you can come in as soon as you're awake to check as many times as you need to. I'm not going anywhere. Another promise to you."

"Then sleep, my heart," he replied continuing to pet him as the tension of Fletcher backing off eased. "Let me be the one to watch over you for once. I'll get back to bed before it's too late and we'll have tomorrow and the next day and all the days after. You cannot break yourself to steal more hours in the day just because you managed to acquire yourself a—what would we call ourselves?"

"Oh the most squeaky actually. Just like how I recall mice were, all high-pitched, quiet, and cute," he teased. The more Fletcher spoke though of hopefulness, the more unsure Theo looked. His lips narrowed into a small pursed mouth and the tears that had misted at the corners of his eyes actually fell.

"I don't know," he spoke choked up with them. "I never knew to try. I feel so stupid for never having done this before. You beautiful, brilliant man," he murmured combing his fingers through Fletcher's hair again. "How do you always find all the ways burrow into my soul like this? I don't think I've cried so much in all my life," he laughed softly trying to scrub at his cheeks. 

Theo flushed and giggled back. "It seemed right in the moment. You went and did what you wanted so so did I." He rubbed noses with the other man, much sweeter and calmer now that he had his breath back and the initial wave of realization had passed.

"I'm sorry for startling you though. I—you—what did you say actually? I...," he misted up slightly and sucked his lips in as he tried to recenter himself before continuing. "I can't understand anymore." Then in a barely audible whisper he added, "I heard your voice."

He could hear it. He could hear all of it! None of it made sense but for the first time in twenty-five years, Theodore Archer was hearing another human being's voice, and not just any voice but that of the man he professed to love mind, body, and soul. 

When Fletcher pulled away at last it was to see Theo with eyes wide in overwhelmed intensity. His breath raced in and out of his lungs so quickly he bordered on being unable to breathe entirely. He did not even answer the other man just continued to stare like a haunting statue. 

Then suddenly the hand on Fletcher's shoulder let go and sunk instead into his hair. Theo grabbed a hefty fistful and yanked the man in again as he surged forward to kiss him passionately. Where all Theo's previous kisses had been slow, warm, tender, and loving, this one was full of grappling fire and need.

"You absolute bastard man," he declared fondly against his lips as he tried to catch his breath. Theo felt dizzy and lightheaded and yet still continued to kiss him deeply until his vision blurred with dark spots. Only then did he pant and rest his forehead against the other man. 

He placed his hand on Fletcher's arm as if to push him away but shivered at the gentle kiss. Theo said nothing even after the buzzing of Fletcher's words upon his skin had ceased. But the tension in his body did not fade, only grew stronger and a sharp, short gasp escaped him. 

Theo could hear.

He could not make out the words or understand what they meant but a bit less faintly than before he was able to hear what he could only assume was his beloved's voice. It was strange and nothing like he remembered sound being like but also familiar and warm. He remembered how he had once told Fletcher that he could hear tuning forks when placed against his ear in the same spot and wondered how he had never tried this before. 

Still though he said nothing, too afraid to admit it and break it. Too afraid to hold hope for something he had accepted and let go so long ago. And too afraid that it would be another reason for Fletcher to consider him unworthy or too much hassle. 

Theo was equally frozen in a bit of shock and stared back at Fletcher quite stiffly as if afraid to move or breathe too harshly. "I. Don't. Know," he replied in an equally anxious and almost clipped tone, his eyes wide in uncertainty.

"Like I felt you talk and I recognize kind of the feeling but...I don't know if I imagined it. But, I think I—this is so stupid—It's not possible—I probably just imagined it, but I thought I heard your voice. Not the words. But,—" he cut himself off abruptly and shook his head again. "Forget it. I'm sorry. You were comfortable too. I didn't mean to bother you."