"There's a difference between a man I know and a man I don't. Besides," he said thickly, looking completely downtrodden, "that was said before I came to the stark reality of not knowing people like I thought I do."

He rested his head back against one of the stalls and closed his eyes. "Tease Aneisha about her new boyfriend or not, at the end of the day it's not any of my business I suppose. Best I don't make more of a mess of things."

"Aneisha has a boyfriend?" Dewey stood behind Fletcher looking pale and like he had been punched in the stomach. 

Theo shook his head. "I only know better because I've tried before. Elijah was the caretaker, not me. I don't know much of anything in that regard so don't beat yourself up too much. At least you can escape some of them and send the others. Maybe get yourself up to mischief finding out who Aneisha's new mystery man is."

He kept his mouth shut and had to dip his head to hide the surprised brow raise he gave the other man to see him almost fawning over Aya. All the months Theo had known Fletcher not once had he spoken in anything less than exasperation towards the dog he felt obligated but not attached to caring for.

"Too sick and they'll stay home and send for the healer. Not sick enough and I'm dragged along with a hovering mother. Besides somehow I don't think 'why yes I just destroyed my insides, let's have fun now,' sounds as inviting in reality. This of course paired with that kind of repeated illness can't be good for my actual health. It was worth a thought though I suppose," he added hurriedly realizing how it must have sounded shutting down the person actually trying to help him. 

Theo shrugged. His own experiences were so different that he couldn't really comment on how true or not Fletcher's words were. However, when he realized he had let Fletcher in on his own secret tradition, he blushed and looked away embarrassed.

"Well I mean they do their own celebrating of course and they all try to have gifts for each other. My parents give the majority of them Yule Eve off and Yule morning. Kenna and Olivier will likely still work extra but the rest of you can at least enjoy it. I always purchase a barrel of drink for their festive and some small useless gift for each of them. It's stupid and not much I know," he muttered with an embarrassed shrug. "They don't know any of it comes from me except Kenna who helps me with it. Sorry to spoil the magic for you I guess."

He kicked over an empty bucket and sat down on it in thought while Gin and Tonic swarmed at his feet for head pets. "It's a relentless mess of rapidly increasing parties until as it gets closer it's one or even two a night. The closer to Yule yours is, the higher standing in the community you have. If the forces that be are with me I can take ill with plague and avoid the majority of them from the comfort of my bed. Everyone just constantly drunk and loud and merry. It just all feels so...fake."

"You think?" He asked getting to his feet and moving further away from the bodyguard in order to spoil the horses. "I mean I know she's growing up but..." he shook his head and rubbed Maple's nose. "I was really hoping it's the time of year.

"Mm! That reminds me I need to send some letters tonight to place some orders for the staff or it's going to be a very sad for you all. I don't know what's worse: Mother or the endless holiday parties to attend."

"No one suspects the deaf fop," he replied with an impish wink. Fletcher's complaints were met with a deepening smirk and Theo signing 'later~' at him.

He scuttled into the barn quickly and was greeted by a much calmer Aya than months previous. "Hello beautiful," he cooed at her, rubbing his nose and face into her fur as he scratched her neck and cheeks.

"So what do you think is up with Aneisha?"

Aneisha gasped at hearing she was getting a present and moved in quickly to give Fletcher a hug. A cookie was dropped into his pocket as she did so with a wink as he filched the coffee cup. 

Theodore meanwhile was looking every bit like the cat that ate the canary as he was chased out after Fletcher. Only once they were further along did he reach into his pocket to reveal the sugar. "All according to plan.~ Too worried about the carrots to worry about the real prize," he beamed with pride. 

"He who?" Aneisha asked with a deeply questioning face. "And why is he trying anything? And why do you look so grumpy? Aren't you excited Yule's almost here?"

Oblivious to the conversation at hand, Theo managed to pluck up a couple of carrots that he stuffed into his clothes and a handful of sugar cubes. He was just going for a strip of dried meat when Kenna's all knowing spoon smacked him lightly on the knuckles.

"None of that. I won't have you spoiling that dog with the choice kitchen scraps. And the carrots come on. Hand them over."

Theo pouted but handed over both carrots but the moment her back was turned he grinned knowing he has managed to keep what he was truly after. 

"Hmm?" The young woman sounded as she brushed past him gracefully to grab a spoon. Aneisha continued to hum and spin through the kitchen, flitting from one spot to the next in a kind of giddy absent-mindedness that gave Theo pause.

Was this what he looked like since accepting not only his love for Fletcher but also being confessed to by the same man? Was he so obvious that anyone with eyes could see he was in love? And as Fletcher had asked...who WAS the boy that had the scullery maid who was a hair width away from bursting into song at any moment.

He felt exhausted already from the possibilities but was far from above using the current uncertainty and curiosity as an excuse to look for treats.

Kenna eyed Fletcher with deep suspicion and pointed her knife warningly at him. "I'll be havin' none of ye mischief today, Young Jack. I got baking' ta do and her Ladyship changed the Yule party menu again af'r I jus' placed me order wit' da butcher. I now have to figure out how to turn a suckling pig inta a goose—eh! None of those sad eyes Mister Theodore. I'll make it work. I always do."

Theo grimaced all the same giving Fletcher a displeased look over his mother's inconsiderate nature when Aneisha popped in from outside looking decidedly rosy-cheeked and bright eyed.

"Good afternoon, Teddy, Jack, Miss Kenna~" she chirped with an obvious bounce in her step. She flitted about the room, humming softly as she went about her chores and grinning such a cheerful grin that even Theodore watched her in surprise. 

His eyes lit up at the mention of Aya but Theo wisely kept from commenting too much and risking upsetting Fletcher over his late husband's dog. "Come along then. I'll nick some sugar cubes for the horses too. I'm sure they're going just as stir crazy as we are without all the trips to town. If you're sky maybe you can abscond with one of Kenna's mugs and some coffee too keep warm outside too?"

"We already know how good you are at getting me flat on my back, yes. I still have much in the way of balance and footwork to go. I can only imagine my horror and your amusement should I ever end up on a ship at sea. You can just peel me off the floor when we make port."

He got to his feet and made to brush imaginary dust and wrinkles out of his clothes. "Would you like to walk alone or is the company welcome? I don't wish to...irritate, you further."

"Is it too cold for a walk? I'd suggest sparring but I think that would make things worse," he giggled. "But if you need to excuse yourself I understand. I can go back to reading until dinner."

"Embarrassed."

"You don't have to right now if you'd rather stay. I would like to learn one day though. Mane I should just read the book on my own time. Not bother you."

"How are you feeling today? Today is a good day?"

His eyes shifted back and forth as he signed. "There has been a lot of wind breaking I thought I was much safer in breaking."

Theo tilted his head and rubbed at his scalp in thought. "Nanny room I imagine. Know when the baby or child is crying or up to no good. More upset—" he stopped abruptly and waved his hand as if flicking the thought away.

"Teach me ship words then. Aft and starboard and port—I know them but not what they mean really. All the different parts or why you raise and lower sails."

Theo look bashfully back at Fletcher but wiggled his brows slightly then hid his face in his hands. "I have a reason to be, no?"

"Both? Either? What makes you happy. If I'm to meet your brother-in-law one day though perhaps I should try to earn some respect points?

"Do you really hear EVERYTHING in here?"

He grinned and then blushed. "You are shockingly modest," he teased. "Not all signs are perfectly safe for public company. You'll have to get creative when you start describing your—," he glanced down at Fletcher's crotch and smirked with a deeper blush.

"You don't have to sign, it's alright. I like the sound of your voice too. Just it's nice when you do sign too. It's like a secret hug.

"...would you want to teach me any of them? Something for us? Something I can learn for you?"

"Oooooh," Theo mouthed without making a sound. The next words out of Fletcher's mouth however caught the nobleman completely by surprise. Before he even realized what was happening, Theo was overcome with deep emotion and burst into tears on the spot. He covered his mouth as they came pouring down his face and he laughed wetly. 

"I don't think anyone's ever asked me that before," he explained, trying to fan at his face some and wipe the tears away aggressively. "And I realize now I'm such a rude cur. I've never once asked what your home language is or where you're originally from. I mean I suspect given what you've mentioned of rebellion and other things but...I'm so sorry."

Pulling himself together he continued. "Umm, I think I'd prefer sign, it's definitely a lot easier for me but I understand it has limitations and I don't require it if you at all. I—what you did the other night...that I would like again. Maybe. If you wanted. Don't have to though."

His reassurance made Theo beam, his eyes crinkling with joy. "You are my bastard man, yes. But," he paused and looked around towards the door and placed one boot flat on the floor to see if he could sense any vibrations of people moving.

"If it is not too torturous for you and it is just the two of us...I see no reason not to flirt. If you're that concerned can always practice your signing.~"

He shrugged, unbothered by Fletcher's apology. It had never been an issue for him. But his shoulders dropped some and he had the good grace to look embarrassed. 

"Sorry, that's not exactly a great term of endearment now is it. Don't really think that one through and how it would make you feel. I like seeing you talk. I like knowing your stories and imagining the things you've done or understanding the things you're passionate about or against. I just don't have as many stories. I don't think you're a bad or horrible person though...just for the record. Just a rogue and a smuggler who has stolen something very special to me of late," he added with a fond smile.