Waiting | Lucius Malfoy

Chapter Thirty-Five | Theo's Thoughts

"Someone is antsy," Theo remarked, watching Guinevere pace the length of his sitting room.

"I don't even know why I came here. I just didn't know where else to go." Guinevere swept a stray strand of hair that had fallen in her eye line. As quickly as she'd moved it, it fell again and she huffed in frustration.

"Well, tell me what you're thinking then. I'm not into reading minds, unlike your beau."

"I don't know what he is anymore," she laughed even though the thought made her heart feel as though it was being attacked by a severing charm.

"Tell me what's happened."

"He's been manipulating me from the start, Theo. Everything that's happened from before I broke up with Draco - he's had a hand in it."

"And you're surprised?" Theo quirked a brow, folding his arms in front of his chest.

"Not helping."

"I never took you for an idiot, Guinevere. I'm merely shocked that you never took a moment to consider that Lucius was a man who knows what he wants. You knew that before you even met him."

"I'm not an idiot, Theo. I was blindsided by a fucking soulbond that I had no say in."

"Language, Guinevere." He kissed his teeth, winking at her.

"Oh, will you fuck off?" She replied, breathless.

"Cheeky witch."

"I'm having a crisis here. Can you at least help a bit instead of being your usual self?"

"My usual self gives the best advice, Guinevere."

"So, what do you think?"

"I think," Theo sighed. "I think he's good for you. Merlin knows he's a fucked up soul, but aren't we all? We all lived through wars and did things we regret. Even without the battles and bloodshed, we've all done things that we're not proud of. If he can own that, truly own it, then there's no reason to doubt that he's changing."

"But what if he reverts to his ways? What if he wants to control me or changes me or-"

"Let me ask you this. Is it him? Is he the one?"

Was he? Her weeks of solitude had consisted mainly of her asking herself that very question.

"It's him, Theo. It has to be him. I don't think I would put myself through all of this otherwise."

"Then, the choice is made," he quipped. Guinevere didn't follow. She gestured for him to go on. "I believe in you and I know you well enough to know that you don't put up with anyone's bullshit. Haven't you noticed that I don't keep many people around? There's a reason for that. I like people who are like me."

She couldn't process what Theo was telling her. Theo was never one to mince his words, but she felt that he must have some ulterior motive. There was no way he could be encouraging her to go back to Lucius. He was the one who'd been so startled by their relationship in the first place.

"Really? You think I should choose Lucius?"

"Yes," he snapped, rolling his eyes.

"But how do I know that this is it? How do I know that I'm making the right choice?"

"Merlin, Guinevere, you can be so dense," he muttered, impatiently. " You never know if it's the right choice. That's love! Love is taking risks and throwing caution to the wind, or whatever it is that the muggles say. C'est la vie! Fuck it!" She stared at him. "Come on, say it! Say fuck it! Why not? Why shouldn't you?" She knew Theo was gauding her. He'd done this before.