End of Sallow

***Tell me that every day I get to wake up to that smile

CW: ORAL SMOOTS.

"You realize you've got quite the reputation?"

Theo turned when he heard Levi's voice. He'd been staring out at the view of the astronomy tower as Levi approached.

"And how's that?" He asked, but he already knew. Grace had been the first to tell him with a reproachful glare, and a lecture on how he shouldn't really be getting attached to anyone that wasn't under Podex's umbrella. He'd calmed her by letting her know that no emotions were to ever be involved, and he'd made that clear by telling the girls they were on a last name basis only. She hadn't been impressed.

"All I know is, I know far too much about your sex life."

"Regretting telling me about Case?" Theo asked. He would have smiled, but he didn't feel it. He felt heavy. His talk with Grace had reminded him what his life was to be like in just 2 and a half short years. And with all those Merlin forsaken vows, he'd never made one with a damn expiration. So this was to be his life until either Podex grew something of a heart and released him from his vows, or killed him.

"A bit," Levi admitted with a shrug. "Thought you might... Actually go for a relationship. Find someone who could actually bring something out in you. But."

"That backfired, yeah?" Theo joked, forcing a smile. "Though to be fair, all these girls bring something out of me."

Levi gave him a deadpanned expression and Theo shrugged, the smile fading rather quickly.

"I'm just not one for relationships, mate. I've got you, Alec, and Grace. My small knit of friends is all I need."

Levi sighed and shook his head. "You're only sixteen. You've got time."

He didn't need any time. He already knew. He'd never be selfish enough to pull someone down this path with him.

"One day, you'll meet her... Or him."

Theo rolled his eyes, but Levi pushed on. "And they'll make you feel like you could be better."

"Levi, have you been reading romance novels?"

Levi glared, and Theo's eyes widened with realization. "Who is she?"

Now he sputtered, stammering. "She who? Who? What? I don't like her!"

"Look at you, spouting poetry," Theo grinned, a real grin this time. Genuinely amused by his best friend's idiot face as he tried to deny something he was never truly accused of.

"Come off it," Levi muttered darkly.

"I'm sure she's beautiful."

"She is," Levi said curtly. "And sweet... And she spoke French to me today, and for all I know she called me a brainless oaf but it was so pretty."

Hobhouse then.

She was all of those things Levi described, and Theo wasn't surprised at all by Levi's infatuation. She was a good girl. Perfect for someone like Levi.

"Anyway, I just have to know if she... if you... you both-"

"No. She's not my type."

Levi relaxed immediately. "Thank you."

Theo hummed and turned his attention back out over the horizon.

"I meant it, by the way." Levi said softly.

"Meant what?"

"Finding the right one. She'll make you soft and happy."

"Mm, hopefully not soft."