Being a Barrow - A Sequel to Barrow's Boy

Escaping Underground

tw: sexual harassment, period-typical homophobia/transphobia (including derogatory language)

     Theodore and Ashton took the Underground to campus on their first day back to classes. It saved Teddy from having to park his car somewhere and both of them from the walk in the crisp January weather. London may not have the kind of snow that Teddy was used to from growing up in the north, but he still appreciated not having to walk out there. He knew Ashton, used to spending lengthy periods in Africa, India, Australia and Guiana, found the winter especially difficult to cope with. The fireplace in their flat was lit far more often than not, and Ashton had taken to sitting in the armchair close to it with a blanket across his lap and a warm cup of tea in his hand. 

     At their stop, the two of them left their carriage quickly and quietly, Teddy leading them out of the station with Ashton following directly behind. They weren't the only St. Raph's students at the station, and they joined the sizable group of their peers walking off to the university. As they reached ground level, Ashton came up beside Teddy, walking alongside him. 

     Things were alright between the two of them now that Ashton had apologized and given his atonement in such a large gesture as the Knighton portrait. Alright, but not perfect. There was an unspoken rule in their flat now, one which had simply emerged naturally out of what had occurred, that practically forbade any talk of Teddy's so-called "theatre friends." It was difficult for Teddy not to mention Everett now and then, considering how longstanding that friendship was, but the last thing Theodore needed was to open up any conversation where a disagreement on such an issue could be reopened. No, it was best to leave those conversations for different people at different places. In return, Ashton wouldn't mention them either. In fact, he seemed rather keen on not only leaving that argument behind, but any memories of the group behind him.

     The only one who didn't seem aware of this rule was Abi. Or perhaps she was aware and simply did not care to follow it- Theodore wouldn't put that past her. In her visits to the flat before classes started, she had openly talked about going to see Everett and Miguel, listening to Victor try out a new song Everett had listened to, and her planning more time with Hazel and Mae. Ashton did not contribute to these discussions anymore. In fact, during one discussion about Mae's new job, Ash had quietly gotten up and left the room, leaving his unfinished pastry and tea behind. When he'd come back later that night, he'd dumped the rest of his tea into the sink and thrown the leftover pastry into the trash. 

     So no, it was not perfect between Theodore and Ashton. But, if they kept within the lines of their new unspoken agreement, Teddy believed they could make it out of this year alright. Years of living in a place like Downton had at least made him used to not discussing topics such as this one. His father had driven into him the importance of secrecy, of keeping private information within the right people and away from the wrong. Theodore just cursed himself for making the misstep that he had. 

     They separated once they reached campus, as they had different classes in the morning. They would come together later for Woodward's class, which Danny and Monty were still in as well. First, however, Theodore had the second half of his Obstetrics course to start. 

      He'd come out of Dr. Yardley's class well. Very well, in fact. Honestly, he had not expected that to be his highest mark, yet somehow it had been. Yet something in him was still surprised when he walked into the classroom and Dr. Yardley, already there setting up, looked at him and smiled.

     "Oh, good, Barrow," he said, placing down his lecture notes to walk over and put a hand on Teddy's shoulder. "You are back. I hoped you would be."

     "Did you, doctor?" Teddy asked, trying the quell the sense of pride rising in his chest. 

     "Of course. Would you be able to talk after class?"