Being a Barrow - A Sequel to Barrow's Boy

Private Matters

      When Teddy returned to the flat, Hartford's box tucked under his arm, he found Abi sitting at the kitchen counter, waiting for him. Ashton had left his spot in the now-empty seat next to her, though he could hear someone moving around in another room, so Teddy had to assume that was the roommate in question.

     "Thank you for that, love," Abi said as Theodore placed the box down on the counter in front of her. As he removed his coat and hung it on the coat rack, he nodded.

      "Yeah, of course. I wasn't going to say no."

     "I know, and I love you for it," Abi replied with a smile. Theodore smiled back, walking over until he was close enough that Abi could grab him by the tie and pull him toward her for a kiss.

      When Teddy pulled away, just far enough that their noses touched but not their lips, Abi whispered to him.

      "I got somewhere with him, while you were gone."

      "Got somewhere?" Teddy repeated. Abi nodded towards Ashton's room. "Really?"

      "Not far, mind. But he admitted something been bothering him."

     Theodore pulled away more, taking in her words. She'd certainly gotten farther than he had, which Theodore would definitely take as a win.

     He moved to sit next to Abi, letting her lean in to him so that she could continue talking without Ashton overhearing.

     "He said he did something, and he feels guilty about it."

      Teddy furrowed his brow as he considered the words. Obviously, Ashton hadn't told Abi what he did - she would have just shared it if that were the case.

     "Did he give you anything else to go on?"

     "Not really," Abi responded. "I reminded him that we care about him. I think he needed to hear it."

     "I'll try to find a time to say it too-"

     "Or just say it," Abi urged. "You don't need a perfect time for it."

      Theodore narrowed his eyes at the suggestion, and Abi rolled her eyes.

     "God, you men and your inability to express your feelings. If you consider Ashton a good friend, then tell him that. There's nothing wrong with liking your friends."

     "I know that."

     "Then act like it, you goon!"

      Abi jokingly hit Teddy on the shoulder, and Theodore laughed, feigning serious injury by dramatically falling to the side. The exaggerated motions caused Abi to laugh until soon the two of them had fallen into a fit of giggles that neither one of them could stop.

    Teddy didn't know if their noise had prompted Ashton to come out of his room, or if it had been something else. Either way, his roommate appeared, standing where the hallway met the sitting room and looking over at Teddy and Abi. Theodore looked over at him, pulling himself together just enough to nod to the Hartford's box and say:

     "Help yourself, if you'd like."

     "I'm sorry," Ashton started, "I don't mean to impose-"

     Theodore took in a breath, trying his best not to start laughing again as Abi continued to giggle, pressing her forehead against his shoulder.

     "You live here, Ash. That's hardly imposing," he responded. Ashton gave a small smile, to Teddy continued. "Besides, we like spending time with you."