You Belong To Me

Chapter Body

'I can be decidedly enticing when I want to be.
very betraying as well...'
the body...

It was well after hours when Trey made it home. Reggie was passed out in the seat next to him, never able to hold his drink, and snoring as though he was doing it on purpose. Trey wondered if he snored but he hoped to God he didn't. It sounded like it might be a nightmare to try and sleep through. Struthers was there to open the door and wish him a good evening. Theo was standing beside the elevator to take his coat.

"Come on," Trey motioned, allowing Theo to follow him into the elevator. If his valet felt something about finally being allowed to use the sacred elevator he didn't say anything. Trey gave a pointed look to the operator and the man jumped out. Trey hiccuped and Theo started the contraption. "Theo?"

"Yes, my lord?"

"Be honest, I won't get upset."

Theo didn't say anything but gave Trey a look over his shoulder that said volumes. He turned back to the elevator door and Trey leaned against the wall to support his drunken casual posture. His eyebrows creased. "Do I snore?"

Theo turned his face away a bit and Trey was almost certain he saw his shoulders shake. "No my lord. Not since you had that cold three winters ago do you remember?"

Trey made a face and began removing his cufflinks. "It was horrible. I was nasally and cold and impossibly bored."

"Yes it was. You are not particularly agreeable when you are unwell."

"Yes well your ears look pointy so ha."

Theo did laugh outright with Trey then. They exited the elevator into the darkness and Trey asked him how the day had been. Theo reported that it had been mild. He said Ali had gone to bed hours ago and had even taken some of the doctors drugs. He said that she had some news to share about her horseback riding expedition and that she wanted to be the one to share the news but that if Trey wished Theo himself would spoil the surprise. Trey declined and insisted he could wait until the next day to hear.

They ventured into his sitting room though the door from the corridor instead of through the bedroom so that they might not disturb the lady. From there Theo took the connecting door into his dressing room and began pulling out his pajamas while Trey brushed the smell of alcohol from his breath and washed his face.

Theo told him what she ate for lunch and dinner and how she had enjoyed listening to the cook sing. He relayed Ali's enthusiasm about the comet and bashfully admitted that he had been permitted to see it too. He said it was 'quite the thing.'

Trey changed clothing silently while he wished he could have been there with her. He was glad that she had had Theo to share her joy with. He had to remind himself to never let Reggie or any other matter drag him away from her for that long again. He knew how much she relied on his companionship. But it was nice that the kitchen was more open to her now, more of a haven than it had been before.

"She waited for you," Theo said quietly and without censure. He took the clothes Trey was discarding as he spoke. "Just up the hall. She stood at the window for nearly an hour before bed. Hoping you would make a late appearance."

Trey did not saything to that. He felt ashamed. It was an alarming feeling, shame. But he found he adored it because of the person that had evoked such an emotion in him.

"I think that was why she took the medicine." Theo opened the door to his darkened bedroom. Just before he went over the threshold to stroke up the fire for Trey's warmth he said, "I believe she didn't think she could sleep without you."

Trey stood in his night pants and thought that over for a minute. She had waited around for him. According to Theo she had even worried about his wellbeing. Trey was very used to no one caring where he was in his later years.