A week had gone by since the Alhambra Music Hall had been set on fire. It wasn’t completely unsalvageable, but it would take a long time for the repairs to be finished. Roth had been moved to an apartment complex in Whitechapel, and I hadn’t seen him since. W’d only briefly talked after the fire, and we both knew that we had to keep our relationship quiet. If Starrick found out Roth was seeing an assassin, he’d flip out. If Evie found out I was seeing a Templar, she’d kill us both.
But I couldn’t stand being away any longer. I waited until dark, told Evie I had some new Rook recruits to train, and made my way to Whitechapel. Roth’s room was on the third floor, and I scaled the wall before climbing in through his open window.
As soon as I was in, I froze in my tracks, my face warming a little. Roth’s tie was undone, and his shirt was almost entirely unbuttoned.
“Darling,” Roth smiled, crossing the room to pull me into a warm embrace, “I wasn’t expecting company. You should write me next time,” He pulled away, buttoned his shirt, and fixed his tie.
“I thought about writing,” I managed to say, my mind wandering a little, “But what if Evie caught me?”
Roth smiled, “I suppose it is right of you to be cautious. We’re walking a thin line as it is,” He paused, “What brings you here?”
“I’ve missed you,” I sighed, closing the window.
“And I, you,” Roth took my hands in his own, “I’ve seen you out with your Rooks a few times since the fire. Your men follow you indefinitely. You’re a strong leader.”
“But I’m a weak man. I came because I felt I’d die if I didn’t see you. I had to convince my sister that I was out training my gang.”
“Ah, it always comes back to your sister,” Roth sighed, “She’s the one who took out Lucy Thorne and David Brewster.”
“That’s her. She’d be furious if she knew I was here. She didn’t even know that I showed up at the Alhambra after you sent me that letter the first time.”
“Keeping secrets, are we, Jacob?” Roth smirked, “That rarely works out for anyone.”
“I can’t lose you,” I spoke softly, “If keeping it quiet is the only way we can be together, then I’m willing to do it.”
Roth kissed my sensitive palm, relishing the soft noise that came from my mouth as he did so, “My dear, I feel the same way,” He dropped my hands suddenly, and looked out at the dark streets of London. He turned back to me, “Walk with me.”
I frowned, “Outside? We can’t.”
“And why not? Because someone might see us? They won’t, I assure you. It’s black as pitch outside. We’ll be fine.”
Hesitantly, I followed Roth outside of the apartment. He’d been right. The streets of London were barely lit. It was dark enough that Roth took my hand, and I let him hold it as we walked. No one gave us a second glance.
I wished it could always be like this. That I could be with Roth so openly all the time. In the daylight. In front of Evie. in front of everyone.
“What’s on your mind, darling?”
“Many things,” I sighed, “Above all, though, how much I enjoy the time I spend at your side. How I wish it didn’t have to be in the dark.”
Roth squeezed my hand appreciatively, “Someday, darling. Someday it won’t have to be in the dark,” He glanced at an abandoned alley nearby, “For now, though, we could take advantage of the darkness.”
I felt heat once again rise to my cheeks, “What did you have in mind?”
With a smile, Roth pulled me into the alley, and once he was certain we were completely out of view from any passerby, he pushed me up against the wall and pressed a rough kiss against my lips, which I returned eagerly, “I’ve wanted to do that for a very long time, darling.”
“How long?” I inquired, intertwining our fingers together.
“Since before I invited you to the Alhambra for dinner,” He let go of my hands and cupped my face, “Do you have any idea how perfect you are?”
“Not particularly,” I grinned, “No one’s ever told me.”
“I’m honored to be the first,” Roth felt my arms wrap around his waist, “You’re absolutely perfect, Jacob. There isn’t a single flaw in your features or your actions.”
“Some might disagree,” I spoke softly, running a hand over the scarred side of Roth’s face. He didn’t flinch, but leaned into my touch instead, “Some might say that this, what you and I are doing, is flawed. Is wrong.”
“They’re the ones who are wrong, dear,” Roth took my top hat off of his head and ran his fingers through my soft hair, kissing me a few more times.
We didn’t stay in the alley much longer. It was getting late, and I had to be home before morning, or Evie would ask all sorts of questions I wasn’t prepared to answer. I dropped Roth off at home, gave him one last kiss, and promised to return as soon as possible.
YOU ARE READING
The Masks We Hide Behind
Fanfictionbasically a bit of an alternate spin on The Final Act. A spin in which Jacob still attends the show of Corvus the Trickster at the Alhambra, but can't bring himself to finish Roth off. There's too much tension between them, and he wants to see how f...
