Lessons in Etiquette and Love

Chapter 6

Hadrian found with every day passing that he fell more and more for Tom. It was in the little things when he least expected it, no doubt. He'd glance over his book to watch Tom buckling his boots and be overwhelmed by how lucky he was to be able to watch such a mundane thing. Or later in the day he'd make tea and feel incredibly happy when Tom smiled if Hadrian got the sugar just right.

True to his word, Tom had sent notice after they had been married for a fortnight to let his students know they could opt for live-in lessons to be completed much quicker than the standard lessons he'd been giving before. They expanded the lessons from cooking and general housekeeping to valet work as well when Severus offered his expertise and desire to "ensure there are more competent valets available. I've met more than I care to admit that simply aren't up to snuff."

Tom's days were busy, Severus constantly had students trailing on his heels and Hadrian was content to simply watch it all play out before him. He took to painting in the fall, something simply to keep his hands busy. He found he had an affinity for sweeping landscapes both of land and water.

He even found that he'd get somewhat lost in them. So much so that one day after he set aside his brush from his most recent ocean view sunset, he felt as though his legs had turned to jelly and almost had the displeasure of introducing his face to the floorboards. Sea legs, Severus had called it. A common affliction of those that spent most of their time on the water that threw your equilibrium off when on solid ground once more. Severus had blamed it on the ultra-realistic details.

A week had gone by and Hadrian found himself painting a large apple tree, with a picnic set up underneath with no one in sight to enjoy it. Tom had come to see what he'd been painting and when he asked why he picked an apple tree, Hadrian simply replied,

"Apples are delicious and don't receive enough praise." When Severus saw it while serving tea that afternoon, he brought up that Hadrian used to abhor apples as a child.

"And I was a child then, with childlike prejudices. I couldn't appreciate them back then." And he simply returned to painting after that.

Hadrian woke with a start, surprised to find himself in bed. He blinked to clear his eyes and yawned before sitting up. A service of steaming tea sat at the end of the bed and Hadrian smiled. Even if he couldn't remember how he got into bed, he still appreciated a nice cup of tea.

Tom entered then with Severus trailing behind before quickly shutting the door behind him. Confused, Hadrian let one leg dangle off the bed with his other foot tucked under his knee.

"Hadrian, you're awake." Suddenly unsure of how he was supposed to be feeling, he smiled nervously and nodded.

"Well...yeah?"

Tom sat down on the bed next to him and took his hand.

"Love, do you remember falling asleep earlier?" He scratched the back of his head, not wanting to admit his memory failed him but also curious as to see where all of this was going.

"No...I actually don't." At this, Tom nodded as if he expected that answer.

"Yes, I sort of expected that. Hadrian, I'd like you to talk to a friend of mine if that's alright? He's a doctor and there's a few things I've been concerned about."

Dread flooded Hadrian. He'd heard horror stories about spouses sending off their partners to an asylum and they'd never return. False widowers would wander around for a year or more before remarrying a younger, prettier wife. Tom must have sensed the sudden anxiety and moved to hold him to his chest.

"No, no you misunderstand me Hadrian. Severus and I have merely been concerned about your health lately and you fell asleep right on your painting stool. Thank Merlin Jack was there to catch you, he was only passing through to find Severus when you started to lean too far. You could have gotten hurt." Relief, sudden and instant, flooded Hadrian's system. He relaxed then, smiling at the outrageous conclusion he'd come to moments earlier.