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It wasn’t like you to feel this way sitting at the tavern in Port Royal with a drink in your hand as you watched your best friend, and secretly crush, flirt with other women. You know he didn’t know how you felt, but the jealousy that started to come over you was growing the more you watched the interactions.
Theodore was a bit tipsy; he already had a couple drinks one could say were drinks of luck.
Since the moment you both arrived at the tavern, a night you both planned as Theo begged you to come with since he wouldn’t stop asking. But, honestly if you knew he’d leave you to flirt with some other women you would’ve just made an excuse why you couldn’t go.
Hand tightening around the cup you held, the content feeling unappealing at the moment as the laughter from the woman Theo was flirting with was way too loud in your ear. Setting down the drink and a few coins you slipped out of the tavern and left. Not giving a single word to Theo about your departure.
Walking the streets with your hands in your pocket as you kept your head lowered it was until not a moment later you heard your voice be called. By two people exactly. You looked up where they came from, seeing a tumbling Theo and then James who looked at you worried.
As they stopped James immediately spoke before Theo could have the chance. “I need help with something.” He looked at you, “I’ve been wondering if you could perhaps assist me?”
You furrowed your eyebrows slightly in confusion at the odd request, but you watched as his head motioned to Theo’s drunken state. Oh, right of course. “Yes. I can help you, Commodore.”
“Ahh, my dear.” Theo slurred, reaching his hand forward but noticed his Commodore’s stern look. “Commodore.”
“Go home Lieutenant.” James spoke, slightly strict. “Get some rest, I’ll need you at work tomorrow.” Before Theo could retort James guided you away and toward the fort. He led you toward his office and helped sit you down on the couch that occupied some of the space. “So tell me, what’s going on?” He asked as he made himself busy by acquiring some water.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Don’t be like that. We both know what’s going on.” James handed you the cup, “So you can either tell me yourself or I’ll blurt it out for you.”
A sigh left your lips as you grabbed the cup and let it rest on your thigh. Biting your lip you soon knew you truly needed to talk this out with somebody. Since James was a friend of Theo’s far longer than you had, maybe he had some possible insight of the lieutenant.
“Theo invited me out to the tavern for the night. But I was soon ignored as he got tipsy rather quickly and started to flirt with other women.” You admitted to James as he soon sat down across from you.
“I see. Did you tell him how that made you feel?”
“No. He was busy.” You reiterated.
“And despite that fact you should’ve gone up and had the courage to tell him, despite Theo’s blunt nature, when it comes to someone he loves he is rather shy to admit it.” James explained.
“Yes. I get that James, but honestly I would love to have him be sober when I confess. Not drunk and ignoring me! What was the point of asking me to come along if he was just gonna flirt?”
“To get a reaction out of you perhaps?” James raised an eyebrow, watching your face go red with anger. “A wild guess.” He raised his hands in a placating gesture.
“Tch. I just don’t want to be used. Like you were, to be told one thing for another goal only to find out later it was all a fluke. A lie!” It had come out of your mouth so fast you noticed James' rather low look. “I’m sorry, that was unfair of me to say that.”
Of course he would still be healing after Elizabeth’s feelings had been revealed that she liked Will. James was still trying to recover from it even if he went head first into his work.
“It’s quite alright, you’re upset. I’m getting over her denial.” James leaned back in his chair, rubbing his forehead as he set his hat down on the desk. “But you really should tell Theo how you feel. He won’t know magically. As I’ve said, he may be blunt but when it comes to anything romantic he’s a lost cause unless he is told outright.”
Finally taking a sip of your water you frowned. This was a lot more difficult to do, even if you were shy when it came to admitting feelings for someone. “What if he actually doesn’t like me though, James? How embarrassing would that be?”
“Then at least we both would have something more to bond over.”
Right. Of course.
Having been friends with James he came to you in hopes to have someone to help rehearse his speech so he didn’t get embarrassed at his own miserable performance if he flunked it. While it worked—somewhat. Since Elizabeth had fallen off the fort. She never gave him a reply until you learned she used him to get Will back from the clutches of undead pirates. And if things go sideways with admitting your love to Theo, then you’d spend a lot more time with James talking about the “What could have been” moments. Then wallowing in self pity at the inability to be the right one for the right person.
“Why is love so difficult?”
“I sadly don’t have the answer to that, sweetheart.” James responded, using the pet name he used for you. He watched you slouch and play with your hair, tugging at the strands gently.
“What if I’m not good enough for him?”
“You are. Don’t beat yourself up, if you would like assistance with me trying to figure out who Theo likes I can ask him. He has to follow my orders anyways.” James shrugged, “it’s a repay for helping me.”
“Oh I told you it was nothing! You had the promotion and you told me how you were going to propose. So, I figured I’d help you since you looked so nervous you’d probably have fainted.”
“I felt like I was going to faint.” James slouched. “So, will you tell Theo your true feelings?”
“May you be able to ask him?” You asked quickly and sighed. “It just feels weird. And I’m overthinking what he would’ve said to me when I left the tavern if you didn’t stop him.”
James knew what most likely Theo would’ve done.
“Anyways, thank you for the help, James. I’m going to head out.”
“Already?”
“Well it’s quite late and I just want some rest.” You gave him a worried look. Both standing up you walked around his desk to give him a hug, “Thank you for the help.” You whispered again, feeling the gentle squeeze.
“Of course, anything for you.” He let go, looking at you as he smiled softly. “Get some good rest. I’m sure things will work out in your favor.”
“I hope so, James. Thank you.” Leaning in, you offered him a gentle kiss to his cheek. Smiling, you pulled away and wished him a goodnight before leaving his office.
As you walked through the streets of Port Royal you stopped as you saw where Theo lived. Part of you wanted to go to him, but the other part of you decided it was best if you both had time separately. To think things through. Pushing off in the opposite direction you finally made your way to your own home. Entering in and closing the door you did your routine before getting in bed and falling asleep.
The next week was avoidance, or well on your part at least. You were quite sure James kept Theo busy to allow you time to yourself. All until you heard knocking at your front door one of the days but you didn’t say a word, and neither did the person on the other side. Once you were sure they had left, you checked but didn’t see anything at your doorstep so you quietly closed the door and returned back to what you were doing.
It was going on the second week of having not spoken or seen Theo since the moment at the bar. Which you spent the whole time truly thinking about what to say or even do the moment you saw him again. Would he listen and understand? Apologize for what happened? Or would you falter and not admit to your own feelings despite them growing by the day. Hell, the more you realized it the more you had missed Theo.
He was charming, sweet when he wasn’t intoxicated and often extremely giggly over small things. He was a joy to be around, it honestly didn’t surprise you that he had women swooning over him. If it wasn’t James or Andrew, it was Theo.
Walking through a quiet garden you sat down on a bench and just quietly zoned out. The gentle breeze made you relax while the sound of the busy town was heard in the distance, providing a comfortable atmosphere as you thought more about how to express yourself to Theodore. The hours passed and the sun, going from right above you slowly started to lower to the horizon.
Quiet footsteps made their way to your ears, and you know who it was despite having not turned around to check. You could always feel Theodore’s energy. Despite this time it felt more…drained.
Theo took a deep breath, taking another few steps before pausing and relaxing his tense body. “May I sit with you?”
“You’re already here.”
He sighed, “And I want an actual answer. May I sit with you?”
“Yes.” At your acceptance when he got closer you saw the flash of blue of his uniform as he sat down, and soon a bouquet of your favorite flowers got in your vision.
“They’re for you.” He stated, albeit very quietly, which was very unlike him. “I know they’re your favorites. I was indecisive at the store, as they say flowers have so many meanings. But, I just decided to grab your favorites then trying to dissect what flowers mean. In remorse and apologies.”
You gently grabbed them, the smell of the flowers entering your nostrils as they were fresh. Mostly freshly watered too. “Thank you, Theodore. They’re beautiful.” You allowed them to settle on your lap as a brief silence entered as no doubt the both of you were struggling with how to start the conversation. But, eventually, you decided to bite the bullet. “How’s work going?”
“Very busy, as usual.” He answered, “Although it’s quiet, James has been talking about leaving port to go after Sparrow. But…with how the clouds are looking recently, we’ve been told it doesn’t look good. So he’s decided to stay at port. Much to me and Andrew’s relief.” He took a moment before turning to look at you. “How are you doing?”
It was such a weighted question, the one you were waiting to be asked. Setting the bouquet of flowers next to you on the empty left side of the bench you tried to hold it together. “I’m unsure.”
Theodore could hear the tightness in your throat, and he wanted to reach out. Lord he did, but he respected your boundaries and didn’t make a sudden move that would either upset you further or make you run off. “We should talk about it, no? I hate seeing you so upset.” Even if he was the cause of it all.
You turned your attention to him, seeing the guilt in his eyes while also looking ready to listen. “Why?” Your voice broke, “Why did you invite me out last week?”
“I wanted to spend time with you. I did. But, I got way too drunk, way too fast. And for one, I sincerely apologize for that.” He kept his eyes on you, “Secondly, I apologize for what I had done. While my memory is foggy from being intoxicated, James…he filled me in.” He leaned back against the bench, still keeping eye contact with you. “I got the pieces together, for what I remember.”
“And what do you remember?”
“You had walked out of the bar without a word. James telling me that I should go home. I saw you leave with him and I felt so guilty!” He bit his lip to avoid you seeing it tremble, “I stood there for a while in the street and I ridiculed myself for being absolutely stupid and blind!”
“I thought it was a date.” You practically hissed at him through clenched teeth.
“I…it was! But, not in your eyes. I’ve fucked up, greatly. And I sincerely apologize for what I’ve done. The way I’ve hurt you.” His gaze shifted down to his lap before back at you. “I don’t expect you to accept my apologies. I know I’ve messed up. I’ve spent a week working and being away from you, and it hurt a lot.” He finally admitted, “Being away from you, trying to focus on work I just…it felt like a part of my soul was ripped away. Every night I sleep and remember what I did to hurt you! Many times I wanted to walk to yours but I got reminded constantly of what James said to me.” Theodore shook his head, “And I still didn’t listen because I couldn’t handle the distance anymore.”
“And what did he say?”
“To give you time and that you would come to me first.” He choked up, “But I couldn’t help but think you wouldn’t have come back.” Wiping away his tears quickly he looked back at you. “Part of me kept telling myself that I shouldn’t have come. That I should’ve waited, but the other part of me kept asking myself how could I live with self pity and tell you if I ever went out to sea? If my last moments were hell or being attacked, it would be you, and the thought of me dying out there and you wouldn’t know.” The tears slowly started to fall down his cheeks, “I can’t think of a day where you would come to talk to me only to find out I went out to sea. Without a word, or a letter pre-written. Or the fact I’d be dead and you wouldn’t know.”
“Theo…”
“I’ve spent the past week overthinking this, I barely got sleep because I just felt so fucking guilty. That the last moment we would’ve had was me flirting with other women because I was tipsy and stupid. That I completely ignored you that night, when I begged you to come out and spend the time I had some sort of day off.” His voice was rising slightly, and he couldn’t sit still anymore! Standing up he paced around the area in front of the bench, if he could run his hand through his hair he would’ve, but with his white powdered wig it was impossible. He paused suddenly, his sheathe hitting his hip a lot harder than it should’ve and he winced.
For a moment you both stared at each other. Neither one of you said anything as you saw his cheeks glistening with tears and you were overflowed with emotion at his admittance of how he messed up. It touched you, because despite the things he does wrong, he’s very open with you.
“Theo.” You called him, quietly as you raised your hand. Watching as he was uncertain he hesitated for a moment before taking your hand. He made no more moves to help you stand, in fact he was quite unsure what you exactly wanted.
Yet, you stood on your own and walked up to him. Your free hand coming to rest on his shoulder and starting to play with the button of his uniform. “You speak your mind so freely. Without any hesitation. And to me that means quite a lot, you’re an honest man.” You smiled briefly and looked at him, “But I have to ask if you’ve learned my feelings for you?”
“Yes.” He leaned his head down slightly, “I know now. I’ve known for a couple days, but it took so much thinking and a Commodore to tell me off to get it.” He looked away and pulled his head back, “But, I sincerely don’t think you deserve someone like me.” He pulled back, watching your features fall so fast. “I…I don’t want to hurt you anymore. I have already done it once. And you don’t deserve someone who’s so blind to see how you feel.”
“Theo.”
His heart clenched tight as you called his nickname, and he swallowed the lump. “I’m sorry. For all my actions.” He took a step back, looking at you one final time before he gave a bow and walked away quickly.
“Theo!!” You yelled, watching him leave as you ran after him but he quickly picked up speed and started to run, leaving you alone with the flowers and heavy words. A quiet sob left your throat until soon it all hit at once, turning, you moved to slam yourself onto the bench and break down completely.
Did he not love you? Or was he extremely living in his guilt that he couldn’t be the right person despite the amount of apologies he said? That he came out of his way, despite a busy schedule to give you flowers, one you could tell he thought heavily on because of unsure if he wanted to gift you flowers that meant something or just your favorites.
Covering your mouth, you screamed as you hugged yourself tightly. The heartbreak was so strong, it felt—suffocating.
It was after midnight when a knock at the door had James look up from his mountain of paperwork that was somehow organized, or at least to him. “Come in.” He watched the door open to see you walk in with a bouquet of flowers, and a distressed look on your face.
Before he could even say anything you just walked in front of his desk and looked at him, “Are you due to the sea?”
Part of him wanted to say there were more pressing matters to talk about but he took a deep breath. “After the storm passes, of one we are told to get. Why?”
“Don’t take Theodore.” You pleaded, “I know he’s your lieutenant, but…just don’t take him with you.”
James furrowed his eyebrows at your request and set his feathered ink pen down and wondered what exactly happened to have you emotional and practically begging for him to not take Theodore. “What happened?”
A broken sob entered the office as James sighed and stood up. He walked over to you and brought you in for a hug. “He avoided it, didn’t he?” He asked and the moment you buried your head into his shoulder he knew well Theodore did. Rubbing your back, James sighed, “Is it a curse for navy men to be in a stable relationship and love somebody?” He asked, almost to himself.
You laughed despite it, “Seems that way.” You pulled back, looking at his uniform and gently rubbing your sleeve against the stains of tears. “Sorry, Commodore.”
“Please, just James. And it’s quite alright. It’s better than blood.” He gently grabbed your wrist to stop you from rubbing his chest further. “It’ll dry.” He guided you to sit down on his couch, grabbing a glass of water and handing it to you. “Now…tell me what happened.” He moved to sit down next to you on the couch, setting the water pot down on the table in front of them.
You retold everything that happened earlier in the evening, Theodore gifting you flowers, him apologizing, how James had told him to wait for you to come to him, but he didn’t listen. Which had James scoff out a laugh, mumbling a “I’m not surprised.” Then, the last thing you mentioned was him admitting he knew your feelings but leaving.
James sighed, looking at the wall as that was a new reaction from Theodore he’s never seen or heard about. “In all my years of working with Theodore, I have never seen him walking away from something.” He looked at you, “I can tell he’s conflicted and guilty, but…for him to walk away and tell you he wouldn’t be the one for you is…something.”
“It hurt a lot.”
“It will.” James rubbed your back reassuringly, “Maybe he’s the one who needs time now.” James sat up, looking up at you as he wiped away your tears softly. “You had your time to think and he did too, but with this new information being revealed. He’s guilty and ashamed, while being conflicted because he doesn’t want to hurt you anymore.”
“But I can’t wait another week or even more. What if he dies at sea? I can’t handle that.”
“I know.” James reassured you, gently cupping your cheek. “I’ll tell him to stay here, that he's not needed. If we disembark for sea. But even I’m unsure about that quite frankly.” He admitted to himself.
“What if I go to him?”
“Sweetheart, I don’t think you should. He needs time, more time to think things through.” As James was about to talk some more the door suddenly opened and both you and James jumped and saw a tumbling Theodore, and right behind him a clearly worried Gillette.
“Theodore.” James stood professionally as Theo immediately saw you and looked up at James.
“Commodore.” His voice was surprisingly sober despite the slight panic as he nervously fidgeted with the sheathe. “May I have a word with them?”
James hummed, looking down at you for confirmation.
You looked between the duo before taking a sip of water and soon standing up as you quietly thanked James for the talk before he mouthed a ‘Good Luck’ that you caught.
As you left the room with Theo, you nodded to Andrew who looked worried but nodded in return as he walked into James’ office to most likely talk more about what was happening.
You followed Theo who took the lead and the further you went away from the fort without a word the more worried you were getting. “Theodore?” You called as he suddenly paused off the shore away from the main busy area. You bumped into him, grabbing his arm to steady yourself, “Theodore?”
He reached his hand up and dropped his sword, it clanging against the ground as he turned to face you. His eyes furrowed as he sighed, “You don’t want me to go to sea?”
It was your turn for your eyebrows to furrow before it started to click. There was a reason why Gillette looked so nervous. “You were listening?”
“Of course I was. The walls are thin.” He joked, although it didn’t land like how it normally would. “You don’t want me to leave. To do my job?”
“Because I don’t want you to die Theo! You’re my best friend…” The pause as you let out a long sigh, “And my lover.” You finished, “I love you, Theo.”
“If you do then why won’t you let me do my job?”
“I have been!! I just don’t want to lose you!” Your eyes blurred as you stepped away, “How hard would it be to go to my best friend and lover's funeral? And if your body wouldn’t be recovered?” You hugged yourself, and soon you felt arms around you.
“You won’t lose me.” He whispered as he held you to his chest tightly, “I’ve been in the navy for all my life.”
“But it’s a storm. It’s unpredictable.”
“I’m a seasoned sailor, honey.” The pet name dropped off his tongue like honey, like as if he’s said it multiple times.
You turned in his arms, and you were surprised when he didn’t pull away like he did earlier. “But still, Theo.”
He smiled, cupping your face as he leaned down. “Do you think I’d let a storm take me away?”
“You’d be stubborn enough to fight the damn thing.”
He laughed softly at that, his eyes crinkling at the corners before he dropped his hand, “You’re not wrong.” He lowered his gaze and let his arms drop back to his side.
“What you did hurt, by the way. Everything you’ve done.”
“I regret every action. I truly do, if I could turn back time and restart everything I would.”
“And maybe you are right.”
“About?”
“We shouldn’t be in a relationship.” You tilted your head up to look at him, and you could see he was fighting back the emotions on his face. “I think it’s better if we remain as friends.”
Theo looked out toward the sea, his eyes fogging as he blinked away at them and took a quiet deep breath in and out. “I understand.” Crouching down he picked up his sword from the ground as he stood back up and looked at you, “I’ll see you around then.” He offered a sad broken smile before he walked past you and started to make his way to his own home.
While you had stood there staring at the ground you couldn’t help but regret saying those things. It honestly felt right, but now it was your turn to regret your words. It was just you both needed a lot of time away from each other. Only then, maybe would you both get over what was said.
Time moved on as it always did. Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and soon a whole year had passed and now you stood right outside the main docks of Port Royal. It had become slightly damaged and so far it was recovering from the damage inflicted upon Beckett.
Word got around that soldiers were coming home from a voyage, as Beckett’s death became known. So, standing at the dock you watched as many officers returned, some were limping, others were held up by their comrades. None looked like Theo. It didn’t quite help you never saw him in the new uniform they had to wear, which was quite ridiculously ugly. The blue suited the men more better than that off color yellow.
Walking over to some of the soldiers you quietly observed them and saw many damage to their legs and arms. Wood impaled them from something as you moved along and frowned, not a sight of Theo anywhere. “Damn it.” You turned, heading back deeper into the town as you soon found Theo’s home and used the key he gave you to unlock the door. Upon entry, the silence spoke to you like a shroud, walking inside you closed the door and walked upstairs and tried to find any note he might’ve left.
Entering his bedroom, you smiled as the bed was messy, typical. Ironically, despite being in the military he wasn’t very much of a cleanliness person. He never made his bed for the life of him, a quiet laugh left your lips as you sat down on it and felt the fabric of the comforter. It was cold to the touch.
“I miss you, Theo.” You whispered to nothing as you looked around and saw his closet was open. The blue uniform stood out to you immediately as your heart leapt in your throat and walked to grab it, clinging it to your chest you brought it to your nose and smelt the scent of Theodore Groves. Lip twitching, you grabbed it off the hanger and wrapped the jacket around your body and hugged it to yourself. Walking to the bed and laying down in it you quickly curled up and fell asleep.
By the time you were waking up, you looked around and saw the clock on the wall. Around seven in the evening, you heard footsteps downstairs and you looked around. Quietly standing you found one of Theo’s other swords he owned, and quietly grabbed it. Walking through his home as silent as possible you saw someone standing in his sitting room. You swung, but before the blade could hit the man ducked and screamed in shock.
Theo screamed your name, quickly catching the blade in his bare hand as he pried it from your hands. “It’s me.” He breathed quickly, “It’s just me.” He groaned as your sudden weight attacked him into a hug and he sighed, dropping the blade as he returned the hug.
“I thought…”
“No.” He shook his head, “I just had to get checked up with the doctor. I was severely injured, but I’m okay.” He kissed your crown, “I see you’re wearing my old uniform.”
“The blue is beautiful, Theo. I hate the one you’re wearing now.”
He laughed, “Trust me, when I was told to wear it I felt disgusted at the change.” He guided you and himself to sit on the couch as he leaned back and sighed as his leg, thankfully the only injury he had suffered from, finally had some sort of relief. “I’ve missed you. It’s been a year.”
“I have too.” You looked up and down his body, seeing for any wounds as your hands traveled around to feel for anything.
“It’s just my leg. Jumped off an exploding ship while two others were firing at us. It was a miracle that I and some others survived. But I’m quite glad, since I got to see you again.”
“You didn’t tell me you left?” You looked up at him, “Why?”
“Because we…or well I…felt it wasn’t necessary. I thought that we weren’t on good terms after what happened. So I allowed the silence to linger between us. I also got way too busy and was ordered around a lot once Beckett came here.” Sighing he shifted his body, “He died. Didn’t give us any orders. So I ordered the men to abandon ship. Spent a good, I don’t know; few weeks trying to make it to any port nearby before getting a ship here.” His eyes met yours as he raised his hands to fix his uniform coat around your shoulders more.
“It was quite lonely without you. Your energy is always unmatched.”
A soft laugh left his lips, “Is it? I missed you as well, so very much actually. Whenever I had time to sleep or time to myself I thought about you. I hoped every night you were doing okay.” He gently touched your hand and pulled you closer, allowing you to sit and settle on his lap. “Every night aboard the Endeavor I replayed the last time we talked. I should’ve fought more for your affection, although, deep down I didn’t want you to force into something. And I didn’t either.”
“I loved you Theo, I was just hurt by what happened.”
“And I’m so goddamn sorry.” He interrupted you, “I still am to this day. Every day since that night I left you I was trying so desperately to stay strong. Especially when I went out to sea for months. I got injured but I kept going. I had to.” He cupped your face, keeping your attention on him. “Because nothing means more in this world than you.”
Your lip twitched before his words truly settled and you broke into silent tears, “Theodore.” Burying your head into his shoulder you silently cried against him.
“I love you too, sweetheart. And I will always choose you. Because my life wouldn’t be as happy and beautiful without you in it.” He kissed your crown once again. He wrapped his arms around you and leaned back more on the couch as he closed his eyes. His body had been aching and all he wanted was to sleep, but also make sure you were okay.
“Theo?”
“Hm?”
“Could we go upstairs?”
He lifted his head and soon hummed, “I guess we could. But if my leg hurts when we get up there, you gotta help me. Deal?”
You rolled your eyes but stood up from the couch, “Sure.” You gently took his hand and helped him stand as you led him to the stairs. “You first.” You nudged him gently, following behind him slowly as he climbed. Once the two of you got to his room you helped him lay down before you climbed in and settled down next to him. As you reached for his hand you felt something wet as you brought his hand up to see the deep cut.
“Theo…”
“Don’t ‘Theo’ me, you were the one ready to swing my own sword at my head. You’re lucky I caught it.” He leaned back against the pillow, “Will you kiss my wound better?”
“No.” You set his hand down gently before scooting off the bed and heading toward his bathroom. When you returned with some stuff to fix his wound you saw the pout on his face. “I’ll treat it, but I ain’t kissing it.”
“But, love, it hurts.”
Rolling your eyes, you got back on his bad and grabbed his hand, looking at him and kissing his palm a couple times. The blood slightly touched the tip of your nose. Lifting your head, Theo brushed away the blood.
“Thank you.” He smiled, “Feels better already.”
“Oh shut it.” Although you couldn’t help but smile as you started to clean his wound. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too.” Sitting up he kept his hand straight before he leaned in and kissed your cheek. “I’m sorry for making you jealous.”
“It’s been a year, Theodore. I think now we can move on and look toward the future.” You took a brief moment to look at him as you offered a smile before returning your attention back to his wound. “Don’t you agree?”
“Yes. I agree.” He felt his fingers twitch as the pain burned but he attempted to not move as much. “It burns.” He muttered, feeling the bandage wrap around his hand.
“It will.” You replied quietly as you tied the end of it into a small knot. “There. That should last for a few days.” You looked at him, soon moving the box aside as you moved to settle on his lap. Feeling his arm wrap around your waist you both looked into each other's eyes. Admiring each other. “You look tired.”
“So do you. Were you up often?”
“These past few days when rumor was told men would be returning. I thought and hoped you would’ve been one of them.” Moving your hand up to his white powdered wig you removed it and set it aside, seeing his messy black hair be revealed as you smiled at the sight. You pushed away his bangs, “What about the others?”
Theo’s face fell in sadness, “I don’t know where Andrew is. And James…the last I knew he was on the Dutchman. But the Dutchman and Pearl were attacking the Endeavor.”
You frowned, “I hope they’re alright.”
“They will be.” Theo rubbed your back to attempt to hide the emotion he was holding back. Part of him knew they probably didn’t make it, but he didn’t want to worry you any farther. “We should get some sleep. At least this time I won’t be alone.”
Getting off his lap you laid down next to him and looked at his uniform. “Take it off.” When he motioned to his uniform you nodded. “Yes.”
He sighed, sitting up and shuffling out of it and throwing it off toward the closet as he was soon shirtless. Only his trousers remained as he looked at you. “Better?”
Smirking you nodded, pulling him down as you finally cuddled up against him. “Perfect. I’m sure it feels refreshing to not have a stuffy uniform on.”
“It does.” He agreed, closing his eyes as he finally allowed himself to relax. “I love you.” He murmured, feeling his adrenaline running low as he was soon asleep.
His breathing was steady against your chest as you smiled, “I love you too, Theo.”
For hours you just traced his chest, noticing some scars from past missions at sea and possibly new ones that got healed over time as it was quite nice to finally have him home. Although, you couldn’t help but wonder what happened to the others. You knew Theo wasn’t telling the full truth. But, you didn’t want to question him when you knew he needed sleep.
It was just a good feeling to know one of your friends made it back home. And that friend being a man you’ve loved so much.