Choices
"You'll do just fine, Theo." Andrew tried to reassure his dark-haired friend as he sat in the middle of the scattered papers and books across the floor.
"What? Oh, Andrew…" Theodore looked up, dazed. "Sorry." He leaned forward to gather some of the things up, to un-clutter their small, shared quarters, "I'll clean it up…"
"It's all right, Theo." Andrew smiled softly, coming to sit down next to him.
Theodore gave a half-smile, sheepishly.
"You'll be fine. Soon I'll be looking at Lieutenant Groves." Andrew said seriously.
"I wish I had your confidence. Why don't you take the test, you certainly know all this. Unlike me. Maybe I should wait until the next round… I still don't-" His voice was muffled, as were his worries, by Andrew's lips pressed against his own.
Andrew drew away, gasping. His face flushed, "I…" He felt Theodore's hand come to cup the side of his face, cool against his heated skin. He looked up shakily, meeting Theodore's brown eyes.
Theodore grinned at him, "I thought you'd never…"
"It was the easiest way to shut you up."
"How long, have you felt like that… about me?" Theodore asked, voice low and quiet.
Andrew felt the heat rise to his cheeks. He looked down, unable to keep the eye contact.
Theodore tilted his head, peering up at him, "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"Yes."
"How long?"
"…Since we were on the Lady Luck."
"And'… that was ten years ago."
"Yes."
"You're just now coming out with it?"
"I didn't want to loose you, as a friend."
"Haven't we been through this before?"
"Yes, but not like this. Telling you my innermost secret is one thing… telling you I was madly in love with you, is another…"
"You're madly in love with me?"
"…Yes."
Theodore laughed. He had a laugh that always seemed to be at the ready, but now it was deep and true. He leaned forward, pressing a quick kiss to Andrew's lips, "Je vous aime aussi, l'oie." (I like you too, goose.)
Andrew's head darted back up, "You speak French? You never told me… You said… Have I been babbling for all these years thinking you couldn't understand me, when you really could?"
"Eh, bonjour. You've now heard the extend to my French. I wasn't lying- I don't speak French. I just wanted to learn a little, for you."
"For me?" Andrew's brow furrowed, "But, why? I can speak English much easier, with you."
Theodore smiled. "I know. But I was curious… about those little things you say you babble about. What you say when you think no one can hear you… And you say things, in the middle of the night, sometimes, while you're sleeping. I've always wondered where your dreams take you."
The End