25 Kisses: Restless

Lord Ralston had come down with a bad case of the flu and had to be bedridden for the next two weeks and naturally he chose Cutler to take care of any work he had that involved leaving the walls of his room. Unfortunately, it meant that Cutler had to add on to the workload that he already had. He bustled about to and fro muttering about "East India Trading Company this," and "East India Trading Company that." Only rarely could he be seen not at work.

Adora first noticed that he was pale and getting bags under his eyes whenever she saw him at mealtimes. When he looked too somber she'd discreetly extend her foot under the table and lightly touch his knee with her slipper-clad toe and act innocent when his questioning eyes snapped onto her. The first time she had done that, he nearly jumped out of his seat and had drawn the attention and concern of both of their mothers.

When she repeated the action at a later time, she let her foot stay on its perch and with the straightest expression he swiftly grabbed her foot and started to tickle her. Adora had helplessly let out a squeal of laughter and when met with the scandalized looks of her mother and Lady Edeline, she blushed and gave the excuse that she was thinking of something funny. It was moments like these that assured her that he was still the same Cutler.

However, after a week the extra work had really started to take its toll on him. One could tell just by looking at him that his back and shoulders ached from being behind a desk all day and that he was going cross-eyed from reading documents day in and day out. Cutler had often bustled by in the downstairs corridors on his way to a meeting as she sat playing the piano or working on her sewing.

She noticed recently that he had taken up the habit of pacing the hallways at night when she had gone to get a book one night and was disappointed when she found the light on but the study vacant. Shortly after she had returned to her room she had heard the sound of soft footfalls outside her door. She feared that he was overworking himself, so one night when she heard footsteps approaching she stepped out of her room. The footsteps paused in the darkness.

"Cutler?"

"Adora?"

"What are you doing out here?"

"I should ask you the same question."

"I heard footsteps. I figured that it must be the only person other than me who gets restless at night." She took a step closer and began to make out his form in the moonlight. She smiled and reached for his hand. He took her hand in his and came closer to give her a chaste kiss on the cheek. He was about to pull away but she put a hand on his shoulder and leaned in to whisper in his ear.

"Working nonstop like this will be the death of you. I'm worried that you will make yourself sick." She placed a kiss by his ear and felt him shudder. She didn't move. "Promise me you'll get some rest…at least for tonight?" She felt him turn his head towards her and apply a kiss to her neck.

"Why does it seem like you are always trying to convince me to go to bed?" asked Cutler, putting a trail of kisses up the side of her neck. Adora blushed and heard him softly chuckle. "I'm still waiting for the kisses you owe me. I believe I only received three on my birthday. I deserve some payment." She met his eyes and they shared a smile.

"Of course," said Adora, and softly brought her lips upon his.

It turned out that Cutler got four more kisses that night, after which he retired to his room, finally convinced to get more rest.

A/N: Just in case you were wondering, the series ends when Cutler receives all 25 kisses!