S-S-S-SEVEN PAGES!
I hope that makes up for the long wait. XD I'm sorry, I really am. See, I also write an original story (it's got yaoi *wink wink nudge nudge*) so I've told myself I'll do chap of this, chap of that, this, that, this, etc. So, it was finally this one's turn. XD I've been working on this chapter for who knows how long! I felt really stuck. All my planning had led me up to him putting in the window (if that isn't how you actually install a window, sue me. I'm not a carpenter.) and then everything after that was off the top of my head.

I'd like to thank my lovely reviewers (and reply to a few reviews): Rogue Blade, PrincessAnnMacbeth, TobyReese1990, xxMasonAndAlex4Everxx, xDarkFlamex, brpetal, Alcorion (I only made him 18 so I wouldn't get flamed. ;D And Lovett and Todd were never together. She still pines after him, but he just keeps ignoring her. XD And you'll just have to wait and see what happens to her~), xLosingMyLife, UnknownFiles (Oh snap XD), and Miss Annabel Lenore Ragg (I love your long reviews~).

You guys are so much... nicer than my fictionpress reviewers. I get death threats from them. o.o If they knew where I lived my house would have been bombed and I'd be forced to write by knife point. I thank you guys for being civil~

I urge you to read the bottom author comments. I'd just like some input on something, and also you might learn something. Thanks~ Happy reading~

Chapter 6

A soft breeze blew through the streets of London. Shoppers shivered and pulled their coats tighter around them, trying to block out the offensive wind. Ladies gasped and held their dresses down. Cab drivers pulled on their hats while their horses stamped in place. The wind made it's merry way through town to the newspaper window of a pie shop, and successfully ripped a corner off of it. It then continued on in it's adventure until it ran smack dab into a head of black and white hair.

Sweeney shivered and cracked his eyes open. Why was it so cold? He groaned as he tried to lift his head from it's position of being thrown over the top of the couch, but winced in pain as his neck went, "Oh no thank you." Slowly, he lifted it up, turning his head and stretching his neck out until there was only a dull ache. He ran his fingers through his messy hair and rubbed at his neck. No more sleeping on the couch. His gaze fell upon the burnt out fireplace that held a few glowing embers, and he grunted. That would explain the cold. Another breeze whispered past his head, and he looked behind him to the makeshift window that was falling apart. As would that.

Sighing, he went to stand up to go fix the window, but a weight in his lap caused him to stop. Looking down led him to the sight of Toby asleep, the boy's head in his lap and the book they read hugged to his chest. A small smile crept upon the barber's face. The sight was too adorable. He carded his fingers through Toby's short hair, causing the boy to stir, but not wake. While continually playing with Toby's hair, Sweeney thought about what had happened the night before. Something definitely changed between them. Something for the better, he hoped. He felt something inside of him that he hadn't felt since he first met his Lucy. He didn't know whether that was good or bad. He didn't know whether he should act upon these feelings or not. He didn't know whether he should be scared or not. He didn't know a lot of things, but if he had to admit one thing, it was that he was falling for the boy. The boy who was sleepily blinking up at him from his lap. "Good morning," Sweeney said, still threading his fingers through the others hair. It was so soft.

Toby smiled up at him, eyes still droopy in sleep. He leaned into the older man's touch that he was becoming so used to and almost craving. Toby didn't know what these feelings were inside of him, or perhaps he just didn't WANT to know, but it was getting harder to ignore them. It'd only been two days since Mrs. Lovett had left them, and already so much had changed. Sweeney wasn't giving him a death glare anymore, so he thought it was changing for the better. Maybe all they needed was a little alone time. Toby yawned, bringing the book in his hands up to cover his mouth. Sweeney smirked softly at the scene. "Come on, then. Let's get some breakfast, eh?"

Toby nodded and sat up, stretching his arms above his head until his back popped. He got up to put the book away, shivering from the cold. It had been warmer with Sweeney. He followed said man into the shop and noticed the torn window immediately. Wait! Didn't they go out to buy glass? Why wasn't it... Oh. That wicked man in the alley. It seemed so long ago though it was only yesterday. Sweeney must have rushed right back after Toby ran and not picked up the glass. Toby felt a warm feeling in his chest. To think Sweeney would rush back for anything was a funny thought. Maybe a brisk walk, but Toby was sure he had to have ran to get there in the time that he did. To get to Toby.

"I'll go pick up that glass today," Sweeney said, snapping Toby from his thoughts. He gave the boy a careful look whilst putting the pot of leftover dinner over the fire. "You don't have to go if you don't want to," He told Toby, completely understanding if he didn't. Toby thought about it, fidgeting with a rolling pin on the counter. Well, truth be told, that guy wouldn't be there anymore. He would definitely stay with Sweeney at all times now. There didn't seem to any danger in going with him. Toby looked up at him and shook his head. Sweeney raised an eyebrow. "So, no you don't want to come, or no you do?" Toby shook his head no, then nodded his head yes, then no, then yes, then- RRG! Sweeney smirked. Toby patted his pockets, looking for his pad of paper, but realized he left it in the living room. He was heading back to get it when Sweeney stopped him. "Why don't you just try saying what you want?" Toby looked at him like he was crazy. "Just try. Even if you can't really say it, I'd rather read your lips than your writing," He walked over to Toby and crossed his arms over his chest, waiting. Toby felt himself blush at the comment, and he looked at his feet. He wished he could really tell Sweeney what he wanted. He looked up as the man cleared his throat. "So, would you like to go with me to get the glass?" Toby swallowed and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

'Yes, I want to go with you,' When no sound came out, Toby's face fell a bit, but Sweeney's gained a smile.

"Alright, you can come, but from now on, no more writing unless it's extremely important. I want you trying to talk again," The barber said sternly before heading back to check on breakfast. Toby just nodded, wondering why on Earth his voice seemed so important to the man.

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The duo was back on the dark and depressing street that was last seen in chapter four. Though, it may have been a tad bit darker this time since the morning sun hadn't had time to work it's way up into the cloudy sky overhead. The only sounds were the pittering and pattering of their shoes on the ground, and Toby's heart thumping erratically in his chest. He kept up a mantra of, "It's ok. I'm ok. There's no one here," in his head, but it wasn't helping. He subconsciously walked closer and closer to Sweeney, not noticing until their arms brushed, and he jumped in fright. Sweeney gave him a sharp look, causing him to look down at his feet in shame. He glared at his shoes. It wasn't his fault he was jumpy after all. Sweeney sighed and reached out, wrapping his arm around Toby's waist and pulling him close. "Just stay close, and you'll be fine," He told the younger, trying not to revel in the feeling of holding him... too much. Toby was suddenly very happy for the darkness because he knew his face had to look sun-burnt with the blush he had going on. He put his hands to his face, trying to calm himself down, but it just made Sweeney look over at him with a raised eyebrow. He turned his head to look at him too, but with how close they were, his nose about touched Sweeney's. He gasped lightly as Sweeney's eyes widened just a hair. They both quickly looked forward and didn't look at each other again till they reached the glass shop. Though, Sweeney's arm never moved.

As they entered, Toby dashed off to look around the store. There were large sheets of glass laying about in all different shapes, like the one they were getting, but there were also mirrors, tiny figurines, bowls, picture frames, even Christmas ornaments. Toby looked all around until he saw a small glass cat sitting on a shelf, it's tail curled around it's feet whilst it cleaned a front paw. He reached out to pick it up, but his hand was quickly smacked away. He frowned and looked up at the barber who was frowning right back. "Need I remind you who broke the window? I don't need you breaking anything else, so don't touch anything," He scorned Toby before heading to the counter to talk to the shop owner about the glass he had ordered. Toby sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets so he wouldn't be tempted to touch anything else. He looked around for a few more minutes, but boredom crept upon him as Sweeney kept haggling with the owner over the price of the glass. He shuffled his feet a bit before leaning back against a wall. A wall that slowly started to move backwards. What the-? Toby quickly turned on his heel and reached out to stop the shelf (not, in fact, a wall) from falling to it's doom. Luckily, he grabbed it in time, and the objects on it only shifted a bit. He exhaled in relief, quickly moving away from anything breakable and going to stand by Sweeney. The man was paying, grumbling something under his breath while he was at it, so he just gave a Toby a quick look. Toby gave a tentative smile before looking down, and just shoving his hands in his pockets again.

.s.t.s.t.s.t.s.t.s.t.s.t.s.t.s.t.s.t.

The walk back to the shop was uneventful. Toby had wanted Sweeney's arm around him again, but he was busy carrying the glass with both hands, not trusting Toby to the job. When they arrived back at the shop, he installed said glass while Toby sat in the booth and watched. It more or less just slipped in till it got stuck in the wooden frame. Sweeney shook the door a bit, closed it then opened it, making sure it was secure. He gave the door a final look over before declaring himself done. Toby supplied a golf clap, and the barber gave a short bow. Toby chuckled silently, and Sweeney gave a small smirk. An awkward silence suddenly filled the air as realization settled upon them. What were they to do now? There was no work to do, and no errands to run. It wasn't quite lunch time either, so there'd be no use in preparing that. Toby looked up at the older man, who was examining the window again, and an idea flash through his head, but he quickly looked away and put a hand over his face to cover his blush. No way had he just thought that.

Right when the silence was becoming so uncomfortable it almost hurt, someone knocked on the front door. A rush of air flew out of both male's lungs; sighs of relief. Sweeney ran a hand through his hair before striding over to the door, opening it, and looking at the man standing on the stoop with his usual blank, but oh-so-threatening, face. "Yes?" He snapped out.

The man started for a minute at the rather rude greeting, but quickly took off his hat and smiled at Sweeney. "Ello! I was just in the neighborhood and thought I'd stop by for a pie. It looked like you were closed though, but I thought I'd come up here and check!" The man was unusually cheery and it was kind of freaking Sweeney out and getting on his nerves at the same time. He glared at the man and pointed to the window of the shop that had a "CLOSED FOR THE WEEK" sign in it. The man looked and laughed. "Oh! How did I miss that? Well, I'm sorry for disturbing you on your holiday! Just one more question though, if I may," He looked to Sweeney for confirmation, and the barber gave a curt nod. "Is the barber shop above this open?"

Sweeney paused for a moment and weighed his choices. If he told the man no, he'd leave and Toby and himself would be stuck in awkwardness again. If he told him yes... well, obviously he'd have to shave him, but at the same time, it'd be a great distraction and just something to do. Not to mention he'd earn some money. That was always a plus. He nodded. "Yes sir, it is. Would you care for a shave?"

"Oh, yes! Very much so!" The man rubbed his stubbled chin. "It may not look like much, but by tomorrow, I'd have a whole beard grown!" He gave a hearty laugh, causing Sweeney to cringe.

"Yes... Well, please, just go around to the steps there, and I will be up momentarily," The man thanked Sweeney before following his directions. The barber turned, closing the door, and laid his sights on Toby who had been listening the whole time from the table. He beckoned him with a finger, and he quickly jumped up and made his way to the man.

'Yes?' He mouthed, confusion covering his face.

"Bring me up a bowl of cool water, a rag, and a pot of tea with two cups. Got it?" Sweeney ordered. Toby nodded, unable to hide a smile. Would he get to watch the artist with a knife perform? He'd seen him once so long ago during the contest with Pirelli, but it had happened so fast, he'd hardly seen it. He was so excited while at the same time a little afraid. Who knew if he really was a changed man that didn't kill anymore? Toby shook these thoughts from his head. Sweeney was good now. He just knew it. "Good. Be quick now," Sweeney moved to leave, passing by Toby closely and bumping their shoulders. Toby quickly regarded it as an accident, but somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew it wasn't, and that made him smile.

Gathering the aforementioned items onto a tray, Toby headed outside and up the stairs. He remembered the last time he climbed these stairs. He was utterly terrified out of his mind. It seemed too easy now, not that he was complaining. He shifted the tray of items to his hip, so he could use the other hand to open the door, and quickly shuffled in. His sights fell on the man already in the chair and covered by a white sheet. He was going on and on about something or another, and Sweeney was busy ignoring him and mixing shaving cream. He looked up as Toby entered and told him to put the tea pot on the stove and the rest on his desk. Toby did so, then upon finding a little nook near the window, sat down to watch. When Sweeney glanced over to him, a strange feeling of nostalgia washed over him, but he quickly shook it away and began his work, telling the man to please shut up or risk being nicked.

Toby marveled at how much care Sweeney put into his work. Taking the time to run his razor over a leather strip slowly, till it was perfect. Carefully spreading the cream over the man's face so that it wasn't too thick or too thin. Pausing to examine the man's face shape and to map out how to shave him perfectly. All these steps he took so that when he began, each stroke was perfect. He took his time, being more gentle than Toby had ever seen him. It was so different from when he worked for Pirelli. That man was quick and brisk and rough. He cared not about the costumer, just their money. It was amazing he hadn't cut more people than he had. Toby looked down at his scarred knuckles and shuddered. He was glad that man was gone from his life.

He looked back up when the man began talking again, praising Sweeney's work and grinning at himself in a mirror. Sweeney himself was cleaning his razor with the rag and water while looking at Toby with a deep-in-thought expression. Had he seen Toby looking at his scars? The two locked eyes for a minute before the barber looked away to collect his money from the man and practically shoo him out. He sighed once he was gone and moved over to the tea pot, filling the two cups. "I don't think that man's voice has an off switch," He said, walking towards to Toby, who stood from his spot. "Maybe you and him should switch," He handed Toby a cup and a smile. Toby smiled back, but rolled his eyes.

'I wish,' He mouthed before taking a drink of tea, the hot liquid warming him inside. Sweeney chuckled and reached out, running his fingertips over Toby's cheek softly. Toby felt his face heat up, and he knew it wasn't the tea. He looked down, averting eye contact, but found his head being forced back up via a finger under his chin. For a moment all time stopped. Toby's eyes were locked with Sweeney's and the only sound was his heartbeat pounding away in his chest. He could feel the barber's warm breath on his face as said man leaned ever so closer. His brain was in a fog, and he felt himself lean into it. Closer and closer they got. Until Sweeney pulled away, dropping his hand and acting like nothing happened.

"You'll get it back someday. I'm sure of it," He said before moving to gaze out of his giant windows, leaving Toby very confused and... heartbroken? He shook his head and ran a hand through his short hair. He downed the rest of his tea, leaving his empty cup on the desk and sighing. Maybe that whole scene was just in his head. Had it really happened? He moved next to Sweeney and glanced at his face. The man looked back and his eyes gave off a mischievous shine. Oh, it had definitely happened. Toby couldn't help but blush again, but a small smirk appeared on his face.

He turned to look out the window with Sweeney, gasping at how much of London he could see from up there. He moved forward till his forehead hit the cool glass and just gazed out at the city. It was dark and gloomy in places, and bright and beautiful in others. From the market to the park, everything was different. Toby loved it. "If you'd like, you may come up here to enjoy the view anytime you wish," Sweeney said suddenly from behind Toby. The boy jumped a bit and looked at the man with wide eyes.

'Really?' He tried to ask. Sweeney paused for a moment, as if rethinking his words, but then nodded. Out of a spur of excitement, Toby quickly turned and threw his arms around Sweeney's neck, silently saying 'Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!' Sweeney was surprised to say the least, but he also just clear wasn't expecting to be engulfed by anyone and the force made him loose his balance. He stumbled backwards a few steps till his legs hit the barber chair and buckled under him. A lot of flailing commenced and it ended with Sweeney in the chair and an equally shocked Toby on top of him.

Toby groaned and pushed off of Sweeney, sitting up and rubbing his nose that had smacked into the back of the chair in the fall. He looked down at his hand on the other's chest and his legs straddling the man's hips, and the realization of his position hit him. Sweeney let out a groan of his own and rubbed his neck as he lifted his head up. He opened his eyes to find Toby's looking back at him with a mixture of surprise and fright. He probably thought he was mad at him (he was a little), but on the other hand, this position could be useful. He smirked. Toby tried to move backwards off the chair, but Sweeney caught the boy's collar and stopped him. Toby threw his hands up in an 'I surrender' sign and tried to calm down his breathing. 'I'm sorry! I didn't know that would happen! I swear! I'm sorry!" Toby gasped and Sweeney's eyes widened. The two sat frozen, staring at each other like they were trying to decide if it was a trick or not. Did Toby just speak or did the author forget to italicize the last word? "I... I can...talk..." Toby was so shocked that he could speak, that he couldn't speak. Tears of joy ran down his cheeks and he was almost hyperventilating. Sweeney quickly began wiping away his tears and trying to calm him down. He was well aware of how happy and joyous this moment was, but if Toby didn't get his breathing under control he'd-

Toby started laughing, a forgotten sound, and took in one more shaky breath before fainting from lack of oxygen. Sweeney caught him before he fell backwards off the chair. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. Or that would happen. He stood, adjusting Toby so he was carrying him bridal style, and headed downstairs to the living room, laying Toby on the couch. He sat down next to him, smoothing his hair down and wiping a few excess tears from his face. He allowed a smile to fill his face and even chuckled at the whole situation. It all happened so fast, he almost couldn't believe it. He couldn't wait for Toby to wake up. He was dying to hear more of that voice.

Herp derp. XD I feel like that was a stupid ending. Oh well.

Anyway, I have tried researching what exactly would cause Toby's voice to vanish, and I found lots of things, but a review I got from Miss Annabel Lenore Ragg kinda sums it up:

From a psychological standpoint (It is to be noted, though, that I am no expert on these matters and I have a rather basic knowledge of them. I have done I great deal of studying on the subject, though.) it seems to me that Toby suffers from a mental malady known as conversion disorder (first coined by Sigmund Freud); a type of somatoform disorder (a mental disorder that takes bodily form). Those suffering from conversion disorder may experience paralysis, numbness or perhaps the inability to see or speak even though nothing is physically wrong with them. (This disorder, however, should not be confused with hypochondriasis.)These symptoms many times present themselves after an individual has been subjected to a very traumatic event. It is thought that these symptoms come to pass because the sufferer is attempting to quell and/or resolve some sort of internal conflict. With what has come to pass in the story, it does look like Toby suffers from this disorder.

So, I'm going with that. XD I was planning on having him start talking later on in the story, but I kinda need him to now. Do you think it's too soon?

Also, just wondering, does anyone know where Sweeney sleeps? In the movie, when he is first being led in to the living room (after Worst Pies In London) he looks up a flight of stairs. He then asks Mrs. Lovett why she doesn't rent out the room above her. So, I'm guessing these stairs go to a room, right?
Those stairs like... vanish for the rest of the movie. I don't remember ever seeing them again.
I already sorta stretched it having Lovett's and Toby's room somewhere behind the living room (I do believe we see a hallway going back there...) but they would obviously have bedrooms. Lovett would anyway. Did Sweeney ever? Did he even sleep?
So, I may take some artistic liscence and say that Sweeney's bedroom is up those stairs, but also, that there is a door from his barber shop into his bedroom. It seems logical. What do you suppose? Or am I just crazy and seeing stairs where there are none and Sweeney slept in his barber chair? *shrug*

Also, (I have lots of thoughts, I'm sorry) do you suppose by next chapter, if they like get together (feelings talked about, kissing going on) is that ok? That's totally not too soon right? They've got total sexual tension going on in this chapter. I just feel like I keep building up and building up and it's never going to happen. XD Any opinions?

Also, SMILING SWEENEY - tin yu rl. c om/3l k54 hf
(take out spaces)

Also, I feel like there was something else, but for the life of me I can't remember... Oh well.

tl;dr

Favs and watches are the cake, but reviews are the hookers inside~ ;D