20- inquire of

Fern sat at the edge of their dining table, with his back almost arched forward and his lips slightly pouted as his eyebrows almost met. “Why?”

Theo turned his way as she stepped out of her shoes. “Why what?”

Fern, with a sigh, watched as Theo's feet met the wooden floor of their little dining area as she led herself towards him. Fern moistened his lips as he searched his brain for the right words, perhaps the less ‘upsetting’ version of what had been brewing inside his head, to say to his wife. He contemplated as he watched her struggle with the tiny zipper of the dress which hung to her body, comfortably, and would have been a sight which usually would distract him, especially with how the straps sat against her small framed back–his head was elsewhere. Hammered to the questions that were banging against his skull. Fern wasn't necessarily a fan of his curiosity at the moment–he didn't want to get into trouble. He and Theo had been arguing enough as it was and more arguing was unnecessary.

Fern swallowed, he didn't even know how she was to take his ‘curiosity’. Theo had been very pretty tonight, he has to admit and there was nothing more, in the entire world, that could steal his attention than those eyes of hers or her easy laughter, yet this had seemingly taken the rest of the night, digging into his head and making it difficult for him to forget about it. Of course, the thought of losing Theo was far scarier and even more than death, perhaps it was even death itself, and yet somehow this seemed to have left him shaken–he couldn't move past Theo's words. Or perhaps the way she had said them. Judging by the way she was going by things it seemed, to him, oddly enough, that he was the only one concerned because she was just her regular self.

Fern was completely confused. Why had she blurted out such a thing? Had she completely tossed that out of her head? Was it that easy? Could it be that easy? Fern lost himself completely in his head for just a brief moment and was confused and a tad bit embarrassed. Fern worked with Simon and he wasn't that bad and Theo practically liked everyone, it was basically what had made him keep her, or at least attempt to, at arm's length at the very early stages of their dating–they were completely different.

Fern didn't get just why she would say it or understand just how she had completely forgotten it, he was embarrassed and worried the man had heard that. It was rude, at least he felt. Fern was unsure just how to say that, because this was Theo and her reactions were far too different as compared to his, or anybody he knew–Theo's was mostly emotional and incredibly passionate. Fern was still not exactly used to that and so he, at times, found himself quite anxious. Were his words right? Would they argue? Could she cry? He just never knew.

Theo's eyes were set upon him, frown glued deeply upon her face and her hand against her waist as she tilted her head slightly. “Are you okay?”

“I'm fine,” Fern said, lowly.

“You don't seem like it. You're too quiet.”

Fern sighed and saw he had no choice. This time he didn't want Theo believing she was being shut out and honestly, this was truly trivial and maybe, just her opinion and not the best choice of words to dish out. Theo was probably upset with him and might have taken it out on the wrong person and Fern hoped he wouldn't be dishing out a sorry any time soon–the thought of it was already uncomfortable.

“I'm not quiet.”

Theo stood between his legs as she looked up at him, brown eyes softening, as she proceeded to go ahead and cup his face into both of her soft hands. “Is this about what I said? It came out wrong. I put you in an awkward position and I'm sorry.”

“You don't have to–”

Theo Interjected. “I do.”

“I was...it just came out of nowhere.” Fern rested both of his hands on either side of her waist and brought her close as he wore a soft smile.

Theo had surprised him and perhaps, this was going to go far smoother than he had anticipated.

“I was just trying to keep the conversation going,” Theo frowned as she said, leaving Fern's wide-shaped eyebrows meeting together in confusion–Theo was losing him here.

“You were?” Fern chose to shield the fact that he wasn't following.

“I wasn't being malicious, Baby.” Her eyes lit up as she let out a soft laugh. “I was just trying to lighten things up, sorry.”

Fern refrained from flat out telling her what he truly thought–what he wanted to know. He chose to rather let out an easy chuckle, followed by a soft smile that couldn't quite settle in his eyes.“You're not very good at that.”

“I'm not?” Theo wrapped her arms around his neck and brought herself closer to him. “You sure? Really? Not even a wee bit cute? No?”

“I don't know.”

Her eyes softened as she stared deep into his eyes. “It used to feel a bit embarrassing at first.”

“It was?”

“It was.” Theo was on something else completely, he couldn't help it–his face fell. With a sigh, he found even that what she had been on about the entire time was far from trivial and the very last thing he did feel up to. Fern found himself shifting uncomfortably, trying his best to keep his eyes trained upon hers. He didn't want to go there and dig up resting ghosts, and upset both of them, but, of course, he couldn't ignore her feelings–it wasn't fair.

“I'm sorry.” Fern held her even closer to him.

Theo let out a soft laugh. “At least, we have a story to tell. You gave me a run for my money, Baby.”

“You were very persistent.” Fern smiled as he pinched Theo's right cheek, playfully, as she often liked to. “I don't appreciate that enough. I'm bloody lucky.”

“Why are you being so...sentimental? I'm gonna cry,” Theo said.

He cupped her face, gently, and brought his lips against her forehead. His eyes were closed shut as he battled to keep the pinching tears away, his jaw quite sore and his heart beating quite fast as he allowed her to lay her head against his chest. “I'm going to try harder, I promise.”

“I will too.”

“You...I love you.”

Theo lifted her head and stared up at him. “You don't have to make it so tragic.”

“I'm not.” He laughed with ease.

“You just did.”

Fern moistened his lips–it was worth a try. “What happened with Simon...back there? I mean you don't...you like people, is what I mean. I've never heard you openly express–”

“I'm sorry if you didn't like what I said, it–”

“I'm not accusing you of anything,” Fern clarified. “I'm just...curious.”

Theo sighed quite heavily as her shoulders dropped. “I don't know, I just don't, and ...it's probably not a big deal. You like him.”

The last part sort of felt pinching to Fern. “Like him? Isn't that a big leap? We're both journalists and–”

“You don't hate him is what I meant.”

“Why would I?” His eyebrows furrowed. “You hate him? You don't even know the guy...and I don't know him that well either, he's a senior journalist. I'm far from that, need a bit more to get there.”

“Baby, listen.” Theo pushed his hair away from his forehead. “I said what I said, okay? I'm sorry if it makes you uncomfortable. You just have to get that I may like some people and feel different about others, that's all.”

“Why Simon? He's–”

“Weird.” Her full lips arched into a scowl, a deep one at that.

Fern leaned forward. “Since when do we say that about people? What if he heard you? That was...rude.”

“You have people don't like.”

Fern sighed. “I don't voice it out when they're there and I'm not exactly the favorite guy, I try as hard as I can to get that.”

“I'm not discriminating him!” Theo spat through her teeth.

“I didn't say that, I–”

“You just said people don't exactly like us as if I'm being unfair!” Theo threw her hands in the air. “It's nothing personal, Fern!”

“You're not hearing me.”

“I'm sorry I said something bad about your friends. There. Sorry.” Theo pulled away from him, clearly upset. Fern didn't even know why he had brought this up or why it had bothered him enough to lead to this–Simon wasn't even close to being his friend. Perhaps, Theo was right on the man being a tad bit odd, not that he would say he didn't like him for it though, unfortunately, and made him feel a bit too under scrutiny as if he saw right through his soul or something–or called him out on his nonsense. A great mind he was but Fern hated how the man always looked at him as if he knew him or he was somehow living this insignificant and pretentious life, trying to be something he wasn't. And as if he was waiting for him to understand that. Or maybe, just maybe, he was reading too much into it.

Nonetheless, Theo was the love of his life.

“You don't like him...you don't like him, don't be upset.” He went ahead and wrapped his arms around her waist–he needed her more than anything else. “I'm not upset, yeah? It's how you feel.”

“I feel bad.”

Fern turned her around. “I'm sure he doesn't care and has heard that many times before.”

Her eyes softened.“You sure?”

“Simon? Have you seen his eyes? He's seen things.” Fern offered her a smile as he cupped her face. “It's not a big deal.”

“Wanna talk about something else?” Theo offered.

“Okay.” Fern kissed her forehead as he held her close.