Guilty feet have got no rhythm…

Vincent couldn’t stop replying those five little words over and over in his mind. I want all of you.  It was all he could hear, echoing like thunder in his head, ever since the moment Cass shut the door in his face and he felt his heart jump into his mouth. Well, that had quickly and pointedly answered that outstanding question.

He didn’t know how much time had passed since that moment; he wasn’t sure what he’d really even done. At some point Vince thought he’d spent an afternoon with Cass’ siblings, or eaten breakfast with them? He distinctly remembered Mrs. Valenduris reminding him of his place in society despite her well-meaning sentiments, but even that hadn’t been enough to rouse him. He was in a daze, locked in his own mind. Eventually Vincent had feigned sick, (or actually come down with something, he wasn’t exactly sure but he did feel like he was going to wretch. Again.) and locked himself away in the guest room.

The bedsheets were cold from across the room. Vince stared at them in the dark, the sun having long set since he sat his butt in the armchair across from the bed. He wasn’t… he couldn’t… it felt strange, to think of laying there alone. He knew it wasn’t the same bed, or even remotely the same look and feel, but… Vince tucked his arms around his legs drawing his face to his knees. He should have known it was a bad idea to act. He should have known Cass wouldn’t react well. What had he even expected?

Now, alone, all the overwhelming sentiments of disgust, embarrassment, and distrust stirred in the Slytherin’s gut. Was he really destined to be so different that nothing about him could satisfy a norm? He felt numb to the pain of it, only shock resonated in the empty hull of his ribcage. He’d destroyed the one good thing he had in life and for what?

Vincent knew at some point he’d have to move, to act. Cass wasn’t going to and… well, even if it ached he knew he had to be the one to do it. Besides, if he was destined to be on his own from now on, Vince might as well get it over with. He couldn’t stand staying in Cass’ house if this was it; he’d sooner grab his things and sleep on a bench somewhere than tolerate that. Not yet ready to face the inevitable though, Vince decided he’d make his way to the library. That was the last place he could imagine Cass hanging out right now and, frankly, the bed was starting to make him flighty.

Shoe-less and in only a white shirt rolled up to his elbows (no waistcoat or cravat, since he couldn’t seem to find it) Vince peeked out into the hall. It was quiet at this time of night; empty. He figured most of the household must be asleep already and he breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t want to risk running into anyone and having to explain himself… or his attire. (Vincent knew better than to run about, half-clothed, through someone’s home. Despite their meager income compared to what mama was used to, he’d been raised like a proper gentleman. She would be appalled at him, in so many ways.)

Slinking along, the Slytherin managed to nearly make it when he heard footsteps down the hall. Heart beating too quickly to prove innocence, Vince grabbed the nearest door and ducked into the room beyond. He shut the door with a click, and pressed his ear against the wood. He heard a servant pass by and let out a sigh of relief. Not Cass, thank goodness. Vince turned to see what he’d accidentally intruded upon and then jumped like a cat, nearly twelve feet high, out of his skin. There was Cass, sitting behind a desk that looked too big even for him. Vincent could have kicked himself.

For a good half a second he debated walking right back out. Instead, he let the silence linger, torturing them both.

He didn’t know what he was supposed to say, or even what he wanted to say. In fact, just the sight of Cass sitting there so peacefully made something angry bubble up inside of Vince. Setting his jaw to keep from starting something he was unwilling to follow through on, the Slytherin adopted a frosty, blasé tone. “So this is where you ran off to tonight,” he hummed. “Cozy.”

Though it's easy to pretend…

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   Cassian Valenduris