Ford hadn't meant to say it, but he didn't react particularly strongly when Noble pointed out the pronoun. He had been carefully safeguarding Tycho's existence from Noble for over a year, trying to ensure there was nothing in his speech or behavior or anything that might hint there was even anything to discover, but he didn't care about having slipped now, because what the fuck was the point of being circumspect now? What, Noble was going to lecture him on avoiding rumors? Noble was going to grandstand about consequences, about things that must be avoided at all costs for the sake of the family? Ford fucking knew, Noble knew he knew.
"Yes," Ford said, drawing his mouth into a resolute line. He felt — jittery, unstable, volatile, as though if Noble tried to touch him he would explode, and at the moment he was almost hoping Noble would, because maybe exploding would be better. If he were thinking about this rationally he would recognize that he wasn't angry with Noble — maybe angry wasn't the right word for it at all — but there was so much built up in his chest, so much so suddenly, and Noble was the only person he could be angry with. Verity thought he'd actually slept with Miss Farley, Grace was distraught and confused — Noble was the only person in the entire world who knew that Ford had chosen to let these rumors spread, and that he'd made that choice for all of them, to keep them safe and supported — Noble was the only person who could understand that this wasn't stupidity, it was a sacrifice, and it wasn't a fair one. And Ford wanted Noble to know that he was desperately in love with someone who was now in danger of hearing he was engaged through a notice in the paper. He wanted him to feel how unfair this was.
"I'm going to see him," he said, expression feral. Try to stop me and I will claw your fucking eyes out.
"Yes," Ford said, drawing his mouth into a resolute line. He felt — jittery, unstable, volatile, as though if Noble tried to touch him he would explode, and at the moment he was almost hoping Noble would, because maybe exploding would be better. If he were thinking about this rationally he would recognize that he wasn't angry with Noble — maybe angry wasn't the right word for it at all — but there was so much built up in his chest, so much so suddenly, and Noble was the only person he could be angry with. Verity thought he'd actually slept with Miss Farley, Grace was distraught and confused — Noble was the only person in the entire world who knew that Ford had chosen to let these rumors spread, and that he'd made that choice for all of them, to keep them safe and supported — Noble was the only person who could understand that this wasn't stupidity, it was a sacrifice, and it wasn't a fair one. And Ford wanted Noble to know that he was desperately in love with someone who was now in danger of hearing he was engaged through a notice in the paper. He wanted him to feel how unfair this was.
"I'm going to see him," he said, expression feral. Try to stop me and I will claw your fucking eyes out.
Set by Lady!