That last question offered a way out of this whole messy conversation, and a not-insignificant part of Ford wished that he could take it. But he couldn't lie to Tycho about something so significant. Avoiding putting things into words wasn't the same as outright denying them, and it wouldn't have been fair to pretend it wasn't true. The cards were on the table now, so he'd just have to figure out how to make the best of the hand he'd been dealt.

"Wouldn't that be nice," he said with an expression that managed to be both wry and slightly manic. "No, it's all true. I wish I could do that thing you do — just have friends who spend the night a few days running, but it's not a thing, they're just a friend. But it's not like that for me. Maybe it never would be. Definitely not with you. So — so yeah," he concluded with a heavy sigh, as though he had just admitted to a deeply rooted and seldom uncovered character flaw. "I'm in love with you, but I don't expect you to feel that way about me. I mean you've probably got — that would be artistically limiting, right?" he said, at this point intentionally trying to make light of the subject. He was afraid if he didn't Tycho might hear the ache behind his tone when he said he didn't expect reciprocation. "Poets don't just have one muse, right?'

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Set by Lady!

Wait. Did Ford presume that Tycho continued to have dalliances with others? He could not help it. He laughed. Inappropriate given the moment but it just felt so ridiculous to him though he knew it must have been weighing heavily on Ford all this time since they had gotten involved at a level beyond that of 'just friends'. Now he had to wonder if his lovely darling had spiraled each time Tycho had to decline an outing because of other obligations. Oh, he hoped not but at the same time, it did give him an indescribable sort of feeling.

He had to hide a smile as Ford sounded like he was expressing how he actually quite did love fondling horklumps or something. "As I said, I am in love with you too," Tycho said firmly. "I have not seen anyone but you for quite a while even before we first became intimately involved." He did a cursory glance to make sure that they were still alone with no one eavesdropping. "I think we might have a lot to clear up once we can abscond to somewhere even more private."

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Tycho might have already said he returned Ford's feelings multiple times already, but it wasn't until Ty laughed at him that Ford finally considered that what he was saying might be more than just empty platitudes. Even now, it wasn't the word love that really broke through, but the assurance that Ty wasn't entertaining other guests the nights Ford didn't visit. Ford froze, body unmoving while his mind wrestled violently with this new revelation.

"I — ah — well," he fumbled. His throat was dry and he had to clear it before he could continue. "Yeah, let's — let's get out of here. I'll tell Noble I'm leaving."

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Set by Lady!

Honestly, should he be a little offended that Ford looked so gobsmacked? Tycho supposed he could not blame Ford. He still had no idea exactly what had transpired between Cleon and Ford when the two had met. His lover fumbled for his words and Tycho could not stop smiling. He should stop it but honestly, it was just so adorable. And with what he knew about Ford, he also blamed himself for not having said it clear before now. He had simply assumed they were on the same page when apparently they were actually on very different chapters.

"Let us go, then," Tycho said after reaching out to briefly give Fords hand a reassuring squeeze. "You should probably also plan on not going home tonight." He hoped his meaning was clear. If it wasn't, the sly grin on his face that Ford was liable to be very familiar with by now should be.

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