Requested by: FNAFlover64

Sprawled out on the floor of his father's study, Philip hummed as he flipped through the pages of books. He didn't get the chance to admire their beauty when his father was around. But today was different for a change, so he finally was allowed to spend a little time in the study.

From behind him, he could hear gasps of amazement. He bit back a smile. When his father had said he would be out of town for the day on a business matter, he invited someone who would appreciate the hidden stories and worlds in the books. "Theo, calm down, it's just a couple of books."

Theodosia, hair a curly mess, shook her head furiously. "Well, my father never would let me step foot into his study, so this is quite the honor. I admire your father's selections greatly." Her fingers brushed over some leather covered books and she visibly shuddered excitedly at the feeling.

She twirled around, eyeing every inch of the room. From the books, to polished cases, to the green walls, everything caught her attention.

Philip glanced at her as she walked around him. He hadn't expected her to be so intrigued in the crammed study his father spent hours of his life in. But seeing the smile on her face was worth it.

After she had circled him three more times, he grabbed her ankle, in a playful manner. At the sudden touch, she shrieked and tripped on her footing. Philip jumped to his feet, grabbing her by the waist, with perfect timing.

He pushed a strand of hair out of her eyes before saying, "That was close."

Theodosia chuckled. She wasn't used to the feeling of his hands on her waist, with their bodies pressed close, but she liked it. "I suppose it was." He leaned forward, looking at her in a different way than before. His mouth opened up to say something when a voice came from behind them.

"What are you two doing?"

The two of them pulled apart, almost falling over the scattered books and papers. In the doorway of the study, was the man of the household. Philip stuttered, "Father, I-"

His father narrowed his eyes, glaring at both of them. There was a long moment where neither dared to speak. Theodosia swallowed the lump in her throat as he stalked closer in her direction. "You must be Burr's daughter, I presume?"

She managed to nod sharply. As he looked her up and down, she tried to think of her own father. Sitting back home, covered with papers of detailed writings, trying not to drown under the daily stress he received. If only he could be right beside her to comfort her.

"Out of my house."

Philip tried to stop his father, who began to raise his voice. "You heard me!" Throwing a hand up in the air, he pointed in the direction of the door. Theodosia looked back at her friend before rushing out the door of the study.

As she reached the door, Eliza approached her cautiously. The only reason she knew her friend's mother's first name was from the times her father talked of her. Even though he despised all of his opponent's work, there was a soft spot for women in him. He often said how much he admired Eliza and all her work, considering his own wife was gone.

"My dear, is there something the matter?"

She didn't get to respond, for shouts from the study made them both look down the hall. The door was wide open, just enough for them to see Philip storming out. On his heels was his father. By the expressions on their faces, it seemed things weren't going well.

Theodosia gripped the door handle, attempting to escape, only to feel Eliza's hand stop her quickly. "Alexander, what's going on?" Her tone meant business. And he seemed affected by it, for he began to act calm as he got closer.

Before he could even speak, Philip cried out to his mother, "He's trying to make her leave! I was only-"

Alexander snapped back, "You were the one trying to get up close to her, son. Do you think I allow that behavior in my house?" There was a dull silence that followed his words.

"Well, you are one to talk about getting up close to women. You made the mistake of sleeping with-" Philip knew he had crossed the line before his father even cut him off.

Ever since the affair, the arguing between his parents, he had been meaning to make a comment against his father. He never wanted to see his mother in pain again the way she had been during that time.

Alexander smacked his son's shoulder. "Don't you dare." Flinching at the pain, Philip glared at his father. He could see Theodosia's horrified expression out of the corner of his eye. He hoped she didn't believe this was what happened all the time behind closed doors.

"And why shouldn't I? You published the details so everyone could see your pathetic failure. It's only fair-"

This time Alexander grabbed his son by both shoulders, shaking him senseless. "I had to do that, can't you see? How many times must I tell you? I was wrong and selfish, Philip. That was indeed pathetic of me to sleep with another woman for months on end. But don't use it against me." He let go of his son.

Theodosia looked between the members of the family. Her eyes welled up with tears. She didn't know whether to run or stay. Philip kept looking at her with pleading eyes, but his father glared her down.

"Tell me why you felt the need to get that close to her, Philip. We can discuss the fact that you were in my study later, but answer me." He wiped his eyes, clearly tired and frustrated.

Philip glanced over at his friend. She had her hand firmly on the doorknob, visibly shaking at the arguing. All he had wanted was to invite her over because he felt the need to show her the worlds inside the books. The two of them never had time alone as friends, never time to venture into the unknown.

But maybe there was another reason. He knew his parents would jump on it the second he revealed what he really felt for Theodosia. He was terrified of saying it out loud. Their fathers were rivals and would tear one another apart all at once. And then they wouldn't be able to continue their friendship.

"I love her."

Eliza covered her mouth. She gave her husband a warning look, knowing what he was thinking.

"Love?" Theodosia gasped the word, also covering her mouth. She didn't know what love felt like. Philip was acting unlike himself. The two of them were close, but not that close.

Alexander placed a hand on his son's shoulder but he was rejected immediately. "I love her," the boy said more confidently. He looked over at the girl by the doorway, nodding his head.

Just as he began to say her name, Theodosia turned the door handle and ran down the stairs to the street. She could hear shouting behind her, but didn't stop. Her feet were guiding her home, the place where she could collapse into her own father's arms and just cry.

"Theodosia!" From his porch, Philip watched her until she was a dot on the horizon. The second she disappeared from view, he wished he had never spoke. He was young, foolish, and certainly unable to compute what he had said.

He didn't know what love really was. All he knew was that he felt something greater than friendship for Theodosia. Maybe it was foolish to use his tongue in that way, but he felt that what he said was right about their relationship.

And he would try to make things better the next time they met, finish what they had started, without his restive father in the way of his life choices.

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A/N: Thank you FNAFlover64 for requesting this! I had a great time writing more of Philip and Theodosia. Hopefully you liked it!