"Uncle!"

Not for the first time Xavier called for him sitting on the chaise in Vaughan's dressing room while Vaughan looked into a mirror trying to tame his wild curls, frowning a bit at the slight bulge around his middle that showed far more while his jacket remained off.

Looking over to the boy he saw that Xavier was currently sprawled across the chaise, hair a disarray having fought all the hair gel applied in a disservice, leaving it sticking up oddly in various directions. He found himself unable to hold back a exasperated smile.

Vaughan sighed and stopped attempting to style his own in favor of going over with a comb and gel.

"Sit up Xavier," he said already putting gel on his hand," Don't mess with your hair-and stop rolling around! I would like you to be presentable. Ahvana from the Daily Rise will be there, and she is vicious with her articles."

"Why is she vicious," the boy asked while allowing himself to be maneuvered by his uncle until his raven hair was more closely laying against his head, a tight wave along the back to curl around his ears.

Vaughan huffed a laugh while straightening the boys tie," because she is a reporter, and she is one of the top reporters for her company. Reporters don't climb the ladder without being cutthroat and well," he looked to the large grey eyes looking to him and he backed off from what he originally was thinking to edit himself," well. She is a nice person. But sometimes, she can do some not very nice things to get a story published."

"That means she isn't a nice person Uncle," Xavier said matter-o-factly.

"I suppose your right, but just the same. Be respectable and be nice," he poked the boys nose making the other smile," Now what was it you wanted?"

"I'm hungry!"

It was not the first time the complaint had been raised and Vaughan fought his frustrations.

Dinner was scheduled later than the child was used to and the boy's normal routine of play after his lessons had been thwarted in favor of preparing for their guests.

"Well," Vaughan said allowing himself a breath for patience looking to his wristwatch and grabbing his freshly pressed jacket before setting his tie straight," I suppose we should then go downstairs. Our guests may not be here yet, but I am certain Graham will have some hors d'oeuvres you can pick at."

The boy leaped off the chaise in excitement while looking up to his uncle," Why call them hors d'oeuvres ? Why can't we just call them snacks?"

Vaughan laughed," oh I honestly don't know. That is just what they are. We eat them before dinner while we mingle."

"I hope Quinton is there," Xavier was bouncing now, boredom forgotten in favor of hope that one of his few friends would be present at the gathering.

"I invited his father and him," assured Vaughan.

Quinton was the son of Ellis Ashbridge, one of the most famous actors in the industry, and business owner to ethically made clothing line. He did little in the ways of film now and the majority of his time was split between running his world-renowned clothing line and parenting his son whom he loved very much.

Quinton was only a little older than Xavier, and on the occasions, they were able to play together Xavier normally would do well to pull the blond quiet boy out of his shell.

It was a healthy relationship that Vaughan hoped Ellis would see and support, though the two traveled often for Ellis company and it hadn't been promised they would attend.

Once they arrived at the bottom floor Xavier wasted no time dashing to the kitchens to probably harass their poor chef. He was lucky Graham was naturally a jolly fellow and did well with children, despite not having any of his own.

"I wish I had that ability," he grumbled unashamed of his envy.

He sighed and examined himself in the hallway mirror in time for Gregory to round the corner," Ah Master Vaughan. All is ready for when your guests arrive; the band has warmed up and prepared to preform, the auction items are on display and the table is set, with that very impressive sculpture on display that madam Tamaguchi donated for tonight's charity."

"You must remind me to send her additional thanks for all the support organizing this," He responded absent mindedly while making his way to the dining area to see that the sculpture displayed was indeed impressive with its cross between nature and modernism.

He did not have long to admire the beautiful piece before the bell was ringing in announcement that his firsts guests were arriving.

Xavier had managed to make his way from the kitchens far before Vaughan left the dining area with a breath to stabilize himself and judging by the sound of his squeals Ellis had decided to attend and arrive first, much to Vaughan's relief.

It did not take long after Ellis and Quintons arrival for the next guests to come, and Vaughan did his best at common curtesy upon seeing Myles Arya at the door step, handing his hat and coat to Gregory before turning his stony face to Vaughan.

"Ah! Mr. Arya, so glad you could attend," Was he being too joival? Was it obvious his discomfort at the others presence? Why had he been invited again? Oh, right. Morrowe, who had insisted an Arya member be invited. Myles was attending on the families behalf. Good bridges to his employer and all of that. 

Myles gave him a once over, not exaggerated in an insulting way but Vaughn still felt those intense dark eyes go from head to toe before the greeting was returned making his stomach flop.

"I appreciate the invitation. I believe I speak for my father and myself when I say that we appreciate the generosity and rememberence, when your work has reflected anything but."

Vaughans cheeks burned and he attempted to keep his mouth closed though it kept wordlessly opening on its own accord. 

The. NERVE!

He was about to snap a remark of some degree of wit, or lack there of, when his sure to be rambling was cut short by Morrowe from behind his shoulder.

"Oh Myles my boy! So glad to see you have made it! And already chatting with our fabulous best selling author at that!" he stood between the two of them and chuckled ," oh ho! So happy to see the Arya's supporting Vaughan still."

Myles face didn't change, but he did blink several times before his furrowed brow deepened and whatever his response was was broken by the doorbell, and the two children running down the hall to help Gregory answer the door, both boys delighted at the prospect of helping greet the oncoming guests.

"Come, my boy, there is some rather nice red wine we can partake in while Vaughan greets his other guests," and then Myles was being somehow swept away by the power only Morrowe seemed to possess in diffusing a situation without much concern to what either party's stance had been.

Sighing he relaxed somewhat, tensing again only to see Ahvana giving an overly exaggerated greeting to the children as Gregory took her evening coat, the loud comment from her upon seeing him making him fight to carve a smile into his face.

It was going to be a long evening. 

                                                                                               +++

       ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                                +++

Eventually Xavier and Quinton had moved from playing a too rowdy game of tag, to a more muted game of 'I spy' after being admonished when knocking into his aunt, nearly bathing her in the wine she had been sipping.

Ahvana had managed only one kiss one his cheek, and hadn't spread any rumors about his terrible romance novel flop to any of the other guests, which was a plus, and Myles actually had kept to himself mostly, carrying the same glass of wine the whole time while eating nothing, staying just beyond Vaughan's periphery and somehow dodging most interaction with guests other than Morrowe. 

Though, Vaughan thought, his demeanor wasn't exactly something he could call 'approachable' so that was no surprise. He glanced up from where he stood in a circle with Ahvana, Ellis, and a reporter and looked over Ahvana's shoulder. Myles was currently standing under a particuarly ill list corner, arms crossed face brooding, eyes on him.

Vaughan quickly looked away.

His guests seemed entertained by not only the music and the beauty of his gardens but also by one another's company and he was pleased that the selected guests had not made any ruckus. Gregory and the other butlers under his eye were mulling through the crowd and he briefly considered flagging one down to send to Myles, but dismissed this since it would then bring attention to his current companions of Myles' staring and make for an awkward interaction. 

Well, he thought sourly as Ahvana grilled him along with another reporter he could not recall the name of, that was the last thing he needed. 2 reporters looking for any sort of juicy gossips, and Vaughan bringing attention to Myles presence at the party would certainly make the news report he knew they were digging for. 

Ellis was seemingly amused that currently the writer was getting the attention as opposed to himself, ignoring completely his plight. Vaughan attempted at silently yelling at the blond with his eyes, and the blond toasted his glass to him before taking a delicate taste, a grin playing at the edges of his lips.

"If you do not continue Ascension," Ahvana was saying pawing at his arm in a way he felt more a pet than host," Many wonder if your relations with Biblio will strain."

Vaughan winced, willing himself not to look past Ahvana to where he could distantly note Myles was still watching them," I appreciate all the patience of Biblio in my time of struggle."

"A rather extended time," mused the unnamed reporter as he snagged a drink off a passing tray," I imagine that is due to your mothers influence with the companies founding that you haven't been let go."

Vaughan felt his smile tighten and his arm flexed under Ahvanas manicured hands," Yes. Well. I am not unaware of how fortunate I have been."

"Speaking," Ahvana said loudly to interject between the other reporter and him, most likely not appreciating the conversation going someone else's way but her own," Of Biblio- oh my oh my oh myyyy. Have you 'seen' the latest news on Myles Arya? He is rather an attractive fellow, though- not usually my type with that nose and the long hair. But still- what a man. Rumor had it he was here, yet I haven't seen him."

Silently Vaughan chanted to himself not to look over her shoulder and give any sign that he knew the other was there. 

Thankfully Ellis took pity," Why! Ahvana! I am hurt, when you are surrounded by so many attractive individuals you fail to give us the appropriate attention." Then he gently brushed back his famously prestine platinum locks and she cooed at him, briefly stopping her petting of Vaughan to wave at the ex movie star," Oh why my dear Ellis! Never would I dare! You know that when it comes to you, you always have the spotlight in my articles."

'Please go put your claws in his arm, ' Vaughan silently prayed wishing the too close woman would go, and he would stop looking over her shoulder to where now, yes, Myles was stalking the perimeter of the party goers, now moving to past his periphery so he was moving to be behind Vaughan.

Vaughan snapped his gaze back to Ellis, who had said something smoothly to Ahvana who laughed along with the other reporter, but Vaughan caught Ellis questioning quirk of his eyebrow, looking over Vaughans head before turning his confusion to Vaughan again before his blue eyes lit up, and his mischievous smirk returned.

Vaughan gave the smallest of shakes to his head silently threatening 'Don't you dare say anything'.

"Do you keep in close contact with your employers?" again she was pressing into Vaughans side, and he felt himself having to fight off a scathing reply and shaking her off.

Sipping some wine to try and settle his nerves he swallowed before saying as evenly as possible," No. We are not close. I fear we most likely do not run in the same circles."

"Shame," she tutted," I had been hoping you could chance me an interview. I wouldn't mind, even if he is not my type. I do appreciate tall well built men just the same. Of course, you are always my star Ellis."

Vaughan squirmed while Ellis responded with some sort of smooth reply, feeling suddenly very aware of his standing the same height as her herself- though she being in heels didn't help his crumbling ego. The thought of his belly before he had slid the jacket on flashed to him and he felt sick, wanting to shake her off his arm and run to his room and hide. 

Breathing, slow deep- in and out as always practiced, he barely managed not to shove her hands off of him.

Barely.

"There have been rumors beginning to spread though," Ahvana pressed, and he felt uneasy realizing he had missed some conversation, glad to note Ahvana hadn't noticed-Ellis though was looking to his with those sharp blue eyes, his glass paused at his lips," that you have even given up writing to instead move forward with your floricultural interests and continue on a larger scale than what we see in your flower and tree sales."

Smiling thinly Vaughan shook his head, swirling his wine in his glass watching as Ahvana sipped at her own eyes not leaving him. He cast his gaze to the red liquid, wishing more than ever for the charity to be near an end.

"While my father was a well-known horticulturist and did begin selling the McClellan flowers with a development of roses that are still highly sought after, I merely continue his legacy to keep it going as he would have wished. I have no personal interesting in expanding on his research."

"What about your mothers' studies in botany," pushed the journalist that he could not recall the name of," will you ever go down her path of saving and propagation of trees since working for the company she co-founded as an author isn't working for you? I believe that was what your brother had done."

He winced a little inside but refused to allow it to show, deciding quit firmly he would not be drinking any of his wine least he lose his stomach contents, managing to ground out painfully," I am not my brother, as such I do not share the same interests." 

Vaughan couldn't lift his eyes, he knew it rude. There was a sudden tension between the three.

Ahvana was still gripping his arm, his skin was crawling, there were so many people. He couldn't think of looking into someone else's face, and facing the strangers that expected so much from him. He wished he could scream at the unnamed reporter that he would never be his brother, and to smack Ahvana's hands off him. 

'Breath,' he thought,' in and out. You got this. It is for the charity. You can do one simple charity.'

"That makes sense," Ellis said, blissfully turning the two reporter's eyes to him, and Vaughan could not mentally thank him enough.

Actors lived to be in the limelight, while writers were happy in their solitude, Vaughan firmly thought, and he was not one to push against that stereotype.

"You received your Masters in English at Cambridge if I recall," he continued, looking with disinterest to the reporters before moving his frosty gaze that had won over many magazines covers to Vaughan," I believe that is why I had you tutor Quinton. If you find yourself in need, I am certain that is a path you could pursue. Quinton is all the more eloquent with his words and well-rounded with his papers for it."

Vaughan wanted to wipe the playful smirk from the willowy mans perfect face as the two reporters' eyes returned to him alight with interest.

"Teaching then?" the unknown and nosey was saying while he firmly shook his head.

"I could never teach a class," he began before Ahvana interjected.

"Of course not," she was smiling, laying a well-manicured hand on his forearm," you are far too talented for any such nonsense. No. Darling, you would make a wonderful English tutor. I just never thought you would for children, not surprising seeing as how you took in that lovely little darling."

Her chocolate eyes swept over to where Xavier was currently speaking animatedly to Quinton, the 8-year-old laughing his blond hair set as perfectly as his father's platinum own and his features just as narrow and symmetrical.

He paused, heart squeezing at seeing the large smile and bright eyes the boy had reflecting the Quinton's own. Maybe he could convince Elise to visit more often, disregarding his love of solitude.

Realizing he had not given a proper response to the reporter, Vaughan sipped his drink to give him time to think, regretted it due to his rolling stomach, and then found himself not needing to worry himself as for his Aunt, the chair of the local hospital board, was quickly ushering him over to the stage as for they were 'past time to speak and give the band a break before their meal'.

He gave one last worried glance over his shoulder, before deciding not to concern himself over what Ahvana thought.

There was nothing juicy in the fact that he tutored Quinton in the past, and the public had already been aware of his adoption of Xavier almost two years prior.

So, nothing there for her to write.

Comforted by this thought he wiped sweaty palms on his tux before ascending the stage upon the bands pause.

All was as it should be.