The squeak that had left his lips before his intention was high pitched and seemed to echo in Vaughan's ears. 

Sputtering, Vaughan eventually strangled out," H-Harry?!?"

Harry threw his head back, laughing," Surprise!"

At Vaughan's continued silence, and some of the surrounding comments of," watch out- this one faints" he smirked," I guess I threw you off-huh?"

Nervously Vaughan pulled his shirt sleeve shrugging.

Why did he ever even think of coming down to breakfast? To push that social interaction so early in the morning? He could have called a maid or butler to fetch him something- but then the sanctuary of his room would be damaged. 

Mentally he groaned- he truly made most of his own life problems.

"Well," Harry strode up to him, all wiry muscle and swagger, he threw an arm around his shoulders," When the boss said there was need for reinforcements here until after the party, and I heard you where here-well. Of course I had to come!"

Vaughan was uncertain what to make of this statement, but blinked when the confusion broke through his growing horror.

"Wait-how did you know I was here?"

Harry grinned down to him shaking his shoulders," Oh Vaughan! Just as dim as always- he has always been that way!" 

At his roar and shaking Vaughaun the crowed broke into guffaws and broken caught comments that were less than appealing. Vaughan frowned, shaking his shoulder out from the unwelcomed hug. 

Harry gripped a bit tighter.

"Well excuse me," he sputtered finally breaking from the embrace, stumbling a bit causing the laughter to build," but  I don't find my inquiry to be unnecessary. I was unaware there was quite to much talk!"

Harry waved his hands as if to fend off an angered animal grinning to the group around the table," Hey hey! Calm down there little guy- I'm just joking!"

Vaughan bristled at the 'little' comment, and stomped over to the food, skin prickling at the eyes following him and Harry along side him.

"Look," Harry laughed," Don't be so serious! I work for the same company - actually joined not too long ago! So I was eager when such a high stakes job came up- and I was really happy when you ended up being one of the assignments."

This helped none in calming Vaughan, and he delicately set the plate he had been filling down, turned to Harry, set his hands on his hip and and began his reprimand," I would first like to remind you - I am not little! That is NO WAY to address me! And then I would remind you- I am not to be seen as an . . .an assignment! I am a writer. A damn good one. And have means of my very own without you or any of you being here for that matter!"

He gave a once over to the group before landing his disapproving gaze to Harry," And if we are going to speak of our younger years- then riding coattails and being immature while trying to win a crowd at the expense of others. . . well. Sounds as if you are the one who is 'dim' and just trying to use someone else's light to make up for it! Well, I would not tolerate such when we were boys, and I absolutely will not tolerate such behavior now!"

Harrys face had reddened considerably as Vaughan had ranted, and at the end of his statement, punctuated by a shaking of his finger, the observing people had broken into laughter, never minding Harrys growing ire.

"Oh he put you in your place!"

"Eh! Haven't changed much have you Harry!"

"Oh, wee Harry, trying to use the shortie writer to get a one up- ends up falling down all the harder!"

"Don't look so upset Harry! I'm sure it's only a joke!"

Harry glared silently to Vaughan, and Vaughan became increasingly aware that, even though it had been so long after the last time they had officially seen one another, some things didn't change. 

Thankfully, before anymore back and forth could happen to amuse the crowd, the voice at the door stilled them.

"Just what is this racket so early in the morning?!?"

Myles had no need to shout. His deep voice cut through the dimming laughter, until silence followed, ringing in Vaughan's ears. 

Vaughan himself felt as if he would be ill.

There, at the door, stood Myles, Kiber, and Arjun looking various levels of disapproving, to Myles looking absolutely stormy. 

But behind them, walking between Kiber and Myles to stand at the front of the dining room , giving a long look to Vaughan- who told himself he was 'not' going to pass out in a repetitive mantra- was Ishan.

He turned his gaze, pausing briefly to Harry who quickly joined the group of others, and then folded his hand in a business like fashion at his waist, thinning his lips before speaking softly.

"I do not appreciate such noise so early in the morning," his eyes roamed the room," and expect that anyone staying in this estate will show the grace, and power that the emblem you hold conveys."

Vaughan took note of them Arya symbol on all the matching uniforms- just as those uniforms of the workers on the top floor at Bilblio wore- and to the quickly murmured apologies and affirmations.

"And I expect no further mayhem in my or my children's homes.  If I see any more disruptive activity, I will be sure to send you to the most unpleasant of assignments. If I have any evidence that any of you think to say otherwise, even consider arguing. . .Well. I have been known to discipline even the closest family members."

Vaughan did not miss the flinch Myles gave, however small, though surely none of the others that had been causing such an uproar in the dining area caught it as for it was exaggerated by the response of all. Vaughan watched as Kiber's jaw muscles rippled, arms crossed still but tightening, and Arjun smiled darkly to the ones  attendance, dissipating any vision of kind elderly man that could had been perceived before. 

"Now. We have a meeting to conduct. Vaughan-are you to join us?"

Ishan barely tilted his head to the blond, eyes sharply looking down to him.

Vaughan felt his throat was too tight for speech, mouth opening uselessly he reached for his plate feeling a panic rising in his chest.

Myles swept past his father to stand next to Vaughan, grabbing his plate," Vaughan was surely planning to dine in his room, father. I shall accompany him before returning, "while he said such he piled food to Vaughan's plate before laying a hand in an unmistaken possessive manner to the small of Vaughan's back, "I will be back shortly."

Vaughan found himself torn between grateful at the ease of escape, and annoyance at the assumed control. 

By the time they reached his bedroom door, he had gathered himself enough to thrust open the door, point the man in, before closing it and turning to hiss," What. Was. That?!?"

Myles look of surprise, even though short lived, was a small success, and subconsciously Vaugahn tucked it away to store for future record. He had never seen the man look so taken aback, and it was rather rewarding.

"I rather believed you hadn't wished to attend family business- though if I was wrong . . -"

Vaugahn waved an annoyed hand," No not that you - oh you big oaf! The. . . .I don't know," he waved his hands around, cheeks heating," the. . .the manner in which you did so!"

At the replay of the memory, of how close the other had been, of how his lower back still burned from the touch, and of Harrys eyes flashing he shook his head, deciding to redirect his ire," And you hired Harry Aubert?!? Or is he related to you somehow as well?!?

Something shifted in Myle's darkening eyes, but Vaughan couldn't understand what. Instead he frowned," I would have thought you happy to see your old. . . friend."

Vaughan sputtered-friend?!?! What made you think that he and I were friends?!?"

"Well, call it that or something more."Those eyes were darkening more as was his voice, that frown growing. 

Vaughans brows knit together, as he sputtered, "what?!? Something- I- I was unaware of anything between Harry and I! We had attended school together- and in that I meant boarding school as boys not University. I haven't been in contact with Harry since I was a teenager- and. . . -"

He clipped himself short to saying something along the lines of 'and a good thing too' realizing that he was leaving a lot to be desired when it came to reason, and at Myles lightening eyes, he could see questions growing.

Sighing he slumped his shoulders, bringing his hands to his face, moaning into them," I can't believe this to be any worse. And he is to be at the party in a few weeks- oh please don't say there will be a dance!" 

Myles was silent for a few moments, allowing Vaughan to collect himself and give a few deep breaths, before uttering," None that he will partake in. Had I realized his presence would cause you quite the. . .opposite of what I had assumed, I would have not brought him here."

Vaughan blinked up, confused seeing Myles looked honestly torn between confusion himself and frustration with something else he couldn't understand twinkling in his eye," I could send him away-"

"No," Vaughan shook his head, pulling at his shirt sleeve," No. I do not want any trouble. It is a lot but- Harry and I . . . we do have history, most of it left on not the best terms. It was a less parting of ways and more of a severed thread that had barely been stitched."

Myles looked to him a moment more before nodding," Very well. I apologized I misunderstood. I will ensure he is not to bother you, and will be reassigned to grounds survey. I will have others posted on this floor."

Vaugahns heart sank and rose in an uneasy beat as he realized that Myles had origionally intended for Harry to be stationed outside his rooms, and then took to realize that there would be guards outside his rooms.

"W-wait. There is going to be someone outside my room?!?"

At Myles silent stare Vaughan shook his head," Oh that is most uncomfortable- I do not want that in the least!"

"I would rather you safe, than possibly in any danger. Just until the party, and then again for the holiday celebrations. "

"I enjoy my privacy!" Vaughan squeaked," there was nothing in the contract that stated-"

"The contract was a weak attempt to get you and Xavier here for further closer protection!" Myles roar silenced Vaughan into shock, allowing the other to rant," For years I have ensured protection of your estate, the hope that its whereabouts were as secret as possible, that every single book signing and interview you had were as closely monitored as I could have with your safety in mind while keeping your freedom!"

Vaughan still didn't know what to say, Myles paced over frowning even more at the silence," But no longer! I can no longer allow that freedom, until I ensure that Dragana is no longer a threat you must stay here! The contract had simply been Amelia's wishes- and damn if I had wanted you here on your own free will! If I could have I would have invited you myself!"

The words rang into the air, leaving only Myles breathing deeply at the exertions. 

"I. . .I miss my home," Vaughan finally supplemented, to which Myles looked away frowning," but. . .It hasn't been home for quite some time."

Myles turned a slow gaze to him, and Vaughan pulled at his sleeve," For. . .for now I am enjoying staying here. I appreciate you allow me the privacy of my room, the freedoms of schedule and allowing Xavier to be with the boys. I just.  . . can they be. . . not directly outside my room. . . sometimes people. . . it's hard for me to. . . "

His mouth twisted at the attempt to describe what difficulties he had with strangers, with crowds, with facing the day sometimes, and not for the first time was frustrated at the lack of words he could supplement for someone who was supposed to be such a well renowned writer.

Silence overtook him, and he couldn't look Myles in the eye so he kept his gaze to the carpet instead. Though he was acutely aware of every subtle move Myles did, so when the other began to near him he grew nervous.

Finally, Myles stopped in front of him, and at seeing that Vaughan wasn't going to look up, gently put a knuckle under his chin, forcing his blue eyes to look up to Myles own burning gaze.

"I would never want you uncomfortable anywhere, and during your stay with us, I wish you to think of this as home. . .you are more than welcome, to see this as you're home for as long as you need. And I would hope. . .when you leave. .  . when you return to your home out in the sticks and mud, you are more than welcome to return here, at any time. No warning, just come for as long as you would need, this room will always be available."

Vaughan swallowed, his stomach a hot coiled mess, his heart running a marathon he hadn't been aware of. 

"My-Myles," he wasn't certain why his voice was so breathy, his cheeks hot. 

The others unwavering gaze both grounded him, and made his toes curl. 

Myles slowly removed his hand, backed away and headed to the door," I should go, before Kiber comes for me. But. . "he paused, the door half open before looking over his shoulder," I will ensure the post is at the end of the hall."

And then he was shutting the door quietly behind him, leaving Vaughan head spinning and heart soring. 

"Oh Vaughan, what are you thinking?"