Vaughan felt his panic leave him as the door clicked behind the towering man, and was replaced by a profound gloom of disappointment.

He didn't want Myles to leave in such a manner.

"Should have kept your mouth shut," he grumbled to himself before sighing and releasing the fists clenched at his sides.

"What is wrong with you?"

The room remained silent- oh the disadvantage of rhetorical questions.

"Well," Vaughan sighed pushing a hand through his hair," might as well get a move on."

He eyed his room warily. 

Within the first days of his being at the Arya home, he had requested that staff stayed away from his room. He could turn over his own sheets, and manage the upkeep as he did at his own estate fine enough, he had claimed.

At the time Myles had shrugged, requesting the head butler please inform the staff of the arrangement, and didn't push anymore.

Vaughan pulled off his pajamas, throwing them into the full laundry bin resolute that he would begin some laundry during the boy's football practice that evening. Opening the closet, he realized he had exhausted his business formal and casual attire, and only left with the casual everyday wear he preferred while at home.

Only briefly concerned about this unexpected chance, he quickly brought himself to reason that he would feel far more comfortable in his normal clothes than that he saved for work.

Glancing only briefly out the window at the overcast skies struggling to hold the sun at bay, battering of wind at the pane causing it to tremble, he reasoned the large orange knit sweater that was soft to the touch, a simple white tee to go under it, and his most comfortable light blue jeans would work for the days attire.

After showering and dressing, Vaughan slipped his glasses on his face, brushing still semi wet curls from his face.

He tried pushing them back so his bangs were pulled out of his eyes- and frowned when this made his forehead seem too large.

Trying again he instead swept the bangs off to the side. But several insisted on rolling back to front and center.

Blowing out a huff of air so the few that had rolled to his eyes blew up at the action, Vaughan glowered at his reflection.

"What does it matter? It is simply another day teaching these boys. It's work! Not like anyone would care!"

So saying he quickly dried out his hair, allowing the curls to leave his vision and sit to his eyebrows as per the normal, and made to head out the door, suddenly realizing that his stomach was far more articulate than he would find pleasant. 

He was famished!

Glancing to his watch, he was surprised to see that it was almost noon. How late had Myles allowed him to sleep on the couch? And how many people had came in and out of the front room and seen him?

Embarrassed he groaned putting his head in his hands.

Just when he had began to feel the household was just becoming used to ignoring him, he does something like this!

A knock on the door jerked him from his lament of dignity's loss and he looked up blinking to it.

"Don't tell me he sent a maid to come clean up already?" He swung his head around, looking to the mostly straightened room, to the mess of papers in the waste basket.

He wished he had a ready fireplace- burning his mistakes was the best way to rid of them. The idea of the staff laughing over his work!

Silence before another stern rapping at his door.

That didn't sound like any sort of staff member-and Vaughan felt his panic lessen.

Myles must have become impatient.

Straightening himself out he took a deep breath and went to answer, an apology prepared on his lips.

It died out at the stern expression that greeted him on Amelia's face.

Though the expression melted away to astonishment before a large smile broke out across her thin face.

"OH look at you!" she cooed and he blinked.

He had looked at himself quiet hard in the mirror just a moment ago. He had seen nothing to make such a fuss over.

The confusion he felt must have been all over his face because she cooed.

"You look adorable in that sweater and jeans. I am delighted Reko brought you more clothes- men look nice and all in a suit but this just fits you so well!"

He glanced down to the clothes, hands half hidden in the long sleeves so he was able to play with the hem in both hands.

"Um, thank you," he blushed lightly, giving a small smile up her way before looking back down.

"I was just getting ready to leave. I hadn't realized how late it was."

Vaughan didn't wish to be rude and ask outright why she was there, but, also, was desperately hoping she wouldn't ask him to go to something like dinner. Family meals where a busy time, and Vaughan had managed to agree with her that Dinner was the only one he would generally attend- it gave him the day to gear up for such matters.

Lunches since the return of Xavier had became their time together, though he wasn't certain today the boy would indulge him with company. He had never had a fight with the other, and he felt uneasy. Punishment was not something he enjoyed seeing out, and Xavier was rarely ever so naughty, so yesterday had been a new interaction for the both of them.

Her dark eyes lit up and a mischievous grin pulled her face lopsided.

"That is because you were up so late! I don't blame you- but am proud of you managing to spend such close quality time with my brother!"

He sputtered a bit, cheeks warming up as he waved a dismissive hand.

"I apologize- don't quite know what happened there. Falling asleep on the couch- quite embarrassing. Won't happen again, perhaps too much warm milk," he clicked his mouth shut when he realized he was rambling.

Amelia was giggling, he looked up and she looked as if she had been given a gift. Though he could guess little for what in the conversation had deserved that.

Deciding to change the topic from such matters he pressed," I never have seen Myles like that before."

She blinked," like what?"

Looking away he rolled his shoulders," I don't know. Relaxed? Happy? Enthusiastic even?"

Amelia nodded, somber.

"Well. There has been a lot he has had to shoulder," guilt passed over her face as she continued quietly," a lot alone that he never should."

They stood quietly for a moment; Vaughan unsure how to respond to that before she puffed a breath out.

"Well. I'm glad you two are getting close! It is good- for the both of you I would think!"
Feeling awkward at such admission Vaughan used his head to sort of gesture between her and himself," Happy to-well yes I rather enjoyed myself. Shall we head to lunch? I was going to see if Xavier wished to dine with me today."

That pulled her from her thoughts and her mood turned stormy. He took a step back surprised.

"That is right!" she huffed, crossing her arms," I quiet forgot about why I came down here- you distracted me with how cute you and Myles were sleeping on the couch!"

He sputtered, face igniting into a full blown flame.

"AHH shush," she waved his embarrassment away," You and me need to talk! Why wasn't I informed when the boys were misbehaving?!?"

This seemed to extinguished he heat in his face, and the wind from his chest, any words he had not lost at the unseen redirection.

"Wha?"

She gestured for him to follow so they would no longer stand in his doorway- he sort of felt bit safer in the doorway now wishing to stay in his room for the remainder of-well forever maybe?- but followed obediently.

"The boys behavior yesterday- the comments they made to you! Completely unacceptable!" she was saying as they headed to the landing.

Vaughan wished he could let the earth take him under then, as for he had rather wished the matter to go unnoticed, but here she was speaking so openly about it without fear of what staff or family member would listen.

"I take it," he uttered as they began to walk down the stairs, Amelia in the lead," that Myles came and spoke with you about it then?"

Amelia halted so abruptly Vaughan nearly fell trying to not run into her, surprised how one so small and slight could turn around and seem so very intimidating.

"Myles?!? Knows?!!?"

"I'm sorry," he held his hands up," I didn't know he wasn't supposed to!"

"Not suppose- Vaughan these are misbehaving little children not a national secret!" She shook her head, now stomping downstairs him tentatively a few paces behind.

She spied one of the maids who was trying her best to look as if she was not listening, and transformed again- from a dragon to a princess it would seem," Lilly, dear, could you do me the wonderous favor of having Myles fetched to meet Vaughan and I in the sun room? I already had Aaron fetch us tea."

"Yes Ma'am!" the startled portly maid set her broom aside and scurried off.

Rounding on Vaughan she said," Come. Tea and snacks and when my brother arrives- we talk! Goodness in my very own home. The twirp."

Vaughan was at a loss to what exactly was going on, but he followed the slight woman obediently, for fear of what she could be capable of in her wrath. 

"And no worries! Lunch shall be waiting for us as well- glad I requested as much when I did. By the sound of your stomach you could use it!"

Vaughan looked to the ceiling, wondering what exactly was going on, and wishing beyond anything he could disappear, or redo the day. 

His stomach rumbled, ignoring his plight, obviously focused on the promise of food.

The traitor. 

So he hung his head silently and followed Amelia to the sun room, like a naughty school boy about to be lectured by his professor. 

It had been quite some time since he had felt like that.