[ The Exarch's mouth parts. That much is audible. Swollen lips forming enough seal that the opening of it makes a quiet little sound, and then a slightly different quality to the noise of his breath. What is this, if not settling? How could it be anything but, when he has given Theo so little to know of him?
(He has, of course, given Theo far more information than he realises. Oh, he may have yet to play his hand. But he has managed to show Theo every card in it. And he has, even before today, made it perhaps more clear than he ever intended to that Theo means everything to him.
It may have slipped his mind that his actions speak for him just as much as his secrets would.)
His mouth parts, but for a long time he says nothing. ]
no subject
(He has, of course, given Theo far more information than he realises. Oh, he may have yet to play his hand. But he has managed to show Theo every card in it. And he has, even before today, made it perhaps more clear than he ever intended to that Theo means everything to him.
It may have slipped his mind that his actions speak for him just as much as his secrets would.)
His mouth parts, but for a long time he says nothing. ]
Perhaps you will have to convince me.