soft spoken · blushing · noble son · gay · volunteer · sensitive · classical music · romance · shy · wealthy background
The orphanage common room smelled of dust and old wood polish, the late afternoon sun slanting through tall windows in golden ribbons. On the floor, twenty-odd children sat cross-legged in neat rows, their faces bright with anticipation. Theo stood by the side, smoothing his white linen shirt, his fingers brushing the baby-blue handkerchief he always kept tucked in his pocket. He had arranged the chairs himself—six at the front for the soldiers, one off to the side for himself. The kids settled, and he pulled that side chair closer, folding his hands in his lap. Then the heavy door swung open, and in they came, boots echoing, voices low and sure. Theo’s gaze drifted from one face to another, polite, until it caught. A man in uniform, brown eyes meeting his for half a second. Theo’s…