It has come to my attention that some of the fic randomly got deleted when I uploaded it. So uh. Try two. Sorry bout the confusion. I don't own Teahouse.

NEW NOTE AS OF 12/11/14: This fic has been censored. An uncensored version can be found on my a03 account under the same author name.

Rory gnawed on his lip as he stared out the window, watching Lord Reed's carriage pull up to the Teahouse. The man's long legs carried him up to the front door with a loping, graceful gait that Rory wished desperately he could copy. He was always so clumsy, tripping over his words and his feet, unable to properly articulate anything.

Sighing, he moved back to the large bed, flopping back on the comfortable mattress before curling up, resting his head on both of his arms as he thought. It wasn't as if he didn't like Lord Reed. The man was just intimidating. He was normally clumsy, but Reed just seemed to make it even worse, bringing out all of his bad traits and dissecting them. But when they kissed...sometimes he was able to think that maybe he was adequate, that Reed liked what he was able to provide. And sometimes...Reed would leave with an angry expression, (a very subtle difference that Rory had only been able to pick out after several meetings), and Rory felt like he was about to burst into tears.

The door opened without a knock, and the small red head flew up, resisting the urge to start biting his lip again as Lord Reed walked inside, shutting the door and flicking the lock. He scurried over, quickly taking the man's jacket and hanging it up on the coat rack just the way he liked it. A touch at his lower back made him start and he turned in the man's grasp.

"Good afternoon, Lord Reed," he said, staring up for only a moment at the bright blue eyes.

The tall man's hand did not leave his hip. "It is your birthday today, is it not?"

Rory flushed. "I-I didn't realize you would notice."

"I am able to follow society's basic courtesies. Why would you think otherwise?" the man asked, tone cold.

"I'm sorry L-Lord Reed. I just didn't think you...um..." Rory trailed off and backed away, rooting his gaze to the floor. "I mean no disrespect."

"Happy Birthday, Rory," Lord Reed said.

The tone was not cold, nor was it filled with any sort of warmth, but it was an improvement Rory was willing to allow himself a little excitement for.

"Thank you, Lord Reed. I did as you asked," Rory said, plucking at his small robe that Reed always insisted he wore. "I will do as you ask."

"It's your birthday." Lord Reed stated this in such a way that it seemed he thought Rory could read his thoughts and figure out what he meant. Instead, Rory only stared at him in confusion.

"Lord Reed?"

"I hope you do not mind that I have scheduled an appointment on your birthday," Reed said.

"Pardon?" Rory was shocked at the courtesy Reed was giving him. "With all due respect, Lord Reed, I'm just a prostitute. It is not an odd thing for me to work on my birthday."

"I should treat you."

"Wha-"

The man closed the distance between them, giving him a soft, gentle kiss. Rory melted into it as he always did, expecting the man to take over and arrange him as he saw fit, giving him soft spoken, but inarguable commands. When he did not deepen the kiss, Rory pulled away, even more confused and surprised than he was before. Reed didn't allow him to ask another question, moving in to kiss him solidly once more. Understanding dawning, Rory flicked his tongue at the seam of the man's lips, giving a squeak as the man's lips parted at his begging.

Stretching to his tiptoes, he pressed closer, enjoying the feel of their tongues rubbing against each other, and the flavor that was so distinctly Reed dancing over his tongue. A breathy moan and he arched against the man, sliding a hand down to grab Reed's wrist and guide it from his hip down, giving a soft moan as it caressed the swell of his ass. It was a brave move, and while it was clear Reed was giving him the reins of the encounter, he wasn't sure if he was overstepping the bounds.

When Reed's grip firmed, he practically purred in delight, rubbing up against the man. While he had never experienced a man's touch before Reed, he had found himself becoming increasingly addicted to the man. It scared him a little, knowing that Lord Reed probably did not care much for him, not as much as he was finding himself to care, and yet he couldn't fight the feelings. Especially now, when Reed was letting him throw his usual caution to the wind. Eventually though, Reed pulled back.

"Please, Lord Reed. I...I feel bad leaving you unsatisfied as you are," he said, eyes down.

The noble pulled out of his grasp. "I am most satisfied for today."

Then he was gone, leaving Rory alone and flushed. It was an odd present, but one Rory wouldn't trade for anything else that the man would've offered. He always felt inadequate, but being allowed to touch the man back had made him feel more useful then he usually was. And as always, Lord Reed's touch managed to stoke the fire inside him until he felt like he was burning inside out.

Perhaps, he thought, I should be more afraid of how strongly I am beginning to feel. But how can I not?

How can one ignore their heart?