#theodorus

This only happened when you were hurt. It wasn’t a problem if another person was injured. It was so stupid! Why did it matter if you were bleeding? Yet your brain seemed to malfunction like this and you had to calm yourself down or pass out. Not that the second option had happened more than once or twice. At last the room seemed to grow steadier and you were able to begin cleaning up the mess you made. Then after properly bandaging your wrist you headed over to Le Comte’s room to tell him about the accident. “__?” Vincent called to you stopping you in the hallway before you reached Le Comte’s office. “The carriage is waiting. Are you ready to go?” “Vincent? You’re back already?” You ask a little confused. “I came back for you because Sebastian said you weren’t ready when we left earlier.” “You came back? Oh, I’m sorry Vincent! Yes! Let’s go. I wouldn’t want to keep everyone waiting.” You had promised you would help Theo and Vincent clean up after the art exhibition Theo was holding tonight. The artist guild didn’t look kindly on how Theo ran these things or what he allowed to be exhibited. Yet the clever art dealer still managed to maneuver around their stifling rules in order to promote artists he felt deserved to be noticed. Consequently, Theo needed to clear out the place the artwork was shown before it was confiscated or worse. This meant some rather intense time spent both setting up and taking down the artwork. Tonight, they would be taking down and stowing each item safely away, or delivering it to the person who purchased it. This was not the first time you helped Theo and Vincent and you were determined to pitch in tonight. You’d simply ran behind when cleaning up after dinner and insisted Sebastian go on ahead of you because he always seemed to be a great deal more help than you were. You and Vincent hurried to the café where Theo was holding the event. The two of you hardly emerged from the carriage before several of Theo’s “henchmen,” as you called them, were hauling things out to it. “They need to be stored until Theo makes certain they’ve been paid for in full.” Vincent explained as you followed him inside. “The ones being delivered have already left in another carriage.” Inside you found a flurry of movement as the exhibition was taken down piece by precious piece. Theo was both working and giving orders looking only slightly worse for wear after the long couple of days he had spent putting this together.

It took only a few moments of assessment before you decided to ignore the moving artwork and instead focus on setting up the café for business the next day. Theo had asked you to take precarious notes so that the owners weren’t put out by the art invasion they’d agreed to allow. It also made it less likely they would feel the repercussions from the art guild if there was little or no evidence that they were involved. You were done with the majority of it before you realized that the café had gone still. You glanced around noting that the artwork you had so carefully put on display the past few days had completely evacuated the premises. You couldn’t help but sigh a bit sadly. It certainly felt more drab in here without the breathtaking pieces that had been displayed adding vibrant color. “Was that a sigh of relief, hondje? It sounded suspiciously sad to me.” Theo said as he came back in to check over the shop. “Perhaps you were wishing someone would pat your head and tell you how good you were? Maybe offer you a treat.” “Sorry Theo, but head pats aren’t exactly on my list of favorite things.” You reply and continue working. “Did everything turn out according to plan?” “More or less.” He shrugged glancing at the diagram you were using to set everything back up before starting in on the heavier furniture. “Vincent said he’d be back with a carriage in just a few minutes to pick us up.” “So, you’re henchmen are storing all the artifacts?” You ask. “If I’m found with them it will be easy for the guild to prosecute me as an art dealer. They can simply claim to be delivery men.” Theo shrugged between lifting tables and chairs and arranging them. “You trust them that much?” You ask in surprise. “They both have good reason to do as I ask. So yes.” Theo smiled and started whistling. Great. Theo whistling usually meant maladies were afoot. You had learned that the hard way when Arthur ended up ridiculously drunk after sharing a little too much information about his bestie with you. So, you decide not to ask. “I was just thinking empty it feels without everything here. The exhibition was really amazing Theo.” He shrugged. “I think that’s just what happens when you enjoy your job. It’s easy to make it an experience to remember. I’m sure that’s why Vincent can paint the way he does.” “Hmmm that was deep. Do you mind if I quote you on that when I get back to the future?” “I’ll manage to find you in the future and punish you for it if you do.” “Okay! Okay! Sheesh! I wouldn’t want to tarnish your good name or anything.” You teased back. Theo chuckled then paused. “Are you feeling okay, hondje?” “Yes. Why? Does it look like some masochist art dealer overworked me?” You joked. “No, I’m serious you look pale and…” Theo set down the last table and came over to you inspecting your face close enough to make you blush. “Come on! I’m fine Theo! Let’s just finish this and—” You broke off when he grabbed your wrist lifting it up to inspect it. Oh. He removed the glove you’d been wearing. Theo had recommended you use them while handling the artwork so as not to get fingerprints all over them. He pulled off the glove to reveal the bandage soaked through with blood.

“I didn’t realize it—” You broke off when you saw Theo’s expression. The usually fearless smirking art dealer appeared almost pale. “You came here… like this?” Theo’s words wavered. You pulled your hand back shuffling to the sink in the kitchen to clean and rebandage the room. You knew there was a box of bandages below the sink and you were just wrapping one around your wrist before the world was spinning to fast. You leaned against the counter taking deep breaths as you attempted to calm yourself. It was just a little blood. It didn’t even matter! Just breathe. You’re fine. Just breath. “__?” Theo’s voice actually sounded worried. “Do I need to go get… well someone? To help you?” “It’s fine. I wrapped it tight enough to stop the bleeding. I’m just a bit dizzy.” “You weren’t bleeding bad enough to be light headed were you?” “No, it’s just… how I am.” “How you are?” “I’m fine if it’s someone else. I can handle first aid just fine… it’s just when it’s me that’s hurt…. when it’s my blood my brain kind of panics or something.” “But… you’re okay right?” “Yes! Just a little dizzy. It goes away. I just need to rest for a minute.” Silence settled between them. For a moment you wondered if he left to finish working so the two of you would be finished by the time Vincent got back. Then you heard a noise. What the heck was that? “Theo?” You ask. “My feisty little hondje… is scared of blood?” Theo made the suspicious noise again. This time it sounded significantly more like… well almost like he was laughing. You peeked up at him and wished you hadn’t. That smirk wasn’t as evil as his usual expression but it certainly wasn’t friendly. Your face started burning with embarrassment and you hid your face in your arms. “Ugh! Shut up Theo!!” You felt those burning blue eyes on you and wished you could sink into a hole and disappear. Arg! You had worked so hard to help him tonight! And here he ends up laughing at you over your problematic mental phobia! How embarrassing! A gentle touch made you freeze. Theo sighed next to you and stroked your hair again. “I’m sorry hondje. I shouldn’t have laughed. Here I was planning to scold you for coming to an art exhibition full of vampires. Yet you didn’t even need that to regret it. Can I get you a drink of water or something?” “I think I’m okay now. Is Vincent waiting for us? Do we need to—” “I haven’t heard the carriage yet but we’re done here. We can go for a walk and get some air if that would help you feel better?” As you made your way outside Theo locked up behind the two of you. “Stay close hondje. Some stranger might think you’re a little kanbbeltje and try to take a bite.” He teased as you started down the street. You noticed he moved a couple of boxes from one side of the back door to the other to let Vincent know the two of you weren’t inside. You’d gone with Vincent to pick up Theo before but this was the first time you were on Theo’s side of their bro-code. You were out on the main street when Theo paused. “Take my arm will you hondje? It makes me nervous trying to keep track of you. Vincent will be angry if I allow you to get lost.” “You could just say it looks more natural like this. Or if you wanted to pull an Arthur—”

“No! No, I do not want to pull and Arthur!” Theo objected vehemently making you bust up laughing. “Well at least I know you’re feeling better if you’re trying to tick me off.” He sighs glancing over his shoulder. “Are you being followed?” You ask warily. “Yep.” “You know Arthur would explain the details of how he figured that out.” “Shut up.” “Fine. But if you’re worried tell me ok? Don’t pull a super-Theo and try to muscle through it on your own.” “Har har… come on. Let’s go in here for a bit.” “A pub?” You hesitate. “Okay, I’m worried. Come on we’ll be safer with a crowd and this is one of the places Arthur frequents.” “Meaning Vincent can find us here.” “Very good Kanbeltje I should take you to dinner.” “Never mind. I like grumpy Theo better. Sarcastic Theo is creepy.” “Do you need to constantly connect my name with adjectives?” “Only when you’re acting weird. I do this when you make me nervous.” You shrug. “Ah so I always make you nervous.” “Now it’s your turn to shut up.” You replied. He laughed and pulled you around a corner then immediately pressed you against a wall. “What are you doing?” You grunt suddenly very aware how close he was, and god those eyes were staring right into yours. “We need to convince them our little outing is all about us. So, play along.” His voice was a low growl that made you shiver. “I think you’re just enjoying pushing me around.” You grumbled attempting to be more angry than embarrassed. How did he smell so damn good after working like a—Oh god! His mouth brushed your ear! “You need to laugh or talk sweet to me or they won’t go away.” He whispered. “If I laugh, I am going to sound sadistic.” You whisper nervously. “My other option is to bite you.” He warned suggestively. “Awe you wouldn’t do that…” You sigh in as sultry voice as you can manage. “Wouldn’t I?” His voice was so sexy you almost couldn’t breathe. “How about we go upstairs and find out?” “Upstairs? S-sounds nice…” You caught yourself. “You are a terrible actress.” He hissed. “Remind me to pinch you later!” You hissed back. “Shit, you’re bleeding again.” He groaned his brows furrowing in real pain. “Oh… I’m sorry Theo. Is it really—” “It’s intoxicating.” His blue eyes met yours head on and there was a burning there that makes you gulp. Hiss grip on your arms tightens and he presses you more firmly against the wall. You swear if you were capable of taking a deep breath you’d be pressing against him. “You need to tell me to let you go right now, _. Or I won’t.” He warned. There was no escaping his gaze or his grasp on your own. You knew this yet you suddenly felt much more excited than afraid. “Theo….” You trail off. Is he still just pretending? Or does he mean that? “Say it hondje.” He demanded his voice sounded hollow. As though the words hurt him. You stare at him speechless. What are you supposed to do? Pretend to be angry and push him away? Was he really upset by your blood or was he just acting? You were suddenly too confused to tell. “If you won’t turn me away… this is your fault then.”

They will push you away when they need you most and aren’t afraid to keep secrets hidden for years. We see this in Vincent as he hides away his secret in his route. Not to mention how he broke the MC’s heart in the middle of his route. That isn’t something the other flavors do, only team vanilla does this.

*spoiler*

The downside to this is how it gets solved, typically the vanilla will realize their mistake and rebuild the relationship. However, this only works if the lover still loves them after being ghosted for at least a week or two. With Vincent, we see this as during his route when he splits up with the MC.

*end of spoiler*

In addition to team vanilla is how physical they are in a relationship. One of the greatest forms of affection for team vanilla is through physical means, Vincent is no exception. I think we should all take a note that as pervy as Arthur is, he has nothing on Vincent. Now, I don’t want to go into detail on anything, but note that Vincent has more than what he lets on. I mean there’s a reason he’s friends with Shakespeare.

Although this isn’t mentioned as frequently throughout his story, Vincent is quite a hard worker. He gets into a certain zone when he paints and has mentioned that quite a few times with the MC and Theodorus. In doing so he perfects that signature marking of a team vanilla, which is the idea of how they use work to bring out their natural talents. Similar to Vincent, Wilfred A. Spencer from Be my Princess has a natural talent when it comes to doing his job. Wilfred is able to effortlessly control a room in his meetings as a prince and stands firm in doing so. Vincent shares a similar effort when we actually see him paint.