Quattro

The two rode on the riding track behind the stable. Everywhere was quiet and peaceful.

"So what do you think about midnight?", Alistair whispered in Theodore's ear.

"He is a good horse, very stable".

"Maybe one of these days we can ride in the park together?".

"You want to hang out with me?".

Alistair frowned at Theodore question. Why didn't Theodore think much of himself? He always seemed surprised that Alistair wanted to talk or hang out with him.

"Why wouldn't I want to hang out with you?", Theodore looked down.

"Well my appearance always deters people from hanging out with me". Theodore smiled bitterly and turned around to look at Alistair. "My fiancee even threatened to kill herself if our engagement wasn't broken".

Alistair stopped the horse. He tilted Theodore's head up to look at him. "I don't see anything wrong with your appearance,you have very beautiful eyes,a cute nose and the most sensual lips I have ever seen".

Theodore wondered if Alistair was blind like his mother.

"don't you see it?", He asked.

"See what?".

Theodore was exasperated at this point.

"The birthmark, the birthmark which covers half of my face".

"oh,that".

"yes that".

Alistair honestly hadn't noticed the birthmark because where he came from such markings were natural. The marking had been what had drawn him to Theodore because he looked so familiar and reminded him of home.

"To be honest Theo,I didn't really think about the birthmark. Where I come from,such markings are commonplace",

"really?",

"Yes, I have one too".

Theodore looked at him all over, trying to see where the mark could be.

"but I don't see it anywhere". Alistair jumped down from the horse. "Why are you coming down?",

"To show you".

Then Alistair took off his jacket and started to unbutton his shirt,

"What are you doing Alistair?". Theodore asked him confused and then he gasped.

Alistair's chest was covered with a huge dark mark,it covered more than half of his chest.

"Theo, you shouldn't think less of yourself, you should be more confident in yourself. Everybody has imperfections, some are hidden like mine while some are exposed like yours. The best thing to do is to accept them and work on being the best version of yourself".

Theodore listened to Alistair attentively. What he was saying actually made sense but Theodore wasn't sure he could do it. He was used to been rejected by his peers when he was younger,he wasn't sure he had the courage to put himself out there again.

Alistair looked at him, Theodore was very insecure. He needed to be brave and bold to survive in this world. Alistair resolved within himself that he would make sure that he dropped his insecurities. He would make him confident in himself.

"I think we should go back Alistair, your guests would surely need your attention now". Alistair nodded and buttoned his shirt up. He wore his jacket and then he got on the horse beside Theodore.

"Let's go".

They rode back to the stable in a peaceful silence. Theodore stood by as Alistair put the horse back in it's stable.

They walked back to the mansion. "So would you like to join me and the others". Alistair asked Theodore. "no, not today. Maybe some other time".

"No problem Theo, some other time". Alistair smiled at him, he wasn't going to put too much pressure on Theo. He patted his shoulder and went inside to meet his guests.

"Lord Alistair where have you been?"

"We looked everywhere for you,we even asked your servants but they had no idea where you were"

"oh Lord Alistair, are you okay?".

Different guests asked Alistair different questions as he entered the ball. He tried to answer each and everyone of their questions, putting them at ease.

Theodore stood at a corner of the room and watched Alistair. Alistair was everything he wanted to be, brave, bold, charming and handsome. He wished he could muster up the courage to go up there.

He knew he would never be brave enough to. He stayed in the corner till it was time to go home.

During the ride home,he feigned been asleep to avoid any questions from his mother. He thought about Alistair, about his smile and how he had felt so safe in his arms earlier.

The next day,he lay on his bed reading a book. The day was a sunny day. He had no plans for the day,all he wanted to do was finish reading his book.

There was a knock on the door. He stood up to open the door. One of the servants stood in front of the door.

"Yes?",

"You have a visitor sir".

A visitor?, nobody usually came to visit him. "Who is it?",

"Lord Alistair". Theodore was shocked, why would Lord Alistair come to visit him.

"You are sure it's Lord Alistair?". He asked the servant to be sure he heard her well.

"Yes my Lord, it's Lord Alistair".

"Where is he?",

"He is in the sitting room, your mother is currently with him",

"okay,tell him I am on my way".

The servant nodded and left while Theodore quickly got dressed and went downstairs.

He rushed to the living room and saw Alistair sitting with his mother, they were both drinking tea. His mother was the first to notice him.

"Oh there you are Theodore, Lord Alistair has come to pay you a visit".

Alistair looked in his direction and smiled. "Hello Theo,I was bored at home so I thought I should pay you a visit,I hope you don't mind".

Theodore shook his head. "I don't mind". His mother stood up,

"well I better leave you two alone. Once again, I wish to welcome you to our house. If you need anything don't hesitate to let me know".

Alistair stood up, "I won't hesitate to let you know my Lady. Thanks for welcoming me".

His mother smiled at Theodore excitedly before she left the room.

The both of them were left alone