Chapter Text
The shed was quiet, with Audrey sitting silently on the couch, and Siegfried felt rather like he was intruding. It was his shed, on his property, but he felt like an invader. Like he shouldn’t be here. Tristan’s pep talk left him, and he suddenly felt like of all the places he should be, this absolutely wasn’t one of them.
He couldn’t even manage to make himself look at her for any length of time. She was sitting staring across the room, her expression hard to read. Her profile was beautiful, he knew that much. But right now, that was all he knew. It was all he dared to know.
Finally, he decided to leave. No matter what Tristan had told him, he wasn’t able to do this. No ‘mask’ would change that fact. No ‘mask’ would take away the fear of this moment. And so, with a heavy, scared heart, he turned back to the door.
“Don’t go.”
Her voice was barely audible, but even so he could sense the emotion in it. For a moment, he didn’t move, until finally she spoke again, a little louder this time.
“Please,” she said. “Come and sit with me? I think we need to talk.”
“We do,” Siegfried nodded, turning back to her with a nervous smile. “But I’m terrified.”
“Don’t be,” Audrey replied affectionately, a gentle smile spreading across her face. “If there’s one thing we’ve always been good at, it’s talking. So come on. Come and sit with me. Please.”
With a tentative nod, Siegfried walked over and sat beside her. He had never before felt so nervous to be in her presence. In fact, he wasn’t sure he’d ever felt so nervous to be in anyone’s presence as he did right now. Siegfried wasn’t exactly known for being shy, but right now he felt positively sheepish.
“I’m so sorry,” he said finally.
“You are?” Audrey asked. “What for, exactly?”
“For you being made to feel like you needed to leave the room earlier,” Siegfried sighed. “I never wanted you to feel like that. I never wanted you to feel uncomfortable. It’s why… why I’ve never said anything before.”
“So… what Tristan said,” Audrey replied tentatively. “Was it true?”
“Well, I can only speak to my feelings, obviously, but, well, yes,” Siegfried said finally, doing a determined nod as he did so, before anxiously turning to look at her. “You’re remarkable. I’ve said that before, and I meant it. You’re the most remarkable, amazing, truly wonderful woman I know. I’m not sure that it would be possible for me to love you more than I do.”
“Then why not tell me?” she asked.
“I didn’t want to scare you away,” he answered. “I would rather have lived the rest of my life with you just as my friend… than risk losing you and having to live more than one day without you.”
“Oh, Siegfried,” Audrey said, reaching out and taking his hand. “You old softie.”
“Don’t let that get out,” Siegfried chuckled. “I have a reputation to uphold.”
“A reputation that isn’t even slightly deserved,” she replied, gently leaning her head on his shoulder. “I love you.”
“Then why didn’t you say?” Siegfried asked, leaning his head on hers with a smile.
“Because I didn’t think I had a chance,” Audrey admitted. “I’m not in your league.”
“Don’t be bloody ridiculous,” Siegfried said, finally sitting up and turning to look at her as she did the same. “The only reason you wouldn’t be ‘in my league’ is because you’re in one of your own… high above the rest of us.”
“Daft beggar,” Audrey smiled shyly. “I meant, I’m… I’m staff. People would talk.”
“Let them. When have I ever cared what people thought? And since when have you been ‘staff’? You are the heart and soul of this house, Audrey Hall. Nothing less. Without you we would all crumble. Myself especially. I may pay you a wage, but you stopped being ‘just an employee’ within about 5 minutes of walking in the front door all those years ago, you silly bugger.”
“You say the sweetest things,” Audrey replied with a frown that quickly became a smile and then a laugh. “I suppose we fit quite well together, when I think about it.”
“Perfectly, I’d say,” Siegfried chuckled. “There are many things I’ve wanted to do over the years, but right now… may I hug you?”
“You may,” she beamed, leaning into his arms as he embraced her. “Oh, is this what I’ve been missing all these years? You give very nice hugs.”
“They’re specially reserved for those closest to my heart,” Siegfried replied, closing his eyes and breathing in her scent. “And you certainly are.”
In the house, James, Helen and Tristan were doing the washing up. Tristan had assured them that all would be well, on his return to the house, but all the same they were all grateful of a way to occupy their hands and minds. The ever-solid relationship between Siegfried and Audrey was the cornerstone of the house. It was what kept them all feeling safe and secure and grounded. If that were to falter, they didn’t want to think about what might happen.
“Maybe we should check on ‘em,” Helen said suddenly. “Just to be sure.”
“No,” Tristan replied. “They’re fine. Leave them be.”
“But what if they’re not?” she asked. “What if things are falling apart out there? What if she’s considering leaving, and Siegfried’s losing his rag, and…”
“Siegfried doesn’t lose his rag with Mrs Hall,” James told her. “She’s the one person he never loses his rag with. I think Tris is right. They’re fine.”
“Really? Then why have you dried that plate so many times now you’re about to wipe the pattern off it?” Helen replied with a frown. “You’re worried. Just admit it.”
“Alright, fine, I’m worried,” James nodded. “But I still think Tris is right.”
“I am,” Tristan insisted. “Listen, Mrs H is the most rational person in the world, and my brother would literally rather die than hurt her. So, even if for some odd reason I’m wrong and she isn’t in love with him too, they’ll talk it out and it’ll be alright… but I am right, and she is in love, so get your nice suit and dress ironed. We’ve got a wedding to get ready for.”
Out in the shed, Siegfried and Audrey were still sitting cuddled together. She was now leaning into his arms, his arm was wrapped around her, and they both felt more content than they had been in a long time.
“I can’t believe Tristan and his big mouth actually did some good,” Siegfried said after a moment.
“Had to happen eventually,” Audrey giggled. “I’ll bake him a cake as a thank you.”
“Why does he get a cake?” Siegfried asked. “What do I get?”
“You get me,” she grinned, looking up at him.
“Oh yes, that’s right,” he chuckled, placing a gentle kiss on her lips. “I definitely won first prize. Tristan can have his cake.”
“And what are you going to give him?”
“The best gift I can possibly bestow upon my little brother,” Siegfried answered. “My happiness.”
“Behave,” Audrey laughed, slapping his chest playfully.
“Alright, alright,” he smiled. “I have been wondering whether to offer him a partnership. I’d need to check with James, of course, but I doubt he’ll object. Would that meet with your approval?”
“It would,” Audrey nodded, settling back into his arms with a contented sigh. “We probably should go back inside.”
“Nah, let’s stay a while,” Siegfried smiled, kissing her again. “Now I’ve got you to myself, I don’t want to share you again for a while.”
“Mmm… possessive, but in a romantic way,” she giggled. “I like it.”
“If you ever don’t, just tell me,” he whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. “I live to make you happy… What?” he asked as she started to giggle.
“Nothing,” Audrey replied. “I was about to spoil the mood.”
“With?”
“Asking which of your daftest and messiest traits was the one that was supposed to make me happy?” she laughed. “Coats all over the place? Muddy boot prints? Stray socks on the landing?”
“You cheeky mare,” Siegfried grinned, tickling her until she squealed and then threw her arms around him and kissed him. “Mmm… you’re trying to distract me, and it’s working, but I won’t forget your sass, Mrs Hall.”
“I should hope not,” Audrey replied, twirling her fingers in his beard with a smile. “I would hope you wouldn’t forget anything about me.”
“How could I possibly?” Siegfried sighed happily. “You’re never out of my mind.”