Chapter Text
“Oi. Seb. What the hell are you looking at?” Sam asked, waving his hand in front of the older boy's face. Sam had returned from the bar to see Sebastian staring into the main room of the bar, leaning back against the pool table. His arms were crossed over his chest and he had lifted one hand up to his mouth to bite at his nails. His black hoodie was dusty with billiard chalk, and his hair was as messy as always. His abandoned cue stood tall next to him. Loudness of the bar on Friday night aside, Sam knew he could still be heard. Regardless, Sebastian had remained unresponsive to almost everything he said the past few minutes, only giving small nods and an ‘uhhuh’ here and there. Sebastian jumped as Sam’s hand came into view. His face turned pink as he flipped around to face his childhood friend.
“Nothing,” Sebastian answered quickly. “I’m sorry, I was tuned out, what were you saying?”
Sam sighed and began to repeat himself, but Sebastian's mind returned to wandering. He was focused on the loud chatter of the bar, people he had known his entire life drinking their weight in alcohol. He figured they all do it to numb the pain of living the same life every year; same festivals, same people, same shitty small town. But there was someone new in town, someone he didn’t understand yet. He had been unable to get the new writer out of his mind, and in fact was still struggling. They had talked multiple times since, but had first met a few weeks ago, on the docks in the rain. Sebastian was watching the droplets hit the ocean when suddenly he was shielded from the elements by an umbrella. He looked up to see a taller long haired man smiling down at him. His heart fluttered.
“Are you alright?” The man spoke with genuine concern. His voice made Sebastian melt, to him it was melodic and silvery. A heat rose to his face, a blush red tint taking over his cheeks.
“I’m okay,” Sebastian said nervously. He found the man beautiful, his jaw chiseled. Long cinnamon colored hair framed his face. It was gorgeous and looked well taken care of.
“I don’t believe we’ve met yet,” The voice was music to Sebastian’s ears. “I’m Elliott. I live in the cabin on the beach,” He held out his hand.
“Sebastian,” The younger man placed his hand in Elliott’s. The older man brought the hand to his lips, kissing them with his eyes closed, before opening them and delicately dropping Sebastian’s hand with a smile. Sebastian’s face flushed. Elliott’s lips were soft, and sent sparks through his body.
“Well Sebastian, It’s lovely to meet you. You shouldn’t be out here in this rain without an umbrella, you may catch a cold,” Again, Elliott’s voice was full of worry.
Before he could continue his reliving, Sebastian jumped and was snapped back to the present.
“Dude. Seriously? You’re not listening at all!” Sam smacked Sebastian on the shoulder.
“I’m sorry dude,” Sebastian sighed. “I’m just having a really hard time concentrating,”
“You seem to be concentrating perfectly on the new guy,” Abigail spoke up, a shade of venom in her voice. Sebastian’s face turned bright red as he prayed for Yoba to kill him on the spot. He was undeniably staring, and now he was blushing-a dead giveaway. He prepared for some sort of comment from Sam, but nothing ever came. The silence between them was louder than the noises of the arcade machines or the howling laughter coming from the bar. Finally, it was broken.
“He is pretty hot,” Sam spoke frankly, having been taking the time to check out the author from across the dimly lit rustic saloon. Sebastian couldn’t tell if this was a joke or not, but he laughed anyway, nervousness getting the better of him.
Sam had admitted to being bisexual when Sebastian came out to him, but Elliott wasn’t what Sebastian understood to be Sam’s type. The only person Sebastian knew Sam really liked at all was Penny, who was small and meek. Sebastian himself had feelings for Sam, but when nothing happened after they both came out, he assumed he wasn’t Sam’s type either. Elliott was tall and grandiose, a refined gentleman. Honestly, Sebastian was shocked he found himself attracted to the man, feeling as though Elliott was way out of his realm.
“Are you gay?” Sebastian was snapped back to reality for another time tonight by Abigail’s question. He never came out to her, not viewing her as someone he trusted or even liked enough to tell his secret to. Panic rushed through him, his heart thudding powerfully in his chest. He immediately turned to Sam, who only offered a panicked expression in return. Sebastian could feel his cheeks turning even redder than before. His feet kept him glued to the floor, no matter how badly he wished to run.
“Y-yeah,” Sebastian stuttered out. Silence fell between them once again, this time Sam gently placing his hand low on Sebastian’s arm for comfort.
After a few moments, Sebastian heard rustling and huffing behind him, and Abigail quickly rushed by, leaving the saloon all together. Sebastian turned back to Sam, a concerned look meeting his gaze.
“Are you okay?” Sam asked with a genuine tone. Before Sebastian could answer, Robin popped into the room.
“Everything okay? Abigail sure left in a hurry,” She spoke.
“Yes Ma’am. Abigail’s just a sore loser,” Sam piped up, saving the day.
“I see,” Robin spoke with uncertainty. Sebastian knew his mom could tell something was up, but he was in no way ready to come out to her at the saloon. He knew the table behind him was perfectly set up for their next game, the triangle of billiard balls unbroken, but he nodded in an attempt to reassure his mom of the lie. “Well, Demetrius and I are leaving. I’ll see you at home Sebby, don’t stay out too late please.”
“Of course Mom. I’ll see you at home,” Sebastian replied, attempting to cover up any anxiety in his voice. His mom turned and left, and Sebastian turned to face Sam.
“I’m gonna be alright, I just hope she doesn’t tell anyone. She seemed really mad,” Sebastian said. “Do you think it’s because I hadn’t told her?” Sam furrowed his brows.
“What?” He seemed confused, which confused Sebastian. This was apparently evident on his face, as Sam continued. “Do you not know?”
“Know what?” Sebastian spoked panickily.
“Dude.” Sam’s eyebrows unfurled. “She's in love with you.”