Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chris had stared at his phone long enough that the screen was fogged with fingerprints, three drafts of the text stared back at him, none of them were good enough.

It was simple: ask Sebastian to do a cameo… Easy, right? Except it was Sebastian Stan!!! And Chris always got in his head with Sebastian, the thought of him, standing there in that easy smile, beautiful hair, eyes bright and laughing at everything, even at Chris, was enough to make him overthink a single text.

Finally, Chris typed:

“Got a part in the new movie that would be perfect for you… Just a cameo, but I know you’d kill it… Interested? If yes, we can bring Mackie in too!!”

He hesitated, thumb hovering over the send button, and then pressed it, instant regret, but seconds later, his phone buzzed.

“You kidding? Of course!!! Just tell me when and where!!”

Chris blinked, one word: of course, no hesitation, no a polite I’ll check my schedule and see what I can do, just yes.

He sank into the couch, laughing at himself like a fool.

Sebastian arrived in jeans and a red hoodie, casual and relaxed as usual and still somehow magnetic… Chris spotted him instantly, not because he was trying, but because Sebastian always drew his attention even in a crowd.

“Look who finally decided to show up!!” Chris called, walking towards him.

Sebastian’s grin made Chris pause mid-step, it was warm and familiar and somehow sharp with charm, it pulled him in immediately.

They collided in a hug that lasted one or two seconds too long, and Chris felt that twinge in his chest that he had always felt around him.

“Traffic was hell!! Don’t blame me” Sebastian said, pulling back but letting Chris’ hand linger on his shoulder.

“I’m glad you’re here, just on time, everyone is eager to meet you and are excited for this five minutes scene, so, are you ready to embarrass yourself on camera for me?” Chris asked, teasing.

“That has basically been my whole career since meeting you” Sebastian said, smirking.

Chris laughed, shaking his head “Some things never change, huh?”

They fell into their old rhythm instantly, on camera, Sebastian nailed the cameo in two takes, off camera, Chris insisted on “just one more for safety!!” though it was really an excuse to keep him nearby, they kept laughing at small mistakes, whispering jokes, and nudging each other between takes.

At one point, Chris leaned over the monitor, his shoulder brushing Sebastian’s chest, words fled him entirely.

“Uh-yeah… That was good!!” Chris said “Let’s… run it one more time, just in case, yeah?”

Sebastian glanced at him, amused “You just like bossing me around don’t you!!”

Chris smirked, trying to hide the blush creeping up his neck “Damn right!!”

Even after the scene wrapped, Chris was hesitant to let him go.

 “Coffee? Lunch? Both?” Sebastian asked casually, as if it was just habit, while fixing his hoodie, putting the hood over his head.

Chris had meetings, production notes, a million things to do but he didn’t move not when Sebastian’s eyes were soft and expectant!! “Yeah… Coffee and lunch, sounds good” he said, too quickly.

They found a small diner down the street, tucked into a corner with worn leather booths… The smell of coffee, food and old wood wrapped around them, grounding and kinda familiar.

Sebastian stirred his cappuccino, glancing up at Chris “Remember Singapore?”

Chris chuckled “How could I forget? We nearly got locked out of the hotel!!”

“And who charmed the concierge?” Sebastian asked, smiling.

“Obviously me, you know I was charming!” Chris said, though his grin betrayed him.

“You are still charming!! You’re saying that like you’re 80 or something!!” Sebastian laughed, and Chris’ chest tightened… God, that laugh!!! I could live in it.

They fell into old stories: costume mishaps, set pranks, chaotic press days… Laughter turned into silence, but the silences weren’t uncomfortable, they were heavy, full of things neither of them said.

Chris noticed Sebastian’s fingers, curling around his cup, he noticed the faint crinkle at the corner of his eyes… Sebastian noticed the subtle line of Chris’ jaw, the warmth in his smile, the way his hair and beard caught the sunlight.

“Feels good, sitting here with you again” Sebastian murmured, eyes dropping.

Chris wanted to say, feels like home… Instead: “Yeah, same!! Feels good, I’m really glad you agreed to this!! I owe you one!!”

Lunch came and went, but neither wanted the day to end.

Time slipped by, Chris hesitated as they walked out, the city was quiet around them.

“You busy tonight?” he asked.

Sebastian raised a brow “Why? Depends…”

“I was thinking drinks, or dinner? To celebrate your five-star cameo performance, before we part ways again, for God knows how long…”

Sebastian smiled “Alright… Your treat!!”

The bar was dim, warm, and almost deserted, their knees brushed under the table, electric though but neither acknowledged it.

They talked about work, scripts, movies gone wrong, mutual friends, old chaos, just like earlier at lunch, laughter came easily, and yet tension hummed beneath everything, the way Sebastian leaned closer, the way Chris stole glances.

“Do you ever think about it?” Sebastian asked suddenly.

Chris blinked “Think about what?”

“Back then, the shoots, the tours, the chaos... Those years were insane!!”

“All the time” Chris said softly “Feels like forever ago and yesterday, all at once… Some of the best years of my life!!”

Sebastian swallowed… Because of me? He didn’t ask… Just nodded.

Chris studied him… Say something… Just once… He didn’t.

Hours later, they walked out into the streets, the city was quiet.

“Well!!” Chris said, his hands shoved in his pockets “guess this is goodnight and goodbye!!”

Sebastian tilted his head “Guess so!!”

Chris extended his hand “Thanks for today!! You really killed it!!”

Sebastian took it, it was warm and firm, the handshake meant to end quickly but neither let go… Their thumbs brushed over each other, once, twice, Chris’s breath caught as Sebastian recklessly leaned in, pressing a quick, light kiss to Chris’ cheek… It was innocent, friendly but lingering just a fraction too long.

Chris froze, heart hammering, words trapped in his throat, Sebastian stepped back with a soft smile “Goodnight, Chris! Thank you for today!!”

He walked away… Chris stayed on the sidewalk long after, his fingertips were brushing the warmth left on his cheek, his pulse still racing.

Across the city, Sebastian laid awake, replaying the kiss, wondering if he had ruined everything or finally given everything away.

Neither of them slept, haunted by the same thought:

Maybe it isn’t one-sided after all.

Chris stared at the ceiling, his phone was lying face down on his chest, his mind was a mix of today: sharing scenes with Sebastian again, the laughter over coffee, the way Sebastian’s fingers had brushed his hand, the light in his eyes when he smiled, and… that cheek kiss… That tiny, reckless kiss that had somehow stayed warm on his skin long after Sebastian had walked away.

He wanted to text him just something casual “Hey!! Made it home okay?” But it was almost 1 am, and Chris didn’t want to be that guy, the one who overthinks and bothers his friend at an ungodly hour… He sighed, tossing the pillow over his face.

A few minutes later, Chris lazily unlocked his phone and opened instagram, scrolling absentmindedly to try and distract himself, he noticed the green dot: Sebastian was online, of course, his thumb hovered over the DM button, just one line, just ask, don’t overthink it.

Chris: “Why are you still up?”

Seconds ticked by then the reply came almost immediately.

Sebastian: “You”

Chris blinked… You… Just one word, his chest skipped a beat, he adjusted himself on his bed to see if he was really reading what he was reading…

Chris: “…Me?”

Sebastian: “Yeah, you!! Can’t sleep… Thinking about you…”

Chris swallowed, heart pounding, he hadn’t expected honesty this raw at 1:15 am, tipsy or not.

Chris: “Thinking about me?”

Sebastian: “…Yeah, all the time, but now mostly about that lil kiss... But… also other things…You… Today... All of it...”

Chris’s grin spread uncontrollably, he felt warmth creeping up his neck, his fingers hovering over the keyboard, unsure if he should reply seriously or tease.

Chris: “Other things, huh? Care to elaborate, or are we doing cryptic late-night confessions now?”

Sebastian: “…Maybe a little cryptic... Maybe a little reckless… Maybe all of it... Mostly… you… I might be a little drunk… And thinking about you... A lot…”

Chris felt a shiver run down his spine.

Chris: “Oh really? And what exactly are you thinking about?”

Sebastian: “…Touching you… Holding you… Kissing you… Whispering things in your ear I should’ve said years ago…”

Chris’s breath hitched as he typed carefully but flushed with fire:

Chris: “…I’ve imagined that too…Hands, lips, touches we’ve been pretending not to think about… For years!!”

A pause… Chris imagined Sebastian lying in bed, thumb hovering over the screen, cheeks flushed, wine still warm in his veins.

Sebastian: “…I’ve definitely thought about it too… Way too much…”

Chris: “…Good... Because I’ve been imagining this… for years… You pressed against me… Hands everywhere… Whispering my name…”

Sebastian: “…You really want to do this now? Over DM?”

Chris laughed nervously, pulse racing. “…Apparently, yes!! I’ve wanted it for years, I can’t wait any longer!!!”

Sebastian: “…I’ve wanted it too… You have no idea how long I’ve wanted this… Wanted you... Every time I saw you, every day I didn’t say anything...”

Chris: “I keep picturing that kiss on my cheek from earlier… and then imagining your lips elsewhere... Do you know how distracting you are right now?”

Sebastian: “…Oh, I do!!”

Chris: “…You’re terrible and I’m terrible and I love it… God, I’ve loved it for years!!”

Sebastian: “…Me too… It’s ridiculous, right?”

Chris: “…Not at all… Perfectly normal… And maybe… overdue...”

Sebastian: “…Overdue? Yeah… Just how I like it...”

Chris: “I wish you were here...”

Sebastian: “Me too… More than you know…”

Chris: “…Maybe soon?”

Sebastian: “I wish I could… but I’ve got work stuff… Not sure when I’ll be able to actually meet in person…”

Chris frowned slightly, his thumb hovering over the keyboard, he hated hearing that, hated the distance between them!!

Chris: “Work?”

Sebastian: “Yeah!! Always getting in the way of things that actually matter!!”

Chris: “Things that matter?”

Sebastian: “Yeah… You matter… You always matter!!”

Chris’s chest tightened, the bold confession, even in text, made him swallow hard, he tried to tease, tried to keep the playfulness alive:

Chris: “Well… I guess that gives me an excuse to make you come see me sooner… What about the movie wrap party?”

Sebastian: “…Movie wrap party?”

Chris: “Yeah… You know, come celebrate the end of this madness…”

Sebastian’s reply came almost instantly, but his words made Chris’ stomach drop:

Sebastian: “…I can’t wait for that… Just to be able to… do to you everything I’ve been wanting…”

Chris blinked, his hand froze over the screen… Everything you’ve been wanting…

Chris: “…Everything?”

Sebastian: “…Yes… And you have no idea how much and how long I’ve wanted it...”

Chris’s chest tightened, the heat was rising to his cheeks, he typed fast, his heart hammering, daring:

Chris: “Maybe you should give me a hint… or at least some idea of what that looks like…”

Sebastian: “…Maybe I will or maybe I’ll surprise you…”

Chris swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice, or rather, his fingers steady…

Chris: “…You’re a menace!!”

Sebastian: “…Only with you!”

Chris: “…Then I guess I deserve it… Every bit of it!”

Sebastian: “…Oh, you will... When I see you… And soon…”

The conversation paused for a few minutes after that, neither of them wanting to stop, but both realizing the night was stretching far too long, their hearts were racing, pulses synced across the city.

Chris put the phone down, staring at the ceiling, smile tugging at his lips, Sebastian, somewhere else, was doing the same, thinking about the same things, imagining the same moments, counting down the hours until they could finally be in the same room again.

Sebastian (finally): “Sleep, Chris. Or I’ll keep you up all night!!”

Chris: “…Too late… You already have!!”

And with that, the screen went dark, but both of them laid awake, hearts pounding, their minds alive with all the things they had finally dared to say… and all the things they still wanted to do.

The party had reached that hazy midpoint where the music was loud enough to rattle the walls and the laughter was drunk enough to be contagious, Chris held a glass in his hand, barely drinking, his eyes doing what his mouth couldn’t, finding Sebastian across the room, again and again.

Sebastian was magnetic in that way he always had been, shirt open just enough at the collar to suggest more, smile flashing easily as people talked to him, Chris had to physically stop himself from staring too long, from letting his gaze linger on the way Sebastian’s hands gestured as he told a story, or how his tongue darted out to wet his bottom lip mid-laugh.

They hadn’t spoken much all evening, a casual hug when Sebastian walked in, a quick “Glad you made it!!” “Wouldn’t miss it!!” and then they drifted into opposite corners of the crowd taking their distance, because they both knew closeness would be dangerous, but still, even the distance burned.

Every so often, their eyes met across the room, Chris’ lips would twitch up, Sebastian’s brow would arch, like they were sharing a private joke no one else could hear, it was torture!! Sweet, aching torture.

Chris caught him again, he had been trying not to, God knows he was  trying not to, but the crowd didn’t matter when Sebastian was in the room, the sound blurred, the lights dimmed, the laughter faded, and all Chris could see was him... Always him.

Their gazes locked each time like magnets, like gravity, like there wasn’t a single other person breathing in the room.

Sebastian’s lips quirked, just the faintest hint of something secret and dangerous, and then he moved, he excused himself smoothly from the circle he had been standing in, his hand brushing against Anthony’s shoulder, laughter still clinging to him, but his eyes… his eyes hadn’t let go of Chris’ yet… Not until he turned his back and started walking toward the hall.

Chris’ chest clenched and his pulse hammered, he told himself not to look, not to follow, but his traitor eyes stayed locked on Sebastian’s frame cutting through the crowd like the tide parting for him.

When Sebastian reached the hall, he slowed and half-turned his face over his shoulder, as though he was checking the crowd behind him, but his gaze, his gaze landed straight on Chris, that smirk curled at the corner of his mouth, and then, deliberately, his fingers tapped once… twice… three times against the doorframe, a soundless invitation, a signal.

Chris’ breath caught and the room swayed with the force of it, and before he could think better of it, he was moving, his glass was abandoned on a nearby table, his excuses lost in the noise, his steps were too quick to be casual but not quick enough to give him away.

Sebastian disappeared into the hallway, walking slowly, like he knew Chris was already behind him, like he knew he didn’t have to rush, his shoulders swayed with each step, calm, measured, dragging it out.

Chris followed, heart thundering, the music and the party noise muffled the deeper he went, the shadows swallowing them both.

Halfway down, Sebastian stopped and turned slowly, pausing in the middle of the long hallway, his eyes catching the dim light, he looked at Chris, looked straight into him, and that smirk deepened, slow and deliberate.

Chris froze, his pulse was moving so fast like electricity in his veins, and then Sebastian turned back around, no words, just that smirk still clinging to him as he kept walking, as if he was sure a certain Chris would follow… And of course he did, he couldn’t not.

Sebastian walked into the restroom, closed the door behind him, Chris paused for what it felt like forever, few seconds or minutes later, he caught his breath before he reached the restroom door, hesitated just a second, what if he was wrong? Then he pushed it open and the sight made his throat go dry.

Sebastian was leaning against the counter, arms folded, head tilted back just slightly, as though he had been waiting, when he saw Chris, his lips curved slow and dangerous.

Chris closed the door behind him, slid the lock, flipped the little “Out of Order” sign Sebastian must have already put up.

No words… No room for them.

Chris crossed the distance in three steps, and then Sebastian’s mouth was on his, hot, urgent and sloppy.

It was all teeth and tongue, months, years of swallowed want crashing out at once… Chris groaned into it, grabbing fistfuls of Sebastian’s shirt, pulling him close against his chest, the counter dug into Sebastian’s hips, but he didn’t care, he only pulled Chris closer, like he had been starving for this.

“God…” Sebastian gasped against his lips, then bit down on Chris’ bottom one before dragging him back into another kiss, wetter, needier.

Chris’s hands were everywhere cupping Sebastian’s jaw, sliding into his hair, gripping his waist like he couldn’t get enough… He tilted his head, deepening the kiss until their breaths tangled, hot and shaky.

Sebastian broke away for half a second, his forehead was pressed to Chris’, breath ragged “You took your time!”

Chris’ laugh was rough but low “Didn’t want to look too eager...”

“Idiot!” Sebastian muttered, and kissed him again, harder this time, like punishment and reward all at once.

Their hands roamed greedily, tugging at fabric, discovering familiar territory they had never dared to claim before, Chris’ palm slid under Sebastian’s shirt, his fingertips brushing hot skin, and Sebastian trembled against him.

“Fuck- Chris!” Sebastian breathed, the sound sending a jolt straight through him.

“Been wanting this-” Chris murmured, kissing down his jaw “So damn long…”

“Me too!!” Sebastian admitted, voice wrecked, hands clutching at Chris’s shoulders like he might drown without the hold “Every time, every fucking time I see you!!”

The confession hit harder than the alcohol… Chris froze just long enough to look at him, eyes blown wide… Sebastian swallowed, his cheeks flushed, but didn’t backpedal, and instead, he dragged Chris down into another kiss, biting, desperate.

Chris groaned, his hands sliding lower, gripping Sebastian’s hips so tight he knew he’d leave marks... Sebastian rocked against him, a sharp, hungry grind that made them both gasp into each other’s mouths.

The room spun and the world narrowed to just the two of them, their breaths, their moans, the taste of champagne and want on their tongues.

Chris pressed Sebastian back against the counter harder, caging him in, his lips trailed lower, down his throat, biting at the skin there, sucking hard enough to leave bruises… Sebastian tilted his head back, a broken sound slipping out.

“Fuck, Chris- people will-”

“I don’t care!” Chris growled against his skin, teeth grazing his collarbone “Not tonight!”

Sebastian’s laugh was breathless, shaky “Reckless…”

“Only with you…” Chris shot back, echoing the words Sebastian had once sent him in a late-night text.

Chris’s hands were everywhere, skimming under Sebastian’s shirt, gripping his waist, dragging him close until there was no space left, their hips ground together, the friction dizzying, tearing ragged sounds from both of them.

Sebastian tugged at Chris’ belt with shaking fingers, lips bruising Chris’ neck as he muttered, breathless “God, I need you- need you right now!!”

Chris groaned, his head tipping back and his pulse thundering in his ears… Every nerve screamed yes... Every inch of him ached with want… He grabbed Sebastian’s wrist, guided it down, pressing their hands together over the buckle.

But then, he froze, reality cut through the haze for just a second, the smell of spilled alcohol lingering from the party, the faint beat of bass outside the door, the glaringly public, fluorescent-lit restroom they were about to lose themselves in.

Chris’ chest heaved, he pulled back just enough to see Sebastian’s face, flushed, lips swollen, eyes dark with lust... God, he wanted him… Wanted him so badly he could taste it. But…

“No” Chris rasped, voice hoarse, forehead pressed to Sebastian’s.

Sebastian blinked, dazed “No?” His voice cracked, like the word physically hurt.

Chris swallowed hard, cupping his jaw, thumb brushing over his lower lip “Not here!! I can’t-fuck, Seb, I can’t forgive myself if our first time was in a public restroom!!”

Sebastian just stared at him, chest rising and falling fast, for a moment, Chris thought he would pull away, angry, embarrassed, but then Sebastian laughed, soft and shaky, his head dropped to Chris’ shoulder, and Chris felt the warm huff of his breath against his neck.

“Only you” Sebastian whispered, his lips brushing Chris’ skin, “Only you would stop us in the middle of this, Mr. Hopeless Romantic!!”

Chris let out a low, pained chuckle, wrapping his arms tight around him, holding him close “You deserve better than this!! We deserve better than this!!”

Sebastian leaned back just enough to meet his eyes again, his smile was small, crooked, but his gaze burned “You’re right, but you realize you’ve just guaranteed I won’t sleep for the next week!!”

Chris grinned and pressed one last messy kiss to his mouth, slow this time, lingering, “Good!! Now you’ll know how I have felt every night since we met!!”

Sebastian’s breath hitched, his hand slid into Chris’ hair, tugging lightly “You’re gonna kill me, Evans!!”

“Not before I finally get you where I want you!!” Chris murmured, brushing their noses together.

They stayed like that for a moment, their foreheads pressed, their lips swollen, their hearts racing and the bathroom was too bright, too public, too wrong, but in that second, it also felt like the start of something right.

They lingered for a second longer inside the restroom, catching their breaths, trying to fix themselves up.

Finally, Chris stepped back, straightened his shirt, ran a hand through his hair, Sebastian watched him, still leaning against the counter, looking wrecked in the best way.

Chris splashed some water on his face, running a hand through his hair again, Sebastian then moved, he tugged at his shirt collar, adjusting it, though it did little to hide the bruising kisses already starting to darken his throat.

“Subtle…” Chris muttered with a smirk, eyes flicking to the mark.

Sebastian grinned, unapologetic “Souvenir”

Chris rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched “Come on!” he said softly, unlocking the door, “Before they send a search party!!”

Sebastian smirked, following him out, “You do realize you’ve just started something you can’t stop!”

Chris glanced over his shoulder, heat sparking in his eyes, “Technically you did, but then again I’ll have something to look forward to!!”

The music, the chatter and the clink of glasses, it all washed over them in a dizzying blur, they moved in opposite directions instinctively, like magnets forced apart, trying to blend back into the crowd.

But blending was impossible, not when Chris’ eyes kept drifting to the far side of the room, catching on Sebastian every chance he got and not when Sebastian was already looking back, small stolen glances.

Chris was halfway through pretending to laugh at something when Anthony sneaked up to him, drink in hand.

“Took you both long enough…” Anthony said casually, voice low enough not to carry.

Chris nearly choked on his sip “What?”

Anthony gave him a look, that I know everything look, “You think I didn’t notice the two of you vanishing within five minutes of each other?”

Chris’s ears burned “We were just- catching up…”

“Uh-huh!” Anthony cut him off, smirking “And you just happened to come back out looking like you sprinted a marathon and Sebastian’s collar just happened to shift on its own…”

Chris groaned, scrubbing a hand over his face “Can you not-”

Anthony leaned closer, grin widening. “Relax, your secret’s safe… But you might wanna tell him to ice that neck before someone with a camera notices!!”

Across the room, Sebastian was chatting with someone, but his eyes flicked over at them at the exact wrong or right moment, Anthony followed Chris’ gaze, and his grin turned positively wicked.

“Mm-hmm” Anthony said, sipping his drink “Exactly what I thought!!”

Chris muttered, “You’re the worst” under his breath.

Anthony clapped him on the shoulder “Nah... I’m the best… Best wingman you’ll ever have… Now go enjoy your night before I start making jokes in front of everyone!!”

Chris shot him a glare, but Anthony just strolled away, whistling.

Chris exhaled, shaking his head, but then Sebastian caught his eye again from across the room and the tiniest hint of a smile curved his lips, as if he knew exactly what had just happened.

Chris smiled back, subtle, just enough.

But the promise in that smile, like the memory of their kisses in the restroom, was anything but subtle.