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Chapter Text

September 1st

“Don’t forget your lunch!” Poppy warns, wagging her finger through the screen.

“I’m going to look like a dork,” Theo complains, holding the phone up while she adjusts the end of her plait. She’s wearing an outfit that’s entirely too proper and impractical for a primary school nurse, but Poppy had demanded she wear her nicest sweater and slacks. It’s her first day working at St. Margaret’s, her best friend’s childhood school. Poppy had not only set her up with lodging at her Gran’s guest house, but had also facilitated a job interview at the private school nearby. An in between job , Poppy had assured her. It would pay well enough for her to cover her student loans until she could land on her feet.

“Bring your lunch,” Imelda yells from the background.  Poppy abruptly turns the phone, showing Imelda icing her shins on the couch. “You’ll look practical. Headmaster Black likes practical people.”

Poppy aims the camera back to her face. “Send Weasley my love,” she coos. “And tell us all the hot gossip from your first day!”

“I doubt the school nurse hears any good gossip,” Theo reminds her.

“Trust me, those nosy sods will always have some secrets to share.” Imelda pops into the frame again, her arms wrapped around Poppy’s shoulders. “Now, get!  You’ll be late.” The screen goes black, her best friends’ faces disappearing with a click. 

Theo shoves her phone into her purse, tucking her brown bagged lunch under her arm as she unlocks Poppy’s old car.  It’s a little beetle, entirely in line with Poppy’s personality down to the butter yellow exterior.  Theo had protested, claiming she could easily navigate town on her bike, but Poppy wouldn’t take no for an answer.  She’s overcompensating, of course.  Theo knows she feels bad, even though there’s no reason for it.  The petite brunette isn’t the reason she left London.  In fact, Poppy is one of the only reasons she ever hesitated to leave.

Theo shakes her head–it’s too early to let her mind drift that far off.  Instead, turns the radio on and departs down the bumpy dirt driveway.

“You must forgive the headmaster, he’s awfully busy these days.  With what, I’ll never know.” Matilda Weasley shakes her head, glasses perched at the end of her nose.

“Quite alright,” Theo laughs, tugging her purse tighter over her shoulder.  She’d purposely arrived thirty minutes after the first bell to avoid looking lost against a crowd of children.  The hallways were quiet, empty save for the noise of their shoes against the freshly polished floors.

“Noreen is loving retirement,” the deputy headmistress says, turning her head over her shoulder. “Thought she’d never get away from this school, so you can imagine she was positively over the moon when Rose Sweeting gave her a call.  She’s been part of the St. Margaret’s community for so long, many of the parents were a bit hesitant to see her leave.  They’ll be quite relieved to have a physician’s assistant on staff.”

“Almost,” Theo reminds her. “I hadn’t quite passed my exams when I left.”

“Nevertheless,” Weasley smiles. “A very accomplished young woman.” 

Theo dips her head, a bit embarrassed as the older woman guides her into her new office.  It’s bare, the only furnishings being a standard issue desk and workbench filled with supplies. There are two patient benches separated by ancient striped curtains. 

To their mutual surprise, a little boy is already laying on one, legs crossed at the ankles. He has unruly brown hair, freckles exploding across his face.  The school year started just half an hour ago, and his tartan tie is already loosened, uniform jacket long gone. He’s smiling at the two of them, a big grin missing a few teeth.

“ Gregory ,” Weasley scolds. “It’s first period and you’re already skiving off–”

“I was waiting for Nurse Blainey,” Gregory shrugs. “I’ve been sent to fetch two aspirins.”

Theo raises a brow; instead of scolding him, Weasley chuckles and shakes her head. “Well then, go ahead and ask our new nurse, Nurse Caulfield.”

Gregory nods, sliding off the bench to approach her.  He holds his palm out, bouncing back and forth on his ankles as if the mere act of standing still will cripple him. “May I have two aspirins, Nurse Caulfield?”

Theo looks at Weasley, who nods her approval.  She rifles through the well organized cabinets, pulling out a little paper sachet with two white pills. Gregory closes his fist the second it drops into his hand, well worn converse trainers squeaking on the floor as he turns on his heels to run out the door.

“Ah, ah!” Weasley clears her throat. 

Gregory skids around, tilting his head. “Yes, ma’am?”

“Tell Mr. Sallow that he can bring in his own hangover remedies.” Weasley crosses her arms. “We’re not running a free pharmacy here.”

Gregory gives her another broad smile, saluting as he runs down the hallway.

Matilda Weasley sighs, turning back to Theo. “As you can see, our students and teachers can be a bit needy. Do let me know if they start pestering you too much.”

“Trust me, I’m used to worse.” Theo reminds her, dropping her purse onto the barren desk.  She’ll have to go into town when she has free time, pick up some decorations to make the nurse’s office a bit more inviting. The windows behind her desk overlook the staff car park, Poppy’s yellow beetle sticking out like a sore thumb amongst more practical vehicles in the lot. 

“It must be quiet here, compared to London.” Matilda muses. “And to come here from a hospital, well, that’s quite the change.”

Theo shrugs, falling into the desk chair. “I think it’ll be nice,” she admits. “Just what I’ve been hoping for.”

The day is as slow as Theo thought it would be–not that she’s complaining.

Two stomach aches after lunch period, which is to be expected.  A few children come in claiming to have fevers, but they’re quickly sent back to class after a juice box and a lie down.  

She takes care of several scraped knees and elbows after recess, but that’s the extent of her work day.  

Once the dismissal bell rings, she stands in the doorway to introduce herself to any passing students and teachers.  There’s Kogawa, the gym teacher, and Mr. Moon, the school’s groundskeeper.  When Matilda passes by, she introduces Theo to Dinah, Mirabel, and Mudiwa, all lower school teachers. Mr. Ronen and Mr. Sharp introduce themselves after the floods of students have left; they’re upper school teachers, their classrooms on the other side of the campus.

All in all, not a bad day.  Theo takes her time cleaning the beds, clearing away the work station as she hums along to the radio.  Perhaps she has enough time to stop by the shops before dinner.  She could make some dessert for Gran–

The door bursts open, and Theo jumps back at the sight of a child covered in blood. It’s pouring from his nose, a teacher tipping the boy’s head back.

“Blainey, I’m sorry, I know it’s after hours but Will’s just walked right into a door—“ the teacher rambles, setting the sobbing little boy on the bench.  He immediately moves to the countertop, taking out gauze from the drawer. “Can you ring his dad?”

“I’m sorry, who is this?” Theo blurts, shaking hands reaching for the parent directory on her desk.

The teacher turns his head, mouth agape when he makes eye contact. He’s young—at least twenty to thirty years younger than the rest of the staff. Theo is momentarily struck by his appearance; messy brunet waves, a tanned, freckled face, and bright red blood covering the front of his white button down. He must’ve carried the boy against his chest from the playground to the nurse’s office.

“Sorry, who are you?” He asks, visibly annoyed. “And where’s Noreen?” 

“Probably on a beach in Majorca, enjoying retirement,” Theo taps the directory. “What’s your last name, Will?”

“Prewett.” The boy sobs.  He’s little, no more than six years old, with scabby knees and gangly long legs. 

“Tip your head back, Will.” The man says reassuringly, patting the boy on his shoulders.

“Actually, can you sit up straight, darling?” Theo interjects. “Better for the bleed, and I can take a better look this way.”

The teacher shoots her a pointed look as she kneels in front of Prewett, snapping on her nitrile gloves. “Aren’t you supposed to be calling his father?” he retorts.

“I am the school nurse,” Theo ignores him, packing the boy’s nose with cotton. “You can call him, I’m quite busy with my very brave patient.”

The teacher rolls his eyes, but he leaves her to her work.  She can hear the buttons of the school telephone, the man tapping his toes against the floor as he waits for Will’s father to answer the phone.  She ignores him, doing a routine concussion check on the little boy as he clutches the gauze to his nose.

“Hey Lee. It’s Sebastian. I know, I just wanted to call you because Will ran face first into a door frame and is bleeding.”  

Theo turns her head to look at the teacher; he’s wincing, the receiver wedged against his neck as he wrings his hands.  Clearly, Will’s father is panicking, a voice rambling on the other end of the receiver.

“Yeah, nope, don’t worry.  He’s in good hands right now with the nurse.” the teacher says, eyeing her curiously. “If you or Cressida could get down to the school to pick him up, that would be great. Uh huh.  Yes, I’ll be here.  See you soon.” 

The teacher hangs the phone up, walking back over to the bench. “Willy, don’t you worry–your dad was already on his way to pick you up.” he says cheerfully. “Will be here in two shakes.”

“Is it broken?” The boy’s tears are streaking down his face.

“Of course not!” The teacher– Sebastian , it seems–declares. His eyes flicker down to hers, eyebrows raised.  Despite the confidence in his voice, Theo can tell he’s hesitating.

“Not at all,” Theo coo, holding up more gauze to Will’s nose. 

“Whoa!  Look at all that blood,” a little voice wheezes from the distance.

Both Theo and Sebastian turn their heads to the doorway, spotting another young man leaning against the frame.  It’s Gregory, the boy from this morning, looking even more disheveled than before.  His tie is now missing and his shirt rumpled and untucked.  He has a duffel bag under his arm, backpack slung around his other shoulder.

“Is it broken?” Gregory asks curiously.  “It looks broken.”

Will bursts into hysterical tears, and Theo’s mouth hangs agape, trying to find the words.

“Rory, get out.” Sebastian hisses, waving his arms. “What did I tell you?  We have to go to football in half an hour.”

“I can change in the car,” Gregory complains. “Besides, I wanted to see Will’s nose.  How are you going to fix it?” He asks, turning his attention up to Theo.

“I don’t think it needs much fixing at all,” Theo assures him. “Just some ice and rest; look, the bleeding has already stopped, Will.”

Will Prewett’s lips are quivering, but he has stopped shaking.  His clothes are stained with blood, but his eyes widen at the sight of his teacher’s bloodied shirt.

“Mr. Sallow, I got blood all over you,” Will pouts. “I’m so sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry about, mate.” Sebastian assures him. “Makes me look tougher, doesn’t it?” 

“Super tough.” Gregory snorts from the doorway.

Will Prewett cracks a smile, and before long he’s giggling.  Theo slides the bloodied gauze away from him, pulling a pack of ice out for him to put over his nose.  Sebastian is making him laugh even more, both him and Gregory now standing at the edge of the bed.  The duo is doing a good job of distracting the little boy from his pain–the tears are long gone, clutching his belly with laughter.

“Where’s Will?” A shrill voice shrieks.

Everyone in the room turns towards the door to see a lanky redhead–obviously Will’s dad. 

“Dad,” Will cheers, tossing the half-melted ice pack onto the bed.  He hops off the bed like a daredevil, crashing directly into his father’s waist.  It’s evident he’s not the most coordinated child, which explains how he crashed into a door frame in the first place. 

“Good timing, Lee.” Sebastian lopes over, clapping him on the back.  “Will was just starting to feel better.”

Mr. Prewett sighs in relief, picking up his son.  He examines his face, eyes narrowing at the little boy’s nose. “Everything in tip top shape, nurse?” he asks, turning his attention to Theo.

“I think he’ll be fine,” Theo promises. “The bleeding stopped without too much trouble, and no sign of a concussion.  Keep an eye on him tonight, but I have no reason to be concerned.”

“Thank you,” Mr. Prewett says gratefully, patting his son’s fiery red hair before extending a hand out to her. “I’m Leander Prewett by the way–didn’t know the school was getting a new nurse.”

“Nurse Blainey must have been a legend,” she muses, shaking his hand in return. “Theo Caulfield.”

Leander lets out a bark of a laugh. “Legend is one way to describe her–she’s been at St. Margaret’s since the dawn of time. She was our school nurse back in the day.” he says, gesturing to Sebastian. 

“You both went to school here?” Theo tilts her head. “Do you know Poppy Sweeting?”

Leander and Sebastian exchange a knowing glance. “Of course we know Poppy. She was in our year.” Leander says slowly. “Oh, I know who you are.  You’re renting out her Gran’s guest house.”

“I am,” Theo blushes. Poppy had warned her to expect questions–news traveled fast in her little hometown. Theo can tell by the raised eyebrows and tilted heads that Sebastian and Leander are tring to communicate something to one another, but she can’t quite tell what.

“Well, we’ll have to have you over for dinner then,” Leander announces. “Any friend of Poppy’s is a friend of ours.  My wife, Cressida, she’ll be so excited to meet you.”

“ Dad ,” Will whines, tugging on his jacket. “Can we go home?”

Leander scoops his son into his arms. “Duty calls then,” he jokes. “Seb, thanks for taking care of him.  I’ll see you and Garreth tomorrow night, yeah?”

Sebastian puts his arm around Gregory’s shoulders as he confirms plans with Leander, who’s already one step out the door. Theo raises a brow–it’s far too familiar for a teacher and student. But looking at the two side by side, she can pick out obvious similarities.  They share the same thick eyebrows and wavy brown hair, even standing the same way with their right foot propped over their left.  There’s an infinite number of freckles peppered across their faces, and even their eyes are the same shade of warm chocolate brown. 

It hits Theo like a train–father and son.  They’re carbon copies of one another; whoever Rory’s mother is, her genes didn’t even put up a fight against Sebastian’s.

“We’ll be late to football practice,” Sebastian bumps his hip into Gregory’s.  “Say thank you to Nurse Caulfield, and let’s get on the road.”

“Thanks Nurse Caulfield.” Gregory parrots back. “Race you to the car!” He snatches his duffle bag, running out the door and down the hall.

Sebastian lets out a weary sigh, shaking his head. “Boundless energy, that one.”

“Sorry about your shirt,” Theo gestures to the blood trailing his white button down.

“Nah, don’t worry.  I’ll change for practice anyways." He gives her a warm, earnest smile. “Sorry for barging in–Leander is a bit of a worry wart when it comes to Will, and I didn’t want to face his wrath alone.”

“Happens,” Theo shrugs. “Little boys like to run into door frames.”

“That they do,” Sebastian laughs.  “I dare say you have your work cut out for you here–Nurse Blainey never had a normal day when I was around.”

“I take it you’re Mr. Sallow?” Theo asks, crossing her arms.

“And I didn’t even introduce myself,” Sebastian groans, slapping his hand over his eyes. “Yes, Sebastian Sallow, and as you can tell, I’m terrible with introductions. I teach year five, and I coach football for the little ones.  Bloody noses and sprains are a given at this point, so I assume we’ll be getting to know one another quite well.”

“Theo Caulfield.” She repeats her name. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Sebastian checks his wrist watch for the time. “I have to run–Rory won’t let me forget it if we’re late.” he hesitates, bouncing back and forth on his heels the same way his son did that morning. “But perhaps we can chat more at lunch tomorrow.  I’ll show you the good table in the faculty lounge.  I must say, I’m glad there’s a staff member closer to my age now.  I couldn’t bear all of the other teachers babying me anymore.” The end of Sebastian’s sentence is punctuated with a warm laugh.

Theo can feel the heat creeping up the back of her neck.  She knows he’s just being polite, but she feels a familiar fluttering in her chest. It's a feeling she hasn’t felt in years, the excitement of getting to know someone new.  Her eyes quickly flash to his left hand–no ring, but that doesn’t quite mean anything nowadays. 

“That would be nice,” Theo admits, holding a hand to her neck to hide her blush. “Thank you, Sebastian.”

He walks backwards towards the door frame, smiling at her. “Nice to meet you, Theo.”  He creases his eye with the hint of a wink before turning out the door, jogging down the hallway.  

“It was a pretty boring day,” Theo shrugs, curling into the well worn couch.  She popped the lid off the ice cream she’d bought on her way home from the school, digging the spoon into the cold treat. “There is a teacher my age, though.  He seems pretty cool.  Could be friends, I think.”

“Do tell,” Poppy says absentmindedly, stirring whatever she’s cooking on the stove. Imelda is sitting at the kitchen table behind her, tapping away at her own phone. Theo feels a pang in her heart; she wishes she were home , sitting in the kitchen with her friends again.  Instead, she’s perched on an unfamiliar couch, her dinner consisting of the stew Gran had left covered on the porch of the guest house.

“His name is Sebastian Sallow,” Theo likes the way his name sounds coming off her lips. 

“I didn’t know Sebastian moved home,” Poppy muses, turning her head over her shoulder to yell back at Imelda. “Mel, did you know Sebastian Sallow moved back home?”

“No, that’s nice though.” Imelda’s voice is lazy, thick with sleepiness as she scrolls on, yawning.

“Do you know if he’s married?” Theo asks, trying to mask her embarrassment.

Poppy wracks her brain, tapping her finger against her chin. “Not that I know of. But then again, I haven’t seen him in ages. Why?”

“I was just wondering,” Theo blurts. “I mean, I’m sure he was just being nice to me, since I’m new and all, but I was picking up on some sort of vibe from him…I wondered since his son goes to the school.”

Poppy pauses, dropping her wooden spoon. “I’m sorry, did you say Sebastian Sallow?”

“Yeah,” Theo wrinkles her nose. “You know what, I shouldn’t have said anything, it’s not like that at all–”

Poppy tears her earbuds out, turning to Imelda. “Mel, Theo just said Sebastian Sallow is teaching at St. Margaret’s.”

Imelda looks up, wrinkling her nose. “What?”

“And get this– he has a kid.”  Poppy gapes.

Theo’s eyes widen as Imelda falls out of the chair. “You’re joking,” Imelda gasps, picking her phone back up immediately. “How old?!”

“I don’t know,” Theo admits. “Nine, ten maybe?”

Imelda is gleefully pacing around the kitchen now; Poppy’s boiling pot is long forgotten as she too starts scrolling her phone. 

“We went to school with Sebastian,” Poppy shakes her head. “Him and twin sister, Anne.  Both of them–”

“ Left,” Imelda cuts in. “Tragic story.  They lost their parents when they were younger, and I don’t think their guardian was very nice afterwards. They immediately left for London after A levels.  No one heard from them after that.  Maybe Ominis, but he rarely comes around home anymore.”

“Who?” Theo wrinkles her nose.

“Another old classmate of ours,” Poppy waves her off. “Gosh, who do you think the mother is?”

“Has to be someone from uni,” Imelda shrugs. “Sam is going to go insane once she hears–do you think she knows?”

“Of course she doesn’t know,” Poppy shakes her head. “We would’ve known by now if she did.”

“What is the big deal?” Theo barks. “He’s just…he’s just a teacher.”

Imelda scoffs. “Sebastian Sallow is not just any teacher.  He was the hottest guy in our year.”

Poppy thwacks her on the shoulder. “Hey,” she scolds. “I’m right here.”

“Babes, let’s be honest.” Imelda grins, pecking her on the cheek. “You can’t deny everyone wanted to jump Sebastian’s bones back in the day.”

Poppy rolls her eyes, but laughs at the same time. “She’s not wrong,” Poppy admits. “Not my cup of tea, but I see the appeal.  He had a girlfriend though, Sam Dale. Gosh, he ended things with her right after graduation; poor thing was broken hearted for years.”

“I’ve always wondered what happened to him,” Imelda interjects, typing animatedly. “I’ve already told Natty.”

Theo’s jaw drops. “You guys,” she scolds. “Don’t go telling everyone.”

“Well everyone around town must know if his kid goes to St. Margaret’s,” Imelda argues. “Boy or girl?  What’s their name?”

Theo hesitates, guilt pooling in her stomach.  She’s already told Poppy and Imelda too much–at this point, there’s no use in hiding it. “A boy. Gregory–Rory, he calls him.”

Imelda is already tapping away at her phone, chuckling as she shares the news. “This is so juicy,” she cheers gleefully. 

Poppy aims the camera back at her face. “What was he like?  Was he nice?”

“He was,” Theo admits. “Very kind.  He invited me to sit with him at lunch tomorrow.”

Poppy’s face softens. “That’s good.  I’m glad to hear he’s back to himself.  He went through a rough patch in school, his sister Anne was always–”

“Pops, Natty wants to Facetime!” Imelda yells from across the room.

Poppy chews on her lower lip. “Do you mind?” she asks. “I’ll call you first thing tomorrow morning, before you leave for school.”

“No, go ahead.” Theo waves her off. “You guys have fun catching up.  And if anyone asks who told you–it wasn’t me.” she warns.

Poppy nods, blowing her a kiss goodbye before ending the call.  Appetite spoiled, Theo puts the pint back into her little freezer. Forsaking the couch, she falls back into her queen sized bed, sighing as she begins scrolling through her social media.  Stories from Poppy and Imelda, a new post from one of her old colleagues. She ignores the message from Isaac, her ex-boyfriend.  Instead, Theo’s fingers hover over the search button, typing in Sebastian Sallow’s name.

No results.

He’s not on Facebook or Instagram; Theo feels foolish looking him up on LinkedIn, her face burning brightly at the thought of him discovering her snooping session.  She’s relieved when his name shows zero results, setting her phone on the bedside table. Sebastian Sallow is a normal human, Theo reminds herself, even if he doesn’t have a singular detail about himself on the web.  Yet Poppy and Imelda’s reactions to his presence have piqued her interest.  

Perhaps she’d like to know Sebastian Sallow.  

Theo wracks her brain to play back every second of their interaction, to see if there was anything she missed, a detail that would explain why Sebastian is so alluring.  She cannot come up with an answer, just recalling his kind brown eyes and crooked smile before falling asleep.

It’s Theo’s second day at St. Margaret’s, and she leaves her office during lunch period to explore the campus. It’s a gorgeous September day, and she can hear the gleeful shrieks of the children playing in the courtyard nearby. Theo recalls Sebastian’s invitation to lunch, wandering into the faculty lounge hoping to see him.  It’s empty, save for Mr. Moon, who is dozing off in one of the big leather armchairs.

She checks the lunch schedule; Sebastian’s class is supposed to have recess during this time, monitored by one of the PTA mothers.  The year five classroom is completely empty.  

Perhaps he’s forgotten, Theo thinks.  A bit dejected, she meanders back to her office to eat her lunch alone.  

It’s Wednesday, and Theo still hasn’t seen Mr. Sallow. 

She eats her lunch with Dinah and Mirabel; Imelda had been right, the crowd would’ve judged her for not bringing in her own lunch.  Theo entertains polite conversation with the two older women, who are trading gardening tips.  She nods eagerly, pretending to know what Mirabel is talking about when she brings up her latest propagation project. 

“That reminds me,” Mirabel muses. “I meant to ask Sebastian if he and Rory wanted to work in the garden this weekend.”

“He’d do that?” Theo asks, tilting her head.

“Oh, Rory loves gardening–usually burns some energy out on the weekend.  And Sebastian is always looking to help out.” Mirabel says, setting her salad down. “I’ll watch Rory in exchange, of course.”

“Do you babysit him often?” Theo asks, eyebrow quirked.

“That little boy has practically been raised by the entire staff,” Dinah chuckles. “Sebastian has always had him on his own, you know.  When he was younger, he’d take some jobs on the weekend, and we’d take turns chucking Rory around from house to house. It got a bit easier when Rory was old enough to attend St. Margaret’s, and then Sebastian was finally able to get a teaching post here. He’s a lovely young man–takes after his father entirely.”

Theo chews on her lower lip, stabbing at the pasta Gran had packed for her. She feels a bit guilty learning all of this knowledge second hand.

At the end of the day, Theo walks out in the car park.  She sees Sebastian walking with Rory’s duffle bag over his shoulder, the other hand ruffling his son’s hair.  Rory is excitedly detailing something to him, bouncing with every step as Sebastian laughs at whatever he says. Theo could catch up to them, finally give him a long-overdue hello, but the father-son scene is far too precious to interrupt.

It’s Friday, and Theo arrives early.  She’s got a week at St. Margaret’s under her belt, and can almost predict exactly how her day will go. At least two cases of the sniffles within thirty minutes of the school bell, and one migraine before second period.  She knows she’ll see three or four pairs of banged up knees or elbows from roughhousing on the playground.  After lunch, she’ll pass out what feels like an entire canister of antacids for sour stomachs.

Theo turns her head at the knock on her door.

“Oh, it’s you.” Theo smiles, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks when Sebastian Sallow opens the door. “Good morning.  Finally free to show me the good table in the lounge today?”

Sebastian shuts the door behind him, saying nothing.  His lips are set in a hard line, eyebrows knitted together.  He’s angry, Theo realizes, hands balled in fists at his side.

“Did you tell Poppy Sweeting I was teaching here?” Sebastian barks.

Theo scratches the back of her neck. “Er, yeah.  Well, not just Poppy; I think her girlfriend, Imelda Reyes–”

“Imelda Reyes, the loudest gossip there ever was,” Sebastian growls.

Theo deflates; clearly, this conversation won’t be a cheerful one. “Yeah, that’s the one.”

“And so Imelda Reyes went around and spread the news to what seems like every single person we ever went to school with,” Sebastian huffs. “About my son and me, about me working here.”

“Is there some sort of secret I’m missing out on?” Theo crosses her arms. “Is it top secret information that you’re a teacher here?”

“Look, I don’t expect you to get it, not being from here and all,” Sebastian seethes. “But I’m a very private person and news travels fast around this town.  There are certain reasons I’ve decided to keep to myself, and I didn’t need my personal details being floated around to the entire alumni network.”

“You seem to think you’re quite important,” Theo scoffs. “Look, for your information, I merely told Poppy and Imelda that you worked here, and that your son went to the school.  I didn’t say anything else because quite frankly, I don’t know you.  And it doesn’t seem like we have any intention of getting to know each other with the way you’ve barged into my office, berating me for news that seems entirely available to the public.”

“That’s not the point,” Sebastian sputters. “I–I just–”

“And for what it's worth, I was telling Poppy that I thought you might be cool,” Theo stands behind her desk, arms crossed. “But given your tone, I don’t think you’re actually very cool now.”

“Not very cool?” Sebastian scoffs. “Surely you can come up with better than that.”

“Alright, an arse.” Theo bites back. “A self-important arse who seems to think I have nothing better to do with my free time than gossip about a person I’ve barely met once.”

Sebastian’s eyes narrow at her. “I should think it’s common sense to not talk about people you don’t even know.” he points out. “Like I said, my life is private.  Anyone who needs to know, knows.  And I didn’t need half my old classmates reaching out to me the last few days to pester me about my kid.  It’s not just my life, it’s Rory’s too.”

Theo snaps out of her gaze, realizing just how close Sebastian has gotten to her desk.  He’s leaning over it, jaw hardened as he leans forward on both palms.  She recognizes his stance as one the parents of her patients would normally take in the hospital room whenever she’d deliver bad news–protective, domineering, territorial.  A stance that says no form of reason will penetrate his opinion.

“I’m sorry,” Theo parlays, itching to end the conversation. “I didn’t mean for it to spread like that.”

“You should’ve thought about that before saying it,” Sebastian snips.  He leans back, straightening his collar. “That’s all. I just wanted to get that out in the open.  My life, off limits. End of discussion.” 

Theo rolls her eyes. “Whatever,” she bites back.  She wishes she had a better comeback than that, but he’s caught her off guard and before her morning coffee.

Sebastian opens his mouth, as if to say something else, but his jaw snaps shut.  Without another word, he turns on his heel and stomps out of the nurse’s office.  Once the door clicks shut behind him, Theo slumps in her desk, already knackered from a verbal confrontation before the school day has even started.

Perhaps she doesn’t need to know Sebastian Sallow, Theo thinks to herself. It’s clearly more trouble than it's worth.

Chapter Text

“Thank you for going to the shops with me, dear.” Gran pats Theo’s shoulder.

“I’m happy to join you,” Theo smiles, twisting the little bag of apples into the shopping cart. “And now that I’ve started and will be getting my first paycheck, I must insist you let me make dinner for once–I owe you that.”

“It’s just nice to have some company on the property again,” Gran muses. “It’s felt far too empty since Poppy left.”

She’s not wrong about that. The property is large–far too large for an old woman to be living alone.  Poppy’s Gran had made a name for herself as the town’s veterinarian, eventually converting the barn behind her home into her office.  She’d spent years rehabilitating animals, Poppy sharing stories of her childhood surrounded by all sorts of wildlife.  Granny Rose retired after Poppy had gone away to university, turning the old barn into a guest house.  It was now Theo’s temporary home.  If they were in London, Theo would be spending her life’s savings on the rent–instead, Granny Rose was kind enough to offer the space free of charge. 

Temporary, Theo reminded herself.  Just a space to stay in, to get back on her feet.

“Mrs. Sweeting!”

A woman with brilliantly curly black hair practically floats over, round wire glasses on the tip of her nose. There’s something familiar about her face, but Theo knows she’s never met her before. 

“I was hoping to see you soon.” The woman gushes, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. Her basket slides up the crook of her arm–just saltines and ginger ale, an odd haul.

“Cressida Blume,” Gran says cheerfully, kissing her cheek. “It’s good to see you.”

“Prewett now,” Cressida laughs. “Have been for a while, Mrs. Sweeting.”

Gran waves her off. “You girls will always be Poppy’s school friends to me.”

“And you must be Nurse Caulfield,” Cressida says, turning her attention to Theo. “I’m Will’s mum. He told me all about you and how you helped with his accident the other day. Thank you for helping with his nose; I’ve told him a thousand times now that he needs to watch where he’s going.” She has the familiar look of exhaustion on her face, one Theo knows well from her days in the pediatric unit.

“I’m glad to have a positive review from one of my first patients,” Theo jokes, and Cressida laughs. “Please, call me Theo.”

“Say, Lee and I are getting a few of our friends together for a pub night this weekend–would be nice to have you join, so you can meet a few of the younger folks in town.” Cressida offers. “No offense, Mrs. Sweeting.”

“None taken,” Gran chuckles. “It’ll be good for Theo to make some new friends; she shouldn’t just be hanging with an old woman like me.”

“I enjoy your company,” Theo reminds her. “But it would be nice to meet a few more faces.”  Poppy would be proud of her, she thinks, to be putting herself out there.  She'd been firmly locked in her friend group during uni years, and the prospect of making new female friends in her thirties is excruciating.  She’ll take hanging out with wine drunk mums over nights spent alone reading in her bed.

“Excellent!” Cressida exclaims, clapping her hands. “Here, text me your number–I’ll send you mine and the plans for Saturday.”

Theo punches her number into Cressida’s phone; in return, hers lights up almost immediately with an emoji filled text.  She reminds herself to ask Poppy what her opinion is on Cressida later–it must be positive, considering Gran will hardly let the woman go to finish her shopping.

“She was nice,” Theo muses as they walk down the next aisle. “One of Poppy’s friends?”

“Mhm,” Gran wrinkles her nose as she examines a jar of sauce.  “I don’t think they’ve kept up since Pops moved, but they’re a good bunch.”

The rest of the trip is idle chit chat centered around Rose’s bridge club.  It’s been just a few weeks of living together, yet they’re both comfortable slipping into silence around one another.  Theo should’ve known the woman who raised her best friend would be just as kind and welcoming.

“Do you mind if we stop at the garden center?” Gran asks, pointing ahead. “Just up here on the left.”

“Of course not,” Theo turns into the garden center’s car park. 

“I usually have one of the local fellows help me with the garden, but he just phoned me this morning, said he can’t do it anymore.” she frowns. “He’s gotten too busy on his rotation to make it out my way.”

“I can help you,” Theo offers. “I can’t say I have a green thumb, but if you show me what you need help with, I can try.”  She might regret the offer, but there’s no possible way she’s going to let a seventy year old woman mow the lawn on her own.  Granny Rose was fairly spry for her age, but Theo knew Poppy would have her head if anything happened to her.

What’s meant to be a quick pit stop for potting soil becomes an almost hour long affair; Theo regrets not picking a larger buggy at the front of the store.  By the time they’ve reached the dirt, Gran has filled the cart with several pots of flowers, babbling about her plans for the garden beds. Perhaps the gardener had the right idea, Theo thinks, dragging her feet behind the older woman with a bag of potting soil in hand.  Gran is already fifty paces ahead, examining the seeds.

“Nurse Caulfield!” a high pitched voice screeches.

Theo pauses, dropping the bag of dirt to her feet.

“Hi Nurse Caulfield,” Rory Sallow chirps, rocking back and forth on his heels with a pot of mums in his hands. He’s wearing a grass stained football jersey, a windbreaker tied around his waist. His socks are puddled at his ankles, knobby knees scraped from rough-housing on the field.  His father stands behind him, wiping sweat off his brow. Sebastian is in a similar state of dishevelment, brown hair sticking up in the back as if he’d rolled straight out of bed and off to coach.  His smile vanishes in record speed, brows furrowing at the sight of Theo in front of him.  

“What are you doing here?” he asks, voice flat and unreadable.

Theo points her finger over his shoulder, pointing to Gran. “I’m helping Poppy’s gran put together some supplies for her garden.  Apparently, her gardener just up and quit this weekend–”

“Sebastian!” Gran says gleefully, steering the cart towards them. “Stocking up for your weekend route?”

“I am,” Sebastian says, his cheeks turning red. 

“I know you’re busy, but if you ever do get an opening, I really could use the help again this year.  At least for the fall clearing,” Gran asks, wringing her hands. “But I understand if you can’t make it, with all your new houses on your route.”

“New houses?” Rory blurts, giving his father a confused look. “No, our route is pretty much the same this year.”

“Sebastian is such a help,” Gran points out, missing the way Sebastian clasps his hand over his son’s mouth, tugging him back against his legs. “Has been helping the older folks in town with their gardens since Rory was a baby.  But you’re a busy bee nowadays, aren’t you?  Now that Rory is all grown.” she beams. “How’s football season?”

The pieces fall together in Theo’s head.  Sebastian Sallow is the gardener Gran had mentioned in the car, and he’s just let her go from his route.  Her stomach sinks, realizing that he’s dropped the Sweeting house because of her–well, really because of Imelda and Poppy, but her by association.  It’s unfair to Gran, and honestly a bit cowardly of Sebastian.

“We cut the route back a bit this year,” Sebastian interjects, eyes burning holes into Theo.  “So we can spend a little more time together outside of work.”  Theo wants to believe that’s the truth, but the confusion on Rory’s face gives away his father’s motives.

“I’m sure that’s the case,” Theo gives him a sickly sweet smile. “Well, it’s good to see you two.” she picks the dirt back up off the floor, grunting as she drops it into Gran’s cart. 

Rory opens his mouth to speak, but Sebastian quickly pulls him away. Theo looks over her shoulder, watching them as they make their way down the aisles, Rory’s head tipped upwards in confusion.

“We should be getting back, before the groceries get too warm.” Gran hums. “Say, have you gotten to know Sebastian at all at school?  You know, he was in Poppy’s class growing up.  He’s awfully sweet.”

“Is he?” Theo asked innocently. “I hadn’t noticed.”

“I underestimate your Gran,” Theo groans, laying across her bed.

Poppy laughs, her giggle staticky from the phone. “She can be a bit overzealous in the garden. I didn’t realize she had Sebastian doing her yard work.”

Theo rolls over onto her stomach, aiming the phone towards her face.  Poppy is sitting in bed as well, delicately painting her toenails. She yearns to be home, curled up on the edge of the bed reading magazines next to her.  Facetime calls almost make her feel even more alone. 

“He isn’t doing her yard work anymore,” Theo corrects her. “Because you and Mel couldn’t handle your gossip.”

Poppy wrinkles her nose. “For what it’s worth, I am sorry about that,” she winces. “I didn’t think he’d be so sensitive about it.”

“Just how many people did you tell?” 

Poppy counts off her toes. “Two…three..okay, maybe four people at most.” she blurts. “But really, I didn’t think they’d spread the word that far.  And I’m honestly surprised people didn’t find out sooner.  He’s had a kid for ten whole years at this point!” She defends herself.

“I’m not taking his side,” Theo grumbles. “I’m just saying, you haven’t quite made it easy for me.”

“Any sight of the mum?” Poppy asks.  Theo gives her a pointed look through the screen, and the brunette merely shrugs.

“No sight of a mum, wife, or girlfriend.” Theo announces.  “And based on what people have said about him around town, he’s very much single.”

Poppy starts divulging gossip about their high school years, Theo absentmindedly listening when her phone pings.  She tries to not wear her displeasure so obviously, but the name across her screen twists her lips into a frown.

Isaac: Hi

 

Isaac: I meant to ask, had you seen Succession yet? You’d find it so funny.

 

Isaac: I know you probably don’t want to talk to me, but I do miss you.

“Earth to Theo,” Poppy chirped.

Theo rolls her eyes, clearing her throat. “Sorry, got distracted. What were you saying?”

“I was just talking about how Gran mentioned you ran into Cressida Prewett today.” Poppy gives her a flat lipped smile. “Said she invited you out with her friends.”

“I meant to ask what you thought of them.” Theo chewed on her nails.  

“Cressida is nice,” Poppy shrugs. “And Leander too.  Wasn’t surprised when they got married fast.  Some of their friends can be arses, but I’m sure it would be good to get out of the house, explore the town a bit.”

“So you think I should go,” Theo mumbled, deleting Isaac’s texts without opening them.

“I think you should.” Poppy encourages her. “I think you could benefit from knowing a few people in town.  Besides, you can't just hang out with my gran for an entire year.”

"Who says I can't?" Theo argues, and the two start laughing again.

Theo doesn’t have many more updates, so she lets Poppy go to bed when she starts yawning. She’s drifting off to sleep herself when her phone pings one more time.  

Isaac: Are you ignoring me? Or did you change your number?

She rolls her eyes, deleting the text before she flips over in bed.

Theo leans against the door of Poppy’s yellow beetle, hyping herself to go inside of the pub. She’d consulted Imelda and Poppy for outfit choices, as if she were going on a first date instead of a Saturday night happy hour with the Prewetts. The stakes are probably just as high–at this rate, making friends in her new town is more daunting than the dating scene in London.  She’d settled on a tee shirt over a black silk skirt, an oversized leather jacket draped over her shoulders.

“You can do this,” Theo mutters under her breath, pushing off from the little car.  Her trainers patter against the gravel as she forces herself towards the entrance.  A bell rings as she opens the door, heads turning to see who’s joined.

“Theo!” Cressida shrieks from the bar, waving her hands.  Leander is standing behind her, his long arm draped casually over her shoulders. Cressida is a head shorter than him, bouncy dark curls shaking with excitement as Theo weaves through the crowd.

“Thank you for inviting me,” Theo blurts, completely forgoing a greeting.

“I’m so happy you came,” Cressida gushes, taking her hand. “I can’t wait to introduce you to some friends of ours.”

They’re like magnets, Theo thinks, people drifting towards the couple to meet the new, shiny star in their orbit.  There’s Grace and Nellie, two of Cressida’s closest friends, and then Lucan, one of Leander’s mates. Astoria and Violet come in next, both giving Theo an icy greeting before their voices dominate the conversation. It’s all so overwhelming, Theo can’t help but sit idly by, swirling her glass of wine.  

“Oh!  This is someone we definitely want you to meet,” Cressida purrs.

Theo turns her head, overstimulated as ever, to see the newest addition. A ginger man pushes through the crowd, swimming over to them with a brown paper bag in hand.

“This is Garreth.” Leander says, grinning from ear to ear. “Gar, this is Theo. She’s new around town.”

He’s quite handsome, Theo thinks. Thick, wavy copper hair, and eyes so green she can’t stop staring.  He’s wearing a band tee under a well-worn flannel, sleeves rolled to show off his forearms. Everything about the redhead seems warm, and she can feel the head radiating off his body as he gives her a quick hug.

“Nice to meet you,” Garreth smiles. “Been a while since we had a new face in town.”

“Garreth went to school with us,” Leander mentions. “One of the boys, we’ve known each other since we were five.”

“He runs the bakery in town,” Cressida gushes. “A damn good one at that.”

Garreth gives another dazzling smile, holding up the paper bag. “I brought the leftover croissants from today, actually. Have a bite.” He pulls out an almond croissant, handing the pastry directly to her. Their fingers briefly touch in the transaction, which has Garreth’s already pink cheeks flush a little deeper.  She doesn’t miss the way Cressida and Leander exchange glances; it’s no matter of chance that they’ve cornered her in with Garreth.

It’s a set up, Theo realizes, but she’s not against exploring the match. She hasn’t even broached the idea of dating yet; to be completely honest, she wasn’t planning on staying long enough to entertain another relationship. But some harmless flirtation wouldn’t hurt, and the heat radiating off Garreth’s hand inspires her to step outside of her comfort zone.

“Tastes delicious,” Theo announces, wiping a bit of the almond paste from her lips.  Garreth certainly didn’t miss that move, his emerald green eyes roving over her mouth before looking back up at hers.  They crease in a mischievous way that sends a surge of pride through her body. It’s been years since she’s flirted with someone new, and something about the little reaction feels so gratifying.

“Rave review. Excellent.” Garreth chuckles.  He opens his mouth to say something else, but is promptly cut off by Leander.

“Look who it is,” Leander bellows, letting go of Cressida. “Sallow’s here!”

The small bar is filled with whooping and cheers, Sebastian rolling his eyes as he makes his way over.  He waves them off, scratching the back of his neck with his other hand.  Theo has only ever seen him in two looks–his tidy teacher attire, and the disheveled state of dress after football practice.  Sebastian is scrubbed up tonight, wearing dark colored jeans, a ribbed knit polo, and black bomber jacket.  Lucan and Garreth immediately beeline to shake his hand, while the women offer hugs and kisses on the cheek. Theo takes note of Violet, who has snaked her arm up the back of his jacket.  The kiss she plants on his cheek is notably longer than the rest, and he whispers something in her ear that has her shaking her head.

“I have a babysitter until eleven thirty,” Sebastian announces, redirecting his attention to the group. “So you have me until eleven.”

“Quick then, a pint.” Leander shoves a frosty glass his way.  The group closes in around the table, tightening the circle. Cressida squeezes herself in between Garreth and Leander, which pushes Garreth’s shoulder into Theo’s. He shoots her an apologetic look, but he keeps his arm glued to hers.  Rookie move, she thinks, but it’s somehow working for him.  

“Did you get one of the upper school girls to babysit?” Cressida asks. “The rate they’re going for these days is highway robbery!”

Sebastian shakes his head, wiping his lip after taking a heavy sip. “Nah, I never ask the students. Mirabel has him tonight.”

“Professor Garlick,” Lucan says dreamily. “Still my dream woman.”

Cressida spits out her drink while the rest of the men laugh. “She’s old enough to be your mother, Luc.” she scolds. 

The group descends into giggles; they may be in their thirties, but one mention of an adolescent crush has them reminiscing about their school days.  It’s a bit uncomfortable for Theo; Cressida tries her best to explain inside jokes, interjecting in the story to make sure Theo is up to speed, but she still feels like a spectator to the group.

“Do you want to play?” 

Theo snaps out of her thoughts, turning her head to Garreth.  “What was that?” She asks.

”I asked if you wanted to play trivia,” Garreth ducks his head towards her ear, an excuse to get closer. “I’ll warn you, this group takes it a bit too seriously.  I’d understand if you wanted to sit this round out.”

“No, I’m game,” Theo cracks her knuckles. “And I’ll warn you , I’m pretty good.”

Garreth gives her a warm, broad smile, his hand hovering over the small of her back as he guides her away. “We’ll just have to see about that,” the redhead says cheekily. He turns his attention to the rest of the group. “She’s in!”

”Excellent,” Leander claps his hands. “We’ll split the teams by the lads. Luc and Sebastian can take Grace, Nellie, and Vi.” Lucan tosses his arms around the two blondes, while Violet snakes her hand back around Sebastian’s waist. ”Weasley and Prewett take Astoria, Cress, and Theo.”

”Weasley?” Theo asks, tilting her head up to Garreth. “Is your—“

”She’s my aunt,” Garreth murmurs. “Matilda Weasley is my aunt.”

”So you—“

”Know who you are, yes.” Garreth confesses, scratching the back of his neck. “Aunt Tilly mentioned you, and when Leander and Cressida said they’d invited you to trivia night, I thought it would be nice to meet you. Is that weird?”

“A little forward,” Theo snorts, “But not entirely opposed.”

Garreth’s face turns a lovely shade of pink. “It’s not very often we get new women around here.” he confesses.

“So you’ve gone through the lot already?” Theo jokes.

Garreth looks mortified, already plotting how to take back his previous sentence. “No, not at all!” he exclaims. “I’ve just–well, you’ve gotta understand–I’ve known most of them since I was five to begin with–”

“I’m just teasing you,” Theo laughs. “Come on, let’s sit down at the table.  Trivia is about to start.”

Garreth looks both flustered and relieved as they slide into the table next to Leander, Cressida, and Astoria. Cressida places her hand on Theo’s forearm, squeezing it gently. 

“He’s sweet, if you give him a chance.” Cressida whispers.

Theo offers a wry smile, turning her attention to the room. There are a few other groups playing; several older ladies sipping on hefty pours of wine, and a cluster of couples that seem far more engrossed in their conversation than the game at hand.  At the table next to them, Lucan is buttering up the other girls, trying to make them laugh.  Violet and Sebastian are standing, deeply engrossed in conversation. Theo's face flushes when she realizes Violet is playing with the belt loops on Sebastian’s jeans.  He's looking down at her with a lopsided grin on his face, his free hand holding a glass of water to his lips.  When his eyes shift, making contact with Theo, she turns away. 

“Are you ready to play?” Garreth asks, nudging Theo with his shoulder.

Theo gives him a genuine smile, knocking her shoulder back into his. “Game on.”

“Down to the last three questions, and it looks like we have a tie!” the quizmaster yells out. “Ten Pints to Gryffindor versus the Remembralls, as usual.” The other teams have practically thrown in the towel, drinking and chattering as the game goes on.  When Garreth had warned her that the group took trivia seriously, she wasn’t expecting an outright brawl.  The teams have started hurling insults at one another, placing bets and bribes on who will win the night.  Leander has already threatened to choke Garreth for losing them a point on a hastily answered history question, while the girls at the other table are still swatting at Lucan for incorrectly listing off the Spice Girls.  

“You’ll have to excuse my husband,” Cressida rolls her eyes as Garreth tugs a drunk Leander away from drunk Lucan, who has his finger dug into the redhead’s chest. “We don’t get out much, obviously.”

Theo fights back tears as she laughs, clutching her stomach. It’s been ages since she’s laughed this hard.  The cheap wine certainly helps, as does Garreth Weasley’s warm hand, which has been slung around her shoulder for most of the night.  It isn’t her style to be so forward with men, but then again, this isn’t her real life.

In real life, her phone is buzzing in her pocket again.  Isaac has texted her at least twice; she should block his number, but she doesn’t have the strength to yet.  

“Next question in our pop culture category,” the quizmaster calls out. “This member of Girls Aloud was born on the fifteenth of the sixth, 1985. What is her name and her astrological sign?”

“Oh for fuck’s sake,” Leander rolls his eyes. “How the hell am I supposed to know that?”

The table next to them hoots and hollers as a pink cheeked Sebastian proudly walks his scrap of paper up to the quizmaster.  He turns, winking with a cheeky grin spread across his face as he bows to the group.

“Shit, of course Sallow knows.” Garreth snorts. “Loved Girls Aloud, didn’t he?”

Theo wastes no time, immediately scribbling the answer onto a sheet.  Without consulting the group, she walks her piece up to the quizmaster, proudly striding past the neighboring table. 

“Seems like we’ve got a tie again,” The quizmaster announces gleefully. “Answer was Nadine Coyle, a gemini!”

“We should’ve taken the new girl,” Lucan complains loudly. “We’d have won the game by now.  Grace, pull your weight.”

“Excuse me?” The blonde scoffs. “It’s just a game.”

“It’s trivia!” Lucan shrieks. 

“Calm down, you lot.” Garreth yells over. “And no poaching our secret weapon. We’ll be winning more often now, won’t we?” he bites his lip as he smiles down at Theo.

“Next up, geography.” The quizmaster sings into his mic. “What is the smallest country in the world?”

“This isn’t fair,” Astoria huffs. “Sebastian is a geography teacher.”

“Surely Monaco?” Cressida offers. “Or is it Malta?”

“I’m no help here,” Leander hiccups. “Not good with maps.”

Theo takes the pen out of Garreth’s hand, writing down the correct answer.  She marches up to the quizmaster, matching Sebastian’s lengthy stride.  For the first time that entire evening, he looks down at her with a skeptical glance.  He doesn’t say anything, merely shrugging before making his way back to the table. 

“Both teams get it correct once again!  The answer was Vatican City, a measly 109 acres.” The quizmaster declares. “We’re down to the wire–last question to win the game. Seeing as we’ve gone through half the pub’s stock in wine this evening: for the winning point, who is the god of wine?”

Theo doesn’t even give the table the chance, taking the pen and writing down her answer.

“This is great,” Astoria exclaims. “Now I don’t have to pay as much attention. We’ve got Theo to answer for us.”

“We needed a know-it-all on the team,” Cressida teases. “No offense, Theo.  We say the same about Seb whenever he gets a chance to play.”

Astoria raises her wine glass. “We consider it an endearing term at this point.”

“Are you sure?” Garreth asks.

“Never more sure in my life,” Theo sings, turning on her heel to submit her answer. Sebastian is just a few steps behind her, his arm brushing against her as they slip between tables.  They don’t exchange any looks as they go back to their respective teams.

The quizmaster reads the submissions, quickly typing into his phone.  A few seconds later, he  turns back to the group with a sheepish look on his face. “I fear I have to declare a tie between the teams–both have submitted the correct answer. Bacchus and Dionysus, two names for the same person.  Rather fitting for the question, the prize for tonight's winners is comped wine for the evening.” The quizmaster says it regretfully; between the ten of them, they've probably finished a dozen bottles by now.

“Thank you, nerds!” Lucan bellows, gripping Sebastian’s shoulders. “Leander, next time we’re crushing you.”

“Well, we have a new team member now who will be giving you a run for your money!” Cressida declares. “Isn’t that right, Theo?”

Theo blushes, and she can’t fight the smile erupting on her face.  It’s nice to feel like she belongs, like she has friends.  It makes the sad fact that her friends are miles away in the city less painful, and now it’s something she can look forward to rather than watching Love Island on her laptop, alone in the barn.

“Same time next week,” Theo announces, and the rest of the group cheers. 

“You boys fancy a smoke?” Lucan asks. 

“Sure,” Leander chirps, sliding off the bench.  He falters when he feels Cressida slap his shoulder, brows knitted together in frustration. “Just one,” he whines.

“Fine.” Cressida seethes, long fingernails drumming against the table’s surface.  Theo doesn’t miss the way the couple glares at each other, nor does she miss Cressida feigning a sip of her drink.  She’s been nursing the same glass of wine the entire night, hardly making a dent in the chardonnay that's likely room temperature by now.

Interesting , Theo thinks.

“You weren’t joking about trivia,” Garreth grins.  His booming voice summons Theo out of her thoughts, attention back on the redhead at her side.  Cressida and Astoria have gone over to the other table, chatting with Grace, Nellie, and Violet.  Leander, Lucan, and Sebastian are on their way out the door.

“I like reading,” Theo admits. It’s the lamest response she could have to his flirtation, but it’s the only thing that comes to mind.

“Oi!  Hurry up, Gar.” Leander calls out.

“I think your friends want you to join them,” Theo tilts her head to the door.

“They can bugger off,” Garreth licks his lips. “Listen, I have to leave soon–early morning at the bakery tomorrow, but I wanted to ask you a question of my own.”

“Oh yeah?” Theo asks, taking a sip of her now free wine.

“Will you go out on a date with me next weekend?”  Garreth looks down at her, biting back a smile. 

Theo’s face softens. “Oh, that’s sweet of you to ask."

“So, next Saturday?” he asks hopefully.

“Garreth, I’ve just gotten out of a long relationship,” Theo says slowly. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea to jump into anything.”

“It doesn’t have to be anything .” Garreth corrects her. “Anything besides two friends going out to a nice dinner.  You don’t have to say yes right now, but think about it, will you?”

Theo can’t help but smile.  Realistically, it’s all wrong to get involved with someone–especially when that someone is the nephew of your interim boss. But something about Garreth being so persistent reminds Theo of what it’s like to meet someone for the first time and feel butterflies.  The way he looks down at her, creased eyes and dimpled cheeks, sparks something she hasn’t felt in ages. 

“I’ll think about it,” Theo parrots back to him, her phone buzzing in her jacket pocket. Garreth winks, accepting her answer, and takes off to meet Leander at the door. 

Theo sucks in her smile as she reads off her phone.

Poppy: Are you having fun?!

 

Imelda: And if you are having fun without us, fuck you

 

Poppy: Mel stfu

 

Imelda: Make me

Theo laughs, typing in her response.

Theo: I am having fun, thanks for asking

 

Theo: And you two are disgusting, go make out already

 

Theo: I miss you two though

She’s not even at the table yet when Imelda responds with a winking face.  Theo rolls her eyes, shoving her phone back into her pocket.

“You and Garreth were cute,” Grace says gleefully. “Did he ask you out?”

“He did,” Theo tilts her head to Cressida. “He’s very sweet, but I’d appreciate a heads up next time if you’re setting me up.”

“I’m sorry,” Cressida moans. “I couldn’t help it.  Gar asked Lee if he’d heard anything about you, and when he found out that you’d already met, he wanted a connection.”

“Garreth is just about as good as it gets when it comes to single men around here.” Violet shrugs, sipping her wine. “Slim pickings, if you know what I mean.” 

“Vi is eternally single,” Cressida explains. “Our serial dater.”

“Excuse me,” Violet gasps, crossing her arms. “I consider it a public service, me wading out the dating pool.”

The group descends into giggles, Violet grinning proudly.  She starts telling the group about her latest date, a financier she met on a recent work trip. Theo nods along with the rest of the women, disassociating from the conversation as she watches the group interact.  She tries to picture Imelda and Poppy with the five of them, how they might have interacted as teenagers.  For some reason, she can’t imagine either of her friends hanging out with them–which may explain Poppy’s tight-lipped expression from their earlier Facetime call.  

Violet is just getting to the juicy part when her phone pings.

“Is it Sebastian?” Grace teases.

Violet rolls her eyes, shaking her head. “No, that’s long over.” she admits. “It’s fun to flirt with him from time to time, but I get so exhausted by his attitude.  It’s all doom and gloom, everything is so serious with him.  He’s a fun snog, but that’s about it.”

“Then who is the mystery man?” Astoria teases.

Violet gives the group a coy smile, playing with the ends of her short black bob. “Well, I have it on very good authority that Isaac Cooper is single again.” she announces. “And by good authority, I mean the man himself.  We’ve been texting a bit.”

The women around the table squeal, clamoring for more details, while Theo feels like her feet might fall out from underneath her. She maintains the smile on her face, pretending she’s interested in the conversation while gulping down the wine in her glass.

“Isaac Cooper was the hottest guy in school,” Grace gushes, trying to bring Theo up to speed. “Everyone had a crush on him.”

“Not me,” Cressida scoffs.

Grace rolls her eyes, waving her off. “Not all of us got lucky on the first try.  Cressida married her first boyfriend,” the blonde explains.

“Right,” Theo swallows thickly.  She signals the bartender for another, swallowing the bitter juice down while listening to Violet dissect her text messages to Isaac.

“Anyways, he’d been dating someone for years, but they were never that serious.” Violet explains, showing the flirty conversation on her phone to her friends, Theo included. “He told me they broke up last year, and he’s finally getting back out there. So we made plans to meet up the next time I’m in London for work.”

Theo is smiling so hard, her teeth are starting to grind.  She should’ve expected people around town to know Isaac–she’d met him through Poppy and Imelda during university, so it makes sense that their old school acquaintances would know him as well.  And if she really boils it down, it makes perfect sense that Isaac would be dating again.  After all, it’s been a year, and she’s the one not responding to his texts.

Theo wonders if Isaac texts Violet when he’s bored, the same way he used to text her. Well, clearly he hasn’t met anyone he’s serious enough about yet because he’s still texting Theo at all hours of the evening trying to make amends. I know you probably don’t want to talk to me, but I do miss you. That text plays over and over in Theo’s mind as she appraises Violet.  She’s pretty, quick witted, and snappy with her jokes. The kind of girl that Isaac would like.  The wine churns in Theo’s stomach as she imagines her ex-boyfriend out to dinner with her new acquaintance. 

“I think I need some fresh air,” Theo blurts, interrupting the conversation. The girls barely have time to answer before she strides across the bar and out the door.  It’s starting to get chillier at night, the weather swiftly shifting from the dog days of summer to autumn.  The sharp cold air floods her lungs, inhaling and exhaling as she tries to steady herself against the gravel. 

It was her decision, she reminds herself.  You chose to leave.  You chose to start over.

She just didn’t think it would be so hard.

“Are you alright?”

Theo whips around to see Sebastian leaning against his car.  It’s an older SUV–certainly not the sexiest vehicle in the car park. Very little about Sebastian gives away the fact that he's a father, but the proud school team sticker on the rear window of his Kuga says it all.

“I’m fine,” Theo barks. “Just needed fresh air, that’s all.”

Sebastian shrugs, his cigarette perched on his lips. “Okay.”  He leans against the back of his car, smoke trailing up into the dark night sky.

“Smoking is bad for you,” she blurts.

Sebastian lifts an eyebrow. “You don’t have to play the school nurse all day long, you know.”

Theo opens her mouth to rebut his statement, but rolls her eyes instead. “Fuck it, do you have another?”

Sebastian gives her another curious look, but reaches for the pack in his jacket pocket. He offers Theo a spare cigarette, and covers her from the wind as he lights it.  They stand a few feet apart from each other, smoking quietly in the car park. It’s the nicest Sebastian has been to her since the first day of school, and it’s still the bare minimum.

Theo can feel her nerves start to settle, so she drops the cigarette, stamping it out with her heel.  “It really is bad for you,” she explains to Sebastian. “You probably should stop.”

Sebastian rolls his eyes, dropping his cigarette to the ground as well. “You put up a fair fight with trivia night,” he admits. “I don’t think Lee and Garreth have ever been on a winning team.”

“Where is Lee, anyways?” Theo asks, turning around.

“Puking, probably.” Sebastian digs his toe into the gravel. “He got too excited, had too much to drink.  Lucan is trying to sober him up before Cressida throws a fit.”

“Did Garreth leave already?” Theo turns her head back to Sebastian, shivering as she draws her jacket tighter over her shoulders. 

Sebastian nods. “He opens the bakery at five in the morning, so it's tough for him to stay out late.” Sebastian flips his wrist, checking a battered wristwatch. “Speaking of, I probably need to hit the road soon.” He appraises her up and down, thick brows furrowed. “Are you alright to drive?”

“Yeah, I should be fine.” Theo lies. “I was going to leave in a minute anyways.” She’s not good to drive–she’s just drained half a bottle of wine in the last fifteen minutes, so she’ll either have to pay for a lift or go back in to face the other women.  The idea of listening to Violet McDowell’s textcapades with her former boyfriend is probably the last thing she wants to do, so perhaps she’ll just settle on sobering up outside.

“You don’t look fine.” Sebastian notes.

“I can drive,” Theo pipes up, but she trips over her own feet. 

Sebastian shakes his head, rolling his eyes.  His brown hair falls out of its tidy swoop in the process. “Get in the car,” he demands. “I’ll drive you back to Rose’s house.  It’s on the way to mine anyways.”

“No, don’t.” Theo insists. “I can drive myself.”

“Just get in the car,” Sebastian orders again, this time a bit louder.  He unlocks the car, walking back towards the door of the pub. “I’m going to say goodbye, and then I’m going to take you home.”

Theo opens her mouth to argue, but clamps it shut.  Sebastian is right–if she doesn’t take a ride from him, she either has to go back inside and pretend to enjoy the company, or wallow in her pity alone in the car park.  An uncomfortable ten minute drive in Sebastian Sallow’s car is much more preferable.

“Fine,” she snaps, tugging on the door handle. “I’ll take the ride.”

Sebastian goes inside the bar to say goodbye to the group, leaving Theo alone in his passenger seat. Curious, she turns her head to appraise the mess.  The car smells like boys. Not in a terrible way, Theo thinks, but it’s distinctly a boy car.  There are duffle bags and gardening equipment stacked in the trunk, and the back is littered with comic books and sweet wrappers. Rory’s backpack, football bag, and lunchbox are still in the car, forgotten as soon as the weekend kicked in. There are two pairs of muddy cleats side by side on the backseat–father and son. 

“Apologize for the mess,” Sebastian mutters, sliding into the driver’s seat.  Theo nearly jumps out of her skin when she realizes she’s no longer alone. He twists the key into the ignition, engine sputtering to life.

Theo shrugs. “I get it.  You have a ten year old.  They track dirt wherever they go.”

Sebastian barks out a laugh as he turns out of the car park and onto the dark road.  He was right–not that she’s blacked out by any means, but driving on the lonely road with no lights would have been incredibly dangerous in her state.  Despite the awkward air between them, Theo feels comfortable with her decision to accept a ride.

“I texted Garreth already,” Sebastian notes. “When he’s off from the bakery tomorrow, he can pick you up to get the car.”

“Fuck,” Theo curses. “The fucking car.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time that bug got left in that car park,” Sebastian chuckles.

Theo rests her head against the cool window. “I should’ve said goodbye to Leander and Cressida,” she says dumbly. “I feel bad.”

“Nah, you wouldn’t have wanted to go back in.” Sebastian says, eyes glued to the road ahead. “He and Cressida were about to fight, and no one wants to witness that.”

“Because he was too drunk,” Theo points out.

“He’s been under a lot of stress lately,” Sebastian rebuts. “I don’t blame him for wanting to let loose.”

“Is it because Cressida is pregnant?” Theo blurts.

Sebastian nearly hits the brakes on the car. “How’d you know?”

Theo shrugs. “She’d been pretending to drink the same glass of chardonnay all night.  And when I met her at the food shop she was buying saltines and ginger ale.  Plus, she looked peeved all night dealing with Lee. I’d be annoyed too.”

Sebastian is quiet for a few moments, just the sound of the street filling the void. “Astute observation,” he mutters, fiddling with the volume button on his center console. Soft rock spills from the speakers, a nice hum to dull the tension between them.

Theo shrugs again. “Some people are easy to read.”

“Leander’s been a wreck about it,” Sebastian admits. “Doesn’t want Cressida to know.”

“I don’t blame him.” Theo crosses her arms, looking out the window.  They’ve passed through town, now driving through the woods that lead to Gran’s house. “Two kids is a lot to handle.”

“Do you have kids of your own?” Sebastian asks, trying to mask the curiosity in his voice.

Theo shakes her head rapidly. “No, I was a nurse in the pediatric unit for a long time.” her arms uncross, fumbling with her fingers.  She’s given this spiel about a hundred times since she moved to town, and she hates the way it sounds coming out of her mouth. “I was studying to become a physician’s assistant, and decided to take a break.”

“Which is why you moved here,” Sebastian finishes her thought.

“I needed a break.” Theo starts playing with the zipper on her jacket. “And that’s why I’m here.”

The pair is quiet for what feels like ages, until Sebastian fiddles with the volume again. 

“I’m sure it’s nice to meet new friends,” he offers.

Theo snorts. “I don’t know if I’d really call them friends.”

“They’re good people,” Sebastian furrows his brow. “Don’t write them off.”

“I know,” Theo curses under her breath. “I didn’t mean to sound like such a bitch, I was just thrown off by them.”

“Thrown off?” Sebastian asks, raising a brow.

You’d be thrown off too if one of them was going on a date with your ex, Theo thinks. She’ll never say it out loud, but god she wishes she could tell someone exactly how she’s feeling.  She hopes Poppy and Imelda are still up when she gets home, so she can cry it out over Facetime. 

“It’s hard to meet new people,” Theo feigns. “I–I just really miss my friends.”

Sebastian doesn’t say anything for a few seconds, his eyes glued to the road. Once it’s become awkward, Theo resigns herself to a silent drive. But after another long breath, Sebastian clears his throat. 

“I get that,” he admits. “I felt the same way when I moved here from London.  After Rory was born, it was hard to leave.” The car slows to a stop, and Theo realizes they’re in Gran’s driveway. All the lights in the main house are off, but the porch light on the barn is on. 

“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.” Theo says slowly. “About Imelda and Poppy spreading your news. I didn’t know you were so private, but it was silly of me to share such a personal part of your life with Poppy and Imelda. It wasn’t my place.”

Sebastian bites down on his lower lip, a freckled hand running through his hair. “I suppose I should apologize myself. I may have overreacted.  It’s certainly not a secret that I had a kid young…I just wanted to shield Rory from the gossip a little while longer.” he sighs, fingers curling around the steering wheel. “I’m sorry for being a bit frosty with you over it.”

“Guess we should call it even,” Theo states.

“Right.” Sebastian looks her in the eyes.  She can tell he’s tired from the dark circles under his otherwise attentive eyes. “We’re even.”

Theo looks at the clock on the console. “Oh, it’s almost eleven fifteen.”

Sebastian curses under his breath. “I have to go. Mirabel hates it when I’m late.”

Theo opens the door, her converse crunching against the gravel as she gets out of the car. “Before you go, can I ask you a favor?”

Sebastian raises his brow. “Considering we just called it even, requesting a favor is a bit bold, isn’t it?”

Theo rolls her eyes, one hand on the car door. “Put Rose back in your gardening rotation. You took her out of the rotation because you were mad at me, and now you’re not.” she says.  It’s not much of an ask, rather a command. “I’m rubbish at cutting the lawn, and she’s far too old to be doing this whole lot on her own.”

“I’ll think about it,” Sebastian says. 

“If we’re even, there should be no issue.” Theo purses her lips, shivering from the cold as she shuts the door. “Please.”

Sebastian is already rolling down the drive, tilting his head out the window. “Make sure there’s coffee.” He demands. “And maybe I’ll do it.”

They don’t say goodbye.  They’re not friends at all.  Hell, they hardly even interacted tonight outside of his good deed of driving her home. But at least Theo can breathe easily again, knowing that Sebastian doesn’t hate her.  A simple misunderstanding, she thinks to herself as she walks up the driveway to her door. Resolved over trivia and a cigarette.  

She can feel her phone buzzing in her pocket, a few messages lighting up the screen. One from Poppy, asking how the night went.  Imelda sent her a few memes, each getting worse and worse as the evening wore on. There’s another from Cressida asking if she’s okay, wondering why she ditched them at the bar.  There might be some consequences to her French exit, but she’ll apologize to Cressida over the phone tomorrow morning.  Besides that, Theo knows Violet was likely seething at the idea of Sebastian taking off with a stranger–her nonchalant dismissal of him says nothing in comparison to the territorial display she exhibited all night.  Theo isn’t normally one to go tit for tat, but it gives her some pride considering Violet is pursuing a date with her ex.

Theo shimmies out of her going-out clothes the minute the door is locked behind her.  Waves tossed up in a bun, she slips on a large tee shirt before brushing her teeth. It’s twelve o’clock by the time she slides into her bed.  Theo is about to plug her phone in when the screen lights up one last time.

Isaac: I really do miss you on nights like this. 

Normally a text from Isaac would send Theo into a spiral.  But knowing that he’s putting himself out there, talking to other women but still crawling back to her messages has fed her ego well.  She won’t block him for now–no, she’ll collect each message like a badge of honor. She slides the message over, closing out the notification.

Still got it, Theo thinks, before her eyes shut for the night.

Chapter Text

Sebastian Sallow is content.

It’s easy to be content if you go through life not expecting anything from anyone, ever.

He can still remember Uncle Solomon’s gruff speech, reminding him to expect nothing but respect. That’s rich coming from the drunk who whined until his dying day about being ousted from his detective position, eventually becoming a school security officer.  But then again, Sebastian took his uncle’s words to heart; he was pleasantly surprised when Solomon’s estate was passed down to him, an inheritance of some sort.  He hadn’t expected a single pound from the man, so a house was truly the only gift his crotchety uncle ever bestowed upon him.

Sebastian rides the wave.  He has his entire life.  Parents dead? Keep moving. Sister gets sick? Keep moving.  The girl he slept with during finals shows up on his doorstep with a positive pregnancy test? Panic for about 48 hours, but then keep moving.

It’s eat or be eaten, Sebastian is constantly reminded. Either let the wave swallow you whole, or swim with the current.  He’s chosen to keep swimming his entire life, and so long as he doesn’t expect a single thing in return, he’s fine. He doesn’t need charity–he needs solutions. A day job and a weekend job to pay off Anne’s medical bills.  A coaching gig so that he can actually spend time with his son outside of him falling asleep at the dinner table with his maths homework. Trivia night once a week at the pub with his old schoolmates, so he can get some social interaction. Hooking up with Violet McDowell when she’s in town, a quick romp in the back of his car to blow off steam. Dating, especially in his tiny hometown? Nonexistent, and not on his agenda. 

Sebastian can sleep when he’s older–or when he’s dead.  100% of his life revolves around making sure Rory wants for nothing. Just as he and Anne had planned, Rory will get the best education. He’ll get whatever he desires within reason and Sebastian won’t settle for anything less. He is fiercely protective of his son, especially considering his tumultuous start to life. Stability is the most important thing to a child, he reminds himself.  God, the older he gets, the more he sounds like Uncle Solomon.

Sebastian drops his keys into the bowl next to the door, quietly slipping off his shoes.  The TV is playing softly from the living room, and he peeks his head inside—Mirabel is sitting on one couch, thumbing through a gardening magazine. Sirona is on the other end, her head tilted backwards as she snores.

”I’m home,” he says, clearing his throat. “How was he?”

”Oh, sweet as usual. Wouldn't touch the courgette we made him for dinner, but otherwise good.” Sirona chirps, wincing as she stands. “You really need to get rid of these couches, Sebastian. I swear, they’re older than you and your sister combined.”

”Good,” Sebastian drawls, kissing Mirabel on the cheek. “Another thing I have to buy.”

Mirabel gives him a cheeky grin as he does the same to Sirona. “Did you have fun?” She asks, tilting her head innocently. “Any lucky young ladies or lads we should know of?”

”You ask me this every week,” Sebastian reminds her, shucking off his jacket. “And no, there aren’t. Same old crowd.”

”Well, they did invite Theo this week,” Mirabel points out. “The new nurse. I heard she’s made quite a splash.”

Sebastian shrugs. “Garreth Weasley seems keen on her.”

Sirona snorts. “Isn’t he keen on everyone?”

”We should get going, it’s late.” Mirabel pokes her partner in the shoulder. 

“At least let me pay you,” Sebastian’s hand hovers over his wallet, but Sirona slaps his hands away. 

“We won’t be taking your money,” Sirona chides him. “You already do our gardening for us, let us at least return the favour and watch Rory for you.”

”You should relax more, Sebastian.” Mirabel chimes in before he can get a word in. “You’re thirty; you’re in the peak of your life and you’re working yourself to death. You could stand to have a little more fun in your life. You know, hang out with friends, go on dates.”

”I know,” Sebastian rolls his eyes.  All he wants is to end the conversation and slink off to his bedroom. “I’m fine. Thank you again, I’ll see you on Monday.”

He ushers the older ladies out of his house, sighing with relief when the door shuts behind them.  The whole house is silent, save for Rory’s sound machine, waves rolling over sand in his dreams.  He briefly pops his head in to check on the boy—as expected, he’s sprawled out in his twin bed, leg dangling off the end as he snores.

Sebastian shuts the door quietly, tiptoeing down the hallway to his room.  He strips from his clothes down to his boxers, yawning as he falls into the messy bed.  His phone pings, illuminating the dark room.

Violet: We should talk

 

Violet: I don’t think it’s healthy for us to do this anymore

 

Violet: Do you agree?

He rolls his eyes, hastily typing a response.

Sebastian: We’ve agreed a million times to just be friends, so we’re just friends, Vi.

 

Violet: But you wanted to hook up tonight

 

Sebastian: I was just being friendly.

 

Violet: Didn’t feel like friendly to me

 

Violet: Did you take home that girl?  

 

Sebastian: Obviously not. When have I ever taken someone home?

 

Violet: Did you want to take her home?

Sebastian throws his head back against his headboard, groaning. He knows he should stop entertaining Violet.  She’s a nice girl, and they’ve known each other for ages.  It started as no strings attached, a friendly makeout or quickie whenever she was in town.  It’s clear now she obviously wants more than he can offer.  Not that they have enough in common outside of their frenzied hookups, anyways.  They’d had the dreaded conversation months ago now–Violet wanted to know if they were seeing other people, or if she should finally move on.

Sebastian told her to move on.

They’d done a relatively good job of staying off one another–maybe a snog here and there, or phone sex when they were both bored. But her text makes Sebastian all the more sure he’d made the right decision. If Violet herself doesn’t know him well enough to know that he’d never bring a girl back to his house, she clearly wasn’t meant for the long run.

Sebastian: I was just doing her a favour. Garreth is interested in her

 

Sebastian: Don’t read too much into things, Vi. Goodnight

Before Violet can call and yell at him, he turns off his phone.  Finally left with no interruptions, he flips over onto his stomach and falls asleep fast.

“Da-ad.” 

Sebastian doesn’t open his eyes.  He doesn’t want to, because he knows it's morning already.  It feels as if he’d just laid his head down on the pillow, but he can feel the warm sunlight streaming in through his window. That, and the weight of a ten year old bouncing on the mattress next to him.

”Dad, wake up. I’m hungry, and we have to run drills before our houses today.” Rory complains.

”Go turn the kettle on,” Sebastian mutters, hoping it’ll buy him an extra ten minutes in bed. “And then I’ll make breakfast.”

”I knew you’d say that,” Rory interjects. “So I turned on the kettle before coming in.”

Shit , Sebastian curses in his mind. He opens his eyes to see Rory completely dressed already, a bag of bread in hand. 

“Think you can make French toast?” He gives him a toothy grin.

Sebastian grunts as he gets out of bed, shaking out sore legs. He scratches his chest as he snatches the bag of bread from his son’s hands, narrowing his eyes at the boy.

“You’re lucky I love you,” Sebastian mumbles, pulling his robe from the back of the door. “Let’s get on with it.”

The two of them tumble down the stairs together, both careful to avoid the creaky step at the bottom.  The kettle is starting to whistle, so Rory pushes ahead to turn off the stove.  He beelines to the counter, stepping up on the stool to grab bags of tea.  Sebastian stops in his tracks when he sees that Rory has already laid out all the utensils and ingredients for breakfast–eggs, milk, and spices for the french toast, and a slab of bacon next to the pan.

“What’s wrong?” Rory asks, carefully pouring the hot water into mugs.

Sebastian shakes his head. “Nothing, just that I’m the grown up here.  I’m supposed to be making you breakfast, and you’ve done half the work for me.” He tosses the bread onto the counter, tightening the belt on his robe. “Just wake me up earlier next time, okay?”

“I want to help,” Rory argues. “Let me.”

Sebastian smiles to himself as he drops the bacon into the pan.  Rory is headstrong, just like him, but he reminds him of Anne the older he gets.  Meticulous, over-prepared, stubborn to boot. He’s starting to get misty eyed, so he blinks his emotions away as he whisks the eggs and milk.

“If you want to help me, you can start greasing up the pan.” Sebastian suggests.

Rory perks up. “Can I?  I thought I wasn’t allowed to use the stove if I wasn’t making tea.”

Sebastian chews on the inside of his cheek, eyes trained on the bowl. “You’re getting older, you should know how to make yourself breakfast. And I trust you.”

Rory seems chuffed, sliding out from the kitchen table and back towards the range. He looks pleased with himself as he butters up the pan.  Sebastian closes in behind him, dropping a slice of soaked bread into the pan. 

“Now you wait,” Sebastian instructs, pressing the spatula into Rory’s hand. “Wait a few minutes, until you see the edges starting to turn brown. And then we’ll flip it over.”

Rory does as instructed, bouncing on his heels impatiently as the pan sizzles.  Sebastian slides over, working on the bacon.  He gives his son an approving nod, letting him flip the spatula on his own.  The toast is perfectly golden, and Rory beams at his hard work.

“Good job,” Sebastian dumps the now finished bacon onto a plate. “Just have to do it again.”

And again, and again, and again.  Repetition is key, Sebastian thinks, to staying on the straight and narrow.  Sebastian has no other choice–he chose this life, to be a father. He could have never chosen otherwise.  Every other option, the roads not taken, disappeared the minute Sebastian held his son in the hospital for the first time.  That moment, Sebastian vowed to dedicate his entire life to him; the words were similar to the ones he’d shared with Anne when they found out she was sick.

Once every slice has been cooked, Rory turns to him, presenting the full plate. “All good?”

Sebastian ruffles his hair approvingly. “Good.”

“Good practice, yeah?” Sebastian asks, ruffling Rory’s hair.

He wrinkles his nose, lips downturned as he dribbles the ball down the grass, ignoring his father’s quip. “I want to get better,” he announces, punting the ball further ahead. “My left strike sucks.”

Sebastian rolls his eyes, laughing as Rory kicks up the ball and runs towards the car.  A perfectionist, just like someone else he knows very well. His son tosses the football into the boot, sliding into the backseat. The car is embarrassingly full at this point–Rory is wedged between a bag of gardening tools and footballs.

“Short route today, right?” Rory asks, immediately picking up one of his comic books from the mess on the floor. 

Sundays are normally a short day for them.  They have to stop at Hecat’s house to trim her ivy, but that usually doesn’t take long.  The most labour intensive part of Sebastian’s Sunday route is stopping by the Cooper estate.  They don’t live in town anymore, but they do rent out the house from time to time.  When it’s not leased, they hire Sebastian to tidy the garden. 

“We have an extra stop today,” Sebastian announces. “So we’ll get home a little later.”

“Where at?” Rory asks, flicking through the comic.

“We’re going to Mrs. Sweeting’s house.” Sebastian turns out onto the main road, hand reaching over to the passenger seat.  He normally keeps a few snack bars there, but it’s empty–empty because of his unexpected passenger from the night before.  His palm presses into the seat, but he quickly withdraws.

“I thought you said on Friday we’re not doing the Sweeting house anymore.” Rory says curiously. 

“I changed my mind.” Sebastian coughed. “I forgot where I put your bars, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry, they were in the back seat.” Rory shrugs. “Why’d you change your mind?”

Sebastian’s mind immediately flickers back to Theo and the way she’d leaned against the open car door.  A dark wave fell over her shoulder, eyebrows furrowed as she made her request.  Her obscenely large leather jacket she was wearing was scrunched up to her elbows.  The gold necklaces around her neck dangled as she leaned down, downright ordering Sebastian to show up and mow the old woman’s lawn.

“I felt bad,” Sebastian lies. “We can squeeze in her yard.”

”But I thought we were too busy.” Rory says.  Sebastian doesn’t dare look into the rear view mirror, knowing his son will be giving him the narrowed eye stare he’d inherited from his uncle Ominis. 

”Oi, haven’t I said it’s rude to question your elders?” Sebastian jokes, trying to cut the tension.

”Yes, but—“

”But nothing,” Sebastian reminds him. “I felt bad running into Mrs. Sweeting at the garden shop, so we’re going to help her with her fall clearing. That’s it.”

Rory is silent, poking his tongue into his cheek. They stay that way for a few more minutes, until his son clears his throat.

”The new school nurse lives with Mrs. Sweeting, doesn’t she?” 

“Yes, she does.” Sebastian grits his teeth. He doesn’t feel like diving into specifics, nor is it appropriate for him to discuss the previous night’s events with a ten year old.

”Are you friends?”

”No, we’re not.” Sebastian blurts.  They’ve maybe interacted for five minutes total since he’d chewed her out the first week of school.  He doesn’t even know why he’s going out of his way to mow an old woman’s lawn, except for the fact that he felt sorry for her.  He can’t get the thought out of his head, her tumbling out the pub door and into the car park. She was heaving, breathing heavily with her hands tangled at the root of her hair. Chiding him for smoking, but then asking for a smoke to calm down anyways.  Honey brown eyes staring up at him, waiting for him to stomp out his own cigarette.

He doesn’t know her, but he knows how she felt.  To feel completely alone in a large group, out of the fray.  He knows how it feels to need to run away, to take a long deep breath of cold air. Sebastian feels that way most days.

Sebastian snaps out of his thoughts when they approach Rose Sweeting’s house.  He pulls into the gravel drive, eyes widening at the sight in front of him. It’s Theo, dragging Rose’s old lawn mower out of the garage.  She’s wearing an Oxford sweatshirt and shorts slung low across her hips. She has on a pair of bright yellow wellies, clearly something borrowed from Poppy’s closet.  The woman stops in her tracks when she sees his car pulling into the drive, waving her arms.

”I didn’t think you’d actually show,” Theo says smugly.

Sebastian gets out of the car, shrugging. “I said I might, so long as there was coffee. Preferably with two creams and a sugar.”

”I just put a fresh pot on,” Theo says, pulling her hair into a ponytail. “Hiya, Rory.”

”Hi Nurse Caulfield,” Rory chirps, pulling out Sebastian’s bag of gardening tools. 

Theo gives his son a warm smile. “You can call me Theo outside of school,” she instructs. “Can I get you something to drink?  Milk, hot chocolate?”

”Hot chocolate please,” Rory beams at her. 

“Do you need anything?” Theo asks, turning her attention back to Sebastian. “Before I get your drinks.”

Sebastian shakes his head. “Nah, this is fine.  Have all the tools I need.”

 “Great,” Theo tugs the drawstrings of her sweatshirt. “I’ll be right back.”  She jogs towards the main house, her boots crunching on the gravel path. The Sallow boys are silent as she gets further and further away. 

“Don’t start,” Sebastian grumbles, knowing Rory is about to ask.

“Did you tell her we were coming?” His son proceeds anyways, taking his football out of the boot. “I thought you two weren’t friends.”

“Rory,” Sebastian begs. “Can you leave it be?”

Rory can’t leave it be for long.  He dribbles the ball in the too tall grass, shrugging at his dad. “It just doesn’t really make sense.”

“It’ll make sense when you’re older,” Sebastian mutters, pushing the old lawn mower.

“About how old exactly?” 

“Rory, enough .”

Rory is about to open his mouth again when Theo reappears, mugs in hand. “Alright, one coffee with two creams and a sugar, and one hot chocolate.” she announces, pressing the coffee into Sebastian’s hands.  It’s warm to the touch, and he tips his head in gratitude as he takes a long sip. “Gran already did the weeding yesterday; she thought you weren’t coming.”

“Good,” Sebastian wipes his top lip. “Should be a quick job then, just mowing the lawn.”

“Are you going to get some practice in while your dad works?” Theo asks, gesturing to Rory’s football.

“Do you know how to play?” Rory asks, kicking the ball over to her.

“I’m afraid I’m rubbish,” Theo confesses. “Unless you can teach me.”  Her eyes flit over to Sebastian, creasing as she winks.  He’s grateful for the respite–at least now he’ll be able to focus on the task at hand while Theo keeps Rory occupied. 

“I’m an excellent teacher,” Rory says proudly. “Come on, let’s get you started with your first drills. Do you have proper shoes?”

“Nah, barefoot is more fun anyways, isn’t it?” Theo kicks off the rain boots, curling her toes into the grass. “Shall we?  Your dad can get on the lawn while we play.”

Sebastian can’t help cracking a smile when Rory takes off running, Theo bumbling after him.  He slips his AirPods out of his pocket, popping them in before pulling on his gardening gloves.  The noise from the outside world disappears, the sound of his latest playlist blaring in his ears. Rory affectionately refers to his music as oldies, considering they were made at least ten years before his birth. He takes one last sip of the hot coffee Theo made, setting it down on the flagstone path before he starts the lawn mower.  

He thinks about what he’s told Rory; that he and Theo aren’t friends.  He could be friends with her.  He had been planning on being friends with her.  It would be nice to have someone to sit with in the faculty lounge other than Hecat and Garlick, to have someone who actually understands a social media reference every now and then.  His mind trails off to his first reaction, seeing her in the garden centre with a bag of soil in tow.  Perhaps he had been a bit too hasty when he called Rose to take her off his gardening route.  But then his brain diverts back to the first week of school again.  Rory had just gone to bed, and Sebastian finally had time to relax.  He’d settled into the couch, beer in hand, when his phone started blaring.

The first text had come from Ominis, asking if he’d spoken to Imelda Reyes at all.  Sebastian hadn’t thought of her in years–of course he hadn’t spoken to her.  

Second came from Samantha Dale, his high school sweetheart.  He felt warmth spreading through his cheeks when he saw her name on his phone; it had truly been too long since they’d spoken.  Not that he’d traverse down that path again, but his mind did wander down happier trails–until she asked the dreaded question at hand.

Sam: I heard something, and I wanted to see if it was true–when did you become a father?

His blood ran cold. He spiraled down a rabbit hole that night, jaw clenched as he chased down the lead.  Sam had heard it from Constance, who’d heard it from Zenobia.  Nerida had told Zenobia that she’d heard it from Priscilla, who’d found out from Natsai Onai.  Nastai was honest, at the very least.  She admitted to receiving a very spirited phone call from Imelda and Poppy, who had heard the news from their old roommate, Theo.

Sebastian had wanted to hate her.  So for the first two weeks of school, he allowed himself to.  He refused to allow her any space in his orbit.  Her showing up at trivia night was just an annoyance, a blip in his evening.  They’d sparred over trivia without even acknowledging one another.  He truly hadn’t thought of her at all until she stumbled into the car park, gasping for air.

No, he couldn’t hate her.  How could he, when he himself had been in that situation once before?

Sebastian broke out of his thoughts when he saw the garish blue truck pulling into the drive.  Theo and Rory were still playing on the other side of the yard, passing the ball back and forth to one another without a care.  He tugged his earbuds out when he saw Garreth slide out of the driver’s seat, flour dusted on his shirt.

“Good morning,” Garreth says cheerfully, shuffling towards Sebastian with his hands in his pockets. “Wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

Sebastian gives him an obligatory hug, clapping his shoulder. “Yeah, felt bad for Rose, so I thought I’d do her yard work for her.”

“No rest for the wicked,” Garreth chuckles. “Get on alright last night? You and Vi?”

Sebastian rolls his eyes, scratching the back of his neck. “Nah, that’s long over.” he shakes his head. “We’re just friends.”

“Friends who flirt,” Garreth reminds him. “Anyways, I wanted to thank you for doing me a favour.”

“What favour?” Sebastian furrows his brow.

“You know,” Garreth waggles his brows. “Giving me the perfect excuse to see her again.”

“Oh, right.” Sebastian coughs. He lifts his head back up, giving his friend a flat lipped smile. “Good luck, then.”

“There you are,” Theo says cheerfully, slightly out of breath from running over.  Rory isn’t far behind her, ball tucked under his arm. “Thanks for volunteering to help me.”

“Of course,” Garreth bows his head. “Packed some fresh scones from the bakery for the journey,” he jokes. “A treacherous fifteen minutes.”

“I’m sure I’ll survive,” Theo smiles up at him.  She redirects her attention to Sebastian, hands held on her hips. “Do you need anything from me?  Rose is out with her book club this morning, and I’ll be back with Garreth in no time–”

“Don’t worry about us,” Sebastian interjects. “I’ve got my coffee, Rory has his hot chocolate–the two of you take your time.”

“Great,” Theo chirps. “Thanks, Sebastian.  And thank you for the football lesson, Rory.”

“Anytime,” Rory blushes, sidling up against Sebastian’s leg. 

Theo slips on the yellow wellies, and Garreth gives Sebastian a wink and a grin before leading her to his truck.  Rory runs back to the porch, finally ready to drink his hot chocolate now that he doesn’t have a pupil to teach.  

Sebastian turns his attention back to his work.  He slips the earbuds back in, music roaring to life once more. He looks up, back to Garreth’s truck.  His strawberry blond hair is sticking up in places again, a sign he’s woken up too early to check on how his croissants have risen overnight.  He’s doing that thing where he’s talking too animatedly with his hands, but Theo seems to enjoy it.  She has a big smile on her face, laughing as he replicates a kitchen explosion with his hands. 

Theo nods at whatever he says, her arms lifting to pull her hair into a tight ponytail.  Her sweatshirt rises, just enough to show a stretch of her soft stomach from far away. Garreth is no gentleman; his eyes flit down to the sliver of skin, exposing the fact that she’s wearing nothing underneath.  Sebastian isn’t a gentleman either, but he forces himself to look away. It isn’t long before he hears the crunch of gravel over the music, Garreth’s truck pulling out of the drive. 

Sebastian finishes the lawn before they’re back, so he parks the mower back in Rose’s shed.  Rory sweeps the path, and they leave their empty mugs on the windowsill for Theo to clean.  The Cooper house is on the other side of town, so they’ll have to get a move on if they’re going to be home in time for Rory to finish his homework and chores for the weekend.

The Sallow boys pass through town; Rory has his headphones in, head bopping along to whatever he’s listening to.  They pass the car park in front of the bar, and the yellow bug is still parked out front.

Sebastian hopes Theo and Garreth are getting along well.

It’s Wednesday, and it’s already been a hell of a week.

Sebastian has a stack of papers in front of him, and he’s trying his best not to get any curry from his dinner the night before on them while he grades.  His whole body is screaming; he coached the minis yesterday afternoon, and the hardest part of the job is making sure they’re not all ripping out clumps of grass instead of actually kicking the ball.  After herding children for the better half of the day, he finally got a chance to take out his tension on a pick up match with Garreth and Leander; Rory sat in the bleachers, eating curry and chips while cheering him on.  They got home late, and despite a night of hard sleep, Sebastian’s muscles clearly haven’t recovered.

“Oh, surely you have some gossip,” Dinah Hecat interrupted Sebastian’s thoughts.  It’s lunch period, and he’s sitting in the faculty lounge with Hecat and Garlick as usual.  The other teachers are milling about, the only other constant being Sharp, who always reads the paper in the corner of the room. 

Mirabel Garlick snorts, picking at her salad. “I wish,” she shrugged. “Quiet weekend for us, we just stayed in and watched Rory.”

“I still owe you for that,” Sebastian mumbles, not looking up from the test he’d been grading.

“Nonsense,” Mirabel waves him off. “But I’d consider the debt paid if you have any fun gossip from your night out.”

“We’re all boring,” Sebastian reminds her, looking up from his tests. “We drink, we play trivia, and we go home to the kids.”

Hecat rolls her eyes. “Boo,” she rolls her head, crossing her arms. “Are you still dating Miss McDowell?”

“Dinah!” Mirabel gasps. “I told you not to tell.”

Sebastian drops his pen, crossing his arms over his chest. “The two of you are incorrigible.” he shakes his head. “I am not dating Violet McDowell. Never have.”

“I’m sorry,” Mirabel pouts. “We’re old and boring, and we’ll stop bothering you.”

Sebastian knows that’s not true.  He rolls his eyes and untucks his arms, beckoning his two favourite colleagues forward. 

“Garreth took the new school nurse out on a date,” Sebastian mutters.

“Dammit, I owe Matilda then.” Hecat curses under her breath. “Already?”

“Think they went out to breakfast after trivia night,” Sebastian shrugs, leaning back into the wooden chair. 

“She is very pretty,” Mirabel sighs. “I guess I’m just a bit surprised.”

“Surprised Garreth scooped her up so quickly?” Sebastian asks, taking a bite of his curry. “He’s a good looking lad.”

“Surprised you didn’t scoop her instead,” his former teachers say in unison. 

Sebastian chokes on a piece of chicken, coughing so hard that Sharp shushes them from his corner of the room. Mirabel and Dinah are laughing at him, and he can feel his cheeks flush from embarrassment.

“Like I said, Theo is very pretty,” Hecat reminds him.

“Definitely not my type,” Sebastian says with a mouth half full, waving her off.

”Ouch,” a voice says from over his shoulder.  

Sebastian turns around, face flushing with embarrassment.  Theo is standing behind him, one of her eyebrows arched.  With a look of displeasure on her face, she maneuvers around the table, heels clacking against the linoleum floor as she puts her food in the microwave.  Dinah and Mirabel are wheezing, hardly concealing their laughter.  Even Sharp is intrigued, the top of the Daily Prophet dipped below his eyes so he can watch the scene unfold in front of him.  Every second that ticks down on the microwave is utterly excruciating, and Sebastian wishes he were anywhere else.

“We didn’t go out for breakfast, by the way.” Theo says when the microwave beeps.  She pulls out a spoon, stirring her pasta. Sebastian wants to shrink into himself and disappear.  She turns around, spoon wedged between her lips as she balances the hot bowl between her hands, her sweater pulled down over her palms to protect them. “Just a quick coffee.”

“Garreth is lovely.” Mirabel quips. “I’m rather jealous—Matilda is always telling us what a great cook he is.”

”I’m sure he is,” Theo says in an airy tone. “We’ve only just met, so I wouldn’t know.” Without another word, she walks out of the faculty lounge, door swinging behind her.  

Mirabel and Dinah descend into giggles; Sharp is chuckling in the corner, the edges of his paper shaking.  Sebastian can’t help but crumple his brow, frowning at his colleagues.

”I hate you guys sometimes, you know that?” He mutters amidst their laughter.

”I’m sorry,” Dinah chortles. “The timing couldn’t have been worse.”

Sebastian rubs his neck; great, he feels even worse than before. “I’ll never share gossip with either of you again,” he grumbles.

Sebastian knows he should get out there. 

Ominis is always telling him he’s too young to be alone.  Dinah, Mirabel, and Sirona consistently pester him for details about his love life, begging him to put himself out there more often. Garreth, Leander, and Lucan practically bully him into talking to women when they’re out at the pub.  Sebastian has always shrugged off the idea of a relationship, but something about seeing Gar flirt with the new school nurse has him feeling left out.  If Garreth, his forever bachelor friend, lands a girlfriend, there’s no hope left at all.

So, Sebastian downloads his first dating app.  Rory is in bed, and the TV is blaring old reruns of some trashy reality show as he stares down at his phone, feeling entirely overwhelmed at the prompts on his screen.  What the hell is he supposed to say about himself?  It’s been so long since he’s had to introduce himself to anyone.

Brown hair, brown eyes, six feet tall. 

He erases the last bit. Five feet, ten inches. It’s not fair all of his friends are gangly fucks, but that’s still above average height. 

I enjoy football, especially watching the Rangers with my son.

He erases the last bit on that one too. Not that Rory isn’t the most important person in his life, but he’s not quite ready to broadcast that aspect to strangers on a dating app.

History teacher by day, trivia whiz at night.

Sebastian nearly throws his phone in the corner of his room at this point.  When did he become so boring? 

Shaking his head, he decides to follow through with creating the profile.  He chooses a picture Rory took of him on their last holiday to Portugal, and a photo of him and Ominis at a pub in London when they visited for Christmas.  Satisfactory photos at best—he’ll have to ask Rory to snag some photos at his next match.

God, it’s excruciatingly embarrassing that his ten year old son will have to take photos of him.

Profile finished, he begins swiping.  Thankfully he doesn’t see anyone he knows yet.  He’s had to set the radius quite far, considering there aren’t many single women in his sleepy town.  There are more left swipes than right, and he’s a bit worried he’s set the age range too narrow.  But then again, he can’t imagine dating someone that much younger than him—what would he even have in common with them?

His thumb hovers over one profile in particular.  The first thing he sees is the wide smile, cheeks punctuated with a singular dimple.  Her honey brown eyes are happy, creased from laughter.  And not that he’s proud of it, but the third thing he notices is the low cut shirt.  It’s a white, square neck tank top, just enough to leave him wanting more.  Her dark hair cascades down her shoulders in soft waves, a worn leather jacket perched over her shoulders.

Sebastian’s face flushes at the realisation.  It’s Theo. 

Theo C, 30 years old. 5’3, Sagittarius.  I’ll be impressed if you can ignore the mess in my closet.

He swipes through the photos.  Poppy and Imelda are prominently featured in the second photo, her arms thrown around their shoulders in a tight hug. Theo is blowing a kiss into the camera with full, pouty lips. Poppy Sweeting still has her chin length bob, and it’s even less surprising to see Imelda wearing a football jersey.  The third photo is somewhere on vacation; Italy, perhaps, based on the vineyard in her background.  The last photo is of her wearing her hospital scrubs, proudly giving a thumbs up to the camera as she stands in front of the pediatric ward.

Sebastian’s thumb hovers over her photo again.  He could swipe left, pretend he’d never seen her before.  But in the odd case she does swipe right on him, it won’t be a match and she’ll know he swiped left.  He’s already feeling a bit embarrassed after that afternoon’s bobble. Sebastian can’t get the view of her furrowed eyebrows out of his mind, picturing her standing behind him as he carelessly announced his disinterest in her.

Ah, fuck it.  He swipes right, and his cheeks heat up as it’s an instantaneous match.  

Sebastian sets down his phone, absentmindedly flipping through the channels as he sips his beer.  He doesn’t care, he reminds himself.  Downloading the dating app was just to show he was putting in some sort of effort.  It’s inconsequential, nothing important.  And so what if he matched with his new colleague?  They’re not friends, but perhaps they’re friendly.  It would’ve been rude not to swipe right, he reminds himself. 

His phone pings, and Sebastian is embarrassed at how quickly he picks it up.  A notification from the app—one new message.  He opens it, praying it's from one of the few women he’d swiped right on earlier in the night and that he can ignore it.

Theo: I thought I wasn’t your type?

Sebastian inhales sharply, trying to think of a witty response.

Sebastian: You swiped right first, I believe.

 

Theo: Would’ve been rude not to.  I at least have manners.

 

Sebastian: For what it’s worth, I am sorry—caught me in a bad mood.  They were really bugging me for gossip.

 

Theo: I understand.  They cornered me in the hallway and asked me for the full scoop too. 

 

Theo: You’re forgiven, considering you gave me a ride home and mowed Rose’s lawn for her. Besides, you’re not my type either.

 

Sebastian: And that is?

 

Theo: Not an arse, and actually good at trivia

 

Sebastian snorts at her message, quickly typing back his response.

Sebastian: We’ll see about that next Friday.

 

Theo: Game on

 

It’s the perfect place to leave their messages, so he doesn’t reply.  Instead, he turns off the TV, pouring the rest of his beer down the kitchen sink before turning off all the lights.  He peers into Rory’s room to make sure he’s still sleeping soundly, then brushes his teeth and crawls into bed.  As Sebastian plugs in his phone, he scans through the women he’d matched with on the app.  Perfectly nice, reasonable women with placid smiles and formal poses. He hovers over Theo’s profile once more, going back to her first picture, the one that caught his eye.  There’s life to it—which is probably what caught his attention in the first place. She’s got a pint in her hand, laughing at whoever is behind the camera.  She’s wearing dark skinny jeans and black, pointy heeled boots.  It’s a far cry from the modest Theo he’s seen at school every day, cardigans buttoned to the top and slicked back buns.  It’s also far different than the Theo he saw playing football in the yard with Rory, pyjama shorts and yellow wellie boots. 

She’s actually rather pretty once he thinks about it.

His phone pings, a text popping up at the top.  

Violet: Are you awake?

Sebastian rolls his eyes, but his face flushes as his mind wanders to dirtier places. Phone sex wasn’t out of the ordinary for him and Violet, especially when they needed to blow off steam in the middle of the week.  He begins typing his response, but it doesn’t feel right—he doesn’t want to lead her on.  And while he’s sure Violet understands him and just wants to relieve some tension, Sebastian isn’t sure he wants to indulge. 

He erases his message, turning the sound off on his phone before flipping it face down on his bedside table.  He nestles into his pillows, eyelids growing heavy as he blinks up at the ceiling. Sebastian eventually shuts his eyes, drifting off to sleep.

For the first time, he dreams of wild, wavy black hair and teeth biting into plush lips.

Chapter Text

“Are you actually going?”

Theo doesn’t bother turning her head to her phone, where Poppy’s little face fills the screen.  They’ve started FaceTiming each other during the most mundane parts of the day, and it's comforting. It almost feels as if Poppy is in the room with her, sitting on the bed critiquing Theo’s outfit choices.

Theo stands facing the little closet, her hands on her bare waist. “I am, and I’m trying to play nice.  They were all rather cross when I left trivia night without telling them.” She mutters, flicking through the shirts she brought with her.  They’re all too nice to wear to a Sunday afternoon children’s football game.  

”Why don’t you try my closet?” Poppy suggests. “I’m sure I have some St. Margaret’s sweatshirts left.”

Theo turns back to her dresser, taking her phone off the stand.  Fall is settling in, and the air is a little chillier as she runs up the stone path to the main house.  Granny Rose is at her Sunday book club, so Theo takes no precaution as she runs in her bra up to Poppy’s bedroom.  She’d been to the house twice before to visit Gran over the holidays; Poppy’s childhood bedroom is next to hers at the top of the stairs.  There’s yellow floral wallpaper, hummingbirds painted along the windowsill.  Poppy’s bed is neatly made, and a green scarf with the initials I.R. hangs over the edge of the headboard.  Theo can imagine Poppy and Imelda in the St. Margaret’s courtyard, exchanging their scarves.  

“Where are your sweatshirts?” Theo asks, setting the phone down on the bedspread.

”Check the dresser, last drawer.” Poppy shouts.

Theo opens it, finding a well worn gray sweatshirt.  The St. Margaret’s logo is embroidered on the front, and the cuff has thumb holes cut into them.  Theo tugs it over her head, and she swears it still smells like her best friend’s perfume.  It’s like a hug, the scent making her heart ache for London.  

“How does it fit?” Poppy’s voice squeaks from the bed.

Theo appraises her appearance in the mirror. “A little tight,” she shrugs. After all, they’re in their thirties—she’s sure the sweatshirt was oversized and adorable on a teenage Poppy, but it clings to Theo’s curves in a way she knows it isn’t supposed to.  

“Well, you should ask Cressida to take you shopping next time,” Poppy wrinkles her nose.

“Are you jealous?” Theo snorts.

Poppy rolls her eyes. “Only a little bit. I do have to go though.  Imelda and I are going to the farmer’s market today.”

Theo groans, picking the phone up from the bed. “Don’t have too much fun without me,” she complains.

”Could never dream of it,” Poppy coos. “Call me after the game, yeah?”

“I will,” Theo promises, falling back against Poppy’s patchwork duvet. The call disconnects, and Theo feels the overwhelming sense of loneliness flood back in.  She feels guilty complaining—she’s the one who chose to move out to the country, after all—but she misses having someone to talk to all day, every day.

Theo opens up the dating app once more, but the messages leave much to be desired.  Every conversation thus far has been either a crusty man demanding her sexual preferences or polite niceties about the weather, rehashing why she’s chosen to move to a sleepy town. The only conversation that actually made her laugh was the one with Sebastian.  They haven’t spoken on the app since they connected, but it’s certainly made efforts with him at school less frosty.  He’d even waved during the class time exchange last week, which was quite a feat in their relationship.

Theo takes a quick glance at his profile again. There’s a green circle next to his name, denoting that he’s online.  Probably talking to women, she thinks, which is the reason behind the app in the first place. Certainly not talking to her.

She huffs, pushing herself off the bed.  It’s nearly ten o’clock, and she’ll be damned if she shows up to a picnic empty-handed.

Theo drops the camp chairs onto the grass, taking a deep breath of cool air. She’s trying not to appear winded, but failing.  Cressida isn’t far behind, carrying a wicker picnic basket. She’s got a glow about her—Theo assumes she’s nearly in the second trimester.  That reason alone is why Theo volunteered to carry the chairs; she’d feel guilty making the pregnant woman carry anything other than the basket of food and gossip magazines she’d packed for their afternoon on the sidelines.

”Good spot,” Cressida declares, setting the basket onto the ground.  “Oh, looks like the boys are warming up.”

”It’s all afternoon, then?” Theo asks, popping open a chair.  Other parents are settling into the grass, idle chit chat as their children run, screeching and laughing around them. 

”It is. The littles play first—Will and his team will play, and then the older kids as they go on.  We like to stay all afternoon though, get all the energy out so we have a nice early bedtime.” Cressida hums, falling into the open chair. “I’m so glad you agreed to come with me. It’s normally like pulling teeth to get one of the girls to join me for football days.”

”What are friends for?” Theo suggests, and her cheeks warm at the bright, happy look on Cressida’s face.  

”It’ll be fun, I promise.” She says, taking a few magazines out of her basket.  She hands one to Theo—a fashion tabloid, something she’d probably spend hours pouring over with Poppy.  

“Lee and Garreth should be here soon, they promised they’d bring lunch. Oh, Sebastian and Rory are here.” Cressida stands, holding a hand over her eyes to shield them from the sun. She waves, which earns her an enthusiastic wave back from Rory. “Have you two gotten on, then?  Sebastian can be a bit of a negative Nance.”

“He’s nice,” Theo says cautiously. She doesn’t want to make any waves, especially amongst a group of close knit friends. “We talk sometimes at school.”

Cressida sinks back down into the chair next to her. “I’m always saying he and Vi need to cut the bullshit, just date already.” 

“Oh?” Theo asks innocently, flipping through the magazine, pretending to be interested in what color season she is.

“She’s had a crush on him forever,” Cressida rolls her eyes. “Honestly, even through college when he was dating his girlfriend back then, Samantha.  They started hooking up two years ago when she moved a bit closer to home, but they’ve never committed.  I swear he must be in love with her, I’ve never seen him date anyone else.”

Now probably isn’t a good time to tell her new friend that Sebastian is using a dating app.  Theo shifts in the camp chair, turning her head to gaze at Sebastian in the distance.  He’s got a windbreaker on, hands on his hips as he talks to Rory and his friends.  He’s wearing a battered St. Margaret’s hat backwards, a tuft of brown hair peeking out of the opening.  She doesn’t dare look below his waist, already embarrassed for noticing his short athletic shorts in the first place.

“Hiya, ladies.” 

Theo blinks up to see Leander and Garreth standing besides them.  Leander looks chipper, beaming as he sweeps his wife into a bear hug.  Garreth, on the other hand, looks exhausted. He’s got dark circles under his eyes and what looks like icing lining his freckled cheeks.  He’s still smiling though, holding out a brown paper bag to Theo.

“Ham and swiss croissants,” he announces, pushing the bag into her hands. “Trying out a new recipe.  I had them in the oven while I was working on a wedding cake this morning.”

Theo knows she should swoon.  Any normal woman would go weak in the knees at a handsome, available man offering decadent treats.  But instead, her heart patters on, normal as usual. She wonders if she’s broken–immune to the charms of the other sex after years of platitudes and forgive me gifts.  Regardless, she accepts the bag, stamped with Garreth’s bakery logo on the front. 

“This is fantastic,” Theo admits between mouthfuls.  She might be heartless, but she certainly knows a job well done.  Garreth beams with pride, chest puffed a little higher from her praise. She instinctively raises her hand, thumb brushing against his cheekbone to wipe away the dried icing. The way he leans his face into her palm is a bit too intimate, especially considering they’ve not gone on an official date yet.  Theo doesn’t miss the way the Prewetts exchange a look with each other, coy smiles on their faces.

“Happy Sunday,” Sebastian says, jogging up to the group. “Good to see you, Theo.”

“Likewise,” she sputters, shoving her hands into her pockets.

Sebastian turns his attention to Leander. “Should we get the match going?  Seems like all the kids are here.” he turns around, gesturing to the crowd of little ones and parents circling around the pitch.

“Lee is the ref,” Cressida whispers. “He loves rules.”

“I heard that,” Leander rolls his eyes. “Come on, let’s get moving on.”

Garreth gives Theo a sheepish look. “I'm the official scorekeeper,” he admits. “But we’ll talk more later, yeah?”

Theo nods, and that’s enough reassurance for Garreth.  Sebastian blows his whistle, and a hoard of children runs onto the field, kicking up grass.  She and Cressida fall back into their chairs.

“You and Garreth seem like you’re getting along well,” Cressida purrs, pouring out some warm tea from her thermos. 

“Don’t get too ahead of yourself,” Theo warns, taking the cup. “We went on one coffee date, that’s hardly anything.”

“But that’s huge for Garreth.” Cressida pushes her dark curly hair out of her face, the sound of shrieking children filling the air. “He hasn’t dated since…gosh, it might be twelve years now.”

“Twelve years? Surely you’re joking.” Theo raises and brow.

Cressida shrugs. “Give or take.  Maybe ten?  All I know is that he hasn't seriously been interested in anyone since he and Natty broke up.”

The red flags are already waving in Theo’s mind.  She turns her attention to Garreth, who’s seated on the other side of the field, a little score ticker at his feet.  She’s met Natty before–one of the few hometown friends Imelda and Poppy ever brought around–and it feels a bit too close to home.  She can’t quite picture the hotshot barrister that the girls introduced her to dating goofy Garreth, who is spending his Sunday afternoon keeping score of a children’s football match.

“Why did they break up?” Theo asks.

Cressida shrugs. “What always happens when you’re eighteen.  Natty wanted to go to uni in London and Garreth had already committed to managing the family bakery. They tried to make it work, but it was pretty tough. She broke up with him after the holidays.  Poor thing was devastated.”

Theo stays quiet, and Cressida knows she’s turned her off. “But he really is such a nice guy,” Cressida adds. “Didn’t you have fun on your coffee date?”

“We did,” Theo shrugs. Garreth made her laugh, and had jotted down her coffee order for future reference.  He’s a nice guy from a small town–Theo knows that she’ll eat him alive.  She can feel her interest in him wavering already.

Nice is boring, she can hear a familiar voice echoing in her head. It sends a shiver down her spine. Theo chooses to ignore her thoughts, instead focusing on whatever Cressida is saying.

“They’re playing rather rough, aren’t they?” Theo cranes her neck to see the match unfolding before them. They’re a few matches deep into the afternoon; Will sits in the grass in front of Cressida, reading a book.  His white jersey is stained with grass, and Cressida is focused on pulling together his snack.

“Oh, the older ones always do.” Cressida hums. “Daresay Sebastian has his hands full with that lot.”

Sebastian does seem fully occupied, his whistle perched between his lips, eyebrows furrowed. For ten year olds, they’re playing brutally–elbows flying, kicking each other’s shins. If she’d known she were going to witness a blood bath, Theo would’ve brought a first aid kit. Leander taps Sebastian’s shoulder, tearing his eyes away from the match for a split second.  Garreth is hardly paying attention, legs spread wide in his chair, the score ticker perched in his lap.

Theo turns to respond to Cressida, but her thoughts are interrupted by the sound of bodies colliding.  Someone is screaming; it’s high pitched and painful. Theo turns her head immediately to see two other children standing up, but a little lump of a body in the grass. Leander blows his whistle, and little number six lifts his head in despair.  

The way she runs is second nature, used to nights in the A&E, her rotations in the pediatric ward.  Theo is sprinting before she even knows it, sliding into the grass across from the little body.  It’s Rory, she realizes, his little freckled face staring up at her in pain. Big, fat tears are welling up in his eyes, his lower lip trembling from shock.

“Rory!” Sebastian bellows, falling into the grass next to them.  He has a crazed look on his face, eyes wildly running over his son’s body to make sure he’s okay. “What’s happened? Are you alright?”

“I fell,” Rory blubbers. “Oscar and Peter bumped into me, I tried to break my fall—“ he takes a sharp breath, curling into himself tight.

Theo looks at his right arm, which he’s clutching to his body like a bird with a broken wing. He whimpers when Sebastian lays his fingers on him, wincing from the pain. 

“Can someone get us some ice?” Theo yells, trying to get in closer.  Sebastian snaps up to look at her, a feral look on his face. “I’m trying to help. I think he’s broken his arm.”

With that mention, Rory bursts into loud tears.  Sebastian scoops him up in his arms just as another parent comes by with a half-melted ice pack.

”What do I do?” Sebastian asks hurriedly.  His voice is garbled, sounding like his heart is caught in his throat.

Theo presses the melting ice pack gently against Rory’s arm, putting her other hand on Sebastian’s shoulder. “We have to get him to hospital,” she says gently. “Do you know where the nearest one is?”

Sebastian nods, jaw clenched. “I don’t want him to sit in the back alone—“

”I’ll go with you,” Theo offers. “I can hold him.”

Sebastian gives a curt nod, and Theo follows quickly behind him, scooping up his hat, which had fallen into the grass.  The other coaches try to wrangle the crowd of concerned parents and classmates that are gathering around the pitch.  She struggles to keep up with them, Rory’s brown hair bobbing into his father’s shoulder as Sebastian picks up into a light jog.  She’s out of breath by the time they’re in the car park, Sebastian loading his son into the back seat. His hands are shaking, fumbling with the keys. She grasps his wrist, a tentative gesture. 

“Are you sure you’re okay to drive?” She asks. It’s an honest question; Sebastian’s jaw is locked, and he has a frantic look on his face.  He bats away her hand as if she’s electrocuted him.

“I’m okay.” Sebastian mutters. He doesn’t even share a look with her as he slides into the driver’s seat, starting the engine.

“You’re going to be just fine,” Theo isn’t sure who she’s reassuring, shutting the door softly as Rory sniffs. She jerks back and forth, grabbing onto the center console to steady herself as Sebastian hastily pulls out of the car park. 

“I’m not going to be able to play for the rest of the season,” Rory blubbers.

“Is that what you’re worried about?” Theo pouts, buckling herself in. “You’re going to heal right up, Rory.”

“Happy thoughts, Ror.” Sebastian calls out from the front seat, weaving through traffic. “Happy thoughts only.”

“This sucks,” Rory grumbles bitterly, tears still spilling down his cheeks. He looks out the window, but doesn’t bat away Theo’s hand, pressed on top of his.  In fact, his hand presses back into hers, squeezing tight. 

Sebastian Sallow, 10 Willowton Lane, guardian of Gregory Sallow, date of birth August 10th, 2014.  Suspected broken arm during a football match. 

The requested information is filled out in Theo’s loopy script; Sebastian’s hands had been too shaky to fill out the forms.  Instead, he sat in the chair cradling his son, spouting off the information to Theo so she could write it down.  No family history of heart disease or high blood pressure on his paternal side, no information provided on his maternal family. She’d handed the clipboard back to the nurse at the desk, slipping a few coins into the coffee maker next to the vending machines.  She’s not sure what kind of coffee Sebastian would like, but she’s sure anything will do at this point.

Theo sinks into the waiting room chair next to Sebastian.  Rory is curled up in his arms, his gangly legs spread out on the waiting room bench.  Sebastian gives a grateful sigh when she passes the styrofoam cup to him; even bland hospital coffee is a welcome distraction.

“Thanks,” he says gruffly, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s been ages since we got here.”

“I know,” she gives him a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry.”

“You’ve seen a broken arm or two in your lifetime,” Sebastian smacks his lips together, putting the cup on the floor. “What happens next?”

Theo shrugs. “Well, after his x-rays, they’ll determine how bad the break is.  He probably won’t be playing football the rest of the season, that’s for sure.  They’ll send him home in a soft cast tonight, and then call you back in for follow ups if it’s really bad.”

“And you think it’s that bad?” He murmurs.  Rory lets out a soft snore, overtaken by exhaustion.

“Like you said, I’ve seen a few breaks in my career.” Theo shrugs. “I suspect he’ll be out of football the rest of the season, and you’re out of a gardening partner for some time.”

Sebastian groans, his head tipping to the back of the chair. “I felt so helpless,” he admits. “I’ve never seen him get hurt like this before.  Tumbles and scrapes I can handle, but broken bones…I feel sick just thinking about it.”

“Any good parent would,” Theo offers. 

Sebastian’s mouth settles into a fine line. “My sister broke her arm once.” He mutters. “It was horrible.”

”And she recovered just fine, I’m sure.” 

Sebastian opens his mouth to say something, but is quickly cut off by the sound of his last name being called over the loudspeaker.  He springs up, waking Rory in the process.  The shock has worn off, but he’s still audibly sniffing as they walk back towards the ward.  A kind looking nurse guides them behind a white curtain, and Sebastian helps Rory jump up on the bed.  There’s unspoken communication between the two of them, their matching brown eyes scanning each other’s faces for answers.  Rory knows to let his father baby him, and Sebastian understands his son’s pain.  Much like broken arms, Theo has seen her fair share of fathers in the pediatric ward.  Sebastian might be one of the most attentive ones she’s seen.

“And it looks like we have both Mum and Dad with us today,” the nurse says, jotting down notes on her chart.

“Oh,” Theo blurts. “No, I’m not his mum.”

“Aunt?” The nurse asks.

“Uh, family friend.” Sebastian interjects. “She’s the school nurse. She was onsite when he broke his arm.”

“I’m afraid it’s only family or guardians allowed back in the ward,” the nurse says, giving her a sympathetic look. “You can take a seat out in the waiting room.”

“Right,” Theo nods her head. She turns to Rory, giving him a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. “Take care, Rory.”

“Thank you,” he squeaks. “For coming with us.”

”We’ll see you at school,” Sebastian says absentmindedly. 

The nurse is already talking through details with Sebastian, and his attention is fully with her.  Theo slips past the curtain, ducking out to the waiting room.  It’s empty except for the receptionist, and she can tell the sun is starting to set outside.  She pats down her pockets for her phone, mind already focused on calling an uber back to the football pitch.

Her pockets are empty.

Theo curses under her breath, retracing her steps in her mind.  Her phone had been in the camp chair’s cup holder for the duration of the game, and it’s likely still there, folded up in the boot of Cressida’s car.  She can’t remember Granny Rose’s phone number, so she’ll probably have to call Poppy from a payphone to pick her up.  

Lost in thought, Theo doesn’t hear the sliding doors open.  She’s tapping her finger tips against her mouth, trying to figure out the least embarrassing solution to being stranded at the A&E.

“Hey.  Forgot this?”

Theo looks up to a familiar face.  Garreth is standing in front of her, a wide grin on his face as he holds her cell phone and purse in hand. 

“How did you know I was here?” Theo gasped, grabbing her phone.  “You’re a lifesaver, Garreth.”

He shrugs, pushing back his strawberry blond hair back and out of his face. “It’s the closest hospital. And probably the slowest, so I figured you’d still be here.  Cressida found your stuff when she was packing up, and I thought I’d stop by to see if you needed your things.  If not, I thought it was a pretty good excuse to drop by your house as well.” he blushes, cheeks turning pink.

“Fancy giving me a ride back to the field as well?” She asks.

Garreth’s plush lips turn upwards into a smile again. “Only if you humor me with dinner first.”

Theo chews on her lower lip, looking up at the man in front of her.  He’s handsome, polite, and clearly interested in her.  What sane woman wouldn’t be interested in a man who handmakes ham and swiss croissants for her?  Who would tell her cheesy jokes over coffee, or drive to the hospital just to give her phone back to her? Perhaps this is the universe’s way of telling her to go for it, to give the nice guy a chance.  Not everything needs to be complicated, she reminds herself.  

“Do you like Chinese food?” she asks, rocking back and forth on her heels.

Garreth slings an arm around her, his warm, bready scent enveloping her. “Love it.  I know a good spot nearby.”

They walk through the automatic doors together; Garreth is already trying to piece together what her order might be.  Theo tries to fight the smile, but folds when he guesses correctly–salt and pepper shrimp, curry chips, and lots of prawn crackers.  He opens the passenger door for her, chivalrously holding his hand out to help her in.  And when he gets into the car, he puts on a song she mentioned the weekend before.

Theo eases back into the seat, fumbling with her hands in her lap. Easy doesn’t have to be boring.

Easy is good.  Easy is uncomplicated. Easy is stable.  She could use stability in her life for once.

“Alright, we just need you to sit tight.” the nurse assures Rory. “We’ll take you back for x-rays in a jiffy.” she says, closing the curtains as she leaves to attend to her other patients.

Sebastian gives Rory a weary look. “Rough day, huh?”

Rory winces. “Rough day.”  With his unbroken arm, he clutches his stomach, the rumbling loud enough for Sebastian to hear. 

“Oh no,” Sebastian groans. “I’m sorry, mate.  You must be starving.”  He’d promised Rory pizza for dinner hours ago–with how long they’ve waited, Rory must be famished. “I’ll run to the vending machine, I promise I’ll be quick.”

“Can we still have pizza later?” He asks with wide eyes.

“Of course,” Sebastian says, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.  He leaves him behind the curtain, letting another nurse know he’s just off to get some crisps and candy.  

Sebastian walks through the door, skidding to a stop when he sees Theo standing in the middle of the waiting room. He curses under his breath–of course she doesn’t have a car to get home, she rode in the backseat.  He should also thank her, which he hasn’t done once the entire afternoon besides when she got him a coffee. Her white converse are grass stained, likely from sliding across the pitch to check on Rory.  She actually kept his son quite calm during the whole debacle, despite all the tears.  

Her name is on the tip of his tongue when the entrance doors slide open, Garreth stepping through.  Sebastian awkwardly steps behind a potted plant, watching the encounter.  He feels a bit stupid–Garreth is one of his friends, and after today he might have to start calling Theo one as well. They’re talking animatedly, and Garreth passes her both her phone and purse.  

She really had dropped everything, no thought but Rory’s wellbeing when she jumped into the back of his car.  He’s rather touched by it.

Sebastian knows he could stop her now.  He could step out from his hiding place, flagging down both of his friends.  He should thank her for holding Rory’s free hand in the back, and for filling out all the paperwork when they arrived at A&E.  She didn’t know much about Sebastian and Rory at all, but she cared enough to help.

Garreth deserves a nice girl like her, Sebastian thinks.  He should be happy, but for some reason his chest is burning, almost like he has heartburn.  He stays hidden, letting the two of them walk out the door, Garreth’s arm wrapped around her shoulder.

“Sir, can I help you?”

Sebastian snaps out of his thoughts, coughing as he steps out from behind the tree. “Just looking for the vending machines,” he says, holding up his hospital bracelet, which matches the one Rory is wearing. “My son is back there.”

“Right,” The nurse says, eyebrows raised. “They’re down the hallway to the left.”

Sebastian dips his head respectfully, adjusting his hat. “Thanks,” he says awkwardly, going back to his original task.  He finds the vending machine, picking out a treasure trove of snacks for Rory.  He knows it’ll tank his appetite, but he splurges on the king sized Twix bar that’ll have him bouncing off the walls until midnight.  He goes back into the ward, feeding Rory all the junk food he’s not normally allowed to eat while they wait for his x-rays to come through.

After what feels like hours, they’re released from the hospital with bellies full of candy and a bright blue cast for Rory.  He’s in a much better mood, babbling in the back seat about who he’s going to have sign his cast at school the next day.  It’s dark out, and Sebastian knows he’ll have a cranky child tomorrow morning.  He’s just lucky that Rory is too sleepy to remember the promise of pizza, falling asleep within moments of his head hitting the bed.  Sebastian hangs his old St. Margaret’s hat on the edge of his bed, stripping out of his day clothes before tiptoeing back out the hallway to the bathroom.  The hot water in the shower eases his muscles, which have been tense all day. 

He thinks back to what he told Theo in the waiting room.  The memory of Anne breaking her arm hangs vividly in his mind—how could he forget?  That had been the beginning of it all, how his parents had discovered how fragile she would be. The sound of Rory breaking his arm had been all too familiar, too close to home.  His hands were shaking as he fumbled with his keys; they’d stopped when Theo rested her hand on his wrist.

Sebastian turns off the shower, shaking water out of his dark hair. He feels bad for swatting at her, and even worse that he hadn’t said more.  He stares at himself in the foggy mirror as he brushes his teeth—surely he’s got more game than this.  He’s no stranger to interacting with women; everyone he relies on to help him care for Rory, his village, are all of the teachers he’d grown up with at St. Margaret’s and their partners. He spits the toothpaste into the sink, rubbing a towel through his hair as he pads back into his bedroom.

Towels discarded, Sebastian slides under the sheets.  He taps through his phone, opening up the dating app he’s been staring at for the entire week.  There are a bevy of messages from women who are interested, but he slides down his messages to the very first one.  There’s a little green dot next to Theo’s name, indicating she’s online and looking through the app too.

Sebastian types his message into the app and sends it before he can chicken out.

Sebastian: I didn’t get to properly thank you today, and I’m sorry about that.  You were great—thank you for keeping both of us calm.  

Sebastian puts his phone face down on his night stand, turning off his lamp.  Staring at his dark ceiling, he wonders if Garreth knows she’s on the apps.  He’s spent the last week yapping via text, raving over her. It’s not like they’re exclusive by any means, but Sebastian knows his friend well enough to know that he’d be devastated if Theo were dating other people.  Garreth is sweet, but naive when it comes to women. It’s not surprising at all that Garreth is attracted to Theo—independent, career driven women were always his type, even if it was to his own detriment.  

His phone pings, and Sebastian grabs it, screen illuminating the dark room.

Theo: Anytime. I hope he’s doing okay, and that you’re taking care of yourself too.  Here, just in case you have any questions about taking care of his arm.

There’s a string of numbers below her message, her phone number.  He quickly copies it into a contact in his phone - Theo, the school nurse - before turning his phone back over.  He falls asleep quickly, conscience clear.

Chapter Text

Tuesday mornings are reserved for faculty meetings, which means Theo is running behind.  She skitters into the faculty lounge, bagged lunch in hand, while the other teachers settle into their seats.  Headmaster Black is already standing at attention, counting to make sure all of his employees are in sight.  She shoves her abysmal sandwich into the staff fridge before finding her place in the lounge.  Hecat is kind enough to have saved a seat for her at the table, pushing a warm cup of tea her way. 

The announcements are dull, as usual. It’s barely a month into the school year and there’s not much to discuss besides lunch menu changes and detention monitor schedules.  Theo leans back into her chair, praying to the gods to keep her eyes open until she feels her phone ping in her pocket. She quickly reaches for it, hoping none of the other faculty members have noticed.  It’s a text from an unsaved number; eyebrows furrowed, she opens it.

Black has spinach stuck in his teeth

Suppressing a snort, she looks around the room.  Sebastian is sitting on top of a bookshelf, the collar of his sweater pulled over his mouth to hide his grin.  His phone is in his hands, eyes downcast as he pretends to listen to Headmaster Black’s rant about parent teacher conference night, which is still a month and a half away.

Sebastian: It’s Sebastian, by the way

 

Theo: I put two and two together. I thought I gave you my number for emergencies regarding Rory’s arm, not jokes about our employer’s need for flossing.

 

Sebastian: It is an emergency.  I need to laugh and I can’t because we’re in this stupid meeting

Theo audibly snorts at his last text, and when the librarian, Scribner, shushes her, Sebastian has to pull his collar up higher to conceal his laughter.

Theo: Do you think anyone will actually say anything about it?

 

Sebastian: No, they’d all rather suffer through it than lose their jobs

 

Theo: He can’t be that vindictive, can he?

Sebastian: He once expelled a student because she offered him homemade acne paste, so probably

 

Theo: You’re lying

 

Sebastian: Look her up on LinkedIn, name is Sacharissa Tugwood.  Owns a skincare company now

Theo covers her mouth with her hand, trying to suppress her laughter.  She plays it off as a cough; looking back up to Sebastian, he has a devilish grin on his face. He tilts his head back down to his phone, typing out another message. Theo waits for it with bated breath, and immediately pulls her phone up when it pings.

Garreth: I really enjoyed dinner with you on Sunday. When will I see you again?

Her breath catches in her throat. She’s not sure why—Garreth is who she should be waiting on a text from anyways.  They had a lovely date, sitting across from each other in a Chinese restaurant while Garreth prattled on about his family.  Six brothers and sisters, him situated directly in the middle; most of them were married with children, save the younger three who were still in uni. His parents had been together since the dawn of time, and he’d been the only Weasley sibling interested in keeping the family bakery in business.  His father still woke up at four o’clock in the morning with him to bake bread for the day, while his mother and youngest sister minded the storefront. 

Garreth had  brought her there after their date; he blushed while he fumbled with his keys, holding the door open for her like a gentleman.  They would pass the bakery on their way back to the Sweeting house anyways, so why not stop in for a tour?  He’d turned the lights on for her, recounting childhood memories spent playing with the cash register.  Garreth showed her the wedding cakes he’d spent all day icing, the different flavors he was experimenting with for pastries. He helped her up on the counter, holding out a decadent chocolate chip muffin for her to try.  Boxing her in with his broad shoulders, he uttered words that washed over her like a bucket of cold water.

I’d like to run this place with my own wife one day.

Theo’s been trying to block that scene out of her mind for the last 48 hours. For as much as she’d like to give Garreth a chance, she also doesn’t want to hurt him.  He’s an integral part of the community, and she can’t afford to become the town pariah for breaking his heart. 

“You’re all dismissed,” Headmaster Black claps his hands, and it shakes Theo out of her thoughts.  She drops her phone onto the table while the rest of her colleagues file out the door.  Sebastian meanders over to her, knuckles tapping on the old wooden table. 

”Good morning,” he says, ruffling his messy brown hair. “I see you got my texts.”

”I can’t believe he’d expel a student like that,” Theo laughs, seamlessly falling back into their conversation.  She pushes away from the table, making her way out the door.  Sebastian pauses to let her out the door first, his hand hovering over her back.

”Oh yeah, it was a huge thing.” he lets out a low whistle. “Sacharissa likes to rub it in his face whenever she’s home for the holidays.  He’s asked her to sponsor the school’s silent auction, but to no avail.”

They walk in a comfortable silence for a few paces; there’s still an hour until the first bell. Sebastian’s classroom is in the same wing as the nurse’s office, so she might as well accompany him.

“What does Rory do when you’ve got to come in early for faculty meetings?” Theo asks, her heels clicking against the wooden floor. 

Sebastian shrugs. “Usually practices out on the field, but since he’s not supposed to be moving too much, I left him to finish his homework in my classroom. I have no doubt he’ll be running into your office sooner or later to have you sign his new cast.”

”I’d be glad to do it,” Theo smiles. “It wasn’t so bad, was it?”

”A clean break.” Sebastian declares. “Doctor said it should be healed in no time, so long as he stays out of trouble. No roughhousing with the lads for the next few weeks, I’m afraid.”

Sebastian stops in front of his classroom door; through the little glass window, she can see Rory seated at his desk, yawning as he flips through a book. 

“I really want to thank you for everything you did on Sunday.  I know we’re not friends, so it means a lot that you dropped everything to help.” Sebastian says awkwardly.

Theo raises her eyebrows. “Not friends, ouch. You wound me, Sebastian.”

”I didn’t mean it that way,” Sebastian blurts, holding his hands up in defense. “Not that I don’t want to be friends with you. It’s just that we don’t know each other very well.”

”That’s kind of one of the steps towards becoming friends,” Theo points out. “Getting to know a person.”

”What, do you want to play twenty questions?” Sebastian asks, eyebrows arched.

”You’re really selling me on the whole friendship aspect,” Theo raises her eyebrow in return, arms crossed.

”Fine, fine. We are friends now.  Thank you for being such a good friend and helping me take care of Rory.” Sebastian scowls. “Is that better?”

“I’d prefer if your declaration of friendship wasn’t punctuated by a frown, but I guess it’ll do.” Theo teases, turning on her heel. “I’ll see you around?”

“Lunch?” Sebastian offers, hands shoved in the front pockets of his khakis. “Friends have lunch.”

“Sure, friend.” Theo grins. 

It’s barely two hours into the school day when Rory Sallow bursts into the nurse’s office, a bright gold permanent marker in hand.  His school jumper is bunched over his elbow; it seems like Sebastian has ripped the cuff to make his little cast fit through the arm.

“Dad said you’d sign my cast,” Rory demands, jumping onto the bed. 

Theo crosses her arms, leaning against her desk. “I said I would–but what are you doing out of class?”

Rory shrugs, pulling a scrap of paper out of his pocket. “Headmaster Black said I needed something to do while the rest of my class was in PE. He said I could help you here in the nurse’s office until my arm heals.”

“You don’t want to watch your friends in class?” Theo asks, examining the note.  The boy is right–the note declaring that Rory can help her organize the nurse’s station while his class in playing in the gymnasium is signed with Headmaster Black’s thin, scribbly signature.

“No,” Rory wrinkles his nose. “Watching is boring.  It was either helping out here, or a study period. I told him I couldn’t get any work done with my arm broken.”

Theo cocks her head. “Aren’t you left handed?”

Rory’s teeth gleam as he smiles mischievously, waving the cast on his right hand. “Headmaster Black doesn’t need to know that.”

Theo rolls her eyes, but she can’t help but smile as she takes the gold marker out of his hands.  Rory holds his arm out straight, the bright blue cast already crowded with signatures from his classmates.  She finds a spot near his elbow that’s free, and wavers for a moment as she decides how to style herself.  Nurse Theo will have to do; she writes it in her loopy cursive.

“Dad was worried you’d be upset with him,” Rory chirps.

“Why would I be upset?” Theo asks, handing him back the marker.

“You left before he could thank you for coming to hospital with us.” Rory shrugs, leaning back against the bed. “I overheard him telling my Uncle Ominis on the phone, he saw you leave with Garreth.  Dad said you two were on a date.”

Theo feels her cheeks heat up, a hand flying up to rub the back of her neck. “Oh,” she mutters. “We just went to get chinese food, that’s all.” She tries to picture Sebastian gossiping over the phone—she has a hard time imagining it.

“We got pizza for dinner.” Rory says absentmindedly, hopping down from the bed. “I like Garreth.”

“Er, I like Garreth too.” Theo blurts.  It’s not necessarily a lie. She does like Garreth as a human being. He’s kind and has been nothing but welcoming to her ever since she joined the community.  She also does find him attractive, with his strawberry blond curls and glittering green eyes. His body is drool worthy, broad and muscular from lifting all the shipments to the bakery. Theo had noticed just how toned his shoulders were when he leaned in that night in the bakery, his eyes glued to her lips as he swiped the chocolate crumbs off her mouth—

“He makes pizza dough for us sometimes,” Rory points out. “Maybe he’ll make you pizza dough too.”

What the fuck, Theo thinks. She’s chattering about a guy she’s only seen twice with a ten year old. 

“I don’t think your dad would be very happy if he found out you were listening in on his calls,” Theo offers, eager to change the subject. “Do you want to help me organize the filing cabinet?’

Rory nods eagerly, beelining to the prehistoric looking filing cabinet behind Theo’s desk. “It’s not fair,” he whines. “I never get to talk to Uncle Ominis on the phone.”

“I’m not sure who this Ominis is, but it sounds like he owes you a personal call.” Theo sits in her office chair as Rory starts sifting through old file folders. “You can put any file older than five years in these boxes.”

Rory does as he’s told, dropping a dusty folder into the box. “He’s my dad’s best friend,” he sighs. “He lives in London, so I never get to see him.  We used to live in the same flat.”

”Do you remember much about living in London?” Theo asks, leaning her chin into her palm.  She also has a hard time picturing Sebastian raising a baby in a bachelor pad. 

”A little,” Rory wrinkles his nose. “It was loud, but fun.  We used to go to football games and the museum every weekend, but I had to share a room with Dad.  I’ve got my own room here, which is nice, even if the house is old. My dad and my aunt grew up there.”

Theo can only imagine what life in London must have looked like for them.  She could barely afford her share of the rent when she lived with Poppy and Imelda, and she was working nearly six days a week at the hospital then.  Things had let up a bit when she’d moved in with Isaac, but that stint was short lived.  For the first time in her adult life, Theo wasn’t scrambling for her rent money. Granny Sweeting’s little garage flat was comfortable and cheap, even if it meant she had to heat her tea with a camp stove.

”Do you miss London?” Rory asks.

”A little less every day,” Theo gives him a reassuring smile. 

“Good,” he announces. “I think you’ll like it here. I certainly prefer you over Blainey, you’re much nicer.”

Theo chews on the inside of her cheek, a pool of guilt building in her stomach.  When interviewing for the job, she’d told Weasley it would be a temporary gig—just a year for her to get on her feet.  Matilda had warned her that students could get attached quickly, especially at such a young age. But now doesn’t seem like the right moment to dive into her personal drama, especially with a ten year old.

”I do like it here.” Theo leans forward. “Now, hurry up—you’ve got a job to do while you're here.”

”Yes ma’am,” Rory salutes her with his broken arm.

As promised, Theo finds Sebastian in the faculty lounge.  It’s the first time she’s seen him actually sit there for the entire first month of the school year.  The other teachers are milling about, making copies or clustering around the other tables.  Mr. Moon is slumped in front of the television, his snores adding sound effects to the news.

”Do you usually eat lunch in your room?” Theo asks, sliding into the seat across from him. 

Sebastian shrugs. “Easier to get work done that way.  But in the spirit of friendship, I’ve made an exception.” He points his fork down at the stack of quizzes he’s grading. 

“Well, aren’t I lucky?” Theo snorts. She opens her brown paper bag, pulling out the meager sandwich she’d thrown together that morning.  There’s a moment of silence between them, Sebastian awkwardly picking at his well thought out lunch spread.

“Do you always bring your lunch?” Sebastian asks, wrinkling his nose at her sandwich.

”Bit early into our friendship to be judgy, isn’t it?” Theo raises a brow. 

Sebastian wipes his mouth, shaking his head. “I’m not judging you bringing lunch, I’m judging the absolutely pitiful sandwich you’ve got. You’re an adult, Theo.  You can’t be eating peanut butter sandwiches.  That’s not enough to sustain you.”

”I’m fine,” Theo scowls. “I just haven’t gone to the market yet for the week. I was a bit busy on Sunday, you know.  Not all of us have time to put together gourmet spreads.”

”Rory made it,” Sebastian confesses, pointing down to the salad in his bowl. “I’m teaching him how to cook.”

“That makes me feel worse,” Theo mumbles. “I swear, I can cook.”

”How does that all work anyways?” Sebastian waves his fork, salad dressing dripping down the side of his palm. He lifts his hand to his mouth, licking up the mess. “You don’t have a kitchen in that apartment, do you?”

”Ew, gross.” Theo tosses a napkin towards him. “And no, I don’t.  I have a microwave, but it’s pretty bleak to just heat up cup noodles that way.  I just go into the house and use Gran’s kitchen.”

”Is that weird?” Sebastian tosses the crumpled napkin back her way. “Are you close to Poppy’s Gran?”

“Close enough,” Theo hums. “She always stayed with us when she came to visit the girls in London.  I came here for Christmas once during uni.”

“Christmas is pretty magical here,” Sebastian says approvingly. “You and Poppy must be pretty close.”

“She’s like a sister to me,” Theo says earnestly. “Couldn’t have survived university without her.”

“How’d you meet?” Sebastian asks, face hovering over his bowl to avoid dripping dressing onto the paper he’s grading. 

“She was my randomly assigned roommate,” Theo sets down her half eaten sandwich, crossing her arms. “I met Imelda through her a few weeks later. We all lived together after graduation, until the two of them decided to forge their own way.”

Sebastian lets out a low whistle, eyes still glued to the paper below him. “Kicked out, that’s harsh.”

“I left first,” Theo defends her friends. “The next one turned out to be a dodgy roommate and they didn’t have any extra room in their new flat, so here I am.” It’s not necessarily a lie–just omitting the fact that said roommate was actually just a dodgy boyfriend.

“Far from London indeed,” Sebastian holds his fork in between his teeth as he shuffles his papers, moving on to the next test.

“Did you know Poppy and Imelda much while you were in school?” Theo inquires.  

“I knew Imelda,” Sebastian says, absentmindedly pushing an open bag of crisps towards her. “Eat, you’ll be hungry if you don’t.”

“Thanks,” Theo says gratefully, taking a handful. “Didn’t know Poppy?”

“Oh, everyone knew Poppy, but she was quiet.” Sebastian hums. “Very sweet. I think my sister was her lab partner at some point.  But Poppy kept to herself most of the time, unless she was around Imelda.  And Imelda was on the netball team with my girlfriend at the time, so Poppy was usually lingering about.”

“Did it surprise you when they started dating?” Theo asks.

Sebastian stops, pondering over the thought.  He smiles, his dark eyes creased at the corners when he looks at her. 

“A little.  But then when I really thought about it, not at all.”  He declares. “Made sense to me.”

Sebastian goes back to grading his tests while Theo picks at the remnants of her peanut butter sandwich. His tongue sticks out while he’s thinking, a line creasing his freckled face as he concentrates on the paper below him. The cuffs of his sweater are stretched out, constantly tugging them back up over his forearms. It feels like she knows too much about Sebastian, and then nothing at all.  He’s a father, friends with what seems like the entire town, and he knows a version of her best friends that she'll never know. Sebastian has a sister he’s only referenced in passing, and she knows he has a best friend with a peculiar name that he gossips with over the phone. 

She might like to know more about him, Theo thinks to herself. 

“Are you coming out for trivia on Saturday?” Sebastian asks, glancing up at her as if he’s felt her gaze burn into him.

“I haven’t been invited.” Theo blurts, picking at the crisps.

Sebastian snorts, putting the lid on his salad bowl. “Once you’re invited to trivia, you’re always invited.  Besides, I need someone to compete against.  I can’t sweep every competition.”

Theo rolls her eyes, but she can’t help the smile that follows. “Good enough.  I’m sure Garreth was going to ask me anyway.”

“Ah, Garreth.” Sebastian says slowly. “How’s that coming along?”

She fidgets in her seat, nails digging into the palm of her hand. “It’s okay.” she says cautiously. “We’re still just getting to know each other, it’s not very serious.”

Sebastian snorts again. “Nothing about Garreth Weasley is very serious.”

“What’s that supposed to me?” Theo asks, brows furrowed.

Sebastian pauses, but he shakes his head. “Nothing,” he assures her. “Just a joke.  He hasn’t seriously dated–”

“Anyone for about twelve years, I heard.” Theo says breezily. “Cressida told me.”

“And its not for lack of trying,” Sebastian points out. “He’ll talk to anyone.”

”You’re doing a shit job at being an encouraging friend.” Theo points out.

Sebastian laughs, throwing his head back as he runs a hand through his hair. “I’m not trying to put you off of him, I promise.  I just think you’re going to break his poor little heart.”

”How’s that?” Theo scoffs.

Sebastian shakes his head. “Garreth is looking for a girl who wants to stick around here. You hardly peg me as the type.”

”And what do you know about me?” Theo asks defensively. For all she knows of Sebastian, she hasn’t offered much in return.

“Merely an assumption,” Sebastian retorts. “Big city girl, small town boy. Tale as old as time.”

”I’d hate to be predictable,” Theo muses, sitting back in the chair. 

“So far, you’ve kept me on my toes.” Sebastian tugs back his bag of crisps, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

”I’m starting to think you prefer their company.” Imelda teases, her voice filtered by the phone.  She’s propped up on the nightstand, watching Theo get ready for her evening out.  Imelda is doing the same, dragging eyeliner across her lids.

“It’s trivia night with them, or sit alone in my bedroom on a Saturday night.” Theo huffs, brushing her hair. “Besides, I do like them.  Just because you’re too snobby for your hometown friends doesn’t mean I can’t like them.”

“Whatever. You’re sure you can’t spare a weekend back in London?” Imelda pouts, patting at her lips with her fingertips. “Even for a good cause?”

”And what might that cause be?” Theo asks lazily, swiping a shimmery gloss over her lips. 

“I have a gift to give Poppy,” Imelda says slowly, putting her lip balm back into her purse. “And I’d like you to be there.”

”Her birthday isn’t for a few months,” Theo asks, turning back to look at her phone.  “What kind of gift?”

”I don’t know, a pretty expensive one.” Imelda grins, pulling a ring box into view. “What do you think?”

Theo drops her compact on the floor, shrieking with delight. “Mel, you didn’t!”

”Picked it up yesterday,” she laughs nervously, opening the box to show off the ring. “Was trying to figure out a good time to ask.  Granny Rose already gave her blessing.”

”Oh Imelda, it’s gorgeous.” Theo gapes. “It’s exactly what she’d want.” The ring is like Poppy herself; a yellow diamond surrounded by tiny glittering stones. A sunburst, radiating light into everyone’s lives.

”Which is why I want you to come home, at least for a weekend.”  Imelda pleads. “I want to surprise her with both you and Gran.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Theo swears. “When do you think you’ll do it?”

”I don’t really have a timeline,” Imelda confesses. “I just know I want it to be right.  She’s going away for a business trip at the end of the month, and I thought I’d do some planning then.”

”Well, how about I try to get to London then?” Theo offers. “I can help you.”

”Thank god,” Imelda sighs, putting the ring back into the box, shoving it into her pocket. “You know Poppy is the mastermind with all the romantic stuff. I do want to surprise her.” She says, cheeks reddening. “I have to go, but call you tomorrow?” 

“Call you tomorrow,” Theo promises, waving. 

The screen goes black, and she feels a heaviness in her heart.  They’d always talked about marriage, even before Poppy and Imelda had gotten together.  Theo can still picture nights spent in their dormitory, laying on bean bags with cheap takeout as they discussed their life plans.  Graduation, good jobs, then meeting the loves of their lives—in that order, specifically.  It had always seemed like a far off prospect, something they’d eventually get around to once they were in their thirties. 

As happy as she was for Poppy and Imelda, Theo couldn’t help feeling melancholy.  It was hard to watch them move forward while she felt like she was sliding backwards.  And while she certainly wasn’t in any rush to get back into a relationship, Theo felt the familiar tug of loneliness in her heart. 

How lucky they were to not be alone.

Theo puts the finishing touches on her makeup, packing her keys and wallet in a tiny purse.  Granny Rose waves from the porch as she pulls out in Poppy’s little beetle. The drive into town is already routine, and she recognizes all the cars lined up in the pub’s small car park.  She pulls the bug in between Garreth’s blue truck and Sebastian’s Kuga, heels crunching on the gravel as she walks into the pub.

Everyone is circled up around the tables, a proud smile on Leander’s face.  His arm is slung around Cressida’s shoulders, and she looks relieved.  

“I forgot to text you that trivia was canceled; I told everyone to come sooner. You missed the news!” Cressida pouts.  “We waited—“

”I’m sorry,” Theo apologizes earnestly. “I was on the phone with Imelda and lost track of time.  What have I missed?”

”The baby,” Leander says proudly, standing a bit taller. “Another Prewett boy to join the gang this spring.”  The rest of the group cheers, holding up their mugs.

”Congratulations,” Theo feigns surprise, squeezing her new friend tight. “I’m so happy for you two.”

“I simply can’t believe you’re on number two already,” Violet huffs, interrupting the conversation. “You’ll have an army of children before the rest of us.”

Theo grits her teeth as she smiles at Violet; the woman can’t read a room to save her life.  “I think it’s sweet,” she declares. “Will must be so excited.”

“He’s been buzzing for weeks over it,” Leander laughs. “I’m shocked he hasn’t told half his classmates by now.”

Theo backs away from Cressida so the others might have a chance to hug her.  She hangs back at the edge of the tables, where a sheepish looking Garreth stands.

“Hi, you.” He mumbles, bumping his hip into hers. 

“Hello, Garreth.” Theo smiles. “How are you?”

”You haven’t answered any of my texts,” Garreth blurts. ”I was starting to think you were mad at me.”

”What on earth would I have to be mad about?” Theo’s eyes widen. “Garreth, you’ve been so kind to me.”

“You didn’t respond to me after our date last week.” He says nervously, scratching the back of his neck.  His strawberry blond waves are pushed back tonight, an obvious effort at styling them. “So I thought—“

”I just got wrapped up in work, that’s all.” Theo reassures him. “I didn’t mean to ignore them, I’m sorry.”

Garreth looks both pleased and relieved at her words.  “So, I wasn’t that terrible of a date, then?”

”Not terrible at all,” Theo pats his shoulder. Maybe a bit heavy handed, she thinks to herself, but Garreth is a good man.  He’d have women lining up around the corner in London, and she’s sure Imelda can think of a dozen of their acquaintances that would like to take a crack at him.  She tries to picture Natty the barrister with him—it’s hard to imagine the calm, stoic girl she’d met with such a goofball.

Garreth grabs her a pint, and she melts into his arm by instinct. Theo isn’t absorbing much of the conversation around her, but she’s certainly leaning into the redhead’s touch. Maybe it’s the beer, or the fact that she’s feeling particularly lonely after hearing about her best friend’s plan to propose to her other best friend.  Or maybe it was being surrounded by polite strangers that was making her so glum—they all liked her just fine, but Theo was merely an accessory to their evening.  No one knew her, not really.  No one besides Sebastian or Garreth, and even they only knew the surface details. 

Theo looks around the group, trying to find Sebastian. He was glued to the table, his eyes flitting down to his watch every few moments.  Sebastian looks scruffier than usual, dark circles under his eyes.  His button down shirt is rumpled, half tucked.  She’d half expected a joking text from him before trivia night, but her phone hadn’t rung the entire afternoon.

Theo can see his shoulders tense when Violet’s hand lands on his back; she’d slithered his way in no time.  She knows she shouldn’t feel any animosity towards the woman, especially over Isaac; yet somehow, Violet is still her least favorite in the group. Sebastian returns her touch with a brief hug, turning towards Theo and Garreth’s direction. 

Sebastian’s eyes briefly make contact with hers, one of his thick eyebrows arching with a question.  She can hear his words from lunch on Monday replaying over and over in her head. 

Garreth is looking for the type of girl who will stick around, he’d said. You hardly peg me as the type. 

She’s heard those words before, and they’re wrong.  Theo can stick around when she wants to.  Maybe this time she will.

The night wears on; without trivia to pass the time, the beers start flowing freely.  Lucan is teasing a frustrated Leander over something, while the rest of the girls gush over Cressida’s tiny bump and plans for a nursery.  Theo feels something tugging at her hand while talking to Grace, and she turns to see a beaming Garreth.

“Dance with me,” he commands. 

Theo laughs as she stumbles towards him, his broad arms catching her in a tight embrace.  The pub is playing some old twenty-tens rock music, and somehow Garreth knows the lyrics to every song. They sway back and forth, and she thinks they might look like bowling ball pins the way they’re dancing.  Garreth is droning on about the weekend, asking her what her plans are.

Dancing, Theo yells over the music. Dancing with you, silly.

Garreth grabs her palm with his large hand, twirling her.  The room is spinning, and perhaps she’s had a bit too much to drink. Someone will have to give her a ride home at this point. Theo tramples over Garreth’s boots with her heels, and she giggles her apology as he pushes her off the dance floor.  They’re stumbling now, her back hitting the wall.  Garreth’s hand cradles her head to soften the impact.  He says something, but she doesn’t hear it over the hoots and hollers from their drinking companions. 

“What did you say?” Theo asks, the hoppy taste of beer on the tip of her tongue.

”I said, can I kiss you?” Garreth asks.  It’s both loud and soft, a loud whisper against her earlobe.

Theo doesn’t see why not.  The brick of the pub wall is digging into her back as she tilts her head up, his nose brushing against her cheek.  Garreth smells like warm bread, cinnamon, and cloves.  His hand lingers, hovering over her cheek. Just do it, she screams in her head.  Tonight she doesn’t want to feel alone. 

”Kiss already!” Lucan yells.

Garreth huffs, rolling his eyes and leaning his forehead against hers.  She peers over his broad shoulders; Violet is smiling, dragging Sebastian out the door by his hand.  He doesn’t even spare the group a wave, following her as he checks his watch for the umpteenth time.

“Can I?” Garreth asks again, this time a bit more desperate.

Theo tilts her head up again.

“Why not?” The words tumble from her mouth as his lips crash against hers.

”It was so loud in there,” Violet huffs.  She’s dragged Sebastian out of the pub, her soft hand entwined with his.  Sebastian can’t lie—while he doesn’t miss the dramatics, it has been a while since he’s gotten laid. He knows he should say no to whatever Violet proposes, especially since it’s become clear that the line between friends with benefits and a relationship have been blurred on her part.

”What’s up?” Sebastian asks, leaning against the fence. “You wanted to talk?”

”I did,” Violet fidgets. “I wanted to let you know that I’m seeing someone, so we should probably stop whatever it is that we’re doing.”

Sebastian is both relieved and deflated at the same time. “Vi, we agreed to be friends a while ago. No harm done.  You can see other people.”

”I know,” Violet scoffs. “But you know how we slip into…bad habits when I’m back in town.” 

“Don’t I?” Sebastian chuckles, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Vi, trust me, we’re good. Who is the lucky guy?”

“Someone I reconnected with in London,” she peers up at him through a curtain of dark hair. “He’s got a great job, his own flat, and we’re taking things slow.  But I do think this might be one that goes the distance, you know?”

Sebastian maintains his smile, but he understands the sly undertone of her words.  Whoever she’s dating now has money, an office job, and his house probably isn’t an outdated cottage that he inherited from his dead uncle.  Check, check, and check. It all feels like a brag on her part, and also a well pointed dig at him.

”I haven’t told anyone else,” Violet cuts into his thoughts. “I wanted to tell you first, since we’ve been intimate in the past.  I don’t want to ruin the relationship.”

There is no relationship, Sebastian screams in his head. Instead, he keeps up the facade. “I’m happy for you, Violet.  You deserve someone who can give you everything that you want.  I’m just sorry it couldn’t be me.” 

Violet’s smile falters a bit, and Sebastian is sure he knows why.  Vi has been kind to him, putting up with his bullshit and enduring a shitty friends with benefits situation for far too long.  He’d known she wanted more—Leander and Cressida told him that much—but he simply couldn’t.  It wouldn’t work, anyways.  Violet has no plans to move back to town permanently, and Sebastian has every intention of staying.  Violet has also never expressed interest in wanting to know Rory either, which is a huge red flag in Sebastian’s head.  Rory was the most important person in his life and would always come first, and he wouldn’t entertain dating anyone who didn’t understand that.  

“Thanks,” Violet says awkwardly. “Should we go back in?”

”We should,” Sebastian pushes off the fence, turning towards the door with his hands still in his pockets. “Before anyone gets the wrong idea.”

They walk back into the pub distanced from one another. Violet beelines back to the table, no doubt updating the girls on their conversation.  Sebastian’s eyes scan the room; the girls are gossiping, while Lucan and Leander chant Garreth’s name.  Sebastian turns his head to the corner of the room, where Garreth has pinned Theo against the wall.  Her hands are at the nape of his neck, and when he pulls away she lets out a sparkling laugh, her head crashing into Garreth’s chest.  

Sebastian looks away; he’s not sure why he feels so uneasy.  His phone buzzes in his pocket, and he thanks the heavens for the distraction.  

Ominis: Feeling much better now, off to sleep.

Sebastian’s shoulders sag with relief. He types a quick response.

Sebastian: Tell me sooner next time, okay? Miss you. I’ll call tomorrow.

Ominis: I will, I promise. I’m sorry. Miss you too.

After hitting send, Sebastian looks back up at the group.  Garreth and Theo are chatting animatedly with Lucan and Leander, Garreth’s arm curled around her shoulder. A table over, the girls are all gushing over something with Violet. She’s showing her phone—probably sharing the news of her new beau now that Sebastian knows.  Violet peers up at him with a disdainful look, and all he wants to do is scream. He’s got enough on his plate as it is, and dealing with a scorned ex lover is the last thing he wants.

He’d been too stressed out to drink earlier, and now he can’t possibly fathom having to spend another hour at the pub.  All Sebastian really wants is to go home early and sneak a hug to Rory before sinking into his own bed, alone.  

Alone, Sebastian thought as he snuck out of the pub, fumbling with his keys. Alone wasn’t so bad.

Chapter Text

“I’m sorry, we’re not quite open yet—oh, it’s you.”

Theo leans against the counter, smiling at Garreth.  He’s just carried a tray of donuts to the front of the bakery, wiping his hands on his maroon Weasley & Sons apron. His tone shifts almost immediately when he realizes who it is, cheeks tinged pink from surprise.

”I’m sorry to stop in before opening, but I met a guy who said he’d open early for me…” she trailed off, straightening the collar of her shirt. 

“For you?  Anything.” Garreth grins. “What’ll it be?”

”Well, it’s my turn to stock the faculty lounge for tea today, so I defer to you.” She pulls her wallet out of her purse, but Garreth immediately clicks his tongue.

”I won’t take payment from you,” he says sternly, wagging a finger. “I promised you a turn as my taste tester, this is a part of your job.” He’s already started filling the pastry box with a myriad of treats, all freshly out of the oven. 

“Garreth, I only need—“

”Nonsense,” Garreth shakes his strawberry blonde mane, putting a decadent mille-feuille into the box. “This is free marketing for me.”

“And you’re sure I can’t pay you?” Theo asks, faltering as she shoves her wallet back into her bag.

Garreth shakes his head again, taping the box shut.  The logo is comical, clearly of his own design—a crude drawing of a lion roaring with a baguette between its teeth. Utterly, completely Garreth.  He walks out from behind the counter, pressing the large box into her hands.

”I meant to text you, Cress just told us trivia is off again for Friday.  Had enough folks fall through, so we’re just going to call it for the weekend.” 

“Oh, that’s okay.” Theo shrugs. “I wouldn’t be able to join. The kids have Friday off for faculty lesson planning, but they don’t need me around. I’ve got the day off, so I’m headed to London for the weekend.”

Garreth looks a bit deflated. “Oh,” he stammers. “I was hoping I could take you out on another date.”

”I’d love to,” Theo assures him. “But I really do have to tie up some things in London.”

”Can I at least see you at some point this week?” Garreth pouts. “I can bring dinner.”

“Tempting, but I’m not quite sure Granny Rose and I are on that level yet,” she jokes. “Don’t think she’d be too pleased with me bringing houseguests.”

”Another time then,” Garreth says wistfully. “I had fun last weekend.”

Theo blushes, dipping her head to hide how hot her cheeks are glowing.  She’d indulged a bit too much at trivia night and had woken up with swollen lips, thanks to Garreth.  He wasn’t a bad kisser by any means, but the experience had been a bit of a bumble, teeth clashing and unsure hands.  She hadn’t been celibate by any means since her breakup with Isaac, but making out with Garreth against the pub wall almost felt a bit too intimate. 

“I’ll be back before you know it.” Theo assures him. “Dinner, next week, on me.” She lifts onto the tips of her toes to press a chaste kiss against Garreth’s lips.  He tastes like maple syrup and coffee this morning, and she’s not complaining. 

“When you get back,” Garreth says shyly. “Another date.”

Theo scoops the box of pastries from the counter, walking backwards. “I promise,” she assures him with a smile, her back hitting the front door. “I’ll see you around.” The bell jingles as she walks out, turning her back on Garreth’s bright smile.

”Score,” Sebastian cheers, flipping the lid to the box. He pulls out an iced bun, swiping his thumb through the runny icing and licking it off his hand.  “Perks of snogging the baker.”

“Sebastian,” Theo hisses, swatting at his hands.

“What?” Sebastian scoffs, wiping the icing from his lips. “It is true, isn’t it?”

Theo can feel her cheeks heat with embarrassment.  “So what if it is?” she demands. “I certainly don’t need everyone and their mother knowing about it.”

“Please, this town is so small I’m sure half the parents know by now.” he shrugs, taking another heavy bite. “Besides, it’s Garreth.”  He opens the lid to the box again, appraising the other treats inside.

Theo slaps away his hand, and he yelps in return. “You’ve already had one, don’t be greedy.” she warns. “And it was one time.”

That might be a lie, she thinks, since her hungover memories are a bit hazy. But  Sebastian doesn’t need to know that.

Sebastian wags his hand, furrowing his brows at her. She decides to claim the mille-feuille, catching the flaky pastry as it falls in her hands.  Garreth has put fresh raspberries inside, a nice touch she’ll have to compliment the next time she sees him.  Sebastian gives her a wary look as they walk out of the faculty lounge together, meandering down the empty hallways.

”Why do you tease Garreth so much?” Theo inquires.

Sebastian shrugs. “Old habits die hard, I think.  We weren’t all that close when we were younger.”

Theo scuffs her heel on the linoleum floor. “Was he all that bad?  Or was it you?”

”Different crowds,” Sebastian licks leftover frosting from his hands, and Theo averts her eyes. He shoves his likely sticky hands into the pockets of his khakis. “I told you, I like him well enough. You’re just so easy to tease over it, it’s like you’re embarrassed or something.”

”I have shame, you should try it.” Theo wrinkles her nose.

He scoffs. “What makes you think I don’t have any shame?”

”You make a big show of teasing me over hanging out with Garreth, meanwhile you and Violet couldn’t keep your hands off each other.” Theo points out.

”Oh yeah?” Sebastian muses.

”Yeah,” Theo says defensively. “It’s rather obvious that you two were heading out to hook up.” 

Sebastian’s freckled reddens. “We went out to talk.”

It’s Theo’s turn to scoff. “Right, talking.” She forms air quotes with her hands around the last word. “The two of you basically ran out of the pub holding hands and giggling.”

Sebastian scratches the back of his neck. “It’s not what you think.” 

“It’s what everyone thinks,” Theo drawls. If Sebastian is going to lay into her about Garreth, she’ll serve it right back with Violet. “She’s exactly your type, you’re well suited.”

Sebastian backs away, eyebrows raised. “Oh yeah? And what exactly is my type?”

Theo could get literal. She’s known many girls like Violet over her years. Violet is the textbook definition of pretty, glossy black hair cut bluntly against her chin, high cheekbones and perfectly clear skin. She’s stylish, effortlessly put together with the latest designer accessories. Her dark green eyes look almost cat-like, and despite the lingering sneer on her face, she’s somehow the most alluring person in the room. 

Precisely what Isaac had wanted of her, Theo thinks.  Trendy, popular, magnetic. What Theo couldn’t be.

”You’re holding back,” Sebastian points out, “Spit it out then.”

”She’s proper fit,” Theo says sarcastically, feigning a man’s voice. “Is that what you want me to say?”

”Yeah, she is.” Sebastian says bluntly. 

There’s an awkward air between them as they walk down the hallway; Theo can hear the cheerful chatter of children faraway, coming in for school. Sebastian’s eyes are averted, and Theo worries she may have overstepped a boundary. They’ve talked enough pleasantries, and given his constant chiding over Garreth, she figured they were close enough for her to return the gesture. 

Perhaps not. She’s suddenly reminded that there’s likely years of history between Violet and Sebastian, maybe not all good. She wonders when she’ll ever learn to think before she speaks, lest she ruin one of the few friendships she’s made in her new town. 

Sebastian coughs, regaining her attention.

“You’ve got a crumb,” Sebastian mumbles. “On your lip.” He swipes at his bottom lip with his thumb.

Theo turns, awkwardly brushing away the remnants of puff pastry.  When she turns around, Sebastian is already down the hallway, feet dragging on the floor.

It’s eight hours to London, but Theo doesn’t mind the train ride.  She’s buzzing with anticipation, eager to see her best friends.  It’s the longest she’s ever been apart from them, having woven herself into their lives after meeting during freshers’ week orientation.  Imelda promised they would try out a new restaurant that had opened nearby their flat, and Poppy has already sent pictures of the air mattress blown up in the sitting room.  

Most of all, Theo is excited to be herself again. To walk the streets of London, devouring the city’s magnetic energy.  This trip will have to sustain her until the winter holidays, when she’s got enough time off from school to travel again.

Theo settles into her seat, prepared for hours of scrolling through her phone and reading.  The rest of the train cabin is barely audible over her blaring music, but she hears her name from far away.

”Theo!”

She looks up to see Sebastian and Rory, the young boy barreling down the aisle with his cast held above his head.  Sebastian is carrying their bags, huffing with red cheeks as he tries to keep up with his son. She’s never seen him so disheveled, even when he’d come over to do the yardwork.  His chestnut brown hair is sticking up in the back, dark circles pooling underneath his eyes.  

”Slow down,” he urges him. “And don’t bother her, please.” His voice is strained, slightly out of breath. 

“Are you going to London this weekend too?” Rory asks excitedly.

”I am,” Theo smiles warmly at him. “Lads weekend?”

”Family matters.” Sebastian quips.

”We’re going to stay with Uncle Ominis.” Rory says cheerfully. He slides into the seat next to Theo, prompting a whine from Sebastian.

”Ror, Miss Theo probably wants to be alone—“

”I don’t mind, really.” Theo cuts in quickly, stowing her headphones away. “It would be nice to have some company. It’s a long train ride.”

”See Dad?” Rory points out. “She doesn’t mind.”

Sebastian inhales deeply, exhaling out with a huff. “Fine,” he lifts their bags, stowing them above the seat next to Theo’s suitcase.  She averts her eyes when his shirt rises; his tracksuit pants are slung low across his hips, exposing a stretch of freckled skin at his waist.  

”Are you reading anything good?” Rory asks, thankfully distracting Theo from her intrusive thoughts. He opens his backpack, pulling out a well-worn paperback. “Dad finally let me borrow his copy of The Hobbit.”

”Good choice,” Theo affirmed, pulling out her own book. “Should we read together?”

”Theo, you don’t have to entertain him.” Sebastian falls into the seat across from them, dirty grass stained trainers perched across the bench. When he tugs at the collar, she can see the thin sliver of a chain around his neck.   

”We’re reading, Sebastian. If you don’t want to sit with us, you’re more than welcome to grab a snack.” Theo orders.

“Yes, snacks.” Rory perks up, already engrossed in his book.

Sebastian lets out a loud puff of air, but quickly jumps to his feet. “Snacks it is,” he shrugs. “I’ll be back.” He bunches his shirt sleeves over his elbow, offering a quick wave before he departs to the dining car.

Rory peers up at her with hopeful eyes once his father disappears. 

“You were right,” he says proudly. “All I had to do was call Uncle Ominis, and now we’re going to London to visit him!”

Theo wants to believe that it’s a boys trip, Sebastian being cheeky and skipping a working session at school.  But having asked for the day off herself, Theo knows exactly what hoops Sebastian has had to jump through just to skip a mandated teacher training day. Plus, the dark circles under his eyes indicate he’s not been sleeping well, if at all.  His curt answer of “family matters” has her imagination running on overdrive.  Even though Sebastian seems to be a pillar of the community, there isn’t mention of any other Sallows in town. 

“Did you watch the movies?”

”Huh?” Theo asks, snapping out of her daze.

”I asked, did you watch The Hobbit?” Rory asks, unphased. “Dad said they’re alright…” he trails off, babbling about Sebastian’s rants over book adaptations. 

The door to their car opens, and Sebastian walks back in. 

“Dining car isn’t open yet, Ror.” He shrugs. “We’ll try again in a little bit.  Now, what have I missed?”

”Nothing,” Theo quips.

”I was telling her what you told me about The Hobbit movies,” Rory chirps. 

“Very polarizing subject, I see.” Sebastian snorts. He settles back into the bench across from them, eyebrows quirked. He gives her a look—more of a question than a statement, but Theo can’t quite make it out.

”What part are you reading now?” Theo blurts, letting Rory overtake the conversation.  Sebastian tilts his head towards the window, a smirk on his lips as the train whistle bellows.

”You can move, you know.” 

Theo tilts her head down to look at Rory, who is perched against her arm. His soft snores are endearing, brown lashes fluttering as he naps.

”No, he’s too peaceful.” She whispers. “Let him sleep.”

”Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Sebastian is amused, leaning his chin into his palm. “Can I get you a coffee at least?”

They’re halfway through the train ride now, and Theo worries her stomach grumbling might wake the little boy snoring against her sleeve. 

“Coffee and a sandwich.” she mutters. “But it doesn’t have to be right this second.  We can wait until Rory wakes up, I’m sure he’ll want lunch too.”

“Suit yourself.” Sebastian sits back.  He furrows his brows as he checks his phone, clearly dissatisfied with the lack of texts.  He’d been checking his phone religiously for the last two hours of the trip, increasingly frustrated with whoever he’s corresponding with.

”How’d you get out of lesson planning?” Theo asks quietly.

Sebastian looks out the window. “Told Black we had some family matters to attend to.” He says curtly.

Theo narrows her eyes at him. “Are you still annoyed at me?” 

“Why would I be annoyed?” Sebastian goads her on.

”Because of what I said about Violet,” she huffs. “It was a compliment.  She really is beautiful, Sebastian. And everyone seems to know that you like each other.”

”It’s not what you think.” Sebastian says bluntly. 

“I’m not judging you, if that’s what you thought—“

”Theo,” Sebastian says, but she doesn’t let him get a word in.

”I mean, who hasn’t shagged in a car park before—“

”We went outside to talk because she wanted to tell me she was seeing someone,” Sebastian interjects. “And I told her to go for it.”

Theo feels her face heating up with embarrassment.  She’d assumed exactly what everyone else had, watching the two of them run out of the pub hand in hand. She tries to imagine the two of them having a serious conversation, but she’s having a hard time picturing it.  Whenever she’s seen the two of them together, it’s like fire circling fire, then nothing at all. 

”Oh.” Theo blurts. “I’m sorry.”

”There’s nothing to be sorry about.” Sebastian says, giving her an earnest look. “We were never that serious to begin with anyways. She likes living in Edinburgh, and I don’t want to give her the wrong idea.”

”What idea is that?” Theo quirks her head.

Sebastian turns his cheek, looking out the window at the passing landscape. “That I’m interested in a relationship.”

“Didn’t peg you for a fuckboy, Sallow.” Theo snorts. She covers her mouth at Sebastian’s stern face, silently apologizing for cursing in front of Rory.

“I’m serious.” Sebastian rolls his eyes. “I’m not looking for anything at all.  It’s nice to have company, but I don’t need it the way other people do.” 

”That’s a bit bleak, isn’t it?” She raises a brow.

Sebastian shrugs. “Maybe when Rory is older.  But he needs me now, just the way I am, no distractions.”

 “So, you’re going to go…six to eight more years before you even think of being in a relationship?” Theo huffs. “That’s likely.”

“We live in a tiny town, and I’ve known every single girl our age since I was six.” Sebastian points out. “Not hard to stay single.”

“Then why are you on the apps then?” Theo inquires. “To meet somebody, I presume.”

There’s an awkward silence between them, and Theo puts two and two together.  Sebastian’s face is red, freckles heating up as he looks down at his beat up trainers, patting down the front of his hair.  He’s not using the apps to find a woman to date, not seriously.  He’s using it to find hook-ups, preferably ones who are fine with one night stands.

He has needs, she’s sure of it.  The same way she—

“Right,” Theo blurts. “Well, that’s mortifying.”

”Y’know, when you said you wanted to be friends, I didn’t think we’d be diving that personal.  At least not yet.” Sebastian jokes, trying to find levity amongst the excruciatingly painful energy they’ve created in the train car. “I figured I needed a better way to find new...”  He trails off, blushing furiously as he tries to find the right words.  He has a way of waggling his thick brows when he’s trying to make light of a situation, something she’s noticed over the past few times they’ve hung out.

Theo gags, and Sebastian snorts. 

“Men are pigs,” she scoffs. “Thank the gods that Rory has enough women in his network to keep him respectful.”

“Garreth Weasley isn’t a pig,” Sebastian points out.

”Shut up.” Theo snaps, and Sebastian laughs again.

Sebastian: Cheese toasties, egg salad, or prawn mayonnaise.  Those are your options.

Theo huffs, trying not to wake the still-sleeping Rory, who’s snoring against her jacket.

Theo: You’ve been gone for fifteen minutes, and those are the only options you give me?  Sallow, that’s pitiful.

 

Sebastian: There’s a long line, okay

 

Sebastian: If you don’t respond in one minute, it’ll be the prawn

 

Theo: You’re so impatient

 

Sebastian: Hurry up

 

Theo rolls her eyes, fighting back a yawn as she types her response.

Theo: I’ll take the prawn.

Sebastian’s arms are full, carrying the bag with their dessert between his teeth as he meanders down the aisle.  He’s been gone much longer than he’d originally promised—partially because of the long line in the dining car, and partly to push Theo’s buttons.  He knew Rory wouldn’t wake; the boy has always slept just like Ominis, drifting off into a coma-like nap whenever they take the train. 

Besides, it was nice to have some alone time. He likes Theo well enough, but having to be on one’s best behavior in front of a new friend for eight hours is far too much.  He spends a few minutes scrolling through his phone, swiping through the aforementioned dating apps.  His finger always hovers above the chat button; he hasn’t seen anyone worth a conversation yet.  In fact, the only person he’s actually contacted through the app is Theo, and even that conversation was initiated by her.  He clicks on her profile again; the same pictures, the same smile that he’s looked at ever since they matched.  Once more, his eyes glaze over the low cut tank top she’s wearing in the first photo on her profile.

God, he’s got to get out of the house.  The pent-up frustration inside of him is driving his thoughts into all the wrong places. For heaven’s sake, she’s a nice woman.  Nice enough to hang back on the train and entertain Rory for a while, giving him a much needed breather. 

Sebastian settles down in his seat, putting his food haul on the tray table. 

“Alright, lunch.” He announces, sifting through the bags. “I got one of each sandwich, in case we felt like sharing.  Some biscuits for dessert, and drinks too. As requested, an iced coffee, two sugars.” 

There’s no answer.  Instead, he hears soft snorts.

Sebastian’s face softens. Theo has fallen asleep, her head resting on top of Rory’s.  Their books are both propped up against their stomachs; Theo’s arm is curled around Rory, as if she was trying to keep him from jolting forward.  The pair snores in tandem, Theo’s lips parted slightly as she breathes. 

He’s never gotten a good look at them before.  He’s done well not to stare at them before; Theo is a messy eater, and she’s somehow always got something on her lip.  Sitting across from her in close proximity, he has no choice but to stare. Her bottom lip is fuller than the top, maybe a beauty mark or a freckle to the left of her mouth. They look soft; he can tell from the marks she bites into it often.

Christ.  It’s not a night out on the town that he needs—it’s a bloody exorcism at this point. 

He averts his gaze as her eyes flutter open, blinking heavily with sleep.  

“I’m back with lunch,” he murmurs.

Theo peers down at Rory, who hasn’t moved at all.

”Your child is like a weighted blanket.” Theo mumbles, shifting in her seat. “Did you get me the prawn?”

Sebastian bites back his laugh, tossing her the plastic wrapped sandwich. “I know. You’re welcome.”

She quickly unravels the sandwich, tossing the wrapper and the second half to the side of the bench as she takes a bite.  Sebastian catches a glimpse of her sharp teeth as she licks a stray bit of prawn salad that has landed on her lips. She always has something on her mouth.

“What is it?” Theo asks. She’s noticed him staring.

”You had a bit on your mouth.” He pointed out. “It’s gone now.”

She wipes her mouth on the back of her hand. “Thanks.” She says simply, going back to her lunch.

Sebastian decides to out the window as he eats his cheese sandwich.

”Good luck getting him to sleep tonight.” 

Sebastian groans, duffle bags slung over his shoulders.  Rory is ten paces ahead of them, practically bouncing down the aisle. Theo can’t help but laugh as the boy babbles about all the activities they have planned for the weekend. 

“He’ll be up all night. I knew I shouldn’t have let him try my coffee.” He mutters, giving Theo a stern look as she laughs. He bumps into the wheels of her suitcase, wincing in pain.

”Hurry up,” Sebastian complains.

”I’m moving, I’m moving.” Theo huffs.  

It’s been a long day, the sun already starting to set as they disembark from the train.  King’s Cross is bustling on a Friday night, and Sebastian is hollering over her shoulder to Rory, shouting at him to slow down.  Rory has his headphones in, dancing to whatever music his dad downloaded for the ride.

“Are you guys coming back Sunday as well?” Theo asks. “Maybe we can sit together again.”

“We’re here through Monday,” Sebastian gives her an apologetic look. “You’re on your own.”

”That’s too bad.  I enjoyed the company.” The truth is, she didn’t accomplish half the to-do list she’d planned for a solo train ride, but that’s oddly fine. Being with Rory and Sebastian made eight hours feel like four. 

Theo feels her phone buzzing in her pocket, no doubt Poppy or Imelda searching for her amongst the arrivals. They’re standing on the platform, Rory bopping his head a few feet away as he drags his little suitcase around in circles.  Sebastian shifts the weight of the duffle bags onto his shoulder, looking down at her with tired brown eyes. 

”I guess I’ll be going.” Theo blurts. 

“Yeah, I’ll see you Tuesday.” Sebastian says awkwardly.  His phone buzzes too, lighting up in his pocket.  Theo averts her eyes from the low slung trackies as he pulls it out, appraising his messages.

”Our ride is here.” He purses his lips. “Have a good weekend.”

”Yeah, you too.” Theo says quickly.  She hangs back a few moments, just so it doesn’t feel like she’s on Sebastian and Rory’s heels.  Other riders file in line ahead of her towards the exit, and her phone buzzes again.

Poppy: I’m so so sorry - things were crazy today at the office.  Let yourself in, key code is the same as before.

 

Theo: No prob. I’m excited to see you both.

 

Poppy: Me too.  Mel is being weird though, we’ve got so much to catch up on tonight after she falls asleep.  I bought the wine you like.

 

Theo smiles at the message, knowing exactly why Imelda is acting off.  She can’t wait to see the engagement ring in person, and to help her craft a proposal plan.  

Theo hears a familiar shriek in the distance. Looking up, she can see Sebastian and Rory standing with someone.  Sebastian looks pleased and annoyed at the same time, standing stiffly next to their bags. Rory, on the other hand, is elated—he’s beaming from ear to ear, arms thrown around a woman kneeling with her back to Theo. The lady grabs Rory’s face between her hands, pressing kisses all over.

It must be his mother, she realizes.  Sebastian has never mentioned her, but the pieces start falling into place.  Why else would he take off precious time at the beginning of the school year?  As far as Theo knew, Sebastian and Rory don’t have much family—Rory’s mother must be what’s bringing them to London with such haste.

Theo feels as if she’s intruding on a moment, the woman standing up to talk to Sebastian directly.  Before either of the Sallow boys can see her staring, she puts in her headphones and walks out of the station.

”Oh, I’ve missed good food.” Theo moans, licking her spoon clean.

Imelda laughs, swirling her glass of wine. “Doubt you’ll find much fine dining around home.” 

“No,” Theo scarfs down another bite of cake, wagging her spoon at her friends across the table. “I’ve been surviving on scraps and whatever your gran has to spare.”

”She does make a good roast though.” Poppy points out. “I do miss those.”

The few hours she’s spent with the girls so far have already healed her soul.  After dropping off her bags at their apartment, Theo quickly left to meet Poppy and Imelda for drinks and dinner on the town.  With just thirty six hours in London, there wasn’t much time to spare. Before Theo could even dive into her laundry list of life updates, Imelda and Poppy immediately dragged her to a hip little bistro down the block from their flat.  

“When did this place open up?” 

Poppy tilts her head to Imelda. “About a month ago maybe?  We’re obsessed, we’ve been three times already.”

”Some young up and coming chef,” Imelda waves her off. “Whatever they’re doing, I’ll keep coming back for more.”

“So, now that we’ve updated you on everything going on here, you have to tell us everything.” Poppy says, leaning forward on the table. 

“Everything about what?” Theo rolls her eyes, setting her cutlery down.

”Well, for starters, you’ve been hanging out with all the squares from college.” Imelda snorts.

”Mel!” Poppy gasps, elbowing her.

”I’m kidding.” Imelda says, but Theo isn’t quite convinced. “I just mean to say, we weren’t exactly best friends with Cressida, Grace, and Nellie.”

”What about Violet?” Theo asks nonchalantly.  She hasn’t mentioned what she knows about Violet chatting with Isaac yet, and isn’t sure she’s ready to open that can of worms.

Poppy shrugs. “Indifferent.  I don’t really remember talking to her much at all.”

”She’s hooking up with Sebastian,” Theo blurts, drumming her hands against the table. “Or at least, they were.”

Imelda gives her an impressed look. “Of course she was.  She had such a crush on him, even when he was dating Sam.  Wonder why they broke it off though.”

”Have you and Sebastian gotten closer?” Poppy inquires, a curious glint in her eyes.

”Only a little,” Theo admits. “Helps to have a friend at school. And he’s not all that bad.”  She wants to mention that they spent the better half of the day on the train together, but for some reason she wants to keep that to herself for now.

”I’m glad,” Poppy says seriously. “Sebastian always seemed like he needed a good friend.”

The door to the restaurant opens, and Imelda’s jaw drops. 

“You’re joking,” the brunette says gleefully. “Natty?”

Theo blinks at the entrance, a smile frozen on her face.  She’s met Natsai Onai before, back when they were in university.  From time to time, she’d meet up with them at parties, or bring a bottle of wine to the flat.  Natty’s communication tapered off when she got busy with her legal practice course, eventually drifting off completely by the time she became a barrister.

Yet Natty Onai walks towards their table, her bright glimmering smile visible across the room.  Her dark hair is braided into coils, pulled in a tight bun at the nape of her neck.  She’s wearing a fancy business suit, heels clicking against the creaky wooden floors as she approaches.

”Imelda, Poppy, it’s been so long!” Natty pats them affectionately. “And Theo!  Good to see you.”

Imelda immediately jumps to her feet, kissing the woman’s cheeks. “What are you doing here?”  Before Theo can protest, Poppy gestures to the chair next to Theo, inviting Natty to sit with them.

”My roommate is the pastry chef,” she says, sliding into the seat. “Adanna. I’m meeting her here for a drink after her shift.”

”Is it that late already?” Poppy checked her watch for the time. “Shit!”

Theo checks the time on her phone; it’s already late, the restaurant due to close within the hour.  The three of them had been so dialed into their conversation, they hadn’t even noticed how much time had passed. Theo sheepishly turns around looking for their server, but sees a woman in a yellow patchwork jacket approaching.

”Ada!” Natty waves her over.  “I want you to meet some old friends.”

”Hiya,” the woman says warmly, squeezing Natty’s shoulders from behind.  She drags a chair from a vacant table over, sitting on it backwards with her arms perched on the cane back.  Her bountiful black curls spill over her shoulders as she waves over the server, asking him to bring two more wine glasses.  

“Ada, this is Poppy Sweeting, Imelda Reyes, and their roommate, Theo Caulfield.” Natty explains. “I went to college with Poppy and Imelda.”

”Pleasure,” the woman holds her hand out politely. “Adanna Egwe.” 

“If you made the cake, I ought to kiss you.” Imelda chirps, and the table bursts into laughter.

”I did,” Adanna dips her head modestly. “New recipe I was trying out tonight, I’m glad you liked it.”

”We’ve been coming here weekly since you guys opened up,” Poppy adds. “Honestly, it’s our new favorite restaurant.” 

“Excellent, I love meeting regulars.” She flashes her teeth in a warm grin. 

“Since when do you three live around here?  Finally upgrade?” Natty asks, pouring herself a glass of Malbec. 

“Oh, we moved here six months ago,” Imelda explains, putting an arm around the back of Poppy’s chair. “Found a great deal on a one bedroom up the road.”

Natty raises a brow. “Are the three of you squeezing in a one bedroom?”

”Cozy,” Ada chuckles.

“Oh, I’m living on my own now.” Theo babbles.

”She’s actually living with Gran!” Poppy says excitedly. “Theo’s the new school nurse at St. Margarets, can you believe it?”

”Wow, Blainey finally retired?” Natty lets out a low whistle. “I can’t believe my mum wouldn’t have told me, you must see her around school. What made you want to move all that way?”

Theo can’t possibly imagine explaining her situation in her current state of sobriety, so she takes a large glug from her wine glass, offering a shrug. “I just really wanted to be a school nurse.”

Everyone laughs, but it's a bit more pitiful than she would’ve hoped.

“I just saw on instagram, Cressida Prewett is pregnant again.” Natty tips her glass towards the girls. “Good for them.”

”We’ve lost dear Theo to Cressida and her crew,” Imelda says dramatically, holding the back of her hand to her forehead. “I’m not sure I’ll ever recover from being replaced.”

”Shove off,” Theo rolls her eyes, pushing her friend. “You’re still my best friends.” As she spoke, her phone screen lit up, buzzing on the table.  The message was visible to all on the table.

Garreth: Hope you got into London okay.  How was the train?

Theo grabs her phone, chewing the inside of her cheek as she holds her phone close to her chest, typing a quick response.  Adanna is unbothered, occupied with her wine glass.  Natty, ever polite, has already averted her gaze.  Poppy raises an eyebrow at her, telepathically asking her a question.

Imelda, on the other hand, chooses to say it aloud.

”Are you talking to Garreth Weasley?” Imelda asks, an incredulous look on her phase. “Since when?”

“Garreth?” Adanna pipes up. “Nat, is that the one who—“

“We dated in college,” Natty says quickly, waving her off. “It wasn’t that serious.”

Imelda, who seems unable to read the room, lets out a loud laugh, tipping her head back. “Oh my god, Garreth of all people!”

”Shut up,” Theo seethes. “You’re just as bad as Sebastian.”  The words slip out of her mouth before she can stop.

”Don’t even get me started on Sebastian,” Natty shakes her head.

”What, another ex-boyfriend?” Adanna teases, pinching Natty’s arm. 

“No, some bloke from college who hid he had a kid for a whole ten years,” Imelda adds. “It’s a wild story.”

“You just don’t know him.” Theo snaps.  There’s something inside of her, a fire that’s been lit at the mention of her colleague.  It was her fault that it got out in the first place, she owes it to Sebastian to defend both him and his son.

”And you do?” Poppy asks.

Not really, Theo thinks.  But she knows enough.

“He’s been very kind to me since I moved to town.” Theo points out. “As has Garreth.”

“That puts you three for three on boys from our hometown.” Imelda teases. “Would you look at that?”

”That’s below the belt,” Poppy finally snaps, nudging her girlfriend. “Don’t be mean.”

Theo averts her gaze, staring at the floor.  But she does catch Natty’s eyes, which are wide and sympathetic.  She knows, at the very least, what Theo has been through.  Natty herself was there when Theo met Isaac for the very first time.

”Oh!” Adanna breaks Theo out of her thoughts. “Garreth is the one that’s a baker, isn’t he?”

”He is,” Natty laughs. “But don’t worry.  Your sticky buns are better.”

”Damn right,” Adanna chortles, and the table starts to laugh once more.  The conversation shifts topics, but Theo’s mind is now miles away. She laughs at whatever Imelda says, staring into the bottom of her wine glass.

For the briefest moment, she wonders what Sebastian is doing.

“Rory’s asleep.” 

Sebastian takes the beer from Ominis, clinking the neck of the bottle against his.  Ominis settles into the seat next to him, absentmindedly sipping as Sebastian flips through the channels.

”You never did tell me about the train ride,” Ominis says, brushing back his blond hair.  It’s much longer now than it was the last time Sebastian saw him, which means they’ve been apart for too long.

Sebastian shrugs, trying to find something to watch.  The news, reruns of Love Island, some sitcom that already got canceled.  He settles on a documentary about formula one before falling back against Ominis’s plush couch. 

“It was fine,” Sebastian says. Instead of the TV, his eyes are glued to the ceiling.  “Uneventful.”

Ominis is silent, and Sebastian can tell he’s carefully picking his next words.

”Rory said something about you two sitting with a woman.” Ominis points out. “Anything I should know?”

Sebastian rolls his head to the side to look at his friend. “Theo.” He says curtly. “Theo Caulfield.  She’s the new school nurse.”

”A right sight better than Blainey, I’m sure.” 

Sebastian snorts, lifting the beer to his lips. “She’s actually friends with Imelda Reyes and Poppy Sweeting.  Came up to the highlands to live with Poppy’s grandmother for a while.  I don’t know why though.”

”Interesting.” Ominis perches his ankle across his knee. “What’s she like?”

”She’s nice,” Sebastian shrugs. “I don’t know much about her, other than that she likes good music and Rory likes her.  And before you get any ideas, Garreth’s already staked his claim on her.”

Ominis wrinkles his nose. “A pity.  Is she pretty?”

The question is bait, no doubt.  Ominis is always going on about Sebastian’s love life, how it’s unhealthy for him to be alone.  Sebastian is sure it’s not wholly of his own volition, but Ominis pesters regardless.

”She’s nice looking,” Sebastian gives in. “But you know me—strictly against policy to date colleagues.”

”Ah, of course.” A wide grin spreads across Ominis’s face. “Precisely why you haven’t gone after old Hecat yet.”

Sebastian laughs as he shoves his best friend, who is laughing so hard he’s snorting.  For a moment, he’s forgotten that this is a short trip, that he has a ten year old asleep in the next room.  For the briefest second Sebastian feels young again, without a care in the world other than his closest mate and the beer in his hand.

Ominis starts going on about plans for the next day, and Sebastian picks up his phone. He’s swiping through the app again—he does it every time he’s bored.  There’s more matches here in London, but he doesn’t have the gumption to respond or message anyone.  When he does look at his messages, his finger hovers over the singular profile on that page.

A sly smile, pouty lips, and a low-cut shirt. Black waves falling in her face as she nestled against his son in the train car, sleeping.

While Ominis is carrying on, Sebastian goes to his texts, sending the words that have been sitting in the back of his mind ever since they left Kings Cross.  Once it’s sent, he turns his phone upside down, sound off.  It’s harmless, innocent, a text between friends.

A real pity, Sebastian thinks.

Sebastian: I hope you’re enjoying your time in London.  Sorry we didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.

Theo reads the message, but it’s already two o’clock in the morning.  Sebastian sent it over an hour ago, and he’s likely asleep already. She herself really should be asleep; they have brunch reservations at half past ten, but one bottle of wine with Natty and Adanna quickly turned into four.  Imelda was snoring loudly on the air mattress in the sitting room, barely making it up the steps to their flat in the first place.  On the bright side, it did mean Theo got to sleep in a real bed, cozied up next to Poppy.

”I am sorry,” Poppy says apologetically. “About what Mel said earlier.  And you know deep down she’s sorry too.”

”About what?” Theo feigns ignorance.

”About Isaac, Garreth, and Sebastian.  She didn’t mean it like that.”

”I don’t care,” Theo corrects her. “I know she was joking.  Besides, Sebastian is just a friend, and it’s not serious with Garreth yet.”

“Yet?” Poppy piques, flipping to face her with an eager look.

Theo rolls her eyes. “Yet, or ever.  We’ve gone out on two dates, it’s not serious at all. I don’t even know that he’s really my type.”

”What is your type?” Poppy asks.

Theo isn’t quite sure how to answer.  She’d met Isaac when they were so young, and framed most of her adult life around him.  It was easier that way, to fit herself into his life.  She had only been eighteen when they’d started dating, and Isaac was all she’d ever known.

”I don’t even really know.” Theo confesses. “I still barely know who I am.”

”You’re a badass, that’s what you are.” Poppy says reassuringly. “I couldn’t be half as brave as you, moving somewhere you barely know and making all these new friends while you’re at it.”

Theo stares at the ceiling, chewing the inside of her cheek. Despite the reassurances, Theo doesn’t know how much she believes Poppy’s statement.

”Can I tell you a secret?” Poppy asks quietly. “You have to promise not to tell anyone.”

Theo turns her head on the pillow. “Pinky promise.”

Poppy hooks her pinky around Theo’s, cheeks pink as she tries to find the right words. 

“I bought a ring,” the brunette confesses. “Nothing fancy, but I was passing a shop and saw one that just reminded me of her.  I’m gonna ask her to marry me.”

Theo’s heart feels like it’s going to burst from happiness, eyes welling up with tears.  She knows Imelda’s secret; now she’ll have to keep Poppy’s too.  It’s admirable how her best friends are in lockstep, somehow always on the same page with their love.  She can only hope to have a fraction of the same kind of love in the future.

”I know engagements are a bit of a sore subject,” Poppy bites her lower lip. “But I had to tell you.”

”Nonsense. I can’t wait.” Theo gushes, grabbing her hands. “I’m so excited for you.”

After the excitement of their conversation, Poppy quickly drifts off to sleep.  It leaves Theo to toss and turn, eventually retreating to her phone for entertainment. She’s not ready to text Sebastian or Garreth back yet, so she swipes through the dating app; it’s all bleak, not an option insight.  At least 85% of the messages she gets are spam, but it’s worth a check anyways.

Her hand freezes over Sebastian’s profile.  A toothy grin, freckles exploding across his cheeks.  Theo thinks back to the train ride, and seeing the tuft of dark hair on Sebastian’s freckled belly, from the hem of his shirt to the waistband of his trackies—

Theo sets her phone back down, shaking her head. Her eyes feel heavy; when she shuts them, she dreams of chestnut brown hair and the weight of a gold chain against her lips.

Chapter Text

If there is a hell, Sebastian Sallow is sure he’s in it.

He’s woken out of a deep sleep, jolting up from the flattened air mattress on Ominis’s sitting room floor. The sun is streaming in through the curtains; it’s later than he’d hoped.  Sebastian has no idea how he was able to sleep for so long, considering the subject matter of his dreams.

Sharp canines, grazing the chain around his neck. Theo whispers something inaudible to him, so close that her eyelashes are tickling his freckled cheeks. He wants to melt into her, to close whatever distance is between them.  Her fingertips dance at the edge of his waistband—

His alarm goes off again; blaring in his ears.  

Sebastian groans, rubbing his lower back as he stands up. He adjusts his morning wood before pushing in the french doors to the kitchen, praying no one is around to see.  Just his luck–there’s a sticky note on the refrigerator, scribbled in Rory’s chicken scratch handwriting. They’re all out to pick up breakfast, and will be back in an hour. Sebastian reminds himself to thank Ominis for the much-needed alone time.

It’s been years since Sebastian has had a morning alone, and given he’s at his own leisure for once, he makes his way to the bathroom for a much-needed shower. Ruffling his messy waves, he strips his pajamas down, kicking them into the corner of the bathroom.  Ominis has one of those fancy showers, a glass box in the center of the bathroom. Even with the steam filling the room, Sebastian can see himself stark naked in the mirror.

Sebastian can’t help but peek at his own reflection as he steps into the hot stream of water.  He can’t remember the last time he actually worked out just for himself–his exercise nowadays was mostly spent running around the boys at football practice.  He does a fair bit of heavy lifting during his weekend gardening run, but he’s not sure that actually counts. He should take up Sirona and Mirabel’s offer, let them take Rory for a few hours on the weekends so he can start hitting the gym again.  Taking some of Ominis’s fancy body soap, he lathers it over the remnants of his abs.

Theo hadn’t minded, Sebastian thinks. Of course he’d noticed Theo staring at him, and the memory of her eyes roving over his form fills his chest with warmth.  Perhaps he hasn’t entirely let himself go.  As the water washes over the bubbles, Sebastian closes his eyes to bask in the heat. Once more, his mind trails off to the thought of his accidental traveling companion, and the way she’d averted her eyes when he turned around and pulled his shirt down.

His hand trails downwards, fingers tracing over the dark hair beelining from his belly button down to his groin. He’s still hard, somehow harder than he was when he woke up.

It’s just biology, Sebastian reminds himself.  He looks at himself in the mirror, breathing in sharply when he sees his cock standing tall. Dreaming about her was involuntary; it was completely reasonable, considering they’d spent the better half of a day together in close quarters.  It doesn’t mean anything, even if he did dream about her the night before.  He tossed and turned on the flimsy air mattress, thinking about the way she pouted her lips when she slept.  Or the way she’d run her tongue over her bottom lip, biting into her pillowy lips before giving him a smart response.

Sebastian wonders what her lips feel like. Against his skin, or his lips. Around his–

Letting out a huff, he wraps one hand around his leaking cock, hissing at the sensation of warm water and pressure.  He pushes back his wet hair with his free hand, taking in a sharp breath as he sets a steady pace. His eyes flutter up to the foggy mirror, just the hazy outline of his body visible against the steamy glass.  

“Fuck,” Sebastian mutters, wrapping his other hand around the base.  He steps back, his backside pressing against the glass.  His head plunks against the surface, eyes shutting as his brain recalls his filthy memories from the night before.

Theo, caged underneath him.  She has an amused look on her face; she always does.  Those dark waves are fanned out around her, and she’s wearing the white low cut tank top from that picture on her profile.  She says something, but Sebastian can’t quite make it out.  He sinks his teeth into her neck, and her hips crane upwards to meet his.  His hand trails downwards to hold her hip, soft and plush.  His hand slips over his length faster, thumb sliding over the head, and he chokes on his breath. He swallows back his moans, biting down on his lip the way he wishes she would while he strokes himself.

Honey brown eyes, fluttering up to look at him through a curtain of dark lashes.  She does that thing with her mouth that’s been driving him positively insane over the last few weeks, and he dips his head down to kiss her.  Just before his lips make contact with hers, she gasps, mouth falling open as she slams her forehead into his shoulder.  Theo moves her head, teeth cutting into his golden chain, which dangles into her mouth. 

Faster, Sebastian thinks. Faster, harder. He’s furiously jerking himself off, panting from the heat of the water rolling down his back.  He can feel the pressure building in his stomach, eye squeezed shut as he imagines her below him again, her forehead pressed against his–

He can hear the door slamming shut from faraway, the sound of voices flooding into the apartment.

“Oi!  Seb!”

Sebastian’s eyes fly open, immediately letting go of his raging boner.  A wave of existential dread washes over him, realizing they’ve returned.

“Breakfast is here,” Ominis calls out, knuckles rapping against the door. “And tell me you’ve turned on the dehumidifier–I can practically feel the heat.  You better not use up all the hot water.”

“Almost finished,” Sebastian cries out, voice cracking.  He curses under his breath, washing soap out of his hair.  His cock is already going soft from the sheer force of being interrupted, but the ball of tension in his stomach remains. He’ll be on edge for the rest of the day, but that’s something he’ll have to live with–it doesn’t feel right to dilly dally in the shower any longer, and there’s no way he can get it back up and over with before they start to become suspicious.

Sebastian steps out of the steaming shower, wrapping a towel around his waist.  He tracks water against the old, wooden floors as he goes back out to the sitting room, rummaging through his duffle bag for the day’s clothes. His hair is still sopping wet when he sits down at the breakfast table, Rory scooting his chair over to accommodate him.

”Donuts look great,” Sebastian says cheerfully, grabbing a pink frosted sugar bomb. “Coffee?”

”Black,” Ominis says, and Rory pushes a paper cup with his name on it towards him. The coffee has cooled down in the time that it took Sebastian to get out of the shower, and it's comfortable to drink.  

“Sebastian, you’re such a slob,” he hears a voice calling from the hall. “You’ve tracked water everywhere.”

Sebastian can see the way she’s wrinkling her nose already. 

“Sorry Annie,” he yells out, mid-chew. “I’ll clean it up.”

His twin sister walks into the kitchen, brows furrowed. She glares at him with her matching chocolate brown eyes. They look less alike as they get older, Anne’s face holding on to more of their father’s thin and refined features. Despite the time apart and the fact that she wears her hair in a shoulder length bob, Sebastian can’t help but picture her with those wispy, straight across bangs she’d worn for nearly all her life.  Her angry face is still the same, he thinks, lips pressed in a hard line as she taps her foot.

“Alright, alright, I’ll do it now.” he grumbles, standing up.  He brushes crumbs off his shirt and Anne shrieks again, prompting a giggle from Rory.

“You’re making a mess!” Anne barks. “Next time I ought to put you up at a hotel.”

“Maybe then my back wouldn’t be killing me,” Sebastian retorts, pressing a quick kiss to the top of her head before he grabs a roll of paper towels. “Your air mattress is shite, by the way.”

“Aren’t all air mattresses supposed to be?” Ominis drawls, swirling his cup of tea. “It’s a reminder to go home.”

“Very hospitable, you lot.” Sebastian scoffs.  He audibly groans as he leans down, wiping up the small puddle he left on his way to the kitchen.

“You shouldn’t have come in the first place,” Anne points out, sinking into the seat next to Ominis.  The blond instinctively wraps his arm around the back of her chair, unseeing eyes fluttering downwards to his tea cup.  

Sebastian’s eyes flit down to Rory, who is sitting quietly at the table.  His cheerful demeanor has quickly faded, and he’s chewing on his nails.  Sebastian wraps an arm around his son, recognizing the telltale sign of anxiety.  He hates conflict himself, and he’s been through enough with Anne that he knows it’s not worth ruining the whole weekend trip over a silly squabble.

“We wanted to see our favorite aunt,” Sebastian says clearly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Anne purses her lips, but quickly changes her mood when she sees Rory’s face. She’s his aunt, his only aunt, and one half of Sebastian. She needs no words to get the hint. 

“I’m happy you’re here.” She says softly. “I’m just giving your dad some grief over pulling you out of class.” 

“I’m ahead of the curriculum, actually. Since I can’t play in gym class, I do a lot of my reading in Theo’s office.” Rory chirps.

Sebastian isn’t sure why his stomach twists at the mention of her name, but it does. 

“Who’s Theo?” Anne asks, head tilted.

”Theo is our new friend,” Rory explains. 

“The new school nurse,” Sebastian corrects. “Rory’s gotten to know her quite well since he broke his arm.”

”Before that too,” Rory corrects him this time. 

“Oh, Blainey retired?” Anne asks. Her eyes flit up to Sebastian’s, and he quickly averts his.

”She did,” Sebastian says hastily. “So, are we going to the museum today, or what?”

Anne knows her twin well enough to leave the subject alone.

“You shouldn’t stay up so late.” 

Sebastian tilts his head to the doorway.  Anne is leaning against the frame, clad in flannel pajamas.  It’s Sunday evening, and he and Rory will be off on the early train back up to the highlands. Instead of sleeping, Sebastian is sitting on the couch, flipping through the channels.

”Don’t baby me,” Sebastian warns. “Besides, I’m used to staying up late.”

Anne snorts, dodging the half blown up air mattress on the floor to sit next to him on the couch. She curls her feet under herself, shivering slightly.

”I’m sorry I got testy with you,” she admits. “I was embarrassed.”

”There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.” Sebastian insisted. “You felt ill, and Ominis panicked. I’m glad we came.”

Anne inhales sharply, picking at her cuticles. “I just hate making you panic over me when you’ve got more important things to do.”

Sebastian snorts. “A few people can wait for me to mow their lawns—“

”Sebastian,” Anne warns. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

”You’re important to me. You’ll always be the most important person to me. Well, besides Ror.” He says, playing with the frayed edge of his St. Margaret’s shirt. 

They sit in silence for a few moments, the sound of the news playing in the background.  Silence has never been uncomfortable for the twins; even without speaking, they know exactly what each other means.

”So, are you getting back out there at all?” 

“Anne,” Sebastian groans. “Don’t.”

She holds her hands up. “I’m only asking because Ominis worries about how lonely you are.”

”If I even had time to date, which I don’t, I wouldn’t date anyone around town.  Too many busybodies to get in my business.” He points out.

”See, you worry for me, but I worry for you.” Anne shrugs. “I hate the idea of you being alone up there. If things had gone differently—“

”We weren’t going to be able to play house forever,” Sebastian points out.

Playing house.  That’s exactly what it was, he thought. Three twenty something’s playing at being able to raise a child in a healthy, safe environment between three best friends.  It worked for a little while, but Sebastian was never going to make enough money as a museum guide to pay for Rory’s needs, let alone a two bedroom flat in the city. He fought tooth and nail against moving back, but the prospect of a three bedroom cottage rent-free was too alluring.

“You’ve been single for too long, and it’s starting to get weird.”

Sebastian snaps back to reality, scowling at his twin.

“It’s not weird—“

”It’s weird, Sebastian.” Anne says curtly. “Remember how much you used to hate being alone?”

It’s true.  Sebastian’s greatest fear growing up was being alone.  Heaven knows their family has been through enough tragedy and hard times; after their parents passed, he’d clung to Anne for dear life.  And after she got sick for the first time, Sebastian had started acting out.  He’d fought more than ever with their uncle Solomon, eventually getting himself kicked out of the house. Sebastian had spent those two weeks climbing the trellis into Ominis’s bedroom, sleeping on his best friend’s trundle bed against his parents’ wishes. Things were only resolved when Anne forced uncle and nephew to make amends, but it was never the same.

He fidgets on the couch. “I don’t know, maybe I could stand to go out every now and then.”

”With an actual human woman,” Anne snorts. She expertly dodges his swat.

“I have seen women, you know.” Sebastian scowls. “Kind of how I ended up with a child in the first place.”

”I’m not an idiot, I know how that works.” Anne wrinkles her nose. “I’m just saying, you keep telling everyone that you want to wait until Rory grows older to put yourself back out there.  But what if that’s what you’re missing?  Don’t you think Rory would benefit from having a woman around the house?”

”He’s got Sirona and Mirabel—“

”A mother,” Anne says softly. “He needs a mother, Seb.”

”Well, don’t get ahead of yourself.  It’s not like I’m getting married tomorrow.” Sebastian sputters.

”I know that,” Anne rolls her eyes. “But you’re never going to meet someone unless you start putting yourself out there.” She pokes his shoulder. “I saw Hinge on your phone, that’s a start.  Can I see your profile?”

Sebastian’s face reddens. “No, you may not, you snoop.” He blurts, curling his hands around his phone. If she does see, she’ll only see the conversation between him and Theo.  

“Fine, weirdo.” Anne huffs. “Just promise me you’ll at least try?”

Sebastian purses his lips together in a displeased expression.  But Anne can’t stop pouting, giving him puppy dog eyes. 

“I will,” Sebastian promises his sister. Perhaps that will get her off his back for a while, reassure her that she’s always right.  

Anne looks wary, but his promise seems to be enough for now.  She ruffles his hair, petting his head. “Good.  Now, go to sleep—you’ve got a long train ride home tomorrow.”

Theo: Hope the train ride isn’t too bad today.

 

Sebastian: Thanks for checking in.  How was yours?

 

Theo: Quiet. Got a lot of reading done. 

 

Theo: But I did miss the company. Lunch is going to be extra dull today too; since you’re out, I’m helping Binns cover lunch duty for the lower school.

 

Sebastian: I’m sure Rory will miss you

 

Sebastian: I’ll have to make up for you having to listen to Binns for half an hour, won’t I?

 

Sebastian blinks at his phone screen, rereading the last text he’d sent.  It sounds a bit too suggestive, but they’re friends, right?  Or maybe he’s reading too hard into things.  Rory hums across from him on the train, bobbing his head to his music as he reads.

He should’ve rephrased it.  He’ll explain it to her tomorrow. Maybe she thinks he’s gross—

Theo: I guess you will. Let’s have lunch when you’re back.

Sebastian bites his lip, covering his smile with his palm as he sets his phone down.

”Who was that?” Rory asks, pulling a headphone out.

”No one,” Sebastian shrugs. “How’s your book?”

”Almost finished,” Rory chirps, curling his legs underneath him.  

Sebastian watches his son scan the pages, eyes darting intently back and forth.  He chews on the inside of his cheek as the little boy’s brows furrow. There’s something off about him—Sebastian knows it.

”Are you alright?” He asks softly.

Rory gives him a sheepish look over the edge of his book. “Is Aunt Annie sick again?”

Sebastian surges forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “No, Ror, she’s completely okay.  What makes you think—“

”We never just come to London for fun,” Rory says carefully. “And you two were weird all weekend, I could tell.”

He feels a pang of guilt as he looks at Rory.  This weekend was supposed to be a treat, but he knows it wasn’t nearly as fun as Sebastian had promised it would be. His mind flashes to the downcast look on Rory’s face while he and Anne shared terse words over breakfast, and the way Rory gingerly held Anne’s hand as they walked through the museum together, pausing often to make sure she didn’t overextend herself.  For as much as Sebastian wants to believe Rory is his mini-me, he’s quite a bit like Anne—headstrong, but sensitive at the same time.

Sebastian grabs his hand. “I’m sorry it wasn’t as much fun as I’d promised,” he says carefully. “Your aunt wasn’t feeling well, and Ominis called to let me know.  I thought we should come visit and cheer her up, but it turns out her scans were all fine anyways.”

Rory gives him a face. “Next time, can we come back for fun? Just fun?”

Sebastian ruffles his son’s messy hair. “Of course we can.”

Rory gives him a pleased look as he settles back into his seat, refocusing on his book.  The smile on Sebastian’s face fades the moment Rory’s eyes are downcast, and he starts to chew on his nails. It’s selfish of him to dream of his own personal life when there are others more important to worry about.  Sebastian reminds himself of his priorities; first, to give Rory everything he could possibly need or want.  Secondly, to keep Anne healthy.

He pushes his daydreams of Theo aside.  It’s not important.  It can wait.

The teacher’s lounge is quiet. Sharp is snoozing on the couch in front of the news like he usually does, but Theo and Sebastian are sitting at the communal table sharing their meal.

”How was your trip?” Theo asks, licking the edge of her spoon. 

Sebastian has been quiet ever since their trip to London.  She’d texted him a polite follow up the day he and Rory were traveling back to the highlands; it was the first time any of their text conversations didn’t center around Rory, lawn care, or St. Margaret’s.  Perhaps she’s read too much into it, she thinks, mind circling the drain on his verbiage.

I’ll have to make it up to you, won’t I?

That was flirty.  It was undoubtedly flirty. If he doesn’t mean to flirt, Theo honestly might have to have a serious conversation about his tone. Or maybe Theo is just that touch starved that a simple sentiment will send her in a frenzy, worrying that her luncheon companion has more amorous ideas.

Sebastian is stoic.  Despite his texts, they hadn’t gotten lunch right away.  Upon Sebastian’s return, he was immediately barraged by Headmaster Black’s   The extent of their interactions have been brisk waves in the hallway, or half smiles from across the room.  Theo had nearly succumbed to asking Rory for any insight on his father’s mood during his daily trip to the nurse’s office, but she drew the line at interrogating a ten year old.

”It was fine,” Sebastian says.  His tone is short and curt, a warning shot to not ask any further details. “Rory went wild over the museum as usual.  How was yours?  Get up to anything eventful?”

”It was good,” Theo says, chewing on her lower lip as she stirs her yogurt.  “Tried a new dinner spot with Poppy and Imelda.”

Sebastian hums, but says nothing.  He looks back down at the stack of papers in front of him, brushing a stray piece of cheese from the test he’s grading.

It’s infuriating to her.  Granted, Theo hasn’t had to make any new friends for quite some time, but there’s something maddening about Sebastian.  She thought they’d made a breakthrough on the train to London—eight hours of laughter and conversation should be more than enough to make them friends at this point.  

“Can I tell you a secret?” Theo asks slowly.

”Shoot,” Sebastian says, still looking down.  He drags his red pen through an essay, marking up a student’s work with red slashes.

”Poppy and Imelda are getting engaged,” she murmurs. “They’ve both bought rings, but neither of them knows.  I’m trying to orchestrate a day where they can propose to each other.” 

Sebastian finally looks up at her, one of his thick eyebrows cocked. “Look at you, secret keeper.”

”I know,” Theo snorts, shaking her head. “I think they’ll do it over the holidays.  I’d love for them to do it here at home, so I can arrange a party for them.”

”You think you’ll stay here for the holidays?” Sebastian asks.  “What about your family?”

Theo shrugs. “Poppy and Imelda are my family.” 

Sebastian doesn’t say anything. No further inquiries. He turns his head back to his papers, red pen marks littering the page. Where is the friendly Sebastian that bantered with her for a full eight hour trip?  She wants the version of Sebastian that she talks to over text, not this weird, distant man sitting across from her. 

“I feel like the kids don’t even listen,” he huffs, taking a sip of his coffee.

Theo’s face turns red as she goes back to her yogurt.  She feels the same way about him. Perhaps he doesn’t care to know her personal life.  It’s too messy, anyways.  They’re better off just being colleagues, texting each other jokes about Headmaster Black or asking if there’s an early release day—

“What are you doing on Saturday?”

Theo tilts her head up to look at him.  His face is unreadable, arms crossed as he waggles his pen in his right hand.  

“Garreth,” she responds quickly.  When Sebastian raises a brow, she feels her face turn redder. “I mean, Garreth asked me on a date Saturday.  So no trivia for us.”

Sebastian blinks at her a few times before going back to his papers. “That’s too bad,” he says breezily. “I was hoping for some competition.”

“So, free Saturday night for you, then?” Theo asks, leaning forward. “Do Sirona and Mirabel have Rory for you?”

”They do,” Sebastian says plainly. “Thought it might be nice to get out on my own.”

”I hope it’s fun,” Theo offers.

The brunette besides her says nothing in return.

Sebastian: I’m sorry if I was short earlier at lunch

 

Theo: I didn’t even notice.

 

Sebastian: I sounded like an ass. I’ve just had a lot to worry about since I’ve gotten back

 

Theo: It’s fine, Sebastian. I understand

 

Sebastian: I hope you have fun with Garreth tomorrow.

 

Theo: We really don’t have to talk about it

“So, what’s your favorite color?”

Sebastian cringes internally as the words come out of his mouth.  He’s not quite sure what possessed him. He could be home, watching movies on the couch, but instead he’s sitting at an unfamiliar Indian restaurant, across from a girl he’s just met online this week. After hearing that Garreth had finally plucked up the courage to ask Theo out on a proper sit down date, he’d been inspired.  He had a free Saturday night anyways;  no one else wanted to go to the pub but Lucan, and his chances of getting laid next to him would’ve been slim to none. So, Sebastian sent his very first message on the dating app, choosing the least offensive looking profile to interact with.

While he’d promised Anne he’d give dating a fair crack, he’d forgotten just how horrible it is to get to know someone.  At least with Violet, they’d known each other decently enough to bypass awkward questions.  The same can’t be said for Hannah, his date.  

“I’d say pink,” she says cheerfully, licking her spoon. “What about you?”

”Green,” Sebastian says simply, mouth pressed in a flat lipped smile. 

Hannah is nice, he thinks.  A nice girl.  She’s a secretary, a libra, and lives just far enough from him that he won’t have to run into her if their date goes south.  Decent track record on the internet, with nothing to indicate that she’s a serial killer or stalker. She’s also been rubbing her foot against his calf for the last half hour, so at least she finds him attractive. 

Sebastian opens his mouth, ready to ask his next stupid, first date question when he hears a familiar laugh ringing through the restaurant.  He whips his head around, mouth going dry when he sees them.

Garreth and Theo are sitting across the room, laughing.  Garreth is waving a piece of naan in the air back and forth, while Theo swirls her wine.  She flips her hair over her shoulder—she’s wearing that damn tank top from her profile picture. Sebastian is a little embarrassed to recognize it.

Doesn’t she have any other clothes?

“Do you know them?” Hannah asks, gesturing to the faraway table.

Sebastian swallows thickly. “I do,” he admits. “My coworker, and I’ve known the guy since primary school.”

Hannah’s interest is piqued, and she leans over the table to get a better look. “You look surprised.  Did you know they were dating?”

”I did,” Sebastian says lamely. “I do.  They’re good together.”

”They look cute,” she offers, and it makes Sebastian want to tear his napkin in half.

He hadn’t meant to make it weird with Theo.  After coming to the realization on the train, he’d tried to politely distance himself.  That was until lunch in the teacher’s lounge, when all he could think of was the way she licked her yogurt off her spoon.  In fact, he had meant to ask if Theo wanted to hang out on Saturday.  An innocent, completely platonic hangout.  And if she just so happened to want to kiss him, he would’ve been fine with it.  Very fine, actually.  He’d only been dreaming of her for the last bloody five nights anyways.

Garreth, she’d said. Garreth asked me out on a date. 

For as curious as Sebastian is to taste Theo’s lips, he could never do that to Garreth. Garreth was a good guy—the type of guy who would welcome you back with open arms, even if one had stuffed a half-eaten sausage roll into their locker to rot for a weekend in sixth form.  Garreth held no grudges, and was friends with everyone.  He was the type of guy who deserved a win; specifically, a beautiful woman after a decade long drought.

Sebastian feels his breath catch as Theo’s eyes catch his across the room.  Her mouth curves upwards, a pleasant flush blooming on her cheeks.  Sebastian licks his lips, until Garreth leans his big mug into view.

”Sebastian!” The redhead yelps, waving his hands.

Shit.

”Should we say hi?” Hannah asks hesitantly.  Sebastian understands—they’re on a first date, and he hadn’t quite envisioned introducing her to anyone he knows.  In fact, he was hoping to never introduce her to anyone at all.

”No,” Sebastian says hurriedly, leaning forward against the table to take her hand. “Tell me more about…”

”Portofino,” she says, picking up on the conversation they had on the app. “I was in Portofino for a hen do last weekend.”

“That sounds amazing,” Sebastian refocuses his attention, thumb running over her skin. “It must have been lovely.”

Their waitress puts their food down in front of them, and Sebastian wills himself not to turn around.

”Should we go say hi?” Garreth asks.

Theo swallows a mouthful of red wine, coughing as she sets her glass down. “God no,” she sputters. “He’s on a date.”

”We’re on a date,” Garreth reminds her.

The world’s most awkward date, Theo thinks.  

Garreth is kind, and from experience, he’s certainly a good kisser.  He was sweet enough to pick her up at her door, waving to Rose as they drove off in his truck.  He’d even picked a restaurant a little further out from town so they could finally sit down uninterrupted.  The ride was a bit longer than Theo had expected, and they’d exhausted all small talk midway through the drive.  And once they’d sat down across from one another at the restaurant, Theo had expected them to dive into conversation deeper than the coursory get-to-know someone questions they’ve been using during every interaction.

They try to cover every topic possible—sports, vacations, music, TV shows. Very little lines up in terms of their interests.  It seems all they really have in common is his aunt and the little friend group they now share. Garreth spends the entire appetizer course talking about his bread recipes, and Theo orders another bottle.

The conversation does not flow easily, but the wine sure does.

She supposes she could be happy dating Garreth Weasley for a while, looking past their differences. That they have enough physical chemistry to get by, and it would be nice to not have to go to group outings alone. But Theo is planning on moving back to London the moment she’s saved enough money, and Garreth has made it abundantly clear in their time spent together that he’s staying in the highlands indefinitely. It won’t last, and she’ll have to go through the horrible act of breaking up with someone all over again.

She cannot do long distance again.  She cannot go through another break-up.  For once, Theo is grateful for a lack of chemistry—at least now, she does not have to go through the excruciating experience of healing her heart (she’s still not sure it’s even fully recovered). 

Garreth spits the bread out, which drags Theo’s thoughts back to reality.  He’s making an odd face, pushing the plate of complimentary naan out of the way.

”Horrid,” he gags. “This one’s bad too. You can tell they’ve bought it offsite. Definitely not fresh.”

Theo picks up the bottle of wine, pouring herself another glass.

Sebastian: Hi

 

Theo: Hi.

 

Sebastian: Stole my date spot

 

Theo: Do you really go all this way for a curry?

 

Sebastian: Obviously not. Found it on Yelp, had decent reviews

 

Sebastian: How’s the date going

 

Theo: Focus on your own.

 

Theo: Is your naan just as bad?  Garreth can’t stop complaining.

 

Sebastian: Terrible

 

Theo: How’s your date?

 

Sebastian: Focus on your own

Theo bites back a smile as she slides her phone in her back pocket.  She runs her hands under the warm water, washing away the soap.  Maybe if she takes the long way around the dining room, she can get a proper look at Sebastian’s date.  She hadn’t taken him for someone who was interested in blondes, but then again, she’s only known him to be interested in Violet—

The toilet flushes, and Theo quickly casts her eyes down at the porcelain sink top as Sebastian’s date walks over.  She’s three sinks over, balancing her phone between her cheek and her shoulder as she chatters, flicking water everywhere.

”He’s cute,” she muses, clearly talking to a friend. “Has this broody look to him. We’ll see how things go.” She says, tossing a piece of paper towel into the trash can.  Theo pretends to adjust her shirt, watching discreetly as the curvy blonde touches up her lipstick. “Gotta go, he’s waiting for me.”

Theo feigns checking her own makeup as the girl walks behind her, heels clicking on the floor.  When the door slams shut, she sighs, leaning against the sink edge.  Theo looks up at herself in the mirror, cheeks red from both the amount of wine she’s drank and the embarrassment of almost being caught staring at Sebastian’s date.

”Stop being fucking weird,” Theo mutters, wagging her finger at herself in the mirror. “Get it together.”

Sebastian’s fingers are entwined with Hannah’s as they walk back to his car.  He’s had the good sense to clear the car of Rory’s personal effects; he doesn’t quite feel like explaining fatherhood to a stranger he’ll likely never see again.  Hannah is pretty, but after ninety minutes, Sebastian already knows there’s no possible way she could ever fit in the puzzle that is his life.  

“I’ve had a really nice night,” Hannah says sweetly, fluttering her lashes at him.  They’re standing next to the car now, her hips pressed flush against his.  Sebastian can feel her hand sliding into the back pocket of his jeans, and he lets out a sharp sigh in return. 

It’s getting pretty late, he wants to say. I should drop you off at home. It’s been lovely meeting you.

Just as he opens his mouth to say it aloud, Hannah tilts her head.

”Your friends are cute.”

Sebastian narrows his eyes as he looks over his shoulder; Garreth and Theo are kissing.  Not the type of friendly, polite kiss someone would give to say goodbye at the end of the date. No, Garreth has his arms wrapped around her back, dipping her low; her long dark hair is nearly brushing the gravel of the car park. Sebastian feels the curry coming back up his esophagus as the redhead pulls her upright.  When they pull apart, they descend into laughter—comfortable laughter, like they’ve known each other all their lives.

Sebastian turns his gaze back to Hannah, trying to swallow down the thick lump in his throat.  His chest hurts for some reason.  Hopefully he’s got antacid in the car.

”I’m not far from here,” Hannah says, smiling slyly.  Sebastian already knows this—he picked her up.

”You aren’t,” he muses, putting on his best smirk as he leans against the car.

Hannah slides her hand back into his pockets. “Fancy coming back to mine?” She asks, blushing. “For a nightcap?”

If he doesn’t take long, he can get back before midnight.  Sirona and Mirabel might be a bit cross with him, but he needs this.  His senses are screaming for affection, and Hannah will have to suffice.

”Why the hell not?” Sebastian grins, opening the passenger side door. “Let’s go.”

Garreth pulls Theo up from the kiss, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.  Theo is already laughing breathlessly, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes.

”Huh,” Garreth snorts. “Nothing?  You really don’t feel anything after that?”

”I’m so sorry, Garreth.” Theo moans, rubbing her head. “I really do like you—“

Garreth holds his hands up. “Stop. If you say as a friend, I think I’ll walk into traffic.  I can’t remember a date being this awful.” He groans.

”It’s not the company,” Theo reminds him. “It’s…”

”If you say it's you, I’m definitely walking into traffic.” Garreth threatens jokingly.

Theo crosses her arms, looking up at the redhead with a wry smile. “Can I be honest with you?  And you won’t tell a soul?”

”Fire away,” Garreth kicks at the gravel with his trainers, his back pressed against the car door. “These lips are sealed.”

”You are perfect, Garreth.  You’re a catch.  I just…it’s not going to be me.” Theo confesses. “And it’s not for lack of trying either, because you’ve been a gentleman through and through.”

Theo means it.  In another life, she could be happy with Garreth Weasley.  She could settle down in the highlands forever, be a mum of six and the wife of the town baker.  She could live the rest of her life happy with Saturday night trivia and sitting on the football pitch with Cressida Prewett and the other mums, watching Garreth keep score.  It’s not a bad life at all.  If she had not already said no to it, Theo might be tempted.

But there’s no going back, she thinks.  She cannot go back. 

”What is it?” Garreth asks gently. 

“You’re looking for something serious, Garreth.  Something real,” she says carefully, picking at her cuticles. “And I can’t give you that. I’m not planning on staying around here for very long, and I know that’s what you want.”

Garreth raises a brow. “A bit presumptuous, aren’t you?  What if we just wanted to have fun with it?”

Theo rolls her eyes. “Fun is fun until someone gets hurt,” she reminds him. “And that’s not all there is.”

”Again, I raise the question.  Why not?” Garreth asks again, trying to pry the answer out of her.

The words are on the tip of her tongue.  She wants to say it.  It’s like a get out of jail free card for her—if she says it, it will wash her slate clean.

”Can I tell you a secret, and you keep it between us?” Theo asks carefully.

Garreth’s honest green eyes light up with curiosity. “Of course I will.”

She takes a deep breath, crossing her arms as she lets the words loose.

“I was engaged last year, and I ended it.” Theo confesses.  It’s the first time she’s told anyone, really.  The ghost of a broken engagement has haunted her for the last year; she thought she’d feel sicker saying it aloud, but for some reason, it feels like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders. 

Garreth’s brows soften, and his eyes turn even more sympathetic. “Oh Theo, you should have told me you weren’t ready.”

”It’s fine, really. It’s great.” Theo assures him. “It’s not like I haven’t been on dates since then—it’s just you’re the first to make it to a third,” she confesses again. “And you’ve made it blatantly clear since we’ve met that you’re looking for something serious.  I just don’t think I can jump into anything at all, it wouldn’t be fair to you.” 

Garreth Weasley, the perfect man he is, pulls her into a tight hug. “Thank you for telling me,” he murmurs. “Are you okay?”

For someone who’s just had their entire life derailed in the span of a year, she’s actually doing quite well.  But she can’t possibly come up with those words, so Theo chooses to nod instead.  Garreth understands, giving her a half smile as he pats her head.

“You’re not supposed to be consoling me when I’m trying to end things with you,” Theo scolds. “That’s not how it works, Garreth.”  She does not pull away—she laughs into his chest.

”Please, I knew things were over the minute you didn’t know the difference between soda bread and sourdough,” Garreth snorts. “In all seriousness, it’s okay, Theo. I understand.  If you already know you’re not feeling it, it’s best we put a pin in it here.  We’ve had three lovely dates, and that will be it.  I’d much rather be your friend than go through that nasty break up business.”

Theo rolls her watery eyes, looking up at him. “Do you have to be so perfect?”

Garreth gives her a tiny shrug. “I have to show you what you’re missing out on, don’t I?”

They laugh again.  And despite the circumstances, Theo feels better than she has in months. 

Sebastian might be out of practice, but he knows a thing or two about women.  So, when Hannah invites him back up to her flat for a nightcap, he discreetly pulls a condom from the center console, slipping it in his back pocket before running up to meet her at the sidewalk.  He offers his coat as they walk from the car park to her building, and puts an arm around her shoulder.  

He’s a gentleman when he holds the elevator door for her, keeping his hands to himself even when she slides hers up the back of his shirt.  He lets her lead him to her apartment door, standing back as she unlocks it.  He clinks his wine glass against hers, placing a palm on her naked thigh as they sit on the couch.

Sebastian knows just what to do when she sets her wine glass down on the coffee table, eyes flickering down to her lips.  He puts his own glass down, pressing a tentative kiss to her lips.  Sebastian lets her lead, his hand cupping her bouncy hair when she licks her tongue against his.  He pins her down to the couch, pressing hot kisses to her throat while she gasps. He follows eagerly as they make their way to the bedroom; her shirt and bra comes off in the process, and he loses his as well.  When they get to her bedroom, he lays her down on the mattress, hands roving over her body.  Sebastian knows to ask if it’s okay, where she likes to be touched, to let her guide him as he slides her skirt and panties off.  She’s wriggling underneath him, hips thrusting upwards as he rubs her clit. She’s wet and wanting, writhing against his touch. Sebastian is doing everything right.

Yet still, there’s no reaction on his end.  Not when she unbuttons his jeans, or rubs her hands against the thin fabric of his boxers.  Things start getting embarrassing when she slides her hand under the fabric to find him completely soft and unaroused.  Hannah tries for another few minutes and it’s actually starting to become uncomfortable for both of them, and a bit painful for Sebastian.

”Er, everything alright?” She asks breathily.

Sebastian swears under his breath.  He’s not drunk, he promises. He sits back on his heels, breathing rapidly as she sits up, pulling a blanket over her naked torso.  The moment is lost; the condom in his back pocket will live to see another day.

”I should go,” Sebastian says quickly, bending down to retrieve his shirt.

“Yeah, that’s alright.” She says awkwardly in return, tying a robe tight around her waist.

Sebastian bids her a quick goodbye, pressing a kiss to the corner of her mouth before the door slams shut.  He barrels down the stairs; waiting for the elevator might be too embarrassing.  When he checks his phone, he can already see two messages from Sirona asking what time he thinks he’ll be home.

Fuck.

Sebastian huffs as he buckles his seatbelt and turns on his lights.  His mind is racing—he’s perfectly capable of getting hard, he knows that for sure.  That, and he’s never had a problem performing with a partner.  Sure, it’s been a few months since he’s had sex, but it can’t be that bad.  

Can it?

His head is a jumbled mess as he makes the drive home, pulling into the drive shortly after midnight.  He tries his best to come in through the door quietly, but Sirona and Mirabel are already standing in the foyer, putting on their jackets.

”I’m sorry,” Sebastian groans. “Lost track of time.”

Sirona gives him a stern look. “Rory went to bed at nine,” she says smoothly. “We put the leftover pizza in the fridge.”

Mirabel gives him a flat lipped smile. “I hope she was worth it, dear.”

He sighs aloud when they push past him, the door clicking shut as they leave.  The house is eerily quiet, save for Rory’s snores from upstairs.  He shucks his coat off, leaving it to hang on the bannister, and drops his keys into the bowl.

Sebastian slogs his way upstairs; he’s exhausted, but his mind is running like a speeding train to find an excuse to blame his poor showing.  He hadn’t planned on sleeping with Hannah, perhaps he was just caught off guard.  When he drops his jeans to the floor, the blue condom falls out of his rear pocket.  Sebastian grumbles to himself as he picks it up, sliding it into his bedside drawer.

His bed is calling him. Sebastian slides under the sheets after brushing his teeth, opening his dating app to quell his curiosity.  Just as he’s suspected—Hannah has already unmatched him. It’s not much of a loss, but it’s a blow to his ego for sure.

There’s only one other conversation on the app.  Theo C, in her white tank top, forever laughing in her profile photo.  Sebastian doesn’t miss the status underneath her—active now. He quirks a brow, wondering what she’s doing on the app after a successful date with Garreth Weasley.

He assumes it was successful, based on the kiss he’d witnessed.

Sebastian pulls his texts open, fingers hovering over the screen as he lingers on their chat. He doesn’t even know what he wants to say, or if he has anything good to say at all.  He just wants to talk to her, he thinks.  He likes talking to her.  He doesn’t even really know her, but she’s been on his mind.  He thinks about the way she held the wine glass, pinching the stem between her fingertips, tongue running over her lips before she took a sip of her wine from across the room.  Without a second thought, he types out a brief message to her, hitting send before he flips his phone face down on the side table.

Sebastian blinks at the familiar tingling feeling in his lower half, staring up at the dark ceiling.  He slides his hand under the waistband of his boxers, rolling his eyes as he sighs.  He’s half hard already, just from the visual of her drinking a fucking glass of wine.

At least he can still get an erection, he thinks. He doesn’t have to worry about that after all.  He’ll worry about the ramifications of himself getting off to the thought of the school nurse after he comes.

Sebastian: It was nice to see you tonight

Theo wrinkles her nose before she plugs her phone to the charger.  Sebastian doesn’t deserve a response—he’s been weird ever since they got back from London.  

She doesn’t know why she cares that he’s been weird.  She hardly knows him. Theo feels a bit protective of him, considering she outed details of his personal life to his former classmates, but that’s all.  There’s nothing between them.

Theo flops over on her bed, sliding under the sheets.  She should get some sleep, but at the same time, she can’t shake the knot of anxiety inside of her.  Theo tosses and turns in the dark for a few minutes, until she groans aloud.

Might as well get it over with, she thinks.  It’ll help her sleep.

It’s been a while since she’s gotten off.  She simply hasn’t had the time between work, helping out around the house, and her trip to London.  But now she’s finally alone, sprawled out in her cozy bed.  She slides her hands underneath her tee shirt, tracing her hands over her stomach and down to her mound.  It’s natural, a simple act that will help ease her tension and help her fall asleep after such an eventful night.  

Sliding her hands between her legs, Theo tries to conjure up arousing thoughts.  None of the usuals are really doing it for her—she lets out a huff of frustration, one hand flying up to her forehead as she tries to imagine something that will get her across the finish line.

She thinks about the night she’s just had, the searing hot kiss from Garreth.  No, that won’t do.

No, her brain lands on a very specific image.  She’d seen it from the corner of her eye; she’d been laughing after the big, grand kiss, trying to compose herself.  Looking across the car park, she saw Sebastian leaning with his arm propped up on the roof of the car.  Sebastian is average in terms of height, but something about that position seemed so…commanding. 

She’s a little jealous.  As her fingers circle her clit, she wonders what it might be like to be caged underneath him.

Inhaling sharply, Theo rubs faster.  She likes the idea of Sebastian being a bit domineering. He has a commanding presence after all.  And he’s so…sturdy.  It feels silly to be turned on by someone being thick, but she can’t stop thinking about the way he looked on the train.  He’s both soft and hard at the same time, the brown hair dusting his stomach down to the v-line above the waistband of his track pants. She’d wondered what he looked like beneath, if his freckles continue down below his hips as she imagined.

Theo groans, curving her back upward as she slides her fingers into herself.  She rocks her hips against her hand, picturing it.  Sebastian, leaning over her with that stupid smirk of his aimed at her instead of a train window this time.  His messy brown hair falling against her forehead as he falls to his elbows, his knee spreading her legs open wide. That gold chain around his neck dipping into her mouth—

His hot breath against her cheek, a shaky exhale. 

I’ll have to make it up to you, won’t I?

She gasps as she comes, punctuated by a squeak.  That’s the fastest she’s come in…well, ages.  She can feel the shame burning into her cheeks as she slips out of the bed, padding over to the bathroom to wash up.

Theo blinks heavily as the fluorescent lights turn on, staring down at her hands in the sink as water runs over them. When she turns the taps off, she looks up at her own tired face, wagging her finger at herself in the mirror once more.

”Don’t be fucking weird,” she mutters, flicking the lights off as she goes back to bed.

It’s Sunday, and Sunday means football practice no matter how tired Sebastian is.  The boys are running on the field; Sebastian has entrusted Rory with running the drills, pacing back and forth on the pitch, waving his little cast in the air to get his friends’ attention. Sebastian is sitting on the grass, heart pounding out of his chest.  He really is out of shape, he thinks, wiping sweat from his brow as Leander, Garreth, and Lucan walk towards him.  Sebastian waves to Cressida and the other mums on the other side of the field; Leander’s son is slipping on his shin guards as Cressida passes out juice boxes. 

”Good night last night?” Lucan asks, falling into the grass next to him. 

“Good as it could be,” he grunts, brushing his brown hair out of his eyes.

”Lucky boy,” Leander whistles, patting Sebastian on the shoulder. “Good for you, getting out there.”

”We were at the same restaurant,” Garreth pants, hands perched on his knees as they watch the kids run drills. “She’s fit, mate.”

Sebastian rolls his eyes, fiddling with the whistle around his neck. “Yeah, I don’t think we’ll see each other again.”

”No?” Lucan asks. “Bad luck, then.  But at least—“

”At least I’m out there,” Sebastian says sarcastically. “I don’t think Sirona and Mirabel quite agree, they were pissed I got back late.  Might be a while before I get a Saturday night out of them again, so you might be on your own for trivia.”

“Ugh,” Leander groans. “Garreth, at least tell me you’re in next weekend. I will lose my mind if I’m stuck at home again.”

Garreth gives their taller friend a sheepish look. “I’m out, I’m afraid.  Got a date.”

Sebastian’s eyes are glued to the ground, picking at the grass. His chest hurts again—maybe he should go to the doctor.  Perhaps he’s having a cardiovascular problem, he thinks, one that might lead to erectile dysfunction.  His mind is racing, trying to think of all the possibilities that could have lead to last night’s failure to launch.

”Things with Theo going well then?” Lucan asks.

Garreth sighs, shaking his head. “Nah, we actually decided last night we’re better off as friends.”

Sebastian’s head whips up to Garreth, narrowing his eyes. He had witnessed it—them laughing at the dinner table, the big passionate kiss in the car park.  What could have possibly gone wrong in less than 24 hours that they’ve already decided to put their courtship at an end?

“Why?!” Leander exclaims. “You two looked so good together.”

Garreth shrugs. “Just wasn’t the right fit for us, I suppose. I don’t really think she’s looking for anything long term at the moment.”

Sebastian averts his eyes when Garreth’s eyes meet his.  He rubs his jaw, knots forming in his stomach. Part of him is tempted to text Theo, to see her point of view.  For all his teasing, Garreth is truly the best of them—a pillar of the community, a family man.  He’s also one of the few singles in town, so Theo will be hard pressed to find any other options quite like him. He’s actually quite curious about it now, wondering what she’s looking for on the apps.

Perhaps she’s just like him, Sebastian thinks, tearing at the grass. Burning steam, getting it out of her system.  

“Dad!”

Sebastian looks up to see Rory standing in front of him, panting.  His track jacket is bunched up at the elbow, awkwardly tugged over the cast.  Rory tosses his father the whistle and clipboard, tilting his head back out to the field. 

“Are we getting started?” Rory asks.  He’s bobbing back and forth on his heels, anxious to move even if he’s benched for the next few weeks. 

“Right,” Sebastian says, clearing his throat.  He avoids Garreth’s curious gaze, brushing the grass off his shorts as he stands. “Let’s get on with it.” Looping the whistle around his throat, Sebastian pushes any thoughts of his personal life out of his head.  He’s got a team to coach, and no time to spare for frivolities. He’ll see Theo at school tomorrow, and there will be plenty of time for them to debrief on their weekends in person. 

He does keep an eye on the sidelines, in case she shows up. 

Chapter Text

It’s a recurring nightmare.

Theo sits on the cold bathroom floor, her head banging against the clawfoot bathtub.  She’s wearing the white dress that’s currently hanging in a dry cleaning bag in the back of her closet, and the chunky pearl Jimmy Choos Isaac had bought her as a present. If she puts her hand around her neck, she’s sure she’ll feel Mrs. Cooper’s necklace choking her, the three strands of perfect pearls caging in every breath.

Poppy is kneeling at her side, wearing a pretty yellow slip. She’s holding her hand, the one not holding her ostentatious engagement ring. Imelda straddles her knees, the sleeves of her dress bunching at her elbows as she presses both palms to Theo’s cheeks.

”If you want to leave, we can leave.  You say the word and we’ll go, no questions asked.” Imelda says firmly. “I can deal with Isaac.”

”It’ll be okay,” Poppy says reassuringly. “You can stay with us.”

They’ll be so disappointed, Theo remembers warbling to her best friends.  They paid so much money.  There’s a hundred guests downstairs to celebrate them. The Coopers have spared no expense, pulling together a soirée at the Savoy to celebrate their son’s engagement.  Even her father, a notorious recluse, is in attendance. 

Nevertheless, she knows she cannot marry him.  She does not love him. She hasn’t for a while.

The door bursts open, and they look up to see Isaac’s face, brows furrowed.  And when he looks down to see the big diamond ring in the palm of her hand, mascara streaked down her cheeks, his face turns to despair.

Theo wakes up, chest heaving. She glances at her phone—she’s up about thirty minutes earlier than she’d normally get up.  But on top of that, there’s a text message from Sebastian Sallow.

Sebastian sets his keys on the table, swearing under his breath.  Of course his car battery would shit the bed on a Monday; he’s already on Black’s bad side after taking a day off so early into term.  He cannot afford another demerit, and he doubts he’ll find an Uber this early in the morning.  So, Sebastian texts the only person he knows that might be awake and lives close enough to drop in. 

Sebastian: I hate to bother you, but my car won’t start.  Any chance you can give Rory and I a lift to school and back?

 

Sebastian: I’ll pay you handsomely

Rory is sitting in the living room, watching cartoons over a bowl of cereal.  Sebastian paces back and forth in the kitchen, trying to come up with the next best plan.  He could always call Mirabel, but she lives on the other side of town.  They’ll still be late, but perhaps less late than if he tries to wait around for a—

His phone pings.  Sebastian hurries over to check his messages.

Theo: Rory and me

 

Sebastian: huh

 

Theo: Nevermind.  Yeah, of course.  Send me your address.

Sebastian breathes a sigh of relief, typing in the address to the cottage.  From his Saturday morning routes, he knows the Sweeting house is just five minutes away.  

Theo: You live ridiculously close to me.

 

Sebastian: I know. I mow your lawn

 

Theo: I’ll be over in thirty minutes.

Thirty minutes later, Sebastian and Rory are standing on the front drive.  Rory rocks his heels back and forth in anticipation; Sebastian had dreaded sharing the news that they were getting a ride from none other than Theo, his son’s new favorite adult.  Rory had spent the rest of the morning babbling on about how much he likes her, how kind she is, and how she’s teaching him about basic first aid during his free periods.

Poppy Sweeting’s little yellow bug crunches into the drive, the wheels groaning over the uneven path.  For a moment, Sebastian is reminded of his teenage years, seeing Poppy pull into the school car park with Imelda in the passenger seat, blaring loud pop music.  But no—it’s Theo, the woman who has been haunting his dreams sitting in the front seat, rolling the window down.

”Good morning,” she says cheerfully, an elbow perched in the window. “Ready?”

Rory takes off running, a genuine smile sprouting across his face as he slides into the backseat. He tosses his backpack over, as if he’s been inside the cramped little car a million times before.  Sebastian gives his son a vaguely threatening look—behave—before slipping into the passenger seat.  

“Good morning,” Theo repeats.  They are closer than ever, Sebastian thinks, as he stares into the amber pools of her eyes.

”Morning,” Sebastian utters, fastening his seatbelt as he balances his coffee cup in the other hand. “Thank you—I really owe you for this.”

”What’s wrong with the car?” Theo asks, turning the wheel as she maneuvers out of their driveway.

”Battery,” Rory says gloomily. “Dad said it was the battery. Been a bit dodgy lately.”

”Always is,” Theo chirps, pulling onto the main road.  She hops the curb, and does not look back at Sebastian when he raises his eyebrows at her. “How was your weekend?”

”It was good,” Rory speaks before his father can even open his mouth. “Sirona and Mirabel came over on Saturday after we did our rounds so Dad could go out, and we had football all day yesterday.  I still can’t play, but it’s nice to get around and sharpen up on some other skills.” The boy rambles. 

“I know, I saw your dad on Saturday,” Theo grins.

”Did you?” Rory asks eagerly. Sebastian debates jumping out of a moving car.

”I did,” Theo nods. “Didn’t we, Sebastian?”

”Did you go out together?” Rory asks, cocking his head.

”No!” Sebastian blurts.  He says it almost a bit too quickly, earning him a raised eyebrow from Theo. 

“No, we just went to the same restaurant,” Theo says kindly, her eyes glued to the road ahead.  Sebastian looks out his window, wondering how hard a fall would hurt at their current speed.

There’s a moment of silence in the car, only the rattling of the old engine to fill the void.  Sebastian starts wracking his brain for any subjects to discuss, but somehow it feels like his head has been filled with fluff.

”Have you given Ella her gift yet?” Theo asks.

Sebastian looks in the rear view mirror, and can see his son blushing. “No, not yet.” Rory stammers.

”Ella?” Sebastian asks.  “Ella Brattleby?”  He can see Lucan’s niece, Rory’s classmate, in the forefront of his mind.  She is one of his students, and one of his favorites at that.  Despite her uncle’s penchant for trouble, Ella is well behaved and quick to volunteer to help.  And now that he thinks of it, she’s always somewhere in Rory’s orbit.

”It’s her birthday on Saturday,” Rory blurts out. “Theo helped me pick out a present.”

”Are we going to her birthday party?” Sebastian cocks his head, mentally perusing his calendar.  

“No,” Rory says quickly, casting his eyes down. “She’s having a sleepover, so girls only.  But I still wanted to give her a gift.  I asked Theo to pick it up, in case she was going to the shopping center.”

”It’s very thoughtful of you, Rory.” Theo says, tapping her manicured fingers against the steering wheel. 

Rory slumps in the backseat, crossing his arms.  Sebastian sees the red flush creeping up his freckled neck; he knows not to press any further.  In fact, he knows Rory probably doesn’t want to talk about it at all—Sebastian makes a note in his head to remind Theo not to bring her up.

The rest of the ride to school is uneventful, filled with small talk and chatter about the week ahead.  When Theo pulls into the staff car park, Rory doesn’t hesitate to jump out the door the minute she’s parked the car.  Without a goodbye, he runs off to the school yard.

”What’s gotten into him?” Theo asks, flatting the front of her trousers.  They’re new—at least Sebastian hasn’t seen her wearing them before.  He quickly flits his eyes up to her face, grateful she hasn’t noticed him staring.  Her eyes are still glued on Rory’s figure, getting smaller and smaller as he runs off.

”I think I know,” Sebastian snorts, gathering his briefcase and jacket. “See you at lunch.”

“I’m glad you’re here,” Theo says, her back to the door.  She can hear Rory Sallow’s tentative steps, his dress shoes clacking against the linoleum floor. “Mind sorting out the bandages first?”

The door shuts behind him, but he’s silent.  Theo turns around to see the young man, completely red in the face.  His fists are balled at his side.

”What’s wrong?” Theo asks, pulling her hair over one shoulder. “Does your arm hurt today?”

”Did you have to tell my dad?” Rory shrieks.

”Tell him what?” Theo cocks her head.

Rory marches towards her, his blue cast swinging as he dramatically settles into the chair across her desk. “He doesn’t know that I like Ella.” He says miserably.

Theo winces as Rory slumps before her. “Oh—I’m so sorry, Rory.  I thought—you told me that you tell each other everything.”

”We normally do,” Rory laments. “But her Uncle Lucan is friends with Dad, and I don’t want to make it weird or anything.”

Theo lays her palms flat against the desk, feeling rather disarmed. She’s dealt with children all her career, but never quite like this. The high highs, the lowest of lows, but she’s never been someone’s confidant before.

”You should talk to your dad,” Theo says softly. “I’m sure he’ll be much more of a help than me.”

Rory wrinkles his nose. “But he doesn’t know girls.”

“Your dad knows girls, surely.” Theo raises a brow.

“Then why has he been alone all this time?” Rory asks. “I overheard him talking about his date, how he didn’t plan on seeing her again.  That’s the first time he’s been out in ages, and he’s already thrown in the towel.”

Theo blushes; from what she’d seen on Saturday night, Sebastian had gotten along quite well with his date.  She wonders what could’ve changed between then and now.

“He’s never been good with girls,” Rory continues. “He’s never been with anyone, at least from what I can remember. It’s just been him and me.”

”Perhaps he’s been intentional about it,” Theo says softly. “He wants to be very sure he likes someone before he introduces them to you.”

“Or my dad is just horrible at talking to women,” Rory tilts his head towards her. “Look, I don’t want to be like him. And he wouldn’t know what to get a girl for her birthday anyways.”

Theo opens up her desk, fishing out the little Boots bag she’d procured for Rory. He pulls out the lip gloss he’d specifically instructed her to buy, which has likely cost him at least a month’s worth of pocket money.

”This is a very nice gift for a special friend.” Theo assures him.  His thick brows ease, a precious flush creeping up his freckled cheeks as he shoves the lipgloss into his book bag. She’s sure he’s tired of hearing it, but he really does look like his father.  His hair is a shade lighter and cheeks are rounder, but otherwise she can see Sebastian in every bit of him.

”Thank you,” Rory says hastily, scratching the back of his neck. “So, organize the bandages?”

”Yes please.” Theo smiles, settling back into her chair.

It’s lunchtime, and a different Sallow is standing in Theo’s office.  The weight of Sebastian’s stress is palpable from the doorway, but Theo doesn’t mind.  It’s been a slow day in the nurse’s office, and having both Sallow boys stop in to chat has been a bright spot on the schedule. 

”I’m sorry about this morning,” Theo says, folding her palms together. “I thought he would’ve told you.”

Sebastian leans against the door frame. “He hadn’t,” he admits. “It’s not like him to keep secrets from me.” 

“I’m such a dick,” Theo groans. “I can’t believe I outed that he has a crush on her.  I mean, it makes sense he wouldn’t have told you—why else would he have asked me to buy her gift?”

”What kind of gift?” Sebastian asks.

Theo snorts. “A lip gloss.  Saved his pocket money for it.”

Sebastian folds his face into his hands. “Ugh, I’m not ready for this.” He moans, walking over to sink in the chair across from her. “I figured I at least had two or three more years before this all starts up.”

”Oh, please. You definitely had your first crush before thirteen.” Theo raises her brows.

“It’s different!” Sebastian retorts. “It’s…it’s…”

It’s my son.

Theo gives him a flat lipped smile, leaning forward on her desk. “Do you want me to talk to him about it?  Dig in, get some more details for you?”

”No, I’d rather you two keep it between yourselves,” Sebastian grumbles. “The last thing I want to do is betray his trust.  He’s clearly telling you for a reason.”

”I’m honored he would trust me,” Theo admits. “I’ve never…well, I guess I’ve never been in this position before.”

”You haven’t?” Sebastian asks, eyebrow raised.

”When you’re working in a hospital, the best case scenario is getting a kid in and out,” Theo explains. “And if they’re staying long enough for me to get to know them…well, the idea is to get them out.”

Sebastian shares a sympathetic look. “I understand.  Seen my fair share of hospitals when I was younger.”  By the way his hands are fumbling in his lap, she knows better than to ask.

”Are you worried Rory is growing up too fast?” Theo asks.

Sebastian sighs, sinking back into the seat. “No, I’m just worried I’m not paying enough attention.” He fidgets again, chewing his lower lip. “That one day I’m going to miss something important.”

”Well, you being worried is already a head start.” Theo points out. “Most parents aren’t worried until it’s too late, I think.”

Sebastian sighs again, running a hand through his now messy hair.  Theo can’t control the laugh that slips past her lips, prompting narrowed eyes from Sebastian himself. 

“What is it?” He asks.

She shakes her head. “I know you’re probably sick of hearing it, but the two of you are so alike. Both of you, in my office, fretting over one another.”

Sebastian’s cheeks turn red, and he tugs at the collar of his shirt. “You’re good with him, you know.  He’s not used to meeting new people, and I’m surprised at how much he’s taken to you.”

”I’m amazing, I know.” Theo says dramatically, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

”I hope he’s not bothering you, sticking around during his free period.”  Sebastian leans forward, brushing the edge of his chin with his palm. “You’ll tell me if he is?”

”I enjoy it,” Theo assures him. “It’s nice to have a friend.”

Sebastian leans back, propping his trainer against the desk.  He gives her a thoughtful glance before tilting his head, arms crossed. “We’re friends now too, aren’t we?”

”Well spotted,” Theo says dryly, but she can’t ignore the way her heart thumps in her chest.  Friends, sure.  He doesn’t need to know she was writhing in her bed a few nights before touching herself at the thought of him whispering in her ear.

”Well, friend, what did you bring for lunch?” Sebastian asks.  His lunch bag appears seemingly out of nowhere, and he pushes aside a few folders to make room.  Theo opens the bottom drawer of her desk, pulling out her own lunch box.  Neither is surprised to see the same takeout containers from the restaurant they’d been to on Saturday.

”Tikka masala, you’re so creative.” Sebastian jokes, popping the lid of his curry open.

”Oh shut up,” Theo rolls her eyes. “How was your date, by the way?” She asks, poking at her food with a plastic fork.  Her eyes flit up to meet his; Sebastian is blushing again.  He’s so quick to blush.

”It was okay,” Sebastian admits. “Don’t think she’s really my type. We just met on the app and I thought I’d try something new.”

”A shame, she was pretty.” Theo licks her spoon. “She was talking about you in the bathroom to her friend on the phone.”

”Anything good?” Sebastian raises a brow.

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Theo teases. 

Sebastian snorts, poking at his own food for a few moments before clearing his throat. 

“I heard you and Garreth called things off.  Everything alright?” He asks.

Theo sighs, pursing her lips. She figured the conversation would have to happen eventually. “Garreth is great.  I just don’t think we have enough going on to warrant pushing it any further, you know?”

“Well, I’m glad you decided not to drag it out.” Sebastian admits. “Would’ve been dreadful having to split up trivia teams, you and I would sweep every week if we had to side together.”

Theo laughs, and she covers her mouth to spare Sebastian from stray bits of chicken.  He snorts in return, giving her a goofy smile. 

“Think trivia will be back this weekend?” Theo asks. “I kind of miss it.  Gran is lovely, but I don’t think I can take another night of watching movies with her.”

Sebastian is quiet for a moment, ruminating on his thoughts. ”Tell you what,” he says, dabbing a napkin at his lips. “I’ll make sure of it. Pub night, on Saturday.”

“Oh yeah?” Theo asks. “How so?”

Sebastian gives her a sly smile. “Rest assured, I have my ways.”

”What’s he like?”

Theo digs through her closet, listening to Poppy over FaceTime.  She wants to find something nice to wear, but it can’t be too nice.  It also can’t be too formal, because this is just another Saturday night at the pub. She feels jittery, almost too excited to get out of the house for once.

“Sebastian’s son?” Theo asks, flicking through her hangers. “He’s nice.  A good kid.  He’s helping me organize the nurse’s office while he’s benched from PE.”

”I can’t picture Sebastian having a goody two shoes as a kid,” Poppy chuckles. “He was always such a troublemaker when we were younger.”

”Was he?” Theo asks, pulling a cashmere sweater she’d borrowed from Poppy from the rack.  A bit too high of a neckline, she thinks.  But it would be good to wear to parent teacher conferences next week; she files it away next to a coordinating silk skirt.

”Oh yeah. Remind me next time Mel is on the phone, she’ll tell you the story about how he put a scotch egg in Garreth’s backpack. Didn’t find it for a week, we just thought Gaz smelled.” 

Theo laughs, holding a red v-neck sweater up to her body in the mirror. “What do you think?  With red lipstick?”

”Who are you trying to impress?” Poppy asks, a smirk on her face as she angles the camera better. 

“No one,” Theo scoffs, turning back to look at the full length mirror. “Just because I’m not interested in Garreth doesn’t mean I can’t take pride in my appearance.” She gathers her hair into a ponytail, trying to assess how she should wear it. Down is better, she thinks.

Poppy hums as she rolls over on the bed. “You know, Sebastian used to be kind of hot when we were teenagers.”

”As Imelda’s told us,” Theo snorts, pulling her shirt over her head.  She hopes Poppy won’t mention her black lace bra, which she normally reserved for date nights. 

“Never really my type. Didn’t find the eyebrow slit to be attractive.  And he was a boy, so…”

Theo whips her head back around to face the phone. “Excuse me, eyebrow slit?”

Poppy snorts. “Oh yeah, it was a whole look.  Gran used to say he was alternative.”

”Huh,” Theo says, smoothing the red sweater down. “I would’ve pegged him to be the sporty type.”

”He was for a little while,” Poppy says, hesitating over the next words. “Until his parents died.”

There’s silence between them for a moment, Theo setting down the lip liner on the dresser. “I didn’t know that.”

”It was awful, some gas leak or something while he and Anne were away at camp. He and sister were so young—and after her cancer diagnosis too, it was horrific.” Poppy murmurs. “It’s why none of us were surprised when he skipped town after graduation. It’s why—“

”Why you’re surprised he’d come back.” Theo finishes her sentence.

Theo feels a bit guilty for lusting after him when she knows so little about him. There are depths to Sebastian she might never understand, and it feels foolish to think they are anything more than acquaintances. Sebastian had alluded to his sister before; it now makes sense why he’d been so stressed in the ER waiting for Rory’s broken bone to be set.  And while she’d known the cruel pain of losing a parent herself, to lose both while so young, with a sick sibling no less— 

“Despite it all, it sounds like he’s become a really good guy.” Poppy offers, breaking Theo out of her thoughts.

Theo clears her throat. “He is. He’s really nice.”

Poppy narrows her eyes. “Do you—“

”Stop,” Theo says threateningly, holding up a hand. “I do not.”

”Do you like him?” Poppy carries on. 

“He’s a colleague,” Theo reminds her. “And I’m not trying to get tied down like that. It’s why I broke things off with Garreth, remember?”

”Thank goodness,” Poppy snorts. “I didn’t think you were trying to become someone’s step-mum anytime soon.”

Theo ignores her, going back to apply her lipstick.

“Please,” Sebastian balances his cell phone between his cheek and his shoulder as he stirs the pot of pasta. “I promise I won’t be out late.”

”It will just be me tonight,” Mirabel warned. “Sirona’s working the late shift today, so you better be home by ten o’clock sharp.”

”I promise,” Sebastian says quietly, trying to fight the smile on his face as he finishes up Rory’s dinner.  They’ve had a full day of gardening, clearing up the former Cooper house for its new tenants. He makes a mental note to email Isaac soon—the Coopers have been his longest clients, but their plot of land is a bit bigger than he can handle on his own. He feels a bit guilty asking for a pay bump, so he’ll check with Isaac first, see if his parents are amenable to an increased fee. It’s become alarmingly clear that he needs to allocate money towards a new car; he’d borrowed Garreth’s truck for the routes that morning, returning it in time for him to go off on a blind date in the afternoon.

Sebastian plates Rory’s dinner, calling out to his son to join him.  There is no answer.  After the third time he’s yelled Rory’s name, Sebastian puts the bowl of pasta down, wiping his hands on his jeans.  He tiptoes up the stairs, hearing music spilling past Rory’s bedroom door.

”Ror?” Sebastian pushes the door in.

Rory is sitting at his desk, hastily putting a wad of tissue paper in a bag. “Ever heard of knocking?” He scowls, cheeks turning red.  Sebastian sees the little Boots bag, trying his best to hide a smile as Rory pushes it into a drawer.

”Dinner is ready,” Sebastian says, gripping the door handle. “And Mirabel will be over in an hour to put you to bed.”

”I don’t need to be put to bed,” Rory mumbles, dragging his feet as he walks towards the door. “Are you going out again?”

Sebastian feels a tad guilty, but he only sighs as he follows his son down the stairs. “Just for a bit. I’ll be back before ten, I promise.”

”Another date?” Rory asks, sliding into his seat at the dining table.  Sebastian passes him a fork, and the little boy digs into the plate of pasta. 

“Not a date,” Sebastian shakes his head, twirling spaghetti on his own fork. “I promised Theo I’d play trivia tonight.”

Rory’s face perks up, and he smiles. “She likes trivia too?”

”She's very good at it,” Sebastian fixates on the lumps of parmesan in his pasta.

Rory narrows his eyes at his father. “Are you and Theo work friends or friends friends?” 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Sebastian snorts.

”Well, you have friends that you’re friends with because you work together.  Like how you don’t hang out with Mr. Sharp outside of school, and how I only talk to Harrison during class.” Rory blabbers. “And then you have friend friends, like Lucan and Garreth, and like how I have Robbie and Elliot, who I do see on the weekends.”

“Have I ever told you that you’re too perceptive sometimes?” Sebastian raised a brow before taking a sip of his water.

”Yes,” Rory says simply. “So is Theo a friend friend yet?”

”She might be,” Sebastian shrugs. 

“Well, I like her.” Rory states confidently. “You could take some of her advice, you know.”

”Oh yeah?” Sebastian looks up at his son. “On what?”

”How to talk to girls,” Rory blurts, and Sebastian chokes on his pasta.

”Oi!  I know how to talk to girls, thank you very much.” Sebastian scowls.

”Do you?” Rory raises his own brows, and it’s like looking in a mirror.

”You wound me, thinking I’m that bad of a chat.” Sebastian ducks his head in embarrassment. “Give your old dad a break, why don’t you? And what do you need advice for, anyways?”

Rory’s face turns pink, and he’s back to picking at his pasta. “She’s just good with gifts.” He mutters. “And making it not so scary to talk to…well, whatever.”

Sebastian’s face softens at the sight of his son so bashful. He can’t even remember what it was like to have his first crush, or to have a crush in general.  He’s not sure if he’d be able to tell the difference between butterflies or indigestion at this point.

Shit, maybe he should get out more.

”She’s very nice, and I’m trying to make sure she feels welcome here.” Sebastian says, twirling his fork. “So, I’m going to play trivia with her.”

”And how are you going to get there?” Rory asks, brows quirked.

Sebastian swears under his breath, tapping through his phone to check Uber fares.

When Theo walks into the pub, she expects to see the regular gang—Leander, Cressida, the rest of their social circle.  Instead, she’s greeted by a few older folks from town and an unfamiliar bartender.  Theo nearly turns on her heel, turning back out the door to wait in her car until someone she knows shows up, until Sebastian rounds the corner, swearing at his phone.

”Hiya,” Theo clears her throat. “Where is everyone?”

Sebastian’s face flushes red, freckles heating up as he rubs his hand on the back of his neck. “I was trying to get everyone together for a round of trivia, but it seems our troops have abandoned us.” He says sheepishly. “Leander and Cress have gone down to Edinburgh for the weekend; the girls are all doing their own thing.  Luc’s got work tonight.  I thought I could at least scrounge up Garreth, but—“

”Garreth has a date,” Theo smiles. “I know.”

“How’d you know?” He asks, stiffening.

”I helped him make his hinge profile last weekend.” Theo snorts, walking up to the bar. “It’s fine, Sebastian. I appreciate the effort.”

The bartender gives them a bright smile, her eyes creasing at Sebastian specifically. 

“Oh, there’s a face I haven’t seen before.” She says, leaning forward against the bar. 

“Theo,” she introduces herself, stretching her hand out to the woman. 

“Sirona Ryan,” the bartender shakes her hand. “Are you a friend of Seb’s?”

”You know who she is, don’t pretend.” Sebastian scowls. “Sirona is Mirabel’s wife.”

”Theo’s ears perk. “Oh, of course—it’s such a pleasure to meet you.”

”And here I thought our Sebastian was braving the dating scene once more,” Sirona teases. 

“I’ll have a Carlsberg,” Sebastian says loudly, clearing his throat. “Theo?”

”Whatever he’s having,” Theo says cheerfully.

Sirona rolls her eyes, walking off to pour their beers.  Theo leans forward, her chin resting in the palm of her hand.

“So, you’ve talked about me then?” She asks, raising a brow. “Gossiping with Sirona and Mirabel behind my back?”

”You’ve done the same to me,” Sebastian avoids eye contact with her, his back pressed to the bar.  He looks good—criminally good, even though he’s wearing just a corduroy jacket over a plain white shirt.  He slicks back his brown waves; being in such close proximity, Theo can see the freckles trailing up his forearms, disappearing under the rolled up sleeves of his shirt. 

She snaps her mouth shut when Sirona reappears, pushing two pints their way. 

“So, are we just going to commiserate on being the only two in the group without weekend plans?” Theo asks, lowering her head to sip the top of her beer.

Sebastian groans. “Are we that lame?”

“Afraid so,” Theo hums, leaning back against the bar to examine the room. 

“So this is what it’s like to be in your thirties,” Sebastian jokes. “You need to book plans with your friends a month in advance.”

Theo looks up at him as he takes a long gulp of his beer. She’s searching his face for any signs of the trauma Poppy had mentioned earlier on the phone.  Nothing—his eyes crease in the corner as he smiles against his pint, long fingers perched around the sweating glass. When he pulls the glass away, he licks the remnants of beer clean from his lips.  She only averts her gaze when his brown eyes bore into hers, his thick brows piqued.

”What is it?” He asks.

”Nothing,” Theo lies, looking down at her own foamy beer. “I just—I appreciate you hanging out with me.  You don’t have to.” She blurts.

Sebastian’s face softens. “I owed you,” he reminds her. 

“I’m sure you had better things to be doing on a Saturday,” Theo rambles. “No shortage of options, I assume.”

”Well, you know what they say.” Sebastian chuckles, lifting his glass to his lips again. “When you assume…” he mumbles before taking another long sip.

Theo feels her face heat up, tucking her hair behind her ears.  Sebastian sets his empty pint on the bar top, signaling Sirona for another.

”There are two things you should know about me, Caulfield.” Sebastian says, suddenly adopting a serious tone. When he turns to face her, she can see the little gold chain dangling around his neck, dipping under the collar of his shirt.  She wonders how it would feel against her teeth.

”What’s that?” She asks airily.

Sebastian gives her a mischievous grin. “If you haven’t noticed yet, we’re friends.  And I’d take hanging out with friends over a rubbish hinge date any day.”

”And the other?” Theo asks, slightly breathless.

Sirona slides the beer down the bar top, and Sebastian catches it in an effortless way.  Lifting it to his mouth, he hesitates; his eye folds in a wink. “I meant it when I said I’d make it up to you.”

Theo scoffs, rolling her eyes; whatever attitude she tries to present, she cannot hide the blush on her face. 

Sebastian can’t help himself. 

They’ve moved from the bar to a table; the old man Sirona hires to announce trivia is picking the music instead, playing awful top 40s pop. Most of the locals have cycled in and out of the bar already, no doubt gawking at the two of them sitting in the middle of the pub, out for everyone to see.

He can’t help but stare at her, those eager eyes of her glued to the screen of his phone as she taps through his music.  She’s wearing a red sweater, the neckline dipping just low enough to highlight her collar bones.  Those dark waves of hers are pushed behind her ears, and her lips are painted crimson to match her top. It warms her face just as much as the beer has, casting a red glow on her cheeks.

”You’re joking,” Theo snorts, scrolling through Sebastian’s Spotify. ”Do you ever listen to anything cheerful or is it always doom and gloom?”

Sebastian rolls his eyes, snatching his phone out of her hands. “It’s good music,” he scowls. 

“If I listened to Beach House on repeat for twenty hours like you do, I’d be depressed.” Theo hums, taking another sip from her pint.  She’s been working on the same glass for nearly the whole evening. “I’m going to make you a playlist, okay?  You desperately need it.”

”Do I?” Sebastian asks, smirking. “I’ll make you one too.  Music you can really feel.”

Theo makes a big gesture of rolling her eyes, gagging. “Oh, that’s so pretentious of you.” she gags, pushing her hair over her shoulder.

“We can agree to disagree,” Sebastian laughs, checking his watch. “Fuck, it’s almost quarter to ten.”

“So?” “Theo asks, crossing her arms. “Got someplace to be?”

”Home,” Sebastian says wryly. “I stayed out a bit too late last weekend, and I think my luck is running dry with Sirona and Mirabel.”

Theo’s face softens, and Sebastian immediately curses to himself.

”Did you cash in a favor to hang out with me?” She coos. “That’s very sweet.  You could have canceled, you know.”

”Don’t,” Sebastian says, gazing down at his phone.  “Don’t start with me.”

”What are you doing?” Theo asks, peering over at him as he swipes through his home screen.

”Calling an Uber.” He says, trying to hide his embarrassment. “Er, the car is still on the fritz, so I caught a ride.”

”Don’t be silly,” Theo declares, pushing away from the table.  Her chair and heeled boots scrape against the floor. “I can drive you home. Uber will take ages.”

“No, it’s fine,” Sebastian blurts. “I can—“

”Tit for tat,” Theo interjects. “You cashed in a favor to keep me company. The least I can do is drive you home, Sebastian.”

“You’ve been drinking,” Sebastian points to her half empty pint, but he knows it’s no excuse. 

“I hate Carlsberg,” Theo confesses. “Beer in general, actually.”

”Then why’d you order it?” Sebastian asks desperately.

Theo shrugs. “Because you were drinking it.” She’s already standing, purse slung around her shoulder. “Come on, you.  Let’s go.”

Sirona waves to them, eyebrows waggling at Sebastian as the pair leaves the pub.  The cool autumn air is a reprieve, and Sebastian gulps it down as they walk over to the little yellow bug.  Sebastian slips into the passenger seat; it smells like cedar and juniper berries, warm and cloying. 

A familiar song rattles on the radio as Theo pulls out of the car park, but Sebastian can’t place his finger on it; she’s humming under her breath.  When he looks up at her, he can tell she’s got something on her mind.

”What’s up?” He asks.  It sounds a bit stupid coming out of his mouth, and his hands feel awkward perched in his lap.  

“I’m just grateful I’m not alone in the guest house right now,” she confesses. “I don’t mind living here; it’s actually quite peaceful.  But Saturdays are the loneliest days, I think.”

Sebastian gives her a sympathetic look. “Well, you’re always welcome at the Sallow house.  Heaven knows Rory enjoys your presence more than mine these days.”

”I meant to ask, did he tell you anything about Ella?” Theo rolls to a stop at the light.

”No,” Sebastian admits, leaning against the window. “Actually, he roasted me a bit tonight.  Said I could benefit from you, take a note on how to speak with girls.”

Theo snorts, trying to hide her laugh. “Your son, I swear.” She shakes her head, black hair swaying. “Incredibly entertaining, that one.”

“He sure does keep me humble,” Sebastian murmurs. “Not that I need much anyways.”

Theo’s eyes are downcast, smile flickering as he says it.  It’s then that he understands her expression, why she’s been so quick all night to thank him for his presence.  She’s got that look on her face that everyone makes whenever they find out his story.

”Is there something wrong?” Sebastian prods, jolting slightly as she presses her foot to the accelerator.

”No,” Theo blurts, and Sebastian already knows she’s lying.

They’re driving down the winding road, and the puzzle pieces fall together.  She’s been giving him that look all night, staring at him like a kicked puppy.  Thank you, you didn’t have to, I appreciate you hanging out with me.  It’s why she’s concerned at his playlists, eager to dump some happy pop into his regimen in case it’ll make him cheery.

Fuck, he swears in his own head. He hates this part of meeting someone new.

They proceed in silence for a while; it’s only when they’re around the bend, approaching Sebastian’s house when he decides to break the ice. 

”Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Sebastian asks, eyebrow raised.

”I’m fine,” Theo assures him, rolling to a stop in front of his house.  The light on the porch is on, Mirabel’s car in the drive.

“Then why are you treating me like a dying baby bird?” Sebastian asks, looking down at his hands.

Theo hesitates for a moment, taking a deep breath before diving in. “I just know you have more important things to do than keep me company on a Saturday night.”

”I did mean for our friends to show up,” Sebastian reminds her. “It wasn’t like I meant for it to be just us.” He didn’t, but he was a little glad that it did end up being just them—it was the perfect excuse to spend his night talking to her, getting to know her.  He’d been rather pleased that all their friends had ditched, having gotten the chance to be one on one with her, until now.

”But you didn’t have to stay when they didn’t come—“

Sebastian rolls his eyes. “Alright, who told you?”

”Told me what?” Theo crosses her arms.

Sebastian turns his body to her, eyes narrowed. “Who gave you my sob story?”

”It’s not a sob story!” Theo argues. “It’s—“

”So you know,” Sebastian states. “You know somehow.”

Theo sighs, giving him a defeated look. “Poppy told me, okay?  I was FaceTiming her while I was getting ready, and she just said it.  Sebastian, I’m so sorry—“

He holds his palm up. “Stop.  Don’t apologize. You know, I can always tell when someone’s figured it out.” Sebastian says bitterly. “They always get this look on their face—like poor Sebastian. I hate it when they pity me.”

”I don’t pity you.” Theo says quietly. 

“My sister used to say it actually hurts worse when someone’s delicate about it.” He recounts Anne’s words. “When they’re delicate with me.”

”Don’t you want something delicate?” Theo asks.

Sebastian shakes his head, looking up at her. No, he doesn’t. Not from her.

”I’m okay,” Sebastian says gently. “It happened a long time ago. I’ve made my peace with it.”

Theo chews her lower lip, long lashes fluttering as she ruminates her next words. “I guess we’re different in that way, then.” She looks up at him, blinking hard. “I still get really upset when I talk about my mum sometimes, and it’s been twenty years.”

Sebastian is quiet, the static in his brain clearing as he puts two and two together.  

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he murmurs. He curses himself in his head for saying the exact words he’d just stopped her from saying to him.

”I guess I understand what you mean,” she says sheepishly. “It felt like ages until people stopped staring at me with pitiful faces. I didn’t mean to do the same to you.”

They’re looking at each other now, truly seeing one another.  Sebastian can tell they share a similar sadness. It’s a look that he normally pushes away, but there’s something so inviting about Theo’s honey colored irises that he can’t help but stay. She’s disarming in a way he can’t understand—a way that makes him feel comfortable saying the words he never says aloud.

”If I think about it too hard, it’ll destroy me,” he confesses. “And I have people who count on me, so I’ll never let it get that far.”

Theo blinks, then she leans across the console to put a hand on his. Her hand is smaller, but it still feels like it’s enveloping him.  His breath catches when her thumb brushes against his knuckle.

”I know how you feel,” Theo admits. 

Sebastian lets out a puff of air. “Seems like I’ve met a kindred spirit.”

She purses her lips, but then she smiles.  Sebastian is at a loss for words again, eyes tracking her crimson colored lips as she sinks her teeth into them.  There’s something electric in the car, a buzzing feeling.  Sebastian wants to lean into her touch more than ever.  It’s more than thinking she’s beautiful now—he’s always known she’s pretty, and his dreams say more than enough about his attraction to her.  But knowing that she knows this part of him, understands it too, is tipping him over the edge.

”Sebastian,” Theo murmurs.

”Yeah?” He asks, breathlessly.

”Uh, Mirabel is on the porch.”

Sebastian whips his head around to see Mirabel standing on the porch, her cardigan wrapped around her tightly.  She’s pointing to her watch, tapping her foot.  When Sebastian looks down at his own wristwatch, he realizes its fifteen past ten.

”Shit,” he curses. “I’m sorry, I have to go.”

”Of course,” Theo pulls away, and Sebastian’s first instinct is to whine at the loss of her warm hand. “I’ll see you Monday, okay?” 

“Thank you for the ride,” Sebastian says gratefully, unbuckling his seat belt.

”Tell you what, I’ll pick you and Rory up on Monday too.” She offers. “Does that sound good?”

It does, Sebastian thinks.  It really does.

”You’re the best.” Sebastian says, and he means it.  Theo gives him a bright smile as he exits the car, waving behind him to their colleague. “I really appreciate you.”

”I’ll see you then,” Theo sings, pulling out of the driveway.

Sebastian jogs up to the front porch, wincing when he sees Mirabel’s haughty smile.

”Don’t even start,” he warns her. “We were just hanging out.”

”In the driveway for ten minutes,” Mirabel snorts. “Rory’s asleep—went to bed without a fuss.  I left some chicken in the kitchen for you in case you’re hungry.”

Sebastian kisses Mirabel on the cheek, watching her descend the steps to her car. “Thank you, really.  I’m sorry it was so last minute.”

”Sebastian,” Mirabel says, opening her car door. He stands on the porch, hands in his pockets, waiting for her lecture.

”What?”

Mirabel gives him a wry smile. “I’m glad to see that you’re putting yourself out there, and I know we’ve teased you about Theo before.  But you should know she’s not planning on staying around very long.  Matilda told us her plan is to work here until she can get back on her feet and move back to London.”

He says nothing.  He knows—at least, he thinks he knew this deep down all along.  No one leaves a fast paced, exciting life in the city to live in a sleepy town for any reason other than kids or a job.  He still remembers how he mourned his life in London, moving north with just a toddler and keys to an inherited house.  He still mourns it sometimes, especially when Anne and Ominis send him pictures of their day to day lives, going to new restaurants or museums and shows. He can live with the routine, but it doesn’t mean he loves it.

”I just don’t want to see you get hurt.” Mirabel offers.

”I appreciate you looking out for me,” Sebastian says earnestly. “But I’m fine.  I’m a big boy, I can handle it.”

She gives him a knowing look, shaking her head as she slips into her car.  Sebastian waves until she disappears in the distance, and locks the front door behind him.  Sebastian can hear Rory snoring as he walks up the stairs, shucking off his corduroy jacket.  Once he gets to his room, he falls into his bed, putting his phone face down on the table.

He won’t get hurt, he thinks.  At this point, nothing hurts him anymore.

Chapter Text

Rory is standing in the window, peeking through the blinds. 

“Theo is here!” He yells cheerfully, waving his blue cast in the air. He turns to his father, grinning from ear to ear. Sebastian bites the inside of his cheek, trying to fight a smile.  Rory is by no means a morning person, but the thought of seeing Theo so early in the day has put a pep in his step.

Sebastian won’t lie—he’d also woken up an hour ahead of schedule, and spent a few extra minutes combing his unruly hair in anticipation of seeing the school nurse bright and early. 

Sebastian takes one last gulp of his coffee, setting the mug in the sink before grabbing his briefcase. “Come on then, hop to it.” He grunts, tapping his foot while Rory slides his trainers on.  They’re out the door in no time, puffs of their breath visible in the cold autumn air. The bug’s engine is humming, Theo’s cheery playlist audible from the outside. She’s wearing her hair differently today—two braids tucked into knots at the nape of her neck.  

“Good morning Sallows,” Theo declares, resting her forearms on the wheel. “Are we ready to go?”

“Aye aye, Captain.” Rory declares, making himself comfortable in the backseat.  

Theo’s gaze turns to Sebastian, and he fights the flush that he knows will inevitably take over his face. 

Tell her she looks pretty today, his mind screams. She does look pretty, even if she’s wearing a turtleneck and sensible trousers. She’s always pretty to him. 

“Are you coming or what?” Theo asks.

Sebastian is at a loss for words.  He just nods, sliding into the passenger seat. 

Sebastian and Theo are in the back, as they always are for the Monday faculty meeting.  Theo crosses her arms, scanning the room.  Every teacher looks bored, except for Mirabel Garlick—she has a curious look on her face, sizing up Theo and Sebastian as they stand next to each other. 

Theo looks down at her shoes in embarrassment.  Mirabel had seen the two of them having a heart to heart in the car on Saturday.  Perhaps she thinks there’s more going on between them, which would be false.

Although, there’s plenty going on between them in Theo’s head.  Even though Saturday’s confessions hadn’t been the sexiest material to work with, Theo still found her thoughts drifting off to Sebastian amidst a moment of passion.  There was something about his vulnerability that made him more attractive to her.  She’d spent years begging her ex to be emotionally open with her, yet Sebastian had managed to cross that bridge and they had only just become friends.

Mirabel leans over to whisper in Dinah’s ear, so Theo averts her gaze.  She turns her head to the left, only to catch Matilda Weasley’s eye.  The deputy headmistress has always been kind to her, but ever since she’d broken things off with Garreth, Matilda had been a bit frosty with her.  Perhaps looking down at her shoes would be best.

”As a reminder, parent teacher conferences are taking place this Friday,” Headmaster Black declares. “The students have the afternoon off, and I expect every faculty member to have their classroom and office spotless.  St. Margaret’s has a reputation to uphold, and I will not see us fail now.”

”I can’t believe they’re making you stay for conferences,” Sebastian mutters to her, leaning into earshot. “What are you going to tell the parents about, how many bottles of paracetamol you’ve gone through so far this term?”

Theo snorts, covering her mouth with her hand.  When Sebastian leans up, he looks all too pleased with his joke.  She hadn’t gotten a good look at him this morning, afraid that her lingering eye might call too much attention.  He looks good—an oxford shirt rolled above his elbows, a patterned knit vest over top.  His hair always looks messy yet somehow put together at the same time.  Theo wants so badly to run her hands through it.

”Now, that’s all for this week’s meeting.  If you have any questions at all, please direct them to the deputy headmistress.” Black says sternly. “Dismissed.”

The teachers disperse, all off to complete whatever morning tasks they have to finish before the first bell of the day.  Theo gives Mirabel and Dinah a clueless smile as she passes them, and the two older ladies give her half hearted waves.

”Come on, I’ll walk you back to your office.” Sebastian says, hands shoved into his pockets.  They walk side by side down the hall, the sound of students arriving for the day echoing in the distance.

”So, any tips for surviving parent teacher conferences? Any problem parents to look out for?” Theo asks teasingly. 

“All of them,” Sebastian grumbles. “You spend four hours of your Friday afternoon appeasing parents that their children are doing just fine.”

“And the kids that aren’t?”

Sebastian snorts. “At least once a year I have to tell a mum that her little angel is in fact a giant shit. Or politely turn down a proposition.”

Theo rolls her eyes, swatting at him as he laughs. “You’re having a laugh,” she insists. “That does not happen.”

”You’d be surprised,” Sebastian admits. “Happens more than you’d think.”

“Of course it does.” Theo says dramatically. “Cute dad, cute kid.” She regrets the words as soon as they come out of her mouth, but she can’t cover her tracks. 

Sebastian slows his steps, poking his tongue through his cheek. He’s clearly trying to cover his smug expression, much to Theo’s horror. “You think?”

“Don’t let it get to your head. Any hearts to break this year?” Theo asks breathlessly.

“None, actually.” Sebastian muses. “Think it’s because Rory is in my class this year, everyone is on their best behavior.”

Theo chuckles, dipping her hands into her pockets. “Hopefully it won’t be so bad for me,” she hums. “Weasley just asked if I could welcome parents in, mind the refreshments.  Maybe even pass out a few of the nutritional pamphlets the NHS sent.” 

“Do you think she’s still mad at you?”

Theo lets out a deep sigh. “I wouldn’t say mad, per say.  Garreth said she wasn’t too pleased about losing a bet on us dating.”

They laugh together, stopping in front of the nurse’s office. Sebastian leaned against the doorframe. 

“I’m sure Gaz will land on his feet, especially if you’ve helped him set up a dating profile.” Sebastian snorts.

”Oh, he’s doing just fine.” Theo rolls her eyes. “So, what time are we leaving today?  Anything you and Rory need to settle before we drive back?”

“Not today, but I did mean to chat about the whole carpooling situation.” Sebastian says awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I can ask Mirabel for a ride home from the conferences so you don’t have to stay the whole evening. Sirona is going to watch him in the evening, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.” 

“Nonsense,” Theo retorts. “I can drive us.” 

Sebastian raises a brow. “Are you sure?”

“Would it sound incredibly lame to say that it’s actually nice not having to drive alone?” She confesses.

Sebastian’s face softens, a pleasant flush sprouting across his freckled face.  Theo dips her head down, feeling utterly embarrassed.  Great, now she sounds like a total loser—

“Maybe we should make carpooling a regular thing, when my car is fixed.” Sebastian offers. “Rory loves having you with us in the morning, and it’s probably more environmentally friendly anyways.”

”Environmentally friendly?” Theo quirks a brow.

”Er, yeah.” Sebastian coughs. “Unless that sounds stupid—“

”No,” Theo interjects quickly. “I like the idea. Friends carpool, right?”

There’s a look between them, brows furrowed as they try to decipher the other’s intentions.  Sebastian opens his mouth, snapping it shut quickly.  His lips press into a flat line, blinking at her with an empty gaze.

“Friends do.” He claims.

The first bell of the day rings, and much to Theo’s regret, Sebastian steps away from the door.

”Right, I’ll see you at lunch.” He says quickly, his dress shoes squeaking against the marble floor. 

Theo offers a weak wave in return. 

”How much did they say the repairs are?” 

Sebastian takes in a deep breath, setting his phone on the window sill as he does the dishes.  It’s late now, Rory deeply asleep in bed.  This is the only free time Sebastian has to pull the house together, and considering they’ve been busy the past few weeks, the cottage is in shambles.  Sebastian decides to tackle the easiest task first—addressing the mountain of dishes that have piled up in the sink.

”If I think about it, I’ll get depressed.” Sebastian responds, wiping down a plate. “So no, I haven’t scheduled the repair yet.”

”I thought it was just the battery,” Ominis says, voice echoing through the phone. “But then again, what do I know about cars?”

“They did replace the battery,” Sebastian piles the clean plates. “But it’s still stalling out whenever I try to start it.  Worst case scenario, we need a new car entirely.”

“I can always—“

“No,” Sebastian says definitively. “No, you are not helping us out.”

”Oh, come on, Sebastian.” Ominis huffs. “How are you and Rory going to get around? It’s not like I can’t afford it.”

”You’re already doing too much for me,” Sebastian complains. “It’ll be weird, and uneven.  I won’t accept any more help from you, not even with the car.”

”You and your sister, you’re both so dreadfully stubborn.” Ominis grumbles. 

“Speaking of, how is she?”

”Don’t change the subject.” Ominis warns. “What are you going to do in the meantime?”

”Well, for starters, Isaac already responded to me about increasing the fee on his parents’ house.” Sebastian sighs. “Said he thinks they’ll be fine with it, considering I haven't increased my fees in years.  And in the meantime, we’re carpooling to school with a coworker.”

”Don’t tell me you’re bumming rides from Mirabel Garlick.” Ominis snorts.

”I am not,” Sebastian says, thinking over his next words carefully. “It’s with Theo, actually.  Since she’s living at the Sweeting house, she’s not far from us.’

“The mysterious Theo,” Ominis hums. “You haven’t told me much about her, you know.”

”There’s not much to say,” Sebastian lies.  

”Right, not much to say about your new colleague who you’re suddenly seeing much more often?” Ominis whispers.

”Why are you whispering?” Sebastian asks.

”Because if Anne hears me saying a woman’s name while I’m on the phone with you, she might start planning your wedding.”  Ominis jokes.

Sebastian groans as he piles the plates away in the cupboard. “Don’t let her get wind of this, okay?  I already got enough grief from her when she found out about Violet, I don’t want her to start hyperfixating on Theo too.”

”Don’t even remind me of Violet. I’d like to erase that entire chapter from my brain, thank you very much.  So, do you like her?” Ominis asks.  Sebastian can see him already, the blond’s interest piqued now that he knows he’s caught Sebastian in a lie.

“I didn’t say that,” Sebastian says sternly. “I just don’t want Anne to freak out because I think a woman is pretty.”

”So you do like her.” Ominis hums. 

“I don’t like anyone,” Sebastian complains. “God forbid I just think someone looks good. I hardly know her.”

”Fine, fine,” Ominis laughs. “I’ll leave it be.  But seriously Sebastian, think about my offer. I could come up for a weekend, go car shopping with you. I promised Rory I’d come visit anyways, we could make a whole trip of it.”

“It’s fine,” Sebastian grumbles. “We’ll be fine. I’ll have enough to repair the car by next month, and we’ll get by for now.” It’s not ideal by any means, but he doesn’t want to ask Ominis for a favor when his best friend has already done so much for his family. He knows how much his best friend detests his own family, but he’d borrowed money from his parents in the past to help keep up the flat while they lived in London. 

Ominis is also integral to Anne’s safety and survival, but Sebastian prefers not to think about how the two have fallen in love while he’s been gone. He loves the fact that his best friend is now somewhat of a brother, but he can’t help feeling left out. 

“We’re okay,” Sebastian says, tossing the damp towel onto the countertop. “We’re okay, Om. I’ll tell you if we need anything, but I’m doing fine.”

”Pretend that I believe you,” Ominis retorts. “I love you. Talk to you soon.”

”Yeah, yeah, love you too.” Sebastian grumbles, hanging up the phone.  He turns his head to check the time on the clock; it’s nearly midnight.  He still has to grade a few papers and fold a load of laundry.  Perhaps he should let Rory help him out more. Anne usually says he’s spoiling Rory, but Sebastian wants to let his son be a child for a little while longer.  Carefree, with no responsibilities—at least until he’s twelve.

Sebastian sighs, deciding he’ll just grade through his lunch period again. The laundry can be wrinkly for now as well.  With a clean sink, he turns the kitchen lights off and drags his feet up the stairs to bed.

Theo swears as she checks the time; if she doesn’t leave in the next twenty minutes, she’ll be late picking up the Sallows.  She still has to do something with her hair, which is piled atop her head in a fuzzy towel.  Yet still, Theo stares down at the set she’s laid out on the bed.  It’s the day of parent teacher conferences, and Theo has to look her best.

Perhaps she should have done laundry.  If she had done her laundry as she’d planned, she would have a sensible bra and equally sensible knickers to wear today.  Instead, she’s looking down at her tiniest black lace bra, and an even tinier thong.

She could wear a pair of the granny panties she reserves for a specific time of the month, but she’s planned on wearing a silk skirt today.  For some reason, the idea of having visible panty lines with such an outfit seems like a crime against fashion.  It totally doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that she’d been tossing and turning the entire night, realizing she and Sebastian would be alone once more on their drive home tonight. She’s been playing the moment of them in his driveway on repeat for the entire week, wondering what might have happened had Mirabel Garlick not been standing on the porch.

Nothing to do with Sebastian. Not. At. All.

“What the hell,” Theo mutters, dropping her robe.  It pools on the floor as she slips into the lace balconet bra and the matching thong.  Her date night underwear, Poppy used to tease her.  She always did feel more confident when she was wearing them, so perhaps that attitude will rub off on her once more.

Theo tugs Poppy’s sweater and the maroon silk skirt on, appraising herself in the mirror before she slips on a sensible pair of kitten heels.  She looks good, like a proper responsible adult with no underwear lines whatsoever. 

Theo glances at the clock once more—half past six.  She has ten minutes to sort out her hair before she leaves for Sebastian’s house. Raking the brush through her hair, she tries to push any and all thoughts of him out of her head.

It’s all in your head, she reminds herself.

It’s the morning of parent teacher conferences, and Sebastian running amok through the house.  Lunches, check.  Homework, check.  A nice sweater to change into for the evening, check. 

“Da-ad, we’re going to be late,” Rory calls from the bottom of the stairs. “Theo’s been outside for a while now.”

”Just a moment,” Sebastian yells.  He loves his son to death, but the boy can be a bit too perceptive.  After noticing how tired Sebastian had been throughout the week, Rory had taken it upon himself to implement a chore chart. Nothing egregious, mostly a little list meant to help Sebastian pick up junk around the house and fold laundry.  Leave it to his son to get carried away, tidying up too well and putting things in all the wrong places.  

Namely, Sebastian’s wallet.

Sebastian has torn through the kitchen drawers and the bathroom already.  Barreling up the stairs, he tries to visualize where Ror might put his wallet—perhaps his bedside table.  He closes the distance in three quick strides, tearing open the dresser.  

“There you are, you little bugger.” Sebastian grumbles, spotting his beaten up leather wallet.  When he picks it up, he sees the little foil packet he’d stowed away after his failed hook up.  The blue condom stares right back at him.

He doesn’t need it.

Sebastian hears honking from far away; his thoughts are promptly turned to Theo, who’s sitting in his front drive.  

Well, it can’t hurt to be prepared, Sebastian thinks.  He won’t need it any time soon, but with his track record, better safe than sorry. He picks it up, shoving it into the back of his wallet.

Sebastian feels a bit guilty that his thoughts have already trailed off to the idea of him and Theo alone again. If only Mirabel hadn’t been standing so close—he keeps dreaming of Theo’s hand on his. He dreams of it in other places too, but the memory of that dream might derail the whole day. 

“Dad, are you ready?” Rory screams.

Sebastian barrels down the stairs, briefcase in hand.  Rory has his backpack, lunchbox, and Sebastian’s briefcase at his feet. 

“Sorry,” Sebastian says breathlessly, picking up his tan waxed jacket. “Let’s get a move on.”

“Make sure to put enough chairs in front of each classroom door.” Matilda Weasley calls out. “And when you’re done with that, you can help out in the dining hall.” 

Theo gives the deputy headmistress a polite smile as she passes by.  It looks like she’ll spend her lunch break scraping chairs down the hallways. Students are filing out of the building, eager to get an early start on their Friday.  Theo, on the other hand, has spent the day helping the administrative staff set up refreshments and informational pamphlets for the parents.  She’s made sure to avoid Matilda’s critical gaze and the dozen boxes of pastries from Weasley and Sons bakery.

”Theo!”

She turns around to see the Sallows walking towards her, Sebastian’s arm curled around Rory’s shoulders.  Both of them are wearing their coats—Rory’s blue cast is still awkwardly sticking out of his coat arm. 

“Hello, you two.” She smiles, brushing dust off her skirt. “Rory, what are you up to the rest of the afternoon?”

”Going bowling; all the boys in my class are going.” Rory says excitedly; he just might start bouncing off the walls. “Well, I can’t really bowl right now, but Robbie Thompson’s mum said we can play at the arcade too!”

”Sirona is going to pick you up,” Sebastian reminds him. “And I’ll see you at home later, before bed.”

”That sounds very exciting,” Theo puts her hands on her hips. “What are you going to play at the arcade?”

”I want to take a crack at the claw machine,” Rory’s voice is determined, eyes narrowed. “I know they’re rigged, but I have a feeling I can do it.”

“Rory’s a bit too competitive.” Sebastian ruffles his hair; his son groans, pushing it back into place with furrowed brows.

”Can I have some money, Dad?” Rory looks up at him with wide eyes. “For the arcade?”

Sebastian sighs, handing him his wallet. “Take a tenner, that’s all.” He looks up at Theo, appraising the work she’s been putting into the classroom hallways. “They’ve reduced you to manual labor, haven’t they?”

Theo snorts. “I take it as punishment.” She jests. “From Matilda Weasley.”

Sebastian smirks, tugging at the collar of his jumper. “Ah yes, for making her lose the bet.”

Rory clears his throat. “Er, is this gum or something?”

Both Theo and Sebastian turn their heads.  Rory is holding a little silver foil packet, an ostentatiously blue condom inside. Sebastian nearly coughs a lung up, pulling it out of his hands and shoving it in his coat pocket.  Theo clasps a hand over her mouth, trying to swallow down the laugh she so badly wants to let out. 

“I said take a tenner, not dig through the whole lot.” Sebastian blurts. He snatches his beat up wallet out of Rory’s hands, pulling out the money.  Rory’s face is twisted in annoyance as he pockets the bills, scowling as his dad.

”Not fair!  We agreed we’re not going to hide sweets from each other anymore—“

”It’s not gum,” Sebastian snaps. “You better hurry before Mrs. Thompson leaves without you.”

Rory rolls his eyes. “Whatever.  See you on Saturday, Theo! We’ll work on dribbling while Dad does the yard work.”  He waves his blue cast, bopping down the hallway to the door.

There’s a moment of shared silence between them, but once the double doors have shut, Theo bursts into laughter. Sebastian just buries his face in his hands.

“One day you’re going to laugh at this,” Theo reminds him, wiping a stray tear from her eye. “You can tell him about the time he thought a condom was bubble gum.”

”Preferably a long, long time from now.” Sebastian mutters, rubbing the back of his neck as they start walking towards the door themselves. 

As her laughter cools down, Theo bites the inside of her cheek.  It’s silly to have all these thoughts about Sebastian.  For heaven’s sake, he’s carrying condoms in his wallet—who knows who for.  Not her, at least.  They are friends, and they will stay friends. Perhaps she could’ve gotten away with the granny panties today.

Theo is pushed out of her thoughts by Sebastian’s elbow jutting into her waist. 

“Look,” he murmurs, pointing out the window.

They’re overlooking the front drive of the school, kids congregating as they wait for their rides.  Rory has meandered away from his pack of friends, walking over to a petite girl with curly black hair.  

“Ella Brattleby,” Theo inhales.

Rory has a furious flush on his face, while Ella smiles sweetly at him.  Her friends are all whispering behind her as he pushes the Boots bag (now featuring a makeshift bow taped to the front) in her hands.  She opens it excitedly, shrieking when the lip gloss falls into her palm. Rory may be red in the face, but his smile speaks volumes when she throws her arms around him in a hug.

Theo looks up at Sebastian, and it melts her heart.  His face is both anguished and thrilled, the mark of a proud father watching his son grow up yet wishing for him to stay just little a while longer.  The look he gives his son gives her butterflies in her stomach; for some reason, he’s never been more attractive.

”He’s a good kid,” Theo assures him. “You’re raising a very sweet boy, Sebastian.”

Sebastian looks down at her, lips curved up in a smile. “Thank you.  I know.”

Sebastian doesn’t mind conferences.  They wouldn’t be so bad if Headmaster Black wasn’t so intent on them becoming glorified cocktail hours for the parents.  He’s already peeled the name tag off his jumper, sipping a cup of coffee in the shadows as he observes his surroundings.

There are parents all over the dining hall, looking in at the clubs, sports, and extracurriculars. Leander and Cressida are representing the football team, chatting animatedly with the other parents that stop by to inquire.  He can see the couple now; Leander’s got his arm around Cress, her palm resting on the tiny baby bump that’s popped.

Sebastian turns his gaze to the other side of the room.  He can spot Theo through the crowd, talking to some parents.  She’s passed out a stack of pamphlets from the NHS, chatting animatedly with her hands. 

God, she looks pretty, he thinks.  He’s seen her dressed up before, but there’s something about the silk skirt she’s wearing, the way it flows as she walks.  He stands a little straighter, thinking about the way it curved around her plump, round arse earlier that morning in the hallway—

He looks down at his coffee. Nope.  Not an appropriate thought.

Sebastian swirls his cup before down the rest of the lukewarm coffee.  Tossing it in the bin, he looks back to Theo and her captivated audience.  Perhaps he should’ve noticed sooner, but they’re all men.  Men who seem a little too enthusiastic about childhood dietary requirements and flu prevention.

Sebastian feels that sting in his chest again, the one he’s been feeling for the past month and a half.  He rubs his chest, feeling quite irked that it would pop back up at a time like this.  Maybe he should make a doctor’s appointment.  He’s not getting any younger. He runs his hands through his hair, no doubt messing up his waves completely, eager to be anywhere else.

He feels a tap on his shoulder, and turns.  It’s Mrs. O’Connor, one of the mothers from his class.

”Mr. Sallow, I hope you’re doing well.” She smiles demurely. “A few of us wanted to chat, talk about the classroom’s curriculum.”  She tilts her head over her shoulder where a gaggle of other mothers stand, giggling and waving.

Sebastian inhales sharply, giving them a slight smile. “Right on, over to my classroom then.”

Theo meanders down the hallway, running her hand on the mahogany paneled walls.  It’s half past six, and the night is nearly over.  She’s already helped Weasley tear down all the tables and chairs in the dining hall, so all that’s left to do is wait for Sebastian. 

Speaking of, she passes his classroom.  There’s a little glass window through the door, and she can see him leaning back against his desk, the sleeves of his sweater scrunched up to his elbows.  His forearms are bare, save for what looks like a tattoo near the crook of his elbow—that she’s never noticed before. He’s saying something, waving his hands animatedly as he talks.

Theo scans the room. As she’s expected, the front row is exclusively female, each leaning their chin into the palm as they listen a bit too intently on their child’s teacher.  He’s undeniably handsome tonight, and Theo keeps having to knock the idea of tearing away at his fisherman’s sweater to see what’s hiding underneath. 

Theo backs away from the door, her kitten heels clicking on the floor.  She’ll just have to wait in her office for him to finish up. The nurse’s station is too lonely after hours, and she’s going to go home to her even lonelier flat. 

While she has no intention of getting herself trapped in another relationship again, Theo can’t help but wonder what it might feel like to not be alone all the time.

There’s a knock at her door, and she whips her head around to see a man wearing a navy suit.  He’s older, perhaps in his forties, with white streaks in his black hair.

”Can I help you?” Theo asks politely.

The man leaning against the doorframe smiles again, this time baring too many teeth.  It sets all of her senses on high alert, the hairs on the back of her neck rising as he walks into her office. 

”You’re Miss Caulfield, aren’t you?” He muses. “The new school nurse.”

”I am.” Theo grips the edge of her desk. “And you are?”

”Evan Rosier,” he sizes her up and down, which makes her want to put her coat on.

Theo thinks back to the students she’s met thus far.  She can’t think of a Rosier she’s met.

”My son is in first year,” Mr. Rosier says, sliding forward with ease. “But he’s very clumsy, so I thought I’d stop in and meet the school nurse. See who’s taking care of the children these days now that Blainey is retired.” 

Theo isn’t a fan of the look on his face; he looks like a wolf, circling his lunch. “Yes, well, little boys are quite clumsy at that age.” She deflects. “Anything in particular I can address?”

”To start, you look far too young to be hidden away as a primary school nurse. I think I’d like to see your credentials.” Mr. Rosier claims. 

“Well, I’ve spent nearly all my career as a pediatric nurse.  I last worked at Great Ormond Street Hospital, before I left to start my masters. I was working towards becoming a physician’s associate before I moved here.” Theo says simply. “Anything else I can answer?”

Rosier does not move, continuing to size her up and down.  “I heard you’re new in town, aren’t you?”

”I hardly see how that is a subject worth discussing at parent teacher conferences.” Theo snips. “We should be talking about the students.”

Mr. Rosier opens his mouth to retort, but quickly snaps it shut when the door opens.  Theo looks past his shoulder, never happier to see Sebastian Sallow in her life.

”Are you ready to go home—oh, Rosier.” Sebastian stops in his tracks, eyes narrowing at the man across from Theo. “What are you doing back here?”

”Getting to know our new nurse,” Mr. Rosier says cheekily. “Good to see you, Sallow. Glad to see you’ve made it up the ranks, actually teaching now.”

Sebastian sees the frustration in Theo’s eyes, and he’s at her side in three quick strides.  Rosier’s roving eyes stop at Sebastian’s hand, which is now protectively curled around her shoulder.

”Rosier went to school here too,” Sebastian says, leaning his chin down to speak in her ear. “Forever ago though, you’re much older than me.”  His words are sharp, breath warm against her skin.  It makes the hairs on the back of her neck rise for a completely different reason. 

”How nice,” Theo says breathlessly.

”We should be getting home now, darling.  I just passed Weasley on her way out, she said we’re good to leave for the night.” Sebastian says quickly, spinning her.  His hand trails down to her waist, lightly pinching the fabric of her skirt between his thumb and pointer finger. “Would you like my coat?”  Sebastian carries on the conversation as if Rosier isn’t standing in the room, now sheepishly bowling his shoulders over.

”Thank you,” Theo says gratefully, pulling Sebastian’s waxed jacket over her shoulders. It’s warm, having just been on his body, and smells like his cologne. His arm is back around her shoulders in no time at all.

“Well then, I didn’t know you two were an item.” Rosier quips. “How sweet.”

Theo opens her mouth to refute the statement, but Sebastian’s fingers only curl harder into her bicep.  It’s not an unpleasant feeling—it’s actually quite reassuring.

”Good to see you, Rosier. We’re heading out for the night.” Sebastian says simply, dipping his head. “Let’s go, darling.”

Darling, Theo thinks, her heels clicking on the linoleum floor as they make their way to the faculty exit.  Despite being alone, Sebastian does not drop the ruse.  His arm remains around her, tugging her in tight against his body. It seems like everyone else is gone already, leaving the little yellow bug as the lone car at the end of the row.

Sebastian’s grip on her shoulder eases as they exit the building, the cold evening air piercing their lungs.  Theo gulps in a deep breath, rolling her head to look at Sebastian.

”You never warned me about the fathers,” Theo hums. 

Sebastian winces. “To be fair, I never thought I’d have to.  God, Rosier is such a prick, I can’t believe he’d have the audacity to just show up in your office like that.  I don’t see what his wife sees in him.”

”Well, nevertheless, thank you for rescuing me.” Theo says, pulling the jacket Sebastian offered her tighter around her shoulders. 

“Any time,” Sebastian kicks a rock across the pavement. “You know, I thought I saw Rosier leering at you during the assembly. Bet he’d been waiting for the opportunity to hit on you all night. 

“You think?” Theo muses, looking up at him through thick lashes.

“I know,” Sebastian blurts.

Sebastian is at her mercy, having hitched a ride with her.  There’s little space between them as they walk, his hand sometimes brushing against the elbow of her jacket as they make their way to the beetle.  She doesn’t pull away, and neither does he.

“You didn’t have to pretend to be my….uh, whatever that was,” Theo points out, fumbling with her purse for the key. “I could’ve taken care of myself.”  

“I know,” Sebastian scratches his head. “It just…I just didn’t like the way Rosier was speaking to you.”

Theo turns her back against the yellow bug, rolling her eyes as she leans against the car door. “Protective much?”

“I am,” Sebastian breathes. “Is that okay?”

He’s standing closer than she realized.  His knees brush against her leg, both of his large palms shoved into his pockets.  Those dark eyes staring down at her could burn holes into one’s soul, she thinks.  She does not miss the subtle way they flicker down to her lips.

She wasn’t imagining that.  She saw it, with her own two eyes.

“I like it.” Theo admits. “When you’re–”

“Protective,” Sebastian whispers. He steps in closer.

Theo opens her mouth to say something, but nothing of substance comes out.  “Sebastian,” she murmurs, arms falling from her chest to her side.  Sebastian is practically boxing her in at this point, one hand coming to rest on the top of the car, just like she imagined in her dreams.

“Theo,” he whispers back.  His face is so close, she can feel the warmth of his breath on her cheek.  She dying to know what his lips feel like on hers, angling her face in a way that he might accidentally brush against her. Sebastian is still—he has not picked up on the hint.

“Are you going to stand there all day?” she asks. “Or will you make a move?”

“So fucking impatient,” Sebastian scolds her, slotting his knee between her legs.  His tone is all teasing, dripping with lust. The hem of her skirt rucks up to her thighs, his khaki clad leg kicking her knees apart. His hand is still in his pocket, the other gripping the top of the bug as his brown hair falls in front of his eyes.  She can see the way his lashes flutter, nostrils flared.

He’s smelling her, she realizes.  Taking in every ounce of her thick perfume, inhaling in her scent.  Theo decides to be brave, reaching forward to tug him in by his belt.  Her fingertips curl around the leather, and his eyes widen in surprise.

“You do realize what we’re doing,” Sebastian grumbles. 

“I do,” Theo whispers.

”And it’s going to be very hard to be friends after this,” he licks his lips, eyes searching her face for permission.

”I think we’ll still be good friends,” Theo murmurs.

”Do friends do this?” Sebastian finally takes his hand out of his pocket, wrapping his arm around her waist to pull them closer.  She can feel the startling outline of his erection, straining against her thin silk skirt.

”Very, very good friends.” Theo utters.  She looks up at Sebastian, and his brows are furrowed at her.  Lean in and kiss me, her subconscious screams.

Instead, he pulls away. “Did you feel that?” He asks abruptly.

”Feel what?” Theo whimpers, mourning the loss of his leg against her thighs.

”It’s raining.”

Theo blinks, then shrieks at the feeling of rain falling against her skin.  She’s wearing Poppy’s cashmere sweater, and despite being the most benevolent person she knows, Pop will be mad if she destroys her nice top.  Theo rummages in her purse for the keys, hurriedly unlocking the door as Sebastian laughs, urging her to go faster.  The downpour comes out of nowhere, absolutely drenching them until Theo can unlock the car.  They scramble into the backseat, door slamming shut behind them.

The backseat, Theo thinks.  Because they’re not leaving yet.

Sebastian stares at Theo, and she can’t help but laugh. 

“Why are you laughing?” He demands, shaking out water droplets from his hair. 

Theo shakes her head. “You look ridiculous,” she laughs, teeth chattering in between giggles. He does look comical, squeezed into the tight backseat of a Volkswagen Beetle.  His knees have nowhere to go, legs spread as far as they can.  Theo’s eyes flit down to the tent in his trousers; he’s still hard. 

“You’re cold,” Sebastian observes.  “Come here.”

Theo scoots closer to him, lips pursed in a smile as her shoulder knocks into his.

”Come here,” Sebastian growls. “Closer.”

Theo barely has time to register his request; Sebastian hauls her into his lap as best as he can.  She kneels between his thigh facing him, hands resting on his waxed coat.  

“Is this what you want?” Theo asks.  The question is twofold—if the position is okay, and if he’s seriously thinking straight about ruining the friendship they’ve worked so hard on.

Sebastian doesn’t answer her; instead, his lips crash against hers.  Theo moans into his mouth, palms pressed to his cheeks.  Sebastian groans back in appreciation, his hands resting on her hips.  Her wet hair sticks to his cheeks, both of them fighting for dominance.  Sebastian’s hand slips underneath the cashmere sweater, finding her breasts with little issue. His eyes look like two ink blots, pupils blown wide when he feels the lace net of her balconette bra.  He pulls the flimsy cups down to pinch her nipples without hesitation.  It’s as if he already knows she’ll enjoy it, and she does.

”Fuck,” Theo curses.

”Maybe later,” Sebastian croons, and she wants to slap him.

“Maybe now.” She mumbles against his mouth, rolling her hips on his lap, grinding down on him.  Her silk skirt is rucked up to her waist, the slip she’d worn underneath bunched up with it.  She knows he can feel her warmth, covered by the equally flimsy matching thong she’d coordinated to her bra.  She tugs his coat off, and Sebastian eagerly bucks his hips upward.

”A condom,” he gasps. “In the right pocket of my coat.”

Theo fishes out the silver foil packet, handing it to him.  She rises to her knees, trying to lean out of the way so Sebastian can see well enough to put the condom on.

He’s a multi-tasker, it seems.  Once the condom is free, Sebastian rolls it down on his erection with one hand.  The other pulls her sweater up to her chin, his mouth quickly fixating on her breasts.

”Sebastian,” Theo gasps, her head falling back as his tongue traces circles over her nipple. 

“Shit, shit, shit, you feel so good,” Sebastian groans, sighing against her chest. “Do you want this? Do you want to—“

Theo doesn’t let him finish his sentence. She pulls her thong to the side, letting out a stuttered moan as she feels the weight of Sebastian’s cock against her.  Despite the urgency, she is slow as she lowers herself down onto him, savoring the way he spears through her. The look on his face is downright sinful when she bottoms out, mouth agape as she takes him in.

”Theo,” Sebastian rasps, eyes pleading with her to move. “God, you’re so tight.”

She curls herself into him, Sebastian’s arms wrapping around her waist.  He’s being so polite, she realizes, his eyes shut tight as he fights the urge to thrust his hips up.  He wants her to go at her own pace, so she gives him exactly that.  His face twists in pleasure as she starts gliding up and down on his length, his face eventually resting between her breasts.

”Fuck, ah, fuck,” Sebastian curses in succession. His teeth graze her skin, his eyes meeting hers.  His freckled cheeks are flushed, lips parted as he gazes up at her. Despite the hard look in his eyes, everything about his touch is tender.  From the way his fingertips rub against her silk skirt, to the way his other hand tangles in her hair. She can feel her climax building in her, and she knows Sebastian can tell. Slowly blinking, Sebastian pulls her face towards his, kissing her deeply. They stay kissing for god knows how long, all while Theo chases her release.  When her legs start trembling, Sebastian wraps his hands around her arse, bouncing her up and down his cock. All she can hear in the car is the leather seats creaking under their movement, the sinful sound her thighs crashing against his, and Sebastian’s relentless praise.

Sebastian pulls away slightly, his lips brushing against her ear.

”You feel just as good as I dreamt you would,” he whispers.”I want to feel you come on me.  Will you come for me, Theo?”

Say no more. Theo orgasms, whining against his mouth as she comes down from her high.

”Sebastian,” she rasps.  His chin tilts up towards hers, blinking blearily at her as his teeth dig into his lower lip.  He wraps both arms around her waist, thrusting upwards with reckless abandon now that she’s climaxed. She brushes an errant wave out of his now sticky forehead, feeling an urge she’s never felt before.

”Seb,” she whispers. She’s never called him that before.  It feels too intimate almost—ironically, considering he’s buried balls deep inside her.  He looks up at her again, silently pleading with her to say it again. 

“Seb,” she murmurs, pressing her mouth to his. Their foreheads are glued together, and she can feel his hot breath against her cheek. She presses her lips against his mouth in a feverish kiss.

Sebastian swears against her lips as he comes. 

The silence is so loud.

The rain has stopped, and Theo and Sebastian have quickly come to their senses, realizing how late it is.  She’s back in the driver’s seat, focusing on the road, while Sebastian awkwardly fiddles with the radio.  Neither addresses the used condom in the backseat, which is taunting them. It’s only when they’re stuck at the world’s longest red light that Theo decides to say something.

“You’re really loud,” Theo mutters, breaking the ice.

”I’m loud?” Sebastian snorts. “Speak for yourself.”

They both look at each other with raised brows, eventually descending into laughter.

”Ah, fuck.” Sebastian groans, scratching his head. “We really did that.”

”We did,” Theo inhales sharply.  The light turns green, and she takes her foot off the brakes.

Sebastian is quiet for a moment, ruminating on his thoughts. “Honest question.” He says slowly, raising an eyebrow at her. “Did you think we were going to hook up tonight?”

“No!” Theo exclaims, hitting the brakes. “Did you?!”

”You’re the one who wore a thong to parent teacher conferences,” Sebastian points out. Theo shifts uncomfortably at the feeling of the still damp thong between her legs. 

”And you’re the one who brought a condom to parent teacher conferences,” Theo accuses him, jerking her thumb to the backseat, where the offending piece of latex is hidden, a pile of fast food napkins stacked over it to hide its shame. 

The two of them give each other incredulous looks again, chuckling together as the light changes green again.  Sebastian leans against the window, rubbing his forehead. 

“If it makes you feel better, I’ve been thinking about it.” He muses. 

“About what?” Theo asks.

”About that,” Sebastian points out.

“Fucking me in the back of a vehicle?” Theo clarifies.

”Christ, do you have to be so crass?” Sebastian scowls. “For lack of better terms, yes.  The thought has crossed my mind once or twice.”

The radio is low, playing a dreamy synth pop song as they rumble down the street to Sebastian’s house.  Now she has confirmation that she’s not alone in her dreams—Sebastian has also thought about having sex with her.  She bites the inside of her cheek as she pictures him in his bed, hand working furiously over his erection as he mutters her name.

”What are you thinking about?” Sebastian asks. 

Theo blushes, clearing her throat as she comes back down to Earth.  She turns her head slightly to see him; Sebastian’s face is curious, searching her expression for more. 

”It might be mutually beneficial for us,” Theo observes. “Uh, hooking up.”

“How so?” Sebastian asks, raising a brow.

”Well, for starters, you don’t want to settle down.” Theo points out. “And as we discussed, you hate dating.” 

“I do,” Sebastian agrees.

”I’m just saying, it would be nice to have someone to…relieve stress with.” Theo chooses her words carefully. “No strings attached. We both know what we want, and we’re clearly attracted to one another. If we set some ground rules, I think it would be—“

”Mutually beneficial,” Sebastian repeats her words.

They’ve pulled into Sebastian’s drive, the porch light flickering.  

“I should get inside,” he says lowly. “Mirabel’s probably been back for a while, and Sirona is likely wondering where I’ve been.”  His brown eyes are looking at her lips, fluttering as he lifts his chin to meet her gaze. 

“What do you say?” Theo asks nervously, scratching at her cuticles.

Sebastian swallows hard. “I say if I had another condom on hand, we’d be somewhere else right now.” he admits, and it somehow breaks the tension in the car.  They both descend into giggles again, Sebastian’s cheeks pink from his confession.

”How about you sleep on it,” Theo says, licking her lips. “And we’ll…we’ll figure out the logistics. The rules.”

Sebastian’s Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows again, nodding his head. He tilts his head forward as if he’s going to kiss her, but hesitates.  Instead, he holds out his hand.

“Are you seriously going to shake my hand after you’ve been inside me?” Theo raises a brow.

Sebastian snorts, shaking his head. “I suppose not.” He does what he should’ve done from the start, pressing a tentative kiss to her cheek.  Anything more and she’ll be tempted to lock her doors and keep him all to herself for the night.

Pulling away, Sebastian balls up his coat in his hands.  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says, opening the door. “We’ll talk.”

Theo waves, ready to pull away, but she quickly puts the car in park once more.  Rolling the window down, she calls out Sebastian’s name.  He stops, skittering in his steps, turning back to her.

”Can you—uh, you know,” she wheezes. “Clean up the backseat.”

”Oh, right.” Sebastian blurts.  He runs back to the car, opening the door to grab the pile of napkins in the back, a used condom buried somewhere underneath. “Uh, bye.”

Theo’s face is bright red as she pulls away from Sebastian’s house.  She turns the music up, starting the song all over again. It feels like her heart is thumping to the beat, and she can’t stop thinking about the way she could feel Sebastian’s pulse against hers. It’s trouble, that’s what it is.  But their chemistry is undeniable, attraction inevitable. It was bound to happen at some point. 

When she pulls into Granny Sweeting’s drive, the tires crunching under gravel, she hears her phone ping.  Perhaps it is Sebastian, already telling her this is a terrible idea.  Maybe it’s Isaac again, telling her he’s fucked up for the millionth time.  She ignores her texts until she’s safely inside, keys discarded on the two person bistro table in the kitchenette.

Theo steps out of her skirt, gingerly laying out the cashmere sweater she’ll have to hand wash tomorrow.  She peels off her thong and bra, leaving them in a trail on the way to the bathroom.  The shower is steamy, and for a moment she regrets that it will wash away the smell of Sebastian’s cologne on her skin.

Her phone pings again, and she looks down at the text.

Poppy: How was it?  Did you have fun tonight?

Theo bites her bottom lip so hard it almost bleeds. She sets her phone on the bathroom counter, stepping into the hot stream of water.  As it runs down her body, Theo stares up at the ceiling, trying to find the right words. Fun is a relative term, she thinks, for what tonight has been. She leans her head against the glass shower door, letting out a loud exhale. It’s been fun, but at what cost?

Poppy doesn’t know the half of it.

Chapter Text

Sebastian: So tell me how this works

 

Theo: How what works?

 

Sebastian: Us

 

Theo: Hooking up?

 

Sebastian: Are you going to answer the question or ask more questions

Sebastian sets his phone down on the counter, turning back to the bacon in the pan in front of him.  Rory is bound to sniff it at any moment and come barreling down the stairs.  When his screen lights up, he’s quick to pick the phone back up.

Theo: Well, we can hook up with one another.  Exclusively.

 

Sebastian: So no other people

 

Theo: Do you want there to be other people?

 

Sebastian: No

 

Theo: Okay. Good. I prefer it that way.

 

“Dad, can I ask you a question?”

Sebastian flips his phone inwards, screen pressed against his chest.  He looks up to see Rory already seated, having somehow tiptoed into the kitchen while Sebastian was distracted.  He’s in his pajamas, hands folded neatly on the kitchen table.

”What’s up?” Sebastian blurts.

”I know we have our route today, but Robbie asked if I could go to his house today.” Rory says tentatively. “I would’ve said no but Declan is going too, and his mum already offered to drive me there and back.”

Sebastian rubs his jaw, exhaling at the thought. He loves Rory to bits, but he actually might finish up his route a bit early without him.  And if he plays his cards right, he’ll finish up the day at the Sweeting house. That would give him plenty of time to talk to Theo about what happened the night before, and perhaps some other things….

”That sounds like a great idea, Ror.” Sebastian says enthusiastically, placing his phone face down on the counter. “You should hang out with your friends more—I’m sorry I’ve been monopolizing you lately.”

Rory’s face lights up with glee. “Are you sure?” He asks eagerly. 

“Only if you promise to tidy up the sitting room tonight,” Sebastian takes a searing hot piece of bacon off the pan, taking a quick bite. “And the laundry.”

”I promise, I will!” Rory shouts. He springs from the table, bouncing up the stairs. “Can you text Mrs. Reilly?  She said she’d pick me up by ten if you would text her first thing.”

Sebastian wipes the grease from his hands on his sweatpants, picking up his phone. He lifts it up to hide his face, and the inevitable grin that’s tugging on the corners of his mouth.  Mrs. Reilly is always quick to answer him, immediately texting back that she’d love to take Rory for the day, and that she and Declan will be by to pick them up by ten thirty. 

Sebastian goes back to his texts, bypassing unopened messages from Ominis and Anne.  He clicks on Theo’s name, typing a hasty response.

Sebastian: Looking forward to seeing you later.

 

Theo: I’m sure you are.

“What’s got you so distracted?”

Theo blinks at the phone, coming back down to earth from her daydream. Poppy is staring at her suspiciously as she ties an apron around her waist.  Imelda is floating somewhere in the background, a faraway voice instructing her on what to set at each place at the table.

“I’m not distracted.” Theo argues.

”You are,” Poppy points out. “Are you upset about the baking class?  I really did try to put it off until you could come back, but Adanna’s schedule is crazy now through the holidays, it was the only weekend we could do it.”

”It’s not that.” Theo says hastily. If she’s being honest, she is a bit peeved that her friends are throwing an event without her—but most of all, peeved at herself for being jealous. “I’ve just been busy with work and things. I’m glad you guys have a new friend, and it just means you and Imelda will have to do the cooking next time I’m in town.”

”Gran says you’ve been gone a lot.” Poppy hums, moving the camera with her as she moves around their flat. “And getting home pretty late.”

”Poppy Sweeting, did you ask your gran to spy on me?” Theo furrows her brows.

”She’s not spying,” Poppy scowls. “She’s just worried about you being alone all the time. She wanted you to come join her book club.”

”It’s very sweet that your gran wants to be friends, but I’m doing just fine.” Theo assures her. “I’m just excited the two of you will be coming up for the holidays.”

”About that,” Poppy says hastily, rubbing the back of her neck. “We should—“

Theo’s ears perk up at the sound of tires crunching on gravel.  She stands, looking out the window to see Sebastian pulling in. She’s surprised his car has made it; the rattling is loud enough that she can hear it through her windows.

“I have to run,” Theo interrupts, standing up from the bed. “Sebastian’s here.”

”Sebastian?” Poppy asks. “To do the yard work?  Why would you—“

”We’ll talk later, okay?” Theo assures her. “Or tomorrow, if that’s better?”

Poppy gives her a slightly suspicious look. “Alright then. I’ll talk to you later.”

Theo combs her fingers through her hair as she walks out to meet Sebastian.  Dutiful as ever, he’s already pulling out his gardening supplies.

”Hello,” she blurts. “How are you?”

Sebastian’s cheeks are pink; she’s not sure if its from the cold air or from embarrassment. “I’m good, how are you?”

Trying to act normal, even though you made me orgasm in the back of my car last night, Theo thinks. 

“Good!” She sputters. “Er, is Rory with you?”

Sebastian’s eyes flutter as he rubs his jaw. “No,” he confesses. “It’s just me.  One of his mates asked him to spend the day at his house, and I thought it would be a good idea."

Theo bites down on her lower lip. “A good idea.” She repeats.

”Do you want to talk later?” Sebastian asks. “After I’ve finished up the yard?”

”Oh, right.” Theo snorts. Sebastian does have a job to do—he’s not just here for a shag. Backing up to the doorway, she shoves her hands in the pocket of her sweatshirt. “We’ll talk after?”

Sebastian gives her a broad grin and a nod, walking over to the shed. Now that he’s thoroughly occupied by the overgrown lawn, Theo dashes back into her humble abode.  While she’d expected Sebastian to come over, she hasn’t actually prepared much—she has little time to perform a frenzied clean of her flat.  She stacks the few dishes she has in the kitchenette into a tiny pile in the sink, then chucks her dirty laundry into the closest basket.  Theo isn’t one to ever make her bed, but for once she neatly tucks her duvet, instead of leaving it balled up at the corner of her bed.

She can hear the hum of the lawn mower turn off, so she takes one last glance in the mirror before going back out.  Theo pinches her cheeks for a bit of color, hyping herself for the conversation at hand.

Sebastian is putting away the equipment when she opens the door, dirty gloves hanging out the back pocket of his jeans.  When the shed is locked and the job is done, he kicks up the gravel as he marches over to her, a determined glint in his eyes.

Theo leans against the frame of the door. “So, no Rory.” 

“No Rory.” Sebastian says simply, his hands shoved into the front pocket of his sweatshirt.  

“Would you like to…chat?” Theo tilts her head towards her door.

“I would, but I’m sure I smell fearsome right now.” Sebastian confesses. His freckles are heating up, crimson blush crawling up his neck. “I’ve just been mowing lawns for the whole morning.” He smells of sweat, cedar, and freshly mown grass. It’s not bad by any means, but she’s not about to tell him she finds it attractive.

Theo chews her lower lip, eyes flickering up and down Sebastian’s form. 

“I do have a shower.” She offers. 

Those five words seem to do the trick.  Sebastian holds one finger, running back to his car to pick up what looks like a little duffle bag.  Theo can’t help but snort as he comes jogging back, a wide grin on his face as he stands patiently outside the door to her flat.

”You’re so predictable,” Theo says, ushering him in. 

“How am I predictable?” Sebastian asks, eyebrow cocked.

”You brought a sex bag.”

Sebastian looks affronted. “This is not a sex bag!” He exclaims. “I just so happen to have a change of clothes with me in the car at all times—you never know when you’ll need a pair of shorts.”

It’s Theo’s turn to raise her brows. “Fine, then open the bag. Show me what’s inside.”

Sebastian drops the bag on her little bistro table, unzipping it.  He’s not entirely wrong—there is a change of clothes in there, likely kept in his car in case he makes a mess of himself on the job.  He’s rummaging past a pair of socks when she sees a big box, wedged under his t-shirt.

”What is that?”

”Nothing,” Sebastian says hastily, trying to move past it and zip his bag back up. Theo knows better, so she wiggles her arm through his, fishing the box out before he can properly close the zip. 

“So, you always keep a giant supply of condoms on you?” 

Sebastian snaps his mouth shut, red blush spreading to his ears. 

“Okay, so I just so happened to put a box in there in case you and I decided to have sex again.” He sputtered. “Better safe than—“

”Get in the shower, Sallow.”

Theo paces in her bedroom, nervously chewing on her fingertips. 

Should she have volunteered to jump in the shower with him? No, too forward—despite their intimate experience in the car, they haven’t really properly hooked up, let alone had a conversation about their…dalliance. Besides, he had actually been very sweaty, so best to leave him on his own.

Theo perches herself atop her perfectly made bed, legs dangling off the edge. He is naked in her bathroom. She had not properly gotten a view of his body the night before, just the outline of shapes and hard planes against her frame as he clutched her the night before. Will she see that tattoo of his? Perhaps an explanation? Does he have tattoos in other places—

Theo becomes acutely aware of the water turning off, the old pipes of the flat rattling the walls. She crosses her legs, leaning back against the bedspread on her elbows, waiting for him to emerge from the bathroom.

Emerge, he does.

Sebastian looks refreshed, toweling his hair as he drips water on the creaky floorboards. Another towel is slung around his waist, tucked in at the jut of his hips. He looks both soft and solid at the same time, his freckles trailing across his torso, down to the dark brown hair dusting the lower half of his tummy. It gets darker and thicker, down past his belly button to the edge of the towel.

”My eyes are up here,” Sebastian snickers, a proud grin on his face.  His blush betrays his cockiness though, spreading across his cheeks to his ears once more. 

“Shut up,” Theo rolls her eyes. 

Sebastian does a saucy little turn, letting the towel in his hand fall to the floor. “Inspecting the goods, I get it.” He snorts. 

“I didn’t exactly get to inspect last night.” Theo points out, leaning forward.  Sebastian steps towards her on slow but steady feet, stopping right when his towel covered knees touch hers. She can feel the water dripping from his hair down to her lap.

”Go ahead.” Sebastian murmurs, looking down at her. His eyes darken, searching her face for permission. He tilts her face up towards him, fingers under her chin.  When her own fingers curl into the edge of the towel, his eyes flutter shut.

Theo inhales sharply, leaning forward as she looks up at Sebastian. He’s hard the moment the towel drops to the floor, and she scoots a bit closer to get a better look. When her palm wraps around his thick length, Sebastian lets out a stuttered sigh. The tip is red, leaking from anticipation. She presses a kiss against him, and Sebastian swears loudly.

”Sorry,” he wheezes. “God, that just feels so fucking good.”

”I’m barely doing anything,” Theo teases, flattening her tongue against the underside of his cock.  Sebastian is a mess again, his head tilting back.  Rivulets of water drip down his freckled neck, and Theo wants nothing more than to make him babble again. When her lips wrap around his cock in earnest, Sebastian lets out a broken exhale, his large palms resting atop her hair.

”Fuck, Theo.” Sebastian moans. “Your mouth—God, yes, keep doing that.”

The consistent stream of praise from him only makes her want to work harder.  She slips off the edge of the bed to her knees, hands grasping Sebastian’s firm thighs.  She can tell he wants to buck his hips into her face, but he’s restraining as best as he can.  It feels good when he says her name between gasps and moans—she’s never had praise like this before.

Sebastian swears loudly again when he pulls himself away from her grasp.  He takes a few steps back, chest heaving, staring down at Theo with heavy eyes. 

“Sorry, too much?” Theo asks, wiping her mouth on the back of her hand.  

“No,” Sebastian blushes. “Just—no, that was really fucking good. I just want to fuck you, if that’s alright.”

Theo stands, pulling her shirt over her head.  Sebastian’s eyes widen again when he sees her sheer bralette, mouth falling agape when she drops her pants to reveal another matching set.

“What?” Theo asks, bouncing back against her bed. “What are you waiting for?”

Sebastian skitters across the room to his bag, and Theo snorts when she sees him pulling one of the many condoms from the box.  He makes quick work of it, gliding it onto his cock as he hurries back to her.  When he sinks his knee into the bed, slowly crawling over her, Sebastian swallows thickly. 

“So, any rules to discuss first?” He whispers.  His wet hair brushes against her forehead.  He’s leaning on one elbow, the other hand tracing a line from her neck, down her breasts, to her core. He makes quick work of her thong, tugging it down from her hips and tossing it to the floor.

Theo takes his hand, guiding it over her clit.  Sebastian grins into a kiss, pulling away when she begins mewling against his mouth.

“Rules, Theo.” He chides her. “Rules before we do this.” His hand says otherwise, circling her clit faster and faster with no intention of stopping. When his fingers sink into her, she moans loudly, and Sebastian has the most smug look on his face.

“Fuck me, please.” Theo whimpers. “Rules—ah, ah—after.”

Sebastian grins, withdrawing his hand.  Theo gives a little shriek when his hands circle her waist, flipping her over onto her tummy.  He wraps an arm under her, pulling her hips up as he presses the tip against her cunt. 

”As you wish,” Sebastian declares, sinking into her. 

Theo lets out a loud, contented sigh as Sebastian rocks his hips against her. For once, he is quiet—she realizes he’s trying to keep it together, to not finish before her.  Theo might come from the pleasure of him splitting her open alone, but she knows he might not last that long. She slips her hand between her legs, rubbing her clit as he thrusts into her.

”Let me,” Sebastian grunts. He pulls her up, one hand resting on her breast as the other slaps her hand away from her clit.  His lips attach themselves to the curve of her neck as he continues his steady pace, fucking her from behind. When his fingers find her clit again, she cannot help the choked out moan that passes through her lips.

”Sebastian,” she gasps. “Seb.”

Sebastian moans loudly, and the sound is music to her ears. “Say my name,” he begs, the pads of his fingers pressing ever so lightly into her neck. The slight pressure is tantalizing, every thrust amplifying the feeling of his calloused fingers against her soft skin. 

“Please,” Sebastian pleads, his tongue licking the sweat at the back of her neck.  It’s followed by a plethora of delicate kisses, which juxtapose his deep thrusts.

His name is at the tip of her tongue when she comes.

“So, what does your tattoo mean?” 

They’re laying in a tangled mess of sheets, Sebastian’s head level with her hips. When she brings up his tattoo, Sebastian groans, rolling over onto his back to cover his face with his hands. 

“To preface, I was a very dramatic teenager.” Sebastian’s voice is muffled by his hands. “And somehow, very into Latin.”

”Go on,” Theo encourages him.

“Quicquid Capit. Whatever it takes,” he mutters. 

Theo raises her eyebrows. “With a snake wrapped around it?”

”I was drunk, sixteen, and feeling quite philosophical.” Sebastian points out. 

“Weren’t we all?” Theo snorts, pulling her blanket up to her chest. 

She figured it might be a bit more awkward. In truth, it’s anything but.  Perhaps the frenzied fuck that followed his shower has opened up the gates towards a weirdly intimate friendship for the two of them.  It certainly seems so, considering he’s splayed out in her bed with just a quilt to cover his nether regions.

”We should probably talk about it now,” Theo says gently. She tries not to stare, but it’s hard not to.  Sebastian’s body is perfectly plush in areas, burly muscles padded in soft skin. 

Sebastian flips over onto his stomach, exposing his toned ass. Curiosity satiated—he really does have freckles everywhere. “Right, we should talk about our rules.” He grins at her with that boyish face, and Theo has to bite her lip hard to stop herself from crawling on top of him again.

“So, this is an exclusive thing.” Theo says carefully. “We both agree we’re not going to sleep with other people.”

”As if we’d have the time,” Sebastian adds. “First rule—just us.”

“Right,” Theo murmurs, picking at the blanket. “Second rule.”

“I think we should keep any hook ups to a few predetermined locations.” Sebastian scratches his head. “Here, for example. It’s private.”

”Private enough,” Theo reminds him. “We still have to factor in Gran. She’ll be suspicious why the gardener is staying around for hours on end. What about yours?”

“Definitely not mine,” Sebastian winces. “It’s kind of a rule—no girls allowed.”

”You can’t be serious.” Theo raises a brow.

“Afraid so,” Sebastian gives her a lopsided frown. “In all seriousness, it’s mostly for Rory. I’ve never brought a woman home, even when he’s been gone. I wouldn’t want him to get confused, especially if it wasn’t a long term thing.”

”So, where’d you shag Violet?” Theo quips.  She laughs when he tosses a pillow at her, dodging it. “I’m kidding. But not really.”

Sebastian furrows his brows. “A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell.”

”A gentleman?” Theo jests. Sebastian’s dark eyes burn into hers, and it makes her shimmy further under the blankets. “Alright, second rule—never at yours. Got it.”

”Third rule.” Sebastian scoots towards her. “Any thoughts?”

Theo chews on her lower lip, looking down at Sebastian’s chocolate eyes. “I think we should keep this between us,” she admits. “And not tell anyone.”

”Makes the most sense.” Sebastian nods. “Keeps it clean.”

”Okay, fourth rule.” Theo leans over to her bedside table for a clip, pulling her hair out of her face. “We have to keep things professional. At work, at matches, no mention of our…arrangement.”

”It’d be a nightmare if any of the other staff finds out about this.” Sebastian leans his chin into his palm.

“And the last rule.” Theo announces, drawing circles into her duvet. “I’d like to stay your friend.”

Sebastian cocks his head. “You are my friend.  That’s kind of how we ended up in this situation.”

”Well, friends don’t normally shag each other.”

”If I recall correctly, you said very good friends do.” Sebastian points out.

”I mean, when we decide we’re…. done with this ,” Theo says carefully, ruminating on her words. She picks at the thread of her duvet again. “I realize this was a bit of an inevitable situation for us—we’re both single, we don’t like dating, and we feel safe around each other. And as disastrous as this could be, I want to stay friends.  So the moment we’re done with this arrangement, or if anyone gets feelings, we need to be honest with one another.  

“Are you worried I’m going to fall in love with you?” Sebastian snorts. “Because I was worried you were going to fall in love with me.”

”Arse,” Theo complains, throwing the pillow back at him. “I’m trying to be serious.”

Sebastian switches from his goofy grin to a more earnest one. “I do want to be your friend, Theo. I do enjoy your presence.”

”Just afraid the mind blowing sex might throw things off a bit.” Theo wrinkles her nose.

Sebastian shrugs. “We both know what we’re signing up for here. Neither of us is interested in dating, and we both enjoy each other's company. I think if we stick to our rules, we’ll be just fine. It’ll be mutually beneficial, as you said. I don’t think you have to worry about the feelings part of it—that’s never really been an issue for me.”

Theo is curious to know what he means, but she doesn’t press further. 

“Should we shake on it?” She asks.  She thrusts her palm out, waiting for him to return the gesture.

”A bit old fashioned, but okay.” Sebastian chuckles.  He folds his palm into hers, shaking it cordially. “I solemnly swear that despite the fact that we are up to no good, I will uphold our rules.”

”Agreed,” Theo cheers, smiling down at him.  

Sebastian does not pull his hand away.  Instead, he scrambles forward, hovering over her blanketed body. He leans forward, his breath ghosting her cheeks when—

Bzzzzz. Bzzzzzz.

”Fuck,” Sebastian swears under his breath. “I have to go. Rory will be home in an hour.”

The first time Theo feels awkward all day is when Sebastian slides out of the bed. He walks along the creaky floorboards to his bag, skipping on one foot as he tries to get his boxers on. She decides to get dressed herself, slipping an oversized shirt on as he pulls on a fresh pair of track pants. 

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” Sebastian asks, lacing up his shoes. “Football?”

“Right,” Theo gulps. “I promised Cressida I’d bring juices and a first aid kit.”  She tucks her hair behind her ears while following Sebastian to the door. The cold air from outside leaks in as he stands in the doorway, his bag in hand. 

“Right.” Sebastian echoes. “Try not to stare at my butt the whole time.”

His humor breaks her out of her funk, and she returns his quip with an eye roll. “Go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”  She’ll see him then, and the next day, and the day after that.  The thought of it doesn’t bother her so much.

Sebastian grins, rubbing the back of his neck.  He leans forward, hesitating slightly before pressing a soft kiss to her cheek.  It feels slightly juvenile, especially considering how he’d been buried deep inside her an hour ago. 

“Tomorrow,” Sebastian says, and she’s not sure if it’s a reminder or a promise. “Have a good night.”

Theo watches him walk back to his car, and winces when the engine sputters.  She’s a bit relieved when it does start; at least she won’t have to get dressed and drive him home.  Sebastian offers one last wave before he disappears down the drive, car rattling.

She’s alone again, but the flat feels less haunted.  Balling the sheets, Theo tosses them into a laundry basket to bring into the house to wash. Gran finds her there an hour later, waiting to change her laundry load.

”Hello dear,” Gran says sweetly, unloading some groceries. “I was hoping you’d be home—cottage pie for dinner sound good?”

“Sounds great,” Theo says brightly. “Can I help you? How was book club?” She takes a bundle of carrots and celery, putting them away in the fridge. 

”Oh, the gals are the same as usual.” Gran hums. “And your day?  Did you get a chance to relax?”

Theo leans against the countertop, trying to bite back a smile as she leans her chin into her palm. “Very relaxing indeed.”

Sebastian jangles his keys, whistling lowly as he skips up the steps of his porch. If he’s planned it correctly, he’s got about forty five minutes before Rory is home—just enough time to take another shower, start his laundry, and put the kettle on. His detour from the day’s schedule has set him back a bit on his chores, so he starts listing off the remaining tasks for the day aloud as he locks the door behind him.

”Dishes…laundry…bins…” Sebastian mutters.  He drops his bag at the foot of the stairs, about to head up when he hears the radio playing in the kitchen. He’d definitely turned that off earlier, before leaving for his rounds—

“Surprise!” Three bodies pop out from the corner, and Sebastian can’t help but shriek.

”What the bloody hell is this—Anne?!” 

To his horror, his twin sister is standing at the end of the hallway.  And it’s not just her—his best friend, Ominis, is standing behind her, and Rory in front of them.  Rory has a smug smile on his face, arms crossed proudly over his chest.

”What are you guys doing here?” Sebastian gasps, clutching his chest. 

“We decided to surprise you,” Anne says excitedly. “Ominis and I figured we owed you two a visit since you came down to visit us, and he was able to get some time off work—“

”So we came all the way up here to help you buy a new car.” Ominis points out.  Ever the practical man, he’s not one to embellish.

Sebastian blinks at the trio, trying to make sense of the situation.  Rory, Ominis, Anne. He feels completely disarmed in his own home.

“How did you get home?” He barks at Rory. “Mrs. Reilly was supposed to drop you back off.”

Rory gives him an odd look, eyebrows raised. “Ominis and Anne picked me up.” He shrugs. “We organized everything together. Aren’t you excited to see them?”

”I don’t need a new car,” Sebastian sputters, changing his attention back to his sister and best friend. “You should have told me—you can’t just show up here—“

Anne crosses her arms, her guard going up at the first indication that Sebastian might not be pleased to see her. “Might I remind you, this house is actually in my name—“

Sebastian turns to Rory, who is standing between Ominis and Anne, confusion spreading across his little face. “You don’t keep secrets from me,” Sebastian shrieks. “You need to tell me—“

”Don’t yell at him—“ Anne snaps.

”Why don’t we all just cool down,” Ominis’s voice is louder than usual; he’s not one to raise his tone, unless absolutely necessary.  This occasion seems to be the case.

The four of them fall silent, Sebastian standing uncomfortably far away from the rest. He immediately feels guilty. How many times had he wished Anne and Ominis would be standing in his hallway?  How many times had he wished he wasn’t alone? Having the two of them home is all he’s ever wanted, yet he’s just shouted at his son for arranging a surprise visit.

”I’m sorry,” Sebastian says exasperatedly. “I’m just a bit frazzled. This is great. I’m happy you’re here.”

”It is,” Anne says defensively. “You should be.”

”That’s enough,” Ominis is gentle, his calm hand on her shoulder.  “I think we could all use a moment to catch our breath.  Sebastian, you must be exhausted.  You should relax. We’ll take care of dinner tonight.”

Ominis had always been the voice of reason for the twins, and his presence is certainly easing a bit of the tension.  Yet nothing is quite as powerful as Anne Sallow when she wants to hold a grudge, which she maintains throughout the rest of the evening.  She’s clearly affronted by Sebastian’s negative reaction to her surprise, staying short and curt with her words over dinner. The minute the meal is over and the dishes are put away, she retires to bed early. 

“She’s just tired,” Ominis assures Rory, patting him on the shoulder. “Are you sure you don’t mind us taking your room?”

”Not at all,” Rory says, feigning a cheery attitude. Sebastian knows he is well overdue for an apology.

It seems like he always is these days.

Father and son prepare for bed in silence, brushing their teeth in unison.  They even climb into bed at the same time, Rory giving his father a little nod to turn off the lights.  Sebastian turns his phone upside down, staring at the ceiling until he hears the inevitable cough from his bedside.

”Dad?” Rory asks.

”Yes?” Sebastian asks.  He does not mean for it to sound so snippy, but he can’t help it.

”Are you mad at me?” 

Rory’s voice sounds small and timid.  Sebastian is already shattered by it, flipping over on his other side to face his son. Rory’s pout is illuminated by the moonlight, and it crushes Sebastian’s heart into dust.

”I could never be mad at you,” Sebastian murmurs. “I promise.”

“You just don’t seem as excited to see Ominis and Anne, that’s all.” Rory swallows thickly. “I thought you’d be happy.”

”I am happy,” Sebastian softens. “I’m so happy. I have my whole family under one roof, how could I not?”

“But you—“

”I was just shocked,” Sebastian points out. “I wasn’t ready to have them over. You think I want to host guests in this old pigsty of ours?” He jokes. “Rory, this is the best surprise. I’m very happy with it—just don’t keep secrets from me, okay?”

“No secrets,” Rory assures him.  He gives Sebastian a semi-toothless smile, a genuine face. It does little to assuage Sebastian’s guilt over his reaction, but if he thinks too hard about it, he’ll be up all night.

”How’d you pull it off, anyways?” Sebastian asks. “I don’t remember being half as smart or organized at your age.”

”It was actually easier than I’d expected.” Rory admits. “I already knew you’d let me go over to Robbie’s, and I just had Anne call Mrs. Reilly to let her know they’d pick me up on their way from the train station. We thought you’d be home sooner.”

”And you’ve been planning this for a while?” Sebastian asks.

”Since we went to London,” Rory confesses. “I asked Anne if we could plan it while you and Uncle Ominis went out for lunch. I know you miss London, so I thought I could bring a piece of it up here.”

Sebastian swallows the lump in his throat, blinking hard to will his tears away. 

“You’re the best, you know that?” Sebastian asks. 

Rory snorts. “Trust me, I know.” He flips onto his stomach, turning his head to face Sebastian on the pillow. “It’ll be a great week, I promise.” He declares. His boy lets out a wide yawn, and falls asleep within what feels like seconds. 

Sebastian lays flat on his back, staring at the ceiling. He loves his son for arranging this impromptu visit.  He loves his best friend for dropping everything to help him in a time of need. He loves his sister for making the effort, even if she’s holding a massive grudge against him for his less than positive reaction to their arrival.  He reminds himself of all these details before he lingers on the crucial detail all three have left out of this trip.

They’re staying for a full fucking week?

”I’m so glad you decided to come with,” Cressida says happily, swinging the picnic basket back and forth. “Honestly, I find it so refreshing that you’ve taken such an interest in the kids. It makes me feel so much better having a nurse that really cares to get to know our children, you know?”

“Right,” Theo smiles, adjusting the camp chairs on her shoulder.  She’s carrying a first aid kit backpack, as well as the tote bag full of magazines that Cressida had foisted upon her once they’d gotten to the car park.  She guesses she can’t complain though—sitting outside, enjoying a good lunch is preferable to playing scrabble with Gran again.

That, and she’ll get to see Sebastian.

It’s silly, she thinks, that her stomach is doing flips at the thought of seeing him. In fact, it would probably be healthier for their friendship if she didn’t go to the match, to put some space between them.  But against her better judgement, she’s locked in for an afternoon of watching little kids punt a ball across the field, and specifically watching their coach.

”Girls,” Leander bellows, beckoning them to the side of the field. He plants a kiss on the side of Cressida’s head before taking some of the load off Theo’s shoulders. Garreth is not far behind him, a broad grin stretched across his freckled face.

”What’s that smile for?” Theo asks curiously, crossing her arms.

Garreth greets her with a kiss to each cheek. “I have to thank you for your help,” he declares. “With the app.”

”I take that as a good sign,” Theo teases, nudging him. “That things have gone well.”

Garreth opens his mouth, something scandalous on the tip of his tongue, when Cressida elbows him in the ribcage.  He lets out a yelp, rubbing his sides as she ushers him into one of the camp chairs.

“Sit, sit.” Cressida tuts. “The two of you relax, Lee and I are going to say hi to some of the other parents.”  She drags off the taller redhead without another word; Leander just gives them a haughty smile as he shrugs, heading off to a gaggle of parents on the other side of the field.

Garreth sinks into the chair, leaning his head back. “She is a ferocious wingwoman. Think they’ll ever give up on us?”

Theo snorts, handing him a bottle of water. “I doubt it.”

Garreth chuckles to himself, taking a swig before he nestles it in the cupholder. “Y’know, I haven’t seen those two in ages.”

”Who?” Theo asks, following his gaze. She straightens when she sees Sebastian, standing with his arm around Rory’s shoulder. He’s talking to tall blond man, who’s draping his jacket over a shorter woman’s shoulders.  She’s talking to Sebastian—rather, talking at him. And while Rory seems utterly enthused to be between the two of them, Sebastian looks positively irked. 

“Who is she?” Theo asks. She’s almost afraid to ask.

“Oh, that’s Anne.” Garreth explains. “Sebastian’s twin sister. Completely surprised him yesterday by showing up to visit for the week.”

Theo is momentarily relieved—it explains why Sebastian didn’t text her back the night before.  Despite the rational side of her brain telling her otherwise, she still worried he might regret their tryst. Judging by the terse smile on his face, it seems like he was otherwise occupied. 

“And the blond with him?” Theo asks.  She knows its—

“Ominis Gaunt,” Garreth carefully enunciates his name. “His family lives in one of the estates on the outskirts of town.  Juicy story, he actually doesn’t talk to them anymore.  Rumor has it he took his inheritance the moment he turned eighteen and never spoke to any of them again. Which makes it weird that he’s here,” Garreth points out. “Neither of them have really come to visit, not since Solomon died.”

”Solomon?” Theo raises a brow.

Garreth winces. “Their uncle,” he echoes. “He took them in after their parents died.  I think he passed just a little while after they left for uni. They came back for a weekend to settle his accounts and then left again.”

Theo tries not to stare, but she can’t help it.  Rory is practically floating between the three adults around him, incandescently pleased to have his little family together.  She now recognizes Anne as the woman from the train station—her hair is a few shades lighter than Sebastian and Rory’s, petite and thin. She melts into Ominis’s arms, sagging against his tall, stoic frame as she reaches out for Rory.  It’s only then that he stills, letting her caress the top of his head.

Garreth is still going on about old town gossip. Something about Ominis inheriting money from his aunt, and how his family has lost their fortune from bad investments. 

“They were one of the richest families in town,” Garreth explains. “Probably them, then the Coopers.”

Theo’s ears perk. “The Coopers?”

”Right, you’re close with Poppy—I’m sure you’ve heard of them. They’re close family friends, practically cousins.” Garreth shrugs. ”They used to live up over the hill, but I think they just rent their house out now.”

Theo picks at her cuticles. “So you know Isaac.”

”Everyone knows Isaac,” Garreth snorts. “Did you ever meet him? You must have, Poppy only went to school in London because of him and Imelda.”

Theo opens her mouth, but snaps it shut. Garreth is momentarily suspicious, but it soon fades away once Sebastian blows his whistle. 

“You’ll survive without me?” Garreth asks, standing up to take his place as scorekeeper. 

“I’ll have to live,” Theo says dramatically, earning a smile from her redheaded companion.  He tips his head towards her, running down the field. 

“You two getting along?” Cressida asks, slinking back into her seat. Leander and Garreth are midfield now, Lee poking Garreth’s side for answers.  

“In your dreams,” Theo chuckles. “We’re just friends now, Cress.”

”Just friends, my arse.” Cressida tuts, pulling her sunglasses down. “That’s what everyone says.”

Theo gazes over the field; Sebastian is standing on the other side, legs spread wide as he calls out to the boys on the field.  Their eyes briefly make contact, and he nods his head. A slight acknowledgement—an expression that says not here, not now. Whatever conversation they might have had will have to wait for tomorrow morning.

She does not see a similar pair of inquisitive brown eyes peering at her from over Sebastian’s shoulders.

Sebastian: I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance to catch up

 

Theo: That’s alright. I know you’re busy.

 

Sebastian: So I gather you’ve heard about my unexpected houseguests

 

Theo: I think it’s very sweet of your sister and your friend to come up all this way to surprise you. 

 

Sebastian: Rory planned it. I’m a bit peeved he didn’t tell me

 

Sebastian: But for all the trouble, I am glad they’re here

 

Sebastian: Speaking of, Anne is insisting on driving us to school tomorrow. She and Ominis are convinced I need a new car

 

Theo: You know, I’m convinced too. I heard your car rattling down the driveway and thought your feet might fall through the bottom.

 

Sebastian:  ha ha

 

Theo: I’m serious. Is that safe?

 

Sebastian: I’ll see you tomorrow.

There’s no formal protocol for how one should act when they’re hooking up with a coworker.  In fact, most sane people would advise against it overall. Yet still, Theo is sitting in her office eating lunch, and Sebastian is leaning against a bed, waving his fork in the air as he rants about his weekend.

”And she has the audacity to point out that she owns the house,” Sebastian complains, mouth half full of noodles. “I mean, she’s the one who told me we were better off living there.  And really, it’s just half the house, it’s in both of our names—“

”Mhm,” Theo nods, wiping a bit of soup away from her chin.

Sebastian groans, tipping his head back. “I’m sorry to complain,” he confesses. “I feel guilty even being mad.  I should be happy they’re here.”

”You know, you can be both.” Theo points out. 

“Pardon?”

”You can be both,” she shrugs. “You can be happy they’re here, and annoyed that they didn’t tell you.  We’re grown adults with schedules, it’s common courtesy to run a weeklong trip past you before they decide to upend your week.”

”You don’t know my sister,” Sebastian huffs.

”I don’t,” Theo says slowly. “I figured it might be too soon to meet her anyways. Bit awkward, all things considered.”

Sebastian snorts, which leads to a laugh. He’s fighting off a furious blush, rubbing his jaw as he sets down his glass container of pasta. It’s the first time they’ve been together, just the two of them, without the pretext of hooking up.  They’re friends above all, and the small moment of levity reminds them of that.

”They’re here for the week.” Sebastian sighs. “Sometime in that week, I need to go car shopping, the landscaping rounds, and take Rory back to the doctor.”

”Good news, I hope?” Theo asks.

”Great news,” Sebastian lets out a hopeful smile. “Might be able to get the cast off in two weeks, if he takes it easy.”

”He’ll be good.” Theo nods her head. “I know he wants to get back out on the field, it’s all he talks about.”

”I’ll be glad when he can. He’s practically bouncing off the walls.” Sebastian sighs. 

Theo puts the lid on her soup, tucking it back into her lunch box. “I take it I won’t see you this weekend then?”

Sebastian’s hopeful smile turns into a wince. “Probably not, no.” 

“It’s fine,” Theo shrugs. “I’ll have enough to keep me busy.  Cressida and Leander are insisting on a pub night on Saturday; practically bullied Garreth and me into agreeing.”

Sebastian crosses his arms. “You two were chummy at the match.”

”Of course we are,” Theo snorts. “We’re friends.”

Sebastian is quiet for a moment, brows furrowed.  When he looks up at her, his eyes are darkened, gaze hard set on her face. 

“Friends like us?”

It sends a shiver down her spine, but considering they’re in the middle of the work day, there’s nothing to be done about it. 

“You’re toeing the line of the fourth rule.” She warns him, crossing her arms. “What, are you jealous?”

Sebastian snorts. “No, just thought I’d remind you who your favorite friend is.” He says sarcastically, eye creasing in a wink.

There’s a knock at the door, and the two of them stiffen. 

“Come in,” Theo calls out, folding her hands on her desk.

”I’m sorry to barge in during your lunch—oh, Mr. Sallow.” Matilda Weasley freezes in the door frame, eyes flitting between the two of them. “I didn’ realize you were here.”

“Just finishing up lunch,” Sebastian says cheerfully, eyes sparkling at their superior. “How are you, Matilda?”

It doesn’t do much to quell her curiosity; instead, Matilda only looks more suspicious of them. “Like I said, I hate to barge in, but I do need your assistance out in the playground, Miss Caulfield. Suspect we may have a concussion on our hands.”

”Well, duty calls.” Theo pushes away from her desk, grabbing her first aid kit. Sebastian only slightly moves out of Theo’s way, the first aid backpack brushing against him as she wiggles by. She follows Matilda out in the hallway without a word, trying to keep up with the impenetrable deputy headmistress.

”You must forgive me, Miss Caulfield. I haven’t asked how you’ve been getting on lately, settling into town.” Matilda asks, barely slowing her pace.

Theo hikes the backpack over her shoulder. “It’s nice,” she pants, brushing a hair out of her face as she rounds the corner of the hallway with her speedy companion. “It’s a quieter life, but I’ve made a few friends.”

”Like Garreth,” Matilda points out. It’s not lost on her that Matilda might still be campaigning for her nephew.

”Garreth is lovely,” Theo coughs. “I just saw him yesterday.” 

”I’m also glad to see you are getting along with Sebastian,” Matilda admits, pushing the double doors to the playground, the shrieks of students audible in the distance. “He’s very much in need of a friend these days.”

”Is he?” Theo asks, bracing herself against the chilly autumn wind.

“He’s very sensitive, always has been. Even when he was a little boy himself.” Matilda muses. “I suspect he’s been lonely since he moved here as well.  You’ve become good friends, haven’t you?”

Theo gives the deputy headmistress a tight lipped smile. 

“I suppose you could say so.”

Anne stops the car in front of the pub, giving her brother a curious look. “Who all are you hanging out with tonight?” She asks. “Anyone cool?”

Sebastian snorts. “Just the usual suspects. Lucan, Garreth, Leander.  Some of the girls.”

”Is Violet McDowell included in that?” Anne jests, poking her brother in the ribs.

”She is not,” Sebastian rolls his eyes. “I told you, that’s long over.”

”Do you want me to pick you up?” Anne asks. “It’s no trouble—I’m sure Rory will be asleep by the time you’re done, Omi can stay home with him.”

”I’ve already asked Garreth, he said he’ll give me a lift home.” Sebastian lies.  In truth, he hasn’t told anyone he’s coming to pub night tonight—he hadn’t planned on it.  But after a week of entertaining Anne, Ominis, and Rory, as well as a full day spent working on the Coopers’ garden, he desperately needs a reprieve.  Rory won’t miss him; he’ll probably be happier having Ominis and Anne’s full attention for their last night in town.

Anne gives him a sympathetic smile. “I know you were mad about us dropping in without telling you. I wanted to say that I’m sorry.”

”I’m not mad, Anne. I could never be mad about you making the time to see us.” Sebastian shakes his head. “I told you, I was just shocked—“

”I know,” Anne interjects. “But I would understand if you were mad too.  Which is why you should have fun tonight, blow off some steam. We’ll take good care of Rory.”

Sebastian can’t bear to look at her out of guilt. Damn his twin and her intuition.  She’s always known him better than he knows himself.

”I won’t be home too late,” Sebastian promises. “And we’ll get breakfast before your flight home, okay?”

”Go on, get out.” Anne swats at him. “Win your silly trivia game.”

Sebastian plants a kiss on her cheek before sliding out of the passenger seat of her rental.

For the first time ever, Sebastian feels a bit nervous walking into the pub.  He can see his friends sitting over at their usual booth; Leander has his arm around Cressida, laughing at whatever Lucan is explaining with his arms flailing in the air.  Grace and Nellie are rolling their eyes, wagging fingers in Lucan’s face.

Sebastian’s smile falters.  What if she isn’t here?

He looks over to the bar and feels a pang in his chest. She is here, but she isn’t alone.  No, Theo is standing with Garreth, laughing as they lean against the bar top.  Garreth is showing her something on his phone, and she’s leaning in to look closer. Sebastian knows there’s nothing going on between them, but he can’t help feeling the tiniest bit jealous. It isn’t like him—Sebastian was never the jealous type, even in his younger years.  Yet the sight of Theo tilting her head towards his friend is making his chest burn.

Regardless, he moves in, leaning against the bar next to Theo. Her perfume wafts towards him as she moves her hair over her shoulder, eyes widening as she realizes who’s behind her.

“Sebastian!” Garreth cheers. “You’re here!”

”I thought you weren’t coming tonight,” Theo says, eyes creasing in the corners as she smirks.

”I had to get out of the house.” Sebastian shrugs, studying her face.  His eyes briefly flit down to her painted lips. “Besides, couldn’t let you both have all the fun.”

Theo rolls her eyes, but she’s still smiling. “I’m helping Garreth decide which girl to ask on a date.”

Sebastian laughs, voice crackling as he looks over at Garreth’s cracked phone screen. There’s a plethora of matches in the app, and the redhead looks both pleased and embarrassed at the same time.

”There’s just too many options,” he confesses with a shrug. 

“What are you, Garreth’s dating coach now?” Sebastian teases.

”A bloody good one at that.” Garreth grins broadly.  He grabs his beer, heading back to the table.  

Theo turns, pressing her back against the bar.  He can’t help looking down at her shirt—that stupid white tank top he’s been thinking about ever since he saw her photo on the app.

”What?” Theo asks, poking her tongue into her cheek.

”You look nice,” Sebastian shrugs. He waves his hand at Sirona, who already knows what kind of beer he wants to drink.  When he meets her gaze once more, she’s staring at his chest, shirt unbuttoned.

”You came.” Theo states, pushing a piece of hair out of her face.

”I came,” Sebastian repeats, tipping his head gratefully to Sirona as she places a pint in front of him.  Sebastian takes a cold crisp sip, never breaking eye contact with Theo in the process. “And I was hoping you’d give me a ride home.”

Theo snorts, pushing away from the bar as she walks over to the rest of the group.  She turns on her heel, eyes sparkling at him as she tilts her head towards the table. “I’m sure I could spare a ride.” Her sentence is punctuated by the hint of a wink. 

Not so much a burn this time, Sebastian realizes.  Rather, butterflies in his stomach.  It is an unfamiliar feeling, but not entirely unwelcome. Her eyes are a challenge, and invitation to the chase.  A chase Sebastian has never quite felt privy to or particularly drawn towards. 

This is different. Dangerous even. 

Yet still, Sebastian follows.

Sebastian checks his watch again, trying his best not to offend Sirona. 

“We’ll be on holiday week after next, so if you and Rory could drop by and water Mirabel’s plants as well, that’d be lovely.” Sirona lists off dates, tilting her glasses down her nose as she checks her phone. “That’s November—“

”If you could text me the dates, that’d be great.” Sebastian blurts.  Theo has already gone out to start the car; he’s only got about an hour before he’s expected to be home, and with the drive that only leaves him so much time with Theo.  He wants to take his time with her tonight, so he’s eager to cut the conversation.

“Alright, I’ll text you.” Sirona slides her glasses back up the bridge of her nose. “Get home safe, alright?”

”Bye!” Sebastian hollers, taking big steps to close the distance between the door.

“Hey,” Garreth bellows. “Where do you think you’re going?”

Sebastian turns on his heel, taking in a sharp breath. Leave it to Garreth to be the one to delay him.  He has nothing against the ginger, but any further distractions will set Sebastian off.

”I have to go,” Sebastian laments. “I want to see Rory off to bed.” That’s most certainly a lie—his son is likely asleep already.  But Garreth doesn’t need to know that.

”Oh, don’t be such a drag,” Garreth whines, tugging on his shirt sleeve. “You rarely come out with us anymore.” 

“Rain check, Gaz.” Sebastian walks backwards, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Next time.”

Garreth is standing in the door frame, pint in hand, eyebrows furrowed.  But when he looks over Sebastian’s shoulder, his gaze softens.  Dark green eyes flit from Sebastian to the yellow bug in the car park—more importantly, to the brunette sitting in the driver’s seat, tapping her wrist. He looks back at Sebastian, and a smile spreads across his lips.

”Oh,” Garreth laughs. “ Oh .”

Sebastian’s gaze hardens. “Garreth, it’s not—she’s just giving me a ride home.”

Garreth shakes his head, mischief lighting his eyes. “Secret’s safe with me,” he chuckles, zipping his lips and throwing away the key.  He swivels on his heel, marching back into the pub. “Have a good night, Sebastian.”

Completely red in the face, Sebastian jogs over to Theo’s car.  When he slides into the warm passenger seat, she raises a perfectly arched brow at him.

“What was that all about?” 

“I’d wager Garreth knows.” He shakes his head. “Rather, he put two and two together.”

Theo takes a deep sigh, backing out of the car park. “Do we need to talk to him about it?” She asks, chewing on her lower lip. “Do you think he’d say something?”

”No, Garreth isn’t like that.” Sebastian says quickly.  He isn’t—for as long as Sebastian has known him, he’s always kept a secret.  There’s something to be said for how reliable a friend Garreth Weasley can be, and considering both Sebastian and Theo seem to be in his good graces, he hopes he’ll keep his mouth shut.

”Good.” Theo exhales. “Would be tough to explain.”

“Would it?” Sebastian asks, fumbling the condom around in his pocket. 

Theo doesn’t answer, and Sebastian tries to not let it bother him.  He watches her fiddle with the radio, settling on a light hum.  They get further from town, the street lights dissipating as they drive out.  Before long, they’re driving through trees and darkness. 

“Pull over to the left,” Sebastian clears his throat. “There’s a trail.”

Theo does as she’s instructed, the little yellow bug wobbling on the stone path as they drive into the woods.  It’s a fishing spot, a clearing in the woods where he’d smoke as a teenager when he wanted to escape his uncle’s constant criticism. He remembers his first kiss here, fumbled touches against the trees. He feels like a teenager again, sneaking a girl into the woods for a snog. It felt different then, though. Something he had to do, expected to do. The next step in a never ending list of steps to take. 

The electricity he feels between him and Theo in the car is entirely new.

They move in silence once Theo parks the car, both of them slipping into the backseat.  For the briefest moment they sit side by side, until Sebastian cannot wait any longer. He scoops her into his arms, hauling her on his lap, lips quickly affixing themselves to her neck.

”Sebastian,” Theo moans against his ear.  He wants her to repeat his name over and over again.

”Yes?” He hums. His hands are currently occupied, fingers scratching the base of her scalp. His hand trails downward, pushing her jacket off her shoulders.

”Are you okay?” Theo asks, pulling a little bit away from him.  She looks slightly worried, given Sebastian’s rush to undress her, but that doesn’t stop her from tugging off his jacket as well. The little foil condom package slips out onto the seat. 

”Never better,” Sebastian grunts. His warm, wide hands grip her waist, tugging at the button of her jeans. 

”We can talk about it,” Theo says, scratching his back underneath his shirt. “Or we can—“

”We can do this,” Sebastian groans, sinking his teeth into her neck. “And then we can talk.”

Sebastian does not want to think. He wants to feel. So, he does just that.

He makes quick work of her jeans, pulling them down her body and puddling them on the floor of the car.  His lips are affixed to the crook of her neck until he feels down her hip, where her shirt would normally end.  Instead, the white tank top continues down, skimming her hips and bottom.

”Are you wearing a swimsuit?” He asks, pulling away with an incredulous look on his face.

”It’s a bodysuit,” she snorts, chest heaving as she breathes.

“What the fuck,” Sebastian growls, “Is a bodysuit?”

Theo rolls her eyes. “Explain later,” she mutters, hand snaking down to the front of his pants.  Sebastian chokes as she slides her warm palm against his cock, stroking him to full hardness in a matter of seconds.  She pulls away ever so slightly, just enough for him to put the condom on.  And once he’s got it on, she’s back in charge. Theo isn’t one for waiting—she unsnaps the contraption of a shirt. Once free, she presses him against her core, sinking onto him with little resistance.

”Fuck,” Sebastian curses, pressing his mouth against her sweaty skin. “You feel incredible.”

“Are you always this talkative when you’re having sex?” Theo laughs breezily, rolling her hips on his lap.

”Is that a bad thing?” Sebastian wheezes, hands tangling in her hair.  His other arm wraps around her waist, bracing her as he tries to return her energy with shallow thrusts.

”It’s actually— shit —kind of a turn on,” Theo confesses, licking her lips. 

“Good,” Sebastian grunts, pulling her down on his length.  She lets out a stuttered moan, and he can’t help but smile.

Sebastian could say other things.  He could say that she’s been on his mind all week, even when they were sitting next to each other at lunch. How he’s been fighting the urge to taste her lips whenever they’re alone in her office. He could say how jealous he was of Garreth, watching the two of them laugh at the football match the weekend before. He could tell her how his chest ached at the sight of them standing at the bar together, her head tipped towards him as she laughed at whatever he said. But Sebastian also knows he has nothing to worry about, considering she’s currently coming apart on his cock.

The things Sebastian wants to say are less than friendly, so he keeps them to himself. Instead, he focuses on making Theo feel good. His hands grasp her arse, trying to alleviate some of the work from her.  She’s molten hot in his hands, but he cannot, will not stop.

Theo’s eyes are shut tight, little lines between her brows as she furrows them.  Whatever lipstick she was wearing is now well worn off, her perfect pout stuck in a round oh as she quakes on top of him.  Sebastian searches her face—dark, fluttering lashes, a mole on her right cheek. When he kisses her, her lips taste like strawberry biscuits.  He wonders how she tastes elsewhere.

”Seb, I’m going to…” Theo chokes out, blinking her eyes open.  Pupils blown wide, her hot breath marking his skin as her breath gets heavier and heavier.

“Come,” Sebastian begs. While he’d rather spend his evening unraveling her in bed, they don’t have the luxury of time.  He can feel the tension, the urge to spill, but he wants to send her to her orgasm first. It’s the gentlemanly thing to do.

Her honey colored eyes pierce holes into his when she comes.  Sebastian is not far behind.

Theo pulls into the drive, stopping the car next to Sebastian’s bins. Ten minutes to eleven—just on time.  Anne has left the porch light on. It’s drizzling now, inconsistent raindrops pattering on the windshield of the bug.

”Do you want to talk about it, or not?” Theo asks, her hands bracing the steering wheel.

”Talk about what?” Sebastian asks, pulling his jacket back over his shoulders.

”What was on your mind earlier.  Why you came out tonight.” Theo shrugs.

Sebastian narrows his eyes. “What if I told you I came out just because I wanted to see you?”

Theo blushes a deep red, but she shakes her head. “You had to have a reason besides that,” she argues. 

If Sebastian were smoother, he’d probably say no.  He’d tell her that he’d only come out tonight to spend time with her.  But that’s only partially true, and he’s not interested in lying to Theo.

”I love my sister, and I love Ominis. But a week is a lot.” Sebastian confesses. “Four people under one small roof.”

Theo is quiet for a moment, ruminating over a thought.  She turns her head to Sebastian, one eyebrow quirked.

“You don’t talk about your sister a lot.” She observes. “Do you get along?”

”She’s one half of me,” Sebastian says quickly. “Of course we do.”

”But she frustrates you, obviously.” Another astute observation from a woman he’s only known for a few months at most.  It’s uncomfortable, and it’s the truth.

“I’m not sure what you’ve heard, but I assume you know Anne was sick a lot when we were younger.” Sebastian says slowly. “And she got sick not too long ago either.  She’s okay now, but it comes and goes.”

Theo gives him a sympathetic, flat lipped smile. “I’ve heard bits and pieces.”

”We went through a lot when we were younger, and even when she was the sick one, Anne kept it together for us. I wasn't always the most...responsible brother. She likes to take care of me, but I’m a grown adult now. Anne talks a lot about trying to set me up for the future,” Sebastian swallows thickly. “And I hate it. I hate the way she talks about herself like she’s not going to be here. And I hate, hate, hate the idea of decisions being made for me. As if she could do a better job of planning my life.”

Theo curls a lock of hair around her finger. “I know how you feel,” she confesses. “It’s sort of like everyone thinks they know better than you do.”

”Exactly,” Sebastian plunks his head against the headrest. “Like I can’t make a decision for myself.”

“And everyone pities you,” Theo carries on, staring out the rainy windshield. “Kind of makes you feel—“

”Pathetic,” Sebastian finishes her sentence.  

He stares at her, really looking at her.  Sebastian has seen more of Theo than he’d ever imagined, down to the mole on the inside of her right thigh, or the way her hips dip and curve.  But something about her face leads him to believe that he now knows a side of her that very few do.

It stirs something inside of him, stomach flipping over and over.  His chest is pounding, and he’s not quite sure he can excuse it as heartburn anymore.

“You’re not pathetic.” Theo purses her lips, swinging her hair over her shoulder. 

“You’re not either.” Sebastian utters out.  He wants to slap himself in the face for not saying anything better, but the words aren’t coming to him. 

“Someone who knows her better will probably say she’s just trying to show she cares,” Theo muses. “But I think it’s shit. She doesn’t realize that by making herself feel better, thinking that she’s helping you, that she’s actually making it worse.”

“I don’t think I’m allowed to think that way,” Sebastian admits. 

Theo flutters her eyelashes as she looks up at him. “You can feel however you want to feel, Sebastian.”

It’s not heartburn. Fuck.

”I should go,” Sebastian sputters, opening the door. “I’ll see you—“

”Tomorrow.” Theo smiles. And he will see her the next day, and the day after that.  The thought of it doesn’t scare him. If anything, it only makes him more excited.

Sebastian plays it cool, waving goodbye before he jogs up the path to the door.  He can hear Theo’s tires crunching against wet gravel as she drives away from the cottage, but he doesn’t dare to turn around. Anne and Ominis have left the door unlocked, and he slips inside, turning the porch light off.

”I was wondering how late you’d be.”

Sebastian nearly jumps out of his own skin when he hears Ominis’s voice from the sitting room. The blond is sitting in a recliner, feet propped up. 

“What are you doing awake?” Sebastian asks, kicking his wet shoes off. “You and Anne have to—“

”You can’t quite get rid of me yet,” Ominis scowls. “Come on, indulge me. How was your night?”

”Fine,” Sebastian says a little too quickly.  He knows his best friend, sharp as a tack, will pick up on the inflection of his tone. “Luc got too drunk playing darts, couldn’t hold it together for trivia. Made us lose.”

”You lost?” Ominis snorts. “Very unlike you to lose to Garreth Weasley.”

Sebastian does not include the fact Garreth’s new secret weapon—Theo, who somehow knows everything and anything about history and pop culture. She’s also quite the distraction, considering Sebastian spent half of the match staring at her in that damned white tank top.

“Perhaps I’m losing my edge,” Sebastian jokes, settling into the couch. “When did Anne and Rory get to bed?”

”Rory fell asleep around nine, Anne not too long after.” Ominis muses. “She did get on a tangent about how you didn’t let us actually buy you a car.”

”I’m not taking a car from either of you.” Sebastian declares. “I’m sorry if that makes this trip a waste, but it’s too much.”

”A trip to see you could never be a waste.” Ominis points out. “We love you.”

”And I love you both, but I’m not taking a hand out.” Sebastian counters.

”No, I know.” Ominis rolls his unseeing eyes. “You never have.”

Ominis Gaunt had everything growing up—at least he did, to the naked eye.  A family, a big house, plenty of disposable income.  But for whatever Anne and Sebastian lacked in monetary funds, they were rich with love.  Love they eventually shared with Ominis, who would become one of their own.  Ominis knows Sebastian just as well as Anne does. But unlike his sister, Ominis understands Sebastian’s limits.  He knows when enough is enough.  The Sallow twins have always struggled with that, but Ominis knows when to put down his sword.

”You reek, by the way.” Ominis points out. 

“Hey, I showered today.” Sebastian argues, smelling his armpits.

”You reek of perfume ,” Ominis corrects himself. 

Sebastian's face reddens with a furious blush.  He rubs his jaw, thankful that his sister is asleep and isn’t privy to this conversation.

”Who is she?” Ominis asks, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

”No one,” Sebastian lies.  It’s the biggest lie he’s told all day. 

“Liar,” his best friend correctly deduces.

”We’re just friends,” Sebastian claims.  Now that he knows is the truth—they are just friends.  They’ve agreed that they’re just friends.  It’s the whole crux of their deal.  No feelings, just sex.  A few months ago, Sebastian would’ve been completely fine with such an arrangement, but something about it no longer sits right with him. He’s mortified at the idea of having a crush, especially on Theo. 

This does not happen, he thinks.  Not to him.

”Liar,” Ominis sings. 

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

”You’re thinking too hard into it,” Sebastian shakes his head. “I’m going to take a shower.” He drags his feet, already tugging at the hem of his shirt. 

“Sebastian?” Ominis calls out. He’s still sitting in the arm chair, hands folded underneath his chin.

”What?” He snaps.

“Whatever it is, I’m happy for you.” Ominis gives him a haughty grin. 

“Fuck off,” Sebastian rolls his eyes.  He runs up the stairs, straight to the bathroom to turn on the shower. Steam pours into the little bathroom, and Sebastian faces the mirror as he undresses.  

He is glad of one thing. 

He’s glad Ominis didn’t see his smile.

Chapter Text

Two Years Earlier

Theo sits in the bed, covers pulled to her chin. 

“Did you pick up my tuxedo from the cleaners?” Isaac yells from the bathroom.  He’s brushing his teeth, preparing for the day.  Theo is working the afternoon shift the rest of the week, so their time together this week is limited to brief encounters in the morning, and right before Isaac falls asleep. She will take it though—they’ve complained too much about growing distant for her to not take advantage of this time.

“I did,” Theo responds, tapping away at her phone.  “It’s in the front closet.”

Isaac steps out of the bathroom, eyes glimmering as he flosses his teeth. “You’re going to look stunning. I’m really excited.” 

She puts down her phone, raising her brow at her boyfriend. “It’s a charity gala, where we’ll be served dry chicken and have to make small talk with your colleagues.” Theo snorts, brushing her bangs out of her face. “You’re really excited?”

Isaac drops his floss into the bin, walking over to her side of the bed.  He looks pristine as ever, dress shirt tucked into neatly pressed pants. He’s been so much more attentive, Theo thinks, ever since he got back from his conference a few weeks prior.  Perhaps they were just stressed out from work, needed time apart to miss one another.  Poppy regularly calls them the busiest couple she’s ever met—an anesthesiologist and a soon-to-be nurse practitioner. Theo leans her chin into his palm, looking up at his dark green eyes.

 “What do you say we plan a trip soon?” Isaac suggests. 

“Oh?” Theo perks up. “Where to?”

”I was thinking we could head up to the highlands. Mum wants me to check on the house, meet up with the gardener to make sure he’s up to snuff. We could make a weekend trip of it, hit Inverness while we’re there.” Isaac suggests.

Theo feels the butterflies in her stomach. She’s never been up to his hometown before, not in the six years they’ve been dating.  Perhaps Imelda was right—maybe Isaac does have something up his sleeve.  They’ve talked about engagement before, briefly looked at rings before they’d started fighting earlier that summer. Isaac’s argument is always the same, pulling through with logic.  He wants her to finish up school, for him to be settled in his position at the hospital before they settle down.

But maybe, Theo thinks, Isaac might be romantic for the first time in their long relationship. 

“That sounds lovely,” Theo coos. “I’ll check my schedule, see if I can request any time off soon.”

Isaac gives her one of his million dollar smiles before pecking her lips. “I have to go, but I’ll see you later tonight. I’ll try to stay up.” He gives her one last smoldering gaze before blowing her a kiss, taking off for the hospital.

Theo settles back into bed when he’s gone.  She’s got about an hour before she has to get ready, and that time will be spent scrolling through her phone.  She opens up a few messages from Poppy in Instagram, giggling at silly videos of pets she’s met at the animal hospital.

Just as Theo is about to close out of the app, she sees a new notification in the app.  A message request from a profile she’s not friends with. It’s a woman, and the only follower they have in common is Isaac.  

I’m sorry to bother you, but I have to ask. Are you dating Isaac Cooper? If so, I think you should know.

Theo’s heart drops into her stomach as she scrolls. An incriminating account of a torrid weekend affair while he was at his latest conference.  One they’d argued about him going to—he’d missed Poppy’s birthday party to attend the lecture. And when he came home, he’d gotten straight into the shower without saying hello.

She’d thought it was weird then, but now realizes it was him washing away his shame.

I had no idea he was in a relationship, I only just found out. I feel sick over it, and I had to let you know if he hasn’t already. 

Theo doesn’t want to read any further.  With shaky hands, she dials Poppy’s number. And when Isaac comes home that afternoon, Theo’s belongings are gone.

Now

“We’re going to have to start thinking of other excuses to see each other,” Sebastian huffs as he pulls his jeans on. 

“Oh? Why so?” Theo asks, pulling a large t-shirt over her head.  Semi-clothed, she begins stripping the sheets from her bed. Sebastian buttons his pants, sliding back over to the bed to help her.

”After I plant Rose’s tulip bulbs, I’m usually done with her gardening for the year.” Sebastian shrugs. “At least until it thaws out in April.”

”Oh,” Theo says softly. She had not thought that far ahead. “What do you do when you’re not doing yard work on the side?”

”Nothing, really.” Sebastian confesses. “Tutoring, if anyone needs it. But for the most part, it’s usually time spent relaxing for once. Catching up on shows, books, things I’ve been too busy for.”

”You’re not too busy for me,” Theo cocks her head.

Sebastian’s freckled face flushed red. “No, not too busy for you.”

Theo isn’t sure how long it’s been, but it’s long enough that she and Sebastian have fallen into a comfortable routine.  Days have melted together since she and Sebastian have started their little arrangement.  It’s certainly made the weeks much shorter for her—she at least gets to look forward to her weekends, nights spent at the pub with her new friends.  Even more so, she enjoys the drive home with Sebastian. Nights spent driving with the music turned up, recounting their mundane days.  Sliding into the backseat, unbuttoning each other’s shirts without words. 

She enjoys it much more than she’d like to admit.

“What do you do on Fridays?” Theo asks.

”No can do,” Sebastian shakes his head. “Sirona is too busy with the bar to babysit. Plus, Rory and I always do Chinese and a movie on Fridays. Sunday afternoon maybe?  Rory is usually at a friend’s house, and I can drop by.”

”Can’t,” Theo sighs. “Rose has roped me into her book club.”

Sebastian stifles a laugh. “Reading anything titillating?”

Theo rolls her eyes, jutting her elbow into his waist. “Shut up,” she snorts. “And now that you’re asking, yes.  It’s honestly a little embarrassing the kinds of books they’re reading.”

”What, saucy little novels with shirtless men on the cover?” Sebastian teases.

”More like fairies fucking,” Theo says, pointing out the large, red book on her night stand. Sebastian’s bright, exuberant laugh makes her heart batter against her chest. She knows she should not be excited, but there is something about his smile that brings warmth to her soul.

Stop, Theo reminds herself. Don’t. You’ll only hurt him.

”We’ll figure something out,” Sebastian says softly, pulling his jacket on. “I better go before Mrs. Sweeting gets back.”

Theo’s smile falters. Sebastian leaving means she’ll be alone again.  And while she’s become quite good at being alone as of late, it has started to sting once Sebastian leaves.  

Sebastian picks up on her hesitation. “Rory is cleared to play tomorrow, if you’re coming to the game.” He says.

Theo balls the edge of her shirt in her hands. “I will. I promised Garreth I’d stop by the bakery to place an order for Rose anyways.”

Sebastian steps in, his cedar cologne flooding her senses.  It’s not too strong, but it does have a tendency to linger. She has to wash her sheets immediately, be rid of his smell or else she’ll feel that gnawing feeling, a hint that she might miss him.

”I’ll see you tomorrow then,” Sebastian murmurs, his hand tilting her chin upwards. He’s stopped asking to kiss her, which feels dangerously intimate for the two of them and their arrangement.

Regardless of the danger, Theo lifts onto her tiptoes, pressing a soft kiss against his bruised lips. It is short and sweet, as all their goodbye kisses are.  Her eyes flutter open, and he’s already out the door. 

Theo is sitting in the kitchen, waiting for her sheets to dry when Granny Rose returns.  

“I’m glad you’re here,” Rose says sweetly. “I just found out—the girls have had a scheduling conflict, we’re going to change the book club night to Friday.  Are you joining?”

”Sure,” Theo smiles. “I’ll ask Garreth tomorrow to push the order up to Friday.”

”Thank you, dear.” Rose says absentmindedly, looking out the back window.  “Oh, I also meant to ask you yesterday about your speakers.”

“Speakers?” Theo asks, tilting her head.

Gran gives her a sheepish look. “Deirdre stopped by last Saturday to drop off some books, said she heard awfully loud noises coming from the guest house. She made it all sound a bit risqué.”

Theo bites the inside of her cheek. “Oh, maybe I was watching a movie.”

”I meant to ask Sebastian if he’d heard it too.” Rose asked, emptying her groceries into the cabinets. “But he’s always gone by the time I get home these days.”

Theo tucks her hair behind her ear, fighting the furious flush she knows is spreading across her face. “I’ll keep it down from now on,” Theo assures her. “I didn’t realize you could hear that much.”

Rose shrugs. “Sometimes when you’re playing loud music, but otherwise it isn’t so bad. I’d just keep it in the back of your mind, that’s all.”

Theo rubs the back of her neck, making a note to text Sebastian later. 

Theo: So, I’ve just found something out.

 

Sebastian: Do tell

 

Theo: That supposedly, my flat is not very soundproof.

 

Theo: We may have scared one of Granny Rose’s book club friends when she stopped by last week. 

 

Sebastian: ….

 

Sebastian: haahahahhahahahah

 

Theo: Keep it down next time.

 

Sebastian: Speak for yourself

Garreth leans against the shop counter, notepad in hand.

”So, the battenbergs, a sponge cake, and a tray of tea sandwiches.” He recites, tucking the pen in his ear. “That’s doable.”

”By Friday?” Theo asks. 

“Shouldn’t be an issue at all.” Garreth says, tearing off the order form. He opens his laptop, typing it into the system. “What’s with the large order, anyways?”

”It’s for Rose’s book club.” Theo wrinkles her nose. “She’s excited to host at the house this week.”

“Ah yes, the book about the fairies fucking,” Garreth snorts, tapping away at the keys.

Theo freezes in place. “How do you know about that?”

”Sebastian told me today,” he shrugs. “Is that weird?”

“No, I suppose not.” Theo crosses her arms. “I just didn’t realize he’d talk about it, that’s all.”

”Are you worried he’s told me you’re hooking up?” Garreth asks bluntly.

Theo’s face goes red hot. “He told you?!” She hisses. It’s one of their rules, one of the most important ones—

“No, but you just confirmed it.” Garreth snorts.

Theo blinks at the redhead, mouth agape. “Garreth!” She’s at a loss for any other words, mouth hanging open. 

“So you are shagging Sallow, aren’t you?” 

Theo flicks the giggling redhead from across the counter; Garreth pouts, but continues to snicker anyways.

”You can’t tell anyone, Garreth.” Theo warns. “We promised we’d keep it a secret.”

”Trust me, your secret is safe with me. My nan always says, a Weasley always keeps their word.” Garreth swears, pretending to shut his mouth with a lock, throwing away the key. 

“How did you even know?” Theo crosses her arms.

”It was obvious,” Garreth rolls his eyes. “The way you two slink out of the pub every weekend. I mean, the first time I was just teasing Seb. I actually thought you were just giving him a ride home.” Garreth waggles his brows in a suggestive way. “But then you always seemed to be giving him a ride home whenever he came out to the pub. Even when Luc or I offer him a ride home, he always prefers to go with you.”

There’s no use in hiding it anymore, so Theo takes in a sharp inhale. “Fine. We’re hooking up. That’s all.”

Garreth wrinkles his nose. “Just?  Theo, he’s a good guy. I’m happy for the two of you.”

”It’s not like that,” Theo insists. “It’s just to burn off some steam.”

”Well, the way he looks at you says otherwise.” Garreth shuts his laptop, slipping it back underneath the counter. “I mean, why not date him?”

”He doesn’t want to date anyone.” Theo shakes her head. “And I make no sense for him.”

Garreth furrows his brows, crossing his muscular arms. “I think you two are being ridiculous,” he shakes out his shaggy mane. “Honestly, the more I think about it, you two make perfect sense.”

“Perfect sense,” Theo scowls. “I’ve heard that about someone else plenty of times.”

Garreth narrows his eyes at her, really staring at her across the counter. “Can I tell you something? As your friend?”

”What?” Theo snaps.

”Just because your ex-fiancé was a giant git, doesn’t mean Sebastian is going to be the same.” He shrugs, untying his apron. He folds it onto the counter, tilting his head to the side. “Live a little, why don’t you?”

“Garreth, it’s not that serious.” Theo clenches her jaw. “Butt out.”

He shrugs, lifting his hands in the air. “Fine, but I’m just saying—Sebastian was here first, so when things go wrong, I do have to take his side.”

She snatches a cookie from a tray on the counter; Garreth, who now seems a bit guilty after all his prying, doesn’t argue. “We have a mutual understanding, Gaz. Don’t worry about it.”  And before he can say anything else, Theo stomps back out of the bakery, the bell ringing in the doorway as she disappears.

Theo: So, Gaz knows.

 

Sebastian: How?

 

Theo: Did you talk about me during the match yesterday?

 

Sebastian: Oh

 

Sebastian: I mean, just a little bit. Repeated the fairies fucking joke because I thought it was funny

 

Sebastian: That’s how he guessed we’re hooking up?

 

Theo: I mean, we suspected he might know weeks ago, so I shouldn’t be surprised.

 

Sebastian: I’ll set him straight, don’t worry. He won’t tell anyone, Weasley’s word is good as gold

 

Theo: We are on the same page, aren’t we?

 

Sebastian: Page?

 

Theo: About this whole situation

 

Sebastian: That Garreth is actually smarter than we thought?

 

Theo: That we’re on the same page about our arrangement—

Theo hesitates before she hits send.  Things with Sebastian are in a really good place right now—she’d hate to upend that by opening this particular can of worms.

Theo: Much smarter than we thought.

 

Sebastian: Guess we should be a little more discreet when we’re leaving the pub

 

Theo: Goodnight, Sebastian

 

“Hey!  Wait up!”

Theo turns her head over her shoulder to see Sebastian chasing after her, his messenger bag slung around his shoulder. She pauses in her place, waiting for him to catch up with her.

”I haven’t seen you,” Sebastian pants. “What’s up?”

”The flu, that’s what’s up. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to have lunch—the office has been packed. I’ve told Rory to stay away this week.” Theo wrinkles her nose.  The two resume their pace, walking back out to the faculty car park. “Where’s Rory anyways?”

”Out front, hanging out with his boys.” Sebastian chuckles. “Who knew my son would be the school’s social butterfly?”

”I could’ve told you that from the moment we’d met,” Theo smiles softly. “I reckon I’ll be seeing a lot less of him now that he can participate in gym class again.”

”He’ll make the time, he always does.” Sebastian muses.

”He’s very sweet. How have you been?”

“Good. Ronen keeps snoring in the faculty lounge during lunch, so that’s been entertaining. Mirabel thinks he might have sleep apnea.” Sebastian recounts. “Oh, and Hecat got a new cat.”

”Riveting.” Theo says dramatically. They continue walking together; silence is no longer awkward between them. 

”Permission to break our fourth rule, just for a little while.” Sebastian asks, sidling up to her in the hallway. “I promise, it’s all above board.”

”Permission granted,” Theo jokes, knocking her shoulder into his. “What’s up?”

”There’s a disco on Friday.” Sebastian shoves his hands into his pockets. “For the older students.”

”I gathered,” Theo shrugs. She hasn’t had to deal with too many of the older students—they were responsible enough to know when to call their own parents or stay home with a fever. She’d had a few cases here and there, mostly forgotten tampons or migraine medication on exam days. But otherwise, Theo stayed in her little office, far away from the teenagers. Despite the distance, she has heard rumblings about the school disco on Friday.  Flyers have been plastered all over the walls, and it’s hard to walk past a gaggle of girls without overhearing them chattering over who might ask them to the dance.

“Well, I’ve been volunteered to be a chaperone.” Sebastian sighs. 

“Volunteered, or volun-told?” Theo jokes.

“You already know,” Sebastian snorts. “Still reaping the punishment of taking a week off earlier this term. But as I was saying, there’s a dance on Friday. And they need another chaperone to volunteer or else Black will start drawing names out of a hat.”

Theo stops in her tracks. “Sebastian Sallow, are you asking me to the dance?”

Sebastian’s face is bright red with a slightly mortified expression. “I’m not asking you to the dance,” he sputters. “I’m asking if you’d volunteer to come with me. As another chaperone.”

“Same thing,” Theo raises a brow. 

“I thought you might be interested.” Sebastian shrugs. “Dance is over at ten, and we could always carpool together.”

”I thought Sirona and Mirabel were too busy to babysit for you on Fridays?” Theo asks.

Sebastian’s cheeks are still pink, one hand rubbing the back of his neck. “No. Uh, Rory actually has a sleepover.  It’s Declan Reilly’s birthday on Saturday, so the boys are sleeping over at his house on Friday, and going to the zoo Saturday morning. He wouldn’t be home until one o’clock on Saturday.”

It takes a moment for Theo to put the pieces together, but once she does, her eyes widen.

”Oh.” Theo chokes out. “So you’ll have the whole night.”

”And a morning too.” Sebastian suggests, eyes flickering down to her lips. For a moment, Theo is worried they’re going to break two of their rules at once—she’s tempted to rise up on the tips of her toes, to press her lips against his.

Snap out of it, she screams at herself. Get it together.

”Asking me to a dance, and a sleepover after. Rather presumptuous of you.”

”If you’re not into it, that’s okay—“

”Tell Black I’ll volunteer with you.” Theo interjects. “And bring your own shampoo if you’re staying over. Mine is expensive, and you use too much of it.”

”Asking me to bring over my own toiletries. Who’s getting too ahead of themselves now?” Sebastian teases.

“I’m only asking because you’re depleting mine,” Theo complains. “Unless you’d like to buy me a fifty pound bottle of shampoo—“

Sebastian chokes on air. “Fifty fucking pounds? Are you joking?”

”My hair is serious, Sebastian—“

”Is that why mine’s been so luscious lately?” He hums, grabbing his strands at the root.

”Anyways,” Theo rolls her eyes. “I’m sure you could fit a bottle in that egregiously large bag of yours. Next to the giant box of—“

”Got it, got it.” Sebastian cuts her off, blush crawling up his neck. She wonders if he’s ever not blushing. ”Okay. Friday, we go to the dance. Then I say we pick up dinner, and stay at yours. Sounds good?”

”Any suggestions for activities? Should we make friendship bracelets, braid our hair?” Theo jokes.

Sebastian’s eyes darken slightly, head tilting down to her. “If I told you, I’d be breaking our rule, wouldn’t I?” He walks backwards, bumping the door open. ”I’ll see you tomorrow?”

”Wait, should I tell Black I’m volunteering?” Theo asks. “What if someone already—“

”No need,” Sebastian calls out. “I already told him you would.”

Bastard, Theo shakes her head.  But she smiles nonetheless.

“I can’t believe you’re going to a dance,” Imelda’s voice is slightly crackly, coming from all the way over on the dresser. “As a chaperone. You’re such a narc.”

”Shut up,” Theo laughs. She turns around to face her camera, the back of her dress unzipped. “Is this cool? Or is it too granny?”

”I hardly think a satin slip dress can be granny,” Imelda wrinkles her nose. “What’s your other option?”

Theo holds up a hanger, displaying a short black sheath dress. “I worry this one is too short.”

”Try it on,” Imelda encourages her. “With the black platforms and some tights.”

Theo does as she’s told, slipping into the short mini dress. She stares at herself in the mirror, holding up a pair of sheer tights next to her legs to visualize it.

”I don’t know, does it look like I’m trying too hard?”

”You’ll look cute,” Imelda promises, flipping onto her stomach in bed. “Why are you chaperoning a school disco again?”

”Sebastian put me up to it,” Theo says, balancing the hanger under her chin. “Wanted me to keep him company.”

”So the two of you are pretty good friends then.” Imelda points out. 

“As good of friends as you can be with the only other colleague your age.” Theo bites her lip, trying to conceal a smile.  While she doesn’t like keeping secrets from her best friends, there’s something fun about having something that’s just between her and Sebastian. 

“And you’re going to a dance together tonight,” Imelda teases. “How cute. Send pictures, why don’t you?”

”You just want to see what he looks like now since he doesn’t have any social media.” Theo scoffs. She starts pulling the sheer tights under her robe, jumping to pull them up to her thigh. 

“Duh.” Imelda snorts. 

“Say, did you and Poppy decide when you’re coming home for the holidays yet?” Theo asks, clipping the edge of her stocking to the garter. 

“No, I thought Poppy would’ve told you by now.” Imelda frowns. “Did she not?”

Theo’s smile falters. “Didn’t tell me what?”

Imelda winces. “Pops said she was going to tell you—Gran surprised us, said our Christmas present was going to be a trip this year.”

Theo falls onto her mattress, picking at the edge of her nails. “Oh,” she mutters. 

“She said she’s not getting any younger, and that she’s always wanted to go to Santorini.” Imelda says, a sympathetic frown on her face. “I don’t think she realized you weren’t planning on coming home for the holidays.”

That’s because there is no home anymore, Theo thinks. She’d spent five Christmases with the Coopers in London, where else would she go?

”I’m so sorry, T. I’m gonna kill Poppy—“

”No you’re not,” Theo says gently. “You’re gonna propose to her in Santorini.”

Imelda pauses, blinking at the screen. “I am. Or, at least I should, shouldn’t I?”

Theo presses her lips into a flat smile. “You’ll do it then, and it’ll be great. I promise.”

”Are you mad at us?” Imelda pouts. “I promise, we’ll be home by New Year’s so we can celebrate together.”

”That’s perfect,” Theo nods her head. “I’ll see you then.”

”Will you go see your dad?” Imelda asks. “I’m sure he’d love to see you for the holidays.”

Theo thinks of her father—he’ll probably be somewhere tropical himself. Always has been, ever since Theo went off to university.  They aren’t close, and haven’t been in years.

“Sure,” Theo lies. “I’ll probably go home and see him.”

A door opens in the distance, and Theo can hear Poppy yelling a greeting to Imelda from downstairs. ”Oh, good, Poppy just got home.” Imelda says. “Hold on, she’ll be up in a sec—“

”Actually, I have to run.” Theo says quickly. “I have to get ready and head off to the dance.”

Imelda hesitates, another word on the tip of her tongue.  Yet, she swallows it back. “Have fun, okay?”

”Miss you,” Theo croaks, quickly ending the call.

Poppy: Theo I am so so sorry

 

Poppy: I meant to tell you ages ago but it just never seemed to be the right moment, and then I totally spaced

 

Poppy: Are you mad at me?  

 

Poppy: Because you have more than enough reasons to be mad at me

 

Theo: I’m not mad. I’ll be a little lonely for Christmas, but that just means you have to promise to be home before New Year’s Eve.

 

Poppy: Have I told you how much I love you lately

 

Poppy: Really, really love you

 

Poppy: Are you there?

 

”I can’t believe you’re going to a school dance.” Ominis hums. 

Sebastian snorts, adjusting his tie in the mirror. “I’m not going to a dance—I am chaperoning a dance.” He explains. “Big difference.”

“I can’t remember the last school disco we went to.” Ominis sighs. “Did we go to any?”

”I distinctly remember you were still dating Nerida at the time.” Sebastian chuckles. “She was probably yelling at you somewhere near the punch.” He turns to his bag, dropping in a small bottle of shampoo. It’s the first time in what feels like forever that he’s not slept in his own bed, so he’s not quite sure what he’s supposed to bring besides a fresh pair of boxers and pajamas. A board game may be excessive.

“Ugh, don’t remind me.” Ominis shudders at the memory of his first girlfriend, one his parents had set him up with. “Do you have anything fun planned for after? Since Rory’s not home tonight.”

”Uh, nothing in particular.” Sebastian lies. He zips the bag shut; it’s low stakes, not a big deal.  He’s been to Theo’s flat plenty of times before, why would this be any different?

”Not seeing that girl tonight, are you?”

Sebastian can feel his cheeks turn red. “Ominis, don’t even start.”

”Oh, you can speak freely. Anne isn’t home.” Ominis sniffs. “I’ve been dying for an update.”

”Maybe I am seeing her,” Sebastian blurts.  For as much as he doesn’t want to tell Ominis, he has been dying to tell someone. Sebastian has kept a lot of secrets, but it’s hard not having anyone to talk to. “Maybe I’m spending the night.”

”So it’s getting serious?” Ominis asks, sounding astonished. “Should I start saving up for the wedding?”

”Ha ha,” Sebastian rolls his eyes. “We just won’t have many opportunities to spend time together now, so I thought I would propose a little overnight rendezvous.”

“My my, it is getting serious.” Ominis teases. “I can’t remember the last time you actually spent the night at a woman’s place.”

”Oh god, do you remember when I tried to sneak into Sam’s room?” Sebastian snickers, thinking back to his first girlfriend. “It was awful.”

”I distinctly remember you saying you had to use her stuffed penguin as a pillow.” Ominis’s laugh sounds more like a howl at this point. 

“And then I snuck out to go to yours.” Sebastian wheezes. “The fight we got into on Monday at school was ferocious.”

”To be fair, I think you weren’t that into her in the first place.” Ominis points out. “Who leaves a girl’s bed to go slink into his best mate’s house instead?”

“She gave me so much grief over it.” Sebastian shakes his head, zipping up the duffle bag. 

“What’s Rory up to tonight then?” Ominis asks.

”A sleepover,” Sebastian sighs. “I don’t know how to feel about it.”

”He’s growing up, Seb. It’s not like you weren’t sleeping over at my place all the time when we were kids.” Ominis reminds him.

“I know, I just don’t want to think of him getting older.” Sebastian grumbles. “Means I’m getting older.” He looks at his dresser; there’s a small picture frame on it.  It’s a photo of Sebastian and Anne with their parents on holiday, no older than five or six. His parents are thirty in the shot, with no idea in the world that the clock on their lifespans are ticking. That an accident will take them away from their children in ten years. Sebastian stares at the photo of his father, knowing that in a few short months, he’ll be older than the mustached man behind the glass.

”And isn’t that such a blessing?” Ominis asks, voice softening. “Getting older?”

“It is,” Sebastian coughs. 

“In any case, I’m glad to see that you’re actually enjoying yourself for once, Sebastian.” Ominis points out. “You deserve it.”

Sebastian checks himself one last time in the mirror, brushing hair out of his face. He picks up his phone, sifting through his text messages. 

Theo: I’m outside whenever you’re ready.

”Om, I have to go,” Sebastian says quickly, typing a short response. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow?”

”Have fun,” Ominis says in a sing-songy voice. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

Sebastian rolls his eyes, chuckling to himself as he locks up.  He turns the porch light off before shutting the front door, skittering to a stop when he sees the yellow bug in his drive.  It made sense for her to drive them—Sebastian wouldn’t be able to explain why his car was parked in Rose’s drive, and it selfishly gives them more time to spend together the next morning. 

He shouldn’t want to spend all his time with Theo, but for some reason, he does.  He feels a little hollow every time he leaves her tiny flat, back to the solitude of his cottage.

Theo is sitting there, swaying back and forth as she sings to a song on the radio. When she notices him, she rolls the window down.

”What are you waiting for?” Theo yells, honking the horn. “Let’s go!”

Sebastian nearly trips over his feet running down to the car.

Sebastian isn’t sure what he expected out of his chaperone gig, but it’s definitely keeping him busy.  In fact, he’s a bit annoyed at how much work chaperoning is—he’d hoped to hang out by the punchbowl with Theo all night, but he’s been pouring out confiscated nips in the sink all night.

”Mr. Sallow, come on.” One of the boys complains, standing in the doorway of the loo. ”We thought you were cool.”

”For the record, I am cool,” Sebastian grunts, tossing the plastic shots into the bin. “But I am also in charge. You’ll all get your detention assignments on Monday.”

The group groans, swearing and grumbling under their breaths as they leave the bathroom.  Sebastian trails not far behind them, listening to them disparage his name as they make their way back into the assembly hall. He stands in the doorway, scanning the room.

When he spots Theo, he can’t hide the grin on his face. He closes the distance between them with eager steps, nudging her with his shoulder. 

“Is it just me, or are teenagers bolder than we are these days?” Sebastian yells over the music.

Theo smiles back at him, holding the edge of a plastic cup to her lips. “I bet you flushed a week’s worth of pocket money down the drains.”

”If they were going to drink, they should’ve done so before the dance,” Sebastian scoffs. “Honestly, rookie move.”

Theo laughs, the sparkle of it sending a shiver down Sebastian’s spine. “Guess how many vapes I’ve got in my purse right now.”

”Five,” Sebastian guesses.

”Eight,” Theo shakes her head, setting down her punch. “And one pack of cigarettes. So that’s nine detentions I’ll be delivering on Monday.”

”Ruthless,” Sebastian leans into her. “How does it feel to have the power to give detention for a night?”

”Honestly, it’s giving me quite an ego.” Theo crosses her arms. “I might never recover.”

”Don’t let it all go to your head.” Sebastian snorts. The bass is shaking the floor, and he steps a little closer to her.

”Oh, I’ve definitely let it go to my head,” Theo jokes. “I don’t know how I’ll be able to move on after experiencing this taste of power.”

”Let one of these twerps call you a narc, that should do it.” Sebastian yells over the music.

Theo laughs again, but she quickly turns her gaze back out to the dance floor.  She’s tapping her heel against the tiled floor, fingertips drumming anxiously against her arm. Sebastian can tell she’s thinking about something—she does this thing where she drags her teeth across her lower lip, brows furrowed. A lull in the conversation is not normal for them—it’s a delicate dance they’ve somehow perfected in the last month of their entanglement.  But tonight something is different.  She’s not volleying back and forth the way she usually does.

”I’m sorry I roped you into this,” Sebastian leans into her ear. “I know it’s not the most fun way to spend your Friday night.”

”Don’t, Sebastian. I’m glad.” Theo argues. “It was either this or sitting alone, wallowing in my bed.”

”Wallowing?” He tilts his head. “Over what?”

Theo lets out a sigh, tilting her head back. “It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing,” Sebastian gives her a look. “You can tell me anything.”

”Can I?” She asks. “Even about boy troubles?”

Sebastian feels as if a black hole has opened in his chest. “Er, I guess?”

Theo sighs again, looking back out to the crowd of teenagers dancing. “Not boy troubles,” she confesses. “Girl troubles, I suppose you’d say.”

The black hole is gone, a fleeting moment. “Girl troubles?” he bumps his hip into hers. 

“I found out Imelda and Poppy aren’t coming home for the holidays,” Theo clears her throat. “Gran surprised them with tickets to Greece.”

”I figured you’d go home to London for the holidays.” Sebastian blinks at her.

”Does it make me a loser if I say I don’t have anyone else to spend Christmas with?” Theo confesses.  She looks up at him with wide, watery eyes. While Theo has been vulnerable with him in the past, this is something else. The Theo he’s known is warm, outgoing, and sarcastic. Sebastian wonders how many sides there are to her—and how many more she’ll let him know.

”It doesn’t,” Sebastian says softly. “I know how it feels.”

He’s shared more truths than ever lately. For some reason, it’s easier with her.

The song changes, slipping from a fast tempo to slow.  Students seem to high tail it off the dance floor, splitting off to the sides to catch their breath or grab a drink.  Only a few couples remain on the dance floor, swaying back and forth to the beat.

”Ugh,” Theo rolls her eyes. “I can’t believe they’re all skipping a good song.”

”It is a good one,” Sebastian nods his head. “Might be an oldie to them though.”

Theo raises her brow at him. “Oldie?  Christ, you sound like a dinosaur.” She teases.

Sebastian looks down at her, narrowing his eyes at her teasing grin. He slowly backs away from her, holding his hand outstretched.

”What are you doing?” Theo asks, crossing her arms.

”Humor me, won’t you? Come dance.” Sebastian tilts his head to the center of the floor. “Show them it’s a good song.”

“We’re supposed to be chaperoning,” Theo reminds him, turning her head. There are students staring at him now, interest piqued by the fifth year teacher beckoning the school nurse for a dance.  Sebastian can see a gaggle of girls giggling, whispering to each other. He’ll never live it down if Theo rejects him.

”Come on,” Sebastian wheezes. “Before you make a fool out of me.”

Theo rolls her eyes, tipping her head back in an exaggerated sigh as she takes his hand.  Sebastian’s heart batters against his chest triumphantly as he tugs her to the center of the dance floor, spinning her before placing his hand respectfully on her waist.

”They’re all staring at us now,” Theo hisses. “Way to go.”

“Someone has to show them how to dance like a gentleman,” Sebastian points out.

“I’d hardly call you a gentleman.” Theo raises a brow. 

Sebastian ignores her, swaying her back and forth to the music. He starts singing the tune, much to Theo’s embarrassment, belting the words as he twirls her around the floor. His bravery seems to have rubbed off on a few of the boys, who are now taking the initiative to ask their dance partners to join them.

”Well, well, you’ve started a movement,” Theo glances out at the quickly filling dance floor.

”I tend to have that effect on people,” Sebastian jokes, giving her a proud smile.  He puffs his chest out even more when he sees her smile, eyes watery no more. He’s not quite sure how to categorize the look she’s giving him.  Whatever it is, he wants it more often.

“You’re something else, Sebastian Sallow.” Theo nearly wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him in tighter, but remembers they’re on the clock. She keeps a respectful distance from him, palms flat on his shoulders.

“And you look stunning, Theo Caulfield.” Sebastian knows he’s pushing his luck, but he doesn’t care. There’s something magic in the air, something that makes him feel like he can do no wrong. He wants to trail his hand lower, but he knows he should keep it respectable.  There are students surrounding them, and while he’s 90% sure they won’t care anything about the 30 year olds on the dance floor, he still wants to abide by their rules.

”Do you always push your luck?” Theo asked, amused.  The song ends, and much to Sebastian’s despair, she pulls out of his arms to clap her hands together. She really does look stunning in that little black dress, her hair falling in front of her face in wavy strands.

”Been pushing my luck for years, far before we met.” Sebastian jokes. It is the truth. 

“Well, save that cheeky attitude for later,” Theo mutters, patting a wrinkle in his shirt. Her hand lingers on his shoulder, looking up at him with sparkling eyes. “We’ve got a job to do.”

He watches her walk away, hair and hips swaying, and Sebastian shoves his hands into his front pockets, trying to fight his smile. 

Volunteering wasn’t so bad, after all.

It’s nearly eleven thirty when they pull into Rose Sweeting’s drive, the tires of the bug crunching against the gravel. There are other cars lined up around the house, and they can hear music and chatter from the outside.

”Is Rose having a party?” Sebastian asks, collecting his bag from the backseat. He has a pizza box in his other hand, their reward for staying late to help clean up after the disco. 

“Quick, inside.” Theo pushes him towards the door to the guest house. “Before anyone sees us.” 

Sebastian is quick on his feet, slipping his shoes off before Theo has a chance to ask him to do so. The steps up to the kitchenette creak under his feet, and he drops his bag to the floor. 

“We’ll have to be quiet,” Theo whispers. “Rose’s book club is still around.”

”Are they?” Sebastian snorts. He flips open the pizza box, appraising what’s left for them. “Still discussing the merits of sexy vampires?  Or were they fairies?”

”I didn’t read,” Theo picks up a slice, dropping the edge against her red lined lips. Sebastian does not avert his gaze when she uses her tongue to scoop a stray strand of cheese into her mouth. “I’ve been too busy hanging out with you, clearly.”

Sebastian grabs a plate from the cupboard, putting his slice on top. “Where do you eat around here?” He asks, turning around to study the room. He’s been in here a handful of times already, but he hasn’t properly thought of the logistics.  It’s a small studio, the bedroom separated by a sheer curtain. There’s a little loveseat in front of the TV, and it looks like Theo is using an outdoor bistro table for a makeshift dining room. She’s got books, makeup, and clothes littered all over the space, coordinated chaos.  When he looks back to her, she’s pulling a cork out of a wine bottle, pouring two glasses. 

”On the couch,” Theo says lazily, picking up her glass of wine. “And sorry for the mess—I couldn’t decide what to wear tonight.”  She skips over a puddle of silk, curling her legs under her on the couch. “Come join.”

Sebastian takes his slice and wine, mimicking her steps as he hops over to the couch.  If he were thinking as he should be, treating this relationship like the hook up it’s supposed to be, he would’ve said something flirty. Instead, against his better judgement, he decides to steer the conversation in a different direction.

”Is this place much smaller than your place in London?” He asks, chewing thoughtfully.

Theo shakes her head. “Well, I was living in Poppy and Imelda’s spare bedroom for a while, so no.  But definitely smaller than my place before that.”

It’s in that moment that Sebastian realizes that for how much he’s gotten to know Theo over the past few months, he has never really asked her the reasoning behind her move.  It’s an oversight on his part, one he might’ve thought of at the start. But once they’d fallen into their pattern, it had completely escaped him to ask.

”Do you like it here?” Sebastian asks, taking a large bite of his slice.

Theo chews, ruminating over her thoughts. “I do. It’s slower than what I’m used to, but I don’t mind it.” she admits. “And I’ll probably miss it when I’m gone.  It’s been nice to have a place to clear my thoughts, you know?”

Sebastian swallows thickly. “I’ve never asked why you moved here.”

Theo’s eyes turn downwards, swirling her glass in her hand. “I’m afraid if I tell you, it’ll make the evening terribly unsexy.” 

Sebastian turns towards her, leaning his elbow against the back of the couch. “Try me,” he tilts the glass to his lips, swallowing the wine. “I live in my dead uncle’s cottage so I don’t have to pay rent. My whole life is pretty unsexy.”

Theo’s eyes flutter up to match his gaze. “Promise me you won’t get weird when I tell you.” She holds her pinky out.

”I promise,” Sebastian swears, wrapping his finger around hers.

Theo inhales sharply, taking a large glug. She wipes her mouth with the back of her hand before setting her glass down to clutch a pillow against her chest.

”I was engaged and I broke it off.” She says simply. “Lived in Poppy and Mel’s guest room for a year, but I just couldn’t seem to get back on my feet. Rose told us about the job opening up at the school, and gave me a dirt cheap deal on rent. So it just made sense.”

Sebastian is quiet. He tries to picture Theo in London, a different woman with a diamond on her left ring finger. A faceless man standing over her shoulder, her in a puffy white dress. It seems wholly, entirely unlike her, and he hardly knows her.

”And I’ve made it weird,” Theo hums. “And unsexy.”

”It’s not weird,” Sebastian shakes his head. “I just can’t really picture it. You, married.”

She snorts, tucking her knee under her chin. “I couldn’t either, which is how I ended up here.”

It explains a lot, Sebastian thinks.  Her relative dislike for commitment, her dark humor.  She lets things roll off her back quite easily, which is something Sebastian admires about her.

“Were you together for a long time?” Sebastian asks. “I don’t mean to pry.”

Theo sighs. “Unfortunately, yes. And I was a complete fool and said yes when I already knew I didn’t want to.  So there was quite a bit of untangling to do, which dragged the whole break up process out. And when it was all said and done, I didn’t have much left.”

”I’m sorry,” Sebastian shakes his head. “That’s wrong of him.”

Theo gives him a sympathetic smile. “That’s very sweet of you, but I can’t say I didn’t deserve it. I did dump him at our engagement party. Terribly awkward for everyone involved.”

Sebastian snorts, and she snorts in return.  Before long, they’re laughing, plates of half-eaten pizza discarded on the coffee table. 

”Your comedic timing is unparalleled,” Sebastian wipes his eyes. 

“Helps when your life is a joke,” Theo retorts, and they laugh even more.

“For the record, I do think it’s sexy.” He points out, finishing his glass of wine. 

“What is, upending your life to live in your best friend’s granny’s cottage?” Theo wipes her reddened lips with the back of her hand.  He can’t tell if its from her lipstick or the red wine at this point.

”To know what you want.” Sebastian says, his tone suddenly serious. “To say no, when it’s easier to say yes.”

Theo’s eyes flicker down to his lips, and back up to match his gaze. She looks curious, but skeptical at the same time. 

“I’m glad that me trying to get back on my feet is so arousing for you.” She muses.

Sebastian takes Theo’s legs, throwing them over his lap. She’s still wearing those sheer tights; he swallows a lump in his throat for a different reason when his palm trails up her leg, realizing they stop at the top of her thigh.

”And how would you say it’s going?” He asks. “Getting back on your feet?”

Theo finishes her wine, setting the glass on top of their plates. “Well, for starters, I’ve nearly paid down what I owed on the ruined engagement party, so I’ll be done with that mess in a few months time. I’m getting a lot better about being on my own, making my own friends. And I’m starting to save up for a down payment on my own flat when I get back to London.”

”Very admirable,” Sebastian nods his head. “Fiscal responsibility.” His hand catches on the edge of the garter keeping her tights in place, fiddling with the clasp. “And how is moving on?”

”Not hard,” Theo narrows her eyes. “Unlike you.”

Sebastian grins, undoing the clasp. Fabric freed, he slides the stocking delicately down her leg, exposing her skin. She shifts in his lap to allow him access to her other leg, the left stocking soon joining its mate on the floor.

”I gotta say, not our sexiest segue.” Theo jokes, perching on his lap. “Brutally exposing myself really did it for you, didn’t it?”

Sebastian wishes he could say otherwise, but he can’t.  For some reason, Theo opening herself up to him, allowing him to know her better has stirred his attraction to her. It’s too embarrassing to admit, so he crashes his lips against hers instead. 

“Seb,” Theo chokes out. “We have to be quiet.”

”I can be quiet,” Sebastian murmurs against her throat. “Can you?”

Theo presses harder into him, arms wrapping around his neck as she closes what little distance there is between them. Sebastian pushes them up off the couch, his hands pulling her legs tighter around him as he walks them over to the bed. The sheer curtain catches on their combined form, Sebastian shaking it out of his hair as they pass through. 

“Y’know, I was joking when I said you were hard.” Theo whispers. “You really do find vulnerability that hot?”

”You’re ruining the moment,” Sebastian mutters, dropping her onto her bed. She props up on her elbows, eyebrow raised at him when he dips his knee between her legs. The edge of her dress slides up, up, up, far enough for him to see her panties. Sebastian instinctually leans forward, his hands trailing up to pull the offending garment down.

”Seb,” Theo inhales sharply, legs shutting tightly once he’s discarded her underwear. 

“I’ve been waiting to do this,” he maintains eye contact with her, eyes never leaving hers as he trails his hot breath up the inside of her thighs.  She watches him with bated breath; her perfectly red pout falls open when he presses an open mouth kiss against her skin. He wraps his hands around her legs, pulling her closer.

”You have to be quiet,” Sebastian reminds her with a devilish grin.  And before she can protest, he licks a hot stripe up her cunt. 

Theo’s head tips back, a hushed whine spilling from her lips when his tongue circles around her clit. Sebastian knows he’s doing a good job, the sound of her quiet little gasps filling the room he continues his ministrations. He closes his mouth around her, sucking ever so gently until he hears her moan louder, her hands threading through his already messy hair.

”What happened to being quiet?” Sebastian teases, pulling away. He dips his hand against her slit, feeling just how wet she is. There is a pang of pride in his heart when he sees her reaction, the way her eyes widen when he touches her.

”You’re—fuck, Sebastian—you’re incorrigible,” Theo gasps.

”Do you want me to—“

”Don’t stop,” she grits her teeth. “Finish what you’ve started.”

The command stirs something in him, but that’s something to address at a later time.  he offers her a silly salute before diving back in, using both his hands and his mouth.  He can feel the sheets rustling on the bed, and what sounds like a pillow flattening. When he looks up, he’s pleasantly surprised and quite smug with himself when he sees her pressing the pillow against her face. Her muffled moans spur him on, lapping at her cunt as if it’s the last thing he’ll do.

Sebastian knows her orgasm well enough now—the way her legs quiver in his hands, grinding her core against his mouth.  The pillow goes sailing across the room, knocking into a bookshelf when she tosses it. Theo is gasping, chest heaving as she pulls herself up.  Her dark hair is mussed from the bed, and her red wine stained lips dropped open.

”Good?” Sebastian asks, wiping her slick off his lips with his sleeve.  He’s still fully dressed, and painfully fucking hard. He grasps at his length over his pants, the pressure of his own hand somewhat of a relief. He can feel his arousal coiling in him, deep and desperate. The sight of her, dress rucked up to her waist, is enough to make him come in his pants. 

God, he can’t remember being this desperate for a shag, ever.

Theo scrambles off the bed, reaching up her back to unzip her dress. “Clothes off,” she demands, letting the dress puddle at her feet. “It’s my turn.”

He does not need to be reminded twice; Sebastian nearly tears his own clothes off before landing on the bed, sprawling out. His heart nearly skips a beat as he watches Theo shuck off her bra, her fully naked form illuminated by moonlight streaming in from her window.  Hair spilling over her shoulders, she crawls up the bed, straddling his waist.

”Hold on,” Sebastian chokes out, nearly losing all composure at the feeling of her skin gliding over his cock. “We need a con—“

Theo leans over to her bedside table, pulling out a condom. She tears the packet with her teeth, a haughty grin on her lips. 

“Figured I’d do my part, pitch in a condom or two.” Theo jokes.  Sebastian inhales sharply as he watches her carefully slide it onto his erection. 

“You—you—“ Sebastian repeats, mouth falling open in a moan when she straddles him, rubbing the tip against her wet cunt. 

“What is it?” Theo asks, rolling her hips atop him.

Sebastian surges forward, and Theo shrieks in his lap. He wraps one arm around her waist, the other slipping underneath her knee to shift the angle. Both of them moan with the change of pressure, Sebastian hitting deeper than ever with the new position. 

”We’re too good at this,” Sebastian grunts through gritted teeth.

”I agree,” Theo says breathlessly, hands clamping down on the headboard behind Sebastian. She starts bouncing up and down on his length, sinful noises spilling from her lips as she grinds against him.

“I thought you said we had to be quiet,” Sebastian mutters. “But you can’t seem to help yourself, can you?”

Theo’s mouth falls into a perfect little oval, eyes squeezed shut as she shudders. “I did?  Oh fuck, I did.”

Sebastian’s chest swells, and he shifts his arm out from under her leg. Her legs wrap around him, and he snakes his hand up her body.  Theo moans loudly when he tweaks her nipple, and her eyes widen when his hand stops on top her lips, covering her mouth.

”Quiet,” Sebastian exhales. “Can you be quiet, Theo?”

She blinks at him, nodding lightly.  Her eyes widen once more when he starts bouncing her in his lap, rocking her against his cock with sheer strength.

”Good girl,” Sebastian whispers. Her cheeks are red, whimpering against his hand as he pulls her up and down. The pace is slow, nearly torturous, but Sebastian wants to savor every second. She’s tight as sin, pulsing around his length, and he knows she’s going to come.  She better, considering Sebastian is barely hanging on by a thread.

”Do you want to come?” Sebastian whispers against her ear. When he pulls back, her eyes are set on him, wide and watery.  She nods quickly, puffs of hot breath against his hand. It’s good, so good, and Sebastian can’t ever remember sex feeling this groundbreaking.

”Come on, Theo.” Sebastian murmurs. “Come for me.”

And she does. Theo tears his hand away from her mouth, crashing her lips against his in a hungry kiss. They moan into each other’s mouths when she comes, and Sebastian follows quickly.  A few shallow thrusts, and Sebastian is spilling into the condom, cursing against her lips.

The post-coital haze is blurry.  Theo slips off his lap, falling onto the bed beside him.  They’re both breathing heavily, trying to get their bearings.  Sebastian quickly takes care of the condom, discarding it into the trash next to her bed.  When he turns back to Theo, she’s already pulling her sweaty hair into a bun, piling it atop her head. 

They chuckle when they look at each other, slightly blushing.  Sebastian wants nothing more than to kiss her, but it somehow feels too intimate. It’s somehow even more intimate than their fucking, which has left both of them boneless in the bed.

”So,” Theo asks, breaking the silence.  She traces circles into the duvet, rolling over to face him, propped up on her elbows.

”So.” Sebastian exhales, blinking at her with curiosity.  He wants to know what she’s about to say, but his stomach rumbles loudly.  He might’ve been embarrassed if he was with a one night stand, someone who doesn’t know him.  

But this is Theo, Sebastian thinks.  Nothing feels weird next to her.

”Hungry?” Theo asks. “We should finish our pizza.” Before Sebastian can say anything, she’s sliding out of the bed, pulling a shirt over her head.  Sebastian wishes he could pull her back in, that they could stay in their bubble a little while longer. Instead, he merely lays in the bed, watching her move about the flat.  He’s quiet as she slips into the bathroom, the door shutting behind her with a soft click. When she returns, she’s tightening the bun atop her head, rummaging through her dresser for a clean pair of underwear.

”Sebastian,” Theo repeats, tilting her head to the sheer curtains. “Pizza?”

”Sure,” he utters, following her lead without protest.

The water is soothing, running down Sebastian’s back. It’s late now—well past one o’clock, but he cannot sleep.

When he closes his eyes, all he can see is her.

Theo, rolling her eyes at him when he pulls her in for a dance, the soft pink light from the disco ball lighting up her face. Theo, eyes wide and vulnerable when she tells him about her previous engagement, the way she anxiously fumbles with the edge of her skirt as she tells the story.  Theo, her gaze fixated on him, eyes pleading to make her come when his hand covers her mouth.

Sebastian rubs water from his eyes, turning off the tap. This is insane. Borderline stupid. They’re just shagging, they’re just friends.

But he’s never felt this way before—

“Don’t be a prat,” he mutters to himself, stepping out of the shower.  Sebastian wraps the towel around his waist after drying off, turning the light of the bathroom off before stepping back into the bedroom.  Despite the light and noise, Theo is soundly asleep in the bed, curled up with her knees to her chest.  

Sebastian quietly tiptoes around the room, tidying up the mess they’d made. Pizza slices, half eaten, are discarded. Remnants of their wine swirl down the drain. He opens the cabinet, rummaging around for a wine bottle stopper; his eyes catch a glimpse of a photograph pinned to the modestly sized fridge. It’s Theo, wearing her graduation robes, with arms wrapped around Imelda Reyes and Poppy Sweeting. He recognizes their faces, but it’s been so long since he’s seen them in person. It’s weird to think that they know the same people, yet their paths might not have ever crossed.

He thinks about the Theo he would have never met, someone who would’ve been married by now. It doesn’t seem like her at all.

With the kitchen tidied and a fresh pair of boxers on, Sebastian hops over the puddles of clothes on the floor. He pushes the mesh curtains aside, hanging the towel on the back of her desk chair.  Her covers are cold but cozy, the duvet like a cloud enveloping both their bodies.  The bed is small, her knees knocking into his waist as he settles in for the night.

Sebastian blinks up at the ceiling, then shifts in the bed to face her. Theo is sleeping soundly, a soft whistle as she inhales and exhales. Her mouth is slightly open, eyelashes fluttering in her dreams.  He lets a few quiet minutes pass before he clears her throat, hoping she’s asleep. When she does not wake, he knows it’s safe to say what’s been on his mind all night.

”I’m a little worried,” Sebastian whispers. The room is silent, save for the wind howling against the windows. “I’m a little worried I’m falling for you.” There is no response; he is not expecting one. She’s slumbering deeply, her hair splayed out on the pillows, and will no doubt be tangled in the morning.

God, he’s so terrified of her. And yet he wants to kiss her.

Sebastian lays back down against her soft pillows, curling into the duvet. He can’t remember the last time he slept next to someone who wasn’t Rory, but it’s not so bad. He actually might enjoy it. 

“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea anymore,” he murmurs. Move if you agree, he thinks.

Theo seems to sense his presence, shifting closer to him. She nuzzles into him, her cold hands slipping between their stomachs. Their legs are tangled now, her foot threading through his calves for warmth.

Fuck, Sebastian screams in his head. That’s not what I meant.

“Sebastian,” Theo murmurs sleepily, her lips brushing against his chest. 

Sebastian feels his heart ache at the sound of his name coming from her lips. But against his better judgement, he slips his hands around her. One around her waist, the other laced in her furious waves. He is still aching, as if his heart is about to burst out of his chest. Sebastian slows his breaths, focusing on the spicy, powdery scent of Theo’s perfume. 

Before long, he is asleep.

“What do you want?”

”Is that any way to greet your best friend?” Ominis scoffs. 

Sebastian groans, cracking his back. “I just got back and I  only have thirty minutes until Rory gets home, and I have to make lunch. What?”

”I only wanted to know how your little date went.” Ominis asks nonchalantly.

Sebastian can feel his cheeks go pink, but he rolls his eyes defiantly. “It was not a date. We chaperoned a dance, that’s all.”

”And you clearly stayed over at her house.” Ominis points out. “So, how’d it go?”

Sebastian kicks his duffle bag out of the way, grabbing his now lukewarm coffee. Theo had insisted they stop for coffee before she dropped him back off at home; repayment, she’d said, for letting her smother him with her hair while they slept. He cannot get the smell of her expensive shampoo out of his mind, the floral notes buzzing in his brain.

He swallows the lump in his throat, imagining the way she’d curled up against him again.

”Do you want me to tell you it was great?  That we’re sooooo in love and I’ve never felt this way about anyone before?” Sebastian asks sarcastically.

”Well, if you’re going to be an arse about—“

Sebastian falls into a chair at the dining table, groaning as he sets his coffee down again. “She makes me feel funny.” he complains. “And I’m not sure I like it.”

”She makes you feel funny?” Ominis asks. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Sebastian takes a sip, waving his hands in the air as he tries to come up with an explanation. “She’s just…she’s just nice.  And she gets me, you know? Somehow she knows exactly how to say the fucked up things that are in my head, even when I haven’t said them yet.  She doesn’t give me any of that pitying bullshit, she’s straight to the point.”

”And that makes you feel funny?” Ominis asks.

”Whenever I see her, my chest gets all tight.” Sebastian mutters. “Like it’s actually aching.”

Ominis pauses, then lets out a low chuckle. “Oh, you really are fucked now, aren’t you?”

“What do you mean?” Sebastian whines.

”You like her,” Ominis points out. “You really actually do like her.”

”That’s not what this is—“

”Oh fuck off, Sebastian.  I know you’re the king of nonchalance, always going on about being casual, but this is new.  You’ve never liked anyone this much, much less gone on about them the way you talk about this girl. You clearly like her.”

”I don’t want to.” Sebastian says miserably. “It’s not—“

”Don’t tell me it’s not a good time for you to get into a relationship.” Ominis drawls. “You could use that excuse for the first few years, but Rory is ten, Sebastian.  Nearly eleven. You’re not destined to be alone for the rest of your life. You really want to be on your own until he’s an adult himself?”

“It’s not like that,” Sebastian insists, but with every work he’s less convincing, even to himself. “It was just supposed to be a bit of fun on the side for us.”

”And yet you’re having heartburn just thinking about her.” Ominis huffs. “Really Sebastian, this is such a tiring conversation. Just tell her you like her.”

”She’s not planning on staying,” Sebastian says flatly. “She’ll be gone within a year.”

”And you want to go the rest of your life without saying how you felt?” Ominis’s words, however annoying, ring true. “You really don’t even want to try?”

Sebastian imagines it.  Perhaps Theo is interested, he thinks, perhaps she’ll say yes.  Maybe they’ll go on dates, have mind blowing sex, get to know each other more and more.  Perhaps he’ll tell her everything, all about his life, the trauma he’s had to crawl his way out of.  Perhaps she’ll love him for it, and perhaps she’ll stay.

He knows she won’t, but it’s nice to dream about it.

”She’s my friend,” Sebastian mumbles. “And she’s not staying. I’d rather not put us through that mess.”

“You know, I did find myself in a situation somewhat like that before.” Ominis mused. “Wondered if I should ask my best friend out, or if I’d completely ruin everything.”

Sebastian feels that familiar twist in his heart, thinking about his sister and their best friend.  He can still recall the day Ominis decided to tell her of his feelings, the way Sebastian paced in the hallway until they were done talking.  And when the door opened, revealing Ominis and Anne holding hands, he’d cried.  

“How’d you say it’s going for you?” Sebastian asks, curling the label on the cardboard coffee cup.

Ominis chuckles. “Never better, I’d say.”

Sebastian pauses, fingers still curling over the sticker. He thinks back to Theo, the truths she’d shared with him the night before.  Again, he imagines her in a white dress, walking down the aisle to a faceless man.  He cannot picture her past life—her, as someone else’s wife.

”Have you ever thought of marriage?” Sebastian asks. “Really thought about it.”

”I ask your sister to marry me at least once a month.” Ominis says lazily. “Still waiting for her to say yes.  Why?”

Sebastian fidgets in his seat. “No reason,” he says, chewing his nails. “A fleeting thought.”

Ominis starts spouting off nonsense again, but Sebastian’s attention is drawn to the front door.  It creaks open, and Rory spills through with a big, toothless smile. 

“Dad!” Rory bellows. “Look what I got at the zoo!”

”I have to go,” Sebastian says quickly. “Bye, Ominis.”  Before his best friend can protest, he hangs up his phone and resumes his life. His real life, Sebastian thinks.  The one where he is a father first. Where his feelings come last, if they’re ever considered at all. He puts his phone face down on the table, immediately addressing his joyful son. Sebastian dedicates the rest of his Saturday to Rory, ordering a Chinese and picking out what movies they’re going to watch.

He does not see the texts on his phone until it’s far too late.

Theo: Hey

 

Theo: Can we talk about last night?

Chapter Text

Last Night

When Sebastian wakes up, it is because of Theo’s hair.  

His eyes flutter open when she brushes her messy mop of waves against his nose.  The sky is still dark, moonlight streaming in through her lace curtains.  The room is still, save for the sound of Theo’s ragged breaths.  Her hair tickles his chin, the smell of jasmine surrounding him. There is something so awfully adorable about her in this state.  He’s used to her sly smile, the way she narrows her cat-like eyes at him whenever he tells a joke. An alluring, charismatic exterior that she uses to hide the softer parts of her. In her sleeping state, Theo is fully bare to him, body and mind.  She hogs the bed, sleeps with her knees tucked to her chest as she swims in a threadbare t-shirt from university. 

Sebastian blinks hard, eyes adjusting to the dark when he hears a squeak. She’s whimpering—a bad dream. Sebastian wraps his arms around her, pressing a hard kiss to the top of her head. 

Friends do not kiss this way. He knows that now.

“I’ve got you,” he whispers, rocking her back and forth. “I’ve got you.”

It takes some coaxing, but Theo’s breathing smooths out. Her body sags against him, and he knows he’s well and truly fucked now.  Sebastian can feel his heart rattling against his chest, a dull ache and heaviness he’s never quite felt before.  It is too intimate, crossing the boundary of their agreement.  He knows he shouldn’t, but he does.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers against her skin. He means it. 

It does not take him long to fall back asleep.

Theo wakes up because of Sebastian’s snoring.

When she blinks her bleary eyes, there is some light coming in through the curtains. She has been sleeping on Sebastian’s chest all night it seems, a faint trace of drool pooling against his sternum. It’s silly to be embarrassed about it, not when he’s folded her body in about twenty different positions in the last month. But a little drool seems a bit too intimate.

Theo realizes that Sebastian has his arms wrapped around her, locking her against his body.  For a moment, she panics—she likes her personal space, and it has been a very long while since she’s shared a bed with someone. But when she hears the light whistle of his snore, something in her softens.  She looks up at his face through the curtain of her lashes; Sebastian looks so calm. Boyish, even.  When he is asleep, the stressors of the world do not follow him. 

Theo inhales sharply when she looks at him, a prickle in her heart. She wonders what life might’ve been like if Poppy Sweeting had been friends with Sebastian. If it had been Sebastian that Poppy brought to the fresher’s week party to meet her roommate, if he would’ve asked her to dance.

If it had not been Isaac.

Guilt pools in her stomach at the thought. She does not want to compare Sebastian. He’s nothing like Isaac, who’d made sense in every way, shape, and form. Sebastian does not make sense for her.  Whatever is going on between them will undoubtedly end come July when her contract is over. 

The thought of it makes Theo’s heart hurt even more. God, it’s embarrassing—she’s sure there’s cereal in her abysmally small cupboards older than their arrangement. Every single nerve in her body is screaming at her to run, to pull away, but she cannot.

Especially since his arms are pulling her in tight, hand tracing a line up and down her spine.

For all her panicking, Theo’s eyes feel heavy again. She’ll have to address this in the morning after they’ve woken up. Tilting her chin up against his chest, she looks at Sebastian’s serene face. An explosion of freckles, the hint of a beard growing in. Swollen lips from her kisses bent in the slightest smile.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers, barely audible. She means it.

Theo lets herself fall back asleep against Sebastian’s warm skin.

This Morning

Theo wakes first, carefully extracting herself from Sebastian’s arms.  She tiptoes over to the bathroom, brushing her teeth and pulling her unruly hair into a ponytail. When she comes out, Sebastian has flopped over in bed onto his stomach, the sheets pulled across his bottom.

She anxiously fingers the hem of her shirt as she hops over the mess they’d made, her clothes in piles on the floor. Out of coffee—swearing under her breath, she turns the kettle on to make tea. Is it too presumptuous for her to start making breakfast?  What if Sebastian wants to leave straight away? Will it be embarrassing?
Theo winces, rubbing over her heart. Fuck, why is she so nervous?

“Good morning.”

Whipping her head, Theo sees Sebastian sitting up in bed. His eyes are half closed, thick arms stretched over head. He scratches his messy hair, smiling at her.

“I take it you slept well,” Theo’s voice cracks as she says it.

“Your bed is excruciatingly comfortable.” Sebastian yawns. “I could lay in it forever. What time is it?”

Theo turns to the counter, cheeks reddening from his comment. “Nearly nine thirty. We slept in.”

“Oh,” Sebastian scratches his jaw. “God, it’s such a gift to just sleep in. I forgot what that was like.”  The bed creaks as he gets out, and Theo keeps her eyes averted as he hops over her mess to his duffle bag.  He pulls out a well-worn St. Margaret’s t-shirt, pulling it overhead. 

“Do you want any breakfast?” Theo asks, drumming her fingers against the countertop. “I can make eggs and toast.”

“That’d be great, thanks.” Sebastian says gratefully. ‘Any—“

“No coffee, unless you feel like a covert mission into Rose Sweeting’s kitchen.” Theo says grimly.

“Tea it is,” Sebastian nods.

They move in silence around each other, anxious energy filling the space between them. It’s electric almost—Theo feels the hairs on the back of her neck rise when Sebastian brushes against her, trying to get to the wallet he’d dropped on the counter the night before.  She plates scrambled eggs and thick slices of sourdough toast, dropping them onto the metal bistro table Rose let her drag up to the flat.  

“Amazing, thanks.” Sebastian hums, mouth full of eggs. “You’re a good cook.”

“That’s a stretch,” Theo snorts, lifting her mug to her lips. “Eggs are the easiest thing in the world to cook.”

“Don’t sell yourself short.” Sebastian says, a glint in his eyes. Theo looks down at the milky cup of tea, fighting the smile she so badly wants to give him.  She cannot remember the last time she woke up next to someone, shared breakfast with them. Not since—

Not since Isaac. When Theo looks up at Sebastian, her heart drops into her stomach. She half expects to see straight black hair and inquisitive green eyes staring back at her. Theo’s mind is flooded with images of the man she’d spent six years begging to slow down and take a meal with her. She can almost feel it again—the wave of disappointment crashing into her when he’d kiss the top of her head, taking a slice of toast to eat on the way to the hospital.

“Are you alright?” Sebastian asks. Isaac is gone, replaced by dark waves and sleepy chocolate brown eyes.

“Fine,” Theo quips. “I’m okay. Just a little tired.”

“I’m sorry if I encroached on your space. I’m a bit of a bed hog.” Sebastian says earnestly. 

“You’re fine,” Theo mumbles, tucking in to her own plate. “When do you need to get back?” 

Sebastian checks his phone, furrowing his brows. “I think Rory said he’ll be back around one o’clock. I’d like to get back in time to clean up the house while I still can.”

They are both quiet as they finish their breakfast, and Sebastian offers to do the dishes as Theo strips the sheets. When they bump into one another, Sebastian’s eyes linger on her hands, as if he’ll grab one.

Please don’t, she begs. As if a telepathic message, he complies, drawing his own hands away and back into his pockets. 

Theo is brushing her teeth in the bathroom when she hears the zipper of his duffle bag. “I’m ready to leave when you are,” Sebastian declares, and Theo breathes a sigh of relief. 

Theo drags the hamper of sheets back up to her flat. The TV is on, playing some reruns of Love Island, and she’s playing a podcast from her computer.  Even her phone is softly streaming music, but it does nothing to fill the overwhelming sense of loneliness that fills the air.

Theo was used to having her own space.  She’d grown up as an only child, happy with her independence.  Isaac had loved it about her; she never cared when he was away at a conference or playing golfing with the boys. She’d loved having their big, beautiful flat to themselves, eager to tuck into a book and glass of wine.  Her need for space had forced her out of London when she’d finally had enough of living with Imelda and Poppy, desperate enough to move to the highlands just to have a space to breathe.  Yet now she was actually lonely—perhaps above all, it was the choice that she valued, not the isolation.

Despite the overstimulation of her TV, computer, and phone, Theo feels unsettled. Even with the speakers blaring and occupying herself with chores, she cannot get him out of her mind.  Theo holds her duvet up to her nose, wrinkling it when she can still smell Sebastian’s cedar cologne after a second wash.

“Fuck,” she mutters.

Sebastian Sallow is everywhere. He is in her shower, a small bottle of shampoo left behind as if to promise a return. His scent, lingering in the sheets. Even her empty sink is a reminder of him—she hates dishes, and was secretly pleased to watch him drying the plates and putting them away. It’s a little embarrassing that such an ordinary action could make her heart beat faster, but it does.

Dropping the sheets on the floor, Theo grabs her phone. She hasn’t heard a peep from him since she dropped him off earlier. To be fair, she doesn’t expect to.  They’re just friends. For all she knows, he’s at home, their evening together no longer top of mind.  He could be thinking about how messy she is, that she’d drooled on him in the night. That maybe now that he’s had a taste, he’s had enough. Fuck, he hadn’t even kissed her goodbye—she hadn’t thought of it earlier, but now it’s threading doubt into her mind. Sebastian should’ve kissed her, shouldn’t he?  If he liked her—

No, enough. Stop, Theo thinks.  She feels her heart in her throat as the dread settles in.  She does not want to be in love again. Fuck, she’s not even ready for it. Her heart has been through enough in the last two years, practically held together with duct tape and sheer luck, and Theo isn’t sure if it’ll survive another blow. 

The text writes itself before she can even think, and she doesn’t spare a thought about double, triple, quadruple texting Sebastian.  With labored breaths and shaking hands, she sends each message. 

Space is what she needs. Distance. Once she’s done firing off text messages, she throws her phone on the bed and pours a glass of wine. It’s four o’clock in the afternoon, but dire times call for dire measures.

When her phone does ping halfway through an episode of a show she couldn’t care less about, Theo nearly runs to her bed. The mattress is still bare, sheets in the laundry for a third round.  Instead of Sebastian, assuring her he feels the same way, it’s a message from Cressida inviting her to Leander’s birthday party next weekend.

The unanswered messages taunt her, and Theo fires off one last annoyed follow up before turning off her phone.  When she returns to her bedside and turns it on before bed, there’s still no reply.

At least I’m right, she thinks bitterly. Sebastian Sallow isn’t thinking about her at all.

“Are you alright?”

“I am,” Sebastian says dryly, settling into the couch. Rory is finally off to bed after the longest afternoon known to mankind, and Sebastian is ready to sit and wallow, licking his wounds. “Why do you ask?”

“You sound so sour,” Anne retorts. 

“I am not sour.” Sebastian argues. “I’m just tired.”

“Tired from your little tryst?” Anne teases.

Sebastian’s jaw hardens. “Ominis told you?”

He can hear Ominis yelling at Anne in the background, his twin sister cackling. “Of course he did. He tells me everything.”

“Tell him to fuck—“

“Tell me about her,” Anne says impatiently. “About the girl.”

Sebastian inhales sharply, taking a sip of his beer. “There’s nothing to say. She doesn’t want to see me anymore.”

“What?!” Anne gasps. “After—“

“After we spent the night together.” Sebastian rolls his eyes, tipping his head back against the couch to look up at the ceiling. “Yeah.”

“Well, she’s the worst.” Anne declares. “I hate her.”

“I don’t,” Sebastian murmurs. “I don’t hate her. I get it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Come on, Annie. I’m not exactly the most eligible bachelor.” Sebastian huffs. 

“You are,” Anne argues with him. “Come on now. You’re great with kids, you own your own home, you’re just a little less good looking than me—“

“She was engaged before,” Sebastian grunts. “Some fancy bloke in London. Why would she want to mess around with a broke loser who lives in their dead uncle’s cottage for free?”

“You are a fucking catch, Sebastian Sallow.” Anne says impatiently. “You’re the best person I know.”

“I shouldn’t have expected anything anyways.” Sebastian sighs. “She’s leaving town at the end of her contract to go back south.”

“Well, when she’s back in London, I’m slashing her tires.” Anne threatens. 

“Is this your way of making me feel better?”

“Well, you’ve never had a girlfriend before, so I’m sailing into uncharted territory.”

“She wasn’t my girlfriend.” Sebastian retorts. He sits up, balancing his cell phone against his shoulder. “It was just a fling. I shouldn’t even be mad, this was one of our rules anyways.”

“But you’re hurt, Sebastian.” Anne says, tone softening. “I can tell. Why don’t you talk to her?”

“I don’t really want to.” Sebastian admits. “If that’s it, that’s it. Nothing more left to say, is there? She wants to be friends, but I don’t even think I can do that. So it’s just better for us all if I just don’t.”

“This is your worst habit, Sebastian.” Anne points out. “You can’t just freeze people out. You still have to talk to her.”

“Why?” Sebastian asks, crossing his arms.

“Because you work with her,” Anne huffs. “It’s the nurse, isn’t it?”

Sebastian mentally reminds himself to kick Ominis the next time he sees him, the big old git he is.  He can hear Ominis yelling at Anne again the background, the sound of her swatting at the blond. 

“How does he know?” Sebastian asks curiously.

“He doesn’t, he just guessed. And you’ve confirmed it.” Anne says smugly. “I mean, she is pretty.”

“Well, get it out of your mind.” Sebastian sighs. “It’s not a thing anymore.”

“Are you okay?” Anne asks, her voice timid once more. “I’m worried about you. This is the first time you’ve liked someone in forever.”

Sebastian takes in a deep breath. He’s not sure he’s liked anyone, ever. But he’ll never admit that to his sister.

“I’ll get over it just fine,” Sebastian assures her. “Actually, it’ll be nice to get back to normal. Thinking about someone else is just too much work—I’ve got enough on my plate as it is.”

“I just don’t want you to give up,” Anne murmurs. “Just because it didn’t work this time—“

“I’ve got to go,” Sebastian lies. “Bye, Annie.” He ends the call before his sister can say anything else.

Sebastian finishes his beer and a mediocre movie.  Fumbling with his phone in his pocket, he turns off the lights and locks the door for the night.  He takes great care to avoid the creaky steps, not wanting to wake Rory from his sleep.  

When Sebastian enters his room, he pulls his shirt overhead and drops it into the laundry bin.  Pants follow, his phone tossed onto his neatly made bed.  He’s pulling out pajamas when he sees the blue duffle bag, tucked in the corner of his room.  It taunts him—better that he cleans it out now than wait for morning.  The clothes he wore last night smell like Theo’s perfume, so he shoves them to the bottom of his laundry to drown out the scent.  The box of condoms he’s been holding on to ever since he and Theo started hooking up is now nearly empty.  He won’t have a use for them anymore, so he chucks the box and unused ones into the bin. Everything is put away in its proper place, even the tiny toiletries he’d excited bought to keep bringing to her flat.

Stop it, he reminds himself, swallowing thickly. He’s not supposed to get his hopes up.  He’s not supposed to hope or expect for anything at all, as if he deserves it. Life has always been much easier that way.

Sebastian puts them away under his sink; out of sight, out of mind.  He’s folding the duffle bag to put it away under his bed when a scrunchie falls out. It’s the one Theo had used to pull her hair into a bun; perhaps she’d dropped it on the floor, or Sebastian had pulled it out of her hair when he’d kissed her.  Nevertheless, it’s somehow found its way into his bag, and has infiltrated his safe space, much like she has.

Sebastian quickly opens his underwear drawer, pushing the scrap of satin inside before crawling into bed and turning off the light. He tries to fall asleep, but cannot.  He can’t even bear to scroll on his phone, for fear Theo will text him again. It’s better for them if he doesn’t answer. Sebastian isn’t sure he’ll say what she wants to hear.

Maybe one day they’ll be on talking terms. Maybe one day he’ll get over it, and he can give her the scrunchie back. Maybe one day, they’ll laugh about this.

Or maybe not.

Chapter Text

Rory Sallow knows things are different.

They have been, ever since the start of the school year.  At first he wasn’t quite sure if it was just because he was older, or if it was because he was in his dad’s classroom now.  But either way, his dad is happy.

And Rory thinks he knows why. At least, a sneaking suspicion. 

It had all started on the train. They’d met Theo plenty of times before that, of course, but Rory noticed just how much his father smiled around her when they were forced to sit across from each other the entire journey to London. And when Rory woke up from a nap, he’d woken with her head against his, softly snoring. Rory blinked through his sleepy eyes, seeing the way his father looked at the two of them.  Rory would do anything to replicate that smile. The ride home had been fine, but it wasn’t the same. His dad spent most of the trip staring out the window, fingers drumming against his cheeks. When they returned to school the next day, Theo had questions for him—she’d remembered every single detail of the trip that he’d shared, down to the museums they visited and the books he’d read on the train.

So, if Rory was ever going to pick a girlfriend for his dad, she’d be the one.

His moves are small at first. Subtle mentions of her at the dinner table, or in passing conversation as they drove to school.  And once they’d started carpooling with her to campus, Rory always made sure to suggest Sebastian sit next to her in the front, happily thumbing through his comics while they two of them chattered in the front.  When he’d sit in Theo’s office to roll bandages during PE class, he’d swing his legs off the side of the hospital bed, dropping valuable nuggets of information about his dad.

Dad always gets peppers on his pizza.

He’s always playing this song, have you heard of it?

Dad never uses punctuation in a text. It’s so annoying.

He’s not sure if his pestering will yield results, but it’s worth a shot anyways. At the very least, it has forced his dad to make a new friend. In the months since Theo has appeared in their lives, Rory has passed the nurse’s station many times.  He can’t help but smile whenever he sees his dad perched on the cot, the two of them talking in hushed tones as they eat their lunches.  Despite the fact that that their car seems to be running just fine, his dad still texts Theo to carpool to school together at least twice a week. And there’s never a quiet moment between them in the car; whenever Theo turns on a song Rory has mentioned, he can see his father’s pleased smile in the side mirror, eyes crinkling at the corners.  On Saturdays during their matches, Dad makes them run a little less during warm ups, instead standing over on the edge of the field with Theo, both of them engrossed in conversation. 

Ever since his dad’s spirits have been lifted, it means more freedom.  He’s finally allowed to go to sleepovers, to hang out with his friends more during the weekends.  Instead of trudging alongside his dad early in the morning, kicking his football around while he pulls weeds, Rory gets to watch cartoons and play video games with friends.  Sugary cereal, soda at the movies, trips to the zoo.  And whenever he comes home from play dates , Dad is in a spectacular mood.  
It’s much later now, the sky a dull dark blue as the sun starts to set.  Rory sits at the kitchen table, flipping through the book he’d bought earlier at the zoo.  His dad is at the stove, humming as he flips a cheese toastie for dinner.

“Are we driving with Theo on Monday?” Rory asks nonchalantly, trying to work her into the conversation. “I want to show her my book. I hardly got a chance to see her last week, since everyone was so sick.”

“Good question,” Dad hums, pulling his phone from his back pocket. “I’ll ask her now.”

Rory looks back down at his book, re-reading the part about snake habitats.  He’s so engrossed in the words, he hardly notices the smoke. It’s only when the acrid smell of burnt bread hits him that he looks up, brows furrowed in confusion. 

“Dad, the bread—“ Rory blurts.

His dad is staring down at his phone, the color drained from his face.  Once he’s heard Rory’s shouting, he blinks rapidly, inhaling the burnt scent wafting up to him. He curses under his breath, flipping the sandwich out onto a plate, one side completely blackened.

“Are you alright?” Rory asks hesitantly.

“I’m fine,” Dad says quickly, brushing his hands on his back pockets. “I’m sorry. I’ll get a new one ready for you in a minute.”

Several minutes and a new sandwich later, Rory and his dad are sitting at the dinner table.  But really, Rory feels alone—his dad is looking down at his phone, eyes fixated on the screen. He has a stony look on his face, eyebrows furrowed together as he reads, re-reads, re-reads again. 

“Everything okay?” Rory asks tentatively, pulling the crusts off his still slightly burnt sandwich.

“It’s fine,” Dad blurts, putting his phone face down on the table. “Nothing.”

Whenever he says that, Rory knows it’s not nothing.  His mind briefly wanders off to thoughts of Uncle Ominis and Aunt Anne—he knows they’re okay, considering they’d just visited.  He wonders if it’s anything to do with school or work, the stress of having to wrap up lesson plans and term exams before the holidays. A tiny part of Rory wonders if it might even be his mother; she usually does reach out around this time of the year to send Christmas presents. But Rory knows she’s far away in Madrid, and he’s already emailed her his Christmas wishlist.

It’s something else.

Rory feels a little prickle of fear, wondering if things will go back to the old ways. It’s not bad, per se, but he likes seeing his dad smile. He likes it when he sings in the shower, makes pancakes every Sunday morning. Rory knows when his dad is lonely, because he’s just not the same.

“You okay?” Sebastian asks softly, breaking Rory out of his reverie. 

“Are you okay?” Rory parrots back the question, cocking his brow.  He pushes the half eaten sandwich away, fidgeting with his hands in his lap.

Dad’s eyes soften, and he stands up, walking over to the refrigerator.  He pulls a pint of ice cream from the freezer, two spoons in hand.  Rory scampers out of his seat, wordlessly following his dad to the living room.  He stays quiet as his dad turns on the television, flipping it to one of their favorite shows.  When he tilts the pint towards Rory, he knows to take a hefty spoonful; his dad will polish off the rest of he doesn’t stake his claim.

After a few minutes of cartoons, his dad clears his throat to break the silence.

“I’m okay, kiddo.” Dad says quietly. “Just felt a bit out of it today.”

“Anything I can do?” Rory asks eagerly.

Dad gives him a soft smile, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “Just keep being you, okay?  That’s all I need.”

While he doesn’t quite believe him, Rory concedes, fighting over every bite of ice cream with his father.  In the end, Dad leaves the last spoonful for him.  They watch cartoons, laughing and talking about their days.  Dad doesn’t talk much about the dance he chaperoned, instead wanting to hear all about the zoo again instead.

When Dad falls asleep on the couch, snoring softly, Rory takes the empty pint to the kitchen and washes the spoons.  Dad’s phone is still on the kitchen table, face down against the wooden surface.  Rory dares to take a peek, flipping it over.

Theo: Are you going to answer me?

 

Rory bites back his smile, flipping the phone back over on the table. Perhaps his plans are working.

It’s been a while since Sebastian has taken his lunch in the faculty lounge. He sits at the old, weathered table, idly stirring his soup as he tries to focus on the stack of spelling tests in front of him. It’s a futile effort, considering the only thing on his mind is the unanswered texts on his phone screen. Sebastian cannot help but replay every second of the weekend in his mind, trying to figure out where he could’ve gone wrong. He fiddles with his spoon again, running back the footage in his head. 

He’d woken up on Saturday, heart swelling. The whole morning had been equal parts awkward and sweet, making him feel young again. His heart beating hard against this chest as they maneuvered around the flat together, humming around each other like two birds. Perhaps this was the feeling everyone gushed about—the sheer excitement of performing the most mundane, regular tasks with someone you _like_. Somehow, Theo had made a plate of scrambled eggs and toast the highlight of his morning. 

They’d gotten dressed in comfortable silence, Sebastian reluctantly packing his things back into his duffle bag.  Sebastian wanted nothing more than to sidle up behind her as she got ready for the day, brushing her hair off to one side so he could kiss her neck. His fingers twitched with the desire to turn her around and press her back into the tangled bedsheets, making the most of what little time they had together.

He decided not to in the end.  After all, they were just friends. 

Theo drove him home, stopping to buy them both coffees on the way. They were quiet in the car, letting the music fill the void between them. Sebastian couldn’t stop smelling the jasmine in her shampoo, and he yearned to tuck her hair behind her ear. But again, he refrained—because friends didn’t act like that. Not when things were casual, not when they were cool. He gripped the paper coffee cup hard, the tension building in him as they pulled into his driveway. He didn’t want to say goodbye.  If Sebastian could do anything, he drag her right inside and keep her all to himself.

Alas, real life beckoned.

After a quick chat with Ominis, Sebastian had slid back into his routine, the calculated chaos of fatherhood.  Rory’s return had distracted him from the nagging feeling in his chest, instead pushing him to focus on his son’s retelling of his sleepover.  The weight was gone, mood salvaged, until he saw Theo’s texts on his phone while cooking dinner.

Theo: Can we talk about last night?

 

Theo: I don’t know if it’s such a good idea for us to stay the night together.

 

Theo: I’m sorry if it’s a little confusing. I just think I need some space between us for a little while.

 

Theo: Maybe we should cool things off for a bit. Be friends, you know?

And finally, after he hadn’t answered her texts for hours, another that sounded slightly annoyed.

Theo: Are you going to answer me?

“Are you alright?” Hecat asks, breaking Sebastian out of his thoughts.  She slides into the seat across from him, a salad bowl in hand. “You look worse for wear.”

“I’m fine,” Sebastian mumbles, pushing his soup away. He has no appetite. “How are you, Dinah?”

Dinah Hecat is nothing if not observant. She looks at him with narrowed eyes, one thin brow arched. “You haven’t had lunch in the lounge for ages,” she says simply. “Didn’t have a spat with the nurse, did you?”

Sebastian’s jaw hardens. “No, we’re friends.  I just thought I’d eat in here today; didn’t want to get sick with how many kids have been going home with the flu these days.”

Dinah appraises him once more, trying to decide if his answer is good enough.  After a few seconds of narrowed eyes, she decides to accept his excuse. “Good. Been boring here without you. If I have to hear one more sentence about Mirabel’s orchids—“

“What about my orchids?” Mirabel asks, a long, graying braid swinging over her shoulder as she sits down next to them, her lunch in hand. Dinah’s eyes twitches, and Sebastian has to suppress his laugh. He’s forgotten just how much he enjoys sitting with his favorite teachers, the way their petty squabbles and grown up lady drama entertains him. For a moment, he remembers what his routine was before Theo had arrived. It’s not so bad, if not a little ordinary. He thinks he could be okay sitting with the ladies at the lunch table, to grade papers over lukewarm tea as he listens to his colleagues bicker.  In fact, for forty five minutes, Sebastian doesn’t think of her at all, rather listening to Mirabel Garlick and Dinah Hecat argue over their hobbies. 

When the lunch hour is up, he walks back to his classroom, essays tucked under his arm.  He can hear the sound of trainers beating against the tile, laughter erupting as the students trail back to their classrooms.  When he passes the nurse’s office, he steals a quick glance—Theo is sitting at her desk, chin tucked into the palm of her hand. She’s staring down at her phone, dark waves swept over one shoulder.  She peers closer, eyebrows furrowed with a small frown on her lips. Sebastian wonders if she’s waiting for him to respond. 

He walks away before she can look up.

Theo: I missed you at lunch today.

 

Sebastian: I had to grade papers, so I didn’t want to disturb you

 

Theo: It wouldn’t be disturbing me.

 

Sebastian: Well, I thought it would be good. Distance, you know

 

Theo: I don’t want distance. I just want to be friends.

 

Sebastian: Distance and space are the same thing

 

Sebastian:  Don’t worry about it Theo. We’re good

Theo walks into the faculty lounge on Tuesday morning, body strumming with anxious energy.  She had not seen Sebastian at all on Monday—she figured she wouldn’t, given the lack of response to her texts over the weekend.  It’s a little embarrassing, she thinks, to have texted him five times in a row with no word back. Despite his frosty response from the night before, she’s at least relieved that he’s willing to talk to her and give a somewhat plausible excuse for his absence at lunch.

But it is Tuesday, and it’s faculty meeting. He cannot avoid her now.  Theo takes tentative steps, walking over to their usual spot against the bookshelf.  Sebastian gives her a polite nod, and it makes her want to die. 

“Good morning, staff.” Matilda Weasley says, garnering everyone’s attention towards the front of the room.  Theo tries to keep her eyes glued to the headmaster and deputy headmistress, both of them listing off the week’s news.  Changes to the lunch menu, the schedule for floor polishing, a checklist for end of term assessments.  None of it actually pertains to Theo’s role, so she tilts her chin to the side, trying to get a view of her companion.

Sebastian is distracted.  That’s not unusual for him, considering the two usually spend staff meeting texting one another, making fun of the headmaster.  But Sebastian’s hands are shoved into his front pockets, and his eyes are glued to the tip of his shoes.  He’s not looking at her, not even giving her the time of day.  

You asked for this, Theo reminds herself. You wanted space.

Theo chews on her lower lip, the metallic tang of blood on the tip of her tongue. Sebastian had said they were good, but not that they were friends. She has made some friends in the highlands, if you can count supermarket strolls with Cressida Prewett and coffee with Garreth. She might count the folks she’s met at pub night as acquaintances, people who merely tolerate her presence because she’s there. 

Sebastian is the only one who knows her though. The only one who understands what it’s like to move from the hustle and bustle to a slow, snail’s pace life. And even if they haven’t talked through every single detail of their pasts, Sebastian knows a part of her that has taken years for anyone else to squeak out. She can’t remember the last time she’d ever told anyone about her mother, and it had been the easiest thing in the world to tell Sebastian that night in the car.  Even the half-truth of her broken engagement seemed like candid conversation with him.  Unlike everyone else, he hadn’t even batted a lash, merely apologizing and moving on. No big apology, no pitying look.  It was just a laugh between friends. 

Friends. Friends who moved from the couch to the bedroom without hesitation. Friends who kissed hard, tongues tracing as they fought to close the space between them.  Friends who woke up in the middle of the night wanting each other still, bodies pressed limb to limb.  Friends who were embarrassed to kiss the next morning, despite the intimacy they shared.

“You’re all dismissed,” Headmaster Black says, clapping his hands. “Have a lovely Tuesday.”
Sebastian pushes off the edge of the bookshelf, offering a brief nod as he passes her. Any normal person wouldn’t assume anything of it, but it’s certainly a slight to her.  Theo’s breath catches as he passes by without any other interaction; the dismissal is a brutal sting.

But it’s not a dismissal.  He’s merely giving her what she asked for.  After all, it’s what he’d said in his texts—space and distance were the same thing. He’s doing everything right, and she’s done everything wrong.

Theo: So what did you think of Headmaster Black’s new rule?

 

Sebastian: Sorry, new rule?

 

Theo: Yeah, the one he was telling us during faculty meeting today.

 

Sebastian: I think I spaced out

 

Sebastian: What was it again

 

Theo: That you have to stop ignoring me.

 

Sebastian: Haha very funny

 

Sebastian: I’m not ignoring you

 

Theo: Stop in my office for lunch tomorrow.

 

Sebastian: Can’t, promised Mirabel I’d help her grade tests over lunch tomorrow

 

Sebastian: Another time, Theo. Goodnight

On Wednesday, Sebastian takes the long way to his classroom. An extra two minutes to his walk, he avoids passing the nurse’s office. He swaps lunch hall monitor shifts with Ronen for the rest of the week so he can mitigate the risk of running into her. At the end of the day, Sebastian is the first teacher to leave for once, Rory’s feet dragging on the pavement as they walk to the car. Rory complains about how quickly they leave campus after the last bell, not getting the chance to chat with his friends.

Later that evening, he lays in bed with the infernal dating app open. Might as well get a head start, he thinks. Not that he’s actually interested in dating, but perhaps someone else might make him forget the way Theo feels beneath him. Sebastian knows it’s likely a lost cause, but worth a shot anyways. He swipes through every option until there’s none left, finding a flaw in every single one.  When he opens up his messages, he sees Theo’s profile picture with a gray dot next to the portrait. Last active 35 days ago. She hasn’t opened the app once since they’ve started—

No. He won’t start hoping now. Nothing good has ever come from Sebastian Sallow hoping or expecting anything at all. He repeats that in his head over and over again until it sinks in for good.

He deletes the app, flipping over onto his stomach to sleep.

On Thursday, Theo eats lunch in the faculty lounge for the first time in weeks. She waits for Sebastian to make an appearance, but Hecat, with a pitying look on her face, lets her know that he’s swapped lunch monitor duty with Ronen for the week. She passes his empty classroom, and does not see Rory milling about the entrance with his friends like he normally does.  When she looks out the window to the faculty car park, Sebastian’s Kuga is long gone.

Being alone in the flat is excruciating, so Theo takes her dinner into the main house, greeting Rose’s friends who’ve come over for tea. Small talk can only get her so far, so she meanders back to the flat after they’ve left for the night. It’s been the same routine since Saturday night—loud show on the TV, music coming from her laptop, and videos playing on her phone. It’s all in a vain effort to bring more life into her flat, but it somehow only makes it feel more hollow.

She avoids a FaceTime from Poppy, and texts Imelda that she’s too tired to chat. Instead, Theo opts for hiding under the covers, her phone illuminating the room when she should be getting her rest instead.

Theo knows it’s toxic, but she can’t help but wonder what Sebastian is up to. She won’t text him, especially given his attitude as of late, but her mind wanders in the darkness, wanting nothing more than to be inside his head. That stupid, handsome head of his. When she closes her eyes, she can see the way his messy waves stick up in the back after waking up.

With sheer desperation and frankly zero options left, Theo opens up the dating app. She hasn’t used it since she and Sebastian began hooking up, and her notifications are turned off. There’s a bevy of new matches, but she doesn’t care to see them. Scrolling to the bottom of her messages, Theo furrows her brow. She scrolls back up, back down once more. The realization feels like a bucket of ice dumped over her head when she realizes the conversation with Sebastian is nowhere to be found.

He’s blocked her.

Sebastian walks down the hallway, his bag slung over his shoulder. He can see Rory at the end of the hallway, zipping his coat on.  It’s Friday, and if he makes it down this stretch uninterrupted, it will be three days since he’d last spoken with Theo in person. It’s fine, he thinks. Completely fine. Back to his normal. He’s not quite sure what had gotten into him in the first place; he’s perfectly fine on his own—

“Sebastian,” he hears his name from behind him. “Sebastian, hold on.”

He knows if he looks over his shoulder, he won’t be able to breathe. He keeps his eyes affixed on Rory, who has a confused look on his face.  The sound of Theo’s heels click on the tile, trying to keep up with him. 

“Rory and I have to go,” Sebastian says quickly. “I’ll text you—“ 

The fib dies on his tongue, yanked backwards by the collar of his jacket.  He turns around, air knocked out of his chest once again at the sight of her.

Theo looks mad.  Not just mad,but confused as well.  Her eyes are creased with hurt, and it only makes Sebastian angrier, blood boiling inside.  She’s the one who sent the text messages, she’s the one who wanted to cool things down in the first place.  Why is she hurt?  If anything, it should be him.  But Theo is the one standing in front of him, dark circles under her honey colored eyes as she furrows her brows at him. 

“You’re avoiding me,” she breathlessly accuses him. “Why?”

Sebastian shrugs, his walls building up for defense. “You tell me.  We’re supposed to be open and honest, but you text me all of that out of the blue. I’m giving you what you asked for, Theo.” His voice comes out stony and sharp, and he hates the way it sounds. Anne always says he has a way of being cruel when he’s mad, and he hates to prove her right.

Theo breathes in tight, her inhale shaky. “Perhaps it was short sighted—“

“I have to go, Theo.” Sebastian cuts once more, pulling out of her touch. “I’ll text you tonight, yeah?” 

She doesn’t say anything, staying in place as he stomps away.  Rory stares at him with an arched brow, following Sebastian out to their car.  

“What was that all about? With Theo?” Rory asks, clipping his seatbelt in.  The engine sputters as Sebastian turns the ignition, and he has to pray to a higher power that the car turns on and they won’t have to beg Theo for a ride home.  He lets out a loud, relieved sigh when the car does start, rolling his head to look at Rory in the back.

“It’s nothing,” Sebastian shrugs. “Just a quick chat.”

“She looks off,” Rory says slowly. 

“Does she?” Sebastian asks, gritting his teeth.

“She seemed a little down when I visited earlier. I think she misses her friends.” Rory shrugs. 

“Shouldn’t you be back in gym class?” Sebastian asks, nearly barking out his question. “I don’t like the idea of you traipsing around campus just because you can get away with it.  I won’t bail you out—“

“I visited her during lunch,” Rory huffs. “On my own time.  Don’t you think we see each other enough during the day, anyways? Besides, she’s lonely there by herself.”

“I don’t want you visiting her office. There’s been a ton of kids going home sick lately, the last thing we’d need is for you to catch the flu.” Sebastian feels a tad guilty at his poor excuse, but Rory doesn’t argue.  Instead, he slumps into the backseat, putting his headphones on for the ride home.

Sebastian pulls out of the school car park, swallowing thickly as they get on the main road.  He shouldn’t feel bad for her. He doesn’t want to feel bad for her at all. But then he remembers their rules, how she’d been insistent that they stop before catching any feelings.  Perhaps that’s why she’s pulling away; maybe she heard him, that whispered confession in the night.

Regret washes over him like ice cold water.

Sebastian: I’m sorry if I was short with you earlier

 

Sebastian: I guess I’m just confused

 

Sebastian: I didn’t mean to lash out. I just needed time myself 

 

Theo: No, I deserve it. I think I panicked. I didn’t mean to come across so badly. I don’t like not talking to you, I just think spending the night was a lot in hindsight. Can we just reset?

 

Theo: We have been spending a lot of time together. Maybe we should take it easy for a bit

 

Theo: That’s the problem. Who is going to tell me awful jokes over lunch?

 

Sebastian: Is that all I’m good for

 

Theo: Other things as well.

 

Sebastian: Careful now

 

Theo: Couldn’t help it.  It was right there.

 

Theo: You blocked me though, so I do take that personally.

 

Sebastian: What are you talking about

 

Theo: Never mind. 

 

Theo: Can we agree this week has sucked?

 

Sebastian: It has. For what it’s worth I missed lunch with you

 

Theo: I did too. 

 

Sebastian: Goodnight, Theo

 

Sebastian turns his phone upside down on his nightstand, looking up at the dark ceiling.  He stretches his arm out, feeling the cold sheets. He’s never noticed it before, but his bed feels too big.  In fact, the whole room feels too big.  Too clean, too lonely, devoid of any character outside of his family portraits on the dresser and his clothes, tucked neatly away.  The idea of her flickers in his brain, clothes puddled on his floor, socks piled in the corner.  The other side of his bed dipping in, the smell of lavender shampoo pressed against his nose.

He flips over onto his stomach, screaming into his pillow.

Sebastian: Are you going tonight

 

Theo: Hello to you too. Do you mean to Leander’s birthday party?

 

Sebastian: Yes

 

Sebastian: I’m trying to decide if I should go and if its worth hiring a babysitter

 

Theo: Well I am going, if that isn’t going to sway you.

 

Sebastian: Excellent

 

Theo: So you are going?

 

Sebastian: Yes

 

Theo: Will you actually talk to me in person then?

 

Sebastian types, stops, types again.  When it’s been five minutes with no message in return, Theo scoffs and puts her phone down on the side table. 

“Are you alright, dear? You look frightfully annoyed.” Rose clucks, stirring her tea. 

Theo lets out a loud puff of air, looking over to her tea time companion. “Just making plans to go out later tonight, that’s all. It’s Leander Prewett’s birthday, his wife is throwing a party.”

“I’m glad you’re getting out,” Rose says kindly. “You’ve seemed off this week.”

“Have I?” Theo asks coolly, bouncing her heel. “I didn’t think it was so bad.”

Rose purses her lips. “Is this anything to do with your friend?”

“What friend?” Theo feigns ignorance, but she knows the old woman is more perceptive than she lets up.

“I may be old, but I’ve still got my senses,” Rose gives her a look. “And I’ve a feeling I know him very well.”

Theo buries her face in her hands. “It’s that obvious, isn’t it?”

“I suspected, but I didn’t know until I saw him leaving last weekend.” Rose fold her hands in her lap. “Sebastian. I mean, you could do much worse.” She teases.

“It isn’t like that,” Theo shudders. “At least, it isn’t supposed to be.”

“But it’s been going on much longer, hasn’t it?” Rose asks.

Theo chews on her nails, avoiding eye contact. “A month.”

“And you like him.” Roses says softly. 

Theo is quiet, staring at the embroidered blanket on the arm of her chair.  After what feels like forever, she lifts her head, brushing an errant wave out of her face.

“I messed it up,” she confesses. “I remembered what it felt like to have feelings for someone, to really care.  And I pushed him away.”

Rose gives her a sympathetic look, which makes her feel worse. “I don’t blame you. After everything you’ve been through?  It would scare anyone to put themselves out there again.”

Theo looks down at the carpet. “But I don’t want to keep using it as an excuse,” she declares. “Just because someone was a total asshole to me, doesn’t mean I should be that way to someone else. If I like him, really go for it, I have to be sure.  Because the last thing I ever want to do is hurt Sebastian.”

Rose chews on her lower lip. “I’m sure you know well enough by now that Sebastian is tough as nails. He’s been through—“

“He’s been through enough,” Theo interjects. “We both have.”

Rose is quiet for a moment, ruminating on her thoughts. “Have I ever told you what I told Poppy when she was thinking about asking Imelda out for the first time?”

Theo wrinkles her nose. “I thought Imelda was the one—“

“Well, she was, but you know Poppy had been thinking about it for years.” Rose chuckles. “Ever since they were fifteen, Imelda was the only person Poppy ever talked about. And when the girls went off to uni, I knew things had changed between them. Poppy had gone back and forth, time after time, deliberating over whether or not it would be worth it to ruin their friendship. So I asked her a simple question.”

“That is?”

“Would you rather watch him smile because of someone else?”

Bile rises in the back of Theo’s throat at the thought, but she shakes her head.

“I know how it’ll go,” she croaks. “It’ll be too hard to leave him, and you know I don’t plan on staying.  And then there’s Rory to consider—god, I couldn’t do that to Rory. I’m not anywhere near ready to be someone’s mother.”

Rose sighs, tilting her head towards Theo. “Theo darling, you’re thinking much too far ahead. If you end things before they’ve even begun, you’re setting yourself up for a lifetime of wondering what might have been. And I can’t think of anyone more worthy than Sebastian.  He’s a complete catch, and it’s mind-boggling he’s been single this long.  Considering the way he looked at you, he’s mad about you.”

“You really saw him leaving?” Theo asks.

Rose smirks, leaning back into her chair with her teacup lifted to her lips. “I’m quite the observer.  You know, I first suspected something was up when I saw him leaving with wet hair after mowing the lawn.  Plus, Sirona mentioned something about you giving him rides home from the pub when I saw her at the market.  I figured the two of you might like each other; last Saturday morning only proved my point.”

Theo flushes, rubbing her temples with her fingertips. “What do you mean about the way he was looking at me?”

Rose’s eyes soften as she shakes her head. “He was looking at you as if he couldn’t get enough.  He couldn’t stop,” she echoes. “Studying every inch of you with a silly grin on his face. That’s true affection, my dear.”

Theo closes her eyes, trying to steady her breaths. She thinks back to life a month ago, before they’d started all of this.  It had all seemed like such a good idea then, but now she’s not so sure.  Even with her eyes closed, she can still see the memory of Sebastian walking up to his door, his duffle bag in hand.  The way he turned around, a tired smile as he waved goodbye. Even with the image of his smiling face, Theo can still feel the emptiness that followed and just how much that scared her.

“It’s going to be a waste of time,” Theo declares. “His and mine.  It’s better if I end it before we get too far ahead of ourselves. We just don’t make sense.”

“I think we both know if love were based on sense alone, you’d be in a much different predicament.” Rose purses her lips. “Don’t let your past close you off from your future, Theo.  It would be a shame to watch him fall for someone else.”

Theo was no stranger to dinner parties.  

She’d attended plenty in the past, always on Isaac’s arm as he introduced her to colleagues from the neurosurgery department.  There would be place cards, pearls, and uncomfortably high heels.  Theo would laugh at medical humor, arm looped through Isaac’s as they milled about the room. And at the end of the night, Isaac would tap away at his phone while she made them toast and tea. Canapés were never satisfying, and she always felt as if she had to put on an act for Isaac’s sake.

This is completely different, less formal, and entirely better. The Prewett household is abuzz; it seems like Cressida has invited the whole town to Leander’s birthday party, rooms filled to the brim with bodies. There’s no set menu or seated dinner—nearly everyone invited has brought a dish or bottle to share, and Garreth has made an enormous, sticky chocolate cake. Theo watches the birthday boy from the middle of the stairs. Leander is already pink in the face, loudly thanking everyone who passes by for coming to his birthday.  Cressida has one arm around him, the other resting atop her now visible baby bump. He’s a whole head taller than her, turning every few minutes to press a kiss against her curls. The energy is warm, and it feels like everyone in the room knows each other.  Theo, as always, is the great outlier, an intruder in this little community. It’s an improvement from being home though; at least here, she’s not alone.

“Garreth Special for you,” Garreth announces, sidling up next to her on the stairs. “Lager for me. Any notable arrivals?”

“None so far,” Theo chirps, taking a sip of her drink.  She nearly spits it out; Garreth had to have put at least two shots into the cup. “Christ, what is that? Thank you for the petrol, Gaz.”

Garreth roars with laughter, a strawberry blond curl falling against his forehead. “Two shots of gin, a bit of seltzer, splash of lime. Figured making you a double would be easier than waiting in line for a second drink.”

Theo shudders as she took another sip of his concoction, shaking her head as she swallows down the bitter cocktail. “How’ve you been?  Any notable conquests as of late?”

Garreth shrugs. “Same old, same old.  Nobody interesting.”

Theo raises a brow. “Not one girl in this whole room can turn your head?”

“You’re forgetting that half the attendees at this party are married to my mates, or friends from primary school.” Garreth sighs, sagging into the stair step. “I’ve been on five dates in the last three weeks, and none of them clicked,” he lifts the bottle to his mouth, taking a swig. “I wish there was someone who gets what it’s like for me, my schedule.”

“Not into the whole early bird lifestyle, are they?” Theo jests. “You’d think it’d be any girl’s dream to date a trained pastry chef.”

“I’m serious,” Garreth knocks his shoulders into hers. “Keeping up the bakery on my own is hard enough, and I need a girlfriend who’d understand that.”

“You’re really looking for a girlfriend in this day and age?” Theo snorts. “Has the pessimism of your thirties not worn you down yet?”

“Can’t wear me down,” Garreth shakes his mane. “It’ll happen someday, I’m sure of it. But not today.”

Theo laughs at him, turning her head to scan the room.  Cressida’s friends are backed into a corner, whispering together.  She’d made an effort to stand with them earlier in the night, awkwardly giggling at their unfamiliar gossip. It’s evident none of them were friends with Poppy and Imelda in school, and she’s never yearned for her former roommates more. She later moved on to a gaggle of parents from the football league; they’re kind enough, but it’s all idle chit chat about their children and she can’t quite relate. Besides Garreth and Cressida, there’s only one other person she can really talk to—really, the only person she wants to talk to.  

Her eyes briefly catch the attention of Sebastian, who is standing in the kitchen with Lucan.  He looks devastatingly handsome tonight, wearing a dark green t-shirt underneath his black leather jacket. Sebastian smiles, offering a forced wave, before going

back to his conversation. Much to her annoyance, he still seems dedicated to giving her the space she’d requested last Saturday.  It’s equally infuriating and endearing of him. 

“Heard you and Sallow aren’t getting on anymore.” Garreth points out.

“Who told you that?” Theo narrows her eyes.

“Aunt Tillie,” Garreth snorts. “Half the staff is wondering if you two have gotten into an argument.”

Theo groans, burying her head in her hands. “That many people know?”

“If it’s any consolation, I don’t think they know, per se.” Garreth shrugs. “I think they just see two hot people being friends and assume they’re sleeping together.”

“Well, thanks for calling me hot, at least.” Theo rolls her eyes.

“Anytime,” Garreth chuckles, scanning the room again. “Oh, Vi is here.” His voice is nonchalant, but the intention of his call out is clear.

Theo turns her head to the kitchen, jaw hardening when she sees Violet McDowell laughing.  Everything about her is effortlessly chic; dainty collarbones on display in a low cut sweater, and a glossy dark bob that brushes the edge of her sharp chin. She’s kissing Cressida’s cheeks, rubbing her palm against Cressida’s growing bump before handing Leander a bottle of scotch. And once the hosts are preoccupied again, she scans the room.  Her eyes immediately lock on Sebastian, sequestered in the corner with Lucan.  Theo wants to scream when Vi pushes past the other guests, beelining to Sebastian.

The bastard beams when he sees her, kissing both of her cheeks.  Violet puts a hand on his chest, and Sebastian does not make an effort to push it away.  The sight of it makes Theo feel like she’s spinning into a black hole. Violet laughs at whatever Sebastian says, and Theo has to turn around, swallowing down acidic spit.

“So are you guys done now?” Garreth asks.

“Taking a break,” Theo mutters. When Garreth stares at her with inquisitive eyes, she has no choice but to share. “Seb spent the night last weekend, and things have been off ever since.”

“Bad shag?” Garreth asks sympathetically, and she swats him in the shoulder. Garreth laughs, taking another swig of his beer.

“No,” Theo declares. “It’s just too serious now.”

“That tends to happen when you have someone spend the night at your place,” Garreth points out. “Does he feel the same way?”

“I don’t know,” Theo shivers. “He’s been short with me ever since, and I can’t fight him because I deserve it.  I panicked like an arse and practically chucked my guts out via text to him.”

Garreth lets out a low whistle. “A text?  Low blow.”

Theo tried to find anything else in the room to look at—others talking, a blinking lightbulb, a spider for fuck’s sake—but her eyes kept glossing back over to Sebastian, talking animatedly with Violet and Lucan.

Would you rather watch him smile because of someone else? Granny Rose’s words play on repeat in her mind.

“I told you I was engaged before, didn’t I?” Theo asks.

“You did,” Garreth says simply.

“When that ended, it hurt a lot at first. But then it didn’t hurt for very long, because I knew we weren’t the right fit.  That getting engaged was just a bandaid that wouldn’t last.” Theo says over the music. 

“Are you going to relate Seb to a bandage? I’m afraid I don’t follow. Not up to date on my medical humor.” Garreth wrinkled his nose.

Theo shakes her head, taking a long sip from Garreth’s concoction. The more she drinks, the less it burns going down. “What I mean to say is, it’s just been so long since I’ve liked anyone. Forgot how much it hurts when it actually counts.”

Garreth leans back against the stairs, elbows propped up on the step.  He tilts his chin up to Theo, an inquisitive look in his eyes. “If it hurts that bad, why are you sitting here talking to me?”

Theo doesn’t answer him, jaw clenched as she stares at the vile cocktail in hand.

“I miss that feeling,” Garreth says softly. “The way it burns.  How it kind of feels like you’re free-falling, someone else completely in charge of your heart.”

“I hate it,” Theo spits out. “It’s too much.”

“Only one way to stop it from hurting, right?” Garreth shrugs. “What’s to lose?”

“My dignity?  Any sense of privacy in this small town?  One of my only friends here?” Theo lists them off one by one, counting them on her fingers.

Garreth gives her a sympathetic look. “I did tell you I’d pick Sebastian in case anything went wrong.”

“I hadn’t forgotten,” Theo says dryly.

“I hate to tell you this, but as your friend, I’ll be honest.  You’re going to lose him either way.  You might as well give it a shot, Theo.” Garreth looks down at his half-empty beer, a wry smile on his face. “Or else, you’ll spend the rest of your life chasing that feeling.”

“I can’t say I quite enjoy the feeling of heartburn.” Theo mutters.

“Better that than feeling numb,” Garreth tilts his beer to cheers her, before downing the rest of the amber liquid.

Sebastian checks his watch for the tenth time of the evening.  Just a few more minutes, and he’ll be able to make a viable excuse to leave.  Mirabel had offered to watch Rory later than usual for a Saturday, but Sebastian can’t think of any reason he wants to stay around Leander’s birthday party.  For as much as he loves his gangly friend, it’s all parents from school or friends he’s grown up with.  The only person he wants to talk to is glued to Garreth Weasley, which has his blood boiling.  Sebastian would far rather go home than watch the two of them giggle on the stairs for another moment.

“I’m gonna go top off,” Lucan says, shaking his empty bottle. “Anything for you two?”

Sebastian takes a swig of his beer. “I’m good, thanks mate.” 

“Likewise,” Violet smiles, tucking a strand of her black bob behind her ear.  When Lucan disappears around the corner, Violet turns back to

Sebastian, a glimmer in her eyes.  He has not seen her in months, not since she’d started talking to her new fling and she stopped coming back to town on the weekends. 

“How’ve you been?” She asks. “It’s been a while since we talked.”

“I’m good,” Sebastian offers. “How’s Edinburgh?”

“Gorgeous, expensive.” Violet says dramatically, crossing her arms.  Her lips are painted a dark berry red, silver diamond hoops contrasting against her dark hair.  “It’s nice to come home every now and then though.  I promised Cress I’d come tonight, since it’s been so long.”

“It has been a long time,” Sebastian notes, swirling his drink.  

“Maybe too long,” Violet teases.

Sebastian stiffens.  He can’t quite tell if Violet is propositioning him.  It’s been ages since they last hooked up, mindless flirting and making out aside.  Really, nothing has happened between them in months, not since Theo moved to town.  He’d considered that lead a dead end, especially after Violet had told him she was seeing someone.

“Are you still seeing—“

“That doctor?” Violet quips. “A little.  He lives in London right now, so we don’t get to see each other very often.  Really only whenever I have to travel south for work.” She says, a hint of dejection in her voice. 

“That’s too bad,” Sebastian hums.

Violet gives him a knowing look. “Is it?” She asks, a casual lilt to her voice. When he peers up at her, she’s got a familiar glint in her eyes.  Her head tilts to the door; he’s unsure if it’s a suggestion or just a trick of the light.

A year ago, Sebastian would’ve been game.  There would be no hesitation in hooking up with Violet in the backseat of his car—in fact, he probably would’ve enjoyed it.  But over her shoulder, he can see Theo sitting on the staircase with Garreth.  Garreth is looking up at her, leaning back against the steps with ease.  She’s got a clear cup in her hand, wrinkling her nose as she takes a sip.  When she gags, Garreth roars with laughter.

Sebastian knows there’s nothing going on there.  His brain is playing flashes of Theo underneath him, the satisfying way her eyes widen when he slides into her.  But at the same time, he knows Theo and Garreth have history.  Minimal, of course, but the seed of jealousy is planted within him. It’s completely irrational for him to think she might still be interested in Garreth, especially given how intimate they’d been over the last month. 
But then again, maybe it’s not so irrational.  He clearly doesn’t know what’s going on in Theo’s head—why wouldn’t she still be interested in Gaz?
He takes another bitter sip from his beer, shaking his head.

“Are those two still dating?” Violet asks, tipping her head back to Garreth and Theo. Sebastian hadn’t realized he’d been staring at the two of them so openly.

“No, actually.” Sebastian says breezily. “They went out on a few dates, but I think she cut him loose.”

“That’s too bad.” Violet narrows her eyes at him.  “Ah, well, you’re looking good.”

“Am I?” Sebastian feigns a smile.  

“Don’t be so cheeky, you know you do.” Violet huffs. “How is Rory?  What is he, eight now?”

“Ten,” Sebastian reminds her. For some reason, he’s uneasy at the thought of talking about Rory to her.  She’s never asked about him in the past, and he doesn’t know why that would have changed in the months since he’s last seen her.

Just as Violet is about to open her mouth, Sebastian sees _her_.  Theo standing over Violet’s shoulder, arms crossed over her chest.  She has a smile on her face, but Sebastian knows it's forced, a little too tight to be genuine.

“Hi,” Theo interjects, breaking up the conversation. “Violet, nice to see you.”

“Likewise,” Violet says dryly.

Theo turns her gaze to Sebastian, lips set in a hard line. “Can we talk?”

Against his better judgement, Sebastian pushes off the wall, giving Violet a sympathetic smile. “I’ll talk to you later,” he promises, despite knowing he’ll likely break it. Violet looks cross with him, but he turns his head back to Theo, who is dragging him out of sight. Leander and Cressida’s house is filled to the brim, random pockets of people standing in each room.  When Theo realizes they won’t find privacy on the first floor, she pulls Sebastian off to the utility closet.  The door shuts behind them, muffling the sounds of the party going on behind the door.

Standing in the dark laundry room, Sebastian tugs at the collar of his shirt.  He can smell Theo, the wafting smell of her spicy perfume and jasmine scented shampoo swallowing him whole.  She could end it right here, right now.  He wouldn’t be surprised, not after the week of distance between them.  Sebastian mentally prepares himself to be disappointed—no, not disappointed.  He cannot be disappointed if he wasn’t expecting anything at all.

With a deep breath, he turns on the light. 

“What is it?” Sebastian asks, flipping the light on.  He blinks down at her a few times, eyes adjusting to the light.

“I see you’re having fun talking with Violet,” Theo huffs. She crosses her arms over her chest, eyeing him up and down.  His eyes are a little bloodshot, dark circles set deep under his eyes. “What’s that all about?”

Sebastian rolls his eyes, letting out a scoff. “Are you kidding me?  Theo, you’re the one who said we should just be friends right now.  We’re friends, she’s my friend. There’s nothing going on.”  He says friends one too many times for it to not be a jab, and she can’t help but flinch.

“I see the way she looks at you,” Theo hisses. “And you’re not doing much to push her off.”

“Why should I?” Sebastian bites back. “What about you, babbling in the corner with Garreth?”

“You know nothing is going on with Garreth,” Theo argues. “You’ve known nothing is going on there.”

“How do I?” Sebastian demands. “You two look awfully cozy.”

This is stupid, Theo thinks. Sebastian is stupid.

That doesn’t make her want to kiss him any less. 

Sebastian stares at her, demanding an answer, and she wants to scream at him.  It’s their first rule, and she’s spent far too much time underneath him to entertain the idea of anyone else. 

“So?” Sebastian asks. “Going to take another crack at Weasley then?”

“You’re such an arse,” Theo huffs.

“You are too,” Sebastian argues. 

Theo surges forward, a surprised Sebastian yelping as her arms wrap around his neck. But he does not skip a beat—just as quickly, he tugs her in close, locking his own arms around her waist.  Their mouths collide, frantically kissing one another as the party rages on behind the door. No one else matters; in the confines of the laundry room, it is just them.  Sebastian pushes her against the washing machine, one arm still wrapped tightly around her waist while the other braces against the surface of the washer. 

Theo kisses him, her lips trying to express everything she’s been feeling over the last week without words. She wants to tell him she’s afraid, that waking up next to him has awoken something long dormant inside of her.  That she’d tried to prolong their morning together, all to avoid the devastatingly empty feeling she felt upon returning home to a flat that still smelled like his warm, cedar cologne. That she’d texted him in a fit of tears after washing the sheets for a second time, trying to rid herself of his presence.  That despite weeks worth of daytime trysts, one night together was enough to weave his very essence into her room. She cannot stop thinking of him, dreaming of him. 

That she knows they’re doomed, but what the fuck else is she supposed to do?

Sebastian pulls away, and Theo whines when his lips disconnect from hers. He holds her by the shoulders, chocolate brown eyes wildly roving over her face. 

“What do you want, Theo?” Sebastian asks, desperation laced in his cracked voice.

“I don’t know,” Theo chokes out.

Sebastian snaps his mouth shut, gaze hardening. “That’s not good enough.” He says shakily, letting go of her.  He backs into the wall, running a hand through his brunette waves as he tries to put distance between them.

Theo takes in a sharp breath, trying her best to elaborate. “I don’t know what I want, but I do know I don’t want to see you with other people.”  She snaps her mouth shut, covering her lips with her hands.

“If you’re talking about Vi, it wasn’t anything—“

“It is something,” Theo argues. “She likes you.”

“I don’t care about her.” Sebastian says, thick brows furrowed together as he holds his hands to his head. “You know that. I wouldn’t have followed you to this damn closet if I did—“

Theo can feel her eyes watering, tears pricking the corners.  “Seb, it’s hard to explain.” She gasps. “But will you listen to me?”

Sebastian’s expression melts a bit, genuinely worried over her teary eyes. “Look, I know I was out of pocket about Garreth, that was below the belt—are you alright?”

She shakes her head, trying to muster up every bit of strength she has.  *Be brave, * she reminds herself, thinking of what Rose had said.  She cannot keep this inside, or else she’ll burst. 

And so, the words fall out.

“I know we said we wouldn’t do this when we made our rules, and I’m being a massive arse by springing this on you. To be completely honest, I don’t know what I want, or what I want to do.  But all I know is that I want to keep talking to you.  I want to laugh with you, sit with you at lunch, at the pub.  And I didn’t realize until that morning that I want to wake up with you too.” She blurts, the words spilling out of her mouth like water. “And I know that’s not a good enough answer, and it’s not giving you nearly enough—“

Sebastian interrupts her with a kiss.  It is soft and tender, lips planted reassuringly against hers. His palm brushes against her cheek, and every ounce of anxiety is washed clean from her body.  She melts into his touch, her hand resting on his chest. She can feel his heart hammering away underneath the thin fabric of his tee shirt; perhaps if she slides her hands underneath, she can feel it against his warm skin—

“Oops.” 

Sebastian and Theo break apart to stare at the door.  They don’t bother to untangle each other when they realize it's Garreth of all people, pink freckled cheeks and hazy eyes.  The redhead gives them a haughty look, pressing his pointer finger against his lips.

“Secret’s safe with me,” he purrs, winking at the two of them. “Glad to see you’re back on.”

“Garreth, get the fuck out,” Sebastian scowls, pushing him out of the door frame.  Once it's shut, the pair of them can hear Garreth’s roaring laughter grow further and further away.  Sebastian looks back to Theo with an exasperated look on his face, shaking his head in disbelief.

“I think I’m going to kill him one day,” Sebastian declares.

“Better not,” Theo sighs. “He’s one of the two people who convinced me to stop being a complete idiot and just tell you the truth.”

“Oh yeah?” Sebastian asks, a blush creeping on his freckled cheeks. “Who was the second?”

“Rose,” Theo chokes out. “Rose Sweeting saw us leaving last Saturday morning.”

Sebastian laughs, rubbing the back of his neck. “I take it we’re throwing the rules out of the window now, aren’t we?”

“Not all of them, hopefully.” Theo swallows. “I don’t really fancy the idea of you talking to anyone else—“

Sebastian slips his hand around her waist, pulling her in tight. “I meant the ones that count,” he whispers. “Not talking about us to anyone. Ending it, before we have any—“

“Feelings,” Theo says the infernal word, looking up at him.  She’s never seen this look on him before, but she likes it.  It’s somehow both sincere and vulnerable, the way he’s blinking down at her.

“Do you have feelings for me, Theo?” Sebastian asks lowly.

“Do you have feelings for me?” Theo asks, raising her brow.

“I asked first.”

“Don’t be a prat.”

Sebastian laces his hand in her hair, fingertips brushing against her scalp.  He presses a soft kiss against the edge of her mouth, leaning his forehead down against hers.

“Does this tell you?” He asks.

“I mean, I’d really rather you say it—“

Sebastian rolls his eyes, pulling away slightly. “You’re so frustrating,” he whispers. “You tell me you want to slow down, to have some distance.”

“I know,” Theo grasps on his wrist, hoping to keep him in place if he plans on pulling away.

“And then you spend the whole week chasing me down, even though I’m giving you what you wanted.”

“I didn’t want that. Not really.” Theo murmurs.

“Say it, then.” Sebastian demands. “Tell me what you want.”

Theo could launch into her whole diatribe, give Sebastian every reason in the book why they shouldn’t pursue this any further.  She’s damaged goods, willing to hurt him instead of being honest upfront.  She knows she’s going back to London eventually, and jumping into a relationship with a single dad would break not just two, but three hearts.  But spending time with him over the last month has been the highlight of her time spent in the highlands, and it’s resurrected feelings Theo thought she could never have again. Despite her best efforts to sabotage whatever’s growing between them, Sebastian Sallow has somehow become an important part of her life, and they barely know each other. 

She could say all of that, but she doesn’t have the time. So, she says the next best thing.

“I want you,” Theo confesses. “I just want to spend time with you.”

Sebastian opens his mouth to say something, but his phone chimes instead.  Startled, the two jump apart from one another, the light from Sebastian’s phone screen illuminating the room.

“Shit.” He curses under his breath. “I forgot, I have to be home in fifteen minutes.”

“Rory?” Theo breathes.

“Rory,” Sebastian says, shoving his phone back in his pocket. “But we’re not done here, are we?”

“Not in the slightest,” Theo shakes her head.

Sebastian holds her hand, squeezing it gently. “Rory and I have plans all day tomorrow, and I don’t think this is something we can talk about over lunch at school.”

Theo shakes her head again. She’d really rather not dissect the fine details of their situationship in the school nurse’s office.  And wherever they are, she’d really like the opportunity to kiss him—she has enough decency left in her that she won’t suck his face off in a school building during work hours. 

Sebastian’s face lights up. “Rory is going to a sleepover next Friday,” he blurts. “Maybe we can talk it through then?”

“Would you spend the night again?” Theo asks, anxiously bouncing on her heels. 

Sebastian’s eyes soften. “Only if you want me to.”

“I do,” Theo whispers.

They open the door, taking extra care to make sure there aren’t any prying eyes in the vicinity to see them tiptoe out of the utility closet.  Most of the partygoers are in the kitchen, singing happy birthday to Leander.  He’s sitting on a stool, smiling before a brilliantly iced cake, Cressida singing louder than the rest.  No one cares to notice the two latecomers sliding into the back of the room—well, except Garreth.

“I’m going to say goodnight to Lee.” Sebastian says, his hand awkwardly hanging at his side now that they’re not in the safety of a confined space. “But we’ll talk?”

Theo nods quickly. “Yeah, lots to talk about.”

He leans forward as if he’s about to kiss her, stopping himself once he realizes they’re in public.  Instead, he angles his lips against her cheek, offering a quick peck before pulling away.  The only intimate part of the whole experience is his hand, a featherlight squeeze around her wrist when he stands back.

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Sebastian assures her, a soft smile on his face as he pulls away. Theo brushes her palm against her cheek, trying to fight the wide grin that’s making her cheeks hurt.  She watches Sebastian bid the birthday boy goodbye, pressing a quick peck to Cressida’s cheek as he thanks her for their hospitality.  Sebastian claps a smug Garreth on the back, and apologetically bids Violet goodbye.  Violet looks disgruntled, and Theo can’t help the contented smile that brims across her lips.  The last glimpse of Sebastian is of him in the doorway, looking back for her one last time. Their eyes lock and he gives her a crooked smile before letting the front door shut behind him. 

I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Theo replays those words in her head as she wanders back over to Garreth, bumping her hip into his.

“Doesn’t hurt so bad anymore, does it?” Garreth winks.

“Shove off,” Theo elbows him, and the redhead laughs.

It will one day, Theo thinks.  But not tonight.

Rory wakes up on Sunday morning, stretching his arms overhead. Dad was gone the night before, celebrating Mr. Prewett’s birthday. He did not see him before he fell asleep, so it’s been ages since they’ve talked.

Rory slides on his slippers, tidying his bed before going down for breakfast. The smell hits his nose—sweet and syrupy. There’s music playing in the background, someone singing awfully off key in the distance.

Halfway down the stairs, Rory pauses. Dad is standing at the stove, loudly belting an old song while he flips a pancake out of his pan and onto the plate.  He looks tired, dark circles underlining his eyes, but content.  There’s color in his cheeks, and he can’t fight the cheshire cat-like grin that’s splayed across his lips.

“Good morning,” Dad bellows, putting the pancakes on the table. “How’d you sleep?”

“Decent,” Rory shrugs, sliding into the kitchen table. “And you?”

“Like a baby,” Dad declares. “The best kind of sleep.”

“Was the birthday party fun?” Rory asks, tucking into the warm fluffy pancakes.  They’re maybe some of Dad’s best work, but he doesn’t care to inflate his father’s ego any further.  He’s still tottering about the kitchen, nervously cleaning while stealing bites of breakfast off the buffet line.

“It was good,” Dad says, the tips of his ears going pink as he slips into the seat across from him.  “Ah, you’re still on for your sleepover at Robbie Thompson’s next Friday, are you?”

“I am,” Rory says, mouth full of pancakes. “Why?” He asks hesitantly, worried his father might rescind his approval.

“Good,” Dad says quickly. “Uh, really good.  I’ll call Mrs. Thompson; I may need to pick you up a bit later on Saturday if that’s alright.”

“Perfect,” Rory grins. He narrows his eyes at his dad across the breakfast table. “Are you alright?”

“Never better, actually.” Dad says breathlessly. 

“Anything fun happen at Mr. Prewett’s birthday?” Rory asks, tilting his head. 

“Just hung out with the usual crowd,” Dad pours himself a cup of coffee.  His eyes are downcast, but Rory doesn’t miss the soft blush creeping on his cheeks.

“Was Theo there?” 

“Why do you ask?” Dad interjects.  The blush is stronger now, and Rory bites the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling. 

“Just asking,” Rory shrugs. “I think she’s my favorite friend of yours.”

Dad’s eyes soften over the brim of the coffee mug. “Is she?”

Rory nods. “I don’t know. There’s something about her I like.”

Dad opens his mouth, but his phone buzzes at the same time.  He drags it across the table, face down, as if he has something to hide.  His cheeks go fully red when he reads it, biting back a smile against his lower lip.

“What is it?” Rory asks innocently.  He won’t be able to snoop his dad’s phone, but he’s got an inkling feeling of who is behind the text. He hasn’t seen his dad smile like that all week—in fact, both Dad and Theo haven’t quite been themselves as of late.  Whatever it is, Rory hopes they’ve squashed it. 

“Nothing,” Dad says, slipping his phone into his pocket.  He leans his cheek into his knuckles, eyes twinkling once more with a knowing simile. “I think I agree with you.”

Chapter Text

“Thank you for coming over to help,” Cressida says, wrinkling her nose as she drops a wad of napkins into the bin. 

“Of course,” Theo smiles, rinsing the plastic cups before dropping them into the trash as well. “I figured you’d be too tired to do it all on your own, and Leander would be too hungover.” She can practically hear Cressida’s husband groaning from upstairs, trying to sleep off the hangover from his birthday party.

“You’re a good friend, Theo.” Cressida says, patting her baby bump. “Did you have fun last night? Felt like I barely saw you.”

“It was good,” Theo says nonchalantly, turning off the tap. “Garreth and I had a laugh.”

“Did you talk to Sebastian?” Cressida asks, stacking clean plates into the cupboards. 

Theo bites down on her lower lip, leaning against the counter. “Why do you ask?”

“No reason,” Cressida says, shrugging as she pulls her phone out of her pocket. “Only because you two were snogging in my utility closet.” She turns the phone screen towards Theo, the unmistakeable outline of two bodies smushed together on the grainy video footage.

Theo blinks at her host, eyes flitting from the incriminating video on the phone screen, up to the smug smile on her new friend’s face. 

“Why do you have a camera in your utility closet—“

“Leander read something about children eating detergent pods and freaked out,” Cressida waves her off, fast-forwarding the video. Theo’s eyes widen as she sees Sebastian pinning her against the washing machine, one arm wrapped around her waist. “Things were moved around when I started the wash this morning, so I checked the camera footage, and I got this surprise.”

“I can explain.” Theo says, holding up her hands.

“Explain that you’re dating Sebastian?” Cressida asks gleefully.

“We aren’t dating,” Theo rasps out, shaking her head. “We’re not—it’s complicated—“

“Then why were the two of you sucking each other’s faces off in a closet?” Cressida pokes her. 

Theo’s eyes flit up to the stairs, where she can hear a hungover Leander coughing upstairs. “You haven’t told Lee, haven you?”

“I only just saw it before you got here,” Cressida slides her glasses up her nose. “Now what on earth is going on between the two of you?”

Theo takes in a sharp breath. “We’ve…uh, we’ve been hooking up for the last month. Whenever we have free time.” She admits. It feels surprisingly good to say it out loud. 

“I would’ve never guessed,” Cressida gasps.

“Really?”

“No, of course we thought about it.  The two of you are so obvious.” Cressida snorts. “Please, leaving the pub together every night, whispering with each other after school. I only suspected, but then Sebastian turned Vi down last night—which is huge.” 

“Yeah, that’s how we ended up in the closet to begin with.” Theo mutters, balling up a napkin to toss in the trash. “We were actually fighting last week, but then I saw Violet talking to him. I’m sorry, I know she’s your friend.”

“Don’t apologize,” Cressida shakes her head. “Vi’s had a crush on him since we were in primary school, but it’s never worked out between them. I told her she was only hurting her own feelings hooking up with him when he was clear that he didn’t have any feelings for her. What’s perplexing is that he’s got feelings for you.”

“Is that so hard to imagine?” Theo raises a brow.

“No, no!” Cressida insists. “Not like that—you’re great.  It’s just Seb hasn’t been interested in anyone, ever.  I mean, he dated one of our classmates, Samantha, for a year, and it almost felt like he didn’t even like her.”

Theo shifts uncomfortably, leaning against the counter. “Really?”

“Do you like him?” Cressida asks.

Theo is quiet for a moment, chewing on her lower lip as Cressida stares at her through her wide rimmed glasses. She lets out a sharp exhale, looking up at her host sheepishly.

“I do,” she admits. “I think I like him. A lot.”

It’s big of her to say. Theo can’t remember the last time liked someone, let alone admitted it aloud. It feels strangely bizarre to not be telling Imelda or Poppy first, but her heart still hasn’t healed from their deviated holiday plans. So, she’s standing in the kitchen of a woman she’s known for only a few months, admitting her first crush in years.

“Oh, I’m so happy for the two of you.” Cressida claps her hands together. “Honestly, you’re going to be so great together. We can even go on double dates—“

“I don’t even know if that’s what we’re going to do,” Theo cuts in. “If we’re going…” she trails off, wondering where her train of thought is going. She knows what she wants, but she also knows it’ll end disastrously.

Cressida purses her lips, one hand on her bump, the other on her hip. “I won’t pretend I understand,” she shakes her head. “But I hope you’re both happy with the outcome.”

“No interrogation?” Theo jokes, her voice weak as she feigns a laugh. 

“Maybe later, when you look a little less miserable,” Cressida snorts, going back to the cleaning. “Hand me the plates over on the counter, will you?”

Theo lets out a huff as she complies, grabbing more plates to clean.

Theo: So, Cressida knows.

Sebastian: How on earth did she figure that out?

Theo: Did you know she and Leander have a camera in the utility closet? 

Theo: Supposedly Lee is worried Will’s going to eat a detergent pod or something like that.

Sebastian: I wouldn’t put it past him tbh

Sebastian: kidding

Sebastian: Can’t believe we almost accidentally made a sex tape in their closet

Theo: You didn’t actually think we were going to have sex in there, did you?

Sebastian: It’s always on my mind

Theo: Ugh.

Sebastian: ?

Theo: Unfortunately, that works on me.

Sebastian: See you tomorrow

Theo feels the energy pulsing through her, fingers dancing across her old wooden desk as she checks the clock.  Lunch period is nearly over, and Sebastian had promised they would talk that morning over texts. She pulls her phone out of the drawer, ready to ask him where he is, when she hears the door swing open.

“Hiya,” Sebastian wheezes, a wad of paper towel pressed against his nose.  Rory is trailing behind him sheepishly carrying a basketball.  It would explain why Sebastian’s shirt is stained red, and why he’s holding the bloodied towels against his face.

“What the hell?” Theo blurts, jumping out of her desk chair.

“Boys got a bit overzealous playing during recess,” Sebastian huffs, hoisting himself onto one of the beds. “Can you take a look?” His voice is nasally, and he winces with every word.

“Another broken nose this term,” Theo huffs, pulling a few supplies from her station. “Might have set a record.”

“Nah,” Sebastian mutters against the wad of paper. “Think we had ten in one term when I was fifteen, Garreth causing most of them—ow!”

“Can you stay still?” Theo grabs Sebastian’s wrist, pulling his hand away from his face. His nose is bleeding, but it still looks in well enough. She takes a bottle of saline, flushing out the mess, dabbing it clean with fresh gauze. Sebastian looks at her, dark lashes fluttering, and she has to look away or else she’ll blush.

“Dad, what do I do with the ball?” Rory asks anxiously, holding out the ball like an incriminating weapon. 

“Put it in the sink,” Theo instructs him. “Sebastian, we’ll have to find you something else to wear for the rest of the day, you look awful.”

Sebastian groans, looking down at himself. Theo tilts his chin up again, wagging her finger. 

“But I can’t see,” he complains.

“You’ll only make it worse,” Theo argues.  She turns her head back to Rory, who is standing idly by her desk. “Rory, do you think your dad has anything in the classroom?”

“Check the bottom drawer of my desk,” Sebastian instructs his son, trying to keep as straight as possible. “I should have a jumper in the back.”

“Okay,” Rory eagerly bolts from the office, the door banging shut behind him. When she looks back at Sebastian, she realizes she’s been holding his wrist the whole time. As their eyes meet, she’s reminded of everything that’s transpired in the last forty eight hours.

Grainy phone footage of him pressing her against the washer. His lips ghosting over hers, confessions on the tips of their tongues. The way his eyes sparkled when he waved goodbye from the front door. When she releases her grip on his forearm, Sebastian catches her hand before it can fall to her side.

“Hi,” Theo says breathlessly.

“Hi.” Sebastian smiles.

“How was the rest of your weekend?” Theo asks, her voice catching in her throat. 

Sebastian shrugs. “Did a few rounds on Sunday, some errands with Rory. But I thought of you the entire time.”

Theo bites her lower lip, standing the tiniest bit closer.  Sebastian widens his legs, trying to make room for her in between. His hand is still on hers, thumb rubbing over her palm. 

“We’ve got a lot to talk about.” She murmurs. “But we should get your shirt off before it stains.”

Sebastian grins. “What happened to that rule—“

“Please, I’m trying to spare your nice shirt,” Theo scoffs, her cheeks turning pink. “I have some peroxide, I can soak it for you so the blood doesn’t stain.”

“A unique way to get my clothes off,” Sebastian smirks.  “Help me, why don’t you? I’m not supposed to look down.”

Theo maintains eye contact with him as she starts working the buttons of his shirt. He’s got the faintest flush on his cheeks as she does it, unbuttoning it from the collar down. Sebastian shrugs it off when she finishes the row, leaving him in his undershirt. 

“Very freeing, thank you.” Sebastian retorts. 

Theo takes the white shirt, walking over to the sink to start soaking it.  She can feel Sebastian reaching out, his fingertips brushing small of her back as she walks away. “This feels eerily reminiscent of when we first met,” Theo said, blotting his shirt with peroxide. “Deja vu.”

“Only this time it’s me bleeding out in your office,” Sebastian says dramatically.

Theo lays the shirt out, fixing Sebastian a pack of ice.  She presses it against his nose; he winces from the cold.

“Hello.” She says again, warmer and less nervous than last time. 

“I did mean to talk with you under less exciting circumstances.” Sebastian’s voice is muffled by the ice pack. 

She puts her hands on his knees; it’s intimate, but it feels right.  Sebastian’s back straightens, and he looks down at her with hungry eyes. There is so much that needs to be discussed before they can indulge again, so much for her to explain. But she cannot stop herself from brushing a stray wave out of his face.

“Theo,” Sebastian whispers. She stands a little closer, her stomach pressed against his knees. 

“Dad,” a voice yells. “All you had was the blue one, but it’s a bit dirty—“

If anyone were keeping score, Theo could’ve easily set a world record for longest jump backwards.  The moment Rory appears in eyesight, Theo is several feet back, her hands gripping the counter.  Sebastian is bemused, eyes twinkling as he accepts a worn blue jumper from his son’s hands.

“Thanks, Ror.” Sebastian pulls the jumper over his head, shaking out his hair. 

“We have to get back before lunch is over,” Rory reminds him, tugging him towards the door. “Take your ice pack with you.”

Sebastian hesitates, an apologetic look on his face. Theo nods, wordlessly acknowledging that their conversation will have to wait. The Sallows exit her office with big broad waves, and she’s left with Sebastian’s shirt, pinked with blood.

It’ll be worth the wait, she reminds herself.

Theo: You forgot your shirt in my office.

Sebastian: Damn that’s right I did

Theo: You can come pick it up sometime this week.

Sebastian: Would you rather bring it over this weekend? My house, for dinner.

Theo: ?

Sebastian: What’s with the question mark

Theo: I thought you didn’t allow any women at your house.

Sebastian: When did I say you were any woman

Theo: What about Rory?

Sebastian: Well, I thought you wanted to talk about things and I don’t think I want to do it over our microwaved lunches

Sebastian: Rory is out Saturday night; he’s sleeping over at Robbie’s. So I’ll have the place to myself

Sebastian: I want to make you dinner

Theo: Are you sure?

Sebastian: Very sure. Bring my shirt and a bottle of red wine

At Tuesday’s faculty meeting, Sebastian and Theo stand next to each other as usual. Only this time, their arms are pressed against each other, Sebastian leaning down to whisper jokes in her ear. She holds the back of her hand against her mouth, trying to conceal her laugh.

Matilda Weasley shares a knowing glance with Mirabel Garlick across the room.

“Hello? Are you even listening?”

Theo snaps her head up to the phone, which is perched atop her dresser.  She’s been folding her laundry, listening to Poppy drone on about her day, while trying to tidy up her space. Her mind has been overrun ever since Leander’s birthday party, and cleaning is the only thing she can focus on at the moment. 

“I am,” Theo lies. “You were telling me about Saturday.”

Poppy eases back into her chair, and Theo breathes a sigh of relief, knowing she’s saved herself an earful.  

“Saturday is going to be fun. We’re going out with Adanna and Natty again.”

“I didn’t realize you and Natty were close again.” Theo hums, putting her jumpers away.

“It’s nice to have a piece of home,” Poppy confesses. “Plus, she’s way less high strung now that we’re grown up.”

Theo nods, eyes fluttering back down to the pile of laundry on her bed.  She’s not quite sure what to say about it—she’s never felt so far away from her best friend, physically and emotionally.

“How are things going up there?” Poppy asks gently. “I saw you in a picture from Leander Prewett’s birthday party.”

“It was fun,” Theo says, shrugging. “Mostly hung out with Garreth.”

“Are you two—“

“We are not,” Theo interjects. “Just friends. I wish you’d stop asking.”

Poppy hesitates, chewing on her lower lip.  When she looks back up at Theo, she raises a brow. “What about Sebastian?”

“What about him?” Theo asks.  She cringes; it comes out a bit too quickly, and Poppy can tell.

“Imelda told me you two were chaperoning a dance together, that he put you up to it.” Poppy shrugs. 

“We’re friends.” Theo half lies. It feels wrong lying to Poppy, but at the same time, it doesn’t. Poppy kept their Christmas holiday plans from her, and she doesn’t even seem a bit remorseful over it. What had started as a small set back has only grown larger and larger, nagging at Theo whenever she thinks of being home alone for Christmas.

“What’s gotten into you lately?” Poppy wrinkles her nose.

Theo scoffs, putting her hands on her hips. “What’s gotten into you?” She barks back. 

“It doesn’t feel like you ever want to talk anymore—“

“Well of course I don’t.” Theo bites. “Sorry if I don’t want to hear all about your amazing plans with your cool, new fun friends back in London while the highlight of my month is Leander’s thirty-first birthday party.” 

“I’m not trying to throw anything in your face, Theo!” Poppy gasps. “Where is this coming from?  I just asked you about Sebastian and you’re going mental.”

“That has nothing to do with it,” Theo grunts.  She shakes her head, pulling her sleeves over her palms. “I’m just feeling off. I’ll talk to you later, Pops.”

Before Poppy can protest, Theo hangs up the call.  She paces back and forth for a bit, heart thumping against her chest. She has a lump in her throat, and knows of only one person who can calm it. Picking up her phone again, Theo dials the second number in her texts.

“Hello?” Sebastian sounds grainy, voice thick with sleep.

“Oh, I’m sorry if I woke you.” Theo says quickly.

“That’s okay.” Sebastian groans, sheets rustling beneath him as he sits up. “What’s up?”

Theo takes in a deep breath. “I just had the most infuriating call with Poppy. She and Imelda aren’t coming home for Christmas, and they’ve just swept it under the rug even though they promised me. And she’s talking about how much fun they’re having, going out with their new friends, expecting me to just be happy for them. It feels—“

“Like you don’t have a place in their lives anymore.” Sebastian finishes her thought, and the words coming out in his voice soothes her heartache. “Yeah, I get that.”

“It feels like I’m being left behind,” Theo murmurs. They’ve had this conversation multiple times before, but Sebastian’s reassurance is the only thing that will make her feel better. 

“It’s hard not to.  Are you happy here, at least?” Sebastian asks.

“I’m not unhappy. I just miss them. I miss our lives.” Theo admits.

“Well, I’m glad to hear you’re not unhappy. I hope I have something to do with that.” Sebastian chuckles softly.

“Not to blow up your ego, but you do.” Theo blushes, relieved Sebastian can’t see her through the phone. 

“They love you, Theo. But they can’t read your mind, and they’ve don’t know you’re upset with them.” Sebastian reminds her.

“Ugh, reasonable men are so unattractive.” Theo jokes.

Sebastian pauses, clearing his throat. “Okay, fuck them. They suck. Totally inconsiderate of them.”

Theo laughs, and Sebastian does the same in return. 

“Did that make you feel better?” He asks softly, his voice still stubbornly attractive in its sleepy state. “I like that you called me.”

Theo falls back against her own bed. “It did, thank you. And I should call you more often.”

“I can’t wait to see you.” Sebastian inhales deeply.

“It’s not Saturday yet. You’re just going to see me at work.” Theo reminds him.

“It’s another day I get to see you,” Sebastian says. He pauses, taking another beat. “Sorry, was that cheesy? I might throw my phone out the window.”

Theo laughs again, softer this time. “No, it was perfect. I get excited to see you too.” Her cheeks are fully red now, the confession falling out of her mouth easier than she’d expected it to.

“Goodnight, Theo.” Sebastian murmurs.

There is a light knock at her door, and Theo can’t help the wide smile on her lips when she looks up to the door.  However, it is not the Sallow she’s been hoping to see—it is the younger, messy haired and school tie askew.

“Hello Rory,” Theo says kindly. “What are you doing here?”

“I figured it had been a while since I stopped in,” Rory fidgets in the doorway, rocking back and forth on his heels. “Do you have a moment?”

“For you? Always.” Theo beckons him closer. She hadn’t noticed it the last time she saw him, but Rory does look a bit older. It’s only been a few months since she’s met him, but she’s frequently reminded of how fast children grow at his age. His hair is longer too—Theo wonders if she should remind Sebastian to take him for a haircut, or if that might be overstepping an unsaid boundary.

“Aren’t you supposed to be in gym class right now?” Theo tilts her head. 

Rory shrugs. “I wasn’t feeling like it.”

“You know, your dad won’t be too pleased if he finds out you’re skivving off from class.” Theo reminds him.

Rory waves her off. “My dad won’t notice. Ella said she’d cover for me anyways.”

“So you’re still close with Ella Brattleby, I see.” Theo gives him a coy look. “How is that going?”

Rory turns a furious shade of red. “It’s fine,” he blurts. “She’s nice. But that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.”

“What do you want to talk about?”

Rory scratches his head, pushing his hair out of his face. “I wanted to talk about my dad,” Rory says awkwardly. “If I could ask you a favor.”

Theo bites the inside of her cheek. “What about him?”

“I know the two of you are friends, at least I think you are.” Rory rambles. “So I wondered if you could help me.”

“Help you with what?” Theo hesitates.

Rory bounces over to her desk, leaning against it with his elbow on the surface. He stands just like his father, one foot draped over the other. “So, Robbie invited me to go skiing with his family over the holiday break.”

“That sounds lovely—“

“In France,” Rory hesitates. “And it would be a couple days, they’d cover everything for me, including my ski rentals. But I worry he’ll be cross with me.”

“Why would you think that?” Theo asks gently. 

Rory rubs his hands together anxiously. “Because we can’t afford to go,” he says bluntly. “And I think he’d be sad, and a bit lonely too if I left over the holidays.”

Theo pulls away from her desk, looking directly into Rory’s wide brown eyes. “I think your dad would be excited for you. And while he’ll miss you, he wouldn’t want you to miss out on all those fun memories with your friends. I think you should ask him.”

Rory sighs, tapping his fingers against the edge of her desk. “I know. I just don’t want him to be alone.”

“Do you worry about your dad being alone much?” Theo’s voice comes out like a whisper.

“I do,” Rory admits. “I know he always says he’s fine, but he’s sensitive, you know?”

“It’s not your job to take care of him, Ror. He’s a grown up. You don’t have to worry about him all the time.”

“If not me, who would?” Rory grumbles.

The sentiment is nearly enough to break her heart.  She’s gotten to know the Sallows quite well—Sebastian a bit too well—and the pair love each other unlike any father-son duo she’s ever met.  But it is becoming clear to her that they worry over each other even more.  

“Tell you what—I’m not going back to London for the holiday, so I promise I’ll check in on your dad while you’re away.” Theo holds up a pinky. “That way, he won’t be alone.”

Rory catches her pinky with his smaller finger, brows furrowed as he makes a promise. “You will?”

“I swear it.” Theo assures him.

Rory ruminates over her promise, eyes narrowing the same way his father’s do whenever he’s deep in thought. When he looks back up at Theo, his familiar eyes glint in an endearing way.

“You’ve been a good influence on him. I’m glad the two of you are getting along again.” Rory says simply. “I’ll tell him tonight. I’m sure he’ll be fine with it.”

“I’m sure he will,” Theo waves him off. “Now get back to gym class.”

Rory gives her one last toothy smile before he turns and runs away. There is a lump in her throat when the door swings shut. She likes Rory. He’s a good kid, one of the nicest boys she’s ever met. But if she is truly entertaining what might be a relationship with Sebastian—

No, she thinks. She cannot get ahead of herself like that.

Theo: Your son just paid me a visit, by the way.

Sebastian: I was just on my way to your office for lunch. What was it this time?

Theo: The Thompsons invited him for a ski trip for New Year's. He’s going to ask you tonight if he can go.

Sebastian: Thats great! Why would he ask you

Theo: he’s worried you’ll be lonely. I promised him I would keep you company.

Sebastian: I’ll talk to him tonight. And I quite like the idea of you being around that week

Sebastian: Are you still down for Saturday night? I make a mean bolognese 

Theo: Looking forward to it.

Theo sits in Sebastian’s driveway, nervously fumbling with her phone. If things were right in the world, she’d probably call Poppy or Imelda for words of encouragement.  Instead, she’s slipping her phone into her tote bag, next to the bottle of wine Garreth had told her would go well with a bolognese. She’s wearing the black skirt Cressida assured her would highlight her legs, and questioning how in the world her two closest confidants have become a stay at home mum and a man she’s made out with thrice.

Things could be weirder, she supposes.

The clock strikes eight, and Theo counts another thirty seconds before she gets out of the car. The driver’s door of the yellow bug creaks shut before she locks it, and she skips over the wet stone path as she makes her way up to the door.  She has never been this close—only ever in the drive, waiting for the Sallows to come down for a drive to school. It’s night time now, no Rory in sight, and it’ll just be her and Sebastian. 

The door opens before she’s even had a chance to knock; Sebastian is standing behind it, pink cheeked and wearing a green striped apron.

“Hi,” Sebastian blurts. 

“Hi.” Theo shifts her bag over her shoulder. She didn’t want to be presumptuous, packing only a travel tooth brush and a pair of underwear next to her wallet and the wine. They could end things, she thinks, after their conversation. 

Or it could be more.

“Hurry, come in—I think it’s going to snow tonight.” Sebastian urges her, his calloused fingertips pressing against her bare wrist to pull her inside. Theo passes through the threshold, heels clicking against the flagstone tile. Seeing Sebastian in his well-worn khakis and sweater makes her feel even more ridiculous for dressing up, even if Cress had told her the heels would make her legs look great.

“So, this is the fortress of solitude,” Theo jokes, clutching her tote bag. 

Sebastian scratches his head, a sheepish smile on his lips. “Yeah, I guess so.” He says awkwardly, cheeks turning pink. “It’s not much, but it’s home.”

Theo walks into the sitting room; books are in piles around the room, next to the couch and on top of the coffee table. There are textbooks, paperback novels, and weathered hardcovers stacked in no sensible order around the room, but it’s more than just clutter. It’s pieces of Sebastian and Rory littered throughout the room, and Theo likes it.

“Mind your step,” Sebastian mutters, hopping over a pile of legos. 

“Not too different from my own place,” Theo jokes, seamlessly jumping over Rory’s toys. They pass an old wooden credenza with at least a dozen picture frames on it; Theo’s eyes briefly glaze over a photo of a much younger Sebastian holding a bundled baby. Behind him stands a thin slip of a woman with blunt cut bangs. She follows him down the hall and into the kitchen, where she’s immediately overwhelmed by the mouthwatering smell of dinner.

“You weren’t joking when you said you make a mean bolognese,” Theo gasps, leaning over the white stove. 

“One of my only good recipes, I assure you.” Sebastian says, but she can tell in his eyes that he’s proud of himself. 

She fishes the bottle of wine out of her bag. “I hope this fits the bill.”

Sebastian takes the bottle from her, his fingertips brushing against hers. They’ve touched each other much more intimately, but for some reason every stray move feels even more electric now. Anticipation hung heavily in the room, both of them skirting around the main question at hand. 

“Get settled,” Sebastian instructs her, tilting his head to the dinner table.  It’s tidy, a bud vase with a single stem rose in between two place settings. He really has pulled out all the stops, Theo thinks, brushing her skirt as she slips into the dining chair. Her fingers drum against the wooden table as Sebastian ladles out pasta into two dishes, carrying them over.

“Tuck in,” Sebastian smiles, settling in across from her. She hadn’t even noticed that he’d opened the wine, pouring it out into the thick stemmed glasses preset on the table. “Fanciest spag bol I’ve ever made.”

“You seem like an experienced host. I find it hard to believe you’ve never had a girl over.” Theo deflects, twirling the pasta around her fork.

“Maybe I’m just nervous.” Sebastian flashes his teeth in a grin, hands clasped together. “We haven’t talked properly—“

“In almost a week.” Theo finishes his sentence. She takes a bite of the spaghetti, humming in approval. “Banging bolognese.”

“Stroke my ego, why don’t you.” Sebastian gloats. 

“I don’t see you stroking mine.” She raises one arched brow as her lips purse around the glass, taking another swig. The wine is strong, as Garreth had promised, and she’s feeling bold.

Sebastian’s eyes darken. “If I started with that, I don’t think we’d be finishing our dinner. Plus, I believe we have business to attend to.”

“Right.” Theo smacks her lips, dabbing them with a napkin. “I guess first of all, I come bearing an apology. I got a little ahead of myself in my own head, and in the process I hurt your feelings.”

“Ahead of yourself how?” Sebastian asks, mouth full of food.

Theo looks down at her lap, trying to muster up the courage to admit what’s been on her mind. When she looks back up, she only sees Sebastian’s deep, trusting eyes. 

“I forgot what it was like to care about someone,” Theo murmurs. “And how badly that hurts.”

Sebastian pauses for a moment, brows furrowing. “I’m not going to hurt you, Theo.”

“I’ve heard that plenty times before,” Theo shrugs, and she knows the conversation has taken a much more serious turn. She takes another bite of her food, fork clanking against the chipped china.

Sebastian sets his elbows on the table, hands clasped together. “I won’t know if I’m hurting you if you don’t tell me. You tell me yours, I’ll tell you mine.”

She can trust him, Theo thinks. He is a kindred spirit.

“I was engaged before, I told you that.  And I guess I’ve had a really hard time trusting anyone ever since.”

Sebastian pauses. “I know,” he admits. “But you haven’t really told me about it all.”

“We dated for six years, my ex-fiancé and me.” Theo says lowly. “And at first, everything was so exciting and new. And I guess rather than us sharing a life, I let myself become a part of his instead.”

Sebastian nods, his chin resting against his knuckles.

Theo takes a sharp breath. “We were so busy. I was getting my master’s, he was working his way up in his department. Started spending less time together, fighting more about spending less time together. I knew we loved each other, but it just wasn’t clicking. God, whenever we fought, it felt like we were just fighting about how much we wanted to be together.”

“And?” Sebastian asks.

“And one day it stopped.” Theo fumbled with her hands in her lap. “One day, he was just being the most amazing, supportive partner I could ask for. He told me to start looking at rings, to think about where I might want to have a wedding, if I wanted to wait until after I finished up school. I really thought we had it all, and then I got a message from a stranger online who told me she’d had sex with him at a conference, and three times after that.”

Sebastian furrows his brows. “But you weren’t engaged then.”

“No,” Theo laughs bitterly. “I actually moved out for like, a week?  He came by Poppy’s flat, groveling every day. I guess that wore me down, because I took him back. And a month later, he proposed to me on a beach in the south of France. We were engaged for two months, and I broke it off about twenty minutes into our engagement party.”

Sebastian is quiet, leaning back against the chair as if he’s trying to come up with the right words to say.

“It’s pathetic, I know. You can say it.” Theo takes a glug from her wine glass, wiping her mouth on the back of her sleeve.

“It’s not pathetic,” Sebastian says softly. “He’s all you knew.”

“The thing is, I knew I shouldn’t have said yes from the start. I felt it in that moment—a piece of dread. I thought I could ignore it, but it grew bigger and bigger, and suddenly I couldn’t avoid it anymore. I was standing in the bathroom while all our friends and family were downstairs, and had a full breakdown.” She looks up at Sebastian, downing the last bit of her wine. “I knew I had to find myself instead, love myself more.”

“I think that’s admirable,” Sebastian shrugs. “Not everyone is brave enough to walk away.”

“Easier said than done.” Theo says dryly. “Have you ever?”

“No.” Sebastian says plainly. 

“You’ve never broken up with someone?” 

Sebastian shakes his head. “I’ve broken up with someone before. I meant I’ve never been in love.” 

The words are quiet, yet oh-so distinct. Theo lays her hands on the table, staring at the man in front of her.

“Please,” she scoffs. “You’ve had to have been in love at some point.”

Sebastian shrugs. “I don’t think so.”

“You’ve had girlfriends before, right?” Theo asks warily.

Sebastian shrugs again. “Yeah. I guess I just don’t think I was ever hardwired that way.”

The confession hits Theo like a brick, shattering whatever walls she had left to defend herself. Sebastian Sallow has never let a woman stay the night in his house, yet here she is. Sebastian Sallow has never cooked for a woman, yet she’s sitting with a homemade meal in front of her.

Sebastian Sallow has never been in love, yet here she is.

“I’m not saying—“ he says quickly, cheeks turning red.

“I know,” Theo blurts, tugging at her collar. “I get the gist.”

“I’ve never felt strongly about anything, ever. Not really.” Sebastian’s cheeks are red, eyes downcast at his half empty plate. “But I feel some way about you.”

Silence hangs in the air, heavy on both of them. When Theo looks at Sebastian, he’s avoiding her gaze, eyes transfixed on a full plate of pasta.

“I feel some way about you too.” Theo says softly. “I’m just afraid I’m going to hurt you, Seb.”

“I promise I’m not that easy to break.” Sebastian murmurs. 

“So you’re telling me you want to keep doing this, knowing we have feelings for each other, even if it’ll end?” Theo croaks. “Because I am going back home, Sebastian. This isn’t a forever thing.”

“I know. Trust me, I’ve thought about that plenty already.” Sebastian’s voice is quiet, hands fumbling in his lap. “It won’t be easy, that’s for sure. But I don’t think I can just be your friend, Theo. Not after all of this. And you can’t tell me that you’d be here tonight if you just wanted to be friends either.”

Taking in a sharp breath, Theo slides out of the dining chair.  Sebastian’s eyes are still glued to his plate, only flickering to her direction when she stands at his side. Wordlessly, he turns out his chair, letting her slot her body between his legs. Sebastian’s forehead rests against her stomach, large palms wrapping around her thighs to pull her in close.

“Should we revisit our rules?” Theo asks, her palms resting against his shoulders. He looks up, chin resting on her shirt.

“First rule—it’s just us.” Sebastian recites from memory. “I don’t want to change that at all.”

“Second rule,” Theo traces a line against his jaw. “Only hooking up in a few predetermined locations.”

“We can add my house to the list. I’ve been imagining you in my bed all week.” Sebastian admits. His confession brings a warm blush to her cheeks.

“I thought no girls allowed?”

“Amendment to the rule—just you.” 

Theo scratches the base of his scalp as his hands graze over the curve of her arse. “Stay on topic. Third rule, we weren’t going to tell anyone about us.”

“I’ve already broken it,” Sebastian winces. “I told my best friend, and my sister knows too.”

Theo’s breath catches, and Sebastian looks even more embarrassed. 

“What did you tell them about me?” she asks, leaning into his touch.

“I’ll tell you later,” he whispers. “Fourth rule?”

“Keeping things professional,” Theo has to wrack her brain for the fourth rule they’d come up with over a month ago. “No kissing at school.”

“Car park count?” Sebastian asks cheekily. When she tugs at his hair, he both grimaces and grins. “Just kidding.”

“And the last one.” Theo blinks down at him, an errant wave falling into her face. “That when we’re done, we walk away. So we can be—“

“Friends.” Sebastian finishes her sentence. His fingers squeeze into her skin, a gentle claim. “I’ve got a feeling we’ll have to scrap this rule.”

Theo looks down at him, and she knows the answer in her heart. No, she does not want to be friends again. They are not just friends now, and have not been for a while.

“Say you agree,” Sebastian pleads. “Please.”

Theo purses her lips together, hands gliding down to press his cheeks. His tired eyes are intently focused on her, flickering from her eyes to her lips. She cannot give Sebastian the answer he so desires, so she gives him the next best thing.

“Take me to your bedroom.” Theo pleads. 

Sebastian wastes no time, surging out of the dining chair, legs scraping on the tile floor. His mouth is all over Theo’s, one arm wrapped around her waist while the other tangles in her hair. Their shared confessions hang over them, enveloping them—they have feelings for one another. The most important rule of all has been breached, and they’re both fucked for it. 

Yet still, Theo kicks off her heels, letting Sebastian lead her backwards towards the stairs. She doesn’t know the layout of his house, but he cradles her head as the bounce off the walls, laughing until the back of her shins hit the stair landing. Sebastian lets her go for the briefest moment, taking her hand to run her up the stairs like excited teenagers, not thirty-something adults. Seb’s room is just at the top, and she takes a deep breath as he pushes open the door.

It is the pinnacle of a bachelor’s bedroom, she thinks. Mismatched furniture, hodge podged over years of thrifting and living in different flats. His sheets are navy—she’ll make fun of him for it later—and there are books and dirty tea cups lined up the dresser next to numerous silver picture frames. Sebastian only has two pillows, something she’ll have to rectify if she starts spending more time here.

Theo’s stomach does a somersault at the thought, and she’s a little glad they were side tracked from their meal. Sebastian looks starving though, eyes flickering over her as if he’ll devour her. He pulls her in, the door clicking shut behind them. One hand is perched on her waist, the other traveling up the back of her shirt, tracing a line up and down her spine.

“I’ve fallen asleep every night thinking of what you might look like in here,” Sebastian confesses.

“I know,” Theo breathes, gripping his belt. “You said so earlier.”

Sebastian walks her back to the edge of the mattress, gently pushing her down onto the bed. His eyes are trained on her, silently begging permission to undress her. When Theo nods, teeth sunken into her bottom lip, Sebastian obliges. They only break their kisses to pull their shirts over their heads, or when Sebastian tears his belt and pants off. They share a laugh when he spends a good twenty seconds searching for the zip to her skirt, his brows knitted together in frustration. When it comes to her stockings, Sebastian is reverent with his removal, placing kisses down her legs as he peels them down.

“I want to taste you,” Sebastian growls. He’s looming over her, arousal painfully evident in the bulge of his boxers. Theo traces her hands everywhere she can reach—his arms, his chest, the broadness of his shoulders. She can feel Sebastian’s stubble as he kisses her neck, her throat, the valley between her breasts. Desperate hands pull the cups of her barely there bra down, his tongue drawing slow circles around her nipple. Sebastian looks up at her with a glint in his eyes as he makes his way down to her belly button, relishing every time she bucks her hips against him.

“Tease,” Theo gasps.

“I have you in my bed,” Sebastian’s voice is muffled by her thighs, hands busy pulling her thong away. “I’ll take my time.”

Theo lays back, smiling up at the ceiling.  There are no words for this feeling, the weightlessness she feels. Her chest feels as if it’s full of bubbles, excitement jump-starting her once cold heart. This must be it, she thinks, how it feels to let go. She has bared her most embarrassing moments to Sebastian, and he has not shied away. If anything, he clearly wants her more, and that only makes him more attractive to her.

“Fuck, Seb.” Theo gasps, torn away from her thoughts as she feels Sebastian’s tongue between her legs. He licks a lazy stripe up and down her center, nose bumping at her clit. He hums in appreciation of her praise, sucking ever so lightly on her bud as he squeezes her thighs. She falls back against the mattress, grasping at Sebastian’s pillows. The bed creaks ever so slightly as Sebastian pulls one of her legs over his shoulder, moaning against her core. She could spend the whole night like this, but there are other, more pressing matters at hand. 

“What is it?” Sebastian asks, chest heaving after Theo pushes him away. Her breath catches at the sight of him, mouth glistening with slick as he instinctively presses his palm against his erection, trying to relieve some pressure. 

“I want you,” Theo blurts. “I need you, now.”

Sebastian grins, pushing her back down against the mattress. The delicate chain he wears around his neck drags against her hot skin, and they shuffle on top of the sheets to get her bra off. His breath hitches when she slithers her hands down to his boxers, delicately tracing an outline of his cock. They know this dance, having done in time and time again—Sebastian leans over to his nightstand, pulling open the drawer to retrieve a condom.

Theo can hear him shuffling, his hand moving around whatever is in his bedside table three times over. Eventually, he peels his gaze away from her to check the contents of the drawer, grunting as he slams it shut.

“Fuck,” Sebastian groans, his head dipping in frustration.

“What is it?” Theo asks, leaning up to kiss his jaw.

Sebastian looks at her with a pained expression. “I threw away the condoms,” he huffs. “I thought—I figured we were done—“ The lust in his eyes is instead filled with regret and pain, and he tries to pull away, sitting back on his heels.

Theo opens her mouth, snapping it shut. She hadn’t thought to pack any in her humble overnight bag, figuring Sebastian would be prepared as usual.

“We should stop,” Sebastian chokes out. “Fuck, maybe I can run out quickly, if that’s not—“

Theo bursts into laughter, watching Sebastian calculate the distance between his house and the closest petrol station. He narrows his eyes at her, waves falling against his forehead.

“What are you laughing at?” He demands.

Theo sits up, the sheets pulled up over her breasts. “It’s okay, Sebastian.” She says gently. When he looks at her in confusion, she raises brow, tilting her head towards him. “We already decided—I mean, we just said it’s just us, so I’m fine—”

Sebastian blinks at her, eyes hazy as he takes in a sharp breath. “Are you on birth control?” He rasps.

Theo nods, and Sebastian takes in a heavy breath.

“And you’re sure?” He asks, voice gravelly and low. She’s not sure what he’s asking—if it’s okay to forego the condom, or if she’s agreeing to whatever kind of relationship they’re proposing. Not that they got a chance to talk about it before falling upwards into Sebastian’s bed, but she is sure. She does not want to go another week without speaking to him, being with him. 

Perhaps never again. But she pushes that aside for the meantime, nodding again faster this time and letting the sheets fall as she reaches out to him. He’s already reaching back out for her.

Sebastian smashes against her, his hands cupping her cheeks as he pushes her back against the soft, worn linens of his bed. There is an urgency in him, and Theo can feel it in herself as well. Sebastian’s boxers are quickly discarded, his lips never straying far from her skin. She isn’t sure how she could’ve ever thought they don’t make sense—everything about him, the weight of his body against hers as he pins her to the mattress, makes full clear sense to her. Theo has never been more sure that she’s wanted something in her life.

“I want you inside me,” Theo rasps, forehead pressed against his. “Please.”

Sebastian’s smile is equal parts proud and adoring. All she can think about is the way he fits against her, the weight of his length resting on her thigh. When she parts her legs, Sebastian pulls her thighs, wrapping them around his body. He kneads the skin of her behind, pulling them flush against each other.

“Do you feel how badly I want you?” Sebastian croaks. “I’m so fucking hard.”

“Missed me that much?” Theo teases, canting her hips upwards to graze against his cock. Sebastian groans at the contact, feeling just how wet she is beneath him.

“This whole week was torture,” Sebastian admits against her jaw. “I can’t tell you how badly I wanted to touch you, to kiss you whenever I saw you.” 

“So kiss me,” Theo mumbles into his shoulder, snaking her arm between their bodies. She presses her mouth against his at the same time as she grabs his length, angling it against her cunt. She swallows his moans, wanting no more space between them.

Sebastian slides into her, and it’s blissful oblivion when he bottoms out with no resistance. Chest heaving, he presses his forehead against hers while his hips still.

“You feel so good,” Sebastian grits his teeth. “Fuck, Theo.”

I’m all yours, she screams internally. She cannot say it aloud, but she claws it into his back. Sebastian must know it, since he grabs her hands and entwines his fingers with hers. Their lovemaking tells her everything without words—slow, tender, intentional. Every roll of Sebastian’s hips is punctuated by a kiss, an obscene symphony of pure desire. When she grinds upwards, trying to hasten him, Sebastian only shakes his head, hair falling against her forehead.

“No,” Sebastian grits, slowly thrusting into her over and over again. “I’m going to fuck you the way I’ve been dreaming of all week.” 

She cannot argue with that—Theo cranes her neck upwards to kiss him harder, her teeth grazing his lower lip in the process.

Sebastian draws back, and Theo whines until he pulls her legs up and closer together. The new angle is welcomed, Theo’s breath catching as his strokes somehow hit deeper, harder. Sebastian grins down at her with hooded eyes; if she were thinking straight, she’d want to smack the smug smile off his face. But all she can think about is his adoring eyes, and the kiss he presses to the inside of her calf. 

“I’ll never get this image out of my head,” Sebastian confesses. “The way you look—so fucking gorgeous in my bed.” he babbles. 

“You always talk too much,” Theo breathes, reaching out for him. 

“But you like it,” Sebastian lets her legs fall back to the side, surging forward to press another kiss against her jaw.

“I do,” Theo confesses, squeezing her eyes shut. Her mouth falls open, the pressure building in her spine. “Sebastian, I’m going to come.”

“Yeah?” He groans. He does not stop his relentless pace, scooping his elbow underneath the crook of her knee. “Are you going to come on my cock?”

Eyes still shut, Theo nods, biting into her lip.

“Look at me,” Sebastian murmurs against her cheek. “I want to see your face when you come.”

“You’ve seen me come before,” she lets out an airy laugh, peeking at him with one eye. His cheeks are red, pupils blown wide. He looks like he’s holding on by a thread, brows furrowed tight as he focuses on the task at hand.

“Not like this,” Sebastian grits his teeth. No, not like this. Raw, no barrier between them. It is an intimacy they’d never traversed, an unspoken commitment they’re both making with the choice to take another like this. She flutters at the thought of him filling her, and given Sebastian’s needy groan, he’s felt it.

“Come with me,” Theo murmurs, opening her eyes. With slow blinks, she looks up at him, arms looped around his neck. “Come inside me, Seb.”

Her words do him in—Sebastian lets go of her leg, wrapping them around his waist as he digs his face into her neck. The sensation of his lips against her skin pushes Theo over the edge, her orgasm drawing out an embarrassingly loud moan. Sebastian does the same, gasping against her shoulder as he comes, spilling his seed inside of her. He flattens against her, cock still pulsing.

They are quiet as they collect their thoughts and their breaths. Sebastian props himself up on his elbows, looking down at her with heavy lidded eyes.

“Theo,” he croaks. 

“I know,” she gives him a half smile, brushing a sweaty lock of hair from his forehead.

She feels empty when Sebastian pulls out of her, his spend leaking down her thighs. Sebastian’s eyes darken when he looks at her, eyes fixated on the obscene sight of it. When he notices her eyes on him, eyebrow raised, Sebastian blushes and rubs the back of his neck.

“Er, I’ll go get a towel.” He says sheepishly, padding off to the bathroom. 

When he returns, Sebastian wipes her clean. Dirty towels discarded in the laundry bin, he rummages through his dresser.

“I take it you didn’t bring pajamas,” he cocks his head, looking back at her.

Theo shakes hers, pulling her knees up to her chest. “Rather hoped to borrow clothes from you.”

Sebastian’s eyes crinkle, a naughty grin on his face as he kneels back on the bed. “I don’t foresee a need for clothing tonight.” He announces, pressing a kiss against her nose. “If you’ll have me—“

“You can have me whenever you want,” Theo tilts his chin up, one finger underneath. “Unless you would like me to cover up—“

She shrieks as Sebastian pushes her back down against the mattress, flipping her onto her tummy. Theo smiles into the sheets, breath catching as Sebastian places kisses down her spine.

She’ll take that as a no. 

Theo isn’t sure what time it is, but she knows they should be sleeping. Alas, they are not—the two lay in silence together, Theo’s head resting on Sebastian’s broad chest. Unlike the last time they’d spent the night together, Theo feels entirely welcome to thread her fingers through his, to snuggle into his body. She is pleasantly sore between her legs, Sebastian having declared the need for rest after their third round of the night. She can feel her heart aching, but perhaps it's not from pain after all—perhaps its growth. She can feel her heart expanding, new muscles weaving together in the cracks to make room for the man beneath her.

Sebastian clears his throat, and she tilts her head up to look at him.

“I want to tell you about Rory’s mum.” He says quietly.

“You don’t have to just because I spilled my guts out to you,” Theo reminds him. “Or because you spilled in me.”  
  
Sebastian barks out a laugh, rolling his eyes. “You’re so crass,” he shakes his head. Within seconds, his eyes are sincere again. “But I do. I do want to tell you.”
Theo rolls onto her stomach, looking up at him. His chocolate brown eyes are glued to the ceiling, lips set in a hard line.

“Tell me then,” she says softly, tracing a line down his chest.

“I wasn’t such a good kid,” Sebastian admits. “I was smart, but I always wanted to toe the line, break the rules. Uncle Solomon had kicked me out, and Anne wanted to come with me—so we changed our applications and decided to move to London. Anne was studying maths, I chose history. Ominis—my best friend—his family let him sublet one of their flats in the city, so we all bunked together.” Sebastian recounts. “I…I felt numb, to a lot of things. And for as hard as I studied and worked, I partied just as much.”

“So she was a friend.” Theo tilts her head.

Sebastian winces. “Her name is Rebecca. Bex. Not quite friends—uh, party acquaintance, more like it.  I mean, you know what it’s like to be nineteen.” His cheeks were flushed, a mortified look on his face. “I was never interested in dating anyone, let alone her, and I think she felt the same way. It was all physical—“

“You know, we are thirty. You can say you were fuck buddies.” 

Sebastian rolls his eyes. “Fine, fine. Yes, we were—don’t distract me from my story.” He chides her, swatting at her hands. He doesn’t let go; instead, he holds them, thumb rubbing over her soft skin. “We’d hook up whenever we were feeling bored or stressed, but it never went past that. And honestly, I thought she’d gone on study abroad or completely forgotten me, because I didn’t see her until next term. And when she came up to my door, she was pregnant.”

“That must have been so scary for both of you.” Theo whispers.

“Fucking frightening, that’s what it was.” Sebastian says sheepishly. “And let me be clear—I would’ve supported any decision she made.  She’d thought she had mono, but turns out it was a baby. And by the time she found out…” he trailed off. He peers down at her, lips downturned.

“I understand.” Theo reassures him.

“We tried to give it a go, but it was clear we weren’t interested in each other whatsoever.” Sebastian admits. “So we decided on adoption, figured it was the best path for our baby, but neither of us could agree on parents. She didn’t want me in the room while she was in labor, so I sat outside with Anne and Ominis the whole time. They let us come in to see the baby before the foster parents could arrive, and that’s when it stuck.”

“When you held him?” Theo asks softly.

Sebastian’s eyes flutter shut. “No, actually. It was Anne.  I was so scared, and my hands were shaking too hard. Annie decided to hold him first. And when I opened my eyes and saw the way he was looking at her, I knew I couldn’t do it.” He looks up at Theo with tears in his eyes. “She said, he’s our family. Who else do we have?” 

Theo pulls Sebastian close, wrapping her arms around him tightly. He sags into her, tears wetting her bare shoulder. She waits for him to be the first to pull away; when he does, he wipes his nose with the sheets.

“I loved him from that moment on. Told them I’d take full custody. We named him after our granddad. Gregory. And then Simon, after our dad.” Sebastian explains. “It wasn’t easy, and Uncle Solomon really wanted to murder me after that, but he grew a soft spot for Rory as he got older. And when he died, he left whatever was in his name to Anne, Rory, and me. On his deathbed, said Rory was the only good thing I’d ever done for the world.”

”Does she know him?” Theo asks, the question that’s been lingering in the back of her mind since they disembarked at the train station in London. “How great he is?”

”She does,” Sebastian shrugs. “It took her a while to come around, and by the time she did Rory was old enough to decide whether or not he wanted a relationship with her. Bex has been really respectful about it—she lives abroad, but sends presents for his birthdays and holidays. I think they email sometimes too. We try to see her if she’s ever in London at the same time as us, and her parents set up a trust for him once he turns eighteen.”

”It must be a relief.” Theo chews on her lower lip. “The money.”

Sebastian lets out a low puff of air. “Yeah, I know he’s at least set up for uni. His school tuition is partly covered by scholarship, the rest is on me. But it helps not having to pay rent.”

“It can’t have been easy,” Theo murmurs. “But he’s amazing. You know that.”

“The best thing I’ve ever done in the world.” Sebastian declares. “And he really likes you, by the way.”

Theo blushes, biting the inside of her cheek. “I really like him too.” 

Sebastian gives her the first serious look of the night. “I’m not asking you to be anything other than a friend to him, Theo. I hope you know that. Whatever this relationship is—“

“So it is a relationship, then.” Theo blurts.

Sebastian flushes, freckles burning red from his cheeks to his chest. “I think that’s what we’ve decided, isn’t it? That we like each other, we want to spend time with just each other. That’s a relationship, isn’t it?”

Theo nods, her hair sticking to the sheets. “Yeah,” she echoes. “Then that’s what this is.”

Sebastian lays back down, sinking into the pillow next to her. “Then, we’re in a relationship. Just us. And just know I’m not expecting you to jump into anything with Rory.”

“You two are a package deal though,” Theo reminds him. “So partly, Rory is a part of whatever we are.”

“Only to the degree you’re comfortable.” Sebastian reminds her. “Just think about it, okay?  And we can wait to tell him about us.”

“Deal,” Theo nods. The bubbles are back, the airy feeling of walking on clouds. “We’re in a relationship.” The words, once so foreign, slide off the tip of her tongue with ease. “So what, are you going to call me your girlfriend now?”

Sebastian snorts. “Don’t go making fun of it right after I’ve said it,” he rolls his eyes. 

“Boyfriend,” Theo says sarcastically, making Sebastian snort once more. “Aren’t boyfriends supposed to favors for their girlfriends?”

He raises a brow. “Have I not done enough?” He teases, hand skimming her waist.

Theo props herself up on the bed, chin in her palm. “I can think of a different favor.”

“Spit it out then.”

“Are you weird about eating in bed? Because we did leave dinner downstairs.” Theo reminds him.

Sebastian lets out a bark of a laugh as he slides out of bed, pulling a pair of boxers on.  She turns on the light, pulling the navy sheets to her chest as she hears him downstairs, plates clanking. Sebastian is humming, loud enough that she can hear it from so far away. He returns not long after with a tray, two bottles of water tucked under each arm. He’s even included the little bud vase from the table, nestled between the chipped china plates.

“Bolognese in bed,” Sebastian announces, placing the tray on the mattress. “Don’t be gross, okay? We’ve got to sleep in this.”

Theo can’t remember the last time she’s laughed this hard or felt this comfortable. Sebastian slides back into bed with her, and they eat the remnants of their dinner. Trying their best not to flick any sauce onto the duvet, they talk about their days. Sebastian tells her about his frenzied grocery trip to get all the right supplies for dinner without tipping off Rory. Theo tells him about her thirty minute long FaceTime call with Cressida Weasley, trying to find the right outfit. They’ve been silly, trying to impress each other.

Theo has know Sebastian for months now, and they’ve slept together plenty of times, yet everything feels bright, sparkly, and new. This is a relationship, she realizes, and for as much as she wanted to fight it, it might be what she’s needed all along. 

When the plates are clean, Sebastian puts the tray on his desk. When she goes to the bathroom, she realizes he’s even bought a toothbrush for her.  Sebastian blushes furiously, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Not that I wanted to presume anything, but I was hoping you’d stay.” he says, eyes full of hope. 

Theo’s heart flips at the thought of the tiny tooth brush packed in her tote bag downstairs. How easily she’d been prepared to slot herself into his life, yet he’d already carved a place for her. How no one had ever done that for her before.

Wordlessly, they brush their teeth; Theo slots the toothbrush into the holder next to his. They change the sheets, and Theo slips into the fresh boxers and oversized t-shirt Sebastian had picked out for her. They slide under the fresh covers, and Sebastian nestles behind her, his arms wrapping around her waist.

“I’m glad you’re here tonight, Theo.” He whispers against her hair. “I want you to stay.”

Theo can’t tell if his last sentence has a double meaning. If he wants her to stay over more often, or to stay in the highlands. She has no intention of it, but every second spent in Sebastian Sallow’s bed makes the idea more tempting.

“I’m glad I came.” Theo whispers, and they fall asleep.

“Tell your dad I’m sorry I had to drop you off early,” Mrs. Thompson says, turning around to the backseat to watch Rory slide out the door.  “And tell him I’ll email him the details for the ski trip.”

Rory brushes the snow off his coat, giving his best friend’s mum a smile. “Thank you for driving me home, Mrs. Thompson. I hope your dog feels better.”

Robbie waves goodbye to him, the Thompson’s dog whimpering unhappily as he shuts the door.  His eyes are trained on the slippery pavement, completely missing the yellow bug parked in his drive. There’s not enough snow to make a snowman, he notes as he makes it to the front door, but perhaps Dad will still make hot chocolate today.

Rory digs his key out from under his shirt, fingers trembling as he twists the door knob open.  The house is eerily quiet for the time of day; he supposes his dad must be sleeping in.  He wasn’t due to get home until after midday. He sets his duffle back down in the kitchen, carefully taking out his dirty clothes and leaving them on the floor for the day’s laundry load.  In his haste, he does not notice the dirty pan on the stove or the tote bag on the counter, skipping over the heels left on the floor. 

He can hear the shower from up the stairs; Dad is humming.  

No, Dad is singing.  Awfully, he might add. 

Rory walks slowly up the staircase; the door to the bathroom is slightly ajar, and he can hear him singing louder now.  He hasn’t heard Dad singing in the shower in what feels like years at this point—it’s nice to see him happy.

Rory goes straight to his room, rummaging through the dresser—his clothes aren’t there.  His fresh clothes are probably still in Dad’s room, waiting to be folded. He turns back to the hallway, quickly knocking on the bathroom door.

“Dad, did you finish the folding?” He yells. 

“Rory?” His dad’s voice is muffled. “What are you doing home?” There is a slight panic to his tone, and Rory can hear the water turning off abruptly. 

Rory backs into his dad’s bedroom door, pushing it open. “The Thompsons’s dog ate a sock, so they had to take him to the vet.” he yells back absentmindedly. “They dropped me off early.” He thought right—the laundry baskets are still full, clean clothes wrinkled from the day before.  Rory starts humming as he digs through the basket, pulling out a fresh jumper and some trackies.  

”Hmmm, morning.”

Rory freezes in place.  There’s someone in Dad’s room. He whips his head around to see who is sitting up in his father’s bed, dropping both his jaw and the jumper.

”Theo?” He gawks. “What are you doing here?”

Chapter Text

Sebastian

Sebastian Sallow has never woken up so chipper in his entire life. 

Never mind the fact that he’s not used to sharing his bed, or the fact that he actually detests the idea of food in his bedroom. None of that matters when he opens his eyes to see a swath of dark hair swirled on the pillows, and the soft snores of his houseguest. 

Sebastian Sallow has never been more chipper, because he’s never woken up to his girlfriend sleeping in his bed before.

Girlfriend. Fuck, the word is so foreign he might as well be speaking an entirely different language.

If Sebastian is a boyfriend now, he should get ahead of things. He slips out from the covers, checking the time—quarter to eight, plenty of time to clean up and start a pot of coffee. He takes the tray of dirty plates from his desk, tiptoeing down the stairs. He probably doesn’t have to go through all the effort, considering Theo sleeps like the dead, but it's fun to pretend. He puts the dirty dishes in the sink, clearing away the wine bottle and glasses as well. Once the counters are clear and rubbish in the bin, Sebastian sets the pot to brew twice as much coffee as it usually makes.

He’s used to only making coffee for one, after all.

Sebastian checks the time again; he’s far too jittery to crawl back in bed, so he decides to take a shower. Every nerve in his body is tingling with anticipation of Theo waking up. They are taking things slow, they decided that much last night, but he can’t help the excitement coursing through him. Not many things have ever been his alone. As a twin, he grew up sharing everything with Anne. Ominis had paid for nearly everything they had in their apartment in uni, so nothing ever felt like his. And considering he’s spent the last ten years forsaking a personal life to be a parent, he’s eager to have something all to himself. 

Theo. Not long ago, she’d been a stranger. Sebastian can’t even believe he’d been annoyed at her when she first arrived to town, and now she’s asleep in his bed.

Sebastian is singing in the shower, a habit that only ever creeps up whenever he’s happy. He’s so lost in the bubbles, scrubbing at his unruly hair that he thinks he imagines Rory’s voice calling to him. But when he dips his head under the water again, he hears Rory’s voice much clearer.  So clear, in fact, he might as well be standing right outside the bathroom door.

“Dad, did you finish the folding?”

No, no, no, fuck no, Sebastian screams in his head. “Rory, what are you doing home?” He panics, trying to wipe soap out of his eyes. As soon as they’re somewhat clear, stinging slightly, he turns the tap off. Sebastian grabs the closest towel, hearing his son declare that the Thompson’s dog ate a sock. He can hear the doorknob to his bedroom turning, his son going in to grab fresh clothes from the hampers.

Sebastian skids out the bathroom when he hears the shocked gasp, and Rory asking the inevitable.

“Theo? What are you doing here?”

Sebastian trails water behind him, wrapping the towel tightly around his waist as he stands in the doorway to the bedroom.  Theo is sitting up in bed, eyes rimmed in black from not having washed her makeup off the night before. She’s wearing one of his large football t-shirts, the duvet pulled up to her chin. Rory is frozen in place, holding a pair of track pants in one fist.

“Rory!” Sebastian bellows. 

“I knew it!” Rory shrieks.

Theo buries her face in her hands.

Without a second thought, Sebastian scoops Rory with one arm, the other desperately trying to keep hold of the towel. He’s already traumatized his child once today, he’s trying his best not to make it twice. Sebastian pulls him down the hallway, depositing him in his bedroom.  The door clicks shut, and Sebastian lets him go.

Rory stares at him, eyes wide as saucers. The corners of his lips are already upturned, a familiar smirk on his mouth.

“Don’t,” Sebastian warns, holding one finger up. His eyes are still stinging from the soap he hadn’t had time to wash away.

“I knew you were dating someone,” Rory says haughtily. “I mean, I suspected it might be Theo, but now I know for sure—“

“Rory,” Sebastian begs. “Please, can you stay in your room for a moment? I need to talk to Theo.”

Rory blinks up at him, then shrugs. “Fine, I stay here. You can get me when breakfast is ready. I think we’ll take pancakes.”

With shaky hands and a purple face, Sebastian makes his way back to his bedroom. Every step feels like he’s trudging through quicksand. His mind is blazing, racing at the thought of what must be going on behind the closed door. Deep in his gut, Sebastian worries Theo is already out of bed, trying to piece together her clothes from last night to leave.

I’m sorry, she would say. This was a mistake. 

When Sebastian pushes open the door, he’s relieved to see her still in bed, covers pulled to her nose. She’s blinking up at him, brows knitted in confusion. He shuts the door behind him, trying to pull the towel around his waist tighter. 

“The Thompsons’s dog ate—“

“A sock,” Theo says dryly. “I heard.”

“I’m so fucking sorry,” Sebastian groans. “Theo, you have to believe me, I had no intention of this happening.”

“Of course you didn’t. How would you ever plan for a bichon frise to eat a sock?” Theo says, gathering her long, dark hair into a ponytail.  She pauses when she realizes she doesn’t have a hair tie; Sebastian instinctively moves to his underwear drawer, pulling out the silk scrunchie that had accidentally come home with him. She nods in thanks as she takes it, tying her hair up in a bun.

“What do we do?” Theo asks.

Sebastian scratches his head. “You don’t want to leave?”

“I don’t quite think I can leave when he’s seen me in your bed.” Theo blurts. “I think we have to talk to him, don’t we?”

“And tell him what?” Sebastian asks, his heart hammering in his chest.

“You’re the dad, aren’t you?” Theo waves her hands at him. “Haven’t you thought it out?”

“We just decided we’re dating twelve hours ago,” Sebastian argues. “I’ve been a bit busy.”

Theo groans, pressing her hands to her temples. “Do you at least have something I can change into?”

“Right,” Sebastian blurts, turning to his dresser. Still clutching the towel, he digs through his drawers to find something suitable for Theo to wear. He pulls out a pair of sweatpants that are a bit tight on him, and a fresh shirt for her to change into.  When he turns around, she’s feeling around the floor for her bra.

“Sorry,” Sebastian blurts, and he’s not quite sure which of the offenses he’s apologizing for. He averts his gaze as she finds the flimsy black lingerie, fastening it around her torso.

“Boxers, please.” Theo mutters, taking the clothes from his hand. She slips the shirt over her head, letting it skim against the tops of her thighs. “The only underwear I have is downstairs, and I don’t fancy going down there in this state.”

Sebastian pulls out a pair of boxers, blushing as he hands it over to her. He can’t help staring at Theo, the sight of her wearing his clothes stirring something deep inside—

A pillow soars across the room, smacking Sebastian in the face and bringing him back down to earth. 

“Are you serious gawking at me? At a time like this?” Theo scowls. “Get dressed, Sebastian.”

Cheeks aflame, Sebastian obeys her orders.

The last thing Sebastian had expected to see when coming down the stairs was his son cooking breakfast alone. But as he steps down into the kitchen, one hand lingering on the small of Theo’s back, he supposes today is a day for firsts.

“It’s about time—you two took forever,” Rory complains. He’s standing at the counter, stirring a bowl of  lumpy batter. 

“Are you cooking breakfast?” Theo balks, arms crossing over her chest. 

“Dad taught me how,” He grins. “Sit, we’ll take care of it.” 

Sebastian understands that he is part of the we—he promptly takes his place at the stove, where Rory has taken the liberty to start heating a pan.  His son wordlessly passes the bowl of pancake batter, swiftly maneuvering around the kitchen to find a mug.  He pours out coffee, pausing when it reaches the rim.

“Do you take cream and sugar?” He asks.

“Full service,” Theo mutters. “Two sugars, please.”

Sebastian minds his task, diligently flipping the pancakes while Rory brings Theo her coffee. He can hear her audibly sigh when she takes a sip of the hot beverage, as well as Rory rummaging through the fridge for syrup and butter. He even pulls out the nice plates, setting three at the table. It looks like there’s no avoiding a group meal at this point. Besides, Sebastian’s stomach is growling—he’d worked up quite an appetite.

“Pancakes,” Sebastian announces, setting a large stack in the middle of the table. Notably, Rory has already decided he’s sitting between them. Probably better to interrogate the two of them. As he passes forks and knives, Sebastian exchanges a raised brow with Theo. They’ve not had the time to rehearse or plan an explanation to Rory, and he’s trying to piece together the most PG version of their relationship.

“So,” Rory says, voice muffled by a mouthful of food. “Tell me from the start—since when have you two been dating?”

“Since last night,” Theo shrugs, taking a sip of her coffee. “Right, Sebastian?”

“I gathered, but since when have you two liked each other?” Rory asks, honing in on what he considers to be the most important aspect of the relationship. 

Theo looks to Sebastian, one eyebrow arched as she lifts her fork to her lips. 

“For a while.” Sebastian admits. “Probably the last two months.”
Rory has a smug smile on his face—he doesn’t need to gloat any further.

“So are you going to stay here?” Rory asks eagerly, turning his attention to Theo.

She sputters, coughing on the sip of coffee she’d just taken. “Uh, your dad and I haven’t quite talked about that yet, Ror.” She says, wiping her mouth with the sleeve of Sebastian’s sweatshirt. 

“Why wouldn’t you?” Rory cocks his head. “We have a bigger house than you.”

“Rory,” Sebastian begs, desperation dripping in his voice. “Please.”

“She lives above a barn, Dad.” Rory scolds him. “Why wouldn’t she stay with us?”

There is silence between the three of them, just the clink of their silverware against the plates as they eat. He wishes he were better prepared, that he’d thought of

these questions ahead of time. In fairness, he had been planning on bringing this all up to Theo over breakfast—alone, just the two of them.

“What do you like about her?” Rory asks, as if Theo isn’t sitting right across from them. “What do you like about Theo?”

“I like that she’s smart,” Sebastian says slowly. “She could beat me in trivia any day, and she’s perceptive. I like that we’ve had some of the same experiences, and we can talk to each other, make each other feel better.”

“And?” Rory eggs him on.

Sebastian feels his cheeks redden, the weight of Theo’s gaze boring into the side of his face. “I like that she’s made an effort to know you outside of me,” he says softly. “And that you like her as well.”

“And you think she’s pretty—“

Sebastian turns his face, now looking directly at Theo. She’s biting the inside of her cheek to fight a smile, lashes fluttering as she looks down at her half-eaten plate. One knee is pulled to her chest, chin resting atop it, and she tucks a stray strand of hair out of her face. 

“I think she’s beautiful.” Sebastian declares. “Very beautiful.”

Her honey colored eyes flash up to his, and now it is his turn to blush again.

“And what do you like about my dad?” Rory asks.

Theo gives a tiny shrug, accompanied by a sip of coffee. “Your dad knows a lot, and he works very hard. He cares a lot about the people in his life—especially you.” She nods to Rory. “We know how to talk to each other, share a lot of experiences in common. We like a lot of the same things, same activities, and that makes it even easier to like him.”

“And?” 

Theo’s eyes sparkle as she meets Sebastian’s gaze, a coy smile dancing on her lips. 

“He’s very handsome.” Theo admits, cheeks turning pink. 

Rory claps his hands together. “So that settles it. The two of you care about each other, and Theo is going to come over more often.”

“Am I?” Theo asks, her eyes still pinned on Sebastian. It’s more a question to him than to Rory, and he knows exactly how he wants to respond.

“You are,” Sebastian clears his throat. “You’re welcome any time.”

The conversation seems to appease Rory, who goes back to chattering about his sleepover and the weekend plans. Theo stays seated at the kitchen table as she watches the Sallows pile dishes up in the sink, Rory eventually going upstairs to freshen up for the day. It’s the perfect time for Theo to escape, lest she get stuck with them for the rest of the day.

“It’s kind of amazing how unbothered he is.” Theo hums, packing the scrap of a skirt she’d been wearing the night before into her tote bag. She’s still clad in Sebastian’s clothes, the ends of the sweatpants pooling into a borrowed pair of Anne’s wellies. She drops her high heels into the bag as well, slinging it over her shoulder.

“I’m sure he’ll be making fun of me again as soon as you leave,” Sebastian admits. “He’s on his best behavior around you.”

“So much for taking things slowly,” Theo snorts. The two of them walk over to the door, and Sebastian’s heart is screaming to tug her back in, keep her in his orbit a little while longer. Before Rory, he was never the type to take his time. Always barreling into the library, into fights, through life. His parents had called it talent, his uncle framed it as a flaw. Ominis found it endearing, and Anne had always rolled her eyes. It was only after Rory that Sebastian started slowing down, thinking things through. He had to—someone else depended on him.

But holding Theo’s hand, standing in the threshold of the front door as snowflakes dance through the air, he wants to run. Not from her, but with her. He wants everything, even if he doesn’t know what it is yet. Sebastian is drunk on her already, and isn’t quite sure he’ll ever have enough.

“Do you mean it?” She asks. “About being welcome here?”

“Yes,” the word falls out of Sebastian’s mouth too easily. He squeezes her hand, and she does the same. Everything is different, he realizes, and has been since she stepped foot into his home.

“I’ll see you on Monday,” Theo promises, her hand slipping out of his. “Thank you for dinner, for everything. It was perfect.” 

Sebastian does not hold back. He threads his hands through her hair, palms cradling her cheeks as he lays a kiss against her lips. She melts against him, eyes fluttering up to his when they need to come up for air. 

“Monday,” Sebastian says huskily. “I’ll see you then.”

He stands in the doorway, watching the yellow bug sputter to life and back out of the driveway. 

Sebastian: I take it I’m not going to get my sweatpants back

Theo: I wager not. It’s only fair I get to keep a pair of my boyfriend’s pants, isn’t it?

Sebastian: I like the sound of that

Sebastian: Do I get anything of yours in return

Theo: You get to take them off of me?

Sebastian: Deal

Sebastian: I will need the wellies back though. They’re my sister’s

Theo: Of course, I’ll bring them back next time I’m over.

Sebastian: Speaking of, do you want to stay over this weekend

Theo: Are you sure? With Rory home?

Sebastian: I’m very sure

Theo: I’ll bring an overnight bag this time.

Sebastian: Any snacks you want me to pick up 

Theo: Snacks, for me?

Sebastian: Yeah. I want to have stuff you like around the house and we’re doing the food shop tomorrow

Theo: Actually, can I come with?

Sebastian: How’s tomorrow after school

Theo: I’ll be there.

“You’re joking,” Theo raises her brow, tugging her purse further up her shoulder. 

“Every morning,” Sebastian announces, dropping the box of cereal into the shopping cart. 

“Were the pancakes a one off thing?” She asks, heels clicking against the market floor. Rory is trailing behind them, head bobbing as he listens to his music. His school tie is loose, draped around his collar. “Because I’m sorry, I don’t think I can survive on just Weetabix for breakfast.”

“I usually make something fancier on the weekends,” Sebastian admits. “But we’re not picky eating breakfast before school.”

If they aren't going to take things slowly, they might as well hit the gas. At least, that’s what makes the most sense in Sebastian’s head. If Theo is going to stay for the weekend, she might as well tag along with them as they do their grocery shop. It also seems to be a crash course in getting to know one each other’s breakfast habits. 

“What cereal do you eat?” Sebastian asks. When she turns around with a garishly bright box with a cartoon animal on it, he nearly chokes on his laugh. “You’re joking. Theo, that’s like, 90% sugar.”

“It’s good,” Theo insists, tossing it into their trolley. “Don’t knock it.”

Sebastian rolls his eyes, and she bumps her shoulder into him. “It gives you away, you know.” He points out. “Only child.”

“Does it?” Theo snorts. “I guess I was a bit spoiled. Makes up for the whole absentee father thing.”

There is the briefest silence between them, interrupted by Theo’s cough. “I’m sorry, was that too much?”

“No,” Sebastian shakes his head. “I think we just haven’t talked about our parents much.” For as much as they’ve gotten to know each other, they know the bare minimum about their parents. Sebastian feels a pang of shame, realizing he hasn’t shared anything about them. If Anne knew, she’d never let him forget it—

“My dad’s name is Ted,” Theo says without a second thought. “Doesn’t like leaving the country much. Big on hikes, hunting, all the outdoorsy stuff. And for as much as we don’t get along, he’s the reason I like Cookie Crisp.” She taps the box of cereal, a knowing smile on her face.

Sebastian opens his mouth to respond, but his phone interrupts him. “I’m sorry, I have to take this,” he says, passing the trolley over to her. “Catch up with you in the next aisle.” 

Theo waves him off; Rory seizes the opportunity to take his headphones off, skipping over to see what they’ve selected.  Sebastian rounds the corner, answering his phone.

“Isaac,” he says cheerfully. “What can I do for you?”

“Hey mate,” Isaac Cooper’s voice is slightly grainy on the other end of the line. “Sorry to interrupt you.”

“Not a problem,” Sebastian shakes his head. “What’s up?”

“I know you’re usually done with yardwork this time of year, but was wondering if you could do me a favor. My parents are coming up to the house for New Year’s, and I wanted to make it a bit more festive.” Isaac explains. “Thought they’d love to see all the trees around the house decked out in lights.”

“Easy peasy,” Sebastian promises. He peeks his head down the next aisle, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips when he sees Rory and Theo comparing pasta sauces. He won’t say no to a little extra income this month—especially considering he’ll have to send Rory on his ski trip with pocket money and buy Theo a Christmas present. “You let me know when, and I can do it.” 

“Excellent,” Isaac cheers. “I’ll text you when the housekeeper is by, and she’ll take the lights out of the attic. I was thinking of joining them this year, so if I do, pint on me.” His old schoolmate promises.

“Looking forward to it,” Sebastian assures him. “Talk soon.”

Shoving his phone into his back pocket, Sebastian turns down the pasta aisle to catch up with Rory and Theo. He skitters to a stop, his scuffed trainers squeaking against the floor when he sees Cressida and Will next to the pair.

“Sebastian,” Cressida gapes. She has a sly smile on her face, sliding her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “Funny running into you here.”

“Good to see you, Cress.” He breathes, kissing her cheek. “Hiya, Will.”

The little ginger boy in the cart doesn’t look up, fixated on the game playing on Cressida’s phone. His mother’s eyes flit between the trio, piecing together the narrative in her head.

“I was grocery shopping,” Theo blurts. “And I ran into Sebastian and Rory. So we thought we’d all just share a buggy.”

Rory wears his emotions on his face, one thick brow raised as Theo lies.

“Right,” Sebastian backs her up. “Sharing.”

Cressida rolls her eyes, taking hold of her cart again. “Right, makes complete sense.” She says, sarcasm dripping from her tone. “I’ll see the two of you at pub night—Leander has been begging me to get everyone together for trivia.”

“See you then,” Sebastian and Theo chirp at the same time. Rory winces, and there’s no covering how awkward they are. He maintains the same expression when

Sebastian refuses to let Theo separate her groceries from his at check-out, and again when she insists on paying.

“The two of you really need to sort things out,” Rory says nonchalantly, holding a paper bag filled with vegetables close to his chest.

“Right,” Sebastian mutters. “The relationship expert. He’s had a girlfriend for all of two months and thinks I’m the lame one.”

Theo snorts, and Sebastian’s stomach flips at the sound. He bites back his smile as they load the groceries into the boot, and she walks with him to put the cart away while Rory gets in the car.

“Do we need to talk about it?” Theo asks, the pair taking slow steps back to his parking spot.  Her borrowed yellow bug is parked right next to him, and Sebastian has half a mind to tell her to leave it and come home with them.

Slow down, he reminds himself. Don’t scare her.

“Are we telling people?” Sebastian asks, rubbing the back of his neck. 

“Do you want to?”

Sebastian pauses, leaning against his bumper. “I’m not opposed to it, but you and I both know it’ll be the talk of the town.”

Theo brushes a strand of hair out of her face, shivering slightly against the December wind. “I think I want to keep you to myself a little longer, if that’s alright.” She admits. “We already had to tell Rory, and that was a whole thing—telling everyone else would—“

“Yeah,” Sebastian interjects. Telling everyone would make it so much more real, he thinks. Not that it isn’t, but there’s still so much more for them to learn about each other before everyone else gets a say.

“It’s freezing,” Theo crosses her arms. “So, Saturday? I’ll spend the night?”

Sebastian bites his lower lip. He wishes he’d suggested his earlier thought of her coming home with them; it’s only Wednesday, and while he’ll see her at work the next two days, it’s not the same. The thought of her waking in his bed floods his vision, and he has to shake it loose.

“Saturday,” Sebastian reaches out, tucking another windswept strand of hair behind her ear. “Stay over on Saturday.”

She beams at him, and the beast inside of him roars at her expression. Theo rises up on her tip toes, pressing a kiss to his cheek. It’s strategically placed, her lips gently puckered against the corner of his. It takes most of his willpower not to pull her in tighter, but like a gentleman, Sebastian bids her goodbye and watches as she gets in her car.

Theo is pulling out of her spot as Sebastian slides into the driver’s seat. When he angles the rear view mirror, he sees Rory’s haughty expression. It vaguely reminds him of Ominis, who he’s neglected to call back all week.

“Don’t,” Sebastian warns, putting the car in reverse.

Rory chuffs, going back to the book he’s started reading in the backseat. Sebastian doesn’t hide his smile this time—that expression was all Anne.

God, he can’t wait to tell them.

 

Sebastian: Didn’t see you at lunch today. You okay

Theo: I meant to text you—allergic reaction in the cafeteria today. 

Sebastian: Ah, that makes sense. Everything okay

Theo: Been a minute since I’ve had to use an epi-pen, but everyone’s alive. I’m going to train you to use punctuation someday, by the way.

Sebastian: Sometimes I’m amazed

Theo: That I know how to use a period?

Sebastian: That you’re an actual nurse. 

Theo: Ah, there it is!

Sebastian: I’m trying to tell you I’m impressed with you, and you’re more interested in my use of a period?

Theo: And a question mark!

Sebastian: That’s it, you’re not getting anything for Christmas

Theo: :( Are you serious?

Sebastian: Nah, I’ll still get you something

Theo: Are we doing Christmas presents?

Sebastian: You are my girlfriend, aren’t you

Theo: Dammit. There goes the punctuation again.

“You’re staying for Christmas.” Rory demands. “End of story.”

It’s Saturday night, and Sebastian is burying his phone in the couch cushions to muffle the noise. For the fifth time, his group chat is buzzing. He’d let them know earlier in the day that he wasn’t quite up for a pub night, and Leander had been raging all afternoon. Even Garreth had given him some grief, until Theo casually mentioned she was also skipping. Sebastian nearly blocked Garreth just to avoid all the winking face emojis he was sending both him and Theo in a separate group chat. It seems Theo is getting her fair share of messages on her own, several texts from Cressida lighting up her phone, next to a missed call from Imelda Reyes. 

“Am I?” Theo asks, a smile on her face. She walks into the living room, two wine glasses in one hand. In the other is a bottle of white wine she’d picked out on Wednesday. It’s one of the newer things in the kitchen that has Theo’s name scrawled over it in sharpie, courtesy of Rory. She passes one to Sebastian, then pulls a can of soda from her pocket for Rory. He happily accepts, lying on his stomach atop a mountain of pillows on the floor. Theo sinks into the couch next to Sebastian, kneels curled to her chest as she picked a piece of popcorn from the bowl in his lap. “What movie are we watching?”

“Lord of the Rings, and don’t change the subject.” Rory threatens from his pile. “Can you stay for Christmas, please?”

“Rory,” Sebastian chides, pouring the wine into Theo’s glass. “Stop pressuring her.”

“Only if your dad wants me to,” Theo announces, looking at Sebastian. 

“Of course I want you to,” Sebastian blurts. “But only if you’re comfortable—“

“Then I’m staying for Christmas.” Theo interrupts him, taking a long sip.

Rory gives his father a satisfied grin. “It doesn’t have to be so hard, Dad. Use your words.”

Sebastian rolls his eyes, cheeks heating with embarrassment. It isn’t hard. That’s what is so alarming about this whole arrangement, the way Theo has slipped into their lives in the last few days. Texting her had already been second nature, but now he finds their conversations last all day long. There’s no need to end the conversation, a new topic arising every single time. It’s hardly been a week since Rory barged in and forced them to come out with their relationship. And now, she’s gone grocery shopping with them. She’s eaten at his dinner table. She has a pair of pajamas laid out on his bed upstairs. 

These are uncharted waters, but Sebastian is ready to ride the wave.

Rory falls asleep less than half an hour into the movie, Sebastian hauling him to his bedroom. He’s almost forgotten how quickly his son has grown, arms tensing as he tries to lug the boy up the stairs. Rory doesn’t even wake, snuggling into his sheets while he turns up the sound machine. 

“He’s gotten heavier,” Sebastian grunts as he walks into his room, locking the door behind him. Theo smiles, toweling off her wet hair. She’s wearing a new pair of pajamas, butter yellow stripes cut in satin. 

“I wanted to wait to talk about this until Rory was in bed,” Theo starts, drawing circles against the duvet as she sits on the edge of the bed. “But you can stop asking if I’m comfortable.”

“What?” Sebastian raises a brow as he strips his shirt off, tossing it in the dirty bin. He tugs at the chain around his neck, heat pooling in his abdomen as Theo’s eyes follow.

“You can stop asking if I’m comfortable all the time.” Theo leans back. “I’m a grown up, Seb. I think we’ve determined I can handle taking myself out of situations I don’t want to be in. I want to be here. Don’t push me away.”

Sebastian’s heart grows three times bigger, chewing on his smile as he towers over her. “This is new. It’s all new. I just want to make sure you’re—“

“Comfortable,” Theo retorts. “If I wasn’t comfortable, I wouldn’t be letting you take myself clothes off, would I?”

Sebastian decides not to question her further, so he does as she asks and reaches for the mother of pearl buttons of her night shirt.

It's only been a week since he's last had her, but it still feels too long. Even then, Sebastian takes his time. If anything, he's reminded he can actually slow down. Theo is in his bed, in his home, willing and wanting to stay. There is nowhere to rush to afterwards, no saying goodbye or sleeping alone. It’s still overwhelming, the way her skin feels when he slides her pajamas off her body. The bed creaks slowly and intentionally when he slides inside of her, slick and ready for him. Theo swallows any moans that escape his mouth with her kisses, eyes begging for release when their gazes meet. And when she comes, teeth biting down on the hand covering her mouth, he comes too. While he’s done a good job of staying quiet, he cannot hide the guttural moan he’s been holding back the entire night. He hates pulling out of her, but relishes the view of her stretched across his bed, breasts rising with every labored breath.

“I like these pajamas,” Sebastian says, passing her satin top back to her. He’s dutifully cleaned both her and the sheets, and now all he wants is to sleep with her curled into his chest.

“Thanks. Poppy sent them for my birthday earlier this month.” Theo yawns, pulling the duvet over her. “Okay with the light on if I read?”

The words register in his mind, and Sebastian freezes in place. “I’m sorry, your birthday was earlier this month?”

Theo isn’t phased, shrugging as she pulls the new book about dragons she’d bought at the grocery shop from her side of the bed. “Yeah. It was the first week of December. Don’t worry about it, I don’t like celebrating.”

Sebastian’s mouth goes dry. “Theo, you just let me finish inside you, and you’re saying your birthday isn’t a big deal?”

She does not look up, but her lip curls downwards in the tiniest frown. “I told you, it isn’t a big deal. We weren’t talking that week, and I don’t celebrate my birthday.”

Guilt pools in Sebastian’s stomach, realizing she’d spent her birthday alone and thinking he hated her. “I haven’t told you about my parents before, have I?”

Theo’s head snaps up as he crawls into the bed, pulling the thick paperback out of her hands. The edges of her hair are still wet, leaving patches against her shirt. Her dark lashes flutter up to him, a question on the tip of her tongue. 

“No,” she says slowly. “You haven’t.”

“Birthdays are a very important Sallow tradition,” Sebastian swallows thickly. “Birthing twins is a miracle in itself, surviving childhood cancer even more. So my parents spared no expense on birthdays. Even on teacher salaries, it was always something big and bold for Anne and me. All of our favorite things just to celebrate the fact that we’re another year older.”

“That’s sweet.” Theo murmurs, her gaze pinned to her lap.

“And when you start losing family members, birthdays become even more important, because you’ll take any excuse to celebrate the people you love in person.” Sebastian chokes out. He hadn’t meant to get emotional over it, but he wants to give her something. Something to know the Sallows by.

Theo looks up at him, a new expression on her face. It is softness, it is truth. If they are really going to do this, it is an equal exchange of information.

“My mum used to love birthdays.” Theo confesses. “It’s always cold on my birthday, so we’d go on holiday with dad. He hates traveling, so I always knew he really loved me since he willingly went abroad with us. She’d always plan a trip to the beach, so we could swim on my birthday.” 

“Swimming on your birthday.” Sebastian muses, lying down beside her.  The book is lost now, somewhere in the web of sheets that tangles them. Theo settles into the mattress, her back pressed against his chest. The satin pajama shirt gives way, a delicious stretch of skin exposed to Sebastian’s fingertips.

There is a moment of silence, followed by a hard swallow.

“We stopped going to the beach when I was ten.” Her voice is quiet. “Dad never planned a trip over my birthday after that.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I am too.” Theo murmurs. “What were their names?”

It takes Sebastian a moment to register the question, blinking up at her as moonlight streams in through the curtains. “Oh. My dad’s name was Simon, and my mum’s name was Abigail.”

Theo nods, her dark waves tickling his nose. “My mum’s name was Leonora.”

Sebastian presses a kiss to the spot behind her ear as they turn off the lights. He’s had glimpses of her life before the highlands, but they’d been brief and nondescript. Living in Poppy Sweeting and Imelda Reyes’s spare room, escaping an expensive engagement party. A faceless fiancé with no backbone. Her father, the outdoorsman, and her mother’s lavish birthday trips. He wants to know every single bit.

“She was a pediatrician.” Theo says, voice thick with sleep. “Made me want to work with kids from the start.” 

Sebastian lets the room fall still, Theo’s breaths descending into a soft rhythm and cute snore. He would sleep, but the wheels are already turning in his head. He can hear his own mother again, the way she’d dedicate the whole week before their birthday just to prepare. Sallows take birthdays very seriously, she’d warn. We must continue the tradition.

“We’re going swimming for your birthday,” Sebastian whispers against Theo’s neck. And with the plan falling into place in his head, he drifts off to sleep.

 

Sebastian: Oi

Garreth: He lives! We missed you two at trivia. Got fucking destroyed by a group of seventy year olds. Have you been living under a rock? Or just Theo? 

Sebastian: You haven’t told the group have you

Garreth: I’m a bit offended you’d think I’d do that.

Sebastian: I’m calling in a favor

Garreth: Right after you’ve insulted me?

Sebastian: I’m serious

Sebastian: It’s for Theo’s birthday—I’m a complete knob and didn’t know it was earlier this month

Garreth: Your first week as a boyfriend and you’ve already fucked up her birthday?

Sebastian: 🖕🏻

Garreth: I don’t really have the time to fit in another custom cake with the holidays so close, but I can try.

Sebastian: Oh yeah a cake

Sebastian: But do you still remember the fellow who works security at the pool

Garreth: Gets a cream horn every Sunday morning. Why?

Sebastian: I have an idea.

 

Theo

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” Theo gasps, trying to catch her breath. She’d woken up late, her phone dead after spending the night at Sebastian’s. She really should bother him for a longer phone charger, she thinks. Or perhaps she should buy one and leave it there on the bedside table next to her new book.

“You’re just in time,” Rose Sweeting smiles, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. Her hair is cropped short, just like Poppy’s, and they share the same warm smile. She’s standing in the driveway, suitcases in hand. “We’ll cut it a little close, but I’m sure I’ll make it.”

Theo pops the trunk of the Volkswagen, doing her best to cram Rose’s two suitcases in the barely there trunk. She’d promised Poppy that she would deliver her grandmother to the train station safely, see her off as she traveled south to Edinburgh for the first leg of their Greece trip. As they pull out of the drive, Theo looks in the mirror and sees her smeared mascara and kiss swollen lips. She averts her gaze, a flush glowing on her cheeks.

“You’ve been busy lately.” Rose says, a cheerful lilt to her voice. “And I don’t think I’ve seen you come home the past few weekends.”

“No,” Theo bites the inside of her cheeks, making a left turn. “I haven’t.”

Rose chuckles, leaning back into her seat. “I’m so glad I was right.”

Theo lets out a laugh, shaking her head. “Well, I did take your words to heart. It would be a damn shame to watch him fall for anyone else.”

Rose’s smile is broad and proud, a look Theo isn’t used to seeing. “I’m glad you’re pursing your own happiness, Theo.”

“I didn’t think it’d be this easy,” Theo confesses. “It shouldn’t—“

“Stop there,” Rose wags her finger. If it’s easy, let it be easy. We so often overcomplicate our own lives, which would be easier if we just live our truth.”

Theo raises a brow as they pull into the train station car park. “Is there some sort of handbook they give to grandmothers so they know exactly what advice to give?”

Rose lets out a bark of a laugh. “The sage advice comes with experience, my dear. Now, tell me before I go what I am allowed to say when the girls inevitably ask what you’re up to.”

Theo’s face falters. “Has Poppy asked?”

“She’s trying not to pry,” Rose shrugs. “But I can tell it weighs on her. I know the two of you haven’t been talking as much lately, and I’m afraid that might be my fault.”

Theo feels the guilt pooling inside her. She truly has been kept busy with work during the week, and had spent most of her spare time talking to Sebastian. It’s the longest she’s ever gone without a text or a peep to Imelda and Poppy. 

“I’m glad the three of you are going on vacation,” Theo assures her. “And I don’t mean to be distant from them. I just felt lost without them, but now—“

“Now you have your own little life here, don’t you?” Rose’s eyes twinkle.

Theo blushes deeper. “Yeah, I suppose I do.”

“Are you going to spend Christmas with Sebastian and Rory? I’d hate for you to be all alone in the house.” 

“I think I will.” Theo says, stepping out of the car. She helps Rose with her suitcase, walking her to the doors of the station. “I don’t know that I’m ready to open those floodgates though.” She recalls her very first mention of Sebastian, the way both Poppy and Mel had exploded with gossip. She wants to keep her little life with Sebastian and Rory just between them for now, before the inevitable questions force her to consider the future.

“Not a peep from me then,” Rose feigns locking her lips, throwing away the key. “We’ll be home before New Year’s Eve, I know the girls will be so happy to see you.”

“Have a lovely trip,” Theo hugs her host tightly, receiving a pat on the cheek from her in return. “I can’t wait to hear all about it when you’re back.”

Theo watches the silver haired woman go through the double doors, and waits against the car until she’s disappeared into the depths of the station. It’s Sunday, and it’s the last few days of school before holidays. She’s alone for the next two weeks, until the Sweetings return from their trip.

Theo’s phone buzzes, and she looks down at the screen with a smile. 

Sebastian: I washed your pajamas. Rory wants pizza for dinner tonight, are you in?

Without hesitation, she taps her response. It’s an enthusiastic yes to pizza with her boyfriend and his son.

No, she’s not alone.

Chapter Text

“Hold the lights,” Sebastian instructs, and he nods when Rory holds up the balled up Christmas lights. “That’s it—follow me around the trees.”

Rory’s feet crunch the lightly frozen ground as they string the lights around the topiaries in front of the Cooper residence. They’re nearly done now—just a few more trees before Sebastian can take him to meet Theo at Garreth’s bakery for the pastry and hot chocolate he’d promised as payment.

“We should put lights up around the house,” Rory suggests. 

“We can put lights up around the house when you can reach on your own,” Sebastian snorts. “Isn’t the tree enough?”

“But we should really decorate from now on,” Rory argues, the yarn of his mittens catching on the colorful lightbulbs as he unfurls them. “A real Christmas tree now that we have Theo, with new ornaments now that she’s around.”

“Rory,” Sebastian warns him. He’s not quite sure what he’s warning him about—the optimism that she will be around for future Christmases. He knows that a return to London is in the books for her, and he’d rather not think about that after having just picked out her Christmas presents.

“I know,” his son huffs. “I’m just saying, you could do with a little optimism.”

“I am optimistic,” Sebastian scoffs. He can see his own breath; the weather has shifted, and they’ll get snow during the week for sure. “Cautiously. Anyways, it’s between Theo and me—I don’t need your coddling.”

Rory is about to start complaining when Sebastian’s phone rings. He quickly silences it, typing a quick response.

Sebastian: I’m sorry, working right now

Anne: Term is over, isn’t it?

Sebastian: Picked up a side gig 

Anne: You haven’t answered my calls all week. Did you get the presents we sent?

Sebastian: I did, I’m sorry. I haven’t had time to chat

Anne: Why?

That is a question he’s not quite ready to answer. He loves his sister more than he loves most things in the world, but he cannot bear to deal with her questions. She will nag him until she can meet Theo, and he can already see the sneer on her face, sizing up his girlfriend. No one is good enough for him, she’d declare. She will pick, pick, pick until she’s pecked Theo’s personality apart. 

Sebastian: I’m sorry. Just trying to spend as much time with Rory before he leaves on his trip. 

Anne: I’ll accept this excuse in exchange for our Christmas FaceTime 

Sebastian: Wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Anne: When did you start using punctuation? Who are you and what have you done with my brother?

Sebastian puts his phone in his pocket; ahead of him, he can see Rory puffing hot air into his cold hands. 

“Almost done,” Sebastian promises his son. 

Rory smiles at him, a wide toothless smile that warms Sebastian’s heart. He picks up the ball of lights, following his father around topiaries. 

“Did you get Theo’s present?” Rory chirps. “And did you order what I asked for?”

“I did,” Sebastian huffs. “Bought both of our presents for her, they’ll be here in time for Christmas.” His chest roars with pride thinking about the box set of books his son had picked out for Theo’s present—all three Lord of the Rings books, which she’d never read. 

“And what about her birthday present?” He asks, a smirk on his face.

“I’m still working on that,” Sebastian admits. “But it’s none of your business anyways.”

“I think you’re forgetting everything is my business.” Rory clucks.

Sebastian snorts as his son walks away, the bundled lights in hand. As usual, Rory is right.

“Are you having fun?” Theo asks absentmindedly, running the scissors through the wrapping paper.

“Poppy and her gran are out to the market,” Imelda’s voice is grainy on the other side of the FaceTime call. “So I’ve got a bit of time to myself.”

Theo snorts, sizing up the piece she’s just cut against a box. “That’s doesn’t answer my question.”

“Yes, I am having fun, mum.” Imelda rolls her eyes. “But it’s nice to have a reprieve. You know the Sweetings.”

“And you’re going to be one of them soon.” Theo reminds her, tearing off a piece of tape. 

“Are you wrapping presents?” Imelda wrinkles her nose.

“I am,” Theo shrugs. “Mirabel and Sirona invited me to spend Christmas with them. They’ve invited a few people who don’t have relatives in town to do the holidays with them at the pub.”

“The Three Broomsticks Christmas party, a classic.” Imelda grins. “The stories about it were legendary when we were kids. I think one year there was a story about Sharp and a shot-ski—“

“Well, everyone’s older now, so I doubt they’re ripping shots,” Theo snorts. She slaps a bow on her present, moving on to the next. Sebastian had bought Rory a record player, so it only made sense that her gift would be as many records she could afford.

“Who’s going?” 

“Sharp, Kogawa, Ronen, I think a few other folks that don’t work at the school.” Theo says, choosing her words carefully. “I know the Prewetts plan to stop by before going to their family holiday party, and then Sebastian and Rory.”

Imelda snorts. “I know you hang out with Cressida, but I still can’t imagine being friends with them. I mean, teachers maybe, but Prewett and Sallow too?”

“They’re nice people,” Theo rolls her eyes. “Consider it a good thing not everyone is the same person they were in college.”

Imelda shrugs. “I’m just saying, Leander is the last person I’d imagine Sebastian hanging around. They loathed each other in school. Sebastian was kind of a loner too. I mean, popular at times—you don’t look like that and not be popular—but he mostly stuck around his sister and Ominis.”

Theo tapes the last edge of wrapping paper around Rory’s records before looking up at the screen. “Maybe you don’t know him.” she says breezily. 

“Alright, what’s gotten into you lately?” Imelda frowns. “First, you’re ignoring Poppy and me, and then you’ve got a stick up your arse over people you hardly know—“

“I know them,” Theo barks. “I know them quite well actually. I’ve had to become friends with all of them, considering they’re here.”

Imelda’s brow twitches. “You know we’d be there for Christmas—“

“It’s not just that.” Theo snaps. 

“Then what is it?” Imelda demands. “Why are we fighting? This is so, so stupid T. What’s upsetting you?“

“I moved here because of both of you, yet I’ve never felt farther away.” Theo blurts. “And when we talk, it’s all surface level. I feel like both of you don’t even know who I am anymore.”

Imelda opens her mouth, but the sound of the door opening interrupts her thoughts. Theo can hear Poppy and Gran walking in, shopping bags rustling. When Imelda turns back to the camera, she has a sheepish look on her face.

“I don’t want to talk about this right now,” Theo shakes her head. “When you’re home, we’ll talk.”

“Theo,” Imelda says quietly. “I do know you. And I love you too. We’ll talk when we’re back, okay?  Just a couple more days.”

Theo nods, but she doesn’t thoroughly believe her.  She bids Imelda a quick goodbye before Poppy can jump in frame. And when she’s left with the silence of her little flat, she knows just who she wants to talk to.

Theo: Are you busy?

Sebastian: We’re cooking up a roast. Come over.

Theo: Can I stay the night?

Sebastian: I’m offended you even thought to ask.

Scrambling to her feet, Theo kicks aside the presents to pack an overnight bag. She stuffs a pair of fresh pajamas, underwear, and a little go bag of skincare she’s been keeping to the side in her bathroom. For the briefest moment, she wonders if Sebastian has space on his bathroom counter—

No, she shakes her head. Don’t get too ahead of yourself.

Bags packed, Theo turns off the light. She’s puts the conversation with Imelda behind her, shoving it to the back of her mind. She’s got a roast to look forward to, after all.

Theo wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting out of a Christmas party at a bar, but she’s pleasantly surprised. The pub has been transformed with old holiday decor, the bar top lined with home-cooked meals. Sirona has her apron on, piling a chipped plate full of food for Sharp, scolding every spoonful. Children run around the room, led by Will Prewett, and a gaggle of older folks from town are circled around Leander and Cressida in conversation. In the corner, Kogawa and Mirabel are watching a Christmas broadcast on the old TV.

“Happy Christmas,” Sebastian bellows, receiving many cheers from the room. Behind him, Rory wears a little red Santa hat, and drags a wagon filled with Christmas presents behind him. Theo’s only job has been to carry in the brandy, a nice bottle she’d picked out to share with the group.

“Look who’s here,” Sirona gushes, wiping her hands on her apron. She pats Sebastian on the shoulder and ruffles Rory’s hair. Sirona’s eyes twinkle as she presses a kiss to Theo’s cheek, taking the bottle out of her hands. “And she’s brought the good stuff.”

“Thank you for inviting me,” Theo blushes, pulling the sleeves of her red sweater down. Her nerves are instantly calmed by the feeling of Sebastian’s hand on the small of her back; when she looks up at him, he’s unphased.

“There it is, then.” Sirona grins. “Officially official, you two?”

“I didn’t realize declarations had to be made.” Sebastian cocks his head.

“Oh, Dinah’s been betting on the two of you being public by New Year’s. She’s going to be so upset she was off by a few days,” Mirabel says, bouncing over to the group. She swings one of her copper braids over her shoulders, leaning into Sirona. “Abraham will be pleased though—he’s won the betting pool. He said Christmas.”

Sebastian clutches his chest. “I’m wounded that you’d be placing bets on my romantic endeavors,” he complains. “Ye of such little faith.”

“Make a plate,” Sirona orders, wagging her finger in their faces; Mirabel chuckles as Rory takes off for the other children, following him over to the Christmas tree. Once he’s out of earshot, Sirona leans in with a wink. “And no hanky panky in the car park.”

“Christ,” Sebastian wheezes, and Theo can only fold herself into his chest, face buried in his shirt. 

“I’m not sure whether to be flattered or mortified that our coworkers had a betting pool on us,” She mumbles.

“Be flattered—they only get riled up for the good gossip.” Sebastian grins. “Hungry?”

Ravenous. With plate piled high of Sirona’s fabulous Christmas feast, they settled in to eat; all of the tables in the pub had been pushed together to create one long communal dining set, sprays of Mirabel’s greenhouse florals set in the center. They chose seats next to Leander and Cressida, the pair of them sporting wide smiles.

“Mate,” Leander clapped Sebastian on the back. “Happy Christmas.”

“Happy Christmas indeed,” Cressida purred, squeezing Theo’s hand under the table. And when her hand departed, Sebastian’s quickly followed. He rested his large palm against her thigh, thumb brushing over her jeans with little care for anyone who’d see.

Dinner is a raucous affair, children shrieking and running around the table. The adults pass wine, then Theo’s brandy as they open Christmas crackers. Sirona eventually steals Rory’s Santa hat, playing the part as she doles out presents. Theo takes note of every gift labeled from the Sallows—books. Books for every single person attending the party, a carefully selected novel from the Sallows boys. Her heart patters against her chest as she thinks of Sebastian going out of his way to pick out suitable titles for each of his colleagues, for Leander and Cressida’s growing family. And most notably, there aren’t any presents for Theo and Rory.

“We open presents on Christmas morning,” Sebastian said quietly, gesturing to Rory packing wrapped presents back into his wagon. “I did get you a Christmas present, but the one for your birthday may be a bit delayed.”

“Oh?” Theo turned, craning her neck towards him. “Couldn’t figure out what to get?” She teased.

Sebastian shook his head, eyes darkening. “We’ll have to wait until after Rory’s gone,” he murmurs, his lips pressing against the corner of her jaw.

Theo shivers at his answer, heat rising in her cheeks. While she’s enjoying the Christmas party, a part of her can’t wait to go home.

Home, she shakes her head. Sebastian’s house. Not her home. Not yet.

Rory falls asleep in the backseat as they drive home; Sebastian has his hand on her thigh, the other on the wheel as he drives through the slushy streets. They share a look of agreement with one another as he untangles his groggy son from the seatbelt, hauling the ten year old over his shoulder. Theo carries in the presents, kneeling as she carefully arranges them under the tree.

A body slides next to her, a soft groan as Sebastian’s butt hits the carpeted floor. “I brought hot chocolate,” he murmurs, passing a mug into her hands. She hadn’t even heard him warming the milk in the kitchen.

“We never decorated the tree ourselves,” Theo glanced up at the old artificial tree, lined with aged ornaments. “Dad always hired some fancy decorator to do it.”

“Decorating the tree is the best part,” Sebastian’s shoulder knocks into hers when he lifts a hand to point at the branches. “Each one tells a story. That one—it was from my grandparents’ tree, their first anniversary. The one over there that looks like it is from my parents’ first Christmas together.”

Theo blinks at the baubles, trying to drink in the sight of it all. “They’re gorgeous.”

“That ugly little one there, the plastic bear, belonged to my uncle Solomon.” Sebastian breathes. “He had a soft spot for it. And the silver crest is from when Anne and I were born.”

“What about the popsicle sticks?” Theo grins, pointing at a haphazardly glued together contraption.

Sebastian chuckles with his next sip. “My prized possession. Rory’s first year in nursery school.”

“Should I bring an ornament?” Theo asks sleepily, leaning against his shoulder. When she looks up, the fairy lights are reflected in Sebastian’s wide, glassy eyes.

“Yes,” he insists. “You should. Rory actually insisted we get a real tree next time. For you.” They share a heated glance, and Theo brushes her fingers against Sebastian’s cheeks.

When the clock strikes one o’clock, they quietly empty their mugs into the sink. Sebastian helps her up the stairs, reminding her when to skip the creaky step. They undress in the dark; the pajamas Theo packed go unused, favoring one of Sebastian’s large jerseys instead. When they settle under the sheets, Sebastian kisses her until she falls asleep.

“Come in,” Theo yells at the sound of knocking on her door. It’s been a few days since she’s been back to her own place, and it desperately needs a clean. She’s sniffing through the remnants of old leftovers in the fridge when Sebastian appears up the stairs, cheeks flushed from the cold.

“How’d it go?” Theo asks, tossing her Chinese takeaway from last week into the bin. 

“Just about as well as I thought it would.” Sebastian winces, shaking snow out of his hair. The weather really has taken a turn since the holidays, the Thompsons eager to depart for their trip before getting snowed in. “Nearly cried.”

“Poor thing,” Theo clucked her tongue, walking over to him with a sympathetic look on her face. “It isn’t easy, letting Rory go off on his own.”

“Are you implying I’m the one who cried?” He scoffs.

“I know you’re the one who cried.”

Sebastian rolls his eyes, freckled cheeks turning pink. “I bet he’s going to spend half his pocket money at the airport, and call me for more tomorrow.”

“And you’ll send it to him without a second thought.” Theo snorts, turning back to the fridge. 

“Are you almost packed?” Sebastian asks, quickly changing the subject from Rory’s departure. His eyes flicker to the empty suitcase splayed out on the bed.

“I’ve been going back and forth from yours for a week now.” Theo wrinkles her nose. “I have to do my laundry first.”

“You know, you can do laundry at my house.” Sebastian offers. 

“Is that weird?” Theo asks, throwing her spoiled milk into the bin.

“Considering we’ve done everything backwards, I don’t think so.” Sebastian chuckles, stepping towards her. He almost looks shy the way he slides his large palm into hers. “I’ve just realized I’ve never taken you on a proper date.”

“We spent Christmas together, and you’re worried you haven’t taken me on a date.” Theo shakes her head. “We really have fucked this up.”

“I’ll be rectifying that shortly.” Sebastian murmurs, lips pressing against her cheek. “But first, we have to pack and clean out your kitchen. Darling, it stinks.”

Theo gags while Sebastian laughs, and the two of them go back to cleaning her space. It’s funny how it almost doesn’t even feel like hers anymore—merely a landing zone to shower and do laundry. She leaves Sebastian for a moment to collect her clothes from the dryer in the main house, trudging up the stairs to see him standing at her dresser. Looking at the fine dusting of snow atop her laundry bin, perhaps she should start doing her laundry at Sebastian’s house. 

“Everything alright?” Theo asks, dumping the damp contents into her suitcase.

Sebastian raises a brow. “We’ll have to work on your packing skills.” He says simply, scratching his head as she sits on the suitcase to shut it.

 “It’s just fine, thank you.” Theo scoffs, forcing the zip shut. “That should be enough clothes for a week.”

Sebastian grins, pulling her off the suitcase. He lifts it off the bed, the wheels landing with a thud on the weathered floor.  He gives her a look again, wincing as he lifts the bag.

“A week? Or a year?” Sebastian jests.

“You wish.” Theo smiles over her shoulder, heart thumping through her chest. 

There is something daunting about being out in public with Sebastian.

Theo knows she shouldn’t feel this way—Sebastian knows her inside and out, and if the last two weeks have decided anything, it’s that she’s truly in it with him. But her head turns at every odd glance in the restaurant, a flush from her cheeks to her neck when she feels Sebastian’s hand resting on the inside of her thigh at the restaurant. Being together in public is a statement, and the thought of it has her head spinning.

Or perhaps that’s the bottle of wine they’ve ordered.

Sebastian is nothing but a gentleman, pulling her chair out and in for her, ordering exactly what she’d pick. He seems completely unbothered by the double takes at their table, nodding at anyone who shoots a wave their way. 

“What are you thinking about?” Sebastian asks, lifting his wine glass to his lips.

“About our rules. We never quite got back to that one,” Theo tips her head in his direction. “If we’re telling people.”

“I think my hand around your waist at the Christmas party told everyone what they needed to know.” Sebastian waggles his thick brows.

She blushes at the memory of the Christmas party, the cheers and catcalls of their colleagues whenever the pair were caught under mistletoe. “I meant our families, our best friends. You said you told your sister and your best friend about me.” Theo points out. “I’m assuming you haven’t told them any recent developments, all considering.”

Sebastian’s cheeks go pink. “No,” he admits. “Er, I think I’ll have to do a bit of course correction on that end. Last I told them, you and I were finished.” 

So that’s why Sebastian had taken the time to FaceTime his sister and best friend for Christmas while she was in the shower, Theo realizes. She’d come out of the steamy bathroom to the sound of a female voice on the other end, regaling the presents Rory was showing off. She got dressed quietly and stayed in the bedroom until she could hear the Sallows bidding their family goodbye, Sebastian calling out her name shortly after.

“I’ll tell her after New Year’s, I promise.” Sebastian assures her. “I just want to keep you to myself a little while longer.”

“A call to tell her about your girlfriend,” Theo emphasizes the word, trying it on for size.

“And when do you plan on telling your friends about your boyfriend?” Sebastian teases, one brow arched. “Assuming you’re still not talking to Poppy and Imelda.”

“That obvious?” Theo asks, crossing her arms. 

“You’ve ignored all their calls,” Sebastian says softly. 

Theo’s gaze falls to her half eaten plate. “Maybe I want to keep you to myself a little while longer too,” she murmurs. Not that she wants to hide Sebastian—in fact, she’d love nothing more than to brag about him. But she can hear Imelda’s voice in her ear, logic overruling feeling.

Sebastian strokes the back of her hand, bringing Theo back to earth. “We’ll tell them after the holidays,” he assures her. “All of them.”

At the end of their meal, Sebastian swiftly pays for the check, draping her wool coat over her shoulders. His hand hovers over the small of her back as they walk out of the restaurant, and he rushes to the other side of the car to open the door. He too has been a little quiet during dinner, and she can tell by the way his brows are knitted together that he’s deep in thought.

“Should we watch a movie when we get home?” Theo asks, the engine of Sebastian’s car roaring to life. They’d left the little yellow bug in Mrs. Sweeting’s driveway, and Theo slightly regrets that decision—she makes a mental note to push Sebastian to go car shopping while Rory is out of town.

“I have one more surprise for you,” Sebastian clears his throat, eyes on the road. Instead of turning right out of the car park, he turns left and away from his house. “The second part of your present.”

“You already got me a Christmas present,” Theo reminds him, fingers catching at the gold chain around her neck. Of course, it wasn’t Sebastian’s heirloom—rather, a necklace he’d bought for her, after months of watching her admire his. Sebastian had expected a bigger reaction out of her when she opened the small box on Christmas Day, Rory exclaiming how much the chain looked like his. He’d nearly fallen over in laughter later that night when she admitted it wasn’t quite the style she was admiring, rather the way it felt against her skin. While mortified that Sebastian had picked up on her fixation, she’d made him replicate the experience for himself in bed later that night.

“But this one is your birthday present.” Sebastian notes. “You do recall I promised we’d celebrate.”

“Dinner is enough.” Theo blurts, her face heating up in embarrassment. “I hate—“

“Yeah, yeah, you hate your birthday.” Sebastian drones on. When he glances over, he has a twinkle in his eye. “I’m going to get you to like your birthday someday, you know.”

They pull into a part of town that she’s not familiar with, newer build houses dotting the streets. Sebastian pulls into the parking lot of an unassuming brown building, all of the lights turned off. She follows Sebastian wordlessly when he gets out of the car with a stuffed tote bag, fishing through his pockets for a rusted key. 

“Now, we only have a little bit of time—I promised him we’d be out of here by 9pm at the latest so he can close up.” Sebastian grits his teeth, pulling open the doors.

Theo wrinkles her nose, a chemical smell wafting through the air. “Are you going to murder me?”

Sebastian huffs, his fingers threading through hers as he pulls her into the building. “I’m giving you your birthday present, and you think I’m murdering you?” Their shoes squeak against tile, and Sebastian lets go of her hand. 

Theo shrieks in the darkness, but not for long—Sebastian flicks the switches, fluorescent lights turning on in tandem, row by row.  There is a mechanical whirring, the sound of water filtering.

“Ta da,” Sebastian holds his arms out, a sheepish smile on his face. 

Theo blinks at him. “The leisure centre” she says slowly. “What are we doing here?”

“Swimming,” Sebastian says, rubbing the back of his neck. “You said your favorite birthdays were spent swimming.”

Theo blinks at him, nearly recoiling at his words. She barely remembers telling him that night in bed. It had been a passing thought, just rambling about her birthday. The luster of celebrating another year older had faded when her mother stopped aging, and it had been years since she’d taken a trip to the beach for her birthday. 

Yet Sebastian is standing before her, a bright flush spread across his freckled cheeks.

“I know it isn’t much—“ Sebastian starts, eyes downcast. 

“It’s everything,” Theo blurts. His head snaps up at her words, the watery sound of her voice. “Sebastian. This is so—it’s—“ she rambles, trying to find the words. 

“I didn’t know what to get you, and I know people who have December birthdays hate to have their days smushed together with Christmas, so I just remembered what you told me.” Sebastian clears his throat. “That you used to go swimming on your birthday.”

He listens. He remembers. It’s all she’s ever asked for, and what she’s never received. 

Theo surges forward, wrapping her arms around his torso. His cologne is faint, nearly worn off after a long day, but she wants to memorialize the cedar scent of him in her brain. He drops the tote bag onto the tiled pool floor, strong arms wrapping around her waist.

“We’ll have plenty of time tonight,” Sebastian whispers. “But we only have an hour in the pool. So, should we go swimming?”

“I haven’t—“

Sebastian grins, picking up the tote bag at his side. “Why do you think I was standing at your dresser when you got back from getting your laundry?” 

Theo rolls her eyes, sticking her hand inside the bag to find her bikini. She has plenty others—a modest one piece tucked in the same drawer—yet Sebastian has managed to pilfer her skimpiest bathing suit. 

“I’ll pretend you weren’t rummaging through my knickers.” She balls the bikini in her hands. “And get your trunks on. We’re diving in.”

After a few hurried minutes in the locker rooms, both emerge in their swimming gear. Sebastian raises his brow as she adjusts her triangle top, laughing when she inevitably gives him a rude hand gesture in exchange for his roving eyes. While he walks to the edge of the pool, she can’t help but stare at the toned expanse of his back, the muscled edge of his thigh—

“Oi! Get your head out of the gutter, I thought we’re jumping in.” Sebastian barks. 

With a flush on her face, Theo’s feet patter against the tiled floor. Sebastian stands at the deep end with a bullish grin on his face. 

“Nice bikini,” Sebastian purrs, grabbing her hand.

“Don’t get distracted,” Theo scoffs. “Jump in on three.”

Sebastian swings their entwined hands as he counts them down. “One, two, three!”

The water muffles all sound, Theo opening her bleary eyes to see Sebastian tucked into himself in the water. He only lets go so they can swim up to the surface, breaking the waves. The water is soothing, familiar to her somehow—it brings a warmth to her, happy memories flooding her head.

“Again,” Theo gasps, scrambling out of the pool.

Again, and again, and again. She and Sebastian take turns at times, seeing who can make the bigger splash or who has the better dive. At one point they’re doing somersaults into the water, splashing each other as if they’re children. Theo’s stomach hurts—not just from having eaten dinner, but from laughing so hard. She lays on her back, letting the water carry her to the surface as she floats in the center of the pool.

“Tell me,” Sebastian gasps, swimming up to her with a pool noodle he’d pilfered from the storage cupboard. “Best birthday present this year?”

“Certainly beats pajamas,” Theo smiles, her eyes closed peacefully. “Just when I think you’re done surprising me, you do it again.”
Theo opens her eyes to see a goofy smile on Sebastian’s lips. “I aim to please,” he murmurs, floating over to her. “I know it’s not a lot.”

“This is the best present I’ve gotten in years.” Theo insists, treading water around him. “You have no idea, Sebastian. I’ve gotten some pretty crazy things, but this is the first time anyone has ever given me what I’ve really wanted.”

“Good,” Sebastian brushes wet waves out of his face. “Because Sallows take birthdays very seriously. I’ll have to start planning how to top this year.”

Theo’s heart skips a beat. The implication is enough—that they might spend more birthdays together. She will watch Sebastian turn thirty one in the spring, then Rory turn eleven next autumn. And in another year, she will be thirty two.

“Maybe we’ll go swimming somewhere warm for thirty two,” Theo declares, voice cracking at the end of her sentence. “You, me, and Rory.”

Sebastian pauses for a moment, mouth opening and snapping shut. He looks at her with honest eyes, his hand catching around her wrist.

“I can’t give you things like I’m sure he did,” Sebastian says quietly. Even though he doesn’t have a name in Sebastian’s head, Theo knows exactly who he’s referring to. It’s the first she’s ever heard him mention her ex at all. In fact, Theo hasn’t thought of Isaac at all since they’d made things official between them. “But I promise, there’s a lot more I can give.”

“Sebastian, you’ve already given me so much.” Theo whispers, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I don’t need anything. And as fucking cliche as it sounds, all I really want is you—“

Theo’s sentence is cut off by Sebastian’s soft lips. He is tender, one hand caressing her cheek as the other wraps around her waist. Her own hands cradle his cheeks, trying to close any distance between them. Their feet tangle as the tread water, her breasts pressed tight against his chest as he deepens his kiss. 

“Sebastian,” Theo pants, voice tight in her throat. He answers that plea by pushing her against the pool wall, lips moving down from her ear to her jaw. He stops himself for a moment, chuckling under his breath when his head cranes down to her neck. Theo’s breath hitches when cool teeth wrap around the chain he’d gifted her for Christmas. 

Theo wraps her legs around him, hoping he can sense the desperation in the roll of her hips. She can feel him beneath her, the front of his trunks tented and pressed right there, so close—

“Your hour is up, Sallow!” An old voice echoes into the room. 

Theo and Sebastian tear themselves away from one another, panting. Theo dips herself under up to her chin, and Sebastian clasps his hands in the front of his groin. They can hear the sound of a mop bucket, rubber boots thwacking against the tile. An old man in a janitorial uniform is gawking at them, eyes narrowed.

“Okay, okay. We’re getting out.” Sebastian grits his teeth. He tears himself away from Theo’s body, both of them hopping out of the pool like timid teenagers. The janitor averts his gaze until Sebastian pulls towels out of his tote bag, taking the time to wrap one around Theo before himself.

When the janitor holds a palm out, Sebastian huffs and digs his hand to the bottom of the bag. Out emerges a little wad of cash, that and the old key pressed quickly into his hand. The janitor shoves it in his pocket, tipping his head to the pair.

“I never saw you two,” The janitor chuckles. “Now, bugger off.”

While Sebastian has thought of swimsuits and towels, he hadn’t quite planned for post-pool attire. Theo’s skirt clings to her wet bottoms, and Sebastian ends up pulling his own sweater over her body. His wavy hair is unruly from the chlorine, dripping onto the shoulders of his white t-shirt. The rest of their clothes and the towels are balled up into the bag, teeth chattering as they run to the car.

“I promise next year I’ll pack some dry clothes,” Sebastian stutters, rubbing his hands together as the car warms. The music is low and crackly, and Theo’s legs are sticking to the seat. “And we’ll celebrate properly on your birthday. If I accomplish anything, it’ll be getting you to like your birthday—“

Theo interrupts him, her hands curling around his neck to pull him in to a deep kiss. Sebastian does not protest, melting into her touch. When she lets go, their foreheads press together, their visible puffs of breath mingling in the air against a Christmas carol on the radio. 

“You’re magic, Sebastian Sallow.” Theo murmurs. “Did you know that?”

Sebastian swallows hard, his thick lashes tickling her cheeks as his eyes flutter open. 

“Funny, I could say the same thing about you.”

Theo might never tire of this. 

They are laughing as they slip up the path to the front door, the porch light flickering as Sebastian fumbles with the keys. Inside, they giggle and snort about being kicked out of the pool like juvenile delinquents, about the wet butt marks left on the car seats from their swimsuits. Something about being with Sebastian makes Theo feel like a teenager again—butterflies fluttering in her stomach. 

“Should we rinse off and get to bed?” Sebastian asks. His eyes flicker to her lips at the last word, and Theo knows they aren’t going to sleep.

They have not been together long, but Theo understands exactly what Sebastian wants when he turns her, peeling his damp sweater off her body. It lands on the floor with a plop, and his shirt follows shortly after. Their heads bump when they take their bottoms off, giggles filling the bathroom as they stand before each other in their bathing suits. The water is turned on, steam pouring out from behind the curtains, and Sebastian steps forward. 

Theo loves the way his breath catches when he unties her bikini top, her breasts bouncing slightly as he pulls it away from her. The ties on the sides of her bottoms are pulled next, leaving her fully bare in front of him, but he does not move. Instead, he nudges her into the shower, his bathing suit following hers to the floor. 

“Hold still,” Sebastian murmurs. He waits for her to get warm before he slips into the shower next to her. They let the water run against them, just standing still. Sebastian scratches her scalp, eyes flickering down to her lips when she lets out a low groan at the contact. She can feel him pressed against her thigh, thick and wanting, but Sebastian is unbothered. Rather, he’s more focused on watching the soap rinse from her hair. Normally she’d complain about missing her expensive shampoo, but the smell of cedar enveloping her is quite nice. It’s the way he smells, after all. 

When they’re clean, Sebastian wraps her in a towel and guides her back into his bedroom. The door is left slightly ajar as he eases her onto the mattress, his body slotted between her knees.

“You could’ve had me in the shower, you know.” Theo teases, pulling at the towel wrapped around his waist. God, every part of him is perfect. Thick bands of muscle covered in soft skin, dark hair trailing from his chest to his groin. Even the way his wet hair is falling in his eyes is stupidly attractive, and she wants nothing more than to pull her down on top of him.

“I have a bed,” Sebastian huffs, bending down to eye level. It’s close—almost too close, Theo thinks—but she maintains her fiery gaze as he tugs her towel down. “Shower is nice and all, but if I’m going to make love to you, it’ll be in this bed.”

Theo tips her chin up to meet him in a kiss. Sebastian’s hands are cradling her cheeks; as they fall backwards onto the soft bed, they tangle in her hair, eventually finding her hands above her head. He holds them down in one hand, flattening himself to her body as best he can without crushing her.

“Fuck, Theo.” Sebastian rasps when her hips cant upwards to meet his. “I—fuck, I’ve never felt like this before. This fucking hungry for someone,” he pants. “Have you?”

Theo’s brain is fuzzy at the feeling of his heavy cock pressed against her thigh, but she shakes her head. No, she can’t ever think of wanting like this. Love had always been a simmer, a warmth in her chest at feeling safe, protected, taken care of. What she feels for Sebastian is akin to an explosion. The fire roars inside her at every look, stoked by his every gesture. She can feel it again, her heart hammering against her chest the same way it did when he held her in the pool, three little words on the tip of her tongue. Three different sentences that say the same thing in different ways.

You know me.

I know you. 

I love you.

“Never,” Theo rasps. “I’ve never wanted someone so badly in my life, Sebastian.” She hooks her leg around his waist, as if it will change a thing. 

“Say my name,” Sebastian’s eyes darken, teeth grazing her nipple as he laved kisses down her body. 

“Seb,” Theo’s voice cracks. She is used to whispering, to swallowing moans and muffled murmurs. They are never alone, never at the leisure of having their own space. The car, the poorly soundproofed flat above the barn. But tonight the door is wide open and they’re the only two souls in the house. With another wash of his tongue against her breast she dares herself to say it louder. “Sebastian.”

When he looks up at her, there is something wild behind his eyes. “Louder,” Sebastian demands. He runs the tip of his length up and down her slick entrance, a tease and a promise. “Say my name louder.”

“Sebas—“ the thought is cut off by her sharp gasp, punctuated by an indulgent moan. Sebastian sinks himself into her in one thrust, wrapping her legs around his waist. He kisses her, really kisses her, as if he’s trying to say something but can’t come up with the words.

“I love it when you say my name,” Sebastian croaks, his face buried in her hair, still wet from the shower. Her hands are everywhere, his back, his arms, around his neck. Lips press against the column of her throat as he rocks against her body. “It doesn’t sound right when anyone else says it.”

Theo knows what he means. It’s the same way she feels remembering her life two years ago. It all seems dull now, made technicolor by a stranger in the highlands who’d once snarled in her face. She thinks the three word sentences in her head again, grounding herself against any doubts that had clouded her vision.

Sebastian pulls out, hesitating for the briefest moment as he catches his breath. That moment is all Theo needs to muster her strength, rolling him onto his back. He looks surprised, as if the wind has been knocked out of his chest, but the grin that follows stokes the fire inside her chest. Sebastian’s eyes are not tired for once—they are wide, scanning her figure as if he’s trying to memorize the way she looks hovering over him. She enjoys the way they nearly bulge out of his head when she sinks onto his cock, drawing lazy circles atop him as she pulls her hair over one shoulder.

“Theo,” Sebastian warns. It’s his turn to have the roving hands, large palms trying to decide whether or not they want to hold her waist, her hair, or her breasts. He settles on one against her hips, the other trailing up to cradle her cheek. He inhales sharply when her lips press a kiss against the pad of his thumb.

“Louder,” Theo taunts him the same way he’d taunted her. 

Sebastian groans. “Theo, please.”

“I want you,” Theo chokes out. It’s not the three words she’s repeating in her head, but it’ll have to do. It’s too early; if they slip out of her lips, he’ll run for the hills. 

“I’m yours,” Sebastian says, breathless as his thumb hooks in her mouth. Eyes clouded with lust, his hand falls away from her face and down to her clit. Theo’s head tips back in a whine as he starts circling that bundle of nerves with his thumb, coaxing her closer to the edge.

Her orgasm shatters through her, fists curled against Sebastian’s chest as he wraps his arms around her waist to steady her. He doesn’t stop, chasing his own end. The world almost feels as if it’s caving in, Sebastian’s words fuzzy as he stills, spilling inside of her. When he attempts to pull away, she doesn’t let him. A little while longer, she murmurs. Stay. 

Sebastian obliges, kissing the top of her head, fingers running up and down her back as her breaths still. She isn’t sure if it's seconds or minutes between their orgasms and Sebastian peeling her off, but she lays back in the bed, a blissful look on her face.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Sebastian warns. He’s somehow gone to the bathroom and back in the midst of her haze, a damp washcloth in his hands. 

“Look at you like what?” Theo asks, arms splayed above her head on the pillows. 

Sebastian breathes hard. “When you look at me like that, I want to fuck you all over again.”

Theo does not hide her blush, or the way her hand slips in the middle of her legs. She’s suspected it in the last few times they’ve had sex, but never asked—the way Sebastian’s eyes fixate between her thighs tells her everything she needs to know. He’s half hard already when he starts crawling up the bed, prying her legs apart. He looks back up at her with heavy eyes, his fingers dipping into her, their combined spend slick against his hand. 

“Sebastian,” his name is a prayer and a gasp.

“I’ll give it to you,” He rasps, voice dead serious. “Again, if you want.”

Sebastian makes her come two more times before he finishes inside her again, chanting her name. The post-coital haze is only interrupted by a lazy clean up, white moonlight streaming in through his threadbare curtains when Theo climbs back into bed. 

“Can you imagine if we had this every day?” She yawns, curling against his arm. 

“I’d get nothing done,” Sebastian snorts. “I’d spend every waking minute with you in this bed. I’d say you make me feel like I’m seventeen again, but I’ve never wanted someone like this before.”

“You’ve said that before,” Theo murmurs, tracing circles into his skin. “What do you mean?”

Sebastian pauses, only the sounds of their breath filling the room. “I’ve had sex with people before, obviously.” He blurts. “But I’ve never…I’ve never really wanted a relationship with someone. I just figured it would be like that for the rest of my life.”

“But you want one with me,” Theo breathes. 

Sebastian flips over, facing her. He looks dead tired, but his eyes are sincere. 

“We were sitting in hospital together, when Rory broke his arm.” Sebastian recounts. “You stayed with me to fill out the paperwork, to keep him calm. And then we talked all day on the train ride to London. It felt so easy talking to you, even though we hardly knew each other.” 
Theo is quiet, hands tucked against his chest.

“And then, the night we went to the pub just the two of us. And you didn’t pity me. I think…I think that night I almost kissed you.” He confesses. “Because you could see me. Everything since then—our friendship, the fucking—it’s made you really important to me, Theo.”

Theo is a relationship girl. Fuck, she’s nearly gotten married at this point in life. But she does know what Sebastian means when he says it’s never felt this way with anyone before. Her heart is no longer simmering, it’s a pot boiling over. She wants to give it all to him, everything and more. He sees her. He knows her. 

And against her better judgement, even though every nerve in her body is screaming at the thought of saying it aloud, she loves him. She might love Sebastian, a man she’s known for not even six months, more than the man she’d spent the bulk of her twenties with. All because he’s made her feel seen, made her feel like an individual person for the first time in her life.

“I feel the same way,” Theo breathes. There is no answer.

Sebastian has already fallen asleep. She watches him breathe, steady and relaxed, as the snow falls outside the bedroom window.

When Sebastian wakes, he’s alone.

Arms splaying against rumpled sheets, he feels around the bed for her. His heart skips a beat—no, she wouldn’t leave. Not after last night. Not after everything he did, everything he’d said. He can still hear the words in his head, the last thing he remembers before drifting off to a deep, blissful sleep.

I feel the same way.

Rubbing his eyes, Sebastian gets out of bed. he throws on a pair of shorts, yawning as he trudges down the stairs. It’s much later than he’s used to waking up; lord knows it’ll be impossible to get up in the dark once Rory is home from his trip. He can see the garden blanketed in fluffy white snow, and he hopes his son is having the time of his life on his ski trip.

The smell of fresh coffee and bacon wafts to his nose, and his eyes go wide. Theo is standing at the stove, wincing at the pan of too-done bacon, trying to fish them out of the pan. She’s wearing one of Sebastian’s pajama shirts, haphazardly buttoned, and her hair is plaited out of her face.

“Good morning,” Sebastian gapes.

“Breakfast is ready,” Theo says sheepishly. “I hope you like your bacon crispy.”

Sebastian pours himself coffee (she’s made enough for both of them) and peers over her shoulder at the blackened breakfast meat. “Uh, I think I’ll have cereal.”

Theo laughs, shoving him. “I know it’s awful, but you could at least pretend.” 

Sebastian laughs, the sound of it lighter and airy. He spins her around, pinning her back against the countertop. She bites down on her lower lip when his fingers find the hem of his shirt, followed by a sigh when he finds the edge of her panties. 

Merry fucking Christmas to him, he thinks. To have this time alone, to be just them, it’s truly a gift.

“What?” Theo demands.

Sebastian lifts her, a shriek escaping her lips when he seats her on the countertop. He positions himself between her legs, one hand resting on her thigh, the other pulling at the end of her plait. Sebastian kisses the crease of her jaw, and swallows back the words he wants to say.

I love you.

It’s far too soon, he thinks. She’ll be mortified if he says it—they’re already taking off at the speed of light, and saying how he truly feels might put too much pressure on her. But he loves her. Really loves her. Wants to shout it from the rooftop, to the heavens if he could. He has never felt this way, the urge to say those words to anyone but his family. But looking at Theo, her nose wrinkled at the smell of burnt bacon, a different kind of hunger takes over.

He should not say it. So instead, he settles for the next best thing.

“You should keep your clothes here. And some of your stuff.” Sebastian murmurs. “It would be easier if you stayed with me anyways.”

Theo quirks a brow. “That’s not weird? Even with Rory—“

“He’s been talking about you moving in since he found out,” Sebastian laughs. “You don’t have to move everything if you don’t want to, but I’d feel a lot better if you were sleeping in my bed.”

Theo pauses for a moment, and he yearns to know what’s going on in her head.

“Our bed,” she says slowly. “Shouldn’t it be our bed then?”

Sebastian picks up a piece of blackened bacon, smiling as he chews through the pain.

“Our bed,” he swallows. “But we’ll have to get something straight first.”

“What?” Theo tilts her head, hair falling in her face.

“We’ll have to teach you how to cook. I think Rory would’ve pulled out the fire extinguisher for this batch of bacon.”

She swats at his shoulder, shrieking when he wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her down from the countertop. They kiss, slowly and leisurely, savoring the time they have alone. Eventually, Theo is running up the stairs, and Sebastian follows, trying not to spill his coffee.

The burnt bacon goes in the bin when they resurface for air in the afternoon.

Chapter Text

“We have to get out of bed, you know.”

Sebastian groans, digging his face into Theo’s shoulders. “I don’t think so,” his voice is muffled by her skin. “I think we should stay here.”

“It’s New Year’s Eve,” Theo says softly, stroking his hair. “And we’ve been in this bed for the last…however many days. We should probably show our faces to society.”

“I think I’ll keep you here.” Sebastian looks up, chocolate brown eyes blinking up at her. She’d worn one of his shirts again; he will never tire of seeing her wearing them.“I quite like the idea of kissing you in bed at midnight….” Sebastian flattens himself atop of her, pinning Theo to the mattress.

“Get off,” Theo half-complains. “Besides, you’re supposed to come with me to the flat, help me pack up a few things. I’m running out of clothes.”  

“I don’t mind that,” Sebastian says playfully, holding her wrists down against the sheets as he kisses her neck. “You can wear mine.”

“For when we go back to work,” Theo reminds him, blowing a piece of hair out of her face. “Remember that? Real life?”

Sebastian groans, falling back to her side. “I just want to stay like this.” He pouts. 

“Don’t be a baby,” Theo scolds him, sitting up in bed, stretching her arms overhead. “I promised Cress we’d come out to the pub to celebrate New Year’s Eve with everyone tonight. We should show our faces, come up for a little air.”

“Fine, but only because you insisted.” Sebastian sighs, sliding out of bed. “I’ll take a shower, and we’ll have breakfast before we leave. Does that sound good?”

Theo nods, flopping back onto the bed facedown. Sebastian has to tear himself away, counting each step to the bathroom. There are pieces of her all over his house now—her deodorant next to his on the bathroom counter, her clothes in puddles around his bedroom. She has full sized bottles of her shampoo in the shower, and no matter how hard Sebastian scrubs, there’s no washing the ginger of her perfume out of his skin. Not that he minds, of course. It’s just another bit of her woven into his life, like the pair of shoes she’s kicked off next to the door, or the chipped mug she’s silently been claiming every morning as her own. 

Sebastian lets the water run down his back, eyes shut tight. The logical side of his brain has been turned off for the last week, blissfully unaware of the logistics that await the other side of winter break. He does not want to think about Theo’s contract, which expires at the end of the spring term, or her returning to London, which is inevitable. All he knows is that she is happy. Rory is happy.

He is unbelievably, inexplicably happy. 

The pipes rattle as he shuts off the shower. Thirty steps separate him and the bedroom; he counts each one as he towels off his hair. Theo is still face down on the bed, jumping when he pushes the door open.

“Just as I expected, not even out of bed yet.” Sebastian barks, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“Sorry,” Theo huffs. “I’m waking up, I swear.”

“You better get up, or else you’re wearing my sweatpants to the pub for New Year’s.” He growls.

“Or?” Theo tilts her head. Her lips spread into a smile when he walks over to her side of the bed, large hands cradling her cheeks. Sebastian spares her one fleeting kiss before pulling away, eyes dark with want.

“Tonight,” Sebastian promises. “The minute the clock strikes midnight, I’m hauling you back home and having my way with you.”

Theo’s eyes flutter up to him, holding out her pinky to promise. “Sounds like a plan.”

“Do you need anything else?” Sebastian asks. “Besides the mountain of clothes in this suitcase?”

“Oh, something to wear tonight.” Theo calls out from the bathroom, wrapping up the cord of her curling iron. “There’s a black jumpsuit in the closet. And the black heels.”

“How do you even get this open?” Sebastian bellows from the bedroom, tugging open the bi-fold door. Before she can open her mouth to warn him, she can hear him yelping as he jumps out of the way of an avalanche. The sound of her coats and shoeboxes falling to the ground rattles amidst his cursing.

“You have a problem,” Sebastian yells, and Theo laughs so hard she snorts. 

“I was going to warn you,” She shrugs, stepping out of the bathroom and dumping the curling iron on top of the pile of clothes in her suitcase. When she turns back to him, her sassy retort gets caught in her throat. Sebastian is still standing against the closet, his hands on a clear plastic dress bag. An ivory silk dress she hasn’t touched since it came back from the dry cleaner. His eyes scan the garment, looking back at her with a blank expression.

“Is this a—“

“It’s not a wedding dress,” Theo interjects. “Uh, I wore it at my engagement party. Or at least, was supposed to. You know, called it all off before people really saw me wearing it.”

Sebastian swallows thickly, hanging it back in the closet. 

“It’s weird, isn’t it?” Theo asks.

He shakes his head. “Not really. I know it happened—you’ve told me what happened. But seeing it makes it feel much more real. That you were almost married to someone.”

Theo crosses the room, plucking the black jumpsuit she’d been referring to from the rack. “But I didn’t,” she shrugs. “And that’s how I got here.”

“Are you going to keep the dress?” Sebastian asks.

“I don’t know, actually. I meant to sell everything before I left London, but somehow all of it followed me here.” Theo muses. “Maybe I should just donate it at this point. Start fresh.”

Start fresh. What a concept. She honestly could—she’s been living out of a suitcase at Sebastian’s cottage for weeks; once she moves her clothes over, whatever is left in the flat is just junk to her. Pieces of a version of her she doesn’t know anymore, left to collect dust.

Sebastian examines the dress again, wrinkling his nose. “It doesn’t really look like you.” He states.

“Oh?” Theo laughs. “What, you imagined me in something poofy and sparkly?”

“Just not what I’d picture you wearing.” He shrugs.

“Picture me in a wedding dress often?” Theo jests, face turning red before the last word is out of her mouth. When she looks at Sebastian, his cheeks are similarly pink. But there’s no mistaking the way his eyes rove over her body, the way his hands fumble with the shoe boxes, jamming them into the closet. She isn’t quite sure what the feeling is—a little bit scared, a little bit excited at the same time. It feels as if there’s a bubble in her chest, threatening to burst if another word is said.

Sebastian grunts as he carries her heavy suitcase down to the car, Theo patiently waiting next to the boot with her packages in hand. It sputters when Sebastian starts the engine, tires crunching over gravel and the mid-morning frost. Neither says a word, not until they’re halfway back to Sebastian’s house.

“You asked me a question,” he clears his throat. “About if I picture you in a—“

“I know,” Theo interjects. She traces a line against the back of his hand, resting atop her thigh. 

“Do you want to know the answer?” Sebastian asks. His eyes are stuck on the road; snow has picked up, thick flakes falling out of the sky. 

The question is seared into her mind, as is the expression on his face when she’d asked it. Hunger—always hungry for more with her, the same she was with him.

“You can tell me another time,” Theo murmurs. “When I’m ready for it.”

Sebastian does not turn his head, but he has a determined smile on his face.

Isaac: Seb! My man, thank you for going above and beyond with the lights. My mum was so pleased to see the decorations up. 

Sebastian: Happy to help, mate. It was no trouble at all

Isaac: Hope we cross paths while I’m home—are you going to the Three Broomsticks tonight for NYE?

Sebastian: I am, are you?

Isaac: Yeah, Leander and Lucan invited me. Will be great to get the lads back together!

Sebastian: Looking forward to it, mate. My girlfriend and I will deffo be there

Isaac: Girlfriend? Good on you ;) See you then.

Theo had expected it to be harder.

Instead, she’s doubled over in laughter at the table, wiping away a tear Lucan’s joke. Sebastian’s arm is draped over the back of her chair, a broad smile on his face as he sips his pint. Leander and Cressida are next to her, the redhead’s palm resting on his wife’s belly as she slides her glasses up her nose, shoulders shaking as she giggles. Garreth saunters back over to the table, helping Nellie and Grace bring over more drinks.

Leaning into Sebastian’s embrace, Theo looks up at him with a faint grin. His eyes are slightly glazed from all the liquor, but he squeezes her shoulder twice with an unspoken question. 

Having fun?

Theo nuzzles her face into his shoulder, and he leans down to press a kiss to the top of her head.

“That’s enough, lovebirds!” Lucan declares. “We haven’t seen you two emerge in nearly a month, no need to get handsy at the table.” He roars.

“Fuck off,” Sebastian snorts, shaking his head. 

“Play nice.” Theo reminds him.

Garreth gags, and the rest of the table descends into laughter. She lifts her hand to touch his, and their fingers entwine.

It’s easy. Too easy, but she won’t complain. After all the uncertainty she’s felt in the last two years, it feels good to have something so effortless. 

“Off your phone,” Leander scolds Garreth, swatting at his hands. “Who are you texting anyways?”

“A lady friend?” Cressida coos.

“It’s just Natty,” Garreth rubs the back of his neck, flush crawling up his cheeks. “She’s back in town for the holiday. I told her to come around.”

“Doesn’t Mudiwa normally go down to London to visit her?” Nellie asks.

“Natty’s friend has a job interview in Edinburgh, so they came up together.” Garreth blurts. Despite considering him one of her closest friends in town, Theo has never seen him this tightly wound. His lip twitches again at the mention of Natty, brows tensed.

“What’s gotten into you?” Sebastian blurts. Another first for their relationship—Theo has never seen Sebastian properly drunk yet. If she’s learned anything in the last hour of being at the pub with him, it’s that he’s rather loose lipped after a few shots.

“Oh for heaven’s sake, I am fine.“ Garreth barks, but his sentence is cut off by the bell ringing. Nearly everyone at the table whips their head to the door, eyes wide as Natsai Onai and a friend walk in. She looks back at all of them, eyebrows raised, offering a small wave.

“God, all of you are so embarrassing.” Garreth’s face is aflame, one hand tugging at the collar of his shirt. “Get your shit together before she comes over here.” The redhead hisses.

“Natty,” Theo cheers, instantly composing herself as the rest of the table snickers. “It’s so good to see you!”

“You as well,” she says warmly, pulling up a chair. “I don’t know if you remember my flatmate, she was at dinner back when you visited in the fall.” 

“Adanna,” Theo recounts, making space for the two of them besides her and Sebastian. “The pastry chef.”

“One and only,” Adanna chirps, settling into her chair. “Oh, it’s you—the baker from this morning.”

Garreth is frozen in place, jaw dropped open. He blinks at the woman across from him, green eyes wide and glassy. The best he can muster is a half hearted smile and a nod. From the corner of her eye, Theo can see Leander and Lucan wincing.

Adanna raises a brow, pushing away from the table. “Okay, then. Natty and I are going to get drinks, let him warm up a bit. And then we’re due for proper introductions.” The pair walk off to the bar, whispering to one another.

Once they’re out of earshot, everyone turns to face Garreth. 

“What the hell was that?” Sebastian demands. 

Garreth blinks in the direction of the bar. “Who is that?”

“Honestly, I can’t sit here and witness any more of it,” Lucan shakes his head. “Christ, Gaz, that was embarrassing for all of us.”

“Who is that?” Garreth asks again, ignoring Lucan’s jest.

“With Natty? That’s her friend, Adanna. She’s a pastry chef at this amazing restaurant in London. You know, we should try it next time we visit.” Theo redirects her attention to Sebastian. “She makes an amazing panna cotta—“

“Introduce me,” Garreth blurts. “Can you introduce her to me?”

“Think you shit the bed on that front, Garreth.” Leander flattens his lips. 

“Oh leave him be,” Cressida giggles. “He’s just seen a beautiful woman, that’s all.”

Theo cocks her head. “You know, I’m a little miffed I never got that reaction out of you.”

“Excuse me,” Sebastian scowls. “You are my girlfriend, aren’t you?”

Theo pats his cheek. “You can try gaping at me like that some more, you know.”

“I do,” Sebastian counters. “I’m just much better at covering it up.”

“Introduce me,” Garreth swats at Sebastian, pleading with Theo once more. 

“Can’t you ask Natty to do it?” Sebastian tips his head to the pair.

“Oh sure,” Garreth rolls his eyes dramatically. “Can I ask my college ex-girlfriend to introduce me to her stunning friend?”

“His odds are sounding worse and worse, aren’t they?” Sebastian murmurs, squeezing her waist.

“Awful,” Theo says simply, lifting her wine glass to her lips. 

“Shush, they’re coming back.” Nellie whispers loudly. “Pull it together, Gaz.”

Natty and Adanna walk back up to the table, drinks in hand. Garreth straightens, quickly running a hand through his copper hair.

“What have we missed?” Natty asks brightly. 

“Garreth Weasley,” the redhead blurts loudly, staring right at Adanna. “My name is Garreth Weasley.”

Silence falls over the table once more; Lucan has to duck his head under the table to hide his laughter, the girls turning away from the table. Leander is entirely red, holding his breath to suppress a snort. Sebastian isn’t nearly as tactful—his face finds Theo’s shoulder, snickering into her bare skin.

“I gathered,” Adanna takes a sip of her wine. 

Garreth’s recovery from the disastrous introduction is not instant, but he does seem to find his stride; he’s now standing by the pool table, arguing about baking methods with Adanna. The pub is definitely busier, partygoers filing in as its get closer to midnight. The table has been abandoned, littered with empty glasses, everyone is either off chattering with neighbors or dancing. Lucan and Sebastian linger nearby. Both a bit too tipsy, they’re waving hands at one another in an animated conversation.

“I’m a bit amazed at how little game Garreth has,” Theo wrinkles her nose. She’s leaning against the bar with Natty, observing the room together.

Natty chuckles. “It’s kind of cute. I’d give him more grief over being lovesick at my roommate if I wasn’t already dating someone, but I kind of like the idea of the two of them together. Maybe it’ll convince Garreth to finally move.”

“Move?” Theo quirks her head. “I didn’t think he wanted to move.”

“He says he doesn’t, but he should.” Natty takes a tentative sip of her drink. “He always wanted to go to culinary school, properly study. But his dad was getting old and they needed someone to run the bakery. I keep telling him he doesn’t owe his family anymore, but it’s the Weasley way.” 

“And you think he’d move to London?” Theo tries to imagine Garreth in the city, but it doesn’t come to fruition.

“At least Edinburgh,” Natty contemplates. “That’s why Ada came up for the holiday with me—she’s interviewing to be head pastry chef at a hotel there.”

“Is she unhappy at the restaurant? I thought they just opened.”

“Hard to move up in the culinary world without moving around.” She shrugs. “Anyways, what’s going on with you?  I mean, Sebastian Sallow? That’s new.” Natty’s lips curve into a smile.

“Yeah,” Theo can’t fight her smile. “It’s all happened pretty quickly, but I’m happy.”

“I can’t wait to hear what Poppy and Imelda had to say.”

“Me too,” Theo snorts. “Uh, I actually haven’t told them quite yet.”

Natty raises a brow. “You haven’t?”

“Like I said, it’s all fallen together fast.” Theo looks down into her drink, guilt pooling in her stomach. “I’ve been pretty busy wrapping up the term, and they had their trip coming up…I figured I’d tell them when they came home.”

Natty is silent a moment, tucking a braid behind her ear. “I know it’s none of my business, but I’m pretty surprised.”

“Why?”

“Because of Isaac,” Natty says plainly. 

Theo freezes. “What about him?” She asks coolly.

“Theo, you do know that he’s friends with Sebastian.” Natty says quietly. 

Theo stumbles over nothing at all, catching herself against the bar. “What?”

“Isaac and Sebastian played football together all throughout school. They were friends—I mean, not best friends, but still friendly with one another. Sebastian knows him. I’m pretty sure he used to do his family’s landscaping while we were in college.”

Theo blinks at the taller woman, mouth agape. “Who else knows they’re friends?”

Natty stares at her like she’s gone mad. “Everyone, Theo. Everyone here knows Isaac. That’s why I was so surprised you’re friends with all of them.”

Theo looks back to Sebastian and Lucan; her eyes meet dark, chocolate ones, creased in the corners from a laugh. Sebastian winks at her before he’s tugged back to the conversation by his friends. 

“I take it he doesn’t know about the engagement.” Natty’s voice is quiet.

“He knows,” Theo swallows. “At least, he knows I was engaged. He knows why I ended it. He just doesn’t know who. I didn’t think it was important.”

Before Natty can respond, Adanna strides over to them, setting her empty wine glass on the counter. “Enough gossiping, what have I missed?” She asks, brushing curls out of her face. She surveys their solemn faces with an arched brow. “What’s going on?”

“Just watching you flirt with Garreth,” Natty pivots without batting a lash, elbowing her friend in the side. “He’s staring over here.”

“He’s been staring all night,” Theo joins in on the jest, trying to shake off her nerves. 

Adanna rolls her eyes, but she has a satisfied smile on her face. “Garreth has promised to teach me his tried and true methods for making macarons.”

Natty snorts. “But you make great macarons.”

Adanna winks. “The less he knows, the better.” She turns her gaze over to Theo, tilting her head back to the group. “Should we go back over to your boyfriend?”

 “Give me a moment, I’ll join you.” Theo swallows thickly, downing her drink.

“Another one for you, dear?” The bartender asks. Theo eyes the bottle of gin in his hand, but shakes her head.

“Actually, just a water.” she instructs. She takes a large gulp, trying to drown out the feelings caught in her chest. While she might need a stiff drink to stomach the conversation she’s just had with Natty, she doesn’t want to dull the pain. No, she wants to enjoy her New Year’s Eve without a haze to it. She tries to picture Isaac here, in her place, but nothing about it makes sense. Even if it’s only been a few months, this is her life now—her friends, her community. Isaac has taken too much from her already, he cannot have this too.

“Sweetheart?”

“Gross.”

“Darling?” Sebastian asks. “Come on, that’s posh.”

“My dad calls me darling.” Theo snorts, swirling her water. “I’m cutting you off now.”

“Come on. Fifteen minutes to midnight.” Sebastian hiccups. “One more.”

“You are a dreadful lightweight, Sebastian Sallow.” Theo teases, ruffling his wavy hair. This is a lie—Sebastian has consumed more liquor than he’s probably drank in years, considering this is his first New Year’s Eve celebrated out of the house since Rory was born. Lucan is already swaying on his feet, and Leander is taking bets on if he’ll make it to the countdown. Garreth and Adanna are talking alone again, tucked in a corner booth.

“I’m so happy I get to celebrate with you,” Sebastian says dreamily, arms wrapping around her waist. “My pearl.”

“Enough with the pet names,” Theo laughs. “You’re no good at them.”

“Well, I have to have a name for my girlfriend,” Sebastian hums, his nose digging into her arm. 

“It’s Theo, nice to meet you.” She says sarcastically.

“Yeah, but you get to call me Seb.” he points out. “And Theo is too short to make a nickname, so I need a pet name for you. Baby. Babe.”

Theo tilts his chin up, wriggling on his lap. “I don’t like nicknames.” She warns him. 

Sebastian gives her a naughty grin, entwining his fingers with hers. “I bet I can make you like them,” he murmurs, lips pressing a kiss into her shoulder. 

Theo opens her mouth to scold him, but the words are cut off by the door opening and loud cheers. 

“Look who it is!” Leander hollers. “Vi!”

She turns her head to the entrance, Sebastian’s hand still laced through hers. Violet McDowell is standing in the entrance of the pub, hugging Cressida and Nellie. Behind her stands a tall, slim man with broad shoulders. He looks exactly as Theo remembers him—tidy but tousled hair, neatly pressed pants, and he might even be wearing the cashmere sweater she’d gotten him for his twenty sixth birthday.

Theo’s hand slips out of Sebastian’s, lips pursed in a frown. On instinct, she slides out of his lap. 

“What is it?” Sebastian asks, standing up. 

Isaac doesn’t see her, not immediately. He’s beaming, hugging Garreth and Lucan. One arm wraps around Violet’s waist in a way that’s entirely too familiar to her. And of course, Violet is glowing, smiling up at him—it’s a glow that announces to everyone in the room they’re newly dating. Other patrons brush past the group as they say hello, and Isaac’s eyes sweep across the room. With a double take, he locks his gaze with hers.

“Oh!” Sebastian says excitedly. “Oh, that’s Isaac, you should meet him, he’s an old pal from school.”

“Sebastian,” Theo chokes out, eyes fluttering at her former—fuck, what is she supposed to call him?

Isaac blinks back at her, a million emotions whirling through his green eyes. He opens his mouth, shutting it tightly, and then pushes past Violet. The brunette looks irked when he pushes her over, brows knitting into a thick line as she watches her date cross the pub. 

Theo instinctively steps back, colliding with Sebastian’s chest.

“Are you alright?” Sebastian sounds worried, putting a hand on her shoulder. His touch, normally reassuring, feels like a burning hot iron against her skin. There is no exit nearby, no escape. 

“Theo,” Isaac’s voice is raspy. Her name sounds odd coming out of his mouth, as if it’s gone unsaid for too long. 

“Isaac.” Theo swallows thickly. 

“Cooper, it’s good to see you—“ Sebastian says, voice cheerful until he realizes just how familiar the two of them are. “Isaac? Wait, how do you know Isaac?”

“It’s a long story,” Theo says weakly, her eyes still pinned on Isaac. It is the sweater she’d gotten him for his birthday, down to the embroidered initials on the wrist. She winces at the sight of it; her initials, her heart, worn on his sleeve. A romantic gesture for what had felt like an earth shattering love at twenty five. 

Isaac sees her staring down at the little embroidered letters, quickly rolling his sleeves up to his elbow. “What are you doing here?” He asks, completely ignoring Sebastian’s question. “Haven’t you gotten any of my texts?”

“I texted you back earlier.” Sebastian retorts. The words chill Theo’s blood—they really are friends. Friendly enough that Sebastian would check to see if he were coming to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

“Not you,” Isaac snarls. “Her.”

“Isaac,” Violet says, slightly breathless as she bounces over to them. Theo can see Nellie and Grace staring over at them behind Violet; they've already begun whispering to each other.  “You remember Sebastian.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Sebastian says quickly, directing his gaze to Theo. “Can we get back to the part where you explain how you know Cooper?”

Violet clears her throat. “We’re dating.”

“Congratulations,” Sebastian scratches his head. “But I meant Theo. How do you know Cooper?”

Isaac scoffs, a flash of betrayal in his eyes. “You’re in my hometown, and you’re going to pretend you don’t know me?”

“I’m not pretending,” Theo snaps, arms crossing over her chest. “I just haven’t told anyone.”

“Told anyone what?” Sebastian asks, voice slightly raised. Now everyone in the group has turned their attention to the foursome, staring at their blatant confrontation. Garreth tilts his head, as if he's trying to place it all together. His eyes widen when he makes sense of it, the only one to realize there's far too much tension between Theo and Isaac for them to have just been acquaintances. 

“Isaac,” Natty says, swooping in between him and Theo. “I don’t think now is quite the right time—“

“What are you doing here?” Isaac demands. He pushes Natty out of the way, Adanna yelping at him. Seeing the confrontation, Garreth instinctively gets closer, stepping between the girls and Isaac. “Theo, why are you here?”

“I live here,” Theo seethes. “I got a job at—“

“I’m sorry, you live here?” Isaac wrinkles his nose. “Doing what?”

“I work at the school.” Theo says defensively. “As the nurse.”

“That’s what you’ve been doing all this time? What about school? Your master’s? Or are you just going to give up on that too?” Isaac rages. 

“I didn’t give up on anything,” Theo rubs her temples. “I just needed to get back on my feet—“

“You wouldn’t need to get back on your feet if you just came to your senses—“

“You’re the one who insisted I pay back the engagement party,” Theo shrieks. “I’m sorry I can’t afford both that and rent, you’re practically running me into the ground.”

Isaac steps back, affronted. “Excuse you—“

“Excuse me,” Sebastian hollers. It’s his turn to step between them now. “Cooper, lay off.” He puts his hand on Theo’s back, and she jumps from the contact. When she whips her head back to look at him, Sebastian looks a bit hurt at her reaction. The look does not last long, intense eyes darting back to Isaac.

Isaac wrinkles his nose, eyes flickering between the two of them. “What the fuck does Sallow have to do with this?”

“Let it go. It’s New Year’s Eve, I don’t want us all dwelling on this and fighting.” Theo hisses. She steps back into Sebastian’s touch, hoping her gesture is reassurance to him. 

It does nothing to quell Isaac, whose face is getting redder by the second. His jaw hardens when Sebastian puts his hand on her waist, giving her a hard glare in exchange. “T, you’re joking.” No one calls her that nickname anymore, no one but Poppy. It sounds wrong coming from his mouth, no longer used in a loving way. This time, he says it to make her hurt.

“Fuck off, Isaac.” Theo warns. 

“Can someone explain what the hell is going on?” Violet snaps, whipping her hair behind her ear. “Isaac, how do you know Theo?”

“That I’d really like to know,” Sebastian mutters.

“Tell them, T.” Isaac says frostily. “Tell them who I am.”

The world feels as if it's tilted off its axis. Theo grabs Sebastian’s forearm, trying to pull him back. She wishes she had listened to him that morning—that they should have stayed in, ordered food. That they were in bed right now, and none of this would be happening—

“We were engaged,” Theo sputters. 

Everyone around them is silent, taking in the depth of the situation. An early 2000s rock song blares over the pub speakers, the unfortunate soundtrack to this hellish scene. Even passersby cannot help but listen in on the soap opera happening in real time. Theo feels shame washing over her as Sebastian’s eyes dart between the two of them, thick brows furrowed in confusion. 

“Cooper?” Sebastian asks. “You were engaged to Isaac Cooper?” 

“Yes,” Theo breathes. “It wasn’t that long—“

“That long?” Isaac gapes. “T, we were together for six years.”

“And you cheated on me,” Theo snaps. 

“I thought we had gotten past that.” Isaac insists.

“I’m sorry, hold the fuck up. This is the girl?” Violet gasps. “Theo is who you were talking about, your last bad breakup? I thought you said it wasn’t serious—“

Isaac ignores Violet. “You’ve ignored all of my texts for the past year, and I come home to find you hanging out with all of my hometown friends.” Isaac stares at her, pain in his eyes. This is an Isaac she recognizes, with the same expression he had when she’d dropped the engagement ring into the palm of his hand. 

“Well, they can’t be that great of friends if you never told them we were engaged. Or frankly, think that we weren’t serious.” Theo fights back. “You really didn’t tell anyone you were getting married?”

“I didn’t have enough time—“ Isaac starts to argue, his rebuttal cut off by the sound of Sebastian clearing his throat. 

“This is him?” Sebastian asks, devastation clear in his voice. “This is your ex-fiancé?”

Theo turns to Sebastian, tears pricking the corners of her eyes. “Seb, I was going to tell you. I didn’t know you knew each other, Natty only just told me.”

“I cut his lawn,” Sebastian chokes out. “I—“

His sentence is cut off by Isaac’s maniacal laugh. “Are you shitting me, Theo?” He tenses his jaw. “You dumped me on the day of our engagement party, and now you’re shagging my gardener? God, T. That’s embarrassing, even for you.”

Theo isn’t sure who threw the first punch, but chaos descends the small group. She’s pushed (whether in the way or out of the way, she does not know) and arms are flying.  All she can see is Sebastian grabbing the front of Isaac’s sweater, pulling it into a tight fist as his arm winds back. Isaac is taller though, choosing to undercut him with a punch to the gut. Sebastian lets out a hard wheeze, curling over in pain when Isaac’s fist makes contact with his stomach.

Natty curls a hand around Theo’s bicep, pulling her out of the tussle.

“Seb!” her throat hurts as she roars. “Sebastian, stop!”

There is no answer. Sebastian’s hand clips the corner of Isaac’s jaw. Cressida shrieks as Leander jumps in, trying to pull Isaac back. Instead, the lanky redhead catches a swing of Isaac’s elbow with his nose. Cressida is screaming now, begging for them to stop as Leander’s white button down is splattered with blood. Violet, Nellie, and Grace twist out of the way, bumping tables and scraping chairs against the floor in the process.

On the other side of the fight, Garreth has slipped past Natty and Adanna, surging towards Sebastian. Ever the hero, he pulls his two thick arms around Sebastian’s waist in an attempt to put distance between him and Isaac. Again, Sebastian surprises with his strength, barreling forward with Garreth dragging behind him. Sebastian tears Garreth's hands away from his midsection, leaving him to bounce back to the ground with a yelp. From the corner of her eye she can see Lucan, blindly throwing punches; she’s sure he’s too drunk to know who’s side he’s on, or why they’re even fighting to begin with.

“Seb, please!” Theo roars. It’s enough to momentarily distract him—which also unfortunately means enough time for Isaac’s fist to collide with the side of his eyes. She covers her mouth in horror as he topples over, falling to the ground.

“Enough!” the bartender bellows, banging two pans together. The loud clang is enough to draw attention to him, everyone halting in place. “Stop it this moment or else I’ll have Sirona ban you all!”

Other patrons are dragging the boys apart and across the pub. Cressida is sobbing—the sight of her drops a hot ball of guilt into Theo’s stomach. The girls have instinctively formed a circle around her, caging her from stares. Theo can see Leander’s lanky body leaning down behind them; he’s trying to appease her, telling her his bloody nose isn’t half bad despite the bright red splotches against his shirt. Natty and Adanna are by Garreth’s side; Natty, ever the peacekeeper, has a hand on his shoulder to keep him in place. Violet has her arms crossed, a sour expression on her face as Isaac steps in line next to her, already brushing his hair back into place.

It is Theo, the great outlier, standing alone. Even Sebastian is far away, a bruise blooming on the side of his cheek. The expression on his face alone is devastating. She’s used to seeing those dark eyes of his in happier moods; instead, they are cold and detached. They flit back and forth from Theo to Isaac, still trying to make sense of them.

“Out, all of you.” The bartender barks. “Call your rides, get the fuck out of the bar before you cause me any more trouble.”

It’s a blur from there. Cressida is wiping her tears, sniffling loudly as she fumbles for her keys. Leander follows her out of the pub, head hanging low in disappointment. Nellie and Grace follow Violet and Isaac out of the pub; Isaac doesn’t spare a glance, but that’s the least of Theo’s worries. What makes her uneasy is the distrustful look she receives from all three women as they pass by.

You’re not welcome here, their faces say. You aren’t one of us. 

“Ada and I going to take Garreth and Lucan home,” Natty says softly, breaking her out of her thoughts. Theo nearly jumps out of her skin at Natty’s touch. “Are you okay? Do you and Sebastian have a ride?”

“Yeah,” Theo blurts. “Uh, I stopped drinking a while ago. I should be able to drive him home.” Him, not us, she realizes. She does not deserve to call his house a home with the way he’s avoiding her.

Natty gives her shoulder a sympathetic squeeze before departing; Garreth gives her a nod and a wave before following. Before long, it is just Theo and Sebastian left, the rest of the pub-goers turning their attention away from the drama and back to their celebrations. Sebastian tugs his coat on, pressing his keys into her hand.

“Seb—“ Theo starts, but he jerks from her touch.

“At home,” Sebastian mutters. “We’ll talk at home.” He shuffles past her, the bell on the door ringing as he walks away.

The clock strikes twelve, ringing in a new year as they drive home in silence.

Once the door locks behind them, Theo drops Sebastian’s keys onto the table, beelining to the freezer. 

“You should put some ice on the bruise,” Theo babbles. “Do you need ibuprofen? Or something stronger?”

Sebastian does not say anything, merely slumping into the couch. Theo pulls out frozen peas and a bottle of water, flinching at the sound of his groans. The quiet is worse than yelling. She’d take anything over this.

“Here,” she blurts, pressing the cold pack against his bruised cheek. “And drink water. You’ve had a lot tonight. I’m going to grab you some medicine—“ her words are halted by Sebastian’s hand around her wrist, tugging her down to sit on the couch next to him. She does as he requests, picking at her nails as she endures the silence. 

Sebastian does not let her sit in misery for much longer. 

“You should’ve told me,” He says hoarsely, holding the bag of peas to his cheek. “You should’ve led with the fact that I might know your ex-fiancé.”

“Who he is has no bearing on our relationship.” Theo chews on her nails. “Surely you know that.”

“Who else knows?” Sebastian asks quietly.

“Just Rose,” Theo blurts. “No one else. Uh, and I guess everyone who was at the pub.”

“And you’ve told me everything?” Sebastian turns to look at her. her hand flutters up, as if she wants to take the bag of peas from him to ice the blossoming bruise. 

“We were together, he cheated, I broke up with him. What else do you want to know?”

“When did you start dating?”

“We met fresher’s week, I started dating him in the spring.”

“You lived together.” It is not a question from Sebastian, rather a statement.

“For two years before we got engaged. I moved out right after we ended the engagement.”

“You said yes, even after he cheated.” Sebastian says. Again, not a question, more a judgement of character this time around.

Theo winces, rubbing the back of her neck. “You know that story. Please don’t make me tell it again.”

Sebastian looks up, his brown eyes rimmed with red. “I just didn’t know it was him.” He says, voice hollow. 

“So you were school friends,” Theo argues. “How does that matter—“

“I work for him,” Sebastian blurts. “I trim his parents’ fucking garden hedges, Theo. Don’t you think that matters?”

She kneels at the edge of the couch, looking up at Sebastian with pleading eyes. “If I had known this would be such a big deal—“

“He grew up here, surely you know that.” Sebastian continues. “Surely it’s crossed your mind that we know each other.”

“I am not the same person I was when I got engaged to him.” Theo wrings her hands together, knowing she’s not answering his question. “Please, Seb. I was younger, I didn’t know myself—“

“At one point, you almost wanted to spend your life with him.” Sebastian laughs bitterly, eyes fixated on his shoes. “Even after he fucking broke your heart, you said yes. I can’t imagine that.”

“It was a mistake. You know it was a mistake.”

Sebastian does not lift his head, waves falling against his forehead. “It’s not that. Just loving someone enough that you could forgive them, even if it’s only in the moment. Loving someone enough to want to spend the rest of your life with them.”

“What do you want me to say, Sebastian?” Theo blurts, her hands tangling in her hair in frustration. “Do you want me to admit that I loved him? That I was young and I was stupid and I loved him? Because I did. I loved him, I was scared, and I should have said no. Does that make you feel any better?”

“No,” Sebastian mutters. “I just don’t understand it. Loving someone enough to let yourself get hurt.”

There is a moment of silence between them, the air sucked out of the room.

“You know, I can usually let anything roll off my back.” Sebastian grits his teeth, fist clenched to his chest as if he’s rubbing out heartburn. “My uncle used to say that as long as you don’t expect anything from anyone, you can’t get hurt. And it worked for a while. People die, they get sick, they have to leave—and I get over it. Because I have no choice otherwise.”

“Seb,” Theo croaks his name. “Seb, please.” She’s not sure what she’s asking—if they can get past this, or if he will let her in. His walls are going up right in front of her eyes, and she’s clawing to keep them down.

“I hate it.” Sebastian’s voice breaks. “I used to think I could get over anything, but then you dropped my hand. When you saw him, you dropped my hand.”

“It’s not that,” she insists. “Sebastian, I swear—“

Sebastian shudders, his eyes squeezed shut. “It hurts, Theo. And I don’t want to hurt like this. Not because of the way I feel about you. I don’t know if I can bear it.”

“The way you feel about me?” Theo whispers, but he shakes his head.

“Fuck, Theo. I don’t want this to be the first time I say it. It’ll be ruined if it is.” His mouth curls downwards in a frown, voice shaking. “I can’t say it like this.”

Her cheeks are wet. She’s crying, and she hasn’t even realized it. Sebastian’s eyes are still shut, fist rubbing over his heart. 

“Rory comes home tomorrow afternoon.” Sebastian says slowly, opening his eyes. “I think…I don’t want him to see us like this.”

“No,” Theo mumbles. “He shouldn’t. I’ll get a cab, go home for the meantime.” She stands, fumbling for her purse. Home doesn’t sound right on her tongue, not when there’s a mug with her lipstick on it in the kitchen.

“Stay tonight,” Sebastian mutters, rubbing his tired face. “I’ll take you home tomorrow—today. But it’s late. We should sleep.”

She won’t argue with him on that. Sebastian does not hold her hand as they walk up the stairs, but he holds the door open for her without hesitation. They quietly undress, their clothes left in puddles on the floor. It feels too familiar, but Theo still takes a t-shirt out of his dresser, sliding it over her head as he changes into pajama pants. Sebastian turns the light off as they nestle under the covers, back to back.

The room is still, save for the sound of the clock ticking. 

“It doesn’t change the way I feel about you,” Sebastian breaks the silence. “But I need some time to wrap my head around all of this.”

“It doesn’t change a thing on my end either.” Theo chokes out. She flips over, facing Sebastian’s back. He does not object when her hand trails over his freckles, or when she wraps her arms around his waist. She only hears his breath stutter when she kisses his bare skin, digging her face into his back.

“We’ll talk in the morning,” Sebastian says sleepily. 

Theo waits for his breaths to even out before she allows herself to let go. 

It will be easier if Sebastian does not drive her home.

At least, that’s what Theo tells herself when she wakes, a large space between her and Sebastian in the bed. It feels as if there is a vast ocean between them, the sheets cold. Sky still dark, she tiptoes to the bathroom to collect her toiletries back into her bag. The suitcase full of clothes they’d just brought over is  still unpacked, so she lugs it back down the stairs and next to the door as she waits for her uber. The surcharge is criminal, but she’ll do anything to avoid Sebastian’s disappointment again. 

“Good night?” Her driver jests, a toothy grin as he helps her load the suitcase in the boot. 

“Disastrous.” Theo snarls, sliding into the backseat. Having been in a rush, her outfit is a wild mashup of whatever clothes she could find on the floor without having to turn on the light. Her only saving grace is that her nice coat was in the kitchen; buttoning it to her chin, Theo pulls a pair of sunglasses from her purse and avoids any further conversation. Instead, she types out the message she’s been plotting in her head since making the decision to leave.

Theo: Hi. Don’t be cross with me. I know yesterday was a lot, and you’ve probably got a hangover. I got a ride back to the Sweeting’s. I want you to have enough time and space to process things, and I’m just a phone call away. I plugged in your phone and left a water next to your bed. Figured you’d need ibuprofen for the hangover when you wake up.

I love—

She backspaces the last two words. 

When the car drops her off, Theo does not go up to her flat. She will not be able to bear its emptiness. Just twenty four hours ago, Sebastian had been standing at her closet, holding that white silk dress she’d hidden out of sight. She’d been avoiding it, ever since it’d returned from the cleaners. 

You asked me a question, Sebastian had said. If I picture you in a—

No, she cannot be alone in the flat. Not when that question plays on repeat in her head. Theo drags her suitcase to Rose’s door, punching in the code. The house is warm, smelling earthy and floral from all of the plants in the kitchen. She drops her bags in the kitchen, feet dragging up the stairs. It is instinct at this point to seek refuge. Even if Theo’s been ignoring her, even if they won’t be home for hours, the safest place she knows is Poppy’s bed. She slips under Poppy’s quilt, her phone never more than an arms length away in case he calls.

Theo only opens her eyes to check her phone when it buzzes. A text from Poppy and Imelda, telling her they’re on their way home. One from Garreth, asking if she’s okay. Five texts and three phone calls from Isaac, all ignored. None from Sebastian.

Theo isn’t sure if it’s minutes or hours, but eventually, she hears the door open downstairs. There is giggling, the sound of shoes stomping out snow on the doorstep. 

“Lights are off—think Theo is out?” 

“I texted her last night we’d be home by two, hopefully she’s not out for long—“

“Whose bags are those?”

“The car is covered in snow though, she has to be home.”

The voices are getting closer, clearer. Theo stays under the covers, chewing on her nails. She does not lift the blanket when the door opens, or when the lights flicker on.

“She’s up here!” Poppy yells gleefully. “Theo, you scared us!”

Theo’s upstairs?” Imelda calls from faraway. “I’m on my way up!” Her heavy steps thud on the staircase, Gran yelling after her to be careful.

Theo wastes no time throwing her arms around her best friend, the tips of her bob tickling Theo’s cheeks. Poppy’s scent is comforting, the sweet apple perfume wrapping around Theo like a warm blanket. Poppy laughs as Theo digs her face, the melodic sound faltering when she realizes her sweater is wet with tears.

“Are you okay?” Poppy asks, her brows furrowed in confusion. “Theo, you’re sobbing!”

Imelda barrels through the door, launching herself across the bed. She grunts as she lands next to them, giggling until she sees Theo’s blotchy face.

“What happened?” Imelda straightens, eyes turning fierce. “Who do I have to kill?”

“Isaac,” Theo blurts, rubbing at her eyes.

“That fucker,” Imelda swears. “Did he call you?”

“He’s here,” Theo chokes out. “I saw him at the pub last night; he’s dating Violet McDowell. He told everyone everything. About the engagement.”

“Is that why Natty texted?” Poppy asks softly. “She said I should check on you.”

“He’s ruined everything,” Theo wipes at her eyes. “And I don’t think Sebastian will ever forgive me.” Her voice wobbles at the end, hot tears trickling down her face.
Imelda scrunches her nose. “Why would Sebastian care?”

Theo sniffs, wiping her nose with her sleeve. She could not bear to type those words, but also cannot hold them back any longer. She hadn’t understood him the night before, why his fist was rubbing circles into his chest. But after a day of waiting by her phone for his call like a lovesick teenager, Theo understands. It hurts, just like Sebastian had said. It hurts to feel this way, to say those words under these circumstances. It hurts to say them to anyone who isn’t him.

“I’m in love with him,” Theo sputters. “I’m in love with Sebastian Sallow.”

“Okay, read the text to me again.”

Sebastian paces back and forth in his bedroom, his phone in hand. 

“Hi, don’t be cross with me, I know yesterday was a lot.” Sebastian reads aloud. I want you to have time to process things, I’m just a phone call away.”

Ominis lets out a sharp exhale on the other end of the line. “That’s all?”

“That’s all,” Sebastian grumbles. 

His legs feel like jelly, brain rattling against his skull as he tries to compose himself. The sun is streaming through his windows, but he’d woken up to a cold bed. Theo’s dirty clothes have been piled up the corner of the room, toiletries missing from the bathroom. her coat and shoes are gone, as is the large suitcase he’d lugged in the day before.  Even the mug she’s been using for the last week is in the sink, soapy water filled to the brim. 

“I mean, I think you should take it quite literally.” Ominis’s voice is grainy. “She wants to give you space.”

“I didn’t ask for space,” Sebastian growls, swearing under his breath as he stubs his toe against the bed frame. “I told her I’d drive her home today. I just didn’t want  Rory to see us fighting.”

“So you asked for space,” Ominis points out.

“Fuck,” Sebastian mutters. Theo had been kind enough to leave a water bottle and two ibuprofens on his bedside dresser. Even after their abysmal night, she’d been thinking about his wellbeing. The mattress creaks when he sinks back into the bed, two little pills between his teeth. It seems that’s all she’s left, besides dirty t-shirts. 

She left. Not even the lukewarm sip of water can appease the way his throat goes dry when he reads her message once more. She’d not wanted to stay around, to have him drive her home in the morning. He doesn’t blame her, after all. He’d been the one to lose his cool last night. He’d rambled to her, recounted in numerous ways how Isaac had made a fool of her, had said he hated the way she made him feel. He had been the one to throw the first punch at the pub, a fist landing squarely against her ex’s jaw. The image of Isaac Cooper looking him over in disgust is burnt into his retinas.

Sebastian thinks about the ivory silk dress that he’d held up from her closet. She had worn that dress, Isaac’s hand on the skin of her lower back. They had lived together, shared not only a bed but an entire life for six years. Isaac had asked last night why she wasn’t responding to his texts—he’s been trying to get back in touch with her. Hell, he probably still loves her. No man would fight back the way he did if there wasn’t still a spark there.

Bile rises in Sebastian’s throat just thinking about it.

“Sebastian, calm down.” Ominis’s voice brings him back down to earth. “You get so carried away. I’m sure she’s just as overwhelmed as you are.”

He swallows thickly, wiping at his brow. “It all has moved rather fast.”

“Anne always figured this would happen,” Ominis muses. “That one day, it would just click for you. Once you found the right girl, you’d be off to the races in no time.”

“Right girl,” Sebastian rolls his eyes. “The right girl is one who can’t bear the sight of me after I’ve tried to punch out her ex.”

“I hate that you’re alone.” Ominis says wistfully. “Rory is back today, isn’t he?”

“Will be back later this evening.” Sebastian takes another sip of his water. “You know, I almost told her I loved her.”

“You what?” Ominis’s voice is sharp and stern.

“Yeah. But then I just said I hated the way she made me feel instead.”

Ominis is silent for a beat, before letting out a long, loud sigh. “I think we need to implement a group consultation before you plan any large declarations of emotion.”

“Ominis, I swear if you tell Anne—“

The old doorbell chimes from faraway; Sebastian’s heart nearly skips a beat. 

Perhaps Theo is back. 

“What is it?”

“Someone’s at the door,” Sebastian rushes down the stairs, the phone perched between his chin and shoulder. “I wonder if she’s back.”

“This is far too much drama for New Year’s Day,” Ominis complains. “I’ve got a headache and I didn’t even drink last night.”

The doorbell rings again, and Sebastian dashes around the sitting room. She’s back, he thinks. She’s back, and everything will be just fine.

When the door opens, his jaw goes slack. The woman standing before him raises a brow, appraising him head to toe. Perhaps he should have put a pair of pants on before answering the door. 

“I’m going to have to call you back,” Sebastian blurts into the phone.

“Is it—“ Ominis’s sentence is cut off when Sebastian hangs up the phone, clutching it tightly in the palm of his hand.

“What are you doing here?” He asks, not trying to hide the disappointment in his voice.

“Do you mind if I come in?” She asks. “I’d like to talk about last night.”

So for the very first time, Sebastian Sallow lets Violet McDowell in his house.

Chapter Text

Ominis: Everything okay? 

Chapter Text

March

“Can you open the door? I need to get in.”

Sebastian’s eyes flutter, biting down on his tooth brush as he opens the bathroom door. He steps out of the way to let her in front of the sink, smiling as she wipes down the foggy mirror.

“You can’t do your makeup in the bedroom?” He asks, words muffled by toothpaste.

“The lighting is shit,” Theo explains, leaning over the counter. “Scoot.” 

Sebastian shrugs, moving further towards the tub as she leans over the counter. They’ve slipped into a pattern, a choreographed ballet taking place every morning before school. Sebastian and Rory had never really run on any schedule before her; with a third body in the house, especially a woman, they’ve had to make a few modifications. 

Sebastian is always first to wake in the house. He rolls out of bed, muscles screaming, trudging down the stairs to put coffee on. He hurries back upstairs, the sky still dark, just in time to snuggle his bedmate for a few minutes before her alarms start going off. One at six, another at ten after, and another after that. At six thirty, Sebastian will kiss her until she wakes, her phone muffled under the pillows. Theo is not a morning person, but she will force herself out of bed for a shower while Sebastian spreads out for a few more minutes.

Once Theo is out of her shower, Sebastian wakes his son. He and Theo take the breakfast while Sebastian gets ready himself. By the time he’s done, Rory is dressed for school and packing his lunch. They are supposed to be out the door by 7:45 at the latest. Sometimes 8am. Most days, 8:05.

“You’re staring.” Theo hums, putting the mascara wand back into the tube.

“You’re ruining our carefully organized schedule.” Sebastian points out, spitting toothpaste into the sink. “Infringing on my allotted bathroom time.”

“We wouldn’t be running late if we went to bed at a reasonable hour last night.” Theo swats at his shoulder then looks back into the mirror, scrutinizing her hair. “It looks like a bird’s nest.”

“If I recall, you rather liked it when I laid you down on your back—“

Sebastian roars with laughter as she pinches his nipple, a hand flying down to make sure the towel stays wrapped around his waist. The other wraps around her waist, trying to pull her in tighter.

“Get off,” Theo complains. “You’re still wet—“ she stops in her tracks, but Sebastian’s boyish grin only makes her roll her eyes. 

“You said it, not me.” Sebastian defends himself. “You smell nice.”

“And you are going to make us late.” Theo argues, pulling away. “Lunches are ready downstairs, you just need to get dressed.”

Sebastian wants to kiss her, but he doesn’t. When she slips out of his touch, he lets her go. Everything feels a little less urgent nowadays with her. Not that he’s trying less, but he knows that she will be coming home with him at the end of the day. He will get to sit across from her at the dinner table tonight as they listen to Rory recount his school day. She will stand next to him at the sink, drying off the dishes so Rory can actually focus on his homework. And she will slide into bed next to him, her books and jewelry stacked on the once empty bedside table.

“You guys,” Rory yells from downstairs. “Hurry up!”

“Blame your dad, not me!” Theo calls back. She winks at Sebastian, twisting her hair up into a bun as she lopes down the stairs. “He’s not even dressed!”

Sebastian beams as he dresses, pulling a thick sweater over his head. He lets a minute pass, and this time both Rory and Theo are yelling for him to come downstairs. 

He’ll let them yell. He likes how noisy his house has become. 

“You’re late.”

“I know, I know. I’m sorry.” Sebastian cringes, holding his phone against his cheek and shoulder. “School was hectic, and Rory forgot his backpack so we had to turn around, and then we found out we had absolutely no food at home.” He grumbles.

“We?” Anne snaps.

Sebastian takes in a sharp breath. “Yes, we. Rory, myself, and Theo.”

“I can’t believe she’s living with you.” Anne mumbles. “A few months ago you were just telling us you couldn’t even fathom going on a date, and now you’ve got an entire live in girlfriend.”

“I told you,” Sebastian takes his turn to snap back at his twin sister. “It was unexpected. But I see no reason for us to hold back if we’re enjoying each other’s company.” He pushes the trolley down the aisles, trying to remember the list Theo had prattled off to him before leaving. Cereal, milk, bread, eggs…

“What do you even know about this woman?” Anne asks. “Besides that she’s fit.”

“Anne,” Sebastian wheezes, knocking a box of cereal into the trolley. 

“Well, obviously she’s a looker.” 

“She is pretty, but that’s hardly the attraction.” Sebastian lies. It’s not like he’s going to tell his sister how excruciatingly hot he finds his girlfriend to be. “She’s smart, and excellent with kids. She was studying to be a pediatric NP, you know.”

“That too—do you know if she’s planning on going back to school?” Anne challenges. 

Sebastian stops in his tracks, wracking his brain for the answer. Truthfully, finishing her degree hasn’t quite come up in conversation. They’ve been busier with other things lately.

“Seb,” Anne warns him. She needs no other words.

“I know,” Sebastian says hastily. “I know that you’re angry. I know that you’re worried. But can you trust me when I say I think I’m doing the right thing for myself and Rory?”

“You’ve invited a woman you’ve known for six months to live with you and my nephew.” Anne says dryly. “Any normal adult would be worried about you.”

“I know that.” Sebastian rolls his eyes. “Can you at least trust that I’m taking my time to get to know her now that we’ve established we care about each other?”

“What’s her middle name?” Anne challenges him.

“What?”

“I asked what her middle name is.” Anne insists. “If you really are taking the time to get to know her, not just playing house.”

Sebastian snaps his mouth shut, glad his sister will never see how red his cheeks are getting in the cereal aisle. “I’m not going to indulge your question.” He huffs.

“Of course I know her middle name.”

“If you say so.” Anne grumbles. 

“I do say so.” Sebastian bites back, grumbling to himself as he pushes the trolley down the next aisle. 

No matter how confident Sebastian may be, it has never taken much from Anne to swipe him out at the knees. His twin sister knows just what to say to get under his skin, and it’s clear she’s succeeded. Sebastian is quiet and contemplative for the rest of the evening, lost in his thoughts as they unload the groceries. He knows that his laugh sounds a little distant at the dinner table, watching Theo share chips with Rory. Her eyes briefly flicker towards him, one eyebrow arched with a non-verbal question, asking if he’s alright.

He knows her, doesn’t he? Knows her enough to love her. Enough that he never wants to be parted from her again. 

But what the fuck is her middle name?

“What’s gotten into you?” Theo asks, closing her book as he slides into bed. 

“What’s your middle name?” Sebastian blurts.

She wrinkles her nose. “Why do you want to know my middle name?”

“Because I love you.” He says hastily. “And I want to know things about you.”

Theo’s eyelashes flutter, her hands fidgeting with the edge of the duvet. “It’s silly,” she deflects. 

“Tell me.” Sebastian insists. 

“It sounds a little stupid because my first name and my middle name rhyme,” Theo shrugs. “I used to get made fun of a lot for it. Theodora Leonora.”
Sebastian blinks back at her. “Your name is Theodora?”

“Well, what the fuck do you think Theo is short for?” She snorts. “Your turn—what’s your middle name?”

“Gregory.” Sebastian shrugs.

“You named your son after your own middle name?” Theo narrows her eyes.

“It’s a family name.” Sebastian defends himself. “And to be quite honest, I was under the impression he was about to be adopted, so I hadn’t really prepared any names, so I named him after my grandfather.”

“Oh,” Theo murmurs. “That is sweet.”

“Gregory for my grandfather, and Simon for his.” Sebastian points out. “Two most important men in my life.”

“Not your uncle?” 

Sebastian rolls his eyes. “Solomon was a tosser,” he grumbles. “But I think that’s a story for another time.”

They lay next to each other, the lights dimmed. It’s only when Theo’s fingers tap at the edge of his chain that he sighs aloud.

“Anne got in my head a bit today.” He mumbles. “Said I don’t know you well enough.”

Theo purses her lips together in a tight line. “Your sister still doesn’t like that we’re together.”

“It’s not so much us. It’s more that she’s worried we’re moving too fast.” Sebastian points out. “She’ll love you eventually—she just takes a while to warm up to new people.”

“You know me, Sebastian.” Theo whispers. “And we’ll have plenty of time to get to know one another.” Her fingers move down his chest and to his arm, tracing a line around his faded tattoo. 

“But I want to know everything about you.” Sebastian whines. “The most mundane parts of you—give them all to me.”

Theo is silent, her fingers drumming against his skin. After ten excruciatingly long breaths, she props her chin on his chest.

“Orange. My favorite color is orange.” she says simply. “What is yours?”

Sebastian tugs her in tighter, pressing a kiss to the temple of her forehead. “Blue.”

The staff at St. Margaret’s are all extremely perceptive.

No one bothers to ask when Theo, Sebastian, and Rory start arriving on campus at the same time every day, or when Rory starts giving Theo hugs before running off to the classroom. The other teachers give them space when they sit in the faculty lounge together, bodies angled towards each other as they talk. The only indication that anyone has made towards their relationship status is an awkward reminder from Headmaster Black that all faculty liaisons must be reported to the deputy headmistress for awareness. 

The students are far less subtle. There is almost always a gaggle of girls outside of Sebastian’s classroom, quietly chattering as they observe his every move. A few bold teenagers from the upper school even try poking Theo for gossip when they stop in her office for paracetamol or tampons.

“Ruthless I tell you,” Theo snorts, propping her feet up on her desk. She and Sebastian have matching lunch containers now, both eating leftovers from the night before. “They’re worse than our friends.”

“To be fair, they’re much more perceptive than our friends.” Sebastian points out. “Hey, did you decide what you want for dinner?”

“About that. I meant to tell you, Rose asked me if I could come over for dinner tonight.” Theo hums. “I have some packages and mail to pick up there anyways.”

“You can always have your mail sent to the house.” Sebastian reminds her.

“Well, I can’t have your birthday presents spoiled, can I?” She grins.

Sebastian flushes, looking back down at the curry in front of him. That’s right—it is March, and his birthday is just around the corner. He thinks about the photo of his parents sitting on his dresser, and how he will be older than both of them in the next two weeks. 

“You don’t have to get me anything for my birthday. Just having you around is more than enough.”

“I’m an excellent gift giver,” Theo’s foot slides against his calf under the table, and his back goes rigid. “Besides, I need to get it right. You did my birthday so well.”

Sebastian thinks back to her belated birthday celebration in December. How he’d paid off the groundskeeper for uninterrupted access to the pool, how he’d tricked Theo into going back into her bathroom so he could rifle through her drawers for a swimsuit. He remembers it so clearly, the way she’d tangled her legs around his while they floated in the water—

The lunch bell rings, and Sebastian blinks back into reality. The other teachers are filtering out of the faculty lounge, slowly making their way back to class. Theo is packing up her empty bowl, licking a remnant of sauce from her thumb. Her eyelashes flutter when she looks up at him, a smirk on her lips.

“Coming?” She asks.

Sebastian rolls his eyes, but he follows. 

“Are you coming to bed?” Sebastian asks, his hand curled around the well worn edge of the bannister.

“Just a minute,” Theo mumbles from the kitchen table, rubbing her forehead. 

Sebastian pads over to her on bare feet, his hands resting on her shoulders. “What are you looking at?” 

“Rose was not joking when she said I had a mountain of mail at her house.” Theo sighs. “I should probably change my address.”

Sebastian is glad he’s standing behind her, able to bite down on his smile. She leans her head against his forearm, flipping through a pile of envelopes. She’s wearing a pair of his pajama pants, sat cross legged on the dining chair. Theo tosses a few advertisements into a pile, letting out a loud sigh as she organizes the mail.

“Trash, trash, trash, and trash.” She mumbles. She sets aside a catalog, freezing when she sees the envelope underneath it.

“Oh,” Theo blurts. 

“Oh.” Sebastian utters. He recognizes the stationary—his checks used to come in the same creamy white envelopes with blue metallic lettering, until Isaac taught his mother how to do a bank transfer.

“Should I open it?” Theo asks, looking up at Sebastian. “I don’t really know why she’d write to me. We haven’t spoken since the—“

The engagement party, Sebastian finishes her sentence in his mind. The engagement party that Mrs. Cooper had demanded Theo pay back, the reason she’d ended up in the highlands in the first place. Sebastian might think to thank Isaac’s mother for personally delivering him his soulmate. 

“We can toss it in the bin if you’d like.” Sebastian massages her shoulders reassuringly. “It doesn’t matter what she thinks.”

Theo shakes her head, grabbing her letter opener. “No, I want to close this chapter. Might as well see what she has to say.”

Sebastian watches her as she rips the envelope open; there is no note inside. Instead, a little piece of folded paper slips out of the envelope. When she unfolds it, both of their eyes widen. 

“Good thing we didn’t bin it.” Sebastian blurts.

“I didn’t think she’d actually pay me back.” Theo murmurs, flattening the cheque against the table. “I’m shocked Isaac pulled through.”

“That is how much you owed her for your engagement party?” Sebastian chokes out, trying to process how many figures are in the number. “A bit excessive, don’t you think?”

“To be fair, it was a very nice party.” Theo folds the cheque back up, putting in the envelope. “She was livid with me. In all our years together, she’d never once spoken ill of me, but she went mental after we broke up. I guess I don’t blame her.”

“What are you going to do with the money?” Sebastian asks.

Theo blinks up at him. “Buy a car?”

Sebastian chokes, backing away from the chair. “You’re not serious,” he blurts. “Theo, you can’t buy us a car—“

Theo raises her brow. “I’m not buying us a car, Seb. I mean myself.”

If there was a window nearby, Sebastian would be pitching himself out of it in embarrassment. “Right,” he blurts. “I mean, not us as in Rory and me, or us collectively as a family—I mean, not a family yet, that’s a big word, but I mean the three of us to drive in. And really, I need to just give up on the Kuga at this point, we should both go car shopping this weekend if you have the time—“

“Sebastian,” Theo says softly. “It’s fine. I know what you meant. I think we should go to bed.”

The awkwardness follows them as they trudge up the stairs. Sebastian lays stiff as a board on his side of the bed, quiet as Theo goes through her bedtime routine. He watches her come back in from the bathroom, quietly closing the bedroom door behind her. The silence remains as she slips under the covers, the lamp clicking off. Moonlight streams in through Sebastian’s threadbare curtains, only the sound of their breath to fill the room.

“You didn’t think I was going to buy a car—“

“I don’t mean to sound like I was expecting you to buy a car—“

They whip their heads to look at each other, eyes wide open. It takes everything in Sebastian not to laugh out loud; Theo snorts at his awestruck face.

“I love you.” Theo murmurs, turning on her side to face him. “But I don’t think we’re quite there yet.”

“I love you too. And I know.” Sebastian groans. “God, that was embarrassing.”

Theo scoots closer, her breath warm against his skin. 

“If it makes you feel better, I don’t think I’m that far off.” She murmurs. 

“Oh?” Sebastian blinks, suddenly feeling more awake than ever.

“I was always obsessed with doing things the right way, planning out my whole life. I think I’ve decided I’m done with plans.” Theo announces, idly scratching

Sebastian’s chest. “Plans, perfect timelines, places to be.”

“What about London?” Sebastian whispers, resting his arm over her hip. “Going back, finishing your degree?”

Her honey colored eyes meet his, lashes fluttering. “Maybe the reason my plans never worked out is right in front of me.” She confesses. “Maybe things had to fall apart to get me to the right place.”

Sebastian swallows thickly. “So you want to buy a car.”

A smile stretches across her face, punctuated by a yawn. “I think I’ll be here a bit longer than planned, so I should get my own car.”

Sebastian tugs her close, pressing a kiss to the tip of her nose.

“Wreck the plans,” he whispers. “Stay.”

She’s asleep already, and does not answer. There is no need—Sebastian already knows.

Sebastian: What are you up to?

Theo: Meeting with Garreth - Poppy and Imelda have asked him to come down to London to make their wedding cake, so I’m talking logistics with him.

Sebastian: That’s nice…long way to go for cake, no?

Theo: I suspect there may be a third party who wants to see him…

Sebastian: Natty?

Theo: I’ll have to explain at home. What’s up?

Sebastian: Are you busy Saturday?

Theo: I have a hot date with a cup of tea and that book I just borrowed. Why?

Sebastian: Cancel it. We’re going out

Theo: Are we?

Sebastian: Mirabel said she could babysit, so I thought we should leave the house for once.

Theo: Cress told me about a wine bar not far from here. We could try it?

Sebastian: I’ll make the reservation.

Theo: Can’t wait. See you at home

Sebastian never dreamt he’d have nights like this.

A year ago, the idea of going out on a Saturday night date was laughable. One, unless it was for trivia, Sebastian wouldn’t waste the money on a babysitter. Two, he’d probably never go on a date. The thought of squandering a Saturday night on a stranger was sacrilegious to him.

But now, Sebastian is sitting across from his girlfriend in a fancy wine bar the next town over. In lieu of scuffed up trainers, he’s wearing his nicest shoes, and he knows that the white fisherman’s sweater that he’s wearing is one of Theo’s favorites. He can’t even get started on Theo’s attire—despite the late February chill, she’s wearing a short dress and tall boots. He hates to be the couple that sits right next to each other at the booth, but he can’t find the power within to remove his hand from the stretch of exposed thigh.

“We should come here more often,” Theo says, tipping a glass of white wine against her lips. Her cheeks are flushed red from the alcohol. “I miss wine bars.”

“Three Broomsticks not cutting it for you?” Sebastian snorts, swirling his wine. 

“I love Sirona’s, but it’s nice to drink something a little fancier than her house white.” Theo chuckles. “And I have you all to myself. No one is going to drag you off for a round of darts.”

“It is nice to be just us.” Sebastian sighs. “I’m sorry we haven’t gotten much time alone lately.”

Theo shakes her head, polishing off the glass. “What is there to be sorry for?”

“Rory—“

“Don’t.” Theo warns. “Don’t ever apologize for him. I knew what I was getting myself into when I moved in. I’m happy to have both of you. You’re a package deal, after all.”

Sebastian wipes his mouth with his napkin, hoping Theo doesn’t see the blush crawling up the back of his neck. He takes a large swig, licking the wine off his lips as he changes the subject.

“How was Garreth? You never did explain why Imelda and Poppy wanted him to bake the cake—I’m sure there are hundreds of qualified bakeries in London.”

Theo’s lips curve upwards into a sly smile. “For starters, Garreth is a pretty spectacular baker. But like I said, I think someone else wants to see him.”

“It can’t be Natsai,” Sebastian snorts.

“Close,” Theo shrugs. “Her flatmate, Adanna. Do you remember her from New Year’s Eve? The chef?”

“That’s right!” Sebastian snaps. In all of their drama, he’d almost forgotten Natsai Onai’s friend, the only unfamiliar face from New Year’s Eve. Garreth had spent the entire evening mesmerized by her, eyes glimmering at her every move. 

“She didn’t get the job in Edinburgh, but she did exchange numbers with Gaz.” Theo explains. “And I think they’ve become quite fast friends.”

Sebastian raises a brow. “How does Natty feel about it?”

“We’re in our thirties,” Theo rolls her eyes. “I’m sure she’s gotten over her childhood sweetheart.”

“So their friend fancies Gaz, and that’s why he’s coming down to London for the wedding.” Sebastian hums. “Good for him.”

“It would be great if there was something there. I’d love to see Garreth happy.” Theo flips her hair over her shoulder.

Sebastian snorts. “You, breaker of hearts.”

“It was a few dates,” Theo argues. “I vividly remember you being on a date at the same time…”

Sebastian inches closer, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear. “I thought of you when I went home.” He murmurs. “It was you I thought about that night, and you drove me mad.”

Theo turns to face him, her lashes brushing against his cheek. “That makes two of us,” she whispers, eye creasing in a wink. Her hand brushes his thigh, and it sends a shiver down his spine.

Sebastian clears his throat, looking for the nearest server. He juts his hand up in the air, waving them down.

“We’ll take the cheque,” Sebastian blurts, his voice cracking over a simple request. His cheeks go pink at the sound of Theo’s laugh, her hand curling against his under the table. 

“Rory went to bed at nine—think he was trying to stay up and wait for you two to get home,” Mirabel explains, hauling her bag over her shoulder. “I’ve put some leftovers in the fridge in case you two are hungry.” 

“Thank you,” Sebastian kisses her cheek. He hopes he’s not being too obvious as he ushers her towards the front door, pulling it open. She’s already taken far too long to pack up her knitting, Sebastian hastily tapping his foot against the stone floor of the foyer in anticipation of their colleague’s departure. 

Mirabel gives him a haughty look, followed by a salacious wink. “Have a good night,” she warbles, waggling her fingers at them as she leaves.

“She definitely thinks we’re up to something inappropriate.” Theo snorts, unzipping her boots.

Sebastian raises a brow. “Aren’t we?”

Her rude hand gesture makes him laugh aloud, his entire body shaking in the process. He has to hop over her boots, haphazardly laid out on the floor with the rest of Rory’s books and toys; it seems her cleaning habits have started to rub off on his son. Both of them know to avoid the creaky step on the stairs, and Theo nods at him when they hit the second floor, quietly entering their bedroom.

Sebastian diverts his path, heading down the end of the hallway to check Rory’s room. His son is fast asleep, a book balancing open on his stomach. Sebastian carefully takes the book, marking which page Rory has left on before setting it on his nightstand. Rory barely notices, mouth wide open as he snores. The door creaks as he shuts it, white noise humming on the other end.

When Sebastian enters the bedroom, Theo is sitting at the edge of the bed. “All good?” Theo asks. She’s already changed out of her dress, which is puddled in the corner by his dresser. She’s wearing one of his football jerseys, which she very well knows drives him mad. 

“All good,” Sebastian murmurs, pulling his sweater over head, the white t-shirt underneath going with it. 

Theo leans back on her elbows, legs crossed. “Did you have fun tonight?” She murmurs, eyes flickering down to his pants. She watches as he unfastens his belt, the metal clinking as his pants drop to the ground. 

“Yes.” Sebastian grins. “And I’m starting to think of what a bad influence you are.”

She wrinkles her nose. “Me?”

“There are bits of you everywhere, all over this house.” Sebastian murmurs, stepping between her legs. He nudges them apart, falling to his knees on the ground. “Your shoes, your clothes, your bloody earrings.” 

“I thought you found that endearing—“ her voice is cut off by a sharp inhale, breath caught by the feeling of his mouth on the inside of her knee.

“Very,” Sebastian whispers. “I love it.”

“Seb,” she sighs, his name a slight warning. 

“You can be quiet.” Sebastian assures her, pulling her closer to the edge of the bed. Just as he’s suspected, she’s not wearing panties underneath his shirt. Bare, just for him.

They’ve shared many nights like this since Theo officially moved into the house. Before, when things were merely an arrangement between them, sex had been frantic; he’d wait with bated breath all week to be alone with her again. But now, she is a part of his home. She’s woven into the very fabric of his house now, the way her tooth brush sits next to his, the way both him and Rory are picking up on her bad habits. 

More importantly, they are in love. He’d always been attracted to her, but this—this is all encompassing. He loves her. He wants to take his time with her. 

Sebastian is in no rush. He licks slowly, pressing a soft kiss to her clit while pushing his jersey up over her waist. Her stomach is soft, his hand trailing upwards to the curve of her breast. He’s so fucking hard, cock leaking with anticipation as he takes long, languid licks to her slit. Theo’s breath is shaky, honey colored eyes wide open as she watches him between her legs.

“Seb,” she chokes out. “That’s—“

Sebastian affirms her praise by sucking harder. His fingers dig into her thighs as he shakes his head, eagerly anticipating what comes next. She’s writhing on the bed, her foot pressing into his shoulder. Any second now, she’ll clamp her thighs tight around his head, muffling her voice against the duvet. One hand slithers down to squeeze his aching member, begging for release.

“Sebastian,” Theo gasps. When her heel digs into his shoulder, he obliges. He backs away from her, sitting on his heels with one hand atop his boxers, furiously palming himself. She nods her head towards the headboard, and Sebastian follows.

He lifts his jersey over her head, dark hair catching on the neckline before he tosses it across the room. Theo’s hands are tracing lines down his abdomen, slow circles drawn around patterns of freckles. Sebastian’s hands have found their favorite places—one tangled the hair at the nape of her neck, the other swiping a thumb over her the hardened peak of her nipple. Sebastian has never had intimacy like this, but he can’t ever imagine going back from it. To know her is to love her, and he wants to memorize every inch of skin.

“From behind.” she murmurs, a kiss placed at the corner of his mouth. Sebastian exhales shakily as they lay on the bed, her hair pulled over one side. He is flush against the soft skin of her back and can feel every little shiver, arching into his chest. 

“That’s it,” Sebastian murmurs, angling his cock against her cunt. Her hands reach back to touch him as he slips inside of her, her own breath hitching with every inch. When he is fully seated, she lets out a relaxed sigh, pulling his hands over her waist to keep him close. 

“F’me.” She mutters, her hips rolling back to match his movements. Sebastian can’t help laughing; for as often as she says she wants him, she never fully lets him take charge. Everything between them is reciprocal, every movement returned with equal fervor. His teeth sink into her shoulder as he thrusts harder, their legs tangling together. He grabs her leg, pulling it back over his.

“Let me take care of you,” he grunts, pressing his forehead against her back. “Fuck, Theo. Please.” He isn’t sure what he’s pleading for; the last thing he wants is for this to end.

“You do it so well,” Theo teases, followed by a breathy gasp. She grabs the closest pillow, pressing her face against it just as Sebastian would have predicted—she’s pulsing around him, close to her climax. He releases his grip on her leg, snaking it around her to rub her clit. 

“Come on me, Theo.” Sebastian whispers in her ear, nuzzling against her skin. “Fuck, love. You feel—fuck—you feel so good.”

“Right there,” she warns. “I’m right—Sebastian, I’m right there.” Theo whimpers. Her hand presses hard over his on top of her clit, grinding hard against her. She presses her face against the pillow again, a soft cry alerting him of her climax. He squeezes his eyes shut, thrusts stuttering as he spills inside of her.

They lay together, Sebastian still inside of her, until she turns her head to kiss him again. She stops, her lips barely brushing against his. He can feel her lashes fluttering against his skin, the slight puff of air from her breath. It reminds him of the seconds before their first kiss, the brutal way time slowed before her lips found his. Her fingers always find that damned chain of his, brushing against the cool metal, and it makes him smile.

“You and this damn necklace. Didn’t I get you one of your own?” Sebastian teases. “Turns you on that much, doesn’t it?”

“I like the way yours feels better.” Theo pouts, turning to face him. She hauls her body over his, pressing kisses against his cheeks before rolling back off. Sebastian watches the waggle of her hips as she picks up the jersey, pulling it over her head. She presses her thighs together, and the sound has him flopping onto his stomach, lest he get hard again.

“That seems to do it for you.” Theo snorts. When he lifts his head to look back at her, she’s gathering her long waves into a ponytail with a haughty look on her face.

“I don’t know what you're talking about.” Sebastian scoffs, but he knows by the heat in his cheeks they’re turning red.

Theo rolls her eyes, sauntering over to him. “When are you going to admit that you get aroused by it?”

“By what?” Sebastian huffs. His eyes widen when she grabs his hand, guiding it between her legs. 

“By us,” she murmurs. “You’re always looking at it.”

Sebastian swallows thickly, his eyes trained on the edge of his jersey as he slips his fingers inside of her. It’s warm and wet, their combined spend leaking out of her and onto her thighs. 

“It turns me on too,” she whispers. His eyes snap up to hers, something fierce behind them. Her teeth scrape against her bottom lip, eyes fluttering when he rolls his fingers over her clit. “When you come inside me.”

Patience be damned—He pulls her back into the bed, her breathy laugh turned into a sharp moan against his mouth as he takes her again.

The nice thing about having another adult in the house is that Sebastian now gets to sleep in. He has no expectation of Theo to care for Rory, but the pair genuinely enjoy each other—in fact, between the two of them, he’s starting to feel left out. But the modicum of jealousy he feels over their easy relationship dissipates whenever Sunday morning rolls around and Theo whispers in his ear that she’ll wake him up later.

Sebastian blinks awake on Sunday morning, checking the time on his phone. It’s half past ten already, and Theo should’ve woken him up an hour ago. He slips out of bed, nearly tripping on the jersey he tore off Theo last night, jumping into a pair of sweats. He can hear cartoons on the TV, the sound of dishes clattering in the sink.  When he stumbles down the stairs, he sees Rory putting away the milk.

“Good morning,” Rory yawns. “Did you have fun on your date?”

Sebastian presses a kiss to the top of his son’s head. “Lots of fun. We need to schedule you a haircut, you know.”

Rory scoffs, handing a coffee mug to his father. “That means you too, you know.”

“Where’s Theo?” Sebastian asks, pouring a cup out of the half empty coffee pot.  He can see her mug on the dining table, still half full.

“She’s taking a call.” Rory shrugs. “Out on the porch.”

Sebastian raises a brow. “On the porch?” It’s still March, barely tolerable weather.

Rory shrugs again. “Sounded important.”

The front door shuts, and both Sallows snap their heads to the doorway. Theo walks in, exhaling a puff of air as she unbuttons her coat. “Good morning,” she says absentmindedly, hanging it on the back of a chair. “I was just coming in to wake you.”

“Who was that?” Sebastian quirks his brow. 

Theo rolls her eyes. “My dad.”

Both Sallows stare at her as she settles into her chair, unwrapping a scarf. When she picks up her mug, she arches a brow at them.

“What?”

“You don’t really talk about him,” Sebastian admits, settling into the seat across from her. “What did he want?”

Theo purses her lips, looking down at her lukewarm coffee. “I ordered you something for your birthday, and must have clicked the wrong delivery address. We’ve always used the same tailor, and I guess he just lumped it in with my dad’s package because they were going to the same address. You know, to save postage.” She shifts uncomfortably in her chair. “And he wanted to know why another man’s name was listed in his order.”

Sebastian blinks at her. “Oh,” he blurts. Neither of his parents were alive when he’d started dating, and Solomon had never bothered to know about his personal life. The last time he’d met someone’s parents, she’d already been pregnant with his child—meeting Theo’s father is truly uncharted waters.

“He started asking all these questions, like when we met and how long we’ve been dating.” Theo rambles, pulling her knees to her chest. “And one question led to another, so I somehow told him we’re living together already.”

“Oh.” Sebastian repeats.

Theo purses her lips together. “And that you have a son.”

“Oh,” Rory grimaces. 

“So,” Theo looks up at the boys, a dead serious look on her face. “I told him we’re busy, especially through the end of the school year, but that we’d come visit after Poppy and Imelda’s wedding in June.”

There is a beat of silence between the three of them; it is Rory who finally breaks it.

“So, what’s your dad like?” He asks curiously, rising up on the tips of his toes to put away the cereal box.

“Rory,” Sebastian scolds, but Theo waves him off.

“He’s…my dad.” She wrinkles her nose. “We’re not very close.” There is a twinge of sadness in her voice, but she covers for it well—Rory does not notice the shift in her tone, and by the time he’s turned to face her again she’s got a pleasant smile on her face. It is the first time Sebastian’s ever noticed her not tell the truth.

When her eyes flicker his way, she silently pleads with him.