“Oliver?” I could hear Sebastian softly whisper and I opened my eyes, looking down and realizing I had fallen asleep holding him, “why are you here?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” I cleared my throat, finding it to be incredibly dry, “how are ya feelin’?”
“Hot,” he groaned and I gently touched his forehead to find that his fever was spiking once again.
“I’ll get your pills. Hang on,” I managed to peel him off of me and carefully made my way to the kitchen, my bad leg weak as I had stayed in the same spot all night holding him. Checking the time, I realized it was midnight meaning I had sat with Sebastian for about 5 hours.
No wonder he’s not feeling well again.
We slept through the time for him to take his medicine.
Grabbing the bottles and a glass of water, I headed to Sebastian’s room again where I found him leaning against the wall, watching television with Aldo.
“Here,” I handed him the water before opening the bottles and getting the correct amount of his different medications, “I know your throat hurts so one at a time.”
“I know,” he slowly nodded and started taking them, making a hiss every time he swallowed before handing me the water and cuddling back down, “Merci.”
“Of course. Can I do anything else?”
“Um… not right now.”
“Alright,” I pushed his hair from his eyes slowly, “I’m gonna take a shower and get some more rest. Call for me if ya need me and I’ll be in here quick as I can.”
“Wait…” he muttered, “Wait, can you… can you come back to me after your shower? That is the first time in my life I’ve slept without sleepwalking.”
“Bas, I don’t… know if that’s the best idea. I’ll probably fall asleep and…”
“Okay,” he pouted, no longer looking at me and I cupped his chin, forcing him to meet my gaze.
“Would it bring a smile back to your face?”
“Yes,” he answered breathlessly, his hand coming up to wrap around my wrist, “yes it would.”
“Alright. I’ll be back in a bit then. Let me get clean.”
“Okay,” he giggled and gently tilted his chin down to kiss my palm, “Hurry back.”
“I will.”
Leaving his bedroom, I slowly climbed into the shower and washed, my thoughts entirely trapped on how easily Sebastian could get his way with me. How easily I wanted to give him everything his heart desires even if that was just my presence while he slept.
Skylar hated me sleeping next to him.
But Bas wants me there.
Someone… actually wants me to be next to them.
How strange that is for me…
But I love it.
Smiling, I dried as best I could and grabbed a black tank top and matching pajama pants before quietly padding across the apartment and leaning into Sebastian’s open bedroom door.
“You… actually came back,” he whispered, slowly sitting up as I walked into the room and Aldo huffed, leaving.
“I did.”
“I… did not expect you to,” Sebastian smiled brightly as he moved to one side to make room for me, “I thought you would come in to tell me you changed your mind.”
“I am very tempted to leave right now,” I sat down on the side of the bed and Sebastian shakily got onto his knees, wrapping himself around my back, “Bas. You’re not naive. You’re not stupid in the slightest.”
“I already know,” he whispered in my ear, “how you feel.”
“No… no I don’t think ya do. I think… you assume I want to… be intimate with you…”
“I suppose I thought so, yes. But that is not what I see when I look into your eyes,” he laughed gently, his breath hot on my ear, “unfortunately, I am too ill to have this conversation. There is one thing you must know about me outside of the final truth about my past.”
“What is it?” I reached up and covered his hands with my own.
“I’ve never been in a proper relationship. I do not know how to make one work.”
“Oh,” I whispered, turning my head to look into his eyes, “Oh Bas…”
“Do not pity me. I have been asked many times. By men who promised to give me the world as long as I gave them my body.”
“So they wanted ya to be a sugar baby?”
“Oui,” he nuzzled my cheek gently, “but that is not who I am or what I would want. I wouldn’t mind having a partner who spoils me, things like that. But I want to feel equal too. Money has never been important to me. It’s what’s in here,” he ran his hand down to my chest and rested it above my heart, “I care about who someone is as a person. I am okay with being… um… oh what is it? Um being told what to do, letting my partner have control when we are home. Things like that.”
“Subservient,” my breath hitched gently as I realized fully that Sebastian was who I had been looking for this entire time.
“Oui! That. But I don’t want to feel less than my partner. I do not know if that makes sense.”
“It entirely does. Just because you have a dominant and submissive partnership doesn’t mean that one party should feel less than the other. There’s a difference between treatin’ your sub as an equal, even when ya give ‘em punishment for bein’ a brat, and listenin’ to their wants and needs versus essentially treating them like a slave. I’ve seen too many off-balance relationships like that. Ya should always treat your partner as your equal. That’s what I believe.”
“Then you understand,” he gently kissed my cheek and gripped his arm tighter, “Oliver,” he muttered quietly, kissing my cheek again before, for the third time today, he slumped against me and fell asleep.
Oh, son of a bitch.
That was so nice too.
Grumbling softly, I did what I could to adjust him, difficult as Sebastian was essentially draped across my back, and tucked him into bed. Sitting there for a while, I debated with myself as I watched the news quietly before leaving the television on and laying down to face Sebastian, pulling the blankets further around the both of us.
I’ll just sleep.
I want to hear his snoring anyway.
It’s so soft.
Closing my eyes, I let out a quiet yawn and finally drifted off to sleep, my hand resting on top of Sebastian’s.
“Non,” I heard a gentle mutter and I opened my eyes, “non, stop. Please. Stop it,” Sebastian continued to mutter in his sleep and I gently trailed my fingers from his temple to his collarbone, trying to calm his dreams, “oh,” he giggled softly, the dream clearly changing and I could feel myself smile, “oh oui Monsieur. Well I don’t… mmm…” he moaned quietly, gripping the front of my shirt, “non… non it is okay. Oui… oh Oliver…” he suddenly snorted before a gentle snore escaped, his grip on my shirt lessening as he flipped onto his other side, pressing himself back toward me.
His good dreams are about me?
He’s seeking out my warmth.
I want to hold you, Bas.
But I know how I am.
You’ll freak out if you wake up and my hand is up your shirt.
I’ve always done that.
Fighting with myself for another few minutes, I gave up and wrapped my arm around his waist, my hand sliding under the bottom of his shirt.
His fever broke.
That’s why he was having a nightmare.
He’s clammy but not warm anymore.
Thank fuck I was so scared.
Nuzzling the back of his head, I allowed myself to relax, falling into a deep, dreamless sleep.
“Oliver?” Sebastian shook me gently and I grumbled, pressing my forehead to the back of his head, “Oliver it is 7. Your phone keeps vibrating on the nightstand.”
“Ah fuck. Forgot my alarm,” I started to move and realized that my hand was firmly planted in the middle of his chest underneath his shirt, “I am so sorry.”
“I did not mind,” he giggled, looking over his shoulder at me, “it feels nice to be held.”
“I’m glad,” clearing my throat, I finally moved my hand and grabbed my phone, grumbling when I saw it was Winifred, “why is my sister callin’ this early?” Calling Winifred back, I watched as Sebastian left the room, clearly feeling better than he had the day before.
“Jesus Christ, why don’t you ever answer your phone? I’m your twin sister! I’m supposed to be your favorite person in the family!” Winifred rambled before I could say anything.
“Good mornin’ to you too. It’s seven. What the hell do ya want?” I groaned, tossing my arm over my eyes.
“Have you talked to Dad?”
“Not recently. We texted two days ago. What’s goin’ on?”
“Daddy is being odd. Seems bored? Listless. I don’t know. Dad says he’s just sort of walking around the house.”
“Daddy closed the construction company a few weeks ago,” I yawned, the creek of the mattress making me move my arm and I looked over to find Sebastian and Aldo both jumping onto the bed, Sebastian grabbing the remote for the television as he laid back down, “they just gotta take a trip or do somethin’ now that they really can. They traveled forever after we went to college, why’d they stop?”
“Papa Layne. You know that,” Winifred whispered.
My grandfather Layne was my father Grayson's stepfather. I absolutely adored him, finding him to be funny if not a bit quiet outside of scolding us when we deserved it. Because he was a retired emergency doctor, he had treated my siblings and me so many times alongside our other grandfather Judah who was Hunter's father, as they both worked at the same hospital until they retired.
“Is he doin’ any better?” I reached over and slowly ran my fingers down Sebastian’s arm.
“A little, but Dad and Daddy haven’t been able to go anywhere. It’s been bad since great grandma and grandpa passed.”
“I… Winnie, how much have I been missing out on?”
“A lot. The family doesn’t call because we know how busy you are. But Oliver… you’ve changed. Before, you were so dedicated to all of us. Now? It’s rare I hear from you. Dad doesn’t get phone calls. Silas said you only reach out when you need him. The only person who ever seems to talk to you daily is Nita and it’s never about anything going on in your life. We miss you… I… you’re my twin. I love you more than anyone. But I don’t know what’s going on in your life anymore. We never had secrets. Now… I don’t recognize my brother. I’m tired of reading about what’s going on in your life in tabloids or on the news. Dad wants everyone to come to Montana in a week. We need to see each other more than once a year. Is that something you can do? I know you have work, we won’t be upset if you have to do it while you’re there but… Sid and I already agreed to come up. So did Nita and Garett. Silas as well. Don’t you miss us?”
I was softly crying, confusing Sebastian who was gently rubbing my back now and I took a shaky breath before answering Winifred, “Of course I miss you. I’ll… make time. Parallel ain’t more important than you guys. But I ain’t comin’ alone.”
“Well duh your dog goes everywhere you do,” Winifred snorted.
“No. I’m bringing Sebastian. He goes where I do.”
“Your assistant?”
“No… my best friend,” I smiled at Sebastian and he tilted his head before returning it, “I’ll look into flights and let Dad know we’re coming up. We can stay for a few days before comin’ back and heading to Italy for Lauren’s wedding. Are you and Sid coming? I know Si ain’t.”
“Yeah of course! You bought everything for us to go. We’re considering it our honeymoon since we never went on one. I can’t wait to see you. I love you, Ollie.”
“I love you too, Winnie. Ya just gave me a great idea. I’ll let ya know when we leave.”
“Okay!”
We ended the call and I immediately went to Silas’ contact, calling him.
“I’m working, what do you want?” Silas answered in a hurry.
“If I pay for your flights, a nice house on the beach, and outfits will ya please bring Lincoln to Lauren’s wedding in Genova? I’ll even rent you a car.”
“Why the fuck would we do that? We’ll lose money.”
“I’ll cover the amount you’d make havin’ the restaurant open. Did you guys get a honeymoon?”
“‘Course not. We couldn’t afford it.”
“Could’ve if you’d told me you were gettin’ married. Let me do it now. It’s a weddin’ gift. A late one but still. Bring Lin to Genova. We can all go wine tasting the day before the wedding. It’ll be fun. All of us siblings together… you guys will have your partners in a beautiful country. We can take pictures for our parents.”
“Is Bas coming?”
“Of course.”
“Fine. Then give me all the information and I’ll send you how much the restaurant would have made while we were closed and we’ll come.”
“Perfect I’ll plan everythin’. It’s in a month. Love ya, Si.”
“Who the fuck are you and what have you done with my baby brother?” He laughed and I smiled when Sebastian climbed into my lap, covering us both with the blanket.
“It’s still me. I’m just… open now. With my emotions. My love for my family.”
“Disgusting. I hate it. I’m kidding, I love it and I know why you’ve changed. It’s Bas. Is he feeling better?”
“Sebastian?” I laid my chin on the top of his head, “Are ya feelin’ better? Silas asked.”
“Oui,” he nodded, rubbing my leg softly, “my chest hurts and I am hungry but I am feeling better. Merci, Silas. For worrying.”
“Tell him he’s welcome and I’ll see you both soon. Love you, Ollie.”
“Love you.”
We ended the call and I tossed my phone down, burying my face into the side of Sebastian’s neck and making him giggle, his hand coming up to lace in my hair.
“What did they want?”
“Do ya want to come to Montana with me in a week?” I muttered, wrapping my arms around his waist.
“Is everything okay?”
“My parents miss us. That’s all. Everyone is bringing someone. I’d like it if ya came with me. Get to see the state. It’s different from here or New York. Plus, I wanna buy my house there someday. Live there permanently and run my businesses as remotely as possible. But I’ll still need my best friend.”
“You want me to meet your family?”
“I do.”
“Well, okay.”
“Ya seem nervous.”
“Of course I am! You are so important to me that… if I make a mistake or embarrass you in front of your family then…”
“Stop that,” I hummed softly against his throat, “there ain’t no reason to be afraid. My parents are incredible. Loving, understanding, open. Hunter is a little awkward but the warmest person in the world. Gray is affectionate so don’t be surprised if he hugs you, flutters around to make sure you’re okay. I promise they’ll like you.”
“Even if they knew what I had done before?”
“Mhm. Even then. They aren’t judgmental. They’d understand and just tell ya to be safe if ya wanted to do it again.”
“I do not want to go back to that life,” he leaned further against me and I moved my hands to his thighs, “but it is nice to know that I will never be judged for it. The Hopes sound like lovely people and I… can’t wait to meet them.”
“I can’t wait to show ya where I was raised.”
“Did you ever show Lauren?”
“Once at Christmas. After that, she was with Enzo in Italy."
“Oh. Well, I will go with you from now on but I have things to handle before we leave. My citizen test is at noon. Everything else is done,” he scrambled off of me and grabbed his wallet from the nightstand before settling in my lap and showing me his driver's license, “I am officially Sebastian Ansel Aubert.”
“I’m so proud of ya,” I smiled, nuzzling the top of his head, “let me get some work done and I’ll take ya to your test.”
“Merci,” he giggled, “I will do the same. I feel better now as long as I don’t move too quickly.”
“How about I bring ya breakfast in bed and grab your laptop?”
“Really?” He quickly turned his head and I nodded, my smile growing wider at his genuine excitement, “oh I’d love that! Merci, Oliver.”
“Anything for you.”
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