Because of me? Sebastian thought, he frowned a bit and looked down, his glasses almost falling down.

"A man of few words indeed!" Laurent said cheekily and is about to start teasing them again.

But Teo noticed this and said "Stop bothering the customer, Laurent!" Teo looked at Sebastian, trying to be professional "Sorry about him" 

"It's okay, I don't mind" Sebastian said and Laurent gave him two thumbs up and a wink.

♡♡♡

"He still does his homework here even though he doesn't have classes" Laurent creepily whispered in Teo's ears "I wonder why?" He leans in closer.

Teo pushed his face away "I know right? Why can't he do it at home?" Teo imagined Sebastian's house. It was big, it wasn't noisy, there's a lot of home cooked meals, snacks. Overall it was a nice and comfortable place to study. If he had that growing up instead of hearing people trying to kill each other in their street, he would do even better at school.

"Don't complain, it's good for our business" Laurent laughed evilly… The laugh of a capitalist.

♡♡♡

Does Teo feel bothered that I live with him? Is he scared that Laurent's going to be jealous once he knows? Maybe I should go to the condo after all. Sebastian sighs, taking a sip of his drink. He doesn't really have homework, he just wants to hang out near Teo. He was just typing nonsense on his laptop. 

While Sebastian is pondering to himself, Teo comes up to him holding a tray full of sweets. "Here" Teo placed a tray above Sebastian's table "It's for you" He felt sheepish but he wanted to do it. 

Sebastian looked up at Teo and stared at the tray "I-I'll pay for it" He said, grabbing his wallet. He knew he didn't order it but still he didn't want to trouble Teo.

Teo stopped him "N-No, it's for you! For letting us stay there. Obviously, bread isn't enough but I'll–" He starts blushing as he continues to speak.

"Teo, it's okay," Sebastian said with a slight smile. Sebastian smiles so rarely that it makes Teo's face turn redder, his heart is about to go out of his throat.

Teo clenched his teeth then said "I-I'll work two jobs!! I'll find another job and earn more so we can move out… so please don't tell Laurent about it" He knew they’d get teased non-stop and it might make things even more awkward. He was doing it for Sebastian.

Sebastian frowned a bit "Alright. I won't" He started to think about how Laurent might get jealous again but he couldn't stop himself from asking "Want to eat these with me?" He took this chance to spend time with him. There are no other customers “I can’t finish all these… So help me, please?” A lie. He could definitely finish that.

"I did buy too much" Teo chuckled and sat down "Sure, there are no other customers yet anyway" He bashfully sat in front of him. What am I doing? I bought these for him! I can’t say no to his cute handsome face!

Laurent squinted his eyes as he observes the two, he mutters "What is going on with those two?" He decided to walk over there but once he saw Teo laughing and blushing he stopped in his tracks and decided to hide in the staff room.

♡♡♡

"It's almost closing time! Working at 10 and closing at 6 is the best choice" Laurent yawned, scanning the area "Sebastian is still here" He turned to look at Teo, observing his reaction.

Teo fidgeted a bit "Yeah" 

"Hey Sebastian!" Laurent cheerfully jogged towards Sebastian before he could leave "Wanna go drink?" 

"Again?" Sebastian asked, feeling a bit more comfortable speaking with Laurent since he was such an extrovert. He also wonders how the other two can drink every night. He looks at Teo and then at Laurent then he nods "Sure" 

"You guys go ahead. I have an interview today at the bar. If I'm lucky this will be my night shift" Teo waved bye and ran away, Teo then stopped for a bit, looked back and yelled "I'll text you! Don't bully Sebastian!" then ran again.

Sebastian and Laurent looked at him as he got further away. Sebastian was a bit disappointed since the only reason he said yes was to be with Teo.

"So" Laurent nudged Sebastian with his elbow "Teo huh?" 

Is he going to confront me?! Sebastian suddenly became nervous. Is he going to tell me to stay away from Teo?

"Let's go! A man of few words indeed!" Laurent said, pulling Sebastian's arm which made him even more nervous.

♡♡♡

"I didn't think he was serious about finding a part time job" Laurent sighed, drinking. They both went to the usual bar they always go to “I wish I could just help him but he probably won’t accept it”

Sebastian nods, faking his drinking. He wants to get away from me that badly, huh? He wants to leave immediately. Without even realizing, Sebastian has asked Laurent a random question "You guys text?" 

"Of course" Laurent burst out laughing from the sudden unexpected question "We're best friends, of course we text" 

Sebastian was quiet for a while but he drank his shot on one go. Laurent raised an eyebrow and asked "Do you want to have his number?" 

Sebastian looked eager with slightly wide eyes "Can I?" 

Laurent stifled his laugh, clearly entertained by the man "Pfft! Why can't you?" 

He's willing to give me Teo's phone number even though he likes him? He must be confident. Sebastian thought to himself, he isn't sure if they were dating or if Laurent just likes Teo. Either way, all these thoughts flooded his mind.

"Just don't tell him I told you, play a little prank on him" Laurent suggested and started pressing buttons on his phone. He showed Sebastian his screen "Here, save it" 

Sebastian, in a panic, grabs his phone and starts typing the number, "T-Thanks" there's a slight blush on his face.

"Oooh! Let's exchange numbers too since we're buddies now" Laurent said and tapped on his screen, Sebastian nodded and did the same

♡♡♡

"Thank you! I won't let you down!" Teo stood up with a huge smile on his face. 

He just got the job. His new boss, Idlib, smiled at him and said "Great, see you then" 

After a few exchanges of words, Teo left Idlib's office and started texting Laurent, "I wonder where they are?" Before exiting the bar, Teo heard his name being called.

"Teooo!" "Teo!" 

Teo turned to look "The hell?!" It was Laurent and Sebastian in the same bar he just applied in. Teo groaned "Go to a different bar, would you?!" 

"Why? This is our usual bar, why would I change that? I love Kutitap Bar!" Laurent grabbed his bottle and drank, despite being tipsy already.

"Hello" Sebastian waved a little, it was obvious from his actions that he was pretty drunk too and was just trying to compose himself.

Teo waved back too, hesitantly and said "You know how hard it is to carry him" He joked with a slight laugh.

"Don't worry, he can handle it! His tolerance is like- getting high or something" Laurent even drank more before turning to Teo again "So? Sit! Tell us all about the interview. The owner probably knows us now! I mean… we’re always here!" 

Teo sighed and sat down beside Sebastian who was resting his head on the table "I got accepted, and yes he did know us”

Laurent and Sebastian cheered "Drink up!" 

Then the boss came out too and saw them "You guys are here again, that Laurent guy…" He felt even more tired upon seeing Laurent too, but when he saw Sebastian, he paused "Sebastian Martin? Of the Falling Comet? Son of Anastacio Martin…" 

Sebastian, almost magically, turned sober and raised his voice a little "Idlib?"

Idlib was the owner of the bar but he rarely works behind the counter because he oversees other work like attending events. Seeing Sebastian for the first time drinking in his own bar surprised him.

♡♡♡

It's been a few weeks since Teo and his mother, Mary, moved in with the Martin's. Teo thinks they're so nice and humble, and Anselma always feeds him and Sebastian.

Anastacio gave Teo the eldest sister's other instruments but Teo only ever uses the bass since it's easier for him. He also uses Sabine's computer, Anastacio always insists and tries to make Teo play the games they develop since Anastacio owns a huge gaming company. It’s just some of the things they bond over.

"I've never experienced these things before. Is this what it's like to have a father?" Teo talks to himself while laying down, he has a few minutes until breakfast time "I've never learned an instrument or even saw one, only in books, I only played computer games with Laurent in internet cafes" Teo sat down and continued to ponder "I'm lucky to eat such good food everyday… I can't believe this is happening to us. I feel so lucky that it bothers me…" 

Teo works day and night to save money and help his mother pay their debts. He sacrifices his sleep just so he can play games and learn the bass. Back then, he would always just study and do chores. For the first time in his life, he’s actually having fun despite not getting enough sleep.

"I only slept two hours today, I hope Laurent doesn't catch me slacking off" He sighed and stood up, he started getting dressed for the day "I might fall asleep on the job… We don't want that" 

Overall, everything is well… Except there's two mysterious people always texting him. One is sweeter and more polite, even greeting him in the morning but the other one is so much bolder, texting him different kinds of pick up lines.

"Just block," Laurent said. 

Teo snatched his phone from Laurent's hands before he could read the messages "No way! Nobody has ever texted me so consistently before! And I'm really curious" 

"Then reply" 

"Eh, what if it's a scam?" Teo asked and stared at his phone "I don't know, I'm just going to let it be" 

Laurent groaned and snatched his phone again "Let me see the number then!" He noticed that the one who kept saying good morning and good luck was Sebastian immediately but he didn't know about the second one, so he said "The guy who kept saying good luck seems nice, reply to him and block the other one!" 

♡♡♡

Laurent sneakily walks towards Sebastian who was doing his homework in the cafe again. He made sure Teo didn’t notice him. "Psst" Laurent called, pretending to clean up in that area so Teo doesn't notice "So you're texting Teo huh?" 

Sebastian flinched, his cheeks and ears turning red. Is he jealous? I'm still not sure if they're together or if it's just one-sided… I should really ask. Laurent is nice to me…

"Do you want to… drink later?" Sebastian asked, he has never asked that to anyone before. He just couldn’t help it anymore. He needed answers and Laurent seemed nice enough to answer them without things going haywire.

Laurent's face lit up "Whoa! I can't believe a Martin kid asked me to drink with him?! Of course! Where?" 

"Where Idlib works, Kutitap* Bar…" Sebastian said and Laurent nodded.

Teo noticed the both of them talking and became nervous, he immediately came up to them "Hey guys, what are we talking about?" 

"Sebastian asked me to go drink with him," Laurent said proudly and laughed like a madman. "I can't believe it!" 

Teo's eyes widened a little "Really?" 

"We're going to where you work" Sebastian said "To Idlib's bar" 

"Oh!" Teo brightened up a bit "I still can't believe you know each other! That must mean I'm in good hands" 

Sebastian nodded "Yeah, Idlib is nice and my dad always hire him in company events but I don’t know anything about him besides that" 

"We can all go together later!" Teo suggested, still nervous that Sebastian might slip up and tell Laurent their secret.

♡♡♡

"Pretty rare for you to ask someone to drink" Laurent said with a huge smile, almost creepily "What's up?" They’re at the bar now sitting near the counter. It’s just the two of them since Teo is working.

Sebastian didn't even try to wait to ask "Do you like Teo?"

"Of course! Teo is really nice and super cool," Laurent nonchalantly said, not understanding what Sebastian meant, he added "Teo is probably the nicest person I know! He's a bit of a crybaby and tends to oveethink but eh… He’s really scary when he’s mad though but don’t worry, it rarely happens" He chuckles, stroking the glass he was holding “Without Teo, I’d probably be miserable at home!”

Sebastian suddenly drank all his beer in one go "So that's how it is. Why did you give me his number?" He frowns, his vibe suddenly felt menacing.

"Hmm" Laurent pondered for a second, he can't tell Sebastian that Teo might be interested in him, so he just said "Just because" 

"Are you dating?" A tipsy Sebastian asked and drank some more "Does Teo like you too?" He starts blabbing “You’ve been together since high school. What do you like about him?”

Laurent stared at Sebastian in disbelief and laughed out loud, catching most of people's attention, including Teo and his co-worker on the counter. "So you thought we were dating? Gross" Laurent laughed, not as loudly as before, he leans in a bit to whisper "We're like brothers" 

Sebastian blinked a few times "Really?" He misunderstood the whole thing "I thought you were dating" He felt relieved.

"We're not! I assure you" Laurent couldn't help but laugh even as he drink "I love him as a brother!" He smiles. He knew there was something going on between these two.

Sebastian nodded and smiled, he also laughed a bit "I see! I completely misunderstood everything! I’m sorry" He rubbed the back of his head, feeling apologetic. He couldn’t believe he let his jealousy win and did that.

Teo, on the counter, saw Laurent and Sebastian laughing at each other, it was so rare to see Sebastian like that. He smiled to himself.

"But– there is someone else texting Teo" Laurent said "He showed me his messages earlier, there's another one and they're much more bolder than you" 

Sebastian is suddenly troubled "Huh? Really? Well, he does work at the bar now, tons of people are in here" He held his chin, pondering.

"So, you like him, huh? You’re not even trying to hide it anymore. You’re bolder than I thought Mr. A man of few words" Laurent laughed deviously "You like Teooo. He can be dense and he’s an overthinker so good luck" He whispered and chuckled. Now, he can tease Sebastian too. It felt like they’ve gotten closer.

Sebastian's face and ears turned red quickly "I wasn’t even trying to hide it though…”

♡♡♡

* Kutitap means Sparkle