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You notice a dark figure out on the docks, looking out at the sea. Who could it be, in this weather? Doesn’t look much like Willy, and Elliott is probably in his shack writing a poem about the beauty of raindrops falling on his window. You can only think of one person who could possibly find enjoyment in a torrent like this.
You walk along the wooden planks, looking around. Dark, gloomy clouds swirl in the distance. You sure wish you hadn’t left your raincoat at home.
Of course by the time you reach the end, you can recognize Sebastian. He doesn’t seem to notice you though, the rainfall must be too loud to hear your footsteps. His hair that usually sticks out in every direction is now slicked down from the rain, but he doesn’t seem to mind getting soaked.
“Hey there,” you call out, and he flinches.
“Woah, hey, you. You freaked me out a little,” he turns around, and although for a flash he seems disgruntled, he relaxes when he recognizes you.
“Sorry to disturb. Were you deep in thought?” you stand beside him, now inching near the end of the dock.
“Hm, I guess. But it’s alright. I’m just a bit surprised to see you here. In this weather.”
He turns back towards the horizon, and both of you just gaze into the distance for some time. You don’t mind getting any more drenched. It’s a special moment.
“I hope those clouds come here.”
You glance at him. He seems a bit somber.
“I just really like rain, you know. Nobody’s walking around town, it’s really peaceful. Everyone just seems to disappear.”
He sighs.
“I get anxious around people. I always have. When it’s raining like this, I can come out and know that no one will try to talk to me, get close to me.”
Colour drains from your face. He must mean you, right? You didn’t mean to interrupt, you were just checking in on him! You panic a bit. He hates you now, for sure.
You carefully glance at him again, and your eyes meet. He must read your expression, because he lets out a small laughter.
“Woah there, calm down. I haven’t finished yet.”
He fidgets with the strings on his hoodie and looks down into the waves below.
“I don’t feel that way about you. You and Sam are the only people who I can talk to without feeling intense dread.”
What an emotional rollercoaster. You feel relieved. He doesn’t hate you, very much the opposite actually.
“Not even Abigail?” you ask, a bit appalled.
“I like Abigail a lot, don’t get me wrong, but… She can be a lot for me. Boundaries? I don’t think she knows the word. I know she’s been trying to be more respectful when I want to be alone, but… Still.”
You nod. You always tried not to pry too much into their relationship.
“Anyway,” he continues, “we’re getting soaked.”
He pulls a small striped umbrella from the pocket of his hoodie and opens it. You let out an amused laugh.
“Keep anything else in there? Your bike?”
“Haha, you’re really funny,” he teases you, but then nods towards himself. “Come on. There’s room for two.”
You gulp and stand under the umbrella, although one of your shouldesr still catches most of the rain.
“Really, you’re being the shy one now?” Sebastian grins.
You take the hint and scoot much closer to him now. Your arms touch. For a moment, you feel like electricity crackles through you. Well, you’re gonna unpack that thought later.
“You really meant that?” you ask, not daring to look at him. Finally, your brain is catching up with the previous conversation.
“What?”
“Hm, nothing actually.”
“Oh, the thing about not feeling anxious with you? I lied,” he nods, and you can just feel the smugness radiating from his voice. You laugh and gently shove his shoulder.
“Of course I meant it,” he continues. “I like spending time with you. You’re real. And actually, I’ve been thinking lately. You bring out the good stuff in me. Some stuff I didn’t even know existed. For a while, I genuinely believed I was some sort of black hole that just sucks in happiness and it disappears. But turns out I might be wrong.”
You look at him, feeling your lips curl into a big smile. He looks back, your eyes meeting again. He seems a bit embarrassed by the black hole analogy, but he’s also grinning.
“Just don’t let it get to your head,” he says.
“Yeah, yeah, alright,” you laugh. “I definitely won’t tease you with this.”
You don’t know how long the both of you stand there, just lost in the moment, smile on your faces as you stare at the sea.