Chapter Text
“Now Lottie that’s not very nice is it,” Sebastian said as the grumpy hen pecked at his hand. “Who else is going to feed you hmm?” he questioned. Lottie flapped her wings wildly to get off his lap. “I guess you don’t care,” Seb chuckled, brushing off his pant legs as he rose from the floor. “I’ll see you tomorrow lovelies.”
Sebastian made sure the chicken coop was properly secured, before he started to make his way back toward the house. The sun was high in the sky; it was a good time to start lunch. It’s not like he wouldn’t be hungry by the time he was finished. He was midway through the mental preparations of his zucchini lemon orzo when he heard a voice off to his left.
He paused.
The branches of one of the lemon trees lining his fence shook.
Then he heard the voice again.
“Higher Alex, higher,” the voice called impatiently.
He didn’t hear a reply from the so-called ‘Alex’, but the tree shook again.
Sebastian slowly walked toward the fence, more in an effort to fuel his amusement, than out of any real trepidation.
After all, it was clearly a child talking.
It’s just that he didn’t realize there were any children living next door to him.
“Just one more time Alex,” the voice asserted just as Sebastian reached the wooden planks.
He peered through the slats as best he could and could make out two small figures.
The obviously older child looked exasperated, but the younger one, with his hands on his hips, only looked more determined.
“We need them Alex!”
“I know, but we can’t reach them George, maybe we should just ask daddy-”
“No!” the younger one interrupted. “Daddy’s busy! It has to be a surprise Alex. Just lift me one more time, please,” the kid who was apparently named George begged.
Sebastian wasn’t quite sure how to interrupt their conversation without scaring them, but it was apparent he was going to have to step in if he was going to save Alex from another literally fruitless attempt.
Sebastian dragged over the stool that he used when he wanted to tend to his fruit trees, and knocked sharply on the wood fence - one. two. threefour. five - before he peeked his head over.
He was met with two pairs of shocked eyes looking up at him.
“Hello, sorry if I scared you. I’m your neighbor,” at least he assumed he was, “my name is Sebastian, and this is my lemon tree. Did you want some lemons? I can pick some for you, if you’d like.”
Both boys continued to stare at him, before the older one, Alex, spoke up.
“We’re sorry for trying to take your lemons sir,” he muttered sheepishly.
“I’m not,” George said, before Alex could clamp his hand over the younger’s mouth.
“Ewww George,” Alex whined, as he pulled his hand back and wiped it on his jeans. The feisty little one must have licked him.
“Well I’m not,” George pressed on, “Lando needs these ‘lex, we have to help him.”
Lando, that was a new name to file away. Sebastian had to admit that he was surprised the boys seemingly had noble intentions in their pursuit of snatching his lemons. He certainly didn’t remember being quite so virtuous at their age. He certainly wouldn’t have faulted them for simply acting out of want.
“Who’s Lando then? And why does he need lemons?” he questioned.
Alex shot him a wary look, but George clearly shared none of the older child’s worries.
“Lando is our little brother,” he proclaimed, chest puffed out like he took great pride in that fact, before George deflated a little. “But he’s sick, and it’s not nice being sick, so daddy needs to make him lemon tea so he’ll get better, but there aren’t. any. lemons,” he emphasized, stomping his foot on the ground at the injustice of it all.
“That does sound like a problem,” Sebastian sympathized.
This time Alex stepped forward. Not exactly shielding his younger brother behind him, but putting himself between Sebastian and George nonetheless.
“I don’t think we should be talking to strangers,” he announced, eyes rapidly flicking between the house and the fence.
Yeah whoever raised these kids was doing a pretty good job, Sebastian had not been quite so familiar with the concept of stranger danger. In fact he distinctly remembered having to be returned to his parents on many occasions after spending his afternoons running around the village.
“You’re right,” he said, nodding at the older boy. “This is a conversation I should have with your father. How about I pick some lemons for Lando right, and I bring them to your house. Do you think your dad will be able to answer the door if I come over in a few minutes.”
Alex tilted his head in consideration before nodding, “probably.”
“Perfect then, you two can head inside. Please tell him I’ll be over shortly.”
Sebastian watched Alex grab his little brother's hand to lead him back across the garden, slowing down when they reached the ground level deck to make sure the little one was able to make the step up, before he slid the screen door open and they disappeared inside.
Picking the lemons was easy work although he wasn’t sure how many lemons would be appropriate. Too few would surely make a bad impression, but by that logic surely there must be such a thing as too many lemons as well. He couldn’t be certain so he settled for lucky number five. It had always worked for him before. Sebastian stepped off the stool, cradling the lemons in his arms, and made his way back inside the house.
He rummaged through his lower kitchen cabinets looking for something to place the lemons in. He was going to be meeting his neighbor for the first time after all, he wanted to do better than a plastic bag.
Finally, he found an old wicker basket he had used for bread once hidden behind a set of tupperware. It didn’t have a lid, but it's not like a bunch of lemons needed to be sealed anyways. Sebastian debated putting an old tea towel in the bottom of the basket as a sort of decorative lining, but he would need to find one first, and he didn’t want to waste time now that he’d said he was coming over. He did however grab a small mason jar of honey that he had gotten from the last time he tended to the bees across town. He’d found it to be great for soothing a sore throat. And while Sebastian didn’t know what malady the little Lando was afflicted with, it didn’t hurt to cover the bases.
Sebastian slipped on the worn sneakers he kept by the front door specifically for quick trips outside, and made his way to the house just left of his. He’d always admired the exterior of the home next door, it was pretty in the way that old classic homes tended to be. A quintessential English tudor style home, but one that was clearly well kept. The brick portion of the façade still looked new and the garden was heavily pruned, very unlike the front of his home which bore a closer resemblance to a secret garden.
Sebastian climbed the brick steps to the front porch, and rang the doorbell. He wasn’t sure who he expected to open the door to be completely honest, but it definitely wasn’t a man who looked like he’d just stepped off the cover of a magazine. While the cream henley and matching sweatpants his neighbor was wearing didn’t scream opulence, Sebastian was sure he’d never seen a man look more put together. It made sense though. A magazine cover house, with a magazine cover man, who surely had a magazine cover wife to go with. Some people just had all of the luck. Suddenly, he felt very stupid with his small basket of lemons and honey. He was certain you were supposed to bring more substantial offerings to a Greek God.
“Hello,” the half-man half-God smiled at him, “you must be my neighbor.”
“Um yes hello, I’m Sebastian,” he said, which he thought was pretty eloquent considering the circumstances.
“I’m Lewis,” the maybe demi-God smiled, “and judging by the lemons in your arms you’re definitely the poor person my kids accosted. I’m so sorry about that man, I thought they wanted to go outside to play, not steal someone’s freaking lemons.”
Sebastian chuckled at the absurdity of the sentence. “I wouldn’t say they accosted me,” he tilted his head and smirked, “maybe just lightly threatened.”
Thankfully, the other man took the joke for what it was and laughed, his warm brown eyes lighting up in the process.
“I believe it,” the other man giggled.
Sebastian wondered how someone so handsome could be so cute.
“They can be quite threatening when they don’t get their way the little menaces,” he rolled his eyes, but Sebastian could see the fondness behind the action.
“Tell me about it,” Sebastian enthused, “my nephew Mick is normally the sweetest thing in the world, but suddenly I put his juice in a blue cup instead of his special froggy cup and boom there’s tears and complaining, and I’m some kind of criminal instead of Uncle Seb.”
“I don’t know man,” Lewis shook his head, “I think not putting juice in a froggy cup is definitely a criminal offense.”
“Well then you two can take me to court together,” he winked.
Oh my God he couldn’t believe that he just winked at a man he had just met, a married man he just met at that. His grip on the lemon basket tightened in an effort not to physically show how hard he was cringing at his actions. Luckily, Lewis didn’t seem to notice his misstep, and instead looked like he was about to ask him something when a voice from inside interrupted them.
“Daddy Lando’s awake!” the voice yelled.
Lewis’ eyes widened in surprise, “Okay! Thank you!” he yelled back through the open door before he turned to Sebastian. “I’m so sorry, but do you mind waiting here for a sec while I go fetch my youngest, he’s sick and-”
Sebastian waved him off, “Go, of course,” he smiled softly, “I’ll be here, thinking of what to say for when I get charged with sippy cup related crimes.”
Lewis covered his mouth with his hand when he laughed at Sebastian’s frankly terrible joke, but he could see the way the lines beside Lewis’ eyes deepened with amusement, and they only served to make him look even more lovable. Hand tattoos and piercings had never been his “thing” when it came to men, but boy was Lewis making him question everything he thought he knew about himself.
“I’ll be right back,” Lewis assured, before he dashed into the house.
Now that Lewis wasn’t standing in front of him, and what a shame that was, Sebastian could see a little further, beyond the foyer of the house. He could see the side of a dark brown sectional that was likely pointed at a television, as well as a couple of toys scattered between him and the apparent living room. The thought of the boys he’d met earlier playing together spread warmth through him, so much so that he had to tamp down the flames consuming his mind. The whispers telling him that he could be involved in their lives too. Sebastian barely knew anything about the people living in this house, certainly not enough to consider playing happy family.
His pessimism was all for naught though because the wildfire in his heart reignited at the sight of Lewis walking towards him with a toddler in his arms.
The little one must have been Lando, with curls all over his head, slightly flushed cheeks, and an all too woeful expression.
Lewis gave him a weak smile like he was apologizing for something, for what Sebastian didn’t know, he should hardly apologize for being both an amazing and hot father.
“Sebastian this is Lando, he’s not feeling his best right now, can you say hi to Mr. Sebastian?” he asked.
Lando stared at him pensively like he was pondering his father’s words, before turning and tucking his face into his dad’s neck.
“Sorry, he can be shy around new people,” Lewis said sheepishly, but Sebastian waved off his concern.
“I can’t say I like talking to strangers when I’m sick either,” he sympathized. “And you can call me Seb by the way, if you’d like,” he added.
“Of course…Seb.”
He loved the way Lewis’ lips formed his name.
“And you’re right,” the man continued, “definitely not in the mood for chatting when I’m ill.”
Lewis readjusted Lando in his arms and made sure the boy still had a tight hold on the baby blue blanket he was clutching.
“Oh I completely forgot,” Sebastian said, “I brought these lemons from my tree over to you specifically because the boys said they were trying to pick the lemons for Lando.”
Lewis looked surprised, like he had also forgotten about the basket in Sebastian’s hands.
“My boys?” he questioned. “Alex and George said that?”
“Mhmm,” Seb nodded, “George specifically was quite emphatic about needing them to make Lando better.”
Lewis chuckled as he ran his hand through Lando’s curls; the boy still sleepily resting against his father’s shoulder. “I don’t know where they could’ve gotten an idea like that.”
“I believe they said something about lemon tea,” he said, quirking one eyebrow.
“Oh my God of course, I mentioned that my mum would always make us lemon tea when we were sick, that it was the best, but I didn’t have any lemons to make it. I didn’t expect them to pick up on it,” Lewis said.
“Well you’ve raised some very smart boys,” he returned.
“I don’t think I can take credit for that,” Lewis said, and Sebastian felt his heart clench at the thought of there being another positive influence in the boys’ lives. “Their intelligence is all their own.”
Oh. He felt silly at his own overreaction. Lewis was just displaying more of his good character.
“Well their compassion certainly comes from someone close to them,” he said, pointedly looking at his neighbor.
Sebastian couldn’t be certain that Lewis caught his thinly veiled compliment, but he’d like to think that the man ducking his head to hide a smile meant that he did.
Lewis must have examined the contents of the basket further when he glanced down.
“Is that honey as well?” he questioned.
“Yes,” Sebastian said, “it’s actually from the apiary across town. I help out there whenever I have the time. I’m working with them to get more bee friendly flowers planted in the area. It helps that it’s a good way to get children more excited about nature and environmentalism.”
“Huh I never knew there was a bee yard in town, I mean I’m vegan so I don’t really eat honey but-”
“Oh my gosh I’m so sorry. I never would of brought it if I knew th-”
“No no it’s okay,” Lewis was quick to reassure him, although it looked funny without him being able to use his hands. Just a lot of shaking his head back and forth. “First of all there was no way you could have known, and besides the kids are more or less vegetarian and this is for them right?”
Sebastian nodded even though he still felt a bit embarrassed by the whole situation.
“Yes, I didn’t know what Lando might be sick with, but I thought a dollop of honey for a sore throat would go well in lemon tea.”
Lewis nodded as enthusiastically as he could without displacing his son, who now really was sleeping against his father’s neck. “You’re completely right. And that was seriously thoughtful of you man. It sounds like you really care about the bees too, which is like what’s really important to me when it comes to animal products.”
“Of course, I mean I’m not vegan myself, but I try to make sure that most of what I eat is locally sourced. Not the result of some poor animals being kept in filthy cages, you know.”
Lewis smiled one of his brilliant smiles. “Exactly mate, like everyone’s free to do what they want, but I feel like we should at least be thinking more about this stuff.”
Sebastian decided that he loved the way Lewis’ eyes lit up when he talked. The passion and excitement turned his brown eyes into a vibrant amber.
“Would you like to come inside?” Lewis blurted out as if the invitation had leapt from his mind to his mouth without his brain’s permission. “I mean I need to put this guy down in his crib ‘cause he’s getting pretty heavy, and I’m sure you’re tired of carrying that basket. If you’re not busy maybe we could talk some more? I can make you a cuppa to make it worth your while.”
“That sounds amazing,” he replied. It was a bit of an undersell, but saying it was the best thing he’d heard all year might have scared off the Brit. “As long as I won’t be intruding.”
Lewis scoffed. “Please. I don’t think you could possibly be intruding,” he said as he beckoned for Seb to follow him inside. “Three very inquisitive little boys and a dog live in this house, well this one’s asleep, but still. I think they will certainly be more invasive when it comes to stepping over boundaries or asking questions. Fair warning.”
Almost as if they heard their cue, the two boys playing on the floor in the living room swiveled their heads to look at the men approaching them.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with asking questions, and definitely nothing wrong with dogs,” Sebastian said as he entered the open floor plan kitchen living room combo that he could only see a sliver of earlier.
Lewis glanced over his shoulder at him with a smirk, “I hope you keep that energy. You can sit here,” he said motioning to the barstools at an all white marble island. “I’m just going to put him down and I’ll be right back. Boys be nice to Mr. Sebastian please, he’s going to visit for a bit. Maybe say thank you for the lemons he brought you as well,” he called as he headed to the stairs.
Two little pairs of feet came pounding towards him.
“You brought the lemons Mr. Sebastian,” George exclaimed, while he pulled out the barstool across from Sebastian. Alex kept an eye on his little brother as he clambered onto the chair, but otherwise made no move to stop him in his quest to get closer to the basket of lemons sitting on the island.
“Of course I did,” he said, “I told you that I would. Also it’s pretty shameful that I never brought you a gift as your neighbor, so I figured now would be as good a time as any.”
“Thank you for the lemons Mr. Sebastian,” Alex said from his left. He hadn’t taken a seat like his brother, seeming content to stand at the island instead, but he still seemed interested in the little wicker basket.
“Not a problem, you boys are welcome to my lemon tree any time, although I think it’d be best if you asked me or your parents first.”
At that Alex gave him a quizzical look, “our dad you mean. He raises us, you know? Just him.”
“Yeah daddy’s single,” George piped up excitedly.
“Well…that’s very good to know,” he said.
Good. Great. The Best Thing Ever.
Sebastian always knew he wanted kids, but suddenly the love in his heart for the little rascals increased tenfold. Alex and George deserved the world. He couldn’t believe Lewis was single, but he wasn’t going to take their confirmation for granted either.
“Are you two bothering Mr. Sebastian?” Lewis questioned as he walked back down the stairs.
“Nope, just telling him that you’re single daddy,” Alex smiled cheekily.
“Great. Thanks for that boys. I’m pretty sure putting my love life on blast is not a part of thanking Mr. Sebastian for his generosity.”
“I don’t know about that,” he couldn’t help but blurt out.
Lewis raised an eyebrow, “yeah?”
“Yeah, I mean I found the information to be pretty um…relevant,” he coughed.
“See daddy,” George said smiling at his father like he had solved all the world’s problems, “you just need to thank Mr. Sebastian too.”
“I will,” Lewis said, walking up behind his son to drop a kiss on his forehead. “In fact I was just about to use Mr. Sebastian’s lemons to make us all a cup of tea. How does that sound?”
“But what about Lando daddy?” George pouted.
“I promise there will be more than enough left for when Lando wakes up,” he assured him. Lewis glanced over Sebastian’s shoulder at what must’ve been the clock. “In fact, how about I make lunch for all of us.”
“Can we have tea sandwiches?” Alex questioned.
Lewis chuckled, “sure love, of course.” He walked over and ruffled his son’s hair, as he mouthed “they’re so British” to Sebastian over Alex’s head.
Sebastian snorted, but Lewis covered it up as he told the boys to go play while he prepared lunch. Once the two were out of earshot he joined Lewis at the kitchen counter.
“Do you need any help?” he asked.
Lewis shook his head. “Nah it’s just sandwiches, I can manage. Thank you for asking though.”
Sebastian felt the involuntary clench of his chest when he realized that he was officially out of excuses to stay in Lewis’ house any longer. They had just met and yet for some reason he felt that there would never be enough time in the world for him to fully enjoy the other man’s company.
“I see. Thank you for your hospitality then,” Sebastian said, forcing a smile onto his face. “I hope you and the boys enjoy your lunch.”
Lewis looked surprised, quickly setting down the loaf of bread he was holding. “Do you have something to do? I mean, you’re welcome to stay for lunch. I still haven’t repaid you for being so nice to the boys and for bringing us these gifts.”
“I’d hardly call them gifts, I mean they’re things that were already in my house.”
“Still Seb,” Lewis insisted, “there has to be something I can do to repay the favor. If not lunch, then something else.”
Sebastian froze. Lewis had no way of knowing just how much he wanted to take advantage of that offer. He’d never considered himself to be very shy when it came to dating. Flirting came naturally to him, and he already knew that Lewis was single. True, he didn’t know if the other man was interested in men, but that wasn’t something that had ever stopped Sebastian before. For some reason he was just uncharacteristically nervous around his neighbor. Maybe that was it, maybe his heart knew that Lewis could be something special, and that’s why he was freaking out. But running scared had never gotten him anywhere, he needed to face this head on. If Lewis rejected him he’d just hide in his house and never go outside again. He’d have to find someone to take care of his chickens, but he’d manage.
“Dinner then,” he finally stuttered out. Sebastian cleared his throat. “Not lunch, but dinner. That’s what I’d like as payment. Only if you’re willing of course.”
Lewis looked stunned, which was doing nothing to calm the furious beating of his heart.
“Um, do you mean dinner as in like dinner dinner?” Lewis asked. “Sorry it’s just been a while since someone asked me on a date,” he chuckled, running a hand over his braids, before his eyes widened. “If that’s what you’re asking of course,” he backtracked, “I didn’t mean to assume and God I’ve made this awkward haven’t I man,” Lewis sighed.
Sebastian smiled, soft and sweet. He felt strangely comforted by seeing Lewis flustered. It made him appear less like someone he had just imagined, but no less like his dream man.
“No I definitely meant dinner dinner,” he winked. “I’d love to go on a date with you Lewis,” he continued more seriously. “I know that we’ve just met, despite the fact that we literally live next door to each other, but um yeah I’d like to get to know you more, if that’s okay with you…” he trailed off.
“I’d like to get to know you more too,” Lewis smiled, but the brightness of it waned, “if you’re okay with all of this.” He gestured vaguely to the house, but Sebastian knew what he meant.
“I’m okay with it, all of it,” he assured. “We can take things at whatever pace you need. Seriously. I didn’t wake up this morning expecting to ask my beautiful next door neighbor on a date either, but here I am,” he shrugged.
“Beautiful,” Lewis smirked.
“Incredibly.”
The smile was back on Lewis’ face. “Well in that case, I’m sure my mum would be willing to babysit any night you’re free.”
Sebastian was never more grateful for the amount of free time retirement provided him. “How does next Friday sound? Hopefully Lando will be better by then.”
“I’m sure he’ll be great if your lemons and honey have anything to do with it,” Lewis said, “and Friday sounds perfect, so long as you promise not to be a stranger until then.”
“I promise. If you’re missing me you can just knock on my front door,” he pointed out.
“Or your fence,” Lewis sassed.
“Or my fence,” Sebastian amended, the banter between them flowing easily.
“Sooo,” Lewis giggled, honest to God giggled, “I take it this means you’ll be staying for lunch after all.”
“Well I don’t know,” he smirked, “you might need to keep working on convincing me.”
“Can you please decide now so daddy can make lunch,” a voice interrupted them.
Both men turned in surprise to see Alex staring at them over the back of the couch.
“If you’re taking daddy on a date then you should help make sandwiches too,” he stated matter-of-factly.
Lewis looked as he gobsmacked as he felt, but they both burst out laughing when they caught each other’s eye.
“Well I guess that’s decided then,” Sebastian chuckled.
“Yup,” he said, “Thank you for the input Alexander, maybe less eavesdropping next time though okay? Lunch is coming right now.”
“Thanks dad, thanks Mr. Sebastian” he smiled, before he disappeared from view.
Lewis put his face in his hands. “Are you sure you know what you’re signing up for?” he mumbled.
But Sebastian was just brought back to the same thought he’d had earlier; he was never one for running from challenges. “I’m willing to find out,” he smiled.
Lewis matched his determined gaze with his own intensity. “Good,” he said, handing him the forgotten loaf of bread, “you’re on bread cutting duty then.”
Sebastian smiled to himself as he went over to the kitchen sink to wash his hands. He’d had a lot of good Sundays in his life, but this was turning out to be one of the best.
“Oh and by the way Seb,” Lewis said, catching his attention, “I think you’re beautiful too.”