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It always felt like no one understood his job, let alone even try to ask him more about the details. People are always so quick to judge and poke fun at him for such a "silly job".
'No use thinking of it right now.'
That's where those thoughts come to an end as Sebastian continues typing away at his computer. Work needs to be done instead of moping around. It's the one thing that gets him closer to finally moving out of this damn town, to live in the city with those bright lights he stays stuck with watching from a distance.
He rubs his eyes as the blue tinted screen of his computer harshly glares at his face. Sleep wasn't too pleasant with how many hours he lost during the night. Sebastian would always swear to himself that he'll fix his schedule, but nothing seems to be changing after days, weeks...months.
It starts to feel a bit sad when he thinks about it. He knows being outside a bit more wouldn't hurt, but what's the point of seeing those same places and people everyday for basically your entire life? He's in desperate need of a change of scenery, somewhere that isn't here in this town, maybe even a new face for once-
A quiet knock breaks his thoughts, making him jolt in his chair. He's not entirely discreet with his groaning, no doubt whoever is at the door was able to hear it. Sebastian can only respond to the knock with a very annoyed, "Who is it?"
The guest doesn't answer, instead just opening the door with a creak. He opens his mouth to complain, but no words come out as he sees a certain masked individual peeking out from the door to stare at him.
The farmer came in almost a year ago, silent and tall without much of a word to say to anyone. He never stated his name which led to everyone referring to him as "Farmer", eventually to "Bones" once he got his hands on that weird skeleton mask he almost never took off. Everyone knew what the guy looked like, their expression always blank and staring ahead. Sebastian couldn't help but feel small under that intense stare even now.
Despite what anyone might think, Bones is just some socially awkward person with a preference of being alone. Sebastian was the only one to figure it out after hearing it from the farmer himself. Out of everyone, they were gravitated to him of all people. It was flattering yet confusing, maybe it was his similar quiet nature that was alluring in some weird way? Sebastian has yet to fully figure out Bones, but for now he'll enjoy the quiet company.
His guest came in and closed the door, looking at the ground and muttering what Sebastian assumes is an apology for intruding. "It's alright, just wasn't expecting company today," he responds while waving his hand in dismissal of his previous annoyed tone.
That was somewhat a partial lie on his part. Bones came to visit often, but sometimes disappears for a bit. During those times, he can only see them running around on their farm or back and forth to the mines. Sebastian always finds himself wishing that he'll see the farmer change his mind and make his way over to him instead, and it only leads to him with his face flushed hot as he tosses those thoughts away each time.
Bones takes a chair to sit down a fair distance away from Sebastian at an angle to stare at this computer screen. They don't say much, fingers twiddling as their expression is nothing but hidden from view.
"Did you need something?" Sebastian says after deciding to break the silence for a bit. It seems to startle the farmer, flinching from the sudden voice before quickly nodding yes. They raise up their hands to show their fingers, specks of black polish decorating their nails.
Ah, he wants a new coat again. He can only chuckle and give a teasing smile before asking, "Again? Still having trouble with the one I gave you?"
Sebastian can feel the tiny glare from behind that mask, seems like he was correct. Bones came by one day with hands stained with nail polish, as if they tried to do it themselves and dropped in frustration after not doing it right. It's a fond memory that comes back to him everytime the farmer visits.
He turns to look at his work. Wouldn't hurt to stop where he's at, his progress is going well and a break doesn't sound too bad with Bones involved. He exhales a breath he didn't know he was holding and takes the black nail polish from his desk. "Alright, let's get started," he says as he turns back to face the farmer.
Said farmer shakes his fists in excitement as he signs a few frantic thank yous. They raise their hands once again, still a small distance away from Sebastian.
Sebastian stares at them, eyes filled with expectancy. "You could...more closer y'know," he says with a soft smile. Bones looks away sheepishly before scooting over closer, hands reaching far to place on the other's lap.
He takes the one of the farmer's hands with his own and it takes everything not to caress and feel the texture of the man's skin. Their hands are a bit smaller than average, but it doesn't seem to stop them from doing their hard labor. After working for this long on the farm, the skin is slightly rough to the touch but still maintains a softness to them.
Usually his fingernails would be dirtied with soil from the farm he runs, but it looks fairly clean this time. Sebastian wonders if they cleaned up to make it more pleasant for him.
The hand is warm, palms a bit scarred from whatever dangerous things he's up to. Once or twice it was so damaged and bloody, he didn't know how the farmer was able to continue. Perhaps it was even more than that, and Sebastian was never around to notice. He can only wish from afar that those hands will be taken care of someday, more delicate like glass without having to worry about the possible shatter. But the farmer is strong in his own way, whatever the ways may be.
Sebastian gets to work with the nail polish, starting with their pinkie. It's slightly crooked to the side, looking back to when the farmer mentioned it being like that since birth after he assumed it was from an accident. Their hand feels tense and stiff like they moved, it would completely ruin the process (not that it was too far from the truth). He started rubbing their hand with his finger without thinking so he could loosen up, and he swore he heard Bones let out a shaky exhale from behind that undead mask.
'At least he's relaxed now,' Sebastian thought to himself as he tries to push back the embarrassment from such close contact.
It feels silly now. Not too long ago, Sebastian had to come to a conclusion that he felt something towards the farmer, and it definitely reached past the stage of platonic. It's not that he didn't enjoy how things were now, but he couldn't help but want a little more from Bones. Yet it always comes down to if the other felt the same. He could never tell with out shy they are with everyone, not just him. Any sign could be something that just comes naturally with the farmer and he'll never truly know.
Even with his running thoughts, Sebastian continues to paint their nails. Bones started to fidget in his seat a while ago from staying still too long, always used to moving out and about.
"Almost done, just a couple more left." Sebastian moves his eyes up to look at Bones's, making eye contact before they quickly look somewhere else and slouch a little.
For now, he'll just wait for the farmer to say something. As much as he would love to speak his heart out, he doesn't know how Bones would feel about it. Maybe they're scared, unsure, or probably don't even feel the same way. Whatever the case may be, it's something that might need more time. Bones wasn't the most open person, and neither is Sebastian himself.
It's done before he even knows it. He stopped a little after he finished the last nail, and cleared his throat in an attempt to shovel the awkward silence away.
"It's- uh, done. Don't forget to let it dry," he reminds Bones, who is nodding while admiring Sebastian's handiwork. They slightly lift up the bottom part of their mask to blow on their freshly painted fingernails to dry them.
Yoba, he was able to see those chapped lips of theirs. Sebastian remembers seeing him always lick his lips before he found the mask. The skin was peeled off sometimes as well, it seems that even their nice lips are as damaged as the rest of their body.
'Nice lips...'
A ruffling sound interrupts those corny thoughts of his. Bones reaches into his back pocket and pulls out something wrapped in a cloth adorned with a skeleton pattern. Before Sebastian could ask what it is, the farmer opens up the cloth to reveal a shiny Frozen Tear.
No matter how many times they come around to bring him one, he never fails to have his face heat up and heart pounding in his chest. He brings one hand to keep his heartbeat steady as he reaches for the tear.
"A-another..? Wow, thanks man...this one looks larger than the others," Sebastian says while he admires his new gift. It was in fact a bit larger than normal, this was a rare find even for the farmer.
Bones squirms in his seat, clearly embarrassed at the fact that it's not the first tear he brought.
"...Found it in the mines yesterday. Bigger than usual," the farmer explains in a hushed voice. It sounds a bit raspy from the lack of usage. Sebastian would be an absolute liar if he said it wasn't hot.
He smiles warmly, bringing his hand to softly ruffle those brown curls that sit on Bones's head. "It means a lot, thanks for always thinkin' of me."
He wasn't prepared for them to melt in the touch, head slightly pushing against the hand on their head. He doesn't remove his hand as he watches the farmer bask in the attention with a pleasant hum of content. Maybe in another life, Bones would start purring too.
Sebastian could almost sense the lopsided smile on their face. It's gotten to the point where he's softly petting the farmer's hair. He was never one to enjoy that kind of affection, but Bones seems to bask in it, almost greedily sucking up whatever touch they get. Perhaps it's safe to assume that this doesn't happen often for the farmer.
Two warm hands are on his cheeks now, scarred palms rubbing against his face. Maybe with how warm they are, Bones wouldn't be able to differentiate their own hands and Sebastian's blood rushing to his face.
With his eyes wide, he can only watch as Bones inches his way closer to his face. He really hopes that the look in those lidded eyes is a one of love and not just his mind playing tricks on him.
It's like a blessing from Yoba. The way their mask feels against Sebastian's lips. Now he can see those eyes shut tight with their hands almost trembling. He doesn't stop his own from traveling to the other's neck, feeling soft curls brush against his fingers once more.
Even without the mask separating their lips, he can feel the passion behind this "kiss". It's certainly not anything he was expecting from Bones of all people, let alone them being the person he admires and loves.
Before they can go any further (just the thought makes Sebastian's heart throb), the farmer quickly pulls away. He looks at them with a shocked look as they stand up and bring a hand to their mask. Fingers brush against the spot where Sebastian's mouth was a second ago; it felt warm on the smooth material.
Bones's breathing gets quicker, with a trembling voice he can only mutter, "So-sorry, I didn't-"
Their sentence was never finished. Instead, they say their goodbyes and rush out the door, frantic footsteps thudding against the stairs.
Silence fills the room, aside from the hum of his computer fans and Sebastian's rapid heartbeat ringing in his ears. Nothing could've prepared him for the events that played out today.
He doesn't register his fingers ghosting over his mouth where the mask was pressing against. It would've felt even better without it, chapped lips pressing against his own as they hold each other like they're both going to vanish away. Sebastian can only wince as those thoughts are replaced with those guilty eyes looking down at him.
Bones was warm, and Sebastian was cold without them.