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Sebastian listened to the clock’s steady tick while the receptionist’s phone buzzed. The faint smell of cleaning alcohol mingled with the background noise of a TV and a child’s complaints. Luke’s name glowed on the status screen—in surgery.
Sebastian shifted in his seat, glancing at the clock again. He couldn’t shake his worries about Luke’s surgery—what if something went wrong? He focused on the dull magazines and fidgeting kids nearby to distract himself. Rechecking the TV with all the patients' names and status, it updated; Sam was done, and was in room 103. A sigh of relief escaped Sebastian, and he headed towards Sam’s room, thankful to be away from that melancholy atmosphere.
Upon entering the room Sam was in, Sebastian was bombarded by a voice that was unmistakably his.
“Sebby!” Sam slurred, the remnants of his anaesthesia prominently displayed in his voice. “You came! What took you so long?”
Ignoring him momentarily, Sebastian spoke with one of the dental assistants.
“Are you here for Sam?” the dental assistant asked. He nodded as she briefed him on his patient's condition and said they were free to leave. While one dental assistant prepared the wheelchair, he glanced around Sam's room. It was larger and more private than those in the Pelican Town clinic, which made sense given the city setting.
“Sebbyyy,” drawled out Sam. Sebastian's attention returned to him, giving him a small smile.
“Hey. How’re you feeling?”
“Like flying. I feel like flying. I could fly to the moon!” Replied Sam, fist-pumping at the same time.
“Really, all the way to the moon? What would you do there?” Sebastian stepped sideways, making way for the wheelchair.
“Uh, we could… find some cheese!” Sebastian chuckled, unsure of what to say.
“Moon cheese… I’ve never tried it.”
“We could try it together!”
“Sure, Sam.”
Sam cheered quietly, seeming quite excited to go cheese hunting with Sebastian. In less than five minutes, Sam was already acting all goofy. Sebastian braced for the next few hours, knowing it would get tiresome. With the bus to Pelican Town only leaving twice daily, they would be stuck there for a while. Still, he couldn’t complain too much; it meant more time with his best friend — even if he was heavily under the influence of drugs.
“Ok,” The dental assistant said to Sam. “Would you please step onto the wheelchair?”
“Of courseee,” Sam mumbled, struggling to sit up and head to the chair. He groaned as he finally settled down.
“I’ll take him to your ride, then it’s all yours,” the dental assistant said, grabbing the handles and heading toward the exit. Sebastian quickly scanned the room for any of Sam’s belongings but didn’t spot anything and hurried to catch up with her.
As they passed through the halls of the dentist's office, Sam muttered to himself, laughing frequently. Sebastian smiled, watching Sam laugh—light and bouncy, just like the old days when their shared laughter drowned out the world's troubles. It was one of his favorite sounds, one he wished he could hear forever. But deep down, he knew he couldn't be the one to share Sam's everyday joy. That thought always stung, even now, as Sam’s post-surgery giddiness made Sebastian’s heart ache with longing. If only.
As they made their way to the entrance, the dental assistant handed Sebastian a clear bag filled with little rolls of gauze.
“If you could get him to change it around every 30 minutes, or as needed, until the bleeding has stopped that would be perfect. Other than that, you’re free to go. Where’s your car?”
“Oh,” Sebastian responded. “We bussed. We live one town over, so we were just going to hang around a park or something until it arrived.” The assistant thought for a moment, before nodding. “Ok. He should be fine, just keep a close eye on him. We don’t want him to wander into oncoming traffic or something.” The dental assistant let out a small laugh. Sebastian didn’t respond, letting an awkward silence hang between them. Sam looked up at Seb and grinned, seemingly for no reason. He hadn’t been paying attention to anyone, just smiling absently. He smiled back.
“Welp,” the dental assistant started, “You two can head off to wherever you need to now. If you have any questions, email your dentist.”
Sebastian nodded, stepping in front of Sam.
“Time to get up, Sam.”
“Noooo, I’m comfy here,” Sam argued, crossing his arms defiantly.
“We have to leave. The assistant is very busy and can’t wait forever for you.”
Sam frowned. “Fineee.” He stood up, misstepping a couple of times. He almost fell backward, but before he could, the dental assistant took the chair away, and back inside.
“Ok, Sam. We still have a couple of hours before the bus comes. What do you want to do?”
“Hmmm…” Sam thought, swaying back and forth. Sebastian was concerned that he might fall over and had half a mind to wrap his arm around him as a stabilizer. He decided against it though, as Sam would only find a way to pull them both down.
“How about a drink?” Sebastian inquired.
“Yeah!! I’m so thirsty.”
Sebastian smiled, looking up directions to a nearby coffee shop. The closest was only a couple minutes' walk away from here, perfect considering Sam’s condition.
“Let’s go, then. Not much use standing here.” As they made their way towards the cafe, the blond kept up a slow pace, wobbling back and forth, almost falling over more than once. Seb made sure to stick close by and kept him on the inside of the sidewalk. It wouldn’t be very nice if Sam were to fall onto the busy street and get hit by a car, as the dental assistant said.
Occasionally, a passerby would give them curious glances as Sam giggled and pointed at things only he understood. At first, he seemed to not notice, but as more and more people eyed him, he quieted.
“Seb,” Sam began.
“Yeah?”
“Do you think I look weird? People keep staring at me.” He crouched down, lowering his head. Sebastian stifled a laugh. “No, Sam. They’re just curious. You’re... interesting. They don’t see people from small towns every day.”
“Are you sure?” Sam tugged on Sebastian’s hoodie, pulling it close to his face. It mildly choked Seb, who grunted. “Sam, that’s just going to make them stare more. Also, you're choking me.”
“Sorry, but why are they staring?” Sam asked, oblivious as old gauze fell from his mouth, earning more side glances from passersby.
“Maybe because your gauze is falling out. Here- we should change it soon. We’re almost at the cafe, we’ll change it there.” Sam held his hand up to his mouth, letting one of the pieces of gauze fall out.
“Ew, Sam. Don’t do that, we’re almost at a trash can. Drop it in there.” Sebastian picked up his pace, but Sam seemed to have something else on his mind.
“Seb- my tongue, my tongue! It’s falling out! Seb, why is this happening? Help, Seb!” Sam half yelled, getting the attention of others. Sebastian’s shoulders tensed. The curious looks Sam received earlier had already made him anxious, but now, with people outright staring, his anxiety spiked. Who wouldn’t stare after someone was screaming about their tongue falling out? He walked back over to Sam, trying to calm him down.
“Your tongue is not falling out, Sam. It’s the gauze- the bandage the doctors put in your mouth to help.”
“Why is it red then?” He asked, alarmed. Tears had started to prick at his eyes. Sebastian realized that Sam was genuinely worried about his tongue, which made him loosen up. Comforting people wasn’t something Seb was great at, but he wanted to help Sam. It was hard to see him so upset, even though Seb knew everything was fine. Sam, still high on anaesthetics, was deeply distraught over his supposed ‘missing tongue,’ and Sebastian couldn’t help but think he’d probably feel the same way if he were drugged up too.
“That’s from your blood, Sam.” He said, trying to calm him down.
“Blood?!” Sam shouted. Sebastian flinched, realizing he only made it worse. And now, even more people were looking in their direction.
“Why am I bleeding?! Why didn’t you tell me? We need to get help! Let’s-let’s go to Doctor Harvey’s. He can help!” Sam pleaded.
“No,” Sebastian almost laughed. “No, Sam, we’re over an hour away from Harvey. And it’s ok that you’re bleeding. It’s normal right now.”
“Really?” Sam looked at Seb like the weight of the world was on this. And to Sam, it might’ve been.
“Yes. Trust me, it’s fine. But let's get to somewhere where we can give you more gauze.”
Sam still seemed wary, but he looked more reassured. Still holding his bloodied gauze, they both headed over to the trash can, by the entrance of the cafe. Sam dropped the gauze in, peering over as if to make sure it wasn’t his tongue. He left it behind though as they made it to their destination.
The cafe was a small, out-of-the-way bistro. It had a traditional style, adorned with watercolor artwork on the walls and a faint aroma of freshly baked pastries. There were a couple of people there, but not enough to make an obscene amount of noise. It was the perfect setting for Sam, who would draw the attention of anyone he could.
“What would you like, Sam?” Sam thought for a minute, tapping his foot.
“A strawberry banana smoothie!” Sebastian nodded, walking up to the counter. Along with Sam’s order, he bought himself a plain coffee.
After they got their drinks, they took a seat in the corner of the shop, a less busy area. Sebastian stirred his drink. If it were under different circumstances, it would almost look like they were on a date. The thought made him blush, and he tried to hide his face with his hand. Sam looked up and gave a curious smile.
“Why’re you hiding, Seb?” He drawled, unaware of what was happening in Seb’s mind. He took a deep breath and looked back up, shaking his head.
“Nothing, Sam. I’m fine.”
Sam smiled again, and a pang twinged at Seb’s heart. It was such a perfect smile, it made his heart hurt. He wished he could drink in that smile forever.
“Oh,” Seb almost forgot, “we need to change your gauze.” Sam groaned, displeased.
Sebastian pulled out a fresh piece of gauze.
“You still have one in your mouth. Spit it out,” he said, handing Sam a tissue.
After a moment of struggle, Sam spat the gauze out, and Seb took the tissue, grimacing. He gave Sam two new pieces, instructing him to place them at the back of his jaw. Sam did it with minimal difficulty. Fortunately, no one around them started staring, which he was grateful for given their unflattering display. Seb found a garbage can and threw away the gauze.
Sam, who hadn’t sipped his drink yet, brought the straw up to his mouth, and made a face as if he was trying to sip. He paused, taking a look at the straw, before trying again. It didn’t work any better the second time, and he grew increasingly frustrated. Sebastian watched, amused, at the fight Sam was having with his straw. It was hilarious, considering he was losing. No matter how hard he seemed to try, he didn’t get any liquid out.
“You good, Sam?”
“Yeah,” he responded, blushing slightly. He continued struggling with the straw, and Seb almost pitied him. Almost, as it was way more funny than it was pitiful. “Actually… I can’t drink this smoothie. It’s broken!” Sam grumbled, annoyed. The other chuckled and took a sip of his coffee. “Really, the smoothie’s broken?”
“Mhm,” Sam muttered, trying over and over, failing each time.
“Do you want to try… drinking it without the straw? It might be easier.” Sam frowned.
“Maybe… why doesn’t the straw work?” He looked down the straw as if he would find it’s malfunction. “Could it be that you can’t feel your mouth?” Sam paused, before nodding. He didn’t seem to mind that he couldn’t feel his mouth, which surprised Seb.
Sam took the lid off of his drink and sipped it freely without trouble. They sat in silence for a couple minutes, only interrupted by the sound or their drinking, or others conversation. Seb watched Sam think his silly thoughts while sipping his strawberry banana smoothie. For some reason, Sam’s choice of drink amused him, adding to his fondness. It wasn’t exactly out of character for him, but it was an adorable drink for an equally adorable guy. Truthfully, Seb thought anything he drank was charming—everything he did was.
Sam lifted the glass shakily, his fingers clumsy from the lingering effects of the anaesthetic. He blinked, his focus drifting in and out as if the cup in his hand was somehow a foreign object. The drink wobbled precariously, liquid sloshing dangerously close to the rim.
Sebastian watched, half-amused but also a little concerned, as Sam brought the glass to his lips. His aim, however, was far from perfect. Instead of drinking, the cup tilted too far forward, and a sudden splash of smoothie poured over the edge, soaking his shirt in an instant.
Sam gasped, wide-eyed. "Oh no!" His voice was exaggerated, and he stared down at the spreading stain as if unsure how it had gotten there.
Sebastian stifled a laugh. Sam’s bewildered expression, the way he was handling the situation as though his whole world had just been turned upside down—made it hard to stay serious.
"Whoa, buddy, you missed," Sebastian teased, grabbing a napkin from the table and leaning over to help.
Sam blinked slowly, still staring at his soaked shirt. “The drink hates me,” he muttered, voice heavy with the grogginess of the drugs, as if the drink had somehow plotted against him.
Sebastian smirked, shaking his head as he dabbed at the spill with a napkin. “Nah, I think your hand-eye coordination’s just a little off.”
“Sorry…” Sam said, sheepishly. Seb shook his head, a slight smile playing on his lips, feeling a mix of exasperation and affection.
“You’re good, Sam. Need help cleaning up?” Sam nodded. They both grabbed a handful of napkins from the dispenser, the white paper crumpling under their fingers as they set to work, dabbing at the sticky surface of the table. The cafe was warm and filled with the rich aroma of coffee, but Sam’s spilled drink added a fruity scent to the scene.
Sebastian glanced over at Sam, whose blond hair fell messily across his forehead as he tried to pat down his shirt. The fabric was soaked, the dark stain spreading. He pressed the napkin against the fabric with a frown, but no matter how hard he pressed, the liquid remained stubbornly embedded in his shirt. Sam's face twisted in frustration as he looked down, his brow furrowing deeper with every passing moment.
“Ugh,” he groaned, his voice a blend of embarrassment and confusion. He cast his gaze around the cafe, searching for a bathroom. Unfortunately, they didn't spot any. The stain was stark against the pale fabric of his shirt, a glaring reminder of his clumsiness. Sebastian doubted that even in his drug-induced haze, Sam would want to walk out looking like that.
After a few more futile attempts to scrub the spot away, they tossed the damp napkins into the nearby trash bin. A moment of silence hung between them as Sebastian leaned back in his chair, racking his brain for a solution. He scanned the cafe—nothing seemed to stand out, and his mind felt just as scattered as Sam's.
But then, a flicker of inspiration ignited in his thoughts. No way, he thought, his heart racing. But as he looked at Sam’s worried face and the relentless stain, it seemed to be the only plausible possibility at the moment.
“Seb,” whined Sam, “I stained my shirt. What am I going to do? I can’t walk out like this.”
“Do you,” he started, somewhat nervous, “want to wear my hoodie? It would hide your stain till we get back.” He fidgeted with the hem of his sleeve. It wasn’t a grand gesture, but he frequently read about how sharing hoodies was something couples did. Seb shook his head. It wasn’t the time to think about it. All Sam needed was something to hide the stain on his shirt, it had no emotional significance. Still, he couldn’t help the goosebumps it gave him.
“Do you think it would fit me?” Sam asked, oblivious to Sebastian. “I mean, you’re like an extra small.” Sebastian sputtered.
“I am not an extra small,” he said, defensively. He wasn’t that small. But, now that he thought about it, their size difference might be a problem. Sam didn’t seem too concerned, agreeing to his proposition.
“Sure, man. Hand it over.” Seb nodded, taking off his hoodie. He shivered, arms being exposed to the frigid air. It wasn’t even that cold, but he got comfortable in that hoodie he constantly wore. As he handed it over, he caught Sam staring at his chest, stifling a laugh. He got mildly embarrassed for a moment, before realizing it was likely his shirt. He looked down to see that he was wearing the My Chemical Romance shirt Abigail had given to him as a gag. Fuck, Seb thought. It wasn’t that there was anything wrong with MCR, but the band definitely came with a stereotype—and Seb fit it all too well. Wearing this shirt, though, was pushing it. He must’ve forgotten he’d thrown it on this morning, not expecting to end up without his hoodie. Now, he was stuck walking around the rest of the day with the bold MCR logo on full display, feeling like everyone was silently judging him. His face burned with embarrassment, wishing he could just disappear into the background.
“Nevermind. Give me back my hoodie.” He reached over the table, but Sam pulled it out of his reach. “No way. Show off your true colours. Be proud!” Seb grumbled, fighting his urge to smile.
Sam slipped on the hoodie. It was a bit small, sinching in some places and bunching in others. It made Seb feel warm inside, Sam wearing his hoodie. “It’s a bit tight,” Sam observed.
“Really?” He laughed. Sam tried to glare at him, but it didn’t work. He looked more like a dejected puppy dog, and the other chuckled. “But it will work. Thanks Seb!” He beamed at him. He smiled back, nodding at him.
Seb and Sam had finished their drinks. They could wait for the bus or explore the city. With no pressure to decide, Seb paused, then came up with an idea.
“Do you want to head to a park, Sam? We could see more city scenery.”
“Yeah!” Sam said, anaesthesia drenching his voice. They headed out, thanking the barista.
The park wasn’t too far away, only about a ten-minute walk from the coffee shop. While they wandered there, Seb could take in the scenery of the city. It was loud, a constant car horn or sounds of construction. The sky was a hazy grey, muted by the many lights from the towering buildings around them. Everything around him made Seb feel small—the towering buildings, the crowds of people, each with their own life in the city. He admired the sense of community and hoped to move here one day, where more opportunities awaited him.
They walked side by side, a gentle breeze blowing through the air. It wasn’t as nearly intense as the winds in Pelican Town, the great buildings acting as a barrier. It was a new and interesting place, and Sam walking beside him, made him feel more comfortable than he would have on his own.
As they walked in sync, Sam’s hand brushed against his. His breath hitched, and he retracted his hand to his side. The other didn’t seem to notice, continuing to walk unaware. Sebastian let his hand relax, only for Sam to brush his hand against his again. This time, a jolt of electricity shot up Sebastian’s spine.
He glanced down, the warmth of Sam’s skin lasting a heartbeat longer than needed. What if this touch–soft and sturdy, was Sam’s way of inviting him to hold his hand? To cross an invisible boundary, that could change their friendship forever? But, as Sebastian looked up, he realized no, it was not. Sam’s mind was elsewhere, fawning over the sights in front of them. His attention was anywhere but on Seb’s hand, all of that was just a figment of Seb’s imagination. His heart panged with guilt, realizing he had, once again, tried to find a spark that wasn’t there. But, upon closer inspection, he could see a mild pink flush over Sam’s cheeks and nose. Seb’s fist clenched, still holding onto hope that maybe, just maybe, Sam had done that on purpose, or at least felt a small spark after that touch. Or maybe Sebastian was overthinking it again. Either way, the moment was soon over, once they reached the entrance to the park. Sam darted ahead, mind intent on getting somewhere.
He entered the park, but the towering buildings and city noise made it feel far from natural. Surrounded by blue lights, it lacked authenticity—but in the city, Seb figured, you couldn’t expect real nature. That’s what the countryside was for. Somewhat near the entrance, he spotted a park bench. Before Sebastian noticed, Sam had flopped down, hard, head drooping back and arms folded over the back.
“Sam?” Seb questioned.
“Mmm?” was all he got in response. Sam lay on the bench, eyes closed, his golden hair falling out of his face, framing his emerald-green eyes, his hoodie still displayed prominently. Sebastian couldn’t help but stare at him for a couple of seconds longer than he probably should’ve, but he couldn’t help it. Sam wouldn't mind right now, and he looked so at ease, even if his thoughts were anything but.
“You ok?”
“Yeah… ’m just tired.” Sam rolled his head in a circle, waving his hand. Seb grunted in acknowledgment, sitting down next to him. Glancing at Sam, he noticed that he seemed to be spacing off. It wasn’t uncommon for him, but it’s the first time it’s happened since his surgery.
“What’re you thinking about, Sam?” Pondered Seb.
“I wonder… how does the sky stay up there?” Sebastian froze, a beat passing before Sam continued. “Like, why doesn’t it just fall? It would be heavy, right? What if it falls someday?”
“Sam…” Replied Sebastian, “what the hell.” Because, what the hell??
“What?”
Sebastian had heard plenty of Sam’s silly questions before, but this one takes the cake. He would think Sam has more common sense than that, but every time, he is surprised. Instead of dismissing Sam’s fears about the sky collapsing, Sebastian leaned in, his voice low and earnest. “Sam, if the sky ever fell, I swear I would shield you from it all.” The weight of his words hung in the air. “Oh, Seb, are you serious? That’s so sweet.” Sam’s eyes sparkled with trust as he moved closer, his breath mingling with Sebastian’s, a spark igniting between them. “You’d really save me?” The corners of Sebastian’s mouth lifted, but his heart raced. “Always. Just call me when the sky begins to fall, and I’ll rush to your side, no matter what.”
Sam laughed, his whole body moving with it as he shifted down the bench. He slid closer, eventually resting his head on Seb's lap. Lying on his back, legs bent to keep from falling off the edge, he looked completely comfortable.
Seb froze for a second, startled by the sudden closeness, but quickly relaxed, unsure whether to smile or feel nervous. The warmth of Sam’s presence made his heart race.
“Oh- Sam, what’re you doing?”
“M’tired.” He said as if that explained what he was doing.
“Ok…” Sebastian didn’t know exactly how to respond but didn’t complain. Sam closed his eyes, a small smile on his face. From this view, he could see how Sam’s hair fell around his face, showing off his skin. It’s not like he couldn’t normally see his face, Sam’s hair was usually styled in that over-gelled hairdo, which he thought looked cool but Sebastian found ridiculous. He hadn’t fixed his hair up recently, and more pieces of it fell freely down his shoulders. Sebastian could make out his long eyelashes, which made his eyes prettier than they should be, and his slight stubble from his recent lack of shaving. His mild stubble surrounded his lips, so perfect and pink. They were the perfect shape, just right. He was so close, Sebastian’s heart pounded as he resisted the urge to lean down and kiss him, to feel Sam’s breath against his lips.
Sam opened his eyes, and Sebastian quickly averted his own. He should pay more attention, what would Sam think if he found out all he wanted to do was stare at him? He would think he’s weird, creepy.
“You’re comfy.” Blurted out Sam. Sebastian blushed, not knowing how to respond to Sam’s sudden confession. Sam smirked, sticking out his tongue. “Haha. You’re blushing.” Sebastian buried his head in his hands instinctively, causing Sam to laugh even more.
“Don’t hide your face, you’re cute when you blush.” This only made Seb worse. Sam reached up, prying Seb’s hands away from his face. “Don’t say things like that.” Sam frowned.
“Why? Do you not like it?”
“No, it’s not that.” Seb lowered his hands, one resting on his lap, the other on Sam’s chest.
“Why, then?” Seb wished he could say that every time he said something like that, it made him want to kiss the other. But he wouldn’t like that.
“Nothing, Sam. You’re fine.” Sam grinned, warming Sebastian’s insides.
They sat unmoving for a minute, staring at each other in a comfortable silence. If Sam didn’t find it weird, then neither did Seb. After a moment of hesitation, Seb gathered his courage and gently slid his hand to the back of Sam’s head, fingers threading through his hair. His heart raced as he felt the soft strands, waiting for a reaction. Sam’s slight surprise flickered across his face, but when he didn’t pull away, Seb took it as a silent approval, his touch becoming just a bit bolder.
As Sebastian rhythmically moved his hands through Sam’s hair, the blond slowly found himself drifting to sleep. Sebastian knew it was most likely the drugs, but he liked to think that it was partially his hand as well.
Even though Sam was asleep, Seb didn’t stop his simple motion. He found it comforting. He knew this would be his only chance to do this, and wanted to soak it in as much as he could.
Sebastian forgot others might pass by until a couple walked through with their dog. They gave the both of them a side eye, not saying anything. Sebastian almost stopped but decided against it. Who cares what some random city people think? Sam looked so peaceful. Who could stop doing something that would bring comfort to someone so cute?
They stayed like that for a while, Sam quietly sleeping, Seb watching the steady rise and fall of Sam’s chest. He felt like he could stay there forever, but sooner or later, he would wake up normal, and forget everything that happened. It was a shame, but there was nothing Seb could do.
Anytime someone walked by and sneered at them, Seb would just raise his hand and flip them off. It wasn’t any of their business, and it wasn’t like they were doing anything wrong.
They must have sat there for twenty minutes, listening to the gentle breeze and hearing the atmosphere of the city life around them. The park was quiet, only a couple of people ever passed through. The trees were in full bloom, all green with flower buds poking out from some of them. The wind rustled the leaves, blowing a couple off onto the ground below them. It was the perfect setting. Seb wasn’t a fan of the outdoors most of the time, but right now, he would spend the rest of his life in this moment if he could. Slowly, though, Sam started to stir in his sleep, blinking and rubbing his eyes with his fists. Seb didn’t stop rubbing his hands through his hair, hoping that Sam wouldn’t mind.
Sebastian didn’t say anything, only grinning at his friend who was taking in his surroundings again. He seemed more aware, so the medicine is likely wearing off. Once Sam was fully awake, he looked up at Seb and smiled. He didn't seem embarrassed about their situation yet, which was good. As another person passed by, sneering at them, Seb shot back with a quick flip of the bird. Sam, confused, tried to look up, but Seb gently reassured him, saying it was nothing.
Sam raised an eyebrow, clearly still curious but too comfortable to move. He settled back into Seb’s lap with a content sigh, letting it go. Seb, feeling a mix of triumph and nervousness, kept his hand in Sam’s hair, gently stroking as the city buzzed around them. The brief tension faded, replaced by a quiet moment of closeness that made Seb’s heart pound.
For a second, it felt like the world around them disappeared—just the two of them, sitting in the park, the unspoken connection growing stronger.
Sam looked up at Seb again, with a small smile on his face. He parted his lips a few times, as though about to speak, before finally settling on the right words.
“You’re so cute, Sebby.”
Sebastian stammered, his voice unsteady. "Wha—what? Sam, you’re still a bit loopy." He attempted to dismiss Sam's sudden outburst, but his words felt hollow. His heart raced, a subtle panic creeping in, as if he was afraid of what might come next. The air between them grew heavier, charged with an uncertainty that made his pulse quicken even more.
“No, Seb,” Sam whined, “you’re so cute, and you’re a great person. You’re always here for me, even when I’m all drugged up like this. I don’t know what I would do if you weren’t here, Seb.” Seb’s face turned red, and his hand froze in Sam’s hair.
"Yeah," Seb forced out, "I guess I’m a great friend."
"Nooo," Sam drawled, his voice softer. "I—" he hesitated, "I like you, Seb. A lot. More than a friend. I have for a while."
Seb’s breath caught as Sam reached up to brush a strand of hair from his face, and suddenly everything froze. This couldn’t be happening. Sam couldn’t actually mean that. His mind raced—years of friendship flashed through his thoughts. Sam had never shown any hint of this. Not toward anyone, and certainly not toward him.
Seb's jaw clenched, panic flickering in his chest. He quickly looked away, his heart pounding in disbelief. "That’s definitely just the drugs talking," he muttered, trying to push away the intensity of the moment.
It had to be. Sam doesn’t like him like that, no chance. He must be confusing feelings of friendship with feelings of romance. It had to be the anaesthetic talking. He tried to explain away the reason Sam had said that, because there was no way it had come from his own mouth, from his own brain. Seb had come to terms with never-ending up with Sam, and this wouldn’t change just because of some drugs that should have worn off by now.
“No, Seb,” Sam said, suddenly a lot more serious. “You make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Like a million butterflies flying in my stomach every time I see you. You’re the best part of my day, you know?”
Sam let a beat pass between them, the weight of Sam’s confession laying heavy on the air. Sam's face flushed beet red in an instant.
“Did I just say all of that out loud?” he mumbled, eyes wide with embarrassment.
“Yes, Sam, you did.” Seb chuckled, awkwardly. Yoba, he was never awkward around Sam. Why was he now?
“Uh, shit, sorry, dude. But, like, I really mean it. I just... hope you feel the same way?” He looked away from Sebastian, in the other direction of the park. Sebastian lifted his hand off Sam’s hair to scratch his neck, much to the dismay of Sam. He jerked his head back, as if he was immensely hurt over the fact Seb had moved away. Realizing his mistake, he reached to Sam’s face, brushing away stray hairs, looking at him as softly as he could. How was he supposed to respond? He seemed genuine, but it was equal chances of the drugs or him talking. Seb’s hands started to sweat, and his breath hitched, but after he thought for a minute about what to say, he came up with his response.
“Sam, I do feel the same. You make me feel fuzzy inside as well.” The way Sam’s face lit up made Seb’s heart melt, and he couldn’t help but feel a sliver of hope that maybe they would be able to become more than friends after this.
“Really?” Sam asked, sitting up, exposing Sebastian’s lap to the cold air and making him shiver.
“Yeah,” Seb laughed, “I like you a lot too. You're the best part of my day as well.” He couldn’t believe he was admitting this out loud. It seemed unreal, like a fever dream.
Sam started giggling, leaning his head closer to Seb’s. From this proximity, Seb could make out every unique detail of Sam’s face: his green eyes, flushed cheeks, and perfect pink lips.
Before he could process it, Sam leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. Seb froze, completely flustered, while Sam pulled back with a satisfied expression. Seb touched the spot where it happened, staring blankly into the space beside him. His breath quickened, and heat rose to his face, making him feel like he was burning up.
“S-sorry, was that okay?” Sam asked.
It’s more than okay. Sam had kissed him. It was on the cheek and, to be fair wasn’t that good, but he had willingly kissed him. Did Sam really like him? Like, more than a friend? This shattered everything Seb had ever thought about Sam. There was no way he liked Sebastian like that, right?
But he had kissed him. Right there, with his perfect lips—the ones Sebastian had imagined countless times. The ones he had wished would whisper sweet nothings to him, the ones to utter his name. Now, they were right in front of his face, his eyes staring tentatively at him, waiting for an answer to a question Seb had taken way too long to respond to.
“Yes, Sam. S-sorry, I just—do you like me like that?”
“Yeah, Seb. Of course. Since forever, basically.”
Seb couldn't help it. He felt like a schoolboy again, with silly crushes and innocent kisses. He smiled and brushed a strand of Sam’s hair behind his ear. He could do that now, and it wasn’t awkward. It felt electric, every touch and look they shared. His heart was full of suspense. He had imagined this moment over and over. It was perfect, and he was almost certain the other actually meant it.
“So have I, Sam.” It felt weird but good to admit that.
“W-well, then…” Sam mumbled, looking down. His face was flushed, and his eyes darted up to meet Sebastian’s.
“Do you, uh, want to be my b-boyfriend, then?” Sam fidgeted with his sleeves, and Seb could almost feel his heart pounding. He knew his own was.
“Sam, you idiot.”
Seb ruffled Sam’s hair, making it fall sideways around his face even more. He cupped Sam’s cheek, raising his head so they were at eye level. Seb leaned in and kissed him briefly on the lips, as he’d imagined many times before. It wasn’t perfect, as the drugs hadn’t fully worn off yet and Sam still had gauze in the back of his jaw, but it felt right. Seb could feel the warmth and fuzziness that Sam had mentioned before, and he was almost confident that Sam did as well.
He wished the kiss could last forever. But after only a couple of seconds, he pulled away.
“Of course I’ll be your boyfriend.” Sam smiled and leaned forward to hug Sebastian. Seb quickly hugged back, overcome by an electric feeling. Sure, he had hugged Sam plenty of times, but not in recent months, and not like this. It was surreal. Sam had confessed to him, albeit while on drugs, but he knew that Sam felt the same way he did. It made him feel happy inside, although he’d never admit it out loud. Maybe to Sam. Later.
“You better not forget this once the anaesthesia wears off,” Seb laughed. He swore that if Sam forgot all of this, he would murder him. Sam smiled, looking down. Sebastian could stare at him all he wanted now, with no repercussions. This had to be one of the best days of his life—Sam’s wisdom teeth removal.
“Does the bus leave soon?” wondered Sam, breaking the moment. Somewhat dejected, Sebastian glanced at his phone to check the time. “Not really, but we should head to the bus stop so we're not late. It’s still quite a ways away.”
Sam nodded and stood up, wobbling much less than before. That was good; he could manage to walk on his own now. They walked side by side, out of the park and toward the bus stop terminal. Occasionally, their hands would brush like before. It made Seb’s heart race just like before, the same jolt of electricity rushing down his spine. This time, though, he hesitated only for a moment before taking a deep breath and slowly reaching out. His heart pounded in his chest as his fingers brushed against Sam's, and he felt a surge of nervous energy run through him. With a mix of excitement and fear, he gently intertwined their fingers, feeling the warmth of Sam’s hand in his. It was such a simple gesture, but it felt like a huge step, sending a rush of emotions crashing over him—relief, hope, and a vulnerable kind of happiness. He squeezed Sam’s hand just slightly, as if afraid to let go, and in that quiet moment, everything felt different, yet perfectly right. Sam glanced down at him but didn’t pull away. In fact, he smiled. It seemed like an insignificant gesture, but it meant the world to Sebastian. They walked mostly in silence, but it was a comfortable kind. Once they returned, things between them would never be the same—and hopefully, that was a good thing.