Page 12 of To Cuddle A Gremlin (Monsters in Love Side Stories #1)

CHAPTER 12

I sadore hadn’t realized how out of sorts Sebastian had been or how much he’d been holding himself back until Isadore asked him about their date. The man blossomed before his eyes. A fountain of joy and knowledge exploded before him.

What had happened to Sebastian that a simple question or listening ear lit him up? He thought he could be mischievous and tease Sebastian about their outing, but seeing Sebastian expound on his choice changed his mind. Isadore would do whatever he could to keep Sebastian animated.

“I am so excited to do this with you. We’re gonna have the best day ever.” Isadore pushed up on his toes and brushed his lips against Sebastian’s soft ones. His quick intake of air gave Isadore the boost he needed. “You are so fucking sweet, I can’t even.”

“Oh, stop.” Sebastian huffed before glancing at the apartment door. Isadore had discovered this tic whenever Sebastian became too overwhelmed. He began looking for a way out of a situation. Isadore hoped Sebastian would become comfortable enough with him that escape would be the furthest from his mind. Sebastian’s trust would come with time, but Isadore was impatient.

“Never!” Isadore looped his arms around Sebastian’s neck and kicked his leg out. “If I can get you to smile or talk with me, I will do whatever I need to continue seeing your happy face.”

“You’re so odd.” Sebastian kissed him on the mouth before stepping backward near the building. Isadore remained as still as possible, thrilled to have received a bit of affection from Sebastian. He didn’t know what prompted Sebastian to kiss him, but he wasn’t going to question it either. “I have a cat.”

“And he needs to be fed. I get it.” Isadore sighed. Keeping himself from Sebastian was hard, but this was Sebastian’s show, and he’d already made the move to retreat. “I will see you tomorrow then.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Yes, Sebastian. Best part of my day is seeing you light up, and I will walk you home again. I will continue to do so until it becomes second nature. And even then…”

“If you have other things to do, you don’t have to.” Sebastian waved Isadore off.

“Uh huh. Listen to me, Sebastian. Get this through your head. I like you. I want to hang out with you. So you’re stuck with me. Unless something terrible happens, I will be waiting for you outside the library or I will let you know.”

Isadore hoped this continued push and pull would stop. The prickles surrounding Sebastian were fading. Only once in a while did Sebastian’s instinct to protect himself come to the fore.

“Oh.”

“Being with you is so important to me.” Isadore shoved his hands in his pockets and spun around. He itched to say goodbye, but the last word had to have weight. Sebastian had to understand what an impact he had on Isadore’s life.

The small interactions with Sebastian gave Isadore peace as he walked Sebastian to his apartment building. Each time, something changed. Either Sebastian became more open or at ease. He lit up the second he saw Isadore outside the library. The smiles weren’t fake or tight any more. Isadore cheered at every nuance of Sebastian’s expressions.

When Isadore found himself standing behind Sebastian in the café, his thoughts shifted. He was in a special sort of hell as Sebastian had taken his toque off in the warmth of the café, leaving his hair sticking up in odd ways. His shoulders were relaxed as he stood tall, opposed to when Isadore first met him where Sebastian did his best to hide within his body. Isadore was proud to see Sebastian wasn’t as closed off as he had been. He wasn’t defending himself against the world.

Devilishness had its way with Isadore, and he stepped into Sebastian’s space, grasping his slim hips beneath the fall jacket. Sebastian jumped at the sudden touch, and an almost fearful noise erupted from his throat. Sebastian tipped his head to the left as though peeking to see who had done what.

"Hi, Bas.” Isadore had decided using a shortened version of Sebastian’s name gave him a bit of ownership. Something only Isadore could claim, especially when Sebastian released a happy sigh.

“Oh, hi, good morning? I didn’t expect to see you so early.” Sebastian relaxed into Isadore’s hold. “Would you like me to buy you a coffee?”

Isadore squeezed Sebastian’s hips lightly before releasing him. The warmth of his skin and the subtle melting was more than Isadore could handle. Too bad he had to meet a client within the next half hour. Gods, the things he longed to do.

“It’s a surprise to me too.” Isadore shuffled up beside Sebastian and subtly stepped into Sebastian’s personal space. Any other day, Sebastian would shift away, but today he leaned in, which Isadore claimed as a win. “Adam wants to talk to me before he forgets why he asked me to see him. So I have to hurry up, and now you’re here and, well, oops?”

“This place does have the ability to pause everyone.” Sebastian had this way of looking at Isadore as though he held the secrets and knowledge of everything. The pressure to be that person wasn’t as heavy as Isadore thought.

“I’m trying not to give in and sit, but you know how it is. Life… really hot guys, and the smell of fresh baked food.”

Sebastian snorted and shook his head. But he didn’t deny any of Isadore’s claims as he might have before. This was progress, and Isadore wasn’t going to push Sebastian any further. “It’s my turn to buy coffee for the staff.”

“Aww, what a wonderful tradition. I’ll leave you to it, then. See you later.” Isadore squeezed Sebastian’s arm and stepped back, allowing him to place his order with the counter staff.

“Bye, Isadore.” Sebastian speaking his name was bliss. He was going to savour the moment forever or until Sebastian said it while Isadore was giving him a reason to shout. However, Isadore wasn’t going to jump the gun.

Isadore smiled at Trish as he stepped up to the counter. He asked for his coffee and Adam’s and blatantly stared at Sebastian as he exited the restaurant. His long legs ate up the ground as he slid through the line without jostling the tray of coffee.

“I see Sebastian is starting to relax in your presence now. He’s less twitchy whenever he’s in here,” Trish said. “You’re not gonna hurt him, are you?”

“Of course not! Why would you try to jinx me? He’s my lodestar. I might not have realized before, but he has to be why I was drawn here. I had no reason to leave my burrow, but the minute I saw him, I knew.” Isadore swung his arm around, encompassing the café, and Trish blinked her cat-like eyes. This was the problem with hanging around cryptids. They had no compunction of diving right into the problem at hand. “I am not going to hurt him.”

“You make sure you don't. He’s one of the few humans who didn’t give a rats’ ass when we first descended on the town. He and his pallies at the library opened the door for us in a big way. So…” Trish flashed her sharp incisors before smiling at Isadore.

“Fine. I promise.” Isadore took his tray full of coffee and flounced out. Sebastian had people backing him up, but man, why was Isadore considered the bad guy?

Isadore kept his texts to Sebastian lighthearted and sweet. He didn’t push any boundaries. But as the days passed and the big outing to Waite’s Falls drew closer, Sebastian grew increasingly more succinct and less engaged. When Isadore walked him home, Sebastian was a bundle of nerves and prone to injury. If Isadore had known how much of a stressor this was, he would've never suggested or allowed Sebastian to plan their date. He had hoped the day would be fun and chill, allowing Sebastian to blossom.

The night before their hike, Isadore slid into Tony’s office and spun around on the office chair. As much as Isadore hated asking Tony for advice about Sebastian, this was important enough for him to try. Again.

“So what do I do? Even his texts are starting to be unresponsive.” Isadore dropped his head back and stared at the tile ceiling. Tony lounged on his chair, relaxing for once.

“You see him every day. Have you asked him? Specifically? Instead of texting? Normal people are fond of using their voices.”

“I don’t want to interrogate him! He says the right things, and he agrees so politely. I try to draw shit out, but he’s like a wall. I’ve told him it’s not necessary to go all out, but he looks at me with these doe eyes, and I can’t. I just can’t.”

“And you like this guy?” Tony’s skepticism rankled. It wasn’t as though Sebastian was a deer all the time. Some evenings, Sebastian could chatter the whole way home… as long as Isadore didn’t bring up certain topics.

“It’s more than that. He’s better and sweeter. Just so very skittish. I realize a date can be a big deal. I’m so…” Isadore shook his head.

“Grow up then. You sound as though you understand the problem. So do something. Help Sebastian through his barriers. Don’t complain about it. You’re only causing bigger issues. Which is the exact opposite of what you want. I’ve seen you together, and as much as it disgusts me to say, he looks like he’s really into you as well. You need to get over your own perceptions.”

“I hate you.” Isadore scowled. Sometimes Tony was right, and Isadore wasn’t. Stupid, frustrating brothers who were insightful.

“Yeah, well. I’m your brother.” Tony made shooing motions with his hands. “Now go somewhere else. I don’t need your sad frowns ruining my night.”

“Fine. Tomorrow is gonna be a good day. It has to be.”

The sun was bright, and the air was crisp when Isadore dashed out of his home. Sebastian’s dark car sat at the curb, idling. Making sure his braid was fastened first, Isadore slid into the passenger seat and kissed Sebastian hello. A soft pink brightened Sebastian’s cheeks, but he didn’t complain or jerk back. Progress had been made.

“Where’s your hat?” The words were strangled as Sebastian fumbled with a takeout cup before passing it to Isadore.

“In my pocket, along with my mitts and scarf,” Isadore assured Sebastian. “I have your list of suggested items in my wallet as well. Good morning, Sebastian.”

“Oh, right. Morning, Isadore. Did you sleep okay?” Sebastian turned to peek at Isadore. A furrow of determination had settled on his brow, but he was at ease as he shifted the car into drive. He handled the frosty roads with confidence. “I’m looking forward to this hike. You should really enjoy it too.”

“Well, I guarantee I will. I’m hanging out with you in an area in which you thrive. No one should bother us, so all in all, pretty amazing plans.”

“It’s just–I don’t want–I think…I’m hoping you won’t think I’m a loser,” Sebastian stammered. He tightened his hold on the steering wheel and glared out the glass.

“Sebastian, sweets, I will have fun today because you will. We send out the aura we wish to receive. Don’t try to censor or contain yourself because of me. I want your thoughts to be unfiltered, and I won’t get upset.” Isadore wished he could do more to ease Sebastian’s nerves. However, time was the only healer at this point. “I brought everything you told me to, including a water bottle and extra snacks.”

“If there’s any moment when you’re bored, tell me. I’ve done this hike so often that it’s another day for me.” Sebastian glanced at Isadore before returning his attention to the road. His knuckles were white with tension.

“Bas, darling. We’ll be fine. Just take a breath and let out all the nerves. Nothing can go wrong.” Isadore settled in his seat and allowed Sebastian to chauffeur them to the trailhead.

Once parked, Isadore studied his companion with a critical eye. Sebastian wore a thick toque hiding his beautiful hair, and his coat was rated for below zero weather. The fabric was waterproof while the waistband cinched close to his body. No way was cold air going up his torso. Sebastian’s boots were thick- soled and covered his calf. He was ready to kick ass. Isadore swooned at how hot Sebastian was. If only Sebastian could see himself.

Sebastian took long strides toward Isadore and fussed with his jacket and toque, making sure all of Isadore’s sensitive bits were covered. Isadore grinned as Sebastian pulled the zipper under his chin. Leaning forward, Isadore pressed a light kiss on Sebastian’s surprised mouth. “You are so fucking sexy right now, taking care of me like this.”

Blinking, Sebastian gazed into Isadore's eyes. “You’re so odd.”

Isadore grinned before kissing Sebastian once more. He was like coffee and mint, both tasty and addictive. Isadore meant to keep the kiss light, but he didn’t count on Sebastian sinking into the embrace, holding tight to Isadore’s lapels. The touch of lips exploded into feelings of lust and need. Pulling away from his soft lips was one of the hardest choices Isadore had to make, and hellfire, he wished Sebastian didn’t look so sad. “Dammit, Bas, I was trying to reassure you, not fucking bang you.”

Sebastian tipped his head to the side and licked his lips. Again, Isadore wished they weren’t at the beginning of Sebastian’s epic hike. He ached to wreck that mouth in ways that were illegal in thirty dimensions. “Thank you? I think?”

“One day, you’re not going to stutter or stammer when I suggest such dubious activities.” Isadore brushed a gloved thumb over Sebastian’s full lower lip. “Then again, maybe that’s not terrible. Anyhoo, allons-y, Alonso.”

“You like the Doctor?” Sebastian led them to the trailhead, their steps crushing the dusting of snow on the path.

“I do. Harry introduced the show to me when I first arrived in Granite. He started me on the Chris Eccleston years, and I confess, he’s my favourite.” Isadore walked through the trailhead gate into what appeared to be a winter wonderland. All the trees were frost-covered, while each branch had a smattering of snow. A hushed feeling filtered through the forest as though they were the only creatures alive. Isadore was in awe of the eerily beautiful location.

The tension in Sebastian’s posture disappeared as they began their walk. His chatter, stiff and broken, changed to a more natural tone as they ventured deeper. His enthusiasm grew by leaps and bounds as he showed Isadore various tree types and sneaky squirrels. This was the Sebastian Isadore ached to discover. To see him so delighted with the world was addictive. Isadore was having the time of his life.

Abruptly, Sebastian paused in the middle of the woods. No noise could be heard but the distant trickle of water. With a determined frown, he grasped Isadore’s chin in a gentle grip. His thumb swept across Isadore’s cheekbone as he kissed Isadore in what had to be the most adoring yet innocent bit of affection he’d ever been blessed to receive. His eyelids fluttered shut, and Isadore followed as Sebastian led them from a sweet and chaste kiss to a passionate embrace. Holding tight to Sebastian’s arms, Isadore–not content to follow–took control and licked the seam of Sebastian’s mouth until a soft gasp broke the stillness, and he allowed Isadore in. Isadore traced the inside of Sebastian’s mouth, teasing him with light touches. Sebastian relaxed, inviting Isadore to lead. He licked the damp lower lip before nipping it.

Isadore tightened his hands along the waistband of Sebastian’s coat and wished he could feel the soft skin of Sebastian’s side. Pulling back, Isadore grinned at the evidence of a very good kiss. Sebastian was flush with desire, his lips puffy, and his eyes were dilated and hazy from lust. “The expression on your face is worth everything. I can handle freezing balls if you kiss me like that again.”

“Okay, sure?” Sebastian smacked his lips and stood frozen in the middle of the path. His confusion was adorable, but the air wasn’t getting any warmer. Isadore waited for a few minutes for Sebastian’s brain to kickstart before prodding him into continuing their hike. This was the absolute perfect morning. If nothing else happened, he'd received a fantastic kiss from his shy Sebastian.

“So, tell me about these falls. Why did you have to coerce me into seeing them?” Isadore asked as he grabbed Sebastian’s hand and swung it gently. The cold air had a wonderful dousing effect on his painful dick. Clothes were going to stay on as long as they were outside.

“I didn’t coerce you.” Sebastian sighed. “I don’t have the words to explain what they mean to me. The majesty of them is second to none in our small area. You don’t expect a waterfall without being so close to the escarpment. So, it’s a fun geographical anomaly.”

Isadore basked in Sebastian’s lecture on the waterfall. This was the reason why he went on a hike in December. Sebastian’s enthusiasm was infectious, and Isadore could listen to him all day. Tugging Sebastian to a stop, he stepped close and kissed him once more. The surprised "oof" was pleasing to Isadore’s ears. “You are fucking adorable.”

“Thank you. We’re almost there.” Sebastian touched his lips with a reverence before spinning around and pushing onward.

“I can hear the roar. I have to say this has been amazing.” Isadore allowed Sebastian to continue to lead them toward the noisy water. It gave him the opportunity to stare at Sebastian's ass without him becoming embarrassed or self-conscious. Courting Sebastian was a challenge, but Isadore wouldn’t change anything for the world. So what if he wanted nothing more to take him and ravish him with no thought or consideration? Sebastian would be okay with Isadore’s actions, however, he wouldn’t be enthusiastic, and that, in the end, was Isadore’s goal.

“I’ve had a really good time too.” Sebastian bumped shoulders with Isadore. Each unbidden touch was a godsend to Isadore.

“Let’s continue on before things become more stilted and awkward.” Isadore nudged Sebastian in the direction of the hike, hoping the joke would land as he meant it.

“I’m already there,” Sebastian muttered. Isadore shimmied in a quick victory dance. Had Sebastian’s real voice found its footing?

“Anyway, on with the day. We’ve got people to do and places to go.” Isadore took a glance at the sky and grimaced. Dark clouds were rolling in, adding a bit of a damper bite to the air.

“What was that? I didn’t catch what you said.” Sebastian spun around, pushing Isadore toward the snowy bushes.

“Nothing! Just a silly rhyme, like we’ve got things to do or whatever.”

“Nah, it wasn’t that. It was… it was…” Sebastian huffed before starting up again. His feet were steady on the slick ground. If anyone was a cryptid, Sebastian was with his practical prancing along the trail. “I can handle snide comments, you know. If you said something sarcastic or worse. I’m not fragile.”

“Sebastian, I would never insult you on purpose. My comments might be unruly, a bit uncouth, and possibly a bit untoward, but never cruel.” Sebastian’s sensitivity toward words was a challenge, and Isadore did his best not to poke the bruises left by previous friends. As much as he was a sarcastic fiend, he’d never turn his harsh tongue on Sebastian. “I might have been a bit coarse.”

“Promise?” Sebastian held out a hand with his finger up. Isadore studied the finger before imitating the gesture, unsure of the meaning but hooking his own pinkie with Sebastian’s.

“Always and forever, sweets. Can we move? I’ve started losing feeling in one of my favourite body parts.” Isadore bounced on his toes, trying to stay warm. The day had started out nice, but now it was like an ice cloud descended, stealing the bright sun and warmth.

“Isadore! You could have said something.” Sebastian rolled his eyes and led them deeper within the woods. Rocky outcrops replaced the bushes as pines tried vainly to grow with little dirt. The distant roar of water became louder. He was intrigued and a bit unnerved. The sound was scary, but there was no way Sebastian would lead him to a dangerous location. Though Sebastian was a safety-conscious person, Isadore hoped he could throw some caution to the wind. Isadore liked the challenge of the unknown.