Page 17 of To Cuddle A Gremlin (Monsters in Love Side Stories #1)

CHAPTER 17

Crash: You’re Isadore?

Kazmier: Yes? Is that okay? I didn’t figure it out 'til recently.

Crash: I guess. I’m not sure what to do with this information.

Kazmier: Treat me as you always did. I’m the same person.

Crash: Stop buying me stuff then. It’s not necessary.

Kazmier: That’s definitely not gonna happen.

Crash: Why not?

Kazmier: Because it makes me happy to see you happy.

Crash: Dammit. I am not fond of this information.

S ebastian woke up in the morning with a fat cat on his chest purring away. Tiger had forgiven Sebastian once Isadore left. Last night’s revelations had been shocking in a good way. Never had he expected sex to be pleasurable or have a partner who’d agree to his terms. He hoped everything would remain the same when he went to have breakfast with Isadore and his friends. God, he’d die if Isadore lied about anything. No, Isadore wouldn’t lie to him. He'd admitted he was Kazmier in the game when he didn’t have to. That was a show of honesty. That message startled him when it arrived an hour after Isadore left the previous night.

Sebastian had matured as well. When Isadore replaced Charles at their date, Sebastian didn’t have a meltdown, like he thought. The sensation he'd experienced was joy and relief. Not that he didn’t like Charles. He was a great guy. He just wasn’t Isadore. This epiphany had Sebastian inviting Isadore over and falling into his arms.

Isadore’s kindness in leaving Sebastian’s place was unexpected. When Sebastian was alone, he did a quick cleanup on his house and sat on the couch, processing everything. It was like he had told Isadore. Physical intimacy had always been a stumbling block because he didn’t understand the need.

His phone made a twinkling noise, letting him know a text had been received. Grabbing it from the bedside table without disturbing Tiger was easy. The lump was content to stay where he was until Sebastian made the motion to get out of bed.

Isadore: Good morning! We plan to be at the café by 10ish! Hope you had a good sleep. I dreamt of you.

Sebastian blushed at the message. Even through words on a screen, Isadore caused Sebastian to squirm in delight.

Sebastian: I’ll be there. I had a great time.

When he sent the text, Sebastian groaned at the banality of it. The text didn’t convey the sheer essence of his emotions.

Isadore:

The heart emoji had Sebastian clutching the phone to his chest, causing Tiger to leap off in disgruntlement, which was a sign for Sebastian to get up and prepare for his morning brunch. Tiger needed his breakfast, and Sebastian had to have a shower before joining Isadore at the cafe.

His boyfriend.

The two words set off fireworks in his chest. Sebastian swayed as he stood. This was big and something he never expected would happen. Shaking off the excitement, Sebastian did his morning chores and slipped out to the restaurant.

Walking into the café was daunting. His stomach tightened into a ball of thorns. The dining room was packed, and people peered at him as he searched for Isadore’s shock of auburn hair. Of course, he’d be sitting at his usual table with Charles and Harry across from him. An empty chair beckoned Sebastian. As he wound his way through the dining room, Isadore turned and grinned.

“OMG, Isadorable, look at your sweetheart. He’s just so friggin’ edible,” Harry announced loudly. Sebastian froze as he approached the table. The stares from the other guests intensified as he sat. Memories of Becky dumping soup down his back threatened to come back up. He could do this. He was better than his past self.

“Harrison. What did I say?” Charles snapped.

“Not to embarrass Sebastian. But look at him, Chuck. He’s just so–”

“Unhappy?” Isadore responded dryly. He laced his fingers with Sebastian’s and squeezed. The touch soothed some of his frazzled nerves from Harry’s announcement.

“No! Well, yeah, but no. He has this glow to him. It shines from his eyes,” Harry finished. “Would you like a cup of coffee? Becks left us the pot.”

“Oh, thank you.” Sebastian settled in his seat. With Isadore holding his hand and Charles and Harry welcoming him to the fold, he had a good feeling about his future.

While Harry filled his mug, Becks came with platters of breakfast food for the whole table. She made sure to stay away from Sebastian, her cheeks bright red. “I hope I got your orders all right. There’s sausages, bacon, French toast, and fixings for waffles. Anything else?”

“That’s perfect, thank you.” Isadore took his fork and dragged a piece of toast and bacon to his plate. “Let’s dig in.”

Most of the conversation between the men was about the delicious food and the previous evening’s show. Sebastian had been worried he wouldn’t be able to participate, but he managed to hold his own.

Every once in a while, Harry would glance at the kitchen with a stark expression before taking a huge bite of food. Sebastian watched him briefly, trying to understand what Harry longed for.

“Isadorable, your man is making eyes at me. You need to have words with him.” Harry spoke loudly, attracting everyone’s attention within the radius of their table. Sebastian choked on his spit. So Harry was the type of person to bring focus to himself, and Sebastian wasn’t sure if he could handle Harry’s exuberance. People tittered and stared while Charles shook his head.

Isadore brought their hands up to the tabletop, showing them off. Sebastian didn’t understand what that proved, but by the expression on Harry’s eyes, nothing good. “Harry, we’ve had this conversation before. I’m sure even before we met here, Charles talked to you. Stop causing scenes. It makes people uncomfortable.”

“It’s okay.” Sebastian tried to interrupt, but he cowered at the fire burning in Isadore’s eyes. Though the anger wasn’t aimed at him, the heat still singed his bravado.

“No, darling. It’s not. You’re not the only victim. Harry has embarrassed others in the same way. He seems to believe if he does it first, no one will hurt him, which is the furthest from the truth.”

“I don’t think that!” Harry clutched his chest and fluttered his eyes. “And if I did, it’s only because I adore you.”

“Doesn’t work like that, Harry. So, finish your breakfast, and we’ll have a proper discussion about jokes that aren’t jokes.” Charles patted Harry’s shoulder. “He’s a work-in-progress.”

“How rude!” Harry sniffed.

“And you weren’t?” Isadore asked.

“I said I did it out of affection!”

Sebastian watched the bickering between the three friends and wished he hadn’t met Harry’s gaze. If he had kept his eyes on his plate, none of this would have happened. He’d been curious, but he would never have said anything. Not yet, at least.

“Bas, it’s okay,” Isadore whispered as Charles and Harry continued to argue. “They have these spats every other day. It’s their normal.”

“But I caused this one,” Sebastian whispered back. His stomach was in knots at the discovery.

“No. You did not. Harry took advantage of a weakness, and we’re trying to cure him of the habit. So, please? Smile? For me?”

Sebastian flexed his fingers on his lap to release some anxiety. Isadore was right. He didn’t have to borrow everyone’s issues. He wasn’t at fault, nor was everything always his problem. “I was wondering if after breakfast, you’d like to come to the park with me? I know it’s daytime, but I think it’s still pretty.”

“I’d love to. Sounds delightful.” Isadore bumped his shoulder.

“What is?” Harry asked, stopping his arguing to snoop.

“Isadore and I have plans afterward,” Sebastian shared, though he wasn’t sure he wanted Harry or Charles to join them. He liked the idea of being alone with Isadore in the light.

“Uh huh, but what are they?” Harry bit a piece of a jam-laden waffle and stared hard at Sebastian.

“Plans.”

“But–”

“They don’t include you,” Charles stated. Harry frowned as he switched his gaze between Isadore and Sebastian. Sebastian almost caved at the puppy eyes and pouting lips.

“Put those away and leave them alone. Otherwise, you’re footing the bill,” Tony ordered as he approached the table. Sebastian froze in place, remembering how much Tony distrusted him. He had told Sebastian plainly he didn’t think Sebastian was good enough for Isadore. “What are you hiding from? Sit up straight.”

Sebastian thrust his shoulders back and planted his feet on the floor. Nothing would break. He was going to stay still as a statue while Tony chatted with his brother.

“Relax, Bas. Tony’s not gonna attack. He’s being helpful,” Isadore explained as he jerked his chin toward Harry, who had turned a bright pink and stumbled on his words. He couldn’t take his eyes off Tony.

“That’s who–”

“Exactly.”

“Ohh.” Sebastian nodded while Isadore discreetly threw money on the table.

“Come on. I want my date.” Isadore slid on his coat and helped Sebastian with his. Tony smirked at them while continuing to distract Harry and Charles.

“Aww, you can’t leave right when it’s getting to the good stuff!” Harry managed to turn his attention away from Tony long enough.

“Too bad, so sad, but we are.” Isadore wiggled his fingers and nudged Sebastian to the door. Once outside, he looped his arm through Sebastian’s and heaved a great sigh. “I enjoyed breakfast, but I’m glad it’s just the two of us.”

“I feel bad for abandoning Harry,” Sebastian confessed. He peeked over his shoulder at the café, expecting someone to come bursting out.

“You should be sorry for Charles. He has to deal with Harry’s over-the-top ways and his inability to form a proper sentence when Tony’s anywhere in the vicinity,” Isadore explained.

“Ahh, I see. I think.” Sebastian put the worries aside, though it was a challenge. Their walk to the park was where his attention should be. The town was pretty, with sparkly greenery outside every storefront. Silver and gold buntings added an extra flair while blue snowflakes hung high above the street, waiting for darkness to light up. “I’m sorry we couldn’t come out for Light Up Night. I heard the event was quite spectacular. The ice sprites and winter cryptids, along with humans, did a bang-up job.”

“Sebastian, don’t dwell on the past. It’s okay. Life had other ideas for us. But we’re here now, happy and walking. Enjoying each other’s company.” Isadore stopped in the middle of the street and kissed Sebastian lightly on the mouth. Snow drifted from a wire and dusted them. They were in their own romantic snow globe.

Sebastian gasped at the cold sensation before heating up under Isadore’s lips. He never thought he’d have this moment. Standing in the middle of the street with a man he adored and who adored him back.

“Thank you, Isa, for being there for me. For not giving up. You are the best, and I’m honoured you stuck with me.” Sebastian fumbled with words. His cheeks heated up as he tried to share in an articulate way what having Isadore around meant to him.

“Did you know that you smell like candy and joy? I’ve become addicted to you, so good luck trying to cure me.” Isadore kissed him again in a smacking motion, doing a small jig in the streets.

Sebastian tugged his toque over his ears and stared at the ground. The idea of Isadore kissing him so blatantly in the streets overwhelmed him, yet it was good. He loved the sensation of Isadore’s joy washing over him. This was what happiness was.