Page 7 of To Cuddle A Gremlin (Monsters in Love Side Stories #1)

CHAPTER 7

Crash: What do I do?

Kazmier: Where did this come from?

Crash: This is a terrible idea

Kazmier: You know you’re not giving me any information or context, right?

Crash: I’m pretty sure I have a date.

Kazmier: Another one? And so soon? Interesting. How can you not realize if you have a date?

Crash: Because these things never happen to me, and I suck at them.

Kazmier: Everyone sucks at dates. It’s in the rule book.

Crash: THERE’S A RULE BOOK? Why hadn’t anyone told me?

Kazmier: I don’t know. Anyway, you’ll be fine. I believe in you and all that fun stuff.

S ebastian stared at Isadore’s contact information. Still, the name and number were enough to leave Sebastian in awe. He had the phone number of a person he liked. And there hadn’t been arm-twisting or begging involved.

The problem remained though, of going out with someone who wouldn’t tease him or having the afternoon go off the rails in a spectacular fashion. Which was asking a lot of Sebastian. He shuddered at some of the first dates or friend outings he had in the past, and they remained locked in his memory banks, though blips of repeated mishaps peeked out, causing Sebastian to shudder.

God, Sebastian hoped this date with Isadore went well. He hoped it’d be perfect, therefore leading into something more involved. Isadore opened up a part of Sebastian that longed for a deep connection with another person.

Though Isadore asked if he could text Sebastian, his messages remained empty. With anyone else, Sebastian would have placed the blame on himself. With the cursor blinking, Sebastian sent a geeky and tame meme involving air brakes and gremlins. Isadore would be unfamiliar with the cartoon, but the Looney Tunes gremlin had always tickled Sebastian.

The reply was a raised eyebrow and a response asking if Sebastian made a joke. Sebastian blushed even though no one was around. The point was that Isadore understood and responded.

Sebastian’s opening text broke the ice surrounding them, and Isadore sent him messages and memes with regularity. Most of the messages were innocent, asking about the festival they were going to attend and queries about Sebastian’s hobbies. Isadore was always respectful of Sebastian’s boundaries, and because of his reticence, Sebastian opened up and began flourishing under Isadore’s attention. Sebastian didn’t understand why he shared details about his life with Isadore, but Isadore made every revelation okay. Isadore didn’t seem like the guy who would hold past mistakes to the light, which Sebastian appreciated.

A lot.

Today was the day of their second attempt at a first date. Isadore was going to meet him at the park entrance with hot drinks, and they’d explore the riverside area behind the old historic businesses. Sure, the downtown was where Sebastian worked, but seeing the area through fresh eyes seemed like a good idea. Sebastian shifted his feet, feeling the chill of the season creeping into his winter boots. It was gonna be one of those days where the sun shone bright and beautiful, but the air was crispy and cold. Basically, Sebastian’s favourite part of winter.

“Sebastian, hey!” Isadore called out his name, and the smile formed on his face as Isadore strode toward him. He was carrying a tray with their drinks, and a paper bag was stuffed between the two cups. His hair was loose and tangled, framing his face. Reaching Sebastian, he pulled him into a quick hug and released him. “I brought treats. Is that okay? There’s a new baker on the weekends who’s feeling a bit nervous under Tony’s exacting tutelage.”

“Oh, how sweet. You didn’t have to go out of your way for me. I could have—” Sebastian blew out air and tried again. “Thank you.”

“You are very welcome. How about we sit at the table over there and enjoy a snack?” Isadore looped his hand through Sebastian’s arm and led him to a picnic area near the park entrance. Sebastian marvelled at how easy Isadore was about bodily contact. He was tactile and not afraid to show affection. Sebastian liked the touches, the holds. Isadore reminded Sebastian of solid friendship and reassurance.

“Sounds great. Let’s sit, and you can tell me about anything new and interesting that’s happened.” Isadore swept the seat and faced the quiet river. Sebastian settled beside him. The placement was different from what he was comfortable with, but he wanted to see what Isadore saw, and he was being brave.

“We’re in the process of preparing crafts for children for the town festival. Decorating the library and all that fun stuff. We have a lot of Christmas-minded people in this branch, so they’re chafing at the bit to get started.” Sebastian sipped the hot mocha and sighed as it warmed him from the inside out. “Good drink.”

“I’ll let the barista know. Explain this Christmas thing. I don’t quite get the meaning.” Isadore scratched his head, his claws more obvious than Sebastian had previously seen. He peeked at Isadore’s ears and blinked at how long and pointed they were.

“Christmas is a religious holiday that celebrates the birth of a child. We give gifts and have a big feast. A lot of people observe the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of the day, light-wise. We have many major religious holidays at the same time, but Christmas seems to be the name we’ve stuck with. We have a month of celebrations and solemnity,” Sebastian explained. He stared at the lampposts in the park decorated with pine garlands and lights entwined around them. Ice sprites were dancing on the needles, giving them a permanent frosted look.

“That sounds like a lot,” Isadore said. “What do you do?”

Sebastian nibbled his cinnamon scone as he thought about his holiday season. He’d go to his parents’ house in the country for Christmas Eve and Day. Be by himself on Boxing Day to recover from the forced socialization. Sebastian then decided not to share his family drama with Isadore. Sebastian sensed Isadore would become upset at how alone among his family Sebastian would be. They didn’t need to rehash Sebastian’s history on their first true date. “Sammi and I make a date and exchange gifts at the Nokk Inn. Lya has a delicious spread for anyone who wants to visit during December.”

“Oh, I love that place. Even Tony enjoys their ambiance, and he’s notoriously fickle.” Isadore dropped his head on his fist and smiled at Sebastian. The blast of warmth aimed at Sebastian made the butterflies in his stomach flutter madly. “This is nice.”

“It is, isn’t it?” Everything was going well, and Sebastian hadn’t stammered or made an ass of himself yet. This might be considered a successful date. “Did you celebrate the Winter Solstice?”

“We have a winter holiday, but it’s a sombre affair. We remember those lost to the demons and to the dark. We light candles and offer the names of those who left us too soon,” Isadore explained. This was the first time Sebastian had seen a downcast expression on Isadore’s face. It was humbling.

“And here I am blathering on about a happy, joyful holiday, and this isn’t what you—” Sebastian tried to apologize. He didn’t mean for Isadore to be sad.

“No, no, sweets. It’s okay. There are commonalities between our peoples. You don’t need to be sorry for something you have no control over. I think we can be happy and introspective at the same time. Meld the two styles together.”

Sebastian grudgingly allowed the concession, though in the back of his head, he wished he hadn’t asked. “A lot of people do that, actually.”

“See? We’re already progressing. Now, come on, show me your park. Tell me about this festival. Tara has committed the café’s resources to a booth, and I’d like to understand what that means.”

“You are very involved with the backroom aspects of the café. Is that just because of Tony?” Sebastian asked. God, he hoped he wasn’t being invasive.

“Mostly. She asked if I could help set up a contactless and wireless situation for her. She wanted to not depend on the public Wi-Fi for transactions,” Isadore explained. He offered his hand to Sebastian and helped him get up from the picnic table. Isadore never released Sebastian and kept his hand tucked with his arm. “Okay, tour guide, show me where the festival will be.”

Sebastian directed him to the entrance to the Riverside Park, where paths leading to and from the river were laid out. He paused at the Light Up Night memorial and shook his head. He shuddered. During the fight between Darius and Hastur, Granite had been under such a terrible pall that Sebastian worried that their lives would be irrevocably destroyed. But Darius and his friends managed to send Hastur back to hell. Bowing his head, Sebastian asked the demons or gods to maintain the locked barrier around Hastur and his ilk. He never had any dealings with the demon, but he remembered the devastation. Some people still hadn’t forgiven Darius for destroying their town or inviting the demons to Granite, though the events weren’t his fault.

“Is this where the thing happened?” Isadore asked, hushed. He knelt on one knee and bowed his head.

“The chamber of commerce thought it would be a good way to remind people that their lives can change so fast,” Sebastian explained. “A lot of the townsfolk wanted to get rid of the statue as a bad memory, but we decided we needed a reminder. And we won.”

“My people are grateful that a door opened for us. We have blossomed living here in this community.” Isadore brushed the frost crystals from his knees.

“Do you have humans still crossing the street when they see you? A few cryptid patrons have complained about silly humans.” Sebastian scowled. Bigoted people were bigoted, and he wished they’d go away.

“Not in a while. People have been positive and kind. I was talking to Isaac at the centre, and he said there has been an uptick in human/cryptid relations. He’d seemed thrilled with how busy he was.”

“I like Isaac and Adam. They’re nice.” They all had gone to the local high school, though Sebastian was in the same grade as Darius. He knew the other two in passing.

“Sebastian? Is that you?” Sebastian’s back crawled as a familiar voice screeched out his name. He had hoped his date would end well. But the presence of his cousin jogging toward them warned him shit was about to happen.

“Who’s she?” Isadore asked sotto voce . Distaste changed how he stood and how he spoke to Sebastian.

“My cousin, Meggz. She’s… I’m sorry.” Sebastian didn’t know how to describe his family to Isadore, but Meggz talking to him would explain a lot, probably too much.

“Why are you apologizing? Not necessary.” Isadore patted Sebastian’s hand.

“Are you on a date? OMG, for reals? I thought you told everyone you were the bad luck king. Isn’t that what you told your mom?” Meggz ran up to Sebastian and pulled him away from Isadore with force. “Never imagined you’d find a date willing to be seen with you in public.”

“Thanks, Meggz.” Her words dug a hole within his chest and twisted. She knew the best way to hurt him. He yanked his arm away from her inch-long claws. She, as always, was dressed to impress. She wore tight, distressed jeans with a fluffy white coat. Meggz’s hair was artfully loose around her face but sprayed with an inch of its life with hairspray. Makeup caked her skin, and mascara clumped on her lashes. “What’re you doing outside?”

“Can’t a girl take a stroll around the park? Jeez, interrogate much, Sebby?” Meggz flipped her hair in irritation. “I could say the same about you. You actually left your hovel. So, are you on a date? Who is this… this… well, I was gonna say hunk, but you got them claws. You’re a wannabe human, aren’t you?”

Sebastian sucked in air at the blatant insult. His cousin was a little rude, but this was beyond. Isadore didn’t deserve such blatant disrespect.

“Oh, so you recognize the kind of people you wish to be?” Isadore delivered a clapback before Sebastian could leap in. “Must be sad to live in such shadows.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Meggz cocked her hip out as she scowled at Isadore.

“He’s saying that you’re behaving—” Sebastian started.

“You’re acting like one of those demons who attacked this town. Honestly, I can’t believe you’d treat your family like you are. Especially if, as you said, you hadn’t seen him in a while.” Isadore bared his teeth as he shifted his body in front of Sebastian, showing him Isadore had his back.

“Yeah, well. If the tall freak actually visited his family, then maybe?—”

Isadore stopped her insults with a disdainful rise of his eyebrow. “Why would he visit if he could expect this kind of welcome from a relative?”

“Oh, fuck off. You’re a goddamn monster. You have no understanding about our dynamics. This is how we show our love for each other. Get a fucking clue,” Meggz snapped. “Remove your asshole friend from my presence, Sebby. He’s being mean, and I don’t have time for his kind of shit.”

“You approached us.” Sebastian scratched his cheek while trying to still be civil. His cousin could fly off in any direction, and he’d be caught in the crossfire no matter what. This was what he was hoping Isadore would never see.

“Yeah, I wanted to talk to my cousin. Because, family before all else. We grew up together, remember, Sebby? All your secrets are up here.” Meggz tapped her foot on the ground, impatient and angry. Never a good combination.

“I don’t think that counts as being protective of your cousin. From where I come from, families bolster each other. They don’t tear people down like you’re doing to Sebastian. Your way seems kinda monstrous.” Isadore slid his hand along Sebastian’s arm until he could lace his fingers tightly with Sebastian’s. Support and comfort were together, giving him strength.

“What the fuck do you know? God, Sebby. Throw this freak away and get a new guy. He’s a fucking ass. Calling me a goddamn monster.” With one last hair flip, Meggz stormed past them. Her perfume was strong as the scent drenched Sebastian, giving him a reminder of their encounter.

“Well, that wasn’t how I wanted to introduce you to my family. I’m sorry you had to meet Meggz.” Sebastian swallowed. God, this was when he tried to prove to Isadore he was a functional adult. And then Meggz happened, right on the bad luck cue.

“She was a bit of a pill. Put her out of your head and give me a tour of your park. Paint me a picture of your Light Up Night festival.” Isadore brought their hands up and kissed the back of Sebastian’s hand. The light kiss soothed Sebastian’s nerves and still left him exposed for that other shoe to drop.

“Meggz is one example. I don’t want you to think —”

“Sebastian, don’t worry about her. Focus on us. Let her go. She doesn’t deserve a minute of your attention,” Isadore ordered.

Sebastian blew out air and gave his body a full shake, removing all the negativity Meggz left behind. Isadore was right. She didn’t deserve any of his brain space. Isadore’s composure fed Sebastian’s and gave him the peace of mind he never considered. The sensation was so overwhelming Sebastian could only mutter, “You’re really nice.”