contradictions

*   𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞   yourself   (  another.  )

[gunbash]

this blog is archived, please find me on @wineassassin

[warbyrds-a2]

❝     my husband, hm? does have a nice ring to it,     ❞ teases the woman in a silken voice, smiling softly to herself; granted, they are in danger of losing a coveted restaurant reservation after weeks spent on the waitlist because of a delay related to her latest mission, but carol can't help being in high spirits. she has missed sebastian desperately during the month they've spent an ocean apart from each other, and losing the reservation matters little as long as she finds herself in his arms at the end of the night. ❝     maybe some day you'll get to say that and not have it be a white lie.     ❞

right then, the cab driver decides to honk violently at the unmoving jam of cars ahead, and to follow up by rolling down the window to scream a slew of profanities not worth repeating. pausing, she presses the phone to her chest to spare @gunbash the worst of it. new york city traffic seems to be extra atrocious tonight; they've barely moved thirty feet while she's been on the phone.

❝     i damn well hope i'll make it since i got dressed up all pretty and everything,     ❞ carol says airily, picking at the frayed edges of a tear in the leather upholstery. the cab driver has calmed down and turned to tapping out an impatient rhythm against the steering wheel. ❝     i'm wondering if i wouldn't be quicker for me to get out and walk the last few blocks, even with these heels.     ❞

an apologetic sigh follows despite his reassurance. ❝     bastian, i'm so sorry. you came all this way to see me and then i go and ruin our date. just do your best to get seated, please? if we end up losing the table, takeout at my place is on me.     ❞

[gunbash]

"i'm anxiously looking forward to that day. you know i'll insert that fact into every single conversation, too. i'll be so annoying about it, but you'll love it." he switches the phone into his other hand and takes to a lean against the nearby wall, still watching the couple in front of them argue with the host. "hi, i'm carol's husband. why, yes, hello, carol's husband here. did you know i'm carol's husband? yes, that's right, carol married me. can you believe she chose me?" a haughty, fake laugh, meant to make her roll her eyes. "oh, me? yes, i'm carol's husband. were you looking for me? carol's husband. it's got a nice ring to it, i think."

she mentions walking in her heels, and sebastian huffs. "oh, christ, no. don't even risk it. you're all powerful and wonderful as always, dear, but i don't want you snapping your ankle on a rushed walk here just because we missed our table. if they don't give it to me... so what? we've got time. we can try another reservation another day. it's all right, @warbyrds."

the host finally calls carol's name, and sebastian presses the phone into his shoulder as he dashes over and hastily explains the predicament. maybe he fires off a few goofy, pleading grins to try and win them over. after a few seconds, he returns to the phone. "they're letting me sit, but you have to be here in ten minutes or else they're actually going to make me leave. isn't that lovely? this table is valuable. christ." he darts after the host, finds their table, and sits. "when you get here, i'm in the back. tall man with curls. handsome. bearded. carol's husband. can't miss me." he laughs. "get here soon... and safely, please."

[greenelightbyee]

it's   impressive   how   quickly   sebastian   picks   up   on   how   to   trim   the   leaves   ,   beaming   as   he   successfully   begins   removing   the   leaves   from   the   plant   as   if   he's   been   doing   it   for   years.   clearly   he   needs   to   ask   him   for   his help   more   often   ,   but   even   if   he   wasn't   particularly   good   at   this   ,   he   would   probably   still   ask   him   to   come   over   anyway.   after   all   ,   he   can't   deny   the   little   crush   that's   been   blossoming   since   their   brief   interactions   &   hang   outs   lately   ,   so   any   moment   he   can   spend   with   sebastian moran   ,   he   gladly   will   take   the   chance.   as   they   begin   working   in   silence   ,   sebastian   then   brings   up   the   topic   of   the   flower   dance   again   ,   &   then   asks mason   if   he'd   like   to   go   with   him.   the farmer   is   a   little   surprised   by   how   forward   &   bold   his   neighbor   is   being with such an innocent ask   ,   but   then   he   begins   to   stammer   &   reassure   mason   that   he   doesn't   have   to   say   yes or go with him as a date   ,   &   the   more   sebastian   talks   on   &   on   ,   the   more   flattering   &   adorable   mason   finds   it.   for   a   man   who   looks   &   carries   himself   the   way   he   does   ,   he   still   finds   himself   nervous   &   shy   at   times.   it's   positively   charming   & melts mason's heart completely , &   without   really   thinking   about   it   ,   mason   leans   in   forward   to   gift   the   teacher   a   gentle   kiss   on   the   cheek   ,   moving   away   just   as   quickly   ,   their   eyes   holding   their   gaze   as   he   feels   his   own   cheeks   burn   from   his   actions. the kiss was brief , but he's never felt his heart race like this before. he makes me feel so many things & it's only been a few weeks.   ❝ i'd   love   to   go   to   the   flower   dance   with   you   ,   ❞   mason   affirms   ,   smiling   brightly.   ❝   in   fact   ,   i've   been   kinda   hoping   you'd   ask   me.   been   wanting   an   excuse   to   dance   with   you   for   ages.   ❞

[gunbash]

it takes him a few tries to catch on, but soon he's plucking leaves from the plants like he does it every day, like he's a natural at this. mason's guidance helps boost his confidence, and he does glance over every once in a while, double-checking mason's technique to ensure he's not doing it wrong. this is fun, simple, and easy enough to pick up on with time. no wonder mason's the main producer of tea in their town — and it's really good tea, too, not that crap he used to drink back home.

the mood in the greenhouse immediately changes the second sebastian asks him to the dance. suddenly, the air is tight like a chokehold, a searing anxiety that drills down sebastian's spine in painful anticipation. he braces himself for an i don't know, maybe, or something like oh, so and so's already asked me, i'm sorry. maybe next year. he's fully prepared for that sort of brittle rejection and loses himself in the harvesting... until mason, out of nowhere, breaks the silence with a kiss. lips to his cheek, lips to his skin, breath on his eyelashes — sebastian's whole body shivers under the shattering weight. oh my god, oh my god. with a ruddy face and wide eyes, the teacher gives mason a gaping stare and swallows back his gasps. "you just..." i'd love to go to the flower dance with you. a big, giddy grin bursts on sebastian's face in response. "you would? really? then... let's go together. i'd be the luckiest man in pelican town if you danced with me." a few tea leaves fall from his hands, and he scrambles to pick them up (gingerly of course). "mason?" he prompts. "can i ask for another? on the other cheek, maybe?" turning his head in the other direction, his smile only grows and grows. "matching kisses for good luck. oh my god, can't remember the last time i was this happy..." only because of you, @greenelight. all of this happiness is because of you.

[virginiewoolf]

“You robbed me of my life. I could have been human—I could have been alive, but you took my heart and you murdered it. You made me into this.”

— Emilie Autumn, from The Asylum for Wayward Victorian Girls

[greenelightbyee]

when   sebastian   reaches   out   to   touch   him   ,   mason   at   first   flinches   slightly   ,   but   then   slowly   accepts   &   melts   into   the   touch   ,   wanting   nothing   more   than   for   the   enemy   agent   to   stay   close to him.   god   .   .   .   he   never   realized   how   badly   he's   wanted   this   sort   of   contact   from   sebastian   until   he   finally   allowed   him   the   opportunity   to do so.   he   wished   he   had   accepted   his   feelings   for   him   long   before   sebastian   had   to   take   a   bullet   for   him.   they   wouldn't   be   in   this   mess   if   he   wasn't   so   damn   stubborn   ,   but   at   least   sebastian is   not   at   any   risk   from   dying   right   now   ━━   he   just   needs   time   to   heal.   ❝   what   ,   you   don't   like   my   designer   bags   ?   ❞   mason   sniffs   as   he   attempts   to   bring   humor   into   this   emotional   moment   ,   though   it   fails   a   bit   as   he   melts   more   &   more   into   sebastian's   gentle   words   &   touch   ,   the   desire   to   lay   with   him   only   growing   that   he   has   no   choice   but   to   cave.   anything   he   wants   ,   anything   at   all   ,   is   his   to   have.   he   saved   his   life   ━━   he   may   not   know   it   right   now   ,   but   he's   won   his   heart   with   that   act.   hell   ,   he   already   had   his   heart   before   that   ,   but   now   he   has   it   ten   times   over.

❝   bash   .   .   .   ❞   the   nickname   feels   so   foreign   on   his   tongue the moment he whispers it.   he   rarely   ever   calls   him   that   ,   usually resorting to his full or last name , but   it   feel   appropriate   here.   it feels sacred. ❝   listen   to   you.   worrying   over   my   lack   of   sleep   when   you   took   a   fucking   bullet   &   almost   died.   you   worry   over   the   silliest   things , you know.   you   should   focus   on   yourself   rather   than   me.   ❞   even   with   those   words   ,   mason   does   as   sebastian   requests   &   slowly   slips   into   the   hospital   bed   with   him   ,   careful   not   to   lay   or   tangle   himself   in   any   of   his   IVs   or   pressure   monitors & ensuring he doesn't add any pressure to sebastian's injuries.   it's   not   a   comfortable   fit   ,   but   sebastian's   warmth   provides   a   soothing   calmness   that   mason   feels   radiate   in   his   body   &   once   he's   finally   settled   on   the   bed   beside   him   ,   he   sighs   &   his   whole   body   suddenly   feels   lighter.   ❝   thank   you   ,   ❞   mason   whispers   ,   looking   up   at   him   with   tired   eyes.   ❝   you   really   are   the   most   selfless   man   i've   ever   met.   you   .   .   .   you   really   do   care   for   me.   ❞   he   smiles.   ❝   i   hope   .   .   .   i   hope   you   know   .   .   .   the   feeling   is   mutual.   ❞ it's not the love proclamation he knows sebastian wants to hear , but he's trying his best. he does care , he does love him . . he just needs the right time to say those three words to him.

[gunbash]

they're finally together, huddled awkwardly on a hospital bed. sebastian is still injured, still healing from his wounds, but somehow he manages to turn himself in a position that keeps the pain away and lets mason snuggle close. the nurse is bound to walk in any minute, see the strange tangle of limbs, and duck out just as quickly as she came in. he doesn't care. he doesn't mind. this is the perfect place to be, the perfect way for mason to get some rest before his next assignment. how many hours has he been awake? how much stress is he under? there are no words strong enough or adequate enough to comprehensively explain mason's current turmoil. he deserves a break now. he needs time, asleep, body resting beneath the pressure of work and love. this will be good for him.

mason doesn't say i love you back, and that's all right. sebastian gathers as much from his mention of mutual feelings — for now, it's more than enough to sustain him. maybe the moment isn't right. perhaps mason needs more time to process his feelings now that they've entered a new stage of their connection. whatever the case, sebastian isn't mad. he's not offended. he touches mason's cheek with a very weak hand and tries to curl closer.

"take your time." the words come whispered. "it's all right. take your time." as predicted, the door opens and a nurse enters... but quietly, quickly slinks back out when they see the two tired bodies laid together. once the door shuts again, sebastian leans in and kisses mason's nose. "please get some rest, and i'll wake you if you need me to. in an hour, you said? maybe set a timer on your phone." sebastian shuts his eyes, getting comfortable there on the bed (as best as he can). "i wish you didn't have to go. wish you could sleep here for a while. you clearly need some rest." nearly nose to nose with @greenelight, sebastian feels the heavy pull of sleep start to wash over his body. "we both do."

[bllakc4tmoved]

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT, : though odds seemed to favor her, with or without patience! ... THE LINE HAS BEEN CROSSED NOW, neither can back away, nor neither seems to want to. 𝐎𝐁𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐆𝐀𝐙𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐀 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐄𝐅, taking in every detail of his handsome features : the temptation of more visible, &. oh, how it matches your own, cat! her smile is laced with that 𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐄, mixing with something tender ... a positive sign for those curious eyes.

&. HOW COULD SHE EVER REFUSE? : 𝐒𝐔𝐂𝐇 𝐀 𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑, offering just what that heart full of thrill desires. a gentle chuckle, barely above a whisper but easily heard by him, considering how close the two remained. ❝ i've never minded being a show - off. ❞ TONGUE DIPS INTO A SWEET TEASE, always having her way with words. shoulders barely rising for a shrug, ❝ but you are probably right, after all, we have a habit of capturing gazes. ❞ not that the feline fatale wasn't used to such, 𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 𝐒𝐇𝐄'𝐃 𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐅, &. curious eyes are known to be everywhere.

[gunbash]

they are most certainly the type to garner attention, be it wanted or unwanted — and in this case, all their mischief and public displays of new affection most definitely turn a head or two in their direction. that's why sebastian insists they find somewhere else to peruse; that's why, despite felicia's humorous acceptance when showing off, sebastian quickly takes her hand and leads her down the hall, long strides a bit more determined on the approach. he doesn't say anything for a bit, attempting to locate the elevators that will take them upstairs to their floor in question, but at some point his eyes diverge back to @bllakcat behind him. a big smile crosses his face. "how long have you wanted to do that?" sure, they've had their close calls, their tiny explorations, their little flirtation. a kiss like that, however, so potent in its prime, is so much unlike anything they've ever played with before. this is new. "figured we'd do that eventually. i just didn't know how long it would take for me to work up the nerve. you're a very intimidating presence, miss hardy." when sebastian spies the elevator, he dashes towards it, taps the up button, and returns to find felicia's gaze. "i'm sure you were planning that for a while, of course. i'm pretty irresistable." sarcastic, of course.

[norholyarchived]

the urge to lie rolls to the tip of his tongue and rather than ejecting past his lips,  it rolls right back from where it’d come.    hands come to steady and sustain a pair of sterilized tweezers between forefinger and thumb at a hover just above the wound,  prepared to clear up the fragments of dirt adhered to the crimson caking the man's skin.    cleaning it to some degree seemed like the proper thing to do,  right?    there's a pregnant pause with hands mid-air,  widened crisp blue irises flickering up from the injury and up to sebastian's face.    jeremiah disregards his insistence to do it himself,  for that just seems more complicated than it needs to be.    ❛  by the sound of it, i’d say you do this on the daily,  ❜    he deadpans warily,  weight shifting on his feet.    ❛  and no,  i haven’t done this before,  not this seriously at least.    this is kinda big.    what happened?  ❜    —  not now,  jere.    with a sigh,  he delicately and ever so gingerly allows the tweezers to descend toward flesh painted into a firing line,  collecting each piece of debris from his arm before letting the tweezers clatter beside the first aid kit.   

❛  you bled .... a lot,   ❜    the words make it past his throat more so for him than sebastian,  hands recollecting the small towel as he surveys the kitchen,  legs already stirring and guiding him around the injured man until he reaches the sink.    warm water soaks through the material,  yielding in hand and now damp enough to cleanse a bloodied arm.    upon returning to the arm in question,  a grimace is already shuttering across jeremiah’s face before gently dabbing at the perimeters of the wound,  towel soon flung atop the tweezers before hastily collecting a tube of triple antibiotic.    ❛ you want some of this on it too before i bandage you up?    wait,  this doesn't need stitches — ❜    peering down at the fissure in arm with that same grimace now arresting his features in place,  he glances up to meet his friends eyes,  again.    ❛  —  right?  ❜ @gunbash

[gunbash]

it's almost staggering to compare his sibling-like relationship with a much younger jeremiah to his connection (or lack thereof) with his actual brother by blood. they're in a much better place to communicate here; sebastian and jeremiah, despite the age gap in their friendship, have found a comfortable, mentor-like situation where sebastian tries to instill within him good habits and good manners. instead... well, instead he's bleeding in jeremiah's hands, watching the younger man scramble to patch his wound and clean the blood from his arm. not exactly the best lesson to teach his "brother."

he's relieved, of course, seeing @omensrage act so quickly in his clean-up and repair. sebastian could hypothetically do this himself... but maybe, in a way, this hasty tending-to is what jeremiah needs to learn. a new lesson, a new... accidental thing to teach him. what do you do if someone you care about shows up profusely bleeding from their arm?

"doesn't need stitches." sebastian grits out his reply in a wince as he watches jeremiah move about. "you're surprisingly rather good at this. consider me..." another wince. "... impressed. very impressed. christ." shifting in his seat, he leans forward and allows jeremiah a better reach, better access to the wound. "just get me set up with gauze and tape and things and i'll be right as rain. i cut myself on..." he makes a face. "i was climbing a building. or descending down from one. you know people who do freerunning and parkour and shite like that?" oh, that's a good explanation. leave out the whole sniper part. "that's what i was doing."

[greenelightbyee]

of   course   mason's   subtle   request   for   help   is   just   his   way   of   getting   sebastian   to   stick   around   longer   ,   &   thankfully   it   works with no questions asked.   he   watches   maybe   a   little   too   closely   when   the   teacher   begins   to   roll   his   sleeves   ,   but   soon   they   are   off   to   his   greenhouse   where   he   keeps   the   tea   leaves   well   tended   to   ,   excited   to   show   him   the   crops   he's   worked   so   hard   on   ,   but   also   a   bit   anxious   to   impress   him   too.   since   the   moment   they   crossed   paths   ,   mason   has   been   stunned   by   sebastian's   handsome   features   &   beautifully kind & caring   heart.   it's   rare   to   find   someone   like   that   anywhere   ,   let   alone   this   small   little   place like pelican town   ,   &   never   did   he   think   a   man   like   him   would   ever   look   his   way   ,   but   here   they   are , walking side by side together.   it   helps   that   they're   neighbors   ,   but   mason   likes   to   think   this   goes   beyond   just   normal   neighborly   behavior.

opening   the   door   to   his   green   house   ,   he   waits   for   sebastian   to   step   inside   before   going   in   himself   ,   digging   out   a   pair   of   extra   gloves   for   him   to   wear   out   of   the   front   pocket   of   his   apron.   ❝   you'll   need   these   ,   ❞   mason   affirms   as   he   removes   his   apron   &   hands   it   on   a   hook   near   the   door.   in   the   temperature   controlled   building   ,   he   feels   the   cool   air   &   gives   out a   sigh   of   relief.   he's   only   wearing   jeans   &   a   wife   beater   shirt   today   due   to   the   light   heat   ,   but   thankfully   he   isn't   too   sweaty   from   being   out   today , so he doesn't feel too gross or self - conscious.   ❝   the   flower   dance   ?   i   heard   of   it   from   the   mayor   &   i   was   planning   to   go   anyway   ,   though   i   don't   have   anyone   to   dance   with. so yeah , i will see you there. maybe you can teach me how to do the official flower dance before the event. ❞   mason   smiles   warmly   at   the   teacher   ,   crouching   down   toward   one   of   the   green   tea   plants   &   urging   him   to   join   him   too.   ❝   here.   just   gently   begin   removing   the   leaves   &   place   them   in   this   little   bucket   on   the   ground   right   by   your   feet.   nice   &   gentle. don't wanna damage it too much or i'll lose it's flavor.   ❞

[gunbash]

the greenhouse is spotless and painstakingly kept up, the floor swept, the plants tended to, and the warm air soothing and refreshing. sebastian loves stepping inside, loves watching mason grab them gloves and aprons before they get to work. he ties the apron around his waist, adjusts the neck strap, and eases his gloves over his hands. "ready to work," he announces, beaming. they continue to discuss the upcoming flower dance, and sebastian slowly works up the courage to breach the awkward space and ask him what he really wants. "well. maybe you could go with me. we could dance together." sebastian crouches beside @greenelight in the greenhouse and examines the way he removes each leaf, quickly taking his lead and doing the same to the next plant. "if i asked you to go with me," he continues, "would you say yes? it could be..." he pauses. "i mean, we could just go as friends if that's what you prefer, but we could also make it a date if you were into that." his eyes are on the bucket beside them, on the leaves they work from the plants, trying to smother down the nerves bubbling to life in his chest. "but regardless, i'd love to dance with you at one point. i'm rather good; i took ballroom dance lessons back in the city when i lived there, so i can guide you through it. you don't have to worry about stepping on my feet or anything — i won't judge you for any mistakes, of course. just being there with you would be nice." they're shoulder to shoulder, crouched, tugging leaves from the plants, and at last sebastian glances to his side and find mason's eyes. he prays he finds joy, not disgust, not discomfort. "think about it," he adds quickly. "you don't have to say yes right now. maybe there's someone else in town you'd rather dance with, and that's all right. i'm... i'm an option." sebastian moves the bucket and eases to the next plant. "if you want."

[inkskinned]

we fell together so easily was all. like you belonged against me. i don’t usually trust people like that. i don’t usually let people near me. something about you was a soft spot, an opening. i don’t know if i believe in soul mates. but i know how i feel around you.

[gunbash]

from @selunyte: how long do you think we'll be stuck here?

this was a complete accident of course. he never meant to trap them in this room, and certainly didn't account for the door shutting by itself once they stepped inside. just a few minutes of exploration, of pushing through a secret hole in the wall behind a ratty tapestry, and here they are — stuck in darkness. he'd been trying to impress eira, show her the ins and outs of the castle they both call home, and look what it did. look where it brought them. sheer darkness, of course, and no means of getting out or alerting passing guards to their predicament. the door is hidden, after all.

"i'll get us out." sebastian doesn't sound too confident, but for eira's sake, he's going to try. he pounds on the door, pulls on it, shoves, charges his hardened shoulder into the door hoping he might break it free from its hinges. nothing. pained fingers tear into the edges in an attempt to find a grip and pull. nothing. he shouts. more pounding. and still, nothing happens.

"maybe there's another way out." this is his first time in the lost room, as well; perhaps there's another door, a tunnel, a passageway hidden behind a piece of this dusty furniture. squinting in the dark, he sidesteps eira and immediately runs right into an old barrel, yelping. "well. shit. pretend you didn't hear that." though he glances behind him to find her face, sebastian can barely make out the shine of her eyes. "do you have any ideas? you're the smarter one between the two of us."

[greenelightbyee]

never   has   mason   experienced   fear   in   the   way   he   did   when   he   almost   lost   sebastian   moran.   the   whole   world   seemed   to   halt   the   moment   the   enemy   agent   pushed   him   out   of   the   way at that tennis match a week ago   ,   taking   the   bullet   that   was   meant   to   be   for   him   &   slamming   onto   the   ground   as   blood   poured   out   his   side.   as   an   agent   ,   you're   trained   to   prepare   for   these   moments   where   you   may   lose   a   partner   or   target   ,   &   you   have   to   keep   a   level   head   when   that   happens   ,   but   all   that   training   went   out   the   window   in   a   horrified   &   frightened   scream.   mason   frantically   held   the   enemy   agent   in   his   arms   as   he   whispered   nothing   but   sweet   proclamations   of   love   to   him on his last breath   ,   not   caring   at   all   of   their   earlier   argument   just   moments   before   ,   enough   to   want   to   still   save   his   life   even   if   mason   tried   to   break   his   heart.   mason   knew   he   should   stay   away   ,   but   his   heart   refused   to   do   so now   ,   which   is   why   he   finds   himself   here   ,   clinging   to   sebastian's   hands   ,   taking   whatever   time   he   has   in   between   missions   to   come   &   see   him.   he   doesn't   know   this   yet   ,   but   he   visits   the   hospital   quite   often , even when he's asleep.   hell   ,   he   has   purchased   a   new   home   in   london   just   so   he   can   be   close   to   him.   it's   becoming   quite   clear   just   how   much   he's   fallen   for   this   man   that   lays   before   him   ,   but   even   as   he   says   i   love   you   ,   he   struggles   to   say   it   back   ,   if   only   because   he's   scared   of   what   may   come   of   it   ,   especially   after   almost   losing   him.   he   won't   leave   him   empty   handed   though   ,   &   he   leans   over   to   kiss   sebastian's   forehead   gently   ,   offering   a   small   smile   as   he   pulls   away   ,   but   even   he   can't   hide   how   stressed   he   is.

❝   you   .   .   .   you're   a   fucking   idiot.   ❞   despite   the   comment   ,   he's   smiling   ,   taking   his   hands   &   kissing   his   rough   knuckles.   ❝   if   you   had   died   protecting   me   ,   i   don't   know   what   i'd   do.   i've   .   .   .      i've   never   been   more   afraid   in   my   life   ,   sebastian.   &   don't   even   think   about   getting   up   out   of   this   bed.   you   have   to   stay   here   &   heal.   for   your   sake   &   mine   ,   please   promise   me   you'll   behave.   ❞   he   sighs   ,   finally   sitting   on   the   chair   the   hospital   provided   him   with   ,   one   hand   rubbing   at   his   head.   fuck   ,   he's   tired   ,   but   he   refuses   to   rest.   he   can't   rest   until   he   knows   sebastian   is   okay.   ❝   i'm   due   for   a   debriefing   in   an   hour.   i   don't   have   much   time   before   i   have   to   go.   i   just   needed   to   make   sure   you   were   alright ━━ that   you   were   doing   okay.   ❞

[gunbash]

that's mason for you. after whispered proclamations of genuine love and a near-death experience that put sebastian in the hospital, mason still has the beautiful, intrinsic capacity to call him a fucking idiot. it's sweet. it's so very him, and he catches himself smiling even though the act slightly hurts. "i'll behave." clearly mason's worry sinks deeper than his bones. the least sebastian can do is give him small promises and assure him he'll stay put. "hey. when did you sleep last?" sebastian lifts a tired hand, knuckles smoothing over mason's cheek and thumbing along his dark circles. "you've got an hour, yeah? so why don't you climb in and lay with me a while? get some sleep?" sebastian somehow manages to scoot over slightly, body clinging to the rough blankets and paper thin hospital gown as he shifts to make room. "lay with me," he insists, "and take a nap. i'll even set a timer to make sure you don't miss the debriefing." he reaches out again, smothers down another wince, and takes mason's hand in his. "i can't imagine your sleepless nights. i just fade in and out of consciousness and you're out here, dealing with it by yourself." though there's guilt present in sebastian's aching chest, he recognizes the value in his choice. he saved mason's life. he chose to take a bullet to protect him, and because of that, there should be no guilt... just joy. joy and relief to see @greenelight there, beautiful as ever, and oh so tired. "please lay with me for a little while, mason," sebastian tries again, pleading. "you're clearly not sleeping wherever you're staying right now because your mind's stuck here with me. so let me help you sleep. i'm here. i'm safe. i'm alive." he glances at the room's double doors. "they already checked on me and said i'm improving. breathe easier, bambi." he smirks, but it's soft. "for me. please."

[belayadeath-goner]

⋆ @gunbash , S. MORAN, said: [ tend ] while tending to receiver's wounds, sender gives receiver a reassuring kiss

she's the epitome of stubbornness, thinks he might just be overdoing it. or maybe bianca's just too used to the world beating down on her. bandaid decorate the top of her cheekbone, though it barely covers the redness that's stained the left side of her face. however, it is her hands that sebastian's been focusing on for this last bit, when everything else was taken care of. knuckles so black and bloody that one might even have been able to spot bone underneath it all. ❛❛  you do realize that i heal faster than you, right?  ❜❜ she's been edging to let slip a snarky comment, though that was what she was able to boil it down to. instantaneously, she feels a fool –– and she attempts to shrug it off with a tired chuckle. her gaze drop to inspect the bandages that sebastian's so carefully wrapped around her hands. ❛❛  all i'm saying is, don't worry about me. i'll be fine in no time.  ❜❜ bianca wonders for a moment if there's ever going to be a time, when she knows the right thing to say.

however, her worries would soon be forgotten, when sebastian's familiar smile would shine through her poor attempts at deflecting from the obvious tension. and instead of arguing with her, he just lifted her hand to his lips, and pressed a delicate kiss to the root of her fingers, just beneath the gauze. ever so reassuring, comforting. he truly had come to be the safest thing bianca knew in this world of hurt. ❛❛ ... thank you.  ❜❜

[gunbash]

these scares and close calls often frighten him into a place so much unlike himself — quiet, tense, eyes downcast as he works to patch her up. losing bianca, or even coming close to it, is too frightening, too jarring an experience to swallow down in seconds; it needs to be processed and eased through, mulled over as his calloused fingers slip bandages over her injuries. he takes his time in silence, easy with the touch, precise in his placement and cleaning process, and even though her words disrupt the quiet sometimes... it's not enough to jar him out of that fog. not yet.

eventually, he kisses her. he brings @belayadeath's injured palm and wounded digits to his lips and places the kind of kiss there that might heal any ailment. he can't help it. he can't limit the way that reassurance feels, brushed past her awkward jokes and her own weak comments of comfort. "i worry." in response to her earlier remark. "'course i worry. it's you." forget the rapid healing or the years of massive experience — bianca can be damaged and bled, maybe broken, maybe bruised, and healed or not, those wounds still hit. "you're more than capable," he goes on, voice extremely low, "but i'd like you to think about the people that love you next time you get into danger. just... consider them, all right?" one more kiss, this one smaller than the last and placed just below the cut on her cheek. "think of me, because i think of you. will you promise me that?"

[gunbash]

from @greenelight: could you stick around and help me for a while?

THOUGH THE REQUEST IS CONCEALED in an actual task, sebastian finds comfort in mason's silent plea to spend more time together. maybe he's reading into things, but the longer they remain side by side, the more connected he feels to the farmer. "i'd love to help." not a single bat of his eye; not a single indication of reluctance or fear, just the steady, interested gaze and gait of a slightly-blushing man in his work clothes. sebastian rolls up his sleeves on cue, rolls his neck to stretch it out a bit, and gestures to the fields beside mason's home. "you lead me and tell me what to do, and i'll do it. might need a quick lesson to make sure i'm treating your crops right, but after that, i'll help as much as i can." fortunately for the two of them, the spring air comes with a gentle breeze — it's not too hot, not too sticky to do manual labor. everything should go just fine. "i do have a question for you," sebastian adds as they walk towards the field, adjusting his collar as they move. "are you planning on attending the flower dance?" the topic emerges from nowhere, but in sebastian's mind, he's been mulling and dwelling over it for days now. "you should consider it if you haven't yet." blue eyes wander across mason's face, brows lifted in curiosity. "maybe i'll... see you there?"

[warbyrds-a2]

❝     six barn cats i've identified and named so far, i should add. the property is big enough that there has to be more of them hiding around here somewhere.     ❞ this is said as the final can of tuna is emptied onto a vintage porcelain plate, adorned with delicate, hand-painted cerulean florals; the gilded rim is chipped in a couple of places, hairline cracks across its surface. the plate is part of a mismatched set carol found at a lovely local antique store not too long after they had moved to vinverre and she, heavily pregnant with astrid, went exploring. she found the set charming, imperfections and all, and knew she had to buy it. now the plates were mostly used to feed the cats.

❝     they're useful, anyway, keeping the mice away. i just wanna make sure they're happy and healthy,     ❞ she continues, lightly tapping the fork against the emptied out can to get rid of any leftover tuna. all three porcelain plates are picked up and carefully balanced as she walks towards the open kitchen door, where she crouches to line them up on the porch. one of the aforementioned barn cats soon comes running, announcing its presence with a happy mrrow, and she gives it a few tender pets before returning inside.

the woman joins her husband at the sink after, setting the fork down on the bottom of it before turning toward him. a smile like dappled sunlight, soft-edged and mercurial, dances on her lips as she takes a moment to appreciate @gunbash's chiselled features. her harlequin novel would perhaps have described him as ruggedly handsome or something equally as cliché, and wouldn't have been wrong to. his skin has tanned to a gorgeous shade of bronze which enhances the freckles on his nose and cheekbones, and his locks, grown out since he left treadstone, are mussed up from spending all day outside. ❝     this life looks great on you, y'know,     ❞ she hums after a beat and steals a kiss, rubbing the tip of her nose against his for good measure. ❝     tell you what, since i'm useless when it comes to cooking, why don't you get started on dinner while i go get the kiddo? we'll be your sous-chefs.     ❞

unable to resist, she gives him another peck, a second, and a third, before pulling back and disappearing with an "i love you too". ten or so minutes later, carol reemerges with astrid on her arm. the toddler is groggy from her prolonged afternoon nap still, her little head of blonde curls about as unruly as her father's; astrid lifts a chubby, balled-up fist to rub her eyes as the two come to greet sebastian. ❝ look, astrid, we found daddy. can you say daddy? ❞ a smiling carol coos while smoothing out the blonde tufts with her free hand. their daughter is old enough to start speaking soon, but they have yet to catch her first word. to her husband, carol says softly, ❝ she's a little cranky, but i'm guessing she's hungry. i should probably feed her too. ❞

[gunbash]

AS REQUESTED, sebastian begins dinner while carol goes to wake their daughter from her nap. he's diligent in their spacious kitchen, efficient with his clean-up, with washing his hands and taking care of his space as he moves about — there's a newfound pride to living here, co-existing with his wife, daughter, and twenty billion barn cats. instead of haphazardly cooking like he once did as a single man, sebastian tries to set a good example in his every move, limiting the number of tools he uses, cleaning up his space, wiping down counters... as if astrid, only a toddler, will see her father cook and marvel at his orderly nature. he wants it to be good for her. he wants carol to come back and see the lengths he'll go to for her, for them. and above all, he wants them to be happy.

carol and astrid appear after ten minutes, and sebastian hastily washes his hands before stepping over to sneak her (and her mom) two cheek kisses each. "hi little one," he murmurs, beaming. "been missing you. did you have a nice nap, azzy?" one more kiss. "let me know if you need any help feeding her." sebastian uses that phrase a lot — let me know if you need help. sure, he does step in without asking sometimes, wanting to take a load off carol's plate, but he likes reminding her to ask. they're a team. that's been the agreement from day one, day one of their dating and day one of their marriage. he'll never let his wife suffer or struggle, not if he can help it.

back to cooking. sebastian keeps an eye on them as he works and hums to himself, pleased to have company. "who does she get her crankiness from? me? i think me." the light teasing hopes to earn a new smile from carol's lips. "god, her curls are just to die for. i'm so happy she got the blonde from you and those curls from me. mum says she's a right shirley temple."

when he takes another pause from cooking, sebastian makes a point to pour @warbyrds a glass of water and bring it to her side. more caring, more expressing his love and concern without prompting. even if she doesn't need it right away, it's a means of showing her how much he cares — even when focused on cooking, he still thinks of her. he still wants to provide. "

[bllakc4tmoved]

YOU'RE BAD INFLUENCE FELINE, : BUT GODS, AREN'T YOU FUN! &. the words echo in her head, 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐕𝐄 𝐔𝐏𝐎𝐍 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐒. ... ❝ see, i've tried to tell people that. ❞ AMUSEMENT ESCAPES IN THE FORM OF A CHUCKLE, disappearing into the night, just like the two of them do. in truth, rare could even keep up with this feline vigilante, not getting near enough to adapt to her ways. ( 𝐎𝐑 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎! HER REPUTATION IS KNOWN. ) but sebastian did, against all the odds, against all the warnings. what an endearing thing he is, weaponized with all the skills!

THE DOORS TO HER HIDEOUT CLOSES, : THEY ARE HIDDEN FROM CURIOUS EYES. &. with a satisfied sigh, her fingertips reach for her ponytail, removing it, 𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐖 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄. ... ❝ make yourself cozy. ❞ BLUEPRINTS OF HER GADGETS DECORATE THE WALL, upon her table all kinds of tools, &. papers, maps of her targets ... yet it wouldn't be her hideout, if there were no signs of 𝐋𝐔𝐗𝐔𝐑𝐘 present. the leather couch, the double bed, ( that was small compared to the queensize bed at her penthouse. ) ... the little luxuries of life within this LITTLE HIDEOUT OF HER'S! &. angelic laugh, ❝ it's cute that you think this is my only one. ❞ A SMIRK FLASHED AT HIM, playful as ever. ❝ though i will gladly accept the gifts. ❞ she walks to settle herself down on the couch, arms stretching over the back, she leaves room for him to join. ❝ so, what was that case all about? ❞ 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐓!

[gunbash]

HE SMOTHERS DOWN A LENGTHY STARE when she takes her hair down and instead channels his focus on the room itself, analyzing every aspect of the leather couch, the salvaged little luxuries dotted around the room. it's a perfect place for her to hide alone, and it's better furnished than anything TREADSTONE ever gave him access to. "i'll have to file a complaint with my organization. your hideout is twenty times prettier than mine. i get rusty beds, beat up couches, kitchens with cabinet doors missing... and you get, what, the nicest fucking couch on the planet? but you must not have cats here — a cat would tear that thing to shreds, felicia."

@bllakcat goes to sit on the couch, leaving sebastian at an odd impasse of choices. he'd just kissed her to distract her, sure, but there's a difference between sneaking a mischievous kiss on a rooftop and sitting beside her in a potentially intimate display. eventually, sebastian concedes, slinking over and dropping into place beside her. his smile is light. his eyes shine. "that was a pretty dangerous political instigator," he offers at last, noting her arm slung over the back of the couch. "he's spending a lot of money to incite violence, risking a lot of innocent lives in the process. TREADSTONE wanted him dead." a shrug. "i'm not meant to have any real stake in these things, but when it comes to the elimination of a dangerous life in exchange for the safety of innocent people... i enjoy that part." sebastian peers at her, head tilted. "you don't judge me for that, do you?"

[gunbash]

from @warbyrds: if they ask, tell them you're me. /this is def a wild card but her saying this to seb is so funny to me

he deadpans. "very funny." switching hands, sebastian cradles his phone up to his other ear and tosses a glance at the couple standing in front of him, currently chatting the host's ear off as they practically beg for a table. "honestly, though, carol, i don't know if they'll seat me without you here. places like this are... are rather strict about that sort of thing." fortunately for them, the couple at the host stand are karen-like in their insistence, clinging to false hope that they might be seated without a reservation. maybe they can buy him some time, give carol the opportunity to arrive before their names are called. "i'm not mad, by the way. want to make that clear." sebastian talks intimately into the phone, voice low (or, rather, lower than his usual tone... which is a feat in and of itself), and remains close to the host stand, ear ready to catch the danvers last name. "you're not late due to your own mishandling of things; you're late because of unforseen circumstances beyond your control. i'm not planning on holding this against you, but i do expect us to order dessert to make up for it." his smile is broad, crooked, and toothy. "maybe i should just... say i'm mr. danvers. your husband. do you think that would work?" still no call for carol's name. sebastian checks his watch. "how far away are you, darling? think you can still make it, or is this a lost cause?"

[365filmsbyauroranocte]

Cary Grant in Suspicion (Alfred Hitchcock, 1941)