Stars in the Sky

Chapter 17: Move On

Laughter erupted from the two teens in the large, comfortable household. Seborga's room was finally looking cleaner, and it wasn't as depressing. The window was wide open to let in the fresh air, and Hutt and Seborga sat on the carpet that was vacuumed that morning.

Seborga was rolling on the floor as he laughed, holding onto his stomach as he did so.

"Dio Mio, James," he chuckled. "I never knew you were this funny!"

"Ha ha. Well, Seb, you and I don't really hang out this much," he pointed out.

"True. Very true. Usually I'm with the others as a group, or my brothers, or-"

Seborga stopped for a moment, his expression faltering. A frown graced his features as he looked away from the Australian micronation for a moment. Then, he let out a sigh.

"Or I'm with Morro..." he finished.

Hutt cringed away at the mention of the brunette. Lately, Hutt hasn't really liked the prospect of Seborga thinking too much about Molossia. Just thinking of them in the same room again angered him. He knew it was just the jealousy rising to get the better of him, but he couldn't help it.

He really liked Seborga, and he wasn't going to let Molossia ruin this for him.

The blond let out a sigh. "Seb, it's been well over a few months since ya've last spoken to 'im. Why do you still think about 'im anyway?"

Seborga cowered away, curling into a ball. "I don't know... I just can't stop thinking about him. I just... I don't know..."

Hutt felt bad for him. While he was beyond furious for even thinking of turning such an angel down for someone like his old boss, he would never let that rage show in front of the broken Italian. He placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Seb, I think it's about time ya try to get over that derro. If he was interested, he'd have done something by now, don't ya think?" he suggested.

"I guess you're right," Seborga sighed again. "But I've liked him for so long. It's... It's hard to just forget about him."

Now Hutt felt worse. He wanted to help the Italian get better, but what could he possibly do?

"What do you even see in the bugger anyhow?" he finally huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.

The blond didn't miss the subtle light in Sebroga's eyes when he was asked the question, or how cheery he sounded as he started to go on about the brunette.

"It happened a little time after we met him," he confessed. "I'll admit, I didn't even know I liked men until he came along. I felt so confused and conflicted... My family is very religious, and well... It was always seen as wrong.

"I talked to my fratello, Feli, and he melted all my worries away. I never knew of his relationship with Signor Germania. Same thing with Lovi and Signor Spagna! Apparently they've been together since Mussolini was still alive!"

Seborga laughed at his own joke, causing a few tears to well in his eyes. Whether it was from the emotion connected to those memories or the joke itself, he really couldn't tell.

"It took me so long to figure out my feelings. I love everything about him, James... He looked so cute with his hair down, and how fluster he'd get when I'd walk in on him gardening with Chase? I thought my heart might explode!" he flushed, absolutely gushing over Molossia and his memories with him. "He's such a kind man. Always thinking about others before himself. He tries to make himself look tough, but I know he's a softie at heart. It's... It's one of the things I like most about him."

"He's certainly not thinking of others if he didn't bother to consider how you'd feel," Hutt hissed to himself.

Hutt would have gone on about how many flaws Molossia had (how rude he was, how he always pretended not to care, etc.), but his thoughts were interrupted by a sigh escaping the Italian's lips.

"Not to mention he's so good looking. His hair was so soft to touch," he muttered, staring at his hands. He remembered how his skin felt. His heart fluttered, and his cheeks went aflame. "His eyes are as beautiful as the olives fratello grows with his boyfriend. And that night we spent... As much as it hurts to remember, I've never felt so loved before. He was pretty good. It makes me wonder if he was with anyone before me..."

A shiver went down the Italian's spine. That look in Molossia's eyes crossed his memories, and it almost made him aroused. His face turned a bright pink. "Dio... It felt so good. I... I love him, Hutt. I'm in love with Morro, and I don't know what to do about it now."

Hutt hated how Seborga was smiling right now. He liked that he smiled, but not when Molossia was the reason why. The American was the reason he was in this situation in the first place. He hid his scowl as he replied to Seborga.

"But he doesn't want to be with you," he reminds him. "Seb, don't you think it's time to move on?"

Seborga looked up at him with surprise. "Move on...?" he questioned. "But I..."

Should he? Seborga wanted to. He was taught to never lie, and Christ did he want to just forget these feelings. But it felt so wrong. How could he forget what he felt for Molossia just like that? Even worse, how could he be with someone else if he didn't love them at all? He didn't know what to choose, or which one was worse.

"I... I'm not so sure about that, James," he confessed. "It feels... It feels wrong just thinking about it! How could I ever-?"

Seborga didn't have time to react. In an instant, Hutt leaned over and pressed his lips against Seborga's. The shorter one's eyes grew as wide as dinner plates. His entire body froze. Was this why Hutt was so persistent on spending time with Seborga, and why he wanted him to forget their friend?

A short moment passed before the blond pulled himself away, and he stared into Seborga's eyes with a mixed worry and confidence. His cheeks were dusted a bright pink, just like the Italian's, as he cleared his throat.

"What do ya say, Seb?" he asked. "I'll help you, but only if you'll let me."

Seborga felt...conflicted.

He didn't know what to say. He didn't know what to do. It felt...good, but still wrong. He loved Molossia, not Hutt. He knew it'd take time (if it worked at all) for his feelings to die and let those for the Australian blossom. It felt like he was leading the other teen on.

But... It'd still be better than chasing someone who didn't want him.

Seborga was the one to lean in now. He grabbed the back of Hutt's head and pulled him forward, smashing their lips together. Their eyes closed as they reveled in the kiss. A minute later, they both pulled away.

With a sad smile, the Italian said, "I accept."

____________________

WHOOPS

Art by bubblyernie on tumblr. Hope you enjoyed!