We sat at the back of the quiet bus, side by side with JJ sprawled across both of our laps. His head on my lap, his body between us, and his legs on Sebastian's. The zoo had completely knocked him out.
"So...?" I ask and nudge Sebastian slightly. He glances at me with a confused frown and I continue, "How was your first time going to the zoo?"
"Well, I though it was great since I had the prettiest tour guide they had to offer." Sebastian smirks at me as I roll my eyes at his blatant flirtatious teasing. He scoffs, "Why do you do that?"
I frown, "Do what?"
"Laugh and roll your eyes when ever I compliment you?" Sebastian asks and I start giggling at him while shaking my head. Does he not hear the cheesiness himself? He literally oozes cheese.
Sebastian Mercer the motherfucking cheese man.
"Because it's coming from you." I scoff as Sebastian's smirk drops and in it's placed is a confused, slightly offended expression, "I'm not being mean. It's just that I bet my left ass cheek that you use the same lines on other girls. I get that you're just saying it because you're bored."
His eyes soften and in the setting sun pouring in through the large bus windows, the color looked unearthly.
He pauses for a second, "Kara, I'm not—"
"Mmmm..." JJ mumbles as his head rolls over on my lap and I softly brace my hand on the top of his blonde hair, keeping him on my lap before he rolled off onto the dirty ass ground.
That almost happened five minutes ago when the bus driver hit the breaks suddenly and we almost lost our grip on the small little boy.
"It's fine, Seb." I laugh but I don't look up at him. Instead I stare down at JJ's adorable face, "It's not like I was expecting anything different, right?"
"...Right." Sebastian agrees with an awkward nod as he frowns and gazes out the other window, away from me. I stare at the side of his glowing face, wondering if I said something wrong? Did I just hurt his feelings?
We go back to being silent, the only thing heard was the monotonous hum of the bus as it drives us back to my apartment. I mean, it's not like I meant to hurt his feelings and besides, it's not like he even has any feelings.
Isn't that what they say? Rich boys have no hearts. Not even money can give them love.
"You three make a lovely family." The elderly lady two seats ahead smile as she stares over her shoulder at us.
"Who?" I ask as I glance over my shoulder only to find it was the back of the bus. Nice job, Kara.
"You three of course. Such a lovely young couple and your son is so adorable." She grins sweetly as she points down at JJ on our laps.
I scoff and shake my head, "Oh, we're not—"
"Thank you." Sebastian smiles as he wraps an arm around my shoulders and kisses my temple softly, "I feel like I'm the luckiest man on earth with these two."
The elderly lady smiles brightly again as she turns in her chair so she was facing the front. I, however, was glaring up at the side of Sebastian's face. He glances down at me with a sly smirk and raises an eyebrow.
"Yes, my love?" He asks as I roll my eyes and rest my head back against the wall.
Yup, I definetly didn't hurt his feelings. Why the hell was I so worried in the first place? Who was I even kidding?
✤ ✤ ✤ ✤
"I'm glad he didn't give you any trouble today." Tahlia explains as she holds her son in her arms. His head was resting on his shoulder and his eyelids were closed. He was so damn tired and adorable at the same time.
"JJ never gives me any trouble." I smile as I lean my head against the door of my apartment. "He's a good boy."
"He is..." Tahlia trails off as she kisses the top of her head, "Thank you so much for today. And also, thank your very handsome friend for me."
"I will." I give an awkward smile as Tahlia wriggles her eyebrows at me. My eyes widen as I start smiling, "Stop it—don't—stop."
Tahlia giggles as she walks to the next apartment, "Goodnight, Kara."
"Goodnight." I wave at her as I close the door and walk back into my apartment. Sebastian was chilling on the sofa, staring down at his phone with a small, concentrated frown on his face. I couldn't help but smile at him.
"I'm going to make hot chocolate. Would you like one?" I ask as Sebastian glances up from his phone with parted lips.
He nods, "Uh, sure."
"Now who has bad manners? Ever heard of 'yes please', huh?" I scoff as I walk into the kitchen and bend down in one of the cupboards. I could hear Sebastian scoff behind me just as I pull out one of the pots.
When I stand up, I noticed Sebastian pocketing his phone as he walks towards me. He glances down at the small, silver pot in my hand and frowns in confusion and curiosity.
"What's that for?" He asks as he braces his elbows on the other side of the island block.
"To catch butterflies with." I roll my eyes sarcastically as I place it down on the countertop, "Obviously it's for the hot chocolate."
"Hmm." Sebastian mutters as he walks around the island block and stands beside me, "I've never made hot chocolate before."
"Wow, I guess today you're experiencing a lot of firsts with me, huh?" I ask as I glance up at him. He also stood so close to me. And I'm talking major personal space violation. Not that I minded it, it just weirded me out that he would willingly stand so close.
"As long as I can be your first with something else." Sebastian smirks as he leans closer to me. He was so damn attractive and his voice was so deep and made my skin tingle.
I knew exactly what this pervert was getting at.
"How do you know it would be my first?" I challenge as I tilt my chin up definetly. His gaze darkens and focuses on my lips.
"Just a hunch." He whispers as he holds a strand of hair in his hand, "But if I'm wrong, feel free to correct me. I'm all ears, Wynters."
"You're all pervy too." I scoff as I step away from him and walk over to another cupboard.
I open the door and pull out the box of hot chocolate and sugar. When I turn around, Sebastian was resting back against the island block with his arms folded and staring at me with a fond grin.
I roll my eyes and sigh, "Did you come in here to help me or just to annoy me?"
"Maybe both." He shrugs with a cheeky smirk. I chuckle at him as I shake my head before getting started with making the hot chocolate.
Eventually, we had all the ingredients in the pot and were standing in front of the stove, stirring it. Sebastian was once again standing a little too close. Our shoulders kept brushing together—well, my shoulder and the middle of his bicep because he was too fucking tall.
"Trust me, once you taste this you'll never be able to drink another hot chocolate again." I chuckle as I continue to stir and I glance up at Sebastian. I was once again left breathless when I noticed he was already staring at me with a fond smile.
He raises an eyebrow, "Does this mean you'll always make it for me?"
"I'm not one of your fifty million maids, Sebastian." I scoff as I avert my gaze back down to the pot. I then mumble, "But if you're sick...I might consider making you some."
"Deal." Sebastian whispers as I feel him put his hand to my back. The touch was so gentle and soft but it made me arch forward and away from his hand.
"Okay, you keep stirring and I'll go put on some music." I explain as I place the wooden spoon against the side of the pot and I turn to go grab my phone. But suddenly, Sebastian's fingers wrap around mine.
"Don't." He says as I turn around to see him staring down out our intertwined hands. His thumb starts caressing the top of my hand, "I like the silence."
But...but...but silence equals talking and talking equals flirting and flirting equals me repeatedly punching Sebastian in the face.
Wow, I'm fucking amazing at math.
He then lifts our hands and bring them closer to his nose, "Even though there's hot chocolate cooking on the stove, you still smell sweeter."
"Do you have a smelling kink or something?" I ask as Sebastian chuckles and his turquoise eyes glance up at me through his thick, dark eyelashes. Yet another thing to be envious about. His damn eyelashes.
"Only when it comes to you, Wynters." He whispers as I gulp heavily, almost swallowing my tonsils and every damn tooth in there. The corner of his lips tilt upwards as he realises I was extremely flustered by his words.
I then glance down at the pot and instantly panic while ripping my hand from his grasp, "You idiot you're burning the fucking hot chocolate!"
Sebastian quickly reacts as he starts stirring like a mad man as I had a little more milk to somehow save it.
Miraculously, we did. After it was thoroughly cooked, Sebastian pours it into two polka-dot mugs while I grab the mini-marshmallows from the cupboard. I make a mountain of white fluffy pillows on both of the mugs before we grab out respective drinks and walk into the living room.
"Wow, this is so fucking good." Sebastian sighs out as he pulls the mug from his mouth. I glance up at him and can't help but laughing at the sight, "What?"
"You look like an old man." I giggle at the moustache of melted marshmallows on his top lip. He laughs too as he wipes it off with the back of his hand. I noticed some remained and I scoff, "You missed some."
"Where?" He asks as he starts wiping the top of his lip. I reach out and wipe the residue of the corner of his lips. We both freeze as our eyes meet and I instantly start to panic once more.
I pull my fingers from his face, "Shit—sorry—I wasn't thinking—"
"It's fine." He says as he grabs my wrist. He lifts it to his mouth and sucks the marshmallow off the pad of my thumb with his soft lips, "Thank you."
I clear my throat awkwardly as I pull my hand away. I bring my knees up to my chest, rest my socked feet on the edge of the sofa and my mug on top of my knees.
"Why did you come here today?" I ask as I stare across the living room. The plant in the corner was better than staring at Sebastian's fucking stupid face.
"I...I don't know." Sebastian says with a small shrug and the movement catches my attention. I tilt my head to the side as I stare at him with a small, curious frown, "I just didn't want to be home today."
"Why?" I ask as Sebastian glance down at his mug, "You can talk to me, Seb."
"Uh...my parents are home for the first time in a fucking while and are just starting some unnecessary bullshit." He explains with a clenched jaw. His expression suddenly changes and in place was his fake smile, "But I don't need to unload all of that on to you."
"Well, I'm not a therapist or anything—god knows I need one—but I'm pretty sure talking about your feelings is better than keeping them inside." I explain with a small shrug and lean back against the sofa.
"When did you become so wise?" Sebastian scoffs as I grin cheekily at him, "I don't want you getting involved with what's up here, Kara. But just know that I came here because you make me feel like I can finally breathe."
"Awwww, are you calling me a breath of fresh air?" I scoff sarcastically but my giggling sobers when I notice the very serious expression on his face.
"Yes." He nods and my eyes widen as my brain becomes the literal embodiment of the spinning wheel of doom, "You make me feel cared for. I don't feel like that a lot so it's nice."
I nod with a small, soft smile, "Of course I care for you. I care for all of you because that's what friends do."
"Ha, friends..." Sebastian scoffs as he focuses on running his fingers around the rim of his mug, "You're so blind that it's adorable."
I frown in confusion, "What do you mean?"
"Nothing." He shakes his head, "Just stay like that, okay? For all our sake, please stay like that."
"Uh...okay?" I ask with eyes narrowed in suspicion. Were we not actually friends? Were all of them just playing a massive prank on me. I swear to god if they are I will murder all of them in their fucking sleep.
The sound of the door opening catches my attention and I put my mug down on the coffee table. I stand up, adjust my the waistband of my pants and I glance around the corner at the front door. Dad was making his way through, his backpack slamming against the door frame while he held two plastic bags in his arms.
"Bad news, they didn't have any honey-soy chicken." Dad explains as he walks towards the kitchen, "But good news, we got an extra box of fried rice for free."
He places the bags on the kitchen island block and slips his black backpack off his shoulders. He then takes his faded orange rain jacket off. It clashed horribly with the vivid blue of his nurse's uniform but he likes it because its his two favourite colors.
"Have you been making hot chocolate? And you didn't even make me some. What kind of daughter did I rai—" He pauses when he finally glances into the living to see Sebastian awkwardly standing half way off the couch, "Oh. Hello."
"Uh..." I say as I glance over my shoulder at Sebastian. He gets up off the couch couch and places his mug on the ground, "Dad, this is—"
"Sebastian Mercer, sir." Seb introduces himself as he hurries over to the kitchen with his hand extended towards my father, "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Mercer? Oh yes, my daughter talks about you all the time." Dad grins cheekily as he shakes Sebastian's hand. He chuckles as I groan and face palm, "Oh, I'm only teasing Kara. And that's a firm handshake you've got there."
Sebastian awkwardly clears his throat and nods, "Uh, thank you sir."
"Are you staying for dinner?" Dad questions as he already begins unloading the cartons from the plastic bags, "We always order double the amount anyway because then we can just have left overs tomorrow night."
"Uh, it's fine I don't want to be a bother or anything." Sebastian explains as he scratches the back of his head, "I should be going now anyway."
"Nonsense, I love getting to know Kara's new friends." Dad waves through the air as he pulls plates from the cupboard, "I've already met Auggie and I've been wanting to meet the rest of you."
Sebastian obviously had no clue what to say and to be honest, I didn't either. He glances at me over his shoulder and I sigh before giving a short nod.
"Uh, okay." Seb agrees with a small, soft smile.
"Great. Kara, set the table for our guest." Dad waves me into the kitchen and I roll my eyes.
"Dad, he's my friend not royalty." I huff as I shuffle into the kitchen and begin to pull out the tan placemats.
"Well it's not everyday you get to meet a Mercer, is it?" Dad chuckles as I grumble under my breath and walk over to the dining table beside the kitchen. Sebastian joins me a few moments later to help me.
Soon, we were all sitting around the table enjoying the Chinese take out. My father dearest took it upon himself to share all the embarrassing stories of my childhood which Sebastian found absolutely hilarious.
And I knew that asshole would be storing them up for future blackmail.
✤ ✤ ✤ ✤
Sebastian was laughing his damn ass off as we walked to wear his car was waiting for him on the curb.
"Shut up." I roll my eyes and playfully shove him but I couldn't help but laugh too, "You tell anyone and I will rip your intestines out through your belly button."
"I just can't believe you got stuck upside down in a baby-swing." Sebastian laughs as I notice his driver step out of the car, walk around it and open the back door, "At least you were wearing underwear when your teacher pulled your pants off in an attempt to get you out."
"Yes because my sponge-bob underwear was so much better." I roll my eyes as we come to a stop in front of the open door.
"Fuck, I haven't laughed like this in a while." Sebastian says as his laughter starts to sober. He runs a hand through his hair as we face each other, "Thank you, Kara. For everything today."
"You're welcome." I nod with a small smile, "And Dad said you can come over anytime you want. Auggie is basically here everyday so it would be fine."
Sebastian nods, "I know. He brags about it to all of us."
"Of course he does." I roll my eyes, "That boy will brag about lightning shit on fire—"
Suddenly, Sebastian wraps his arms around me and pulls me against him. His head dips down and I could feel his hot breath on the side of my neck. I blink up at the night sky for a bit before my arms slowly come up and I hold onto his waist of his coat.
"What are you doing?" I whisper as I quickly glance at his driver. The driver clears his throat and instantly averts his gaze.
"I'm hugging you, Kara." He says and I go to step back. He holds onto me tighter, "Just a little more...please."
He sounded so desperate that it made my heart crack slightly.
"Ugh, fine." I sigh heavily like it was annoying me when it had the exact opposite reaction. I wrap my arms around his waist and press my cheek against his shoulder. He smelt really good two ,like very expensive cologne.
Eventually he lets me go and gets into his car without another word. I step back as the driver shuts the door and I wave at the tinted windows. I probably looked like a complete idiot because he probably isn't even looking at me.
So instead, I pretend that I'm waving at me reflection like the weirdo I am.
I wait until the black Chrysler drives off before I turn and walk back into my apartment complex.
Dad was washing the rest of our dishes when I walked into the apartment. He glances over his shoulder at me as I kick off my shoes and place them on the shoe rack near the door.
"What kinda car did he get into?" Dad asks with a small smile as I push the sleeves of my sweatshirt up my arms and join him by the sink.
I shrug as I begin to dry the clean dishes, "A Chrysler."
"Nice." He smiles as I roll my eyes at him, "I like him. He's a good guy, Kara."
"I know." I nod with pursed lips as I pick up another plate.
"But are you so sure about the whole friend situation?" He asks as I glance up at him with a confused frown. He laughs at me, "Oh come on. Don't you see it?"
I shake my head, "See what?"
"Kara, he looks at you the way your mother use to look at me." Dad says silently as my heart instantly squeezes and I gulp, "But then again, I lost a contact at work today and forgot my glasses."
"Yup, it's definetly your blindness." I say, feeling my cheeks heat up as I continue to dry the dishes.
kara's dad is honestly such a sweetheart
i honestly love being evil and seeing how confused everyone is. it's what makes writing so fun and reading all of your comments.
i feel like making a poll or something to see where people's hearts lie or something.
and this update's fanart is by namelessazre
or her instagram handle is erzag
anyway, let me know what you guys thought of this update!