Who: Sebastian, Greg, and Hunter Where: Greg’s Car When: Monday, October 30, evening Status: Complete
Sebastian had been on edge all day, unable to focus, his mind constantly jumping to the promise he’d made to Reagan and Caius, that he’d give them his blood to break the curse. It was not knowing what to expect that plagued him, his brain coming up with all sorts of wild ideas. What if they needed to stab him with some sacred blade, something long and jagged piercing his side? What if they needed more than he could offer or they couldn’t stop the flow once it started? He could picture himself having to bleed onto a rune cut into wood, needing to fill out the design before he was done. What if he passed out? Would they just leave him there to bleed to death? Sebastian hadn’t realized how active an imagination he had until it was out of control.
It turned out to be simple, quick, and virtually painless, just as they had promised. Sebastian was willing to bet that he’d given no more blood than he would’ve given for a donation at the hospital. All he had to show for it was a bandage on his arm, one that was easily covered by his shirt and wouldn’t even be necessary by morning. He felt like an idiot as he left their house and headed to the car where both Greg and Hunter were waiting for him. He’d gotten them all worried over nothing.
Greg had been freaking out, sure, but it was easy to appear calm when Hunter was freaking out way more. He was making the car shake with the constant movement of his foot, tapping his heel against the floor as he gazed out at Reagan Kelly's house worriedly. More than once he suggested they go inside or actually call Greg's brother since Greg had told him they could always call Spence for backup if it came to it.
"It's been ten minutes, chill," Greg groaned and Hunter tried his best to chill for about half a minute before his leg was bouncing again. Twelve minutes, how long did it take to perform a fucking ritual? Fifteen...
"We should go inside," Hunter suggested again. "He could be calling for help and we wouldn't hear him out here." He gave Greg a look that was pure anguish and Greg almost caved. Twenty two and he was seriously considering at least getting out of the car to listen. He opened his window and turned the music all the way down even if it had been pretty quiet already. He'd foolishly thought maybe he and Hunter would get to know each other a little while they waited but nope, that wasn't about to happen, not with Hunter's attention completely on the house.
And then Bash was there, looking a little sheepish but safe and Hunter stopped bouncing, remembering to breathe normally again.
Sebastian climbed into the car and sighed, slumping back into the seat. It was only once he got there that he felt like he could finally relax, even though the events inside had been nothing to worry about. He was done. They no longer needed him. “Thanks,” he said, turning to look at them. “For being here. And for putting up with my bitching. It… it didn’t end up being a big deal. They’re not even doing the ritual tonight. They just needed my blood for when they do.” Which was definitely not what he’d understood, but he was glad for. Breaking a curse using a blood ritual? Count him out, please.
Hunter all but hugged his seat, trying very hard not to get too affectionate with Sebastian since someone might see them. He leaned against the passenger seat, reached around to pat Sebastian's shoulder and squeeze his arm. "I'm so glad you're okay," he whispered and all this fretting made him feel like he was the whiniest person ever. He was allowed to be scared for his boyfriend though, it was only natural.
Greg started the engine, relaxing a little now that Bash was in the car. "So they don't need you again at all? You sure?" he asked.
Sebastian reached back for Hunter and squeezed his hand, needing that little bit of affection and wishing he could have more. Even though it turned out to be a non-event, his nerves were frayed from the build up. “Yeah, they’re sure. They have enough blood to do the ritual. My part’s done. Nothing else for me to worry about.” It was a huge relief to be able to put this behind him and he was glad they hadn’t waited any longer. Looking back at Hunter, then at Greg, he gave them both an apologetic smile. “I don’t know why I thought this would be a big deal. I’m really sorry for dragging you into this.”
"It did sound like a big deal," Greg told him. "A fucking ritual to break a curse. I mean... I was picturing something like a satanic ritual in a movie or something, I mean, fuck. Look at you with your neat little bandage." He grinned as he glanced over at Bash and it was becoming all too clear to him just how nervous he himself had been about it.
"I'm glad you did, I wouldn't have wanted you to do this by yourself," Hunter murmured because he knew that Sebastian had been freaking out and having Hunter and Greg right outside had helped him, even if he thought he'd been wasting their time.
“Yeah, me too,” Sebastian said, nodding along with Greg. He laughed a little and ran his fingers through his hair, the tension starting to drain. “I had it in my head that-- that you could call the police for me if I didn’t come back out or something. Or take Phee and go see another witch and make sure they protected her.” It had crossed his mind that if his blood wasn’t enough, they could go after Ophelia, something he didn’t even want to consider. But it turned out to be such a little thing that now it all felt silly. “I’m really, really glad you’re here. I feel like we all deserve a drink or something.”
"On a school night," Greg mock-gasped and shook his head. "I'd be down for a milk shake, Moxie's?" He thought better of it and shrugged. "Maybe to go?" Couldn't be spotted out with Hunter or the whole world would know just by looking at them what was going on between them.
“Yeah, milkshake’s a better option,” Sebastian smiled. He wondered for a second why they couldn’t stay and hang out, but then remembered how that would look. The last time he and Hunter had been to Moxie’s together, he’d outed himself to Ruby, and that was before they were really together. Going now was pretty much a guarantee that people would start talking. “Milkshakes to go,” he nodded. “My treat.”
Hunter didn't care if they had milkshakes or anything at all as long as he didn't have to go home alone right away. He guessed a milkshake was a good way to postpone that so he hummed his agreement and gave Sebastian's arm another squeeze.
"I'm game," Greg said. "Especially if it's your treat again." God he was going to roll onto the field come Friday if he didn't stop this soon but one more little binge couldn't hurt.
“I owe you both,” Sebastian said, smiling back at Hunter. “You’re keeping me sane.” He would be perfectly fine with the rest of the week being quiet. Even with Halloween the next day, he wasn’t sure he wanted to do anything. He and Greg had talked about going to Main Street for the festivities, but maybe he’d be okay with staying in and watching movies instead.
"For selfish reasons," Hunter said since he definitely benefited from Sebastian feeling good. "You're not just saying it's over so we won't worry, right? It's really over?" He kinda wished Greg would find something to do and leave them in the car for a while so they could talk and kiss but he was also glad he'd been there or Hunter would have gone out of his mind waiting.
“It’s really over,” Sebastian promised. “I’m sure they’ll tell me if for some reason they can’t break the curse, but I’m kinda done with magic for the week.” He was glad they weren’t having a lesson this week, even though he still wanted to learn. He wanted it to be like a hobby, for fun, not something that made him crazy.
"Yeah I don't blame you," Greg said. This whole curse thing had shown them the dark side of magic and he had been more than content to think of it all as just cute tricks with flowers and water. "Now you can focus on the game."
Hunter had to laugh because nearly everything Greg said seemed to lead back to football. He had to wonder what he talked about off season. "We should go to the movies or something on Saturday, they've finally stopped showing horror movies," he suggested, idly stroking Sebastian's arm still, reluctant to let go of him.
“Yes,” Sebastian laughed, nodding for Greg. Now he could focus on the game. Not that he’d ever taken this kind of thing onto the field with him, but it was a relief not to have it hanging over him anymore. “We’ll win on Friday, then Saturday we can go see The Princess Bride,” he said, smiling back at Hunter. They’d have to sit in the back and hope nobody noticed them, but he thought they could manage it. It wasn’t a new movie, so maybe there wouldn’t be a crowd.
Hunter smiled contently at that and yes, they'd need to be careful but he had a feeling most of the people they knew would be at a party or something and not seeing some old adventure movie at the Orion. At least he really hoped not. There was always the chance that some of their other friends would want to go too but they were probably getting sick of playing shields.
"Movies sounds fun!" Greg said cheerfully, before glancing over and realizing this was probably a date thing. "Oooor you could go alone, that's cool too!"
“We’ll hang out on Halloween,” Sebastian reminded Greg, giving him a friendly nudge. “We can watch something creepy, so long as there’s no blood rituals involved.” It felt appropriate for Halloween, but Sebastian didn’t want it hitting too close to home. He just hoped Greg didn’t mind if they went and saw something by themselves, even if it might be better for him to join them. It was less obvious if there was a group, but… Sebastian just really wanted a date with his boyfriend.
"Woohoo!" was Greg's reply to that as he turned into the drivethrough at Moxie's. Hunter just assumed that meant he was good with it but Sebastian would know better than he did. He did sound fine at least and the subject got dropped in favor of ordering milkshakes - and fries because it was an awesome combo.
"I'm so not parking somewhere where you guys can make out," Greg said as they headed for the parking lot with their food. "No offense but uh, I'm so not in the mood to sit here like a chump, yanno?" He grinned at Bash and raised his milkshake in a little toast.
Sebastian grinned at Greg’s response, figuring that was a sign that everything was good. They’d hang out on Halloween, then probably after the game on Friday, and then he and Hunter could have some time to themselves on Saturday. It was a normal weekend, nothing exciting, but damn was he looking forward to it. “Aww, why not?” Sebastian Greg teased back, giving Hunter a little wink. “That’s not your idea of a good time?”
Greg laughed at that and shook his head vigorously. "Maybe if you were two chicks and my best friend and brother wasn't involved? But no. Not my idea of a good time." He glanced back at Hunter as he stopped the engine. "Sorry, dude. I know you wanna, but I got my limits."
Hunter was laughing too, blushing even because jesus, no, he did not want to make out with Greg in the car. "Seriously? It's cool, no worries."
“That would be so weird,” Sebastian said, shaking his head. Yes, he wanted to make out with Hunter, but not with Greg in the car. It was weird to think he’d probably be okay making out with Hunter with a hundred other people around, but just one made him feel like he was being watched, even if Greg wasn’t watching. “I wouldn’t ask you to do that.”
Greg just grinned and cheekily plopped a fry in his mouth.
"You could just close your eyes," Hunter joked since Greg seemed fine with stupid jokes and he really felt like he needed to ease some of the tension he was still feeling. The milkshake was good for that too and he settled back as he grinned around his straw.
“And plug your ears,” Sebastian grinned from around his straw. As much as he wished he and Hunter didn’t have to hide their relationship, he much preferred worrying about being caught to the repercussions of messing with magic. This was his norm and it was much easier to live with.