Who: Sebastian and Theo Where: Theo’s House When: After school, Friday, May 4th Status: Complete
Even after months of doing it, the walk between his house and Theo’s still managed to make Sebastian nervous. There was only one house between them, but it was the only time he felt exposed, as if someone was going to stop him and ask him where he was going. He could always say he was out for a walk and it would be reasonable enough. It was his own neighborhood. Yet he was sure someone would have noticed by now. If they had, they hadn’t said anything. Then again, the most likely person to see him on that path was Jules and she already knew what he was doing there. It was all less risky than having his car parked out front.
He began to relax as he walked up the front walk, stopping just short of letting himself in. If Theo’s mom just happened to be home, it was a lot harder to explain that level of familiarity when they’d never really met. Knock knock, he sent a quick text off to Theo and leaned against the wall, waiting for a response. Normally he’d be chill by this point, but he had something specific to talk to Theo about today and he doubted he’d calm down until he got past it.
Theo had started work at the police station helping in the records department. It was tedious work, mostly digitizing things, but he was making his own money and he figured it would help him figure out if he wanted to be a cop or not. He had a set schedule now and thankfully he had the weekends off. He was home early and had just changed into some gym shorts and a t-shirt when he got Bash's text. Grinning, he headed downstairs to open the door and greet him. Living so close meant more unexpected drop-ins and Theo had found he quite liked them. Little by little he was becoming less and less worried about who might see he and Bash hanging out together. He wasn't really sure what they meant, but it didn't seem necessary to really overanalyze it.
"Hey," he greeted, smiling as he stepped back to let Bash step inside. "What's up?"
“Not much,” Sebastian smiled as he stepped inside. “Just wanted to hang out. Unless you’re busy?” It was Friday night, a night he thought of as a date night, which had led him to Theo’s despite the fact that they weren’t technically dating. He didn’t know what they were, but that wasn’t a conversation he was ready to have. Whatever they had, it was good enough for now, and he didn’t want to risk losing it just so he could put a label on them. He often thought about kissing Theo hello, but that still felt like a line he shouldn’t cross. “How was work? Anything exciting happening at the station?”
Theo glanced down at his clothes before grinning. "Nah, not busy. Work was all right. I don't know that anything exciting has happened at the station in weeks. I'm pretty much stuck in the back room scanning shit anyway, so if something went down, I'd probably be the last to know about it. Wanna grab a drink and sit out back?" His mom wasn't home but that didn't mean she wouldn't show up later. Plus, they had a nice view of the cliffs and ocean from their back deck. The weather was getting warmer and Theo had definitely wanted to get some fresh air.
“I think quiet is good in that line of business,” Sebastian said with a little smile. He knew that scanning documents had to be all kinds of boring, but at least it should give him some insight into what it was like working in law enforcement. Bash should probably do something similar at the hospital, but right now he just wanted to get through graduation. Though he’d always been driven to succeed, essentially losing both his parents had stalled his ambitions up a bit. He’d become even more aware of how nothing lasted forever and he needed to enjoy the here and now. He could worry about college and his potential career later. “Sure, that sounds good. Been stuck inside too long anyways.”
"Yeah, probably." He knew it was always better for the station to be slow and quiet, but Theo sort of wanted something exciting to happen. He didn't want to be a cop if that meant he sat in a patrol car all day waiting for someone to jaywalk. Leading Bash back to the kitchen, they grabbed a couple of drinks before Theo unlocked and opened the french doors leading out onto the deck. It was a breezy day, but it felt good. A lot of the chill that had lingered from the winter was more or less gone now, thank god. Theo sat on the sectional and then snagged Bash's hand to tug him down so they could sit together. "How much longer do you have in school? Only a couple of weeks, right?"
A quiet police department was a safe police department, and while Bash liked the idea of Theo being a cop, especially the uniform, the idea of him being in harm's way in a town like Point Pleasant put a knot in his stomach. They both knew the town wasn't normal, but sometimes Sebastian wondered if Theo really knew the extent of how bad things could get. Then again, maybe the cops knew nothing and were busy trying to solve crimes without all the pieces. That wouldn't surprise him in the least. There was a little flutter in his chest as Theo grabbed his hand to pull him onto the couch with him and Sebastian smiled back at him. "About a month. Everything's kind of wrapping up now. It's hard to even focus in class. There's not much going on, except-- prom's in a few weeks."
Given what he had seen and heard at the station already, Theo was pretty sure the cops in town knew about... well, the town. It was comforting in a way, but also not, because it wasn't like they could really do anything about it, or arrest... shadows and creepy shit. There were some things in the world that even police couldn't protect people from. "Man, I remember those days. After senior exams it just seemed pointless to even go to school anymore." He had still graduated just fine, but those last few weeks of school were a blur. Theo grinned a little at the mention of prom. "Have you been bombarded with invites?" He knew Sebastian had gone to the winter formal with a girl whose name he had long since forgotten.
Sebastian laughed softly, but the question unsettled him. Who did Theo think would be asking him? His reputation had suffered over the last few months, unable to withstand the days where he just didn't give a shit, plus the girls seemed to have finally realized how truly uninterested he was. He wasn't going to win prom king and his interest in flirting with them, even just for fun, had dwindled down to nothing. The only girl he'd have considered going with was Jules and she wasn't even sure she wanted to go to prom. But most of all, he'd started to give off the vibe that he wasn’t unavailable and the only person he actually wanted to take didn't seem to realize it. "No, I think the girls have figured out they're not gonna get anywhere with me, and I'm not really Prom King material anymore," he joked. "I'll probably just go stag, unless-- unless you'd like to go with me."
Theo shot Bash a mildly incredulous look when he said he wasn't prom king material. The guy was hot and popular, but Theo also knew his mom had gone missing and maybe Bash wasn't feeling up to keeping up appearances anymore. Then, of course, Theo wasn't really thinking about Bash's reputation at school because it quickly sunk in that Bash was sort of asking him to go to prom. Theo cocked a brow, not entirely sure what to say just yet. "Are you asking me to prom?"
The knot in the pit of his stomach grew so much worse with the look Theo gave him that Sebastian was sure he should have kept his mouth shut and gone to prom alone. He was pushing an issue he’d sworn to himself he wouldn’t push and regret churned in his stomach, urging him to backpedal. Instead, he pushed forward, needing the answer even if it was no. “Yeah,” he said, his smile somewhat sheepish. “I just—I just wanted to ask. Just in case. I know it’s probably a no, so I didn’t think you’d appreciate a cheesy promposal, but… yeah. No pressure. Really.”
"I appreciate the lack of a promposal," Theo said with a laugh. He took a drink from his bottle of water, glancing out over the trees and parts of the ocean he could see from where he sat. Going to prom with someone was essentially coming out. Which... in a way he had already done, just not so publicly. But Theo found it didn't freak him out any. He was Theo McCalley, after all. Who did he need to impress? For a brief moment, he thought of his mom, but honestly, she would probably be pleased if he stepped out with James McCarthy's son. And deep down, Theo found he wanted to say yes. Not because he wanted to relive the "glory days" like some pathetic loser, but because he wanted to go with Sebastian. So after a moment, he looked at Bash and grinned. "Yeah, I'll go."
“Seriously?” Sebastian asked with a tentative smile. He’d been so prepared for rejection that he hadn’t put a lot of thought into what he would do if Theo said yes. The answer seemed thought out, and yet it was still hard for him to believe on some level. It was the first time he realized that, while a good deal of his confidence was put on, Theo’s was real. He honestly didn’t seem to be worried about it. “Great,” he smiled, a touch embarrassed by his own insecurities. “I’ll plan prom things, I guess.” His mind was already spinning with all the things he’d need to figure out, some of them things he’d have to ask for Theo’s input on. He wasn’t entirely sure what this meant for them, but he didn’t want to ask that, just happy that Theo had agreed to go with him.
Theo laughed again before reaching over to slip his hand along the nape of Bash's neck. "Prom things. Don't feel like you have to buy me a corsage or anything like that. We'll get dressed up, look hot, go have some fun and then come back here and have more fun. If you want. Don't let it stress you out because it's prom." The night was meant for fun and Theo felt like he knew Bash better now than before... he didn't want the other guy overthinking things or worrying about whether or not Theo would enjoy himself. Theo had already been to prom once and he figured if they both shared a shot or two before getting to the dance, it would make all that lingering anxiety fade away.
"It's not 'cause it's prom," Sebastian laughed softly as he leaned into Theo's touch. "It's... Are you sure you wanna do this?" Because there was no going back once he was out. He knew it might not be a big deal to Theo, that he might not care what people thought, but he knew it would change things. He didn't want Theo to look back and regret his decision or, worse, blame him for it. He'd never spoken to Theo about Hunter and he didn't intend to now, but he knew the way things had unfolded continued to influence his own way of thinking. He'd come out at a dance and it had been wonderful, but after that night things had gone downhill. Repeating that mistake was the last thing he wanted to do.
Theo understood what Bash was asking and he shrugged one shoulder, his smile softening a bit. "Yeah, I mean... I'm nineteen. As much fun as sneaking around has been, I think it might feel better if people just know. I think I'd just rather be able to go out with you in public and give people something to talk about, since I'm pretty sure they're going to talk regardless, you know?" He knew coming out was a big deal to a lot of people and it would probably feel like one to him when he finally told his mom he was bi, and dating a guy, but... right now it just felt natural, like something he should have done a long time ago. Theo cocked a brow. "Are you going to be okay with it? I mean, you're going to be showing up at prom with an intensely hot guy who also happens to be the Mayor's son, so... you're going to get some serious attention." He was mostly joking. Mostly.
“They’ll all be jealous,” Sebastian grinned. “I can handle that kind of attention.” He gave Theo’s thigh a little squeeze as the first signs of excitement started to shine through in his expression. Sneaking around was fun to a point, but Sebastian had missed dating. He wanted to be able to go out with Theo and not care about who saw them together. As much as he enjoyed Theo’s bedroom, and that was still his favorite place to end up, it didn’t quite feel like a real relationship when they didn’t go anywhere else. This made it real, even if he didn’t come out and say it. “It’ll be worth it,” he told him. “People will talk, but then something more interesting comes along and they get over it. And then it’ll feel good to just be yourself. I just hope your mom lets me keep hanging out here. I’ll be bummed if your bedroom is suddenly off limits.”
"You don't have to worry about her. As long as we're not snorting cocaine and putting jerk off videos on the internet, she'll leave us alone." Theo leaned over to press a kiss to Bash's lips. "I'm hoping to get a place of my own soon though, so... we won't have to worry about her at all. It's more your dad I'm worried about. Is he going to be okay with me showing up at your place for all of this?" He knew James McCarthy hadn't been the most supportive father when Bash came out. Theo wanted to tell the guy to get fucked but that wouldn't endear him James at all and while Theo's priority was Bash, he did want parents to like him. It made things easier.
“Wow, she sets the bar low,” Sebastian snickered as he kissed Theo back. It was nice that Theo’s mom didn’t mind him having people over, but he liked the idea of Theo having his own place from a privacy standpoint. Parents could be weird about their kids having sex, even though they were both considered adults now. He knew his dad wouldn’t be thrilled—it was a lot easier to have a gay son if he thought he was single and celibate—but Sebastian doubted he’d notice. James McCarthy had been checked out for a while. Bash doubted he even knew when prom was. “So long as you don’t flaunt that you’re fucking me, he can deal,” he said as he rolled his eyes, then he grinned. “Honestly, he should be happy. You’re the best catch in town.”
"I'll do my best not to introduce myself as the guy fucking his son," Theo said, grinning against Bash's lips. "Growing up with my mom, believe me, I know how to be polite." And if James McCarthy still didn't like him? Oh well. All that mattered was that Bash did. Theo didn't really think he was the best catch in town, but he was more than happy to believe it if Bash thought so. He wasn't entirely sure when he had gotten so smitten with the guy, but it had happened and it was just easier to go with things and see where they led. "What'd you plan on doing for your tux? We aren't doing the whole matching couples thing are we?"
Sebastian was sure that Theo knew how to be polite. If his mom had been around, he thought she’d approve, but he tried not to think of her, aware of how easily that still killed his good mood. “You don’t want to do teal ruffles together?” Sebastian teased before answering the question. “I got a charcoal gray tux with a matching gray vest. I liked that better than the cummerbund. The bowtie’s red, but I could change it up.” Even though he thought he’d be going alone, he’d wanted to look good. Appearances still mattered to him on some level and it was the first time he’d ever had a reason to wear a tux, so why not? “Bet you’re hot in a tux,” he murmured with a little grin.
"I'd do teal ruffles, but then you'd have to do burgundy ruffles. That way we're not completely matching." He was joking, of course, but Theo knew how to dress up, so he wasn't too worried about it. "What you've got is fine. I'll get something that goes well enough with yours." Theo brushed his fingers up through the back of Bash's hair. "And man, you know I look hot in everything. Let's just make sure whatever we wear is easy to get out of, yeah?" Maybe it was silly of him to automatically assume he'd get laid on Bash's prom night, but wasn't that like, a right of passage for some teenagers? Sure, they had been fooling around for months now, but maybe it would be different after they had gone public.
“I don’t think they make tear-away tuxes,” Sebastian grinned, his eyes falling shut briefly as Theo’s fingers ran through his hair. “But I’m sure you can handle it. I’ll have to find some new underwear to surprise you.” He’d always enjoyed outrageous patterns on his boxer briefs and felt like he needed something new for prom. At this point, Theo had seen all his favorites and he was glad that they seemed to be on the same page as how the night should progress. If it ended without him getting laid, he’d be disappointed, though he wasn’t as concerned with all the build up around it. He didn’t need to get them a room somewhere, or try to find a way to make that particular night special. That Theo wanted to go with him was enough.
"That's too bad. I'd say we could just tear the clothes off of each other, but then you'd be paying for a tux." Renting nice clothes was such a pain in the ass. Theo grinned and glanced down at Bash's lap. "What are you wearing now?" As weird as it probably was, he always got a kick out of seeing what kind of underwear Bash was wearing whenever they were getting naked. It was just amusing for Theo to imagine Bash walking around school, acting completely normal, Mr. Popular, and wearing ridiculous boxer briefs underneath everything.
"Right now?" Sebastian grinned, his eyes rolling as he pretended to think about it for a second. "Hot pink llamas." Before he'd come out, it had felt like this tiny little rebellion against the norm, something the guys might tease him about in the locker room that didn't bother him in the least. Now it was just a part of who he was, something he thought was fun. He was glad that Theo liked them though. "You wanna see 'em?" he said, leaning in to steal a kiss.
"Pink llamas," Theo said with a laugh against Bash's lips. "Yeah, I definitely want to see those." He kissed him again, lingering a bit this time before murmuring, "You want to go upstairs?" His mother wouldn't be home for several more hours and Theo had been thinking of working out anyway. This kind of exercise would just be a hell of a lot more fun. And he didn't think Bash had anywhere to be for a while...
Sebastian hadn’t come over expecting to fool around—in fact, he’d assumed it would go the opposite direction and he’d be too bummed to even think about it. But now it was all he could think about. Thinking about the sex they’d have on prom night just made him want it now and there was really no reason not to, especially when Theo’s mom wasn’t home. “Yeah,” he said softly before kissing him again. “Let’s go.” Afterwards, they could hang out and grab dinner, maybe even go out, if that was already a thing. Sebastian wouldn’t push it. If Theo wanted to wait until prom night before people saw them together, that was fine by him.