Work Text
It was just another Friday, Sebastian should've been at the Stardrop Saloon a half hour ago but spend the last hour finishing up his most recent freelance project. This client was insufferable. Everything he did was wrong, just slightly off, or a "complete mess." This was his third attempt to perfect this website for the clients small business. Needless to say, Sebastian was fuming after attempt #2, and now his hands were shaking as they hovered over his keyboard. His back ached, he really should invest in an actual desk chair, not some spare living room chair his mom had in the garage. Running a hand through his already messy hair, he sighed deeply. He'd realistically finished ten minutes ago, but now he reviewed everything about a hundred times looking for any subtle flaws. His phone buzzed on the table and his eyes darted over.
Sam: "dude, you done yet?"
Sebastian rolled his eyes before hastily replying, "be there in ten." Sebastian sent the, hopefully, final draft to his client and pushed away from the desk. Quickly he changed into black slim fit jeans, a grey T-shirt, and his usual black jacket, left unzipped. His wardrobe had gained some variety over the years, adding navy, light grey, and even white in some occasions. But the converse always stayed, same with his hair. Well, it wasn't exactly the same, he kept his hair much shorter now, but it still swooped to the side, just above his left eyebrow. No one questions if he could see anymore, which was a plus. He also had given up on straightening it, it had a slight waviness to it he'd came to embrace. Fluffing his hair slightly, he looked at himself in the mirror. He looked decent enough, a bit tired, but it's not like he had anyone to impress. He dusted his pants off, then made his way upstairs. The house was quiet, the rest of his family was also at the saloon, as they did every Friday as well. He was out the door quickly with all social obstacles removed. The walk was peaceful, it was early spring so it wasn't too cold and there was a nice breeze. The bugs hadn't showed up yet either, it was that perfect sweet spot before summer. He'd arrived at 9:45, the Saloon was bustling. He made a beeline straight for the bar where Emily, the plucky bartender with fluorescent blue hair stood. "Hey Seb! What can I get for you?" She asked, leaning against the bar with a bright smile plastered to her face. He debated for a second on what to get, "Umm... I'll take a vodka tonic. A double." "Lime?" She gave him a knowing gaze. "Yeah, lime." After a beat she left to make his drink, he waited at the bar. When she returned with a glass with a sparkling clear drink, lime garnish on the rim, "Can I get a round of shots too? Just the usual." He asked. "Sure thing, will that be 4?"
Four?
"Huh?" He was dumbfounded, she looked over to their usual spot, prompting him to turn around. Sam stood, pool stick in hand, Abigail sat in her usual spot on the couch, but there was a third. A girl playing against Sam. She was a few inches shorter than him with long straight dark brown hair wearing dark blue jeans and a red flannel with thick black work boots on. She was facing Abigail, he couldn't see who it was or even recognize her at all. She was not from here, that was clear ... what was she doing there?
Dammit Sam, why do you have to be social
"Uh, yeah, fours fine." He answered finally, sliding a 20$ bill across the bar, eyes still on the unfamiliar figure. "Alrighty sounds good, I'll bring them over." Emily took the money, then bounced over to her next customer. Why is there someone new, can today get any worse... anxiety gathered into a pit in his stomach, suddenly his breath was shallow. There was no point in putting off the inevitable though, if he left now Sam would just continue to badger him. He weaved through the people in the bar and made it to the game room. "Look who finally decided to show up!" Sam joked leaning against his pool stick, "finish your work?" His gelled blonde sticking up in every direction, donning his acid washed denim's jacket. He had a slight blush to his complexion, was he tipsy or is this some new interest of his.. "Uh yeah I guess," he mumbling feeling shy. His fingers on his left hand were busy picking at his thumb, his other occupied with carrying his drink. The stranger turned to see him and met his eyes. But she was no stranger. "Seb this is—" Sam started, nodding his head towards her. Recognition shot across both of their faces, her eyes widened. "Julie?" Sebastian finished his sentence, staring at her, failing to get in a breath. He felt like he was choking, drowning maybe? It didn't matter, suddenly his thoughts were racing a mile minute, taking in the figure that stood in front of him. There was no denying it was her. Her hairpin curve lips, deep hazel eyes, and chestnut brown hair. She no longer had a septum piercing or wore glasses, but she looked just how he remembered her.
His first girlfriend. Julie
He didn't know how much time had passed as he absorbed the situation, but why was she here? Was she visiting family? Did she remember him? The picture of them from his Senior Prom still hung on the wall in his house, she still had that same youthful radiance about her. He watched as her eyes scanned his face, mouth slightly agape, still she remained silent. She's so... beautiful. His eyes explored her features once again, freckles now blossomed across her nose, those long eyelashes... he couldn't handle this. "Sebastian?" She spoke, interrupting his fleeting thoughts. She was just as shocked as he was. "I— How.. Wher—," he stumbled on his words, stuck between a million questions that were racing through his mind. "What are you doing here?" He questioned, brows furrowed. "Do you guys know each other?" Sam interjected, stepping next to them, entering his peripheral vision. Sam's eyes bore into his skull from his side. Abigail remained silent while the interaction happened, not wanting to interfere, but quietly observing. "Uh, we went to highschool together.." Julie stated, giving Sebastian a quiet signal as to say, we'll discuss it later. Relief washed over him now that he didn't have to face this confrontation in front of the entire town, some were already starting to look over. "I just moved here, my grandpa's property by the bus stop." Her eyes flicked down to his lips for a split second.
Moved...
She moved here.
Was she talking about that rundown property that's been abandoned for decades?
A confused expression was stuck on Sebastian's face, he couldn't fathom her being here. The times they'd spent together when he was 17 felt like ancient history, he'd probably convince himself it was all a dream if the physical evidence didn't remain. Yet, his heart was racing in her presence like he was a kid again. He almost wanted to cry, from disbelief maybe? He couldn't explain the rush of emotions washing over him. Was she even single though? That's a weird question to bring up... but seeing her now, he yearned for her. "Well, I believe I was 5 seconds away from kicking your ass Sam." Julie redirected the conversation, turning to face him, tapping her pool stick against the tile playfully. A smirk appearing on her face. In a matter of 60 seconds she had Sam backed into a corner in their pool game, he still have 5 balls left and she was walking around the table, eyes locked onto the 8-ball. She took aim, leaning over the table with one eye closed. In one switch motion, CLACK, the 8-ball fell into the pocket. She locked eyes with Sam once again, wiggling her eyebrow jokingly. He sighed dramatically, pretending to be upset, in reality we all saw this coming. "Beating Sam at pool isn't really an accomplishment, everyone in this bar could beat Sam." Sebastian jested, a small smile tugging at his lips, "Me on the other hand, that's a different story." "Oh is that so?" She coughed out, "well let's see about that." A flirtatious edge clung to her words. He could feel his face warm up at the comment, swallowing thickly. "You're on." He challenged, holding his hand out towards Sam expectantly, receiving his friends pool stick. The game was a quick, but close one. Each one them taking their turns circling the table, taking aim, and (most of the time) succeeding to get the desired ball in its socket. With the game tied, only one of each of their balls remained, aside from the 8-ball. Sebastian ended up winning, but it was a tough game. "Wow you are pretty good." Julie remarked, hand on her hip, "where'd you learn to play like that?" "Practice makes perfect," he said, shrugging. "But I could ask you the same thing." She looked up at him through her eyelashes, then tilted her head to the side, her hair cascading over her shoulder like a waterfall. Once again he felt like he couldn't breathe, jaw clenching slightly. Why was his body reacting like this, this is almost humiliating. "Oh you know, I partied quite a lot in college." God what's happening to me, I feel like a middle schooler with a crush "I've got those four shots of tequila, Emily announced snapping his out of it. Balancing the tray of glasses with one hand, she said "sorry for the wait, it got really busy after you left." Each small glass garnished with its own lemon wedge. "Oh yeah, I forgot about those." Sebastian spoke up sheepishly, he'd forgotten about his drink as well, it was probably lukewarm by now. "Oh hell yeah!" Abigail cheered, jumping from her signature spot on the couch and rushing over. Quickly she licked her hand, sprinkling salt on it. Everyone else followed, "Wooo!" Sam yelled lifting his glass into the air, then slammed in on the table before throwing it back. The liquor burned Sebastian's throat, filling his body with warmth. Then they all grabbed their lemon slices, squeezing them into their mouths. It felt like everyone was looking at them, but Sebastian was very aware of Julie's mannerisms. Her eyes squeezed shut, and she let out a breathy huff in reaction to the tequila. He forced himself to look away to avoid suspicion, but based on the way Sam and Abigail were looking at him, he wasn't hiding it well.
God I need to chill out, just act normal.
"Alright, umm, I need a smoke" he said, standing up, he realistically needed fresh air, but a cigarette wasn't something he denied himself. "Booo!" Sam jested, giving a thumbs down, "Quit already! Who said that?" He joked, pretending to look behind his shoulder for someone. Sebastian responded with extending his middle finger as he began to walk towards the door, using his other hand to fish out his nearly empty pack of cigarettes. -- Once outside, he brought the unlit cigarette to his lips, shielding it from the wind while he lit it. The first inhale was always the best, it's what kept him going. The smoke filled his lung, his nerves instantly relaxing. Then he exhaled, the cloud leaving his lips and traveling into the sky. He then took a deep breath, he didn't realize how tense he was in there. It wasn't bad of course, her presence was just such a shock and had him spiraling. With that thought, the door swung open, he glanced over his shoulder to find Julie standing there. "Oh. Hi." He gave a little wave, mentally kicking himself for doing that. Who waves at someone they've been talking to for an hour... She giggled at the action however, taking another step towards him letting the door close behind her. "Can I bum one?" She asked cautiously. "Oh, yeah sure." He pulled out the pack again extending it to her, she pulled out the last one in there. "So you smoke now?" He asked, handing her the lighter. "Not really," admitted, taking a seat on the bench nearby, lighting her cigarette, "Just every once in awhile... when I'm feeling nostalgic." At that, she looked up at him, maintaining eye contact as she took a drag. He coughed nervously as heat flooded his face for what feels like the millionth time this night. "So what're you doing here?" He asked, walking over to sit next to her on the bench. "Not everyone's first choice to come to pelican town." She shifted, turning to face him on the bench, then leaning on her hand. "Well, it's a long story honestly." She looked... troubled, sad almost. In the dim light of the street lamps he was able to see the dark circles that lingered under her eyes. He wanted to reach out and tuck the rogue strand of hair behind her ear, then brush his fingers through her hair, it just looked so... silky. "You don't have to if you don't want to." He offered, "there's no pressure." That seemed to strike something within her, he glanced away to take another drag of his cigarette, trying his best not to intrude. "No it's just, I dunno... it's been so long, I don't even know where to start." He waited patiently, and they sat for a second in comfortable silence. "Well, since I left Zuzu city I have lived here with my mom again, I work as a freelance coder... Uhmm, hang out with Sam and Abbey every Friday. Life's been pretty boring lately." Sebastian took it upon himself to start, trying to make her feel more comfortable, "I tried doing college online for a bit but it just wasn't my thing. Now I just feel kind of stuck honestly, I don't know what to do with my life." He ran a hair through his hair messily, then scrubbed his face. "I know what you mean." She spoke up, "I had been working at some dead end Joja corporate job for 3 years and felt like my life was over." Her eyes were focused on something in the distance as she spoke, "I had this boyfriend for 2 years and he was probably the worst thing that ever happened to me." Ouch. He shouldn't feel jealous right now while she confides in him but there's a pit in his stomach. "Then I found the deed to my grandpas property, just left town without telling anyone." She brought her cigarette to her like again, savoring it as she inhaled deeply. "Wow." Sebastian said... not really sure what to say, "I'm sorry." Her eyes met his again, and she waved her hand dismissively. "Don't be, everything happens for a reason right?" And she smile was back, eyes burning through him making his heart rate increase. "Yeah," his gaze dropped to the ground, "I guess you're right." He could hear shuffling, then suddenly there was a weight next to him. He looked up to find Julie leaning against his, then she rested her head on his shoulder. Everywhere her body touched her was hot almost unbearable, he thought he might explode. "I missed you." She whispered, almost inaudible, they nuzzled into his shoulder.
Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck, what do I do, what do I say, why do I feel like this.
"I— I missed you too." He admitted with a small smile, resting his head against hers.