Chapter 20

Seb's pov

The tall big tree in the middle of the woods is my favorite among others because its branches are wide and strong.it is also the only tree I can climb without falling. Sometimes I would climb to the lowest branch and play there all day, alone until Mum calls me for dinner. She would shout my name exactly three times before making her way into the woods to find me herself as I hid behind the trees,not wanting to go. Except for that day

The night is starting to fall as I played, played, and played, entirely forgetting about my supper. The dark shadows of the leaves were making different weird figures on the ground, some looked like animals, some like clouds and they danced every time the wind blew. The rustle of the dried leaves is the only noise in the quiet of the woods as if providing a tune to the dancing shadows,except for my occasional giggles at them.

The wind stopped blowing after a while making the surroundings eerily quiet. My giggles stopped as I took in the change of atmosphere. I got down from the branch quickly and dusted the mud off my pants that got on them. The red strapped watch on my wrist showed it was way past our dinner time. I looked around wondering why mom hadn't called me yet...pouting at the unusual situation, I started walking through the woods toward my home.

A loud thud made me stop in my tracks, the leaves under my shoes loitering at my sudden halt when a crippling shiver passed through my spine. The casting shadows of the trees in the night were my only company as I hovered between moving and making myself invisible between the shadows.

My dilemma came to an end when I spotted a big oak tree with a hollow. Hiding in the hollow I steeled my veins to stay still, the constant thuds increased in pitch when I felt the wind resume. I covered back into the tree when I felt it come close.

Pitch black fur came into my view with splotches of fur peeled off in between making the beast look even more horrifying, I held my breath with my eyes shut, as it passed the tree I was hiding in. The thuds felt farther and farther with every passing moment and I sighed in relief before opening my eyes and everything freezed when I locked eyes with blood shot ones that are glowing with frightening intensity and the beast pounced.

I woke up in cold sweats, my body shaking and it is so hard to breathe. I am hyperventilating. I tried to concentrate on the objects in the room to help my mind, ground itself to reality but nothing helped until I sat up after few futile attempts.

"Seb!" A familiar concerned voice called out to me making my body still. Strong but gentle hands started stroking my back, the warmth slowly started seeping into my cold skin fading the chills. When my breaths finally stilled, his arms wrapped my torso, pulling me into his lap.

A constant wave of soothing whispers came, comforting me as his calloused hands continued their tender strokes.

Thrashing memories of my dream subsided with every murmur and caress.

"Bad dream?" He finally asked, keeping his voice low and gentle and I dazedly nodded.

He made an understanding hum and pulled me deeper into his lap so my head is tucked under his skin. He started slowly rocking my body in his embrace,the action instantly lulling me into a sense of safety and the world is blurred again in an instant.

_________________

A Pounding headache is my morning greeting as the harsh rays of the morning sun intruded the room through the blinds. Blinking few more times I reluctantly got up, even though skipping the classes on Monday sounded as tempting as ever.

Leo's side of the bed is already made indicating I must have slept through the alarm, the clock on the bedside table confirmed ticking just below ten. Rubbing my eyes once more, I got off the bed.

By the time I made my way downstairs, the kitchen table is already set up. I peeked my head into the kitchen meeting my eyes with his broad back as he flipped the pancakes skillfully. I gulped as I can't help but notice his back muscles strained with every movement. His tall stature seeming awfully displaced in the domestic setting of the kitchen.

"You are up!" He says, startling me and interrupting my staring contest with his back. "Yeah" i mumbled before making my way to the dining table. The chair creeks when I move it back making me hyperaware of my actions.

After my breakdown after to the dream last night, i don't know how to face him. Not that I am ashamed of it, it's just I don't really know what to say if he asked me about the dream..the recurrent stupid dream.

He brings the plates to the dining table interrupting my internal monologue I am indulging in. I take it with a smile, the sweet aroma of the pancakes wafting through my senses, suddenly making me aware of my appetite.

"Pancakes again." He said with a smile, whenever it's his turn to make us breakfast which is most of the days, he only makes pancakes because he knows how much I like them.

With a grateful smile, i digged in to my favourite thing ever.

He goes upstairs to freshen up while I eat and makes his way downstairs by the time I finished. " Ready? " He asks as he searches for his car keys.

"Yeah!" I answer grabbing my bag and slinging it on one shoulder. It is one of those chilly mornings, the windows of the car are heavily fogged as he took it out of the garage. Opening the passenger door, I got in following him.

The random chattering on the radio is our only companion on the ride, it is either we aren't feeling particularly chatty that morning or the awkwardness of the night still lingered. I like to think it's the former.

Leaning against the seat, I closed my eyes letting the voices in the radio drown me in. With my mate's calming scent enveloping and lack of sufficient sleep from the last night, it's not hard for me to doze off.

My eyes flicker open by a commotion beside me, my breath catches in my throat when I find Leo's face inches from mine. The sudden proximity making my desires simmer and my face grows hot by every minute.was he about to....His eyes flick down to my lips and I can't help but lick them subconsciously. My eyes close as his face gets closer and then I hear a click

I blink in confusion. "we're here! " He says removing my seat belt. What? I look around to find us already parked near the university building. Disappointment blurs my vision and I quickly compose myself before getting down from the car hoping it wasn't evident on my face. Slinging my bag on the shoulder, i mutter a quick bye to Leo ignoring his curious gaze on me.

A strong grip on my arm stops me and I turn around to meet my mate's soft grey eyes, looking at me with amusement. I narrow my eyes hoping it looks more like a glare and less like a pout though his tiny chuckle confirms otherwise. "Come here." He pulls into his embrace.

His warm, sturdy embrace and all of my disappointment from earlier immediately dissipates as I melt in his arms. Bliss...it is pure bliss to have his complete attention on me after being ignored by him all morning, that's what it seemed like.

After spending all these years trying to not catch anyone's attention, I'm pretty happy to not have people's eyes on me. Well, anyone's but his, I can't function without his attention on me I came to an embarrassing conclusion during one of these days. Even if his attention wavers in the slightest, it makes my skin tick with uneasiness until I get his eyes again, until I drown in it... blissfully.

Someone cleared their throat bringing us back to senses and I turned around to see Fred standing there with his shit eating grin. Shit I totally forgot he now knows about us.

Sighing, I reluctantly took a step back still leaving some physical contact between us, I don't think I can function without it just yet. To my disappointment Leo followed, stepping away from the hug keeping some distance. He patted my back awkwardly before saying a bye and walking to the car before driving off.

"That's some bold public display of affection." Fred commented in an exaggerated tone as hooked his arm in mine. I rolled my eyes ignoring the way my cheeks heated at his words because he is true.

"So... boyfriend huh?" He said rather too loudly making some heads turn,earning a wack from me.

" I guess you don't need me anymore then. " He makes the action of rubbing his chest, mock hurt dripping from his words.

"No need for the passive aggression

I get it, you are pissed. "

His teasing tone turns solemn as he says " What? No, man. I am happy for you." He pulls me into a bone crashing hug and I awkwardly return it, a sense of relief washing over me. No matter how many reasons I had it wasn't my intention to just hide my relationship from him.

He pulls back to look at me as if he is seeing me for the first time. "As for the pissed part, I'm not really pissed at you. I'm disappointed in myself that I couldn't make you trust me with such important things. " He says with guilt written all over his face and my heart stings at his words.

Disappointed at myself that I couldn't make you trust me. The words stir something deep in me. Suddenly Leo's grey eyes came into my mind. The amount of anguish and despair they held when I shut him down. My eyes

So I called the person who knows my past without having to say it loud.

" So Leo still doesn't have any idea."Misa asks but it sounds more like a statement and I respond with a commital hum.

We are now sitting in the cafeteria with two coffee cups in front of us but neither of us took a sip. He rushed here dropping all her chores when I called, I told her about last night's incident and she heard very patiently, like always.

" You don't want to tell him about it? "

"It's not that I don't want to... it's just..." I gulp trying to form my words.

"I'm sure he won't take it badly." She says with an assuring smile.

"I know that, i just don't want to weigh him down with my past." and make him look at me differently. I finish the remaining sentence in my head, the thought too scary to even say it out.

" You think it will change things between you both. " She states, voicing my fears and she is right.

I don't want him to look at me any differently, I hate the pity, the latent disgust I get from people who know about it. I can take it from them but not from him, never from him.

" Not to disregard your fears or anything but I know, you can commit a murder and that man still won't look at you any differently." She says trying to lighten up my mood with a teasing glint in her eyes, that's rare on her innocent face. I can't help but blush a little at the words despite the doubts that are raised in my mind. "Trust is love,Seb." She says in a more serious tone.

Our conversation had to come to an end when it was time for my next class. "Thank you." I hugged her small frame. "Anytime Seb." She says rubbing my shoulder soothingly.

I am already rushing towards the parking lot by the time class ended with a very confused Fred following me. "Slow down man!" He yelled as he tried to keep up with me but I am so in rush to see my mate to listen to his nagging.

Leo's car is already parked in his usual spot waiting for me. My heart flutters as usual as I try to spot Leo in one of the benches nearby, the specific one he would lounge on while he waited, disappointment lodges in my throat when I don't find him there.

As if on queue, the door of the car opens and Glen's blond head peeks first from the opened car door, making me blink twice in confusion. He waves to me across the path, i immediately hide my disappointment before making my way to the car with Fred still following me close behind.

"Seb!" He greets as soon as we reach the car.

"Hey!" I return the greeting before asking "Is everything okay?"

His brows knot quizzically before the realisation dawns and he is quick to clarify the reason he is here, instead of Leo.

"Leonard is busy with something so he asked me to pick you up instead" he explains and I nod in relief when I look up to ask him further questions, Glen's eyes are on Fred, studying him curiously.

"Umm this is Fred and Fred, this is Glen." I introduce them to each other to dissolve the awkward atmosphere. Fred mutters a Hi and Glen just gives a polite nod.

"Shall we? " He says opening the passenger door, his eyes never leaving Fred and Fred, in question is avoiding his gaze which is rare for the ever so cocky Frederick I know.

Strange I thought to myself, looking between them once again before getting in the car.

______________________

"Leo."

My voice echoes in the silent house, the lamp in the corner of the living room is the only source of light in the entire house.

Where is he? I think to myself as I enter our kitchen to grab a water bottle. Just then my phone dings with a text. It's from Leo.

'Come to the terrace' with three exclamation marks, the text reads.

An immediate smile makes it's way to my lips. I pocket my phone, already running up the stairs to the terrace.

As if the brightness of the whole world just gathered at one spot, the illuminated grandeur presents itself to me at the venue of our terrace blinding my sight for a moment.

One minute I was standing and the next i was lifted off the ground and being spun around as we both break out into giggles, "what's all this?" I ask inbetween.

"A little something for the weekend." Leo answers, putting me down and leading towards the table set up in the middle.

My smile widens at his attempts at down playing the effort he has put in.

"We are doing weekends now?" I comment with amusement and his response comes as one of his usual hums as he pulls the chair for me.

We sat across the table, the gentle breeze of the night carried the aroma of freshly made pasta and other delicacies. My stomach growled making me shy in embarrassment but he doesn't seem to notice in his excitement. He is already filling my plate with large portions of every dish so eagerly, like a child in an ice cream shop. It's beyond adorable.

By the time I finished the plate, my stomach is sticking out so much so that I had to undo my pant buttons. " I'm so full." I said rubbing my belly. " Are you now? " He says with a teasing grin before placing a bowl full of Tiramisu infront of me.

" You are kidding." I exclaim, even though my hand is already reaching for a spoonful. "This is so good. " I say between my bites.

" Yeah? " He says fondly, placing a kiss on my temple.

" You made it? " I ask in surprise.

" It's my first time trying."

Wow.

"This is amazing Leo." I say with sincere admiration and he simply shrugs hiding his blush. " No! I'm serious, this is better than the restaurant one." I tell him once again and he seals my lips in a kiss, maybe to shut up, I'm not complaining.

He ruffles my hair after he breaks the kiss, his gaze so very soft and loving. I couldn't help but melt and pull him into another kiss because I can't get enough.

We both flop on the right that is sprawled on the floor and he arranges the pillows under my head, one for him and two for me which are totally wasted because I will end up on his chest anyway.

"Thank you, I had a great time" I say when when we lie facing each other.

"Likewise." He replies, tapping my nose. What a dork

A companionable silence fills the space as we stare up at the sky. Luckily it is a starry night with various constellations scattered over. Suddenly i had the urge to start counting them or doing something equally sappy, call it a side effect of the cheesy date we are having.

I look over to him to find him already staring at me.

"Yes?"

"You look really happy." He says caressing my cheek.

"I am." I reply. Because he made me happy, so happy. I find my throat clog up at the tenderness in his gaze,it made me feel so loved and cherished. I want to make him feel this way too.

Trust is love, seb. Misa's words come to mind.

"I want to talk about it." I found myself saying before I could stop myself and retreat into my fears. Not today.

Leo blinks in surprise at the suddenness of the topic. Thankfully, he understands what by it again ofcourse he does, only he does. Feeling very warm at the thought..I start

"It happened when I was Nine."

HERE IT IS... SORRY THIS TOOK AN ETERNITY TO FINISH.

LAST FEW MONTHS HAVE BEEN HECTIC AND WAS HAVING A SEVERE CASE OF WRITER'S BLOCK BUT FINALLY OVER IT

ALSO THANKS FOR THE 40K READS..VERY GRATEFUL FOR EVERY READ AND COMMENT

PLANNING TO DO A SILLY LITTLE Q&A SO DROP ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.

HAVE A GREAT DAY LOVELIES<3