Chapter 1: A Clumsy Beginning

It was funny how a little thing could grow from such small, and random beginnings. A sideways glance, an empty bar, a few drinks and they were off on a trip that neither was ready for. The subtle smell of her perfume coupled with scent of a hard day's work iminated from her like an aura of seduction. Or maybe it was just the , it was a heady sort of mixture; the sort that that leads to volatile reactions. And boy, did it this time.

What started as a few good pale ales degraded into shot for shot, that then turned into hands on skin, and lips pressed over every inch they could reach whilst still remaining decent in public. The couch in Gus's inn had likely never seen the sort of thing that these two strangers shared that night. Her hands curled in his dark hair, and she could feel things were careening out of control. A year of loneliness would do that to a girl who was constantly busy.

However, before it could ever get further, they heard a gruff voice call from the bar. "Lucia, Sebastian! Last call!" It was Gus, bringing them crashing down to reality, a sun to their wax-and-feather wings. His dark eyes caught her honey-gold ones as they both took a vivid flush. "A-ah.." He started. She shook her head, her now disheveled crimson hair going in all directions before she quickly tamed it. She bit her lip. "I… We probably shouldn't. I've got to be up in about three hours to tend the fields." She said as he moved aside.

Lucia straightened her clothes, before looking back at him. "Guess I'll see you around." She managed before taking off from the bar and into the night. Sebastian rubbed his face and groaned a bit, before standing and removing his usual black sweatshirt. He tied it quickly around his waist before bidding Gus a somewhat disgruntled farewell, and heading off to his own home, the taste of her lips still on his.

The following morning, he woke with a raging beast of a hangover and some rather entrancing memories. She woke to the rooster's caw and a throbbing ache at the base of her skull. The harsh early morning sun seemed to be especially vindictive this morning for her, whilst he had the blessed benefit of a dark dark basement bedroom to soothe his soul and his pounding head.

That day came to pass, both of them lingering on the night before. He could still taste the phantom flavor of her fruity drinks on her lips, and she still felt the touch of his eager hands warming her skin as they read her like a map. He thought of going to her, trying to pick up where they left off, but foolish pride trumped the lingering fascination with her. She put him out of her mind, at least for the time.

Another few days crawled along like this, and neither could shake the other from their mind. Lucia didn't have time for these thoughts. Sebastian? He had too much time. He hadn't seen her in town much, just every time he'd thought back to that night. She'd been hiding away since then, stealthing through alleyways, trying to shake the want from her bones. He didn't even try to make the feel of her hands curled in his tousled hair leave his mind.

By the one week mark, he was sure she'd been dodging him, avoiding what they'd shared. She did her best to stay out of sight, afraid he'd seek more, though not totally convinced she didn't want it.

That Saturday, he stood at the pool table, his mind somewhere far away from the game he played with his best friend Sam. So much so that Sam actually managed to beat him in a game.

Sam cocked his head to the side. "'Kay dude, spill it. Your head is NOT in the game. I won, and I never win." Sebastian was yanked out of his mind and back to the world around him. He looked around. "You know that new girl? The one that took over they old man's farm?" He asked.

Sam brightened at the mention of her. "Ah, yeah! Lucia! She's a total babe! I'm gonna ask her out next time I see her. I was just saving up some money from my part-time job so I could take her somewhere good!" He mused.

Sebastian's face immediately fell, but just as quickly, he righted it and put on a grin for his friend. "Good luck." He managed weakly, because he couldn't quite put his whole heart into the well-wishing. His best friend was going for her. He knew he should step back. Besides… What would a girl like her want with a guy like himself, Sebastian wondered.

Sam blinked. "So what about Lucia?" He asked.

Shit.

'Think quick Sebastian~' he commanded of himself. "I- ah… I heard her talking, and she made it to the fortieth level of the mines..." He commented aloofly, though he really hadn't. "Just been thinking about seeing if she'd take a job to get me a frozen tear for my collection. I've got a little extra cash from a big job I took on last month". He really didn't. "So maybe I'll post it for her on the bulletin" he added, rubbing the back of his head.

Sam lit up. "Sure! She's really cool. I bet she would." He agreed, none the wiser. "Just make sure to pay her good, man. She might be your best friend's girl someday." He joked but only half way as he ran his hair through his golden spikes with a bit of a flush. Just the thought of the red-headed farmer made the blond smile.

Sebastian groaned inside his head, as he plastered a faint grin on his face. "Y-yeah. For sure. I'll help make you look good." He said. He had seen Sam smile, but never in this sort of way. He couldn't take that away from his only ally in this hell-hole town. Not just for some wild chemical attraction. That was all it was, right? He kept trying to convince himself that it was just persevering lust.

All the sudden, the thoughts he had of the crimson haired girl with the piercing amber eyes were up in smoke. He owed some loyalty to his only friend, he attempted to convince himself far more aggressively than he should have had to.
Dark eyes settled on the amethyst haired girl that sat fiddling with her phone on the couch. Maybe, just maybe he'd be able to wipe Lucia off his mind tonight, he hoped as he sat on the couch next to Abigail, a look in his eyes that made her grin, though she had no clue what her actual purpose was to him. He figured they'd have some fun, have a few smokes, then send the girl on her way. Hopefully it would be enough, he wished as they headed out the door, wasting no time.

Though it brought Sebastian no small amount of shame, he took some small joy in ditching his longtime friend. Punishment for going for the same girl as him.

Little did he know, that as the pair progressed towards his abode, he'd been spotted by a certain bright eyed redhead.

Lucia had thought, after a week of not being able to get that night off her mind, that maybe she'd give it another shot. But now, as though a veil had been lifted, she felt sure she'd missed that opportunity. Maybe, at the very least, she could befriend him, she thought.

Author's Notes: It's a short chapter, I know. Just trying to get into the swing of things since it's literally been about 10 years since I fan-fic'd anything. Comments are welcomed and appreciated.