Chapter Three
Sebastian watched him walk into the coffee shop. He watched him placing an order with the barista and kept his eyes on him as he chose a table, grabbed a magazine and sat down. It was the small things that Sebastian loved to notice; the way his lips pursed in concentration as he read and the way he kept running his fingers through his dark hair restlessly.
"Seb, please, just ask him out already." Sebastian's friend, Abi, who was currently sitting next to him, said.
"Who?" Sebastian sipped on his coffee and looked at her innocently.
She rolled her eyes. "I am not blind, okay? Every time you two are in the same room together, you get all googly-eyed. It's not pretty, I've seen you drool."
"Girl's got a point." Said the third person sitting at their table, Aidan Kenlar.
"I legitimately have no clue who you guys are talking about." Sebastian's gaze remained fixed on his mug.
"In that case I guess you wouldn't mind if I called him over." Abi shrugged.
"No!" He said a little too quickly. She raised her pierced eyebrow at him and smiled a smug smile.
Sebastian sighed. "Is it that obvious?"
"Yes." Abi and Aidan replied in unison.
"But," added Aidan, "It's only because we know you. And I can count the number of guys you've perved over on my one hand. So when somebody gets added to that number, it's my job to notice."
"I don't 'perve', I simply observe in an enthusiastic manner. From a distance."
"Well why don't you go and perve from up close?" Abi asked.
The thought of putting himself out there for someone and having them turn him down was not something Sebastian could adequately explain to his friends. It wasn't as simple as a fear of rejection. It was actual anxiety. "I don't think that would be the best idea."
"You know, soon enough people are going to think that you're," Aidan looked nauseated, "straight."
"Yeah, come on, Seb. What have you got to lose?" Abi punched his shoulder encouragingly. Sebastian grimaced, surprised at the strength in her small fists.
"What if I say something stupid? What if he's taken?"
"You would have at least tried. It's better than pining after someone endlessly." She said.
"I am not pining. I just happen to think he's ridiculously attractive. There's a difference." Sebastian explained matter-of-factly.
"Stop stalling. Get over there." Aidan pushed him out of his seat.
Sebastian stumbled, glaring at his friends. He stood where he was, not sure if he would be able to muster up the courage to do what they expected him to do. He didn't want to be paralysed because of his anxiety; in fact, it made him furious that he couldn't do something so simple without shaking from head to toe.
Enough was enough, Sebastian decided. He strode forward, false confidence abundant in his steps. "Hey, Danny." He greeted.
Danny looked up at him, a slow smile forming on his lips. "Hey, Sebastian. What brings you to these parts?"
"Uh. I was, um, drinking coffee. Over there." He pointed in the direction of his friends.
Danny looked amused. "Regular rebel without a cause, ain't ya?"
Sebastian stared at him blankly for a moment too long before catching on to the joke. He laughed after an uncomfortable delay. "Guess that's what people do in these places, huh? So what are your plans for the break?"
"See some family, watch some movies, break some laws, do some prison time. The usual. How about you? Also, I find sitting on chairs to be far more relaxing than standing awkwardly next to tables."
Sebastian could feel his face getting warmer. He sat down. "I don't really have any set plans yet. I'm staying at home though, which I like." He mentally reprimanded himself for being boring.
Danny nodded. "You still stay with your parents?"
"Uh, no. I actually live with my aunt when I'm not at Reddam. You?"
"My brother, Toby. My parents weren't overly fond of me pursuing a career in the arts. Which was after they weren't overly fond of me pursuing men." He grinned.
"One of these days I'm going to hear a coming out story that ends with 'and my parents were delighted!'. And then I'm going to punch that person in the face."
Danny laughed. "I'll take that to mean yours didn't end that way?"
"Not exactly, no. People like to appear open-minded, yammering on about equality and shit. But it's a lot harder to pretend when it's your own children." Sebastian said.
"Very true. Not that we're bitter or anything." His smile was open, an invitation for Sebastian to join. He complied warmly.
"I'm too young to be bitter. At least, that's what they tell me."
"Well I'm telling you that being bitter will make you lose that pretty smile of yours. Granted, it'd be a bigger loss to me than to you, but a loss nonetheless." Danny chose that moment to walk over to the counter to collect his order.
Sebastian blinked rapidly, somewhat stunned by the unexpected compliment.
"You know," Danny said, having returned, "your friends don't have to sit in the corner by themselves watching us. I don't bite. Okay, that's a lie, but they're not my type."
He chuckled, slightly embarrassed. "I tried to tell them. You know how shy they can be."
"Isn't Abi the girl who slapped Lisa Abbernathy when Lisa made fun of that disabled kid?"
"Uhhh. Yeah, she did that." Sebastian bit his lip, frowning. "Guess people are just complicated."
Danny pursed his lips, mentally preoccupied with a secret decision. "So I know this place nearby. It's just quiet enough to be considered classy and they usually have kickass live music. How about you round up your cavalry and we head over there?"
Sebastian stared at him for a moment, pretending to consider the offer. "I'm sure I could spare a few hours."
"Oh, you can spare a few?"
**…**
"I thought you said this place had kickass live music? I can only describe this as ass." Sebastian remarked shortly after entering the place called Stormers.
"Did I forget to mention this is karaoke night?" Danny asked.
"Yes." Glared Abi.
"She hates karaoke." Aidan laughed.
"That's because she's never heard me sing." Added Danny with a smirk. She gave him a dirty look before disappearing in the direction of the bar, having mumbled something about vodka. "I think she's warming up to me."
Keeping Abi within sight, the men went to find a table. Aidan chose his seat carefully, intending for Sebastian and Danny to sit beside one another. No one could argue his skills as a wingman.
"Either of you gentlemen brave enough to ascend the stage and sing with me?" Danny asked with a hopeful smile. When he met Sebastian's gaze, the latter felt his heart speed up and butterflies fluttering about in his stomach. A sudden wave of nausea hit him. Danny was too powerful and he didn't even know it.
It had been a while since a man was able to affect Sebastian in that way. Being drawn to another human being was very rare for him but not rare enough, in his opinion.
"My vocal chords are feeling a little under the weather tonight, but I'm sure Seb would be more than happy. I can't remember the last time he performed publicly." Aidan said. Sebastian shook his head when Danny wasn't looking, hoping he would catch on. Alas, Aidan was oblivious. And rather confused.
"Of all the things we've had to do at Reddam, you and I have never sang together." Danny raised his eyebrows.
"But there was that one we were dancing and I tripped over your knee and fell on my face. That's sort of like singing together." Sebastian joked uneasily.
"Well unless you plan on assaulting me with your mic, I don't really see how those two are related…"
"Come on, man. You can't be too shy to perform on a stage, that would put a damper on your Performing Arts degree, don't you think?" Aidan wondered.
Sebastian was mentally groping for an excuse, but thinking under pressure was not his strong suit. "Yeah, you're right. I'll sing with you, Danny."
"You sure? You seem a little uncomfortable."
"It's just been a while since I sang in front of people who don't attend the same university as me. This'll be good for me," he smiled, the butterflies returning at the thought of sharing a stage with his blue-eyed companion. "Do you have a specific song in mind?"
"Would Sex on Fire make you uncomfortable?"
Sebastian laughed. "And we could do Whistle as the encore!"
"Dear god, please tell me you're joking." Abi suddenly appeared next to Aidan.
"How about you give us a suggestion, then." Danny said to her.
"Hmmm. How about Delicate by Damien Rice? We learnt that song on piano a few weeks ago." She offered.
Sebastian's smile dropped from his face. "A song about love?"
"It's a really great song. And I think it would be nice to freak out some homophobes. Good choice, Abi." Danny beamed. She looked indifferent. "Would you be up for it, Mr. Burke?"
"It is a beautiful song. How could I say no?" Sebastian replied, trying to hide his uneasiness.
Three songs later, it was their turn. They had a piano at the back of the stage that Danny pushed forward, inviting Sebastian to play with him. The lyrics appeared on the screen and the song began.
We might kiss when we are alone
Nobody's watching
We might take it home
We might make out when nobody's there
It's not that we're scared
It's just that it's delicate
So why do you fill my sorrow
With the words you've borrowed
From the only place you've know
And why do you sing Hallelujah
If it means nothing to you
Why do you sing with me at all?
We might live like never before
When there's nothing to give
Well how can we ask for more
We might make love in some sacred place
The look on your face is delicate
So why do you fill my sorrow
With the words you've borrowed
From the only place you've known
And why do you sing Hallelujah
If it means nothing to you
Why do you sing with me at all?
Why do you fill my sorrow
With the words you've borrowed
From the only place you've known
And why do you sing Hallelujah
If it means nothing to you
Why do you sing with me at all?
The reaction from the audience was an awkward combination of far too excited and not excited enough. And although Sebastian would usually have noticed, even if just to pride himself on not taking offence, this time he was oblivious. After the last note they played on the piano, in the second before the listeners instigated their own version of civil war, Danny grabbed hold of Sebastian's hand and squeezed. Electric currents spread through his body at the contact.
When Danny stood up and walked away, Sebastian, still somewhat in shock, assumed he was meant to do the same and followed.
"That was chilling." Abi offered a rare smile as the men resumed their seats.
"You two sound fantastic together." Aidan added.
"Thank you," Danny said, turning to his singing partner. "I also happen to think we did pretty well."
"You sounded amazing. I was listening to you so much I almost forgot to sing the words myself." Before anyone had a chance to respond, Sebastian added, "I just said that out loud, didn't I?"
Danny's smile grew into a flattered grin. "You should speak your mind more often."
He hoped it was too dark for anyone to see him blush. "For whose benefit exactly?"
"For yours, of course. I would have spent my whole life in miserable ignorance if you hadn't said those words just there."
"Miserable ignorance of what?"
"Of exactly how charming you can be." Danny's smile bordered on cheeky.
"Not that I'm rejecting your compliment, but how can it be considered charm if it was entirely accidental and never meant to be spoken aloud?" Sebastian leaned in towards Danny as he spoke.
"I was talking about your reaction. Like you'd said something you shouldn't have. That's what I found cute."
"Charming and cute, huh? Tonight's a good night for me, it seems."
"It seems that way." Danny's eyes stared into his, silently daring Sebastian to not break the gaze. He could not comply, as the thought of someone seeing too far into him was absolutely frightening.
"Not to interrupt your flirting – oh wait, I do mean to interrupt," Abi said with a pointed look, "but I'm going back to the bar to get Aidan a drink. Can I get either of you two anything? A flamboyant martini, perhaps?"
Danny gave her a patronizing smile. "I'll have whatever you're having."
She nodded and turned to Sebastian expectantly. He opened his mouth to respond but nothing came out. The answer he wanted to give and the answer he was meant to give did not go hand in hand.
Sebastian's mind swam with excuses and justifications, but mostly with temptations. He swallowed in aid of his dry mouth and managed to say, "No thanks, Abi."
"Suit yourself." She shrugged.
"You okay?" Danny wondered.
"Yeah, of course. Just suddenly got a headache, must be from the nerves."
"I wasn't aware I made you that nervous."
"I was talking about the song we did, wiseass." Sebastian smirked.