Chapter twelve: Repeat offenders
'Rina!' Jas squealed in excitement as Rina entered the square. The little girl went running over and Rina picked her up and spun her around. 'It's the feast of the Winter star! My favourite day! We get presents!' She laughed as Rina twirled and held her close.
'And just how many of the peppermint nuggets have you already eaten?' Rina smiled as she carried the young one over to where the large tables were set up. Food was laid on in a lavish display and the basket that Rina carried was full of quality spiced and crystal fruit wine for others to enjoy.
'Not enough! Vincent said that he would try to find some more. We're going to grab the plate and hide under the table,' Jas whispered into Rina's ear. 'Promise not to tell!'
Rina laughed and pretended to zip her lip. 'Okay, your secret is safe with me,' she whispered back and put the child down. Jas scurried off and Rina began to place the bottles on the tables, happy to give a contribution. She had made an effort to look nice today and wore a white cloak, with a pale blue dress with her hair half up and half down, keeping it from her face. She was a little annoyed as Mayor Lewis had given her Abigail as her secret gift. Rina was sure the old man had done it on purpose, his obnoxious way of trying to get them all to patch things up. Sebastian had said that he was going to wait until the new year before trying to have a conversation with Abigail and sort it out.
Rina wasn't going to be petty about it though, she had found a gift that she was sure Abigail would begrudgingly like, even if it was from her. She had often seen Abigail in the mines and while they hadn't spoken to each other, Rina had taken note of the pieces that she had been collecting. At the bottom of her basket there was a small box, much like the one she gave Sebastian for his birthday but instead with obsidian, it was amethyst.
Once her basket was empty, Rina made a round, making sure to speak to everyone that was about. It had been a while since she had seen certain people as the weather wasn't great and they didn't like to leave their homes. Eventually she ended up in Robin's group, giving the woman a kiss on the cheek in greeting. 'I'm so glad you made it, Rina! This is one of our most important festivals!' Robin smiled brightly as she hugged Rina.
'I wouldn't miss it for the world! I love your new jacket!' Rina said honestly as she noticed the new piece of clothing Robin wore.
'Thank you, Demetrius gifted it to me,' she said, giving Rina a twirl. 'I love it!'
Rina smiled and nodded, appreciating the outfit. 'Where's Maru?' She asked as she looked around and then saw the young woman speaking to Dr Harvey. 'Ah, I understand,' she said with a smirk as she caught Robin's eye. 'You happy about that?' Rina asked quietly.
'He's a nice man and would make a good match for her, though I'm more worried about my Sebby,' she said as she fiddled with her cuff and they took a seat at one of the tables. 'I worry that if he moves to the city, he's… just going to isolate himself more-'
'Robin, please. You know him better than that. If he wants to move to the city then that's the best decision for him. All we can do is support him and be here if he needs a hand,' Rina shrugged. 'We'll all miss him, for sure.' The conversation reminded her of their day in the city with Leigh-Leigh; once they had left her at the café, Sebastian had insisted that they do something 'fun'. His idea consisted of the cinema, an experience that Rina had never had. They ended up watching some B-rated film but it made the day perfect. Afterwards, it was far too late to drive back on his bike so they grabbed a hotel room for the night. A memory that she was trying to shove to the back of her mind for the time being. It had only been a week ago.
Robin sighed and nodded, looking around the vastly decorated square and all the people dressed in their best clothing. It was a nice atmosphere that didn't need to be brought down by future worries. 'You're right. Speaking of Sebby though, he said that if I saw you, I was to tell you to go over to the small grove, apparently, he's meeting Sam there,' she explained. 'If you can't find him, just call him. They tend to wander,' Robin chuckles and smiled at Demetrius as he brought her over a drink. Rina said her goodbyes and placed her gift to Abigail under the tree with everyone else's, before she wandered over to what was referred to the grove. The small patch of land behind Emily's and Sam's houses, a tree had been growing there for years and created a nice private area. She walked over and looked around the tree to find a group of people, Sebastian, Penny, Sam, Emily, Leah and Alex. Somehow even Maru had managed to appear in the time it had taken her to get there.
'There she is!' Leah said in joy as she clapped her hands. The others smiled brightly and there was the popping sound of a couple bottles being opened.
Rina gasped and looked around, the decorations that were hanging from the tree branches and bushes were brightly coloured but not particularly related to the Winter Star festival. 'Okay, what's going on?' Rina laughed at them as she walked closer, accepting the hug that Emily, Leah and Penny gave her all at once.
'You're gonna have to forgive me, I did something naughty,' Maru said as she picked up a gift that had been placed on a small fold out table behind them. 'I may… have seen your birthday in your medical files,' she whispered to Rina whose eyes widened. 'I wanted you to celebrate it, y'know with friends!'
'Oh Yoba!' Rina exclaimed with tears in her eyes, 'I mean, I'm annoyed but at the same time totally overwhelmed and touched,' she admitted making them all laugh. In truth as her family had been in the public eye since she was born, she hadn't really ever had a celebration. 'You brought gifts? You guys, you didn't have to do that,' she said as she wiped her eyes and her friends swarmed her.
'Rina, you get everyone else something on their birthday. It's only fair,' Sam pointed out as he draped an arm around her shoulder and gave her a squeeze. She was passed a drink and then people started to place their gifts into her now empty basket. 'We realised that it would probably be a little awkward for you to open them in front of everyone so you can take them home,' he explained as he smiled at her.
She was passed around the group until she finally found Sebastian leaning against the tree. He gave her a hug and chaste kiss against her forehead. 'Happy Birthday, Pheebs,' he murmured as she smiled into his embrace. 'Surprised?' He teased as she moved back and nodded with a chuckle, clearing her throat.
'Bastian… this is just… wonderful,' she said honestly as she sipped her drink.
'Maru told me that today was your birthday so I asked for her help to get some people together to have a little, well, drink. There I was thinking that your birthday had already sneakily passed us, what with your… particular phone conversation,' he said holding onto her waist lightly.
Rina nodded, 'well, my family were always doing something on this day, y'know, public figures and all. There was always some party they had to be at, so, mother moved it so that I would at least have a day to celebrate and… well… it's been like that since, except today,' she explained.
'That makes sense,' Sebastian nodded, thinking it was a little cruel to a child but he wasn't an expert to judge. He saw Rina wince at the sight of the gifts in her previously empty basket. 'Also, there's a present from my mum and Demetrius in there,' he said making her groan. Rina gave him an exasperated look and he shrugged in playful ignorance. He knew how she feeling, Rina felt that she was already indebted enough to his family but they didn't see it that way at all.
She finished her drink and sighed, 'I'm not going to get away with giving that one back, am I?' Rina said in a laugh as she watched Penny and Sam dance to the music that was playing on someone's phone. Sebastian shook his head and he picked up a bottle, pouring her another drink. Maru bounded over to them and grinned at the pair.
'It's a beautiful time for traditions! Wouldn't you agree?' She asked slyly. 'The snow, the celebrations, the general… enjoyable atmosphere!'
Rina and Sebastian looked at each other and then back to Maru in suspicion, 'yes?' Sebastian said for them both. Their other friends had gathered around and Rina was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable with the sudden attention. 'What's your point?' Sebastian asked as he took a sip of his drink. Emily clapped happily and Penny was bouncing with Sam's hands on her shoulders. 'What?' Sebastian asked firmly as he looked at Leah who was merely smiling. Then as one, their friends pointed up into the branches of the tree.
They all looked up and Rina saw the tell-tale berries of mistletoe, the leaves hidden slightly in the evergreen. 'Oh, for Yoba's sake… really?' Rina muttered as she heard Sebastian swear next to her.
'Oh, come on! Are you really telling me that you two haven't had a cheeky kiss?' Alex said. 'Seb, come on, man. Be honest, you have, haven't you? Rina's cute, there's no way you've not,' he grinned. Rina felt Sebastian's grip on her waist tighten for a fraction before he relaxed.
'I wouldn't say that it would be normal for friends to kiss like that,' he said honestly, ignoring the fact that he kissed her head and shoulders all the time. He didn't feel like playing devil's advocate and beside the others didn't know about those. Mentally, he screamed. Last week was far too raw for this sort of thing to be happening.
'Sorry, guys,' Rina shrugged. 'Nothing much interesting going on,' she said simply. Oh my fucking Yoba! Do they not have the common sense to leave shit alone! She howled in her head while attempting to wear a neutral smile.
Maru and Penny huffed in annoyance. 'It's tradition. Come on, we were all going to take a turn, it wasn't just a thing for you two,' Maru said. She leaned over to Penny, 'they're practically dating already, I swear they just don't realise it,' she whispered quietly, making Penny nod.
Rina exhaled and took the glass out of Sebastian's hand putting their drinks on the table. 'Alright, if we do this, will you please, drop all the matchmaker schemes?' She said simply giving them a look. It wasn't the first time their friends had tried something like this. She sighed and they both faced one another. Rina stood on her tiptoes and they shared a brief, chaste kiss on the lips with some pressure, something that you'd do for show.
'There,' Sebastian said with a roll of his eyes.
'Voila,' Rina said dramatically and they were both met with boos. The audience wasn't happy about the display and demanded that they do it again. 'Oh, come on, is it really that important to you all?' She said, annoyed that they were being pushy about this.
'Take the tradition seriously!' Emily pouted. 'You have to kiss properly or how are you supposed to know if there's any feelings?' Sebastian wanted to grind his teeth and it was annoying enough that his eye twitched. Sam was grinning at him and nodding enthusiastically. Emily stepped closer and pulled Rina into her arms. 'Like this!' Emily said before she dipped Rina backwards and placed a heavy kiss on her mouth.
Rina squealed at the movement and giggled through the kiss though reciprocating enough to not make Emily feel awkward. Everyone else cheered happily and even Sebastian let himself wear an amused smile, though deep down he wanted nothing more but to tear her from the rather forward woman. Emily finished the kiss with a flourish as she pulled Rina back upwards. Rina laughs and wipes her mouth, 'that's quite a standard!' She said, giggling.
'Happy birthday!' Emily grins as she squeezes Rina's cheeks. 'Now, you two, kiss properly,' she commanded as she stepped back to give them room.
'I don't think I'm comfortable with the whole, dipping you back thing,' Sebastian prefaced making Rina snort as she held in her laughter.
'It's fine, as long as this time,' she directed her words to their audience. 'You keep quiet and there's no more of this bullshit. Let this be the last on the matter,' she states simply before smiling at Sebastian once more.
'Pheebs… are you sure?' Sebastian asked as he shyly looked at the others who were watching with great interest and nodding to Rina's conditions. She moved closer and wrapped her arms around his shoulders as she looked up at the mistletoe. Awkwardly, Sebastian placed his hands on her waist and cleared his throat, 'didn't think an audience would make this feel weird…er than it does,' he added on the end. Rina gave him a weak smile and nodded in agreement.
'Looks like last week is… coming back to haunt us?' She whispered so that only he could hear.
'We don't have to do this,' he clarifies once more. 'Last week was a… drunken… almost.'
'Look, apparently this is going to happen one way or another, so if you're okay with it, I'd rather be sober,' she murmurs, trying to digest the butterflies that were determined to fly around her stomach. Sebastian chuckles lightly and nods his head at her words.
Emily whispered to Sam, 'they're a little stiff,' she commented. 'I don't think they ever have kissed properly before,' she said behind her hand. Sam could only nod, his crush on Rina had dissipated once he saw how close Sebastian was to her, though he wished his best friend would actually do something about the relationship.
Rina played with the hair at the nape of his neck, something she knew relaxed him. 'Hey, look at me. It's only a kiss, Bastian. Between two people who trust one another,' she assured. 'Ignore them and focus on me,' she said softly and he nodded, listening to the calm tone of her voice. Her hand naturally slid from around his neck to his shoulder, where she rested it. Her other still gently playing with his hair. Slowly Sebastian and Rina became more relaxed as they ignored the others around them. Focusing on only one another. Their friends could only watch in anticipation as Sebastian's hold on her waist pulled her gently closer. Rina stood on her tiptoes, her hand gripping his shirt as she balanced. Sebastian leaned down, his forehead touching Rina's for a moment before finally, his lips caught hers.
This time… it was different. Though she'd loathe to admit it. Something was more intimate and knowing that the kiss was going to be deeper and more… it changed it all. She couldn't deny that her breath caught in her throat as she felt Sebastian's mouth against her own, the warmth of his lips that tasted of the wine he had been drinking with a light undertone of smoke that she found familiar. Her heartbeat quickened as she felt his fingers dig into her waist, hidden by her cloak but incredibly apparent through the thickness of her dress. Somehow, they moved even closer to one another, their bodies pressed together while their kiss deepened. For a fraction of a second, they both seemed to forget why this was happening and when their tongues embraced, the flash of realisation hit them both. Gingerly, they both ended the kiss, exhaling heavily and averting their eyes from one another.
He cleared his throat and Rina subtly wiped her mouth with thumb. 'So… yeah,' Sebastian said as he rubbed the back of his neck and looked anywhere but at his best friend. 'Give it a rest now?' He suggested to the others who were staring in a stunned silence. That caused Rina and Sebastian to actually look at one another. 'What?' He said as Rina made a gesture of confusion. Her heart was thundering in her chest and she was trying to keep her face from flushing bright red. That was certainly different from the week before… not that it was bad… just bad timing.
Emily was the first to break the silence. 'Are you kidding me?!' She squealed loudly.
A/N: The elusive cinema trip will be revealed soon, don't worry -winky face-