Sebastian watches, hand extended, as the farmer hurries away. He opens his mouth, but no words come. Swearing, he turns back to the ocean. Great going, you dick. She must think he's a complete asshole now. Sebastian scoffs. She wouldn't be far off. Why did he say that? He didn't want her to leave, he only wanted...fuck, he doesn't know what he wanted. What else is new?
He sighs and tosses a rock into the sea. The resulting plunk does nothing to soothe his frustration. What is she even doing here? Why would someone move from Zuzu to Pelican Town of all places?
And what kind of a farmer dresses like that? His thoughts linger on the shape of her legs in the ripped tights, the way her oversized sweater fell to the hem of her shorts. He palms his face. Snap out of it. They only met today. He has no business entertaining those sorts of thoughts.
Still, he's curious why she left the city. There's something up with her. Something he finds familiar. His shoulders tense the more he thinks about it; the way their eyes met, how their gaze lingered. Nope. Nope. Fuck this. Sebastian pulls a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, lights one with a shaky hand. He watches the sun sink below the waves, sits there until the ashes drop into his lap.
He leaves the beach and plods over the cobblestone streets. Lamps bathe the area in dim light, and the chill deepens. The road up the mountain is long and winding, surrounded by trees and wildlife. Crickets sing, and the river trickles below. The full moon illuminates the path. It's eerie, a little forlorn, and Sebastian relishes it. Exactly his kind of mood. His house comes into view, walnut siding with a blue-painted roof.
To anyone else, the light pouring from the windows would look inviting. To Sebastian, it makes his stomach twist.
He veers toward the mountain lake, not ready to face his family. Linus stands at the edge, skipping stones over the water. Sebastian slumps beside him.
Linus has lived in the mountain wilderness for as long as Sebastian can remember. He thought it strange, at first, but over the years Linus proved to be both a friend and a mentor. More of a father figure than Demetrius ever was. He's one of the few people Sebastian feels truly relaxed around.
"Anything troubling you?" Linus sits and regards him with kind, curious eyes. "You seem unsettled."
"I was an asshole to someone." Sebastian stares at the water, plucking at the grass. "I don't understand why I do this."
Linus nods. "I think we've all been there. Do you want to talk about what happened?"
"There's a new person here. She moved into that old farmhouse. We were talking on the beach, and it was fine until I told her I came to think alone. She ran off." He sighs. "I didn't mean I wanted her to leave. I only wanted some silence. But I didn't say it right. I get so anxious talking to new people and stupid things fall out of my mouth. And now I've probably alienated her." Part of him hurts. Another part thinks it might be for the better. He's not sure which side to trust.
"She may have her own experiences that could lead her to make assumptions." Linus peers up at the sky. "It isn't easy to move to a small town on your own." He chuckles. "That I can say from experience."
Sebastian frowns. "I don't follow."
"What I mean is, her hurt may have been something she projected upon you, rather than something you caused out of cruelty. She may have assumed you didn't want her there, or that you disliked her. But we're only responsible for how we act toward people, not for how they perceive us." Linus smiles at him. "If you apologize the next time you see her, I'm sure she'll understand. Miscommunications are part of being human."
Linus' advice settles into Sebastian's thoughts. Maybe he's right. Maybe he didn't fuck things up. The notion lifts his spirits a little. "Thank you, Linus. I need to get to work, but I appreciate you hearing me out."
The older man nods and smiles. "Be gentle with yourself, Sebastian."
Inside the house, his mother is already working on the new girl's bed. The front room smells of sawdust. He coughs a little. Robin grins at him. "Welcome home, Sebby. Where've you been?"
"I went down to the beach for a while. Met the farmer. Talked with Linus by the lake." He fiddles with his hoodie's drawstrings.
"Oh? Was Sage doing okay? I got the feeling she was overwhelmed earlier."
"I guess so." Sebastian shrugs, eyes darting to the hallway. "It's not my business. I just don't understand why she'd come here, of all places. The land's been empty for years."
His mother's gaze flits to a picture on the wall. "Do you remember Charlie Sandoval? Sage is his granddaughter. He left the farm to her."
"Oh." He didn't know that. Now he feels even worse for being rude. But it's not my business, he reminds himself. "Hey, I have a project for a client due tonight. I'm going to grab some coffee and get to work." He waves and trudges into the kitchen. Demetrius and Maru hunch over some notes at the table, muttering about soil samples.
Maru looks up and flashes him a quick smile, but Demetrius doesn't acknowledge his presence at all. Nothing new there. He waves to Maru but says nothing as he shuffles to the counter. He tries not to listen to their conversation, tries to act like he's not there.
The coffee machine burbles and drips into the pot. It's all in slow motion as far as Sebastian is concerned. He taps his fingers against the counter, impatient to retreat to his room. When it's done, he grabs the largest mug he can find, fills it, and slinks out of the kitchen and down the stairs.
He's lived in the basement since he was ten, after he moved out of his father's place in Zuzu. By then, Robin had already built the house and had Maru with Demetrius. So, he was shoved downstairs. At least, that's how it felt at the time.
If he's honest with himself, it still feels that way. Like Demetrius resents him for coming to live in the home his wife built, for disrupting his perfect little family. He hates being upstairs when they're around. Hates himself for being unable to connect with them.
His room is dark, windowless, and depressing. Sebastian tried to liven up the place as a teenager. He covered the walls with posters, but by now they seem a little juvenile. His bed lies in the corner, the comforter tossed over it. A small TV rests on his dresser.
He'd love to have his own apartment, but Pelican Town is so small there aren't any to rent. Most people live with their families. He envies Sage, having a house to herself.
In the opposite corner, his desk contains his entire workstation. It's the one thing he's proud of here. A dual monitor setup, perfect for programming.
He cracks his fingers. It's going to be a long night. He's been working through a complicated section of code and needs to deliver it to his client by the morning.
Sebastian sighs and massages his temples, downs the coffee. Tells himself to stop thinking of the farmer. There's no point in forming attachment with plans to leave, anyway. Demetrius will be happy when he finally does. Bitterness rises like bile in his throat.
Hours later, his back aches and fingers feel numb. He's finally finished the basics of the project. All he has left is to figure out any bugs. Sebastian decides he deserves a break. It's 12:43 am, according to his phone. Not bad.
The cold night air slaps him in the face as he creeps outside, but he welcomes it. It's a good way to wake up. Sebastian meanders to the mountain lake and lights a cigarette. The smoke shines silver in the moonlight.
He jerks as a sound comes from the cave on the other side of the water. Peering through the darkness, he sees someone stumbling from its mouth. They're lugging a pickaxe behind them, carrying a heavy-looking backpack.
Sebastian's so busy studying the shady figure he doesn't realize it's her until their eyes meet. His legs twitch, wanting to move, but she's already heading his way. He raises a hand in reluctant greeting. "Hey, Sage. Were you in the mines?"
She slumps as he speaks. "Sorry."
That's the first thing she says? Yoba, he really was a dick earlier. She looks like a kicked puppy, head bowed. As if she thinks her presence is a bother. And it strikes him - that resonates. Sebastian knows how it is, to feel like a bother for simply existing.
He sighs and swallows his pride. "No, I'm sorry. I was rude to you earlier. I didn't mean to shoo you off."
Sage raises an eyebrow at him, lifts her gaze to meet his. "Thanks for saying that."
They're both tense, guarded. There's a weird electricity in the air. Something about the way the moon shines on her hair, reflects in her eyes. Shut up, he tells himself. Of course things are going to feel weird. It's after midnight and it's their third time running into each other today.
She turns away, and before he can stop himself he's calling out to her. "Wait!" Sage stops, turns back. Sebastian racks his brain for anything he can ask her. "I, uh. What else do you listen to?"
Her eyebrows shoot up. She hugs an arm to herself, gazing off to the side. "Well, I'm into Iron and Wine right now. Not sure if it'd be your type of music, but." She shrugs and winces. Sebastian notices a cut on her neck.
"Are you-"
"I'm fine," she says, before he can finish his question. "Thanks for asking, though."
Sebastian groans internally. Fucking things up, as usual. He's always been good at that. "Right, uh, well, I'm glad. The mines are infested with all sorts of weird shit. Be careful down there."
Sage's face softens a bit. "Thanks." Her voice is quiet. "I didn't expect quite so many bats. Or giant bugs."
He lingers, staring at the cut. Her fingers twitch against her shorts.
"Anyway, I need to get home. I'm exhausted. See you, though." She waves and turns around. Sebastian notices she's limping and frowns.
"Later, Sage." He waves, knowing she won't see it. He sighs and ashes the cigarette. He should quit smoking. Sebastian tiptoes back inside. It's dark, silent. Everyone else is asleep. Yet another isolated night. He plods down into his room, sits at his computer.
He opens Limewire and searches for Iron and Wine. Thanks Yoba for fast internet speeds as he downloads their latest album. The music is slow, melancholy, and soothing. He finds himself liking it. Think it suits Sage, with the weird intensity that keeps peeking through her exterior.
Sebastian smacks a palm against his forehead. He needs to stop thinking of her. You can't meet a cute girl a few times and lose your fucking mind. Get a grip. Besides, this is why he has Abby. He sends her a text.
Sebastian: Hey, are you awake?
He returns to his code while the album plays. Finishes the project and emails it to his client. Abby doesn't answer. Sebastian roots through his bathroom's medicine cabinet. Pulls out a melatonin pill and swallows it whole. At 3:00 am, he crawls into bed and drifts off, his dreams filled with flashes of blonde hair and lurid sunsets.
A buzzing interrupts his sleep. He cracks his eyes open, slaps at his phone. A text from Abby.
Abby: Sorry, 1:00 am is a bit late for a booty call, Sebs. I was already asleep.
He groans, palms his face. It's 11:30 am. He needs coffee. Now. Sebastian staggers to his feet and leans on the bannister for support. At the top of the stairs, Demetrius runs into him.
His stepfather towers over him, despite being only a couple inches taller. "Finally up, Sebastian? The rest of us have been awake since eight. You're twenty five years old. At this point you should have your sleep schedule under control."
Sebastian bites the inside of his cheek until he tastes blood. Anger simmers under his skin. Demetrius can't go a single day without criticizing him in some way. Whether it's his sleep schedule, the way he dresses, or the company he chooses to keep, there's always something.
"I was up late working. I had a project due this morning and wanted to deliver it to the client before I went to sleep."
Demetrius doesn't answer, only raises an eyebrow and brushes past him into his lab. Another sore point for Sebastian. The lab could have easily been a bedroom, but Demetrius insisted on keeping it upstairs. Said Sebastian would be fine in the basement.
He swallows his anger and stomps into the kitchen. Grabs some bread and stuffs it into the toaster. While the coffee machine's working he spreads butter onto the toast and watches it melt. Catches himself thinking he feels like the melting butter. Proceeds to think he must really be fucked up.
He doesn't want to be home while Demetrius is there. Can't stand the physical proximity. Sebastian downs his coffee, grabs his toast, and heads out the door.
He's eating by the lake as Maru passes. She stops and sits beside him, arms around her knees. "You okay?" There's genuine concern in her furrowed brow, her soft gaze.
Sebastian squirms. If he's honest with himself, Maru doesn't deserve any of his ire. It's not her fault she was born and given a room before he even moved to the Valley. Not her fault, the way Demetrius treats him. And she's never been anything but nice.
Maru is nice in general. She's usually got this dreamy expression on her face, especially when thinking about her newest gadgets or research. She's a kind person, always willing to help or listen. Guilt hovers over him. A dark cloud.
"It's nice of you to ask. I had a run-in with Demetrius." He stares out over the lake and tosses the last bits of his toast into the water.
Maru's frown deepens and she offers a sympathetic noise. "You shouldn't let him bother you," she says. "But that's easier said than done. I can try talking to him again, if you want."
Sebastian shakes his head. "Thanks for offering, but it hasn't worked the past five or so times. I'll stay out of his way for a bit."
"Sorry, Sebby." He feels an odd mixture of revulsion and comfort when she calls him that. "For what it's worth, I hope your day gets better." She smiles at him, genuine as usual. Gets up and pats the dirt from her overalls. "See you later."
He waves. "Thanks, Maru. Have a good day." He stares at the lake for a while longer, until he hears the house's door open. Demetrius exits. That's his cue to leave.
Sebastian hops to his feet, moves with long strides toward the path leading down the mountain. The sun's high in a cloudless sky, a brilliant blue.
He always preferred the clouds.
Once he moves into the shade of the trees lining the trail, he relaxes. Other than the ocean, this is probably one of his favorite parts of Pelican Town. It's shady and cooler, a blessing in the summer. He picks his way down, brushing his fingers against ferns and wildflowers. Outside of Pierre's, Abby's leaving.
She waves. "Hey! You never responded to my text message."
"To be fair, you took ten hours to answer."
Abby sticks out her tongue. "Yeah, because I was asleep, dumbass." She sidles up to him, peering through her eyelashes. "Anyway, I'm still up for it if you are. Maybe now? We could go on a walk in the forest, if you know what I mean."
Sebastian considers her offer. Part of him doesn't want to deal with Abigail's bubbly personality right now, but another part thinks this might be what he needs to get his mind off of things. Off of the farmer, off of his home life. "Sure, let's go on a walk."
She grins. "Excellent." She grabs his hand and pulls him toward the forest. She's already chattering, something about the online courses she's taking.
Sebastian likes Abby, he honestly does. They've been friends since high school. Recently it's turned more into a friends-with-benefits situation, which has its advantages. Even if listening to Abby's babbling is definitely not one of them. Her extraverted nature clashes too much with his introversion. Annoys him more often than not.
But still, Sebastian enjoys her friendship. And it's the safest option. Knows he won't develop feelings for her and be tied to the Valley. Yoba, I really am a dick. He squirms as Abby leads him past Marnie's ranch.
And there she is again. Sage. Dressed in a fucking sundress. His eyes wander from her neckline to her legs. Then he notices who she's with. Shane.
Sebastian isn't very familiar with him. He drinks a lot. Might be an alcoholic. He moved here a few years ago and seems to keep to himself. But apparently, Sage is the exception. She catches his eye, and time stops. For a second it's only them, and then she's gone, walking to her farm with Shane.
He tamps down the fire that burns in his gut. For fuck's sake, he's about to have some fun of his own, with a friend who's all too willing. He hopes this gets his mind off the farmer. Sebastian follows Abigail deeper into the forest. The trees swallow them, obscure them from sight.