28. Sebastian

28

SEBASTIAN

Two months later.

Miss Moo let out a snort of satisfaction and bent down to munch the grass. Sebastian patted her shoulder. She'd settled in nicely to her new home at 110 Pine Street.

"James will be here soon," Sebastian told the cow. "I'll make sure he says hello."

Miss Moo didn't acknowledge this, but then, she'd always liked Sebastian over James. It made sense after the years they'd had together.

Sebastian moved on to feeding the chickens. He'd painted their hutch red to match the brand-new barn at the far end of his property. Sebastian was going to leave green for the trees from here on out.

He collected the day's eggs and wandered back to the house. He loved it more than he should, given he'd only just moved in. He had plenty of renovations planned to make it his, but that was just the thing: this house was his . He was here because he'd chosen to be and could leave whenever. He just didn't think he'd want to.

Sebastian entered the kitchen and placed the eggs on the counter before setting the coffee brewing. The window above the counter had a perfect view of his vegetable garden, or what would eventually be his vegetable garden. At the moment, it was nothing but dirt and a pile of wood for planter beds.

He had an outdoor picnic area beside it and plans for a woodfire pizza oven. Sebastian was going to ask Parker if he minded alternating Sunday dinners with him so the group could hang out here and Sebastian could cook for them all. He expected Parker to like the idea. He'd never failed to make Sebastian feel like part of the group.

Across the house, the front door opened, and James called, "Hi, Sebastian. I'm here."

"In the kitchen," he called back.

James appeared in a scruffy old hoodie and worn jeans, holding a brightly wrapped box in his arms.

Sebastian's attention snagged on the red bow. "What's that?"

"A housewarming gift." James offered up the box.

Sebastian grinned, taking it. "You didn't have to do that."

"I know." James gave one of his thoughtful frowns. "I wanted to. You moving into your dream home is an important occasion."

Sebastian set the box on the counter and wrapped his arms around James. "I love you."

James ran a hand through Sebastian's hair. "I love you too, sweetheart. I love seeing you this happy."

"These last couple of months have just been so nice. So quiet ."

James let out a deep sigh, pulling Sebastian closer. "I know. It's been even better than I imagined."

Moonlight Falls hadn't had any trouble since the night Sebastian restored the veins. Sebastian didn't know how many shades he'd sucked back into the gateway that night. He hadn't thought he'd recapture the hundreds he'd seen streaming into the clearing, but if any of those beasts were still in this world, they seemed to have moved on from Moonlight Falls.

The gateway was closed, and while the humanoid shade Sebastian had fought could try to re-enter this world somewhere else, no one expected it to return to Moonlight Falls.

Eli theorized that the gateway at the intersection made it easier for the more intelligent beasts, like the ones that caused all the trouble, to pass between worlds than the usual shifting vein gateways. Therefore, it wasn't likely the humanoid shade could get back into the human world. It made sense since beasts like that were so rarely seen.

Sebastian also didn't think shades would enter through a shifting vein far away and bother traveling to Moonlight Falls just to try and take over again. He suspected the combination of the gateway and the unique magic of the vein intersection had made the town a target. If Beyond tried to stake its claim on this world again, they'd have to find some other hole to send their hordes through.

"Are you going to open your gift?" James asked, reminding Sebastian he had better things to think about.

Sebastian wiggled out of their embrace. "I suppose I should. Is it something sexy?"

A brief flash of uncertainty crossed James's face. "It's a housewarming gift. It's not supposed to be sexy."

Sebastian loved teasing James but didn't want him to think the gift was a disappointment. "You're totally right." He sent a reassuring smile James's way. "We can get each other sexy presents another time."

James seemed happily relieved. "I'll look forward to that."

Sebastian ripped the bow off and unwrapped the present. He opened the box to find a layer of tissue paper. He quirked a brow. "Is it clothes?"

James gave him a look of mock confusion. "If only there was a way for you to find out. "

Sebastian swatted his arm and tore through the tissue paper. Beneath lay a purple robe. "Oh my gosh!" Sebastian lifted the garment out of the box. "How did you get this?" It wasn't the same robe he'd had stolen by the shade. It was an identical brand-new one.

James radiated smugness. "Now that's a secret I can't reveal."

Sebastian rubbed the silk fabric against his cheek. "You called my lawyer, didn't you?"

"Okay, maybe. But he wouldn't tell me where you got the original robe from. Apparently, all your shopping is confidential."

Sebastian laughed. "Poor guy is probably disappointed I'm not paying him to do every little thing for me now." He set the robe aside. "This is the best present. Thank you."

"I'm glad you like it. Happy housewarming." James leaned in and brushed his lips against Sebastian's. "We should probably get going."

"You're right. I'll get the travel mugs."

They fixed their coffees and left the house. Sebastian waved to Miss Moo before climbing into James's truck. He was happy to note James waved to the cow too.

"I'll have my license back soon, so you won't have to keep coming out here," Sebastian said as they pulled out of his driveway.

"I don't mind."

No, Sebastian supposed he didn't. James seemed to wholeheartedly love all the time he and Sebastian spent together. Maybe even more now than he had months ago, which Sebastian hadn't thought possible.

They drove through town and headed north. When James pulled up to the Storm House gate, the place was already buzzing with activity. The iron bars were propped open, the lock and chain having been discarded.

James drove onto the property and parked next to Hazel's new van. A group of workers were busy refinishing the outside of the house. A radio played on the porch, just loud enough to be heard over a whirring sander.

James and Hazel had been busy with the wiring while Sebastian helped Princeton organize the contents of the house. Some of the items they'd come across the museum curator wanted to keep and put on display. Sebastian was fine with that and let Princeton take the lead on deciding what to do with all the junk. They would have a large estate sale once they'd gone through it all, the proceeds going to the new museum. Anything that couldn't be sold or donated was being thrown out.

"It feels good bringing new life into this place," Sebastian said as he and James exited the truck.

"I bet." James opened the back and grabbed a box of tools.

A car rolled up the driveway behind them and came to a stop. Eleanor climbed out. "Sebastian, James, good to see you both."

James gave her a nod. "Wasn't expecting to find you here."

"I'm looking for Princeton." She took a moment to study Sebastian. "Though I'm glad I ran into you."

"Me?" Sebastian had spent the least amount of time with Eleanor out of everyone in their group. He wasn't sure what she'd need him for.

"Yes. I've been thinking. I know you're busy with the museum and the library at the moment, but once this place is finished, I figured you might have some time on your hands." She gestured to the house.

Sebastian shrugged. "It's going to be a while before that happens. Princeton and I haven't even gotten to the upstairs." Sebastian was donating the Storm House library contents to the museum, though they'd have to fish out all the X-rated material first.

"I don't doubt that." Eleanor smiled. "I just wanted to say, in case you were ever interested, the city council would love to have you."

Butterflies danced in Sebastian's stomach. "Really? "

"Of course. I don't know whether you're inclined to that sort of work, but I'd say the town would be happy to have you looking out for them. We'll have to elect someone soon to replace William, but his term was up next year anyway, so there'll be another vote then. Just some food for thought. I completely understand if you prefer working at the library."

"I'll think about it," Sebastian promised, possibilities blooming in the back of his mind.

"Great. Now, I better find Princeton." Eleanor walked up the porch steps and entered the house.

Eleanor's suggestion filled Sebastian with exhilaration. He'd love to be a part of Moonlight Falls, not just as a resident but as someone working for the town, putting his time and effort into this place.

"What do you think of that?" Sebastian asked James.

"I think you look excited."

Sebastian's cheeks heated. "I kinda like the idea."

"Me too." James squeezed his hand before lacing their fingers together, James's pinky and ring finger cradling the remaining knuckle of Sebastian's amputated finger. "You should go for it."

Sebastian buzzed as he considered it. "I might wait for the election next year. See how everything else goes first. But I'd love being a real part of this town."

James gazed at him with deep affection. "You already are, sweetheart."