Page 48 of The Botanist and the Beast

"A visit?"

"Just to tell my sisters I'm okay. I'd check in and explain the situation and come back."

"The situation?"

"That I care deeply for you, but you can't leave so I need to stay for a while." Sebastian's eyes and antler glowed, but this time they were green instead of the flustered pink he was usedto seeing. Theo didn't know what it meant but he could see he was displeased by the grimace on his face. "Do you not like that idea?"

"I...I suppose that's reasonable. Could we discuss the logistics after the storm? No use making travel plans now." He tugged his hood up roughly to hide the green light best he could.

"Of course." Feeling a bit guilty for hurting Sebastian, he decided it was best to change the subject. "What were you and Jacques bickering about earlier?"

"Oh, nothing. Jacques thinks he's funny is all," he mumbled. The green in his eye faded and a familiar pink replaced it. "They had a lot of questions about last night and refused to drop it."

"How'd talking to them about us go?"Has anyone ever chatted with their friends about me?

"As I expected. A lot of questions and suggestions since I decided to tell them about wanting to eat you." He gripped the satchel tighter and looked off. "It was a little embarrassing. I don't usually talk to them about my sexual habits, so they were a bit overexcited to help."

"That's kind of them." Theo's eyes went to the bag. "What did they suggest?"

Sebastian hesitated, then opened the satchel and pulled out a stone cylinder a pretty polished rose quartz with leather straps on the ends. "Apparently, they had this but never used it, so they offered it to us."

Theo stared not understanding at first then burst into laughter. "They found you a gag. How thoughtful. It's kind of pretty."

Sebastian scowled and tossed it back in the bag. "Yes, it's pretty, but it was still wildly inappropriate for them to give it to me in the lounge with others around."

"I think it's sweet. We should try it out next time. If you were gagged, I might not feel the need to hold you on a leash since it'd stop you from biting."

Sebastian was quiet and Theo glanced over. Sebastian's teeth had poked out and he had the faintest spots forming on his cheeks. He crawled closer and kissed him right on one of his spots. "You're very cute. Does the idea of not being held back excite you that much?" His eye and hood shined brighter as his blush intensified and Theo giggled.

They kept collecting stones and talking until there was the snap of a twig and the sound of something moving among the trees.

"Let's wait," Sebastian said in a low voice, holding his wrist. "If it's an animal, we'll go and get help."

They sat still and waited but only silence followed. Then Theo saw the white being crossing through the trees in the distance. "There! Do you see him? It's the being from the mountain."

"Theo, what are you talking about? I don't see anyone."

Theo hesitated then pulled away from Sebastian. "Wait here, I'll try and talk to him. I want you to see him, too." He took off after the glowing white being weaving through trees.

"Hello?" he called, and to his delight the being stopped and glanced at him. "There you are. Can nymphs see you?" The man shook his head. "Got it. That's why they think I've lost it. Can I see you because I'm human?" The man shook his head again, and Theo frowned in confusion. He racked his brain for a yes or no question that could explain why he was able to see him.

The being looked past him, smiled slightly, and vanished in a flash of light.

"Wait where did you—ah!" Sebastian tackled him into the snow and growled at Theo as he crawled on top of him. Theo groaned on his back. He stared up and saw Sebastian's five tails and hungry eyes. He swallowed and reached up, caressing hisface. "Sebastian? Can you give me a sign that you hear me and are not about to eat me?"

Sebastian blinked and pulled his hands away. "Sorry. You were running and some instincts took over. Next thing I knew I was chasing you.”

He moved to get up, but Theo gripped his wrist. "Instincts to eat me or to fuck me?"

"Both," Sebastian said, his eyes dipping to Theo's lips. He squeezed his eyes shut. "I need to take a walk. You can go back to the castle. I'll come in later."

"Or," Theo said, playfully reaching into the satchel that hung off his side and pulling out the gag. "Let's try out our new toy today."

"We're outside in the open," Sebastian said, but he made no moves to get up.

"And everyone else is tucked away inside. It'll be fun. Besides, Lyle sent me out here for rocks; he clearly wants me to stay gone. I'm happy to give him what he wants."

"How will I communicate with you if we have to stop?"

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