Page 12 of To Cuddle A Gremlin

“We will see you tomorrow. Get some rest tonight and try not to think about what happened. It was an accident, I’m sure,” Jake suggested before surveying the room once more and slipping out. Sebastian sat at the table, his date shirt wrecked. Sebastian wiped the tears from his cheeks, slid on his coat, and grimaced at the sensation of wet fabric against his back.It was fine. He was fine.The mantra echoed in his head as he walked out of the library without making eye contact with anyone entering the building.

Stepping through the sliding doors, Sebastian jumped when Isadore peeled away from the wall to stand in front of him. “I’ve told you to come inside. You don’t need to wait here in the cold.”

“I didn’t know if you’d like me there. May I walk you home?” Isadore’s cheery voice was subdued, the opposite of its usual tone. “I can’t allow you to be alone while so uncomfortable.”

“I guess I can’t stop you.” Sebastian winced at the snarkiness of his voice. “I’m sorry. That was rude. It’s just that I stomped out of the café without helping. And you sat there. And it feels like everything is ruined.”

“Shush, the most important thing is you. Are you okay? Are you warm enough?” Isadore asked, peering into Sebastian’s face. Sebastian saw no mirth, no mockery in Isadore’s eyes. Maybe he'd been wrong about Isadore laughing at him.

“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me. These things happen.” Sebastian waved the concern away, pretending to be strong. This was how he coped, and the lie helped him.

Glaring, Isadore took his own scarf and wrapped it in a loose loop around Sebastian’s neck, holding onto the ends. “You had soup dumped on you. Of course, you should be upset. I’m upset. Stars, Sebastian, this was not how I wanted our date to end.”

“Why you? Food didn’t cascade all over your back.” Sebastian tipped his head to the side in confusion.

Isadore heaved a great sigh before explaining. “A terrible accident happened to my friend, and I didn’t get to see if they were alright. They could have been hurt. Oh, Sebastian. May I hug you? It will help me put the fear at bay.”

Sebastian blinked at Isadore’s request. He’d never been asked for a hug, and he never assumed that Isadore would be as upset about his ordeal as he was. “Sure. I guess?”

Shuffling closer to Sebastian, Isadore slid his arms around Sebastian’s waist and squeezed. Instinctively, Sebastian looped his own around Isadore’s neck. The hold was comforting and broke Sebastian’s mighty grip on his emotions. He dropped his head on Isadore’s shoulder and let out a watery sigh. Nothing was said. Isadore squeezed Sebastian in his arms, and the world faded to black for a few brief minutes.

Isadore stepped back and gazed at Sebastian before speaking. “That was perfect. You give amazing hugs.”

“You’re welcome?” Sebastian shifted on his feet, unsure of what was next. Getting clean and away from people beckoned to him. His clothes were sticking to his skin, but being in Isadore’s presence soothed him. “I’m sorry, but?—”

“You’re ready to go home. I get it. I’m feeling that way myself.” Isadore agreed. This wasn’t in Sebastian’s playbook. No one he liked ever stayed with him when bad things happened. They always made excuses and disappeared.

“Really?”

“Oh yeah. My lunch date with this incredible guy was cut short because of a food-related accident. We were just getting in the groove of a fun conversation and then he got understandably upset. It wasn’t how I wished my afternoon would go. I don’t know what to do now.” Isadore dipped his head to the side and studied Sebastian.

“Me neither. I was hoping—” Sebastian’s nerve almost betrayed him, but he persevered. Something good had to come out from the day because maybe he deserved it. “I was hoping we might try again, sort of like a do-over?”

“That sounds delightful. I’d like to try again. In fact, I insist on it. But I’m not sure when. There’s this festival the BIA is planning that sounds like fun. Would you like to be my date?”

Sebastian hadn’t expected Isadore would come up with a plan so fast. He’d expected him to hem and haw and say he’d call Sebastian. “You mean at the park behind the library?”

“The nighttime one where the cryptids and the humans are working together to dispel the bad karma from previous years? Yes, that place. How about it?” Isadore played with the ends of the scarf again. He was a tactile person, and Sebastian swallowed. He wasn’t sure if he should be annoyed or intrigued. Both made sense, but joy bubbled up, winning over the negative thoughts.

“I’d love to. For sure. Thank you.” Sebastian nodded. Despite the awful middle part, his day was looking up.

“Great. Let me have your number, and I will confirm details with you. Okay?” Isadore whipped out a phone and waited for Sebastian to do the same. They exchanged numbers. “Fantastic! Do you want me to walk home with you? I can’t leave you like this.”

“I think…I think I’m gonna be okay. My apartment is five minutes away.” Sebastian scratched his chin and lifted his lipsfor his first real smile since the food dumping. “Thank you again?”

“No worries. I did what a good person would do. And you’re giving me another chance. That’s the thanks I want. You have a relaxing rest of your day. Use water and baking soda mixture on your coat, and the paste should help remove the worst of the stains, okay?” Isadore said.

Sebastian nodded and did one last brave thing. He took a step forward and brushed a light kiss on Isadore’s cheek. The scent of coffee and mint washed over him, and a warm feeling filled his stomach. The intake of breath from Isadore was the reaction he'd hoped for as he stepped away. “I’ll return your scarf when I see you next.”

“Yeah, no worries, mate.” The awed confusion in Isadore’s voice made Sebastian giggle as he left Isadore standing alone in the middle of the street.

Despite the world always trying to trip him and his dates up, Sebastian had managed to get a second date with Isadore. And this was with the awfulness of food sliding down his back.

Not even having to clean his clothes could dim Sebastian’s joy.

CHAPTER 6

Crash: Stop sending me expensive gifts

---