Page 17 of To Cuddle A Gremlin

“Can’t a girl take a stroll around the park? Jeez, interrogate much, Sebby?” Meggz flipped her hair in irritation. “I could say the same about you. You actually left your hovel. So, are you on a date? Who is this… this… well, I was gonna say hunk, but you got them claws. You’re a wannabe human, aren’t you?”

Sebastian sucked in air at the blatant insult. His cousin was a little rude, but this was beyond. Isadore didn’t deserve such blatant disrespect.

“Oh, so you recognize the kind of people you wish to be?” Isadore delivered a clapback before Sebastian could leap in. “Must be sad to live in such shadows.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Meggz cocked her hip out as she scowled at Isadore.

“He’s saying that you’re behaving—” Sebastian started.

“You’re acting like one of those demons who attacked this town. Honestly, I can’t believe you’d treat your family like you are. Especially if, as you said, you hadn’t seen him in a while.” Isadore bared his teeth as he shifted his body in front of Sebastian, showing him Isadore had his back.

“Yeah, well. If the tall freak actually visited his family, then maybe?—”

Isadore stopped her insults with a disdainful rise of his eyebrow. “Why would he visit if he could expect this kind of welcome from a relative?”

“Oh, fuck off. You’re a goddamn monster. You have no understanding about our dynamics. This is how we show our love for each other. Get a fucking clue,” Meggz snapped. “Remove your asshole friend from my presence, Sebby. He’s being mean, and I don’t have time for his kind of shit.”

“You approached us.” Sebastian scratched his cheek while trying to still be civil. His cousin could fly off in any direction,and he’d be caught in the crossfire no matter what. This was what he was hoping Isadore would never see.

“Yeah, I wanted to talk to my cousin. Because, family before all else. We grew up together, remember, Sebby? All your secrets are up here.” Meggz tapped her foot on the ground, impatient and angry. Never a good combination.

“I don’t think that counts as being protective of your cousin. From where I come from, families bolster each other. They don’t tear people down like you’re doing to Sebastian. Your way seems kinda monstrous.” Isadore slid his hand along Sebastian’s arm until he could lace his fingers tightly with Sebastian’s. Support and comfort were together, giving him strength.

“What the fuck do you know? God, Sebby. Throw this freak away and get a new guy. He’s a fucking ass. Calling me a goddamn monster.” With one last hair flip, Meggz stormed past them. Her perfume was strong as the scent drenched Sebastian, giving him a reminder of their encounter.

“Well, that wasn’t how I wanted to introduce you to my family. I’m sorry you had to meet Meggz.” Sebastian swallowed. God, this was when he tried to prove to Isadore he was a functional adult. And then Meggz happened, right on the bad luck cue.

“She was a bit of a pill. Put her out of your head and give me a tour of your park. Paint me a picture of your Light Up Night festival.” Isadore brought their hands up and kissed the back of Sebastian’s hand. The light kiss soothed Sebastian’s nerves and still left him exposed for that other shoe to drop.

“Meggz is one example. I don’t want you to think —”

“Sebastian, don’t worry about her. Focus on us. Let her go. She doesn’t deserve a minute of your attention,” Isadore ordered.

Sebastian blew out air and gave his body a full shake, removing all the negativity Meggz left behind. Isadore was right.She didn’t deserve any of his brain space. Isadore’s composure fed Sebastian’s and gave him the peace of mind he never considered. The sensation was so overwhelming Sebastian could only mutter, “You’re really nice.”

CHAPTER 8

Isadore worried that when Sebastian’s cousin flew in with her black attitude, she would ruin his afternoon with Sebastian. And his date had been flowing quite well too. Isadore was right in his assumptions about Sebastian needing space and active listening to open up. He relaxed and smiled easier when Isadore asked him questions without interruption.

Though, when Meggz showed up, his expectations for the afternoon began collapsing. Sebastian’s stammer reappeared, and Isadore’s terrible habit of interrupting came back in full force. Yes, he'd stepped in to help Sebastian get rid of Meggz, but the actions were still rude as hell, and Sebastian didn’t deserve him jumping in and fighting on his behalf.

“I shouldn’t have butted in like I did. I don’t own your brain. My idea was a suggestion.” Isadore backpedalled. Sebastian was quiet and looking at the ground. “Sebastian? Talk to me, please? I have to make sure you’re okay. I know your cousin attempted to ruin our date, but we’re fine, right?”

”We were getting along so well, and now you’re… you’re going to realize maybe this was a bad idea. I’m not strong enough to stand up to my family, and you’re—I really wanted this date to be perfect.”

“It’s not over yet. We had a blip. All dates have blips. It’s in the rule book,” Isadore insisted. Would his joke be enough? He’d do anything to keep Sebastian by his side. “We can sit over there and regroup. Catch our breath. This afternoon is absolutely spectacular.”

“Does everyone have rule books?” Sebastian asked before shaking his head. “I don’t want to take more of your day if you have something else to do.”

“You are my grand plan. Learning about you, discovering who Sebastian is behind the librarian persona. Opening myself up for the same scrutiny.” Isadore sat them down on a bench and grabbed both of Sebastian’s hands in his. “This is our moment in the sun. We have no plans other than what we decide. No fuss, no muss, just us.” Isadore rhymed so Sebastian would roll his eyes, which he did and smiled as well. “I want to spend time with you. That’s what we chose, right?”

Sebastian nodded, frowning. “We did. We are going to have the best date. Nothing Meggz did will change our plans.”

“Exactamundo. Good company, good food. Is that a hot chocolate stand? I need a bit of a warmup.” Isadore squeezed Sebastian’s hands once more before slipping to the small booth off to the side of the trail. Odd place for a vendor, but he didn’t mind the distance as Sebastian managed a moment to catch his breath without an audience.

Isadore ground his teeth as he approached the small kiosk. Letting his true feelings out now while he was alone gave him a big sense of relief. Being a part of Sebastian shrinking down to a bare minimum was awful. Meggz deserved a day in the burrow where Isadore’s family lived. She’d then see how real families behaved. Yes, Isadore’s clan wasn’t perfect, but they at least respected one another. Isadore snuck a glance toward Sebastian, who had sprawled on the bench, his long legs sticking out inthe path and his head dropped back. He was still there, and he hadn’t moved. So Isadore’s speech had worked somewhat.

The young teen beamed at him as she gave him two cups of hot chocolate and a cookie each. “Thank you so much! All proceeds from these sales will go toward the new cryptid/human relation centre and Light Up Night.”

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