Page 135 of Rat

“But the beginning, that was messy.”

Sebastian tipped his head in the direction of Rory’s father and sister. “Do you think they would’ve approved of me?”

Rory hummed. “Eventually.”

Sebastian’s eyebrows shot up. “Eventually?”

“Erica would’ve labelled you ancient and bombarded me with a load of sugar daddy jokes.” Rory smiled, picturing it. She would’ve brought up the colour of Sebastian’s hair. He had a full head of it, but it was silver.

Sebastian had told him he started going grey before he was twenty, but only on his head.

“And your dad?” Sebastian asked.

Rory laughed, leaning into Sebastian’s embrace. “He would’ve assumed you were a maintenance man. An electrician…or a plumber.”

“Erm. Okay…”

Rory wiped his eyes. “I told them you’ve been there for me. You take care of me. And if it wasn’t for you I’d—”

“Shhh,” Sebastian said before pressing his mouth to Rory’s to stop him saying more.

Rory sighed into the kiss.

The first days and weeks after Sebastian’s release were the hardest. Not just because Rory needed to make arrangements for Erica, but because Rory had accepted his imminent death at the hands of Sebastian. He could push all his grief, despair, and helplessness aside, knowing he wouldn’t have to deal with it, but suddenly, he couldn’t do that anymore.

He had to deal with it, and living had seemed a cruelty at first.

Sebastian broke the kiss. “Ready to go?”

“Yeah.”

Sebastian wrapped his arm over Rory’s shoulders, and they strolled towards the gate.

“Long day?” Sebastian asked.

Rory hummed. “Yeah. I was called to a traffic collision.”

Sebastian’s jaw tightened. He stopped, and Rory stopped too. “Everyone okay?”

“There were injuries, but they should all be okay.”

Sebastian nodded, but he still looked tense.

“What about you?” Rory asked.

“I’m finalizing plans for the Jameson’s farm plot. Think of it…houses, flats, small shops.”

“Look at you, now a legitimate property developer…”

Sebastian winked. “For now.”

Rory raised his eyebrow. “What do you mean for now?”

“Who knows what the future will bring.”

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

Sebastian flashed him a smile.

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