Page 52 of Rat

Rory shook his head. “I’ll see you later.”

Sebastian was waiting outside the cell.

“Were you eavesdropping?” Rory asked.

“Yes, yes I was.”

“Why?”

“I told you; I was worried in case he kicked off.”

“You think you could stop him if he did?” Rory asked.

Sebastian flashed a look at Captain and Zeke going down the stairs. “Probably not, but I could get in the way, take the beating for you.”

“And why would you do that?”

“You’ve got a cute face, and I want it to stay cute.”

“You hated me a few weeks ago, why the change?”

“Maybe I prefer your smile to your wide eyes and wobbling bottom lip,” Sebastian said. When Rory came closer, Sebastian looked down at the wing and asked, “You ready for it?”

“For what?” Rory replied.

Sebastian pointed, then smirked. “The reunion.”

The gate opened, and Teddy stepped inside with his bag of clothes clutched to his chest. He froze, and his eyes fixed to Ollie awkwardly standing in the middle of the wing. As soon as Teddy smiled, Ollie rushed forward and wrapped his arms around him. Teddy froze as Ollie buried his face into the crook of his neck, then Teddy’s arms curled around Ollie’s back, holding him close.

“Aww,” Sebastian said. He pouted his lips and said in a forced voice, “Isn’t that sweet.”

“Hope you’re not expecting me to do that,” Rory muttered.

“No. I want you to drop to your knees and scream your thanks at God.”

Rory laughed, shaking his head, and Sebastian’s gruffer chuckle added to the rumbling.

“You know what I hate…”

“What?” Rory asked.

“I hate that I like the sound of your laugh.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

“I’ve only heard it a few times, but I like the sound. I wish you had a cackle or that you snorted like a pig, just something to make me hate it.”

“Why…why do you want to hate it?”

Sebastian shrugged. “It would be easier.”

“What would?”

Rory didn’t think he’d say more and smiled when Ollie glanced their way. Rory gave him a small wave. Ollie was full-on beaming, and Teddy was reluctant to let him go.

“I guess I hate it because I don’t want to miss it when I get out of here.” Sebastian pushed off from the railing. “Speak to you later.”

“Yeah, later.”

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