Chapter 7: Holding Him Hostage

Lucian had stirred up trouble at school again.

It wasn't anything major—he had simply beaten the hell out of a loud-mouthed idiot. The guy had called him a "homeless stray whose parents are dead" in front of a crowd. Before Lucian’s brain could even process the insult, his fist had already connected.

Beating the guy felt great. Getting called into the office felt great, too. But when he was told a guardian had to show up, the greatness finally ended.

A guardian.

He stood at the school gates, staring at the contact in his phone labeled "The Guy Named Sebastian" for five solid minutes.

Finally, he shoved the phone into his pocket and pedaled his shared bike home like a madman.

——————

Sebastian was in the study, reviewing documents.

After three days in the hospital and four days lying in bed at home, his waist was finally mobile. However, he still had to wear that rigid medical brace; his back would ache if he sat too long, and he had to brace himself against something just to stand up.

When the study door was pushed open, he didn't even look up.

"You're back?"

Lucian stood in the doorway, his hair a mess, school sleeves rolled up to his forearms, and a faint smear of blood on his face that hadn't been wiped clean.

"Yeah."

Sebastian flipped a page in his file.

Lucian stood there, unmoving.

Finally, Sebastian lifted his head and gave him a glance.

"Something on your mind?"

Lucian opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Sebastian set the documents down, leaned back against his chair, and watched him.

"In a fight?"

"Yeah."

"Did you win?"

"Duh."

Sebastian let out a short laugh, a sound that made a chill run down Lucian’s spine.

"Then why are you standing there? Waiting for me to praise you?"

Lucian clenched his fists and took a deep breath.

"The school needs a guardian to show up," he said, his voice stiff. "You're coming with me."

Sebastian looked at him.

He looked for two seconds, three seconds, five.

Then he smiled.

His eyes crinkled at the corners, and he actually looked quite charming, but it made Lucian want to hit something.

"No."

Lucian was stunned.

"What did you say?"

"I said," Sebastian enunciated every syllable, "No."

Lucian’s temper flared instantly.

"What do you mean, no?!"

"Why should I?" Sebastian leaned further back, his hands resting on the armrests in a posture so relaxed it was infuriating. "I only promised your father a place for you to stay. I never agreed to anything else."

Lucian glared at him, his chest heaving violently.

"But I need a guardian right now!"

"That’s your problem."

"You—"

"I didn't tell you to go out and fight."

Lucian’s knuckles cracked as he tightened his grip.

Sebastian watched him, a faint, ghost of a smile playing on his lips.

"Want me to go?" he asked, his tone leisurely. "Fine. Get on your knees and beg."

Lucian exploded.

"Are you freaking kidding me?! You're asking for it, aren't you?!!"

He lunged forward, slamming both hands onto the armrests of Sebastian’s chair, trapping the man within the circle of his arms.

They were face-to-face, so close they could count each other’s eyelashes.

Sebastian didn't move.

He didn't even try to pull back; he just leaned against the headrest, looking up at the boy with a deepening amusement in his eyes.

"What," his voice dropped, "want to make a move?"

Lucian’s breath fanned across his face, rapid and hot.

"You mother—"

"Try it," Sebastian interrupted, his tone light. "If you dare hurt me, you won't live to see tomorrow."

Lucian was driven to a laugh of sheer frustration.

He looked down at Sebastian.

His hands were still braced on the chair, the distance so small he could smell the faint scent of medicinal patches on the man.

Seriously, the guy was a lost cause—broken to pieces and still acting tough.

He released one hand, reaching forward to wrap it around Sebastian’s waist.

Sebastian’s body went rigid.

"What are you doing?"

Lucian didn't answer. His other arm wrapped around as well, and he pressed downward, pulling the man into a firm, solid embrace.

"Lucian!!!"

"Yeah?"

Lucian rested his chin on the man's shoulder, a hint of a smile in his voice.

"Do you think I'd dare hurt you?"

Sebastian couldn't move.

His waist was being supported by Lucian, and he didn't dare exert any force; the slightest strain brought pain. His arms hung at his sides, too restricted to even lift. He was trapped in the chair, held fast by a six-foot-two young man, completely immobilized.

"You mother—let go!"

"I won't."

Lucian buried his face in the crook of the man's neck and rubbed against him.

"The way you look when you're in pain," his voice was muffled and teasing, "is actually kind of cute."

Sebastian froze.

Then the realization hit him, and his face flushed a deep crimson.

He was livid.

He took a deep breath, cursing Lucian’s entire ancestry in his head.

Wait until my back is better. I’m going to make him pay.

Lucian had no idea what the man was thinking; he only knew that the body in his arms was as stiff as a stone, not daring to move an inch.

He lifted his head, looking at the side of Sebastian’s face.

The man’s expression was taut, but the tips of his ears were bright red.

Lucian nearly laughed out loud.

"Are you really that afraid of pain?" he asked mockingly. "You were pretty tough when you were pinning me to the floor."

Sebastian gritted his teeth, squeezing the words out from between them: "Just you wait."

"Wait for what?"

"Wait until I’m better—"

"And then beat me?" Lucian finished for him. "I know, I know. You’ve said it eight hundred times already."

Sebastian was left speechless with frustration.

Looking at him like this, the stifled annoyance and rage in Lucian’s heart suddenly evaporated, leaving him completely calm.

So this is what this man is like when he has no way to deal with someone.

He can blush, too. He can be left without words. He can be held by someone and not dare to move.

Lucian’s hand pressed lightly against the man's waist.

Sebastian’s body jolted.

"Don't move!"

"I'm not moving," Lucian said innocently. "I'm just touching."

"Touching is not allowed!"

"Then come to school with me."

Sebastian glared at him.

Lucian looked back, eyes filled with amusement and something else entirely.

"Just go there and help me fill out a form," he said, his tone softening a fraction. "And I won't mess with you."

Sebastian stared at him.

He stared for three seconds.

"You mean it?"

"I mean it."

"Let go."

"Agree first."

"I agree," Sebastian forced the words out. "Now, let go."

Lucian smiled.

He didn't let go; instead, he lifted Sebastian slightly, adjusting their position so the man could lean back more comfortably.

With his waist supported, Sebastian was half-lying in the boy’s arms, his posture much more relaxed than before.

He was stunned for a moment, looking up at Lucian.

Lucian was looking down at him, a glint of sly amusement in his eyes.

"Is that better?" he asked. "The way you were sitting before was bound to hurt your back."

Sebastian opened his mouth but found nothing to say.

Lucian gently lowered him back against the chair, making sure he was leaning properly, then stood up and took a step back.

"Tomorrow morning at nine," he said. "Don't forget."

Sebastian leaned against the chair, watching him.

Lucian reached the door, turned back, and made a childish face.

The door closed.

Sebastian sat there, staring at the door for a very long time.

"Dammit."