Chapter 17: Duplicity

It was a six-hour drive from their current city to the old hometown.

Lucian had done his homework in advance.

He adjusted the passenger seat as far back as it would go and reclined the backrest slightly. He had also gone to the pharmacy to buy a specialized lumbar support cushion designed for back injuries—the kind that braced both the lower and mid-back.

On the morning of their departure, he helped Sebastian into the passenger seat and spent a good while finagling with the cushion.

"Are you done yet?" Sebastian asked, growing impatient from being fussed over.

"Almost, almost." Lucian pressed the cushion into place again. "Is this comfortable?"

Sebastian shifted around.

"...It’ll do."

Lucian straightened up and looked at him.

"You say it'll do, but in reality, it's very comfortable, isn't it?"

Sebastian didn't say a word, merely giving him a look.

A look that translated to:

Stop the nonsense and drive.

Lucian laughed as he circled to the driver's side and started the engine.

The car pulled out of the complex and joined the early morning traffic.

Sebastian leaned against the headrest, looking out the window.

Dawn was just breaking, the streets were sparse, and only a few breakfast carts were beginning to steam.

"Go ahead and sleep," Lucian said. "I'll wake you up when we hit a service area."

Sebastian remained silent and simply closed his eyes.

The car fell quiet, save for the low hum of the engine.

Lucian stole glances at him from time to time.

Sebastian’s eyes were shut, his eyelashes resting peacefully, his breathing steady.

With the sunlight streaming through the window, the man in the passenger seat looked like he was sleeping soundly.

But twenty minutes later, he opened his eyes.

Lucian was surprised. "What's wrong?"

Sebastian looked straight ahead without speaking.

Lucian waited a moment before asking, "Can't sleep?"

Sebastian was silent for a few seconds before suddenly speaking.

"How many people have you dated?"

Lucian nearly lost his grip on the steering wheel.

He turned his head to look at Sebastian.

Sebastian was looking back at him, his face devoid of expression as if he were asking a perfectly ordinary question.

Lucian’s mind raced.

How many?

How many had he dated?

His romantic history?

Zero.

But could he actually say that?

He cleared his throat and said with forced nonchalance, "About twenty."

Sebastian stared at him.

"Twenty?" Sebastian repeated, his tone flat.

"Yeah," Lucian said, bracing himself. "What, you don't believe me?"

Sebastian scrutinized him for two seconds before turning his head back toward the window.

"Fine," he said.

Lucian waited for a follow-up, but none came.

"Just... fine?"

Without looking back, Sebastian replied, "Yeah."

A sudden wave of panic hit Lucian.

"Are you angry?"

"No."

"Then why aren't you talking?"

"There’s nothing to say."

Lucian stared at the back of the man's head, feeling that something was definitely off.

"I was just kidding," he said quickly. "None. I've dated zero."

Sebastian didn't react.

"Seriously, I lied to you," Lucian said frantically. "Where would I find the time to date? I’d only been an adult for a year before I was dumped on you, being bossed around all day."

Sebastian still didn't move.

Lucian reached out as if to touch him, then pulled back.

"Hey, talk to me..."

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

His gaze was indifferent, unreadable.

"Watch the road," he said.

Then he turned away again.

Lucian was dying of laughter inside.

This man—how could he be so petty?

For the rest of the journey, Sebastian remained silent.

Lucian stole glances at him; he was either closing his eyes or looking out the window, but he refused to look at Lucian.

Lucian felt incredibly stifled.

He shouldn't have bragged like that.

——————

Two hours later, the car pulled into a service area.

Lucian parked and turned toward the passenger seat.

Sebastian was asleep.

He was leaning against the headrest, his head tilted slightly to one side, his breathing steady, wearing a look of exhausted relaxation.

Lucian looked at him, dazed for a moment.

He looked much more agreeable asleep than awake.

He leaned over gently and pressed his hand against the man's waist.

Through the layers of clothing and the lumbar cushion, he began to knead slowly and gently.

Long car rides were bad for the back; a little massage would help him relax.

After a while, Sebastian’s brow twitched.

He opened his eyes and looked at Lucian.

Lucian’s hand was still on his waist, caught red-handed.

But he didn't pull away or hide. He just looked back at him with a grin.

"How is it?" he asked. "Hungry?"

Sebastian had just woken up and was still in a bit of a daze.

He looked at Lucian, then at the hand on his waist; it took two seconds for reality to sink in.

He wanted to say something, but the words died in his throat.

Lucian chuckled and retracted his hand. He turned up the car's temperature a bit, then took Sebastian’s hand and rubbed it gently.

"Your hands are so cold," he said. "Are you freezing?"

Sebastian looked down at the hand holding his.

Warm, dry, and powerful.

He didn't speak, nor did he want to pull away.

Lucian looked at him, his eyes crinkling into crescents.

"You're quite duplicitous," he said. "Clearly you’re enjoying this, yet you spend all day scolding me."

Sebastian lifted his eyes to look at him.

"Stop the nonsense," he said.

His voice was a bit softer than usual.

Lucian heard the change and beamed.

"Fine, no nonsense," he said. "Let's get out. I'll take you to get something good to eat."

He let go of the man's hand and pushed his door open.

Sebastian sat in the passenger seat, glancing down at his own hand.

Then, slowly supporting his waist, he stepped out of the car.

The service area restaurant wasn't crowded. Lucian picked the nearest one and helped Sebastian inside.

"I can manage on my own now," Sebastian said awkwardly, trying to pull his hand away.

Lucian didn't let go; instead, he held on a bit tighter.

"It’s better to be careful," he said with an air of authority. "If you fall, neither of us gets home for the New Year."

Sebastian was speechless and couldn't be bothered to argue further.

They sat down at a window seat.

Lucian let go and sat opposite him, but his gaze never left the man.

Sebastian leaned against the chair, closing his eyes to rest. The grogginess of just waking up hadn't faded yet; his mind was a bit clouded and his body felt sluggish.

"Is your body always this cold?" Lucian asked suddenly.

Sebastian opened his eyes and looked at him.

Lucian had already stood up, circled to his side, and reached his hand inside Sebastian’s down jacket.

"What are you—"

Before he could finish, a warm palm pressed against his back.

Sebastian’s body stiffened.

Lucian’s hand moved across his back, and his brow furrowed.

"It really is cold," he said. "You're wearing such thick layers, but your back is still freezing."

Sebastian opened his mouth but found nothing to say.

The hand was still pressed against his back, the warm palm ironing out his skin with a gentle pressure that sent a tingle through him.

Sebastian was already not thinking clearly, and this only made it worse.

He sat there, his body rigid, but his heart skipped several beats.

Lucian didn't notice his reaction. He simply continued to rub the man's back before suddenly asking, "Did you just have a nightmare?"

Sebastian blinked. "What?"

"While you were sleeping, your brow was furrowed," Lucian said. "You looked uncomfortable."

Sebastian looked into Lucian’s eyes. There was no mockery or teasing there—only a trace of genuine concern.

He shook his head.

"No."

"I see," Lucian said. "You’re always a bit out of it when you wake up, aren't you?"

Sebastian said nothing.

Lucian had already circled around and sat down beside him, then reached out and pulled him into a full embrace.

One arm wrapped around his shoulder while the other took his hand, kneading it slowly.

Sebastian was stunned. He wanted to pull away, yet his body was honestly snuggling into the boy’s embrace.

"Alright, that’s enough," Lucian’s voice came from above. "This should make you feel better."

Sebastian leaned against him, not knowing what to say.

Lucian’s hands never stopped, gently kneading from his fingertips to his palm, then up to his wrist.

The warmth traveled from the skin inward, carrying a relaxing pressure.

Sebastian’s body slowly softened.

He leaned against Lucian, allowing himself to be massaged.

The restaurant was quiet, save for the distant sounds from the kitchen.

The sunlight streamed through the window, bathing them in a warm glow.

After a long time, Lucian looked down at him.

"Is the pressure okay?"

Sebastian’s eyes were closed, his eyelashes flickering slightly.

A moment later, he gave a slow nod.