#Sebek x you | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

zgvlt · 1 year

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tried and tested and truly yours sebek zigvolt x reader

summary: Sebek, the bodyguard of famous celebrity Malleus Draconia, is a regular at your café. With his frequency in your establishment, conversation was inevitable, though he never would have expected you to become anything beyond a late night acquaintance.

tags: gender neutral reader, sfw, fluff/romance, aged up characters (since they're all working), no magic AU, 12k+ words, not beta read

author's note (see end for more): (Belated) HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEBEK and (Belated) Happy Anniversary, TWST JP! Since my first fic was also on Sebek's birthday last year, Happy 1 year anniversary to my blog! Yippee!

you can also read this on AO3

“Hello! You’re here again.” Sebek looked up from the menu to stare at you, not unkindly but in a not exactly friendly way either. “Dear regular. What will you be having tonight?”

You recognized him as the man who frequented your café at odd hours—always your first customer in the morning, loudly declaring the same order and quick to leave; always your last customer in the evening, quietly eating until he was forced to leave. He recognized you as the owner of the establishment—he had thought you to be the manager once with how present you were, but the way you dressed freely and lacked a name tag suggested otherwise.

“I’ll have honey lemon tea,” he replied easily, heeding the recommendation his two bosses gave him. It would be good to keep his voice loud and healthy, they said, and who was he to not follow such a well-meaning, wise suggestion? “Hot, please.”

“Alright,” you replied, scribbling something on your notepad quickly, “and for something to bite… The usual, sir?”

Sebek nodded, “Whatever went unsold, I’ll get it all.”

You smiled brightly. He remembered you used to be visibly shocked the first few times he dined in, even concerned for his wallet with how much he ordered. He had huffed at the time, proclaiming that he was very well compensated by his very well-off employers, and that there was no use in worrying about him or his appetite. Nowadays, though, with the growing popularity of your business, you seemed more concerned about whether you had enough to feed him with.

“It’s really nice that you eat well,” you said, “does it have something to do with your job? You know, like people who compete in bodybuilding have to eat a certain amount and eat certain things to develop their body a certain way when they work out.”

“You’ve never asked me about my profession before,” Sebek noted. Many people would have stopped at that and you did look like you were about to apologize for prying, but he was, honestly, extremely proud of his job, so he found himself talking about it anyway. “But yes. Eating a certain amount is a part of my training regimen! How can I protect Sir Malleus properly if I can’t utilize my body efficiently?”

You blinked. “I’m sorry, protect who?”

Sebek’s first instinct is to groan to himself—that was a slip of the tongue, he should have been more careful with his words…! What if you’re some delusional fan who’s going to pester him about Malleus Draconia?! What if you’re an anti who’s going to try to use him to get close to the man and try to harm him?!

“Malleus… I feel like I’ve heard that name before. Is he a model or something?”

The second instinct he has is to immediately educate you, because unless you’re extremely good at pretending—he has to keep his guard up before he can clear that doubt about you—you seem to not know who Malleus Draconia is, which is an act malum in se… A crime in and of itself.

“How do you not know the greatest performer of the century? The Malleus Draconia!” Sebek exclaimed, shaking his head. Simultaneously, he brought out his wallet—but not to pay for his orders yet. Rather, snuck in a slot right in between his credit card and debit card, he pulled out a photo card, one of the man being brought up. “This is Malleus Draconia. He was a talented stage actor in his childhood, then he became a soloist in his teenage years, before returning back to acting, this time in movies and series, in his adulthood. He also models, yes, in commercials and magazines, but it is not his main profession.

“Surely you must have seen him somewhere? Perhaps you simply did not know his name but your eyes have been graced with his performances!”

“Um, I hate to break it to you… I don’t think I know any of his songs, or watched anything he’s in,” you admitted, though upon locking eyes with him for a few seconds you ended up adding, “I’m sure he’s very talented, though! I mean, he certainly looks the part of someone popular. I’ll, err, do my research once I get home? If I don’t pass out in bed immediately,”

“That’s WONDERFUL! Of course, if you are truly as new to him as you say you are, you will have much to catch up on,” Sebek sighed, as though pitying you slightly, “but it will certainly be worth it. If you’re quick to invest enough, I won’t be surprised if you begin begging me for tickets to his concerts or fanmeets, or if you try to bribe me to get his signature. I won’t do it, mind you! So I’m warning you now!”

It was a very genuine warning, but something about the look on your face perturbed him. Could it be that you had plans to do so?

“So during these fanmeets and all these other events… You’ll be in attendance?” you asked, and Sebek scoffed at the question. Was it not obvious?

“I’m one of his bodyguards,” Sebek proclaimed with pride, “I am always in attendance, not only in the case of an emergency, but to support him as well!”

“I feel like you’re about to tell me something along the lines of ‘If Malleus Draconia has 1 million fans, I am one of them. If he has 1,000, I am one of them. If he has one, that is me. If he has none, I’ve departed from this world,’ or however the saying goes,” you laughed, and Sebek had almost begun an argument about how Malleus had more than one million fans, thank you very much! His MagiCam followers were only surpassed by the likes of Vil Schoenheit and Neige LeBlanche, who were active on social media, so it wasn’t a fair comparison!

“I think it’s nice that a serious guy like you has this kind of passion, even if I wouldn’t have been able to guess it,” you said, “everyone must feel really reassured that they could rely on someone dedicated like you to protect such a high-profile celebrity.”

“Hmph! Of course they are!” Sebek was practically preening at your compliments, readily accepting them. “It’s good that even you, who hardly knows anything about Malleus Draconia, can recognize that!”

“Feel free to tip me for that if you want,” you said, “that was a joke by the way, I was being genuine.”

“I know it was a joke.” Sebek did not know, actually. He was fully prepared to tip you more than usual for engaging in this type of conversation with him. Somehow, he found himself more rejuvenated than usual, even though he had quite the tiring workday. Hopefully the tea would do the trick and, if not, he supposed some late night lifting back in his apartment would get him sleepy!

“Alright,” you smiled, as though you didn’t believe him. “I’ll go prepare your order, Sebek.”

“I’m surprised you remember my name,” he admitted, “you always call me your regular or something else instead.”

“Sebek, you’ve spelled out your name for me so many times for your coffee,” you reminded him, “S-E-B-E-K. I’m sure anyone would remember a name yelled out at five in the morning, practically every day.”

“Right,” Sebek turned away from you, flushing slightly in embarrassment. Of course that made sense. He was a frequent customer. If not you, then one of your employees would write his name down on a coffee cup. Sebek was not a particularly common name, too, so obviously you would recall.

“Since you know my name, though, I should know yours as well.”

You never wore a name tag, after all, so all this time he’s been calling you the person who owns the café in the building of my work place, which was a mouthful and just, honestly, plain neglectful of him. How rude of him! He should correct his impoliteness, shouldn’t he? It was simply right and, well, he should work on doing right so as to not bring any blights to his employer!

“Is that so?”

You didn’t answer him initially, focused on preparing his orders and, right after, charging his card for the bill. However, when he gets his receipt, he finds it jotted in pencil at the back, alongside your MagiCam handle and phone number—for emergencies it says, right beside an asterisk, or if he needed something delivered to his workplace.

Sebek doesn’t do social media, nor is he particularly social anywhere, mostly using his phone for work, to keep up with anything to do with Malleus, or to catch up with his family, but he keeps the receipt tucked in his wallet instead of throwing it out immediately.

For emergencies, of course, though it’s not so much for him but more so for you. Not having any security guards in your café this close to midnight? Sure, the city was relatively safe, but there were dangerous people everywhere. Though he was not employed to protect you, he still frequented your café, so he found it important to make sure you were safe. It would be troublesome if something were to happen to you or your business.

That was all there was to it so, despite the regulations he had, self-imposed or otherwise, he found himself not just saving your number, but replying back, warning you to not spread his contact details anywhere.

Aside from a promise to do so, you text him something you’ve already told him a while ago: Good night!

Perhaps he should have reminded you to only text him for important matters, but maybe it was a good thing that he didn’t. He did not reply, but he made sure to greet you a good morning in person the next day.

Sebek’s eyes have constantly been flickering between Malleus Draconia and the crowd coming to see him this whole time, that being for about an hour now, and as much as he enjoys seeing people recognize the celebrity’s talents and efforts to the point that they would line up for hours to see him, the whole affair is, for once, relatively uneventful.

He’s grateful, of course, that there’s no one to have to restrain for once; even his boss seems genuinely relieved that the event thus far had been very peaceful, what with him flashing a rare grin (with teeth!) instead of his usual closed-lipped smirks and smiles.

What a blessed day to be a supporter of Malleus Draconia.

That was why, although he still tried to keep vigilant, he found himself relaxing slightly, just soaking up the good atmosphere.

Then you showed up. You were still wearing the clothes he usually saw you wearing in the café, but the hat you had on your head really made it difficult to distinguish you from the crowd until you eventually removed it, right when you were already in front of Malleus.

Why didn’t you tell him you were going to attend?! You never even showed any interest in attending when he told you there was going to be a fanmeet today!

Then, you placed a paper bag on top of the desk. The contents had to be food, Sebek was sure, because while you did your best to cover up where the food had come from by using something plain as opposed to branded packaging, there was no hiding the familiar smell of pastries within.

Really, it showed that you were awfully new to events like these. Though the rules differed from celebrity to celebrity, Malleus specifically was not allowed to accept foods that were not, at the very least, sealed and packaged. For safety reasons, unfortunately, but a measure that had to be done.

Still, because you, from what he knew of you, were a well-intentioned person, he didn’t want to embarrass you in front of anyone. He was already making his way to grab the paper bag himself, as well as give you a reminder for the future, when you decide to tell Malleus something, muttering low enough so as to not be heard by anyone else.

“Nice to meet you, Malleus,” you said, shaking the hand in front of you, “Sorry if this is impolite, but could you give this to Sebek?”

Sebek nearly screamed. He really was about to, but he just about managed to hold back, merely jolting in place. His fellow guard slash his other boss’ assistant slash adoptive son, Silver, stared at him pointedly.

“You know one of my bodyguards?” the black-haired man asked. While Sebek could not see his expression from his vantage point, he did sound intrigued by you. “Are you Sebek’s…?”

“He didn’t come by my café this morning,” you said, finally glancing towards him. “I was concerned he hadn’t eaten anything yet.”

“Oh I wouldn’t worry about him. He had a hefty breakfast, I promise,” Malleus laughed, “though I’ll make sure to give this to him anyway, since you worked so hard to bring it here.”

“Thank you, I really appreciate it. Sebek was right about you being nice. I’ll try to support you in the future,” you promised, “I’ll be going now. I don’t want to take away any more time than I have from your fans.”

“Alright, take care,” Malleus said, and Sebek watched you walk away with a smile, wondering to himself who exactly it was meant for considering the difference between who you were talking to versus who you were looking at.

Malleus spun around to hand the bag to him, eyes gleaming.

“Well, you might as well prepare yourself. Lilia is going to pester you about this later,” he laughed ominously, promptly turning back to the crowd to greet his next fan before Sebek could get a response out.

“You must have lined up for about an hour just to get to the front,” Sebek said, confronting you as soon as he got back to his hotel room. Through the phone, he heard you let out a hum of agreement. Sebek sighed right after. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I was expecting you! You said you’d be able to go get your morning coffee,” you retorted, “well, ‘coffee’, quote-unquote, it’s more like milk with a dash of coffee… But seriously, isn’t it normal to get worried, especially because of the type of job you have?”

Sebek glanced at the mirror, the visual representation of his heated face reflected right back at him.

“Something came up. We had to leave earlier than usual, so I couldn’t stop by,” he explained apologetically… and blatantly ignoring the comment about his tastes in caffeine. “You could have messaged me.”

“You don’t check your phone during work hours,” you reminded him, “unless it’s work related.”

“How sure are you that I would not have checked?!” Sebek asked, rolling his eyes despite the fact that you would not be able to see it. “Seriously…! I got a severe questioning from my boss because of you!”

“Oops, sorry!” you apologized, not sounding all that sorry. “What did Malleus ask you? I can’t imagine him as the type to grill you all that much.”

“Not much, thankfully, since, AHEM!” He cleared the non-existent phlegm in his throat, using that time to think of some other response other than the truth. “He mostly did the listening, not the questioning. Our chairman did.”

He inevitably went with the truth.

“Damn… your chairman?” you laughed, though it seemed more sympathetic this time, “You didn’t get in trouble, did you? I know some people are particularly strict with, you know, how they operate during work hours, who they associate with, not allowing people in your personal life to interact with people in your profession, things like that.”

“No! No, he’s terrifying sometimes, but he’s extremely compassionate too!” Sebek said, defending the man, “Although the questions… I would have preferred not to answer them at all…”

The recollection of the earlier event, the awkwardness and embarrassment he felt as he was questioned about you of all people, everything about it made him groan in annoyance. It felt like no matter what he answered, he found himself digging into a deeper and deeper hole that he couldn’t get away from.

“Okay, I won’t pry about the questions since you seem so pained by the memory,” you assured him, “even if I’m curious, so… Let’s talk about something else, then, if you’re not busy.”

“I’m not busy,” Sebek said quickly, even though he was rather tired from everything today. It was just… talking to you, yes, so it wasn’t like he would be exerting that much effort by staying up a few minutes later! The only difference between talking to you back at the café and talking to you on the phone was distance, obviously.

Never mind that, at the time, he was there as a customer and right now, well, there was no real reason for him to speak to you without the proximity binding you two to converse.

“Are you sure? You sound a little tired.”

“Me? Tired? Do you still not know me well enough to be able to suggest such a thing? The events of today are not enough to make use of all of my strength, mind you!” he huffed, incredulous at the suggestion. “Even if I were to stay up for three consecutive nights, I would be able to do it!”

“Would not recommend that, even if it’s for work.” He imagined you shaking your head at him in some form of disapproval. “How was the coffee, by the way? I hope it was still warm by the time it got into your hands.”

“It was actually, yes.” His eyes darted onto the coffee table, the mint green tumbler sitting there, emptied and washed. “The insulation was good and it kept the drink sufficiently warm. I must ask where you bought it! I should replace my current water bottle with something similar.”

“Ahh… Just keep it, then,” you told him, hastily adding, “I haven’t used it yet, by the way! So you don’t have to worry about, like, my germs or something.”

“I can’t possibly…” Sebek said, trailing off as he listened to your protests. “Fine! Let me pay for it, then.”

“Sebek, no.” He tried to imagine what type of expression you would have on your face by now as you tried to argue with him. There were some complaints and banter, yes, but insistence regarding something so simple was new in regards to you. “Just consider it as a thank you for being my regular.”

“Absolutely not, then. Goods and services are meant to be paid for, and I’ve paid for them appropriately. It’s not like you’re handing them out to me for free. If anything, shouldn’t I pay you extra for doing a delivery run even when you did not have to go that far?”

For a moment you did not say anything, and Sebek thought he had finally won against you. Then, as though to let him know your silence was simply spent thinking of the perfect response, you replied,

“Then it’s a gift,” you told him, “because you’re my friend.”

“FRIEND?!” Sebek blurted out, before clearing his throat the second time that night. “Ah! Well, yes, of COURSE. This is normal behavior for friends to exhibit, yes. The exchange of gifts. Tokens of friendship.”

“Yeah? I mean, not everyone really needs to exchange. Sometimes, just receiving or just giving is enough,” you pointed out, “but you know, it feels nice to let your friends know you appreciate them any way you can, and that you’re appreciated, too.”

“Of course,” Sebek nodded to himself. Payment wasn’t what you wanted. What you needed in return was something… heartfelt and genuine. It was like one of his favorite Malleus Draconia movies, where he, to show his appreciation, gifted his dear ally something practical, something special, something he knew they would enjoy. It was such a good movie he had teared up, and what kind of fan would he be if he were not to heed the morals of the media he consumed? “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“That’s oddly intimidating, but alright,” you replied, yawning midway, “Alright, it’s getting late, and if not you, then I should go get some rest, so… See you tomorrow?”

“I won’t be there in the morning,” he let you know, “but I’ll see you in the evening.”

“Okay.” He imagined your smile, the one you usually gave him when he entered and left your café. He imagined you were smiling before you hung, and when you hung up it was only then that Sebek realized the call had gone longer than he had thought, and that he was still dressed in his suit.

It was thereafter he remembered that his room was right beside Malleus’, who tended to stay up late with Lilia, who often had Silver by his side, and thus…

Someone knocked on his door, a familiar beat of a song from his hometown. When he opened it up, he was only slightly surprised to be face to face with his fellow bodyguard, somehow awake at this hour.

“Sebek, try to lower your volume next time,” the light-haired boy sighed, “father told me to let you know he and Malleus could hear your lover’s quarrel from the next room.”

He felt the red seep back into his face, though he wondered if it had ever really left in the first place.

“I’ll go over and apologize… even if it’s not a lover’s quarrel!” he boomed, before shutting the door behind him. Next to him, Silver shrugged.

“Okay, maybe we just misheard.”

“And misunderstood, too,” Sebek added. They walked a few steps in the hallway, walking away from room 1703 stopping right in front of 1704, Malleus’ room. Before Silver could use the keycard, Sebek halted the action. “Wait. Answer me this before we enter.”

“Sure?” Silver asked, confused by how sudden it was brought upon him. “If I can, I’ll try.”

“Silver… What kind of gifts do friends usually give each other?”

“SIR! What are you doing here?!”

At his exclamation, Malleus Draconia looked away from his conversation partner, you, to acknowledge his presence. Beside him, you smile and wave at him, as though beckoning him to come closer. He could not compel himself to do so, choosing to stand right next to the door.

“Am I not allowed to be here, Sebek?”

He froze, panicked and unsure of how to respond. Who was he to dictate where the man was allowed to go, especially a place not just harmless, but a place he was fond and familiar with? If anything, his pre-existing preoccupation with the establishment should have assured him that nothing terrible would happen to his employer.

Beyond safety, the person who ran the business itself was one he approved of beyond measure, thus…

“There’s no reason you shouldn’t be, sir!” he replied hastily, gaze avoidant of your own, focused on the tall man. “I was just shocked to see you here so late, and without Sir Lilia or Silver by your side!”

“Even before you and Silver were enlisted as my guards, I’ve been accustomed to taking walks at this hour. You’re not the only creature of the night, after all.” Malleus moved to stand up from his chair, the seat he (and you) preferred to occupy during nights like these, walking towards him slowly. “Since I understand now why you frequent this place, I should take my leave.”

Sebek let out a sound of protest instinctively, ready to either drive or walk the man back to his home or whichever location he wanted to go to next, but Malleus waved him off.

“I don’t need to monopolize any more of your time, especially since you just got here. I already have your company nearly everyday for multiple hours a day.” His gaze drifted back to you, looking unsure as to whether you should insist on having Sebek escort him or otherwise. “Unlike a certain someone. I’ll go hail a ride by myself.”

“Do… Do you have the app for that installed on your phone?” Sebek asked, admittedly doubtful at the actor’s ability to book one for himself. Not that he could dare say his concerns out loud.

“Kids these days… Lilia taught me how to do it, remember?” he deadpanned, “now leave me be and don’t even think about being back at the hotel room until at least midnight.”

“Did you just get a reverse curfew?” you muttered in disbelief, attention all on him as Malleus took his leave.

“I’m… a little confused myself,” Sebek admitted, “but I’m sure someone as intelligent as Sir Malleus has his reasons for imposing a, as you said, reverse curfew. In fact, I can think of a few right now!”

You looked surprised, which was an offense (none taken, but an offense nonetheless) to him. Sure, he would not say he was one hundred percent sure, false advertising was a crime, but he was at least ninety percent sure, which was more than decent by his standards.

“Oh? What do you think Malleus is trying to do?”

“It’s not that he doesn’t have his own sense of agency, but I have my reasons to believe that the chairman influenced him to visit you during his free time,” Sebek sighed, growing more and more embarrassed as the list of reasons began writing themselves in his brain. Was he actually going to reveal all of it to you?!

Of course he was. He never quite got the ability to keep his mouth shut unless told or, well, with you sometimes.

“Him coming here was probably due to a few things. First, they’re trying to teach me some kind of lesson. That is–”

“Wait, lesson?” you laughed, finding his answer a little absurd, “Do you think seeing me is a punishment?”

“OF COURSE NOT!” he denied immediately, “To imply as such is downright repugnant!”

“Pfft, it was a joke!”

“I don’t see how it could be humorous.” Sebek shook his head, wondering how you could afford to smile at his displeasure. What a terrible thing for someone to find your company even the least bit unpleasant; even more terrible, for someone to think he could dislike it, dislike you. “In any case, what I meant by lesson is that they might want to remind me that, as a bodyguard, my protection should not be limited to my employers and family. Rather, it should extend to good people. Like you.”

“That’s… That’s quite the sweet conclusion to arrive to, but…” you trailed off for a moment, as though hesitating to continue. “Sebek, do you really think that’s the reason Malleus told you to stay?”

“It would make sense, but there are other reasons, I’m sure.”

“Okay, then tell me another, since I’m not too convinced.”

“Well… It could be a reward,” Sebek said, “for a job well done. Instead of having to continue working at this hour, which I would be happy to do, I’m proud of what I can do as a bodyguard. I’m sure some consideration is in play by allowing me to spend time with a friend instead.”

“Ah, well, yes, but also no. I’m not sure how you can get it, but also not? At the same time?” you laughed, awkward but not demeaning. It still perturbed him, though.

“Okay? Then explain your thought process, then,” Sebek huffed, slightly frustrated at what he was not getting, “You seem to have talked a decent amount with my boss before I got here, somehow to the point that you can understand his way of thinking already.”

“I would, but he told me to keep it between us.” Before he could complain and demand to know anyway, you switched the subject very deliberately and, to your fortune, rather effectively. “So you think getting to spend time with me is a reward?”

Sebek’s eyebrows furrowed, indignant at your choice of ignoring his inquiry and at himself for not catching his word choice. Reward, was that the word he used?

“Hmph! Don’t get too haughty about it now!” he insisted, a warning that you would likely not take to heart, “It’s less reward and more a rewarding feeling, like something nice to look forward to before I end my day.”

“I see.” Except you’re not looking at him again, despite there being no one else to look at. Sebek should be frustrated, as he tended to be when people did not pay attention to him when he addressed them, but there’s something soft about your expression that has him okay with the slight impoliteness. He supposed even someone like him could fall victim to favoritism after all.

There’s another reason he could have told you that comes into mind, but he swallows it for now.

“I’ll go get you something to eat,” you told him, suddenly standing up and leaving him alone at his usual table. Sebek realized that might have been the first time the both of you had simply talked without anything in front of the both of you, no barriers, no disruptions. It was like those signs that were hung up in establishments sometimes, telling people to talk or read a book instead of using their phones and asking for the internet password.

Sebek abided by those quite a lot, reading whatever book he could lay his hands on (or an electronic book if his bag was strapped for space), but he never could have imagined talking to someone about… topics that he had never discussed with anyone, for a lack of a better term.

“There’s something I’ve been thinking about.”

“Yes?” You looked up suddenly from the plate of pastries you had picked up for him, genuinely curious and perhaps even showing an anticipatory flash of excitement. “Lay it on me.”

“So how long was my boss in the café? If you can’t give me the specifics… What were the topics, at the very least?”

“Oh? Interrogating me, are you?” you laughed, as though amused, though you looked away and had gone back to piling pastries, now on a second plate, so he could not see your expression. “Don’t worry, I only said good things about you.”

Shame as it was, it was alright. Even without seeing your eyes, he knows you are not one to lie, especially with such a matter important to him.

On one hand, he likes (more than, even, perhaps adores) the idea that you talked about him, good things at that. Beyond that, the idea that you could compliment him to his superior, a person he’s heavily respected since childhood, pleased him heavily. With that said…

It’s not jealousy or envy, per say. He knows what those taste like—he’s been eating and swallowing them up for years, after all—which is how he knows what he’s feeling isn’t anything associated with the sin. Rather, he supposes he’s… concerned. That talking to others about him would give you a certain impression of him, one that’s not very capable after all, even though he goes on and on about how dedicated and passionate he is when it comes to his job.

Dedication is one thing. Ability is another.

The thing is, Sebek’s come to the realization that he wants, needs you to think of him as someone capable, though he can’t be sure why the idea of you in particular showing disappointment in him scares him so much.

“Do you think I’m lacking in any means?” Sebek breathed out the question without any context, and while you looked somewhat surprised at the question, you don’t grill him for it either. Maybe you understood what he meant—you had gotten good at that, he thought, understanding him in a way others failed to.

“I can’t say for sure,” you replied honestly. You sit in front of him once more, placing two plates in front of him that would go unnoticed and untouched for a little while longer. “When it comes to work in particular. However… Most people aren’t exactly built to be perfect in everything, so everyone is lacking in something.”

You could have stopped there. It’s a model answer to a question he had sprung up on you for no real reason other than to see what you think or, maybe, to reassure himself over this and that.

You don’t stop. Instead, you looked him in the eye and asked,

“Do you want me to tell you what I really think?”

“Please,” Sebek said, desperate not just for praise, but for feedback. As long as it was an opinion you held of him, that you had an opinion on him that wasn’t so… typical, he supposed.

“I think that when it comes to your character, I think you’re doing your best to become better and better each day. Whether this is the path you continue to take in the future or not, I think there’s one thing you will never lack—it’s your dedication.”

Sebek’s beaming the rest of the night, even when it’s mostly silent—him regaining his energy and calories, you asking him questions here and there about his day, him throwing them back at you. It’s peaceful and he’s happy, he’s happy and it’s got nothing to do with Malleus or Lilia or winning in a friendly martial arts spar against Silver; it’s got nothing to do with his parents doting on him or his siblings making him his favorite food. It’s got all to do with you and it’s just… terribly wonderful.

It’s a minute after midnight when he stands by the entrance again, smile a little smaller, regretful to have to go, but teeth still blinding nonetheless. He’s thinking if he should ask if he can help you clean up next time, or if he should offer to drive you home—some other excuse to stick around a little longer, all under the guise of his boss’ orders, when you interrupt his reverie.

“Sebek, before you go, I need to ask you something.” You stood by the door. You don’t invite him in nor do you step outside with him, but you keep the door open to be able to talk to him. “Or tell you something. Both.”

“What is it?”

“Malleus told me your awareness levels are… a work in progress, but do you really not understand his intentions? Or, one of them, at least,” you asked, “I’m sure he and Lilia and Silver are very nice people who genuinely want you to spend more time with me as a friend, and that they’re curious about me as a person because I’m your friend, but it’s a little clear to me that they’re trying to see if they can get something else to happen by giving us more time alone, or purposefully seeking me out during a time you would usually come by.”

Sebek did not answer immediately, not because he did not understand where you were getting at, but because he had not wanted to acknowledge it. His awareness skills, he was told, were something he needed work with, but the base level was not zero.

After all, every mention of you brought upon implications upon implications. At that point, even he would get it. It was just that… it was embarrassing for you to realize it as well, so he tucked the reason he was very well-aware existed at the back of his mind.

Unfortunately, you already realized it, too.

With the silence that followed, you decided to continue.

“Malleus told me to keep this a secret, but it didn’t feel right,” you admitted, somewhat cautiously, like the man would be able to hear you break a promise, “so I’m telling you now. He was asking me what I thought about you, mostly, or what I felt. Anything to gauge if the two of us were actually in a relationship or if there was some way to set us up or get us together.

“It’s nice that he cares, but, you know, still a little shocking to have some world famous celebrity come up to you and ask you about your intentions with his bodyguard. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?”

“I have to apologize,” Sebek said, unsure of who, if there was anyone, really, to blame for the situation. He knew you had started it by appearing in their sights during the fanmeet, but he was the one who brought you up, and… Sebek was loathe to so much as think it, but even his seniors played fault, too, no matter how well-meaning they were.

“I’m sorry for bringing you into this. They’re just… I don’t mention anyone other than my family. I’m not exactly the most…” His voice dropped to a whisper, as though unwilling to admit something. “What I’m trying to say is that I hope you’re not off put by me all of a sudden because of this.”

“What? Of course not!” Without a second even passing you had countered the idea immediately, and in the evening, the sun had shone in his heart once more. “I was worried you would be put off by it! I mean, you never… I mean I like having you around, so it would kind of, really suck if you stopped because of, you know.”

You waved your hands around, unable to find the appropriate word. Sebek, articulate as he tried to be, understood the feeling this time around.

“No, no! It’s not a big deal to me! These kinds of things happen all the time in the entertainment industry, I’ve heard all the complaints first hand! If they’re mentally strong enough to handle all those rumors about them, then something this small shouldn’t bother me, nor should it you!” he proclaimed, and you nodded your head in agreement.

“Thank the Sevens… I was seriously worried… You’re too important to me.”

Sebek stiffened in place. For a moment, he thought he would burst into… something, maybe flames, maybe an explosion, just something crackling and sparking and sparkling. You looked like you had expected him to shout, too, but when his voice had left his throat it had cracked like he was going through puberty once more. Uncertain, unsure, unconfident—words that he believed had long left his vocabulary since.

“I’m important to you?” Sebek did not quite realize it then, but he asked not for a clarification but a repetition. He heard it right, but what he needed was to hear it again.

“You’re important to me, Sebek.”

Sebek’s face was colored a bright red—he can see it through the nearby window’s reflection, hazy as it may be at this hour.

It’s through that reflection, too, that he realized his hands had been shaking, torn between wanting to cover up his face and the smile growing back on it, to trying to hold onto… something, someone. He settled for curling one up in a fist, then clutching the lapels of his suit jacket the other.

“I SEE! I SUPPOSE I…” He tried to respond with his usual bravado, but he could not compel himself to do it this time around. “Ahem, I…”

“Hey, you don’t have to–”

“No, let me say it,” he interrupted quickly. Your consideration was always appreciated, but he wanted to make things fair, to make sure you understood. “To you, I feel the same. You are… You are someone I…

“You are precious to me.”

“Ah?” You let out a huff, some kind of sound of disbelief. He can’t blame you—he had meant to echo what you had told him for it would be the truth anyway, and yet a different statement had come out instead. “I thought you were going to say… Seriously…!”

Then, you shut the door on him. Before Sebek can so much as worry if he had suddenly ruined everything, you go from leaning against the counter—the transparency of the door had ruined your ability to hide yourself from him—to stomping right back up to the door, opening it wide.

“I’ll see you tomorrow. Please stay safe on the way back,” you breathed out, somehow looking more frazzled within such a short time frame.

“Of course I will.”

“Okay. Good.” Then, you do something he had only seen people do in the movies, something he had thought would never happen in real life, much less to him.

You pulled him closer by his tie, almost as though you had wanted to drag him right back inside with you. Instead, though, you tug just strong enough to make him jolt forwards, letting him do the work of aligning himself to be right in front of you. With an anticipation he had never felt before, he abruptly shut his eyes, not knowing what else to do.

Unlike the movies, you don’t leave a kiss on his lips. Because you are friends, and most friends don’t just… do that, he thinks. However, the chaste peck you leave on his lips does not feel that friendly either.

There’s room for doubt, of course, because you are one of the only friends he even has, and the feelings he has with you have felt different than everyone else, but he just knows, for once not with his mind but with his heart, that he should not have felt that way receiving a kiss on the cheek from someone he saw as… as…

“Good night!” you shouted, emulating his usual volume, before running back inside, actually trying to hide yourself from him this time.

On the drive home he tries to simply move past everything, but the whole event—the whole night, really—just keeps replaying in his head like a broken record. The stoplight is green and he’s thinking about how you’re such a wonderful friend and that you were exhibiting normal friend behavior. The stoplight is red and he has one hand off the steering wheel, too busy keeping it next to the cheek you had kissed.

Sebek tried to move on, really, but the thing is—

It’s almost one in the morning, so it’s a given that all the stores are closed. Some stores, however, keep the lights in their display windows open. He never would have noticed it before, but with Silver’s voice ringing in his head, it taunts him now.

—Sebek’s not very good at moving past anything.

Sebek didn’t believe in magic, he was a little too old for that, but that did not stop him from believing you might have cursed him somehow, maybe put some kind of magic in that tumbler you gave him, or the sweets he definitely did not enjoy that much and only ate for the dose of carbohydrates he needed.

It had to be some kind of curse, because why else was he actually heeding Silver’s advice—Silver, of all people!—regarding what kind of gift you might enjoy. Why was he pulling up his maps application for a store he had never even known existed until he passed by it some nights ago while thinking about you! Isn’t that crazy?!

“I can type it, you know,” you offered, comfortably strapped with a seatbelt at the back of his car. “Not that I know where we’re going in the first place, but…”

“I’ve got it,” he insisted, having already saved the address previously. “You’ll see. It’s just ten minutes away from here.”

“Should I be nervous?” you asked with a short laugh, “I feel like I should be, especially since I’m strapped so securely at the back of your car instead of, you know, the front next to you.”

“It’s what I’m used to, so it was just my instincts telling me to make you sit there,” Sebek admitted, “you can sit at the front if you want later.”

“Nice! Still don’t know where we’re heading, though. I don’t recognize the store name you inputted.”

“I passed by it while driving home one time,” while I was freaking out thinking about you kissing me, except not really the type of kissing people expect when they hear the term kissing, except it felt like a real kiss to me anyway !

“I thought you might like some of the items they sold there.”

“Aww! Since when were you such a sweetheart?” you cooed, and Sebek used the excuse of being too busy paying attention to the road to respond to what you said.

“I’m surprised you’re free today, though, since you don’t seem like the type to skimp out on work. You give me the vibes of someone who would try to train somehow by going to the gym or something when you have a break.”

“That’s true,” he replied, “though I’m not some kind of musclehead, if that’s what you’re implying!” he said, “I also do other things, though, like dropping by bookstores in the area, or attending interesting lectures in my alma mater, or–”

“–or seeing your favorite café owner after hours?” He looked at you through the rear-view mirror, watching you eye him expectantly. You might even be pouting—he’s not sure, he doesn’t want to spend too long looking at your mouth. He sighed.

“No, I do that even when I don’t have days off,” he corrected you, “It would be more accurate to say that I also spend my afternoons with a café owner, now.”

“What’s with the aversion to calling me your favorite? Do you have another café owner friend that I have to worry about?” you complained, more as a joke than anything, but Sebek felt compelled to appease you anyhow.

“Accusing me of being disloyal? How insolent!” he huffed, “Did I waste my paid leave on you after all?”

Sebek was lucky he was the one behind the wheel, considering you looked just about ready to slam the horn of the car… or slam him against it, he can’t be sure.

“Wait, I thought you were free?!”

“I AM! Why do you think I’m here? I took a leave, which means I’m free for the rest of the day!”

“I thought it was just a day off or something! Like, Malleus told you you didn’t have to accompany him anywhere or something!”

“I mean he did tell me that, or else I would be working.” He rolled his eyes, because was it not obvious that he would not just skip work if he felt that he was needed? He did not even think he would be ALLOWED to. “I’m healthy enough to never be ill so I don’t use them up. If anything, they were very much alright with letting me take a leave once I told them my reasoning.”

“Well when you put it that way,” you laughed, “they probably think you’re getting time off to take me out on a date or some–SEBEK EYES ON THE ROAD!”

“Don’t spring up something like THAT on me all of a sudden!” His hand gripped the wheel tightly, chest heaving as he very nearly ran a red light. “Not that you’re wrong, but, you know!”

“I definitely won’t while we’re on the road,” you muttered, tearing your eyes away from him to look outside of the window, “but, like… You know they’re going to ask you about today later, right?”

“I have time to figure out how to word my report.” He cleared his throat, “Okay, wait, we’re here. You can step out and head in already, if you want. Parallel parking is… parallel parking.”

“No, no, I want to see how long it takes you,” you snickered, “come on, if you want to boast about being a terrific driver, this is essential to perfect.”

“Heh, you think you’re so cheeky and clever. This is why I shouldn’t favor you over anyone else—you’re too keen on taking advantage of it!” Ignoring that he had essentially admitted that he did favor you, he shooed you out of his car. When it came to parking properly, he had to use all of his mirrors and… Honestly, he was a little terrified he’d damage someone’s car because he miscalculated, distracted by your presence.

It takes him three minutes, which is way better than his latest record of four. He thinks it might be because he doesn’t want to keep you waiting, knowing he wouldn’t want to be kept waiting, too.

“Sebek, look!” You tugged onto the sleeve of his sweater as soon as he entered the store, attempting to navigate him carefully through the aisles, shelves filled with fragile objects and breakables that neither of you wanted to pay for.

Taking him to a more secluded area, you pick up a mug to show him.

“Doesn’t it look like you?”

“Because it’s green?” he deadpanned.

“No, no, look closely at the crocodile!” you argued. It was hard not to look closely since you were waving it right in front of his face. Other than the similarity in colors, he’s really not sure how it’s supposed to be him.

“I don’t see what you’re talking about.”

“I’ll make you see it then,” you proclaimed, “I’m getting it, then I’ll serve all your hot drinks with this mug so you’ll be forced to stare right at it. Then, you’ll realize I’m right.”

“You’re getting it because it looks—because you think it looks like me?! What kind of reason is that?” he coughed, pretending he did feel the least bit flustered by you. He took you here because he thought you might appreciate getting some nice mugs or plates or something for your cafe, and the first thing you pick out is something for him?! Isn’t that just unfair?!

“Oh, and I’m getting this one as well!” His eyes follow your fingertips, seeing you point at a mug themed after a brown rodent. Given that the animal-themed mugs seemed to be in alphabetical order, then that one was…

“You know capybaras are too big for crocodiles to swallow, right,” he explained, wondering if you were being purposeful in your selections thus far, “that’s why they can swim in the same waters.”

“In my heart of hearts that means they have a close relationship! Which means, I’ll be using that mug from now on, thank you very much,” you grinned at him, and all Sebek can do is take the two mugs from you, a lot more careful with his hold than he usually is. He’s pretty sure there’s only one left of the designs you’ve picked out, so it would be troubling if anything had happened to them.

“I can’t say I would have picked THESE out, but we went here for you, after all,” he began. He really did think there were designs more to his taste, like the squirrel themed one he saw by the display window, but he did not take his leave to go shopping for himself.

He was heeding Silver’s advice by getting you something practical you could use and, well, this was what he had thought of.

“So if you like these, then we’ll get them.”

“Wait… Sebek, are you offering to pay? I…” you trailed off, clearly remembering something. “No way… Is this about the tokens of friendship? You never forgot about that?”

“I use the tumbler you give me all the time. It’s pretty good for when I need something to drink during workouts, or keeping my drinks warm,” Sebek explained, “I wanted to get you something you could use all the time, too, so if you’ll let me pay, I’d be more than happy to!”

“I’ll think about it… I’m definitely not letting you pay for anything else I pick up, but if it’s those two…” you hummed, not giving an answer right away.

That was fine by Sebek, who had made a numbered list in his head of things he could do for you as some sort of… he didn’t know how to describe it. Something to prove himself to you, he supposed. Impress you, maybe, or simply make you happy with him. Happy in general.

“You know, I’ve heard people talk about whether people should split the bill on a date or not, but I never really hear discussions about whether people should give gifts or not,” you laughed, “not that this is a date, but the same principle applies.”

You’re walking away from him, perusing the rest of the ceramics and metals, and it’s then the impulsiveness wins in him.

“I MEAN, IT’S NOT LIKE–” He forgets himself and where he is, but you’re walking right back up to him, so he supposes his volume was alright in the moment. When you’re close enough, though, his voice drops to just above a whisper. “It’s not like it can’t be a date. You don’t have to insist that it isn’t.”

“Well you didn’t call it one when you popped the question all of a sudden at five in the morning!” you argued, “Wait, you’re not saying date as in platonic date, right? I have nothing against it, but I don’t want to misunderstand–”

“I meant it in a… in a… You know! The not-just-platonic way!”

“Romantic?” you supplied helpfully… or maybe unhelpfully. He knew the word! Saying it out loud, in public, was just embarrassing for him! Not embarrassed of you or his feelings or anything, just embarrassing in general. He wondered how the leads in those dramas and movies and books made it look so easy when it was the most nerve wracking thing he’s done since his job application!

“Yes, romantic!” he exclaimed, suddenly grateful that there were no other customers besides them, and suddenly uncaring that the only other person—the cashier—could hear him. “If you want!”

“I’ve extended my café hours from eleven in the evening to midnight for you, in case you haven’t noticed,” you informed him, “Do you think I just added salmon pasta to the menu on a whim? Obviously I only added it because you said you liked it!”

“Well you’ve never told me that!”

“Well, should I go ahead and tell you now? Sebek Zigvolt, terribly intelligent, incredibly cute, and occasionally dense, I–”

“Wait no!” He notices his grip tighten on the mugs, and he softens it just in time before any chips or cracks could appear on either one. “Not that, you know, I don’t… We shouldn’t say that here.”

“Why not?” you asked, not offended but certainly curious.

“I want it to be more… special?” he cleared his throat, “Not that it can’t be, since you’re here, but I want to be more prepared when I say it, or when I hear it. Whichever comes first.”

“Okay,” you responded, nodding in understanding, “yeah, maybe this was a little out of nowhere. We don’t want to have regrets or anything.”

“No, we don’t,” he agreed. As much as he thought he would not regret any of his feelings for you, he did not want you to look back at this day and wish he had admitted his feelings for you some other way. He needed it to be perfect. “I’m glad we’re on the same page. About this and about, ah, our feelings… Right?”

“Right!” You left little room for doubt with your answer. You never seemed to when it came to Sebek. While he had absolutely no plans to admit it to your face anytime soon, he appreciated the lengths you went to make sure he would never misunderstand you or your intentions. Just as he was a man devout to chosen people, he was a man prone to doubt.

“That said… Is your offer to count this as a date still up for grabs?”

Sebek Zigvolt was well into his twenties, so the idea that he was back to talking to an inanimate object—a mug of all things—was bizarre to him. Downright embarrassing, actually. Sometimes he found himself regretting buying that squirrel-shaped mug, but you were just way too convincing and now he uses it to store his toothbrushes. Wonderful.

“Should I do it today?” he asked. It had no mouth so it could not speak, but the painted-on eyes staring back at him held a resounding no.

“You’re right. Domesticity is one thing, but is it not too casual to confess in my apartment of all places…?” he murmured.

He checked his teeth for any food or stains one last time—old habits die hard when your parents are dentists—before leaving the bathroom.

“Thanks for letting me have lunch here,” you told him. You’re putting your shoes back on already and it reminded him that he, too, had to get back to work in a short while. “It’s hard to have a relaxing meal in my own café sometimes. I feel like I’ll end up doing work instead of eating.”

“And that would be no good! One must always rest without the distraction of work in the midst!” Sebek declared, walking over to the dining table, finding that you had already washed the dishes without him. You even remembered where he hid the towels—it took you longer to find them last time.

“Exactly, so I hope you don’t mind me coming here again. Though, if you’re free, I also know a good–”

A knock on the door interrupted the both of you. Sebek frowned, immediately reaching for something he could use to whack someone with in case of an emergency. Meanwhile, you walked over there without any hesitation.

“I’m already heading out anyway, so I might as well,” you explained, partially unlocking the door to get a peep of who was outside. “Oh. Silver, right?”

SILVER?! What was that man doing outside of his apartment? Not that he’d never been, but still! Couldn’t he have at least sent a text or call warning him? How rude, especially since he had a guest over, and…!

Oh Sevens, he had you over, and Silver saw.

“That would be me,” the man replied, face less stiff than usual. His expression is somewhere in between actually smiling and trying to de-widen his eyes. “You’re Sebek’s…”

“Yeah, let’s leave it at that,” you laughed sheepishly, “I assumed you would be Silver because of the hair. You probably get that a lot. Anyway, SEBEK! YOUR FRIEND IS HERE!”

“WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING,” he shouted, “I CAN SEE HIM.”

“THEN I’LL LEAVE YOU TO IT,” you shouted back, “I’LL GO BACK TO WORK NOW.”

You unlocked the door fully now, allowing Silver to enter, you to exit, and Sebek… to also exit right after you. He knew it was not very hospitable of him to leave Silver to tend to his apartment, but it would only be for a minute anyway! The INTRUDER could handle himself for that long!

“Hold on,” Sebek called out to you, grabbing hold of your hand. “I should give you a proper farewell. It’s good manners.”

“You’ll see me again later anyway,” you laughed, “okay, come closer.”

Sebek’s gotten himself into a certain routine, he would put it, one that he loathed to break. Routine was routine for a reason, and there was no reason for him to not abide by it. What must be done shall be done.

You pressed your lips just next to his, narrowly avoiding them in favor of the corners where his smile lines were. Sebek suddenly wanted to go on a run so he could blame the sudden spike of his heart rate on the physical activity.

“I’ll see you later,” you said as you pulled away—from his face, from his hand, from him. This would have been the part where he would have offered to either drive or walk you back, but…

He sighed as he went back into his apartment. He wanted to muster up a frown for Silver, but he was still too giddy to stop himself from smiling in time.

“Who said you could make yourself home in my place?” Silver, seated on his sofa and idly watching the news on his television, looked back up at him with a cup of coffee in his hand. Thankfully not one of the few cups you’ve brought and left in his apartment, but still. “And why are you here anyway?”

“I was nearby, so I thought it would be more efficient to ride together. Save gas, it’s better for the environment.” The man took a sip of his coffee (without sugar or cream or milk! Just how did he manage?), humming appreciatively. “Huh. Your partner’s pretty good at this.”

“That’s true,” Sebek replied, and then realized his mistake. “But, like I said, the two of us are NOT in a relationship.”

“There’s no point in lying, if you’re worried about being professional, since we don’t have a no-dating policy to abide by, unlike some talents out there,” Silver countered. That was NOT the issue though, unbeknownst to the man.

“I would NOT lie about this to you, and even more so to Sir Malleus and Sir Lilia!” he insisted. “We’re currently dating!”

“I’m sorry?”

“Dating. No label yet. Like courting. There is a difference!” He said it like it was incredibly obvious, even though he had not realized there was a difference between going on dates and being in an official relationship before you had told him about it.

“Ah, well… As long as you’re happy.” Sebek wasn’t sure if Silver actually understood correctly, but he nodded his head anyway.

“Exactly. I feel happy, so you don’t have to pry.”

That was what Sebek told him, but, if he’s being honest… He really does want to confess soon. It’s why after a moment of silence, he caves—

“BUT… You know, if you have any advice, I would listen attentively. Even if it’s subpar. Your previous advice regarding the gifts were decent, so I would not be against hearing what you would have to say.”

Actually the advice was more than decent, considering it somehow led him to being one step closer to being with you romantically, which was more than he ever could have hoped. However, he did not want to give Silver the satisfaction and credit, so he would not say as much.

“You could have just said thank you…” Silver deadpanned, shaking his head.

Sebek should have realized that the perfect place, the perfect time, would be that which was both special and familiar to the both of you.

He’s reading through a small binder of papers his boss had given him. He’s red-faced, slightly frustrated, but extremely focused at each and every word and line and note written in the margins, eyes intense like the words were his prey, his meal, like consuming the words would mean he would embody them.

You clearly notice how his attention’s been completely captured by the papers in his hand considering you call him out for it. You never used to ask considering he sometimes held confidential documents, things even he can’t tell you, but you can’t seem to hold your curiosity this time around.

“My boss gave me his scripts,” he replied, “to clarify, he selected a few scenes from some of the movies and dramas he’s acted in.”

“You don’t seem as excited as I thought you would be.”

“It’s not that I’m not grateful!!! Being able to have papers from the original copy is wonderful! I’m sure these count as prized possessions!” he exclaimed.

“But?”

But the reason his boss gave them to him was embarrassing! His employer is terribly generous and kind, as expected, and maybe a little later he’ll be elated about being gifted them, but the fact that Malleus gave them to him so he could get an idea of how to confess to you simply made him want to shrivel up and wither.

A part of him didn’t want to explain it to you at all, perhaps think up some excuse on the spot, but he knew that honesty was important in all relationships, so he shouldn’t hide it from you.

There’s also the fact that he’s not the best liar, but that’s entirely irrelevant.

“I told you that I wanted to wait for the perfect time to confess, so I would have the right words to explain my feelings for you this time around… But I’ve been having difficulty formulating the perfect order of words, order of sentences.” Sebek was bashful at the admission. Even though he knew it not to be true, he sometimes felt that you were better at conveying your feelings for him than he for you. He felt repressed by comparison, even though he did his best to showcase his affections whatever way he could.

In him was the desperate need to not just make you feel how you made him feel, but to make sure you understood just how you have charmed him; that, at times, his heart was more yours than his.

“With that, Sir Malleus, or perhaps Silver or Sir Lilia—who’s to say who made the suggestion—gave me a few scenes to read so I could be inspired to finally confess my feelings to you.”

“Oh!” you looked somewhat pleased by his response, Sebek thought with relief. At least you’re not upset that, after all this time, he’s still having trouble to the point that he’s trying his luck with external sources. “Well, do you think it’s effective?”

“I can’t say for sure,” he replied, “the lines are well written themselves! It’s just… Imagining myself saying them feels off, to say the least.”

“Well, you don’t have to restrict yourself to imagining,” you told him, “you can actually say them out loud.”

“In front of you?!” He would have done a spit take had he been drinking a beverage, which would have humiliated him and ruined his chances of ever confessing to you, he dramatized in his head.

“It won’t count as your confession. Just think of it like a read through! Hasn’t Malleus ever made you do that while practicing his lines?”

“He has… So I suppose I do have some experience in this matter, even if it’s nothing professional,” he nodded to himself, arriving at a decision. “Yes. Alright. Well, have at this—I come here with no expectations, only to profess, now that I am at liberty to do so, that my heart is and always will be…yours…”

“Well, the line itself was rather captivating, and I liked the way you said it, although…” you stifled a laugh, “You looked so serious reading the script that I can hardly call it heartfelt.”

“That line wasn’t in the book the movie was an adaptation of,” he pointed out, a factoid he just happened to know. “I was just reminded of it while reading the script… I wonder if the line is too direct? What about… Anyone who has seen your smile has known perfection. You instill grace in every common thing and divinity in every careless gesture.”

“Very poetic,” you nodded, then joked, “if you ever consider switching careers, I’ll be your most toxic and supportive fan. I’ll go carry around your polaroid by daylight, then fight your antis by midnight.”

“How silly,” he shook his head, pretending he wasn’t a little flattered, even if it was a mere joke. “You already have a polaroid at the back of your phone case, remember?”

“Correction! Of us, not of you! Which, putting it that way, might be even better!” you laughed, “Though no point of using that against me when you have your copy tucked nicely in your wallet.”

“I’ve been meaning to take it out.”

“Sebek, you decorated it. With stickers your parents gave you when you had your last check up.”

“I TOLD them I was too old for stickers, but they insisted on giving me a sheet anyway!” he said, a well-prepared excuse in case you asked, “It would have gone to waste!”

“Of course,” you chuckled, “remind me to ask for a sticker sheet the next time I go to the dentist. Maybe I’ll even go out of my way to go to your parents’ clinic so we could match.”

“You’re ridiculous,” and terribly, terribly sweet and lovely, but ridiculous nonetheless.

“You love me anyway!”

“I’m not sure why I do.”

“Just like that!” Sebek doesn’t get what you’re on about, and he doesn’t for a while, even as you’re grinning at him, cheerful, beautiful. Honestly, he wishes he knew so he could do or say it again.

“Just like what?”

“Sebek, you just told me you loved me.”

He froze.

“Had I?” he asked, voice a little shaky. Had he truly? If that was really the case, what an uneventful confession! How regretful and simple and incredibly plain, and–

“I’m not sure if you’ve ever considered this, but I don’t really need anything grand or incredibly put together.”

You take the papers from his hands, gently putting them to the side so his hands could hold yours instead. Sebek adjusts his grip; holds them more delicately—just tight enough a grip to feel that it’s truly you he’s holding, but loose enough to keep you comfortable. Your hands are precious; as is all of you. Not a prized possession for you cannot be possessed, but something to be treasured regardless.

“I feel that you deserve it, though,” he argues, a little forlorn, “I would speak my thoughts if I could. My mouth does not have the eloquence my brain has, I think.”

“You can try regardless,” you say, “it’s something I love about you. That in spite of failure, you will try and try.”

You, endeared to him beyond the limit he thought possible, had little trouble in convincing him. How could he, eager to impress you and eager to prove himself to you, refuse such a request? How could he when you tell him there is something about him you love, to state that there is love in your heart for him? How could he not attempt to say the same?

If it is for you, then he will swallow down his pride and try.

“In the past, I had wondered if the feelings I felt for you were that of romance or if I had been influenced by the opinions of others, if I even understood what romance was. Everybody knows that not all movies and books are true to life, and I was afraid I had misconstrued my feelings of friendship—for friends, to me, were few and far between—with attraction, if attraction was misconstrued with love.

“But it had dawned on me, what I had felt for you, that night you had first kissed me.” He peels his eyes away from your own momentarily, pained an action as it is, glancing at the entrance. “The first night, I excused my constant thinking about it, about you, to the new feeling I had never experienced before. The second night, I was still thinking of you, and I excused it as simply wanting to sort out my thoughts as to what that action meant for you, all your intents and purposes.”

“And now?” His eyes returned to you, idly watching your lips move as you spoke. “What realization had you come to?”

“Even now, after several phases of the moon have come to pass, I still think of you—night and day, morning and evening. Nothing has left, for the only change would be the growth of my feelings.”

There is nobody else in the café, and yet he drops his voice to a whisper, as though not even the air would be allowed to hear what was meant for you and you alone.

“I am sure more than ever, for how long I have tried to dispute or explain away my feelings, the tests I have done to make sure I could only be genuine with you… Tried and tested, tried and true, my heart and my soul is truly yours.”

“Sebek…”

You pull your hands away. The loss is mourned.

He thinks you’re saying something. He thinks and not knows because his ears stop working, just for a moment; among the vessels of his senses, only his eyes remain attuned, fixated on the way you stood from your seat, ridding yourself of the distance the coffee table forced between the two of you. It is only when you press your forehead against his that he feels everything again.

“Have I conveyed it to you?” he breathes out, pleading, “Do you understand me?”

“You never should have doubted yourself. I understand you perfectly,” you reply, smiling softly. “So let me make myself understood by you, too.”

end notes | masterlist of all my works | other sebek fics -> (the stories told, the charm you hold) -> (capture my heart, my voice into art) -> (stick to the script)

[ 1 ] Title comes from the phrases "tried and tested" and "tried and true", which I just combined with the sign off "yours truly".

[ 2 ] The AU idea came to me when I saw people make fancams of the bodyguards and back-up dancers of idols. It was kinda cute. I think they really deserve a lot of appreciation. Then the idea grew from there!

[ 3 ] For everyone’s ages, I sort of imagined Sebek and Silver to be in their 20s, basically typical post-college age. Malleus I’m not sure, let’s say 30s, and Lilia will be ??? (no one knows his age he has hid the documents). Basically they’re all working adults.

[ 4 ] Malum in se: wrong or evil in itself; sinful and wrong by nature (as opposed to malum prohibitum, which means something is wrong due to law dictating it).

[ 5 ] The first quote Sebek says is ripped from the Sense and Sensibility adaptation. Spoilers! Many think that the famous confession line, “I come here with no expectations, only to profess, now that I am at liberty to do so, that my heart is and always will be...yours," is also in Jane Austen's book, but it's actually just in the movie! I actually like the adaptation and the line, by the way! Just a fun fact!

[ 6 ] The second quote is altered to be gender neutral. It's from Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac. The original is, "Anyone who has seen her smile has known perfection. She instills grace in every common thing and divinity in every careless gesture.'

[ 7 ] Fun fact! Malleus purposefully chose scenes from book adaptations since he knows Sebek is a reader, so he would appreciate it more.

[ 8 ] I actually had a lot of ideas for this fic and universe in general that I just can't fit in so maybe I'll revisit it some other time with one of the other Diasomnia boys.

last edited: 19/03/2023, for misspellings, changing cafe -> café

#twst x reader #sebek zigvolt x reader #sebek zigvolt #twisted wonderland x reader #twst #twst imagines #twisted wonderland #nathya twst writing #sebek x you #sebek x y/n #twst sebek #my second longest fic... still shorter than the trey fic lol

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rs-wonderland · 1 year

Text

*On a winter break Epel in his home land and Sebek visite him while recording for Yuu and the other first years*

Epel: Wanna know how cold it is here?

Sebek, throw water from the jug into the snow and it didn't freeze

Epel and Sebek: ...

Epel looking at camera: It will freeze soon

Sebek the backround support: Yea, yea...

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it-happened-one-fic · 11 months

Text

Reliable - Sebek

Author's Notes: This fic is for @rainbowcake1212 for my 300 Followers Event! I hope you enjoy your Hot Chocolate and Cheesecake fic!

Type: Gender-neutral reader/ fluff/ romantic/ Hot Chocolate and Cheesecake prompt

Word count: 2454

I stared, flabbergasted, at Sebek, who merely looked at me with that point-blank stare of his.

“So let me get this right…. You are getting harassed by overly pushy noble ladies seeking a…”

“A relationship.” He finished impatiently, scowling slightly before he continued, “I have rejected them countless times, but they still return. They no doubt wish to use me to get close to my Lord, but I will not allow it.”

A smug grin crossed his face as he finished, no doubt proud that he was protecting Malleus from a perceived threat. It was just sad that he didn’t realize he was perfectly worth being interested in all on his own without his connection to Malleus.

“And you want me to accompany you to this ball as your fake date?” I questioned him, hardly even able to believe that he had even brought this up.

And he simply nodded in confirmation, like there was nothing odd about it.

I shook my head incredulously, “Wouldn’t it be better to find someone a little more… I don’t know, impressive, to scare off your suitors?”

His eyebrows rose in a surprisingly slow climb for someone quite as hot-blooded as Sebek, “No.”

His hand twitched at his side, no doubt a sign of agitation at his having to request assistance from a human such as myself, “You will do perfectly well.”

I found myself shrugging, still not entirely certain about Sebek’s grand scheme but also willing to help. After all, it couldn’t be pleasant to be pursued by someone you’d already rejected.

“Alright, I’ll do it. What do I need to know?” That ended up being the question I wished I’d never asked since that was the question that led to my copious and detailed instruction regarding the Valley of Thorns and its many, many customs.

But, come the day of the ball, I was certainly prepared. Especially since Mrs. Zigvolt herself had gotten me a suitably dressy outfit ready.

She’d been thrilled that Sebek had brought a friend home, and then even more delighted when she found I was going to be his partner for the evening. Even after I’d told her I was just his fake date, she remained delighted. Chuckling slightly to herself as she’d gotten my measurements, “Of course, dear. Of course.”

I’d frowned at her but kept my silence, not quite having the heart to tell her that Sebek was anything but interested in me. I was just handy for the current situation he was in.

We were friends, but I doubted that line would ever be crossed since I was human and he’d made it painfully clear how he felt about humans in general. But, at the very least, pretending to be his date for the evening might be fun. Even if just a little.

And so I entered the palace on Sebek’s arm, doing my best to not be distracted by how good he looked in his clean-cut suit that made him look like a true knight even though he was still in training.

If I hadn’t been able to see it before, I could certainly see why he had a great many suitors who were apparently hounding him.

The doors swung open as we arrived, carefully walking down the wide staircase into the ballroom filled with fae, who all turned to openly stare at us.

Over at the raised dais, I could see Malleus, guarded by Lilia and Silver, alongside a seated woman whom I could assume was the queen.

The three of them seemed pleased to see me alongside Sebek, but I couldn’t say the same for everyone present.

There were several women, in particular, who seemed rather annoyed by my presence. Or perhaps it was more who I was with.

I leaned closer to Sebek, smiling relaxedly even as I whispered to him, “So what is it, exactly, that you’re wanting me to do?”

He glanced at me with one raised eyebrow, totally ruining the image of a happy couple by the lack of smile on his face, “You merely need to stay by my side.”

He spoke like that was obvious, and I sighed. Apparently, selling this relationship was going to be entirely up to me.

And our first test came all too soon as a younger-looking noble came over, a smile on his face as he greeted Sebek, “Ah. It is good to see you again, Master Zigvolt. I am sure you are relieved to be home from school.”

I watched awkwardly as the formalities were dispensed, feeling halfway like I was watching some sort of period film from a front row seat, until the man twisted to look at me, a charming smile on his face as he looked down at me, “And this is…?”

“Mine.” The response was blunt and immediate and had me looking up in utter shock at Sebek, who seemed perfectly relaxed. Like he hadn’t just spouted something utterly ridiculous, even if I was his fake date.

I smiled awkwardly as I looked back at the young man, who looked just as startled as I was, confirming that ‘mine’ was an odd way of introducing one’s partner even in the Valley of Thorns.

“Yes, I am Sebek’s partner,” I calmly let my hand continue to rest where it was, tucked through the crook of Sebek’s elbow, even as I squeezed his arm slightly in annoyed revenge. Earning myself an odd look from Sebek as I began cleaning up his mess.

“Please, call me Y/n,” The man nodded, smiling awkwardly as the two of us pretended that Sebek hadn’t just calmly asserted that I belonged to him. The man went on with what I assumed were more common pleasantries before at last bidding us adieu.

“It was a pleasure to have met you.” He bobbed his head awkwardly before quickly retreating as soon as he’d finished his piece. Leaving me to look up at Sebek in still frustrated shock.

“What was that?” I hissed at Sebek, earning myself an incredulous look from the young man, who apparently had seen nothing wrong with the introduction he’d given for me.

“I was letting him know that you were with me,” He was still utterly flummoxed, dragging a sigh out of me.

I’d known that Sebek was utterly hopeless, but this… I honestly hadn’t expected it to be quite this bad.

“Sebek, you can’t just introduce me as yours. No one does that. You need to just let people assume we’re together,” I quietly explained as we continued to meander through the room. Dodging various other guests who continued to watch the two of us with curious gazes.

“And why are people staring so much anyway? Is it that odd for you to come with someone?” Sebek was apparently more prepared for this line of conversation since he responded much more promptly and with less confusion as he shook his head.

“No. They are not used to humans. My father does not come to these… celebrations. The only human usually present is Silver, and he has already proved himself to be a competent knight. Other than that, it is only ever dignitaries.” I nodded as I mulled over his words, not entirely liking what they meant.

“So I’m the odd one here?” His nod confirmed my words, and I sighed, wondering for the thousandth time why he thought I would be a good choice for his fake date.

“Alright, what do we do next? Is there anyone you need to greet?” I looked up at him questioningly as he stopped us off to the side of the room. Glancing around as if to check that no one was too close to overhear us, even though people had been giving us wide-berth the entire time.

I suppose it was easier for them to observe from a distance.

“No, if anyone wishes to speak to me, they will come. At most, we’ll have to do one dance. For now, I’m going to get something to drink. Stay here,” So saying, he strode off. Straight-backed and proud as ever, even though it seemed like absolutely everyone was questioning his choice on his date. Including myself.

But that was the way Sebek often was. It was impossible to tell what was going to bother him and what wasn’t. While certain things being said about him would bother him endlessly, others wouldn’t.

What surprised me was that the others whispering about the fact he’d come with a human didn’t bother him. It was true that his parents were a human and fae match, but I’d figured that such a thing would bother him.

I frowned, watching as one of the fae broke off from the crowd and approached me. It was a woman.

She was, just like the other fae, absolutely gorgeous. But, more importantly, she had me pointed and was obviously approaching to have a word with me. And if my reasons for being at this ball were anything to go by, it was going to have something to do with Sebek and what I was doing with him.

This was quite likely one of the suitors he’d wished to deter.

She smiled as she stopped in front of me, “You must be Sebek’s partner. I confess I wasn’t aware he had someone he was with until the two of you appeared. It is lovely to meet you.”

Her tone was sweet, and, to anyone watching, she would appear quite genuine. But there was something in the way she held herself, like a snake poised to strike at the very instant I gave her an opening, that spoke of anything but sweetness.

But this was something I’d already been prepared for. While Sebek hadn’t mentioned it, Lilia had.

The suitors Sebek so wished to deter weren’t likely to just accept that he’d found someone that he preferred over them. Much less if that person didn’t have a rank and wasn’t fae.

So I smiled back, preparing to play whatever game was being laid out in front of me, “Oh, we haven’t been together that long, and Sebek wanted to make sure I was ready to attend one of these balls before he brought me with him. He’s incredibly attentive, you see.”

Attentive indeed. I doubted I would ever forget the rigorous testing I’d gone through before he’d at last decided that I was ready for tonight.

“Indeed, he is quite a charming man. It’s good that he prepared you, though. It would be so unfortunate if something went wrong. After all, it wouldn’t just affect you, but him as well. Better to be safe than sorry, as they say.”

She was an insincere one, that was certain. I could understand why Sebek wouldn’t like her, even as lovely as she was.

And charming wasn’t the first word I would use to describe Sebek.

It was true that he had some endearing qualities and that he was quite attractive, but still… Charming didn’t quite encompass all of Sebek when one thought of exactly how loud and blunt he could be at times.

But I didn’t miss her oh-so-subtle threat about how if something were to occur, it would affect him. That was something I’d already realized and had been the only reason I’d accepted his lessons with little complaint.

“Well, yes, of course. I could never let something happen to harm him.” They weren’t untrue words. In fact, nothing I’d said was untrue. But, just from watching her, it didn’t look like I had to lie to upset her.

“My, you are a sweet one. I can understand why he likes you so well. However, I can’t help but wonder if you’ll be able to handle the pressure?”

I would have almost preferred if she’d thrown a drink in my face rather than attempting to slip through the cracks and hit me with attacks meant to weaken my resolve and cause uncertainty. But that was also her trouble. She wasn’t going to be able to sway me with such threats.

“Ah, well. I have faced certain pressures before, and I don’t want to disappoint Sebek….” I trailed off, watching as the man in question approached with a frown on his face.

“Y/n?” The woman turned to face him, her eyes wide at the tone he’d used. One that spoke of concern while simultaneously promising to handle the situation if I needed him to.

And that was one of the reasons this woman wouldn’t be able to sway me. Not only had she underestimated me, she’d underestimated exactly how much Sebek and I trusted one another.

I smiled at him, resting my hand on his arm, “Everything’s fine. I was just about to tell the lovely young woman that she needn’t worry about me. How could I ever crumble under any pressure and disappoint you when you are always so reliable?”

It was subtle, but I could see her fist clench behind her as she looked between me and Sebek. The picture of a supportive couple who wouldn’t crumble just because of a few spiteful words.

“I see.” He looked down at me for a brief moment, with a certain softness to his gaze before he looked her way. A proud smirk appeared on his face that had me bracing for the loudness that was coming.

“I THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN FOR MY PARTNER, MISS RAFFLESIA. BUT AS YOU CAN SEE THERE IS NO NEED FOR SUCH WORRIES!”

I barely managed to not cringe at his loudness but smiled nonetheless as he broadcasted the entire situation to everyone at the ball.

Whether calculated or not, he had certainly embarrassed ‘Miss Rafflesia,’ as evidenced by the way she retreated at impressive speeds.

“Was the yelling really necessary?” I looked up at him, still smiling at his customary volume, which had been oddly absent this evening.

He looked down at me, nodding firmly as he lowered his voice, no doubt because I’d mentioned his yelling, “Indeed. They all need to know that you have my utter trust. That way, they won’t bother trying to harass you when I am not near. It would take more than just a few words to break my trust in you, and I have faith that it is the same for you.”

My eyes widened at his words, ever blunt in his honesty, no matter the topic. I laughed slightly as I recovered from my surprise, earning myself a surprised look from my partner, which only amused me further.

But how could I help it when I’d long since realized that even though this was just a fake arrangement, I could have a far worse partner than someone quite as reliable as my very own knight.

*Rafflesia is a genus of parasitic flowering plants in the family Rafflesiaceae.

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ice-cream-writes-stuff · 1 year

Text

AHHH!! HES SO PERFECT AND PRECIOUS!!!

Mini Fic-

"What do you think? Sebek..?" You watch the other first year curiously, seeing him smile stupidly at the pink flowers adoring his NRC uniform.

"I.. love it." He stated quietly, much unlike his booming voice. It was soft, timid even.

"I'm glad." Was all you could say, not wanting to ruin the moment.

Thank you, I appreciate this little art croc in my blog!

@oh-nowo-i-got-uwu

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briarvalleyarchives · 1 year

Text

ᴅɪᴀꜱᴏᴍɴɪᴀ

╰┈➤ ❝ the thorn fairy's grand legacy lives on and grows with her descendants. the most powerful of the fae, descended from the dragons, may grow to observe history unfold silently or shape the world with the path they walk. ❞

with a baby dragon [hc]

ᴍᴀʟʟᴇᴜꜱ ᴅʀᴀᴄᴏɴɪᴀ

"your hands are cold" [sh.]

5 love languages [hc]

a lesson for the young prince [poem]

a love, cherished dearly [sh.]

a quiet moment [m. | pl. or romantic | os]

a wistful heart concealed by thorns [f. | a. | os]

amusement park date [hc]

basorexia [os]

brushing his hair [pl. | hc]

chernabog!mc [hc]

cuddle time [hc]

dancing [poem]

dancing with him [hc]

dinner & deception [g. | os]

domestic headcanons [hc]

eating instant ramen at 2am with him [hc]

first time saying 'i love you' [os]

flicker [g. | a. | os]

flirting with him [hc]

fluff alphabet: o [hc]

giving him mint chocolate on valentine's day [hc]

how he loses you [a. | os]

inescapable [poem]

i want to hold the hand inside you [hc]

legacy [g. | a. | os]

love languages [hc]

malleus x gn!ace!reader [os]

meet the (grand)parent [os]

mornings with malleus [hc]

of obscure sorrows [pl. | os]

pumpkin patch [m. | hc]

redamancy [os]

sharing a tent with him [hc]

sharing stealing clothes [sh.]

spending valentine's day with him [hc]

spoiling him with love and affection [hc]

study date [hc]

the dragon in the woods [pl. | os]

the kind of heart (i can bet my life on) [f. | a. | os]

they're all here because of you [os]

we light up (like the stars in the sky) [f. | sh.]

when his s/o tells him he's their favorite [hc]

when you faint because of the heat [hc]

wide awake [os]

winged surprise [os]

with an asexual s/o [hc]

with an s/o who has social anxiety [hc]

with an s/o who is a writer [hc]

ʟɪʟɪᴀ ᴠᴀɴʀᴏᴜɢᴇ

"i just wanted to make sure you're okay" [sh.]

5 love languages [hc]

cheering you up when you're not feeling well [hc]

choices [g. | a. | os]

counting, counting [g. | a. | os]

cuddle time [hc]

dream on [a. | os]

easily flustered s/o [hc]

in cold [poem]

last [a. | os]

lives run with time [poem]

love languages [hc]

one gift [g. | os]

reacting to a sudden ambush [hc]

sleep tight, my dears [g. | a. | os]

spring song [g. | os]

staying awake [g. | a. | s.]

tackling overworked s/o [hc]

the cry of new lives [poem]

the day is won [g. | a. | os]

the next tale [g. | os]

thread and thunder [g. | a. | s.]

treppenwitz [g. | s.]

until his turn [g. | a. | os]

wanting a second chance [hc]

when you faint because of the heat [hc]

winter watch [g. | os]

ꜱɪʟᴠᴇʀ

5 love languages [hc]

after i'm gone [poem]

cannot wait [g. | os]

character death + illness [a. | os]

choices [g. | a. | os]

fluff alphabet: djn [hc]

going to a restaurant with him [hc]

human tongue [poem]

impending spring [poem]

of books and pretty boys [os]

one gift [g. | os]

staying awake [g. | a. | s.]

the next tale [g. | os]

thread and thunder [g. | a. | s.]

until his turn [g. | a. | os]

s/o coughing up blood [hc]

ꜱᴇʙᴇᴋ ᴢɪɢᴠᴏʟᴛ

5 love languages [hc]

au where he plays twst [g. | hc]

dealing with the bullies who beat up s/o [hc]

fluff alphabet: djn [hc]

racoons interrupt your date [hc]

radiohead [a. | sh.]

when he falls in love [hc]

when mc turns into a baby [hc]

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crocodork-apopogist-reprise · 1 year

Note

Sebek meats a fay that was raised by humans and does not know how to fay.

How does he feel about that?

To put is short: The guy is absolutely bamboozled.

“What?!?!? Have your parents not told you anything about fake culture?

“Your parents are humans? Hmph. Humans don’t now anything about fae history. Typical.”

“Very well then! If your parents won’t, I will share the knowledge I learned from my masters!”

He honestly just wants to infodump about fae history, and you are the perfect target.

Good luck lmao

#twisted wonderland #sebek zigvolt #twst sebek #disney twst #sebek #twst #twisted wonderland sebek #twst headcanons #twst wonderland #disney twisted wonderland #sebek x you #sebek x yuu #sebek x reader #autistic sebek

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jienem · 9 months

Text

His Human

Edited version

part 1 part 2 part 3

Stay tuned~

Y/N's time was limited. They got a letter from Epel saying that her grandmother is ill. She and her parents were starting to worry, so she was beginning to pack to leave. She went into the forest with a heavy heart and shared the news with them. Lilia, who looked at her with a sympathetic gaze, hugged her, to which she was surprised by the gesture and returned it with all her might.

"I wish for your grandmother's health to recover. Until then, see you again next time, Y/N."

"Thank you, Lilia-san." Y/N couldn't help but cry softly in his arms while Malleus patted her shoulder. His silent support encourages her so much.

"Y/N, we are always here for you. Don't forget that, Silver softly said, earning the bird on his shoulder to twit in unison.

"WE SHALL WAIT FOR YOUR RETURN NEXT SPRING." Y/N couldn't help but chuckle at his statement before mumbling.

"Next spring..."

~~~

"Grandmama, we're back. Are you alright? Are you in any discomfort?" Y/N asked the moment she sat down beside her. Her parents were outside talking to their doctor while she went in.

"Grandmama, don't worry, I won't leave. I will be here, okay?" she whispered as she watched her grandmother move her head slowly to look at her. The state of hers breaks her heart. She clasps her hand into hers as she hums, just like she did to her when she was young.

~~~

Y/N took over her parents business while they were away. She saw Epel, who was sitting outside the shop while he stared at the scenery in front of him. He was bored. She chuckled before joining him outside. He glanced at her for a moment before grumbling.

"Augh, it's so boring out here! Didn't you get tired doing all this stuff?"

"Haha... No, I don't even have a choice. Even if I did, what choices do I have?"

"Grrr, fair point."

Y/N stared at the sky with a troubled expression, watching birds fly and go before remembering she had to go into the mail station this afternoon. But alas, she was on duty. She looked at Epel, and nervousness was starting to creep in.

"Epel?"

"Yeah?"

"Would you mind sending this to the mail station?"

Y/N handed the letter to a curious epel, who stared at the letter.

"Is this the guy you met at what you called the valley something?"

"Nice try, it was actually Briar Valley."

"Ah yeah, that! So a letter for your boyfriend?"

"Absolutely Not!"

~~~

To an aspiring knight, Sebek

How are you faring? I'm sorry for the delay; I was kept busy for the most part. For a while, I took over my parents business and had to run some errands. I was constantly asked to look for my younger brother while worrying about my grandmother, who was still ill. It was a stressful week, to say the least.

But enough about that; how was your hand? You said it hurt for a while; have you applied the ointments that I gave you? Please let me know; I worry.

From Y/N

~~~

Sebek read the letter one more time with a soft smile written in his face before carefully tucking it into his breastplate without anyone noticing, but Silver noticed his gesture and smiled softly.

"Was it from Y/N?"

"WHA?! I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, Sebek voiced, attracting Lilia and Malleus nearby. Lilia grinned before teasing Sebek, who was denying everything.

"Don't be so shy, Sebek; it was wonderful talking to a Y/N, don't you think so?" Lilia teases while Silver nods before adding.

"She also makes delicious food every time she comes here."

"Agreed, especially when she brings an ice cream with different flavors." Malleus joined while Sebek was flustered.

"I... I AGREE WITH YOU, WAKA-SAMA, THE FOOD SHE BRINGS IS NOT SO BAD!"

"So you admit that it was delicious?" Silver questioned.

"Of COURSE NOT!"

"Then why did you agree if it wasn't delicious?"

"..."

"Fufufu, Sebek, don't be so shy and admit it, but who was better at cooking? Was it me or Y/N?" the three men look at Lilia's direction with a troubled expression. They soon both look at Sebek, who was under pressure with Lilia's question.

"HUMAN'S COOKING COULDN'T EVEN COMPARE TO YOUR SPECIAL DISHES LILIA-SAMA! WHILE HER COOKING WAS DELICIOUS NOTHING COULD COMPARE YOUR UNIQUE INGREDIENTS! "

"..."

"He finally admit it."

~~~

Y/N was in trouble. Her dilemma last year was beginning to root again when, in a mere month, it was spring again. Her parents didn't seem keen on going; they started to fight a lot more than before while she cradled her brother in her room while they fought. After managing some business, checking up on her grandmother, and watching her younger brother, it really took a toll on her. She was really looking forward to going back to the Briar Valley, but that was on the brink of bleakness.

With a heavy heart, she wrote down the letter with care. She sent it the next day while the sky was cloudy.

~~~

Silver watches as Sebek reads the recent letter with furrowed eyebrows.

"What does it say?"

"She couldn't make it back next month."

"Ah..."

They were silent. "Will you make a response?"

"After our training! I can't afford to skip my time to serve Waka-sama!"

"Sebek! Won't you make a response?"

Silver stared at him. He watched how his expression changed with different emotions before sighing.

"I Don't know."

"Why?"

"I Don't know," he repeated. He crossed his arms and stared at the ground while Silver waited for his response. Sebek pursed his lips before replying.

"I suppose it was because I don't know how to respond." For once, Sebek's voice was quiet. Silver patted his shoulder, offering him comfort.

"She would be back next spring, would she not?"

"She would."

"Then let's wait for her again, just like last year. Won't you?"

"Hrrgh, I supposed."

~~~

Months have gone by again, and Y/N this time saved her money in case her parents didn't plan on going. She was fourteen and about to be fifteen in a few months. Her grandmother was doing fine after a year of treatment. She stood by her side, watching her progress, and relief washed over her when she was finally released.

She helped her grandmother the best she could while watching over her younger brother. Her grandmother had an unknowingly serious look on her face as she stared at her granddaughter.

"Child, shouldn't you be at the Briar Valley this week?" Y/N stopped in her tracks as she stared at her grandmother with a wide expression on her face.

"Ah, I was planning to... But I would come back very quickly after a few days," She assures, but her grandmother only raises her eyebrows at her answer.

"You don't have to worry about us here, go have fun being at your youth, I will handle everything, don't worry about this old lady here, I will look after my youngest grandchild. Please, Y/N, my beautiful granddaughter." Her grandmama took her hands as she spoke softly while laying her forehead against hers, Y/N couldn't help but pause as she struggled to gulp down her sadness.

"Go, they are waiting for you."

Her grandmother whispered with a smile she knew so well. It was her expression when she was at her happiest, content, and complete. Y/N nodded, closing her eyes.

"Thank you, Grandmama."

~~~

Y/N knocked on the door, but no one answered. She was confused as to why it was quiet around here. She should have known, on the way here, it was dead silence. The animals that were scattered were nowhere to be seen. Sebek and Silver, who were often around at this time, were not present. With a downcast expression, she was about to go back when she recognized the two birds flying in her direction. They flap at her with glee. Y/N brushed her fingers against their feathers, asking where the two were. The birds looked at each other before flapping their wings. She had a troubled look on her face as she didn't understand before she felt a nudging on the back of her head.

She craned her neck and saw a horse neighing behind her. The birds flew to the horse's head before tweeting loudly. Y/N took it as a sign to sit on the horse's back before making its way somewhere else. She was nervious, she didn't know which direction it was heading from, but she trusted it was where the two were. Her surroundings changed into an opening field, stopping only when a mansion came into view. She got off the horse and caressed the birds before walking into the mansion door. She paused, debating whether to knock or not. But she knew she couldn't come back for nothing, so with little determination, she knocked on the door.

She waited. But no one seems to answer. Sighing, she tried again with a little force before moments passed and it opened. Behind the door, she was greeted by a tall man who had the same characteristics as Sebek. This would be Sebek if he got older.

Y/N was speechless for a while before asking. "Ah... Is Sebek here?"

The man watches her with curiosity in his eyes. Y/N grew nervous at his intense eyes before they flashed with recognition.

"You must be Y/N am I right, young lady?"

She nodded in confirmation. The man opened the door, letting her walk in before closing it behind her. Y/N took in her surroundings and stared at the large painting hanging on the wall. It was Sebek with his whole family. This must have been made when he was just a boy back then.

"Y/N?" a familiar voice called out.

"Silver?" Y/N couldn't help but feel relief as she caught sight of Silver, who had droopy eyes from all of his sleepiness. Y/N chuckled whilst thinking he had not change a bit.

"Welcome back, I'm sorry I didn't get your letter."

"Oh no, I didn't send it recently. It was supposed to be a surprise, but it got backfired." She sheepishly rubbed her neck while looking around before turning to the tall man and bowing. Mumbling her thank you before he nodded. He turned to Silver and expected him to see their guest, to which he expressed his gratitude. Y/N watches their interaction before the tall man leaves. Silver noticed her fascination in her surroundings but her eyes tells a different story. He shake his head his head knowingly as he waited for her question.

"Ah, is Sebek here?" she asked as she lifted her head slightly to look at him.

"Sebek is at the library for a moment; would you wish for me to accompany you there?"

"No need, I could go there myself." she refused. Silver then pointed the hallway on his left causing Y/N eyes to follow.

"Straight up ahead before turning left, there is a big door, one that is very different from the smaller ones you would pass by, that is the library." he instructed, watching how different emotions showed in her eyes before she smiled.

"Thank you so much, Silver."

"No, thank you Y/N for coming, it was the least I could do."

~~~

She opened the door knob, making a creaking sound while she pushed it inside. She breathed in the warm, dusty, woody air from the inside and went in.

"Sebek?" She called, but no one answered. She closed the door behind her, slowly walking around as she took in the number of significant books on the shelves. Her hands moved to the book spine, sliding her eyes as she read the titles. At the end of the books, she noticed a figure lying in the window nook. There he was. Sebek had a soft expression on his face, it was very different when he was awake. The book was resting on his chest while he inhaled and exhaled softly as the light illuminated his figure. She could hear her heartbeat pounding in her chest, and she couldn't take her eyes off him.

He changed. He was no longer the boy she met two years ago. His face also changed to a mature one, his physique was much more bulkier than before, and she could tell he was taller than her now. She slowly and carefully walked towards him, careful not to wake him up as she did. When she was at his side, she carefully pulled the book from his chest and was about to place it on the table near him when a hand shot up and held her wrist. Her eyes fluttered to Sebek quickly thinking he was awake, but he wasn't. He was the same as before, but his grip said otherwise. 'Is this one of his reflexes? She wondered. But she tried her luck and whispered his name, but his soft snore indicated he was still asleep. Y/N chuckled with a soft expression on her face. Before wiggling her wrist from his hold but to no avail.

She sigh and resigned into her fate while got comfortable at the chair near the window nook. His eyebrow furrowed as he mumbled incoherently. Y/N watches his form before humming a tune as she caressed his temple. She moved her head closer to his, her hair curtains the side of his face as she mumbles softly.

"Sleep tight my dear knight."

Hurrayy part 4 was finished, only one more to go! I had some major changes into the ending, often changes it before, sorry for the inconvenience!

But thank you all for enjoying this sebek x reader as much as I do I really, really, really, appreciate your support! I truly do!

Taglist

@growingupnrealizing

@fluffle-bean @luciel1 @hazukiix @worldussysblog @daruderuyoo

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cvlutos · 1 year

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♡ S.Z | ALLOW ME | FLUFF N’ ANGST

“I am stuck. My lord. As if a fly caught within a spider’s web. For, I will not disobey your words, yet I wish to question... I know not of what you ask of me. Truly. I believe to have serve you well, yet—I would give my very life, my entirety, to please you. You know this better than all. I kneel before you, until my knees ache and bleed, until the iron in which my sword is made of, rots. Until I become nothing but bones and my soul, dust.

My Lord, you are all-knowing, all-doing. You have the power of no other, so I ask. No, beg. Plead. I give my very life if there is another way. A human portion of me yearns to love so desperately. And as foolish as it sounds, I cannot deny such.

My Lord… I have learned to love. To feel such human emotions, to slowly understand the swirling within my gut, the ache within my chest. I love. More than I should, more than my position allows… I know… Yet I love so earnestly. Please say—affirm that I have not been led astray. For I have contemplated for so long, yet I cannot deny what I feel. What I desire so much more than my very breath, that loving them has become that of second nature.

So, My Lord, in all my selfishness, in all I am as your knight, as a loyal servant, kneeling even lower than a common beggar… Allow me to love them.”

Your husband ~ @twstwonderlandstuff

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bnuuys-writing · 9 months

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Briar Valley's Dental Team

Here is the Grown up!Sebek x Dental Assistant!GN!Reader ! <3 Idk if there will be a part two but this filled me in with so much joy just to write being a dental assistant myself. hhnngnjh i lob him your honor!!!

Next I will be writing Howls Moving Castle!Vil x Reader! <3 Stay tuned!!

~Bnuuy out!

Within the shady country of Briar Valley, between the cities of humans and the Fey, was a little dental clinic that resided in between. Seeing both Fey creature and human both, after their many years of peace did they finally come to an understanding of all;

Mouth hygiene.

At least, that's what you thought as you were inprocessed onto the team as a dental assistant coming from the Queendom of Roses. Yet, the clinic was run by only one dentist, three hygienists and you as their sole dental assistant after the last one had gone on maternity leave and ended up quitting to stay home and take care of their baby. In which a new dental assistant was in dire need right away just to keep the sanity of the poor dentist providing there, and poof! There you are! Oh my, he was so happy to see you on the floor once you were hired.

You’re probably wondering who your boss is, correct? Why! It's the one and only dentist who will see Fey-kind and humans at the same time! Doctor Zigvolt! He was perhaps a bit nerdy, a bit clumsy as well but he aspired to help both kinds of folk on both sides of the border in hopes of giving them a brand new smile! Removing teeth that were too sharp and poking into the cheeks of fae, as well removing wisdom teeth from humans who needed it. Removing cavities with such ease out of teeth and filling them back up with this resin based material seemed as if it wasn't even a chore for him! Though, all the years of doing this started to cause his back to ache with poor ethics of sitting while he worked.

Which is why you’re here! Your job was to set up a room, grab everything that was needed for your patient. Was it just an annual exam? Well you’re going to need a mirror, an explorer, and a PSR probe to see how deep the depths are within the gums to see if there's any bone loss or decay underneath the gumline! Oh! You’re removing and filling in a cavity? Time to get the restorative kit and his handpieces! Oh, its actually extracting a tooth? Easy! Time to get the oral surgery kit! Then, once you were all done and explained the post operative procedures to the patient of what they can or cannot do, time to clean up and wipe down, then set back up for the next patient!

Mr Zigvolt was easy to please as well while working, bring him a cup of coffee and he will just dote on you as if a loving father would; rustle your hair and thank you at least three times for the coffee before going back to signing his paperwork. Ah, the life of a dental assistant was never easy but it was always fun just making sure everyone you see is doing okay and helping them get out of any pain.

Life at the clinic was easy, especially when you made fast friends with the hygienists who cleaned the patients teeth. They were sweet older fae who have seen their share of working within the clinic, always bringing you in the latest gossip about the royal monarchy within the Kingdom of Thorns while you resided within a human town not too far away from the clinic which brings us to where we are today, and now.

“Y/n! I would like to invite you over to my home for a clinic party!” Dr Zigvolt stated happily as he turned to face you, paperwork of the last patient in hand as you were busy wiping down the room. You could only smile through your mask at him as you tilted your head slightly, a party at his home? You did hear the hygienists whispering that the doctor was thinking about a happy Organizational Day of just relaxing while getting paid!

“A party, you say sir? Are you sure you would like to invite me?” You started out curiously as you looked back down at what you were wiping down to continue to the job. The procedure was a bit bloody and you’re trying to remove any signs of any blood being within the room for the next patient's safety as well as yours and Dr Zigvolt’s.

“Yes! And if memory serves me correctly, you’re around the same age as my son! I would like you to meet him! He is always busy working and I am concerned he has no friends, unfortunately.” Dr Zigvolt’s voice got weaker as he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Unfortunately, he is more of a mothers boy as well, so he doesn't really talk to me much. Yet, my wife has invited him to the party and he has accepted, so I thought I might be able to introduce you two!” Dr Zigvolt barked out proudly once more, nodding his head at the plan forming within his head. You and his son will meet and become fast friends, right?!

To you, it sounded like he was trying to set you up on a blind date with his son at this party.

“Sir, with all due respect. I do not need a boyfriend.” You stated out with a small laugh as you set down another item you had been so fervently wiping down. You knew about his wife, for Dr Zigvolt was so proud of her and had photos of her within his entire office. She was the daughter of a pronounced warrior within the army who fought so valiantly with General Lilia. It would be cool to meet his wife, but son? Although Dr Zigvolt was proud of his son, it seemed as if they weren't on good odds and you weren't all that interested in someone who didnt treat your boss right.

“Pleeeease Y/n! Its just for a few hours! And if you don't like it, I will call the guard to escort you home considering it will be at night and across the border into the Kingdom of Thorns.” With that, your gloves had been removed while he spoke as you had finished cleaning the room. Now moving onto putting barriers back up in the room. An invitation was placed down on your side table with Dr Zigvolts fancy handwriting having written out your first and last name. Now, you were a small team but still very tight knit together, perhaps a singular hour couldn't hurt? As well the fact you did want to go across the border into the Kingdom of Thorns for a while now.

“Fine, but only one hour, sir.” Was all you stated as you went out of the room to call for your next patient. What you didn't see was a proud fist bump into the air by Dr Zigvolt as he finally got you to agree.

The clinic was closed for today, for today was the night of the party that was being held at the Zigvolt's home. There was a dress code of dressing nicer than usual but not quite cocktail so here you were, wearing the most professional outfit you had that was quite comfortable within the autumn air. You sighed as you slung your back over your shoulder as you made your way outside your home, locking the door and promising to be back before ten. Your trek was not quite long but it was a decent walk across the border with your invitation in hand just to show the fey guards posted between the border where you were going. They both seemed to smile and nod their head at you in respect as they seemed to recognize the little dental assistant from the weird clinic that they get their teeth worked on.

Just as you arrived at the Zigvolt’s home, the sun was at the point of setting and causing a beautiful twilight to settle across the land as fireflies danced across the yard. Their home was quaint, a little bit off the road into the twisted woods that you thought you might’ve gotten robbed in but you reached the door with ease. Letting out a small sigh of relief, you reached up and gently knocked your knuckles against the wooden door, hearing the music faintly playing within the home as well as chatter and laughter rumbling out like thunder. Reaching up to knock again, the door swung open wide only to reveal an all too familiar face.

“Ah! So this is the presumed dental assistant I have heard so much about!” The woman shouted out loudly in which you could only blink rapidly at her tone. So this was Dr Zigvolt’s wife! Wow. She was tall. Letting out a small rasped chuckle, you could only wave slightly up at the woman looking down at you. Her face held scales and her teeth reminded you of an alligator fey from all the pictures but seeing it all up close made you more intrigued with her form- No wonder Dr Zigvolt is heads over heels for the woman.

“Good evening Mrs Zigvolt-” You started out before you were roughly brought in by the woman who began to laugh out loudly. On the couch were the three hygienists most likely whispering about the latest gossip, while Dr Zigvolt seemed to be placing out some baked goods onto a table that was already filled with so much food, all homemade, of course. With a tough side squeeze from Mrs Zigvolt, she laughed out heartily at your uncomfortable state of being squeezed into her side.

“Please! Just call me Sonia!” Mrs Zigvolt- Er, Sonia stated. You could only nod your head as she let go of you as you smoothed out your outfit easily after being crushed by the woman's embrace. So this was the party? Well, it seemed comfortable enough! Afterall, you did like your coworkers enough just to spend some quality time with them, forgetting the whole reason why you were even invited to the Zigvolt’s home. You found yourself on the couch in between the hygienists just loudly laughing away about some story that happened with a child ending up biting one of the girls while they were cleaning the baby's teeth. Yet, your laughter was cut off as you heard a booming voice coming from the kitchen.

“FATHER! I’VE TOLD YOU MANY TIMES!” A masculine voice shouted out as you stood up quickly, excusing yourself from the ladies who could only watch you leave before looking at each other with large smirks on their face. There goes their precious Y/n~

As you entered the kitchen, you saw Dr Zigvolt seeming to be crying pathetically as Mrs Zigvolt- Sonia- was holding her husband and glaring down at a mint haired man who was taller than Dr Zigvolt but not as tall as Sonia. He wore a pristine uniform and his hair was slicked back with such pristineness that if anyone had OCD, they would find nothing off putting by this man. Standing at the door, you tried to assess the situation quickly before stepping in fully, yet it all seemed too late. As the door shut behind you, the man spun on his heel to face you as you seemed to lose all air within your lungs.

Holy seven, he was gorgeous.

“ARE YOU THE PERPETRATOR MY FATHER IS TRYING TO SET ME WITH?!” His voice boomed within the room as you seemed to flinch slightly at the intensity of his voice before you huffed, crossing your arms. He was gorgeous with such a beautiful large frame, equally muscled to fit, scales on his face that seemed to define his jawline even more as his eyes seemed to bore into yours. Yet before his mother, father, or he could speak again, you instantly piped up.

“I am no perpetrator of Dr Zigvolt, I am his dental assistant. Now you don't have to shout every word you say, I can hear you just fine.” Wow, ouch. You stood your ground as you stared heatedly back at the man as Sonia seemed a bit shocked to see your spiteful nature coming out. Sure, her husband is a bit of a coward, especially when a patient is yelling at him so to have you calmly explain things to angry patients was an asset.

She was interested in how this night was going to go between her son and you.

“I… HOW DARE YOU-!” Sebek started out once more only for you to hold up a hand and shake your head. He was silenced into shock as you seemed to shush him! Baffled that you would even do a thing, his mouth seemed to just open and close like a gaping fish as he glared down at you.

“See? That's better. Now can you just explain why Dr Zigvolt is crying and why you are yelling?” Down to business is how you were, especially when you were in a rush and you were running behind patients and had to deal with unhappy patients all at the same time. So it was quite easy for you to navigate through a tense situation like this one. When hearing no one speak up, you could only sigh as you began to rub your temples, GREAT, this is exactly the type of relaxation you needed.

“How dare you try to speak to a royal guard of King Waka-sama’s like that! You should be punished!” The man roared out again, pointing accusingly at you in which you could only roll your eyes, ready to speak up for yourself only for Mama Zigvolt to step in. Hand reaching forward, she snatched up the boy’s ear and started shouting herself directly at the mint haired man.

“YOU BETTER STRAIGHTEN UP AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF, YOUNG MAN. DO NOT BE THROWING YOUR TITLE LIKE THAT AROUND TO OUR GUESTS. APOLOGIZE NOW.” Sonia’s voice was even more powerful than the man in front of you, startling you a little bit as you only heard ringing in your right ear for a few seconds as the mysterious handsome man seemed frustrated for a few seconds before turning to face you with an annoyed huff.

“My name is Sebek Zigvolt! And I am a royal guard to the King of Briar Valley! The Great and Wondrous Malleus Draconia!” Sebek shouted out, but not quite as loud as last time. You could only nod your head as you sighed out slowly. Perhaps you were done socializing now, as you also glanced at the clock, it was already nine. Perhaps it was time to go. Afterall, you had just remembered why you were wanted here, to see if you could make friends with your boss’ son but seeing how it was proven otherwise, you doubt you would like to stay any longer.

“Thank you Mrs Sonia and Dr Zigvolt for having me over. I think I shall make my departure back home now.” With that, you bowed your head respectfully as you began to make your way out and saying goodbye to everyone, leaving a very baffled and upset Sebek behind you. How dare you ignore him! Especially after getting shouted at by his mother to greet you! And be nice to you!! Sebek could only glance over at his mother who only glared down at him. He knew that look, and how he hated it.

So here you are, side by side, walking down the pathway back to your home. The walk was silent as you carried a basket filled with goodies from the baking and cooking of the Zigvolt’s. This easily could’ve fed you for an entire week with desserts too, including sharing some with your cat, Grim! The sky was void of any clouds as the stars seemed to twinkle even brighter above the two of you as you walked along, only listening to the gentle breeze rustling the bushes and the leaves within the trees until you cleared your throat slightly.

“So… Sebek, was it? Why are you walking me home again?” You asked out softly with a tilt of your head, trying not to sound too awkward. Afterall, you could’ve just called a friend to come get you, or paid for a carriage to take you home. Yet, here you were, walking side by side with a very stoic and stiff man who seemed to be alert of all the surroundings. The silence minus the leaves rustling followed suit, finally after a few seconds, he began to speak.

“I was tasked to guard you home in making sure that you are safely escorted! There have been a few kidnappings reported recently and Mother–... I was tasked to keep you safe.” He finished his statement while crossing his arms in front of his chest, as if proud to state that he was put in charge of your safety just like he was protecting Waka-sama. You could only roll your eyes and sigh, as much as you hate his presence on this walk, it was quite nice to actually have a guard with you. As for the recent kidnappings? You were sure that his mother just said that just to force him to go with you. Nevertheless, you were glad you weren't alone on this cold windy night.

As if the jacket you were wearing wasn't warm enough for the chilly autumn air, you let out a small shiver from chattering teeth. Though you tried your best to play it off as in stating how you're more frightened of the dark than cold, but with the visible puffs of air in front of your face being drifted away in the wind, Sebek could tell that you were lying to his face. Yet, wise words from Master Lilia reminded him about chivalry and how it's not dead, or how a Knight is to even look out for the smaller, more unfortunate folks…

“Here! A GRACIOUS OFFERING! I REQUEST THAT YOU GIVE IT BACK TO ME ONCE YOU ARE SAFELY TRANSFERRED BACK TO YOUR ABODE!” Sebek shouted out loudly as he removed his top layer of a coat and handed it over to you. If your cheeks weren't already pink from the chilly air, they were now as you gently set the basket of goodies down to wrap the jacket around your form. The jacket was way too big for you but it was very warm as you could smell the hints of cologne and what smelt like the fog rolling over mountains, warm and earthy. Muttering a small ‘thank you’ to Sebek, he only turned on his heel away from you as he began to walk ahead of you by two steps. He was trying to hide the small blush on his face because he did not need you gossiping to his father how a mere human made him blush!

Home was in sight not too long as you crossed the border, the lights flickering within the windowsill, a beckoning warmth towards you on the horizon as you could feel your tired feet urging you faster to your home. A snap of a twig to your right caused you to jump slightly as you looked into the forest with some fear etching into your skin- Maybe you were wrong and there was a kidnapper out there!? Frozen in place like a deer in headlights, you felt a hand appear in front of you as Sebek was instantly glued to your side, hand pushing you behind him as he had his sword drawn. So this is what it meant to be a Knight?

“COME AND SHOW YOURSELF AND I MAY SPARE YOUR LIFE!” Sebek shouted loudly towards the forage of the forest lining the streets only for another snap of a twig to echo closer to the treeline. Almost as if whoever Sebek had yelled at got scared and took a step back, only causing you to step a little closer to Sebek who could only grit his teeth as his cheeks were roaring pink once more. Eager to just get you out of his sight just to avoid this fluttering feeling in his stomach, he took a step forward with his sword raised only for a squeak to come out from a bush.

A squirrel hopped out, dodging the both of you and eagerly running away to the other side of the road to the other treeline and disappearing.

Ah.

“YOU SHALL NOT SPEAK OF THIS TO ANYONE, HUMAN!” Sebek yelled out loudly at you, looking over at you with a frustrated crease in his eyebrow only for you to slowly nod your head and chuckle. You could keep that promise due to the fact that you refused to admit to someone that you let your boss's son protect you from a little woodland creature.

Finally, the walk home was over and you were at your doorstep. Turning to face the guard who protected you so fiercely, you could only clear your throat. What do you say now? What could you even do now? Tell him thanks? Go away?

“My coat, human.” Seems like he beat you to it, snapping you out of your daze as you realized that you were still clutching onto the jacket with one hand that was still draped around you and your other hand holding the basket of goodies. Ah.

“Sorry. I was lost in my thoughts… Uhm- Thank you Sebek, for the coat… And for protecting me.” You stated out softly as you removed the coat from around you and handed it back to the awaiting male. A huff came from him as an air of smugness seemed to form around his body.

“Oh! So a mere human knows manners! Lest you forget this day, I will be returning every once and a while, and I demand your appearance at my home so that you will never forget how I guarded you!” Sebek laughed out, nodding his head at his great idea. Afterall, he spent a lot of energy on an unworthy human who couldn't even grace his Master's presence! Although for you, it sounded completely different.

“It just sounds like you’re trying to court me and making sure that I see you next time you visit…” You grumbled out with a small defeated sigh. Whatever. This was fine, right?

Though Sebek was not ‘whatever’, he was not ‘fine’ either!

“YOUR ACCUSATIONS ARE WRONG! DO NOT JUMP TO SUCH PRESUMPTUOUS ACCUSATIONS, HUMAN!” Sebek roared out, flustered that you would even dare bring up such a topic just because he requested your presence just so he can feel your eternal gratefulness for this night! Maybe also the fact that you are deemable interesting enough. Though, he would never admit that! Even if Lilia-sama asked! Though, he would spill the beans to his Lord.

Chivalry isn't dead, right? You could only chuckle and roll your eyes, leaning up onto your tippy toes as you cupped his cheek as you pressed a kiss to his cheek. You could feel his cheeks warming up fast as he took a step back, baffled that you would even do such a thing!

“Thank you, Sebek, the most chivalrous knight I know. I hope my kiss is full repayment for your deeds tonight.” You stated out, this time you were smug in how this came out and how the tables have turned. The compliments plus the embarrassment of getting a kiss just due to him being chivalrous caused his face to turn bright red. Yes… He supposed he would like to see you once again…

“Goodnight… Y/n.” Was all he could mutter as he stood at your doorstep, watching you close your door and turn off all the lights in your home for the night.

'Until next time we meet, Y/n...'

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