"I guess we drink to you. The hero."
It takes a moment for him to realize Sebastian isn’t being sarcastic. He’s referring to Peter helping his sister. “Don't. I literally made a phone call and zoomed into a conference for ten minutes to say how great a large pharmaceutical company was. Is she going to be okay?" Peter asks, surprised his voice comes out even.
"I mean, yes? She's alive. She's going to live. But everyone is different now. My sister actually wanted the baby. My parents were looking forward to being grandparents. Her dickbag fiancé got together with one of her bridesmaids while she was in a coma, and she can't decide if she wants to call the wedding off or not."
"She should call it off," Peter says.
"Exactly." Sebastian offers his bottle to toast. They clink bottles and take a sip.
Sebastian licks his obscene lips, and Peter starts to twist the bottle cap over his fingers as a distraction.
"I'm, uh, actually the baby of the family. And Freddie—that's my sister. She was named after my grandma—she's always been the glue. The focus of everyone's attention, you know? She kept everyone together. Let my ma dote on her, kept my dad from getting too drunk… And then one day she was gone, but now she's back, and that's an incredible gift, Peter. That's because of you. And I was such a fucking asshole to you. I'm sorry for how I behaved. It wasn't your fault. And now you've left the Republican party, and you're all righteous, and sexy, but sad…"
Peter takes a small sip of his beer. It's hard to get the drink down. He stares at Sebastian's neck because it's hard to meet his gaze. He's just too attractive, too wise and knowing. Which doesn't make any sense, considering how young he is.
"It must have been hard to quit like that. And publicly."
"Truthfully? I was only elected because my dad was in Congress for twenty years. He died on top of his mistress in DC,and because I'd just come home from the Marines, they asked me to run for his seat. They basically gave it to me. So long as I was a Republican. And I guess I was. That's how I grew up. And I had some reforms I hoped I could move along, things that would help the military guys stationed overseas, and that's what the Republicans usually stand for. But the truth is that nothing good is ever going to fucking happen in the military. Or the government. I've put up with a lot of other shit I disagree with because I was focused on the military reforms. And they're dead in the water. Five years from now, we're gonna be in even more fucking wars, in places we have no goddamn business going to, and it's all for fucking nothing. So, fuck it. I'm out."
"That's the most inspiring and hottest speech I've ever seen in my life. And it happened in your kitchen," he says, leering at Peter. "You'd get my vote now. A hard yes," he says.
Peter has no idea what to say to that. Is that a reference to how hard Peter was that night? Under him? Peter blushes again. His face is hot with it. Sebastian is waiting for him to say something.
"I don't know what you want from me. Why you're here?" he corrects.
Sebastian chews on his plump bottom lip for a long moment. "Can you imagine how enraging it was to be saying really cruel things to you, to be trying to hurt you, and to know you were getting off on it?"
"Oh god," Peter says, horrified. "I didn't want to be, I swear. I'm so sorry."
"Oh, I know. I assume that's what the tears were for. Pretty tears. You should cry more. Every emotion is there on your face. Readable. Easy. The horror and disgust that it was turning you on. Your cock getting hard, your nipples all perked up and pretty because you wanted me. It made me want to rip your dick off.Tear your face off. I hated how hot you were and how much you were enjoying it."
"I'm sorry," Peter says again. "I hate myself for reacting that way. I know it was inappropriate. Wrong, and I've just… that's… there's something wrong with me. Always has been?—"
"Did you come?" Sebastian asks calmly. As if it's a perfectly reasonable question.
"I… no."
"Don't lie. You jerk off, right? Or do you have a partner who sorts you out? Do you top? Is that a stupid question?" Sebastian sets down his beer, prowling closer. There's this power or confidence coming from Sebastian.
Peter is expected to answer his questions. Peter wants to, and he needs those answers to be right.
"I don't have someone."
"You like men, right?" The question is sharp.
"Sebastian, I?—"
The young man forces eye contact. "Let's get something clear. I ask a question and you're gonna answer it."
"Or else what?" Peter demands. His chin juts up. He's got one chance to stand up straight and act like he's in charge. Before it's determined for good who has all the power in this relationship.
Not that it's a relationship. It's just two guys feeling each other out for weird power games and sexual innuendos.
This isn't something Peter knows how to deal with.
"Or else I'm going to leave, and I'll just go fuck someone else."
Peter goes weak. It's almost like vertigo. But in a good way.
