Sebastian
Seb almost never hadthe occasion to wear his big black snow boots or the fully insulated down jacket with the thick hood. Usually, he only left the house in the winter if he were getting straight into a car. As he and Declan stomped through the woods outside, he started to feel like he was wobbling back and forth with every step, likely to fall to the snow and roll away.
Unlike Declan, who stomped ahead in his same leather jacket, obviously cold but not saying a word about it. “What do you think?” Declan asked over his shoulder. “Pretty nice, huh?”
Seb cast his eyes around. It was beautiful, from the way the snow brushed the branches of the trees to the bright light, reflecting back up at them. “Yeah,” he said, his breath coming out in a cloud. “It’s really something.”
They paused, their boots heavy in the track Declan had been cutting through the snow every evening. The house was barely out of sight, but the woods were totally quiet, making it feel like they were far away.
Declan tapped the side of his head. “It’s good to clear out the cobwebs, go for some fresh air. When my uncle and my father were fighting over the family business, going out for a walk in the mountains was one of the only ways I could get myself thinking straight.”
“What were the other ways?” Seb asked.
Declan grinned. “You could probably guess.”
Seb laughed. He felt warm inside of his jacket, and as more snow started to sprinkle down, his worried thoughts really did empty from his mind. Declan had been so insistent on checking with security, Seb wasn’t even worried about their safety.
“It’s a hell of a thing, though,” Declan continued. “Having to turn against your family like that. When my uncle took things in a bad direction, I wasn’t sure, at first, whether I’d be able to stand up to him. And even though I knew there was no other choice, it still hurt like hell to turn my back on someone I cared about.”
Seb stepped closer, craving Declan’s gravity. “I know what you mean. I feel guilty sometimes, having to lie to my father to keep my research safe. But then I remember how happy he is to lie to me, if he thinks it’s going to get him what he wants.”
“You can outsmart your old man, that’s good.” Declan laid his hand on his scarf, and Seb imagined the scar beneath the black fabric. “Just make sure you keep yourself safe, Seb.”
They started walking again, circling back around toward the house. “You still have some family, though? Your nephew?”
“That’s right,” Declan agreed. “And my sister. But we’ve lived on opposite sides of the country so long, I rarely get to see them. I’ve been flying solo for a while now.”
Seb entertained himself with the idea that he and Declan were alike in that way, both nearly on their own in the world. It let him fantasize that their time together could keep going, even after the threats passed and Declan wasn’t working for his father any longer. “Flying solo,” he said. “I’m familiar.”
Declan glanced over his shoulder. “You’re a good-looking guy, Seb. You never have a friend out here? A boyfriend from college?”
Seb laughed. He’d never exactly put himself out there, but neither had anyone really made a move his way. “I’m picky and particular,” he said.
Declan chuckled, his low voice always so pleasing to Seb. “I’m sure you are.”
“What about you?”
“I’m picky, too,” he said, pushing a low-hanging branch out of the way, then holding it back for Seb to pass. “Tequila and a game of poker are better company than most men.” He let the branch swing back, then followed along behind Seb. “Not everyone, though.”
Seb glanced over his shoulder, and when he saw Declan’s cocky grin, he thrilled at the flirtation. “I’ll take that as a compliment,” he said, letting a soft tease enter his voice, too.
“You should.”
They kept on for a while, and when they were nearing the house, Seb slowed his pace and let Declan walk by his side. They swayed back and forth a bit, bumping into each other with their shoulders. When they reached the driveway, Declan paused, then pulled his pack of cigarettes out of his pocket.
Without intending to, Seb frowned slightly. And somehow, Declan caught it.
“What?” he asked. “You don’t like smoking?”
Seb held his hands behind his back. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make a face. Smoke isn’t the worst smell in the world, but it’s not exactly my favorite.”
Declan puffed in on the cigarette, then let out a stream of smoke to the side. “Nothing to apologize for. Why don’t you head back inside and warm up? I’ll be back after I finish this.”
Seb nodded, then headed into the house, kicking off his boots and tossing aside with his jacket at the door. Ellie was up, and he took a minute to give her some more water and a treat and to rub his hands on her soft fur. Beneath the down jacket, he had gotten warm on the short hike, and the air felt good on his skin.
The door slammed as Declan came inside. When he rounded the corner, he had the same glow on his skin from the walk as Seb did, and his hair was swooped back like a silver wave.
Seb’s breath caught, and Declan headed straight to him. “Beautiful property, isn’t it?” he asked.
