Chapter 10
Sebastian took a leap and had asked you to come see him off at the airport. Your jeans were damp with the way your hands are clamming up so hard. He notices this and takes both your arms, wrapping them around his torso instead.
"Hold on to me," he says firmly. You look up to him and the determination in his eyes left you no other choice.
You spent the last couple of days cooped up in Sebastian's B&B room, doing nothing and everything at the same time. Well, everything but. He was a complete gentleman, never going past first base. When you told him you haven't even kissed anyone before him, his chest swelled with pride and yours too as he continued taking your breath away with each caress of his lips over yours.
It had become sort of a silent agreement between you as well not to talk about the future and define what it was that you have. Despite the inevitable, Sebastian heeded your request to take it a day at a time, getting to know you even more. He had responded in earnest as well, not hesitating even in the slightest bit to share even the ugliest parts of himself that he was scared would turn even the most understanding and patient person off. But that wasn't you. Your experiences as a crisis counselor had opened your mind and heart to different perspectives.
Sebastian found your emotional vulnerability and fortitude downright stunning. Though he understood through your life experiences you weren't perfect or ideal, he was amazed by the fact that you've allowed yourself to be weak to come back from adversity stronger.
It was only three days spent with each other, but by the time you both got to the airport to see him off, it seemed like you've spent years together.
You were reluctant to let him go when you arrived at the drop off area at O'Hare. Tears fought to escape but you held them off.
"I'm gonna fucking miss you," Sebastian says in a coarse whisper after nodding off to grab his suitcase, leaving you alone in the backseat. "You take care of yourself, alright?"
He grabs your hand and presses his lips over your knuckles, lingering for a few more moments before tugging you out of the car. You freeze in your seat, realizing he was going to be seen with you in public.
"What is it?" he asks when he sees you plastered to your seat.
"Seb, I…," you say weakly then directing your eyes outside. He frowns in confusion for a bit before finally understanding what you mean. He shakes his head before responding.
"You trust me?"
You give him a vigorous nod. He mouths an 'okay' and he finally gets out of the rental with you in tow. A sigh of relief escapes you that you manage to get to the departures area unrecognized. He manages to complete checking in, the airport staff not making any fuss over him.
When he was done, he takes you to an obscure area to say goodbye. His grip on your hand tightens before pulling you into an even tighter embrace.
"I'll miss you too," you tell him shakingly as you held on to him. "Thank you for everything."
Sebastian momentarily breaks off but keeps you close. His eyes look at you searchingly before cupping your cheeks in his hands. The air around you becomes charged with so much emotion that's left you both speechless. Despite the risk of being photographed, Sebastian throws all caution to the wind, pulling your face close to his and pouring himself in a kiss that was equal parts bittersweet and passionate. Time seemed to stop and all that were moving were your hands gripping his sides and his lips dancing against yours in perfect rhythm.
"Christ, I thought I'd already talked myself into making this easier," he says almost in a growl after you both decided breathing was also still necessary. You smile at him helplessly in agreement.
The final call for his flight finally sounds. He envelops you once more in a hug, breathing in your scent one last time before falling in line with the other passengers. You slink further in the corner where he left you, mouthing 'goodbye' and 'take care' to him before he disappeared from your sight.
enews We don't mind getting warmed up by this Winter Soldier. Sebastian Stan was seen in a hot smooch sesh with a mystery woman in Chicago just this Saturday. Check the link in our bio for everything we know about Sexy Seabass' new flame (?)
Kayla blinked a few times to make sure what she just read was correct. She clicked on the link and her jaw dropped at the article and accompanying pictures. It was indeed her boss engaged in what looked to be a heated kiss with a woman who wasn't visible based on the angle the photo was taken.
The article itself was more speculation than fact but the man in the picture was undeniably Sebastian. She put the phone face down and paced listlessly in her apartment for a few minutes. She bit her lower lip in worry as she knew Leslie at the very least would get ahold of the information anytime very soon.
Checking her watch, she winced that she isn't due to drop by Sebastian's condo in another hour. In any case, he still probably was asleep, seeing as it wasn't even 10 in the morning.
With a wince and a few choice colorful words, she grabbed her coat and went out the door, not caring if Sebastian curses her out when she knocks on his door.
"Jesus, Kayla," Sebastian groaned, still half asleep as he let her in. "The fuck is going on?" He knew something must be up by the way her shoulders were slightly hunched as she slid past him. Her face was creased with worry as soon as he locked the door and when she turned around to face him.
"Jeez, just get to it already," Sebastian told her, slightly annoyed.
"Oh god you haven't checked your phone," she says while pulling out her phone, pulling up the Instagram post and showing it to him. Sebastian's face crumples as he recognizes himself kissing you at the airport.
"Oh shit."
"That's it? That's all you're gonna say?!"
Leslie was livid as a rock as she paced in front of her client. Sebastian just sat there, with Max beside him also emanating anger at him and the situation his client put themselves in.
"Why are you so mad? We just don't say anything, like what we've done before," Sebastian says nonchalantly, looking between his publicist and manager.
"Seb this is…" Max tries to say but Sebastian cuts him off. "Why the fuck didn't you tell me? This better not be a repeat of the E incident."
"She's gone Max, I don't think I'll ever see her again, but I am serious, I just keep my mouth shut and the attention goes away eventually, like it always does."
Max pondered the idea and gave a pointed look at Leslie who nodded her agreement slowly but surely.
"Fine, no statements from you Maximilian and no Instagram posts from you Sebastian," Leslie commands. Sebastian gives her a short nod and was out the door in a flash.
He heaved a sigh as he stepped out on to the streets, wondering if he should contact you and check on you. It hadn't been a week and with the photos coming out, his first thought was what you'd think about it.
Try as he might, the decision not to defend you publicly has left a bitter taste in his mouth. It was a price he'd paid when he spoke up in 2016 for someone else and he's quickly realizing not saying anything at all was far more painful than actually saying something.