Chace Crawford
Read the rest
#2: A Little Personal Space Invasion Ain’t so Bad
#3: Trouble is you
#4
“Wait. You were in a relationship with a man?”
Chris swore on anything that he didn’t mean to practically yelp in his reaction to Sebastian’s revelation but he doggone did.
“He was a state politician and I never knew what love is until I met him.”
Pretty sure no one can mess up ‘she’ and ‘her’ with ‘he’ and ‘him’ horribly like that, right?
At the other end of their living room, Sebastian fell quiet as he chewed on the insides of his cheeks. Chris could tell that he did not plan to let that slip out of him from the way he had his eyes stuck to the ground for a long time after that.
The awkward silence that wedged itself between them was turning nuclear the more Chris Evans stood blinking at him like a goddamn tree frog.
So...He was with a man and you don’t have a hearing problem.
It didn’t last long, though. Sebastian brought his chin up, his darkened blues back to meeting Chris’. He drew in a deep breath and kept his cool - there was no point in trying to twist his way out of this one. No way could Chris unhear what he just heard.
And so he went, “Yes, my ex was a man.”
Christ. “Was it a one-time thing or…”
“I’m gay, Chris.”
Right. Of course. Duh! He didn’t need to fucking point that out to you, you stupid fuck.
Chris seemed to require more time for this to fully register and then settle into his system. He was prepared for Sebastian to be involved in some kind of corporate espionage at most. After all, the guy believed in a lot of rights - for humans, animals. Heck, even trees - Chris was sure he ever stepped on gigantic toes to stand up for all things justice and equality. A gag order for that would be logical.
He wasn’t expecting someone to slap a lawsuit on him for falling in love. That must have been mega fucking messed up level depressing, no shit.
“Is this going to be an issue between us?”
“Huh?”
That came out of nowhere and judging from the tone used, Sebastian had gotten the young CEO’s less-than-ecstatic reaction to his confession all wrong.
And he wasn’t fast enough to deny that before the photographer fired his next shot with, “now that you know what I am, are you gonna have a problem with me living with you now, Evans?”
“What?” Chris huffed, turning defensive. He didn’t like how the guy was accusing him of something he wasn’t even thinking about in the first place.
“No, of course not! It’s not even about that, Seb.”
“Then what’s with the screaming?”
“I didn’t scream,” Chris argued, his eyebrows coming together in a tight knit. “I’m just…”
“Shocked?”
“Yes!”
“Appalled?”
Chris was starting to get immensely irritated at how Sebastian’s misunderstanding was coming hard at him. “Yes.”
“Hmph.” The roll of his eyes spoke death. “That’s disappointing. Coming from you.”
What the hell, this guy? He doesn’t even know what he’s talking about! “I mean by your attitude, Seb - I’m offended by it.”
“You’re offended by my attitude. Surely?”
“Okay, back it up.” The blonde was done. “Why would you even think that I'd actually have a problem with you living with me? I just said I like having you around.”
The photographer didn’t say anything.
Chris tried again. “I’m just very surprised by it, that’s all, I swear. I had no idea at all! You could’ve told me.”
“Right.” His housemate snorted, ridiculed. “Because it would’ve been as easy as ‘Hi I’m Sebastian Stan and I prefer men ever since I could talk. ‘Nice cardigan, by the way! Love the man purse!’.”
He knew he shouldn’t but that impression made Chris throw his head back and laugh out really loud.
Sebastian didn’t get the joke. “What’s so funny?”
“Damn, son.” The blonde even wheezed a little. “You need to seriously can it with this whole male PMS thing of yours, Sebastian.”
The brown-haired man rolled his eyes again.
“Look, you got it all wrong. Serious talk,” Chris then went, deciding to not agitate the drama king any longer. “I swear I only reacted the way I did earlier because it came out of nowhere. Also, I’ve never known anyone who’s…who is….uh...”
“Gay, Chris. It’s not difficult a difficult word to say.”
“Like you.” Chris said. “You don’t even seem like it.”
Sebastian looked like he was was solving a riddle. “‘Seem like it’. What do you think homosexuals are like? Enlighten me.”
Trick question alert! “I don’t know! Like, you don’t ever wear hot pink or purple...and I bet you hate Grey’s Anatomy with raging passion.”
“Drag queens and unicorns, too?”
Chris had to give an assuming shrug. “No offense.”
“Wow. You straight people are so typical - total textbook contextual,” Sebastian muttered, shaking his head like he lost all hope in humanity or something.
“Not all of us are into Ru Paul or ‘soft’. Some of us are real men - as in standard issue as fuck real men real men. We just don’t prefer women, now what I mean? ‘Love’ between humans is not reserved for a hetero relationship anyway.”
Jesus. “Oh, so there’s a my and your people now.”
“There’s always been that, Evans. It’s called the new divide - you’d be surprised how backwards and hostile your people are about my community, even at this age.”
The CEO was somewhat entertained. His housemate’s need to address a serious matter through a bitch fit was actually, dare he say, pretty darn adorable.
“Okay! Okay, you win,” Chris declared before taking his bow. “Jeez, Seb. Remind me to not piss you off. Now will you please take it down a notch?”
His crazy blue eyes were still burning through Chris’ skull like fire on paper, Christ.
“l mean it when I said we can be open to each other about anything and I promise that I am.”
It took a while for the photographer to see that he did overreacted (arguably, only a little bit). The scowl on his face eventually went away when Chris put his hands together like he was pleading for his life, causing the guy to let out an sheepish sigh.
“Sorry for coming down on you like that,” Sebastian said, tucking his long, long bangs behind his ears. His expression softened, apologetic for the fleeting attack on the other man.
“Automatic defense mechanism, I guess. I don’t want you, of all people, to think weird or bad of me. Or you know, become scared.”
“Scared? You’re gay - not a serial killer, Sebastian,” Chris scoffed. “And since when do you let people dictate who you are and how you feel?”
“I don’t care about others but I do care about what you think of me.”
Chris cocked a brow, questioning.
Sebastian pulled a nervous smile. “There are things about you that makes it easier for me to move on from a really dark period in my life. The kind of heart and soul you have...I really like you, Chris - a lot. I’m honest to God thankful we met and I don’t want my being different to change that.”
The blonde felt his heart jump a little, though. “Err…”
“Oh!” Sebastian’s face twisted into a panicked cringe when he realized what that came out like.
“No, not like that. I mean you’re handsome and hot and everything and I did have a tiny crush on you for a while.”
“You did.”
“That ended when you made me put on make up for a kid’s party. From then on, sorry. Brozoned.”
“Brozoned!” The young CEO burst into laughter again. “Oh, for crying out loud, Seb - it was only eyeliner and it’s been eight goddamn months!”
Unbelievable, Christ. “You, my friend, need to let it go already.”
“Easy for you to say, Captain Golf Pants.”
“You need to let him go too, Sebby. Your ex.”
Sebastian’s smile faltered at his swift comeback.
“Chris. I seriously can’t discuss-“
“I don’t want the details.” The blonde stated before walking up to him to put a concerned hand on his housemate’s shoulder.
“I just want to tell you this: We’re in the same boat with our past loves, Seb. We are the ones suffering from their shit. Now whoever this guy is, he could have used the position and power he has to change the minds of society but instead, he chose to mistreat you.”
The photographer was quiet, listening with his eyes beginning to cloud over again.
“He doesn’t regret doing that but you gotta know that you’re his ultimate loss. Not the other way around.”
Sebastian wasn’t feeling it. “Mmmhmm.”
Chris let out a sigh. “Look. I really like you too. Best part about you is that I can talk to you about anything - the good, the bad, anything. It’s like I’ve known you forever! Maybe it’s also because I believe you’ll always get it somehow. You’ve this crazy, positive vibe and that’s become important to me. I wouldn’t have seen what Jenny was doing to me if you hadn’t snapped me out of it, for example.”
“Aww.” His housemate was moved. “That’s nice to know.”
“It’s true! I don’t care if you’re gay or wanna marry a tree or whatever. I just know that...anytime you need me too, Seb. I’m here for you. Okay?”
The toothy smile of his returned and it returned at full force. It was a simple act but on Sebastian, it could literally brighten up everything around him like the midday sun over a beautiful, empty beach.
He noticed something else, too. “Seb. Are you blushing?”
“I can’t take it, man. My knees have gone weak. That was one hellova speech,” Sebastian said, chuckling sheepishly.
”You make me feel so treasured. It’s nice. Damn it!”
“What now?”
He let out a groan. “It’s times like this that I honestly wish you were fucking gay, Chris Evans.”
“Really!” The blonde gave that an amused scoff.
“Keep on wishing then, Sebastian Stan.”
The photographer smirked.
“That, I may just do.”
Whoever said that going to the malls during typical office hours on a weekday is a great idea is obviously someone who hasn’t tried shopping in any of Beverly Hills’ infamous shopping districts.
The plan was so simple: Get off really early from work, head to the Nike store, purchase the new, eagerly-anticipated ‘Vipormax’ and get out.
They weren’t expecting to line up for it, though. At this point, the young CEO wondered why in the bloody blue Hell didn’t he just wait for the hype to die down and then buy the trainers from the comfort of his couch.
Oh well, he thought. Since we’re already here.
“I don’t know how I can workout for more than an hour each time at the gym but cannot for the life of me stand shopping on foot,” Sebastian complained, annoyed at the queue.
“I change my mind. I’m going back to work.”
“Come on,” Chris protested. “You said you’d accompany me for a bit. Besides, you wanted to check them out first.”
“I did. Look at where we are in this line, Evans - we’re gonna be here the whole day!”
“He’s got a point, Chris. Are you really going to queue up for shoes like a millennial?”
Chris and Sebastian turned around at the sudden voice that came from behind them and when they did, it took the blonde less than a second to realize who it was.
“Oh my…Chace Crawford?”
The man threw open his arms. “In the flesh.”
Both men practically threw themselves at each other in a big, long hug, with Chris giving the other man a couple of big, welcoming slaps on his back.
“Jesus, what a surprise! When did you get back? It’s great to see you again, bro.”
“Great to see you again, too! Oh, last night actually,” the man replied, breaking away only to reach his hands out and squeeze Chris by the shoulders.
“Oh, wow. I leave you for a few years and this happened! What fitness cult did you sell your soul to? Lookin’ so goddamn jacked.”
“Some things do change in boring side of LA, you know,” Chris said, chuckling. According to this guy and for whatever nonsense he believed in, Venice was just that.
As if his super classy, gated as Hell hilltop neighbourhood was party rock. Pfft.
“I must say, I dig the new look very much,” Chace went, throwing a cheeky wink at the size of Chris’ chest. “I’d love to test drive a car on that.”
“Thanks,” Chris chuckled, flattered to Hell. “You look good, too. Didn’t age a single bit and still with the awesome hair, I see.”
“This?” The man laughed, pointing to the medium wave above his forehead. “Well, it is, after all, my trademark. Listen man, I’m happy to see you again and would love to catch up with you but let’s do that another day. Over lunch, next week?”
The amount of shopping bags in his hands spoke serious retail therapy business. “Yeah, sure! Don’t wanna interrupt your momentum. Are you still using the same number?”
“Yes. By the way, I’m done with shopping and I need to go soon but before I do, I’d like to introduce myself to your…”
He turned to Sebastian, the smile on his face widening a little more. “...friend? I hope.”
He hopes?
“Hello.” The brown-haired man replied, quick to extend his hand out. “Sebastian. Stan.”
“Hi.” He gave Sebastian's hand a firm shake. “I’m Chace. Crawford. You already know that. So...friends?”
Chris nodded. “New housemate.”
“Temporarily.” Sebastian smiled. “I just moved in from New York earlier this year.”
“New York. I love New York.” The other man drawled, the brightness of his smile blinding.
“And new housemate too, huh? Ain’t you a lucky guy, Christopher.”
This teasing, sing-song tone of his got Chris so lost. What does he mean by ‘lucky me’?
And then he saw it - the sparks that popped up in the air between them. Only then that Chris realized that the two men were holding that handshake a little too long.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Sebastian.”
Also, this look Chace was giving the other man. Sebastian’s face was turning pink real fast as he responded with a shy, “likewise.”
Wait a minute. Oh?
That was when things took quite an unexpected turn.
“I know this is abrupt but I’m attending a movie premier and I’m short of a date,” Chace suddenly said, still looking at Sebastian like nothing else existed in his view.
“Would you do the honor of accompanying me to a night of tinseltown glamour this Saturday?”
Chris eyebrows jumped up his forehead. His housemate’s reception was a heck lot slower, though.
“Excuse me?” Sebastian responded, blinking when it finally hit him. “What did you say?”
“I’m short of a date this Saturday, Sebastian. I’d like it if you’d go to the premier of Jones’ Notebook with me.”
“Oh. Err…”
Just like that, the tan on Sebastian’s skin failed miserably to hide the flood of red spreading all over his face at the sudden proposal. His eyes darted to Chris, as if signalling for help of some sort but his housemate too, looked like he was choking on air.
In front of him, Chace was waiting for an answer. Sebastian took a breath and another second to come back with a diplomatic reply.
“I need to check if the editorial is fine to go on without me this weekend.”
“You work with the paper?”
“I’d like to think it’s more to anything lifestyle-related.”
“Sounds like a dream job.”
“So far, so good. Anyway, about the invite.”
“Invite?” Chace chuckled. “You’re so cute.”
Oh my…!
“Uh...Yeah,” Sebastian grinned, flattered. “I’m handling an important client at the moment so I need to work with his team and everything so....”
“No problem.” The man’s smile stretched. “Give me your phone and I’ll punch in my number.”
Chris was impressed at how fast Chace worked. Sebastian got his phone back and before he could even look at it, Chace went, “I’ve a better idea - you like sushi?”
“I love sushi.”
“Good. You can come back to me about this Saturday over dinner at Nobu, tonight. Seven’s good, I suppose?”
Okay that is smooth as Hell. Just straight to it.
“Forgive me if I’m being forward - I can’t help it sometimes.”
With not the slightest bit of modesty meant at all. Look at that.
“Well….” His housemate was drowning from Chace’s persistence. “It’s not a bad thing.”
“Good, because I’d like to put the blame on your eyes - they’re simply breathtaking, Sebastian.”
That made the photographer grin so wide, his skull would have cracked into pieces.
In all honesty, this would have been very cringe-worthy if Chris was not starting to enjoy the entire show. Never the fuck mind that he was just a silent, non-existent lamppost between the two.
“Thanks. Uhm...Yeah, so uh…” Sebastian’s face turned even redder. “I’m sorry. Kinda speechless right now.”
“I really hope you can say something good about tonight.” Chace proceeded to reel his catch in with, “Shall I pick you up at six thirty?”
“You know where I live.”
“Yes, because I know where this handsome fella lives,” Chace went, suddenly dragging Chris back into the picture.
“Lovely pad, by the way. The view from your balcony, especially!”
Chris had to laugh. This was because Chace never said something like that before - both the handsome part as well as the sudden praise for his property. But alas, it was not the right time to throw this guy over the glorious Venice waves for this.
Well, not yet anyway. “Thanks, man.”
“Uh huh.” Chace went back to his main focus immediately. “Where were we?”
“Six-thirty. You’re picking me up for sushi?”
“Great.” Chace’s smile stretched to Hell. “I’m really looking forward to it, Sebastian.”
Aaaaand now, a moment for heart eyes….Heart eyes….
“Me too.”
Another moment for sparkly heart eyes….
Chris decided to clear his throat, bringing everyone back to earth when he did. It did take another solid minute for Chace to take his eyes off Sebastian, though. He looked smitten silly, it was both strange and amusing.
Damn. We have so much to talk about come the next beer night. “So Crawford! Anything here that’s worth the cardio?”
“Yes! Unbelievable drop downs on Ralph Lauren especially,” Chace sang, turning to Chris and holding up his purchases.
“They’re closing down this outlet so everything’s going at sixty, seventy percent off? I suggest you get out of this line. Whatever you want are still gonna be there the next week or month anyway, no?”
Chris frowned, defeated. “Makes sense.”
”Obviously! Ah, I have to rush into a quick meeting before our date.”
He gave Sebastian a wink. “I’ll see you later.”
“Later.”
He was well out of earshot before Chris turned to Sebastian to see him staring at the back of the young entrepreneur's head so hard. It looked like a monster truck just hit him right in the face. Twice.
Or rather, five billion times.
“What just happened?” Sebastian breathed out when he snapped out of his awe.
“Chace Crawford happened.”
“Who?”
“One of my good buddies, also one of my core business partners. I work with his company for most of the facilities and machines in the hospital,” Chris replied, still blown away by such a performance from the guy.
“How come I’ve never known of his existence until today?”
“That’s because he’s been living in London for the past few years. New expansion. His main marketing team still run his business in the US. You okay, Seb?”
“Chris.” That bag of bricks finally hit Sebastian and it hit him goddamn hard. “Did I just agree to a date tonight?”
“Yes.”
“And a movie premier on Saturday.”
“All you,” Chris replied, snickering a little. “Although I find it surprising that…”
“What?”
Chris knew Chace forever and one thing was for sure: the native Californian had always been straighter than the lines on his classy ass designer slacks. To just witness him asking another guy out so naturally like that was…
...Since when was Chace ever interested in men?
“Chris. What?”
The young CEO decided to keep an open mind about it in the end. People change. Different fields to conquer. It wasn’t his place to say anything anyway. “Never mind.”
Next to him, his housemate was still reeling from what went down. “So I just agreed to two dates this week with the same guy.”
“Guess you fell hard for his charm. He just swept you away, just like that. I was amazed too! He wasn’t like that before, if you must know. So fascinating.”
His housemate paled over. “Oh my God.”
Chris decided to be of more practical help. “So! We’ve another good reason to be in this place, thanks to your date tonight.”
Sebastian grunted. “Why are you so excited?”
“Because you’re going out with one of the greatest guys I know on this planet - I’m excited for the both of you.”
“Yeah, I still don’t know how that happened! I’m not sure if it’s a great idea now.”
“You don’t want this to be like some sort of a rebound or something?”
Sebastian rolled his tongue with a shrug.
“Well...you’ll never find out anything new if you don’t give yourself a chance with this guy, Seb. Isn’t that what dating is all about?”
“You’re schooling me about going back into the dating scene? That’s gold.” The photographer snickered.
“Your wingman game is damn obvious, by the way.”
Chris rolled his eyes at the earlier jab. “I’ll tell you this: Chace is a really genuine person. I think you’re gonna like him a lot but you gotta do the rest on your own.”
“Okay then. Just going on a couple of dates anyway, right? Harmless.”
“Completely.”
“Hey. Maybe you can help me with the Saturday part. I’ve never been on a freaking red carpet before - especially not as someone’s date. All cameras will be on me and everything. I need to look motherfucking dashing. Let’s go get me a suit.”
Sebastian looked around and spotted a tailor boutique nearby. “I’ll get one in there. Come on!”
“Wait, wait.” Chris had a much better idea. It came to him like pop. “Calm down. I think I have this velvet blue number that you can wear with a white shirt underneath. Double lapels. It’s from...Hugo Boss. I think.”
“You’re just gonna lend me your Boss.”
“Actually, I haven’t worn it yet.”
Sebastian gawked. “So it’s a brand new Boss suit.”
“I don’t really get to dress up to my nines with everything that’s been happening at the hospital,” Chris went, sighing at the lack of his involvement in the recent social functions he was invited to. He would have loved to attend every single one if work hadn’t been a priority.
“Besides I have a whole closet full of suits. It’s no big deal. Instead of spending so much for just one premier, just borrow mine!”
“You’re like, my fairy god father,” Sebastian sang, breaking into a relieved smile. “But will it fit me? You’re massive, Evans.”
“What are you talking about? You’re about my size, Sebastian. It’ll fit you fine.”
“For real? Thank you.”
Those sparkles in his eyes, seriously. Chris laughed. “Alright, alright. So Saturday’s done. Now let’s focus on tonight. What’s your plan? You have less than 4 hours.”
“I’m a guy so I can pretty much pull off anything with a leather jacket or a simple-”
“Stop right there,” Chris interrupted, blinking at him in utter disbelief. “No way.”
“No way what?”
“This is Nobu, Sebastian - not a bed and breakfast inn for biker gangs. Leather jacket Seriously. What you wear matters in a place like that - you could use some of that uptown class act style. I insist to assist.”
“I feel offended by your lack of faith in my fashion choices.”
Chris’ overly excited slap on his back almost shifted his liver, not that he blonde cared.
“Exactly. So I’m making you my mission, Seb - first stop, Ralph Lauren.”
“Wait. What about the Nikes?”
“Nah. That can wait. Let’s go!”
Saturday was a big day for Sebastian. Chris had given him the suit days before but it was only in the next few seconds that he would get to see what his Boss would look like on his housemate.
“I wanted to cut my hair but I still like it long…”
Chris turned around at the sound of Sebastian coming out of his room. He had expected that his friend would look really good in Hugo Boss simply because he would but he didn’t expect it to be mind-blowing is that even legit fucking good-good.
He walked into the light of the living area.
“Anyway. So! How do I look?”
That was when strange things started happening.
Something big shifted in the air - everything around the man who was moving for him gradually began to flake away at first. Sebastian was walking in slow motion all of a sudden, coming into a really sharp focus in the viewfinder of his sight. The very first thing that stole Chris’ complete attention was those eyes - it was almost ridiculous how piercing blue they were.
The first word that came to his mind was ‘wow’.
Sebastian didn’t seem to realize what was going on with Chris. He was more concerned with something on his neck.
“Think I’m just gonna go with this. Good?”
Chris realized that he had practically stopped breathing for a second too - as if stunned stupid. Sebastian pulled an embarrassed smile upon noticing that the blonde was staring at him the way he was.
“Chris. Bowtie - yay or nay?”
He wanted to respond to the bow tie matter but couldn’t exactly speak - the young CEO swore on anything that giving compliments to people was so damn easy before.
“O-kay…” Sebastian was smug. “I take it that I look hella good.”
You look hella perfect.
“Yeah.” The taller man’s voice box finally returned with an approving nod. He chose his next words wisely, though.
“The suit looks great on you, Seb.”
“Really?” Sebastian turned sheepish. “Not too big around this area?”
The blonde took another minute to take it all in - the whole sharp nose, strong jaw thing with the guy. His deep set eyes. Sebastian’s naturally tousled hair was tamed, combed back and tucked behind his ears, the ends falling behind them to touch his shoulders. He shaved but it wasn’t clean cut so the rugged nature of his light stubble added a little edge to put everything together into this nomadic gentleman-ish kind of image. Hugo Boss suit fitted him like a glove, hugging those broad shoulders and his lean-built silhouette very, very well. It was like it was made for him.
Those polka dot socks, though. Gotta have some spunk to anything, this guy. Pure win.
But those piercing blues.
Damn. What a beautiful man.
Sebastian’s groan brought him out of his bubble.
“Evans, please tell me I look arm-candy worthy for a terribly handsome young man.”
He was biting the inside of his cheeks, anxious as Hell. “If not, I’m so going back to the mall right now-”
As if he has the goddamn time, really. “Seb.”
“Yes?”
Chris couldn’t think straight, it was seriously weird. So what eventually came out of him was, “you look absolutely….Marvelous.”
Sebastian’s laughter came in decibels.
“Marvelous!” He was highly amused. “Right. When’s tea gonna be served then, Queen of England?”
Chris was done. “You look really good, Sebby. I mean to say that but…”
“But?”
Just like that, Sebastian went into panic mode again. “But what? But I should wear a tie. Tie is better, yes?”
“No, Seb. Leave the bowtie on.”
“Why did you say but?”
“Jesus. Forget about that. May I?”
Chris’ hands reached out to adjust the bowtie next, his senses greeted by a fresh, woody vanilla scent as he stood in front of his housemate. He kept his sight fixated on the silly piece of accessory and Chris felt that he only forced himself to do that because he couldn’t look at the other man directly in the eyes.
For what reason, the blonde didn’t exactly know.A bowtie ain’t a complicated thing to fix.
“You’re not eye candy, Sebastian. An eye candy is some brainless bimbo with a pretty face. A mindless trophy. You’re not that.”
Sebastian’s shoulders began to relax a little more.
“What I’m trying to say is, Chace Crawford will be very proud to have you by his side tonight. Also knowing you, I bet everyone there’s going to enjoy your presence.”
The other man’s blue as Hell eyes sparkled, touched to Hell. “You know when I was with my ex, we didn’t even go out to the balcony? He wanted to keep me a secret that bad-”
“Hey! Stop that,” Chris cut in, interrupting Sebastian to bring him back to Earth.
“No more thinking about the ex - you have one job and that’s to enjoy the night. Kepish?”
“Roger that, Captain.” His grin returned. “And I’ll take extra care of this suit, I promise.”
“Captain,” Chris chuckled, picking a lint off the other man’s shoulder. He caught himself before those eyes could cause another internal glitch and nodded.
“You better. Or you’re downing me three month’s worth of rent - that’s only the interest.”
“Wait. You voluntarily lent it to me.”
“I’m kidding, Seb,” Chris went, rolling his eyes a little. “Loosen up, will you? It’s just a short walk down the carpet.”
“You been to one of these.”
“I’ve been to some star-studded charity dinner and galas. Sure, it’s a little overwhelming,” the blonde replied, reminiscing the time when he had time to do that.
“If you see the cameras pointing at you, just smile and wave.”
Sebastian seemed to be standing a Hell lot closer all of a sudden. His eyelashes were really long and full, framing his eyes perfectly, top and bottom. The wrinkles that appeared at their corners whenever he smiled made him look all the more dashing.
His lips were thin, but full in the middle. A rosebud - the shape of Sebastian’s mouth reminded the CEO of a pink, velvety rosebud.
Chris realized that he didn’t notice these details until they were standing this close together. “Uh huh. Like the penguins in Madagascar.”
“Got it,” Sebastian nodded. “Penguins.”
Ding dong!
“Ah!” Sebastian’s face lit the fuck up. “He’s here! So! Okay. No changes, right? Hair, suit, shoes all on point?”
“Yup,” Chris gave him a thumbs up. “Perfect.”
Practically ran for the door next. Sebastian opened it to be greeted by a blinding smile and then a single stalk of red rose.
Chris folded his arms, smirking at his business partner like look at you. Showing up at my doorstep like The Bachelor ready to sweep hearts away.
Chace probably didn’t realize (or care) that Chris was standing behind Sebastian. He was too busy breathing out his awe with a less than subtle, “Wow.”
Just like that, Sebastian was a puddle of goo. “Hi.”
“Wait a minute. Think I got the wrong address...”
And here we go.
“Sorry?”
“I came here believing that I’m about to pick up a very handsome young man.”
The flower was extended to the intended party.
“Should have brought a hundred of these if I’d known I’d be standing before a stunningly beautiful one.”
And...a 1000 points in!
Next to him, Sebastian was already floating 5 feet from the ground when he took the rose. The smile on his face, no words to describe it. Chris was definitely void of existence in this picture.
“Ready?”
“Yes!” Sebastian sang, excited as Hell. “Oh, I should put this in water. Give me a sec. You wanna wait inside?”
“Nah I’m good here. Go on.” He turned to the blonde next when his date went to care for his gift. “Hey Chris.”
Oh now I exist. “Hey, man. Lookin’ like a baller.”
“Thanks,” Chace said, but his smile suddenly showed no form of chill the second Sebastian was out of their sight.
He started fidgeting with his lapels. “Tell me honestly: Was it too much earlier?”
“What, you mean the whole Agent double O seven charm?”
Chace let out a small groan. “Oh God, it was too much.”
“Oh and also, your make up’s melting.”
“Very funny, Evans,” Chace deadpanned.
“Damn it. I thought the second date would be a whole lot easier but now I think I can’t function well tonight. Not when he’s looking like that. He’s so…so…I don’t know how to describe it.”
“Beautiful? Takes your breath away? Everything slows down around him when he moves?”
Wait. What, Chris?
“Yes! Exactly,” Chace practically squeaked. “God must have spent a little more time creating Sebastian Stan, that’s for sure. It’s making me so damn nervous.”
Right down to every damn detail, he did.
“Look, man.” Chris was amused by the businessman’s unbridled fawning over his housemate.
“You look great, he looks great and tonight’s gonna be great. Seb’s pretty excited and nervous too - if that’s any helpful.”
The man wasn’t convinced.
“There’s a carpet burn in his room from all that pacing, I can tell you that,” Chris assured, getting his good friend to lighten up and laugh a little.
“I think you two look really cute together.”
Chace was beaming. “I think so too. Okay, he’s returning.”
”Stay calm, Crawford. You got this.”
”Amen.”
The rose found its special place in a soda bottle on the kitchen counter. Chris gave Chace a slap on the chest like good luck, buddy when he saw Sebastian coming back to them and made his way for the living room.
He was walking past his housemate when Sebastian stopped to ask, “What about you? What are your plans tonight?”
He really needs to stop it with those eyes. “Stay indoors. Netflix. Look at some paperwork. Adopt a dog.”
The brown-haired man’s handsome face fell so flat at the last one. “Please don’t do anything stupid till I come back, Evans.”
“Pssh,” Chris smirked, motioning to a waiting Chace Crawford at the door.
“How can I? You took all the stupid with you.”
“Ah-ah. Too late to be jealous now, punk.”
“Jerk,” Chris laughed. “Have fun, Sebastian.”
His smile was the size of Jupiter. “Thanks.”
“For?”
“This suit. That guy. Everything.”
“Wow.” Chris was surprised by Sebastian’s gratitude. “Everything, huh?”
“Yup. Okay! I’ll see you later.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t wait up for you.”
“Shut up.” The photographer rolled his eyes.
“Toodles!”
He was looking out of his kitchen window next, to Chace’s red Porsche parked at the visitor’s lot downstairs. A minute later, he was watching his good friend opening its passenger door for Sebastian to get in. They appeared to be in high spirits, laughing with the distance between them seemingly shrinking at every step they took. The chemistry was simply electrifying, Chris could practically feel it from where he was.
Looks like love could just be in the works!
He watched on until they got into the vehicle drove off into the night, probably accompanied by the music of Michael Bolton because Chace loved that guy to Hell.
Guess you did a great job, Cupid.
Little did he know that matchmaking Sebastian Stan with one of the greatest guys he knew on Earth would bring about Chris Evans a kind of emotional chaos he wasn’t quite ready for.
—
WIP : #5
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!