“Bas, it’s time to get up.”

“No.”

“Come on, breakfast is waiting.”

Sebastian opened one eye. “How badly is it burned?”

“Only slightly. I got up before dad had time to make more than toast.”

“Hmm... still no.” Seb decided, burying himself deeper under the comforter.

Edmund rolled his eyes. “You can’t just say no. We have a lot to do today.”

Sebastian sighed. “I know.”

“Let’s get started then. We still have to go back to your place and pick up Luke remember.”

Seb sat up. “Fine. Do you think he slept well last night?”

Ed shrugged. “Your room is full of our scents, so I’m hoping that brought him a bit of comfort. Maybe he even needed a bit of space to process everything that’s happened in the last two days.”

“Ugh, time if weird. This time last month, neither of us were aware of the supernatural. Now you’re a werewolf and I’m a magic user.”

“Well, when you say it like that, it sounds crazy. But at least my family isn’t from an alternate elven dimension.”

“Maybe not, but this artefact had to have come from someone in your family.” Sebastian pointed out, while physically pointing to himself.

Edmund frowned. “I still don’t know if I trust that thing.”

Seb smirked. “Protective much?”

“Of you?” Ed purposefully caught his gaze, so their eyes were locked on each other’s. “Always.”

Sebastian felt a flutter in his chest as if his heart was about to soar from joy. But at the same time, he was frozen to his place. Trapped under the influence of those captivating warm brown eyes. With how they were currently positioned in bed, either one could lean forward, just slightly, and close the distance between them.

Seb licked his lips at the thought, and Edmund’s eyes glanced down at the action, then up again as if... as if in question. But the moment was broken by the loud beeping of a fire alarm from downstairs. Both teens practically bolted out of bed and downstairs to the smoke-filled kitchen where Garret was.

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“Dad!? What happened?!”

Garret coughed and then smiled sheepishly. “Uh, you boys were taking a while, so I tired keeping your food warm... on the stove...”

Edmund sighed while Sebastian just barely managed to hold back a fit of giggles. “Breakfast at my house then?”

“Guess so. Are you coming with us dad?”

“Ah, I already ate, so I think I’ll head to the store to get us some groceries since we’ll be hosting more people for the foreseeable future.” Garret answered with a smile that quickly turned into a frown as he looked back at the kitchen. “Perhaps though, I should air things out first...”

Ed and Seb both chuckled at the man’s forlorn expression before retreating upstairs to get dressed for the long day ahead of them. The moment from before was all but forgotten. As Sebastian allowed his mind to wander though, he couldn’t help psychoanalysing the whole interaction.

If the smoke alarm hadn’t sounded, what would have happened? Had Edmund meant to glance down at his lips? If Seb had somehow shown his own desires, would he have reciprocated them? Would he have leaned forward and kissed him?

Unfortunately, now wasn’t the time for such thoughts. Especially not when Edmund’s stomach decided to growl loudly to remind the pair why they needed to leave for Sebastian’s house ASAP. The drive was comfortably quiet as Sebastian messaged his parents and Luke that they were on their way over.

They all asked about how things went with Garret, and Sebastian gave them a summary that equalled to ‘All’s good, we’re free to use the house’. His parents sent thumbs up emojis in return, but Luke said,

Luke: Bruce is hiding under the back porch

Seb: why?

Luke: I don’t think he likes all the strangers around

Luke: Obsidian is also very intimidating

Seb: the dragon?

Luke: Yes

Seb: Are you intimidated by the dragon?

Luke: They are a *dragon*

Seb: fair. I don’t think my parents would let them hurt anyone tho

Luke: no offence but your parents are human

Luke: I don’t think they can go against a DRAGON

Sebastian pursed his lips. While he did have faith in his parents, Luke did have a point. But he still didn’t want to make the younger teen worry.

Seb: have you had breakfast yet?

Luke: Nick is making waffles

Luke: he has asked if you and Edmund want some

Seb: yes please

Seb: also, don’t worry about Bruce, he’ll come out once he feels better

Luke sent a thumbs up emoji and Sebastian looked up to see that they were now nearing the edge of the woods/Sebastian’s house. From where they were, they could see Luke waiting patiently outside, still on his phone. He was wearing his own clothes now and looked slightly better rested than he had yesterday. He was smiling widely as Edmund and Seb parked.

When his eyes caught something across the street however, his smile suddenly dropped. Ed and Sebastian followed his gaze and saw-

“Quiver?”

The dryad waved with a grin that made Sebastian slightly uneasy.

“What the fuck are they doing here?” Edmund asked.

Sebastian shrugged and got out of the truck. Edmund followed his lead and stood beside the older teen as the dryad approached.

“Good morning gentlemen. You have a problem.”

Edmund narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”

“There’s a rogue in your territory.”