forum Heal This Broken Heart [Private // Closed]

Started December 12, 2018 by @Imperfect_Autumn group

tune

"She's very demanding," Devon said, managing a soft chuckle from her spot at the entry to the hallway. "I told you she was stubborn, too, so good luck telling her no."

Groaning theatrically, he turned back to the tiny child. “One more ride?”

Layla's eyes lit up, and she reached tiny hands up towards him again. "Ride! More ride!" she giggled.

“Fine, but only one more, ‘kay?” He plopped her back onto his shoulders, grinning.

Layla squealed excitedly again, resuming her tight grip on Sebastian's hair. Devon grimaced a bit at the sight, hoping that it didn't hurt.

“Gah—“ Sebastian grimaced, bouncing up and down again. “Ouch.”

"Sorry. She has a very strong grip," Devon said as she stepped closer to his side. She reached up to pry her daughter's fingers open gently, having to stand on her toes to do so. So focused on her daughter, she didn't notice how close she was to Sebastian. "Be gentle, Layla. Don't pull hair, okay?"

Heart skipping several beats, he swallowed and looked away, trying and failing to reign in his wild thoughts. “It’s fine, don’t worry about it.”

"She still needs to learn to be gentle," Devon said when she had gotten her daughter to loosen her grip. She glanced down at Sebastian and blushed again as she took a step back. "Sorry…"

A mask of neutrality came crashing down on his face. "For what?" Sebastian even went so far as to tilt his head in a perplexed manner, promptly ignoring his traitorous, thumping heart.

"I— Nothing…" Devon mumbled, glancing away. I've just started to realize that I might have a stupid schoolgirl crush on you is all… "Your head okay? I know she tugs pretty hard."

"Yeah, it's fine," Sebastian replied evenly, squashing any hope that she might be blushing because— Nope. Not happening. Head out of the clouds. Now.

Devon nodded slowly. "Good. Good," she said softly, chewing on her lip a bit. She glanced around the room, looking for something to distract herself.

He's not interested. Why would he be? He could honestly have any girl he wanted, so choosing the loner woman with a child would be a dumb choice. And I'm not ready for a relationship. I don't think I'll ever be ready for a relationship again…

Layla wanted to continue her ride. She patted Sebastian's head, babbling about more rides.

Sebastian jumped up and down and turned once in a circle, though a worried expression shadowed his features. "Devon? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm fine," Devon replied automatically, managing to paste a fairly believable smile onto her face.

Old habits die hard, they say. And she didn't mind this one. It kept her from having to explain herself. Unless, of course, someone saw through her façade to how she really felt… Then she usually tried to avoid those people. It was hard talking about it, and she really didn't want to relive those memories.

Sebastian doubted it, but he knew firsthand how awful it could be to have someone pry, so he dropped the subject, calling up to Layla. "Alright, I think we're done here!"

Devon sighed in relief when he dropped it. Thank you, Sebastian… You don't know what that means to me…

Layla giggled again and bapped at his head. "More, more!"

"Oh, no," he chuckled, not missing Devon's sigh. Sebastian reached up to scoop Layla off his shoulders. "We're done."

Layla started to pout, her little bottom lip quivering. Devon glanced over at her and chuckled a bit.

"Layla, say 'thank you' to Bahstin for your ride," she said before the child could start bawling.

Between suppressed sobs, Layla managed to let out a, "Thank 'uo."

And, Sebastian's heart was melting all over again. "I swear to god.." he muttered under his breath, humorously of course, before swinging the child back up to her perch.

Layla squealed in delight, her tears no more. "Ride! Ride! Ride!" she bubbled happily.

"You're going to spoil her," Devon joked with a light chuckle as she watched the two.

"And that's a bad thing?" He grinned, taking hold of Layla's chubby hands and spinning around in a circle.
(my depressed dork… I love him to pieces)

"She's never going to listen to me now," Devon said, smiling as she watched them. "And she's never going to want you to leave, either."

(I love him, too… Devon will trust him more soon, don't worry.)

(no worries at all)

Would that also be such a bad– Sebastian abruptly cut off his train of thought. He finished spinning, leaning against the wall and smoothly handing Layla back to her mother.

( ;) Soon might be after a few skipped months, anyway…)

Devon laughed lightly as she took a slightly confused Layla. The girl blinked at both of the adults, her eyebrows furrowed cutely.

"Since you and Layla seem to be enjoying each other so much, would you like to stay for dinner?" Devon offered, tiring her smile to Sebastian.

Her inner Mulan-granny was shouting, Would you like to stay forever?!? She should really get that under control…