Bryn's purr rumbled into Sebastian's legs, low and satisfied in his throat. He could barely hear CC anymore, too caught up in the feeling of warm hands running down his back and the pretty curve of Sebastian's smile. He wanted to talk, but he knew he couldn't, so he relegated himself to a few longing glances and a particularly pleased sigh when the human's fingers ran through his hair.
Sebastian, noticing this, spent more time with his fingers going through Bryn's hair before continuing down his back. Eventually, though, he frowned slightly at one of CC's questions.
"Female," he said. She nodded, smiling. A thought seemed to come to her.
"Oh! What if we have our demons mate?" She said, seeming to like the idea a lot. Sebastian winced slightly.
"I'll think about it," he said. He thought about it for two seconds, already deciding in his mind that that was not happening.
Bryn zoned back in when he noticed that Sebastian seemed upset, going quiet and still as he heard CCs little proposition. Just the idea of it made his throat close up, a nervous shiver skittering down his spine as he tried to swallow down the panic rising in him. Sebastian wouldn't. No, no, Sebastian loved him. Sebastian didn't want to hurt him. He whined softly, eyes flickering up to his human's face for reassurance.
Sebastian looked down at Bryn as soon as he felt the change in Bryn, hand resting on his head. CC was already droning on about something else, her attention on what she was saying, so Sebastian shook his head slightly to Bryn. He would never hurt him like that. He gave a small smile, fighting down the sudden urge to pull Bryn completely onto his lap. He wasn't sure if CC would be upset by this.
It was a breathless second before Bryn saw the smile and the tiny little headshake, but it was all the time he needed to ramp himself up into an even more panicked state. He practically collapsed with relief when he got his answer, curling up around Sebastian and getting as far into his lap as he thought he could get away with.
CC looked at Bryn for a moment, as if she was going to comment. Sebastian held his breath for a moment, mentally preparing himself to tell Bryn off, when CC laughed lightly.
"Oh, just let him in your lap already!" She smiled good-naturedly. Sebastian sighed in relief.
"Well, Bryn," he said with a smile.
"You heard her."
Bryn tensed minutely when he noticed CC watching him, subtly turning his back to try and shield himself from the look until she spoke. It was like watching a spring pull tighter and tighter until he snapped back with a soft gasp of surprise, offering CC a shaky disbelieving smile before he all but flung himself into Sebastian's lap. It was sweet, the way he burrowed his head into his human's neck and finally seemed to relax.
CC laughed lightly.
"That's adorable," she said. Sebastian smiled, lightly wrapping his arms around Bryn. This was so much better then Bryn having to sit on the floor next to him. He continued to smile as CC spoke, gently rubbing Bryn's back as he half listened.
Bryn stayed curled up in a tight little ball against Sebastian's chest for a while, but he began to open up a bit as he relaxed. Soon he was sitting sideways in Sebastian's lap, legs off to the left and arms wrapped loosely around the human's neck so he could rest his head lightly on his shoulder. He was still purring softly, rumbling away against Sebastian's cheek.
Sebastian leaned his head into Bryn's lightly, glad Bryn could finally relax. CC talked for what seemed like ages before finally stopping.
"You should get going," she finally said, looking at the time. Sebastian looked as well.
"You're right," he said.
Bryn didn't bother to raise his head, pressing him up against Sebastian's chest with a questioning hum. His eyes flitted lazily to Sebastian's face, a clear question in the arch of his eyebrows.
Sebastian looked down at Bryn for a moment. He had time him about kickboxing, right? His practice started at five, and it was already past three. They really did need to be leaving. Sebastian stood, still holding Bryn. CC didn't seem fazed by this.
"It was good seeing you," she said with a smile. "We should do this more often. And it was nice meeting you Bryn," she said, turning her smile to him.
Bryn gave her a small smile back, snuggling a little closer to Sebastian with a muffled yawn. It had been a long time since he'd just sat and let himself be petted, but he didn't mind it so much as long as his human was the one doing the petting. "It was nice to meet you too, ma'am."
CC gave Sebastian a side hug. She was actually being quite accommodating of Bryn, not touching him now that she seemed to have realized he didn't like that.
"Thanks again for the food," he says with a smile. With that, Sebastian started it, carrying Bryn to the car with him.
Bryn hummed gratefully as she avoided him, tucking himself up against Sebastian's side and staying there until they reached the car and he had to be set down. He stretched once they were safely inside, splaying out in the backseat and resting his head in Sebastian's lap. "I like your friend. She's very… liberal."
Sebastian nodded.
"Yes, she is. That… actually went a lot better than I expected. Of course, it helps that you're such a good actor." He smiled, resting his hand on Bryn's shoulder.
Bryn leaned into the touch, shrugging self-consciously. "Nah, I was just trying to take some of the heat off you. It wasn't really anything special."
"Well, I really appreciate it." He bent down, giving Bryn a kiss.
"And being able to hold you was really nice too."
Bryn laughed, kissing him back with a fond smile. "Then I'm glad I got to help. It was nice to be held."
Sebastian grinned, sitting back up, his fingers lightly tangling themselves back in Bryn's hair; it really was soft. Of course, this time was better than before because he didn't have to treat Bryn like a pet; he could just treat him like who he really was.
"I only wish we could do that every time."
Bryn leaned up into the touch, an almost instinctual reaction by now. He didn't think his mind would ever get used to not being hurt, but his body had already adjusted to the attention Sebastian gave him. "Me too. But… that's not really possible, is it?"
Sebastian shook his head.
"Not really. Especially around my father. He'd… probably punish you, thinking he was helping me…" He shook his head again, this time to stop thinking about that.
"But we'll get through this."
Bryn winced at the mention of punishment, though he decided Sebastian probably wasn't wrong. His dad had seemed all too willing to toss Bryn out like yesterday's trash when he'd had his little breakdown in the foyer. That kind of man wouldn't hesitate to hurt him. "Y-yeah. We'll get through just fine."
When Bryn winced, Sebastian suddenly became very protective. He kept his hand in Bryn's hair, his other arm going to hold Bryn lightly.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you too, Sebastian." Bryn relaxed a whole lot when Sebastian pulled him close, dark thoughts chased away by the warm chest pressed up against his. He still gave his human a confused look. "What's brought on this fit of cuddling?"