Just a Bit Wicked

Chapter 26

The house was sparkling with Christmas decorations.

Vlad stared at the house for five minutes before walking slowly toward the front door.

He saw silhouettes of people from the windows and tried to imagine Christmas celebrations.He had never celebrated Christmas in his life.He had no family to celebrate with, and besides, Christmas in Russia was celebrated in January, and religiousness was the first priority, and people didn't take this holiday as seriously as other places.

He had always felt like an outsider, and lately it had never been stronger than before.Everyone around him seems to be in the midst of the festivities, and even Roman celebrates Christmas with Luke to please him.

Vlad stood still in front of the door, hesitating.Maybe he should leave and come back another day.He understood that Christmas should be spent with his family, and he figured he wouldn't be popular.

But he had put off the visit for too long.He thought about calling Sebastian, but he didn't know what to say.He had to see him, and he couldn't wait any longer, or his Christmas present to Sebastian would be forfeited—even if Sebastian took it.

Vlad took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

It took a few minutes before someone opened the door.She is Sebastian's older sister.

Julia stopped smiling when she saw him. "you!"

Vlad raised an eyebrow. "I?"

"What do you want?" Julia asked.Her eyes were exactly like her brother's - dark and large - but Vlad had never seen such a deep chill in Sebastian's eyes.If Vlad hadn't spent half his life receiving Roman's icy gaze, he might have been intimidated by her.

"Is Sebastian there?" Vlad asked.

"What do you want?" Julia stepped out, closing the door behind her, and crossing her arms across her chest.

Vlad was wearing a winter jacket and she was only wearing a thin cardigan, which made Vlad feel very sorry.It's not too cold, but it's snowing.

"Here, put my jacket on." He was unzipping it, but was stopped by her words.

"I don't want your stuff," Julia said. "Go away. You are brave enough to come here."

"I won't leave until I see Sebastian." Her hostility made him a little confused.Even if Sebastian had told her what had happened between them, he would have told her that they weren't really together.

Julia pursed her lips. "Why do you have to see him? No one sucks your dick?"

Vlad stared at her.Finally, he said, "I'm here as a friend."

She laughed out loud. "That's a good thing."

"He said we could be friends," Vlad said, suppressing the fire.You can't be too rude to Sebastian's sister. "I want to be friends with him." Probably not "yes," but he wasn't lying either.

Julia sneered: "Please, how can you be friends with Sebastian?"

Vlad gritted his teeth. "Why the fuck can't you be?"

"Because Sebastian's friends don't stare at him like hungry ghosts staring at a big dinner table."

"I don't see him that way," Vlad said firmly.

Julia glanced at him disapprovingly. "I've been in the same room as the two of you. You look at him as if you're going to push him down on the table and fuck him right away." She made a disgusted expression. "nausea."

Vlad put his hands in his pockets, trying not to blush. "That was before."

fraud.

Julia stared at him. "Why are you here?"

"I told you—I want to be friends with him."

"Why did you come here?" she asked again, as if he hadn't answered just now.

Vlad pursed his lips. "I don't know why you want to interrogate me. I'm not his scum ex-boyfriend or something. He and I haven't really been together."

"Okay." Her expression became more serious. "Have a nice day. You won't see my brother." She turned and took the doorknob.

"Julia," Vlad called her roughly. "I need to see him."

She turned back slowly and studied him for a long moment.

"Please," he said. "I miss him."

Her face softened a little. "If you hurt him—"

"I won't," Vlad said. "I'm telling the truth, I'm here as a friend."

She sighed, muttered something barely audible, and went back into the house, leaving him staring at the door.

He waited.

It seems that there will never be an end.

Just when he was beginning to think that Sebastian would not come out, the door finally opened again.Vlad felt his mouth go dry.

Sebastian's dark eyes looked at Vlad, who couldn't read his expression.Sebastian was wearing a heavy, baggy green jumper and a pair of well-worn jeans.He didn't get his hair done.His hair was long and fell in soft curls to his shoulders.Vlad wanted to run his fingers between the silky strands of hair, pull him close, and kiss him until the bottomless hunger in his chest died down.

"Hey," Sebastian broke the silence.He looked at Vlad with uncertain and cautious eyes.

"Hi," Vlad said hoarsely.friend.He came here as a friend.He better not forget.

They stare at each other.

"How have you been?" Vlad asked.

"That's right, thanks." Sebastian said, smoothing his hair with one hand. "Hermione has two baby boys."

It took Vlad a moment to remember what Sebastian was talking about.By the way, Sebastian's cat.

He laughed a few times. "Don't tell me you really call them Rose and Hugo."

"I named them Gryffind and Slater." Sebastian smiled, looking proud.He's such a funny guy.

Vlad wanted to kiss him.He wished he hadn't shown all the love in his heart on his face.

They stared at each other for a while longer without speaking.

"You didn't even text me," Vlad said.

Sebastian's smile disappeared. "You haven't posted either."

"If we're going to be friends, we've got to work harder," said Vlad.

Sebastian looked down. "That's right."

Suppressing his disappointment, Vlad took an envelope from his pocket. "For you. Merry Christmas."

Sebastian's eyes lit up with curiosity and joy. "What is it?"

"Two tickets for tomorrow's game, Chelsea vs Manchester City." Vlad scratched the back of his neck. "I think we could go together. Go for a walk. If you want."

Sebastian smiled brightly at him. "Wow, really? Of course I would! Thank you!" He leaned over and pecked Vlad on the cheek.

They were all stunned.

"Okay." Sebastian stepped back, clasping his hands behind his back.

It took Vlad a while to come back to himself. "Then I'll pick you up tomorrow."

"Great." Sebastian gripped the doorknob behind him. "Thank you, see you tomorrow." He fled back into the house as if running away.

Vlad touched his cheek, then lowered his hand and made a fist.

friend.only friends.

that's it.