Unconditional

Chapter 9: Paparazzi

Sebastian drove to the cafe. They got in and sat on their usual table and ordered brunch. Iona had her head down the whole time, when Sebastian noticed it he reached across the table and pulled her chin up gently and kissed her.

'Are you alright?' Sebastian asked as he sat back down.

'Yeah, just tired.' Iona smiled.

'Well, I'll take you home after here,' he smiled.

They ate in silence and when they were done they paid and then headed to Iona's house.

Iona ran up to her room and freshened up, she changed into shorts and a tank top with a hoodie on. Sebastian followed her with her backpack and sat on the bed. She walked out of her bathroom and walked over to Sebastian climbing on top of him. She then pulled him in for a kiss.

'I missed you.' She said.

'I missed you, too.' Sebastian smiled and pulled her for a more passionate kiss. They pulled away and rested their forehead together with their nose touching as they smile.

Iona got off him and crawled on to the bed pulling her backpack towards her. Sebastian freshened up and changed into sweats and shirt. Iona was on the phone when he came out of the bathroom.

'Yeah, I mean it was a perfect surprise.' Iona said, 'Hey, I'll call you back later... I'm alright... I'll be fine Tophy.. Bye...' She hung up and put her phone away.

'Who's that?' Sebastian asked as he sat beside Iona.

'Tophy... I mean Chris. He was supposed to bring lunch but I told him we already ate.' She smiled.

'So you two have pet names now too?' Sebastian sadly asked.

'Do I sense jealousy in the air?' Iona teased.

Sebastian tackled her playfully, pinning her down to the bed, 'You're mine.' He said as he tickled Iona.

'You don't own me.' She laughed.

'Let me own you then.' He said as he stopped tickling her and looked deep into her eyes.

'I'll think about it.' She giggled.

'Come on.' Sebastian pouted as he laid back beside her. She laid on her side, facing him.

'Sebby... I'm... You know that I love you, I'm just..." she sighed and closed her eyes. 'I'm just not ready to commit yet.'

Sebastian turned around facing her and held her cheek. 'I know, bubs... I know.' He smiled and kissed her then pulling her to him for a cuddle. 'Hmmmm...' He hugged her tight, 'I missed this.' Iona moved closer and rested her head on his chest.

'I missed this too.' She looked up at him and he smiled.

Iona closed her eyes and listened to the familiar sound of Sebastian's breathing and heartbeat.

'Bubs?' Sebastian whispered.

'Hmm?'

'I love you.' He said.

Without opening her eyes or turning around to look at him she smiled and answered, 'I know.' Sebastian kissed the top of her head and started playing with her hair.

'Your hair's longer.' He said.

'I decided to grow it out.'

'I like it.' Iona just smiled. 'I can tell you're about to cry.' He said pulling her close to him.

She started to sob, 'I miss Nikko. I hate not knowing if he's alive or not.' Sebastian held her tight and hummed a tune to her.

'I'm here now, love.' He whispered, 'I'm here now.' She cried herself to sleep and he just laid there holding her keeping all her broken pieces together.