New Years || Sebastian Stan x Reader

2011

It was always busy at the shop on New Year's Eve, you were never really sure why. People almost embracing their resolutions a day earlier, because what did they have to lose? At least their sorrows could be drowned later on once the caffeine had worn off. Estranged couples meeting or distant friends grabbing a coffee and their conversations are strained. You linger at the back of the counter, still not used to the heavy badge you had to wear on your chest.

Manager

There's a distance between you and the staff that hadn't been there before, they go quiet when you walk by and the invitations stopped. You still spoke to Sebastian and his group of friends but they were always so busy. And you missed Emma.

It was harder today knowing they'd all be going to hers while you'd head back to Williamsburg and hope to catch one of your roommates before they headed out or started work.

"Well, well, well." The voice wasn't loud but it travelled to you as you stood in the door, back to the stock as you tried to think what else needed doing before close. "Hard at work or hardly working?"

He's wearing a striped t-shirt and a leather jacket, hands tucked into the pockets as he smiles at you. Showing his teeth in happiness, not like the pout he'd use with the press or during his premiers. His eyes tighten from it, shadowed by heavy circles.

"Seb." You say, pushing away from the wall and throwing your arms around him.

"Y/N." His nose is nuzzled in your neck, his sticky curls tickling your ear. "I knew I'd find you here."

"I do work here, so it wasn't exactly hard."

"Well, it was either here or home and you weren't home."

"You're going to give Jeff a heart attack if you keep showing up there. He needs at least three days' notice so he can look his best for you."

"How many days do you need?" He asks while pulling away. 

"Don't flatter yourself, take me as I am or not at all." You scoff a laugh, grabbing a bottle of surface cleaner and a cloth to make a start at wiping the tables. He follows you, hands hovering at his sides now, fingers stroking his jeans.

"But seriously, how long will it take you to get ready? Or changed, whatever."

"Why?" You ask, passing him a tray from a chair and start stacking dirty cups onto it as he rolls his eyes.

"I want to take you out."

"To Emma's?"

"No, not to Emma's. Unless you wanted to." He looks at the cups now as he follows you to another table, not wanting them to slide and fall.

You suppose Emma's wasn't a good idea for him either. Leighton would be there, too.

"Just out."

"Out for food? Out for drinks? What are we talking about, Seb? I need details."

"I don't know, just somewhere. Anywhere that we can see in the New Year together."

"I mean the clock strikes midnight wherever we are." You laugh, wiping at the table.

"Okay, wherever we are, can we just be together."

"Because no one else will have us?"

"No, because I want to."

And you stop at that, his arms almost struggling with the tray. He just stares at you, brows curling slightly at the bridge of his nose as he waits.

"Okay." You say, meeting his eyes. "What time?"

"Eight. And I'll think of something by then."

"Okay, see you then. Sebastian. Seb."