Someone Else's Life - Evanstan AU

II

Sebastian catches up on the sleep he didn't manage after the strange morning he spent with a man he's not heard from since. Spends far too long not moving from his own bed to make up for the entire two days he went without it. Hasn't told anyone about the hours spent in Tribeca and the things he didn't do. They'd ask too many questions that he really doesn't want to answer so it's easier not to say anything at all.

Sebastian hasn't seen the green dot next to Ben's name on the app letting him know he's online since before he left to meet him on the bench. The last things they shared were goodbyes at the door of the apartment that was way too big for one man, a light kiss at the corner of Sebastian's mouth and the breaths of laughs as they parted ways.

There had been nothing after that, Sebastian almost longing for the ache that usually comes after a night with strangers. The soreness reminding him of what happened until that left him, too. He should get up, get showered and get to finding a job because his dream is still just that and he's not quite managed to sell a bestseller yet, or write one. Or finish anything near one. Not getting any closer as he lies in bed scrolling through his phone, either, but his laptop is in the living room being used as a television and he's not quite ready to move.

"Seb!" If Sebastian didn't already know Chace was over by the racket he makes when he's making breakfast from food that isn't his, he knows it now. Definitely knows it when the man doesn't bother knocking on the door between them and comes rushing in. Sebastian doesn't panic. The smoke alarms are silent, and he knows there's enough weed to at least get them through till tomorrow, so he guesses it's nothing worth worrying about. "Dude, I need a favour."

"Good morning to you, too." Sebastian clears any signs of sleep with a cough when he's done. Pulling the sheets close around him as Chace hovers over the side of the bed. Phone clutched tight in his hand and determination in his eyes and Sebastian's not quite sure what to make of it all.

"Yeah, good morning. I need your face." Chace says it as if it's something that's already been said and Sebastian just hadn't heard him or forgot it all together.

"Huh?"

"Don't make it weird." The bed dips as Chace sits next to him and Sebastian's suddenly very aware of the pants he'd thrown onto the floor last night. Had been warm with what he'd needed to let go through stuttered breaths and stifled moans but now hard and cold and a recipe for something he'd not live down if Chace finds them. "I need to take some photos of your face."

"What the fuck for?" Sebastian asks, props himself up against the wall behind him watching Chace tilt his head. Says nothing, just smiles with hope in his brow and a plea in his eyes and Sebastian knows what he wants without words. "Nope. Chace, no. I'm not modelling." Done it before. Doesn't like the idea of stepping back into the world for reasons he'd rather not think about.

"One day. That's it. Just one day, man. For me." Chace holds his phone between his hands like a prayer or a beg before mouthing a please.

"That's exactly why I'm saying no."

"You'll get seven hundr'd."

"What?" That would help pay for rent. Not that he's behind yet. But he gets there quick when he's not working.

"Well, if she likes your look." Chace leans towards him, long finger reaching for his face until Sebastian's cheek is being pinched. Tugged slightly as he chuckles, "And who wouldn't like this face?"

"Who's the photographer?" Sebastian can't look at Chace when he asks, mentions no name but he hears it anyway.

Chace lets his hand drop to his lap, Sebastian suddenly not worth touching. "Not him. I promise. Fuck, would I do that to you?" He doesn't get an answer because his question isn't heard. "Seb? So, you good? If she's good?" Sebastian misses it. Liked being told what to do. Listened. And that's why he – "Seb?"