Forever

Chapter 11: Disaster

(Side note - sorry it took so long for this chapter, writer's block + school started again!)

April 12th –

Today was it. Today was the day. The world premiere of Civil War was hours away, and you paced around your hotel room, wearing only a t-shirt and shorts. You heard a small knock on your door, and you peeked through the peep hole before swinging the door open for Tom.

"Hey, (Y/N). Are you okay?"

You looked back at him as you walked into the room, leaving Tom to shut the door behind him. You sat down on your couch, bringing your knees up to your chest as you nodded your head. Tom leaned against the wall across from you, his eyes reflecting the sadness and worry he was trying his best not to show.

"You know you don't have to come tonight, right? Anthony and Joe completely understand the situation, and they think it would be in the best interest of your safety if you – "

"If I what? Just let him scare me away from everything, forever? I can't let him win, Tom. Besides, if I let Chad go alone, God knows what he'll do to him. I'm going."

- 

"Love you? How can I love you when you act like this – like some child? Sebastian, I do love you, but as my best friend. Nothing more. You're like the brother I never had. I'm sorry if you thought I wanted something more but,"

"(Y/N), don't say that! You're in love with me, I know it. You just can't admit it to yourself because of him."

"Chad has done nothing wrong here, Seb. You're the one who's been hurting me, time and time again. I can't take it anymore. This has to stop – you have to stop!"

-

You pinch yourself after reminiscing on that night, to remind yourself it was over. You had been having nightmares ever since, reliving everything every night, only to wake up with tears streaming down your face, Chad hugging you to his chest, trying to calm you down.

Sebastian had tried to see you many times after that, but Chris and Anthony had managed to make him understand the painful truth – you didn't want to see or speak to him again, and there was nothing he could do to change that. He had left you multiple voicemails over the past few days, all still waiting to be listened to. You refused to open them, even when Chad offered to do it for you. You couldn't give Sebastian the satisfaction of being heard. If you heard him crying, you'd lose all your strength. You were not about to give in.

Tom wrapped his arm around your shoulder as you both continued to sit together in silence. You were glad he was there to console you the best way he knew how – no words, just peace and quiet. You were convinced if you had met him before Chad, you might've ended up falling for him instead. But, Tom was better as a best friend for you. He understood you from the moment you met, and the dynamic of your friendship was still an interesting one. You could sit together in silence for hours on end, just doing work on your phones or laptops, and call it a "great night in".

You sat like that for what felt like hours, until a loud knock on your door startled the two of you out of your daze. Tom walked over to the door before he opened it, revealing your hair and makeup stylists, carrying bags over their shoulders. Tom ushered them in, only to see your other stylists and publicist waiting behind them. You gave him a small smile before waving them in, and he saw his cue to leave. He shut the door behind him, and your makeup stylist, Lorie, stood in front of you, waving her hand in front of you.

"(Y/N)? C'mon, love. Only 5 hours until show-time. Gotta prep you for the cameras and all the loving you're gonna get tonight!"

- 3 hours later - 

"Stunning."

That was the only word out of Chad's mouth as he watched you look at yourself in the 180-degree mirror your stylist had brought you. You were dressed up in a long, deep red gown – ironic, considering your character was on team Iron Man – with a thigh-high slit on your left side. Savannah, your hair stylist, curled your long hair into soft waves, falling across your bare back. You blushed and smiled as you saw Chad admiring you from afar.

"I think I'm afraid to touch you, love. You're a goddess."

"Oh, please. C'mon now, we have to leave, babe."

-

You fiddled with your jewelry as you sat silently in the back of the limo, only minutes away from your destination, the premiere. Chad rested his hand on your thigh, tracing small circles to help calm you.

"(Y/N), it's okay. Everything is going to be fine."

"How can you be so sure, Chad? He has no self-control – I'm just afraid he's going to do something, again."

"I've been talking to Anthony and Chris about it, and they both assured me Sebastian is okay – if he steps out of line, Joe and Anthony will tell him to get lost. He's not gonna do anything to hurt himself or us, love. That last time was a one-time thing, and I honestly believe that,"

"That what? Sebastian has all of a sudden forgotten about his feelings for me? That he's had a change of heart after all that's happened? Or that I've forgotten what he did to you, and to me? That night still haunts me, Chad. I don't think I'll ever be able to forget what he did, let alone forgive him."

As he was about to respond, you saw masses of people swarming the limo, alerting you that you had arrived. The car door opened, and a producer ushered you and Chad out of the car, onto the red carpet. You plastered on a big smile, interlocking hands with Chad as you made your way onto the main part of the carpet.

Chris and Paul Rudd greeted you first with hugs, posing for pictures before getting pulled into interviews on the side. Scarlett and Elizabeth both gave you massive hugs, and posed with you and Chad and answered a few questions from reporters before moving along.

You heard a sudden increase in screaming as another limo pulled up to the premiere. You held your breath as you waited to see who would come out, but it was only Paul Bettany and his wife.

As you turned back to grab Chad's hand, you reached down and realized you were holding someone else's hand. As you let go, you looked up and gasped as your eyes were met with piercing cold, blue ones.

"Sebastian,"

"Weird hearing you say my name, (Y/N). It's been awhile."