The Other Side (A Sebastian Stan Fanfiction Story)

That Side - Taking Chances

A/N: A little s m u t towards the end, you have (again) been warned. LOL Hope you still like it! Much love! 

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"Do I wanna know how much she's told you?" Sebastian managed to ask Tom as soon as Charlie was out of earshot. The younger man grinned knowingly at his friend.

"Are you being serious right now, Sebastian?" Tom retorted, the grin still plastered in his face. "Do you really wanna know, eh?"

"Well," Sebastian said hesitatingly as he ran a hand over his growing locks. "I just wanna know if you're okay with..you know, me and Charlie. I know you've become very protective of her and I just..."

Tom clapped his shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Sebastian's turned to him, a slight look of worry reflected in them. The slightly shorter blonde raised both his arms in mock surrender and chuckled.

"Hey man, I don't have any say in who Charlie sees. As long as she's okay, I'm okay too. Besides, I've known you for quite a period now so I'm pretty sure you won't intentionally hurt her."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, kid," Sebastian responded, relief clear in his voice.

"You're alright, old guy," Tom responded. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around you and Charlie, and I mean that in the best way. I know her side of the story, obviously, but I've been wondering about yours."

"Oh man," Sebastian groaned and plopped himself down in one of the plush sofas. "She just caught me by surprise, to be honest. The last thing I wanted was to find someone to fall for while trying to get out of my writer's block. I didn't expect her, that's for sure."

"And now?"

"You know, it's kinda hard to explain really. And I've told her this too, that I'm figuring this out, but that for sure, I know I need her in my life."

Tom shifted in his seat and leaned back. "Dude, if that isn't love, then I don't know what is."

Sebastian whipped his head so quickly to the direction of Tom's voice he felt slightly dizzy. He looked at him slack jawed. Was it really that obvious now, that quick? He wasn't sure if he was ready to admit out loud what he just found out earlier that day. His mind travelled back to this morning, recalling the heady, falling-down-in-a-rollercoaster feeling he had when he realized his feelings for Charlie. He liked it though as it was something he wanted to feel for a long time now.

"Sebastian," Tom's youthful voice cuts through his quiet musings. "Listen, man, I don't know a hell of a lot of what happened with your past relationships, but don't overthink this one when it's so bloody obvious. With everything in Charlie's past, she deserves something wonderful again and I know you know you can give it to her."

The brunette pondered on his friend's words. He, of all people should understand that someone who'd been as broken as Charlie had been only deserved the best moving forward. Sebastian wanted to be that person to give everything to her and more.

"See, I was right when I told everyone you're really an 87 year old man hiding in an eight year old's body," Sebastian finally responded.

"You know what," Tom responded matter of factly back. "Maybe I am!" He chuckled as he stood up just as Charlie was emerging from the dining area. The peonies were now situated in an elegant crystal vase. She set in the coffee table in front of the sofa Sebastian was seated on. She smiles at him while he pats the empty space beside him for her to sit.

They both sigh in shared contentment as Charlie propped up her legs under her while Sebastian wrapped an arm around her to pull her close. Hesitating for a split second, Charlie then wrapped her own arms around his torso and they stayed there, enjoying the quiet afternoon snuggled in each other's arms. Tom swung by again moments later, saying he had to be somewhere else to meet with his Spiderman cast mates Jacob and Harrison.