The Other Side (A Sebastian Stan Fanfiction Story)

That Side - Rollercoaster Day

A/N: How are y'all doing? I hope those going to Ace Comic Con this week have fun, and most of all be respectful of their idols! You don't know how lucky you are to have the opportunity to meet Sebastian, the Toms and the other stars there when us overseas fans can only watch longingly from halfway across the world.

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Sebastian found himself seated beside the bed he and Charlie shared, watching her as she slept peacefully, her blanket clad torso rising and falling steadily with each breath she took. He fought the urge to skim his fingers over her bare arms for fear of disrupting her slumber which was why he got up carefully and took the seat to watch her sleep until he felt sleepy himself.

He studied her face, wishing he would never see sadness or insecurity in her eyes ever again. It had been especially hard for her these last few days in the lead up to her day in court later. She would wake up in the middle of the night just crying her eyes out, shaking and shivering in nervousness. She would tell him about her dreams and he'd encircle her in his arms and gently rock her until she calmed down and fell asleep again.

On the one hand, he was glad she had gradually opened more and more about her past over the last few months and even allowed herself to move in with him. It was something that had been nagging in his mind for quite some time and he was unable to contain his joy and relief when she agreed to permanently live with him.

There were still days when he'd feel a little overwhelmed and scared by just how much he loved Charlie. It was as if he caught a strong current and he's just letting himself be carried by it wherever it went—jagged rocks and dangerous creatures be damned. He could care less if he was the one taking the brunt of her hang ups, so long as he could see her entire face light up with a smile in the end, it would all be worth it.

If he had to be her human shield so she gets out of this ordeal unscathed, then so be it.

Charlie stirred and reached out for the space beside her, eyes still closed but her brows furrowing slightly when she realized there was no one beside her. Sebastian's lips curled up into an ear splitting grin seeing how cute she was when she did so. He didn't move and waited for her to open her eyes. He just loved the sight of her waking up.

Sebastian's grin mellowed to a soft smile as soon as their eyes made contact. Charlie smiled back at him and patted the empty space beside her.

"What are you doing up? Come back here," she drawled as she turned her hand palm up for him to take. Sebastian jumps out of the luxurious chair and takes her hand before sinking into the bed beside her. He adjusts his position so that he could wrap his arm around her shoulder, allowing Charlie to nestle her head over his bare chest just below his shoulder.

"What were you doing up?" Charlie asks again. Sebastian looks up to the intricately painted ceiling before looking down at her. He absentmindedly picks up her free hand and intertwines it with his.

"Couldn't sleep for a bit so I watched you sleep instead."

"I've always debated with myself whether that was romantic or downright creepy ever since I saw it in Twilight," Charlie responded, her voice still lazy with sleep. "But with you...heh, still not sure."

"Really? The way you smiled at me...I think...says otherwise, sweetheart," Sebastian said in an almost singsong voice.

Charlie lightly pounded her fist on his chest. "I don't think any woman would frown upon waking up to Sebastian Stan."

"But that's the thing, I don't want just any woman waking up to me though, just you."

Sebastian felt Charlie take a deep breath, but this time, she didn't stiffen over him.