The ticking of the clock was far too loud as Sebastian lay in bed, eyes wide and locked onto the ceiling. His hands were folded on his chest but his fingers twitched with frustration and impatience. His skin was crawling as he tried his best to lay still and fall into sleep but it wouldn't take him and he knew that he'd have to get up and do something before his unsettled bones could rest.

That day had been nothing short of miserable. Work had been tedious, boring, and a general waste of time if it weren't for the paycheck. He'd gone upstairs to grab some lunch and instead had retreated right back down the stairs when he'd heard Demetrius and his mom start to bicker at one another. That had been a can of worms he hadn't felt like opening over a reheated slice of pizza. Everyone knew he'd pick his mom's side for whatever asinine thing they were at odds with and Demetrius would give him the stink eye like he shouldn't have been born. A regular Tuesday, really.

Since then he had remained in his room. Normally he wouldn't regret the reclusive day he had made for himself but as the clock ticked further into the night he was dying to do something fun. If it weren't for the brakes on his bike needing maintenance, he'd already be halfway to Zuzu City. Finally, his eyes locked onto a frozen tear that the farmer had gifted him last week for his birthday.

The frozen tear sparked an idea in his mind and off he went, tugging a beanie over his head and tugging on his favorite boots before he left his bedroom. He did his best to be quiet while he searched the dark garage for a leftover pick axe and a flashlight, courtesy of his mother. Snow crunching underfoot, he made his way to the haphazard wooden plank that pretended to be a bridge to the right of his home and he crossed it. It wobbled slightly, his stomach doing flips, and he wondered how it hadn't broken beneath the weight of the horse you rode across it every couple days.

Flashlight at the ready he walked to the back of the mine to where the elevator was poorly lit, like a beacon saving him from his boredom.

Pressing the button going down, Sebastian took a steadying breath. Immediately the metal doors slid open for him, with a slight groan and a loud creak. The impatience flooding his veins was gone now, replaced with excitement. Before the doors slid shut he wondered if he could find something pretty to gift you in return for your gift to him.

_

About five levels down and a backpack full of odd stones he found pleasant to the eye, Sebastian was wondering how in the hell you spent the entire week running back and forth to the mine. Not that he ever could truly complain about you stopping to say hello while he was out for his nightly smoke. You would wrinkle your nose if the wind blew towards you but never in disgust or judgment at his habit, however negative he knew it to be.

It was a secret he kept locked inside his heart but those were his favorite nights. Standing beside you at the lake while you recounted your day's events to him. The glow ring you had lit up the space around your hands as you waved them in the air happily. You were so full of life that it ran over your edges, seeping into him and filling him with a new vigor to do something. Those dreams of escaping to Zuzu City permanently once he had the means seemed so much smaller after meeting you. Without knowing it, you had given him so much, and he'd be damned if he didn't try and repay the effort.

Resettling his bag on his shoulders he climbed down the next ladder he had found. It had been nestled at the end of a long cave, right beside a line of tracks that led to a mine cart full of coal. He had pocketed some, maybe you could use it or Clint could buy it off him.

Nearly immediately after dropping into the cave he saw a curious looking stone that reflected back the beam from his flashlight in oranges and yellows. The cave seemed to glitter, like a heatless flame and he knew immediately that he needed to get this for you. The grin he was imagining you'd have was so brilliant he nearly stopped breathing. I might actually die if she smiles at me for real... He thought in passing as he took to working the stone. What was it?

Sebastian searched his head for thoughts that didn't scream you, you, you. It was hard when you had come to consume him. With a smile he pocketed the stone, the topaz. That's what it is, Topaz. The way the topaz had lit the room up reminded Sebastian of the way your glow ring sparkled off of your eyes when you shared your late night talks.

You were his heatless flame. Never there to hurt him or leave him burned or scarred, but always there to warm him and fill him with a new life he hadn't had since it was just him and his mom, playing pool every Friday even if he hadn't been quite as tall as the table.

In his reverie, Sebastian had lost some of the caution he had practiced the first few levels of the mines. He had cut through slimes and avoided any bug he came across but now he was tripping over a larger than average rock and that rock was beginning to crawl at him.

"Shit!" Sebastian muttered, scrambling back on his hands with his eyes locked onto what he knew now to be a rock crab. They were quicker than he thought and it got it's pincer around his calf before he could mutter another curse. He jerked away from it in panic but all that accomplished was the rock crab strengthening it's grip. The hard edges pulled at his skin and he winced before grabbing the damn thing and ripping it away from his calf.

His heart pounded forcefully in his chest and his head swam momentarily before the rushing in his ears calmed down. The terrible rip of his skin had filled him with adrenaline and he used it to pat his pockets and reassure himself your topaz was tucked safely away before bolting to the ladder and then to the elevator. Sebastian had gotten what he had come for and maybe a little more than he had bargained for.

_

Once Sebastian was safely out of the mines he sat heavily down onto the snow just outside the entrance. With heaving lungs, he let the chill of the snow seep into his scraped hands and dampen the legs of his pants. The cold was grounding, calming. His calf gave a painful twinge and he snuck a glance at the offending wound. Blood dyed the snow beneath him scarlet but the flow was not fast nor terribly bothersome. There was an ache that wouldn't go away and he knew he should get it tended to but Harvey was long asleep and he wasn't about to face his mother's wrath or invasive questions.

Robin's anger wouldn't be half as frightful if he told the truth but then she'd look at him with searching eyes and say, "The farmer, huh?, like it wasn't obvious that he had fallen for her this last flower dance when she had danced with Alex of all the people in town. She had danced with the man who shared the least in common with him. Did that mean something?

His heart gave a sharp tug almost as painful as the rock crab wound. Sebastian knew damn well Alex had invited you to dance just to catch Haley's eye, but you had said yes. You were more than arm candy and he had spent the next week in the worst mood wondering why. It wasn't until he saw you again that that feeling had eased and then he'd been faced with the knowledge of having fallen in love.

You had just shrugged when he'd asked how the dance had been with Alex. A sly smile played at your lips when you'd then asked, "How was dancing with Abigail?", like you knew something he didn't. Like you knew Abby was a childhood friend he tried to put distance from as often as possible and had since become a placeholder for inconveniences such as the annual dance. Like you knew he was wishing for her to be you.

Shuffling around on the snow when his hands began to sting with the cold, he realized that he needed to get up and care for his wound. He could walk on it well enough so he hobbled even more cautiously this time over the wooden bridge and back into his garage. Eyes peeled and flashlight at the ready he searched for where his mom kept her first aid kit for when she worked. Spotting it on Demetrius' workbench, he opened up only to be filled with disappointment. Sebastian's wonderful, loving, intelligent mother had not restocked the first aid kit in Yoba only knows how long.

Where would he even-?

Sebastian's thought was cut off with your name, as much of his thoughts were. You were always around town with bandaged fingers and poultices to offer to Evelyn for sore hips or to Vincent for scraped knees. You would have something to help.

He supposed it was wishful thinking that you would answer the door, and the walk to the farm wouldn't be delightful this time of night let alone with a bum leg but Sebastian pictured your smile once more and that heatless flame you gave off warmed him just enough to spur him to action.

_

Sebastian's head swam uncomfortably as he took the route to your farm but he used what adrenaline he had left in him to carry him all the way to your porch. Thankfully, torches lit the way and he didn't stumble or otherwise agitate his calf. Knocking on the door one, two, three times he let his fist fall before settling into the rocking chair you had set up for when George came to see you.

You had confided in him once that George enjoyed watching you work and was comfortable with letting you help him into the rocking chair. It reminded him of his childhood and Sebastian thought it was so sweet he could fall apart. He chuckled for a moment, even if Alex wasn't interested, he was sure that George hoped you would take a liking to his grandson just so he could claim you as family.

"Y/N!" He called, not too loud but none too gently either. He'd be thrilled to get something to fix the damn ache in his leg and close up the wound but if you were sleeping there was a part of him that wanted you to keep on dreaming. Your welfare mattered greatly to him, nearly over his own. He let his eyes close for a moment. Maybe it'd be alright if he just rested here for a second and then he could be on his way. He'd see Harvey tomorrow.

"Sebastian! What happened?" You gasped, jolting Sebastian back to reality. You held three jars of mayonnaise in your hands and at the sight of him you dropped all of them.

His throat was suddenly dry at the sight of you.

"Y/N, I-"

"Inside, right now," Your scolded but your voice was still so warm and even as your eyebrows knit together in confusion he could see the concern in those gorgeous eyes while they traced down his figure to the tattered jeans and blood on his leg.

Sebastian pushed himself up from the rocker and nearly giggled when your hand pressed firmly against his back. If he thought hard enough he could imagine your hard-earned callouses against his spine and he suppressed a shiver. Maybe he had bled a bit more than he'd thought.

You pulled a chair out from a table, your farmhouse being much larger than when he had last visited. Rather than the single room your first year, you now boasted a kitchen, three upper level rooms, a cellar and basement. You put his mom to good work and good work she had achieved.

And here he was, getting blood on the hardwood.

"Sit and speak," You demanded and Sebastian fixed his eyes onto yours. You were already shuffling around in one of your cabinets, retrieving an armful of supplies. He knew you'd have just what he needed.

"Got bored. Went to the mines and didn't see a rock crab."

Sebastian nearly rolled his eyes. He didn't mean to sound so....apathetic. He had spent so long playing it cool that he didn't know how to take himself out of it even when internally he was aching to shower you with gifts, affirmations, and if he was lucky enough, affection.

The pinched look of your face didn't exactly disappear but it eased some as you knelt before him, eyes wide and perfect as they took him in. He always felt exposed around you and at first it had made him uncomfortable. He had tried pushing you away because of it, but now he relished the feeling of being seen.

"My, my, Seb," You scolded against, this time warmly and without the nervous energy you'd had before when you hadn't known what was wrong with him. His heart leapt jerkily at the words you spoke. Yes, yours, all yours actually just ask me-

"It was dark," He mumbled, cheeks bright pink from the cold and something more.

"Typically in an unlit mine, things are dark," You agreed playfully, hands carefully but steadily rolling up the torn leg of his jeans. He really had liked him but he couldn't find it in him right now to mind the loss with your fingers prodding gently at his skin.

"Oh shut it," Sebastian laughed but the last thing he wanted was for you to stop speaking. Regrettably, you grew silent for a moment but he knew it was in concentration as you took a wet rag and wiped the blood and dirt away from the edges of his wound. So careful not to hurt him. Always so careful.

"Does it hurt?" You whispered, tilting your chin up at him. Sebastian drank up your appearance, the light from the fireplace casting gentle shadows against the side of your face. You were kneeling before him, hands carefully prodding at his leg and lips stuck out in a pout. He wanted run his fingers through your hair and pull you to him.

"Nothing hurts right now," He said a bit too honestly, not having time to question the words before they were out. You looked alarmed for a second, hand coming to press against his forehead.

"Don't joke so much, you sound like you're dying and meeting Yoba,"

"Oh yeah, because a scrape from a rock crab would-"

"Stop being sassy Seb, let me clean you up."

Sebastian couldn't help the dumbfounded grin that surfaced. There was something about the way you commanded the room, commanded him, that left him weak in the knees with no defenses.

You hummed softly, even when you applied alcohol to sanitize the wound and he hissed, jerking roughly away from you. You had gripped his thigh to keep him from moving too much and he stilled the second you squeezed. He stopped moving, let alone breathing, after that. Soon you were securing his calf with a bandage and looking at him with a satisfied but curious smile.

"You know, you're lucky I forgot to get the mayo from the coop earlier or I would've been in bed and you would've bled out on my porch,"

"I thought you might be awake," Sebastian answered honestly.

"Your mom could've helped,"

"Her first aid kit was empty,"

"Harvey-"

"Sleeping, and I wanted to give you something anyways,"

That look like you knew something he didn't played at your features again and his stomach did a somersault. To get away from the dizzy feeling you were giving him, he stood up and walked almost normally to his bag that had been left by the door.

"You didn't have to get me anything,"

You said it airily, with no real conviction. He knew you liked presents just like everyone else in town except you didn't receive them nearly half as often as you gave them out. For god's sake Pierre gave you seven potato seeds at the feast of the winter star last year. Sebastian was praying Lewis would let him be your secret gifter this year.

He pulled out the Topaz and extended it, eyes darting to the ceiling but then dropping back down to you. No matter how vulnerable he felt right now, in your home in the middle of the night, he wanted to see you light up at the sight of your present.

It was only when you held the topaz in your hands and looked at it oddly he thought you must have gathered plenty for yourself and he felt momentary regret. What could he give you that you didn't already have?

Taking two steps closer, you raised your chin and he noticed with shock that your eyes had grown glossy with tears.

"How did you know I love topaz?"

Sebastian couldn't help but let out an abrupt chuckle. "I honestly didn't, but it reminded me of your glow ring when you leave the mines and we talk and so I couldn't help but-"

You had put an end to his rambling by throwing your arms around his waist, topaz still held protectively in one of your hands as you tightened your arms around him and snuggled your head against his chest.

The air had definitely left him, never to return, and he was in fact going to die on your floor.

"Y/N..." Sebastian had nothing to say but he felt compelled to speak your name. The way it sounded off of his lips felt like finding a missing puzzle piece.

"Sebastian," You whispered in response, not releasing him from the hug.

"Y/N," Sebastian teasing said back. You huffed in amusement and began to pull away, thinking the moment was over but Sebastian kept you in his arms and you stopped trying to move away when he didn't let go. You stilled even further when he brushed a barely-there kiss to the crown of your head as if possessed by the need to feel your hair against his lips.

"Thank you for helping me, I'm sorry it's late,"

"Thank you for giving me a gift, I'm sorry it's late,"

He rolled his eyes at your parroted words but held you closer. He couldn't feel the cool wetness from his snowy pants or the ache in his calf nor the sting in his palms anymore. His heatless flame with her healing touch had removed all of his ailments.

Sometime later, after you had got him a towel and a warm cup of coffee to sip at while you talked on the couch, you let your head fall onto his shoulder and rest there. Even longer after that, the sun had come up and you had begun your work for the day with the promise to take a nap, Sebastian was on his way home with a skip in his step and warmth in his chest (and two new jars of mayonnaise in his pack).

His chest aches, but seeing the expression on Marcus's face makes his chest ache more. Ben starts running after Marcus, calling out to Marcus. But the other man either didn't hear him or pretended not to. Ben continues after Marcus, refusing to let the other man out of his sight.

As Marcus finally comes to a stop, Ben hangs back, listening as Marcus berates and yells at himself. Ben frowns. He hates that Marcus feels that way about himself. Ben loves him. He truly loves the dark-haired man more than he's ever loved anyone. "You're a goddamn idiot Marcus!" Marcus cries out, making Ben's heart ache.

"No you're not," Ben says, stopping Marcus from saying anything more. "You're a little impulsive sometimes, but you're not an idiot." Marcus's bleary green eyes snap up, staring at Ben with wide, sad eyes.

"Ben," Marcus says, standing slowly. "Wh-What are you doing here? I, you shouldn't be here… Ben, I'm dangerous. I'm really dangerous… I was going to kill Winston, and I hugged Ted. I almost killed two people today…"

"But you didn't," Ben says, stepping closer and pulling Marcus into a hug. "You didn't, and that's what makes you the man I fell in love with. You're a good person Marcus. Your heart is in the right place. I love you, and I always will. I will always come after you, no matter how many times you run away."

Marcus smiles softly, kissing Ben slowly. Ben smiles, running his fingers through Marcus's hair. "Although," he says, pulling back to lean his forehead against Marcus's. "You probably shouldn't run off next time I'm naked in your bed. That one was a bit much."

Marcus laughs sadly, kissing Ben quickly. "I, I panicked," he admits, caressing Ben's cheek gently. "I've never really been in a situation like that before and after all that time avoiding any and all contact with people, it was really overwhelming to be able to touch you like that." Ben nods. "You really are incredibly gorgeous though. I'd love to have you naked in my bed again tonight, if you'll still have me."

Ben laughs as Marcus's cheeks heat into a blush. He was so shy. It was adorable. "Maybe tonight, you'd like to try naked in my bed," Ben says with a grin, kissing Marcus's neck and jaw. "Maybe tonight, you'd like to try more." He can feel Marcus's skin heat under his lips. "I might have some things you'd like to try."

Marcus shivers. "I, I, I, fuck," he mumbles, his strong arms winding around Ben's waist. "Why do I want you so bad?" Ben smiles, nibbling at Marcus's neck gently. "Fuck," Marcus murmurs, pressing Ben's back against the brick wall. "Fuck Ben. You, you are too goddamn sexy."

Ben smiles proudly, bringing his lips to Marcus's, kissing the other man deeply. "Growing up, I always wondered how long it'd take you to forget about staying away," Ben whispers, looking up at Marcus. "I always wondered how long before you just kissed me." Marcus blushes brightly, bringing a quiet laugh to Ben's lips.

"Was I that obvious?" Marcus sighs, kissing Ben quickly. "I tried so hard not to be…" Ben smiles, brushing his fingertips against Marcus's cheek before tracing his thumb over the other man's lips. "Ben," Marcus whispers, his lips parting under Ben's touch. "I, I love you."

"I love you too," Ben says with a smile. "And yes, you were so obvious. Your eyes have always given you away. I wanted to be with you so badly… But I couldn't, I knew I couldn't. The girls, they were for you." Marcus's beautiful face contorted with confusion.

"What?" Marcus asks, biting his lip. "What do you mean? If you wanted to be with me, than why have all the girls? How did that help me? Ben, you're not making sense." Ben smiles softly, pushing some of the long hair from Marcus's face. He kisses his cheek, pulling Marcus closer.

"Your parents," Ben says softly. "You and I both know they didn't like me as your friend, let alone your boyfriend. And you were so obvious with how you felt, they knew you liked me and they didn't like that. But I always had a girlfriend. It sort of put them at ease, you know? With a girl, I guess I was less likely to want to be with you." Marcus's face softens in understanding. "I had to protect you and I had to not lose you. I did it the only way I knew how."

Marcus's strong arms envelop Ben into a tight, bear hug. "Fuck," he says softly, pulling Ben closer. "You're amazing Benji. And I've been so goddamn selfish lately… You're so wonderful… Why do you even want to stay with me?" Marcus sniffs softly, burying his face into Ben's hair. "How can you even love someone like me?"

Ben smiles sadly, running his fingers through Marcus's hair. "Because," he says, kissing Marcus's neck. "Because you're the only one for me. I've always known that, and you have too. You're not selfish Marcus. You're just scared of hurting the people you care about. But you've been so caught up in your head that you've forgotten to look around you. You've got me and you've got Ted. He and I aren't going anywhere. There are people who care about you, who know what you're going through, and who are willing to help you."

Marcus nods slowly, releasing Ben to rest their foreheads together. "You always did know what to say," he says softly, brushing his fingers against Ben's cheek. "Ever since I can remember. You were the only one that always said the right thing, always made me feel better, always made me laugh. Ben. I promise never to run from you again."

Ben smiles, kissing Marcus slowly. "Good," he says before pressing his lips back to Marcus's. "I hate when you pull away, especially since we can be so much closer. Marcus, you are my everything. Always have been, and always will be." The couple shares another tender kiss as a few stray raindrops fall on their faces.

"Fuck," Marcus says, stepping back as the rain begins to fall more heavily. "It's raining and I'm practically making out with a live wire." He grins, laughing as Ben shoves at him, a few stray spark arching from his fingertips. "Watch it their Spark Plug."

"Spark Plug?" Ben repeats, laughing. "Seriously?" The two smile at each other before a flash of lightning flashes across the sky. "Alright, we need to get inside," Ben says quickly, suddenly becoming very serious. He could feel his skin prickle. This was going to be one hell of a storm, and Marcus was right about one thing. He was practically a live wire. He'd pull the lightning straight at him, and Marcus couldn't conduct the electricity the way he could.

"Ben?" Marcus asks, reaching for Ben's hand. "What's wrong? It's just a little storm. We used to play in them all the time. Come on, let's run until everything is wet and lay out on the grass, like we used to." Ben shakes his head, pulling Marcus across the street and into a small, almost empty coffee shop.

The prickling of his skin subsides the moment he's through the door. Ben breathes softly. He'd felt out of control before, but that, that was a whole new level. He could feel the charge building up inside him, and he couldn't do anything about it. "Marcus, we can't," Ben says softly, kissing Marcus's hand gently. "You were right. I'm like a live wire, or a lightning rod. You would have gotten hurt."

"Oh," Marcus breathes, looking from Ben to the lightning and back to Ben. "I didn't even think of that. We can't ever run in the storm can we?" Ben shrugs. That's not something he can answer. What if in the future he gains enough control that it's not something he needs to worry about?

"We'll see love," Ben says, kissing Marcus's knuckles. "While we're here, would you like a coffee? And maybe we can split a cookie or something." Ben smiles, meeting Marcus's gaze.

"Are you asking me out?" Marcus asks, offering his leather jacket to the shirtless man. Ben shoves at him before accepting the jacket. Ben nods with a warm smile, leaning up to kiss Marcus's cheek. "Well, I couldn't say no to the most beautiful man to ever walk the planet. And maybe after, he'd like to accompany me to my place for some popcorn and a movie. I did rent that movie that you wanted to see, whatever it was called."

"Jumper," Ben says, smiling at Marcus. He'd tried to get Marcus to go with him to see it at the cinema, but he couldn't talk him into it. Marcus had little interest in the movie. "And after that, maybe we can watch Robin Hood again." Marcus's face lights up, his lips beaming a smile at Ben.

"Like I said," Marcus says, leading Ben over to a table. "You always know exactly what to say. I'll be back. You are going to be surprised with your coffee." Ben laughs as Marcus strides away, glancing over his shoulder to smile at Ben happily. Ben hasn't seen Marcus this happy in years. It was nice to know that he was helping Marcus in some way. To see that smile, to hear that laugh, it made everything worth the effort.