SEBASTIAN
I wake up to the driving beat of Like I Can, and the first thing I see is Remi’s head bobbing to the rhythm, his messy blond hair dancing across his forehead, eyes locked on the road, his expression intense.
I can’t help smiling as I stretch in my seat.
Some of the tension I’d been carrying has vanished, like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
And even though I know there are still so many things we need to figure out, for the first time in ages, I feel the faint spark of hope flickering inside me.
We’ll sort everything out, somehow. The two of us, together.
I know I need to tell him that. Just... not yet. I need to find the right words, and more importantly, the courage.
I give myself a few more seconds before letting him know I’m awake, just so I can admire him a little longer, this guy who comes off grumpy but is actually the sweetest, most vulnerable, strong, loving (and insanely hot) person I’ve ever met.
I still can’t believe that, out of everyone he could have, he chose someone like me, someone with baggage, with mistakes and scars. And even though he rushed all the way from London to help me, part of me wonders if maybe he’s changed his mind about us.
Maybe after meeting my parents, after seeing how they treated me, he realized I’m not someone worth turning his whole life upside down for. Not someone worth risking everything he cares about.
A lump forms in my throat. The thought that he might not want me anymore is unbearable, but before I can say a word, Remi glances over at me and gives me a smile so full of warmth and tenderness, it eases some of the fear coiled tight in my chest.
“You’re finally awake! How’re you feeling, sleepyhead?”
I pout slightly at the teasing, but I don’t hold it for long. “Much better, thanks...” I let out a breath of relief, because it’s true. “I don’t even know how to thank you for coming to find me, Remi. If I’d stayed in that house...”
“You don’t have to thank me, baby. Like I said, I just did what felt right in the moment. The real issue wasn’t that you weren’t replying to my messages... It’s going to sound a bit mad, but I felt something was wrong. Deep down, in my bones. I had to see you. I had to make sure you were okay.”
“Baby?” I tease, half-laughing, even though inside I’m melting. After all, the fact that he continues to call me that must mean something…
Remi frowns, flustered. “You’ve never complained before, but if it bothers you, I’ll stop. It just sort of... slips out when I think about you.”
“No!” I interrupt quickly. “I actually think it’s really sweet…”
His cheeks turn bright pink, and seeing him that shy makes something stir in my chest. I know how private Remi is, how rarely he lets people in.
“Alright then, I’ll keep using it,” he says simply, smiling at me.
I smile back, now fully awake, and turn to take in the view outside the window. I can’t stop myself from gasping softly, amazed by what I see.
Spread out before my wide eyes are towering, grass-covered cliffs plunging into a choppy emerald sea.
On either side of the narrow coastal road, green fields stretch toward the horizon, wind-swept and open, while in the distance, little clusters of pastel-coloured houses huddle together in bold, mismatched harmony, cobalt blue next to ochre yellow, next to soft lilac, like they don’t care about clashing.
The whole thing looks utterly magical, a beautiful contrast between the rawness of nature and the comforting signs of human life.
Remi watches me, lighting up at my reaction. “What do you think? Do you like the view?”
“I love it!” I reply, almost breathless. “The scenery around here is stunning... including the one right next to me.”
Remi jumps a little and blushes again, adorably. “Don’t tease me, you menace!”
“But I mean it…” I say in mock innocence. He can’t quite hide the pleased little smile tugging at his lips, and I go on, more serious now. “I’ve never been to this part of the country, you know? I can’t wait to explore.”
“Seriously?” Remi looks genuinely surprised. “You’ve never been to Cornwall? I thought you’d travelled loads, even when you were a child.”
I shake my head, trying to push away the sadness creeping up on me.
“I did travel a lot, yeah, but always for competitions or performances. Now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve ever been on a trip with my parents that wasn’t about playing somewhere.
Not that I’m complaining, I’ve seen some amazing places… ”
“And yet you have every right to complain,” he cuts in, a sharp glint in his eye. “Every child deserves to rest. To spend proper time with their parents, free time, not just work and pressure, and endless rehearsals.”
I lower my gaze, wringing my hands together as I feel Remi’s frustration thicken the air in the car. He notices immediately, and his expression shifts to worry.
“Shit, sorry, Seb. I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s just... the thought of you being put through that kind of pressure so young, it makes my blood boil.”
“You’re right. It’s just... I’ve never known anything else. And even though I love my instrument, and playing gives my life meaning, I do get what you’re saying.”
“I just want you to finally live life on your own terms, Seb. You deserve that. You have every right to it.”
“I’m trying, I swear. With everything I’ve got…” I reassure him. “But now, you have to tell me the thing that’s been driving me mad ever since we left…”
I see panic flash across his face, and I can’t help smirking as I press on, voice teasing: “How the hell did you convince Ian to lend you his car??”
Remi exhales in relief, chuckling nervously. “Honestly, it was easier than I thought... When I told him I was going to get you, he didn’t put up much of a fight.”
“Did you tell him anything about us?”
“No, I’d never do that without talking to you first. But... Ian figured it out anyway,” Remi says, lowering his gaze again, clearly worried. “Believe me, I wouldn’t have involved him unless I was really desperate.”
“I know, don’t worry. I don’t mind that Ian knows about us. And I’m sure we can trust him to be discreet. Still, I imagine it wasn’t easy for you to go to him. I never got the sense you liked him much…”
“Ian’s fine. It’s just... what I didn’t like was the way he openly flirted with you.”
“Well, if it helps, he never had a chance. Since the first time I saw you, I haven’t been able to think about anyone else.”
Now it’s my turn to blush. And just as the heat blooms in my cheeks, Remi reaches out, fingers gently brushing through my hair. He tucks a rogue strand behind my ear, and when he speaks, his voice drops an octave. A shiver races down my spine.
“The same goes for me. You know that, right?”
I nod. Because I do. I don’t fully understand how, but I can feel it, that pull between us, like gravity.
I hear the want in his voice, and my body responds instinctively. Despite the anxiety, the adrenaline of the past few hours, and the uncertainty of where we stand, I want Remi more than ever. And it’s not just physical, I probably shouldn’t, but I want so much more from him.
I shift slightly in my seat, trying to hide the very obvious effect he’s having on me, not exactly easy when the thin fabric of my joggers leaves little to the imagination. Thankfully, he’s focused on the road, seemingly unaware of my predicament.
Still, as much as I want him, as much as I ache for him, we need to talk first. Before anything happens between us, we have to be honest. We need to figure out what this is… what we really want from each other.
“We’re nearly there!” Remi announces suddenly. “We’re just about to reach Sennen Cove!”
The car begins to descend slowly towards the village I had seen earlier in the distance. As we pass by pubs and thatched-roof cottages, I roll down the window, and the sharp scent of salt and sea air hits me immediately.
I close my eyes and breathe in deeply, then turn to face him. I can’t help the little pang of anxiety in my chest. I don’t know what he’s told his family about me. Even if he just introduces me as a friend, I’ll still feel awkward, showing up at their house unannounced.
Remi seems to sense my unease.
“You don’t need to worry, Seb,” he says gently. “While you were sleeping, I called my mum. She can’t wait to meet you.”
“Really?” I blink, surprised. “What… What did you tell her about me?”
“Nothing much, baby, just that you’re a dear friend who needed a quiet place to rest for a bit.”
He doesn’t give me time to overthink before adding, “Anyway, she and Maude won’t be back until tomorrow. They took Ben to a local fair and decided to turn it into a little weekend getaway.”
“So tonight we’ll be alone?” I ask, trying not to sound too hopeful.
“Absolutely,” Remi says, flashing me a mischievous grin. “I was meant to catch up with some old school friends, I haven’t seen them in years, but honestly? I’d much rather spend the evening with you. Maybe we can head to the pub tomorrow and see who’s around, but tonight…”
He pauses, his voice softening. “Tonight, I’m thinking something simple. Just us. A quiet dinner at home.
“Sounds perfect. I couldn’t ask for more,” I reply, genuinely thrilled. The idea of an evening alone with Remi sounds like heaven right now. Even if nothing happens, just being near him is enough. Though, of course, I’m hoping something will happen…
Remi clears his throat, his tone suddenly serious again.
“I want to tell them about us, if you’re okay with that.
But not over the phone. I want to introduce you properly.
I want my mum, Maude, and even Ben to see what you mean to me.
I want them to see it. Think about it, Seb.
You don’t have to decide now. But it would mean a lot to me. ”