REMI
Sebastian and I cycle in an easy, comfortable silence for miles, breathing in the salty sea air, letting the wild beauty of the coast wrap around us like a soft breeze.
Every now and then, I glance over at him, and he always catches me, flashing that smile.
The one that deepens his dimple and flips my heart upside down without even trying.
I’m fairly certain he knows exactly what that smile does to me and uses it shamelessly to his advantage. Not that I’m complaining. If anything, I’m all too willing to fall for it, again and again.
When we finally reach the beach, we prop our bikes against a low stone wall and unclip the baskets, lifting them carefully into our hands.
It’s a perfect day, sunny, warm, with a light breeze, but the beach is nearly empty.
Just a few families in the distance and some surfers riding the waves, their bright boards dotting the shoreline like scattered sweets on a sandy canvas.
We lay the blanket out in a quiet, sheltered spot, away from the wind, and settle down side by side.
Sebastian kicks off his black Converse, peels off his socks, and rolls up the cuffs of his jeans.
Then, with a look of pure contentment, he buries his small, slender feet, so delicately built, like the rest of him, into the warm sand, wriggling his toes as it sifts between them.
He looks as happy as a child, and something about it stirs me deeply. I know how hard he’s worked all his life, how rarely he’s allowed himself moments like this. And now I get to be the one to give them to him, that simple truth fills me with a quiet, steady kind of joy.
“Let’s go dip our feet in the water!” he says suddenly, just as I’m slipping off my own shoes and socks.
“Baby, it’s freezing, just warning you,” I reply, half-laughing. But he’s already on his feet, tugging at my hand with bright, unstoppable enthusiasm.
We walk to the shoreline and dip our toes into the water. The moment Sebastian touches the icy sea, he yelps and leaps straight into my arms.
“I did warn you, Seb,” I say, catching him easily. “Careful, or you’ll…”
But he doesn’t let me finish. He wraps his legs tightly around my waist and clings to me, tucking his head into the crook of my neck in that impossibly soft, disarming way he has. He knows I can’t resist him, and truthfully, I don’t even try.
All I want is to give him everything I have, for as long as he’ll let me. Hopefully… forever.
I carry him along the shoreline, the cold waves lapping at my ankles, breathing in the sweet vanilla of his skin mixed with the salt of the sea breeze. Then he lifts his head and kisses me, and just like that, the world drops away. No sound, no thought, no hesitation.
When he finally pulls back, still wrapped around me like a koala, he looks at me with quiet concern.
“Are you sure I’m not too heavy? I don’t want to hurt you…”
I shake my head with a grin and press a kiss to his hair.
“You? Too heavy? Don’t be ridiculous. Your suitcase, on the other hand, that nearly did me in.”
He pulls a mock pout but doesn’t move an inch. If anything, he holds on tighter.
“Come on, Hercules,” he murmurs with a smile. “Let’s eat.”
Gladly.
We demolish our picnic with the kind of appetite only fresh air and sunshine can inspire, then stretch out side by side on the blanket, fingers laced, eyes closed, soaking in the warmth of the afternoon.
After a while, he speaks, his voice low, thoughtful.
“I still can’t believe you came out to your family like that and no one even flinched…”
He sounds genuinely amazed, like part of him was still waiting for something to go wrong.
I turn my head to look at him, keeping our hands locked together.
“I was nervous, too, baby. Coming out is never easy, no matter the circumstances. But I always knew I could count on them to love me, no conditions, no questions. That’s something I’ve never had to doubt.”
I pause, brushing my thumb gently over his knuckles.
“And besides… I think it’s pretty obvious they adore you already. My mum’s never been one to hide her feelings, and Maude, well, she doesn’t say much, but she’s not subtle either. You’ve definitely passed the unspoken test.”
Sebastian looks up at me, wide-eyed.
“Are you sure, Remi? Because I think they’re both wonderful. And Ben, he clearly loves all of you so much. He’s absolutely smitten with your mum.”
I press a kiss to his forehead and nod, certain.
“Oh, definitely. And I’m sure they like you a lot. Mum was looking at you like her heart could barely contain itself. Not that I blame her…”
I laugh softly, but then my voice takes on a more serious tone.
“And that makes me so happy, Seb, because I want you in my life. Fully. No conditions, no compromises.”
He leans in, resting his forehead gently against mine, and lets out a quiet, weighted sigh.
“Speaking of compromises… maybe it’s time we talk about going back to London,” Sebastian says softly.
“I really needed this break after what happened at home, and I’m so grateful you haven’t pushed me to talk about it until now.
But now that we’ve decided to be together, officially, we’ve got a few things to figure out.
I need to be back at the conservatoire the day after tomorrow…
and I need to start looking for a new agent. ”
I study his expression carefully before replying.
“You’re sure about that, Seb? I mean… I know May didn’t exactly make the best impression, believe me, but after all those years working together, cutting ties can’t be easy.”
He pauses, then exhales slowly, eyes clouded with pain but steady.
“I’m sure, Remi. She outed me behind my back.
She took something deeply personal, my right to come out to my parents on my own terms. And as if that wasn’t enough, she conspired with them to stop me.
The three of them have been profiting from my work for years, while I’ve been left with scraps… I’m done. I’ve had enough.”
I reach for his hand, squeezing gently.
“I get it, sweetheart. And whatever you decide, I’m behind you all the way. I just want you to feel safe… and free.”
He strokes my cheek, his voice soft and steady.
“I know, Remi. And the same goes for me. What about your friends? Do they know about us? I haven’t checked my phone since I left home…”
“Only Ian,” I reply. “The others just know I came down to visit my mum in Sennen Cove. Francis knows I’m in love with you, but as far as he and the rest are concerned, you’re still in Stratford, not here, with me.”
I pull him gently into my lap, and he curls into me without hesitation. I begin tracing slow, calming circles on his back, feeling him melt against me.
After a moment, he speaks again, his voice thoughtful but resolute.
“I’ve been thinking about it, and I really believe we should call Maddie together.
Tell her everything, before she hears it from someone else.
I don’t know if there’s any chance our friendship will survive this, but I owe her honesty. ”
I don’t need time to consider. “I completely agree, Seb. I was going to suggest the same thing. Once we’ve spoken to her, we can tell the others we’re together. No more hiding.”
He nods against my shoulder, and I hold him a little tighter, proud of how far we’ve come and certain we’ll face whatever comes next, together.
But I feel him tense slightly, and a shadow flickers across his face.
“What if… What if they don’t accept us? I don’t want you to lose your closest friends because of me…”
I gently cup his face in my hands, making sure he meets my eyes, making sure he hears every word clearly, no room for doubt.
“They’re not just my friends anymore, Seb. They’re yours too. And don’t forget, Ian and Francis already know, and neither of them freaked out. Sure, Anne might need a little more time to wrap her head around it, but Jamie and Noah? They’re a couple, too. I’m counting on them to understand.”
“Yeah, but what if…”
I press a finger softly to his lips.
“No ‘what ifs’, love. Even though I’m hopeful, I’m prepared for any reaction. But I’m not backing down. Not now, not ever. Not when it comes to us. There’s nothing, and no one, that could make me question what we have. Got it?”
He shakes his head slowly, a shy smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Then he wraps his arms around my neck.
“I know how stubborn you are, Remi. Once you’ve made up your mind, there’s no stopping you.”
I grin and pull him closer. “Well, then you’d better believe it, because this time, I’ve made up my mind about you. And nothing matters more to me.”
Before I can say anything else, he leans in and kisses me hard. All heat and heart, like he’s pouring everything into it. I pull him into my arms, and we tumble back onto the blanket in a breathless tangle, laughing as he curls against me like some clingy little octopus.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
We kiss and laugh and tease each other until the sea breeze turns sharp, nipping at our skin. Pulling on our hoodies, we start gathering our things, the blanket fluttering in the wind like it doesn’t want to leave either.
Now that we’ve agreed on a plan for going back to London, there’s a new ease between us, a quiet sense of purpose. Being so in sync only deepens the connection we already share.
We haven’t touched the subject of his parents again. I can see he’s not ready, and I won’t rush him. When he is, I’ll be right here, exactly where I’ve always been: beside him.
There’s another question hanging between us, though, one we haven’t fully addressed, where we’ll live.
Something’s going to have to change, and soon.
I can’t stay in that flat much longer, not if we want a space that feels truly ours.
As soon as we’re back in London, I’ll start looking for somewhere new.