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“Mint?”
Sebastian stiffened up, recognizing the voice as the person from what felt like another life recognized him.
“Is that you?”
Sebastian turned, or at least he started to.
A hand reached out, squeezing his shoulder. “Seb, are you alright?”
Sebastian turned his head in a different direction, feeling the corners of his mouth tighten as he looked at his best friend Sam, who was concerned, while Abigail looked on in confusion. He shrugged his shoulders, preparing to turn.
“Ginger, it’s not him.”
Sebastian let out a deep breath and turned, trying to put a smile on his face, only for the action to feel strange. “It’s me, Gust.”
“Who?” Abigail started to say as Gust looked at him, the usual look of utter disdain on his face, probably from seeing him after all this time.
And then he felt the air knocked out of him as Ginger, true to character, hugged him. Sebastian felt his eyes widen, his body unsure of how to respond beyond turning his head to glance over at Sam, who was looking at him in confusion from not knowing who the strangers were, while Abigail—she didn ’t seem pleased at seeing another girl hugging him, resulting in the corner of his mouth twitching.
But then—
Sebastian startled at what happened next, not expecting—
“Hey! Gust!” Sebastian said, heat rushing to his cheeks. “What are you doing?”
For it was strange to find himself on the receiving end of a hug from Gust, but it was more of Gust had joined in hugging him—both him and Ginger, but it was also tighter than one of Ginger ’s hugs. Gust let out a short laugh at his discomfort, making it clear he was enjoying watching Sebastian squirm. He could also feel the hot breath on his face as Gust spoke. “What do you mean by what am I doing? Ginger and I’ve—“
“Sebastian,” Abigail said, drawing Sebastian’s attention back to the fact Abigail didn’t like that another girl was hugging him. “Who are these people?”
Sebastian stiffened, tilting his head. “Well…”
He felt Ginger loosen her hug while Gust switched to squeezing his shoulders. Ginger smiled at Abigail, their personalities the exact opposite in many ways. “Who are you?”
“Sam,” came the response from one, while from the other—
“Sebby’s girlfriend.”
Sebastian cringed, his hands clenched as he took a deep breath, closing his eyes. “Just how often do I have to tell you, Abigail, that we’re not dating? And don’t call me that!” He almost said, “ Only mom calls me that, ” except that wouldn’t have been right.
“Yes, but,” Abigail started saying.
Gust pointed a finger. “Hey. You aren’t stalking my little cousin here, are you?”
“I, what?”
“Oh. You’re related to Sebastian and Maru?” Sam asked, making Sebastian flinch.
“Maru?” Ginger asked as Gust rubbed the back of his neck.
“Wait,” Abigail said. “The two of you don’t know about his half-sister?”
“Hey,” Gust said. “Are you trying to be mean or something? Are you purposefully trying to stir up trouble?”
“What?”
“You were looking at my sister, a smirk on her face as if you were pleased you knew something she didn’t?”
“Gust,” Sebastian sighed, trying to brush Gust’s hands away from his shoulder, slightly disturbed by the fact Gust was right, although the smirk had faltered. He sent Abigail a glare, hoping that would get her to behave, but the way Gust placed his hands back on his shoulders, almost in a protective manner, might have undermined it—of course, Abigail didn’t often listen to him about giving him personal space, so—
“Mint’s right. Be nice,” Ginger admonished.
“Mint?” Abigail asked while Sam cleared his voice.
“Don’t ask,” Sam muttered. “I think this is awkward enough for Seb as it is.”
To Sebastian ’s dismay, Gust let out a chuckle that he recognized as his older cousin taking amusement at his discomfort. “And?” And then Gust had him pulled into a hug from behind, causing him to squirm as he said something about letting go. “You think I’d miss an opportunity to tease my little cousin here?”
“Gust,” Ginger sighed. “Really?”
“I,” Gust sighed. “Fine?”
Ginger smiled, having won, as Gust looked away, yet Sebastian frowned, glaring at his cousin. “What’s with the sudden brother affection?” Sebastian continued glaring. “You used not to be fond of me or your sister.”
He felt Gust stiffen, then heard a sigh. “I guess I took a page out of Arlo’s book.”
Sebastian felt the color drain from his face, recognizing the name.
Abigail said, “Who—“
“Please stop asking questions, Abibail,” Sebastian said. “Just, please.” He then felt Gust pull on his cheek. “Hey. What are you—“
“So, you have a little sister too now?”
“Maru?” Sebastian said, looking away, still in his cousin’s headlock, even though he could easily have slipped. “She’s Demetrius’ kid.”
“Demetrius. You mean the one who helped Aunt Robin raise you and—” Ginger started to say.
“Hey. We shouldn’t bring him up,” Gust said, a hand ruffling Sebastian’s locks of dark hair. “That would explain why you don’t dress in bright colors like Ginger anymore.”
“What,” Sam started saying, then let out a laugh. “Seb dressing in anything other than Black?”
“I can show you pictures,” Gust started to say.
“Don’t you dare!” Sebastian said. “I’ll never hear the end of it!”
“Of course, you wouldn’t,” Sam laughed. “What else is a best friend for?”
“And what else are older family members for?” Gust said.
Sebastian stiffened, realizing that, even with Gust dropping his dislike for him—
“And if I remember correctly,” Gust said. “The place you’re most ticklish, little cousin, is….”
“Gust, stop teasing him,” Ginger said. “We’ve not seen Mint and Aunt Robin in a long time. Remember?”
Gust sighed, letting go while Sebastian felt his face turn red. He took a deep breath, then stood up straight, turning to look at them, trying to smile despite the level of discomfort at having to interact with his cousins after all this time. “So, speaking of mom. She’d be furious at me if I didn’t invite her to visit.”
“Papa as well?”
Sebastian let out a laugh, relaxing. “Uncle Gale?”
“Of course, she’d want to see her brother,” Gust said, softly touching the side of his hand against the top of Ginger’s head. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Knowing Robin the way I do,” Sam said, tilting his head. “She won’t mind you dropping in whenever.” He then elbowed Sebastian in the ribs. “And if it’s out of the blue, you’re more likely to catch this one off his game.”
“Hey!” Sebastian said, although there was a worry.
“Yes, well.” Gust took out a pad of paper. “Perhaps Aunt Robin should be informed we’re alive and well before we drop in on her? That would lead to a nasty surprise, wouldn’t it?” He handed the piece of paper to Sebastian. “Our new address, so she can write Father a letter once you tell her.” Gale’s eyes narrowed. “And no asking for details regarding what I meant by us being alive and well. I doubt it’s something our cousin would enjoy talking about.” He then reached out and ruffled the top of Sebastian’s head. “See you later.”
“Yes, see you later,” Ginger said, giving him a quick hug before he departed.
“Well, that was interesting,” Sam said, clapping a hand over Abigail’s mouth. “And no, don’t ask him about the circumstances.”