Chapter 8: Serving Him

Lucian hadn't slept a wink last night.

He couldn't even pin down what he was so anxious about. Sebastian had personally promised him yesterday, and as much as the man had a sharp tongue, he was a man of his word...

But Lucian simply couldn't fall asleep.

At five in the morning, he checked his phone for the third time.

At six, he got up to wash his face.

At seven, he was already standing outside Sebastian's bedroom door, waiting.

As he waited, he cursed himself for being crazy.

What if the guy didn't get up? What if he backed out? What if he used his back injury as an excuse again?

At seven-thirty, the door opened.

Sebastian stood there in his pajamas, his hair a mess, wearing a sleepy, relaxed expression. Seeing Lucian, he blinked in surprise before letting out an involuntary laugh.

"What are you standing here for? Playing sentry?"

Lucian’s face was set in a tight mask. "Afraid you'd make a run for it."

Sebastian leaned against the doorframe, watching him.

That look made Lucian’s skin crawl.

Sure enough, a second later, Sebastian’s brow furrowed. He reached back to support his waist, and his expression twisted into one of pain.

"Hiss..."

Lucian’s heart leaped into his throat.

"What's wrong?"

"My back..." Sebastian’s brow stayed knitted, his voice dropping to a whisper. "It hurts. I can't move."

Lucian stepped forward instantly, his hand already supporting the man's waist.

"Wasn't it fine last night? Did you move around too much again? The doctor said you need to stay still, don't you know that?"

He spoke while carefully propping Sebastian up, supporting his waist and letting the man lean his weight against him.

Sebastian lowered his head, his shoulders shaking.

Lucian assumed it was from the pain and grew even more frantic. "Does it hurt that bad? Should we go to the hospital? Forget school, we're going to the clinic first..."

"Help me change my clothes."

Sebastian lifted his head. There wasn't a trace of pain on his face; his eyes were brimming with amusement.

Lucian froze.

"You—"

"I can't move, can I?" Sebastian looked at him innocently. "If I've thrown my back out, I can't go. Weren't you in a hurry to get to school?"

Lucian stared at him.

He stared for three solid seconds.

"Sebastian." His voice was squeezed out from between his teeth. "Are you playing me?"

"No," Sebastian supported his waist, his expression turning pained again. "It really hurts."

Lucian took a deep breath.

He told himself: Don't hit him. The man has a back injury; he's off-limits. He told himself: Just endure it. It's only for this morning. Once the forms are filled out, it's over.

Gritting his teeth, he guided Sebastian back into the room.

"Where are your clothes?"

"Left side of the closet."

Lucian opened the closet and pulled out a cream-colored sweater and a pair of pants.

"Put them on yourself."

"I can't move." Sebastian leaned against the headboard, looking at him with wide, innocent eyes.

Lucian glared at him.

Sebastian stared back.

The two of them locked eyes for three seconds.

Lucian was the first to yield.

He walked over and pulled the sweater over Sebastian's head. Sebastian remained perfectly still, allowing himself to be handled, looking remarkably obedient.

As he pulled the fabric down, Lucian’s fingers brushed against the man's chest. Sebastian’s body stiffened slightly, but he said nothing.

Lucian remained silent as well.

He kept his head down, adjusting the sweater before picking up the pants.

"You can do this part your—"

"Can't move."

Lucian took another deep breath.

He squatted down and eased the pants over Sebastian's legs. Sebastian cooperatively lifted his feet before leaning back again, continuing his role as the pampered lord of the house.

Once the pants were on, Lucian stood up and looked at him.

"Done?"

"Done." Sebastian supported his waist and slowly stood up. "Help me downstairs."

Lucian supported him, taking it one slow step at a time.

Sebastian moved with extreme caution, leaning most of his weight onto Lucian. Lucian held the man's waist, not daring to exert too much pressure yet afraid to let go, his own posture becoming incredibly awkward.

They finally made it to the dining table. Lucian helped him into a chair and grabbed two cushions to stuff behind his back.

"Is that okay?"

Sebastian leaned back and nodded. "It'll do."

Lucian turned toward the kitchen.

"What are you doing?"

"Making breakfast."

"Bring it over when it's done. I can't move."

Lucian’s footsteps faltered.

He turned back to look at Sebastian.

Sebastian was leaning against the chair, hands on the armrests, looking every bit like a relaxed master waiting to be served.

Lucian’s fists clenched and unclenched.

He walked into the kitchen and began preparing breakfast.

Fifteen minutes later, two bowls of congee, a side dish, and two fried eggs were set on the table.

Lucian pushed a bowl of congee in front of Sebastian.

Sebastian looked down at the congee, then up at him.

"I can't lift my hands."

Lucian stared at him.

"Sebastian."

"Yeah?"

"Know when to stop."

"I really can't lift them," Sebastian said innocently. "My back hurts. The moment I use any force, it flares up. Why don't you feed me?"

Lucian took a deep breath.

He picked up the bowl, scooped a spoonful, blew on it, and held it to Sebastian's lips.

Sebastian opened his mouth and ate it.

He chewed, then nodded. "Not bad."

Lucian scooped another spoonful.

Sebastian ate that too.

And so it went—one feeding, the other eating—the scene as quiet as a painting.

Sebastian was quite satisfied. This was how it should be. This brat had put him through so much misery; what was wrong with making him work a little?

Lucian was cursing the man's entire lineage in his head.

But he stayed focused, feeding him spoon by spoon—the congee, then the eggs, then the side dish. As long as Sebastian opened his mouth, Lucian had to deliver the food.

Once the ordeal was finally over, Lucian set the bowl down with a thud.

"Are we done now?"

Sebastian wiped his mouth. "Help me put on the brace."

Lucian stood up to get the medical brace.

When he returned, Sebastian was already standing by the table, leaning heavily on it with a hand on his waist, his brow furrowed as if in great struggle.

Lucian walked over and wrapped the brace around the man's waist, his movements light as he slowly tightened it. His fingers brushed against Sebastian's side; the skin was warm, and he could feel the muscles underneath tensing slightly. Perhaps the man really was in pain again.

"Is the tension okay?"

"Yeah."

Lucian secured the Velcro and stood up.

"Where is your coat?"

"In the hallway closet."

Lucian fetched the down jacket and helped him into it. Sebastian eased his arms into the sleeves slowly; he truly did look like he was struggling.

Lucian zipped it up and then picked up the gloves.

"Give me your hand."

Sebastian reached out.

Lucian pulled the gloves on, one after the other, with careful precision.

"Done?"

"Haven't put on my shoes."

Lucian took another deep breath.

He helped Sebastian sit on the hallway bench, then knelt down, picked up the sneakers, and eased them onto his feet.

Lucian kept his head down as he tied the laces.

Sebastian looked down at him, watching the mop of dark hair moving around his feet, and his lips couldn't help but curve upward.

Once the laces were tied, Lucian stood up.

"Now are we done?"

Sebastian supported his waist and slowly stood up.

"Yes. Support my waist. Gently. If you hurt me, I’m not going."

Lucian’s hand went to the man's waist, supporting him carefully.

"Like this?"

"Yeah."

The two of them moved toward the garage, one supporting the other.

Lucian’s car was a used SUV. Ever since his parents’ bankruptcy and passing, he had sold everything of value and replaced them with practical goods.

He hadn't thought much of it when he bought it, but now he realized it was too high. As Sebastian tried to climb up the running board, his waist visibly stiffened, and his brow furrowed.

Lucian quickly reached out to brace him.

"Easy."

Sebastian said nothing, slowly settling into the passenger seat.

Lucian circled to the other side to get in. Before starting the engine, he made sure the cushions were adjusted, then pulled the seatbelt across, carefully maneuvering it around the man's body before clicking it into place.

Sebastian leaned back, unmoving.

Lucian gave him a look.

"Alright. Let's go."

The car pulled out of the garage.

Sebastian remained silent the entire way.

Lucian stole glances at him from time to time, noticing that he kept his eyes closed, his hand gripping the handle, his face a bit pale.

Lucian felt a twinge of unease.

The pain was real; he wasn't faking it.

Lucian slowed down, decelerating well in advance whenever they approached a bump in the road.

Forty minutes later, the car stopped at the school gates.

Lucian turned off the engine and looked toward the passenger seat.

Sebastian still had his eyes closed, leaning against the headrest, his breathing steady.

He was asleep.

Lucian blinked in surprise.

He looked at that face—at the peaceful sleeping expression, at the way the sunlight streamed through the window and fell across his features...

His heart skipped a beat.

He looked away, staring straight ahead.

Outside the window, students were walking into the school in small groups, chatting and laughing. Some looked toward the car with curiosity before looking away.

Lucian leaned back against his seat and waited.

He didn't wake him.

He’d just let the man sleep for a little longer.