forum Heal This Broken Heart [Private // Closed]

Started December 12, 2018 by @Imperfect_Autumn group

tune

Devon’s eyebrows shot up, and she blushed at the offer. She hadn’t meant for him to hear that, so his offer threw her off.

“O-oh… Um. Sure. Yeah. That, uh. That’d be great. Thank you,” she stuttered, glancing over at him.

Afraid he'd said something wrong, Sebastian tentatively extended his hands towards the toddler, carefully balancing her in his arms. "No– No problem at all."

(I really don’t like cutting onions… I just had to cut a whole one, and my eyes still sting…)

Layla blinked up at the new person before she glanced at Devon. Her bottom lip poked out and started to wobble as tears formed in her eyes.

“Mommy!” she cried, reaching her arms out to Devon as she tried to wiggle away from Sebastian.

“No, baby. Mommy’s arms are tired, so Sebastian is going to hold you for now,” Devon said patiently.

Layla continued to pout at her for a few moments, then she turned her attention to Sebastian and looked at him curiously.

“‘Bahstin?” she said, blinking up at him before starting to giggle. “Bahstin!”

(big oof)

Sebastian smiled shyly, an almost dorky grin lighting up his face. Babies and children didn't usually take kindly to him, he hadn't expected Layla to actually like him. "Yeah," he said softly, "Bahstin. That's me."

Devon bit her lip as she glanced at them out of the corner of her eye, smiling softly. She was immensely glad that Layla had liked him so quickly, and that the toddler had decided not to throw a big fit.

“It looks like she likes you,” she mused, turning slightly to look at them.

Sebastian shrugged bashfully, the softer side of him now exposed. "I'm not exactly used to it… wow, she's adorable. Looks a lot like you, too."

“Yeah, she’s a pretty cute kid. And thank you,” Devon said with a grin. “Gosh, I’m so glad she didn’t have a meltdown. That would have been so embarrassing…”

Sebastian laughed lightly, surprised once again by how natural it felt. He booped Layla's nose lightly, scrunching his own up in an attempt to make her laugh.

Layla giggled and ducked her head as she grinned, trying to hide her nose from him.

Devon watched them with a happy smile. She wouldn’t have trusted most people — especially most men — to hold Layla, but she trusted Sebastian for some reason. And it was nice to be able to trust someone else with her.

"I can't get over how cute she his," Sebastian told Devon, ruffling the little girl's blonde hair as they rounded a corner. He spotted the Thai place, only a block away. "You must be a very proud mother."

Devon laughed lightly and nodded a bit. “Yeah, I’m pretty proud of her. She’s been a lot of work, though, to raise a-alone…” she stuttered before trailing off. He didn’t need to know that, but it’d just come out…

Sebastian's words died in his mouth, mind racing, but he quickly shoved the casual expression back on his face. "You've managed excellently," he replied smoothly, glancing up at her.

“Thank you,” Devon whispered, her cheeks flaming with the embarrassment of what she’d just said.

Gosh, he probably thought she’d slept with a guy and gotten pregnant on accident, now. She definitely had not down that, and she definitely wouldn’t have, either. In fact, she was almost tempted to not have Layla, but she couldn’t do that to herself or her baby.

Sebastian's eyes flickered over her prominent blush, and fumbled to reassure her. "You don't need to be embarrassed– I'm not– I don't think anything badly of you, nor am I assuming anything," he said, hoping she took his words well.

Devon let out a breath and nodded. “Okay… Thanks. That— Thank you.”

Sebastian nodded, booping Layla’s nose once more before stopping in front of the restaurant. “No problem. Here we are.”

Layla giggled and bapped his nose back lightly.

“All right. Do you want me to take Layla back?” Devon asked.

“Sure,” Sebastian replied, handing the adorable child back to her mother. He pushed open the door, holding it for her. “After you.”

“Thanks,” Devon chucked, stepping through as she shifted Layla in her arms.

The toddler looked over at “Bahstin” in confusion. Why wasn’t he holding her anymore?

“Bahstin?” she said, reaching for him.

Sebastian’s heart just about melted. He glanced hesitantly at Devon, biting his lower lip. “Can I— can I hold her again?” Someone actually enjoying his company, even if she was just a baby? This was definitely new.

Devon grinned and handed the girl over. “She really likes you,” she mused with a light laugh.

Layla giggled and latched onto Sebastian. She bubbled his name as she bapped his nose again.

“That’s a first,” he murmured, kissing the little girl’s nose tentatively. A waitress led them to their seats, where he balanced Layla on his lap, delighted.

Layla giggled loudly, causing Devon to laugh softly. She reached over to rub her hand over her daughter’s hair.

“What? Kids don’t normally like you?” Devon asked, still grinning at her daughter.

“No one usually likes me..” he admitted quietly, averting his eyes. He couldn’t help but smile at how adorable Layla was being, or how usually……. well, happy he felt. The first in a while.

Devon glanced at him, her smile falling a bit. “Oh… I’m sorry… Um…”

She chewed on her lip as she watched Layla giggle and bubble Sebastian’s name. The toddle gripped his hair and pulled, causing Devon’s eyes to widen as she took her hand away.

“No, baby. No pulling hair,” she said softly. Looking over at Sebastian again, she gave it a small smile. “Well, now you have two people who like you, at least.”

Sebastian faltered, looking up at her with hopeful eyes. “Really?” he asked softly, hating how vulnerable he felt. Stupid Sebastian. This is why people hate you.

“Yeah. Really,” Devon assured him with a grin.

Layla giggled and reached for his hair again, but Devon caught her before she could do it. “No, Layla,” she said more firmly.

“It’s fine, I don’t mind,” he said quietly, still surprised. He chewed on his bottom lip, ruffling the toddler’s silky hair. “I’m just glad..”

“Bahstin! Bahstin, hair!” Layla bubbled, patting his head back.

Devon laughed lightly. “I’m glad she likes you, too.”

Sebastian laughed quietly, kissing the tiny girl's soft palms. He suddenly remembered what they were here to do, and gestured towards a menu. "What would you like to eat?*