☬♛ PART NINE ♛☬

One more night.

Sebastian spent every second of it restless, lying awake in bed, the weight of Alex's words pressing against his chest like a vice.

"I am yours."

It should have been enough.

It wasn't.

Because Alex had still held back. Still refused to let go of whatever kept him restrained.

But not for much longer.

When morning came, Sebastian was ready.

________________________________________

Alex entered as usual, composed as ever. He moved through the room with quiet grace, preparing Sebastian's attire, his touch careful, practiced-

But different.

There was a charge in the air between them, thick and crackling.

Sebastian turned suddenly, catching Alex's wrist before he could step away.

"Today is the day," Sebastian murmured.

Alex met his gaze. "What do you mean?"

Sebastian smirked, but there was no humor in it. "No more running. No more waiting. You will give me your answer today, Alex."

Alex's throat bobbed as he swallowed.

"And if I cannot?"

Sebastian's grip tightened. "Then I will accept Gabriel."

For the first time in weeks, Alex flinched.

_______________________________________

Sebastian hadn't meant the words.

Not truly.

But he needed Alex to break. Needed him to stop pretending.

And when Alex's hand curled into a fist at his side, when his jaw tightened-Sebastian knew he had struck the right chord.

"You would choose him over me?" Alex's voice was quiet, dangerous.

Sebastian tilted his head. "Why not? He does not hesitate. He does not run."

Alex inhaled sharply, stepping closer. "You are cruel, My Prince."

"And you are a coward."

Something in Alex snapped.

One moment, he was standing still. The next, he had Sebastian backed against the wardrobe, his hands braced against the wood on either side of him.

Sebastian's breath hitched.

"Say it again," Alex whispered, his voice low, dark. "Tell me I am a coward."

Sebastian smirked, refusing to back down. "You are a cow-"

Alex crushed his mouth against his.

The world tilted.

Sebastian gasped against Alex's lips, his hands flying to grip his coat, pulling him impossibly closer.

The kiss was desperate, all restraint finally, finally shattered.

Alex kissed like a man making up for lost time, like he had been starving for this-for him.

Sebastian moaned against his lips, parting them just enough for Alex to deepen the kiss, one hand tangling in Sebastian's hair, the other gripping his waist so tightly it was almost bruising.

It wasn't gentle.

It wasn't soft.

It was everything Sebastian had been waiting for.

When they finally broke apart, they were both breathless.

Alex's forehead pressed against Sebastian's, his hands trembling where they held him.

"I hate you," Sebastian whispered, but his fingers curled tighter in Alex's coat, refusing to let him go.

Alex exhaled a shaky laugh. "No, you don't."

Sebastian huffed. "Say it again."

Alex smirked, his thumb brushing against Sebastian's swollen lips.

"I am yours."

Sebastian closed his eyes, finally allowing himself to breathe.

"And I," he whispered, "am yours."

No more running.

No more waiting.

No more words left unsaid.