"Get a grip," he warned himself.
"Ortho," he called out as he stood up.
"I'm stepping out for a few minutes. Stay put till I get back—and don't try anything stupid," he added, shooting him a warning glare before heading out.
"Blah, blah, blah. Acting like he's the boss or something. I hate the fact that I don't even have the slightest power to defend myself or put him in his place," Ortho muttered bitterly as he served himself food, settling on the couch with his arms folded tightly against his chest. He took small, quiet bites while watching TV.
AT SEBASTIAN'S HOUSE.
It's been a week since their fight. After all the begging and apologies, Valerian had only just started talking to him again—though only a little.
Rihanna's grandma had arrived four days ago, bringing some equipment to help care for Valerian and the baby. Thankfully, she assured him that both Valerian and the child were doing fine, and that gave Sebastian a much-needed sense of relief.
He stood now at the veranda, the cool breeze brushing against his skin as he inhaled deeply and slowly.
If someone had told him months ago that he—the Great Lord Sebastian, commander of Silverfur—would have someone in his home, in his life, someone he'd come to cherish… and on top of that, that he'd get them pregnant? He would've laughed and told the person they were crazy. Never in his life had he imagined falling in love, let alone becoming a father.
Valerian was supposed to be his enemy. Someone he was meant to torture without mercy. Yet here he was… carrying his child.
Wow. Just… wow.
Everything happened so quickly that it was still hard for him to wrap his head around it. But there was no going back now. The deed was done, and Valerian was pregnant. Hilarious, really.
He was sure they'd only had sex two or three times, but Valerian's body turned out to be unusually sensitive and fertile. He never imagined Valerian would actually get pregnant. At the time, it was meant to be nothing more than a method of torture—something to make him regret everything. But somewhere along the line, Sebastian found himself softening toward him. The more he observed Valerian's fragile nature, the more something shifted in him.
Sure, Valerian possessed immense power, but Sebastian could tell it wasn't used for evil. In fact, it seemed like he was being used—manipulated—by the very master he once served.
Now, all Sebastian could think about was how to keep him and the baby safe. They were his responsibility now. Both of them. And he'd protect them with his life—yes, his life.
He walked into the room. Valerian was asleep, his hair sprawled across the pillow, his breathing calm and rhythmic. Sebastian stood watching him for a moment, then quietly sat on the bed, gently picking up a lock of his hair and sniffing it absentmindedly.
"You've changed me so much, Rian. I never… never imagined myself loving anyone, talk less of having a child. You broke through my walls—barriers I spent decades building—only for you to tear them down like they were made of paper."
"You're carrying my child now. You and the baby are my top priorities. So please, talk to me more. I feel so uneasy with how you've been ignoring me for weeks now. I'm sorry for everything—for treating you the way I did. I was scared. I didn't want to accept the reality that you were actually carrying my child. That's why I acted like that. I'm really sorry, Rian. Please forgive me," he whispered, leaning down to plant a soft kiss on Valerian's lips.
That gentle touch made Valerian's eyes flutter open.
"What are you doing?" he asked, their lips just inches apart.
"I—I was just checking on you. How… how are you feeling?" Oh God. Did he just stammer?
"Oh, so now you care enough to check on me? Come on, drop the act," Valerian said coldly, gently pushing him back as he sat up.
Sebastian stepped back, but quickly moved to support him as he tried to get up from the bed.
Standing just a foot away, Sebastian watched as Valerian stretched, causing the hem of his knee-length shirt to ride up to his thighs. When Valerian stretched again, his hand brushed Sebastian's face, making him turn toward him.
"Why are you still standing there? Move."
But instead of moving away, Sebastian moved closer—wrapping his arms around him from behind.
"Tch… I said don't touch me! Are you deaf?" Valerian protested, wriggling gently in an attempt to free himself, but Sebastian held firm.
"I'm sorry, Rian. Please don't be mad at me. I'm truly sorry," he pleaded, burying his face into Valerian's neck, inhaling the sweet scent that lingered on his skin.
"Sebastian! Let go of me!" Valerian said more firmly, his neck tilted slightly as Sebastian bit it softly.
"You're so stubborn."
"Sebastian!!" Valerian screamed as Sebastian turned him around and lifted him suddenly, causing him to wrap his legs around Sebastian's waist in alarm.
"Oh God! Put me down! What's wrong with you?" Valerian panicked, but Sebastian didn't put him down. Instead, he kissed him.
"Seb—" He didn't get to finish before Sebastian kissed him again. Then again. And again.
Sebastian peppered his face, neck, and hair with kisses until Valerian couldn't hold it in anymore and started to laugh.
"Sebastian, stop! That tickles! Hahaha!" he laughed, squirming in his arms.
Sebastian chuckled, his heart full as he listened to the sound. Valerian's laugh—it was beautiful. He'd never seen him laugh like that before.
"I'm really sorry, Rian. Please forgive me. Will you?" he asked sincerely, locking eyes with him, desperate for a response.
Valerian looked at him quietly, then took in a deep breath.
"Okay… I forgive you. But don't ever do that again," he said, his voice soft.
Sebastian's face lit up instantly, his smile wide and genuine as he pulled Valerian into a tight hug.
"Yes! I'll never do it again. Thank you! Thank you so much," he said with pure joy.
Valerian smiled too.
This was the very first time he'd ever seen Sebastian smile like that.