Chapter Text
You took a deep breath as you walked down the hallway. Talking to inmates always makes you nervous. Especially this time, considering the newest LR-P had nine different accounts of murder. Hadal Blacksite had just picked him up this morning. He was still a mystery to all the lower employees such as yourself.
Sebastian raised his head as you entered the room. He didn’t look like a murderer, but then again, neither did Ted Bundy.
You set his meal tray on the small table in his cell. It was the solitary furniture other than a bed chained to the wall and a small lavatory in the back. It wasn’t a horrible setup, but it certainly didn’t look comfortable.
The inmate nodded, giving you a polite smile. “Care to join me?” he offered.
You glanced back through the large glass window, seeing the hallway empty. The security camera whirred from the low ceiling in reassurance. If anything bad happened, they would know. You gave what you hoped was a noncommittal shrug, like it was no big deal. Your heart was racing, however.
You knew what would be happening to him later that day, and the sympathetic part of you thought he deserved some company. Sebastian sat down at the table and looked over his lunch, thoroughly examining his sandwich before biting into it. He let out a low hum of appreciation.
You slowly sat down across from him, politely waiting as the man devoured that sandwich. He quickly finished his meal, then wiped his mouth with a napkin. For a murderer, he had impeccable manners.
“Sorry,” he said. “It’s just been so long since I had a sandwich that didn’t taste like… well, sand. Prison food isn’t exactly gourmet.”
He chuckled at his own joke. His dark eyes shone at you from behind his messy mop of black hair, crinkling up into a friendly grin. You allowed yourself to smile back, informing him that the quality of the food here was far above that of a prison.
The LR-P clapped you on the shoulder in an amicable manner as he stood up, looking pleased at that information. He went over and sat on his small cot, patting the space beside him. You once again glanced out the large window, and once again, the coast was clear.
So why was your heart racing and why were your palms so sweaty? This felt strictly off limits.
You settled down beside him with clear hesitation. He rewarded you with a smile.
“There we go. I don’t bite. Well, unless you’re an UrbanShade sandwich.” he said with a wink.
You flustered a little at that. Forcing yourself to relax, you made a note to bring him more sandwiches tomorrow. Well, if he survived the mad scientist-esc experiments the biology division would be doing on him later that day.
You cleared your throat and began asking him about himself. Once you proved you weren’t an investigator, he became less reserved and more personal. You found his company very pleasant. His jokes were funny and his descriptions were vivid, each story from his previous life packing the desired punch.
Your heart twinged with sadness, and you wished he was an intern like you, instead of a convict. His eyes held that same sorrow, and you could tell he was homesick. That food truck and that reckless nephew were real to him, not just a story of what once was. His job, his home, his family, friends- you knew he would never see them again.
Sebastian knew it too.
He let out a heavy sigh and gave you a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. He seemed so much older now, beaten down and worn out. You reached out and gave his shoulders a few awkward pats, wishing you could do more than just bring him sandwiches.
The inmate shook his head with another sigh and pulled a guitar that you hadn’t previously noticed out from under the cot. It was a rich, stunning shade of wood that complemented his tan skin. He plucked out a few cords.
“Any requests?” he asked. His look was inviting.
You flushed, shyly telling him your favorite song. He smiled warmly, taking a few moments to map his fingers out on the strings. Then he began to play.
Sebastian’s fingers slide effortlessly along the strings, your favorite song spilling out and filling the prison cell in a way that felt magical. He poured his heart and soul into the music, creating a more beautiful rendition than you ever thought possible.
The sadness seemed to leave his body as he devoted himself to the task. You became mesmerized by him, his talent. Or maybe just the bond you were already starting to form together. He began to sing, elbowing you and wiggling his eyebrows until you began to sing along. You could barely get the words right in between all your giggling, but his smooth and steady voice guided you.
After your song was completed, he continued to strum. Songs that only he knew, and you yearned to learn as well. He rested his head against your shoulder, becoming weighed down by the notes. You made yourself more sturdy to accommodate him. Seeing the misery tear him up inside was unbearable.
Gingerly, you took the guitar from his grip. “Here, let me try.” you said.
You weren’t any good at guitar and couldn’t even remember the last time you touched one, but your only intent was to pull your new friend out of the depression he was sinking into. Sebastian looked up at you, only confirming what you had to do next.
You chuckled nervously, pressing your fingers in the places you had seen him do. An ugly twag came from the beautiful instrument. The LR-P raised an unimpressed eyebrow. He seemed to stir from the dark place he had gone.
“Hold on, I’m just warming up.” you said.
This attempt was just as pitiful as the first, if not worse. Sebastian took the guitar from your hands, seeming amused, but deeply unimpressed. He tucked it back under the cot with care.
“Wow, that was remarkably horrible.” he said. “If that’s you warming up, I think we should stop before you burn something to ashes.”
You blushed and rubbed your neck. You definitely weren’t cut out to be a guitar player. Your shame was silenced as he rested his head back on your shoulder, his soft hair touching your cheek. He seemed comfortable, and something warm stirred inside of you.
The two of you sat in companionable silence for a long while, and for a moment, you thought he had fallen asleep. Then he shifted even closer to you. His lips brushed yours, and you held your breath.
“You know I didn’t do it, right? I’m not a monster.” he muttered softly.
Taking Sebastian’s hand in yours, you didn’t even hesitate before answering. You kissed him, and he kissed back. He gradually penned you between his body and the wall, cupping your face in his hands. The gesture held such care and gentleness that you just knew.
The two of you pulled back, breathless. The look exchanged between you was full of warmth, comfort and understanding. His dark eyes shone, his face flushed as he remained close.
“I know.” you whispered, once more.
And you did know, with all of your heart.
-
Sebastian froze in the doorway as he recognized the guitar under the cot. His esca flickered to life as he very gingerly picked it up with all three hands, almost afraid he might break it. He gazed at the ceiling above, wondering where you were now. What you would think of him.