5. A bowl of Ramen

Sebastian huffs when he catches Killian sulking. Mopping the floor is a long forgotten topic in his head.

"I will be forever indebted to you for your help." Sebastian says sarcastically, placing both of his hands on his hips.

"I free you from all of your debt, Kitty." Sebastian frowns at the name, blood rushes to his cheeks once again.

"My name's Sebastian." He reminds him, going back to picking up the shredded pieces of glass.

"Is it now?" Killian smirks, tapping on the hello kitty bandaid on his cheek.

Sebastian shakes his head in disbelief and turns back to his work. It's already nine thirty. He needs to go home or else he will never hear the end of it from his parents. With that thought in his mind, he urges himself to clean faster, totally ignoring Killian. Ignoring that boy comes naturally to him. However, Killian has other ideas. He is too clingy to Sebastian's liking.

"Be careful with the broken glasses." As soon as Killian says those words, one of the tiny pieces gives him a little cut, making him hiss.

Sebastian immediately sucks the blood off his finger as he glares at Killian who is just sitting on his chair, without doing any work.

"And here goes nothing." Killian sighs, shaking his head.

"You can at least help me do something about the cut." Sebastian mumbles under his breath, standing up to get a bandaid from his backpack.

All the tiredness and starvation hits him suddenly as soon as he stands up. He shouldn't have skipped his breakfast and lunch, not when he didn't have dinner the day earlier. He feels the whole world spinning around himself as he tries to find something to steady himself. However, he loses balance when he fails to find something to hold onto. That's when a pair of strong arms catches him before he can collide with the ground once again.

"Are you alright?" There Killian goes again whispering in such a tender voice that Sebastian feels alright for the moment.

Sebastian makes the mistake of looking into the mesmerising eyes of Killian. He feels himself drowning into those eyes, those eyes which look worried. For him? It's overwhelming to say the least. Their staring contest seems to be prolonging itself. None of them are willing to even blink, too afraid they will miss the intense gaze of the other one until Sebastian looks away. He can't hold Killian's striking gaze for long, especially when he isn't feeling well.

"I'm fine." Sebastian whispers out, feeling too weak to even speak proper sentences.

Killian helps him sit down on a chair immediately before he shoots another concerned query, "What happened suddenly? Did you get hurt so bad?" He takes Sebastian's hand on his own, concerned eyes examining the cut on his finger thoroughly.

Sebastian shakes his head, taking his hand away and putting it on the table.

"I'm fine. Just a little weak from the overwork." Killian doesn't seem to buy it but he nods his head nonetheless.

"Alright. What do I do now?" Sebastian bats his eyelashes at him in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean what to do to make you feel better?" He sounds so cute that it makes Sebastian chuckle a little.

"A glass of water would be nice, please." Sebastian replies politely, finally showing his perfect set of dimples.

For the next few seconds, Killian silently admires the smile that has adored Sebastian's cheeks. It's his first time watching the pair of dimples appearing on his cheeks and now he understands why his sister gushed over his smile so much. It's contagious. Killian wanted to say something witty and make fun of Sebastian but his smile held him back. His face also holds all the tiredness that can't be hid behind the adorable smile. So, he opts for doing what Sebastian asked.

"Right away, kitty." He loves how the smile turns into a frown and then the blush reappears on his cheeks. Killian likes to frustrate people this way.

Rolling his eyes at the stupid nickname, Sebastian's gaze Wordlessly follows Killian as he goes away to fetch a glass of water but he averts his gaze when Killian steps away from his line of vision.

He puts his head on the table as fatigue takes over his system. He will do anything to take a shower and get comfy on his bed. But What's taking Killian so long? Sebastian thinks. Finding nothing else but to wait for Killian's arrival, Sebastian starts tapping on the wooden table. That's when he feels something vibrating near his head. He looks at the phone lazily. A name flashes on the screen but Sebastian is too tired to read it. Just when he is about to cut the call, Killian clears his throat.

Despite his unwillingness, he lifts up his head and looks at Killian with his half closed eyes.

"Were you producing water by conducting chemical reactions or something?" Killian playfully rolls his eyes at that.

"Even fatigue can't hold back your spirit of speaking nonsense, huh?" Killian arches an eyebrow to which Sebastian shrugs his shoulders.

"What's this?" Sebastian questions when his eyes fall on the food on the tray.

"I found a packet of ramen in the kitchen so I decided to make you one. Come on now, eat. You look like you've been starving for ages." Sebastian just mindlessly stares at the boy in disbelief.

It's been just 2 days since he met the boy, isn't it too early for Killian to care about him like this? Why does this stir emotions in his stomach? He gulps down overflowing emotions before it can find a surface and he can make a fool out of himself. When was the last time someone cared enough to cook something for him?

He knows he won't be able to stop tears cascading down his cheek if he keeps looking at the boy who is watching him expectedly. He turns his gaze to the bowl of ramen instead. The food doesn't look appetising but he has nothing else to have right now.

"Thank you." He mutters after clearing his throat, taking the chopsticks.

Just when he is about to take the first bite, he realises something and it makes his eyes as wide as a damn stadium, "What did you do! " He yells in panic which alerts Killian too.

"What?"

"It's Ethan's emergency stock!" Sebastian informs which doesn't really do anything to wash away Killian's confusion over Sebastian's dramatic reaction.

"So?"

"He will get mad."

"Is he an asshole?" Killian questions.

"No. Why are you asking that?" He says, setting the chopsticks down.

"If he isn't then I don't think he will be mad if you eat a pack of his ramen. Just chill out and eat or else you are gonna knock yourself out due to hunger." Killian reasons with Sebastian.

"But how can I touch his things without permission?" Sebastian frowns which makes Killian chuckle.

"How about you leave a sticky note on the fridge saying sorry for being a naughty little boy and touching his stuff without permission?" Killian mocks, taking a seat in front of Sebastian.

Sebastian lets his ideals aside for the time being and holds the chopsticks to feast on the bowl of ramen. And within a minute he is done eating. So engrossed he is that he fails to see the fond smile gracing Killian's lips.

"Thank you." Sebastian says once he is done.

"Now give me your hand." Killian demands, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

Sebastian narrows his gaze at the boy. What is he up to now? Killian has been a great help today. He isn't acting like a brat but a person who is nice enough to cook something for him. But he isn't surprised seeing Killian back to his nature.

"Why?" Sebastian asks skeptically, watching Killian carefully.

"To put a ring on your finger." There's a few seconds of pause after he says it but it dies down as soon as he bursts into laughter.

"What's so funny?" Sebastian rebukes, darting his gaze somewhere else instead of facing Killian.

"You looked like you stopped breathing." Killian comments, making Sebastian further embarrassed.

"Shut up." Comes his weak attempt of running away from the embarrassment.

"Well, to tell you the truth, I might have found your source of supplies, kitty." Killian smirks, fishing for something in his pocket.

"Stop calling me by that stupid name." Sebastian protests which falls to deaf ears.

"Give me your right hand." Sebastian huffs before giving in, he is too tired to play games with Killian.

Killians wraps a cute Barbie bandaid around the cut on his finger. So, he found the first aid box in the kitchen.

"Cute, isn't it?" Killian asks, giving him a mocking smile.

"Unlike you." Sebastian mirrors his smile, much to Killian's amusement.

"So, you stole your supplies from there, didn't you?" Sebastian avoids him and stands up.

He should get to work and go home. It's already very late. Now that he has had some food in his system, he guesses he can get back to work but Killian's thought contradicts his.

"What are you doing?"

"Working." Sebastian replies without looking at Killian.

"Listen here, I don't need an extra charge of doing something to you once you drop your ass to the hospital. No doubt your boss will accuse me of something. So, get your ass back here. I will do it. " Killian deadpans, voice so authoritative that it leaves no room for argument.

Killian drags Sebastian to the table and goes to take the mop.

"Don't break anything." Sebastian warns as he watches Killian mop the floor like he is fighting with the floor.

For the first time, Killian ignores Sebastian and puts his whole attention to his task. After a long time, he is determined to do something and he will breathe freely only after finishing it. Sebastian can't help but laugh seeing Killian wrestle with the mop and the floor.

"Your dad is calling." Sebastian informs after seeing Killian's phone vibrate again.

"Shit." Killian curses under his breath and snatches the phone away from Sebastian's hand.

"Yes." His voice goes cold as he speaks as if he didn't feel any emotions.

Sebastian tries not to eavesdrop but it's hard to do so when he doesn't have anything else to do and Killian is standing just a few inches away from him.

"I'm not a little kid. I will be back home." Killian says over the phone.

It makes Sebastian take out his own phone and check the notification but there is none.

"You don't have to worry about me. I will be home soon." And with that Killian cuts the call.

Sebastian's heart hurts seeing the empty screen. He hasn't been so late ever before. He wished his parents would care enough to check up on him too. He misses the affection his parents once showed him. It's hurt to think he will never get back to the past where everything was fine. Killian is lucky he has a father who worries about him.

Sebastian doesn't know how time passes by because he is lost in his own thoughts. He comes back to reality when he feels Killian nudging his shoulder. Sebastian flinches back on reflex but once he realises it's just Killian, he relaxes.

"You see the floor? It's shiny enough to see reflections." Killian brags, setting the mop away.

"Yeah." Sebastian says absentmindedly, catching Killian off guard.

"Did you just agree with me?"

"Don't be so over dramatic, Barbie. " Killian snorts at the nickname.

"Learning from the very best, I see, Kitty. " Killian boasts once again, making Sebastian roll his eyes for the nth time today.

"We should go home. It's late." Killian, for once, agrees without arguing.

It takes them 5 more minutes to get done with everything and locking the shop. When Sebastian goes to unlock his bicycle, Killian stops him.

"What do you want now?" Sebastian utters after sighing.

"I don't think you are in any condition to ride a bicycle." Sebastian scoffs at that.

"Please, I'm good enough to do that, Barbie. You fend for yourself. " Sebastian argues.

Killian surprises him by clicking his tongue inside his cheek instead of bantering. He looks serious as he looks down at Sebastian.

"Have you seen yourself? If you take one step ahead, you have to take 3 steps back. You are literally shaking like a leaf." Killian comments, there's no sign of mockery in his voice, he sounds serious and his husky and deep voice makes him sound authoritative again.

"Why do you even care if something happens to me? " Sebastian can't help but ask that question, it's been bothering him.

"Because I'm a human."

"Oh? I thought you were a barbie." Killian doesn't look impressed with it which makes Sebastian gulp.

Why is he looking so serious right now? And why is he taking steps towards him? Sebastian can't possibly look up for that long, his neck hurts. He puts a hand on Killian's chest, stopping from advancing forward.

"What do you suggest then?" Sebastian asks, knowing he can't argue with Killian because he is aware he isn't really fit for riding a bicycle right now.

Killian gives him a charming smile instead of answering.

"Wait here. I've my car parked nearby. I will drop you home." Sebastian is about to protest when Killian gives him a challenging glare.

"Go on then." Sebastian says, folding his arms across his chest.

He doesn't know why gives in so easily when Killian looks at him like that. He shouldn't be really doing that. It took him a lot of time to become stronger, to learn to say no to people. Then why does Killian make it so hard?

He watches Killian walk towards him instead of driving back with his car.

"What happened?" Sebastian asks, worrying for the worst.

He has learned that this place is littered with petty thieves. He is afraid Killian's car got stolen by one of those notorious thieves.

Killian ruffles the back of his head in embarrassment before saying, "I forgot that I gave my car keys to Oli to deal with the man."

Sebastian sighs in relief. At least, it didn't get stolen.

"It's alright then. I can manage. You should also go home." Sebastian assures.

But Killian doesn't look so sure. Sebastian looks like he will collapse in the middle of the road. He takes a look at the bicycle and then he turns his gaze at Sebastian.

"It's strong enough to hold an extra 70 kg of weight, right?" Killian enquiries, eyes glittering with hope.

"What are you suggesting?"

"That I will drive you home." Killian replies, forwarding his hand to Sebastian for the keys of his bicycle.