Archive of Our Own ^beta

"So if you look in the kitchen, you'll see it's a sizeable space," Sebastian peered down the … hallway?… that served as a kitchen. There was a small sink, a three-quarter sized stove and…

"Is that a mini-fridge?" Sam asked, squeezing his way past Sebastian into the small space.

"Yes," the rental agent beamed at them. "Everything you need to make a home cooked meal."

Sebastian didn't plan on cooking too many meals, and he knew Sam didn't either, but there wasn't even a countertop. He could see his boyfriend thinking the same thing as him: where would they even put their take out containers to dish out their food?

Still, it was a just a kitchen. He could set up a coffee pot beside his desk, and the place did have a small second 'bedroom' that would do for his office (he certainly couldn't see how an actual bed would fit in there). He was just about to pull Sam aside to discuss if they should put in an application when there was a horrible noise from outside.

"What's that?" Sam yelled, trying to be heard over the noise.

The agent, a woman named Chelsea that they'd been working with ever since deciding to finally make their dreams come true and move to the city, had a pained look on her face. "That's the construction site across the road," she said, also raising her voice so they could hear her answer.

"And how much longer will the construction be going on?" Sebastian asked. If it was only for a couple of weeks, he could maybe buy some earplugs to block out the noise while he worked.

"Two more years."

Sebastian and Sam exchanged horrified glances. "We'll have to think about it, Chelsea," Sam said, answering for Sebastian.

Chelsea's smile wavered, but she nodded her head and added a question mark on a list on a green clipboard she was carrying with her, before bundling them out of the apartment. The noise was a bit quieter in the hallway of the apartment tower, so the couple agreed to meet her at the next location, and hopped into the truck Sebastian had borrowed from his mother for their trip to the city.

"Okay so… a counter would be ideal," Sam said as they waited outside their next potential new home, a small duplex on the outskirts of town, waiting for Chelsea to meet them.

"Agreed," Sebastian said, tangling his fingers in Sam's hand as he looked up and down the road. "And also not right next to a fucking construction site."

Sam smiled at him, as Chelsea parked her car along the side of the road, and hurried up the walkway to meet them. "Sorry," she said. "I had to double check the listing information," she said, bending down to enter a code into a lockbox on the left-hand door, before ushering them in.

"As you can see, this is a duplex," she explained. "Rent is very reasonable at 1200 gold a month, and you get access to your own fenced-in yard, although you'd be responsible for yard and walkway maintenance."

"Okay," Sebastian said, slowly, his face relaxing when he checked out the modern open floorplan of the main level. From the front entrance, he could see the whole main floor, and he turned to Sam excitedly just in time to see him sneeze violently.

"Sammy?" he asked. "Are you okay?"

Sam sneezed again. And again. And a fourth time, his eyes watering as he gratefully took the crumpled tissue Sebastian hastily pulled out of his hoodie pocket. "Sorry," he said with a sniff, pausing to rattle off five more sneezes in quick succession. "There must be a cat nearby."

"Yes," Chelsea said, looking at Sam sympathetically. "There are two, actually."

"Well, we cab disinfect da house when we mobe in, Seb," Sam said, looking around the room, and clearly seeing as much potential as Sebastian did. "Da cats won't be here forever."

"Oh, um…" Chelsea stammered. She let out a small sigh. "The cats are actually the landlords."

"What?" Sebastian gaped at her.

"It's their house," she said, pointing to the two Persian cats Sebastian could now see snoozing in a sunbeam next to the front picture window. "You'd be renting from them, and they'd live here too."

Sam's sneezes were enough of an answer. This wouldn't be their home, either.

"Alright, so this place is listed at the top end of your budget," Chelsea said, leading them down an outdoor staircase to the next apartment on her list. "But I think you'll find it's worth it. It's close to the downtown club scene where you mentioned you were planning on working, Sam."

"Great!" Sam said, following her inside with Sebastian on his heels.

Sebastian squinted, trying to make out the details of the apartment in the dim light filtering in from the dirty windows which had bars across them, presumably to keep people from breaking in. "Is there an overhead light?" he asked, looking around the walls for a light switch.

"No," Chelsea said, her voice apologetic. "It would be lamplight only, but you do get some natural light from the windows."

As she spoke, the light faded and Sebastian realized a delivery truck had parked on the street outside the main window. It's still more light than in your bedroom back home, he reminded himself, pulling out his phone app to turn on the flashlight for a better look around. "Okay," he said, "We can make lamplight work." He paused, counting the electrical outlets in the living room, holding back a frown when he saw only two.

Sam, meanwhile, had wandered further into the basement apartment. "I only see one bedroom?" he asked, popping his head out of a dark room.

"Yes, this unit does only have one room," Chelsea said. "One of the concessions needed for such a prestigious location," she explained.

"So I'd have to work in the living room all day?" Sebastian asked.

"I'm afraid so," Chelsea agreed.

Which, in theory, could work. But his computer equipment alone would take up one of the outlets, and even with extension cords, he didn't see how they'd get enough light for him to work comfortably… that was before they added in Sam's electric guitar or their television and gaming consoles.

Sam seemed to thinking the same thing as he returned to the living room and pressed a small kiss into Sebastian's hair. "It's a nice space," he said, speaking for the both of them. "And the location is terrific, but I think a second room is something we can't compromise if Seb is going to be working at home all the time."

Sebastian let out a sigh of relief, relaxing into Sam for a moment, while Chelsea did her best to hide her disappointment. "Well," she said. "Should we move to our next location?"

"So this place…" Chelsea explained, huffing and puffing as she unlocked the door. "… just came on the… market. And…" she checked her notes, still trying to catch her breath. "… it's 1700 gold a month…"

Sebastian couldn't blame her for being winded. He was leaning with one hand against the door frame, trying to catch his breath after walking up five flights of stairs.

"Is it two bedrooms?" Sam asked, seemingly unphased from the exercise, which Sebastian instantly resented, no matter how much he loved his boyfriend. In fact, Sam seemed thoroughly amused at Sebastian's lack of breath.

Chelsea nodded, looking grateful to be asked a yes/no question that she wouldn't have to verbally answer.

"How aren't you out of breath?" Sebastian gasped, glaring at his boyfriend.

"I work out all day at work," Sam pointed out. "And skate everywhere, too." Sebastian rolled his eyes, his glare intensifying when Sam continued speaking. "And I don't smoke a pack of cigarettes a day," he laughed.

"This place… is no smoking," Chelsea said quietly.

"Are you shitting me?" Sebastian gaped at her. "Sorry, just… I need to walk down those stairs every time I want a smoke?" he asked incredulously.

"And back up again," Sam said, helpfully, laughing when Sebastian glared at him again. "Oh come on, Sebby," he teased, "you said you wanted to quit smoking."

"Okay, but you have to bring in all the groceries and carry in the couch," Sebastian said.

Sam blanched, and it was Sebastian's turn to feel smug. Clearly he didn't think that far ahead, he thought.

"Um… well, we're here. Why don't we take a look around, anyways?"

Sebastian shrugged. It definitely couldn't hurt to look. He followed Sam into the apartment which opened right into the kitchen. He was relieved to see that it had full sized appliances, and even a dishwasher, and he was about to continue further into the space when he saw something move out of the corner of his eye. And then another thing, scurrying across the counter.

"Is that a bug?" Sam asked in a panic, pushing Sebastian in front of him as if he needed protection from the cockroach crawling across the counter.

Chelsea sighed. "Yeah," she said, drawing a line through the listing on her clipboard even as she offered an explanation. "They're really common in the city, especially in older buildings like this one."

Sam yelped as another bug ran across the floor. "Nope! Nope, nope, nope!" he said, practically dragging Sebastian out of the apartment and into the hall. "Sorry, Chelsea, just…" he shuddered, continuing toward the staircase. "No bugs!"

"His mom's a neat freak," Sebastian explained as their agent locked the apartment behind them.

"Don't worry about it," Chelsea said as they walked toward the staircase. "I don't really blame him." She frowned, looking at her list. "I only have one place left to visit. Do you guys want to go today, or…?"

"Might as well," Sebastian said, trying not to feel disappointed. Hopefully this would be the place of their dreams.

"Seb, look!" Sam said excitedly, popping out of a room. "There's an actual den, so you could use this as your office and we could still have a second bedroom if we ever have guests!"

"Are you expecting a lot of guests?" Sebastian laughed, following Sam into the room and looking it over with a more critical eye. He had to admit, the space would be perfect for a small office.

"No, but like… we could!"

"The kitchen is fully outfitted, too," Chelsea said, gesturing for them to follow her into the large room, featuring new stainless steel appliances and even space for a table. "And it's under budget," she beamed.

Sebastian nodded in acknowledgement, before wandering off to look over each room again. He could almost picture the apartment fully furnished with him and Sam curled up on his leather couch next to each other while they watched a movie. He glanced at the ceiling, his smile fading as he focused on a crack that ran across its length. Then he looked down, scuffing his foot against a bump in the carpet that also stretched across the whole room.

That can't be good, he thought, his heart sinking, especially since he could hear Sam excitedly talking a mile a minute with their agent in the next room. He wandered into the first bedroom, following the trail of the crack through that room to the outside wall, noticing how it continued down the wall. With a long sigh, he returned to the kitchen.

"It's crazy how these cupboard doors won't stay open," Sam was pointing out, opening one of the cupboards and watching as it closed on its own. "Seb, look at this! We won't forget to close the doors with these!"

Sebastian really hated to be the one to burst his bubble, but he could feel his anxiety increasing with every moment he remained in the apartment. "Yeah, we um… we need to leave," he said, trying to remain as calm as possible.

"What?" Sam looked confused. "This place has everything we wanted, Seb. And more!"

"Oh it has more," Sebastian agreed. "Including significant structural damage."

"What do you mean?" Sam asked, and Chelsea looked at him as well with immediate concern.

Sebastian laced his fingers through Sam's, pulling him to the living room where he pointed out the cracks. "And the doors not staying closed in the cupboards just confirms it," he said. "The building is already shifting. Who knows what it will be like in a year… or even two months."

Sam let out a frustrated sigh, but he didn't argue. "I'm sorry, Chelsea," Sebastian said, turning to their agent. "My mom's a carpenter and she's always drilled things like this into me."

"No, that's definitely okay, Sebastian," Chelsea said, crossing the last apartment off her list. "I appreciate the information. I'll make sure my agency provides feedback to the listing company." Her eyes narrowed. "And if they don't consider repairs, I'll be sure to remove it from my list of future showings. The last thing I want is for a client to end up in an unsafe apartment."

Sebastian followed Sam out of the unit, his heart sinking as his boyfriend cast a wistful glance behind them, before giving Sebastian a reassuring smile.

"I'm afraid that was the last place on my list for today," Chelsea said. "I can do more research and we can meet up tomorrow if you'd like, or…"

"We have to head back to Pelican Town in the morning," Sebastian said reluctantly. "Sam has to work in the morning, and my Mom needs her truck back, but maybe we can try again one day next week?" he suggested.

"Alright," she replied, shaking each of their hands. "And in the meantime if I see anything you may be interested in, I'll send them your way."

"Great," Sam said, but Sebastian could tell his enthusiasm was forced. Not that he could blame him. It had been an exceptionally long day. They waved at Chelsea as she got into her car, before making their way back to the truck. "Want to go back to the hotel and order room service?" Sam asked.

Sebastian laughed. "Sounds good, Sam," he said, leaning across the seat to kiss him gently. "I'm sorry things didn't work out today," he murmured.

"Me too," Sam said, his shoulders slumping, before his face brightened. "But I know we'll find a place soon."

"Feel better?" Sebastian asked as Sam crawled into bed beside him. They'd ordered in Chinese food for dinner — something they couldn't get back home — and then Sam had taken a shower after eating, saying he wanted to wash away any cat dander that may have been lingering on his skin.

"Much," Sam said, giving him a questioning look as he pulled the blanket up around his waist. "What are you looking at that has you so excited?"

Sebastian worried at his lower lip, trying to calm his nerves before answering. "I think I may have a found a place," he said tentatively.

"Oh?" Sam said, perking up and scooching over to look at Sebastian's phone.

"Yeah," Sebastian said. "Here let me read you the listing. Let's see…" he paused, scrolling upwards on his phone to get to the top of the description. "Ah… here we go. Okay, two bedrooms," he read.

"Good start," Sam grinned.

"Smaller kitchen, but all kitted out with new appliances. New build, but built by a reputable carpenter." Sam nodded along Sebastian read through the listing. "Scenic view, including proximity to nature."

"But no cockroaches?" Sam asked.

"I mean, they aren't listed, but we can go check it out for ourselves." Now was the tricky part. "The only thing is it might be a far commute to any downtown clubs."

Sam frowned. "That's not super important," he said, shaking his head when Sebastian began to protest. "I mean, I'd love to perform, but it's not like I'd be guaranteed any gigs anyways. I'll probably still end up working at the JojaMart to bring home a paycheque. We can always drive in for gigs or whatever." He paused, chewing at the skin around his thumbnail. "Where is it?" he finally asked.

"Pelican Town," Sebastian said, watching Sam's face carefully for his reaction.

"What?" Sam blinked.

"The farmer had Mom build a cabin, and apparently he wants to rent it out. Rent is way below our budget, and we could afford a couple trips to the city a month for any gigs you might get," he said quickly.

"I don't understand," Sam frowned. "I thought you wanted to move to the city?"

Sebastian let out a long sigh. "I thought that, too," he said. "But the more time I spend here, the more I hate it. I mean, ordering Chinese food is great, but there are so many people, and there's so much noise! But we can still move if it's important to you," he insisted. "I don't want you to give up on your dreams when I can do my job anywhere!"

"I don't really want to move to the city either," Sam said, cupping Sebastian's face with his hand and searching his eyes carefully. "I just wanted to move because you did."

"But your music?" Sebastian asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"I can work on my music anywhere," Sam said. "All that really matters is that I'm with you."

Sebastian closed his eyes as Sam kissed him, a smile spreading over his face. "Should we do it then, Sammy?" he asked when they pulled away.

Sam nodded. "Let's go home."