Silent Longing | Straight Until Him |

Chapter 2

The apartment is unusually quiet when Oliver steps inside.There was no blasting music or drunken laughter or heels clacking on the wooden floors.It was one of the quiet nights.

He exhales as he shuts the door behind him, at least for once this week,he won’t have to walk past some random girl tangled up with Sebastian on the couch. Peace. He should be grateful.

He drops his bag on the kitchen counter and heads toward his room, but a faint glow from the balcony stops him.

It was Sebastian. He was sitting in the half darkness with his beer dangling from his hand, resting against his knee. His posture is loose, but there is something in the way he stares at the scenery…he looked too quiet, almost distant.

Oliver hesitates at first. He should just go to bed. But he didn't, he walks towards him, stepping into the night air.

Sebastian doesn’t look at him immediately, he just lifts his bottle to his lips and takes a slow sip.

“Didn’t think you’d still be up,” he murmurs. His voice is lower than usual in the quiet, lacking its usual cocky edge.

“Didn’t think you’d be here alone,” Oliver counters.

He lets out a soft chuckle,shakes his head and exhales through his nose. “Even I need a break sometimes.”

Oliver moves to the railing and leans on it, the night breeze feels cool on his skin. Below them, the city is alive—horns blaring, the beautiful streetlights and people moving in groups, but up here feels like a different world.

They do not talk for a while. It is not an awkward quiet, not really. it was just... there.

Then, without saying a word, Sebastian nudges the unopened beer beside him toward Oliver which Oliver takes from him without a word either.

While they drink in silence, Sebastian casually stretches his legs out, his foot accidentally brushing Oliver’s and for a second Oliver freezes. He swallows hard while his mind waged a quiet battle. He should not be noticing things like this..the way the city lights cast sharp angles over Sebastian’s face, the way his lips were perfectly shaped– the kind that made you stare, with a natural softness that made it impossible to ignore, the way he slowly tilts his head back when he drinks.

And then it happens.

A single glance.

Oliver didn't mean to stare too long.

It was soft.. curious. It was the kind of look that feels like there was something unspoken pressing at the edges.

Sebastian notices. “ You can take a picture if you want”. Just like that,he tears his eyes away, gripping his beer tighter.

“You wish” He says with a fake chuckle.

His heart was beating too fast. It's nothing. It has to be. But the feeling in his chest says otherwise.

They did not talk much after that. The distant hum of the city fills the silence between them. Oliver needed that peace after a long day.

He took the last sip of his drink and slipped inside first while Sebastian stayed, staring into the dark like he was searching for something he couldn't exactly name.

******

The weekend -

For some reason Sebastian was not yet back. He was always home early on Sundays either sprawled on the couch watching some game or doing some school work. But tonight, the clock ticked past ten, and he was still not back.

Oliver was not waiting for him. Not really. He was just sitting in the living room, scrolling through his phone, half-watching a football match on the TV when the door opened.

Sebastian walked in with her. Rissa. His favorite.

Oliver had seen a lot of girls come and go but Rissa was different. She was not just a hookup, she was always around or out with him. He actually took her places and talked to her on different occasions.

They were not loud, but they weren’t exactly subtle either. They stopped right in front of Sebastian’s room, her hands slightly gripping his hair while their lips moved slow and deep like they had all the time in the world.

Oliver caught himself and looked away.

It was not his business. He had no reason to care.

But something in his chest twisted, it was somewhat familiar and ridiculous. He clenched his jaw, trying to focus on the TV, but the sound they made– the soft breaths and quiet murmur grated on his nerves. Before he knew it, he coughed.

It was loud enough to be noticed.

Sebastian pulled back first, glancing over his shoulder. Rissa followed, blinking at Oliver like she had not even realized they had an audience.

Sebastian smirked. “Didn’t see you there.” Then, as if remembering his manners, he added, “My bad, man.”

Oliver forced a tight lipped smile. “It’s nothing.”

Then he got up and left for his room.Because it was nothing.

He shut his bedroom door, exhaling a breath he did not realize he was holding and his heart thudded, feeling something close to anger and irritation. Was that a hint of jealousy?

He sighed tossing his phone onto the bed.

Why the hell did that bother him? It was not the first time Sebastian had brought a girl home, he should be used to it by now. But this time, it was entirely different– he had watched them, and something inside him twisted. It was the way Sebastian held her, the way he kissed her—slow, deep, passionate, like he actually enjoyed being there. His jaw tightened at the thought.

With a frustrated sigh, Oliver flopped onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. He was being ridiculous. It was not like he cared. He did not.

Right?

He turned onto his side while trying to ignore the distant sound of a door closing down the hall.

Trying even harder to ignore the fact that it made his chest feel strangely hollow.

He tried to brush it off after a while but the soft moans and muffled laughter seeping through the walls made it almost impossible.

He angrily grabbed his headphones to distract his mind. This was his place too and he deserves some f*****g peace. He was not going to let this one slide. He has been patient enough and now he can't stand it anymore!

---

The next morning, Oliver is in the kitchen, pouring himself a cup of coffee when Sebastian walks in, shirtless as usual and stretching as he yawns. His hair is a mess, and he looks way too at ease for someone who kept the apartment up all night.

"Morning," Sebastian says casually, heading straight for the fridge.

Oliver exhales, keeping his tone even. "Morning." He takes a sip of his coffee before adding, "Can you keep it down next time? Some of us actually want to sleep."

Sebastian pauses mid-stretch, then smirks as he grabs a bottle of water. "Didn’t know you were listening."

"I didn’t have a choice." Oliver doesn’t even look at him.

Sebastian studies him for a second, then nods. "Noted." He takes a sip of water while looking completely unbothered.

Not wanting to push it, Oliver grabs his coffee and heads back to his room, aware, but ignoring the way Sebastian’s gaze lingers on him as he walks to his room and shuts the door. He exhales, running a hand through his hair as he tries to shake off the frustration from last night. It was not just the noise—it was Sebastian himself. The way he brought girls over like it was nothing and kissed them so easily…

He drops onto his bed, staring at the wall while the image of what happened last night kept looping in his mind.I mean it's none of my business, he can do whatever he wants.

He shifts uncomfortably, biting his lip. Why did it bother me so much!?

He has always thought Sebastian was attractive,for sure it was impossible not to. But he had dismissed it as a simple observation and admiration, merely something fleeting. Now though, the irritation in his chest feels heavier and more personal to him. Maybe… he just wants to get under Sebastian’s skin the way Sebastian has unknowingly gotten under his and If he can be so carefree, why can’t I?.

Besides, Sebastian was not going to just notice him on his own. If he wasn't paying attention, I would sure as hell give him a reason to.