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"Look, I get it. You're kind of a small guy, you know, " Jake harmlessly provided, as a way to dismiss Linus' claims about their new server becoming way too heavy to be comfortably carried around.
Sebastian just sighed and decided to drop the topic. After all, it would be Jake's problem to figure out how to move the overweight thing to their network closet. His loss, if you asked him.
Linus tried his best to focus once again on filling the bays of hard drives and was able to work out a good joke or two, and as it almost always was, filming with Jake was a treat. However, his mind kept going back to his previous comment.
The particular choice of words took Linus back to his past, a past he thought he had already healed from but was still ready to come back and hit him where it hurt the most.
Linus knew Tivy would never look at him like that. The sheer look of adoration that most often than not was cast his way should be, and was, more than enough proof of that. Still, Sebastian couldn't help but think that Jake, like many before him, believed that Linus couldn't do the things he claimed to do because he was too slim, too thin: too weak.
Jake must also think that Linus was weak.
And how could he not? Tivy had a frame to behold, and he could, and already did multiple times, carry Linus around like he weighed no more than a few pounds. Hell, Jake could easily pick him up with just one of his arms.
Those same arms that many nights provided a sense of safeness, security, and comfort; now were only good to make him uneasy. Linus needed to get out of here. Fast.
"Cut! Great job, as usual, guys," Anthony wrapped up production, and soon the camera crew started to flee the crowded area of their workspace that today became their set. Linus saw an opening. An escape opportunity.
"I will go out for a bit," Sebastian excused himself, ignoring the concerned glances sent in his direction, and exited the building through one of the back doors and went straight into the grove that surrounded their HQ.
When they were looking to relocate, Linus made sure that the new site had at least a small forest next to it, and his effort was paying dividends now. He loved the calm and quietness that being by the trees provided; it was like an antidote for the loud voices that sometimes still found their way into his senses.
Before Linus had time to immerse himself into the hurricane that his mind was about to become, a strong pair of arms were firmly holding him. Jake's arms were holding him , and Linus softened onto the warm embrace they provided.
Tivy slowly turned around Linus till they were facing each other. "Hey, baby, please talk to me," Jake pleaded, softly wiping off the tears that ran down Linus' face.
"It's— It's stupid, Jake," Sebastian crooked out, burying his face into the softness of his partner's chest. Jake's groan of disapproval was the only response he got for a bit.
"Nothing you feel is stupid and will never be. Your feelings are valid, all of them, all the time, and should never be ignored, Linus." Jake proclaimed with a conviction that gave Sebastian no other option but to believe him.
God Linus truly loved this bear of a man, he has had the luck to call his for some time now, and that realization only made Linus' tears flow unrestrained once again.
"Would like to talk about it?" Jake softly asked, closing the embrace on Linus a little bit tighter. "Not really," Sebastian supplied, tightening his hold onto the other.
"Okay, no need to then," Tivy accepted without missing a beat, recognizing that the best course of action was to stay there for Linus for whatever time he needed, and no matter how long that was, he was going to be there for him.
They just stood there, simply existing for a moment, drinking in each other's company. The comfortable silence they fell into was ultimately broken when Linus decided it was now or never. He needed to get it out of his chest.
And so did he. Reluctantly removing himself from Tivy's hold, Linus made sure their eyes met before asking, "Jake, do you think I'm weak?"
In any other situation, Jake would have brushed off the question as a mere joke, but the serious look on his boyfriend's face told him that that was not the case this time around, "What? No, of course not. The way you charge up against every obstacle and manage to turn them into opportunities is worthy of praise. God, Linus, you're one of the fiercer persons I know," He sincerely answered, hoping his words were enough to transmit the immense admiration he felt for the redhead man and how proud he was of everything Linus had achieved.
Tivy's statement got rewarded with Linus' lips morphing into a small but genuine smile, a gesture quickly mirrored by Jake's own. "Why are you even asking that, Sebas?" He continued, interested in knowing the reason behind such an odd question.
Sebastian's gaze dropped to the floor under them, a knot forming in his throat. "Earlier, you said something about me not being strong enough to carry around the new server." He was barely able to mutter. "Yeah?" Jake swiftly provided, encouraging Linus to continue.
"What you said was word by word what people used to say to me back in high school. I guess it brought back bad memories," Sebastian rushed out in one breath, the smile from before replaced by a gloomy expression.
Jake could feel a pang on his chest. He caused the very same tears he just wiped off from Linus' cheeks. "I am sorry, Linus. That wasn't my intention. I would never look down on you like that," Jake apologetically murmured.
"Please, don't be, Jake. I know you would never say something that could hurt me on purpose. That's what makes it worse. I shouldn't be getting so worked up over such an inoffensive remark, especially one coming from you," Sebastian exclaimed, exasperated with how little control he still had over himself.
Those words alleviated most of Tivy's worries, "Even if it was me, you are allowed to feel upset about it, you know?" Jake commented, caressing Linus' cheek as his eyes proclaimed the virtually uncontainable love he fell for him.
Sebastian melted in the gentle touch, gladly welcoming the familiar and comforting gesture. "I appreciate the reminder," He tenderly replied, a tiny smile now painted on him.
Jake contemplated the man in front of him, just now noting that there was a new warm and fuzzy feeling replacing the previous tension on his chest. In hindsight, he should have registered this sooner; however, the mere understanding that Linus truly trusted him was more than enough to leave him teary-eyed.
Now unable to resist the urge anymore, Tivy hurriedly claimed the other's lips; an action quickly reciprocated with equal enthusiasm. After eventually separating, Jake expressed, "Sorry once again, Sebas, and thank you for talking to me about it. I know that this isn't an easy topic for you," and left one last kiss on Linus' forehead.
"Jake?" Linus requested, slightly out of breath, eyes glossy.
"Yes, love," Tivy responded, dragging 'his boss' to the parking lot. Work could easily wait a day for them; the rest would manage.
Already following Jake to whoever they were going, as he would always do, Linus finally said, "Thank you."