Nathaniel and Sebastian run off to Vegas

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 Sebastian caught up with Nathaniel a little down the road and, with a gentle hand on his arm, took him to a nearby bar to talk.

 "I just don't get it," Nathaniel complained. "I thought George loved me, really loved me. But he'd rather take that dumb bitch's side over mine? Who is she to him? Why does she matter? I should matter."

 Sebastian nodded. "I know, man. It sucks when the person you love is constantly defending someone you hate. Actually, not too long ago, you were one of those someone's."

 "If you want to tell me that a week from now I'll be comforting her in some podunk bar, you might as well just shoot me."

 "No, not at all. I hear you, man. I don't get why everyone lines up to defend her worthless life either."

 "I don't get why George does! Everyone says he wanted so badly to be mine, and then I actually give him a chance because he's always been there for me and done everything I've ever asked of him, but then not too long after we get together, it's like she poisons his mind! The George I knew had thoughts and opinions and a life of his own, sure, but he loved me enough that he would never side against me with someone he knew I hated! The George I knew would never betray me or break my heart! I shouldn't have given it to him in the first place! And Trent-- what the hell is HE thinking, standing up for George? Trent used to be on my side too! I can't trust anyone!"

 Sebastian sighed into his beer. "Trent is... sweet, naïve, and completely misguided. He wants to see both sides of things and make George feel safe and heard. But George isn't the one who's hurting right now, you are, and meanwhile he's talking some nonsense about being his own person with his own opinions."

 "Maybe he should go back to being single again," Nathaniel snarled. "I won't be taken for granted, Bash, I just won't."

 Sebastian reached for Nathaniel's hand. "You shouldn't have to be."

 Nathaniel softened. "Honestly... I'm not that mad at Trent. He's right, George is a good guy with a big heart. I was just foolish enough to think that big heart was all for me. Can't have everything, I guess."

 Sebastian nodded. "You have no idea how often I've felt that way. Sometimes, when Trent talks, it's like he completely forgets he ever had a best friend. I would do anything for him, and yet he chases after Rebecca and then you. I used to hate the fact that you were with George. I used to think you were taking Trent for granted. I'd do anything for his love, and I'd never, ever make him share me."

 "Bash, Trent's the one who told me to give George a chance. He told me he knew how George felt, silently pining after someone for years who was completely oblivious."

 Sebastian laughed bitterly. "Yeah. I know how that feels, too."

 "I wouldn't have noticed at all if Trent hadn't straight-up told me George was in love with me. And George was, at the time, so singularly devoted to me that I decided to give him a chance. What a dumb idea that turned out to be." Nathaniel downed his glass bitterly.

 Sebastian grimaced and nodded again. "The worst part is how he has to moralize at you about it. Obviously, if someone threatens you, that should be a way higher priority than someone threatening what's-her-cunt. It doesn't even compare. Like if it was a choice between saving, say, Heather's life or sympathizing with Trent, I'd choose Trent every day of the week."

 "Yes! Exactly! Although Heather's actually pretty cool."

 "Yeah, I don't mind her. But you get my point. And I don't know about you, but the SECOND someone starts moralizing at me, I shut my ears. Morals have nothing to do with anything. It's all about the endgame, baby."

 "Exactly." Nathaniel signalled for another round of drinks. "So, what's your endgame for tonight?"

 Sebastian shook his head. "I don't have one. No, I genuinely sympathize with you and just wanted to spend some time with you so you can see there is someone in your corner after all."

 "'She's a human being and it's called decency,' honestly, who gives a fuck? Just because we happen to be the same species doesn't mean dick to me. I'm more than just another human, aren't I? I thought I meant the world to him, and yet--"

 Before Nathaniel could finish his thought, a strong pair of arms wrapped around him and the scent of cloves filled his senses. Trent was here, embracing him, rubbing his back.

 "Trenty, what are you doing here?" Nathaniel asked softly.

 "Holding you," Trent answered. "Little bug, I tried to tell him how you feel, but he doesn't understand."

 "Why are you here, Trent?" Sebastian asked, a little abruptly. "Shouldn't you be with Rebecca?" There was a sneer in his voice at that last.

 "Rebecca is friends with Freya, who's busy being all smirky about being powerful and untouchable."

 "Really wish her father would have killed her and saved us all the trouble of meeting her," said Nathaniel. "I wouldn't even care that much if somehow she hadn't gotten George to agree that she's powerful and special and should never be put in harm's way, even though she probably can't REALLY be harmed because she's a fucking Mary Sue. Ugh. Saying I have no call to hate her when he was also cooing about her stupid fire horses that first day, saying she deserves decency or whatever the fuck-- it's absurd!"

 Sebastian nodded vigorously and clinked glasses with Nathaniel. "Don't forget that no one ever asked about the downside to her fire magic, but they're all trying to make it sound like there absolutely must be one for sex magic. All magic comes with a price except magic fire pole dancing and tiny magic fire animals, I guess."

 Trent pulled up a seat next to Nathaniel. "Seriously. I love Rebecca, but I don't understand how she can be friends with that, especially when she sees how much that creature bothers you. This sounds horrible, but right now I don't want a thing to do with her. She tried to keep me from coming after you, little bug."

 "Actually, she just tried to keep him from coming with me," Sebastian clarified. "Some girlfriend. You'd think she would want you to be comforted, but apparently no, she's choosing to stay with the stray."

 Nathaniel blinked. "Bash, don't you have a huge crush on Trent?"

 "It's not like we were running off to be alone together. We're both here for you. Isn't that right, Duckie?"

 Trent nodded without hesitation. "Of course!"

 Nathaniel sighed and nodded. "Thanks. It's good to have you both here. You know, maybe we should just give up on the girls and George and run away together. I don't think we'd be missed that much."

 "I know I wouldn't be." Sebastian downed his beer. "I used to think Cat and I might have had a chance--"

 "That's a little weird, aren't you in love with her brother?"

 "What's your point?.... But she's been really weird and bitchy lately. Brain damage or not, I don't want to deal with it anymore. I miss the cute fun pixie girl she used to be."

 "Agreed," said Nathaniel. "I used to think she was so gorgeous and amazing, but lately all I see is her annoying attitude. Actually, I'm kind of annoyed with all the girls at the moment. George is becoming so much like them, he might as well be one too."

 Trent rested his head on Nathaniel's shoulder sympathetically.

 "Let's blow this joint and head back to your place," Bash suggested.

 "I don't really want to deal with George whining about being his own person again in case he showed up there," Nathaniel objected. "How about your place?"

 "How about the Best Western across the street?" Trent suggested. "We can all cuddle you in a cozy Nathaniel sandwich."

 They paid for their drinks and went to book a room. The receptionist gave them a room with two beds; they made themselves comfortable in one after taking off their jackets, belts, and shoes.

 "You want to know what's really ironic?" Nathaniel asked as the other two men cuddled up against him. "Bash, after what you said after our threesome, I actually was thinking of asking George to marry me."

 "That's fair," said Trent. He was set to marry Rebecca; why not Nathaniel and George marry?

 "But if I can't count on him to be on my side, above everybody and everything else, how can I count on him as a husband? I'd be better off marrying one of you."

 "I'm down," said Sebastian easily.

 "Dude. What?" asked Trent, completely taken aback.

 "Well, why not? Nathaniel wants someone who's there for him 100% of the time, I want someone who wants me there for him 100% of the time, both of us are disillusioned by Cat, neither of us can marry you, obviously."

 Trent laughed and bopped Sebastian with a pillow. "You're so silly, Sebastian," he said. "You're both drunk. No one's getting married tonight."

 Sebastian smiled. "We are. Come on, Nathaniel. We're going to Vegas."

 "What? Guys! Come on!" Trent protested.

 "I'm calling an Uber, are you with us or not?" asked Sebastian.

 "Don't, I'll drive," said Trent wearily, putting his shoes back on. "You guys will fall asleep in the car before we get there and then I can turn around and drive us right back home," he added under his breath.

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