The jet landed quietly.
Soft vibrations running through the cabin as the wheels touched the ground.
New York greeted them with rain.
The city lights blurred through the window in long streaks of gold and white.
Everything outside looked cold.
But inside the cabin—
it was warm.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
Sebastian was still asleep against Lillian's shoulder.
He hadn't moved for almost the entire flight.
One arm loosely folded near his chest.
His breathing deep and even.
Actually even.
Lillian looked down at him quietly.
Still a little surprised by it.
Sebastian rarely slept properly.
She knew that better than anyone.
Even before Washington:
restless nights
insomnia
barely sleeping between meetings
working until sunrise
But now—
he was sleeping deeply.
Comfortably.
Like exhaustion had finally dragged him under completely.
Lillian carefully brushed a few dark strands of hair away from his forehead.
His fever was almost gone now.
Only slight warmth remained.
Thank god.
Chloe looked back at them from across the cabin.
"…He's really out."
Lillian smiled faintly.
"…I know."
Her voice stayed quiet automatically.
Like speaking too loudly might wake him.
Chloe glanced at Sebastian again.
Then back at Lillian.
"…You're going to have to wake him eventually."
Lillian sighed softly.
"I know."
But she still didn't move immediately.
Because he looked peaceful.
And after everything—
after the estate after the fear after the nightmares and fever—
she hated the idea of waking him.
Still…
They were home now.
Eventually Lillian carefully touched his shoulder.
"Sebastian."
No response.
She smiled slightly.
Then gentler:
"…Sebastian."
He stirred faintly this time.
Brows pulling together slightly.
A quiet tired sound leaving him.
His eyes opened slowly after a moment.
Heavy with sleep.
Disoriented at first.
Then he looked up at her.
"…Lillian…"
His voice sounded rough from sleep and sickness.
Lillian's expression softened immediately.
"We landed."
Sebastian blinked slowly.
Still clearly half asleep.
Then quietly—
"…Tired."
The word came out almost mumbled.
Lillian couldn't help smiling a little at that.
She leaned down and pressed a soft kiss against the side of his head.
"You can sleep more at home."
Sebastian's eyes closed briefly again like that sounded perfect to him.
Lillian gently touched his cheek.
"Come on."
With careful movements, she helped him sit up slowly.
Sebastian winced faintly once his feet touched the floor.
Still weak.
Still recovering.
Lillian immediately steadied him.
"I've got you."
Sebastian nodded faintly.
Too tired to argue anymore.
Chloe grabbed Sebastian's suitcase from the overhead compartment while Lillian carefully helped him toward the exit.
The cold New York air hit them softly once they stepped outside.
Rain misted lightly across the runway.
Sebastian immediately leaned slightly closer toward Lillian's warmth instinctively.
Still half asleep.
Lillian wrapped his coat more securely around him.
"You okay?"
"…Mhm."
Weak.
Sleepy.
But honest.
The driver opened the back door for them.
Lillian carefully guided Sebastian inside first before climbing in beside him.
The second the car started moving, Sebastian's eyes closed again.
His head slowly resting against the window at first.
Then eventually—
against her shoulder.
Lillian gently threaded her fingers through his hair.
Watching the city lights pass outside.
Home.
Finally.
The mansion looked quiet when they arrived.
Warm lights glowed through the windows.
Rain continued falling softly outside.
Sebastian barely woke when the car stopped.
Lillian gently rubbed his arm.
"Sebastian."
A small tired sound left him.
"We're home."
That got a reaction.
His eyes opened slightly.
Still exhausted.
But softer now somehow.
Less tense than before.
Lillian carefully helped him out of the car slowly.
His legs still looked weak beneath him.
Chloe carried the suitcase while Lillian kept one arm around Sebastian carefully as they climbed the front steps.
Inside, the warmth hit immediately.
Sebastian visibly relaxed slightly.
Like his body recognised this place as safe.
Lillian helped him upstairs slowly.
One step at a time.
By the time they reached the bedroom, Sebastian looked completely exhausted again.
Chloe quietly set the suitcase beside the bed.
Then turned toward Lillian.
"I'm heading home now."
Lillian nodded softly.
"Thank you."
Chloe looked toward Sebastian briefly.
Still pale.
Still tired.
But safe.
Finally safe.
"Call me if something happens."
"I will."
Lillian stepped forward and hugged her tightly.
"Seriously… thank you."
Chloe hugged her back once.
"You don't need to thank me."
Then she pulled away.
Giving Sebastian one last look before leaving the room quietly.
The door clicked shut behind her.
Silence returned again.
Soft.
Comfortable.
Lillian turned back toward Sebastian.
He was sitting near the edge of the bed now.
Still wearing his suit.
Looking completely drained.
His eyes were half closed again.
Lillian's expression softened immediately.
"You need to change."
Sebastian barely reacted.
Too tired.
Lillian walked toward his wardrobe quietly.
Her fingers brushing through neatly organised clothes before finally pulling out soft black pajamas.
When she turned back around—
Sebastian hadn't moved.
Still sitting there silently.
Exhausted.
Lillian walked back over carefully.
"You're too tired to do this yourself, aren't you?"
Sebastian looked up at her slowly.
Then after a second—
gave the smallest nod.
No embarrassment.
No resistance.
Just trust.
Lillian's chest tightened softly at that.
She carefully helped him out of the suit jacket first.
Then loosened his tie.
Sebastian stayed quiet while she worked.
Only coughing softly once or twice.
His body swayed slightly from exhaustion when he stood long enough for her to help remove the rest of his clothes.
Lillian stayed gentle the entire time.
Careful of his chest.
Careful of the lingering bruises.
Sebastian never once pulled away.
By the time he was dressed in soft pajamas, he looked ready to collapse.
Lillian carefully guided him back toward the bed.
"Lie down."
Sebastian obeyed immediately this time.
Too exhausted not to.
The mattress dipped softly beneath him.
Lillian pulled the blankets over him carefully.
Then started pulling away—
But suddenly—
Sebastian caught her hand weakly.
Lillian looked back immediately.
Sebastian's eyes were barely open.
Heavy with exhaustion.
But there was something vulnerable in them now.
Something quiet.
"…Stay with me."
The words came out soft.
Weak.
But honest.
Lillian felt her heart ache immediately.
A warm smile spread across her face.
"Okay."
She carefully climbed into bed beside him.
The second she settled against the pillows—
Sebastian moved closer immediately.
Instinctive.
His head resting against her chest.
Nuzzling softly into her warmth.
One arm wrapping weakly around her waist.
Lillian's expression softened completely.
She wrapped both arms around him carefully.
Holding him close.
Safe.
Sebastian relaxed instantly against her.
Like this was where he wanted to be all along.
Lillian gently kissed the top of his head.
Her fingers slowly moving through his hair.
Sebastian gave the faintest sleepy nuzzle against her chest in response.
Then finally—
completely relaxed in her arms.