Work Text:
Sebastian was pacing in the Undercroft, restless as his mind matched his hurried and unclear steps. The thoughts in his head ran at a million miles per second, so much so that it made him lash out, casting Confringo at any old training dummy he saw. He lets his wand fall once he registers the scorch marks on the wall, and backs off into a corner to slide down into a sitting position.
He hoped you received his frantic owl, pleading for you to come to the Undercroft because he was in such a state of panic that he needed your familiar warmth and comfort. He hoped you were still awake studying for your O.W.L.s and you would see his letter and would come running to him. Voices came at such a fast pace, silencing his hopes of you and replacing them with sweet lies, enticing him to use the Unforgivable Curses again.
‘Don’t be scared, Sebastian,’ menacing voices interrupted his train of thoughts, and he threw caution to the wind as he fell to the floor in a manic scream. ‘Don’t deny that you loved using Imperio on that goblin, it was cathartic.’
Stuck in his turmoil, Sebastian failed to notice the door to the Undercroft opening to reveal you in your disheveled glory. You were heading to bed, completely exhausted after studying since dinner ended, and you were ready to sleep until next week, it seems. You stopped short when you heard a pestering tap tap tap from your window. When you noticed it was Sebastian’s owl, you retrieved the letter in its beak, ripped it open to read its contents before you were running to find your boyfriend.
“Sebastian!” You cried, dropping beside him on your knees. You pulled his hands away and cupped his face, searching his eyes to see pure fear. “I’m here, I’m here, I’ve got you, shh, you’re safe.” Countless reassurances fell from your lips as you manoeuvred his body to face you. Cradling his head in your hands, you pulled to let his cheek rest on your shoulder, the rest of your hands winding around his shoulders in a comforting hug.
“It’s all my fault, I’m so sorry,” Sebastian started apologizing in the midst of his crying, and the silent anger you felt bubbling in your stomach threatened to explode. Instead, you took a few deep breaths and turned your head slightly to rest your own cheek on his temple.
“You did what you had to do, Sebastian, it’s not your fault,” you sighed. You ran your fingers through his soft hair and continued. “That goblin would’ve done something terrible to Anne if you didn’t stop it. You didn’t have a choice.”
“Solomon disowned me.”
“He just needs some time to realize why you did it, Sebastian.”
“I’m never going to see Anne again and it’s all my fault.”
“Sebastian, just stop.” You groaned, pushing him away just enough for you to look into his sad chocolate eyes. Your fingers ran through his hair again, ruffling his hair in the process. “You need to stop blaming yourself for what happened. Yes, it was extremely unfortunate, but you can’t keep blaming yourself. You said it yourself, right?”
Sebastian looked confused at your words, so you continued with a fond smile. “You said that you would do better. That you would do your best to make amends with what you said and did. You promised to both me and Ominis, and you asked us to help you keep your word. We believe in you, Sebastian, and we will do all we can to help you.”
“Tell me that you’re still mine,” he suddenly spoke after a moment of silence. He looked up at your face, eyes searching and earnest as he scans your features. “Tell me that we’ll be just fine even when I lose my mind.” Your heart ached at his voice breaking. Sebastian Sallow was never one to be vulnerable, not even in front of his best friend, and especially not in front of his partner.
“Of course I’m still yours, Seb,” you patted his cheek softly with a soft smile. “Of course we’ll be fine, it’s us we’re talking about, the power duo Hogwarts has ever known!” You wrapped your arms around him in a hug, nuzzling your nose in his hair. “And you won’t lose your mind, I’m here to make sure of it.”
At your last words, Sebastian burst into a new set of tears, crying into the crook of your neck. His soft sobs made your heart ache. It hurt you just as bad as it did him. You tried your best to calm him down, softly shushing him at times, as you ran your fingers through his hair again and again. He pulled away after one last sniffle, tear stains drying on his cheeks.
“Thank you,” Sebastian whispers, lips touching your cheek lightly in gratitude. Your face heated up from his small kiss and you smiled. You returned his gesture with a kiss to his forehead, watching him smile again. “Thank you for being you, and for being right for me, and for being mine.”
You sniffled. “Opposite attract, do they not?” You retorted, eliciting a small chuckle from him. You wrapped him in your arms again, resting your head on his shoulders this time. “You don’t have to thank me, I’m happy to be yours, and anything you need.”
‘That’s my promise to you,’ your thoughts were left unsaid as Sebastian relaxed in your embrace, lips on your forehead as you drifted off to sleep on the cold stone floors of the Undercroft in the most uncomfortable position, but the two of you could care less; you were comfortable in each other, and that was all that mattered.