#GARRETH NEEDS MORE LOVE

[elinoracia]

🌹Your heart // Garreth Weasley x f!reader🌹

~ Hogwarts Legacy fanfic ~

Warnings: hurt/comfort, fluff, mention of blood, fighting, not proofread. Total of words: 2.8K

More informations: - All characters are aged up to 18 y.o. or more; 7th year - Y/N = Your name - My first language is not english, sorry in advance - Feel free to request anything!

Context: After everything that happened during 5th year, you needed some calm. You needed a friendship where you could forget about your problems, your dangerous adventures and difficult days. Luckily, Garreth was that person. He brought you that calm and that light-hearted and carefree fun that you desperately craved. But with your precarious lifesyle, always out fighting poachers or evil forces, you were scared to let yourself feel more for him.

------------------------------

You just got back from one of your many adventures with Sebastian. You had to fight poachers. You were tired and you could not wait to go back to your dorm to clean yourself and sleep. On your way, in the hallways, you came across Garreth.

Garreth: *he walks towards you, staring at you* Are you trying a new look? *he chuckles, obviously very proud of his teasing* Y/N: *you chuckle weakly* Do I really look that dreadful? Garreth: Well...the whole "tired" look really suits you! *he chuckles and looks back at you* But really, what happened? Who did you fight this time? *he said with a slightly worried look on his face* Y/N: Poachers. Sebastian really wanted to beat them all. He has way more energy than I do. *you give him a faint smile* Garreth: *he frowns at your comment* I don't think your adventures with Sallow are really healthy for you and your body. Why don't you let him do those kind of things alone? Y/N: *You look at him, trying to formulate an answer* I...I don't want him to get hurt. I know I can't stop him from going, so I can at least follow him to cover his back.

But Garreth was right and you knew it. You could not keep up with Sebastian's reckless behavior for too much longer. You had important exams coming up and you were exhausted. But you feared Sebastian was going to get badly injured if you were not here to help him. You couldn't loose more people you loved, you had to protect him, even from himself.

Garreth: *now he was really worried about you. He looked as if he was about to scold you for trying to save Sebastian from his incautious battles, but he didn't* Listen, you can't keep doing that. That's all I'm saying. Y/N: *you sigh deeply* I know. I'm sorry Garreth. I didn't mean to worry you. Garreth: Just don't do anything too reckless. That's for the Gryffindors to do! *he says proudly* Y/N: *You giggle at his joke. You feel a little better after talking to him. He always makes you feel better after a hard time* Thank you Garreth. I think I needed to talk about it. I promise I'll be more careful! Goodnight!

As you went back to your dorm, your heart felt lighter. You knew you could always come to Garreth to talk to him about anything and he would always crack some jokes and make you feel brand new.

--------------------------------

The next day, Sebastian came to ask you to go on a special mission with him. He wanted to explore a cave he found. You thought about what Garreth told you but you could not let Sebastian do that alone. You told yourself it was the last time you agreed to do that for him.

You went after lunch to see what cave Sebastian was talking about. Far into the Forbidden Forest, you see a huge hole on the side of a mountain. Sebastian was explaining to you how he discovered that place but you almost couldn't hear him. It's like everything about that place was begging you to leave.

You should have listened to your insincts.

When you got out of that cave, the sky was dark and starry. Sebastian was almost carrying you. You came across poachers, trolls, dark mages and giant spiders. You did everything you could to not let them hurt Sebastian. But you let them hurt you instead. You just wanted to go back to Hogwarts. You just...wanted him to comfort you.

Garreth.

What will he think? Maybe he'll hate you for getting hurt and acting recklessely. Maybe he'll finally be done with your behavior. You can't tell him what happened. You can't but...you feel so helpless, so alone. You feel like you have to protect everyone but nobody wants to protect you.

Sebastian brings you back to your dorm but you were almost frozen in front of the door. Your wounds were hurting but not as bad as that pain in your heart.

You just want to feel Garreth next to you. You just want him near. But you're a danger to yourself...and to him. Suddenly, you hear footsteps behind you. When you turn around, you see in the dark the shadow of a person.

Y/N: Garreth, is that you? *your voice almost cracking* Garreth: Y/N! Where were you? I've been looking for you all day! You- *he suddenly stops as he notices blood on your shirt and robe. He then noticed the wounds on you* What happened?! Are you alright? Y/N: *You couldn't look at him. You couldn't bear to see the look on his face* I'm fine. Garreth: Please Y/N... let me help you at least. You're bleeding on your clothes. Y/N: It's not my blood...mostly. *your hands started shaking* I'm very sorry. *your words were muffled and you felt tears running down your face* I'm...so terribly sorry Garreth... *you let out a sob and you finally look at him* I just wanted to protect him...And I just want to protect you. But I always end up being just a burden to you.

Without realizing it, Garreth took you in his arms. He was careful not to hug you too tightly. As you were hugging him, you could hear his heart beating a little faster.

Garreth: *He seemed clearly taken aback by what you said* That couldn't be further from the truth! You're never a burden. I just want you to be safe. *he pauses for a moment* Do you really think you are a burden to me? Y/N: I make you worry all the time and I feel like I only bring you bad things. And...*you sniffle* it's so unfair to you because you're bringing me so much peace and warmth. Garreth: Y/N look at me. *he gently lift your chin to make you look at him* I can live with the worry. But I can't live without you. You're my best friend and being with you makes me happy. Now stop the Hufflepuff tears. *hegently wipes some tears off your face* Y/N: I don't what what I would do without you Garreth. *you smile at him, feeling a little better already* And those are not Hufflepuff tears! *you chuckle at his teasing* Garreth: Honestly, I think I'll need to have a friendly little chat with Sallow. Don't worry, I won't fight him...unless he tries to! Y/N: Please don't fight with him. And I can talk to him myself. He will understand. Garreth: Now you're no fun!

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Following this night, you had time to think about what you were going to say to Sebastian. It was not going to be easy but you had to tell him you couldn't come with him anymore.

The next day, you waited for Sebastian after your second class of the day to talk to him. You knew you both had a free period after that. It was the perfect time to tell him.

Y/N: Seb! Hi! What did you think of our History of Magic class? *you giggle, knowing he fell asleep during that class* Sebastian: I wish I could tell you but I can only remember what I dreamt about. *he said jokingly* Did you want to tell me something? Y/N: Y-yes! *you feel a rush of anxiety inside your chest* I...Well...You know how last time, our little "adventure" ended up really dangerous? Sebastian: Merlin's beard! Are you still hurt? *he cups your cheeks with his hand, a worried look on his face* Did it leave any nasty scars? Y/N: *the sudden contact make you stutter* I-I...no! Don't worry! I'm fine, really! Sebastian: Good! What a relief! I think I would have died if you weren't there. *he chuckles, not knowing the impact of his words* Y/N: Y-yeah...probably...

You instantaneously feel remorse about letting him do those things alone. You just can't. He needs you. You can handle being badly injured, as long if it's not him who's hurt. But you keep thinking about Garreth. He also needs you safe. Your heart is torn between these two choices.

Sebastian: Y/N? Are you sure you're okay? You look troubled. *he says, still cupping your cheeks with his hands* What was it you wanted to say to me? Y/N: I...I'm not sure that...I can keep doing that with you. I'm sorry... *you said, almost whispering. You were scared about what his answer would be* Sebastian: *He pauses to think and then takes both of your hands in his* Y/N...I can't do it alone. Don't give up on me. Y/N: I...

You didn't how to respond to that. He was right but...you have to do what's right.

But as you were about to answer Sebastian, you suddenly feel his hands leaving yours abruptly. You feel pushed towards something.

Garreth: You can't take "no" for an answer Sallow? Leave her alone. *he frowns. You never saw that side of Garreth before* You don't deserve her.

Sebastian looks at him, he seemed really annoyed by Garreth's presence. You were in shook. What was Garreth doing here? Was he watching you talking to Sebastian?

Sebastian: What are you talking about Weasley? I know her better than you. I know that she and I make the best team. Garreth: Do you? Do you really know her? Do you even know in how much distress you left her the last time you took her on your stupid escapade? You don't! *he takes a deep breath to calm himself down* You may know her for longer than I do but I know her heart. I worry about her. I want her to be safe. It looks like you don't even care how she might feel!

Garreth was holding you close to him. His breath was heavy. You couldn't believe what was happening in front of your eyes. But you couldn't seem to say anything. The words were stuck in your thoat.

Sebastian then takes your wrist and pull you away from Garreth.

Sebastian: *he then holds Garreth by the collar, enraged by what he just said* You don't know her like I do! We help eachother, we need eachother! Y/N: Okay now that's enough! What has gotten into you Sebastian?!

You put you hand on Sebastian's shoulder to try and calm him down. You knew how he could be. Always acting on his feelings and thinking about it later.

Y/N: I just don't want to carry the responsability of your safety everytime Sebastian. But it doesn't mean we're not friends anymore. You're still one of my dearest friends. But you have to be more careful. If not for you then please, I'm begging you, do it for me. *you look at him, hoping he would understand* Sebastian: *he sighs and let go of Garreth* I promise you I'll be more careful. I had no idea you felt that way. Garreth: Maybe if you were looking outside of yourself for once, you would have noticed. Y/N: Garreth, you've done enough. *you look at him with a piercing gaze* We have to talk. *you look back at Sebastian* See you later Sebastian.

You take Garreth's hand to lead him somewhere quiet, somewhere empty and unoccupied.

Y/N: Garreth, did I not tell you I could handle this by myself? *you frown, obviously angry* Garreth: Sorry, my Gryffindor heroic nature took over. *he chuckles* Y/N: That is really not funny at all! Why did you feel the need to intervene?

A moment of silence fell as you watched Garreth carefully. You could not believe he didn't trust you to tell your decision yourself to Sebastian. Then you hear him take a deep breath before answering your question.

Garreth: I feel like Sebastian has that power over you. He just has to look you in the eyes and take your hand to convince you to do something for him. Something that's only profitable to him and him only. I hated...*he stops for a moment* I hated the way he touched you. And I despised the way he tried to convince you. He has no right to do that. Y/N: What? Why do you care if he touches me or if he tries to convince me? I know what I want Garreth. And I told him I would never try to do anything dangerous with him again. Don't you trust me? Garreth: I trust you! But I don't trust him. You went through enough because of him. *he then looks at you with a look you can't exactly describe* And I care because...you're my best friend. Y/N: Garreth... *you sigh and calm down. He was right, he knew how to calm you down* You're right. I'm sorry. Garreth: And instead of going on dangerous adventures with him, you could spend more time with your best friend who's really handsome and funny. I heard he is also very entertaining and fun to be around. I wonder who this gentleman could be? *he chuckles and winks at you* Y/N: He is also very humble. A typical Gryffindor trait. *you laugh and look at him* But more seriously, you're amazing. I don't know how you can still tolerate me. I'm such a mess. Garreth: And how on earth do you still put up with me?! *he throws the question back at you, grinning mischievously* And I don't "tolerate" you Y/N. I adore you. If you're a mess then you are my kind of mess. And it doesn't hurt that I have plenty of patience. *he adds with a hint of a chuckle to his voice* Y/N: Very modest of you. *you giggle* And I adore you too.

At this moment, you felt something you tried to repress for so long. You couldn't stop looking at him, looking at his beautiful features. He was so much taller than you. You just loved his ginger curls and his beautiful freckles. You also love the way he is always there to lift your mood.

You...love him.

The sudden realisation made your cheeks redden. Is that how you felt for all this time? You started to become nervous. Oh Merlin! He could not know! You don't want to ruin your friendship. Just suck it up!

Garreth: Then I guess we've got ourselves some pretty good reasons for not driving each other mad!*he says with another laugh*

Then, Garreth takes a few steps closer to you and kisses your forehead. Your face immediately became bright red. Garreth took notice of that.

Garreth: What's the matter pretty lady? Do you need to cool down a little? *he said teasingly, grinning at you* Y/N: Stop teasing me Garreth! *you say with your face burning up* Garreth: I can't help it! Seeing you blush and all flustered is just... so cute. I love that I can have that effect on you. *he says playfully, a smirk on his face* Y/N: You...don't know the effect you have on me. Garreth: *he grins wider* Then enlighten me, Y/N. How exactly does your best bud have an effect on you? *He teased, putting on a cocky grin as he wrapped an arm around your waist and pull you a little bit closer to him* Y/N: *Your heart was beating so fast. You were trying to give him an answer without stumbling over your words* W-well...I think I might have...feelings for you. *you could feel your heart jumping in your throat* Garreth: *Your words sent a shock like a bolt through his body. His jaw dropped, and for a moment, he was entirely at a loss for words. He was looking at you with wide eyes, as if I've never really seen you properly before.* Wait... seriously? *he asks, his voice a breathless whisper, and a grin spreading across his face* Y/N: *you nod in response* Mh mh...

Your answer gave him all the courage he needed. Without another second of hesitation, he leans in and kisses you full on the lips. He holds the kiss just for a moment and then I pull back with a grin, blushing profusely.

Garreth: Being friends is nice but...do you think you'd want more? *he asks, still holding you against him* Y/N: Y-yes...I want us to be more. *You said with your flushed face and your panting breath* Garreth: Well, it's official then! You're mine! *he gins* Now I have a good reason for Sallow to not put his dirty filthy hands on you. Y/N: You're such a dork. *you said, a chuckle in your voice* Garreth: I'm your dork! Y/N: *you sigh* I love you.

The End

This fanfic is dedicated to @sallowslytherin, my little Garreth lover ˋ( ° ▽、° )

[kylominis]

Don't poke the lion [🦁]

[eggymf-archived]

Watch me spread the Garreth agenda for the next few days. And not-so-subtly plug both Erotomania and Dearly Beloved while cooking up my Ominis fic.

Eggyverse? Eggyverse. 🐥🌏

It has already begun.

*laughs menacingly in chicky*

[girl-named-matty]

Sharing a bed with the Boys (Hogwarts Legacy Headcanons)

Sharing a bed with the boys. Tags: Fluff, Sharing a bed, gn!reader, Sebastian x Reader, Ominis x Reader, Garreth x Reader, Leander x Reader. (this is barely proofread haha) Rating: General Audiences

Summary: My Headcanons for sharing a bed with the boys!

Sebastian:

When you first asked him if he wanted to share a bed, he practically jumped straight in it. He was so excited. 

But that was just the first time. 

He stays up reading almost every night so good luck getting him into that bed in the first place after that. 

And by late I mean genuinely unholy hours of the night kinda staying up and he wonders why he looks so tired. 

If you do eventually get him in bed, it doesn’t take him long to actually fall asleep. Aside from the constant lack of sleep he usually gets, he’s always been one to fall asleep quickly. 

He is a human body heater. 

Some nights you may not even need a blanket because he’s just that warm. 

I feel like Seb would be the kind of guy to practically sleep on top of you. Like not enough to crush you but instead it feels like a really nice weighted (and warm) blanket. 

Except for this blanket snores. 

Loud 

I’m sorry I don’t make the rules. 

Sometimes it's really annoying to share a bed with him and other times it's really nice. 

If he ever comes to bed early, it’s how you know he’s had a rough day and just needs to be in your arms for comfort. ..

Ominis:

Unlike Sebastian who would totally be up to sharing a bed, he would be more hesitant. 

It’s not like he doesn’t want to, per se, but he’s used to having his own space and he’s not necessarily the most touchy person. But eventually, he says he’s ready. 

Kinda awkward the first few nights. He slept with his back towards you and didn't make any physical touch at all. 

But after a couple of nights, he slowly starts making the shift to get closer to you and he comes to enjoy it. 

After that, he finds it hard to sleep without you. 

Due to not having the best childhood, he often has nightmares. And for him his nightmares are extremely unnerving due to the fact that he can’t see anything, only hear things. 

But one of the best parts about sharing a bed with you is the fact that whenever his nightmares wake him up, you’re right there next to him. 

He often finds himself reaching out for you in the middle of the night, just to make sure you’re still there. 

 He’s definitely a side sleeper so sometimes you’ll sleep in the spooning position together. This also reassures him a lot that you’re still next to him. ..

Garreth: 

Didn’t take long for you two to start sharing a bed at all. 

Since he has so many siblings he probably had to share a bed with one of his brothers at some point in his childhood anyway. 

But just because he might be used to it does not mean he’s easy to share a bed with. 

This boy is a BED HOGGER. 

If you are quite literally not right up against him, you’re falling off the bed. 

You thought Seb gets hot when he sleeps? 

Well, Garreth has him beat by a LONG shot. 

You could probably fry an egg on this man's back just saying. 

But we all know Garreth has that soft tummy action going on so he’s super comfortable and when he’s not hogging the bed, it’s really nice to cuddle up to him. 

When you too are cuddling, he wants to be as close to you as possible. 

So, really, just the sweetest boy to ever exist. ..

Leander: (because he deserves his place on this list) 

He’s similar to Ominis and opposite of Garreth. 

Had very few siblings growing up, probably only one or two so he was used to having his own space. So it took him a while before he was all good with it. 

This boy is lanky af. 

It’s obviously okay. He’s tall, long, lanky, whatever you wanna call it. 

So he probably sleeps with his legs up somehow to keep his feet from hanging off the bed/smacking into the headboard. 

It probably took him a while to get used to cuddling with someone in bed but now that he’s used to it, he loves it. 

He loves it when you sleep on his chest so he can wrap his arms around you and hold you close. 

He’s definitely not a morning person so have fun getting him out of that bed.

Also has really bad bed-head. How do I know this? No man would style his hair the way he does unless he has bed-head so take my word for it. 

100% a cuddler now. ...

Who should I do next? I was thinking Andrew and Amit but lmk in the comments!

[whizzing-fizzbee]

Okay hear me out, I thought of doing my own fic about this idea but I feel the world needs to hear this sooner and I’ve never done a fic so would be too long until this happens.

It’s an amortenia idea, but it’s like professor sharp has a personal vendetta that day. No one knows about the lesson plan and he’s got the pot sitting there brewing smelling all whatever it smells like. And like one by one students are trickling in questioning these strange scents and spilling their deepest darkest secrets and professor sharp is just sitting there with smug satisfaction reeling in the chaos he has created.

Some examples I thought of, someone who likes poppy complaining that it smells like she has been in the animal pen at beasts class all day (Jim from the office zoom to professor sharps face)

Ominis like asking the class hey wait is Anne here today? Coz he smells her perfume or something.

The classic mc and Sebastian smelling each other I’ll leave that idea to you.

Leander like smelling the greenhouse coz the loser has a crush on his teacher.

Someone who crushes on Gareth walking in thinking he has already exploded a potion.

And then there’s Amit smelling like books or something to do with astronomy coz that’s all he loves lol.

Please make this a reality 🥲🥲

Love your work btw 😍

Hi! So I love love LOVED this request. It was so fun to write these students trying not to spiral out during class, so thank you for this one!

Amortentia

Rating: PG (language) Words: ~2,500 Tags: 2nd person POV, multiple pairings, teen romance, secret crushes

Read below the cut.

Professor Sharp was a straight shooter. He valued hard work, self-discipline and intelligence. It showed in the way he ran his classroom. He expected students to be prompt, attentive and alert. He demanded effort and excellence. And he felt genuine satisfaction when his students succeeded – and impatience when they didn’t.

Sharp was a gruff, no-nonsense man. But every once and a while – or maybe just once a year – he couldn’t help but stir the pot… literally and figuratively speaking. 

Every April, Sharp chose one day to hold a special lesson for his unsuspecting seventh-year students. Perhaps it was a bit cheeky, maybe even diabolical, depending on who you asked, but Sharp couldn’t help but bask in the controlled chaos that consumed his classroom on this particular day each year.

Today was his annual Amortentia lesson. And nothing was more entertaining than watching a group of hormonal 17- and 18-year-olds fall victim to love’s sweet scent. 

Garreth Weasley was the first to enter class that day. No surprise there, Sharp thought as he watched the redhead find his usual work station. Garreth often arrived ahead of the other students to get a head start on his brews, which were often unsanctioned and illicit. Sharp knew this, but chose his battles wisely. Truth be told, he quietly appreciated Garreth’s enthusiasm for potion brewing, even when it was often accompanied by anarchy.

Garreth’s brow furrowed as he strolled into class, his nose audibly sniffing the air that wafted from the cauldron Professor Sharp had placed at the front of the classroom. 

“Why in Merlin’s name does it smell like hay in here?” Garreth asked as Leander Prewett entered the class behind him.

“Hay?” Leander blanched. “What are you on about? It smells like… soil and dirigible plums.”

“Huh? It smells like hay and corn… like the Beasts classroom,” Garreth insisted. Professor Sharp blinked at the boys’ exchange.

“Oi!” came the sharp voice of Imelda Reyes as she tossed her books down at her work station. “Weasley, did you already blow up your brew? Why’s it smell like burning billywig stings?” 

“Oi, I haven’t done shit!” Garreth said indignantly. 

“Language, Mr. Weasley,” Professor Sharp sighed. He earned a sheepish grimace from Garreth, which drew a smirk from Imelda.

“Does it smell like the Herbology greenhouse in here?” Leander asked her. Imelda wrinkled her face at him.

“Herbology?” she repeated blankly. “Don’t tell me you’re already lusting after Professor Garlick first thing in the morning. Keep it in your pants, Prewett.”

“It smells like dirigible plums!” Leander said hotly.

“It smells like Weasley’s been concocting more of that forbidden fizzing whizzbee potion,” Imelda retorted.

They were interrupted by the arrival of Ominis Gaunt. His usual cool and calm features contorted the moment he approached, his hands feeling for the table as he found his work station.

“Was Anne here?” he asked eagerly. “Where’s Sebastian? He didn’t tell me Anne was visiting today.”

Imelda and Garreth swapped a glance. “Anne? Anne Sallow?” Imelda asked carefully.

“Yes,” Ominis replied excitedly, the glowing tip of his wand surveying the room in search of the source of the scent. “It smells like shrivelfig and dittany, like the pain management potion Anne takes. When was she here?”

“Er, she wasn’t mate,” Garreth said carefully. “It’s just been us and Professor Sharp here.”

“Ah, Sebastian, there you are!” Ominis said, ignoring the others as Sebastian Sallow approached. “When was Anne here? Why was Anne here?”

“Anne?” Sebastian repeated blankly. “Anne’s still at St. Mungo’s, Ominis. You know that. Why would she be here?”

“I can smell her,” Ominis insisted, his pale face turning pink. “She has a very distinct scent because of her potions.”

“She’s not here, Ominis,” Sebastian said seriously, his face forming a concerned scowl. “And besides, I think it smells like lavender and… is that cinnamon?”

“Cinnamon?” Ominis repeated blankly. “What in Merlin’s-”

“Good morning,” Natsai Onai said as she took the station next to Sebastian. “Why does it smell like the library in here?”

“The library?” Sebastian repeated.

“Yes, like old books,” Natsai said. The group of students shared a menagerie of confused glances when Amit Thakkar entered the room with you.

“Morning,” you said cheerily, stopping in your tracks at the familiar scent of smoke and licorice. You smiled at Sebastian, who was looking miffed about something.

“What’s wrong?” you asked, eyeing him carefully.

“Nothing,” Sebastian answered. “It’s just… Ominis thought Anne was here.”

“Anne? Here? I thought she was in-”

“London,” Sebastian finished. “Yes, she is. She’s still at St. Mungo’s for the medication trial with the alchemists.”

“Why did you think she was here, Ominis?” you asked, your stare shifting to the other third of your friendship trio.

“Because it smells like her,” Ominis said, looking exasperated. “I know it sounds mad, but it smells like her medicine in here.”

“Really?” you mused, your lips pursing to suppress a knowing smile. It was no secret to you that Ominis held a torch for Anne. You’d never mentioned it though, knowing damn well he’d be mortified if Sebastian found out.

“What’s that on your shirt?” Imelda cut in before you could tease Ominis about his secret crush. You glanced down at the front of your blouse and frowned.

“Oh, that’s just cinnamon,” you sighed as you tried to dust yourself off. “Must have spilled some on myself when I sprinkled it in my breakfast tea.”

“Cinnamon, huh?” Imelda mused. You watched in confusion as her eyes grew wide with slow, stunned realization. 

“What is it?” you demanded, but Imelda shook her head as she turned to Amit.

“Oi, Thakkar,” she said. “What’s it smell like in here to you?”

“Beg your pardon?”

“What do you smell?”

“I smell grass,” Amit answered. “Grass and leather.”

Imelda glanced at the leatherbound journal Natsai always carried around.

“Imelda, what’s this about?” you sighed.

Imelda ignored you. “Professor!” she called out with her hand raised. “What’s the assignment for today?”

Professor Sharp, who had been sitting in his usual chair at the table at the front of the classroom, sat back and stretched his legs out. It was a rare expression of casual nonchalance you weren’t used to seeing from him. 

He cleared his throat before his eyes scanned the room to confirm all students had arrived. “Class, gather around my table,” he instructed as he rose to his feet. You and Sebastian swapped a curious glance as you abandoned your work station to follow your classmates to the front of the room.

“Who can tell me what this is?” Professor Sharp asked as he motioned toward the large cauldron on the tabletop. It contained a bubbling brew that was a rich shade of magenta.

Your eyes darted around the room as you waited for one of your peers to answer. Imelda raised her hand and you couldn’t help but notice an alarming glint in her eye.

“That’s Amortentia,” she said matter-of-factly. A series of whispers rolled across the room.

“Correct,” Professor Sharp said. “Five points for Slytherin. And who can tell me what Amortentia does?”

You swallowed before raising your hand. “It’s a love potion,” you answered. “Or more like an obsession potion. It can’t actually create the true emotion of love, but it can create dangerous infatuation.”

“And?”

“And it’s said to smell different to everyone,” Imelda cut in smugly. “It smells like whatever they find most attractive.”

Your stomach twisted and you could hear Ominis swear under his breath next to you.

Eyes darted around the classroom as you and your classmates began to assess the inadvertent admissions many of you had made upon your arrival. You silently thanked the higher powers that you hadn't let slip what you had smelled.

“Say Imelda,” Leander mused. “Weren’t you saying it smelled like Garreth’s potions when you walked in?”

The satisfied smirk vanished from Imelda’s face. “Shut it, Prewett!” she snapped. “At least I didn’t walk in and get a hard-on for Professor Garlick.”

Sebastian snorted next to you. “Garreth and Imelda?” he muttered quietly in your ear, “Now there’s a match made in hell.”

“And what do you smell?” you asked casually, praying you didn’t seem too curious. 

“Nice try,” Sebastian replied with his signature half smirk as he crossed his arms. You were afraid to know the truth anyway.

Meanwhile, Ominis was looking even paler than usual. You smiled with a blend of sympathy and amusement while your eyes darted back and forth between him and Sebastian, wondering if Sebastian would realize the object of Ominis’ attraction.

“Hey Prewett,” you teased. “What’s this about you and Professor Garlick?”

You grinned as a crimson flush crept over Leander’s ears. 

“I merely find her to be a rather inspiring teacher,” he said indignantly. 

“More like you want to pull those braids,” Imelda said with a snicker.

“Alright, that’s enough,” Professor Sharp’s voice cut through the chatter. “Get to brewing. Recipe is on page 493.”

Meanwhile, Ominis looked hell-bent on busying himself with his potion.

“Need some help powdering your moonstone?” you asked kindly. Ominis seemed to sense your knowing smile.

“If you don’t mind,” he sighed. You couldn’t help but notice the way he was fidgeting with his peppermint leaves.

You eyed Sebastian for a moment, watching him tease Leander some more, to ensure he wasn’t listening.

“Perhaps you should write to Anne,” you offered softly. “I know she’d love to hear from you.”

“She doesn’t need any more stress in her life,” Ominis muttered quietly. 

“On the contrary, perhaps hearing from someone she cares for would help ease some of that stress,” you noted. Ominis seemed to mull your words over, but before he could respond, Imelda began pelting Leander with Ashwinder eggs.

It seems Leander had made a suggestive remark about Imelda fancying Garreth and was now facing the consequences.

At the front of the room, Professor Sharp sighed, though had anyone been paying him any attention, they might have noticed the twinkle of amusement in his eyes. Still, he had appearances to keep up and strode briskly toward the sparring students just before Imelda could grab a fistful of Leander’s hair.

He gave Imelda and Leander detention and surveyed the remainder of the room before returning to his table up front. Natsai had busied herself with her brew, leaving her oblivious to the shifty glances she was receiving from Amit, who was looking much sweatier than usual.

Sebastian, who had been enjoying the chaos with outward glee, finally settled in front of his own cauldron to begin the assignment.

“So,” you said with careful deliberation in an attempt to appear casual. “You’re really not going to reveal what you smell?”

Sebastian offered you a pointed stare. “Can’t go telling you all my secrets, can I?” You responded with a dramatic eye roll. “Besides,” Sebastian continued, “I don’t see you revealing what you smell either.”

“Sallow, I thought you said you smelled lavender and cinnamon when you walked in,” Imelda, who had been eavesdropping, offered. She flashed an innocent smile at Sebastian, though you knew Imelda well enough to be sure it was facetious.

Sebastian’s freckled cheeks were flushed. His features tightened and you began to fear for Imelda’s safety.

“I said maybe cinnamon,” Sebastian lied. “I don’t really know what I smelled.”

“And what’s that on your shirt again?” Imelda asked you. Your stomach somersaulted no less than three times.

“It’s cinnamon,” you said carefully. “I always put it in my morning tea.”

“Oh, how interesting,” Imelda drawled as she smirked at you. “And what kind of perfume do you wear?”

“I… it’s… it’s a lavender perfume my mother gave me,” you answered.

“Lavender, you say? Hey Sallow, that’s quite a coincidence,” Imelda continued. Sebastian was looking positively distraught. You wanted to crawl under the table and hide, or find a secluded place to scream. Perhaps Professor Sharp had some poison on hand for a quick and painless death.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Sebastian said simply. It was the wrong thing to say, because Imelda, when prompted, always pushed harder.

“I mean, you said you smell lavender and cinnamon in the Amortentia,” Imelda continued. “And it just so happens that your very best friend wears lavender perfume and puts cinnamon in her tea.”

“So what of it?” Sebastian snapped. You, unsure of what to make of these developments, remained quiet. What could you possibly say that wouldn't make both you and Sebastian feel like absolute and utter fools.

“Just think it’s an… interesting coincidence,” Imelda said simply before she returned to her potion.

You and Sebastian worked in excruciating silence for the remainder of the class, the scent of smoke and licorice assaulting your sense of smell as you completed your potion.

With 15 minutes remaining, Professor Sharp stalked around the classroom to observe his students’ progress. As he moved from table to table, he couldn’t help but pick up on the tension that emanated from each cluster of students.

He noticed Amit looking ill, possibly on the verge of passing out, while Natsai was locked in on her potion with alarming focus. Leander was scowling as he worked. Garreth was casting uneasy glances toward Imelda, who was still looking smug. Ominis was pretending to be hard at work, but it was clear his attention was elsewhere – like hundreds of miles south in London. 

And then there was you and Sebastian, working in silence though the tension you both carried in your jaws would have been concerning to Professor Sharp had it not been so entertaining. 

"Wait a minute," Sebastian said slowly as his head snapped up. His stare found Ominis and you shifted nervously from one foot to the other. "Ominis, didn't you say you smelled Anne's pain medication?" Sebastian asked sharply.

You held your breath as you watched the color drain from Ominis' face.

"Sebastian, look," Ominis started cautiously. "I'm not... I just- it's-"

"Why didn't you say something sooner?" Sebastian demanded. An uneasy hush rolled over the entire room. All eyes in the classroom were on the Slytherin boys now.

"I'm sorry," Ominis blurted out. "I didn't know how. I didn't want you to get the wrong impression."

"But if you'd said something, I wouldn't have had to put up with listening to Anne's senseless pining," Sebastian continued.

"S-senseless pining?"

"Yes, you prat," Sebastian sighed. "Anne's had a thing for you since our third year."

Your jaw dropped. Professor Sharp fought to conceal a smile.

"Oh," was all Ominis could manage. Sebastian shook his head at his friend.

"Unbelievable," he muttered. "You really thought I'd be angry with you?"

"You do have a proclivity for irrational ire," Ominis noted. You snorted over your cauldron.

"You're my oldest friend, mate," Sebastian continued. "You're the only person I'd want to end up with my sister."

"Oh."

A sudden scuffle at the back of the room stole the attention from the Slytherins. You craned your neck, your eyes widening as you realized Andrew Larson had Duncan Hobhouse in a headlock.

"Think you're going to steal my girl?" Andrew shouted at Duncan. "Coffee and biscuits? I know you smelled her." His hold on Duncan tightened, causing the smaller boy to whimper. Andrew finally released him with a shove, sending Duncan toppling to the floor. "If I ever catch you anywhere near her, I'll curse you to Marunweem."

Professor Sharp, who had rushed toward the altercation, scolded Andrew and sent him from the classroom. Duncan, who you could swear had tears in his eyes, slunk back to his seat.

“Hey Professor,” Imelda asked suddenly, her hand raised. 

“Yes, Reyes?” Professor Sharp sighed.

“You didn’t tell us what you smell in the Amortentia.”

Professor Sharp blinked in an effort to suppress his shock. His eyes drifted over the classroom, and he was met by wide, curious gazes. He should’ve known his quiet, calculated scheming would try to catch up to him one day. He cleared his throat and retreated toward his office door. “And on that note, class dismissed.”

Sebastian gathered his books in record time, his eyes glued to the floor as he made a beeline for the door. But you were just as quick.

“Sebastian,” you said as you caught up to him. Your own eyes darted around, looking anywhere but at the boy beside you. “Do… do you still want to work on Confringo target practice in the Undercroft later?”

“Huh? Oh- right. Yes. Of course.”

“Okay. I’ll bring the snacks this time.”

“Alright.”

“I was thinking cauldron cakes and licorice snaps. I’ve been craving them.”

Sebastian finally turned to meet your gaze, his brow furrowed in a frown. “You hate licorice.”

“I know,” you agreed. “But I have a feeling I’ll have a hankering for it later. After all, that’s what I smelled in my Amortentia.”

[heavenlybodies333]

Damned if I do, Damned if I don’t - S.S.

!warning!minorsdni, mature content, fwb, bdsm

pairing: Sebastian Sallow x you

The common room was dim, golden firelight flickering against stone walls, but the warmth did nothing to soothe the tension between you and Sebastian. You could feel it—thick, suffocating, vibrating in the charged space between your bodies. His jaw was tight, brows drawn together in that signature way that told you he was barely holding it together.

Oh, you loved this.

“Don’t act fucking clueless,” Sebastian snapped, voice low laced with something vicious. His hands twitched at his sides, as if resisting the urge to grab you—whether to shake sense into you or something far more dangerous, you weren’t sure.

You tilted your head, feigning innocence, though the smirk tugging at your lips gave you away. “What, exactly, am I being accused of, Sallow?”

Sebastian exhaled slow and seething, his eyes blackened swirling with anger.

“Garreth,” he gritted out. Just the name was venom on his tongue. “You really think I wouldn’t notice? You throwing yourself at him, pushing yourself against him like he’s—” He let out a humorless laugh, dark and low. “Like he’s done a single fucking thing to deserve it?”

You arched a brow. “Oh? And who should I be throwing myself at then?” You took a step forward, toeing that line of danger, watching his reaction closely. “You?”

Sebastian’s expression flickered—something dangerous flashing behind his eyes before he masked it with fury. “Don’t start with me,” he growled, voice dropping into something near a warning.

“Oh but it’s so fun, Sebastian,” you sang lightly, leaning in, feeling the sharp intake of breath he tried to conceal. His hands twitched again. He wanted to touch you. You knew it. But he wouldn’t—not yet. That wasn’t how this game worked.

You tilted your chin up, gaze locked onto his. “What’s the real problem here? That I was flirting? Or that it wasn’t with you?”

You trailed a teasing finger down the buttons of his black shirt, feeling the way his chest rose and fell beneath your touch.

"Aw, Sebby," you hummed, just to piss him off. You were rewarded instantly—his nostrils flared, and his scowl deepened. "Are you jealous?"

"Don’t be ridiculous," he scoffed, but his voice was tight.

"Mm," you hummed, trailing lower down his chest, feeling the rapid thump of his heart beneath his shirt. "Could've fooled me. Thought you were about to hex Weasley into the next century."

"Maybe I should have."

Sebastian cursed under his breath, spinning you around, walking you backward until your spine hit the door of your dorm. His hands were everywhere—gripping, exploring, leaving trails of heat in their wake. Your skirt was bunched at your waist before you could blink, his fingers slipping between your thighs, pressing against the damp fabric of your panties.

“Fuck,” he muttered, voice strained. “You like riling me up that much?”

You giggled, but it broke into a moan when he pushed your underwear aside, sliding two fingers through your wet cunt. “m-maybe,” arching into his touch.

"Seb—" Your hands found his shoulders, clinging to him as his fingers curled inside you, rubbing against the spot that had your legs shaking. He didn’t relent, only quickened his pace, drinking in the way your body responded to him. "Please..."

His attention piercing into your eyes. "Please, what? You want more?"

You nodded, panting, grinding against his hand, and he laughed, withdrawing his fingers only to replace them with his thigh, pressing against your heat. The friction had you gasping, desperate for more, but he wasn’t done teasing.

"Words, love. Use them."

"I—I need you. Now."

That was all he needed to hear. In a swift motion, he hoisted you up, wrapping your legs around his waist, and carried you to the bed. His lips found yours, all-consuming and possessive, as he laid you down beneath him, trailing kisses down your neck, your collarbone, until his mouth latched onto your breasts, sucking, biting, leaving his mark.

You whined, wrapping your arms around his neck, pulling him impossibly closer.

His hands were gentle as he guided you onto his lap, positioning you above him. He held you close, his forehead resting against yours, as he slowly guided you down onto his length

A soft gasp left your lips as you took all of him, your hands gripping his shoulders for support. "Fuck—Seb"

"I know, love," he breathed, his voice shaky as he restrained himself, letting you adjust, his hands rubbing soothing circles over your hips. "You feel so good. Just take your time."

He helped you set the pace, guiding your hips as you moved, his cock slipping in and out of you with ease.

"That's it, babygirl," he murmured, his voice a mix of restraint and awe as he watched you. "You're taking me so well."

Your hands clung to his shoulders, nails digging into his skin as he bounced you in his lap, his cock pressing deep, hitting all the right places with every slow, deliberate stroke. Your breath hitched as he leaned in, lips trailing down your jaw to your throat, kissing and sucking tenderly before moving lower, his mouth latching onto your breasts again, tongue swirling over the sensitive skin.

"Sebastian," you whimpered, your fingers weaving into his soft hair, tugging gently.

He groaned in response, his hips bucking up instinctively. "You drive me mad, you know that? Watching you like this—" He let out a ragged breath. "You’re my perfect girl." Liar.

His hands slid back to your waist, steadying you before he took control, thrusting up into you with a slow, deep precision. The motion made your breath stutter, your body pliant in his grasp. His thumbs tracing reverent patterns over your hips. “Seb—I’m gonna cum” you moaned, throwing your head back.

His hands gripped your hips, guiding you as he thrust into you, your nails dug into his back as you wrapped your legs around him, pulling him closer, needing more. He obliged, picking up the pace, his thrusts growing deeper, rougher.

"Cum for me, baby," he murmured, voice thick with love and need. Oh you loved when he called you that. You shouldn’t love it as much as you do, but God, when he said it like that—like you were his, even though you weren’t—it was impossible not to.

The way he held you, the way his lips worshipped every inch of your skin. Pleasure crashed through you, your body arching into his as you moaned his name, shaking in his arms. He held you through it, his thrusts slowing, savoring the way you came for him.

His thrusts slowed but didn’t stop, “Fucking hell.” he groaned burying himself deep, spilling into you, his grip on your hips tightening as he rode out his own release.

For a long moment, neither of you moved, tangled in each other. God it felt so good being here with him. Sebastian was so sweet and gentle during sex that it almost made you forget one little fucking important thing. You were just friends. You had been friends and were going to stay friends. This didn’t mean anything and neither did all the other times you’d fucked. It always happened this way.

Being brought back to reality when he pulled away, pressing a lingering kiss to your shoulder before he sat up, reaching for his clothes. As you watched him, it reminded you that what you’d just done was just that—nothing more. Why was this so fucking complicated? You hated it. Especially when he did things like kiss your forehead before he left. Like he wasn’t just inside you?

You lay there, sheets tangled around your legs as he buttoned his shirt, leaving the first few undone in his hurry to leave. His hair was a mess, disarray of hickeys up and down his throat—a mark of what had just happened, of how good it had felt, and yet, it meant nothing.

Just as he finished dressing, he turned back to you, his expression unreadable. And then just like clock work, to make it all the more unbearable, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to your forehead.

You watched him leave, your chest aching as the door closed behind him. The silence that followed was suffocating. Slowly, you laid back down, staring at the ceiling as tears slipped down your cheeks.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

You had to stop. This was only physical to him and it always would be.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

a/n: *sobs* fwb trope has a chokehold on me

ᴅɪᴠɪᴅᴇʀ ᴄʀᴇᴅ: @ꜱᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇʀɢʀᴀᴘʜɪᴄꜱ

MASTERLIST

[thenerdykneazle]

Amorous Tension

Summary: Poppy is quite sure her best friend has feelings for our favourite heir of Slytherin. MC is quite sure she doesn't, despite abundant evidence to the contrary. When Ominis asks MC to help him study for an upcoming potions exam, she jumps at the chance. TL;DR: Two idiots in love brew amortentia together.

A collab with the lovely @darch7995, who created the audio version of this story. Listen to the first part here and the second here.

Ominis Gaunt x F!MC

Warnings: the mildest of hand kinks, kissing, a surprising amount of schoolwork, stressing about exams, failure to communicate

Word count: 4185

You tapped your quill anxiously on the edge of your parchment, forming an ever-growing blot of ink in the margin. You were re-reading a paragraph in Flesh-Eating Trees of the World on a South American anteater-eating shrub. The words made as little of an impression in your mind as they had the first time.

A hand settled on top of yours, startling you.

“You’re going to put a hole in the table if you keep that up. And I doubt Madam Scribner would be pleased,” Poppy said teasingly.

You sighed, setting down the quill before dropping your head onto the table. “I’m going to fail. I know nothing. Less than nothing, even. Garlick is going to laugh me out of the greenhouse,” you said hopelessly.

Poppy rubbed your back comfortingly. “No, she’s not,” she assured you.

You let out a frustrated groan. “I’m never learning the difference between Jacaranda muscipula and Delonix geogalinivorae. They’re both just bloodthirsty ferns.”

A smooth voice came from behind you. “Jacaranda muscipula is native to South America, and its diet consists largely of deer mice. Delonix geogalinivorae is found in Madagascar and feeds exclusively on tenrecs.”

Your head shot up off the table. “Ominis,” you said in a higher pitch than you’d intended. You twisted in your chair to see your aristocratic classmate standing there looking effortlessly flawless.

“Hello, MC, Poppy,” he said with a pleasant smile. “I take it you’re dreading Garlick’s exam as much as Sebastian is.”

You scrunched your nose. “More, probably,” you said dismally.

“Well, I had come to see if you might be able to help me study for Sharp’s exam on Monday,” he said. “I could help you with herbology after. Of course, I’d be happy to help even if you don’t have time for potions practice.”

You gaped at him. He was asking you for help? Amit and Sebastian both had top grades in potions. You’d taken to it quite well, but the two boys had several more years of experience than you did. Garreth knew every ingredient and recipe inside and out, though he almost never stuck to the instructions – you could see why Ominis wouldn’t have asked him for help.

Your stomach leapt at the idea of spending time at the bench – just you and Ominis, brushing elbows at the cosy workspace. It was always dizzying being in such close proximity – the effect of his expensive cologne, surely.

Poppy would probably argue differently. She’d just been pestering you just that morning about your alleged feelings for the sarcastic Slytherin.

“You’re the biggest flirt I’ve ever met, MC,” Poppy said, rolling her eyes as you walked to the Great Hall.

Garreth had just been talking to you out in the courtyard about needing to acquire Thornback Matriarch venom for a new potion he was working on. You had told him he’d probably be better equipped than you were at charming the ladies into giving him what he wanted.

“I think you’re jealous and just need to ask the Gryffindor out, already,” you argued, shooting her a quelling look. “I was just being funny.”

“Mhmm,” she replied sceptically. “Well, I think it’s funny how I’ve seen you flirt with Garreth, Leander, Sebastian, Amit, and even Imelda, but when a certain serpent with stormy eyes and chiselled cheekbones comes around, you turn into a frightened little puffskein. You go all ruddy-faced and start stammering.”

She was poorly suppressing a smirk as she looked at you.

You scoffed. “I do not stammer!”

“Yeah, and I don’t fancy Garreth,” she replied sarcastically. “Admit it, you’ve got a crush on Ominis.”

“That’s ridiculous,” you asserted, glaring at her.

She raised a hand to her lips to stifle a giggle. “Then why’s your face match Garreth’s luscious locks right now?”

“Oh, shut it!” you said, increasing your pace so that Poppy fell behind.

She just laughed at you. “You’re only proving my point, you know!” she called after you.

Poppy elbowed you sharply between your ribs. You’d gone far too long without replying. “Ow!” you hissed at her.

Ominis had a nervous look on his face. “Sorry?” he asked.

“Oh, no, that wasn’t at you,” you said quickly. “I mean, I’d love to study with you.”

His expression immediately brightened. “Wonderful! When are you free?” he said.

“How about now?” you suggested as you began to pack up your things.

“Oh, I don’t want to interrupt,” Ominis said.

“No, it’s fine,” you insisted. You shot Poppy a reproachful look. “I’m suddenly feeling unsafe here in the library.”

Poppy stuck her tongue out at you. “Yes, I need to go help Professor Howin feed the thestrals, anyway. You two have fun,” she said much too giddily.

You sent her one more glare as you slung your bag over your shoulder. “So, shall we use the Room of Requirement?” you asked Ominis.

“That sounds perfect!” he replied brightly.

You led Ominis out of the library and started the long climb up to the 7th floor of the astronomy tower. You were glad to stretch your legs after sitting in the library for so long.

“I don’t know how you can keep those carnivorous trees straight in your head,” you commented as you strode down a long corridor. “They look exactly the same to me when they’re not in bloom.”

“Do they?” he replied, sounding intrigued.

For a moment, you wanted to sink through the floor. Obviously, the fact that the two trees looked alike was of little consequence to him. “Sorry, I wasn’t even thinking.”

Ominis chuckled. “It’s all right,” he said, clearly amused. “It’s strange to think that they seem so similar to you. They feel quite different. The jacaranda tree has very rough bark, and the geogalinivore has waxy leaves. Plus, it has a sweet smell – sort of like oranges.”

“That’s actually very helpful. Thank you,” you said.

He smiled softly at you. You couldn’t help but notice how one of the beauty marks on his left cheek disappeared into his dimple when he smiled. “I’m glad to be of service,” he replied.

You could feel your face flush, though you had no reason to be blushing. You were relieved when you reached the 7th floor and the door to the Room of Requirement appeared. You cleared your throat. “Right, well, we’re h-here,” you said, cringing at yourself for tripping over the words.

Ominis held the door open for you as you entered the Room of Requirement. “I appreciate you helping me practice. Sharp’s class was hard enough when I knew what I’d be expected to brew. Having to prepare to make any one of four potions has been quite stressful.”

“It is a bit ridiculous,” you agreed as you started pulling ingredients out of your cabinet.

“Honestly! It’s hard enough keeping the ingredients for one potion straight – let alone for the Elixir to Induce Euphoria, Draught of Living Death, Veritaserum, and Amortentia,” he said.

“It is a lot,” you said. “Where should we start?”

“Hm…Well, I don’t think I would be very productive after testing potions for sleep or euphoria. We’d best leave those for later,” he replied. “What do you think? Amortentia or Veritaserum?”

“Amortentia’s easy enough to test. We can tell if it’s right just by how it looks and smells. Let’s start with that,” you suggested.

Ominis smirked. “You just don’t want me getting you to spill all your secrets,” he teased.

You chuckled. “You’re right; I don’t,” you agreed honestly. You weren’t exactly a secretive person ever since you didn’t have to hide your ancient magic anymore. However, the thought of not being ableto hide anything if you wanted to was terrifying.

“Amortentia it is, then!” Ominis said. “It’s the one I’m best at, anyway.”

He lit the flame to heat the cauldron before beginning to grind the moonstone with a mortar and pestle.

“So, what does Amortentia smell like to you?” he asked, chatting as he worked.

“I’m not sure,” you admitted as you leaned a hip against the bench.

“What do you mean you’re not sure? Were you holding your breath when we brewed it last week?” he teased. He cracked two ashwinder eggs into the cauldron before adding the powdered moonstone and stirring it together.

“No! I just…Well, I guess it’s that it doesn’t smell like anything to me,” you admitted.

“You must be joking. Surely you smelled something,” he replied incredulously.

“Just the usual musky dungeon,” you joked. “I thought I’d just brewed it wrong at first, but yours didn’t smell like anything to me, either.”

His brows drew together. “That is curious. I know I made mine right, because it…Well, it worked for me,” he said, his cheeks colouring a bit. “Do you just not find anyone attractive, then?” he added casually as he began cutting the thorns off of some rose stems.

“I don’t know. I mean, I used to think I did, but…now I’m not so sure,” you replied. “I don’t know what could be wrong with me to not smell anything if I did like someone.”

“I’m certain there’s nothing wrong with you, MC,” Ominis replied.

You sighed. “I hope not,” you replied before biting your bottom lip anxiously. “I thought maybe everyone was lying about smelling different things, and it’s really just an odourless potion. But I checked three different texts in the library, and they all said the same thing Professor Sharp did about the smell being unique to what each person finds attractive.”

“It’s definitely not odourless,” Ominis replied with a smirk. He shook his head as if to snap himself out of something before clearing his throat. He turned his attention back to the potion.

He added the thorns to the cauldron before beginning on the petals. You watched his hands as he plucked the petals off the stems, stacked them neatly, and rolled them together before slicing them into thin, even strips. He was quite skilled in his technique. Despite sharing a bench in potions all year, you’d never really noticed how fluidly he worked. There was an almost entrancing nature to the graceful movements.

“So, what does it smell like to you?” you inquired as you forced yourself to stop staring at the veins winding over his wrists and across the backs of his hands out to his slender fingers. You had always thought there was something nice about his hands.

“Oh, there is no way I’m admitting that,” he replied.

“But I told you when you asked,” you argued.

He rolled his eyes at you. “Nothing doesn’t count as an answer.”

“But it’s the truth! I can’t help that I didn’t smell anything,” you argued.

“I’m still not telling,” he insisted. He added the rose petals to the potion. His brow furrowed as his fingers skimmed over the fronts of several bottles. “Which is the pearl dust?”

“Third from the right,” you said before letting out a laugh as a realisation struck you.

“What?” he asked a bit defensively. “Did I grab the wrong one?” He shook the sealed bottle by his ear to listen to its contents shift within.

“No, that’s the pearl dust. I just…” You giggled again, and his scowl deepened. “I just realised that’s the last ingredient and the first thing I’ve helped you with. Seems like you barely need me here.”

He relaxed almost instantly, even laughing a bit himself. “Well, it’s much easier to brew here,” he explained. “I know which ingredients are which when they’re in my own containers – and even most of yours at this point – but almost all of Sharp’s bottles are identical. I have to figure out what’s in each one every time I pick it up. Sometimes it takes four or five tries to find what I’m looking for. It wastes so much time.”

“That sounds extremely frustrating,” you said sympathetically.

“It is,” he lamented as he added a spoonful of pearl dust to the cauldron. He stirred it clockwise three times before lowering the flame. “There! It should just need to simmer for a bit, and then we’ll see how it turned out.”

“I’m sure it’s perfect,” you said as you settled into a high-backed chair, kicking your feet up on the ottoman in front of it.

“I appreciate your confidence in me,” he said. “You know, I was even worse at potions when I was younger. I tried summoning the ingredients to myself in the early years, and it was usually a disaster. In first year, we had to brew a burn salve during our exams, and I simply could not find the dittany, even after sifting through all the ingredients on my bench three times. I gave up and summoned it, and it knocked over all the bottles in front of it on its way to me. They rolled all over the bench, and I had nearly plunged my hand straight into my cauldron trying to put them back in order. During another exam, I tried to summon flobberworm mucus, and all the bottles of the stuff came flying towards me at the same time.” He laughed. “It was all over me, my bench, the floor. Amit nearly slipped in it trying to come over and help. Professor Sharp was livid, but I think he felt too badly for me to give me detention.”

You couldn’t help but laugh, as well. “Oh, I’d have died on the spot!” you said.

“I nearly did. It was utterly horrifying,” he said. “I pretended to be sick for three days after that because I couldn’t stand the thought of facing everyone. I even had Sebastian bring me food so that I didn’t have to go out to the Great Hall. But I’ve learned to bounce back from my Blind Boy Moments quite quickly since.”

“Could Sharp not just label the ingredients for you?” you asked.

Ominis scoffed. “No, he insists that every good potions student should be able to identify the ingredients on their own,” he said, exasperated. “He wouldn’t even let me come in beforehand to label them myself because other students might see them. He also won’t let me use my own containers because it’s all got to be ‘standardised’ so it’s fair.”

“Well, that’s quite the opposite of fair! He’s putting you at a disadvantage,” you said. You could feel yourself getting angry on Ominis’s behalf.

“I am perfectly capable of identifying the ingredients. Just because I can’t see them doesn’t mean I’m incompetent,” he said bitterly.

You were taken aback as his ire turned toward you. “I wasn’t trying to imply that you are, Ominis, I swear!” you said earnestly. “It just seems unreasonable that he won’t accommodate you at all. It’s so frustrating. I have an uncle who’s blind. He wasn’t born that way – he had an accident. And he’s a Muggle. So…it’s a bit different, obviously. But he’s worked in kitchens all his life. When he first went blind, he couldn’t cook anymore. But his boss’s wife, Marjorie, was blind, too. She taught him how to navigate the kitchen again without being able to see. They made adjustments to things so he could keep working there.”

“You have a blind uncle?” he asked, seeming shocked.

“Almost all my life. He married my aunt when I was just a baby,” you explained. “He cooks even better than a house-elf, too! Don’t tell Feenky I said that, though. Or Deek, for that matter.”

“I can’t believe you have a blind uncle,” Ominis said, still stunned.

“Really?” you asked. “Why not?”

He shrugged. “I’ve never met another blind person,” he said.

“Never?” you said, surprised.

“Not once,” he confirmed. “My parents weren’t exactly looking to find me a support group. It’s exceptionally rare in the wizarding world, anyway. So, they sort of just kept me hidden away until school. They hadn’t even expected I’d get a letter even though I clearly had magic. It wasn’t until I figured out how to navigate by wand that they stopped treating me like a doll instead of a child. Even my Aunt Noctua was rather overbearing. No one ever believed I could do something myself until I showed them I could.”

“I can’t imagine how difficult it was going through all of that on your own,” you said.

Ominis gave a haughty huff. “Yes, well, I think I’ve done all right for myself,” he said firmly, crossing his arms protectively over his chest.

“You’ve done more than all right, I’d say,” you argued. “Which reminds me, you still have to tutor me in herbology after this.”

He chuckled. “Don’t worry; I haven’t forgotten,” he said.

“You’d better not have,” you said sternly. Your severe expression didn’t last, though. You couldn’t help but smile around him. “Wait, so, if you didn’t have anyone to help you figure things out, did you invent the spell that lets you read books?”

“Ah, well, I suppose I wasn’t entirely on my own. Sebastian found that spell in an old tome in the library. Some languorous 17th-century scholar grew weary of having to keep his eyes open whilst reading,” he replied. “It worked quite well in my favour.”

“If there’s one thing Sebastian excels at, it’s research,” you replied.

“Yes, and it’s been both a blessing and a curse in my life,” he said irritably.

“I feel the same,” you said wearily.

Ominis spun back toward the potions station. “It smells like the potion’s ready,” he announced.

You got up and walked over to inspect it. “Mother-of-pearl sheen. Perfect spirals of steam. Excellent work, indeed, Ominis.”

He blushed at your praise. “Any essence of musky dungeon emanating from it?” he joked.

You laughed. You leaned over the cauldron and breathed in deeply to play along. “Oh,” you said, caught off guard by the smell. “Yeah, actually. It…” You took in another breath. It was masked beneath the cologne Ominis was wearing, but you could distinctly smell the cool, earthy scent that permeated the lower levels of the castle. “It does.”

“Merlin, MC! You don’t have a crush on Professor Sharp, do you?” he asked, aghast.

“Gods, no!” you replied immediately. “It’s not the dungeons, anyway. It’s different. But…familiar.”

You tried to smell it again, but it was still too hard to tell. You hadn’t realised earlier just how strong Ominis’s cologne was that day. Usually, you found the scent rather pleasant, but, currently, it was making it extremely difficult to smell anything else. You grabbed a phial and poured some of the potion into it. “I can’t tell what it is. I need to smell it in fresh air.”

“Are you trying to tell me that I smell foul?” Ominis demanded as you walked away from him.

“No, not at all,” you said before taking another sniff of the potion. “It’s just that your–”

Your voice died in your throat as two realisations struck you simultaneously. The first was that the earthy scent you had identified was the exact smell of the Undercroft. The second was that you still smelled Ominis’s cologne just as strongly even though you were on the opposite side of the room from him. The phial slipped from your hand and shattered on the wood floor.

“Are you all right?” Ominis asked, rushing over to you in a panic. “Did the potion burn you? I heard glass break. Did you get cut?”

He took both of your hands in his to feel for any injuries. The tips of his fingers brushed gently over your skin, and it sent a shiver up your spine.

“Sorry, no, I’m fine. I just–I hadn’t realised…something,” you said. You heart felt like it was beating out of your chest. Poppy had been right. You did fancy Ominis.

Ominis released one of your hands to raise his to your cheek. “Are you certain that you’re okay, MC?” he asked.

Your skin burned hot under his touch. “Y-yes, of course. I was just surprised when I placed the smell,” you said.

He tilted his head in interest. “Oh? What is it?” he asked.

You bit into your lower lip, keeping yourself silent as you wavered on whether to confess. He did seem to be rather doting at the moment. You wondered if he might return your affections.

“Perhaps I should’ve brewed the Veritaserum first, after all,” Ominis joked. “Maybe then I could finally get you to tell me what you smell.”

You laughed. “That’s not necessary. I just…Well, I’m pretty sure it’s, um…the Undercroft,” you said. Your nerves increased with every word, but you felt a flood of relief after getting them all out.

“Oh,” Ominis said uncomfortably. His whole body went rigid before his hands dropped away from you. “I…I see.”

“Ominis, I…” you started, trying and failing to figure out how to take the words back. You imagined the mortification you were experiencing was similar to how he had felt standing covered in flobberworm mucus in front of his peers.

“Well, I suppose I should still tell you what I smell, since you told me what you do,” he said sombrely. “Though, I can’t imagine it will be all that surprising.” He took a steadying breath. “It smells like old parchment, like those dusty pages Professor Weasley had you collecting last year. And I smell the mallowsweet you always carry around with you. And your shampoo. I always smell it when you hug me or fall asleep with your head on my shoulder.” He cleared his throat. “So…there you have it.”

“Are you upset about this?” you asked, bewildered by his tense reaction.

He forced a laugh. “What? No, of course not!” he insisted, but it wasn’t quite convincing. “I’m happy for you.”

“Happy for me?” you repeated, even more confused.

“Both of you, I mean,” he clarified, giving you a pained smile. “Although I’ve never asked Sebastian about his feelings toward you, with the way he flirts with you, I’m sure he reciprocates.”

“You think I fancy Sebastian?” you asked.

“Well, he’s the one who showed you the Undercroft,” he replied simply.

“Ominis, you’re the one he learned about it from. You’re the one I hang out with there. It’s rosewood and jasmine from your cologne that I smell in that bloody potion!” you said.

His brows knit together in confusion. “I thought you just smelled the Undercroft?” he said.

“Well, that’s what I thought when I was standing next to you – and in class last week,” you said. “You were right there, so I didn’t realise the smell of you was coming from the cauldron instead of…you know…you.”

His features went slack. “Oh…” he said awkwardly.

“Yeah…” you replied similarly.

“I’m a massive idiot,” he said, shaking his head at himself.

You smiled. “Yeah,” you said. “We kind of both are, aren’t we?”

“It would appear so,” he agreed. He laughed as he stepped closer and wrapped his arms around your waist. “Well, this has certainly been an illuminating study session.”

You melted into him instantly. “Indeed, it has.”

“You smell wonderful, you know,” he said as he nuzzled his nose against yours.

You giggled in response. “You smell quite nice, as well,” you replied.

“I taste even better,” he said cheekily.

Your gaze immediately dropped to his lips. “Is that so?” you asked, your voice coming out husky.

“I can prove it if you’d like,” he said. His breath fanned over your lips as he spoke.

“Yes, I think you should,” you replied. “For…educational purposes.”

Ominis’s lips brushed against yours almost tentatively before he leaned in to interlock them. His heat sank into your body as he held you firmly against his chest. You snaked your arms up behind his neck as you kissed him back. Being held by Ominis – and kissed by him – felt right. You wanted to stay wrapped in his arms forever. If you could’ve, you would have fused into him so you never had to be apart again.

You didn’t know how long it was before Ominis broke the kiss, but you knew it was too soon. “I still have to return the favour for you helping me with potions,” he said.

“Yes, right. The herbology,” you replied, still breathless from the kiss. You had forgotten about those bloody shrubs altogether.

“Actually, I was thinking we should work on divination, instead,” he said innocently, but there was a hint of a smirk on his lips.

You arched a brow at him. “Oh?” you asked. “Are you even taking divination?”

“No. I can’t exactly read tea leaves or look in a crystal ball,” he stated. The smirk spread on his lips. “But if I could, I’d see me in your future.”

You laughed. “You’ve been spending too much time with Sebastian,” you chided. “His terrible jokes are rubbing off on you.”

“You’re absolutely right, darling!” he said with a false gravity to the words. “I’d like to fix that as soon as possible by spending more time with you, instead.”

“I’d like that,” you said, unable to stop beaming at him.

“Me, too. Especially if it involves kissing you again,” he said.

You blushed. “I think that could be arranged,” you replied.

[freakbabyy]

soft universe - Eris Vanserra x Princess!Reader Chapter Three

< chapter two | chapter three | chapter four >

3.004k words

warnings: drama, smitten!eris again, mating bonds

thank you thank you thank YOU for all of the love this has received, the comments, reblogs, and likes <333 i love you guys as much as lucien loves his hair

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Story preview: Y/N Erling - youngest descendent to the King of Vallahan, not special, youngest of seven girls and four boys, and certainly not next in line to the throne. A kind soul, free-natured, always does what's asked. Content with spending the rest of her fae life taking care of her nieces and nephews while her elder siblings dealt with court dealings. That was until they drew up an agreement - her hand in exchange for their agreement to the treaty with Prythian. Enter Eris Vanserra - new high lord who did not want a wife, nor a mate. Can they work it out together - under pressure from a blood rite, a language barrier, a culture barrier, and Eris' unfortunate attempts at flirting.

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chapter three - the seed

Third POV 

Eris Vanserra the entire next day spent his free time with his dagger and a thick piece of wood. Even during meetings, he would take the two items out – nicking his fingers only a few times, yet continued with what he was doing. Anytime someone questioned what he was doing, he either ignored the question or changed the subject. However, after half a day it finally began to take shape and he couldn’t hide it from prying eyes all day – he had to finish after all. 

“Is that a flower?” His eldest and most trusted brother, Garreth, questioned. “Is it for your betrothed?” 

“Shut up.” Eris responded, working on a petal of it, using his flames to catch the end of it on fire before putting it out – giving it a tinted colour. “Yes.” 

“I never knew you were a romantic, dear brother.” His other brother, Marcus, spoke that time – nodding in approval. “If you use the dull side of the knife, you can add details to it.” 

“I didn’t ask for your advice, you two.” As he spoke, he took his brothers advice anyway, adding small details to the stem. 

“No, because knowing how stubborn you are you’d refuse to ask, even if you needed it desperately.”  

“Sometimes I really hate you two.” 

“Love you too, brother.” Marcus stood, leaving the room to attend to duties he had most likely, leaving the other two siblings. 

“When do you see her again?” Garreth wondered, admiring his brother's newfound hobby. 

“Tomorrow, after the meeting. I’m taking her for a walk through the forest, here.”  

“Seeing her again so soon? Smitten are we, brother?” Eris didn’t respond right away, and his brothers teasing smile widened. “It’s about time, you deserve to be happy.” 

“Agree to disagree.” Was his only response, as he stood up, “We have a meeting with some new advisors in a bit. We’d better get going.” 

He left before his brother could say anything more. He let out a sigh, 

“Stubborn lovestruck fool.” 

----- 

“He what?!” Nesta dropped the book she was holding onto, letting it fall to her lap – page forgotten. 

“Did you not hear me?” Y/N cocked her head to the side, getting used to Prythian sayings still. 

“No, no I heard you; it just startled me – I didn’t expect it.” Nesta picked her book back up, cursing as she looked for her page, sticking her bookmark in randomly. “When did you-?” 

“I was looking out Nyx’s window, overlooking the river, and a figure caught my attention – he appeared out of nowhere before standing in front of the door. He stood for a while I feared he was a criminal.” Y/N laughed a bit, “But then I thought, what criminal shows up in the light? Until Cassian took him inside. Then it clicked when I saw his face turn.” 

“Do you think it clicked for him too?”  

“I don’t know. He was quiet.”  

“That’s out of character for him, actually.” Nesta sipped her tea, settling her book down just as Morrigan strolled in. 

“What’re we talking about?” She plopped onto the couch beside Y/N, tucking her feet underneath her. “Boys?” 

“Ah, yes!”  

“Eris is Y/N’s mate.” Nesta spoke the same time as Y/N, blunt in stating the facts. 

“WHAT?” Morrigan sat up straight, her feet falling to the floor, “Since when?!” 

“Two days ago.” Y/N answered this time, fidgeting with the edge of her shirt – it was a pale green, a sharp contrast to her dark pants curtesy of Morrigan. She had been supplying Y/N with clothing more common in Prythian, rather than just dresses in Vallahan. “I just spoke it, I’m nervous today.” 

“To spend time with him today?”  

“Yes. I gift him two carvings last time.” 

“I’m sure he likes them, is that what you’re worried about?” 

“I don’t know, a feeling.” The girls’ conversation was cut short, a knock happening at the door. “Ah, him?”  

Nesta opened the door, settling aside as it was indeed the Autumn high lord. He was dressed casually, a stark difference to his usual attire. A white buttoned shirt with green trousers.  

“Good morning,” Eris greeted the room, which was coincidentally full of women he feared. He spoke next just to Y/N. “Are you ready, then?” 

“Yes,” She nodded, walking towards him, following him outside the door to go past the townhouse’s wards. 

“Ah, don’t be out too late, children!” A voice shouted from the second-floor window, 

“Fuck off, Cassian!” Was Eris’ reply before he turned his back to the window, holding out a hand. “Have you winnowed before?” 

“Yes, from Vallahan with Morrigan. It is a funny feeling.” Y/N confirmed, taking his large warm hand in her own, ignoring the feeling of electricity going up her arm raising the hair in its wake. 

“Oh before we go,” Eris let go to dig in his pocket, producing a beautifully carved wooden lily, “I wanted to follow your custom, to the best of my ability – I’m afraid I don’t know how to carve stone.” 

“How did you colour it?” Y/N wondered aloud, inspecting its darkened petals, and even darker stem. It wasn’t paint, or charcoal. 

“I carefully burned it,” He demonstrated by holding up his hand, which produced light blue flames, which faded into orange ones, before flickering out. “The hotter the flame the darker the colour, it just takes control to be able to not disintegrate the entire thing... Do you like it?” 

“I love it,” Her smile was so wide it looked as if her cheeks hurt, she carefully put it into her pocket on her breast, patting it for safe keeping. “I can’t wait to display on my bed table. Thank you.”  

“You’re very welcome,” He stuck his hand out again, as she grasped it – finally winnowing to the middle of the forest, a path he often took his hounds on. “Morrigan said you enjoyed flowers, there are a bunch a bit up the trail.” 

Eris took in Y/N, who was taking in the scenery around her. She just now looked up, from bending over at the knees after winnowing. Her face lit up; she twirled slowly looking at everything around her. The different types of trees and leaves, at their many colours, even to the different insects buzzing around. 

“What are that?” Y/N wondered aloud, bending down to look at a tiny thing at the base of a tree, nearly covered by the foliage. She carefully poked at it – recoiling at the texture. Eris held in a small laugh, 

“That’s a mushroom,” He pulled one out of the ground, and showed her the underneath – which had her touching it, feeling the odd textures. “Do they not have mushrooms where you hail?” 

“On plates for eating, not like this.” She turned her head, instead inspecting something on a fallen tree trunk, “What this?” 

“That would be an ant,” He watched her in wonder, what else did she not know of? “Do they have any forests where you’re from?” 

“No,” She started walking, he sped to catch up to her, “We only have mountains, so high up that not many things grow. I saw grass for the first time when I came here. It feels nice.” 

Eris wasn’t sure what to say to that, in truth he felt a little pity – she never climbed trees as a child? She never ran barefoot through a meadow, chased by her siblings as they played a game? Too lost in thought he hadn’t realized she disappeared. 

“Y/N?” He spoke, a bit alarmed at where she could have gone and thought the worst. His resolve relaxed when he heard a giggle from above and looked up – she was in the tree. Hanging upside down, her hair hanging below her. “What by the mother are you doing?” 

“Hanging around,” She smiled, as he came closer, “It like climbing rocks at home.” 

“Be careful, I don’t need you dying on our first date, please.” Eris joked, as she dismounted with ease, landing on her feet – when did she take her shoes off? 

“I won’t,” Y/N confirmed, running off to look at something else new, and the more Eris thought she reminded him of his hounds, always so curious to look at something new. “Eris?” 

He could get used to hearing his name on her lips. 

“Yes?” As he approached, she turned around, and he was appalled. “Where in Prythian did you get that? How did you even pick it up?” 

“It was in bushes, friendly like a cat.” In her hands, was an entire fox. It was currently sniffing her hair yet not being hostile. 

“Are you a fox-whisperer?” Eris questioned, cautiously walking forward to take a look at it. It didn’t seem injured, rather relaxed if anything. He reached out to lightly pet it, and it didn’t bite him. 

“Animals like me,” Y/N smiled, giving it a hug before releasing it back into its bush, waving goodbye. 

“Whatever you say, mother-fox.” He held up his hands, watching once more as Y/N returned to the trail before wandering off to the side to look at something, a comfortable silence taking over before the light ahead got closer – the meadow. 

“Ah,” Y/N ran forward, hitting the meadow at full speed – her calves being tickled by the wildflowers and tall grass, “It feels funny!” 

Eris sat on a raised rock, where he often sat when he needed alone time, enjoying watching Y/N run circles around him, almost dancing in the meadow. When she spotted a new flower she stopped abruptly, bending to look at it, sniffing it, and moving on. It must have been about ten minutes before she finally collapsed beside him, lying flat on her back out of breath. 

“Have fun?” 

“Yes. Though, it remind me of a word I do not know in your tongue.” She sat up, leaning on her elbows. 

“Try to describe it, maybe I know it?”  

“I can’t, it’s too...” She seemed to have gotten an idea, she pointed to the bottom of her foot, “Here.” 

Eris stayed silent, unknowing what she could mean, until she grasped his foot that was on the rock, crossed on his knee. She began untying his boot, pulling it off with force that almost knocked her over, and then pulled his sock off, 

“What by the mother are you doing?” 

“Trust!” Was all she said, before pushing his foot off, and as it touched the grass and wildflowers though, he pulled it back up, holding in a laugh – his knee jerk reaction being what she pointed at, “That!” 

“My reaction?” She nodded, “It tickled, are you ticklish?” 

“Ah! Tick-Lish!” Y/N confirmed, “The meadow is tick-lish.” 

“There’s a new word for you, today.” Eris smirked as he pulled his sock and shoe back on, not choosing to go barefoot like she had. 

“Well technically my word of day was ‘radish’, but I like tick-lish better.” Eris’ nose scrunched, 

“Why radish?” 

“I bit into it thinking it was baby apple, not apple. I did not like.” 

“I don’t blame you, I don’t either.” 

“Tell me more, about you.” Y/N spoke, sitting cross legged across from him, he copied how she was sitting to look at her fully. “What colour do you like?” 

“My favourite colour?” He confirmed, she nodded, “I like green. A deep green – almost like moss. What about you? What’s yours?” 

“I like... (You can insert your own favourite colour, and what it reminds you of : ) mines light green, like a diluted sage green.)” She thought for a moment, “Do you have siblings?” 

“I do; I had six brothers.” 

“No sisters? Your poor mother!” Eris laughed at that, his mother had said the exact thing to herself at one point, “I have you beat, though.” 

“By the cauldron, how many siblings do you have?” 

“Ten,” His eyes widened, 

“Your poor mother,” Y/N laughed at that, “Are there any twins or triplets?” 

“Ah, three sets of twins. Do you?” 

“None, just single babies. I know you’re the youngest, too. I’m the oldest.” 

“We are the opposites!” 

“We are, though I hear we did the same thing, take care of babies.” Y/N smiled at this, 

“Ah, I love babies, they are so cute! Like... Well, I can’t think of anything really cute right now, but it would be really cute!” 

“They are, aren’t they?” Eris smiled, thinking of baby Lucien, the last baby he had taken care of. “Want to hear a secret?” 

Y/N nodded frantically, scooching closer as if they weren’t alone in the clearing, 

“The last baby I took care of, my youngest brother Lucien,” 

“Ah! Eyeball!” 

“Yes, him, you know how the autumn court is known for its fire powers, yes?” 

“Yes, orange leaves like fire, is how I remember.” 

“Indeed. Lucien, when he first laughed – let out a glow of light, so bright as if he swallowed faelight. I couldn’t explain it, neither could the one maid I had asked, worried I had messed him up,” 

“What was it?” 

“Well, come to find out, dearest Lucien and I have different fathers. My mother, had met her mate, and had conceived Lucien as a result.” 

“Who is her mate?” 

“Oh, no one, just... The High Lord of Day.” The way Y/N’s eyes widened looked painful, as she clasped her mouth with her hands, “That reaction was how I felt when I found out, trust me. My poor mother had to explain it to a fifteen-year-old me, mortified.” 

“The lady of autumn... Married to high lord of autumn, but mated to the high lord of day! What happened? Where is she now?” 

“Oh, she lives in day with him now, she is now high lady of day. She never really loved my father; their arrangement was purely political. She wasn’t too torn up when he died. Delighted, actually.” 

“I would be sad,” Eris looked up, meeting Y/N’s eyes, wide. “If you died, I mean.” 

“Oh, I hadn’t meant to bring up... You know. Our political arrangement, not in that light anyway, I really don’t want it in that light anyway – I don’t want to be my father, nor you my mother-” His rambling got cut short, a delicate hand grasping his own, 

“I know, Eris.” Y/N smiled encouragingly, “I met your father, once. I was young, apparently, I didn’t like him.”  

“When was this?” Eris questioned, completely unaware that this had taken place, 

“I was a babe, he made the trip to secure us with Hybern, my older sister, Vidia, told me that at one point he came to say hello to me and my siblings, to show his good-ness to my parents.” She laughed hard at remembering, “Apparently, when he held me, I had not only spit up all over him but also blew-out my diaper. It had gone everywhere, and the more he moved, the more it got worse-” 

She couldn’t talk anymore, full on cackling at this point – and Eris had joined her, delighted at the idea of his father covered in not only vomit, but also shit. Literally. When their laughter died down, Eris grasped her hand back, a genuine smile on his face. 

“Oh, I think the mother had known what she had done, putting us together.” Y/N looked up from their hands, quickly to his face, 

“Put us together?” He paled, 

“Oh, I didn’t- shit.” He pulled his hand away, “Cauldron, I had a whole speech planned to tell you, and a picnic, and I wanted to wait awhile until I sprung that on you, but I was too caught up in the moment-” 

He was interrupted by Y/N launching herself into him, nearly knocking him off of the rock, securing her hands around his shoulders,  

“I knew you felt it too! Though I do like picnics, if that is an option, still.” 

“I- you knew too? When?” Eris was at a loss for words, 

“I saw you outside Nyx’s window, you were stood at the door – for a while.” 

“You saw that!? That’s humiliating! I was so scared to meet you!” Eris groaned, rubbing his hand down his face, as Y/N laughed a bit.  

“When did you know?” 

“When I saw you singing to Nyx, it was lovely. I was completely entranced by your singing. You’re so caring to Nyx, too.” 

“Oh, that is better than standing at a doorway for ten minutes.” Eris groaned again, “Kidding!” 

“You aren’t upset? About the bond?” 

“Ah, no. I grew up hearing stories of it, how wonderful it is. Even now, with everyone at home with a mate. It is beautiful. What about you? You are high lord; you have a lot to do right now...” 

“I am, and I’m ecstatic. Ah, that means very happy. I do have a lot right now, and it might take a while for me to fully be able to devote my time to you, but in the meantime... I’m more than happy to spend my free time with you, my free days wherever you want, here or there.” 

“We can go slow; we have all the time.” Y/N concluded, as Eris agreed, pressing a light kiss to the back of her hand, 

“Though, we shouldn’t announce it yet, to anyone other than who needs to know. I have a lot of enemies at the moment, especially in autumn. I do not wish for them to harm you.” 

“I might have told Nesta. And Morrigan.” 

“That’s fine, I trust them. They’re good at holding secrets. Plus, I told my brothers last night, they practically pestered me until I told them what I was hiding.” 

“Okay, then only Nesta, Morrigan and your brothers?” 

“Works for me,” Eris nodded, standing, “It’s been three hours, I should probably get you home, before they come to strangle me. Nesta scares me.” 

“Ah, good idea. I promised to put Nyx down for his afternoon nap.” 

“I’ll see you next week? For our next afternoon together? Same time?” 

“Yes,” Y/N smiled, and Eris smiled back. 

Both of them excited for what the future holds, for the first time in forever. 

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[thecharacterchronicler]

Mandrakes, dusty books & an apology (Part 3) || Sebastian Sallow || Smut

Outline: You’re still managing to hide your pregnancy, but jealousy and mood swings are complicating everything.

Warnings: aged up characters, friends with benefits, (accidental / secret) pregnancy, body insecurities/self deprecation, explicit smut

(( Part 1 - Exams, poltergeists & supply closets )) - (( Part 2 - Friends with benefits… & a baby ))

Your bad mood reached an all time high when you sat down at your station in Professor Garlick’s greenhouse, feeling far too exhausted to be gardening and the constant hunger you felt made you overly grumpy. Even Ominis knew better than to sit next to you, preferring a seat closer to where the teacher stood, next to Sebastian.

You couldn’t care less about your teacher’s monologue about mandrakes today, the enthousiasm and passion in her speech you usually loved was grating on your nerves lately, even more so when you noticed how Sebastian was very attentive to her .

It wasn’t a secret that that idiot had a big crush on your herbology professor, he had been very vocal about it for the past three years actually, always whispering inappropriate comments in Ominis’s ear or cracking vulgar jokes about it with Garreth. Habitually, you didn’t mind, knowing it was just harmless banter between him and the other guys. But with his baby growing inside you, you suddenly felt a bit too possesive to let him shamelessly stare at Professor Garlick’s beautiful face without feeling jealous.

It didn’t help that, as Sebastian so diplomatically put it this morning, you were becoming pretty huge. He wasn’t wrong, but a bit of tact would have been nice, especially considering the mood swings you had been dealing with since you entered your fourth month of pregnancy. He needed to be careful because the murderous rage you felt at times might as well backfire against him one day.

You caught yourself resting your hand over your round belly, an habit you couldn’t help but that unmistakably brought people’s attention to it. You didn’t expect your stomach to look like a basketball so early on, confident that you would be able to hide it under large clothes for at least until your last trimester but that baby sure seemed too big and too strong to go along with your plan. You knew it was now just a matter of time until one of your professors noticed and sent you to the headmaster’s office for a talk. For now, your winter clothes still did the trick, concealing your curves and making it seem reasonable to simply assume that you might have gone crazy on chocolates and sweets after Valentines’ day but in a short few weeks, it would be spring and then summer, and covering yourself up with thick wool shirts would no longer be an option.

“Now I’d like you to pair up and care for the plants.” Professor Garlick demanded and you sighed, louder than you meant to.

Sebastian still had his eyes glued to your lovely looking herbology teacher. No wonder it was one of the rare classes in which he struggled to keep his grades up, he was constantly distracted by the young professor instead. Maybe he was hoping to pair up with her for a special lesson, but it was Ominis who was chosen to change the mandrakes’ pots with her. You weren’t sure that it was a really fun task, but the boy who knocked you up sure looked disappointed to be missing out on this opportunity.

He walked to where you were sitting, resigned to pair up with you and you could not help but feel upset that you weren’t his first choice. You saw his warm brown eyes momentarily trace the curve of your belly, the panic you saw in his gaze when you had told him that you were pregnant always present on his face since then.

“What’s wrong ?” He asked you. Oh, how annoying that he was capable of reading the expressions on your face like an open book. “Is it the baby ?”

“No. The baby’s fine.” You answered, and the amount of relief that softened his features took you by surprise, making you realize how much he cared for your unborn child. His child.

“Then what is it ?”

“Nothing.” You shook your head, focusing on the hungry Chinese chomping cabbages sprouts in front of you. Those were tricky to feed and required your full attention.

“By Merlin, what did I do this time ?” He asked, rolling his eyes. You glared at him for a moment, uncertain of how to feel. A part of you felt truly emotional from realizing how well he knew you but another part of you wanted to slap him in frustration. How could he be so unaware of his annoying behavior ?

“I’m just upset because you’ve been avoiding me lately.”

“I haven’t.”

“Yes, you have ! You didn’t even want to be paired up with me right now.” You snapped back, cautiously feeding one of the cabbages.

“I didn’t want to have to take care of these annoying little things, they are the worse…” He explained, not paying enough attention to the sprout next to him, visibly too eager to eat out of his hand to wait for Sebastian to focus on it, so he chomped down on his fingers. “Ouch !”

You looked away to hide your grin, the satisfaction you felt from the cabbage’s vicious attack was a nice reprieve for your bottled up anger and frustration.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure Professor Garlick will take good care of you.” You eventually said, your tone so bitter that it spoke volumes of what the reason for your bad mood really was. You stood up and excused yourself, leaving the class early.

Sebastian stared at you in confusion as you walked out of the greenhouse, holding his bitten hand to his chest with a grimace of pain still lingering on his face.

“I messed up.” Sebastian declared, burying his face in his hands for a moment, unable to focus on the open book in front of him.

“That you did.” Ominis confirmed, his voice low enough to not be heard by anyone else.

“No, I mean today.” He clarified, trying to remember what he felt was important to write down in his notebook just a minute ago. “She’s clearly upset with me, she’s been avoiding me since our Herbology class this morning and I have no idea why.”

“I may have a few ideas, I can make you a list if you’d like.” Ominis retorted. Sebastian was about to counter with a witty comment but no words came out of his mouth when he saw you walk in the Great Hall with two large books in your arms.

He met your gaze and attempted to smile at you but you remained stoic and cold as you made your way to their table, sitting in front of both of your friends but only smiling at Ominis. Which wasn’t even fair since he couldn’t even enjoy such a lovely sight…

“Hey, Ominis.”

“Good afternoon.” He greeted you back, letting a moment of silence go by before leaning in towards Sebastian. “You’re right, she’s upset.”

“Oh, thanks for the heads up.” He groaned, sarcastically.

“My pleasure.”

You opened your books to study without paying them any attention, already rapidly writing down some notes on a parchement. Sebastian couldn’t help but stare at you, frustrated with your obvious disappointment in him but also hypnotized by your shirt, so tight over your voluminous breast that it left a gap between the buttons where the fabric was as stretched out as it could be.

“Is everything alright ?” He finally had the courage to ask you, struggling to peel his eyes away from the new curves of your body.

“Fantastic.” You replied coldly, without even bothering to look at him.

“I can tell that you are upset. Just tell me what’s wrong.” He insisted.

“Nothing.” You said, in a tone that suggested the total opposite.

“Please, I’d love to hear what this idiot did to upset you… Again.” Ominis pleaded, which was an odd way of supporting his best - and only - friend but Sebastian decided to let it slide.

“This idiot told me that I was becoming pretty huge this morning.” You snapped, glaring daggers in his direction. “And then, he proceeded to flirt with Professor Garlick during the whole class.”

“Have you ever heard of something called tact, Sebastian ?” Ominis sighed, shaking his head.

“I may have said that but it was just an observation, because your belly is showing more than what I thought it would in the beginning of your second trimester, that’s it.” Sebastian justified, but by the way your jaw clenched, it wasn’t helping diffuse the tension much. “And I did not flirt with Garlick.”

“You always flirt with Garlick.” Ominis stated, without hesitation.

“All the other guys do it, it doesn’t mean anything.”

“Maybe, but you’re the one who turned it into a competition.”

“Don’t you have somewhere else to be, Ominis ?” Sebastian asked, through clenched teeth.

“No, my schedule is cleared for the rest of the day.” He responded, smugly.

“You’re such a…” Sebastian started but stopped himself when he noticed that you had left while he was arguing with Ominis. “Crap.”

“A… Crap ? I’ve heard more creative insults than that.” Ominis reacted but he ignored him, jumping to his feet to try to find you. He needed to make things right again because he couldn’t stand knowing that you were upset, especially not when it was because of him.

He found you in the library, of course, hidden in an empty aisle with your books abandoned on the floor and an expression of hurt on your face that made his heart sink in his chest.

You slightly jumped when you saw him approaching, briefly meeting his gaze before pretending to look at a book on the shelf in front of you.

“Is Garlick really the problem ? Are you jealous of her ?” He asked, trying to be gentle but still managing to sound as if it was the most ridiculous thing he ever heard. “ It’s just a silly game between me and the other guys, nobody takes it seriously… Except Leander maybe.”

“Well, Garlick doesn’t have a big belly and swollen ankles, does she ? And even if she did, she’d probably still be pretty. Unlike me.”

“Oh please, you’re the prettiest girl in this school and you know it.” Sebastian snapped back, without hesitation but you still felt too bad to accept the compliment and move on. Your feelings were so confusing that you couldn’t help but need to pick up a fight, if only to let out some of your pant up anxiety and anger out.

“You told me I was huge !”

“Yeah, cause my baby is growing inside of you.” He justified, slightly too loud. He glanced around, making sure no one heard him before continuing with a lower voice. “Trust me, there’s nothing more glorious to me than the way your shirt barely fits your chest anymore. Your whole body is changing, getting rounder and plump and it’s driving me crazy, I can barely focus on my homework and I can barely focus on my work because all I can think about is how badly I want to touch you, all the time.”

His gaze wandered down your uniform, as if to mark his point, while his eyes dangerously darkened at the sight of the very curves he was talking about. Something warm and fuzzy bloomed in your heart at his words, knowing from the way he looked at you - like he could devour you - that he was saying the truth.

He reached out to place a hand on your belly for the first time, his thumb gently stroking it over the fabric of your shirt. He stepped closer - a lot closer - and his eyes moved downwards to your chest, where your shirt was indeed stretched out by the impressive new size of your breasts.

In the dimly lit corner of the library, nestled between the towering shelves of dusty tomes, a sense of forbidden excitement began to swirl around you. With Scribner’s desk out of sight, and the occasional cough from a nearby student serving as the only reminder of your surroundings, the tension between you grew thick enough to slice with a knife.

Sebastian’s eyes raked over your body, lingering on your round belly. His hand ghosted over the curve of your waist and he noticed how your cheeks flushed a deep shade of crimson in reaction, your eyes filling with a hunger that probably mirrored his own.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart, the scent of old books mingling with your sweet perfume. His fingers danced over your swollen breasts, teasing the sensitive tips of your nipples through the fabric of your shirt until they stood at attention.

He felt your hands on his body, leaving a trail of electricity in their wake as they found their way to the very noticeable bulge in his pants. You firmly pressed your palm against it and it pulsed beneath your touch. The air grew heavy with desire, and the sound of his ragged breaths filled the otherwise quiet space.

He knew you both had to be careful; the risk of getting caught was part of the thrill. Scribner was known to patrol the aisles with the vigilance of a hawk, and the occasional rustle of pages or the squeak of a chair was enough to make his heart skip a beat.

He guided you between the dusty shelves, into the shadows of a more isolated corner, your bodies touching as he finally dared to press a kiss on your lips.

With a grin that was half mischief and half pure, unadulterated need, Sebastian knelt before you, your pregnant belly a gentle curve that led him down to the sweet promised land between your legs. He lifted your skirt up and pushed aside the damp fabric of your panties. His tongue darted out, tracing a path up your slit, teasing your clit with a flick that made you gasp. Your thighs trembled, and you leaned back against the cold wooden shelf behind you, your homework forgotten as he feasted on you. His mouth worked you in a symphony of pleasure, his tongue swirling around your swollen nub with an expertise that had your hips bucking towards him. Your hands tangled in his hair, urging him closer, your breath coming in sharp gasps.

He slid his fingers into your welcoming heat, stretching your walls and curling in a way that visibly sent shockwaves of pleasure through your body. He could tell that you were close from the tension in your muscles and the warmth coating his tongue… But he suddenly heard Scribner’s footsteps growing closer, the sound of the rubber soles of her shoes a reminder of the world outside this bubble of lust.

Yet, rather than deterring him, it only spurred him on, encouraging him to drive you closer to the edge before someone might interrupt him and he’d lose his chance to redeem himself.

With a few more movements of his fingers and hungry flicks of his tongue, your orgasm crashed over you, your pussy convulsing around his digits. You bit your lower lip to keep quiet, but a soft moan still reached his ears, a satisfying sound that often haunted his sleepless nights.

He looked up at you, a smirk playing on his lips as he licked his fingers clean, leaving you breathless. He stood up, his hair tousled from the way you had tugged on it, wiping his mouth and chin, still glistening under the faint light of this corner of the library. Then, he helped you adjust your skirt and the thick shirt over your belly, trying to conceal it.

“Do I deserve forgiveness now ?” He asked you, a smug grin on his lips.

“You do. But frankly, I’m not even sure I was allowed to be upset about it in the first place. It’s not like we’re together or anything. You have every right to avoid me if you want to…”

“I’m not avoiding you. I just put all of my free time to good use and run errands for people, I’m hoping to have enough money aside by summer to provide for the three of us until I can get a real job.”

“Oh.” Was all you managed to say at first, visibly surprised by his response. “I didn’t know that you were planning on helping out.”

“Of course I am.” He said, somewhat vexed. “Our baby will be the most spoiled kid in Feldcroft.”

“You want us to live in Feldcroft ?”

“Well I figured it was a good starting point since Solomon’s house is mine now. But we can settle anywhere you want.”

“I like Feldcroft, I always thought it looked like a nice place to live in...”

Sebastian instantly felt relieved. He didn’t have much to offer, but he was glad you weren’t opposed to the one thing he could provide.

“I was thinking that maybe we could stay there for spring break in a few weeks, so that we might be able to keep the secret from your parents a bit longer and you could see if you’re comfortable in the house. We could get started on the nursery as well… Are you crying ? Did I say something wrong ?”

He leaned closer to brush a teardrop off of your cheek and you smiled at him through your tears.

“It just… the hormones.” You justified, but he clearly didn’t believe you and neither did you, your throat tight and your heart bursting with joy at his words. But before you could manage to tell him how much it meant to you that he wanted to take care of you and your baby, a student approached to look at the books on the shelf next to where you were standing, making it impossible to keep talking about the secret you shared with your best friend.

You both tried to pretend like nothing had happened as you walked out of the library, but Sebastian couldn’t seem to fully conceal the cocky smile on his face, he felt slightly too proud of himself at the sight of your still slightly shaking legs and your adorably flushed cheeks, some lovely consequences of the intense pleasure he had managed to give you between the shelves.

♡ - (( Tip Jar )) - ♡

Other stories:

[kylominis]

weasley wednesday? more like wet weasley 💦 [♡]

[atypicalamortentia]

They Wake Up With An Erection

Synopsis - The boys reaction to waking up with an erection.

Warnings - NSFW.

Notes - All characters are 18+!

Word Count - 1.2k

[Caffeinate Me]

SEBASTIAN SALLOW will take care of his erection as soon as he wakes up. When his eyes shot open and he felt his hard erection pressing against the covers, Sebastian couldn't help but groan. He hadn’t been dreaming of anything in particular, just of you and him having a picnic date; it was cute really, so why had he woken up with a raging hard on? Sitting up in bed, Sebastian quickly looks around the room to make sure he’s alone before he slips a hand below his sheets and boxers. With his hand placed firmly around his base, Sebastian slowly begins to jerk himself off, mind automatically flashing to you as his hand moves faster around his length. Merlin, what were you doing to him? Sebastian grips his cock tighter in his fist all in a futile attempt to imagine his hand as your cunt wrapped around him. Silent moans slip past his lips, his head falls backwards, eyes screw shut tight with pleasure as he feels his balls tighten. It doesn’t take Sebastian long to reach his end, especially thinking of you doing this to him. He shivers as he cums, hips stuttering as he shoots his load over his hand. He bites his lip to ensure his groans are kept to a minimum before he opens his eyes again to be met with the boy's dorm room once again. “Fuck,” Sebastian whispers to himself. He wipes his cum-covered hand on his boxers before standing up and grabbing his wand to clean himself up. Maybe one day, you would be giving him a morning handjob. That was, if he wasn’t so chicken to open his mouth and admit that he was in love with you.

OMINIS GAUNT will most likely be woken up by Sebastian’s clumsiness as he gets dressed for the day. Ominis’ eyes flutter open and he immediately feels his erection straining against his boxers. “Did I wake you?” Sebastian asks sheepishly, not looking at his friend as he continues to get dressed. Ominis just grumbles and closes his eyes again pretending to go back to sleep in an attempt to get Sebastian to go away faster. When he hears the boys dorm room door open and close, Ominis speaks to check he’s alone. When he realises he is indeed alone, his hand jumps down to his hardened cock and immediately begins stroking it with so much need. Ominis isn’t one to masturbate often, but it was so hard it hurt. He had no choice. His mind drifts to your voice, simply just talking to him, but when he imagines you whispering lewd things into his ear, his hand picks up its pace. Ominis is moving his hand so quickly, afraid of being caught, that he doesn’t even get to prepare himself before his cum spurts out of his pink tip. He closes his eyes and focuses on regaining his breath as he lays there, feeling lowkey ashamed of himself for masturbating over you, one of his closest friends. When he feels like he’s ready to face the day, Ominis stands up and feels for his wand on his bedside table using it to get himself ready for the day. It dawned on him that maybe he’d have to confess his feelings for you.

GARRETH WEASLEY wakes up as soon as his cock hardens. It’s like he has a sixth sense about it when he’s asleep. It’s early morning, roughly around 4am, the sun is coming up and is threatening to spill through the curtains in the boys dorm. Garreth looks around and finds he’s the only one awake. He closes the Gryffindor coloured curtains around his bed for more privacy and he knows has to be quiet if he’s going to do this here. With a shaky breath, Garreth reaches down his pyjama pants and grips the base of his cock tightly. His mind drifts back to the dream he was having: you were on top of him, moving your hips so deliciously as the most delectable moans fell from your lips. It was all the material Garreth needed to get himself off, biting his lip to keep himself quiet and avoid waking anybody up with his sinful situation. His strokes were slow and sloppy at first due to him still being sleepy, but the second his body relaxed he quickened the pace. He spits on his cock to lube himself up more and continues his fast movements as he thinks about you. Garreth pushes himself to the brink with his thoughts of you, his hand going slack around his tip as he cums, hard, over his hand. It was then that Garreth realised he had to get you underneath him. Had to get you away from Sallow and Gaunt and all to himself. Garreth peaks his head out of the curtains to make sure nobody is awake before he pulls up his boxers and rushes to the bathroom to clean himself up. He then jumps back into bed and falls asleep, full of pure bliss from his orgasm.

LEANDER PREWETT is woken up by Garreth who is laughing at his erection poking up from his covers. “You better take care of that mate,” Garreth whistles before leaving Leander alone in the boys dorm. Leander rolls his eyes and looks down at his hard-on, groaning at the fact his friend had woken him up because of it. Hopefully he was the only one who saw. Leander thinks for a moment. Would it be quicker to take care of it or leave it? With a nod of his head, he agrees with himself that it would be much quicker to take care of it and pushes his sheets down past his knees. Leander palms himself through his shorts and a soft whine escapes his lips. His eyes are full-blown with lust as he rakes his other hand through his ginger hair. He’s really doing this in his dorm? Without thinking it through any further, Leander shoves his hand down his shorts and grasps the base of his cock, squeezing it tightly. His tip is leaking pre-cum already before he even begins to move and he thinks back to what got him this worked up - he was dreaming of you playing with his hair and nibbling on his ear. He hadn’t even gotten to the best part before Garreth had woken him up, so Leander had no visual imagery to go on other than your face which he saw day in and day out. Immediately upon thinking about you, Leander found his hand moving rapidly along his shaft. His eyes squeeze shut and he bites his bottom lip harshly to stop the loud moan threatening to escape his lips. God he was imagining you on your knees for him, warm mouth around his cock as he thrusts into your face violently. He didn’t want to be soft with you right now, he wanted to be rough. The thought of dominating you had taken over Leander completely and soon, he was cumming over his stomach with a loud moan. He breathes heavily as he opens his eyes, face flushed red from the orgasm when suddenly there’s a knock at the boys dorm. “Can I come in now?” It was Garreth again. Leander rolled his eyes and covered himself up before answering and turning over to go back to sleep for just a few more minutes.

[anarcoqueer1994]

I need more of Eddie telling the band! Need it! Fix my brusied heart! Fix Steve's bruised heart! Tell me that he's everything! He is everything!!

Part 1 here.

Hope this fixes it <3 I'm going to admit my toxic trait is being angsty and not always being the best at fixing it. But I hope this is good. Thank you for reading!!

"Dude, what was that?" Gareth finally breaks the awkward silence between the 4 of them. They all look at Eddie.

He presses his palms to his eyes until he can see little white dots when he opens them again to stare at his three best friends. He feels like dirt. Actually less than dirt. He cared so much about what they would think of his dating Steve, that not only did hurt his favorite person in the whole world, but he did not even trust his friends enough to give them a chance. He finally lets out a sigh before saying "That was me fucking up. Like royally fucking up.".

"You going to explain, maybe?" Jeff asks, slowly putting the pieces together but confirmation from Eddie would be nice.

"I, um, I mean Steve and I have been seeing each other for the past 6 months, since Spring Break actually." Eddie finally says, holding his breath, waiting for a response.

"You guys have been seeing each other for six months?" Garreth parrots back in disbelief.

"Yea. He's my boyfriend...well he was. I actually don't know now." Eddie says sadly.

"You have been together for like half a year, and you didn't tell us, why?" Caleb asks, confused in why Eddie would hide this.

"I don’t know, man. It's just, in high school we would talk so much shit about people like Steve. And I know Steve better now, so I know how much of a great guy he is but like he is still an ex-jock. And I was worried about, you know." He mumbles.

"You were worried what we would think. Man, what is wrong with you?" Jeff laughs. "Eddie Munson isn't supposed to care what people think, even your loser friends."

'Besides, if you say he's good, we trust you, okay?" Gareth adds. "But I do have a couple of questions."

Eddie can't help but smile at his friends, even though his stomach still hurts thinking about the look on Steve’s face from a few minutes prior. But he indulges Gareth. "Ask away, I guess I owe you guys."

"Does he treat you alright?" Gareth asks simply.

Eddie nods softly. "He treats me better than anyone I've ever been with. He's always so soft and gentle with me. I swear, he looks at me like I'm something special, and I don't know why. Sometimes I don't think I deserve it."

"Do you love him?" Gareth follows up.

"God, more than anything." Eddie says with out hesitatation.

"And do you think he loves you?" He asks simply.

"I know he loves me. He tells me ever day." And not just with his words, but with his actions too. Steve shows Eddie he loves him every day with all the little things does for him.

"Then why are you still sitting down here, dude?" Gareth asks. "You better go and fix this before you lose him." He says it likes its the most obvious thing in the world.

Eddie hurriedly nods. Gareth is right. He has to talk to Steve, like now. He practically jumps up from the table, nearly tripping as does.

As he runs past his friends and up the steps, he looks at the cupcakes Steve had sat down on the small table by the steps. They looked homemade, a little messy but perfect. Steve had piped little silly hearts on them all, and in the center were little frosting dice. He can't help the way it makes his heart skip a beat. Steve was ridiculously romantic, and Eddie loves that.

He continues up the steps, two at a time, hoping Steve and the kids are up there, but they aren't. He frantically makes his way to door, only to see them sitting in Steve’s car through the window, still in the driveway. He's relieved.

As soon as he opens the door, all their eyes shoot up. He can see the look on Steve’s face, obviously trying to hold back tears. Even now, Steve is trying to be strong with the kids. Their eyes though looked like they could kill Eddie, even Dustin. He fucked up badly.

He nervously makes his way over to Steve's open window. When he gets there, Steve doesn't say a word, doesn't even look at him, just stares forward. Eddie tries anyway. "Stevie, can we talk...please? Alone?" He looks at the other 4 in the car.

Steve squeezes the wheel harder. He knows if he talks, he will start crying. And he doesn't want to do that in front of Eddie. Fuck, this hurts so bad. It felt like when Nancy called him and his love bullshit all over again. He is bullshit...he is nothing. Just a washed up ex jock, who is just there when people need him. He doesn't get the happy ending, the true love.

Dustin speaks up "You're an asshole, man. Go away." Not even Mike speaks up to defend him. Who does though, surprises him.

"He's not...." Steve whispers, unable to speak any louder. Steve can't see it, but Eddie sees all the looks of pitty shot at him. Eddie knows Steve shouldn't be defending him, but he is.

"No, Stevie. I am. I am an asshole. And I'm so sorry. Please can we talk?" Eddie begs.

Steve lets out a sigh before turning to the "kids." "Go on. It's fine. Go and clean up your shit so Mrs. Wheeler isn't mad." He tries to say in a straight voice.

They reluctantly get out but still shoot Eddie dirty glances as they head in. Eddie nervously walks to the passenger side and gets in.

"What do you want to talk about?" Steve chokes out, still not looking at him.

"What I said in there wasn't the truth. Steve, baby...I am so sorry. I did not mean it..." He tries pathetically.

Steve's hands are shaking as they stay rested on the steering wheel. He finally turns his head to look at Eddie. "Then why did you say it, Eddie? If you didn't mean it, why did you say it?!" His voices cracks, as a little tear escapes, running down his cheek.

All Eddie wants to do is reach over and wipe it away, but he thinks better of it. "Because I'm an idiot, sweetheart." He replies softly. "I shouldn't have hidden us, but today everyone was ganging up on me, and I got overwhelmed...and it just came out. You are not nothing, baby."

"Come on, Eddie! There had to be some truth to it, or it wouldn't have come out. I am not an idiot." Steve says in his bitchiest voice, his wall going up, trying to protect himself from more hurt.

It feels like a punch to his gut. Eddie really made Steve believe their could be some truth in his words. "Steve....I promise you, I was just being some vain asshole, too worried about my reputation as a cool metalhead." He says, knowing how lame it sounds to say out loud. "How could I, Eddie "the freak" Munson, possibly have ended up with the prettiest boy in school."

"What you said was fucked up, you know..." another tear escaping, but the punch is gone from his words.

"I know...I know. I am so sorry, princess. I'll do anything to make it up to you." Eddie pleads softly.

Steve gives him a sad smile, anger melting away leaving only hurt. "I'm just having a hard time believing that I'm not nothing...I mean, you didn't want to tell your friends. And like, I know I can be a little much sometimes, and overbearing. And I'm sorry if I embarrassed you...."He whispers. He feels like nothing, like bullshit, like trash. He isn't endgame, he's never anyone's endgame.

Hearing Steve Harrington apologize for being embarrassing makes Eddie feel like he is in some alternate dimension, maybe he never left the upside down. But more concerningly, to hear Steve sound so small, broke him. Steve was the bravest, sweetest, bitchiest, protective, hottest person he knew but right now, Steve felt small. And it destroyed him to know he caused this. He caused Steve to feel unimportant...unloved. and he had promised himself that he would never do that to him.

He reaches over and grabs Steve's hand, squeezing softly. "God, baby, you have nothing to be sorry for. I am the one who was so self centered, that I did the worst thing I have ever done. I hurt you." He moves his other hand to Steve's cheek, and to his relief, Steve leans into, doesn't pull away. "I somehow made the person who is everything to me, feel like nothing. And that just won't do."

"Eds..." Steve whispers.

"Stevie, I promise you, I will spend everyday trying to make it up to you."

"You...you don't have to...." Steve says softly, sadly.

"Yea, I do. Because Steve, you are everything. You are it for me, sweetheart. There is not a single day I will let go by without you knowing that. I will never let anyone, including myself, make you feel like you are nothing." Eddie leans closer, resting his forehead against Steve's.

By this point, tears were freely falling down Steve’s face. But now he's smiling, even laughing a little. "You are such a sap, Eddie." He jokes before leaning in and placing a tiny kiss against Eddie's lips. "And I love you so much."

Eddie feels a million times lighter as he keeps holding Steve. "I love you too, baby. And you are everything...you are everything....you are everything. " He repeats as I to make sure Steve understands how true it is, not leaving any room for doubt in Steve’s head.

Thank you for reading again! Also side note, did not want to drag this out but definitely see the others eating all the cupcakes downstairs, leaving only one and Steve and Eddie share it.

Tag list (you all are so sweat) There are more but the max mentions was 50. I will reboot and add more

@notsopretty-notsopink @pukner @justforthedead89 @lololol-1234 @little-crickett @thing-a-ling @swimmingbirdrunningrock @oldwitcheshat @my-baek-hurts @thequeenrainacorn @derangedhermit @plantzzsandpencilzzs @littlewildflowerkitten @ronance-is-my-wife @xjessicafaithx @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @sofadofax @just-a-tiny-void @whalesharksart @death-thee-nervousqueer @estrellami-1 @starman-jpg @oblivion-void @thequeenauden @thealwithnoname @sapphirecobalt-1 @thelady-mary @silentlycorrectingyourgrammar85 @theluckyalien @cheeseyberg @breealtair @messrs-weasley @heartthingsstuff @paintsplatteredandimperfect @tillystealeaves @pearynice @bela-valdis @beckkthewreck @breadboi66 @th30ra3k3n @0o-queendean-o0 @spideysteveloml @lauras2912 @seths-rogens @lovely-little-lass @envyadams-vs-me @meccaminayah @heartstarstar-blog @weirdandabsurd42 @virginlemontea @stevesbipanic @yulecogs

@sereinpetrichor @kittycat1810

[whizzing-fizzbee]

Some Protector

Sebastian Sallow x F!Reader

Rating: Explicit/MDNI; all characters are adults Words: ~4,800 Tags: MDNI, smut, breakup and makeup, makeup sex, romance, light angst, angst with a happy ending

Summary: It's been six months since Sebastian Sallow ended your relationship, citing fear that your association to him could send you to Azkaban. When you're forced to reunite at your friends' wedding, you make it clear you need Sebastian more than you need his protection.

Notes: Just a little one-shot inspired by the song "Some Protector" by Role Model because the bridge has been stuck in my head for weeks. Split this into two parts, with the second part being a quick little dose of smut. Skip it if you want. All characters are adults.

Read on AO3 or below the cut.

“She isn’t coming.”

Sebastian Sallow squinted at Ominis Gaunt in counterfeit confusion. And though Ominis couldn’t physically see his best friend’s expression, he scowled with irritation.

“Don’t be daft, Sebastian,” Ominis chided. “I know you’re looking for her. But she isn't coming. She’s got work tonight.”

“I don’t know what you mean.” Sebastian was a good liar, but Ominis was far too perceptive to be fooled by his oldest friend. After all, Ominis had heard the worst of Sebastian’s lies throughout the course of their friendship, and he always discovered the truth.

“Even if she did show up, it��s not like you’d gather the stones to talk to her anyway,” Ominis noted. Sebastian sucked his top row of teeth.

“I don’t have anything to say to her,” Sebastian said simply. It was a frail, meek attempt at another lie, too farfetched for him to speak with his entire chest. Sebastian knew it, and Ominis snorted right through it. 

“Sebastian.” It was Ominis’ turn to sigh. “If you’re going to spew nonsense, at least put some effort into it. And stop insulting my intelligence.”

Sebastian rolled his eyes in defeat. “She hates me,” he noted. “She wouldn’t want to hear what I have to say.”

“Another lie. She loves you. She always has, Merlin help her.”

“It doesn’t matter, Ominis,” Sebastian pressed, his tone sharpening with more irritation. “It’s over between us and it’s better off this way.”

“Tell that to Natsai,” Ominis muttered. “She’s still fuming at the two of you. Mostly you.”

Sebastian’s lips thinned. There was no use searching for you at Garreth Weasley’s 21st birthday party that night when Sebastian would be seeing you at Garreth and Natsai’s wedding in a few short weeks.

You were both in the wedding party, regardless of the breakup that threatened to splinter your entire friend group. But you, ever the selfless one, remained determined to make Natsai’s wedding day as perfect as she deserved, so you promised her that the presence of your ex-boyfriend would make no difference. You were fine, you swore, despite the way you’d sobbed in her arms the September evening Sebastian declared your relationship over.

Of course, Natsai knew better. She saw the way you picked at your food, your frame shrinking in size within weeks. She watched the way your shoulders slumped at the mention of marriage and romance. She noticed the way your chest caved whenever an unknowing mutual friend asked about Sebastian, the way the dim light in your eyes darkened when you were forced to spend a single thought on him.

She offered to kick him out of the wedding party, regardless of Garreth’s protests, but you scolded her for even considering a change of plans. You were tough, a hero who received respect wherever you went. You swore you could handle the presence of the man who broke your heart. Your friends deserved to have you both at their wedding and you’d be damned if you let your personal problems dampen their day.

Besides, even Garreth pulled you aside after your breakup to scold Sebastian behind his back – his own good friend – for hurting you. Something along the lines of, “A downright git who needs his head kicked in.” You smiled graciously and told Garreth you were fine. Then you went home and cried so hard, you threw up your dinner. 

But now, months later, you were surviving. Maybe even fine. Not great, not even good, but you no longer pictured yourself freefalling from the tallest building in London, so surely progress was made. And you’d also met someone new.

Felix Hawthorne was handsome and refined, a man who carried himself with confidence and poise. He was a gentleman who opened doors for you and bought you flowers. He didn’t curse and he was always on time. You’d only been seeing him for four weeks, but you were hopeful for a future with him. 

You didn’t have the emotional intelligence to acknowledge the way you averted your eyes when he praised you, or the way you didn’t think about him as you fell asleep at night. You didn’t dare address the fact you didn’t know the color of his eyes. All you knew was he had smooth, ivory skin, free of any freckles.

He wasn’t the person to consume your most intimate and maddening thoughts, but you told yourself he could be. And at this point, you were merely clinging to the hope of it all.

When Sebastian heard you were dating someone new, Merlin help the poor potted plants that lined the windowsill of his office. They were blasted to bits until flecks of terracotta littered the floor. 

Sure, he’d been the one to end your relationship. It had been under the guise that you deserved someone who wouldn’t risk your future with a dark and reckless past, but something inside Sebastian also clung to the hope that someday he could have you again. Optimism had always been his Achilles.

But the Ministry of Magic’s inquiries hadn’t stopped. In fact, their investigation into Solomon Sallow’s death had intensified after they discovered someone had sealed up the catacomb in Feldcroft with mysterious ancient magic. Despite Anne Sallow’s insistence that Solomon had died from a heart issue, it was Ministry protocol to investigate every Auror’s death, past and present. You, Sebastian, Anne and Ominis were questioned on multiple occasions about that day, and when the Ministry Aurors detected inconsistencies in your stories, suspicion spiked surrounding Solomon’s demise.

The sealed catacomb had been your doing, part of your determination to prevent Sebastian from ever entering such a sinister place again. But selfishly, it was also your attempt at concealing any potential evidence of your duel with Solomon from that fateful day. You were protecting Sebastian, and he hated it.

That’s why your relationship started to strain until its final fibers became too frayed for any more fissure. Sebastian shoved you away in fear your connection to him could get you into trouble. You’d done enough to protect him, and he’d be damned if you became complicit in his chaos. He hated himself for dragging you into his darkness, and decided he was far too deep inside his demons to be touched by light. Even though you were that light.

It all made sense in Sebastian’s mind. He wanted to protect you for once. But in your eyes, he’d cast you aside and deemed you incapable of loving him properly. Despite being a Healer, you had never tried to fix Sebastian. You had only wanted to support him.

Your friends all told you it was beyond your control, that Sebastian was the one who wasn’t deserving of your devotion. Even Ominis admitted that Sebastian simply may be too damaged for you. 

But you had always seen beneath the ripped edges of the masterpiece that was Sebastian Sallow. In fact, the more imperfect he became, the more you loved him.

Sebastian didn’t understand, which was why he found himself sulking in the corner of the bar during Garreth’s birthday celebration. Your mutual friends didn’t dare broach the topic of you. Some of them pitied Sebastian. Some knew you were seeing someone new. Some still blamed Sebastian for your falling out. Poor Amit Thakkar had spent the evening fighting to keep Poppy Sweeting too distracted to throw her drink at Sebastian, and Arthur Plummly called Sebastian a “pigeon-livered ratbag” straight to his face.

Still, most of your friends harbored a secret hope you and Sebastian would sort everything out and find your way back together – even Imelda Reyes, though she couldn’t help but stoke the flames a little. 

“Oi, you look worse for wear,” she said when she spotted Sebastian at Garreth’s party. Sebastian sighed. He had been trying to sneak out unnoticed. 

Sebastian and Imelda always got along for the most part. But you and Imelda had been close friends and roommates since your fifth year at Hogwarts, so you won her loyalty during the breakup. Not that you wanted any of your friends to choose sides. 

“She isn’t here,” Imelda said, much to Sebastian’s chagrin. He was getting sick of everyone assuming he was looking for you. Even if their assumptions were correct. 

“I know that,” Sebastian snapped. “I wasn’t looking for her. I was heading home.”

“She’s got a new boyfriend, you know. I hear he’s already been shopping for an engagement ring.” Imelda spoke with a serious tone and Sebastian couldn’t pinpoint her intentions. She was either trying to imply he should stay away from you, or she was sending him a warning to hurry up and win you back. Either way, Sebastian’s resentment surged. He swallowed his aggravation before he could lash out and sever another friendship. 

He left the birthday party but didn’t head home. Instead, he’d drown his sorrows at the bottom of a whiskey glass until he found some maiden to take home for the night. He wouldn’t learn her name, nor would he ever see her again. 

Sebastian Sallow was good at many things, but he was a master at turning his fuck-ups into something far more fallacious. 

—

The wedding was just the right amount of nauseating. That is, if one asked Sebastian. The last place he wanted to be was surrounded by most everyone he knew while they pretended to be moved by the notion that two people could meet and fall in love forever. Especially when you were going to be standing opposite of him, clad in an elegant gown with your hair pinned up while your new beau sat in the crowd.

The sight of you sucked the air from Sebastian’s lungs, leaving him void of all thought as he watched you laugh at something Poppy had said. The other bridesmaids chatted animatedly as they stood in a group around you, almost as if they were shielding you. And when you finally caught Sebastian’s eye, you did a double-take, your own breath vacating your body as you fought to control your emotions. 

His hair was shorter and held into place for once. You decided he looked as handsome as ever, though you’d always been fond of the tousled mop for hair he used to have. You didn’t know his hair had grown wild and unruly, a sign of his disheveled state, until he had a haircut just three days before the wedding. 

You looked away, determined to appear positively fascinated by Nellie Oggspire’s story while you waited for the ceremony to start.

But then Sebastian had to watch you saunter down that stupid aisle that seemed to stretch for miles. You were Natsai’s matron of honor, meaning you went last. So Sebastian waited. He stood there among the groomsmen while four of your friends smiled and walked ahead of you, and when you finally emerged through the double doors, Sebastian’s surroundings vanished and he forgot why he was standing there to begin with. The music faded and the pews melted into the floor. You may as well have burned that church to the ground. Sebastian wouldn’t have noticed.

Seeing you made Sebastian homesick. The ache in his chest bloomed into a rose bush, its thorns pressing puncture wounds through his heart with each step you made toward the altar. He hated how beautiful you looked, not that he expected anything less. He’d stare at you even if it killed him. It probably would, he thought.

But you remained hell-bent on staring at everyone – everything – except Sebastian. You forced a happy smile at Garreth, who was beaming with a giddy grin. You nodded at Professor Weasley, who sat in the second row of pews. And then you offered a soft, shy smile at Felix, who was only in attendance for you.

As you neared the end of the aisle and flashed a grin at Leander Prewett, who stood next to Garreth as his best man, you turned and waited for Natsai. You were certainly not thinking about Sebastian. Doing so would probably kill you, you thought.

The ceremony was easy – or as easy as one could hope for when their former significant other was standing mere feet away. But the reception was another story.

It was held in the garden at Garreth’s family home, filled with twinkling fairies and boisterous guests. When they weren’t on the bride and groom, all eyes were on you. Your friends watched you curiously, wondering if you and Sebastian would speak. Would you continue to pretend he doesn’t exist? Would you bury the hatchet and let bygones be bygones? Would you scream and shout, or worse, hex him into the next century? Knowing you, all three were valid possibilities. 

But you were committed to being the spitting image of composure – for Garreth and Natsai, and for your own dignity. So you avoided Sebastian like the Doxy Flu… until it came time to dance.

You were both expected to participate, though you both would have preferred to hurl yourself into the sea. But you silently thanked the higher powers for Felix, who danced with you as a welcome distraction from Sebastian’s brooding stare.

You could feel Sebastian’s eyes searing into the side of your head, unwavering in their assault on your inner peace. They clung to you like wet clothing, uncomfortable and heavy. 

Felix’s eyes did the same. He smiled as he kept his gaze on you, oblivious to the suffocation occurring inside you. It was too much attention from the worst imaginable two people – the man you wanted to love and the man you couldn’t help but love. 

“You look breathtaking tonight,” Felix offered. “It’s an honor to be your date.”

You should have melted at his flattery; instead, you bit back a laugh. It was far too formal for your liking. You were used to Sebastian, who was blunt and brash, brutally honest in all the best and worst ways. He would have told you how irresistible you looked and found some way to convince you to sneak off somewhere to do something spectacularly sinful. 

While you’d agreed to go out with Felix because of his polite and proper decorum, it quickly became clear you were trying far too hard to fall in love with the opposite version of your desires. Felix stood quietly, hand lifting yours while he maintained impeccable posture. You wanted nothing more than to sprint from the garden, hair wild and shoes in hand. 

As you spun mid-dance, you snuck another discreet glance at Sebastian. He was still watching you, still judging you in silence.

Annoyed and exasperated by Sebastian’s behavior, you finally crafted the courage to look him dead in the eye. He straightened as you did so, but didn’t look away or offer you any sort of expression. He didn’t need to.

Your ire flared and you excused yourself from Felix. You weren’t sure where you’d go, but you needed a secluded spot free from nosy onlookers. They couldn’t see you cry. He couldn’t see you cry.

You could hear Felix call after you, but you flashed him an assuring smile as you scurried away. Bodies brushed past you as you scrambled toward the house, stumbled up the staircase and found an empty bedroom. As soon as the door snapped shut behind you, you exhaled a shaky breath, your eyes finally leaking tears.

You swore at the sharp, sudden knock at the door.

“Be out in a minute,” you called cheerily.

“It’s me.”

Your eyes scanned the room for a window to jump from. A knife to plunge into your own chest. Maybe a vial of poison to ingest. Anything to prolong the inevitable. 

But before you could concoct a plan, the door creaked open. 

“Hey.” 

Your anger surged into full-fledged rage. This man dared to break your heart, stare at you like a jealous caged tiger all night, only to greet you as casually as a cup of morning coffee.

“Go away, Sebastian.”

“Can we talk?”

“No.” You rounded on him, praying your eyes weren’t red and puffy as you narrowed them. “We’ve nothing to talk about.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is for me.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Why do you care?” you snapped. 

“Don’t be like that,” Sebastian begged.

“Sebastian, get out.” 

“No. Not until you talk to me.”

You were starting to regret your decision to leave your wand at home.

“Sebastian,” you said with a forced tone of finality. “I don’t want to talk.”

“I just need five minutes,” Sebastian insisted. You blinked at him.

“If everything you need to get off your chest can be said in five minutes, I think I’d be better off not giving you the time,” you noted dryly. 

“That’s not what I meant-”

“I don’t care, Sebastian. Now let me out.”

“No.”

The ringing in your ears spiked to a deafening pitch. Panic swelled in your chest. You moved to push past him but he caught you by the shoulders. You squawked in protest and spun from his grip. 

“Are you out of your fucking mind?!” you cried. 

“Just hear me out! If you don’t want to discuss us, at least hear me out about the investigation.”

You stilled, your bottom lip disappearing behind your top row of teeth. “Fine. What about it?”

“I think it’s almost over,” Sebastian said. 

“Brilliant.”

“And whatever happens… I’m sorry.”

You weren’t looking at him. You wouldn’t. You couldn’t. Your eyes searched for something, anything to hold your attention. They fell on the bedroom dresser and its ornate gold knobs, slightly weathered from years of use.

“Bit late for apologies, Seb.”

“I know. But… whatever happens, I just want you to know I never wanted things to end up like this. And whatever happens, I still love you.”

The knobs on the dresser doubled as your vision blurred and your breath caught in your throat. You swallowed it back down and silently prayed your brain and mouth wouldn’t betray you. Instead of giving them the opportunity, you pursed your lips. 

“That all?” you finally asked, your arms folded across your chest.

“No. Who is he?”

“Who?”

“The bloke you brought today. Your date.”

“His name’s Felix.”

“Felix who?”

“Hawthorne.”

“What’s his deal?”

“There is no deal, Sebastian,” you said sharply. “He’s just the man I’ve been seeing.”

“Are you in love with him?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“What do you see in him?”

“Also none of your business.”

"Is it true he's going to ask you to marry him?"

"What?! Who told you that nonsense? Sebastian, you're off your rocker. Go seek help."

“Please don’t do this,” Sebastian pleaded. 

“Do what?” you deadpanned. “Sebastian, this is what you wanted.”

“The hell it is,” Sebastian snapped. He softened in an attempt to ease the tension. “You know I didn’t want this.”

“Then what do you want, Seb? Because if I recall correctly, you were the one who broke things off with me.”

“I only did it to protect you.”

“Protect me,” you repeated blankly. “Sebastian, when have I ever needed protecting?”

“This is different,” he insisted. “This isn’t a camp of Ashwinders or some duel. You can’t ancient magic your way out of Azkaban.”

“No one’s going to Azkaban,” you snapped. “Sebastian, they’ve got no proof. All they have is the word of Anne, Ominis and me. And we’ve all stood by you.”

“And that’s exactly why I did what I had to. I’m not letting any of you take the fall with me. I don’t want you lying on my behalf anymore.”

“Sebastian, that’s not your choice to make,” you noted. “I know you think you’re being selfless, but you’re not. Think of what losing you would do to Anne. Think of what it would do to me.”

You didn’t want to admit that. You didn’t want to make this about you. But it was. Maybe it was selfish, surely it was foolish, but it was the stark and honest truth. The truth, which was supposed to set you free. In reality, it merely shackled you to Sebastian.

Your words seemed to settle within him, seeping slowly into his conscience. 

“I’m not going to let you make any more sacrifices for me,” he said quietly.

“And what about the sacrifice I’ve made trying to let you go?” you responded, your tone matching his. It was less forceful, less angry, but it carried more weight. “What about the misery I’ve lived through every day, all because you think you know what’s best for me? All because you don’t love me the same way.”

“That’s not true,” Sebastian interjected quickly. “It had nothing to do with how much I love you. I’ve always loved you.”

“And yet you pushed me away and claimed it was for the best.”

“I was only trying to-”

“To protect me,” you deadpanned with heavy bitterness. “Yeah, I know.”

“Why don’t you believe me?”

“I do believe you, Sebastian. But it wasn’t up to you. You made the decision for me.”

“Because I can’t let anything happen to you! I love you too damn much to allow you to end up in prison because of me.”

“These past six months have been a prison anyway,” you shot back.

Your escalating words had peaked, plunging you both into a tired silence. You leaned backward against the dresser, arms still folded as Sebastian rubbed a palm against his cheek.

The wedding reception rumbled outside, its chorus of jubilant cheers and laughter contrasting the thick tension inside the bedroom.

“I’m sorry,” Sebastian said softly. “I’m sorry about everything. I shouldn’t have made assumptions. I shouldn’t have ended things between us. I just… I thought I could protect you and I thought if the Aurors dropped the investigation, I could make it up to you and win you back. And now you’re here with that other bloke and I can’t stand it and I feel like I’m losing my fucking mind.”

“Then why don’t you fix it?” 

Sebastian’s brow furrowed in confusion. “How?”

“Do you want to be with me or not?”

“Of course, I do! I’ve hated every minute of life since we broke up. But-”

“But what? You don’t want me to end up behind bars? For fuck’s sake, Seb, that investigation is meaningless. The Ministry will drop it as soon as the final review’s in,” you said. “It’s been six years since Solomon died. They have no proof. And even if they did, everyone who knows you would testify that he was an abusive drunk bastard who attacked us. We were fifteen.”

“But what if they do put me away?” Sebastian asked. “Then what?”

“Then nothing. I’d still love you.”

“And if they put you away too, for lying?”

“Then I’ll accept my fate. It’s out of our hands, Sebastian, so we might as well control what we can. I’d rather spend six weeks with you and end up in Azkaban than walk free without you.”

You were tired of talking, running short on any more vulnerable admissions; done with fighting, done pretending you cared about anyone other than Sebastian. You just wanted him back.

Sebastian was done, too. The mere sight of you standing in someone else’s arms had drained his final bit of resolve. But knowing you still wanted him – and only him – replaced his defeatist demeanor with something restless. He felt much more territorial, more entitled to you, and insulted that any other man assumed he could have you.

“I’m sorry,” he said again, stepping toward you. Your spine straightened as he reached for you, his hands finding their familiar favorite place at the contour of your waist. “I don’t want to lose you again.”

“You won’t, as long as you promise to stop making decisions for me.”

“I promise.” Sebastian kissed you gently and rested his forehead against yours. Your shoulders relaxed and his chest swelled with relief. You were both home again. “But what about that beau of yours?”

You heaved a sigh, your eyes falling shut as you realized you now had another dilemma on your hands. 

“I suppose I’ll have to let him down easy.”

“Why, what for? Just tell him to get lost.”

“Sebastian, that’s not nice. He’s a perfectly decent bloke.”

“Perfectly decent bloke. How… unimpressive,” Sebastian mused against your ear. He pressed a kiss just below your earlobe and dipped his head to explore your neck.

“Maybe I’ll just tell him my real boyfriend’s a murderer," you teased.

You could feel Sebastian smirk against your neck before he pulled away to meet your gaze with a sly stare. 

“Darling, you have no proof, remember?”

Part II (Smut warning)

By the time the bride and groom were cutting the cake, your gown was in a crumpled heap on the bedroom floor and Sebastian had you pinned against that old dresser. You always preferred pudding anyway.

A whine scratched within your throat as you felt his hand creep between your thighs as he stood behind you. 

“You missed me, didn’t you?” Sebastian purred against the nape of your neck, his fingers nudging your slick entrance. His erection pressed into your lower back while the edge of the dresser begged you to bend over it.

Six months since you’d felt the warmth of Sebastian’s breath against your skin. Six cruel, agonizing months since his fingertips had had any contact with your flesh. Six sadistic, barren months since you’d felt the real meaning of love.

You couldn’t make up for lost time. But you’d sure as hell try.

Sebastian’s cock sank inside your cunt until it reached the hilt. You held your breath as your walls became reaccustomed to the intrusion of his size. Another weak whimper exposed your submissive state.

“Fucking hell,” Sebastian groaned against your shoulder. He bucked his hips and you snapped forward at the waist with a cry, your fingers gripping the edge of the dresser for support.

The trinkets atop the dresser clinked and clattered as Sebastian’s hips set a steady pace. You choked down a moan as his cock drove through your walls, rocking you forward against the dresser. A trio of books toppled over. 

“Merlin, I missed you,” Sebastian panted. His hands gripped your hips like they were afraid to let go. You clenched yourself around him, pleading with his cock to present you with your favorite privilege. Not that you needed to beg. Sebastian always swore his favorite sight was when you crumbled around his cock.

The reception roared below, its jovial music and guests unaware of the debauchery happening above them. The only sounds you could hear were Sebastian’s words of appraisal in your ear. He told you how much he loved you, how good you were and how he’d be damned if he ever let another man near you ever again.

You whimpered over every syllable.

When Sebastian fell quiet, you knew it was a sign he was fighting for control. You didn’t expect this tryst to last long. You didn’t need it to. What you needed in this moment was for Sebastian to stake his claim on you again, forever, for life.

You weren’t sure what was stealing your breath more – the angle that made your passage feel particularly tight, or the edge of the dresser that threatened to leave rich, plum bruises where your thighs met your waistline.

The wood floorboards creaked beneath you, exposing your indiscretions. Sebastian thrusted harder, savoring the sensation of your slick, velvety walls as he silently prayed they’d spasm with your release soon. He always ensured you had your fill before he left you with his, but his selfish instincts were starting to stake their claim. 

And when he reached upward to give your hair a sharp tug, threatening to free the strands from the army of bobby pins fighting to hold it in place, you yelped in approval. Your back arched and Sebastian grazed his teeth against your neck. 

Finally, your walls seized and you let out a gutteral gasp, your knees threatening to buckle as Sebastian rendered you witless. Fire blazed through your core in the form of your pulsing finish until you slumped over the dresser, eyes still rolled back, while Sebastian’s composure snapped.

He groaned and held his hips flush against the backs of your thighs so tightly you could feel him twitching against you, fastening you up against the dresser while he emptied himself inside you. When he was done, he breathed a string of obscenities and stepped backward to free you from your union with the dresser.

“Alright?” he asked with a gentle hand to the small of your back. You nodded and gathered your bridesmaid gown. 

Once you were resheathed in the dress, Sebastian quietly helped you with the trail of buttons down the back. It wasn’t the first time he’d helped you into a dress and you felt nostalgic for your past. When you returned to the reception, clutching Sebastian’s hand as you descended the stairs, you clenched your jaw to suppress a smile as Natsai shot you a knowing stare. 

But this felt different now. The insecurities were gone and the future’s uncertainty no longer felt like a blade threatening to slice your relationship apart. You were confident and more determined than ever to protect Sebastian. Even if that meant protecting him from his own doubt.

[myokk]

✨MASTERLIST✨

(fanart, longfics, oneshots)

Welcome to my blog!!! Here is my masterlist of ALL of my little sketches, artwork, writing, and general brainrot related to Hogwarts Legacy💘

🌿 - Madeleine / Maddy / myokk

🌱 - AO3

🌿 - likes and follows come from my main blog, @oerflink, because this is a sideblog (🥲)

🌱 - Eloise Babbit, my MC and basically the whole reason for this blog🫶 I don’t necessarily view her as the game’s MC, as my fic is quite canon-divergent and she is sweeter than the evil gremlin I played in-game😆💓 [link to her character sheet]

🌿 - my art tag🫶🫶🫶 here you can see basically every drawing I've done since joining the fandom!

🌱 - tag for all of the art the lovely people here have gifted me🥹🥹🥹 I feel SO honored whenever anyone takes time out of their day to think of me and draw my little gremlin♥️♥️

🌿 - I am taking oneshot requests! The link gives a bit of my guidelines, if you’re interested send me an ask🫶

Writing:

Before It Felt Like A Sin (AO3 / tumblr - ongoing)

Sebastian Sallow x F!MC, canon divergent, longfic, wip, dual pov Eloise/Sebastian

Summary: Eloise never wanted to be different.

And yet, her differences are what have defined her life up until this point: growing up as a squib in one of the most prominent wizarding families, being exiled to muggle society, and then attending Hogwarts at the age of sixteen.

She finds herself thrust into the life she should have been prepared for from birth but was denied. As she navigates this new life and her new precarious position in her family, she must come to terms with the fact that maybe what she dreamed of her whole life isn't turning out how she ever expected it would.

Tags: slow burn, angst, magical theory, mythology references, pureblood culture, occlumency, legilimency, hurt/comfort, family dynamics, eventual romance, eventual smut, sacrificial magic, blood magic, dark magic rituals, implied/referenced child abuse

[coming soon] - an excerpt from the Ominis longfic I’m working on💘

Oneshots:

clumsy (AO3 / tumblr)

pairing: Sebastian Sallow x f!MC

word count: 9,1k

rating: E

summary: sebastian is clumsy.

or: two stubborn brats make things more difficult than they have to be.

cw: fluff, mutual pining, idiots in love, two really stubborn idiots in love to be exact, sir cadogan guest appearance, anne and imelda are the gremlin best friends every girl needs, smut (18+ ONLY), oral (f. recieving), no y/n

note-taking (AO3 / tumblr)

pairing: Sebastian Sallow x f!MC

word count: 3,6k

rating: M (language and sexual themes)

summary: mc loves flustering sebastian with her notes during class😇

cw: NONE this is just fluff, mutual pining, idiots in love, it takes a while for them to admit their feelings, I rated it M for some language/sexual themes

marry me (AO3 / tumblr)

pairing: Sebastian Sallow x f!MC

word count: 5,4k

rating: M (not really explicit loss of virginity)

summary: in which Garreth Weasley has a potions mishap that causes MC to become incomprehensibly proper, and Sebastian is going mad.

cw: fluff, mutual pining, giant squid guest appearance, marriage proposal, loss of virginity RATED M (not *really* explicit) smut (18+ ONLY)

legilimency (AO3 / tumblr)

pairing: Ominis Gaunt x f!MC

word count: 1,7k

rating: M (language)

summary: (His parents and Marvolo insist it’s a gift handed down from Slytherin himself, just like the Parseltongue Ominis despises. It is not. It is a curse.)

or: The Gryffindor student has caught on that Ominis can read her thoughts and decides to get her revenge.

tags: ominis is a natural legilimens, he is entirely too introspective, fluff, no y/n

remembering the snow (AO3 / tumblr / tumblr (old))

pairing: Imelda Reyes x Poppy Sweeting

word count: 3,3k

rating: G

summary: Imelda remembers the first time she saw snow.

Her parents always started the story telling her that she cried and cried and cried.

or: a character study on Imelda and how she grew up because I love her & she doesn't get enough appreciation :)

tags: character study, fluff, romance, first kiss, emotional hurt/comfort, I just wanted to write a sweet story & explore Imelda as a character

Illustrated scenes:

(aka where I illustrate little scenes from my longfic and oneshots💓)

🌿 - the summer before Sebastian and Anne’s first year at Hogwarts🥺💓

🌱 - Sebastian hates Eloise’s guts😳

🌿 - Eloise is really, really bad at chess😔 (this scene always makes me laugh SO MUCH)

🌱 - right after the pensieve scene🫶🫶🫶

🌿 - Eloise and Sebastian’s first kiss😇😇😇

🌱 - some angst after their first kiss😇😇😇

🌿 - sebastian overthinks things a lot😔

🌱 - an excerpt from my oneshot, clumsy💘

🌿 - another scene from my clumsy 🫶 I really love writing Sebastian’s pov & this was just so much fun to paint and write😫💓

🌱 - Eloise and her mother😔

🌿 - Eloise is NOT flustered by Sebastian😤

🌱 - late night in the common room 🫠

🌿 - comic of note-taking 😇

🌱 - right before *that* scene in clumsy 🫶 (as requested by Mallow bc of the lighting🤭)

[diamjem]

mastermind

pairing: sebastian sallow x f!mc

summary: sebastian’s attempt to bend the situation to his favor backfires as he realizes he’s been expertly played by the one person he thought he could outsmart.

word count: 4.6k

warnings: manipulator x manipulator, possessive!sebastian, sebastian has questionable morals, garreth weasley is a menace, some swearing, no use of y/n

a/n: this is far from my best work buttt i’ve been sick for the past few days and honestly i think just putting something out there will make me feel better no matter how dogshit it is :pp i was planning on making something romantic for valentines but… everytime i write sebastian he just fully takes over so idk have some slightly unhinged seb!!

[ao3] [wattpad]

they say all’s fair in love and war.

sebastian lived by that adage—bled by it, burned for it. for him, there’s no price too steep, no means too outrageous to attain his ends. he has never been above a desperate measure or two when it came to those he held close.

and most especially, when it came to her.

the vial felt cold between his fingers, condensation beading against the glass as he turned it in the candlelight. the liquid inside shimmered faintly—murky as mud, but somehow heavier, clinging to the glass in slow, syrupy waves. it looked like poison. probably tasted like it, too. to be honest, he didn’t trust it. hell, he didn’t even trust himself right now. and trusting garreth weasley? that was its own brand of lunacy.

he could still turn around, hand it back to garreth, pretend he’d never even considered it. walk away, save whatever was left of his dignity. it wasn’t a horrible idea—actually, part of him knew it was the smart one, but before he could think twice, the vial was snatched from his fingers.

“oi—give that back!” sebastian snapped, lunging for it.

garreth held it just out of reach, smirking. "not so fast, sallow. before i hand this over, i need some confirmation that this is for a harmless cause. i refuse to be implicated in whatever questionable scheme you’ve cooked up this time."

sebastian cursed under his breath. his patience—what little he had—was wearing thin, and garreth knew it. the redhead had always been insufferably good at needling people, and tonight, it seemed, sebastian was his latest amusement.

he exhaled sharply through his nose, forcing himself to unclench his fists. he hated this. hated being on the back foot, hated that garreth was right to be wary, hated that he didn’t even have a decent excuse to offer.

because it wasn’t harmless. and he damn well knew it.

“i don't see how that's any of your business.” sebastian argued. “you don't see me asking why you have a polyjuice potion of the head boy, do you?"

garreth arched a brow. "see, that’s the thing. when i’m the one providing the suspiciously illicit potion, i’d say it is my business." he made a show of shaking the potion mere inches from sebastian’s nose. "take it or leave it, mate."

sebastian clenched his jaw so hard it ached. he didn’t want to explain himself—didn’t want to lay his cards bare—but he wanted that damned vial more.

"fine," he bit out. "let’s just say fawley’s got something of mine and i intend to get it back."

garreth's smirk sharpened, green eyes gleaming with intrigue. "oh? now that’s interesting. do tell, sallow."

sebastian crossed his arms. "no, i think that's plenty information.”

"right, well. seems you don’t need my services that badly.” garreth twirled the vial between his fingers and turned on his heel with an exaggerated sigh. “goodnight, then.”

"wait—alright, fine!" sebastian exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down his face. “he started courting her." his throat tightened around the words, and he hated how they tasted. "i need to put a stop to it. get them to break up by pretending to be him.”

garreth froze mid-step, then turned back slowly, his grin widening like a cat who’d just caught the scent of something truly entertaining. sebastian cursed himself, knowing there's no going back anymore. "merlin’s bloody beard, this is brilliant. so let me get this straight—you're out here spiraling because some poor unsuspecting sod caught her eye instead of you?”

sebastian's glare darkened. "say it again, and i swear i’ll knock your teeth in."

garreth, the bastard, just laughed. "and here i was wondering when you’d step in and do something about it.” he then leaned in, feigning concern. "but, say, have you considered simply talking to her instead of, y'know, committing identity fraud?"

sebastian rolled his eyes. "are you giving me the potion or not?"

garreth hummed, weighing the vial in his palm like he was actually considering it. "hm… i don't know. this has the makings of a true masterpiece, and i do love a good bit of drama… so tell me, sallow, what’s the plan? break her heart, then swoop in to comfort her?”

sebastian exhaled sharply, rubbing the heel of his palm against his temple. "something like that."

garreth barked out a laugh. "merlin’s sake, mate, you’re actually insane. your possessiveness truly knows no bounds, huh?”

sebastian shot him a withering glare but didn't rise to the bait. it wasn’t exactly a secret to anyone who cared to notice that he’d staked his claim on her—not in the sense that she was some prize to be won, but in the way the sun belonged to the sky, in the way the tide belonged to the moon. some things were simply meant to be; unspoken but undeniable. and merlin help the poor bastard who thought he could rewrite the stars.

see, sebastian’s jealousy wasn’t just a petty thing. it was greedy. cunning. dangerous. a monster that curled in his chest, waiting to sink its teeth into anyone who got too close. whispers behind his back called him reckless, obsessive, unhinged—as if he didn't already know. but he would let them talk. let them sneer. none of it changed the fact that he belonged there, belonged to her. and if some git had the audacity to threaten his place… that was a subliminal declaration of war if there ever was one. talk about putting a big, glowing target on your back.

and unlike hector fawley, garreth knew better than to stand in sebastian’s way. he shook his head before tossing the vial back to sebastian. "that will last you about fifteen minutes.”

sebastian caught it, rolling the cool glass between his fingers. "and you’re sure this will work?"

"as sure as i am that this is a terrible idea," garreth quipped. "love really makes one batshit crazy.”

sebastian scoffed, the edge of irritation sharp in his voice. “for your sake, i’ll pretend you didn’t say that.” he paused, his gaze hardening. “now, what do i owe you?”

garreth only grinned wider. "believe it or not? nothing, mate. i just can’t wait to see how this blows up in your face."

that sounded ominous, but honestly, sebastian didn’t care anymore.

a man does what he must when faced with war. he strategizes, he sacrifices, he does the unthinkable, and most of all, he doesn't hesitate. and love—well. that was just another battlefield. one he’s willing to fight dirty to win. one that wasn’t waged with swords or spells, but with glances that lingered too long, with stolen moments and whispered promises, with the slow, agonizing realization that someone else might take what should have been yours.

and in matters of love and war, you played to win, or you didn’t play at all. best believe, sebastian wasn’t about to lose.

—

the plan was perfect—at least, on parchment.

owl her, pretending to be fawley. keep it short, keep it cold—we need to talk, something vague enough to plant the first seed of doubt in her mind. ask her to meet somewhere public. specifically, central hall, right in the thick of a bustling school day. and then? under the effects of polyjuice, break her heart. loudly. cruelly. make sure it hurts.

she’d run. bolt before anyone saw her break, before she let a single tear fall where someone could see. and that was where he—as sebastian—came in like a knight in shining armor. he would be would find her, offer comfort. a steady hand. a soft voice. because unlike fawley, he wouldn’t leave her shattered and alone.

and then, as a final, satisfying touch—he’d defend her honor by beating fawley into a bloody pulp on the ground. though that last part wasn’t strictly necessary in the grand scheme of things, but let’s be honest—he already had it coming just for even entertaining the thought of taking her from him.

to anyone else, he probably sounded insane. and maybe they were right. but to sebastian? this was restraint. the merciful option. honestly, they should be grateful because he could have done worse. salazar, he'd thought about worse. if he fired on all cylinders, this castle would be ash by sundown.

he’d let anyone be collateral damage—even her own feelings—as long as it meant she’d be right back where she was meant to be. in his arms. he hated how easy it was to justify. hated that he could twist his own cruelty into something almost noble if he looked at it the right way. but guilt? it was a small price to pay compared to the fear of losing her.

sebastian is machiavellian, sure—but borne out of devotion. not out of some cold, detached ambition. and if he has to play the villain to keep her, then he’ll sharpen his claws and bear his teeth with pride. he would ruin everything—everyone, if that’s what it took, and he would call it love.

because, really, how many people in the world were willing to own that? to strip themselves bare and confess, i will ruin and be ruined for you?

only sebastian ever could.

so he stood there, hidden beneath fawley’s face, his heart a twisted knot of triumph and disgust. the polyjuice had done its work—on the outside, he was hector fawley. his voice, his posture, even the sharp, self-righteous smirk he wore like a second skin.

"think about it. a head boy like me and a delinquent like you?” he let the words sink in, each syllable weighted with contempt. "embarrassing."

he could almost feel the sting as the words landed, could see the hurt in her eyes. he wanted to shed the mask and pull her in now, but no—he needed to stick to his guns. this was war, and he was here to win.

"hector, i don't understand—"

he cut her off, leaning in close as if to inject every syllable with poison. “you don’t understand?” he repeated, the words coated in mockery, dripping from his borrowed lips like a death sentence. “let me say it again, then. perhaps louder so it can get through your thick skull?”

that seemed to pique not only her attention but the crowd’s as well. some slowed their steps, others outright stopped, drawn in like vultures circling something wounded. they knew something was happening, felt the tension thickening in the air like storm clouds. her eyes flicked around nervously, panic flickering behind them like candlelight in a draft. they were waiting. watching. the perfect audience for the spectacle he was about to create.

and still, he didn’t let her off easy. instead, he raised his voice. “you're beneath me,” he said, his words slow and deliberate, sinking deep like a dagger. “and i don't know what i was thinking getting involved with the likes of you.”

the words hung in the air, a brutal weight pressing down on her. he could hear the gasps from the crowd, the hushed murmurs of disbelief. he was doing it. he was winning.

but then, just as the polyjuice potion surged through his veins, he hiccupped—just a small stutter, barely noticeable, but enough to pull his thoughts back into focus. he steadied himself, fighting the sudden wave of nausea threatening to overtake him. his borrowed skin prickled, the shift just barely beginning. his time was slipping now.

“are you telling me you want to end this?” she asked, her voice fragile, shaking.

“exactly,” sebastian shot back, flat, emotionless. a perfect performance that almost made him want to clap himself on the back for. “from now on, stay away from me.”

he could see her lips tremble as she processed the words, and something inside him cracked—a bitter satisfaction. she looked as if the ground had been ripped from under her, just as he’d intended. now, all he needed to do was land the final blow.

it was going all according to plan, until—

“is this some sort of joke?” a voice echoed from the crowd, rising in confusion, breaking the tension. “what’s going on here? everyone, move along now!”

sebastian's stomach plummeted straight to his shoes as he saw hector fawley—the real one—materialized from the crowd like some kind of divine punishment, pushing past onlookers who parted with hesitant confusion. the towering figure of the other fawley loomed in the middle of the chaos, his face a portrait of bewilderment. blimey, even in confusion, he still held the same arrogance that made sebastian’s teeth grind. but this time, his presence wasn’t just an irritation—it was a fatal flaw in a not-so-carefully laid-out plans. merlin’s mercy, he hadn't accounted for this. he’d been so wrapped up in his own mind that he hadn’t prepared for the possibility of fawley actually being here.

her gaze flicked between the two fawleys, her expression caught somewhere between disbelief and growing fury.

this was spiraling. fast. what was supposed to be a game of control—of careful manipulation—was quickly turning into a losing battle.

"what in the great gods’—" hector’s voice broke through the spell of silence. he turned to her now, suspicion darkening his face. "care to explain?"

"i… honestly, i’m just as confused as you are!" she blurted, voice strained with frustration.

sebastian risked a glance at her, and his stomach twisted. her eyes darted between him and the real fawley. hurt had given way to shock, then confusion, then something worse—recognition, as if the pieces started sliding into place at an alarming speed.

then the hiccup came again, more pronounced this time. a brutal, humiliating reminder that it was all falling apart. by now, a rational person would have seen this as the sign to wave the white flag and accept defeat. but sebastian didn’t feel rational (and let’s face it, he never really was). in fact, he didn’t feel anything but the burning, anxious thrum of his own heart as it pounded in his chest, each beat a countdown to the inevitable.

so he did what any desperate man with nothing left to lose would do.

he turned on his heel and bolted.

his legs moved of their own accord. he could hear fawley losing it behind him—hysterics bubbling up in a strange mix of confusion and anger. even the crowd was erupting into louder murmurs, the whispers now carrying an edge of amusement. the spectacle had officially crossed the line into absurdity.

as he shoved past the crowd, garreth’s voice rose, mimicking the sound of an explosion. the bastard was standing off to the side, his eyes twinkling with an amused, knowing look. garreth's chuckle grated against sebastian’s nerves, his blood boiling in a wave of hot frustration.

sebastian didn’t waste a single moment looking back at him, but he could feel the presence trailing behind him, like a shadow, reveling in the disastrous unraveling of his grand design. the worst part of this whole thing? garreth had been right—this had blown up in his face. and garreth weasley was never right.

“damn, sallow, you almost had me rooting for you there,” garreth teased with a grin, his voice dripping with amusement. “bit of a letdown, really.”

the words landed like a slap, sharp and stinging, but sebastian refused to give garreth the satisfaction of a reaction. his pride was already bleeding out on the floor—he wouldn’t let weasley dance on its grave. instead, he found the first door that promised escape, his hand closing around the handle with the desperation of a drowning man grasping for a lifeline. he yanked it open and slipped inside, the door slamming shut behind him with enough force to send dust swirling in the dim light.

sebastian leaned against the door, his chest heaving as he closed his eyes for a moment, a brief flicker of relief coursing through him. he could still feel the heat of the polyjuice potion lingering in his veins, its effects starting to wear off, but he didn’t have time to savor the victory. he could already feel his form shifting back, the muscles and bones rearranging as his true self began to resurface.

okay, so the plan wasn't perfect. there were a few hiccups—literally and figuratively. it was pathetic, really, how quickly he went from meticulous mastermind to panic-stricken fugitive in the span of a few seconds—no. he knew better than to get lost in the failure of the moment. he’d played his cards, but sometimes the hand you were dealt didn’t lead to victory.

this battle might’ve been lost, but the war? that was still his to win. he would just have to think of another plan...

sebastian exhaled sharply, forcing his mind to settle. he needed to think—to sort through the wreckage and figure out his next move. but before he could, a voice—her voice—filtered through the wooden door, muffled but unmistakable.

“sweet merlin. please don't tell me you had something to do with this, garreth."

sebastian’s fingers curled into his robes. he could hear the suspicion in her tone, the way it sharpened at the edges. he didn’t have to see her face to know she was still trying to make sense of the mess he’d left behind, piecing together what had just unfolded like a puzzle with missing parts.

and of course, the absolute menace that is garreth weasley was enjoying every second of it.

“what ever do you mean by that?" came his feigned innocence, all honeyed amusement, the bastard’s grin practically audible.

"that was sebastian, wasn’t it? polyjuice potion?"

sebastian’s stomach lurched.

"where is he? i saw you follow him out of central hall, so don’t try to lie."

garreth hummed. “ah, well, it seems i’ve forgotten which door he went in… perhaps a few galleons ought to help me remember?”

sebastian’s jaw clenched. of course garreth was milking this for all it was worth. he should have known that little gremlin would still find a way to yield return, because why waste a perfectly good scandal when he could wring some profit out of it? and gods help sebastian—if weasley had ratted him out, sebastian might have to start planning out his murder.

then came a groan followed by the distinct clink of coins. sebastian barely had time to brace himself before he heard hurried footsteps, the sound of someone moving with purpose, closing in on his door.

"best of luck, sallow!" garreth called, his laughter trailing off as he strolled away, no doubt relishing the chaos he’d helped unleash.

sebastian had half a second to curse garreth’s name before the door rattled against his back, the force of it jolting him out of his thoughts.

"sebastian, open the door right now or so help me, i will blast this down to bits. you along with it!" her voice was sharp, a warning laced with frustration and fury.

sebastian knew one thing with cold certainty—whatever came out of her mouth was never an empty threat. she spoke in absolutes, in promises etched with fire and steel, just as he himself did.

he sighed, the sound laced with reluctant resignation, his hand hovering over the door handle as if it burned to the touch. each second he hesitated only fed the inferno building on the other side. he had run out of moved to pull from his playbook—no clever wordplay or sidelong smile that could disarm her now.

he opened the door to the very picture of anger, standing before him like a tempest barely held in check. her posture was rigid, her shoulders squared, and her eyes… merlin, her eyes burned with a fire that nearly matched his own—only hers was a righteous inferno, ready to consume him whole. before he could draw a breath, her wand was at his chest, the tip of it pressing against the fabric of his robes, steady and unyielding. it was a silent declaration that she wasn’t here for excuses or half-truths. she wanted answers, and she wanted them now—understandably so.

sebastian might have been playing war, but now he’s face to face with an opponent who plays to win just as much as he does. it would have been almost admirable if it hadn’t been so damnably terrifying.

"explain yourself," she demanded, her voice thick with an edge that told him this wasn’t going to be an easy conversation.

“where do you want me to start?" he muttered, his voice a touch more strained than he intended.

“oh, i don’t know, maybe start by explaining why you were trying to humiliate me in front of the whole student body?"

he opened his mouth, the words tumbling out before he could stop them. “that wasn’t my intention—well, okay, maybe it was, but that wasn’t the point—"

she cut him off with a sharp look, her eyes flashing with something close to disbelief and fury. "oh, really? what, then, was the point, sebastian?"

there was no easy way to say it, but the truth, raw and unpolished, slipped out. "i wanted to break you up."

the silence that followed was suffocating. she dropped her hand to her side, her brows basically shooting up to her hairline. and then—merlin, he couldn’t have prepared for it—she laughed, a sharp, ringing sound that echoed off the walls, and for a moment, sebastian couldn’t tell if it was the laughter of someone in disbelief or the kind that hid mockery.

“that’s what this was about?” she said through gasps, her voice laced with incredulity. “and here i thought i was a victim of another one of your horrendous pranks.”

“congratulations, sebastian. you’ve set a new record—what, a week? a week before you chased another suitor off. ominis bet me five hundred galleons you wouldn’t last a month… of course i had faith in you—" she smirked, crossing her arms over her chest. "but i should’ve known better.”

sebastian stood there, his breath stuck somewhere between a laugh and a curse. his stomach twisted itself into knots, a sick, tangled mess of emotions he couldn’t quite name. embarrassment? anger? hell, maybe both. maybe neither. it was all bleeding together, one big, ugly blur of what the fuck just happened?

and she wasn’t done yet.

“with such an elaborate scheme too. but did you really have to do it in front of everyone?” she tsked, her voice laced with mock disapproval, like a mother scolding a misbehaving child. “honestly, sebastian. i’ve half a mind to hex you into next week for that.”

he swallowed hard, struggling to keep up. “alright—now i’m confused. you bet on me with ominis?”

“hey, mind you, i bet for you,” she corrected, lips curving into a knowing little smirk. “ominis was the one betting against you.” a lazy shrug, as if that somehow made this less insane. “and honestly? i’m glad i lost. i was starting to miss you.”

“oh, please. like you weren't having a grand old time with fawley.” sebastian argued, trying to grasp back any semblance of control.

her lips quirked into that small, almost pitying smile, the one that always made him feel like the punchline of some joke he hadn’t even realized was being told. “oh, you don’t have to worry about that anymore,” she said breezily, as if the words themselves were nothing more than idle chatter, a passing thought. “he ended it with me right after you ran away.”

“and when you think about it, it’s actually kind of sad for me, isn’t it? being broken up with twice in a single day. in front of a whole crowd, no less. thanks for that, by the way.” she added sardonically.

sebastian blinked, caught somewhere between confusion and something dangerously close to amusement. this wasn’t how he’d envisioned things unfolding—hell, he hadn’t imagined much at all, other than his own selfish drive to drive her to him—but the end result? not too far off. the pieces were shifting in ways he hadn't planned, and yet, he found the outcome strangely satisfying.

his lips quirked, eyes glinting as he tilted his head ever so slightly. “i would say sorry,” he murmured, voice smooth but edged with something sharper, something smug. “but i’m really not.”

“oh, my sweet seb,” she drawled, her voice dripping with that mixture of affection and mockery he was far too familiar with. “i was only with him to make you jealous anyways, just like with any other suitor before him. and let me tell you, it works every time. every time.”

“oh, really?” he shot back, arching a brow, words dripping with challenge. “and what about all those times you came to me, crying your heart out over broken suitors?”

she sighed then, the sound almost condescending, like he was the one who’d missed the most obvious thing in the world. it was as if she pitied him, this strange, delicate sympathy for someone too blind to see the game.

she took a step forward, slow and deliberate, each movement like the winding of a thread pulling him closer. her voice dropped, turning into a low whisper that slid down his spine with the unmistakable chill of danger. "all part of the plan."

a shiver ran through him, and despite himself, he held her gaze. the words hit him with a weight he wasn’t prepared for.

"you’re not the only one who can play this game, sebastian. " she murmured, her voice a honeyed poison that wound its way into his chest, each syllable curling around his heart in a grip he couldn’t escape. "i’ve always been yours, you know that. i just can’t help it if i like to remind you in my own twisted, unconventional ways."

a sick realization crawled up his spine, leaving a cold trail in its wake. he’d been a pawn in her game, manipulated without even realizing it. all this time, thinking he was orchestrating some grand masterplan, when in reality, he was just playing right into her hands.

he should be furious. should be embarrassed. but there was something about the twisted symmetry of it all that made him want to laugh. he’d spent so much time plotting and scheming around her, trying to control the narrative, to bend her to his will. but here she was, doing the exact same thing to him, and what could he do but admire the audacity of it? she had played him just as expertly as he’d tried to play her.

of course this was how it had always been. of course, this whole time, they had been at war all along, caught in a game of endless, tangled power plays, one neither of them had ever truly been willing to admit. a battle of wills and emotions, and somewhere along the way, they'd both fallen in too deep to pull back.

sebastian's eyes darkened, his lips curling into a sly smirk. "you didn’t need to remind me," he said, his voice rough with something between annoyance and reluctant admiration.

she cocked her head, the edge in her voice sharp, but playful. "oh, i think i did. after all, you’ve been so busy pretending you’re the one in control. i thought it was time to remind you who really holds the power here."

sebastian chuckled darkly, rubbing his jaw. "alright, alright, you win.” he sighed, conceding—though only because he was enjoying this too much to end it. “how about a truce?”

she raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "a truce?”

the corner of his mouth twitched upwards as he leaned in, his gaze locking with hers. “no? how about a date, then?”

for a moment, her eyes flared with that unmistakable challenge—the same look he’d seen so many times before, the one that made him feel both like a moth to the flame and the one wielding the match, but it was quickly masked by that teasing, almost predatory smile she always wore when she knew she had the upper hand. when she knew she had him right where she wanted him.

the war was far from over. they both knew that. but, honestly? neither of them would have it any other way.

[hogwartslegacyreactions2]

Hi!! I absolutely LOVE your writing, you do such an amazing job!! I was wondering, if you have the time and are taking requests, could you do how each character cuddles with MC? Can be platonic or romantic, and I was wondering if you could also add professors. Thank you so much, I hope it's not to much to ask!! Have a great day/night!!❤️

A/N: romantic cuddling for the friends, platonic cuddle/hugs for the professors :3

HLC CUDDLE HEADCANNONS

SEBASTIAN SALLOW: This boy is a snake. Full body wrapped around MC like a python. He won't let go easily, either. But he's warm and gives many kisses, so the entrapment is worth it.

OMINIS GAUNT: Physical touch has rarely led to good things in his life so MC will need to be patient with him. Once their relationship is to the point that he feels safe with them, he cuddles with his hands constantly mapping their body. He will have every part of them committed to memory.

ANNE SALLOW: She likes laying on top of them with her face on their chest. She finds their heartbeat soothing. She also likes hearing it speed up when she's feeling cheeky.

IMELDA REYES: Physical touch isn't one of her love languages, so she doesn't go out of her way to cuddle them. She doesn't reject it, She finds MC's affection cute, but she'll be reading or messing with her wand while she lays there with MC attached.

NATSAI ONAI: She is the big spoon. She must protecc. She whispers all sorts of sweet nothing's while she's holding them and gives little neck kisses.

GARRETH WEASLEY: Cuddling him is dangerous because MC never knows what he'll do. This goof can't help but make MC laugh. He loves hearing it. He'll boop their nose, lick their face, even tickle them for a reaction.

LEANDER PREWETT: Long boi with long limbs. MC is tangled in him with little hope of getting away. He has quite the wingspan, so even if MC is on the other side of the bed, he can just casually reach over and yoink them to his side.

AMIT THAKKAR: Hope MC likes his voice, cause he's a talker. MC is his captive audience and he will go on and on and ON about just about anything. Mostly astronomical topics, but he goes off on tangents.

EVERETT CLOPTON: He's the little spoon. Doesn't matter how tall MC is compared to him. They could be the longest mfer or just a little backpack, he loves them either way. He feels held.

POPPY SWEETING: Smol. Turns into a ball like a little hedgehog. Might get lost in the cushions or blankets, so hold tight. Also a bit of a squirmer, sometimes struggles to get comfortable. She'll settle down eventually.

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ELEAZAR FIG: Dad. Hugs. Like, sit on the couch under his arm, dad hugs. Warm and comforting and loving. MC will likely fall asleep.

MATILDA WEASLEY: She's not too much of a hugger, but she won't deny one if MC asks. They'll be short but comforting.

CHIYO KOGAWA: She's not much of a hugger but if MC really needs one, she'll oblige. Might be a bit awkward, but she means well.

AESOP SHARP: MC will have to be strategic. First, gain his trust. That's the hard part. Second, catch him in a good mood. Third, MC must ask ONLY when no one else is around. His affection is very private. Fourth, (optional step) liquid luck.

ABRAHAM RONEN: Favorite Uncle vibes. Playful bear hugs that crush ribs and pick MC up off their feet. Best hugs for when MC needs a laugh.

MIRABEL GARLICK: Very much a hugger. MC can hold her as long as they need to. Let all their worries and stress melt away in her genuine embrace.

MUDIWA ONAI: She gives the best Mom hugs MC could ever experience. She'll go so far as to hug MC in her lap and rock them like a child, even if MC is tall.

BAI HOWIN: If MC needs affection, she suggests they seek out mooncalves or puffskiens.

DINAH HECAT: She is more affectionate than she lets on. If MC is stressed and needs a hug, she offers one without prompting.

CUTHBERT BINNS: He's a ghost. Move along.

SATYAVATI SHAH: She's not an affectionate person. MC will get more warmth from a glacier.

PHINEAS NIGELLUS BLACK: If MC knows what's good for them, they won't touch him. Ever.