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writingsoftarnishedsilver · 26 days ago

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The Summer After | Sebastian Sallow x OC #3

Summary: In the the summer after fifth year, Sebastian finally faces Ominis and Evangeline, grappling with the weight of his choices and the trust he's shattered. Sebastian resolves to rebuild what he’s broken, even if it takes a lifetime.

Words: 5,536

Tags: Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Slow Burn, Unspoken Feelings, Post-Canon Reconciliation, Friends to Lovers (Implied), Regret and Redemption, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Unbreakable Vows, Self-Reflection and Healing

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The midday sun cast long, warm beams over Feldcroft’s rolling fields, but the cottage where Sebastian now lived alone stood cloaked in an uneasy quiet. The village, once filled with happy memories and bustling with the sounds of his youthful summers, felt vacant, haunted. Sebastian hadn't left the cottage for days—his world narrowed to its stone walls and shadowed corners.

Inside, Sebastian paced, glancing nervously at the door, and then out the window toward the path that led from the village. He wasn’t prepared for Ominis and Evangeline's visit. Though he’d written often over the summer, he hadn’t let himself imagine facing either of them again.

He was adjusting the chairs for the third time when he finally saw two figures approaching. His breath caught as he recognized them: Ominis, walking with his careful precision, his arm linked with Evangeline’s. She walked beside him, beautiful as ever, her dark hair lifted by the breeze, eyes cast downward until they reached the threshold.

Sebastian opened the door, and the three stood there, locked in the kind of silence only deep closeness and months of estrangement could create. Ominis nodded slightly, his expression as neutral as Sebastian expected. But Evangeline—she met his eyes for the briefest moment, her face soft yet unreadable, the kind of expression he’d only seen once, back when they first met. He felt a pull, wanting to say so much but knowing that words would barely scratch the surface of all he needed to tell her.

“Sebastian,” Ominis began, his voice firm but gentle, breaking the silence.

"Come in."

They entered in a stilted silence, the cottage feeling suddenly unfamiliar with them there. Sebastian hadn’t realized how much he’d let the place slip into disarray: his books lay scattered across the table, a half-eaten loaf of bread sat beside an untouched tea cup, and the air was thick, stale.

Ominis ran a hand along the back of a chair, his fingers tracing the dust, his brow creasing. “I would have hoped,” he began, his voice carrying a gentle reprimand, “that you’d at least open a window once in a while.”

Sebastian rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed by the state of the room. “Hadn’t thought much about it,” he muttered.

Ominis turned his head toward him, pausing before speaking. “Have you been eating?” he asked, his tone shifting as he added, “You look like you’ve lost half your weight.” His voice was gentle, but there was a pointed concern in his words, one that seemed to linger in the air.

Sebastian blinked, taken aback, and opened his mouth to brush off the comment—until he really looked at them both, in return. Ominis was paler than usual, with dark shadows under his eyes that he hadn’t noticed at first. There was a weariness etched into his features, a toll that even his usual composure couldn’t hide. And Evangeline… her once-pleasant fullness had faded; she looked thinner, and though she stood with a kind of resilience, her frame seemed almost fragile, her cheeks hollowed and her eyes shadowed by exhaustion. He felt a sick twist in his stomach, disliking it immediately.

Ominis gave a short sigh and tilted his head in Evangeline’s direction. “Anyway. We didn’t come to judge your housekeeping. But we do need to know that you’re… managing.” His voice softened, a rare crack in his usual steady tone. "We've been worried."

Sebastian’s gaze fell, tracing the worn wood of the floorboards beneath his feet. “Managing,” he echoed, almost to himself. The word felt distant. Truthfully, he hadn’t really been managing at all—he’d barely been getting by each day without letting the weight of his mistakes crush him. And now, standing before them, his failures seemed laid bare in every corner of the neglected room.

“I'm fine," he lied, glancing up at Evangeline, and hoping, irrationally, to find some trace of the warmth he’d once taken for granted. But her expression was shuttered, her eyes guarded, as if she were steeling herself against him.

"Are you?” she asked, her voice soft but laced with skepticism. There was no bite, no accusation, only the quiet ache of someone who had been hurt too much to take things at face value anymore.

Sebastian shifted, his fingers curling into fists at his sides. He knew she didn’t believe him, knew that the very sight of him probably brought back memories he wished he could erase from her mind. But he couldn’t take back the choices he’d made, the lines he’d crossed. All he could do was stand there and feel the weight of her disappointment settle over him like a shroud.

Ominis cleared his throat, breaking the silence with a gentleness that bordered on exasperation. "There's no point in lying to us, Sebastian."

Sebastian sighed, his eyes drifting from Ominis to Evangeline before he nodded, forcing himself to adopt a semblance of calm. “Right,” he muttered, gesturing toward the fireplace. “Let’s sit.”

They each took their seats, with Ominis in his usual steady posture, Evangeline cautiously perching on the edge of her chair, and Sebastian sinking into his as though its worn cushions might somehow absorb his unease. The room felt unbearably still as they arranged themselves, the crackling of the fire the only sound to fill the silence.

Evangeline shifted, her gaze fixed on the flames. The light cast shadows over her hollowed face, highlighting a softness in her expression that was at odds with her guarded posture. Sebastian studied her, feeling an old longing bloom within him—a futile hope that she might still see something in him worth salvaging. But he couldn’t tell if her quietness stemmed from anger, sorrow, or perhaps both.

“Look,” he started, breaking the silence with a low, uneven voice, “I know I’ve been… distant. Not just now, but for months. I know you probably think…” He trailed off, glancing down, the words snagged in his throat. How could he explain the depth of his remorse? How could he make them understand that he barely understood it himself?

Ominis tilted his head toward him, his face softening in a way that Sebastian recognized—an invitation to speak, no matter how difficult it might be. “We’re here now, Sebastian. Whatever it is, we’re listening.”

Sebastian swallowed, his fists clenching unconsciously. “I’ve thought about it—everything that happened—every single day since then. It’s like I’m living in a memory, or a nightmare, or maybe both.” He looked up, meeting Ominis’s steady gaze and then turning, almost unwillingly, toward Evangeline. “And every letter, every reminder that you’re both still… here... I don’t deserve it. I don’t deserve either of you still caring, after what I did.”

Ominis shifted, his fingers steepled thoughtfully as he considered Sebastian. “No one is expecting you to undo the past,” he said carefully. “But we’re hoping—I’m hoping—that you’ll take the steps to start making things right. That you’ll show us, somehow, that you’re still the person we believed in. Even if he’s buried under layers of… regret.” His tone softened, almost imperceptibly.

Sebastian’s jaw tightened as he nodded, the glimmer of possibility—the chance to rebuild, even in fragments—bringing a hesitant warmth to the heavy ache in his chest. He looked back to Evangeline, searching her face for any hint of forgiveness. Her expression, still guarded, softened just enough that he dared to believe she might still want him there. That she might still believe he could become someone worthy of her trust again.

With a deep breath, Sebastian finally whispered, “I want to try. I just… don’t know where to begin.”

Evangeline took a steadying breath, her sad smile fading as she met Sebastian’s gaze with an intensity he hadn’t seen before. “Why don't we start by being honest. There are things I’ve been holding back—things we’ve both held back—because…” She trailed off, searching for the right words, glancing toward Ominis as if looking for confirmation.

Ominis nodded, his face softening as he turned toward Sebastian. “Because we didn’t want to overwhelm you,” he finished, his voice quiet but unwavering. “But in doing that, we’ve been tearing ourselves apart. And it’s not sustainable, Sebastian. It's not fair.”

Sebastian’s throat tightened as their words sank in, each syllable like a stone dropped into the pit of his stomach. He hadn’t realized how deeply his actions had rippled, how much pain they’d taken on in silence, just to spare him. “I never… I never wanted you to feel like that,” he said, his voice rough with the weight of his guilt.

Evangeline’s expression softened, but her gaze remained piercing. “You say that,” she whispered, her voice trembling, “but you made your choices knowing that they’d hurt us. You knew that we’d be left picking up the pieces.” She blinked, looking away as if fighting to keep her composure. “I just don’t understand how we mattered so little in that moment."

The raw vulnerability in her voice struck Sebastian like a blow, and he felt a hollow ache settle in his chest. “You did matter,” he insisted, his own voice breaking. “You have always mattered, Evangeline. Both of you have. I… I just, I couldn't stand by and let Anne wither away. I had to try and fix it-"

“By losing yourself to dark magic?” Ominis interrupted, his voice colder than Sebastian had ever heard it. “You thought you could ‘fix’ things by going down a path that you knew was dangerous, reckless… destructive? Do you have any idea how many nights we spent worrying about what you’d do next? How many times we had to hold each other back from going after you, just to make sure you wouldn’t get yourself killed?”

Sebastian opened his mouth, but no words came.

Evangeline’s eyes glistened, but she held his gaze, her voice steady. “If we’re going to rebuild anything, Sebastian, we need… assurances.” Her words hung in the air, each one weighted with the gravity of her resolve. “We need to know that you’ll never be pulled in by dark magic again, that you won’t… choose that over us.”

Sebastian’s jaw tightened, "I swear it,” he said, his voice raw with conviction. “I’ll do whatever it takes to earn back your trust, to… to prove that I’m still someone worth believing in. I know it won’t be easy, and I know I’ll never fully undo what I’ve done… but please. You two... you're all I have left. And I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make this right," Sebastian finished, his voice breaking as he met their gazes. The weight of his words lingered, a solemn promise that echoed in the quiet room.

Evangeline’s guarded expression softened slightly, though her arms remained crossed, a physical barrier she hadn’t yet let down, “Words and promises are one thing, but..."

Sebastian nodded, his throat tight, but before he could respond, Ominis leaned forward, his gaze fixed intently in Sebastian’s direction. “Sebastian… if you truly mean this, then you should be willing to vow it.”

Sebastian blinked, caught off guard. “Vow it?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Ominis tilted his head, his expression unyielding but calm. “Yes. An unbreakable vow,” he said, voice steady and resolute. “If you’re truly committed to making things right, then swear it here and now.”

Sebastian swallowed hard, the gravity of Ominis’s words pressing down on him. His gaze shifted from Ominis to Evangeline, who watched him with a mixture of wariness and hope, her eyes soft but filled with unshed tears.

He took a steadying breath, his voice low but firm. “I’ll do it,” he said, his conviction unwavering. “I’ll make the vow.”

Evangeline took a steadying breath. “I’ll admit,” she began, her voice trembling slightly, “I’m relieved to hear that. But, Sebastian…” She hesitated, carefully choosing her next words. “If the only thing keeping you from using dark magic is the fear of breaking a vow, then you’re not doing it for the right reasons.”

Her words struck him like a blow, and he opened his mouth to respond, but she pressed on, her voice gaining strength. “We’ve sacrificed so much for you.” She glanced at Ominis, who watched silently, his face unreadable but unwavering in support, before fixing her gaze back on Sebastian. “We’ve kept your secrets. Risked our safety, our standing—all for you. We’ve carried so much of your burden. That’s why this can’t just be about the vow. You have to want this for yourself.”

Sebastian’s throat tightened as the weight of her words settled over him. She was right. The vow might bind him to his promise, but it couldn’t force him to change. That would have to come from within.

“I’m not saying this to hurt you,” she said, her voice softening but her gaze steady. “I’m saying it because you need to understand what we’ve put on the line for you. Please, don’t make us regret it.”

Her words hung in the air, heavy with the truth they carried. Sebastian clenched his jaw, his heart aching at the sheer depth of her disappointment—and her hope. He swallowed, nodding slowly, letting the gravity of her words settle within him.

“You’re right,” he murmured, his voice hoarse. “I… I’ve put you both through so much. More than I could ever make up for.” He paused, feeling the weight of guilt and regret press down on him. “But I’ll try, Evangeline. I’ll be better. I'll be the friend you both deserve, I promise. I'll vow it.”

Evangeline’s expression flickered with surprise, her lips parting slightly as if she hadn’t expected him to agree so readily. Ominis took a deep breath, standing to retrieve his wand, his expression a mixture of gravity and understanding.

“Very well,” he said softly, his tone taking on an almost ritualistic quality. “Sebastian, if that's what you want, then you’ll make this vow with Evangeline as your binder. I’ll serve as the witness.”

Sebastian’s gaze shifted to Evangeline, and she hesitated, visibly unsettled. But when she looked into his eyes, searching for any trace of insincerity, she seemed to find something that steadied her. She gave a small, determined nod, then rose, extending her right hand toward him. Sebastian took it without hesitation, his grip firm, grounding himself in the warmth of her touch.

Ominis stepped closer, his wand held steadily over their clasped hands. “Sebastian, listen carefully to each term and answer with absolute conviction,” he instructed. “This is no simple promise. Breaking it will result in your demise."

Sebastian nodded, his gaze unwavering as he held onto Evangeline’s hand. He could feel her pulse under his fingers, steady and strong, and he took strength from that—knowing that this vow, this commitment, was the first step in proving how much she and Ominis meant to him.

Ominis placed the tip of his wand on their clasped hands and began the vow, his voice low but powerful. “Sebastian Sallow, do you vow to forsake the use of dark magic for power, choosing knowledge over mastery, study over action?”

Sebastian swallowed, feeling the weight of the words settle over him, then answered, voice steady. “I vow it,” he said, his conviction unwavering. Immediately, a thin stream of fire emitted from Ominis’s wand, wrapping around their hands with a gentle heat that held like an embrace, binding the promise to him.

Ominis continued, his words measured. “Do you vow to prioritize those who stand by you, to never choose the path of darkness over their well-being or safety?”

“I vow it,” Sebastian replied, his voice low but certain. Another stream of fire wove around their hands, intertwining with the first.

Evangeline’s fingers tightened around his, her expression softened, the wariness in her gaze shifting to something closer to belief. Ominis looked between them, his expression still firm but with a gentleness that hadn’t been there before.

“Finally,” Ominis said, his voice softening, “do you vow to pursue the knowledge of dark magic only for understanding, to resist the temptation to wield it for personal gain, and to honor this promise with your life?”

Sebastian took a deep breath, his voice filled with conviction. “I vow it."

The final stream of fire encircled their hands, brightening before fading, sealing the vow in a shimmering, quiet magic. Sebastian felt the power of it settle deep within him, a weight that was both heavy and freeing. He released Evangeline’s hand, the warmth of the vow lingering between them.

Ominis lowered his wand, looking between them. “It’s done,” he murmured, his tone soft yet resolute.

Sebastian nodded, a strange mixture of relief and humility filling him. He looked at Evangeline, and for the first time, saw something in her eyes—a fragile, tentative trust that he hadn’t dared to hope for. Her expression softened, though she kept her distance, as if afraid to let down her guard completely.

The silence that followed was thick, almost suffocating, punctuated only by the crackling of the fire. Ominis sighed, “I think I’ll take a walk,” he said, his voice gentle, though his expression betrayed a hint of worry as he glanced at Evangeline. “I’ll be back soon.”

Evangeline nodded, barely meeting his gaze. Ominis placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder before giving Sebastian a meaningful look. Without another word, he left the cottage, the door closing softly behind him.

As the silence stretched, Sebastian felt the full weight of Evangeline’s presence settle over him—heavy, charged, and filled with unspoken things. He glanced at her, feeling an urge to reach out, to say something that might bridge the chasm he had opened between them. But as his eyes found hers, he saw something flicker there, a flash of fear she barely concealed before looking away. It was a small thing, but it hit him harder than he could have anticipated. She was wary of him—afraid, even.

A knot formed in his stomach, guilt seeping through him like poison. He couldn't blame her, not after everything he’d done, not after what she had witnessed that night, after he’d—Merlin—after he’d killed his uncle. It was only then that he realized, really realized, that the sight of Solomon’s lifeless body haunted her as much as it haunted him.

Unable to bear the silence any longer, he took a deep breath and spoke, his voice low, almost hesitant. “Evangeline… you’re right to be cautious, after everything you’ve seen. But I swear to you…” He paused, gathering his thoughts. “I’m not… that person. I’m not who I was when I… used that relic.”

She didn’t respond immediately, her gaze fixed on the fire. But her arms slowly relaxed, unfolding from across her chest. It wasn’t much, but it was something—a small signal that she was listening, even if she didn’t yet trust his words.

“I've spent the entire summer,” he continued, “pouring over books, searching through records, trying to understand what the relic did to me. I thought if I could figure out what went wrong, then maybe I could…” He trailed off, his voice thick with regret. “All that matters is that thing… it was only meant to take. And I let it take too much. It nearly cost me everything that mattered to me.” His gaze softened as he searched her face. “It nearly cost me you.”

Evangeline’s gaze flickered, a spark of curiosity mingling with the uncertainty. She shifted, leaning slightly forward as if the weight of her question was too much to keep within herself. “Did you… learn anything about it?” she asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Anything about how it… worked? What it did to you?”

Sebastian swallowed, sensing what she was truly asking. She wanted to know if his actions—the choices he’d made, the lines he’d crossed—had been his own, or if the relic had twisted his will. He met her gaze, steadying himself before answering.

“Yes,” he said softly, gathering his thoughts. “The relic was… ancient, crafted by someone who believed that magic’s greatest strength lay in what could be sacrificed. It was created to heal, but not in any way that made sense, not like the magic we know.” He took a breath, running a hand through his hair. “To heal, it required sacrifice, a toll. It… took something from whoever used it. Not just a physical price, but something deeper.”

Evangeline’s expression was one of rapt focus, though her eyes held a shadow of dread. He knew she was piecing together the implications, but he pressed on.

“It preys on desperation,” he continued, his voice thick with bitterness. “The more you’re willing to give, the more it demands. And part of what it takes is… your own will, your own sense of… control. Your humanity, even. It’s like you’re willingly giving pieces of yourself away, but you don’t even realize it until…” He trailed off, his eyes darkening as he remembered the last moments with his uncle, the terrifying clarity he’d felt only when it was too late. “Until there’s nothing left to give, nothing left to be. It’s just you and the magic, fused together in this… twisted purpose.”

A shiver ran through Evangeline as she absorbed his words, her expression shifting between horror and sorrow. “So it… it influenced you? Controlled you?”

Sebastian’s throat tightened as he forced himself to answer honestly. “No,” he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. “Not exactly. It… amplified my desperation, my willingness to sacrifice anything to save Anne. But it didn’t make me do what I did. That was still me.” His eyes dropped, shame heavy in his chest. “It didn’t force my hand. I gave it everything willingly… thinking it would be worth it. And that’s on me, not on the relic.”

Evangeline’s gaze softened as he spoke, the lines of her face etched with sorrow and something that looked almost like compassion. “It preyed on you when you were at your lowest,” she murmured, her voice thick with understanding. “And you thought… you thought you could control it.”

He gave a small, bitter laugh. “I was arrogant. I thought I was strong enough to handle it, to… keep myself intact while using it. But I was wrong.”

Evangeline’s lips parted, but she said nothing, her expression shifting into something raw, uncertain. He could see the questions in her eyes, the doubts, and though it pained him to see them, he knew he needed to face them.

“I don’t expect you to forgive me right now,” he said quietly. “Not easily, anyway. I don’t deserve it. But I just… I need you to know that I’m done with dark magic. Not just because of the vow but because I’m done trying to control things that no one should have control over.” His voice softened, and he took a small step toward her, his hand twitching as if he might reach for hers but stopping himself. “All I want is to… find my way back. To you, to Ominis, to being the person who you put your trust in.”

Evangeline’s expression softened, the guardedness in her eyes easing just a bit. She didn’t reach for him, but there was something in her gaze—a gentleness, an unspoken forgiveness—that made his chest ache with both hope and regret.

“You know,” she said softly, her voice wavering, “I wish… I wish you hadn’t had to learn this the way you did. I wish you hadn’t lost so much… and I wish I hadn’t had to watch you lose yourself.”

He swallowed, his voice tight with emotion as he replied, “I’m so sorry, Evangeline. For what I put you through. For everything.”

Evangeline looked at him for a long while, the silence stretching out between them. Her gaze held a mixture of sadness, confusion, and something else—hurt, maybe, a pain she had kept buried. Finally, she took a breath, her voice steady but laced with an ache that made his chest tighten.

“Sebastian… why didn’t you come to Professor Fig’s funeral?” she asked, her tone soft but insistent, like she’d been holding back the question for months. “You must have known what happened. I… I could have died in the repository fighting Ranrok. And you didn’t even come to see if I was okay. You didn’t even check.”

Sebastian’s heart sank, her words cutting deeper than any curse. He dropped his gaze, unable to look her in the eyes as he struggled to find an answer that might make sense of his choices, choices that seemed so senseless now. He opened his mouth to respond but faltered, shame tightening around his throat.

“I wanted to,” he finally managed, his voice barely a whisper. “I thought about it every day, wondered how you were, if you were…” He trailed off, running a hand through his hair as if he could smooth out the jumble of emotions tightening in his chest. “But I was… I was afraid.”

Evangeline’s brow furrowed, her expression hardening with a mix of disbelief and hurt. “Afraid?” she echoed, her voice brittle.

He flinched, words coming out stilted. "After everything I’d done, after all the damage I caused, I thought… maybe it would be better if I stayed away. I didn’t want to make things worse for you. I thought if I showed up—if you had to look at me, remember what I did—” He stopped, his voice breaking, then took a shuddering breath. “I thought it might only hurt you more.”

Evangeline’s eyes glistened, but her gaze remained steady, unwavering. “So you thought avoiding me would make things better? That I’d just forget what happened?” Her voice wavered, a hint of anger slipping through her grief. “Sebastian, you aren't just anyone to me. You know that right?” She paused, blinking back tears, her voice softening. "You're... you were my best friend, Sebastian. You were the one person I thought I could count on, no matter what. Especially after all the shit you put me through. And when I… when I needed you most, you weren’t there.”

Her words cut through him like a knife, sharp and unyielding, yet layered with a sadness that made his heart ache. He felt his throat tighten, each syllable pressing on the wound he’d tried so hard to bury. Best friend. The words felt fragile now, like something he’d shattered beyond repair.

He swallowed hard, forcing himself to speak. “I know I failed you." His voice broke, raw with the weight of everything he hadn’t been able to say. “I was a coward. I should have been there. Evangeline, I can't tell you how deeply sorry I am. Truly.”

He wanted to reach for her, to bridge the gap, but he knew any move would be too much, too soon. Instead, he took a deep breath, steadying himself. “I know I can’t erase the past,” he whispered, his voice filled with regret. “But I’ll do whatever it takes to make things right, even if it takes the rest of my life. I… I want to be worthy of being someone you trust."

Evangeline studied him for a long moment, her gaze flickering over his face as if searching for something—perhaps the remnants of the Sebastian she’d once trusted, the friend she’d relied on so deeply. He held his breath, afraid to move, afraid that anything he did would shatter the fragile moment between them.

Then, slowly, she rose from her seat, her expression softening in a way he hadn’t seen in what felt like lifetimes. She took a tentative step toward him, and he felt his heart pound, unable to process what she might do next.

Before he could gather his thoughts, she closed the space between them and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a gentle but unmistakably real embrace.

Sebastian’s breath caught, and for a heartbeat, he didn’t react, too stunned to even lift his arms. He’d spent months in isolation, cut off from everyone, from everything, and the warmth of her touch felt almost surreal, like something he had only dreamed about in his loneliest moments. He felt the solid warmth of her against him, grounding him in a way he hadn’t experienced in so long that it almost hurt.

After a second that felt both painfully brief and achingly infinite, he brought his arms up slowly, hesitantly, as if he might break her with too much force. His hands settled on her back, and he held her carefully, feeling the weight of her trust—the small, tentative step forward she was offering him.

“Evangeline,” he whispered, his voice breaking, “I’m so sorry."

The words spilled out, raw and unguarded, his voice trembling with everything he’d buried beneath guilt and silence. But as he held her, something else—something deeper��surfaced alongside his remorse. A feeling he’d kept locked away, hidden even from himself, now slipping free in her embrace.

The way she fit in his arms was achingly familiar, like a piece of himself he he never realized was missing until she filled it. The gentle weight of her against him, the warmth radiating through their touch—these things felt like both a comfort and a torment, a reminder of how much he’d kept hidden, how much he’d risked losing.

For a moment, he let himself imagine what it would be like if she stayed like this, if he could keep her close, safe, away from all the shadows he’d let creep into his life. He tightened his hold, pressing his cheek against her hair, feeling her heartbeat steady against his chest.

She didn’t respond, but she didn’t pull away either. Her presence felt like forgiveness and reluctance in equal measure, and he knew that any chance he had of winning her trust again would be slow, delicate—a path he’d have to walk carefully.

But even if it took years, he knew he’d wait. Because he loved her, and as painful as it was to stand on this fragile ground, he couldn’t imagine a life without her in it. If he had to start from the beginning, building back the trust he’d shattered, he would do it. And maybe, someday, he could tell her how much she meant to him. But for now, he settled for this one, fragile embrace, a small glimmer of hope that they might still have a future together, even if that future was yet unwritten.

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kay9leo · 4 months ago

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I really want to know what the devs had in mind when they used that "if not for, then for Anne".

"If not for cause A, than for cause B"

I had to stop and think cause if you think about it, usually when you say it, you use the first part, "if not for cause A," which to the speaker feels like a lower tier/something they see as of lower value to their themselves and especially to the person they are trying to convince.

In the second part of that line, "than for cause B", which to the speaker see has a higher tier of value/worth that to themselves and likely to the person that they are trying to convince.

In this case, "if not for me" <--- where Sebastian is speaking and referring to himself, he sees himself as a lower tier/value of worth.

"than for Anne." <--- which Sebastian sees as someone having higher tier of value/worth in his life (and assume that the listener -MC - will also agree to).

When Sebastian says when he says "if not for me, than for Anne", what he really ends up saying and meaning with that when he begs MC to help him is:

"I know I don't have much value/worth but you see Anne does"

Because in his mind (and from what Solomon essentially verbally beats into the boy), Sebastian doesn't see himself having great value/worth, but his sister does.

Thats what that line really means.

Sebastian: "if not for me, than for Anne"

Sebastian --> "If am not valuable/worthy enough of taking the risk, then please do it for my sister who is someone who I see as valuable/worthy; moreso than me."

When you break it down like that, you can see the damage Solomon has done in which even Sebastian himself sees himself not having that much of great worth subconsciously with that line. It is canon that Solomon verbally abuses him. This is not something that is too far from a stretch when it comes to abused children. Abused children don't feel worthy.

And make no mistake, Sebastian is an abused child. Sebastian is an unwanted child to Solomon who make him aware of it when Solomon get the chance to do so. Solomon compare Sebastian to his father in a bad/poor light.

...

Sebastian: "If not for me (who I see as not worthy), than for Anne (who I see as worthy and you probably do as well)"

...

Its not a missed lined opportunity.

It's a line telling you more about Sebastian's psyche. How he sees himself.

He is not worthy.

And more importantly, he is a hurt boy.

they really messed up by not making seb's line as "if not for anne then for me" because THAT would:

(a) help give MC more dimension by turning them grayer — they're not doing it for some sickly girl they barely knew they're doing it because the sickly girl dying would hurt one of theirs. it would hurt their friend. it would hurt sebastian beyond repair and that cannot happen.

(b) push more suspicion on the balance of sebastian's desperation, friendship, and manipulation to the extremes. are you really his friend? or are you just another powerful ally that helps him achieve his end no matter the means. "i like having friends in my debt" is this friendship (love?) or just another debt you have to pay?

#sebastian sallow #hogwarts legacy #sebastian sallow x mc #solomon sallow #anne sallow #Thanks for listening to my Ted Talk #Solomon sucks even more now >:P #Sebastian Sallow needs a hug

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boxdstars · 1 year ago

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i can never find sebastian attractive because he falls into that “comfort character but like in a familial way” bracket. that’s my best friend. that’s my little brother. what do you mean he’s sexy - i just saw that fool trip up the stairs

#boxd chitchat #sebastian sallow #he’s so baby boy #he needs a hug SO bad you guys #this is a service i’m going to provide #platonic seb content hits so diff #he’s very aesthetically pleasing tho #pretty man awooga #but he’s so dear to me regardless

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umirage · 2 years ago

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This is what happened in my game I swear! 🙄

#hogwarts legacy #wizarding world #sebastian sallow #MC #fanart #this boy needed a hug

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morelikeravenbore · 1 year ago

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No, but I literally think about this every day. Sebastian's quest line is devastating and if I think about it too much, my heart hurts. Because leading up to that one awful decision is a whole lifetime of loss and grief and pain, abandonment and trauma and abuse. The kid was doomed the moment he lost his parents, but the worst part is that he's actually such a good kid. He's not evil, he doesn't want to hurt anybody, he's just trying to hold it all together on his own and it's just too much for any one person to deal with.

I love him so much. I want him to have the best life and the brightest future, but I just don't see how it could ever be possible for him after he kills Solomon.

Looking at Sebastian’s story, I’m reminded of how a single action can have so many ramifications. Take his duel with Uncle Solomon for example. Not only is a man’s life taken, but so many other consequences branch out from Uncle Solomon’s death. With him and Anne gone, Ominis will have to return to his abusive family over the summer. I doubt that he will ever call Feldcroft his home again. And with her main caregiver gone, Anne will either end up with a distant relative, in an orphanage or Sebastian will have to withdraw from Hogwarts to care for her. We’re not able to see the off-screen estrangement between Ominis and Sebastian, but we can all guess what happens next. You could argue that Ominis lost his found family the same way he had lost his birth family.

#Ow my feelings #Sebastian Sallow #Sebastian Sallow needs a hug #Hogwarts legacy #hogwarts legacy fandom

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wasteofart · 2 years ago

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The more quests I play with Sebastian the more convinced I am that a simply hugging him once would’ve prevented all this

#hogwarts legacy #sebastian sallow #hogwats legacy sebastian #life #he jsut needs a hug #possible spoiler i guess #spoiler #I know he killed someone but he's basically crying and I can't even hug him #he only ever walks away crying

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annachu-cannot-write · 9 months ago

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A Guiding Light

Rating: General Audiences

Category: M/M

Fandom: Hogwarts Legacy

Relationship: Ominis Gaunt/Player Character

Additional Tags: POV Ominis Gaunt, Slytherin Player Character, Slow Burn, Slow Build, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Developing Friendships, Developing Relationship, Jealousy, Tragic Backstory, Eventual Fluff, Ominis Gaunt Needs a Hug

Story Summary: Ominis Gaunt has been blind for his whole life, relying solely on his wand to show him the way. But when his wand one day goes missing, he finds guidance in an unlikely place, and soon a whole new world opens up to him.

Chapter 4 - however long it takes (to make you realise)

Word Count: 3342 [published on archive 14/03 2024]

Notes: chapter 4 is finally here, so enjoy!

(i know this one took a bit longer to post, but i'm still playing the game, so from here on it might take longer between each upload)

alsooo down below is a picture (of bad quality, i know, so don't at me) of my MC aka Kieran Everbleed, cuz i thought you might want to know what he looks like (seeing as i can't really have Ominis describe his looks...)

It was Saturday morning and Ominis had just been rudely woken up by the shrill noise of an alarm clock going off. Blasted little bugger, he thought as he stirred in his four-poster. Why would anyone set an alarm on a Saturday? It was totally barbaric.

“Sorry.” someone mumbled to his left - it was Albert Hickling. Of course it was Albert Hickling. For over four years he had tinkered with his own inventions, putting spells on them to make them do all sorts of unimaginable things. Never before, though, had he done anything with an alarm clock.

“It wasn’t meant to do that, I thought I had bewitched it to transform into a duck every morning so I could have it in my bath.”

“What?” Either Ominis was still too groggy from sleep, or it was the silliest thing he had ever heard.

“It wouldn’t be a real duck, of course!”

“Never mind that, could you just make it stop?” he said, because the alarm clock was, in fact, still ringing.

“Oh! Sorry.” Hickling mumbled again, fumbling with the noisy gadget for a good couple of seconds before it finally became quiet.

Ominis rolled his eyes. Idiot, he thought as he dragged the covers over himself again.

It wasn’t until he heard Hickling leave the dormitory a moment later, that it occurred to him that none of the other boys had woken up. Sebastian, he knew for a fact, was a heavy sleeper, and could sleep through most things - though something as loud and obnoxious as that alarm clock would surely have woken anyone up. As for Everbleed, he hadn’t learnt what type of sleeper he was - but even if he was a heavy sleeper as well, there was no reason why he shouldn’t have woken up.

Ominis regretted that he hadn’t asked Hickling what time it was when the clock had rung - if he had, he would have known now, if it was a time in the morning when the boys would normally be in bed.

Lifting himself up to his elbows, he called out for Sebastian but got nothing in response. It was awfully quiet, now that he thought about it. On most mornings, he could hear faint snoring coming from Sebastian, but right now, the room was completely silent.

“Sebastian? Are you there?... Everbleed?” Still no response. Ominis frowned. Normally, he and Sebastian would wake up at roughly the same time, a consequence from sleeping in the same room since they were 11, he was sure of, then Everbleed would slowly start to wake up, and eventually the three of them would go to breakfast together. But now there seemed to be only him here.

A voice in the back of his head told him that the two of them had gone on without him - but he tried not to listen. After Sebastian had talked to him on the bridge last week, Ominis had been under the impression that things had gone back to normal between them - but now he wasn’t so sure anymore.

He let his arms fall to his side and his head was once again reunited with the pillow. He sighed, but found that when he did, his chest ached a bit, so he brought his hand up and clutched the fabric of his pyjamas, right over his heart. As he did so, he thought about how pathetic he was, and that it made perfect sense that Sebastian would want to abandon him.

He closed his eyes shut, hard, and wished that he could just fall back to sleep, but he knew there was no way he could do that now. Not with all these thoughts filling up his entire mind. Things will be all right, he told himself, I will be all right.

...

Sleep had, unbeknownst to Ominis, swept him away an hour later, easing his mind as well as his body. When he came to, it was because he had, for a second time that morning, been woken up.

“Are you still sleeping? You’re going to miss breakfast if you don’t get up soon.”

Ominis could only respond with a sluggish ‘Mm’ for he was too tired to be able to make a, perhaps more coherent, response.

After a moment, he heard his stomach rumble as hunger overwhelmed him, and he woke up more and more. When he eventually sat up in his bed, stretching his arms over his head, the thoughts that had occupied his mind earlier came back and hit him straight in his gut. Breakfast didn’t seem so inviting all of a sudden.

“You wouldn’t happen to know where Sebastian is, would you?” he asked before he even realised it.

“No, but I heard him and Kieran early this morning, talking about Feldcroft. They seemed to be in a hurry.”

The answer threw another punch to his gut and he felt sick. He was sure he would have thrown up, if it wasn’t for the fact that Hickling was in the room.

“I thought it was strange that he left without you.”

‘Left without you’ The words echoed in his mind, taunting him, cutting him. ‘Left without you’ He could feel the bad taste in his mouth as the words only grew louder. ‘Left without you’ He ran out of the dormitory, running like a wild beast that had been let loose. … Then he fell and hit the floor, and everything came all at once - the vomit, the tears, the blood.

...

For a third time that morning, Ominis was woken up. This time, however, it wasn’t whilst lying in bed - but on the cold stone floor of the common room, and not when he had been asleep, but when he had been unconscious.

Everything was a big blur to him. His head throbbed violently and he felt dizzy. He could hear rushed murmurs coming from all directions, but he couldn’t make out any of the words over the ringing in his ears. Someone shook him by the shoulder, calling his name, but Ominis just lay there, unable to produce any sort of response. Then he could feel a pair of arms picking him up, and a warm body against his own. In the state he was in, he couldn’t understand anything that was going on.

...

He felt something soft touch his back and he realised that he must have been laid down. No more than a second later someone’s hand was on his forehead, then at both sides of his head, prodding at him, wiping at his face. He could hear a woman muttering to his side, but her words weren’t any clearer than the voices earlier had been - these, too, were rushed. Then, before he could even register it, his back had been lifted up and something was placed in his hand to hold. Ominis blinked, still feeling very out of it. He heard more muttering, and the next thing he knew, someone grabbed the object from his hand, brought it up to his lips, and then a nasty liquid hit his tongue. He wanted to spit it out immediately, but found that whoever was feeding him this liquid was still pouring it into his mouth, making it impossible to do so.

Whatever it was that he had been forced to drink, he felt an instant effect from it as soon as he swallowed it. The throbbing in his head died down to a level where it was almost completely gone, and his ears no longer rang. The woman spoke to him again, and this time Ominis could hear every word.

“Mr. Gaunt? This is nurse Blainey - you are in the hospital wing. It seems you fell and took a blow to your head.”

As he registered her words, Ominis brought his hand up to his head, and frowned - he couldn’t remember falling and hitting his head.

“It’s best if you stay here for a couple of hours, so I can keep an eye on you. Now, be still, so I can put this on you.”

He didn’t know what ‘this’ referred to, but felt the matron’s hands on his head again, apparently putting on some sort of bandage.

“Do you remember how this happened at all?”

“No.” he replied, his voice coming out slightly hoarse.

“Your prefect, Mr. Hickling, arrived with you in a hurry, just moments ago. He told me he saw you running out of the dormitory looking sick, and that when he heard a commotion in the common room he went to see what was going on. That’s apparently when you had hurt yourself.”

The matron finished wrapping him up and said “You don’t have to remember now, it will all come back to you after you’ve had some rest, so don’t strain yourself. Now, if you would be so kind, Mr. Hickling…”

Ominis hadn’t realised Hickling was still in the hospital wing with them.

“Of course, nurse Blainey. Ominis, I shall leave you now. Hopefully you’ll feel better soon.”

Ominis made his second incoherent response to Hickling that morning, but it was the best he could do - he was still trying to understand why the other boy would have shown him such kindness.

“Oh, I almost forgot, nurse Blainey, Ominis hasn’t eaten his breakfast yet…”

“Why didn’t you say so? Tsk, tsk, tsk. Here I was, giving him medicine on an empty stomach…. Oh well, best call for the house-elves, so they can bring some food up then.”

...

The rest of the morning and afternoon went by faster than Ominis thought it would, considering he was meant to spend it in a hospital bed. He had managed to rest for the most part, albeit shorter periods at a time, and the rest of the time he had spent listening to nurse Blainey moving across the room, tending to other students. At some point Hickling had come back with his clothes and schoolrobe so he could change out of his pyjamas.

Later, when the matron finally came to remove his bandage, she announced that he was free to go, and Ominis felt relieved.

“Be careful not to make any sudden head movements though, and should you feel anything at all, come back and see me again.”

“Of course, nurse Blainey-” he said, and started stepping away from the bed, but realised soon that he was without his wand. “-My wand…”

“Oh, it’s right here, dear-” she handed it over to him, placing it in his hand. “-Mr. Hickling brought it with him when he dropped off your clothes.”

“Ah… thank you.” he managed a smile, and then proceeded to walk away from the bed, and out of the hospital wing.

...

As soon as Ominis reached the Grand Staircase, he was overwhelmed with loud voices. All around him students were chatting away with their friends, talking about what they had been up to during the day, and what they planned to do tomorrow. Some students, further away from him, mentioned being in Hogsmeade, eating and drinking at the Three Broomsticks. A group of girls talked about how they went down to Lower Hogsfield and what a lovely little place it was.

It all made Ominis feel like he had been stuck in a sort of hazy dream the entire day - coming in and out of consciousness, and not really knowing what had been going on for the most part. He had missed out on a whole day he could have spent doing the things the students around him had done. But it was just one day, he told himself, no matter. It’s not like he normally spends his free days visiting Hogsmeade or the neighbouring hamlets, anyway. Nonetheless, a sense of gloominess washed over him as he descended the stairs towards the Reception Hall.

A waft of delicious food reached Ominis’ nostrils as the doors to the Great Hall opened and closed by students coming in and out, and the gloomy feeling turned to hunger. It felt to him like no time at all had passed since the house-elves had brought him breakfast. Here I go, eating again, he thought to himself. All he had done this day, so far, had been eating and sleeping.

...

Dinner had been exquisite. All the things Ominis loved tasted particularly good this evening - the roast chicken was juicier, the sausages fattier, and the roast potatoes crispier than ever. He couldn’t think of a time when he had been this full - not even on his very first day as a first-year.

I wonder if I still have room for some dessert? But it probably won’t arrive any time soon, he thought as he rubbed his belly. Though I might as well stay here for a while, I’m too tired to go anywhere at the moment. He let out a content sigh, but was interrupted halfway.

“You look like you swallowed a dugbog - were you that hungry?” It was Sebastian.

Ominis was just about to give a snarky retort when suddenly there was a strange feeling in his head. It didn’t hurt, exactly, more like it made him a wee bit dizzy. He shut his eyes, but when he did, memories of the early morning came back to him - very fast, and very vividly, and he felt increasingly dizzier. He didn’t even notice nearly falling off of the bench, until a pair of hands steadied him.

“Don’t touch me.” he spat out instantaneously.

He was met with something he could only assume was a stunned silence. Then, whilst still a little shaky, he stood up and began to walk away, bumping into Sebastian on purpose. It didn’t take long, however, until Sebastian’s hand was on his arm, trying to stop him.

“Ominis? Wha-”

“Don’t talk to me.”

“Did something happen?”

Ominis ignored the question at first, just puffing out air, shaking his head in disbelief, trying to convey the message that he was upset. Then he grabbed Sebastian's arm forcefully and dragged him to the side of the hall, where they could have some privacy. There, he answered the question with a question of his own.

“What do you think?” he said through gritted teeth.

“Well, you’re obviously upset, I can see that.”

“How observant of you, anything else?”

“You’re being really snappy towards me.”

“Oh, yeah?”

Sebastian sighed, and after a couple of seconds said “Why are you being like this, Ominis? If I did something to offend you, just say so.”

“Offend me?” he huffed loudly. “I think you would know for yourself if you had done something to offend me.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly what it sounds like!”

“Okay, so I have offended you? When exactly?”

“You haven’t offended me Sebastian, you’ve hurt me!” he yelled out, tears starting to form in his eyes. “Are you really that oblivious?”

“If you’re talking about the Undercroft again, I’ve already apologised for that-”

“That’s not what this is about!”

“Then, what is it about?!”

“Everbleed!” he practically screamed out, tears now streaming down his cheeks.

“What does he have to do with this?”

“Everything! He’s got everything to do with this, can’t you see? You spend so much time with him, you barely have any left to spend with me anymore! And as if the Undercroft thing wasn’t bad enough, you even bring him to Feldcroft to meet Anne? You didn’t stop to think that perhaps I wanted to go meet her again? That I, who happen to actually be her friend, would be happy to hear her voice again? No? Did it never occur to you?!”

He fell backwards against the wall, shaking with uncontrollable sobs, feeling utterly miserable.

“Am I not your friend, Sebastian? Do I mean that little to you?”

Several seconds passed in a suffocating silence, and he thought that this had to be it - the moment he would lose his most dearest friend. He knew that if Sebastian didn’t want him anymore, things would go back to how they were before they were friends, before he got to Hogwarts. He would be on his own again, the only company the one found in solitude. But he didn’t want that, he didn’t want to go back to being all alone, with no one to talk to, or to laugh with, or to create memories together with. But that had already started to happen. It started on the very first day of their fifth year. A tear in a bond that he thought was so strong that nothing could break it, but has just kept on growing.

“Ominis…” Sebastian’s voice was not more than a breath of air, and Ominis could barely hear it over his own thoughts. “I am sorry. I am truly sorry… I didn’t know you felt like this. You know you mean a lot to me-”

“No, Sebastian, I don’t.” he cut him off quietly, and Sebastian sighed.

“You and Anne are the most important people in my life; I wouldn’t know what to do without either of you.”

“Then why didn’t you let me come meet her?”

Sebastian sighed once again, and took a step closer.

“What you have to understand, Ominis, is that there are bigger things going on. War is almost upon us and goblins are terrorising people everywhere. There’s not a single hamlet that is safe anymore, especially Feldcroft. It’s just a matter of time before they curse someone from the village again, and I just don’t want that to be you.”

Ominis closed his eyes. He just didn’t want to hear it.

“You don’t think I can handle my own.”

“That’s not what I said, Ominis.”

“But I know that’s what you meant. You didn’t want me there with you to slow you down, so you brought Everbleed with you instead - perfect little Everbleed who can defeat a whole troll on his own.-” He pushed himself off of the wall, and stepped closer to Sebastian, stopping right in front of his face. “-Isn’t that right?”

A few silent seconds passed.

“You’re being ridiculous.” Sebastian said and moved away. Ominis clenched his jaw.

“I’ll leave you alone then, if that’s what you think. I have no interest in being here anyway.”

He didn’t get very far though, before Sebastian said “Before you go, I want to speak to you about something else, if you care to listen.”

Ominis made no sign of moving, and Sebastian continued “You remember me mentioning Salazar Slytherin’s Scriptorium, right?-”

“-I’ve already told you how I feel about that.”

“Yes, well, I hoped you could give it some more thought. I believe, if we were to enter the Scriptorium, we could find something that could provide us with useful information about a cure for Anne.”

Ominis clenched his jaw harder.

“That Scriptorium means only bad things, and I want nothing to do with the dark magic that lies within it-”

“-Even if it means finding a cure?”

“I will not change my mind on this matter! Anything to do with the Dark Arts should be avoided. It’s too risky.”

“Anything to do with Salazar Slytherin is worth the risk.”

“I can’t agree, and I’ll not say a word more. I’m sorry.”

With those final words, Ominis walked away from Sebastian - his head pounding and his heart aching. He couldn’t even be bothered to care when he realised he had collided with Everbleed, he just wanted to get away from the Great Hall as fast as possible.

...

It was cold in the dormitory, where he lay in his four-poster, thinking hard on everything that had transpired that day - first hitting his head, then spending the day in the hospital wing, and lastly, everything that had gone down between him and Sebastian in the Great Hall. Perhaps he hadn’t lost his most dearest friend that day, but he wasn’t sure how much longer it would take before their bond would eventually break.

He turned onto his side and dragged the duvet over his head, trying not to think, because he just wanted to go to sleep, forget about everything and for this day to finally end.

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kay9leo · 4 months ago

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At First Glance... Part VIII

Chapter 7 <<<||| Chapter 8 ||| >>> Chapter 9

...On Changes

Sebastian hated change.

It never meant good things for him.

Such as when he went from having a loving family with living parents and a healthy sister to living with Uncle Solomon and leaving Anne behind for school when her curse became too much.

From having an unbreakable trio made up of him, Anne and Ominis to him and Ominis barely on friendly terms a year after Anne left.

And now, change had even struck his friendship with MC.

During those lonely moments when he allowed himself a moment to imagine what it would be like to reunite with MC again, they were memories reimagined to new adventures, kitchen raids and games they would play once more. Comparing notes, reviewing in the Undercroft, study buddies into the dead of night. Duel partners watching each other’s back with no questions asked.

Sebastian thought that uniting with MC mean things would go back to normal. Things will finally go back to the way they were with wands blazing, spells shot out, and friendly banter between them like they used to do before.

He didn’t expect for another change to cripple the little normality he had gain in his life when he befriended MC.

In fact, Sebastain didn’t expect for there to be so many small changes in their partnership.

Specifically in her reactions.

It seems as if that small pause, that little hiatus in their friendship was enough for MC to change while apart from each other. Changes that he felt like he couldn’t keep up with.

“These ‘Keepers’ are playing games with you. You need to press them for more information.” He huffed, angry on her part for how they kept critical information from her to mastering her magic.

“It doesn’t work like that.” MC crossed her arms with a frown. “To access each of these memories, I have to complete a trial. It’s not as easy as you think. They’re showing me the memories in a particular order. They–”

“Ugh. Either they don’t trust you or you don’t care enough about Anne to ask the difficult questions!” Sebastian glared.

He was certain that before their hiatus, their break in friendship, MC wouldn’t have shrunk in on herself when they talked about her ancient magic keeper friends. Or even sigh and say:

“I do care about Anne, but I’m tired of explaining myself. Perhaps we should part ways.”

At that he froze.

“That’s – that’s not what I meant. I –” He took in a deep breath to calm himself, to prevent that ice forming in his stomach from expanding “- we’re just not getting answers. I need answers. For Anne.”

“I know.” MC sighed as she looked at the ground and kicked a stray rock away. She then threw her head back to look at the stars. “I know.” She stated once more, letting silence fill in the air.

A silence that he found was worse than when they argued.

It suffocated him.

Sebastian didn’t know what to do. He didn’t know what to say to make it better.

MC stared at the stars, as if counseling them to determine whether she should leave him or not. She frowned and sighed.

He never seen MC sigh that much in his life.

Nor did he ever felt like he was in the greatest trial of his life as she looked back down at him with steel determined eyes. The ice in his stomach grew spikes as she opened her mouth to give him the verdict.

To determine whether he was worthy of her presence or not.

Worthy of her friendship.

The first friendship he made on his own.

“Now, shall we see why the triptych led us here?” She smirked, a mischievous light filling her eyes.

The ice in his stomach melted as a warmth filled him and spread out to all of his body. Not even the night breeze could cool it.

Sebastian smiled back before taking off with a “Let’s go, quickly. Before we’re spotted.”

He hoped that leading the two of them will give MC less time to doubt her decision on renewing their friendship.

A friendship that he found too valuable to lose over petty things.

Her friendship with him made his world truly better for it.

It wasn’t until when their quest into the mountain truly started, did he realize how much had changed between them.

…

“Keep a close eye out. I saw some of Ranrok’s crew moving off the path just ahead.” He alerted her, like a good partner should.

“I wonder why.” MC hummed as she ran next to him.

Once more Sebastian was grateful for the growth spurt he had this past summer before he met her this year. If it wasn’t for the couple of inches he grew, he was certain that MC would outrun him.

“Raiding, I imagine. This mountain used to safeguard local hamlet valuables.” He huffed before frowning when MC started outrunning him. I need to exercise more if I want to keep up with her. He thought as he said,

“But it’s been abandoned ever since Ranrok took hold of the coast.”

“Shite.” MC cursed a few paces ahead of him.

That was a new change. MC rarely cursed, deemed it too lowly of her to do so.

“Inlusio.” She whispered, activating the disillusionment spell. He immediately followed suit.

“I’ll be quieter than a Jobberknoll.” Sebastian whispered. He needed her to know that he’ll be a good partner.

That it wasn’t a mistake continuing her friendship with him.

“Stay back and cover for me. I’m going to petrify them and take a look around.” She mumbled in front of him.

“Fine.” He stated, unhappy with her decision.

Sebastian frowned as he watched the shimming air in front of him go forward. One by one, she oh so s l o w l y took out each globin with a Petrificus Totalus! The globins would then freeze up and fall backwards still as a statue.

In total, it took her less then ten minutes to sneak behind all of them and petrify them. Not once did a spell or a weapon flew off from a globin to harm her.

Cover her back? He thought as that same icy feeling from earlier crept in on his stomach. What does she even need me here for? I didn’t even fire one shot!

The shimmering air appeared before him again as she whispered,

“Follow me, Sebastian.”

He nodded, not that she could see him. They didn’t even finite the disillusionment spell until they were yards away from the globin camp.

“Well, that went way better than expected.” She grinned at him.

“I’ll say. You hogged the fight and took them all out MC.” He snorted with a frown. “And why so sneaky when we left? They were already down. No need to be quiet if they’re out for the count.” He glared.

“Just be happy that we didn’t have to fight Sebastian. Things aren’t quite like they used to be.” MC rolled her eyes.

“I’ll say.” Sebastian scowled.

“Whatever. Let’s keep going.” She huffed.

“Lead the way. I’ve got your back.” He stated with a waved hand pointed towards the mountain.

MC nodded.

…

As they continued onward towards the mountain with a light jog, Sebastian found another thing that was different now than how it was like before when they went on quests together. And it was one that made the ice in his stomach slowly grow and creep forward.

The suffocating silence.

MC kept mute the entire time they jogged, never making a quip or a one-liner like she used to before the argument that led to the Friendship Hiatus as he started calling it. The quiet was a bit unnerving. It felt as if he still was on trial when MC was staring at the stars, debating about whether or not he should join her on this quest. The small creeping icy sensation in his stomach hasn’t left yet since her fight with the goblins.

Sebastian wasn’t certain what he should or shouldn’t say now. He didn’t want to give her another reason to part ways with him, but he didn’t want this silence to linger that had only allowed the ice inside of him to grow.

NEIGHAAAAAW!!!!

Then his saving grace from the silence came in the form of his least favorite beast.

“Thestrals overhead.” He stated, in a voice that he tried to keep as blasé as possible. “Some consider them a bad omen.”

“Hmm…Not everyone does.” MC stated with a shrug of her shoulders as she glanced back at him before looking away towards their destination.

The quiet returned once more.

“I know that.” He huffed with a roll of his eyes.

“All right.” MC sighed, not even looking back at him this time.

“I’m making small talk.” He quipped. “I’m not going to trek up this mountain in silence.”

And that’s just what they did despite his displeasure with it.

It’s hard to hold a two-person conversation when one party didn’t even bother with replying. That small icy feeling in his stomach from before grew. Little by little, it crept up his esophagus with each step the two took deep into the mountain. Until he couldn’t take it anymore as he felt the chill reach his larynx and broke his silence once more with the verbal thought of:

“I bet the Thestral nest’s close by.”

MC stopped and just when he thought she was going to banter back as she opened her mouth, he saw her wand rise.

Immediately, he was on guard. Mentally preparing for another goblin fight (and one that he can hopefully participate in). Only to be let down when MC said:

“Incendio.”

Her wand pointed towards thickets growing between two tall boulders.

She ignored me. Sebastian thought as he watched the fire burn everything away.

But it didn’t melt the hollow cold feeling he felt inside of his gut.

Once more MC took the lead as Sebastian followed behind her like a loyal Hufflepuff. At this point, he didn’t know what else to say to keep the conversation flowing. Sebastian was certain that MC didn-

“I’m sorry we can both see Thestrals.” MC stated as she came to a stop. Sebastian soon followed afterwards, mouth ajar as he started at MC’s back before he made his way to stand next to her.

A few feet in front of them stood the two thestrals they saw flying above them earlier.

“It’s certainly not something I’d hoped we’d have in common.” He sadly smiled as he glanced at the thestrals before looking at her. While she still didn’t look back towards him, her eyes too busy admiring the Black Beauties (as she liked to call them, something about them reminding her of some famous horse in a muggle animal novel she read), he was happy enough to have this version of his friend back. One who would talk back to him and not let him feel as if he was all alone-

“Levioso!” MC hissed, shooting at both Thestral. The two beast levitated in the air before they were pulled into the Nab Sack she pulled out of her satchel. Soon, both beasts were packed away, presumably for safe keeping in the vivarium later.

By the time Sebastian looked at MC jaw-dropped, the Nab Sack was tucked away in her magical satchel once more. Then MC met his eyes.

“What? I gotten good at capturing them. I rather not let the poachers get them and sell these black beauties for parts.” MC glared back.

“Nothing…I just didn’t expect you to be that fast.” Sebastian smiled with his arms raised.

“Well…Poppy and I had to improve our skills.” She nervously grinned as he dropped his arms. “Neither of us want the beasts to fall into the wrong hands. Too many of them have been abused and caged as is.” MC sighed as she glanced towards the sky.

The silence filled the air once more.

“So, is it true then?” Sebastian found the words leaving his lips without much thought.

“What’s true?” MC frowned as she glanced down at him.

“That you and Poppy found a dragon egg?” He frowned.

Sebastian hated it that he had to depend on the Hogwarts rumor mill to learn about what sort of mischief his former best friend got into. It made the small Friendship Hiatus they had feel greater than the one month they spent apart.

MC scoffed and rolled her eyes before starting a light trek into a different direction.

“Don’t believe everything you hear out of the Hogwarts rumor mill Sebastian.”

Sebastian would have accepted that as her answer if it wasn’t for the smirking lips she had as she started jogging once more.

So, MC did find a dragon egg –waitaminute!

“What have you been up to MC?” Sebastian stated as the ice in his stomach grew spikes once more.

The longest the two had ever spent apart before their hiatus was at most a day. They would either meet up at breakfast or at dinner where they would at least recap about the day they had, sharing the small adventures they had apart from each other.

Sebastian knew that he wasn’t the only one who went on quests with her; he knew that she and Natty were doing some reconnaissance work to gather evidence to bring charges against Harlow. That she and Poppy were on a two-women mission to protect the beast and take down poachers.

Heck! Even Larson and Thakker were working with MC ever since they took a break on their friendship. What the two were doing wandering the Highlands; Sebastian wasn’t certain. The only rumors he heard that those three got up to were exploring Astrology Tables.

Typical Eagles.

At least I hope they are. Just looking for just Astrology Tables means that they’re staying out of trouble…that’s MC isn’t looking for major trouble. I mean I don’t think I’ve ever seen Thakker fight at Crossed Wands…at least Larson is keeping her safe? He fought before…even if he isn’t that good. Sebastian thought as he felt his handgrip on his wand tighten as if he could send spells into the past to assist her in whatever unknown battles she’s gotten into. I know those two won’t go looking for trouble or even go near goblins…right?

“Just some community service Sebastian. Someone has to clean up…but there’s something important you need to know.” She frowned.

“What is it?” He narrowed his eyebrows, partly nervous but moreso pleased that she was willing to share deep secrets with him again.

That he was her to-go person once more.

“Come closer, can’t be too careful. Can’t know who’s listening.” She frowned as he nodded and lean his head forward.

It seemed as if the distance wasn’t enough as she got a hold of both of her shoulders and pulled his head down to her level. Her lips were by his ear, her breath tickling him.

“Just so you know, tag.” She said as she poked his abdomen. “You’re it.” She shoved him back with more force than he ever expected from her, causing him to stumble backwards. MC snickered as she looked back at him with a wink before she ran off. “Better watch my back Sallow!” She whispered-yelled, followed by giggles.

Leaving Sebastian to watch her back now as he got up.

“Hey! Get back here MC!” He grumbled, taking off after her as she giggled with an impish smile on her lips and eyes that glimmered underneath the moonlight.

The two ran for quite some time, with MC always looking back to him, greeting his eyes with a twinkle in hers and a cheeky grin.

“Better move faster than that slowpoke!” She laughed.

“I’m NOT slow. I’m just out of practice!” He huffed as he pushed his body to its limit. Between forcing himself to run at his top speed and his recent growth spurt, he was soon able grab her arm and pull her back into his arms. “GOT YOU!” He grinned.

Unfortunately, Sebastian didn’t take account for his body momentum.

What started as pulling MC into his chest for a hug turned into an accidental ground tackle. He just had enough time to turn his body around to land on his back with an OOF!

“Looks like I still win Sallow. Seems as if I’m the one who got you.” MC laughed. Her hands were on his shoulder, knees surround his waist with a sharp smirking grin on her face that would match a proudful wampus cat capturing its prey.

Sebastian felt as if his breath was taken out of him as he looked up to the girl who had him pinned down. Who defeated him in front of his peers during a class duel.

And he couldn’t help but smile before grunting as she sat on his stomach with a prideful smirk on her lips.

“Get up, you’re heavy MC.” He wheezed.

“Wow. Such charm Sallow. That’s something every girl wants to hear.” MC chuckled with playful eyes, blinking furiously as she fanned herself with her dirt-covered hand. Her smirk never left.

“You know what I mean witch.” He gasped with a glare towards her as she snickered. “Now can you get off? Please?” He rasped.

“Fine. But only because you said please you Slowpoke.” MC said as she finally got off of him.

Sebastian gasped, pleased to finally fully expand his chest for that sweet cool air.

MC’s hand suddenly appeared in his vision with her smiling head above. A smile he hasn’t received in such a long time.

“Need a hand partner?” She asked with her hand wide open.

“Considering you got me down here; I expect it partner.” He chuckled as he grabbed hold of hers. But instead of letting her help him to get up, Sebastian ended up puling MC down and back into his arms where he could give her a hug. “Now this is more like it.” He smiled.

He missed her hugs as well. Sebastian could count in one hand how many people would willingly hug him. Only two of those people would spontaneously hug him; and that included the one who was currently in his arms right now.

“If you wanted a hug, all you had to do was ask Sebastian.” MC said as Sebastian felt her smile against his chest just from her lighthearted tone.

“You better not regret those words MC when I cash in that statement.” Sebastian grinned. He didn’t even have in him to smirk. Not when her eyes met his and it felt like, just felt like everything will be alright.

How can it not be when she was staring at him like that? With the glee of a victorious duel, the awe that came to seeing something incredible during their travel and the warmth that came naturally to her whenever their eyes met. Whether it be during those late-night study sessions, sharing a meal at the kitchens, or even laughing at one of his puns that Anne said were unfunny (who cared what Anne thought? He was funny. Why else would MC laugh or even like them? Or even try to top his and get a crackle out of him as well?), Sebastian found that his favorite feature of hers was her warm eyes.

It was like coming home to a warm hearth after a working out in the fields on a cold winter day.

“Me? Regret hugs? Never.” MC smiled.

He pulled her in for another one. If a fireplace could be hugged, he was already doing it.

“Good. Because I’m going to be giving some whenever I want to too!” he smiled back, letting the smell of mellowsweet (that always seemed to follow her) enrapt his nose. “I missed you MC, you know?”

And somehow, MC managed to hug him back as well despite his arms locking her in his embrace.

Yeah. This is one change I can get used to. He thought as he sighed contently, loosening his hold on her for MC to hug him back properly.

“I missed you too Sebastian.” MC hummed.

…

It was getting colder as they continued walking into the mountain. Everything was as it should be. With MC at point, him at back, wands at ready and a quip thrown here and there.

While it wasn’t like before, where they could constantly talk or banter in previous quests due to her concerns, at least MC wasn’t going to do the entire trek in silence. Things were splendid.

At least until it was broken when a voice yelled out further ahead:

“Kill any who trespass!”

Like a hunting dog, Sebastian was on alert and ready to kill his prey on sight as he felt his heartbeat jump and he looked back at MC with a determined smile.

“There they are. Let’s go!” Sebastian huffed as he took lead of their jog.

“Wait! We should have some sort of plan!” MC shouted, huffing as she ran behind him.

Yeah. I don’t think so. I’m not letting you have all the fun. He thought with a frowned, noting another change that occurred without his presence.

Before the Friendship Hiatus, the two of them would charge in, wands blazing, spells on the tip of their tongues. Improv was their main offence tactic. Enemies can’t prepare if they don’t know what will hit them or had time to react. The pair of them were fantastic duelists.

She was a goddess with her Ancient Magic and he, her steadfast battlemage champion.

What did MC have to fear between the two of them?

What need was there to scout ahead and plan when all that sneakiness would only end with them petrifying their enemies instead of taking them out? That took time.

Time that they didn’t have.

So, instead of letting her ruminate on the best way to get to the high point to see what they’ll be facing, Sebastian took lead and led their two-men party charge on the camp.

“I’m through planning!” He growled as he ran through the gates and into the campsite with a raised wand, flicking it off with a: “CONFRINGO!”

Suddenly, spells, curses and objects flew in the air.

Like their times in Crossed Wand, they made a perfect team. Even if the small hiatus had slightly changed them, time wasn’t enough to change their dueling habits with Sebastian taking back and MC at point. MC threw out protegos, letting spells bounce off her shield that would be followed with his bombarda and confringo.

Everything was going great, until MC ran back and grabbed his wrist.

Suddenly, everything was a blur.

One second, he was standing at the center of camp, the next, he felt her ancient magic crash over him like a freezing ocean wave before he felt as if his body was being pulled through air. A blink later, Sebastian was at the edge, away from the axes that stuck each other where they once stood.

Where her protego wouldn’t protect him.

He felt his heart stop before it restarted again when MC called down thunder like the goddess that she was.

Sebastian had to close his eyes to fend against the blinding light as he felt the strike shake the ground underneath him. He didn’t even have time to recover as he felt a hand drag him down as an axe flew over them and strike the box behind them, barely missing their heads.

“Keep an eye out on their axes!” MC huffed. “Protego doesn’t work against whatever dark magic they’re using on their weapons.”

“Duly Noted.” He gasped as he lifted his wand once more, pointed it at a goblin and shouted, "Petrificus Totalus! "

The fight continued, with more wariness on his part such as keeping an eye out on magical axes, exploding barrels and tossed boxes. MC called down Thunder once more, knocking out another goblin as he tried to either petrify or freeze them to buy them time in between his confringos. Soon the battle had ended, and the camp was cleared of his moral enemies.

He was about to cheer at their victory when MC turned around towards him with narrowed eyes.

“What were you thinking?” She said slowly, as if he was as slow as a troll.

“I was thinking about dead globins.” He huffed, not understanding why she was upset when they won.

“You could have gotten us killed.” She stated in a tense but calm voice.

“But I didn’t.” He rolled his eyes before he noticed another foot-worn pathway in the grown. “Looks like Ranrok’s Loyalists were heading further up the path.” He frowned as he pointed said path to her.

“Let’s keep going.” MC sighed.

Probably tired from their recent globin fight. He reasoned to himself.

…

The caves they entered had puzzles the two had to solve before they could even go further forward. At one point, MC grabbed his hand and pulled them back behind a boulder before pushing him against the wall with both of her hands on his chest.

If his heart was beating rapidly with how handsy she was, he blamed the next voice they heard:

“Anything made from goblin silver belongs to us. Whether it’s a sword or a repository – whatever that is.” The grunted voice of a globin shouted.

“Did you hear that goblin?” MC said with a tint of fear in her voice.

“Ridiculous notion of ownership.” He growled. How can they even have a basic economy under that ideology? And what’s MC so afraid of anyways? He thought as he felt his magic buzz underneath his skin, ready to attack in response to his anger. She’s not going to get hurt – I got her back!

Then there were more goblins they had to fight to continue.

At least that note about the Ministry’s investigation about the illegal breeding of Basilisk gave them a good laugh, a good break in the tense quest he got them into. Then there were more goblins they needed to fight as one of their voices greeted them before the two of them even saw them.

“I agree. Only good wizard’s a dead wizard. Ranrok’s got that right – and I’ll be most keen to help him achieve his goals in that regard!” They heard as they saw the globin encampment in front of them.

Before he could even rush into battle, MC grabbed his arm, pulling him back with a stronger force than he was expecting from her as a coolness poured over his body.

“What now?!?” He growled as he glanced towards her eyes and paused. They weren’t her typical shade, instead, they glowed lightning blue, like her Ancient Magic.

“I’m going to zoom in first. I’ll get their attention, zoom around and leave you puck each of them down with a glacius or a petrificus totalus to buy us time to make it easier to take them all down.” She stated with a glare.

“By what do you mean you’re going to zoom in?” He frowned, already hating this plan. But he couldn’t move.

It was as if her magic was petrifying him still. He was certain of it.

Her Ancient Magic laid over him like a fine mist. Enough to hold him, but not strong enough like what an imperio would be to control him. He was certain that if he forced his own magic to push back, it would free him. Yet he knew this battle must be serious enough that MC wanted all of his attention.

Which is dumb since she always had it. He frowned as she smirked.

“Just watch. And don’t forget to watch my back.”

“I always do.” He glared.

She nodded. Then she released her grip on him, freeing him from her petrifying magic. Before he could even reach out towards her, MC took a step back, then turned towards the globin encampment. As his hand nearly touched her shoulder, a fine misty-blue cloud remain where she once was.

“HEY DWARFINGS! I HEARD YOU WERE LOOKING FOR ME?” MC yelled.

Sebastian looked up and felt his heart drop. MC was in the smack middle of the camp, getting all of goblins’ attention on her.

“GET HER!” Someone yelled.

MC smirked. She shot off a Petrificus Totalus towards one globin before she zoomed off, leaving a misty-blue cloud that followed the blur that he presumed was her.

None of his books that touched upon Ancient Magic ever mentioned wielders having this sort of an ability.

I really should stop being surprised by what MC says or does at this point. He thought with a shake of his head and a smile on his lips as he charged in. Especially when it comes to her Ancient Magic.

This battle, unlike their earlier one where he was blinded to the newer abilities the goblins held, Sebastian was alert. His eyes always scanning the positions of the axes, swords and most of all MC as he shot globin after globin down with her distraction.

Maybe there is something to making a quick battleplan. He thought with a smirk. The battle took less then ten minutes from his count. He made his way towards MC as the two of them took a final look around to find any remaining enemies left. Sebastian moreso.

He didn’t want a repeat of that experience back at Feldcroft.

“I think that all.” MC frowned as he looked at the stairs and was certain they lead to some sort of entrance.

“This must be it.” He grinned as walked towards the staircase in front of them. “The last triptych piece must be here!”

Finally, they would solve this puzzle and find answers to all the questions that went unspoken between them.

He ran forward only to be pulled back by his arm.

“Sebastian – wait!” MC said with a worried look in her eyes. A look that he hasn’t seen in there before.

“Wait? For what? Ugh…why are you suddenly so cautious?” He narrowed his eyebrow with a scowl.

This wasn’t like her. Why couldn’t she see?

They won that last battle! What did MC have to be afraid of with all the power she holds? He had her back! And MC was essentially a deity in human form. That’s what every book he read on Ancient Magic said! He seen it with his own eyes! He didn’t even let a globin get to her this time! Or him!

And now MC is afraid of giving all our enemies the same treatment they gave others.

“Listen to me.”

Sebastian rolled his eyes but nodded with a sigh.

“I know you’re angry and frustrated. But charging ahead now could undo all the progress we’ve made. Lodgok said–”

At the mere mention of said globin’s name, it was as if all his restrained annoyance from their previous argument came back as he spat with sharp hot anger:

“Oh, your globin friend?” He glared, feeling his own magic buzz underneath his skin.

“Stop it. That’s enough.” She huffed. “Not all goblins are like Ranrok. I am not the enemy. We want the same thing: to find answers.” She crossed her arms.

“I thought we wanted the same thing.” He frowned, not understanding where she was going with this. Not understanding why she was putting so much faith into a monstrous race that could have destroy her life like they did with Anne. That nearly killed her as well back at Feldcroft.

Ignorant.

“We do. Listen to me. Lodgok has insights into Ranrok that we don’t.” MC narrowed her eyes as he rolled his eyes once more. “He told me that Ranrok somehow knows about the Keepers and is searching anywhere connected to each of them. THAT’S why they always seem to be one step ahead. I know what I’m doing Sebastian.” She said as she pointed towards herself.

“Do you?” He sneered as he crossed his arms.

MC closed her eyes, pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed, as if she was a teacher and he, an unruly student.

“You need to trust me,” MC said as she dropped her hand, opened her eyes and looked at him. “…or I don’t see that we can continue together.” She stated with a scowl, eyes glimmering with pain.

It was as if he was dosed in icy cold water.

I can’t let her leave me. The thought echoed in his mind as he felt the cold shivers of fear consume his body, the ice in his stomach back again, creeping up like lightning to freeze his veins and nerves.

“Fine. Fine. I’m sorry.” He sighed, dropping his arms. “I’m letting my emotions get the better of me…And I have been for a while.” He frowned as he dug his hands deep into his pockets. “I do trust you. And I don’t think I can help Anne without you.” He said as he met her eyes.

Because in the end of the day I still need your help. He thought. And I hope you will still need mine too.

“Good.” MC sighed and nodded as she looked up to the staircase. “Ranrok clearly knows more than we thought. We need to be careful and do this right. Not just go charging in.” She glanced back to look at him. “We have our work cut out for us. We need to work together if we’re going to find the final piece to the triptych.”

“Agreed.” He nodded as he waved his hand towards the stairs. “Ladies first. I got your back.”

MC nodded.

“Thank you. Let’s go.”

…

Sebastian hated change. It never meant good things for him.

Change always took the bit of good normality he found and left him empty.

However, this time, change struck differently as he took his head out of the pensieve.

Sebastian glanced towards MC, seeing her in a new light after that memory.

I don’t have to use dark magic. I don’t have to worry Ominis at all! He thought as his hope renewed within his very soul.

Maybe change can be a good thing.

...

Chapter 7 <<<||| Chapter 8 ||| >>> Chapter 9

#at first glance #sebastian sallow #sebastian x mc #hogwarts legacy #kay9leo fanfic #Okay this one is a new chapter!#We're in the final stretch of this fic if all goes well #But really this “In the Shadow of the Mountain” from Seb's POV is my favorite as he was sort of a jerk in that quest #And I needed to know what would make someone behave like that #He has severe abandonment issue with how we see in canon gameplay how he'll stop #and sort of freak out if you even recommend splitting ways with him #and I don't blame him reacting like that with the type of childhood and upbringing he has #poor sebastian #He needs a hug #And MC needs a break #She's cautious cause she seen things with the others on their quests during her Friendship Hiatus with Seb #At least Sebastian will catch a break now...right?#Look at him all hopeful and happy at the end :D #Let's hope it stays like that for a bit longer...😅😁#Sebastian Sallow really needs a filler episode

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