Like Moths to a Flame // Sebastian Sallow x Male MC [Book One]

Chapter Twenty-Three: Post-Scriptorium & an Unexpected Turn of Events

"Merlin's arse," Sebastian whinged as he paced back and forth in the common area, raking his fingers through his already tousled hair. He was still stuck on the events of the previous night. He hadn't even been able to muster up the strength to read more than a few pages of Salazar Slytherin's spellbook. The memory of casting Crucio on Damien haunted Sebastian relentlessly, an inescapable presence that infiltrated his every thought. It didn't help that Damien seemed to always be on his mind. When he wasn't thinking about a cure for Anne, he was thinking about him. It was both welcoming and infuriating.

It was late. Everyone was already tucked up in their beds for the night, except for Sebastian and Ominis. Ominis sat by the fire, teacup in hand. Sebastian was unsure why Ominis was still awake, but he suspected it had something to do with the events of the night before as well. They hadn't spoken to each other yet, but it wouldn't do to not at least acknowledge his presence when Ominis was just sitting there, right?

Sebastian stopped pacing, coming to a halt directly in front of Ominis. He cleared his throat.

Ominis tilted his head just so. "What's on your mind, Sebastian?"

"A little bit of everything, I suppose."

"That would explain how unusually quiet you've been today."

"Was it that noticeable?"

"Oh yes, you've been positively suspicious." He hummed thoughtfully. "Have you been avoiding me?"

Sebastian sunk down into an armchair beside Ominis. "No, I thought you were avoiding me," he replied with a sulk.

"You thought wrong."

Sebastian smoothed his robes in his lap, saying nothing. He was too lost in thought, really, struggling to silence the echo of Damien's screams looping endlessly in his mind. 

"Sebastian, talk to me."

Sebastian groaned, and after another long pause, punctuated by a frustrated huff from Ominis, finally responded, "I'm just... thinking."

"About the Scriptorium?" 

"Yes, and no."

"Ah, very illuminating."

Despite himself, Sebastian smirked.

Ominis took a small sip of tea before asking, "So, what's really on your mind?"

Sebastian hesitated, absently plucking at the fabric of his robes. Should he say something? About Damien? Was now a good time? He really ought to get a second opinion, and maybe talking about him would help get Sebastian's mind off him. Yes. That sounded reasonable. Logical. Definitely not like he was just looking for an excuse to talk about Damien.

He swallowed hard. "Promise me you won't laugh," he said, his voice a touch too high.

Ominis's expression sobered. "I won't make light of whatever it is, I promise. Not after what we've been through."

Sebastian sighed. Here went nothing...

"I've been thinking about Damien," he said. 

Ominis paused mid-sip, his teacup hovering just shy of his lips. "What about him?"

As Sebastian attempted to gather his thoughts, Ominis slowly lowered his cup, setting it on the table beside him, probably in favor of whatever ridiculous thing Sebastian was about to say. Which... yes, that was fair. Very fair. Sebastian really wasn't even sure half of the time what was going to fall out of his mouth when it came to the matter of Damien. It was becoming a real problem. 

Sebastian slouched further into his chair. He crossed his arms tightly over his chest. "I feel awful about what happened," he said. "I never should have given Damien the option to let me use the curse on him."