Storms ⌲ Sebastian Sallow

15. ✭but in those years and the lifetimes past✭

☼Modern Soundtrack: Infinity by Jaymes Young☼

~

"A Weasley, I'm hearing?" Sebastian questioned me as we were down in the undercroft. He began to pace back and forth, something I saw him do quite often now that I think about it. Maybe it was his way of releasing tension.

"He wants to join us..." I mumbled.

"That blasted Weasley! First trying to steal you from my hands then be all buddy-buddy... the bloke has lost his damned mind." He began to raise his voice again and I flinched. It got to the point where I was even worried he would strike me. He seemed to take notice of this, however.

"Steal me?"

"I couldn't bear to lose you, my love..." he sighed, his voice slowly coming back down. He looked like he was about to break - the color suddenly leaving his face. "I know I haven't been the best to you."

"You don't have to say that, it's evident you are going through some harrowing times." He shook his head in disbelief.

"That is no excuse for treating you the way I have..."

"Sebastian..."

"You've been there for me through everything. You are always entangled in my mind- how could I ever make you feel the way I did," he said - his eyes crestfallen - coated with tears he never cried.

I cupped my hand around his cheek and he kissed it, avoiding eye contact with me.

"I'm a madman for your touch, I've lost control," he said as I wrapped my arms around his neck, swaying to the non-existent music. "I love you for infinity."

"I love you for infinity," I said back, with a big smile.

"You're the reason I believe in fate, you're my paradise," he whispered to my ear, sending shivers down my spine. I began to lean in for a kiss, but we were rudely interrupted.

"Sorry to interrupt, my fellow comrades..."

"Merlins Beard!" Sebastian responded immediately. "You frightened me."

"Sallow, if we are going to be working together, you need to get used to my presence," Garreth said in a lighthearted tone as I watched Sebastian's hands twitch in agitation.

"It's quite alright, Sebastian. He is here to help us," I spoke lightly, but his expression was far too gone - twisted into evident anguish.

"If he even thinks about laying a finger on you-" he growled at Garreth.

"Oh, please. I'm not interested in Cel. I'm interested in winning this war once and for all. I am tired of being seen as weak..." he spoke as I stared at him. It seemed genuine. "I'm not anyone's follower."

"I hope you can understand, I'm not trying to lose her. She's all I have. I can't even go see Anne, Ominis does not want anything to do with me," Sebastian's voice was icy but slow and steady. "You will protect her at all costs, you understand me, Weasley?"

Garreth nodded obeyingly. "One condition, you mustn't call me by that anymore. The name's Garreth. We shall be acquaintances now." Sebastian raised an eyebrow.

"If you say so."

____

Later that day, Sebastian and I were celebrating the first day of Spring in the greenhouse. Flowers around campus began to bloom; trees began to get their leaves again. The air become warmer and everyone seemed happy to get out of the winter haze.

Sebastian turned to me, his eyes locked on mine. "You will love me forever, Sebastian?" I asked, watching confusion flicker across his face.

"Yes. Why would you ask such a thing?"

"Because. I'm not sure what will happen during the fight. Whatever happens... knowing you will love me unconditionally is all I need to persevere," I explained. He placed his hand on my shoulder.

He took a second to answer, and I sat there and thought to myself. It was quite pleasant to have someone to lean on and rely on. I was utterly terrified to lose him. He said I was all he had, but I truly had nothing without him.

To lose the way he touched me was to lose the air I breathe. To lose the way he looked at me is to lose one's quality of life - a reason to live. He looked at me like I was a garden full of magnificent roses.

"Celestial, what do you mean? You are going to be quite alright," he reassured, but I knew there was no use. It was a lost cause to expect us to last through this war.

"How will I know... Ranrok and his lot have it out for me. There's nothing I can do." He stared at me, unsure how to answer.

"I will protect you with my life. I won't let anything happen to you. If I lost you, let alone even come close to losing you, I would never, ever forgive myself..." he sighed with evident desperation.

"I'm frightened, Sebastian."

"Then let us have this moment, in the now. Maybe one day we could find a way to live forever. But, alas, it is just us, watching growing mandrakes and fluxweeds... Although, if I ever succeed in finding all the ingredients to an elixir of life - you and I will be the first to drink it. That way we could be together forever."

We kissed and kissed until the sun set in the prismatic greenhouse windows. At that very moment, it felt as if the world were ending - that we were the last two people alive. No one else mattered but us and no one ever will from now on.