Me and the Devil: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter SIXTY NINE - Unsteady

(Berlin - RY X)

If stars could cry,

then tonight's were weeping.

Ominis struggled to hold his jaw steady as the game continued, nostrils flaring with his narrowly controlled breaths. I watched the edges of his lashes dampen before he would wipe them away under the guise of rubbing the sides of his face.

I knew he knew I was watching him too.

I knew he knew

that I knew.

He had tucked his hands into his pockets but with each swipe of a tear, I could see them trembling ever so quietly.

Sebastian continued on answering questions giddily,

obliviously.

Still under the inebriated haze of our drinks where bodies felt light and minds felt free,

only in this moment, it felt the opposite. My heart clenched and time slowed for an entirely different reason.

The game ended shortly thereafter and Ominis stood quickly, clenched his jaw and turned to me with a tilt of his head. His voice low enough only I could hear the quiver.

"Atley, d-. Atley, may I speak with you in private a moment?"

I nodded quickly only to remember to force the words from my lips.

"Of course Ominis."

I wished and hoped my tone might ease a bit of the shakes through his body.

He nodded and fumbled for his wand in his pocket with stumbling fingertips. Once raised, he kept his back straight and walked around the couch, listening for my footsteps as I followed close behind.

Garreth had announced a short break from the games should anyone want to stretch their legs and Lucan had darted over promptly after watching the recess of seventh years. He clutched a large chess board and velvet bag of pieces. 

Sebastian pat the velvet of the couch beside him where Ominis and I had just left.

"Oh Lucan. You know I'm no good at this game." He grinned and mussed the boy's hair.

Lucan laughed and set the board onto another chair, pulling it in front like a small table. "I know, its the only challenge against you I actually have a chance of winning."

Ominis tapped Sebastian's shoulder with his wand and promised to bring me promptly back following our conversation. Sebastian tilted an unworried hand in our direction, smiling at me softly.

"Don't leave me alone too long with this little grandmaster though. I'd prefer to keep at least a bit of my dignity intact tonight."

I followed Ominis through a portrait door at the back of the common room, winding stairs climbing up up up and my heart thudded with each step. Eventually we tucked our bodies through yet another door and my lungs froze as they filled with the night chill. 

A balcony.

The stars danced and shimmered overhead, moon still high in the sky. I imagined it had to be around one am as the cool tones dipped along the castle walls and steepled roofs.

I let the door click behind us and followed Ominis to the edge. He tucked his wand back into its pocket and let his arms rest against the cold stone railing. His chest was heaving now and I could imagine the patter of his heart.