Unspeakable

Chapter 55: Snowfall

Garreth was very glad they had a few days until the masquerade, because he was still intending on bringing Anne to it now that things had calmed down. He wondered if Diane, Ominis and Sebastian would be there as well, but frankly he didn't blame them if they weren't. Those three had been through so much in this last week.

He was intent on courting Anne as best he could, because he was serious about this. He'd had girlfriends before now, and it had always been nice and casual, but this... this felt different. This was far more important. He wanted Anne to be happy, he felt everything inside him light up when she smiled at him, felt some deep satisfaction that went straight to his core when she gave him those soft loving looks. He'd never felt anything like this before.

They were staying in the small house in south Feldcroft, which Garreth was quickly finding he was getting used to. Feldcroft was a beautiful little town, quaint and small but full of life. It would be easy for him to set up here, and as he stood looking out the window at the starry night outside, he was starting to picture it.

Was it moving too fast? Was it too much? He wasn't sure, which was why he'd stayed silent about it for now.

He wanted to do something as a gesture to her. Something important, something that would mean something in their relationship with their affectionate teasing.

He looked over to her laying in the bed, her brown hair spread across the pillow as she slept soundly. She'd been so tired after they apparated back, flopped into bed and almost fell asleep in her dress. He'd helped her out of it, but she was still in her petticoat and undershirt. She looked so sweet when she slept, her bangs brushed aside carelessly, her hair tousled as she moved in her sleep.

He felt his heart thrum with affection and love for her, and it kind of scared him how strong these emotions were. Now he understood why Ominis had been frightened at first, because damn was it overwhelming. Those slytherins were all so dramatic, though. He wasn't about to-

Slytherins.

A wide grin slowly crossed his face. That was it! He knew exactly what to do for the dance. Something that would be a meaningful gesture to her, and a bit of a tease. Perfect.

He'd have to go see Augustus with her tomorrow and get their outfits for the dance, but his heart was already beating faster with excitement.

He walked over to the bed and carefully slipped in beside her, curling an arm gently around her waist as he laid down next to her.

He smiled and blushed as she turned around in her sleep to curl up next to him, a happy little sigh sounding from him as he rested his cheek on her head.

He was glad nothing had happened while they were at the Walsh estate. He hadn't wanted her to go into battle, knowing how scared she got from the sight and sounds of it. The fact that his potions had allowed them to avoid that was so satisfying, and proved to himself that he could hold his own in those situations despite being terrible with dueling.

He closed his eyes as he held her gently, drifting off to sleep while he smiled against her soft hair.

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Diane woke the next day to find both Ominis and Sebastian still holding her, her eyes opening slowly to find Sebastian smiling at her from her right side.

"Good morning." He said huskily as she woke up.

"Oh, she's awake?" Ominis said from her other side, his grip on her waist fighting to pull them closer together.

"Did you two hold me like this all night?" Diane asked, blushing softly at the thought. It was so sweet...

"Of course." Sebastian said, as if it was obvious. "I'm not taking my hands off you."