You Haunt Me (Even If You're Not Here) || A Sebastian x Ominis Oneshot

Get Out Of My Dreams (And My Mind)

Slytherin Dorms
1 AM

The Slytherin dormitory was dark and silent, the only light the faint green glow from the enchanted lake outside. The silence was only broken by the occasional sigh or rustle from the lined up beds.

Ominis Gaunt was lying on his side, his back to the room, jaw tight and brows furrowed even in his sleep. His breathing was shallow, uneven. He flinched, a soft, involuntary sound escaping him.
From the next bed, Sebastian Sallow stirred. He was used to Ominis's restless nights; they'd shared a dorm for years, and Sebastian had learned to recognize the signs.

He sat up, rubbing sleep from his eyes, and reached for his wand. "Lumos," he whispered, the tip glowing just enough to illuminate the beds without waking the others.
He glanced at Ominis, who was curled tightly, knuckles white against the sheets. Sebastian hesitated, then slipped out of bed and crossed the small gap between them.
He perched on the edge of Ominis's mattress, careful not to startle him. "Oi, Gaunt," he said quietly, voice pitched low. "You're making enough noise to wake the whole school."
Ominis jerked awake, breath catching, his hand instinctively reaching for his wand. Sebastian caught his wrist, gentle but firm. "It's me," he murmured. "You're safe."
Ominis relaxed, though his face was still pale, his eyes unfocused. "Sebastian?" he asked, voice rough.
"Who else would bother you at this hour?" Sebastian tried for a smirk, but the concern in his eyes softened the tease. He let go of Ominis's wrist, but didn't move away.
Ominis exhaled shakily, turning his face toward the ceiling. "I'm fine. Go back to bed."
Sebastian snorted. "You're a terrible liar." He studied Ominis for a moment, then added, more softly, "Was it your father again?"
A long pause. Ominis's lips pressed into a thin line. "It's always him. He wanted me to do things—awful things. When I refused, he made sure I regretted it." His voice was flat, but Sebastian could hear the tremor beneath.
Sebastian's jaw clenched. He wanted to reach out, to offer comfort, but he knew Ominis hated pity. Instead, he shifted a little closer, their knees almost touching. "You did the right thing. You always do."
Ominis gave a bitter half-laugh. "Right. And look where it's got me."
Sebastian hesitated, then reached out, brushing a strand of hair from Ominis's forehead. The touch was brief, almost casual, but Ominis's breath caught. "You're not alone, you know," Sebastian said, voice low.

"Not as long as I'm here."

For a moment, neither spoke. The silence stretched, heavy with things unsaid. Ominis's hand, still trembling slightly, rested on the blanket between them. Sebastian's fingers hovered nearby, as if debating whether to close the distance.

Finally, Sebastian broke the tension with a crooked grin. "Scoot over. I'm not letting you brood alone all night."
Ominis blinked, startled. "What—are you serious?"
"Deadly." Sebastian grabbed his pillow and blanket from his own bed and tossed them onto Ominis's. He slid under the covers, careful to leave space, but the narrow bed forced them closer than either would normally allow.

Ominis rolled his eyes, but didn't protest. "You're impossible."
"And you're insufferable," Sebastian shot back, but his tone was warm. He settled in, propping himself up on one elbow, facing Ominis. "If you start snoring, I'm hexing you."
Ominis almost smiled. "You'd have to catch me first."
They lay in silence for a while, the distance between them shrinking with each passing minute. Sebastian's hand found Ominis's beneath the blanket, their fingers brushing, tentative.

Ominis didn't pull away.

Sebastian's voice was softer now, almost vulnerable. "You know, I don't think I've ever seen you this rattled. Not even after Potions with Professor Sharp."
Ominis huffed a quiet laugh. "That's because you weren't the one who melted his cauldron."
Sebastian grinned, emboldened by the small victory. "There he is. The real Ominis Gaunt."
Ominis turned his head, their faces close in the darkness.
"Thank you, Sebastian. For... staying."
Sebastian's thumb traced a gentle line along Ominis's knuckles.

"Always."

The words hung between them, filled with meaning neither was quite ready to face. But as the minutes slipped by, the nightmares faded, replaced by the quiet comfort of shared warmth and steady breathing.