The Twilight Children//The School for Good and Evil

57 ~ Ask

. : Laura of Villeneuve : .

A knock sounded at the door, and Laura didn't bother to look up. She normally kept her office door shut during the day, but she had left it open in the last hour to let in the late evening breeze that swept the halls. It carried with it the scent of sweet summer flowers and the evening baking the chefs were doing for breakfast tomorrow, which mingled with her honey suckle tea, lending to the gentle atmosphere. The fire crackled in her fireplace, and behind her, the windows were open, displaying the dark sky. Candles cast light above her.

"I'll go to bed soon, Mom." She responded, flipping over the sheet of parchment to scan through the letters. In the few days since her coronation, everything had finally begun moving again, but that just meant that there was more work for her. Every day had been swamped with meetings with dignitaries and representatives, and she hadn't had time to actually do any work, meaning it was left to the evening.

There was a chuckle and Laura looked up. Sebastian rested on the doorframe. His hair had been cut recently, and she found herself slightly disappointed; she had liked his long hair. He was still dressed in the suit she had seen him in earlier today, only now the navy jacket hung over his arm, his waistcoat was unbuttoned, and his white sleeves had been rolled up.

Not expecting any more visitors-- excluding her mother-- she had changed out of the yellow gown and into a loose pair of light linen pants and a matching top. Her hair had been tied back with a scarf, but pieces were falling out. Slightly self-conscious, she tucked them back.

"You look fine," He spoke, his voice gentle. "Can I come in?"

Wordlessly, she gestured to the few seats that circled the coffee table and the fireplace. Sebastian stepped inside and took the seat nearest to the dark oak desk-- nearest to her. His magic was calm, under a remarkable amount of control than what it had been almost four years ago.

Laura watched her guard appear at the door. "Your majesty, you will be okay?" She was silently asking if Sebastian was safe.

Laura smiled. "Yes, Nina. Do you mind shutting the door?"

Nina nodded and grabbed the door.

"Oh, and Nina," Laura spoke, a thought crossing her mind. "If you see my mother coming, do you mind giving me a heads up?"

"Yes, your majesty."

The door shut, and Sebastian let out a laugh. "I love your mother but she has the worst timing."

Laura let out a sigh. "You have no idea how bad she is. I love her so much, but you would think she had never been taught to knock."

He laughed, and his bright eyes twinkled. Laura ducked her head back to her work. They sat in silence for a moment, Laura making notes on the parchment, and Sebastian flipping through one of the books she had left on the table. She found herself surprisingly content with the scenario, her once buzzing mind now steady.

Finally, Sebastian looked over at her. He had a small smile on his face. "How long have you been working for?"

Laura sighed and buried her face into her hands, her fingers tangling into her hair. "Seven hours since my last meeting."

Sebastian inhaled slowly. Laura knew where this was heading.

"You should take a break."

"You sound like my mother," She responded. She moved her hands, refocusing on her work. The words were getting blurry. Laura purposely avoided eye contact with Sebastian, not ready for the way she knew she would melt when he looked.

The chair creaked, and Sebastian moved to sit on the arm, so he was looking directly at her. His voice was slow, tentative. "Have you considered that your mother may have a point?"

Laura looked up at him, ignoring his arms, and his broad shoulders. She rested her chin on her hand, the other one twirling the quill. "She may, but there are also thousands of things for me to do, and unfortunately, that means I have to work."

Sebastian frowned at her-- though there was no real malice behind it-- and responded. He was keeping his voice purposely gently. "You know, I think that there are people out there who care about you, and want to help, and would help if you asked."

"I appreciate the sentiment, but I am quite literally the only person who can sign these things and approve them," Laura said. A hint of frustration ran through her mind and she rubbed the tiredness from her eyes.

"That's not what I meant," Sebastian was purposely keeping his voice calm and it only irritated Laura more. "I mean, that there are people out there who care for you, and want to help you. Even if they can't help you with the work, they want to help you with everything else."

Laura stared at him, her mind blank. God, she was fucking tired. She blinked slowly. "I don't get what you mean."

Sebastian exhaled through his nose and stood. Laura watched him as he braced his hands on the other side of her desk, leaning to look at her in the eyes. She remained where she was, watching him.

"All you need to do is ask, and people will stay and help you and be by your side forever and always."

Laura yawned, blocking it with her hand. She could sense there was something deeper that he was getting at. He was skirting around the main point, and she could feel his magic bouncing off the wall. Laura nodded. "I'll ask the advisors for help going through this in the morning." She was sure this would placate him.

Sebastian shut his eyes and huffed. "For someone who is smart enough to control Neverland and Villeneuve in their lifetime, you are so dumb when you are tired."

Laura frowned at him, her brows creasing. She opened her mouth to respond but froze as Sebastian leaned across the desk and kissed her. It was gentle, their lips just brushing until he pulled back slightly. Their noses were brushing.

Laura stopped, her brain blank, surprised at the sudden move. She had been considering kissing him in the Hallway of Portraits but had stopped when her mother interrupted.

"It's me," Sebastian said. "I care for you, and if you ask me to stay, I will."

Laura stared at him blankly for a moment, her mind processing. He had just kissed her. Confessed that he cared, said he would stay, forever and always. She just needed to ask.

His face was stoic, waiting for a response. She could sense his magic vibrating with nervousness.

Slowly, Laura pushed herself up until she was standing, eye to eye with him, breathing slightly. Sebastian's eyes followed her.

"Ask you to stay, and you will?"

Sebastian nodded once.

Laura exhaled. All she had to do was ask.

"Sebastian of Havfrue, will you stay with me?"

He smiled, and the relief was palpable. "Forever and always."

Laura smiled back, and wrapped her fingers around the back of his neck, pulling him across the desk to kiss him.