Between The Shadows | Ominis Gaunt x Sebastian Sallow x Reader

Chapter 32: The Unicorn*

Warnign: NSFW, explicit content, 18+

Ominis POV

As we left the Undercroft, Sebastian set off on his way to Feldcroft, and I suggested to y/n that we could check on Poppy. I had been planning to speak to her as soon as I could, but she had been missing the entire weekend. Usually, at this time of the afternoon, she would be volunteering to help Professor Howin take care of some of the magical creatures.

I had also pitched in occasionally. Well, truth be told, Poppy often roped me into helping. She claimed that my presence had a calming effect on most of the creatures. I wasn't entirely sure if the beasts were actually responding differently to me, but I didn't mind their company. The kneazles, in particular, seemed to enjoy being around me.

As I had anticipated, Poppy was indeed outside, tending to a small group of thestrals. Not many people dared to get close to these creatures, let alone feed them. Thestrals had always been misunderstood and it was a pity. Whenever I was around them, I felt an unusual sense of peace and connection.

"Hey, Poppy," I greeted her as we approached

She responded with a smile, I could hear her voice "Oh, hello there."

"We were just checking in," y/n chimed in. "We haven't seen you around much this weekend."

Poppy's tone turned slightly sheepish. "Ah, yes. I've been a bit preoccupied. I was visiting Tasha... and Reeve." she added.

"The whole weekend?" y/n asked with amusement.

"Well, we visited the cave again. Reeves was showing me his study; he's working on a book about magical beasts. It was really fascinating. I was actually meant to see -" She suddenly seemed to remember something. "You mentioned something about unicorns the other day, and Reeves is now taking care of a wounded pregnant female, but the place she's in now isn't ideal for her condition. I remembered you were taking care of some unicorns before, so I told Reeve you might know -"

"I would have the perfect space for them," y/n didn't even let Poppy finish her sentence. "Where is the unicorn now?"

Poppy's voice lit up a relief. "Oh, y/n, you're a lifesaver! The unicorn is at Reeve's cottage.

*

So, here we were, just an hour and a half later, in the Room of Requirement, introducing a Unicorn to one of y/n's Vivariums. She even conjured up a sort of a nest-structure, providing the creature with a comfortable space for giving birth - which, according to Poppy, should be happening quite soon.

Y/n then scribbled a quick note to Sebastian, enchanting it like a little swan and sending it on its way to find Sebastian in the castle as soon as he arrived.

"Y/n," I began, cutting to the chase, "I know you'd do this anyway, but let's not pretend that having a pregnant unicorn here doesn't present a chance for some research. And I won't bother with more warnings. So, what's your plan?"

"I'm not entirely sure, Ominis," she responded, a hint of amazement in her voice. "You're absolutely right, though - I instantly thought about the research. But it's only fair that we prioritise the unicorn's well-being for now. At this point, we can simply... um..."

It was pretty amusing to see her search for the right word. "Observe?" I suggested, putting her out of her misery.

She chuckle at my suggestion. "Yeah, exactly - observe."

"Well, I can give it a shot at listening," I suggested.

"Absolutely," she responded. "We'll be observing, and you'll be listening."