Tempest // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 12*

Warning: mature content ahead 😏

Sebastian woke up well before Rosie, though he wouldn't dare complain. They had spent the night tucked up in each other's arms, no doubt in Rosie's mind as a reason to keep warm. Survival instincts, he told himself.

But for Sebastian, it was torture.

He had already come to terms with the fact he was absolutely smitten for Rosie. He'd also come to terms with the fact she was absolutely not smitten for him.

So with Rosie safe in his arms, the feeling of her soft skin against his hands, her head tucked under his chin, he barely got a moments proper sleep all night.

But Sebastian was happy. As the rain peacefully tapped away at the shack, Rosie drifted into a peaceful unconsciousness. Her breathing slowed, her jaw relaxed, her body was calm. Sebastian was content to just watch her, feel the rise and fall of her back against his chest and take in her scent and the touch of her soft skin. Because Sebastian knew that once she was awake, that dream would dissipate.

Sun crept through the small gaps in the shack just as the rain subsided, signalling to Sebastian that dawn was close. Rosie shifted in her sleep, rolling onto her other side so she was facing him. She nuzzled her cheek into his chest.

"Mmm, Sebastian." She groaned into the soft hair on his chest.

Sebastian's eyes opened wide, hearing her sleepy voice saying his name like that.

He stifled a chuckle and simply held her closer, giving her a gentle squeeze.

"S... Sebastian."

But when she said it a second time, he froze. Was Rosie dreaming about him?

Sebastian continued to simply hold her, not daring to move a muscle.

"That's good."

Surely, Sebastian was the one who was dreaming. Rosie continued to nuzzle in deeper to his chest, pushing her whole body against his.

Sebastian's mind raced with disbelief and delight as Rosie's sleepy murmurs continued. He couldn't fathom that she might be dreaming about him in such a way, especially when she made it abundantly clear she did not think of him that way. And if she wasn't so comfortable in his arms, he'd be tempted to get up and run away to not give himself false hope.

"Yes. Just like that." she mumbled, her words a soft caress against his chest.

"Fuck..." Sebastian murmured right back.

He had to move, he had to leave. He tried to shift her out of his arms, shimmying himself back and sliding his arms out from under her. But Sebastian underestimated just how small his mattress was with two people and he hit the wooden floor below with a thump, jolting Rosie awake.

"Sebastian? Are you alright?"

Sebastian winced at the sudden impact with the floor, but he quickly gathered himself, sitting up and looking at Rosie with an apologetic expression. Her eyes widened as she took in the scene, confusion etched on her face.

He rubbed the back of his head, a sheepish grin on his face. "Sorry, Rosie. I, uh, was trying to... readjust."

Rosie's confusion turned quickly to amusement and concern. "Are you okay?"

Sebastian nodded, a slight blush colouring his cheeks. "Yeah, just a little clumsy, that's all."

She sat up and smiled. "Well, be more careful, you big lug."

Sebastian chuckled, grateful for the easy shift in mood. "I'll keep that in mind."

He climbed back in the bed while Rosie looked uncomfortable, shifting her legs beneath the sheets.