You Cannot Put a Fire Out // Sebastian Sallow [Book Three]

Chapter Four: A Complication

If the quiet tension that had filled the air during dinner was any indication, tonight was not looking promising.

But Sebastian would try his best to mend things. What was that saying anyway? It wasn't wise to go to bed angry, or something along those lines. Sebastian wasn't sure if he agreed with that necessarily, but it wasn't often that he argued to the point of seething silence with Damien, so maybe he should consider the advice.

Sebastian lay beneath the covers with Tabitha curled up at his feet. He awaited Damien's arrival, eager to engage in their nightly conversation before they both immersed themselves in their respective books, reading until their eyes grew heavy with sleep. They would then assume their usual position: Damien's longer arms and arguably heftier stature wrapping around Sebastian, who nestled against his soft body. Most nights, they would drift off to sleep in this embrace, only to awaken in the morning facing each other, their noses almost touching. It was a delightful routine that Sebastian never ceased to revel in.

Damien was unbuttoning his shirt when he, surprisingly, spoke first. "You mentioned you had an interesting day. Do you feel like talking about it?"

Sebastian blinked. "Well, yes, I suppose?"

"You suppose."

"It depends on if you're still cross with me or not."

Damien sighed. "I'm not cross with you."

"Oh, really now?" Sebastian scoffed. "Your silence at dinner spoke volumes."

"Bash-"

"And here I thought I was the taciturn one."

Under normal circumstances, Damien would, at the very least, quirk a smile at Sebastian's quips. For the briefest moment, Sebastian thought he might not take the bait. Fortunately, he took a breath, raised a brow and replied, "Don't tempt me with big words."

"Aha! I knew that would work."

Damien ducked down to grab the chamber pot from underneath the bed, carrying it into the corner as he said, "I would hope so."

As Damien relieved himself, Sebastian ran a hand through his hair. "Why were you so quiet then? Long day?"

"Mhm. Albie ended his shift early and a lot of students popped by the shop. I didn't get much of a break."

"I'm sorry." Sebastian patted the empty spot on the bed beside him. "Let me make it up to you."

"Oh?" Damien replied, a subtle smile gracing his lips. "I think that can be arranged." He slipped into bed beside Sebastian, fluffing the pillow up and placing it against the headboard. "But first, I want to hear about your day." He settled in, adjusting his pajamas, which had ridden up slightly, revealing the gentle curve of his belly. He turned to face Sebastian, who couldn't help but smile in return.

Sebastian pecked him on the cheek. "You're not going to believe me."

"Try me."

"Remember that transfer student I mentioned the other day? The new seventh-year that everyone was in a tizzy about?" Damien nodded. "Well, I met him." Sebastian paused, then added, "His name's Jack. Jack Mason."

"Jack Mason," Damien repeated. He reached up to scratch his nose. "No relation to Cassandra Mason, I hope?"

Sebastian tilted his head. "Cassandra Mason?"

"That terrible woman who sold me her husband's old shop when we were in school."

"Ah, right." Sebastian grimaced at the memory of that unsettling experience. "No, I don't think so."