KEEP IT, LOSE IT (HOGWARTS LEGACY FANFICTION)

chapter forty-six

Mary emerged from the changing area wrapped in a soft bath towel that clung to her frame, covering her from her chest to just above her knees. 

It wasn't meant to be provocative, but the sight of her in the minimal covering made both Sebastian and Ominis turn their heads away instantly. Even though Ominis couldn't see, his sense of respect and consideration drove him to face away, as if he could somehow feel the tension in the room. Sebastian, on the other hand, couldn't resist stealing a quick glance, his eyes lingering on her for a few seconds before guilt prompted him to turn away, cheeks flushed.

"Alright," Mary said, her tone more composed now. "One of you can go in to change." She paused, her gaze softening as she looked at Sebastian, as if she were reassessing her feelings for him. Sebastian noticed her gentle expression, his heart skipping a beat as he felt her eyes on him.

When neither of them moved, she added with a playful smile, "Come on, I trust you both. A little shoulder isn't going to kill anyone."

Despite her lighthearted comment, both Sebastian and Ominis remained steadfast in their chivalry, not turning to look at her directly.

"I'll go first," Sebastian volunteered, his voice a little shaky as he quickly headed to the changing area, leaving Ominis and Mary alone in the grand, echoing bath chamber.

The silence between them was thick with unspoken thoughts. Ominis's usual calm demeanor faltered as jealousy and longing stirred within him. He couldn't help himself, the words slipped out before he could reconsider. 

"Mary," he began quietly, his voice laced with a vulnerability he rarely showed, "why did it bother you so much? That another girl asked Sebastian?"

Mary stiffened slightly at the question, her fingers nervously fiddling with the edge of her towel. "I don't know... it just... it caught me off guard, that's all," she replied, evading the truth as her heart raced.

Ominis tilted his head slightly, sensing her hesitation. He didn't want to press her, but the need to know gnawed at him. "Would it... bother you just as much if it had been me? If I'd been invited like that?"

His question hung in the air, heavy with tension. Mary's breath caught in her throat, and she could feel the intensity of his gaze even though his eyes were closed. She knew this was more than just curiosity—it was something deeper, something she hadn't fully confronted until now.

For a moment, she didn't answer, the weight of his words making her pulse quicken. Just before Sebastian could return, she leaned closer to Ominis, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes... it would."

Ominis's heart hammered in his chest, his breath hitching at her response. He hadn't expected her to admit it, and the revelation left him stunned, his mind reeling as he tried to process the flood of emotions. Before he could say anything more, Sebastian emerged from the changing area, now wrapped in a towel that covered him from the waist down, clearly finding the provided robe unsuitable for him.