Swallow your pride

Undercroft

Yarra PoV

Sebastian and Yarra were arguing in the Undercroft. Sebastian tried to talk Yara out of it. "Yarra are you crazy? Have you heard what Carter is! You'd rather have muggle blood on your hands? For what?! For your pride? Explain it to me!" he shouted.
Yarra took a deep breath before replying, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It's not about pride, Sebastian. It's about my family. If I refuse to marry Liam, I'll bring shame to my entire family. My brother will have no future. I cannot do that to him..."
She looked up at Sebastian, her eyes pleading for understanding. "You don't understand... My family's reputation is everything to us."

Sebastian ran both hands through his hair in frustration. "Yes, you're right! I don't get it! I....oh fuck!!! I thought you weren't like that. A high-society lady who sits by mom's skirt and drinks tea with her! Since when do you care about these things?!" he shouted but his voice was clouded by despair.
Yarra winced at Sebastian's outburst, the pain and disappointment in his voice piercing her heart. She stared at him, tears welling up in her eyes. "Sebastian... I don' want this any more than you do," she said, her voice quivering. "But I have no choice! My family... My little brother... I can't just turn my back on them!"
"Stop! Shut up! I can't listen to this shit anymore!" he yelled at her.
Yarra stepped back at Sebastian's harsh words, her hands shaking slightly. She could see the anger, the disappointment, and the pain in his eyes.
"Sebastian, please!" she pleaded, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm begging you to understand..."
He walked up to her and pinned her to the wall with his body, "I said shut up! And listen to me! I won't allow this! I've already made peace with you being my best friend's wife. The thought was painful, but at least I'd have you nearby." he said harshly. His expression changed and his voice cracked, "But I can't bear the thought of you being on the other side of the world. I just can't!"

Yarra gasped, her heart racing at Sebastian's sudden proximity and possessive gesture. She felt the weight of his body pressing against hers, pinning her against the wall.
The rawness and despair in Sebastian's voice hit her like a wall of cold water, his vulnerability and honesty laying bare in front of her. Her own eyes filled with tears again, understanding the love he had for her.
"Sebastian," Yarra whispered, her voice shaky. "Please... I don't want to go. I don't want to leave you. This situation is tearing me apart."
Sebastian rested his forehead against hers, closed his eyes, and swallowed hard. He dropped the hands he used to block her from the wall and placed them on her hips. He opened his eyes, his face was very close to hers. "Then let's run away together. Somewhere where no one will find us. Where we can be together, happy, in love, without prejudices and rules. Just the two of us," he said in a quiet seductive voice.

Yarra felt her heart leap at Sebastian's words, his warm breath on her skin. His proximity, his touch on her hips, was all-consuming, sending a wave of heat and desire flowing through her entire being. Her eyes roamed over his face as he spoke, his voice a sensual whisper. The idea he had proposed, of running away together, somewhere where they could be together in complete freedom, sounded like a dream. A forbidden but beautiful dream. Yarra's voice trembled as she replied, "Yes...yes, I want that..." However, an image of Ominis's face appeared in her mind, on which he reflected sadness, anger and betrayal. That's exactly what they would do to him if they put everything behind them and run away together. Tears glistened in her eyes and her face contorted in pain, "But, ..."
Sebastian could read the conflict in her face.
He gently, caressed her hips, noticing the tears in her eyes.
"But...?" He encouraged her to continue.
The sound of the bars opening made both of them snap out of their daze.

Ominis PoV

Ominis entered the Undercroft. He felt the presence of Sebastian and Yarra but both were silent. "Did I interrupt you on... something?" He tried to keep his voice calm and composed but his feelings for Yarra were reflected in his tone. Sebastian exchanged a glance with Yarra, her guilt and sadness were almost palpable. He took a deep breath before responding to Ominis. "No, Ominis, you didn't." Sebastian's voice was slightly hoarse, but he tried to sound casual.
Yarra walked up to Ominis and grabbed his hand. "What did your father want? Are you okay?" Ominis felt Yarra's warm hand in his, and it took all he had not to pull her into his arms and hold her tightly. But he couldn't do that now, not when his Father's chilling command still rang in his ears.
He took a deep breath, trying to hide the internal conflict he was going through. "I'm fine," he managed to respond, forcing a smile to his lips. "Just some... family business, nothing to worry about."
"And what about you? What happend in the Headmaster's office?" he asked.