Different Times: Sebastian Sallow x Reader

10 - Back In Our Time

Sebastian's POV

In the blink of an eye, we are back in our Feldcroft cottage with Ominis and MC.

"Did it work?" Ominis asks with a hopeful smile.

"Yes!" Ann jumps. "And the descendant you sent us to was amazing!"

I watch the smile on MC's face double.

"I want to know everything, but please don't tell us. I don't want to mess up our future... and well, their now."

Ann nods, but I just stare down into the box of things Delilah gave me.

"Seb? Are you okay?" Om asks.

"Yeah. I've never been better." I lie.

But I can't tell them I'm falling for their great-great-granddaughter. That would be weird.

I give everyone an excuse about needing to rest, but really I just want to be alone.

I keep staring at the box, afraid to open the letter or read the book. Because once I do, it will make my feelings real instead of something I can pretend is just in my head.

What if the letter is just a reminder to take my medicine?

I sit on my bed and stare at the tan envelope with green ink spelling my name in the most beautiful handwriting.

"Hey, are you sure you're okay?" MC asks as she knocks on the doorframe.

I glance up at her only to be reminded of Delilah — my beautiful princess.

I look back down at the letter and shrug.

"What's that?"

"A letter."

She walks over.

"Ooooh, they have nice handwriting. I'm going to assume it was a female descendant then."

"What does it say?"

"I haven't opened it." I run my thumb over the writing.

It hasn't even been a day since I last saw her, and I already miss her like crazy.

"I have a feeling there's more than just a friendly goodbye in that," she says, her face scrunching slightly. "And I'm trying not to think too much about the math of it all."

"Oh Merlin, please don't. I don't know what it says. She could just be telling me I was a good friend for all I know."

I put my face in my hands.

"But you don't want it to be."

It's a statement, not a question.

"Is it that obvious?"

"Well, yes. I always say there's someone out there for everyone... but this is further out there than I meant."

MC gives me a sweet smile.

"Would you rather be there?"

I nod sadly.

"I'm so sorry. You guys are my best friends, but... once you meet her, you'll understand."

"Seb, do not feel bad about it. I get it. If Ominis were in a different time, I'd do anything to be there."

She nods toward the letter.

"You should open that and find out if we should get you back there... up there... wherever."

I give MC a quick hug before she leaves me alone with the letter.

⸻

The Letter

Dear Sebastian,

I know it was only three days, but those three days meant the world to me. I don't have many people I can truly count on in my time, and meeting you and Ann reminded me what that feels like.

You see parts of me that no one else ever seems to notice, and I will miss having you around more than I know how to explain.

I care for you more than words can properly describe, and I can't help but hope that somehow, someday, I'll get the chance to know you again.

Until then, thank you for giving me three days I will never forget.

With love,

Your Princess

⸻

I read the letter over and over.

With love?

Does she mean what I think?

After days of pacing and wracking my brain, I finally let Ann read it. She has basically become matchmaker extraordinaire since we came back. She got herself and Amit together, and she even got Imelda together with an older classmate.

"Seb! How could you not tell me this is how you felt?! I mean, I suspected as much when you would sneak longing looks at her, but this proves she felt the same!"

She practically screams at me.

"I didn't think it was reciprocated! And how can you tell?" I ask, rereading the letter.

"Subtext, my dear brother."

She places a hand on my shoulder.

"I swear she feels the same. Does that mean you'll want to go there?"

"I have known for a while that I'm not meant for now anymore."

I look up at Ann with apologetic eyes.

"I just don't want to leave you here."

"Seb, you're not leaving me here. I've got all the support a person needs."

She kisses my cheek.

"It's time for you to find yours."

"I'll go help MC figure out how to send you back, then we'll have the best summer to send you off."

I pull Ann into the biggest bear hug.

"What will I do without you?"

She hugs me back and laughs before going to find MC.

I reread the letter again, noticing how it smells like vanilla and cinnamon.

I smile to myself.

I am finally going home.