Exile || Sebastian Sallow

45 | 'Never have I ever'

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"Call out my name
when I kiss you so gently"
–The Weekend
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45 | 'Never have I ever'

Sebastian Sallow

August, 1890

The storm was relentless. Clouds so dark, they cloaked midday as night. Sebastian had been picking wildflowers behind the cottage before he had to dash inside so they wouldn't get damaged.

"Hmm, simple but beautiful." The bedridden Anne Sallow flashed a grin, sniffing the flowers. "Thanks, brother. These are always the best part of my week. Honestly."

Sebastian sat at the foot of her bed and sighed. "I just wish they would help you." Because not even the books he'd started reading this week were of any help. Hogwarts probably had more useful books for him.

Anne's face was pitiful. "They do."

"You know what I mean."

The absence of their good-natured sibling rivalry since Anne got sick told them enough about the situation. Anne couldn't heal fast enough to go back to Hogwarts. She was getting worse. No sign of any healing. Not even whatever spiritual being Sebastian tried to reach out to every night when Anne slept was giving aid.

One good thing about the stormy day was Solomon's absence. At least, Sebastian had a reprieve from his uncle's daily yelling.

Upon seeing Anne wince from reaching for the nightstand, Sebastian moved to assist her in placing the teacup on its surface. Anne sighed again, though looking more irritable at him. "I appreciate the help with every little thing I do, Sebby, but please, go outside or something. You look miserable in here."

Sebastian blinked, taken aback. "But, you don't look—"

"If you say I don't look good, I will hit you with a spoon," she jested. "I am well aware how I look. I do not need to be reminded!"

"Alright! Merlin forbid I help my sick sister." He raised his hands in mock surrender, some light filling his heart with Anne's joking nature.

"Well, you do not have to mind me. I'm due for some beauty sleep. Leave me be."

Before Sebastian could retort, Anne had already tucked herself into the blankets and snored in seconds.

Sighing, he turned away and cleaned her nightstand. He couldn't help but be grateful for the fact that she was alive. Unwell, but alive. And he'd be damned if he didn't find a cure for her soon.

He had so much time to himself now. Perhaps he could bother Ominis with some more letters, or perhaps...

He hadn't spoken to Belle in a few days. But if she kept up with their pattern of back and forth writing, her letter should have arrived by now. Where was it? Had his owl gotten lost? No, it couldn't be.

A loud boom echoed out the rain-streaked window just as Sebastian turned to it. There was a plea from the storm as if it told him something. A warning. Or a reminder.

It was then that the ground seemed to give out from under him. His eyes widened, a sinking weight in his chest. Realization had set in his mind. It clouded his rational judgment to take a coat to protect him from the storm, quickly moving to grab his satchel and then dashing out the door in panic.