Invisible String - A Sebastian Sallow Story

Chapter XIV

The cool air had intensified overnight, and the light was barely touching the edges of the sky. Very few people moved about the hamlet as they made their way to the main house. Sebastian let go of her hand when they approached the door, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek, before stepping inside to make sure his uncle wasn't still asleep. When he confirmed Solomon was awake and moving in the kitchen to start the kettle, he stepped back through the door to retrieve her.

Once inside the warmth of the house, she brushed the few pieces of fallen snow off her hair and arms. "Good morning Mr. Sallow." She said as she wandered over to the pantry to aid in starting breakfast. Sebastian followed behind her, standing close by as his Uncle turned around to acknowledge the pair.

"Mornin you two. Sebastian, are your sister and Gaunt still asleep?" Solomon asked and he nodded in reply.

"Best to let Anne sleep as long as she can." He replied, moving back to the now boiling kettle.

Sebastian watched as she carefully folded the dough she had quickly crafted into the shape of what he imagined would be scones without any hesitation and precision from years of doing it nonmagically. Seeing her so comfortable in their family's kitchen brought back the stirring he continued to feel at seeing them both engaging in domestic tasks. That reminded him of the conversation he'd been meaning to have with Solomon. This was as good a time as any.

"Uncle Solomon, might I have a word." He spoke, turning back towards the man who was setting the table. At his question, the man dropped one of the napkins he'd been holding. Turning back towards his nephew, seeing the way he shifted weight from foot to foot, he began to panic. He'd heard that tone before, and suffice to say, when his brother often used it on their parents the outcomes were not pretty. Solomon glanced over at the girl, knowing she had heard Sebastian's request but did not look worried. Seeing her more calm reaction made him sigh as he realized Sebastian was not addressing that as a concern.

Sebastian stepped back through the door once his uncle nodded and the pair made their way around to the right side of the house. Unsure how to bring up the topic, he led us guardian over to the top of the watch tower before leaning over the railing.

"What's happened?" Solomon asked him, worried of all the horrible responses Sebastian could give him.

Sebastian on the other hand couldn't entirely fault him for assuming the worst. Instead of turning Solomon's wrong assumption into an argument he simply shook his head.

"I have been thinking about what you said the other day, when she came back on the brink of death with Professor Fig." Sebastian told his Uncle, still trying to find a way to articulate himself in an appropriate manor that would be taken seriously.

"I already apologized for my actions, why can't it be left at that?" Solomon said, wrongfully assuming Sebastian was airing out more of their dirty laundry so to speak.

"I am not looking for an apology. I admit, I was partially in the wrong as well." Sebastian replied, finally looking from Rookwood castle back to his Uncle, who still bore a confused expression.

"Then what is this about Sebastian? Have you-" Solomon began but Sebastian immediately responded by shaking his head, making the older man's words die upon his lips.

"I have not disgraced her if that is what you are inquiring. I meant what I said, about caring for her. I make no attempt at hiding or denying my affections. To do so would be futile at this point." He replied, a sigh leaving his lips as his fingers probed his temple. Solomon and him had never been close, and to have a conversation like this with him was proving difficult.