~The Path Between~ Sebastian Sallow x reader

Don't flatter yourself

No. No, that can't be true.

Right?

Sure, he did some mistakes. Really bad ones, but... he wouldn't... right? I wanted to believe that. Needed to believe that. But memories had a cruel way of creeping in when you least wanted them to. The look in his eyes when he cast Crucio on me without blinking. The sick tension when Ominis and I stood in Salazar Slytherin's chamber, trying to reach the part of Sebastian that no longer seemed to hear us. That moment, sharp, unrelenting, when he called me ignorant for trusting Lodgok. When the Inferi turned on me, and I saw the decision in his eyes before it happened. When he killed his uncle. Just like that. My brows furrowed. My chest tightened, like invisible vines were wrapping around my ribs. The air felt... heavier. Harder to pull in.

But it was Sebastian. 

The boy who made me laugh. 

Who matched my banter beat for beat. 

Who walked beside me into danger and cracked a smile when we got out of it. 

Who stood with me. 

Who I stood with. 

My hands curled into fists at my sides. I didn't know what to think anymore. That's when I felt it. A touch, gentle, cautious, lifting my chin. My startled eyes met Lucien's, his face still, eyes cool and observant, but not unkind. He didn't smirk. He didn't speak. He just looked at me like he saw everything. Like I was an open book someone had finally bothered to read. And I hated that he could. But... part of me was grateful he did. His hand stayed under my chin, warm and steady. I didn't say anything. Couldn't. I just stared at him, caught between the whirlwind in my chest and the calm in his eyes. The silence hung in the air like the pause between thunder and lightning. Not uncomfortable. Just full. Lucien finally spoke, his voice low and quieter than usual.

"You don't have to say anything" He let his words settle. Let me breathe through them.

"But maybe ask yourself if you're holding on to Sebastian... or the version of him you're hoping he'll become" His thumb brushed along my jawline, not flirtatious, not smug. Just... gentle.

My breath caught slightly. He didn't wait for a reply. He knew he wouldn't get one. Instead, Lucien leaned in, close, but not invading. Just close enough for me to feel the intent behind the moment. And he pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. Not teasing. Not smug. Just steady. Then, without another word, he turned and walked toward the exit of the Room of Requirement. The door creaked slightly as it opened. He paused at the doorway just long enough to glance back over his shoulder.

"I'll see you around, feisty princess" And then he was gone.

Later that day, I found myself sitting on one of the Quidditch towers, high above the pitch, next to Ominis. The stands were packed, the energy buzzing in the air as the first match of the season kicked off, Gryffindor versus Slytherin. Which meant... Sebastian was playing. I watched the match, or at least my eyes did. But there was no spark in them. They were dull, unfocused. Hollow. Lucien's words from earlier had cracked something inside me, and no matter how loud the crowd cheered, it all sounded distant. Like I was underwater, disconnected from everything around me. The colors of the match blurred into motion, the air shifting as brooms zipped past, but the tight ache in my chest refused to leave. I sat still. And then he looked at me. Sebastian, mid-air, his broom angled with the kind of ease that made it seem like flying was second nature. His eyes scanned the crowd until they found mine. For a split second, we just stared at each other. My expression gave nothing away, but I knew the way I looked. Empty. Quiet. Nothing like how I usually was when watching him play. And something in his face shifted. A flicker of concern passed through his features, quick, but undeniable.

Oh... if only he knew.

I tore my eyes away first. The weight in my chest was too much, and I couldn't let him see more than he already had. The match continued, cheers erupting as players dove and twisted in the air but I remained still, the noise a blur, the ache unmoved.

"You're awfully quiet" Ominis suddenly commented. I forced a smile, even though I knew he couldn't see it.

"Just a bit tired from training" I answered, my voice lacking its usual energy. Ominis didn't respond right away, but I could feel his attention on me. His tone was light, but there was something about the way he spoke that made it clear he wasn't buying it.

"You're a terrible liar" he remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I can tell when you're hiding something"

I sighed softly, looking out at the match below, where the game continued in full swing. The sound of the crowd's excitement seemed to fade with every passing second. I felt numb, distant.

"I'm fine, really" I said, forcing the words through a tight throat.

Ominis didn't push further, but the silence stretched between us. He must've sensed that it wasn't something I was ready to talk about. Still, his presence next to me was oddly comforting, and for a moment, I allowed myself to lean back slightly, grateful for the quiet.