"Put it in a braid!"
"No, curl it! I know a curling charm!"
"Just leave it how it is!"
Fellow Slytherins I didn't even know, including a few first years, were watching me stress the fuck out in the bathroom over my imminent date. I was exhausted from my very minimal sleep the night before and borrowed someone's blush to try and regain some colour in my cheeks.
I ended up selecting to leave my hair as it was, but all loose so my natural waves cascaded down my back.
I took a deep breath, knowing I was looking about as good as I was going to and left the bathroom, the gaggle of giggling younger girls following behind me.
It was no secret that Sebastian Sallow was a very attractive man. Besides the confidence he exuded that seemed to have girls wrapped around his little finger, he had soft, delicate features and a dashing smile. His freckles that adorned his face also extended down to his shoulders and chest before tapering off, though I was one of the only people who knew that. So when they realised it was Sebastian I was approaching in the common room, they all screamed and jumped in delight.
I had hoped that no one would find out I was going on a date with Sebastian. I did not want Garreth to find out at all. So hopefully these young girls were naive enough to not remember I had been with Garreth not too many days ago.
I descended the stairs from the girls dormitory wing and found Sebastian already waiting for me. Fuck, he looked good. He had beige slacks on with brown boots and a loosely buttoned dark navy shirt and tie. I hated that the man didn't have to even try and he always looked incredible. Me on the other hand just spent the last hour debating how to style my hair.
"Good afternoon, Olive. You look beautiful."
Charmer...
"Thank you, Sebastian, you don't look too bad yourself."
"I know."
I playfully slapped him on the arm and let him lead the way out of the dungeons.
"So where are we going anyway?" I asked.
"Well I know that you're still... keeping your options open, so I'm not taking you to Hogsmeade. I'm going to take you somewhere secluded, away from prying eyes."
Hm. Sounded like ulterior motives to me...
"I see." I furrowed my brows, though I didn't want to ask about it anymore.
He led me away from the castle and down the spiraling stairs towards the boat house. He slid his hand delicately down my arm and let his warm hands envelop mine. My heart skipped a few beats as he let his fingers lace between mine and gave my hand a gentle squeeze. I didn't want to let on that I was enjoying this, but the wide smile forming across my face betrayed me.
He eventually stopped just outside the boathouse and let go of my hand.
"A date to the boat house? Doesn't exactly scream romance..." I scoffed.
"Give me a moment, will you?" He laughed.
Sebastian pushed open the door and disappeared inside without a word. I was unsure if I was supposed to follow him or wait. So I crept in behind him and watched him as he had knelt down and was untying a rope.
"What are you doing?" I said, trying not to stare at the shape of his arse that was now sticking upright into the air.
"Well, I had planned for this to be a little more romantic. But I've got the boat." He groaned as he finally freed the boat of the rope around a pole.
He jumped back up eagerly and extended his hand, "My lady."
I graciously accepted his hand and let him help me step into the boat with a wide grin on his face.
Once he was sure I was settled, he climbed in himself, the boat rocking gently until he was sat and settled. He collected both of the oars and pushed the boat back with his leg until we were away from the dock.
Now out of the confines of the rickety old shed, Sebastian dropped the oars into the water and began to propel the boat straight out into the middle of the lake.
What a sight it was.
Dusk was beginning to encroach across the sparkling water, the sparse clouds on the horizon casting a mesmerising orange glow across the highlands. It reflected back off his shiny brown hair, giving it a gorgeous copper glow. His arms flexed and relaxed in his tight shirt as he leaned forwards then backwards, steering the boat easily.
He slowed his movements and let us float in the still water, his eyes catching mine.
"Lost in thought, are you?" He smirked at me as he pulled the oars back into the boat and leaned back, resting his elbows on the edge of it.
"Yeah, I guess I am," I replied, trying not to show just how much he affected me.
With a playful grin and a gentle laugh, Sebastian motioned for me to come closer. "Come here," he said, patting his lap gently, "I'll show you how to row the boat."
My heart skipped yet another a beat.
I obliged and carefully scooted myself forward and turned around so my back was firmly against his chest.
"Alright," he began, his voice soft and reassuring in my ear as he leaned forward and rested his chin on my shoulder, "the key to rowing is to maintain a steady rhythm. Hold the oars."
I placed my hands on each of the heavy wooden rowers and he slowly placed both of his on top of mine. I was certain he was likely to feel my rapid heartbeat with how close together we were.
"Good," he continued, guiding my hands and demonstrating the rowing motion. "Keep your grip firm but not too tight. Now, dip the oars into the water, and then pull them back smoothly."
I followed his instructions, feeling the resistance of the water as the oars sliced through. The boat glided forward, propelled by our synchronised efforts.
"Well, aren't you a natural?" He commented, clearly impressed with my rowing skills.
His hands left mine and moved to my waist as he let me steer the boat.
"Lean to the left if you want to turn in that direction," he instructed, his warm breath still tingling my ear.
With his guidance, I maneuvered the boat smoothly, and we glided across the calm surface of the lake until the boat stopped abruptly as I'd made it to the other end of the lake.
"Well done. First time steering a boat?" He asked, standing up gently and taking my hand to help me rise, careful not to tilt the boat too far.
"I've been in a boat, but yes, first time steering." I said with wobbly legs, trying to stay upright.
Sebastian helped me walk to the end and he jumped off first, dodging the shallow water between the boat and land. I threw him a filthy look, knowing I wasn't going to be able to make the jump without wetting my dress and shoes.
"Jump. I'll catch you, I promise." He smirked.
I had no choice but to trust him or else I'd be stuck in this damn boat until he decided to get back in.
"You better." I said through pursed lips.
I stood on the bow of the boat, taking a deep breath to steady myself. I inhaled again and propelled myself forward, trusting that Sebastian would catch me.
And as promised, Sebastian's arms closed around me, catching me safely, not a wet sock in sight. I couldn't help but let out a laugh, relieved that I hadn't ended up soaked in the lake.
"See? I've got you," he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
I couldn't deny that his playfulness was contagious, and I found myself grinning back at him. As he set me down gently on the ground, I playfully swatted his arm.
"You're insufferable," I teased, but the warmth in my tone gave away my amusement.
Sebastian grinned mischievously as he took me by the hand, "I did plan something else for tonight."
"Oh?" I said curiously. Though I wasn't sure if this was genuine or just a tactic to bed me again.
He led me toward the hidden spot under a tree. I saw a soft blanket spread out on the ground, adorned with flickering candles and a wicker basket, pillows stacked around it all.
"A picnic?" I asked, pleasantly surprised by his thoughtfulness.
Sebastian nodded, looking pleased with himself. "I thought we could have a little private dinner under the stars. I got some of your favorites."
"You did all this?" I said, my eyes widening at the lengths he'd gone to.
He shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, I had a little help from the house elves, but I chose everything myself."
As he helped me settle onto the blanket, he opened the wicker basket to reveal an assortment of delectable treats. Sandwiches, fruits, pastries, and even some chocolate-covered strawberries. But my favourite sat atop everything else. Fresh scones with jam and cream. They were still warm.
"You remembered!" I exclaimed, my heart swelling with appreciation.
Sebastian chuckled, his eyes never leaving mine. "Of course I did. It's hard to forget what you smell in your amortentia potion."
I had completely forgotten that he smelt me and my apparent obsession with the baked goods. It made my heart swell.
We settled down on the blanket, and Sebastian poured us each a glass of chilled pumpkin juice from a nearby flask. The cool, refreshing drink was a perfect accompaniment to the delicious spread of food.
"I must say, you've surprised me, Sallow." I said, stuffing the last scone into my mouth.
"Oh please, Mr. Sallow was my father. You can call me Sebastian." He said with a puffed out chest.
I clicked my tongue and rolled my eyes hard before letting my gaze fall back on him.
"Saving that for later?" He asked.
"Huh?" I said, a look of confusion no doubt spread across my face.
"The cream," he said, pointing at my mouth.
I tried to wipe it off with my thumb until he lifted his own hand and brought it to my face, taking my hand in his.
"No, the other side."
He placed my hand down on the ground and lifted his own again, taking his thumb and delicately wiping the small amount of cream I had left in the corner of my mouth. He leaned in close, his eyes locked onto mine, and he licked the cream off his thumb, a slow and deliberate movement that sent shivers down my spine.
"Got it."
I felt my cheeks flush, both from the teasing gesture and the sudden intensity in his gaze. My heart pounded in my chest and I swallowed hard. Just as I thought about pulling away and putting an end to the endless staring, he pressed his mouth into mine. This was delicate and soft. The hand he used to wipe the cream off my face delicately moved to cup the side of my head, his thumb softly caressing my cheek.
I responded to the kiss, my hand reaching up to rest on his shoulder, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened, becoming more intense yet still retaining its gentleness. Kissing Sebastian was always incredible but this was fucking electric. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced.
The world around us seemed to fade away, and it was just me and him, lost in the moment. His lips moved against mine with a perfect rhythm, and I couldn't help but melt into his touch. Every nerve in my body felt alive, and my heart raced with excitement.
His hand moved from my cheek to the back of my neck, deepening the kiss even further, as if that was possible. I tangled my fingers in his soft brown hair, pulling him in, wanting to be as close to him as possible.
Sebastian broke the kiss first, pulling away breathless and flushed, but our foreheads remained pressed together, our eyes locked. We both breathed heavily, trying to get our chests to stop pounding so fast.
"That was..." he began, but words seemed to escape him.
"Amazing," I finished for him, my voice breathless.
Sebastian nodded, looking as though he was still trying to regain his composure. "Definitely."
As we sat there on the shore under a tree, the moonlight reflecting off the water, I felt a sense of connection with him that I hadn't anticipated. It wasn't just physical attraction but something deeper, something that made me feel vulnerable in the best possible way. I thought I'd loved him before, but this just intensified that feeling a thousand times more. Though it made me sad knowing that this was a glimpse into what dating Sebastian Sallow could be like. Something he didn't want.
"I'm glad you brought me here," I said softly, breaking the silence that had fallen over us.
"Me too," He smiled widely at me, "This well exceeded what I had in my mind for my first ever date."
"You've never been on a date before?" I asked, a little shocked because he always seemed to have girls fawning over him.
"Nope. Never."
"Well, if this is how you plan your first ever date, I can't wait to see what you do with the next one."
Ah. Fuck. I bit my tongue, realising I'd just blurted that out without thinking.
"I-I mean, that-"
"Would you like a second date, Olive?" He asked, a devilish grin now spreading across his face.
"Oh-uh... I mean, only if... you do, I'm alright."
He laughed at my embarrassment.
"Then I'll give you a second date," He said plainly, "But you must know, I've recently implemented a 'no sex until the third date' rule."
I blinked, surprised by his statement. It wasn't what I expected him to say considering he's already done that with me twice.
"Oh, really?" I replied, raising an eyebrow playfully. "Trying to change your reputation?"
He chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Perhaps. Or maybe I just want to get to know you better without any distractions."
I couldn't help but smile at his response. What more was there to know? We'd been best friends previously and then unintentionally fell into a friends-with-benefits-but-also-enemies sort of situation.
"Alright then," I said, pretending to ponder his offer. "I guess I'll have to agree to your little rule."
"Perfect," he said, looking genuinely pleased.
He stood up quickly and gathered the picnic supplies, helping me rise to my feet.
"We should head back, curfew is soon and Merlin knows how long it will take to get back with you steering the boat."
"Hey! You said I did well!" I scoffed.
"You did. But the trip back is always worse than the trip over."
I hummed in thought as he helped me jump back into the boat before tossing the basket, blankets and pillows at me.
Sebastian managed to jump in himself, almost tipping the boat as he slid in causing me to let out a small scream as I feared I'd get Imelda's dress soaked in dirty lake water.
"Oh come on, it wasn't that bad," he said, sitting down and pulling me close to sit in his lap again.
This time, he did the rowing and pulled the boat into the dock with ease, tying it up and helping me step out of the boat easily. He walked me back to the castle, only dropping the grip on my hand as we approached the busy halls.
As we entered the Slytherin common room, he led me to a quiet corner where we weren't able to be seen.
"Sebastian," I began before he could speak, "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course," he replied.
"What changed?"
Sebastian paused for a moment before answering. "I don't really know... I suppose I realised that I was likely going to lose you anyway if we continued the way we were. I'm still shit scared to let you get close to me. I think about it every night when I go to sleep. But I know I was hurting you and Merlin knows I was hurting myself trying to suppress feelings that were only getting stronger every time I saw you, every time I saw you with Weasley."
"Sebastian, I don't want you to change for me, if me leaving you alone is what you really want..."
"No! That is not what I want. I want you, Olive. I need you." He interrupted me, a genuine look of sadness in his eyes.
Before I could even think of words to say to make it better, I felt his warm mouth on mine again. His hand pressed on my back, his thumb drawing soothing circles.
He broke the kiss and took both of my hands in his.
"Olive, I promise you... this is what I want. I'm terrified but, I think I'm ready. If you'll have me and forgive me for all my stupidity over the last few weeks."
I stopped a small laugh from escaping my lips and squeezed his hands with mine.
"I forgive you. Now, I'm going to need you to set up that second and third date soon because if they're all like what you did tonight, I'm going to need them over and done with as soon as possible."
"Hah! Deal. I'll plan one for this weekend, alright?" he smiled.
Sebastian's smile was infectious, and I couldn't help but mirror it. "Sounds perfect," I replied.
As the common room started to fill with more students returning from their evening activities as curfew came into effect, we knew it was time to head to our respective dormitories.
"Goodnight, Olive. Thank you for accompanying me tonight," he said, giving me one last, lingering kiss.
"Goodnight, Sebastian." I replied.
He gave me one last smile before turning and walking to his dormitory and it was only then I realised I was holding in my breath.
"Ffffuck..." was all I managed to mutter to myself as I dragged myself to my own dormitory and collapsed on my bed, unable to wipe the wide smile off my face.
"So, that went well?" Imelda quipped from the comfort of her bed.
"Oh, you have no idea..." I replied with a sheepish tone.
Date two and three couldn't come fast enough.