Hiraeth | Sebastian Sallow Love Story

Chapter Sixty: Moonshine Mill

She glanced sideways at him, "Why did you cut me off just then?"

"Did I do that?" He smirked, assessing the city's emptiness with his own assumptions, "I didn't realize."

"You did." Gracie argued flatly, "What are you smirking about now?"

Sebastian reached down, lacing their fingers together as they walked down the empty street, "Well you see, I thought it was only fair."

A certain wariness crept into her bones. The way Sebastian was staring down at her, was the same manner in which he tended to say the most unhinged things.

With trepidation leaking into her voice, she stopped them before they entered into the large wooden building with saloon styled doors in front, "Thought what was fair?"

"That he called you the Missus." He replied, his smirk slowly increasing into a feral grin.

Gracie's eyebrow raised. "Explain."

"After all," Sebastian drawled out, bringing her knuckles to his lips, "If you moan my first name so deliciously, it's only right I give you my last name too."

Time slowed and Gracie shook her head, becoming devoted to his level of blasphemy.. "Sebastian, I refuse to marry you."

Raw vulnerability snuck into his voice, "What?"

"Nine days." She counted with a sad smile, "Nine days before you have to return to the front lines. It's a delusion to think that you'll be on this journey the whole time with me. Let's be honest with ourselves. I'll have to finish this mission alone. So no, Sebastian. I refuse to marry you. Not until Ranrock is defeated and you're off the frontlines for good."

Relief replaced vulnerability. "You're saying I can't marry you until the war is over."

Gracie sent him a brief, humored look. "You might have made me a mother, but I'll be damned if you make me a widow too."

Sebastian pressed his lips against her knuckles, "It was harder to win your heart than be on the frontlines. The odds are in my favor. Are you ready to become Mrs. Sallow, one day?"

"Focus on the mission, Sallow. We've got a wampus to find."

He laughed and they both turned to face the saloon together with sobering looks. It was time to solve this town's stray cat problem once and for all.

Chapter Sixty: Moonshine Mill

The ceilings were high with a wooden color that was more red than brown. It added a honey-yellow ambiance to the place that made her think fondly of the Three Broomsticks. If her and Sebastian had been in the same year, would they have enjoyed a drink or two together? Would they have noticed each other in the library? Both Slytherins, she might have noticed him reading in the Common Room or lounging about. Would he have made the first move? Seeing her?

It could have been another life, but she was happy she had this one. In this life, Sebastian was muttering a spell under his breath to clear the smoke around her so she didn't have to inhale all the cigar and tobacco surrounding her. A few heads turned their way, but no one really paid attention to them.

No one except the barman that was polishing a glass with vague interest. "Welcome. What can I get you both?"

Sebastian shifted his attention to the shelves of whiskey, "Old Overholt. No ice." He tilted his head towards her, "Shortcake?"