"My dear Seraphine, don't mind us, but my friend here is in need of a check-up." I threw a casual arm around Sebastian, whose entire posture screamed discomfort. He stood stiff as a board beside me, his jaw clenched so tightly I could practically hear his teeth grinding.
In front of us, Seraphine wiped blood from her hands with a cloth that was already stained dark. She didn't seem the slightest bit bothered by the mess—though, knowing her, she probably wasn't.
Who had she slaughtered this time? Geez, what a way to make a first impression on Sebastian.
"Check-up?" Seraphine arched a perfectly sculpted brow, her tone dripping with skepticism. "I don't recall having any appointments today." Her voice was smooth, yet sharp enough to cut glass.
I let out an exaggerated laugh, waving my free hand. "It's a sudden decision. You know how life is—unpredictable!" I sing-songed, ignoring the faint huff of disapproval from Sebastian beside me. "Come on, Sera. Do me this favor, and I'll take you out for dinner."
Her lips quirked into a smirk, her gaze flicking to Sebastian. "Dinner? Tempting, but I have no interest in dining with someone years younger than me, Silas. But thank you for the offer." She stepped forward, her boots clicking against the clinic's tiled floor. "And you, Mr. Gray," she said, her voice turning clinical, "hop up on the table if you would."
Sebastian shot me a dark look, one that promised retribution, before reluctantly moving to the examination table. He sat on the edge, his shoulders tense and his knees locked together like he was bracing for impact.
"Let's start with your hands," Seraphine instructed, holding out her own.
Sebastian hesitated, glancing at me as if seeking reassurance. I gave him an encouraging thumbs-up, grinning like an idiot. He rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath that I didn't quite catch, before extending his hands to her.
"Claws, please," Seraphine said crisply without looking up.
Sebastian's nails elongated with a soft, metallic sound, like blades sliding into place. Seraphine studied them intently, turning his hands this way and that, her expression unreadable. "Well taken care of," she murmured, jotting something down on her clipboard. His claws retracted with the same eerie efficiency.
"I don't use them much," Sebastian admitted, scratching his cheek awkwardly as if unsure what to do with his hands now.
I perched on one of the empty beds in the corner, swinging my legs idly. "You're doing great," I called, waving a hand in encouragement. He glanced at me for a fleeting moment, his expression unreadable. Then, oddly enough, his eyes widened ever so slightly before his face darkened, and he turned away.
What was that about? Was he annoyed that I'd dragged him here? He'd agreed when I asked him earlier, hadn't he? Or maybe he was just nervous about being examined by someone he didn't know.
"If it's alright, I'll check your eyes next," Seraphine said, leaning in closer to him. Sebastian gave a quick, curt nod, his jaw tightening again.
"Relax," I whispered, chuckling under my breath. He looked so rigid, so unnaturally still, that it was almost comical.
"Hm... okay-ish, I suppose," Seraphine muttered after a moment, pulling back and scribbling more notes. Sebastian exhaled softly, almost imperceptibly, like he'd been holding his breath the whole time.
"Now, let's examine your fangs," she said, tilting her head. "If you don't mind."
Sebastian made a low noise in the back of his throat, a mix between a grunt and a sigh, before opening his mouth.
It was the first time I'd seen his fangs up close. They were impressive—long, razor-sharp, and gleaming in the clinic's harsh light. Even his lower canines extended slightly, giving him a predatory edge. He could almost pass for a werewolf. Almost.
Seraphine grabbed a sterile popsicle stick from a tray and lightly prodded his tongue, inspecting his teeth and gums with clinical precision. "Well-maintained," she noted, stepping back. "Your fangs look… unused."
Sebastian huffed, his cheeks faintly tinged with pink as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't use them much either," he muttered, avoiding her gaze.
"Is that all?" he asked, his voice low, almost hopeful.
"Fortunately, yes. Unless you're willing to strip down for a full physical," Seraphine added with a wicked smirk.
Sebastian practically leapt off the table, his shoes hitting the floor with a loud thud. He stalked over to me, sitting down with a glower aimed squarely at Seraphine. I couldn't help it—I burst out laughing, clapping him on the back.
"Don't tease him, Sera," I chided, though my grin betrayed me.
Seraphine's smirk softened into something almost amused as she turned away, but not before throwing one last glance at Sebastian. "Alright. One more test to be thorough," she said, walking back over. "Your arm, please."
Sebastian sighed, looking thoroughly done with the whole ordeal, but rolled up his sleeve and extended his arm to her. She pressed her fingers lightly against his skin, her brow furrowing in concentration.
I leaned forward, curious. What was she doing? She repeated the motion a few times, her touch deliberate, before smoothing his sleeve back down and stepping away.
"That's all. You're healthy. Good job, kid," she said, patting his shoulder as she turned toward her desk.
Sebastian huffed again, standing abruptly. "If that's everything, I'll wait outside." His voice was clipped, and he didn't wait for a response before striding out of the clinic.
I watched him go, chuckling under my breath. "He really hates check-ups, huh?" I remarked, pushing off the bed and sauntering over to Seraphine's desk.
Seraphine didn't answer immediately. She was busy scribbling something on a sheet of paper, her expression unusually serious.
"So, what's the verdict, doc? He's all good, right?" I leaned against the desk, craning my neck to peek at her notes.
"Mostly," she said, her tone vague. "But I've noticed something… interesting."
I straightened up, my curiosity piqued. "Oh? And what might that be?"
She glanced up at me, her eyes sharp and calculating. "I'll finalize my findings later. For now, I'd like to see him again tomorrow. Another check-up."
I frowned slightly. Another check-up? What had caught her attention? "Alright," I said slowly. "If you think it's necessary."
As I turned to leave, her voice stopped me.
"Silas," she called, her tone casual but with an edge of something I couldn't quite place. "One more thing. Can you keep an eye on him for me?"
I turned back, raising a brow. "Keep an eye on him? Like… how?"
"Feeding time, sleeping habits… If he looks lethargic, make sure to send me a letter via fire telegram right away."
What a strange request. But I nodded anyway, already growing accustomed to odd instructions like these.
"Sure," I said, waving a hand dismissively as I left the room.
The hallway outside was dimly lit, its stone walls cold to the touch. I spotted Sebastian sitting against the wall, his head cradled in his hands, looking every bit as weary as the day itself. His shoulders sagged, and his dark hair fell over his face, obscuring his expression.
Damn. Was I gone too long? Did I make him wait that long?
"Seb?" I crouched beside him, reaching out to tap his cheek lightly. His eyes fluttered open, slow and groggy, and his lips twitched into a faint smirk.
"Hey. Sorry if I fell asleep," he muttered, his voice hoarse with fatigue. "You took too long."
I chuckled as relief washed over me. "My bad," I said, straightening up and offering him my hand. For a moment, he just stared at it, his expression unreadable, before finally taking it. His grip was firm as I pulled him to his feet.
"We're done here, yeah?" Sebastian asked, rubbing the back of his neck like he always did when he was trying to shake off his irritation.
"Uh-huh," I said, nudging his shoulder playfully. "So, where to next? We've still got a long day ahead, if you think about it."
Sebastian hummed, glancing away. "I don't know. Honestly, I don't go out much. We could just head back to my place. I'm feeling pretty tired." He finished with a yawn, his hand lazily covering his mouth.
I sighed, a small pout forming on my lips. But it was fine. Sebastian needed his sleep, after all. Beauty sleep, as I liked to tease.
"Alright, let's go," I said with a grin.
Before we could take a step, a familiar voice called out from behind us.
"Sir Gael!"
I turned just in time to see Navee hurrying toward us, her arms full of books that looked far too heavy for her small frame. Her cheeks were flushed, her breath slightly uneven, but her excitement was unmistakable.
"Oh! And hello to you too, Mr. Gray!" she said, bowing politely to Sebastian, who responded with a blank stare.
"Navee? What are you doing here?" I asked, confused. "Shouldn't you be at the dorms? It's Sunday. Mother wouldn't make you work on the weekends… would she?"
Navee let out an awkward laugh, shifting the stack of books in her arms. "Well… About that. There's been a change in schedule. I'm required to help on weekends now. Things are a little hectic these days. Did you hear about the influx of vampires in Asia? Your mother had to visit the academy in Japan—"
"She didn't tell me that," I said, frowning in disappointment. My mother always had a way of keeping me out of the loop. But my attention quickly shifted to the books in Navee's arms. She was clearly struggling to hold them.
"Oh! Let me help with that—" I started, reaching out to take the stack from her. But before I could, Sebastian stepped forward and snatched the books out of her hands with effortless ease.
Navee let out a startled gasp, her face turning a bright shade of red. I blinked at Sebastian, caught off guard by his sudden act of chivalry. He rarely lifted a finger unless absolutely necessary.
Well, well. Was he trying to impress Navee? How smooth. He could've at least warned me first.
I smirked, clearing my throat as I watched Sebastian carefully balance the books in his arms. For once, he looked more annoyed than usual, refusing to meet Navee's gaze and instead glaring pointedly at me.
"So," I said, breaking the silence, "where are you taking these? We can drop them off for you before we leave."
"The l-library," Navee stammered, wringing her hands nervously. "I was going to return them."
"Alright, we'll take care of it," I said with a nod, elbowing Sebastian lightly. He let out a long, exaggerated sigh but didn't argue.
"Really? Are you sure it's alright?" Navee asked, her wide eyes darting between us. Her gaze lingered shyly on Sebastian, who didn't so much as glance in her direction.
"Yeah, it's fine," I assured her. "Don't mind him today," I added with a grin, gesturing toward Sebastian. "Go on, take a break. We'll handle this."
"A-Ah, thank you so much!" Navee said, bowing deeply before hurrying off, her footsteps echoing down the corridor.
"Haha... I think she likes you, dude," I said with a teasing grin, nudging Sebastian playfully with my elbow as we walked toward the library.
Sebastian didn't reply. He didn't even glance my way. His silence was louder than any response, but I pressed on, unable to resist. "What's the matter? Are you embarrassed?" I teased again, watching for some kind of reaction as he set a stack of books down on the front desk.
This time, he turned to me, his movements deliberate and precise, but his expression was unreadable—blank, almost detached. "I don't like women," he said flatly, his voice calm, as if stating a fact about the weather. Then, without waiting for my response, he averted his gaze and busied himself with the books.
I froze, mid-step, choking on my own breath. "Oh," I blurted, my throat tightening. Great. Offended him already. Geez, way to go.
I cleared my throat, trying to recover, though the awkwardness clung to the air like a heavy fog. "Then, uh... we can find you a guy instead?" I offered, my tone light and teasing, though I couldn't quite meet his eyes.
Sebastian sighed, long and exasperated, before adjusting the stack of books with a precision that seemed more like a distraction than a necessity. "No need," he replied curtly. "I'm not interested."
And with that, he turned and strode off, leaving me standing there like an idiot.
I stared after him, blinking in confusion. "Way to go," I muttered under my breath, rubbing the back of my neck as I followed him reluctantly. "Offend Sebastian right out of the gate. Nice job. I thought he was bisexual..." I groaned quietly, shaking my head.
***
"Seb, are you angry with me?" I whispered, my voice barely audible over the faint hum of the TV. Sebastian lay sprawled on the couch, his chest rising and falling in a slow rhythm. He wasn't asleep—not fully—but he hadn't moved much in the last hour. The remote sat abandoned on the coffee table, the television left on some random channel. It felt like I was a kid being babysat, handed the remote to keep me entertained while my caretaker took a nap.
Sebastian let out a soft groan, cracking one eye open. His features were groggy, his hair a tousled mess. "What are you talking about?" he mumbled, his voice rough with sleep.
I pursed my lips, shooting him a pout. "I didn't mean to offend you earlier. I know people outside the magic community can be… sensitive about subjects like their sexuality." The words tumbled out quickly, a quiet guilt worming its way into my tone.
He blinked, his expression shifting from groggy to confused. And somehow, even with that dazed look, he managed to look unfairly cute.
"Wait… what? Why would I be mad about that? Is this about earlier?" He pushed himself upright, rubbing his face with one hand.
I took the opportunity to slide onto the couch beside him, crossing my arms like a petulant child. It was better to apologize now than risk losing someone important. There were too many times I'd let my mouth get ahead of me, and this was probably one of those moments. Ugh.
"Yes, it's about earlier," I said, scooting closer so our thighs brushed. "I'm sorry if I overstepped with my teasing. It wasn't intentional, I swear." I clasped my hands together in a plea, tilting my head for extra effect.
Sebastian blinked at me, clearly taken aback by the sudden closeness. "Ah… It's fine," he muttered, his tone awkward.
"..."
I watched as he shifted, rubbing the back of his neck and refusing to meet my gaze. The tips of his ears flushed a slight and faint pink, and I couldn't help but notice how flustered he looked now that I was practically pressed against him. He could barely even meet my eyes.
My arm rested across the back of the couch, my body leaning closer to his.
"Really? Then why did you look pissed earlier?" I asked, arching a brow.
"I wasn't pissed."
"Not right now, you aren't. But earlier, you definitely were."
"I wasn't," he insisted, though his voice wavered slightly.
"Oh, so there's hesitation now? That means I'm right!" I teased, a sly grin tugging at the corners of my mouth.
Sebastian let out a shaky breath, leaning back as if trying to put some space between us. That's when I realized just how close I'd gotten—half draped over him, my hand resting lightly on his shoulder, fingers brushing the side of his neck. Our faces were barely an inch apart.
"Silas…" he muttered, his voice low and strained. "I wasn't mad."
"Fine," I said, drawing back with a playful huff. "If you say so."
The room fell into silence, the only sound coming from the faint chatter of the TV. Sebastian still wouldn't look at me, and yet I caught him sneaking glances out of the corner of his eye. He looked... unsettled. Maybe he really was mad and just didn't want to admit it? Or maybe he was trying not to be mad at me? Either way, I was starting to feel a little bad about pushing him.
Then, out of nowhere, he blurted, "Who is Navee to you?"
The question caught me off guard. "Huh?"
Sebastian shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck again. "Sorry, that was random," he mumbled, his voice quieter now.
I tilted my head, studying him. "She's a friend, I suppose. She works for my mother if that's what you're asking. She's a teacher's assistant."
"I see…" Sebastian trailed off, his gaze flicking toward the floor. "Is she—"
The sound of the front door opening cut him off. Both of us turned to see a tall girl step inside, swinging a guitar case off her back. Her bright energy filled the room immediately.
"I'm home!" she sang, only to stop mid-step when her eyes landed on us. Her gaze darted between Sebastian and me, her lips curling into a mischievous grin.
"Oh, hello? Who's this?" she asked, closing the door behind her.
Sebastian shot to his feet so quickly that I almost got whiplash. He looked like a deer caught in headlights, his voice rising an octave. "T-Torie! You said you were staying at Ashley's tonight!"
The girl—Torie, apparently—laughed, wiping an imaginary tear from her eye. "Changed my mind. Figured I'd come home since someone was home all alone. Though…" Her gaze flicked to me, her grin widening. "Doesn't look like you're alone anymore, huh?"
I chuckled, rising to my feet and extending a hand toward her. "Silas Gael, at your service."
Torie took my hand with an exaggerated flourish, letting out an impressed "Ooooh" as I pressed a light kiss to the back of it. "What a gentleman!" she crooned, shooting a glance at Sebastian, who looked mortified. "Ah, so you're the guy my dear little brother is always talking about."
Sebastian froze, his face draining of color. "Torie!" he practically hissed, looking like he wanted to sink into the floor.
I tilted my head, intrigued. "Oh? Well, I'm glad I'm worth mentioning," I teased, flashing Sebastian a grin.
Torie laughed, patting Sebastian on the head. "Looks like my poor, lonely brother isn't so lonely anymore now that he has his…" She paused, her grin turning wicked. "Good ol' friend." She punctuated the word with a playful wink, earning a strangled noise from Sebastian.
Before he could say anything, Torie was already halfway up the stairs. "Nice to meet you, Silas!" she called over her shoulder, waving cheerfully.
"Likewise!" I replied, still grinning.
As her laughter faded upstairs, Sebastian collapsed back onto the couch with a groan. He looked dazed and flushed only with the absence of the red hue.
"Your sister seems cool," I said, leaning closer to him again.
He blinked at me, his voice distant. "Yeah… cool."
"You okay?" I asked, resting a hand on his shoulder.
"Fine," he muttered, though his tone was far from convincing.
I studied him for a moment longer, then decided to let it go. If he said he was fine, then he was fine. For now, anyway.