escape to feldcroft
The train we took from London rocked back and forth as we all rode together in silence. I sat in our own little compartment quietly as Anne rested against Ominis’ shoulder. His arm was around her and his other hand was on her knee, his thumb gently and rhythmically rubbing against her leg. I smiled as I watched the two of them. It was nice to see the two of them unafraid of showing affection now, despite the hardship that faces us all. None of us were ready for our time to be up with Anne. I looked at Sebastian as he stared at her with concern. We were sitting close, but not as cuddled up as the other two in our car.
I reached out and grabbed his hand gently, just wanting to let him know that I was there. He looked over at me and let go. He instead wrapped his arm around me, pulling me in as close as possible. I leaned against his chest, just enjoying the sound of his heartbeat which seemed to be in sync with the chug of the train. My stomach was filled with butterflies, and I could not suppress my smile as his other hand gently touched the bare skin on my thigh. What a day to wear a skirt.
I smiled up at Seb as he looked at my face to see my reaction, I could feel the heat burning in my cheeks as we made eye contact. He smirked at me as if he loved that he already had this much power over me from one touch of my thigh. I didn’t quite know how I would get back at him yet, but I knew that I would.
Soon enough the train and the touch of Sebastian lulled me to sleep. After a bit, I felt a pair of soft lips on my forehead in my sleep and a smile stretched across my face as I awoke from my slumber.
“Sorry,” Seb whispered to me. “You just looked so peaceful. I don’t think I have ever seen you at peace like that.”
“I think this is the safest I have felt in a very long time.” I smiled at him and kissed his cheek before I leaned back on his chest. Suddenly I heard an “Ugh” come from the other side of the car and I looked up to see Ominis disgusted.
“If I have to bear witness to this moment, could you at least keep the kissing noises to a minimum?” I let out a giggle as Ominis spoke.
“Oh, Ominis, you just love young love, don’t you?” whispered Sebastian.
“It depends on who it is, I suppose,” Ominis answered and then kissed Anne on the head as she slept.
“Oh damn, that was cute. We can’t make fun of him for that one,” Sebastian said to me.
“Oh, no we can’t but we could…” I trailed off and Sebastian caught my drift and kissed me on the lips.
“Ew! Stop it,” Ominis said. “I was all for this coming together at some point, I just didn’t think I would have to hear you two swapping spit.” I let out a laugh and covered my mouth as Anne stirred.
“Way to go, Willow,” Ominis said.
“W-what did I miss?” asked Anne
“Just your brother and Willow snogging.” A smile stretched across Anne’s face as she looked at me.
“Well, I knew it would happen eventually.” My eyes searched hers, but there was nothing hidden within the statement. She was just happy. I had hoped for this reaction but was unsure what she would think.
“Really?” Sebastian asked as if he hadn’t been teased by Ominis and Anne for years about his crush on me that he tried very hard to cover up. Anne didn’t really respond to him, other than rolling her eyes and smiling at him. Just as I went to ask Anne if she was sure it didn’t bother her, I looked out the window as we pulled into the familiar station. Everyone stood up and each of us helped take Anne’s things off the train. As we stepped off the train, Miriam stood waiting for us, and I couldn’t help but smile as my eyes found hers.
“Oh, hello dear. It is so lovely to have you back,” Miriam said sweetly as she wrapped Anne in a big hug. Just looking at her, you could tell that she was struggling to hold her emotions in. After we put the bags in the carriage that Miriam had brought to pick us up, I grabbed Sebastian’s hand, attempting to reassure him. He looked down at me and smiled softly, but his eyes looked glassy as if he was one moment away from crying.
The carriage took off as we all settled in and I looked out at the sky that was full of bright stars and the half moon glowing. I couldn’t help but feel the toll of the day as I looked out at the stretching, expansive night as the carriage continued down the path to Feldcroft. Sebastian’s hand squeezed mine and I turned to him to see a quiet tear running down his cheek. Miriam and Anne were too busy catching up with each other to notice and Ominis was listening on with a soft smile as they spoke. I squeezed his hand back and used my other to wipe the tear from his cheek. This action seemed to be a bit of a comfort to him as he relaxed a bit in his seat at my touch. I smiled gently and knowingly, squeezing his hand again as the others continued to chat.
We made it to Feldcroft and we made quick work of getting Anne’s belongings out of the carriage. Anne walked to the door of the old cottage where all of our sleepovers happened, where just a couple of years ago, she lived with her uncle. As she stepped into her old home, she stood and just breathed in. She seemed to be reliving some of her memories as she stood there, taking in all of the surroundings. Some items of hers had been left behind, and Sebastian had not moved them at all.
“It is still the same,” Anne said as she looked at her old trinkets collecting dust on a nearby shelf.
“I didn’t want to move anything or change anything without you,” said Sebastian. Anne smiled at him as he looked around the room.
“I imagine you will be covering the house in your beautiful paintings in no time,” I said as I smiled.
“It would liven the place up a bit,” answered Anne. Anne looked exhausted.
“You ready to go get settled upstairs?” asked Sebastian. Anne nodded in response and he took her stuff upstairs as she followed.
“Goodnight, Anne,” I said with a smile as she walked up.
“Goodnight, Willow.” As I sat there alone on the couch in front of the fire, my heart felt heavy. Seeing Anne so weak made me feel a wide range of emotions. Just then, Ominis and Miriam walked into the house.
“Is she upstairs?” asked Ominis as he had his wand out, looking at the room around him with it.
“Yes, you can head up if you want.” I smiled at him as he walked up the stairs immediately to find her. Nothing could separate them now and it was beautifully sad.
“He sure loves her,” Miriam said as she sat next to me on the couch.
“Mhm. It only took our whole lives for them to come out with it,” I smiled.
“It sounds like you and Sebastian are in the same boat.” I looked over at Miriam when she said that, completely caught off guard.
“W-what are you talking about?” I asked.
“Well, it seems that the two of you took some time to figure out that you wanted to be together, at least, that is what Ominis tells me. He is a sweet boy, Ominis.”
“He is, and he is right. It only took years for us to finally face things.” I giggled a bit and Miriam smiled.
“Well, I can tell you are good for him after what I witnessed in the carriage. Standing by him during this difficult time says a lot about you.” I smiled as she spoke to me. As if on cue, Sebastian walked down the stairs toward us.
“What are you two talking about?” asked Sebastian.
“Oh, nothing.” I smiled as I spoke.
“Is she all settled in?” asked Miriam.
“Yes, and Miriam I haven’t had a chance to thank you for agreeing to help take care of her. I will be here as much as I can be. Please feel free to help yourself to anything here and sleep here if you want to. I will ensure things are kept up here for Anne’s comfort and yours.” I listened as Sebastian spoke so formally. He spoke as if he was avoiding showing any of the emotion attached to why she was needed there in the first place.
“Thank you, Sebastian. Let me know if you need anything else at all,” Miriam smiled as she spoke to him and she moved to stand up.
“Thank you for everything, Miriam.” I smiled at her.
“You’re welcome, my darling,” she said as she put her hand on my face after standing. “I think I will take my leave now. She seems to be in plenty capable hands.” Miriam walked over to Sebastian and gave him a pat on his cheek before walking out.
I looked up at him still standing near the stairs, and he looked as if he might crumble right where he stood.
“You want to come join me?” I asked as I sat and watched him. He slowly moved toward me and lay across the couch, putting his head on my lap. My heart fluttered the instant that he did so. I placed my hand on his head and brushed my fingers through his hair as he lay there, not saying anything. We just sat in comfortable but heavy silence.
“I can’t lose her,” he said as I felt a tear hit my lap. My heart shattered for the hundredth time that day when he said that. My hand continued to move along his hair, my nails just grazing his skin in a comforting pattern.
“I know,” was all I could get out as we sat there, his breath speeding up as tears continued to well up in his eyes. After a few moments, I spoke up again. “It’s okay to cry.”
“Thanks, Willow,” he said. “I don’t know what I would do without you. Even in the summer, you comforted me more than you even know. I left you behind and you still were right here for me when I came back to you. I don’t deserve it.” I sat and thought for a moment before speaking in response.
“You deserve that, and more, Sebastian. Give yourself some grace. Forgive yourself.” I looked down into his eyes as he lay in my lap, suddenly seeming very comfortable being there. He lifted himself off of my lap and leaned up to my lips. He held my face gently as he moved his body so he could be in a more comfortable position. His lips pressed against mine a moment later as my breath caught in my chest. His light touch to my face caused even more tingles throughout my body. I let out a breath against him as he pulled me in deeper. He was sitting up fully now, his hand gently on the side of my neck as our lips moved together. His touch, no longer as gentle, added a little bit of pressure as he leaned me back on the couch and kissed me even deeper, his tongue dancing around mine now.
His free hand traveled down to my hip as he continued to kiss me with his other hand still on my throat, slowly brushing against my neck now. My breathing increased as he moved his hand to touch the bare skin on my thigh now. I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks as his fingers gently grazed the skin, goosebumps creating a trail underneath. I put my own hands on his head as he kissed me and pulled him in even closer, our breath heaving together.
“I- wait. Stop,” Sebastian said. I felt it too. We were both emotionally charged at the moment and didn’t need to push further despite how good it might have felt.
“I- I agree,” I said taking a deep breath, but I couldn’t help but let a small giggle out.
“You were really into that, huh?” asked Sebastian with a teasing smile. I just rolled my eyes in response, and he put his arm around me. I leaned into him and just sat there in secure silence. I felt the weight of the day settle on me and a wave of exhaustion come over me. I yawned as I sat there.
“You ready to get some sleep, Willow?” asked Sebastian, his eyebrow raised as he looked at me. I nodded and I got up.
“Uh, I just realized that I have no clothes here to sleep in yet again.” I looked at him as he pulled a t-shirt out of his trunk he left here and I thanked him.
“I will turn around, don’t worry, Starling,” he laughed as he faced the other direction so I could change. I felt a wave of deja vu as I pulled his shirt over my head, only this time, I knew I didn’t want to sleep alone in the bed. I got into the bed and looked over at him.
“Seb?” I asked as he looked like he was getting ready to get comfortable on the couch.
“Hmm?” he said.
“Can you sleep in the bed with me?” I asked as my cheeks flushed. Without saying a word, he moved over to me and got in the bed. He pulled me close this time, unafraid of any boundaries of friendship being broken.
“Goodnight, Starling,” Sebastian said as he gave my forehead a kiss.
“Goodnight, Sallow.” I smiled into his chest as I settled and fell into a comfortable sleep.