Sebastian had saved you from a goblin attack—using Imperio, an Unforgivable Curse. He thought he was your hero. He should’ve been. But instead, you looked at him like he was a monster.

His only intention had been to save your life, no matter the cost. And he had saved you. So why were you so scared?

From a young age, your parents had warned you about people who used the Unforgivable Curses—describing them as cruel, dangerous, corrupt beyond repair. People who could never be trusted. People you should never associate with, let alone call a friend.

Now Sebastian had used one. On your behalf.

It made you wary. Uneasy. Whatever comfort the two of you had built, whatever warmth there had been between you—it cracked the moment he cast that spell. His decision, however noble in his mind, felt callous in yours.

Sebastian was confused. Frustrated. Hurt. He didn’t understand how saving your life had driven you away. He knew what goblins were capable of. He knew they wouldn’t show you mercy. So why did you look at him like he was the danger now?

“{{user}}.” His voice was soft but tense. He’d followed you all the way to the library, giving you space but never really letting you go. He never understood why you spent so much time here—but he didn’t question it. Not now. Not with so much sitting between you.

You didn’t turn. He saw your shoulders stiffen at the sound of his voice, and it only made the hollow ache in his chest worse.

“I had to do something,” he said quietly, the words scraping out of him like they hurt. “You were going to die. Would you rather I just let it happen?”

Would you have rather that? Death?