The start of Sebastian and Elijah’s relationship was a very, very, slow, kindling burn.

For the longest time, neither of them took the opportunity to make the first move.

After everything that he did during his fifth year, Sebastian could not fathom the idea that Elijah possibly felt the same way about him.

He was surprised they were still friends.

And because of the hatred he faced growing up in the Muggle community; Elijah pushed down his feelings for the Slytherin.

They where scared.

Scared of rejection. The hatred from peers.

But once the Yule Ball came round, Sebastian knew he needed to make his move.

Before it’s too late.

His offer was…pitiful, to say the least.

Sebastian’s tongue moved faster than his lips.

His fingernails picked at his own cuticles.

His eyes struggling to stay on Elijah’s…adorable face and…beautiful emerald eyes…

But, even after all the stuttering and nervous ticking, Elijah accepted.

Surprisingly quickly.

His acceptance sounded more like a shout.

But Sebastian was not complaining in the slightest.

As the week led up to the Yule Ball…

Both of them overthought everything.

What to wear.

How to style their hair.

What to say to each other.

But what got Sebastian the most anxious, where the dances.

Sebastian was about as graceful as a drunken Mooncalf. Plain and simple.

He could trip over his own tied shoelaces without a single ounce of effort.

And he knew how agile Elijah is.

He’s seen how he dances, during his performances with his family at The Three Broomsticks.

The ambidextrous synchronicity he had with his legs and body.

Sebastian found it breathtaking every single time.

He practically begged Ominis to help him.

And Ominis obliged, though not without the promise of a month’s worth of Exploding Bonbons.

Even after all that rigorous and countless hours of stepping on Ominis’s toes and picking out the perfect suit;

Sebastian was still nervous.

Of course he was.

This is the boy he has been fawning over for nearly 4 years.

And he was finally taking the first step to creating a stronger bond.

More attendees flooded into the great hall.

Sebastian’s eyes nearly watered as he scanned the crowd for the small, blonde Hufflepuff.

And once he did, Sebastian nearly fainted.

Elijah’s suit hugged his body nice and snug, amplifying the way his body curves that is typically hidden by his robes and sweater.

The suit itself was mostly a deep black with golden trim. A symbol of his Hufflepuff pride.

Sebastian could hardly breathe.

He never thought Elijah could look any more handsome.

But he was wrong.

Elijah’s warm, flustered smile snapped Sebastian out of his trance.

He took Elijah’s hand, carefully cradling his small appendage in his trembling palm.

“You look…beautiful-“ Sebastian uttered breathlessly, his cheeks heating up by the minute.

“As do you..” Elijah responded.

Sebastian brought Elijah’s hand to his lips, gently kissing each knuckle.

Elijah’s cheeks flush, his breath escaping him as Sebastian leads him to the ballroom floor.

Sebastian carefully placed his hand on Elijah’s hip, his other hand still carefully cradling Elijah’s much smaller hand in his palm.

The Hufflepuff placed his free hand on Sebastian’s chest as the orchestra started to play.

The pair stepped in beautiful unison.

Sebastian refused to take his eyes off of Elijah, even with the fear of stepping on his feet.

Which to his relief, never happened.

The tension was palpable, and thick in the air.

Both of their chests felt warm with their shared body heat.

Occasionally, Elijah shifted his glance from Sebastian’s eyes, to his lips. Subtly biting the inside of his own in the process.

The glances where brief, and he tried to make it as such, but he knew Sebastian was sly, and the Slytherin caught on immediately.

Sebastian gained a little more courage after that.

He became more bold.

Twirling Elijah around in his hand and dipping him in his arms.

Elijah continuously let out small surprised squeaks at every sudden motion.

Every squeak made Sebastian’s heart skip a beat.

Each small romantic gesture.

Each shaky breath they took.

Each gentle grazing of their lips.

Made the tension grow stronger.

Strong enough to where Sebastian couldn’t take it anymore.

He grabbed Elijah’s wrist, practically dragging him out of the great hall.

Towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts tower.

Towards the Undercroft.

He just needed one moment with Elijah.

Alone.

Away from prying eyes.

“Apologies—“ Sebastian spoke breathlessly, hand still tightly wrapped around Elijah’s wrist “the ball was too crowded.”

“No need to apologize” Elijah responded, “I…was actually hoping to have a moment alone with you-“

Sebastian’s eyes lit up, “really?”

“Really..” Elijah’s dainty fingers brushed along Sebastian’s knuckles, his touch tender and soft, “you have no clue how much I’ve been waiting for this…”

Sebastian could feel the heat rise to his cheeks.

The saliva in his mouth evaporating as he swallowed dryly.

“Ever since Professor Hecat made us duel…I could not stop thinking about you…” Elijah chuckled, “even when you where being a huge prick.”

Sebastian returned the chuckle, though this one had an undertone of embarrassment.

“I tried to push how I felt about you away for so long…but I just…couldn’t…”

Sebastian instinctively tightened his grip on Elijah’s wrist.

“I was scared…scared you wouldn’t feel the same…and…also how our peers would view us…”

“Our peers? Why?”

Elijah let’s out a bitter, shaky sigh, “where I’m from…muggles…they aren’t too…keen on people like me…”

Sebastian gently cupped his hand around Elijah’s cheek, “you don’t have to worry about that anymore…”

Elijah glances down, anxiously tapping his heels together, “I know…I guess I’m…still getting used to living in this world full time…”

Sebastian’s hand slowly migrates from Elijah’s cheek, to the back of his head, his finger tangling themselves in Elijah’s dirty blonde locks.

He places his stray hand underneath Elijah’s chin, gently lifting his head to look at him.

Elijah’s eyes where watery, slightly filled with tears.

Sebastian gently brushed his thumb against Elijah’s lower lip, causing the Hufflepuff’s breath to catch in his throat.

“Elijah…” Sebastian managed to croak out. “Can I…”

He hesitated, “can I kiss you…?”

Elijah’s fingertips grazed Sebastian’s cheek.

“Please~” he whispered breathlessly.

With the invitation, Sebastian closed the minuscule gap between their lips.

He gripped tightly onto Elijah’s hair.

And possessively, but gently, wrapped his hand around his neck.

The action caused Elijah to shiver squeak out in surprise, gripping onto Sebastian’s suit as the heat burned throughout his chest…