#ic: garreth | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

undreaming-fanfiction · 1 year

Text

Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson, Robin Buckley and Nancy Wheeler have a well-known channel on YouTube (the name is something horrible and punny that Eddie and Robin made up, way before they blew up - Four Some (just some four guys and gals you perv). They cover pretty much everything - music reviews, various activities like ice skating, pole dancing or sculpting, they do tasting videos, social experiments and much more. Their personalities are so different but somehow that only makes their content more appealing. It doesn't matter if their videos contain Steve and Eddie replicating the famous pottery scene from the Ghost (and Robin's screeches that they ruined a completely fine vase) or Robin testing whether Nancy's vocal range increases proportionately to how many wine glasses she drinks

Gradually they grow their audience and gather a small crew that works with them. Barb Holland does a lot of editing and directing and she is getting recognized for her achievements, just like Gareth Emerson for his work with sound. Everyone in their crew are friends and are supporting each other in growing and promoting their talents.

There is only one person who has always remained a mystery. The person filming them, always hidden behind a camera. Credits always mention Chris C. and the fanbase tries to pry and figure out who they are, they really do, but the group shuts down their attempts almost instantly. "Chris has been instrumental to this channel's success," Eddie says and there is something hard behind his eyes, something that almost never makes it past his laid-back attitude and usual theatrics. "They have decided to stay out of our videos for a reason and we'd like you to respect their decision."

Not everyone drops it, but the four creators assume a united front and eventually, people stop prying. So it comes as a shock when around a year later, a new video drops on the channel. But the face in it is unknown.

"Hi guys," the young woman smiles and she looks so dejected, so scared, but the sound guy Garreth sits next to her and squeezes her hand, grounding her. "I swore I'd never sit in front of a camera again, but...I think it's time. So let me introduce myself. I am Chrissy Cunningham, but you know me as Chris C. And also..." she takes a deep breath, "I am also Chrissy from the Cunningham family channel."

Chrissy goes through it all. She talks about her life with her mother, an obsessive family blogger, who had Chrissy give up all her hobbies, her friends, her privacy from a young age. How her only friend became the school outcast, Eddie, and she had to keep him a secret too - not because she was ashamed, he meant everything to her, but because her mother would steal him too. How she could never have anything of her own, was always on camera, always tested for reactions, always forced to perform and mocked for it at school. How she couldn't handle it anymore and as soon as she was eighteen, she moved in with Eddie and his uncle. How it was only then that she started learning about herself, about who she was and what she wanted to do. "Now that you know who I am, I hope you can look past what I was made to do years ago and see me as...me. Just me."

She and Gareth leave their seats and are replaced with Eddie and Nancy. While Eddie mostly sits quietly, Nancy introduces their newest project that Chrissy suggested - documentaries on dangers of YouTube, TikTok and their insufficient regulations, especially when it comes to family vloggers and loss of privacy. "It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but that is exactly the point", says Nancy and looks directly at the camera. "We're here on camera, showing you parts of our lives that we want to show. But there are many who didn't consent to this, many who are being exploited for views. And on behalf of this chanel, let me address those who think this is okay. We're coming for you."

#steddie #ronance #drumcheer #stranger things au #steve harrington #eddie munson #nancy wheeler #robin buckley #barb holland #chrissy cunningham #gareth emerson #look I love YT #but some things are seriously fucked up there

676 notes · View notes

grottylittlefox · 9 months

Text

How could I ever forget you? Chapter 18

Sebastian Sallow/Professor Sallow × f!MC / reader

Slow burn/fluff/angst, aged up characters 18-mid 20s

Somehow it had taken until your final day at Hogwarts to finally show Sebastian how you felt, and by then it was too late. Years pass and your distance grows stronger, despite your many efforts for him. A surprise encounter at a new job could change things forever. Finding each other once again at the very place you first met, Hogwarts.

Chapter 1: "I guess this is it"

Chapter 2: "Oh how I missed you"

Chapter 3: "Goodbye, Sebastian"

Chapter 4: " think it's time you move on"

Chapter 5: "Professor Sallow?"

Chapter 6: "Welcome Home"

Chapter 7: "You're my good luck charm"

Chapter 8: "I'm more of a butterfly person"

Chapter 9: “What have you become?”

Chapter 10: “I have something for you”

Chapter 11: “Curious”

Chapter 12: “I can never stay away from you”

Chapter 13: “Meet me in the undercroft”

Chapter 14: “Shall we dance?”

Chapter 15: “Maybe I’m just as messed up as you”

Chapter 16: “I need you”

Chapter 17: “Isn’t this a nice surprise”

Chapter 18: “I suggest you quit while you’re ahead”

The days leading up to Christmas couldn't have gone any faster. Before you knew it you were waving the students goodbye on the Hogsmeade station platform, sending them off to the warmth of their families.

You however, were welcoming your family home.

"There it is!" Professor Onai grinned from beside you, pointing ahead at the face of a train pushing through thick white smoke. With a loud toot, the chugging machine came to a halt, the carriage doors springing open.

Out onto the platform stepped your best friend, the person you were missing most in the world, Natty. Wrapped up in a red woollen jumper and her braided hair floating in the wind, she was glowing. Her mother stepped past you, pulling her into a hug, causing you to beam at their joy. However it wasn't long before you were pulled into that hug too, giggling in the cold with your favourite person. Well, second favourite person.

It meant everything to see Natty again, to know she was safe. The admiration you felt for her went beyond words. She was the one person you could really use some advice from right now, but you dare not ask. To run the risk of Sebastian's life was too much. In fact, you hadn't told Natty a thing about his condition, nor the details of your new found closeness. The last Natty heard you were dating Garreth, Merlin you'd better update her on that too..

You hadn't managed to get a word in the whole walk back to the castle, she had plenty to tell her Mother which you of course understood. Besides, something else had your attention as the three of you stumbled through the snow. The lake. Every time you passed it you found yourself hypnotised, it was all but impossible to focus knowing that what you needed could lie beneath the thick ice that still remained in place of rolling waves.

A tight clasp suddenly grabbed your wrist.

"Don't."

Professor Onai's word rang deep, echoing in your skull. She knew something.

Natty turned to her mother, completely baffled at what she was doing.

"What's going on?" She said cautiously, aware that clearly her mothers gift had come to use.

"I don't know what you're thinking of doing down there, but don't." The Professor paused for a moment, slowly closing her eyes. "I sense only danger, the darkest and coldest kind. Happiness being snapped away in an instant. You.... And someone else."

There was a silence between the three of you. A real dampener on the joy that was ringing just moments ago.

"Mother, please not now-" Natty broke the silence.

"No-" you interrupted. "I understand, I- I won't," you lied.

The Professor nodded to you, snapping out of it in a instant.

"Don't look at me like that!" She said to Natty with a chuckle, as the two of them made their way towards the castle walls. You lingered behind them a couple of paces, your mind spinning about what this could all mean, attempting to process.

"I uh, have somewhere I need to be. I'll see you at dinner?" You called out with a smile as they approached the door.

Natty nodded and waved, mouthing the words 'I'm sorry!" as she closed the door behind her.

You went to the only place you knew could provide any solace right now, the undercroft.

~~~

As you sat in the corner of the candlelit chamber, your thoughts scoured for any kind of answer.

Did you even believe in divination anyway? Sebastian always insisted it was a load of rubbish.

But what Professor Onai said, it was so.. specific. 'You and.. someone else' that someone else obviously being Sebastian. Danger in the lake, it was all.. worrisome.

There was nobody to confide in, you certainly couldn't tell Sebastian. And Natty, oh Merlin would you be in trouble for dabbling in all of this if she found out.

Perhaps you shouldn't dabble at all?

But Sebastian.. he'll...

It was an endless cycle, a cycle with no answer. And somehow you had let this cycle eat away at you for hours, as before long it was already time for dinner.

~~~

Wandering through the practically empty halls, you tried everything you could to push it all to the back of your mind. To enjoy one nice evening with your friend was all that you needed, and this gruesome prophecy was not going to ruin that.

You thought for a moment that you might have missed it as you stepped into the Great Hall, before remembering that most of the students had left for the holidays. Despite the room being completely empty, rows and rows of delicious food still remained, completely untouched.

A soft touch graced your waistline, luring you back in to the little room that stood between dinner and the halls of the castle. You didn't need to turn to know who it was, this gentleness had become oh so familiar, like returning home. Breath tickled your earlobe as a chin arrived on your shoulder, guiding you behind the door to remain out of sight.

"Sebastian.." came from under your breath. He said nothing, but you felt a grin stretch across his face at hearing his name. His fingertips exploring your waist further, you gave in, turning to face him as he pressed his forehead to yours. Interlacing your hand with his, you played with his fingers, letting out the smile you'd been trying to hold back.

"What is it?" You whispered with a blush, as if nothing of note had had you in crippling despair for the past few hours.

"Spend Christmas Eve with me?" He whispered back, his eyes begging you to say yes.

You were melting into him. It was hard to believe that this was the same man who was ignoring you just a few months ago. But you knew it was too good to be true, after all. He could be ripped away in an instant if you didn't hurry up and find this item. You wished more than anything that you could enjoy a single moment with him without reality plaguing your mind. A harsh reminder of how much you had to cherish this, before it was too late.

A quick 'ahem' interrupted your reply.

"What an interesting development," said a smug looking face, eyes filled with thrill.

"Natty-" Sebastian replied awkwardly, stepping back a little but keeping your fingers intertwined with his. "It's good to see you again."

By now you were looking like a tomato, blushing the deepest red, your eyes still glued to Sebastian.

"Come, MC. We have much to catch up on," Natty teased, gesturing you to follow.

Reluctantly you pulled your hand away from his, turning to Natty as she wandered into the hall.

Sebastian however, wasn't having it. With a gentle but powerful grip on your forearm he pulled you back in, bringing his hand to your cheek.

"I didn't get my answer."

"I think you know it's always yes."

~~~

"FINALLY!" Exclaimed Natty, a little too loud over the table, absolutely thrilled at the news that you and Sebastian were at last... something.

There was however a slight issue with the news, the entire story you just told her was a lie. You couldn't exactly tell her the truth, that Sebastian was cursed under an unbreakable vow, that his whole engagement was a sham. A little fluffed up story about how he had a change of heart would do much better in Natty's ears.

You'd become a bit of a frequent liar recently, which before all of this, was entirely out of character.

But was it? You'd spent a good portion of your life lying about, or to Sebastian. Lying about being completely fine with his engagement, pretending you'd never even had feelings for him in the first place. And now you're here, lying to your best friend because of those feelings. Lying to Garreth, lying to Sebastian again about not getting involved and now lying to yourself. Telling yourself it would all be okay, telling yourself you can save him.

Professor Onai's voice whispering in your head.

Can you really save him.. or are you doomed to fail?

~~~

It was Christmas Eve at last, and you stood outside Professor Sallows office door, balancing a tray of cookies atop a neatly wrapped gift.

Before you could even reach to knock, the door swung open. Sebastian stood before you, grinning ear to ear at the sight.

"Come in."

He lead you through and you carefully placed the cookies and gift on his desk. Candlelight flickered through the cinnamon smelling room as the fireplace roared in front of blanket covered sofa. With the same pile of books you'd left there sitting on a coffee table accompanied by two mugs of swirling hot chocolate.

"Is that for me?" Sebastian whispered eagerly, pointing to the gift like a little boy on Christmas morning.

It killed you to be a disappointment, but you had to tell the truth.

"The gift is for Anne, but the cookies are all yours," you said, perching on the edge of the sofa.

Despite your expectation, hearing the gift was not for him but for Anne only sent a soft smile across his lips. He sat down on the sofa beside you and took a breath. His hands traveled up towards you waist, closing you in as he pulled you forward. Before you knew it you were piled on top of him, laying across the sofa with his hand buried in your hair.

Your ear to his chest, the only thing breaking the silence was the rhythmic beating of his heart, and his slow breathing that raised your body ever so slightly.

"Thank you," he whispered, so quietly you weren't sure you were even meant to hear it. You also weren't sure what exactly he was thanking you for. The gift for Anne, or for just being there?

The Sebastian you knew before had entirely crumbled to dust, the hard exterior was no more. This man needed someone, someone to confide in, someone to hold him, and that someone was you.

You lay in bliss, intertwined under the heat of fire. Focusing only on the here and the now, making every attempt to forget the stakes that brought you here.

"As much as I'm truly enjoying this," Sebastian said softly. "I'd really like a cookie."

You sat up, beaming at him. He was absolutely adorable. His hair all disheveled from your fingertips, his freckles highlighted under the warm light. Tonight felt different, like you were seeing a side of him you hadn't yet, or at least not since you were students.

He reached over the cookies and took a bite, his eyes glowing as the taste hits his tongue.

"You did good."

And once again that smile left you a red stuttering mess.

Your eyes wandered over to the pile of books you still hadn't read, the ones Sebastian had forbid you from opening.

"May I?" You asked, reaching over to the top of the stack.

He chuckled, crossing his leg over the other.

"You don't need my permission. But treat yourself, since it's Christmas," he winked. "Besides, like I said.. there's nothing in there of note. And I know what you're looking for."

"What makes you so sure?" You said back, a hint of tease on your lips. You were certain he didn't know, not the specifics anyway.

He rolled his eyes with a smirk.

"Unless you have a sudden passion for archaeology, I think I know what you're doing."

"And I think I know more than you realise."

Sebastian leaned forward, his lips hovering yours, his eyes jet black.

"Then I suggest you quit while you're ahead."

Something in your brain switched in that moment. The tone of his voice seeping with desire. There was something so wrong about the way he just spoke to you, and there was something even more wrong about the way it made you feel.

Was it protective, was it a lack of faith? You didn't know. You only knew it filled you with fire, a need to keep going, a need to disobey his wishes.

The hunger inside of you only allowed for one thing, and that was pushing your lips against his. He met yours with a bite that travelled down to neck as he lowered you under him.

You were finally alone, no consequences, no interruptions. Nothing but pure desire that reflected in the heat of the fire beside you. You were all of each other, and nothing in the world could stop you.

~~~

Your eyes fluttered open as streaks of light soaked through the stained glass window. Quickly your mind began to piece together the memory of where exactly you were, which was all confirmed when the strong arm wrapped around your body tightened. Sebastian.

Cramped together on his office sofa, you lay in nothing but his button up shirt that he was wearing when you arrived at the door.

Merlin, this was not how you expected the night to go, but you were not even a little bit mad about it.

Sebastian whimpered in his slumber, his bare chest pressed firmly against your back. If only you could have stayed there forever. But you couldn’t, it was Christmas Day, and Anne was waiting for you.

You shuffled under the blanket, rolling over to face him. Your eyes followed the freckles across his face, you’d never had the chance to admire him so close, and somehow at such a distance he was even more perfect.

“Sebastian,” you whispered. “Merry Christmas.”

You placed a gentle kiss at the tip of his nose, prompting his eyes to blink open. Sebastian sighed out a smile as he focused on you, taking in the reality of you wrapped in his arms.

“I don’t think I could have dreamed of a better gift than this,” he chuckled under his breath before leaning his lips towards your collarbone and placing a soft kiss upon you.

As he did so, your gaze floated across the room, eventually landing on the clock above the fireplace.

“Merlin, we’re late!” You said, sitting up and attempting to cover yourself with the shirt hanging from your shoulders.

“Noo” Sebastian whined, trying to pull you back down into his arms.

“Stop it,” you giggled. “We have to see Anne.”

Sebastian’s eyes widened as he remembered the reason you were there in the first place. Nothing in the world would allow him to let down his sister, not even another day with you.

~~~

You had planned to take the floo system to Feldcroft from just outside of Hogsmeade. Originally however, the plan was to fly, but the heavy snowfall was simply not permitting.

Sebastian dragged you out of the castle, hand in hand and giggling. He couldn’t get enough of you, and the memory of you at his mercy the night before was fogging his rationality entirely. The emptiness of the castle grounds had given you both a sudden confidence, a chance to just be without the prying eyes of students.

All that consumed your mind was him, him and only him. That was until you stepped foot onto the crystallised path of ice that lead the way over the place you’d tried your hardest to forget about. The lake.

Once again that prophecy rang in your ears, causing your eyes to shift out of focus and your arms to stiffen. It was as if you’d forgotten entirely what was really going on.

The muffled sound of Sebastian’s voice lingered past the ringing, not quite able to reach your train of thought.

“MC…MC?”

You snapped out of it, suddenly facing Sebastian head on with his hands gripped upon your shoulders.

“MC? Are you alright?” His eyes filled with worry.

“What? Yes- sorry, I just zoned out there,” you stuttered.

Sebastian’s arms quickly reached under you, scooping you up like a princess. You had no idea what compelled him to do such a thing, but it was just what you needed to bring you back to reality. The warmth of his cheeks was so enticing in the icy wind, luring you to place your frozen lips against them.

Suddenly he picked up the pace, and started running away from the castle with you still clinging onto him.

“Sebastian!” You cried, unable to contain your laughter. Although you weren’t quite sure why, as you were certain this would end in disaster.

And you’d be right, he barely made it 10 metres before sliding on the frozen path. Squeezing your eyes tightly shut you buried your head into his neck, preparing for impact.

Sliding down he somehow maintained balance before coming to a halt, standing deadly still on a slope as you hung on for dear life.

“See, I’ve got you,” he panted with a smug expression.

Oh how he’d eat his words.

With one little step he came tumbling down, gripping you tightly as he slipped backwards. With a roll, he landed directly on top of you, cheeks flushed and hair covered in snow.

You stared at each other for a moment, before erupting into laughter. Collapsing into each other with such warmth the ice around you could have simply melted away.

This, this was how it was supposed to be.

~~~

You finally arrived at Feldcroft, covered head to toe in snowflakes. Still feeling rather giddy from the events of the day, you turned to Sebastian with bashful smile, hoping to be met with his in return.

But you were not.

What was a confident charming man just moments ago, had been replaced by a haunting sombre figure.

“Sebastian..” you began, gently touching his arm compassionately.

“I’m alright, it’s just hard… being here.” He rubbed his face with his palm, avoiding any eye contact. “Do you mind if I, go in first?”

You nodded.

And so you watched Sebastian approach the Sallows front door, the first time you’d seen him here since… then. He hesitated his knock, but was met with the door opening and being greeted by the nurse he had mentioned.

“Sebastian,” you heard her say in the distance, behind the whistling of the wind. You watched as Sebastian slipped inside, leaving the door slightly ajar for you to follow.

You weren’t really sure how long you should wait, a minute or two? Maybe longer? Standing in the snow for a while, you took in the sights of the sugarcoated highlands, reminiscing on a time when things somehow seemed much simpler.

You couldn’t wait to see Anne again, you’d missed her dearly. And you certainly couldn’t wait to see the look on her face upon finding out that you and her brother were now an item. Despite your eagerness, you waited longer, not wanting to intrude on their private time despite how bitter the temperature was becoming.

As you zoned out into the views, a little voice called out to you.

“Come in, dear! You must be freezing out there!” It was the nurse, huddled behind the door.

You approached, thanking her as you reached the warmth at last. After closing the door behind you, you spotted the back of Sebastian’s head sitting at a bedside, the snowflakes still sitting in his messy locks.

“Anne!” You called out excitedly, gift in hand.

You were met with the turning of Sebastian’s head, his expression a look you’d never seen on his face before. An expression you hoped you’d never see.

And then you saw her, Anne. Or what remained of her.

The air swept out of your lungs as you approached the corpse like figure sunken in the bed before you.

She was unrecognisable, her skin a colour you couldn’t even describe, her hair the texture of wire. The Anne you knew was far gone, all that remained was the shell of a person who was too weak to even be. To even communicate. Just looking at her triggered the picture of inferi that you’d buried deep in your memory, something she now resembled more than a living human. It was utterly sickening to see somebody you once knew become… this. To know she was still suffering.

And then it hit you. You knew completely and truly why Sebastian did it all. In fact, for the first time you agreed with him.

This wasn’t about just saving him anymore, this was about Anne.

You had to do it for Anne.

#sebastian sallow x you #sebastian sallow x mc #sebastian sallow fanfiction #sebastian sallow #hogwarts legacy #harry potter #harry potter hogwarts legacy #sebastian sallow x reader #hogwarts legacy fanfic #fanfic #professor sallow #harry potter fanfiction

149 notes · View notes