Title: All He Knew of Love
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Angsty, reluctant SeverusLily
Disclaimer: I don't own the wondrous wizarding world of Harry Potter. I know—I cried when I found out, too.
-HP-
To him, love is not absolution.
It's not redeeming; it's not blissful.
It's unrequited. It's tap water that mixes with tears, fire-whiskey in flames, and a dull ache that never quite subsides.
His love for her is a flower—her namesake—starting out so innocent and delicate. It grows, though—it grows until it's large, vibrant, and brash. It grows until it's undeniable.
But unlike lilies—and unlike her—his love never dies.
He never gets to feel the euphoria of loving and being loved in return, because of arrogant Gryffindors, cross words, and traitors.
Because to him—to him, all love ever meant was pain.