Chapter Twenty-Nine: ...Wait.

"I love it here." Harry heard himself say.

Severus snapped his eyes open. "Where are we, Harry?"

Harry felt his head spinning like a broken clock. He coughed, shaking for some reason. He looked down at his arms—his rashes had gone away.

Severus! He immediately thought, remembering his dream. He looked around.

He was lying on a bed—Severus' bed? I don't remember coming here last night…

"You are awake." Snape said, sounding just as groggy as Harry felt. He was lying on the other side of the bed—he looked pale.

Harry jumped, a little startled. "Severus! I mi—I mean…" Harry stopped himself, gulping. I don't want to say too much…I might scare him off. "I…how are you? You, erm, look a little paler than usual."

Snape gave him a small smile. "So do you. It will take some time for us both to gain our typical strength back." He looked into Harry's intense gaze, like a moth drawn to a flame.

"I…" Harry had to grit his teeth from saying I missed you. "Fuck…" he mumbled under his breath.

Snape furrowed his brow. "Harry? Are you in pain?"

"No, it's not that…"

"Do not lie to me—"

"I'm not!" Harry all but shouted, cutting Snape off.

Severus began to grow agitated. "Then tell me what the bloody hell you're trying to say!"

"I MISSED YOU, YOU GIT!" Harry yelled back, not allowing him the chance to reply. He leapt from across the bed, grabbed the back of Snape's head, and kissed him for all the times he wasn't able to during the week they were apart.

Severus closed his eyes and felt Harry hungrily devour him, practically sucking the juices from his mouth. He felt blissful, finally able to kiss Harry again…as uncomfortable as the thought once was, he couldn't deny it any longer. I have feelings for the wretched, greedy…caring…

"Ungh…" Harry groaned into his mouth when Severus kissed him back, reacting with the same amount of haste. Severus shakily wrapped his arms around the man's back, holding him close. As if that took his breath away, Harry let Severus latch onto him, kissing him for dear life. He turned his head, opening his mouth completely to him, as vulnerably as possible. He whimpered as Severus threaded his fingers through his hair.

Harry felt their lips part, truly losing his breath after looking into the gleaming onyx eyes in front of him. Severus rubbed his thumb over the man's bottom lip, looking into his eyes as he whispered seductively, "Oh, how I've missed you, Harry…"

"You…" Harry breathed, unable to focus with Severus so close and touching him.

"You thought I didn't? It is part of our bond, after all." Snape's gaze drifted down to Harry's lips again, and he cupped his cheek with his hand. "What is the bond telling you now?" He said lowly.

Harry whimpered involuntarily. "I…I can't…focus with you doing that."

Snape looked at him as if he were prey and lunged at his mouth, pushing him back onto the bed. They were still in the clothes they woke up in, he realized. Snape was dressed in his black shirt and pants, and Harry was just in a loose Gryffindor shirt and boxers.

He whispered in Harry's right ear slowly, "You haven't left my bloody mind for the past six days." He sucked on Harry's earlobe.

"Se-Sev…" Harry stumbled, searching for words—any words—but his mind was failing him. He could feel his instincts taking over. We both are influenced under our bond! Harry realized. But does he really want me? Or…

Harry wasn't able to think deeper than that, as he was pulled out of his thoughts by that responsive mouth atop his. He felt Severus' long prick through the fabric of their clothing, teasing his own hardness.

Harry sucked in a breath, involuntarily thrusting against his lover.

Snape smirked at him. "Your body knows what it wants."

Harry creased his brow. My body…or my mind?

Severus continued to kiss his neck, but it didn't quite melt away Harry's doubt.

"Sev…wait." Harry said softly into the Potions Master's ear, trying to ignore his prominent erection.

Severus was taken aback. "Is something the matter?"

Harry looked to the side, trying to think. "We need to talk."