A/N: Severus and Hermione go swimming, but Severus won't take off his shirt because he afraid of what Hermione will think of the scars across his back and chest.
final word count: 659
Hermione had finally convinced Severus to join her at the beach…at night. She strolled onto the beach hand-in-hand with him, in her jeans and an oversized t-shirt. She envied how easy it was for him to just go anywhere in his trunks and a t-shirt.
Hermione laid out a blanket in a nice spot just far enough from the water's edge and they began to set down their unnecessary items and remove their shoes.
"It's a perfect night for swimming," Hermione mused as she began to unbutton her jeans and remove them.
Severus however, stood near the edge of the blanket, as if he were ready to go in the water, tshirt still on.
"Aren't you going to take off your shirt?"
"No, I'm fine."
"Severus, most people swim without their shirt."
"Well, I'm not exactly most people."
She stepped close, looking up him. "No, I know you aren't. That's part of the reason I love you so much. But it's just you and me."
"Hermione, it's not coming off."
She placed a hand on her hip and leaned on one leg. "Oh? And what about when you and I decide that we want to be intimate? You can't plan on keeping a shirt on for that, can you?"
"Why ever not?"
"Well it wouldn't exactly be fair to get me naked and not you."
"Technically speaking, neither of us has to be completely naked."
She sighed. "You're missing my point."
"Hardly."
She scowled at him.
"Why don't you want to, then?"
"Why don't I want to take of my shirt?"
"No, Severus. Why don't you want to be with Harry?" she sassed, almost enjoying the look of disgust on his face. "Yes, why won't you take off your shirt?"
"I don't want to."
"I've gathered that much, prick. Why not?"
"Because I'm not quite ready to scare you off yet."
"You wouldn't scare me off."
He turned away from her and made his way towards the water.
"Severus, I swear. Nothing will scare me away from you."
"And why haven't you removed your shirt yet?"
She looked down at herself.
"I already know you use the sleeve to hide what Bellatrix did. But I've seen that scar. If you're making such a fuss, why haven't you yet?"
"Fine."
He turned to face her again and she met his gaze, her stare fierce as she grabbed the edge of her tshirt and pulled it over her head. Her pale skin was illuminated only by the light of the stars and the moon. A small scar ran from her right breast down to her navel.
"You're turn." she said.
Severus said nothing, only stepped towards her and reached a finger out, tracing the scar, sending a shiver up her spine.
"How did this happen?"
"Fifth year. Dolohov cast a curse. I had to take 10 potions every week for most of summer."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. And besides, I knew that you wouldn't run and hide. I wasn't afraid of showing you because you've seen so much of me and you're still here. And I just wish that you could trust me like that."
He cupped her cheek and kissed her gently. When he pulled away, he turned from her, and pulled off his shirt.
She gasped, seeing the lines of scars that ran across the expanse of skin. She reached out a hand to trace them, as he had hers and she felt him shiver beneath her fingers.
When he turned to face her again, he face was looking down, his hair covering his face as she beheld the further scarring on his chest.
"Severus, how?"
"My father, a couple of too far moments with Potter's gang, Voldemort."
Her finger traced up his chest until her hand cupped his cheek.
"You're handsome, Severus. The most handsome man I've ever known." And then she kissed him.
When she pulled away, she took his hand and pulled him towards the water.
