Severus woke up in a state of panic. His body was on an instant alert as if under attack, prompting his eyes to snap open. He propped his head up and looked down to find Emilia's arms wrapped around his torso and her legs tangled with his. The mess of her curls sprawled all over his exposed chest, tickling and scratching him, tricking his mind to think he was under siege.

That's the consequence of the lack of physical intimacy for years on end.

"Mother of Merlin," he groaned softly, his head falling back to the firm pillow as his body started to relax. Severus never thought that having a wife meant he would be physically invaded. Emilia was certainly unfazed with the notion of climbing atop him, intertwining her arms and legs around his body like a vine.

Although, it might mean that she was completely comfortable with him despite only knowing him for mere days.

It was assuring.

"Emilia," Severus bit out, his hand reaching out to her bare back. Instead of smooth skin, his fingertips grazed on scars. Obvious streaks were lined across her upper back.

How did he not see it yesterday?

God, he had lost his touch.

Emilia did not seem to mind that Severus was touching her intimately. His touch lulled her into a deeper sleep. She might have purred when his fingers ran across those scars that once hurt so much but now were reminders of how much she had coped.

"Emilia," Severus called louder this time. His fingers stopped caressing her.

"Hm?"

Emilia lazily stretched her body, tipping her eyes up to meet her husband's darker ones. He looked serious… perhaps angry even.

She withdrew instantly, putting a space between them.

"Sorry," Emilia murmured.

Severus frowned. "Whatever for?"

She shrugged, eyes flitted downwards. She remembered his rules, of boundaries and limits, thinking that she must have overstepped, intruded on his space.

"You look annoyed."

Severus' brows furrowed deeper. "You're mistaken, wife. I'm concerned."

Emilia met his gaze. It was her turn to be puzzled. "Pardon?"

"How did you get the scars on your back?" He asked quietly.

"Oh." Her cheeks tinged pink. "Whips," she uttered softly. "As punishment."

"He did this to you?"

"Arius. Yes," Emilia answered, nodding.

Severus tried to keep his face neutral, despite wanting to find that wizard and inflict the worst of pain. He breathed out softly.

"Turn around for me."

Emilia did as told, facing away from Severus. Her back to him.

She pulled her hair to one side, displaying the extent of her past. Under the warm lights, her scars were stark, more prominent than ever. Each was slightly raised, with pink welts that mar her skin.

"May I?"

Emilia nodded her assent.

Severus' fingers glided down the expanse of her back, going down lower with each pass. His pointed finger traced those lines that were thicker than others, indicating that the whips had gone over them several times. It meant she was punished in such a manner more times than he could possibly imagine.

"I need his full name," Severus demanded softly but it was clear his command was irrefutable.

Emilia turned to face Severus. She sighed.

"Now you seem angry."

Severus kept his face neutral. "I couldn't possibly allow him to get away from what he did to you."

Emilia felt her heart quicken at his words. It was nice to hear that someone would fight for her. The corners of her lips twitched to form a smile. Her hand reached out to rest against his cheek.

"But it's over. I'm your wife, Severus."

Severus tried his hardest to not lean into her touch, to not seem needy for every bit of physical affection that she bestowed ever so frequently. He covered a hand over hers.

"And as your husband, I find it prudent to report this. Don't you wish to see him punished?"

Emilia shook her head. "I don't. I loved him."

Severus said nothing, thinking what a fool he was to mention any of it. He refused to admit that the quiet profession of her love for someone who had hurt her so much was a stab in the gut for him.

There it was again.

He found a woman who had loved another, who would choose the other.

Carefully, he slid her hand away from his face.

"What do you want for breakfast?"

"I thought —"

"If you wish to get the treacle tart, I will go," he interrupted, rising from the bed. He put on a shirt, facing away from the witch in his bed.

Emilia stifled a gasp, seeing the same running scars dashed across his back. His was severe, jagged with other slashes of scars crisscrossed.

"Severus…"

"Treacle tart or the usual breakfast?" He pressed.

"Can't we go together?" She voiced meekly. "For the tart, I meant."

"It's unnecessary," Severus answered curtly, before leaving the room.

He washed his face at the kitchen sink and brushed his teeth using a spell. Her words haunted him, how she loved the man who beat her. And he never understood how they — his mother and his wife — both who suffer the same fate of abuse could defend their abusers.

"Severus?"

Severus took his wand from the pocket of his sleeping trouser. "Anything else I could get? Cottage pie for lunch, perhaps?"

Emilia nodded, seeing that he was irked by her. It would do no good if he was displeased.

"Thank you."

Severus grunted and left the house without so much as a glance at his new wife, who had guilt written all over her face.

He returned a short half an hour later with breakfast and groceries. To Emilia, it seemed his anger had yet to abate, his features stuck with a scowl that deepened the line between his brows.

She approached him when he was putting away the groceries.

"Let me help."

Severus passed her the eggs and bread. "I'll be brewing till the late afternoons. I don't wish to be disturbed."

"Yes, of course," Emilia replied. "What about lunch? Could I bring it to you?"

"I don't eat lunch."

"Oh. Do you have an early dinner then? I can cook. Is there anything you want?"

"It's fine. I'll buy dinner."

Emilia hated disagreements, especially when the person turned cold and aloof. "Severus, about what I said earlier. I don't want to pursue —"

"I get it. You told me the reason," Severus replied coldly, turning away.

The tears had already formed in her eyes. "Could you listen? Please," Emilia pleaded.

Severus could hear the crack in her voice. He closed his eyes momentarily and regret filled him.

"I loved Arius. I did. He wasn't always like this. Not at the start. I fell in love with a normal man. He was loving and sweet. Then he lost his job in the French ministry and his parents were killed when the Dark Lord returned. He became resentful and sought to vent his frustrations. I… I didn't know how to help him, how to appease him," Emilia explained.

She sighed tiredly. "It wasn't his fault, Severus. Arius wasn't always like this. He was hurt, that's all."

Severus turned then, walking to her. He held Emilia by her shoulders. He had toned down, looking far less intimidating. His dark eyes were softer. "Emilia, it isn't your job to appease him. He's a grown man who should be able to regulate his emotions. He shouldn't have taken his anger out on you. It isn't right."

"Even if I love him?"

Severus nodded firmly. "Even then because you do not hurt people you love."

Two mornings later, Severus was glad he had awakened earlier than Emilia, finding himself curled into her. One hand had inappropriately cupped her breast whilst his insistent morning erection was nestled in the curve of her bum.

He muttered his apologies to his sleeping wife and shifted to lie on his back. She had worn a black chemise and Severus swore it was shorter than the red and had a deeper neckline.

She wore no bra to bed for he had felt for a nipple just then.

His cock twitched.

Severus ran a hand down his face.

He felt disgusted by his baser needs. But three long years, two since the war and the chaotic year as the Headmaster, he hadn't shared a bed with another. It felt inevitable that he would be attracted to the first woman that proposed marriage.

And Emilia was beautiful.

She had a dimple on her left cheek when she smiled softly. Her honeyed eyes were the highlights of her features, they expressed her emotions easily. He could tell when she was happy, excited, saddened, annoyed even. She wore her heart on her sleeve, something Severus was unused to. He much preferred to keep his feelings within. It was safer and much easier to navigate through.

As opposed to her, it was a fact that Severus was not blessed with good looks, noting his large nose and thin lips. He wasn't even well built. He was always underweight, growing up as a malnourished child screwed up with his body. Although as an adult, he had grown muscles though his frame remained lean. He knew in a normal world, his wife wouldn't have chosen him. Needless to say, he was worried about the night when they would have to consummate the marriage, as mandated by the law.

Three more days till the seventh day.

He had been counting,

"Good morning, Severus," Emilia murmured sleepily. Her hand came up to his chest as she pressed a kiss on his shoulder. She had been doing that for the past three days.

Do wives do that?

"Morning."

Emilia smiled.

"A knut for your thoughts?"

"Consummation," Severus muttered distractedly.

"Oh?" Emilia chuckled, seeing his eyes widen when he realised the word had slipped out. "That's certainly something to think of in the morning."

Severus became nervous as if being caught like a first-year late for their class. "I wasn't… I didn't —" he stammered.

Emilia pressed a finger against his lips, her eyes danced in delight.

"Shh. Getting a little flustered?"

She must admit she liked her husband unnerved. It made him human, quite different from the cold disposition he exudes.

Severus was rendered speechless. He wondered if Emilia would mind if he kissed the finger against his lips. Instead, he restrained himself. His fingers circled around her wrist, drawing her hand away.

His wife pouted. Severus dared to confess she looked adorable. He cleared his throat, pushing himself up against the headboard.

"We should discuss this."

Emilia lay on her side, her head propped up by her hand. "Discuss having sex?"

Severus tried to not think how her nightdress shifted, showing a lot more of her breasts. He concentrated his attention on her eyes. "Well, yes. I wish to understand your boundaries. It's important that I do not cross the line."

Emilia found it endearing that Severus was considerate of her past. "As I've said, I'm amenable to having it more than the stipulated one-time consummation. It's healthy, Severus and I wish to build a life with you."

Severus breathed out softly. Nervously, he wrapped his fingers around the sheets. "I haven't had anyone for three years."

"That's alright."

Severus cleared his throat again. His scars were starting to irritate him. "I'm uncomfortable with proximity at times. The women who shared my bed were only there for the night. That meant, I haven't had anyone properly for eighteen years," he muttered, looking away.

Emilia slowly sat up. "Severus, will you look at me?"

He rolled his shoulders uncomfortably before finding the courage to meet her gaze. His wife really was beautiful, especially when she smiled.

"I'm honoured to be your first in many years, dear husband," Emilia murmured. She took his hands and squeezed encouragingly.

Severus could only nod silently, though relief coursed through his blood.

"I have a suggestion," Emilia offered.

"Yes?"

"We have three? Four more days?"

"Three," Severus confirmed.

"Let's do it tomorrow."

Severus cleared his throat to appear unaffected. "When?"

"At night?"

"Alright."

"Now for the recommendation—"

"Wasn't that the suggestion?"

Emilia smirked. "No, that was to get rid of the mandated requirement."

She took the opportunity to straddle his thighs, earning a flabbergasted look from Severus.

"What —"

She circled her arms around his neck. Fingers lightly tugged the ends of his hair. "Now, to resolve the issue of proximity. I think we should take a shower together. What do you think?"

Severus was keenly aware of how close her lips were to his and how far her dress had ridden past her thighs. And how astonishingly beguiling she was with her deep brown curls tumbling down her chest. He was quite sure his wife was flirting with him.

"Severus, an answer would be nice."

"Why?" He asked.

"Because," Emilia posited, "you'll need to reacquaint yourself with a woman's curves."

They were in the shower.

Emilia had helped undress him. It was rather easy; she tugged his sleeping trousers down, along with his underwear. She said nothing of his cock being half erected. Though, her gaze lingered a tad longer.

Severus did the same for her. He drew her nightdress up and over her head. He had been right. She wore no bra which caused him to swallow with more effort than necessary.

Rounded tits with light brown nipples.

Her knickers were a matching lace that he thumbed down. His eyes caught sight of the fox on her right hip, reminding him that had to be looked into.

"Alright?"

"This," Severus' thumb lightly tapped on the tattoo. "Do you wish to remove it?"

"Yes. Definitely," Emilia murmured. "But for now, let's enjoy a hot shower."

"I take cold showers in the morning."

Emilia gasped. "Who hurt you, Severus Snape?"

"It's refreshing," Severus stated. The corners of his lips twitched.

"No, it's torturous. Cold showers in this weather? We'll freeze," Emilia chided.

Severus will not tell his new wife that he needed a cold shower for the past several days. "What about a compromise. Warm?"

"Warm."

Emilia turned on the faucet and pulled Severus under the shower spray. She giggled seeing how his hair flattened down, sticking to the sides of his face.

"What's so funny?" Severus grumbled.

She tucked the strands behind his ears. "You look less scary like this. Attractive even."

Severus narrowed his eyes. "Are you teasing me, wife?"

She pursed her lips in contemplation. "No, dear husband. I'm speaking the truth."

Severus did not know what to think of his wife's assessment.

The rest of their shower was strangely loving. They took time to soap up each other; the touches were fleeting. The smell of Severus' tangerine shampoo wafted up in the steam, creating a wonderfully sensual blend that the couple indulged in.

Emilia sighed, leaning back to rest against Severus. She didn't mind when her husband encased his hands around her waist nor did she complain when his fingers lightly traced the curvature of her breasts, brushing past her nipples before skimming down her stomach to trail her scars.

He was gentle and careful.

"Thank you," Severus murmured. His breath was warm, tickling her neck.

"What for?"

"For choosing me. For being my wife."

On the night of their consummation, Emilia wore a navy blue chemise. It was flattering on her fair skin and rendered Severus tongue-tied. She was seated facing the vanity mirror, brushing the curls that framed her face. The silk dress was matched with a satin robe that hung open.

Severus cleared his throat, alerting his presence.

She turned to him. "Shall we?"

He turned stupid, blinking. "Right now?"

Emilia chuckled, walking to him. "It's tonight, isn't it?"

"Yes… but I smell of fumes," Severus mumbled. He had spent working in his laboratory the whole afternoon, coming up with a potion to help with his wife's infertility.

Emilia ran up her hands along his chest. "It doesn't matter. You deserve a break and a rest. Hmm?"

Severus' throat went dry.

How could he deny her?

He allowed Emilia to pull him into bed, straddled his thighs and undid the buttons of his shirt. He was being seduced by his wife and Merlin have mercy but he relished every second of it. This was his reward; after years of being put through the darndest tribulations of war.

Emilia kissed a line down his torso, gratified to see her husband's eyes flitted close when she licked a flat nipple. Her hands roamed across his stomach, taking inventory that her husband might be lean but had light indents of muscles that she found all the more attractive.

Severus inhaled a sharp breath when his wife began hefting his clothed cock. He knew his trousers were already down his knees and it would be a matter of time before he was all naked.

"Gods," he winced when Emilia's hand curled around his cock, stroking it before her thumb slid past the head.

"Severus, is everything alright?" Emilia asked softly. She had stopped moving but was still gripping his cock tightly.

He nodded, eyes still shut, not realising he was breathing harshly. An irrational fear crept up; the fear that she might reject him, leave him vulnerable and never return.

"Will you open your eyes then?"

He did as told to see concern etched on Emilia's features. She seemed worried.

"We can stop if you wish," she offered.

Stop? When his cock was out there jutting for her attention?

"I'm alright," Severus bit out, "just nerves."

Emilia smiled. "That's fine. I'll take care of you."

And Severus was lost once more.

His sweet wife had taken him in her mouth. Her tongue swirled the tip before running along his glans, experimenting with slow licks that had Severus releasing soft groans, tipping his head back. His fingers tunnelled into her curls, tugging lightly.

"Fuck," Severus gasped when his tip grazed the back of her throat. It took all of his efforts to not thrust madly into her mouth, worried about hurting her. He took the chance to open his eyes and was blessed with the sight of his stunning wife, with her pretty, pink lips open, stuffed with his unworthy cock. He would remember this view for years to come.

"Good girl," he whispered.

Emilia moaned around his cock and he came like an inexperienced teen who had his first fellatio. He didn't mean to finish that fast but Severus couldn't help it. He groaned shamefully, thrusting jerkily into her mouth several times before his body went slack.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled, embarrassed.

Severus tried to gently pull his wife off him but she stayed put, intent on licking him clean. Her honeyed eyes tipped up, gazing at him as she swallowed his cum.

He felt entirely undeserving.

Emilia let his cock out with a pop, and a trail of saliva was attached to her wet lips. Severus's hand cupped her face, his thumb considerately wiped off the excess on a corner of her lips.

"You didn't have to do that," he said quietly.

Emilia paid no heed to his words, darting her pink tongue out to lick his thumb, swirling around playfully as if she couldn't get enough.

Severus grunted softly. His stupid flaccid cock twitched in approval.

Emilia lightly bit his thumb before pulling away, smirking. "Don't apologise. I liked it."

Did he hear her wrong? She liked it?

"I… I take a while to recover," he muttered, not exactly meeting her eyes.

Emilia shrugged, pulling the sheets to cover him. "We have all night." She pressed her kiss on his cheek before resting her head against his chest. She sighed softly, a finger traced remnants of scars across his chest.

Severus found it odd that his wife never asked the favour to be returned. She was there, caressing him, humming softly.

"Emilia," he called.

"Hmm?"

Severus shifted himself, laying his head flat on the pillow, earning a puzzled look from his wife.

"Come up here."

"Wh– What?" Emilia stuttered. Her face flushed pink. Briefly, Severus could see the flash of desire in her eyes before it dimmed.

She shook her head. "You don't have to. I don't mind."

Severus took her hand. "I do mind. Come up here."

"Severus…"

He softened slightly, squeezing her hand. "I assure you, Emilia, this isn't a chore."

"Alright," Emilia agreed but the apprehension was clear. "How do I —"

Severus heaved her up and across his chest, earning a shriek from the witch.

"Severus!"

He chuckled, tapping her right thigh. "Relax, wife. Move up a little."

Emilia carefully shifted herself, such that her knees rested comfortably on the sides of his head. She quickly became self-conscious; her pleasure was never taken into consideration.

"I don't think it's a good idea, Severus. I might hurt you," she muttered, trying to get off but Severus held on to her thighs firmly. He pushed up her slip dress, finding that Emilia had forgotten her knickers.

Her pretty quim was for him and it would be utterly regretful if he didn't sample a taste.

"Trust me, Emilia," he murmured, pressing the softest kiss on a freckle he found on her inner thighs before pulling her down to sit on his face.

Emilia inhaled sharply when she felt the first swipe of his tongue parting her folds. It was sinfully good. She didn't think it could be that good.

"Oh, Merlin," she groaned softly, her hands taking purchase on the headboard.

Severus grinned like a fool, blissfully indulging in the taste of a woman, his wife. He had always liked performing cunnilingus, to hear them moan unabashedly in the throes of passion was always his secret pleasure. He licked her with long and languorous strokes, taking his time to savour her, slowly losing himself in the process.

Emilia was warm, wet and tangy. He liked it and thought how marvellous it would be to push his cock in her.

A soft moan distracted him momentarily.

Oh, his wife was enjoying it. She was already writhing above him, no longer worried, no longer afraid of hurting him.

Severus was determined to break her with his mouth. He wrapped his tongue around her clit, suckling it into his mouth. Instantly, he was rewarded with a shriek that morphed into a guttural groan.

Oh, his wife was loud. He relished in that, doubling in his efforts.

"Severus…" Emilia whined, her eyes fluttering close. Her hips were undulating wantonly, seeking more friction from his invading tongue. This was the feeling she understood, just at the cusp of pleasure, not knowing how to tip over.

"Please…"

Severus shoved his tongue in and Emilia shook her release. Her head was tipped back, and a moan of completion left her lips.

Severus gently massaged her thighs, adjusting her to sit on his stomach as she came down from her high. He thought she looked transcendent with her cheeks fully flushed and her lips sinfully parted to catch her breath.

"Alright?" He asked quietly. The corners of his lips were tugged into a smirk.

"Mhm," Emilia replied breathily. She carefully got off and plopped by his side.

"Oh, I'm exhausted," she murmured with a cheeky grin.

Severus snorted softly. "Yes, it was a chore for you, wasn't it?" He teased, pulling the sheets to cover her.

Emilia swatted at his chest. "Mean."

Severus chuckled, taking hold of her hand and kissing her knuckles.

Hell, he would bask in this.

"Severus?"

"Yes?"

"That wasn't consummation, correct? At least not in the Ministry's definition," Emilia murmured.

"It is not," Severus affirmed.

Emilia sighed, snuggling to his chest.

"Later then."

Severus pulled her close, burying his nose into her curls.

AN: Was the smut too much ?(oops)