Translation by Jessinthedungeons.


Chapter 24 - Every choice says who I am


The sun shone brightly now, the light bathing the pool next to us and its light danced on the ceiling above us. The force with which he held me as soon as we arrived, was slowly dissipating and it was the horror of almost losing him that caused me to concentrate on holding on to the man who was now within my reach, still asleep. His head rested on my chest and I buried my fingers in his hair as I clocked my breath with his and remembered the last difficult hours we went through.

The rescue was tense and Severus nearly died in his mind-blowing determination to destroy the rebels' headquarters. I froze the pool until his body returned to a normal temperature and held him during the nightmares that plagued him throughout the morning. I had to stop him more than once when the tremors that plagued his body became intense and screams came out of his mouth. I worked with my wand to close the cuts on his back and summoned Winky to bring supplies from the hospital wing and even to go to my house and pick up the jar with the ointment Severus himself gave me when my forearm was injured.

The tremors only diminished when I tranquilized him with my voice, whispering that it was me, his partner and friend who was there, healing him. I narrated that I went after him, that I found him and that we could live what we wanted now, that no one would ever tear him from me again. No more separate missions, Severus, whatever we do, we'll do together. I whispered that it was not an illusion, that we were real and that I was the only one who could touch him while he burned, because our powers were compatible. We are compatible. And I whispered more and more words about us, until he was asleep and finally at peace, even though his fingers still held tightly to my hip. I thanked the gods for being able to lessen that overwhelming tension of fire that twitched in his veins and to hear him breathe in relief.

When he first woke up, we looked at each other for long minutes, before he kissed me. A gentle, affectionate kiss, which he interrupted only when our need for air spoke louder. He lay down next to me, both now looking at the outside world, which was dipped in orange and the air temperature, neither too cold nor too hot, seemed pleasantly balanced, while the color of the sky reminded me of the day we first kissed, at that moment on our trip to Harry's house.

— I haven't looked at the sky in days. — It was the first thing Severus said, his eyes nailed to the immense opening that the Castle provided, on the infinity edge of the pool.

— I really can't say the same, Remus and I slept in the open no more than a handful of days ago. — I answered softly.

— He's been through that many times. — Severus was silent for a second. — You too?

The self-awareness of our nudity has faded from my mind, the ease and intimacy of our kisses and our conversation has now served to make me flexible and relaxed.

— Yeah, I... in the War, I slept inside the tent when I was not on guard, but it was almost the same. — I murmured.

— You were out there, you were still a teenager and you went through all that. — His statement was the equivalent of being thrown into an icy lake. — While I was here, in this very Castle, sheltered and posing as the cruel director and apparently fighting on opposite sides of that war.

— Oh, yes, we thought that at that time... — I stumbled upon the words and Severus turned to look at me.

— I didn't expect you to know. It was my role back then. But I don't want to talk about it tonight. I prefer to enjoy this peace.

— I find it difficult that you are thinking about peace, Severus. — I said softly. — You almost killed yourself yesterday.

— I let the roar in my veins that asked for revenge overwhelm me. — He confessed, returning to look at the sky in front of us.

— I don't think you would destroy the manor just for revenge, Severus. — My voice now sounded firm as I looked at the profile of the man next to me. — What I think is that you like to suffer. The proof of this is the scars you carry, they are marks that show how much you have already paid for the sins you have committed. But still, you don't think it will be enough to atone for past mistakes and will always put yourself at risk if other people can benefit from your death.

He did not answer me, keeping his gaze fixed on the purplish sky where stars began to shine. I looked away from him and joined his contemplation when he finally spoke.

— You are not much different. — His voice came out thick. — Although I am still trying to see what sin you need to erase from your pristine and clear soul.

— Oh, so you're upset because I went to rescue you. — I concluded.

— No.

— And of course, you will not admit it. — I stifled my irritation. — But you're right in saying that I don't need to erase any of my sins, because it's okay to move on, Severus. I'm not going to carry the blame for years and years of a mistake I made in the past. Unlike you, I know how to forgive myself. — I closed my eyes, too tired to express more indignation at his anger that I saved him. — I don't want to talk about it either. Can we just ... watch the sky? It's something I usually do when I need to put everything in a new perspective. When everything seems too overwhelming, I just look up and realize that I am just a small, limited person in this endless vastness.

— However, you try to do everything. And that includes your act of heroism going to my rescue. — He whispered.

— That's my nature. I am a Gryffindor, and always will be.

— Your nature is a contradiction, Hermione. — Severus's voice rumbled in silence. — You did what you did during the dawn and now you say that you cannot do much.

— And you say that you have never been a hero and always try to kill yourself to save others, is not it a fucking contradiction? — I hit back with a rhetorical question. — So, I think we can agree that being contradictory is an element of human nature.

— No matter who you want me to be, Hermione, I will always fight a battle between who I was and who I should be. — He answered, his voice was not irritated, but he was perhaps too tired of explaining about his essence to people who did not understand what it was like to have a double life for years and years.

— Who do you think you should be? — I asked softly. — No remorse at all times and everything? — Severus was silent and I tilted my body more towards him. — If everything was different, what would you do?

— Everything is as it is, so I can't answer. — Severus said.

— Then dream. — I suggested. — Who would you be without Voldemort's first war and your life after it?

— I would probably be a perfect Tom Riddle. — He answered simply. — A half-blood proud enough to spit out the purist prejudices I learned from my housemates.

His honesty shook me.

— I will rephrase my question. — I did not dare to ask why he would carry on such stigmas, if his own mother was hurt by one. — If all the circumstances were different, what would you do?

Severus was quiet for so long that I thought he might not answer me, but he did.

— I would still be a master of potions. This is a constant that would never change. — He paused and looked at me again. — And you? Would your choice of profession be another?

Even though I asked the question first, I had no answer when it turned on me. Not at first, at least. But the words came in waves. I would have a career in Ministry, probably. If only I hadn't felt up close the taint of that place when it was under the influence of Voldemort. And I would still be a fighter, so I would definitely be creating laws that would ensure a better life for less privileged creatures and people.

— I think... I understand what you say with "everything is as it is". I don't know who I would be without all this, and it's hard to think of who I would have become without the war. What I know is that I don't think I would be here. — With you, I ended up in my head.

— Regrets? — He whispered.

— Honestly? — I laughed at the stupidity of my question. Of course, Severus wanted honesty. I looked back at the sky, feeling suddenly aware again of the proximity of his naked body to mine. — Some, but not enough to prevent me from taking that moment to admire the sky with you. — A question I never asked dotted my mind. — What did Robards do to get you back to Hogwarts?

— He guaranteed your presence in the team for the year I agreed to be there. — He said serious.

The best part of his statement was when I turned my neck to look at him, and caught the shadow of one of his rare smiles. If I were thinking about it, I would realize that he was referring to the prophecy about the lioness. But maybe it was the place where we were, or the moment when we held on to each other for what we had just gone through, but my gaze at it was invaded by too bold thoughts. Oh, shit. This is never good, because my tongue does not control itself.

— I love when you smile. — I whispered to him before I could stop myself.

Severus looked at me.

— Do you often think about me smiling, Granger?

— No. — The half-truth was there. — It's that I don't remember you doing that.

His expression became patient and it was at moments like this that I realized how much appreciation Severus had for me, or he would tear me to pieces with a single comment that I had been insensitive to the point of uttering those wrong words.

He would smile if he hadn't had his family destroyed by purist pure-blood ideologies. He probably smiled before the arrival of the friend who meant enough to break him when he lost her, and before the wars and threats. And the misgivings that hovered around his life until today. Severus knew how to smile, he just did not have many opportunities to do this over the years. With my stomach churning, I looked back at the sky, pushing my thoughts away.

— What do you want to talk about? — I whispered.

— Nothing. But you insist on talking tonight.

— Our silences are usually not strange. — I confessed at last, feeling ridiculous for how nervous I was. — I think the last hours, the lack of news, the prospect of you having died or I having lost you forever, have made me too anxious and now that we are here together, I want to fill the moment with something.

Maybe even I would have done it, because with Severus awake, it was very hard not to think of his presence next to me, or the warmth of his bare skin next to mine under the blanket.

— That's a confession in so much. — His voice sounded more serious than anything else he has said so far.

I turned to him, resting my head on the hand resting on the elbow in contact with the bearskin mat. Severus followed my entire movement, his eyes not sliding from mine, even though my torso was all exposed to him.

— Confessions in the midst of war are common. — I said.

—There is no difference between confessions if the one who is making them is a loyal person. The words will be true regardless of the moment. — Severus rested his hands behind his head, looking relaxed. — War may even intensify this, but you, for example, will never give up something.

— That's not entirely true. — I whispered. — To fly, I need to give up having my feet on the ground and I have some problems with that.

— Control problems. — He amended, without turning away from my eyes.

Severus wasn't touching me, but I felt every bit of him. The cold night air seemed charged as the energy crackled around us and I focused on its dark irises, silently comparing them to that black stone from the Portkey that saved us earlier that day. It was a stark contrast to his pale skin. It seemed that the darkness of his eyes was made to maculate the light of his pale skin.

— You would know about these issues. — I answered in a low voice, trying to control the familiar hammering in my chest that used to plague me when I was with Severus in moments like this: a degree between close and very close. But somehow not close enough.

— Yeah, I'd know.

— You can't control everything, Severus. — The breeze played with his thin hair, sweeping it out of place. Brushing it back would be an easy solution, but I didn't trust myself enough to touch it being as close as we were. — You can try, but there are always cracks. Something ends up escaping.

He made a low noise, but I could not identify what it meant because Severus's face was locked in Occlumency, keeping that expression of his suitably impassive, but nothing short of dazzling. Even here, recovering from the recent torture and with bags under his eyes from the hard days he spent at Lucius's hands, I could still be stunned and inebriated by his sight as I wondered what was behind his expression. Unconsciously, I searched for a fissure in his face to gain access to his thoughts, but found none.

It was Severus himself who confessed, taking one of his hands around my neck and gently kissing my mouth.

— These control issues do not apply when I think of both of us. — He whispered. — Sometimes I feel like we've stumbled upon this whole feeling. And I wish we were slow, I want to get to know you in real time, not while we're trying, again, to save the world. But at the same time, I'm tired of resisting you.

I did not know what to answer before this confession and the moment following his words extended and remained suspended in animation. With his hand still on my neck, his eyes finally came out of mine and fell into my mouth and I finally had the courage to land one of my hands on his rib, which allowed me to feel the expansion of his chest in an inspiration.

Without another word, his eyes returned to mine and I saw reflected in those orbs only the truth of his words and the exciting energy of the trembling of his exhalation. Severus's hot hand wandered from my neck, past my shoulder, to the curve of my waist, before resting on the bare skin of my hip, and it was my turn to exhale with difficulty.

The connection between Severus and me intensified in touch, but it not only awakened me there, but in each of my senses as well. His smell, the sound of his voice and the sight of his pale skin moved at the same time with all the sensations that his touch made seething under my skin. And his taste in my mouth, the confidence and freedom he imposed by kissing me, made me melt in moments like this. Because being at the mercy of Severus was intoxicating and delicious.

Permission to continue from there was granted with a slight nod of my head and Severus joined my mouth again, giving me small kisses and light bites on my lower lip, picking up nothing but evidence of my taste here and there. The promise for more made me impatient and I began to chase his mouth every time he walked away. Until he finally began to kiss me properly, immediately tearing a groan of contentment from my chest. And the first sound that came out of his mouth liquidated the butterflies in my stomach and replaced them with sparks of pure heat.

The world disappeared around me as I detailed the memory of his touch upon me and navigated the sensation of feeling it like never before, at a wonderfully intimate and feverish pace. The warmth and desire dictating the movement of those firm hands that held me, as his tongue dipped into my mouth and then came out of it so that I could go get it back inside his mouth and reciprocate its delicious sugar.

Sometimes we would stop kissing, keeping our foreheads pressed and our eyes closed while the sound of our heavy breaths filled the environment around us as we gave in to the demand for oxygen, but we quickly returned to feeding each other's desires.

Kissing Severus was the most natural thing I've ever done. It's intuitively easy to translate my feelings for him into a kiss. Without having to say any words, I wanted to make him understand how much I wanted him. I wanted to make him see in every beat of my heart and in every breath how much I longed for this moment.

I slid my hand across the skin of his chest and felt that his stomach muscles contracted under the palm of my hand and almost let out another sigh of pleasure as he took off his lips from mine and descended to my chin, then down the spine of my throat. I bowed my head back and kept my eyes closed.

— Oh, gods. — I groaned, when I allowed him to push me until I was lying on my back, before the image of a messy haired Severus hovering over me.

His hot hard member made a delicious rub on my left thigh. A movement that left us sucking sharp breaths together and my heart beat even harder and left all my senses buzzing with the mere promise and evidence of his desire for me.

I was out of breath, but Severus kept our hips apart in a show of patience that I didn't have, especially after our round of hazy kisses and insistently intimate touches. Perhaps it was his heavy Occlumency or his years as a spy that ensured this controlled way he looked at me now. But not in a way that hid his feelings, his eyes burned in an honest and open way, but he didn't move for more, just hovered over me.

As he watched me, I ventured further and invaded the small space between us, running my two hands over the entire length of his torso, but leaving my gaze stuck on his face, firmly planted in his eyes, as my fingers curled up the length of his cock, in a silent and perhaps dangerously impulsive question.

Do you want me?

His left hand stopped mine and the silent sting of rejection had a freezing effect on me. All previous sensations simply died. A series of movements brought Severus back to rest next to me, but I barely realized, mortified too much by the hot flush of my face, as reality fell all around me.

A haunting insecurity overwhelmed me and I felt like I had fallen rolling down a slippery slope that left me sprawled on the bottom and feeling stupid for being so hasty and smug. Rubbing my hand over my face several times, I tried but could not clear the doubt from my thoughts. Can't I read people anymore? Severus clearly wants me, I know that. I felt it.

— Did... Did I do something wrong? — I stuttered, mortified at my question, but I had to ask it. I refused to assume that I was a fool in interpreting his actions. — I just thought…

— No. — He interrupted me, turning his head and kissing me deeply, until I relaxed in the act when the twinge of disappointment disappeared, bringing a necessary relief to my fears. — I want that, Hermione, trust me. — His lips were still touching mine and the murmured words made me shudder. — But not like this.

We could surrender to each other for the despair of what we went through, but I understood what he meant by "not like this". We were new arrivals from a near-tragedy and he still carried wounds from torture, not to mention that we were in a room created by the castle, a cozy but impersonal room. It might seem like a good time for other people, but we were so much more than that. It was a test of patience, respect and commitment from Severus's part not wanting to throw us into each other's arms just because he had seen Death up close. He wanted to have a choice about when we would become one. And I wanted that too. Even with the shadow of war and death hanging over us, we still want to love ourselves when we choose and not because of circumstances.

— You're right. — I whispered, when I pulled myself together enough to hold his hand and interweave it with mine. — Let me just feel you next to me as we watch the sky.

Severus slid an arm under my neck and pulled me over to him, sticking for perhaps the hundredth time that night, his lips to mine. I rested my head on his outstretched arm as we kissed and I wish I had said I wanted to give myself to him when we could tell the world that. Because I know Severus never had anyone who wanted to take over him. But he didn't move his mouth away from mine long enough for me to allow him to shout to the world that I was his. All and completely his.


When I opened my eyes again, the night was dark and silent upon us. It was the insistent vibration of my phone somewhere on the couch above us that woke me up. Severus grumbled something indecipherable and turned to me, continuing to sleep.

I was alert within moments after reading the dozen messages that had arrived with urgent calls for me to attend St. Mungus: Minerva was found. I summoned Winky as I dressed and asked her to take Severus to my house as soon as he woke up, and ran down the corridors and stairs of Hogwarts to the apparition point outside the gates. I was there within seconds, being surrounded by the younger healers and Neville as I put on the lime green lab coat and walked into the intensive care aisle.

The headmistress was unconscious and looked frail and small, she was bleeding from a wound on her chest large enough to stain the sheets under her. Her face was pale and her lips cracked and there was no way to tell how long she had been bleeding like this nor if this was a werewolf claw wound. My only relief was knowing that the full moon was still two days away, yet the wound scared me.

I focused on the shallow rise and fall of her chest as I used my wand to perform all the diagnostic spells I could and ordered my assistant to provide the blood-storing potions. Reanimating her was an option, but I noticed a lot of injuries when I removed the sheet from her body, so I decided not to do it. Minerva could be in a high amount of pain and that could lead her to shock. Neville pushed the Dittany bottle in my hand and I carefully poured drops of the potion over the wounds of her head.

While working as best I could without moving her too much, I asked one of the apprentice healers to reassure the men in the waiting room that I barely greeted when I passed by. Dean, Harry and Remus were waiting for news and I asked the girl to repeat to them that she was alive but unconscious and that I would do the best I could.

Exhaustion was more than just physical fatigue, it was a state of mind when I finally finished treating Minerva, about six hours later. After leaving her room, she still unconscious, I dragged my hand down my face before moving on to the next activity, making the long walk to where my friends were still waiting.

— Ah, Hermione! How's she doing? — It was Remus.

— Stable. Still unconscious, but I am optimistic that she will wake up soon. I closed all the wounds, the most dangerous was the chest, made by claws. It was difficult to contain the bleeding. — I answered and Lupin felt my last sentence. — I do not know enough about the attacks of transformed werewolves without the influence of the full moon, maybe you can help me with this?

— Of course. — Remus readily accepted.

— Where's Draco? — I turned to Harry.

— He's with Ginny and the kids. Scorpius was nervous because his father was gone for the entire day before.

— I understand. — I answered Harry and turned around, taking a step towards Dean and hugged him tenderly, our previous not-goodbye had been at least dramatic. — Are you okay?

— Alive. — Dean whispered in my hair.

— I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye to you, Dean. — I whispered, impressing more strength in my embrace.

— What matters is that you came back to me. — He spoke again, giving a prolonged kiss on my forehead.

— And now it's my turn to ask you to investigate something. — I said seriously.

— Does it have anything to do with the prophecy? — He muttered.

— Perhaps. I still haven't been able to make enough connections. I need you to go somewhere, under the castle. You are the highest-level wizard I know and I trust you enough to find answers.

— What place is this Hermione? Have you been making forays into dangerous places on your own? — Dean asked with genuine concern in his eyes.

— Let's say every time I made the raid there, I was induced by someone. — I confessed, keeping the identity of the ghost of Regulus to myself. If he wanted to make an appearance for Dean, we would discuss it later. — But I feel like maybe there can be answers there and I'm with two patients who need me now, so I'm asking you to do it for me. But do not go alone, take Remus. You both have full powers.

For the next fifteen minutes, I explained to Dean and Remus how to get to the tomb of the founders. Harry watched my explanation with an inconspicuous wrinkle of worry on his forehead.

— Are you telling us that you faced a manticore alone? — The boy who survived finally did not hold back.

— Yes. I blinked at him, belatedly realizing that I should not have narrated how dangerous that situation had been. — But I didn't know that creature would be there.

— But you just said you'd be back there if it weren't for the care you need for Severus and Minerva. — Harry hit back.

— That's true, but we need to find clearer answers. People are dying all around us, Harry. I need to do something!

— Maybe, but you can't shove yourself into a tomb! Where was your intelligence? — He returned angry.

— I need to look beyond what I know and what I can confirm. — I growled back.

— Not alone! — He screamed.

— I'm aware of that! — I controlled myself, our loud tone of voice starting to get other people's attention at the hospital reception. — I am aware and this will no longer happen in the future. I asked all of you for help in rescuing Severus and finding Minerva.

Harry's eyes became quiet. — Yes, you did. And the fact that we managed to rescue both, proves my point that not doing things alone guarantees good results.

— Ron's dead. This is not a good result.

Harry paled.

— We don't know that yet. — He said in a weak voice.

— Harry ... — I reached out my hand and held his. — I saw him there, he…

— Let's not think the worst until it's proven. — Remus cut. — We don't need anyone undermining our hopes. Right?

I expected more discussion on Harry's part, but he just nodded.

— If there's anything I can do to help with the search. — Harry said with a sigh.

— I will let you know. — Dean said. — Draco assured that he will talk to Narcissa to trigger her contact with the rebels, he just needs a little time.

I almost forgot about Theo and Narcissa. They were perhaps a source of rebellious information that we could use to predict Lucius's next steps. I just didn't know if I could trust either of them enough.

— Alright. Please, I will split time between the hospital and my home, keep me informed.

The walk back to Minerva's room seemed even longer, the lights in the hallways of the St. Mungus looked brighter, but when healers and assistants passed me with smiles and prying eyes, I realized that my return smile was fading with every step.

I yawned twice, even though I got enough sleep all day. I couldn't be tired now. Not when I still had hours on duty to do accompanying Minerva and a Severus slowly recovering in my house. I turned the corner of the infirmary where Minerva was, prepared to meet the assistant healers I left monitoring her, but came across an unexpected vision.

Severus.

Sitting on the edge of his friend and headmistress bed, watching her sleep. I almost cleared my throat to announce my presence and ask what on Merlin's name he was doing here, when he moved, reaching out and carefully putting a lock of Minerva's gray hair behind her ear. Then he covered her forehead with his hand, then her cheek. The way he was looking at her and his every move was as close to kindness as I had ever seen of him.

Even though he was also open and honest with me, yet his delicacy caught me off guard. Not because of the action, but because of the emotions contained in it. A truth I never suspected was now being expressed very clearly: Severus loved Minerva as if she was his mother.

And when the older woman stretched out her free hand to cover his, my heart beat as fast as his hand stopped. The Hogwarts headmistress's eyes were slow to open, but when they did, they were bright and focused on him. As an emotional spectator, I saw mother and son who chose to live a solitary life exchange two words simultaneously: "I'm sorry".

Words simple to speak, but of complex meaning, and words too powerful in the mouth of that man who hardly ever uttered them. Two words that could act as the balm that started the process of healing deep wounds and bringing people closer together. Two words that could not fix the physical pain that the two went through in the last days, but that showed that they did not stop thinking about each other as they suffered in their own imprisonments.

— Severus, where am I? — I heard Minerva ask, trying to look around, but she could not. A painful grimace deepened her features.

— You should not move. — He whispered.

— I don't remember anything.

I could hear the fear in Minerva's weak voice and once again my heart tightened to see a person suffering from the insanity of this magical war.

— St. Mungus. — He answered in a whisper that I barely heard when I stepped forward and walked towards them. — You were in the possession of some werewolves. Lupin came to your rescue. — Severus stopped Minerva as she moved to sit down. — Try to relax, stubborn old woman.

And to my surprise, she did. Maybe she was still disoriented, or she was tired by the light smile she gave to Severus's last sentence, but my headmistress completely relaxed and closed her eyes, breathing one after another, while Severus watched intently as if he were noting every movement of her chest and making sure with his gaze that her breathing never stopped.

— I'm tired. — Minerva whispered.

— And I'm terrified. — Severus muttered back.

I decided it was the right time to make my presence known, fully entering the room after a quick knock on the door. Minerva's eyes opened and Severus turned his head towards me, without releasing her hand.

I approached the bed, stopping once to look at the scroll enchanted with her current health readings. Not good, nor bad. My leg brushed Severus's when I stood in front of my headmistress.

— Be honest with me, Hermione.

— I will always be honest with you. — I smiled kindly at her. — I have always been honest with you, even when I risked you putting me in detention with this one here. — I said, pointing to the wizard next to us while giving him an affectionate look that made a glimpse of smile appear on Minerva's face. — The worst wound is your chest, I managed to close it, but I suspect it will bleed and reopen for some time yet. And we will need to monitor it during the full moon. Remus will help us with some research information, but he has not been able to guarantee if there will be any effect on this first one that we will face, given that it is so close.

The older witch nodded and her eyes closed as I administered the potions that would work to heal her body from the inside and calm her mind. Soon her breathing calmed down, but Severus did not let go of her hand as he stood up and watched me recheck her vital readings.

— Severus…

He looked at me. — Yes?

— You need to go home and rest. — I said.

— I rested enough today, so I will stay here on the couch. I will make sure I come home at some point and…

His words died when I entered his space, without hesitating any time, I put myself on my toes and pressed a kiss on his forehead in an offer of comfort. I let my lips stay there for an indefinite time and only then put my head on the curve of his neck. It seemed like an eternity had passed when his arms slowly wrapped around me, pulling me closer.

Some apprentice healers walked in and out of the room, replenishing potions and quietly discussing some of Minerva's readings, while timidly watching the impassive Severus Snape hold the hand of a sleeping Minerva McGonagall with one arm, while the other was tightly wrapped around my waist. Neville saw us. Dean and Remus too. And many more people came into the room to take a look at the beloved Transfiguration professor. I think everyone in that hospital was Minerva's students, except the foreigners.

Incredibly, I didn't feel that growing need to explain to any of them why we were in that position. I didn't feel that chaotic panic that paralyzed me when those reports came out hinting that we were both more than just friends. I realized that the near-death experience we went through may not have made us have desperate sex in that fake castle room, but it served to prove to me a much more important point: I was serious about yelling at everyone that I was his.


Final Notes


For this chapter, Chiasan presented me with a work of art that expresses our protagonists holding together, after their near-death. This fanart can be found in: survianafics. carrd. co

Honor this artist, she deserve a lot!

Translation by Jessinthedungeons.