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Challenges listed at the bottom.

Word Count: 1037

For All My Sins

Harry walked in to find the living room decked out in lit candles. On the coffee table was a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and from the kitchen, Harry could smell something delicious wafting through.

Smiling to himself, Harry walked through to the kitchen to see Severus stirring a big pot of stew, Harry's favourite comfort food in the winter months.

"What did I do to deserve all this?" he asked, tucking himself against Severus' back, his arms wrapping around his waist.

Severus turned his head to accept a kiss and smiled slightly. "I had a free day today, and thought we could have a nice night in. It's been a while since we've had time to indulge."

"Hmm, I love you," Harry said, nuzzling at Severus' neck for a moment.

"There's a bath already waiting for you," Severus added. "Dinner won't be ready for an hour yet, so you have time to relax."

"Do you want to join me?" Harry asked, softly.

When they'd chosen the house they shared, the bathroom had been one of the biggest draws; the sheer size of the tub had been enough to make Harry squeal like a teenager at a boy band concert.

"The stew—"

"Stew is forgiving," Harry interrupted softly. "And can sit for hours without ruining. Come and bathe with me."

Severus chuckled, but turned in Harry's arms to embrace him properly. "You know I find you irresistible when you use that tone with me."

Harry grinned. "I know."

"Come on then, you little pest," Severus said, pressing a kiss to Harry's temple. "Just let me set some safety charms over the stove so Merlin doesn't try and get a taste."

Merlin, Harry's cat, was a little monster for investigating food if it was left unattended for even the shortest moment, and Harry snorted.

"Where is he?"

"He was lying by the window last time I saw him," Severus said, as he followed Harry from the kitchen. He pointed at the windowsill. "Look, he's still there. You know he loves thunderstorms, strange cat."

Harry nodded, glancing at the window just as a flash of lightning shot across the sky. It was an awful night outside, but looking around the living room, at the candles, the blankets, the flowers… Harry couldn't help but be glad for the winter night anyway.

…

Harry lay back against Severus in the bath, bracketed by his legs. There was such an air of peace around them and he didn't want to break it, even to ask how Severus' day had been.

Instead, he let his husband wash him with gentle hands, almost drifting when Severus massaged the conditioner into his hair. When the water began to cool, Harry allowed Severus to bundle him out of the water and into a fluffy black bathrobe, despite the temptation to cast a warming charm and stay exactly where they were.

"Sit down," Severus murmured, guiding Harry to the sofa. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

Harry curled up and tugged a blanket over his lap, snug and warm from their bath. He felt like he could fall asleep in mere minutes, but he fought it. A night with Severus, especially when his husband seemed to be feeling particularly romantic, was well worth fighting the sandman.

Merlin left his spot at the window to hop up onto Harry's knee.

"Hey kitty," Harry greeted softly. "Have you had a good day?"

Merlin mewed, climbing up to rub against Harry's neck with his face. Harry stroked his back, and smiled when Merlin settled in on his chest, purring loudly. When Severus came back with a wine bottle and two wine glasses, he rolled his eyes.

"Already upstaged by the furball, I see."

"Ahh, you know I'm always yours, Severus," Harry replied. "Merlin just wanted in on the action."

"As long as that remains true, I suppose I can share you." He paused. "Only with the cat, though."

Laughing now, Harry reached out for Severus, who shook his head. "The stew is ready, I'll go and fetch it in."

Harry dropped his hand and then gently picked Merlin up off his chest. "We're gonna eat now," he murmured to the cat. "And I love you dearly, but cat hair is not a good ingredient for stew, so you're going to have to get down."

Harry gently dropped Merlin over the arm of the sofa and watched as the cat wandered back over to the window. He seemed to collapse down, and Harry chuckled at him, shaking his head.

Severus came back with two steaming bowls of stew and placed them on the table, pausing to open and pour the wine.

When he gave Harry the dish, Harry moaned at the scent emanating from it. Severus joined him on the sofa with his own dish and they dug in happily.

"This is even better than I imagined it would be when I smelled it earlier," Harry murmured between bites.

Severus smiled at him indulgently. "I'm glad you're enjoying it."

…

Food eaten, Harry moved the dishes to the kitchen and then joined Severus back on the sofa, sprawling over his lap.

The candles flickered merrily, and Harry waved his wand at the fireplace to light it, adding a wash of warmth to the room.

"So, tell me of your shenanigans today," Severus said, his fingers moving through Harry's hair almost absently.

Harry snorted. "Shenanigans… anyone would think I wasn't a professional."

"In the spirit of loving you, I'm not touching that one," Severus teased, making Harry laugh.

"It was mostly paperwork today," Harry admitted, wrinkling his nose. "The worst we had to deal with was a guy who exposed himself in Muggle London."

Severus frowned. "Exposed his…?"

"Magic, Severus," Harry said, grinning. "Not his…"

"You can't tell me you wouldn't think what I did."

"When the report came in, Ron asked exactly the same question," Harry said, shaking his head. He sipped at his wine and then looked up at Severus. "Thank you for this. I don't think I knew how much I needed a night to just relax with you."

Severus smiled. "You are very welcome. For all my sins, I love you, Mr Potter-Snape."

"I love you too, Severus."

Written For:

Writing Club:

Book Club: 16. Romance

Film Festival: 18. Candle

Games Corner: Weapon: Candlestick: Black

Trope of the Month: 7. Peace

Angel's Archive: 26. Exposed

Home Sweet Home: Flooring: Cream Linoleum: Collapse

Twister: Right Foot: 11. Married / Right Hand: 1. Romance

Cupcake Stand: Icing: 7. Shenanigans

Planting Flowers: 1. Calendula

Bird Watching: Zamboanga bulbul - Severus Snape

Paint A Rainbow: Purple: Monster

Afternoon Tea: Cheese Scone: (Weather) Thunderstorm

Teacup Ride: Yellow; 4. "This is even better than I imagined."

Bunny Bingo: 11. Wine Bottle

Spring Cleaning: 9. Get Stains out of Fred and George's carpet: Without Disturbing The Cat: (Setting) "Do you want to join me?"

April Fools: Victim: Filch, kissing Mrs Norris: (Creature) Cat

Scavenger Hunt: Light Switch - Charlie Puth: (word) irresistible

Hogwarts Garden: Client: Harry Potter: Water Features: Stepping stones over a river: Wine glass

365: 245. Romantic

Musical Yearly: 82. Cheesy: Barbie Girl: If you say 'I'm always yours'

Insane House: 782. Love