Chapter Ten : Prince Cottage.
Prince Cottage was a small cottage close to the heart of London. It was a brick house, painted white with white rosebushes circling the walls. Harry wondered who tended them until he remembered that Severus was a wizard, then he mentally kicked himself for somehow forgetting.
The lounge was similar to what Harry expected, a nice cosy fireplace, dark green and silver furnishings and hundreds of books lining the walls. It was perfect. Harry sat down on the Chesterfield, suddenly tired; the weeks of hard work were catching up to him and as if he wouldn't be with Romilda Vane and Gerald McClaggen dogging his every step.
"I know you're tired," Severus said softly. "Rest Harry," Harry obliged and fell straight to sleep.
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He woke in an unfamiliar bed with Severus' usual quiet snores to the left of him. Severus hadn't changed his clothes, just carried him to the bed. Harry's trousers were cutting into him, the stupid fitted pants hurt. He cast a faint lumos and scanned the room for his pyjamas. The only clothes visible were Severus' from last night and Harry didn't want to be caught going through the house waking Severus was unthinkable at best.
Harry surveyed Snape's clothes for anything wearable. Severus was his husband, so it was hardly as though he wasn't entitled to wear the tunic he spotted folded nearly underneath the pants. It was considerably larger than him; Almost like a dress Harry thought slipping into it. The shirt smelled of Severus and it took Harry a moment to realise that he didn't think that was such a bad thing.
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It was early in the morning when Harry woke. Severus lay next to him reading what looked to be a potions book.
"Good morning," Harry mumbled drowsily. Severus smirked.
"I see you found your pyjamas," his long fingers picked at Harry's choice of nightshirt. Harry looked at the figeres in wonderment, Severus had never willingly touched him before and he found himself smiling shyly.
"I kinda like it," he murmured. Severus surveyed him for a moment.
"And so do I," he said silkily making to return to his book. Encouraged by Severus' touching and emboldened by the revelation of Snape's desire, he intervened.
"Severus I," he'd caught the man's attention. That face, those lips, waiting for him. Now or never. Harry decided before leaning over and kissing him. The kiss was tender, not too long, not too short, the elder mans lips were soft and smooth, with luscious moisture. Harry pulled back, oblivious to Severus' own wonderment and left for a shower and unless he was very much mistaken they both needed some time alone.
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Harry finally found the shower and showered quickly but accurately. Trying hard not to think about the kiss for the more he thought about it, the more he wanted to do it again and again and again. The more he thought that Snape was sexy, strong, smart and beautiful, even if he was mean, cruel spirited and a right old git. In any case, perhaps Severus (and he forced himself to keep calling him Severus), perhaps he didn't want Harry to kiss him. Not really. Maybe the Room of Requirement was just having a little joke with him. It seemed in the spirit of Hogwarts Castle to do something like that to him. He toweled his hair and folded Severus' shirt having an unreasonable desire to want to keep it. He wrapped the towel around him and left to try and find his clothes.
Severus was waiting for him outside of the door, looking a bit flushed which was unusual for his usual sallow skin. Harry smiled at him, he felt mildly elated and even though he knew Severus wasn't particularly fond of his smile, or smiling in general, he still felt that it was the most reassuring thing to do. On the top of a good idea, he reached out and grabbed Severus' hand in his own. It was warm and masculine compared to his, it felt delicious.
"Severus, I want for us to be a married couple," Harry began, the words falling out of his mouth without even a thought. "And that means that you and I are together. It means that we don't have to agree or like each other all the time. It means that you and I will share things and know things about each other that other people don't know. We have a bond," Severus' eyes flashed for a moment. "I think that we should pursue it," Harry let out some of the breath that he'd been holding before continuing. "I think the truce is a brilliant idea, but I don't think it's going to be enough." he could feel himself blushing. "I want us to be comfortable with each other physically," now Severus' eyebrows rose in question. "Yes, that does mean that I want to be able to kiss you and for you to kiss me and maybe some other things when we're ready." Harry said hurriedly. "I want for us to care about each other," Severus' hand tightened around his. "I know that sounds stupid," Harry took a deep breath, "but I want you to tell me now Severus, do you think you can give me this?" The older man didn't answer, he drew Harry tight into his embrace, making Harry give a squeal as his towel nearly dropped. Severus caught it and held it around his back which he was grateful for. Harry felt the soft fabric of the pyjamas against his cheek and he sighed.
"Your clothes are in the bedroom," Severus let go of his hand.
"Thank you," Harry whispered and went to figure out where exactly the bedroom was.
It was an unusual feeling when he left. He realised that something momentous had happened. He knew it couldn't last, but he saw fit to enjoy it for however long it lasted.
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A/N : I'm so sorry that the last chapter has taken so long. I wrote it a couple of days ago and I felt that it was way too fluffy and didn't really comply with the previous chapters. But in the end, I decided that just because Severus and Harry got to enjoy themselves this time, it didn't have to be so great next time. I wonder if Harry will ever find out why Ron and Hermione haven't written to him in ages? And was the potion safe over the weekend that Harry left it? Find out more next time!
-SforSnarry.
EDIT : I didn't realise when I uploaded it that some of the punctation would screw up. I've fixed it, still not sure I'm happy with the chapter. Review me and tell me the best way to change it, or just review me. I appreciate it!