Yikes, there's some ~~sexual content~~~ in this, so be careful if you don't like that kind of thing
Peacetime is actually bliss for them, once they get the rhythm right. Chance encounters in Knockturn Alley, in the Potions lab when the school governors take their yearly tours, at the Ministry when Severus is called as an expert in criminal trials. They make it work very neatly, and in such a way that neither of them ever has to admit just exactly how much their skin aches for the other's touch.
One summer, when Draco is finally old enough to enjoy it, the Malfoys go away for a whole summer by the sea. In a choked sort of way, Lucius tells Severus, as they lay in bed one day, that he will most likely not be able to make any excuses for them to see one another over the months.
"I'm sorry, Sev," he says, as he traces the other man's collarbone. His voice is so much lower, so much softer than anyone else ever hears. "But Narcissa has been so looking forward to this, and I can't ruin it for her by disappearing every other week. You understand. She mustn't suspect."
Severus nods stiffly, once, and then rolls to face away from Lucius.
Somehow, the summer passes, and school starts, as it always does, on September 1. As he watches the first-years file in, Severus considers how long it will be before Draco makes an appearance in their ranks. And the Potter boy too, he supposes. Can't be more than a few years now. Time is creeping up.
Beyond that, there is only one thing on his mind. The Malfoys must be back from the beach by now, even though Draco doesn't attend Hogwarts yet. The air is getting cold, and Lucius will be expected to take the annual tour very soon.
Lucius will be expected. Lucius will be expected. He is paralyzed by the thought.
Certainly, the very next week bears the news that the school governors are on their way, and everyone fixes their classrooms up especially well. Snape doubts very much, however, that anyone else makes their bed in anticipation.
Unfortunately, it is when his dragon hide gloves are wrist deep in a botched Hiccupping Potion, trying to save a drowning rat, that the governors walk through the door of his class.
"Please make yourselves comfortable, if you wish," he says, handing the 4th year who has put him in this predicament his spluttering pet. Severus simply glares at the boy and vanishes his potion, pronouncing his grade for the day a zero. Stripping off his gloves, he approaches the well-to-do witches and wizards now lining his walls, searching their faces for the one he wants to see most.
And there he is, very tan, hair tied back. Suddenly, Severus is self-conscious; he did not spend much time outdoors that summer, and he is pallid. He looks away from Lucius, knowing he will stumble over his words if they are to make eye contact.
He explains his lesson plans for the coming year, and everyone nods approvingly. Glancing around the room, he sees one student who has managed to complete the potion somewhat correctly, and he begrudgingly shows them her finished product. They all clap politely; the student blushes. All Severus can feel is Lucius's ever encroaching presence behind him; soon he will be blushing too.
The wizard leading the group calls out that they must hurry off to Charms, and Severus allows himself to relax. He follows as they file out, exchanging pleasantries but feeling very much as if he needs a large glass of wine. Lucius is the last to go, and Severus chances meeting his eye. Lucius raises his eyebrows and pats his chest meaningfully. Severus reaches up to touch his own, and finds that a note has somehow slipped into his breast pocket.
"Clean up your stations," he calls with his back turned to the students as the door slams shut. "You may be dismissed after you each bring me a vial of your finished product."
He collapses into his chair, not paying any attention to them at all.
Once the students have left, making a larger ruckus than usual, he notes, he chances pulling the note from his pocket.
We'll be staying for dinner, it says, and I hope I'll find you in your rooms once we've finished.
Severus gets up, feeling very strange. He walks down the hall to his rooms, and sits down, and waits.
After quite some time, he hears the tap of a cane coming down the hall.
He's coming for me, Severus thinks, and he is amazed. How wonderful to be sought after.
A knock at the door, and Severus calls for him to enter. It's shocking how quickly things happen then. Lucius locks the door behind him, and sheds his cloak. His cane clatters to the floor as well, and before Severus can speak, or move, Lucius is at his feet, kneeling before him.
"Never again," Lucius murmurs, hands moving through the fabric of Snape's robes to find his zipper. Snape, to his own embarrassment, is already growing hard. The anticipation of the day, coupled with this unprecedented show of emotion from Lucius, has gotten to him.
"No," Severus replies, "no, never. Never leave me for so long." His hands are tangled in silky blonde hair, an erotic thrill running through him. His breath hitches as Lucius finds his goal and plunges his mouth down, and his hands move to grip the chair's arms. Severus's head falls back, and his eyes close. It's been so long since anything like this, and he fears he will soon black out.
Lucius, meanwhile, is glad to have anything to focus on, anything other than the suffocating happiness he feels when they are reunited. He wants to throw that all away; no man should feel what he feels for Severus.
Lucius pulls up off of the other man's cock, only for a moment. Severus groans out, missing him.
"Look at me," Lucius commands. Severus manages to jerk his head up and make eye contact.
This, he thinks, must be what it feels like to live.
Before long, Severus is coming hard, with undignified grunts and moans, down Lucius's throat. He's pushing hard on the blonde head before him, and when he releases, Lucius looks up from his place on the floor. He opens his mouth, only for a moment, and shows Severus the pearly white that has accumulated there. Then he swallows, and stands.
"My turn, I believe," he says, holding out a hand to the exhausted man before him. His normal tone has returned, and his posture is dignified again. Severus takes his hand, and stands on wobbly legs. Lucius begins to undress him, even as he threatens to fall down.
"I did miss you, Severus," he says, eyes moving over the now naked man. They kiss, unlike any kiss they have shared before. This one, they both realize somewhere deep in their subconscious, means something.