Chapter 25
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Severus stood, lifting Harry in his arms. and stepped around the bench. Striding quickly to where their beds were arranged side-by-side, several feet from the children, he whispered a spell to merge the beds into one before laying Harry down on it. Casting a Notice-Me-Not Spell over and around the bed, he then cast Silencing Spells over both themselves and the children. Monitoring and Safety Spells were already surrounding the children. One final Locking and Warding Spell hit the door to the stairs.
Severus knelt down beside Harry, leaned down and kissed him deeply. Pulling back, he met Harry's gaze. The green was almost eclipsed by the black, and was glazed with desire.
"Are you certain, Harry?" He asked, stroking the back of his fingers down the side of Harry's face. "This is something I have never taken lightly. I don't want to hurt you, or for you to have regrets. Especially considering how much you have been hurt in the past."
Harry closed his eyes and leaned into the caress, turning and kissing Severus' fingers as they passed his lips.
"Please, Severus. I'm sure." His voice, barely above a whisper was unwavering and certain.
Magic danced along his skin, then Severus lay down over him, and he gasped as their bare flesh touched for the first time. The sensation was exquisite and at the same time, electric. Harry spread his legs, allowing Severus to settle between his thighs, which aligned their cocks perfectly. His heart pounded, as adrenaline began to course through his body, arousal, excitement, desire, and a sudden need to flee filled him. He could feel Severus stroking his body and nibbling at the skin below his ear.
He reached up and pulled Severus closer. "Please. Please kiss me, Severus. I need to remember it's you with me--only you."
Severus pulled back and looked at the flash of fear in Harry's eyes. "Shhh...of course I'll kiss you--again and again. What's wrong, Luv?"
Harry's gaze dropped, tears threatening at the corners, defying how his body moved against Severus' of it's own volition.
"H-He only ever kissed me a few times… but never when we... He said one didn't s-soil themselves on j-just b-breeding stock. His lips would only k-kiss his l-lov-ers." Harry's voice hitched, and two fat tears escaped and and ran down into his hairline.
Severus' heart clenched and anger threatened when he considered where this was coming from. Careful not to let his anger show, he leaned down and began pressing gentle slow kisses all over Harry's face, then his throat, before moving back up and taking his lips in a deep meaningful slow kiss, trying to pour as much of his feelings for Harry into it as possible. Threading his fingers into Harry's long hair, he stroked and kneaded his scalp and neck. His thumbs stroked the tears from Harry's temples, as he leaned up and shushed him.
"Shhh...He was a fool Harry. So very ignorant of the gift he had in you. Foolish, foolish young man. It is his loss. You are mine now, and I will cherish you as you truly deserve. I will show you. Every day. For as long as you will have me. I will help you forget. Forget the pain. The humiliation. The cruel words and deeds."
Harry reached out and stroked the long braid hanging over Severus' shoulder and down across his own abdomen. "Will you loosen your hair? He never wore it down. Wouldn't let it touch me. I want to feel your hair against my skin. Smell it's scent. Feel all of you."
Severus sat up between Harry's legs, and cast a wandless spell that unbound and unbraided his waist-length hair. When it was done, he reached up and ran elegant fingers through his hair, pulling it around his shoulders like a cape before laying down over Harry again. The long locks draped over both of them, and Harry sighed as he reached up to run his fingers lovingly through the thick hair.
"So soft."
Green eyes gazed up at him, fear now gone and pain receding, to be replaced again by arousal. He smiled a little at the younger man. "Now. Where were we?" He purred, before beginning a trail of kisses, licks, and love nibbles that would eventually, over the next hour, cover Harry's entire body.
By that time, Harry was moaning and babbling incoherently, Severus gently preparing him, whispering endearments to him between kisses. Finally, pulling Harry's legs up and around him, he entered him. making them one. Taking the greatest care and ignoring his own need, he made slow gentle love to this young man he'd come to care so deeply for. He'd wonder later how it had taken him so long to realize how he felt, considering how strong the emotions were inside of him, right now.
When they crested together, Harry's release was so strong, his magic flared, pulling Severus' with it and melding them, before he passed out. Severus lay panting through the afterglow, as he held Harry against him, stroking his body and gently kissing his face and hair. When those beloved green eyes finally opened, they sought his, and he was rewarded with a briliant smile.
"I love you, Severus. I love you too." Harry whispered. "So this is what it feels like. It's--amazing."
Severus chuckled. "Yes, yes it is."
A blush crept up Harry's cheeks. "I-Is it supposed to feel--feel like that--at the end? It was so--incredible."
Severus' brows creased. "Harry, hadn't you ever--"
Harry shook his head, his eyes downcast again, as embarrasment flushed his cheeks.
"Well, then it seems, my young love, we have much to make up for." He purred seductively.
"Really?" Harry smirked, shyly, before hiding his face against Severus' neck.
Severus showed Harry his love twice more that night, having it enthusiastically returned, before both men finally fell into an exhausted sleep, their bodies entwined.
Winny appeared in the room later, just as the sun was cresting the horizon. She checked the children and removed all the extra spells Severus had cast the night before. Walking over to where the men slept peacefully in each other's arms, she smiled.
She snapped her fingers and both men were clean and dressed in sleep pants and t-shirts. She wiggled her fingers and the covers moved higher, tucking themselves around the slumbering bodies. She waved her other hand at the glass dome, darkening the glass so everyone could sleep later. She would come back in a couple of hours for the children.
"Master Lucius and Mistress will be so pleased. And young Master Sebastian too!" She whispered before disappearing with a quiet pop.
~*~*~*~
Severus had been awake for a while, though Harry still slept peacefully behind him. Severus stood at one of the windows, his arms folded over his chest, deep in thought as he gazed outside at the beautiful new morning. The first day of the rest of his life and of Harry's too. Winny had come just after he'd awakened to take the children for breakfast, then baths and preparation for the day. Sebastian had his lessons this morning.
Ah, his son. Sweet Sebastian. It was his son who'd brought them together, helped him see what a wonderful young man Harry truly was. He was indeed a blessing from the Goddess. And Harry--another blessing for him. How had he earned the blessing of two great loves in one lifetime? He'd thought his life gone when his beloved Davidh's body had disappeared into his tomb. Only Sebastian's need of his Papa had kept him from following his first bonded to the grave.
Now, he was being given another chance at love and happiness. Oh, his son gave him great happiness--on a daily basis. But, to have another to share his soul with, his magic, his spirit, his life, and his son--and yes, hopefully other children as well... his heart soared at the possibilities. He would, if Harry accepted, have to follow the old rituals, to show him, and everyone else, how highly he regarded him and what a gift life with him would be.
"Winny!" He called firmly, in a low voice so as not to awaken Harry.
~*~*~*~
Harry opened his eyes, blinking a few times to clear the blurriness. It took him a few moments to remember where he was and that they'd had another sleepover. Then his eyes widened as he slowly remembered what else had happened, and that brought a huge smile to his face.
"Blessed Morning, Harry."
He turned his head to see Severus stretched out beside him, atop the covers, dressed in sleep pants and t-shirt, his hair still loose, his head propped up on one arm, while the other hand reached out to stroke his face.
"Blessed Morning to you too, Severus." He stretched, realizing he too was dressed under the covers. "Severus?"
"I believe Winny saved our modesty this morning. She has already taken the children downstairs to begin their day."
"Whew! I was a bit worried for a second!"
The rich chuckle sent a shiver through him, again reminding him of the unexpectedly eventful evening they'd shared.
"Harry."
"Yes, Severus." He looked up to see the other man had moved to kneel beside him, and was holding out his hand, evidently wanting him to sit up. Once he'd sat up, retaining his grasp of the long fingers, he gave his full attention to Severus, who seemed quite solemn all of sudden.
"Severus?"
Gently pulling his fingers free, with that hand he turned Harry's hand palm up. With his other hand, he place a small bouquet of flowers and herbs onto Harry's open palm. Staring down at it, he tried to remember what Cissa had taught him recently of the language of flowers and plants.
The small bundle was very simple. A single red rose, half-open and thornless, a small branch each of honeysuckle, orange blossom, and japonica, all surrounded by small sprays of baby's breath and ivy. It was tied together with a wide white ribbon bearing the runes; Gebo, Algiz, Fehu, Wunjo, Raido, Berkana, and Sowelu. He had studied Runes a bit with Hermione at Hogwarts, but he wasn't intimately familiar with them, though he did immediately recognize a few of them. It was one of the few things he'd enjoyed from Divinations, so he'd hung around a bit when Hermione had been doing her homework for Ancient Runes.
The flowers and plants themselves though, were a different story, and his breath caught, when he realized what they meant. What Severus was asking. Declaring a sincere feeling of love, Severus was offering himself in an eternal bonded love, offering marriage or soul bonding, sincerity, fidelity, friendship, affection, and fruitfulness.
He reached out and stroked the ribbon, trying hard to remember what Hermione had taught him about the runes. He remembered Wunjomeant Joy. He'd always liked that one, and Algiz meant Protection, but he wasn't sure about the others.
"I can explain the runes if you'd like, Harry." Severus offered, his voice open.
"Please."
The lecture tone crept into Severus' voice a little as he began speaking.
"Gebo is the rune of Partnership. A partnership of wholeness and equality that can only be attained by us remaining the unique individuals that we are, appreciating, accepting, and loving each other."
"Algiz is the rune of Protection. I promise to always be mindful of my emotions, especially in times of stress or strife so that I may protect you and what we have, and that by doing so, we will weather all, together. I also promise to never raise my hand or wand in anger toward you, for any reason."
"Fehu is the rune of Possessions. I promise to provide nourishment to you from the worldly to the most sacred of needs. And, to always be mindful of what we have, conserving in times of good fortune so we will not be wanting in time that are lean."
"Wunjo is the rune of Joy. Something I know you have had precious little of in your short life, as have I. I promise to help you to have true joy in those things that matter. Small things that one treasures deeply. To help make happy memories to be with you and with us for always."
"Raido is the rune of Journey. I am asking you to begin a new journey with me. A new beginning in your life, and mine, and hopefully in ours, together. We will take the journey together, learning, meditating, and becoming attuned to ourselves and each other, until one day we obtain the ultimate union."
"Berkana is the rune of Growth and New Life. I promise to allow you, to help you, to grow in yourself in all things. And, you in turn will help me do the same. We will learn new things about ourselves and each other. This rune is also associated with the Birch tree and with Fertility. Goddess willing, and if you desire, I would be honored and blessed if we were able to have a family together."
Harry's breathe hitched in surprise, but Severus continued, feeling the gravity of the situation.
"Finally, Sowelu is the rune of Wholeness. I promise to help you attain who and what you truly are. A regeneration of self. Finding yourself and becoming truly accepting of that, gaining the power that is inherent in that discovery. And in turn, I am hoping you will help me to do the same."
"It is with this symbolic gesture, I propose my desire to court, and ultimately bond with you, Haralde James Lucien Abraxus Potter-Malfoy. This I do, to know your amenability, before formally approaching your family for their permission."
Finally silent, Severus folded his hands in his lap and waited, dark eyes watching Harry. They reflected deep hope, love, and just a smidge of fear.
Tears streamed freely down Harry's face, as he reverently stroked the bouquet in his palm. He would cherish it always, keeping it fresh, frozen in time, with a Stasis Spell. He'd thought he'd experienced happiness when he'd become part of Lucius and Cissa's family, with the twins. But this. This made his heart swell in his chest with happiness; so much so, he swore he would burst! Lifting his gaze to meet Severus', he gave him a watery smile.
"It would be my honor and joy to accept your proposal, Severus Tobias Sebastian Snape." Harry swiped at his face, brushing away tears. "My greatest honor, indeed. I love you, Severus."
Severus gathered Harry into his arms, looking down into those green eyes, still glistening with tears. He smiled, his own heart filled with joy, before leaning down and kissing Harry deeply, lovingly, holding him close, and savoring how perfectly they fit in each other's arms.
"I love you too, Harry. With all my being." He murmured against the dark hair, as he laid Harry back down.
A whispered spell and they were again naked under the covers, as Severus proceeded to show Harry again, what true love was.
Tbc
Sev's bouquet of personal proposal to Harry: baby's breath, honeysuckle, ivy, japonica, orange blossom, and a single red rose.
*BABY'S BREATH - Innocence, Pure of Heart
*HONEYSUCKLE - The Bond of Love
*IVY - Wedded Love, Fidelity, Friendship, Affection
*JAPONICA - Sincerity, Symbol of Love
*ORANGE BLOSSOM - Innocence, Eternal Love, Marriage and Fruitfulness
*ROSE (RED) - Love, I Love You
Runes of the ribbon:
Gebo - partnership
Algiz - protection
Fehu - possessions
Wunjo - joy
Raido - journey
Berkana - growth
Sowelu - wholeness