p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Outside, dark clouds blanketed the sky, and the train compartment they were in would light up only when the lightning would flash outside. It was a rather nice compartment, very comfortable, but Severus was far too nervous to enjoy it. Harry was speaking to him./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I know that I am your master," Harry told him in a soft tone, "but I have no intention of using that to make you my slave, Severus. I wish for our bond to be different than that." The older man was frowning in thought./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""So, what would happen if you were to hurt me at any point?"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"He couldn't help but fear Harry's strength and how it could be used against him, even if it was that very strength that made him feel so safe./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I will never harm you," Harry answered simply, and Severus almost believed him. "You will understand that eventually, my own."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"His words, emmy own/em, wrapped him in warmth for the remainder of the ride, hope creeping up his spine./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The area was not very busy, but the dominant creature remained wary of everyone around them. He gave Severus an evaluating glance before reaching out and wrapping a sturdy arm around his waist. Severus tensed, uncertain about the new touch and the unfamiliar environment, and Harry hesitantly brought him closer to his side. He did not relax completely until they were inside the restaurant, but Harry continued to be on guard./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Hello! May I ask how many will be dining this evening?" A young waitress greeted, her bright gaze lingering on the man at Harry's side. Harry scowled, pulling him closer./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Two."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus followed the waitress as she led the to the table, allowing Harry to protect his back and have a convenient view of the sway of his hips. Harry couldn't help but smile when he realized how much more prominent Severus' bow legged walk was when he was further healed and wasn't wearing his robes, before frowning seriously when he noticed that their waitress had noticed that, too. She nodded, grabbed two menus, and promised to be back to get their order momentarily./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus nearly squeaked when Harry slid in the booth beside him, wrapping his arm about his waist and nesting him firmly into his side./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Is this okay?" Harry turned his head to look at his mate, his expression open and gentle. Severus found himself leaning into the arm, rather than asking Harry to put it away./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""What would you like to drink?" asked the waitress who had bounced up to their table./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""We'll have the Chardonnay with our meal today, and two glasses of water on the side please," Harry ordered for them, Severus turning to him with one brow raised to convey his surprise. He glanced at the waitress and blushed when he realized she was staring at him, trying to see if he agreed with the order. She gave him a suggestive wink and a smile. He turned further into Harry, not noticing his actions until Harry had already pulled him closer./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The green eyed wizard narrowed his eyes. That waitress was pushing it, flirting with Severus like that. He didn't know what she was playing at, Severus was his. He barely restrained a growl before relaxing when Severus just pushed further into him rather than pulling away./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The woman returned quickly, and she seemed especially curious about the older man. "I don't think I've seen you before," she smiled, glancing between them as if the answer to why they were here together would be written on one of their faces. "Are you from this area?"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""No," Severus sneered, feeling threatened by the unfamiliar woman's focus. He subconsciously moved a bit closer to Harry, uncomfortable with the critical eye she was giving him. He scooted away with a jolt when he realized what he was doing. He could feel Harry's eyes on his face and he averted his own to the table, fighting the urge to curl up beside the young man./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"This was neither the time nor place to want to submit to Harry bloody Potter./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The young man quickly ordered for them both, glaring so venomously at the girl that she swallowed her curiosity and scurried away. He tightened his hold on Severus, running a reassuring hand along his neck./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I'm fine," he bit out. "She didn't do anything."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry sighed. "Severus, you know very well what she was doing. I won't have anyone questioning our relationship so rudely or flirting with you. You are mine."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I was not flirting!" Severus couldn't help but snap, blushing even as he said it./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""No, you seemed almost frightened of her, not attracted. I won't have anyone making you uncomfortable like that."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Thank you," Severus said once they were back on the train./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry sat up and curled his finger, beckoning his older mate forward. He then pulled him onto his lap, wrapping him up in his arms. He rubbed his stomach soothingly, chuckling when Severus made a submissive whine before growling at himself./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Relax with me, cicaro. No one is here but us, and you should be proud of what you are."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"TBC/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I know that I am your master," Harry told him in a soft tone, "but I have no intention of using that to make you my slave, Severus. I wish for our bond to be different than that." The older man was frowning in thought./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""So, what would happen if you were to hurt me at any point?"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"He couldn't help but fear Harry's strength and how it could be used against him, even if it was that very strength that made him feel so safe./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I will never harm you," Harry answered simply, and Severus almost believed him. "You will understand that eventually, my own."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"His words, emmy own/em, wrapped him in warmth for the remainder of the ride, hope creeping up his spine./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The area was not very busy, but the dominant creature remained wary of everyone around them. He gave Severus an evaluating glance before reaching out and wrapping a sturdy arm around his waist. Severus tensed, uncertain about the new touch and the unfamiliar environment, and Harry hesitantly brought him closer to his side. He did not relax completely until they were inside the restaurant, but Harry continued to be on guard./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Hello! May I ask how many will be dining this evening?" A young waitress greeted, her bright gaze lingering on the man at Harry's side. Harry scowled, pulling him closer./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Two."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus followed the waitress as she led the to the table, allowing Harry to protect his back and have a convenient view of the sway of his hips. Harry couldn't help but smile when he realized how much more prominent Severus' bow legged walk was when he was further healed and wasn't wearing his robes, before frowning seriously when he noticed that their waitress had noticed that, too. She nodded, grabbed two menus, and promised to be back to get their order momentarily./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus nearly squeaked when Harry slid in the booth beside him, wrapping his arm about his waist and nesting him firmly into his side./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Is this okay?" Harry turned his head to look at his mate, his expression open and gentle. Severus found himself leaning into the arm, rather than asking Harry to put it away./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""What would you like to drink?" asked the waitress who had bounced up to their table./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""We'll have the Chardonnay with our meal today, and two glasses of water on the side please," Harry ordered for them, Severus turning to him with one brow raised to convey his surprise. He glanced at the waitress and blushed when he realized she was staring at him, trying to see if he agreed with the order. She gave him a suggestive wink and a smile. He turned further into Harry, not noticing his actions until Harry had already pulled him closer./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The green eyed wizard narrowed his eyes. That waitress was pushing it, flirting with Severus like that. He didn't know what she was playing at, Severus was his. He barely restrained a growl before relaxing when Severus just pushed further into him rather than pulling away./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The woman returned quickly, and she seemed especially curious about the older man. "I don't think I've seen you before," she smiled, glancing between them as if the answer to why they were here together would be written on one of their faces. "Are you from this area?"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""No," Severus sneered, feeling threatened by the unfamiliar woman's focus. He subconsciously moved a bit closer to Harry, uncomfortable with the critical eye she was giving him. He scooted away with a jolt when he realized what he was doing. He could feel Harry's eyes on his face and he averted his own to the table, fighting the urge to curl up beside the young man./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"This was neither the time nor place to want to submit to Harry bloody Potter./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The young man quickly ordered for them both, glaring so venomously at the girl that she swallowed her curiosity and scurried away. He tightened his hold on Severus, running a reassuring hand along his neck./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I'm fine," he bit out. "She didn't do anything."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry sighed. "Severus, you know very well what she was doing. I won't have anyone questioning our relationship so rudely or flirting with you. You are mine."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I was not flirting!" Severus couldn't help but snap, blushing even as he said it./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""No, you seemed almost frightened of her, not attracted. I won't have anyone making you uncomfortable like that."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Thank you," Severus said once they were back on the train./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry sat up and curled his finger, beckoning his older mate forward. He then pulled him onto his lap, wrapping him up in his arms. He rubbed his stomach soothingly, chuckling when Severus made a submissive whine before growling at himself./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Relax with me, cicaro. No one is here but us, and you should be proud of what you are."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"TBC/p
