"You know, in some places, March 14th is when you're supposed to return a Valentine's gift," Sirius mused, stretching out lazily in his chair. "Too bad you didn't give me anything."
Across the table, Severus didn't even look up from his book. "Too bad you already gave me everything of yours."
Sirius blinked. He had been expecting Severus to brush him off, or maybe offer one of his usual razor-sharp retorts. But this—this was different.
Everything of his.
Sirius let out a breathless chuckle, trying to act as if the words hadn't sent a strange warmth curling through his chest. "Damn, Severus, that almost sounded romantic."
Severus turned a page with deliberate calm. "Either I misspoke, or you misinterpreted."
Sirius grinned despite himself. "You didn't deny it, though."
No response. Just the flicker of Severus's eyes over the text, the faintest twitch of his fingers against the paper. But Sirius had learned to read him better than most. And that silence—it wasn't rejection.
He leaned forward, propping his chin on his hand as he studied the man in front of him.
You already gave me everything of yours.
Sirius hadn't wrapped a bow around it, hadn't even realized when it had happened. But Severus wasn't wrong. He had given him everything, piece by piece—his time, his loyalty, his presence on nights when neither of them could sleep. His reckless, unspoken promises.
And Severus—Severus had taken them all, the good and the bad.
Sirius exhaled, letting himself smile, small and genuine. "You're impossible."
Severus finally looked up, arching a brow. "I thought that's my line."
Sirius huffed a laugh. "Yeah, well. Maybe we're both impossible. That's what makes this possible."
Severus didn't scoff, didn't sneer—he only regarded Sirius with that unreadable gaze, fingers absently tracing the rim of his cup. Then, after a moment, he simply said, "Perhaps."
It wasn't quite an agreement, but it wasn't a denial either.
Sirius watched him, warmth spreading through his chest. He hadn't expected gifts today.
But maybe, just maybe, he'd already received one.
Notes:
Just realized today is White Valentine's Day. Here's a tiny impromptu update for the occasion. Happy White Day
I think Severus sometimes says or does things normal people would consider almost romantic—without even realizing it. And Sirius would just be standing there like (arrow to the chest)