A proper life

Small and cozy. That was what he thought first when he was apparated to the sitting room of Sirius’s home, his new home, their home. It was pretty nice looking. Everything was almost new. The sitting room was narrow. A cream-colored loveseat and wingback chair behind a dark oak coffee table. A beautiful painting of a lake hanging on the soft blue wallpaper. The floor was a light color wooden one and the space was illuminated by the sun coming from the window. Just through the door there was the living room. Sparsely furnished and decorated. A standing lamp and a small high table with a book. A big sofa stood in the room accompanied solely by a painting of… Sirius?

- Is that you? – he asked curiously. A brow neatly raised.

- Well… – the blush in Sirius’s face was endearing – My Uncle Alphard gave me this flat and he felt that hanging a portrait of myself would be a good idea. It was his.

- So, your uncle had a portrait of a 15-year-old you? – in his voice you could hear the skeptical streak easily.

- Well, I was the Black Family Heir – He sighed a little before continuing as if reminiscing of a better past – I was at odds with my family at best, but they treated me as the Heir I was – They both walked nearer the portrait.
In the portrait a fifteen-year-old Sirius stared at them. His face was haughty, and you could see a little bit of disdain, perhaps to the painter, to his parents or to anyone really. Either way his expression now immortalized seem to be looking at the world with some contempt, as if the world was beneath him. His robes, black and grey, being in perfect harmony with his hair and eyes made him look noble. He was holding his wand in his right hand, placed over his heart.

In his index finger, the finger that represented his allegiance, was what could only be the Black Family Heirship ring. A beautiful signet ring, made of silver with a line of small diamonds surrounding a tastefully written B. It was resting innocently over his heart, where his allegiance should be. If him, a poor half-blood knew the implications of it, Sirius who was raised as the proud son of the Black Family should know even better. His Uncle was reminding Sirius of his place.

Actually, Sirius hasn’t given it real thought before. He had laughed when he saw the painting, calling out his uncle for his sentimentality, do you have a portrait of each of your nephews and nieces, Uncle Alphie? He had asked while teasing his uncle. He hasn’t stopped to really look at the whole painting. Sure, he looked handsome. But obviously that wasn’t all.

He remembers that day clearly. His mother has said that she had ordered only the best for him. He had poised for the painter for nearly 4 hours, no movement. His mother said, “It should be perfect as it will reflect not only your face, but this family’s future”. He stilled and didn’t move. There was no fight between them that day. A true miracle. Probably the fact that he didn’t complaint that much helped. And her mother looked at him with eyes full of pride.

Taking a closer look to his eyes, now looking at them with more awareness, he got the feeling that he had seen them in another place, in someone else’s eyes.

Orion Black and Arcturus Black. That’s were he had seen it, and he was not talking about the beautiful liquid silver color that they seemed to favor. No, it was the expression of everything being beneath them. Stand Proud above all. How many times he had not hear it?

In the end, it seems he didn’t forget.

- My portrait was commissioned by my parents. A copy was sent to each of the family branches. One at home, one to my Uncle Cygnus, and this one given to my Uncle Alphard – A pang of sadness beat Severus’s heart at hearing Sirius’s voice. There was a turbulent emotion in Sirius’s eyes that Severus couldn’t bring himself to allow it to continue to fester.

- You look handsome – he blurted with a serious face the very first thing that came to his mind. And it obviously took Sirius’s out of the dark place where he was.

- Oh, darling, I thought you would never admit it – he sneaked a hand around his waist and dragged him closer to him. Severus glared at the offending hand.

- Once we are properly settled, I will ask someone to paint a portrait of the both of us – something in Sirius’ eyes gleamed but he couldn’t decipher what just yet.

- You do not need to have your hand there to tell me that – he said though gritted teeth. The damned hand only went further down until it rested in his right arsecheek. He would deny to everyone the undignified squeak he let out once Sirius gave him a strong and long squeeze.

- You are totally right my dear. I don’t need it, but I do want it. – A cheshire smile grew big in Sirius face.
- Now, you are at my mercy. I am your husband, and I will take as it is my right.

Before Severus could protest, he was yanked into an embrace and right there his mouth was assaulted by an avid kisser. Yes, he was indeed Sirius’s husband. He had signed up for this by himself, no threats, and no coercion. Just plain agreement. It was his duty to attend to his husband and he couldn’t shirk the responsibility now that he was legally married. In the wizarding world that was how it worked. That was one of the main reasons why his own mother let herself be mistreated so much. Him, by the other hand, would not allow such things to happen to him. Yes, he had agreed to marry Sirius but if he didn’t respect him then it would be a matter of a few Belladona drops in his tea. Being a Black Widow was an option too.

Obviously, if Sirius proved to be a good husband, then he will remain a caring one too. He was a Slytherin after all, and his endgame was living a comfortable and healthy life. He has already move up the social ladder. Yes, Sirius was stripped of his title as the family Heir. But he was still a pureblood of perfect breeding. Now, he had left behind his awful muggle name. Severus Black, it had a certain ring to it. He would be the perfect househusband for Sirius. He had already proven himself as a worthy bride, despite being a half-blood, he was pure, purer than many other purebloods. He remembers the hush hush after the wedding of Bellatrix. Nobody said anything because she was a Black. Now, he is a Black too. If his husband wanted to take what was rightfully his, then he wouldn’t complain. After all, he was going to take what was rightfully his too.

When Sirius released him of his hold, he stood two seconds there dazed from the ravaging. But his mind could only echo that thought. He had to take what was his too.

And take he did.

Before Sirius could say anything or move again, Severus put his arms around Sirius neck and tiptoeing a little, he went all the way for a kiss. Just as wild as Sirius’s. Sirius’s reaction was only delayed for a second. He was incensed by Severus’s boldness.

Soon his hands were wandering his new husband. Feeling everything he could only watch from afar before. It was exhilarating, the rush from having his obsession in his arms. He was now obsessed not only with Severus, but also with his waist. Narrow and firm. He would snake his arms around it every time he got an opportunity to do so.
They soon separated from lack of oxygen.

Beautiful black eyes staring at him, pupils blown wide. He approached him to whisper in his ear that maybe they should go upstairs. Severus hold strengthened and he slowly nodded after looking to the floor to hide the blush in his cheeks. Sirius didn’t lose time. He scooped his husband in his arms, holding him in a bridal style that allowed him to hide his face between his neck and his collarbone.

He was grateful, so grateful for James´s input, without him, he wouldn’t find an excuse to get Severus, never in a million years would he had expected Severus to propose marriage on the spot. Thank Merlin, they had done things right. Now that Severus was his husband there was no way he could escape.