Set up: Cassius is laying across a couch, Severus is in the corner of said couch, cass' head is near his thigh, he is looking up. They are in Severus' office at Hogwarts.
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Cassius stared upwards directly at Severus, eyes blinkly rarely. A gentle fond expression on his face. Short, nearly soundless deep breaths fall from the blond's lips.
The Potions Master gave no attention the figure laying down besides him and turned another page of the book in his hands
Moments passed.
The only thing heard in the room was the old book getting read, a small scribble or two etched onto paper.
Then it broke.
"Something interesting you see?" Even as it was spoken softly Severus' words seemed to echo through his office.
Cassius' lips twitch upwards before his entire face went soft. "I always find you interesting."
The words came out so easy, so blunt. Quickly like he didn't have to think, just spoke the truth.
Severus fought a blush, he's successful as always. He's had practice. Especially with Cassius.
"You are being annoying"
"You are breathtaking."
The book closed suddenly, Fingers tighten around the old leather cover. Sharply Severus turns his head.
"I shall not be mocked you-"
"Never have I mocked you Severus Snape."
Silence for a beat.
"Bugged you. Annoyed you. Snapped at you. Made you smirk, which we both know means you're smiling so wide it would hurt if you actually did. You have been a true friend since the day my brother introduced us. Loyal. Kind. My rock whenever I had needed it. A shoulder to cry on. I have never hurt you. Never laughed at you. Never turned away from you. Do not dare to say I would mock you now."
The steady tone. Fierce but gentle and honest. Severus had to look away. His insides turning at the words of his greatest friend. Not that he's ever said such a thing.
Cassius was not done, however.
"I was looking at your eyes. So dark, but there's a warmth. It's so comforting to me. Like a tiny glow in the night. Beckoning me to come closer. To be safe. They're black sometimes. Completely so, like a star-less midnight sky. So complex but not. Rich in a way."
The pure emotion, both from the speech and from himself Severus turns to look again at Cassius. Who's gazing directly back, their eye contact is locked now. The younger male's eyes pierce into the raven locked man's. Cassius was focused and almost pleading with his look. His face showing desperately that Severus needs to hear his words. He gaze resembling devote followers to their Goddess, Gods, Deitys. To their world. To their love.
In a flash without any warning, Cass twists his body and lands quickly in Severus' lap. His hands grabbing the black robes of the other, near the elbow and forcing Severus arms down. Cassius' long legs bracket Severus' in, the blond's knees barely touching the other's hips.
The book is on the floor, the loud thump filled the room and so did the steady breaths coming from Cassius.
Their eyes are still locked.
A beat.
Then another.
One more.
"I love you Severus."
This is spoken loudly. Not a shout but slightly raised. Demanding it into existence.
"I've always felt someway but you. A good way. Deep in ways I didn't understand when I was a student here."
Dark, black, warm eyes widen.
'...since the? School....even back then?'
Severus' mind is racing, he can't keep track of his thoughts. His heart feels like it's beating so fast that he might die from it bursting from his chest. He feels like he's gasping for breath and making too, too much noise.
His eyes are staring into the light blue ones he has dreamed about for years. Looking at Cassius' face. The honesty behind it. The...
The love.
Tears are so nearly pricking at the Potions Master's eyes, but the blond is still not done. He's nearly pleading now.
"Fuck Sev," Severus' heart clenches at the nickname.
"I love you so much. So fucking mu- I've have known all the struggles you have been through, just as you know mine. There isn't a secret between us is there?(rhetorical)
-I have hated this distance between us. The physical one. Because the amount of bloody letters I've sent you, not a single fucking day in my life have you actually missed. And you've sent me many in reply. I miss touching you. Seeing you. Being around you is like I can finally breath again. I feel calm. I feel happy. I feel so loved with you."
Severus can't think. It's true. All of it.
"You don't have to say it. I know you, you shoved all of these feelings, these words, us, deep down inside. Insisting that you aren't allowed to have anything joyful. It's punishment, because you can't possible deserve love."
Cassius' hands are gently gripping Severus face now, cradling the older wizard's cheeks. He moves his face closer as well, the blond doesn't let another second go by.
"You can love Severus. I can love you. I do love you. So bloody much. You are not due any more punishment, you don't have to suffer anymore.-
-You don't have to say it back. Because I know you. I know how you're going to need a week, probably more, to undue all your negative thoughts that say, you can't have me. But you can, you must.-
-Because I can't live without you. And I know you can't either. I know this because your eyes tell me. -
-They scream your fidelity to me, your trueness, your loyalty, your love. So please, please, let me be beside you as I so desperately need to be. Let me love you because I require you much more than I require the air that fills my lungs."
'It has to be soulmates. It must be fate.' Severus thinks before his mind shuts off entirely and he reacts without concense.
He grabs Cassius' hips and thrusts the blonds body to his. Darting his face to others, lips finally meeting lips. It was chaste for a not even second before it became fierce. It was a claimed. A declaration love.
Their love. And the best part, is that this isn't even near the beginning.