Harry felt an unfamiliar warmth coursing through his veins as he gazed into Severus Snape's dark eyes. It had taken years for him to truly appreciate the man in front of him, but after everything they had been through together, he couldn't imagine life without him.
It had been almost a year since Voldemort's defeat and the wizarding world was still healing from the devastation. Harry had been restless after the war, unsure of what he wanted to do with his life. It was during this time that he had unexpectedly found himself seeking out Severus more and more.
They had always butted heads during Harry's time at Hogwarts, but now they found comfort in each other's company. They would discuss everything from the intricacies of potion-making to the future of the wizarding world.
One evening, as they sat by the fireplace in Severus's home, they shared a bottle of fire whisky and talked late into the night. Harry couldn't keep his eyes off of Severus, the way his long fingers twirled the stem of his glass, the way his hair fell across his forehead, the way his voice lowered when he spoke of his childhood.
It was then that Harry realized that he was in love with Severus Snape.
He didn't know how to tell him, so instead, Harry contented himself with simply being near him. They would read together, watch the sunset together, and sometimes just sit in silence, enjoying each other's company.
But it was during a quiet moment one afternoon when Severus turned to Harry and said, "Potter, there is something I must confess to you."
Harry's heart skipped a beat. Had he finally found the courage to tell him?
Severus took a deep breath and said, "I have always found you to be the most fascinating person, Harry. Even when we were at odds, there was something about you that I couldn't resist. I can't shake you from my mind, and I don't think I want to."
Harry felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes. "I feel the same way, Severus."
And with that, they kissed. It was a soft, tentative kiss at first, but as their lips met again and again, it grew more passionate. They explored each other's bodies, reveling in the feeling of skin on skin.
In the days that followed, they continued to explore their newfound love. They took long walks along the cliffs near Severus's home, swam in the lake, and made love with a tenderness that they both knew they had never experienced before.
It wasn't always easy, but they were committed to making it work. They dealt with the disapproving looks from others, the judgment from those who didn't understand, and the fear of losing each other. But through it all, Harry knew that he had found a kindred spirit in Severus Snape, and that he would do anything to keep him.