The Calm After the Storm
The air smelled of summer rain.
It had poured earlier, the kind of storm that shook the house, rattled the windows, and left the world smelling fresh and new.
Now, everything was still.
The sky was a soft watercolor of fading sunlight, the distant sound of birds called to each other over the trees.
Severus sat on the porch, a book resting open in his lap, though he hadn’t turned a page in some time.
Instead, he was watching them.
Y/N sat cross-legged in the grass, Nova nestled against her, the little girl’s tiny hands reaching toward a butterfly that hovered just out of reach. She let out a delighted squeal every time it flitted past her fingers, her dark curls bouncing as she clapped her hands in excitement.
“Careful, my love,” Y/N murmured, gently steadying Nova when she wobbled forward.
Severus felt something in his chest tighten–something achingly tender.
His girls.
Alive. Safe.
After everything, they were here.
Y/N glanced over her shoulder and caught him staring. A slow, knowing smile spread across her face.
“You’re staring.” She said softly.
Severus huffed, shifting in his chair. “Merely observing.”
Y/N laughed before turning to look back at Nova, brushing a stray curl from her forehead. “Daddy’s watching us.”
At the sound of her name for him, Nova’s head whipped around, her bright green eyes locking onto Severus.
His breath caught.
She beamed at him.
Truly beamed.
Her entire face lit up as she scrambled to her feet, her tiny legs carrying her toward the porch in an uneven wobble.
Severus barely had time to set his book aside before she barreled into him, her arms outstretched.
“Up!” She demanded in her small voice.
There was no hesitation. He scooped her up, feeling the warmth of her small body press against him as she nestled into his chest.
Nova let out a happy sigh, her fingers curling into his shirt.
Severus swallowed hard, pressing his lips to the top of her head. He still wasn’t used to this.
The ease of loving both of them.
The way his daughter clung to him with absolute trust, no hesitation, no fear.
She loves you dearly. Y/N pushed into his mind, as if she heard his very thoughts.
He smiled, knowing she very well could have.
She joined them on the porch, settling into the chair beside him. She stretched her legs out, tilting her head back as she sighed.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this tired after a school year.” She said with a chuckle. “I also don’t think I’ve ever felt so at peace.”
Severus hummed in agreement, his fingers idly tracing soothing circles against Nova’s back.
Y/N turned her head toward him, her gaze soft. “Do you think we’ll ever tell her?”
He knew what she meant.
The curse. The ritual. The darkness they had barely escaped.
Severus exhaled slowly. “Not for a long time,” he murmured. “Not unless she has to know.”
Y/N nodded, glancing at Nova, who was now babbling quietly against Severus’ shoulder, her tiny fingers grasping at the collar of his shirt now. “I want her to have a childhood before she has to understand things like that.”
“She will,” Severus said firmly. “She will have a childhood. She will have peace.”
Y/N studied him for a long moment before reaching out, her fingers curling around his. She gave a soft squeeze. “We all will.”
Severus turned his hand, lacing their fingers together.
For the first time in longer than he could remember, he believed her fully.
As the last light of the day faded into twilight, Nova let out a sleepy sigh against his chest.
Severus tightened his hold around her, his free hand still wrapped in Y/N’s.
The storm had passed.
And, at long last, they were home.