The Space Between Failing and Falling • Snarry •

Chapter 16: Abundance and Affluence

Harry's smile widens, and he kisses the wandering finger. "Good. I love you. And have done since I first met the real you in my dreams."

"The fact that you can use the 'L' word in reference to me at all is difficult to fathom."

"Sometimes, I think I know you." Harry furrows his brow. "But then, when you say things like that, I really don't think I do." He drops his voice. "I've been thinking of you for nearly three years. I tried to forget you for the better part of a year and it was hopeless."

"I have been a prize fool," Severus says. He gets up to pace the living room, but stops to stare unseeingly at the photos on the mantelpiece. Harry springs up too. He can see it now—a total fool. "A soulmate is more valuable to me than anything in the world," he says to the wall. Harry touches his elbow, and Severus turns to face him. His heart thuds, and in spite of everything, he feels a bit queasy. But his way is simple and has been for some time.

"Be mine," Severus says, "bond with me. And I will never let you go."

Harry nods, kisses him sweetly, then wildly, so Severus presses him against the bookshelf, and drives his thigh between Harry's. The room seems hot, Harry throws off his glasses, then he reaches out with his tongue to feel Severus's pulse on his neck. Being licked is intoxicating. Especially by Harry.

Severus grips Harry's hips with bruising fingers and kisses a path from his cheek to his lips. He speaks against his mouth, "I want you. Wholly. Every part."

"Yes," Harry breathes, as he bites down on Severus's lip. "Just tell me when."

"I have half a mind to march you to the Ministry right now." He pushes Harry's chest to create some space between them. "I shall endeavour to contain myself."

Harry touches Severus's shoulder blades through his robes, and can surely feel Severus shiver when he trails his fingers down Severus's spine. "I like watching you lose control like this. So desperate." He brushes his fingertips across Severus's jaw.

Severus grasps his shoulders, to better measure the sincerity in Harry's eyes. "Truly. You'll bond with me...?"

Harry peers at him with startled eyes for three seconds. "I—yes. I would like that. Very much."

Profound relief spreads up from his toes, like Butterbeer on a wintry afternoon, or the touch of a roaring fireplace dousing you with warmth when you come in from the snow.

Harry twirls a lock of Severus's hair around his fingers.

Severus freezes, and stares at the middle distance between them.

I will do my best to deserve you. I will adore you and treasure you until the end of my days, he wants to say.

"The vows—I wrote them years before we met, long before you were even a twinkle in your father's eye, in anticipation that I would someday need them. After all this time, I am astounded that I will be fortunate enough to make use of them."

Harry beams at him. "You did? That's wonderful, Severus." Desperate. Lovesick. Alone. Not wonderful. "You're a sappy romantic. Don't try to deny it. I love it."

"I deny everything. Not guilty."

Severus closes the gap between them he created, meeting Harry's lips once more whilst pulling himself tighter against him. He needs Harry. And if Harry wants him back, there is no use in resisting.

"I really do love you," Harry whispers against his lips, Severus eternally grateful that he didn't pull away to say it. He craves to continue letting his tongue dance with Harry's, to feel the gentleness give way to lust.