Something different I Severus/Lucius/Y/N

whispers of the fountain

As I rose from the bed, my head pounded slightly—a reminder of the previous night's indulgences. The memories of the evening filtered through slowly, a mix of wine, whispers, and unexpected closeness with Snape. *Was I just in bed with Snape?* The thought fluttered through my mind, incredulous and a bit hazy from the hangover.

Shaking off the confusion, I made my way to the bathroom for a much-needed shower, letting the hot water clear my mind and soothe the remnants of last night's wine. Refreshed and dressed, I was ready to face the new day, though I still felt the weight of last night's revelations and interactions hanging over me.I opened my door, intent on finding some breakfast and perhaps a strong coffee, when suddenly Lucius was there, pushing the door gently closed behind him. Before I could react, he leaned in, kissing me softly. "Good morning," he said with a warm smile. "I missed you."

Surprised but caught in the familiarity of his presence, I took a moment to respond. "Good morning, Lucius," I managed, my voice still thick from sleep. "Missed me? It's barely been a night."

He chuckled, his smile not fading. "A lot can happen in a night, as you well know. And after our dinner and... everything else, I found myself hoping I'd see you again sooner rather than later."I leaned back slightly against the door, considering his words. "It was an eventful evening," I conceded, thinking back not just to our time together but to the aftermath with Snape. "It seems Rome brings out unexpected sides of people."

"Indeed, it does," Lucius agreed, his gaze searching mine. "And speaking of unexpected, how did the rest of your night go after our dinner? I hope it ended on a calm note?"

The question hung between us, loaded with unspoken curiosity about my interactions with Snape after he'd left. I hesitated, not fully ready to delve into the details of what had transpired. "It was... interesting," I replied cautiously. "Let's just say I've had more restful nights."Lucius nodded, his expression showing a flicker of concern. "Well, if you ever need to talk or... anything else, know that I'm here."

His offer was kind, and despite the complexities of our situation, I found a measure of comfort in his words.

"Thank you, Lucius. That means a lot, especially now," I said, offering him a small, genuine smile.

He returned the smile, then glanced at his watch. "Shall we go down together for breakfast? The coffee here is supposed to be excellent, and it sounds like you could use a cup."I laughed, the sound lighter than I felt.

"You read my mind. Coffee sounds perfect."

As we left my room together, the corridors of the hotel seemed less daunting than they had a few hours earlier. Whatever the day held, starting it with Lucius—and good coffee—seemed like a promising enough beginning.

As Lucius and I made our way to the breakfast area, the atmosphere shifted perceptibly. Our entrance together didn't go unnoticed, and the speculative glances from the students added a tangible weight to the air. Whispered conversations momentarily paused as we passed, and I could feel the curious and perhaps judgmental eyes following us.

Among the onlookers were Zoe and Max, sitting together at a table. Their stares were particularly pointed, mingled with an air of disbelief and, possibly, a hint of disdain. Feeling a mix of defiance and irritation, I met their gaze squarely and, in a moment of impulsiveness, flipped them the middle finger. My reaction was less about them as individuals and more about challenging the silent judgments filling the room.

Lucius, taken aback by my sudden gesture, looked at me with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "What was that about?" he asked quietly as we took our seats at a nearby table, his voice low to keep our conversation private.