"Chrysanthemum." Severus Snape x reader fanfiction.

Seal lullaby.

* TW: deals with trauma, PTSD, and grief.

                             A stream of warm, morning sunlight leaked in through the semi-open window and blanketed the skin of your cheek like that of a gentle kiss. Your eyes fluttered open slowly, a dull pounding radiating behind your eyelids. You took in a deep breath, holding it for a good few seconds before letting it out within a tired yawn. The bed was soft and cozy, something you were more than grateful for in this moment. You reached your arms up to stretch them over your head, wincing slightly as your muscles tensed and ached.

Slowly sitting yourself up, you gazed over at the other side of the bed and traced the faint outline of where Severus had obviously slept. Reaching out, you splayed your palm across the mattress and lightly tracing along the wrinkles of the silk sheet, a faint smiling pulling at the corner of your lips. Despite everything you had been put through thus far, you were finally beginning to feel at home.

Being around Severus was the safest you'd felt in years, and feeling safe was something you were very much unfamiliar with. That was set to change, it seemed. And you were welcoming that change with wide open arms. Carefully, you swung your legs over the edge of the bed and ran your fingers through your somewhat messy hair, smoothing it back and away from your face.

The scent of fresh brewed tea radiated in from the adjacent room and you pushed yourself up onto your own two feet. You were a little wobbly, but able to regain your balance quite easily compared to yesterday. You sauntered your way into the next room, immediately spotting Severus standing over a small stove near the kitchen window with his back towards you.

You crossed your arms over your chest in an attempt to keep yourself warm, already missing the heat of the snug blanket — as well as the comfort of his arms.

"You're awake quite early," Severus mumbled softly, giving a swish of his wand and watching as the pot of tea poured carefully into a small mug.

You smiled, cheeks already beginning to flush a soft shade of pink. "So are you."

He turned on his heels and held out the tiny mug, your hands reaching out to grasp it as your fingertips brushed along his knuckles. The simplest of touches were electrifying, sending shock waves surging through your veins. Severus stepped even closer to you, hooking his thumb beneath your chin and gently tilting it upward as he studied you with heavy eyes.

"They're healing — your bruises." He brushed the pad of his thumb along your chin and up to your lower lip before eventually pulling his hand away.

You immediately missed the caress of his hand along your skin, wrapping your fingers around the warm mug of tea and lifting it up so you could take a cautious sip. Severus watched silently as you sighed in content, tongue darting out to moisten your lips as you swallowed. You flashed him a sleepy little smile as the warmth of the tea spread throughout your limbs and pooled in the pit of your stomach.

"Do you always get up this early?" You questioned curiously, leaning up against the corner of the wall.

Severus took in a breath and turned back towards the stove, switching the burner off and using his wand to clean up the tea pot before placing it back into the cabinet. "There are a few things I'd like to discuss with you today."

You cocked an eyebrow, taking another small sip of tea before carefully pushing yourself away from the wall and over towards Severus' taller frame. You walked with a slight limp and that alone was enough to cause concern in the older man.

He reached out and lightly cupped your rosy cheek, gazing down into your sparkling eyes as his voice rumbled lowly within the otherwise quiet kitchen.

"Perhaps we should get you dressed first."