Something different I Severus/Lucius/Y/N

bouquet of forgiveness

As the elevator ascended smoothly towards the top floor, the silence felt like a respite from the whirlwind of emotions and confrontations that had filled the day. When the doors finally opened directly into my suite, the privacy and opulence of the space felt like a sanctuary.

I stepped in, the door closing quietly behind me, sealing off the world and its complexities for a moment. The tension that had been building finally found an outlet. In a gesture of frustration and exhaustion, I kicked my suitcase aside somewhat aggressively, watching it slide across the polished floor. The thud it made against the wall was oddly satisfying, a physical manifestation of the emotional turmoil I had been carrying.

Moving further into the room, I let my gaze sweep over the luxurious decor, the plush furnishings, and the panoramic view of Paris from the floor-to-ceiling windows. But even the beauty of the cityscape couldn't hold my attention. I felt an overwhelming urge to release the pent-up frustration, the confusion, and the betrayal I felt swirling inside me.

I threw myself onto the large, inviting bed, grabbing a pillow and screaming into it as loudly as I could. "Aaaaaaaah!!!! I hate it, I hate it, I hate it!" The muffled cries into the pillow were a release, each shout letting out a little more of the pent-up stress.

The room was silent again as I lay there, breathing heavily, the pillow still clutched tightly in my hands.

Alone in the expansive suite, I allowed myself a few moments to just breathe, to feel the softness of the bed beneath me, and to listen to the faint sounds of the city that drifted up from below. This solitude was necessary, a time to gather my thoughts and to decide how to handle the revelations about Lucius, the uncomfortable situation with Max and Zoe, and to reconcile my feelings about everything that had happened.

As my breathing slowed, a plan began to form on how to confront Lucius with my feelings and questions. I needed transparency and honesty, and I was determined to get it.

As I lay on the bed, the stillness of the room was only interrupted by the soft sound of my own sobs. The tears streamed down my cheeks, each one a testament to the heartache and confusion that had overtaken me. Just weeks ago, I had cried over Max, betrayed by his infidelity. And now, here I was, shedding tears for Lucius—a man known for his past indiscretions, a man who might have been using me all along. The irony of it stung bitterly.

In the midst of my turmoil, the sudden sound of the door opening startled me from my thoughts. I quickly wiped my eyes, looking up in surprise. Snape stood in the doorway, his expression a mix of concern and relief. He closed the door quietly behind him and rushed over to the bed, his usual reserve giving way to evident worry.

"Do you know how frightened I was that you apparated somewhere else? That you might have splinched?!" he exclaimed, his voice tense with the fear he'd been harboring.

Seeing Snape so visibly upset, his usually stoic demeanor undone by concern for my safety, made me pause in my own emotional spiral. It was clear that Snape cared deeply, perhaps more than I had realized.

"I... I'm here, Severus. I'm safe," I managed to say, my voice shaky from the crying.

Snape's demeanor shifted as he sensed my distress deepen. The comforting embrace lingered, and his hand continued to soothingly stroke my hair, a quiet attempt to offer solace. "Why are you crying, kitten?" he asked gently, his voice low and concerned.

I looked up at him, my eyes welled with tears, my lips trembling as I tried to find the words. "It's... it's Lucius," I managed to stutter out, the name feeling like a weight on my tongue.

Snape's expression changed instantly; his eyes darkened with a mixture of anger and protective ferocity. He had suspected Lucius might be the cause of my troubles, especially given the complexities of our relationships and Lucius's past behaviors, which he was all too aware of.