Soon All the Suns Will Rise

Can't Deny the Beast Inside

Chapter title from "Animals" by Maroon 5.

And, here we go. This was supposed to be a nice, pleasant chapter of coffee and conversation. But these characters...🤦‍♀️

❗️Smut warning. Explicit. Sirius has a breeding kink, guys. And it's on full display in the second part of this chapter. If that's not your thing, don't read past the chapter break. You've been warned. I've made it skippable. 😋

Read the first part though to see Severus and Colleen really interact for the first time.
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"Good morning, Mrs. Black."

Colleen jumped at the sudden boom of the low voice behind her.

"Oh, good morning, Severus. Sleep well?"

"Decently, yes."

It was still dark outside. Colleen had awakened around 4:00 and knew she couldn't go back to sleep, so she'd started a batch of cinnamon scones to greet everyone when they eventually made their way to the kitchen. Remus and Tonks would be up within an hour or so, but Sirius and Rhiannon preferred their breakfast at a time more in line with lunch.

"May I pour you some coffee?" Colleen offered.

"I prefer Earl Grey. I'll make it though. No need for you to wait on me like a house elf."

Colleen smiled. "You're giving so much time and effort to protecting me and Ben— making sure you're fed properly is the least I can do." She started the kettle and watched Severus as he perched on the edge of their breakfast nook. He looked a bit strange in his black silk bathrobe atop white t-shirt and dark green plaid flannels.

"Something wrong, Mrs. Black?"

"Hmm? Oh, no. Just still not used to seeing you look...so much like a Muggle," she said nervously, afraid he wouldn't care much for that comparison.

"Me either," Severus admitted. "I purchased a new wardrobe when we moved here. I thought it prudent for us to blend in as much as possible with our surroundings. You never know when spies are lurking— even watching through the windows."

Colleen glanced around uneasily. "Perhaps I should close the drapes?"

The professor shook his head and gave a quick wave of his wand. "I often charm the windows so we can see out and no one can see in. It just wears off after a bit and has to be renewed."

"Oh, good. That's a relief." Colleen began dropping spoonfuls of batter onto her baking pan, shaping them into triangles. It dawned on her that this was her opportunity to discuss something with him that Rhiannon had mentioned, but she wasn't quite sure how to approach such an intimate subject. She decided to think of him like her doctor — well, Potions Master, and not like...whatever he was. Truth be told, this whole arrangement was odd.

"Severus, could I ask you about something?"

"Well, you just did. I would think forming another question would be as simple as stringing together another set of words with a question mark, yes?"

It was a very logical, academic, Snape-like statement. Colleen paused in dropping scones when the kettle whistled, and washed her hands to prepare his cup of tea. As she was carrying it to the table, her hands shook with nerves and sent a splash onto the front of the new robe she'd bought when shopping with Remus and Tonks the other day.

"Ouch!" she hissed, the scalding tea soaking right through the ivory silk.

Severus stood abruptly and took the cup from her. "Here, let me." He removed his wand again and waved it over her front. The wet spot promptly disappeared, and the sear on her skin was overtaken by a cooling sensation underneath.