Precarious (Severus Snape x Reader)

Chapter 31: Is That...?

"It's obvious, isn't it?"

-

It had been several weeks since you told Minnie about the pregnancy. She had upheld her word and kept it a secret, and life continued fairly normally, as if nothing had changed. But to you and Severus, everything was dramatically different. Albus had given you permission to move into Severus' quarters, and within the hour, all of your belongings, including Brew, who had been tending to herself for weeks, found their places in his home. It gave her quite a shock at first, but she quickly adjusted to her two-parent household. Outside of the quarters, you had been gradually trying to find subtle ways to make your relationship known but professional, and it was proving harder than you expected. There was a fine line between affectionate and inappropriate, and even approaching that line made you uneasy. In the classroom, you remained formal, but you took to spending your free time publicly together, whether you sat with each other in the library or held his hand in the corridors. Students and professors alike started to notice your closeness, flicking their gaze at you knowingly, or inquiring lightly about the time you spent connected at the hip. It was true, you almost refused go anywhere without Severus. Not that you couldn't handle yourself on your own, you just couldn't bear to be away from him longer than a trip to the restroom. Luckily, no one had been so forward as to ask blatantly the nature of your relationship, because you were comfortable where you were; suspicion and subtlety were what you aimed for at this point.

You had noticed over the past couple of weeks that your clothes were beginning to fit differently. Although you couldn't quite tell from looking in the mirror, you could certainly feel the changes. Your skirts were growing increasingly snug, and you found that the buttons of your shirts seemed to be pulled taut by your swelling breasts. It didn't really surprise you that your belly was filling out, but you weren't quite expecting to need new bras so soon. For now, you altered your garments to your current figure and hoped that nobody would notice.

As if on cue, you hastily threw yourself out of bed and scurried to the nearest piece of plumbing - the toilet - to expel the acidic bile from your stomach. It was very early, still dark outside, and Severus had yet to rise. You thought you had made it without waking him until you felt a strong hand gather your hair at the nape of your neck and run slow circles across your spine. No matter how silent you tried to be, he always heard you rouse and would meet you wherever you decided to wretch violently. Leaning back onto your heels, you wiped your forehead and glanced up at him. Severus' silky locks framed his face as he peered down at you, a familiar comforting smile on his face.

"Are you alright, love?" he asked quietly, his voice still gravelly from sleep.

You nodded as he ran his fingers through your hair, pushing it away from your face. A deep breath later, he extended his other hand, motioning for you to take it, and helped you onto your unsteady feet. You were enveloped in a warm embrace, and he coaxed the nausea away.

"Thank you," you said against his chest.

"Always," he replied, pressing his lips against your temple.

You squinted out of the bathroom toward the window in his bedroom, trying to estimate the time of day.

"Is it early?" you grumbled.

"It's five o'clock," he whispered into your hair.

Groaning audibly, you latched onto his arm and practically drug him back into bed, feeling him wrap himself around you, lulling you with his steady breaths. It wasn't nearly enough time when he released you, casting a faint lumos and sifting through his wardrobe. You peered through your lashes as his fingers danced in the subtle glow, and when he had found the perfect black button down shirt, he reached behind to his neck and smoothly pulled his sleep shirt over his head. Your thighs pressed together, clenching at his agile musculature, and you were half tempted to drop to your knees and bring him to ecstasy. But, alas, the fatigue won over you and your lids fell shut, feeling yourself drift away again. The next time your eyes opened, sunlight was streaming through the window and warming your face.

"You actually do need to get up now, my love," Severus whispered against the shell of your ear.

The vibration of his voice sent a wracking shiver along your spine, and you felt his lips turn up against your cheek. He nibbled lightly at your earlobe, coaxing a tiny whimper from your throat, and his chuckle spread warmly down your neck. You were beginning to arouse now.

He stepped back, providing you space, but you quickly pulled him back down by his collar.

"You don't have to stop," you said lowly, and pressed your lips feverishly against his. He sighed, melting into you and working his mouth in time with yours. He broke away when you lifted the hem of your shirt.

"We don't have the time," he murmured disappointedly, readjusting his trousers.

You groaned loudly, flopping your head back onto your pillow dramatically.

"I'll make you some tea," he said with a gentle smile.

You watched him leave toward the kitchen, and your heart was pulled from the bed. Wherever Severus was, you had to be. Another generic set of robes was retrieved from your wardrobe and you stood before a floor length mirror, stripping off your old shirt and preparing to don a bra that was just a tad too small. Your mind was alight with thoughts of Severus until you caught your reflection in the corner of your eye. It took you by surprise. You squinted your eyes at your hazy image and turned to the side.

Is that...?

You glided your hand down across your belly, feeling the firm bump of your child, so much more visible now. Even last night, you didn't feel as if it was noticeable, but suddenly, it became obvious. You were most definitely pregnant, and your heart began to flutter. The first real, conclusive sign had arrived, and you were caught in a whirlwind of admiration and insecurity.

"You're so beautiful," a deep voice came from the doorway.

You turned to face him, your hand resting gently against your distended pelvis.

"It's obvious, isn't it?" you asked, smiling at first. Then, the worry and reality slammed into you like a brick wall. Your vision became watery as your eyes filled with tears, and an almost-silent sob fell from your chest.

"(Y/N)," he started, standing behind you and wrapping his arms around your waist.

You looked up and dabbed at your eyes. In the mirror, his chin rested atop your head, his hands cradling your belly, stroking it with his thumbs. Your breasts hung heavy and unclothed, and a faint little line ran a trail right down the middle of your belly to your navel. You could already feel the stretching of your skin, and you couldn't clear the tears fast enough before they tumbled down your cheeks, falling to his arms. You were changing so quickly, and although you knew it was coming, you couldn't quite be prepared enough to face it.

"I don't care what you think. You're the most beautiful, lovely woman I've ever seen. Even more so with our child inside you. Do not ever feel like you are not enough. You are everything and more to me," Severus whispered, hugging you closer.

You thanked Merlin that you had such a wonderful partner, infinitely grateful that he supported you so fully. It very nearly made you burst with love. You closed your eyes, resting your head back against his chest.

"Thank you," you whispered thickly.

You briefly tried to recall exactly how far along you were. Was it normal to show this early? What if...maybe there's multiples?

Oh, Merlin.

"You're fifteen weeks, darling," Severus said, intercepting your thoughts. "From what I've read, it's common to start showing now, especially since you hardly have any fat on you."

You sighed. Maybe he was right. Maybe there is just one baby. Suddenly, you felt extremely relaxed, and leaned back against him. He shifted his weight slightly, then reached behind your knees and lifted you to his chest, setting you down on the edge of the bed and reaching for your robes. You couldn't suppress your watery giggle.

"Oh, Sev, I love you."

You placed a kiss to the bridge of his nose.

"I love you more," he replied. "Let's go educate these dunderheads."