Suffering

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After a bit, you got up to make them some tea. "I can do it," he said from the couch. He had started reading his book. "I am not incapable of making tea, Severus. Let me do things for you," you said in a honey-coated voice. 

You took your tablet while you waited for the water to boil. This man was impossible sometimes. He acted as if it were weakness if someone did something for him. You flipped the rock from your walk around in your hand while you waited. You leaned against the counter, lost in your thoughts. 

Finally, the kettle screeched, and you looked up to take it off the flame. You poured you both a cup and took his to him on the sofa. "Thank you, love," he said as he took it from your hand. His beautiful fingers grazed yours when taking the cup.

You went to the bookshelf to look for something else to read. You were done with the book you had been reading. He had quite the collection, most wizarding books, some muggle classics. One in particular caught your eye. It was a large old book, *Crime and Punishment* by Fyodor Dostoevsky. 

You made your way over to the chair with the book, hanging your legs over the arm and opened it. Without looking up, Severus spoke, "Have you read it before?"

You looked over at him, "I haven't. Is it good?" He smiled to himself, "It's beautiful. You will love it." The two of you sat reading for hours in silence. It was enough to just be in the room with him. He was right, the book was beautiful. After a while, you put it down on the table open in your spot; you didn't have a page marker. You wouldn't dare "dog ear" his book.

You got up to stretch. It was late afternoon now, nearly dinner. You picked up your tea mugs and went back to the kitchen. "Have you fed him today?" referring to Alfie. "Indeed," he replied.

"Give me a moment and I'll come prepare dinner," he spoke. "I can make food," you said. He turned his head and replied, "I'm positive you are capable. I'll be there in a moment." You huffed.

"I feel useless," you said as you walked out of the kitchen. Severus got up and walked towards you, "I have many uses for you, darling." You didn't look impressed by his comment. "I'm going for a walk."

His eyes went to the window, "It's dark out." You replied, "How observant." You went and grabbed your coat to walk towards the door. He said sternly, "You have 30 minutes."You turned your head back at him, "I don't have a watch," and closed the door.

It was a beautiful winter evening, quite chilly but lovely all the same. You would be lying if you said he didn't frustrate you sometimes. 

You walked for a bit to a clearing and sat to watch the stars. It was another clear night. You hadn't seen any shooting stars the night before. The pair had been rather distracted. 

After a bit, you got up and slowly walked back to the house. It was nice to be alone sometimes. You walked through the wooden door, thankfully before he was done with dinner. You hung up your coat, took your boots off, and went to wash your hands in the sink.

Severus was plating the food and turned to say, "Enjoy yourself?" You smirked and just said, "Yes, I did, thank you." You sat and had a lovely dinner together, as usual. 

"Would you like to have a drink after dinner?" He raised his eyebrow. You smiled at him, "Please." After dinner, you helped him clean up the dishes. He would wash them and hand them to you to dry. These little moments were so special. They were so normal and ordinary but beautiful in their way.