𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧 - 𝑨 𝑺𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒖𝒔 𝑺𝒏𝒂𝒑𝒆 𝑭𝒂𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - Vodka

I'm still alive 🍓 (Unfortunately)
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The streets had darkened, and the lanterns flickered on. Children were being called back into their houses for dinner which was what Mia should have been preparing.

Her procrastination to return made her an hour late.

She partially expected to find Severus standing there like a black cloud of smoke, his scrutinizing eyes burning into her form, his handsome features full of judgment and displeasure, but she walked into an empty house, much to both her relief and disappointment.

Where had he gone now? It doesn't matter. She preferred to work in peace anyway.

After quickly getting changed, she rushed into the kitchen to start up dinner and since she was already late, she decided to do the lazy thing and heat up some leftovers in the oven while pretending some of the pastries she bought back from the cafe was made by her. She was tired anyway.

With a sigh, she washed her hands in the sink and leaned over it, staring at her own reflection in the window in front of her. her mind drifting away. Tomorrow, she decided, she should pay a visit to Mona. She couldn't bear the thought of spending another day idly. She was tired of waiting for the shelves to gather dust, or spending the night buried in books or glued to the television while Severus roamed around who knows where.

The timer of the oven chimed, signalling the dinner was ready. Jolting back to reality, her gaze returned to her reflection, only to find a tall, dark figure standing motionless behind her.
Startled, her breath hitched in her throat as she twirled around, meeting the shadowed eyes of Severus.

"....I was just finishing up with dinner." As she reached for the oven mitts, her movement was abruptly halted by the sensation of fingers curling around her neck, anchoring her in place.

A gasp escaped her lips as she was swiftly pulled towards him, her chest meeting his with a forceful collision.

Her eyes widened, her fingers clenched tightly onto his robes to steady herself, his nearness pooling her body with warmth. "What on earth-"

"Silence." He breathed, his fingers gently squeezing her neck. He leaned down, the tip of his sculpted nose barely brushing against her hair. Mia audibly gulped, a soft shiver twisting over her spine. "Calm your thoughts."

"Stop listening to them..." She lowered her head almost unconsciously, as if to bring it closer to his chest. She hated how he made her feel so vulnerable at times, especially when he laid his hands on her. She didn't dislike the feeling, and she hated that.

"It's not so easy to block them out. I'm barely sober." His nose cautiously sunk into her locks, inhaling.

"So that's what you do? You go out and drink?"

"I fail to see how that concerns you." His response was sardonic, yet his tone was gentle and delicate, his deep voice reverberating into her ears.

Mia stayed silent. She didn't push it in case he pulled away. She was held against him by the neck, like a helpless lovebird fallen victim to a python, his face partially buried into the apex of her head. She was enjoying this, being held in this confusing embrace. She was about to subtly lean into his chest.

Just then he abruptly pulls away, creating distance between them, but he didn't release her neck. Regardless, she was caught off guard.

"I smell cigar on you." His words seeped with disdain. He detected the scent the very moment he stepped foot into the kitchen. It was familiar to him, he just needed to confirm the scent.

"...Oh," Her shoulders slumped. He was just sniffing at her?

What else did you expect? You fool. She scolded herself.