Always (SNILY): Angst, Multiple POV, Dark Romance

Chapter Twelve

Lily woke up to the mid-morning light, her neck and limbs beading with the perspiration of a dreamless sleep. Her fingers moved across the frayed outline of a quilt, the scent of burned toast and sausage satiated her senses... where was she?

Lily creaked an eye open, the light suddenly blinding. Ow. Bad idea. Her ears were ringing a deafening symphony as the pressure in her head kept building. She needed a hangover tonic. Quick.

Last night had been interesting to say the least. Lily hadn't realized how much she missed Regulus...being with him felt like it always had. His unique ability to make light of the darkest of moments was endearing. She only hoped Sirius would feel the same way about their fruitful reunion.

Lily's attention became drawn to the weight of an arm draped against her hip... to the shallow breathing of a chest firm against her back...

Severus?

Lily stirred, the movement triggering a primal response in Severus as he pulled her flush against his chest. His nose cradled in the crease of her neck, his lips tugging into a smile against her skin. Heat filled Lily's cheeks... the sensation felt so... Fuck. She needed to get out of here. Now.

Pushing on to the weight of her arm, Lily turned her attention to the rest of the room.

Regulus' lanky body lay sprawled over the sofa, his legs far too long for the length of furniture... Lily couldn't hold back her laugh. The comedic clarity was exactly what she needed to pull herself away from the heat pulsing through her.

Severus released her from his grip as he roused to consciousness, the smooth waves of sleep forming back into their usual stony cadence. Severus peered an eye open placing his hands behind is neck, "Good morning."

Lily felt suddenly shy in his gaze as she threw the quilt over the lower half of his body. His robes still intact from last night told her nothing romantic had happened but... something too real was forming between them that she couldn't justify looking at. She was afraid that if she did the pieces would manifest and shatter.

"I... need to go," Lily spoke abruptly, "I will let you know what The Order says."

Lily began searching the floor for her cloak, rubbing at her tired features, willing them to wake.

Regulus grunted from behind the sofa, his legs falling to the floor. "Nice seeing you, too, Lils. Send my brother my regards, will you?"

"You can tell him yourself, tonight. At Severus' place." Lily picked up her cloak and threw it over her robes, patting her hands over the creases.

"Oh?" Severus questioned from the bed, the smirk in his face telling her that he was enjoying where this was going.

Lily rolled her eyes. "We're going to need a place where we can map everything out and... that seems the safest."

"The gang... back together again." Regulus put his hand on his heart in passionate allegiance, "Will we be sending out Christmas cards as well?"

Lily shook her head in amusement.

"Regulus," Severus growled. "Go back to bed."

Regulus put his arms up in innocence as he turned his attention to lacing his boots.

Severus leaned up against the headboard, his hair falling over the frame of his face. "You already know my residence is at your disposal, Lily.

"I have a week before I'm due to go beyond the veil and have ingredients I must forage. Come and go as you please, but I can't confirm when I'll be in attendance."

"Do any of your books have information on the wards we can research?" Lily stood somewhat impatiently.

"I believe so...ask Reno for assistance. There's a few that I recall might be of specific interest."