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

Chapter Fifteen

Severus stood on the threshold of his childhood home, staring at the cracks in the wooden frame of the doorway. Water droplets clung to them like visible moments in time. Severus continued staring, the rain mixing with the brine of his sweat, burning his eyes.

"What are you waiting for?" Lily leaned into him with a whisper.

Was he taking that long? Severus stiffened, turning his gaze towards Lily. The length of his hair plastered to his pale features. "Eager, are we?"

Lily looked up at him, her eyes glistening through the rain. "Would you blame me if I was? I've known you half my life and have never met your family."

"I never knew you to be so curious about me, Miss Evans."

Lily rolled her eyes, the sight riling him. "And I never knew you to be one to stall. Go on."

Severus wasn't sure where his hesitation was coming from. This was, after all, his idea.

Bringing Lily here pressed upon something deep and hollow within him. Severus had spent much of his life chronically misunderstood... and in this house, he had found anything but sanctuary. Every waking moment spent here had weighed upon him, suffocated him. It was no wonder that when the time came... the empty vessels in his bones had welcomed the darkness.

"As you wish it." Severus released a breath, holding Lily's hand as they strode over the three-staired stoop. Severus rapped his knuckles against the dampened wood. The unmistakable scents of elderberry and shrivelfig fruit seeping through the closed frame, awakening his senses.

"Just a minute!" A woman's voice called out, objects clanking and echoing within. Slowly, the door creaked open, the light pooling out, illuminating the space between them. "Sev? Is that you?"

Severus' mother stood peering out, her face worn and wrinkled. He had his mother's nose and grey eyes, but her features were much softer than his. "Hello, Mother."

"Oh, Sev!" Tears filled her eyes as she released a silent whimper. "I wasn't sure if... with everything going on... if..." her words continued to be pieced a part by the heaving of her chest.

Severus released a low chuckle, dissuading her concern. "I am alive and well." He reached for her face with his fingers, "May we come in? It is a bit drafty out here."

Severus watched as his mother's gaze turned towards Lily, the tired features of her face ignited with the realization that he was not alone. "Of course, of course." She wiped away at the tears streaking down her cheeks, "Please come in. I'll prepare some tea."

The air within engulfed them as they strode through the entryway, the fire setting a comforting glow over the furniture and potion supplies that lay scattered.

"I'm Lily," she spoke nervously beside him, "I'm Severus'... friend. I feel honored to finally meet you."

A friend... indeed.

"I dare say, the honor is mine, dear." Severus' mother patted Lily's shoulder with a warm smile. "My son, bringing a friend to meet his mother? I never thought I'd see the day."

Severus cleared his throat as he adjusted his cloak, drawing their attention, "I smell the usual suspects brewing... not much has changed on this side of the horizon, I take it?"

"Staying below the radar is what has kept me alive, son. You'd do well to remember that." She spoke, disappearing into the adjoining chamber.

Severus released a grunt as he watched Lily take in the space around them, a glimpse of his past. The sight tugged at him; at those broken bits he had started to gather. Severus peered down at his callused hands, surprised to find them unharmed... some part of him expecting them to be torn and bloody from the shards.