Wildflowers

Wandering Feet

Severus arrived at Kat's cottage a few minutes before she did, the key sliding easily into the lock as he entered her space, the familiar scent of her hitting him immediately. 

It was strange being there without her, like stepping into a world that was hers alone. He let his eyes wander, noting the chaos she seemed to thrive in. 

There was a sense of warmth and personality in the messiness—clothes draped over chairs, books piled haphazardly on the coffee table, her guitar resting against the wall.

He walked over to her record collection, flipping through the albums. ABBA, Ella Fitzgerald, The Supremes... her taste in music was as eclectic as she was. The vinyls, worn and well-loved, gave him an odd sense of intimacy, as though each record told a story about the woman who owned them.

His gaze flickered over to the answering machine on the desk, its light blinking insistently with a number of messages waiting to be heard. It gnawed at him—what could be in those messages? He imagined her father's demanding voice or perhaps Miles, the ex who still lingered like a shadow. The temptation was strong, but Severus didn't press play. Not yet.

Instead, his attention shifted to her desktop computer, the screen dark but enticing. He knew Cypress had snooped through her electronic correspondence—there had to be something in there, something Kat hadn't shared yet. But technology wasn't his forte, and the idea of rummaging through her private emails felt like crossing a line he wasn't ready to breach.

As he stood there, pondering, the door clicked open. Kat walked in, balancing two large bags of takeout, her face lighting up when she saw him. "I hope you're hungry because I am starving," she said, her voice bright with excitement. She placed the bags on the counter and started unpacking containers filled with her favorites—meatloaf with gravy, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, rolls, and even dessert for both of them.

Severus watched as she pulled out a basket of medications and began taking them one by one, the action so routine it felt second nature to her. He raised an eyebrow, surprised by the number of pills she took. "I didn't realize you took so many," he said, his voice soft but curious.

Kat gave a small shrug, her smile faltering just slightly. "Yeah, it's a strict regimen from my doctor in Boston. A muggle condition requires a muggle doctor." She paused, glancing at the bottles before continuing, "He's fantastic, though."

Severus leaned against the counter, his eyes still following her movements. "Did you expect me to snoop while you were gone?" he asked, his tone measured, almost teasing.

Kat grinned, though there was a knowing glint in her eye. "Everyone does," she admitted, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "But I suspect you didn't... at least not today."

Severus smirked, but there was a seriousness beneath it. "I'm not like everyone else, Kat," he murmured, his dark eyes meeting hers with intensity. "Though, I won't lie... I was tempted."

Kat raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Aren't you curious about my dirty secrets?" she asked, her voice low and suggestive, leaning casually against the counter.

Severus's eyes gleamed with interest, his expression steady. "Of course," he replied smoothly. "Why don't you play the messages on your machine? Let's see how deep these secrets go."

Kat hesitated for a moment, her fingers hovering over the machine's buttons. "What if there are things on there you're not ready to hear?" she teased, though there was a flicker of seriousness in her gaze.

Severus leaned in slightly, his voice calm but firm. "No time like the present."

With a small smile, Kat pressed the button, and the machine whirred to life. The first message came through, a warm, familiar female voice filling the room.