Wildflowers

Calling on an Old Friend

The afternoon sun filtered through the canopy of trees, casting dappled light across the forest path as Severus and Kat walked side by side.

The air was crisp, the gentle breeze carrying the scent of pine and earth, and they moved slowly, savoring the peacefulness of the moment. After the intensity of the past few days, they both welcomed the quiet calm of this walk, a chance to just breathe.

Severus's hand brushed against hers as they walked, his long fingers lightly grazing her palm, but there was something thoughtful in his expression, a quiet weight that hadn't been there before. Kat noticed it immediately, glancing up at him with curiosity.

"You're quiet," she said, her voice soft but playful as she nudged him lightly with her elbow. "What's on your mind?"

Severus gave her a sidelong glance, his lips quirking slightly as if he was considering how to phrase what he wanted to say. After a moment, he cleared his throat. "I have something I want to talk about," he said, his voice smooth but carrying a subtle edge of hesitation.

Kat's brow furrowed slightly, though her smile remained. "Well, lay it on me," she teased, but there was a hint of concern in her voice. "It's not serious, is it?"

He shook his head, his dark eyes meeting hers for a moment before looking ahead again. "No, not serious," he assured her. "I've just been thinking about something... about what you mentioned the other day—your desire to play with others."

Kat raised an eyebrow, intrigued now. The idea of bringing someone else into their intimacy had always been a fantasy of hers, and though they had discussed it, she hadn't expected Severus to bring it up again so soon. "Oh?" she said, trying to keep her tone casual, though her pulse quickened slightly. "And what have you been thinking?"

Severus exhaled slowly, his hands slipping into the pockets of his coat as they continued walking. "What if... instead of someone you know, like your friends," he began, choosing his words carefully, "it was someone I knew? Someone I've been with before."

Kat blinked, her steps slowing as she processed his words. "Like an ex-girlfriend?" she asked, her voice skeptical. "I don't know about that..."

Severus shook his head, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "No," he replied, glancing at her, "not an ex. A friend. A... male friend."

Kat stopped in her tracks, turning to face him fully, her hands resting on her hips. "I knew you had sex secrets," she teased, though there was a gleam of curiosity in her eyes. "So, tell me—what are you thinking?"

Severus stopped as well, his dark eyes locking onto hers. He could see the excitement behind her playful exterior, and it made it easier to continue. "If it were someone you didn't already know," he said, "someone without any history between the two of you—unlike your friends—I might feel more comfortable with it. There wouldn't be any lingering connections or emotional ties."

Kat tilted her head, considering his words. "So... a stranger to me, but someone you trust?"

Severus nodded, his gaze steady. "Yes. Someone I've known for years. Someone I trust, and someone I believe could respect our boundaries."

Kat's heart raced, the idea swirling in her mind. She had always been the more adventurous one when it came to exploring different dynamics in the bedroom, but the thought of Severus not only participating but suggesting someone he trusted... it was a new level of intimacy she hadn't anticipated.

She took a step closer, her fingers lightly brushing his arm as she looked up at him with a grin. "Okay," she said slowly, her voice dropping to a playful tone. "Is this friend of yours attractive?"