Wildflowers

Thinly Veiled Threats

The afternoon sun filtered softly through the curtains, casting a golden glow over Kat's plush bed. The room was filled with warmth, comfort, and the lingering scent of their shared intimacy.

They lay entwined in each other, surrounded by a sea of pillows and soft blankets, the fabric cool against their skin. The world outside seemed so far away, and neither of them wanted to break the delicate bubble of peace they had created.

Kat stretched languidly, her body pressed against Severus's, her fingers idly tracing patterns across his chest. They had spent the last few hours indulging in each other, lazily exploring and savoring each others bodies.

His lips had been on her, and hers on him, their passion mingling with a sense of calm that came from knowing they could simply exist together, without pretense or urgency.

Severus ran a hand through her hair, his fingers brushing the nape of her neck, as she rested her head against his chest. The slow rise and fall of his breathing was soothing, a rhythm she had come to love. They were both silent, words unnecessary in this moment where touch and presence spoke volumes.

Kat sighed softly, her eyes half-lidded in contentment. "I don't want to leave," she murmured, her voice thick with reluctance.

"Neither do I," Severus replied, his hand moving lazily down her back. His tone was low, almost a growl, betraying how much he hated the thought of her returning to Ilvermorny, far away from him.

She shifted slightly, lifting her head to meet his gaze. "I wish I could just stay here," she said quietly, her fingers tracing the edge of his jawline. "With you."

He cupped her cheek gently, his thumb brushing across her lips. "You know I feel the same," he admitted, his eyes dark with longing. "It's unbearable to think of us being apart, especially now."

Kat closed her eyes and pressed a kiss to his palm. "It feels like we're always running out of time."

His hand tightened ever so slightly on her, a subtle expression of his frustration. "Time," he muttered bitterly. "It's never on our side."

They were silent again, the weight of their impending separation settling heavily over them. The clock on the wall ticked quietly, a constant reminder that her return to Ilvermorny was drawing near.

She lifted herself slightly, her fingers threading through his hair as she gazed down at him. "What if I just didn't go?" she whispered, her voice both playful and serious at the same time. "What if I stayed?"

A flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes. "As tempting as that sounds, you know it's not possible."

"I know," she sighed, lying back down beside him. "I hate that you're right."

He smirked slightly. "It happens more often than you'd like to admit."

She swatted him playfully, her hand coming to rest on his chest. "Don't get too smug."

"Never," he said, but there was a softness in his voice now, an affection that undercut his usual sharpness.

They lay there, entwined, the minutes slipping by far too quickly. Her departure loomed over them, and though neither of them wanted to speak it aloud, they both knew the moment was coming. She would have to leave. He would have to let her go.

"I wish things could be different," she said, breaking the silence once more. Her voice was quiet, almost wistful.

"They will be," he said, his tone resolute. "Soon."

She looked at him, her eyes searching his for reassurance. "You think so?"

"I know so," he replied, pulling her closer. "We won't be apart forever. This is temporary."