Pawprints

2. Summer with Severus

Severus stroked the top of Ajax's head and cupped his cheeks, looking into Ajax's soft brown eyes. He chuckled as Ajax butted his head into Severus's palms. 

If bulldogs could smile, Ajax was certainly doing so. 

Ajax was a muscular, greyish brown bulldog with a shiny coat and intelligent pale brown eyes. He had perky ears and a wet nose. Although he looked intimidating, he was a total softie and loved being petted. He was a very good guard dog and would sleep at Severus's door each night, barking at anything unusual.

Over the last month, Ajax had got used to Severus's visitors. He would welcome the Malfoys and loved playing catch with Draco.

Thomas Kent, the assistant at the apothecary who sometimes delivered potions ingredients to Severus was also greeted by an Ajax with a wagging tail and curious nose. Thomas was a young man of around twenty five. He was attractive with curling chestnut hair and a dimpled smile. His grey eyes shone with intelligence and his tall stature was lightly muscles and certainly easy on the eyes.

He would deliver necessary ingredients to Severus in return for brewing lessons where they would brew together in a compatible silence. Severus would then cook lunch for Thomas, they would brew again after lunch and have tea together.

Severus was of course too loathe to admit that he had a soft spot for Thomas, he loved Thomas's companionship and that he was completely isolated from the war having studied at Beauxbatons and lived in Italy for most of his life, that he was intelligent and last but not least attractive.

Thomas too held deep affection for Severus and despite whatever he had heard about Severus, he knew there was a softer deeper side to him, a caring broken beautiful man hiding behind a facade.

Severus spent summers away from Hogwarts at his cottage in Northampton. The cottage was certainly very eclectic and looked like something out of a fairy tale. There was curling green ivy on the walls, honeysuckle growing in the garden and various flowers and plants. Severus was very well known in that area for his beautiful garden. There were roses and petunias, lilies and daisies. He also had a vegetable patch with pumpkins, carrots and cabbages. 

While most of his time was spent making potions and completing orders, some of his time also went to looking after his garden and coming up with various elixirs and remedies for his plants.

During the months after the war however Severus's peace had been broken, death threats and grave news in the papers, glares as he ventured into Diagon Alley, angry parents and students who saw him in public. All these troubled him deeply even if he didn't show it. He knew he had been hailed a hero of sorts, he knew he had almost been on the verge of death after Nagini's snake bite and that it was only Potter's last minute charm that saved him.

He had gotten Ajax after the healing trip he had at a retreat in India, where he had seen a lot of other guests with dogs, some were pets and others were more of companions or guardians. 

Ajax loved to go on walks and every morning after tending to his garden and having breakfast Severus would take him on a long walk. They would return in time for Thomas's arrival. After a few hours of brewing, they would have lunch, Severus would take a nap and Thomas would read or play with Ajax. Then it was time for tea and after they would brew till the sunset. Thomas left after that and Severus would have supper, Ajax by his side. 

Before Severus knew Thomas he had been very lonely. But now the addition of Ajax and Thomas had really brightened up his life. Over the course of time, their routine too had changed, sometimes Thomas would stay the night, not to brew but as a friend.

One night they had gotten tipsy, it was Thomas's birthday and Thomas had no family to go to.

Thomas knew deep down he was attracted to Severus, how could he not be, Severus was manly and intelligent, he smelled nice and musty, he was caring and kind and had a great humour.

Maybe he wasn't the most beautiful man but he had smooth olive skin and broad shoulders, soft black hair that fell past his shoulders and deep soulful dark eyes and a very deep musical voice that Thomas loved listening to. Maybe sometimes Severus had a vile temper, but he had never taken it out on Thomas save for the very beginning when Thomas met him at the apothecary. Some days his hair was greasy but ever since getting to know Thomas, Severus had taken an effort to care more for his appearance, even going the extra length of tying his hair back with dark coloured ribbon and occasionally plucking his eyebrows and trimming his new beard.

Thomas knew it was a very big crush he had on Severus and he knew Severus too was curious, he had seen the glances and the flushes they shared when they accidentally touched hands during work or brushed past each other.

Thomas's friends were going to celebrate his birthday the next day, they were to meet for drinks at a local pub and have a fun night. They weren't able to come on his birthday as it was midweek, a Wednesday as they too had work and since they knew of Thomas's crush on Severus had suggested he celebrate with Severus and see where it goes. 

That night was slightly chilly, Ajax was lying by the fire and looked very content. Severus and Thomas had a few shots and were playing a silly game of Heads Up. They had been laughing for a while and Severus's loud deep guffaw mingled quite nicely with Thomas's own chuckles.

They leant against each other to catch their breaths and Thomas's hand found its way to Severus's cheek pulling him closer.

Severus breathed softly and sighed as he felt Thomas's own hot breath on is cheek. He closed his eyes. He knew this was bound to happen. Maybe he wasn't as drunk as he thought he was but he would rather do this drunk than regret it and have to come with an excuse if things went madly wrong later on. Ajax shifted from his rug and padded off towards the kitchen.

Thomas kissed him softly his lips hesitant on Severus's own. Severus sighed softly and leant in closer, craving more. His hands wound in Thomas's hair and pulled him closer. Thomas felt encouraged and deepened the kiss, slowly easing his tongue into Severus's mouth. He tasted the alcohol and peppermint on Severus's tongue and sucked harder, as he listened to Severus moan softly. He pulled back, wanting to look at Severus's face.

Severus smiled at him almost shy and Thomas held him, smiling and stroking his hair. 

"It's been so long since someone did that to me" Severus whispered.
Thomas sighed and held him harder.
"We can keep going if you want to, you seemed to enjoy it"

Severus smiled, an almost predatory glint in his eyes. He stood up and pulled Thomas up. 
"We certainly can continue" he said leaning over Thomas, almost nose to nose. He licked Thomas's lips and knelt down, knees slightly creaking as he softly palmed Thomas through his pants.

He unbuttoned Thomas's pants and took his hardening cock out, the head lightly glistening with precome.
Thomas moaned softly, his pulse and mind racing. He never thought he'd live to see the day Professor Severus Snape knelt before him and sucked him off. Thomas marvelled at how deft Severus's mouth was, at his hollowed cheeks and the feel of that rough skilled tongue.

He gasped and shuddered as he came, hands tangled in Severus's hair, moaning as Severus licked him slowly from tip to balls.

Severus looked up coyly and whispered, his thin lips shimmering and eyes bright.
"Happy Birthday Thomas"