[Fic:] Not a change, just an Not a Change, just an Adjustment Chapter 25
Title: Chapter 25 Trying, as best as one can
Author :
smirkingcat
Rating: NC-17
Word Count :
Notes:
find part one
lj,
dw
as usual all the thanks and gratitude to
themightyflynn for the beta, who is sticking with me through the good, the bad, the exasperated and everything else
used for
hp_bunintheoven November prompt 2: Silver
we are finally back in the here and now, lets see how well that goes down!
Summary: Insecurities are not done with us, just because we are done with them.
Warnings: fluff, flangst, mpreg, D/s- subtext, OOC, heavy future angst planned this chapter: present tense, sounding, ropes
Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 25 Trying, as best as one can
"Blaise?"
He was startled out of his reminiscence and looked at Severus across the breakfast table. Right, they had been talking about.... well, he had been thinking about Spain, or more specifically his return from Spain. It had been that week that opened his eyes to his own emotions.
"I wonder if I should ask what exactly you were remembering?" Severus' voice was deep, but there was amusement to it.
"Better not," Blaise mumbled. It was the glint in Severus eyes that told him that Severus was perfectly aware of what part he had been remembering, which made his flush instantly reappear. It was a bit frightening to know that he was so figured out; that Severus in some ways knew him better than he did.
"The point I was trying to make with bringing up those memories, which we are both rather fond of, was that even though this may seem different, we have always made small adjustments through the years. I dare say, after a decade we have gotten rather good at adjusting. So, I would like to know why you are this freaked out."
Blaise stared at Severus before he turned his head to look out of the window. He scratched the back of the head, and then sat on his fingers. Freaked out. That was exactly what he was. He was certain they could adapt to the child in some way. Severus would make sure of that; he would provide Blaise with the guidelines to care for their munchkin. But what about them, about their lives, about their feelings? And what in ten years? When he does not want to make decisions, when he will postpone the decision until he had spoken with Severus? How weird would it look to their child, that he was unable to decide anything on his own? Would it ever come out, that he gave up the right to be independent and have someone else make his decisions? What sort of role model will that make him? What if his child picks up on that sooner, and loses all the respect for his younger father?
Adjustments were one thing, especially because Severus always made sure that he could cope with them. This here... Blaise just wasn't sure how he would even start to cope with it. Especially with his own emotions tripping him over. No, that was wrong, he was certain Severus knew how he felt for him, and in a way, he knows how Severus feels for him as well. They were Slytherins, great declarations were not needed to understand what was fundamentally there.
He started speaking without really knowing what would be the final point, but hoping that maybe Severus would be able to still understand. "Once upon a time, the Zabini family was just as large as the Weasley family, if not even larger. They lived here or in Italy, depending what they wanted. It was a good family. But that had changed even before I was born. When I grew up... at first it was normal that my mother's husbands would disappear. It didn't bother me that much. But when I was enrolled into "Mrs Paviour's Etiquette and Mannerism School for upstanding, young Wizards and Witches" it changed, as people started to talk about me, and my mother. I don't want my child to fear me, but I also don't want for it to have no regard for me. I want to have something I can offer to the child, but I don't feel like I do." The last words where a mere whisper, and shame burned deep inside Blaise.
"Are you ashamed of belonging to me?" Severus asked and the neutrality of his tone caught Blaise off guard.
"What? No, of course not! It's what I wanted, and I worked hard for it," he said, feeling a completely different sort of panic taking root in him. It had taking him more than a year to finally get Severus to first succumb to his charms, and later on agree to try to explore what was there.
"And do you feel like you have nothing to offer me?"
Blaise looked at Severus in utter shock. His brain refused to comprehend what was happening right now. "These are different things!" he protested because of course they were.
"Answer the question. Do you have anything you can offer to me, besides your submission?"
And that was the heart of the matter. Because what did he have to offer besides his submission? Besides his need to belong to Severus and take care of his Master, while at the same time it was really his Master taking care of him.
Of course, he was beautiful, but that was not something he could take credit for. He knew his way around society, but everybody in his circles knew that as well. He was good at judging situations, but that was an essential survival skill growing up with his mother, and later with Draco. He was talented enough at charms, and a good enough friend to be trusted with secrets. But that was not worthy enough for an answer to Severus' question.
And as the silence stretched between him and Severus, so did his nerves. What were they playing? Twenty questions? He was not interested. In some situations, even his silver tongue could not save him, so it was better to leave the situation.
"I don't understand what has gotten into you, but I don't need to be part of this," he said as he got up and made his way towards the door.
"Blaise."
The word was spoken softly, but the order in it was loud and clear. And it was impossible for Blaise to take a step further, but he didn't want to turn around. Facing his own shortcomings was not something he enjoyed. Introspection was not something he revelled in.
"Sit," Severus said, and it sounded still calm enough, but Blaise knew disobedience right now was not an option.
He turned around and walked back to his seat without lifting his eyes. He didn't want to be here, having this conversation, especially since he highly doubted that it would change the facts.
There was some clattering before his cup was pushed into his field of vision.
"Drink."
Blaise did as he was told, and took a few sips. He saw his plate with his wished for mustard toast- creation, which still looked tasty to him, and a fresh empty slice of toast being pushed towards him.
"Eat."
It was with more reluctance, than he was normally allowed, but he did indeed pick up the empty slice and nibble at it, as it seemed the more rational choice. Blaise felt stupid, as he was very much aware that this whole situation was childish; that he was behaving incredible foolishly. Severus knew he was not big on the self-exploration or self-questioning thing. It came with being the heir of a rich family, having to do nothing to keep the family in good standing. Sure his mother has a certain notoriety to her, but very little of that is reflected on the Zabini name and most of it was described to her as the Femme Fatale.
"I am of half a mind to put you over my lap and give you the heartfelt spanking you deserve. Especially as I distinctly remember having a similar conversation before," Severus said, as he picked up his tea cup. "I am not in the habit of repeating myself, boy, and you know better than throwing a fit."
Blaise didn't even dare to look up. There were spankings and then there were spankings. While he truly enjoyed the first, the latter was a pleasure he would rather forgo.
He sighed deeply. He didn’t like being talked down to, as if he was incompetent. And he usually never made the same mistake twice. He was a quick learner.
"But this is something different," Blaise accidentally mumbled.
He felt more than saw Severus pause, before he put his cup down again.
"Come again?"
Blaise bit his lip, before he sighed and lifted his head, to look at his Master: "You are asking something different from me. Last time, when we talked about this, you asked me about my qualities as a friend. And I am aware I have some of those at least. But talking about what I offer you is different. I never thought about that... at least not to such an extent to be able to answer such a loaded question satisfactorily."
His reply earns him a raised eyebrow, and an amused expression around Severus' lips.
"Then I recommend that you start thinking about it now, boy. And once you have an answer, you will tell me, on your own. I do not wish to remind you. Do I make myself understood?"
"Perfectly," Blaise replied, before taking another small bite of the toast. It was odd and shameful, being treated like a naughty schoolboy by his Master. However, he is well aware that his Master spent half of his life as a teacher or a headmaster. Old habits die hard. And he didn't need to like it, to obey it.
The most troublesome thing about it was that his submission was not an option as an answer. It would have been an easy one, but at least it would also have been a start. A Master without someone to dominate was no Master at all. It was one of the idiosyncrasies of their relationship that Blaise caught on early: as long as their agreement stood, their game was alive, Severus was his Master and what could be referred to as the one in power. But the one who started and is most likely to end the game was him. This had been something that at first seemed odd to him, but through the years he understood why it was the way it was.
To answer the question, though, he had to consider their relationship outside of the game, and it's not like they really had a lot of a relationship outside of their agreement. At least, that was what Blaise had always told himself. But if he considered the small allowances they made for each other-
"As for your potions," Severus suddenly said, confusing Blaise with the switch of the topic, "we will owl your healer, but I dare say we will have to change your nausea potion. If at all feasible, we shall choose one with a mild sedative. You and the munchkin are in need of proper sleep."
"So there is a potion that will replace both the blue and the red one? Why did we not start with that?" Blaise asked.
"To keep you and the munchkin safe, for one, and because there are some rules in potion theory, that I am certain I made you all remember properly," Severus answered calmly.
Blaise nodded. Right. Potions had a lot of rules and guidelines for their admittance, depending on their effects, toxicity and the likelihood of becoming either immune or addicted to certain ingredients. Thinking about it once again, he could understand why Severus was this interested in potions. Potion theory was a fascinating subject, at least for a little while.
"As I am not a healer, we also have to wait for his input. I do not wish to go against his plan of action for you."
Blaise nodded his agreement, as it did sound reasonable.
"Another concern of the healer was the connection between you and my magic," Severus stated and it was Blaise's turn to raise his eyebrow.
"It is not a point of concern for us, however." It took Blaise a while to even feel Severus' magic around him. "It feels..." Suddenly the words were gone. What was he supposed to say? Secure? Warm? Cosy? That he took pleasure from the feeling of having Severus' magic around him?
"Comfortable. Less intense than before," he went on, hoping he didn't sound as pleased as he truly was.
"Good. As I am not the one who cast the spell, I was unable to discern the intensity of the magic. If anything changes, you will have to tell me."
"I actually wonder about that. It is definitely your magic I feel, and you did feel the effect as well. What sort of magic can do that? Of course, there are the binding spells, but they usually need an oath of the parties involved. I also know of some blood rituals, but those only work on children. Then of course there are some dark spells, but those are more to transfer the magic," Blaise contemplates out loud.
"Considering that we visited a healer, I dare say you can be certain that it was not the dark arts. The most reasonable assumption would be some sort of binding, with the unborn in place of the oath. Though I have to remind you, this sort of spell work is not something I would proclaim myself proficient in."
Blaise watched Severus drink his coffee while he pondered his words. It made a lot of sense, except... "If the child is factored into the spell, it must have a sacrifice element. Oaths are, from a runic standpoint of course, a mutual sacrifice of something: time, loyalty, money and so on... I think I shall research this a bit further. In hindsight, I am not entirely comfortable with having this foreign spell on me, especially as you seem to be unfamiliar with it as well. Just to be sure," Blaise decided. "Also, I'm going write the letter to my mother, is there anything you wish me to say?"
He rushed that sentence a bit, because he was uncomfortable with the fact that he truly did not know how his mother would react. He was not going to be disinherited, that was for certain, but other than that, it was hard to tell. More than anything, somehow Blaise feared that his mother would move back to Britain. It was a frightening thought, he liked the way his social life was arranged these days, but he was certain his mother would beg to disagree.
"What is it you will be telling her?" Severus asked, leaning back against his seat.
"Well, for one that I am with child, and that we decided to keep it. Also that I am going to rent out my flat, as I shall move back home. If we tell her the hard parts all upfront, by the time she gets here, or answers, she will have calmed down a lot. It is always easier to talk to my mother when her temper is not getting the better of her; she can be vicious, after all." Blaise shrugged. He was worried, certainly, but he was going to be smart about it. He was her son after all.
"From those times I met her, and they were rather few, I remember that her temper is easily awoken," Severus replied, not sounding particularly worried, which there was no reason to.
"It is, but I think I needn't be concerned, however certainly I make no promises regarding you." He let his eyebrows move in a cheeky fashion as he spoke, because Severus had not particularly made the visit to the Malfoys easy for him, and he is not immune to a bit of retaliation.
"Maybe I should mention that Narcissa is taking me to do her shopping, which means I know all her tailors," Severus replied. He moves his hand, and Blaise paid it no mind, until he felt a sharp tug to his left nipple, that made him gasp. "And if you are not more careful, brat, I am forced to remind you of proper behaviour.
Wisely, Blaise didin't reply, just pick up his own cup to finish the last of his tea. "Do you want to take a look at the laboratory today? I could show you around in the cellar before I write the letter," Blaise said, before he frowned. "Though you are a capable man, and I am certain you will find your way around the house without my help." He shook his head at himself. It was just weird, having Severus here, and changing his thinking of Severus as a guest, to Severus living here as well. It would have made things easier if he had invited him before. Not that that would have ever happened.
"Pet, you worry too much. Everything is fine. You did explain the general layout of the house, and if I need assistance I shall ask. It is not your duty to worry over me."
Blaise halted for a moment, and took time to really look at Severus. There was some clear tension in the way Severus held himself, but he did try to look relaxed and comfortable. Of course, he too had to come to terms with this becoming his home. Blaise going all insecure on his Master could not be helpful.
"I understand, Sir. I just hope that you will one day feel at home here... and not come to regret your decision," Blaise said, before he finally got up. No matter how much he dreaded it, he needed to write the letter to his mother.
The fact that Severus said nothing did not bother him. Things between them were understood in the silences that they shared.
Chapter 26: on DW || on LJ This entry was originally posted at https://smirkingcat.dreamwidth.org/244131.html comments will be seen sooner over at @lj
Author :
smirkingcat
Rating: NC-17
Word Count :
Notes:
find part one
lj,
dw
as usual all the thanks and gratitude to
themightyflynn for the beta, who is sticking with me through the good, the bad, the exasperated and everything else
used for
hp_bunintheoven November prompt 2: Silver
we are finally back in the here and now, lets see how well that goes down!
Summary: Insecurities are not done with us, just because we are done with them.
Warnings: fluff, flangst, mpreg, D/s- subtext, OOC, heavy future angst planned this chapter: present tense, sounding, ropes
Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 25 Trying, as best as one can
"Blaise?"
He was startled out of his reminiscence and looked at Severus across the breakfast table. Right, they had been talking about.... well, he had been thinking about Spain, or more specifically his return from Spain. It had been that week that opened his eyes to his own emotions.
"I wonder if I should ask what exactly you were remembering?" Severus' voice was deep, but there was amusement to it.
"Better not," Blaise mumbled. It was the glint in Severus eyes that told him that Severus was perfectly aware of what part he had been remembering, which made his flush instantly reappear. It was a bit frightening to know that he was so figured out; that Severus in some ways knew him better than he did.
"The point I was trying to make with bringing up those memories, which we are both rather fond of, was that even though this may seem different, we have always made small adjustments through the years. I dare say, after a decade we have gotten rather good at adjusting. So, I would like to know why you are this freaked out."
Blaise stared at Severus before he turned his head to look out of the window. He scratched the back of the head, and then sat on his fingers. Freaked out. That was exactly what he was. He was certain they could adapt to the child in some way. Severus would make sure of that; he would provide Blaise with the guidelines to care for their munchkin. But what about them, about their lives, about their feelings? And what in ten years? When he does not want to make decisions, when he will postpone the decision until he had spoken with Severus? How weird would it look to their child, that he was unable to decide anything on his own? Would it ever come out, that he gave up the right to be independent and have someone else make his decisions? What sort of role model will that make him? What if his child picks up on that sooner, and loses all the respect for his younger father?
Adjustments were one thing, especially because Severus always made sure that he could cope with them. This here... Blaise just wasn't sure how he would even start to cope with it. Especially with his own emotions tripping him over. No, that was wrong, he was certain Severus knew how he felt for him, and in a way, he knows how Severus feels for him as well. They were Slytherins, great declarations were not needed to understand what was fundamentally there.
He started speaking without really knowing what would be the final point, but hoping that maybe Severus would be able to still understand. "Once upon a time, the Zabini family was just as large as the Weasley family, if not even larger. They lived here or in Italy, depending what they wanted. It was a good family. But that had changed even before I was born. When I grew up... at first it was normal that my mother's husbands would disappear. It didn't bother me that much. But when I was enrolled into "Mrs Paviour's Etiquette and Mannerism School for upstanding, young Wizards and Witches" it changed, as people started to talk about me, and my mother. I don't want my child to fear me, but I also don't want for it to have no regard for me. I want to have something I can offer to the child, but I don't feel like I do." The last words where a mere whisper, and shame burned deep inside Blaise.
"Are you ashamed of belonging to me?" Severus asked and the neutrality of his tone caught Blaise off guard.
"What? No, of course not! It's what I wanted, and I worked hard for it," he said, feeling a completely different sort of panic taking root in him. It had taking him more than a year to finally get Severus to first succumb to his charms, and later on agree to try to explore what was there.
"And do you feel like you have nothing to offer me?"
Blaise looked at Severus in utter shock. His brain refused to comprehend what was happening right now. "These are different things!" he protested because of course they were.
"Answer the question. Do you have anything you can offer to me, besides your submission?"
And that was the heart of the matter. Because what did he have to offer besides his submission? Besides his need to belong to Severus and take care of his Master, while at the same time it was really his Master taking care of him.
Of course, he was beautiful, but that was not something he could take credit for. He knew his way around society, but everybody in his circles knew that as well. He was good at judging situations, but that was an essential survival skill growing up with his mother, and later with Draco. He was talented enough at charms, and a good enough friend to be trusted with secrets. But that was not worthy enough for an answer to Severus' question.
And as the silence stretched between him and Severus, so did his nerves. What were they playing? Twenty questions? He was not interested. In some situations, even his silver tongue could not save him, so it was better to leave the situation.
"I don't understand what has gotten into you, but I don't need to be part of this," he said as he got up and made his way towards the door.
"Blaise."
The word was spoken softly, but the order in it was loud and clear. And it was impossible for Blaise to take a step further, but he didn't want to turn around. Facing his own shortcomings was not something he enjoyed. Introspection was not something he revelled in.
"Sit," Severus said, and it sounded still calm enough, but Blaise knew disobedience right now was not an option.
He turned around and walked back to his seat without lifting his eyes. He didn't want to be here, having this conversation, especially since he highly doubted that it would change the facts.
There was some clattering before his cup was pushed into his field of vision.
"Drink."
Blaise did as he was told, and took a few sips. He saw his plate with his wished for mustard toast- creation, which still looked tasty to him, and a fresh empty slice of toast being pushed towards him.
"Eat."
It was with more reluctance, than he was normally allowed, but he did indeed pick up the empty slice and nibble at it, as it seemed the more rational choice. Blaise felt stupid, as he was very much aware that this whole situation was childish; that he was behaving incredible foolishly. Severus knew he was not big on the self-exploration or self-questioning thing. It came with being the heir of a rich family, having to do nothing to keep the family in good standing. Sure his mother has a certain notoriety to her, but very little of that is reflected on the Zabini name and most of it was described to her as the Femme Fatale.
"I am of half a mind to put you over my lap and give you the heartfelt spanking you deserve. Especially as I distinctly remember having a similar conversation before," Severus said, as he picked up his tea cup. "I am not in the habit of repeating myself, boy, and you know better than throwing a fit."
Blaise didn't even dare to look up. There were spankings and then there were spankings. While he truly enjoyed the first, the latter was a pleasure he would rather forgo.
He sighed deeply. He didn’t like being talked down to, as if he was incompetent. And he usually never made the same mistake twice. He was a quick learner.
"But this is something different," Blaise accidentally mumbled.
He felt more than saw Severus pause, before he put his cup down again.
"Come again?"
Blaise bit his lip, before he sighed and lifted his head, to look at his Master: "You are asking something different from me. Last time, when we talked about this, you asked me about my qualities as a friend. And I am aware I have some of those at least. But talking about what I offer you is different. I never thought about that... at least not to such an extent to be able to answer such a loaded question satisfactorily."
His reply earns him a raised eyebrow, and an amused expression around Severus' lips.
"Then I recommend that you start thinking about it now, boy. And once you have an answer, you will tell me, on your own. I do not wish to remind you. Do I make myself understood?"
"Perfectly," Blaise replied, before taking another small bite of the toast. It was odd and shameful, being treated like a naughty schoolboy by his Master. However, he is well aware that his Master spent half of his life as a teacher or a headmaster. Old habits die hard. And he didn't need to like it, to obey it.
The most troublesome thing about it was that his submission was not an option as an answer. It would have been an easy one, but at least it would also have been a start. A Master without someone to dominate was no Master at all. It was one of the idiosyncrasies of their relationship that Blaise caught on early: as long as their agreement stood, their game was alive, Severus was his Master and what could be referred to as the one in power. But the one who started and is most likely to end the game was him. This had been something that at first seemed odd to him, but through the years he understood why it was the way it was.
To answer the question, though, he had to consider their relationship outside of the game, and it's not like they really had a lot of a relationship outside of their agreement. At least, that was what Blaise had always told himself. But if he considered the small allowances they made for each other-
"As for your potions," Severus suddenly said, confusing Blaise with the switch of the topic, "we will owl your healer, but I dare say we will have to change your nausea potion. If at all feasible, we shall choose one with a mild sedative. You and the munchkin are in need of proper sleep."
"So there is a potion that will replace both the blue and the red one? Why did we not start with that?" Blaise asked.
"To keep you and the munchkin safe, for one, and because there are some rules in potion theory, that I am certain I made you all remember properly," Severus answered calmly.
Blaise nodded. Right. Potions had a lot of rules and guidelines for their admittance, depending on their effects, toxicity and the likelihood of becoming either immune or addicted to certain ingredients. Thinking about it once again, he could understand why Severus was this interested in potions. Potion theory was a fascinating subject, at least for a little while.
"As I am not a healer, we also have to wait for his input. I do not wish to go against his plan of action for you."
Blaise nodded his agreement, as it did sound reasonable.
"Another concern of the healer was the connection between you and my magic," Severus stated and it was Blaise's turn to raise his eyebrow.
"It is not a point of concern for us, however." It took Blaise a while to even feel Severus' magic around him. "It feels..." Suddenly the words were gone. What was he supposed to say? Secure? Warm? Cosy? That he took pleasure from the feeling of having Severus' magic around him?
"Comfortable. Less intense than before," he went on, hoping he didn't sound as pleased as he truly was.
"Good. As I am not the one who cast the spell, I was unable to discern the intensity of the magic. If anything changes, you will have to tell me."
"I actually wonder about that. It is definitely your magic I feel, and you did feel the effect as well. What sort of magic can do that? Of course, there are the binding spells, but they usually need an oath of the parties involved. I also know of some blood rituals, but those only work on children. Then of course there are some dark spells, but those are more to transfer the magic," Blaise contemplates out loud.
"Considering that we visited a healer, I dare say you can be certain that it was not the dark arts. The most reasonable assumption would be some sort of binding, with the unborn in place of the oath. Though I have to remind you, this sort of spell work is not something I would proclaim myself proficient in."
Blaise watched Severus drink his coffee while he pondered his words. It made a lot of sense, except... "If the child is factored into the spell, it must have a sacrifice element. Oaths are, from a runic standpoint of course, a mutual sacrifice of something: time, loyalty, money and so on... I think I shall research this a bit further. In hindsight, I am not entirely comfortable with having this foreign spell on me, especially as you seem to be unfamiliar with it as well. Just to be sure," Blaise decided. "Also, I'm going write the letter to my mother, is there anything you wish me to say?"
He rushed that sentence a bit, because he was uncomfortable with the fact that he truly did not know how his mother would react. He was not going to be disinherited, that was for certain, but other than that, it was hard to tell. More than anything, somehow Blaise feared that his mother would move back to Britain. It was a frightening thought, he liked the way his social life was arranged these days, but he was certain his mother would beg to disagree.
"What is it you will be telling her?" Severus asked, leaning back against his seat.
"Well, for one that I am with child, and that we decided to keep it. Also that I am going to rent out my flat, as I shall move back home. If we tell her the hard parts all upfront, by the time she gets here, or answers, she will have calmed down a lot. It is always easier to talk to my mother when her temper is not getting the better of her; she can be vicious, after all." Blaise shrugged. He was worried, certainly, but he was going to be smart about it. He was her son after all.
"From those times I met her, and they were rather few, I remember that her temper is easily awoken," Severus replied, not sounding particularly worried, which there was no reason to.
"It is, but I think I needn't be concerned, however certainly I make no promises regarding you." He let his eyebrows move in a cheeky fashion as he spoke, because Severus had not particularly made the visit to the Malfoys easy for him, and he is not immune to a bit of retaliation.
"Maybe I should mention that Narcissa is taking me to do her shopping, which means I know all her tailors," Severus replied. He moves his hand, and Blaise paid it no mind, until he felt a sharp tug to his left nipple, that made him gasp. "And if you are not more careful, brat, I am forced to remind you of proper behaviour.
Wisely, Blaise didin't reply, just pick up his own cup to finish the last of his tea. "Do you want to take a look at the laboratory today? I could show you around in the cellar before I write the letter," Blaise said, before he frowned. "Though you are a capable man, and I am certain you will find your way around the house without my help." He shook his head at himself. It was just weird, having Severus here, and changing his thinking of Severus as a guest, to Severus living here as well. It would have made things easier if he had invited him before. Not that that would have ever happened.
"Pet, you worry too much. Everything is fine. You did explain the general layout of the house, and if I need assistance I shall ask. It is not your duty to worry over me."
Blaise halted for a moment, and took time to really look at Severus. There was some clear tension in the way Severus held himself, but he did try to look relaxed and comfortable. Of course, he too had to come to terms with this becoming his home. Blaise going all insecure on his Master could not be helpful.
"I understand, Sir. I just hope that you will one day feel at home here... and not come to regret your decision," Blaise said, before he finally got up. No matter how much he dreaded it, he needed to write the letter to his mother.
The fact that Severus said nothing did not bother him. Things between them were understood in the silences that they shared.
Chapter 26: on DW || on LJ This entry was originally posted at https://smirkingcat.dreamwidth.org/244131.html comments will be seen sooner over at @lj