Severus Snape's Quarters

[trio_snape]

*comes through floo to find house elves have already prepared the evening meal*

Good. Last year, Lupin's birthday was a disaster. Black had left him the day before - I understand now because of me.

We will make a better memory tonight.

*lights candles on table and waits calmly for Lupin to arrive*

Comments

[trio_remus]

*floos into workroom and brushes off soot, looking around*

Severus?

He told me to skip dinner and meet him directly here....

*walks through the dimmed room toward Snape's office, peeking in through the charmed window in the door*

He said it at breakfast and I didn't understand what he was on about at all until the House Elves sent up the chocolate danish with the candle in it.

I forgot it was my birthday.

Severus?

*turns around and catches sight of the door to Snape's private quarters, seeing a flicker of firelight coming from beyond it*

But he didn't, apparently.

*feels a warmth rise in his chest as he weaves his way between workbenches*

At last...

*stops in the doorway, leaning against it and watching Snape's back as he shrugs out of his outer robes and drapes them across the back of the lounge in the sitting area outside of the bedchambers*

*feeling a rush of boldness* I like you in the firelight.

[trio_snape]

*straightens up, takes a more formal stance* I thought perhaps you would prefer to take one meal this week without hundreds of students chattering away with their mouths open.

*moves to stand by chair, inclines head*

[trio_remus]

*takes in the simpleness of the scene before him, table set with a small chocolate cake, a covered dish for each of them, and a single candle between them*

*eyes settle on Snape, taking a moment just to observe him with flickers of light playing off his face*

This was a perfect idea. Just time, with you. No work, no distractions...no masks? We shall see.

*takes his seat, but not before leaning into Snape briefly and brushing their lips together* Thank you for doing this. For thinking of me, for remembering.

[trio_snape]

*raises eyebrow and sits* The house-elves prepared the cake, per usual.

*inclines head, waiting for Lupin to begin*

[trio_remus]

*smiles, reaching over unabashedly to scoop some icing onto his finger*

They know it's my favourite. *licks the icing off, eyes dropping closed at the exquisite taste* And you know too.

*opens eyes to see Snape glance up at him, watches as he looks down and uncovers his plate*

*smile falters* Celebrate with me. Eat cake first, and ruin the precision with your finger, and just enjoy for once.

*takes the cover off his own plate, resisting the urge to grin and dip his finger into the cake again and smear chocolate across Snape's lips*

It all looks delicious.