@mauvaisfoiarch liked for a starter‼ (I know you archived, and you don’t need to respond. I already wrote this out and it felt like a waste to delete it. It’s good writing practice, if anything.)
Blinding, he thinks.
Malfoy manor has never been anything less than blinding. Showy in nature and yet, quite minimalistic in style. Could never find any of Narcissa’s flare upon immaculate perfection, only pristine absolution. No room for anything to mare it’s façade.
Fake, another word he would use to describe it. Perched delicately upon too fine of a refined lawn chair in their garden. Tailored to high standards feigned, and fed off of magic most toxic in nature. Like an overdone facelift, made to show and nothing more. His visits more frequent than he would like. Nothing less than what they would wish to hear would leave his lips. Mask perfectly in place as he entertained.
Fed this world the variant of him they would like to see. Coffee colored eyes trained for softness to show. That he is honored to be here, always and could never say no. Calloused fingers -worn from hardships- traced the rim of gorgeous teacup. Gaze low as Lucius spoke.
A savior he once thought. No true concept for what such a thing should be like. No denial upon his lips that the role was fulfilled regardless. Easily influenced with the desire for acceptance. What a life he had wove for himself, faint chuckle upon thin lips as he reminisce. Relaxed, and fell back as if he belonged, masquerading as what he is not.
Pure. Confident. Pride.
“If I didn’t know any better,” Severus began, bold lie placated by soft tones meant to seduce, “I would think you miss my presence with how often you’ve asked for me, Lucius.”
He’s lived among them for so long, like second nature does he fall into this role of friend. Thin strands of raven black locks framed gaunt cheeks. Soften sharp bones that lines his jaw. Through lidded eyes does he peer over the rim of his glass at Lucius. Waits for him to revoke so beautifully like he does.
Entertained does he keep him. Attention always held; always upon Severus himself to rise to the other’s expectations of him.
