It was in the quiet moments, alone in the dark. Soft, shared laughter until they were both flat on their backs. Gentle words. A hand roaming through long, dark hair.
It was in the way they shopped for candles. One might have expected Severus to gravitate to the dark, woody smells.
It was always a white candle. Always something soft. Always something that smelled like lavender or the Earth after rain. Always something that the breeze would carry away like it had never been there in the first place.
It was there when Lily wanted to practice her plaits, and Severus offered without reservation. She felt them leaning into her touch. Looking for a moment too long in the mirror. Smiling a little too soft.
It was then that Lily decided she would let it be. She wouldn’t ask questions. She wouldn’t expect it to come out. Maybe it never would. Her acceptance was quiet.
It came in the need to practice eyeliner, which Severus wore around proudly for the rest of the night. Lily caught them taking a glance in every mirror.
Severus considered saying something, but the words always found a way to catch in their throat. With Lily, alone, they felt beautiful. They felt real. They felt like they could be anyone they wanted to be and know that they were safe.
But sometimes you don’t have to speak to know that you are understood.
The black dress, too big for Lily, sprawled across the bed. “I thought you might like to try it.” Severus almost broke down right there.
It felt strange sitting on their shoulders. Their hands moved to wrap around their waist and hold themself. They swayed lightly, feeling the fabric brushing against long, unsteady legs. It was beautiful.
“It suits you,” Lily smiled, meeting Severus’ tear filled eyes. It suits her. It really does.
Maybe this is why the love had run so deep. Because in the dark, in the quiet, when it was just the two of them, was the only time she had ever really been seen.
It was the only time she had ever been.
Alone, with Lily, she could be. Sevi. In slavic languages, it means “to be”. “To exist.” “Living.”
And with Lily, she could.
