Chapter Text
8:45 PM
The children were down at last. Each of them bathed, changed, and tucked into bed with charms that kept their blankets perfectly warm and played a faint melody to ward off any fears. There were also gentle monitoring charms in place, just in case any of them woke up and needed them.
Harry entered their bathroom and lit a few candles with a flick of his wand. The soft glow filled the room as he began to draw the bath. He could already hear the shower running in the next room and smiled to himself. He added a handful of chamomile petals, a few drops of Severus’s favorite oil, and, because he knew it would make Severus laugh, he added a small swirl of bubble soap.
Technically, this bath was meant for Harry. But honestly, when had his bunny ever resisted joining him?
Once the tub was ready, Harry stepped in, sinking into the warmth and letting it ease the stiffness from his shoulders. He had barely closed his eyes when the door opened. Moments later, the water shifted as another body slid in behind him, pulling him back against a familiar chest.
Strong arms wrapped around him at once, and soft kisses traced the line of his neck before turning playful. He placed light, teasing bites that made Harry tilt his head and laugh.
“Was my puppy starved for touch, hmm?” Harry teased, smiling as the next bite was a little harder. “Or should I say my duckling? My darling octopus? My scary big cat? My dear raven?”
Severus’s only answer was to slide his hands lower, palms skimming water and skin alike.
“Did you miss me, Sev?” Harry murmured, leaning back into him.
“I miss you even when we share a bed,” Severus said softly, his breath warm against Harry’s ear. “Would I not miss you, countries apart?”
Harry turned his head, catching his husband’s fingers to kiss them. “I know, love. I know. I’m sorry I couldn’t go with you.”
A hum vibrated against his back. “And how,” Severus murmured, “will you make it up to me?”
Harry pretended to think. “Hmm. What about sending the kids to stay with Neville and Luna for a few days? Draco says Scorpius misses the twins, and Narcissa’s been complaining we’re hogging all the children.”
He felt Severus’s smile against his neck. “They are our children,” he grumbled. “How is that hogging?”
Harry laughed. Severus had always been just as attached to their children as he was to Harry. It had taken four years after Lily’s birth to convince him to let anyone babysit them at all. And Harry understood. They were both the same that way. Two people who had spent years wishing for a family, only to be disappointed or discarded at every turn. When you’ve spent that long reaching for love and finally grasp the rope, you don’t let go easily.
They had simply been fortunate enough to find someone who completely understood that kind of love and stubborn enough to make it work even with past differences.
“Mmm, probably because they all have sticky hands like you,” Harry said, grinning. “They cling to me like bees to honey. My little octopuses have multiplied.”
“Octopi,” Severus corrected automatically, before pressing another trail of kisses along Harry’s jaw.
Harry chuckled, closing his eyes as Severus’s hands stilled over his heart. “My sticky little ducklings,” he whispered. “Following me everywhere.”
10:00 PM
The water had cooled by the time they left the bath. Harry dried them both with a flick of his wand, then helped Severus into one of his soft nightshirts before pulling on his own. The candles had burned low, and the nocturnal creatures were beginning to wake up outside.
They passed the children’s rooms on their way to bed, peeking in briefly. Lily had somehow kicked half her blanket off again, and Orion was drooling into his pillow, one arm thrown over his twin. Harry smiled as he tucked them in properly, brushing his fingers lightly through their hair. Severus stood behind him, silent but with a content smile, his hand resting at the small of Harry’s back.
The moon spilled against the quilt and the bed as Harry slipped beneath the covers, and Severus followed right after as he always did. Within seconds, Harry found himself half-pinned beneath the familiar, warm weight of his husband.
He huffed a laugh. “You never change.”
“Would you like me to?” came the quiet reply against his collarbone.
“Never,” Harry murmured, threading his fingers through Severus’s hair.
Severus made a small, content noise and settled closer, limbs tangling until Harry could barely tell where one of them ended and the other began. The faint scent of chamomile clung to his skin.
“You’re more clingy than usual tonight,” Harry said fondly.
“I’m finally home,” Severus murmured. “I’m catching up.”
Harry smiled, kissing the top of his head. For a long time, neither spoke. The house was still, the only sounds the quiet rhythm of their breathing. Through the open window, a cool breeze drifted in, carrying the faint scent of jasmine from the garden as it bloomed.
Harry traced slow circles on Severus’s back. “You know,” he whispered, “when I was younger, I used to dream about peace. I just didn’t know it would look like this.”
Severus tilted his head up, eyes dark and warm. “And how does it look?”
Harry smiled, brushing a kiss over his mouth. “Like you. Like this.”
A pause. Then Severus’s lips curved into that slow, familiar smirk Harry knew far too well.
“Hmm,” he murmured, voice low. “Maybe,” he said, drawing lazy patterns on Harry’s chest, “we haven’t had enough children.”
Harry laughed quietly, rolling them both so Severus was beneath him, eyes bright in the candlelight. “Let’s practice then.”
“Less talking, love.” Severus murmured, his hand sliding to Harry’s neck.
The candles flickered once and went out as Harry leaned down to capture Severus’s lips with his, leaving only moonlight and the sound of Severus’s moans and gasps in the dark.