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It was late. The clock had just striked one o' clock, and the raven haired potions master was still, unfortunately, awake. Despite his yawns and his attempts to doze off, he just could not fall asleep.
Gilderoy, on the other hand, was snoozing softly with his arms wrapped around Severus' torso in a lazy but firm grip. He looked so peaceful, so calm, it bothered Severus. How was it so easy for a man who spent most of his adult days committing plagiarism and fraud to just sleep so soundly? He couldn't believe it.
Severus let out a betraying yawn, his mouth opening wide like the jaws of a shattered lion. He pulled Gilderoy closer to him, gently stroking the blonde curls of the individual who had him in a tight loving grasp. Just after, Gilderoy stirred, pulling himelf upwards. He rested his head in the crook of Severus' hair, and hid his face in the black strands of hair.
"Oh my..." Gilderoy mumbled sleepily, causing a small smirk to form on Severus' lips, vanishing after a good two seconds. Severus thought Gilderoy's sleeptalk was sweet, even if Gilderoy once during last year's winter had muttered a thread of insults to particularly no one. Severus was always fond of that memory.
As the two men lay quietly together, Severus had a conflicting realisation.
Gilderoy loved him. And it wasn't a silly love at first sight situation either; Gilderoy found his ways attractive. Gilderoy always complimented his handy work when watching him brew. Gilderoy always wanted to be as close to Severus as possible, even if Severus hated his personal space being invaded. Gilderoy was a bundle of joy that his fans wouldn't properly grasp because when they thought of Gilderoy, what came to mind was a man who wrote some books and had an award winning smile. (Well, that award winning smile was what kept Severus amused, even if it was irritating.)
But, the point was that Severus was actually loved—and for once he felt loved! This self centered, narcissistic, charming little man had Severus' heart in a chokehold, one Sev knew instantly that it would never be let free. And he was fine with it, completely.
His eyes trailed to the sleeping beauty, watching his chest rise and fall with each quiet grunt and snore. Severus sighed, and closed his eyes, tears threatening to escape rheir sockets. Severus was going to cherish Gilderoy, whether he liked it or not.
"Sev, darling, go to sleep." A small, smug voice whispered. Severus grumbled as he looked away from Gilderoy's sleepy expression, which now had two half lidded eyes peering up at him.
"I can't." Severus replied, a croak somehow finding a way into his throat. Gilderoy rolled his eyes and smooched Severus' neck before drifting off swiftly again, leaving Severus to his thoughts.