Chapter Text
James saw him; Severus was standing in the corner of the common room. He lifted the cup to his lips and sipped, his black brows furrowed, and his large sharp nose wrinkled at the taste. James felt the firewhiskey in his blood. Around him, people were laughing and dancing along with the music, too drunk to notice James walking towards him. Severus's eyes narrowed, and his face set sternly as he noticed James closing in on him. He set the cup down as James came within speaking distance.
"I was invited," Severus said, his voice slow and soft, but venom laced his words, as always. James tightened his fists at his side. "Well, I don't want you here, get out, Snivellus," James said. Severus eyed him defiantly. James found it hard to keep his stare, so before Severus had a chance to react, he grabbed his black robe and began pulling Severus.
"Let go of me!" Severus yelled as James dragged him along. He didn't realize he had gone to one of the cleaning closets until he whipped out his wand and softly said, "Alohomora." The door clicked open, and James pushed a cursing and complaining Severus in.
"Merlin Potter, what are you going to do, you brute?" Severus said as he pushed his black hair out of his face. James stared for a moment, then he stepped in and closed the door behind him. The music faded to an ebb, and the lights went out. "Potter, what are you doing?!" Severus sounded alarmed. Even though it was dark, James closed his eyes. His hands found Severus's forearms; the other boy flinched at the touch. James knew he was talking but couldn't hear Severus's words; his own ears were filled with a sort of soaring switching sound.
James moved his hands up and finally felt Severus's face; his hands moved tentatively over his moving mouth, then up the bridge of his nose. Severus's hands found James's, and he tried to pull them away. James grabbed the side of his face and pulled him in; their lips met violently, teeth clanging against each other. But as many girls as James had kissed, it had never felt like this; he had never felt so alive. The kiss softened a bit before reality came back, and Severus pushed James back.
The room was dark and still for a few seconds. James felt his hands trembling; short breaths came from Severus. "If you— I didn’t," James tried to speak. "Tell anyone, I will kill you," James said, the tang of metallic blood taste in his mouth. Severus didn't reply. James reached back and opened the door; light slipped in, and he spared one look at a shocked and pale Severus. His lips were red from the blood. James turned and left him there, seeking more firewhisky in hopes to forget he ever did this.