Re: Lily/Severus
Honestly, he didn't think that she did. Somewhere in his mind, Severus wondered if she imagined his adoration of her to be romantic in nature? He certainly had. Possessive and jealous and obsessive and truly ugly as it had been, he'd always assumed that it was because he wanted her for himself, to marry her and keep her always.
It never occurred to him to wonder why he'd never tried to kiss her, even when they were still very good friends and often spent hours alone together talking by the river or lying in the grass to watch the clouds roll by. He'd never tried to get a leg over, never touched her in any sexual way, never even permitted himself to fantasise about such things. She was pure. Perfect and untouchable as an angel.
Now, of course, as he was coming to recognise his own nature, it made more sense. He had loved her, deeply and passionately but it had been quite platonic.
Embarrassed to be seen in such an emotional state in such a public place - and quite afraid of being caught like this by her husband, Severus released his death grip on her. The music was ending in any case. He gave her a very chaste kiss on her cheek and tucked a curl of hair behind her ear.
She was so beautiful, so young.
"Thank you," he said quietly, meaning far more than just the dance.