Lily smiled, shaking her head. "Maybe deep down I knew," she admitted. "But it's good to hear you say it out loud. I've really missed you Severus." She watched as he pushed himself up. "Wait, Severus-" Before she could say anymore, he was standing and throwing his robe into the fire. She was sure she wouldn't any article of clothing after an incident like that and said nothing more.
She looked up at him as he offered a hand and she stood as well. "Severus you shouldn't be standing. Please, won't you lay down? You need to rest." She reached out for his other hand and held it, looking down at them then back up at his face. She smiled weakly, nodding her head. "I promise I will never let you do that," she said. She hesitated for a moment, but took a step forward and moved her arms around him. It was perfect. So familiar and comforting that she wondered how she could have done without it for so long.
"Never leave me like that, ok? And never do something as stupid as what you just did. If you had left me for good, I don't think I would have survived. I would just be this walking shell." It seemed dramatic, but she knew it was true. If he had succeeded in his earlier endeavor, she would have blamed herself completely for his passing. But thank Merlin they had a second chance.
She stepped out of the hug and smiled again at him. "Really, you shouldn't be standing. Go to bed and get some rest. We can talk later, ok?"