Chapter Text
“Wake up, Darlin’,” Daryl whispered to him.
Severus whined in discomfort. He opened his eyes but turned his head to the side, so he wasn’t staring directly at the sun. When Severus caught sight of his lover’s blue eyes, he frowned at the American. He and Daryl were laid out in the bed of the truck, his lover’s arm underneath his head to cushion it. It was a bit cramped with the Triumph next to them but it suited Severus just fine, the ambient rumble and gentle swaying of the moving truck was soothing.
After Daryl drove for nearly the entire day after they’d escaped the C.D.C. yesterday, the man had finally relented and allowed Draco to take over driving. Daryl had barely gotten the words out of his mouth before Draco had put on his sunglasses and practically shoved Daryl out of the cab.
Harry was in the passenger seat of the cab with Draco, the hoarse voice of Tom Waits drifted from the speakers, every now and again becoming distorted. They’d been playing the same old, deteriorated cassette for hours now after finding it wedged under some empty and yellowed cigarette packets in the glove compartment. Harry and Draco were singing along to the few lyrics they’d learned, with all the talent of a pair of yowling cats. Severus winced as a powerful shot of pain overcame him and he reached up to rub his forehead.
“Why would you want me awake for this?” Severus asked.
Daryl chuckled.
“Pothole,” Severus heard Harry say.
“Potter, I see the sodding potholes. You don’t have to point out every single-!” Draco snapped.
Harry, however, had already moved on and loudly sang along, off key, to another chorus of the song, drowning Draco out. While he was sure, originally, Harry had meant to be helpful, Severus long suspected that the boy had continued to do it once he discovered that it grated on Draco’s nerves.
“Carol said I should wake you up every few hours,” Daryl said, “Old wives tale.”
“I think I’ll be fine,” Severus said, “I took a healing potion to heal the worst of it.”
“Draco said it don’t mean that you’re instantly cured. Could take a couple of days,” Daryl said pointedly.
“Draco is far too much of a nervous mum,” Severus said, rubbing his forehead.
“Maybe, but you’d kill yourself for the sake of everyone else,” Daryl said accusingly, “So I’ll take his word for it over yours.”
Severus let out a huff of a chuckle, wondering how Daryl would react if he knew the state of him eight months prior. In a shack, bleeding out, dying for a world that hated him. ‘They can go fuck themselves,’ Severus imagined his response to be. Severus leaned over and gave Daryl a kiss.
“Pothole,” Harry said again.
“Potter!” Draco growled, “I will curse you so badly-!”
Severus rolled his eyes and sat up, slapping the window twice. Draco let out a high-pitched shriek as both boys’ heads whipped around, and the blond let out a sad ‘oh’ of relief when he saw it was just Severus. Harry fell back against the seat, letting out a loud cackle. Draco turned back to the road, sparing Harry a glare of embarrassment, before he reached up and unlatched the window to the cab. After he opened it, he rubbed at his heart and said grumpily, “Severus, you gave me such a fright.”
Harry rubbed at his belly, certainly aching after such a good laugh, and he exhaled noisily, trying to calm down. “Malfoy, you are such a pansy,” the Gryffindor said before turning to Severus, “I thought you two were asleep.”
“Well, it turns out to be quite a challenging feat when you sound like you’re skinning dugbogs alive in here,” Severus said.
“Your fuckin’ animals all sound made up,” Daryl said loudly, still lying down.
“Oy,” Draco said, just as loud, so Daryl could hear him, “That’s cheeky considering we are in a long line of vehicles with a barrage of silly names like ‘Winnebago’.”
Severus chuckled. After Daryl had run out of things to tell Severus about yesterday, Severus had started to tell him about the Wizarding World and the potions that Severus worked with. By the end of the day yesterday, Daryl had a decent rundown of mundane ingredients like plants and animal parts that could be used for potions. The taller man had scoffed and said, “Here I thought you was some fancy lecturer, but you play with dead animal guts just as much as I do, don’t you?”
Severus had initially prickled with resentment at the comment, annoyed that his profession had been diminished down to just ‘playing with dead animal guts’. It had instantly triggered the trauma of James Potter and Sirius Black constantly demeaning his love for the art and calling him names for it. However, once Severus took stock of Daryl’s tone, he realized the man wasn’t taking the piss, he seemed…proud. Excited even, to have yet another thing in common with him. Every day, the chasm of unlikelihood between their seemingly strange romance was getting smaller. Severus had then smiled and told him, “I suppose I do.”
“We’ll turn it down, Sev,” Harry promised, “We’ll be stopping for lunch soon, try and rest.”
“You needn’t treat me like an invalid, Harry, I’ve mostly recovered,” Severus said, “If you or Draco need a break, we can swap.”
“Severus, stop trying to push yourself, you and I both know your concussion was quite severe and you haven’t allowed the Murtlap nearly enough time to fix all the damage,” Draco said, “I’m not in the least bit tired aside from tired of Potter’s never-ending bull dung.”
Harry and Daryl chuckled.
“Why are you snickering!?” Draco demanded, which was only met with more laughter.
Around lunch time, the caravan slowed, and Draco pulled over behind the Wrangler that Shane was driving. Once the truck stopped completely, Daryl jumped down from the tailgate and held his hand out to Severus to take so he could help him down. Severus smiled at him and, despite not feeling like he needed help, he took Daryl’s hand regardless.
“How’s the concussion?” Carol asked, as Draco took out some of the food he’d pilfered from the C.D.C.
“I have a concussion?” Severus asked, masking his features with a worried expression.
Carol pursed her lips at him, unamused, but Severus cracked a smile at her, “Carol, it’s a joke. I do that every now and again.”
“Are terrible jokes a symptom of concussions?” Andrea said, walking up to them.
“No,” Carol said, “Though, they are a symptom of not being funny.”
Severus rolled his eyes and shot a smile over to a smirking Daryl as Andrea let out an impressed guffaw.
“HA! Well, that’s chronic in Severus’ case,” Andrea said, before addressing Carol, “I like this side of you, Carol, where you been hiding her?”
Severus liked it as well. He knew Ed being dead and gone was a huge part of the reason that Carol felt safe enough to not act as if she were a meek mouse, however, he was surprised to see Carol begin to feel comfortable in her own skin so quickly. It showed Severus how desperately Carol had been ready to leave Ed’s shadow, and he was proud of her.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to ride in the truck with you?” Carol asked after they finished their meal, “Just until you feel better, so I can keep an eye on you.”
“I promise, Carol,” Severus said, “Mr. Dixon has followed your instructions annoyingly close to the letter and is a more than adequate nurse maid.”
Further proving Severus’ point, Daryl asked Carol, “He threw up again this mornin’ after breakfast. That normal?”
Severus’ smile dropped before he narrowed his eyes at Daryl. He whispered, under his breath, at Daryl, “Traitor.”
Andrea snickered. The corner of Daryl’s lip twitched.
“If you must know,” Severus said, “that had far less to do with the concussion and more to do with Draco’s driving.”
“Oy!” Draco said, “I am a fantastic driver!”
Harry snorted, and Draco narrowed his eyes at him.
“In any case, I am happy to report I am no longer feeling nauseated. Lunch is staying put, so you can all let me breathe,” Severus said.
“Hm,” Carol said, still not looking convinced, “Alright, but if it gets worse, I’m going to talk to Rick about holding off the travel for a few days. These long travel days can’t be helping, and Fort Benning isn’t going anywhere.”
“That won’t be necessary, Carol, I assure you,” Severus said.
Severus wanted to get to Fort Benning as quickly as they could. After the C.D.C. fell, they had all discussed their next step as a group and after much debate on the viability, they had decided Fort Benning was their best wager of finding something stable. It was an army base that, at one point, early in the pandemic, had been thriving and taking in survivors. The catch? It was over a hundred and fifty kilometers away.
After everyone had finished their quick lunch and had a bit of a stretch, Rick was calling to hit the road again. As Severus was finishing packing up their things, Draco called from the driver’s seat, “Daryl!”
Daryl walked over to the open door.
“I don’t think we’re going to be able make it much farther,” Draco said as he pointed to the fuel gauge, where it was hovering about two notches above ‘E’ for empty.
“Fuck,” Daryl said in a low tone, mostly to himself.
“How long do we have?” Severus asked as he also leaned in to look.
“Hard to say,” Daryl said, “If we really push ‘er, two hours? She’s old, guzzles gas like a motherfucker.”
“What happens if we can’t find any petrol in the meantime?” Severus asked.
“Then the ol’ girl stays where she is,” Daryl said, slapping the top of the truck, “Break my heart, but circle of life. Don’t ride her too hard, Draco, we gotta try and preserve as much fuel as we can.”
Draco nodded and Daryl closed the door for him.
Daryl’s prediction ended up being spot on. He and Severus were in the back again, this time sitting opposite one another, their legs stretched out in front of them, casually tangled up in each other. The weather was lovely that day. Severus was almost enjoying being in the open air, chatting with his lover under the late October sun.
“I don’t believe you,” Severus said matter-of-factly.
“Reckon that sounds like a ‘you’ problem, don’t it?” Daryl said.
“Mr. Dixon, there is simply no possible way,” Severus said, “How could frogs live inside vehicles?”
“I’m tellin’ ya!” Daryl said, “They hide in all sorts of places, sometimes in the wheel well, in the engine.”
“How in the world would they survive?” Severus scoffed.
“I can prove it to ya, right now. Don’t take much,” Daryl said.
“Pray tell, how? In case it escaped your attention, the truck is moving,” Severus said.
“Listen,” Daryl said, leaning towards Severus and putting a finger to his lips, “If you’re real quiet, you can sometimes hear ‘em.”
Severus leaned in as well, tilting his head to the side and listening intently.
A second later, Daryl’s face shifted a little, and he let out a croaky fart.
Severus sat up straight with a gasp, glaring at Daryl. Before Severus could stop it, a snort and a laugh escaped him and dropped his head down into his hand to hide his laughter. Daryl roared with laughter, slapping his own leg. Severus sat back up and slapped Daryl’s boot.
“You are foul!” Severus said, humor still in his voice, “That’s the last time I let you wind me up.”
Suddenly, the truck began to splutter and stall, making Draco gasp loudly from inside the cab.
“Woah,” Harry said, his hands out as though that alone was enough to steady the car.
“Bloody hell,” Draco whispered.
Daryl immediately scrambled to his knees, leaning into the cab through the window. “Easy, easy. Don’t slam on the break. Steady, pull her over.”
Draco sat up straighter and followed Daryl’s direction; letting the truck’s own, final momentum coast them to a stop. Draco sighed once they were safely on the side of the road, dropping his hands from the steering wheel in apparent defeat before he hit the horn once, good and long. The caravan immediately stopped.
Rick got out of Carol’s car and Draco hopped out of the driver’s seat, pushing his sunglasses up to rest on his head. “What happened?” Rick asked when he got close enough.
“Ran out of petrol,” Draco said.
“Damn,” Rick said, looking down the road, tragically free of any other abandoned vehicle.
Rick turned to them and said, “Alright. Some of you in T-Dog’s bus, some of you in Shane’s Jeep.”
“You don’t gotta worry ‘bout me,” Daryl said, standing up in the truck bed, already untying the Triumph.
Severus jumped down from the bed and waited for Daryl to finish up removing all the straps. Once he did, Severus pointed his wand at the motorcycle and helped slowly levitate it down from the truck bed. Rick nodded and said, “Probably best. While we’re at it, might as well consolidate as best as we can. Get rid of some of the others too, move the fuel over.”
As Rick hit the button on the radio to tell Shane and Dale their plan, Severus turned to Daryl and said, “There’s a second seat. Do I ride with you?”
“Not this time,” Daryl said, looking reluctant.
Severus raised his eyebrow. He wasn’t expecting his lover to say no to an opportunity for them to be pressed up against each other. “You forget your head’s all fucked up?” Daryl said, “What if you have an episode while I’m drivin’? You get wobbly when it hits you. I ain’t puttin’ you in that situation.”
Severus smiled at him, “If you insist.”
“Plus, you know the brat would never let me hear the end of it if he don’t get to ride her,” Daryl mumbled.
“Ah, playing favorites,” Severus said, faking a pout, “I see how it is.”
“Don’t worry, Darlin’,” Daryl gave him a smirk, “Got a better ride for you, but ya gotta to wait ‘till later.”
“I’m holding you to that, Mr. Dixon,” Severus said.
Daryl gave him a lingering leer before he looked up at the group and yelled, “Draco! Come on. Imma turn her on.”
Draco didn’t need to be told twice. He fast-walked over (without actually jogging because Severus suspected he didn’t want to look too eager) and immediately, he and Daryl began to speak in a language that Severus didn’t know. Hand clutch this, and foot shifter that. After a quick sweep of the motorcycle to make sure nothing came loose while she was on the truck, Daryl tells Draco, “Hop on, you’re ridin’ bitch.”
“Yeah?” Draco asked, a grin overtaking his features.
Severus raised both eyebrows, which Draco caught.
“It means I sit behind him, I learned that one the hard way,” Draco told Severus, before he leaned in closer and said, “I was quite offended at first, not understanding the meaning, but- well, frankly, I didn’t have a leg to stand on.”
Severus let out a bark of laughter.
“So, it’s alright?” Draco asked Severus.
“Yes, yes, but don’t you dare let go of Mr. Dixon for even a moment, Draco,” Severus warned, “I’m not entirely convinced this thing is safe.”
“So long as he stays on,” Daryl said, “He falls off, there’s no tellin’ what he’ll bruise.”
“Well, I would say my pride,” Draco said, deadpan, “but I had to bury that the first time I ate Spam.”
Severus didn’t find Draco’s droll nonchalance amusing, but Daryl told him, “Sev, what I tell you about worryin’? Boy’ll be fine.”
Without waiting for Severus to change his mind, Draco gave Severus a big grin and climbed onto the motorcycle behind Daryl. Once Draco was comfortable, Daryl turned the key and after a wink in Severus’ direction, they rode off. Harry approached Severus and said, “I’m not saying I hope it happens, but if Malfoy gets taken out by a low hanging tree branch, I will laugh.”
Severus glared at Harry but finally grunted out, “I suppose that’s fair.”
_______________________
“Look at that happy little shit,” Andrea said, standing in between Dale, driving, and Severus, in the passenger seat of the RV.
Daryl had taken the lead of the caravan, knowing that Draco would not be placated with maintaining the RV’s speed. “Yeah,” Harry said, next to her, both arms crossed on Severus’ headrest and his chin resting on them, “I think that’s the first real smile I’ve seen on his face that wasn’t put there by me humiliating myself.”
Draco, at several points of the ride, held his arms up as Daryl drove, his face turned up, enjoying the breeze in his hair. It was the most carefree Severus had ever seen him, even in his childhood. He was thankful his boys could still feel joy even after all they’d been through and amongst such chaos. A bubble of gratitude for Daryl also inflated inside Severus’ chest and he thought of all the ways he could show the taller man his appreciation once they were alone.
They were on the road for only another couple of hours before Dale stopped the caravan for the night. Everyone sighed in relief and moaned as they stretched their legs, happy that their traveling was done for the day. Severus climbed down the steps of the RV after Harry, who had immediately walked over to Daryl and Draco.
Draco wobbled off the Triumph, walking somewhat bow-legged. The blond moaned in discomfort and bent down, hands on his knees. “Stiff?” Harry asked cheekily as Draco straightened his legs, hoping to stretch out the clearly sore muscles.
“I am the personification of pain,” Draco said, somewhat strained in his folded position.
Harry rolled his eyes so hard he leaned back and let out a stunted chuckle. Draco looked up at him with a glare but relented and waved him off, “Alright, alright. I admit, that one was a bit dramatic even for me, but I don’t care. My arse feels like it’s going to fall off.”
“Told you to stop tensin’ so much,” Daryl scolded, “Plus, she’s old. Means she shakes more, ‘specially at higher speeds. Vibrations don’t make it better.”
“Oh, Merlin’s beard, my lower back,” Draco cried, before he moved his hips left to right to give them a good stretch as well, and something gave a loud crack, “Oh! Did you hear that? I think that was my hip! Is this what it feels like to be your age, Severus?”
Severus narrowed his eyes at Draco, “I sincerely hope that was worth not having pain potions tonight, Draco.”
“It was, yes,” Draco said, “though, I may change my mind later.”
________
They all settled into their unpacking routine quite easily once everyone had a bit of a stretch. The long travel days weren’t just harsh on Severus, with his concussion, but on everyone. Carol and Lori began to cook dinner after Harry had started a fire for them and the rest began to set up their tents while they waited for dinner to be ready, casual chatter filling the air. Rick approached Severus as he and Harry were setting up their own tent for the night while Draco was sat in a chair looking miserable and Andrea lounged on the ground, cross-legged. Daryl had gone to see if there was any easing hunting that he could do in the area. Carl hopped along behind Rick, seemingly content with following his father while the man did his duties.
“Rick,” Severus greeted.
Rick gave him a nod of acknowledgement. “Evening,” he said.
“Alright, mate?” Harry said Carl, holding out a fist to the boy.
Carl bumped his own fist against Harry’s and said with a grin, “Yeah.”
“After dinner, fancy a game of football?” Harry asked.
“Don’t count on me for that,” Draco said readily, “my legs are about as functional as a cauldron with holes at the moment.”
“Who invited you?” Harry asked, his nose wrinkled.
Carl let out a giggle.
“Been thinking,” Rick said, “Ran it by Shane and Dale too and they agree. I think we should not use our guns so much.”
Severus found himself nodding, agreeing wholeheartedly with Rick. He wasn’t particularly fond of guns, so he wasn’t opposed to their limited use. Severus didn’t think he’d have such a prejudice against them but after their little lesson with Daryl early on, he realized how easily they could be misfired. How easily a split-second reaction could mean devastation. He didn’t want something with that much power in the hands of someone like Shane Walsh, whose madness needed only a gentle breeze to ignite the flame, let alone someone with active malintent. A wand, there was always clear intent when a spell was spoken, there was no conceivable way that a spell could be accidentally cast unless the wand was faulty.
“Well, you won’t hear me complaining,” Severus said.
“I’ll do it for you,” Andrea said, raising her hand.
Rick continued cautiously, “I wanted to talk to you about including those fancy exploding charms you three use in that.”
Draco crossed his arms and opened his mouth to argue but Severus held a staying hand out to him.
“Why?” Severus asked.
Rick wasn’t like Shane. He trusted that Rick had a logical reason for requesting this of them. At the very least, Severus was willing to listen before he reacted.
“Just worried about calling unnecessary attention to us,” Rick said, “The guns, your spells; they make a whole hell of a lot of noise. It’s like ringing the dinner bell. I asked Daryl and Glenn to keep an eye out for more weapons like Daryl’s crossbow but in the meantime, I think keeping to the knives for us, or a quieter spell for y’all, is best.”
Severus nodded in understanding and turned to the boys. “Rick may be right,” Severus told him, before looking to Harry to punctuate the point, “Wizards are not known for their subtlety. We can stick to the Severing Charms until we find an alternative, those are far quieter. I’ll have to think of a few others, we may have to get a bit creative.”
Harry suddenly groaned. Severus raised an eyebrow at him and Harry said, “That means more bloody lessons.”
“You went to a magic school,” Carl said grumpily, “Suck it up.”
Draco and Harry laughed.
“Right you are, Mr. Grimes, 10 points to-” Severus began, before he took a pause.
Draco and Harry looked over, interested. Severus cocked his head to the side and contemplated. Carl and Rick blinked at him owlishly, not understanding what was happening. This was far easier with a sorting hat, clearly, but he could see some obvious signs in the boy and said definitively, “Gryffindor.”
Harry clapped his hands enthusiastically while Draco loudly groaned.
“Is that a good thing?” Carl asked, looking quite confused.
Harry just said, “Just take it, mate, it’s a compliment.”
“Hardly,” Draco said.
“Shut your gob, Malfoy,” Harry said before turning back to Carl, “Being a Gryffindor is the best. Your dad is a proper Gryffindor too.”
Rick crossed his arms, “I assume this is a magic thing.”
“It’s actually a British thing,” Severus said, “Quite a lot of schools in UK use a ‘house’ system, it fosters a fraternal relationship amongst the students with the other members of their house. There’s a lot of loyalty and rivalry in one’s school house. It’s usually quite random in muggle schools but we have a sorting system at Hogwarts that is a little more deliberate.”
“What do you think I’d be?” Andrea asked, having already heard all about their Hogwarts houses.
“Ravenclaw,” all three of them said without hesitation and as though it were obvious.
“Is that where the beautiful people get put?” Andrea asked wryly, throwing her hair over her shoulder.
“We would have put you elsewhere if it was,” Draco told her.
“Is Slytherin the dickhead house?” Andrea asked Harry.
“It is!” Harry said enthusiastically.
Severus shook his head as they devolved to bickering once more, and turned to Rick, “We’ll think on the spells.”
“Thank you,” Rick said genially before walking away.
____________________________
“What about the Ascending Spell?” Draco asked, “They go up, they come down, and their skulls crack on the ground.”
“You want it to rain inferi?” Harry pointed out, looking bored, with his chin on his palm.
“Well, if you’d contributed any ideas, Potter, rather than just looking at me like a dead flobberworm,” Draco said tartly, “Perhaps we’d find a solution faster.”
“What’s a flobberworm?” Carl asked, having stayed once his father had left.
“It’s a dumb, brainless animal that is so ugly you can’t tell which end is its mouth and which end is its anus,” Draco said.
Severus was about to scold Draco but, surprisingly, Harry snickered alongside Carl and didn’t retort. The older Slytherin couldn’t help but wonder if Draco’s companionship had finally taught the Gryffindor to have a thick skin, something he thought Harry had always needed. Or, even better, perhaps Harry realized that Draco hardly meant half of the derisive things he said. Either way, it was good to watch them laughing together.
Harry thought for a moment, before he said, “Does the Gouging Spell work on flesh?”
T-Dog paused as he walked, slowly turning to stare at Harry. Harry sat up, fixing his posture, his eyes wide. “No, T!” Harry said as the man scurried away.
Daryl snorted.
“I meant the inferi! T-Dog!” Harry yelled.
The raucous laughter that escaped Draco was uncharacteristic of him, but it made Severus crack a smile regardless as Harry turned red and Draco enjoyed his embarrassment.
“Hang on,” Severus said, “I’ve thought of one.”
_______________________
“Rick, Walsh,” Severus called as he approached the two, Carl hot on his heels.
Both men looked up and Severus told them, “I’ve thought of a quieter spell to teach the boys to replace our Bombardment Spell so if you could make sure no one goes into the clearing just there. I don’t want anyone getting hurt by any errant spells.”
Rick looked over to see where Severus was pointing, “We can do that.”
“Can I watch?” Carl asked eagerly.
“No can do, little man,” Shane said good-naturedly to Carl, but the former police officer held no such civility for Severus as he eyed him up with his lips pursed.
Rick, on the other hand, asked Severus, “Is it dangerous?”
Shane’s head whipped up to fix Rick with a stare. Severus was bold enough to glance at Shane before he told Rick, “Er- I suppose not. Their aim leaves much to be desired at times, when they’re learning, but if you’re ok with Carl watching, I can put a protection spell around him. We use them often when the boys and I duel, so I know he’ll be safe.”
“Duel?” Rick repeated, “Is that what you’re going to do now?”
“No, sadly, at least not with me,” Severus said, “Carol might just kill me if I tried. I’m still suffering the symptoms of the concussion, it could be unsafe if I get a dizzy spell in the middle of a duel. They’ll just be practicing for now.”
Rick looked down to Carl and said, “Alright, if you use your spells to protect him.”
Carl’s resulting grin nearly ripped in face in two. “Rick,” Shane said quickly, “You sure it’s a good idea?”
“He’ll be fine, Shane,” Rick said placatingly, “I trust Severus.”
Rick may as well have said to Shane that they were arch enemies from there on out, given the look of disgust he gave Rick. Rick furrowed his eyebrows at Shane. Severus awkwardly cleared his throat, and asked Carl, “Ready, lad?”
“Totally!” Carl said enthusiastically.
“Right, off we go,” Severus said, walking away from the two former officers before they could begin to argue.
Carl was three steps ahead of Severus the entire time, clearly excited. As they passed where Lori and Carol were still cooking supper, Carl called, “Sophia! I get to see Harry and Draco practice a new spell!”
Lori’s head shot up, eyes wide, but Severus chose to pretend that he didn’t see her. Sophia, however, stood up, a frown of distinct jealousy on her face. She frantically turned to her mother, whispering furiously. A few seconds later, Carol called out to Severus. “Severus! Can Sophia join?”
Severus nodded and called to the girl, “Come on, poppet.”
She squealed and ran over. Severus stopped as he waited for her to catch up, reveling in being the focus of a child’s admiration. It was something he was unused to, given his status as ‘dungeon bat’ to the Hogwarts student body. It was a feeling he never thought he’d ever get a chance to experience after his first year of teaching and realizing how difficult it was going to be to get the other houses to trust him. Now, as he watched Sophia run over, a big smile on her face, excitement in her brown eyes, he couldn’t help but smile and also feel excited. Excited by magic again, excited to share it with someone who was as awed of it as he was. He hadn’t felt that since he was a boy, when he first met Lily.
He suddenly realized why Daryl took to the boys so quickly when they first arrived at camp. They were impassioned by what he loved. Given Daryl’s past, he probably also enjoyed that they were innocent, blank canvases that knew nothing about societal prejudices and the man had reveled in their enthusiasm and acceptance. Daryl had been eager to be a mentor, and the boys provided him the opportunity.
Once Sophia caught up with them, Severus led them both to the clearing where Harry and Draco were laid out in the grass, waiting for Severus to return. When they heard him approach, Harry pushed himself off the ground easily but Draco sat on the ground for a moment longer, looking as though there were a million things he’d rather do than practice a new spell.
“Alright,” Severus said after he’d seated Carl and Sophia on a log, “The spell is called the Shattering Spell. It’s quite powerful so please be careful in aiming, as it can be quite volatile as well.”
He conjured up a few of their usual training dummies for them to practice and pointed at the middle one. “Dissolutum!” he said clearly, and a white spell shot out and hit the target.
The dummy began to shrivel and collapse in on itself until it could no longer, and then it simply shattered into ash. The muggle children cheered, and Severus gave them a smile. “I’ve seen this spell before,” Harry said in realization, “This is the spell that Molly used to kill Bellatrix.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Harry cringed in realization and shot a glance at Draco.
“Oh, don’t give me that puppy dog look of sympathy, Potter. My sensibilities are not that delicate,” Draco said hotly, “Also, Bella was a cunt.”
Harry smirked, clearly in wholehearted agreement.
“Regardless,” Severus said, “You’re right, Potter, this is the very same spell. That is why I advise to be careful.”
After Severus showed the boys the movements and the incantation for the Shattering Spell, he took his seat with Carl and Sophia, watching the boys begin practicing on the training dummies he created. Sophia, about half an hour in, without a word, stood behind Severus and began to section out his hair to plaid it. Severus looked over his shoulder, but she gripped his head and moved it, so he was facing forward, making the Slytherin chuckle. Sophia would grow to be a strong young woman.
The boys’ first few attempts were feeble, at best. Severus had equipped the dummies with a personification spell, so they also moved around the clearing; just for the added fun of making sure they practiced their aim as well.
The first time Harry finally hit one, it shuddered and fell to the ground, immobile, but didn’t shatter. After Draco’s had been hit, the dummy turned and blew a raspberry at him. Finally, after an hour or so, Severus deemed that they could cast the spell to his satisfaction.
“Alright,” Severus said, “We’ve still got some time before we lose the light, perhaps a bit of a spar? I don’t want you two getting rusty.”
Harry groaned, “I was hoping for a bit of a cheeky nap instead.”
“Please, Potter,” Draco said, “You need the practice more than I do.”
Harry looked over at Draco with thunderous eyes. Draco’s smirk dropped.
“Fine,” Harry said, “Let’s do this quick, see if I can still get that kip in.”
“Oh, don’t you pretend as if this’ll be so easy, Potter, you’re eerily close to insulting me,” Draco said as he got into proper position.
“Oh good, you’ve caught on,” Harry told him, as he too, got into position, “I was worried I was being far too subtle.”
“Kick his butt, Harry!” Carl cheered.
“Go, Draco!” Sophia called.
Caught off guard over their unexpected cheering section, both boys looked over at the kids in shock. Slowly, smiles bloomed on their faces, and they dropped into the starting stance, a fire in their eyes.
“Do try to keep your spells that way, brats. And-” Severus said, “BEGIN!”
Harry threw the first spell, and Draco quickly threw up a Protego to deflect it, and with that, the chase began.
Severus heard familiar footsteps approach them as the boys ran back and forth, each trying to land a spell on one another while neither being able to get the advantage.
“Hello, Mr. Dixon,” Severus said knowingly, “How was your hunt?”
“S’alright. Caught a few squirrels,” Daryl said, standing right next to him, “So, this the studyin’ y’all kept hush about, huh?”
“Curious, were you?” Severus asked with a smirk, not wanting to take his eyes off the boys for too long.
“Drove me nuts,” Daryl admitted, “How they doin’?”
“They’re both showing off because the kids are here. Even worse, they’re doing the same damned things I’ve told them to watch out for a million times before, it’s like they purposely do the exact opposite of what I tell them,” Severus complained, before he raised his voice, “DRACO! Stop the grandiose wand waving and twirling, you are not a bloody peacock. There are no points for style! Save it for the Dueling Performance Championships!”
Severus shook his head as he watched Harry fall for one of Draco’s underhanded tricks and get hit square in the face with the Jelly Legs Curse. Harry wobbled and fell to the ground, hard. Draco’s laugh echoed even over to where they were sitting.
“Of,” Daryl let out a moan of sympathy.
In anger, Harry sat up and, from the floor, threw a far too powerful Stinging Hex in Draco’s direction. Draco saw it coming a mile away and apparated out of its way easily, but the spell was so powerful, the fallout threw Draco off his feet regardless.
“HARRY! What did I tell you! The point of these duels is not simply to have a stronger spell than Draco! Technique is what win duels! That power of yours means nothing if you can’t hit your sodding opponent!”
“You need me to getcha a whip? Goddamn,” Daryl commented.
“Now you know why I wasn’t a very popular teacher, but am I wrong?” Severus challenged, bristling when Draco had the unmitigated cheek to do a somersault as he dodged one of Harry’s spells, “Look! Look!”
“Hey, I ain’t no wizard, I know nothing about no dueling, but you’re a hard ass,” Daryl said, “Give ‘em a break, they deserve it.”
Severus snorted.
“They deserve nothing,” Severus said bitterly, “They’re both imbeciles. Stubborn imbeciles.”
It wasn’t until he caught Daryl looking at the kids, humor in his eyes, and the kids broke into giggles that Severus thought that perhaps he was going a bit too far. Severus gave Daryl a smile, that Daryl returned, affectionately. Severus sighed, letting his posture slump, trying to relax.
Then he watched Harry cast another offensive spell at Draco, the frustration clear in the boy’s stiff muscles as he wound up like he was pitching in a baseball game, and pity was long forgotten. Severus straightened his back, and yelled, “HARRY! What in the MERLIN’S SAGGY BALLS was THAT?!”
They continued on that way for another 10 minutes, just until the boys were clearly beginning to tire.
“You are both tired,” Severus called out to them, “You are equally matched. You’ve exhausted trying to exploit your opponent’s weaknesses, but they haven’t worked because, if you haven’t guessed, any wizard worth their galleons wouldn’t have ignored their own weaknesses. They would have tested them, safeguarded against them, to ensure they weren’t their downfall. If this were a real duel, you can’t just raise your wand and give up. The only thing you can rely on now is the element of surprise. Your opponents will assume things about you. Let them. Use it against them. Use it to disorient them and give yourself the upper hand.”
Sophia hugged her doll to her as Severus spoke to the boys, her eyes calculating.
Severus, however, couldn’t dwell too long on the girl’s odd behavior because Harry suddenly smirked and he pointed his wand directly towards Severus and the kids. Severus’ eyes widened and Daryl moved to stand in front of the kids. Harry audibly, and clearly, said the incantation for the Shattering Spell in their direction. Draco gasped and he looked over to Severus, his attacks faltering for just a second to watch…but no spell emerged from Harry’s wand point. By the time Draco realized his mistake in falling for Harry’s feint, Harry had disappeared and reappeared behind him. “Incarcerous!” Harry cried.
Draco yelped as the cords wrapped around his arms and he unceremoniously fell to the ground onto his side. “Ugh!” the blonde grumbled in displeasure.
Daryl and Severus both let out a breath of relief, but Carl and Sophia erupted in applause.
“Hm,” Daryl mumbled under his breath, his ears pink, “He uses that spell different than you do.”
Severus shot him a smirk above Carl’s head before turning back to the boys and saying, “10 points to Gryffindor, Harry.”
Harry smiled at him brightly.
“Draco, 10 points from Slytherin, for being so gullible,” Severus said.
“Yes, yes, can you untie me now?” Draco huffed.
_______________________
“I’m surprised y’all are ok with this food, figured you’d be used to somethin’ fancier,” Daryl said as Carol handed the boys a bowl each.
It was something she lovingly called ‘apocalypse red rice’ as she spooned it out. A dish made possible by the additional provisions that Draco had nicked from the C.D.C. while they were escaping. Carol had nearly crowed in delight when she found sausage amongst the haul and had begun muttering to herself about what she could do with it. ‘Apocalypse red rice’ ended up being a simple dish using some rice, spices, canned tomatoes, and sausage; all found in the C.D.C. stock pile.
“Mr. Dixon, have you ever been to England?” Severus asked, already knowing the answer.
“Nope,” Daryl confirmed.
“It shows,” Severus said.
Daryl chuckled.
“Our food is so bland and beige, we stole better food from India,” Harry said.
Harry then took a bite of the red rice and moaned. “Carol,” he said as Carol returned to give Severus and Daryl their plates as well.
“Do you like it?” she asked, face beaming.
“Oh, that’s banging,” Harry said, taking out a large chunk of the sausage and shoving it into his mouth, “This is the best thing we’ve eaten since we’ve gotten here.”
He was still chewing when he turned to Daryl and said, “No offense to the squirrels.”
“Potter, you’re an animal,” Draco said, nose wrinkled as he watched the train wreck that was Harry enjoying his food.
“I’m so glad you like it,” Carol said, “I wasn’t sure how it’d turn out because it usually has bacon and other things in it, but I did what I could.”
“Carol, it looks lovely,” Severus assured her, “Are you joining us or will you sit with Lori and Rick?”
“I sat in the car with Rick and Lori all day, they could use a break from me,” Carol said jokingly, “I’ll come chat with you for a bit once I get everyone situated.”
Severus nodded as she walked off. A few moments later, Sophia walked over with her own plate, her doll tucked under her arm, and she forced herself between Harry and Severus, nearly shoving Harry off the log. Carol must have sent her over, but she was hardly there a few moments before she asked, “What does magic feel like?”
She’d asked it far too purposefully and without provocation for it to be spontaneous, Severus determined. She had been wanting to ask him all afternoon, it seemed. Severus unintentionally met Harry’s eyes over her head. Pity marred the boy’s features. Harry knew better than anyone what envy could do to someone. His own aunt had made his childhood a living hell in the name of it, even if she didn’t realize that’s what it was. Severus himself had made Harry’s life a living hell over misplaced jealousy of his father.
“Well,” Severus said, thinking on his words carefully, “First and foremost, young witches and wizards are taught that their magic should never be thought of as something separate. It’s something that lives inside you so think of it as an extension of you. It’s an undercurrent that is always there, right at your fingertips.”
Sophia shuffled on the log, getting more comfortable and taking a bite of her food as she listened intently.
“Have you ever been so excited about something you can feel it under your skin? In your belly?” Severus asked.
Sophia nodded.
“That’s magic,” Severus said, “but it feels differently for every witch or wizard. It molds to you, takes your shape. It’s your convictions, your emotions, your perseverance. Each of these things will determine your magic. If Harry and Draco were to cast a Light Spell right now, they would both be different, because Harry and Draco are different people.”
Sophia grinned at Harry and Draco. “What does yours feel like?” she asked.
Harry said, “It’s warm, like right after you drink a nice cuppa.”
“I leave static behind when I cast sometimes,” Draco said.
She turned to Severus expectedly. Severus said, “My spells tend to linger, like burning embers and smoke.”
She nodded, fascinated. There didn’t seem to be an ounce of resentment in her face, rather genuine curiosity, but Severus felt the need to comfort her regardless. “Poppet, I don’t want you to dwell too much on our magic,” Severus told her, “There is magic beyond that, I want you to remember that.”
“Like what?” Sophia asked.
“Literature is my favorite,” Severus said smiling, “Any kind of art is magic. There’s also kindness. Bravery. All of which, my dear, you have in spades. So, in a way, you’re a witch too.”
Sophia grinned.
___________________________
Once they had their tents up, they all began to retire for the night, knowing they had a long day ahead of them the next day. Without even bothering to ask, Severus pushed Daryl towards the tent he’d planned on sharing with the boys. Daryl looked to the rest of the group, trying to determine if anyone else was finding it odd but it seemed like the rest of their group hadn’t paid them any mind.
Once they were inside, the boys looked up to give them the smallest of greetings before returning to their nightly ablutions. Daryl stood in the threshold of the tent, a little lost, no doubt waiting for someone to scold him. Severus raised an eyebrow at him as he set up a partition between their bed and the boys’. He had never felt the need to do so in the past, but he felt it better to keep a semblance of propriety if Daryl was to begin staying with them. Once they’d said their goodnights and the partition was closed, Daryl lay on the bed in his regular clothes as Severus went about changing into his night clothes.
“Darling, why are you so uncomfortable?” Severus finally asked.
“Dunno,” Daryl said, staring at the ceiling.
“We slept in the same bed yesterday,” Severus reminded him.
“Yeah, but you’d just gotten the concussion, and I weren’t really thinkin’ about it,” Daryl said, before he looked over and told Severus, “Don’t usually sleep with a shirt on.”
“So, take it off,” Severus said.
Daryl thought for a moment before he said, “Nah.”
Severus couldn’t help but furrow his eyebrows at him but didn’t want to make the man uncomfortable by calling attention to it once more. It did occur to him that Daryl may not be accustomed to changing into night clothes, so Severus went into his own rucksack, took out another pair of joggers and used a spell to size them appropriately. Once that was done, he set them next to Daryl. Daryl took the hint and began to change.
Perhaps it was the idea of domesticity, the familiarity that concerned Daryl. Regardless of the reason, it was the first time in their relationship that Severus felt…insecure.
“Daryl, would you prefer your own tent?”
“No,” he said as he threw his trousers onto his duffel and he sat back onto the bed.
The vehemence of the denial surprised Severus.
“Are you sure?”
Daryl gave him a look that told him not to press it and Severus conceded, saying, “Alright.”
Severus extinguished their lights with a quiet ‘Nox’, and got into bed, snuggling up to his lover. Daryl accepted his affection easily, wrapping an arm around him and pulling him closer. Severus sighed and closed his eyes.
After a few moments of trying to pretend to go to sleep, Severus opened his eyes and found Daryl staring at the ceiling still, in the dark. Catching movement out of the corner of his eyes, Daryl turned to him. Before the man could say anything, Severus coyly reached out and began to unbutton the top of Daryl’s shirt. Daryl’s eye twitched in amusement. Severus swiftly got one button loose and moved on to the next one. When he’d revealed enough of Daryl’s chest, he hooked his leg across the American’s waist and moved to sit in his lap. Now upright, Severus could use both hands to continue unbuttoning Daryl’s shirt. Daryl’s hands found his thighs and, slowly, they ran up until he’d grabbed a firm handful of his arse. Severus smiled and leaned down so the hard planes of their chests were pressed together and began to plant heated kisses down Daryl’s neck and chest.
“The brats,” Daryl reminded, if a little breathy.
Severus ground against Daryl’s hardening cock, enjoying the low moan that escaped his lover.
“Is that why you’re so skittish tonight?” Severus said, kissing along Daryl’s stubbled jaw, “I cast the strongest silencing spell I have. They won’t hear a thing.”
Daryl hummed and caught his mouth in a demanding kiss, but halfway through, Severus felt him once more becoming distracted. Severus sighed and sat up, sitting on Daryl, “It’s going to bother you the entire time, isn’t it?”
“A little,” Daryl mumbled in embarrassment.
Defeated, but understanding, Severus flopped down next to Daryl. Instead, he got closer to Daryl and allowed the taller man to scoop him up to his side. After a few more seconds, Daryl complained, “Well, now you got me up.”
Severus chuckled, running a hand under the sheet and indeed finding Daryl’s very interested erection.
“Hey, hey!” Daryl said, hand shooting under the sheet to whack away Severus’ hand, “Don’t you go makin’ it worse, bad ‘nough I gotta try an’ make it go away with you half on top of me.”
Severus chuckled, “I would offer an alternative way of taking care of it for you but I’m not sure if that’s any better than what I had planned in the first place.”
Daryl groaned, “Nope, just had to make me think about your mouth ‘round me and now there’s no way it’s goin’ down.”
“What do you suggest?” Severus asked innocently, his palm on his chin.
Daryl thought for a second and said, “The Cherokee?”
Severus raised an eyebrow. “The tent with privacy spells is unacceptable, but Carol’s vehicle - that has windows, mind you - is a perfect place to shag, is it?”
“Carol’s car don’t got sleepin’ kids in it right now,” Daryl pointed out.
“If anyone walks out of their tent for so much as a wee-” Severus began.
“Come on, now,” Daryl said with a boyish grin, “Them privacy spells don’t work on a car?”
A slow smile spread over Severus’ face and Daryl smirked at him. At the same time, they both scrambled out of bed, and Severus had to suppress a laugh as he and Daryl hastily shoved their feet back into their boots, not bothering to change out of their night clothes and nearly losing their balance more than once. As Severus got to the flap of the partition that he’d hung, he stopped and turned to Daryl, a finger to his lips. Severus poked his head out and saw that Draco was on his back, snoring noisily. Harry was hugging his pillow, mouth open slightly. As quietly as he could, Severus walked to the entrance of the tent. Once they’d managed to make it outside, they scurried to Carol’s car, looking back every now and again to make sure no one was watching. Severus checked the door and, after finding it locked, he took out his wand and whispered, “Alohamora.”
The locks on the two-door clicked open.
“You got a lot of robberies in your world?” Daryl asked genuinely as Severus opened the door and leaned into the car, “Seems so easy.”
“No, not many,” Severus said, pulling the button to fold the front seat, “For as many spells as there are to break in, there is just as many to catch you, or prevent you from getting in…or maim you.”
Daryl raised an eyebrow at him.
“So, unless you’re careless, the chances are minimal,” Severus continued cheerfully, before offering out a hand, “After you, Mr. Dixon.”
“Can’t tell if I’m annoyed or turned on,” Daryl muttered as he slid his bulky frame into the back seat.
“Oh, the night is young, I’m sure we can achieve both,” Severus chuckled.
Once Daryl was sat comfortably and he patted his lap in invitation, Severus crawled into the car after him, stopping only to grab hold of the door and shut it behind him. Carefully, as to not bump his head on the ceiling, Severus straddled Daryl’s lap, facing the taller man. Severus sighed as one does when completing a task.
“Do you feel more at ease, now?” Severus asked.
“Yup,” Daryl said.
“Good,” Severus said.
He and Daryl then practically attacked one another, with lips, tongue, and teeth. Both of Severus’ hands gripped Daryl’s jaw, unwilling to let him break the contact. The older man allowed his own hands to wander under Severus’ shirt to caress his heated skin, pulling Severus closer to him.
“Spells, spells, spells,” Daryl reminded against his lips.
Severus sat back and raised his wand once more to cast the necessary privacy and silencing spells. As he did, Daryl began to pull up Severus’ nightshirt, using his thumb to massage his newly exposed left nipple. Goosebumps rose up Severus’ neck, and he let out a moan, raising both arms so Daryl could remove the shirt completely. While Daryl seemed content to take his time undressing the wizard, Severus was becoming impatient and he raised his wand again, casting a charm to remove both of their trousers.
“Woah!” Daryl said, jumping as the spell took effect and he looked down.
“Where-” Daryl continued, but a quick glance around the car and his question was answered as he spotted their joggers folded neatly next to them, “Oh.”
Severus cast their usual cleaning charms and finally, the lube spell on his own fingers before he discarded his wand on top of their pile of clothes. He leaned back so he was pressed against the driver’s seat, giving himself enough room to lift his knees and drop a hand between his spread legs.
Daryl fixed his gaze on him, cocking his head to the side and dropping kisses on Severus’ leg but not once looking away from Severus preparing himself for him. When Severus felt he was ready, he pushed himself off the back of the driver’s seat and wrapped his arms around Daryl’s neck to hoist himself back into a sitting position in his lover’s lap. Severus then lifted himself onto his knees to give Daryl easier access. Daryl took the hint and grabbed hold of Severus’ hips to steady him before he gripped his own prick tightly, giving himself a few more strokes. Once Severus felt the tip of that familiar cock press against his waiting entrance, he moaned and lowered onto it immediately. It popped in easily and Daryl gasped, his other hand also coming up to Severus’ hips.
Daryl bumped his forehead against Severus’ chest and gave a singular shallow thrust, seeking more of Severus’ heat. Too shallow for Severus’ liking but Daryl was groaning softly. “What’s the matter?” Severus teased, his breath heavy, “Too knackered to fuck me properly?”
Severus was well aware that there was simply not enough room to get the immediate momentum they were accustomed to, but Severus couldn’t help but take the piss out of Daryl. The flash of indignation in Daryl’s eyes when he looked up at him was so very worth whatever punishment Severus had sown. “Don’t fuckin’ rile me up, Sev’rus, or I’ll fuck you so hard I’ll give you ‘nother concussion,” Daryl threatened.
Severus’ laughter was cut off by another whimper when Daryl gave a sudden, firm thrust and he was pushed into the back of the driver’s seat harshly from the force. From there, Daryl didn’t give Severus a chance to sit back up or speak at all. Daryl large hands gripped Severus’ arse and lifted him up just enough so that the man could lift his own hips, wanting room to thrust properly. The muscles of his abs constricted with the effort but that didn’t stop him from fucking Severus. Hard. Severus’ eyes rolled to the back of his head and his back arched, the car filling with their moans.
It was almost perilous, the way Severus had draped himself over the front seat, seesawing atop it and Daryl’s cock. Severus periphery went fuzzy, unknowing if it was the intense pleasure shooting up his spine every time his lover’s prick dragged over his prostate or the concussion not liking the way his head lolled over the other side of the driver’s seat. Thankfully, it wasn’t a position that Daryl could manage for long as, soon after they started, his lover ran his hands across Severus’ back and pulled him up into a sitting position, settling him further in Daryl’s lap. Severus gasped as Daryl sank deeper into him, the rim of his entrance quivering around the thick length inside him. He was so lightheaded and his body so malleable, it was as though he’d had a hundred cigarettes, and Severus gasped at the sensation.
“Oh,” he moaned, “So deep, feel so good.”
“Yes, oh God,” Daryl hissed, unable to thrust into Severus any longer with his weight on top of him, content with rocking into him.
When Severus’ stomach stopped fluttering and he felt the dizziness dissipating a tad, he gripped the seat behind Daryl and bent his knees, bouncing in his lover’s lap. Every harsh thrust inciting crescendoing screams from the wizard, their thrusting going so fast that Severus could still feel Daryl’s cock inside him even when he’d withdrawn. Long did Severus stop caring if he was too heavy for his lover, he only cared about more pressure on his prostrate, those hands gripping his arse tight.
Severus opened his eyes at one point and startled when he saw Shane at a tree, not six yards from them, pissing on the trunk. Severus stopped, mid-thrust, and pushed his hair back from his sweaty forehead as he watched Shane do his business, making sure nothing was amiss.
“Why’d you stop?” Daryl groaned before he leaned forward and began to kiss the middle of Severus’ chest.
“Walsh is behind the vehicle,” Severus said, a little out of breath.
“So?” Daryl growled in frustration, “He won’t see us, right?”
Severus knew he wouldn’t, but he felt his insides clench tight at the thought regardless. Daryl looked up at him and smirked.
“Oh?” Daryl said, his breath hot against Severus’ chest, “Reckon you like the idea of gettin’ caught stuffed full of me, ain't that right, Professor Snape?”
Severus involuntarily clenched his arse again, moaning softly. Daryl then gripped Severus’ hips and forced him back down fully onto him, making Severus gasp. Throwing caution to the wind, Severus resumed their previous rhythm but after a particularly excellently aimed thrust into his prostrate, Severus’ bouncing faltered as a sudden weakness overtook his knees. He let out a whine as he waited for the trembling in his thighs to pass. Once it had, he went back to bouncing but he let out a frustrated groan when it happened again. It was like his prostrate had a direct wire to his brain and it was short circuiting all his other senses every time it was touched. Rather than fight against it, he just allowed his body to drown in the sensation.
Severus slammed his arse down and rocked wildly, screaming when Daryl’s cock rubbed ruthlessly against his prostate, “Oh, Fuck! Daryl-”
“I know, Darlin’, do it, do it,” Daryl said, his eyes screwed shut, and he reached out and gripped Severus’ leaking prick, giving it two good strokes.
Severus threw his head back and shouted, climaxing so hard his vision faded for a second, and hoping his charms worked. Once he’d come back to himself, he was pleased to feel that Daryl too, had finished and he was idly rocking into Severus still, shooting pulse after pulse of spunk into him. Severus sighed, rocking as well, albeit far lazier than before, milking Daryl. Severus looked out the window and was pleased to see that at some point, Shane had wandered back to his tent but looked back down when he felt a bit of cum leak out of him from around his lover. Severus wondered if he should clean them up sooner rather than later before they ruined Carol’s car, but Daryl distracted him by catching his lips in a kiss.
“It’s gonna smells like sex in here,” Daryl finally said when they broke apart.
Severus chuckled and he reached for his wand. After he freshened up the inside of the car and banished the evidence from both of their bodies, Daryl said, “I love magic.”
“For the record, I do not find the idea of voyeurism in the slightest bit sexy,” Severus said.
“Uh-huh,” Daryl said, not sounding convinced, “That’s why you were suckin’ the life outta me just then.”
Severus scowled but was rewarded with another kiss. “Don’t you worry, Darlin’, I ain’t sharin’ you with not a soul. Just fun pretendin’.”
Severus let a small smile play on his lips. Once they were both dressed, which took a little bit of creativity, Severus and Daryl exited the vehicle and got back to their tent without incident. As they finally settled into bed, with less adrenaline running through their veins, Severus and Daryl could both finally relax. Severus sighed, letting sleep overtake him.
____________________________
Ending Credits Song: Dead and Lovely – Tom Waits