Chapter 10

The dining hall at Tintagel Castle was lit by crystal chandeliers. The fire crackled in the hearth nearby as Severus entered. They had been having dinners here for two days straight, so Severus was already used to seeing the spread of food Lord Slytherin had prepared.

Between Lord Slytherin and himself stretched a table full of indulgence. A honey-glazed pheasant, smoked salmon, and more. The first time Severus saw it, he nearly wanted to object that everything was too much, but Lord Slytherin merely had him sit and take his fill.

A crystal decanter and two crystal goblets appeared between them, but this time it wasn't filled with pomegranate juice. Lord Slytherin had his hood back and raised a brow at the wine. "You Healers told me that I can drink alcohol again," Severus replied to the unspoken question. "And since you have been going on about your wine collection, I expressed interest in giving it a try."

Lord Slytherin plucked figs with lazy fingers from a bowl and offered one to Severus, who declined. "You will ruin your appetite." This caused Harry to laugh and jokingly say, "Merlin, you never change, no matter the reality."

"Though I never pegged you for a wine aficionado. You seem more the man who likes Firewhiskey on the rocks."

"I do like my Firewhiskey like that. The burn as it goes down is just... exquisite." Harry gulped as Severus leaned forward. The black button-up shirt that he had provided the Potion master, among other necessities, was fully buttoned, but as the man leaned on the table slightly, Harry gulped as he took note of the outline of muscle. 'Get your head out of the gutter! He isn't even showing any skin!' His mind shouted.

Of course, the Potion master noticed Lord Slytherin's eyes wandering over his person. How could he not? While the last two dinners had been filled with quiet, meaningful conversation, no one could deny the sexual tension between them. Severus wasn't a man known to have had many relationships, but he'd be a blind fool if he didn't notice the other man staring at him like a hungry dementor. So he decided he was going to play a game tonight. "While I like Firewhisky," he said as he reached for the decanter and poured both of them a glass. "I also like something more... full-bodied."

Lord Slytherin stated. He stared as Severus placed the goblet in front of him. He stared as those nimble fingers wrapped around that decanter. His brain had officially stopped working. Was Severus Snape flirting with him, or had the radiation finally caught up with his brain cells?

"A-Are you flirting with me?!" Lord Slytherin managed to utter, though an octave higher.

"Yes," Severus said bluntly before taking a sip of his wine. Lord Slytherin blinked, blinked some more, opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

"I thought about your offer of courtship yesterday." Severus continued. "While interesting, I think I would prefer a more... modern approach, my Lord," he stated.

"Harry, please just call me Harry." Lord Slytherin said rather breathlessly. Hearing Severus say 'My Lord' was doing things to him that he'd rather not confess to at the dining table.

"Harry, then,"

"A more... modern approach?" Lord Slytherin then asked as he looked at the Potion master. "You didn't strike me as..."

"As someone who likes modern dating etiquette?" Severus finished. "Hmm, maybe in the past I thought so. But... Harry," He tried said carefully. "I'm already past my prime." Lord Slytherin wanted to protest, but Severus continued. "Instead of a traditional courtship with chaperones, respectful touches at arm's length, and the like for two to three years, why don't we just start dating? Clearly, we both have needs that we've been suppressing."

Harry swallowed at what Severus was implying, though he continued to listen to the man's reasoning. "I am more than willing to let you have your way with me, though if you feel the need to do this properly for your court, then I am willing to go the traditional route."

"Screw my court!" Harry uttered while nearly falling off his chair.

"I hope not physically. The amount of lube needed," Severus joked, which caused Lord Slytherin to stare in shock before sputtering.

"No, that's not... Ah, freck!"

"I have to say, I am positively starving right now," Severus uttered. "The last regimen of potions required me to fast for at least ten hours prior. While we eat, I propose a game."

Lord Slytherin arched a brow as he lounged back in his chair. "A game? You don't strike me as the type to play charades."

"Not charades," Severus replied. "I want to know about your reality. But I don't intend to simply ask questions. I intend to... barter."

Harry leaned forward, intrigued despite himself. "Barter?"

"One memory," Severus said, his lips curling into the faintest smirk, "for one... salacious act."

Harry nearly choked on his wine. He sat bolt upright, coughing, then sputtered, "One...one what?!

Severus's smirk widened. "You heard me. One memory for one act. A kiss or something more daring, should you be inclined."

Harry stared at him, scandalized. "Merlin's beard, Severus!"

The Potion Master tilted his head. "You're a man of secrets. I'm a man of curiosity. And frankly, I find the idea... exhilarating."

"You damn minx!" Harry groaned. "I... I never expected you to be this forward."

"At least not in this reality," he added, which caused Severus to raise a brow.

"Oh?"

"Fuck, I said that out loud, didn't I?" Harry sputtered.

"Yes, you did," Severus answered as he dug into his dinner.

Harry buried his face in his hands, muttering, "You're insane."

"Perhaps," Severus said, his tone dry. "But you're smiling."

Harry peeked through his fingers, caught in the act. "I am not smiling."

"You are," The Potion master countered, smug. "And that means you're considering it."

"What I am considering right now is blowing you on my throne," Harry stated before his mind could stop his mouth. He tried to backtrack, but Severus's reply had him quite literally buffering.

"After dinner. I will need my stamina." Severus stated nonchalantly.

And this exact moment is what future historians would call the moment Lord Slytherin was absolutely gobsmacked by his soon-to-be consort. Lord Slytherin.exe had literally stopped working.