If Severus thought Lucius would forget the bathroom incident, he was wrong.
Lucius never forgot anything.
Especially not the taste of someone's blood on his tongue.
By Monday, it had begun: a soft war of glances and proximity. Nothing overt. Nothing a professor could report. But in the echoing halls of Hogwarts, whispers moved like ink in water.
Snape kept his head down. He always had.
But now it was different.
People looked at him.
Worse—Alphas noticed him.
"Oi, Snape," called Sirius Black across the courtyard, voice too loud, "didn't know you'd started wearing Malfoy's cologne."
James Potter laughed, shoving Sirius on the shoulder—but his eyes were flint-sharp when they landed on Severus. "I think Snivelly's got himself a secret Alpha."
Lily—Lillian—flicked his eyes toward Snape, narrowed. "Don't be disgusting, James. He's not even an Omega."
"Doesn't mean he's not sniffing around," Sirius said, wrinkling his nose.
Severus didn't respond. He turned on his heel and stalked toward the dungeons.
But inside—
He was burning.
Because Lucius had bitten him. Not a bond mark. Not yet. But enough to shift his scent. Enough to stir instincts. Enough to make the runes he'd carved into his skin for scent suppression crack.
He couldn't think. He couldn't sleep.
And every time he saw Lucius in the corridor, surrounded by admirers like some pagan god, Lucius would glance over his shoulder, eyes glinting, just a fraction too long.
And Smirk.
That smirk.
That knowing, smug, aristocratic smirk that said: I know what you taste like.
It was the third night that Snape found himself standing outside the Astronomy Tower after curfew, drawn by instinct, fury, and a letter folded in perfect silver parchment that had simply said:
"You owe me a thank you." —L"
He should've ignored it.
But he didn't.
Because the air reeked of something ancient—of challenge, power, and the sweet scent of danger.
Lucius was waiting.
Leaning against the wall, wand tucked into his sleeve, moonlight on his hair like a crown.
"You came," he said mildly.
"I didn't come for you," Snape bit out.
Lucius stepped forward.
"No?" he murmured. "Then why haven't you told anyone what happened? Not even that omega."
Severus's fists clenched. "Because it meant nothing."
Lucius tilted his head. "You still smell like me."
"That's your fault."
Lucius's smile widened. "Oh, Severus. You're starting to sound like a clown."
And then he stepped closer—again—until Snape was pressed against cold stone.
No spells. No touch.
"You don't have to be a Beta forever," Lucius whispered. "You don't even know what you are, do you? You're on the edge."
Snape's throat tightened. "Shut up."
"Make me," Lucius said softly.
Severus grabbed his robes. Pulled him close.
And this time—
He kissed him first.