"I could have been," Severus clarrified. "No... I was. I was very comfortable with you." Evidently, their ability to communicate was still piss poor. "Despite the company you keep." That made his lips curl up lightly. Just a little tease. He fell silent again, picked up his quill, and continued on with his essay. "'S'not as if I'd ever been allowed to be myself like I'd been with you."