The were hardly Severus's lot, but he held his tongue and gazed at Remus's cheek. "Maybe it doesn't matter what happened," he offered, his forehead still wrinkled with thought. "So long as it doesn't happen again. With the potion you should be able to keep your senses. Know how everyone is, right? No murderous intent."

He had to admit that after the nights he spent alone during the moon, he wanted nothing more to be at Remus's side. As if he belonged there.

Slowly, Severus's fingers gently splayed across Remus's chest, under his shirt, to feel his heart beating against his palm.