Severus was always there—a steady, unwavering presence in your life. He wasn’t the type to smother you, but as your husband, he made sure to step in when you needed him—quietly and without fanfare. You were independent, managing your diabetes most of the time, but today, life had gotten in the way, and you’d forgotten to check on yourself.

The day had been hectic—work demanding your full attention from morning until late in the afternoon. You hadn’t even noticed the time slipping by as you worked through a mountain of tasks and grades—your mind too occupied with deadlines and responsibilities. By the time you finally set down your quill and made your way your shared quarters, you were beyond exhausted. You didn’t even change out of your professor clothes—just kicked off your shoes at the door, grabbed a blanket, and collapsed on the couch. The storm outside seemed to invite you into the comfort of the living room—the rain tapping softly against the windows as you huddled in, hoping to catch just a few minutes of rest.

You’d meant to check your blood sugar, but sleep came quickly, and the thought slipped away. The soft hum of the castle and the storm outside lulled you into a peaceful doze.

When Severus came back to his quarters, he noticed the silence—no TV, no music, just the quiet rhythm of the storm. He set his bag down and walked into the living room. There you were, curled up on the couch, a peaceful sight. His gaze landed on the blood sugar monitor on the coffee table, the screen dark. You've forgot again, he thought, knowing you’d gotten caught up in the day and drifted off without checking it.

With a quiet sigh, he moved to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of juice. The crinkle of the packaging mixed with the rain as he poked a straw into the bottle and crouched beside the couch, gently placing a hand on your arm.

“Love, wake up” he murmured, his voice low and calm.

You stirred slightly, blinking your eyes open. “I need you to have a sip of this. Your monitor alerted me.”