✧⋅.˳˳.⋅ॱ˙ ˙ॱ⋅.˳˳.⋅ॱ˙ ˙ॱᐧ.˳˳.⋅ ˙✧
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the savanna as January strolled towards Severus Snape, her fluffy mane catching the light. She carried a small bouquet of wildflowers, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the muted tones of the pride's den. Snape watched her approach, his expression impassive, yet his gaze held a hint of something akin to amusement.
January approached, her movements graceful despite the playful bobbing of her unusual mane. She placed the wildflowers near Snape's resting place.
**January:** (Her voice light, melodic) "To brighten your day, Severus. Even the most formidable lions deserve a touch of beauty."
Snape remained silent for a moment, his gaze lingering on the wildflowers. He then looked at January, a subtle softening in his usually cold eyes.
**Snape:** (Voice low, controlled) "Your… optimism is… unusual. Most find it a distraction."
**January:** (Laughing softly) "Distractions can be delightful, Severus. And sometimes, a little delight is precisely what's needed."
She paused, her emerald eyes sparkling with mischief.
**January:** "Besides," she added with a playful wink, "even a lion as formidable as yourself needs a touch of whimsy in his life."
Snape offered a curt nod, a rare gesture of acknowledgment. He didn't need to express his appreciation for her unique contribution to the pride; her presence, her joy, and her unwavering optimism spoke for themselves. The wildflowers, a simple gesture, were a testament to their unspoken connection, a silent acknowledgment of the subtle shift in the pride's dynamics, a quiet acceptance of the vibrant splash of unconventional joy she brought to his otherwise austere world. The silence that followed was comfortable, a shared understanding that transcended words.
✧⋅.˳˳.⋅ॱ˙ ˙ॱ⋅.˳˳.⋅ॱ˙ ˙ॱᐧ.˳˳.⋅ ˙✧
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