Soon, a schedule was set, but not what anyone would call strictly. Severus and Harry spent their days much as they had earlier in the summer, but now, at night, between idle conversations, they made travel plans. Harry sold Grimmauld Place the week before his birthday, so as their budget expanded, so did the geographical areas they planned to visit. For Harry's birthday, it would be the Highlands. How Harry had lived so near that wondrous place for so long and never caught a glimpse ... Well, it was slightly tragic, really, but all the slight tragedies of Harry's previous life, Severus aimed to rectify.

On Saturdays—every Saturday, now—they took a day trip and went to a film. They were branching out now. Severus felt that for the time being, Harry had had his fill of classics and was ready to delve into modern cinema. Both were happy about the change; there was no more re-viewing for Severus, and Harry, well, Harry just wanted to watch whatever events unfold on screen. Then they'd go back to the Cotswolds and cuddle, though Severus seemed to despise that word.

By Harry's 19th birthday, he and Severus were sleeping side by side every night, luxuriating in each other's warmth and scent, though they still had not had sex, nor did they plan to particularly soon. The slow pace at which their physical relationship progressed pleased both of them. It needed to mean more than simple carnal pleasure, and, though they'd never admitted it to each other, until they heard "I love you," it wasn't going to happen.

"Good God," Harry breathed the morning of his birthday. He and Severus were standing on a dock in Loch Lomond, looking out over the rocky Highlands landscape. "I just ... I don't even know what to say."

"Words are not particularly necessary," said Severus, putting his hand into Harry's, their fingers interlacing.

Harry turned to Severus. "Severus?"

"Yes?"

"There's something I wanted to tell you."

Severus' breath caught in his throat. Rarely nervous, it was a strange and wonderful feeling for him, as he already knew what was coming.

"And what was that?"

"I love you." Harry kissed Severus and added, "You don't have to say anything. I just wanted to—"

"I love you, too, Harry." Severus kissed Harry this time. As an afterthought, he said, "Happy birthday. We're going to a ludicrously expensive restaurant after this."

Harry grinned. In point of fact, he hardly stopped grinning the entire day as they ate delicious meals, went to see a film, and spent several hours simply being together, watching television in the room Severus had rented, keeping each other warm underneath the sheets of the bed.

"This bed's a bit big for my tastes," said Harry, curling up to Severus.

"I will keep that in mind."

"Do you ever think about it?" Harry asked, leaning up on his elbow and looking at Severus. "Getting our own place, settling down there?"

"Every day," Severus said quietly.

"...And?"

"Well, Edinburgh is nice, wouldn't you agree?"

"I've never been there."

"Oh, Harry." Severus kissed him. "There's still so much work to be done with you."