Severus kept his eyes averted, unable to face her still. He wasn't very old, but Severus wasn't good at sharing his feelings, never had been. He'd been a boastful boy trying to find his own importance and place in the world, and was a teen still struggling with that, but further along in cementing his identity. Still, sharing emotions would never be a strong point.

As Lily began to speak Severus felt a brief spike of fear, that quickly abated as she continued on. Her words soothing that fear, though the ache remained. He knew then he would spend the rest of his life making it up to her, atoning for his mistakes.

He was about to respond to end the silence when Lily spoke yet again, three words acting like a sucker punch to Severus. He was silent, lips closing. The hand holding the glass tightened around it. The other rose up as he ducked his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. Emotions welled up inside of him at her simple words. Tears burned behind his eyes, wanting release though he held them back. She'd missed him, and Merlin, he'd missed her too.

He was quiet a long moment as he tried to control his emotions. The depth of his feelings for her.

"I missed you, too," he finally said. No tears fell, but his voice was rough as his emotions bled through. Still pinching the bridge of his nose to help ground himself.