McKay (scribbulus_ink) wrote in blessedmoon, @ 2006-01-26 17:06:00 |
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Entry tags: | established relationship, pwp, snape/lupin |
Boomslang and Bathwater
Original poster: scribbulus_ink
Title: Boomslang and Bathwater
By: arionrhod and scribbulus_ink
Rated: R
Pairing: Snape/Lupin
Summary: It's their first anniversary, but Remus seems to be the only one who remembers.
Word count: 6,564
Notes: Written for ildi_bp's birthday. This is based on Ildi's art: Candlelight (NWS).
Something was tickling his nose, and Remus twitched in his sleep, rising toward wakefulness. He gave a soft snort and raised his hand toward his face, opening his eyes as his fingers tangled in something soft and silken. Soft, silken, and dark, like strands of pure midnight pulled down from the sky and made real. A smile curved Remus' lips, and he breathed in deeply of the familiar scent of Severus' hair, the tendrils of it spread across the pillow and ensnaring Remus just as the man they belonged to had ensnared his heart and soul.
He was spooned up against Severus' back, comfortably close, the warmth of Severus' body against his a pure delight. Pushing himself up on his arm, Remus rested his head on his hand so that he could gaze down at Severus, pushing aside the inky locks of hair so that he could brush his fingers over the exposed line of Severus' jaw and ear. It was a sight Remus never tired of, one that still captivated him as it had always done. Severus was a wonder, a snarky, foul tempered, sharp tongued and utterly adorable wonder, and it took Remus' breath away to know that somehow, through some miracle he couldn't understand but didn't care to question, Severus had consented to belong to Remus alone.
Today was, in fact, their anniversary, and Remus' lips curved up into a smile of immense satisfaction. Severus wasn't much of one for maudlin or romantic displays, but surely even Severus wanted to commemorate the day upon which they had pledged themselves to each other. Remus thought happily of the surprise he had tucked away, hidden and awaiting Severus' demand for recognition of having put up with Remus for as long as he had. There was no telling when that might be, of course, but Remus was hoping that Severus would awaken and ask him to stay home from his job at the Ministry today so that they could indulge each other shamelessly. Maybe that's why Severus hadn't mentioned the approach of today; no doubt he wanted to surprise Remus and be able to begin the celebration in his typically bossy way.
Well, there was no reason Remus couldn't help things along in that quarter, was there? Still smiling, he leaned down and growled softly in Severus' ear, before dragging his tongue along the pale, perfect shell, reveling in the taste of warmth and Severus that burst upon his tongue, more heady than any drug.
The caress was met with a drowsy grumble that belied the way Severus nestled back against Remus, as if seeking his warmth. It was no real surprise that Severus seemed to be resisting both wakefulness and Remus' attempts at seduction since unlike Remus, he wasn't a morning person. At all.
Still, persistence paid off, and it wasn't long before Severus rolled onto his back and gazed up at Remus with slumbrous eyes, his thin lips quirking with sardonic amusement. "In the mood for a quickie before work, are you?" he asked, his voice deeper than usual and husky from sleep.
The warm timbre sent shivers up Remus' spine. Severus' voice practically was sex, and it made all kinds of naughty images go through Remus' mind. Leaning down, he nuzzled his nose against Severus' cheek, then pressed their lips together in a brief, warm kiss.
"I am if you are," Remus replied with a throaty growl, lips quirking up in amusement. This, of course, was Severus' cue to tell Remus to stay home and spend the time to make love properly on their anniversary, rather than rushing through it. Desire built within him, and Remus gazed down at Severus, eyes dancing in anticipation.
"It will have to be quick." Severus wound his arms around Remus' neck as he returned the kiss with equal brevity. "I've got a full day ahead of me. I have to stop in Slug and Jiggers before I can even get started, and the Ministry has placed another ridiculously large order for Polyjuice Potion. The way they go through it, you'd think no one working there ever looks the way they should. I need to start the base mixture for this month's Wolfsbane as well. Just kindly don't tell me you've picked up another dozen werewolves who want it at the last minute, because I will be forced to paddle you, and not in the fun way."
Remus' smile faded as he blinked in astonishment at Severus' speech. Polyjuice? Wolfsbane? It was their anniversary, and Severus was thinking about brewing potions instead of ravishing Remus' willing self? Either Severus was being a deliberate tease - which was unlikely, given Severus' directness in all other things - or Severus had, unbelievably, forgotten that today was their anniversary.
A small lump formed in Remus' throat, to match the sudden heavy feeling in the pit of his stomach. Really, Severus was even less of one for romance than Remus had thought. Remus didn't doubt Severus' feelings for him, or Severus' loyalty and commitment to him, but apparently the fact that he and Severus were together permanently hadn't changed certain fundamental parts of Severus' personality as much as Remus had thought.
He was lucky to have Severus at all, though, and with that thought, Remus pasted a somewhat wan smile on his face. "I think I'd rather wait, then, if you don't mind," he sighed, kissing Severus again before rolling away and out of the bed. Severus knew him too well, and Remus didn't want Severus to read the hint of sadness he was feeling and wonder at the cause. Severus was wonderful to him, but Remus was the soppy, romantic one in their relationship. It wasn't Severus' fault, and Remus didn't want Severus to feel guilty for forgetting.
"If you like," Severus replied, his tone insouciant. He climbed out of bed and indulged in a languid stretch that put the tempting lines and angles of his lean body on display as he arched his back and lifted his arms. He slept naked - they both did - which was a change Remus had wrought. Through much wheedling and reassurance that yes, Severus was sexy, he had managed to get Severus to discard his tatty old grey nightshirt for good so they could enjoy sleeping in a tangle of heated flesh each night.
It was also handy for early morning love-making, although apparently not today.
"Bloody Ministry," Severus grumbled, ruffling both hands through his hair and yawning. "The price of fluxweed has gone up again thanks to all the rain ruining so many summer crops. It's harder to find in the wild, you know. But will the Ministry pay a few sickles more in compensation? Of course not. But I tell you this: they'd damned well better be willing to negotiate prices next quarter, or they're going to have to find themselves another supplier."
Still grumbling, Severus snatched up his dressing gown from the back of the chair where he had tossed it the night before and shrugged into it, tying it securely. "Eggs and toast enough for you, or do you want bacon or sausage as well?"
"Eggs and toast are enough," Remus said, suppressing a sigh of regret as Severus hid his body from view. It wasn't how Remus had hoped they would spend their anniversary, but he straightened his back and refused to let it get him down. Just because Severus hadn't remembered first thing in the morning - and really, Severus was not a morning person at all - it didn't mean that Severus wouldn't remember later in the day.
Brightening, Remus smiled as Severus left the bedroom, then made his way to the shower. No doubt Severus had written himself a note in his workroom to remind himself of what the day was, probably on the calendar where he kept meticulous track of the cycles of the moon and the planets for potion brewing. He would see it, and then he would contact Remus at work, probably demanding to know why Remus hadn't remembered their anniversary and lavished Severus with attention and gifts. Remus was more than happy to take the hit for that, though, and let Severus pretend that Remus was the one who had forgotten. No doubt Severus would feel the need to make it up to Remus, even if he would never admit it aloud. There would be spectacular make-up sex, without them even having to have an argument.
Whistling, his good humor restored, Remus proceeded to get ready for work.