LMOM 2011: Day 29
Title: Collared Reloaded Author/Artist: KateKintail Rating: PG-13/R Pairing: Remus/Snape Challenge: Lusty Month of May 2011 Notes: This is a tribute to my LMOM 2010 project, Collared. This takes place just after Day 30
“Have a seat,” Remus said, gesturing toward the table. He added, hastily, “if you like.” Remus did sit down, and Snape piled stacks of pancakes on both of their plates. “Which would you like: butter pecan syrup or blueberry syrup?”
Remus looked warily at the syrup bottles.
“If you want either, you’ll have to make a choice. Out loud.”
Remus worried his lower lip between his teeth. When he spoke, his voice was rough from having not used it in such a long time. “Whichever—” he coughed and rubbed at his throat, looking a bit shocked at not finding the collar there. He cleared his throat and tried again. “Whichever you want.”
Rolling his eyes, Severus prodded gently. He was tired of being gentle, considering all he had done already with Remus. But gentle was what the man needed, and he didn’t want to spook him now that they’d come so far. “Choose which one you want, Lupin.”
With a deep breath, Remus pointed to one of the bottles.
Snape put his hand to his ear. “I don’t think I caught that. Which did you want?”
After another throat clearing, Remus said, “Butter pecan.”
“Very good.” Snape pushed the bottle of syrup over. Like on most of their mornings, Snape discussed some of his classes. He didn’t get too technical, because he knew potions was not Remus’ strongest subject and didn’t want the man to feel lost or inferior. He talked about his students, without giving too many specifics or personal details that Remus might feel he shouldn’t share. Instead, he told little stories, about students, about assignments, about staff drama.
He had a sneaking suspicion that Madam Hooch, the newly-hired Quidditch coach, was secretly in love with Madam Pomfrey, the school nurse. Remus ate up all the rumors even faster than the pancakes. He didn’t usually say anything, just nodded and smiled and laughed at the appropriate moments. Sometimes he made noises of sympathy or tiny gasps at shocking parts. But, mainly, he just listened.
Snape tried to get him to speak a few times, prodding with questions or especially juicy bits of information that invited comment. Remus only said about a dozen words during the breakfast, however, including ‘butter pecan.’
When breakfast was over, Remus collected their dishes and headed to the sink to do the dishes. Snape sat at the table for a moment longer. “You don’t have to do that, you know. How many times do I have to tell you that you’re not my servant?”
Remus looked over his shoulder. “Not doing it because of that. Doing it because you made breakfast. You’re sharing your home with me. Sharing. You made breakfast. I clean up after breakfast. Sharing. Right?” He sounded so timid, Snape was sure this wasn’t the moment to discuss getting Remus’ wand out of that trunk they Ministry of Magic had sent over. The dishes could be told to do themselves with a wave of the wand, but Sirius held back.
He stood, watching Remus stand at the sink, warm, soapy water up to his elbows. Bubbles rose and popped in front of the man’s face, and Snape longed to wipe them away. This wasn’t some blissful domestic situation, even though he would have liked it to be. This was complicated and emotional and probably all sorts of wrong.
Yet Snape couldn’t help getting up, walking over, and placing his hand on Remus’ arse. It felt so good. So good to have a quiet breakfast and pop soap bubbles and feel Remus’ body with such liberties, as if it were his own. As if it were his own still.
But Remus Wasn’t collared any more, and Snape knew it had been the right thing to do. Remus had to learn how to be his own person again, had to decide what he wanted, had to choose to be there. So Snape pressed his lips to Remus’ ear, drawing his earlobe into his mouth to give it a little tug. “As soon as you’re finished, do you want to… do you want to…”
With a smile, Remus cupped his hand to his other ear. “Sorry about that, Severus. Must be the clanking of dishes, but I don’t think I heard you. What’s that?”
It took Snape a moment, then he chuckled. “Forget the dishes,” he said. “Let’s fuck right here.”
“Very good,” Remus agreed, dropping the sponge into the sink.
“But next time, I want you to propose it.”
Remus nodded, but he didn’t speak. Snape wasn’t sure the man would, but when Remus kissed him, soft and warm, he couldn’t seem to care.