First time I've posted a fic. I hope you like it OK :)
The Favour - PG13
Title: The Favour
Author: [info]whitestar/ whitestar_alpha on Live Journal
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Remus Lupin/Severus Snape, mention of Tonks
Summary: Remus comes to a decision. He's told Tonks in more ways than he can possibly imagine that he isn't interested in her. There's only one person he's interested in "in that way" and Remus thinks maybe, just maybe, he'll be able to accomplish two goals with one request. That is, if Severus is up for the idea.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. I just like to play with them...a lot.
Warnings: AU, male/male, suggestive banter
Notes: Dedicated to
![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
red_day_dawning. This was my first posted fic over at
![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif)
red_day_love. This is also the first of a series of stories set in this AU, although this is the second story I've written set in this Universe. Thanks to the encouragement from writer and beta
starcrossdkayla to write, and inspiration for
red_day_dawning, I would never have attempted this. Also many thanks to by other betas brighty18 and geek6 on Live Journal, for their quick help in going through this story. I hope you all enjoy my first attempt at fanfic and my Snupin Universe.
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Remus had been waiting for his chance for weeks, but it wasn't going to be easy to talk privately with anyone at Grimmauld Place, let alone a specific someone. Order members and their families always seemed to overrun the house, or he was sent away on missions. Not that he minded all the company or the activity - he quite enjoyed it really - but he did need to sit down and have this conversation. Unfortunately, finding the time was near impossible. Thankfully, Merlin must have heard his pleas, because for once, Remus was alone in the house and the person he needed to talk to had finally stopped by.
Remus entered the kitchen, where he found the Potions Master sitting at the table perusing through some Owl Post.
"Severus?" Remus's voice hadn't cracked like that in over twenty years. He couldn't be that nervous could he? He cleared his dry throat and waited for a reply.
"Yes?" Severus replied, glancing up from the letter he held in his hand.
Remus gave a faint smile. "Could I speak with you a moment?"
Severus's dark eyes searched Remus's. He nodded, motioning for him to take a seat at the table. Severus put down the letter he'd been holding and laced his long fingers together. "I have a minute." His face wore its usual neutral mask, not giving any hint of what mood he was in or what he was thinking.
"Thank you," Remus said, reaching over to pull out one of the chairs and taking a seat.
Severus watched him expectantly from across the table.
Remus inhaled softly and met Severus's gaze before beginning to speak. "I wanted to talk to you because I need your help."
Severus cocked an eyebrow as if urging him to continue.
"It's a bit complicated." Remus hesitated. "And well, it's not actually help, it's more of a favour. Yet, not really a favour, because you'd be getting something out of it. At least I think you'd get something out of it. I hope you'd get something out of it..."
"Quit prattling, Lupin," Severus interrupted with a scowl. "One would hardly guess they'd let you teach at Hogwarts with that speech."
"Yes, you do have a point..." Remus said, before gazing at the table, contemplating how to rephrase his enquiry.
"Well?" Severus snapped.
Remus raised his head. "Well, what?"
Severus rolled his eyes. "This 'help' or 'favour' you wanted from me? What is it? If you aren't sure what it is you want, I have better things to do with my time than sit here listening, or rather not listening, to your stumbling attempts at..."
"Right, then," Remus blurted out. "It's about Tonks."
Severus blinked upon hearing the young Auror's name. "Tonks?"
"Yes."
"The pink-haired chameleon who's set her sights on becoming 'Madam Lupin' before the next full moon?"
Severus was being purposefully obtuse, Remus decided. "Yes, Severus. You know very well it's 'that' Tonks," he said with more than a slight bit of irritation.
"Don't get annoyed with me, Lupin," Severus retorted with a hint of annoyance of his own. "Or you won't be getting any favours."
This conversation was certainly not starting out well. Remus sighed, took another deep breath, and started again.
"I need your help in convincing Tonks I'm not interested in her. She isn't getting the hint – despite, my obvious statements, that she isn't what I'm looking for in a partner and that I have no interest in her whatsoever."
"She is aware you are a Werewolf?" Severus quipped, a tiny little smile uplifting the corner of his lips.
"Of course she is." Remus raised his hand and rubbed his forehead. "I think she believes I need saving. She's somehow got it into her head that only she could possibly make me happy. I admit, she is a very nice, caring witch, and I'm sure she'll make someone very happy.
Just not me. I want her to stop pursuing me."
"And how am I supposed to help you?"
"Severus, you must know where I'm going with this." Remus cringed at the way his remark sounded almost like a plea.
Leaning back in his chair, Severus folded his arms across his chest and arched an eyebrow. "No, I don't. Please enlighten me." Severus's face displayed the weary look of a teacher indulging a rather bothersome student.
"Come now, Severus." Remus said, rubbing the back of his neck. "You know what I'm asking, do I have to spell it out for you?" He had hoped for a little help with the conversation, but he should have known better than to expect anything of the sort.
Severus stared at Remus, an obstinate look on his face. "Yes, as a matter of fact, you do, Lupin. If I'm to do you a favour, the least you could do would be to politely ask me - in clear terms -, what it is you want from me."
Remus sighed. "You're making this deliberately difficult Severus."
The corner of Severus's mouth rose in a slight sneer. "Of course."
Remus scowled. It was just like Severus to make him squirm and struggle with his request for help. He never made things easy.
"Tonks won't leave me alone unless she's convinced I'm unavailable," Remus finally managed to spit out.
"Have you told her of your
preferences?"
"Of course I have. But you know Hufflepuffs, they see what they want to see."
"As do Gryffindors," Severus muttered under his breath.
"What?" Remus frowned at what he thought he'd heard.
"Nothing."
Maybe his plan needed to be reconsidered. Severus seemed to enjoy provoking him far too much. He wondered if Severus was still angry over the incident in the Shrieking Shack and this was his way of paying him back for that time. Or maybe it was for all those other times, when he was a Prefect and never defended Severus from Sirius and James's cruel tricks?
The plan was bound to fail, Remus told himself, giving another inward sigh. He had underestimated the ability of Severus to hold a grudge.
Remus was thinking of ways to extricate himself from the conversation when Severus interrupted his train of thought once again.
"What does your plan require in order to prove to Miss Tonks you are unavailable?"
Startled out of his reverie by Severus's sudden polite interest, Remus considered what he should do. Finally, he decided if this conversation was going to go anywhere, he may as well lay all his cards out on the table.
"It would mean that we, you and I, become a couple. Lovers," Remus said as objectively as he could. Unconsciously, Remus tensed. Until the moment he said the word "lovers", he had not admitted to himself how much he wanted Severus to agree, and not only because he wanted Tonks to leave him alone.
Severus's eyebrow arched upwards in surprise. "Lovers?"
"Yes Severus, lovers." Remus tried to keep the hopeful tone out of his voice but he wasn't quite sure he succeeded.
"Has it not occurred to you Lupin, if that is your plan, we could simply pretend to be dating?" Severus waved his hand dismissively and his voice had an air of impatience about it.
Remus shook his head. "I have thought of that, and it won't work."
"And why is that?" Severus scoffed, recrossing his arms and now his legs.
"Tonks is anything but determined and able to convince herself that something is not happening. I'm guessing she won't even believe what she sees when she finds out."
Both of Severus's eyebrows arched up under his fringe. "Sees? Are you expecting to put on a show for her, Lupin?"
"No, I'm not, but I don't expect us to hide the fact we're lovers either. Tonks will probably remain in denial for quite some time. If she's convinced I'm gay, she should be less persistent and finally cease pursuing me altogether."
"What if I have no sexual interest in men?" Severus queried pointedly. "Have you thought of that?"
Remus met the Potions Master's eyes with his own unblinking ones. "Ah yes, that would be a problem. But somehow I don't think that's the case."
Severus's face was a blank mask as he stared back at Remus; no hint of what he was thinking passed over his features.
Remus could hear his heart pounding in his ears and he wanted to wipe his sweaty palms on his trousers as he waited for Severus's response. He didn't know whether to be amused or not with the way Severus was trying to make him feel like a school boy caught doing something wrong. He was determined not to look away from those dark eyes, lest Severus think he had something to be ashamed of - which of course, he didn't. They were adults after all.
A faint smirk lifted the corner of Severus's lip. "I must say Lupin, your plan is almost worthy of a Slytherin. Where is the Gryffindor honour that is so highly touted?"
Remus huffed. "I prefer to think of my plan as inventive rather than devious, Severus."
Severus snorted at the explanation.
Remus waited for Severus to mull over whatever thoughts were going on in his head and ask any further questions that he wanted answered.
Severus gave Remus an indecipherable look before he continued.
"Why not ask your friend, 'The Mutt' for help"? Severus sneered.
"Sirius? You're joking!"
"No." Severus spit out. "I'm not."
"Sirius would never do it," Remus said, shaking his head.
"Really? Is that so?" Severus said, arching his eyebrow in that all too familiar gesture.
"Yes, really." Remus leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, glaring across the table through narrowed eyes. He was more than a little miffed with Severus right now. This was between Severus and himself, and he didn't appreciate having his best friend dragged into the conversation.
"Hmmm..."
"What?" Remus almost snarled at Severus this time.
"Why not ask your friend?" Severus repeated, letting Remus' mood swing go without comment.
Remus noted with relief that Severus had left off 'The Mutt' when he repeated his question. "Despite the fact that Sirius loves to flirt with just about everyone, he's as straight as a maypole."
"Really? I must admit, I am surprised. He sniffs around anything on two legs," Severus insinuated. "And I'm sure even four."
"That's quite harsh, Severus," Remus snapped. "I wish you'd stop your rude comments about Sirius. This is between you and me and has nothing to do with him. If you can't stop insulting my friend, then there's no reason for us to continue this conversation."
Remus could almost see the wheels turning in Severus's head as he debated how to respond.
"Then you and I will have to continue to disagree on the respectability of your 'friend'," Severus replied in an even voice. "As I do not wish to ruin the rest of my day by talking about him, I will acquiesce to your request...this time." Severus shot Remus a pointed look from across the table.
Remus chose to ignore Severus's further remarks about Sirius. He would give this one more go, but if Severus continued to be difficult, he would drop the whole idea of asking for his help. Remus uncrossed his arms and placed his hands back on the table. He sat quietly, so as to calm himself, before continuing in what he hoped was a neutral tone. "Sirius is like a brother to me, and he's certainly not my type, even if he were interested."
"No?"
"No."
"Hmmm..." Severus traced a long forefinger over his lips, his expression unreadable, but all the while staring at Remus as if he were contemplating what ingredients to add to a new potion.
This time Remus rolled his eyes. "What now?"
"Why not?" Severus asked, his right forefinger now lazily drawing circles on the kitchen table's surface.
Remus sighed. Severus was not going to let this line of questioning drop until he had whatever answers he was seeking. "Because Sirius is... 'wild', which is a kind way of putting it. James and Sirius got along famously because they were two of a kind. Me, I appreciate my peace and quiet and sitting down for a good read if you hadn't noticed. Dealing with Sirius, if we were a couple, would drive me mad. I don't think he knows the meaning of the word 'sleep'. Sometimes I wonder how I survived Hogwarts with those two as my friends."
"Wild? This, coming from a Werewolf?"
"Yes," Remus said, glad he didn't let Severus provoke him into losing his temper again.
"Hmmm..." Severus hummed again.
"Now what is it this time?"
"Nothing."
"You do know your verbal pondering can be rather annoying?"
A slight curve appeared at the corner of Severus's mouth. "Indeed."
Severus looked down at the table and ran his hand lightly along the surface as if checking to see if Kreacher had done his job properly with the polishing. The seconds stretched out before he turned his dark eyes back onto Remus and questioned him once more.
"Why would you choose me? You and your friends made it quite clear you hated me, and still do."
Remus blinked in surprise. He had never really bothered to contemplate whether Severus might think he hated him. But, now that he thought about it, he could understand why Severus would believe such a thing. He never did anything to stop Sirius and James when he was Prefect, which was as good as being a bully himself - albeit a passive bully. He needed to clear up this misunderstanding once and for all. "I've never hated you Severus. That's as far from the truth as possible."
"Is it?" Severus challenged, arching his eyebrows and staring at Remus intently.
"Yes, it is." Remus nodded, not removing his gaze from Severus's eyes.
At that moment, he wondered if Severus was practising Legilimency on him but he didn't feel the familiar push into his mind that would indicate such a thing. This was unusual, considering how wary Severus was when he thought people were making him the butt of jokes.
"So, you're saying you want me as your lover? Despite all those amusing little sentiments such as: 'Bat', 'Greasy Git', 'The Bane of Hogwarts Students' Existence', 'Mis..."
"Yes." Remus winced inwardly at Severus's list and gave a quick nod again, cutting short Severus's words before he could continue on with his litany of titles.
Severus tilted his head to the side in a questioning gesture. "You don't find that thought... repulsive?" Severus watched Remus through half-lidded eyes, his face even more unreadable than usual.
Remus shook his head slowly. "No."
"And why is that? Something to do with the famous Gryffindor courage perhaps?" Severus asked.
Remus glanced down at his clasped hands resting on the table. "Hardly Gryffindor courage, Severus. As I said before, hating you was the furthest thing from the truth when we were at Hogwarts."
"And now?" Severus continued to push for further clarification.
Remus paused, then looked Severus squarely in the eyes and answered in a barely audible voice, "the same."
Despite attempting to keep his facial features as neutral as possible, there were some things Severus couldn't control. Remus watched Severus's face closely as his cheeks took on a faint pink flush and his lips parted. Was that a tongue he just saw dash out quickly to wet those lips? Remus shifted around in his chair, all to aware of his own physical symptoms. Severus's subtle physical signs seemed to be pulling a reaction from his own body and areas of clothing were becoming a bit tight.
Both sat in silence for minutes, listening to the ticking of the kitchen clock. Somewhere far in the background the faint grumblings of Kreacher could be heard.
Pushing Severus would more than likely not get him what he wanted, so Remus again waited for Severus to speak first.
Finally, Severus let out his breath, as if he'd been holding it the entire time.
"I do expect something in return for this favour," Severus said in a conversational tone.
"Of course. However, I do hope you'll also get something...
satisfying from our encounters," Remus responded with a faint quirk to his lips.
Severus's eyes flashed with something akin to heated anticipation, before the look was gone and he commented, "Aren't you going to ask what my required favour in return will be?"
"No," Remus smiled. "I'm sure you'll come up with something very ingenious."
"Ingenious? And what is to say I won't ask for something humiliating or otherwise distasteful to you?" Severus queried with a glint in his eyes. "Is your blind bravado due to courage or stupidity?"
Remus knew Severus too well to take the threat seriously. "I doubt our encounters will leave you with the desire for revenge," he hinted.
"You're that confident about yourself are you, Lupin?" Severus's voice was tinged with amusement and had grown a bit husky.
"Oh yes," Remus answered with a mischievous grin. "Quite."
"We'll see," Severus smirked.
"Yes, you will," Remus shot back, chuckling.
They looked at each other from across the table. The tense atmosphere had dissipated replaced by an air of calm expectation.
"I would say our meeting has concluded, wouldn't you Lupin?" Severus remarked with his usual coolness as he started to shuffle his post.
Remus continued to smile. "Indeed, except for setting the time and place for our next 'meeting'."
"It appears you're in luck, Lupin," Severus said, as he scanned one of the letters. "Because of some unexpected events, I will be staying here tonight. Would tonight after supper suffice? My quarters?" Severus glanced over at Remus.
"Yes, that will do nicely," Remus agreed, his grin growing even wider.
Remus started to rise from his chair, but was interrupted.
"If I didn't know better Lupin, I would think you concocted this plan using Miss Tonks as an excuse to get into my bed," Severus said with a raised eyebrow, the corner of his mouth uplifted in a slight smirk.
"Ha!" Remus threw his head back and laughed. He then tapped the side of his nose with his finger as he stood up, walked away from the table and turned to leave.
He could feel Severus's eyes on his retreating back as he left the kitchen.
Remus continued to grin happily as he headed back to his room. He had to admit, he was caught a bit off guard by how quickly Severus agreed to the arrangement; quickly for Severus that is. Either Severus intended to extract a heavy repayment from him, or he wasn't that adverse to having a Werewolf as a lover. Whatever the reason, Severus wouldn't forget their 'second meeting', he'd make sure of that. He was also convinced Severus would be pleased with their 'couple' arrangement, and hopefully, something more might come of it. Oh yes, staying here at Grimmauld Place had suddenly become much more enjoyable.
Now, there was nothing left to do but plan for an encounter Severus would never forget.
