Title: Saved Pairing: Snape/Lupin Word Count: 438 Rating: PG-13 Warnings: Unbeta'd, Challenge: um yeah….about that….did I see watersports mentioned for today…oh my! "You're not a coward, Severus." A husky voice assured.
Severus felt a warm, slightly rough hand squeeze his own. Something was clearly wrong. The last thing he remembered was the blasted snake and, oh yes, and the bloody Gryffindor trio. Death didn't assure you that you weren't cowardly, did he?
Later, he couldn't judge how much; he became aware of an antiseptic smell. It was familiar. The hand that was still clasped over his was equally recognizable. The light shifted in the room as the sun marched across the sky. Candles were lit.
Severus, finally, forced his eyes open. As he suspected, he was in Hogwarts infirmary. That could be both good new and bad news. His left hand remained in the grasp of Lupin. He immediately began to pull away.
"Lupin, it's unseemly." Severus attempted to his, it came out a broken, rusty crackle. "The Dark Lord?"
"Gone in a billion tiny pieces thanks to you and Harry. As for your hand, there is absolutely no way I'm letting you go. Do you have any idea how much trouble you've been?" Remus asked as he held on tightly to Severus' hand. "First, you're on about you not being a coward, which we know to be the truth. Then you alternate with growling about 'fucking bastards', which, naturally leaves far too many of us to translate as to the one fucking bastard that you're annoyed with."
Severus waved his free right hand. "The lot of you!" His voice still croaked. "Let go of my hand."
"No. I'm handing onto it until I can take you somewhere and make an honest man of you."
"It's called bigamy, Lupin and it is illegal."
Remus shrugged. "You can't believe everything you read, Severus."
Severus' eyes widened.
"So as soon as Poppy releases you, I'm taking you to Greece. Wizarding law there allows same-sex marriage and they have more than a few nude beaches which I consider a plus for our honeymoon."
"I have not agreed to anything!" Severus attempted to push himself upright in be with one arm.
"You haven't been asked either. You spent a fair amount of time in the last decade, saving Harry, saving Slytherin House, saving me from you. Frankly, I've had enough of it. This time I'm saving you."
"Perhaps I don't wish to be saved." Severus muttered as he dipped his chin to stare at the floor.
"Too bad. We can fight about it later and then have make-up sex." Remus countered confidently.
"Is that what the nude beaches are for?" Severus drawled, not in his usual silky tone but it was close.