The light streamed through the cracks around the now present doorway. Remus waited as Severus returned his clothing to its proper place. “You may just be the death of my yet.” Severus muttered.
“Severus the full moon isn’t for ten days.”
“You weren’t supposed to hear that, and the full moon has nothing to do with it.”
Remus grinned and pushed open the door. They were now on a tiny terrace overlooking the rose garden. The fragrance was magnificent and the colours were just as incredible. There was an entire section devoted to green roses from the palest mint to lime chiffon to an almost black specimen with a green tint.
Better still, on the terrace there was a table set for tea with sandwiches, and cakes. He pulled a chair out and offered it to Severus who stood gazing over the railing a spot in the distance.
“Lupin, I’m not a woman.”
“Yes, I’ve noticed. I can still act the part of gentleman to a gentleman.”
Severus sat gingerly and proceeded to pour the tea. Remus surveyed the selection of sandwiches, smoked salmon, curried chicken and ham with apricot jam and mustard. He took one of each. Severus rolled his eyes.
“I’m famished. Aren’t you? I’m going to have one of each of the cakes too.”
Severus took the chicken and a currant teacake. “I am a bit peckish.”
Remus tucked in and the conversation lulled for a few minutes. After he put another sandwich on his plate he asked "So, about the masque tonight, I assume our hosts provide the costumes."
"Of course. Lucius always has a theme."
"Since we already know everyone who is here doesn't that defeat the purpose?"
"I think people prefer to pretend they're having anonymous sex more then they desire actual anonymous sex."
Remus chuckled. "I imagine you're right." Then poured himself another cup of tea and ate his sandwich. "Do you like your job? The research, I mean?"
"It is quite engrossing." Severus replied keeping his teacup near his mouth.
"Better than teaching then?"
"Certainly. Oddly, whenever there is someone new or someone has questions they come to me. I do not have the longest tenure amongst my colleagues, so I find the phenomenon interesting."
"So do you peel a layer of skin off of them and send them on their way?"
Severus' lips twitched. "It does sound like something I would do, but no. I'm certain you understand that it's easier to teach someone who is truly interested in learning."
"And you teach them."
"Surprisingly, yes and even more astonishing I'm thanked for my efforts."
Remus picked up a piece of Victoria sponge cake and bit into it. He moaned, and then took another bite this time groaned loudly.
"Lupin, I do not believe fake orgasms will produce an exit."
"If it was a food orgasm, it wasn't a fake. This cake is beyond words." Remus popped the last bit into his mouth and made quiet yummy noises. Severus rested an arm on the table, and Remus reached across and stroked a finger down his forearm. "Do you know what I'd like?"
"Another cake?"
"No, a kiss. I've missed kissing you."
"Lupin, we've been together almost constantly for a day and a half. We've probably kissed a dozen times."
"Not like the first day though, when it was all about the kisses, when I tasted you for the first time."
"I imagine now you just want a taste of my currant teacake."
"There are plenty of them left on the table. I want to taste you."
Remus got up from his seat and breached the minuscule space between them. He grasp Severus' chin between his fingers, and bent low to just brush their lips together.
"You did not taste anything."
"No, I didn't, but I felt the warm of your lips and a quiver of anticipation."
Severus sniffed. "I am quite certain you are imagining that!"
Remus swooped in for another kiss, this time pressing their lips tightly together, and then backing off and doing it again. He cupped the back of Severus' neck when his lips began to demand a response from Severus. When Severus' lips parted, Remus took more liberties with his tongue as he tried to taste all of Severus' mouth at once. Remus released the slightly pink lips as he moved to kiss Severus' chin, and jaw. Severus' head tipped back, involuntarily, to allow Remus access.
Remus planted slow kisses along Severus' throat, before nuzzling the juncture of his shoulder and neck. "Mmmmm. Missed this."
"I don't…..Lupin.."
Remus moved back up to Severus' lips, no one mentioned finding or creating an exit, as their kisses flowed from one to another.