Challenge: Lusty Month of May 2009 Word count: 1,801
Warning: Unbeta'd
A/N: Thanks to everyone who stayed with me throughout!! Thanks to the mods for hosting lmom! I loved the changes this year!! Congrats to all the finishers!! YAY!! Now I can go read!!
Remus sipped his cup of tea; he was going to need about a dozen cups this morning as he had slept only fitfully at best. The Daily Prophet lay in a spot of sun on the kitchen table; it would remain unread. His sunny kitchen did not cheer him, but the thought of his grandmother did make him smile. The cottage was now his since she had decided to move in with her boyfriend. She was ninety and living in sin, as she called it, and loving it. At thirty-eight he should be living in sin!
Perhaps he should have proposed marriage. He shook his head at that thought. One more crushing defeat would not have helped yesterday. He'd questioned himself a thousand times, what had he missed? Had he wanted so badly for Severus to like him, love him that he imagined the tenderness and Snape-brand affection? He poured himself more tea and wrapped his hands around the warmth. It had been twenty-four hours since he'd left Severus' side and Remus continued to turn their conversation over in his mind. The unending loop was interrupted by the doorbell.
It was a little early for visitors so precautions were in order; he grabbed his wand. He cautiously opened the door to see Severus leaning against the jamb, his colour was ashen.
"You've been the target of a prank, a childhood Muggle game actually, the doorbell rings and when you open it no one is there. Obviously in this case they ran, I could not."
"Severus?"
"Very observant, Lupin. Do you have a chair or better yet a bed I might borrow?" Severus asked as he slid slightly down the doorframe.
Remus flung the door open and scooped Severus up in his arms. The door was kicked closed and Remus turned down the bedclothes with a flick of his wand. He settled Severus in removing his shoes and outer robes. Underneath was the obligatory hospital nightshirt. When Severus was tucked in, the lines of his face softened.
"Poppy said you would take care of me." Severus mumbled.
"What happened?"
"I.. it's a long story." Severus' eyes fluttered closed.
"Have a rest, we will talk later." Remus didn't know if he should kiss the man or curse him, along with his accomplices. He imagined that Minerva and Poppy were probably involved. Merlin only knew whose harebrained scheme this was. He'd heard the crinkle of parchment and the clink of bottles in Severus' robes, hopefully they included the care and feeding instructions for the man now asleep in his bed.
Remus made a new pot of tea and took out a couple of blueberry scones and some clotted cream. He took the Prophet and the tea back to his room, transfigured the chair into something comfortable and sat down. Didn't this seen familiar? He read through the newspaper and finished the crossword puzzle, before falling asleep himself. When he awakened it was apparent that he had not had some bizarre dream. Severus was here in his bed, but for how long and why? As he looked at the sleeping man, his eyes fluttered open.
"Do you perchance have any food?"
Remus laughed. "Yes, I have food. I was thinking of making a Welsh rarebit."
"With that ale I like?" Severus asked.
Remus shook his head in disbelief. "No, with that ale I like!" They were, however, one in the same.
"I would offer my assistance but.."
"I think you are much more help right where you are."
Severus lay back and closed his eyes again.
Ale, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and a nice block of Cheddar came together nicely over thick slabs of toast. Remus made more tea and set the plates onto the tray. He could have levitated the whole this since it was heavy, but he needed something to do with his hands. With as much detachment as he could manage he settled Severus into an upright position so he could eat; Remus took his spot back in the chair.
Severus practically inhaled his first piece of toast, but slowed and seemed to savour the next piece. Remus watched him carefully through his lashes.
"No, ale for me then." Severus said as he put down his fork.
"No, ale for me either. I imagine a tipsy caretaker would be frowned upon. Would you like some more?"
Severus nodded. "Please."
"One or two?"
"Two."
Remus was surprised, but Severus could use the extra calories. Severus' eyes were larger than his stomach; he only finished one additional piece. When they were both finished Remus cleaned up and adjusted Severus' pillows, but he didn't lie down again. He dropped down in the chair and said. "Are you up for telling me your long story?"
Severus studies his hands for a moment. "Apparently, you spent days telling me stories. I will tell you this one in return." He closed his eyes briefly, before he began. "I was dreaming, or at least I thought I was. My life was flashing before my eyes. It wasn't exactly moving quickly and all the scenes that I was seeing revolved around our times together. I wondered where the bad parts of my life were."
"I was fully aware that you were telling me tales earlier in the day that I awoke. At first I couldn't even move, but I knew I was alive and you were real. By the time I was completely lucid and capable of speech, I needed you to stop talking for a moment or perhaps two. My mind was racing and things that I'd conveniently forgotten were making their unwelcome presence known."
"A few examples: the Dark Lord, your wife, your son, Albus. Reality is a bitch, as they say. I wanted a few more of the idyllic moments with you, and I grabbed for them. We were safe in the Infirmary for a few more hours. In the morning…after…I had to end the fantasy, and there you were declaring your love. I was trying to be fucking noble, returning you to your wife, keeping you from being with someone who was probably going to Azkaban. What you were doing? Telling me you loved me! Lupin, your timing is appalling. As luck would have it you are noble, and I am a manipulative bastard and I managed to make you leave."
Severus paused. "Poppy drugged me and fed me before leaving me with five days worth of the Daily Prophet. The reading was quite educational. I learned that you were telling the truth about Miss Tonks. I learned that the new minister had managed to have me pardoned in the matter of Albus' death. I still cannot believe that I did that. It was the humane thing; it was the right thing to do nonetheless…someday, I may forgive myself."
"As it happens, I had nothing to be noble about. All I needed to do was to reach out for what I wanted. What I had already pushed away. The person I had continued to push away, so that he would not become a pawn to the Dark Lord because of my feelings for him. While I was having the epiphany, two witches with whom we are both acquainted entered to tell me what a fool I was."
"After I convinced them that I was an idiot, shockingly it did not take much. We conspired to make a reunion between us possible. You would be too soft-hearted to throw me out even if you were angry. They side along Apparated me here; that was surprisingly wearing." Severus yawned. "I fear my tale will have to be continued later."
Remus popped out of his chair and helped Severus lie down. He brushed the long dark hair from Severus' eyes and Severus grasped the hand and squeezed it.
"I can wait." Remus said softly.
Severus let sleep take him.
Remus sat back; he was practically giddy in anticipation. What would the rest of Severus story be? He needed do something; Severus might want to eat later. Cooking was a perfect distraction. A couple hours and a roasted chicken later, Remus checked on Severus.
"Have you been watching me sleep?"
"Not much today. I was cooking during this last nap." Remus replied.
"Hmmm."
"Would you like some tea?"
"No. I think I should finish my story."
"All right." Remus' voice was hesitant.
Severus took a deep breath. "I do not know how to say this, so I will just say it. I am in love with a werewolf. I do not know how it happened or why, but there it is."
Remus had been holding his breath, and now he chuckled. "That was some declaration Severus, but I am acquainted with quite a number of werewolves. Pray tell, which one would that be?"
"Lupin, it would be you damn it! I love you!" Severus scowled. "Now look what you made me do!"
Remus was up on the bed in a thrice, straddling the prone man. He kissed Severus gently, stroking his. Severus wasn't standing still for it, he was trying to express his pent up emotions and put them into one kiss. One kiss. Two kisses. Endless deep slow kisses. Remus could feel Severus' cock harden against his leg. He moved to both erections could move against the other.
"Lupin, you are a tease." Severus growled.
"So are you. You need your rest."
"No. I need release."
Remus smirked. "That we can arrange."
He slid the blankets off Severus, the hospital gown giving him easy access. Remus lapped at the stiff cock in front of him, before he sucked each of Severus' balls in turn. He returned his attention to the leaky cock, sucking a little into his mouth and releasing it. Each time he sucked he pulled more of Severus into his mouth. Unintelligible noises were made; hips canted trying to hurry the process along.
"Fuck, Lupin!"
"No just sucking, Severus." And Remus did suck until his cheeks hurt, until Severus whimpered. With a couple quick twists of his wrist Remus had Severus at the brink.
"Lupin, I wait…I'
Remus looked up. He knew that look. His hand pulled Severus cock frantically, and when Severus came Remus held the pulsing cock so that the creamy emission covered his face. When the spasms died down, he released Severus and stroked his hipbone gently. Remus licked his lips, and then ran a finger down his face to capture more cream, before tasting that as well. Severus watched him through slitted eyes. The moment had been powerful and Remus wanted to put Severus at ease.
"Marking your territory, Severus?" Remus asked softly his voice slightly playful.
Severus' face was quite solemn. "A werewolf would understand. My werewolf would understand."
Severus pulled Remus up and under the blankets with him. Remus snuggled up behind.