Torina Archelda (torina_archelda) wrote in severus_sighs, @ 2009-11-25 18:28:00 |
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Entry tags: | ficlet, member: torina_archelda, pairing: severus/lucius, rating: pg |
Watching by Torina Archelda
Title: Watching
Author: torina_archelda
Pairing: Severus/Lucius
Rating: PG
Word Count: 10x100
Warnings: none
Summary: A relationship between two powerful men is not come by easily.
A/N: For whitecotton, who is far too busy. *hugs you* My first ever snucius, for you, dear. I wanted to post this yesterday so you could see it this morning, but I didn’t finish it in time. Hope you like it anyway. : ) Thanks to atypicalsnowman for the beta!
“What have we here?”
Severus stiffened. “A blood replenishing potion,” he replied after a moment, dropping in two more unicorn tears and stirring three times counter-clockwise.
“Isn’t that seventh year material?” Lucius asked silkily, a slight elevation in his tone telling Severus he was impressed. Severus nodded stiffly, and Lucius hummed, taking a seat on the stool across the workbench from Severus. He pulled out his wand and twirled it idly between his fingers, glancing over at Severus.
“Please, don’t let me stop you,” he said when Severus paused. “I simply wish to observe.”
So Severus brewed. And Lucius watched.
***
“I’ve heard great things about you from Lucius,” came a sibilant hiss, and Severus shuddered. “Quite the expert when it comes to potions, hm? And not a bad duelist, either.”
Severus raised his head from his prostrate position on the floor, glancing up at Lucius for reassurance. He received a slow nod in return, and Severus took a deep breath, reminding himself why he was here.
Lucius wants me to do this.
“Will you accept my mark willingly, Severus? Will you agree to do my bidding?”
Severus nodded, and held out his arm.
So Severus was marked. And Lucius watched.
***
“Go on, Snape! Kill him!” Lestrange cackled, and Severus turned terrified eyes to Lucius.
“Come, Severus,” Lord Voldemort hissed. “Take care of the traitor.”
Lucius held his eyes a moment longer, and then looked away. Severus couldn’t breathe. This wasn’t real, this couldn’t be happening. Any second now Lucius would intervene—would spare him this.
“Now, Severus,” Voldemort repeated, the first traces of impatience entering his tone.
Hands shaking, Severus raised his wand and stared deep into Regulus Black’s terrified eyes. He paused for one breath, two, but Lucius did not make a sound.
So Severus killed. And Lucius watched.
***
Severus rose from his seat the moment the game ended, walking away from the pitch as quickly as possible.
“Severus!” Lucius called after him, and Severus increased his pace. “Severus!”
Anger like he hadn’t felt in years flooded through him, now, and he spun on his heel to face Lucius. “Lucius,” he bit out, his gaze cold and unforgiving.
A lesser man would have flinched. Lucius just looked at him. “It was never about you, Severus.”
Severus’ expression shuttered. “Then that was the difference between you and I, Lucius. It was always about you.”
Severus walked away. And Lucius watched.
***
Severus heard boots clicking down the hall and wondered if they’d come to kill him. No, it would be cruciatus first. He wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of screaming.
The key made a grating noise as it turned the lock, and his cell door opened. “Severus, quickly,” he heard.
Severus closed his eyes. Lucius, the instrument of his death. Fitting.
“Get up, Severus,” Lucius insisted. Severus stood. “Hurry, you haven’t got much time.”
Severus stared. Lucius was…letting him go?
Footsteps, coming down the hallway. “Go!”
Severus paused a moment, searching his face, and then turned.
Severus ran. And Lucius watched.
***
“He did horrible things,” Severus said, addressing the court. “Terrible things.” Their eyes met. “But so did I. And in the end, he was on our side. In the end, he saved my life. In the end…if he did not make up for the atrocities he committed, he at least showed willingness to try.”
“Thank you, Mr. Snape,” said the head of the Wizengamot. “We appreciate your time and your testimony. You are dismissed from this court.”
Severus nodded, but would not look back at Lucius. Lucius told himself firmly that he did not care.
Severus left. And Lucius watched.
***
“For stunning heroism and bravery in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, we are proud to award Severus Snape the Order of Merlin, Second Class!”
The room erupted in applause as Severus walked to the stage, Lucius’ not least among them. Severus approached the stand and began to speak, and Lucius heard the words but listened to his tone, and he knew something was wrong.
Severus took a step forward, and his face became clearer in the light. Sadness glinted in those eyes. This was what Severus wanted. But he was not happy.
Severus accepted the award. And Lucius watched.
***
“Severus.”
Severus froze. “Why are you here?” he asked, decanting two ounces of dragon’s blood and setting the jar back on the shelf.
“Because you’re unhappy, Severus.”
Severus scoffed, and Lucius closed his eyes and told himself he deserved it. “When did you start caring about my happiness?”
“Twenty-one years ago, when I fell in love with you.”
The vial shattered as it hit the floor, blood spilling across the tile. “After Regulus…”
More than anything, Lucius wished he could take that back. “Yes. Shortly after.”
“You’ve lost your chance.”
Severus knelt and started sopping up the blood. Lucius watched.
***
“How much clearer would you like me to be?” Severus snarled. “You’ve lost your chance.”
“Look at me, Severus,” Lucius snapped, and dark eyes met his own. “Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t want this, and I’ll go.”
Severus hesitated, something vulnerable in his eyes, and Lucius pounced. “Well?” he demanded, taking a step closer. “Do you want this or don’t you?”
“I—”
“Do you want this,” Lucius enunciated, grabbing Severus’ cloak forcefully.
“Yes,” he breathed, giving in. “God, yes.”
Severus collapsed into his arms. Hopeful for the first time in years, Lucius watched him.
***
Severus coughed. “Bloody cold,” he murmured, leaning back against the pillows and breathing out a sigh.
“Perhaps you’ll wear a coat the next time you decide to apparate to Antarctica for samples at one in the morning.”
Severus glared daggers at him. “Make yourself useful or get out,” he snapped, but his words quickly turned into a cough. Lucius rubbed his back soothingly, waiting for the coughing to subside.
“Take your medicine,” Lucius insisted, holding the vial to his lips. Severus drank it down obediently, then closed his eyes. Slowly, his breathing eased and evened.
Severus slept. And Lucius watched.