Ahaha, oh, man. You pulled me in right from the opening paragraph with Alberforth's thoughts on Albus and his frank, down-to-earth way of putting things. So much characterization in so few (but perfect!) words. LOL
...And the fab characterization continues throughout -- both for Aberforth and for Severus as seen through Aberforth's eyes. Aberforth is keenly perceptive, as we'd expect a barman and a Dumbledore to be, and there are so many little observations he makes about Severus that are just spot-on.
His mouth gave a reluctant twist of amusement when he saw the bottle Aberforth produced from under the bar, however, as if he wasn't sure he was allowed to smile.
There was more enthusiasm than finesse in the clumsy way Severus's lips clashed against his, but somehow that just made it better.
he wasn't a man to change his tastes when he'd made up his mind.
Ha, now that is so true on a number of levels! Nicely understated. LOL
He could have this. He could have the lad-- a man, really, but he'd always be the skinny lad with the wary eyes to Aberforth.
LOVE that -- love that Aberforth has watched Severus since he was young and that he still sees all of it in him.
"Old sod enjoy his Broken Nose, did he?"
Severus took a long swallow from the glass that slid in front of him. "Rather nutty, I think, was the verdict. Also far more pleasant than the last one, apparently." </i>
Ahahaha, and that's where I LOLed and woke up the pets. XD I'm still dying over Aberforth's use of the names -- and loving the way it all built toward the ending. Nice planning. :D Heh, I really shouldn't be as amused by the bad puns and innuendo as I am, but... ::snertle::
Ohhhh, and fab use of the Legilimancy!
"And you're a dirty old man," he grumbled, "so bloody well do something dirty to me."
Ahahaha, niiice.
This comment is really not coherent enough for what this fic deserves. This story is a great study of Aberforth, and of Severus through Aberforth... and also of Albus through them both. Yeah, Albus meddles like a mad meddling thing. But he ends up giving Aberforth and Severus what they want; ends up giving them something good that outlasts him. He's keenly perceptive too, and he and Aberforth kind of are birds of a feather after all, eh?