savage_storm (savage_storm) wrote in snark_n_bark, @ 2008-04-29 20:07:00 |
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Entry tags: | complete, serenus, severus, tybalt |
Making Amends
Characters: Serenus, Severus, Tybalt
Summary: Tybalt offers Severus an apology to smooth things over
Standing on the doorstep of Snape Manor, Tybalt asked himself once again if he knew what he was doing, and he had to admit that the answer was probably a rather pensive "no." He was normally quite sure of himself, but when it came to Severus Snape, he had a way of sometimes reverting to about fifteen years old, all gangly awkwardness and blushes. Being married to Severus' twin brother had helped to take the edge off of that, of course, but familiarity didn't help when it came to knowing that Severus was miffed with him. Not that he felt he was wrong for defending Serenus' hurt feelings in the face of Severus' disapproval - he'd do it again, if necessary - but if there was going to finally be complete closure with no lingering resentment over the issue, he knew he was going to have to do the apologizing. He was sorry, after all - not necessarily for doing what he did, but for Severus taking it the wrong way and for the distance which had sprung up between them because of it.
Sliding his arm around Tybalt's waist, Serenus gave him a comforting squeeze. Tybalt looked uncertain, and Serenus could certainly understand why; dealing with Severus when he was grumpy wasn't easy. It was downright daunting even for Serenus at times, and he had ties of blood on his side. But Severus had been pointedly cool and distant with Tybalt of late, and Serenus knew if they waited for Severus to let go and get over it, they were in for a very long wait.
"Don't worry, love," he said soothingly. "You're a big, strong Auror, and he can't give you detention anymore. You'll be fine."
Tybalt wrapped his arm around Serenus' shoulders, returning the squeeze. He was grateful for the support, but it didn't erase all this trepidation. "Yeah, a big, strong Auror that Severus can make revert to a quaking third year with a single look. He's one of the few people in the world who actually intimidates me." He sighed, drawing in a deep breath, and gave Serenus a rueful smile. "Ah, well. No sense in putting it off, right? Why don't you knock? I'm afraid my knees would be just as loud if I did it."
Serenus gave him a sympathetic look and craned up to brush a kiss to his cheek. If he had any magic words that would erase Tybalt's apprehension, he would have said them, and he could understand how a schoolboy fear of an intimidating teacher was hard to shake... even if you'd grown up to have a foursome with said teacher. He knocked firmly, and he slid his hand down to give Tybalt's arse a pat while they waited for someone to answer.
A few moments later, the door was flung open - and Severus stood in the doorway, glancing back and forth between them, although his expression turned forbidding when he looked at Tybalt.
"Hello, Severus," Serenus greeted him cheerfully, reaching out to give him an embrace and a kiss on the lips. "I hope we aren't interrupting anything."
"No, not particularly," Severus replied, returning the kiss lightly and eying Tybalt. "Did you want something?"
"Let's go inside, shall we?" Serenus suggested, and Severus moved aside, still eying Tybalt.
Tybalt offered a wan smile, very glad that Serenus was able to act so natural. He steeled himself and stepped into the house, releasing Serenus with a final squeeze. As much as he might feel the urge to ask Serenus to help him through this, he knew it was something he needed to do on his own if he ever wanted Severus to respect him.
"Actually, we're here because I wanted to talk to you, Severus," he said quietly, telling himself that Serenus was right, and Severus couldn't give him detention. No, he can just make all family events awkward for me for the rest of my life, if he wants. No matter what, I have to do this properly. "Alone."
"I'll just go and find Remus, shall I? You two take your time." Serenus patted Tybalt reassuringly and strolled away. He hoped their talk would go well, but if not, at least they could get some help from Remus if needed. But he thought that wouldn't be necessary; Severus was grumpy and obviously displeased with Tybalt, but Serenus had been on the receiving end of worse, and he had hopes that this visit - no matter whether they talked or made amends in more intimate ways - would be enough to settle things between Severus and Tybalt. In the meantime, he would get to spend some time with Remus and the children, which was always fun.
Closing the door behind them, Severus folded his arms and regarded Tybalt with his most forbidding expression. "Very well. What do you wish to talk about?"
Drawing in a deep, silent breath, Tybalt looked at Severus directly, his expression grave as he gathered his courage. "I wanted to talk to you about the tension between us and offer you an apology. I value your good opinion very much, and I deeply regret not having it. I'd like to know what I can do to make things right between us again."
Severus looked him up and down, considering. He supposed this wasn't a conversation they ought to have in the entrance hall, and so he turned and beckoned tersely for Tybalt to follow him into the parlor. Once there, he closed the door to give them a little privacy and faced Tybalt again.
"You can start by not sticking your nose into matters that concern me and my brother," he said sternly, lifting his chin. "I don't give a damn how much you consider yourself his personal guard dog. He doesn't need protecting from me."
"I would never want to come between you and Serenus," Tybalt said carefully. This, of course, was the crux of the tension between them, and he knew he had to make certain he didn't say anything that would make Severus even more upset than he was already. "I also know you are one of the only people in the world who has the power to hurt him. I'll trust you not to do that, because I'm certain that his happiness means as much to you as it does to me."
"The power to hurt goes both ways," Severus pointed out. "However, I trust him not to use that power maliciously or deliberately, just as I would not. We had our difficulties in the beginning, but we moved beyond that. We will have quarrels on occasion, but we will sort things out. Unless it is something that involves you directly, we do not need interference. Guard him against the rest of the world if you wish, but not against me. Remus understands that, I believe. He stayed out of it despite his own protective instincts where I am concerned."
Tybalt considered that, then nodded slowly. "All right. I think perhaps the crux of it is that... well, to be honest, you have the power to scare the pure living hell out of me, despite my being an Auror." He flushed slightly, then shrugged. "I know you're Serenus' brother, his twin, but sometimes I have a hard time remembering that, even though you look so much alike. He's been hurt so much, it's a bit hard for me to remember to turn it off." His expression went grim as he thought of the men who had caused Serenus so much pain. "But I agree, there are far worthier targets for my protectiveness than you."
"Damned right there are." Severus sniffed haughtily. "I am quite aware of how much Serenus has been hurt, and I have no intention of adding to it any more than I imagine he intends to add to mine. We have reached a good place after much struggle and effort." He drew himself up, struggling to make a small admission. "I will not jeopardize that," he said at last. "It is too important."
"Good." Tybalt wasn't really surprised to hear that was what Severus thought, although he was definitely surprised that Severus would make that admission to him. Perhaps Severus would thaw toward him after all. He risked a small smile. "He loves you very, very much. I'm glad that the two of you have each other. Sometimes I'm actually envious, since I always wanted a sibling. You have a bond I can never really know."
Severus inclined his head slightly. "We do, yes. However, it was not quickly or easily forged, thus we are not likely to take it for granted. Which is why no interference is needed. I trust we are perfectly clear on that?" he asked, wanting to make absolutely sure his point had gotten through. He didn't think Tybalt's protectiveness was misplaced as long as it was directed to everyone else but him. He ought to be an exception, damn it.
"I understand and respect your feelings," Tybalt replied with a nod. "You're part of my family, as well, and I don't want there to be any tension between us, either. I do care about your feelings too, Severus. And Remus' and all of the children. That's what family is all about, right?"
Severus looked Tybalt up and down, and he relaxed his stance a bit at last. "Ideally, yes," he said. "Things were more pleasant without the tension, at least."
Smiling his most charming smile, Tybalt took a tentative step closer to Severus, encouraged that Severus wasn't bristling any longer. "Definitely more pleasant. I like it very much when things are easy between us. All four of us. If we were at odds with each other, it might inhibit certain things that we've all found enjoyable in the past."
Severus recognized the attempt to charm him and raised one eyebrow, wondering where this was leading. "I suppose it would," he said. "But it seems we have reached an understanding."
"I'm very glad. I'm sure Serenus would miss things like your birthday trip, and the other, um... unique family bonding activities we've had in the past." Tybalt chuckled. "In fact, I know he would, as he gave me permission to make amends with you by, shall we say, any means necessary? Not something he would do lightly, nor at all if he didn't adore you so."
The thought that Serenus had sent Tybalt off to him with permission to make amends in any way both amused and warmed Severus, and it was nice to know Serenus trusted him that much, even when all four of them weren't together. "No, I don't imagine he would. I suppose that goes to show how important it is to him that we all get along," he said, tilting his head slightly as he regarded Tybalt. "Do you feel we have made sufficient amends?"
"As the offended party, I think that's for you to say," Tybalt replied, although he took another step closer to Severus and raised a brow. "Have I made it up to you, Severus? Is there anything you want to reassure you as to my utter sincerity in wanting to be back in your good graces?"
"Come here and kiss me," Severus commanded, staying where he was and waiting for Tybalt to come to him. He wasn't feeling particularly inclined to indulge in any means necessary, but he thought a little physical contact would smooth over the remaining rough spots.
Tybalt's smile became wicked, and he closed the remaining distance between them, sliding his hands slowly around Severus' waist. "Remus is right: you're very sexy when you're forceful," he drawled. He was definitely feeling more certain of himself now that he knew Severus wasn't annoyed with him any longer. Bending his head, he pressed his lips lightly against Severus', daring a tiny nip at Severus' lower lip before soothing it with his tongue.
Severus clamped his hand on the back of Tybalt's head and took control of the kiss, claiming Tybalt's mouth forcefully; he supposed it was an odd form of asserting his dominance as alpha of his "pack", but it felt natural to assert himself like this, taking over and deepening the kiss with casual possessiveness.
It felt completely natural for Tybalt to give in to Severus' authority; size had nothing to do with it, nor did age. Severus simply took control, and Tybalt relinquished it, parting his lips and tightening his arms as he moaned softly into Severus' mouth. His eyes slid closed, and he allowed Severus to take and explore as he wished.
Severus felt Tybalt's surrender, which pleased him, and he tangled his fingers in Tybalt's hair, turning the kiss from a proclamation of dominance to something more sensual, and he wound his free arm around Tybalt's waist, pulling him closer. He claimed and explored Tybalt's mouth thoroughly, savoring the experience as well as the submission.
There was something delightfully wicked about Severus kissing him, a hint of naughtiness because even though he was well over thirty now, once Tybalt had been a young boy who had been fascinated by his Potions Master. He was quite a bit more experienced now, of course, and he kissed Severus back with skill, more than willing to give as well as receive. There was healing and absolution in the kiss as well, the contact a reassurance to him that the rough patch between them had been smoothed over, their family healed and its contentment returned.
Satisfied, Severus broke away from the kiss slowly and released Tybalt. He was surprised and amused by the realization that he'd wanted to settle the matter by asserting his dominance as if some primal part of him had taken Tybalt's words that day in the garden as a challenge, and he wondered if this was some sort of odd side-effect of being bonded to a werewolf. Perhaps he would ask Remus about it later.
"Shall we find the others and assure them all is well and show them you have survived the encounter without bloodshed or scarring?" he drawled.
"I think that sounds like a good idea, though I think Serenus was certain you wouldn't kill me." Tybalt paused for a moment, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, although his blue eyes sparkled with mischief. "Well, fairly certain, at least. Still, it doesn't hurt to reassure him that I still have all of his favorite bits intact - and besides, perhaps we can schedule some more family bonding time while we're at it."
"I imagine we will find them in the nursery," Severus replied. Beckoning once again for Tybalt to follow him, he strode to the parlor door and flung it open, leading the way upstairs to join Remus and Serenus and assure them all was well once more. And all important bits were still attached.