innerslytherin (innerslytherin) wrote in viciousmoon, @ 2007-02-16 13:13:00 |
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Current mood: | sore |
Entry tags: | albus dumbledore, poppy pomfrey, remus lupin, remus/severus, severus snape |
The aftermath of the battle
Continued from here
When Severus woke, he had no idea how long he'd been asleep, but he felt incredibly well-rested. He was also pleased to note that the pain potions hadn't let him down, and though he felt rather sluggish and his thoughts were addled, he noticed that he felt very good.
The first thing he did, after taking stock, was to open his eyes. He was pleased to notice that Remus was still there, just as he'd promised. Severus made a sleepy noise and shifted comfortably. Despite the coverlet over him, he felt as though he were wrapped in big fluffy blankets. Must be the potions, he thought contentedly.
Remus straightened in his chair and turned towards Severus. "Hi," he said softly, smiling. "How do you feel?"
"Very bloody good," Severus murmured, smiling at him. "Has it been long?"
Remus checked his watch. "About four hours," he said. "Dumbledore wants to see you before we go home. Poppy hasn't said yet when you can go, though."
Severus frowned, but nodded. "I hope soon. Or at least not too long; you've got work in the morning, haven't you?"
"Yeah, but I'm not leaving you here alone, so work can bugger itself if she won't let you leave," Remus said. "D'you want me to go find her?"
Still frowning, Severus nodded.
Remus leaned over and kissed him quickly, then went looking for Poppy.
She was in her office, reading. She looked up and smiled when he approached. "Is Severus awake?" she asked, closing her book. When he nodded, she stood up. "I'll have the house-elves send up a tray with food for both of you. Then I'll tell Dumbledore he's awake. I expect him to stay tonight, of course, but he might be able to go home tomorrow." She gave Remus a sharp look. "As long as you take good care of him and promise to keep him in bed and not let him wander around fighting Dark wizards."
Remus bit his lip. "He's going to argue with you on that," he warned her.
Poppy sniffed. "He can argue all he wants, but he won't get his way. Go back and sit with him, and I'll have some food for you soon."
Shaking his head slightly, Remus made his way back to Severus. "She's getting you food from the house-elves," he said.
"Mm, I could eat," Severus said approvingly. He stretched a hand out to Remus, wanting to touch him again. "When do I get to leave?"
Remus took his hand and kissed Severus' palm. "She didn't exactly say. I told her you would argue with her about it." He smiled at Severus. He wanted Severus to be released so Remus could take him home and snuggle with him in bed, but he also knew that it might be better for Severus to stay under Poppy's care for several more hours.
"Yes, probably I will," Severus agreed. "I feel good just now. She should let me go now."
Remus smiled and leaned over to kiss behind Severus' ear. "I love you," he whispered. "At least here you're safe from my acting inappropriately while you're hurt."
Footsteps approached, clicking on the floor in the quick, efficient stride that was Poppy's. "Behave yourself, boys," she called while she was still out of sight, and ducked behind the curtain bearing a large tray loaded with food. She placed it on the bedside table and gave Remus a wry look as he pulled away from Severus, then pressed her fingers to Severus' forehead. "How do you feel, Severus?"
"Mmmm fine," Severus replied, sounding goofy. "I'd like to go home."
"Well, keep wishing," she said, "and I might allow you to leave tomorrow. At least you haven't developed a fever. Eat up." She turned to go.
"Tomorrow?" Severus managed, not sounding as stern as he'd have liked. He shifted up in bed quickly. "Wait just a moment...not tomorrow, today!"
Poppy turned and looked sternly at him. "I'm afraid your insistence upon running about for several hours untreated excludes that option, Severus. Tomorrow."
"Why can't I go if I'm just going to be lying in bed anyway?" Severus demanded.
She glanced at Remus, then back at Severus. "I want to keep you under observation. I want to be sure the healing potions are working properly, and not just the pain potions. You were very badly injured, Severus. I'm afraid I insist."
Remus wasn't sure why she'd looked at him. He was just holding Severus' hand. It wasn't as if he were going to shag him senseless the moment she released him.
"But Remus..." Severus began, but wasn't certain where he'd been going with that. He floated along for a few moments, trying unsuccessfully to remember. "Remus," he repeated, because he was sure Remus remembered.
Remus just shrugged. "You should eat," he said. He wasn't going to say anything about work, because he knew Severus would get more upset, and it was becoming obvious that Poppy was right. Severus should stay here overnight.
"No," Severus insisted, turning over onto his side to face away from the food tray. He pouted and didn't feel the least bit immature.
"You said you were hungry," Remus said. "Look, just eat, because if she does let you come home tonight, it's better than anything I can feed you."
Severus dragged the pillow over his head and ignored them.
"Oh my God," Remus said in exasperation. "Go away, Poppy. He's being unreasonable."
She sniffed and walked away and out of the Hospital.
"She's going to get Dumbledore and then you'll have lost your chance to eat," Remus said. "I'm going to eat. Look, there's shepherd's pie, fabulous." He dished himself a plate with a little of everything and sat back, eating placidly.
Severus rolled back over and watched Remus. He picked a piece of roast carrot off the tray with his fingers. "I want to go back to your flat."
Remus glanced at him. "To our flat?" he asked, placing delicate stress on the 'our'. "You know how unreasonable Poppy is about her patients. I want you to come home, too."
Severus sat up and clumsily scooped food onto a plate. "You have work tomorrow," he added, and began to eat slowly.
"It doesn't matter," Remus said. "You're more important. I want to make sure you're really all right."
"Well then, you can't stay here," Severus mumbled in between bites. "You have to go back to your flat and get rest and go to work tomorrow."
"I'm not leaving you here alone," Remus said. He took a bite and watched Severus.
Severus stopped eating and looked at him. "You have to."
"I won't. For one thing, I promised. For another, I know you don't want me to. So shut it. I'm not leaving."
"But you have to go to work!" Severus scowled and shoved his plate of food onto the floor. It crashed and broke and food splattered everywhere. Severus thought it looked like a slightly chunkier version of the gunk he'd been regurgitating earlier.
Remus stared at him and set his own plate aside. "Severus," he said quietly, "I don't care about work. I care about you. Why are you so upset?" He caught at Severus' hands, trying to keep him from possibly throwing more food.
"Because you need that job," Severus said sullenly.
"Well, I've only had one day I couldn't go in because of the full moon. They won't care if I call off." He leaned in and gave Severus a kiss that tasted of treacle.
How do you know? Severus was going to demand, but then Remus kissed him and he couldn't. "Ohhh," he said instead, and kissed him back, leaning against him.
Remus pulled away after a minute, breathing fast. "I can't seem to get the memory of you covered in blood out of my head," he murmured, kissing his way up Severus' jaw. "I was so scared."
"I was pretty bloody worried when I was surrounded and Moody was running at me," Severus said, smiling and lifting his chin. "I was so glad when I saw you, but I really thought we were done for."
"I wanted to jump at him, to attack him for daring to threaten my mate," Remus whispered. "It was so hard to keep from being stupid." He sucked Severus' earlobe into his mouth.
Severus put his arms around Remus, eyes slitting. He hummed happily. "I felt better when I saw you. Even though I thought things were going to end badly, it was all right because you were there. I felt safe, and I could think about what I had to do, instead of worrying about what would happen."
"God," Remus uttered, but he couldn't say anything else because his throat felt all choked up suddenly. He pulled Severus against him, burying his face in Severus' hair. "I love you so much," he whispered finally.
"Love you, too," Severus murmured happily.
Unfortunately that was the moment when Remus heard the hospital door swing open. He pulled away and sniffled violently, then went to peer out the gap between the curtains. Fortunately it was just Dumbledore and Poppy.
The headmaster had paused, still talking with Poppy, so Remus turned and muttered, "Scourgify." The shattered plate cleared itself away along with the food and Remus handed his own plate to Severus. "Eat a bit more; Dumbledore's here."
Severus nodded and ate from Remus' plate silently. He gave Remus a smile when he heard footsteps get closer.
"Severus? Remus?" The headmaster had paused just outside the curtain, for which Remus found himself feeling oddly grateful.
"Come in," he said.
Dumbledore came to stand at the foot of Severus' bed, surveying them slowly. "How do you feel, Severus?" he asked gently.
Severus finished his mouthful before answering. "A little odd from the potions, but otherwise good. Great, in fact. I feel ready to leave," he added.
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "Poppy tells me you aren't ready for that," he said. "And I must confess I would feel better myself if you were safely at Hogwarts for the night." He glanced at Remus. "Alastor is planning to say the Death Eater died in custody and file some reports indicating that the man's family came to retrieve the body." He cleared his throat. "I must add that Alastor is very disgruntled with some members of his force, for using Unforgivables in the battle."
"I'm sorry about how I handled it, sir," Remus said hesitantly.
"What you did was quite risky, Remus, but without your assistance I wouldn't have recognised Severus until it was too late. I am very grateful to you for acting so quickly."
Severus glanced at Remus and then down at his plate, reminded at how close he'd come to being captured. He took a deep breath and spoke without looking up. "Thank you...sir...for...interceding."
"Not at all." Dumbledore's voice was quiet. Remus wondered if he should leave, but when he shifted, Dumbledore's gaze flickered to him and he lost his nerve.
The headmaster Summoned another chair, which he set at Severus' bedside opposite Remus. "I must ask your forgiveness, Severus."
Severus looked up sharply, biting back a remark of disbelief. He didn't know what to say to that. "Sir? Er--you--?"
"I must apologise first for requiring you to return to Tom with your wounds untended. Poppy was not kind in her assessment of my decision, but she was quite correct. I am sorry to have required such harsh duty from you, Severus." Dumbledore's gaze was steady on Severus', his words spoken quietly but sincerely.
Severus blinked, surprised. He didn't actually recall Dumbledore requiring that of him; he didn't talk to Dumbledore at all before leaving the battle. "Well I just...didn't really think about it. I mean, you didn't really require it of me, did you? I just told Pomfrey that so she'd let me go because I knew that if I waited too long it would be more difficult to come up with a convincing story as to my delayed absence. I didn't want him to know I'd almost been caught."
"Ah, but you were speaking truthfully to her, even if I hadn't told you what to do," Dumbledore said. His expression was sorrowful. "My boy, I wish I could give you true freedom from Tom, as I offered Regulus. I wish, for your sake, as well as for Remus', that I could grant you safety with no risks." He sighed. "You are my spy, my wolf in sheep's clothing, and I cannot sacrifice our possible victory for the happiness of two young men, but I wish I could."
Remus stared at him. What had happened to make Dumbledore look so old? Had someone else been hurt? Killed, even? He realised suddenly that he'd seen Peter injured and not even asked about him. Why was Dumbledore so sorry?
Severus stared, perplexed. He had no idea at first what Dumbledore was getting at, why he was suddenly apologizing like this. He was dumbfounded for several moments, then suddenly wondered if this was the preface to something else entirely. He shivered at a sudden pain in his chest. "You can't--you can't make me leave him," he abruptly burst out, and then his throat tightened painfully.
Remus clutched at Severus' hand, ready to argue if it was necessary.
Dumbledore sighed again. "You misunderstand me, Severus. I apologised first for how difficult I have made your life. Now I must apologise for misjudging the depth of your relationship with Remus. I confess I thought it better, safer, to protect you both from further grief. It is obvious to me now, however, that whatever I say regarding this relationship has no weight with either of you--as it should be--because you and Remus have chosen a bond that cannot be broken. I apologise; I was wrong to attempt to break it."
Remus swallowed. Was it possible that Dumbledore understood?
"Oh," Severus said, keeping still while his body abandoned panic mode. "Oh. Well I...thank you for understanding," Severus said with obvious relief.
Dumbledore patted Severus' shoulder. "Severus, thank you for the warning you gave me of this attack. It was all that allowed us to save the shopkeepers along Diurn Alley from the Death Eaters."
Remus felt a flash of pride in his lover as Dumbledore said that.
Severus nodded. "Did we lose anyone?"
"Thankfully, no," Dumbledore said, smiling at him. "Peter was injured, I'm afraid, as was Frank Longbottom, but both were treated at St Mungo's and released. You are by far our worst casualty."
"Peter's all right?" Remus repeated anxiously. "He looked awful."
"Quite all right, though his memory of the battle is somewhat fuzzy," Dumbledore assured him. "I have been given to understand, however, that Alice Longbottom is pregnant and not to be subjected to any more danger." His eyes were twinkling. "I believe Frank may even have intimidated Alastor with his protective shouting. And that is a not inconsiderable feat."
"Pregnant and fighting," Severus repeated in disbelief. "Glad I didn't hex her."
"Oh, God, no wonder Lily didn't show up," Remus said. "I'm an idiot."
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows but didn't comment.
Severus stared at Remus as if he might laugh. "You were wondering where Lily was?"
"Well, you know, I was running through the list of people we might expect to show up..." Remus said lamely. "Oh, shut it, you. Can I be blamed for not thinking quite straight when I was worried that I was throwing hexes at you out there?"
"I wasn't throwing hexes at anyone," Severus muttered. "Someone complained that I was bloody useless, but someone else saw me get cursed, so it was just determined that I needed to work on defence more." He made a face.
Dumbledore looked concerned. "My boy, there is no need for you to make yourself look incompetent. I am well aware that your erstwhile compatriots must have faith in you, if you are to be effective. I am certain Remus realises this as well."
Remus was stung by the reproachful look the headmaster was suddenly directing at him. "Of course I know that!" he protested.
"You told me not to harm anyone," Severus pointed out, irritated.
"If at all possible," Dumbledore corrected. "And I believe I added the caveat that you should refrain from hexing Aurors while you could be identified." His blue eyes were twinkling suddenly, which Remus found confusing. Dumbledore seemed to have taken them back into his good graces entirely, and Remus couldn't help but wonder when he was going to decide to scold them for their mistakes.
Severus remembered him saying that, and he also remembered Dumbledore being angry when Severus said he'd be certain to have a mask on next time. He felt that he didn't know how to win with this man, nor to predict how he would act next. "Well I got hit with a nasty curse early on; I had an excuse this time. Besides which, I can't seem to get through their heads that I am a potion brewer, and was not actually hired for my duelling skills."
Dumbledore chuckled. "A very good point, Severus. However, I hope you have finally realised that you are my man, and I will not abandon one of my men. Alastor isn't terribly pleased with me at the moment, but he chose to respect my wishes rather than forcing my hand--but I assure you, Severus, that had I been required to raise my wand against an old friend to save you, I would have." He lifted a hand to touch Severus' shoulder. "You are not merely useful to me, my boy." He stood. "I imagine Poppy will soon come in to scold me for keeping you so long. Good evening, Severus. Rest well."
Severus stared, once again shocked and bewildered. He was Dumbledore's man? He wasn't merely useful? When had this happened? Severus had been certain only hours ago that Dumbledore was going to relinquish his protection; that Dumbledore would be angry at Severus for putting him in a position to be at odds with an old friend. "Thank you," he replied, because he didn't know what else to say.
Dumbledore nodded slightly. "Thank you," Severus," he murmured, and left the room.
Remus stared at the drapery around the bed, hearing Dumbledore exchange a few words with Poppy and then leave. He turned to look at Severus, though he had no idea what to say about any of that.
When he heard Dumbledore leave, Severus turned to Remus, expression still rather gobsmacked. "What the buggery hell was that about?"
"I've no idea," Remus said, "but we appear to have pleased him. Well. You appear to have pleased him." He leaned down to kiss Severus.
Severus returned the kiss, pleased. "I don't know why, but I'm not complaining." He smiled at Remus again. "You saved my life," he said, sounding almost giddy, if Severus Snape ever sounded giddy. He blamed the potion, and kissed Remus again.
Remus laughed breathlessly. "Well, perhaps I did something to please him, too, then," he said, and kissed Severus.
"You definitely did something to please me," Severus assured him when the kiss ended. "Mmm, I wish we could go back to your flat and shag."
Remus looked at him in startlement. "I'm not going to shag you in this condition," he said. "I'd hurt you." His fingers stroked along Severus' neck as he spoke, relishing the warmth of his skin.
"Here's role reversal for you," Severus muttered, looking disappointed. "What about a hand job?"
Remus chuckled softly in Severus' ear and let his hand wander down along Severus' chest. "We could do that here," he murmured. "If you think you can be quiet."
"Nnn, I'll try. Might have to make me be quiet," Severus murmured, suddenly more aroused that Remus would do that with him here. Merlin, Pomfrey would kill them.
"Wonder how I could make you," Remus said, grinning mischievously at him and then leaning in to cover Severus' mouth with his own. As he kissed Severus, he slid his hand down to Severus' belly, then worked at undoing his trousers. Why on Earth hadn't Severus taken those off as well?
Severus slid his hand into Remus' hair, deepening the kiss. He just hoped they would have the good fortune to not have Pomfrey burst in on them and demand Severus go to sleep again.
"Mmm." Remus managed, finally, to get the trousers undone, but he'd put his hand in something manky and he felt he wasn't out of line when he directed a nonverbal Scourgify down there. He slid his hand into Severus' trousers, daring a nonverbal lubrication charm as well. He would have liked to take time, but he'd slowly realised Severus didn't like being teased, and he didn't want to add to his frustration tonight. He gripped Severus firmly and began to stroke.
Severus was very disturbed by the state of his trousers and Banished them, uncaring of any questions that might be asked. He groaned into Remus' mouth at the hand stroking his cock, and suddenly wanted to cling to Remus and hide his face and try not to break down entirely. His breathing hitched and grew ragged, and Severus clung to Remus tightly.
Remus worked his hand faster, but kissed Severus slowly and thoroughly, wanting to taste every bit of him. He was suddenly very aware again that he could have lost Severus, Severus could have been arrested or killed. He flicked his thumb across the head of Severus' cock.
Severus was careful to keep quiet, though he felt a bit bad, merely sitting there while Remus did this for him. He could feel that he didn't have the energy to do any more than that, and it would likely exhaust him into needing sleep first thing after. Merlin, but Remus' hand felt so good; Severus' pleasure built with every stroke.
Remus pulled away from Severus' mouth finally, but just to shower kisses across his jaw and throat. "Love you so much," he gasped, squeezing Severus gently as he stroked. "God, almost lost you, so scared. Severus." He nipped at the bite scar desperately, not even pretending he wasn't claiming Severus again.
Severus shut his eyes and clamped down on a noise when Remus bit the scar--he'd noticed that Remus' nips were twice as pleasurable when he teethed at it specifically, instead of some random part of his neck. "Merlin, yes," he whispered, arching his hips into Remus' touch. "Feels so good, nnn, bite me."
Gasping at the sudden desire that flared in him when Severus said that, Remus dragged back, letting his teeth scrape the skin. "C--I can't do that!" he whispered. "Poppy would kill me if I injured you." He licked and sucked at the mark to make up for it, though, twisting his hand with each stroke of Severus' cock.
"That's not injury," Severus protested, then bit back a groan--that was good too, though Remus needed to suck harder. No matter; the hand on his cock was doing wonders. He felt his balls tightening and let his head fall back, trying not to breathe too loud even though his breath was coming faster and faster.
"Not to us," Remus replied, and kissed Severus again to keep him silent--he was tensed and close, Remus could tell how close. Remus had been idly massaging his own cock as he stroked Severus', but now he forced himself to stop that and bring his other hand up to circle Severus' nipples, flicking across them and then pinching lightly, then stroking again. He gave another twist with his other hand.
Severus' hips jerked, again and again, and he could feel his climax as it approached. He kissed Remus with an uncontrollable hunger as he hovered right on the edge of orgasm for several long moments, then came hard, tightening his throat as much as he could to keep from crying out.
A hot burst of satisfaction filled Remus as Severus came, and he swallowed Severus' gasps and whimpers in their kiss. He pulled away finally, his breathing nearly as ragged as Severus', the corners of his eyes damp. "You're so gorgeous, so wonderful," he breathed, licking his hand clean. "So wonderful, and you're mine." He wanted nothing more than to hold Severus close all night, though he knew Poppy wouldn't let him get away with that, even if Severus allowed it.
Severus tightened his embrace and leaned against Remus, not only because he was feeling sated and drained. "I love you so much," he murmured desperately.
"I would have attacked Moody for you," Remus whispered. "I would've done anything to keep you safe." He squeezed his eyes shut and let Severus hold on to him. Merlin, why couldn't he get over this horrible fear?
"I know, I know." Severus pulled back and tugged Remus. "Lie down with me. Need you to." That and he didn't think he could sit up much longer.
"Poppy would kill me," Remus said, nevertheless moving to climb in bed with Severus.
"Don't care," Severus insisted. He pulled the coverlet up over them both and then shifted so they were pressed together, feeling a weight in his chest ease when Remus put an arm around him. He nuzzled Remus' collarbone and licked him without thinking twice about it, then shifted onto his other side.
Remus shivered and decided he didn't care that he was leaking tears just a little bit. He buried his face in Severus' hair and clung to him.
Severus finally let himself relax, listening to their breathing, to the way it evened out and fell in synch. It lured him into sleep.
Remus felt Severus finally fall asleep, but he didn't lift his head until he was sure he wouldn't fall apart anymore. He nuzzled the back of Severus' neck, then turned his gaze towards the door. He was still half aroused, and he was so desperately tired, but he wouldn't allow anything to keep him from guarding Severus as he slept.
Some time later, he heard footsteps approaching, but Severus was sleeping peacefully in his arms and he wasn't going to disturb him. He just lifted his head and glared at the curtains. When Poppy peered in, she seemed unsurprised to see them together, though she did appear surprised that Remus was awake. He just glared, forcing himself not to growl. Severus didn't need protecting from Poppy, for heaven's sake!
After a moment, Poppy nodded slightly and turned away. Remus let out an inaudible sigh of relief and relaxed against Severus again.
This time, Severus did dream. He had very strange dreams where the grass grew red and Dumbledore popped up out of the clouds to tell him cryptic espionage strategies, like how to employ sherbert lemons to save the world. And Severus just kept agreeing with the insanity and repeating "I'm your man," while Remus in his wolf form chased butterflies.
He woke up feeling rather disgruntled about the whole thing.
Thoughts of dreams flew from his head when he realized that he was staring into a pair of golden brown eyes rimmed in red, as if their owner had not slept properly. Severus blinked sleepily, reached out to brush Remus' cheek lightly, and ended up poking him precariously close to one red-rimmed eye. "Sorry," he murmured thickly, then settled his arm around Remus instead.
"Mmmm." Remus closed his burning eyes and nuzzled Severus happily. "You talked in your sleep."
"I had very vivid dreams. Did I say anything sexy?" Severus teased.
"Not unless you count telling me to get back here and leave the butterflies alone as sexy," Remus said, nuzzling Severus again.
Oh Merlin. "Well then obviously I wanted you to come back so we could shag, so it was." Severus decided to leave out that Remus had been a wolf at the time. He closed his eyes again, enjoying Remus' affection.
Remus sniggered. "Of course." He kissed Severus' throat. "How do you feel?"
"Much better. My chest feels...tight. But I don't feel so horrid. And there is only a little pain now. I'm concerned for you though--did you sleep at all?"
"Mmm," Remus said. "I'm glad you feel better." He kissed Severus' jaw. "I told you I would guard you," he murmured.
"Appreciated, but..." Severus frowned. It was appreciated; he knew that he wouldn't have woken feeling this content if Remus had been asleep. "I feel bad. You look very tired." He leaned forward and kissed Remus, then licked at his mouth a little, though he felt a bit odd for that afterward.
Remus growled softly at him, wrapping his arms around him again. "I wanted to," he said, biting Severus' jaw very gently. "Shall I get Poppy and breakfast?"
Severus hummed and watched Remus happily. "I feel selfish for being glad that you did, but...you made me feel safe. I suppose breakfast would be good. I want to leave."
"I want to leave, too," Remus said. "I want to take you home and tuck you into bed and sleep with you." He licked behind Severus' ear, then climbed out of bed, trying not to jostle Severus too much. "I'll be right back."
Poppy wasn't in her office yet, so Remus went down to the kitchens and made the house-elves dance with delight when he requested a tray of breakfast. By the time he got back to the hospital, Poppy was heading back to check on Severus.
Severus sat up when he heard approaching footsteps, hoping Remus was bringing food. He looked down at the wound on his chest, which he had avoided looking at last night. And for good reason; even after the antiseptic and healing potions, it was rather ugly.
Poppy glanced over her shoulder when she heard the door open. "Ah. I take it Severus is awake?" she asked, and Remus nodded. She turned. "Severus, are you decent?"
Severus blinked and pulled the covers higher up his waist. "Not ever, I don't think," he quipped. "But at the moment I don't have any clothes to put on. So if a blanket is decent enough."
Poppy chuckled. "Well, you must be feeling a bit better," she said, ducking behind the curtains. "And not high on pain potions, I see. How do you feel?" She crossed the room and frowned at the wound on his chest.
Amused by his lover's joke, Remus carried the tray in and set it down. He didn't let himself sit, because if he did he thought he might fall asleep. In fact he might fall asleep on his feet, if he wasn't careful.
"Fine," Severus assured her. "I feel fantastic. Good enough to leave. More than good enough to leave."
"Hmm." She prodded very gently at the discoloured skin. "Another healing potion, I think. And breakfast. After that, we'll see."
She looked at Remus. "How did he sleep?"
Remus blinked. "No nightmares," he said, and cleared his throat when his voice came out husky. "He didn't wake until just now."
"Hmm." She turned and walked to the potions cabinet. Remus gestured to the breakfast tray.
Severus helped himself to a plate, then turned his attention back to Remus. "Why don't you sleep some?"
"I don't think anything would wake me up if I did," Remus confessed. "And I'm not going to sleep until you're safe at home."
Poppy came back and handed Severus a potion. "This one should work well with your breakfast," she said. "Eat up, dear."
A small frown line appeared between Severus' brows, but he took the potion Pomfrey offered him and drank it obediently. It tasted oddly pleasant. He handed back the empty bottle and cut up his sausages.
Remus helped himself to a rasher of bacon. "Will you let me take him home?" he asked Poppy when he'd swallowed his first mouthful.
She watched Severus eat for a moment. "He isn't to leave his bed for any reason except the toilet for at least a day," she said severely. "And two days would be better."
Severus stared, wanting to protest, but he didn't dare lest she refuse to let him leave.
She fixed Severus with a stern eye. "And no persuading Remus that you feel much better, either, young man," she said. "Don't think I'm not aware of how easily persuaded he can be. Particularly, I imagine, when it comes to you."
Remus felt his cheeks heat. He hastily stuffed the rest of the bacon in his mouth.
Severus frowned, indignant on Remus' behalf, even though it was true that he knew just how to persuade Remus to give in to him. "I won't."
Poppy sniffed and turned. "I'll check you over when you're finished eating and make a decision then." She went back to her office and Remus concentrated on pouring himself a cup of tea.
Severus spluttered as she left, angry that she was drawing it out. That, in turn, became a coughing fit that he desperately tried to keep quiet lest she hear.
Remus turned quickly towards Severus, rubbing his back because he was afraid patting it would hurt too much. "Do I need to get Poppy?" he asked urgently. He held his cup of tea close enough that Severus could take it if he needed a drink.
Severus shook his head, and it died down a few moments later. "I am fine," he stressed.
Remus frowned and held the cup of tea out to Severus. It was a good thing he hadn't added sugar yet. "Are you sure? That didn't sound good."
Severus sighed and took the cup of tea, sipping from it. "I don't feel bad."
"But do you feel good?" Remus asked. He reached out and tucked some hair behind Severus' ear. "I worry about you."
That admission did make it difficult not to tell the truth. "Well, not...good, but not bad enough that I should need to stay here." Besides which, Remus needed to sleep.
Remus leaned down and kissed Severus' cheekbone, nuzzling him lightly. "Perhaps you'll heal faster in our bed," he murmured.
"I definitely think so," Severus said, pleased. "You know, I'm not certain why all this affection feels so good," he began, and then decided that had been an utterly stupid thing to say. "But it does, and I love you."
Remus blinked several times in confusion. "Er. Good? Good. I love you." He kissed Severus again. "Now finish eating so we can make Poppy let you go."
"Yes, right." Severus smiled weakly and turned to his food. He ate hungrily.
Poppy came back about fifteen minutes later. Remus had been pacing for the past several minutes, but forced himself to stop when she finally returned. Please let him go so I can sleep, Remus thought, but he poured himself another cup of tea to hide his expression.
"Well. I can't say I'm pleased with how slowly that wound is healing," Poppy said. She frowned and ran her wand over Severus' chest. "Do you hurt anywhere else?"
"No, just in my chest," Severus said, then paused. "Well, I have a bit of a headache, but besides that, nothing else hurts."
Poppy studied him for a long minute, then finally nodded. "Very well. Remus, take him home and straight to bed. I'll give you some potions that he must take faithfully for the next several days."
Remus nodded.
She bustled away and came back with a basket of vials. "What are you doing still in bed? Up! Up! If you don't feel well enough to stand, you aren't well enough to go home."
Severus gave her a wry look. "I told you, I don't have any clothes."
"Oh." To Remus' amusement, he got to watch Poppy Pomfrey blush for the first time in his memory. "Just a moment, dear," she said, and retreated hastily.
Remus glanced at Severus, fighting a grin with very little success.
When Poppy returned, she stopped outside the curtain and handed Remus a school robe. He took it, amused, and wondered if Severus would notice the Gryffindor crest sewn on the chest.
Severus set his plate aside, struggling with the robes a moment, then got them the right way round and pulled them over his head. He slid gingerly out of bed, noticing that his energy had not quite returned, but that standing wasn't the hardship it had been last night, and pulled the robes down his hips and legs and tugged them into place. He peered down at the front, frowning. "Where's my wand? I have a Gryffindor crest I need to kill."
"Oh shite. I haven't any idea where your wand is," Remus said. He wrapped his arms around Severus. "Anyway, you look good with a lion on your chest." He kissed Severus' ear and then stepped back.
Poppy came in once she was certain Severus was dressed. "I confiscated it, of course," she said calmly. "Bed, Severus. For two days." She gestured for them to Floo out.
Remus gripped Severus' hand, hoping to provide at least some assistance without irritating him.
Severus stared at Pomfrey, frowning. "I have to have my wand."
"Of course you do, dear. It's there on the mantel waiting for you."
Severus' expression relaxed. "All right, then." He started away from the bed, wondering when he'd lost his shoes as the chill of the stone floor soaked through his socks. But there they were, by the fireplace, and Severus reflected that he'd missed a lot as he slipped them on.
Remus smiled and decided he should Floo out ahead of Severus, in case Severus had a hard time with the landing. He moved ahead of him. Once he'd arrived at the flat, he stood near enough the fireplace to catch Severus in case he stumbled.
Severus did indeed stumble on his way out, however that wasn't too unusual. His coordination was a little worse than usual, but he just let himself fall into Remus' arms and rubbed his nose when it got squashed against Remus' chest.
Merlin, he was immediately thinking of cleaning his teeth and taking a shower. He felt much too manky to be allowed, even by his own standards. And he wanted to burn the Gryffindor robe. "Thanks," he mumbled, straightening.
"All right?" Remus asked, nuzzling Severus' temple.
"Nnn, yeah," Severus murmured, eyes slitting. Perhaps just some cleaning charms. Moving about too much didn't sound enjoyable at the moment. "I feel disgusting though."
"You're not," Remus said, kissing his cheek. "Let's get you to bed. I don't want Poppy to have my hide for mistreating you."
"All right," Severus murmured, moving so he was supporting his own weight. "You must be tired, too."
Remus blinked to clear his muzzy eyes and nodded. "I'm all right. Do you need tea or water?" He watched Severus.
"No." Severus shook his head. "C'mon, bed." He tugged Remus' shirt.
Smiling, Remus went with Severus into the bedroom. He didn't undress on the way like he often did, though, wanting to be able to steady Severus if he stumbled.
Severus managed steady enough steps back to the bed, and once there struggled to free himself from the Gryffindor school robes he was already resenting.
"Mmm, you don't need to do that alone," Remus said, going over to help take the robes off him. "I suppose you feel violated by the Gryffindor crest?" He kissed Severus' neck, then frowned down at the curse mark still on his chest.
"Yes," Severus muttered stubbornly. He felt a bit better when Remus got them off him. "Bugger, it's cold. I want to lie down with you."
"Get under the covers and I'll come to bed as soon as I've used the toilet," Remus promised. He went to do just that and stripped on his way back to the bed.
Severus was in bed when Remus got back, frowning because he was certain he was manky, but feeling as though he might be able to sleep again, too. He wondered what was in the basket of potions Poppy had sent along with Remus as he watched his lover, recalling how he'd acted towards Remus' protective urges.
"Is everything all right? Do you hurt?" Remus asked, taking in that frown. "Can I help?" He climbed in bed with Severus, stroking his hair away from his forehead.
"It's fine," Severus repeated, certain he'd begin to feel like a broken record before long. "I'm not hurting." He snuggled up against Remus and fully admitted to himself that that was exactly what he was doing. "I love you. Go to sleep."
Remus' only answer was a faint snore.
Severus blinked and pulled his head back, shifting up to look down at Remus' face. Asleep, just that quick. He smiled, then fit himself against his lover again and closed his eyes.