Redemption - Part 12 - Repose

[innerslytherin]

Repose

Prompt: 35 - Underwear
Pairing: Remus/Severus
Warnings: Slash
WC: 798
Series so far:
1. Reconciliation 2. Rehabilitation 3. Recovery 4. Reply 5. Rediscovery 6. Receiving
7. Repartee 8. Relapse 9. Requisite 10. Retreat 11. Refining 12. Repose 13. Reconsidering
14. Renaissance 15. Retribution 16. Return 17.Rematch 18. Redefining 19. Relishing
20. Recognition 21. Remembering 22. Refrain 23. Reformation 24. Recrimination 25. Reliance
26. Reverting 27. Repercussion 28. Reminder

Notes: This installment dedicated to sevedra, who sent me reviews when I was feeling yucky, and thanks always to thesnapelyone for beta.




Remus Lupin is, Severus reflects, the most annoying and addicting man he knows.

"If you wanted boxers, why the bloody hell didn't you say so?" he demands, his brows drawing together in a scowl.

Remus sighs and shrugs. "I didn't think to specify," he says. "It doesn't matter. These are fine."

Severus glares down at the plain white Y-fronts he'd purchased. He'd bought them for Lupin because he'd always bought them for himself. They were simple and serviceable, and how was he to know Lupin didn't like them? Suddenly he wonders if he ought to buy himself some different pants-and then he quells the thought as crass and frightening. "No, they aren't," he says, his voice sounding sullen even to him.

Remus' face relaxes into a small grin. "Severus, they're just pants. And I should have told you what I preferred, and I didn't, and I apologize. I'd rather you were here with me than exchanging these at the shop, which I expect would be a rather embarrassing experience, anyway."

Severus sighs and goes to sit in the chair across from his. "I suppose you have a point," he concedes, mostly because he would rather be here than nearly anywhere else, anyway.

Remus stretches a hand across the table, and Severus cannot push down a small smile as he covers it with his own, partly because he is still amazed to have such a thing offered to him, and partly because Remus' hand is nearly steady today.

"Hermione has been to see me," Remus is saying. His gaze is on their joined hands, where Severus is running a thumb slowly back and forth across Remus' skin. "She's talking about naming the baby John, if it's a boy."

Severus looks at him blankly, because really, he can't imagine why Remus thinks he cares.

"I cannot disabuse her of the notion that I was the one who rescued Ron from the Death Eaters," Remus says. "She wants to name their firstborn after me."

Severus lifts his eyebrows. "John?" he says, his voice laced with irony.

"My middle name." Remus gives him a crooked smile. "As if I would inflict 'Remus' on anyone."

"It's a nice name," Severus says absently. And if he happens to think it sounds nice next to his, that isn't something he'll ever tell anyone.

Remus' smile widens. "Thank you," he says, his fingers tightening briefly on Severus'. "Ron is doing well. He's been in hospital again for some work. They've fitted him with his false leg. It sounds as if he'll be going back home again soon."

"Why are you telling me this?" Severus asks finally.

Remus looks at him in momentary startlement, then laughs. "I suppose it's because I have my own suspicions about who delivered Ron Weasley back to the Order."

Severus sighs and looks at the table. "Must we talk about that?" he asks quietly.

If Remus is surprised by his reaction, he doesn't show it. "No, not if you don't want to, Severus. But anything you say to me goes no further. I hope you know that."

Severus shifts uncomfortably and tightens his hold on Remus' hand. "It-isn't that I don't trust you," he says finally, haltingly. "I just...I find it difficult..."

"It's all right," Remus begins, and Severus shoots him a Look that silences him.

"I find it difficult to...accept the credit for those things." Severus takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose with his free hand. After a moment he feels Remus' fingers tighten around his. "If I think about the...the good things I did...I am forced to think of all the times I failed. I saved young Weasley, but I failed Emmaline Vance. " He is silent for a long time. "I failed so many people."

"You did what you could," Remus said. "I know it's cold comfort.."

Severus sighs. After a moment he is surprised to hear Remus moving, and then feel a tug at his hand. He opens his eyes and looks at Remus in confusion.

"Come sit with me on the bed," he says quietly. "There's room for both of us. I...would like to put my arms around you."

After a moment Severus nods and stands up. Remus is walking much better these days, and though he still has trouble with fine motor control, Severus knows the day is coming when Remus, too, will be released from St Mungo's. He hopes Remus will agree to come to Spinner's End, when that day comes. He doesn't know how to ask, but he has determined that he will.

For the moment, he watches in contentment as Remus settles himself on the bed, on top of the covers, and holds out his arms. Without hesitation, Severus puts himself in them.

Comments

[sevedra.livejournal.com]

"If I think about the...the good things I did...I am forced to think of all the times I failed."

That line is so painful. It seems to totally embody the Severus Snape in this story, though. Severus cannot seem to reconcile himself with his own actions. Any of them, the good or the bad. He seems very haunted.

I love it. And since I read all 11 previous parts last night, I am SUPER thrilled that part 12 was up today. All story, no waiting! I am willing to wait without complaint for the next part. Did you say there might be a total of 100 parts? Wow. That is so ambitious, to my mind.

[sevedra.livejournal.com]

OH! And, you used my prompt! I am so thankful for that! You must have written this in record time. I am so warm and cozy inside right now. Thanks so much.

[innerslytherin]

*g* What can I say, I was inspired. ^_^

[thevulpes.livejournal.com]

*wistful sigh* brilliant, just absolutely brilliant.

[innerslytherin]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!

[jagienka]

Wow. So I just read through all twelve parts this morning as the series came highly reccommended to me.

I love the way you manage to capture Severus' and Remus' characters so well. The little nuances of Severus' reluctance.

Just... so much about the series that I love, I'm having a hard time articulating it all. Perhaps later. :)

[innerslytherin]

Wow, thanks! *blush* I love these two characters so much. I'm glad you think I get them. ^_^

[schemingreader.livejournal.com]

The new intimacy: Severus is buying Remus' underwear! other people seeing his underwear is a big deal for Severus, I like the way you exploited that in this story. The hug at the end is completely wonderful.

I know a lot of people don't like WIPs. I am not one. I love WIPs, especially stuff like this. It is so exciting and great to see a story unfold so gradually and beautifully.

[innerslytherin]

*G* I figure that after Fifth Year, Severus was much more attentive regarding his underwear. But I also imagine that he bought the first thing he picked up, and didn't bother exploring.

Also, in my mind, Remus and Severus are two men who don't touch other people much. So I always try to pay attention to how they do touch, at least at first. ^_^

[drusillas-rain.livejournal.com]

lovely update

[busaikko]

Yes! Moving in together! Yes! Eventually, I know, but you've still gone and made my thoughts go all fizzy with happiness.

Lovely chapter!

[innerslytherin]

LOL - Oh, you're getting a bit ahead of me there. But I'm glad you like the idea. Of course, Remus was preparing the way for himself by sending Severus his kitty. *snickers* I honestly can't figure out which of them is playing the other in this series.

(Okay, my real theory: Hermione Granger-Weasley's behind the whole thing.)

[busaikko]

My mind is in the gutter... but wouldn't "sending Severus his kitty" make a lovely euphemism for something naughty?

ignore me!

[stoicstella.livejournal.com]

I ♥ this series and a big cheer is in order for inspiration bringing the next part so quickly... how long do you think you can keep up the R's? I am impressed so far with how many you have, but that is just one of those little things that makes me smile.

I love the way you unfold background details so delicately, this is such a great series, keep it up!

[innerslytherin]

There are a lot of R words. *g* I have one for the next installment, and several other suggestions to work with, so...I think I'll make it. ^_^

[jedirita.livejournal.com]

Oh --- so lovely!

[innerslytherin]

Thanks! ^_^

[hecticity.livejournal.com]

ooooh. so beautiful, so wonderfully written. I lurv it!

And yes, I have just read the whole thing all the way through because I missed it up until now :) It takes a good story to make me read all twelve chapters, and an even better one to be upset when it's over and I have nothing left of it to read. Yours is both.

Is there going to be more to this story? That would make me ever so happy, and I'd love you forever!

[innerslytherin]

*g* Thanks! Yes, the next installment is with the betas as we speak. I'm not entirely regular in posting the segments, but I manage at least a couple segments a week, I think. No worries, there's much more to come.

[osmalic.livejournal.com]

Aww for the underwear. :D
I love that there's still awkwardness between them but it quickly dissipated with every words they're speaking and with every action they show in accepting each other's weaknesses. I do so hope Severus would ask him, but now I'm worried about Remus' response...

[lorelei-lee1968.livejournal.com]

*sigh* so so sweet - just the right thing to start a friday!

[envinyatar15.livejournal.com]

Ooooh this is... sweet and awkward and full of hope and all together! Great. I love it. Your way of characterizing Severus is sometimes not the way I see him - but I can live with that, and it certainly works. And your Remus is just great.

What I find makes this fic so special is your writing style. You're describing a lot, feelings and what they do, but you never really get into these depths - only sometimes. And this works really good, at least with me, because it gives this thing such an... odd atmosphere, which makes the change and the interaction and the dynamics between those two all the more clear and important. The way the awkwardness and insecurity slowly goes away. Guh, I can't really explain. It just fits together.

*waits impatiently for update*

A probable typo: Should be Emmeline Vance.

[innerslytherin]

Ooh, thanks for the correction! And thanks for the review, too. I think the pacing of the story is really affecting my writing style. I know I have a lot more prompts to write about, so I've got plenty of time to develop the story. ^_^

Sorry it took me so long to reply!

[envinyatar15.livejournal.com]

'Tis is all right ;)

Hm... but you don't plan on fitting all the potterverse100 fics into this series, do you? That would be... quite the task, not that I'd mind, LOL.

[maddiec24.livejournal.com]

Sorry I'm so late with fb - - it's been the week from hell here.

I know I've said this before, but, this is absolutely my favorite series ever.

Severus buying Remus underwear - - aww. And he's going to ask Remus to come home with him. Yes! I say Remus is totally playing Severus. Everyone thinks he's very Gryffindor, but actually he's being very Slytherin! This is just so sweet and angsty at the same time. And the best Remus and Severus characterizations I've ever read.

Sorry, even after two days, my fb's still not very coherent!

[innerslytherin]

You know, saying that it's your favourite ever is no pressure for me at all! ^_~ I'm so glad you're enjoying it. And really, a man who could keep Dumbledore from knowing that his three friends were Animagi...he has to have some Slytherin in him. *grin*

*hugs* Thanks for the feedback!

[maddiec24.livejournal.com]

LOL! I think you can handle the pressure - - you haven't disappointed me yet, and I dooubt you will.

And yeah, you have to wonder if your Remus didn't have a Harry moment and almost get sorted into Slytherin.

[onezeronothing.livejournal.com]

That is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sweet.

[severity-softly.livejournal.com]

Remus Lupin is, Severus reflects, the most annoying and addicting man he knows.

That was the best first line ever!

I am just now catching up on reading this series, and I and loving every bit of it!

[dwlikeebeinlost.livejournal.com]

I think that if Ron found out that Severus saved him, he might faint, have a fit, and go mad.

in that order

xD

I loved this chapter.

[innerslytherin]

Yes, I think you're right about that. And I am in LOVE with your icon. It is SO cute.

[dwlikeebeinlost.livejournal.com]

xD

I thought it was cute as well... though it does make me feel kind of ho-ee because I also enjoy Remus/Sirus and Remus/Tonks.

danke
dw-- it's ALL 'bout Remus!!

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

I'm so happy to have finally caught up on these - they're absolutely beautiful, and so very true to the characters. This is exactly how I'll always hope things end for them.

[maraudersaffair.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is brilliant!

I wish you desscribed more of the cuddling though.

Ahaha -- pansy, I know.

:D

[innerslytherin]

*G* More cuddling ahead, I promise. ^_^