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

[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.