Faye (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
said_scarlett) wrote2004-07-14 08:42 pm
said_scarlett) wrote2004-07-14 08:42 pm
Severus/Remus fic
Title: Not Always Roses
Author: Lady Feylene
Pairing: Severus/Remus
Rating: R
Summary: Written for the![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
lupin_snape romance challenge. It's Severus and Remus' one year anniversary, and Severus attempts to make it special. It certainly turns out unforgettable!
Severus Snape was not a romantic man. He had no time nor the patience for it, and found it all to be nonsense and frippery. He’d never reacted well to ‘romance’ and he made no overly romantic gestures. He never liked added frills in any aspect of his life. He had never seen the point to them, and saw no point to them now. Everything was organized and practical, and that was the way he liked it.
Of course, disorganization had been creeping in over the past year in the form of one Remus Lupin. Remus Lupin’s tea paraphernalia was now mixed in with Severus’ potions instruments, Remus Lupin’s brown and homely robes hung beside Severus’ black ones, and Remus Lupin himself sprawled in the bed next to Severus at night, in the mornings, and on the weekends sometimes well into the middle of the day.
Remus Lupin was everything Severus was not. He was loud, he was boisterous, he was cheerful and he was horribly romantic. But they got on well enough and had their strange little relationship that no one other then them understood. They were happy together, more or less. But Severus reasoned that if they got on perfectly with no squabbling whatsoever then obviously there was something wrong. Couples that were established and comfortable in their relationship argued, made up and moved on. They weren’t afraid of a bit of rough water. And there had certainly been rough water over the past year. Their differences were both the secret to their success and the bane of their existence.
And their one year anniversary was looming.
Severus was determined to make an effort. Remus had given up attempting the little surprises he was so fond of in the beginning. Candlelight dinners, rose petals in bed, things of that nature. Severus had no idea why the other man felt the need to clutter up their relationship with Victorian ideals. It wasn’t as though he needed tangible proof of their commitment or affection. He got that every time he looked at Remus, he didn’t need roses or other such sentiments.
But Remus was romantic. Remus liked flowers and chocolates and silly things like that. So Severus had decided that he would go out of his way to make the evening ‘romantic’.
He’d made reservations at very expensive restaurant, gotten tickets to an opera that was in town, and given the House Elves very specific instructions as to how the rooms were to be set up upon returning. Candles played quite a large part in things, as did a bath. Now there was The Purchasing of Gifts.
Severus had never been very good at picking out gifts. When Remus’ birthday had rolled around, there had been a book and a set of exotic teas, which had gone over remarkably well. But those had been practical gifts, and not…well, not romantic.
Unfortunately Severus hadn’t the faintest idea what romantic gifts were. Oh, he knew what one got for a woman. Jewelry, generally, or something like that. But what did you get for werewolves?
Pity there wasn’t some book that could help him. And he certainly wasn’t about to ask for help! No. He’d simply have to figure it out s he went along. How difficult could it be, really?
***
Three hours later, Severus was beginning to think that maybe tea and chocolate would be the best route after all. Remus was difficult to shop for. He was too damn odd, when it came right down to it!
Everything was either too cute, too formal, too clichéd or too impractical. Nothing seemed to fit. Severus had never enjoyed shopping, anyway. He gave it up as a bad job and ended up heading home with Remus’ favorite tea and a box of dark chocolate.
He’d left a note for the other man, informing him that they would be going out for the evening and that formal dress would be required. He hoped to Merlin that Remus was ready, he had no desire to stand about and wait. Besides, they were on a schedule.
“Remus?” He didn’t wait for a response, but swung open the door to their chambers, pleased to see a properly and well-dressed werewolf pulling on his shoes.
“Severus.” The werewolf glanced up, a small smile on his lips. His quizzical gaze fell on the red and pink wrapped box that Severus wasn’t even bothering to hide.
“Here. This is for you.” He thrust the box awkwardly towards his partner, not certain what sort of ceremony usually surrounded this sort of thing. “Happy Anniversary.”
“Thank you!” There was a hint of clear and obvious delight in Remus’ voice as he took the box, opening it with a reckless abandon that made Severus cringe. Gift wrapping was expensive, and watching it get torn to shreds….
“Yes. Well.” Severus cleared his throat, watching the other man as he lifted out first the box of chocolate, and then the tea.
“Severus….” The werewolf looked up with a look of pure joy. “Thank you!”
“You’re welcome.” He was honestly surprised that Remus was so…enthused. It was simply tea and chocolate, it was hardly a 24 carat diamond. “Now, we have reservations at The Red Dragon that we’re going to miss if we waste anymore time.”
“The Red Dragon? That’s a nice place.” Severus didn’t miss the small note of satisfaction in Remus’ voice.
“I know.”
***
Severus had to admit he was rather pleased with himself. Remus was certainly impressed with his choice in restaurant, not to mention the gift. Perhaps he wasn’t bad at this romance thing after all. Yes, it looked as though this evening were turning out better than he’d imagined. Remus looked more than pleased to be seen on his arm - something that still startled Severus, even after a year. Remus was a fine looking and had a pleasant disposition. What he was doing with Severus Snape sour faced and foul tempered Potions Master was really anyone’s guess. Even Severus’.
They arrived at the restaurant in good time, Severus secretly enjoying the looks they got. He didn’t consider himself an attractive man, but he wasn’t blind. He and Remus made a rather striking couple, Remus so fair and hale and he so dark and lean. They did tend to draw the eye, and though he would never admit it, Severus enjoyed being the focus of attention.
“Reservations under Snape,” Severus said, approaching the rather haughty looking man outside of the small, upscale wizarding restaurant.
“One moment please.”
Severus didn’t enjoy being kept waiting. It gave him time to dwell. He should have bought flowers. Roses were traditional, and Remus did enjoy that sort of thing. Damn it, why didn’t he get roses? This thought was already upsetting him when the host caught his attention.
“I’m afraid I don’t have any reservations under that name,” he said, his voice not in the least apologetic.
“I made them this morning,” Severus said, his dark mood darkening further.
“I’m quite sorry sir, but we have no record of any reservations. And I’m sure I needn’t tell you we have no openings….” The host’s voice had an oily quality that Severus did not like.
“I was under the impression that this was an elite establishment!” Severus snapped. “What sort of restaurant cannot even keep track of simple reservations! Reservations made hardly ten hours pervious!”
“Sir, do keep your voice down….”
“I will not!” When Severus was upset, he tended to let everyone know. But Remus was tugging on his arm to get his attention. “What?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Remus said. “And you’re making a scene. We’ll find somewhere else to eat, it’s fine.”
“It is not fine!” But it was difficult to keep up a tirade when Remus was giving him that look. The one that put Severus in mind of spaniels, only much more appealing. “It is not fine,” he repeated, in somewhat calmer tones. “But as you believe it is not worth it, I shall let it go. This time,” he added sternly in the direction of the host.
He swore he heard Remus laughing under his breath as the werewolf led him away.
***
They ended up at a fast food joint on Diagon Alley. Severus thought they looked ridiculously out of place in dress shirts and trousers, sitting in a booth munching on burgers and chips. Remus looked happy as a clam, of course. Severus was still grumbling about shoddy hosts and pay offs and all manner of things.
“Severus, let it go,” Remus urged. “It’s the thought that counts.” Thought? As far as Severus was concerned, thought counted for little. Actions however, said everything. And he was sitting in a fast food establishment on his one year anniversary. But he said nothing further.
“Do we have anything else planned, or should we simply go home?”
“We have tickets to the opera,” Severus finally informed him. “And nearly an extra hour to get there. It only takes a moment to Apparate.”
“We can walk,” Remus suggested, standing and offering Severus his hand. How the man kept his fine mood at all times, Severus would never understand. But he took Remus’ hand, and didn’t even make a comment when the werewolf informed him: “Walking’s more romantic.”
***
The walk was rather nice. They walked hand in hand, not speaking but just enjoying each other’s company. Severus had always feared that Remus would be the sort to want to fill every minute with useless chatter. He’d been pleased to find that wasn’t true. Oftentimes they would simply sit together reading their books and not talking for hours. What was the point in talking unless they had something to say?
Severus was half afraid he’d be informed their tickets were fake, or wrong, or something of that sort. But they were shown to their seats -balcony, and quite a pretty penny- and everything seemed to be going smoothly. He even went so far as to put an arm around Remus’ shoulders, waiting for the opera to start.
Half an hour later, he was wondering why the hell he had thought this was a good idea. Remus looked as though he were about to fall asleep, and the performance wasn’t even keeping his attention. And he enjoyed this sort of thing. What was this, amateurs night? And he wondered what bright composer thought that an opera about a Knight Bus conductor was a good idea. In Spanish, no less.
Two hours later, Remus was asleep and Severus had to use the toilet. Badly. And as far as he could tell, they were still somewhere in the middle of the plot. It looked like the valiant conductor had just found his true love. Or possibly his long lost sister. Or that bint who had lent him a few sickles an hour back, Severus really wasn’t sure.
Three hours later, Remus was drooling on his shoulder and he was going to explode if he didn’t get to the toilet. But the dramatic conclusion seemed to be underway, as the protagonist (or what Severus assumed was the protagonist) was dead, and everyone was going on about it.
As soon as the curtain went down, Severus jabbed Remus sharply to wake him and pushed his way through the crowd -who was giving ‘La Noche Larga del Conductor’ a standing ovation- and practically knocked down the door of the nearest men’s toilet without even bothering to check if Remus was following him.
Conversation on the walk home was stilted, at best.
“Well….that was…interesting,” Remus offered.
“That was three and a half hours we’re never getting back. Not to mention….” he almost added ‘two hundred and fifty galleons’ but decided not to.
“It could have been worse.”
“I doubt it.”
“That fat broad in the flowered hat could have been starkers.”
Severus reflected on this a moment, and agreed to the sound of Remus’ partially stifled laughter. Only Remus could laugh about that fiasco.
Severus just hoped nothing else went wrong this evening.
***
The door to their quarters was closed, as usual. Severus paused, wondering if he should go in first. If the House Elves had bungled this…
“Is everything alright?” Remus was watching him intently. Severus shook his head and decided not to bother. What was the worst that could happen?
The moment he thought that, he wished he could take it back. Remus was already heading into their rooms, dropping his coat on a chair. The living room was dark, and there was a soft glow of light coming from the bedroom. That, at least, was a good sign.
“Severus?”
“Yes?” The Potions Master just raised an eyebrow to Remus’ curious look.
“Our bedroom seems to have open flames in it,” the werewolf said, but there was obvious delight and excitement in his voice.
“Does it? I suppose we should investigate, then.” He took Remus’ hand, wanting to see the other man’s reaction. If everything was done properly….
“Severus….” Remus’ voice came out in a whispered hush. Severus sent a silent prayer to the gods of House Elves. The bedroom was exactly as he’d specified it. Candles of various shapes and sizes covered nearly every available surface. They cast a warm, golden glow over the room. The bed itself was scattered with rose petals, as was the floor. The soft scent of lavender hung lightly in the room, and the ceiling had been done away with, showing an illusion of a starry night instead.
“Happy anniversary….” he began, but his words were swallowed by the warm lips of a suddenly amorous werewolf. He found himself backed against the doorframe, Remus’ tongue invading his mouth, Remus’ hands tugging at his expensive clothing. Well. Obviously this had gone over well.
“I…take it…you like it?” Severus managed to gasp out when Remus’ lips moved to his neck to suck and nibble.
“Mm hmm,” Remus mumbled, fingers popping buttons with a near wild abandon. He seemed to want as much bare skin as quickly as possible.
“Should we….move to the bed?” It was rather difficult for Severus to articulate anything when his lover’s fingers were teasing his nipples through his thin vest.
“Mm hmm,” the werewolf mumbled again, pulling the shirt down Severus’ shoulders and attempting to wrestle it off of him. After the shirt went the vest, and Severus felt that Remus was wearing far too much clothing. It only took a few moments to strip the werewolf out of his shirt and trousers. It was still proving difficult to get him to the bed, however. He seemed to want to simply pound Severus against the wall. The Potions Master wasn’t quite in the mood for that, however.
“Remus Lupin, we are going to bed or I’m going to march right out of this room!” Severus finally threatened.
“Ordering me about, now?” Remus asked with a small grin. Severus picked him up and physically deposited him on the bed, rose petals flying this way and that as he landed. They caught in Remus’ hair, and a few lay scattered across his chest. One came to rest in the hollow of his hip, and Severus found his eyes drawn to it. He slipped onto the bed, placing a kiss to the side of that one rose petal. He traced a path around it, it’s faint scent mingling with Remus’. He finally sent a small puff of breath at it, lifting it and sending it floating away. He pressed a kiss to where it had rested, causing Remus to squirm and moan.
Severus mimicked the pattern of kissing around and then puffing away the rose petals as he moved up Remus’ body. He cleared a path along his chest, to the valley at the base of is throat where three of the soft red petals rested. He brushed them aside with his fingers and fixed his lips on the now bare spot.
Remus was beautiful by candlelight. The soft glow brought out the contrast in his tawny and silver hair, and cast shadows on his scars. Severus stripped off his trousers and pants, and climbed eagerly atop his lover, brushing their lips together in a soft kiss.
“Love you,” Remus whispered. Severus said nothing -he never did and he didn‘t feel he had to- but nipped lightly at the werewolf’s neck.
“Happy anniversary,” he said again, and was allowed to finish the sentiment this time.
“Happy anniversary,” Remus responded, wrapping his arms about Severus and drawing him down close to him. Severus nudged his legs apart, reaching for the small jar that rested on the nightstand. One year. One year of sharing his life with the sometimes maddening enigma that was Remus Lupin.
And with luck, this year was just the beginning of the rest of their lives.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author: Lady Feylene
Pairing: Severus/Remus
Rating: R
Summary: Written for the
lupin_snape romance challenge. It's Severus and Remus' one year anniversary, and Severus attempts to make it special. It certainly turns out unforgettable! Severus Snape was not a romantic man. He had no time nor the patience for it, and found it all to be nonsense and frippery. He’d never reacted well to ‘romance’ and he made no overly romantic gestures. He never liked added frills in any aspect of his life. He had never seen the point to them, and saw no point to them now. Everything was organized and practical, and that was the way he liked it.
Of course, disorganization had been creeping in over the past year in the form of one Remus Lupin. Remus Lupin’s tea paraphernalia was now mixed in with Severus’ potions instruments, Remus Lupin’s brown and homely robes hung beside Severus’ black ones, and Remus Lupin himself sprawled in the bed next to Severus at night, in the mornings, and on the weekends sometimes well into the middle of the day.
Remus Lupin was everything Severus was not. He was loud, he was boisterous, he was cheerful and he was horribly romantic. But they got on well enough and had their strange little relationship that no one other then them understood. They were happy together, more or less. But Severus reasoned that if they got on perfectly with no squabbling whatsoever then obviously there was something wrong. Couples that were established and comfortable in their relationship argued, made up and moved on. They weren’t afraid of a bit of rough water. And there had certainly been rough water over the past year. Their differences were both the secret to their success and the bane of their existence.
And their one year anniversary was looming.
Severus was determined to make an effort. Remus had given up attempting the little surprises he was so fond of in the beginning. Candlelight dinners, rose petals in bed, things of that nature. Severus had no idea why the other man felt the need to clutter up their relationship with Victorian ideals. It wasn’t as though he needed tangible proof of their commitment or affection. He got that every time he looked at Remus, he didn’t need roses or other such sentiments.
But Remus was romantic. Remus liked flowers and chocolates and silly things like that. So Severus had decided that he would go out of his way to make the evening ‘romantic’.
He’d made reservations at very expensive restaurant, gotten tickets to an opera that was in town, and given the House Elves very specific instructions as to how the rooms were to be set up upon returning. Candles played quite a large part in things, as did a bath. Now there was The Purchasing of Gifts.
Severus had never been very good at picking out gifts. When Remus’ birthday had rolled around, there had been a book and a set of exotic teas, which had gone over remarkably well. But those had been practical gifts, and not…well, not romantic.
Unfortunately Severus hadn’t the faintest idea what romantic gifts were. Oh, he knew what one got for a woman. Jewelry, generally, or something like that. But what did you get for werewolves?
Pity there wasn’t some book that could help him. And he certainly wasn’t about to ask for help! No. He’d simply have to figure it out s he went along. How difficult could it be, really?
***
Three hours later, Severus was beginning to think that maybe tea and chocolate would be the best route after all. Remus was difficult to shop for. He was too damn odd, when it came right down to it!
Everything was either too cute, too formal, too clichéd or too impractical. Nothing seemed to fit. Severus had never enjoyed shopping, anyway. He gave it up as a bad job and ended up heading home with Remus’ favorite tea and a box of dark chocolate.
He’d left a note for the other man, informing him that they would be going out for the evening and that formal dress would be required. He hoped to Merlin that Remus was ready, he had no desire to stand about and wait. Besides, they were on a schedule.
“Remus?” He didn’t wait for a response, but swung open the door to their chambers, pleased to see a properly and well-dressed werewolf pulling on his shoes.
“Severus.” The werewolf glanced up, a small smile on his lips. His quizzical gaze fell on the red and pink wrapped box that Severus wasn’t even bothering to hide.
“Here. This is for you.” He thrust the box awkwardly towards his partner, not certain what sort of ceremony usually surrounded this sort of thing. “Happy Anniversary.”
“Thank you!” There was a hint of clear and obvious delight in Remus’ voice as he took the box, opening it with a reckless abandon that made Severus cringe. Gift wrapping was expensive, and watching it get torn to shreds….
“Yes. Well.” Severus cleared his throat, watching the other man as he lifted out first the box of chocolate, and then the tea.
“Severus….” The werewolf looked up with a look of pure joy. “Thank you!”
“You’re welcome.” He was honestly surprised that Remus was so…enthused. It was simply tea and chocolate, it was hardly a 24 carat diamond. “Now, we have reservations at The Red Dragon that we’re going to miss if we waste anymore time.”
“The Red Dragon? That’s a nice place.” Severus didn’t miss the small note of satisfaction in Remus’ voice.
“I know.”
***
Severus had to admit he was rather pleased with himself. Remus was certainly impressed with his choice in restaurant, not to mention the gift. Perhaps he wasn’t bad at this romance thing after all. Yes, it looked as though this evening were turning out better than he’d imagined. Remus looked more than pleased to be seen on his arm - something that still startled Severus, even after a year. Remus was a fine looking and had a pleasant disposition. What he was doing with Severus Snape sour faced and foul tempered Potions Master was really anyone’s guess. Even Severus’.
They arrived at the restaurant in good time, Severus secretly enjoying the looks they got. He didn’t consider himself an attractive man, but he wasn’t blind. He and Remus made a rather striking couple, Remus so fair and hale and he so dark and lean. They did tend to draw the eye, and though he would never admit it, Severus enjoyed being the focus of attention.
“Reservations under Snape,” Severus said, approaching the rather haughty looking man outside of the small, upscale wizarding restaurant.
“One moment please.”
Severus didn’t enjoy being kept waiting. It gave him time to dwell. He should have bought flowers. Roses were traditional, and Remus did enjoy that sort of thing. Damn it, why didn’t he get roses? This thought was already upsetting him when the host caught his attention.
“I’m afraid I don’t have any reservations under that name,” he said, his voice not in the least apologetic.
“I made them this morning,” Severus said, his dark mood darkening further.
“I’m quite sorry sir, but we have no record of any reservations. And I’m sure I needn’t tell you we have no openings….” The host’s voice had an oily quality that Severus did not like.
“I was under the impression that this was an elite establishment!” Severus snapped. “What sort of restaurant cannot even keep track of simple reservations! Reservations made hardly ten hours pervious!”
“Sir, do keep your voice down….”
“I will not!” When Severus was upset, he tended to let everyone know. But Remus was tugging on his arm to get his attention. “What?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Remus said. “And you’re making a scene. We’ll find somewhere else to eat, it’s fine.”
“It is not fine!” But it was difficult to keep up a tirade when Remus was giving him that look. The one that put Severus in mind of spaniels, only much more appealing. “It is not fine,” he repeated, in somewhat calmer tones. “But as you believe it is not worth it, I shall let it go. This time,” he added sternly in the direction of the host.
He swore he heard Remus laughing under his breath as the werewolf led him away.
***
They ended up at a fast food joint on Diagon Alley. Severus thought they looked ridiculously out of place in dress shirts and trousers, sitting in a booth munching on burgers and chips. Remus looked happy as a clam, of course. Severus was still grumbling about shoddy hosts and pay offs and all manner of things.
“Severus, let it go,” Remus urged. “It’s the thought that counts.” Thought? As far as Severus was concerned, thought counted for little. Actions however, said everything. And he was sitting in a fast food establishment on his one year anniversary. But he said nothing further.
“Do we have anything else planned, or should we simply go home?”
“We have tickets to the opera,” Severus finally informed him. “And nearly an extra hour to get there. It only takes a moment to Apparate.”
“We can walk,” Remus suggested, standing and offering Severus his hand. How the man kept his fine mood at all times, Severus would never understand. But he took Remus’ hand, and didn’t even make a comment when the werewolf informed him: “Walking’s more romantic.”
***
The walk was rather nice. They walked hand in hand, not speaking but just enjoying each other’s company. Severus had always feared that Remus would be the sort to want to fill every minute with useless chatter. He’d been pleased to find that wasn’t true. Oftentimes they would simply sit together reading their books and not talking for hours. What was the point in talking unless they had something to say?
Severus was half afraid he’d be informed their tickets were fake, or wrong, or something of that sort. But they were shown to their seats -balcony, and quite a pretty penny- and everything seemed to be going smoothly. He even went so far as to put an arm around Remus’ shoulders, waiting for the opera to start.
Half an hour later, he was wondering why the hell he had thought this was a good idea. Remus looked as though he were about to fall asleep, and the performance wasn’t even keeping his attention. And he enjoyed this sort of thing. What was this, amateurs night? And he wondered what bright composer thought that an opera about a Knight Bus conductor was a good idea. In Spanish, no less.
Two hours later, Remus was asleep and Severus had to use the toilet. Badly. And as far as he could tell, they were still somewhere in the middle of the plot. It looked like the valiant conductor had just found his true love. Or possibly his long lost sister. Or that bint who had lent him a few sickles an hour back, Severus really wasn’t sure.
Three hours later, Remus was drooling on his shoulder and he was going to explode if he didn’t get to the toilet. But the dramatic conclusion seemed to be underway, as the protagonist (or what Severus assumed was the protagonist) was dead, and everyone was going on about it.
As soon as the curtain went down, Severus jabbed Remus sharply to wake him and pushed his way through the crowd -who was giving ‘La Noche Larga del Conductor’ a standing ovation- and practically knocked down the door of the nearest men’s toilet without even bothering to check if Remus was following him.
Conversation on the walk home was stilted, at best.
“Well….that was…interesting,” Remus offered.
“That was three and a half hours we’re never getting back. Not to mention….” he almost added ‘two hundred and fifty galleons’ but decided not to.
“It could have been worse.”
“I doubt it.”
“That fat broad in the flowered hat could have been starkers.”
Severus reflected on this a moment, and agreed to the sound of Remus’ partially stifled laughter. Only Remus could laugh about that fiasco.
Severus just hoped nothing else went wrong this evening.
***
The door to their quarters was closed, as usual. Severus paused, wondering if he should go in first. If the House Elves had bungled this…
“Is everything alright?” Remus was watching him intently. Severus shook his head and decided not to bother. What was the worst that could happen?
The moment he thought that, he wished he could take it back. Remus was already heading into their rooms, dropping his coat on a chair. The living room was dark, and there was a soft glow of light coming from the bedroom. That, at least, was a good sign.
“Severus?”
“Yes?” The Potions Master just raised an eyebrow to Remus’ curious look.
“Our bedroom seems to have open flames in it,” the werewolf said, but there was obvious delight and excitement in his voice.
“Does it? I suppose we should investigate, then.” He took Remus’ hand, wanting to see the other man’s reaction. If everything was done properly….
“Severus….” Remus’ voice came out in a whispered hush. Severus sent a silent prayer to the gods of House Elves. The bedroom was exactly as he’d specified it. Candles of various shapes and sizes covered nearly every available surface. They cast a warm, golden glow over the room. The bed itself was scattered with rose petals, as was the floor. The soft scent of lavender hung lightly in the room, and the ceiling had been done away with, showing an illusion of a starry night instead.
“Happy anniversary….” he began, but his words were swallowed by the warm lips of a suddenly amorous werewolf. He found himself backed against the doorframe, Remus’ tongue invading his mouth, Remus’ hands tugging at his expensive clothing. Well. Obviously this had gone over well.
“I…take it…you like it?” Severus managed to gasp out when Remus’ lips moved to his neck to suck and nibble.
“Mm hmm,” Remus mumbled, fingers popping buttons with a near wild abandon. He seemed to want as much bare skin as quickly as possible.
“Should we….move to the bed?” It was rather difficult for Severus to articulate anything when his lover’s fingers were teasing his nipples through his thin vest.
“Mm hmm,” the werewolf mumbled again, pulling the shirt down Severus’ shoulders and attempting to wrestle it off of him. After the shirt went the vest, and Severus felt that Remus was wearing far too much clothing. It only took a few moments to strip the werewolf out of his shirt and trousers. It was still proving difficult to get him to the bed, however. He seemed to want to simply pound Severus against the wall. The Potions Master wasn’t quite in the mood for that, however.
“Remus Lupin, we are going to bed or I’m going to march right out of this room!” Severus finally threatened.
“Ordering me about, now?” Remus asked with a small grin. Severus picked him up and physically deposited him on the bed, rose petals flying this way and that as he landed. They caught in Remus’ hair, and a few lay scattered across his chest. One came to rest in the hollow of his hip, and Severus found his eyes drawn to it. He slipped onto the bed, placing a kiss to the side of that one rose petal. He traced a path around it, it’s faint scent mingling with Remus’. He finally sent a small puff of breath at it, lifting it and sending it floating away. He pressed a kiss to where it had rested, causing Remus to squirm and moan.
Severus mimicked the pattern of kissing around and then puffing away the rose petals as he moved up Remus’ body. He cleared a path along his chest, to the valley at the base of is throat where three of the soft red petals rested. He brushed them aside with his fingers and fixed his lips on the now bare spot.
Remus was beautiful by candlelight. The soft glow brought out the contrast in his tawny and silver hair, and cast shadows on his scars. Severus stripped off his trousers and pants, and climbed eagerly atop his lover, brushing their lips together in a soft kiss.
“Love you,” Remus whispered. Severus said nothing -he never did and he didn‘t feel he had to- but nipped lightly at the werewolf’s neck.
“Happy anniversary,” he said again, and was allowed to finish the sentiment this time.
“Happy anniversary,” Remus responded, wrapping his arms about Severus and drawing him down close to him. Severus nudged his legs apart, reaching for the small jar that rested on the nightstand. One year. One year of sharing his life with the sometimes maddening enigma that was Remus Lupin.
And with luck, this year was just the beginning of the rest of their lives.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~