Clearly, subterfuge was necessary. Never mind that Harry was awful at it. Or that his stratagem probably would not work. Of course, his husband would probably see through it in seconds. Never mind.
Harry needed his fun.
And Severus knew that. Which was probably why he wouldn't say anything for a few days, allowing Harry his awkward attempts at deception.
Severus even gave in sometimes. Pretended Harry's little subterfuge worked. Harry knew it didn't, and Severus knew that Harry knew, but he did it anyway. It made Harry happy twice: that Severus gave in and that Severus cared enough to pretend Harry's methods worked.
This, however, wasn't a little thing. And Severus probably wouldn't give in just to make Harry happy. It was a bigger thing than that.
The issue was really very simple.
Harry, after five years of marriage, wanted children. He was still young, at barely twenty-five. His husband, however, at forty-five, was not necessarily thrilled about the prospect.
"So," Harry began, "I was visiting Ron and Hermione and their three kids today. They sent some pictures. Do you want to see?"
Severus took his reading glasses off, folded them carefully, and put them exactly where he always left them. "If I must," he sighed.
Harry handed him a few photographs. "Aren't they cute?"
Severus realized he had taken off his glasses prematurely and put them back on. Harry smiled. Severus looked very distinguished in reading glasses.
"Adorable," Severus answered sarcastically. "I simply adore looking at pictures of other people's children."
"You could look at pictures of your own child, if you had one."
Severus recognized the statement as the pathetic attempt for subtlety it was. He ignored it, allowing Harry to have some fun. He adored his husband, after all.
"And why would I like those any more?" Severus asked.
"Because they're yours?" Harry said softly.
Severus sighed and removed his reading glasses again. He stared at his steepled fingers. He and Harry would have to have a talk about children soon, he knew. They needed to stop hiding behind subterfuge and feigned ignorance. It was too big an issue to play this game.
"Harry, are you trying to say you'd like to have children?"
"Yes," Harry admitted. "I very much want children with you, Severus. I think you'd make a wonderful father. I know I would."
He sighed and looked at nothing in particular. "I want a family. I know, I have you, but I want children, too. I want to raise a child, to know that we did that. I know you've been alone for a long time. Maybe too long. I know it was hard letting me in, sharing your life with me. But… I want a child, too, Sev."
Severus considered this. "Harry, I need to think about it."
Harry nodded and left.
Severus realized scarcely half an hour later what his answer was. He wanted a child just as much as Harry did. He chuckled. Maybe Harry's subterfuge did work after all.
Subterfuge – noun. A deceptive device or stratagem. Word of the Day, February 2, 2008)