Disclaimer: Don't own.

A/n: One shot

Warnings: Slash

Severus stared at the walls and the walls stared back. His breathing echoed off them, screaming at him. Taunting him with just how alone he was. It had all happened so fast. He had a good circle of friends. They loved each other. So, he thought. He had been the leader of this group. But that was not a fully supported decision. Lucius had always wanted his position and eyed him with envy and jealousy.

The two had always butted heads and fought for the position violently. It always ended with Lucius backing down, but not this time. No, this time Narcissa and Bellatrix had backed him up. And together the three tore Severus down in the most brutal way possible.

He had expected it of Narcissa. She had always been Lucius' first and his second. He had trusted her though, and that hurt. None the less it didn't surprise him. Bellatrix was a complete surprise. Severus had rescued her from nowhere and brought her up so high. Without him, Bella would still be no one and nothing. Her betrayal stung the most.

He would never forget those five minutes that changed his life. Sitting in the common room watching the fire and waiting, waiting for them to come and hear him speak. And as they entered he knew. He knew immediately that things were wrong and this would not end well.

They flanked him. They never had before. He had not allowed it and he didn't demand it of them. He found it unnecessary and horribly cliché. "Get out of my chair," were the only words spoken. He raised his head and let his previous clasped hands fall downwards. He met their eyes one at a time and held their gaze. Narcissa's were made of blue ice – cold and hard with no feeling. Bellatrix's were less decided and more doubtful, but this was hidden well behind a mask of honey and chocolate. Finally, Severus locked eyes with Lucius. Steel stared back at him. The glinted smugness that they showed sickened Severus, his eyes turning form black pools of emotion to coal.

"So be it," he had said getting up and stalking up to his room, his head held high.

Later that night, once all had fallen asleep, he swept out into the halls of Hogwarts and to the Astronomy tower. To jump or not to jump, he thought idly as he leaned in a pane-less window. However his thought was interrupted.

"Don't."

He looked up and met Remus' eyes, "Why not?"

Remus crossed the small room in two strides and came within inches of Severus, "Because I'll save you."

Remus reached up a hand and brushed back Severus' raven locks and looked him in the eye. Severus met the other mans eyes and saw warm cinnamon truth staring back at him. His eyes of coal gave way to the pools of black emotion once more and their lips met. Emotions and thoughts were shared without word and the two lonely souls became one.

Many years later

Severus Snape stood in the Astronomy tower. To jump or not to jump, he thought idly. However, once again, his thought was interrupted.

"Don't."

And once more he turned to see Remus Lupin looking at him, "Why not? I killed Albus, at his word of course but no one will believe that. His pensieve was spilled in the chaos and his office burnt down. I am a murder. I have nothing. They will find me and try to kill me. Nothing less the I deserve, but I'd rather it be on my on terms."

Remus just smiled at him, his eyes seemingly glowing in the starlight, "Because I'll save you." He crossed the room once more and reached out his hand. Hesitantly Severus took it and stepped down off the ledge and into Remus' arms. The pair sunk to the floor as Severus sobbed into Remus' shoulder and muttered of all his mistakes.

When he had finished and as the dawn before them Remus took Severus' lips once more and slowly revoked the passion they had held for each other in school.

"I'll save you. I'll always save you."