Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Written for; Stickers; Slytherin; Dungeons - Dungeons (Setting)
Word count without AN - 608
A Cure for Insomnia
Harry rounded the corner and suddenly bounced back, kept on his feet only by the fast reflexes of Severus, who shot out a hand to catch him before he fell.
"Sorry, Severus, wasn't paying attention to where I was going," Harry apologised, straightening himself out.
"It's fine, Potter," Snape replied quietly. "I didn't realise you were out on patrol tonight."
Harry shook his head. "Neville and Dawson have got the rounds tonight. Can't sleep, can't just lie in bed staring at the ceiling anymore. Figured I may as well go for a walk."
"In the dungeons?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Harry smiled slightly. "At least it's cool down here. This heat wave is killing me. It's melting up in the towers."
Severus snorted. "You're a wizard, Harry. Cast a cooling charm."
Harry rolled his eyes. "So then I'd be chilly and staring at the ceiling. Doesn't sound much better, to be honest. Why are you out anyway?"
The two began strolling through the dungeons together at a leisurely pace, pausing occasionally to check classrooms and the little nooks and crannies that students tended to hide in.
"Same reason as you. Can't sleep…." Severus trailed off, letting out a sigh. "And when I do sleep, its only to see things I have no wish of seeing."
Harry nodded. He could understand that; he lived it.
The two of them fell into a companionable silence, until eventually, they reached the door to Severus' quarters. Harry offered the older man a tired smile.
"You should try and sleep. At least it's the weekend."
"Come inside, Potter. You look dead on your feet, I won't be held responsible for you falling down stairs somewhere because you're too tired to get yourself back to your room."
Harry shook his head but didn't fight when Severus pushed him through the door before him. Harry slumped onto the sofa, the cool air of the room a blessing. His eyes were already drooping shut, no matter how hard he tried to fight it.
Severus offered him a drink, which Harry refused with a bleary shake of his head, before he too dropped onto the sofa beside Harry, his head falling back against the soft cushions.
"Looks like I found a cure to my insomnia," Severus muttered, his tone amused. "An hour listening to your inane babble and I'm ready to sleep for a week."
"Git," Harry replied with a small chuckle.
Within moments, the two were fast asleep.
Severus woke slowly, feeling better rested than he had in months, years really. During the night, he'd changed position, and he was lying on the edge of the soft cushions, with Potter sandwiched between his body and the back of the sofa.
He thought about moving before Potter woke up, unwilling to hurt the friendship. that had taken a long time to craft, with awkwardness, but he was too late.
Harry stirred, blinking open his eyes to look up at Severus.
"Good morning," he whispered, his voice rough with sleep.
Severus' lips tilted up. "Morning."
"You make for a good pillow," Harry commented, snuggling his face into Severus' chest. Severus was slightly awed that Harry seemed to think this was natural. "I might have to go for nighttime walks in the dungeons again."
Snorting, Severus pushed himself closer, to keep himself from falling he ensured his mind, and let his arm settle more comfortably on Harry's waist.
"Let me know before you do, I'll make sure I take a walk as well."
Severus' eyes fell closed again without his permission, and the last thing he felt was Harry pressing harder against the bare skin of his neck and smiling.