The Path of Thorns
A/N: I am really trying to find a way to weave Severus into this story without him being too overbearing. Sirius will not be in this chapter, so I guess this is really just a peek into what Remus has been doing all the years Sirius was locked up.
Disclaimer: Same as first chapter
Warnings: Same as first chapter.
Laying on his stomach reading from a tattered leather bound book, Remus allowed himself a little joy. It was the summer now so he could open some of the windows in the loft he shared with Severus without it getting too chilly. He enjoyed the fresh air at all times of the year, but Severus had been prone to infections and illness since childhood so Remus was forced to be careful about the temperature of the loft. From down the hall, the scarred listened to the sounds of cloth moving and the kettle whistling. Severus was in the kitchen making them both tea, so that meant it must has been nearing 5 in the afternoon. As a young man, Remus had never had a taste for the bitter drink, but as he grew into adulthood he began to partake it with Severus. It was their routine and something Remus did not what to cease just because he didn't enjoy the hot, bitterness of the drink.
At first, he'd tried putting honey or sugar in it to lighten the taste and make it bearable, but Severus had scolded him, telling him that too much of the sweet things Remus enjoyed were not healthy and so he stopped using them. Now that his taste-buds had grown dull to the bitterness, Remus did not mind. In fact, sometimes as a treat to Remus, Severus would even add a little cream to their cups. As the sounds of moving cloth came closer, Remus looked up at watch the doorway.
As he watched, Remus' thin lover entered, holding two mugs just as Remus had expected. He rolled into a sitting position and shut his book, offering a smile to the man that had been there for him when Sirius had not. The raven maned potions master set the cups down on the dresser near the window and moved to stand in front of Remus so that their knees touched and the fabric of his robes brushed along Remus' slacks. Reaching up, the werewolf wrapped his hands around the hem of the robes and pulled, forcing Severus to bend and meet him halfway for a kiss. When they parted, Severus crawled onto the bed, straddling the other man and Remus felt his breath catch in anticipation.
"Sev, it's only 5 o'clock," Remus breathed, running his hands over the other man's back gently. The feel of the taunt muscles beneath the clothes made Remus smile coyly up at Severus and he paused, tracing circles over the spot on his lovers back that he knew to be the most sensitive.
Severus shuddered against the touch and bent his head. "I don't remember you caring about the time of day before..."
Remus shook his head, his dark blond hair falling away from his face. "I don't, Severus. I was just saying, you brought the tea. It's going to get cold."
"That's a poor excuse, Remus, " the thin man teased, kissing along the hollow part of Remus' neck. "But you're right."
Pulling away from his lover, Severus moved to let the blond up. When Remus was once again sitting, he noticed Severus rubbing his arm in discomfort. He'd known for a while now that the faded mark there had been growing brighter over the past months, but he hadn't noticed the apparent pain it put Severus in. Leaning forward, Remus touched the other man softly on his thigh.
"You alright, Severus?" he asked, worry coloring his voice.
"I'm fine," came th reply in a rather snappish tone. "Just get the damn tea, will you? And close the window. It's chilly in here."
Taken aback by the harness in Severus voice, Remus stood and moved to the window. He breathed in deeply once before shutting it with a snap and collected the mugs, bringing them back to the once Death Eater he lived with. Holding out one of the mugs, he stood waiting for Severus to take them from him. After a few more moments of rubbing his pained arm, Severus took the cup briskly and reclined against the bed, eyes watching Remus steadily. Unsure of what Severus was looking for in him, Remus carefully climbed on the bed and raised the mug to is lips.
"Where were you yesterday?" Severus asked, eyes still locked on the other man. Remus swallowed, tension making his neck stiffen at the question.
"What do you mean, Severus?" he asked, wondering if it was really the harmless question it appeared to be or if it was a trap of some kind.
"Yesterday afternoon. I came home earlier and you weren't here."
Shaking his head, Remus turned to look at Severus, trying to read him. What was with the sudden possessiveness? Was he not even allowed to leave the loft now? He shifted, resting more of his slight weight onto his other leg and pulled the comforter around his lower body, making somewhat of a nest around himself.
"I was out, that's all, Sev. Don't worry so much about it. How was I supposed to know you'd be home early? If I had, I might have had a surprise waiting for you..." he said in a low voice as he curled closer around the potions master, implying that it would have been a surprise Severus would have enjoyed. He jerked back in sudden pain as he felt his chest begin to burn. Looking down in horror, he saw the hot tea that had been in Severus' hand spilled across his own body, soaking his clothes and leaving painful red welts where it touched.
"Bloody hell Severus, what was that for?" he demanded, pulling the still hot shirt over his head to get it off.
"Don't fucking lie to me, Remus. I can't stand it when you do that."
"Jesus!" Remus cried, still trying to wipe off the tea that was turning his chest red. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"I read your Owl, Remus," Severus hissed, holding up the envelope for the other man to see. Blinking at it, Remus noticed that he did not recognize the handwriting.
"Fuck, Severus. I haven't even read that yet! And what are you doing going through my mail anyway?" Remus asked, pain making his voice tight.
"It's from Molly. She wants you to go with her to the Black's house and help her de-hex it. Why would she ask you to help her, eh?" Severus demanded, shaking the envelope violently, almost tearing it.
"We were friends, Severus! She probably just wants me to go and help her because Sirius and I haven't seen each other in 12 years."
"Haven't you?" the dark haired man demanded, eyes still burning.
"No! Merlin Severus, what is wrong with you?" Remus asked, curling into himself, trying to nurse his fresh burns but failing.
Severus blinked, seeming to realize just how much pain Remus was in. Dropping his mug, he moved to touch Remus' chest tenderly. "Oh Remus, I am sorry. I didn't... I just thought you'd been with Black and lost it..."
Wincing away from the touches, Remus looked up to see the hurt painted on his lovers face. He hadn't meant to do it, it was just a reaction. Already starting to forgive it, Remus shook his head.
"Why are you so worried about it anyway, Severus?" he asked, letting the other man use a cooling charm on his skin to ease the pain that was still blooming there.
"You were together so long, I just can't stand the idea of his looking at you, touching you..." Severus replied, voice shaking with anger. It was so rare for Remus to see the other man lose his cool exterior that he was a little frightened by it. Severus was afraid of losing him. The blond blinked back tears and leaned into Severus' touches.
"Sev, it's over. It's been over for years. I love you. Not Sirius..."
"Don't..." Severus hissed, shaking some of his silky, dark hair out of place. "Don't say his name."
Remus nodded and laid back as Severus rose to get a cool towel from the bathroom. Laying on his back on the bed, Remus pushed the book away from himself and sighed. He didn't have feelings for Sirius. Not anymore. He was with someone who loved him. Loved him enough to go crazy at the thought of his loss. What else could he want?
