Harry found himself coming to dungeons every time he had a free afternoon. Or for a little chat before breakfast. Or in deep night after some really nasty nightmare. Sometimes he would just talk to the older man. Sometimes he needed Severus to hold him. And, oh my, he did.

Harry would always feel guilty afterwards, apologizing.

"I'd never thought I could be so cruel," Harry whispered once again to the covers of Severus' king-sized bed.

"You mean to my back?" Severus teased him, smirking when he saw Harry blushing.

"No, you idiot. Or maybe, can I have a look?"

Severus simply turned away from him. He heard Harry gasp and feel his fingers traced the scratches. This time his hands were gentle. He sent shivers down Severus' spine and gave him goosebumps.

"I'm sorry," Harry replaced fingers with his lips. He cuddled himself to the older man.

"Harry, you're not cruel, not even the slightest," Severus returned to their main topic. Harry murmured something to disagree with him.

"Do you really think I would do this if I resented it? If I resented you?" He let the question sink.

"I guess not," Harry sounded like he was pouting.

"Your unbelievable deduction skills never cease to amaze me, Potter,"

"You're such a git,"

"So now you're calling me names?" Severus turned back to face his younger friend. They were both smiling. Severus was happy to see Harry had a playful expression. His eyes were no longer dark. His hand gently caressed brown hair of his now colleague.

"I simply don't wish to hurt you," Harry looked sadly at Severus.

"Then don't," they kissed.

"You make it sound so easy," Harry was pouting again.

"Because it is, Potter. You make it difficult with that thick head of yours," Severus knocked at Harry's forehead with his knuckles.

"Seriously why do you put up with me?" Harry sighted.

"Maybe I'm a masochist, or maybe I need to use you too," Severus said quietly.

Harry's eyes widened in shock, "there's something seriously fucked up with us."

"That's why we're so good together," Snape gave him a small smile.

They hadn't seen each other for a while after this last encounter. Since it was close to Christmas, both had to focus on their classes as well as to help decorate the castle. They briefly talked to each other during meals or staff meetings, but there wasn't really any space for a real conversation and neither of them enjoyed small talks.

It, however, gave Harry time to think about things. After a week he missed his friend dearly. He missed talking to him, sharing his thoughts with him, his sarcastic humor. He even missed his rooms and the lingering smell of potions in it. He missed the sex of course too. All in all, Harry was getting quite flustered.

He felt truly happy when being with Severus. Harry valued his opinion and respected him. He would go as far as to say he nearly adored the older man.

…

…

…

The revelation struck him out of blue, shaken him up to his core. He was undoubtedly falling in love! But how? Why? With Severus? He knew the man well, he heard about his past relationships, but the war and years of spying took away Snape's love-life completely. This was what he meant when he said he needs to use Harry, right? And Harry was thinking about it the same way in the beginning. Oh, sweet Merlin, he was utterly baffled. Harry found himself lost in the storm of his thoughts, his hands were shaking slightly.

"Professor, is everything alright?" one of his students asked. Harry snapped out of his inner chaos realizing he has stopped writing on the blackboard. He was totally confused for a few seconds, looking to his memos and reading what he had already written.

"Ehhhhhhh… Sure!" he put down the chalk and turned himself to face his students, "that will be it for today, please read the chapters 20 and 21 for next time. You may start now before the classes ends," Harry stuttered. He needed to sit down for a while.

This wasn't happening. It can't be! The two could never be together! They were just friends, just using each other to even off with the consequences of the war. They were just… Harry ran his hand through his hair. He remembered what Severus told him the first night he came to him.

They were just… saving each other one more time.

Harry was suddenly very self-aware. He tried to make sense to himself. Sure, Severus told him he didn't despise him, and he was pretty sure the older man felt they were friends as well. They eventually slept with each other… (Okay! Maybe a bit more than eventually… Okay! They were sleeping with each other almost every night for the past two weeks. Happy now?!) But to get involved with romantic feelings? It didn't sound like something they would do. Their ways will part in the end, won't they?

Harry thought again about Ginny. He hadn't seen her since he broke off the wedding. He hadn't seen much of Ron or the twins either. Hermione sent him a few owls and met him once or twice, but since she was busy with work for the ministry, it was impossible to get ahold of her. Severus was pretty much the only one who talked to him on daily basis. That must be it. It's happening only because he's seeing Severus so often. Right?

He sighted for at least fifth time. He hasn't noticed the glances students sent his way.

Harry would have never thought about something like this during the war. They were getting close with Severus too, but they were still hardly acknowledging each other's presence. Even in the first two years after the war the two hardly spoke about anything personal.

But in the end Severus was the only one who understood him since… since ever.

The bell rang, and it was time for lunch. Harry got up and went to the Great hall with his class. He was lost in clouds, so he hasn't noticed Severus right away, much to his amusement.

"Mr. Potter," Severus spoke to him, lightly touching his upper arm. Harry jolted and looked at his friend with wide eyes.

"Oh, hi, Severus," he smiled chastely, his cheeks slightly blushing. His colleague raised one eyebrow making his characteristic expression.

"It's nothing really. How's your day going?" Harry changed topic.

"Splendidly. Two first years blew up their cauldrons, one third year managed to turn himself purple and one sixth year nearly killed himself mixing one of his ingredient with his drink," Severus let him know and kept on rattling for a while. Harry chuckled.

"Is it only me or are the students dumber and dumber every year?" Severus continued.

"Maybe it's you who's getting smarter and smarter instead," Harry bantered him. Severus gave him one of his I-am-certainly-not-amused-you-cheeky-brat looks.

"Very funny, Potter."

"I'm trying," Harry laughed and together, they sat at the teachers table. It still felt weird. Harry wasn't used to it, his eyes kept looking back at the Gryffindor's.

"What's more important than your stupid comments," Severus gently nudged him to call back his attention, "I'm free tonight, if you want to come over," he whispered. Harry's heart skipped a beat and he grinned at Severus.

"I'd love to!" he almost sang slash shouted. Few heads turned their direction and Harry's blush deepened.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled, and Severus would laugh if he didn't have a reputation to keep.

They ate lunch in comforting silence, Harry lost in his head again and Severus wondering what has gotten into him. Not that he wasn't glad to see Harry happy, it was just odd even for Harry Potter to lost himself like that. He was usually more composed these days.

The evening came. Severus heard familiar knock on the door. He went to open, only to find panting Harry beside them. The younger man looked around to be sure they were alone before pulling the older man in tight embrace and kiss. They stumbled in, Harry kicking the door after them.

"What was that for?" Severus smirked to the kiss before he pinned Harry to the door.

"We haven't been with each other for two weeks, don't tell me you're not happy to see me," Harry smiled.

"It was hardly nine days, Potter, and we still saw each other every day, multiple times to be precise," Severus pointed out.

"So, you're trying to tell me, I'm the only one who's horny right now?" Harry teased his friend. Severus' eyes burned with passion and Harry knew he won.

"I swear this dirty mouth of yours," Severus muttered before kissing him. It was in his best interest not letting Potter say anything for at least next two hours.

Hello, my beautiful readers as always!

I must say I really enjoyed writing this chapter and the next one and the one after that. It was like one big slash rocket taking me to Infinity and beyond! Well, I just wanted to say I'm really happy for your reviews and everything, so thank you very much!

This chapter also closes the prologue and the main story begins! And you can see cheesy line which explains the name of this story! I can tell you, that not only these two needs to be "saved one more time" haha! Hope you enjoyed it!

Bye for now!