Disclaimer: I don't own the HP universe.
Warnings: Adult stuff (…2 graphic scenes, I think, and a bit of swearing). Some would consider "slash" a warning, too.
Closer
Harry opened his eyes slowly after a long and deep sleep. "I really need to get up," he muttered to himself, seeing a large beam of light slipping in between the curtains.
When he arrived at the dining room, he saw that everything was ready, and that Severus was waiting while reading the Prophet. Harry noticed that he was wearing the clothes Harry had bought.
"You didn't have to wait," Harry said, sitting down.
"I wasn't hungry," Severus said, putting the Prophet aside and grabbing some toast.
Harry smiled, glad that Severus had waited. Maybe it was because of the nightmare he had saved him from? The thought of the nightmare made him flush. He couldn't believe that he had actually screamed. He was almost glad that Severus didn't mention it. Almost.
When they were done with breakfast, Severus disappeared into the library again. Harry grinned, before going to his potions lab.
XxXxXx
"I'll be gone this afternoon and evening," Harry said at lunch.
"Why?"
"Work. I'm a medi-wizard at Mungo's, and my small vacation has finished, unfortunately."
Severus nodded.
"If you need me, just send Peppy to me with a message or a note."
"When will I be able to get out of this house?"
Harry hesitated. "I can't promise anything, I'm sorry. You can always go to the garden, though."
"I know."
Harry smiled, not able to think of a reply.
An hour later, he yelled that he was going, and went to Mungo's. When he came home at 11 PM, Severus had already gone to bed, which saddened Harry. He had hoped that he would wait.
XxXxXx
In this way, they developed a pattern, with Severus always waiting for Harry at breakfast, and staying in the library the whole time – except for lunch and dinner – while Harry went to work. He had always preferred the afternoon/evening shifts, because he detested getting up early.
Harry kept trying to get closer to Severus, starting conversations the whole time and telling about what he had been doing after the war, but he got no response from Severus. Harry even went to the library one day, but other than glares for not being quiet, he got nothing, which frustrated Harry greatly. He saw that Severus' eyes weren't moving when looking at his book, indicating that he was listening, but it was as if listening and talking to Harry was something that his pride couldn't take. Harry hoped that it would go away, he wanted to be closer to Severus.
And then one night, Harry came home after midnight, very tired. He opened the door, and almost went up the stairs immediately, until he noticed that there was light in the living room. He walked to it, and was very surprised when he saw Severus sitting in the big armchair, a fire burning, and with a glass of whiskey next to him. Harry saw that there was also another glass, almost making him laugh from happiness. Instead, he entered and saw down on the couch.
"Thank you for waiting for me," Harry said softly.
"You're welcome," Severus said, waving his hand into the direction of Harry's glass.
"Cheers," Harry said, raising his glass to Severus, before taking a sip. He fell back into the couch, and sighed deeply. He wondered why Severus had waited for him. Maybe he was finally getting the hint that Harry wanted to get closer? But what should he say? He hated this uncomfortable silence.
"Work was… tiring," he started. "Lots of demanding patients, making me run all the time." Harry paused for a moment, wondering whether he should keep talking or not.
"Continue," Severus said suddenly.
Harry smiled. "There's this old, female patient, who…"
Harry talked deep into the night, loving every minute of it, because he finally knew for sure that Severus was listening. He sometimes even asked something, encouraging Harry.
The next two weeks it continued like this, and it was heaven.