By October, Severus Snape had a definite crush on his supper. Most of his time was spend thinking of looks to give him in hallways or passing him notes to remind him of his obligations as a snack, but the longer it went on, the more Severus began feeling guilty for forcing Lupin to comply with his cravings.

Eventually, the scathing looks as Lupin left him with after their trading sessions became too much for Snape, and he was forced to call the whole thing off.

"If you want, I'll still make your potions, after all, I have nothing else to do during my sleepless nights."

Lupin was frowning at him, not necessarily in anger, but in a way that made Snape wish he could read minds. "What…" the werewolf started hesitantly, his cheeks taking on the slightest hint of a blush, "do you want instead of a snack?"

It was Snape's turn to frown. "Nothing." Then it dawned on him what the other boy might be referring to. "N-nothing at all." Not that he would have minded, but even a person as slimy and cruel as Snape would not take use a gentle soul like Lupin's. "I could only take advantage of you for so long. I don't like constantly feeling guilty… it ruins the meal."

That was an answer Lupin had not expected. "You felt guilty? But, we agreed on it. You weren't forcing me into it or anything."

Severus rolled his eyes. "Yes I was."

"But-"

"Your arm's easier to twist than a twist tie. Really Lupin, you really need to start standing up for yourself. It does loads of good for you." And Severus would know. Ever since the change, he had been more confident, more aggressive, and people had noticed. It was nice to get the respect he felt he deserved for once in his life.

Remus sighed softly and examined his shoes. "Then, you don't need to make any more potions for me."

"Did it help you?"

"You don't owe me anything." He was shoving his hands in his pockets and looking increasingly more uncomfortable.

"Did it help?"

"Yes." Remus mumbled.

"Then I will have another bottle for you before the next full moon."

"I don't feel comfortable with you doing this for me without me being able to pay you for it."

"Don't worry about it. I know how it is to be poor. Just because you can't buy it for yourself doesn't mean you don't deserve it."

Never in a million years would Remus have thought deep inside Severus could be a thoughtful person, almost even kind. Kinder than any of his friends were at least, and that was something Lupin could appreciate. "I want to."

"… Want to what?"

"If you're bringing me a potion, I want to pay you for it. I don't suddenly deserve things just for being poor, Snape. I want to work for the things I have in life. It makes them better."

"You want to feed me?" It seemed unbelievable if only for the fact that Remus had always made a point of not being happy about Snape eating from him.

"Just because you can't buy proper food for your self doesn't mean that you don't deserve it." Lupin smiled then, and it was warm and sweet without the smallest hint of pity.

Severus raised his eyebrows, genuinely surprised by Lupin's reaction. "Well I'm not about to argue with you. If you want to let me, than I'd be glad to, but just know you're not doing this because you have to anymore."

"Deal." Although nothing really had changed in the arrangement, the fact that he could say no if he wasn't in the mood without risking anything was liberating.

"Deal." They shook hands and Severus held onto the physical contact. Very slowly, he used his grip to pull Lupin in, leaning only slightly to the side to reach the curve of his neck.

Remus' warm smile remained as he tilted his head, giving as much of his pale neck to Severus as he wanted to take. The Slytherin couldn't help himself from returning the smile, though his was lacking in some of the genuine feeling of comfort. He didn't expect that he would have ever met someone who would have accepted him so willingly as a normal person, much less as half vampire. He hesitated there, feeling strangely wanted.

"I told you it's ok." Remus was almost laughing, though he tried to keep his voice down just in case someone was passing by and might hear them. He did not seem to understand the reason for Severus' hesitation, and as a misplaced sign of goodwill, he gently took hold of the Slytherin's robe and pulled him in close.

Severus didn't even have time to contemplate pulling back and gently he brushed his lips against the soft skin. He knew he hadn't numbed his neck yet, but at the same time, he wasn't willing to pull away again. So, he nipped and nibbled without breaking the skin and instead, as long as Lupin would let him, he focused on giving him a hickey.

Lupin was more than a little surprised, but after making such a bit deal about wanting him to eat, he'd just feel awkward for pushing him away now. Besides, if he was really honest with himself, he liked it, and found himself tangling his hand in Snape's silky black hair.

They stayed tucked up in that corner together, for how long, Remus did not know. And it wasn't until he felt a hand firmly grasping his backside that he finally summoned the will to edge away. He backed up, taking hold of both Snape's hands so he would know where they were. "I-I think that's enough. You obviously aren't hungry tonight."

Severus' eyes were just as unfocused and dreamy looking as if he had been drinking the entire time. "No, I didn't want to be tempted. I was coming to break this off, if you remember."

"I remember." Lupin barely mumbled the words. Their faced were still so close, and he could feel the warmth of Snape's breath on his face. He didn't know why he didn't pull farther away, even as Snape began to lean closer again, only this time, he wasn't aiming for Lupin's neck.

The kiss was not unexpected, or wholly unwelcome, though Remus was still shocked to feel Severus' lips on his.

He pulled away as fast as if Snape were still grabbing at his bum. "It's late." He could feel how hot his face was, so hot in fact that he expected to find singe marks later. "I've got to go." And then he ran.

Ran back down the twisted hallways, ran back up the changing staircases, and ran all the way back to Griffindor tower, so out of breath that it took five tries of wheezing out the password before the fat lady would let him in.

"Holy hell, what happened to you?"

But Lupin didn't have the air to answer the younger boy loafing about the common room and headed straight to bed.

"Someone was in the library extra late tonight." James grinned from his own bed.

Remus huffed and quickly tried to pull the curtains of his bed closed, he did not have the energy to deal with his friend.

"Moony, what were you doing in the library?" Sirius was not looking at him, so much as directly at his neck.

Remus hid behind his curtains. "Studying. Tired now. Goodnight." He pushed his hands to his face. What had he done?

Sadly, his friends were not known for keeping to themselves when one of their own returned with such a glorious hickey.

"No you don't." James and Sirius, with Peter only slightly behind, tore open the curtains, grabbed Lupin by the ankles, and dragged him out of bed. "You're gonna fess up this time. You've shown up with one too many love bites for us to let you alone now."

"It's not a love bite!" He was covering his neck and cringing at the fact that that was exactly what Snape had given him.

"Well, it sure as hell wasn't a leach attack." Sirius was struggling to pry his hands away so that everyone could see Lupin's beautiful trophy.

"I fell… on a door handle." He was kicking at the boys, his friends, who were so mercilessly holding him down.

"Does this door handle have a name?" James was grinning and admiring the slew of pink and red bruises trailing down Lupin's pale neck.

Sirius smiled and shook his head. "You know, for a girl… she's very aggressive. You're not secretly necking with a guy are you?"

At that moment, Lupin would have given almost anything to be able to bluff his way out of this, but his friends were getting to close to the truth, and his stunned silence only buried him deeper.

"Holy crap, it is a dude." Sirius looked slightly amused, but also slightly jealous. "Is this why you've been so cold towards me lately?"

"For the last time, Sirius, I'm not interested in you. Or any other bloke for that matter. I'm happy alone, with my studies. Forever." He batted at his friends who still hovered so very close. He didn't want to hurt them, but he also wanted to escape.

"Well, you certainly weren't alone when you got those. Come on, who is he?" James seemed undaunted by the fact that his mate was a bit of a poof. The name of the person he was kissing was far more important than their gender.

"Yeah," Peter pipped in, "who was it?"

Then Lupin happened upon an idea. He stopped struggling, and in the most serious tone possible, he stated the name. "Snape."

"What? Your full of it, come on, who is it?"

Lupin inwardly smiled, it worked. He told them the truth and they didn't believe him. Who would? For once, the truth was the perfect cover. "It's Snape. Oh yeah, him and me. We've been at it for a while now. You wanna know what he tastes like?"

James instantly released his arms. "Merlin, no. How can you even joke about that?"

"That's just wrong." Sirius agreed. "You know, I bet it's one of the teachers." He grinned at James, so quick to release the thought of someone kissing Snape.

"Oh, I bet it is."

The two were quickly caught in a heated debate over who would be worse to kiss, Dumbledore or McGonagall. Remus smiled to himself and slunk back into bed. His mates might bother him about the bites sometime tomorrow, but for at least one more night he would be left alone.