Author's Note: So, uh. I'm not dead. Yay? My excuse this time is countless computer troubles. But enough of that. You're here for the slash.
Once again, a thank-you to My. ShadowLove for the request of 'greasy hair', and a thank-you to the word generator, for being so helpful in supplying the perfect word to fit the idea that had already budded in my head. I'm always accepting requests, so go right ahead, talk to me! I don't bite (hard).
Disclaimer: Nothing to see here. Just a person who doesn't own the Harry Potter books writing 400-word drabbles about two of the characters. Move along.
Wash
"Come on, love. You've been working on that for hours. I'm sure you could put a stabilizing spell over it?" Harry gently tugged on the clearly exhausted man's arm, waiting for him to assess the potion's progress before nodding and laying the spell over it to keep the potion at its current state. The younger man had seen him about to nod off over his cauldron, and had quickly intervened. He had quickly learned that Severus would work for days without pause when close to a discovery, if Harry didn't stop him.
It was now nearing one in the morning, and Harry had been glancing worriedly over his book at the almost bruised-looking half-circles under his eyes that signified he was past tired, the waxy look his skin was beginning to take, and the increasing greasiness of his hair. The second Severus' eyes closed, Harry was right by his elbow, ready to help him to a pause in his work.
Contrary to popular student belief, the grease came from extensive time hovering over a cauldron, not lack of hygiene. Harry found his own hair taking on a bit of greasiness when he hung around to watch Severus work. A shower was the easy cure, and a cure Harry took pleasure in implementing.
He guided Severus into the bathroom, stripped them both of their clothes, and pulled Severus under the warm water overhead with him. The man groaned, sagging slightly, and Harry washed his back for him, working out some of the taught muscles with his palms and fingers to help him relax further. He lathered up his hands with shampoo, and massaged it into his scalp, washing to the ends of his hair and back again, his lover making small groans of approval all the while.
Harry kissed him gently under the warm stream of water when they were both clean, and nudged him gently out after turning off the water, toweling them both off the old-fashioned way, before using a drying spell for comfort.
They tumbled into bed together, Harry drawing up the sheets around them and dimming the lights. Harry kissed him again on the lips, then the corner of his mouth, jaw, neck, collarbone, and finally chest, before nuzzling into the skin there and curling up close. Severus brought his arm around Harry's back, holding him there.
"... Thank you."
"I don't mind."
"I know."