Harry stripped himself quickly and efficiently, setting the temperature of the water before turning back around. A small frown reached his lips when he saw that Severus had yet to disrobe.
"Severus?" He called to him. "Are you planning on showering with your clothes on, pet?"
The man crossed his arms snootily.
"Of course not."
Harry sighed.
"Then why are you still dressed? There is no need to be shy; I have seen it all before."
Severus thought that seeing him while he was being tortured and sharing the intimacy of a shower were two entirely different things, but he wasn't going to dispute Harry out loud. His legs were already shaking from the effort to hold himself upright.
Harry stepped closer to him, lifting his arms and removing his shirt before placing his arms around Harry's shoulders.
"Hold on to me," Harry told him. "It will help you keep balance on your legs right now."
Severus listened, surprised when Harry simply spelled his pants off with a snap of his fingers. He was standing there, bare and exposed, but Harry was only looking at his face.
"Are you alright?"
Severus nodded shakily, withholding a yelp when Harry lifted him over the ledge into the tub.
"Perhaps we should sit first," Harry suggested. "I could help you wash your hair so that you can rest some before attempting to stand and shower."
Severus nodded in agreement, too embarrassed about his weakness to speak.
Harry massaged his scalp slowly, luring him into a state of drowsy calm. He could feel all of Harry pressing comfortably against his back, and never had he felt so cared for.
"Are you ready to try standing?" Harry asked him.
He nearly forgot that he was naked until Harry gasped softly, gazing upon him as he stood.
"You are beautiful, Severus."
Severus looked down at his skinny body, pale scarred skin stretched over bones, his ribs visible, barely any hair to speak of. He curled his lip in disgust.
"Don't lie to me, Potter."
Harry moved forward, holding him close to his body. He lifted his chin, kissing him softly on the lips before stepping back to run his knuckles down his partner's side.
"You are healing. You are hurt. You are still malnourished," he admitted. "But you are so beautiful, baby."
Severus shook his head, scrubbing harshly.
"I'm not easy to look at even when I'm healthy."
Harry huffed, taking the rag from his hands it replace his scrubbing with softer strokes.
"You are a treasure, alterum."
The older man made to argue before snapping his mouth shut, jerking around to look at Harry.
"Alterum?" Severus whispered, sure that he had heard him wrong.
"Alterum," Harry repeated, looking into Severus's eyes. The other man was breathing shakily, his eyes filled with wonderment.
"This is what you realised?" He whispered in question. "What you have to tell me?"
Harry smiled softly, bringing the man against him despite their nudity.
"Yes," he responded just as softly. "My wolf has claimed you as his own. Our own. My own. You are my mate. My Alterum. My Omega."
Severus felt himself cling to Harry, not embarrassed in the least at his right grip because the younger man responded by picking him up fully and holding him close.
"I am yours?"
Harry laughed.
"You are mine."
**

Severus sighed. The ache had reached his back again, and it simply refused to fade away. Of course, he was used to being in pain and a little back ache wasn't something he was going to complain about, but it was annoying and far different than his usual
discomfit.
His muscles were sore from the rigorous training he was doing to get back in shape, though Harry told him that his training was nothing compared to what the others had to do. Speaking of Harry, where was that man?
He stood to fetch him, falling to the ground in surprise when his back spasmed.
The object of his thoughts was lifting him up in less than a minute, setting him onto the couch.
"You have been pushing yourself too much, pet," he said, his voice holding the slight rumble of a growl within it. "You are not a hunter like the rest of us."
Severus crinkled his nose.
"Then what am I?"
Harry sniffed his neck, nuzzling it before giving him a soft lick. Severus whined softly, spreading his legs slightly and arching up.
Harry chuckled in satisfaction, petting his stomach to calm him.
"You, my dearest Severus, are a raksha."
Severus turned to straddle his mate, leaning against his chest.
"Raksha? I am not a female, Harry. I cannot be a raksha."
Harry growled lowly, observing his little mate as he moved his neck to the side in offering and pressed closer to him.
"You are not female," Harry admitted easily, "but you are a raksha. You are a bearer, my heart. You are not meant to hunt, but rather to help heal and take care of the pack and any future pups."
Severus shook his head.
"But what kind of bearer can't bear children? That doesn't make sense."
Harry pushed Severus so that he was laying down with Harry leaning over him.
"Severus, my love," he said calmly, "you can bear children. This is what I'm telling you. You are a man, yes, but you are also a magical wolf. You can bear pups."
Severus stared at him for a long time before turning his head away.
"I cannot have children."
Harry frowned in confusion.
"Severus, yes you can," he explained. "I know it's a surprise, but-"
"No!" Severus yelled, pushing Harry off of him. In his shock Harry let him.
"I can't have kids! I can't! I'm a man! I cannot have cubs!"
And he ran from the room, a confused Harry following after him only to end up staring blankly at the door to his mate's room.
The door was locked, and though he could probably get through it he knew that to do that right now would only make Severus more angry.
He wanted time alone.
Harry sighed, deciding to go get some advice from his pack before continuing on.

TBC