I meant to get this out sooner but my new computer decided to break and it took me a week to fix it. I am back now so here is prompt something or other.

Prompt #21: "I hate you but I can't stay away from you. What is this power you have over me?"

Rating: M

Warnings:

Disclaimer: I do hope you get it by now.

Close to Heaven

Severus Snape sat in the dimly lit room, his arms wrapped around his thin shoulders. Quiet sobs wracked his body as he reflected on the past night. He had finally done it. He had killed the last person on the earth that had actually cared for him. He closed his eyes and saw Dumbledore falling from the tower. An overwhelming urge to vomit hit him and he had to gulp down some water to keep his dinner down. As he sat there in his own sorrows the door of the hidden cottage banged open. A teenage boy stood in the door way and Severus stood up. The raven-haired youth glared at Severus with all the hatred in the world. Severus gaped at Harry, entirely unsure of how the boy found him. He was hidden in an area on the coast of England that people rarely visited. It was dark, dreary, and a sad place in general. His cottage was also warded against intruders and hidden from the human eye.

"How did you find me Potter?" Severus was surprised the boy hadn't tried to kill him by the way he was looking at him now.

"I hate you," came the whispered reply. Severus would not admit to himself that those words hurt. He should be used to them by now. Severus put up his usual mask of cruel indifference and sneered.

"And why should I care Potter? When has your opinion ever mattered to my so why should it now?" Harry turned a dark shade of red but still did not draw his wand.

"I hate you but I can't stay away from you. What is this power you have over me?" Severus' eyes widened slightly, giving off the only sign that he was surprised at all.

"And what is that supposed to mean Potter?" Severus did not like being confused. Severus did not like being upset. Severus did not like being depressed. And at this moment he was all three so forgive him if his temper was a tad bit short. Harry clenched his fists as tears welled up in his eyes.

"Every fiber of my being says I should hate you. I tried to convince myself that I came here to make you suffer, to make you pay for what you did to Dumbledore, but I know I won't. I came here to see you. To make sure that you were alright after the battle." Severus sat down on the couch disbelievingly.

"You came to see me? The man who just killed a man you look up to?"

"Exactly! I hate you!" Severus was blown away by the venom in the emerald eyes but remained calm.

"Then kill me." Harry stumbled back.

"What?" Severus stood up and stalked over to Harry.

"I said then kill me. If you hate me so much then pull out your wand and kill me." The words seem to cut into Harry and he fell against the wall shaking his head.

"No, no, no. I won't." Severus glared at the boy.

"Then you are of no use to me Potter. Get out." Harry stood up and faced Severus.

"What do you mean 'you are of no use to me?' Did you want me to kill you?" Severus looked away, surprised that he had let the boy know so much. He steeled himself, ready to push Harry away with his words.

"Yes I do Potter. I do. I want to die. Have you ever killed the most important thing in the world to you? I have. Twice. Do you know what it feels like to see the light go out of person eyes and know it was your entire fault? Do you know what it is like to see the only person you cared for die at your own hands?" Harry reeled back and leaned against the wall.

"Then why did you do it?" Harry needed to know. He needed to know if hope was not lost. Severus snarled at him and crossed his arms.

"Because it was my duty. Because he asked me to. Because he was dying. I did what I did for many reasons Potter, none of which I expect you to understand." Harry growled and was tempted to strangle the man but he forced himself to remain calm.

"Try me." Severus rolled his eyes.

"Potter, I am not in need of consolation nor do I need to 'talk things out.'" Harry stomped his foot angrily.

"Goddamit Severus!" Severus paused.

"What did you call me?" Harry blushed and turned away.

"I call you Severus," he mumbled. Severus brushed one of his long fingers against his lip thoughtfully. Harry was sure he was going to be hexed but that was not what happened.

"He asked me to kill him." Harry turned around and looked at Severus, who was starting right into his eyes. "He had had an accident with one of the Horcruxes and was going to die within a year. He knew that if I killed him my place in the ranks of the Dark Lord would be unquestionable. I refused but he wouldn't take no for an answer." Severus stopped but kept staring at Harry. Harry gaped in surprise but then quickly shut his mouth. He went over and sat on the couch slowly and put his head in his hands. Severus sat next to him and didn't say anything. After what felt like forever Harry looked up.

"So you didn't want to kill him?" Severus was tempted to make a snarky remark but refrained himself.

"No Potter, I did not."

"Harry." Severus started and looked to Harry in shock.

"What?"

"My name is Harry." Severus pursed his lips but then nodded.

"Very well Harry…now it is my turn to ask you a question."

"Fine." Severus knew what he really wanted to ask but he couldn't bring himself to do it.

"How did you find me?" Harry shrugged and wrung his hands together.

"I told my patronus to find you and he did." Severus blinked.

"Patronus' can only locate people whom the caster loves." Harry blushed and looked at his hands.

"I know." Severus felt a tightening in his stomach as he was hit with a possibility he was never faced with before.

"Why did you come here Harry?" There, he had finally asked.

"Because I didn't want to believe it was true. I saw it with my own eyes but I couldn't seem to admit that the man I loved was a cold-hearted murderer."

"Man I loved?" Harry felt tears of anger and hopelessness well up in his eyes and he turned away angrily.

"Yes, love! There, now you know Harry Potter's last secret. Just say what you are going to say and I will be on my way." Harry crossed his arms and waited for the burning rejection, the sharp pain of being alone. Severus couldn't believe that this was happening. Harry loved him back. Harry. Loved. Him. It was simply inconceivable but here he was, the truth written in his eyes and spoken in his words. But as everyone knows, actions speak louder than words so Severus soon found himself leaning closer to Harry. His pale hand lifted the boy's chin and soon discovered the fear and pain in those beautiful green eyes. They widened slightly for a moment before Severus swooped in for the kill.

His thin lips pressed against Harry's and Harry's eyes widened even further. He soon responded eagerly and his mouth moved gently against Severus'. A tongue swiped at his bottom lip and Harry opened his mouth with a moan. The tongue moved in and gently started to explore Harry's mouth. Soon, the couple had to break apart for air but was back at it as soon as possible. After about ten minutes of this wonderful kissing Harry pulled back and started in the onyx eyes of the older man.

"I love you Severus."

"I love you Harry."

Harry felt arms wrap around him and for once he felt safe. He knew things weren't perfect and that they both might die in this war to come but for now this was as close to heaven as he was going to get.

I wanted this to be a bit longer but it just didn't work out. The ending also seemed too sweet. Oh well. Read and respond!