Hiding Under the Ninth Earth
Book 02 : A Bit Of All Right
by I Got Tired of Waiting

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*Edited for FF.net--just a little--374 sexy words were sacrificed on the altar of the rating gods.

Mea Culpa if this is racier than an "R", but this is not a "fluff" chapter; there are some things happening essential to the rest of the book. I also apologise if it "feels" choppy, but coitus writus interruptus is never a pretty thing. Remember, if you are of age, the full version is available at my site.

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Part IV : Resolution
Chapter Forty : Ho'oponopono

16 July 2003 (Continued)

Curious, Harry looked around the hotel and noted it seemed to be nothing more than a series of connecting rooms and seating groups, wide open to the elements, with broad stone columns at regular intervals supporting a low pitched slate roof. By craning his neck, he could see all the way through to the other side where there was a manicured lawn sloping down to the ocean far beyond. He turned and quietly asked Severus, "Where are the walls?"

Severus, his eyes travelling rapidly over the planned wildness of the landscaping separating the buildings, said without looking at him, "Doesn't seem to be much use for walls--I suspect it is more important to catch what breezes one can rather than shut them out. Although I suppose in inclement weather, those shutters tucked against the columns could double as such if the need arose. They seem quite stout."

Harry nodded and reckoned Severus could be right, seeing they were placed strategically along the front and back of the building. He found the openness of the hotel a bit unnerving, acclimated as he was to heavy stone walls and living in the undeniable security of a dungeon. He focussed his attention instead on the fountain and pool in front of him, openly admiring the fat urns standing above the still water, each filled with cut bird of paradise stalks. Behind the pool, between the desk and the main hotel ran a low black stone retaining wall, above which were masses of bright green ferns and verdant ivy cascading down its front; the broad walkway in front of it started at the front desk terrace to their left, ran behind the reflecting pool and, emerging on the far side, joined the first stone terrace of the hotel proper. There was no one about except an anorexic woman in khaki shorts and a white tank top leaning on the upper counter, anxiously speaking to a much younger woman behind the counter.

"It's very peaceful here," Harry remarked, his quiet words belied by the sudden strident tones of the woman whinging to the front desk clerk that her 'cell phone' didn't work. She had to have it. How was she to conduct business without it? Did they realise how much money she was losing by not having it?

Trying to tune out the angry tirade, Severus raised a brow at Harry. "Toad or frog?" he asked as an aside.

Harry chuckled wickedly but only said, "Severus, behave." As an afterthought, as the harridan continued haranguing the hapless woman at the counter, he leaned closed and said, "Definitely toad." They snickered together.

Having heard quite enough, Severus approached the front desk with the same caution he used when Horatio was molting. He wasn't sure this woman would bite, but she certainly had fangs. "Excuse me, madam?" he asked, wading in to the rescue of the flustered clerk.

The woman, her hair a brittle red cut very short, rounded on him. "Are you the manager?" she asked haughtily in a flat voice that could cut glass, her thin magenta lips pursed into an unforgiving straight line.

Severus gave her his most neutral face. "No, I don't have that singular honour," he replied blandly.

"Then who the hell do you think you are, butting in?" she demanded loudly.

Severus briefly considered telling her he was the person who had a strong urge to turn her into a purple toad with pink warts, but Harry wouldn't let him; however, deciding that would probably not be one of his wiser ideas, said instead, "Actually, I came over to tell you a bee flew into your hair, but if you're not interested--"

She started screeching, frantically running her hands through her cropped hair, her cell phone forgot. Severus smiled evilly as she rapidly left the area to escape the imaginary insect.

He walked up to the counter and dead-panned, "Seems she had a bee in her bonnet." The young clerk covered her smile with her hand.

He was about to ask her how one 'checked in', when a slender young woman in a long, form-fitted red dress with white flowers approached him from across the terrace and held up a garland of orchids. She stood on tiptoe and made to place the flowers over his head. He lowered it, almost bowing, and she slipped the lei over, looping it around his neck. She placed her hand on his shoulder and kissed his cheek, saying, "Aloha and welcome to the Hana Hotel." When he said his thanks, she moved on to Harry.

Severus lifted the flowers to his nose and inhaled the delicate fragrance of the small pink blossoms; he had several varieties of orchids in his potions stock, but none quite like this and certainly none this fresh. Snorting, he ruefully halted his habitual ruminations of how best to preserve them for later use, scolding himself to just enjoy them instead, but he knew they would eventually make it to the shelves of his stock room anyway. Looking back, he saw Harry had also got a lei and was quietly talking to the girl, who blushed becomingly. Severus shook his head, amused by both his unruly habits and Harry's charm.

He'd no more turned back to the counter when another woman came up to him with a steaming bowl of hot, wet towels. She smiled and silently handed him one with bamboo tongs and he gratefully unrolled it, wiping his hands and face, the fragrant steam surprisingly refreshing. She had a second bowl, which she held out to him and he placed the now cold, used cloth in it. While she moved off to give one to Harry, a third woman bearing a tray approached and offered him a frosted glass of a pale pink liquid.

"Juice?" she asked politely, handing one to him. "It's passion fruit and guava."

He shrugged, taking the icy glass and sipped cautiously. He raised his brows; it was delicious, not sweet at all, and very mild. He drained it, saying, "Thank you. Passion fruit, you say?"

"And guava--both are grown locally." She smiled, her teeth white and even, contrasting with her tanned face. "There are bottles of it in the refrigerator in your room should you want more." She turned and carried the tray over to Harry.

Severus turned back to the counter, bemused, wondering if there were any more surprises before they would finally be allowed to 'check-in' as Poppy had called it.

"Mr. Snape?" an older woman at the counter asked him. He stared. He couldn't help it. Her hair was obviously quite long and peppered with grey, but it was pulled up in a heavy French twist with the seam hidden by a cascade of fragrant, white flowers. There was a rare dignity about her one sees particularly in older women; she carried herself like a queen. "I'm Malia, the general manager of the hotel. I wanted to thank you for rescuing Kahealani," she gestured to the younger clerk behind her, "from an--awkward--situation. We do try to warn our guests when they arrive that their phones won't work here, but--"

"It's quite all right," Severus remarked dryly, "I assure you, it was my pleasure."

She chuckled, a rich sound. "Your cabin is ready for you. I just need your credit card for an imprint and then we'll be all set.

Severus removed the card from his back pocket and handed it to her. While she ran the card through some kind of machine, he tried to place her accent--not quite pure American with its flat intonations, it had a hint of home with her rounded, almost plummy tones. But there was also a sing-song quality to it he finally decided must be unique to the islands. He set it aside when she handed back his card along with two other, similar pieces of white plastic. "You're all set. These are your keys, one each for you and Mr. Potter. Should you lose them just let your valet know and we'll issue new ones with a new code."

He raised a brow and glanced at Harry. When Harry shrugged, Severus asked her, "Valet?"

"Oh, my apologies; I assumed your travel agent had told you of your cabin's amenities."

Severus smiled wryly, wondering what other 'amenities' Poppy had conveniently forgotten to tell them. "It must have slipped her mind," he said dryly.

To cover her apparent discomfort, Malia gave a small smile and said briskly, "That has been known to happen from time to time. Please, allow me to explain." At Severus' nod, she continued, "Each of the private cabins' fees include full spa privileges and the use of a private valet and maid for the length of your stay. The valet's purpose is to take care of all arrangements you may need to make for your stay, such as meals and excursions, much like a concierge. The maid sees to your housekeeping needs and provides turn-down service should you request it. All you need do is let each of them know your preferences."

Severus looked over at Harry, who was avidly listening to the whole exchange. He turned back to Malia. "Our primary wish is privacy. Perhaps we can speak to them later this afternoon to set the terms of their service?"

"That is doable, or might I suggest, your valet can drive you to your rooms and you can discuss it on the way?" At Severus' taciturn face, she temporized, "Or I can give you a map and you can walk there instead."

"Which would you prefer?" Severus asked Harry, looking around at the greenery surrounding them. He felt Harry's hand on his shoulder, standing by his side and contemplated his lover, his stern eyes softening.

"It's such a lovely day I think I would rather walk, if its all the same to you, Sev. We can talk to the fellow later." His eyes were everywhere at once and Severus had to admit everything required a second look from the light polished wood of the counter where they stood to the volcanic stone walls with their bright foliage. Harry turned from Severus' steady regard and asked Malia, "Is it very far?"

"It's about a half hour casual walk, less if you're in a hurry." She smiled at them both. "I'll have your bags taken there immediately. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Severus thought about it a moment. "Actually, I have a few questions. What times are meals served? Can we eat in?"

"Meals in the main dining terrace are available at the hours posted in the guest book in your rooms; reservations are recommended but not required, except on Friday nights when there is local entertainment. The lounge is always open after 10:00 am. Should you want in-room service, as most of our guests prefer, your valet will obtain the day's menu for you and can assist in making palatable choices should you be unfamiliar with our local cuisine. The valet places the order and the meal is brought to you at the time you request. We try to be flexible and kitchen staff are available at any time as is the wine steward. The guest book contains information about all of our other amenities and, of course, the spa."

Severus began to understand why it was all written down, the amount of new information was almost overwhelming. "Ah, thank you. We shall certainly look at it later. Also, what is the customary tipping policy here?"

"We discourage you from tipping the staff on an individual basis unless, of course, you wish to do so. There is a section--"

Severus held up his hands. "I know--in the guest book."

She smiled broadly. "Before you check-out, you will be given a list of the staff who helped you during your stay along with a guide as to the normal rates for extra services provided. It's not extensive by any means and you fill out the form with the amounts, if any, you deem sufficient. The total is then added to your overall bill and distributed accordingly after you depart. We find it helps prevent over-tipping; after all, the staff are hired to do their jobs well. Tipping is for service above the norm."

"Very good. You said you had a map?"

She pulled one out of a shallow drawer and drew on it a thick line showing the meandering route running roughly diagonally across the property. Map in hand, they said their thanks and were soon on their way, stopping where the paths divided to consult the paper Harry held, Severus pointing to the proper path. Her eyes followed them out for quite a while. Smugly, she made her way back to her office, thinking she'd have to Floo Poppy and let her know they'd arrived safely and find out what she wanted next. She chuckled to herself, remembering Severus' quip to Kahealani about 'a bee in her bonnet." Indeed, given his reputation and her own brief observations, Malia suspected he would have preferred to turn the hassling American into a lovely toad.

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Severus and Harry followed the broad stone path in companionable silence. Within the first few minutes of their tranquil stroll, Severus' hand brushed Harry's and, without thought, he took it, entwining their fingers, something he would never consider at home in public but somehow seemed all right here.

The near silence, disturbed only by the light breeze whispering through the fronds of the coconut palms and flowering trees lining the walkway, the soft cheery call of the small, grey finches with their perfectly groomed coats dotting the cropped lawn, and the faded murmur of occasional voices or laughter from the cabins they passed, gave them ample room for their thoughts.

Poppy was right; there was a subtle magic to this place and Severus could already feel a calm contentment filling him. The problems of the last few weeks floated away with the soft breeze brushing his face, leaving only a sense of well-being. He knew they would return to him, eventually, but not right now. He'd been gifted this time alone with Harry.

Cerise, who often saw his heart better than he did, had also been right; it did defeat the purpose of reconciliation if he and Harry did not talk to, nor touch each other. He hoped this time apart with his lover would provide the impetus for them to heal. He tightened his hold on Harry's hand but said nothing.

His thoughts irenic for the first time in several days, Harry let the sunshine wash away the lingering remains of the frantic pace he'd maintained, while working with his first private referral, before they'd departed. After several failed attempts (caused partly by the unusual conditions of the injuries) Harry had given it up as too dangerous to rush and had made enough of the potion to stabilize the patient during his absence. He hoped his concentration improved in the interim, or else he would have to refer the man to someone else.

Taking a calming breath to banish the last of his manic thoughts, Harry raised his face slightly to the sky. The late morning sun, filtered through the fronds of the palms, caressed his face and arms. It made him want to take off his clothes; he would bathe in its soothing regard while the teasing breeze frisked across his sun-warmed skin. Half closing his eyes, he could see it playing with the loose ends of his lover's hair as it tickled across his cheek when he kissed him with a heat to rival the sun; Severus' arms, wrapped tightly around him, the reins to hold his fears at bay.

Lost in that phantom kiss, his lips slightly parted, his cheeks flushed, Harry never saw the hunger in Severus' eyes caused by the sight of his lover glowing in the sun. He would take Harry in his arms and revel in the heat of his skin kissed by the Lamp of Phoebus as the first burning touch of Harry's lips thawed the coldness within him. He savoured it a moment before reality intruded, but still, tearing his eyes away from such a desired temptation became the most arduous thing he'd ever done.

A stumble on a patch of uneven walkway broke the kiss in Harry's mind. Looking around surreptitiously, he was grateful Severus seemed to be ignoring him; he could not imagine what his reaction would have been had he seen the things on Harry's mind. So he concentrated instead on the distractions of his surroundings. The lack of strong heat surprised him; he'd always thought the tropics would be a 'sweaty' hot, not a 'take-off-your-clothes-and-marinate-in-it' warm.

And he was confused.

Severus had been distant the last few weeks, sleeping in the same bed when he wasn't out trolling the hallways but only sleeping, with insurmountable volumes of air between them. Their entwined hands--he knew not what to make of them but was determined to enjoy the closeness while offered. The only thing staying his anger over Severus' refusal to talk about their situation was that he knew the separateness was not done on purpose. Severus was not trying to punish him. Cerise had been right; Severus was just having trouble getting close again. There was a big difference to his mind; he would almost prefer the former, for the latter meant they were still broken.

Some time later, just as they could hear the soft pounding of the ocean against some unseen beach, they reached the end of the trail. Off to the left was a large cabin, bigger than the others they'd passed, with a small gate set in a fence effectively cordoning the area off to the casual stroller. There was a box near the latch; the gate was locked.

"I reckon we use the card Malia gave us?" Harry ventured quietly, checking their location against the map.

"I suppose so," Severus said as he fished in his back pocket and pulled out his key. He regretfully let go of Harry's hand and examined the card as well as the box. He slid the card, arrow first, into a slot in the front and a light changed from red to green. With a click, the gate swung open. "Useful thing, this," Severus mused, looking at the card. "I wonder if it can be adapted?"

Harry shrugged, unconcerned. Closing the gate behind them, they walked down the private stone path and up the stairs to the veranda, which ran around the entire cottage as far as they could see. Harry used his key in the same manner and opened the front door. They gasped when they saw the huge, open-beamed room. Plain but elegant, the walls of windows were open to the breezes on all sides. A sign by the front door asked them to remove their shoes while inside in deference to an island custom. They did so and left them on a tray for that purpose. They explored the rooms--living, dining, bedroom, and a bath almost as big as theirs at home.

Harry stepped out on the deep lanai at the back and stood at the rail. The cottage was set fairly close to the cliffs; he knew there were other cottages nearby, but their cabin was set as if all alone with a clear view to the ocean beyond. It was so quiet he could hear the light wind rushing past his ears, the ocean a dim sound as if far away. He found this curious; the one time he'd gone to the sea with the Dursleys, they could hear the sounds of the surf from far away, long before they'd reached it. And then he realised what was missing. There were no seabirds calling, not one. He didn't particularly miss them.

Severus followed and quietly stood behind Harry, hesitating and debating with himself. Surrendering to his impulses, he finally wrapped his long arms around Harry's waist, pleased they were almost the same height.

Harry suppressed a groan and leant back, pressing his body close and savouring the long awaited feel of his lover.

"Truly magnificent," Severus murmured, bending his head around to place light nips down Harry's proffered neck.

"Yes, the view is spectacular," Harry said, his heart pounding as hard as the surf on the rocks below.

Severus looked up over Harry's shoulder. "Yes, I suppose it is at that; however, I wasn't referring to the view," Severus replied, his hands drifting down to rest on the front of Harry's hips. Mindful of their recent estrangement, he whispered, "If you're willing--"

Harry turned in his arms, sliding his hands to rest on Severus' shoulders and gave him light kiss. "Why wouldn't I be willing?" he asked.

"It's been a long while; I wouldn't want to take advantage," Severus said, subdued. He knew the remoteness had been solely his, but his honour would not allow him to be close again without at least giving Harry the chance to pull away, to be upset over it. "I have few rights the way I have distanced myself the last few weeks."

"You've lost no privileges," Harry said quietly, leaning in to kiss Severus again with one hand travelling to his nape to burrow in his hair. "I do understand the difference, you know. I was thinking on it earlier. We'll take it at your pace, in your time. If anyone has lost ground it would be me." He lowered his head, curling it on Severus' chest, the silk softly rough beneath his cheek. "I'll take you however I can. For as long as I can."

Severus had not realised; his actions could be viewed as a punishment? He was appalled. He closed his arms tighter around Harry, the inherent possessiveness beyond assumption. The thought sobered him. He looked out over Harry's shoulder, watching the relentless waves. "Don't miss even one day with someone you love," Poppy had told him. Such a fool. No, not one day. Not now.

He shifted. Harry raised his head, eyes questioning. Severus stopped thinking about it and took Harry's lips with his, sealing them in a deep kiss, pulling him closer. Harry responded with joyful abandon. Eventually, they wound up in the huge downy bed, a discarded pile of clothing to the side.

Straddling him, Severus randomly worked his way around Harry's body. Suckling a nipple to pebble hardness, laving the soft skin of his belly, dipping his tongue into his belly button, licking the hollow of his throat, nipping up his neck, his tongue tasted the skin framed by his lips.

Harry revelled in the sensations rippling through him. Severus so rarely took complete control like this; Harry tried to give him what he needed by staying still, to let him have his fill, but the privation inside him was too strong and fresh. Needing so much more, Harry was unable to stop his body from rising off the bed to eagerly meet his lover, helpless to halt the begging noises leaving his throat.

Severus had been afraid that this Harry would be different, would respond differently. He sighed his profound relief at Harry's mewling cries when he threw his head back on the pillow, at the involuntary movements beneath him, at Harry's hands desperately kneading his biceps--all of them the loving responses Severus had learned to read from Harry over the years.

When Severus claimed Harry's mouth, the kiss so achingly familiar, Harry knew he'd not been found wanting, that at least in this Severus accepted him again. He tried to roll Severus over, to reciprocate and show him how much he wanted him, but stopped with the unspoken demands in his lover's eyes. Relentless in a tender way, they brooked no argument from Harry; he lay back into the bed, compliant but confused.

Severus watched him carefully and when he saw the acceptance of his terms in Harry's compliance, he released a breath of air he'd not known he'd held.

He carefully settled between Harry's legs and hovered, his weight on his elbows as he slowly stroked Harry with his own body. Featherweight, slow, and sensuous, he heard Harry mumbling incoherencies and smiled that something so simple could make them both so needy.

Harry remembered the rare times when Severus had spoiled him like this; he'd forgotten how incredibly sensitive it made him, how good the pinnacle had always been. He recalled the difficulty, the physical strength and absolute control Severus exerted to hold his body just so.

However, there was something about this that bothered him now. Something was missing and he struggled to think through the sensual haze. Control. Something about control. Severus controlling--himself? Them? Harry closed his eyes, trying to concentrate. The heat between their bodies made thinking almost impossible. He was about to surrender to the slow, powerful sensations when, in a flash of sudden insight, Harry realised that Severus had always unintentionally used this particular form of lovemaking to hold Harry separate, not close. To subjugate, not share. The pleasure received more a consolation prize than a gift of love.

Feeling too much like he had with Draco and his games of domination, Harry suddenly didn't want Severus to direct their passion anymore. He wanted, no, they needed Severus to lose his rigid control, to surrender to their pleasure--together, not apart. He could no longer capitulate to Severus' 'terms', for if he did, he could lose the very things causing this rift in the first place. He would not lose it all.

"No. I will not!" Harry exclaimed softly. Closing the short distance, his arms reached for Severus' waist, pulling him closer, disturbing the rhythm Severus had so carefully set. Imparting his own pace to keep the two of them in the right contact with each other, Harry's body movements brought them closer, tighter, more firmly together.

Severus' eyes flew open and he gazed at Harry, at first mildly annoyed with the interruption, but with the affectionate implacability in Harry's face, the unbanked fire and determination in his eyes, Severus saw, to his shame, what he'd really been doing. And what Harry was demanding from him, from them. There would be no compromise in this--they would meet as equals, or not at all. And this was where all the difference lay. For one moment he balanced precariously on the brink of indecision, and then he lowered his body and resolutely met Harry stroke for stroke. "No, we will not. Together then," he gasped.

They now easily paced each other. It was as if their entire future rested on their ability to read each other, to keep moving towards fulfillment. Harry, in the instant before he stopped thinking at all and gave into the rapidly growing tempest within him, knew this was the crux of the whole situation, what he needed to teach Severus and accept himself: they were partners and, while it might not ever be perfect, it would always be good.

The inevitable pressure within them, the sweet tightening of their bodies, the inarticulate cries of longing, all heralded their nearness. Harry raised his head off the pillow enough to grab Severus' mouth with his own, his tongue thrusting frantically in tempo with the movements of their bodies while his hands grasped Severus' straining arms to steady them.

Almost incoherent with his need for release, and spurred by Harry's zeal, Severus soon imploded, letting loose a sharp, wordless cry, his back arched back, arms extended. Their joyous release thickly coated Harry's chest and stomach.

His hands grasping Severus' taut hips, Harry let his head and upper body fall back down onto the pillows, relishing the aftershocks of his climax, his breath rasping.

Severus opened his eyes, his breathing harsh and demanding, and searched Harry's face for a clue, any sign that he was still with him. And there it was, in clear, green eyes--Harry's boundless love nestled within satisfaction and satiation.

Almost undone by the raw emotions shining in Severus' eyes, Harry's hand gently, tenderly, stroked his lover's face, while he whispered, "Ah, Sev--that was a bit of all right."

Answering an unnamed, inner need to seal their new understanding, Severus lowered his mouth to the commingled semen on Harry's chest and sucked up a mouthful with his tongue and lips. With care, he moved his body up and lowered his face to his lover's. Harry lifted his head to meet Severus half-way and, when their lips sealed together, their tongues lapping, they tasted together the tart bitterness of their mingled pleasure, consuming it with open acceptance.

It was almost enough, more than either of them dared hoped, yet less than each would ultimately need. For now, however, lost in the renewed feel of each other and oblivious to the sun's passage across the sky, they held each other close, mouths and bodies, together, confessing what their voices could not.

*****

ho`oponopono
To correct or set right. To commingle spirits or essences to mend a relationship.

**** TBC ****