Author Notes: In the words of Spongebob, " nursing a broken spirit sure is hard"

Welcome aboard April, MAEday, Rana An Shanaan, Khasman, Trin, Nocturnallupine, Amura (sorry I just noticed I didn't welcome you.) Offers some of the chocolate Occasus gave me looking apologetic. Thank you all for your encouragement, and um……don't worry the longest I've taken is a week I think. On this one at least, (looks over at the no-doubt impatient readers of The life and Times of Rigel Grimm) and since my stubborn brain will think of nothing but this story (goes over and apologises to LTRG readers again) updates are fast. Thank you all who've stuck with me and welcome newcomers, or people who are just now reviewing.

Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter I'd have my own computer, and it would be brand new. Brand spanking new with the best video and sound card ever so that I can run Sims 2 (begins drooling) Hmmm, oh sorry, have I said I don't own it yet?

Chapter 8

How long he slept he did not know, but what he did know was where he was. Lupin's room, no our room. He thought after inhaling the room's unique scent and recognizing it immediently. Strength returned and he sat up. He felt a standing tray brush his lap as it was set there. The tray-setter put a spoon near his hand allowing his fingertips to touch the cold metal. He seized the hand rather than the spoon. It squeezed, and he let it go before he happily dug into his ice cream.

He tapped the spoon against the bowl. Lupin obliged and gave him seconds. He ate four bowls before he pushed the tray off of him and got up to run his hands around the walls and furniture of the room. Nothing had changed. Afterwards he sat back down on his bed. Lupin was gone. He felt around frightened suddenly.

Lupin was his rescuer, and if his rescuer had abandoned him again what if he got someone worse than the bratty Weasley, and his father. He continued searching near panic now. Lupin was completely gone. He flailed his arms feeling them hit the walls. He kicked at furniture feeling it fall over. If Lupin hears he'll come back, or his new person would come, but Lupin might come. He kept trashing the room feeling comforted by his, "Lupin will come", mantra.

Remus came back from the bathroom down the hall at a run. Well, cautiously fast walking actually. He heard tons of thuds, and the sound of uncaring footfalls. He kept fast walking when he entered the room, but stopped after he nearly tripped over a small overturned table. He didn't even try to pin the arms. He placed his hands on the back and did the little soothing circles that he had done for Harry. It all stopped and in an instant he was pulled into a hug. He kept the circles up, and hummed the tune of the last song he'd taught Severus. His head pressed to his chest to feel the vibrations better, it's previous tears of panic beginning to soak Remus's shirt.

"What's with all the rack-", Molly Weasley stopped talking as she took in the room," is everything alright?"

"It is now", he said wearily already sick from the oncoming moon," everything is now".

He heard her coming in. He felt a pang. Everyone was so busy. "I'll fix it don't worry"

He did. He walked around the room, accompanied by his clingy companion, picking up the overturned things with his one open hand.

It was nice being needed. It was a wholesome feeling. The children needed him for piano lessons. Harry needed him for emotional support, as was apparent in his letters. Severus…..well, Severus just seemed to obviously need his company. The feeling was mutual, though not as strong in him as it was in Severus. He squeezed the hand of the man who was practically sitting on him in the small, not built for two armchair. With his other hand he stifled a yawn. He pushed his fingers to Severus's back indicating that he wanted to get up. They both stood up, with the hand holding never ceasing. He led Snape to his bed. Gently sat him down on it, and tried to disentangle their hands and go to his own.

No! No you're not leaving me again! You won't abandon me to some horrible person again Lupin! He grabbed Lupin's forearm with his free hand and pulled him foreword. He landed haphazardly on top of Severus, and rolled off quickly trying to get off the bed, and found that he couldn't because Snape had wrapped him, from behind, into the most constricting hug ever and pulled him down Lupin don't leave. You have to keep the bad companions away.

He didn't struggle. With the full moon so near it wouldn't be wise to tire himself. So close, so intimate, the romantic in him cried, does he love me? His panicked-self cried, oh no what if he tries something? I can't get away if he does and-and if he loves us he won't try anything the Romantic part broke in. He got as comfortable as he could in his captor's grip, and relaxed into sleep listening to the soft breathing beside him.

He had to pee. He had to pee bad. He knew it was morning. He could feel the suns rays hitting him through the curtains, and Severus must still be asleep. He wiggled a little in Severus's arms. They tightened a bit and then released, but their hands still remained locked. He sat up, and Snape did the same. He tried everything in his power to be allowed to pee in peace. Severus seemed to understand that this was a bathroom, but he didn't seem to get the 'let my hand go and leave so that I can pee' part. Resigned and just plain tired Remus found a compromise.

He placed both of Snape's hands onto his shoulders and tried to disentangle his hand again. Snape let him and held his shoulders instead. He walked over to the sink afterwards, with Snape's hands still on his shoulders, and washed his hands before they alternated. He didn't dare move them. Germaphobic, neat freak, that he was the thought of Severus grabbing him in the middle of peeing without washing his hands was……it made him want to shudder.

Feeling utterly sick because of the full moon, Remus stayed in bed all day with Snape never considering leaving. I don't remember anyone staying with me this long, he found himself thinking, maybe he does love me, the romantic in him took over. He wrapped his arms around Snape who did it in return, and laid sick and achy like that, though utterly contented thinking that Severus loved him.

Snape noticed Lupin put his arms around him. Is Lupin scared too? Lupin can't be scared he has to help me. If he's scared he can't. He placed his arms in what he thought was a comforting manner. I hope Lupin's not scared. If he's scared he might run off and leave me here with some other person. He tightened his grip to make sure Lupin stayed.

He couldn't help it. The vomit just came, and since he couldn't get up it went all over his poor companion. He groaned and lay his head back on the pillow waiting for something to happen. Snape took his hand from across Lupin's back and felt his shirt. Oh, he's not scared he's sick. He's been nice to me so I'll be nice to him.

A bit fearful of doing so, but reasoning that a sick person wouldn't go anywhere, he took the extra pillows from the armchairs and took them back to the bed, after he had taken off his shirt and put it into their dirty clothes basket. Remus felt him put the pillows behind his head. This was nice. This means he does care. He does love me, the romantic said. Severus re-wrapping his arms around him only confirmed that though.

Snape re-wrapped his arms around Lupin hoping to make him feel better. He's so warm. What is he, feverish? Perhaps I should go get someone? He got out of the room repeating to himself," a feverish person can't go anywhere". He was on the stair landing. What if someone takes me away? If Lupin dies from being sick someone will. With that in mind he started downstairs.

Author Notes: Remus confessing love in the next chap. Sorry it's not full slash, but it's the beginning right? My mind turned to mush after writing the last sentance, and I forsee the next chapter possibly being very long so I'm stopping the chapter here. Sorry it isn't full slash, but Remus confesses his love next so full slash is coming, and the chapter shouldn't take me very long. (cowers) don't hurt me with a stick!