AN: The poem for chapter two is titled What More? And is by Ella Kay. If that isn't her full name I can't help that because she didn't put it on. If anyone wants the web address for the site or a direct link to the page, I can email it to you no prob. I reorganised it a little, just to fit the story.

What More?

Dishes? Cleaned and drying.

Bathroom? Sparkling.

Clothes? Washed and hung in the closet.

Remus smiled around the small flat. He'd cleaned the entire thing by hand, including the fireplace. For some odd reason he found it very relaxing and calming on his nerves.

The clock chimed three times behind him. Only three? he thought. He didn't have to be at Severus' until after dinner. He sighed. Severus. What was he going to say?

In the kitchen he poured himself some fruit juice and plopped into a chair. His thoughts raced. Did he want to do this? Was he strong enough? How would Severus take it?

It was fairly obvious that Severus was interested in their relationship, but he was never affectionate. Remus needed to feel like he was worth Severus' time. Well, anyone he was with's time actually. Severus didn't act like he was. Often it was like he was a pain in Severus' ass.

Remus had tried to get Severus' attention, the kind he wanted. He'd listened to him, talked to him, supported him, helped him after Death Eater meetings when he came back injured, even let him into his bed. It didn't seem to matter what he did.

The hours crept by as Remus stewed, darkness falling by only 5:00 p.m.

I realise now

As night falls

Heavy on my heart

I can do no more

To earn your love

I've listened,

Cried, laughed,

Worried, searched

And yet…

I fall short

In your eyes

Remus had to wait until the Hogwarts dinner hour was over to see Severus. Another hour. He sighed, lying down on the couch. Why was time passing so slowly?

As he waited he remembered a conversation he's had with Severus. "What do you want in a man?" he'd asked flirtingly, twining their fingers together.

"Decent conversationalist," Severus had answered, watching their hands. "Confident. Reasonably attractive." He'd paused. "I've always had a thing for blondes."

Not the answer Remus had been looking for, especially after sex. Even if he didn't mean it, Remus had wanted Severus to describe him. He didn't know as much as Severus and was sometimes lost in their conversations. He was confident enough for himself, but he never thought he was overly attractive. And he definitely wasn't a blonde. Well, he had been a dirty blonde, but it was on the darker side these days and starting to grey. He'd dye it but he knew he'd look like an idiot with light blonde hair. Once when they were young James and Sirius had convinced him to try it. They'd laughed so hard James had almost pissed himself and Sirius had the hiccups for a good hour after. No, he definitely wouldn't do that again.

You wish for a dream,

Perfection,

I offer you reality…

Me.

I fall short

In your eyes.

But Remus had other good things about him. He was fit. He was very confident of his body, and he'd been told he'd had some very prominent … skills.

He was smart enough. Sure, he didn't read Eugene Malloy, but he read Shakespeare. He liked art and different music types.

No, there was nothing wrong with Remus. If Severus didn't want to bother with him that was his problem.

So continue your search

But look not

For me.

I have awakened to a new day.

The day of my perfection…

The clock chimed again. Time to go, he thought sighing.

Remus didn't hesitate as he threw floo powder into the hearth, didn't hesitate as he entered Severus' rooms at Hogwarts, didn't look around or think about this being the last time he's be here. He wouldn't - couldn't - let himself. It was time he did what he needed for him, not others.

Severus was standing at the main window, looking out over the snowy lawn. An empty wineglass sat beside him on the ledge and a picture frame was beside it.

Remus leaned on the other side of the window. He glanced at the picture. It was one of them. He looked quickly at Severus and picked up the picture. He had the same one, taken of them by Albus a couple of months ago. He ran his fingers over the couple kissing in the frame and set it down again, hoping he'd be able to talk around the lump in his throat.

Before he could speak Severus pulled the smaller man forward and wrapped him in his arms, kissing him. Remus had never been kissed like this before, gently, tenderly. He melted into the embrace. There was no usual battle for dominance, no taking, only giving. Severus tasted like the wine he'd been drinking, aged to perfection.

When they parted Remus leant his head on Severus' chest. He felt Severus lean his cheek on his head, felt him stroking his hair, felt the tears threatening to fall. He had to do it. He had to. He had to think about what was best for him.

But there was something different in Severus' touch, spurring his hope. He couldn't help not being able to speak.

Severus suddenly pushed him away, not roughly though, more like just holding him out a bit. Remus had never seen that expression on his face before.

"I love you, Remus."