DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of it, JK Rowling and associates own all rights, no infringement intended, no money is being made, unfortunately.
WARNING; HP/SS Slash if you do not like do not read remember you have freedom of choice. Reviews appreciated but no flames, as I will trash them.
People can get away with saying the most cutting things to others by saying "Just Kidding" not realizing the damage they are causing or sometimes not caring. Harry comes to that realization when he almost lost the man he loves because he refuses to see what his friends are doing.
Chapter 3 Making up
Severus Snape decided that he was in hell, not surprising really, considering the life he had led. He also decided that as soon as he got his hands on that evil gremlin using a hammer on his head he was going to hex him into another dimension. He did not even have the strength to be sick no matter what his stomach wanted. He felt a hand lifting his head and the touch of a cool glass against his lips; maybe it was poison, something to put him out of his misery. He drank it eagerly. He took tiny sips at first, then when it did not come back up finished the glass. After a few minutes, the hangover potion began to take effect and he became more aware of his surroundings. What was that noise in the background, sounded like birds; there were no birds in the dungeons. That smell, what was that smell almost seemed like he was near the ocean.
Then he heard a voice "Sev, I know your awake so open your eyes please." 'That had to be Harry so it must be okay to open his eyes. Slowly, his eyes opened and he saw Harrys' smiling face looking down on him. He started to reach out to him and realised that he could not move his arms or his legs
Before he could panic Harry spoke, "Don't worry, the reason you cannot move is you're tied to the bed."
Severus blinked at him a couple of times then narrowed his eyes and spoke in calm even tone "What the hell kind of game are you playing Potter?"
Grinning Harry spoke up "No game, I just wanted to be sure you were not going to do something stupid like attempt to hex me until I explain the rules." Standing he began to pace the room which Severus noticed for the first time was not his bedroom in the dungeons.
"Where are we Harry?" Severus asked trying to remain calm.
"Did you forget what happened yesterday Sev?" Severus's eyes darkened with remembered pain then his face assumed his normal blank expression, the one that he used to face the world.
"Yes, I see you do. Well apparently, we both made some mistakes and assumed the other said something even though they had not actually said anything. My mistakes, I believe are worse then yours but at least I can truthfully say I wasn't going to runaway." Harry realized that his voice was rising towards the end but could not seem to help it.
He saw Sev wince a little but that was all. "So I decided that we needed to talk and I went to Albus for some help" another wince; "Draco also made a few suggestions" a shudder this time; "the basic plan came from Hermione and Ginny though" that brought a groan and Severus closed his eyes.
"Here is what is going to happen; we are on an island, you cannot Apparate out nor is there a floo connection. There is a house elf to help with chores and cooking but nothing else. Everybody told us to take as much time as we need to fix things. I will untie you as soon as I have your word that you will not hex me. You don't have to talk to me but we are not leaving until you do." Harry crossed his arms and stared at the silent man lying on the bed. No matter what it took, he was not going to lose this man; he needed him too damn much.
Severus opened his eyes, glared at Harry and gave a short nod, Harry raised an eyebrow (a trick he borrowed from Sev) and waited. Gritting his teeth Severus spoke "Fine, I promise not to hex you now release me at once."
Harry waved his wand and Severus sat up massaging his wrist. "The bath is through that door and you will find clean clothes in the wardrobe, when you finish you might want to join me on the patio. I asked for breakfast to be served out there in about an hour." Turning Harry left the room closing the door behind him, once outside the bedroom he leaned back against the door and gave a deep sigh. "Well that went better then I thought" he said aloud. "At least he promised not to hex me." Standing he moved to the patio hoping that things would turn out okay.
Severus sat on the edge of the bed staring at the door. What the in Merlin's name did Harry think he was doing? He was not going to make a scene or do anything to hurt him; he had been ready to walk away and leave Harry in peace. Was not that what he wanted? "Maybe not" a small voice inside said, "maybe he still wants you." Once again he could feel hope beginning to rise in his heart and tried his best to squash it. It was much better to anticipate nothing and not be disappointed, then to hope too much and be crushed. Well he would not find anything out here better to cleanup and face the music.
Rising he went in to take a shower, when he came out he found his clothing lying out on the bed. Picking up the shirt, he eyed it dubiously thinking it looked like it was made of some kind of gauzy material inappropriate for shirt rather then proper linen. Shrugging he donned the loose shirt and casual slacks and walked out into the house looking for the patio. Seeing Harry seated at a small table outside a large window he headed in that direction. Taking a seat, he poured himself a cup of coffee and looked across the table at Harry.
Harry took a deep breath and began speaking. "I have a lot to say and I would appreciate it if you would let me finish before saying anything." Seeing Sev nod he continued speaking "I never realized how much you were hurting. I wanted to keep the peace so bad between my friends and you that I let them get away with too much. I guess I figured that if it got too much for you that you would make them back-down. It was Ginny that pointed out that maybe you cared too much for me to make me choose between my first real friends and family and the man that I loved."
At Severus's sudden movement, Harry looked deep into his eyes and spoke clearly "I love you Severus Snape and have since I was sixteen. I kept waiting for you to speak first so I could protect myself." Grinning ruefully, he added, "Not very Gryffindorish was it."
When Severus did not speak but settled back down into his chair, Harry continued to talk, turning his cup idly in his hands. "I didn't understand what was happening last night. You caught me completely by surprise. It was not until I was telling Draco what had happened that he pointed out my mistakes. First about my friends and then about what I said." Looking straight into Severus's eyes, he said, "When I said you would regret it I only meant that I was going to keep the argument going all night if I had to until we settled it. I would never think of using or withholding sex to get what I want or threaten to end our relationship just to get my way. That wouldn't be fighting fair and it is not something you do to someone you care for." Harry continued to stare deep into Severus's eyes willing the man to believe him.
Severus lifted his hand and rubbed his eyes wearily, "Harry I don't..."
Holding up his hand Harry said, "Please let me finish. When I left the room, I was stunned and hurt that you could just walk away like that. Draco saw me in the hall and he dragged me to his room and dug the whole story out of me. He pointed out what I needed to do with my friends and he pointed out how you most likely took what I said. I went to the Burrow that night and confronted everybody. I told them you were a part of my life from now on. Moreover, if they could not handle that and treat you with respect, then they need not bother coming around. We were together and it would be either the two of us were welcome or neither was welcome. I came back to talk some sense into you and make you understand how much I need you in my life and how empty that life would be if you left me."
Snapes hand continued to cover his eyes and he was shaking his head wondering how he could have been so blind.
"You can't even begin to imagine what I felt when I found you and you told me that you were going to leave so that I would be happy. You showed me the letter of resignation and the letters from the different labs. I admit I panicked and sent you into a deep sleep. I had to find a way to talk to you and explain my actions. I could not lose you. You are my heart and my soul, I know that you would be fine if you left, the letters prove that; but I would not be able to live with out you. Oh, I would exist but that is not living. You keep me sane; you understand my dark side and how I have to fight it all the time; I have always been afraid that you would some day realize just how immature I can be and get tired of putting up with me. I need you in ways I do not even understand myself. You are the other half of me; please do not leave me alone. I'm so afraid of being alone and if you leave I will be all alone in the dark." By this time, tears were quietly trailing down Harry's cheeks but he never took his eyes off Severus and his voice never wavered.
Severus sat stunned not believing what he was hearing. Gods he thought could he have been any more stupid, no probably not. He should have known that Harry would never threaten him like that; that was not Harry's way. He still could not understand what Harry saw in him to make him love him like that. He was not worthy of this man's love, obviously Harry did not understand that. That he chose him over his family what could he say to that.
Lowering his hand, he watched the tears sliding down his lover's cheeks and that was more then he could bear. Rising from his chair, he rounded the table and pulled the younger man into arms. Holding him tightly he pressed Harry's face into shoulder and stroked his hair comfortingly. He could feel the sobs shaking Harry's body and felt the tears rising to his own eyes. Bending a little, he slid one arm under Harry's legs and lifting the slighter man into his arms, he carried him inside to the bedroom.
Lowering them down to the bed on their sides, he continued to hold Harry tight and spoke soothingly to him while inside his heart was soaring. "As long as you want me to stay with you I will be here. I will never leave you alone Harry. You will always have me. I love you more then I ever thought I could love anyone. You are the other half of my soul and with you, I am the kind of man that I always wanted to be. Please Harry look at me. I am sorry; I never meant to hurt you. I thought it would be best for you to get out of your life. I only want you to be happy. Look at me Harry, please!" Severus used one hand to raise Harry's face to his. Looking down into the deep emerald eyes he once again felt captivated.
"I'm sorry; I know that you would never use those kinds of threats on me. You are to honest for your own good most of the time. I guess deep down I've been waiting for you to come to your senses and realize that your friends were right about me." Harry frowned and tried to speak but Severus laid one finger on lips and said, "You had your say now it is my turn."
Harry nodded and laying his head on Severus's shoulder, prepared to listen. Snape continued to stroke Harry's hair as he spoke. "You were right; we both assumed things and jumped to conclusions. My only excuse is that I have never seen what you could possible see in me. Therefore, when I assumed you wanted to break off I did it first as way to save my pride. I decided to leave Hogwarts because for you it is the only real home you have ever had and I wanted you to be happy. It would kill me to see you with someone else. Therefore, I decided the best solution for all was to leave. I am sorry that I could not seem to tell you how I was feeling. I have hid my feelings and emotions for so long it is hard for me to open up to someone. I will do my best to let you know when there is a problem."
Looking down into Harry's tearstained face, he saw the love in his eyes that he had always wanted to see. Wiping the tears from that face with a gentle hand, he spoke from the heart "I love you Harry and I promise from now on we talk until we understand regardless of how long it takes. No more guesses or assumptions, we bring it all out into the open, okay." Harry nodded and Severus continued with an uncharacteristic shy smile on his face "You really told your friends that if it was me or them, you chose me."
Harry grinned up at him, "Of course you idiot, you should have seen their faces, the only one not surprised was Ginny, she said it was about time I came to my senses."
"I always knew she was the smartest one of that bunch," Severus grunted.
Harry punched him lightly in the shoulder "Prat"
Severus asked in a puzzled voice "So what was this plan that Hermione and Ginny came up with anyway." Harry blushed and stammered a little while Severus smirked at his discomfort.
"Well I told them I wasn't sure that you would listen to me so Hermione said that in a lot of romance books the guy knocks his lover out, kidnaps them and takes them to a romantic deserted island and keeps them there until they give in to their seduction and agree to remain together forever. Ginny figured knowing you, stubborn as mule, that it would probably be the best way to handle it. I was told, in no uncertain terms, not to show up again unless I had you by my side. I meant what I said, the first rude remark any of them make and we are gone. We will continue to do that until they realize that I won't accept that type of behaviour from them."
"What I cannot believe is that you got Albus and Draco involved. You know this means that I will never hear the end of this. By the way, you never answered my question. Where in Merlin's name are we?"
"Hell I don't know. Albus sent us here via portkey. After I told him and Draco about what you were planning; by the way Draco said he has a few things to tell you about that stupid act."
Severus groaned and replied, "Thank you very much Potter. You know how he gets when he is on a rampage. I'll have to hex him to shut him up."
"The problem with that is?" Harry said with a laugh clearly in his voice. "Anyway as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted they thought the kidnapping idea was great. Fawkes should arrive with another portkey in about 3 days. In case of emergency, we could summon the house elf and he would have gone directly to Albus. It was Draco's idea to tie you up until you promised not to hex me. Actually he suggested keeping you tied up all the time but you know how he is."
"Well we seemed to have worked out our problems already so what do we do with the rest of the time." Snape asked with a snicker in his voice.
Harry pushed him on to his back and leaning over said in a soft seductive voice "I'm sure you can think of something." Snape smiled and using the hand still in Harry's hair pulled him down for long slow kiss. Harry settled his body on top of the older man's, feeling his erection rubbing against his stomach. Harry deepened the kiss feeling the passion rising in his lover.
Breaking off he took a deep breath "God you are so beautiful like that" staring at the older man whose lips were red and swollen from the kiss, his eyes shining with love and lust, his alabaster skin flushed with passion, and his silky black hair tousled from Harry's fingers.
"You still need new glasses my love," Severus whispered rolling over so he stretched over that delicious body. Running his hands up Harry's chest, he slowly began to remove his clothing. They made slow delicious love never taking their eyes off each other and when Sev slipped into Harrys hot, tight body, he thought he had finally found heaven. They moved in slow motions until Harry cried Severus name out as he came. When Severus felt the shudders racking his lover's body he could no longer hold back and with two deep thrusts came moaning Harry's name. Collapsing on the bed, he drew the younger man into his arms while muttering a cleansing charm.
"Sleep love we'll talk again in the morning." Harry nodded and gently tugged Severus's head down so that their lips met in a long slow kiss. One that reaffirmed there love for each other. Exhausted from the emotional outburst and lovemaking Harry snuggled close to Severus, drifting off to sleep while Severus held him close, and thanked heaven for interfering friends.
tbc