Rating: PG-13

Genres: Romance, Angst, Fluff

Warnings: n/a

Spoilers: books 1-5

Summary: Harry always confesses his love for Severus, but Severus never says anything back, so Harry leaves. Severus regrets pushing Harry away, and wants to get his Harry back. Storyline similar to that of "Hard to Say" only with a happy ending the first time around instead of the crappy sequel.

Song: Only One

Artist: Yellowcard

Author's Note: Originally a songfic, the lyrics have been removed from this fic to comply with FF rules. Song lyrics can be found here: www (dot) azlyrics (dot) com (slash) lyrics (slash) yellowcard (slash) onlyone (dot) html

For the original version of this fic, please check out my livejournal:

www (dot) livejournal (dot) com (slash) users (slash) Harry (underscore) sev (slash)

Severus Snape stood on the doorstep, his hand poised just above the doorbell. He didn't move. Pushing that little button should have been an easy thing to do. But it wasn't; it was the most difficult thing he had ever tried to do. Well, one of the most difficult things.

xxx

It was a few months before the final battle. Harry and Severus had spent months training, preparing for the fight. Neither one of them commented on the attraction growing between them because neither one of them wanted to be the one to talk about it first. Then one night after a round of duels, Severus invited Harry to his rooms for a drink. Harry happily accepted. Several hours and many drinks later found Harry and Severus naked and tangled up in Severus's bed.

xxx

Four months later Harry defeated Voldemort. There were numerous parties to celebrate the bastard's downfall. Despite his infinite invitations, Harry didn't attend a single one. Instead, he spent the next few months moving in to Severus's apartment (since the potions master had finally decided to quite teaching and open the apothecary he had always dreamed of having) and spending as much time as possible with the older wizard.

xxx

Things were going fine for the next few months. Their relationship seemed to go downhill the first time Harry admitted to loving Severus. In his heart, Severus had been thrilled to hear those words. But in his mind, Severus was too afraid to say them back. He wanted to, god but he wanted to. But there was always that nagging little voice telling him that Harry would change his mind soon and leave. So Severus ignored Harry's pained looks and went on acting normally.

That drove Harry to the breaking point. Six months after he confessed his feelings, Harry packed his bags and left while Severus was at work. When Severus returned he found the apartment half-empty and a note on the table with Harry's new address on it. It said that Harry would be willing to come back as soon as Severus admitted his feelings. Deciding that Harry was better off without him, Severus didn't go after him. Nor did he throw away the note. Instead, he placed it on his nightstand, right next to his picture of Harry.


xxx

Two months later, Severus knew he had made a terrible mistake by letting Harry go. Harry was the only one who really knew and loved the real Severus. Harry didn't judge him for his past mistakes, didn't require long explanations for things that Severus truly did not want to talk about. Harry was always a calming presence in his life. And now the green-eyed wizard was gone because Severus was too insecure to admit that he loved the younger man. Severus eyed the note Harry had left him. That had been months ago. Would Harry have found someone else already? Even if he hadn't, would he still want Severus? Realizing that he had nothing to lose either way, Severus pulled on his cloak and headed over to Harry's.

xxx

Severus stood on Harry's doorstep, his hand poised just above the doorbell. He didn't move. Pushing that little button should have been an easy thing to do. But it wasn't; it was the most difficult thing he had ever tried to do, next to forgetting about Harry, of course. Taking a deep breath, Severus gathered his courage and pushed the doorbell. No one answered.

xxx

Was Harry ignoring him? Or was he out on a date with someone else? Both seemed highly likely, and both made Severus feel slightly nauseous. Now what was he supposed to do? Harry clearly didn't want to talk to Severus, not that Severus could blame him. Severus debated leaving a note to let Harry know he was there, but decided against it. Harry deserved someone better, someone who wasn't afraid to admit his feelings. Sighing, Severus turned to walk away and jumped. He was standing face-to-face with Harry Potter.


xxx

"What are you doing here?" asked Harry.

"I, well, you see...I—" Harry smiled sweetly. He had never seen Severus this nervous before. He stepped a little closer to Severus, who tried to take a step backward and ended up walking into the door.

"I thought you were out with a lover," Severus whispered. Harry frowned.

"And how did that make you feel?" he asked slowly.

Severus took a deep breath. This was it. This was where he confessed his feelings and had Harry laugh at him. He thought back over the past two months he had spent alone and knew that this was his only chance to make things right.

"I was scared that I had lost you," he admitted brokenly.

xxx

Harry stepped even closer to Severus and gently ran his hand down the older man's cheek. He felt Severus give a weak shudder and smiled.

"You'll never lose me," he said.

"I love you," said Severus, looking deep into Harry's eyes. Those green eyes started to water as they stared back at Severus. Harry leaned forward and pressed his lips to Severus'. He moaned as their tongues battled for dominance. Finally the need for air became to great, and they had to break apart.

Harry rested his forehead against Severus' and whispered, "I love you, too."


xxx

For those of you who read "Hard to Say," was this one better?

Please review!