Author's Note: I would have had this up much sooner, but the stories tab on my account page wouldn't load. At all. Sorry.
Severus was dressing when Remus knocked on his door.
"Are you decent?" He asked softly. Severus let out a laugh. Remus took in a stunned breath. Severus had laughed -- something he had never heard the Potions master do. Remus had to admit that Severus did have a rather nice and quite infectious laugh. It was a pity that he had never heard him do it before…
"Am I your Mother?" Severus asked, "Decent? I have nothing that you have not seen before, Lupin." He said. His voice was stern… but Remus could hear very delicate hints of amusement.
Remus cracked the door to see a small smile on Severus' face as he buttoned his shirt. Remus stared, looking at the happy crinkles around the man's usually cold black eyes…His breathing quickened-
"I'm decent." Severus announced, heading towards the stairs. Remus opened the door completely and nodded his head, taking himself out of his momentary trance.
"Where does wormwood grow?" He asked. Severus raised an eyebrow, thinking.
"In dark, damp places. Under fallen trees, stones..." He said, heading towards the front door. He had to squeeze by Remus, their bodies pressing together for a fleeting moment... Severus' hot breath on Remus' shoulder, his smell all around...
Remus shook his head. "It shouldn't be too hard to find." He said, and Severus nodded, opening the door.
"After you, Lupin." He said, and Remus obliged. They walked down the walkway into the wood, the sunlight coming through the lush green branches.
Twigs crunched under their feet as they walked silently along. Severus would pick up a log or a branch every now and then, not finding anything yet. After about a half an hour of finding nothing--
"How long have you lived here?" Severus asked, breaking the silence.
"Since I was born." Remus replied, bending down and picking up a mossy log. A few odd looking roots were attaching themselves to the rotting wood. They were an odd purplish-brown, and he pursed his lips.
"What does wormwood look like?" He asked. Severus turned; tossing the branch he was looking under fruitlessly, and raised his eyebrows.
"Purple... but there are hints of brown. It looks like a root." He explained, and Remus smiled.
"I think I've found some." He said, picking at it. A few of the roots flaked from the log, and Remus began to pick them up. After he had gathered them all, he placed them in his hands and turned, presenting them to Severus.
Severus' eyebrows jumped, in what looked like a moment of appreciation. He looked slightly impressed. They looked at each other for a moment, and Severus held out his palms.
"You've found enough to make two or three cauldrons full. Well done, Remus." He said, his tone sounding very professional, but very grateful. Remus let out a soft sigh.
"I do believe that is the first time you've ever called me Remus, Severus." Remus said, and a small, mischievous smile appeared on his lips.
Severus averted his eyes, but his lips produced a minuscule smirk.
"Hand it over." He said quietly, and Remus stepped forward, their hands meeting, placing the wormwood into Severus' hands.
Remus' hands were scarred, but very soft and tender... They were warm against Severus' flesh...
Severus' heart began to pound, and when he finally looked up, Remus was right there, no more than three inches from his face.
"Remus...?" Severus blurted quizzically, and began to back away with great vigor, only to back into a tree and being thrown forward by his own force.
Their lips met.
Severus took in the feeling of warmth, as well as Remus' soft, sweet lips caressing his own. Severus dared to press the tip of his tongue inside Remus' mouth. The werewolf took it in appreciatively, and soon they found each other pressed against the tree, kissing ever more passionately.
Severus opened his eyes when his logical brain caught on to exactly what was happening. He wasn't just kissing anybody... He was kissing Remus Lupin. He pushed the werewolf away, his face red with passion and embarrassment. Remus staggered backward, then, in his own embarrassment and uncertainty, looked to the ground, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"I'm sorry," Remus said, and then added hastily, almost as if he were saying it against his own will, "It wasn't bad... was it?"
Severus thought for a moment, pursing his lips. He refused to look Remus in the eye. After a long moment of deliberation, he spoke, choosing his words with careful judgment.
"I didn't think it was bad, Remus." Severus said, the finally looked up, "But I am a Death Eater and you are a werewolf. What is the logic in that? Especially when Nymphadora loves you so…?" He asked, his eyes showing the inner frustration and sadness. He then pocketed the wormwood and walked away, leaving Remus staring, a few hot tears forming in his eyes.
"No, Severus…" He said, his voice feeble, "There is no logic at all…"