Chapter Six: Offerings

It was not as though he was up to breaching the topic – about what he did three weeks ago – but he had not been with Severus for two weeks. He wanted to stay a little longer, but he needed a valid excuse to do so. He stared at Severus' covered feet for several seconds, before lifting his eyes to meet the inquiring gaze. He opened his mouth to speak, but then, he paled, realizing that he really didn't know what to do in order to stay. His shoulders slumped a little in defeat and he sighed softly. Mustering up a faint smile, he asked Severus if there was anything else he could do.

When Severus nodded, Harry blinked, as though uncertain that he had seen it. Taken by surprise, he gaped at the older wizard before asking. "Uh ... what is it?"

He felt so tiny like a confused child. The hair at the back of his neck rose at Severus' annoyed expression. Harry blushed. Although Severus had not spoken using his voice, Harry could almost figure out what the wizard was going to say.

"Stop being an idiot. I cannot speak or has that escaped you?"

"Sorry," he apologized. He paused to think. "Are you hungry? Thirsty?" Severus shook his head. "No?" Harry gingerly sat on the edge of the bed. "You want more news about the happenings at the Ministry?"

Severus snorted derisively, informing Harry that he could care less about the Ministry.

Harry could not help but smile just as sardonically. "Okay. So you don't want to hear any gossips or rumors." He tilted his head to the side. "Does it have to do with something outside of this room? No? Then ... is it you?" Curiosity sparked inside him. "Oh." He tapped his finger against his lips in thought. Then he groaned when he figured out the obvious.

No one had cared for Severus decently while he was away on Order business. They had not bothered to bathe him, much less see to it that he was comfortable.

"You ... want a massage?" he asked in a small voice. "Oh…." He smiled. "I should have thought of that straightaway." He got up and went to the small dresser, getting a bottle of oil from one of its drawers. "Sorry, Severus, but I'd have to disrobe you for this. Okay?" The Potions master responded with a roll of his eyes.

He set the small bottle on the end table, and then turned to help Severus up. Harry did not waste time – he untied the knot holding the sleeping robe together and pulled it off Severus' body. Before his eyes could settle to staring, he gently rolled the older man over to lie on his stomach. Then he repositioned the pillow and asked Severus if he was all right. A slight nod and Harry went to work.

The aromatic scent of the massage oil suffused into the air, but it was not strong, nor was it cloying. Harry lathered it over Severus' back, noting his strong shoulders and some scars near the side. Pouring some oil onto his palm, he placed the bottle back on the table. Then he rubbed his hands together to warm it before beginning on Severus' neck. Rather absently, he gathered the long, black hair and pushed it to rest on the left. He studied Severus' face as his hands moved.

His heart pounded in his chest, and Harry found that odd. Something about Severus' calm expression, the way his eyelashes fluttered over his closed eyes, made Harry feel strange. There were no hard questions, no arguments, for which he was grateful. It was a respite from problem solving, and from thinking too much about Voldemort.

The sensation of his fingers running over warm skin, comforted him. He rarely had the opportunity to do something like this – to turn off his mind, and offer pleasure to someone. Harry caught himself, and blushed at his own thought. He peered at Severus, who appeared to be dozing.

"Uhmmmm ... do you want me to work your hips as well?"

Severus opened his eyes and stared at him before nodding his assent.

"Well ... I'm not sure if I should straddle you..." He looked at Severus worriedly. Then his eyes widened when Severus snorted, rolled his eyes in that specific manner (which Harry found both annoying and alluring), and promptly shut them, pretending to doze. "If you're sure..."

Harry crawled up on the bed and swung his leg over. Slowly, he straddled the back of the man's thighs.

"Is this all right?" Using a bit of his own weight, he pressed his thumbs against Severus' lumbar. He had not expected the sigh of pleasure or the feeling of muscles relaxing further under his hands. For some reason, he really felt good.

An hour or so must have passed. He already had Severus laid on his back. His hands were aching, and Severus was asleep. However, just as he slipped the sock back onto Severus' foot, the wizard jerked awake.

"Sorry ... did I wake you?"

The stare that Severus was giving him unnerved him. He was used to seeing those eyes glaring at him one way or another, but to have them looking at him sleepily, somewhat trustingly…. He could not breathe, so transfixed by the gaze. He could not stand it any longer. Reaching up, he threaded his fingers into Severus' black hair, and lovingly combed it several times. The older man did not change his expression, as though content with what Harry was doing.

"Severus." He leaned over, and brushed his lips over Severus' brow before planting a gentle kiss on a cheek. Swept by emotion, he never noticed that he had called Severus by his name twice. His heart felt tight but he weathered it as he rested his cheek on Severus' forehead. His fingers brushed the man's face lightly repeatedly, and he stayed until the wizard fell asleep.

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