A.N.: Typo alert! Lucius meant to say in the last chapter "Santa Cruz is Severus' grandfather", not father.
Lucius woke up groggily, not half ready for the sudden reminiscence of what he'd seen in Severus' mind. He'd fallen onto the oriental carpet covering the floor, his forehead was beaded with sweat and his head felt split in half. He warily tried to get back to his feet, but his knees gave in and he fell again. Just then did he notice Severus observing him blankly.
Lucius made a second attempt to stand up, and managed to totter to the bed. He fiddled a bit with the nose mask, but the blasted thing came off after a little effort.
Lucius felt his throat grow dry. Severus must've shared the visions Lucius had seen while practicing legilimency upon him. He was blushing a little, no doubt because of that particular last memory... Lucius didn't know where to start, or if he should start in the first place, but the questions that came to him were threatening to eat him up if he'd leave them unasked...
He cleared his throat.
"Your grandfather... Santa Cruz." he stated. Severus blinked.
"What does my grandfather have to do with any of this?" he spoke quietly.
"Your grandfather... Santa Cruz..." Lucius repeated. Severus frowned, a little destabilised.
"What about them both?" he asked quizzically.
"Them both? Isn't he your grandfather?" Lucius squawked in a most un-Malfoyish manner.
Severus stood silent.
"Where did that come from?" he enquired.
Lucius found himself a little befuddled. He tried to remember, but Severus' reaction confused him, until-
"Padre!" he cried.
"Beg your pardon?" Severus sneered.
"Padre! Your mother called him Padre!" Lucius said over excitedly. Severus eyes widened, understanding.
"Antonio married my grandmother after my grandfather died. My mother was about fifteen then, but as her true father died not long after her birth, she didn't get to call him padre. Antonio became a sort of father figure to her..." he explained.
"Oh." Lucius relaxed, and turned away from Severus, trying to avoid the sensitive subject.
"I didn't know you'd been through so much to lose weight", he said matter-of-factly.
"I knew what I was in for", Severus replied.
"Still..."
Severus closed his eyes and heaved a deep sigh. He was still wheezing, but in a somewhat more regular way.
"I don't want to do this anymore..." he moaned. "I've had enough of this..."
"What don't you want to do anymore?" Lucius asked.
"I don't remember..."
Severus was staring into space. He laid incredibly still, eyes fixed, and seemed almost... almost...
"Shit!"
Lucius grabbed his wand and scanned Severus breathing, pulse and temperature in quick succession.
The man wasn't breathing anymore.
"Fuck, Severus!" Lucius roared. "Oh no, you don't!"
He pressed Severus' chest with all his might in quick successions. The raven haired was getting paler and paler, and Lucius knew he himself must be doing so too. He felt terrified with each push that didn't bring Severus back, terrified that he'd never come back, terrified that he'd leave Lucius without hearing Lucius' apologies...
Severus' limp body was taking in the heavy pressures without reacting. His head was lolling onto his pillow, his mouth ajar, but no exhale. Lucius prayed internally with all his might, to whatever saint would care for an excessively self-righteous ex Death Eater... He pushed harder, to the point where he'd risk to crush Severus' ribs, but he didn't care, he didn't care, he didn't-
A gasp.
Severus inhaled loudly, deeply, before taking in puppy dog pants. He'd barely recovered, when Lucius gave him an almighty slap in the face.
"NEVER", he bellowed, "DO THAT TO ME AGAIN! EVER!"
Severus looked back completely dumbstruck, hardly noticing when Lucius strapped back the nose mask before storming out and slamming the door so hard it rattled in its hinges.
Lucius leaned against the wall and slowly let himself slide down. Now that he was sure nobody would witness him, he let out an almighty sob and cried, his eyes reddening under showers of tears and face blushing. He wailed in despair like a lost child, and brought his knees to his chest, burying his face into them.
I don't want to do this anymore...
He hadn't supposed that "this" referred to being alive... But then again, Lucius had never been able to read between the lines where Severus was concerned. His thoughtless opinion of beauty had led his lover to starve himself to death, his ego had stopped him from perceiving Severus' depression, and now...
NEVER DO THAT TO ME AGAIN!
Me...
It always had to have something to do with himself, hadn't it? It was always him, and him alone, who suffered martyrdom, while the rest of the world turned around Lucius Abraxas Malfoy.
Lucius had never been so ashamed of being who he was... His egocentrism made him sick, not because of what it had made of him, but because what it allowed him to do to Severus. Perhaps the wannabe healer Pomfrey was right... Perhaps he wasn't the right person to take care of Severus...
Lucius painfully got back up and pulled himself to his bureau, after calling a house elf and leaving strict instructions for Severus' care. His brain had imploded from too much information and questions left without answers. He headed towards a large, ornate hearth like a sleepwalker before stopping abruptly before it. He wasn't conscious of his act anymore; a demon had taken over him and was just toying with him, ordering him around, and Lucius obeyed, for his mind was otherwise blank. He took a pinch of floo powder from a small china pot, and threw it into the crackling fire.
"Cazza di Antonio Santa Cruz!"
Antonio stretched upon the settee before rolling onto his side. He couldn't find sleep in his bed. He couldn't find sleep in his living room. It looked like insomnia was haunting him once again. Although he was a glorious healer, he'd only been capable to find a single cure to his sleeping disorder. It consisted in light touches, delicate caresses and melodious moans that lured him into Morph's arms, if he'd played his part well enough.
He buried himself into a cushion, nearly wanting to choke himself with it. Back in bed with Severus, he'd wanted to hold onto him as tight as he could, but the feeling of bones underneath skin, with no fat to protect it, made him afraid to break the fragile creature of his affection... Why did it have to end up like this, Antonio didn't know.
Roaring emerald flames burst into his fireplace, stunning Antonio. Lucius stepped out of it without a word.
Both men stared at each other. Each one sports dark rings under their eyes and looked ready to faint from exhaustion. Lucius tottered towards Antonio before collapsing to his knees, hiding himself into the healer's lap. He was very pink in the face and his shoulders were trembling, but as to hold on to his last shred of dignity, the blond man didn't let a sob escape his quivering mouth.
Antonio remained impassive.
He didn't need any explanation. He knew what was the only thing that could bring a Malfoy to this state.
Sighing, his heaved Lucius to his feet and leaded him to a small room. A large ornate bed inside was taking at least a third of its place, and seemed to invite Lucius to fall upon its lustrous covers. Antonio pulled off Lucius' shoes and pulled off the bed sheets before making him lie down. He then tucked him professionally, like the practised healer he was. Lucius was reminded of the time when Antonio had took care of him when he'd caught Dragon Pox, during his childhood. He watched Antonio with puzzled eyes, frowning to remember why he'd come here in the first place... And it all cameback.
"Severus..." he whined. "He's going to-"
"Shush..." Antonio murmured. "I'll take care of him... He'll be alright..."
Lucius closed his eyes contently. If Senior Santa Cruz said Severus was going to be alright, then it would be true.
Antonio lay down his quill and sighed. He knew Lucius needed to understand... He'd need to in order to deliver Severus from himself. Antonio would only be able to cure his pneumonia, unfortunately. Lucius will have to take up from there.
Antonio sealed the parchment he'd written on and left it on the bedside table for Lucius to read later. The man was dead to the world and quite frankly, Antonio wished him to sleep a few hours, for he looked a mess. His usually neat hair was flanged all around him, his cheeks blushed and snot, tears and drool leaked over his face. Antonio freshened him up with a wave of his wand. He turned to leave, but stopped just before he'd grasped the doorknob. He returned to Lucius' side and squeezed his shoulder gently.
"Arrivederci, senior Malfoy."
Queezer lead Senior Santa Cruz nervously to Master Severus' bedroom. As a good house elf he'd always greeted guests gleefully, but when he'd opened the large oak doors of Malfoy Manor to the healer, words died into his mouth. It was normal, of course, for most wizards not to acknowledge an elf's existence; however, the tall man had been so introvert he didn't even seem aware of Queezy's presence, and started walking towards the Est wing's guestroom as one condemned to the gallows.
Queezy was truely at lost for anything to say.
The ventilator hummed monotonously.
Severus could still feel the stinging pain where Lucius had slapped him. His eyes had remained wide open ever since, but even so they had remained moisten. He didn't understand why.
He had purposely ignored Lucius for years, even decades, and he'd told himself he didn't give two knuts for what happened to the pompous git. Nevertheless, he knew the ache he felt inside wasn't due to the humiliation of being slapped by an ex-lover...
Could it be?
Why, tough? He'd spent his time longing to find a way to make Lucius as miserable as he'd made him, and now he'd achieved this goal...
Why does it still ache... there?
But of course! It was pneumonia, coronary pains came with the disease, how could've he forgotten?
No...
What else could it be? He'd chucked out of his system every bit of affection he'd ever had for Lucius...
Tiny drops dampened the silk sheets of Severus' bed.
Antonio gathered his courage and opened the door, dutifully drawing a silver dagger from his robes. Severus was awake and aware, and he wasn't half as surprised as Antonio thought he'd be, considering the healer had just entered his room without giving notice and armed with a razor-sharp weapon.
Antonio saw the tears in his eyes, and the hopelessness behind them. He took of the nose mask and turned of the ventilator.
"Just do it..." Severus wheezed.
"I will", Antonio replied. The healer unbuttoned his robes and, to Severus horror, thrust the dagger into his own heart.
"A-Antonio! W-what the hell?" Severus panted, but Antonio shushed him. Black eyes widened in amazement.
Antonio's wound was weeping small silvery droplets instead of blood. The strange substance didn't seem to well out with profusion, considering the gravity of the cut. Indeed, Antonio's skin was already healing around the dagger that was still held within him. Antonio pulled it out and lowered himself, until his chest was within the reach of Severus'lips.
"Drink it", he ordered. Severus was too stunned to disobey.
He licked the gleaming liquid awkwardly, swallowing it little by little. Soon, his breathing became less strenuous, and his chest pains eased. Before long, he was suckling hungrily Antonio's slash, who had already cicatrized.
Antonio slid a hand under Severus shirt and circled his nipple until it erected. He shifted to be face to face with the brunet.
"Severo..." he murmured. He lightly kissed Severus neck, trailing up to his jaw and then to his lips... Severus allowed him entrance and so deepened the kiss. Meanwhile Antonio's hands started to unbutton the shirt and curved upon his lover's hips, and under his back... to draw Severus' pelvis up and against his.
Severus gasped. His cock was grinding against Antonio's, separated only by two detestable layers of clothes. Antonio hastily undid his trousers and pulled down Severus'; Severus busied himself with shedding off his shirt and ripping Antonio's robes off. Both were stark naked and sweaty within seconds. Antonio crushed their reddening hardness together, making Severus inhale deeply.
He hadn't realised how good air tasted until now.
"Antonio... it's been too long...", he purred seductively, brushing his lips against Antonio's cheeks, before stopping abruptly.
"Severo?" Antonio asked worriedly. Severus drew himself apart.
"This is the last time, isn't it?" he whispered, his throat tightening. "You said we'd do it once last time before..."
Antonio didn't answer, embracing Severus, pressing himself gently against him.
"Severo", he said softly, his inky blue eyes peering into jet black ones.
"Ti amo."
With the greatest care, Antonio put down Severus onto the soft mattress, before spreading his legs. He gave Severus his fingers to suckle, and Severus brought his feet upon Antonio's shoulders, positioning himself. When his fingers were slick with saliva, the healer delicately inserted one digit within his lover and started stretching him.
Severus shivered.
With a second digit, his breathing quickened.
With the third, he started moaning.
Severus felt the fingers retreat, only to be replace by something much larger, and warmer, and oh so much better...
Antonio was vigilant, at first, to not let his want take him over. Severus was still not completely recovered; Antonio controlled his speed, pulling in and out in a measured rhythm.
Mezzo Forte...
Severus panted, harder and harder as his lover and him entwined. He hid his head into the crook of Antonio's neck, drool escaping his ajar mouth.
Antonio launched his hips harder forwards, his restrain weakened by far... Severus started to moan his name in time with his pounding, enticing him... He wanted more, so much more.
Harder and harder it went, louder and louder Severus growled and hissed, awakening animal instincts in the older man, who bent to gnaw at his prey's flesh while quickening his thrusts.
Staccato...
All went out of hands...
Antonio pace was at its summit.
Severus was howling in a mixture of pain and pleasure.
The two men hold one another in death grips, and crushed their lips together, their tongues battling furiously for dominance.
Severus whined Antonio name...
And Antonio came for him, as did Severus, spilling his seed upon the upper man's stomach.
They collapsed onto the bed.
Antonio pulled himself out of Severus with great, deep breaths... Severus immediately tried to sit up, before wincing in pain and falling back. Antonio's eyes where half closed and his skin was as white as chalk.
"Antonio... Speak to me, Antonio…" Severus pleaded. Antonio smiled feebly as he faced Severus, his hand clutching Severus' chin to bring him closer.
"Severo..." he whispered tenderly, and their lips met.
Severus felt Antonio's skin chilling, and the fingers holding him flopping onto the bed covers. Dread seized him.
"Antonio..." he called, his voice fading into silence.
Antonio didn't answer.
A.N.: Dear reader,
Thanks again for reading this fanfiction. I have to give you my deepest apologies to all of you for a typo in the last chapter. Indeed, Lucius didn't think Antonio Santa Cruz was Severus' father, but his grandfather. Please excuse me for this mistake. And to make up for it, here's a bonus!
Antonio Santa Cruz's IS and ISN'T
Antonio Santa Cruz IS:
Dead (if you hadn't noticed yet), so get out your hankies, friends, family and fans, 'cause I'm using mine to cry my heart out *sob*
Eileen Prince's stepfather
Severus' lover
A sex bomb
Italy's greatest love machine
A man who can cure people by making them drink his blood (for further explanations, kindly wait for next chapter, so PLEASE BE PATIENT!)
The one who has to make Lucius Malfoy's prostate exam every three years
The healer who assisted Narcissa during her pregnancy and what came after (it's a boy!)
He who will make the voices stop
Last but not least, MINE!
Antonio Santa Cruz ISN'T:
Severus' father
Severus' grandfather
Eileen's lover
In love with Lucius
A death eater
A paedophile
Part of the Italian mafia
The fourteenth reincarnation of Buddha
A Viagra user
Yet another senior male you can fanthom as Albus Dumbledore's ex (and I'd like it if you didn't even THINK of it)