Chapter 9: I Know You'll Find a Way

"LUCIUS!" The shout shook Lucius from his sleep, and made him jump from the desk chair he currently occupied. He looked around, sat back down, and then growled. He knew who had shouted. His mates hadn't let him have much sleep for the past few weeks. They had even resorted to not joining him in dreams, and instead left him in darkness for a quick powernap before shouting in his head to wake him again.

He was cranky, he was tired, and he was so close to polishing off his defense that his meddlesome mates refused to let him rest until he had a truly infallible case on which to present his innocence. His mates truly loved him and couldn't bear to lose him to Azkaban for a second time. Lucius was sure that if he was near his mates real bodies he would truly kill them with his bare hands! He was just so tired.

Lucius returned his focus to the papers and books in front of him. He was in the midst of documenting every curse he could remember Vo…Vol…The Dar…Voldemort (even thinking the name made Lucius want to flinch) using. He was also making a list of the death eaters in the 'Inner Circle'.

He and Severus, who was seated at another desk in the Black (now Potter) library, had taken Harry's words to heart. They were determined to present perfect cases of, if not innocence, their unwillingness to be death eaters. They were set on showing how much threat Voldemort had held over each of their heads, and how willing they were to help bring him down. They also wanted to prove to Harry that his trust in them was not misplaced.

With Draco rooming with Harry, Lucius felt that he could now really help bring Voldemort down and not worry that Narcissa would touch his son. In the Wizarding World, if a couple divorced the heir usually went to the custody of the Father. It also helped that Draco was going to come of age in December. Narcissa had no hold on the one person besides his mates that Lucius would give anything for, would die for if necessary, and that suited Lucius just fine.

"Done," Severus announced, cracking his back as he stood.

'Lucky,' Lucius grumbled in his head.

"Need any assistance?" Severus asked as he moved over to Lucius on he way out of the library. "Want some coffee? Or maybe some real food instead of the apple you've been poking at for almost an hour?" Severus curled his lips as he threw the apple away with a flick of his wand.

"I'm not really hungry, but if you're willing to help me finish this list of curses, and check over that list of names on the edge of the desk, there, it'd be much appreciated."

Without a word, Severus took the list of names and settled down in a nearby chair to check it over. Lucius saw him nod out of the corner of his eye, and then felt him look over his shoulder to the curse list. After a few minutes, in which Severus occasionally mentioned a few forgotten curses, Lucius felt Severus move away.

"Looks pretty complete to me. Is this the last of your case preparation?"

"Yes. I've already outlined what Narcissa did, as well as how Voldemort tried to use me to get to Draco. My marking, as well as any of my involvement in raids has been explained to the best of my ability. These two lists are my final touches."

"Excellent," The word was the most praise Lucius had gotten in a very long time. "Let's say you and I go and celebrate with a few sandwiches, and a nice long rest. I know you don't feel hungry now, but we both need our strength in the days to come."

Lucius sighed, organized his papers into the case folder, and then stood and stretched before following Severus to the kitchen. Once they arrived at their destination, Severus set to making a couple sandwiches while Lucius dropped gracefully into a chair at the table. He so desperately wanted to rest his head on the table and just sleep, but for the sake of politeness he held his desire at bay.

They ate together in silence, both too tired to really come up with anything worth while or uncase related to talk about. Lucius thanked Severus for the dinner, offered to clean (which was promptly brushed off with a "Go to bed."), and headed for his much wanted bed. Those mates of his were going to get an earful…if he even had the energy for that that is.

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"Lucius," Lucius moaned and buried his head deeper into the pillow. He knew that he was already asleep, but he was as mentally exhausted as he was physically, and he really didn't want to hear his mates give pointers on his case anymore. He just wanted to have a peaceful night's sleep, and then maybe take a day to rest and nap until he felt up to snuff again.

"Lucius," He could hear the smile in the gentle call, and scowled into his pillow. They had no right to be cheerful, or playful, or cajoling, or anything resembling pleasant after the sleep depravation they had caused him. When he felt a hand on his back, he growled and burrowed deeper into the blankets. He would not wake up.

'Not for thy Fairy Kingdom!!' He mentally grouched at them, strangely proud of himself for still being able to quote Shakespeare in his worn out state.

A body lay down behind him and molded itself to his back, cuddling him until he was spooned against a warm chest.

"Don't be so angry. We aren't here to try and wake you again, and we're very pleased with the work you've put into finishing the case preparations for your defense. Excellent job, Lucius." The gruffer of the two mates said as he molded himself to Lucius' front. "We understand that you have every right to be cross with us, but we knew you'd find a way to make an excellent case for yourself if given the right motivation."

"And what, exactly, was my motivation, hmm?" Lucius grouched into his pillow. He refused to give them the pleasure of seeing his face.

"The promise of sleep, should you finish." Mr. Gruff, as Lucius had dubbed the mate in his tired state, stated very matter-of-factly. Lucius snorted. Then he growled again for good measure. He wanted to make sure that they knew how very unhappy he was with them.

Very gently, his mates started to nuzzle their heads against his head and neck. Their hands started to rub out the knots that stress and lack of sleep had created in his body. He made a whining noise, not wanting to give in, but feeling so good.

"Come on, Lucius. Don't stay cross with us. We're here now, and we promise not to do that again in this dream world." The gentler mate cooed into his ear.

"What about in the waking world?" His gentler mate chuckled softly.

"We don't control our waking selves. We are only an extension of them."

"Do you dream of me then? Or of each other?" Lucius was tired, but still curious.

"Sometimes, but not as often or as clearly as you dream of us."

"Why not?"

"Because one of us has blocked his emotions almost completely, and the other is…..shall we say, preoccupied."

"Another lover?" Lucius couldn't help feeling a little jealous.

"Hell NO!" It was said so adamantly that Lucius felt silly that he had asked in the first place. "We love you, and only you. And, luckily, neither of us can be forced into a marriage like you were. We are free, and waiting for you." Lucius sighed, and finally relaxed into his mates.

"There you go, lover." Mr. Gruff didn't seem to say much tonight, but it was nice to hear his voice. His mates stilled their work, and settled him between them. They prepared for a long sleep, and cuddled Lucius until he drifted away on oceans of peace and deep sleep.

As he drifted he heard them whisper, "We love you, Lucius." and "Forever, lover. Goodnight"

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AN: Thank you for your patience! I know these chapters are often rather short, but I ask you to give me some leeway. I'm a double major with a language minor, and I don't have a lot of time, or energy, to spend on stories outside of homework. I really enjoy writing this, and I hope you enjoy reading it, but I refuse to spend all of my very scarce free time writing. Though I do so love Lucius in this (as well as his mates ;) ). I also like to read other stories when I get the chance. It keeps the creative energy going for this story. Thank you again, and please review!