Title: Yuletide Cheer

Author: veritaserumMaster / PageNotFound404

Rating: T (Rating might go up in the future.)

Pairings: JPSS

Warnings: AU, Language.

Summary: Marauder Era. 7th year. Severus's life was a routine: wake up, eat, study, get bullied, study, eat, study, get bullied, study, eat, and sleep. Getting asked out by his Tormentor (with a capital letter T) though, was not on his itinerary.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Please don't sue me.

A/N: This story is slash, so if you don't like that, then why are you reading this in the first place?

***IMPORTANT MESSAGE: PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE PROCEEDING TO THE STORY BELOW***

Since you said I should write another chapter, here is my gift for you. I don't know what I was doing here but it seemed cute. Don't worry, there's another chapter coming up and there might be some smut, I don't know yet. I go wherever the words take me, or some such rot about writing. Anyway, I already started that one and as requested, I'm also going to write one where Severus says the magic words. Anyway, I would have finished the next chapter but some bad news came and my muse ran away when she heard. My heart's breaking right now, but I'll be fine I think. Thanks for all the support, guys. You're the only ones who believe in my abilities. :D

**JP**SS**

It was a few days later since they reconciled and they were under the same tree that James first asked Severus to the dance and the latter laughed in his face. They weren't there because of sentimental reasons, no, they just wanted to be away from everyone's eyes. Well, Severus wanted to be away from everyone's eyes and James just wanted to be with Severus. Anyway, the new lovebirds (or as close to lovebirds as they can get with Severus still wary about PDAs but they've upgraded to handholding now, so there is that) were sitting under the big, old tree with Severus reading a book and James using his lap as a pillow.

It was peaceful, quiet, so of course, James had to ruin the silence by talking.

He moaned and wiggled a bit before he smiled up at Severus and said, "So, what're your plans after graduation, Sev?"

"Don't call me that. And you know what my plans are, Potter," Severus didn't even look away from his book to look at James. This isn't exactly the first time they've talked about it but James wasn't talking about Severus's career choice, no, he was currently interested in Severus's living arrangements.

"You know what I mean," he said and put a hand on Severus's book to gently pry it off Severus's hands.

Severus sighed and accepted the fact that James would never let this one go. Not without a fight, at the very least.

"I am not going to live with you and be your kept toy, Potter," he said half-joking half-suspicious because you never know what James is thinking of.

He laughed and said, "As wonderful as that sounds, having you in my place, waiting for me every time I come home and then having my wicked way with you…" James's eyes became distant and dreamy as he continued to mumble some more things about Severus.

Severus blushed but rolled his eyes, kind of used to James's perverted imaginations. He wasn't really surprised to find this side of James even after only a few days. He carded his fingers through James messy hair and smiled down at him, "Lost your train of thought?"

James's eyes snapped to focus and he beamed up at Severus, making his heart skip a beat a little (it was actually a pretty big skip of the heart but Severus would never admit that).

"Sorry," he didn't look or sound apologetic at all. "Where was I? Oh, right. I just want us to live together. Is that too much to ask?"

"For the last time, Potter: I'm not going to live with you after graduation."

"Why not?"

"We've been through this before, you know. It's getting tiresome."

After a few kisses that night on James's bed, they moved to Remus's room (just to talk, of course, they're taking it especially slow) and in the process of getting to know each other better (while exchanging a few chaste kisses, James just couldn't help himself) the subject of living with each other and Severus vehemently refused, listing a couple of very logical reasons. Of course that only challenged James even more, going as far as actually producing a paper that listed his inheritance and N.E.W.T.s scores to prove that he can provide for Severus. Severus smacked him in the head for that. He was not going to be a housewife, thank you very much.

"But I want to live with you. Please?"

Oh, James was pulling out the big guns, now. He was doing that pouting thing again and the eyes were just too adorable. But Severus was immune to this; he can totally resist these things. And if James thinks he's the only one who has secret weapons, he totally underestimated being with a Slytherin.

"James," he said lowly and gently and he saw James's face go back to normal before snapping back to being pouty again. Severus found out the night in James's room that his weakness was Severus saying his given name. "James, I know you want us to live together but we'll kill each other and you know that. Moving in together is a big step and we've only been together for a few days. We don't even know how to be proper boyfriends yet and we—Wait, what are you smiling at?" Severus broke off his speech when he noticed that James was not paying attention anymore and was just grinning up at him.

"So, we are boyfriends," he said a bit goofily.

Severus rolled his eyes. Seriously, at some point he thinks his eyes are going to roll off his head with the amount of times he has to roll it in James's presence.

"That's what you get out of that? Were you not there when I said I had f-feelings for you?" he stuttered over that word. It'll take a while before Severus gets comfortable with the idea that he has feelings, but when that time will come, James knows it'll be worth it.

"Just trying to make sure," James said as he sat up and twisted sideways so he can pin Severus to the tree. He put one arm beside Severus's face and the other running up and down his side. Severus blushed harder than before but stayed quiet and smiled a bit.

"Idiot," he said fondly.

James grinned harder and leaned closer to Severus. "It's okay, you love me anyway."

"You wish."

James's smile softened and he shook his head, "I know."

He pressed their lips into a soft kiss, nothing too much, just wanting to feel Severus's lips on his. He pulled away and smiled at him again.

"It's okay if you don't want to live with me, yet. But just stock your place with food because I'd surely be there every time I can and you'd always be at my place, too."

Severus placed his hand on James neck and the other carded through his hair.

"Yes," he whispered softly. "But if you ever want me to live with you in the future, the pouty face could only take you so far. You have to try harder, James."

James leaned in again and kissed Severus.

Try harder, eh?