p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry was silent at first, prompting Severus to avert his eyes to his knees and try to keep himself from crying. He felt as if he had just offered a big piece to his dominant and had been pushed away. His thoughts came to a halt when Harry smiled at him and lifted him up to place him on the floor./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""You're absolutely sure that you're okay with this? I don't want you to give me trust that you don't have. I could call a house elf to aid you and sit outside the door." Severus' breath caught in his throat, and he shook his head./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I would rather you, dominant," he said quietly, still not looking up./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The boy who lived started filling the tub, tossing in a mild healing potion and some lavender to help relax Severus' muscles. Once the bath was nearly ready, he turned to Severus and gestured for him to raise his arms./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus breathed shakily, it for some reason just hitting him that to let Harry help him take a bath he would have to show the man his body. He felt himself get dizzy, and two strong arms wrapped around his waist. A light keen left Severus' throat before he could stop it, and he immediately clamped his mouth shut./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I know that you want to be taken care of, and I won't allow anyone else to take my place in doing that," Harry explained patiently but firmly, knowing that he should have acted this way with his mate from the beginning of the month. He placed both of his hands at the small of Severus' back, taking note of the shy response he got in return. "I will give you as much time as you need to accept being my partner in every sense, but know that you are mine, and I will care for you as is my duty and right."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus turned his face away hurriedly, a small mewl falling from his lips automatically./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Hush," Harry gently commanded, internally dancing for joy at the small noises that signaled the beginning of trust in his mate as he outwardly brought the man close into his arms and placed his mouth at his neck. He released his loose bite once he felt Severus relax under him and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, satisfied with the contentment that was trying to crawl its way across his mate's features./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus lifted his arms, and Harry removed the thin tee shirt from him before immediately bringing his hands to his lounge pants, pulling them down methodically and guiding Severus' feet through them. He then gazed up at his mate, admiring the curve of his legs and the flat stomach. Severus was by no means a muscular man, but he was healthy and pale with barely any hair on him. It was obvious that he was a born submissive, his body built to fit into the curve of his dominant's body and to later bear children./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus brought his hands to chest, trying to cover the scars littering it./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry almost snorted in laughter, but he managed to hold it in. Severus caught the amusement in his eyes and turned away, gasping harshly./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Pet?"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I know I am not what you would call pretty, but I didn't think you'd find my scars humorous." Harry jumped forward, pulling Severus around to look at him./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I was amused because of your instinctual submissive position of putting your hands over your chest rather than your dick. I know it's due to your scars, but most guys wouldn't think of covering anything but that if they felt exposed."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus scowled./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""As a submissive, my dick shouldn't be much of your concern," he sneered, his eyes still looking hurt and his tone defensive./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry sighed, bringing his hands up in a placating gesture./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Firstly, all of you is my concern," he stated, placed his hand on Severus' cheek. "Because all of you," he moved his hand down to his chest and further down to caress his stomach, "is mine."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry caressed the small cock in between Severus' legs, it hardening minutely in his warm hand. It was two or three inches max, but it's only purpose was to symbolize his sex. He didn't plan on using the appendage for much else other than peeing./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"His dominant, however, granted it a light kiss before moving on to kiss his shapely thighs and caress his calves./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""And all of you is beautiful, my darling. Never doubt that."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus gasped, surprised when Harry led him to the bath and lifted him to place him into it. When Harry started washing his hair without making any move to get in with him, he felt himself grow irritated./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Are you not joining me?" he all but snapped, feeling insulted for some reason./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry's eyebrows rose in surprise./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""You want me to join you?"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus stiffened, looking away. So absorbed in his own righteous anger, he nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt himself being picked up again, only realizing what was happening when he was settled in between two muscular legs./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus relaxed automatically against Harry, it feeling quite similar to the times Harry would come in to hold him after a nightmare. His dominant smiled, kissing his temple and picking back up on his ministrations of man's hair./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Once you are comfortable with being with me in a more romantic sense, I will begin courting you properly. Of course, when you're healed I can take you out more. I know you must be dreadfully bored, but there is not much I can entertain you with around here except books."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus jerked around so fast, water splashed out of the tub./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""You plan to court me?!"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry frowned seriously./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Why, of course. I was hoping to pursue a proper relationship with you. Did you not want that?"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus suddenly looked abashed./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I had expected… I didn't think you would want anyone to know."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry lifted his chin./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Silly man, you are mine. I want everyone to know."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus blushed, his surprise leaving him with the knowledge of Harry's hard cock resting against his leg./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Don't worry. My body will react to having such a beautiful person sitting against me, but that doesn't mean that I will do anything about it."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus nodded his understanding, feeling reassured but still done with his bath. Harry gathered him up and dried both of them with a spell before carrying him to the bed and dressing him before dressing himself back in the same clothing he was wearing before./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus opened his mouth a couple of times before finally speaking./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I heard you talking at the floo earlier," he admitted. "You expressed worry over the young Weasley coming here?"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry straightened. His expression darkened, and Severus let out a whine, scowling when Harry looked at him in surprise before scooping him up into a hug./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I'm not angry at you, Severus."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The man just continued scowling, though it now looked more like a sulk, cursing his nature for making him make such embarrassing noises./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""She won't be coming here, but Potter Manor. While Hermione and I discuss our plans for the ministry and Hogwarts after you are healed there, Ginny will be studying how she should act as the Lady of the Prewitt line. Ron will probably be joining her to consider alternative job options." Severus just waited for him to explain further./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I will tell you about my issues with Ginny at a later time. My nature wants to shield you from even that, but I know that you will want to know. I promise that I will tell you when we are more settled."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The other man nodded his understanding curtly, knowing Harry would have to find odd ways to exert his dominance until he offered his submission in their relationship. He didn't want to pick another fight now that things had finally settled somewhat between them, so he told himself to be patient. /p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry hummed lightly before saying sharply, "I want you to watch out for her. She isn't as innocent as she seems, and I don't trust her. If I get even a whiff of her being a danger to you, she won't return here. She has promised to be on her best behavior, and Hermione convinced me to give her a chance, but still. You shouldn't worry. I will protect you from her, little one."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus wanted to argue that he was a fully grown man that didn't need protection, but he had to admit that he couldn't do much without full control over his body and magic, so he kept quiet and settled down for dinner./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"TBC/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""You're absolutely sure that you're okay with this? I don't want you to give me trust that you don't have. I could call a house elf to aid you and sit outside the door." Severus' breath caught in his throat, and he shook his head./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I would rather you, dominant," he said quietly, still not looking up./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The boy who lived started filling the tub, tossing in a mild healing potion and some lavender to help relax Severus' muscles. Once the bath was nearly ready, he turned to Severus and gestured for him to raise his arms./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus breathed shakily, it for some reason just hitting him that to let Harry help him take a bath he would have to show the man his body. He felt himself get dizzy, and two strong arms wrapped around his waist. A light keen left Severus' throat before he could stop it, and he immediately clamped his mouth shut./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I know that you want to be taken care of, and I won't allow anyone else to take my place in doing that," Harry explained patiently but firmly, knowing that he should have acted this way with his mate from the beginning of the month. He placed both of his hands at the small of Severus' back, taking note of the shy response he got in return. "I will give you as much time as you need to accept being my partner in every sense, but know that you are mine, and I will care for you as is my duty and right."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus turned his face away hurriedly, a small mewl falling from his lips automatically./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Hush," Harry gently commanded, internally dancing for joy at the small noises that signaled the beginning of trust in his mate as he outwardly brought the man close into his arms and placed his mouth at his neck. He released his loose bite once he felt Severus relax under him and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, satisfied with the contentment that was trying to crawl its way across his mate's features./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus lifted his arms, and Harry removed the thin tee shirt from him before immediately bringing his hands to his lounge pants, pulling them down methodically and guiding Severus' feet through them. He then gazed up at his mate, admiring the curve of his legs and the flat stomach. Severus was by no means a muscular man, but he was healthy and pale with barely any hair on him. It was obvious that he was a born submissive, his body built to fit into the curve of his dominant's body and to later bear children./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus brought his hands to chest, trying to cover the scars littering it./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry almost snorted in laughter, but he managed to hold it in. Severus caught the amusement in his eyes and turned away, gasping harshly./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Pet?"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I know I am not what you would call pretty, but I didn't think you'd find my scars humorous." Harry jumped forward, pulling Severus around to look at him./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I was amused because of your instinctual submissive position of putting your hands over your chest rather than your dick. I know it's due to your scars, but most guys wouldn't think of covering anything but that if they felt exposed."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus scowled./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""As a submissive, my dick shouldn't be much of your concern," he sneered, his eyes still looking hurt and his tone defensive./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry sighed, bringing his hands up in a placating gesture./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Firstly, all of you is my concern," he stated, placed his hand on Severus' cheek. "Because all of you," he moved his hand down to his chest and further down to caress his stomach, "is mine."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry caressed the small cock in between Severus' legs, it hardening minutely in his warm hand. It was two or three inches max, but it's only purpose was to symbolize his sex. He didn't plan on using the appendage for much else other than peeing./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"His dominant, however, granted it a light kiss before moving on to kiss his shapely thighs and caress his calves./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""And all of you is beautiful, my darling. Never doubt that."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus gasped, surprised when Harry led him to the bath and lifted him to place him into it. When Harry started washing his hair without making any move to get in with him, he felt himself grow irritated./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Are you not joining me?" he all but snapped, feeling insulted for some reason./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry's eyebrows rose in surprise./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""You want me to join you?"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus stiffened, looking away. So absorbed in his own righteous anger, he nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt himself being picked up again, only realizing what was happening when he was settled in between two muscular legs./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus relaxed automatically against Harry, it feeling quite similar to the times Harry would come in to hold him after a nightmare. His dominant smiled, kissing his temple and picking back up on his ministrations of man's hair./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Once you are comfortable with being with me in a more romantic sense, I will begin courting you properly. Of course, when you're healed I can take you out more. I know you must be dreadfully bored, but there is not much I can entertain you with around here except books."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus jerked around so fast, water splashed out of the tub./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""You plan to court me?!"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry frowned seriously./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Why, of course. I was hoping to pursue a proper relationship with you. Did you not want that?"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus suddenly looked abashed./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I had expected… I didn't think you would want anyone to know."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry lifted his chin./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Silly man, you are mine. I want everyone to know."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus blushed, his surprise leaving him with the knowledge of Harry's hard cock resting against his leg./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""Don't worry. My body will react to having such a beautiful person sitting against me, but that doesn't mean that I will do anything about it."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus nodded his understanding, feeling reassured but still done with his bath. Harry gathered him up and dried both of them with a spell before carrying him to the bed and dressing him before dressing himself back in the same clothing he was wearing before./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus opened his mouth a couple of times before finally speaking./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I heard you talking at the floo earlier," he admitted. "You expressed worry over the young Weasley coming here?"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry straightened. His expression darkened, and Severus let out a whine, scowling when Harry looked at him in surprise before scooping him up into a hug./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I'm not angry at you, Severus."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The man just continued scowling, though it now looked more like a sulk, cursing his nature for making him make such embarrassing noises./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""She won't be coming here, but Potter Manor. While Hermione and I discuss our plans for the ministry and Hogwarts after you are healed there, Ginny will be studying how she should act as the Lady of the Prewitt line. Ron will probably be joining her to consider alternative job options." Severus just waited for him to explain further./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;""I will tell you about my issues with Ginny at a later time. My nature wants to shield you from even that, but I know that you will want to know. I promise that I will tell you when we are more settled."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"The other man nodded his understanding curtly, knowing Harry would have to find odd ways to exert his dominance until he offered his submission in their relationship. He didn't want to pick another fight now that things had finally settled somewhat between them, so he told himself to be patient. /p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Harry hummed lightly before saying sharply, "I want you to watch out for her. She isn't as innocent as she seems, and I don't trust her. If I get even a whiff of her being a danger to you, she won't return here. She has promised to be on her best behavior, and Hermione convinced me to give her a chance, but still. You shouldn't worry. I will protect you from her, little one."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"Severus wanted to argue that he was a fully grown man that didn't need protection, but he had to admit that he couldn't do much without full control over his body and magic, so he kept quiet and settled down for dinner./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"TBC/p
