The Broken - Chapter Four - The Servants
Chapter Four - The Servants
Severus set down his violin and stretched. Holding back a yawn, he wanted to crawl straight into bed but his stomach grumbled forcefully, reminding him that he had not eaten since the ball began. He had already put on his nightclothes, but he pulled them back off and shrugged on something that would be appropriate for polite company.
He was glad he had already finished his bedtime routine. As soon as he returned from the kitchen, he would be able to pass out. The other servants were probably still cleaning up from the ball, and he hoped there were still some leftovers.
He slipped on a pair of soft leather shoes, unwilling to be seen without completely proper clothing. Then he left for the kitchen, careful not to slam the door behind him. After Lord Shrieking had disappeared earlier and not returned, rumours that he was ill had begun circulating the guests.
In fact, rumours about the lord had been whispered all evening long. Severus heard that he was a convict on the run, a man broken by his mother's death, and a bastard. From what he knew of the man, Severus doubted Master Lupin, as he requested his servants call him, was any of those things.
Some of the stories had been less farfetched than others, and they had been spoken freely, not in murmurs, so Severus was more inclined to believe them. It seemed that Master Lupin was a generous man who gave much of his money to the church, an orphanage, and a woman who helped prostitutes out of their situations. He was also kind to his servants, friendly with everyone regardless of their social class, and an all around upstanding citizen.
If the ball guests were to be believed, he was perfect. Thankfully, Severus didn't believe them. Everyone had a flaw. He just hadn't found Master Lupin's yet.
He pushed open the door to the kitchen, only to find Neville bent over the table and Ginny, Molly's youngest, touching his backside.
"What... What is going on here?" he spluttered.
Neville flushed bright red and buried his face in his arms. "Kill me now."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Nothing improper, sir. Neville's been whipped, so I'm applying a salve for him."
Severus grimaced and walked past them. "Must you do it at the table? People eat there," he said. "What were you whipped for, anyway?" he asked as he grabbed a leftover scone.
The door to the yard opened. "Your master, Sir Thomas, caught us in the act of copulation, and so Master Lupin ordered us whipped. Bloody bastards the both of them!" Cedric's voice was strong, but he was limping and leaning heavily on Hermione, the head maid.
Hermione sighed and manoeuvred him so he could lean on the table as well. Ginny silently handed over the salve.
"You really could be more circumspect. Lord Shrieking is tolerant of more deviant lifestyles, but most aren't," Hermione said gently as she began smoothing salve into his wounds.
Cedric snarled and snapped, "Lupin is a fucking hypocrite. How dare he have us whipped when he's liable to have a boy in his bed tomorrow night?" Neville pushed himself upright, wincing as he moved, and walked around the table to take Cedric's hand.
Severus's eyes widened. There, that was the man's flaw. He was as bad as Rede! Severus had been right for not trusting him. That was probably why Severus's bedroom was so close to the lord's-not because he wished to seduce Severus, but because he liked toying with Draco, the musician whose place Severus had taken. Severus had caught a glimpse of the boy when he arrived at Rede's estate, and he had certainly looked young.
Why did men like to take young boys to their beds? Severus's mind flew back to the first time Rede had taken him, his twelve year old body still undeveloped, his limbs too weak to fight the man, to end the pain...
Grunting, he forced his mind back to the present. "I shan't tell anyone. It's not that I'm supportive of it, but it's no damn business of mine."
No one heard his answer to Hermione's comment over Ginny's sudden shout.
"Our lord is not a hypocrite! He's a good man! Would you rather be whipped or be dead?" Ginny cried.
Cedric said, "Whipped, of course, but what does that-"
Ginny cut him off. "Neville told me Rede threatened to take you to the pastor!"
Still tending Cedric's wounds, Hermione cautioned her. "Ginny, you should call him, Sir Thomas. You know what would happen if-"
"I don't care what would happen. That man is the true hypocrite. He tried to force himself upon my brother Fred, but Fred refused and bit him, right on the prick! The bastard deserved it! But he accused Fred of fucking one of his servants who also refused to sleep with him, and both of them were taken to the pastor who ordered them killed." Her voice broke. "Neither of them was more than fourteen, and Rede doesn't even care. My mother says he still takes unwilling men to his bed.
"Be grateful to Lord Shrieking. He whipped you to keep you alive. He lets the two of you be together. Don't insult his kindness." Ginny sobbed openly.
Cedric looked chagrined. "Sorry, Gin... It's just that Nev and I have both been in his bed, and it irked me that he would fault us for something he's taken part in."
Neville smiled at his lover. "You worry too much about what is just. In the end, he is the lord and we are the servants, and we have no right to expect anything. I'm grateful that he allows us to be together and-" Neville gave Hermione a cheeky grin "-that my wife allows it too.”
Hermione closed the jar of salve and helped Cedric stand up. "Don't make me sound like a good girl. You know what I'm getting out of this."
Cedric wrapped himself around Neville. "You've told us-the safety of a husband without the work, plus a little home of your own. Still, it can't be easy knowing your husband'll never love you that way," said Cedric.
"It's not, but it's better than what most of my standing get, and I'll take it. Love is a want, not a need." Hermione shrugged and began cleaning up the leftovers. "Anyway, that's enough of that. The two of you need to get off to bed."
Neville protested. "We can't leave you all of this work!"
Hermione tossed a biscuit at him and he barely caught it. "Of course you can. You're in no shape to do anything. Go."
Cedric rolled his eyes, but he did catch the roll she tossed at him. "Night, Hermione, Ginny."
"Goodnight!" they chorused. Neville and Cedric limped off together, holding each other up. The girls began gossiping about some of the other servants, and Severus realised they had forgotten about him. Gathering up some leftovers, he left without offering them a farewell.
Letting himself into his room quietly, Severus pondered what he had learned. Master Lupin still seemed to be a nice man who let his servants love those they wished. It didn't seem like he forced the servants to stay in his bed either, at least not from the way that Cedric had said that he and Neville had been in his bed, as if it was a past occurrence.
Still, perhaps that meant they were simply too old. Cedric had also said that Master Lupin liked boys, and neither of them were boys. Neville was the younger of the two, and he was at least sixteen. It must just be that the lord liked them young. He would be safe from this master then, since Severus was definitely not a boy.
Severus finished off his plate of food and banked the fire for the night, marvelling again at the fact that Master Lupin allowed his servants firewood this late in the year. Aside from his attraction for boys, the lord really did seem almost perfect.
Severus moved to the window to draw his curtains closed and saw a bright star out of the corner of his eye. He shook his head and pulled the curtains shut. He was too old to wish upon a star, but he couldn't help thinking that it would be nice if he could be a part of Master Lupin's household.
~*~
When Master Lupin called Severus into his bedroom two days later, Severus kept in mind what he had heard. Being invited to Rede's bedroom had always been upsetting because Severus had known what would happen. The same fears didn't assault Severus as he entered Master Lupin's rooms as he thought he was safe from any untoward advances.
He was wrong.
Master Lupin seated them at a trio of chairs in his bedroom, claiming he liked the view from the window there. All Severus could see was a large tree and the roof of another section of the house, but he shrugged and pretended he knew what Master Lupin meant.
Master Lupin then poured them tea, offering Severus some of the cakes and scones as well. Severus was beginning to grow suspicious then, as Rede had never called any of his servants to tea and actually fed them. Master Lupin settled himself into the chair closest to Severus, even though he had been nearer the one further away.
He leaned closer to Severus and asked, "Have you found your accommodations to your liking?"
Severus thought of the lavish room he had been placed in. Draco was evidently a pampered catamite. The mere idea of the things that might have been done in that soft bed turned his stomach. Still, he hid his thoughts and nodded brusquely. "They are adequate."
Master Lupin frowned. "Can I do anything to improve them?" His intent gaze was focused on Severus's face, and Severus had to force himself not to look away.
"No. As I said, they are adequate."
"I don't wish for you to live with adequacy though." He leaned in a little more, his eyes not leaving Severus's. "You are worth far more than that."
Severus blinked rapidly and finally had to look away. Master Lupin's gaze was warm, in the way that men's gazes were when they were courting a young lady. Severus didn't know what to make of that. He was no young boy to be forced to bed, nor a gentle lady to be wooed. Still, his eyes thrilled Severus to the core. Rede had never once looked at him that way, and there had been no one else in his life, for Rede would not allow it. Master Lupin's attention confused every part of him.
"I am but a servant, my lord, and my room is beyond what I would have expected to receive. Please forgive me, I have misspoken. My accommodations are splendid." His voice was steady, but he could feel his hands shaking. Severus clasped them together to hide his nervousness.
It didn't help much, especially when Master Lupin leaned even closer and covered both of Severus's hands with one of his own. His thumb gently rubbed the back of his right hand, soothing the trembling nerves. Severus was glad when his hands stopped shaking, but he didn't know what to make of it when Master Lupin pulled his hands apart and drew the right one towards him.
"The room is nothing compared to the beauty of your music." Master Lupin traced his fingers over Severus's veins, down his fingers, and across his calluses. Then he looked up at Severus, holding his gaze as he lifted Severus hand to his mouth. "And your music could never be anywhere near as gorgeous as you are," he murmured, his breath gusting across Severus's fingertips.
Severus's eyes widened. "I-my lord, I..." His voice drifted off as Master Lupin took the tip of Severus's pointer finger into his mouth. Severus had to smother a gasp at the sensation of a tongue dancing along his finger.
He yanked his hand away from Master Lupin's loose hold. "What are you doing?" Severus asked, his voice cracking slightly.
Master Lupin frowned and rose from his chair. He stood over Severus's chair, looking down at him. The memory of Rede looming over him before he forced Severus to submit made him want to flee. He knew what Lupin wanted; he had fooled himself into thinking he would be safe here. Lupin liked little boys, but he was probably willing to use any warm body, like Rede.
Severus didn't allow himself to cower, but he did lower his eyes to the floor, unable to look at the man when he knew what was coming.
He was utterly surprised by the gentle hand that reached out and caressed his cheek. He stiffened. He was used to slaps and shoves, and the soft touch was so different from Rede's harsh punishments.
Master Lupin's hand withdrew. "I had thought you might be willing. I was wrong."
Severus glared at the floor. He did not want to be forced into this, but it seemed as though he had no choice. "I will do anything you require of me, my lord." Uttering the words upset him, but they had always pleased Rede and made his subsequent actions less painful.
Master Lupin sighed and said, "I require nothing." Severus blinked, surprised, and glanced up at his face. Master Lupin wore a sad smile.
"You do not want me-?" Severus asked softly.
He was stunned to hear Master Lupin groan deeply. The man's warm gaze drifted over Severus's body, making him feel naked. "I want you, very much, but I would never force you to do anything you didn’t want to do." He leaned over Severus, and pressed a soft kiss against his lips. He pulled back to murmur, “I might force you to want it though.” Then he deepened the kiss, and Severus was swept away by the feelings it caused.
Master Lupin’s kiss was powerful but gentle, nothing like the few harsh kisses Rede had forced upon him. Severus opened his mouth for Master Lupin's questing tongue and actually moaned at the intrusion. He'd never wanted sex before, not with Rede, but he grew hard from that single kiss.
When Master Lupin pulled away, he and Severus were both gasping for breath. Master Lupin didn't say a word, speaking instead with his eyes as he pulled Severus to a standing position. He moved slowly, undoing Severus's clothing and pulling it from his body. Severus stood motionless, not sure what was expected of him.
Master Lupin pushed Severus's shirt from his shoulders, letting it fall to the floor as he smoothed his hands across Severus's chest. Severus shivered under his touch, and Master Lupin grinned at him. Then Master Lupin began to pull off his own clothing. Severus watched his body emerge from the fabric anxiously, wanting to see more of the man.
Master Lupin's bare chest was covered in hair, and Severus reached out to touch it. His own body bore little hair besides what was on his head. Master Lupin's was almost furry. Severus liked the way the hair felt beneath his hands.
Master Lupin growled and yanked him closer, threading his hands into Severus’s hair as he kissed him deeply. He paused long enough to moan, “Snape,” and Severus shuddered unhappily. That name was tinged with memories of Rede. He wanted Master Lupin to be set apart from Rede entirely.
“Severus,” he gasped as Master Lupin ran his tongue down Severus's throat.“Please, call me Severus.”
Master Lupin kissed and licked his way back up Severus's throat, stopping at his ear to whisper, “Severus.”
Severus shivered, his whole body reacting fiercely to his name on Master Lupin’s lips. He let himself be pushed backwards until his knees hit the edge of the bed, and he ended up sprawled over it. Master Lupin towered over him, but Severus wasn’t frightened. His gaze was intense, but not savage as Rede's had always been. Severus liked how powerful Master Lupin’s gaze made him feel-as if he could hurt the man if he stopped everything.
Even as Master Lupin stripped him of the rest of his clothing, Severus still felt that bit of power. He felt it as Master Lupin kneeled at his feet and Severus sat up to look at him, only to collapse when Master Lupin leaned forward and took Severus's prick into his mouth.
Severus stifled a cry with his hand and closed his eyes, willing himself not to let it end so quickly. It should have been dirty, that fact that Master Lupin was putting his mouth on something that urine came out of, but it was too amazing to be disgusting. “Master Lupin!” he said, moaning as the man pulled away just before Severus could finish.
Master Lupin smiled and slid into bed next to Severus, pulling him close enough to kiss. “I’d rather you called me Remus. It seems only proper, since I’ve had you in my mouth and all.”
Severus nodded and let Remus tug him back into a kiss. “Remus,” he murmured against warm lips.
At the sound of his name, Remus groaned and rolled on top of Severus. He pulled Severus’s hands above his head and held them there as he plundered Severus's mouth with his tongue. Severus moaned and submitted to him.
After a minute or two, Remus climbed off Severus and the bed and began to rummage through a trunk at the foot of the bed. “I’m going to do something,” Remus said. “If it makes you feel uncomfortable, tell me. I want this to make you feel good.”
His words made Severus nervous, but having the option to call it off was reassuring. “All right.”
Remus returned to the bed with two scarves in his hand. Severus wasn’t sure what he planned to do with him, but he rearranged himself on the bed as Remus told him. When Remus fastened his arms to the headboard with the scarves, Severus began to feel a bit discomfited, but he let Remus continue.
He was glad he did. The scarves around his wrists served as tethers, keeping him from getting completely lost in the sensations bombarding him. Severus was full of Remus, full of exquisite feelings, and the scarves protected him from feeling too much.
With the protection of his bonds, Severus threw himself into the moment, loving how wonderful everything felt and how different it was from his experiences with Rede. He hated it too, knowing that he would never forget how Remus had made him feel even though he would surely never feel it again.
Severus came first, but rather than let Remus just use his body, as he let Rede, Severus continued to push back towards him, wishing then that his hands were free so he could touch Remus.
Remus shuddered hard and then froze for a second before collapsing forward onto Severus. “You are so gorgeous,” Remus said as he pressed a kiss against Severus's temple. He took a deep breath and pushed himself up, then he freed Severus’s hands from the scarves. “Thank you for letting me do that.”
Severus shrugged and looked away, rubbing his wrists gently. They were a bit sore, but it wasn’t bad. “It was... nice.”
“Good.” Remus settled down next to Severus and tossed an arm over his stomach. “Stay for a nap, if you’ve nothing pressing. When you get up, I have a few more things I’d like to do.” His hand pressed against Severus's side, hard, as if asking him to stay.
“I... All right.” Severus hadn’t considered anything like this. Rede had always thrown him out right after using him. He wasn’t sure what to make of the man who was almost asleep next to him.
At that moment, he didn’t care. Remus might throw him out of his bed. He might wake up and treat Severus harshly, as Rede did. He might never touch Severus again. Severus didn’t care.
All he knew was that he was warm, in the arms of someone who had just given him more pleasure than he had ever felt in his whole life, and starved for another taste of those feelings. Severus let Remus snuggle closer, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.
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