Title: Chapter 2 - Sächlichkeit
Pairing: Severus/Lucius
Rating: PG-13
Warning + A/N: More plot than smex, again. UST, I suppose.
Severus loved it when the Common Room was darkened and he could be left alone to read, in peace. No noise, no Gryffindors, no -
“What, are you doing up this late?”
Well, scratch that.
Severus squeezed his eyes shut, and swore softly. No more privacy tonight, it seemed.
He looked up, scowling at the blonde standing there, arms folded, a mix of surprise and authority in his voice.
Severus, irritated, shifted away from the fire, pressing his back against the stone wall.
“Is that a crime nowadays?”
Disdain plated his voice, but Lucius crouched down.
“No, I’m curious.”
His face illuminated by the fire, as Severus’s had shadows cast over his. Severus realized he was not going to have his solitude back, and closed his book, resignedly.
“About?”
“Why you’re here… and how you stay awake during lessons.”
Severus looked at him as though he had just said something very stupid. What do you think, you beautiful idiot? “Because I want to read. In peace. I sleep during lunch.”
He looked away, briefly wondering why he was even answering the questions of the person who had intruded into his personal space, however gorgeous.
“Slughorn says you’re very advanced for your year.”
Severus shrugged. “I just enjoy it.” But it was a point of personal pride.
Lucius, uncomfortable, shifted to lean against the side of the hearth. “You’re always…”
“Withdrawn?” he offered. Lucius nodded mutely. Withdrawn, independent, cloistered.
Severus placed his book at the top of the stack, a firm prelude to the end of the conversation. “Because there is nothing worthwhile to draw me out,” he stated flatly, and made to stand, but Lucius caught him.
Completely on impulse, Lucius leaned over, taking the boy’s lips against his. They shared breath; the kiss shallow, Lucius almost eager and nearly coaxing a reaction from the boy. Taking advantage of the moment, his fingers clasped his wrist, and he pulled him closer until his lips brushed against the stunned boy’s ear, close enough for him to breathe his scent.
“Nothing?”
Severus had been momentarily dazed, but regained enough sense to collect his books and stand, and swiftly as he could manage.
“Goodnight, Lucius.”
He stalked, fast, up to the boy’s dormitory, the maddening urge to laugh catching up with him as Malfoy swore, far behind him.
Severus was the last to leave double Potions with the Gryffindors, right before lunch. Ignoring the mad throng of unruly teenagers at the classroom door, he remained in his seat; forfeiting his lunch to finish his notes, he knew the dissatisfaction of incomplete work would annoy him for the rest of the day.
His head bowed over the table as the rest of the third-years rushed madly at the prospect of food, he did not see Malfoy enter the classroom, shielded by the horde. Slughorn had long disappeared into his own chambers for a private lunch.
Severus did not notice him immediately, engrossed in the happy rhythm of his work, damn near at peace with the world.
Lucius took a seat in Slughorn’s chair, at the teacher’s desk, stare fixed on the boy. He watched Severus fill in his notes with an almost-content expression on his face, which remained - until he’d looked up.
He regarded him curiously. Neatly sweeping everything into his bag, he raised an eyebrow at the still-icy demeanor of the older student.
Rising to leave, he heard him say, “I would like a word with you.”
Severus picked up his book bag, thoroughly amused at the situation at hand. He walked over to the teacher’s table, taking a seat upon it.
“Oh?”
Lucius stared at him, expression somber, but Severus was curious. Curious as to what made the 7th year track him all the way to Potions class.
Lucius looked away, as though unable to stand keeping his gaze on Severus; eyes unfocusing, he stared straight ahead, seemingly lost in thought.
“You seem to… dislike me, very much.”
Severus nearly laughed out loud. This? This was what it was about?
He sat his bag down, glancing at Lucius, clearly bemused. “You came down here just to say that?”
Lucius’s face turned gargoyle-still, ignoring the comment. Severus paused for a moment, and the thought that the older boy - a young man, already - found it difficult to come to the point occurred to him.
Severus looked at him strangely. “I suppose everyone born privileged grows up with such perks.”
One raised blonde eyebrow. "Perks?"
"Your belief that nothing can go contrary to you at all."
Lucius stared at him stonily, but it broke when he realized it was true.
Uncomfortable, Severus slid off the table, desperate to leave the awkward situation.
“Well, I’ll -“
His words were cut short by a noise of surprise as Malfoy grabbed his tie, pulling Severus down to him and before his eyes and mind could work together, he had kissed him again, different from the first; almost… possessive, nearly harsh.
His head dipped down, one arm curled around his middle, dragging him closer; tapered fingers searching until the chalky skin was bared before him, lips pressing attentions to it. His tongue curled out, tracing the curve of his hip bone.
And Severus could see, Lucius received attention with no love, flattery with no sincerity, until nothing had any relevant meaning. He understood.
But his arousal was building up, and dangerously - his breath shaky, he shuddered from the older one's tongue one last time before pushing him away, snatching his bag.
He made to run, but paused.
“… Not now.”
And Severus dashed off, face burning, back to the dormitory.
Lucius swore loudly, and struck the table. Still in Slughorn’s seat, a sullen malevolence suddenly teeming in his mind.
“Really, teenagers, nowadays, the language they -“ Slughorn emerged from his office, trailing off at the sight of Lucius in his chair. Lucius started out of the chair, but Slughorn waved jovially for him to remain in his seat. Slughorn drew up his own squashy armchair from nowhere, sitting down squatly.
“What’s wrong, m’boy? You look like you’re in a right temper,” he chuckled. Summoning a bottle of mead, and pouring a generous amount into two glasses. “But you can tell your Head of House, can’t you.”
Lucius looked up at the Professor’s beaming face, and his menace dissipated. He took a sip of the alcohol, but revealed nothing.
“Let me guess. Relationship troubles?” Slughorn chanced.
A sip turned into a long drag, and Lucius sighed, “I suppose it’d be called that.”
Slughorn, still looking as though on the verge of laughter, refilled Lucius’s glass. “I thought you’d have no trouble with that! You're a cert, at this sort of thing, aren’t you?”
Lucius gave nothing but a wan smile.
Peering at Lucius intently, Slughorn commented. “So, what seems to be the trouble? Ineffable charm not working?”
He makes me sound like a malfunctioning broom, Lucius thought.
“You could say that.”
“Ah,” he said knowingly. “Someone not reciprocating?”
Lucius stared at him, studying him intently. Did he know?
“I can tell,” Slughorn continued, answering his unasked question. “Doesn’t seem like there’s nothing you can do, is there?” He sighed, as though he had catalogued it in his shelf of life experiences long ago.
“No,” Lucius said softly. “I’m… not going to do anything.”
“Defeatist,” Slughorn poked.
Lucius stared at him. “Logical.”
The Professor laughed. “If I might remind you, this is your final year, Mr. Malfoy.” He looked annoyingly knowing again.
His last year, last chance, and alongside that, his NEWTS. Lucius considered the matter for a moment.
“I understand, Professor.”