Severus Snape's Quarters

[trio_snape]

*comes through floo to find house elves have already prepared the evening meal*

Good. Last year, Lupin's birthday was a disaster. Black had left him the day before - I understand now because of me.

We will make a better memory tonight.

*lights candles on table and waits calmly for Lupin to arrive*

Comments

[trio_remus]

*watches as Sirius faces Snape in the hospital wing*

What is this? When...?

*hears their exchange, realizes what he is seeing, their faces both empty masks when Sirius hands over his wand; is overwhelmed when he sees Snape's hand close around it and a flurry of Snape's feelings course through him; gasps on a breath, feeling stabbed by the depth of Snape's raw pain*

He thought I was dead...disbelief, there is disbelief, he refuses to accept...misses already, regrets...so many regrets...keeps touching my wand in his pocket, keeps it close to his heart, draws strength from it, from me, cannot breathe, he cannot breathe...

*is vaguely aware of his own struggle for breath now, mind bursting with images, hearing an indistinct sound from his own throat, memories tumbling forth into his vision*

He waited for news of my return, hurt me when I came to him, but he did not know how to express his relief, his fear, his need...

Panic. He panicked when the wolf broke out, terror, fear for me, so much blame, so much blame, hated himself then, tortured

[trio_snape]

*senses distress from Lupin, tries to slow down the images he is reaching for*

*Lupin wet, touching, leaving*

*staring, sleeping, a hand brushes away hair, first time in bed*

*fingers tracing the lines of scars, thumb settles over brand*

*sucking on his finger, looking blissful*

Want. Need. You.

Prat.

*carefully starts to re-erect walls, slowly pushing Lupin back into his own mind*

[trio_remus]

*takes in the last few images with an openness that fills him with desperate need, and deep, startling relief*

In the shower...he wanted so much, let himself go, needed me, ached when I left, afraid, afraid afraid-

*watches snippets of himself in bed, sleeping soundly, Snape awake and watching him, filled with affection and intense longing, as though not quite daring to believe it's all real*

I'm real, Severus...I'm for you...

*sees Snape's touches, small ones, soft, the care the man takes in not waking him*

More...

*catches one final image, the sight of himself from earlier that evening, finger in his mouth, eyes closed in rapturous appreciation*

Desire.

*lets out a breath, shivering at the sensation of being separated from Snape's mind, slowly retreating back into his own as Snape guides him out*

[trio_snape]

*catches a fleeting emotion surging from Lupin as their minds disconnect*

Passion.

*stares at Lupin, taking in his flushed face, moist temples and slightly dazed look, shifting in emotions from shock to relief*

Yes.

*stands swiftly, chair falling back with a bang as he hauls Lupin up, into his arms*

I would be a fool not to want you. *crashes lips into Lupin's, holding him in place with hands on either side of his head, pouring all of his pent-up emotions into the deft slide and nip of their mouths fused together *

[trio_remus]

Oh Gods...

*lets out a soft cry as their lips meet, the sound instantly lost as they melt together, hands grasping at Snape's arms and back, entirely overcome with the desire to touch him and hold him*

I did not know. I'm sorry. I'm sorry...

*kisses him deeply, their mouths moving together in an easier rhythm than they ever have, feeling increasingly overwhelmed at the strength of the sense of fulfillment that is coming over him*

Never before, I have never...

*pants heavily between kisses, unwilling to let their mouths part until it is simply no longer possible to breathe; pulls his mouth away from Snape's, leaving a trail of kisses all the way to his ear, where he whispers*

Thank you. Thank you.

No better birthday present...

I will not doubt you again. That is a promise. I love you, Severus.