Current mood:	accomplished
Entry tags:	fic: pg13

Ficlet
Title:: There It Is
Author:: occasusvenustas
Summary:: Shared experiences and like opinions. Severus and Remus find comfort with each other.
Warnings:: A/U no magic. Adult content and language, OOC'ness, fluff.
Rating:: PG-13

X-posted at my journal.


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Severus walked through the small aisles displaying the small rows of new, shining shoes. This was his least favourite thing, shoe shopping. He did it only twice a year or less, depending on when his wardrobe and worn out shoes called for it.

Severus was a classically picky man. The shoes had to fit just right, had to have just enough room in the toe and just enough snugness on the side. They had to be the exact coal colour that was so prominent in his wardrobe and have just the right heel so as to not interfere with his height too much. He was bloody tall enough as it was.

Severus preferred to shop early in the morning when he went out for his shoes. If there were more than five or six people in the shop he’d immediately give up and leave. He couldn’t stand the sounds of chatter.

With a heavy sigh, casting a glare toward a younger woman who was wandering dangerously close to his personal space, Severus selected the shoe he wanted and started toward the front of the store so he could ask for it in his size.

As he approached the dotty looking woman who was chatting to a couple of other people, Severus was nearly bowled over by a large, very furry dog. Giving a cough and stumbling backward, Severus turned to fix the owner with his Glare of Doom.

Who did that man think he was, bringing a dog into a shoe shop? But when Severus saw the man’s dark glasses and the harness on the dog he realised it was a guide dog. Not a very good one, Severus thought as he brushed a bit of fur from his coat. “Do you mind?” Severus hissed.

“I’m sorry,” the man said, his cheeks tinged pink. “She’s new at this, especially in a shopping centre and I’m trying to get her used to crowds.”

“Shouldn’t you have someone helping you with that?” Severus snarked as he retrieved the fallen shoe. “I don’t appreciate being run over by an untrained Seeing Eye dog.”

“Well I do apologise, sir,” the man said with a slight attitude. “Couldn’t expect the sighted to actually watch where they’re going.”

Severus was slightly taken aback by the snark. He gave the man a proper look, finding him mildly attractive with greying tawny hair, slightly rounded features with dark glasses and long slender fingers that were gripping the dog’s harness. The man was dressed much the same as Severus was; black slacks and black shirtsleeves.

The man’s snark was immediately noted and bitterly appreciated. Severus took a few steps back and turned to the woman who had yet to stop chatting with her friends. “I really wouldn’t mind a bit of help here.”

“I’ll be with you shortly,” she said with a wave of her hand, not even looking at Severus.

Severus shook his head. “That is… there are no words.”

“Frightfully common might be some good words,” the man said with a smile toward Severus. “Or perhaps an even better statement…”

“How frightening it is that one day people like her will control the governments?” Severus offered.

“Let us hope we won’t live to see the day,” the man said.

“Well I suppose you’re already ahead of me in that game,” Severus grumbled and looked around for another employee who could help him.

“I suppose she’s the only one?” the man ventured.

“Seems so.”

“Pity, that,” the man said with a sigh. “I was in need of a bit of assistance.”

Severus narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “What sort of assistance.”

“In finding a black shoe,” the man said with a shrug. “Inside a shop like this, with the poor lighting, I really am blind.”

Severus quirked an eyebrow. “Well I suppose I can help, since it seems I won’t be serviced anytime soon.”

The man’s smile widened just a little. “We’re in the same boat, then, you and I. I just need a simple shoe, black with a low heel.”

Severus looked down at the shoe in his hands, finding it uncomfortably coincidental. “What about this?” Severus said and shoved the shoe into the man’s hand.

The man tested the heel, ran his fingers into the inside of the shoe and then toyed with the laces. “It’s black?” he said, holding it up toward the light. “Seems black.”

“It is. It was the shoe I desired,” Severus replied in a bored tone. He was about to say more when the sales woman finally ended her conversation and approached him. “Can I help you?”

Severus glowered fiercely. “Now that you’ve made time in your busy schedule,” he grumbled, “I’d like to have this in a size ten. Any chance of that?”

“Of course sir,” the woman said with a large amount of attitude in her tone.

“I wouldn’t mind having it in a ten as well,” the other man said, handing the shoe to the woman.

The woman’s eyes widened when she spotted the dog. “OH. OF COURSE SIR. A TEN?” Her voice went obnoxiously loud and she spoke overly slowly.

“He’s not deaf,” Severus hissed, “though you’ve done a good job getting me half-way there.”

The woman ignored Severus. “SHALL I TAKE YOU TO A SEAT, SIR?”

The tawny-haired man quirked an eyebrow and his lips twitched in amusement. “No I think I’ll fumble round here a bit. I rather enjoy that sort of thing.” Mockingly, the man stretched out his hands and began to grope for a chair. He found it and with an exaggerated sigh, he lowered himself into the seat.

Severus snorted his amusement and took a seat beside the man to wait. The now-flustered woman disappeared into the back room, hopefully finding the shoes.

“So did she have the red-faced, wide-eyed embarrassed look or the confused what the hell is he doing look?” the man asked.

“A bit of both,” Severus replied with a shrug. “That happen often?”

The man nodded. “Just a bit.”

“Meaning everywhere you shop?” Severus ventured.

The man laughed and suddenly extended his hand. “I’m Remus Lupin.”

Severus hesitated before slipping his fingers into Remus’ warm ones. “Severus Snape.”

“I take it this isn’t a pleasant venture for you either?” Remus asked as he slowly pet the top of his dog’s head.

“Not exactly,” Severus said. “Of course, any venture into society reminds me of why I’m so reclusive.” Remus chuckled a bit at that but said nothing. Instead he removed his glasses and rubbed at his eyes. Severus noticed they were the most amazing amber colour, very unusual and quite nice to look at. They also looked rather focused, which didn’t surprise him in the least. “You’re not totally blind, are you?” he finally asked.

“No, I’m not. I have RP…”

“Ah I know what that is,” Severus replied. Severus was a teacher at a secondary school and had a few students over the years who’d suffered from the condition. “I take it yours isn’t that bad.”

“Not as bad as it could be,” Remus said with a shrug.

The woman returned a moment later with the two pairs of size ten shoes and handed one to Severus. “Do you want me to help you with these?” the woman asked Remus in a slightly quieter tone.

“No, thank you,” Remus said, taking the first shoe from her. He removed the paper from the inside and began to untie the laces. He found it rather hard to move, however, when she reached over and took his hands. “This is the opening of the shoe, and here are the laces.”

Remus snatched his hand back. “I’m perfectly aware where the bits and bobs of a shoe are,” he snapped and shoved his foot inside. “It fits,” he declared.

The woman looked over at Severus. “I don’t know how I’d function like him,” she said with a sad shake of her head. “I fumble about like an idiot every time the lights in my house go out.”

“He can still hear you,” Remus snapped angrily. “Blindness doesn’t affect the ears.” With that, Remus grabbed his box, the harness on his dog and stormed up to pay.

The woman shook her head. “He’s brave, shopping alone.”

“I will not dignify that with an answer,” Severus said through clenched teeth and followed Remus to pay for the shoes.

Once both men were outside, Severus let out a small sigh and blinked away a bit of the rain that was falling in his face. “Typical,” he muttered.

“The weather or the people?” Remus asked with a small smile.

“I suppose both,” Severus said.

Remus fidgeted and removed his glasses, tucking them into his pocket. “I can see much better out here, even though it’s rather cloudy.” His eyes focused on Severus’ face and he gave a small smile. “Can I buy you a coffee?”

“Whatever for?” Severus asked, suddenly flustered. It wasn’t often people offered to do anything for him, especially after they could see him. He was tall, sallow, with lank hair, a pointy nose and tea-stained teeth.

“Well you’re the first person today who hasn’t treated me like I’m an idiot. I think that deserves at least a coffee.”

“With that logic how can I possibly say no?” Severus asked with just a small hint of snark. He accepted the invitation anyhow and followed Remus to a nearby café. Both men selected a coffee and waited in patient silence until it was delivered.

“So what do you do, Mr Snape?”

Severus sipped on the hot, bitter liquid. “I’m a teacher.”

Remus’ eyebrows lifted. “A teacher? I’ve not known you long but you don’t seem the type to have the patience.”

“I don’t have the patience for the little sods,” Severus said with a shrug. “But I’m sort of stuck in the job. I’ve been doing it ten years now.”

“And nothing else has struck your fancy?” Remus asked.

“Not as of late,” Severus replied. “And what about you?”

“Teacher as well,” Remus replied with a laugh. “But I have a bit more patience than you do.”

“It would seem so,” Severus said. “Had it been me in that shop…”

“I can well imagine,” Remus said with a hearty chuckle.

“How do you keep your mouth shut?” Severus wondered.

“Years of practise,” Remus replied. “You soon learn that yelling at people like that serves absolutely no purpose and it really makes you look like a bit of an idiot. And they already think I’m slow.”

“Or deaf,” Severus said, rolling his eyes.

“You can’t expect everyone to understand,” Remus said with a small sigh.

“You should be able to expect women of her age to be slightly educated though. It doesn’t take a genius or an expert to know blindness doesn’t mean you’re anything but blind.”

Remus quirked a half-smile at the man. “Well I appreciate the words, but I know things will never change.”

Severus found that to be a true yet depressing thought. He wasn’t sure what he was thinking when he said it, but he suddenly blurted, “Do you want to have dinner with me?”

Remus’ eyes widened. “Are you… asking me on a date?”

And of course the attractive man who’d just bought him a coffee and given him pleasant conversation would not be gay. Of course Severus would make a complete arse out of himself and walk away horribly embarrassed. As per usual.

Severus found himself just as flustered when Remus said, “Well if it is a date, then yes, I’d love to.”

Severus flushed a little. “Shall I pick you up, then?”

“Actually,” Remus said slowly, “would it be okay if I cooked for you. I really don’t like eating out and I’m an excellent cook.”

Severus hesitated for a moment before saying, “I think that would be fine.”

They quickly exchanged numbers and Severus went on his way.

The day passed frighteningly slowly as Severus prepared for the evening. He was a mass of nerves, though his outside didn’t show it. The problem was, Severus was not used to dating. And the men he did have the misfortune of meeting were nowhere as intelligent or attractive as this Remus was. Severus just wasn’t interested in investing any of himself into a man who would end up not reciprocating similar feelings.

Shaking his head, Severus went down to his car in a considerably more morose mood than he had been in earlier. The drive to Remus’ flat was quite short as he lived just round the corner.

When Severus went upstairs to his door, he was met with a delicious smell and a rather impeccably dressed man. Remus was clad in white cotton shirtsleeves and black slacks. His hair was loose, slightly falling in his face and he wore a big smile.

“Come in, I’ll fetch you a drink,” Remus said, stepping aside. “What do you fancy?”

“Anything is fine,” Severus said as his eyes scanned the room. The front door led to the lounge, which was sparsely furnished, though the walls were covered in books, much like Severus’ own house. There were many lamps in the room, though all but three were switched off.

When Remus returned to the lounge he was holding two glasses of wine and handed one to Severus. “Make yourself comfortable. The dinner’s almost finished.”

“Want help with anything?” Severus asked.

“I think I’ve got it,” Remus said and disappeared back into the kitchen. As Severus took a seat on the sofa, the large dog he’d seen in the shoe store walked into the room and sniffed at his hand.

Severus, who really wasn’t an animal person, still had to admit the dog was gorgeous. He gave the animal a slight pat as it settled by his feet and he sipped on his wine until Remus called for him.

Severus wandered into the kitchen and saw a small table set for two. Remus was already sitting and the two plates had been served. “It’s curry,” Remus said. “Hope you don’t mind.”

Severus snorted. “How could I?” he said and sat down, quickly tucking into the meal.

Once the dinner and the pudding had been consumed, the two men retreated into the lounge with coffees.

“Thanks for joining me,” Remus said.

“Well I asked you,” Severus pointed out. “You just cooked.”

“I prefer to avoid people,” Remus said with a small sigh. “Though it’s more of me being tired of them than being anti social.”

“I do sympathise with that completely. And trust me, it’s been years upon years since I’ve asked out a random stranger.”

“Shall I consider myself lucky, Mr Snape?” Remus teased, tipping Severus a slight wink.

Severus snorted a little. “Of course you should.” Severus took a drink of his coffee and the two men fell into comfortable conversation about their jobs, lives and such not. Eventually the evening had to end, however, and Severus announced it was time for him to go.

“This was rather nice,” Remus said softly as he walked Severus to the door. “I’m unused to having a date end this pleasantly.

“As am I,” Severus confessed and turned to lean his back on the doorframe.

Remus hesitated a moment with his hand on the doorknob. “Can I see you again?” he asked.

Severus suppressed a small smile. “I don’t suppose that will be a problem,” he said almost too quickly.

Remus pulled his mobile out of his pocket and quickly programmed Severus’ number. Severus did the same and promised to phone Remus within the next few days.

As Severus pulled away from the door, Remus suddenly reached out and touched Severus’ cheek with his hand. Leaning forward, Remus brought his face in and touched Severus mouth-to-mouth.

Surprised, Severus didn’t kiss back but he didn’t pull away either. The kiss was mostly chaste and when Remus pulled away, Severus found he wanted more. He looked into the other man’s heated eyes and grabbed Remus’ hand.

“I…” Severus said, unsure what words would be appropriate.

“Thank you,” Remus said, saying it for both of them.

Severus’ mouth stretched into a rather unfamiliar grin and he gave Remus’ hand a squeeze. There were no words needed as Severus pulled away and walked back down to the street with a new feeling that things were finally going to work out.

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Epilogue…

Severus collapsed on the large bed and gave a sigh of satisfaction as warm arms encircled his waist. When the warm lips began to press kisses along the side of his neck, Severus groaned and turned to face his lover.

“Long day?” Remus breathed into Severus’ flushed skin.

“Very,” Severus said and stretched a bit. “Yours?”

“Same, though likely less frantic as yours. I do have a stack of essays to deal with later, but I’m procrastinating.” Remus punctuated the last word with a nip on Severus’ earlobe.

“No argument here,” Severus said with a shudder of desire.

Remus chuckled and began to lick and nip a path along Severus’ neck and shoulder. “I did have a rather annoying incident, though. A student’s mother called a meeting between her, the headmaster and myself. Apparently she has an issue with her son being required to turn in his essays on a disk so I can listen to them. I told her she was free to have him type it up on a Braille typewriter if it makes it easier. She suggested that I hire on an assistant and then proceeded demand an explanation as to why the headmaster hired people like me to teach.”

Anger flooded through Severus, eclipsing the desire and he sat up. “That ignorant, useless cow,” Severus hissed. “How dare she?”

Remus smiled softly and ran his hand down Severus’ cheek. “Severus, don’t get upset. I’m used to rubbish like this. It’s nothing new, and the headmaster knows it. He knows how capable I am and told the woman just that.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Severus growled and looked down at the man whom he’d been coupled with for six months now. Severus was happy, which was welcome but foreign none the less.

As Severus looked down into Remus’ calm face, Severus felt a wash of affection for his lover and allowed the tawny-haired man to pull him back down to the pillows. Remus stroked the side of Severus’ cheek, a gesture Remus had quickly learnt was very calming to the usually angry man.

“Just don’t worry about me,” Remus said softly.

“I can’t help but worry. I care… which is unlike me but there it is.”

Remus laughed at that and pressed a kiss to the tip of Severus’ nose. “Yes, there it is.”

Severus sighed and cupped Remus’ cheeks in his hand, pulling him down for a short kiss. “Remus I…” Severus said and hesitated.

“What?” Remus asked with a slight frown.

“It’s… nothing,” Severus said.

Remus gave Severus a cheeky smile. “Going to declare that you love me?” he asked sarcastically.

Severus flushed. I love you had not been declared between the two men. They’d both been so hurt and jaded by their past that they took everything overly carefully. But Severus knew that he did love Remus.

Plucking up his courage, Severus laced his fingers with Remus and whispered, “As a matter of fact, I was.”

Remus froze. “Severus,” he whispered.

Severus gave a harsh chuckle. “I’m sorry Remus, but it’s true.”

Remus paused and then kissed Severus hard on the mouth. “Never be sorry,” he murmured against Severus’ warm lips. “Never be sorry.”

Severus groaned and wrapped his arms around Remus’ waist, holding his lover to him tightly. “Remus,” he breathed back.

When Remus pulled away, his cheeks were flushed and he leant his forehead against Severus’. “Severus,” he breathed softly again. “I love you.”