Snupin Birthday Fic
Title: Overrated
Pairing: Severus/Remus
Rating: PG13
Summary: sometimes words are just so overrated
Disclaimer: I don't own, don't want to be JKR anyway, so don't sue.
Warnings: AU-non magic, language and snogging? I guess... lol.
A/N: This was per the birthday request of magicalbrains who won life with the prompt! Hope you had a fantastic birthday and sorry this is a bit late. A huge HUGE thank you to my darling nevereverposts for being bored and doing all my html codes. I freakin love you. And x-posted.



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It was a busy night at Lily's Pub, which wasn't unusual at it was the typical after-work watering whole for at least ninety percent of corporate London. Lily's Pub was in just the right spot and served just the right comfort food and cold pints to entice most of the suits who were on their way to the tube.

Severus Snape, the owner, knew almost every face, even if he rarely made conversation. He wasn't exactly a pleasant man to talk to anyway, so when he did make conversation once, most weren't in a hurry to repeat the experience.

It was a Thursday, which oddly enough seemed to be their busiest night, and Severus was half-mad from dealing with complaints and problems and cooks who were threatening mutiny against the head chef. Half the servers had called out sick because of the championship football match that Severus had absolutely no interest in and it seemed that the patrons were extra hungry and in dire need of a piss-up immediately.

By eight o'clock the owner had become part server and it was not pleasant for him or the customers. Severus did not like serving people. But business was business, he repeated to himself as he brought drink after drink to idiotic men who were making ridiculous conversation and passes at women far out of their league.

Severus was also quite campy, which no one really noticed unless they knew him well, and most didn't. He wasn't remotely interested in the extremely straight, annoying sport fans, nor was he interested in the half-dressed would-be teenagers parading round, looking to bag herself a wealthy business man.

It was all business to Severus; it always had been. That was, until that busy Thursday night, when he walked in. The insanity had just begun to die down when the door to the pub opened. Severus groaned to one of his servers, Tonks, as she went by.

"More of them?"

"Just one, looks like," she said, nodding towards the door where a tawny-haired man dressed in tweed was walking in.

Severus stared at him, having never seen him before and finding him immediately dashing, although a bit mousy. The man approached the end of the bar and primly took a seat. Severus immediately moved to serve him when there came a loud crash and someone from the kitchen screamed his name.

"Fuck my life," he whispered to himself and hurried back into the kitchen to settle a dispute between rowing line cooks.

When things were settled, Severus walked back into the main room and saw the man sitting there sipping on a pint. He wore a sort of soft, serene smile, which Severus could most definitely not relate to, and he was watching the people in the pub as though he were looking at paintings in a museum.

It was different, but Severus found he rather liked it. Severus wasn't exactly a social creature, but he had done a chat-up once, maybe twice, in his life and felt no shame in at least saying hello to the man.

"Enjoying the drink?" Severus asked as he leaned in just a little towards the man.

The man's amber eyes shot up and down Severus' face for a moment before he nodded once. Severus waited for him to say something but the man remained silent.

Severus shifted from one foot to the other. "I usually remember faces, so I'm assuming you're new. My name is Severus Snape, and I'm the owner here."

The man swallowed two-thirds of the beer before giving Severus a hard, appraising look, hopping off the stool, slapping a note on the bar and walking out.

"Wow," came Tonks' voice. "The one time you decide to voluntarily speak to someone and it blows up in your face. No wonder you're an asshole."

"Fuck off," Snape growled. He picked up the note and shoved it into his pocket before turning onto his heel, walking up the stairs and shutting himself into his office. Severus Snape did not like being rejected.

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The next night was just as busy, as England had won the match and were now set to play France at the World Cup. The pub was overrun by half-mad fans dressed in three piece suits, all of them plotting how they could take time from work to see the match and celebrate.

Severus, while enjoying what the match had done for business, was growing rather tired of listening to talk of football. He had never been a fan and it was just irritating him at this point. The staff was nearly all there, but Severus found himself lingering out on the floor more and more, eyes trained on the door.

He told himself he was not waiting to see if that man was coming in, but he couldn't really lie to himself. He couldn't really lie to anyone when said man did walk through the door and took a seat at the bar.

Annoyed at the world, Severus stormed up to his office and didn't come back down until the pub had quieted considerably. When he walked down behind the bar, all that was left was the tawny-haired man, a group of drunken men at the very back of the pub, and, to Severus' horror, Draco Malfoy and his latest boy-toy.

Draco Malfoy was the son of Severus' old school friend Lucius Malfoy. Lucius Malfoy was now the Secretary of State for Defence, as he had always aimed high in his political aspirations, and Draco, although the spitting image of his father, was more of a lazy, drunken fairy-boy who caused his father more embarrassment than anything.

Draco, every now and again, would pop into Snape's pub for a drink and attempt to seduce Snape with, what he was sure Draco considered, extreme charm. As Severus was rarely interested in men of Draco's age or men that flaming, Severus refused him often. In fact, it was almost a game at this point.

Severus, however, didn't find it amusing at all. He was annoyed with Draco, wondered why Lucius didn't demand the boy grow up and at least be a productive member to society. Of course Lucius was always had a bit of a soft spot when it came to his wife and son, and although he was often a cruel and rather evil man, he rarely denied his family anything.

Draco immediately spotted Severus and waved him over. "Oh, do come meet my new boyfriend, Sev!"

"Call me Sev again and I will tear your tongue out," Severus hissed angrily as he swooped over to Draco. Severus looked the 'new boyfriend' up and down. Tall, messy hair, rugged appearance, glasses and a swaggering smile. He also looked vaguely familiar. Vaguely.

"This is Harry Potter," Draco said importantly, as though the name was supposed to mean something to him.

Potter. Snape had known a Potter in school ages ago but he couldn't even remember what that Potter had looked like. "So?" Snape finally said. He poured himself a scotch and dared a glance over at the man in tweed who was watching them curiously.

"Don't you know who he is?" Draco sang out.

Severus looked at this Harry Potter again. He looked to be about Draco's age and he was already so drunk his eyes were crossed. "Should I?" Severus finally asked.

"Only a goalkeep for England," Draco said with a smug grin.

"A what?" Snape asked.

"Don't you follow football?" Draco asked with wide eyes.

"No," Snape deadpanned.

"Oh Jesus, you are old," Draco said. "Another pint here for my love," Draco said and smoothed Potter's hair back from his face. "Isn't he just a dream."

"Nightmare is more like," Snape grumbled into his scotch glass.

Draco rolled his eyes as Potter guffawed, took a drink of the pint and slumped forward, totally knocked out. "Fuck," Draco said. "Now how am I supposed to get him home?"

Severus shrugged. "Not my problem."

Draco sighed and leaned over the counter, catching Snape's hand. "Want to have a go upstairs?"

"Is that a trick question?" Severus asked, yanking his hand away from Draco.

"No! Of course it's not." Draco hesitated and then said, "You should be so lucky to have sex with someone like me, Sev."

"I wouldn't fuck you for practise, Draco," Severus spat. "Now call your driver before I have you both thrown out on your arses."

Draco, spluttering with rage, pulled out his mobile and phoned his driver. Within minutes, Draco's driver and Draco were hauling Harry Potter out of the pub.

When the door clicked shut, Severus breathed and said, "God I hope they crash and die." He shot a look over at the other man who was shaking with very quiet laughter. Severus had to smirk and he disappeared into the kitchen to give things one last glance over.

When he returned, the man was gone but Tonks was standing there, holding a cocktail napkin with a smug grin. "He left this for you."

Severus snatched it from her fingers and saw a hastily scribbled name in black ink.

Remus Lupin.

"What is this about?"

Tonks shrugged. "Dunno." She gave a small gasp and then said, "He's left his coat!"

Snape fought down an urge to snatch it up himself as he watched Tonks leap round the bar and grab it. "I'll just pop it out to him."

Feeling a bit sick with himself, Snape feigned cleaning dust from the immaculate tables as he walked towards the front windows of the pub. He peered out the window when he was close enough and saw them.

What he saw surprised him. Tonks was there with her back to the window and Remus was looking at Tonks and using sign language. "Deaf?" Snape whispered to himself. Well that made sense as to why he didn't answer Snape before and why he had all-but ignored him that night.

Severus felt a bit annoyed. This man, this Remus Lupin, could have just told Severus, or written it down on the note. And although nearly no one knew this about Severus, he spoke BSL. He had taken the courses in his early twenties. Not for a specific reason, when he thought back on it, but it seemed the thing to do at the time, and it had come in handy once or twice over the years.

When Severus looked back up, Remus was signing a goodbye and Tonks was headed back into the pub. Severus hurried back towards the bar, pretending like he was checking under the tables for left over rubbish or food.

"He said to say thank you for the witty conversation tonight," Tonks said. She hopped onto a bar stool and put her legs up on the counter. "I think he likes you."

"Witty conversation?" Severus said, not letting on that he knew. "He didn't say a word to me."

"Oh not between you and him, between you and Malfoy," Tonks said. "He thought you were funny."

"Oh did he?" Severus sneered. "Overheard me, did he?"

Tonks shrugged. "I suppose so, he was sitting right there. Anyway he said he'd be back in tomorrow, early, to beat the rush."

"I do so look forward to that," he sneered sarcastically.

"Try to be a bit more pleasant," Tonks said. "I really think he likes you."

"I'm sure," Severus dead panned. "Now get off your arse and start cleaning up, I'd like to go home sometime this century."

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The next night found Severus loitering behind the bar, looking up sharply each time the door opened. Tonks was there, again, laughing quietly at him. "It's only five o'clock, give him a bit," she said quietly.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Severus snapped. He poured himself a scotch and swallowed the contents in one go.

"Oh sure you don't, Mr wouldn't come out of his office if the place were on bleeding fire," Tonks said with a laugh.

"I have the power to remove you from this job; you do realise that, don't you?" he said evilly.

Tonks laughed it off. "Been saying that for years, Snape, it's rather lost its touch."

Severus grumbled but said no more. He went back to watching the door again, waiting to see if Remus Lupin was, indeed, going to return.

"When he arrives, you might try talking to him," Tonks said as she pulled a bottle of brandy from the shelf. Pouring two fingers into a snifter, she placed the glass on the counter in front of Snape. "And give this to him; it's what he likes best."

Severus glowered down at the snifter and then at her. "Talking to him, eh? He going to talk back this time?"

Tonks shrugged and shot him a knowing smile. "You'd be surprised."

"I bet I would be," Severus retorted. He was about to say more when the pub door opened and in walked the topic of the hour.

He was dressed more casually this time, in a grey jumper and black slacks, and when he approached the bar he shot Tonks and Severus a smile.

"Go," Tonks hissed, nudging Severus.

He shot her a death glare before picking up the snifter and practically throwing it at Remus. He suspected this whole idea was either to humiliate Severus, which his paranoid mind thought most likely, or that Remus could lipread.

Either way, Severus wasn't going to be made a fool of. "Drink for you," he said, turning his face sideways so that Remus couldn't get a full on look at him.

Remus took the snifter, took a sip, and then nodded.

Severus, being the sort of man he was, wasn't exactly great at inane conversation and couldn't quite think of much to say. Hi, how's the weather, or that sort of thing wasn't his forte and telling anyone anything personal about himself went against everything he held dear.

So, in a silent rut, Severus stood there, watching Remus drink brandy. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tonks with her hands on her hips, making small, impatient noises. Severus was about to tell her to fuck off when the pub door opened again and a familiar young man walked in.

It was the messy-haired football player from the night before. Potter, was his name, if Severus recalled correctly. He was walking straight and his eyes were uncrossed, so Severus was sure he was sober.

Potter approached the bar and gave a hesitant smile. "Hi, I'm looking for the owner."

"That would be me," Severus said, glowering down on a much shorter Potter. "What do you want?"

"Ah, your attitude confirms Draco's story," Potter said. "He told me I made a fool of him last night. I rarely drink and didn't realise how pissed I was when we came in. Truth be told, I don't remember coming in at all. Draco didn't tell me what I did, or said, but he said it was so bad he could never show his face here again."

Severus listened to all of this with a clenched jaw and renewed hatred for that little blond ponce. "Mr Potter, I can assure you that any word you uttered or action you performed in my pub could not begin to eclipse the embarrassment Mr Malfoy has caused himself. And, Mr Potter, if you would like a bit of advice..." Severus trailed off and glanced over at Remus who appeared to be 'listening' with rapt attention. "Run."

"Run?" Potter asked with a frown.

"Run," Severus repeated. "Run as fast and as far away as you can from that little blond tart. Whatever his particular talents might be in bed, whatever words he might use on you that makes you feel however you do about him, know they aren't worth what you will eventually go through because of him."

Potter's green eyes were wide and almost shocked. "How well do you know him Mr..."

"Snape," Severus said. "And I'm acquainted with his family of old, and believe me, most times I wish I was not. Perhaps you will not heed my warning, but when it all crashes down at least you will not be surprised."

Potter took a step back from the bar and ran his hand into his hair. "I... well... thanks Mr Snape. I appreciate that."

As Potter started to walk away, Severus called, "For what its worth, boy, you didn't do a single thing except have a kip on my counter top whilst your darling other half tried to proposition me. I told him what he could do with that offer."

Potter shot him a shaky smile before tipping his hand in farewell and walking out. Severus let out a breath and turned his attention back to Remus who was wearing a very small smile.

Severus was certain Remus could not have seen his mouth and Tonks was off serving other customers so she couldn't have translated. If this was a trick, well, Severus was going to be the one with the last laugh. He leaned against the bar near to where Remus was sitting and shot Remus a small smile.

"Interesting night," he said.

Remus nodded.

Severus put his hand up to his mouth, pretending like he was chewing on a fingernail. "Too bad about Draco, though. Little shit would look right pretty bent over one of my tables with my cock in his arse. Lucky for him my tastes don't run to children. Almost wish they did, looking at his face though, eh?"

With a smirk, Severus watched Remus stand up, cast a confused look at Severus and then hurry away. It had worked. Severus was sure Remus knew that the secret was up.

Tonks came rushing up to Severus a minute later, her face quite pink. "What did you say?"

"What?" Severus asked with a smug smile.

"To Remus, what the hell did you say to him?"

"We were just having conversation," Severus said.

"About having sex with children?" Tonks hissed.

Severus' eyes widened. "I... what? How did he know?"

"Well you bloody well told him, didn't you?" Tonks said, pointing a finger at him. "What's wrong with you?"

"But my mouth was covered by my hand! How could he possibly have known what I was saying."

"Perhaps because he heard you," Tonks said in a suddenly calm voice. "He's not deaf, you twat, just mute."

Severus felt his head spin. "Mute?"

"Mute," Tonks repeated. "He hears quite well."

"He..." Severus trailed off and Tonks began to laugh.

"So you thought he was deaf?" she chortled and Severus nodded stupidly. "You didn't mean anything you said?"

"No," Severus said quietly. "Of course not."

"Well he's still outside if you want to talk to him," Tonks said. "He really does like you, thought you were quite dashing. He didn't know how you'd feel about him being mute so he thought if you could just talk to him easily, even without response, you might connect with him and it wouldn't be such a big deal."

"Ridiculous," Severus said.

"What do you mean?" Tonks asked, going a bit red again.

"The idea that I'd be bothered by his muteness is ridiculous," Severus said. "I might be unpleasant but I'm not inhuman."

Tonks grinned. "So go out there. He's waiting for me, but I think if you explain everything to him, he'll be alright."

Severus narrowed his eyes but knew he owed it to Remus, and to himself truth be told. So, gulping down his pride in great mouthfuls, Severus walked out the front doors to the pub to face Remus.

He was standing by the side of the wall and his eyes grew wide when he saw Severus approaching him. He backed up a bit but Severus held up a hand.

"Mute?" he asked.

Remus looked down and then nodded.

"Not deaf."

Remus looked up sharply with a small, confused smile. Slowly, he shook his head.

"I saw you and Tonks using sign language and I thought you two were trying to trick me," Severus admitted. "I didn't mean anything I said about Draco except what I said to that Potter boy."

Remus looked intensely relieved. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small pad of paper and ink pen. He started to write but Severus, very carefully, reached out and stilled his hands.

When Remus looked up, Severus raised his hands. I also speak BSL.

Remus' surprised smile lit up his face. Oh, if I had known that could have spared us all of this.

Severus snorted. Perhaps so. I thought you were ignoring me the night before.

Remus laughed quite silently. I thought you would not be interested in a mute man.

Severus smiled tersely.

Remus smiled. If I were to ask you out for dinner...

I would say yes, Severus said.

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He was feeling anxious, which annoyed him beyond words, and Severus wasn't quite sure why he had come in to work at all. He should have just taken the damn day off, but sitting at home waiting for the clock to strike six was driving him even more mad.

Now he was pacing the pub, annoying the piss out of the servers and especially Tonks. "Will you just settle down," Tonks said as she watched Severus tug at his clothes for the hundredth time. "You look fine."

"Me? Fine? I never look fine, Miss Tonks. I'm not a bloody teen idol."

As the words barely made sense, it sent Tonks into a giggling fit. "Severus, you old sod. You're totally in love."

"You're fired," Snape hissed.

"Oh lord," she said, shaking her head a bit. She reached under the bar, pulled out a bottle of vodka and poured it over ice. "Drink this."

"And what? Get pissed before dinner? What sort of man would that make me?"

"You're an idiot now, I doubt it'll make you look any worse," she said, waving the drink under his large nose.

Severus grabbed the glass and took a long swallow of the liquor, glowering at her all the while. "I hate you."

"Listen, he likes you just the way you look, with, and God knows why, just the hideous attitude you already have. So chill the fuck out."

Severus sniffed at her and turned his head away. "You clearly have no idea what you're talking about."

"Yeah," she snarked, "clearly."

The large clock behind the bar chimed three times, signaling that it was a quarter 'til six. "Oh blast," Severus muttered into his glass.

"Is he picking you up?" Tonks asked?

"No, I'm meeting him," Severus said. He set down his glass and smoothed down his black shirt for the final time. "Right. So. I'm off."

"You're going to be fine, you know," Tonks called as he started for the door.

Severus hesitated in his steps, turned and said, "Ring my mobile if anything comes up."

"Short of a devastating fire," Tonks called back, "I won't be calling. In fact, I might not even call then. Have a good date, Severus, and get shagged!"

Horrified, Severus hurried out of the pub and rushed to his car. They were meeting at Remus' flat, which Severus was nervous about, but Remus insisted as he wasn't exactly a social butterfly. Severus, being quite the same, had to admit that a quite dinner in for the first date sounded ideal.

But jumping right into Remus' flat also seemed rather intrusive. Still, Remus hadn't seemed to think so at all so Severus eventually agreed. That's why he found himself standing in front of Remus' door, not looking nervous but feeling like he might be ill.

"Stop acting like a bloody female teenager on her first date," Severus snarled to himself. "You've done this plenty of times." And by plenty he meant about five, but he wasn't counting. He shook his head angrily at himself and knocked.

Remus didn't make him wait long before the door was opened and Severus stepped inside. The flat was small, just two bedrooms and a lounge that connected to a kitchen. There was a small table, set for two, in the corner, and rather appealing smells were coming from the cooker.

"This looks lovely," Severus said.

Thank you, Remus signed before offering Severus wine.

Severus felt a bit light headed from the vodka but his nerves were calmer and he accepted the wine with polite grace. Remus led him to the table and said, The dinner is ready now, if you're peckish.

"A bit," Severus said and sat down. There was a lovely shepards pie in front of him which looked delicious. He watched as Remus took his own seat and then he asked, "Would you prefer it if I signed to you?"

It doesn't really matter, Remus said. I'm used to this sort of conversation.

"Feels a bit one sided though, doesn't it?"

Only until you get used to it, Remus said with a smile.

Severus shrugged and tucked in. The food was delicious and the conversation was simple and polite. When they finished, Remus showed Severus to the sofa.

"What do you do?" Severus finally asked.

Remus hesitated and then said, I'm well... a nanny.

Severus' eyes widened. "A nanny? As in children?"

Remus nodded. I got into it as a favour to a friend years back and it sort of stuck with me. I'm looking for a new job as the youngest has now reached school age and I'm not need much anymore.

"A nanny," Severus repeated. "Well that's... different."

Remus chuckled in his silent way. Yes, different, but good. I like it.

"I hate children," Severus confessed. "They're these inherently selfish little creatures that do nothing but whinge and smear odd, foreign substances on anything expensive or white. Not to mention they are a host for so many diseases they could be a science experiment."

Wow, Remus said. I've never heard them described so...

"Accurately?" Severus offered.

Remus snorted. For lack of a better word. But children are also capable of selfless love which most adults are not.

"I must agree with you there," Severus said, "for I do not believe I shall experience love of any kind."

I hope, someday, you find yourself proven wrong, Severus.

Three quarters of an hour passed, and in that time Severus had gone from mildly hopeful to disappointed. How he had felt about Remus upon just meeting him had convinced Severus that there was to be fiery passion. By the end of the evening, all he'd felt was a sort of tepid politeness, and Severus was not good at reacting to those sorts of situations.

With a half-embrace and half handshake, Remus showed Severus out. Disappointment flared up in him again for about four steps away from the door. Then, he heard the sound of the door opening again and he turned.

Remus stood there, fidgeting slightly and he raised his hands as if to say something. He didn't however; he merely crossed the distance between them, fisted his hands in the front of Severus' shirt and kissed him hard.

Severus was stunned motionless for a moment. Remus started to pull away but Severus quickly grabbed him by the sides of the face and kissed back fierce and desperately. It was the fire he knew had been there before. Shoving Remus against the door jamb, they kissed until they were both breathless.

Pressing his head against Remus', Severus let out a half-laugh and said, "That was quite nice."

Remus smiled and nodded and eventually mouthed 'thank you,' as his hands were still occupied with Severus' shirt.

Severus took a step back and took Remus' hands in his, squeezing them a bit before letting them go. "So shall I see you again?"

Remus' grin widened even more. I'm completely swamped this week. It's my last week with this family and they've a relative over who has an infant. But after Sunday I'm free as a bird. Shall I be in touch?

"If you wish," Severus said. "You know where to find me."

Oh yes, I do, Remus said and with a cheeky wink, he disappeared back inside.

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Saturday, oddly enough, found Severus out and about. He hadn't heard from Remus since, not that he expected to, but it was odd not having the man popping into the pub. He had decided to take Saturday off and in the late afternoon he had gone for a short walk.

He hadn't visited his favourite bookshop, Flourish and Blott's in quite some time and there were a few titles he'd been meaning to pick up. Purchases made, he was headed home, and rounded the corner near Florean Fortescue's ice cream Parlour when he saw them; Remus with a slew of children.

Slew, honestly, was a bit strong of a word; there were three, and an infant in a carriage, and two of the three looked to be quite old for a nanny. Remus was arguing with one of the older boys, the boy snapping and Remus' hands sharply cutting through the air.

Eventually the boy relented and tugged along the other boy, leaving the smallest, a girl, in the chair next to Remus. Wrestling with himself for a moment, Severus eventually wandered across the street and approached the table.

The little girl, who was blonde with huge blue eyes, looked up at him and smiled. Remus was fussing with the carriage and hadn't noticed Severus approach until the little girl said, "Hi!"

Remus looked up and his face broke out into a smile. What are you doing here?

Severus held up his purchases. "I've taken the night off. I didn't expect to see you here."

Have a seat, Remus said and gestured to a vacated seat. Would you like any ice cream?

"No, thank you," Severus said.

"I'm Isabelle," the little girl said, leaning across the table. "You can talk to Remus?"

"Clearly, as I am doing so right now," Severus said.

The girl sat back with wide, unsure eyes. "I can too."

"So I gathered," Severus said dryly.

Isabelle looked over at Remus with uncertainty and he sent a sharp look to Severus. Easy now.

Severus snorted. "I saw an argument. Should I go and let you handle things?"

"My brothers are mean," Isabelle said. "I wanted to go look at the joke shop with them but they said I'm acting too much like a baby."

"Perhaps you are," Severus said.

Isabelle's eyes got even bigger. "I am not!"

"You know, child, I have a pub where I make very delicious shepards pie. Do you know what I make my shepards pie with?"

The little girl shook her head, a few blonde curls falling into her eyes. "No," she whispered.

"I make the pie out of little girls who don't behave."

Isabelle clapped her hand over her mouth, gasped, and her eyes filled with tears. "Remus," she whimpered.

Remus put his arm round the girl and sent Severus a withering glare. Tell her the truth, he signed very sharply.

Severus sighed and leaned in towards her. "That's not really true," he said. "I make my shepards pie out of mean older brothers."

Isabelle studied him for a long moment before giggling. "Mean like my brothers?"

Severus smirked. "Let's just say that if you have a problem with them again, you can ring me and I'll see what I can do."

I hate you, Remus signed but now he was smiling. He turned to Isabelle and said, Go on ahead to the joke shop and tell the boys ten minutes longer. If they dawdle...

"I'll tell them I have people," she said and rushed off.

"I have people?" Severus repeated with a snort.

I don't know where they pick that stuff up, Remus laughed.

Severus shrugged. "I didn't mean to intrude on your day out. I'm sorry if it was inappropriate to say hello like this."

Not at all, Remus said. I would have been offended if you didn't.

Severus smiled tersely. "I really oughtn't stay long and it does look like you've got your hands full."

Yes, Remus said, but do expect me on Monday. As a matter of fact I thought we might try another dinner.

"Sounds fair," Severus said evenly, although inside he was elated, "except this time why don't I cook for us?"

How can I refuse? Remus looked around for a second and then grabbed Severus for a quick kiss. I look forward to Monday.

"I shall pick you up at six," Severus said, and with that, he was off.

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Monday didn't come soon enough for Severus. Sunday seemed to drag out to the point where Severus was sure the clock was moving backwards, and Monday was just as bad. He had an inventory issue to deal with which prevented him from taking the day off, but he was able to remedy the issue early enough to get shopping done for the dinner that night.

He purchased some Riesling for after dinner and set to cooking. He had almost lost track of time and when he finally got to Remus', he was ten minutes late.

Remus appeared completely unperturbed by this and met Severus outside with a smile and small wave. He climbed into the car and pressed a kiss to the side of Severus' face.

Hi.

"Hello," Severus said. He shifted the car into gear and they sped off to his small home at Spinner's End. When they entered, Remus looked round appraisingly, showing particular interest in Severus' extensive book collection. He expressed delight when he saw how much art Severus adorned the walls with and when he saw Severus' rather dusty, unused piano, he played the first couple of scores from Mozart's Turkish March.

Severus smiled softly and had the fleeting thought that he could get used to having Remus at his house. Tearing himself away from the sight of Remus drinking in a Boticelli, Severus went into the kitchen and put the final touches on the plates.

"Ready when you are," Severus said quietly.

Remus entered the kitchen and Severus handed him a glass of wine. Remus accepted with a smile of thanks and sat down at the table. They tucked in without much conversation and finished the food quickly.

Severus refilled their wine and Remus suggested they go into the lounge. "Have a seat wherever," Severus said, gesturing towards his sparse furniture.

Remus chose a seat on the sofa, next to Severus, and watched him with a smile until Severus said, "What?"

Nothing, Remus signed with a small shrug. I just... I like you.

Severus blinked with surprise. "Oh," he said because he couldn't think of anything else to say. With sudden inspiration, Severus grabbed Remus and kissed him. But he didn't just kiss him, he told him, with that kiss everything he wanted to say but was much too Severus Snape to actually verbalise.

Not that it mattered, really. Words were so overrated.

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"So?" Severus demanded the moment he walked through the door. He set his things on the small table and allowed Remus to kiss him hello before asking, "What did they want? I'm being quite honest, Remus, if they sack you because of me..."

Remus held up his hands for quiet. Quite the contrary, they've asked me to take on a more demanding position.

Severus frowned. "Demanding how?" He went into the kitchen, Remus at his heels, to make tea.

They've asked me to take a live-in position. They're expecting again and with Matteo being only two, they're going to need even more help. After all, she's American and travels a lot back and forth with her job.

"A live-in position," Severus repeated slowly.

And a salary higher than I've ever been offered before, Remus said. His smile widened, But this is all quite conditionary.

"What do you mean conditionary?" Severus demanded, feeling slightly frightened that they had asked him to leave Severus for his job.

They only wish me to take the position if you agree to come and live there with me.

Severus was struck just as mute as his lover. Although Remus and Severus both agreed the better idea would be to keep their relationship quiet, the parents of Remus' new family had popped by Remus' home unannounced and had been met by a rather heated snogging session between Remus and Severus.

Severus had met the parents previously, as he had, on the very rare occasion, helped Remus out or accompanied him when he had to make trips into London with the children. The parents, a woman called Anna and her husband Bernard, had stood there for quite some time before asking Remus to meet with them privately the next night.

Severus was certain Remus was going to be sacked for being... well... if anything, with a man like Severus. Severus hadn't ever been exactly kind to the children. Never outright cruel, but he was Severus Snape, after all.

Hearing this was now quite shocking to Severus. "They want me to live there?"

They also request that you're there at least forty percent of the time I spend with the children.

"I have a job, Remus!" Severus spluttered. "I can't become a half-nanny. And even if I could I don't bloody well want to!"

So I'll turn down the job, Remus said easily.

Severus' eyes widened. "Turn down the job? Are you mad?"

Remus took Severus into his arms and kissed him quiet. Only for you, he said when he pulled back. I'm not giving up living with you to 'parent someone else's brats', as you so eloquently put it a few weeks back.

Severus snorted at his own form of cleverness and looked at Remus. His lover of three years looked mildly disappointed but not angry and most certainly not resentful, which was something Severus was slightly afraid of.

He sighed and ran his fingers into Remus' soft hair. "I hate you," he whispered.

I love you, too.

Severus rolled his eyes. "Only you could turn that around." He descended on Remus, kissing him hotly. He pressed Remus back against the counter and the kiss continued until eventually they had to break for air.

Severus sighed and pressed his forehead against Remus'. "I suppose I could close up the house, or find someone to live there while we're playing mummy and daddy to five brats."

Remus smiled and, as his hands were occupied with rubbing circles up and down Severus' back, he said nothing.

"I suppose they want to do this soon?"

'Next week,' Remus mouthed with a nod.

"Oh the things I put myself through for you," Severus growled and kissed Remus possessively again.

But you love me, Remus said when Severus pulled away once more.

Severus scowled. "Yes... so it seems."