Fall into Madness

“This is just lovely.” His publisher, a witch in her late forties, couldn’t take her eyes from Luna. The painting was complete and all it lacked was the partners Ron had planned. “What about the others?” She asked, taking a seat at his table and looking over some rough charcoal sketches he had done. “Who is this?”



“Preliminary drawings, all of them, but that is planned for Lavender Brown. She will be May in purple lace and then November in cable knit neutrals.” He explained.



“Very nice.” Honora, his publisher, picked up another. “And this?”



“Luna’s other month. The one I just finished will be July, this one will be January, a clingy stone grey gown.” He grew excited. He not only wanted different colors, but also a different style dress for each month, with different fabrics.



“I like it.” She gave him a brilliant smile. “Who is next?”



“This is my sister,” he pulled two others aside, “she will be October, in orange flying gown the same shade as her hair, and exact match.” He was excited to paint that one. Ginny would be holding a broom to go with her riding dress, but the leaves would be changing and would also match her hair. Orange would be covering the canvas. “And she will be march, in emerald green, glittery style sequins.”



Her eyes lit up. ‘That will be amazing.”



“Yes, I know first hand gingers look good in green, especially emerald, so March will be ideal for her.” He pulled two more aside. “Hermione agreed to be August in a dark blue cotton sundress, and February in red satin.”



“Do you think she can pull it off?” Honora asked. Sex appeal wasn’t exactly dripping from the girl and blatant lust was something few women could carry with confidence.



“I think with the right help, she can. Lavender is a specialist in makeup and we can try on every red dress in England until we find the right one. Hell, if need be, we can make one.” Ron was firm in his decision, so she didn’t question him. He knew what he was doing.



“Alright then, who is next?” She asked.



“Fleur Weasley will be October, in black jacquard, and she will be in cotton pastels for April, a full skirt and little jumper.”



She nodded. “That leaves December and June. Who’s it to be?”



“Pansy Parkinson.” He said with a smile.



Honora raised her eyes. “I know her father, so I’ve seen her picture. She very elegant.”



“Yes. She will be in formal crisp white for December, and pale green slip style dress for June.” He said, excited when he mentioned it.



“I can’t wait to see it.” When she left, he took his hand and squeezed. “I think this will be just brilliant. Get started. To make the calendar deadline you need to start right away. How will you paint seasons without seeing them?”



“A friend has images from that glen during the seasons, it won’t be hard.” He assured her. He had spoken to Severus and they agreed he would spend the night that weekend, which was only two days away. They were having dinner tonight and he would bring the pictures he promised, so Ron could bring them to his studio.



He had sent off owls to the ladies in questions offering what he had given Luna to pose for him. All had agreed and if they didn’t have the dress he had in mind, they gave alternatives until they had found something to agree on. Each had brought their dress to his studio and showed him and now he had the format for his latest calendar ready and waiting.



He quickly showered and changed. He was meeting Severus for dinner and their reservations were set for 7 o clock. The cozy bistro they were going to as casual, but he did select a dark burgundy jumper with his jeans. He was off and apparating to the street in no time, looking about for that familiar dark figure.



When he spotted him, his heart began racing. Just looking at Severus did that to him. The control and power the man wielded was intoxicating because there was not a hint of arrogance or conceit. He only radiated confidence, and Ron found that extremely attractive. He smiled as he approached, stretching out his arms for the hug that was offered.



“I hope you weren’t waiting long,” Ron said, kissing him quickly. For a man as affectionate as Ron was, he was a little squeamish about being overly demonstrative in public. Hand holding, hugs and kisses were as far as he went. All out snogging he preferred in private. Nobody really knew why, Ron himself couldn’t really explain it.



“I just got here a few moments ago.” He said. “Are you ready?”



“Yes.” They were seated and eating in no time.



“Honora loves the ideas and she as so excited when she heard about Pansy.” Ron told him, refusing to hide his excitement.



“I knew it. Pansy has a certain look and I knew you would be able to use her.” He enjoyed how much Ron was looking forward to this project.



“You know, when I begin the painting, it will mean less time together. Calendars have deadlines.” He said, hoping Severus would be understanding.



“I know that. I assumed you would be dominated by this.” He spoke with a knowledge of someone who had been focused in his own life.



“I just want you to know that, because I don’t want it to appear as if I have lost interest.” He reached out and took his hand.



“It won’t. I understand how important this is to you. To branch off and make a name for yourself with something new. I’m happy that you are getting this chance. You deserve it.” He said, turning his hand palm up and closing his fingers around Ron’s.



Ron was over the moon. He leaned closer. “I want you to know something.”



“What would that be?” Severus’s voice dropped lower.



“That I appreciate you so much. You understand and don’t demand and you care about what I do.” Severus listened without moving a muscle. “When Harry made that list, it started as a joke, but now I can see how true it all was. Thank you.”



Severus didn’t speak for several minutes, just taking the time to look at him. Slowly he lifted Ron’s hand and kissed his knuckles. It had been some time since he had been genuinely appreciated.



“How touching.” Both men looked up to see Dorian standing at their table. Ron groaned and let his head rest on their joined hands.



‘It would appear he is no more willing to talk to you know then before.” Severus told him. “I suggest you leave.”



“I don’t think so. This is a public place, you can’t force me to leave.” He said with that arrogance that Ron hated. He refused to look at him again. For one, he knew he would loose his temper if he did, so it was wiser to let Severus handle him. Second, he knew Dorian could stand being ignored, so he kept his eyes closed and his forehead resting on their still clutched hands. Severus gave his hand a squeeze, knowing full well what he was doing.



“I think the owner will be disturbed to know that the partial owner of another restaurant is harassing patrons.” Ron stifled a gasp. The only thing Dorian would take from that phrase was the term ‘partial owner’. He could hear the blood racing now, but Severus was watching it. Dorian’s fists clenched and he glared. He looked over to Ron only to see that Ron still wouldn’t lift his eyes.



He finally managed to relax and took a deep breathe in and let it out slowly. “Be that as it may, I do wish to introduce Ron to someone.” Ron listened to his words, but didn’t look up until Severus tightened his grip slightly. When he did lift his eyes, he looked at Severus. He didn’t look nervous, just irritated.



Severus looked over at him, then gave a slight nod. It was a gesture that didn’t escape Dorian. He was raging that Ron would wait for permission, so to speak, from his lover, but Dorian didn’t know the truth. Ron was merely making sure Severus wasn’t put out by what was happening. When he was assured, he looked up, continuing to ignore Dorian and instead giving his attention to another man.



He was Severus’s age, maybe a bit younger, but he was obviously not as young as Ron. He was dressed as elegantly as the Malfoys in dark blue robes, and it was plain that he had the money to do so. He was slightly tan, but didn’t seem ethnic in anyway. He had the features of a native Englishman, and probably took lots of holidays. He had dark blonde hair, neatly trimmed, a clean shaven jaw and dark brown eyes. He was looking right at Ron, meeting his eyes. While he carried himself with confidence, he also had the carriage of someone who knew what he was entitled to and expected to be given what he was entitled to. There also seemed to be a bit of ignorance there, either that or denial of reality.



“Hello, I’m Ron Weasley.” He said, without offering a hand. He wasn’t about to let anyone take him from Severus for a moment. He would stay were he was, at least until Severus decided he wanted to leave.



“You’ve a yearning for infants now, have you Severus?” His voice was edgy and Ron knew he was right to be wary. This man may not be a threat but he considered himself one, and he plainly saw himself as a threat. He sought to intimidate him on front of Severus, but he, like Dorian, had a high opinion of himself.



“Regardless of someone years, I’ve no yearning for immaturity, believe me Thomas.” Severus voice as always was calm, cool, and collected. Ron looked back at the man. Thomas? He looked back at Severus, waiting patiently. “Ron, this is Thomas Louden, my ex.”



“A pleasure.” Ron said, looking back at the man, making it clear that it was obviously wasn’t.



“Is it?” His eyebrows had lifted. “Somehow I doubt that. I wonder my young man, if you know what type of gentleman you have aligned yourself with.”



“I do.” Ron said firmly, still not releasing Severus’s hand.



“Then you should know that fidelity means nothing to him.” He threw a harsh glance at Severus then looked back at him.



“Nor does consideration mean anything to you.” He countered, feeling his Gryffindor bravery come to the forefront. Severus remained unaffected by the exchange, letting Ron have his say.



“What do you mean?” His agitation was showing. Ron knew right then and there that, just like Dorian, he didn’t like not having the upper hand. Control must be important to him too.



“When you say things in anger too many times, eventually it is believed.” He watched the other man’s eye rivet to Severus’s.



“You shared that with him? Something between us?” He looked betrayed, but that was hardly Ron’s fault.



“You began this, Thomas.” Severus warned. “If you didn’t want to talk about what happened, then why did you come?”



“Do you seriously expect me to entertain the whims of a child?” He asked, shooting a condescending look to Ron.



“Do you honest think that breaking something off countless times will not eventually be taken seriously?” Ron asked. “How many times did you think you could rage that way before he just finally gave up?”



“Nobody asked you.” Thomas’s lack of control was showing. His temper was going to get the best of him.



“You came in here and interrupted out dinner to start this mess.” He looked over to Dorian. “Enjoying all this?” Dorian said nothing. “You know Mr. Louden, Dorian here wasn’t making any impression with his efforts to get me to rekindle our failed relationship, so he tracked you down and is using you to attack Severus. Whatever he told you was only a way to get you here.”



“I would have thought you were more aware than that Thomas?” Severus added. “Apparently you aren’t looking too carefully into anyone’s words anymore than you did before.”



“Cheaters have a way of twisting the truth.” Dorian told him, looking over to Ron. “This is the type of man you want to be with?”



“Yes, he is.” Ron leaned closer to Severus. He took only a moment to look at the malice that covered Thomas’s face, then he turned to Severus and gave a jerk of his head. The other man nodded and together they left the restaurant, gathering their cloaks and apparating to Severus’s home. He knew neither man would venture there.



“What do you think Dorian told him?” Severus asked as they took off their cloaks.



“Whatever it was, it wasn’t the whole truth.” Ron knew firsthand how Dorian could omit what he wanted to. “He has a nasty habit of not considering all things. What he sees as the truth is the truth.”



“He may have lied?” Severus poured them each a glass of wine.



“I don’t know if you could say he maliciously lied. If he doesn’t considered something as important than he dismisses it. How would he have know you cheated though?” He met his eyes. “Is Thomas a talker?”



“Sometimes. When he is with friends, he can talk a lot. Maybe Dorian approached him and asked if we had dated. Since we split badly, maybe he told him everything.” It was the only answer he could give. He hadn’t spoken to Thomas since the breakup with was a couple years ago. “I’m sorry about that.” Severus said, shifting in his chair and pulling Ron in his lap.



“Don’t be.” Ron said, wrapping arm around his shoulders.



“They ruined a romantic moment.” He absently groped his waist, cradling him close.



“But they didn’t ruin the night.” Ron dropped his head and kissed him deeply. It was something Severus enjoyed. Long slow, deep kissing was a turn on for him, and he didn’t know why some men avoided it as unnecessary.



Ron’s body went weightless in his lap. He could do this all night, and enjoy it all night. Severus was the best kisser he had ever enjoyed a snog with. Severus kissed with an intensity that made Ron want him. Others kissed with a desire to move on to bigger and better things. Severus kissed as if slow seduction was a treat to be savored. He knew this was the man for him, and he wanted him. He wanted to sleep with Severus, to fuck him all night long.



All too soon the kiss stopped. Severus took several long moments to look at him, running his hand through his hair. He loved that ginger hair. “I can’t wait for tomorrow.” He whispered.



“Neither can I.” Ron meant it. Dorian and Thomas were forgotten and the only thoughts he carried home with him that night were him and Severus naked and in bed all night long. He didn’t want to leave, but he didn’t want to rush. He would join Severus tomorrow and they could take their time.