Bonds of Affection

An hour passed, but Severus could still taste the young man's kiss on his lips. It took him by surprise. Harry's mortified reaction seemed to indicate that he was just as shocked by his own action.



That kiss... Severus shut his eyes and took some time to calm himself. He had began to hope that somehow, the Master/slave bond would not come to this... What a misguided fool. As if Harry Potter could escape the pull of the strongest slave-bond known to the wizarding world. Though Harry did put up a good fight, Snape had to admit. Slave-bond or not, the brat was still obnoxious, obstreperous, and obstinate.



He sighed deeply, and walked towards Harry's bedroom. He stood in front of the door for a few minutes, still trying to decide what the best course of action would be. His personal preference would have been just to wait – and allow Harry to come to him on his own, when the urging of the bond became irresistible.



But he also remembered Harry's resolve – of not willing to beg for anything. His pride, his arrogance would literally drive him to an early grave, before he stooped to begging... or before he admitted to a weakness. Especially in a situation like this. Snape muttered a curse under his breath and knocked on the door.



“Come in,” a subdued invitation followed. Snape entered, and looked at Harry. He was still up, sitting on the bed, hugging a pillow.



“I'm really sorry about that,” Harry mumbled sheepishly. “I... I remember what you said. No attraction. I shouldn't have done it...”



“No apologies necessary,” Snape said peaceably. “The kiss was not... unpleasant.”



Harry smiled dejectedly. “ I won't do it again, I promise.”



Snape gazed at him severely. “Not even if I ... request it?” He asked in a silky voice.



Harry gasped quietly and bit his lip. “No,” he said firmly. “It's not fair to you... you never wanted this. And we had an understanding...”



Snape sat on the edge of Harry's bed, uninvited, and reached out to touch him. Harry's entire body trembled at the contact, and he withdrew himself from Snape's hand instantly.



“The bond intends for you to need my touch – and more,” Snape said simply. “Do you?”



Harry glared at him. “I don't need your touch,” he said defiantly. “What – you think if you don't touch me, I'll shrivel and die of grief?”



“Something like that,” Snape said humorlessly..



Harry snorted disrespectfully. “Think again,” he said. “I don't need to have sex with you.”



Snape stood up abruptly. “Pity,” he said snidely. “You would look ravishing in bondage.”



He was about to head for the door, but suddenly found himself stopped, by Harry's hand grasping his.



“Yes?” Snape asked without turning.



I said I don't need it... doesn't mean I want you to leave,” Harry said quietly.



Snape came to the bed and surveyed the young man thoughtfully. His breathing was labored and heavy. Snape reached to stroke Harry's short hair, and Harry seemed to have melted under his hand instantly.



Snape sat down on the bed again, coming face to face with Harry.



“So,” Snape said very softly. “ What's on your mind?”



“Can you tell me more?” Harry asked suddenly. “What is so horrible in your past... that you would...”



“I am afraid I can't answer that question,” Snape said.



“Why not?” Harry insisted.



“Because,” Snape said unhappily. “If I tell you, you will run away and let the bond kill you before you come back. I won't risk it.”



Harry shifted uncomfortably. “I am sure I can deal with it... whatever it is,” he said.



“Don't be so sure,” Snape told him sharply. “And consider this topic closed. There will be no further discussion of this.”



“Fine,” Harry muttered resentfully, in a way that clearly indicated it wasn't. Snape paid him no heed.



“Tell me what you need,” Snape said again.



“Nothing,” Harry said stubbornly.



Snape stared at him intently, scrutinizing him head to toe. Harry's face was flushed and his entire body trembled and radiated heat.



“Well... Perhaps I am going about this the wrong way,” Snape said, not unkindly. “Tell me what you want.”



“What I want...” Harry repeated absently.



Moving fast, Snape grabbed his arm, pulled, and pushed him off the bed. Harry followed his prompt effortlessly, without protest, and stood in front of him, with his head slightly bowed.



“Tell me what you want,” Snape said gravely, in a tone of voice that could not be mistaken for anything but an order.



“I want you to hold me in your arms,” Harry said quietly. “If you hurt me, I want to feel your hands on me afterwards. I want to be helpless. Bound, or kneeling - not being able to run. I want to be taken... hard...That's what I want.”



Bound... kneeling... helpless... taken.... Snape listened, mesmerized, as each word conjured an irresistible vision, filled with promise of pure, dark, deviant pleasure.



“It sounds manageable so far,” Snape said ironically. “Anything else?”



Harry shrugged nonchalantly, in a valiant attempt to contain his embarrassment at his spontaneous disclosure. His cheeks were flushed, and he was blinking furiously. Snape placed his hand on Harry's shoulder, squeezing it cruelly, eliciting an incredulous gasp from the young man's lips.



Snape reached out to him, and took his face in his hands. His thumbs trailed along Harry's cheekbones, caressing them, following the faded tear-tracks. His grip on Harry's face became firmer, until he was almost bruising his cheeks, but Harry did not flinch. Snape leaned in to kiss him, opening the young mouth violently, invading it with his tongue, subduing it with practiced skill. Harry cried out pitifully, and Snape caught the cry in his mouth, swearing he could almost taste it.



He released Harry's face abruptly. Harry's entire body shuddered at the loss of contact, but he steadied himself instantly.



“Wow,” he said dreamily, his eyes half-closed.



Snape nodded again, his lips twitching into a vicious grin. “Now, Harry...” he intoned with deceptive softness in his voice. “Since we are about to take our adventure to a whole new level... do you suppose you could start calling me by my first name?”



Harry looked at him serenely.



“Severus,” he said, as if tasting the name on his tongue. “Severus.”



Severus Snape shut his eyes and smiled. He liked the sound of that.