Muse

an- thank you all who reviewed you made my week thank you to my beta for you kick butt. I hope you all like this chap as much as the last. happy reading.-

beta: vampchic

Muse


Chapter 2- waking up to brighter days-


December 21-


Slowly, green eyes began to open, blinking painfully at the bright light from the sun.


"Remmy, the window!" Harry moaned as he moved to roll over into his breathing pillow that strangely smelled of coffee and cinnamon.


"Remus, is currently resting on the pull-out in the living room. Do you normally wake to find yourself in bed with your adoptive father?"


"Gods no. Its just that I haven't shared a bed with anyone in a while. To wake and find myself snuggled against someone - the first person I think of is Remus. He's given me the most comfort," Harry said softly as he placed his head back where it seemed to be most comfortable - on the chest of his sleeping companion. "Might I ask why it is that we're sharing a bed? or should I just leave it up to one of those weird drunk moments you can't remember?"


"Your punch had been spiked last night and I felt it safer to let you rest on my bed than to force both you and Remus to walk home in the freezing cold."


"And why, pray tell, does that explain everything?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow, trying to show that he was unimpressed with the explanation.


"Just because you are in my bed does not mean I shall not sleep in it. I won't be put out of my bed because of another. I paid for it, I shall use it. Now, as it is eight in the morning and Remus has work, you will need to get up."


"Can't I stay here?" Harry asked hopefully.


"Why would you want to stay here when all I shall be doing is writing?" Severus said with a sigh.


"Why wouldn't I want to be here while a master works his trade?" Harry smirked as he lay on his side, watching the other male move about the bedroom in his billowing robe of black silk.


"Hmm, so I'm a master now, am I?" Severus said as he turned to look at the reclined teen on his bed. "Fine, you have your wish for boredom. Go ask Remus before he leaves, and if he says you can, then stay, but stay out of the way. God, I need some coffee. Please tell me you can at least brew coffee?"


"Mhmm, and much more. How hungry are you in the mornings?"


"It depends on what I did the night before," he said with a quirk of his eyebrow. "If I stayed up late writing, then coffee and toast. If I spent the night shagging, then something more substantial is needed."


"So coffee and toast it is," Harry said, smiling brightly at the man.


"Indeed," Severus said as he moved off to the attached bathroom.


"Remus?" Harry called as he left the bedroom.


"Kitchen!" Remus replied.


Walking into the kitchen, Harry smiled brightly at his adoptive father, sighing gratefully as a hot cup of coffee was placed in his hand.


"Is it alright that I stay here today? Severus said he didn't mind ,but that it was up to you," Harry quickly explained, giving Remus his hopeful puppy dog look, knowing that Remus would fall for it like he did every time.


"And Severus said it was okay?" Remus sighed. He had to get to work, not deal with things he didn't have time to think about. "Why do you want to stay, Harry? There won't be anything for you to do?"


"Because I like him. I love his books and he's entertaining. I told him I'd stay from under foot, and as long as I make him coffee he's happy," Harry chirped, already knowing that Remus would let him stay.


"Fine. But if he calls saying you're being a bother, you're going to have to walk home on your own. I can't be leaving work because you got bored."


"Thank you, Remus. And don't worry, you won't be receiving any calls like that," Harry rushed as he drained cup number two he had somehow acquired while talking with Remus.


Soon after, Remus was walking away from the dwelling that housed the author.


Slipping onto the loveseat, Harry sat looking out the window it was parallel with. Slowly, snow drifted by, coating the ground with another layer of fluff.


"Harry," Severus said as he entered the living room where he found Harry staring unseeingly out the window. "Harry?" He tried again.


"Hmm? I'm sorry, did you say something?" Harry asked, meeting the coal black of the other mans eyes.


"Would you like to go out for lunch? I'm afraid that I'm a bit hungry at the moment. We could stay in; I just don't feel up to cooking anything I'm suddenly hungry for."


"What is it that you're wanting to eat, Severus? I might be able to make it for you," Harry offered softly.


"I'm in the mood for some stew - a nice hearty stew, and I'm afraid I don't have the ingredients needed to make it."


"Alright, I'll go find my coat, it's around here somewhere…" Harry murmured to himself as he moved about in search of his wayward coat.

++++

"What would you like?" Severus asked, looking over his menu at Harry.


"Huh, oh… ummm, spinach salad with feta cheese and Italian dressing, and vegetable soup please," Harry said somewhat distracted as he bit into a bread stick.


"Is there something on your mind, Harry?" Severus asked, watching the younger male fidget slightly in his seat.


"Sorry, I just haven't been out in a while. Remus is always so busy when I'm home on hols, and I'm not sure what to talk about with you. I seem to be at a loss for words today." Harry said frowning.


"You were full of words last night and this morning. What happened?"


"Can I sit in and watch you work this afternoon… that is if you plan to. I'm not interrupting any plans you had, am I? Just say the word and I'll head home."


"No, you're not interrupting anything. If anything you have helped me with my writing. If you want, you may stay and watch, though it won't be much fun."


"Thank you, Severus. I promise not to get in the way. I'll just sit there read. You won't even know I'm there," Harry said with a bright smile.


Happy that he got emotion back out of Harry, Severus tucked into his food that had just arrived.

+++++

After they had returned to Severus' house they quickly shed their winter garb before moving onto the office.


"There's a couch over there that I've found to be comfortable if you should wish to sit while I work," Severus offered, motioning towards a brown couch that sat against one of the wall not covered in book shelves.


Nodding, Harry smiled slightly towards the man and moved about the comfortable office. Looking over the book titles, he smirked at a few he found. Coming across a few of Severus's books, he grabbed one off the shelf and retreated to the couch to read.


A few hours went by this way and Harry was in rapture over the book, so engrossed in it he didn't notice the man move away from his desk and leave until he returned with his adoptive father.


"Harry James! What do you think your reading?" Remus yelled when he caught a glimpse at the cover of the book he was reading.


"Remus!" Harry shouts, startled.


"That would be my fault Remus. I said he could read whatever he liked. I didn't know you would have a problem with him reading one of my books!" Severus said from behind Remus.


"He is much too young for that sort of thing, Severus. He should be focusing on his studies, not sexual relations," Remus all but stuttered.


"Why, Remus? I'm practically a straight A student. Am I not allowed to date? And if I'm not, then why am I not allowed to read about it? Since I'm to stay home like a good little boy, am I not allowed any release at the age of seventeen when my prick is at attention most of the time?" Harry said, clearly angry at Remus.


"I'm sorry, Harry. I know you're a good kid, you have great grades and I'm very happy about that, it’s just... with your past, I didn't want you getting hurt. And if you’re reading this then your thinking about it, and I was just trying to save you from that pain again," Remus practically whimpered at the teen.


"You can't save me from everything. I'm young, yes, but not that young. I know that in life you get hurt. Not everything is going to go my way and I know that I'm not invincible. I screw up, I pay! That simple!


"I've been reading his books for years. I've used them in school work, Remmy. My teachers have yet to take offence due to the amount of money my parents forked into that school when I was a baby. I'm set. They won't kick me out for that - I only have to work for my grades, and I do.


"I know I was hurt before, but that doesn't mean every time I go out with a guy, he's gonna die. Shit happens, good people die and bad people live. I don't do drugs, I don't drink and I don't smoke. I haven't had sex in a year! I think I deserve a bit of relaxation while reading a book, don't you?" Harry said, biting his lip as he looked from one man to the other.


"Remus, did I tell you I found a muse?" Severus said, changing the subject.


"Oh, I hope this one works better than the last," Remus said, frowning slightly.


"I'll have to work fast with this one though, for it shall be leaving me soon."


"Why's that?"


"He goes back to school once his hols are over," Severus said, casting a quick glance over at Harry.


Both Harry and Remus eye's widen slightly at that, shocked by the news. Looking at each other, they both turned and stared at Severus, who had moved back behind his desk during the exchange.


"You can't be serious! He's a boy…. ("Remus!") ….What has he given to you so far?" Remus asked ignoring the call Harry gave in the middle of his ramble.


"He gave me a story. I had nothing before yesterday, and here I've now got three chapters sketched out, practically done in one day, which is more than you asked for me to get done by next Friday, Remus."

"That much already? Oh god, how do you want this to go?" Remus asked, shocked and worried at what he might here.


"He can stay here during the day while you're at work. It'll give him something to do and me someone to talk to when I'm stuck," Severus said, taking a sip from his tea.


"How does that sound, Harry? Would you like to stay here during the day?" Remus asked.


"I'd love to stay!" Harry rushed excitedly, his face lighting up merrily. "I mean, I would love to visit during the day if that's alright by you, Remus." Harry rephrased, a slight blush staining his cheeks.


"Very well, in the mornings before I leave, I'll drop Harry off and I'll pick him back up afterwards - is that satisfactory for everyone?" Remus asked, looking from one to the other. Getting nods from both, he sat down on the couch where Harry had been sitting when they'd first entered the room.


"How was your day, Remmy?" Harry asked, sitting back down beside the man.


"It was good, Harry. How was yours?" he responded.


The three spent the rest of the evening talking about this and that, nothing overly important, but it kept everyone at ease until the two finally left for their apartment a few blocks away.


Harry went to bed that night with a smile on his face. He was so excited over being able to stay at "Severus Snape's" house all winter hols he found it hard to sleep. So, he pulled out his favorite book and fell into the lovely story about a young man who fell deeply in love with an older male and all the lovely sex they got up to during their summer retreat out on the lake.

(TBC)

thank you for reading and please reveiw I look forward to seeing what you all think of it good bad let me know.

as always

~lost in a thought~