Dragon\'s Den

Title: Dragon’s den
Author: ejab
Pairing: SS/LM with a little SS/RL on the side.
Feedback: a true gift and highy appreciated.
Disclaimer: alas, J.K. Rwoling still owns them.
Warnings: mind play and the killing of a child.
Category: darkfic mostly.
Summary: Lucius wants only the best for his husband.
A/N: could not have done this without my betas underlucius and silentpawz!

5/9

Whatever plans Lucius might have had, he decided it could wait. Instead, he posted the advertisements for Severus, selected the most promising candidates, did a thorough background check on all of them and handed his information over to his husband.
During three days of ruthless testing Severus evaluated the last five candidates’ skills himself, ending up with two employees. Both of his former Slytherin House. The first one was Jason Gale. The quiet 21 year old had given up his job at St. Mungo’s the moment he’d read the advertisement, convinced he’d be good enough to be accepted. Being distant family of the Nott’s did’t hurt either. Sebastian (‘please call me Bastian’) Morton became the second employee. He was 26, also extremely ambitious and just as eager to learn from the best. Contrary to Jason, he was not easily intimidated by his former Potions master. Sebastian was also a very handsome young man, the eye-catcher being the lock of ravenblack hair dangling before his strikingly blue eyes.
Severus noticed those features but didn’t give it another thought. Lucius however certainly did, if his looks of impudent lust were anything to go by.

“You are a married man. I suggest you act as such,” Severus bit, noticing Lucius’ appreciative looks going into unwanted directions again when his spouse visited the shop. Occasionally Lucius paid a short visit to the Snake Pit to see how everything was going and it had never bothered Severus before. Now it did.

Lucius held up both hands in defense. “I wouldn’t dream of – “

“Yes, you would,” Severus snapped. “You’d fuck him right through that counter if you for one moment thought you’d get away with it.”

Lucius smiled. “A man can fantasise.”

“He can also experience impotence,” his husband reverberated.

“Ah... “ Lucius grimaced, understanding the unspoken. “Fancy a threesome then?”

“Enough!” Severus hissed. He knew Lucius would never cheat on him. Never, no matter what. It was his own insecurity that made him act up and behave like a jealous husband. Nevertheless, it did hurt to see the love of his life look at another.

Enjoying the sight of his spouse struggling with his jealousy, Lucius felt temptation to tease him some more. He loved to see his better half like this. He grinned.

Severus reacted with a stunned look.

“What?”

“You giggled!”

“I did not,” Lucius snarled offended. “Girls giggle. We chuckle.”

“Of course. Lucinda.” Severus ducked the moment he’d finished the sentence. A white flash burn chips of wood from the doorpost. Lucius cursed.

“You are getting slow, old man. Go home and practice.” Severus snorted, not in the least fazed by his narrow escape.

At that moment Bastian walked in. He saw the drawn wand in Lucius’ hand and turned around, not wanting to interrupt. Not even a possible murder.

“You can stay. You work here, after all,” Severus said, staring pointedly at his husband for a moment.

“See you at home. Severus.” Lucius drawled. Severus’ face turned red in an instant.

Bastian, confused because there clearly was something going on that he didn’t get, stepped aside to allow Lucius passage.

“Thank you. Very considerate of you.” Lucius bowed his head with a suave smile.

“Always, sir.”

“Really?” A chuckle.

“Home, Lucius. Now.” Severus sighed. “We still have a lot of work to do.”

“You will be home for dinner nevertheless.” It was a statement. Non-negotiable. Lucius then left, ignoring all those present.

“What are you staring at? Go to work!” a still blushing Severus snapped at his lingering employee, before leaving the workroom himself.

Bastian shook his head. “Bonkers. Completely bonkers, those two.”

“And I heard that!” came an angry yell from the front.

*~*

Severus got home in time for dinner, feeling both excited and nervous. He was somewhat disappointed when at first nothing happened and they just dined as usual. Lucius was no doubt upping the ante. He hated it when he did that.
Halfway through their meal the doorbell rang. No house-elf showed up to announce guests. Severus frowned, deciding to take a look.

“Remain seated, Severus.” Lucius didn’t even look up from his plate and continued eating. Severus opened his mouth to speak, received a lightning glance and kept silent. Something was going on. Definitely. His stomach did a spontaneous somersault, thoughts raced through his head. His appetite disappeared. Putting his knife and fork down, Severus sat back, waiting.

Lucius finished his meal, then stood up. “Follow me.”

Severus obeyed, experiencing some fear when they headed towards the secret dungeons under the mansion. Prisoners? Was the Dark Lord here? No, he would never fail to make a big entrance. Bellatrix then? Would they indulge in some Muggle torture?

Lucius opened the door and they entered the dark hallway. Severus smelt sweat, dirt and blood. Then he knew.

“Fenrir...” A curt nod after which his eyes strayed off towards the four cells to their right. Six pairs of mortified eyes stared back at him.

Fenrir came closer. “Enough? I can get you more if you want – inexhaustible supply, you know.” He chuckled.

Ignoring their main guest, Lucius turned towards his husband. “Now you can test your potion when and how you want.”

“Werewolves? We are now housing werewolves?” Severus was not a happy man.

“Not yet.” Lucius and Fenrir exchanged a rogious smirk. “Fenrir will bite them sho-“

“Full moon tonight,” Fenrir said with a rapturous smile, eyeing the prisoners hungrily.

“Let’s wait for the frst symptoms before I lock you in, shall we?”Lucius grinned. “That way there will still be someone left to bite when the moon is full.”

Severus felt torn. Yes, having subjects to test on was exactly what he needed, wanted even. But to have werewolves live this close...?

“It is secure, Severus.” Lucius pulled at the bars. “I have added house-elf magic. Not even a troll could get out.”

“In that case... thank you both. Now, if you will excuse me?”

“Leaving before the show starts?” Lucius stopped him by placing a hand on his arm.

“I prefer subtlety and intelligence, remember?”

“You like blood and pain,” his better half whispered.

“Don’t you dare compare the two!” Severus snapped, flairing up.

“Very well.” Lucius straightened, a cold look in his eyes. “You will go to our bedroom. Do not touch anything. You will undress yourself and lie on the bed, awaiting my arrival. And that is all you will do,” he whispered.

“You surel-“

“Severus?” A warning, not to be misunderstood.

Severus wanted to defy, rebel. To refuse such treatment. Reading the promise of pain and submission in his lover’s eyes however awoke the need to surrender, to come home. He said his goodbye to Fenrir and left.

If Fenrir was wondering what was going on, he was smart enough to not show it and vein indifference. Lucius was a bad enemy to have but Severus was the one to fear. He was no fool. Even his indefectable bestial instincts agreed on that. Lucius was the brute killer. Severus was the elusive assassin.

“Ready when you are, Fenrir.” Lucius summoned a chair and prepared himself for the show as Severus walked into their bedroom. Only to discover that his spouse apparently had more tricks up his sleeve: there was now hanging a black cloth hanging down from the ceiling at the foot end of their bed. The shape it concealed looked distorted.

Severus undressed, never taking his eyes of the cloth, wondering what it hid. He did not try to take a look, though. Surely Lucius would have placed some sort of spell on it to warn him if he did. So he stretched out on the cool sheets, fantasizing about all the possible options and waited, refusing to think about the dungeons and what took place there.
More than two hours later Lucius showed up, carrying with him the unmistakable smell of blood. Ignoring his husband, he disappeared into the bathroom taking a long hot shower before entering the room again. Naked. Which confused Severus: Lucius never played this game in the nude. Had he forgotten? Lost interest?

“I am very pleased with you, Severus.” Lucius lied down beside his lover, his gaze roaming over the pale flesh with lust and admiration. “Don’t worry, you’ll soon feel warm enough.”

Suiting the action to the word, Lucius started to softly kiss and touch every inch of skin he could get his hands and lips on. Ever so careful a still confused Severus was lured into intens lovemaking. He had expected pain, torture, bloodlust. Especially after what Lucius had just witnessed. Instead, all he had to do was surrender to loving kisses and touches which gave him the impression he was being worshipped. At first he couldn’t help but be on his guard, readying himself for pain that surely had to come.

But Lucius played Severus like a true master, pulling the right strings at the right time, his own mind and body intensely focussed on registrating every reaction of his husband, no matter how subtle. A sigh, a twitching muscle, the way he moved; it all gave Lucius clues on how to proceed. Yes, in the beginning Severus obviously felt confused, expecting pain and torture. And when Lucius started to make slow and passionate love to him, he returned the favour. Lucius punished his actions with bloody bites and scratchmarks. Severus understood; Lucius, being the dominant, set the rules. He was to surrender and trust. Trust Lucius to know what he was doing and were he was taking him. He trusted Lucius. Only him. Yes, it took severe persistance and coaxing, old habbits died hard, but Lucius always succeeded in the end. He managed to let him feel secure enough, safe enough, to let go. To breath and be. Nothing more. Time and again.

Lucius watched the initial internal battle with fascination, guiding his husband with a touch here and a whispered comment there. Always on his guard, always ready to back off before moving in more. Step by step. Breaking down walls, opening up hidden passages only known to him.

Then, subspace. Lucius knew the moment he saw those beautiful black eyes cloud over, stare into nothing. He took pride in taking Severus there. Always. But when he'd led Severus there without the use of pain, pride made way for euphoria. Every idiot could get a true sub into subspace using domination and pain but it took the skills of a true master to get him there with seduction only.

Severus was now in a hypnotic state. Open to suggestions. Suggestions that would open up the path to his dark side so Severus could rise above himself. To be whole, complete. Embrace his true essence.

Lucius knew he had to tread with extreme care; his lover was the personification of the word control and that meant hard work to avoid suspicions rising. A challenge and more fun because of that. Having his skills tested like this was a reward on its own.

Lucius made his lover stand on his knees, lubricated his own erection and penetrated him with care, then held still. Orgasm was not the main focus. Not yet, certainly not his. Instead, he continued constructing his web, pulling Severus in more and more. Enfolding him with possessive comments, touches and sly suggestions. Coaxing him into becoming a mindless, pliable piece of flesh, no longer capable of thoughts let alone speech. Not blind with lust. Oh no, this was far beyond that. This was a dangerous, fragile road into forbidden darkness and the only way to go there was by bringing Severus in to a deep trance. Having arrived there, he would still be aware of Lucius' touches and voice but not on a conscious level. He would 'sense' Lucius' presence. His husband as a person would not excist.

Lucius was all too aware of his responsibilities and the dangers involved. He'd seen lesser skillful people play this game and get hurt beyond repair. Insanity, psychoses, suicide, paranoia: they were never invited but often visited to stay just the same. One of the reasons why he hardly ever used this method. Not to mention the fact that it was draining, exhausting.
Due to the expert guidance, Severus smoothly shifted from subspace into a deep trance. Satisfied everything went well, Lucius stepped up the pace, bringing his lover to the brink of orgasm then holding him there.

Beyond speech as he was, a trembling Severus growled in frustration.

"Almost, love. Watch." Lucius took his wand and pointed it at the cloth. It dropped, revealing the figure of a naked young boy hanging in midair.

"Lovely image, isn't it?" Lucius licked his way up Severus' neck, still holding on to the base of his cock. His husband answered with a inarticulate whimper.

Lucius chuckled, forcing his husband to watch the terryfied Muggle. Severus looked without seeing. He whimpered again.
Placing his wand in Severus' hand, Lucius whispered, "Kill him. Kill him and I'll give you what you want. I'll let you come so hard, you'll see stars. Just kill him. It's only a Muggle. Kill him, Severus. For me."

This was the moment of truth. If he'd played it well, Severus would obey him without giving it a second thought.

He had and Severus did. The moment the green flash of the Avada Kedavra hit the Muggle, Lucius made sure his husband came. Hard.
His body still convulsing, Severus was pushed down on his stomach, becoming aware for the first time of being penetrated himself. He keened, trying to push the weight of his back.

"Sshhh, it's me. It's only me." Lucius put all his weight on his left arm, stroking the familiar black hair and back with his right hand. Severus calmed down. Lucius wasn't fooled, though. He knew his husband was still far from back to earth. So he kept on reassuring him with kisses and the occasional stroke, taking him deep and slow until he himself came with a soft moan.

Lucius rolled off of his lover, regretting that he couldn't give in to the relaxation too much. Severus was still lying on his stomach, face down. His mind would now slowly start working again, picking up the pieces, deciphering and combining them. Until it all clicked.
It didn't take long for Lucius to see the body next to him go rigid. Next thing he knew, two enlarged black eyes stared at him. Realization dawned, then horror.

"No!" Severus jumped of the bed, saw the dead body and froze on the spot. Lucius watched him stare at the Muggle, disbelief and revulsion written all over his face. He stepped of the bed, knowing that his next move could mean the difference between a mission accomplished and a catastrophy.

"I… Merlin, no… " Lucius was careful not to move and observed his husband coming to terms with what he'd done. Knowing Severus, he would break. Which was the plan, after all.
Severus backed down until he hit the wall. "I hate you!" he hissed. "I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!"

"I know."

"A child, goddamnit! You had me kill a child!" roared Severus. He swirled around, hit the wall, bend forward and threw up.

"A Muggle nonetheless."

Severus wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Oh gods… no… " His eyes wide and haunted, he seemed to look for a stone to crawl under, couldn't find one and threw up a second time.

"Hard without a Numbing Potion, isn't it?" His words sounded mocking, but his voice was not. Lucius stared, watched him start trembling and knew. Severus was breaking. It was what he'd been aiming for so why was it so hard to watch?

"You! You we- " His voice broke the same time his legs gave way. Severus fell to the floor, no longer able to hold back the tears, crying his heart out like there was no tomorrow.

Strange how bittersweet victory could be. Lucius smiled a sad smile, scooped his lover up from the floor, pulling him close. "It had to be done, love," he whispered.

"Nooo… " It sounded muffled with Severus' mouth against his chest.

"Yes. It was time to revisit an old friend."

Severus tried to push his husband away. To no avail. Rage was empowering, hurt was not.
Lucius kept his arms around him. He hated the man, yet felt comfort in his arms.

"You and I both know you have this dark side," Lucius continued cautious, listening to the cries of pain and despair. "You wouldn't have been able to do this otherwise. No matter how hard I tried. It is time for you to stop rejecting a part of yourself. How can you become the best Dark wizard alive if you can not accept who you are?"

"I don't wa- "

"Not like the Dark Lord, no." Lucius kissed him on the head. "But you do want to be the best when it comes to understanding Dark magic. How can you when you reject the darkness in yourself? Time to stop denying its existance."

"I'm not in denial," Severus snapped. His husband chuckled; yes, that sounded more like the old Severus again.

"Yes, you are. It scares you and that makes you denying it." Lucius caught his eyes, giving him a defying look, challenging his lover to deny it. He couldn't and they both knew it.

Severus dropped his head, feeling defeated and weak. Lucius had brought out the worst in him and it scared the hell out of him.

"It's about remembering who you are," Lucius spoke soothing. "We've done it before."

"Merlin, Lucius. I was seventeen. Seventeen, rash and feeling invincible like every teenager." Severus wiped the last tears of his face, voice steady again.

"Mmm, seventeen, stunningly beautiful and sexy as hell. You still are."

"Gods… " Feeling physically sick, Severus closed his eyes. "I still hate you."

"I know."

They sat in silence on the cold floor for several minutes more before Lucius managed to coax Severus back to bed where he took him in his arms again.

"I am so very proud of you." Out of a corner of his eyes Lucius watched one of the elves take the body away.

"I'm not," Severus croaked, exhausted, burrying his nose under the familiar armpit in front of him and closing his eyes again.

Night descended. A night in which Severus slept a restless sleep and Lucius stayed awake, watching over him. Like he would do for several days to come, making sure his husband would get out more powerful, confident and more balanced than ever.