Dragon\'s Den

Title: Dragon’s den
Author: ejab
Pairing: SS/LM with a little SS/RL on the side.
Rating: story is slash and NC-17.
Feedback: oh yes, a true gift and highly appreciated.
Disclaimer: just playing with J.K. Rowling’s toys.
Warnings: none here.
Category: all over the place.
Summary: even bad boys have a soft side and a family life.
A/N: silentpawz was the only beta this time. All remaining mistakes are mine.
I just had to show that a divorce always has an impact on children.
This chapter is for LYSA1. I nicked something, love!

6/9

His transformation had, as predicted by Lucius, a huge impact on Severus. Even in his early Death Eater days, Severus always had an aversion to killing. Oh, he had no problems with using people as guinea-pigs for the potions he'd already been developing back then. And under those circumstances, he could inflict torture and not lose a night's sleep over it. It was research.
Severus just didn't have the stomach for brutal murder. In self-defense, yes. Otherwise, no. The Dark Lord excused this flaw, knowing how powerful his potions could and would be.
So to know he'd killed, and a child at that, was a knowledge that was bound to haunt Severus for days. He managed to finally accept his deed and his darker side, though. Which, of course, changed him, bringing more balance and self-confidence indeed. It would also benefit him in the future, Lucius knew. Certain Dark potions needed a dark state of mind to brew.

Friday afternoon. Time to go home. Lucius stopped musing over his better half, got his cloak, gloves and cane and walked out of his office, eyes wandering over the other people. Until his eyes focused on one Ministry employee at particular. Ah yes, this was too good of an opportunity to miss.

"Mr Haskett, pursuing your new career, I see." He stepped in front of the boy carrying a stack of files.

"Not for long." John spat.

"Ambitious." Lucius smiled. "An admirable quality."

John snorted. "Yeah yeah…" He tried to pass. Lucius moved to block his way.

"It is considered good manners to show proper respect towards the right people."

"Oh, I'm sure. People like you, you mean? No, thanks."

"Determined to insult me… " Lucius remained stoic.

"I don't like you. You are sneaky, always buying favours and everything you do is for personal gain only. That's so typical for the old aristocracy!" John almost squeezed his files in anger.

Lucius chuckled. "Ah yes, that tune again. Studied genealogy then?"

"It doesn't bother you that I do not crawl for you as everyone else? I don't think so! You're the sort that wants to be worshiped!"

"Mr Haskett, let me make myself clear," Lucius smiled imperturbable. "I don't care what you think of me. Your opinion of me matters not at all. However, I find it hard to believe that you'd be content with archiving for the rest of your professional career."

"What are you babbling about?"

Lucius tapped his cane on the files. "It so happens that Mr Copnicus generously awarded me with the final say in the matter."
Bending forward, he added with amusement, "You will stay there until I decide otherwise."

"You are blackmailing me!"

"Such a harsh word to use for this little inconvenience. Enjoy your weekend, Mr Haskett." With that, Lucius left a dumbfounded John standing and went home.

To find Fiddler's report waiting for him.

He installed himself on the couch in the living room and started reading, becoming so engrossed in the content he didn't notice his husband until Severus stood in front of him.

"Home already? What a pleasant surprise." They shared a kiss.

"Yes, everything was done, so… work?

"No, Fiddler's report." Lucius gestured towards the papers on the ground. "You can start with those; I already read them."

"Later. This is more important." Severus placed four vials on the small table.

"Ah… " Lucius stared at them, then groaned. "Is this what I think it is?"

Severus nodded, taking his seat next to his husband. "We can not afford to wait any longer. A vial each to allow male pregnancy and then two for me: one to become sterile and one to miscarry."

"Why do I have to drink this when you are sterile?" Lucius gave the vials a thoughtful look.

"We're not supposed to know I am sterile, remember?"

Lucius turned towards his lover, a sad smile on his face. "Do you realise we can never have uncomplicated sex anymore?" His eyes caressed the beloved features in front of him.

"It won't change that much, Lucius." Severus frowned, getting to his feet.

"Yes, it will," Lucius said, following his example. "Every time we've had sex, you'll have to check for a possible pregnancy and t- "

"Take the potion, yes. And that's all there's to it." Severus placed a finger on his husband's lips to silence him. "It's all in your head, love. Don't go there; that's disastrous for your nerves."

"I know." Lucius smiled his sad smile again. "Still… "

Severus nodded knowingly before giving him a soft kiss on the lips and returning the smile.

Lucius answered by caressing his lover's face with his fingertips. Then moved them to the front and slowly started unbuttoning Severus' shirt. Normally Severus would have reacted by assisting, speeding up the process, but the atmosphere had changed.
Lucius kept eye contact, regardless of how much flesh he uncovered. Grey eyes, cold and unyielding for others but flooding with love and warmth for him. It moved Severus beyond words every time; Lucius hardly ever allowed himself to be seen so open and therefore vulnerable. It told of feelings most people would not think Lucius Malfoy capable of, let alone express. The fools.

His shirt dropped. Lucius' fingers slid down and started on his trousers. Severus mimicked his movements. Silent and just as slow. Soon they both stood naked.
Lucius placed his left hand on Severus' shoulder, moved on to the back of his head, fingers playing with familiar hair there. He then stepped closer and with a deep sigh buried his face in the crook between the neck and shoulder.
Severus understood and simply put his arms around him. This had nothing to do with lust.

Lucius sighed a second time. "You smell good," he murmured, enjoying the intimacy and warmth of his lover's body.

Severus tightened the embrace, thinking he could stand like this forever.

"Still not able to handle compliments very well, are you?" A muffled chuckle.

"Oh, shut up."

A smiling Lucius cupped his face, placing a gentle kiss on the warm lips. His tongue licked the bottom lip. Severus opened his mouth, allowing full access. There was some slow teasing tongue-wrestling before Lucius coaxed his lover's tongue out of his mouth. He took it between his lips, sucking on it before letting go again.

"Mine. All mine." His lover looked at him with this familiar gleam in his eyes.

Ah yes, there was the possessive Lucius again. Severus smiled. This obsessive behaviour would scare most people away but he welcomed it, craved for it even. Always. It made him feel wanted, cared for and protected. Safe.

There was no need for confirmation. Lucius wasn't that insecure. Instead, he pulled his lover to the floor and laid beside him. Soon the room was filled with soft moans and gasps from tender love-making.

~ * ~

Ever since they lived together, Sunday always began slow and relaxed. Both men would stay in their dressing-gowns while enjoying an extensive breakfast, reading their newspaper or magazines in a good-natured silence that told of contentment and harmony. On occasion one would read something out loud and they'd laugh or comment. A good start of the one day of the week they'd reserved for their couple.
This Sunday morning was no exception.

"Draco? Why are you home? Is something wrong?" Lucius could hardly believe his eyes as his son suddenly walked into the dining room.

"Nothing wrong, father." Draco grinned. "I just wanted to er… get my favourite shirt. Forgot to pack that."

"Pathetic. You really should work on your lying skills and improvising abilities," Lucius reprimanded his son indulgently while gesturing towards the table. "Tea?"

"Yes, please." Draco sat down eagerly.

"Does the Headmaster know you are here?" Severus frowned.

Draco chuckled. "Yes, professor, he knows."

"I am no longer your professor, Draco."

"I know. I just don't know how to call you now," a shy Draco admitted.

"Ah, yes, well… " Severus hadn't given that any thought yet. "Er… Severus will do."

"All right, Severus it is." Looking very pleased with himself, Draco drank his tea.

Lucius observed his son when a thought struck him. "You can stay with your family whenever you want, Draco. You do not need to make excuses to do so. You live here, you belong here."

As close as a declaration of love the father was able to give his son.

Draco blushed, giving his father a wavering smile. "I am going to visit mother next Sunday."

"She is your mother." Lucius managed to keep his voice civilized but Draco knew his father well enough to notice the hidden enmity just the same. It confused him. He knew that his parents weren't exactly on friendly terms with each other but this pure hostility had never been there before! Something must have happened!

"And the Headmaster gives you leave of absence because… ?" a curious Severus asked.

Draco shrugged, feigning indifference. "Maybe he feels sorry for me? A child from a broken home?"

"Are your grades sufferi - "

"No, father, my grades are still the best of o - " Draco felt the glare more than he actually saw it and sighed. "Okay, maybe they dropped a bit."

"Well, that is to be expected after such far-reaching changes to ones home situation. Every child would need some time to readjust." Severus saved him from a scolding by his father. There was no way for Lucius to lash out now without coming across as an insensible monster. Not that he would care if he insisted on getting his point across, but Severus doubted his husband would go that far. This way, both parties were offered a graceful way out. Both father and son took it.

"Of course," Lucius nodded curt. After giving his son a warning glare.

"I won't stay long. I still have some homework to do." Draco made it clear he understood the hidden warning.

"Very well. Now, if you will excuse me? I'm going to take a long bath." Severus excused himself and left the room. He was sure father and son would have things to discuss and wouldn't need him there while doing so. He now was Draco's stepfather; a role both Draco and he would need to get used to. Obtruding himself on the boy would definitely be a bad start.

Severus took his time, soaked in the bathtub until the water got cold for the third time, then got out and dressed himself.
Lucius and Draco looked up from their game of chess when Severus appeared in the living room.

"Failed to tell me something, Sev?" Lucius grumbled.

"Not that I'm aware of. Why?"

"My son's chess skills have improved radically. You're sure you haven't given him lessons?"

"You're losing then?" Severus smirked, noting Draco's proud smile.

"That's only half the shame… "

"The winner gets to decide what we do next." Draco made the final move. "Checkmate!"

"I don't believe it!" Lucius stared at his husband as if he was to blame, then leaned back in his seat, resigning himself. "I dread to ask… what do you want to do next?"

"Let's fly over the estate with our brooms, like we did when I was little." Draco was not able to hide his insecurity. Luckily neither man made fun of him.

Lucius groaned. "Oh Merlin, I haven't been on a broom for more than… 23, no, 24 years."

"Take a quick shower, get dressed and keep your word as a true Malfoy," Severus said. It earned him a nasty look but Lucius obeyed nevertheless.

Thirty minutes later father and son disappeared out of view behind the roof of the manor while a grinning Severus went through his stock of potions and salves. There was no doubt in his mind that Lucius would suffer from severe muscular pains and soreness all over later on.

Two hours had passed before a shivering Lucius and a cheerful Draco entered the living room again. Severus put his book down and chuckled.

"Cold?"

"I had forgotten how cold you can get on a broom," Lucius nodded.

"Nothing a good hot bath can't cure." Severus knew, ordering some hot chocolate for everyone.

"You should feel sorry for me. A good husband would," his better half said, mock-offended.

"I don't do pity." Severus turned towards Draco. "Enjoyed yourself?"

"Very much; we been to places I haven't been to for years!" Draco took a sip of the hot chocolate, enjoying the warmth spreading in his stomach. "I'd almost forgotten how beautiful the estate can be."

"Indeed. Shall I order sandwiches?"

"No, thank you. I'd better get back to school. I'm expected to be back before four o'clock." Draco drank all his chocolate, said goodbye and left quickly after a glance at the clock. It was ten to four.

"A hot bath it is." Lucius scrambled to his feet. "Join me?"

"Not in the tub." Severus followed.

"Spoil-sport."

Ten minutes later Lucius was enjoying his hot bath, eyes closed. Severus sat on the edge.

"Family bonding?" he asked, breaking the silence after a couple of minutes.

Lucius smiled. "The divorce's made him feel insecure, I think. He just needed affirmation that he is loved and his world is still all right."

"Is he blaming himself?"

That question made Lucius open his eyes. He looked at the wall with a thoughtful expression for a while, then shook his head. "No, I didn't get that impression. I've made it perfectly clear that it had nothing to do with him."

"Mmm… " Severus played with the foam floating on the water. " I couldn't help but notice your worst game of chess in years."

"Guilty." Lucius grabbed his lover's hand and led it under water.

"Tsk, and you accused me of getting soft."

"A mere sacrifice for a good family life." Lucius sighed, content with the new stimulation.

"We could take this somewhere else."

"I'm almost there," Lucius groaned, closing his eyes.

"I'm not exactly in the most comfortable position to do this, you know," Severus grumbled, continuing all the same.

"Almost… oh yes, yesss… oh!" Lucius came quick indeed, jerking his hips and moaning loud.

Task accomplished, Severus stood and went for the door.

"I'll pay you back later," a drowsy voice sounded.

"You'd better."