A Rose by Another Name

"So, what do you want to know?" Severus was trying to seem unaffected by the beautiful room around him, the drink in his hand, the books calling out for him, the Malfoy sitting across from him calling out even louder even if he wasn't shouting at all. In fact, he'd been talking in that tone he'd used at the party, soft and somehow silken, caressing Severus' senses in a way that made him want more. And he was sure Malfoy did it on purpose.

"I want to know what you like," Lucius said truthfully, using his drink to hide how much he wanted something else.

I like you. Severus almost said those words and narrowed his eyes at the thought. He didn't like Malfoy. He barely knew him. He was just humouring the bloke by coming here, and in the process getting away from home a bit. Nothing else. Nothing at all. "Potions and Defence against the Dark Arts."

Lucius chuckled and rose from his chair, antsy with how much he wanted to touch "I didn't ask about your favourite subjects. I asked what you liked."

"And I answered." The words was clipped, Severus' nervousness shining through in a way that made Lucius turn to look at the younger boy.

"Is that all you like, Severus?"

"... yes."

"I don't believe you. There must be something else you like." Lucius approached carefully, making a subtle half circle towards Severus' chair, as if he was approaching a wild animal, hoping his 'bait' would be enough to lure Snape.

Severus' eyes weren't on Lucius though, since he was studying the glass in his hand intently, trying not to blush. "No."

"Come on, you're obviously lying. Perhaps if I tell you something I like? Will you tell me something you like then?"

Severus' head snapped up and he looked sharply at Malfoy, frowning. What would Malfoy tell him? "Perhaps."

"I like you." And Lucius did, he realised. It was surreal and irrational. He didn't know Snape at all, and yet everything about the younger boy pulled him in, spellbound him. Everything from the objectively unattractive features to the caustic attitude and sharp tongue. And he wanted to experience more of it.

It had to be a lie. Severus couldn't believe Lucius Malfoy liked him. "Now you're lying."

"No," Lucius set down his glass then closed the last distance and kneeled down next to Severus' chair. "I'm not lying." Lucius' eyes and voice were intent, filled with his own confusion. "I like you." Liked Severus in a way that went further than he'd expected now that he was faced with him again. It was stupid, this. It made no sense. He'd only met Snape twice! He was making a fool of himself, and yet he didn't get up.

Severus felt his cheeks heat and his fingers tightened desperately around the glass as he said nothing, looking into Lucius' eyes and seeing a truth he didn't understand.

"What do you like?" Lucius finally asked, speaking even more softly, afraid he was going to far already now since Snape wasn't saying anything.

"I told you already." Severus tried again, hoping it would break the spell and make Malfoy stop this game.

Only, it wasn't a game for Lucius, for once. It was something else, serious and strange, unfamiliar and alien in his mind, as if things had shifted around in there, clicking into new places that somehow just fit ... better. "No, you didn't. Tell me what you like, Severus. Please?" Lucius reached out and touched the black hair that looked slightly greasy. He didn't care though if it was, it didn't matter.

There was no way Severus couldn't answer even if he didn't know exactly what it was, that answer. He opened his mouth a couple of times, trying not to make himself cross-eyed by looking at the hand that was touching his hair.

"I-"

"What in Merlin's name is this!?" Abraxas demanded in a booming voice, faced with the vision of his son … fondling a Mudblood, in his own home! And a boy even, which certainly didn't improve the situation at all.

Lucius jerked, nearly falling flat on his arse next to Severus' chair and looked with startled wide eyes up at his father. Oh bugger, that was just about the worst thing that could happen. Why the hell was he even here? It took Lucius mere seconds to recover though. Abraxas Malfoy's wrath was swift and harsh, but also mostly faded fairly quickly, and if he could stall for long enough, it would at least save the situation a little.

And Severus' life.

"We were discussing Mr. Snape's curriculum at Hogwarts and comparing it to mine," Lucius said calmly, while rising to his feet smoothly.

Severus sat like a deer caught in a flash of light, staring wildly at Malfoy Sr. and wondering if he'd find himself chained to the wall in their dungeons, or out on his arse or finally dead, in a few minutes.

"Get that filthy Mudblood out of my house, Lucius! I will not bear the sight of somebody like him within my walls!"

Well, at least father didn't have his wand out and Lucius was counting his blessings right now. The insult in his fathers words and voice was unmistakable and Lucius hoped Severus wouldn't react to them. He opened his mouth to forestall any comment but just wasn't fast enough.

"I'm not filthy!" Severus spat as he jumped out of the chair, dropping the glass to the floor. After the initial shock, he'd recovered and realised that Malfoy Sr. might not dare do anything really radical. All right, so he wasn't sure, but he wasn't going to be insulted when he'd been bloody invited!

"I don't even want to be within your ruddy walls! You can keep them and everything else inside them to yourself!" Severus was yelling he was so angry, mostly at himself for being so stupid to accept this invitation, but also at Lucius for putting him in this situation. Severus stormed past Abraxas and quickly went to the Floo he'd arrived through and returned home, hoping he wouldn't be faced with his father on the other side. That would just add insult to injury.