Dragon\'s Den

Title: Dragon’s den
Author: ejab
Pairing: SS/LM with a hint of SS/RL
Rating: story is slash and NC-17
Feedback: a true gift and highly appreciated
Disclaimer: yes, yes, they’re still hers
Warnings: a bit of whipping and m/m sex
Category: darkfic
Summary: Severus gives his best
A/N: eternal gratitude towards my beta crew silentpawz, Sparky, Stuka and Nax. Could not have done this without them. All remaining mistakes are mine.

To be honest – my interest has shifted to much shorter stories. Maybe that’s the reason this story starts to feel like a burden. It’s holding me back from the next step I want to make. After this chapter, there will be one large last chapter to round off and that’s it. Therefore, issues will be skipped. I’ll stay faithful to the ending I had in mind, though.


8/9


Lupin drank his potion as Severus retreated to the safety of the door.
Awkward silence.

"Back to the beginning, I see," Remus said.

"A mere precautionary measure."

"I'm sure."

Silence once more as both felt the tension.

"Do you think I sabotaged the potion on purpose?"

"Excuse me?" Severus gave him a weary look.

"Lucius thinks I did."

"Lucius?" Severus sighed. "Ah." He did not only talk to Draco's Head of House then.

More strained silence.

Remus thoughtfully took stock of the man in front of him. He wanted to ask Severus about the werewolves. Had he been the one to suggest the use of more werewolves? Had he ordered them to be captured and infected? No, surely Lucius was responsible for such an evil deed. Not Severus.

He needed to believe that.

Remus wanted to scream at him nevertheless. Instead, all he could focus on was how tired Severus was looking. Tired and… dismayed?
Tense. That would make sense and was to be expected after their last meeting, but dismayed? Why?

"Oh, for Merlin's sake, you stupid Gryffindor," Severus snapped. "Just ask the bloody question already."

"What question?"

"If the werewolves were my idea," Severus bit. "I'm sure Lucius has told you."

"I was wondering about that." Remus gave a hesitant nod.

A sarcastic chuckle. "That really is your flaw, isn't it? You want to be liked. You so desperately want to be liked that you'll sell yourself out to anyone who's willing to scratch behind your ears."
Severus crossed his arms, eyeing him with contempt.

"You're not exactly scratching behind my ears," Remus mumbled.

"Shows your despair." Smirked.

Feeling the suppressed hurt and anger, the wolf stirred. Remus felt restless, not at all sure he wanted to fight this battle with his bestial instincts. Severus had managed to touch him in his weakest spot and kind-hearted as he was, not even Remus was able to draw a veil over those stinging words. They crushed him.

"Enough." Growled like a wolf.

"Right. That's it." Severus turned, pulling at the door, when a solid weight hit him behind the knees, bringing him to the floor. Severus screamed in fear, desperately trying to push the weight of his back.
Teeth buried themselves in the back of his neck. Severus froze, making a mental note not to provoke Lupin when the moon was full. Or close to it, just to be sure.

"Control the wolf, Lupin. I know you can," he whispered, too scared to raise his voice.

Another growl, a startled yelp and the body on top of him grew rigid with fear. It left quick as lightning.

Severus raised his head, confused.

Eyes wide open in disbelief, Remus stared at him.

"You're with - "

"Don't you dare use the words 'whelp' or 'cub.' " Severus rubbed the back of his neck, checking for blood. Thank Merlin it had been a superficial bite.

"You're pregnant." Remus kept staring. "Sin - "

"My private life is not to be discussed." Severus rose, walked to the door and leaned against it, inwardly cursing the keen wolf senses. Damn, even Lucius and he were not discussing it!

To add insult to injury, Severus couldn't bear to be touched any more. The first time Lucius did exactly that, he'd found himself throwing up over the sheets.

Lips pressed together, Lucius had stared at the vomit in disgust before cleaning the bed with a spell. After which he had turned his back on his husband. From that moment on the unspoken arrangement was to ignore this new situation. Too delicate. Needless to say it put a severe strain on their wedded happiness.

These days, everything he said got him into a row with his husband. Lucius acted downright stroppy and when they went to bed, it seemed as though all he ever saw of his husband was his back. He'd never realised how significant a back could be. Lucius' screamed of frustration, anger and… powerlessness? He wanted to caress that beautiful back, feel it move under his hands, but when he had done so last week, Lucius had slapped his hand away, mumbling it would lead to nothing anyway. Severus felt insulted. Was that it? Sex? Was Lucius being such an arse because he couldn't get laid? Surely their relationship was built on more than that! Judging by Lucius' reaction, apparently it was not. That hurt. More than he could ever express.

Severus had moved to one of the guest rooms.

Now Lucius wasn't even talking to him any more, giving him the cold shoulder. It scared Severus. His lover wasn't exactly the predictable or forgiving kind. What if he decided this wasn't worth the effort and wanted to divorce him? He wouldn't survive that! He wouldn't want to!

Remus watched Severus withdraw in himself, retreated to his bed and stared at the wall. Knowing that Severus was pregnant hurt. It hurt like hell and felt like a blow in the face. The wolf was not happy about it either. It wanted to howl and rage. Lash out, claw Severus' belly open and tear out the intruder. Kill and devour it. Anything to claim the man, make him his.

"Severus?"

It took some time before the response came.

"Now what, Lupin?"

"Please Stupefy me."

Severus blinked, puzzled. Then understood. Fear crept into his eyes as he reached for his wand.

"It will be enough. I promise you. Please?"

"Stupefy!" Without the slightest hesitation, Severus did as was requested before cursing himself. This wasn't an Unforgivable. It was just an innocent stunning spell. Used on nothing more than a bloody Gryffindor. So why did it feel so very, very wrong?

Forcing himself not to follow that trail of thoughts, Severus took a seat, closed his eyes and slowly dozed off.
He did not wake before a house-elf appeared in the room with breakfast. They stared at each other in confusion.

"What time is it?"

"Half past seven, sir. Is sir want - "

Ignoring the elf, Severus lifted up the restraining spell on his former colleague.

"Thank you, Severus." Remus slowly and carefully stretched, then rubbed his legs and arms. "Ah, breakfast. Good. I'm hungry."

The elf placed the tray on the end of the bed and Apparated back to the kitchens.

Remus sat up. "Want to join me?"

"No, thank you."

"I always prefer to eat in my chambers after these transformations." Remus clearly had no intention to talk about last night. Severus couldn't agree more. That did not mean he wanted this light-hearted babbling nonsense though.

Unfortunately there was not a cheerful outlook either. Lucius would be aggravated by his late home-coming. Severus sighed. The thought of his husband was enough to experience tension. Damn, this was getting ridiculous. They were adults. They should be able to overcome this together!

***

One look at his lover and Severus wasn't so convinced any more. Lucius obstinately refused to acknowledge his presence. He didn't holler about his being late, no accusing looks, no looks of any kind. Nothing.
He simply left the room the moment his husband entered.

Severus tried to eat at least something but no matter how hard he tried, the food wouldn't go down. He gave up and put his fork down with a shaky hand.

Closing his eyes, he felt the tears. No, he would not cry. Not even when he was in point of losing all he'd ever wanted in his whole life.

Lucius was all he'd ever wanted. From the moment they'd met. This unbelievable aristocratic beauty with his silky white long hair, gorgeous body, arrogant behaviour and these cold, mocking grey eyes.

Severus had never dared speak to him, feeling extremely unworthy of his attention. It never stopped him from trying to catch a glimpse of this breathtaking boy, though, when all students changed classes several times a day.

Then, with the start of his fourth year, a miracle happened. Lucius suddenly noticed him, greeting every time they met. The first time, Severus could only blush and trip over his own foot. Which Lucius had gracefully pretended not to notice.

Three weeks later Lucius approached him for private chess lessons. Severus hadn't slept two nights in a row, too overjoyed and excited.

Two months later they'd shared their first kiss and another week later Lucius had deflowered him. They became inseparable. It had made his life at Hogwarts more bearable, to say the least. His own house mates stopped teasing him. Even these damn Gryffindors didn't seem to bother him so much any more.

Of course Narcissa had to spoil his perfect life. And Lucius getting his certificate and leaving school didn't help either.

Still, they managed to see each other on a frequent basis. Yes, he had taken up a dependent attitude towards Lucius but that didn't bother him. On the contrary. It provided for the needs of both of them. He felt this need, this urge, to be owned and Lucius was possessive, wanted to own.

The day he'd discovered that his lover was all too eager to satisfy his need for physical pain and submission from time to time, Severus knew he'd found his perfect better half.

No, a life without Lucius was not worth living. Hell, he would even renounce his title if that meant getting his lover back!

Still, all this knowledge didn't solve their current situation. Yes, Lucius was acting highly unreasonable and at least owed him an apology but he also knew that he didn't want to wait for the impossible. Would he be willing to be the first to bow his head?

Severus knew he would. For Lucius. Only for him would he be prepared to set aside his own pride, underlining his dependence of this beautiful bastard. Which didn't bother him one bit.He needed the feeling in order for a relationship to work.

*That* idea crept into his mind again. He'd wanted to do this ever since they got married but was it wisdom to do it now? Probably not. His motivation was sincere, yes, but to use it to…

Severus sighed. Oh, damn it all! For once in his life he would do something spontaneous.

He left the dining room in search of his husband. The man had better understand what he was about to offer!
Severus knew that Lucius would be in his study so that's where he went.

Several calming breaths later, Severus opened the door, ready to duck any hex. Nothing happened. Lucius sat behind his desk, not bothering to look up from the parchment he was reading.

Severus remained standing in the doorway. He won at least this battle the moment Lucius was no longer able to hide his irritation and looked up.

Severus froze, black eyes shifty.

Lucius frowned annoyed. Now what? Another fight? More accusations? His hand slowly went to his wand.

Then the unthinkable happened.

Severus kneeled, bowed his head and stretched out his arms, offering his wrists to be tied.

Struck dumb, Lucius watched it happen. In slow motion, it seemed. He forgot to breathe for a moment as his brain reeled because of this all-embracing gesture. Merlin, this was…

Lucius swallowed, experiencing an emotional turmoil he'd never thought possible.

Severus offered him total submission.
More, he offered him his very essence.
Unconditionally.
Of his own free will.

Without his asking for or demanding it, here it was being offered to him.

Knowing his better half the way he did, Lucius made no mistake in underestimating this gift nor its impact. Severus could not give more than this. There was nothing else to give.

This was offering himself to Lucius unconditionally. He would not ask for anything in return. Therefore it made him extremely vulnerable. Unheard of for such a control freak like his husband.
It told of immense trust.

Was he himself able, willing and ready to accept the responsibilities that came with this offer?

It would take their relationship to a whole new level. One not many people could or would be able to understand. Not that Lucius cared about other people's opinion. Neither did Severus, he knew. Besides, nobody would notice. Everything would stay private, as always.

Funny. The moment he'd first seen Severus, the boy had stirred something deep inside of him. Something he couldn't give a name to but knew had always been there.

Lucius had fought against it, stubbornly ignoring this strange and yet fascinating boy until he was no longer able to concentrate on the most simple things any more.

Then, after starting a relationship with him, Severus had not hesitated in bringing that strange feeling to the surface. As if he had known.

It had given Lucius a whole new thrilling view on life, even rising above the pleasures of being a Death Eater, even. In that role, he could be as sadistic as he wanted. Maim and kill to his heart's content.

Severus, however, had shown him a new, intense dimension for his sadistic tendencies. Blood, pain, eager submission, love, trust and love - Severus had been the real master, in a way. Teaching him. Bringing him home.

This invisible bond and understanding was part of what made them inseparable. Something that nobody understood. Not even the Dark Lord.

Severus' arms began to tremble, his muscles protesting.

Lucius noticed and knew; his lover would feel sick of fear by now. Fear for his offer to be rejected. Still, this wasn't a decision to take lightly.

Fifteen minutes passed before Lucius finally rose and walked to the back of his lover.

"We are married. I own you," he reminded him. "What could you possibly offer me that I don't already have?"

No reply or movement. Good. They both knew the answer to that question anyway.

Taking a step back, Lucius grabbed his cane, deciding where to hit first. The right shoulder it would be. He used full force.

Suppressing a scream, Severus fought not to move, his grimace mixed with a proud smile. The pain told him that his offer had been accepted. It made him feel strong. Empowered and happier than ever before.

Lucius delivered blow after excruciating blow until Severus screamed and collapsed forward.

Disposing if his cane, Lucius kneeled down, undressed his husband with a flick of his wand, then gently pushed him on his painful back.

Severus' initial hiss was one of pain, becoming one of bliss the moment Lucius took him in his mouth. Severus came almost instantly, too worked up to hold back.

Lucius caught his come, spat it on his hand, covering his own freed, rock hard cock with it. He then pushed his lover's knees to his chest, positioned himself and entered with one forceful thrust.

"Uhhnnn… " Severus surrended to the brutal thrusting, loosing himself in the overwhelming sensation.

Lucius watched him let go as only his lover could until lust clouded his mind and all he was interested in was pounding into that delicious tight hole.

When his orgasm gripped him, Lucius' teeth buried themselves in the shoulder in front of him. At this, tremors racked Severus’ body as he came once more.

Bodies covered in sweat, they lay on the thick carpet. Neither of them moving nor wanting to.

Lucius was the first one to get his breathing under control again.

"You came twice, didn't you?"

Severus grimaced. "Don't remind me."

"That painful?"

"I'll live."

Lucius rolled on his side, his arm under his head.

"What?" The grin he watched appearing made Severus feel suspicious.

"You may wish otherwise. We have a lunch to go to."

"Merlin, you certainly know how to spoil th - "

"Not necessarily. Every step you make, you'll be feeling the discomfort in your back and… other places… " Lucius chuckled, "…and relive it all. Feel it, relish in it, then look at all those sodding losers and think of their restrained, pathetic lives. Perhaps… " two fingers pinched the nearest nipple, "… I'll refresh your memories as I pass by."

Now it was Severus' turn to grin.

"With this prospect in view, I might even enjoy the lunch."

"That would be a first. Come, let's take a shower or we'll be late." Lucius yawned and got up, gesturing his husband to do the same. They would talk later.

"I'm tired, Lucius. I want to sleep. Just a short nap," Severus protested.

"Shower. Now."

One hour and a half later they entered the hallway of the Centre for the Protection of Monuments where the fund raising lunch was being held.

"Lucius, Severus. How nice to see you!" None other than Dumbledore bumped into them as they handed their travelling cloaks to the waiting servants.

"Headmaster." Severus nodded. Lucius simply stared.

"Tell me, how is married life?" Dumbledore looked from one to the other.

"A feast for the senses." Lucius gave the Headmaster a complacent smile, then passed by.

"Exhausting," Severus grumbled and excused himself somewhat more politely.

Dumbledore followed the pair with his eyes, not able to shake a rising feeling of concern. Severus did indeed look exhausted.