Bonding Reception

[m4moony]

Date: Saturday, 5 April, 2002
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: King's Road Inn, Scotland
Characters Involved: Remus Lupin, Severus Snape, and invited guests
Rating: G - it's a wedding, folks. Hankies optional for the tearfully sentimental.

Comments

Re: Dancing, 7:30pm

[subtle_simmer]

There had been a moment where he was actually in danger of over-eating. He'd been so nervous the last few days that his appetite had been off. When the food was set before him, he felt absolutely ravenous.

But there had been too much downright jovial conversation and too much smiling until his cheeks actually physically ached from the unaccustomed exercise, and in the end he hadn't eaten himself ill.

Though the cake had made it a near thing.

The point was, he had finally stopped being anxious, nervous, apprehensive or any of the other plethora of unpleasant emotions that had somehow seasoned the Bonding anticipation into something forever memorable - though more pleasantly so now that it was over. He was Bonded to Remus and this entire reception was for them, to celebrate that fact.

Which meant that when the music started to play to open the dancing, he did not feel remotely awkward or embarrassed to rise from his chair and hold out his hand to his mate. It was their duty to open the dancing after all.

"Come, Mr Snape-Lupin. Dance with me." He smirked to soften the hauteur of his 'demand', feeling altogether too playful for his usual self. But today was not a usual day and he was not going to stifle himself now. "I will even let you lead."

Or not. Depending on whether he decided he was the better dancer, but he could at least let Remus start out that way.

Re: Dancing, 7:30pm

[m4moony]

Remus, on the other hand, despite being aided by lycanthropic metabolism and an appetite to rival a teenaged male's in the middle of the worst growth spurt, had hardly touched his food, so busy had he been in alternating between carrying on several conversations with the friends seated around them and simply watching Severus in silent adoration. He'd never seen his mate so vibrantly happy and he found himself entranced by the sight.

When Severus rose from his seat and offered Remus his hand, there could be no room for embarrassment or nervousness. How could there be when he was finally going to get something he'd wished for at every social function they'd been forced to endure over the last year -- dance with Severus Snape-Lupin. That the requet following was phrased as a demand only made Remus' smile broaden. Everything about Severus made Remus smile today.

"Well, if I get to lead," he teased gently, taking Severus' hand in his and rising to join him. "I suppose I can be coerced into dancing with you, Mr. Snape-Lupin."

Still smiling like a maniac, Remus led his love out onto the floor and the musicians struck up the opening chords of "Black is the Color of my True Love's Hair". Using the hand holding Severus' to swing them around and into position, Remus wrapped an arm securely about his husband's waist and pulled him in close before moving into the first measured steps of a slow country dance.

Re: Dancing, 7:30pm

[subtle_simmer]

Severus actually laughed out loud as he was pulled into Remus' embrace. He loved the quiet strength of his husband's movements. The curse which controlled or at least coloured every aspect of Remus' life - of their life, now - had given him preternatural strength even when the moon was at its lowest.

Severus, never formed for physical combat at the height of his youth, could not but find that raw power enticing.

Accustomed to leading, he was surprised how easily he slipped into the submissive role here. Not merely easily, but proudly gave control of his movements into his lover's graceful steps.

As the following partner, his arm went around Remus' strong shoulders as his right hand held Remus' left. The newly adorned one. It required only the slightest movement to turn his mate's hand to view the ring in the flickering light of the myriad candles.

"The ring suits you." The seriousness of his tone was not lightened by the smile still unfamiliarly bedecking his features. "You are particularly handsome today. I don't think I had opportunity to say so until now. Probably I do not say so enough. Today has been . . . ."

Hellish. A nightmare of planning and stress and nervousness and anticipation and worry over Draco and fretting over potential Ministry interference and a thousand other things . . . .

"Worth it. A thousand times and more. I am proud to have earned your affection, Remus. Proud to be your husband. Proud to proclaim you as my own."

Re: Dancing, 7:30pm

[m4moony]

Gods, how Remus loved to hear Severus laugh, a rare, beautiful sound, rich and warm opposed to the usual wry amusement the other man usually allowed himself. It was a brief glimpse into the man he might have been years ago, had two wars and numerous heartaches not hardened his heart for so long. It was the man Remus loved and he wished, in that moment, for the ability to give Severus this sort of happiness every day from that day forward.

"It was designed by the man who knows me best in all the world." Remus squeezed Severus' hand gently, simultaneously turning them smoothly with the steps of the dance. "And he just happens to be the most beautiful man in this room."

Taking advantage of a quick ritardando, he leaned forward the scant few inches separating them and captured Severus' lips in a gentle, brief kiss. This was their day and he was going to take advantage of every opportunity to indulge in displays they usually avoided in public, like kissing his husband just because he wanted to, when he wanted to.

"You look just as I pictured you while I was working on your robes for today. I love you, Severus. You are worth everything to me. There is literally nothing I will not do to remain at your side for always. You are the mate of my heart and soul. I can't imagine we were meant to be anything but together."

Re: Dancing, 7:30pm

[subtle_simmer]

No matter how much he liked to hear such things - and who wouldn't? - it was still difficult for him to easily or gracefully accept the effusive words.

"It is to my advantage, as always, that you see me as such, Cariad," he teased. "Though, alas, I must correct your error on one very important point - you are the most attractive man in the room this evening."

Laughing again at the absurdity of him being in a situation to argue something so silly and nonsensical as who is more attractive than whom, he closed his eyes and leaned his cheek against Remus', giving himself wholly to his husband's easy guidance of the dance. "In a moment we will degenerate into arguing over who loves whom more like besotted adolescents, and then I will be absolutely forced to renounce my crown as Most Terrifying Professor.

"Let us not sink quite to such depths."

How the mighty have fallen? If this was the 'depths', Severus hoped never to ascend again. What was cold, lonely, isolated, miserable dignity in comparison with fun, silly, joyful, companionable, enthralling foolishness!

Re: Dancing, 7:30pm

[m4moony]

"Very well," Remus laughed merrily, hugging his husband tighter for a brief moment. "I shall agree to a draw, and only a draw, if that will allow you to remain the Most Terrifying Professor."

Not that Remus would ever be able find the man in his arms remotely 'Terrifying', if he ever really had. Especially not when he was calling Remus 'Cariad'.

The love song continued to swirl around them and Remus fell silent, merely enjoying the feel of holding Severus close without censure. For this moment, there was once again no one else in the world but the two of them, cocooned in the music, the dance, and each other. Severus' breath fanned warmth against Remus' skin, his fine hair tickling along Remus' nose, as their cheeks rested against each other.

"I have been looking forward to tonight for a long time," he murmured softly in Severus' ear. "If it wasn't for being able to dance with you all night, I'd whisk you away as soon as this song is over."