Fic: Alchemy of Forgetting: Chapter Nine
Title: Alchemy of Forgetting: Chapter Nine
Rating: M
Word Count: 3600
Disclaimer: don't own them.
Fandom(s): Harry Potter, Major Crimes
Characters: Sharon, Rusty, Severus
Pairing: Sharon/Severus
Summary: Rusty gains perspective and advice by listening to Severus; Sharon and Severus continue to grow closer; The trial and field operation loom ahead...
A/N: This is it - the final chapter. Although I may return to this 'verse in some form. Perhaps "snapshots" if the muse cooperates. Thanks to lanalucy and laura_mayfair for latching onto this idea with me and helping me convince myself this was a viable project. Thanks to my readers for going along on this ride with me. *hugs*
A/N2: First Chapter
Rusty gazed at her from across the table as though he was trying to discern her mood. “What?” she asked.
“You were acting kinda funny last night.”
She nodded. “Something came up.”
“Involving Mr. Prince?”
“In a manner of speaking, yeah.”
Rusty frowned. “I don’t think I understand.”
“Lieutenants Provenza and Flynn shared some concerns with me.”
“About Mr. Prince?”
She nodded. “And I knew I wanted to speak with him before jumping to any conclusions.”
“And?”
She smiled. “And he told me everything.”
He nodded. “So you’re still, like, dating, or whatever.”
“Probably closer to the ‘or whatever’ right now. But yes.”
“What did he tell you?”
She met his eyes. “That isn’t my story to tell. Maybe he’ll share it with you sometime, but Rusty, I have to tell you it still hurts him - badly - and he may never want to.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I think I can understand that. Are you gonna try to send him to therapy too?”
She rolled her eyes. “Perhaps I will.”
He laughed. “Can you imagine if we went together, Sharon?! The poor guy wouldn’t know what hit him.”
“Severus? Or the therapist?”
“Come on. I’m pretty sure Mr. Prince can handle a therapist.”
She nodded. “Seriously, though, I think you’ll like the one I found. He’s worked with the LAPD before, so he’s familiar with the kinds of cases and requirements. He plays chess--”
“Good chess, right?”
“Yes, good chess. Severus gave me a screening question.”
He nodded. “Oh, good.”
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
“Are you nervous about tomorrow?” Mr. Prince asked.
Rusty shook his head. “Not really. I mean, Sharon found him for me, so he can’t be too bad, and we’ll be in one of the conference rooms in the department. I can handle it.”
“Of course you can.”
“He’ll see everything he needs to know by watching me play.”
Prince nodded. “And he’ll see you’re highly adaptive and quick thinking. Good qualities to have for an operation of this calibre, I’d imagine.”
“So would you sign off on it? I mean if it was up to you?”
Prince’s brow furrowed. “In this case, I feel much like Sharon does. Taking solely your abilities into account, yes, I can see you being very successful in the field. But then I consider your safety, that you haven’t been trained… This is the best of limited options.”
Rusty nodded. This was the closest Mr. Prince had come to saying he cared for Rusty, but he figured actions spoke louder than words, especially where Mr. Prince was concerned. “They’ll train me. Before the actual operation. And I know Sharon and her team. They won’t leave me unprotected.”
“This...situation you’re in isn’t unlike my own past.”
Rusty met his eyes. “Really? Sharon mentioned it was painful - don’t worry, she didn’t say anything, except that you may not want to talk about it. Ever.”
His mouth quirked. “I reserve the right to be...choosy about what I share, but perhaps my experiences can help give you some perspective.”
Rusty nodded.
“It all started whilst I was at university….”
///////////////////////////////////////////////////
Rusty barreled through the door without so much as a hello to Severus, who had been waiting in front of the apartment for their return. Perhaps she should consider giving him a key. Were they at that stage yet? Maybe stages didn’t even matter for them.
Unperturbed, Severus said, “I take it his session didn’t go well.”
She shook her head. “Actually, it did. He won’t admit it, but he seems to like Dr. Joe.” She smiled. “And I think Dr. Joe beat him, so he’ll probably--”
“--Of course. Together we can crack the good doctor’s strategy, I’m sure.”
She nodded. “But then Emma Rios had to come into the murder room full of righteous indignation. How dare I seek treatment for my son?” She rolled her eyes. “Rusty let her have it, and neither Lieutenant Provenza nor I lifted an eyebrow to stop him.” She sighed. “But then she opened her big mouth about how his attending therapy would be made public during the trial.”
“Which brings us to date,” he said.
“Yup.” She gestured inside. “Shall we?”
He held open the door for her.
“I apologize on his behalf. For now.”
He waved it aside.
He may be sensitive when it came to her, but he could easily handle the volatile disposition of a teenager. Good.
Rusty was flopped face-down on the sofa. She rolled her eyes at Severus, who was clearly resisting the urge to chuckle. He calmly approached the sofa.
“I’m afraid I’m not in the right presence of mind for our lessons today,” Severus said.
Rusty murmured something unintelligible into the cushion, but then he leaned up on his elbows. “No? Did you have a crappy day too?”
Severus nodded. “Indeed.” He paused. “So I was thinking you and Sharon could show me more American customs. If you’d be so kind as to help me take my mind off of it?”
“Yeah, sure. If by American, you mean burgers, I’m in.” Rusty sat up straight. “Is it cool if I take a shower first?”
“By all means,” Severus said.
Rusty darted from the sofa to the hall bathroom.
She hugged Severus from behind. “Thank you.”
He faced her and pulled her in for a tighter hug. “I know what it feels like - to have the rug pulled out from under you. I can’t fix that for him, but this, this I can do.”
“It’s enough.”
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Stepping out of the shower, he felt much fresher, in a way that had nothing to do with soap. Maybe people would find out about his therapy sessions. Maybe they would find out about Griffin Park too. He couldn’t do anything about that. And as much as he hated being sacrificed so Emma could have her moment of glory in the courtroom, he also didn’t want Stroh to hurt anyone ever again. Mr. Prince - or Snape rather - had lost his home, his country, and everything else in order to see a madman killed. Rusty could never hope to be that brave or heroic, but he could survive having his dirty laundry aired before the world if it meant Phillip Stroh would spend the rest of his life in jail. And if he lost his home as a result, well, he could survive that too.
When he entered the living room, Snape was holding Sharon like he never wanted to let her go, and she seemed so happy to be needed like that. When they broke apart, Sharon smiled at Rusty. “Ready?”
Neither of them had said anything about his behavior, but he should apologize. Then he should listen to them, because if there is one thing he learned through all of this, it’s Emma Rios doesn’t know what the hell she’s talking about.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
She crawled into his lap. It was unexpected but quite pleasant. She kissed his neck through the turtleneck. “What has brought this on?” he asked.
She pulled back to look at him. “You.”
He chuckled “And how have I done that?”
So far as he knew, he hadn’t behaved any differently than usual. And women had never exactly fallen all over him.
“Just by being you.”
Her eyes were decidedly green in this lighting, and they were pulling him in. She fidgeted under his gaze. She’d taken a risk and was obviously beginning to wonder if it would pay off. He ran his hand through her hair. “So soft. Like the finest feather.”
He pulled her back to him and kissed her. She moaned against his mouth. He catalogued the sound, determined to repeat the experiment for similar results.
She pulled a corner of his shirt until she freed it from his trousers. Then she systematically untucked it before running her hands up his stomach and chest under the turtleneck. He shook, enough to break contact with her mouth.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“You tickled me, is all. Wasn’t expecting it.”
Of course, because he’d said that, she did it again. He covered her hands with his, but she kept going. Finally, he broke down and chuckled. She joined in.
When they calmed down, she said, “Sorry, not sorry.”
“Ha! Perhaps there’s something to that nickname of yours.”
“I never said otherwise.” She ran her hand through his hair. “It’s just that you aren’t intimidated by Darth Raydor.”
“Yes, I find Sharon much more effective.” He kissed her jawline, her neck, and found those results desirable as well.
“What are we doing?” she asked.
He pulled back to meet her eyes.
“I guess what I mean is how far do we want to go,” she said.
“I’m content just to hold you awhile. I’ve never known such...warmth.”
She lay her head against his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her. “Stay the night?” she asked.
“And Rusty?”
“Would love to have breakfast with you.”
“How can I refuse?”
She stood and held out her hand to help him up. She didn’t let go as she led them to her room.
“It suits you,” he said. The pale champagne colour on the walls fit her perfectly: calm, soothing. A place where she could lay her head after a long day.
“I like it.” She let go of his hand. “Well.”
“Well.” He sat at the foot of the bed. It was a good mattress. The perfect combination of firm and plush.
She fidgeted. “I’ll, um, go change.” She patted his leg. “Make yourself comfortable.”
She disappeared into the powder room.
If he got too comfortable, he was liable to fall asleep, which wasn’t the desired effect. There was also the question of his clothing, but he could slip off his shoes and remove his belt. Beyond that, it would be up to her.
When she returned, she was a vision in red and lace. “Beautiful,” he said.
“Thank you.” She was modest without being false. Nervous and anxious but not insecure. She straddled his lap. “Hi.”
He cupped her face before kissing her. She clearly enjoyed the sensation of their tongues meeting as much as he. He came up for air. Her ears caught his attention. How many times had he seen them without noticing? He licked a shell.
She giggled.
“You don’t like that?”
“No, I do.” She smiled. “It tickled, is all.”
“Has anyone informed you that you have perfectly symmetrical ears?”
“Can’t say they have, no. Hmm. No one’s ever mentioned them.”
“An unacceptable oversight.”
She laughed. Then she wrapped her hands around his neck and leaned her head against his chest. “You make it so easy.”
“What’s that?”
She raised her head to look at him. “To be with you.”
“Should we talk about our...expectations?”
She hmmed. “Perhaps we’d better. You can go first, if you want.” That shyness had set in again.
He stroked her cheek. “It may surprise you to learn I’m not very experienced in this department.” She didn’t react outwardly, but he knew she was processing that. “I don’t date much, I mean.” Let her make of that what she will.
“Oh, neither do I. Being married puts a damper on that.”
“And your husband?”
“We haven’t been...together for years. And the last time, it wasn’t good.” She looked away.
He growled. “Did he--”
“--No. It was just...the end, you know. I’d already decided we should be apart. He wanted to change my mind.” She shook her head. “He only managed to strengthen my resolve.”
He held her tighter. “Has anyone ever successfully changed your mind about anything?”
“You and Rusty have, actually.”
“Me? In what regard?”
She kissed his nose, which was more affection than that unfortunate hook had ever received. “First, you made me see there was so much more to you.” She ran her fingers through his hair. It wasn’t as greasy since he’d left the dungeons, but still not his proudest feature. “Then, you made me respect you.” She kissed his neck. “Tonight you made me love you.”
“Now?”
“No. Well, yes, but it was earlier.”
“Do tell.”
“The ease with which you talk to Rusty. I...it’s silly.”
He held her face and brought it to his. “What?”
“I wished you and I could have raised my... our children.”
He could easily see it: He and Sharon making a life together, supporting each other through their careers, married, with a few children--their mother in miniature--except for maybe a son with his dark features. It was a beautiful dream, but reality had never looked or felt better. He kissed her and held her with no intention of letting go.
She wasn’t satisfied just sitting there. She reached up under his turtleneck. This time, he made no effort to stop her explorations.
“I love your scars,” she said, running her fingers along a jagged one across and up his back.
“Why?”
“They’re part of you. Of the life you had before you came to me.”
He helped her remove his shirt. She let out a little gasp when she saw it. “Compliments of Nagini.”
He’d looked at it very briefly in the mirror before throwing his shirt on that morning, but he knew it was still red. Angry.
She rubbed it gently. “Does it hurt?”
“Sometimes. Mostly it just itches.” He’d had trouble speaking for weeks afterward.
“Now?”
He shook his head. “Not all the time. I have a salve for it. And I let it ‘breathe’ when I’m home.”
She kissed it. “Thank you.”
“Whatever for?”
“Trusting me with this.” She kissed it again. “What happened to Nagini?”
“I’m assuming she died alongside her master when the cavalry overtook them.” He shrugged. “I was in and out of consciousness for most of the carnage.”
“Lie down.”
He complied.
She lay next to him. “What does it feel like when I kiss it?”
“Good. Normal. No. Better than normal.” It created pleasure in a place where he’d only known pain or discomfort for so long. “May I touch you?”
She mmmed. “Please.”
He angled for easier access. He ran his fingertips along the lace. The texture pleased him, but he needed more. He reached underneath the shift. Her already taut stomach tightened. “Okay?” he asked. “Is my hand too cold?”
He’d always run a bit cold. But after Nagini, his body temperature had become even colder.
“No. It feels good. Keep going. Please.”
With pleasure. His explorations led to a thin, faint, line across the bottom of her stomach.
“My daughter. Emily. It wasn’t an easy pregnancy. Or delivery.”
He lifted her shift enough to kiss it. “Beautiful.”
“She is. Worth every minute.”
He peeled open the maddeningly small buttons, a labor of love.
She giggled at his huff. “Here. Just lift it off,” she said. “No one expects you to use the buttons.”
“Quite.”
She helped him remove the sheer fabric, then she was bared before him.
“Well,” she said.
“Sorry.” He’d been staring. “Just trying to decide what to do first.”
“Mmm.”
He kissed her neck. She made that sound he loved. He moved lower, stopping along her throat, before he landed between her breasts. “What do you like?” he asked.
She reached for his hand and brought it to her breast. “This is a very...forgiving area. Play with them. Use your mouth and fingers, tongue, palms, and even teeth,” she said. “Your imagination too.”
He kneaded them first. Got acquainted with their size and shape. They filled his hands perfectly. “Is this okay?”
“Mmhmm,” she said. “I’m overwhelmed. In a good way.”
“You mean--”
“--I think so. Pinch them.”
He pinched her nipples. He applied just enough pressure to elicit a moan. He released, and pinched them again. And again. They felt like pebbles.
“So close,” she said.
He licked her ear. “What do you need?”
“Mmm. Touch me. Won’t take much.”
He rubbed her mound through her panties.
“More.”
He slid a finger under the fabric and explored. She grabbed his hand and showed him where she needed him. “Circles? Or flicks?” he asked.
“Circles.”
He listened for moans or groans as he rubbed her. Her breathing increased. It wouldn’t be long.
“Now,” she said.
He simultaneously pinched her nipple and button; that was all it took. She screamed his name. He released her as she came down. He licked his finger: tasted like her. He lay next to her, kissing her.
His erection poked rather insistently against her hip. She laughed and cupped him. “Your turn, honey.”
////////////////////////////////////////////////////
He moaned at the contact. “Feel okay?” she asked.
“Very nice,” he said. “Won’t last long, if you keep that up.”
She stroked him harder. “Guess you’re ready, then.”
“And you?”
“Couldn’t get any more ready.”
He helped her remove his boxers. “What do you need?” he asked.
She lay on her back. “You. Now.”
He chuckled. “Yes, Captain,” as he lay above her. He pushed his way inside. “Okay?” he asked.
“Fine,” she said. It had been so long. “Keep going.” She arched up to help him.
He moved slowly as she adjusted. “I’m not hurting you?”
How had she ever thought he was inconsiderate? If anything, he was too much so. They would have to remedy that. She stroked his face. “Feels good.” She moaned as he reached it. “So good.” Then he started moving. Finally. “Yes!” She shouted.
“Coming.”
She reached between them for her clit. He covered her fingers with his. Perfect.
He came with a final grunt. Then he rubbed her faster, just like she’d shown him. She screamed his name, and it was over.
He collapsed next to her, and she buried her head in his neck, kissing his scar.
“Sorry,” he said.
She pushed herself up to look at him. “Whatever for?”
“Not lasting long enough. I wanted us to--”
She placed her finger on his mouth. “It was great. You were wonderful - generous, considerate, attentive.” She kissed him. “Considering the tension between us, it’s a miracle we didn’t combust the second we started.”
He chuckled. “But what a way to go.”
She hugged him. “Hmm.”
“I love you,” he said.
She held him tighter, communicating with her embrace that she was there with him. They were real. She wasn’t going anywhere. “Me too,” she said. “Let’s get cleaned up.”
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The sensation in his nose stirred him. He opened his eyes. Her hair had scattered; a strand had found its way to his nose. Her head rested on his chest, her arms around his waist. He ran his hand through her hair, fixing it. He kissed the top of her head. She mmmed but didn’t awaken.
He extracted himself from her embrace, leaving his pillow to hold in his stead. He dressed. There wasn’t much to be done about his bedhead until he showered. He padded into the kitchen.
He didn’t know when she needed to rise, but coffee makes the politician wise. It would likely work wonders for them as well. He plugged in and started the Keurig. Then he reached in the cabinet for three mugs.
A bedroom door opened, then closed. Heavy footsteps in the hall. Rusty, no doubt.
“Morning,” Rusty said, from the breakfast bar.
“Good morning. Coffee?”
Rusty nodded. “Definitely. Sharon wants me to shadow her team today. Unofficially, she says.” He shrugged. “All I do is ‘shadow’ them.”
“Perhaps she’s worried you’re getting bored here.”
He snorted. “Too late for that,” he said. “But I’m grateful that everyone’s, you know, working with me, protecting me.” He met Severus’s eyes. “And thanks, Mr. Prince, for...everything.”
Severus retrieved the full coffee mug. “How do you take it?”
Rusty told him sweet and light, and Severus complied. He placed the mug in front of Rusty. “You’re quite welcome,” he said. “And when we’re not in school, you may call me Severus. If you want.”
“Because you’re dating Sharon?”
“And because our acquaintance has outstripped the necessity of formality.”
Rusty grinned. “In other words, we’re friends.”
Severus sipped his black coffee. “Quite,” he said. “What does she like for breakfast?”
“Everything really. Eggs. Cereal when we’re in a hurry. Toast. Jack tried to impress her by making pancakes.” He snorted. “It didn’t work.”
“No?”
Rusty shook his head. “With Jack, it was like, everything was...forced. He wanted her approval, wanted me to like him. But, he didn’t want to apologize for anything.” He shrugged. “A lot like my mom, I guess.” He frowned. “I hope Dr. Joe doesn’t make me talk about her.”
“Think of it like taking control of the center. The session can only accomplish what you allow it to. If he pushes, hold firm,” he said. “On the other hand, you may find it...beneficial to face certain unpleasant truths.”
“I’ll deal with plenty of that during the trial.”
He nodded. “Eggs and toast it is, I think. How do you like them?”
“Scrambled with cheese.” Rusty sipped his coffee and placed the mug on the countertop. Then he went to the refrigerator and grabbed the egg carton and a bag of shredded cheese.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The low rumble of Severus’s voice and the higher pitch of Rusty’s, along with the smells of coffee, eggs, and toast woke her up. She threw on her robe and joined them. “Good morning,” she said.
“Hey, Sharon,” Rusty said. “Have a seat. We got this.”
Her boys worked side-by-side. Rusty whisked the eggs, under Severus’s watchful gaze. He glanced her way. “Quite right.”
They would deal with the logistics later. The uncertain future. Danger. All of that could wait. For now, they would enjoy breakfast. Together. “Okay.” She smiled. “I could get used to this.”
Previous
Rating: M
Word Count: 3600
Disclaimer: don't own them.
Fandom(s): Harry Potter, Major Crimes
Characters: Sharon, Rusty, Severus
Pairing: Sharon/Severus
Summary: Rusty gains perspective and advice by listening to Severus; Sharon and Severus continue to grow closer; The trial and field operation loom ahead...
A/N: This is it - the final chapter. Although I may return to this 'verse in some form. Perhaps "snapshots" if the muse cooperates. Thanks to lanalucy and laura_mayfair for latching onto this idea with me and helping me convince myself this was a viable project. Thanks to my readers for going along on this ride with me. *hugs*
A/N2: First Chapter
Rusty gazed at her from across the table as though he was trying to discern her mood. “What?” she asked.
“You were acting kinda funny last night.”
She nodded. “Something came up.”
“Involving Mr. Prince?”
“In a manner of speaking, yeah.”
Rusty frowned. “I don’t think I understand.”
“Lieutenants Provenza and Flynn shared some concerns with me.”
“About Mr. Prince?”
She nodded. “And I knew I wanted to speak with him before jumping to any conclusions.”
“And?”
She smiled. “And he told me everything.”
He nodded. “So you’re still, like, dating, or whatever.”
“Probably closer to the ‘or whatever’ right now. But yes.”
“What did he tell you?”
She met his eyes. “That isn’t my story to tell. Maybe he’ll share it with you sometime, but Rusty, I have to tell you it still hurts him - badly - and he may never want to.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I think I can understand that. Are you gonna try to send him to therapy too?”
She rolled her eyes. “Perhaps I will.”
He laughed. “Can you imagine if we went together, Sharon?! The poor guy wouldn’t know what hit him.”
“Severus? Or the therapist?”
“Come on. I’m pretty sure Mr. Prince can handle a therapist.”
She nodded. “Seriously, though, I think you’ll like the one I found. He’s worked with the LAPD before, so he’s familiar with the kinds of cases and requirements. He plays chess--”
“Good chess, right?”
“Yes, good chess. Severus gave me a screening question.”
He nodded. “Oh, good.”
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
“Are you nervous about tomorrow?” Mr. Prince asked.
Rusty shook his head. “Not really. I mean, Sharon found him for me, so he can’t be too bad, and we’ll be in one of the conference rooms in the department. I can handle it.”
“Of course you can.”
“He’ll see everything he needs to know by watching me play.”
Prince nodded. “And he’ll see you’re highly adaptive and quick thinking. Good qualities to have for an operation of this calibre, I’d imagine.”
“So would you sign off on it? I mean if it was up to you?”
Prince’s brow furrowed. “In this case, I feel much like Sharon does. Taking solely your abilities into account, yes, I can see you being very successful in the field. But then I consider your safety, that you haven’t been trained… This is the best of limited options.”
Rusty nodded. This was the closest Mr. Prince had come to saying he cared for Rusty, but he figured actions spoke louder than words, especially where Mr. Prince was concerned. “They’ll train me. Before the actual operation. And I know Sharon and her team. They won’t leave me unprotected.”
“This...situation you’re in isn’t unlike my own past.”
Rusty met his eyes. “Really? Sharon mentioned it was painful - don’t worry, she didn’t say anything, except that you may not want to talk about it. Ever.”
His mouth quirked. “I reserve the right to be...choosy about what I share, but perhaps my experiences can help give you some perspective.”
Rusty nodded.
“It all started whilst I was at university….”
///////////////////////////////////////////////////
Rusty barreled through the door without so much as a hello to Severus, who had been waiting in front of the apartment for their return. Perhaps she should consider giving him a key. Were they at that stage yet? Maybe stages didn’t even matter for them.
Unperturbed, Severus said, “I take it his session didn’t go well.”
She shook her head. “Actually, it did. He won’t admit it, but he seems to like Dr. Joe.” She smiled. “And I think Dr. Joe beat him, so he’ll probably--”
“--Of course. Together we can crack the good doctor’s strategy, I’m sure.”
She nodded. “But then Emma Rios had to come into the murder room full of righteous indignation. How dare I seek treatment for my son?” She rolled her eyes. “Rusty let her have it, and neither Lieutenant Provenza nor I lifted an eyebrow to stop him.” She sighed. “But then she opened her big mouth about how his attending therapy would be made public during the trial.”
“Which brings us to date,” he said.
“Yup.” She gestured inside. “Shall we?”
He held open the door for her.
“I apologize on his behalf. For now.”
He waved it aside.
He may be sensitive when it came to her, but he could easily handle the volatile disposition of a teenager. Good.
Rusty was flopped face-down on the sofa. She rolled her eyes at Severus, who was clearly resisting the urge to chuckle. He calmly approached the sofa.
“I’m afraid I’m not in the right presence of mind for our lessons today,” Severus said.
Rusty murmured something unintelligible into the cushion, but then he leaned up on his elbows. “No? Did you have a crappy day too?”
Severus nodded. “Indeed.” He paused. “So I was thinking you and Sharon could show me more American customs. If you’d be so kind as to help me take my mind off of it?”
“Yeah, sure. If by American, you mean burgers, I’m in.” Rusty sat up straight. “Is it cool if I take a shower first?”
“By all means,” Severus said.
Rusty darted from the sofa to the hall bathroom.
She hugged Severus from behind. “Thank you.”
He faced her and pulled her in for a tighter hug. “I know what it feels like - to have the rug pulled out from under you. I can’t fix that for him, but this, this I can do.”
“It’s enough.”
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Stepping out of the shower, he felt much fresher, in a way that had nothing to do with soap. Maybe people would find out about his therapy sessions. Maybe they would find out about Griffin Park too. He couldn’t do anything about that. And as much as he hated being sacrificed so Emma could have her moment of glory in the courtroom, he also didn’t want Stroh to hurt anyone ever again. Mr. Prince - or Snape rather - had lost his home, his country, and everything else in order to see a madman killed. Rusty could never hope to be that brave or heroic, but he could survive having his dirty laundry aired before the world if it meant Phillip Stroh would spend the rest of his life in jail. And if he lost his home as a result, well, he could survive that too.
When he entered the living room, Snape was holding Sharon like he never wanted to let her go, and she seemed so happy to be needed like that. When they broke apart, Sharon smiled at Rusty. “Ready?”
Neither of them had said anything about his behavior, but he should apologize. Then he should listen to them, because if there is one thing he learned through all of this, it’s Emma Rios doesn’t know what the hell she’s talking about.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
She crawled into his lap. It was unexpected but quite pleasant. She kissed his neck through the turtleneck. “What has brought this on?” he asked.
She pulled back to look at him. “You.”
He chuckled “And how have I done that?”
So far as he knew, he hadn’t behaved any differently than usual. And women had never exactly fallen all over him.
“Just by being you.”
Her eyes were decidedly green in this lighting, and they were pulling him in. She fidgeted under his gaze. She’d taken a risk and was obviously beginning to wonder if it would pay off. He ran his hand through her hair. “So soft. Like the finest feather.”
He pulled her back to him and kissed her. She moaned against his mouth. He catalogued the sound, determined to repeat the experiment for similar results.
She pulled a corner of his shirt until she freed it from his trousers. Then she systematically untucked it before running her hands up his stomach and chest under the turtleneck. He shook, enough to break contact with her mouth.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“You tickled me, is all. Wasn’t expecting it.”
Of course, because he’d said that, she did it again. He covered her hands with his, but she kept going. Finally, he broke down and chuckled. She joined in.
When they calmed down, she said, “Sorry, not sorry.”
“Ha! Perhaps there’s something to that nickname of yours.”
“I never said otherwise.” She ran her hand through his hair. “It’s just that you aren’t intimidated by Darth Raydor.”
“Yes, I find Sharon much more effective.” He kissed her jawline, her neck, and found those results desirable as well.
“What are we doing?” she asked.
He pulled back to meet her eyes.
“I guess what I mean is how far do we want to go,” she said.
“I’m content just to hold you awhile. I’ve never known such...warmth.”
She lay her head against his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her. “Stay the night?” she asked.
“And Rusty?”
“Would love to have breakfast with you.”
“How can I refuse?”
She stood and held out her hand to help him up. She didn’t let go as she led them to her room.
“It suits you,” he said. The pale champagne colour on the walls fit her perfectly: calm, soothing. A place where she could lay her head after a long day.
“I like it.” She let go of his hand. “Well.”
“Well.” He sat at the foot of the bed. It was a good mattress. The perfect combination of firm and plush.
She fidgeted. “I’ll, um, go change.” She patted his leg. “Make yourself comfortable.”
She disappeared into the powder room.
If he got too comfortable, he was liable to fall asleep, which wasn’t the desired effect. There was also the question of his clothing, but he could slip off his shoes and remove his belt. Beyond that, it would be up to her.
When she returned, she was a vision in red and lace. “Beautiful,” he said.
“Thank you.” She was modest without being false. Nervous and anxious but not insecure. She straddled his lap. “Hi.”
He cupped her face before kissing her. She clearly enjoyed the sensation of their tongues meeting as much as he. He came up for air. Her ears caught his attention. How many times had he seen them without noticing? He licked a shell.
She giggled.
“You don’t like that?”
“No, I do.” She smiled. “It tickled, is all.”
“Has anyone informed you that you have perfectly symmetrical ears?”
“Can’t say they have, no. Hmm. No one’s ever mentioned them.”
“An unacceptable oversight.”
She laughed. Then she wrapped her hands around his neck and leaned her head against his chest. “You make it so easy.”
“What’s that?”
She raised her head to look at him. “To be with you.”
“Should we talk about our...expectations?”
She hmmed. “Perhaps we’d better. You can go first, if you want.” That shyness had set in again.
He stroked her cheek. “It may surprise you to learn I’m not very experienced in this department.” She didn’t react outwardly, but he knew she was processing that. “I don’t date much, I mean.” Let her make of that what she will.
“Oh, neither do I. Being married puts a damper on that.”
“And your husband?”
“We haven’t been...together for years. And the last time, it wasn’t good.” She looked away.
He growled. “Did he--”
“--No. It was just...the end, you know. I’d already decided we should be apart. He wanted to change my mind.” She shook her head. “He only managed to strengthen my resolve.”
He held her tighter. “Has anyone ever successfully changed your mind about anything?”
“You and Rusty have, actually.”
“Me? In what regard?”
She kissed his nose, which was more affection than that unfortunate hook had ever received. “First, you made me see there was so much more to you.” She ran her fingers through his hair. It wasn’t as greasy since he’d left the dungeons, but still not his proudest feature. “Then, you made me respect you.” She kissed his neck. “Tonight you made me love you.”
“Now?”
“No. Well, yes, but it was earlier.”
“Do tell.”
“The ease with which you talk to Rusty. I...it’s silly.”
He held her face and brought it to his. “What?”
“I wished you and I could have raised my... our children.”
He could easily see it: He and Sharon making a life together, supporting each other through their careers, married, with a few children--their mother in miniature--except for maybe a son with his dark features. It was a beautiful dream, but reality had never looked or felt better. He kissed her and held her with no intention of letting go.
She wasn’t satisfied just sitting there. She reached up under his turtleneck. This time, he made no effort to stop her explorations.
“I love your scars,” she said, running her fingers along a jagged one across and up his back.
“Why?”
“They’re part of you. Of the life you had before you came to me.”
He helped her remove his shirt. She let out a little gasp when she saw it. “Compliments of Nagini.”
He’d looked at it very briefly in the mirror before throwing his shirt on that morning, but he knew it was still red. Angry.
She rubbed it gently. “Does it hurt?”
“Sometimes. Mostly it just itches.” He’d had trouble speaking for weeks afterward.
“Now?”
He shook his head. “Not all the time. I have a salve for it. And I let it ‘breathe’ when I’m home.”
She kissed it. “Thank you.”
“Whatever for?”
“Trusting me with this.” She kissed it again. “What happened to Nagini?”
“I’m assuming she died alongside her master when the cavalry overtook them.” He shrugged. “I was in and out of consciousness for most of the carnage.”
“Lie down.”
He complied.
She lay next to him. “What does it feel like when I kiss it?”
“Good. Normal. No. Better than normal.” It created pleasure in a place where he’d only known pain or discomfort for so long. “May I touch you?”
She mmmed. “Please.”
He angled for easier access. He ran his fingertips along the lace. The texture pleased him, but he needed more. He reached underneath the shift. Her already taut stomach tightened. “Okay?” he asked. “Is my hand too cold?”
He’d always run a bit cold. But after Nagini, his body temperature had become even colder.
“No. It feels good. Keep going. Please.”
With pleasure. His explorations led to a thin, faint, line across the bottom of her stomach.
“My daughter. Emily. It wasn’t an easy pregnancy. Or delivery.”
He lifted her shift enough to kiss it. “Beautiful.”
“She is. Worth every minute.”
He peeled open the maddeningly small buttons, a labor of love.
She giggled at his huff. “Here. Just lift it off,” she said. “No one expects you to use the buttons.”
“Quite.”
She helped him remove the sheer fabric, then she was bared before him.
“Well,” she said.
“Sorry.” He’d been staring. “Just trying to decide what to do first.”
“Mmm.”
He kissed her neck. She made that sound he loved. He moved lower, stopping along her throat, before he landed between her breasts. “What do you like?” he asked.
She reached for his hand and brought it to her breast. “This is a very...forgiving area. Play with them. Use your mouth and fingers, tongue, palms, and even teeth,” she said. “Your imagination too.”
He kneaded them first. Got acquainted with their size and shape. They filled his hands perfectly. “Is this okay?”
“Mmhmm,” she said. “I’m overwhelmed. In a good way.”
“You mean--”
“--I think so. Pinch them.”
He pinched her nipples. He applied just enough pressure to elicit a moan. He released, and pinched them again. And again. They felt like pebbles.
“So close,” she said.
He licked her ear. “What do you need?”
“Mmm. Touch me. Won’t take much.”
He rubbed her mound through her panties.
“More.”
He slid a finger under the fabric and explored. She grabbed his hand and showed him where she needed him. “Circles? Or flicks?” he asked.
“Circles.”
He listened for moans or groans as he rubbed her. Her breathing increased. It wouldn’t be long.
“Now,” she said.
He simultaneously pinched her nipple and button; that was all it took. She screamed his name. He released her as she came down. He licked his finger: tasted like her. He lay next to her, kissing her.
His erection poked rather insistently against her hip. She laughed and cupped him. “Your turn, honey.”
////////////////////////////////////////////////////
He moaned at the contact. “Feel okay?” she asked.
“Very nice,” he said. “Won’t last long, if you keep that up.”
She stroked him harder. “Guess you’re ready, then.”
“And you?”
“Couldn’t get any more ready.”
He helped her remove his boxers. “What do you need?” he asked.
She lay on her back. “You. Now.”
He chuckled. “Yes, Captain,” as he lay above her. He pushed his way inside. “Okay?” he asked.
“Fine,” she said. It had been so long. “Keep going.” She arched up to help him.
He moved slowly as she adjusted. “I’m not hurting you?”
How had she ever thought he was inconsiderate? If anything, he was too much so. They would have to remedy that. She stroked his face. “Feels good.” She moaned as he reached it. “So good.” Then he started moving. Finally. “Yes!” She shouted.
“Coming.”
She reached between them for her clit. He covered her fingers with his. Perfect.
He came with a final grunt. Then he rubbed her faster, just like she’d shown him. She screamed his name, and it was over.
He collapsed next to her, and she buried her head in his neck, kissing his scar.
“Sorry,” he said.
She pushed herself up to look at him. “Whatever for?”
“Not lasting long enough. I wanted us to--”
She placed her finger on his mouth. “It was great. You were wonderful - generous, considerate, attentive.” She kissed him. “Considering the tension between us, it’s a miracle we didn’t combust the second we started.”
He chuckled. “But what a way to go.”
She hugged him. “Hmm.”
“I love you,” he said.
She held him tighter, communicating with her embrace that she was there with him. They were real. She wasn’t going anywhere. “Me too,” she said. “Let’s get cleaned up.”
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The sensation in his nose stirred him. He opened his eyes. Her hair had scattered; a strand had found its way to his nose. Her head rested on his chest, her arms around his waist. He ran his hand through her hair, fixing it. He kissed the top of her head. She mmmed but didn’t awaken.
He extracted himself from her embrace, leaving his pillow to hold in his stead. He dressed. There wasn’t much to be done about his bedhead until he showered. He padded into the kitchen.
He didn’t know when she needed to rise, but coffee makes the politician wise. It would likely work wonders for them as well. He plugged in and started the Keurig. Then he reached in the cabinet for three mugs.
A bedroom door opened, then closed. Heavy footsteps in the hall. Rusty, no doubt.
“Morning,” Rusty said, from the breakfast bar.
“Good morning. Coffee?”
Rusty nodded. “Definitely. Sharon wants me to shadow her team today. Unofficially, she says.” He shrugged. “All I do is ‘shadow’ them.”
“Perhaps she’s worried you’re getting bored here.”
He snorted. “Too late for that,” he said. “But I’m grateful that everyone’s, you know, working with me, protecting me.” He met Severus’s eyes. “And thanks, Mr. Prince, for...everything.”
Severus retrieved the full coffee mug. “How do you take it?”
Rusty told him sweet and light, and Severus complied. He placed the mug in front of Rusty. “You’re quite welcome,” he said. “And when we’re not in school, you may call me Severus. If you want.”
“Because you’re dating Sharon?”
“And because our acquaintance has outstripped the necessity of formality.”
Rusty grinned. “In other words, we’re friends.”
Severus sipped his black coffee. “Quite,” he said. “What does she like for breakfast?”
“Everything really. Eggs. Cereal when we’re in a hurry. Toast. Jack tried to impress her by making pancakes.” He snorted. “It didn’t work.”
“No?”
Rusty shook his head. “With Jack, it was like, everything was...forced. He wanted her approval, wanted me to like him. But, he didn’t want to apologize for anything.” He shrugged. “A lot like my mom, I guess.” He frowned. “I hope Dr. Joe doesn’t make me talk about her.”
“Think of it like taking control of the center. The session can only accomplish what you allow it to. If he pushes, hold firm,” he said. “On the other hand, you may find it...beneficial to face certain unpleasant truths.”
“I’ll deal with plenty of that during the trial.”
He nodded. “Eggs and toast it is, I think. How do you like them?”
“Scrambled with cheese.” Rusty sipped his coffee and placed the mug on the countertop. Then he went to the refrigerator and grabbed the egg carton and a bag of shredded cheese.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The low rumble of Severus’s voice and the higher pitch of Rusty’s, along with the smells of coffee, eggs, and toast woke her up. She threw on her robe and joined them. “Good morning,” she said.
“Hey, Sharon,” Rusty said. “Have a seat. We got this.”
Her boys worked side-by-side. Rusty whisked the eggs, under Severus’s watchful gaze. He glanced her way. “Quite right.”
They would deal with the logistics later. The uncertain future. Danger. All of that could wait. For now, they would enjoy breakfast. Together. “Okay.” She smiled. “I could get used to this.”
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