FIC(let): Home Is Where the Nasty Git Is
Title: Home Is Where the Nasty Git Is
Word Count: ~900
Rating: PG
Warning: Unbeta'd.
Summary: After the war, Severus and Remus move to Bangalore, India (insert your own pun here … or not, considering Teddy’s there, too).
Disclaimer: Harry Potter, all associated characters and settings are the property of J.K. Rowling and her publishers. No copyright infringement is intended, and no profit is being made.
“I just don’t see what the problem is, Severus.”
The only response was an irritated grunt from behind the Deccan Herald. Remus shifted in the uncomfortable plastic garden chair and wondered, yet again, why they couldn’t have decent furniture in the house. After being around to the homes of Severus’ business associates, however, he realized that it was just the way of things here. Upholstered couches and wooden chairs were rare, carpeted floors were unheard-of and their Western-style commode was the only one on the block. There were a million tiny adjustments that Remus had made to life in India. He didn’t think it so unreasonable to ask something of Severus in return.
So Remus tried again. “Yesterday, I saw two men coming out of the temple holding hands. It’s a gesture between friends. It doesn’t signify anything.”
“I agree,” grumbled Severus. “It doesn’t.”
Remus sighed and went back to feeding Teddy his breakfast. Oompadi, the cook called it. It seemed to be some sort of fragrant, vegetable-filled mush. Teddy was having the time of his life, smearing it around his stainless steel plate. About half had reached the little boy’s mouth.
“Okay, looks like that’s enough for you.” He cleaned Teddy’s face with a gentle scourgify. Only when Teddy was occupied playing with his empty metal tumbler did Remus turn to his own plate. Two bites in, his eyes began to water and in nose began to run.
Scrambling for the water jug, he poured cup after cup into his burning mouth. The cook chose this moment to bustle in, a smile on her face and a basin of sweet pongal on her hip. She was a plump, brown woman who really brightened up the place with her colorful saris and kind laughter. Seeing Remus’ distress, her thick brows knotted in worry.
“What’s the matter, sir? Don’t like it?”
“H-hot. Um. Caara.”
“Caara? No, I chop and put just two chilies - one, two.”
“Well,” Remus replied, finally regaining control of his voice, “I must have bit right into one.”
“Aiyo, sir! Don’t eat, don’t eat.” She reached across the table and picked the offending particles off of his plate with deft fingers. They were indistinguishable, to Remus’ eyes, from the beans she had used in the dish.
“Thank you, Priya. Yoghurt rice next, I think.”
Severus twitched his paper aside and picked up his coffee. He took a long sip of the piping brew, not quite hiding an amused smirk.
“I don’t think I’ll ever understand this place,” Remus sighed. “The food is spicy, the drinks are served hot - it’s thirty degrees outside! What can they be thinking?”
Suddenly, Severus shut his newspaper and slapped it onto the table. “All I hear from you are complaints - the food, the mosquitoes, the smog. I happen to like it here, Lupin. The Muggles here knew nothing of the war. I was able to build a life here.”
“Oh, please. I was just -”
“ - and if you dislike it so much,” he continued as if Remus had not spoken, “no one forced you to become part of that life.”
“Don’t be such a wanker,” Remus snapped. His next retort was cut off by Teddy’s wail. He shot Severus a reproving look before leaning over to soothe his frightened child.
Severus stared for a moment, before retreating behind his paper. They finished their breakfast in silence, broken only when Priya hurried out with a cheery goodbye. When Remus began taking the dishes away, Severus rose to wash his hands. He then returned to the table with a basin of water and repeated the process on Teddy, cleaning carefully between the chubby fingers. Severus hauled the boy into his arms, causing Teddy to squeal in delight.
“Come along. I want to see if Narayan has put out any fresh ginger.”
Remus quickly rinsed his own fingers and hurried out behind them. He picked up the shopping bag and carefully bolted the door. Severus’ long strides had already carried him out of their small, bright courtyard and onto the dusty street. It took Remus a moment to lock the gate and cast a silent Muggle-repelling charm. When he caught up to them Teddy was wriggling in Severus’ arms, pointing to a stray dog and barking happily.
Enough, Remus thought as he fell into step. This is enough. He caught Severus’ eye and smiled ruefully. Remus had known exactly what he was getting into, following Severus. He resolved to take whatever Severus would give.
In the face of Remus’ unspoken apology, Severus merely blinked. Then, without a word, he shifted Teddy to his far hip and took Remus’ hand. As soon as those cool fingers wrapped around his own, Remus felt warmth flood his body. Darting a glance around, he saw they were not garnering any more stares than usual.
Nothing to see here, Remus thought giddily. Just a couple of queer Brits in downtown Bangalore - go about your business.
“Ridiculous wolf,” Severus muttered. “If you don’t want people to realize that we are not, in fact, brothers, I would suggest you wipe that shit-eating grin off your face.”
“Hush,” Remus reached across Severus to give Teddy’s chin a tickle. “All I hear from you are complaints.”
Hand in hand, they continued on their way.
Word Count: ~900
Rating: PG
Warning: Unbeta'd.
Summary: After the war, Severus and Remus move to Bangalore, India (insert your own pun here … or not, considering Teddy’s there, too).
Disclaimer: Harry Potter, all associated characters and settings are the property of J.K. Rowling and her publishers. No copyright infringement is intended, and no profit is being made.
“I just don’t see what the problem is, Severus.”
The only response was an irritated grunt from behind the Deccan Herald. Remus shifted in the uncomfortable plastic garden chair and wondered, yet again, why they couldn’t have decent furniture in the house. After being around to the homes of Severus’ business associates, however, he realized that it was just the way of things here. Upholstered couches and wooden chairs were rare, carpeted floors were unheard-of and their Western-style commode was the only one on the block. There were a million tiny adjustments that Remus had made to life in India. He didn’t think it so unreasonable to ask something of Severus in return.
So Remus tried again. “Yesterday, I saw two men coming out of the temple holding hands. It’s a gesture between friends. It doesn’t signify anything.”
“I agree,” grumbled Severus. “It doesn’t.”
Remus sighed and went back to feeding Teddy his breakfast. Oompadi, the cook called it. It seemed to be some sort of fragrant, vegetable-filled mush. Teddy was having the time of his life, smearing it around his stainless steel plate. About half had reached the little boy’s mouth.
“Okay, looks like that’s enough for you.” He cleaned Teddy’s face with a gentle scourgify. Only when Teddy was occupied playing with his empty metal tumbler did Remus turn to his own plate. Two bites in, his eyes began to water and in nose began to run.
Scrambling for the water jug, he poured cup after cup into his burning mouth. The cook chose this moment to bustle in, a smile on her face and a basin of sweet pongal on her hip. She was a plump, brown woman who really brightened up the place with her colorful saris and kind laughter. Seeing Remus’ distress, her thick brows knotted in worry.
“What’s the matter, sir? Don’t like it?”
“H-hot. Um. Caara.”
“Caara? No, I chop and put just two chilies - one, two.”
“Well,” Remus replied, finally regaining control of his voice, “I must have bit right into one.”
“Aiyo, sir! Don’t eat, don’t eat.” She reached across the table and picked the offending particles off of his plate with deft fingers. They were indistinguishable, to Remus’ eyes, from the beans she had used in the dish.
“Thank you, Priya. Yoghurt rice next, I think.”
Severus twitched his paper aside and picked up his coffee. He took a long sip of the piping brew, not quite hiding an amused smirk.
“I don’t think I’ll ever understand this place,” Remus sighed. “The food is spicy, the drinks are served hot - it’s thirty degrees outside! What can they be thinking?”
Suddenly, Severus shut his newspaper and slapped it onto the table. “All I hear from you are complaints - the food, the mosquitoes, the smog. I happen to like it here, Lupin. The Muggles here knew nothing of the war. I was able to build a life here.”
“Oh, please. I was just -”
“ - and if you dislike it so much,” he continued as if Remus had not spoken, “no one forced you to become part of that life.”
“Don’t be such a wanker,” Remus snapped. His next retort was cut off by Teddy’s wail. He shot Severus a reproving look before leaning over to soothe his frightened child.
Severus stared for a moment, before retreating behind his paper. They finished their breakfast in silence, broken only when Priya hurried out with a cheery goodbye. When Remus began taking the dishes away, Severus rose to wash his hands. He then returned to the table with a basin of water and repeated the process on Teddy, cleaning carefully between the chubby fingers. Severus hauled the boy into his arms, causing Teddy to squeal in delight.
“Come along. I want to see if Narayan has put out any fresh ginger.”
Remus quickly rinsed his own fingers and hurried out behind them. He picked up the shopping bag and carefully bolted the door. Severus’ long strides had already carried him out of their small, bright courtyard and onto the dusty street. It took Remus a moment to lock the gate and cast a silent Muggle-repelling charm. When he caught up to them Teddy was wriggling in Severus’ arms, pointing to a stray dog and barking happily.
Enough, Remus thought as he fell into step. This is enough. He caught Severus’ eye and smiled ruefully. Remus had known exactly what he was getting into, following Severus. He resolved to take whatever Severus would give.
In the face of Remus’ unspoken apology, Severus merely blinked. Then, without a word, he shifted Teddy to his far hip and took Remus’ hand. As soon as those cool fingers wrapped around his own, Remus felt warmth flood his body. Darting a glance around, he saw they were not garnering any more stares than usual.
Nothing to see here, Remus thought giddily. Just a couple of queer Brits in downtown Bangalore - go about your business.
“Ridiculous wolf,” Severus muttered. “If you don’t want people to realize that we are not, in fact, brothers, I would suggest you wipe that shit-eating grin off your face.”
“Hush,” Remus reached across Severus to give Teddy’s chin a tickle. “All I hear from you are complaints.”
Hand in hand, they continued on their way.