very quick recs and a hasty ficlet

[bronze_ribbons]

Um... I hadn't intended to write fic this morning. But I looked at zephre's Cinnamon and Peppermint (NC-17!) before breakfast, which made me curious about melfinatheblue's fics, which led me to How Could You Use a Poor Maiden So? (HG/LM, LM/SS, R), which not only amused me immensely but infected me with an "Early One Morning" earworm. And earworms breed plot-terriers. *shakes ficlet off heel*

Title: Oh Don't Deceive Me, Oh Never Leave Me
Rating: G
Words: 400
Pairing: Lupin/Snape, established longterm relationship
Universe: Placet, which is AU after HBP. This takes place at least a decade after the end of the War.


When they sang "Early One Morning" late one night, the two first-years had merely intended to comfort a pretty ghost. Unfortunately, their duet plunged Teary Tess into a fit of sobbing loud enough to wake the dead. Which meant it was loud enough to rouse the head of their House.

"Insipid and in poor taste," Snape proclaimed, upon hearing their choice of song. "You will perform it in the Great Hall tomorrow morning."

As he stalked away, the other Slytherins who'd rushed to the room bestowed pitying looks upon the hapless pair. A burly fourth-year boy whispered, "Cor! I'd rather scour cauldrons for a month!"

"She requested the song," Isabel lamented. "How were we to know?"

One of the older girls put an arm around her. She said, not unkindly, "Some people don't actually want their heartaches eased. Be glad you learned this now."

* * *

Back in Snape's quarters, Remus Lupin listened to Snape's account of the incident. When he heard Snape's verdict, he rolled his eyes. "Severus, really. Must the rest of us sit through 'Oh don't deceive me, oh never leave me'?"

"It will do you all good," Snape insisted, his expression bland. "Consider it an antidote to all that 'Love never dies' swill you Gryffindors enjoy gobbling up."

His expression equally neutral, Lupin replied, "Treacle has its uses." Locking eyes with Snape, he added, "I've Transfigured it into mortar, caulk, and glue more times than I can count. It's easier to work with than vinegar."

His voice soft and low, Snape demanded, "Then why are you here?"

Lupin said, "I prefer vinegar. It's versatile and complex. Mixed with the right ingredients, it's beautifully volatile."

"I see." Snape manufactured a sneer. "You're in the thrall of primitive chemistry. Gryffindors and their cheap, childish thrills--"

Lupin heard the tremor underneath the words. He yanked Snape into his arms, capturing the other man's lips with his own.

When they finally surfaced for air, he hissed into Snape's ear, "I have deceived you. I have left you. I have broken more vows than most men ever make. But I am now here, and you will not drive me away."

Snape buried his hands in Lupin's hair, claiming another long, deep, ferocious kiss. Afterwards, he whispered, "I will use you. I may forsake you. But I am yours no matter what."

"I know," Lupin murmured, and doused the lights.

Comments

[valis2.insanejournal.com]

Oooh---delicious and thrilling! I absolutely loved the conclusion. Awesome!!

[bronze_ribbons.insanejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[red_day_dawning.insanejournal.com]

Oh, I loved the ending! Twisting the lyrics like that worked so very well.!

[bronze_ribbons.insanejournal.com]

Thank you! I personally like the song a lot, but I just couldn't imagine Snape listening to it without a withering comment or five. ;-)

[shadowycat.insanejournal.com]

Chemistry definitely has its uses. :D Very nice.

[bronze_ribbons.insanejournal.com]

Hee! At one point in the drafting, I actually tried to fit in a joke about Lupin = sodium bicarbonate, but some extended metaphors just fall flat. As it were. ;-)

[lore]

Oh, I love the flare of their passion and how conversations about nothing and everything can lead to it. *HUGS* Thank you! <3

love, lore

[bronze_ribbons.insanejournal.com]

There is no such thing as "just saying" when those two show up in my head.

*hugs and smooshes back*

(And thank you for the birthday wishes! *more hugs and more smooshing*)

[skree_ratling.insanejournal.com]

[happy sigh] That's so romantic...

[bronze_ribbons.insanejournal.com]

I can't help it - when they bother to show up in my head, they're in love with each other. ;-)

[westernredcedar.insanejournal.com]

Oh, so lovely, Ribbons!
I prefer vinegar is my favorite line, along with the many uses for treacle (hee). Oh, and of course, the passionate, burning kisses as well. Those are quite nice. mmmmmm... ;P

*screams* HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Runs off to write...

[bronze_ribbons.insanejournal.com]

*beams and blushes at your praise*

*sneaks carrots to your plotbunnies*

[mischiefmaker.insanejournal.com]

I loved this!!

[bronze_ribbons.insanejournal.com]

Thank you! :-D

[im_kalena.insanejournal.com]

Strangely intense for a short-short. And the relative merits of treacle vs. vinegar! Very intriguing. :)

[bronze_ribbons.insanejournal.com]

I'd thought a drabble would take care of the earworm, but the men had Things to Say. Glad it captured your attention!

[bonfoi]

Ook! *blinking* Whoa and whoa again! Not woe and woe again, either! Wonderful.

[bronze_ribbons]

*beams* Thank you! *happy-fizzy at your comment, like vinegar + soda**