InsaneJournal

Snarry: The Maudlin Middle.
This is part two of a (thus far) four-part series. Read part one by atypicalsnowman, Glory Holes and Tumbleweeds, first. When you're finished, don't forget to read parts three, Gay Parade, and four, Dormant Rising, by WhiteCotton and part five, Starry Night by atypicalsnowman.

Title: The Maudlin Middle.
Author: thesewarmstars.
Rating: PG.
Word count: 567.
Author’s note: Thanks to snow for the once-over. It was going to be cuter, I swear. No idea where emo!Severus came from, but he is present and accounted for. This is the sequel to atypicalsnowman’s ‘Glory Holes and Tumbleweed’. Originally posted at Severus Sighs.




Severus tried to keep his mind on his surroundings, but the effort was in vain. He could not bring himself care in the least about hob-knobbing with the elite of the potions world or the precise nature of his dessert or whether it ought actually to be served with a less cloying wine.

No, his thoughts were on Harry. Harry and Lee. Harry and David sodding Bowie.

He bit back a groan and pinched the bridge of his nose. This was getting ridiculous. There was no point in torturing himself with idle speculation – after all, dinner was nearly over and he was free of conference obligations for the night. If he wanted to, he could simply join the party and see for himself.

He could not imagine that he would want to, though. The thought of a room full of men fawning over Harry, throwing him smiles and admiring his accent, standing too close, was quite bad enough. How much worse would the reality be?

What would he do if he walked in and found Harry flirting with some young, vital man? Merlin, what if it were David sodding Bowie himself? Would the others be able to see his world come crashing down around him as he stood there watching Harry eye someone hungrily across the room? Would he be capable of containing his grief if he saw Harry’s face fall when he walked in?

It would, perhaps, not be the worst thing. Harry was such a vibrant young man, with enough enthusiasm for life to fill a room, enough charisma to charm the horn off a unicorn, and he deserved someone who could make him happy. Someone who could love him properly.

Severus pushed his glass away and made a hasty exit from the overcrowded room. This had gone on too long. There was no point wasting any more time – he would put an end to it tonight and let Harry have his fun.

He apparated to the address Lee had given and started up the footpath – no, it was a sidewalk here – with a determined stride. Immediately, a sheen of sweat broke out over his body and he cursed the hell that was Texas. He soon found the correct flat – apartment, he reminded himself – and approached the door.

The view through the window stopped him short. There Harry stood, his face lit up in a smile, chatting with David sodding Bowie. The infernal man was leaning close to Harry, lightly brushing his arm as they talked, and Severus felt his chest tighten.

Before he could bring himself to move again, Harry looked over and caught him standing there. Eyes wide, he gaped for a moment, and Severus turned to make a hasty retreat.

Stupid! He had known this was a bad idea. He should never have come.

Harry came rushing out the front door. “Severus!”

Severus stopped, but could not face him. “I… My apologies,” he murmured.

Harry, though, seemed not to hear. “Thank god you’re here!” he cried, wrapping his arms around Severus from behind.

Severus’ mind reeled. His senses were overwhelmed with Harry – hands against his chest, alcohol-laced breath, the tickle of hair on his ear.

“God, those guys are such bitches!” Harry huffed against Severus’ neck and grumbled, “David sodding Bowie, thinks he’s such hot shit. Missed you.”

Previous plans forgotten, Severus simply leaned back into Harry’s embrace. “I missed you, too.”

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Parts three, Gay Parade, and four, Dormant Rising, by WhiteCotton are at her DreamWidth. And snow just posted part five, Starry Night at her LiveJournal.