Chapter Two

Disclaimer: They aren't mine, alas.

Chapter Two

"How is he?" Draco reclined in the chair by the fire, his relaxed demeanour belied by the incessant tapping of his fingers on the leather arm. After having wined and dined his godfather, he had finally broached the reason for the meeting.

“Much the same. He continues his daily routine as if nothing is amiss." Severus was reluctant to share the revelations of the night in the library, especially to Lucius and Narcissa's son.

“But you worry about him, don’t you?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Severus, I’ve known you all my life, and at least half that time I’ve been aware of how you feel about my father.” Draco smirked as Severus spluttered into his drink, his cool façade sundered by a mere few words.

“You knew?” Denial was clearly fruitless.

“Of course I knew. You were the two men I looked up to all my life. I spent most of my youth observing your interactions. Of course, I was at Hogwarts by the time I began to understand a man could love another man in that way." He grinned. "Was quite a revelation, I can tell you."

“Who else?”

“No-one, I would imagine. Your secret is safe, Severus.” Draco raised his glass in a silent toast.

Severus slumped back in his chair, his carefully cultivated mask of serenity crumpled into despair. “I don’t know how to help him, Draco. He’s withdrawn into a place I cannot reach. I'm not sure moving into the Manor was such a good idea.”

“Nonsense. If it weren't for you, he wouldn't speak to anyone other than for necessary business meetings. And he delegates most of those to me. Our clients are becoming unsettled, and if anything, his absence is cementing the rumours. He needs to snap out of it."

Severus shook his head. “If only it were that simple. His entire sense of self-esteem has revolved around your mother and his reputation. To lose both of those in one fell blow has hurt him badly.”

"Perhaps you should get him drunk and shag him senseless. Maybe then he’d realise someone appreciates him.” Draco picked a piece of imaginary lint off his spotless cuff while he waited for his companion to breathe.

"As delightful as that idea might be, I doubt he would appreciate waking up the morning after with a sore, slippery arse and a hangover from hell." This time it was Draco who spat port over his lap while Severus sported the smirk.

"Severus! Do you mind? There's only so much detail about your fantasies I need to know." Recovering rapidly, Draco added, "Besides, I always imagined Father as the top."

"As your godfather, I should probably be concerned you have any opinion at all on your father's sexual preferences; however, under the circumstances, I shall take it under advisement in the unlikely event such information may become useful."

Draco finished his drink and stood, offering his hand to Severus in farewell. "Well, good luck. If anyone can get through to him, it's you. He thinks far more highly of you than you realise.”

***

“What did my son want? Trying to poke his wand in where it’s not wanted, I suspect.” Lucius affected a nonchalant glance over the rim of his glass.

“He worries about his father. I had no idea that was considered a criminal offence nowadays. Besides, it was an excellent lunch.” Severus cast a disparaging eye over the black bean, feta, and tomato filo pie which had been set in front of him. “A nice piece of fillet steak. Rare. With oysters.” Saying no more, he picked up his knife and fork.

“Oysters? Steak?” Lucius groaned. “I’m in hell. Or purgatory. Or whatever those Muggle religions call it.”

“Your choice, Lucius. Any time you want to dine out, I’ll be delighted to accompany you.” He inclined his head towards his friend. “Of course, you’re paying.”

“That could be considered a date, Severus. They’ll have even more to gossip about.” Lucius missed the rising stain in Severus’s cheeks as he turned to the waiting house-elf to request more wine.

“Draco did not appear concerned when he paid for lunch today. If your theory is correct, the entire membership of Pilliwickle’s now considers me his ageing doxy. His taste in men may be execrable, but I cannot fault his choice of establishment.”

Kippy had removed their main course dishes and replaced them with dessert, a delicate concoction of roasted nectarine, champagne mousse, and raspberry and honey sauce on a pistachio crumble base.

“At least the house-elves haven’t forgone their perfect desserts yet. Narcissa had been suggesting healthy, raw fruit slices with unsweetened yoghurt before she left.” Lucius shuddered, then sighed in ecstasy as his spoon delivered a portion of heaven to his lips.

“I’d keep that quiet if I were you. They might get ideas.”

Both men cast furtive glances at the door and concentrated on the plates before them. They were scraping the last of the sauce off the plates when a familiar, imperious voice demanded their attention.

“Lucius! Lucius! Where are you?”

“Fuck, it’s Narcissa! Don’t let her see the remains of dessert!” Lucius shooed Kippy out of the door to the kitchen with the evidence. Turning towards the other door, he called, “We’re in here, Cissy!”

“Oh, there you are. A little late for dinner, isn’t it? And I see Severus is still here.”

Lucius lifted his chin and raised an eyebrow in his best sneer. “To what do we owe the pleasure of your company this evening, Madam?”

“I’ve come to collect Nuppy. I need her in my kitchen.”

“But...”

“No buts, Lucius. I brought her here from my sister’s kitchen; I have every right to take her to mine. I’m sure you’ll manage without her. Merlin knows there are plenty of other house-elves in this place.” With that, Narcissa swept off to the kitchen to find her elf.

“But... but...”

Severus placed a soothing hand on his friend’s arm. “Don’t let her high-handed ways bother you, Lucius. You do have plenty of other elves.”

“You don’t understand, Severus, Nuppy is the dessert elf!”

“Then do something, man!”

Half an hour later, the two wizards sat in the library, nursing their brandy glasses and the final bottle of 200-year-old goblin spirit.

“Did you have to let her take the rest of the brandy as well?”

“It was an anniversary present from her uncle. I could hardly deny her.”

“Did she really call you a—”

“Please, Severus, it was bad enough hearing it from her lips. Just... don’t.” Lucius sighed. “She really hated being married to me that much?”

Severus felt his jaw tighten as he watched Lucius’s self-esteem sink even lower. “Dammit, Luc, don’t take such stock of her opinion. You’re an attractive, intelligent, charismatic wizard any discerning witch would be proud to call hers. Narcissa is trying to justify leaving you by casting aspersions on your sexual prowess and desirability, but she has no idea how others see you.”

Lucius shook his head and left the room, taking his brandy to the solitude of his bedchamber.

“She has no idea how I see you,” Severus whispered to the closed door.

A/N: This was written for the 2012 Lucius Big Bang on Livejournal. Karelia provided the prompt, and linlawless was my beta. Thanks, chooks!