Differences

Harry was grumpy. That was the only way to describe how he looked to Severus. The man was sat across from him with his arms crossed and a restraint shattering pout on those damned lips.

It was the morning after and Severus knew it would be a hard day from the moment his mate came down the stairs, dressed in the exact same clothes he wore his first morning in his house which was simply Severus's old shirt and hopefully, for Severus's self control, boxers. The difference from the first morning was how healthy the man now looked. The snake adorned collar was rested on his shoulder before but now it was folded to his chest opening the shirt to where it showing much more skin. That shirt no longer gave the impression Harry was wearing a parents old clothes, now looking as if he was in, what muggles called, a 'boyfriend shirt'. The vampires mouth was dry as his eyes roamed the honey brown skin that was being practically flaunted for the world to see. He was a picture, unruly locks, which were in dire need of a haircut, messed up from sleep were extenuating the mans bettering health. Once gaunt cheeks now fuller and rosy, were currently tugged towards the mischievous green eyes to match the smirk on his lips. This is what brought Snape back to reality as he realised a reaction was exactly what Harry wanted. He was not sure he was making it though this day so he decided it was safer to keep his eyes off Potter until he gave up.

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This was why Harry was grumpy. Severus had promptly left after finishing his breakfast, stating 'it is probably time we both get dressed for the day'. He thought his plan worked but obviously it was not enough.

Well...a plan was an overstatement. After what Severus said last night he was filled with a determination to do something. He did not know what that something was but it led to that situation which led them to where they are now, pout and all.

They had decided that since they did not have their night reading time last night, that they would do it now. Both were engrossed in the books they were currently on and wanted to read whenever possible (though Harry could not understand how '100 Uses For Bat Eyes' could be interesting in any way, especially as most of those uses were presumably for potions and the man reading it was a potions master, but who was he to judge?). Harry's own book was one he had taken, well Kreacher had taken them for Harry, from Grimmauld Place along with some of Sirius and Regulus's old clothes once he found out he had to go back to the Dursley's. He knew it was a long shot but he wanted something to keep him entertained if the Dursley's let him keep his luggage. The book was titled 'Pureblood Society For The Young Lord And Lady', he knew the book was for pureblood children but he did not put up a fuss when Kreacher brought him the book when asked if there was any books on pureblood culture. He knew the boom would be a good start and it had been. Already about halfway through the book he was now understanding the meaning behind many of his previous interactions with purebloods and was happy he now knew not to make any more mistakes.

Despite being deeply invested in the book, he could not seem to hold any information he was reading. He eventually gave up and placed the book down on the end table beside arm chair he was sat in and crossed his arms. Severus had not even glanced at him since before breakfast. Now this was not new to Harry given the man had been hot and cold with him throughout his whole stay and he had a streak of not acknowledging anything that happens between the pair. The man seemed back to being comfortable with Harry despite the range of emotions he expressed last night. Harry knew he was being selfish with what he pulled this morning as the man obviously did not want Harry to acknowledge his vampirism, yet the first thing Harry did was try bring his vampire side out. Not that he knew why he did it, he just had sudden urges to go back to tease Severus to see his eyes turn red. Wait. Harry had come to the conclusion in Gringotts that Snape's eyes were turning red because he was hungry, so why was he teasing him as though he was trying to tempt the man? Sure Severus was attractive, Harry wondered how attractive the man was without his potion if this is how the handsome the man was without, but he was keeping Harry at arms length and not letting him get close. He could not be more clear he did not want more than this sort-of friendship they had formed over the past couple of weeks, about two and a half not that Harry had been keeping track. He had said Harry had something to do with his blood substitutes not working, had his clumsy nature and bouts of 'flirting' (Harry will only admit he had been flirting in his mind) been causing the vampire to struggle? They had been spending most of their days together, basically attached at the hip, had Harry's actions made Severus's instincts believe he was offering a food source?

The idea did not scare Harry as much as it should as he looked over the man filling his thoughts, enjoying seeing the twitch in his brow as he must has found a use for bat eyes he had not known before. As close as they had gotten, Harry felt he did not know everything about the Slytherin and knew he would do anything to find out. Eyes trailing to the mans hair which was pulled together at his neck with some sort of leather strip, he thought of how he wished to pull the hair out of the knot and run his hand through the black tresses. After he would bring his hand to the mans face and trace his fingertip down the strong hooked nose to the thin lips. He always looked so dark and mysterious with his hair shrouding his his distinctive, not traditionally handsome features. He was tall and always had his dark robes buttoned up to the neck, making Harry wish he knew what was underneath.

Oh Merlin. Harry Potter had a crush on Severus Snape.

The realisation made him un-cross his, now clothed, legs and sit up pin straight. The vampire was exactly Harry's type, not that he knew he had one until know. He was drawn to Cho's dark hair and eyes but she was a girl. Cedric and Bill were tall, kind and were always the type who would be a solid support in your life. But even with Bill's rugged edge, they still were still lacking to Harry. They were just a little too much for Harry, too loud, boisterous and ultimately too boyish. That struck Harry, the boisterous part made sense as he preferred quiet with how his upbringing was but the fact he wanted someone mature. He had always noticed he preferred the company of adults, they always seemed to have experienced enough to even partially understand Harry It was why he hardly confided in Ron or Hermione, they never seemed to truly understand. Although he had not expected his preference of company to effect what he wanted in a partner. While that may seem like a silly thought, he had still been only considering men his age as potential lovers. He had never thought to look to those significantly older than himself, sure he had noticed Severus and a few other men (Harry does not like to think of the time his brain decided to betray him and point out that Lucius Malfoy would be attractive was it not for his terrible personality), were handsome before but then he just passed it off as he had more important things to think of at the time. Now he was relatively free from stress, he thought of how similar he and Severus were, the man had the same hardened look in his eyes as Harry. The look that spoke of many bad experiences, that, even after the war, many people did not gain. Harry was happy that they were shielded from the worst of the war but it did mean Harry felt that little bit more alone. Other than the bad experiences that bonded the pair, Harry had not gotten along this well and felt this comfortable with someone so quickly. They had went from their previous strange relationship to an, albeit still strange, friendly relationship they had now. The relationship that was currently allowing Harry to realise that he did not mind in the slightest that Severus was 20 years older than him. In fact he quite liked it, the harsh lines on the mans face furthered his rugged look and the pitch black eyes that held so knowledge completed the look.

Harry had trouble realising his sexuality at first but now he knew why, he was looking in the wrong place. Granted it would have been slightly weird to start having crushes on older men while underage so he was the tiniest bit glad this realisation was coming now when he was of age. Just after the war had finished and everyone was celebrating, he had sneaked out into the muggle world to celebrate there, sometimes with Ron and Hermione, sometimes not. It was then he met men in their early twenties that he finally allowed himself to be attracted to. He often left the pubs with these men for one night stands. He only went all the way with one guy though, a muggle named Jonathan who was covered in tattoos and wore a leather jacket. Jonathan was always kind despite his appearance and completely understood Harry was not looking for anything serious. Harry had liked listening to Jonathan talk about his life and how he was a orphan just like him, he never made Harry talk about himself sensing he was looking for an escape. On their last night together after Harry received the news about having to return to the Dursley's, Jonathan gave him a slip of paper with his phone number on it saying that if Harry ever did want something serious, that he should just call him. It made Harry even more upset that he knew he would never call that number, muggle technology did not work when magic is around and if all went to plan, Harry would be living far away from anywhere a mobile phone would even function. It had been a teary goodbye but Harry knew that even if he could use a phone, he would never be able to be in a serious relationship with Jonathan. As amazing as he was, there was the same lingering problem with him as there was with Harry's other crushes, there was still something missing.

It seemed Severus Snape had that something. That posture that never crumbled, the life experience and the...well the the uniqueness that was Severus Snape.

"Harry, you have been staring a hole into the sofa for the past half hour, what is on your mind?" The silky voice Harry had not realised how much he liked until now, cut through his thoughts and brought back the thoughts that started this whole tirade.

Harry got up and walked over to the sofa the vampire was on and met the obsidian eyes that had not left his since they had connected. "I know you said you would talk to me about it when you are ready-" he held up a hand as he saw the mans mouth open to interrupt, "-but I've been thinking and I'm worried. Have I been causing you to crave human blood more?" He took a deep breath, he needed to get this all out before Severus spoke up. "You do not have to tell me why but I'm going to assume it is because you are not used to being in this close contact with someone, even in Hogwarts you took most of your meals alone and were mainly seen in classes on your night patrols. So you probably were alone most of your time there too. Is the close contact with me making you want my blood?" Taking a breath, he realised he was struggling to word this. "You can talk now, I feel like if I keep going I will go completely off point."

The taller man looked him up and down, taking in how his legs were curled underneath him and his shirt was buttoned up again. A blush rose to Harry's cheeks, now that he thinks back, he can not believe he actually did that.

"It is not the whole reason." That was it? That was what Harry was getting? Well he supposed he did just push the man to talk about the subject that said man had only last night told him he did not wish to discuss.

"Well if you need to feed, I do not mind if you feed from me?" Severus's breath caught, eyes widening. "I mean from what I know about vampires feeding, it shouldn't hurt much. We never spoke about your feeding more than the potions did we?" Oh Merlin, I'm rambling. "If I'm the cause of the potions not working, it's the least I could do-"

"No." Oh- He had expected this type of outright rejection.

"Ok, it was a silly thought, just forget I said anything. I'll just go back to my room and stay out of your way from now on," he said uncurling himself in preparation to get up. Although he did not get far as a hand clamped onto his wrist in an almost bruising grip. People need to stop grabbing his arms to get his attention-

"No what I meant was-" He cut himself off, looking as if he could not put his sentence together. This was the first time Harry had ever seen this man struggle with his words, always being the most eloquent in a room. Seeing this, Harry decided to sit back down and wait for him to figure out what he wanted to say. He owed this man his life, he can give him the patience to wait on his reply to Harry's brash actions.

Severus took his own deep breath, gathering himself back together but not letting go of his contact with the young man. "I did not mean to make you feel guilty by telling you about your connection to why the blood substitutes are not working. As I said before, our close proximity is not the only reason and that other reason, I am still not ready to tell you." His eyes turned scolding, evidently not happy I pried. "You are not obliged to offer yourself for me to feed on because of that. I also know you have no idea what you are offering. Vampire bites do hurt when the fangs first pierce the skin," the hand on my wrist trailed up to my neck where he brushed the hair back carefully, "but that is not the only thing the victim feels."

Harry was almost hesitant to ask, "what else would I- They, feel?" It was my turn for my breath to hitch as the hand moved to tread it's fingers through my hair and cup the back of my head. The position of the had restricted my head movement as I was forced to look in Severus's eyes.

"What the victim feels is one of the reasons vampires are deadly. We are creatures who wish to entice prey, being taken off guard makes it easier to feed. Although this allure makes some people seek vampires out and offer themselves as a food source for the vampire just because of what the bite evokes."

"What does it do?" Apparently asking that was exactly what Severus wanted me to do, his thin lips formed a smirk around fangs that must have appeared since he had started speaking. The Vampire leaned close enough that our noses were touching and breath was mingling. The move causing his forgotten bat eye book to fall to the floor with a clatter. Severus showed his dissatisfaction for me being distracted by gently tugging the hair in his grasp, pulling my eyes back to his, now burning crimson, eyes.

"Pleasure. The bite causes the victim to feel pleasure, to keep them malleable as we take our fill. Is that what you are wanting Harry? To tremble with pleasure in my arms as I suck you dry, knowing you offered yourself to me?"