Chapter Text
"Please come to bed."
"Jon, please. I need to get this done and sent to Lupin before the full moon."
A broad man who nearly blocked out the light behind him as he leaned against the wooden door frame examined his husband with a discontented frown under his well-trimmed mustache.
This was getting ridiculous.
For months, he had watched his husband bounce from Malfoy Manor to Grimmuld Place., and quite frankly all across Hell's half acre doing others' dirty work.
He was dead on his feet, little more than a zombie when he finally made it home.
If he made it home.
"Just go in without me, I'll be in soon."
Jon eyed him skeptically and shook his head.
"No, I think I'll wait up."
"Jon."
But the older man was already lighting up a cigar and making himself comfortable.
He knew that Severus had no qualms keeping himself up all night, but couldn't stand to do it at the expense of his husband who preferred a full 8 hrs.
"It's almost done."
"Uh-huh."
"I really just need to let it cool and bottle it."
"Then you won't mind me waiting until your finished."
Severus tried to remain patient and continued to work in silence despite the careful viridian eyes that tracked him like a laser.
As the cauldron cooled and the potion was delicately portioned out to last the werewolf about 3 months, Severus rolled his neck and winced at the sharp cracks and pops from his joints.
"There, done."
He could feel Jon's broad frame looming over him and turned, looking up through his lashes at his husband who was nearly pinning him to the work bench.
"Need something?" He bit cheekily and surprised a shiver at the low rumble that came from Jon's barrel chest. "You are not going to bully me into bed if that is your intention, Jonathan Green."
"I wouldn't have to bully you if you had enough sense to take care of yourself."
"I have things to do." Severus pushed past his husband's arm and dodged around him. "Many, many things."
"And they can all wait until morning." Jon insisted, snatching his wiry spouse by his slim waist and pulling him back to his chest. "Now come before I pick you up and carry you."
Severus thought for a moment, running over the mental checklist that ran on for miles before sighing.
He was right, what needed to be done could wait until tomorrow.
"I have half a mind to go down there and tell those people a thing or two about themselves," Jon muttered as he stripped his undershirt over his head.
"Please don't." Severus winced. "They don't even know I'm married, the less they know the better."
"They don't?" Jon sounded more than little hurt and Severus doubled back.
"It's nothing to do with you," he insisted, "I'm just...not out to them."
"Well, you don't think they're-'
"No, no I don't think so." His black hair swung into his face slightly. "But, you know, better safe than sorry."
Severus had spent most of his life in what one might call a glass closet. He never really came out to anyone, not even his closest friends, but he was also certain no one would be surprised.
Alternatively, Jon could hardly remember a time he wasn't out. Being half muggle himself, that was a difficult position to be in. Their marriage wasn't even lawful by muggle standards.
But Jon had always been a big man, and unafraid of conflict be it verbal or physical. Broad in all senses of the word and swarthy, Jon cut the perfect picture of a working-class bloke who would not be out of place on any loading dock or boxing gym in England. Even now, in his 40s, he was more likely to swing a fist before ever reaching for a wand.
With the lights out, Severus felt a large hand run up and down his back, venturing lower and lower each time until he scoffed into his husband's shoulder.
"I thought we were sleeping."
"Oh, you will be."
___________________________
Severus's head was pounding. The entire front of his brow felt like someone was hammering on his skull from the inside.
The meeting was running late, again.
Jonathan would be waiting up for him.
God.
Severus had never taken great care of himself, either physically or mentally, but he'd never felt bad about it until he had someone who cared enough to fuss over him.
He thought for a moment about his latest threat to come down here and make a scene and contained a smile.
That would be something to see, for sure.
He'd always been the more confident one.
"Snape!"
He blinked a moment and realized he must have zoned out.
"Yes?"
"Did you even bother to listen to a word I just said?"
This smile he did not bother concealing, as it was bitter and sardonic enough to get his point across.
"I never bother with the things you say, Black. They're very rarely worth it."
"Okay, alright" Remus put himself between the two of them, knowing Sirius to be in a particularly foul mood. "Look, we've been at this for hours, It's nearly 2 in the morning, we're all tired. Let's just finish this up, huh?"
"I agree." Dumbledore nodded. "Any progress we could have made on the subject would have happened hours ago."
"Fine by me," Sirius grumbled reluctantly.
"Uh, sorry to interrupt." Molly peered through the door from the entryway. "But there's someone at the door, a gentleman who says he's looking for Severus."
The room went quiet and Severus's heart dropped.
Fuck fuck fuck
Had he been followed?
Had his mind been breached and he'd been too exhausted to even notice?
"What does he look like?" He swallowed, hoping he could determine who or was by just a description.
"Tall man, dark hair, short beard with a mustache, he had very distinct eyes. Dark green."
"Oh." The word came out as a sigh of relief.
"Oh?" Sirius glared at him, "Oh what? Who did you bring?"
"No one you need concern yourself with." Severus rose, a flicker of annoyance in his voice.
He slipped past Molly and into the entryway where he found exactly who he'd expected.
"Darling, you can't be here."
"It is 2 in the morning."
"Yes, I can still tell time."
"This is insane. Get your coat, I'm taking you home."
Severus covered a smile at that, amused at his husband's blustering.
"What?"
"Nothing." Severus shook his head. "It's just adorable that you think this works like that."
"Oh, you think it doesn't?" Jon scoffed, taking off his dark hat and overcoat. "Watch this."
"Jon? Jon, no!"
Oh God damn him to hell.
"Evening, or Good Morning as it were." Jon smiled charmingly and offered his large hand to Dumbledore. "Jonathan Green. You must be Professor Dumbledore."
"A pleasure." The old wizard looked the newcomer up and down warily. "And, who are you, Mr. Green?"
"Oh, forgive me." Jon chuckled. "I'm Severus's husband, I've just come to take him home if you don't mind."
"I'm so sorry about this, Headmaster." Severus was flushed with humiliation, squeezing Jon's wrist tightly.
"Nonsense, Severus." Dumbledore's demeanor had unfrozen now, "we were just finishing up if you don't mind waiting a few minutes."
"Not at all." Jon nodded. "I'll be outside, love."
Severus watched him go coldly before glancing around the room. All eyes were on him.
"Let's just finish this." He growled, trying to ignore the unspoken questions around him.
They wrapped up the last 8 hours in the span of a few minutes and began to disband. Severus moved quickly, trying to get out before anyone tried to ask a question he'd have to ignore.
"Alright, you've made your point, whatever it was." He grumbled, snatching Jon's sleeve to drag him out. "Let's go. Now."
"In a hurry?"
Severus froze and closed his eyes. Fuuuuck
"It's late, we should be going." Severus tried to brush the headmaster off but Dumbledore pulled Jon's attention before they could leave.
"Mr. Green, I wonder if you would be open to joining us next time." The ancient wizard inquired. "You would be most welcome."
"I will certainly take it under consideration, Headmaster." Jon nodded in a noncommittal tone. "Have a lovely night."
As the door closer behind them Severus's neutral face fell into a deep frown.
"I can't believe you did that. I specifically said not to. You never fucking listen."
"I am not going to stand aside while my husband gets taken advantage of," Jon replied firmly. "Just trust me."
"I'm going to have a heart attack trusting you."