Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/ works/620081. Rating: Explicit Archive Warning: Underage Category: M/M Fandom: Harry_Potter_-_J._K._Rowling Relationship: Remus_Lupin/Harry_Potter Character: Remus_Lupin, Harry_Potter Additional Tags: First_Time, Guilty_Conscience, transference, Rimming Stats: Published: 2013-01-02 Words: 5653 ****** Responsibilties ****** by Charm Summary “I like that this is our little secret.” Notes For Anise, on the occasion of her birthday. Many thanks to fluffyllama for the beta. A quiet knock at the door broke through the silence that had settled over Remus Lupin’s quarters. He glanced at his watch: it was well after midnight. Who would be knocking at this hour? He carefully closed the dusty tome he held in his hands, absentmindedly stroking his fingers across the brittle, yellowing spine as he set it down. His knee accidentally bumped the low table beside the chair and cold tea sloshed out of its cup onto the tall stack of homework papers he'd put aside to mark that night. Muttering to himself about how clumsy he was, Remus mopped up what he could with a handkerchief from his trouser pocket. The knock sounded at the door again, this time a bit louder. “One moment!” he called and turned towards the door, discarding the tea-soaked material. Remus never opened the door with a wave of his wand or a quick incantation, thought it impersonal and rude. Pulling the lock up and open with one hand, he turned the doorknob with the other and yanked open the door; it tended to swell and stick to the jamb a bit in the winter months. “Harry!” Remus was surprised to see the boy standing outside his quarters, especially at this time of night. He ignored the disorienting swoop that came over him as his heart skipped a beat. “What are you doing here?” Harry was clenching a cloak in his fist, James’s Invisibility Cloak no doubt, and looked more than a little nervous. “I’m sorry, Professor, I--I shouldn’t have bothered you, I’m sorry.” He turned to leave. “No, no that’s quite all right Harry, come on in.” He waited for Harry to step through the door and then shut it behind him, pummeling it a bit with his shoulder to get it to close properly. Remus strode over to the couch but Harry lingered by the door, hovering timidly as though poised for quick escape. “Have a seat Harry, I don’t bite.” Remus chuckled inwardly at his little joke that Harry, luckily, didn’t get. Small feet shuffled across the stone floor and a bit of dust rose up when Harry plopped on the far side of the couch. Remus would really have to remember to clean it soon, perhaps mention it to one of the House Elves. Harry was silent, looking uncomfortable. “So, Harry… what can I help you with?” Remus asked cheerily, though a bit nervous, turning towards Harry on the couch. Harry remained quiet and the silence in the room thickened, the only noise coming from the steady drip-drop of Remus’s tea that was now spilling off the table and onto the stone floor. “Harry?” A thin line of concern creased Remus’s brow as he frowned; he was beginning to worry about the lad. “Is there something wrong?” Harry mumbled something then, his face turned away from Remus. “Didn't hear you Harry, sorry?” “I’m scared,” Harry whispered, his voice thin and weak. He looked thoroughly ashamed of his admission. “Of Sirius Black?” Remus asked, part of him cringing at the thought that Harry had reason to fear his own godfather. “Yes.” Remus sighed, fighting to restrain himself from pulling Harry into a comforting hug. It wouldn’t be appropriate in any situation, but certainly not in his private quarters well past the midnight hour. But it would have been easier than trying to reassure Harry; he'd never been very good at cheering people up. His practical side always seemed to try to take over. And while practicality had its place, it was of no help in making a thirteen year old boy feel better. Why couldn’t Harry have gone to Dumbledore with this? Why did Remus always have to be the dependable one? A spark of anger rushed through his veins before he had the chance to control it and he heard a low growl slip through his lips; he cleared his throat to cover it. You should be the one that's here, Sirius, not me. I shouldn’t have to be the one to look after Harry. Remus silently cursed the man and the way he had ruined them all. But if Sirius were here, Lily and James would be, too. There was no use living in a world of what could have been. “I don’t blame you Harry; I’m a bit scared myself. It’s natural, nothing to be ashamed of.” It was bad enough that Harry had Sirius to fear, he didn’t need shame of that fear to go along with it. Harry nodded absently and picked at a few loose fibers on the cloak, spinning them between his fingers. He looked up at Remus through straight black lashes, reminding Remus so strongly of Lily that a lump formed in his throat and refused to budge. “Could you help me?” Harry asked, his eyes shining with hope. “With magic, I mean. Could you teach me how to protect myself?” “That’s what Defence Against the Dark Arts is for Harry, learning to protect yourself.” “I know, only…” Harry’s voice grew stronger as he turned to address Remus, his brow furrowing in determination. “Only I need to learn more than that, not just dark creatures and such, but spells, curses!” Harry’s eyes seemed to light up a bit at the prospect of learning curses. “In case I need to defend myself.” Remus smiled indulgently. “Are you asking for private lessons, Harry?” A smile passed briefly over Harry’s face, his lips twisting into a crooked sort of heart, and Remus’s heart fluttered in a way it had not for many, many years; he did his best to push the feelings it evoked down deep beneath the surface.  “Yes, I suppose I am,” Harry answered. “Please?” How was he supposed to say no? No, Harry, I will not teach you to properly defend yourself, even though you will most assuredly need to know how. I’m far too busy preparing next week’s hinkypunk lesson! He sighed. “How do Thursdays sound?” ... Remus tapped his tea cup gently with a warming spell and settled a book on his blanket-covered lap. The lone candle lighting the room flickered and hissed as Remus attempted to read, his eyes nowhere near as good as they used to be. He sighed to himself and set the book on his nightstand. This was a mistake. A big one. What was he thinking? He didn’t need one more thing to worry about. He didn’t need to have to make excuses to someone else around the full moon; things were hard enough as it is. But this is Harry. He needs to be taken care of. Only not in the way you might want to take care of him, old man. Sometimes his conscience was far too perceptive for its own good. He couldn’t ignore the way his body had reacted, had been reacting if he was going to be honest with himself, whenever he was close to Harry. But that didn’t make it alright; it was disgusting, and despicable, and a million other words people would use against him if they knew his knees went shaky whenever he was in the boy’s presence. Why does it have to be me? Why do I have to be the only one left? Remus knew he was being selfish, but he didn’t think he deserved to be the one left to deal with it all. It wasn’t fair, but then when had life ever been fair, especially to him?  ... Remus watched Harry stuff the last of his dinner into his mouth and lean across the table to whisper something to his friends; crumbs fell down his chest as he chewed messily. Hermione and Ron nodded and Harry got up from the table hurriedly, all but running from the Great Hall. Remus smiled slightly to himself; Harry was always extra jumpy on Thursday nights, eager for them to begin their lessons. He took his time finishing his dinner, waiting until everyone but Dumbledore had left the staff table, all of them off to their own quarters for the night. He gave a little wave in Albus’s general direction and was met only with a knowing smile that made him a little nervous; made him feel fifteen again. After all, how much does Albus really know? Remus honestly didn’t want to think about that, or how much trouble he would be in if Albus really was as all- knowing as he'd always appeared. Shaking off the sudden feeling of unease, Remus headed out of the Great Hall towards his quarters, which were situated just below Gryffindor Tower; one floor down and two corridors over from the portrait hole and the Fat Lady. As he rounded the corner, Harry came into view, propped up against the wooden door presumably, given away by the toe of one shoe peeking out from under the Invisibility Cloak. Remus chuckled and nudged Harry to the side as he murmured the password into his rooms. “You know, if you’re going to bother using that thing, you may as well use it properly,” Remus said and stepped inside, holding the door open to let Harry pass.  Slipping the Cloak off over his head, Harry blushed, his hair sticking up with static in every direction, but said nothing. His eyes sparkled with mischief though, something Remus could never miss, not after all those years with Sirius and James. “I know, I’ll be more careful next time, I promise. I like this,” Harry murmured, his eyes downcast. “I like that this is our little secret.” Remus felt a little pull in his belly, not completely unlike the pull of a Portkey; he did his best to ignore it. Smiling, he hung Harry’s cloak over the back of the couch and strode into the small library, where they did their practicing. Some nights Remus had Harry study books and read chapters on dark spells and curses. They discussed what he had read afterwards, Harry asking any questions he had, and Remus answering them to the best of his knowledge and experience. Other nights they would practice the practical application of charms and protection spells, and even a few curses when Harry was particularly persuasive. Harry plopped down on one of the plush armchairs that had been pushed back against the bookcases, one of his legs slung over the arm. Forcing himself to look away, Remus was astounded, as he always was, at how graceful Harry was for his long limbs and wiry frame. His movements always seemed to have an innate elegance; an elegance James certainly never had. Remus assumed he must have inherited it from Lily. Remus found his eyes sliding back across Harry as his thoughts wandered; across his pale skin and dark hair, across the furrow in his brow that told you this boy had never been a child, had never been allowed to be. “What is it?” Remus shook himself out of it and sat down in another armchair across the room from him. “Sorry, Harry,” he said. “What is what?” “You were staring at me; do I have something on my face?” Harry’s hands wiped across his cheeks, nose and forehead, he looked concerned. “Oh no, just thinking is all.” “Oh,” Harry said simply, but looked as though he wanted to continue. “Go ahead, Harry, what is it?” “Am I--,” Harry cleared his throat, looking embarrassed. Remus waited patiently and allowed his eyes to sweep over the boy in front of him once more, guilty as it made him feel. “Do you think I’m ugly?” Remus almost choked. “No! No, Harry, of course not!” A baser part of his body, and mind unfortunately, wanted to show Harry just how very far from ugly he thought him; he shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Harry looked relieved but still apprehensive. “Are you sure?” “Quite. I know people tell you this all the time, Harry, but you really do bear an uncanny resemblance to your father, and he was always being chased around by all the girls at Hogwarts!” “Oh.” The boy looked a bit put out. “What is it?” Harry mumbled something Remus couldn’t catch. “Sorry, what was that?” Harry turned bright red. “I’m not so sure I fancy girls.” Remus’s heart slammed violently within his chest and he gripped the arms of his chair, knuckles turning white. “There’s nothing wrong with that Harry, nothing at all.” He spoke softly, his voice not daring to rise above a whisper. “Yes there is, it just makes me even more of a freak.” He slumped back in his chair. Remus chuckled bitterly. “I know how you feel.” Perking up a bit in his seat, Harry leaned forward and whispered to Remus conspiratorially, “Y--you do?” Oh fuck. This was the last thing Remus needed, the last thing. “So that means you--,” “Yes, Harry,” Remus interrupted. “It does.” “Wow.” He leaned back in his chair again, his eyes wide in surprise. “I never would have guessed.” Remus ignored his comments, “But you’re young Harry, you can’t know what you want yet. Your body is going through all sorts of changes. Just because you might be attracted to a few of your male classmates doesn’t necessarily make you gay. You’re just… you’re feeling a lot of different things at once and your body doesn’t quite know what to do with it all.” He couldn’t believe he was the one who was giving Harry this talk; surely Minerva would have been much better suited. And she would be certain to have a much more appropriate reaction to the situation. Remus crossed his legs nonchalantly and gave Harry a wan smile. Harry shifted uncomfortably in his chair and mumbled, “It’s not one of my classmates.” This took Remus quite by surprise but he was not about to push Harry for details. “Perhaps it would be best if we skipped your lesson for tonight,” Remus offered, hoping Harry would be just as glad as he was to leave the suddenly stifling heat of his rooms. Why the hell was it so hot in here anyway? Harry stood as though to leave and Remus heaved an inward sigh of relief. Unfortunately Harry did not turn to leave, but crossed the room to where Remus was sitting. “It’s not one of my classmates, Professor,” Harry whispered, gaze burning into Remus’s as he looked down at him, so uncertain. Remus could see the fear rushing back and forth behind his eyes. Remus was pinned against the back of his chair, too frightened to move. “Will you kiss me?” Harry’s voice broke, just a little, and with it broke any last bit of resolve that Remus had been able to hold onto. Grabbing Harry around the shoulders, he pulled him onto his lap and pressed their lips together, ever so gently. The breaths they had both been holding in spilled out between them and Remus was instantly addicted to the warm sweetness that Harry smelled of, tasted of. He slid his fingertips up along Harry’s throat, across the soft, warm skin there, and felt Harry shiver against him. His skin was on fire, Harry’s skin against his making him squirm and twitch with need, with all of the desire he had kept hidden away, contained. Harry shifted so that he sat on Remus’s lap, facing him; the unmistakable tremble of his hips sent shudders of pleasure down through Remus’s groin, made him moan, pushing Harry’s lips open further so that he could dip inside, suck Harry's tongue. Harry began rocking back and forth with fervor, his hips beginning to push frantically against Remus’s. Remus allowed himself to release Harry’s mouth and move down his neck, pausing to suck long and hard at his collar bone, marring the perfect pale flesh there with a ruby-bright bruise. “Please, oh Professor, mmn, yes…” Harry’s voice came out in a long hiss and part of Remus shivered at the sound of such pleasure escaping such a young mouth; Harry’s mouth. Remus laved his tongue in long strokes against his neck and as he pressed one chaste kiss to the top of the mark, he felt Harry convulse atop him, warmth seeping through the both of their robes, hot and sticky against Remus’s stomach. Harry made a tiny mewling noise and collapsed against Remus, shifting against his erection in the process. A bolt of pleasure shot down through Remus’s cock and along with it, a sense of guilt such that he had never felt before. James. Lily. Sirius even, for fuck’s sake! He had just betrayed them all, the only people in the world who had ever mattered to him, who had ever been there for him. Disgust swept over him and, pushing Harry away gently, he made to stand.  “What? What is it?” Harry sank into the chair as Remus stood, his eyes once again full of fear and unease. “Did I do something wrong?” Remus turned away from him, burying his face in his hands. “No,” he mumbled through his fingers, his shoulders heaving with anxious breath, “I did.” “Oh--oh, I won’t tell anyone, I promise!” Remus wanted to cry as Harry’s innocence shone through. It was all so simple to him. Never mind that he had been one of Harry’s parent’s best friends, Remus’s job was to watch over him, not take advantage of him. He felt a small hand on his back and turned, only to be confronted with Lily’s eyes and James’s face and the child that held every drop of his perverted desires. How could you let this happen? You were doing just fine, why did you have to let your guard down, you idiot? “I want to touch you, Professor.” Harry’s voice was soft; his eyes hazy, yet bright with pleasure, wonder. “Let me touch you, please?” Remus’s hands shook as he dropped his hand slowly to the mess of hair atop Harry’s head, his fingers quickly becoming lost in its tangles. You have nothing left. You should take what is being so genuinely offered to you… “Harry we mustn’t. What we have already done is beyond wrong. You--you need to go. Go back to Gryffindor Tower.” The look on Harry’s face, Remus would later determine, was what did him in completely. The look of utter rejection and embarrassment; the look that said he would like nothing more than to sink into the floor and never be seen again. Harry had given himself to him, and Remus had refused him. He remembered what that felt like. Remembered being sixteen years old and telling your best friend you were in love with him; remembered having that best friend look at you as if you were disgusting and crazy and get away from me I’m not a bloody poofter, Moony!Things had never been the same between him and James. You’ve never had anyone of your own. He slid his fingers down across the baby soft skin of Harry’s temples and onto the cheek bones that protruded too much. How were those Muggles treating him, anyway? He looked so like James, but more, somehow, like Lily. More than the eyes. There was something fierce hiding behind all of the nervousness and apprehension; a spark that had always drawn Remus to her, made him sit and listen to her talk, if only because she was so passionate about everything. James’s face. Lily’s eyes. Harry. This was Harry. He hadn’t been able to get it right with either of them. But maybe he could get it right with Harry. Harry glanced up at him as his fingers stroked lightly against the planes of his cheeks, his eyes filled with trepidation and hope. “Professor?” “Harry-- I think it might be best if…” Harry’s eyes fell yet again, “you call me Remus.” A brief smile flashed across Harry’s face, followed by a shot of lust, clouding his eyes and turning them dark with desire. That look. It had been so very long since he had seen that look. Remus’s pulse sped through his veins considerably faster. “Can--can we go in your room, Remus?” Harry tried to hide a sly smile as his mouth wrapped around this new name and looked around the room, apparently hoping for something a bit more comfortable. Remus nodded silently and strode down the short corridor, turning into the second door on the right. Harry followed and perched delicately on the edge of the bed; Remus remained in the doorway, not sure if he should enter, or flee immediately and Floo Dumbledore from someplace safe. Harry appeared to have already made the decision for him. He rose from the bed and padded across the room to Remus. “Kiss me again.” Harry’s voice was stronger now, as though he knew he had caught his prey and the rest was up to him. “I liked it when you kissed me.” A small growl escaped Remus’s throat and his hands caught again in Harry’s hair to pull him closer to his mouth. Harry did his best to meet him halfway and with Remus bent at the waist and Harry on his tiptoes their mouths met. Hot and sweet and urgent and the best sort of wrong. Gently tugging on his robes, Harry pulled Remus across the room to his bed and sank down upon it, pulling Remus on top of him. He stretched his neck back, inviting Remus to attack it with brutal force; far more than he had dared in the sitting room. Harry moaned and twisted beneath him as Remus allowed his teeth, just the tiniest bit sharper this close to the moon, sink gently into the velvety skin of Harry’s throat. He could feel the blood pumping against his them, could taste it on his tongue, but he pulled away and licked his way down Harry’s neck before the temptation to pierce the skin and truly taste the boy became too much for him. Harry was already hard again, pushing insistently against Remus’s hip. “Shh, calm down Harry, all in due time,” he murmured, his voice soothing and fluid as it ghosted across the wet and abused skin of Harry’s golden-pale throat. Harry nodded absently, his fingers caught in the fabric of Remus’s robes, and forced himself to slow the movements of his hips. “There’s a good lad.” He nipped gently at Harry’s ear lobe, pulling it into his mouth and sucking tenderly. “Want to taste you, Harry, will you let me taste you?” Harry’s hips jerked against Remus’s stomach and he whimpered. “Please.” Pulling back just a bit, Remus yanked Harry’s outer robe off with one hand and made fast work of the t-shirt and jeans he wore beneath. The garments were far too big for him; they hung off his body, the trousers held up only because of a belt cinched tightly around his waist. A flash of fury rose inside him; the Muggles. He would deal with them later. Determined not to let them ruin this as well, he pushed them out of his mind, concentrating on pulling Harry’s clothes from his shaking limbs. Golden, yet pale and sun-bright, he was the most beautiful thing Remus had ever seen. A fine dusting of black hair trailed down away from his navel and disappeared into his underpants, against which his erection was pushing, straining to find relief.  Dragging the y-fronts down Harry’s thighs, he couldn’t help but lean forward and inhale deeply of Harry’s scent. He could smell Quidditch and sunshine and lust and everything that reminded Remus of being a teenager. Before he could stop himself he opened his mouth and sank down around Harry’s hard prick, swallowing around it easily. Harry bucked madly and twined his fingers through Remus’s hair as though holding on for dear life. Remus could feel Harry jerking, so so close, and pulled away, looking down at the beautiful picture Harry created. He licked his lips, tasting Harry on them. Bitter and sweet and sweat and good. “Turn over for me Harry… want to taste you everywhere.” The anxiety Harry must have felt shone through in his eyes, but he did his best to cover it up and turned obediently over onto his stomach. His lovely arse, round and even paler compared to the rest of his body, rose gently in the air, begging Remus to despoil it a million different ways. “Such a good boy, Harry. Such a good boy.” Remus ran his hands down across the muscles that fluttered over Harry’s back, tracing his slim sides and sharp shoulder blades. Planting a kiss at the base of Harry’s spine, he moved downward and brushed his lips against the sweaty crack of Harry’s young arse. Harry started, his legs kicking slightly against the bed, but stayed where he was and pushed his hips into the sheets. “You liked it when I kissed you, Harry?” Remus asked. Harry nodded desperately, his forehead sweaty and pressed against the mattress. Remus eased Harry’s cheeks apart with his thumbs, baring his puckered entrance to the now shimmering heat of the room, and pressed his nose to Harry’s skin, inhaling deeply. He gasped for breath as a rush of arousal came over him and Harry squirmed deliciously beneath him. He lay still for a moment, relishing the cloud of pleasure that was settling over the both of them, before lowering his head to lick a long, slow swath along the skin just behind Harry’s balls and up across his hole until he reached the top of the hot crevice. Harry moaned loudly and pushed his arse back against Remus’s face, whilst simultaneously trying to slam his hips into the bed. Remus would have laughed if the image of it all hadn’t sent a pool of heat directly to his groin. He groaned against Harry’s skin and slid his tongue over the slick little hole, sucking eagerly, wanting the sounds that were escaping Harry’s lovely mouth never to stop. His tongue delved in, shallow at first and then deeper as it forced the ring of muscle to stretch and open up for him. The smell and taste of Harry was almost too much for him. It was everywhere, choking him, suffocating him with pleasure until he felt as though his eyes would roll back into his head and he would come right then and there, fully clothed and untouched. Pulling Harry’s cheeks apart even further, he shoved his tongue deep inside of him one last time and grazed his teeth gently across his tight, pink hole. Harry shuddered against him and thrust a hand down to pull at his cock. Rolling Harry over onto his back, Remus pushed his hand away and whispered, “Not yet, Harry. Not yet…” Harry whimpered, but kept his hand pressed against his stomach, its muscles shaking beneath his fingertips. Remus rose from his place on the bed and crossed the room to his nightstand. He returned with a bottle of oil that smelled richly of almonds and faintly of ripe summer cherries. Climbing back onto the bed, he settled himself between Harry’s legs that were splayed and shivering just the tiniest bit. “You know what this is for, Harry.” It was a statement, not a question. Harry remained silent, only nodding, and slid his feet up across Remus’s thighs and hips, playing along the ribs that were too noticeable, like the rest of his bones. Remus had to shut his eyes to the picture of utter submission Harry was presenting and fumble blindly with the bottle in his hands. It was suddenly plucked from him and Remus opened his eyes. Harry opened the lid easily and handed it back to Remus with a shy smile on his face. This is a dream. Remus, wake up, this is another one of your dreams. Wake up before you have to send the House Elves off with yet another set of sticky sheets. Harry lay his head back against the pillows and parted his legs further, inviting Remus in. This wasn’t a dream. Or if it was, Remus wasn’t waking up. He was half tempted to pinch himself. The oil spilled across Remus’s hand as he coated his fingers and capped it, setting it unsteadily on the bed beside Harry’s waist. Dragging one oil-slick finger down the length of Harry’s erection, hard and eager against his belly, he continued down across his balls until he reached his prize. He pushed against Harry’s hole, still wet with Remus’s own saliva, and let the tip of his middle finger slide in to the first knuckle. Harry grunted and pushed himself down on it until it slid in to the second knuckle. He was so warm, so tight, pulsing with heat against Remus’s finger. He slid his finger gently out before pushing it back in, fucking Harry slowly with it, letting him grow accustomed to the feeling. After a few moments, Remus added his index finger and watched Harry’s face for signs of pain. He cringed a bit at first, shifting uncomfortably on the bed, but then Remus crooked his fingers and brushed firmly across his prostate. Harry’s back arched up off of the bed. “Fuck!” Remus barely hid a smile. “That is the idea, Harry.” He pushed inside smoothly a bit more, until he was sure Harry would be able to take him, before withdrawing fingers that burned with Harry’s heat. He stood and yanked his robes off over his shoulders; unbuckling his trousers in a hurry, he pushed them down to pool at his feet. Harry whimpered at the loss of contact, but soon quieted as Remus kneeled back on the bed and pulled each of Harry’s legs up, slinging them, limp and sweaty, over his shoulders. Grabbing the bottle from where it lay beside Harry, he uncapped it and slicked his cock thoroughly. Harry’s hands rose and stroked shyly at the skin of Remus’s stomach, mapping the silver scars that traced across him, and just into the hair that trailed away from his belly. He looked so small there, lying below Remus; so small and young and beautiful that Remus almost had to look away.   Remus pushed gently against him, both his cock and Harry’s hole slick and smooth. Harry gazed into his eyes, bright green meeting dark gold, and grabbed Remus roughly around the waist, slamming them together and forcing Remus’s cock to slide deep inside of him until he was buried to the hilt. Harry’s eyes were shut tight, whether in pain or pleasure Remus didn’t know. Remus fought not to collapse against Harry and moved his hips slightly, slipping out of him just enough to thrust back in. Fireworks refused to stop exploding behind his eyes. He wasn’t going to make it; there was no way he was going to be able to last. Harry was too hot, too tight, too beautiful, too vulnerable as he lay pliant beneath him, his young chest - so small compared to Remus’s and free of the scars that marred his own flesh - rose and fell with erratic breaths. He thrust slowly, deeply, into Harry’s tight channel; his senses blending together in a kaleidoscope of touch and heat and smell and taste until he couldn’t see straight; until up was down and down was up and he felt like he could smell the colors around him and taste every moan that slipped past Harry’s lips. He planted his knees firmly into the mattress and pressed his palms into the sheets, pumping into Harry as hard as he dared and grunting loud and low. Harry reached his hand down toward his erection again and this time Remus did not push it away. Harry’s eyes burned with need, the green becoming nothing more than a thin ring around the dilation of his black, black pupils as he fisted his cock in rhythm with Remus’s thrusts, deep and hard into his body. Harry’s back arched sharply; his neck bared, pulse pounding along his throat, and he came hard, moaning and hissing and muttering nonsense into the heated air around their bodies. The sight of Harry’s pleasure was more than Remus could handle and he leaned down to suck urgently at Harry’s heated flesh, searching out that trembling pulse. His lips found it and he sank his teeth in just shy of breaking the skin, part of him damning and embracing the wolf all at once. His body shook as he spilled quick and hot and desperate into the hot clutch of Harry’s body, into this boy that he had been left to look after. The fire swept through his veins until he could no longer hold himself up and he collapsed heavily to the side of Harry, burying his head in the sheets. His sheets; sheets that were sweaty and reeked of sex and still held a boy that he had just ruined, destroyed, fucked. Remus could feel the guilt for what he'd just done hovering around him, threatening to spill over at any moment and drown him, devastate him. And it would have, Remus was sure of it, if Harry hadn’t suddenly curled into his side, tucking his head into the crook of Remus’s arm. “I love you,” Harry whispered quietly, his voice already drowsy with pleasure and satiety. And part of Remus knew that he meant it, and that perhaps Harry was not broken and ruined. “I love you, Harry. I’ve loved you your whole life.” “I know,” Harry murmured, half asleep already. Remus pulled Harry closer and curled into him, his nose resting in Harry’s mess of hair, close and warm and there as James had never been. Sleep pulled insistently at his mind and he closed his eyes as he inhaled Harry’s distinctive smell, a bittersweet mixture of childhood and adolescence. Harry was beginning to grow up. Forgive me Lily. Lily was the only one whose forgiveness mattered anymore. I’ll take care of him, I promise. And he would. He would. Please drop_by_the_archive_and_comment to let the author know if you enjoyed their work!