The Harsh Man's Choice.

[pekeleke]

Title: The Harsh Man’s Choice.
Author: pekeleke
Pairing(s): Severus Snape/Harry Potter
Challenge: Written for snarry_100 ( IJ, LJ, DW ) prompt challenge 589: Honest.
Rating: G
Length: 100
Warnings: none.
Disclaimer: Don't own these characters. No money is being made out of this work.
Summary: “Well?” Potter asks, such a simple question, but it turns Severus’ life upside-down. 
 

The Harsh Man’s Choice.

“Well?” Potter asks, such a simple question, but it turns Severus’ life upside-down. Severus is neither angel nor devil. He's a harsh man, though. One who rarely rejects opportunity.

Potter claims to love him, and although exploiting the boy's feelings goes against Severus’ every principle, principle alone won’t get him anywhere. Potter’s affection gives him power, options, respite. No sane Slytherin would reject that, but... “I can’t promise you-”

“Honest love, I know.”

“You deserve it, though.”

Potter smiles tenderly. “So do you.”

“Sounds like I’ll get it, Potter. You won’t.”

“But I’ll get you. And you are enough, Severus.”
 

Comments

[lav123]

This is so Snape. I can so clearly see the story that develops from here. Thanks for sharing.

[pekeleke]

I'm glad that you can see the story that develops from here so clearly, lav123. Thanks, as always, for taking the time to both read and review another work of mine. Your kind and lovely comment was greatly appreciated. :)

[lara_quinn]

Severus will take with both hands cause it's something good and a Slytherin never turns down things that benefit him. In time, with trust, the harsh man may remain harsh to the rest of the world but soften, a bit, and allow himself to love too.

[pekeleke]

I agree with you. Severus will take this chance, and it will change him because, no matter how many other beneficial opportunities Severus has grabbed in the past, all of those came with a hefty price-tag attached. Harry is prepared to give and give and give, I doubt Severus will be able to ignore that sort of generosity, or to avoid falling for it. :)

Thanks for taking the time to both read and review this drabble, lara_quinn. Your kind and lovely comment was greatly appreciated. :)

[teryarel]

Perfectly Slytherin! And it seems that both might be quite happy with what they get. ;)




Dear pekeleke, I know that there have been several notifications for other new posts from you in the last several weeks, but I haven't found the muse and time to sit down and read and respond the way they and you deserve.
And I also know that I promised you a response to one of your fics ages ago. But it didn't want to be written like I had in mind. So I let it sit there the way it had become, quite a bit unhappy with it.
But this notification jumped at me, and I simply had to read it. And I realized that this is the same thing that happened when I wanted to write the promised response to Harry's invitation back then: the Severus there didn't want to be full of self-doubt and denial; he wanted to sneer at Harry's invitation and simultaniously grasp this chance, like any good Slytherin.
I had thought this wouldn't be what you would like to see in a response... But here is your own Slytherin Severus, grasping his chance! What I'm trying to say is that I like this characterisation of Severus. And that maybe sometime soon (if I can find my notes)the long-promised response might see the light of day.

Anyway, thank you for letting Severus be a Slytherin and Harry a Gryffindor (and Slytherin, too?), my dear friend! ^^

[pekeleke]

I'm glad that you couldn't resist taking a look at this drabble when the notification for it came your way, teryarel, and I'm even gladder that 'seeing' my own version of Slytherin!Severus managed to re-spark your muse. :)

I think one of the worst things any author can do is to try and force a character who is set on 'being this way' into submission. That particular road only leads to writer's block, in my opinion. If your Severus wants to be sneaky and greedy and all things Slytherin, then you should let him be so, it'll work better for the tale you're weaving in the end, trust me.

Don't worry too much about whether I'd like the spin you give the story or not. I want to see what comes next exactly the way you see it. If I wanted it my way, I'd have written it myself and all that, teryarel.

Anyway, I'm glad that you are here, and that you are reading. I'm also glad that you enjoy this particular characterization of Severus. I love him like this, too. And yes, between you and me, I think Harry here is being both, Gryffindor and Slytherin. Something tells me he's going to get his cake and eat it too. :)

Thanks, as always, for taking the time to both read and review another work of mine, my dear friend. Talking to you about writing, the boys' characterizations, and even trying to help you through a spot of writer's blues is a genuine pleasure. <3

[adafrog]

Kind of melancholy.

[pekeleke]

True. I think it's important to remember that there are people out there who love their partners more than they, themselves, are loved. That sort of selfless affection should be recognized because loving like that is the hardest thing of all.

Anyway, thanks, as always, for taking the time to both read and review another work of mine, ada. Your kind and lovely comment meant the world to me. :)

[adafrog]

Very true. I wish they were rewarded for that, but I suppose they would say that they don't need it, or the love itself is the reward. ?

I'm glad. :)

[pekeleke]

I, like you, wish that people who love too much were rewarded for their emotional selflessness, but you are definitely right, the same selflessness that allows them to offer more than they themselves are offered also makes them unwilling to accept proper acknowledgment -or reward- for their generosity. As long as they are happy with their lot, I suppose that's all that matters. I just like to remember every now and then that this sort of people are real, that they exist among us, and that they are all truly exceptional. :)

[keyairreem]

Well done! I think though that Harry is going to try to convince Severus and be disappointed when Severus cannot give Harry more. But then again they are both stubborn enough to 'settle' even if they feel more than they show. Thank you for sharing.

[pekeleke]

You might be right, keyairreem. Or not. I think whatever story comes after this particular drabble could go either way. It's possible that Harry will always want more and never receive it, but it is also possible that being in a loving relationship will dull Severus' harshness enough for him to be able to fall in love with Harry at some point. Whatever happens, there's a ton of angst waiting for Harry in the immediate future. He has made a very hard choice.

I'm glad you enjoyed this story so much. Thanks, as always, for your kind and lovely comment. :)

[sarahsezlove]

Perfectly Slytherin.

[pekeleke]

I'm thrilled that you enjoyed it, sarahsezlove. Thanks, as always, for your kind and lovely comment. :)

[alisanne]

Awww, poor Severus.
He's going to have to learn he deserves love, but I bet Harry's ready to show him. :)
Very sweet!

[pekeleke]

True. Severus really needs to learn that he can be -and in fact is- deeply loved. Harry will do his best to help him see the light, and who knows, maybe Severus will learn that he is allowed to fall in love too, while he is at it. ;)

I'm glad that you found this drabble so sweet, ali. Thanks, as always, for your kind and lovely comment. :)