Bonus! Bonus Chapter Two: Dropping A Hint

by Firesword

Lucius made himself comfortable on the round, stone bench, cushioned by a dark blue pad. This was a rather thoughtful gift by his son-in-law two years ago. Clasping his hands on the table, he glanced at his partner, who was fidgeting uncomfortably in his seat. Lucius sighed in exasperation and that earned him a dark glare by Severus. He rolled his eyes and said, "You are being too mindful of your image, Severus. Who are you going to impress?" Severus' cheeks turned pink. Right on target, am I? "It will be cold later, and that bench is not going to be any softer on your bum."

Severus, whose face had turned bright crimson, opened his mouth as if to say something, but then decided against it. He looked away, clearly embarrassed. Lucius sighed softly and brushed his fingertips lightly against his lover's shoulder. Several minutes passed in silence. His silver eyes flitted up toward the sky and took note of the tint of amber, and without really thinking he pulled his cloak tighter around him. Lucius was feeling his age in the way that his joints would ache, sometimes painfully, on cold nights especially. And age was something he would like to discuss with Draco, and possibly Harry as well. But I need something to keep Severus occupied. He smiled crookedly. Oh well, I suppose Harry is brave enough to keep the snarky bat company for a while.

He heard voices, though they were faint at first. Then Draco and Harry appeared, the latter looking slightly goofy and his son curious. Lucius chuckled softly under his breath. Before he could greet them, Severus interrupted with his signature, sardonic voice.

"Would you two stop the mushy business already?"

There was no response from the younger wizards – they simply stood motionless. Lucius raised his eyebrow at Severus' second statement.

"Thirty-five and still cloying," Severus muttered darkly.

Lucius stared piercingly at Severus, who was oblivious to it. He turned his gaze onto Draco and Harry, and noticed his son elbowing his emerald-eyed partner before shaking his head a little. He was aware that Harry was lagging a little behind in greeting and in joining them, but the Gryffindor had looked as though he was about to burst out laughing when he had finally taken a seat. Lucius wanted to smack him and his own lover. Harry, because of his lack of control, and Severus, for being a hypocrite. We are like that sometimes, but who, but ourselves, will see that? He grumbled mentally. Then he faintly remembered something that he had said to Severus several years back. "Severus, do not act like an idiot in front of the youngsters."

"Good evening Father, Severus."

Draco's voice put a stop to his meandering thoughts. He turned toward his son and inclined his head in greeting. "Draco. Harry."

"Good evening," Harry replied, his voice slightly shaky with mirth. The instant he placed the picnic basket on the table, Draco automatically delved in to start laying out dinner.

"Your cooking again, Draco?" Severus drawled. "You have greater talent to do more."

Here he goes again. Lucius shook his head, and chuckled softly when he heard Harry's sigh.

"Stop nagging, Severus. You are not some old woman," Draco said with a haughty sniff. "Why do I have to tell him anything?" he asked Harry, who simply shrugged his shoulders. "I have been teaching in a school."

"What?" Severus looked at Draco with incredulity.

"How long?" Lucius asked calmly as he savored the pumpkin pie.

"Almost two years now."

Lucius coughed, and felt his eyes widening in surprise.

"What sort of school?" he questioned once he got over the shock at being left in the dark.

"Magishka – the children's magic school. Most of the students' parents are Muggles, but it's gaining popularity with the magical community. They're helping the toddlers manage magic in a way that won't drive their parents' mad."

This was something new to both of them, and in between bites of dinner, Lucius and Severus took turns in asking questions related to it, and then they spoke of other news. By the time Draco presented dessert, the sun had already set. Fairies and pixies fluttered all around them carrying little lamps, and brought life and illumination back to the surroundings. Lucius straightened his back carefully and wished that he could lean back. He was full; Draco was an excellent cook after years of practice. Hunger satisfied, he was content to watch the other three engaged in conversation.

He is doing it again, Lucius mused as he sipped on his cup of tea. He had caught Harry gazing at Draco with an odd, adoration-filled sort of look. The weirdest thing was every single time Severus was speaking to Harry, Draco would turn his head slightly and stare at his partner with a content expression.They had been doing that too last weekend.

Lucius tilted his head to the side and regarded Draco. He admitted to himself that Draco was by far more handsome than he. He ought to be grateful to Narcissa for his looks, he thought with just a bit of dark humor. He started thinking back about how Draco's appearance from the week before. Living apart actually helped him notice the minute differences. The years have sharpened his features – he doesn't have the feminine look anymore. Lucius leaned closer, on the pretense that he had trouble hearing their conversation. He might not have such a keen sense of hearing like Severus, but he was not deaf, not yet anyway.

He knew he was being unusually quiet, and caught Severus looking at him with question on several occasions. Fifteen minutes passed and he rose to his feet, signaling to the others that it was time for their stroll. It had taken barely a minute and suddenly Harry was walking in front with Severus, and Draco had slowed down so that father and son were walking side by side.

"Considerate, isn't he?"

Unexpectedly, Lucius and Draco said the same thing. Draco chuckled while he simply raised his eyebrow.

"How are you getting along with Severus?" Draco asked quietly.

"The same – staying tolerable to his caustic remarks." He looked directly into Draco's eyes.

"We're getting along fine. We're happy." Draco blushed.

"Hmmm." Lucius looked straight ahead and wondered what Harry and Severus were talking about. The younger, dark-haired man looked somewhat bewildered and Severus's thick eyebrows were furrowed in a frown.

"Earlier on, you looked somewhat troubled, Father."

He started, and stared at Draco, confounded.

Draco scowled. "I happened to notice. What's troubling you?"

"Severus' fear," he answered quietly.

"What?"

"You knew how reluctant he was when we unofficially bonded. That fear is still buried in his heart ... or perhaps his head." Lucius snorted.

"About losing you?" Draco looked at him inquiringly. "As in ... you dying?" He paled.

Lucius shot him a disgusted look. "Do not go borrowing trouble, Draco."

"I'm not! It's just..." A relieved expression came upon Draco's face.

He sighed softly. They continued to walk along a path that cut through the woods. It was made for the inhabitants of the prison, as a way to enable them to stay fit. And as always, Lucius saw the forest guards keeping watch on them and others.

"Severus. He thinks too darkly of the future," he confided softly to his son. "I understand that being here does not give us much opportunity to do things, and the bat misses brewing potions and scaring the students." His expression turned distant for a moment. "Do not mention to him that I had said that. He will just deny it."

"I won't." Draco laughed a little. "So, you want him to focus on something else rather than spending too much time thinking about your mortality?" He looked impish when he said that, and it made Lucius wonder just what sort of suggestion he was going to give. Then his cheeks grew hot when his son turned his face away to laugh.

"Damned brat," Lucius grumbled. "If you are pregnant then he'll have something to look forward to." He managed to keep a serious expression on his face but Draco looked slightly stunned. "You are getting a tummy if you do not realize."

"Father..." Draco's voice was weak.

"What, do not tell me that you have had good food."

Great Slytherin! Lucius almost broke out laughing. Is he taking me seriously?

"No, but ... Father?" With his head bowed, whether in embarrassment or near to tears, Draco asked, "Can I really? I haven't told Harry of the strange dreams that I'd been having. Or the cravings either."

Lucius stopped in his tracks, and stared hard at Draco. "I was only pulling your leg." Even as he said that a soft voice in his head told him that it would be a first. He shoved that thought aside and concentrated at his son.

Draco chuckled and smiled gently at him. "You don't have much of humor, Father. I am a bit embarrassed to tell Harry, and I don't want to him to be disappointed if I am not."

"If you want to be certain, go for a check-up."

"Father, it's embarrassing." Draco sighed. "You yourself said that it's rare for a man to get pregnant."

"Yes, it is rare but it does not mean that there will not be professionals to help you if you arepregnant," Lucius said sternly. "Seek the healers, Draco. Perhaps you can ask the Mud – Granger to accompany you."

"Huh. And you know what, Father?"

Lucius looked inquiringly at him.

"I bet she won't be surprised if we find out that I am really with child." Draco's face lit up then. "And wouldn't that be great? You'll get to be a grandfather."

oOOoOo

"What were you talking about, with Harry?" Lucius asked when they returned to their cell.

As they had been 'promoted' into the enclosed cell, which allowed some privacy, Lucius was sprawled casually on his cot.

"That Draco had been having strange cravings," Severus answered in a thoughtful drawl. "He had been asking Harry if it was possible to get semolina flour so that he could try making semolina milk pudding."

"Is that so?" Lucius raised an eyebrow. "Sometimes I wonder who does he get his sweet tooth from. How did he get to know about the pudding?"

"Bill Weasley ... after his vacation to the Middle East."

"Hmmm. I think he may really be pregnant."

"I thought so too, Lucius. Harry has his suspicions, but he is hesitant to ask Draco." Severus fell quiet for a minute. "Is it really possible?"

"Oh, you know the answer to that." Lucius smiled crookedly.

Severus sighed and then sat down on the edge of his bed. "I was hoping you'd say otherwise, Lucius. It will not be easy."

"Having a child is never easy."

oOOoOo

Firesword:

Well, I suppose there has to be a bit of male pregnancy on the way soon. How detailed it's going to be I have no idea. Let's see which bunny I will pluck from the plot bunny hat.

It really feels good to be writing again. I shall be back with B!B Chp 3 soon. Thank you for reading, and reviewing. Have a joyous holiday meanwhile.

xFireswordx