My life's been rather full of a lot of Real lately. Must be where "RL" gets its name from. I've been working my way through that folder of bookmarked fest stories, those I didn't get to in December. And I've rediscovered fanfiction as escape, as a comfort and distraction.

This story filled that role beautifully: it's a graceful and intelligent piece of hurt/comfort.

Title: As Simple As That
Author: busaikko
Pairing: Snape/Lupin
Rating: PG for this section, but there's an NC 17 rated epilogue
Warnings: Not really. She warns for a cliche, but in her hands, it really isn't.


Summary: When the past Severus cannot recall starts to haunt him, Eileen turns to the man who was there when she wasn't.


It won't be that easy for Snape, even if he survives. This story knows that, and shows us that, using a marvelously-realized Eileen POV. It gives us a Snape demolished by the Ministry in retribution for crimes that he can now no longer remember. Snape heals slowly, and Eileen enlists the help of Lupin.

So far, I haven't begun to convey how subtle and well-crafted this story is. The damage done to Snape, and the slow unfolding of the backhistory between him and Lupin (and the reconstruction of their relationship in the present) is deftly described. And elements of the plot are very original.

Snape, it seems, has a lot to answer for. But he can't recall it all. And by the time he's worked it all through . . . well. This is heart-filling. And so intelligent and graceful; it's the kind of story that makes me think, damn. I could never write this well in 100 years. But I'm surely glad that she can write this way. Oh, yes..

Don't miss the epilogue. Because yes, everything really is better with sex. Let's just admit it, shall we? It's as simple as that.