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"Prongs?" Sirius asks into the dark room as he lays in bed. He has no idea what time it is at this point. It feels like it's been days since he tumbled into the Potter living room a beaten, crying mess. Sirius knows it's only been a few hours, but it's definitely the longest day of his life. He has no idea how long he's been laying in his best friend's bed wide awake, thoughts going a mile a minute in his head.
"Yeah, Pads?" James's voice comes weak and sleepy and Sirius feels bad for waking his friend and worrying him, but he couldn't just stare into the dark anymore.
Sirius takes a deep breath and voices his questions sheepishly, "...We'll be mates forever, right?"
"Sirius, we're not friends," James doesn't even turn in the king bed.
"Oh?" If they weren't friends why did he left Sirius stay? Why have they been inseparable these past five years at Hogwarts?
"You're my brother, Siri." At the sound of Sirius letting out a deep sigh he didn't know he was holding, James turns to face his weeping friend.
"You'll be my brother forever," James says quietly pulling Sirius into his chest continuing to talk as he strokes his hair, "And you'll be the best man at my wedding to Lily Evans."
Sirius lets out a watery chuckle and rolls his eyes even though James can't see him.
"And you'll be the godfather to my firstborn child and that's how it'll be. Me, Lily, Pete, whoever marries Pete, you and Remus. That's how our family will grow." James smiles thinking of his friends and their future. Sirius is stuck on the last part of his declaration.
"...Me and Remus?" Sirius asks quietly already knowing why James said it that way. He is thankful James can't see his growing blush as he burrows deeper into his friend's chest.
"It's alright Pads."
"Jamie I-"
"Hey, hey," James pulls back to look at his panicking friend, "It's alright."
"I'm really sorry Prongs. How did you find-"
"Take a deep breath, Sirius. You've got no reason to apologize and honestly no explaining to do. I see how you look at him, same way I look at Lily."
Sirius is just staring at his best friend, his brother, at a loss for words. How could he be okay with all of that? With him fancying blokes? With him liking Remus? Their best friend? How is he so calm? How did he know?
"Are you okay?" Sirius blurts.
"With what? You fancying Moony? More than okay," James gives him a bright smile and pulls him back into his embrace.
"...Never said that out loud before," Sirius whispers into James's chest.
James pulls away and gives him a look. "Pads."
"Alright." Sirius takes a deep breath and faces the ceiling. He makes his confession quietly, "I fancy Moony."
James rolls his eyes at his friend, "Sirius..."
Sirius turns to James smiling wide, "I'm in love with Remus!" He says in an excited whisper.
"Proud of you," James gives him soft smile and turns over in bed. A few minutes later Sirius is talking again.
"Reckon he knows?"
"Who? Moony?'
"Mhm,"
"Not sure he's gonna know how you feel unless you tell him..."
Sirius huffs, "Yeah, but you knew."
James turns back around rolling his eyes, "Well because you're my brother and you don't want to kiss me and stare at me when I’m not looking and purposefully listen to records I say I like and buy me chocolate 'oh just because I saw it at Honeydukes and thought you'd like it, Moonbeam' and secretly read the books that I-"
"Alright, alright, I get it. I'm a little obvious."
"Just a little," James laughs and Sirius crosses his arms, "Well, you're the same way with Lily!"
"True."
They both sigh deeply. "Looks like we have it bad," James states. "Looks like it," Sirius agrees, "Think it'll work out?"
"Oh I know so," James says defiantly.
"Hows that?" Sirius turns on his side to look at James.
James is turned looking at Sirius, trying not to laugh, "We’re the best looking and greatest blokes in the entire school!" He says in a loud whisper.
"Lily thinks you're a toe rag," Sirius points out.
At this James lays on his back, staring at the ceiling, "I reckon I have been a toe rag," he says somberly.
"You have. I have to," Sirius matches his position.
James sighs deeply, "I mean it's really only been to those arsehole death eaters..."
"Reckon no one else knows they’re death eaters. ‘Specially not Evans."
"Guess you're right."
"Course I am," Sirius laughs trying to break the tension.
"Talked to my dad about all of it."
Sirius's interested is peaked. He's never had anyone he could go to for sound advice. "Did you? How'd that go?"
"Says theres no reason to bring the budding war to Hogwarts. Need to make it a safe space for everyone. Including Slytherins. Gotta look out for everyone." James says, more to himself than to Sirius. Sirius can tell James took this conversation to heart and is now going to make it his mission to make Hogwarts a safe place.
"Fleamont's a wise man," he finally responds, "Looks like the Marauders are going to be champions for peace this spring semester," Sirius chuckles a bit, "Think you can hold off on Snape then?"
James takes a second to respond, still staring above, "Thought about that."
"Yeah? And?"
"Gonna stay off his back," James then turns to his friend, "But, I mean, honestly, Pads, you know he comes at me first."
"True, but no one else sees that."
"I know... and it's hard not to go right back at him and his slimy posse."
"So? What's the plan then?" Sirius faces James.
"We just to do the right thing. Defend not attack. Protect and shield not instigate."
"Right, right. So we only go after him if he comes after us?"
James thinks this over, "More like if he goes after someone else we protect them." Sirius nods, "Reckon thats what we should do with all those Slytherins… did you hear about the Carrow twins hexing that first year until Marlene and Dorcas found them?"
"Yeah. Absolute trash those guys are. Just gotta do what Marlene and Dorcas did."
"As long as we can still do a few harmless pranks, I think we can handle that," Sirius laughs lightly.
"Me too," James yawns and turns so his back is facing Sirius again.
"…Jamie?"
James rolls over for the final time that night, "Yeah Siri?"
"Thank you," Sirius says quietly, not looking at James.
"What are you thanking me for?"
"For letting me stay-"
James sits up on his elbow looking down at the crying boy, "Don't want to hear you thank me for that ever again. This is your home now. You’ve every right to be here that I do. I never want anything bad to happen like that again. Neither do my parents. So you’ll be here living with me. I got your back, just like I have Remus’s and Peter’s, and just like I know you have ours. You’re my brother I love you mate."
Sirius wipes his eyes and hugs his brother, "I love you too."
The break apart and look at each other.
"This sappy talk didn't happen," Sirius smiles, "It'll ruin my reputation."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, Padfoot. Now please let's get some rest."