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They had agreed to keep their relationship a secret. It was a reasonable idea, for a number of reasons. It was very new, it felt like a whole ordeal and brushing hands still made them blush; it felt fragile. They wanted to take their time, enjoy having these beautiful, shiny feelings just for them to see. Also sneaking around James' house to make out was kind of fun. They were very glad that he was busy writing to Lily so much (even though Sirius complained loudly about it every time. It made James squirm and Remus laugh, so it was a win-win situation). When Peter joined them at the end of August, it created a new obstacle but also a new distraction for James. Things worked out more often than not. It really helped that both their friends were oblivious and too relieved to see that the weird tension between them had vanished to say something about it.
Some of their other friends weren't as oblivious, and would not hesitate to say something about it. So Remus decided to rip off the bandage and, after discussing it with Sirius to get his approval, wrote a letter to Lily.
Dearest Lily flower (yes I saw that James began his letters with this, no I cannot believe you actually like him),
We gotta get back to Hogwarts in less than a week now. I know you and, despite all my efforts, you know me. I told you more about my feelings than I ever did to anybody else (except that one guy I met one summer night years ago, I was drunk, so was he, and I do not remember his name but somewhere there is a muggle aware that wizard werewolves with anger issues can be bisexual). Not only did you know that I loved my best friend before anyone else, but you also knew he loved me back too.
Because yes, this is the subject of this letter. We're not screaming it from rooftops but Sirius and I finally had an "honest conversation" and "figured shit out" (yuck) and now we spend most of our time alone not talking (because we're kissing). And I know we can tell James and Peter that we're too hungover to go into the muggle town to try and understand how movies work, but somehow I feel like that wouldn't work on you.
I wanted to try and avoid a painful conversation (for me, you would have had so much fun, sorry to take this away from you) so I'm writing it. No one else knows, but you would have taken one look at me and you would have known. I'm not even talking about hickeys or anything but Lily, to the risk of sounding like a valentine's day card, I think I'm glowing. The world seems brighter and I'm glad when I wake up because I know I'll get to see him, it's disgusting.
He treats me so well too, it's revolting. I made fun of you and James for using stupid nicknames but when Sirius does it I'm turning to mush and I think he knows because he does it constantly (if he calls me by my name I get all warm and blushy it's ridiculous it's my name for Merlin's sake I just cannot win). He is gentle, more than I thought he could ever be, and more than I thought I needed (turns out I needed it, who would have thought?). He is nice and makes me communicate about what I like and my limits and my emotions and ugh I thought there would be much less talking involved but why do I like it so much?
I'm rambling. I'll stop before it gets too embarrassing. Point is, you were right, like always, don't make a thing out of it. I hope you're okay, please send me some news alongside all your mockery.
Remus
She answered on the same day.
Dearest Moonbeam (he called you that for years, you doubted his feelings and yet you have the audacity to call your friends oblivious),
I'm a know-it-all, you shouldn't be surprised by that now. I do admire all your efforts, and please do know that I noticed them, but I'm glad that I know you despite them. It's a great deal of fun. I wish I could meet that random guy from your wild summer nights. He either thinks you're great at metaphors or is looking for a way into Hogwarts as we speak. Either way, I'd like to let him know that I still know you better than him.
I want to congratulate you on your first adult conversation with Sirius Black. And also the relationship thing off course. Thank you for taking my feelings into consideration, but do not worry, I will still have fun and make it very painful for you. You do sound like a valentine's day card, but if it helps, the whole letter is so sweet it gave me cavities, so this part didn't stick out too much.
I would totally have figured you out, and not only because I feel like you absolutely have hickeys right now, but also because your words glow too Remus. You made more jokes in this single letter than in the whole last semester. You probably had a stupid smile on your face the whole time and took way too much time writing it because you were looking at him every five seconds. It's a good look on you.
I'm glad he makes you feel so good, you deserve it. I am not as surprised as I thought I could be. He looks at you like you're the most important thing ever, no wonder he touches you like that too. By the way, I knew : you act all tough because you're not used to gentleness, so of course it's what you need.
If James does not know yet, I feel like I have to do this : Sirius, yes you, idiot, stop reading over Moony's shoulder. Or I mean do not stop now because I am talking to you. If you ever hurt him, no one will find your body. You know I'm capable of anything, so behave. Ok you can leave now.
Glad that it's out of the way. I'm always right, and you're always embarrassing, I feel like that's our dynamic so I don't really see how I could change that. I'm okay, but I miss all of you and I cannot wait to come back to school. I'll tell you then how happy I am for you both.
Lily
Telling James felt like a Sirius decision. Remus let him take his time, and enjoyed every secret kiss all the same. Of course, the idea of their roommates knowing was pretty attractive, especially when they were stuck in the dark in a random cupboard and Remus' back was hurting like hell. Telling Lily had gone more than alright, she even hugged Sirius when they met in the Hogwarts express (everyone's faces had been priceless), so Remus was positive that Sirius would be ready soon.
They were not in a cupboard, but in a small alcove, not far from the potion class, and Sirius was kissing his jaw like his life depended on it, when Remus heard steps and pushed his boyfriend away. A young Ravenclaw saw their wild hair, heard their heavy breathing and very shyly asked the way to the stairs. Mortified, Remus had given him the way before telling Sirius, loudly, that they should "stop fighting". Sirius wasn't done laughing when he got into Remus' space again.
"Oh but what if I want to fight some more Lupin?"
"Stop that you idiot," Remus laughed. "We have to leave."
"No but leaving means getting back to the tower and that means no more kissing until tomorrow and I don't think I can handle that."
"You sneak in my bed most nights."
"Still too long to wait," Sirius said before stealing a kiss that Remus let him take.
"You could always tell James. And then he would distract Peter from time to time. He'd be too scared to walk in on us and leave us for hours."
"Hours… you, me and a quiet room… okay we are telling James. We're telling him now, what are you still waiting here for?"
"Sirius, wait."
"No, we're losing time!"
Laughing, Remus followed him up to the common room, where Sirius silently told James to go up with them, and then the three of them were in their room. Remus turned to his boyfriend and murmured.
"You don't have to, you know, not until you're ready."
"It's fine. Can't become a Gryffindor legend if I'm not a little brave from time to time," he murmured back and then, louder, "James, Prongs, brother of mine, quidditch captain extraordinaire, uh…"
"Stop being weird," said Remus.
"We want to tell you… a thing. Not a big thing, not like a Thing, I mean it's not nothing."
"Merlin and Morgana," sighed Remus.
"Remus, and uh I, we… we are dating."
Both boys turned to James, who just looked at them, his mouth in a perfect "o" shape.
"Okay… Oh wow. What a… That's incredible news."
His voice was devoid of any surprise. Or of any emotion whatsoever.
"That's it?" Sirius asked, almost disappointed.
"No, I mean, whoa… like… wow."
"You knew?" Remus realised. "Did Lily tell you?"
"You told Lily before you told me!?"
"Oh wow, now you're shocked!" exclaimed Sirius, scandalized.
"Why did you tell her first?"
"How did you know? Who else knows?" asked Remus.
"Nobody? I just have eyes and… I knew Sirius was into you and then I left you alone for a few hours and all your issues disappeared and you're always looking at each other like… I don't even know!"
"And you said nothing?"
"I thought it was the kind of situation where we just knew and no one said anything."
"That's not a thing." Remus commented.
"Why didn't you say something?" James asked Sirius.
"I didn't want you to be weirded out."
"Oh because I would be okay with you being gay and being in love with Remus but I would draw the line at you being happy with him?"
"I don't know!"
"You're both stupid."
Silence fell on the room. All three boys looking at each other, perplexed.
"So you're… okay with it?"
"Sirius, Padfoot, brother of mine, you were miserable when things got weird between you, you both look happy now, you make each other giggle all the time. Of course I'm okay with it."
Sirius exhaled, and Remus realised he had been holding his breath for months now. James probably realised the same thing because he got up and went to hug them both. It was awkward, but just what they needed.
"Just don't do it on my bed and we're cool."
Remus groaned but Sirius laughed. And just like that, James knew and it was part of their new normal.
As Remus had planned, James helped them get some alone time. He often took Peter away from the room for a reason or another, and Peter seemed pretty happy to follow. Remus and Sirius were more than thankful. Remus showed it by always pushing Sirius away when he tried to lead them towards James' bed, because Sirius was an idiot like that. Thankfully, Sirius was easily convinced, especially when Remus did that thing with his tongue against Sirius' throat.
He was in fact doing it, on all four above Sirius, in his own bed, and Sirius was not complaining. His hands were roaming against Remus' sides and in his hair, showing his appreciation. He only stilled his hands long enough to focus on Remus' shirt, unbuttoning it quickly with a newfound experience. Remus smiled through their kiss and got away just long enough to take off his shirt and help Sirius do the same.
It was a rainy afternoon, everything felt quiet, and they could take their time to appreciate every little piece of each other. Remus fell against the pillow, crowding Sirius' space and kissing him again, instigating a slow rhythm. Sirius followed, caressing him just as slowly. They stayed there for a while, breathing each other in, trying to get as close as physically possible. They were one, protected by their little bubble of happiness. Remus was about to say something incredibly cheesy that he would totally regret later.
And then there was a shriek and the sound of a door slamming. The bubble popped, and both boys sat up, out of breath and slightly panicking.
"Who was it?"
"No idea."
Remus disentangled himself from Sirius and reached for a shirt on the ground. Sirius did the same but didn't deem necessary to close it. The door opened again, slowly, and Peter's shy voice came through.
"Can I come in?"
"Sure, it's… your room."
He walked in, but didn't look at them in the eyes, or at all. Sirius crossed his arms.
"Aren't you supposed to be with James… somewhere else?"
"Yeah we wanted to practice and all but the rain is just too much right now so…"
"Where is he now?"
"We were supposed to find a game or something but then he started talking with Lily and I got bored after a while so…"
He was blushing so hard it was comical. Suddenly, there was the sound of someone rushing up the stairs and James appeared in the door, a look of horror on his face.
"Oh no… Peter… I…"
"Relax, the both of you, it's not that bad!" Remus said, throwing his arms in the air.
"Yeah we could have been doing way worse," added Sirius with a laugh.
"Looked bad enough," mumbled Peter, eyes still on the ground.
"Still looks terrible, have you seen yourselves?" said James.
Remus self-consciously tried to tame his hair as there was nothing to do for his red lips. Sirius came closer and shamelessly threw an arm around his boyfriend's waist.
"Well, now you know at least! We won't have to sneak around anymore."
Behind all this bravado was his fear of his friend's rejection, but maybe only Remus could see it. He put a hand on the back of his boyfriend's neck to quietly support him.
"Good for you mates, as long as we come up with a door locking spell or something like that," said Peter.
"Just always assume you cannot walk in if you don't know where they are, that's what I do," explained James.
"Wait you knew?"
"Yeah, but they told me weeks after they told Lily!"
"Lily knows too? Why am I always the last one in the loop? You guys suck."
With that, he left and James went after him, laughing and apologizing at the same time. Remus and Sirius exchanged a look.
"Why is that the only thing that matters to them?"
"No idea. We should get back to that thing you were doing, with your shirt off."
Remus rolled his eyes but didn't object any more.