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Remus was exhausted. His bones ached in only the way bones could after they’d spent a night ripping themselves apart and molding back together. He struggled to stay awake as he lay wrapped in a jacket that wasn’t his and he felt strong but gentle hands doting on him.
The jacket belonged to James—he could smell the cologne. The hands belonged to Sirius. It was always Sirius who bandaged up Remus after a full moon. Peter didn’t know what to do and James would never admit it, but his hands shook just a little too much at the sight of a dear friend so badly injured.
But not Sirius. His movements were sure and graceful as he rubbed in salves and wrapped bandages around Remus’ bleeding limbs. Remus hated to think about why Sirius was the way he was. His mind couldn’t help but wander to stories that Sirius would tell of the nights where he had to quietly take care of the wounds inflicted by a belt or a staff without his parents hearing.
Sirius had lines of concentration etched into his face and Remus tried not to allow a smile when he saw Sirius’ tongue start to dart out subconsciously. Sirius happened to glance up at that moment.
“What’re you smiling at, Moony?” Sirius asked as he tied off a bandage. Remus managed somewhat of a shrug and a nonchalant smile.
“Oh, nothing. Just my doting Padfoot.” He teased. Sirius rolled his eyes and scoffed.
“Wouldn’t have to be so doting if you weren’t so bloodied up, hmm?” He asked as he tightened James’ jacket around Remus’ shoulders. Standing up and brushing off his pants, he held out his arms for Remus to use to hoist himself off the ground. Remus took Sirius’ forearms in his hands and allowed himself to slowly be pulled off the floor of the Shrieking Shack.
Remus’ body however had different plans, and when he tried to stand on his own, his knees crumpled. He was lucky James was there to help Sirius hold him up.
“Woah, there, Moony.” James worried. “Tonight was a bad one, huh?” Remus nodded dully. The effort to stand had taken more energy than he’d realized.
“Of course it was. Bloody wolf hardly paid any attention to us at all tonight.” Sirius replied gruffly. He and James helped Remus back down to the floor while he tried to catch his breath.
A loud thud rang out throughout the house. The four boys looked around frantically to find the source of the noise. Wand at the ready, James was the first to head toward the door.
“Pete, with me.” He ordered. He gave Remus and Sirius a confident wink and he and Peter left the room to find the source of the noise. Once they were gone, Sirius began fussing over Remus again.
“Do you hurt anywhere? Did I miss something?” He fretted. Remus chuckled weakly.
“Is everywhere an acceptable answer?” He leaned back against the wall and allowed Sirius access to his abdomen, where he was already bleeding through the bandages Sirius had applied.
“Jesus, Moons.” Sirius began undoing the bandages again so that he could apply more dittany and bandage him again.
“We’ll need to just get you to Madame Pomfrey as quickly as possible. There’s only so much I know how to do.” Remus hated hearing the concern in his voice and seeing the lines of worry on Sirius’ face. He reached a hand up to run his fingers lightly over Sirius’ scrunched brow.
“You worry too much.” Remus sighed. Sirius’ grey eyes moved slowly up to lock with Remus’. He looked more serious than he had in a while (no pun intended).
“You kinda scared me tonight, Moony. You were agitated, more aggressive than normal. What’s going on with you? Did something happen you won’t tell us about?” There was a million-dollar question. What happened, Remus? Oh, nothing I just realized I’m in love with one of my best friends. No biggie.
“Remus?” Remus shook himself out of his thoughts. He was bandaged up again and he felt a little better. Weak, but better. He didn’t know what to say. How could he sum up everything he was feeling in a simple answer? Mustering what little strength he had, he leaned up and delicately pressed his lips to Sirius’. When he pulled back, Sirius's eyes fluttered open and there was a light blush across his cheeks.
“Oh.” He spoke softly. “Oh, Moony.” Sirius put a hand on Remus’ cheek and looked at him with a kind of softness Remus never thought he deserved. Ever since Remus was bitten, he’d felt like nothing but a monster. When he met the Marauders, it was the first time he felt like he could be anything. Like he deserved success and happiness, like those things were possible. But, this softness that Sirius was allotting him right now, Remus didn’t know how to handle. Before either of them could say anything, James and Peter burst back through the door.
“Coast is clear! Let’s get you to the hospital wing, Moony!” James declared triumphantly. He quirked an eyebrow at the way Sirius’ was still holding Moony’s face in his hands. “Everything okay?”
Sirius and Remus both nodded silently and Sirius rushed to try to help Remus up again. This time, Remus’ knees wobbled for a different reason, but with the help of his friends, he was able to make it back to the castle. That next morning, Remus woke to Sirius at his bedside, hair tousled from sleep and drool leaking onto Remus’ sheets. More importantly, his hand was gripping Remus’ tightly even as he slept and when Remus gently woke him, that same softness was there, just for Remus.