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James looked at the map again. It wasn’t exactly strange to see Sirius and Remus alone in the common room. They were friends after all. And James knew they would sometimes sit together in the quiet of the dorm, smoking out the window (which James hated, but who was he to stop them), and listening to one of the various records they owned between the two of them. But they also could be having a row, which was James’ worry now.
James had never seen two people who claimed to be best friends argue as much, or as viciously, as they did. They seemed to set each other off over the smallest thing and were walking on eggshells around each other more often than not. It was a bit tiring really. But they always seemed to work things out in the end, their friendship intact and just as strong as before.
James remembers the “prank”, and the screaming match they’d had after; or rather the things Remus yelled at Sirius in anger. Bitter, hateful things, meant to cut deep enough to equal the betrayal Remus felt-- and they had. James had thought they’d never speak again after that, that he’d have to choose a side. (It was the first time he ever considered not choosing Sirius). And for a while they didn’t; James and Peter had been left to dance around the two of them for months, trying to never bring up one in front of the other, while simultaneously trying to get the two of them back on speaking terms, (or at least, sitting in the same room terms). It had put them, and even the rest of their Gryffindor classmates on edge. But even after that they’d managed to work things out.
They’d been better since then, at communicating, at discussing things before they blew out of proportion. And so, James didn’t really want to believe they were having a fight. But it was the middle of the day, and they were both skipping classes and had been rather dodgy around each other lately, and well…James Potter had to make sure his best friends weren’t killing each other.
He opened the door and… oh. So not killing each other then .
James wasn’t sure what he had been expecting to see behind the door of their shared dorm, but it wasn’t…this. He’d thought maybe yelling, or minor hexes, or even punches, but not this. Not his two best friends sitting closer together than he thought possible, shirtless, with their tongues shoved down each other’s throats and hands in places that were absolutely not platonic.
To his credit James made no noise. He said nothing. He simply left the way he came, closing the door quietly behind him. His friends were so engrossed in each other’s company they hadn’t even noticed him come in. He took a moment to lean against the door, letting the surprise wear off.
So, his best friends fancied each other. That’s cool. That’s fine. He’d be nothing but supportive of course, (after he threatened Sirius about not breaking Remus’ heart). And while being a little bit traumatizing to walk into unexpectedly, he supposed it made sense. They had been a bit closer lately. And James could have sworn he caught them staring at each other a bit too intensely a few times over dinner. And Sirius was always so good to Remus, especially around the full moon. And- well really, James is surprised he hadn’t noticed sooner.
He would leave them be. And ask about it later. But for now, as long as his best friends were happy, then so was he. And if he had to cover for them in their class…well then, what are friends for?