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Sirius wasn’t used to such constant physical affection and affirmation. James was always hanging off his shoulder, pulling his hair, or leaning on the top of his head. At first, Sirius found it unsettling. He was uncomfortable when James so thoughtlessly grabbed his arm or hit him playfully. It made him nervous and he felt out of his element. But after a few months, Sirius realized how much he yearned for the touch. He started to lean in. By the end of first year, he was more clingy than any of them. No one could escape Sirius’s grasp. He used Peter as a cushion, used James as a stand to prop himself up, and used Remus… as everything. He rested his head in Remus’s lap, rested his elbows on Remus’s head or shoulders, slouched against Remus, lay his head against Remus’s shoulders, and fell asleep on him. When Remus hit his growth spurt and Sirius could no longer sling his arm around the werewolf’s shoulder with ease, he settled for looping his arm through the crook Remus’s elbow. The boys didn’t mind Sirius’s neediness, and James enthusiastically welcomed the change in his friend. Remus pretended irritation, but he’d grown accustomed to feeling Sirius’s weight on him and against him. It was a warm comfort to him, especially when they were worn out from a difficult moon. 

Today, James was acting as Sirius’s pillow. Though he usually had no qualms about rustling Sirius or making noise while he dozed off, today he sat as still as he possibly could, using his wand to make his pieces move his during wizard’s chess match with Peter and doing his best not to make any noise.

Peter looked anxiously at Sirius’s creased face, deep in slumber. “He looks all worked up,” said Peter quietly as he goaded his reluctant knight into moving up.

James took a glance down at his lap, lazily waving his wand to manipulate his obedient bishop without even looking at the board. “I dunno what’s wrong with him. He’s so strange today. Barely said a word to me all morning, and now he’s sleeping through lunch.”

Peter watched his knight get beaten to smithereens, unfazed. “Maybe he’s tired?”

James scoffed. “Sirius is always tired. Or completely energetic. But he’s never so quiet and weird.” His queen moved stealthily into position.

Resigned to the fate of his bravest pawn, Peter watched another of his pieces get taken. “I hope he’s okay.” Peter muttered. “I hate when he’s moody.”

The pureblood nodded. “Me, too. It’s so boring.” He smiled sheepishly at Peter’s surprised glance. “And also depressing,” he added hastily.

“You’re sure he didn’t say anything to you?” Peter asked as he prodded another pawn valiantly forward.

“Nah. That’s what’s funny,” James replied, then cracked a grin as he took another piece. “Pete, it’s too easy!”

Peter smiled slyly back. “Maybe he talked to Remus,” he said as he nudged his king into place.

James nodded distractedly. “Yeah, maybe. Hey…”

“Check.” Peter said proudly.

James scanned the board frantically. “But-how-what?”

Peter laughed. “You’re still in the game. For now.”

“How did you do that?” James asked, amazed and hurriedly instructing his king to get to safety.

The blond boy shrugged. “You’re so concerned with killing as many of my boys as you can. You weren’t paying enough attention to the big picture.”

“I can’t believe I’ve lost to you. You sneaky bastard. That was very marauder-ly.” James watched his king inevitably be taken.

“I was just watching more carefully than you,” Peter said bashfully, but enjoying the attention nonetheless.

Sirius stirred in James’s lap, and James quickly brought a finger to his lips and looked warningly at Peter, who stopped talking and looked expectantly at Sirius.

The Black boy lifted his head groggily, stretching and slouching against James’s

shoulder. “Hullo.” he muttered. 

James and Peter responded without their usual cheer. James turned to face Sirius more fully, eyes narrowing in concern. “Mate, what’s the matter with you today?” he blurted out.

Sirius pulled away from him and curled against the armrest of the cushy sofa. “What’re you talking about?” he asked huffily.

Peter looked up nervously from his careful tidying of the wizard chess board. He didn’t say anything, offering James a mild shrug. At James’s expectant glare, Peter chimed in. “Y-you do seem tired and moody.” he offered.

The young wizard burrowed further into his cushion, away from James. “Bugger off.”

James and Peter exchanged an uneasy glance. This was really unlike Sirius. Usually, if he was upset, he became even more clingy and he was more than willing to vent and rant to a fellow marauder. But Sirius was rarely upset. Sure, he was a drama queen, but most things seemed to slide right off of him the same day. He was a cheery, bright boy with the world at his feet, beautiful and powerful and confident. Not much could keep him down. 

“Sirius.” James had had enough. “Have I done something to upset you?”

“No.” Sirius’s reply was muffled as he had now drawn his knees up to his chest and buried his head into them.

Peter sighed, already afraid of the answer. “Have I?” he asked.

Sirius shook his head again.

James realized who was missing. “But Remus has been on prefect duties all day. Is he the one that upset you?”

Sirius paused, then shrugged quickly.

“But what could Remus do to upset you? He’s-he’s your-” Peter trailed off awkwardly, unsure how to express the fact that Sirius and Remus cleared favored each other’s company over anyone else’s.

Sirius raised his head to glare at Peter through his hair. 

James waved a hand at Peter to shut him up and scooted closer to Sirius. “What did Remus say?” he asked gently.

Peter put up the board and used his wand to send it up the dormitory stairs, then joined the boys on the couch, squeezing between James and the other armrest and turning toward Sirius.

“Remus doesn’t want to be my friend anymore.” he said thickly. James realized with horror that his best friend was crying into his knees.

Peter had realized at the same moment. “Sirius, are you crying?” he spouted tactlessly, craning his head around James to see better. 

James elbowed him painfully and tried to keep from asking the same question. “Is this about the Snape thing?”

James had long forgiven his best friend for the incident that had happened months ago. Of course, it had been insane as just before they had cracked their Animagi forms, Remus had been as feral as any werewolf all alone in the Shrieking Shack. Months into fifth year, they had finally discovered their forms, and accompanying Remus had tamed him considerably. But had Snape gone in there, he would have been dead. Remus would have been a murderer. James understood the horror Remus must have felt when he’d been told what Sirius and James had done, but he had trouble forgetting the way his blood had boiled while Snape snarled at Sirius that he was destined to die either at the hands of his family or at the hands of his friends, once he revealed who he truly was. In the moment, he’d wanted nothing more than to scare Snape into submission. But they hadn’t thought enough about the danger, and it was significant. 

Though Remus had taken weeks, he’d eventually come around, after many long nights in the hospital wing and moons finally together. It had been difficult for him to stay angry when he’d seen firsthand what a blessing it was to have animals with him for the change. He knew that his friends were idiots and didn’t see him as a monster. He knew that they would never do anything like that again, after their profuse apologies and insistences. He knew that they would do anything for him, because they had proven as much time and again. And he knew that Snape as a monstrous git and if he wasn’t so concerned about his secret staying secret, he would use his ‘curse’ to scare Snape himself. But Sirius’s participation had struck a nerve in him. He was fun and companionable as ever when they were all in a group, but James was slowly noticing that he hadn’t seen Sirius and Remus alone together since. And it had been nearly three months. 

Sirius gave a barely perceptible nod and sniffled. “He said I’m just playing pretend.”

James frowned. “Playing pretend how?”

“Like...even if I want to, I can’t ever be a real Gryffindor. I’m destined t-to be like them.” Sirius shuddered and pressed his forehead so hard into his knees that it started to turn red.

Peter sucked in a breath. “That’s really mean,” he muttered. “He said you’re always gonna be like a Slytherin, like your family?” he repeated.

Lifting his head marginally, Sirius scowled at Peter, giving them all a glimpse of his red-rimmed eyes and blotchy, wet face. He put his head back down. “Obviously.” he said miserably.

James was struggling to come up with a response. He’d thought this was behind them, that their friendship was stronger now and was continuing to grow. That the bond between them was unbreakable. But this...there could be no excuse. “Did you say something to him? Before?” he asked.

Sirius shrugged. “I asked him how he was doing. Asked if we could study together. Said it’s been a while. He turned around and...said to stop trying. That he won’t buy it anymore. That I’m pretending but I can’t hide who I am in my heart forever.” Sirius looked up at James desperately. “He’s right, Prongs. I don’t belong with you guys. I dunno why I’ve been fooling myself so long…” he started to sob hard. “I-I-I don’t know what to do…” he started talking faster and more miserably. “I don’t wanna be like them, Prongs, I c-c-can’t do it. They-they’re…” he could no longer speak over his sobs. He hid his face and cried hard. 

James looked at Peter, seeing his equally stricken face. He’d only seen Sirius crying a few times, always at night after nightmares, usually at the Potter mansion when he’d come for a holiday. He knew the nightmares were from his life at home. He knew how Sirius’s family treated him. How could Remus say such a thing to Sirius? They all knew his family was a non-starter. They all knew the darkness that lay that way. James tried to push away his fury with the werewolf and focus on Sirius. “Pads…” he muttered, wrapping his arms around Sirius. 

Sirius threw himself into James’s embrace and sobbed against his chest. Peter moved closer and put his arms around the both of them as well. 

“I’m sorry, Sirius.” Peter said sincerely. “That’s a really difficult thing to hear from a friend.”

Sirius abruptly pulled away from the both of them and hugged himself, head resolutely down again. “He’s not my friend anymore, Wormtail.” He breathed raggedly, trying to compose himself. “And you lot shouldn’t be either.”

“What? Sirius, stop it. You’re being ridiculous.” James said hotly. “Why the hell would I stop being your friend? You’re my best mate!”

Peter had let out a noise of surprise at Sirius’s words. “Padfoot, I want to be your friend.”

“Why?” Sirius demanded of them both. “Why would you want to be friends w-with someone who’s just...just an evil snake trying to play at being nice?”

James rolled his eyes. “Sirius, you’re not playing at being nice. Sure, you have bad days. But you’re good. You’re loyal. You love muggles and muggle-borns. You’re such a good mate you became an animagus to help your friend. And you hate dark wizards.” James tried and failed to catch Sirius’s eye. “You are good. You’re not like those death eaters.”

Sirius shook his head. “It’s only a matter of time,” he replied hoarsely. 

Peter shook his head. “I don’t believe it, Sirius. You’ll never be like them. You know better.”

“Clearly, I don’t,” he responded. “I’ve already proved as much.”

“That’s stupid. You’re good! You always defend me. You don’t let anyone talk badly about me. And you never exclude me even if you’re better at magic than I am!” Peter was speaking earnestly and intensely. It was uncomfortable to see the boy he looked up to so down. 

Sirius sniffled. “I’m not better than you, Pete. I just have more confidence.” he looked at Peter and nodded. “But thank you.”

James shifted impatiently. “Have you realized how ridiculous you’re being yet?” 

Sirius shrugged. “I don’t think it’s ridiculous, James. I left Regulus to fend for himself. I make fun of Pete all the time. I’m entitled. And...I used Remus.” his voice still trembled.

James stood up off the couch. “Okay. I’m done with this. You didn’t have a choice. They treat you differently than Regulus. You tease Peter because you’re friends, you don’t mean it. And everyone makes bad choices. Doesn’t make you a bad person!” he pulled Sirius up with difficulty. Peter stood up as well. “You know who hates you?”

Sirius looked at his feet. “Remus.”

James was going to kill them both. “No. Evans. If Evans says you’re not a bad person, will you believe her?”

Peter choked back a laugh, doubting very much that this would work. If anything, it would only increase Lily’s disdain for them.
“Evans won’t. She thinks I’m pureblood scum,” Sirius said promptly.

James shook his head. “So if she says you’re a good person, you’ll believe her.”

Sirius nodded. “Sure, I guess. Because she won’t.” 

“Excellent. Let’s go.” James started to pull his best friend along. Peter followed suit.

The boys climbed out of the portrait hole and started toward the dining hall, which Evans was just walking out of with Alice, Marlene, and Mary. Mary and Marlene grinned when they saw Sirius and James approaching and started to pat down their hair and adjust their robes. Lily took in Sirius’s disheveled state and pink face, and the unusually determined set of James’s mouth, and frowned. She waved the girls off, saying she would catch up with them, and Alice pulled Mary and Marlene reluctantly away as James beckoned to Lily. 

“Is everything all right, Potter?” she asked stiffly, foregoing her usual cruel indifference at him because she’d hardly ever seen him so somber, and she’d never seen Sirius so upset. 

James put up a hand in a half-shrug, not even bothering to compliment her hair. “Evans. Do you think Sirius is essentially a good person?” He dragged Sirius closer to face her and held him there until he looked at Lily.

“Hi Evans,” he muttered. “You don’t have to answer. This is stupid.” he tried to crane his neck back at James to glower at him.

“Yes, she does.” James looked expectantly at Evans. “Well, do you think Sirius is a bad person or a good one?” 

She hesitated. “Well, obviously I’m not a fan of your little gang, or your actions.” she pondered, thinking of their tormenting of Severus, but then remembered what he had called her when his back was to the wall. She thought of his new friends and the things they’d been doing. She couldn’t imagine James or Sirius calling her that at their worst, or getting involved with dark arts. “But…” she smiled softly. “I know you’re brash, arrogant, idiotic Gryffindors at heart, and your hearts are essentially good.” she watched Sirius’s face closely. “You’re a good person, Black. Just a bit too thoughtless and egotistical for your own good.”

Sirius gaped at her. “Y-you think I’m a good person?” his voice cracked in surprise.

“Now, you’re really bugging me out, Black. What’s the matter?” Lily’s voice was gentle. “I’ve never seen you like this.”

James had grinned dazedly as Lily spoke to Sirius so kindly and now snapped out of it. “Evans, thank you.” he looked at Sirius. “Okay? You’re not like them. You’re a good person. Are you okay now?”

Sirius was smiling back at Lily. “Thank you, Evans. You didn’t have to say all that.” 

She shrugged, starting to become embarrassed. “So you’re not going to tell me what’s going on. Unbelievable. If this was just like, a prank to make me say weird nice things to you idiots, I’m going to hex you.” She rested her hand on her wand, tucked into her belt, and tucked her dark red hair back with her other hand. 

Peter eyed her with apprehension from behind James. They’d all been on the receiving end of Lily’s prowess when it came to jinxes and hexes. 

James pulled Sirius away. “I swear, it wasn’t! Thanks, Evans! You’re the bomb!” he glanced sideways at Peter as they made their escape. “Did I use that right?” he whispered to Peter as they hurried back to the common room.

Peter nodded breathlessly, giggling. “I hate when you use our slang.” 

“You get to say cool wizard words.” James turned toward Peter defiantly as they reached the portrait.

Sirius waved at the fat lady. “Cubic zirconia.” she swung open as James and Peter continued to bicker.

“Yeah, but it sounds so weird when you say muggle things.” Peter said, climbing through after Sirius carefully.

James brought up the rear and walked into Sirius. “Mate, watch out - “ he paused when he looked at Sirius, who was staring at Remus sitting by the fire and reading. He looked scared.

Peter waited to see what James would do. They all knew Remus could sense them.

Sirius suddenly bolted away from them, straight up the stairs. James tore after him, surprised at his flight. 

Peter walked toward Remus and sat on the armchair across from Remus, nodding in greeting and watching the fire, unsure what to say. He settled for silence, since Remus was focusing on his book.

Upstairs, Sirius had transformed into Padfoot and was laying in his bed, nose buried under the pillow.

James sat heavily beside him. “Sirius. You can’t just run away.” 

Sirius lifted his head and rested it heavily on James’s lap with a huge sigh.

“Pads.” James said warningly, petting Padfoot’s fur and scratching behind his ears. “I know you’re scared he’s angry, but you two will never get over this if you don’t talk to each other.”

Padfoot swung his head from side to side, careful not to dislodge James’s fingers from his fur. 

“Okay.” James kept petting him, resigned. “I’m not ready to forgive him, either. I’m really furious at him.”

Padfoot shook his head more insistently.

James rolled his eyes. “You think he has to forgive you. It’s not true. You did everything you could to make it up to him. That doesn’t mean he can spout abuse at you.”

Padfoot let out another giant sigh and burrowed his head further into James’s lap.

“Come on, Padfoot. Don’t you want to confront him? Tell him how awful he made you feel?” James tried to pull Sirius’s head up, but it was stubbornly heavy. “Sirius!” he said more assertively.

Sirius moved his head away from James and rested it under his pillow again. 

“Fine.” James stood up and went to the door, stopping when he heard Padfoot whine sadly. He walked back to stand beside the bed and look down at Padfoot. “You don’t want me to leave?”

Sirius whined again. 

“But you won’t do what I say.” James was growing frustrated.

He growled quietly to signify ‘no.’

James sat on his own bed, beside Sirius’s. “You just don’t wanna be alone. Because you hate being alone.” James knew the answer before Sirius flopped his tail up and down.

“Fine. I’ll get started on my essay for McGonagall. I can’t believe you’re making me do homework on a Saturday.” James flopped back on his bed and used his wand to levitate his school bag and bring it toward him. 

James lost the time working on his Transfiguration essay uninterrupted. When he was done, he looked over and realized that Sirius was still in dog form, curled up on top of his bedclothes. He tucked away his essay, planning on forcing Sirius up and out of his bed, when Remus walked into the dormitory. He paused when James whipped around.

“Just getting my Transfiguration notes,” he said. “How’s your day been?” he made his way past Sirius’s bed to his school bag.

James stared at him. “How’s my day been?” he kept his voice low, unsure if Sirius was sleeping. “Let’s say terrible. Sirius has been like this half the day. How could you hurt him like that?” 

Remus shrugged. “Didn’t mean to hurt him. Can’t he take the truth?” Remus didn’t look down at Sirius, keeping his voice quiet and controlled.

Moving closer to Remus, James restrained himself from pulling out his wand. “Remus, what the hell is your problem?” It was difficult to keep from yelling. “He’s apologized over and over. You have no idea how bad he feels.” James looked at the werewolf closely. “You like hurting him, don’t you? That’s what this is. You don’t care that he’s sorry. You want to hurt him.”

Remus tried to keep his face impassive, not letting on the savage pleasure he got from making Sirius feel as bad as he’d felt. It was petty and wrong, but Remus couldn’t help but lash out at the boy he’d shared so much with. The more he hurt Sirius, the more strangely powerful he felt, that he could affect someone so incredible, so far above him. He kept his eyes off of Sirius. He knew if he spent time with Sirius, he’d forgive him. And he didn’t want to forgive him. He would lose his power over Sirius, and he would make him think it was all right. And it was certainly not all right.

James kept him from responding. “This isn’t a game, Remus. I’m sorry about what happened. He’s more sorry than you’ll ever knew. It was an idiotic mistake, and it will never happen again. But you cannot do this to him. He already hates himself enough. I don’t think he’ll ever forgive himself. But you can.”

Remus shrugged, picking up his school bag and shouldering it. “Maybe I don’t want to.”

“So what? No more marauders? It’s over, we’re split up?” James shot back, shocked at what Remus was implying. “What more does he have to do to prove he’s sorry?” 

Padfoot snuffled on his bed, moving his tail and lifting his head. When he saw Remus glance at him, he put his head back down and transformed. Sirius sat on the bed and avoided Remus’s eyes. “Hi, Moony. I’m sorry. I’ll go so you can do your work up here.” 

James used his wand to lock the door. “Don’t you dare.” He said warningly. He turned back to Remus. “Look what you’ve done to him. I won’t let you hurt Sirius like this. Apologize.”

Remus looked from James to Sirius. “You don’t have to go anywhere, Sirius. I’m not allergic to you.” 

Sirius ducked his head, still not meeting Remus’s eyes. “S’allright.”

James watched Sirius, eyes narrowing. “You’re scared of Remus.” 

Sirius hugged himself and shook his head stubbornly.

At those words, Remus faltered. He didn’t want to make Sirius afraid of him. He wasn’t someone Sirius should be scared of. He was the one Sirius came to for comfort, for help. 

“You only act like this when you’re talking about your mum and dad, Pads.” James’s voice was gentle. “You’re scared Remus will hurt you like they hurt you, right? Because they’re mean to you like he’s being. They say things to you.” James made his way closer to Sirius and put a hand on his shoulder, knowing he needed the touch. “It’s okay. Don’t be afraid. I won’t let him do anything.” James threw a murderous look over his shoulder at Remus.

The werewolf had sobered considerably. He’d never even thought how he must be hurting Sirius. He’d never considered the way his family had conditioned him to take abuse, never thought he’d grow afraid to be near Remus for fear of getting hurt. He suddenly felt sick. He’d never meant to hurt Sirius so deeply, never intended to make him feel at Hogwarts how he felt at home. That Sirius could look at Remus and be as afraid of him as he was of his own mother...Remus took in a deep breath. “Sirius...I’m so sorry.” He walked closer to them, but James stopped him. 

“That’s close enough, Remus. I think you’ve done enough.” James’s voice was cold and hard.

Remus paused where he was and nodded. “You’re right, I have.” he looked guiltily at Sirius, who didn’t dare look up. “Sirius, I forgive you. Can you forgive me? I didn’t realize how I was hurting you. I thought you were selfish, and careless. I was wrong. You have an abundance of care. And you’re more vulnerable than I remembered. And you’d do anything for your friends.I know that. I just forgot it. I was thoughtless.” Remus’s apology was quiet and sincere. 

Sirius finally looked Remus in the eyes. His face was haunted and sad. He looked slightly hopeful, but mostly hurt and nervous. “Okay.” he muttered. “I forgive you.”

“You do?” Remus frowned. “Then what’s wrong?” 

James still had an arm around Sirius in support. He replied for him. “You hurt his feelings, Remus. It might take some time.” His voice was harsh and almost mocking. 

Remus sighed, feeling thoroughly miserable and sorry. “Okay. You’re right. I deserve this.” 

James nodded fiercely. Sirius just looked sad. 

“Can I expect your forgiveness, James?” Remus asked, looking at him mildly. 

The Potter boy shrugged. “I’m not the one that has to forgive you.” 

Remus huffed impatiently. “But you’re angry at me. When will you not be angry at me anymore?”

James scoffed. “I don’t know, when will you turn back time and take back what you said?”

“You know that’s impossible. Are you going to give me a real answer? You know I’m sorry.” Remus was getting annoyed now.

Sirius spoke up. “Prongs, it’s fine. Let him be. Everything’s good again.”

James whipped around. “What? He made you feel like shite. Everything is not good again! Look at you! You hardly got any swagger at all!”

“Swagger?” Sirius asked curiously.

James shrugged. “That’s what Pete says you have. It’s a muggle thing. It means coolness and stuff.”

Remus cleared his throat. “Can I speak to Sirius alone?” 

The messy-haired wizard laughed shortly. “Fat chance.”

“You really don’t trust me with him?” Remus asked sourly. “I said I was sorry.”

James eyed him. “Well, maybe your tongue will slip again and you’ll accidentally say something you regret.” 

Sirius removed himself from James’s grasp. “James. It’s all right. I want to talk to him.” his face was flushed and he was shifting from foot to foot. 

James glanced back at him. “Are you sure, Padfoot?” 

Sirius nodded, and James sighed. 

“Okay...if you need anything, let me know.” he cast one last glare back at Remus before leaving the dormitory and heading downstairs to join Peter. 

Sirius watched his own bare feet, waiting for Remus to speak. 

Remus watched Sirius, and finally sat down on Sirius’s bed and began. “I know you’re sorry. And that it was a mistake. I’m not angry anymore. I know that isn’t you, because you’re a good person, Sirius. You don’t want to hurt the people you care about.”

The pureblood shook his head. “But I did.”

“Not intentionally. Just like me. Am I a bad person for hurting you?” Yes, Remus thought to himself. The worst. 

“No,” Sirius said flatly. “But that’s not the same. You could never be a bad person. I’m...predisposed.”

Remus scoffed. “Sirius, I’m a werewolf. If anyone’s predisposed to be evil-”

Sirius cut him off. “That has nothing to do with who you are. It was totally out of your control.”

Remus felt a surge of affection for his friend. “Okay, Sirius. What can I do to convince you that I really didn’t mean any of it? And that I’m really sorry?” 

“I told you, it’s fine.” Sirius muttered.

The werewolf groaned. “No, it isn’t! Don’t shut me out! I’m not your mother, or your father, or aunt or uncle or brother! I’m your best friend!”

Sirius looked up hopefully. “You still want to be my friend?” 

“Best friend,” Remus corrected, grateful that he was finally making progress. “If you’ll have me.

Sirius looked undecided. “I think I’m bad for you. Someone like me shouldn’t be trusted.”

“Oh, Merlin!” Remus jumped to his feet and walked toward Sirius. “What are you talking about? You’ve kept my secret for years! You’ve always been there for me! You’ve covered for me, lied for me, gotten in trouble for me, risked your life for me! You’re the best friend I could ever ask for! I’m proud to call you my friend, Pads.” He gripped Sirius’s shoulders and made him look up and meet his gaze. “Okay? I’m sorry. I swear I’ll never say anything to hurt you again. Everything I said was a complete lie. You’re loyal and good.”

Sirius’s eyes filled. He threw himself at Remus’s chest and hugged him tightly. “Thanks, Moony.”

Remus hugged him back, exhaling in relief. His breath warmed Sirius’s dark hair. “Why, because I said your best qualities are that you’re basically a dog?”

Sirius laughed and dug his forehead into Remus’s shoulder, breathing in the

smell of his soap. “I’ve missed you.”

The werewolf kept his grip on Sirius and started slightly, trying not to disrupt him. It was possible not to interpret those words a certain way when Sirius was pressed against him and breathing in him. “I’ve missed you, too, Pads.” Remus muttered into Sirius’s hair. “I’m sorry.”

Sirius nodded, still muffled by Remus’s shirt. “S’ok. You’re good, too. Basically a dog.”

“More like a wolf.” Remus said shortly.

Sirius broke away to laugh. They stood facing each other, still grinning, tentatively forgiven. Remus nodded toward the door.

“Shall we?” 

Sirius nodded, and they headed downstairs. Remus dropped onto the unoccupied sofa across from James and Peter and Sirius dropped down beside him, promptly laying down on Remus’s lap.

Peter grinned at the sight, but James was careful not to betray his relief at their peacemaking. He looked directly at Sirius.

“Everything good?” he asked.

Sirius nodded. “When is it not?” he asked haughtily, but he looked at James meaningfully and nodded. 

James blew out a puff of air. “Right.” he went back to his and Peter’s gobstones game.