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Chapter Text

“Hey, Remus! Can I get another bottle of Divine Pink over here?”

“Sure thing, Kara,” Remus Lupin smiled his way to one of several storage closets, expertly hidden behind the floor to ceiling mirrors. He pushed the glass gently, heard the click and pulled it open to reveal the manicurist's supplies. His amber eyes scanned quickly, found the desired shade and with long, freckled fingers he plucked it from its shelf.

“You're a lifesaver, Lupe.” Kara winked without breaking her rhythm filing her client's nails.

“Need anything else?”

Kara shook her head, went back to chatting with her client about an upcoming museum function at which the woman was giving a presentation. Something about the history of pottery shard extraction techniques. Remus bit back a snort when he heard Kara say it was such a fascinating field. He knew from prior conversations with the manicurist that she was usually bored out of her mind by such pompous bragging.

“Oi, Rem!”

Remus turned, hand outstretched for the broom and dustpan.

“Gotta a sec to rummage up a jar of smoothing gel?”

“Sure thing, Raz.” Remus shook his head at the stylist's little dance that caused the woman in his chair to giggle.

Another mirror, another cleverly disguised pantry. Remus picked up one jar, frowned, poked about until he found what was needed and turned back to the main floor.

The salon was buzzing and it was only Tuesday. Music pulsed, clients chatted over cups of single origin coffee served up by the on-staff barista at the tips only coffee bar. When Antoinette Emerson told her sister she was going to open an over-the-top, luxury salon, Remus' mother shook her head in disbelief.

“No offense, Toni, but what do you know about luxury salons?” Hope Lupin asked her one sunny day ten years earlier.

“Not a damn thing,” Aunt Toni beamed and dropped Remus an exaggerated wink. “But I figure, if I can drum up the look, it'll drum up the business.”

“And if it doesn't?”

“Then I'll check off another business idea from my long and already crisscrossed list!”

Remus smiled at the memory. He'd only been twelve but remembered the energy his Aunt Toni exhibited. An energy that made him believe any and everything was possible, an energy that surrounded and engulfed not just herself but everyone within her general sphere of orbit. Remus loved her almost as much as he'd loved his parents.

That was still a bit of a sore spot. He'd only been thirteen when Hope and Lyall Lupin were killed in a flash flood that washed their car off the road between their village and a holiday let in Buttermere.

“Remus?”

Shaking himself from the memory, Remus found himself looking up into the storm-grey eyes of Sirius Black.

“Sirius. Yes? What can I help you with?”

Sirius frowned. “You've been standing here for a couple of minutes. I just wanted to make sure you were alright.”

“Oh.” He looked down at the smoothing gel in his hands. “Yes. Right.” The back of his neck felt hot and he bit down on his bottom lip. “I'm fine. Thank you. Just … lost in thought.” He held up the jar towards Raz' station, gave him a nod and shut the mirrored door.

Sirius blinked then nodded, turned around and went back to his corner station, cup of coffee between his hands. Remus took the jar to Raz with the scent of vanilla and cinnamon lingering in his nose.

-------------

“How is it out there?” Toni asked as Remus plopped down in one of the pink leather chairs in her office.

“Busy. But good,” he grinned. He stretched his back with a small pop. “Ow.”

“You feeling alright? Feet sore? Working you too hard?”

Remus laughed, “No. No I'm fine. Just residual from that fall.” Remus' hand absently went to his lower back.

“Ah,” Aunt Toni nodded. “Listen, I only have a minute, but I wanted you to know that last night I got a call from an old friend of mine. Marshall Anderson, remember him? Well, no, you haven't met him but I've mentioned him. Anyway, he's a professor of mathematics at King's College, Cambridge. He said that there are several scholarships that go unclaimed every year, strange really, and that he could get you a stack of applications if you were interested and maybe even put in a good word for you with the -”

“Aunt Toni,” Remus sighed, reigning in his annoyance. “I don't want to go to university. I don't. I'm happy where I am. Truly.”

“Yes, but, Remus, you're so smart. Always got your nose in a book thicker than one of the bricks on these walls!” Toni steepled her fingers in front of her face, rested her elbows on her desk. “I worry about you. Alone in that little flat of yours.”

Remus licked his lips, let his eyes wander out one of the glass walls of Toni's office. “My flat is cozy. Quiet. Comfortable. I like it that way. It suits me.”

“You're alone.”

“You're alone.”

Toni scowled, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “We're discussing your self-imposed celibacy, not mine.”

Remus' eyes went wide.

“My point is you're smart. You're handsome. I want you happy and healthy and taken care of. With a degree you could do anything you wanted. You could teach! You mentioned that once.”

“When I was a kid. Aunt Toni,” Remus leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “What am I going to have to do to get you to believe that I really am happy?”

“I just -” she let out a loud exhale, her eyes scanning the floor of her salon. “After your parents died I promised myself I'd make sure you were taken care of.”

“And you did and I am.”

“Yes, but this job was supposed to be temporary! I never dreamed you'd stay here for -”

“Four years.”

“Four years! Remus, you should be out there living it up! Making friends. Going to clubs. Stringing some beautiful girls along until you find The One.”

Remus took a deep breath, let it out slowly. “I have friends, Aunt Toni.”

“All co-workers.”

“I hate clubs.”

“Pubs, then.”

“I don't want to string anyone along.”

“Remus.”

“Toni.”

They glared at each other, both pairs of eyes amber, both pairs unblinking. A knock at her open door pulled her out of the staring match.

“Yes, Sibyl?”

“There's a caller on line 3. He said you're expecting his call and that he has information about this evening.”

Toni chewed on her cheek. “Thank you, Sibyl. I'll take it.” With a chuckle she reached for the phone on her desk, “Honestly, that girl. She makes everything sound like a portent of doom.”

“Maybe you could have her read tea leaves at the Halloween party this year.”

“Ha!” Toni barked, “I just might do that! Get out of here, Remus. I have work to do.”

“And a mysterious, gentleman caller to gather intel from.”

“It's Marshall, the man I just told you about. We're going to dinner.” Toni blinked, finger hovering over the button, “why would he tell her that?”

“Maybe he didn't,” Remus stood up, backed slowly to the door, “maybe Sibyl divined it from his vocal inflection. Maybe,” Remus stood at the door, looked around dramatically, “maybe Sibyl Trelawney is an oracle.”

“Get out of here before I fire your arse!” Toni threw a brush at Remus which he caught, flicked behind his back, caught at his chest and placed on the small table before making his way back out into the fray.

Chapter Text

Remus watched from his usual perch, a small corner table in the cafe clients sat in when they arrived early for their appointments. To the casual observer, he looked to be picking at a ham and cheese sandwich, a packet of salt and vinegar crisps and reading a battered copy of Northanger Abbey. The truth was a little less straightforward. And while he adored the way Mr. Tilney bantered logic about with Catherine Morland, Remus adored watching Sirius Black more.

It was embarrassing, really. A crush he'd never, ever admit to. Not that he had cause to but he always felt the thrill of discovery when he sat in the secluded corner on his break under the pretense of reading when what he was really doing was enjoying the way Sirius Black moved. Hands, fingers, arms all choreographed a dance of superb elegance even if all he was doing was reaching for a comb, a razor, a pair of scissors. Long legs in pressed, dark trousers, grey or brown or a shade of green that made Remus recall the woods surrounding his old village square. He moved with the grace of a dancer, the practiced ease of a concert musician but for all Remus knew, Sirius Black had always been a stylist.

Sirius arrived at Antoinette's at Kensington three years prior with nothing more than a pair of scissors and unshakable confidence. Toni loved brashness and hired him on a trial basis only to offer him a full time position six weeks later. Sirius was quiet, focused, driven and insanely good. He swore he was self taught but Remus suspected the truth was a bit more complex.

Within a year, Sirius went from new hire at the most exclusive salon in London to the most requested stylist in the city. Two years later he was being featured on popular morning talk shows and was now flown to New York and Los Angeles regularly for clients, interviews and lecturing spots at industry conferences. And while Sirius Black had always been polite, he was not exactly what Remus could call friendly. He was notorious for declining any offer from anyone to hang out after work, refused to attend any company parties and had never been seen out and about in the city by anyone he worked with.

One of the stylists, Wendy Franklin, started a rumor that he belonged to some weird cult which somehow got twisted into a month long gossip mill that Sirius was a vampire. Remus rolled his eyes at the memory. He knew for a fact Wendy had all but thrown herself at Sirius only to be continually ignored. She then, infamously, took it upon herself to grab him after closing and try and drag him out the door to dinner only to be turned down, firmly, his arm pried from her grip by long, pale fingers leaving her dumbstruck.

Remus suppressed a smirk. Sirius Black wasn't just handsome. He was gorgeous. And while Remus wasn't shallow enough to believe that was all that was needed in a potential partner, it definitely helped. As far as Remus was concerned, Sirius was the whole package. Talented, smart, refined. Remus wondered what he did nights and weekends, on holidays and days off. He daydreamed about sitting in his small flat with Sirius, watching rom-coms in the fall, planning costumes for Toni's wildly famous Halloween parties, going out to someone's house in the country for Bonfire Night and exchanging gifts under Remus' small, artificial tree.

“Jane Austen.”

Remus startled, fumbled his book and dropped it, face down, on the white tile floor.

“Sorry,” Sirius picked it up, handed it to him. “I didn't mean to startle you.”

“Oh. It's fine. I was – ah – just, you know, reading.” Remus closed his eyes. What a stupid thing to say.

“As one usually does when hiding behind a book.” Sirius quirked up the left side of his mouth. He looked towards the coffee bar, back towards Remus. “How much longer do you have before you're back on the floor?”

“Oh. Ah,” Remus looked at his watch, his phone, the clock on the wall. “Ten minutes.”

Sirius nodded and walked away. Remus watched, mouth open, book forgotten between his fingers, as Sirius ordered. The young woman behind the counter, Bridget Something-or-Other, twirled her long, pink hair around one finger and gazed up at Sirius as if he were asking for her hand in marriage and not another latte. When she handed the drink over, he gave her a curt nod, turned and walked back towards Remus' table, leaving a swooning Bridget in his wake.

“Mind if I join you?”

Remus shook his head. “No. No, not at all.” He scraped at the top of the table, scrambling to clean up his sandwich crusts, crisp packet and discarded bookmark.

“It's alright,” Sirius said, obviously amused. “I don't need much room.”

Remus closed his book, bookmark forgotten on the table. He licked his lips, sipped his almost empty bottle of water.

“You don't drink coffee,” Sirius sipped and sighed. “I've noticed.”

“Ah. Yes. Well, I don't care for it, really.”

An elegant, arched eyebrow, jet black as the rest of his hair, told Remus he wasn't believed.

“I don't. Not really. I mean, if you put enough cream and sugar in anything I suppose it'll be passable.”

Sirius fought a laugh, lost and huffed a few times. “Then what do you care for?” Sirius sipped again and Remus smelled the familiar heady vanilla with the sharp tang of cinnamon. “Hitting the water bottle hard.” He nodded at the bottle near Remus' elbow. “Maybe you like a nice G&T. Whiskey Sour? Wait. I know. You're a rose guy, aren't you.”

Remus' mouth worked over time trying to find a response only to have Sirius beam at him. “I'm teasing, Remus. But really, what do you like. To drink that is.”

“Tea.” Remus finally blurted.

“Tea.” Sirius echoed.

Remus nodded. “Yep. Tea.”

“Black? Green? That odd, supposedly white tea that has no flavor except the bag it came in?”

It was Remus' turn to laugh. “Oh I don't drink bagged tea.”

Remus immediately regretted the confession. It sounded so stuck up.

Sirius arched that eyebrow again and Remus' heart flopped madly about his chest.

“I, ah, I prefer,” he cleared his throat, “loose leaf tea. Black but also green and sometimes herbal. White tea is OK but too delicate for the scalding water most places insist on steeping with.”

Sirius nodded, head tilted to one side as if he was really listening.

“It likes cooler water. Not boiling.” Remus rubbed his fingers across the top of Northanger Abbey. “But that's the same with green tea. You have to catch the water as it just begins to hiss, see, and then steep it only a minute or two. Any longer and it'll be bitter.”

Sirius nodded again, sipped, licked his lips.

Remus' eyes darted to Sirius mouth and he swallowed, thickly. “And don't use sugar. Honey is the way to go with most teas.”

“Honey.” Sirius leaned back in his chair, crossed one ankle over one knee. “Why?”

It took Remus approximately three seconds to realize Sirius wasn't mocking but was genuinely asking.

“Oh. Well. It brings out the floral notes. Most teas have them, I mean, unless they were burnt to a crisp during the drying. Then again,” Remus frowned, thinking, “you'll want it smokey if, say, you were sipping a Lapsang.”

Sirius smiled and it was the most beautiful thing Remus had ever seen. “I have never, in all my life, known anyone who knows as much about tea as you.” He licked his lips again, the smile never fading. “And here I came to ask you about Jane Austen.”

“Oh,” Remus felt his face heat up. “What about her?”

“I had to read her work back in school. Hated the lot.”

“Oh no! You can't hate Austen. It's a tragedy!”

Sirius laughed, a deep, rumbling, wonderful thing that made Remus' toes curl and his flopping heart leave his chest and plummet – plonk – straight down into his stomach.

“Sirius," a soft, whispy voice said. "I'm sorry, but Lady Darlington is here and made it very clear she has a Very Important Engagement to attend this evening and cannot under any circumstances be late or it shall be to the detriment of us all.”

Sirius looked over into the large, blue eyes of the floor manager, Sibyl Trelawney. “Right. Tell her Ladyship I'll be there in two ticks.”

Sibyl nodded sagely, fixed her eyes on Remus. “You know,” she said in that haunting, soft voice, “bagged tea never gives a decent reading. Even if the bag busts, the information is all jumbled up. Like a scrambled signal on telly.” She nodded once and floated back to the reception desk.

Remus' eyebrows scrunched up, his mouth dropped open. Sirius watched Sibyl for a few moments longer before slowly turning to Remus. “Well. I'd hate to be the cause of the detriment of us all.”

Remus snorted, put his hands to his face and turned pink.

Sirius laughed, loudly, causing several clients and more than five of the female stylists and at least two of the men to look over at him. “Don't ever hide your face, especially when you're embarrassed,” he said standing, leaning forward a bit so Remus' view of the salon was blocked. “Especially when you're embarrassed.” He repeated.

“Why?” Remus squeaked, mortified.

“Because you're adorable.” Sirius sipped his coffee and was gone with a wink, leaving a speechless, furiously blushing Remus to return to hiding behind his book, spluttering in silent disbelief.

Chapter Text

Closing time, 7 pm and folks were just getting ready to shed their work-a-day clothes and shuffle off to dinner, to a show, to the bars, clubs and pubs. The bustle could be comforting, reminding Remus that life swirled around him even if he didn't like engaging in it much.

“Remus!” Aunt Toni appeared where he bent over a trash bin, gathering up the plastic liner to tie off before carrying it off to one of the larger bins in the alley behind the salon.

Remus stood up, winced a bit and stretched his back.

“I wanted you to meet Marshall." Her arms were thread through the arm of a tall, distinguished looking man in a grey suit. "Marshall, this is my nephew Remus Lupin. Remus, Marshall Anderson, professor of mathematics.”

“Please, Toni. It's just Marshall.”

Remus shook Marshall's hand and smiled slightly. “Nice to meet you.”

“A pleasure. Your Aunt has been telling me about your aptitude for literature. She mentioned you might be interested in enrolling at Cambridge.”

Remus knew his eyes were too wide when he shifted them none too subtly to his aunt. He swallowed, took a steadying breath.

“She did make a mention of a conversation she said she had with you regarding scholarships.” Remus gave them both a tight smile. “Briefly.”

“Ah good! Listen, I have those applications in my car and I'll make sure your aunt gets them this evening. Get them filled out and I'll personally deliver them to the financial aid department. We could have you in by next Autumn term. Unless you'd like to start in the Spring.” Marshall looked at Toni with more than a little admiration. “I could probably pull a few strings.”

“Thank you.” Remus' was on autopilot. “I don't want you to go to any trouble.”

“No trouble at all! My uncle is on the Board and my father was good friends with a former president.”

“How nice.” Remus cut his eyes to his aunt again. The falter in her smile told him she was very aware of his displeasure. “Well, you should run along. Don't want to be late for your dinner reservation.” Remus tried hard not to speak through gritted teeth.

“He is right,” Marshall made show of looking at his gold Rolex. “Ready, Dear?”

“Oh yes. Have a good evening, Remus. I'll bring those applications tomorrow morning.”

Remus nodded, tight smile plastered, waiting.

Toni bit her bottom lip, tightened her arms arms Marshall's bent one and they were off. Remus let out an audible sigh at their retreating backs. The last few stylists, assistants, and office staff wandered about, tallying up totals, gossiping and laughing loudly with each other before heading off. Remus swept up around one of the stations, dumped the hair clippings into the small bin and tied up the plastic liner. He stood, wincing a bit, hand to his lower back.

“Are you alright?”

Remus looked up at the source of the deep voice. Sirius stood over him, watching.

“I'm fine. Yes.” He picked up the trash bag, wrapped the fingers of one hand around the broom and dustpan and tried to put on his most believable smile.

“You're a terrible liar, Remus.” Sirius smiled.

“I am, aren't I,” he exhaled. “It's nothing.”

Remus could feel Sirius behind him, watching as he swept beneath the next station, tied up the bin liner, pulled out the trash with a bit more force than necessary.

“What are you doing tonight?” Sirius asked, sudden as an afternoon shower.

“Oh,” Remus dropped one of the bin bags, bent to reclaim it, dropped the dust pan with a clatter.

Sirius laughed again, retrieved the bag and the dust pan, holding them as if waiting for instruction.

“Um. Ah. I was, I was just -”

“I can help you carry this out.” Sirius frowned. “Where does all this rubbish go?”

“Into the back alley. I mean, not in the alley, but in the large bins out back. It's not especially lovely, especially in the Summer.”

Sirius smiled. “Well, then. I've never seen the back alley. Lead on, Lupin.”

Remus, steps faltering, nodded and put the broom and dust pan in the small mud room at the back door. He gathered up as many bin bags as he could and elbowed the door handle, realized his mistake almost immediately, shuffled the bin bags against his chest, dropped three, huffed in exasperation and -

“Here,” Sirius leaned forward, reached around Remus and opened the door easily.

Remus could smell something like the forest on an Autumn evening. Or maybe it was Winter's first snowfall. There was definitely a hint of pine about Sirius and vanilla. Yes. Just like his lattes. Warm. Inviting.

“Thank you,” Remus whispered.

Sirius only smiled.

They carried out the trash and tossed it into the large bin. It was early October, cool enough to be comfortable and suggest that Remus might need an extra blanket that night.

“So this is the back alley,” Sirius said, looking around as they walked back to the salon. “Classy.”

Remus snorted, hands immediately flying to his mouth. “Sorry.”

“I think I told you earlier to stop covering your face.”

Remus now wanted to cover his entire head as he felt the rush of blood run up his neck, across his face, right to the tips of his ears.

“You never answered my question,” Sirius stuck his hands in the pockets of his dark trousers, turned at the back steps and bobbed up and down, toe to heel to toe.

“I didn't?”

“Tonight. What are you doing?”

“Oh, right. Tonight. I'm well, I have – you see there's this -”

“You have a date, don't you?” Sirius wasn't teasing.

“What? A date. Me? No. No never.” Remus' widened eyes blinked nervously. “Well I mean, not never never. Just – I don't – I haven't ever – I've never asked -” He let out a sound, a squeaking defeated noise that made Sirius' eyes soften.

“Would you like to have dinner. I'm famished. On my feet all day like you. Thought it would be nice, you know. Get to know each other outside the salon.”

“Oh?” Again that embarrassing squeak.

“Yeah,” Sirius' 1000 watt smile lit up the entire alley.

“With me?”

“With you.”

A thousand excuses tangoed through his mind. It was late. They had work in the morning. There was this particularly juicy romance he wanted to dive back into. He had some of those toffee chocolates from the chocolatier down the way and he'd been waiting, waiting for the perfect night to enjoy them.

“Sure.” Remus said, looking at his hands, his feet, anywhere but the moody, grey eyes of Sirius Black.

“Good,” Sirius nodded. “Come on. I gotta grab my jacket and wallet and we can be off.”

“Um, right. Yeah. I just have to finish tidying up the wash and rise stations and I'll ah grab my bag. Is that alright?”

“Of course.” Sirius pulled the door open and gestured with one elegant hand for Remus to enter first. “After you.”

Remus may have squeaked again, but hurried past, head down, biting on his lower lip so hard he thought it might burst. He finished straightening the wash and rinse stations in record time, replacing the empty or near empty shampoo and conditioner bottles, leave-in treatments and towels with deft hands. He went to the lockers in the nook just past the mud room and slipped on his brown canvas jacket, his leather messenger bag nestling around one shoulder, strap soft against his neck as it hung across his chest to the opposite hip.

“Ready?” Sirius appeared, leaning against the door frame. The black leather jacket made Remus' eyes water and if the way his long fingers twirled his keys did things to him he'd rather not admit to anyone, well, Remus huffed an affirmation and hurried past him, across the main floor of the salon and to the door.

“Hey Sirius.”

Both men stopped at the steps headed to the large, glass doors and freedom. Bridget the barista stood, looking nervous.

“Yes. Bridget, right?”

“Yeah, you remembered.”

“I'm good with names.” His shrug was nonchalant.

Remus turned away, not wanting to watch Sirius flirt with yet another girl.

“Some of us are going out tonight, just for dinner, you know. And ah, well, we wanted to know – I mean – I wanted to know if you'd want to go with us?”

Remus pushed down the disappointment already bubbling up in the center of his chest.

“That's very kind, Bridget. But I already have an engagement.” He turned around and opened the door, gesturing again for Remus to walk out first.

Fighting a grin, Remus walked out feeling the warmth of Sirius Black close behind.

Chapter Text

“So,” Sirius leaned forward, elbows on the table between ordering and waiting. “Are you going to tell me what's wrong or do I have to guess between now and dessert.”

Remus was still in a wonderland of disbelief. There he sat, across from Sirius Black, the most desirable human he'd ever come across. The man everyone wanted had, by some miracle or cosmic fluke, asked him to dinner. Sirius' question startled him a bit. He took a sip of water just for something to do.

“Oh that. It really was nothing.”

“It sounded rather intrusive to me,” Sirius sipped his red wine. “And I assure you, Remus, I know all about intrusions of that … ilk.”

Remus looked at him hard. His expression was soft but there was something sharp behind his eyes. Remus took a deep breath and poked at his napkin.

“Besides,” Sirius' eyes softened, “you looked like you were in pain.” He frowned. “Did you hurt yourself at the salon?”

“What? Oh, oh no. I – ah – well, when I was about fifteen I fell. Out of a tree. I was -” Remus took a steadying breath, fumbled with his water glass. “I was hiding from some guys. A lot bigger than me.” He laughed, bitterly. “Not that it took too much back then. They were chasing me and I thought I'd be safe but, well, they had better aim than I thought,” Remus pointed to the spattering of white marks on his right cheek. “Gravel. I tried to bat it away and I fell, catching my lower back on a branch before landing face first on the gravel below. Acts up from time to time.”

“And these guys were never caught?” Sirius looked angry.

Remus shook his head, “I was too scared to say anything. I mean, I did. Eventually. Told Toni everything. By then, it was too late but. Well – she still wanted to murder them.” Remus let out a small laugh. “She means well. She's, well, she's all I have and she feels responsible for me still, even though I'm not thirteen anymore.”

Sirius nodded, a gesture that distinctly said for him to continue.

Remus sighed, traced a finger over a fork, knew Sirius wouldn't let up until he told him everything. “She keeps pushing for me to go to university, get a degree. She thinks I should go out more, see more people. Get -” Remus turned a little pink. “Get married and settle down.”

“And you don't want to do any of those things, do you?”

“It's not that I don't want friends.” He looked around. The restaurant was casual but nicer than he was used to. He felt a little out of place but was thankful he'd worn his good corduroy trousers that day, the dark blue ones that picked up every scrap of lint. “Or … a relationship.” He stumbled over the world. “It's just -” Remus huffed, finally looked at Sirius. “How did you know you wanted to do hair?”

Sirius smiled slowly, “The truth? It was a complete accident. I was goofing off with some friends and they were convinced I'd make a terrible stylist. I did all their hair that night and they went from mocking to begging me to help them get ready for everything. One thing led to another and after school, I decided to make a real go of it.”

“Yes, but why did you you keep doing it?”

“Because I loved -” Sirius paused, ran a finger over the rim of his wine glass. “Because I loved it.”

“Exactly.” Remus nodded as if that was all the answer Sirius needed. “Because it made you happy.”

“And sweeping up clipped hair and gathering nail polish and hair potions makes you happy?”

Remus must have looked as offended as he felt because Sirius leaned further towards him and said, hastily, “I didn't mean that as an insult. I just mean – well, there's got to be a reason she'd keep pushing you to leave.”

“I'm happy.” Remus said, his voice small under the glittering light. “She can't understand that I'm happy. Really and truly.”

“Cleaning up after egotistical stylists makes you happy?” Sirius teased.

“Not the work, per se. But what it affords me.”

“And what is that?”

Their food arrived, steak, potato, sauteed green beans for Sirius and chicken fettuccine Alfredo for Remus. When the waiter left, Remus carefully placed the cloth napkin in his lap, smoothing it, warding off Sirius' curiosity.

He looked up and saw Sirius waiting, patiently, arms across his chest. With a heavy sigh, he spoke again, knowing after he did, Sirius would never want to have dinner with him again.

“A small life. A quiet life. A life of books and tea and fountain pens. I collect them. I – um – my dad loved them, used them exclusively. He taught me to write with one when I was four. They make me feel, I don't know, like I belong to a softer age. One where people don't expect you to go all the time, do all the things, be everywhere and everything to everyone. Where people talked, really talked, and listened.” Remus looked around, eyes roaming for a safe place to fall. “I know I'm romanticizing the past. There were all sorts of societal conventions. And if I think people frown upon my preferences now, I'd be put in prison -” Remus' eyes widened. He fumbled the fork he'd been poking and it fell to the floor with a thump.

Sirius leaned down, reached under the table, picked up the offending silverware. He put it on the table and waved down a waiter.

“Could we get another fork, please.”

The waiter reappeared a moment later. Sirius thanked him, handed it to Remus. Tears pricked the edge of Remus' vision. Oh he'd never meant to talk that much. He never did. It was the same earlier, at the cafe. He always found himself rambling about the most uninteresting topics. Topics his Aunt Toni laughed at, his mother had indulged and his father had scuffed him affectionately on the back of the head for.

“I'm sorry.” Remus said softly, taking the fork and twirling fettuccine noodles onto the tines. “I tend to talk too much when I'm nervous.”

“What are you nervous about?” Sirius asked.

“I don't go out much,” Remus confessed. “I've always been a homebody. Sometimes I get a bit flustered.” Remus picked again at his noodles. “A bit overwhelmed.”

“There's no need to apologize,” Sirius said, picking up his knife and fork. “I like to hear you talk. You know so much about such odd things.”

Remus wanted to run away, to bury his head under his heated blanket and cry.

“I love it.” Sirius said quickly. “You're so interesting, really. I've never met anyone like you. You're just so settled into who you are. You never try to be anyone else. That's so refreshing.”

Remus' mouth dropped open slightly. “Aunt Toni says I talk too much about silly things.”

“Well, between you me and this over-cooked steak, I think she's wrong.”

Remus smiled ever so slightly, still afraid this was some sort of mistake or worse, a joke.

“Now then,” Sirius said after taking a bite of his steak and washing it down with wine. “Tell me more about this quiet life of yours.”

They talked through dinner and through dessert. Remus found himself opening up about his preferences for books, chocolate covered toffee and leather bound journals. When he mentioned how he loved honey in his tea, Sirius teased, saying only old ladies liked that sort of thing.

“I'll have you know,” Remus said with mock arrogance, “Toni loves honey in her tea. She even,” Remus leaned forward conspiratorially, “puts it in her coffee.”

Sirius burst out laughing and had to bite down on his hand to keep from further embarrassing both himself and Remus. Remus, however, found it endearing that someone like Sirius Black could turn pink at the the ears over an outburst of laughter.

An hour later, after they'd exhausted the topics of the merits of reading over going out with well-meaning co-workers and Sirius' preference for Pinot Noir to Cabernet, Sirius picked up the bill against Remus' protestations. As they walked out into the chilly night air and Remus shivered, Sirius pulled at the collar of his jacket.

“I kept you out later than I'd anticipated.”

“It's alright,” Remus grinned, shoving his hands as deep into his jacket pockets as he could. “I'm always up this late reading.”

Sirius laughed loudly. It echoed off the buildings and made more that one passerby look twice. “Jane Austen?”

“Oh, no. That's just for work. I always choose a reread for work. No at home I'm reading -” he remember what he was reading and paused. “Well, new stuff. I bought six books last weekend and -”

“Six? I'm not sure if I own six books.”

Remus stopped walking, turned around. “Surely you own more than six books.”

“No,” Sirius put his hands in his pockets, frowned. “No, I think I own exactly three. Let's see, there's the really expensive guide to hair coloring I bought about five years ago, the copy of Great Expectations my best friend gave me as a joke last Christmas and – oh yes! The copy of Where the Wild Things Are that I keep on hand for my godson, Harry.”

“You have a godson?”

“I do. A rascal of a boy-child.” Sirius laughed fondly. “I adore him.”

Remus couldn't help the enchanted smile that crossed his face. Then, “Only three books? And you confess to hating Austen?”

“I said I hated it when I was in school.” Sirius looked at Remus and grinned, mischievously. “Maybe you could change my mind.”

“About Austen?”

“About reading in general.”

“How?”

“What if – what if you assign me a book to read. And when I finish it, we can talk about it.”

Remus wasn't sure if he was hearing correctly.

“We can have dinner in. If eating out bothers you. Which I get, I do. Sometimes the crowds get to me as well. That's why I don't go out after work. Well that and everyone there just wants me along so they can be seen with me. Nothing against them. They're all nice – well, most of them are. But I like my privacy and they don't seem to appreciate the freedom that comes from some level of anonymity.”

“Oh I do!” Remus continued to walk and Sirius was at his side. “Being able to just disappear at will, in a corner or a cafe. Watch the world go by. Imagine lives for the people like characters in a private novel.”

Sirius laughed. “Are you a writer as well?”

“Me? Oh no. No, I don't think I could come up with anything half as interesting as the books I read.”

“I think you're wrong there. You speak like a book” Sirius teased. “I like it.”

Remus only nodded, head down. He guided Sirius along several streets, passed the salon and up to his street. It was quiet, orderly, just how Remus liked things. They stopped in front of a converted Victorian.

“This is me.”

Sirius took in the exterior with a widening smile. “Of course it is. Let me guess. Top floor? Bay window? Where you sit and swoon?”

“I -” Remus' mouth flapped. “Maybe.” He wrapped his arms around his chest.

Sirius laughed. Then he took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his long hair. “I enjoyed tonight, Remus. I really did. Thank you.”

“No. Thank you. You bought dinner.”

“Well, next time, I'll let you.” Sirius winked, causing Remus to turn another shade of pink.

Remus could only nod.

Sirius put his hands back in his pockets. “Good night, Remus. Enjoy your late night reading. I'll see you tomorrow. Oh, and don't forget. Reading assignment.”

“Reading assignment. Tomorrow. Yeah.”

And as Sirius turned to head back to his flat, Remus stopped on the top step. “Thank you again for dinner. I really enjoyed it as well.”

“Good,” Sirius called back. “Then you'll go again.

Remus grinned through the front door, up the two flights of stairs, through his own, warm wooden door and all the way into his pajamas.

Chapter Text

“And Marshall also told me that he's good friends with the Admission's Coordinator and he could definitely work something out so you could start in the Spring. They usually don't let freshmen in except in Autumn but since you're my nephew and older than most entering freshmen there were some exceptions that could be made.”

Remus chewed on the inside of his mouth. He pulled his bag around his body, hung it up in his locker, clicked the door shut with a metallic clack. If Toni noticed how much she annoyed him, she didn't show it.

“Oh, and those applications are in my office. Brought them in the folder Marshall gave them to me in. Looks real official.”

Remus nodded all the way out of the employee break area, tied on one of the black aprons over his white linen button down and dark, green tweed trousers.

“Remus are you listening to me?”

Three of the stylists came down the steps, chatting. They saw Remus, smiled, waved, greeted Toni fondly.

“Yes, Aunt Toni.”

“Hi, Remus!” Kara the manicurist smiled brightly as she walked past. “Have a good evening?”

“I did. Thanks. How was yours.”

“Good. Alone again, as usual.” She bit her lower lip, ducked her head and walked faster, disappearing into the employee area.

“Ah,” Toni looked from Remus to the employee area, “Kara looks very pretty this morning.”

“Yep.” Remus went in search of the appointment book. He didn't have much to do with the clients or the schedule but he liked to know who was coming in and when. It was helpful if Sybil got too busy and needed a hand with answering phones or checking clients in.

“When are you going to take her hint and ask her out?”

Remus felt dizzy with the rush of blood flooding his face.

“Aunt Toni,” he hissed. “I'm not -”

“Good morning, Toni,” Sirius appeared. His hair was pulled back in a loose bun at the nape of his neck, showing the peek of a tattoo just underneath the collar of his black shirt, on his left collarbone. “Remus,” he smiled softly. “Always good to see you.”

“Mmmm,” Remus said, chewing his bottom lip and wishing he could figure out what to do with his hands.

Toni looked from Sirius to Remus, back to her best stylist. “Did you need me, Sirius?”

“No more than usual,” he dropped a roguish wink causing Toni to roll her eyes fondly.

Remus watched him walk to the cafe that was just getting started with a few drinks for employees. Bridget was off and the lead barista, Philip, was behind the counter, faux hawk dyed jet black with blond shaved sides. He turned around and found his aunt watching him carefully.

“I have to make sure the wash and dry stations are stocked,” he said with a small grin.

“Remus, I love you, you know that?”

“Of course.” He frowned.

“And I'm your favorite aunt.”

That got her a smile.

“And you can tell me absolutely anything.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “You know that, right?”

“Um,” Remus cut his eyes off to one side, briefly admiring the way Sirius graciously made small talk with some of the stylists while they waited on their drinks. He looked back at his aunt, “Yes.”

“Good.” She looked over at the cafe. “Do you want to have dinner tonight? Just the two of us like the good old days?”

“Your place or mine?”

“Mine. I'll pick up some curry.”

Remus sighed, shook his head, “Sure, Toni. And I'll bring the wine.”

“Merlot. It's the only way to go!”

Remus laughed, turned away and stopped as he caught Sirius Black watching him. Georgia had a hand on his arm and looked to be telling him something she thought Very Important but Sirius wasn't listening. He was watching Remus cross the room. Remus stumbled over his loafers, pulled at the sleeves of his shirt, wiped his hands on his apron, swallowed and looked back to the cafe. Sirius had his hand out, taking his order from Philip. But his eyes were on Remus and his smile was for him alone.

***

Wednesday was usually a quieter day than most. Remus sat in the cafe, feet propped up on one chair, a copy of Nine Coaches Waiting in his hands, a half eaten sandwich at his elbow. He was so engrossed in the book, that he didn't immediately notice the shadow that loomed over him until the owner of that shadow cleared his throat.

If Sirius had known that simple action would have caused Remus Lupin to jump, fling his arms up and his book into the air, he might have reconsidered. Then again, the adorable flustered blush that spread across his freckled cheeks and the way he fell all over himself trying to both apologize and attempt to pick up his book made poor Remus' embarrassment worth while.

“I just can't seem to walk up to you without startling.” Sirius swept the book up, turned it over. “Nine Coaches Waiting.” He turned it over. “Mary Stewart. Didn't she write Frankenstein?”

“What?” Remus paused his flailing. “No,” he choked. “No, that's Mary Shelley.” He took the book when Sirius offered it to him, tucked it back into his bag.

“What's it about?” Sirius took the chair Remus' feet had been in, turned it backwards, straddled it and leaned his elbows on the back.

“It's – ah – it's about – well ...” Remus blew an errant curl from his eyes. He needed a trim, he knew, but he just couldn't be bothered. Besides, he didn't let anyone touch his hair but Aunt Toni. Any time he had tried, they wanted to cut it short or shave it off. Remus liked his billowy curls, didn't care they weren't in vogue. They were just like his mother's.

“Hey,” Sirius reached out, put a hand on Remus' arm causing the other man to freeze, eyes down, lower lip tucked between his teeth. “Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass you.” He looked down as far as he could until Remus looked up, his amber eyes looking caught like a frightened animal.

Sirius smiled. “So,” he leaned back a little. “What's my assignment?”

“Huh?” Remus frowned.

“Oh. You forgot.”

“Oh! Oh, right. The book!” Remus fumbled for his bag, pulled out the same battered copy he'd had the day before. “I thought we could start here.”

“But you're reading it.” Sirius hesitated.

“I've read it a dozen times. I just revisit it from time to time. I like -” he stopped short, swallowed, “one of the characters a lot.”

Sirius took the book and read the back. “Catherine Morland is the heroine I take it.” He cut his eyes at Remus, “is she your literary crust?”

“What? Oh, oh no. Uh – I mean, she's fun. A fun character I mean. A bit naive but that's the point.” He huffed a laugh. “You see – ah -” Remus shook his head, “Nope, no, I'm not giving anything away. You have to read it then we'll discuss it.”

Sirius smiled, “And here I thought I could con you into a full synopsis.”

“That's cheating. Besides, it would take all the fun out of it.”

“Fun,” Sirius looked back at the book, frowning now. “I'm not sure if I can believe that reading is fun.”

“Trust me,” Remus said softly. “You just have change your perception. You hated reading in school, right?”

Sirius nodded, turning the book over in his hands.

“Well, you're not in school anymore. And you don't have to read it at all! In fact, I won't even make you promise to finish it. Just commit to five chapters.”

“Five chapters.” Sirius looked skeptical. “And we'll still discuss it?”

“Yes.” Remus took a deep breath. “We'll get together and discuss it.” He licked his lips, was a bit embarrassed by how chapped they were. “You read at least five chapters and tell me and I'll -”

Sirius leaned forward. “You'll?” He prompted.

Remus took another deep breath, silently begged his pounding heart not to crash through his ribs and embarrass himself further. “I'll cook you dinner.” He bit down on his lower lip, looked up at Sirius through eyelashes that Sirius suddenly realized were long and delicate, the same soft caramel as his hair.

Sirius favored Remus with a rare, full blown smile and Remus just knew that his poor heart wasn't going to survive the attention. “You're on, Lupin.” Sirius stood up, turned the chair around. “Go back to your nine coaches. Don't want to keep them waiting too long.” He winked, turned, and returned to his station just as a man in an impeccably designed suit was sat in the swivel chair, talking on his mobile, pausing only long enough to give Sirius a cursory nod.

***

The rest of the day passed without incident. Sirius was busy all day but Remus stole more than his fair share of glances. He remembered at a quarter to six that he needed to pick up a bottle of Merlot for dinner and jotted a note down to that effect, stuffed it in his back pocket and knocked on Toni's door to remind her about the curry.

She waved him away with mock annoyance, causing him to giggle and almost run into Sybil.

“Oh! Sybil, I'm sorry! I didn't see you.” He reached out to steady her with his hands on her elbows.

“It's alright, Remus,” she said with the oddly uncomfortable smile she always had. “You're always so courteous.”

“Um.” He let her go. “Thank you.”

“I wanted to tell you that I think you should stop playing games with him.”

Remus blinked. “I'm sorry. What? Who? What?”

Sybil turned her head to one side, large eyes unblinking. “He's been hurt deeply. If you're sincere, let him know. I'm not saying that he'll give up the pursuit, but he needs a little incentive. You're adamant, I can tell, but I'm not sure if he can.” She turned and looked at the counter. “I have to go. Important call coming through.”

Just as Remus opened his mouth, the phone rang and Sybil floated back to answer it. His mouth opened a few times, closed and he huffed out a laugh. It was best not to think to hard on anything Sybil Trelawny said, everyone knew that. Everyone also knew that she had an uncanny ability to be disconcertingly right most of the time.

***

Toni ducked out early to start the curry and Remus stayed until eight as usual, sweeping, emptying bins, tidying up stations and refilling bottles, styling products and nail polish stations. Sirius looked tired and Remus wanted to speak to him but currently, Sirius was sat in the cafe, back to the rest of the salon, hissing harshly into his mobile. Remus couldn't make out anything he was saying but he was certain it wasn't anything good and he wasn't speaking to anyone he wanted to speak to.

Remus was also relatively sure that Sirius Black was speaking to whomever it was in French.

Sirius jabbed at the screen, hanging up and closed his eyes, scowl imprinted on his forehead. His screen lit up again and Remus watched as he answered, angrily.

“Quoi!” His expression completely changed, the hard angles softening and his eyes going a little misty. “Lily! I'm sorry, Love. What? No, no just …” Sirius ran a hand through his hair.

Remus bit back a soft burning in his gut. He opened up the hidden storage unit closest to where Sirius sat, arranged and rearranged the towels stacks.

“Yes, I'm still coming. I swear!” Sirius laughed. “You know I'd never disappoint you.”

Remus tried not to stare. The smile on Sirius' face was so soft. He looked completely different from the way he looked only moments before.

“Alright, Love. I'll see you soon. Love you. Bye.”

Remus looked up sharply. Love you? Oh...

“Alright, Remus?”

Remus blinked, found Sirius looking at him. “Hm? Oh, yes, just remembered I have to pick something up on the way home, that's all.”

Sirius stood, wiped his hands on his trousers and stretched. Remus' eyes widened at the way his shirt came untucked and the sliver of skin that exposed itself in the harsh salon lighting. He closed the storage closet and hurried to take off his apron, hang it back in his locker. He kept his head down, nodding to the few stylist still there, returning their farewells. Clutching his bag to his body, Remus rounded the door and walked quickly to the front of the building.

“Five chapters?”

Remus turned on his heels, saw Sirius shrugging on his leather jacket. “Yes,” he struggled to smile. “Five. At least. I mean, you can read more of course. And, ah, you don't have to you know.” His mind wouldn't stop replaying the overheard phone conversation. “We don't have to discuss it. I mean, it's not that big of a deal.”

“Of course it is,” Sirius smiled his charming smile. “I want to.” He walked up to Remus and tugged on the shorter man's jacket lightly. “If I didn't, I wouldn't have asked about it.”

Remus nodded. He didn't trust himself to speak.

“Well, good night, Remus. I'll see you tomorrow.”

“Good night, Sirius.” He watched Sirius walk out the doors. With a sigh, he shrugged his bag higher up on his shoulder and trudged out into the night.

Chapter Text

As soon as Remus stepped into his aunt's flat, he brandished the bottle of wine, holding it out like a sommelier waiting for Toni to declare it a success or failure.

“My favorite! You do pay attention!” She scooped it up, grabbed him into a one-armed hug and dragged him and the bottle into the kitchen.

“Sit, sit,” she gestured to the bar.

Remus tugged his jacket off and took it and his bag back over to the coat rack by the door. He slid into one of the bar stools and took the glass of wine Toni already had prepared for him.

“How do you do that? I bring you a brand new bottle and turn my head for one second and suddenly it's uncorked, poured and ready?”

“A gift I suppose,” Toni said, smiling. She offered her glass and they clinked rims. “Cheers.” She sipped, eyes watching Remus the entire time.

“What?” He asked, cautious as a wild animal.

“Nothing. Just - “ Toni eyed the curry heating on the stove, “It's just that, well,” she took in a deep breath, “I promised myself I wouldn't bombard you with my worries for your future tonight.”

“Then don't,” Remus mumbled into his glass.

“But I need to get a couple of things off my chest before we enjoy what promises to be the greatest night of curry this flat has ever seen.”

Despite his best efforts, Remus laughed. “Fine.” He huffed, put the glass down. “Let me have it.”

“Marshall really could get you into college next semester.”

Remus took a breath.

“I know. You don't want to go.” She held up one hand. “Just do me one favor. Tell me why?”

Remus exhaled, loudly. The long fingers of his left hand held the stem of the wine glass. The fingers of his other hand drummed lightly on the bar. “I just -” ugh. How to put it into words. Remus picked up the glass, put it back down. He turned it counter clockwise, put it to his lips and took a long, fortifying sip.

“Why did you start doing hair?”

“Remus, this is about you and -”

“Just, please, answer the question.” He fixed her with what he hoped was a serious glare. “Why? Did someone push you into it? Did your parents demand you do it? Did my mom pressure you into a career not of your own choosing?”

Toni blinked several times. She sipped her wine thoughtfully. “No.” She put the glass down with a clink. “No one even mentioned the possibility to me. Our parents weren't authoritarian but they did have very definitive ideas about what people should do with the time given to them. I went one semester at Cambridge before leaving to go to beauty school.”

Remus nodded, picked at an invisible stain on the counter top.

“Your mother wanted to be a teacher but you came along.”

When Remus looked up sharply, Toni winked. “Don't freak out. The minute she found out she was over the moon excited. She and your dad had only been married for a month.” Toni let out an amused huff. “Our mum and dad were a bit shocked over that one.”

Remus frowned. “Because they got married?”

Toni huffed out a laugh. “Like I said. They had very strong opinions on how people should live. The way things should be, if you know what I mean.” She sipped her wine, sighed. “This is really good. Anywho, your mum and dad knew each other for years. I'm not quite sure when they fell in love but as soon as she was out of school, they were married.” She gave Remus a warms smile. “And six months later, you were born.”

Remus chewed on the inside of his mouth. “And I'm sure my grandparents were ecstatic about the math.”

Toni laughed loudly. “Dad spluttered a bit. Okay, okay. He had a right melt down. Your Mum walks in, plonks down on the sofa and says, 'Dad, Lyall and I got married over the weekend.' He turned the page in the paper and hummed. Then she leaned forward and said, 'And I'm three months' pregnant.'” Toni giggled. “Dad closed the paper, looked at her over his glasses and said, most eloquently, 'What did you say?'. She repeated it, calm as everything and Dad went full blown mental. Hope didn't move a muscle, just sat there, serene, hands on her lap, watching him rant and roar up and down the living room carpet. I was stood in the kitchen and had a glass of milk half way to my lips trying not to laugh.”

“And your Mum?”

Toni smiled. “Mum was in the kitchen with me. She looked at me, looked at Dad, looked at Hope and said, 'Oh for heaven's sake, John. Stop sputtering. We're going to be grandparents!' And that, my boy, was that. Dad huffed and puffed and was rather gruff to Lyall when he finally came around, but the minute you were born, you'd have thought he'd planned the whole event himself.”

Remus smiled. “I wish I'd known them,” he whispered.

Toni patted his hand across the counter top. “They both loved you. Were adamant you were to call them Grammy and Grandy.”

Remus snorted into his wine glass.

“That was our reaction as well.”

“Do you think -” Remus pursed his lips, bit down on his bottom one. “Do you think it was me? Am I cursed or something? I mean, they die three months after I was born and then twelve years later Mum and Dad-”

“Remus John Lupin, that is the stupidest thing I've ever heard come out of your overly intelligent mouth.” Toni put her glass down, reached forward and took his free hand in both of hers. “First of all, I don't believe in curses. Second of all, your grandparents were no fools. They'd planned their trip out for years. Dad had always had heart problems. He went fast, hiking, doing something he loved. Mum – well – she'd been sick for years but never told us. I think losing Dad just kind of put her over the edge and she was gone not long after. As for your parents, it was a shit accident, but it was no more your fault than the time I set the kitchen on fire.”

Remus snorted, again, remembering the time he was fourteen and went down to the kitchen in the middle of the night to find that Toni had left the oven on and haphazardly tossed an oven mitt onto one eye which began to smolder and was burning quite merrily by the time Remus made it down stairs.

“My point is, don't ever let me hear you blame yourself for anyone's death but your own. You got it?”

Remus frowned, made to point out the ridiculousness of her statement, then paused. “Is dinner ready?”

“Probably.”

“Are you going to check? Turn off the stove? Try and suffocate me slowly with smoke?”

Toni rolled her eyes, drained her glass. She took the curry off the stove, made a huge flourish of turning off the stove and began to plate up their dinner. Remus took the garlic naan and the wine bottle to the table. They sat and Toni poured more wine. After three bites, Remus said, casually, “You never answered my question.”

“I didn't?”

“You didn't.”

“What was it again?”

Remus rolled his eyes, “Why did you go to beauty school?”

“Because I wanted to.”

“Yes.” Remus poked at his naan. “But why did you want to?”

“Because I loved doing hair.”

He nodded. “And why did you leave Cambridge after one semester?”

“Because I -” she paused. With a deep breath she let out through her nose, she offered him a wry grin, “Because I didn't want to be there.”

Remus nodded slowly.

“But you've never been?”

“Actually, I have.”

Toni blinked, fork full of chicken curry paused half way to her mouth.

“During sixth form, field trip. Went to Cambridge one week and Oxford the next.” Remus broke off some naan, dipped in the bowl of dal and popped it in his mouth.

Toni waited six seconds before asking, “And?”

“And I didn't like it.” He washed the bite down with some wine. “Yes, it's beautiful. Oxford especially with all the spires. Both places were aesthetically pleasing but...” here he tapered off with a sigh, looking off to his left, across Toni's large living room to the sliding glass doors that opened to her cozy balcony. “It was overwhelming. So many people. And the lecture halls and -.” He took a deep breath. “The idea of being surrounded by that much learning fills me with an exquisite kind of ache. But if it comes at the cost of anxiety and loss of privacy?” Remus shook his head, curls bouncing lightly.

Toni considered her nephew a moment longer. “Crowds really bother you that much?”

He nodded.

“Even at the promise of doing nothing for four years but reading ancient texts and tomb raiding?”

Remus' eyes snapped up, “Tomb raiding?”

“Sure. You could minor in archaeology.”

Remus rolled his eyes and laughed. “Even at the promise of ancient texts and tomb raiding. If I want that,” he popped another bite of naan in his mouth, “I can go to the museum. Which I do. On weekends.”

Toni watched her nephew, watched the way his fingers broke off the naan carefully as if there were seams specifically for the task. Softly she smiled at him, “You're really happy at the salon?”

“I'm really happy at the salon.” He didn't look at her.

She nodded. “Okay. I won't mention uni again.”

Remus' head snapped up at that.

“And I'll thank Marshall but inform him that you are perfectly content on the career path you now tread.”

Remus answered that with a soft smile of his own.

Toni cleared her throat. “Now. My second question.”

Remus raised an eyebrow.

“And if it's none of my business, just tell me. Better yet, throw your fork at me. I've got pretty good reflexes.”

Remus looked at her over a bite of chicken curry.

“How long have you had the hots for Sirius Black?”

Whatever he thought Toni was going to ask, it was most certainly not that. He coughed, sputtered, choked a bit on the curry, grabbed his glass of water and gulped it down to give himself a moment to piece his response together.

“Don't think I haven't noticed,” Toni continued.

Remus wiped his mouth with his napkin.

“And don't think I haven't noticed that he's totally besotted with you.”

Again, Remus choked and again he gulped down his water until the glass was empty and he had no where else to run.

“I don't -” he started.

“Know what I mean, yes, yes.” Toni waved a hand at him, topped off her wine glass. “That long, huh? Since he started? Not that I blame you. Whew, if I were twenty years younger.” She grinned, all Cheshire teeth, “Too bad he doesn't bat for my team.

Remus felt his face flush. He knew he must be blood red by now.

“And you were afraid I'd be upset at that?” Toni laughed. “Remus, sweet heart, I've known you your whole life. I watched you grow up and I've raised you since you were twelve. Give your aunt a bit of credit, will you?”

Remus moved his mouth a few times, closed it. He took the wine bottle from in front of Toni and poured himself another glass.

“Does he know?”

Remus shook his head violently.

“But you left work with him the other night, didn't you?”

His eyes grew wide at that.

“I review the security tape every morning. I saw the two of you.” Her smile was gentle and there was no more teasing in her eyes. “May I ask where you went?”

“Dinner,” Remus whispered. “Just dinner. He – ah – he asked me about books and then – um – asked if I'd had dinner yet and we went. As friends.” He felt he needed to add.

She nodded. “And has he asked you out again?”

Remus didn't think he could turn any redder. “I, ah, may have told him if he reads the first five chapters of Northanger Abbey I'd -” Remus swallowed, “cook him dinner at my flat,” his voice rose until the word 'flat' came out as a squeak.

“Remus, that's wonderful.”

“Not really,” he cleared his throat. “I think,” he huffed, took a fortifying breath and said, “I overheard a conversation today. I, ah, think he has a girlfriend. Someone named Lily.” Remus didn't mean to sound so sad. He ran a finger over the rim of his wine glass but didn't drink from it.

“Could just be a friend.”

Remus nodded absently.

“Remus, look at me,” Toni prodded gently.

Remus looked up at her, cut his eyes off to one side, looked back.

“Did he agree to dinner at your place?”

Remus nodded.

“Well, then. Even if he is dating someone named Lily, he at least wants to be your friend. And that's a start.”

Remus was embarrassed at how his chest burned and his stomach flopped. “Yeah. A start.”

“Oh sweet heart,” Toni stood up, walked around the table and wrapped her arms around him. “You can't jump to conclusions, alright? I've seen the way that man looks at you. Even if he is dating this Lily, he's definitely interested in you for more than your books. Just be upfront and honest with him and if he does ask you out, ask him about Lily. Just tell him you over heard a conversation. Tell him you'd love to go out but you won't be someone's dirty secret.”

Remus' mouth quirked up to one side. “No one would choose me for an affair, Toni.” His eyes widened and he looked up quickly, “Not that I'd want them to! I just mean that, ah, well -” and he finished off his curry as if that explained everything.

Toni smiled. “Of course not.” She stood up, plate in hand. “Well then. I don't know about you, but I could use some chocolate.” She grinned when he looked up at her, ghost of a smile across his face, “Good thing I bought a cake!”

The rest of the night was spent laughing and eating chocolate cake and sort of watching a quiz show and shouting out the most ridiculous answers they could think of to very obvious questions. Just as Remus shrugged on his coat to leave, Toni took him by the shoulders and looked up into his eyes.

“Do me a favor, okay?”

Remus nodded, putting his bag over his shoulder.

“No matter what, don't hide from him, alright? Be there. With your books and your fluffy hair. Be you and if he is dating someone already, just be willing to be his friend. I don't know much, but what little Sirius has divulged, his background isn't all roses and unicorns if you get my drift.”

Remus nodded again.

“Be his friend, Remus. First and foremost. And if anything else comes of it, know that I am all for it.” She pulled him into a hug and kissed his cheek. “And if not, I'll be first in line to kick is arse for hurting you.”

Remus couldn't help but smile at that. Still, when he got home, after shucking off his bag and jacket, pulling on his flannel pajamas and burrowing under his covers, he couldn't help the ache that crept into the hollow of his chest. It took Remus a lot longer than usual that night to fall asleep.

Chapter Text

Thursday was an odd, grey day of regulars and walk-ins. Walk-ins Sybil had to turn away with that airy nonchalance and cool grace that naturally oozed from her flowing, sheer floral wrap and full-moon earrings. Remus gave her a wry grin when she rolled her eyes while talking on the phone to someone who thought she should just know who they were.

“Yes, Dear, and if I knew that, I'd leave the salon and hang out my own shingle in palm reading and crystal balls.”

Remus had to turn away from the reception desk to snort into his hands. And of course, when he did, he looked right at Sirius Black. Sirius, however, was not looking at Remus. He sat at Remus' usual spot in the cafe, cup of coffee steaming beside him, untouched. He had one leg crossed over the other and was very deeply involved in reading. Remus blinked twice. It was his copy of Northanger Abbey. As he took a step towards the cafe, Sybil appeared beside him.

“I hate to interrupt your latest attempt at wooing, but would you mind listening out for the phone? I am in need of sustenance and I hear the Sunflower Cafe has a special tofu and arugula salad this afternoon.” She leaned forward, overly large eyes wide, “It has citrus!”

Remus nodded slowly. “Ah, sure, Sybil.”

“Thank you,” and she floated towards the door, all billowing long wrap and bushy hair.

As if on cue, the phone began to ring and Remus had to put the broom and dust pan down to answer it. He was there for the next forty-five minutes fielding calls, making appointments, checking calendars, directing clients to the cafe or their stylists' chair to wait and dealing one very irate young man wearing blue heels and plaid bell-bottoms who demanded to speak to Sirius Black about a Very Important and Career Altering Offer. Remus half expected the man to add “you can't refuse” but any humor he may have imagined in the situation deflated the minute the man banged his fist on the counter. Remus jumped and began fidgeting with this fingers.

“Are you deaf and dumb?” The man said. “I said I want to speak to Sirius Black now. I will not be kept waiting.”

“Well, ah, you see, ah, Sirius is – he's -”

“He's what?” The man who couldn't have been much older than Remus if at all, crossed his arms over his chest and huffed, “Spit it out, Boy! Honestly. Where do people FIND such incompetent help!”

“Strangely enough, from their own families,” came a deep voice from Remus' left. “And if you think Remus Lupin is incompetent, you are stupider than you look.”

“I beg your pardon!” The man tried to look important and indignant but only succeeded in looking like a beached fish.

“You. Flapping around up here like a stressed out parrot. Squawking. I was trying to enjoy my coffee break but was torn from the misadventures of the most noble and innocent Catherine Morland -” here he turned to Remus and said, “she just got abducted by that arse whats-his-name and dragged off on that crazy stupid horse and cart ride” he turned back to the guy in front of them, “by YOUR screaming. Now,” he dusted off his hands and crossed his arms making his biceps look a bit bigger than they already were.

Remus' eyes widened and he took a step back to lean against the counter fearing he may swoon.

“You wanted to talk to me?”

The man, still unsure whether he was being made fun of or not, shook his head and launched into some long, drawn out and incredibly boring diatribe about his experimental film project and how he needed Sirius Black's genius to set the characters apart from all the other, low budget, juvenile attempts that would be up against his superior cinematic genius.

Remus was actually glad when the phone rang and he could leave Sirius to deal with the incredibly rude man by himself. By the time Sirius politely yet firmly said he wasn't interested but “thank you for thinking of me”, Sybil was back, Remus was sweeping and Sirius' next appointment was already sitting in his chair. Remus nearly jumped out of his skin with he felt the whisper of fingers glide across his lower back.

“I'm sorry if I overstepped my boundaries back there,” Sirius said, reaching around Remus for a few towels even though his station was well-stocked. “That guy was the worst kind of pig.”

Remus couldn't help his smile. He bit on his lower lip and said, “That's OK. Thank you. I was starting to feel a bit trapped.”

“I could tell. Can't stand people like that. Overly important people who think the sun rises and sets because they're loud and obnoxious.” He scowled into the towel cabinet behind Remus. “Or better yet, their great-great-grand whoever was related to the King of England and therefore they are due all respect and difference because they have a hollow title and a fortune they didn't earn.”

Remus took a deep breath in.

“Sorry,” Sirius gave him a tight smile. “Got a client waiting.” He shut the storage closet door. “But, I am very proud to tell you that I am almost finished with the riveting tale of Northanger Abbey.”

“Really?” Remus looked up at him.

“Really,” Sirius smiled. His eyes darted from Remus' eyes, down to his feet, taking in his raisin colored jumper, grey trousers and black trainers before returning to his amber eyes. “Enjoy your afternoon.”

“Um,” Remus swallowed around the emotion constricting his throat, “you too.” He watched Sirius a few more seconds before he got back to sweeping.

-----

Friday morning was awash with rain and thunder rattled the windows of Remus' flat as he got dressed. A deep blue button up paired with a chocolate brown cardigan and oatmeal colored corduroys that tucked neatly into his green Wellingtons. Remus tossed a comfortable pair of loafers in his bag, grabbed his umbrella and stepped out into the watercolor world.

Remus loved walking to work in the rain. He loved walking anywhere in the rain. Everyone complained about it. Toni hated it and refused. But there was something soothing about the patter of drops on his uncharacteristically bold red brolly and the way no one looked at him as they rushed passed. Remus loved how the world blurred, especially through windows, turning into an impressionistic painting and allowing him to dream even more than usual while he stood in the cafe at the salon, waiting for Bridget to make him a cinnamon hot chocolate.

“You know,” she said as he handed it over to him, adding an extra dollop of whipped cream, “you're the only adult I ever make these for?”

Remus smiled.

She smiled back, “You're adorable, you know that? I mean really and truly. It's a shame you're not interested in people like me.”

Remus blinked over his mound of whipped cream.

Bridget gave him a wink and went back to clean the espresso machine. Before he could wonder about that remark, Toni bounded in and patted him on the head.

“Toni,” Remus grumbled but put his lips to his drink and sipped softly.

“Remus,” she echoed as she disappeared into her office.

Off to his left, Remus heard a soft huff of laughter. He turned to see Sirius watching him. When caught, Sirius' face flushed pink and he turned back to polishing his sheers. Remus licked his lips then noticed with crossed eyes he had whipped cream on his nose. When he went back to the counter to grab a napkin, Bridget laughed and sighed, “Adorable.”

- - - - - -

“I finished the book.”

Remus looked up from his copy of Little Women, blinked as reality settled back around him. “Oh.” He closed the book. “Did you like it?'

“That's part of the discussion, right?” Sirius teased.

“Oh, yes, right.”

“I'm free all weekend,” Sirius said and Remus suddenly remembered his promise of dinner.

He also remembered the overheard conversation, particularly the affectionate, “I love you” that ended it.

“Oh, you don't have to. I know you're probably busy.”

“I just said I was free.”

“Yeah but I'm sure there's someone else you'd rather spend your time with.”

Sirius smiled, “Not really.”

Remus succumbed to weakness and said, “Tomorrow night, then? Anything you don't like?”

“I'm not particularly fond of asparagus,” Sirius said.

Remus struggled against a laugh and nodded. “Duly noted.”

- - - - -

After closing, Remus decided to take advantage of the lull in the weather to go ahead and get groceries for the weekend. He also decided, on a whim, to get a frozen lasagna for himself because he was in desperate need of some comfort food but didn't want Toni fussing over him while she tried and failed and making something akin to beef stroganoff. As if his thoughts of Sirius and his worries over the conversation with the mysterious Lily summoned them, Remus turned from putting the last of the ingredients for the following night's dinner in his basket and froze. There, at the bakery counter looking at cakes, was Sirius Black. He was standing with his arm around a very lovely red head who at that moment, threw her head back and laughed at whatever it was Sirius was saying.

They look well together, Remus thought over the pain in the center of his chest. He bit down on his lip, hard, trying to stop the tears that threatened and the sudden urge to put everything back -even the lasagna- and go home and cry himself to sleep after eating an enormous amount of chocolate brownie ice cream.

“Remus!”

Remus looked up, lip trembling. Sirius smiled and waved at him. Remus swallowed thickly, decided against dropping his basket and running the other way and waved back. Sirius waved him over to the counter and Remus, the besotted yet polite fool, wandered over to stand in front of him and his lovely companion.

“Remus, this is Lily, the best girl in the whole world.”

Lily playfully slapped Sirius on the arm with a familiarity that make's Remus ache even harder. She thrust out a hand and Remus shook it. “So this is Remus,” she said, green eyes dazzling. “Sirius has told me all about you.” Her grin was contagious but Remus tucked his upper lip firmly under his teeth.

Sirius rolled his eyes and rubbed a hand on the back of his neck.

“There's not much to tell, I'm afraid,” Remus said.

Lily really is beautiful, Remus thought. They looked really good together, with Sirius' dark hair and pale skin and her radiant red locks and brilliant green eyes. It hurt desperately but Remus was happy for Sirius.

“I'm looking forward to dinner tomorrow night, Rem.” Sirius said, offering Lily his arm and walking towards the door.

“Nice to meet you,” Lily called over one shoulder.

All Remus could do was struggle with the burning in his chest, smile, and nod.

Chapter Text

All Saturday long the sky brooded. Not a drop of rain fell but Remus expected at any moment for the clouds to part and Sirius to call and cancel. Which would have been perfectly fine. As much as Remus wanted some time with Sirius all to himself, away from the salon and prying eyes, he was also terrified of it. He was also very much aware of the lovely lady he'd met yesterday and how she'd looked at Sirius with a cross between adoration and indulgence.

Remus tried to reason with his flopping heart that anyone would look at Sirius that way. That pretty much everyone did. Even his most dour, straight-laced customers would leave with a lopsided grin. It was Sirius' super power : disarming everyone with his charm, his grace, his -

Remus flinched when the text came through. When he glanced at his phone, his brows furrowed.

Caught up with something – Sirius wrote. Might be a little bit late.

Remus chewed his top lip. Thought of a thousand and one responses but settled on – No worries.

Sirius sent a thumbs up and a smiley face with sunglasses that Remus couldn't help but snort over. He put his phone back on the counter and took a deep, steadying breath. What was it Toni said? Even if Sirius was dating Lily, he obviously wanted to be friends with Remus and that was good. Wasn't it?

Remus looked at his reflection in the hall mirror when he went back to change out of the jumper that was suddenly way too warm. “Yes,” he told himself firmly. It was good. No matter what Sirius' relationship was with Lily, Remus could be his friend. He could. He didn't quite trust the hesitant smile his reflection gave him.

“I can.” He said softly and went into his room to change.

When seven o'clock rolled around, Remus checked on the casserole and scooted it to one side of the oven. He put the no-knead bread on the other side of it, closed the door carefully and set another timer for thirty minutes. If Sirius was a little late, all the better. Closer to 7:30 and the casserole and bread would both come out and stay warm a bit. He hated serving lukewarm food.

By the time 7:30 rolled around and the timer went off, Remus was beginning to have his doubts that Sirius would show up at all. Just when he'd convinced himself he was going to have to call Toni over so he could cry while she ate the casserole, there was a knock on his door. Remus almost dropped the dish but managed to fumble it to the counter, place it on the pot holders there and then turn off the oven with the bread still in it.

Remus smoothed his hands down the caramel colored flannel, took a deep breath and opened his door. Sirius had obviously decided to try knocking again because he stood there, one hand raised in a fist. He quirked a smile at Remus, put his hand down and said, “Sorry. Had to finish up something and then the bus was late.”

Remus nodded, remembered he should move out of the way so Sirius could come inside.

“Oh,” Sirius said, turning just as Remus shut the door. “I come bearing gifts.” He held out the copy of Northanger Abbey. “A return, and-” he offered a bottle of wine, “a gift.”

“You didn't have to.”

“I know. But if there's one thing I did retain from my painfully proper upbringing it's to never go calling with your hands at your side.” His smile was dazzling. “Now, where can I put this drenched jacket?”

Remus leapt into host gear, shuffling the book and wine bottle to the small table by his door. He took Sirius' jacket and hung it up next to his trusty cardigan on the coat rack on the other side of the door. Remus smiled, took the wine and book into the kitchen.

“Make yourself at home. Dinner just came out of the oven. I'll set the table and we'll eat.”

Sirius put his hands in the pockets of his dark jeans and looked around. Remus' flat was cozy, larger than it looked from the outside, with a spectacular view of the soft, Victorian side of the city. There were books everywhere, mismatched lamps and thick throws on patchwork chairs and a sofa that looked as if Remus might have inherited it from a grandmother. A small mantle on one side framed a hearth where Remus had a cheery fire going. There were pictures covering the mantle, and here and there, bits of mercury glass cups, figurines and vases glittered in the few candles Remus lit. Sirius ambled to the fireplace and looked at the photos.

A much younger Toni beamed out of many of them as did a young, scrawny, grinning, freckled Remus. Sirius felt a tug in his chest at the largest photo. It sat at the center of the mantle. Remus stood between a man and a woman that Sirius knew instinctively were his parents. The woman had soft, kind eyes and chin length, curly hair the same color as Remus'. The man, tall and strong, had the same quirk of the mouth, the same soft amber eyes. And this young Remus looked so happy that it made Sirius physically ache.

“Those were my parents,” Remus appeared at Sirius' elbow and offered him a glass of wine. “They died when I was young.”

“And Toni raised you.”

Remus smiled. “She's a Saint.”

“I would think that distinction would go to you. She's a menace.”

Remus laughed lightly. “She is. She's amazing.”

“Yes. I envy you, you know.” Sirius turned back to the photos. “So many smiles. The pictures in my family home didn't have those. Formal portraits, me and my brother stuffed into suits and forced to stand without moving so Mother and Father could capture their idea of a perfect family.”

“I'm sorry,” Remus said softly. He coughed, “I didn't know you had a brother.”

Sirius sighed, “He's a year younger than me. You might have heard of him. Regulus Black, OBE, Assistant to the Minister of Defense.”

Remus' eyes went wide. “I mean – well. Um. He's your brother?” Remus tried to reconcile the stern expression and the shrewd eyes on the young and handsome face of the Assistant Minister that he'd seen many times on telly with belonging in any way to the relaxed and open face of Sirius Black.

“He is but I doubt he remembers it.”

Something about Sirius' tone suggested he didn't want to discuss it further. Remus filed that away for another day. He turned, beamed at Remus and said, “So, do we discuss the book before, during or after dinner?”

Remus smiled, “How about during. Hungry?”

“Starving! I was out all afternoon.” Sirius followed Remus into the small dining room. He couldn't help but smile at the mismatched, sturdy pottery that sat at two of the chairs. He sat down and said, “For all her intelligence, Lily really can be indecisive.”

Remus fought a frown. “Ah,” he poured a bit more wine into his own glass, offered some to Sirius who only smiled and nodded. “So you were with Lily today. I hope this didn't interrupt anything important?”

“Just looking at more cakes!” Sirius held up his glass in a toast as Remus sat down. “I mean, honestly, when you want to throw your husband a surprise party, don't wait until the weekend before his birthday to try and find the – and I quote – most perfect cake in all the realm.” Sirius' eyes sparkled. “Unquote.”

Remus blinked. “Husband?”

“Yeah. James. My best mate? Father to my godson. Lily's his wife.”

Remus blinked again and a sudden, warm feeling started to fill his entire body. It began in his gut and spread outwards like a peony opening with the first rays of morning.

“James.” Remus nodded slowly.

“I haven't mentioned him, have I?” Sirius ran a hand down his face. “Yeah, see, when I was fifteen I ran away from home. Nasty business, I won't bother you with the details right now. James' folks were Saints incarnate and took me in . I've known them since I was eleven. James and I went to school together.” Sirius swirled the wine around in his glass, completely oblivious to Remus' wide eyes and slightly gaping mouth. “We met Lily there and he was head over heels. I mean immediately! Of course, the git made some off-handed rude comment about her best friend and incurred her wrath for nearly five years before he finally stopped being a complete idiot and she finally was able to see him for who he really is : the greatest guy on Earth.” Sirius took a sip of wine and smiled, “They got married right out of school and a year later, here comes Harry.”

“Your godson.” Remus said.

“He's amazing! Never considered kids myself but man, having a godson is great! I get all the fun with none of the responsibility. I mean, I'm responsible for him when he's with me, but I can give him back, you know?”

Remus just nodded.

“Here,” Sirius fished out his phone, opened it and scrolled around, turned it and handed it over. “Scroll through a few. Isn't he the cutest?”

Remus couldn't deny the adorableness that was Harry. He was small and chubby with wild black hair and big, green eyes.

“Hey,” Sirius said as Remus handed his phone back to him. “Are you OK?”

“What? Oh. Yes. I just – well … I mean.” Remus let out a very nervous laugh.

Sirius frowned.

“That is, I thought -” Remus picked at the napkin by his plate.

“You thought?” Sirius prompted after a few seconds of silence.

Remus took a deep breath and exhaled, “I thought you and Lily were -”

Sirius blinked. Then he threw back his head and laughed. It was the most joyful sound Remus had ever heard. “You thought Lily and I were together!” He put his glass down and wiped his eyes, “Lily is going to get the biggest kick out of that!”

“Oh, no.” Remus' eyes went wind. “Please, please don't say anything.” “Oh I am definitely saying something.”

“Please! I mean – I just don't -” Remus felt panicked, “This is embarrassing.”

“No, don't be embarrassed,” Sirius gave him a gentle smile, his eyes watery from laughter. “Really and truly. James is always teasing us, always whining about how everyone thinks she and I are together and he's the third wheel. Ever since they got together, she and I have been thick as thieves. She's got a wicked sense of humor and I'm a bit touchy-feeling and she lets me hug her all I want. James finds it funny, really, but did warn me that once Harry was old enough, I'd have to stop all the hugging so that his kid wasn't confused as to who his father was.”

Remus couldn't help the giggle that came out of his mouth. “I'm sorry,” he said. “I just, well, I sort of overheard you on the phone the other day and you told her you loved her. Then, when I saw you in the store together, I just assumed -”

“That we were a couple.” Sirius drained his wine glass. “Loads of people do. It's a farce we like to perpetuate just to annoy James.” Sirius waved a hand dismissively, “He's fine with it.”

Remus made to say something but stopped.

“Besides,” Sirius said casually, “I don't fancy red heads.”

Remus chewed on his lips.

“To be more to the point, I don't fancy women.”

Remus looked up sharply, eyes wide, lips parted.

“Are you really that surprised?”

“I – well – I mean – I -”

Sirius smiled, leaned forward. “Don't seem so shocked, Remus Lupin.” He grinned. “Or I'll begin to think I've made a serious error in coming here tonight.”

Remus looked at him sharply.

“What do you say we dig into that delicious looking casserole.”

Remus felt the whiplash from the change of subject.

“What's in it? And more importantly, did you make it?”

Remus took a deep breath. He knew he should ask more but Sirius seemed intent on letting the conversation hang awkwardly in the background. For now, he swallowed, nodded and said, “Yes. I did. And it's something Toni made up years ago. She calls it company casserole. It's nothing fancy, really. Just macaroni noodles, chopped, canned tomatoes with jalapenos, ground beef, a can of cream of mushroom soup and cheese. Lots and lots of cheese.”

“I'm in love,” Sirius said, eyes dancing as he looked at Remus and not at the casserole. “This is exactly the type of thing my mother always said would make me fat. I'm going to enjoy every bite of it and then, out of spite, in her memory, I'll eat even more.”

Remus didn't even try to stop the laugh that burst out of him.

“There we are,” Sirius said as he sat back in his chair. “You keep that smile right where it's at and I promise to tell you a deep, dark secret when we finish eating.”

Remus arched an eyebrow. “I'm not sure if I want a dark secret,” he spooned out a healthy portion of the casserole and put on Sirius' plate. Then he directed him to the sliced bread and butter to his right.

“Don't tell me,” Sirius said, taking two slices and passing it to Remus. “You baked that didn't you?”

“I did.”

“I said don't tell me,” Sirius slathered the butter on, examining it. “What's in it?”

“Roasted garlic.”

Sirius' eyebrows went up, “You roasted garlic just to put in butter?”

“I did.”

“In love,” Sirius said, taking a huge bite of the bread, eyes never leaving Remus'. “Absolutely.”

------

Dinner was nice. More than nice. Remus felt himself loosening up considerably after he'd made peace with his major mistake of thinking Sirius and Lily were an item. Sirius talked more than Remus had ever heard him and he joined in readily. Sirius made good on his threat to eat double helpings of everything and even Remus found room to fit in more bread and butter than he'd had in years. When there was only half a casserole left and less than half a loaf of bread, Remus stood and suggested they sit in the living room.

“These chairs aren't the most comfortable after a while.”

Sirius went into the living room and took a seat on one side of the couch. Remus brought the the bottle of wine and their glasses in, sat it all on the coffee table and sat on the other side of the couch. The rain still poured and splattered the window. Lightening flickered and thunder shook some of the pictures on the walls.

“Remus, this has got to be the most perfect place I've ever seen,” Sirius said as he poured them another glass of wine each. “I mean it,” he handed Remus' glass to him. “Where did you find all of this?”

Remus took the glass and shrugged, “Charity shops? Toni and I haunted them when I was growing up and I still love to poke about in them.”

“Nothing's new?” Sirius asked, eyes scanning the room.

“The books,” Remus smiled around his glass. “And the ink,” he nodded to his desk. It sat underneath one of the two, large windows that looked out over the city. A small door sat between them that Sirius assumed opened to the balcony that stretched out on either side of the windows.

“Ink? For your fountain pen collection?”

Remus looked down, suddenly bashful.

“What? Don't looked so shocked. It's not every day someone confesses to me that they collect fountain pens.”

Remus couldn't help the blush that crept up his neck.

“Do you really write with them?” Sirius asked.

Remus chewed his lip thoughtfully. Then he put his wine glass down, got up and walked to the wall opposite the hearth. He removed a framed picture and took it to Sirius, handing it to him with no explanation. Sirius looked at it, brows furrowed. There, on what looked to be delicate, handmade paper, was a quote done in the most elegant script Sirius had ever seen. And he's been forced to take handwriting lessons when he was seven.

Sirius read silently then out loud, “What soft light the moon pours forth over the sleeping world which, in sunlight and shadow, conceals it's true beauty until the silver of twilight falls.” Sirius looked up at Remus. “You did this?”

Remus nodded, looked at his feet.

Sirius took in the script, the careful lines, the perfect spacing. He took in the texture of the paper and the glittering, battered, delightfully weathered gold frame. “As in, you wrote this? Copied it? From where? It's gorgeous.”

“I, ah...” Remus looked anywhere but at Sirius, settled on his fidgeting fingers. “I made it up.”

Sirius' eyes went wide. He looked again at the quote, then at Remus. “You made that up?”

Remus nodded, took the picture back and shuffled over to rehang it on the wall.

“Remus,” Sirius paused, obviously working out what he was going to say. “That's -” he wiped a hand over his face. “Damn, man. That's about the most beautiful thing I've ever read. And you did that? Like you wrote it, fountain pen and ink and all and you just – spat that out? In what? An evening? A weekend?”

Remus mumbled something on his way back to the couch.

“Sorry, didn't quite catch that.”

“An afternoon.”

Sirius put his now empty wine glass down on the table with a thunk, “Why, and forgive me if I'm too forward, why in the name of Jane Austen are you working at a salon sweeping up hair. Hair, Remus! Dead skin cells that sprout from the scalps of people who would give their left arm to be able to write like that!”

“It's not that good.”

“Don't you ever say that,” Sirius looked at Remus, his eyes wide and his face unreadable. “It's perfect,” Sirius reached out and put a hand briefly on Remus' knee. “Perfect.” Quickly, he withdrew his hand and put it in his own lap. He didn't reach to refill his glass.

They sat for a bit in companionable silence. Remus wasn't sure what made him show Sirius the first poem he ever wrote. He'd been sixteen when it came to him one night during a bout of insomnia. When he confessed this to Sirius, the other man smiled softly. “I'm very glad you did. And you made that up at sixteen?”

Remus nodded. “I was struggling with a lot. I was bullied, all through school. I was never good at sports and my friends and I were usually found in the library rather than the football pitch. I was in counseling for a while. For severe anxiety. My counselor, a wonderful lady really, suggested that when I couldn't sleep to try and do something productive. So, I started writing. Nonsense at first, just random lines about my day. Then, for some reason, that night, that came to me. I wrote it down and tucked it away. About a year ago, I found it in my old school dictionary and thought I'd write it out, see what it looked like.” Remus smiled softly.

“Do you enjoy it?” Sirius asked quietly, “Writing I mean? The poetry?”

“I'm not a poet,” Remus argued.

“Yeah, you bloody well are.” Sirius' smile was genuine and open. “And the fountain pens. They make you happy, yeah? All the poetry and moonlight and ink and quills and whatnot? Damn,” he breathed, shaking his head, eyes closed, “I feel like I've wandered into a fairy tale.” He opened his eyes and looked at Remus, his eyes deep and glittering like pools of the very ink he just spoke of. “You put something in the wine, didn't you? I can't ever leave. I ate and drank in the realm of the fairy king and now I'm stuck here forever.”

Remus' face turned pink and he ran his hands nervously through his curls.

Sirius leaned forward and took one of Remus' hands in his. “I have a confession to make, Remus Lupin.” He smiled, suddenly looked bashful. “I didn't actually read the book.”

“What?” Remus looked up at him, wide eyed.

“I did an Internet search for the main points. I -” and here, Sirius looked embarrassed, picked at something nonexistent on his jeans. “I wanted an excuse to get to know you better. You always had your nose in a book and I thought it the best way in.”

Remus blinked. “But – I ...I don't understand? Why? Why me?”

“Why? Because I like you, you infuriatingly beautiful man. From the first moment I laid eyes on you I wanted to know what made you tick. You're so bafflingly soft. I mean, everything about you is,” Sirius leaned back, sighed, ran a hand down one side of his face. “You feel like home, Remus. That's the most embarrassing and honest confession I've ever made. You're warm and comforting and your clumsiness and awkward outbursts are so endearing.” Sirius licked his lips. “I didn't think you'd have anything to do with me unless I, well, unless I could find some kind of common ground.”

“That I wouldn't – Sirius. You're - “ Remus held out his hands, moved them up and down, gesturing at the man in front of him as if that explained everything Sirius was in a nutshell. “Everyone in the salon would kill to be in my place. Surely you know that. I think half your clients only come so they can look at your reflection while you cut their hair. I've been tempted to make an appointment myself just to -” Remus' eyes went painfully wide and he knew by the way he felt his face was blood red.

“Just to what?” Sirius arched an eyebrow.

“Nothing,” Remus squeaked, tried to stand up, to grab the nearly empty bottle of wine.

Sirius reached out and grabbed Remus in a gentle hold. “Just to what?” He asked softly, eyes pleading, glinting a little with that damned gorgeous mischief.

“Just to -” Remus couldn't breathe. He looked everywhere, anywhere, begged his phone to ring, someone to bash in his front door, the building to catch on fire. “Just to -” he swallowed around his pride and sighed, sinking back to the couch. “Just to have you talk to me. To give me your attention like you do your clients. And then you asked about my book and,” Remus put a hand to his throat, steadied his breathing.

“I'm sorry I lied.”

“I'm nothing special,” Remus whispered. “Toni thinks I'm mad for turning down her friend's offer of help getting into Cambridge.” He looked up, eyes pleading, “I know it's not much. I know that what I want out of life is silly compared to, to what everyone says you should have. Money. Fame. Big house. New car. 2.3 kids.” Remus huffed. “But I'm happy. I am. I never wanted much. My -” he looked away, “my mother always told me I was the most contented child she'd ever known.” Remus' felt his eyes fill, wiped at them, pulled his arm gently from Sirius' hold.

“What happened to your parents?” Sirius asked softly.

“They died.” Remus took a shuddering breath. “I was twelve. She and Dad went out of town for their anniversary. A long over due honeymoon. They never got one, you see. Mum was already three months pregnant with me when she and Dad got married.“ Remus looked down at his hands. “They died while they were away. Toni took me in and she's been absolutely wonderful. When I finished school she offered me the job in the salon until I could start uni. I didn't have the heart to tell her that I didn't want to go. That I just wanted to make enough to buy my own place one day. To buy my books and my fountain pens and keep myself supplied with tea and honey and biscuits and – and now you think I'm a silly fool.” he pulled the sleeves of his jumper over his now shaking hands.

“I do think you're a fool,” Sirius said, scooting closer. He took Remus' now jumpered hands in his. “But not because of what you want.” Sirius took a deep, deep breath, let it out in a rush. “But because you could think that you couldn't ever be all I'd ever want.”

Sirius was smiling when Remus looked at him, eyes darting, afraid that what he'd just heard was a daydream. It must be the wine.

“I think you've had too much to drink,” Remus whispered.

Sirius laughed. “I've had three glasses, Remus. I can put away four pints and three shots before I start to stagger.”

Remus knew his hands were shaking, knew his bottom lip trembling. He gasped lightly as Sirius ran fingers through his hair, letting them tangle briefly in the soft curls. “Would you like me to cut your hair? Just a trim. Honestly, though, I like your hair just like this.”

When Remus looked Sirius was still smiling.

“But I can tell it bothers you. You're constantly pushing it back.”

“How -”

“I watch you.” Sirius looked incredibly young when he was bashful. “Often as I can. Sometimes I feel kind of creepy. But I can't help it.” Sirius hooked a finger under Remus' chin, tugged him gently to look into his grey eyes.

“Why?” Remus' voice cracked.

“Because you're beautiful.”

Remus shook his head, “I'm not. I'm just me. I'm nothing special, I'm just -”

Two warm hands cupped Remus' face, turned it gently towards Sirius. “Yes. You are. You're you and you're special. And you are beautiful.” Sirius took a deep breath. “Remember when I introduced you to Lily? She's had to listen to me pine after you for years.”

“Pine? Years?” Remus' eyes darted towards the door. He honestly believed at any moment someone was going to burst through the door and tell him he was on TV, it was all a joke, ha-ha, what a prank! “No one pines over people like me.”

“I do.” Sirius let his hands drop to his lap. “When I was fourteen I had the biggest crush on a guy two years older than me. He was tall, skinny, debate club president.”

Remus bit his lips.

“He had the softest looking brown hair,” Sirius reached up and gently touched Remus' curls. “Nothing like yours, of course, but similar. And his smile, God.” Sirius closed his eyes. “I can't tell you how many nights I fell asleep dreaming about that smile.”

“What happened?” Remus fiddled with the frayed cuffs of his sleeves.

“I asked him out.” Sirius smiled at the memory. “Walked right up to him in the common room of our house dorm and asked him out. You could have heard a pin drop. It was like the whole room took a deep breath and then burst out laughing. He was so angry. Accused me of playing a joke. But I wasn't. I begged and pleaded with him to believe me but he never did. He graduated three months later. Never saw him again.” Sirius looked at Remus, cocked his head to one side. “Why would he think I was lying? Why do you?”

It was Remus' turn to be confused. “Because you're you!” Remus tucked his legs under him, sat forward. “Sirius, don't you understand? You're – well, you're - “ he huffed, blew an errant curl out of his eyes, “you're that guy. You're the hot guy we all dream about.” Here he flushed but plowed forward. “The guy with the great smile who can talk to anyone and everyone and make them feel important. You're genuinely interested in anything anyone says to you. I know. I've noticed. I -” Remus pushed those errant curls from his forehead, “I've watched you too. Ever since you first started working there.” He looked up at grinned. “You're that person everyone wants but can never have. But you're more than that. You've got a good heart and a gentle soul which, let's face it, that black leather jacket and bad boy reputation hide shamefully.”

Sirius quirked a smile. He took a deep breath and sighed. Something in his face looked vulnerable and he tried three times to say something, anything, then looked at Remus helplessly.

“Would you like some tea?” Remus offered suddenly.

“Yes,” Sirius whispered.

Remus nodded, stood up. He turned, reached out and gave Sirius and gentle squeeze on his shoulder. Then he disappeared into the kitchen, turned on the kettle. When he returned, Sirius looked a bit more relaxed but his eyes were still troubled. Remus handed him a mug and Sirius laughed when he looked at it.

“A hedgehog with an axe?”

“It's cute.” Remus smiled and tucked himself back into the corner of his couch. His mug had a badger on it, holding a paint brush and palette.

Sirius shook his head and sniffed the tea, eyes closing. “What is it?”

Remus bit his lip, answered, “Just black tea. With honey.” His eyes flickered to Sirius, “and a bit of vanilla and cream.”

“You're not real, are you?” Sirius said softly. “You're a dream. I fell at the salon and hit my head. I'm in A&E right now and when I wake up it won't be you but James' ugly mug, all worried and frowning. I'll call your name and he and Lily will tease me until the day I die about it and I'll show up at the salon Monday and you'll be there, pouring over some dead writer and I'll never have the courage to talk to you again.”

Remus didn't know what to say. He held his mug close and waited.

“When I was a kid,” Sirius started slowly, breathing into his cup deeply and letting it out in a soft whoosh, “I loved visiting my Uncle Alphard. We didn't go much. Father thought him a waste of time and Mother hated him. Still, Uncle Alphard was my Dad's only living relative and was related to the Queen.” Here he gave Remus a rueful smile, “True story. Anyway,” he turned the mug in his hands, “I was afraid of thunderstorms and one night we had a real bad one. I went downstairs and found Uncle Alphard in the kitchen making tea. I was afraid he'd tell me I was being stupid, to go upstairs, that only babies were afraid of thunder. But he didn't. He smiled and helped me sit up on the counter where we drank tea and ate biscuits until the storm blew itself out. He confessed he'd always been a bit afraid of them too but that he learned if he braved the dark and the loud noises, there'd be tea and biscuits waiting for him. He actually made me enjoy the terror of storms for the reward.” Here Sirius sighed and it was such a heavy sound Remus found his hand go to his collar, clutch the top button of his shirt. “I made the mistake of telling my Mother and she laughed at me. She told me I was ridiculous and no son of hers was going to grow up being a soft, scared, stupid man like Uncle Alphard. I found that weird. Uncle Alphard may have been royalty but he was strong. He owned a construction company up in Yorkshire and built stone walls in his spare time. Repaired them and installed new ones. He was tall and broad and stern but also kind and gentle. Rescued an entire litter of kittens from a tractor tire one Autumn before a workman could start it up and scare them.” Sirius looked into Remus' eyes and smiled, “He taught me that you can be strong and soft at the same time but my Mother wasn't having it.” Sirius stuck his finger in the tea, took a sip and smiled. “She thought she could humiliate it out of me. And later, Father thought he could beat it out of me.”

Remus gasped, audibly, heedless of the hot mug of tea now propped on his thigh.

“It all came to a head one night. That's when I ran away.” Sirius smiled. “And I suppose because of all of that, I tried to hide any softness that was left under the leather jackets and long hair and earrings and tattoos and -” he sipped the tea again, closed his eyes. “This is miraculous. If this is a dream, don't wake me.”

“I'll bring you a quilt in the night,” Remus said softly. “Free tea refills until you're ready to go.”

“Never. I'll never be ready to go.” Sirius opened his eyes. “My flat is nice. Huge. Ridiculous, really. I bought it a few years ago. Thought I needed something modern and impressive. James laughed at me. Lily shook her head and told me I'd have a heck of a time furnishing it. That's why it's so sparse. Modern furniture. Modern art. Modern architecture. I can literally see the Tate Modern from across the Thames from my living room.”

Remus blinked.

“I know. Impressive,” Sirius laughed. He sipped the tea again and all but swooned. “I'm never leaving. You're stuck with me. I'll stay out of your way. You won't even know I'm here,” Sirius said, sipping the tea lazily. “I swear, Remus. You've converted me to your cardigan ways. You'll have to tell Toni what happened, though. I'm not confronting her.”

Remus laughed, a soft thing, like wind chimes and Sirius smiled wider.

“And what will you do?” Remus asked, tucking his legs up tighter and sipping his own tea. “If not hair?”

“I'll -” Sirius looked around, “I'll just sit here and absorb whatever magic it is that you possess, Remus Lupin. This cozy, bookish, darling boy persona you have going on. All cardigans and jumpers and honey sweet tea.” Remus swore Sirius looked at his lips before his eyes darted to the small writing desk. “I'll learn to write with fountain pens. I'll do calligraphy. I'll answer all your correspondence. I'll be your secretary.”

Remus snorted into his tea and this time he didn't even try to cover it up, “I don't have any correspondence. No one writes to me.”

“I will. And I'll answer my own letters. You won't even have to pay me.”

Remus laughed. He laughed and laughed and Sirius started laughing with him. When they stopped, they looked at each other across the sofa, tea still steaming, eyes sparkling in the dying firelight.

“Will you be my date to James' party next weekend?”

Remus blinked. Thunder boomed again and he was vaguely aware of the rain hitting the window harder. “What?”

“My date. James' party. It's why Lily and I were looking at cakes. Be my date. Go with me. Please?” Sirius' eyes were gentle but pleading.

Remus bit his lower lip, looked at his knees, “Are you sure? I'm not known for my social skills.”

Sirius beamed, “All you have to do is show up! I swear, James will fall in love with you and I'll have to fight him for you.”

Remus turned six shades of crimson, “Well, I don't know. Is he tall?”

“Yes.”

“Dark hair?”

“Yes.”

“Handsome?”

“In his own way.” Sirius said with a wink.

“Oh dear.” Remus sipped his tea. “It sounds tempting. The both of you in one room? However will I keep my hands to my self?”

Sirius Black, for all his worldliness and bravado never in a million years expected such a shameless flirt to come out of the lips of the likes Remus Lupin. He spat his tea out into his cup and spluttered harder when Remus tilted his head back and laughed, louder and freer than Sirius had ever heard him.

“You're a dark horse, Remus Lupin.” Sirius said, smiling as he wiped at his chin. Remus tossed him the tissue box on the table next to the couch. “I had you pegged all wrong.”

Remus grinned, sipped his tea and dropped Sirius a wink. He grinned even wider when Sirius blushed.

By the time Sirius left, it was nearing midnight. They'd sat and sipped and chatted about nothing much. For some reason, conversation was easier. Remus wasn't going to over analyze it but he didn't feel so awkward anymore although somewhere in the back of his mind he thought he should be. When Sirius yawned and looked at his watch, his eyes widened and he commented on the time, Remus sighed and stood up.

“Got somewhere to be in the morning?”

“No, but I'm not a nice person to be around if I sleep too late.”

Remus took his mug from him, sat them both on the kitchen counter. “Thank you for coming over,” he said, looking at his feet. “I – ah – I don't have many people over. Just two of my friends from school who are still single but even they are hard to pin down anymore.”

“And they don't ask you 'round?” Sirius shrugged on his jacket.

Remus shrugged. “They have their own lives. Evan's finishing med school and Barty's a solicitor. We try and get together once a month but,” Remus shrugged again as if that explained it.

“Well,” Sirius said, putting his hands in his jacket pockets, “I certainly intend to see you more often than once a month.”

“I should hope so. We do work together.”

Sirius laughed. He reached out and brushed his fingers through Remus' hair. “I wasn't talking about work.”

Remus nodded, flushed, smiled a little more dopey than usual.

Sirius sighed, fingers still in Remus' hair. “Every bit as soft as I imagined.” His grey eyes darted between Remus' and then to Remus' lips. He smiled, looked him in the eye and sighed. “Can I see you tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow? Um,” Remus looked at the door frame. “Yes.”

Sirius took a step closer and Remus put a hand on the doorknob.

“Coffee? Ten o'clock? There's a cafe on – you know what? Never mind. I'll pick you up. We'll go together, yeah?”

Remus couldn't do anything but nod, afraid his heart might burst with happiness.

Sirius leaned in a gave him the sweetest kiss on the cheek. Like the brush of a feather or the first snowflakes of Winter. “Tomorrow, then. Goodnight and thank you.”

“For what?” Remus whispered, feeling as if his feet were going to come off the ground at any moment and he'd float into the ceiling.

“For tonight. For dinner. For the conversation and the wine.” Sirius fingers were in his hair again, lightly carding. “For listening. For the books and the honesty and the honey sweet tea.” He kissed the tip of Remus' nose. “And for that glorious blush,” he winked and Remus felt his face heat across his cheeks and nose. “Goodnight.”

“'night,” Remus watched Sirius walk all the way down the hall and offered a little wave when he disappeared into the lift.

Chapter Text

They did have coffee Sunday. Sirius showed up at 10 am sharp, tapping on Remus' door and grinning from ear to ear when it opened. He wore a dark blue button up with the sleeves rolled, showing off his tattooed forearms and it took everything in Remus not to beg him to put on a jacket because honestly! Remus, to his credit, had decided on something a bit more dashing (in his mind) than his usual cardigans and corduroys. And Sirius really seemed to like him in that white, button up, top two buttons undone, tucked into a pair of dark blue jeans frayed at the hems over a pair of beat up Chucks. However, when they started to leave and Remus shivered a bit, Sirius urged him to go grab one of his darling cardigans because, honestly!

Coffee ended at noon and Remus found himself wandering to a sandwich shop Sirius insisted had the best selection of soups and sandwiches he'd ever come across. The place was tucked down a small, cobbled lane and Remus commented that it looked like something out of a fairy tale.

“Right up your alley, then?” Sirius elbowed him lightly and Remus bit his bottom lip in a vain attempt to stop the goofy smile that threatened to overflow and spill out from his face onto the very street beneath their feet.

They ate by a window and watched the rain drift down, people dart here and there, seeking refuge in the sandwich shop, the antique store across the street, the clothing stores on either side. When they finished, Sirius took Remus' hand in a most innocent gesture and practically dragged him out under the awning. There, they waited for a break in the weather and Sirius took off running, Remus pelting after without much choice as Sirius wasn't letting go of his hand. They ended up with the cuffs of their jeans soaked, their shoes full of water and their laughter drawing attention as they swooped into one of Remus' favorite bookshops.

“Remus!” The woman behind the counter said. “What in the name of James Joyce are you doing out out in weather like this?”

“Wild days are my glory, Claire.” Remus smiled, shaking his damp curls in Sirius' face, making the taller man laugh even louder as he moved to one side as another couple came through the door.

Claire's smile was warm, welcoming. “Well, come on in and stop blocking my customers. You're not the only book buyer in all of London.”

“Ah, but surely he's the only one that matters,” Sirius said as they walked towards the counter.

Claire looked him up and down, “Who's your friend?”

Remus felt the blush but ignored it, “Claire, this is Sirius Black. He's a stylist at my aunt's salon.”

Claire blinked, looked Sirius up and down once more, “Damn. I gotta get my hair done more often.” She fixed Sirius with a glare, “do you have a twin?”

“Afraid not.”

She looked at Remus, “You get tired of him, you let me know.” She looked at Sirius again, turned and went into the back room mumbling, “Damn,” under her breath.

Remus snorted behind his hands and Sirius rubbed the back of his neck. “It's not funny.”

“It is.” Remus said.

“It's embarrassing.”

“That's what you get for being so good looking.”

“I'm not that good looking.”

Remus turned and stared at Sirius with wide eyes. Amber eyes that caught the warm glow of the lamplight and turned something in Sirius' stomach. “You know. You're right?”

Sirius frowned.

“You're absolutely gorgeous. And I won't accept any other descriptor.” Remus turned and went back to the shelf of New Releases he was browsing, completely missing the flaming blush that crossed Sirius' face.

Monday morning they shared smiles across the salon, trying desperately not to let on that there was anything different in their quiet, friendly ways. Unfortunately, it seemed to Remus at any rate, no one was buying it.

“Have a nice dinner Saturday?” Toni asked as she hung up her jacket in her office.

Remus fiddled with one of the awards on her desk. “It was nice. I made your Company Casserole. Sirius ate most of it.”

Toni nodded. “And?”

“And we talked a bit about the book.” He looked off to one side. “And about poetry.” His eyes darted to the other and he saw Sirius standing, chatting with several of the other stylists and felt his mouth go dry when he ran his fingers through his hair, flexing those biceps on full display in his black, fitted t-shirt.

“Uh-huh,” Toni smirked. “And what time did he leave Sunday morning?”

“He left -” Remus' eyes widened, “He left Saturday night!” He cleared his throat. “OK, well, he left at one am on Sunday but that's not what you were hinting at and you know it.”

“No, that's not what I was hinting at, at all!” Her grin was positively malicious. “And?”

“And what?” Remus began picking at the the cuff of his grey cardigan.

“And what's next?”

“Well, we spent all day Sunday together. We're working all week, as you know, but - “Remus paused, took a deep breath in and let it out slowly, “he asked me to go to his best friend's surprise party with him Friday night.”

Toni blinked. Twice. “As his date? Remus! This is fantastic!”

“Shhh,” Remus bit his bottom lip. “Quiet. I – ah – we kind of don't want everyone knowing, OK? I mean, I'm not even sure what this is yet.”

Toni looked at Remus, followed his eyes to the handsome man now at the cafe, joking around with Bridget the barista and getting her to blush six shades of pink. “Oh, I do.” She sat at her desk, rested her chin on her hands. “Tell me, did he kiss you yet?”

Remus turned slowly to look at her, “On the cheek.” He said, chewing the inside of his mouth. “And the tip of my nose.”

Toni looked as if she might cry. “Really? I mean. That's all? Remus? That's … that's positively swoon worthy!”

Remus sighed, “I know.”

“You're going to go with him, right? To this party?”

“Of course I am, Toni.” He turned and looked at her, “I'm going to go as far as he'll let me.”

“And how far do you want that to be?” Toni asked gently.

Remus bit his bottom lip, turned and walked to the door of her office. He turned, looked at his aunt then looked at the man now sipping coffee, holding another cup in his hand with a mound of whipped cream in it, a soft smile on his face as he looked at Remus.

“All the way,” Remus whispered and walked out to take the offered hot chocolate from the elegant fingers of the man offering it with a sheepish smile and a soft blush across his cheeks.

Tuesday brought with it sporadic sunlight and Remus and Sirius sharing a table during their shared break, laughing over something one of Sirius' clients told him earlier that day.

“And she just confessed it to you?” Remus asked, face bright red.

“Yep. No shame whatsoever.”

“Do you think she told her husband?”

“I sincerely hope not! I wouldn't want my significant other telling me they were thinking about their hair dresser while – well – you know.”

Remus giggled, “What if your significant other was your hair dresser?”

Sirius smirked, “I don't know, Remus Lupin, what if he was?”

Time paused a bit; Remus took several moments to gather his thoughts and took one shuddering breath after another.

Sirius stood up and gathered their trash in one hand. He leaned forward a bit and smiled down at Remus, whispered softly, “What if he was?”

Wednesday brought another bout of Autumn rain and Remus getting a knock on his door an hour before he was supposed to be at work. It was Sirius, looking a bit bashful, keys in hand.

“Thought you might like a ride into work today?”

Remus' mouth dropped open as he let the other man inside his flat. “You came all this way just to ask if I wanted a ride?”

Sirius nodded.

“You crossed the Thames just to ask if I wanted a ride? Back across the Thames to work?”

Sirius nodded again.

“You could have called.”

“You would have said no. This way, I figured you'd feel guilty if you tried to send me away and I'd get you all to myself for a bit before we go back to pretending we aren't – well – aren't more than just co-workers.”

Remus gathered up his bag, picked up his keys and shuffled out the door behind Sirius. “And what are we?” He asked softly as he locked the door with a click.

“I'm not sure yet,” Sirius leaned into his back, his chest warm and firm against Remus' cardigan.

Remus swallowed thickly, his heart pounding loudly in his ears.

“But as soon as I figure it out, I'll let you know.”

All Remus could do was nod.

Thursday was cold but the sky was blue and he grinned broadly as he opened his door to a smiling Sirius at 7 am.

“It's not raining,” Remus said.

“It's cold. Couldn't have you catch cold. Who would go with me to James' party Friday?”

“I'm sure you could find any number of people to go with you,” Remus tugged at the collar of his jumper and pulled on a jacket.

“Yes,” Sirius said, picking up Remus' bag and keys, ushering the shorter man out the door and locking it for him, insisting he carry Remus' bag for him. “But I only want to go with you.”

That night they went to dinner and when Sirius took Remus home, Remus asked him in for a glass of wine.

“Or coffee? Tea?”

Sirius smiled, “I'd love some tea.”

Remus laughed a little and went to start the kettle. Sirius settled on the couch, the same place he'd sat the weekend before. Remus appeared with two plates with two biscuits each.

“What are these?” Sirius asked, taking one.

“Lemon and lavender.”

“Did you bake them?”

Remus rolled his eyes, “I hate to disappoint you, but I get these from the bakery one street over.”

“So you're not perfect?” Sirius raised an eyebrow. “And here I thought everything you did was handmade or hand-me-down.”

Remus smiled, “Mostly. But I leave the baking to the professionals.”

Sirius smiled back. He looked like he wanted to say something, something that may have been weighting on his mind all evening. Remus noticed, noticed that in any lull in their conversation that Sirius seemed to chew on words unspoken, look shyly at Remus then back at his plate, his cup, the chopsticks he used to eat his own ridiculous amount of sushi. But again Sirius said nothing and Remus went to the call of the kettle. He waited in the kitchen for the tea to steep, adding cream, vanilla and some sugar before rejoining Sirius in the den.

They sipped and snacked, Sirius telling Remus how when he was small, he'd stolen a box of biscuits from an upscale market. He'd settled in his closet to eat them only to find out they were sugar free, gluten free and tasted like cardboard.

Remus almost snorted his tea. “That's what you get for stealing.”

“Tell me your crimes,” Sirius' eyes sparkled. “Surely there's something you've done that's truant worthy?”

Remus giggled, licked a crumb off his thumb. He didn't notice Sirius notice. “Funny you should use that word,” he sipped his tea, tucked his feet up under him. “When I was nine I skipped school for an entire week.”

Sirius blinked. “Wait. What? Why? How?”

Remus grinned, his eyes darting to the dark windows and the lightening he could see off in the distance. “There was this group of guys who tormented me. I'd told my teacher, told my Aunt, I even told the crossing guard and everyone just kind of waved it off. Except Toni. She was furious. But she was banned from the premises so she couldn't do anything.”

Sirius blinked again, “I'm not sure I even want to know.”

“Oh you do.” Remus' grin widened, “she punched one of the kids' mothers in the nose when she confronted her about her kid bullying me.”

Sirius spat the sip of tea he'd just taken back into his cup. “What did the other woman do?”

“Got a bloody nose as far as I know. Toni used to pick me up from school. Dad worked long days and Mum worked for an event planner and had erratic hours. Toni was always there. Before she owned the salon, she was a lead stylist at a smaller shop where we're from. She just told them she had to pick up her nephew and no one argued.”

“OK, fine, but go back to the bloody nose.”

“Right. So she punched this woman and the woman reported her and the cops came and it was a big mess. I think I was seven. Anyway, that may be why the kids got worse. But that's beside the point. Nine. Toni talked to the principal several times on the phone but he was a jerk and, like I said, she didn't have the best rapport with the school system.”

“What about your parents?”

Remus' eyes shifted to the couch, “We never told them. I didn't want to worry them,” he looked up at Sirius, looking young and vulnerable. “Dad and Mum were great but they were always worried about money. Stressed. I'd realized that at a young age. They didn't hide anything from me, told me the truth but I never wanted for anything. Not really. And Toni always filled in the gaps as best she could.” He shook his head, “I just thought if I told them they'd feel like they should move so I could go to another school and I just – well,” he huffed, “anyway. Nine.”

“Yes,” Sirius knew a dropped topic when he saw one. “Nine. Skipped school. Continue.”

Remus smiled his soft smile and the lightening cast his profile in sharp relief before it was smoothed out again by firelight and lamplight. “I'd tell Mum goodbye as always and I was always at the curb when Toni arrived in the afternoon. But I wasn't in school. There was this garden,” Remus smiled again, his eyes going distant. “It belonged to this gorgeous house that sat in the really nice neighborhood across from the school. I'd found it by accident one day when I was being chased by the aforementioned group of guys. I hid behind their fence. Anyway, the garden was straight out of Hodgson-Burnett.”

“Who?”

“Francis? The Secret Garden?”

“Is this a book?”

Remus rolled his eyes, “Of course it's a book, silly.”

“You'll have to read it to me,” Sirius winked.

Remus huffed fondly and continued, “Anyway, there was a hole in their fence I could squeeze through, on the other side of this big hedge. They had roses and foxglove and these little winding paths that went to different rooms. It was – well, to me, then, I thought it must belong to an estate. I'd wander there and set myself up in one of the garden rooms beside a fountain, take out my books and spend the entire day reading. It was bliss.” Remus flushed a little, “ Sometimes I pretended it was my garden and I was hosting book readings for Very Important Guests.”

Sirius laughed loudly. “Oh I wish I'd known you as a child. I'll bet you were even more adorable than you are now.”

“You probably would have made fun of me, like the rest of them.”

“I would not! You said yourself you had two school friends. What if I'd been the third? The four of us against the world! Say, where were these so-called friends when all this bullying was taking place.”

“I didn't meet them until I went to secondary school.”

“Ah. Carry on,” Sirius gestured as if begging a member of his court to continue a story.

“The third day I was there, the lady who lived there found me. I was terrified she was going to call the cops but she sat down and told me she'd watched me the past few days and wondered why I was there.” Remus laughed a little, “Her actual words were, 'Who are you hiding from?' So I told her. She said she understood and for the rest of the week she and I would sit in the garden and read together. She introduced me to a ton of books I'd never heard of. On Friday, she told me that as much as she'd enjoyed our visits, I really did need to go back to school. I,” Remus picked at his jeans, “I started to cry and she said she'd walk me home.” Remus looked up at Sirius, smiled. “What she actually did was walk me back to school and ask me where the principal's office was.”

“She turned you in!”

“Just wait a moment,” Remus held up a hand. “That's what I thought too. I felt betrayed but I was too scared to say anything. When she got to the office, she knocked and the principal invited us both in. He asked what kind of trouble I'd gotten into and she marched right up to his desk and asked why they were allowing a little boy to be bullied so much that instead of going to school, he'd hide in someone's back garden. Because of her, I was finally taken seriously and they were all suspended for a week, their parents were called in and they never bothered me again.” Remus smiled into his cup. “She taught me that I didn't have to be big and loud and mean to get people to see the truth. She was small and soft but when she spoke people listened! I found out later she used to teach at Oxford before her husband became ill and she had to leave to take care of him. After he passed away, she'd moved to our little village and began growing prize winning roses.”

“So you were never bullied again because of your garden angel?”

“Oh, I was. In secondary school. See, we did end up moving and there was a whole new batch of people to make fun of me. But that's where I met Barty and Evan.”

“And your friend, the garden angel?” Sirius smiled.

“We kept in touch until she passed away.” Remus sighed a little. “Last year.”

“I feel like,” Sirius started. He put his empty cup down with a clink. “I feel like you don't actually inhabit this time, you know? Like, who finds a secret garden to hide in that just happens to belong to a kind old lady who serves you tea and crumpets and then goes and hands the principal his arse on a platter! And then you keep in touch with her until she passes away. Did she leave you her house? Her garden? Tell me she named a rose after you.”

Remus laughed, “No. She did not leave me her house or garden and as far as I know there are no Remus Lupin roses out there.” He dropped his eyes and gazed into his cup, “But she did leave me this tea set we're drinking from,” he turned and looked at one of his many groaning bookshelves, “and every leather bound volume on those shelves right there.”

Sirius' mouth dropped open and he let out a disbelieving sigh. “I -” he chewed on his lip, uncrossed his legs. He took a breath, made to say something, stopped. Somewhere, thunder grumbled. “Can -” he shook his head.

“You've been trying to ask me something all night.”

Sirius turned sharply to gape at him.

“It's been kind of obvious.”

“Well, yes. I have. I'm just not sure – well, I'm not sure that it's – how can I put this. Appropriate.”

Remus blinked at him. “Appropriate?”

“Correct. Not sure. In fact, I'm completely and totally flummoxed as to what you might say or do if I actually found the nerve to ask you.”

Remus put his tea cup down gently. He smoothed his hands down his thighs. “Well, how about you just start with asking me and then we'll both find out.”

Sirius took a deep breath in through his nose. He let it out slowly. His eyes traced the books on the shelves, the curtains, the pictures on the mantle.

“Can I kiss you?” His voice was soft as the rain that now pattered against the window.

Remus made a small sound, one that Sirius wasn't quite sure he'd heard.

“You,” Remus started. He looked at Sirius, a confused, bewildered glance, indecipherable. “You want to kiss me?”

Sirius nodded. “Yeah, yeah I do. I've wanted to all week but – I just – I don't want to scare you away.” Sirius let out a soft laugh. “I mean, I've never met anyone like you before. Not ever. And I feel - “ he raised his hands over his head and then spread his arms out wide as if he was embracing the entire room, “I feel so full! That doesn't even make sense, does it? Ever since we started talking I just feel - “ he searched the room for the right word, settled his eyes on Remus' confused expression, “content.”

“Content?”

Sirius scooted closer to him on the couch. “Yeah. Content.”

Remus nodded a little, eyes wide.

“You make me feel content, Remus Lupin, in a way nothing and no one ever has. I've dated around, I have – ah – a bit of a reputation. “ He scooted a bit closer. “I feel as if I've always been searching, you know? Ever since I left home. Searching for something or some place to call my own.”

Suddenly he was right in front of Remus, halfway on the same cushion. Remus was tucked up in the corner, tight as he could go, amber eyes wide, bottom lip between his teeth.

“Since I started seeing you it's as if everything in my life suddenly fits, makes sense.” He let out a frustrated laugh, reached out and brushed one of Remus' errant curls from his forehead. “Does that even make sense?”

Remus' was very aware that his breath was coming faster, little shallow puffs that did nothing to fill his lungs.

Sirius traced a delicate line down Remus' jaw, letting his fingers linger lightly on the side of his neck. “And I'm afraid of losing this. Of losing you, if I push to hard or too fast.”

Remus was suddenly nodding, his chest rising and falling quickly. “Yes.”

Sirius' face fell, “Yes? Yes I'm going too fast? I'm losing this – Remus, yes what?”

“Yes you can kiss me.”

The words were so quiet Sirius wasn't quite sure he'd heard him right. But Remus wasn't moving, wasn't turning away. He leaned forward slowly, fingers still on Remus' neck before moving to his collarbone then sliding softly around to the back of his neck to tangle in his curls.

“I've never met anyone like you,” Sirius repeated. He was close now and Remus could see that his grey eyes were outlined in the palest blue. Sirius' eyes darted to Remus' lips and his tongue moved across his bottom lip to moisten it. “Ever.” The word brushed Remus' lips with warmth and he closed his eyes and waited.

Gently, softly, Sirius' lips connected with his. Remus stopped breathing. Blood rushed to his ears and muffled the soft sounds of rain, thunder, the hum of the fridge. Sirius' free hand came up and rested on one of Remus' knees and he carded his other hand through Remus' hair. Sirius pulled back, a little, just enough so that when his eyes fluttered open he could see Remus' still closed ones, see his pink lips parted, the small scattering of freckles across his nose, the one that sat comfortably in the crease of his left eye.

Remus' eyes opened and they gazed at each other for exactly four seconds before Remus leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Sirius' lips. Sirius let out a soft sound, a breath of a sigh and pressed forward a bit more, hand tightening in Remus' curls. Remus' hands, shaking, came up and cupped Sirius' face. They were warm and soft and Sirius' breath caught and he leaned even closer and Remus made a punched out sound as Sirius' lips moved ever so slightly. Remus slid against the corner of the couch, down further into the cushions and Sirius moved to lean over him, the hand that had rested on Remus' knee now firmly behind his lower back. Remus stretched his legs out, pushing them behind Sirius and against the back of the sofa, allowing Sirius to shift until he was resting his chest against Remus', his feet firmly on the ground. Their mouths moved gently to the rhythm of the now steady rain and Remus' thumbs began to move across Sirius' cheeks. How long they were like that, how long they lay there, lips connected, breathing each other's air, Remus couldn't say but he knew exactly when they parted. He was suddenly aware that his thumbs were wet. His eyes flew open and he pulled back.

“What's wrong?” He gasped. “What did I do?”

“Nothing,” Sirius shook his head, eyes still closed, tears falling and being swiped away gently by Remus' thumbs. “Everything.” He turned his head to kiss the palm of Remus' right hand. “No one's -” He took in a shuddering breath, “No one's ever held me like this.” His eyes opened and the grey was now dark, the blue rim wider, deeper. Sirius licked his lips, eyes tracing Remus' face, “No one's ever touched my face like that.”

“I'm sorry?” Remus left his right hand where it was but took his left and traced Sirius' face gently with his fingertips.

Sirius huffed a laugh, “Don't ever be sorry for touching me.”

“I was afraid I'd hurt you,” Remus let those fingers run across Sirius' lips. He took a sharp breath in when he felt the tip of Sirius' tongue on them.

“You most definitely did not hurt me.” Sirius leaned in and kissed Remus again. This time it was firm, a bit harder, and when he tentatively licked Remus' lower lip, he was rewarded by a soft sigh and Remus' lips parting, granting him entrance.

Ten minutes later, after their heart rates had mostly returned to normal, Sirius helped Remus take the tea things back into the kitchen.

“You'll still go with me tomorrow night?” Sirius asked, handing Remus his cup and saucer.

“Of course I will. I'm still a bit nervous, you know. But I'll go.”

They looked at each other a moment and then both broke into soft giggles.

“Nothing to be nervous about,” Sirius leaned forward and kissed Remus on the cheek. “But I understand.”

“Thank you,” Remus said softly.

“For what?”

“For understanding. For,” he smiled wider, “for tonight.”

Sirius brushed his hands through Remus' curls again, leaned forward and kissed his lips softly, “Oh, Remus. I promise you. There will be many more nights like tonight,” he kissed him again. “If you want there to be.”

Remus nodded, “Yeah,” he said, breathless. “Yeah I do.”

Sirius laughed, kissed him once more and yawned. “Well I am exhausted but in a good way.” He gave Remus a wink. “Apparently gently making out with a beautiful boy will do that to you.”

Remus flushed and followed him to the front door. “Be safe out there.” He smiled up at Sirius as he shrugged on his leather jacket.

“See you tomorrow? We'll head to James' right after work. Lily has him out until nine.”

Remus nodded. He sucked in a deep breath, stood on his toes and gave Sirius a firm kiss on the lips.

“Good night.” He said.

“Good night.” Sirius opened the door, turned and smiled. “Remus Lupin.”

Remus grinned as he locked the door, as he finished washing the tea things, as he practically skipped down the hall and changed into his pajamas and as he fell asleep to the soft sound of rain.

Chapter Text

On Friday morning, Remus didn't even try to keep his joy to himself. He smiled at everyone. Even Bridget the Barista noticed his particularly expansive mood.

“You must have had a wonderful Thursday night.” She said, topping off his whipped cream with extra whipped cream.

“I did. Thank you.” He said and stuck a finger in the cream, scooped out a large bit and licked it off with a grin.

“Any particular reason?” Her eyes darted to where Sirius stood, organizing his scissors, combs and towels at his station.

Remus' eyes followed hers. “Nope.” He turned back to Bridget and, after a moment's hesitation, gave her a cheeky wink.

Bridget giggled, leaned over the counter and stuck a heart shaped marshmallow into Remus' drink. “Happy Friday, Lover Boy.”

Remus grinned all the way to Toni's office. “Good morning.” He chirped.

Toni turned, blinked, gave her nephew a smile. “Good morning. You are way too happy for a morning. Even a Friday morning.”

He shrugged. “In a good mood.”

“Any particular reason?” Toni asked, slow grin spreading across her face.

Remus knew he couldn't hide anything from his aunt. He grinned, looked down at his ridiculous drink then back at her. “Nope. Not a one.”

“Really? Not a single reason?” Her eyes darted behind him.

“Not that I can think of.”

“I can think of one,” a deep voice said and Sirius' fingers darted out and took the marshmallow from the top of Remus' drink, popped it in his mouth and smiled around it.

“Hey!” Remus frowned. “I was saving that.”

“For what? Afternoon tea?” Sirius grinned, letting the marshmallow seep out a little from the corners of his mouth.

“Ew.” Remus wrinkled up his nose.

“You like it.”

“I don't. It's messy.”

“You want to kiss it off.”

Remus' eyes went wide and he turned pink. Toni giggled.

“Don't mind me!” She sang. “I won't mind at all!”

“You are both impossible, you know that?” Remus huffed, turned and went to gather up his apron and broom.

Sirius watched him, smiling and wiping at the corners of his mouth.

“I've never seen him so happy,” Toni said, fixing Sirius with a piercing glare.

Sirius swallowed the marshmallow and met her stare.

“I've never seen you so happy,” her expression softened.

“I've never been this happy,” Sirius said.

Toni smiled. “Busy day today?”

He nodded, “Full schedule as always.”

“You really are the best I've ever seen in this business.”

Sirius shrugged one shoulder. He looked out to watch Remus as he chatted with two other stylists. They laughed at something and then went about their separate ways.

“I always thought that happiness was something other people found,” Sirius said. He turned to look at Toni. “I figured I'd just spend the rest of my life here, pretending to be whatever it is people think I am.”

Toni sat at her desk, looked at him for a long moment. “And what is that?”

“A wildly successful stylist who's worshiped and adored by the industry and every man, woman and child who sits in his chair.”

Toni laughed. She paused, pushed a pen around on her desk, “And what's the truth? What are you really?”

A soft expression crossed Sirius' face. He turned again and watched Remus lean against the counter to chat with Sybil. Today she wore all black and was dripping in quartz. “A lost little boy who maybe has finally found his way home.”

Toni swallowed the lump in her throat. “And my nephew has absolutely nothing to do with that, right?”

Sirius turned and beamed at her, “Oh your nephew has absolutely everything to do with that.”

Toni returned his smile. “Get out there, hot shot. Maybe you'll discover that it's just fine to be both.”

Sirius dropped her a wink, squared his shoulders and started his day.

---

Close of business brought a tangible sigh of relief from the entire salon. Stations were cleaned, towels gathered and tossed to the back room for the weekend cleaning staff. Remus pushed the rolling broom in every conceivable corner of the salon and picked up any stray bits of rubbish he'd missed throughout the day.

“Alright, everyone!” Toni appeared from her office, tossing her coat around her shoulders and carrying her large bag to the doors. “Great job this week, really. Don't forget! You've only got a couple of weeks left to figure out what you're going to be for my Halloween Party! I take this stuff seriously, you know!”

Everyone laughed, shouted out various replies, including a very enthusiastic, “Are you having that chocolate thing again!” which got a round of applause from almost everyone.

“I'll never tell! You'll just have to show up to find out.” She turned and gave Remus an exaggerated wink, “Have fun, kids! See you all on Monday.”

A chorus of “Bye, Toni!” and “Have a good weekend!” rang out and everyone gathered up their things and left. Remus was last to go so he could lock up and he followed Sirius to where his car was parked in the garage next door.

“You look nice,” Sirius said as he opened the passenger's door.

“Are you sure? It's not too much? I just wanted to look good, you know. For your friends.”

Sirius laughed all the way around to the driver's side and slid in. “Remus, you could wear your pajamas and you'd look good to me.” He grinned and started the engine. “But I understand. You look gorgeous,” he leaned over and kissed Remus' cheek. “Blue really brings out your eyes.”

Remus looked down at his navy cashmere jumper. He smoothed a hand down his front. “Thanks.” Those eyes darted up at Sirius, watched him check the rear view as he backed out of his parking space. “You look great too, you know. All black really suits you.”

Sirius laughed, threw the car in gear and sped out into the night. “I think if I showed up in anything else, James might have a heart attack and I'd hate for him to keel over at 25.”

They talked lightly about their day as Sirius navigated the twenty minutes to his friend's house. He parked a block away and he and Remus walked slowly to a large, three story home. Sirius opened the picket fence and Remus jumped when a man on the porch turned and said, “Oi! About time you got here!”

“Pete!” Sirius waved. “I thought you had a key?”

Pete rolled his eyes, “I did. But I lost it.”

“Again?” Sirius chuckled and walked up the steps.

“Yeah, yeah. Just open it, will you?”

Sirius laughed, unlocked the door and ushered Remus and Pete inside. A large, black dog trotted up to greet them. Sirius put his keys on the small table in the foyer, reached down and rubbed the dogs ears.

“Pete, I'd like you to meet Remus Lupin.” Sirius continued rubbing the dog's ears, “Remus, this is Peter Pettigrew.”

“Pleasure,” Peter stuck out his hand and gave Remus' an enthusiastic shake. “Do you work together?”

“Yes.” Remus said with a small smile.

“Cool,” Peter took off his coat and hung it up on the rack at the door.

“Oh,” Sirius said, “and this is Larry,” he gestured to the dog. “Say hi, Larry.”

Larry barked, pink tongue lolling.

“Hello, Larry,” Remus said, holding his hand down for Larry to sniff it. He did and licked Remus' hand then trotted off after Peter.

Remus made a face and wiped his hand on the back of his jeans. Sirius laughed.

“Come on.” Sirius gestured down the hall with his head. “We'll leave the front rooms dark. Lily said everything was set up in the courtyard.”

Remus nodded, followed, looking at the large home with wide eyes. He absently rubbed his hands up and down his arms, taking in the plethora of pictures hanging on the walls and sitting on every available surface. He found Sirius and Pete in a large room, the entire back wall glass, looking out to a patio and a garden lit by solar lanterns and fairy lights. He could hear the murmuring of a fountain. Suddenly, a gate creaked and he heard laughter and a baby squeal.

“Sirius Black!” A tall woman holding the baby Remus remembered from Sirius' pictures approached and dropped a kiss on Sirius' cheek.

The baby reached out and Sirius took him, tossed him in the air and then kissed his chubby cheeks until he dissolved into giggles.

“Hello Effie,” He said, leaning into the woman. “You look radiant as always.”

“And you're gorgeous as ever. Why are you such a stranger! I haven't seen you in a month!”

“I know. I'm sorry! Life's been, interesting.” He glanced over where Remus stood in the doorway of the den, unsure where he belonged. “But I promise to make it to Sunday dinner again soon. Remus!”

Remus smiled and walked slowly to stand next to Sirius.

“Remus, this is Effie Potter, James' Mum. And that,” he nodded towards a man with messy black hair who was obviously trying to put up more fairy lights while Peter stood on a ladder, getting more tangled up in said fairy lights by the minute, “is his dad. Monty.” Sirius propped the little boy on his hip. “Two of the best people on planet earth.” He looked at Effie, “Effie, this is Remus Lupin.”

“Ah,” her eyes shone behind her glasses, “so this is the boy I've heard so much about.”

Remus blinked. “Nice to meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine! Honestly, I've known Sirius since he was fifteen and I've never heard him go on and on about someone like he has about you. The boy with the golden hair I believe he called you.”

Remus turned a deep shade of red, blinked furiously and looked at Sirius who looked even more embarrassed than he did.

The little boy reached towards Remus and burbled.

“Oh,” Sirius turned from Effie, “This is Harry. Harry Potter. Harry, this is Remus. Can you say hello?”

Harry said what sound like "woah" and then reached for Remus.

“You want to go to him?” Sirius asked.

“Oh, ah no, I don't -” but Remus suddenly found a bubbly baby poured into his arms. A baby that looked up at him, curious, and reached up to put a chubby hand on his nose.

“Hello, Harry,” Remus said softly.

Harry grinned, tucked his little head down and pressed it against Remus' chest. Remus looked up to find Effie and Sirius staring at him, smiling.

“Oh he likes you,” Effie said, arms crossed and beaming.

One of Harry's little hands gripped Remus' jumper while the other one found it's way into his mouth.

“Um,” Remus wriggled a bit to get Harry adjusted, bracing him under his little bottom with one arm and putting his other hand firmly on the baby's back.

“You're doing fine,” Sirius said, a soft smile on his mouth. “Harry doesn't go to just anyone. He must really like you.”

Remus looked down at the baby in his arms, at the mess of black hair. “He's very cute.”

“He's the best,” Sirius dropped a kiss to Remus' curls. “Come on! Let's see if I can rescue Pete from Monty's mad cap ideas.”

“I resemble that remark!” Monty said as they approached.

Pete gladly handed the lights to Sirius and clambered down the ladder, visibly relaxing at having both feet firmly on the ground. He stood next to Remus and rubbed a hand in Harry's hair.

“Your aunt runs the salon Sirius works at, right?”

“Oh, ah, yeah. That's right.”

“Sweet. And do you cut hair too?”

“Ah, no.” Remus bit his bottom lip. “ I – ah, kind of just clean up after everyone.”

“Nice,” Pete shoved his hands in his pockets, “none of that pressure, eh? I don't know how Sirius does it. I'd go mental if I had to cut anyone's hair straight!”

Remus smiled, relief filling him at not having to explain his job to another stranger. Usually people found out what he did and asked everything from “Why?” to “Oh. Is that all?” and immediately got bored. But Pete seemed to just take it in stride.

“And, ah,” Remus swallowed, “what do you do?”

“I work at a bank. Dull but dependable.” He grinned as Sirius stood on the top rung of the ladder. “My dad and grandad both were bankers. Well, my dad still is. Hey!” He called out and Remus turned, his heart jumping in his throat at the sight of Sirius standing on the top of the ladder and reaching into a tree. “Don't fall, yeah! Don't want James' party to end up in A&E.”

“Yes,” Effie joined them, “I hear they won't let cake into surgery.”

“Ha very ha,” Sirius said.

Remus's eyes stayed wide until Sirius was back on firm ground and as he sauntered up to him, he glared.

“What?” Sirius asked, making a face at Harry that made the baby giggle.

“You. That ladder! What if you'd fallen!”

“Then I'd be in some pain.” He grinned.

Remus scowled further.

“Oh, lighten up.” He kissed Remus' cheek. “I've done a lot worse.”

“I do not want to know.”

Sirius barked out a laugh, “No, you probably don't!”

“Is this where the party's at?”

Remus turned to see another couple arrive. They looked to be a little bit older than himself, Sirius and Pete. The man was tall and thin and held the hand of not one but two little boys who looked exactly alike. The woman was short and comfortable looking, holding a little boy about the same age as Harry. Behind them came three other boys, one taller being very careful not to step off the stone path, one stockier, carrying a bag very carefully in his dirty hands and the other, watching everyone with wide eyes behind glasses. Every one of them had vibrant red hair.

“Molly!” Peter said wandering over and taking the little boy from her.

“Hello Peter, Dear,” Molly stretched her back and Remus saw she was very pregnant.

“Surely you're not still waiting!” Effie said, coming to stand with her.

“This one is holding out longer than the others,” Molly turned and smiled in Remus' direction. “Hello Sirius, dear.”

“Molly,” Sirius went to her, hugged her and leaned in for a kiss. “I want you to meet someone, you too Arthur.”

Remus found himself surrounded by red heads and smiles.

“Remus, this is Molly and Arthur Weasley and their brood. Don't ask me to remember their names. I'm sure you'll hear them tonight. This is Remus Lupin,” Sirius put his arm around him and grinned.

“Hello Remus, dear.” Molly said beaming up at him. “It's lovely to meet you. I see you've made a friend already!”

“Harry took right to him,” Sirius said, squeezing Remus into his side.

“Hm,” Molly hummed, put her hands on her lower back, “then I'd say he's a good one. If Harry approves.” She winked at the two men, “Better keep this one, Sirius. He's darling!” She turned and looked off towards the fountain, “Charles! Get out of that water this instant!”

“But there's a frog, Mum!”

“It's a toad,” the bespectacled boy said, rolling his eyes.

The twins giggled and poked at their brother until he swatted their hands away, straightening his glasses and scowling.

Remus smiled. He felt content, oddly warm, surrounded by strangers and Sirius' arm. He held a little boy who wasn't letting his jumper go for anything and found himself nodding to something Arthur was saying about boat engines. He could feel Sirius' eyes on him and he wanted to ask what he was thinking when a new voice broke out behind them and everyone turned towards the house to find a beaming Lily standing by a flabbergasted man, tall with hair every bit as messy as the hair of the boy in Remus' arms.

“What! How! Who?”

“You forgot where and why.” Effie said with a wink.

“Happy Birthday!” Everyone yelled and the man who must be James took off his glasses, wiped a hand down his face and turned to his wife.

“Did you know about this?”

“Of course I knew about it, you beautiful idiot!” She kissed him on the lips, grinning. “Surprise!”

“Yes. Surprise!” He wiped at his eyes before putting his glasses back on and looked right at Remus. “Good grief, Lily! Do you see this? Harry is asleep in the arms of a perfect stranger!” His smile got wider.

“That's no stranger,” Lily said, walking towards Remus, “That's Remus Lupin. Hello Remus. I see you've been officially adopted.”

“Apparently so.” He smiled at Harry and then at Lily. “Hello again.”

“Sirius tells me you thought he and I made a nice couple.”

“Oh, God, look, I'm -” Remus started but Lily interrupted with a laugh and a gentle hand on his arm.

“It's hilarious and I love it! It makes James sputter and then he goes into his Strutting Stag mode. You know, acting like he's all manly and such. As if he needs to win me over all over again! Always sends me into the giggles.”

Remus laughed lightly, shifting Harry to his other hip.

“Do you want me to take him?” Lily reached out but Harry, who wasn't as asleep as they thought, grunted a little, “no!” and gripped Remus' jumper tighter. “OK then,” Lily said, kissing her son on his head. “At least sit down. I know he can get heavy.”

“Oh, he's fine. I've never really held a baby before.” He let Lily guide him to a chair and he sat carefully, turning Harry around so he could see everything that was going on. Harry clutched at Remus' arm with one hand, the other one stuffed in his mouth.

“So this is Sirius' boyfriend!” James sauntered over and beamed at Remus. “I'm James, it's a pleasure to meet you and if I may say so, thank GOD you're here because I was about sick and tired of hearing him go on and on and on about the beautiful boy with the golden hair!”

Remus felt his face catch fire.

“James,” Lily scolded, running a hand over Harry's hair.

“It's true!” James laughed, “Tell me. How'd he do it? Wine and dine? Or did he win you over with his luscious locks?”

Remus' eyes hurt they were so wide. Sirius sat next to him, draping an arm casually over the back of Remus' chair. “I asked him out, James. He said yes. We spent every evening together last week. It was wonderful. We drank tea and ate biscuits and he cooked me the most amazing dinner. Casserole something?” He turned to Remus.

“Um Company -” Remus' voice squeaked and he cleared his throat, “Company Casserole. It's my aunt's recipe.”

“Best thing I've ever eaten,” Sirius said. “Harry, want to sit with me? Give Remus a break?” Sirius held out his arms.

“No!” Harry said, shaking his head firmly.

Sirius laughed, kissed Remus on the temple. “How a bout you?” He turned to where the little boy with the glasses stood, unsure of where he should stand. “Percy, right?”

The little boy pushed his glasses up his nose and nodded. “Percival if you please.”

“Whatcha been up to, Percival?” Sirius asked and he and Remus were suddenly entrenched in a deep discussion concerning his ridiculous older brothers, how Charlie couldn't keep his clothes clean and the very obvious differences between frogs and toads that Charlie disputed from across the courtyard which sent Percy into a very grumpy tirade about Charlie being a “stupid stupid head” which made the twins laugh out loud and the oldest – Billy or something – roll his eyes and tell his Dad that 'Percy said stupid' which then got the youngest boy bounding up and down in Effie's arms saying 'Toopid, toopid, toopid, toopid, toopid!”

Lily laughed as Molly sat heavily beside her. “I'm sorry, Molly. But they really are delightful!”

“Oh sure. Just you wait! You have another one and you'll be calling me crying.” Molly sounded grumpy but her face was soft and smiling. She rested one hand on her large belly. “Now tell me, Dear, you work at the salon, correct?” She patted Remus on the arm.

Remus nodded.

“And you keep the place running smoothly? Sirius told us you were kind of the behind the scenes man. I think those jobs are the most important. Everyone wants to be the super star but where would they be without the people that kept things going, hm?” She patted him on the knee in a very motherly fashion. “You're good for him, I can tell.” She looked up at Remus and smiled. “He's been through it, that one.” She nodded over at Sirius who was now crouched down talking to Percy and Charlie and trying to get them to reconcile their differences while Larry kept nudging Charlie with his wet nose and getting the little boy to laugh. She looked into Remus' eyes and seemed to come to some sort of decision. “Yes. Very good for him. You'll do just fine.” She looked down at Harry who was now really asleep and snoring lightly against Remus' chest. “Better look out. I might be after you to babysit.” She winked and laughed as Remus turned pink.

Remus watched the night unfold like a painting. There was laughter and food and too many conversations to keep up with. The kids were actually really good and played out of the way, getting into a few scuffles but nothing that wasn't ironed out swiftly and with few tears. Monty and Effie sat with Remus for a while, tickled at the fact that Harry wanted Remus to feed him his bottle which, of course, made Sirius feed Remus his cake. Lily cooed at that which caused Remus to blush and Pete and James laughed, calling Sirius things like, “Whipped”, “Lover Boy” and “Romeo”. Sirius would just shake his head fondly and flip them off when none of the kids were looking.

Arthur chatted with him for a bit about his job as a general contractor and all the interesting things he brought home to fix up and re-sell. Molly, of course, interjected quite a lot about the lack of space but patted her husband on the hand while doing so and grinning when he kissed her on the cheek and got her another slice of chocolate cake. Lily and Effie asked about Toni and a bit about where Remus came from and Remus shifted a sleeping Harry in his arms, cradling him and feeling more at home than he ever had the first time visiting new people. Pete, James and Sirius stood over by the fountain, drinking beer and laughing and Sirius would glance over at Remus, holding Harry and chatting with the others, completely unperturbed when Charlie or Bill or Fred would wander over, tug on his arm and ask him a Very Important Question about rocks or Kung Fu movies or dragons. Sirius thought his heart was going to burst when he overheard Remus telling one of the boys in a very serious voice that dragons were of course real because how else could there be books written about them if they weren't. This caused Charlie and Bill to get into a bit of a scuffle with Charlie saying, “I told you so!” and Bill protesting, “he's just being nice!” until Arthur took them to the other side of the garden to give them a good talking to about etiquette at other people's homes.

And as the night dwindled down, Remus found his eyes dropping as Harry continued to sleep in his arms. The little boy was warm and smelled good and the conversation and laughter filled Remus' heart to overflowing and it wasn't until he felt Harry being taken and a soft kiss being placed on his lips that he realized the party was over and he'd dozed peacefully for quite a while.

“The Weasley's left over an hour ago. Had to get the kids to bed.” Sirius explained as he offered his hands to Remus and helped him stand up. “They adore you by the way and Charlie thinks you must be a magical creature yourself after defending his dragons to his older brother.”

Remus huffed a laugh. “I'm sorry I feel asleep,” he said to a grinning James.

“Don't be. Sleeping babies will do that to you,” James put his arm around Lily as she came back outside after putting Harry in his crib. “I'm really glad you came, Remus,” James said. “And all teasing aside, it really is good to see this guy so happy.”

Remus smiled, stifled a yawn and said, “Thank you for having me. You have a lovely home. It was a really great party.”

“It was, wasn't it?” James turned and kissed his wife on her head. “This one is pretty amazing about things like that.” He gave an exaggerated wink to Sirius, “So's that one.”

Remus smiled and leaned a little more into Sirius. The taller man wrapped his arms around him and propped his chin in Remus' hair. “Guess we should head out,” Sirius said. He moved to give James and Lily both hugs and then received them from Effie and Monty as well. He pulled Pete into a one armed head lock and smacked a kiss on his forehead which caused Pete to mime gagging.

“Save those for that one,” he said, pointing at Remus.

“Oh, he gets better kisses than that, Pete.” Sirius winked at Remus.

“You come to Sunday dinner,” Effie said, wrapping Remus up in a hug all his own. “Every Sunday at five. Open door policy. Bring this one around, eh? Keep him grounded. Make sure he behaves.”

Remus grinned, “I'll do my best, Effie.”

Monty shook his hand and Lily gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for coming, Remus. You two come for dinner some time next week, yeah?”

“Um, yeah, Sure. I'd like that.”

“So would we.” Lily said as James shook Remus' hand and then pulled him into a clumsy hug.

Sirius and Remus said goodbye and exited out the garden gate, walking around the house and the block over to where Sirius parked. Remus' eyes widened when he saw the time.

“It's after 1!”

“Yep.” Sirius laughed. “Keep you out too late?”

“I don't think I've ever been out this late.”

Sirius laughed even harder at the confession and they drove back to Remus' flat in relative silence.

When they got to Remus' floor, he turned to Sirius, hesitated before asking,“Would you -” Remus' eyes darted off to the left. “I mean – no. Never mind. It's late and -”

“Would I what?” Sirius leaned over him, one arm bracing against the door. His mouth quirked upwards, to the right, his eyes hooded, taking in Remus' face from forehead to freckles to his soft, soft mouth.

“Um -” Remus bit his bottom lip. “Would you -” Remus let out a loud breath. “Would you like to come in. For coffee? Tea?”

“With honey?” Sirius reached up with one finger and lightly touched Remus' chin. Remus shivered.

“If you like?”

Sirius leaned forward, lips so very close, breath smelling like beer and chocolate cake, Autumn nights and laughter. “Oh, I would very much like.”

“You would?” Remus' whispered squeak turned his face blood red.

“I would,” Sirius whispered and gently pressed his lips to Remus'. “I would very much,” Sirius pressed in closer, lips hungry and Remus' eyes blew wide open. He fumbled with the doorknob, the keys jangling. Sirius, without breaking contact, reached around and turned the knob, slowly opening the door and gently pushing Remus backwards. Something clicked and Remus reached up, letting his fingers run through Sirius silken hair, resting on his neck, fiddling with the collar of his shirt.

“You feel exactly as I thought you might,” Sirius said against Remus mouth. “I think I mentioned that.”

Remus shivered, unable to speak for the knot in his throat.

“Soft,” Sirius pressed his lips to Remus' firmly. “Warm.” Sirius gently nipped at Remus' lower lip and tugged it forward. Remus all but whimpered. “Like coming home.”

Remus wrapped his arms tightly around Sirius as the taller man reached down and lifted him off the ground, hands firm underneath Remus' thighs. Remus wasn't sure, but he thought he heard the lock click on his front door, heard his keys land somewhere to the left of his sofa.

Remus had imagined what it might be like for Sirius to carry him to bed. Even his wildest dreams couldn't prepare him for the reality. Sirius was gentle, so gentle, his hands large and strong and his arms able to hold him without shaking. His lips were smooth and warm. His tongue was soft and moved slowly, first across Remus' lips and then asked permission to go further which Remus happily granted.

Remus was vaguely aware they were moving past the living room and down the hallway. His mind, hazy with the feel of Sirius around him, contributed that maybe he should guide Sirius to his bedroom so he wouldn't go into the two spare rooms first. Somehow, Sirius knew that Remus' room was at the end of the hall to the left, the one that looked out over the Victorian houses with the sliding glass doors and the picture perfect balcony studded with empty flower pots and a small cafe table and chairs.

Sirius laid Remus gently on the bed and broke their kiss only to remove his jacket, dropping it on the floor, grinning at the way Remus' licked his lips.

“Is this alright?” Sirius asked softly, sitting down to untie his boots and toeing them off to join the jacket.

Remus nodded, breath hitching, as Sirius reached down and slipped off Remus' loafers.

“You're sure?” Sirius moved to kneel on the bed.

Remus pushed himself up so that his shoulders were on his pillow. He nodded again, eyes wide.

Sirius smiled, reached down and pulled off his long-sleeve t-shirt revealing a black sleeveless undershirt. His arms looked massive in the dim light, the tattoos indecipherable. Remus bit down on his bottom lip so hard he was afraid it might puncture. Sirius put one hand down on Remus' left side and one on the right, moving to hover over him. He kissed him again, this time slower and deeper and Remus gasped as Sirius tongue pressed against his own. He gasped at the desperate way he clung to Sirius' neck, pulling him so that his knees were on either side of Remus' hips. The way he pushed his fingers into Sirius' hair and then gently ran them down the sides of his face only to cup his jaw lightly.

“Oh you are so lovely,” Sirius said and he pressed his weight gently down onto Remus and Remus' hands moved to grip the back of Sirius' sleeveless shirt before Sirius broke again to pull that off and to gently slip Remus' jumper over his head sending his curls into a tangled halo.

“So,” Sirius kissed Remus' lips, “Very,” he kissed Remus sternum, “Lovely,” he kissed right above Remus' waistband.

The last, rather ridiculous thoughts he had before Sirius began to slowly take him apart was that he was glad he'd picked up his dirty clothes that morning and he distantly wondered if he had enough honey left for two cups of tea.

Because they did eventually have tea with honey, but it took them several hours to get there.

Chapter Text

The last two weeks of October slipped by in a haze of wonder. At first, Remus was afraid it was all too good to be true and he'd wake up one morning and find it was all a dream or, worse, Sirius came to his senses and realized he could have anyone in the world and left to go find that Someone Better. But each morning, Remus woke up with a strong arm draped over his waist or his face pressed against a warm shoulder or a pair of gentle, hungry lips fumbling their way to ecstasy and he knew that it was real and it was his.

He and Sirius did have dinner with Effie and Monty on Sunday and Remus smiled thinking that could quickly become a habit. Lily and James were always there with Harry and Harry was almost as enamored with Remus as Sirius was. He'd reach for him the moment he and Sirius entered the Potter's home and, if he was still awake when they left, he would cry until Sirius tickled him with promises of their return.

Peter joined them for dinner one night and they laughed along with him as he told them how no less than six people had come into the bank and asked to see their money – all their money – and how one asked if the maintenance fee included monthly dusting of the pounds and pence.

“You know,” Remus confessed over a glass of Chardonnay while Peter and Sirius sipped Scotch, “I always did wonder about the maintenance fees. What is it used for?”

Peter, without batting an eye said, “Dusting the pounds and pence.” Which sent Sirius into a fit of giggles.

Remus finally got to see Sirius' modern flat and declared it a temple to straight lines and splatter paintings which made Sirius bluster and wail about the genius of Jackson Pollock which only caused Remus to laugh and confess he was only kidding which caused Sirius to grab Remus by the waist, hoist him over his shoulder and introduce Remus to his, quote, “Terribly angular bed frame.” Remus, of course, didn't mind that at all.

The night of Toni's Halloween party rolled around and found Remus standing in front of his bathroom mirror, wondering if he'd over done the costume when there was a firm knock on the door. Remus straightened his cravat, checked his coat tails and declared himself a moderately passable Mr. Darcy and answered the door to an equally dapperly dressed Mr. Tilney. Remus, of course, had to explain the references to Sirius and Sirius asked why Remus didn't just dress as Catherine Morland or he as Elizabeth Bennet. Remus laughed so hard he thought he might rupture a disc and Sirius only shrugged, locked Remus' door and said, very seriously, that he thought he'd look pretty great in a petticoat.

Not one single person was the least bit surprised that Remus and Sirius arrived together. Sybil, in authentic fortune teller garb, announced that the stars declared a long and happy life for them and that if she'd let them read their tea leaves later she could tell them the date of their wedding. She took Sirius' hand in hers, looked at it for a moment and said, very seriously, "Nope I didn't think so." Which made Sirius get nervous and splutter, "You didn't think what?" Sybil smiled serenely, held her arms out at her sides and said, "Your bedroom performance needs no suggestions. Carry on as you are." And she floated back to the table and crystal ball Toni had set up, leaving a very red Sirius Black and very giggly Remus Lupin in her wake.

Further more, every single employee at Antoinette's on Kensington were as happy as they could be when Remus confessed that, yes, Sirius was his boyfriend. Bridget the Barista sighed and kissed Remus on the cheek saying, “If you ever tire of perfection, you know where to find me,” looked at Sirius and added, “Both of you.” Sirius put his arm firmly around Remus waist, pulled him roughly towards him and declared he would never no never tired of the ultimate perfection that was Remus John Lupin. Remus could only flush red and smile.

Sometime around eleven thirty, Toni sidled up to Sirius and offered him another glass of punch. Sirius declined saying Remus was getting him another glass of wine.

“You know I'm entrusting you with the heart of the most amazing boy in the whole world, right?” She sipped the punch and winced. Someone had spiked her already spiked punch and it was awful.

Sirius smiled, his eyes full of what could only be described as awe, “Oh, I know.”

“Good. Break his heart and you're fired.”

Sirius barked out a laugh. Toni grinned, winked and walked away to the punch bowl to try and salvage whatever was in there.

“What was that all about?” Remus walked up, handing Sirius a glass of pinot noir.

“Nothing. She just said you were amazing and I was one lucky dog.”

“Nah,” Remus stood on his toes and kissed Sirius gently, “I think I'm the lucky one.” He wiped a thumb over Sirius' lips. “And to think all it took was you hating Jane Austen.”

Sirius giggled, “I'd rather think it was your bizarre love of fountain pens and honey.”

“Bizarre?” Remus elbowed him in the ribs.

Sirius wrapped one strong arm around him and led him to the open balcony door where the crisp, October air blew in.

“You have to admit, fountain pens are a bit out of date.”

“Classic never goes out of style.”

“And I'm still convinced only old ladies love honey in their tea.”

“Is that why you request it every morning when you sleep over?”

“Sleep? Is that what you call it? Hmm,” Sirius leaned down and nipped at Remus' neck. “I'm going to have to do something drastic if you think that's sleeping.”

Remus flushed the most delightful shade of pink.

“Then again,” Sirius took both their drinks and wrapped his arms around Remus' waist. They stood on the balcony under the full moon, “the few hours of sleep we do get are worth every moment of physical exertion.”

Remus' didn't think he could blush any deeper. “Stop,” He said, squirming against Sirius hold. “Toni's going to know what we're talking about.”

“Oh Remus,” Sirius looked up and caught Toni's eyes. She winked and waggled her eyebrows suggestively before laughing and being pulled off to another group for a conversation. “I'm pretty sure she knows we're not just talking.”

Remus tried to punch Sirius in the gut but instead, found his hands going to those long, silken locks as Sirius' hands found their way underneath his shirt and for a good five minutes neither of them cared that they were the focus of an entire Halloween party that paused just long enough to take in the silhouette of two lovers shadowed against an enormous silver moon.

Fin