Chapter Text
The stern bark of a dog cut through the hazy, sleepy silence of an early English morning. Remus Lupin slowly opened his eyes and groaned, arching his back and reaching upwards with his arms until he heard a satisfying pop . He began attempting to untangle his lanky legs from the coarse sheets they were wrapped in.
Remus sat up sluggishly, blinking the sleep from his eyes. The irksome mutt of the occupants in the flat below was still yapping incessantly, causing him an unfortunate morning migraine.
He yawned and consequently choked at the sandpapery feel of his throat. Hacking into his arm, he reached for the glass of water sitting on his bedside table. With annoyance, he noticed the water was lukewarm. Still, he downed it in one long gulp.
Having satiated his painful thirst, Remus glanced at the vacant space in the bed beside him. Muted sunlight peered around the window shades, illuminating the grey sheets. A faint dent in the cushy pillow was evidence that Sirius had been in bed last night, a rare occurrence. However, the absence of Remus’s companion in the morning likely meant that sleep had been elusive.
Remus stood and loudly stamped on the ground to silence the canine below. The loathsome beast went quiet, giving Remus a brief spell of silence. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, taking in the cosiness of the bedroom.
His moment of quietude was halted by a racket from the kitchen outside the bedroom door, followed by a distressed obscenity.
Remus quickly opened the bedroom door and stepped into the living space.
In the kitchen, Sirius Black violently shook out his pale tattooed hand, a scowl plastered across his face. A hissing mess of coffee and broken glass spread across the countertop, filling the room with a smoky scent.
Sirius looked up when Remus entered, and his scowl deepened, chased by the blooming of the dark blush of embarrassment. He turned on the counter sink and shoved his scalded hand under the frigid water aggressively.
The scalding coffee began to drip from the counter into the frigid water of the sink with a satisfying sizzling. Sirius breathed a sigh of relief as the cool sink water washed over his now bright red hand.
Remus walked over and tore some paper towels off a roll on the counter. He carefully pressed the paper into the spilt coffee, watching as it was slowly absorbed.
As Sirius held his hand under the water and Remus carefully cleaned the mess of coffee and glass, the only sound in the room was the running of water and the slowly fading hiss of boiling coffee cooling off. Sirius looked down, almost embarrassed, avoiding his partner’s gaze. Remus cleared his throat.
“Good morning,” he said gently. Sirius’s scowl didn’t shift.
“Morning,” he responded petulantly.
“So…” Remus gathered the now sopping paper towels and pulled open the trash can drawer. He dropped them in and carefully used another paper towel to brush the glass.
“What happened here?”
Sirius sighed and turned his gaze to the popcorn ceiling.
“Goddamn morning coffee. I poured it into the goddamn mug, then got distracted, then tried to pick up the goddamn mug while it was still…” Sirius sucked in a breath. “Hot,” he grunted through his teeth.
He turned off the sink and dried his hand on a soft rag, still not looking at Lupin.
“I made your tea.”
Sirius began picking up the now coffee-soaked kitchen towels. He nodded towards a porcelain teacup sitting on a coaster in the corner of the counter. Steam still wafted from it.
“Chamomile. With extra honey. How you like it.”
Remus smiled, feeling his heart melt a little. He walked to where Sirius stood, staring blankly at the counter with his palms braced against it. Wrapping his arms around Sirius’s torso, the woolly texture of his partner’s sage-coloured jumper was comforting.
He laid his head down into the nook between Sirius’s neck and shoulder, breathing in the gentle scent of serene mint and coconut milk.
Sirius turned around, his face inches away from Remus’s neck. His breath was hot and damp as he wrapped his arms around Remus.
Remus kissed the top of his head and ran a hand through his partner’s inky hair.
“Couldn’t sleep?”
Sirius gently nudged Remus to the side and stretched his arms with a broad yawn. He shook his head no and walked to the dingy sofa.
“I thought so. At least you tried tonight. Nightmares?”
Sirius grabbed the blackened pack of cigarettes sitting on the cluttered coffee table in front of him. He drew one out and lit it with the globe-shaped lighter set next to the pack.
After taking a long drag of the now-lit cigarette, he exhaled slowly and propped his bare feet on a stack of newspapers.
“I guess. Insomnia’s a bitch.” He reached across the table and switched on the radio. The room was filled with an unintelligible dialogue between two politicians.
Remus knew Sirius’s insomnia comment was meant to be a joke, but Black hadn’t slept a whole night in weeks. The most that Remus had seen him rest recently was a four-hour-long cranberry cocktail-induced coma after a lively Hallows’ Eve.
Remus walked to the thin drapes and gently pulled them open, soaking the room with the light of a late November morning.
Sirius sighed and took another puff of his cigarette.
Picking up his tea from the kitchen counter, Remus took a sip. He soaked up the delicious warmth, letting the calming sensation of the chamomile flow through him.
The monotone conversation on the radio was suddenly replaced by a slow, jazzy tune accompanied by brassy trombones. A tantalising female voice slid up and down with musical words rendered unintelligible by the grainy audio quality of the radio.
Remus finished off his tea with a quiet swallow and walked to the sofa. Plopping on the soft leather couch next to Sirius, Remus sighed contentedly. Sirius lifted the cigarette box to him, offering him a smoke. Remus shook his head, and Sirius gently put the pack down.
Remus took his partner’s hand, resting on his jeans' navy denim.
Sirius stilled at the movement but then leaned forward and dropped his cigarette onto the sterling ashtray. He slowly inclined backwards and laid his head on Remus’s shoulder.
The firm pressure of Sirius’s head on his shoulder was soothing, and Remus let a small smile appear.
He lifted his partner’s hand and traced the inky crescent-moon tattoo with his thumb. He then moved his finger upward, lightly brushing the skin. He caressed the small star tattoos like black holes above the knuckle-bones with a brushing touch.
When he reached the thumb-knuckle, he lifted the hand and kissed it. Sirius turned his head- still lying on the shoulder- and kissed the underside of Remus’s jaw. He then shifted his body upright and kissed Remus’s cheek reverently, his hands cupping Remus’s face.
Remus pulled Sirius onto him, the dark-haired man now straddling his waist. Hands still cupped around Remus Lupin’s long face, Sirius pressed his lips to his partner’s. Remus’s hands reached up and grasped Sirius’s midnight hair.
It was downy, and Remus drank in the sensation of it folding between his fingers. The feeling rushing through him was potent, it was intoxicating, it was-
“HOOT! ”
Sirius jerked backwards in surprise at the deafening cry of an owl. He almost tumbled onto the ground, but at the last moment, Remus managed to wrap his arms around the other man’s waist and pull him forward.
Sirius swiftly stood and leaned over the couch to open the second-story window. An enormous Great Horned owl was petulantly flapping its mottled wings; a weather-torn letter clutched in its hefty golden talons.
The owl aggressively hooted again and then glided into the room. Remus recognised it as James Potter’s troublesome creature, Magnus.
After flying around the room in several swift circles, Magnus dropped the filthy letter onto the coffee table. The owl then perched on the sofa's armrest and began vigorously preening.
Still sitting on the couch, Remus watched as Sirius picked up the envelope. Black brushed a rich brown-speckled feather off it and settled next to Remus.
Remus fondly knocked his knee against Sirius’s as the letter was opened.
“Do you want a letter opener?” He asked. Sirius shook his head.
“No, I’ll just-” Sirius wedged one of his fingernails under the gaudy wax seal.
His jaw was clenched as he wrenched the letter open, some of the crimson remaining under his fingernail.
Remus took the letter and removed the thick folded cardstock as he tried to pick at the red specks under the nail. As he unfolded it, something fell out and onto his lap. Sirius noticed and picked it up.
It was an animated photograph of a doughy baby with an unruly mop of black hair giggling mirthfully. Next to him was a grown man with almost identical hair but a much more tanned skin tone. This man was crouched, gripping a long mahogany wand. Tiny, sparkly fireworks burst from the tip, and the man threw his head back and laughed.
On the back of the photo was an inky cursive handwriting reading “10/31/80: Harry- 2 months”
As Remus watched the photo repeat in its endless loop, Sirius read the contents of the letter silently. When he was done, he hummed and tucked his arm around his partner’s. Remus took his hand and squeezed it gently.
“There’s an Order meeting tomorrow,” Sirius said mildly.
“You didn’t know?” Remus smirked amusedly. Sirius tilted his head up and glared at him.
“I… forgot.”
“What else does the letter say?”
Sirius’s glare faded into a fond smile.
“Little Harry’s doing good. Very healthy.”
“That’s good,” Remus said. “I-”
HOOT!
Remus flinched hard at the startling sound in his ear. He jerked back towards Sirius, almost crushing his partner with his large body.
Magnus's forgotten presence had apparently offended the owl, causing him to rather loudly speak- or hoot- out.
Sirius heaved Remus off from him and onto the ground, then stood from the couch, his eyes shooting daggers at the creature.
“Bloody beast. What the hell do you want?”
Magnus chittered and hooted again, then started tearing at the couch with his beak.
“SHit- stop that!” Sirius shrieked.
Remus watched from the ground, laughing as Sirius jabbed his hand frantically in front of Magnus, quickly snatching it away when the owl snapped at it with his sharp beak.
Remus, still chuckling, stood and walked to the kitchen in long strides. He opened the refrigerator and pulled out a package of lunch meat.
After opening the small container, Remus tossed a thin piece of chicken at the bird. The meat landed on the floor of the kitchen with a wet smack .
Magnus hopped down from his perch on the couch and onto the floor. He curiously pecked at the chicken, then tossed it into the air. He caught it in his beak, gorging it down.
The owl ruffled his feathers and then squawked. Remus placed the container with the cheap meat on the floor before him. Magnus fluttered forward and stuck his nib inside.
After downing another slice of turkey, Magnus lifted his head and gazed at Remus with something akin to a glare.
“We don’t tend to keep any freshly dead animals in our fridge.” Remus sniped.
As Magnus returned to his meal, Remus walked back into the kitchen. He took a stationary set out of a cluttered drawer and returned to the coffee table.
Sirius picked up a magazine and placed it on his lap. He then picked up the stationary and started writing, using the magazine as a surface.
He began by scrawling ‘Dearest Lily- and our Pronghorn, of course…”
He twirled the pale owl feather quill between his thumb and pointer finger, thinking.
“You could say Harry looks well…?” Remus offered.
Sirius rolled his eyes and dropped the quill onto the table.
“ Ugh, I hate writing letters.” He moaned.
Remus grunted in agreement, and Sirius made eye contact. The two men burst into laughter.
“We are so strange!” Remus gasped. “Why is it so awkward to write a simple letter?”
“It’s only awkward because you’re making it awkward,” Sirius laughed.
“Uh, it’s not me!”
Sirius leaned over and kissed Remus’s cheek. Remus put his arm around his partner’s shoulders, and Sirius laid his head on Remus, his black hair splayed across his partner’s chest.
“We should just stay like this. Forever,” Sirius breathed.
“Unfortunately, that is not an option…” Remus’s voice trailed off, and Sirius glanced at him with a concerned look.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Shh. I don’t want to ruin the moment.”
But it was too late. Remus was tense now, and Sirius knew what he was thinking about.
“You’re worried about them- James and Lily- aren’t you?”
“What? N-no,” Remus turned his head to look at Sirius. Black knew he was denying it and avoided his partner’s gaze.
“I mean, I guess? If I’m worried, I’m worried about it all. The war, and-”
Sirius made a noise, and Remus sighed.
“Sirius,” Remus cupped his hand on his partner’s cheek and turned his head towards him. “We’re safe. Lily and James are safe.”
“But you’re worried. And when you’re worried, that’s when I know that it’s bad.” Sirius said.
Remus leaned forward and gently kissed the other man.
“Nothing is going to happen. We’ll be fine. Do you believe me?”
Sirius made a face, and Remus scoffed in mock offence. Black couldn’t help but grin at that, and Remus was happy to see the smile linger.
For the moment, they were fine as they lay there with intertwined hands and interlocked hearts, content to stay in the moment forever.