Memories
Sirius remembered everything. He had never experienced infantile amnesia, and struggled with an eidetic memory. He forgot nothing, not even his time as a baby, not even the times he should have. Sirius remembers the day Reggie was born so vividly, it was the only happy day in that house he remembered. He hadn’t been allowed to hold him, Maman wouldn’t let his, ‘Filthy unclean paws’, touch his only brother. Of course Cissy, Bella, and Andy could. Sirius was never the favorite although he was a miracle to the family. The first time his young self considered death had been at only seven. Father had been particularly upset that day due to some kind of work hassle and had taken it out on Maman. Sirius had tried his best to stay out of it but his little brain felt sympathetic toward his wretched Maman and foolishly asked if she was okay. The answer had been a resounding no. Which was only further lamented by the cruel beating he received moments later. If he thought too hard about it he could feel the phantom sting of cuts across his back. The sharp taste of pennies as she put the knife back in the drawer and sneered in disgust at him.
“How dare you be so weak”, she had growled at his battered form, “How dare you ruin my good name with your ineptitude.”
Those words hadn’t left Sirius since then. They sure didn’t leave him alone now as he sat on a cool countertop staring at anything but the blonde bandaging him up. His eyes burned with dried tears and his skin was clammy with sweat as he fought to stay conscious. Lupin could tell he was desperately trying to stay awake, he saw it in the pitying gaze of the blonde. He hated being pitied. He didn’t deserve it, not after everything he had done. Not after leaving.
“Okay that should hold for a while, can you sleep on the couch tonight so I can watch you and make sure nothing gets worse?”, Remus had snapped him out of his thoughts, “I can also stay on the floor of your room if you’d prefer. I just can’t leave you alone, safety and such.”
Sirius just stared into his chocolate eyes, unsure where this kindness was coming from. Then he realized why Remus was here in the first place.
“I can stay on the couch.”, ice poured from his mouth where words should have been. He had no time to regret it as the blonde’s face saddened.
“I really am sorry about this.”, he tried to console the heir. Sirius knew it came from an honest place but had no heart left to care for the man. He simply slid off of the counter and plopped down onto the couch that had been placed mere hours earlier by movers. Remus left the kitchen and went to Sirius’ room, most likely to confiscate whatever could imbue harm onto the latter.
Remus returned to the black haired boy fast asleep on the couch. It was the first and possibly only time Remus would ever see him so peaceful. He remembered the first day he saw the boy, he couldn’t have been older than 8 or 9 when he heard the barking laughter. He had followed that laughter until he found the source, a young boy with curly black hair and grey eyes that sat under a gnarled tree. The next time Remus saw him they were both far older, he had recognized the laughter that echoed through the halls of his college. Remus had told his friend, Grant, at the time about the boy who was full of laughter. Sirius was no longer the happy and free barely adult he was then. Remus hadn’t heard his beautiful laugh in ages. He wasn’t sure he wanted to after all this time.
By morning Remus had decided that the two needed to get out of the unfamiliar apartment so he called up the only friends he had.
“Prongs you up for an outing?”
(Yeah sure, where are we going Re?)
“Not sure yet, I just need to get him out of this place. Can you see if Pete is game?”
(Of course I can, when do you need us?)
“Uh sometime around lunch, maybe noonish, I’ll send you the address.”
(Okay Re, take care of yourself till then me and Pete will see you soon.)
“Bye Prongs.”
(Bye Moony.)
The call ended and tousled curls stirred in the corner of his eye.
“Who ya talking to blondie?”, the heir asked sleepily. Sirius stretched and sat up against the couch, wincing as his bandages chafed against fresh wounds. Time to force the stubborn man to take some pain meds.
Remus rolled his eyes and slouched against the armchair he had slept in, “No one much just tryna see if I can get you out of the house.”
The heir smiled and cocked his head, “Oh yeah tryna get rid of me now?” Remus knew he meant it jokingly but he swore the flicker of sorrow danced across Sirius’ eyes.
“Not you, your foul mood perhaps. We have till lunch. Not sure where we are going yet, they’re gonna come here first.”, Remus explained.
Sirius seemed concerned and the other quickly reassured him, “It’s only two good friends they won’t bother you about - you know.”, he motioned to the heir's bandages. Sirius nodded and tried to stand up before grabbing his head and falling back onto the couch, which let out a horrid squeak. Remus sighed and went to find the medicine for his migraines and new bandages.
Once they had all settled and ate something moderate for breakfast, Sirius went off to his room to get dressed as Remus paced about the kitchen with each minute longer he took. He knew it was best not to worry but had no control over it. He had woken up a multitude of times during the night just to check that the heir was still breathing. Remus scrubbed his face with his hands and trudged off to his own unfamiliar room.
The two remained in the living room after they were both dressed. Sirius wore a band tee with a cropped leather jacket and black ripped jeans that were adorned with silver chains. His Doc Martins rested by the door awaiting their departure. Remus wore a simple mocha colored jumper and baggy grey jeans. His shoes were already on as he bounced his leg restlessly. Just waiting for the doorbe—
Ding
They’re here.