The sound of laughter and clinking glasses filled the grand hall, golden light pouring from chandeliers that sparkled as if charmed. Sirius Black stood at the head of the room, his tailored suit fitting like it had been sewn by magic. He tapped the side of his champagne glass with a sly grin, the murmurs of the crowd quieting as he raised the glass high.
“Alright, alright,” Sirius began, his voice smooth but loud enough to carry over the room. “Now, for those of you who don’t know me, and honestly, how lucky for you, I’m Sirius, the older, infinitely more handsome brother of our dear groom, Regulus.”
A ripple of laughter swept through the crowd, and Sirius gave a mock bow before continuing.
“Tonight is about Regulus and…” He paused dramatically, then turned his head toward James Potter, grinning. “My best mate James, the saint who decided he could handle this moody bastard for the rest of his life.”
The room erupted in laughter and applause, with Regulus rolling his eyes and hiding his smile behind his glass.
“I’ll admit,” Sirius continued, “I never expected to be giving a wedding toast where both of these people are involved. Growing up, Regulus was the serious, brooding one who pretended he didn’t know me in public, while James was... well, James. The guy who convinced me to sneak into a football stadium at midnight because, and I quote, ‘The moonlight makes the field look cool.'" Sirius paused, smirking. “To be fair, we had just smoked some truly questionable weed in the parking lot, so it probably did look cool at the time.”
The crowd laughed, James shaking his head as Regulus gave him a raised brow, clearly unimpressed but amused.
"To be honest,” Sirius continued, his tone softening just enough to make the crowd lean in, “when I first found out James was getting to know my little brother biblically” he paused as laughter rippled through the room “I was mad. Really mad. But then, I looked at the two of you, and I couldn’t even stay upset. Regulus, you’ve found someone who will love you fiercely, someone who will challenge you, and someone who will always, always make you laugh even when you’re trying not to.”
Regulus’s lips twitched into a small smile as James threw an arm around him.
“And James,” Sirius said, turning his gaze to his best friend, “you’ve found someone who keeps you grounded, who challenges you, and who, let’s be real, makes you look way cooler than you actually are.”
The room chuckled, and James gave an exaggerated shrug as if to say, “Guilty.”
“All jokes aside,” Sirius continued, his voice dropping slightly, “you two are the real deal. You balance each other in a way that’s rare to see. So, here’s to Regulus and James, two people I love, two people I respect, and two people who will probably continue to gang up on me at every opportunity.”
The crowd erupted into cheers and clinking glasses, everyone raising their drinks in celebration. James gave Sirius a cheeky wink, while Regulus tilted his head in quiet gratitude, his small smile enough to say what words didn’t.
As Sirius stepped down from the little stage, the applause still echoing, Barty Crouch Jr. clapped a firm hand on his shoulder, smirking as he passed by to take his place. “Not bad, Black,” Barty muttered with a wink before stepping up to the mic and clearing his throat, ready to begin his own speech.
Sirius chuckled under his breath and made his way to the edge of the room, where Peter Pettigrew sidled up beside him, a half-empty glass of wine in hand and an all-too-familiar smirk on his face.
“That was a fun one, mate,” Peter said, raising his glass slightly. “Makes me wonder, practicing for your own wedding toast someday?”
Sirius scoffed, swirling the champagne in his glass. “Please, Peter. I’m way too charming to tie myself down.”,
Peter snorted, shaking his head. “Yeah, sure. The infamous Sirius Black, forever the lone wolf. But mark my words, mate, one day you’re going to stumble across someone, and when you do, it’ll hit you like a bloody freight train.”
Sirius rolled his eyes, smirking. “Peter, if I wanted a lecture on love, I’d have sat with Marlene and Dorcas. Trust me, I’m perfectly fine as I am, no chains, no commitments, just me, my charming self, and the open road.”
Peter laughed, raising his glass in mock salute before wandering off, leaving Sirius alone near the edge of the hall. He took another sip of his champagne, his gaze drifting to the center of the room.
The music swelled, a soft, romantic melody filling the air, and all eyes turned to the dance floor. There, under the warm glow of the chandeliers, Regulus and James swayed together for their first dance as a married couple. Regulus’s usual guarded demeanor softened, his face lit by a rare, genuine smile. James, ever the showman, whispered something into Regulus’s ear that made him laugh, their movements so natural, so in sync.
Sirius leaned against a nearby column, his champagne glass dangling loosely in his hand. He told himself he was watching out of obligation, after all, it was his brother’s wedding, but he couldn’t ignore the ache forming in his chest.
They looked so happy, so at ease in each other’s arms. The way James held Regulus, like he was the only person in the world, and the way Regulus let himself be held... Sirius envied it.
He envied the way they seemed to fit together so effortlessly, envied the quiet, unspoken bond they shared. He envied the way James’s hand rested on Regulus’s waist, the way Regulus’s fingers clung to James’s shoulder. And most of all, he envied the fact that they had someone, someone to hold, someone to trust, someone to love and be loved by.
Sirius exhaled deeply, tilting his head back to stare at the intricate patterns of the ceiling. He’d always told himself he didn’t need anyone, that love was messy and overrated. But in that moment, as he watched his little brother and his best friend dance like no one else was watching, he couldn’t help but feel the hollow emptiness of his own solitude.
He drained the last of his champagne, the bubbles fizzling on his tongue, and set the glass down on a nearby table. Turning away from the happy couple, Sirius slipped into the quieter corners of the room, trying to shake the feeling gnawing at his chest.
...
Sirius slouched on the couch, arms crossed and trying not to roll his eyes. Football. Honestly, how did anyone get so worked up over a bunch of blokes chasing after a ball? But there they were Regulus and James completely absorbed in the match, as if their very lives depended on it.
The final match between the Chudley Cannons and the Holyhead Harpies was underway, and the room was alive with the sound of James and Regulus shouting at the TV.
James had his face painted bright orange, his fingers twitching with excitement as he waved a foam finger in the air, shouting at the screen. “Come on, Cannons! Show ‘em how it’s done!”
Regulus, perched on the edge of the couch with his face painted a proud green, looked absolutely intense. “You’re delusional, Potter. The Harpies are about to wipe the floor with your precious Cannons.”
Sirius looked from one to the other, trying not to laugh at how ridiculous they looked. “You two do realize it’s just a game, right?” he muttered, half to himself.
Regulus shot him a glare. “Sirius, I swear, if you say anything else that blasphemous, I’ll have to throw you out.”
“Yeah, you’ll throw me out with your face looking like that?” Sirius smirked. “Can’t say I’m too worried.”
Peter, who had been silently watching up until that point, suddenly perked up. “I’m on Reg’s side,” he declared with a grin, his fingers clutching a bag of chips like it was his lifeline. “The Harpies are clearly the superior team.”
James gaped at Peter. “You traitor! I thought we were family,” James added dramatically, putting a hand over his heart.
Peter shrugged nonchalantly, popping another potato chip into his mouth. “What can I say? I’ve got a soft spot for the underdogs.” He looked at Regulus with a proud smile. “Besides, green is a better color than orange.”
“Who asked you?” James snapped, narrowing his eyes at Peter. “You’ve never even watched a full game, have you?”
Peter paused, looking sheepish. “Well… no, but I’ve seen highlights. And, y’know, I like green.”
Regulus let out an exaggerated sigh. “Honestly, I can’t with you two.”
Sirius snickered. “You see James, that is what you get for marrying someone who has no taste in colors and a complete disregard for the rules of football.”
Sirius had never been one for sports. But to James and Regulus it.was a part of who they were, a part of their history together. They've met during highschool Regulus had been a winger for his school’s house football team, and James had been the striker for his own house, always pushing each other to be better.
As the game went on, Regulus and James kept up their good-natured bickering, completely ignoring Peter and Sirius, who had now settled into a competition of their own to see who could make the most sarcastic comment about the game without actually watching it.
Peter leaned forward, mimicking James's serious tone with exaggerated flair. “Right, right, you see, the Harpies are just struggling out there. I mean, they’re down by three strikes, there’s no touchdown in sight, and their power play is completely off. Honestly, if they don’t get their act together, they’ll be benched by halftime. What’s next? A yellow card?” He leaned back, grinning at his own “expert” analysis.
Sirius raised an eyebrow. “That was... deep, Pete. Maybe you should get your own football commentary show.”
Peter beamed proudly, as if he had just delivered a Shakespearean monologue. “It’s a gift.”
Sirius was about to retort when his phone suddenly buzzed on the coffee table. He glanced at it and saw a name that made his stomach tighten, Toby. The guy he’d been going out for a few weeks now. He’d been avoiding this conversation, but the buzz seemed insistent, almost accusing.
“Hold on a sec,” Sirius said, raising his finger in a dramatic ‘stop’ motion as he reached for the phone. He opened the message, and his eyes scanned the words quickly.
Toby’s message came through in all caps: “WHAT THE HELL, SIRIUS? YOU PROMISED YOU’D INTRODUCE ME TO YOUR BROTHER TONIGHT, AND NOW YOU’RE JUST GHOSTING ME? I’VE BEEN TRYING TO REACH YOU ALL DAY. WHY DO YOU KEEP DOING THIS?”
Sirius felt his stomach sink. Great. Just great. This was the last thing he needed tonight, with everything else going on.
He rubbed his temples before typing back, trying to keep his frustration in check. “I’m not ignoring you, Toby. I’ve just got a lot going on. It’s not like I’m seeing anyone else or anything, I just… need a little space, alright?”
Before he could even put the phone down, another message from Toby popped up: “SPACE? YOU’RE NOT EVEN MAKING SENSE. YOU’VE BEEN PULLING AWAY ALL WEEK. WHAT’S THE DEAL, SIRIUS? YOU'RE ALWAYS FREAKING OUT ABOUT THIS SHIT! I THOUGHT WE WERE DATING!”
Sirius could feel his heartbeat pick up, a familiar anxiety creeping in. He hated these conversations he hated that Toby was right, in a way. Commitment had always been a difficult thing for him, something he avoided without even realizing it. And now Toby was calling him out, and Sirius wasn’t sure how to fix it.
Meanwhile, James and Regulus were oblivious, still deeply engaged in their football debate. Peter, sensing the tension in the room, leaned over to look at Sirius’s phone screen.
“Oh, this looks fun,” Peter quipped, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “A little love drama right in the middle of a sports match. Just what we needed.”
Sirius shot him a look, his fingers quickly tapping back a message to Toby: “I do want to be with you, but I’m not ready to dive in and be all... whatever you want me to be. I don’t know how to do that, okay?”
He hit send, then ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
“Well, well, well,” Peter said, clearly enjoying the spectacle. “Look at you, Sirius Black, admitting he's actually scared of commitment?”
Sirius shot him a death glare. “I’ll commit to getting you out of here if you don’t shut up.”
But Peter wasn’t fazed. “What’s the deal, though? You’ve been hooking up with this guy for, what, weeks? And now you’re pulling the classic Sirius Black ‘I can’t do relationships’ move?”
James, now fully aware that something was happening, shot Sirius a concerned glance. “Mate, is everything alright?”
Sirius rubbed his temple, feeling the pressure of the argument and the eyes on him. “Yeah, fine. Just... you know. Toby and I are having a bit of a moment.”
“Because you’re being a commitment-phobe again?” Regulus asked, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. “Shocking.”
Sirius threw a pillow at Regulus. “It’s not your business, alright?"
Toby’s next text appeared: “YOU NEED TO DECIDE, SIRIUS. I CAN’T KEEP DOING THIS. I WANT TO BE WITH YOU, BUT I NEED TO KNOW IF YOU EVEN WANT THE SAME THING.”
Sirius’s chest tightened. He didn’t know what to say anymore, and the last thing he wanted was to deal with this while his friends were around. “I’ll figure it out,” he muttered under his breath, tapping out a quick, unsure response. “Let’s talk later. I’m with my friends.”
“Dude, you’ve got some serious work to do on your relationship skills,” Peter remarked, grabbing a handful of crisps. “You can’t just keep dodging things like this. You’re gonna lose him.”
Sirius didn’t respond. Instead, he stared at the message, a knot of anxiety still sitting heavy in his chest.
Toby’s reply came through almost instantly: “FINE. I’LL MAKE IT EASY FOR YOU. WE’RE DONE. TALK TO ME WHEN YOU FIGURE YOURSELF OUT AND ACTUALLY GROW UP. GOOD LUCK, SIRIUS.”
Sirius stared at the screen, his blood boiling. He gritted his teeth and shoved his phone into his pocket.
Regulus, sensing the change in the room asked in a calmer tone, “What happened?”
Sirius clenched his fists, frustration boiling over. “What happened? He just broke up with me, alright? Because I don’t fit into whatever stupid box he wants me in!” His voice rose with anger.
Regulus nodded silently, glancing at James, who shifted his attention from the game to his husband. There was a brief, wordless exchange between the two and the next second Regulus stood up from the couch, moving toward the kitchen with purpose.
Sirius, confused, called out, “What are you doing?”
Regulus didn't look back as he answered, “I’m going to make Ovaltine.” He turned back to James, giving him a subtle nod. “Raise the volume, would you? I need to hear everything from here.”
James, quickly turned up the volume on the TV without a word.
Regulus returned moments later, holding a steaming mug of Ovaltine. He placed it gently in front of Sirius, giving him a look that spoke volumes.
Sirius took a sip of the Ovaltine, the warmth of the drink spreading through him, though it did little to calm the storm in his chest. He remembered when he and Regulus were children, sitting side by side at the kitchen table, sharing a mug of Ovaltine. It had always been Regulus's favorite, his go-to comfort drink when things got rough. Even as a kid, Regulus would rush to it whenever he needed to hide from whatever was bothering him. And Sirius had always known what it meant when he saw Regulus with a mug in hand.
Sirius drank in silence, letting the familiar taste linger as he half-listened to the last few minutes of the game. The noise of the football match filled the space, but it didn’t really register. When the Cannons finally won, James turned off the TV, breaking the spell of the game.
The three of them moved to sit at the table were Sirius was. James was the first to speak, his voice quiet but concerned. “Alright, what actually happened, Sirius?”
Sirius sighed, staring at the table for a moment before speaking. “It’s… it’s complicated,” he muttered. “Toby and I had an argument. He was upset because at me and decided he doesn't want to see me anymore.”
Regulus raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. “Okay, but how did that happen? What triggered it?”
Sirius ran a hand through his hair, frustration creeping into his voice. “It’s not just one thing, Reg. It’s like, everything he wants is a step I’m not ready to take. He wanted me to introduce him to you guys tonight, and I just… couldn’t. I kept telling myself I’d get there, but then I kept putting it off, avoiding it, and now it’s all blown up.”
James shook his head, frowning. “But that doesn’t make sense. You could just have him come over for football, it’s not like you’d be asking for a lifetime commitment just introducing him to us.”
Sirius’s gaze shifted downward. He bit his lip before finally admitting, “It’s not that simple, James. It’s never that simple.” He leaned back, crossing his arms as he continued, his voice tinged with frustration. “If I introduce Toby to Regulus and all of you, he’s going to get too comfortable. Then he’ll want to spend the night at my place instead of his. And before I know it, he’ll start bringing his stuff over, first a toothbrush, then a whole drawer.” He threw his hands up dramatically. “And I wouldn’t be able to say no, because, sure, it makes sense for him to have somewhere to put his crap. But it doesn’t stop there. No, it’s never just a drawer. Next thing I know, there’s a spot for him on the bathroom counter. And then, then my fridge is full of almond milk!”
He leaned forward, glaring at James for emphasis. “Almond milk, James! Who actually wants to drink almond milk? That shit tastes like sadness in liquid form. And suddenly, we’re living together. It starts with a drawer, and then I’m stuck, and I can’t breathe. That’s what happens. That’s why I can’t just ‘introduce him' to you guys.”
The silence in the room stretched for a moment as James and Regulus took in his words.
Peter, who had been quietly listening, broke the silence with a dry chuckle. “Well, Sirius, sounds like you belong in therapy.”
Sirius narrowed his eyes at Peter, ready to fire back. “Oh, sure, Peter. And what d-"
Before he could say more, Regulus held up a hand, stopping him. “Don’t. Peter’s right. You do need therapy.”
Sirius blinked, caught off guard. “Excuse me?”
Regulus crossed his arms, his tone calm but firm. “I have a friend who’s a therapist. He specializes in couples counseling, but he’s excellent with commitment issues. He might actually be able to help you.”
Sirius scoffed, throwing his hands in the air. “Did you miss the part where I said Toby broke up with me? We’re not together. Not a couple, not anything—” He switched to French for emphasis, “Pas un couple, pas du tout!”
Regulus didn’t even flinch. “Couples therapy isn’t just for couples, Sirius. You have a commitment problem. You can’t trust anyone, and you push people away. Therapy would help with that—or else you’ll never have a couple to begin with.”
Sirius stared at him, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard,” he finally muttered. He turned to James, desperate for backup. “Jamie, you’ve got my back on this, right? Tell him he’s being ridiculous.”
James scratched the back of his head awkwardly, avoiding Sirius’s gaze. “I mean… he’s got a point, Pads.”
Sirius’s jaw dropped. “Et tu, Prongs? You’re supposed to be on my side!”
James winced. “I am on your side. That’s why I think maybe talking to someone could be good for you.”
Sirius groaned dramatically, flopping back in his chair like the weight of the world was crushing him. “Betrayed by my own brother and my best mate. This is worse than almond milk.”
Regulus rolled his eyes, already pulling out his phone. “Stop being dramatic. I’ll text you his number.”
Sirius sat up, glaring at him. “I’m not going to call him. This is stupid.”
Regulus smirked knowingly as he sent the message. “Sure, Sirius. Whatever you say.”
And yet, as Sirius’s phone buzzed with the number, he didn’t delete the text.
...
The waiting room was quiet except for the faint hum of the air conditioning and the soft murmur of voices from the receptionist’s desk. Remus sat stiffly in one of the chairs, his hands clasped tightly in his lap. His foot tapped an uneven rhythm on the floor as he stared at the clock on the wall.
Plenty of people go to therapy, he reminded himself for the hundredth time. What’s the big deal? You sit, you talk, you get some advice. Easy. Normal. Nothing to stress over.
And yet, his stomach churned with nerves. He tried to steady his breathing, reciting facts to calm himself. Therapists go to school for this he remembered himself They deal with people like me every day. My stupid rules and rituals, they’ve seen it all. If anyone can help, it’s them.
The internal pep talk was interrupted when the door to the waiting room opened. Remus glanced up and immediately wished he hadn’t.
A man walked in, broad shoulders first. He was tall, lean, and impossibly handsome. His black, curly hair fell around his face in a way that made it look like he’d just rolled out of bed, but in a perfectly orchestrated, effortless way. Tattoos peeked out from under his shirt sleeves and he had a sharp jawline that could’ve been sculpted by the gods themselves.
And when the man moved to sit down right next to him, Remus had to resist the urge to slide his chair a few inches away, not because he didn’t want to be near him, but because he was suddenly very, very aware of how plain he must look in comparison.
Remus swallowed hard, his brain stalling. Don’t stare. Don’t stare. Don’t stare.
But how could he not? The man was practically sin incarnate.
Remus sat frozen in place, hyper-aware of the man beside him. His hands fidgeted in his lap as he stared at the clock on the wall, pretending he wasn’t stealing occasional glances at the stranger.
“Do you think it’s weird to… you know, go to therapy?”
The deep voice broke the silence, startling Remus. He turned his head slowly, realizing the man—the absurdly handsome, unfairly attractive man—was talking to him. For a second, Remus’s brain short-circuited. He’s talking to me?
“Sorry, what?” Remus said, his voice slightly hoarse. He cleared his throat quickly, hoping he didn’t sound as awkward as he felt.
The man gave him a crooked smile, his fingers drumming against the armrest of his chair. “I mean, do you think it’s weird? Coming here? Sitting in a waiting room like this, knowing you’re about to tell a total stranger all your problems?” His knee bounced nervously, betraying his calm tone.
Remus blinked, caught off guard by the vulnerability behind the question. He hadn’t expected that from someone who looked like him—someone who could’ve been a model in a leather jacket ad.
“No, I don’t think it’s weird,” Remus said slowly, his voice soft but sure. “It’s… brave, actually. Admitting you need help and being willing to ask for it. That’s not easy for most people.”
The man exhaled sharply, his lips pressing into a thin line. “Doesn’t feel brave. Feels bloody terrifying.” He glanced at Remus, his dark eyes searching his face for something—maybe reassurance. “I’m not really… good at this. Talking about stuff. Feel like I’m gonna bolt any second.”
Remus offered a small, tentative smile. “You’re here, though. That counts for something.”
The man tilted his head, as if considering that. Then he laughed softly, though the sound was tinged with nerves. “Yeah, I guess so. Doesn’t stop me from feeling like a total idiot, though.”
Remus found himself smiling back. “You’re not an idiot. Plenty of people feel the same way. I mean, look at me—I’ve been sitting here for ten minutes convincing myself not to run out the door.”
That earned a genuine laugh from the man, and the tension in the room seemed to ease slightly. He held out a hand, his smile turning a bit softer. “Sirius Black.”
Remus hesitated for just a moment before shaking it, his own grip hesitant but warm. “Remus Lupin.”
Sirius nodded, his hand lingering a second longer than expected before he let go. “Well, Remus Lupin, thanks for not making me feel like a total loser.”
Remus chuckled, the sound light and unguarded. “Anytime.”
The receptionist stepped into the waiting room, clipboard in hand. “Black and Lupin? The doctor will see you now.”
Sirius frowned, his brows knitting together. Black and Lupin? That was… odd. Therapy wasn’t usually a group activity, was it? He glanced at Remus, who looked equally puzzled but got up from his seat nonetheless.
They followed the receptionist down a short hallway, neither saying a word, their shared confusion hanging in the air. She led them into a cozy office with a couple of chairs set up in the center, gesturing for them to sit.
“The doctor will be with you in just a minute,” she said, her tone polite but brisk, before disappearing out the door and closing it behind her.
Sirius plopped into one of the chairs, slouching slightly, his arms crossed as he studied the room. It was… nice, he supposed. Comfortable. Neutral tones, a couple of plants, a painting of a beach on the far wall. But none of it distracted him from the fact that something wasn’t adding up.
He glanced at Remus, who was sitting stiffly in his chair, looking just as lost as Sirius felt. Sirius had never been to therapy before, but this wasn’t what he’d imagined. Wasn’t it supposed to be just him and the doctor? Talking about his problems, one-on-one?
“Do you think—” Sirius started, his voice low, but before he could finish, the door opened.
The therapist walked in with a warm, practiced smile, settling into the chair behind his desk. He glanced down at a piece of paper in his hand, reading the names aloud. “Sirius Black and Remus Lupin,” he said, looking up at them. His smile turned into a knowing smirk. “Ah, one of those cases, huh?”
Sirius raised an eyebrow. “One of those?”
The therapist waved a hand, chuckling softly. “Don’t worry. This is a safe space. No judgments here.”
Remus looked perplexed but nodded politely, shifting slightly in his chair. The therapist leaned forward, folding his hands on the desk. “So, what brought the two of you here today?”
That’s when it hit Sirius. His eyes widened briefly before his lips curled into a mischievous smile. Of course. Regulus had said this guy was a couples therapist. He thinks we’re a couple.
A plan began to take shape in his head, and Sirius glanced at Remus, who was about to speak.
“I believe there’s been a mistake,” Remus began, sitting up straighter.
The therapist frowned, tilting his head. “Pardon? Why do you think that?”
Before Remus could finish, Sirius threw an arm in front of him, stopping him mid-sentence. “Wait,” Sirius said, a mock-serious expression taking over his face.
Remus blinked, confused.
Sirius turned to the therapist, his grin returning. His eyes darted to the nameplate on the desk. “Dr. Wainwright,” Sirius began, his voice smooth. “We’re here because, well… we’ve been having some issues in our relationship.”
Remus froze, his brain catching up to Sirius’s words.
“But,” Sirius continued, turning his head to look at Remus with a calculated air of dramatic concern, “my husband doesn’t think this is going to help. Isn’t that right, darling?”
Remus stared at Sirius, utterly dumbfounded for a second, before his expression shifted. He understood immediately, and the look he shot Sirius could only be described as a mix of amusement and exasperation.
Sirius smirked, knowing he had set the stage perfectly. Remus sighed, his lips twitching upward despite himself. He straightened his posture, folded his hands in his lap, and said in a calm, resigned tone, “Well, if you think it’ll help us, love, I suppose I’ll give it a try.”
Sirius bit back a laugh, already thrilled by how this was going.
The therapist’s expression softened as he clasped his hands together. “I’m so pleased to hear that you’re both willing to give this a try,” he said, nodding approvingly. “Why don’t we start from the beginning? How did the two of you meet?”
Sirius froze for a split second, his mind scrambling for a story. “Well,” he began, his voice steady despite his racing thoughts, “we met in… Notting Hill.”
The therapist made an encouraging sound, a gentle “Ah,” as if to coax him to continue.
Sirius leaned forward slightly, spinning the tale. “It was at my bookshop—my travelling bookshop,” he said with exaggerated flair. “Remus walked in one day, looking all… bookish, as he does. He bought a book.”
He paused dramatically, trying to piece together the rest of the movie plot he was pulling from memory. His mind blanked. “A book about hot air balloons,” he finished, his tone as confident as if he hadn’t just said something absurd.
The therapist raised an eyebrow. “Hot air balloons?” he asked, clearly puzzled.
Remus, who had been suppressing a grin, smoothly stepped in. “Istanbul,” he corrected, his voice even. “The book was about Istanbul.”
Sirius turned to Remus, a playful glint in his eyes as he smiled. “That’s right. Istanbul.” He turned back to the therapist. “It was a god-awful book, honestly. But it had a signature and everything.”
The therapist nodded slowly, his expression hovering somewhere between polite interest and mild confusion. " Fascinating.”
Sirius leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a self-satisfied smirk, while Remus fought to keep his composure.
Remus leaned forward slightly, catching on to the bit with an almost imperceptible smirk. “I was in town traveling for... work,” he said, his tone smooth, “when I stumbled upon Sirius’s shop.”
Sirius picked up the thread instantly, his grin widening. “And I dropped orange juice all over his shirt. A disaster, really. Naturally, I offered to take him back to my place so he could change.”
Remus raised an eyebrow, his expression perfectly deadpan. “Thankfully, I’d just bought another shirt earlier that day. Only one, though.”
Sirius nodded solemnly before flashing a devilish grin. “And then he kissed me.”
Remus turned sharply, mock-offended. “I did not.”
Sirius leaned back, his grin widening. “You absolutely did. Right there. I remember it clear as day, at the door, right before my roommate walked in.”
Remus gave him a pointed look, clearly trying to recall the scene Sirius was leaning on. Then he turned to the therapist, his expression suddenly thoughtful. “That’s right,” he said, nodding. “I did kiss him.”
Sirius’s smirk turned triumphant as he leaned closer to Remus. “Damn right, you did. I’ll never forget it. It’s like a movie in my head—one I’ve watched thousands of times.”
The therapist blinked at them, his expression unreadable but his silence suggestive of some sort of professional curiosity.
Remus smiled softly, leaning into the moment. “That sounds about right,” he said, his voice warm but teasing.
The therapist tilted his head slightly, his pen poised over his notepad. “Tell me more about your feelings at the time,” he encouraged, clearly oblivious about everything.
Sirius smiled and leaned back in his chair. “I took him on a date,” he said confidently.
Remus raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile on his lips. “That's right,” he said, glancing at Sirius with a mischievous gleam in his eye. “Do you remember the park bench, though?”
Sirius faltered for a moment, his mind momentarily blank. He quickly recovered, his eyes widening in faux realization. “Uh, park bench?” he repeated, as if trying to recall something long forgotten. He looked at Remus, then back at the therapist. “I… can’t say I do."
Remus pretended to be offended, crossing his arms over his chest. “How come you don’t remember the park bench, Sirius?” he asked, his voice playfully hurt.
Sirius shrugged, looking genuinely confused. “It’s just a park bench, Remus. I don’t see why it’s such a big deal.”
“No,” Remus insisted, leaning forward slightly, “it’s my favorite part of the whole thing.” He looked at Sirius as if expecting him to understand.
Sirius blinked at him, still not following. “I don’t remember the park bench,” he admitted, shrugging again. “But I do remember you telling me you were just a boy, standing in front of another boy, asking him to love you.”
The therapist, still trying to follow the conversation, looked between them with a furrowed brow. “Pardon? What do you mean by that?”
Remus sighed, giving the doctor a frustrated look as if explaining the obvious. “You see, that’s what I’m talking about,” he said, his voice a little exasperated. “He doesn’t even remember the park bench. Sometimes it feels like we don’t even know each other.”
Sirius found the whole situation absolutely hilarious. The absurdity of pretending to have a deep relationship with someone he’d just met, and the fact they were fooling a couples therapist was making it hard for him to keep a straight face. But he could do it. Keeping in character, Sirius turned to the therapist with a dramatic sigh. “Well, you see, Doctor, I don’t remember a park bench, and now I’m the villain.”
The therapist nodded solemnly, taking it all very seriously. “Sirius, it’s clear that Remus is hurt by you not remembering moments that are key to your history together. These things are important to him because they represent something meaningful. Remus, why don’t you tell us how you feel about it?”
Remus, without missing a beat, let out an exaggerated sigh and turned to the therapist. “I feel hurt,” he said, playing his role perfectly. “It’s like Sirius doesn’t care enough to remember the parts of our story that matter to me. It’s exhausting, you know?”
Sirius, still amused but committed to the bit, leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “Oh, come on! That’s not fair. You forget things about me all the time, too!”
Remus raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”
“Like… like what my favorite food is!” Sirius shot back, a triumphant smirk playing on his lips.
Remus froze for a moment, clearly caught off guard. He didn’t know the answer and Sirius knew it. Sirius’s smirk widened into a full grin, the glint of victory in his eyes.
The therapist looked at Remus curiously. “Do you actually know the answer, Remus?”
Remus glanced at Sirius, then at the therapist. Straightening his posture, he said with full confidence, “Of course I know. I know everything about the man I’ve spent the last ten years with. His favorite food is… chocolate.”
The therapist turned to Sirius, who looked genuinely offended. “That’s not fair!” Sirius protested. “Chocolate is everyone’s favorite food!”
Remus looked victorious, leaning slightly forward as he addressed the therapist. “You see what I have to put up with?” he said, gesturing to Sirius as though he were the bane of his existence. “I know everything about him, everything, and yet he can’t even be bothered to learn the simplest things about me.”
Sirius gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his chest as though he’d been gravely wounded. “Oh, please! You’re the one who doesn’t notice anything about me. I just cut my hair, Remus, and you didn’t even say anything!”
Remus rolled his eyes. “You’re cutting your hair all the time. How am I supposed to keep track? Besides,” he added, his tone sharp and almost too convincing, “it’s been at least six months since we last had sex. I’m starting to wonder if I should just buy you some Viagra.”
Sirius’s jaw dropped, his eyes wide with mock offense. “Viagra? Are you kidding me? I don’t need Viagra!”
Remus raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying himself. “Then why does it feel like I haven’t seen little Sirius in ages? Honestly, sometimes it feels like we’ve never even slept together.”
The therapist, looking as though he were trying to maintain his professionalism amidst the increasingly bizarre conversation, turned to Sirius. “Sirius, how do you feel about your husband expressing that he feels… sexually unsatisfied?”
Sirius leaned forward suddenly, a mischievous glint in his eyes and his voice dropping several octaves, thick with feigned lust. “How do I feel? I feel like I want to fuck him right here and right now so he’ll stop being so bloody whiny about it.”
The heat in his voice was so intense, so unexpectedly genuine, that the air in the room shifted. Remus swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry, and for a moment, he forgot they were supposed to be pretending.
Remus cleared his throat, his cheeks tinged pink as he mustered the fake courage to respond. “I don’t believe it,” he said, his voice just a touch unsteady. He glanced at Sirius, whose smirk was devilish, his grey eyes practically burning into him.
The therapist, who was now regretting every decision that had led him to this moment, shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He cleared his throat. “Well,” he began, forcing a neutral tone, “maybe that’s exactly what you two need. It’s not uncommon for couples to let the routine of life take over and forget to make time for each other.”
He leaned forward slightly, clasping his hands together. “I suggest you go home, pop open a bottle of champagne, put on some Marvin Gaye to set the mood, and… reconnect.”
Sirius’s grin widened, a wicked glint flashing in his eyes as he turned to Remus. “See? That’s exactly what we need to do.” His voice was low, dripping with mock seduction, though it was hard to tell where the pretending ended and the real thing began.
The therapist turned his attention to Remus. “How do you feel about that idea, Remus? Do you think it could help?”
Remus, clearly affected by the charged atmosphere, swallowed hard and managed a small nod. “I think I would like that very much,” he said softly, the words barely audible.
The therapist stole a glance at the clock on the wall. Fifteen minutes left in the session. He internally groaned. Why do couples always do this? he thought, already dreading the remaining time he’d have to endure their charged energy.
The therapist leaned back in his chair and let out a deep sigh, his gaze shifting between Sirius and Remus. “It’s completely normal for couples to feel disconnected after some time,” he said, his voice calm and reassuring. “How long have you two been together?”
Remus and Sirius spoke at the same time.
“Five years,” Remus said confidently.
“Three years,” Sirius said with equal certainty.
The therapist’s eyebrows raised slightly, suspicion flickering across his face. Remus quickly turned to him with a nervous smile. “What I mean is, we’ve been married for three years, but our relationship has been a lot longer than that,” he clarified, his voice just a little too eager to sound natural.
The therapist looked at Sirius, who gave an unconvincing nod, then took off his glasses, rubbing his eyes with one hand. After a moment, he slid the glasses back on and gave them a pointed look. “Alright,” he said slowly. “You’re a young couple. If I can be honest with you two, all you really need is to spend some quality time together.”
He turned to Remus, a small smile tugging at his lips. “It’s obvious you have a lot of chemistry,” he said, his tone slightly exasperated. “Honestly, I feel like I’m interfering in your moment. You don’t need therapy; you just need to reconnect. Pretend you’re a young couple who just met, talk to each other again, rediscover what made you fall in love in the first place.”
He sat back, gesturing vaguely. “Go home, enjoy each other’s company, maybe adopt a pet or something.”
Sirius raised an eyebrow, his grin returning. “A pet, huh?”
“Yes,” the therapist said firmly. “You two don’t need therapy. If my ex-wife and I had as much… energy as you two, we wouldn’t be fighting over alimony right now.” He glanced at the clock on the wall. “You can go. I won’t charge you for the full hour since we still have fourteen minutes left.”
Remus and Sirius exchanged a look, fighting back smiles as they stood up. “Thank you, Doctor,” Remus said, his tone polite.
Sirius added with a mock-serious expression, “We’ll definitely take your advice to heart. Maybe even the pet thing.”
The therapist just nodded, clearly eager to get them out of his office. “Good luck,” he said, waving them off as they walked out.
As soon as they stepped out of the doctor’s office, Sirius burst into laughter, doubling over as the tension finally broke.
“What the hell was that?” Remus asked, though he was chuckling too, shaking his head in disbelief.
Sirius wiped at his eyes, his grin wide. “That was us, being absolute legends,” he said, slinging an arm around Remus’s shoulders as they headed toward the reception desk.
The receptionist, a younger woman with bright eyes and a professional smile, greeted them cheerfully. “How was your consultation?” she asked as they approached.
Remus opened his mouth, but before he could reply, the receptionist glanced at the schedule on her desk. Her brows furrowed slightly as she read it, then realization dawned on her face. “Oh!” she exclaimed, looking up at them. “It seems there was a mix-up with your appointments. You were actually scheduled as two separate sessions, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. You weren’t supposed to go in together.”
Remus blinked, his brain processing this revelation. “Wait, what?”
The receptionist gave them an apologetic smile. “I think our new receptionist must’ve assumed you were here for couples counseling and scheduled you as one of the pairs. I’m so sorry about the mistake.”
Sirius didn’t miss a beat. He tightened his arm around Remus’s shoulders and gave the receptionist a charming grin. “No problem at all,” he said smoothly. “We got some great advice for our relationship.”
Remus shot him a look but couldn’t suppress the small smirk creeping onto his face.
“Well, that’s good to hear,” the receptionist said, clearly relieved. “I’ll make a note to fix this in the system. Sorry again for the confusion!”
“No harm done,” Sirius replied, steering Remus toward the exit after settling the bill.
Once they were outside, Remus glanced at Sirius, his lips twitching. “Good advice for our relationship?”
Sirius shrugged, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “What? It’s not my fault we make a convincing couple.”
Remus snorted. “You’re absolutely ridiculous.”
Sirius chuckled, his voice light and teasing. “I’m the ridiculous one? The couples therapist was divorced. Tell me who’s ridiculous.”
Remus laughed again, shaking his head. He couldn’t believe how easy it was to be around Sirius—a total stranger, yet somehow it felt like he’d known him for years. His chest felt lighter than it had in ages. He let out a soft sigh and turned to Sirius, his smile more genuine than he’d realized. “It was nice meeting you.”
Sirius’s brow furrowed, and he tilted his head. “Wait. Are you leaving?”
Remus paused, suddenly uncertain. He looked back at Sirius, confused by the pang of reluctance he felt. “Well, yeah. I mean… yes,” he said, almost like he didn’t know what else to say.
Sirius’s lips curved into a slow, playful grin. “Haven’t you heard the doctor?” he asked, his voice dropping to a soft, conspiratorial tone. “We’re supposed to spend time together.”
Remus couldn’t help but chuckle, but his amusement faded as he met Sirius’s gaze. His breath caught. Sirius was tall, effortlessly handsome, and his eyes—God, his eyes. They were endless, a galaxy of blues and greys swirling with warmth and mischief.
For a moment, the world seemed to narrow to just the two of them, standing there on the sidewalk. The sounds of the street faded into the background. They stood in silence, the space between them shrinking without either of them moving. It was just their breathing, syncing together.
Sirius’s voice came softly, barely more than a whisper, as though he was afraid to disturb the fragile atmosphere. “We need to spend time together.”
The words hung in the air, gentle and full of meaning. Remus swallowed hard, his lips parted, but for a moment, he didn’t know what to say.
After a moment of hesitation, Remus finally replied in the same soft tone Sirius had used, “And what exactly do you suggest?”
Sirius’s smile widened, lighting up his face with an almost boyish charm. “Well,” he began, “it just so happens that it’s my little brother’s birthday tonight, and my best friend is throwing a party to celebrate. If you don’t mind, you could… tag along?”
Remus blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected offer. Then he laughed, tilting his head to the side. “Are you Notting Hilling me?”
Sirius let out a genuine laugh, his whole body relaxing. “I swear I’m not joking,” he said, holding his hands up as if to prove his innocence. “It’s real. I do have a little brother. It is his birthday. And I’d feel more than honored to have you come with me.”
Remus crossed his arms, mock skepticism playing on his face, but his heart was beating faster. He looked at Sirius, at the way those impossibly captivating eyes sparkled with anticipation. For a fleeting second, he considered saying no, but then… who was he kidding?
He sighed dramatically, but the corners of his mouth twitched upward. “Fine,” he said at last.
“Fine?” Sirius echoed, his smile now absolutely radiant.
Remus chuckled, shaking his head as he looked at Sirius. “Fine. But if this turns into some kind of weird prank, I’m out.”
Sirius laughed again, throwing an arm around Remus’s shoulder as if they’d known each other for years. “Deal. But I promise, no pranks. Just dinner, good company, and…” He paused for a second, his voice softening. “Maybe a kiss or something more interesting?”
Remus felt his cheeks warm, but he didn’t pull away. Something about this moment, about Sirius, felt like a spark of light in his otherwise predictable routine.
“Let’s see how the dinner goes first,” Remus replied with a small, teasing smirk.
Sirius beamed, steering them toward his car. “Fair enough. Come on. Let’s make tonight unforgettable.”
...
As James opened the door, he was already mid-sentence, his voice rising in playful exasperation. "You’re late, Sir—"
But Sirius, grinning like a Cheshire cat, didn’t let him finish, his usual cocky confidence on full display. “James, this is Remus. Remus, this is James. Be nice to him; he’s my favorite idiot.”
James blinked, clearly caught off guard by the sudden introduction. His brow furrowed for a brief moment as his brain caught up, processing the surprise. Sirius bringing someone, a date, to meet his friends was… well, it was something James never thought he’d see. Sirius, after all, had commitment issues that were almost legendary. The fact that he was introducing someone as if they were a couple? That was new.
But in true James fashion, he recovered quickly, shaking himself out of his momentary surprise. A smile flashed across his face as he extended his hand to Remus. “Nice to meet you, mate. Make yourself at home. Drinks are in the kitchen, food’s… somewhere, and the chaos is everywhere else.”
His voice was light, easy, trying to cover up his initial shock. But the glint of curiosity still lingered in his eyes.
Remus felt slightly overwhelmed as he stepped into the flat, but at the same time, there was an undeniable sense of curiosity. The room was alive with noise and movement, he hadn't expected this level of chaos. His eyes darted from person to person, trying to take it all in, a bit unsure of where to start.
James, still standing by the door with a smirk on his face, kept talking, but Remus's focus shifted to the people in the room. A couple of girls were seated together on the couch, chatting animatedly. One had bright blonde hair that fell in soft waves over her shoulders, and the other had a dark, rich complexion, her skin glowing in the soft lighting. Their hands were intertwined, fingers laced in an easy intimacy. The blonde girl’s laugh was light, and the darker-haired one smiled warmly, her eyes full of affection.
Across from the girls a blonde boy was sitting in another guy’s lap, laughing and leaning into him. Remus couldn’t help but notice how comfortable they were with each other, how natural the closeness seemed. The boy in the lap looked about his and Sirius’s age, maybe a little younger, his face open and carefree.They looked at each other with a kind of ease, the connection between them clear even without words.
Then, his gaze shifted to a woman with wild, curly blonde hair, entering the living room with a man who had similarly blonde hair, though his was cut shorter and styled more neatly. They looked like they belonged together, somehow, the way their heads tilted toward each other as they spoke quietly, exchanging some private joke.
Remus, still processing the whirlwind of faces, caught sight of a redheaded girl with a slender figure standing with brunnette girl they were making out on the couch. Both wrapped around each other in a way that felt both playful and affectionate, as though the world outside didn’t exist for them.Remus felt his stomach tighten, not used to this kind of openness. Growing up in a small village in Wales, his first boyfriend wouldn’t hold his hand, not even in private, he’d never been exposed to this level of casual affection. But there was something warm about it, something disarmingly genuine. It made him feel both out of place and oddly comforted, as if he’d stepped into a world that was much more accepting than the one he’d left behind.
All of it made him feel like an outsider. He had imagined a quiet dinner party with a few polite conversations, but this was something else entirely. The room seemed to pulse with an energy that was almost palpable, and it was overwhelming to realize that all these people were somehow connected to Sirius. He wondered how many of them were close friends, how many had known him for years, and how much of this was part of the Sirius Black he had yet to discover.
As Remus was still soaking in the sight, a man approached with a beer in hand, the faint smell of hops and alcohol filling the air. He was shorter than the others, but his presence was undeniable. He had untamed blonde hair, and his smile was wide as he clapped Sirius on the back. “Hello, Sirius, and who’s this handsome gentleman?”
Sirius immediately rolled his eyes. “Peter, fuck off.”
Peter gave Remus a wink before heading off to join another group, leaving Remus to wonder how many of the people in this room had such carefree relationships with Sirius.
But then, the moment shifted.
A new figure entered, calling Remus attention. The man who walked into the room looked almost identical to Sirius, same sharp jaw, same piercing grey eyes, but with shorter hair and a more composed demeanor. His entrance was dramatic, though, as Sirius grabbed him and lifted him off the floor, twirling him around in the air as if he were a child.
“Regulus!” Sirius called out, his voice filled with affection as he set the younger man down, ruffling his hair playfully.
Regulus, however, didn’t seem as amused. “Put me down, you idiot, or I’ll scream.”
Remus watched the interaction closely. Regulus was smaller than Sirius, his face a little sharper, his posture straighter. There was an edge to him, an almost refined air that contrasted with Sirius’s carefree, often reckless attitude. It was clear they were brothers, but their personalities couldn’t have been more different.
Sirius grinned, clearly enjoying the sibling rivalry, and introduced Remus with an easy wave of his hand. “This is my little brother, Regulus Potter.”
Regulus gave him a tight-lipped smile, not quite as warm as Sirius’s, but it was a smile nonetheless. “Regulus Black Potter,” he corrected firmly, his eyes flicking to Remus as if waiting for some sort of acknowledgment.
“Wait, Black Potter?” Remus asked, the words rolling off his tongue with an emphasis on Potter.
Sirius immediately shot back, a grin tugging at his lips, “No, no, it’s Regulus Black Potter,” he said, emphasizing Regulus with a playful smirk.
Remus, joining in on the joke, raised an eyebrow and repeated with a playful emphasis on both Regulus and Black, “Regulus Black Potter?”
Regulus, who had been standing with his arms crossed and trying to hide his amused annoyance, finally sighed and threw his hands up in mock frustration. “Okay, okay,” he said, cutting them off before they could continue their teasing, “enough with the jokes, alright? It’s my birthday, for God's sake.”
Sirius and Remus share a laugh, the playful banter lightening the atmosphere. Sirius, still chuckling, gestures toward Remus and says, "This is Remus Lupin."
Remus, grinning, quickly corrects him with a touch of mock formality, "Remus John Lupin," and emphasizes the John just like Regulus had done with his own name earlier.
Regulus, catching on to the joke, shakes his head with a chuckle. "Nice to meet you, Remus John Lupin," he says.
Sirius, with a smirk, takes a small package out of his pocket and hands it to Regulus. "Here, Mini Me," he says, his tone a mix of affection and teasing.
Regulus raises an eyebrow but takes the package, unwrapping it carefully. His face lights up as he sees what's inside: his favorite candy from when he was younger. "You actually remembered," he says, smiling up at Sirius. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it," Sirius replies with a wink, clearly proud of himself.
Regulus snorts but doesn’t respond, slipping away to join the others. Sirius turns to Remus, a look of excitement in his eyes, as he motions for Remus to follow him. "Come on, mate," Sirius says, leading him deeper into the chaos. "Let me introduce you to everyone."
Sirius gestures toward a sofa where two women are sitting close together. “This is Marlene McKinnon,” he says, nodding at the blonde woman with a bold smile that seems to light up the room, “and her girlfriend, Dorcas Meadowes.” Dorcas, gives him a polite nod while holding Marlene’s hand.
“Nice to meet you,” Remus says, offering a small smile.
“You too,” Marlene says brightly, her grin mischievous. “I’m guessing Sirius didn’t give you much of a choice about being here?”
Remus laughs softly. “Not exactly.”
Dorca smirks, her voice calm and steady. “Good luck keeping up. He’s got a knack for dragging people into chaos.”
Sirius laughs, unbothered, and drags Remus toward the kitchen, where another couple stands at the counter. “Remus, this is Pandora and Xeno Lovegood,” Sirius says. “Married, eccentric, and expecting.”
Pandora, beams at Remus. “It’s lovely to meet you, Remus! You have such kind eyes.”
“Thanks,” Remus says, a bit startled but charmed.
Xeno nods dreamily, resting a hand on Pandora’s shoulder. “You’ve arrived at the perfect moment. The universe loves new connections.” Xeno holds out a plate of brownies he’s been nibbling on. “Would you like one? Baked them myself, well, sort of. Pandora helped.”
Remus reaches for one, appreciating the offer, but Sirius stops him mid-motion with a raised brow and an amused grin. “Yeah, those aren’t like the Notting Hill brownies, for sure.”
It clicks instantly weed brownies. Remus freezes, his hand hovering over the plate, and then he pulls it back with a polite smile. “Thank you, but I think I’m good with the beer for now.”
Xeno chuckles softly, clearly unbothered, and takes another bite of the brownie himself. “Suit yourself,” he says, as Pandora pats his arm with an indulgent smile.
Sirius smirks, steering Remus back toward the main room. “Good call,” he murmurs, a playful glint in his eyes. “Unless you want to spend the rest of the party talking about astral planes and the healing properties of moss.”
Back at the living room Remus’s gaze drifts back to the couple he noticed earlier, seated on the coffee table with an air of unapologetic closeness. Sirius follows his line of sight and smirks. “Evan Rosier,” he says, nodding toward the blonde man sprawled out comfortably, “and Barty Crouch Jr.”
Barty, perched beneath Evan with one arm draped lazily over his partner’s legs, waves exaggeratedly. His eyes sweep over Remus in a manner that feels far too brazen, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“Welcome to the madhouse,” Barty quips, his tone teasing as he leans back against Evan, who chuckles softly.
Sirius rolls his eyes. “Ignore him. Barty thrives on being insufferable.”
Evan grins, clearly unbothered by the dig. “Only because you’re so fun to annoy.”
Sirius rolls his eyes and moves on, introducing Remus to Lily Evans and Mary MacDonald, seated on another couch. “This is Lily,” Sirius says, nodding toward the redhead with striking green eyes. “She’s the brains.”
“And this is Mary, her girlfriend,” Sirius continues, gesturing toward the dark-haired woman with a warm smile. “She’s the charm.”
“Good to meet you,” Remus says, shaking their hands.
“Likewise,” Lily says with a smile.
“I see Sirius has dragged fresh blood into the chaos,” Mary says with a sly grin, raising her glass in a mock toast to Remus.
“He didn’t exactly give me much warning,” Remus replies, his voice dry but tinged with humor.
“Well, that sounds about right. He thrives on keeping people on their toes,” Mary quips, taking a sip of her drink.
“Lucky me,” Remus deadpans, earning a laugh from both Mary and Lily.
“Don’t worry,” Lily interjects, her tone warm, “it’s not as intimidating as it looks. Most of them are harmless. Mostly.”
“Mostly?” Remus echoes, arching a brow.
“You’ll see,” Mary says with a wink before turning her attention to Lily.
As the evening unfolds, Remus finds himself drawn into conversations here and there. The group is lively and welcoming, and the energy is intense, almost overwhelming. People laugh easily, their banter rapid-fire and teasing, and for a moment, Remus feels like he’s stepped into a world where everyone already knows the rules except him. At one point, Marlene jokes about Sirius being “emotionally allergic to commitment,” which earns a round of laughter.
Barty keeps throwing flirty comments at everyone, and Evan matches his energy with dramatic, over-the-top responses. Pandora and Xeno hover near the edges, offering curious, philosophical remarks about love and fate.
Remus, feeling the need for some air and a moment away from the lively chaos, excuses himself under the pretense of needing the restroom. The room was filled with laughter as James animatedly recounted a story, and Remus quietly slipped away, unnoticed by most.
He walked down the hall, finding the restroom door closed and hearing muffled voices from inside. Not wanting to linger awkwardly, he turned the handle of the next door he came across and stepped inside.
The room was quiet and surprisingly neat compared to the bustling energy of the flat. It smelled faintly of lavender, and the soft lighting from a bedside lamp cast a warm glow over the space. There was a large bed and a small shelf lined with framed photographs that caught Remus's attention almost immediately.
He moved closer, drawn by the collection of moments frozen in time. One picture stood out: a younger James, dressed in a football uniform, grinning from ear to ear with his arm around a teenage Regulus. They looked so different from the adults they were now, bright-eyed and carefree.
Next to it was another photo of James and Regulus at what appeared to be a concert. The colors were vivid, with streaks of stage lights in the background. The two were mid-kiss, their expressions soft and happy.
The following picture showed them at a beach. James was giving Regulus a piggyback ride, his face scrunched up in exaggerated effort while Regulus laughed with his head thrown back, the waves sparkling in the background.
Finally, a more formal image caught his eye. Both men were dressed in elegant suits, standing close together, their faces glowing with unrestrained happiness. It looked like a wedding photo, their hands clasped together in a way that radiated love and certainty.
Curiosity piqued, Remus picked up the wedding photo, holding it delicately between his fingers, studying their expressions.
Remus was so engrossed in the photos that he didn’t hear the door click shut behind him. The sudden sound of Sirius’s voice startled him.
“Enjoying the silence?” Siriuis asked, his voice low, almost amused.
Remus jumped, spinning around to see Sirius leaning casually against the doorframe, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
“I—uh—sorry, I didn’t mean to snoop,” Remus stammered, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks.
Sirius stepped further into the room, his gaze drifting to the photo in Remus’s hand. He pointed at it. “That’s their wedding.”
“Wedding?” Remus asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Sirius chuckled and nodded. “Yeah. Regulus and James got married three months ago.”
Remus turned back to the photo, staring at it as if seeing it for the first time. It wasn’t just the elegance of the suits or the radiant joy on their faces that struck him, it was the possibility of it all. Two men in love. Two men in love and married. The thought felt both foreign and fascinating, stirring something deep within him that he couldn’t quite name. Slowly, he placed the picture back on the shelf, his fingers lingering for just a moment longer than necessary.
“I didn’t know…” Remus began, glancing at Sirius.
“That two blokes could get married?” Sirius finished, his tone teasing but not unkind.
“Something like that,” Remus admitted, his voice soft.
Sirius moved closer, his expression shifting to something more serious. He stood beside Remus, looking at the photo. “Our parents refused to go. Called it a disgrace to the family.” His voice tightened for a moment, then softened. “But Regulus didn’t care. He’s loved James for so long that just having him, and his love, was more than enough.”
Remus smiled faintly, glancing at Sirius. There was a tenderness in his voice that caught him off guard, an intimacy he hadn’t expected.
“It was a beautiful ceremony,” Sirius continued, his voice quieter now. He turned slightly, and suddenly they were close, so close that Remus could feel the warmth of Sirius’s breath.
Remus’s eyes met Sirius’s, and for a moment, the world outside the room seemed to blur into nothing. Sirius’s gaze held him captive, those grey eyes like storm clouds pulling him under.
“Yeah?” Remus whispered, his voice barely audible.
Sirius nodded, his lips curling into a soft smile. “Yeah.”
And then, before Remus could think or second-guess, Sirius leaned in, closing the gap between them. Their lips met, tentative at first, then deepening into something neither of them had expected but both seemed to need.
The kiss ignited like a spark meeting gasoline, hot and rough and searing. Sirius's hands tangled in Remus's hair, pulling him closer as their bodies pressed together. Remus felt himself melting under Sirius's touch, every nerve alight with sensation. Their mouths moved in sync, hungry and desperate, the room spinning around them as they clung to one another.
Remus’s hands gripped Sirius’s waist instinctively, pulling him closer, and the friction sent his thoughts scattering. Heat coursed through him as the kiss deepened, their bodies aligning perfectly, and he felt himself growing hard. It was intoxicating, Sirius's scent, the taste of him, the sheer intensity of their connection.
When they finally broke apart, gasping for air, their foreheads rested against each other. Sirius's thumb brushed gently against the side of Remus’s face, a stark contrast to the roughness of moments before. His lips were red and swollen, his eyes dark and burning as they locked with Remus’s.
Completely out of breath, Sirius whispered, “Would you like to get out of here? Come to my place?”
Remus, still reeling, could only nod. “Yeah,” he murmured, his voice hoarse but certain.
Sirius grinned, his hand sliding down to clasp Remus’s as he led him toward the door, their pulses still racing in tandem.