Orbiting

Droplets from the afternoon storm clung to Sirius. His sodden clothes hung heavy on his lean frame, a testament to the tempestuous weather that had overtaken the London sky. Water pooled at his feet as he knocked rhythmically against the wooden door of room 104. He could barely hear the voice answering over the sky’s rumbling.

Sirius was surprised when he walked in to find James, lounging on his bed with a textbook splayed across his lap, looking up at his bedraggled friend with amusement.

"Need me to grab a towel for you?" James offered.

Sirius shook his head, droplets flying from his shaggy hair like a dog shaking off after a swim. A mischievous glint sparked in his storm-gray eyes as he surveyed James' dry, cozy state.

"No need," Sirius drawled, his voice a low rumble that echoed the fading thunder outside. "I've got a better idea."

With the fluid grace of a predator, Sirius stalked across the room, leaving a trail of watery footprints on the floor. James, still engrossed in his textbook, failed to notice the impending danger until it was too late.

In one swift motion, Sirius launched himself onto the bed, his waterlogged form colliding with James' unsuspecting body.

James let out a startled yelp as the cold, damp weight of Sirius crashed into him. The textbook tumbled from his lap, pages fluttering like startled birds before settling on the floor. For a moment, the two friends were a tangle of limbs and laughter, the bed sheets quickly absorbing the rainwater from Sirius' clothes.

"You absolute git!" James exclaimed, his voice somewhere between annoyance and delight. He attempted to push Sirius off, but his friend clung to him like a limpet, grinning wickedly.

Sirius merely chuckled, a low, rich sound that reverberated through both their bodies. His eyes danced with mirth as he observed James' futile attempts to escape. "Come now, Prongs," he teased, "surely you wouldn't deny your best mate a bit of warmth on such a dreary day?"

James' protests gradually subsided, his initial shock giving way to resignment. He sighed, a sound that carried both exasperation and fondness, as he relaxed into the damp embrace. The rain continued its steady patter against the window, creating a soothing backdrop to Sirius’ antics.

“So Pads,” James started as Sirius' wet clothes slowly transferred their dampness to his, “what brings you here?”

“The real question is, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at footie practice?”

"Practice was rained out," James explained, "Coach said the pitch looked more like a lake than a field."

Sirius hummed in acknowledgment, his wet hair leaving dark splotches on James' pillow.

Unwilling to let his question go unanswered, James tried again. “If you thought I’d be at practice, what are you doing here?”

Sirius hesitated, his usual quick wit momentarily faltering.

James raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued by his friend's uncharacteristic pause, genuine interest evident in his face.

"Well, if you must know," Sirius began, "I thought Remus might be here." He paused, fingers idly tracing patterns on the damp fabric beneath him. "Wanted to see if he fancied listening to some music."

James' eyebrows arched higher, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He studied Sirius' face, noting the faint flush creeping across his cheekbones, barely discernible from the lingering chill of the rain.

"Music, eh?" James prodded gently, his tone light but laced with curiosity. "Funny, that. Here I was thinking that the last time I showed up to find you here with Remus it had been a fluke. Seems like you have been finding ways to spend time with him by yourself."

Sirius' eyes flickered away, focusing on a distant point beyond the rain-streaked glass. "Have I?"

James let out a sigh and shook his head. "Come off it, Padfoot," he said with an eye roll. "I highly doubt Remus had to cover at the library. Somehow you knew where to find him and convinced him to join us at the pub. And don't think I didn't notice you calling him 'Moony' now. Not to mention the fact that you were wearing his jumper. I've tried to get some answers out of him, but it's Remus we're talking about here. So, I'm asking you directly. What exactly is happening between the two of you?"

"I don't know, James," Sirius let out a groan. "I really don't know." He ran a hand through his damp hair, a gesture of frustration. "It's like... it's like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands. Every time I think I've got a grasp on what's happening between us, it slips away. It’s just so hard to know what’s going on in his head."

James snorted “Sounds a bit like the pot calling the kettle black to me.”

“Oi, what’s that s’posed to mean?” Sirius said affronted. “People tell me all the time how I wear my emotions on my sleeve.”

"Pads,” James started, softening his tone, “how long did it take you to tell me about what was going on with your family?”

Sirius' expression immediately turned somber as he remembered the many years he had kept the abuse and neglect from his closest friend. He had always tried to keep things light, to not allow the darkness of his family home to penetrate any other part of his life.

"Look mate," James continued, “I’m not saying it’s a lost cause. I’m only trying to say that I think some bad things have happened to him too. He might just need some time to sort out his feelings.”

"You're right. I know you're right." He exhaled a heavy sigh. "It's just... Remus has this pull to him and I can’t help but to be pulled in by it."

"I see the way he looks at you too, you know," James said gently. "When he thinks no one's watching. It's like you're the only person in the room.” He tilted his head to the side as if considering something before continuing. “Though, I will say he wasn’t as obvious as you when Lily introduced him to Mary. I think she was hoping to set them up actually."

“She what?!” Sirius exploded.

James laughed at Sirius' reaction. "Yeah, she thought they would hit it off. I think Lily was hoping they could double date with us."

Sirius scoffed indignantly. “And suddenly I’m not good enough to accompany you two on a double date? Saboteur.” He crossed his arms and huffed a hair out of his face.

The laughter from James only increased at the petulance, “Well, I don’t think she had any idea about you and Remus, so maybe give her the benefit of the doubt.”

Bravado deflating, Sirius replied, “Only for you, Prongs.” He gave James a small shove before continuing, “It's just that I've never felt this way before…with anyone. And I don’t know what to do."

“Maybe it's about creating moments. Small, safe spaces where he can let his guard down." James suggested, giving Sirius a pat on the back.

A light ignited behind Sirius’ eyes as he popped up from the bed. “You’re right, Prongs.” He leaned over and gave an exaggerated kiss to James’ cheek. “I’ve gotta go change out of these clothes. But, um, thank you for this.”

“Yeah, yeah. Go on you tosser. I’m going to have to change my bedsheets now.” James said sticking out his tongue.

Sirius bounded out of James' room, his wet clothes still clinging to his skin but his spirits lifted. His squelching footsteps echoed as he made his way down the corridor and up the stairs. The rain outside had softened to a gentle patter, and through the arched windows, he could see the storm clouds beginning to part, revealing patches of dusky purple sky.

Reaching his own room, Sirius quickly shed his damp attire, leaving a trail of wet garments from the door to his wardrobe. He ran a towel through his hair, the dark locks curling at the bottom as they dried. His mind was running through the list of places he might find Remus, but as the sky grew darker, he knew exactly where to go.

He climbed the winding stone staircase to the astronomy tower, his footsteps light. The air grew cooler as he ascended, carrying the crisp scent of night and the lingering petrichor from the afternoon's rain. He paused when he reached the top, his hand resting on the door handle. Taking a deep breath, he pushed it open.

The night sky sprawled above him, a vast canvas of black punctuated by pinpricks of starlight. The storm clouds had fully dissipated, leaving behind a clear, breathtaking expanse. The moon hung low on the horizon, casting a soft, silvery glow over the tower's circular platform.

And there, just as Sirius had hoped, sat Remus.

His head was tilted back, his gaze fixed on the sky. The moonlight caressed his features, softening the lines of worry that often creased his brow, giving him an angelic look.

Sirius hesitated for a moment, drinking in the sight before him. Remus seemed so at peace, so beautifully vulnerable in this private moment. He felt almost guilty for intruding, yet he couldn't bring himself to leave.

"Are you going to stand there all night, or are you planning to join me?" Remus' voice broke through Sirius' reverie.

A smile tugged at his lips as he stepped fully into the room. "How did you know it was me?" he asked, moving to sit beside Remus.

"I always know when it's you," Remus replied softly. “Can feel it somehow.”

Sirius swallowed hard at these words. “Almost like this pulling feeling, right? Like there is some invisible string.”

Remus turned to make eye contact. A small, enigmatic smile played on his lips as he considered Sirius' words. "Yes," he said in a hushed tone, "something like that."

For a moment, they sat in silence, shoulders barely touching. The crisp night air brushed against their skin, bearing a refreshing fragrance of damp stone freshly cleansed by rain and the distant earthy tones of evergreens.

Sirius' heart quickened as he felt Remus shuffled closer, their shoulders now fully pressed together. The warmth of the contact seemed to spread through his entire body. He turned his head slightly, studying Remus' profile in the moonlight.

"I missed you today," Sirius murmured, feeling embarrassed by the confession.

Remus' eyes flickered to meet his. "Did you?" he asked.

Sirius nodded, feeling a sudden vulnerability in the admission. "I went looking for you, actually. Ended up soaking James instead."

A punch of laughter escaped Remus' lips, the sound sending a pleasant shiver down Sirius' spine. "Poor James," he said, amusement coloring his voice.

Sirius chuckled softly, "He'll survive. Though he might need to change his bed sheets anyway."

Remus shook his head, a fond smile settling on his face. "You're incorrigible, you know that?"

"Part of my charm," he replied with a wink.

After a few beats of silence, Remus asked, "Why were you looking for me?"

Sirius hesitated, feeling his insides coiling. But then, he thought about James' words, about creating moments and safe spaces. Taking a deep breath, he decided to be honest.

"I wanted to see you," he admitted.

Remus' eyes widened a fraction at the candid admission. But then, he hunched his body to lean his head on Sirius’ shoulder and said, "I'm glad you found me."

Sirius felt his breath catch in his throat. He longed to wrap his arm around Remus, to pull him closer, but he refrained, not wanting to jeopardize the moment. Instead, he tilted his head back, mirroring Remus' earlier pose.

"Will you tell me the story of your star?"

Sirius felt something unfamiliar bloom in his chest at Remus' request. He shifted, careful not to dislodge Remus' head from his shoulder as he started his explanation. “Sirius—my star—is the Dog Star, the brightest one in the constellation Canis Major. According to Greek mythology, it’s named after the dog of Orion, the hunter. And in their myth, it’s said that the dog, after being loyal to his master for so long, followed him into the sky as a tribute to his undying loyalty.” Sirius was suddenly amused, having not given much thought to the story since he was a child. “Bit ironic seeing as my father’s name is Orion and I’m about the furthest thing from loyal to that twat.”

Remus angled his head so his mouth was centimeters from Sirius’ neck. "Perhaps it's not about loyalty to Orion," he mused, his voice a low murmur. "Maybe it's about the loyalty of the dog itself - steadfast, unwavering, regardless of who it's directed towards."

Sirius could feel the warm breath on his skin, causing his brain to short-circuit momentarily. He turned his head slightly, his nose brushing against Remus' hair. The scent of old books, chocolate, and something uniquely Remus filled his senses.

"And how do you see me, Moony?"

Remus fell silent for a moment before speaking again. "You shine so brightly. Maybe even the brightest of us all. Sometimes I think you don't even realize how much light you bring into the lives of those around you."

His heart swelled at the words, a lump forming in his throat. "Moony, I..." he trailed off, overwhelmed by the emotion threatening to spill over. “Thank you for saying that,” he managed.

Remus hummed softly in response.

They sat together, enjoying the effortless flow of their conversation. It started with their classes—the ones they looked forward to and the ones they dreaded. From there, they moved on to music, both sharing their hope to attend a live show and experience the music in person. The conversation continued to strange dreams, with Remus recounting his recent one where he worked at the library, but instead of books, the shelves were filled with rubber ducks that burst into song when picked up. Each topic naturally flowed into the next, as if they were simply following the rhythm of the conversation.

Gradually, Remus' breath steadied, his body going lax against Sirius' side. Sirius adjusted himself to find a comfortable position without disturbing the delicate peace between them.

It wasn’t until he felt the rhythmic rise and fall of Remus' breath against his neck that Sirius realized he had fallen asleep. He held him in quiet stillness, letting the moment stretch out as if time itself had slowed and the world beyond the tower walls had gently faded away.

Sirius remained motionless, savoring the weight of Remus against him. Despite the dropping temperature, he felt warmed from within, a gentle heat radiating from every point where their bodies touched. He gazed down at Remus' sleeping form, marveling at how serene he looked, the usual lines of worry smoothed away in slumber.

As the hour crept by, Sirius found himself fighting against his own drowsiness. He knew they couldn't stay here all night. With great reluctance, he gently scratched at Remus' scalp. A soft noise of pleasure escaped from his lips at the touch and Sirius wanted to bottle it.

"Moony," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "We should head back."

Remus unconsciously nestled into the embrace, his face burrowing into the crook of Sirius' neck.

A swarm of butterflies took up residence in Sirius’ stomach at Remus' sleepy display of affection. He allowed himself a moment to savor the feeling before running his fingers through Remus’ hair again.

"Moons," he tried again, his voice a little louder this time, "we need to go back to our rooms."

Remus stirred, his eyelids fluttering open. For a moment, confusion clouded his eyes as he took in his surroundings. Then, as realization dawned, a blush crept across his cheeks so fierce that even in the dark Sirius could see it.

"Oh," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—How long was I asleep?"

"Not too long," Sirius replied, begrudging pulling away to stand. He extended a hand to Remus, who took it gratefully, allowing Sirius to pull him to his feet.

Their hands remained clasped for longer than necessary, but neither of them seemed to mind. When they finally parted, the loss of contact left Sirius feeling strangely bereft.

They made their way down the winding staircase in companionable silence. The grounds were quiet in the late hour and Sirius found himself slowing his pace. Remus matched his stride, apparently in no hurry either.

As they approached the staircase where their paths would diverge in Gryffindor Hall, Sirius felt the urge to prolong their time together.

“Moony,” Sirius said, pausing to lean against the wall, “I had a nice time with you tonight.”

Remus stopped too, turning fully toward him. Without thinking, Sirius hooked a finger in the collar of Remus’ jumper and pulled him closer until they were breathing each other’s air.

“Look,” Sirius continued, voice low, “I know big groups aren’t exactly your thing, but I’d really like for you to come to my birthday party.”

Remus leaned in and gently brushed the bridge of his nose along Sirius’ jaw until he reached his ear. The grip Sirius had on the jumper tightened involuntarily.

“If you want me there,” Remus murmured, his voice a low purr, “I’ll be there.” He pulled back just enough to meet Sirius’ gaze. “No excuses this time, promise.”

Sirius felt like his insides were about to combust. They stood there, bodies still close, neither willing to break the fragile intimacy that seemed to hang in the air. Eventually, Remus used his cane to take a small step back, and Sirius immediately felt the loss of warmth between them, a quiet ache rising in his chest.

“We–,” Remus cleared his throat, “we should probably go to bed.”

Sirius nodded, not trusting his voice to stay steady. He watched as Remus took another step back, the space between them widening, their eyes still locked. Just as Remus was about to turn away, he found his voice.

“Sweet dreams, Moony,” he whispered, his heart pounding in his chest.

A small smile tugged at the corner of Remus' lips. “Goodnight, Sirius,” he replied, before finally turning and making his way down the corridor.