Orbiting

Barty guided Remus through the winding corridors of the Slytherin dormitory. The building exuded an elegance, with polished stone floors that echoed underfoot and arched ceilings casting long shadows. Unlike the vibrant warmth of Gryffindor, the air here held a cool stillness. Wall sconces flickered with a softer, almost subdued light, casting a muted glow over the sparse decor. The walls, devoid of the cozy red curtains and large oil paint portraits, were instead lined with austere, dark wood panels that felt more modern.

They climbed to the third floor and arrived at a door with dark wood grain swirling like smoke frozen in time. Barty rapped his knuckles against it in a precise pattern - three quick taps followed by two slow ones. The door swung open silently, revealing a dimly lit room that seemed to breathe with arcane energy.

“Take a breath, you look like you are about to run for it,” Barty said looking like he was finding quite a lot of humor in Remus’ wide-eyed expression.

“Can’t help it, I’ve never done this before.” Remus retorted through his teeth.

Barty rolled his eyes with a grin and said, "Oh, it's just Sev. I know he gives off the impression of someone who'd plot your murder, but he's not actually going to go through with it. Wouldn't be very good for business, would it?

Before he could ask what that was supposed to mean, the door swung open revealing a figure tall and thin, almost unnervingly so, like a silhouette carved from shadow. His dark, greasy hair hung in limp strands around his face, falling just past his shoulders, framing a complexion that was pale, almost sallow, with the sharp angles of his cheekbones giving him a gaunt, hollowed-out look. His eyes, dark and intense, seemed to pierce, scrutinizing Remus with a cold, calculating look. Beneath heavy brows that furrowed naturally, there was a subtle hostility in the way his lips were pressed into a thin line as if he were always on the verge of a sneer. His posture was stiff, rigid, as though he were perpetually carrying some invisible weight on his shoulders.

“Barty,” he muttered in an unimpressed tone.

“Severus, always lovely to see you” Barty quipped sarcastically.

Instead of replying he simply scoffed and opened the door wide enough for the two of them to slip in to avoid the eyes of passersby.

“Not that we don’t fancy sticking around, but you know what the order is, yeah.” Barty made a ‘hurry up’ gesture with his hand proving this was nothing new to him.

Severus scoffed like Barty was taking him for an idiot. “Need the money first, Crouch.”

They both turned to look at Remus, startling him into motion. He quickly shoved his hand into his pocket and extracted several notes. “Right, here you are.”

Severus’ lips curled into a barely-there smirk. "Don’t get caught,” he said snatching the money from Remus’ hand, replacing it with a plastic baggie of Oxy. “And if you do, forget my name.

Flipping Sev the bird, Barty grabbed Remus’ elbow and guided him back toward the door. “Until next time,” he called as they made their exit.

As soon as they were out of the dormitory Barty folded over laughing, “looked like you were absolutely bricking yourself, mate.” Barty’s laughter dissolved into intermittent snorts as they continued walking. “Your face back there—like a Victorian maiden witnessing her first ankle," he managed between residual chuckles.

"Forgive me if illegal transactions aren’t part of my daily routine." Remus bit back, but the growing smile on his face betrayed his attempt at annoyance.

Barty pivoted mid-stride to walk backward and face Remus.

"Ah yes, Saint Lupin never dabbling in earthly vices until cruelly led astray by nefarious influences..." His eyebrow arched theatrically above a conspiratorial whisper: "Should I start penning your hagiography now? Admit it," he pressed, "you rather enjoyed dancing on the dark side."

Remus traced the edge of his scarf - forest green wool unraveling slightly at the hem. "If by 'dancing' you mean nearly dissolving into a puddle of social anxiety," he said dryly.

They strolled across the courtyard until arriving at the spot where their paths diverged, with Barty making his way to his lecture and Remus heading off to the library for his shift.

“Hagiography draft due Tuesday?” Remus quipped as he turned to walk away.

“Anything to please the Saints,” Barty called after him.

Sitting down at the front desk, Remus let out a slow breath. The main room was sparsely populated, save for a few dedicated students hunched over their studies—faces buried in their notes.

Time slipped away and he became lost in the rhythm of sorting returned books—each one a tangible representation of countless stories and lives lived—Remus allowed his mind to wander. The pages felt cool under his fingers, whispering secrets only the inked words could tell. This sanctuary of silence was a welcome change to the charged atmosphere of the Slytherin dormitory.

As the clock's hands inched toward the hour, the faint chiming echoed through the lofty ceilings of the library, mingling with the low hum of whispered conversations and the soft rustle of pages turning. Remus glanced up from his task to see James saunter into the room, with his signature buoyancy and effervescent charm.

He approached the desk where Remus was stationed, hands casually shoved into the pockets of his well-fitted jeans, a placating grin illuminating his face as he leaned against the wooden counter.

“Fancy seeing you here,” James quipped.

“Not that fancy seeing as you knew I was working today.” Remus countered without pausing from his tasks.

“True enough,” he admitted, tilting his head slightly as if considering an impending revelation. “But you have been known to sneak off elsewhere when you claim to be working.”

Remus paused for a moment feeling caught out. He had used the excuse before sure, but he wasn’t aware that James had been so perceptive to the frequency.

“Not sure what you mean,” Remus said with a slight blush forming across his cheeks at the embarrassment.

“No?” James raised a skeptical eyebrow. “I could provide you with a few examples if that would help.”

“You caught me,” Remus conceded. “Now, can I help you find a book or something?”

“Nope, just came by to see if you had anything on tonight or if you wanted to grab some food after you finish up,” James replied easily.

Remus let out a sigh, rubbing his tired eyes. "Skipped lunch today to finish my homework, so I could use some food. I’ll be off in ten minutes."

James clapped his hands together looking far too delighted for Remus agreeing to simply eat dinner with him. “Excellent, I’ll wait here and we can head to the pub together.”

Remus groaned inwardly realizing James had been strategically vague about his questioning to ensure he couldn’t formulate an excuse to avoid going.

“What? Why not the canteen?” He tried anyway.

“Because,” James said stretching out the word, “the dining hall doesn’t have beer or open mic night.”

“No.” The word flew out of Remus’ mouth before his mind even had time to process.

“Relax, mate.” A grin overtook James’ face. “No one is going to make you sing. Just a bit of fun is all.”

“Fine.” he relented, “but I’ll need to stop by the dorm to change, too cold out for what I’m wearing.”

“Perfect, the rest of the group is meeting us there anyway. Now, grab your stuff, and let’s go.” James said drumming his hands on the desk.

Upon arriving at Gryffindor Hall, they were met with the familiar faces of Sirius, Lily, Peter, Mary, and Marlene. Everyone was dressed appropriately for the weather apart from Sirius, who despite the frigid air was wearing only his leather jacket for warmth.

“Are you trying to freeze yourself to death?” Remus couldn’t help but ask as he approached the group.

Sirius turned, an amused glint igniting in his eyes. “There’s a certain charm in embracing the chill,” he replied with a lopsided smile, one hand casually brushing back his long hair.

“Right… well, seeing as I have no charm, I’m going to change.”

Remus pivoted on his heel, the corners of his mouth twitching in reluctant amusement at Sirius's bravado as he stepped away from the group. He had barely taken two steps before he felt a hand encircle his wrist.

“I’ll come with you,” Sirius said, his grip gentle yet firm. The confidence in Sirius’s tone almost made Remus forget the chilly air nipping at their skin.

A flush crept up Remus's neck. He opened his mouth to protest—after all, the last thing he needed was the scrutiny of Sirius while he changed—but the words faltered at the tip of his tongue. Instead, he felt something akin to exhilaration at the prospect of being alone with Sirius.

As they reached the door to their dormitory, Remus felt a flutter in his stomach, not entirely attributable to nerves—there was an anticipation that crackled in the air between them like static electricity. The dim light from the hallway spilled into the room.

Sirius stepped inside, his presence filling the room with an easy confidence. He leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, observing Remus with a mix of curiosity and something deeper—something that sent a thrill racing through his body.

“Take your time,” Sirius said nonchalantly, though his gaze was fixed on Remus, quietly appraising.

Remus felt an almost unbearable weight of Sirius's attention as if the very air around them had thickened with lingering glances. He turned away, pretending to rummage through his wardrobe, though it was difficult to concentrate on the familiar task when he could feel the heat of Sirius memorizing the contours of his back.

After a moment of indecision, Remus settled on a chunky knit jumper, its deep blue color contrasting with the earthy tones of his scarf.

“Could you…um…could you turn around? He asked feeling like an idiot for the request.

Sirius’s smirk widened, but he obliged. “As you wish, Moony,” he said, a teasing lilt enhancing his tone as he turned to face the door.

With an almost palpable sigh of relief, he quickly changed into the thicker jumper, grateful for the cocoon of fabric that shielded him from both the cold and the intensity of Sirius's stare.

“Okay, you can turn back now,” Remus said, voice steadier than he felt. He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror, noting how the rich color of his jumper complemented the soft hue of his eyes—a fleeting moment of reassurance.

Sirius swiveled slowly, scanning Remus with an appreciation that made the room feel smaller, more intimate. A silence settled between them.

“Guess you didn’t need my fashion advice,” Sirius declared, taking a step closer, his smile genuine. “Think I may have made a mistake with this jacket, might freeze on the way there.”

“You could always borrow one of my jumpers,” Remus offered, half teasing and half earnest, “I have plenty to spare.”

Sirius stepped into Remus’ space, “How very kind of you, Moony. How about that one?” He asked pointing to Remus’ favorite green jumper draped over his desk chair.

Remus felt caught in the sudden intimacy of their proximity. “Well, I suppose it would keep you warm,” Remus said, forcing a lightness into his tone that belied the flutter of nerves churning within him. He turned to retrieve the jumper, the fabric soft in his hands as he drew it from the chair. The green hue, reminiscent of lush forests and shadowy groves. It was a garment he had always felt particularly attached to.

“Here,” Remus said, handing it to Sirius with an effort that belied the ease of their camaraderie. Their fingers brushed for an instant.

Sirius peeled his leather jacket off and slipped the jumper on over his head.

“I think I might have just discovered my new favorite piece of clothing,” he proclaimed, running a hand through his hair and causing it to fall charmingly awry. The sight sent an involuntary smile curling at the corners of Remus's mouth.

“Tread lightly,” Remus warned softly, though the laughter in his voice undercut any seriousness. “I will take that back by force if necessary.”

Sirius’ eyes flashed, “Careful, Moony. The promise of you taking this off of me doesn’t sound like much of a threat.”

“Is that so?” Remus replied, an unintentional challenge lingering between them. He could feel the vibrant pulse of his heartbeat echoing in the stillness of the room, each thump a reminder of the precarious precipice upon which they balanced.

Sirius stepped closer still, “Try it and see what happens.”

Remus pushed down the urge to rip the jumper off his body right there and abandon the others altogether. He cleared his throat trying to hide any trace of it from his voice. “We should probably head out before the others come looking for us.”

Sirius's gaze held fast on Remus, a playful recklessness flickering behind those intense grey eyes. “Why do you want to rush?” he asked, tilting his head slightly as if the very act of questioning could draw out the truth hiding beneath Remus's carefully crafted façade.

Remus took a hesitant step back, the distance between them like a taut string, ready to snap at any moment. “They are probably getting cold,” he stammered, the excuse feeling flimsy. Yet deep inside, there was a longing—a desire to remain suspended in this moment.

“Wouldn’t want that,” Sirius agreed, taking another step forward, effectively closing the distance that had offered Remus some semblance of stability.

“Brilliant, let's go,” Remus said quickly trying to escape the situation.

As soon as they went outside, James couldn't help but chuckle quietly, noticing how Sirius was engulfed by the oversized jumper, though he didn’t say anything about it. The pub was just a short walk away, and once there, the group quickly got comfortable and ordered food and drinks.

The atmosphere inside the pub was warm and alive, a sharp contrast to the brisk evening air. The low hum of laughter mingled with the clinking of glasses, creating a backdrop that felt familiar. It was in this cozy enclave that vulnerabilities seemed to dissipate. Nothing happened, and yet he felt like it had.

People huddled close together, their animated conversations punctuating the melodic strumming emanating from a corner of the room, where the Open Mic night was soon to commence.

“Are you going to perform?” James nudged Sirius, a knowing grin playing on his lips. The others caught wind of it and began to tease, urging him with playful jabs to take to the small stage in the corner.

“Well, I couldn’t disappoint the whole pub tonight, now could I?" Sirius said with a flourish relishing the idea of being the center of attention. The group erupted into a chorus of encouragement

“Go on then,” Mary called out, “show us what you’ve got, Black.”

Sirius, buoyed by the fervor of his friends and the warmth of the atmosphere, rose from his seat with an air of theatrical confidence. He cast a quick glance back at Remus, whose heart had ascended into his throat.

“Alright then!” Sirius proclaimed, striding toward the stage with a commanding presence that drew eyes like moths to a flame.

Remus observed as he grabbed the guitar, sat on the stool, and adjusted the microphone. His long hair swayed softly with each motion, framing his face in a manner that seemed both personal and majestically grand.

Sirius glanced out over the audience, and in that fleeting moment, it was as if time stopped. His eyes sought Remus's, locking onto him with an intensity that rendered the rest of the world invisible.

“This one is for the moon,” Sirius spoke into the microphone.

Then, with nimble fingers poised to strum, he began to play. The gentle strumming of the guitar filled the space between them. Remus sat transfixed on the performance as if he were the only soul in the room, ensnared by the melody weaving its way through the air.

Keep your 'lectric eye on me, babe Put your ray gun to my head Press your space face close to mine, love Freak out in a moonage daydream, oh yeah!

Sirius' voice, raw and intoxicating, poured forth as he sang about starlit wonders and cosmic escapades—a celestial journey rendered in lyrical form. Each word felt like an invitation, a promise whispered directly to Remus through the undulating melodies. At that moment, he knew that there wasn’t any fight left in him. There was no denying that he wanted more with Sirius. He wanted everything with him.

Make me baby Make me know you really care Make me jump into the air

Lost in the rhythm of the performance, Remus felt as though he were teetering on the edge of some vast and uncharted abyss. The feeling scared him, but it was also the most alive he had ever felt.

When the song spiraled into its final chords, the room broke into applause and cheers. Sirius stood and took a small bow, radiant and effervescent, momentarily lost in the admiration of his friends and strangers alike, their faces lit by the golden glow of the lights.

Sirius descended from the stage, spurred by the applause but tethered by an invisible thread that drew him back towards Remus. The clapping faded and the next performer stepped up.

What followed was a flurry of animated conversations, the group buzzing with excitement and laughter. Marlene leaned forward, “You were brilliant! You should do that more often.”

“Did you like it?” Sirius's voice was low, almost conspiratorial, as he leaned closer to Remus, who sat rooted in his seat, pulse fluttering like a captive bird.

“Of course,” Remus managed, though the word felt insubstantial in comparison to the gravity of what had just transpired. “You were…extraordinary.” The word escaped him, laden with unspoken admiration that surged within his chest.

“Extraordinary? That’s high praise coming from you, Moony,” Sirius responded with a wink.

The moment felt delicate, as though any overt gesture would shatter it into a thousand irretrievable pieces. Instead, they lingered there, eyes locked in a silent conversation.

“Maybe I should take up performing more often,” Sirius mused, his voice low enough that only Remus could catch it amidst the jubilant chatter. “Then perhaps I might coax some more compliments out of you.”

Remus felt like he had a permanent blush around Sirius. He tried to cover it up by taking a sip of his drink. He was grateful for the dim lighting of the bar, hiding any visible signs of his embarrassment.

Mary seized the moment to slide her chair closer to Remus. Her eyes glimmered like polished stones beneath the dim lights, playful mischief dancing within their depths.

“You know,” she began, resting her chin lightly on her palm as she leaned in closer, “while Sirius has his charm, it’s the quiet ones who often hold the most surprises.” She smiled coyly.

“Oh, I agree,” Lily chimed in, “I’m positive Remus has some hidden talents.”

“Tell me, Remus,” she leaned even closer, allowing her curly hair to fall slightly forward, framing her face in soft waves. “What is it that you keep hidden?” Her voice was melodic, each syllable wrapped in a teasing lilt.

He shifted slightly in his seat, acutely aware of the way Sirius's eyes flickered with an undercurrent of jealousy, darkening in their intensity as he watched Mary inch ever closer.

“Sorry, ‘fraid you’d be disappointed.” Remus tried deflecting.

Remus had barely finished his sentence when Sirius's fingers drummed absently against the table, an unconscious rhythm that seemed to mimic the erratic beating of Remus's heart.

Lily and Mary both laughed, oblivious to the sudden tension. “Oh come on, Remus,” Mary said with mock exasperation, “there must be something you're hiding.”

Remus shrugged nonchalantly, “I'm afraid I'm not as interesting as you all seem to think.”

“Ah yes, speaking of hidden talents,” Sirius interjected suddenly, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he turned his attention back to Mary. “I heard you've taken up crocheting lately.”

Mary rolled her eyes playfully. “Oh ha ha, very funny Black.” She turned back towards Remus. “But all jokes aside, I do think there's more to you than meets the eye.”

Before Remus could respond, James came back from the bar with Peter trailing behind him like an eager puppy. “Next round has arrived!” He exclaimed setting fresh pints down on the table.

“Cheers!” they chorused, the sound echoing against the worn wooden beams above them.

“So, what’d we miss?” Peter asked settling back into his seat.

“Just some light-hearted interrogation,” Mary said as she nudged Remus. “Trying to get this one to share.”

“Interrogation?” he echoed, attempting to maintain his composure while his heart raced. “I fail to see how discussing my non-existent talents constitutes an interrogation.”

“Ah, but therein lies the intrigue,” Mary replied.

“Give it a rest, Mary,” Marlene spoke from across the table. “We would like him to willingly join us again. I can see him squirming from here.”

The laughter rippled through the group like a soft breeze.

“I’m quite alright being unremarkable,” Remus replied before swiftly chugging half of his pint. The froth of his drink clung to the corners of his mouth and he wiped it away with the back of his hand. He could feel Sirius watching his every move and the butterflies in his stomach were starting to swirl with the beer, making it increasingly difficult to shove down his intrusive thoughts.

Once Peter and James settled back in, the group began chatting. Marlene and Lily started talking about the new cappuccino machine in the canteen, while James and Peter inevitably got into a debate about their recent chess game. James boasted about his victory, while Peter accused him of cheating by rearranging pieces when he went to the bathroom. Which left Remus, Mary, and Sirius in a stilted conversation about classes.

As the conversation around the table drifted to other topics, Remus found himself feeling increasingly restless. He couldn't shake the impulse to keep looking over at Sirius in his sweater. By the fourth round, it was unbearable and he needed to escape. His pint was sitting practically untouched, so he took a deep breath and downed it in record time.

“Blimey mate,” James started, “come up for some air.”

“Gotta go, didn’t want to waste it.” Remus rose from his seat, the quickness of his decision betraying the growing urgency within him.

“Wait, what? You’re leaving?” Lily asked sitting up a little straighter.

“It’s getting late,” Remus said taking small steps backward in the direction of the door.

“Just because you dress like you are eighty-five doesn’t mean you have to act like it,” Peter remarked, earning a laugh from James.

Mary reached out and clutched his arm. “Stay just a bit longer?”

Her teasing tone dissolving into something softer, more earnest.

“I’m knackered, really,” Remus insisted, forcing a smile that felt more brittle than he'd intended.

He offered a half-hearted wave and turned away, feeling the warmth of their laughter fade behind him, replaced by brisk night air. Yet no sooner had he taken a few steps than he sensed the unmistakable presence of Sirius behind him. He felt it before he heard it—the soft rhythm of footsteps matching his own.

“Oi, Remus!” Sirius called out, his voice slicing through the evening stillness like a sharp blade. “Where are you running off to?”

Remus halted, an involuntary shiver at the commanding edge in Sirius’s tone. He paused, grappling with an itch to sprint away, but it felt stifling as he turned to face Sirius, who stood just a meter away, the faint glow from the pub's inside casting shadows on his striking features.

“I’m not running off,” Remus replied, the words dripping with an unintentional defensiveness. “I simply—”

“Needed some air?” Sirius interrupted, a hint of frustration mingling with concern. “You always do this.”

Remus scoffed, “Do what?”

“Disappear,” Sirius said, his eyes narrowing, as if trying to peer through the layers of Remus’s carefully constructed facade. “It’s like you have this uncanny ability to slip away just when we’re all trying to draw you in.”

“I’m not trying to slip away,” he argued weakly, though he could feel the truth of the words skating uncomfortably close to the surface. Anxiety sparked within him, rivaled only by the sudden relief of being near Sirius.

“Then what is it?” Sirius pressed, his voice low and steady, etched with an urgency that made Remus’s breath catch. “If you’re not slipping away, then why do you keep putting distance between us? Between you and everyone else?”

Remus opened his mouth and then closed it again, caught in the web of his own thoughts, spinning like a trapped moth.

It was a delicate dance they were performing, one that had begun long before this evening, a rhythm forged in shared laughter and late-night conversations, woven through with the threads of unacknowledged feelings. Remus’s heart thudded with an intensity that bordered on reckless as he searched for a response.

“I—I just…What do you want me to say?” Remus finally managed, his voice breaking. “That I don’t feel like I belong? That I’m just waiting for you all to realize that I’m not as interesting as you’ve made me out to be?”

Sirius's expression softened, the sharp edges of his demeanor blurring into something more tender. He stepped a bit closer. “Remus, that’s not—”

Remus recoiled slightly, a defensive reaction ignited by Sirius’s unyielding attempts to crack him open. “And for fuck’s sake, I hate being around so many people. It’s always the pub or a crowded room at a party and I go, I go because you—” he cut himself off. “I go and it’s not enough.”

He felt like his armor had cracked and all his blood and guts were on display. Sirius was staring like he was trying to decipher a code and Christ, he was so gorgeous doing it.

“It is enough. Come on,” Sirius urged, his voice firm yet reassuring. He stepped forward decisively, reaching out to clasp Remus's wrist with a gentle but insistent grip, just as he had done earlier. Their feet scoffed on the pavement as they moved toward the sprawling university campus together.

“Where are we going?” Remus questioned feeling thrown off by the abrupt change.

Sirius offered a small, enigmatic smile, “I know a place.”

As they traversed the paths of Hogwarts, the stone buildings loomed overhead, their shadows pooling like dark ink on parchment. The moonlight spilled between the ivy-draped walls, illuminating their journey with a silver sheen that felt almost ethereal. Remus dared glance sideways at Sirius, whose expression looked like a child opening a present on Christmas morning.

Each step felt like a promise, a silent pact woven into the fabric of the night. They passed through the archway leading to the Astronomy Tower, its silhouette cutting sharply against the backdrop of stars that twinkled like scattered diamonds across velvet. The heavy wooden door creaked slightly as Sirius pushed it open, revealing the spiral staircase winding upward.

Sirius ascended ahead, his form silhouetted against the pale glimmer of starlight filtering through the windows. Remus lingered for a moment on the threshold, his heart pounding with something that felt raw and uncontained. He took a deep breath and forced his feet to move

When they reached the top, Sirius sat in their usual spot on the floor and tapped the space beside him as a silent invitation. Remus sank down, a sliver of air between their bodies.

“Look at that one,” Sirius murmured, pointing toward a cluster of stars that sparkled with a fierce brilliance. “It’s called Lyra. Can you see how it forms a lyre?”

Remus nodded absently, his thoughts tangled.

“What do you see?” Sirius asked after a moment, his eyes still trained on the lights that danced above them. “When you look at the stars, I mean.”

“Peace,” he whispered. “Sometimes it feels like all the chaos of the world fades, and it's just me and the vast, endless sky. A reminder that there's something larger than myself out there.”

Sirius turned to him, an expression of understanding draping over him like a well-worn blanket. “And what about the chaos?” he inquired gently. “What does that feel like?”

“It feels… suffocating.” He swallowed hard, words spilling forth almost against his will. “Like I am drowning. But here, in the quiet of the night? It’s different. I can breathe.”

Sirius shifted closer, an unspoken reassurance radiating between them.

“I get that. Sometimes when I miss my brother I talk to his star. At least when I can see it. Otherwise, I just stare at the patch of sky where I know it is and speak to the idea of it. I know it sounds stupid, but we…we used to be inseparable and I miss him. Feels like it’s the only piece of him I have left.”

Remus was torn, words eluding him as he grappled with the promise he'd made to Reg. Yet, seeing the sadness etched on Sirius' face was painful to witness. He felt the weight of his loyalty pulling him in two directions. He leaned over and rested his head on Sirius' shoulder, seeking solace in the quiet connection. They remained like that for several minutes, each moment a battle within him, until the silence was finally shattered once more.

“Did you know that it’s believed that nearly every star has at least one planet that orbits it?” The air was so cold that Remus could see the words released from Sirius’ mouth in small white puffs like clouds.

“That makes a lot of sense to me actually.” Remus practically sighed.

“Oh, and why is that?”

“You are a force of nature, only makes sense that you would have planets revolving around you.”

This made Sirius smile, but it was one that didn’t quite meet his eyes.

“That’s a nice sentiment but Sirius has no planets. Sometimes I get this horrible ache in my gut like that is how I am destined to live out my life.”

“Like what?” Remus breathed out.

“An isolated star, burning too bright, scorching anything that dares to stick too close, doomed to live out my days alone,” Sirius said just above a whisper almost like he was afraid if he said it too loud he might speak this reality into existence right then and there.

“Well, I may not be an astronomer, but I know for a fact that notion is completely unfounded.”

“How could you possibly know something like that?”

“I am your planet. I think I’m just here existing, revolving around you, held in place by your gravity.” Maybe he should feel embarrassed for letting the words tumble from his lips so nonchalantly, but Remus couldn’t find it within himself.

“No, you are my Moony and sadly moons do not orbit the stars, they orbit planets. One day, you’re going to realize that and you will find your planet and I will watch.”

“Sirius…” It felt like the frigid air had crept into Remus’ chest, spiderwebbing its way down his lungs threatening to shatter them if he dared speak any more than his name.

“It’s ok Moons, my loneliness is a fact that I came to terms with long ago and how can I complain when I get such a lovely view of the moon anytime I want?”

Remus couldn’t find the words. They seemed to be lodged in his throat, sticking to the back of his teeth, refusing to escape his mouth. He loved being Sirius’ moon, but he also wanted to be his planet, his world, his constant revolving reminder of the feelings he had for him.

Sirius had spoken the words with such assurity that there was no question that he believed them. Remus couldn’t stand it. As the words replayed in his brain, he felt like he was crawling out of his skin.

“Sirius... I...” Remus squeezed his eyelids shut and felt the stinging that had suddenly taken up residence in his eyes.

He opened them just in time to see Sirius tilt his head down to meet his eyeline. The look was imploring, practically begging Remus to prove him wrong somehow. Remus wasn’t sure if it was the cold or Sirius’ gaze that finally froze him solid. He was burning. Burning from the cold, burning from Sirius’ words that cut deep, burning from the need to breathe, burning from the sheer want he had for his star.

When the need finally overpowered any doubts that he still had, Remus lifted his face from where he was still pressed into Sirius’ shoulder until he was hovering right in front of him. He felt the quick intake of breath from the boy mere centimeters away.

“Is this okay?” Remus barely recognized his own voice, unsure if the words had even left his mouth. But Sirius nodded a silent confirmation. Remus cupped his face, his thumb gently brushing over the softness of his lips; testing the boundaries of the moment.

He leaned in until his lips ghosted over Sirius’ when he confessed, “I think about kissing you all the time.” There was a moment of panic in which he realized he couldn’t stuff the words back into his mouth. Before he had time to spiral, he received a response.

Remus felt the faint scrape of delicate eyelashes as Sirius' eyes drifted shut.

“Please–kiss me.”

Summoning his courage, Remus closed the gap between them and pressed his lips to Sirius'. Their kiss began tentatively, then quickly grew into something more fervent. Remus felt a fiery sensation, every nerve ending alive with energy. They briefly pulled apart, faces flushed and breaths ragged, foreheads touching as their breath mingled in the chilly night air.

Remus leaned in again, capturing Sirius' lips. His hands roamed over Sirius' torso, feeling the shape of his shoulders and chest through the thick layers of clothing.

The cold air seemed to vanish, replaced by the warmth of their bodies pressed close. Sirius pulled back slightly, panting as he trailed his mouth along Remus' jaw and down his neck, grazing the sensitive skin with his teeth.

Remus tilted his head back, granting better access. His fingers dug into Sirius' back, pulling him even closer. The embrace deepened, mirroring the rush of emotions swirling between them. Remus felt himself caught in Sirius' gravity, helplessly drawn in by an inexorable force. He pulled him back into a kiss tracing the edge of Sirius' mouth with his tongue, savoring the taste. Sirius responded with equal eagerness, his fingers threading through Remus' curls, tugging just enough to send a jolt of pleasure through him. The slight sting made sparks of heat race down his spine. Remus gasped into the kiss, allowing Sirius to deepen it, and for a moment, he felt weightless—untethered from everything but the pull between them.

Eventually, Remus broke away and Sirius' eyes remained closed, as if he were afraid to open them.

“Seems like you are the first star to have a moon in your orbit.”