You squeeze my hand three times in the back of the taxi
I can tell that it's gonna be a long road
[..] You and me, forevermore
-Taylor Swift
Sirius’ pacing was interrupted by the knock on the door, making them hurry around the sofa to the front door where their socks proceeded to make them slip. They silently cursed, balancing themselves on the small wooden bench by the front door where they used to put their shoes on, and after taking a deep breath, opened the door.
“Hello.”
“Hi.” Sirius breathed, and watched as a smile broke across his face.
Remus looked beautiful in the morning light, maybe even more beautiful that he’d done last night under the sparkling colours of the fireworks that were meant to celebrate the coming of the New Year.
Last night, when he had kissed Sirius with these lips.
The ones that Sirius had kissed back, now smiling at them, chapped and pretty pink, matching with the lovely shade that adorned his cheeks and the tip of his nose from the snow.
“Happy New Year.” Sirius found themselves saying, letting out a chuckle at Remus’ smile that had turned teasing.
“Happy New Year.” He echoed back, sweetly, with a tilt of his head.
“Come in, come in.” They stepped to the side, allowing Remus to walk in the small space by Sirius’ front door, ending up right in front of Sirius, all tall, thick jacket that carries snowflakes and ridiculously cute crochet beanie where his curls appear under.
He moved to remove his hat and gloves, smiling bashfully as he tried to fix the mess on his grown hair, all while taking Sirius in.
They didn’t mind, they never did under Remus’ gaze. There was something in it that always filled Sirius with a sense of safety: whatever Remus’ curious gaze would find Sirius wouldn’t shy away from, it was all his for the taking. Perhaps this is how they had ended up there in the first place. And it leads them to that same place now, by Sirius’ front door.
Sirius’ eyes were taking everything in. His curls had gotten longer, now covering his ears slightly and curling on his forehead and the nape of his neck, all soft to the touch. His freckles were less prominent since the sun had been absent for a while, but the freezing temperatures along with the glistening snow had done their magic to put a lovely pink flush on his face, adorned with small moles that, in the summer, blend in with his freckles. Their eyes found his lips, the small scar running through the upper lip where Sirius kissed him last night, smiling into it right after as warm breath formed clouds around them, the twinkling lights appearing through a mist.
They glanced up quickly, checking to see if they’ve been caught staring, but it seemed that Remus was too busy himself taking them in.
They’re wearing a black dress, loose and comfortable, the plain fabric adorned with black intricate little flowers that make the dress appear more interesting under the light. They’d brushed through their hair, making it appear softer, face adorned with hints of shimmery powder where it caught the light and gave them a soft glow. The Potters’ annual New Year’s get together was in a few hours, and Sirius knew they could postpone getting ready for later since Remus was coming over. But, they wanted to look pretty, hoping that they’d spend all of the remaining time with him.
“Beautiful.” They heard Remus sigh, Sirius’ eyes finding his in time to witness his resolve crumbling, shoulders slumping as he took a step closer, framed Sirius’ face in warm palms, tilted their head just so, and kissed them.
And Sirius melted.
Quite literally melted into it as they moved even closer, hands fumbling to grasp at his wrists as they tilted their head further back.
It was warm and slow, a sort of strange giddy feeling erupting in Sirius's stomach, spreading along their chest in warmth. It felt an awful lot like being in love -and what a lovely thing to come with the New Year.
Remus moved back, just an inch for only a moment, panting. “You’re so beautiful, Sirius.”
Sirius’s eyes slipped closed, leaning to the side as Remus placed a series of kisses down the column of their neck, his finger stroking gently through their hair to move them behind their shoulder and make more space.
“So beautiful.” He sighed again, bringing an embarrassing blush on Sirius’ cheeks.
They tilted their head, chasing his lips once again before his hands moved to their waist, warm and steady, kissing them with an inch of his life as they walked back towards the sofa, the back of Sirius’ knees bumping on the cushions.
Sirius turns to the side, and without breaking the kiss lowers Remus gently on the sofa before taking a seat next to hip, body draped across his lap and hands finally finding home in the messy curls.
They have about an hour and a half left before Sirius needs to move to the main house across the garden and help with preparations, but right now all the walk to do is bask under Remus’ newfound adoration, pouring out everything in return in what has been a dance around each other all Christmas, perhaps their whole lives even.