“Whos ready to fucking lose,” Sirius said as he settled himself into his seat. A person behind him fixed his mic as he got comfy.
James and Remus scoffed at him, James was the first to speak up.
“Yeah okay.”
Sirius turned his head to look at him, eyes wide and unbelieving. “You really think you’ll get more songs than me?”
“Only time will tell,” James shrugged with a look in his eye that told Sirius “Yes I’m winning.” Sirius doubted it, James forgets everything the second you ask him anything. His favorite song is notoriously “um” and his favorite food is “hmm”. The only person that could beat Sirius was maybe Remus and if he was being generous Peter had a small chance. But not James.
“Okay so it's really simple you guys,” one of the directors, Dorcas, said behind the camera, “Your going to introduce yourself to the audience by saying your names, and Peter after you say your name I’m gonna have you say “And were The Marauders, and today we're going to be play a game of song association with Elle.” she said.
The four of them were lined up in tall white chairs against a white background with Remus at the very left with Sirius next to him, James next to Sirius and Peter at the very right.
“I’m assuming I start,” Remus said. Dorcas finished taking a sip of her water and nodded at him, “Yeah, so you're going to say, “Hi, I’m Remus” the the rest will follow with their names and Peter will say what I just told him and that will be our intro. After we film that I’ll instruct you all further, but only worry about this small section for now.”
Remus nodded his head at her words and looked over to his friends. A silent competition was brewing between Sirius and James and Peter was silently repeating his blurb to himself. Remus remembered how excited Sirius was when their publicist forwarded them all the email from Elle, inviting them to participate in a song association. Sirius loved anything with competition and music. So this was a match made in heaven for him.
James loved competing with Sirius even if he knew he was going to lose. He found competitive Sirius to be the best form of entertainment since that man will do the craziest things to claim victory.
Peter enjoyed anything that let be with his friends and put him in an air conditioned room. What he did not enjoy was being picked to say the long sentences for interviews. He always found himself being given the intro blurbs since this was their seating arrangement for almost everything. As the rest of the boys were fidgeting with their mics and people were pressing powder into their faces, Peter was a broken record trying to get the intro right. He didn't like being the reason production needed to start over and film multiple takes. Even if it wasn't that serious of a matter, he still felt bad.
Big lights flicked on all around them and people with large overhead mics and even more cameras began to set up. Their publicist, Lily, walked up to them all and gave them some encouraging final notes.
“Don't embarrass our brand, and please behave,” she said while eyeing the raven haired boy in particular. Sirius looked around in exasperated shock. “I haven't even done anything yet.”
“Yet. You all can curse but don't abuse that privilege, and if for any reason any of you want out, look my way and I will handle it,” she said sternly but with love. Lily was the best publicist they've had. She held them accountable when they were being dumbasses, but she also made sure each of them were okay. If she had to turn away a million dollar interview because one of her boys was uncomfortable she would burn the check herself and walk away with a smile.
“Alright, are we all set?” Dorcas asked from behind the camera. Lily gave the boys a small smile before turning around and saying a few things to her before they started.
Sirius fixed his black tank-top with a bleached star on the front since it had been moved when the crew was fixing a mic to him. He shivered slightly since the sides of the tank top were cut out, allowing the cold studio air to hit his skin. He straightened out his black baggy jeans and opened the camera app of his phone to check his hair. It flowed just the way he liked, over his shoulders and shiny.
Remus fixed himself in the same way, readjusting the collar of the dress shirt that peaked out underneath his brown and red jumper. He gripped the arms of his chair and turned himself to the side until his back let out a series of small pops.
James sat there swinging his legs back and forth while trying to remember every song he had ever heard. He didn't need to adjust his slightly cropped yellow graphic tee and light washed baggy jeans because he had taken the mic from the tech and clipped it himself. He figured it would have been faster that way
Peter made sure his blue flannel wasn't creased weirdly against his white shirt and dark jeans as he moved the mic attached to his back slightly. One of the wires was making him itch.
“Okay, whenever you all are ready to start let us know,” Dorcas said as Lily walked back to her chair on the side of the room.
“Do I just start talking?” Remus asked as he looked between the cameras.
“Yep, they’re rolling right now and won't stop until we’ve finished,” she said. Remus nodded and looked to his band mates. They all looked back to him and waited.
“Hi, I’m Remus.”
“I’m Sirius.
“I’m James.”
“I’m Peter, and we're The Marauders, and today we're going to play a game of song association with Elle.” Peter smiled.
“Wow you all did it on the first take,” Dorcas behind the camera said.
“We better have considering Peter was silently rapping his sentence the entire time,” Sirius chuckled.
“Hey, I didnt want to fuck up the intro,” Peter chuckled back.
“Which one of you wants to say the next blurb for the intro?” Dorcas asked. “I can,” James and Sirius said in unison. Remus let out a laugh as Peter shook his head, “The rivalry has already begun.”
“I’m going to have Sirius say it if that's alright,” Dorcas said.
Sirius dawned a smug look as he side eyed James, “Suck my d—”
“Sirius,” Lily warned from the side. All four of them shared giggles.
“Alright, so I’m gonna have you say, “We’ll be given 10 words and we’ll have ten seconds to sing or rap that word in a song,”
“Got it,” Sirius said, sitting up straighter and scooting to the front of his chair. Remus and James made eye contact at their friends' movements and quietly laughed with their hands over their mouths. “What the fuck is funny.” Sirius said as he looked behind him. “You sat up like a dog getting a treat,” James laughed. “Shut up,” Sirius said, turning his attention back to the cameras.
He waited until the idiots on his sides went quiet before he repeated, “We’ll be given 10 words and we’ll have ten seconds to sing or rap that word in a song.”
“Perfect,” Dorcas beamed. “So for the rest of the interview I’m going to give you a word and ask some questions and you all just answer and the play the game.”
“Oh I’m going to do so good,” Sirius smiled. “Moony is definitely going to beat you,” Peter said. “As if,” Sirius shrugged.
“Do you guys think you know enough music for this game?” Dorcas asked.
“Oh yeah,” they all answered in unison. “How often would you all say you listen to music, given your busy schedules?” she asked.
“While on tour one of our signature wind-down activities we do either on the bus or after a show is get in our beds, have a speaker playing our combined playlist, and not speak to each other for multiple hours,” Remus said.
“Yeah, at any given moment there's music being played or sung or hummed or tapped, it's just always in the background,” Peter added.
“How do your music tastes differ?” Dorcas asked.
“I listen to a lot of old school rock and baroque pop, while Remus is into more of the blues kind of music. James listens to everything except country, but R&B and early 2000s music is what he usually has playing. Peter likes more of the late 90s music and indie stuff,” Sirius answered.
“Do you all find yourselves fighting over whoever gets to play music?” she asked.
“Not really, we all like what each of us listens too and usually if one of us is in a mood to listen to something we all just let it happen,” James said.
“Do your personal music tastes find their way into the music you make?”
“Yeah, I think we all kinda merge our interests into one when we make music. Um, with a lot of the notes and melody being made by Remus on the bass guitar and James on drums you can hear the bluesy and R&B inspired runs or rhythms. And with the lyrics and the style I sing in, and the melodies that Peter and I write there is definitely that combined rockish elements and a lot of old school things sprinkled in there, so definitely we all put what we like to hear into what we create,” Sirius answered.
“Perfect you guys. Alright now we're going to start giving you all some words,” she said. Sirius and James perked up in their seats. Remus shook his head and placed a hand on his boyfriend's hand to try and calm him. Sirius took his hand and grabbed it with anticipation. Not what Remus was going for, but at least he tried.
“The first word is Crying,”
The four of them went silent for a second until Sirius jumped in his chair, “Oh, um, wait what's that one—shit I just had it,”
“And your pastimes consisted of the strange, and twisted and and deranged, and I hate that little game you had called crying lightning, and how you like to aggravate the icky man on rainy afternoons,” Remus sang.
“Dammit that's the one I was thinking of but I couldn't figure out what came before the “crying lightning” bit,” Sirius huffed.
“My mind went completely blank as you said crying,” Peter laughed. James laughed while leaning into Peter, “Yeah it felt like I just had a stroke because there were no thoughts after that question.”
“What was the name of the song and artist?” Dorcas asked Remus.
“Crying Lightning by the Arctic monkeys,” he said.
“What made you think of that one first?” Dorcas asked. “Oh because when Sirius is drying his hair that's the song he always plays without fail,” Remus answered.
“It's not just that song, I have a whole playlist for my showers,” Sirius defended.
“Babe, you hit the repeat button on the song for the entire hour and half you're in the bathroom” Remus said while giving a light squeeze to Sirius hand. “I don't know what he’s talking about,” Sirius dismissed with a small smirk.
“Wait, is there like a prize for whoever wins?” James asked. Dorcas chuckled as she answered, “Only bragging rights.”
“What if we all gambled while we did this?” Sirius asked as he looked at his friends. “I am not putting my money in to just lose it all,” Peter said. “What if you gave me a kiss everytime I get one right,” Sirius said while making kissy lips at Peter. “I’ll pass,” he answered.
“We're not kissing anyone,” Remus said to his boyfriend. Sirius turned back around and gave him a wink.
“Alright the second word will be Fuel.”
They all went silent again for a moment.
“Um, If I was born as a black thorn tree, I’d wanna be felled by you, held by you, fuel the pyre of your enemies,” Sirius sang in a soft voice.
“Hey that's not fair, that's one of our lyrics,” James said.
“No one told me I couldn't use our songs,” Sirius shrugged.
“You all can use your own songs,” Dorcas said.
“Oh then this shits about to be easy as fuck,” James said putting his leg across his lap and his arms behind his head.
“Name of song and artist?” Dorcas asked.
“NFWMB by us, The Marauders. Yeah, um, funny story I wrote that song after Remus beat the shit out of someone who pushed me in a club,” Sirius chuckled.
“Tell me more about that,” Dorcas said.
“This was before we even started recording the debt album, and we all went out one nigh to a local club back in the UK, and the entire night went smoothly until some guy walked past me and like shoulder checked me as he walked by. I said something along the lines of “asshole or dickhead” or something equally demeaning, and the guy turned back around and shoved me backwards. Now mind you, I’m four drinks, I’m barely standing straight. So when he pushed me I fuckin went to the floor and Remus had seen it all go down, so he jumped up, grabbed the guy by his shirt and dragged him outside,” Sirius explained.
“I don't see anything wrong with what I did,” Remus said impassively.
“You literally were almost charged with aggravated assault,” James said.
“If you all didn't stop me it would have been murder charges,” Remus shrugged.
“I wouldn't expect you out of the group to be the violent one,” Dorcas said.
“He’s not,” Sirius, James, and Peter said in unison.
“Remus is the most calm and stoic man I have ever met, so we were all literally shell shocked when he got into that fight. No joke we all watched for a good second with our jaws to the floor,” James said with a laugh. Sirius let out a laugh as he said, “Yeah, the rest of the night Peter was just staring at Remus in fear.”
“Well because I just watched him almost kill a man double his size, so I don't even want to know what he could do to my ass,” Peter chuckled.
“Alright your next word is Pretty,”
Silence stretched out again before James spoke up.
“Oh, um easy, pretty girls involved with me, Mak’in pretty love to me, pretty, pity, pity,” James sang.
“Fuck man, I was gonna say that,” Sirius said.
“Name and artist?”
“Novacane by Frank Ocean,” James answered, “Yeah that's probably one of my favorite Frank Ocean songs. That and Pyramids.”
“I actually suck at this,” Peter said. “We’re all good at our own things,” Sirius said with mock sympathy while reaching over to lightly stroke Peter's legs. “Oh fuck off,” Peter said as he pushed Sirius hand away. Sirius laughed at his reaction.
“The fourth word is going to be Gravity,”
They went silent as they thought about any possible song. “Oh, easy. Gravity,” Sirius sang.
They all bursted out into laughter when Sirius stopped singing and looked around.
“You—You can't just repeat the word you idiot,” James said in between cackles. “No but that's how it goes!” Sirius tried to defend through his own laughter. “Where's the rest of it then?” Remus said while wiping a tear away from his eye.
“Gravity— hmmmm, hmm, hmmmm, I dont fucking know,” Sirius said he fell into more laughter.
“Gravity, is working against me, and gravity wants to bring me down dumbass,” Peter sang-laughed.
“Hey look you got one,” James said as he nudged Peter. “That point clearly goes to me,” Sirius said. “You only said a single word! There was no song to associate, you just repeated it,” James argued. They all fell back into wheezing laughter.
It took some time for the boys to get it back together and dry their eyes.
“Okay the fifth word will be Star,”
“I deadass almost just said my name,” Sirius chuckled. Silence fell between them all.
“Star, star teach me how to shine teach me so I know whats going on in your mind,” Remus sang “Can you like fuck off,” Sirius said. “I’m playing the game,” Remus defended.
“But like stop, I literally had a song,”
“You're just slow, that's not about me,” Remus said. Sirius looked back at his boyfriend with an unimpressed look.
“Name and artist?”
“Star, Star by The Frames. Um, it's a song from Ireand written by Glen Handsard. My mother really enjoyed The Frames and would play them often growing up,” Remus said.
“Okay we get it you have loving parents, let's move on,” Sirius said.
“Yeah what a fucking snooze fest,” James said. Sirius let out a loud ‘Ha’ at James quip.
“What a fucking snooze fest,” Sirius repeated while lauging and falling over James, who was also laughing.
“I hate you all,” Remus said. “I didn't say anything,” Peter interjected. “Not you Peter, never you,” Remus said.
“I’m only kidding, I love you,” Sirius said while leaning back and laying his head on his boyfriend's shoulder. “Mhm,” Remus responded.
“Okay, we're going to take a small break to let the crew give the lights a rest so they don't get too hot,” Dorcas said. They all nodded at her words and began to talk amongst themselves.
“How are we feeling?” Lily asked as she walked closer to them. “Good,” they all said in unison. “Alright, Regulus is stopping by in a few minutes to drop off some coffee for you all,” Lily said as she checked her phone. Sirius' eyes narrowed slightly at her words.
“How did you convince Reggie to bring us coffee?”
“Or do something nice?” James added. Sirius nodded along with those words. “It took alot of bribery and threatening to get him to even consider,” Lily answered.
“What did you threaten him with?” Sirius asked.
“I told him the next show he goes to I’ll have the camera find him in the crowd,” Lily chuckled.
“That's amazing,” Sirius laughed.
“Lily, there's someone here for you,” Dorcas said. Regulus appeared from behind Dorcas with a drink carrier of coffee and a deep scowl. A smile instantly bled onto James face at the sight of him.
“Take your drinks before I drop them,” Regulus said as he presented the carrier to the four of them. “Which one goes to who?” Sirius asked, looking at the light brown drinks. “They're all the same, just grab one,” Regulus huffed. “Damn, okay,” Sirius responded as he grabbed one. They all followed suit and took the offered drinks.
“Hey,” James said to Regulus. Regulus held the carrier underneath his arm and turned to James. “Hi,” he said, his scowl softening slightly at the sight of his boyfriend.
“Thank you for the coffee,” James said softly as he pulled Regulus closer to him. A light blush began to pepper itself across Regulus' pale skin. “Yeah it's whatever. How is the shoot going?” he asked. “It's going good. We should be done in a few hours,” James answered. Regulus nodded his head and stared at James.
Regulus loved when he wore brighter colors. Something about seeing James in something energetic molded so well with his personality that Regulus couldn't help but smile at the sight of him.
“Alright, get ready to be back on,” Dorcas said as she walked back to be behind the camera.
James pulled Regulus down for a quick kiss before he quickly w qalked away from all the cameras.
“I’m gonna be sick,” Sirius said as Regulus walked away. James lightly laughed at his dramatics.
“Sixth word is Silence.”
“We have a song called Moments Silence,” Remus said. “A squall and all of me is a prayer in perfect piety, A moment's Silence when my baby puts the mouth on me,” Sirius sang fast before anyone else could. “Ha, I get the point because you only said the title, but I sang it.”
“What yields the need for those who lead us, oh, so morally,” James continued.
“Bunm bum, ba ba bunm ba ba bunm banm ba ba bunam,” Peter sang, mimicking the guitar. James started to tap on his chair to replicate the drum and Remus began snapping the tempo of the song.
“Those that would view the same we do through their deformity,” Sirius sang and began clapping the rhythm of the claps in the song. The other three continued to mimic their instruments while Sirius took in a large breath to hit the notes on the next verse.
“Who view the deed as power creed, as pure authority? This moment's silence when my baby puts the mouth, on, me. Since it all begun! To its reckoning. There the reason comes on the common tongue of you loving me. Be thankful some! Know it lovingly. There the reason comes in the common tongue of your loving me.”
“Whoo, oooo, whoo, ooo, whoo, oo, oo, oo, oowhooo” the four of them them sang in unison. Sirius began to giggle, breaking the rhythm.
“You said that one was one of yours?” Dorcas asked.
“Yeah, that songs one of our not so appropriate ones,” Sirius chuckled. “It um, it came about when I was watching a movie with Remus in our flat and um, it depicted oral sex between two characters in a way that kind of mad me mad, because it made it seem like the only reason why someone would do that for their partner was because of a power imbalance. And so I wanted to write something that really shined a light on the um, reciprocality of the act, because while yes there is power in sex and unfortunately it can be imbalanced, it isn't always to rule over another you know. It's done because a person wants to prioritize and take care of their partner or to just do something for the other's benefit because um, seeing your lover's gratification is equally as wonderful as receiving your own and I just wanted to um, bring light to the other side of that,” Sirius said.
“I wish you would have explained it as poetically as you did when you pitched it,” James said.
“What did I say?” Sirius asked, turning to James. “You literally walked into the studio and said, ‘So sucking cock anyone?’ and just looked at us all,” Peter answered. “Shut the fuck up, I did not,” Sirius laughed.
“Yes you did!” James exclaimed as he began to laugh as well. Sirius turned to Remus for confirmation. “Yeah you did,” Remus said through his own chuckles. “Well whatever, but thats the meaning of Moments silence,” Sirius chuckled.
“Do you all find yourselves breaking into song together when you all have free time?” Dorcas asked.
“Oh yeah, if one of us starts something it's like a guarantee that the rest will follow,” James answered.
“Alright, Seventh word is Mother,”
The group went silent. Peter sprang up in his chair.
“Fucking finally, oh mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head. And as I climb into an empty bed, oh well enough said, I know it's over, still I cling, I don't know where else I can go,” Peter sang. “I know it's over by Jeff Buckley, well I like The Smiths version better, but yeah, I know it's over.”
“Look at you, you’ve got two points,” James said as he nudged Peter. “Wait, what's the score?” Sirius asked.
“You, Moony, and Pete have two and I only have one,” James answered.
“Wait but I thought I had three,” Sirius said. “The Gravity one didn't count as yours,” Remus answered. “For fucking why!” Sirius exclaimed. “Because you just said the title, Peter was the one who actually sang the song,” Remus said. Sirius huffed and crossed his arms.
“Eighth word is Pulse,”
“Oh, oh, oh, what's that one song,” James said as he put his hands on his head to help him think. “Yeah that's a good choice,” Sirius teased. “Shut up,” James laughed.
“My pulse is clear, rushin in my ears, I hear something calling me,” Remus sang. “Not what I was thinking but that's a good one,” James said. “I don't even know what song he sang,” Peter said.
“Sleeping Giants by The Crane Wives,” Remus said. “Oh that's what that was,” Peter said.
“Can we do a redo because I couldn't think of any song,” Sirius said. “No,” Remus said.
“Ninth word is Broken,”
They all fell into silence as they thought. James looked to Peter who just shrugged and gave up on thinking because nothing was coming to him. Sirius and Remus were deep in thought as they tried to come up with something.
“I’ve got nothing,” James said. “Yeah I don't either,” Peter added as he sipped his coffee. Sirius jumped up.
“Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, dammit what are the words—um–”
“Oh wait there's one song—” Remus began
“No, you shut the fuck up. Um, oh! Out in the stars again, Your heart burns to black, you're gonna fall in a broken parallel, you fill your brains to kill your pain, poppin pills in a dusty mind state, etcetera etcetera,” Sirius said. “Fill your brains by Harrison Brome. That's the song I wanted to use for Star but somebody silenced me,” Sirius said, casting a glance towards Remus.
“You were too slow,” he shrugged. “It's fine, I’m winning so what's it to me,” Sirius said.
“I would have won this round if you let me speak,” Remus said. “Yeah that's why I didn't,” Sirius said as if it were obvious.
“Okay this is the last round, are you all ready?” Dorcas asked. “Can we get a hint of the next word?” Sirius asked. “No you may not,” she chuckled.
“The last word is Hair,”
“Son of a bitch,” Sirius said as he sank into his seat, his hands running through his hair. “Its a competition between those two at this point, I’m taking a lap,” Peter said. “Honestly,” James agreed while motioning for Peter to pass him his coffee.
“Here comes old flat-top–” Remus started. Sirius shot his hand out and covered his boyfriend's mouth. “Absolutely not,” Sirius said. Remus moved the hand from his mouth, “He come grooving up slowly, He got ju-ju eyeball–”
The hand found his face again. Sirius was laughing and half in Remus' seat trying to silence his boyfriend. Remus took the opportunity and grabbed Sirius' exposed sides and squeezed just enough to make him jump back and withdraw his hand from his face.
“He one holy roller, he got hair down to his knee. Got to be a joker he just do what he please! Come Together by The Beatles!” Remus half yelled as Sirius tried to make his way back into his seat.
“Down, Padfoot,” James laughed while trying to bring Sirius back into his chair. “It seems as if Remus has won this game of song association.” Dorcas chuckled.
“This game is fucking rigged,” Sirius laughed while sitting back into his seat. “How do you spell sore loser?” Peter whispered to James. “S-I-R-I-U-S,” James answered.
“How did you all like the game?” Dorcas asked.
“Oh I had a blast, we need to do this again,” Remus said with a grin. “I need to listen to more music apparently,” James laughed. Peter joined in with him. “Despite my loss I did have a really good time,” Sirius sighed.
“Remus, would you mind saying the outro?” she asked. “Not at all,” He said sitting up in his seat. “Alright all I need you to say is, “Thank you so much for watching me and my band The Marauders on Elle playing song association, and feel free to plug anything you want.”
“Thank you so much for watching me and my band The Marauders on Elle playing song association and we are currently on tour right now, so go check out our website for tour dates and tickets, and come see us in a city near you,” Remus said to the camera with a smile.
“Brilliant, thank you all so much for your participation!” Dorcas beamed at them. They exchanged their words of gratitude for letting them be on set and as soon as it started, it was over. The crew came around and began removing the mics off of them all.
“How do you guys feel?” Lily asked. “I feel great,” Remus answered. “Please don't make this your personality for the next few weeks,” Sirius said. “Oh it definitely won't be for a just few weeks,” Remus said.
“I send my condolences,” Peter said to Sirius. “I will be living at your place if he becomes insufferable,” Sirius whispered to Pete. “Um, my doors always open,” James said.
“I would rather drag my balls across the pavement then share a space with you and Regulus,” Sirius said. “You literally grew up with Regulus and you lived with me before Remus,” James pointed out.
“I love you two separately my dear Jamie. I tolerate you two together. But having to see you both be in love all the time would make me go clinical within the month,” Sirius said. Remus laughed at that one. James didn't see what was so funny.
“Okay you all have practice tonight for the San Diego show, but until 8 o'clock you four aren't my problem so do whatever you want,” Lily said as she flipped through her notes. “Roger that,” James said with a fake salute. He turned around quickly and made his way to the doorway that had a bored Regulus leaning against it. Peter followed behind James since he rode with him to the shoot.
“Alright ready to go?” Remus asked Sirius. Sirius patted around his pockets to make sure his wallet, phone and keys were on him. Once all three were identified, he gave a nod to his boyfriend.
Remus placed a soft hand on his shoulder, said his goodbye to Lily, and led Sirius out of the doors and into the parking lot. The californian heat hit them both like a slap to the face. The Marauders had a love-hate relationship with the American part of the tour. Being immersed in the sights and wonders of America was amazing, but the climate and high prices, not so much.
Remus unlocked the old truck he rented out and hopped in the driver seat with Sirius in the passenger.
“Did you have a good time?” Remus asked as he started the car. “I did,” Sirius said with a soft smile.” Remus gave him a soft smile in return. “I’m glad.”
Sirius leaned over the center console and grabbed Remus’ face and turned it. Sirius placed soft and gentle lips on his, basking in the love and warmth of him. When Remus moved his hand to the back of Sirius’ neck and pulled him closer did their softness turn into passion.
They didn't care that everything they were doing was completely visible. Neither of them felt ashamed about the love they shared or how they chose to express it.
They broke away from the kiss a bit breathless. They locked eyes with each other and small grins spread across their faces. With one last peck they pulled away and Remus put the car in drive.
Sirius’ eyes jumped to the radio as he heard the first note of the song currently coming through the speakers. “Really,” he said, giving his lover an unimpressed side eye. Remus just smiled and shrugged.
They both rode in a peaceful quiet as Come Together by The Beatles played in the car.