December, 2024
Sirius loved Christmas. He loved everything about it. The music, the food, the films, and of course, the Baileys.
However, this year was different.
He had spent the whole year chasing a man he met last December.
December, 2023
Sirius was on a ski trip with James, Lily, Marlene and Mary. He had departed from the group briefly because, stereotypically, he hadn’t brought enough layers
And that’s how he found himself in a ski shop alone, with no knowledge on what to buy.
He walked through aisles, finding nothing.
Until he found something - someone - he wasn’t even looking for.
The most beautiful man Sirius had ever seen stood right in front of him, with bronze skin and chestnut curls.
And golden eyes.
The man smiled at him, and Sirius was starstruck.
He tried to smile back, but he couldn’t stop looking at the way the corners of the man’s eyes crinkled when he smiled.
“You look lost.” The man stated bluntly, in a Welsh accent that Sirius adored.
Sirius laughed breathily and said, “I am, I’ve never been skiing and I didn’t bring appropriate clothes and I have no idea what I’m looking for.”
“Do you want help? I go skiing nearly every year.” The man offered.
“That would be amazing, thank you so much.” Sirius said, a grin breaking out on his face.
“I’m Remus.” The man - Remus - said.
“Sirius.” He replied.
They continued walking around the shop for longer than necessary, laughing loudly, connecting instantly.
Sirius was paying when he spotted his friends outside waiting for him, and he quickly realized he and Remus would have to go their separate ways.
He looks back to Remus and he finds he is looking back at him.
“Can I get your number?” Sirius blurts out and immediately wants to curl up in a ball and never show his face to anyone for the rest of his existence.
“Of course,” Remus says with a smile and takes Sirius’ phone and puts his number in.
Sirius approached his friends with one last look at Remus, and they didn’t see each other for the rest of the trip.
December, 2024
They never did meet up again. They hardly stayed in touch.
They both tried, but they were so busy and Sirius had his number, but never the time.
Sirius sat on his sofa, staring at the wall, filled with utter loneliness.
His eyes were trained on the calendar, a frozen landscape this December.
He thought of all the people decorating their homes and trimming their trees, as he usually would. He thought of people raising cups of Christmas cheer. He wanted it so badly. He wanted Remus.
He just needed to catch his breath.
But it’s the middle of December and he hasn’t even attempted to put his tree up. He sighs and goes towards where he keeps his decorations, deciding he’ll spend Christmas by himself this year.
He just wanted to get this Winter over with.
Spring, 2024
Sirius had decided he was utterly hopeless.
He and Remus had messaged every now and then, but never consistently enough for it to go anywhere.
And Sirius just wanted it to go somewhere.
-
It was still the same in the next week, but Sirius decided to push it aside and live his life.
He was currently at a pub with his best friends, James and Lily.
Sirius and James were drinking plenty, but Lily stuck strictly to diet coke as she had recently discovered she was pregnant. Sirius still couldn’t believe it.
His best friends were moving on without him, and he was stuck pining over the same man he met once.
He walked over to the bar to order another drink, when a flash of brown, curly hair caught his eye.
It couldn’t be.
The curly haired figure turned their head and, it certainly could be.
Remus.
The man he hadn’t stopped thinking about for months. Right there. In the same room as him. A few feet away.
Remus seemed to spot him at the same time and they locked eyes.
Those golden eyes again.
Sirius didn’t know how, or why, but he found himself walking over to him with a stupid grin on his face.
“Hi,” Sirius said, looking up at Remus.
“Hey, it’s been a while.” Remus said in return.
Sirius immediately felt guilt wash over him.
“I know, I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to seem desperate messaging you everyday, but I have. Truly.” He said in a rush.
Remus just laughed, “Sirius, it’s okay. I haven’t been much better, but we’ll try. Would you like to meet for lunch sometime?”
Sirius blinked at him and cleared his throat.
“I would love that, when are you free?”
“Saturday?” Remus offered.
“I can’t, I’m seeing my brother,” Sirius replied regretfully.
They went back and forth, but they couldn’t agree when they were both free.
They said they would keep in touch.
They didn’t of course, until summertime.
Summer, 2024
Sirius was lounging in James and Lily’s back garden, with his eyes closed when his phone started ringing.
He picked up his phone without looking at who it was when a familiar voice sounded down the line.
“Hey.”
Sirius’ eyes shot open and he sat up far too quickly.
“Hi,” He breathed.
“How are you?” Remus asked, and Sirius could hear the smile in his voice.
They continued from there and talked for hours, Sirius told him about all of his friends, Regulus (without all the details from his childhood, of course), and even about James and Lily’s baby - that has yet to arrive.
They promised to arrange a time to meet up at some point in the summer.
-
A few weeks later, Remus texted him about seeing him, asking if they could meet on Remus’ boat.
There was one problem.
Sirius was in hospital.
He had fallen asleep - alone - under the sun and was there for over 5 hours, and ended up getting a sunburn in the third degree.
So, yeah, this time it was Sirius’ fault.
Christmas Eve, 2024
Sirius found himself staring at the calendar again.
There was only one page left and tomorrow was marked clearly (it had been all year, Sirius really likes Christmas), and he realized he was excited.
He was going to actually celebrate Christmas, and not do anything about Remus.
So he put on his coat, and scarf, and boots, and went on his way to the shop.
He realized he had bundled up a bit too tight, so he was hardly dashing through the snow.
He made a few calls on the way there, saying he couldn’t make it to any parties, he didn't want to deal with the party lights.
It’s Christmas Eve, so he’s going to relax and turn down all of his invites.
Halloween, 2024
It was Halloween night and Remus had called him inviting him to a party, and of course Sirius had said yes.
So he made a last minute costume and went to the address.
He was waiting, sure that Remus would eventually show up.
Hours later, his phone rang in his pocket. It was Remus.
“Sirius. I’m so sorry, my car broke down and i cant make it.” He said apologetically.
Sirius was annoyed. He had come here, and he was wearing this stupid fucking costume and he didn’t know anyone. Of course he was annoyed.
He went home by himself, watched Halloween and slept. Alone.
Christmas Eve, 2024
Tesco has provided Sirius with the world’s smallest turkey.
It was already in the oven, ready for tomorrow.
He went to grab the cranberries, and couldn’t find them.
He forgot the cranberries. Of course he did.
So back out in the snow he went, to the only all-night shop.
After he had retrieved the cranberries, he approached the line and had to take a double take at what he saw.
Remus Lupin. In the very same shop as him. As beautiful as ever.
The man he’s been chasing all year.
“Spending this one alone, I need a break this year has been crazy,” Remus said as Sirius walked up to him.
“Me too, but why are you here?” Sirius said, stunned.
Remus gestured to the pack of cranberries in his hand.
“You mean- You forgot cranberries too?” Sirius said, a smile tugging at his lips.
Remus’ eyes locked onto the cranberries Sirius was holding.
Suddenly, they both burst out laughing, finally having caught onto what was happening.
The Christmas magic brought this tale to a very happy ending.
They spent that Christmas together, and many more after that.