The One
As Remus stands in front of the mirror adjusting his white tux jacket, hundreds of ways he can and probably will screw this up buzz around in his head. Logically he knows there is little that could come between the love he isn’t blind to see that Sirius has for him yet there is always that sense of ‘what if.’ The two have been through hell and still found their way back to each other, that has to count for something.
As he continues to mull this over, Remus hears a faint knock at the door. Looking down to make one last tug at his sleeve he mutters, “Yes Regulus I’m coming.”
“Regulus? What a name” a scruffy voice replies which certainly isn’t Regulus. Remus freezes, he would know that voice anywhere. He glances up to meet the eyes of none other than Grant Chapman.
Out of all the people to see today, Grant Chapman was most unexpected. It’s been two years and he hasn’t changed a bit, “Grant?” Remus sighs in disbelief.
“Hi Remus,” Grant smiles.
“I- What are you doing here?” Remus responds with eyes wide.
Grant chuckles, “Well nice to see you too.”
“No I didn’t mean- It is nice. To see you I mean” Remus stammers, not entirely sure how to react. A thought crosses his mind, “You aren’t here to try and stop me are you?”
“You know me better than that Remus.” Grant replies, glancing down at his shoes.
Remus sighs in response, “Yeah I do.”
“Sirius came to see me last week,” Grant explains.
Of all the things swirling in Remus’ mind, that’s the thing that silences all thoughts in replacement of bewilderment and shock, “He- what?”
“That man loves you. Good or I’d have to kill him but yes he braved coming to see me all by himself so you and I could see each other today” Grant says with a smirk at Remus’ continued floored facial expression.
If Remus wasn’t already overjoyed at the prospect of marrying Sirius Black, he’s now just about ready to run out of this room and marry Sirius on the spot, to hell with the formalities. Sirius did this for Remus despite everything, he put his own feelings aside for him so that he could be reunited with Grant on the happiest day of his life.
The confusion subsides followed with an overwhelming sense of joy as Remus lunges forward to engulf Grant in the tightest hug he’s ever given which Grant quickly reciprocates. “Thank you,” Remus mutters, tearing up as there’s a lot of things for him to be thanking Grant for.
Whilst the two left each other on good terms, they haven’t seen each other or spoken to one another with the exception of letters here and there as for Grant it was too painful for a time and for Remus, the guilt couldn’t help but consume him.
“I’m sorry,” Remus begins to cry.
Grant pulls away in order to face Remus, “Hey, none of that. This is meant to be your happiest day, don’t do that”
Remus can’t help it, “You gave me twelve years and I- why don’t you hate me?”
“I couldn’t hate you,” Grant repeats Sirius’ words yet they hold a different meaning for him to Remus who continues to look down in shame, “you gave me a purpose and helped me strive for a better life for myself, I forgive you Remus. I forgave you a long time ago love, now you need to forgive yourself otherwise you’ll always be worrying that you’re gonna screw things up with Sirius”
“I didn’t say-” “You didn’t have to”
No he didn't, Remus admits. Grant could always do that, read him. Tell him his thoughts even when he didn’t know them himself, he’s missed that. The familiar glint that flickers through Grant’s eyes when he says ‘better life’ also doesn’t escape Remus’ notice.
“You have some don’t you? Someone waiting for you,” Remus questions.
“I do,” Grant responds with a smile, “And I wouldn’t have found my way to him if it wasn’t for you”
Remus finally meets Grant’s eyes again and knows immediately that he’s sincere, “You’re happy?” Grants simply nods and looks down blushing, thinking of the amazing man waiting for him outside.
“I did love you Grant. I need you to know that, those years we had, it wasn’t fake or a lie” Remus states intently looking into Grant's eyes which continue to soften more than he thought possible.
“I know Remus, I loved you to, I always will but the love I feel for you and him-”
“It’s different” Remus finishes for him “I know, it’s the same for me and Sirius.”
“I always knew we weren’t forever, deep down I knew I never really had you. We’re twin flames you and I, not soulmates and think I like that more”
Remus smiles at that, at how articulate Grant has become yet still as wise as ever. He engulfs him in yet another tight hug.
“Remus you’re late-” Regulus stops in his tracks as he sees his brother’s finance embracing another man, “Remus I swear to merlin if you’re cheating on my brother on his wedding day I will remove your fingers one by one and shove them down your throat”
Remus pulls away as Grant only laughs, “Well aren’t you a delight,” a statement met with a glare so piercing that if looks could kill, this day would turn into a very sombre occasion.
“Relax Reg, he’s just a friend,” a sentence which no longer causes any pain, only fond memories and hope for the future.
“Right well Sirius is pacing and it’s giving me a headache so if you would kindly-” Regulus is interrupted by James grabbing him from behind, “Relax my sweet, today is all about love and happiness,” James swoons, “See Remus, this is why you should have had Lily as best man, best woman? Anyway, anyone but my pessimistic boyfriend.” Regulus rolls his eyes at James’ sarcasm who is being intensely watched by Grant.
“Huh, you are alive then,” Grant observes.
“You doubted it?!” James responds mockingly offended. He knows who Grant is, from all the times Sirius has vented his worries about Remus’ past with the blonde. He knows that what's between Grant and Remus is no longer romantic but cannot be easily understood by everyone else, James isn’t worried, with the way Remus looks at Sirius, no one with eyes could doubt his love and loyalty.
“Okay well as lovely as this is, Remus you need to get your ass down that aisle and marry my brother before he makes himself sick” Regulus prompts as he looks down at his watch with the increasing tick of time.
“Very well” Remus resides, suddenly realising how much calmer he is now after his talk with Grant, some things never change, “I’ll see you? Or you’ll call? I’d love to meet your someone,” Remus casts a hopeful look to Grant who nods “I’ll call”
Beaming, Remus turns to James and Regulus who begin to tug him away. Grant watches him go, no longer with pain in his gut but genuine happiness. Neither of them could have guessed that this is where they’d end up, not together but still achieving their happily ever afters. They wouldn’t have it any other way.