“It’s a wellness check. Concerned friend called in saying that he was…” There was typing on the other end of the line before the dispatcher continued. “Acting off all day. Now he’s not responding to any communication. They said he has a history of depression and has attempted suicide in the past. Do you want me to send additional units?” Remus chewed his lip as he pulled off the highway median where he’d been sitting clocking people.
“No, I can handle it. Have an EMT team on standby though. Can you send the call info to my computer?” More typing then a quiet ding and a notification on his computer. “Thanks.”
- - -
Remus pulled up to the address, a small flat on the shadier side of town. Checking the file again he quickly memorized the name before climbing out of his car. Making his way to the front door he knocked loudly.
“Police Department. Come outside or I have permission to enter.” There was silence from the inside and Remus winced. He hated kicking down doors. He knocked again with the same result. Taking a step back he landed a kick right next to the handle and it flung open with the sound of ripping wood. Quickly heading inside he glanced around and saw the light on inside one of the rooms. Opening the door he saw a man laying in bed, looking completely calm as he looked up from his phone. Black shoulder length hair framed his face and piercing grey eyes looked back at him.
“I’m going to admit, I didn't think you’d actually kick down the door.”
“Are you Sirius?” He smirked slightly.
“I’m always serious. But yes that’s my name. I’m assuming James called you.” It was more of a statement, not a question but Remus nodded anyway.
“He’s concerned about you and asked us to perform a wellness check.” His eyes scanned the room, nothing looked particularly dangerous. His eyes caught on a small pile of letters next to a container of sleep medication. “Have you taken anything I should be aware of?” Sirius hummed, contemplating the question.
“If you’re talking about the medication then I have taken quite a bit, yes. Though it doesn’t much matter at this point.” Remus reached for his radio.
“Dispatch, can you send that EMT team to my location?” Sirius shook his head, finally sitting up.
“Don’t bother them.” The change in position seemed to affect him as he blinked several times, leaning slightly to one side. “It’s not worth it.” He was so calm about the whole affair, usually people were hysterical or at least sad, he was just so matter of fact.
“It’s definitely worth it.” Remus made his way over, steadying him with a hand on his shoulder. “And they’re not bothered.” Sirius just hummed again, not responding.
- - -
Remus stood outside Sirius’s ER room, double checking the number before pressing the call button. It rang twice before the call was picked up.
“Hello?”
“Is this James Potter?” There was a pause.
“It is. Who's this?” Remus glanced behind him at Sirius who appeared to be arguing with a nurse, again. Getting him to take anything had been a nightmare. Despite his originally calm appearance he had to hold him down while the EMTs worked. He gestured to get the nurses attention and signaled for her to wait a moment. “Hello?”
“Yes, so sorry. This is Officer Lupin-”
“Is this about Sirius? Is he okay?” There was scuffling on the other end and he heard another voice whisper frantically.
“Is what about Sirius? Put it on speaker goddammit.”
“He's going to be fine. Can you come down to the emergency room?” The original voice spoke again.
“Yes, of course, we'll be there in a few.”
“Perfect, I'll see you then.” Remus hung up and turned to help the nurse.
- - -
He hadn't expected to ever see Sirius again but here he was, two weeks later, hiding behind one of the shelves to avoid him and James. They were bickering lightheartedly in the next aisle and Remus wasn't quite sure why he was hiding. Technically there weren't any rules about interacting with people he'd met on call but Sirius made him nervous.
Nervous wasn't the right word but it was the one he could think of. Over his years on the job he'd managed to become detached to most cases, able to separate himself from his emotions. It wasn't the best coping mechanism but it got him through the job. But when he'd seen Sirius he'd genuinely been scared that he was going to die, and distressed by the idea that he was so incredibly calm and accepting of it. He'd gotten so lost in thought that he hadn't noticed them making their way over and had zoned out staring at the canned fruit.
“I'm telling you Pads I-” The discussion stopped abruptly. “Lupin?” He turned and James, Sirius doing his beat to hide behind him.
“Oh, hi.”
“It's James, I don't know if you remember-”
“I do just uh… people don't typically want me to recognize them in public so...” James nodded.
“Makes sense. How have you been?” He gave them a small smile.
“Good, how about you?” Abruptly Sirius spoke.
“I’m going to go… get stuff. I’ll find you later James.” James frowned and watched him go before turning back to Remus, a glint in his eyes.
“Do you have a pen?” Confused, he pulled a sharpie from his pocket.
“I have a marker?” Grinning James took it.
“Perfect.” Pulling off the lid and grabbing Remus’s wrist he quickly scrawled a number on his wrist before capping it again.
“What is this?” He accepted his sharpie and tucked it back in his pocket.
“It’s Sirius’s number. Now I have to go find him before his brother yells at me for taking too long.” He ran off after Sirius leaving Remus standing in the grocery aisle, staring at a number written on his arm.
- - -
Hi.
Who’s this?
Remus Lupin
I hope you don’t mind
James gave me your number
…
Are you serious
No
That's you
Brb
I’m going to go murder him real quick
Remus laughed softly and put his phone down as he flipped through the newspaper. There wasn’t anything that particularly interested him so he put it down and a few minutes later his phone buzzed.
Alright
You're a cop where do you suggest I hide the body
Dump it in a lake
Perfect
No one will suspect a thing
Of course not
It’s a flawless plan
What are you up to
Not much
Just got off work
How about you
Dragging the body to the lake
You know this
- - -
“Who are you texting?” Remus glanced up at Peter who was sitting next to him at the bar he had insisted Remus come to with him.
“No one.” He rolled his eyes.
“You’re never this distracted by your phone. Who is it?” He let out a long sigh.
“He’s… His name is Sirius.” Peter grinned.
“Seriously?” It was Remus’s turn to roll his eyes.
“Shut up.”
“Where’d you two meet?” He hesitated.
“On a call?” Peter’s eyebrows rose.
“Oh?” Remus just nodded. “What kind of call? Like is he… being charged?” He shook his head hurriedly.
“No, no. Nothing like that.” Peter relaxed.
“Ah, okay. Is he cute?” Remus groaned.
“I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?”
- - -
Hey you busy
No
Whats up
Just wondered if you had time to chat
Wanted to talk to someone
Is everything alright
Yeah
Are you sure?
…
No
Where are you?
Home
Why?
Because I’m coming over
Be there in 15
- - -
Remus knocked on the door, doing his best to hide from the pouring rain under the small awning. The door quickly opened and he was dragged inside.
“It’s pouring outside. What are you thinking? You’ll get soaked.” He just smiled.
“Good thing you opened the door.” Sirius shook his head slightly in exasperation. “Is everything alright?” He chewed his bottom lip, hesitating.
“Come on inside all the way. Take your shoes off.” Remus toed off his shoes and followed him to the living room.o the living room, taking a seat next to him on the couch.
“What’s going on?” Sirius tugged at a strand of hair, frowning slightly, clearly thinking.
“I don’t know. I… don’t feel okay but I don’t know why. And I wouldn’t have said anything to you at all but James and Reggie are just finally giving me some breathing room.” Remus must have looked confused because he elaborated. “Reggie’s my brother. Him and James are married.” He nodded slowly.
“And you don’t want to say anything to them because you don’t want them constantly watching you again?”
“I love them both, don’t get me wrong, but it’s frustrating. I’m not fragile.” Remus nodded again.
“Well I’m sure they both-”
“I swear if you tell me that they care about me and are worried I will shove you back out into the rain.” Remus laughed, the nurses had gotten quite a similar reaction from him.
“Well that’s not nice! Besides, I don’t think you could, you’re rather short.” He gaped.
“I am regular sized! It’s not my fault you’re built like a damn skyscraper.” Remus snorted.
“Sure.”
“Don’t ‘sure’ me! I am!” They had a short silent staredown before dissolving into laughter.
- - -
Thanks for today
Of course
Anytime
- - -
Remus was just finishing his paperwork after a traffic stop when his phone buzzed.
Are you at work
Yeah
Do you need dinner afterwards
I was going to cook something
Remus hesitated, thinking for several moments before sending his next text.
Is this your way of asking me on a dinner date
He slammed his phone down face first, and turned to his computer again. It was several anxiety filled minutes before he got a response.
Maybe
If you want it to be
I do
See you after your shift then
Absolutely
- - -
“Thanks again for dinner.” Sirius just waved a hand dismissively.
“I was cooking anyway, you needed to eat. It made sense.” Remus nodded several times. It was late, he should be going but here he was, still sitting on the couch.
“Maybe I can repay the favor sometime?” Sirius smiled, eyes sparkling, as he scooted closer so their knees were touching.
“I’d like that.” Remus reached up, almost hesitantly, and cupped his cheek gently. He leaned into the touch and after a momentary pause Remus leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his lips. Sirius reacted enthusiastically, wrapping his arms around Remus’s neck and making small whimpering noises. Remus deepened the kiss and grabbed his hips, lifting him onto his lap. Sliding his hands up from Sirius’s waist he slipped them under his shirt.
As his fingers brushed against Sirius’s stomach he flinched and made a small noise of pain. Remus pulled away, brows furrowed in concern. Sirius looked panicked which made Remus all the more concerned. Lifting up his shirt slightly he saw a dozen slices running across his stomach, not deep enough to be of huge concern, and healed enough to be a few days old.
“Sirius…” Looking back up he saw tears slowly making their way down the other’s cheeks. “Hey, it’s alright.” Sirius just pressed his face into Remus’s shoulder.
“Please don’t tell anyone. I can’t… I can’t go back to being treated like glass.” Remus let out a long sigh.
“They’re not trying to treat you like glass, they’re trying not to lose you. But… if that’s what you really want then I’ll keep it to myself.” Sirius let out a relieved sob.
“Thank you.” Remus wrapped him in a tight hug.
“You’ll be alright, it gets better.”
- - -
Save me
Reggie wants to take me out to lunch
That’s my job
But you should
It’s good for you to get out
And he’s worried about you
You’re so mean
No kisses for a week
WHAT
NO
You’re supposed to side with me
I LOVE YOU I’M SORRY
It’s too late you can’t apologize now
- - -
“James wants you to come over for Sunday dinner.” Remus hummed softly, not taking his eyes off the road but adjusting his phone volume slightly to hear Sirius better. “I think it’s just because if you go I’ll go.”
“Likely. Do you want to go?”
“I don’t have anything against it. Do you?” Remus shrugged, then remembered Sirius couldn’t see him.
“I think it’d be fun to meet him and your brother again.” There was a pause.
“This Sunday?”
“Why not?” Sirius sighed.
“I’ll text him. Drive safe.”
- - -
“Do we have to?” Remus sighed.
“They’re expecting us so it’d be rather rude not to.” Sirius whined but followed Remus to the front door. He didn’t even have time to knock before it opened. James stood there, grinning like a madman.
“Saw you pull in. Come in, come in. Regulus is cooking.” Sirius, for all his complaining, looked excited now that he was actually there.
“Is Harry…?” James stepped aside.
“In his room playing, I’m sure he’ll be excited to see you.” Sirius scurried inside, quickly running down the hall. James gestured for Remus to come inside which he did, toeing off his shoes as he did. There was excited shrieking from down the hall.
“Good to see you again James.” He nodded.
“Likewise.” He followed James to the kitchen where Regulus stood, finishing the food. James went to help but was quickly stopped with a gentle hand on his chest.
“Love, you’re sweet but if you touch my food I will, unfortunately, have to kill you.” Then he turned to Remus and smiled. “Hi, make yourself at home. Dinner will be done in a few.” Remus grinned back.
“I see the familial resemblance.” Sirius reappeared, a small toddler on his hip.
“Dad! Dad! Padfoot’s here!” He was practically vibrating with excitement and James laughed.
“I see! And he brought a friend!” James pointed to Remus who waved.
“Hi, my name’s Remus!” Harry tilted his head slightly.
“Are you Padfoot’s boyfriend?” Sirius laughed.
“He is.” Harry’s face immediately brightened even more and he squirmed out of Sirius’s arms to run over and hug Remus’s legs tightly. When Remus bent down to his level Harry whispered in his ear.
“Thank you for making him happy again.” Remus patted his head and gave him a smile.
“Of course buddy, I was more than happy to.”