Every time James caught the snitch he insisted on throwing up in the air above his bed, it hit the ring he wore on his middle finger and so all Remus could hear as he was trying to read was ‘ting… ting… ting’ and he was over it.
“James.” He looked over at James sharply. “Prongs!”
“Yes, Moony?” He asked without stopping.
“How attached are you to that snitch?”
“Why do you ask?” He said, still focusing on the tiny ball.
“Well, I was just wondering if you’d rather Madam Pomfrey remove it from your throat or your rectum.”
James stopped throwing the ball and stared at him, wide-eyed. He sat up. “Everything alright?”
“Moon,” Remus said with a frown, despite the moon being five days away, a day or two before he started getting Moon-Grumpy as Sirius called it.
“Nothing to do with—” James stopped as Remus shot him a scathing look. “Right, the moon. Would chocolate help?”
Remus considered this for a moment, then nodded. “Sorry.”
“I know you are.” James said with a smile, “It’s ok.” He rummaged around in Sirius’ trunk until he found the Honeydukes bag that Sirius kept stocked up for Moony-mergencies. Honestly, maybe Sirius should go into writing or naming spells or something because even Remus thought that one was actually pretty good. He handed Remus two bars before sitting on the edge of his bed. “You know if it was the other thing—”
“It’s not.”
“Ok but if it was. I’d get it.” James watched as Remus’ face softened slightly. “I watched Lily date people for years before she came to her senses.” Remus kept his mouth shut because all he really wanted to say was that in his opinion it was that she’d lost her senses. “It’s just a study date.”
“Did Lily ever go on a quidditch date, though?” Remus said.
James paused, “Well, no, not that I know of.”
“Do you know how many times he’s turned me down when I’ve asked if he wants to come to the library this year alone? Thirty-six. Benjy fucking Fenwick asks him once in passing and he leapt at the chance.” Remus sighed, “I know you’re going to be all James and nice and tell me that it’s nothing and that he’ll come to his senses eventually but…” Remus trailed off as he noticed James’ face. “What?”
“I thought you… Oh, Merlin. Moony I thought you still had a little thing for Fenwick.” James looked stricken. “I didn’t know that you— Oh fuck. I’m sorry!”
Remus closed his eyes and covered his face to stop himself from spiralling. “I’d love it if you could pretend you didn’t hear that.”
“I don’t think I can,” James said quietly. “How long have you felt like this?”
“It started in fifth year, then the thing with Snape put a stop to that and then when I came to stay with you both this summer it kind of… came back.” Remus opened his eyes and looked at James.
“Huh,” James said. “And you’re quite sure?”
“Fucking hell, yes Prongs! I’m sure.”
“Have you told him?” Remus looked at him incredulously. “Ok, so that’s a no. Why?”
“I think I preferred the snitch throwing over this,” Remus muttered.
“You know that… in fifth year, it wasn’t just you who felt that way? He liked you too.” Remus felt like James had thrown icy water over him. “I’m just saying, it’s possible that he feels the same now.”
“Thanks, but even if he did, it would be stupid.” Remus opened one of the chocolate bars, offering a piece to James, who shook his head.
“Nope.” James said, “I say you should go for it.”
“You would say that!” Remus laughed, “I wouldn’t even know how to bring it up.”
“Well if you went down to the library right now and they were kissing in the History of Magic aisle, how would you feel?”
“Upset? Annoyed? Pretty fucking gutted.” Remus frowned.
“Would you be frustrated that you could have said something and didn’t?” James was grinning at him.
“Yes.” He said tightly, “I suppose I would.”
“Great! Go get your man, Moony!” James leapt off Remus’ bed.
“Now?” Remus said, putting another square of chocolate into his mouth. “Right now?”
“Remus. The History of Magic aisle.”
Remus groaned and got to his feet, “I’m going to regret this, I can already tell.”
“Regret what?” Sirius appeared in the doorway. James and Remus froze, looking panicked. “Right.” He sighed before climbing into his bed and closing the curtains.
James gestured wildly at the bed and Remus shook his head. ‘He looks grumpy!’ He mouthed.
‘So do you!’ Was James’ response.
“The silence isn’t any less disconcerting from in here.” Came Sirius’ muffled voice.
Remus sighed and slipped between the curtains. James felt the familiar bubble sensation of a muffliato a few seconds later.
“What’s wrong?” Remus asked softly.
“Pretty sure Benjy asked me out to make you jealous.” Remus’ jaw dropped, “Honestly, the first clue should have been ‘study date’.”
“But, why? How?”
“He kept asking if I thought you were going to come to the library tonight and asking me things about you.” He huffed, “Asking if you were seeing anyone.”
Remus started chuckling, “I’m sorry.”
Sirius scowled, “I’m glad my misfortune is amusing to you.”
“No it's not that, but if he was trying to make me jealous, he succeeded, but also failed massively at the same time.” He watched Sirius fail to understand. “I was very jealous tonight. But I was jealous of him.”
Sirius took a second to register what he’d said, and when his face lit up, Remus moved closer to him. “Of him? So you wanted…”
“To be on a date with you, yes. Don’t worry I know better than to take you on a study date, though.” Remus smiled against Sirius’ lips as they met his for the first time.