London Boy

When Remus picked up Teddy from school on Tuesday, he hadn’t told him that they were going to see Sirius. Watching his little face crease in confusion as he turned the wrong way out of the school was very amusing.

“Is there traffic?” He asked.

“Not that I know of,” Remus said.

“You’re going the wrong way.”

“I would be if we were going home.” Remus smiled to himself. He felt like a child, it was ridiculous.

“Why aren’t we going home, Dad? It’s home time!”

“I thought we could go somewhere else before we go home.” He said, “Where do you think we might be going?”

“Hmmmm, the park?” Teddy guessed.

“In this weather?!”

“Oh, yeah. Maybe to McDonalds?” He asked hopefully.

“Nope, we’re having spaghetti for dinner. One last guess?” Remus said as he pulled into the fire station car park.

It took a second before Teddy clocked where they were. “Oh!” He shouted, “To see Sirius!”

“Exactly!” Remus let him out of the car and grabbed his hand before he could take off across the car park. “Slowly, please. I know you’re excited but Sirius doesn’t want to have to wash your blood off his car park.”

“Gross!” Teddy pulled a face.

The lady who worked at the front desk waved them through with a smile.

They found Sirius, Benjy and Marlene huddled together around Benjy’s phone on one of the sofas. Remus put his finger to his lips and smiled at Teddy. They tiptoed towards the sofa and Remus peered over them at the screen. They were drafting a message to Caradoc.

“He’s working on Saturday night, try Friday,” Remus said, high-fiving Teddy as all three of them jumped.

“Surprise!” Teddy ran to sit on the other sofa.

Sirius tipped his head over the back of the sofa and smiled fondly up at Remus. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Remus smiled back. “Still concussed?”

“Nah, I’m alright.”

“Good.” Sensing that Marlene and Benjy were staring at them. “Sprain?” He turned to Benjy, who nodded. “Still say you’re lucky that’s all you did!”

“I notice you’re not inquiring about my health, Remus. As your oldest friend here, I’m hurt.” Marlene tried really hard to frown.

“You didn’t show up at A&E yesterday. Plus I already asked Dorcas if you were hurt. She said, and I quote, ‘Other than a bruised ego because she collapsed half a building, no she’s fine.’.”

“I did not collapse half a— At most, I collapsed a few feet of ceiling. And even then, that doesn’t seem like a me problem. If your floor can’t handle one me, then it was never going to handle all of us.”

“Fair point.” Remus shrugged. “How did Kingsley take it?”

“He’s been at the council offices all day.” Sirius grimaced, “He was furious that we were sent in there and there was no record of the instability of the building or anything.”

“What did you do to your arm?” Teddy asked Benjy.

“Marlene broke the floor in an old building, and then she fell through it and then Davey fell through it, and then I fell through it and landed on my wrist, and then Sirius fell through it and landed on me.” Teddy giggled, “Your dad took a look at it for me yesterday, it’s not broken, just a nasty sprain.”

Teddy nodded, “Did you have an X-ray?”

“I did!” Benjy said, and Remus zoned out of the rest of the conversation because when his eyes flicked down, he found Sirius staring up at him.

“Dad?” Remus looked up to find Teddy looking between him and Sirius and Benjy and Marlene pointedly avoiding looking at them. What had he missed? He nodded, “Can I play Mario Kart?”

He looked at Benjy, who would inevitably be on Mario Kart duty. He didn’t want to just pawn Teddy off on him, but he was already getting the game loaded up.

“Did Benjy say it was ok?”

“I suggested it.” Benjy said, “Thought maybe you and Sirius could make some tea.”

Remus smiled, “Seems like a fair trade-off.” He followed Sirius to the small kitchen off the main room. “I have no idea how much of that conversation I missed.”

Sirius looked over his shoulder questioningly as he grabbed mugs from the cupboard and started putting teabags and sugar into them. Remus pressed his lips together for a moment before shutting the kitchen door. Sirius turned to face him. “Everything alright?”

“I was wrong.” He blurted out, before dragging a hand down his face, “Fuck. No. I— Teddy was worried about me on Saturday morning. Kept asking me why I was sad. I told him I was fine and that worried him more. It was a whole thing. Then my mam and Andy sat me down at the kitchen table and let me vent to them and—”

“Hey,” Sirius touched his arm gently, “Take a breath.”

Remus nodded, taking a second to breathe. “Oh my god, why are words so hard? Right, ok. So, I told you that this was a case of right person, wrong timing. I’ve realised that just because something isn’t perfect timing, doesn't automatically make it the wrong timing.”

Sirius’ brow furrowed, “Moony?”

Remus pulled a folded-up piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to him. Sirius opened it slowly and tilted his head to take it in. Teddy had drawn three people, the one with black scribbles for hair, he supposed was him, and the other two, Remus and Teddy. He’d drawn lots of fire around the edge again, which was slightly worrying, but there was also a shape not unlike a heart above drawing-Remus’ head.

“I don’t know how it will work. But I don’t want to regret not trying to make it work. I don’t think I want to tell Teddy right away, and we should probably take things slow to start with.” Remus could tell that Sirius was still not quite with him. “I’d like Saturday to be a date if that’s ok with you?”

Sirius’ entire face lit up, “A date?”

“Yeah.” Remus smiled shyly. “Rwy'n meddwl amdanoch drwy'r amser.”

“It hardly seems fair that you can say anything you like, and it sounds super hot, and you could tell me it means anything when you’re just telling me what you and Teddy are having for dinner!” Sirius grinned, “That said, please never stop.”

“Nid ydych erioed wedi gorfod eistedd ar draws oddi wrth eich mam-yng-nghyfraith a dweud wrthi eich bod yn ffansio ei chefnder.” Remus smirked at him, “Ac mae'n dangos”

“Maintenant je sais ce que ressentaient tous ces idiots avec qui je sortais quand j'étais adolescent quand je leur chuchotais dans un français approximatif.”

Remus’ pupils were huge as he stared at him, “Well, that’s quite the development.”

Sirius smiled, “The answer is yes. To the date, by the way.”

“Alright.” Remus leaned back against the counter next to him as Sirius finished making the tea. “And just to double check, you’re not just saying yes because you hit your head? Wait, could you speak French before you hit your head?”

“You’re the worst.” Sirius muttered, “No, Moony, I’m not just saying yes because I'm mildly concussed, I thought I made myself very clear on Friday.”

“You did.” Remus stepped behind him, wrapped his arms around Sirius’ waist and whispered in his ear, “I just wanted to hear you say it again.”

Sirius’ eyes were wide and he’d frozen with a teaspoon halfway to his mug, because oh. If he thought he was attracted to Remus before with his lilting accent, his soft cardigans and his dad jokes, he absolutely wasn’t prepared for Remus who suddenly knew what he wanted. He leaned his head back against Remus’ shoulder and closed his eyes.

“We’re going on a date on Saturday because I’m very attracted to you. That’s what you want to hear?”

“Not particularly.” Said Marlene from the doorway. Remus fought the urge to throw himself to the furthest corner of the kitchen from Sirius and settled for letting go of him with a sigh.

“Please work on your timing.” He said. “It leaves a lot to be desired.”

“Hmm, I’m sure it does.” She grinned. “I just came to make sure neither of you had drowned in the kettle or anything.”

“Thanks for your concern.” Sirius turned to face her. “You saw nothing, ok?”

She frowned slightly. “The two of you baffle me. Is this a thing now?” Remus smiled at Sirius and nodded as Marlene suppressed a happy squeal. “Oh wow, you’re going to be insufferable. Congrats! I didn’t see anything. Apparently.”

“We’re not telling Teddy for now,” Sirius said.

“Not until we know it’s…” he narrowed his eyes at Sirius, “difrifol.”

“Please tell me that you just said serious in Welsh so he couldn’t make his only joke!” Marlene crossed to the counter and grabbed her mug. “You’ve always been my favourite, Remus.”

As the three of them sat and watched Teddy, Benjy and, after a while, Davey play Mario Kart, Remus almost regretted not waiting until Saturday to say anything because now he had to sit in front of his son and Sirius’ colleagues and pretend that he didn’t want to shove him back against the sofa and kiss him senseless. It was made even more difficult by Marlene shooting them both very pointed looks as they sat with their linked pinky fingers hidden behind Remus’ knee.

When it was time for them to go, Sirius pulled Remus into a hug and said softly, “I’m so happy you changed your mind.”

“Me too,” said Remus with a smile as he pulled away. “I’ll see you Saturday.”

“See you Saturday, Moons.”

🌙✨🌙✨🌙

Teddy hadn’t been too pleased that Remus was spending the evening with Sirius without him, but he was quickly pacified by Lyall promising that they could watch Encanto, and Remus reminding him that he’d see Sirius the next day.

The film was good, but they both felt like kids on a first date, full of adrenaline and anticipation and perhaps the empire did strike back, but neither of them was too invested. As the credits rolled Sirius looked over at Remus and smiled.

“Fancy going for a drink?” He asked. Remus nodded, “Where’s nice? I’m still new here.”

“I know just the place.”

As they sat on a sofa, thighs pressed together waiting for their cocktails to come, Remus leaned his head on Sirius’ shoulder. “My mam refused to take Teddy unless I told you that she wants to meet you. So, this is me telling you.”

“Ok,” He rested his lips on Remus’ temple, “I can do that.”

“Yeah?” Remus tilted his head to look up at him, “You sure?”

“Of course,” Sirius said.

“I’m going to tell her specifically not to bring childhood photos.” Remus smiled.

“Well, that’s not fair. Prongs and Lily have been sending you multiple pictures every day for a week.”

“Yes, and you looked so good with the classic emo hair.” He snorted, “I’d meet your mum too, if y’know…”

“She wasn’t evil personified and if I never saw her for the rest of my life, I’d die a happy man?”

“Exactly.” He nodded, “You took the words right out of my mouth.”

“I have Andy, I suppose. Oh, is this going to be weird for her? I didn’t even think about that.”

“No, when I told her about what happened last week, her exact words were ‘respectfully, my darling, what the fuck is wrong with you?’. She genuinely seemed fine with it. Encouraged it, even.” Remus smiled as the bartender set down their drinks, before taking a moment to ogle Sirius. “Thank you,” Remus said, resting his hand on Sirius’ thigh.

“Well, then I’m super grateful to Andy,” Sirius said, not even noticing the way the man had looked at him before heading back to the bar. “I should get her some flowers.”

“She likes wildflowers rather than roses or anything like that.” Remus sipped his drink and sighed blissfully.

“Ok, I need a cocktail menu.” Remus looked at him, confused. “If that drink makes you emit that noise, I need to write down the ingredients.”

“You’re something else.” Remus laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so glad to see someone injured. Wait, that came out wrong.” Sirius giggled and Remus’ heart did something between a cartwheel and a somersault. “I’ve always been so happy to see you?”

“Good save.” Sirius’ shoulders shook to the point they both had to set their drinks down or they’d end up covered in £15 cocktail. “You have no idea what it’s like trying to hold it together while someone who looks like you is literally glueing your skin back together.”

Remus’ cheeks were the most glorious shade of pink. “I know we said we’re taking things slowly, but do you want to come back to mine after this? Not that I’m— I just really want to kiss you and I think we can do better than a not unnoticeably sticky sofa for our first kiss.”

“Yeah, that would be nice.” Sirius felt such a huge wave of affection for Remus that he was having to really fight to get any words out. “Also, we’ll take it as slow as you need to. There’s absolutely zero pressure from me, Moons. I’m happy to just sit and sneakily hold your hand so Teddy can’t see for as long as you need. I just want to be with you.”

“Sticky sofa is looking more appealing by the second,” Remus muttered. “I appreciate you so much. There’s probably going to be times when things are more complicated than they would be with most people.”

“I know that,” Sirius said softly, “There will also be days where I’m annoying as shit because I’m in my feelings about my family. I’m not without my own… stuff. You know?”

Remus nodded, “Yeah. I only know what Andy’s told me over the years, but I’ll be there for you in any way that I can, ok? Plus my mum is going to adore you and claim you as her own within minutes of meeting you.”

“Andy loves your parents so much.” Sirius laughed. “It’s so nice that they’re friends.”

“Yeah, I didn’t know how that would work for a while, but it was honestly so lovely to see Teddy with all four of them last week. I need to make time for all of them to spend time with him together more often.” He smiled, “In my head, you’re there too. I don’t know if that’s too much too soon, but I like the thought of you being there.”

“Moony please drink your drink so we can leave,” Sirius said with an earnest expression. “I want to be there. Sign me up.”

Remus grinned bashfully before downing the rest of his drink, grabbing Sirius’ hand and dragging him out of the bar. They weren’t far from Remus’ house but the walk felt like it took forever with the simmering anticipation growing with every step they took.

Remus barely let Sirius shut the door behind them before pushing him back against it and looking at him hungrily. “Sirius,” He whispered as he pressed his lips to Sirius’ jaw. Sirius pulled him even closer, enjoying the slightly feral look in Remus’ green eyes before they fluttered shut, and then he was kissing Remus and it was ethereal. The way Remus’ lips moved against his, the hand in his hair, and the way Remus’ skin felt under his hands when he slipped them under Remus’ shirt.

He wasn’t sure how long they kissed against the door like horny teenagers, occasionally swapping who was pressed against it, but when they finally separated, Remus, noticing it was after midnight said, “Happy Birthday, cariad.” And Sirius melted.

🌙✨🌙✨🌙

It was almost three in the morning when Sirius dragged himself away. Remus had told him that he could stay, but he knew that he’d be too tempted if they shared a bed, and suspected Remus felt the same way. He was looking forward to seeing Remus and Teddy later but also hated that he’d have to keep his distance from Remus lest he end up kissing him silly in front of his kid. Still, it was temporary, and it was fine. He’d meant it when he said he’d go as slow as Remus needed.

What he wasn’t prepared for, however, was Remus showing up at James and Lily’s house with a small silver ring through his septum. Remus could obviously sense how it was affecting Sirius, because the slight smirk didn’t leave his lips all afternoon, and Sirius wanted nothing more than to kiss it off.

Teddy was playing in Harry’s room and James and Lily were in the kitchen when Sirius found himself being pulled into the downstairs bathroom. He locked the door and stared at Remus.

“Holy shit, Moony.” He growled.

“I knew you had an unhealthy obsession with it.”

“It’s actually a very healthy obsession. An admiration, if you will.” Sirius pressed his forehead to Remus’, “You’re so fucking gorgeous.”

Remus kissed him possessively and Sirius couldn’t remember a better birthday. He couldn't remember much while Remus was pressed so close to him, honestly. Ten minutes later he poked his head out of the bathroom door to check nobody would see them both leaving. As he stepped out, Lily called out from the kitchen.

“Did you need help holding it?”

Remus choked on a laugh, “Oh my god. Do they know?”

“They suspect.” Sirius narrowed his eyes.

“I think they know now, cariad.” Remus chuckled.

🌙✨🌙✨🌙

Taking things slowly lasted almost two weeks. They forgot that they weren’t supposed to kiss goodbye after taking Teddy to the museum again, and Teddy very loudly called them out.

“Dad! Why are you kissing Sirius?” He shrieked, causing a few people to look in their direction.

Remus closed his eyes for a second and took a deep breath. He’d been prepared to sit Teddy down and talk to him about it at some point fairly soon but was unprepared at this moment.

He looked at Sirius before turning back to Teddy, “Well, Sirius and I have been spending more time together recently, and we’ve been on a few dates.”

Teddy scrutinised his dad, “So he’s your boyfriend?”

Remus chuckled as Sirius shrugged with a big smile on his face. “Yes, cyw, he’s my boyfriend.”

“Oh, alright.” Teddy said, “Does this mean I can call you Padfoot?” He asked Sirius.

“Of course you can.”

“Cool, and you’ll come over for dinner sometimes?” He said, “That’s what Victoire’s uncle’s boyfriend does.”

“If you and your dad want me to, yes.”

“Alright,” Teddy said before turning back to the rocks in the gift shop.

Remus smiled affectionately as Sirius shook with silent laughter and laced their fingers together. It felt like the most natural thing in the world.