the black dog

Present – 25th June 1983
Lily’s POV

Lily had found herself being dragged along to James and Marlene’s Quidditch game on Regulus’ birthday. At first, she had said no, remembering that the last time she was at this game was one of the last moments she had spent while she was still with Mary. She had made progress over the past few weeks since their break up—mainly through the help of Marlene, Dorcas and Margaret, who had all been there to pick up the broken pieces of her, Remus and Regulus.

She had the feeling that something was going to happen at this game that she shouldn’t miss. At Remus and Regulus’ apartment this morning Barty and Evan had been walking around with mischievous looks on their faces while Regulus seemed deep in thought. Once she had told the group that she wasn’t sure about attending the Quidditch match Barty had assured her that she would regret it if she didn’t. When she was given no response when she attempted to figure out what he meant by that, she decided that she would figure it out for herself. Who knows? Perhaps the game would be healing in some way. A way to prove to herself that this didn’t have to be something she avoided because of the reminders of her and Mary.

She wanted to look back on their relationship and think about the good moments together. This last week she and Mary had begun exchanging letters, a step towards repairing their friendship. She still couldn’t imagine a future without the woman but knew that it was better off if it was a platonic relationship. So, while Lily kept Mary updated on the situation with Remus and Regulus, as well as stories about her interactions at work, she received letters from Mary about her classes and recent movies they had studied. It was unusual for Lily to imagine a Wizarding school studying muggle films on muggle TVs but that was overruled by the joy she felt as she read Mary’s passion for her studies. Because she was learning to love what Mary wanted to do after those torturous months of wishing she would change her mind so they didn’t have an ocean between them.

It felt strange sitting in the stands with the families of James and Marlene’s teammates. The last time she was here she hadn’t sat so close to the pitch, she was certain this was going to be an entirely different experience. She wasn’t sure whether Sirius knew that they were going to be sitting with him—he hadn’t shown up yet and was presumably with James in the changerooms like the codependent pair the two of them were. Regulus had told them that he was going to get food which she had brushed off as him needing some fresh air before the game. Now, she wondered if that was true or if he had possibly gone home. Barty and Evan were somewhere in the stadium. Dorcas, Regulus and Lily had left them making out against a wall to find their seats and she was wondering whether they were going to miss the game as well.

“Oh, look, there’s Sirius,” Dorcas said as she waved a hand at the man who had emerged from one of the doors to the stairwells.

Lily watched as Sirius paused, taking in the empty seats beside them with calculated eyes. The man shook his head and smiled, walking through the row to sit down beside Lily.

“Hello Sirius,” she told him as she held out her hands for a hug.

Sirius wrapped Lily in a tight squeeze before pulling back and placing a kiss on her cheek. “Hello Lilyflower. Dorcas, nice to see you.” He nodded at the woman.

Dorcas smiled at him. “How’s James feeling about the game?”

“He’s a little nervous, as usual, but that should pass as soon as he’s on the pitch,” he said. “Marlene’s the opposite, she’s absolutely certain they are going to win.”

Dorcas nodded with a fond smile. “Sounds like Marlene.”

Lily watched Sirius’ eyes drift towards the stairwell. “Um,” he turned back to her. “Is Reg here?”

It was not the person that Lily was expecting him to ask about but it was understandable considering what the date was. She believed part of the reason why Regulus had decided to show up today was so that he could see his brother, considering that they didn’t know where either of them lived.

“He’s here,” she reassured him with a nod and a smile. “We seemed to have lost him, Barty and Evan but they are around here somewhere.”

“Oh, okay good,” Sirius replied, sinking back into his chair with his eyes on the field. Yet, for a position that should be relaxing, Lily could feel the tension in the man beside her. She watched him out of the corner of her eye, seeing his eyes continuously darting towards the door as if he were waiting for someone to show up.

And just in case the person that Sirius was looking for wasn’t Regulus, she leant in, placing her hand over his slightly trembling one.

“He didn’t come.”

Sirius turned his head to look at her. “Even though it’s Regulus’ birthday?”

“He’s in Wales.”

The man frowned, a look of concern flashing across his face. “Wales? Why?”

“He left yesterday for the full moon,” she told Sirius who listened intently as she explained Remus’ whereabouts. “He should be back this evening after he spent the day resting and recovering with his parents.”

“Is that where he spent every full moon since…?”

“Mhm.”

Sirius paused, looking back out of the pitch as if he was processing what he had been told. Lily believed that a lot of the questions Sirius had while he was at Hogwarts had just been answered. “It’s good he gets to see his parents. I’m glad he had them for the full moons.”

Lily squeezed Sirius’ hand as she observed the drawn look on his face. “What you, James and Peter did for him isn’t something little. You were great friends to take that risk to help him. Don’t ever forget that.”

She received a sad smile from him. “Was it really worth it? Look what came of it.”

“Remus has it in his heart to forgive you for a mistake you made when you were a child. I know it. One mistake doesn’t erase the good the two of you had. If you and Remus let it, good can grow between you again.”

She watched as he wiped away a tear that had escaped from the corner of his eye. “Merlin, I’m jealous that they got you these past few weeks to comfort them.”

“I’m sure James was more helpful than me. I was also in need of comfort. This one,” she pointed with her thumb at Dorcas who was talking to a man sitting in front of her, “was the one that pulled me together and she wasn’t gentle about it.”

“Oh, yes,” Sirius said as he squeezed her hand. “I’m so sorry about you and Mary.”

“Don’t be,” Lily told him. “We are becoming friends again and I am happy to have her in my life.”

The crowd started roaring as the camera on the pitch flickered to life, showing a couple in the audience. Lily groaned. “Not this again.”

“Don’t worry,” Sirius said. “They tend to avoid the family box unless it’s been requested by someone in here. Considering most of the people here are related to each other or their partner is one of the players, there isn’t really a point.”

“So, I’m safer here than if I was anywhere else in the crowd?” Lily asked.

“Exactly.”

Couples continued to flash up on the screen and scream in delight as they turned to kiss their partner. It was both a heartwarming and heartbreaking thing for her to watch. But, it also filled her with hope. If anything, this camera was proof that love existed. Young couples. Old couples. Couples that kissed while their children groaned beside them. Men kissing men. Women kissing women. It was truly a spectacular thing to witness. And Lily found a tear escaping from her eye—not at the reminder of her and Mary but at the various couples that filled the screen who showed how much they cared for each other.

The next couple shown on the screen weren’t from somewhere in the crowd. At first, Lily thought that the wrong camera had accidentally connected to the screen. The lighting wasn’t as bright as it was in the crowd, making it harder to figure out what the couple looked like. The camera zoomed in and suddenly Dorcas was leaning forward in her seat.

“That’s a United jersey,” she said in surprise, looking between Sirius and the screen. “Is that…?”

Lily looked closer as the camera zoomed in even more. She gasped as she came to the realisation that she knew these two men. “I think it is.”

She turned to look at Sirius to see his reaction but the man was smiling as if he was having a proud big brother moment.

James and Regulus didn’t seem to know that they were on the screen right now, but it appeared as though the crowd had recognised the Quidditch player. She heard a voice scream “Merlin, is that James Potter?” and suddenly the screams of the crowd got louder now that they had identified who it was.

There was no audio to the kiss cam but Lily swore she saw the words ‘I love you’ leave Regulus’ mouth. She watched Regulus shift uncomfortable and say something else that was cut off by James lunging forward to kiss the man. The crowd was so loud that Lily cringed and threw her hands over her ears, her eyes never leaving the screen.

Regulus had thrown his arms around James’ neck and the Quidditch player’s arms were looped around his waist, pulling them together so that nothing was between them. The two of them eventually pulled away from each other, resting their foreheads together as the screen went black. James and Regulus had unknowingly been the kiss cam finale.

“Holy fucking shit.” Dorcas leaned back in her seat with a look of shock on her face. “How are you Sirius?” she asked. “Does Lily need to go get her medical bag?”

But there was no anger or shock on Sirius’ face, instead, there was still the same smile from when he had seen his best friend and brother first appear on the screen. “Fucking finally,” he eventually said. “Took longer than I expected but Regulus seemed to do the grovelling thing well.”

“And you are perfectly okay with this? With them?” Dorcas asked.

Sirius shrugged. “I’d rather see them happy together than miserable apart.”

“Kudos to that,” Lily replied, giving Sirius a knowing look.

Barty and Evan had appeared just after the screen turned off and revealed themselves to be the reason for Regulus’ second appearance on the kiss cam. Barty had turned to Lily and—not asked her—told her that it had been worth coming. In response she had rolled her eyes and let them pass in front of her to take their seats beside Dorcas, leaving the seat open next to Sirius for Regulus. For whenever that man was finished with his rekindled flame in the tunnel.

Lily was almost certain that Regulus might be delaying his return to avoid the questions from the rest of his friends—as well as being recognised by the people around him. But, the time came and the stairwell opened to reveal the man with a red flush on his face.

Barty, who couldn’t let Regulus peacefully take his seat, yelled out to the man. “Yes, Reg!”

Regulus scowled, narrowing his eyes at his friend as he made his way to his seat. Lily couldn’t see the expression on Sirius’ face as it was turned away from her in Regulus’ direction, however, she was certain there was nothing but love there.

Regulus was so focused on staring down Barty that he didn’t realise Sirius was sitting with them until he was taking the seat beside him.

“Sirius?” the younger brother asked as he sat down.

“Twenty-two. Merlin, you are getting old, Regulus,” Sirius said with a fond smile.

“You remembered?” Regulus replied.

Sirius frowned, his eyebrows pinching together. “Your birthday? Of course, I remembered.”

Regulus opened his mouth but Lily watched him get distracted by a hand tapping him on the shoulder. The man turned around to see a girl in a Pride of Portree jersey sitting behind them, looking at the man with a look of awe on her face.

“Sorry,” she said with a small smile. “I just wanted to ask; are you the person that was just kissing James Potter?”

It was Sirius who replied with, “He is.”

The girl sighed dreamily. “You’re so lucky. He’s so handsome. I wish he would kiss me like that.”

“Keep dreaming,” Regulus replied with no expression on his face and Lily clasped a hand across her mouth as she watched the girl’s eyes widen with hope.

“You think so?” the girl asked him, smiling widely at him.

Barty leaned across the back of his seat and cleared his throat so the girl looked in his direction. “What Regulus means is that it’s not going to happen.”

“Barty!” Lily gasped, both surprised and unsurprised at the man’s forwardness.

“What?” the man replied, throwing up his hands. “I’m just stating the obvious!”

“She’s a child,” Lily hissed back at him.

Everyone but Lily had turned around in their seats as the speaker announced that the players were about to enter the pitch. She watched as the girl folded her arms across her chest and scowled at the back of Barty’s head, a slight tremble to her lips. At least it seemed that her heart wasn’t completely shattered by her friend’s words. But Barty might just have made himself an enemy.

She turned around in time to watch the Puddlemere United keeper fly onto the pitch, waving at the crowd before taking his place in front of the centre goalpost. The beaters were out next which meant that Dorcas was cupping her hands around her mouth to scream Marlene’s name.

Then it was the chasers' turn to enter the pitch and the crowd screamed as the camera zoomed in on James’ face, who was beaming from ear to ear. The man was just radiating with happiness and the crowd drank it up greedily.

Lily noticed that there was a chain with some kind of charm hung around James’ neck, sitting above the jersey. The jewellery was silver which was unusual for James. She had only known him to wear gold necklaces in the past.

She realised it didn’t—initially—belong to James as Sirius seemed to recognise it, turning to look at Regulus with a frown.

“Why didn’t you take the ring back?” Sirius asked his younger brother.

“I will,” Regulus said, his eyes fixed on the screen. “Just thought I’d let him have a Quidditch game with it.”

Sirius sighed. “You possessive little shit.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Regulus replied, a smile on his face.

“He wants to go see Jamie,” Barty announced as the crowd around them began clearing to head down to the pitch to congratulate their loved ones on the game.

Regulus scowled, lifting his middle finger in Barty’s direction. Lily watched him then as he focused on Evan. “Rosier, control him please.”

Barty—like a child—stuck his tongue out at Regulus as his boyfriend wrapped an arm around his waist.

“I’ve got to go,” Sirius said, turning to his brother. “But tell James I said he played well.”

Regulus nodded, seeming to be caught up watching the pitch for when James and the rest of the Puddlemere players would be released from their coach’s speech.

“I’ll go check on Remus,” Lily told the group, wanting to check that her friend had recovered well from the full moon yesterday. “I can assume where everyone’s going to be later?”

“Well, Puddlemere just had another win and it’s Regulus’ birthday,” Evan replied as he ran his hair through Barty’s hair. Barty had his eyes closed as he leaned into Evan’s touch, letting his boyfriend’s calm gestures soothe his hyperactive craziness.

“My drinks are on Sirius tonight,” Regulus announced.

“What?” Sirius replied, turning towards his brother.

“It’s my birthday,” Regulus replied, looking away from the pitch to look at Sirius. “Do the brotherly thing and give me free alcohol.”

“I already shared a bottle of firewhiskey with you!”

Regulus scoffed. “And that cost you less than us going to therapy. And it’s my birthday,” he repeated as if Sirius had ignored his earlier point.

“Fine,” Sirius sighed. “But I want my leather jacket back!”

“What leather jacket?” Regulus replied innocently and Lily would’ve believed him if it wasn’t for the mischievous gleam in his eye.

Sirius pointed a finger at his brother. “You know what leather jacket!”

“Hmm,” Regulus mused. “No idea what you are talking about.”

Regulus’ POV

There was something familiar about the way Regulus was sitting right now, legs across James’ lap on one of the couches in The Black Dog. It felt like a lifetime ago he was in here with Remus in the same position. Yet, it felt different with James—as it should be. He sat with his head resting against the man’s shoulder as James traced patterns with his finger across his pale skin.

When Regulus had walked into the bar with Dorcas—still wearing the Puddlemere United scarf around his neck, he had taken a seat at one of the tables with his friend. They both got a (free) drink from Sirius as they waited for Marlene and James to arrive with the rest of the team after they freshened up in the changing rooms.

James had walked in with black trousers and a navy blue button-up shirt with the top few buttons undone to reveal the brown skin of his chest. His hair was still damp from his shower, the curls brushing against the man’s forehead.

Although the rest of the team had missed out on the kiss cam it seemed that they had been filled in by someone about what had happened before the match. Regulus found himself being introduced to the members of James and Marlene’s quidditch team, so many people that it was impossible to remember any of their names.

He found himself being addressed as either ‘the birthday boy’ or ‘Sirius’ brother’. Yet, his favourite interaction had been with a woman called Orla, who looked between Dorcas and Regulus and asked, “Is this James’...?” as if she had been waiting to meet him.

As much as it was a pleasant experience to meet these people who were a part of something James loved, he just wanted time with the man. So, once the group had all made their introductions and split off to dance and get drinks, Regulus and James had put themselves on the couch where they were now. Lily had come over a few minutes ago to wish him a happy birthday and let him know that Remus had insisted on coming too.

Regulus’ ring was back on his finger which was a comfort he had missed these past few weeks. Although, he hadn’t missed it as much as he had missed James. He used that hand now to push open the fabric on James’ chest, spying tattoo ink under the shirt.

James didn’t protest as Regulus undid another button and revealed the ink. Regulus paused, recognising what the tattoo portrayed and reaching out to trace the ink there. James shivered as Regulus’ fingers touched his skin and so he pulled his hand back. “Sorry. Are my fingers cold?”

James reached out to grab Regulus’ wrist, gently guiding it until his hand was on his chest. “Only a little.”

Regulus traced the constellation. “The Leo constellation?”

“I was wondering if you recognised it,” James replied, amusement in his voice.

Regulus paused the movement of his hand to look up into the man’s face, rolling his eyes before returning to the tattoo.

“And there is Regulus,” he said, putting his finger over the small tattooed star. All of the other points—stars—were dots except for Regulus, which was in the shape of a star.

“There is Regulus,” James agreed. Something about the man’s voice made Regulus look up from the tattoo to his face. James was looking at him intently, studying him as if he couldn’t believe he was there.

Regulus reached up to cup the back of James’ head, pulling him down so that their lips could connect, his other hand still pressed against the tattoo. When they pulled apart, Regulus returned his head to the man’s shoulder, threading his fingers with James and pulling their joined hands into his lap.

James hummed and Regulus prepared himself for a question. He recognised the sound from when they were back at Hogwarts—it was a sign that James was deep in thought. In a way it was comforting for him, knowing that some things hadn’t changed. That this was still the James that he knew back in Hogwarts.

“I never figured out the hidden message with the first note you sent two weeks ago.”

Regulus was only slightly surprised that this was what had James deep in thought.

"It was the last quote I gave you before you figured out who I was," Regulus explained, shifting in discomfort. “I felt we were doomed because you were Sirius’ best friend and once you figured it out you would stop sending letters.”

“And now?” James asked. “Are we still doomed?”

“Sirius is still my brother,” Regulus replied. “But he seems to accept us. Other than that, I think we were more doomed apart than we are together.”

Because it was true, from what he understood, they were equally as miserable when they were apart.

“But, I am lovely, right?” James asked and Regulus didn’t need to look to know that there was a smile on his face.

Regulus rolled his eyes. This man was so infuriating. Instead of responding—because James already knew the answer—he turned his attention to their joined hands. It wasn’t until James spoke again that Regulus looked back up at him.

“Can I ask you for a favour?”

“Depends,” Regulus replied. He wondered what James could possibly ask for. He studied the man’s face for any clue but came away with nothing. Maybe it was because he needed to relearn how to read James or because the words that were about to leave the man’s mouth were something he never expected.

“You work with Rowen O. Misty, right?”

Regulus didn’t let his surprise show on his face. Never in a million years did he think James would ask him anything about Remus’ alias. The fact that he was doing so was almost suspicious—had he figured it out? Surely not. Right?

So instead he shrugged. “Hm. Possibly.”

“You know his identity?” James continued while the hand in Regulus’ lap started toying with the silver rings on his hand.

“Perhaps,” he replied. “Why?”

“Sirius is his biggest fan. His writing is the only thing that has been distracting him these past few weeks.”

Is it bad that Regulus wanted to laugh? The thought of Sirius being a fan of any author was a surprise, he had always been more into music than books. But, Remus’ writing? It was laughable.

“So…?”

“Can Sirius meet him?” James asked.

Regulus couldn’t help but look taken aback. His brain was absolutely scrambled as it tried to find the words to respond with. “You think Sirius and Rowen should… meet?”

James frowned. “Is there a reason why they shouldn’t?”

And now Regulus was in a tight situation. Did he come clean and reveal Remus’ identity? Or did he tell James it wasn’t something he could do? He didn’t want to lie but he also didn’t want to risk outing Remus’ pseudonym. Remus was his best friend and he was spelled to not directly reveal Rowen’s identity without Remus’ permission. But perhaps there was a way around this that protected Remus while explaining to James. After all, it would help to have someone else know how destined the two idiots were for each other.

“Um, well, firstly I think it goes against Rowen’s contract. And secondly, they’ve… Well, how do I put it—” Regulus cringed. “—already met?”

“Already met?” James blinked. “Already met?”

Regulus looked at James with a grimace on his face. He needed to put the pieces together himself. And ideally, while Regulus was here to make sure James knew the importance of keeping the identity a secret from everyone. Including Sirius.

And when those pieces finally clicked together in James’ head, Regulus was prepared.

“Oh. Oh.” James’ eyes widened. “Is Rowen O. Misty Re—”

Regulus clasped a hand over James’ mouth. “Don’t you dare say it out loud,” he hissed into James’ ear. “Sirius can’t know. No one can know. I shouldn’t have even let you figure it out.”

He slowly released his hand from the man’s mouth and studied his face, prepared to attempt a wandless silencing charm if he had to.

“How did I not put the pieces together?” James asked as a frown crossed his face.

“Because you weren’t supposed to,” Regulus replied.

James turned to look at Regulus. “Hang on. Why did you let me figure it out?”

“Because I can blackmail you,” Regulus shrugged with a sly smile on his face.

James frowned. “Blackmail me? With?”

“Me.”

James’ mouth dropped open in pure shock. Regulus knew that it was something he never would have expected. But, it should be successful in protecting Remus, an added security even though he trusted James.

“Close your mouth, James,” Regulus told him with a smirk. He climbed out of James’ lap to stand beside him.

“Reggie,” James said desperately, reaching out to the man in an attempt to bring him back.

“Don’t worry, Jamie.” Regulus bent down to press a kiss to his forehead. “I’m not blackmailing you yet,” he said, pressing a kiss to James’ lips. “You just gave me the best idea to help Remus and Sirius. I’m going to go find Remus.”

“You’ll be back, right?”

“It’s my birthday,” Regulus told him as he backed away. “You haven’t given me my gift yet.”

Remus’ POV

When Lily had come to check on him in the apartment after watching the Quidditch game she had her medical bag in hand, forcing him to endure diagnostic charms to check for any invisible injuries. Despite assuring her that he was fine and there were only a few scratches here and there she wouldn’t listen.

It had been harder in the years that he had been without Prongs, Padfoot and Wormtail but his injuries were never as bad as they had been before the animagi. Most of the scratches he had received since leaving Hogwarts hadn’t scarred. It felt as if his werewolf was becoming more aware of the harm he was inflicting on himself and trying to avoid it. Or maybe it was mourning the loss of the friends he used to play with in the Forbidden Forest and had lost the energy to inflict the pain. He didn’t know. He couldn’t know. His mind wasn’t present on the nights of the full moon to know what had changed.

Once Lily had finished checking him over and deemed him okay, she had explained that she was going to head to The Black Dog to celebrate the Quidditch win and Regulus’ birthday.

“Okay,” he had replied, climbing to his feet. “I’m going to come.”

“You should be resting,” she told him, placing her hand on his shoulder to try and direct him back onto the couch.

“It’s Regulus’ birthday,” he told her, resisting the temptation to sit back down.

Lily stopped her attempts and sighed. “He understands, Remus. And I promise you he is more than okay right now.”

Remus realised immediately what she meant. It was a long time coming after all. “Regulus and James?”

Lily nodded. “Regulus and James.”

Remus smiled, happy that his friend had got what he wanted. Yet, he still wanted to go to The Black Dog for another reason, one that he struggled to say out loud.

“I need to see him, Lils,” he told her.

Lily paused, giving him a look of sympathy. “Okay,” she said. “Are you okay to get ready alone?”

He nodded knowing he shouldn’t struggle too much to move his arms to put more appropriate clothing on.

And once he was ready, they made the journey to The Black Dog. The place where Remus was now making his way towards the bar, where a familiar man with long black hair was standing with his back to him as he made drinks.

“Sirius?” He asked as he took a seat on the stool, his aching legs thanking him for the relief from the strain walking had put on them. The pain was worth it though and he would push through it if he meant he was given the opportunity of speaking to Sirius.

Said man jumped out of his skin as he turned around to face Remus, almost dropping the glass in his hand. “Fuck. Remus. You scared me.” He put the glass down on the bar. “What are you doing here?”

Remus hadn’t exactly expected that response from him, confused as to why Sirius didn’t understand why he was at the bar. Especially since it was where Regulus’ birthday was being celebrated.

“You gave me the freedom to walk around,” he reminded the man who didn’t look at him, focusing on pouring an assortment of liqueurs into a glass.

Sirius passed the drinks off to two men standing close to the bar before turning back to Remus, bracing both hands against the counter of the bar. “To not be scared of walking around and running into me,” Sirius replied. “Coming into my bar defeats the purpose.”

“It’s Regulus’ birthday,” Remus said. It wasn’t the only reason he was here but it sounded better to him than to say I wanted to see you. Or was that something he should say? He didn’t know.

“I know,” Sirius sighed. “Sorry, I forgot. I just didn’t expect you to be here. My brain got muddled for a second.”

Remus frowned. “Do you want me to leave?” He didn't want Sirius to feel uncomfortable with him here.

Sirius didn’t give him a yes or no answer. Instead, the man sighed and gestured to the array of alcohol on the wall at the back of the bar. “What do you want?”

“What do you recommend?” Remus asked, curious to see what Sirius would say.

“Look at the cocktail menu,” Sirius replied, gesturing to the paper next to him.

Remus didn’t reach for it. “Surprise me,” he told the man.

Sirius didn’t need to be told twice. He reached for a glass and turned around, grabbing three different liqueurs from the wall and pouring them into the glass. Remus took the time to look around the room, trying to figure out where Regulus had ended up. When he didn’t find his friend in the crowd he directed his attention back to Sirius as he placed down a drink in front of him.

It was a shimmering silvery-white drink that seemed to swirl around slowly in his glass. Sirius was pouring a shot of firewhiskey into two glasses as Remus took a sip. Paused. Took another.

Sirius was passing the shots to a woman as Remus looked up at him in surprise. He hadn’t been expecting the taste of the drink—in a good way. It was the best drink he had ever had, and he wasn’t even exaggerating.

“Is that chocolate?”

“Chocolate liqueur,” Sirius told him. “Figured you’d appreciate it considering the full moon yesterday.”

Remus felt his heart stop. Did Sirius still keep track of the full moons?

“You knew?” He asked, forcing himself to keep his composure.

“Lily told me at the game that you were in Wales,” Sirius told him with a shrug. “And you have a scratch on the back of your hand.”

Remus looked at the scratch on his hand and then back up at Sirius’ face, whose eyes were looking at the mark as well. But his heart sank at the realisation that Sirius hadn’t known it was a full moon until Lily had told him. There goes the scrap of hope Remus had. But could he offer this man friendship? They were friends first. Surely, they could be friends again? Remus would take anything at this point if it meant that he could have Sirius back in his life, and be in Sirius’ life again.

“Do you think we could be friends?” he said, unable to hide the desperation in his voice.

Sirius froze and looked up at him. Perhaps it was the words he said or the way he said it but Sirius seemed genuinely shocked by his words. Remus waited for Sirius’ response anxiously, watching a plethora of emotions cross his face, so fast he could barely identify them.

When Sirius finally spoke it was a voice that was small yet strong. “I don't think we know each other anymore.”

Ouch.

“Then let me learn,” Remus replied, his eyes fixed on Sirius’ face.

Sirius broke eye contact, looking past Remus and out to the dance floor. He sighed before looking back at Remus’ face. “I don’t know how to be your friend, Remus. I think it’s best if we go back to strangers.”

Remus felt sick. He genuinely wanted to throw up at the thought. Did Sirius not want him in his life at all? He recognised that what he did in the past in this bar was cruel. Yet, he wanted to fix that. He wanted the opportunity to fix that. Even if it meant that he had to accept that friendship might be the best thing for them—that it might be what Sirius wanted. But Sirius didn’t want that. Strangers. That was what he wanted.

Remus took a deep breath. “That’s difficult when our best friends are together.”

“Remus. I meant what I said. Go out and find your happy ending.” Sirius stepped away. “Rosa can help you if you need anything else. I’m going to find my brother.”

And Sirius was gone, disappearing into the crowd and leaving Remus with his injured body and an even more injured heart. Did he want to be a stranger to Sirius? No. But it appeared that that was what was going to happen no matter what he did.

“Remus.”

He turned around to find the man Sirius had just gone off looking for. “Happy birthday, Reg,” he said with a smile. “Sirius just went looking for you.”

“You spoke to Sirius?” Regulus asked, obviously surprised at what Remus said.

“How else was I meant to get a drink?”

Remus didn’t miss Regulus’ glance at Rosa. Yeah, he wasn’t going to acknowledge that.

“How did it go?” Regulus asked.

“It went better than I thought but not as good as I hoped.” He sighed. “I think maybe it’s best if I move forward like Sirius is asking.”

Regulus frowned as if he couldn’t understand why Remus was saying that.

“Remus. James asked me for a favour.”

“Okay?” Remus replied, curious as to how it involved him.

“He said that Sirius has been distraught these last few weeks.”

“He said that?” He asked in disbelief. That didn’t seem the case when he just saw the man a minute ago.

“...Yes.” Regulus paused. “Anyway, he wanted me to arrange for Sirius to meet someone.”

He really didn’t need to know that. Fucking hell, James. Didn’t he want to give Remus and Sirius the chance to fix things?

Remus winced. “And you are telling me this why?”

Regulus leaned in until his mouth was close to his ear. “Rowen. O. Misty.”

Remus furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. How did that relate to this situation?

Regulus sighed as he saw the confusion on his face. “That’s who he wants to meet.”

Now Remus felt even more confused. “You want to ruin Rowen for him?”

Regulus brought a hand to his head and breathed in deeply as if this entire conversation was causing him grief. “Remus. Use it to your advantage. Whatever you write, Sirius will read.”

“I need another drink.” He waved a hand at Rosa, who came to stand in front of him. He didn’t know what to make of what Regulus was trying to say and needed another glass of alcohol to loosen him up. “Rosa, I don’t suppose you know how to make this drink.” He gestured to his glass that was a mere few sips away from being empty.

“Of course I do,” she said with a smile. “It was the first on The Black Dog’s house menu.”

So it wasn’t a drink that Sirius had created on the spot? It was one from the menu of drinks that he had created before he opened the bar.

“And can I ask you what it’s called?” Regulus asked.

“Moonshine,” Rosa replied.

Regulus turned to him. “Remus. Even I know that this isn’t the actions of a man who doesn’t want you to fight for him.” Regulus said as Rosa turned away to start making the drink. “Between the drink and his tattoos, he may as well be screaming that he loves you. ”

“I know he loves me. He told me that,” Remus mumbled in response.

“And did you say it back?” Regulus asked.

“I couldn’t.”

“Couldn’t or wouldn’t?”

“He was walking away from me and I was in too much shock to say anything to him.”

“Then here’s your opportunity to use writing,” Regulus told him. “Use your words to tell him so.”

“Give me old Regulus back,” Remus told his friend. “Being in love makes you weird.”

“What’s this about being in love?” James appeared behind Regulus and tucked an arm around his waist.

Remus watched Regulus melt into James’ arms and felt a stab of jealousy run through him.

Regulus rolled his eyes. “You weren’t meant to follow me. I told you I was coming back.”

“You were taking too long.”

“It hasn’t even been five minutes.”

Remus’ eye caught on a familiar person speaking with Marlene and Dorcas in his peripheral vision. “I think I know why.”

“How’s helping Remus going?” James asked suddenly, trying to stop Regulus from discovering his lingering jealousy over Silas.

Rosa placed the drink down with a smile.

“Trying to help Remus realise that deep down Sirius wants Remus to fight for him. I’ve been pointing out things like this.” He gestured at Remus’ drink.

Remus’ mind returned to the words Regulus had said earlier in the conversation. “You said something about tattoos. What did that mean?”

“You mentioned the tattoos?” James looked down at Regulus in surprise.

“I’m not going to tell him what they are,” Regulus replied.

“I saw the moonage daydream tattoo,” Remus said as he recalled the ink he saw as Sirius walked away from him weeks ago. “What are the other ones?”

More importantly, what did this mean?

“You’d have to ask Sirius,” James said. “His body is a shrine at this point.”

“A Remus shrine,” Regulus agreed. “I don’t think Sirius intends to move on like he keeps telling you to. I’d feel sorry for any other partner of his that has to see all those tattoos on him.”

James snorted in amusement. “He definitely is coming to terms with being single for the rest of his life. He claims he’s going to spoil our children.”

“Our children?” Regulus asked.

“Yes. Our children.”

“We haven’t even been back together for a full day, Jamie.”

James shrugged. “When you know, you know.”

“Let’s come back to that,” Remus said as he watched Barty and Evan walk into the bar with a familiar person between them. “I would like to know why Margaret is walking in here.”

“No,” Regulus said as his head snapped towards the door. “She can’t be in here.”

“Who’s Margaret?” James asked.

“The woman you’ll be asking for her blessing to marry Regulus when the time comes,” Remus replied.