Chapter 1
It’s almost closing time and Remus hasn’t been as happy since forever. Today felt like forever. You have bad days, and you have good days. This day couldn’t even be considered as a bad day. It was a terrible day.
When he first walked in, he saw that a shelf broke, so he had to fix it and he had to put all the books back before customers walked in this morning. Luckily customers were already standing in front waiting ten minutes early. Of course.
He apologized for the broken shelf and that he would continue repairing it, but that they were welcome to come in. they all had different questions, so he didn’t have any time to repair it. So, he must do that now. It’s 8PM, he’s so done.
Being annoyed and irritated he continuous working and deciding to order in. He totally forgot to eat today, but who can blame him, he was busy.
Half an hour later he hears a knock on the door. Hoping it was his pizza he ordered, but unfortunately it was James. OK also not wrong, because James has been his best friend since forever, so maybe this is a good thing. Maybe James can help him or cheer him up.
Remus opens the door and James falls in his arms. OK weird, they never really hug, and he’ll tell you, James is a hugger. Remus is not.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“I’m sorry I should have called” James sounds panicked. Something’s up, he’s never like this.
Remus lets James go “what’s wrong James?”
“Lily and I just broke up”.
Remus is in shock. His mouth falls open and he doesn’t know how to react or move.
Lily and James have been together since first year of college. So, it’s been 7 years?
“Uhm, I don’t know what to say if I’m honest. So, talk and I’ll listen. Scream at me if you like, I don’t care.” Remus has never been a talker.
James eyes open with sincerity and he talks. He talks about how they have been talking about children and how James was open about it, but how closed of Lily was at the subject. About how their communication skills turned bad. About Lily being insecure about her sexuality, because they all know she fancies all genders but how James doesn’t feel like the actual one for her. It all hurts and it all feels painful to watch.
They eat the pizza Remus ordered together, and they fix the shelf. And they talk. And talk. And talk. It feels like a never-ending story. And Remus feels the pain of James, he feels how sorry he is for him. But he’s also happy for James because Remus knows he will get over it.
After hours, they come to the subject of moving.
“Lily says I don’t have to move out, but I do want to. I can’t get over this while I still see her every single second. I don’t know, after 8 years, I need a new start you know” so it’s been 8 years. Not 7. Damn that’s a really long time. Remus really thought they would be endgame.
After looking for a few opportunities, and finding out how expensive the housing market is, Remus comes with a plan.
“James, you know Peter moved out half a year ago, and I don’t know if you would like it, but I have an extra room” James is his best friend and he’s still scared to ask James if he wants to move in with him.
James eyes open “OMG yes!”
Alright so not that scary! Remus really needs to work on his anxiety, especially with his fucking best friend.
“Remus were you scared to ask me…?” James asks. His best friend can always read him, he hates it.
“Yes, and now close the conversation” Remus grumps.
They go, now their apartment, together. Remus offers his other half of his bed to James, but James says he will sleep on the couch.
They both take the upcoming few days off, so they can move James’ stuff into the apartment, and they call Lily to let her know. She sounded relieved.
-
Around 2AM Remus wakes up from a soft touch. Remus is used to Alfred, his cat, waking him up in the middle of the night, so he pets the touch.
“Why are you petting my hand Remus?” a heavy voice asks him. Remus woke up with a start, realizing it was James and not Alfred. He totally forgot he had a visitor. Or well a housemate.
“I’m sorry I thought it was Alfred”.
“That’s OK, but he has been sleeping next to you all night”.
“Oh alright, what do you need?”
“I’ve been having nightmares all night, you mind me sleeping next to you?”
Remus smiles, “why do you think I offered in the first place?”
James gets into bed next to Remus and has a peaceful night for the next few hours.