“I know you’re awake, Moons,” Sirius said softly. Remus simply smiled, his eyes still closed. Sirius chuckled warmly. “Open your eyes for me?”
Remus slowly opened his eyes, glancing over at his boyfriend. Sirius had a wide grin across his face. His thick black hair was draped gently over pale shoulders. Sirius never slept with a shirt on, so Remus could see the vast expanse of porcelain skin, interrupted every so often by a tattoo, such as the moon he had gotten over his heart.
“You’re beautiful,” Remus murmured, which Sirius thoroughly appreciated if his wide, stunning grin was anything to go by.
“Only for you,” Sirius murmured in response, straddling Remus’s hips. “Only for you.” Remus pulled Sirius down for a soft kiss.
“Happy birthday, Moony,” Sirius mumbled against Remus’s lips. Remus smiled.
“I love you, Pads,” he said warmly as Sirius leaned into Remus’s neck.
“Love you too,” Sirius mumbled into the croom of Remus’s neck. They stayed in soft, comfortable silence, Remus’s arms wrapped around his boyfriend’s hips. Remus buried his face in Sirius’s soft black hair.
So,” Remus said. “I’m assuming I’m not getting out of an extravagant birthday celebration?”
Sirius’s grin was a good enough answer.
Sirius had planned an extravagant birthday for Remus, which wasn’t particularly surprising. Sirius had always planned the most exciting parties, especially for his loved ones. He had dragged Remus around to all his favorite places: The bookstore/coffee shop on the corner with excellent hot chocolate, the farmers market with all of the interesting things to buy and look at, the park that is always filled with flowers in the spring, though many of them hadn’t bloomed yet so early in the year.
Still, throughout the day, Remus had a sneaking suspicion that this wasn’t all that Sirius had planned.
His suspicion was proved correct when they arrived back in their flat, the roar of Sirius’s motorcycle still buzzing in his ears as Sirius turned it off in the distance. He could hear whispers from behind the sofa, his excited friends trying desperately to stay quiet.
Remus chuckled. “I can hear you, guys.” As soon as he said that, his friends popped out from behind the couch, grinning. A David Bowie song started playing from the speakers.
“Happy birthday, Remus!” his friends shouted ecstatically. There weren't too many of them, but still enough for him to be confused as to how they fit behind the couch.
James stepped out from behind the couch, Regulus holding onto his arm. Regulus had a soft smile across his face, contrasting with James’s excited grin.
“Happy birthday, Moons,” James said cheerfully, clapping Remus on the back. He chuckled warmly.
“Thanks, James,” Remus said warmly, missing Sirius’s presence at his side. Still, it was nice to see his friends here.
Regulus smiled slightly, which said a lot as to how close they were. “Happy birthday, Lupin. How does it feel being old?”
Remus looked at him pointedly. “I’m only a year older than you, Regulus.”
Regulus smirked. “A year closer to death.”
“That’s not nice, Reg,” James said fondly, glancing down at Regulus lovingly. Remus chuckled.
“I don’t like being nice. C’mon, James. There’s a karaoke machine. Let’s go.” Regulus smiled at Remus. “Happy birthday, Lupin. Have fun.”
Remus smiled, watching them walk away. Remus walked to the kitchen, hoping to get himself a drink. The kitchen was empty and relatively quiet, Queen Bitch playing dimly in the background. Remus grabbed himself a root beer.
“Hey, Remus,” Remus heard a voice say behind him. He turned, seeing Lily, her long red braid over her shoulder.
Remus smiled warmly. “Hi, Lily! Do you want something to drink?”
Lily shook her head, smiling softly. “No, but thank you. I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday.”
Remus grinned. “Thanks, Lils.” Lily walked up and hugged him tightly. Remus hugged her back, though not quite as tightly.
Lily pulled away before leaning in and giving him one more quick hug. “Have fun, Remus,” she said warmly. “Happy birthday.”
The party consisted mostly of music, and karaoke, and dancing, until Sirius returned, birthday cake in hand, much to the excitement of their friends. That had led to everyone grabbing a slice of either lemon, strawberry, chocolate or red velvet cake, because Sirius knew how much Remus loved variety, and how firmly Remus believed that red velvet and chocolate were two very different flavors. Everyone took their cake and sat in the sitting room for movie night. The first movie they watched was Labyrinth, much to Sirius’s delight, followed by Remus’s personal favorite, The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
After the movies had ended, the party slowly drained of guests, their tired friends leaving one-by-one. First was James, holding up a half-asleep Regulus, who was oddly clingy, hugging both Sirius and Remus tightly. Both he and James had mumbled one last ‘happy birthday’ before leaving. Then was Marlene, Dorcas and Pandora. Marlene and Dorcas had volunteered to give Pandora a ride home when she got tired, giving warm goodbyes to Sirius and Remus. Lily and Mary were the last to leave, both of them saying one last ‘happy birthday’ and giving Sirius and Remus each a kiss on the cheek.
“Happy birthday, Moony,” Sirius said as they crawled into bed that night. Sirius was, once again, shirtless, as he leaned into Remus, throwing an arm over him. Sirius pressed a soft kiss to Remus’s shoulder.
“I love you, Pads,” Remus mumbled, leaning his head against Sirius’s. “Thank you, love.”
Sirius smiled slightly. “‘Thank you’?”
Remus kissed the top of Sirius’s head. “For giving me a good birthday. For planning the party for me. For being with me.”
Sirius smiled, closing his eyes. “You’re welcome, Moony. I love you.”
“I love you too, Sirius.”