Remus sits in the dorm on his bed, legs crossed. He’s reading the newest book of a series he likes. Sirius walks into the dorm and throws himself on his bed. “Tired pads?” Remus asked him, amused by the situation. “Ruby is being so difficult.” he said, face still buried in his pillows. “How so?” Remus asked, putting his book down. Sirius sits up and walks over to Remus’ bed sitting down across from him. “Well she's always trying to get my attention, she just won’t leave me alone.” he finishes sighing. “Well,” Remus says thinking, “did you tell her you're not interested?” he asks. “Well, no.” Sirius says. “Then that's obviously the problem. If you don’t tell her then you're just leading her on.” Remus states the obvious solution. “I can’t help it, I don't mean to lead her on.” “If you really didn't mean to, you would have already told her you weren't interested.” Remus says. Sirius just rolls his eyes and gets off the bed. “I’m going out.” he murmurs, grabbing his leather jacket.
Later that night Remus decides to go out to the bar with Peter. They meet James at the booth he saved. They start chatting but he can barely hear the conversation over the blaring music. He squints trying to look for Sirius in the flashing lights and sees him dancing with Ruby. They make eye contact and Remus just looks away. Truth be told Remus never liked Ruby, she was a horrible person. In their school years she had started so many horrible rumors about him and was never kind to anyone. She claimed he was trying to “steal” Sirius away but whenever he told Sirius he would just insist that Ruby really did like him. Remus didn't know why Sirius liked Ruby so much. He was always complaining about her, he just didn't understand. Remus is brought out of his thoughts when Sirius comes back to the table. He sits down beside Remus in the booth and puts his arm around him. When Sirius does stuff like this it's impossible to be mad at him.
They drink and laugh but eventually decide to crash in Remus and Sirius' dorm. They stumble walking back to campus. Instead of grabbing stuff from their dorm James and Peter borrow clothes from them. Sirius and Remus end up in the same bed. They stay up talking for a bit and Sirius rests between his legs and snuggles into his chest. Remus rests his hand on Sirius thigh, it's impossible to think of anything else when he's with him. Once they all decided to go to bed Sirius and him lay under the covers, he assumes Sirius will press against him like he did all night but instead he lies still not touching Remus. He just goes to sleep not wanting to make things weird by touching him.
When they wake up in the morning they all decide to go for brunch, their favorite thing to do when hungover. They go for breakfast and when they arrive after a short walk Sirius sits beside him and rests his head on his shoulder as they wait for food. He never understood why he’s only touchy with him in public but then again, did he really want the answer?
They’re arguing again. “You're making me look like the bad guy!” Remus yells at him. “I’m not trying too!” Sirius yells back just as angry. “Every time you have me make an excuse to have you to myself around her you think that doesn't think that makes her hate me even more than she already does? You don't think that makes me look like the bad guy?” Remus screams tears welling in his eyes. “She doesn't hate you! How many times will I have to tell you this?” Sirius screams back just as loud, his knuckles going white from balling them in a fist. “If you date her we can't be friends.” Remus says calmly. Sirius’ eyes widen “What?” “I can't be your friend if she's around. She is just horrible to so many people and I’m not going to sit here and watch you ruin yourself. I can't do it. I love you too much for that.” He says, tears finally falling. Sirius just stares at him before storming out.
They all go out again to the same club because there's not many options in a small town. Remus arrives alone already drunk after drinking after he and Sirius fought. Remus decided to go dance, something he rarely does. When he gets to the dance floor Sirius is already there mesmerizing everyone with his dance moves. Remus decides to join him and grabs onto his waist. “Moony!” Sirius slurs excitedly. Remus smiles lazily and moves to the music with Sirius. After twirling and being close they stumble over to a free booth in the corner of the bar. Instead of sitting next to him like he usually would, Sirius sits on the other side of the booth. Remus gives him a confused look. “I love you moony, you're my best friend!” Those words replay over and over like a broken record in Remus’ head. “Best friend.” He thinks disappointed. “Yeah, youre mine to pads.” he says back. Sirius grins at him then runs out onto the dance floor after Ruby waves him over. They dance together how he and Sirius did not too long before she showed up. Remus brings the bottle of whiskey they bought to his lips as tears well in his eyes. The burn from the whiskey is nothing compared to the burn in his heart. He watches Sirius and Ruby kiss and his tears finally fall. He can taste the saltiness of his tears mixed with the whiskey. It's an unpleasant taste but Remus doesn't care. Sirius made his choice. It hurt how easy it was for him to pick. Ruby would never know Sirius the way Remus did, not even if they spent their entire lives together. Remus walks out of the club ignoring Sirius’ questions. Tears stream down his face, his heart broken for a man he never truly had. When asked about Sirius and Remus’ friendship people will say they were just friends but then again that's all they ever really were.