Would you go with me

“For fucks sake James, I hate country music. No one likes country music. Who even plays country music?”

“Look, Sirius, I don’t know. I don’t like country music, but I love Lily, and it’s her roommate, and even if it wasn’t I would still go for her. And besides, she’s lived with this guy for like three years, I want to size up my competition.”

Sirius huffed and rolled his eyes.

“Come on, Pads. this could be my chance!!! She invited me somewhere! Somewhere with her friends, and the man she lives with. Don’t you see how big this is for me?” James pleaded, turning on the Potter Charm ™

“Fine. fine!” Sirius said, throwing his hands up in despair. “Only because it’s you. And you’re buying my pints if I hate it, kapische?”

“I love you Pads,” James responded, tackling Sirius to the carpet and kissing his forehead.

“Come on. It starts in an hour, so we need to get ready” Fifty minutes later, Sirius was still in his room getting ready, taking pleasure in stressing James out.

“Come on, Pads! For fucks sake, I can't be late for this!” James yelled from the door. “They’ll know you’re punk rock with out eye liner, now lets fucking go!” Sirius huffed, for what felt like the hundredth time that night, and walked out the bathroom, slamming the door and sweeping past James through the open door of their flat and out into the little front garden.

“I think you’ve made your point, Pads” James said, giving Sirius an appraising look. He wore his most-ripped black jeans, that he hadn’t worn in years because they were actually a bit too punk for him, brothel creepers, a rolling stones t-shirt under his leather jacket, and his hair was what Sirius referred to as ‘artfully mussed’. He looked like a walking punk-rock stereotype, which James guessed was exactly the look he was going for.

“Wow you really are taking this seriously. I’ve never seen you wear those jeans” Sirius said, eyes sweeping over James. His jeans were shop-fresh, clearly having been bought by his mum. They were dark blue denim, and paired with a crewneck sweater with the collar of a shirt poking out. “You’ve even combed your hair!” Sirius exclaimed, before reaching a hand out and mussing it up. “You bastard!” James shouted, and Sirius ran out of their front gate and into the street, James close behind. They soaked in the balmy night as they walked the 10 minutes from their little flat in an old Edwardian house in Herne Hill to the tiny pub in brixton.

It was unseasonably warm for mid-September, and the yellow lights of the houses they walked past lent a soft glow to the rain-soaked pavements they tramped over, laughing and chatting jovially, interspersed with the odd jab at the way they were about to spend their evening. Lily was waiting for them outside, her hair half up-half down and gently curling, framing her soft, round face in the glow of the street lamps. She was in a black long sleeve top and forest green corduroy trousers, tapping away on her phone as she waited. Sirius had to admit why his best friend loved her so much, she was just so sweet.

“Hey, Evans,” James said, smiling softly at her. Sirius smiled and waved. “Nice to see you on time for once, Potter” she said, before turning and leading them inside. The pub was tiny, with a warm and cozy atmosphere; lots of fairy lights, posters, and pictures of the owner and her family. Some of the tables had been pushed back a bit, leaving a bare section of floor as a makeshift ‘stage’, on which was one chair, and beside it on the floor a guitar case and a bottle of water.

“Pint?” Lily asked, leading the boy to the bar. “You know me so well, Evans” James said, grinning, as Sirius turned to the bar and ordered two of whatever was on tap, and a pear cider for Lily.

“Look, I know you might not be particularly excited about this, but trust me, he’s good.” Lily said, as she led them to the table closest to the little stage. Sirius wanted to believe her but just…. Country music. Only American rednecks liked country music, he thought. He was intrigued to meet the man Lily lived with, though. She spoke so highly of him, to the point where James sometimes thought Lily only turned him down because she was dating this guy, and sometimes Sirius secretly agreed.

He nursed his pint and tuned out James’ and Lily’s conversation, checking his phone to see how many songs he had to endure before it was polite to leave. Lily’s hushed “oh look! Here he comes” brought him back to the present, and he looked up as a man walked in and sat on the chair. He was wearing pale blue straight leg jeans, with a hole in the knee that was clearly unintentional, as well as a thick, blue aran jumper and beat up doc marten shoes. His hair was gently curling over his forehead, and Sirius saw a brief glimpse of a scar running across the bridge of his nose before the man bent down to pick up his guitar.

As much as Sirius hated to admit it, the man was lovely. All soft edges and cosiness, like the human embodiment of drinking a warm drink while inside during a storm. His clothes looked well-worn and comfortable, and his hands looked strong and sure as he tuned his guitar. His hair was a light brown that matched the spattering of freckles across his face. He stopped fiddling with the guitar and looked up briefly, eyes honing in on Lily. he winked at her, and she grinned and waved back, before he turned to the room. As if by magic, the room fell silent as he opened his mouth to address everyone.

“Hey guys. My name’s Remus and at the behest of some of my mates, I'm going to be singing for you tonight. I appreciate country isn't everyone’s cup of tea, but it is mine, and I hope you’ll enjoy it” His voice was so… deep. It rumbled across the room, no microphone needed. It was several octaves lower than Sirius’ at least, and he had always thought his voice to be quite manly. It had a west country twang, and the sound washed over Sirius, settling over his bones. Sirius had the sudden intense urge to learn everything about this man, just so he could hear that voice forever.

The man-Remus- started playing some soft chords on his guitar that Sirius vaguely recognised, and then he opened his mouth and began to sing.

“Would you go with me, if we rolled down streets of fire?

Would you hold on to me tighter, as the summer sun got higher?

If we roll from town to town and never shut it down.

Would you go with me, if we were lost in fields of clover?

Would we walk even closer until the trip was over,

And would it be okay if I didn't know the way?”

Sirius was utterly enraptured. Remus’ voice leant itself so well to this kind of music, and the softly sung words, so at odds with the low gruffness of the voice, washed over Sirius like warm honey, like melted gold.

“If i told you my heart couldn’t beat one more minute without you, girl

Would you accompany me to the edge of the sea?

Let me know if you’re really a dream?

I love you so, so would you go with me?”

Suddenly, Sirius loved country music. And it had nothing to do with the music itself and everything to do with the faint blush on Remus’ face, the way his hands deftly drew sweet, sweet music from the guitar, the way his voice felt to Sirius like a hand-knitted blanket. The song ended, and Sirius delighted in the way Remus blushed further when he was awarded with a strong round of applause.

“This next song was requested by my roommate, the beautiful Lily Evans.” Remus said before chuckling. “Actually, they all are. She compiled the list of songs I'm singing tonight, so if you like any of them, thank her” he said, nodding at their table. He caught Sirius’ eye and Sirius’ breath caught in his throat. Remus offered a soft smile, before casting his eyes back down to his guitar.

“Baby lock them doors and turn the lights down low

Put some music on that’s soft and slow

Baby we ain't got no place to go, I hope you understand

I’ve been thinking ‘bout this all day long

Never felt a feeling quite this strong

I can’t believe how much it turns me on, just to be your man”

Sirius was torn between deciding if the way Remus sang “turns me on” was sexier than the way he sang the word “baby” He eventually settled on wanting to be called baby by Remus forever. He knew he was being pathetic, but it had been six months since his ex had left him in the dust, and Remus just looked so soft, and kind, and like he wouldn’t leave Sirius at the drop of a hat for an ex.

“You all know this one, I should hope,” Remus said, once the second song was over, before he launched into Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’. With his deep voice, it was more mournful and sombre than the original, and it pulled at Sirius’ heartstrings as it spoke to his own past experiences. Remus strummed the guitar slowly and softly, and his voice was full of feeling.

“Jolene, jolene, jolene, jolene,

I’m begging of you please don’t take my man

Jolene, jolene, jolene, jolene,

Please don’t take him just because you can”

The way Remus sang the first verse;

“Your beauty is beyond compare,

with flaming locks of auburn hair,

With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green.

Your smile is like a breath of spring,

your voice is soft like summer rain

And I cannot compete with you, Jolene”

Sirius determined that he would do whatever he could to make sure Lily finally said yes to James, just to keep this sweater-wearing, country-singing god in his life.

“This is the last song, folks. I hope I haven't been too unbearable tonight. Please, join in if you know it”

“Almost heaven, west virginia”

The way he sang ‘heaven’ was enough to make Sirius fall in love.

“Blue ridge mountains, shenandoah river,

Life is old there, older than the trees

Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze”

Almost everyone joined in with the chorus

“Country roads, take me home

To the place i belong

West virginia, mountain momma

Take me home, country roads.”

“All my memories gather ‘round her

Miner’s lady, stranger to blue water

Dark and dusty, painted on the sky

Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye”

The song finally finished, with everyone in the room singing a rousing version of the final chorus. Remus smiled, and a short man with sandy hair rushed over to him and bent down to whisper something in his ear, and Remus smiled before addressing the crown again: “I have been reliably informed that I will be back to play here next friday, and I have a couple more songs up my sleeve, so please come back if you would like.”

He then stood, and Sirius hadn’t fully registered before how tall he was. At least six foot three, with broad shoulders under the thick wool. He packed his guitar away, and came straight to their table. Lily leapt up and threw herself at him, and he caught her and gripped her tight in a hug that left her feet dangling slightly off the ground. He kissed the top of her head and set her back down gently, before collapsing heavily into the seat next to James, who looked a little green at the blatant affection, but shook it off admirably, in Sirius’ opinion.

“You must be Potter” Remus said, smiling and holding his hand out for James to shake. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Remus” James said, shaking the man's hand a bit over-enthusiastically. “And I you” Remus said.

“That must mean you’re Sirius. Not a fan of country, I'm guessing?” Remus addressed Sirius directly, gesturing at his t-shirt.

“I wasn't, but I think you’ve just changed my mind” Sirius responded honestly, before cringing slightly at how sappy he sounded. Remus laughed a deep laugh. “You flatterer” he said, before placing his big hands on the table and pushing up. “I’m going to get a pint, anyone want? This round’s on me” he said.

James asked for a Guinness, Lily another cider and Sirius asked for whatever they had on tap again. Remus nodded and turned away.

“That was so much better than expected,” James said when he was out of ear shot. Sirius nodded his agreement eagerly. “I told you boys” Lily said, laughing. “You didn't tell me how attractive he was, either,” James said, before nudging Sirius’s leg with his foot. “Padfoot was practically drooling” Sirius squawked his indignation, but Lily winked at him, and then a tray of pints was being placed in front of him, as Remus distributed the drinks.

“So, Remus. Tell me what it’s like, living with a goddess” James said, leaning towards him conspiratorially. Lily scoffed and slapped him on the arm, but looked secretly pleased at the compliment. Sirius smiled; it seemed she was coming round, which would make James so much easier to live with.

“So, Sirius. Tell me what it’s like living with an idiot” Lily said in retaliation, flipping her hair over her shoulder and scooting closer to him. Sirius laughed, and took a long sip from his pint. “It’s hell, Evans. I think you may have to take him off my hands” James beamed at his best friend, and Lily slapped him on the arm too.

They were interrupted by a girl joining them. She was quite tall, and dressed in a denim boiler suit and heavy eye makeup. She perched herself on one of Remus’ thighs, and he grinned at her, greeting her with “alright my lover?” Sirius could feel the smile on his face falter at the newest addition to their table. This had to be Remus’ girlfriend. “Hi, I’m Marlene,” the girl said, waving to everyone. “I was in Remus’ halls in uni”

“Yeah and a right pain in the arse to live with. I don't know how Dorcas does it” Remus said

“Dorcas loves me” Marlene replied, sticking her tongue out.

“And where is your beautiful girlfriend?” Lily asked, and Sirius released a breath he didn't know he was holding. He knew he was being pitiful, but Josh had really fucked him up, and it had been a long time before he felt ready to put himself out there, and now he was ready, he had stumbled across the perfect candidate, and he was only human in the face of such perfection.

“She’s with her sister. She’ll be here next week though, Rem, and she’ll definitely have some requests” Remus laughed, deep and hearty. “I refuse to be the soundtrack to a line dance”

“Don’t argue with me, argue with her” Marlene said, before swiping Lily’s drink and draining it. The rest of the night was spent in much the same way. James and Sirius were briefly enveloped into Lily’s world, meeting her closest friends and finding out all about them. James looked starstruck for the whole thing, clearly taken aback by Lily letting him into this much of her life. Eventually, at around one am, the pub called for last orders, and James and Sirius reluctantly made to leave, with promises of returning the following friday. The temperature had fallen dramatically, and the hurried home, hunched over in their jackets, breath misting the air in front of them. Soon they made it into the warm safety of their ground floor flat, and James flopped onto the sofa, proclaiming “i’m in love” Sirius landed on top of him, and mumbled “me too”

“I knew it!” yelled James, way too loudly given that Sirius was lying on top of him. “Shut up, prongs” Sirius groaned, batting at James face with a limp hand. “He is quite the catch, isn’t he?” James asked, winking lasciviously. “So tall, and those shoulders” he said, drawing out the vowels.

“Shut up, Prongs” Sirius said again, getting up and walking down the hall to his bedroom.

“I’ll ask Lily if he’s single!” James yelled across the flat.

“Shut UP, prongs”

--

The next Friday rolls around, and Sirius had thought of nothing else all week. He had been distracted at work, which was not what one wanted when one worked with needles going into people's faces, and he had received a severe dressing down from his boss after accidentally putting a belly button piercing in upside-down. He spent an hour agonizing over what to wear, with James laughing at him from his bed.

“Sirius, he seemed perfectly fine with what you were wearing last week, and that was over the top, even for you.” James said, throwing one of the grapes he was eating at Sirius’ head. It hit him in the ear and Sirius flipped him two fingers. “I don't want ‘perfectly fine’ though do I prongs? I want him to be interested in me”

“If you turn up in clothes that are not you then he won't be interested in you will he Pads? He’ll be interested in the fake Sirius that wears sensible clothes. You never wear sensible clothes so put that jumper back and wear a t- shirt and jacket like you always do. And anyway, if you don’t hurry up, we’ll be late” James said, jumping up, wrenching the knitted jumper Sirius had never worn from his hands and shoving it back in the wardrobe, before pulling out a Bowie t-shirt and shoving it at Sirius’ chest. Sirius huffed and pulled the t-shirt on and was forcibly dragged by the arm out of their flat.

It was considerably cooler than the week before, and Sirius regretted not grabbing a hat before leaving as they made the short journey to the pub. Once again, Lily was waiting outside. She was in a floaty long sleeve dark blue dress that gently hugged her generous curves. She had paired it with black heeled boots and a little beret, and her hair was in two dutch braids. Sirius could see the love-struck look in Jame’s eyes.

“You look beautiful, Evans,” Sirius said, beating James to the punch.

“So beautiful” was all James could manage to follow up with, and Lily rolled her eyes and turned back to the door of the pub, but she linked her arm with James’ nonetheless and Sirius counted it as a win on James’ behalf, given that he was too busy combusting to do it himself.

They sat at the same table as before, where Marlene and a girl who must be Dorcas- given that they had their arms wrapped around each other- were sitting. Sirius and Lily slid into seats next to each other as James went up to buy drinks. Sirius was taking in the pub, looking around at who was there. It was much more full this time- word of Remus’ talent had spread quickly, and he was gradually warming up after the cold walk when he felt a hand on his forearm. He turned to see that Lily had brought her face really close to his. “So, Remus, eh?” she asked, smiling at him.

“What did James tell you?”

“Nothing, nothing” she said, holding her free hand up in mock surrender. “It was kind of obvious from the way you were looking at him, and the way you’re looking around as if waiting for someone to show up” Sirius blushed and mumbled something about liking the pub decoration. “Whatever you say mate” Lily said, before moving her hand to his shoulder and leaning in even closer. “All I will say is that you should go for it”

“Oi! Stop trying to get my woman, Padfoot” James shouted, coming in between them with a tray of drinks.

“I’m not your anything, Potter” Lily said, accepting her drink with a wicked grin.

“You will be someday” James said, handing out the rest of the drinks. “I think ‘wife’ has a nice ring to it”

“You wish, Potter” Lily said laughing, but James couldn't reply before Remus was walking onto the makeshift stage and sitting down. Dorcas let out a whoop, and he smiled at their table, winking at Lily again before turning back to his guitar.

“Thanks for coming, everyone. Enjoy” he said in his gruff voice, before beginning the first song.

“Well i won't back down

No, I won't back down.

You can stand me up at the gates of hell

But I won't back down.

No, i’ll stand my ground

Won’t be turned around

And i'll keep this world from dragging me down,

Gonna stand my ground”

He had somewhat changed the tune from the original, and the words flowed more smoothly. It turned the song into something much more serious and somber. The chords were soft, and Remus’ voice was depthless over them.

“Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out

Hey, I will stand my ground

And I won't back down Well i know what's right, i got just one life

In a world that keeps on pushing me around”

The song finished, and Remus was even better than Sirius remembered. Today, he was in thick brown corduroys and a maroon jumper, with the same shoes as last time. His fingernails had been painted a deep, ocean blue, and the lights glinted on them as he strummed the strings. “

This next one is particularly special to me. My mum used to sing it to me when I was a child. She’s currently up in Bristol and very sad to be missing this” Remus said, before starting a lighter, melodious tune.

“Heading down south to the land of the pines,

Thumbing my way into north carolina

Staring up the road, I pray to god I see headlights

I made it down the coast in 17 hours

Picking me a bouquet of dogwood flowers

And i'm hoping to raleigh i can see my baby tonight

So rock me mama like a wagon wheel

Rock me mama any way you feel

Hey mama rock me

Rock me mama like the wind and the rain

Rock me mama like a southbound train

Hey mama rock me

Running from the cold, up in new england

I was born to be a fiddler in an old time string band

My baby pays the guitar, i pick a banjo now

Oh the north country wind keeps on getting me down

I lost my money playing poker so i had to up and leave

But i ain't turning back, to living that old life no more

So rock me mama like a wagon wheel,

Rock me mama any way you feel

Hey mama rock me

Rock me mama like the wind and the rain

Rock me mama like a southbound train

Hey mama rock me

Walking to the south, out of Roanoke

I caught a trucker out of Philly had a nice long toke

But he’s heading west from the cumberland gap,

to Johnson city, tennessee

And i gotta get a move on, before the sun

I hear my baby calling my name and i know that she’s the only one

And if i die in raleigh, at least i will die free

So rock me mama like a wagon wheel,

Rock me mama any way you feel

Hey mama rock me

Rock me mama like the wind and the rain

Rock me mama like a south bound train

Hey, hey, hey mama rock me”

Sirius was struck by how lovely the song sounded, coming from Remus’ mouth, and also the memories it conjured up of a mother serenading her young son. Sirius had never had anything like that with his mother.

“My lovely friend Marlene is going to be joining me on this one, which isn't strictly country, and some of you may know it.” Remus said, and Marlene stood and dragged her chair out closer to his.

“We come on the sloop john B, My grandfather and me”

Remus began, slow and sad.

“Round Nassau town we did roam”

Here, marlene joined in, her voice high and clear. Together, they sounded haunting and mournful. Sirius felt the sadness of the song to his core.

“Drinking all night

(drinking all night)

Got into a fi-i-ight,

I feel so break up, I wanna go home

(i wanna, i wanna, i wanna)

So hoist up the John B’s sail

See how the mainsail sets

Send for the captain ashore and let me go home

(let me go home)

I wanna go ho-o-o-me

I feel so break up, I wanna go home”

The two together sounded amazing, and Sirius found himself swaying in time to the music. After that song, Remus took a short break to drink some water and confer with Marlene, and Sirius leaned over to Lily. “Please do those braids on me, Evans. They look so good on you” he said to her. She laughed loudly; a confusing response to such a normal request.

“I don't braid my hair, Sirius. Rem does it for me”

Sirius choked on his guinness. “I don't believe you. You’re fucking with me” She just smirked at him, and turned back to the stage when she heard Remus’ guitar start playing again.

“I’ve strong-armed him into my favourite duet” Marlene said, batting her eyelashes at Remus as the crowd laughed. He rolled his eyes, smiling regardless.

“Enjoy!” Marlene said brightly.

“Baby when i met you there was peace unknown

I set out to get you with a fine tooth comb

I was soft inside, there was something going on”

Sang Remus alone, before Marlene joined in.

"You do something to me that I can’t explain

Hold me closer and i feel no pain

Every beat of my heart, we got something going on”

Remus and Marlene were looking at each other, grinning as they sang, looking for all the world like they were head over heels in love, until the next verse, when Marlene turned and made intense eye contact with Dorcas, who was smiling softly.

"Tender love is blind, it requires a dedication

All this love we feel needs no conversation

We ride it together uh huh Making love with each other, uh huh”

Next to him, Sirius could hear Lily singing softly along, her round cheeks softly flushed with drink.

“ i can't live without you if the love was gone

Everything is nothing if you got no one

And you just walk in the night

Slowly losing sight of the real thing”

sang Marlene by herself, voice strong and clear.

“But that won’t happen to us and we got no doubt

Too deep in love and we got no way out

And the message is clear, this could be the year for the real thing

No more will you cry, baby i will hurt you never

We start and end as one, in love forever

We can ride it together uh huh

Making love with each other uh huh”

Sirius knew his aunt Andromeda loved that song, but he had never appreciated it’s merit until now. He felt that it was perfect for this sort of setting; two people, one guitar, and a cosy pub full of friends. He reflected on how lucky he was to have the life he lived now, with amazing friends- and hopefully, if James and Lily got together, the people surrounding him now- a job he loved, a home he could be proud of.

He was so lost in his thoughts he didn’t notice that two people had joined his table until Lily clambered over his lap so she could hug Remus. Like the week before, he lifted her bodily off the floor and kissed her- on the forehead this time- before setting her down, and dragging a chair over for him to sit on. He positioned himself next to Sirius, and Lily clambered back over his lap to get back to her seat.

“Don’t do that too much, Evans. James will get jealous” Sirius said, smiling when Remus laughed.

“Maybe that's what i’m aiming for” Lily quipped, looking around to where James was engaged in a lively conversation with Dorcas, waving his hands in the air. She winked at Sirius, running a hand over her plait, before tugging the hairband at the bottom off and unravelling it. “Rem, darling, the braid came loose, you wouldn’t be able to re-do it for me?” Lily asked oh-so-sweetly, batting her eyelashes at him.

“There’s no way that the braid was loose. It was one of my best” Remus scoffed, before standing up and lumbering over to stand behind Lily’s seat, running his fingers deftly through her long fiery locks. He combed out any knots from the previous plait then swiftly and skilfully re-braided the hair for Lily. she looked over and grinned at him lasciviously as Remus sat down again. Sirius tried to hide his shocked expression.

As with the Friday before, the night was filled with easy conversations and jokes, and the six of them got on immensely well. Sirius was sad to leave, and just as he and James were about to walk out the door he heard Lily yell their names from behind. “We’re, um, having drinks at ours tomorrow, if you guys wanna come?” Lily asked, twisting her hands nervously. James lit up like the cat that got the cream, and Sirius looked straight at Remus, who stuck his hands in his pockets and grinned at him.

“I’ll text you when and where” Lily said before looping her arm through Remus’ as they set off in the opposite direction to James and Sirius. The walk home was a nightmare.

“Her house, Pads! She’s invited me to her house!”

“She invited us both, James,” Sirius said in a flat voice, rolling his eyes.

“Don’t you get how big this is??? Her HOUSE” James yelled as they turned onto their street. Sirius unlocked the door and James bounded in like an over-excitable puppy.

“Shit, Pads! What am I gonna wear! I can’t wear my good jeans again or she’ll think I only own one pair! We’re going to have to go shopping tomorrow” he called from his room.

“I’m working tomorrow, Prongs”

“You literally work on oxford street. I’ll meet you there and you will gift me your lunch break to find some more good trousers”