Sirius Black was well know at Hogwarts for his reckless charm and mischievous grin. He could flirt his way into anything, say a free drink at the three broomsticks or at the bathroom prefects where regular students were not supposed to go. However, lately, he had been indulging in a game that consisted in flirting exclusively with Remus.
“You know I see right through you, right, Pads?” asked James as he watched Sirius getting ready for the day. James on the other hand was laying in his bed playing with the snitch Regulus had gifted him. He cached it every time.
“I don’t know what you are talking about” said Sirius as he unbuttoned two buttons from his shirt and then buttoned one; trying to figure out how did the uniform looked better on him, since he had decided to skip the tie for the last few days of classes before summer vacation.
“I mean” started James a bit exasperated. “The thing with Moony.”
Sirius looked at James through the mirror.
“See!” Exclaimed James “You are turning red.”
“I’m not!” said Sirius lowering his gaze.
The truth is, that for months Sirius and Remus had danced around each other, exchanging stolen glances, teasing banter, and subtle gestures that hinted at something more. Their friends often caught them smiling sheepishly at each other or even worse, their eyes locked, so lost in their little bubble they wouldn't heard a dragon even if it were right beside them. It had driven James mad until he figured Sirius was not replacing him. His arse of a best mate was just heads over heels. Either way, it was a dance of unspoken emotions and hidden desires, just waiting to be set free; in James’s opinion.
“For the record” add James as he made his was out of the room. “I think Moony fancies you.”
Sirius stood in the room all alone. Was Moony really into him?
“Fuck it.” Say Sirius as he made his was for the bathroom. He would think things over while he did his hair. He was already a tad late for breakfast; he didn’t want to miss it all.
.0.
As they sat at the Gryffindor table, Remus couldn’t help but keep looking at the door. Sirius was not here yet and his tea would get cold.
“So then I said we could both practice on the pitch and she actually threw the quaffle at me.” Complained James to his boyfriend, and to practically every person around.
“I know Jamie.” Laughed Regulus discretely. “I was there.”
“Hell yeah you were.” Continued James pulling Regulus by the waist. “Looking smoking hot on your quidditch uniform.”
“Oi! Keep it in your pants Potter. That is my baby brother there.” Say Sirius looudly as he made his way over his friends.
“I’m not a baby!”
“Oh, so is Potter know, innit?”
Say Regulus and James at the same time.
“Wotcher Moony?” asked Sirius instead. Flopping down next to Remus after murmuring a low thanks about his precfectly made cuppa.
But the thing is, Sirius Black had appeared with a peculiar hairstyle that Remus couldn’t ignore. He had half of his raven-black locks tied up in a ponytail, held together by a vibrant blue bow. The sight had caught Remus off guard, and suddenly he had the urge to touch said bow, although he refrained himself.
“Remus.” Tutted Regulus. “Sirius asked you a question.” He said sipping his tea with a smug smile.
“Oh.” Said Remus still looking at Sirius’s ribbon.
He had always found Sirius attractive, with his unruuly hair and mischievous eyes, but this sight took his breath away. It was an unexpected combination of playfullness and vulnerability that seemed to encapsulate Sirius’s essence perfectly.
Sirius always embraced his individuality, he was one for taking risk and defying expectations. It was a quality Remus had always admired, and it was embodied in the form of that simple blue bow. Because not only was it Sirius’s way of feeling himself but it was also Sirius putting himself proudly out there, in the view of everyone. Remus did not think he could fall harder.
“Yeah.” Answered Remus.
Everyone on the table burst out laughing.
“Moony, you have your head on the clouds today.” Said Sirius with an indulgent smile, looking up at Remus with his bright eyes.
“I guess I do.” Said Remus with a sheepish smile.
James, on the other side of the table, let out an exasperated groan.
“Let them be.” Whispered Regulus.
“But-“
“James.”
“Fine.” Said James. “But it so obvious.”
Regulus chuckled. “I know, but shush.”
As they all continued their meal, Remus stole glances at Sirius, trying to contain the fluttering of his heart. The blue bow stood out against Sirius’s dark locks, contrasting beautifully and adding a touch of whimsy to his already magnetic presence. Remus was so lost in thoughts he didn’t even noticed when there was nothing left on his plate. Had he eaten everything already?
“He isn’t just handsome, he is beautiful” thought Remus, his heart swelling with the affection.
“What are you smiling about, Moons?” asked Sirius with his mouth full of toast.
It definitely shouldn’t be attractive, nonetheless Remus found his smile growing even wider. Cause Sirius was just Sirius
“I’m smiling about you, dimwit.” He said tilting his head.
And Sirius Black, a master of witty comebacks and playful banter, found himself momentarily speechless.
“Oh.” Was the only thing Sirius could manage to get out of his mouth. “That’s good.”
“It is?” Remus beamed at Sirius.
James let his forehead hit the table. He banged it softly on the table until Regulus put his hand in between his forehead and said table. “Regulus please.”
“Absolutely not.” Regulus said standing up. “Como on now love, walk me to my class?.” He offered his hand to James.
James knew it was Regulus’s way to get him to stop pestering Moony and Padfoot. “Well I can’t say no to you when you call me love, can I? But don’t think I don’t know what you are doing mister.”
“Yeah, you caught me.” Said Regulus pulling James’s collar and stealing a little kiss from him.
Sirius made a gagging noise from his seat.
“Como on, Pads. We should get going too.” Said Remus grabbing his satchel.
As they were walking together to their class, the sea of students made them walk on a bee line. And there it was again, just in front of Remus chin, that soft blue ribbon.
Remus pushed lightly a few students so he could stand a side Sirius.
He crouched down, his voice barely above a whisper, and murmured into Sirius’s ear. “You look lovely.”
Sirius snapped his head. His big grey eyes filled with genuine curiosity.
“Lovely?”
The uncertainty in his voice only serve to made Remus’s fondness for him grow stronger.
“The loveliest.” Moony answered him.
Remus wanted Sirius to know just how much his presence affected him, how his unique charm and the way he carried himself resonated deeply with Remus’s soul. A shite eating grin was painted in Sirius face, as he realized that Remus feelings ran just as deeply as his own.
And then, the tapestry came in view.
Sirius, swelled with overwhelming love for this incredible wizard, handsome bloke and the kindest person in the whole world. And to top all of that, the person who saw him for who he truly was. Unable to contain his emotions any longer, Sirius seized Remus’s hand and hastly led him behind the tapestry, away from prying eyes.
“Pads, what-“
In that hidden alcove, both boy’s emotions overflowed. Sirius crashed his lips against Remus’s. Suddenly the longing to taste Moony’s lips had become unbearable.
The kiss was sweet and hungry at the same time. A culmination of all the unspoken words, al those stolen glances and the aching need they had both felt for months. It was a moment of raw emotion, where everything else faded away.
“Oh, I’ve wanted to do that for so long.” Remus sounded breathless as they broke apart.
Sirius smiled against Remus lips. He try to steal another kiss but he was smiling too much for that. They both were.
“Me too.” Said Sirius, his voice filled with a tenderness that made Remus’s heart swell.
They stared at each other. Smiling like two idiots.
“If you two are done snogging, we’re going to be late for class!” Regulus’s voice came from the other side of the tapestry. His tone carried a teasing tone.
“Impeccable timing, as always Reggie.” Said Sirius feigning annoyance.
Remus took Sirius’s hand. The raven haired boy beamed at him and Remus practically melted on the spot.
“Are you two done?” asked Regulus.
“Reggie, don’t be mean, darling.” James tease. His hand found Regulus’s, itertwining their fingers.
Regulus’s smirk softened into a gentle smile as he leaned in and planted a soft kiss on James’s lips.
“Well come on then.” Said Regulus pulling James’s hand, but nobody moved.
Remus started rearranging his shirt and Regulus tutted.
“Excuse me!” teased Remus. “Who are you tutting at? I seemed to recall a certain someone that always arrives tardy and disheveled to our study sessions.”
Regulus rolled his eyes playfully “I prefer to call it fashionably late” he retorted, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“DISHIVELED?!” asked Sirius. Then he turned to James and squinted his eyes. “My baby brother, Prongs.”
James laughed nervously. And with laughter still lingering in the air, the group hurried out from behind the tapestry, arm in arm, or well, hand in hand, ready to face an other day of classes together.
.o.
“You are late.” Informed McGonagall to the three students arriving seven minutes tardy.
“I prefer to call it fashionably late.” Said James.
“Well I assure you, Mr. Potter, you will not be fashionably late for detention. Now, hurry up.” Said McGongall. Then she catched a glimpse of Remus and Sirius’s hands. “Mr. Lupin, do you have a reason for your tardiness?”
“See, professor, Sirius is looking absolutely gorgeous today with that blue bow.” Said Remus squeezing Sirius hands. The Prewett twins let some wolf-whistles from the back of the room. “And well, I just had to tell him how lovely he looked.”
Remus titled his head towards Sirius, both of them sporting an adoring smile.
McGonagall regarded them a second. “You are excuse from detention. Don’t be late again or I’ll send you summer homework.”
“Nice.” Said James high-fiving Sirius.
“You are still attending to detention Mr. Potter.” She added as she scribbled in the chalkboard.
James face fell. “But Minnie, I made that happen.”
It was of no use. The three boys took their seat and the class began.
“Have I told you, you look so pretty today, Padfoot?” asked Remus lowly, leaning forward to reach Sirius’s seat.
“Maybe.” Sirius made a poor attempt to hide a little giggle. “But it won't hurt if you do it again, Moons.”
“You are so pretty, Sirius.”
“Remus, a man after my heart.” Sirius faked a swoon.
“Do I need to change both of you?” asked Professor McGonagall, with an unimpressed look.
“Well Minnie, if you want I’ll move seats, but you have to know that if I do, I’ll scream at Remus how handsome he is.” Replied Sirius smugly.
Professor McGonagall sighted, she knew it was not an empty promise. Sirius had already done it when she separated him from James. “Be quiet Mr. Black. It be a shame if you had to cancel your first date because you had detention.”
“Wait, did you asked me out already?” asked Sirius turning in his seat to face Remus completely.
Remus laughed. “Not yet.”
“Well?” pushed Sirius.
“I’m not going to ask you out in class.” Complained Remus “I… well, I want to do it right.”
“Aww Moony.” Said James.
“Remus.” Swoon Sirius, this time for real.
“Mr. Lupin, Mr. Balck you can discuss your date on detention along with Mr. Potter.”
“Am I going to the date too?” asked James excitedly.
“Don’t look at me” said Sirius. “Moony is planning it.”
“What? I’m not planning anything yet. I haven’t even asked you out.”
“So you’ll let me know later?” asked James.
“James you are not coming to our date.” Answered Remus.
“So you are planning a date.” Chimed in Sirius.
“Sirius I swear to merlin, just cause you are lovely doesn't mean I–“
“Change seats right this instant!” demanded McGonagall with a stern face.
“Sorry Minnie.” The three boys said as they changed seats far away from each other.
Sirius searched for Remus gaze. Remus was already looking back. “Lovely?” Sirius mouthed at Remus.
Remus rolled his eyes with amusement.
He shook his head as he mouthed back “the loveliest.”