It all started a rainy Tuesday afternoon. The school year was coming to an end. However there were still a few games of Quidditch until the grand final. Today, Gryffindor was playing against Hufflepuff. And although, normally Sirius would make a show of his natural skills today he was focused on the game. Or at least, focused on not letting the quaffle out of his sight; which, mind you, was a bloody difficult task. The pouring rain lashed against his face, and, even though Moony had braided his hair, a few drenched strands fell on his face making it difficult to locate the quaffle. Even his bat was getting hard to grab.
“Watch out Black!” said Fabian as a bludger zoomed near Sirius’s left side. Almost too close to his cheek.
“That’s a nice shoot from the Bones, the hufflepuff beater! It seems that Black, gryffindor beater barely missed it. Better luck next time Bones.” Said through the speakers Anita Sandwood, a foourth year slythering, who had been acting as the commentator since Gilderoy Lockheart had suspiciously lost his voice. Although, no one was complaining about that particular issue.
“Padfoot focus!” scolded James passing near him. “Cover me!”
Sirius scowled. He was focused.
“This bloody rain” Sirius whispered to himself as he flew to catch up with James.
Sirius was soaring through the air, eagerly chasing after James. As he flew, he heard a particular light sound. He turned his head to see the blugder hurtling towards him. It was aiming directly at his chest. It was getting closer but Sirius freezing fingers had trouble adjusting the bat and just when the bludger was about to him hit…
“Nice one Pads!” congratulated James.
Sirius had redirected the bludger at the last moment. The whole audience had gasped. The bat nearly flew out of Sirius hand, however the bludger was now on its way towards Amos Diggory, the hufflepuff seeker.
Sirius smiled at James arrogantly.
“See prongs!” he said smugly.
“Shove off!” said James with an amused smile. He shoved Sirius a bit and resumed his chase after the quaffle.
Now, the second bludger was the one Sirius missed.
He didn’t even heard it. It just struck him in the head with a sickening thud.
Everything went black.
When Sirius opened his eyes, he could see that the sun was starting to come out. The clouds where clearing away and the previous monsoon was now a light tip-tap of tiny raindrops. And there was someone standing directly above him. Tough, the bright light from the sun made it difficult to make out any details, but Sirius thought he was looking at an angel.
“Am I dead?” he asked in awe.
The figure chuckled. “Not yet, Padfoot.” A familiar voice said.
As his eyes adjusted to the light, Sirius realized that the figure was not an angel at all, but the one and only Remus Lupin. Sirius heart skipped a beat when he saw the loopsided smile etched on Moony’s face. “Weird.” Thought Sirius.
“What happened?” asked Sirius, surprised.
“You got hit by a bludger, idiot.” Remus said. And although he was smiling the relief was evident I his voice. “You passed out and fell off your broomstick.”
“Ugh James is not going to let me hear the end of it.” Sirius lamented. Remus gave out a little chuckle and maybe it was the concussion but oh, if that was not the loveliest sound Sirius had ever heard.
“Mr. Lupin I need you to step aside so I can asses Mr. Black.” Said Madam Pomfrey as she dropped next to them.
Remus was about to step aside when Sirius’s hand darted out and grabbed his wrist.
“Let him stay.” Pleaded Sirius, looking at Remus. He broke eye contact and turned his head towards Madam Pomfrey. “Please.”
Madam Poppy regarded the pair for a second. She sighted. “Fine.” She finally said. “Remus dear, please pass me that green vial over there on my kit.”
Remus moved out of Sirius sight. Sirius tried to sit up and felt dizzy. His own hand flew to his forehead and Remus was back at his side instantly. “Take it easy,” Moony said, gently pushing him back down. “You took quite a hit.”
Sirius winced as he felt the throbbing pain in his head. He carefully took the now violet vial Madam Pomfrey and swallowed the liquid. It didn’t taste bad and his head instantly hurt a bit less.
“Thanks for looking out for me.” Sirius said, his voice hoarse.
“It’s my job Mr. Black.” Said Madam Pomfrey. “Oh, dear.” She laughed. “You were not talking to me eh boy?”
“No, I wasn’t.” said Sirius clearly embarrassed. “But thank you too.”
Madam Pomfrey made a dismissive hand gesture.
“Thanks Moony.” Sirius whispered. He looked up at Remus and his stomach felt a weird void as if he were still flying.
Remus’s cheeks turned pink. “Of couse” Remus said softly.
They sat there in silence for a moment, just looking at each other while Madam Pomfrey tended to Sirius small bruises from the fall. Sirius felt a sudden urge to reach out and touch Moony’s face.
“Oh Merlin! Is he okay?” came James’s voice. “!Is he dying?! Poppy please tell me something!”
“Mr. Potter, refer to Poppy as Madam Pomfrey.” Scolded Professor McGonagall who was calmly walking behind James.
“But you call her Poppy.”
“Yes but I’m-“
“Oh Sirius! Padfoot!” screamed James as soon as he saw Sirius watching him back. “Oh I thought you were dead.”
“Please.” Said Sirius with a winced of pain as James threw himself on top of Sirius.
Remus grabbed James by the quiddtich gear and pull him back. “And they say you are the dramatic one.” Teased Remus.
“I was worried you pair of trolls.” James said.
“Does this means I don’t have to hear your scolding about being focused on the game?” asked Sirius, hopefully.
"Nope, you definitely are still hearing my speech.”
Sirius deflated. It would be long afternoon.
“He is fine to get back to the game” informed Madam Pomfrey. “Does your head still hurts?”
Sirius sat up. Remus hand hovered over his back in case the raven haired boy felt dizzy again. However Sirius was feeling perfectly fine.
“I’ll tell Hooch.” Said Professor McGonagall.
"Well, I should probably get going.” Said Sirius. “Thanks again, Moony.”
Remus nodded. But there was something on his eyes Sirius couldn’t quite place.
As he and James were making their way back up to their positions a thought occurred to Sirius.
“Prongs,” he called “how was Moony there before everyone else?”
James seemed taken aback by the question. “I don’t know. He practically ran out of his seat the moment he saw you were hit. But I was on the my broom and even I couldn’t reach you that fast… maybe a werewolf thing, mate, I dunno.”
“Do you think he likes me?” asked Sirius. And if it were any other persons the response would have been that yes Remus was his best mate so Remus obviously liked him. However James, being his second brother could read him easily.
James arched his brow with a smug smile. “Do you like him?”
Well, yeah. That much was obvious now. And Sirius liked the idea of Remus being there first. But could first mean always? How could he know? Suddenly Alice Fortescue caught the golden snitch and as the stadium erupted in cheers Sirius came up with a plan.
.o.
Over the next few days, Sirius made a series of increasingly ridiculous stunts, always with the hope that Remus would come to his rescue. Of, course, Remus always did.
“This is getting out of hand.” Whispered Regulus to his brother. The four of them, James, Regulus, Remus and Sirius were supposed to be studying and Remus had just stood up to go to the kitchens for some snacks for the four of them.
“Nah, I think every time Moony saves me is much solid proof that he likes me.”
“You are daft as they come.” Complained Regulus.
“Reggie, don’t be mean.” Said James leaning towards Regulus. “But Reg is right Sirius this is getting out of hand.”
“I don’t see it.” Said Sirius crossing his arms over his chest, leaning back on his chair.
“Really? You don’t see how throwing yourself on the lake is ridiculous?” asked Regulus unimpressed.
“Well, I do know how to swim. Not that you could say the same Reggie.” Replied Sirius.
“Okay, at charms you set your feather on fire.” Added James.
“Please I’m fabulous at charms, I had it all under control.”
“You can’t tell me you were safe the other day in the library.” Regulus said.
“What happened at the library?” inquired James looking back and forth between the Black brothers.
“That idiot climbed a bookshelf with the false pretend to get a book as if they weren’t magic books that you can just summon.” Complained Regulus. “And then the idiot proceeds to fake a slip only for Remus to catch him.”
“See that’s where you are wrong.” Interrupted Sirius smugly. “I, in fact did slipped.”
“That does not make it better you troll!” said Regulus.
“Oh is that why you where limping the other day?” asked James. Regulus snapped his head towards James. “He was limping around and Remus gave him piggy rides everywhere.”
“You didn’t even land on your feet, Sirius! Remus caught you! How could you have fake such thing?” inquired Regulus scandalize.
“It was possible my ankle twisted when I slipped.” Shrugged Sirius. “Moony didn’t noticed.”
“Mhm, I did.” Said Remus. He was standing right at the doorframe, looking intently at the mugs he had just brought over; he was obviously embarrassed.
“Moony…” said Sirius, panic rising in his voice. “Remus… Moons I can explain.”
“And that is our que.” Said James dragging Regulus by the arm, out of their dorm.
“Wait, Jamie.” Complained Regulus, who clearly wanted to stay. “This is going to be fun.”
“Reggie!” exclaimed James as he closed the door behind them.
“Moony, I can explain.” Whispered Sirius.
Remus walked towards Sirius bed. He deposited the four mugs on the night stand and sat on the edge of said bed.
“You don’t have to-“
“No, I do.” Insisted Sirius taking a seat on the floor in front of Remus. “Remus I just wanted to…”
“Sirius.” Remus cut sternly “I get it.”
“You... what?” asked Sirius astonished.
“I get it, Pads.” He repeated softly. “I knew you were doing all those things on purpose.” Sirius felt his ears heat, as his embarrassment prevented his mouth from speaking. “But god, Sirius, I know your family, I know where you come from. And I get it.” Remus continue. “I know you figured out you like me that day on the Quidditch pitch. I saw it. I was… I was fortunate enough to see it. And I… well I have fancied you for quite sometime, but I get the feeling deep down you knew that didn’t you?”
“Moony, I…” tried to say Sirius as he rose to his knees. Both of Sirius’s hands were on Remus’s knees and he was searching for something in Remus’s eyes. Remus hand move gently, cupping Sirius face and… there it was, on Moony’s eyes. Yes Remus had fancied him for a long time. Now, Sirius knew. “I’m sorry Moony, I’ve been acting like an idiot, I’m sorry.”
“Sirius I know you. I know how your parents…” Remus didn’t continued as if it pained him just to say it outloud. “I knew you where just making sure you could count on me. You had to check you were safe.”
It wasn’t a question for Sirius to answer. It was a fact. As true as they come. And Merlin, Remus knew him so well. Remus knew. He always did.
“So why?” asked Sirius leaning into Remus’s hand. “Why didn’t you said something?”
“I figured you would stop your shenanigans once you felt safe… Once I made you feel safe. Once you knew I’m not going anywhere.” Said Remus softly. "And you know now, don't you?”
Sirius felt a lump in his throat, he nodded with watery eyes. He felt understood like he had never before. Not even James, not even Reggie, hell, not even Effie could see him as clearly as Remus could see him. And oh, those deep hazel eyes would be the dead of Sirius. Sirius wanted to cry.
Remus softly sushed him as he kissed the top of his forehead. Moony gently nudged Sirius’s chin up. Then he leaned down.
“I would really like to kiss you right now.” Whispered Remus. His welsh accent thicker than usual.
And Sirius… well Sirius didn’t have to be told twice. He crashed his lips with Remus and a surprised gasped escaped both of them. It wasn’t the perfect first kiss. They were smiling too much for it to be a kiss but alas it was theirs. And that’s all that mattered.
.o.
Few months later…
“Please.” Laughed Marlene as they were outside Honeydukes.
“You lot don’t believe me, do you?” asked Sirius offender.
Dorcas laughed as she passed an arm around Marlene.
“Okay, watch this.” Said Sirius.
“No Sirius, don’t do it!” screamed James as the bell of the Honeyduke’s door chimed and Regulus and Remus exited with six mugs of hot chocolate for everyone.
“COMING IN!” scream Sirius as he ran and leap at Remus.
“NO! PADFOOT! HOLDING CHOCOLATE!” screamed Remus as he let the mugs fall to the ground to catch Sirius in his arms, bride style. “I hate you sometimes, you know that right?”
Sirius kissed Moony sweetly, and the sandy haired boy return him the fondest smile everyone ever saw on Remus Lupin.
“I still hate you.” Said Remus with a warm smile on his face.
“Marlene bet ten galleons you wouldn’t catch me.” Said Sirius smugly. “We, dear moonshine, have just won ten galleons.”
“You mean to tell me I drop three mugs of chocolate for ten galleons?” asked Remus, arching a brow in a menacing way.
“Well…” said Sirius putting his best smile. “Five galleons actually. Five for you and five for me. Partnership ey?”
“Five galleons?” asked Remus squinting his eyes. “Three chocolate mugs, Padfoot.”
Sirius wiggled out of Remus’s arms. He gave him a kiss on the cheek and sprinted away.
“OH KNOW YOU ARE IN TROUBLE PADFOOT!” Remus while chasing after his boyfriend.
“GUYS HELP! I’M SIRIUSLY IN TROUBLE!” said Sirius laughing freely.
“JUST FOR THAT, NOBODY IS GOING TO HELP YOU SIRIUS!” screamed back Regulus
They all watched Sirius pushing people out of his way while Remus faked chasing Sirius. They all knew Remus was faster, but Remus enjoyed seeing Sirius happy.