Chapter 2
Remus rubbed his eyes. It was so hot…and cramped? He slowly cracked his eyes open, wincing at the sunlight streaming in through gaps in the blinds. Leaning up, Remus observed a pile of bodies squeezed onto a bed he did not recognise. What happened last night?
He thought back to the previous night, where he’d gotten dressed up with Marlene as matching black cats for Mary’s couples costume party. He and Marlene were good friends, and she was kind enough to suggest an easy costume which consisted of black ears and black clothes. He could now see smudges of black eyeliner on his hands, remnants of the night before.
He’d been going out too much lately, but since his gran’s depressing diagnosis combined with the added stresses of working and school, he needed a bit of happiness in his life. Besides, Remus often felt lonely in his apartment in the evenings.
Groaning, he untangled himself from Peter’s leg and Marlene’s arm, and pulled out his phone.
1 New Email: Tutoring, from [email protected]
Remus heart pounded. Quickly scanning the email, he sent off a reply that he hoped wasn’t too desperate. He really needed this job, and the Dean was offering a generous amount that meant he could quit those horrendous midnight shifts at McDonalds. Plus, Biology was one of the few things he was good at, and he could very well teach Sirius Black how to ace his exams.
Firing off a few texts to his manager at McDonalds about a horrible cold, he set aside a few times to tutor Sirius. From Orion Black’s email, Remus needed to get Sirius’s grade up to at least a B for the next test in order for him to continue tutoring. I can do that, he thought.
Finally, with the number the Dean had attached in the email, Remus sent off a tentative message:
hi, you might not remember me, i’m remus! we met a few days ago in the library. sorry for the bad first impression, the next time we see each other i’ll be more alive. i’m your new tutor! i’ve added some dates/times below, lmk which ones are best for you.
Taking a deep breath, Remus switched off his phone and went back to sleep.
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Sirius smiled at the message on his phone. He quickly typed one back:
Hey Remus. I definitely remember you. You made a good impression, don’t worry about it. Let’s do Thursday.
And then:
What foods do you like? We should meet at a cafe or something. Or maybe even get dinner after. Library’s too miserable. It’s on me.
Sirius did not plan on getting any tutoring done. He’d rather flirt with Remus, make him blush again. He wondered what Remus would look like blushing under him.Sirius mentally facepalmed. You’ve met him once. Calm down.
His phone buzzed suddenly.
i haven’t been to a lot of places (broke student). i am fond of strawberry cheesecake, but i’m not picky. let’s meet at the library and decide where to go together? i might get lost otherwise. also i can pay, thank you though. see you thursday!
God. Remus was adorable. Sirius was going to struggle to focus on anything remotely Biology-related. Unless it was anatomy. Perhaps he should suggest a demonstration? Am I pent up? Stop being such a pervert.
Sounds good. I’ve got a few places in mind. See you then.
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Remus got off the bus. He was a bit too nervous to meet Sirius. It’s only tutoring. Just focus on teaching and improving his grade. You need the money.
That’s right. He needed to pay the bills for his gran, and other necessities if he had any left. He’d resorted to staying long hours at the library and cafes lately, since the increased medical fees meant he had to sacrifice his home Wi-Fi. The Dean’s offer was incredibly generous, and best believe he was going to turn Sirius into a straight A Biology student with his tutoring. His living standards depended on it.
Making his way towards the library, he could make out two figures standing outside the doors. One was Sirius, and…James? They waved at him as he got closer, and he sped up his walking.
“Hi Remus!”
Exclaimed James.
“What a coincidence! What are you doing here?”
“I’m Sirius’s new tutor. Are you guys friends?”
“We’re more like brothers.”
James and Sirius exchanged fond looks. Remus felt a pang in his chest. He wished he had someone like that. James and him were involved in similar circles, but James was the centre of the group, while Remus was always on the outskirts peering in. He supposed it was the long hours he worked which didn’t allow much time for anything else, along with his anxious nature.
“Anyways, I’ll be off. Have fun guys. Remus, if he becomes an annoying git just give me a call. I’ll deal with him in no time.”
Dodging Sirius’s kick with a laugh, James ran off. Without James, the atmosphere was quickly becoming uncomfortable. Remus squirmed underneath Sirius’s gaze.
“Hey. You look cosy.”
Remus was decorated in a massive scarf bundled around his neck, and a fluffy sweater and jeans. He turned red from the comment.
“Yeah, it’s cold today. You look nice! It’s cool you and James are close friends, maybe I’ll see you at the next party. Are we ready to learn?”
Remus mentally cringed. Kill me. Sirius did look really good, with his rumpled shirt and necklaces. His hooded eyes raked across Remus from head to toe, making him feel exposed. Sirius laughed at Remus’s rambling.
“Thank you. I am indeed ready to learn love. Let’s head to our rendezvous spot, I think you’ll like it.”