Model For Me

Lily and Remus were watching Mamma Mia, when Lily sighed during the moment of the film that shouldn't be sighed upon. Remus looked at her, and she was already watching him, waiting. 

"James asked me out, you know," she said, and tried to make something of Remus' reaction. But there was nothing. No surprise, no smile, no questioning in his eyes. He just waited. She raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?" Remus asked. He paused the film, and sat sideways to the TV, so he could be face to face with Lily. "And what you decided?"

And that was all, really. And Lily was grateful, for this one sentence. Because Remus' answer wasn't anything like 'did you say yes?', or 'you agreed?', or anything that was suggesting the answer. Remus let her choose, and she loved this about him. It wasn't about her agreeing and disagreeing to James for Remus. It was about her and her decision. It was about her choice without any implications. What have you decided? It had 'did you agree or disagree' in it, or even something more, but without suggesting what was more likely. Words had a great value to Lily. And though many people didn't care about the way questions are formulated, she did. And Remus knew, and he respected that, and what's more, he cared.

"I said 'no' to him," Lily answered. "Well, not a real 'no'. I said we don't know each other well." Lily remembered how he shyly asked her out, and she smiled sadly. She wanted to explain herself, explain her choice. She didn't have to, not to Remus. But Lily did, because she felt anxious and many thought she was too demanding, even though they didn't know her reasons. "And you know, Remus, when I'm in a relationship, I want to trust the other person. I don't want to… I don't know. I just want to be sure I want something."

Remus watched her. Lily tried to be nonchalant just a little, but at the same time, she knew he noticed her little signs and the way she talked.

"The best choice for you to make is the one you feel the most comfortable with, you know," he said and smiled. She returned the gesture.

The problem was different, though.

"But you know, I really like James. So I wonder if it was a good choice." She shrugged. "Maybe I'm just too careful."

And there were no better words to describe how she felt. She had a friend once, whom she defended, even though her friends said their friendship was toxic. But Lily was loyal. She loved that about herself. She wasn't going to back down, and Severus gave her no real reason to be angry at him. Well, at first. Then there started to appear some small reasons, but it had always been too little. He was still her friend, even though he changed a bit. Everyone changed. How could she break their lifelong friendship just like that? And they had memories, many that she was still fond of. Because they were friends. They were. Until they weren't. And though Severus changed a lot, and she understood the reasons to some extent, she trusted him. The final moment came when the trust was broken. As it should have.

But it didn't end up well for Lily. She stopped being broken-hearted a long time ago, but from that moment she was more careful of trusting people. And being with someone romantically…? It required one of the highest forms of trust. Especially the further they went into the relationship.

But what if? What if because of her anxiety, she was losing good chances?

"Lily, no," Remus placed his hand on her shoulder and she looked at him. He pulled his hand away, but he left it on her leg and patted her tenderly. "You really should act the way you're most comfortable with. I mean, it's not good you have difficulties to trust people," he shook his head. "And probably the best way to get rid of your anxiety is to meet people and see you can trust them. But I understand why you need time, and the truth is, sometimes you need to get to know someone. He asked, and you should have time to answer, right? Just not to make any hasty decision. If you agreed, you would probably wonder if it was a good choice, because you don't know James that well and what if he hurts you, right? So if you want to take it slowly, you should. If you decide you can trust him, you can try again. This time you would be the one asking him out, though."

"Well, but what if… I'm just losing a chance here? A good one."

"James is our friend now. He won't run away, Lily," Remus said with confidence. "And if he does, you lose nothing."

***

James was sitting with Sirius and animatedly telling him about his today's conversation with Lily. Sirius was watching him, entirely focused, and James felt warm, seeing how his friend cared about him and his feelings.

"So you were talking, you said you will see her off, you both went to her car, and you just asked her out?" Sirius repeated James' words.

"Yeah," James confirmed.

"And she refused."

"Yes," James said, but after a short while he corrected himself. "Well, not exactly. She said we don't know each other that much. That means we should get to know each other, first, right?"

Sirius looked at him sceptical. "I guess you could say that."

"And it's actually better. To know each other better, we should meet more often, right? I'll be able to see her more often, now."

"Well…"

"See?" James asked. "If there is a chance, there is."

Sirius sighed. "Prongs, I believe we both have problems with understanding refusal."

James looked at Sirius with furrowed brows. "But I won't ask her out as a potential girlfriend, will I? I will do so as a friend. And then, I will ask her on a date. If she refuses, I won't be pestering her."

Sirius shrugged, and then he had this expression on his face that said, he remembered something. "Oh, and talking about Lily. I think we can do a surprise party with a photoshoot on her birthday. I would be a photographer, but we should take all equipment to her place, so it will be a surprise."

"You sure," James asked sceptically. He thought it wasn't such a bad idea, but they would have to lay out the equipment in Lily's flat, and that would require invading her privacy. So it didn't have to mean the surprise would be pleasant.

"I am, James, I talked about it with her," Sirius said with confidence, that confused James.

"You talked with her about her surprise party with mini photographer studio in her place," James said flatly. "Because if yes, then I'm not sure whether we can still call it a surprise."

"I didn't say we will throw her a party! I meant the photoshoot. She would love to."

"That's good," James admitted. He started to think about things they could do, but then again, it was their first Lily's birthday. He didn't know if they could interrupt with the way she had her birthdays until they met. And if she had tradition of sort. Or if she even liked her birthdays. There were many uncertainties they had to mind.

It was true, they didn't know each other well.

"So you think we should do this?" Sirius asked.

James pondered. "You know, I guess we could do this. Though, I'm not sure if throwing a party would be the best idea. I mean, she doesn't know our lot that well, yet, right? So what if she likes to spend her birthday with her closest ones? We would disturb her. The photoshoot is a good idea, though."

Sirius nodded. "Yeah, photoshoot stays. We always can take photos and leave. Take our stuff and go. Though then, I don't know if it wouldn't be better to just lead her to JSMD."

"No, no," James disagreed. "Look, you said she wants this photoshoot. And if she wants it, she won't be annoyed or discontented, right? But if we're there, you could also take photos outside this photoshoot background and stuff. You could use all the room's space. That could come in handy. And it would be more friendly and birthday-ish. Photoshoot in JSMD would have more professional vibe, and we don't want this."

"She could leave any time she wanted if it would be at JSMD, though," Sirius made a good point.

James sighed, "True."

And they were sitting together, and thinking and exchanging arguments for and against doing a photoshoot in her flat, until they agreed it would be the best to just ask Remus.

"I'll do this," Sirius offered instantly, and James chortled.

"Of course you will."

"By the way, we would have to ask him either way, because he would have to let us into their flat."

"Good point."

"We really don't think sometimes, do we?"

"I won't even answer this coarse question."

Sirius laughed, "Sure."

"And how is your thing with Remus going on?" James asked, poking Sirius on the cheek. He smiled shyly and covered his face with his hands.

"Why would you ask this question out of nowhere?" Sirius whined and placed his forehead on James' shoulder. James patted him on the head. 

"There, there," ha laughed. "But really, it's not exactly from nowhere. I have reasonable justification to ask this."

"I don't know," Sirius mumbled. And then he lifted his head to look at James with excitement in the eyes. "Remus was researching stars after he knew I'm named after one."

"Yeah?"

 "Do you think… Does that mean… He may like me?"

James watched Sirius with a fond smile, as he was seeing his best friend squirming as a teenager with a first crush. He was excited, but at the same time afraid and probably feared it was his hope talking, not rational parts.

"Are you asking me if he likes you, or if he fancies you?" James laughed.

Sirius, a little intimidated, sighed. "Well, I don't know… I wouldn't… I wouldn’t want to get ahead of myself. Everyone could want to read about stars, right?"

James wondered. "I surely wouldn't, but maybe some other people would, you're right." Sirius deflated in James' eyes, but James wanted him to understand it more. That the act could be nothing really, and at the same time, could be a mark of interest. James remembered how Remus smiled, and it was automatic. James thought that Remus smiled, before he even thought about why he would smile. And maybe Remus really didn't know. He could be unaware of his own reaction. But it was the look of fondness, on Remus' face. Lips up, eyes wrinkled, his attention far from James at that moment. And James, subconsciously knew, that the next Remus' words would be that Sirius was there. Like all his face showed 'Sirius is here!' and that he was happy about it. So James smiled to Sirius, and nudged him softly. "But you know, it's a different case if a person is looking at you, as if you really are the star they wanted to learn about."

 And Sirius glanced at James like he could cry any moment. And it was everything for James, because he knew that Sirius wanted so much to be loved. To be wanted. To be embraced.

He needed affection, so James gave it to him. He jumped on Sirius and above Sirius' wriggling and trying to catch an air but laughing at the same time, James wrestled him to hug him, and in the end, they could catch their breaths.

***

Remus was once again in the JSMD building, just because Regulus was determined to introduce him to Evan and Barty. So after work, he came to the familiar place, chatted with Dorcas that was passing by him (or more was being chatted up by her), got asked where was muffin for her and giving the promise of bringing her one, the next time he would come. 

"Don't bother," she waved her hand in a 'don't fret' manner that amused Remus. "No one really knows when I'm here and when I'm not, so how could you?"

Then she bid him farewell, and went her own way. He did the same.

And he was around half an hour with Evan, Barty and Regulus that essentially meant he sat there on the sofas and along with Regulus, they listened to Evan and Barty bickering.

"Aren't they like male version of Marlene and Dorcas?" Remus asked, not even trying to lower his voice.

Regulus shrugged. "They're worse, actually."

"I'm sorry?" Barty turned his head to look at Remus and Regulus. They both with Evan, were watching him, Barty with false offence, and Evan amused.

"You're never sorry," Regulus countered. Remus smiled, seeing how Barty shrugged.

"I can't deny it."

Evan patted him on the arm. "They can't say you're not truthful, though."

After Evan's words, Barty winked at him, and Remus had a steady impression that the smile Evan sent to his friend was a stiff one. Barty didn't seem to pay any attention, though, and was already glancing at Regulus and Remus.

Pity, pity for Evan. But pity for Barty, too.

"And you're what now? Gossiping partners? I must say it's nothing like partners in crime, you should try harder to achieve some higher goals. I think you're able to reach high, especially with Remus' height."

"You're mistaken, my dear friend," said Regulus, leaning in to the other boy. Remus found it interesting to see Regulus in this kind of environment. He was more casual, more relaxed with his friends. He still had his back straight and unblemished manners, but he was less alert. Remus thought he even felt safe. It was a weird thought, since why wouldn't Regulus feel safe? "Partner in gossip is far more dangerous than you believe. Gossip is one of the most powerful forces in the world. Only a few words are enough to stir most things up. You could cause a conflict, with just a few words. You could change anyone perception of people with just a few words. Not only that, but you could make falsehood believable with just few words. Gossip is powerful, and the best thing is, that it's often more powerful than law. Because it's just a gossip."

"I would say, it's the worst thing," Remus commented, thinking of how many harm gossips could make. Regulus waved his hand dismissively.

"Not the point," he dismissed.

"So you're admitting you're partners in gossip?" Barty gasped. Evan rolled his eyes on his dramatics.

"I am," Regulus said boldly. They were having sight battle and no one seemed close to surrendering. "But no one will believe you," he informed smugly.

"Tsk," Barty voiced and leaned on the chair, losing the battle.

"You, Blacks, have it in your blood to be so self-assured. Can't win with that."

"You can't," Regulus confirmed, as if it was needed.

Regulus Black. A Black. Remus wondered, then, if that was Sirius' biological surname. The Black. It kind of suited him. Sirius Black. But then again, he must have had reasons to leave the Black family, if it was true. So Sirius Potter, he was.

"Don't worry, Regulus, we're not going to throw you off your throne. Don't have to admit to your excellence," Evan remarked. Remus nodded.

"And you have to live up to my gossiping expectations," he said. "I can't be your partner in gossip, if you don't have your gossipers."

"My gossipers are just fine, thank you. You should actually thank me," Regulus observed.

"Oh, yes?" Remus mused.

"Of course," he answered and waited for Remus to get interested. He wasn't. "Aren't you going to ask me? Or thank me at least?"

"Why should I ask?" Remus proceeded interested in Regulus answer.

"True," Evan admitted. "If he'll ask, he will have something to thank you for. If he doesn't, he doesn't have any need to be thankful."

"This," Remus pointed at Evan. They smirked at each other.

"What?" Barty was glancing between Remus and Evan. "What coalition are you forming in here? You aren't allowed to do this shit, especially next to me." Barty said, focusing on Evan. He shrugged.

"Then next time, we'll meet alone."

"Don't twist my words!"

Remus watched with curiosity how Barty was getting all irked and worked-up, while Evan was observing him with interest, a bit too pleased with himself.

"I won't," Evan waved Barty off. "But I'll need your number, Remus."

Remus laughed. "Sure."

And Barty was glaring at him, so Remus smiled and winked at him in return.

Regulus was watching it with amusement, what Barty saw and pointed at him.

"You," he half-yelled. "You're too confident for your own good."

"I'm confident to feel good," Regulus countered.

"Gracious sake," Barty exclaimed. "I swear…"

But he was interrupted by Evan, "Since when you say 'gracious sake'?"

Barty tsked and continued, "I swear, you and Sirius could take part in some worldwide competition of the most annoying, and self-assured prats. You could also win an award for being the most poised man in the world, seriously."

"Sirius is kind of shy, though?" Remus risked. First, Evan and Barty were surprised, but soon they started laughing and couldn't stop. Barty was laughing especially loudly.

Regulus looked just amused.

Evan stopped laughing first, because he looked at Remus, who tried to stay composed, though he felt a bit awkward. Then Barty noticed, too. They both watched Remus as if trying to understand something.

"Mate, you're serious?" Barty asked incredulously.

"I'm…" And truly, what Remus could answer. He was, and at the same time he wasn't. "Not joking," he decided on saying. Regulus smirked, like he was anticipating this kind of answer. And maybe he did. Maybe they deliberately weren't avoiding the word 'serious', so they could puzzle people. Or they were waiting for an occasion to start joking some kind of Sirius-jokes.

"Wait, what?" Evan stepped in the conversation. "Sirius being shy? What in the world happened between you two?"

Before Remus could answer, James entered the room, or more like struggled himself into the room, with hands fool of documents. He had hands full of papers and tried to close the door with a kick, but he missed, and some of the documents fell on the ground. Remus rushed to help James, but James saw him standing up.

"Sit, sit, Wolf Boy, I'll manage."

And they all stayed sat down, watching James attempting not to make any more mess. Finally, he finished, whatever he was doing, approached Regulus' desk and threw the papers with a loud, but kind of void sound, on it. James beamed at Regulus, "For you."

And Remus, because he lost his trust in Regulus very early in their friendship, questioned James' appearance at this moment. Was it intentional for him to give some documents to Regulus, or was it a coincidence? Remus almost laughed seeing how he got a bit paranoid, wondering about Regulus' moves, like all he did was deliberate.

But he watched Regulus either way, and the boy must have understood what Remus was thinking about, because seeing the question in his eyes, Regulus shook his head.

So it was coincidence, all right.

Remus definitely should take a break from this scheming boy.

"And hello, Remus? What are you doing here, with this lot, when you know where is my room?" James grinned.

"Being hold hostage," Remus answered, getting a poke in the ribs from Regulus.

"And we're not going to hand him over," Regulus claimed.

"You can leave or fight, but we fight dirty," added Barty with a grin.

James assessed them and sighed.

"Sorry, Remus," he finally said with a shrug. "You can visit me and Sirius after you're being freed." And with a last glance and Remus, James left the room.

Evan sighed and patted Remus on the arm. "It's better this way," he said. "It's better you know he is not to be trusted sooner, than later."

And Remus shook his head, amused. He really landed in a place he didn't expect to be.

***

Sirius was sitting comfortably on the settee in his and James' flat, searching through the set of films to watch with his best friend, when said best friend barged in their flat.

"Lily and Remus will be in 10," James said, going straight to the kitchen. Sirius furrowed his brows and stand up to follow him.

"Why are they coming?"

"I've invited them," James announced nonchalantly. "I kind of invited Remus, but it was more of a joke, and then I thought 'why not?' and messaged Lily inviting them to come."

"You invited Remus as a joke?" Sirius asked, because he kind of stopped listening at this part. "Why would you invite him jokingly? Was he in JSMD today?"

James glanced at him, as he rummaged through cupboards. "Yeah. Have you seen our snack collection? I was sure we had it all in here?"

"We've changed their location last week, it's in the higher one, now," Sirius said. "What was he doing there?"

"What?" James stopped in his tracks and looked at Sirius questioningly. "Oh, Remus. Yeah, he was with Regulus and his bunch."

Sirius wondered if Regulus did it on purpose, but then concluded it didn't really matter, if Remus liked his company. "Then even better you invited him. We don't know what this prat poisoned his mind with."

James gave him a quick smile, and then he took two packets of crisps triumphally. Sirius shook his head and went back to the sitting room. "Then we wait with a film choice, I guess?" Sirius yelled for James to hear.

"That's the plan," he answered, entering the room and placing crisps, chocolate and cookies on the table.

And because James looked really pleased with himself, Sirius chuckled. "You seem to be truly satisfied with this food."

"Am I not, a great host?" James asked and fell onto the settee. "You should be, too, so it'll be your turn to ask them if they want coffee or a tea," he added, smug.

"You dodger!" Sirius exclaimed, and James started to laugh. "I'll remember this one, you Brutus."

"It's just a beverage, you'll cope with it."

"Shouldn't you be trying to impress Lily with your tea-making skills?"

"Nah," James said, "Maybe in my fourth and fifth year, when I was an arrogant toerag, I would. But I'm a grown-up, now," he declared, pridefully.

Sirius scoffed. "You wish."

"And, of course, I want to leave the impressing part to you, since your pretty Remus will come."

"He's not only pretty," Sirius mumbled under his nose, but seeing how James smirked, he knew his friend heard him clearly.

And there was a knock on the door, so James almost jumped off the settee, to run to welcome their guests. Sirius stood up, too, and followed James, though much more slowly. He tried not to be the over-eager grown-up James was.

"Grown-up, my arse," Sirius muttered.

But then he forgot about all of this, when he saw Remus smiling at him, and Sirius knew he wasn't grown-up at all, because at this moment, he could be only an over-excited teenager in an adult body.

But it was a precious sight to see. Remus and Lily, comfortable in their flat, greeting James with the familiarity of friends. Sirius liked this, he welcomed the thought that Remus and Lily were comfortable with him and James. That they greeted them with smiles, and warmth, and Sirius didn't need anything more than this. Than smiles and warmth. But he wanted to feel it closer, to claim it all to himself, and maybe it made him selfish, but he said it once, and it was the truth. He was an affection absorber.

"Sirius," Lily voiced, turning his attention to her, and before he knew it, she approached him and gave him a friendly hug. "Hi, it's been a while since I saw you."

Sirius hugged her back, though it was a short squeeze, just a greeting one.

"It's good to be missed," he joked, and Lily dabbed him lightly. Sirius wondered if he missed seeing the hug between Lily and James, when he was coming here.

And, because he felt warm and comfortable, he was courageous enough to hug Remus, too.

"Hi," he spoke quietly, still in the hug, so it was like a whisper in the ear.

"Hi," Remus said quietly, too. Sirius made the most of this quick embrace, and though he didn't want to, he took a step back and looked at Remus, taking him all. Remus still had hands on his arms for a short bit, and then he dropped them with a little hesitance, Sirius hoped he didn't imagine.

Their moment was interrupted by James' loud, "Oh, you didn't have to!"

Sirius looked just in time to see his friend taking a small box from Lily.

"It's all right," Lily said with a wave of a hand. "We sometimes crave something that is not from Remus work, and we know this little pâtisserie that's not too expensive but have delicious cakes."

James peeked at what was in the box and smiled contentedly. "Looks good."

"And do you maybe want your traditional herbal tea?" Sirius asked, remembering Lily told him about how she and Remus do herbal teas in the evenings. "We only have a small collection, but you don't know which teas we have, so you'll have a surprise."

Lily smiled at him, "I'm for it."

"Traditional herbal tea? You dared to spill our secrets, Lily?" Remus asked her. "And didn't tell me?"

"You're still less in the dark than I am, mate," James patted Remus on the back, but watched Sirius. "Well guys, while Sirius is making your secret teas, we'll choose a film." And he led them to the TV. Sirius boiled the water and put the peppermint tea sachets in the cups. He poured water to make teas and took them with him, so he could join the group.

"Here you are," Sirius said, placing teas on the table. "Oh, I should take the plates for the cake," he realized, but James stood up and said he will go, and so he did.

"Thank you," Lily said, and when she lifted the cup she smiled. "Though you know, on the sachets it's written 'peppermint', right?"

Sirius exhaled. "Well, you would know either way."

"Yeah, you're right," she admitted and took a sip, getting a surprised look from Sirius.

"She always drinks her tea hot," Remus sighed, noticing the look. "And she knows it's not healthy."

"I can't understand how can you drink a tea that is almost cold, "Lily shrugged. "He sometimes forgets there is a tea waiting for him and ends up drinking it cooled down," she explained to Sirius. He nodded and sat down, next to Remus, because it was actually the only place left, seeing how James was sitting on the armchair earlier. Sirius thought it was a deliberate attempt to make him sit next to Remus, and he wasn't going to complain.

James came back, so they chose the film, deciding on Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them.

At some point they took blankets and the biggest one was to share between him and Remus. And Sirius must have admitted that he haven't really paid any attention to the film, from the moment the blanket kind of united him and Remus, so Sirius knew the exact moment, when Remus fell asleep. And if he wasn't focused on Remus so much, he would still notice, because Remus' head fell on his shoulder. This way, they were covered by a blanket and in close proximity, so Sirius was afraid to move even a little. It took him a few minutes to relax, listening to Remus' steady breathing, and he, again, could focus on the film, though he didn't really know what was happening on the screen. Sirius saw a small smile on Lily's lips though, and when he glanced at James, he knew his friend didn't really pay attention to the film, too. James winked at him, and Sirius heard Lily's muffled laugh.

But he didn't care, so he just focused on the film. He still didn't move an inch, though, and still took comfort from his and Remus body connection, the affection absorber he was. There was a moment when Sirius thought that Remus woke up, because he stirred a little, but he slightly changed his position and stilled again.

And Remus was asleep even when the film ended, and Lily with James cleared out, leaving Sirius with the task of waking him up. Sirius stood up slowly, and almost laughed, thinking about how he was ought to wake Remus up, and ended up trying not to do this. But when he was standing in front of him, he had no regrets.

It was actually perfect. How Remus was lying, all wrapped in the blanket, his head on the settee, with his mouth opened slightly. The dimmed lights were making his hair darker, and skin paler, but at the same time, it made him more golden that he normally was. And Remus often had this golden glimmer on his curly hair, in his emerald-amber eyes, on his freckles even. His scar glimmered, too. And at this moment he all seemed to be coated in gold. Like it was part of him, like it came out of him. And maybe it was the truth, Sirius searched for, maybe Remus radiated the golden light and that's why he caught his eyes so many times.

Sirius took his phone from the table and positioned himself to catch the best shot of Remus. To capture him in the best way possible, to convert Sirius' feelings into the photo. To show that the colour of Remus was gold. It was perfect, Sirius felt it was perfect, felt his affection while taking the photo and was content, really.

Sirius remembered his models, these accidentally encountered and these who he met in the studio. How they were so aesthetically pleasing for Sirius' eye, how they were perfect models materials, how he was in awe of them. He thought about how he reacted and loved the way they all looked, and he felt inspired. How he liked seeing different kind of aspects of people, when someone caught his attention. And why Marlene and Dorcas so often teased him that he fall in love a few times a month, but it was always about how people looked and how they moved. He just felt this itch that made him want to take the photo. To capture it all in it, the way he saw them, the way they could see themselves. And there he was, taking a photo of Remus and thinking about how he wanted to take photos of him, and take them, and take them, and keep taking them to keep them all for himself. To have his own part of Remus to himself. It wasn't a simple itch. Maybe at first. Or maybe it never has been, who knew. But either way, it got stronger, and it wasn't only an itch. It was the way Remus talked, the way he smiled, the way he looked at Sirius, the way Sirius felt when they touched… It stopped being about how Remus looked like. It was all about taking him all. A photo would never be enough. Never could be. Because how one photo could be enough, when there was this beautiful man, in front of him, who was his friend, who could take all the world to himself, if he only wanted to. What was the use of one photo, when there was a perspective of the whole world.

But Sirius stood up, made his perspective better, to capture Remus the way he wanted. He adjusted the lights on his phone, he edited all the options he wanted, arranged himself and his phone to take the best photo and just did it.

And for these few moments, this one photo was Sirius' whole world.  

But then reality has returned and Sirius poked Remus to wake him up. He watched how the Golden Boy slowly opened his eyes, and they exchanged a few words, then got up, joined Lily and James and all the group said their goodbyes.

When Lily and Remus left their flat, Sirius could hear behind the door Lily's voice saying with a smugness, "Weren't you too comfortable, Wolf Boy?"

And Remus' answer, "I was perfectly comfortable, thank you very much, Flower Girl."

The rest of the conversation was for Remus and Lily's ears only.