When Remus arrived home from college, he knew Sirius wouldn’t be there. He was expecting to come home, shower, make some toast, eat said toast, and then crash. In that order.
But when he walked into the kitchen, he found a ostentatious gift on the kitchen counter, a note, and a plate of food in the fridge.
The note didn’t say much. Only;
My Moon,
Happy (early) Christmas. You didn’t expect me to wait, after you told me about the exchanging of gifts, did you? I found out about the 12 days of Christmas. I did my waiting.
I finish work at 11. Dinners in the fridge.
Can’t wait to see you,
Sirius
Remus first goes to the fridge, to find a bowl of his favourite pasta. This in itself should be considered a gift. Sirius learned to make it almost a year ago for Remus’ birthday, and it has been the gift that keeps on giving.
He puts it in the microwave and turns reluctantly to the gift box on the counter.
Of course it’s in a box. Normal gift wrapping would be too gouache for Sirius Black.
Remus steps forward, approaching hesitantly as if the thing might explode on him.
Carefully, he undoes the ribbon.
And lifts the lid from the box.
It appears to be an absolutely atrocious Christmas sweater.
Remus lifts the fuzzy knit from the box, and as it unfolds it reveals that it is, in fact, a heinous Christmas Sweater. He’s sure it’s twice as big as anything he would buy for himself. It has a pine green base, which again, not a colour he would choose, with white snowflakes. He wonders what on Gods Green Earth could possibly have come over Sirius for him to purchase a pine-coloured sweater, and then he catches sight of the note.
I never expected to love you so much in green.
If you’d like to return the sentiment, but aren’t sure what to give me in return, I might have some ideas.
Wear nothing but this.
I’ll see you soon. - S
Remus felt the flush down to his chest, eyes wide as he clutched the ugly Christmas sweater in his hands.
Behind him, the microwave beeps, confirming his dinner has been heated, and he startles back to the present, eyes flicking up to the clock on the wall.
It’s 7pm. That’s plenty of time to… Shower, shave, change the sheets, tidy up a little, light some candles.... Right?