Remus
His bones ached when he woke up. He kept still, doing a mental catalogue of the damage on his body but other than a few cuts and deeper gashes, there were no major injuries. His hip ached but it had been doing that for as long as Remus could remember.
The smell of blood filled his nostrils and he knew that it wasn’t just his. It did nothing to calm his racing heart. The sounds of leaves rustling and movement on his left made him open his eyes.
“Still alive, then?” came the voice of Castor and his bearded face came into Remus’ view.
Remus grunted, shifting his aching body to lay on his back. He squinted at the sunlight shining through the tree tops.
Castor let out a laugh, it rumbled deep in his chest and it reminded Remus of the noises Prongs used to make when it was still the four of them on a full moon.
Remus hadn’t spent a full moon with his friends since they left Hogwarts. He’d immediately been recruited by Dumbledore to start working on the packs to try and convince them not to join Voldemort. That was where he met Castor.
They weren’t friends, per se, because werewolves didn’t have friends. Remus infiltrated the pack and he and Castor had bonded during a particular bad full moon.
“Well, I’m off.” Castor said, patting Remus’ shoulder.
Remus tilted his head back and watched him retreat, following the rest of the pack further into the forest. Remus never stayed longer, always apparating straight back home after a full moon. He didn't want to spend any more time away from his friends than he already was.
He heaved himself upright, wincing at the popping sounds in his back and stumbled deeper into the forest, away from the pack. He couldn’t be followed.
When he reached the edge of the forest, he mustered his energy and after finding the clothing he’d placed there, he apparated straight back to his and Sirius’ apartment in London.
The dark wooden door looked the same as it had weeks before and Remus leaned his head against it with a soft thud. His breathing came out ragged and he felt his pockets for the key.
A curse left his lips when he realised he must have lost it. He sighed, hoping that Sirius was home and not away for an Order mission.
He raised his fist, knuckles rapping against the wood in a familiar manner. Four raps, a pause, then another two. This was the way Sirius and he used to communicate when Sirius locked himself in the dorm’s bathroom and wouldn’t come out. He’d knock in a certain way to let Remus know he was okay. Remus did it for him when he was too tired to speak after a full.
“Sirius?” Remus called, wincing at the croaking sound of his voice. It was hoarse from the screaming during the transformation and Moony had left a particularly deep gash on his throat that stung.
He heard movement in the apartment and it wasn’t long before he heard Sirius’ footsteps come closer.
“Moony?” Sirius asked, his voice soft and careful.
“It’s me, Pads. I lost my key.” Remus pictured Sirius on the other side, trying to remember how he’d looked the last time he’d seen him. “Will you let me in?”
The smell of pine woods, citrus and dogs filled his nostrils and it felt like home. He longed to wrap his arm around him and breathe it in, to finally be home again.
“What did you say to me on your seventeenth birthday?” Sirius asked, his voice trembling softly as he leaned against the door.
Remus’ breath hitched at the question, his mind instantly flashing back to that day. He still remembered how Sirius had looked, dancing to the voices of ABBA’s Dancing Queen, long hair loose as he twirled around the room. He’d pulled Remus into his arms that night and danced with him all through the common room. He didn’t care about anyone who saw them. It was only the two of them.
“You’re beautiful,” Remus recalled, remembering how he’d whispered those exact words to Sirius in the middle of the dance floor. Sirius’ eyes had sparkled at that and the grin that took over had been blinding. He truly was the brightest star in the sky.
The door opened and Remus found himself face to face with his love. His heart fluttered in excitement and before he knew it he was wrapped up in everything Sirius.
His long black hair brushed against Remus’ nose and he inhaled, his arms tightening around Sirius. He felt Sirius press his face into his chest and felt his hand grip his jumper.
“Moony,” Sirius mumbled, his voice close to a whisper. His heart was beating fast. Remus knew his wasn’t any slower.
“Hi, Padfoot,” Remus whispered back, planting a kiss on the top of his head. “I missed you.”
Sirius leaned back and Remus stared into the blue eyes he loved so much. “I missed you too,” Sirius replied, his eyes moving to take in the new scars and cuts on Remus’ face. His brows furrowed in worry. “You’re hurt.”
He took a step back, not far away enough that they had to let each other go, but with enough distance to take Remus in.
Remus stood up straighter, keeping his arms around Sirius’ waist but trying not to worry him. “I’m fine, Padfoot.”
Sirius narrowed his eyes. “I know you, Moons, and I know you’re not fine. You’ve got three deep gashes on your throat that say otherwise. You’re forgetting that I can smell more blood on you as well.” Sirius gripped his jumper, tugging him into their apartment.
“Sirius-“ Remus started as the door closed behind him.
“I am going to patch you up, then you’re going to shower, and then we’re going to eat,” Sirius said, and Remus was reminded of all the other times Sirius took care of him after a full moon.
Warmth spread through his chest and he couldn’t help but keep the dopey smile off his lips. Back at Hogwarts, he used to hate Sirius fussing over him but now it only made him feel loved. In a war, where everybody had to watch their own backs, it was nice to have someone who watched his. And Sirius had always done that for him.
Sirius rolled his eyes at the smile but Remus noticed the corners of his mouth lifting up as well.
Remus grinned, taking Sirius’ hand in his and pulling him closer again. “Alright, Pads,” he said before he leaned down and pressed his lips against Sirius’.
Sirius melted against him instantly, his hands flying up to weave themselves into Remus’ curls.
Remus stroked his jaw, his hand moving lower until it rested around Sirius’ throat in the way he loved so much. His finger moved to the vein, searching for reassurance that his love was there, alive and safe.
Sirius let out soft sounds in the kiss and pulled back slightly, resting their foreheads together. “As much as I’d love to continue where this is heading, you need medical attention and food. Also a shower, you reek of Prongs and mud.”
Remus pouted. “Don’t let Prongs hear you say that, he might come after you.”
Sirius smiled, eyes staring into Remus’ amber ones. “I think I can handle him.” He pulled away from their embrace and Remus felt a lot colder already.
Their hands stayed intertwined as they made their way to the couch. Sirius pushed Remus down gently. “Remove your shirt,” he ordered, taking out his wand.
“At least buy me dinner first,” Remus teased but tugged his jumper over his head anyway.
Sirius rolled his eyes before examining his chest. He moved his wand and Remus watched as the cuts and gashes healed. His chest felt lighter and he suspected he may have had a few bruised ribs.
“They’re going to leave a scar,” Sirius noted, eyes never leaving the now almost healed gashes on Remus’ throat.
Remus grabbed his hand, making Sirius look at him. “A few more won’t hurt, Pads.” He held his gaze, knowing Sirius hated seeing the aftermath of a full moon. He knew Sirius didn’t think they were ugly, he knew Sirius loved every part of him, including Moony and his scars. He just hated that Moony inflicted them upon himself. “Thank you for patching me up.”
Sirius nodded, squeezing his hand. “Shower. I’ll make breakfast.”
“Yessir,” Remus joked, leaning in to place a kiss on Sirius’ forehead before he left the room to do just that.