Remus
After Remus had gotten out of the shower, he’d been surprised to see Sirius in the kitchen making breakfast.
He leaned against the kitchen door, taking in the sight of Sirius in loose sweatpants and one of Remus’ jumpers, swaying softly along with a Bowie album that was playing on the record player. A pan filled with eggs sizzled on the stove and the kettle was on.
“You’ve gotten better at that,” Remus spoke up, making Sirius turn around.
“Yes, well, I can’t always depend on cute werewolves, now can I?” Sirius smirked, before flipping the eggs in the pan.
“It’s never stopped you before,” Remus replied, stepping closer and taking Sirius into his arms.
Back at Hogwarts, they’d never been overly touchy. They’d shared stolen glances and friendly touches when people were around, and when they were alone they loved to press close to one another.
But when they moved in, when the war started to take its toll, and when Remus was gone a lot, they spent every moment they could hold on to each other. It was a small reassurance that the other was there, something the war couldn’t take away from them. Even in moments when they were both too tired or frustrated and they didn’t want to talk, they’d simply hold each other.
Sirius hummed. “Well, maybe I wanted to make you breakfast for a change.”
“I’m certainly not complaining.” Remus kissed his forehead. “You look very lovely in my jumper, by the way.”
Sirius grinned. “James and Lily are coming over later, is that alright?” he eyed Remus, eyes lingering on the gashes on his throat and the bags that were sure to be visible beneath his eyes.
Remus nodded. “It’s fine, I’ve missed them.”
“You’re sure you’re up for that? Because if you’re still hurting I can tell them to come another day. We’ll see them at the Order meeting tonight anyway.”
“I’m fine, Padfoot,” Remus assured him, and was surprised that it was the truth. Sure, his bones still ached and his cuts still stung but he was home. He had time to heal now.
*
Lily and James arrived just before dinner. Sirius went to greet them at the door, while Remus made the food. Sirius didn’t trust himself enough to make that by himself yet.
Remus let the familiar voices of his friends wash over him, a soft smile on his lips.
“What smells so good?” Remus heard Lily ask from the living room.
“You’re cooking?” James asked, obviously shocked.
Remus chuckled softly, before stepping out of the kitchen. “’ Course not, Prongs. That’s just a disaster waiting to happen.” He enjoyed the looks on their faces when they saw him.
“Remus!” Lily exclaimed, rushing over to pull him into a hug.
He grunted softly as her small body collided with his and he wrapped his arms around her.
“Moony! I didn’t know you were back.” James grinned at him.
“Got back this morning,” Remus replied, grinning back at him.
Lily pulled away, looking at him with a scowl. “You should be in bed,” she stated.
Sirius chuckled. “I’ve tried that already, Evans. He’s not budging.”
She sighed, glaring up at her. “Remus.”
“Lily.” He met her gaze, an amused look on his face.
“You need rest, Remus,” she said, “We’ve got an Order meeting tonight. We need you rested for that.”
“I’m fine, Lils, I promise.”
“Mate, you’re always dead on your feet after a full,” James spoke up, worry lacing his voice. “At least have a kip after dinner.”
Lily and Sirius joined in and soon Remus found himself agreeing. He had long since found out that it was impossible to say no when Lily and Sirius put their mind to something. It was both endearing and annoying because it usually involved them teaming up on him.
“Fine,” Remus huffed, crossing his arms and ignoring the looks of satisfaction his friends shared. “Dinner’s ready,” he said, turning back to the kitchen.
Lily followed him, bumping her hip against his while he turned the stove off. “I’m glad you’re back,” she said, smiling at him.
Remus couldn’t help but smile back. He’d missed her. “Me too.”
*
Dinner was great. It was like there was no war going on. They joked and shared stories of Hogwarts, they talked about their friends, how Marlene and Dorcas had just gotten their own flat and how Peter had become so very busy now that he worked for the ministry. It was hard to imagine they’d only left Hogwarts a little over a year ago. So much had changed, the war had changed them all.
Remus missed a lot when he was away, it was something that he realised every time he came back home. He knew it would only be a matter of days before Dumbledore sent him out again, just like the other times, and Remus was trying to savour every moment of it.
After dinner, Remus let his friends bully him into laying down. Sirius trailed after him and as Remus sat down on their bed, Sirius looked at him, a strange expression on his face.
“Pads?” Remus asked.
“Are you sure you’re fine to come to the meeting tonight?” Sirius asked, moving closer to Remus.
“I promise, Sirius, I’m okay,” he assured him.
Sirius sat down next to him with a sigh. “I’ve got a bad feeling about tonight,” he admitted. “Promise me you’ll tell me if you’re not feeling good?”
Remus’ gaze turned soft. “I promise, Pads. Tonight’s going to be just fine. Dumbledore is probably just going to give us another update.”
Sirius hummed, leaning against Remus. “Mind if I lay down with you?”
Remus smiled. “’ Course not.”
They moved together. Remus laid down on his back and Sirius moved to lie pressed against him. Remus breathed out, he hadn’t felt like this in weeks. It wasn’t as if he was touch starved when he was with the packs, quite the opposite actually. The pack members fell asleep huddled together to keep warm, it wasn’t unusual for two pack members to disappear for a while and return smelling like each other. Remus never participated, but he couldn’t resist curling up with Castor to sleep. But it hadn’t come close to the feeling of having his one love next to him.
He could hear James and Lily talk in the living room and he let himself be lulled to sleep with Sirius next to him.
*
“Oi.” Something poked against Remus’ cheek. “Moony.”
Remus groaned. “Piss off, Prongs.”
The poking continued and Remus grunted, opening one eye to glare at the culprit. “What?” he grumbled. He would slap at James’ hand but Sirius was laying on his chest and holding his hand tightly. The other hand was tangled in Sirius’ hair and Remus had no intention of removing it.
“We’ve got to leave for the Order meeting in a bit.” James smiled apologetically at him.
Remus closed his eye again but hummed to show he’d heard.
James left, closing the door behind him and Remus sighed as he opened his eyes. He did not want to wake Sirius up, that was always a nightmare.
*
The house Dumbledore had them meet in was a small cottage just outside of London.
As they entered the house, Remus spotted the woman heading upstairs, oblivious to the people entering her home. He could hear the man moving about in the attic.
The living room was filled with pictures of an elderly couple and Remus wondered to himself what Dumbledore had done to get them to welcome the entire Order into their home.
Lily made her way over to the corner of the room where Alice and Frank stood, chatting with Gideon Prewett. The three of them followed and Remus let himself be pulled into a hug by Gideon.
It was nice, to see his friends again and catch up. With the war, it was hard to meet each other just for fun.
The room filled with more people and Remus saw Marlene and Dorcas enter the house. He sent them a grin and a wave, which they returned wholeheartedly.
They hadn’t changed since he’d last seen them. Dorcas had several crystals woven into her braids and Marlene had cut her hair short, but they were still the same they’d always been.
Remus’ gaze shifted from them to the doorway when Dumbledore walked in, robes flowing dramatically behind him. He had always wondered if there was a small wind spirit beneath the man’s robes for the dramatic flair.
“Welcome everyone,” Dumbledore started talking. He told them about the progress they’d made in some of the missions, eyes briefly meeting Remus’ but Remus knew that had nothing to do with his missions with the werewolves. He had not made any progress with them. Dumbledore ended his speech with giving everyone their assignments and missions.
Sirius turned to Remus, a strange look in his eyes. He was about to say something when Dumbledore called their names.
“Mr Black, Mr Lupin, Mr Potter,” the headmaster spoke, his voice soft but demanding. “I would like to speak with you three for a moment.”
Remus nodded wordlessly, not liking the sound of that. James turned to Lily, promising he’d be back soon, before he followed Sirius and Remus.
Dumbledore led them to a small parlour in the cottage, away from any lingering Order members. “I have received note from one of my sources that something of extreme value to Voldemort is being stored at this address.” He handed James a small slip of paper, which lit itself on fire as soon as they had read it. “I would like for you three to investigate and retrieve this item, tonight.”
Remus frowned but didn’t voice his confusion. Dumbledore must have his reasons for sending the three of them there, instead of just Sirius and James like he usually did.
“And remember, there is strength in trusting your instincts,” Dumbledore finished, his eyes locking onto theirs for a moment. Then he turned and walked away.
James raked a hand through his hair while Sirius bit his lip in thought. “Convenient that he didn’t tell us what the item is,” he mumbled, eyes staring after the old man.
“I’m going to tell Lily I’m going to be late,” James said, already moving to where his wife was talking with Alice, Marlene and Dorcas.
“I don’t like this, Moony,” Sirius turned to him, concern on his face. “You just got back from a mission, the full moon was last night. He shouldn’t be sending you onto another mission right after.”
Remus smiled comfortingly. “I’m okay, Pads. We’ll retrieve this item and then head home. How hard can it be?”
Sirius eyed him for a second before he begrudgingly agreed. Remus could tell he didn’t like it, but he didn’t argue.
James returned and grinned at them, excitement in his eyes. “Ready to rob the death eaters?”
Remus rolled his eyes as Sirius returned the grin, his energy piped up by James’ enthusiasm.
They left the house and apparated to the address Dumbledore had shown them.