Fingertips
The air was cold, but something clung to Sirius’ body that made him so warm. So engulfed in the heat like he would never be comfortable again. He shifted slightly leaning into whatever magnetic force could luring him and his mind broke. Eyes flying wide open, Sirius tried to bring a hand over his mouth to cover harsh breaths, but it was currently lodged under Remus’ waist. Remus Lupin, the man who he is supposed to be platonically sharing a bed with, and fucking failing at, as not only can he feel his skin alive at every point it contacts with him, but he can also feel that same fucking arousal pooling in the pit of his stomach poking him.
Oh no.
He shifted to move again, but that only made Remus groan, holding onto Sirius tighter. Sirius had to suck in a breath, begging himself to remain calm. Which he knew was an impossible task as he swore he’d never been more turned on in his life. It’d been well over a week since he’d been with someone and close quarters with the sexiest man alive. Sirius felt like a teenager with the way his cheeks were already flushed. With no hand on his mouth, Sirius had to resort to biting his lip as hard as he could when Remus started to trail his fingers by the nape of his neck. Unconsciously playing with the baby hairs with his slender long fingers. Still a sound could be heard coming from the back of his throat, so painful and so so erotic. Sirius was close to shoving the stab victim off the bed, as he was fighting not to buck his hips.
No. Sirius was smart, and he could get himself out of difficult situations. It started with kicking Remus in the shin. Which prompted him to hiss and release Sirius, and as he regained his footing in the world, Sirius ran to the bathroom. Where he turned on the shower, then slammed the door, so Remus could wake up fully thinking he had already been in there.
Sirius hunched over the sink, pitifully looking at himself in the mirror breathing so heavily, in and out. Almost crying of relief when all went according to plan. He was almost in the clear… until he looked down.
His reputation for long showers was only going to be fueled today.
Fuck.
“I'm not going to shy away from this!” Dorcas argued, going to put her plate in the sink. Eyes turned away from Marlene.
Marlene who was following her to the sink. “I never said to.”
“You want me to be patient… I can’t.” She brought a hand to her face, wringing out the nerves.
“I just don’t want to see you getting hurt.” Marlene reached out to soothe her girlfriend by the hips. She was in her uniform, so naturally Dorcas was pulled by the holster.
Dorcas waved her off with a growing smile. “You’ll get yourself shot one of these days.”
“And so will you.” Marlene then raised one hand to push aside Dorcas’, trying to caress her face.
Dorcas sighed, leaning against the sink. “Let’s not talk about it anymore.”
She could tell Marlene was going to push it, but luckily they were interrupted with a knock at the door.
Tucking in her lips into her mouth, Dorcas gently met her eyes. “I’ll get it.”
On her way to the doorway they knocked again. Dorcas huffed to herself and opened it to find a large basket filled with fruits, skincare, makeup, etc. Practically overflowing, that she didn’t even notice the small figure behind it.
“Hello?”
The basket swiftly was guided to the floor revealing Regulus Black on the other side with a big smile and a polished look. Striking similarity to what she’s heard of his mother. “Hello. Since you're new to building I decided to bring this gift basket as ‘welcome’.” He spoke with ease.
“Oh.” Dorcas went to bring the basket into the apartment, but found it unbearably heavy. She settled for slightly dragging it to her side. “Thank you.”
“So, how have you been liking it here so far?” He said, far too high pitched at the end. One could easily mistake it for nervousness, but for Regulus, he was alway unconsciously lowering his voice. Even in his screams he didn’t let the octaves raise, but today he did. He was trying to impersonate his mother.
“Listen… I am so beyond sorry for that night. I shouldn’t have asked you those questions- they were out of place.”
“Nonsense.” He brushed off smoothly.
“It’s not nonsense, I shouldn’t have said those things.” Dorcas frowned at him, trying to see past his disposition, but he was unrelenting. “Honestly, I’m just a little worked up about this case. I guess it made me desperate.”
Regulus tilted his head in faux concern. “Oh, why?”
Dorcas didn’t mind sharing, she was going to tell him anyway . “Your mom has threatened our precinct enough to scare the shit out of everyone when we got the news.”
“She-” His character slipped for a second, in his right jaw that was fighting not to bite down. “She was a firecracker.”
“That’s one way to look at it.” Dorcas didn’t hide her laugh.
His back as straight as ever, his head held high. “At least you can rest easy now.” It was a question more than anything.
Dorcas had half a mind to shove him against the wall and ask him what he knew, but she understood the game he was playing. “Are you? How have you been since that night?”
If she knew him any better, she would’ve said something about the glint in his eye. The rush of adrenaline. “I’ve been well. Maybe left with a few questions, but well.”
“Like what? The case has been closed?” Dorcas tiptoed. She was going to have to make it quick. She could hear Marlene getting antsy inside, most likely on her phone.
Regulus pursed his lips. “Is that what you believe?”
She looked across the hallway twice over before leaning closer to him whispering quietly. “You and I both know your parents didn’t kill themselves, so what are you here for?”
“Hospitality. Why do you ask?”
“Drop the show, I need answers.”
His jaw finally gave in and began work around his set lips. “Precinct or personal?”
Dorcas took a small step back. “...Personal.” She turned her back from him, but lifted a hand for him to come inside.
Regulus hesitated, but he followed. Closing the door behind him delicately.
Once Dorcas had heard the click she turned her head from her pace. “I don’t trust the outside for what I want to say.”
“What do you want to say?”
Dorcas didn’t answer him. She only called for Marlene’s attention, who was on the couch watching her phone. Lovely Marlene understood what she had needed immediately and left to retrieve it. One of the many things she had loved about her. Reaching the living room she sat beside Marlene’s old spot. Nodding her head to a seat in the armchair across from her for Regulus to take. He did, with a cold set face. Drastically different from a few moments ago.
She continued to hold her silence until Marlene came back with the fucking box that had been haunting her nightmares. When Dorcas held it in her hands, she didn’t bother looking down, it was already printed in the back of her eyeballs. She slid it onto the coffee table and waited for Regulus’ reaction.
His shoulders dropped, but his eyes flashed in recognition. “What am I looking at?”
“The bear was from our first date… we’d gone bowling and there was an arcade. I won that for her. As for the knife stabbing through, I think you know more about that than me.” At the mention of their date, Marlene interlaced her fingers with Dorcas’. She squeezed back.
“Did it come with a note?” His gaze fixed on the box.
Marlene reached in her pocket, placing it alongside on the coffee table. “After her shift at the hospital, we came home to the bear stabbed against the wall. This was on the floor.”
The note read ‘your next’ in bloody letters. Regulus plucked the note and ran a finger over the words. “It’s real blood.”
“Human?” Marlene asked.
Regulus worked his jaw again, meeting her eye. “I don’t know.”
“I wanted to get tests done on it, but I’m more afraid of what will happen if they find out.” Dorcas explained.
“No.” He shook his head. “Don’t do any of that.”
“What is this?” Dorcas said, raising her voice.
His shoulders were upright, with his disposition. “I’m not at liberty-”
“Stop that shit. No one believes you.” She made sure her features were anything but tame. “You know who they are.”
Regulus brought a hand to his chest. “What gave you that impression?”
“I won’t go to the police, I promise. I just want to know.” Dorcas absentmindedly gripped tighter on Marlene’s hand.
He didn’t speak. Only stared.
“You obviously don’t like them too… and I will do anything to make sure-”
Regulus cut her off. With a laugh. A loud psychotic laugh. So unnerving she felt herself get goosebumps. “You have such a vivid imagination.” Everything about him did not reflect their conversation and Dorcas was close to a psychiatric visit when she noticed him tapping his foot methodically.
“I do.” Dorcas laughed with him.
She had seen that look a million times before at the precinct. A true fear that they weren’t safe there. “Why don’t you excuse me out?”
Dorcas smiled. “Of course.”
At the door Regulus leaned close, unmasking for a split second. “This was lovely. We should do it again. Perhaps on the ninth? ”
“I don’t unde-” She cursed herself immediately. “Sounds good.”
Dorcas closed the door more wary than before, but untelling in her face. The cogs in her head working tiredly to uncover what he’d meant.
The ninth. The ninth. The ninth.
It was a Wednesday, which meant James was out coaching football and wouldn’t be back until 6:30. They agreed to be ready by the time he had gotten back, and while Remus had been ready since the morning, Sirius was frustratedly empty handed.
He hated James’ style and he also had no idea what would come of the next few days, months, or maybe fucking years. What if he needed a suit?? Was it strictly loungewear he should pack? But that wasn’t sexy and he needed to look sexy. But who the fuck would wake up and put on jeans to sit around in James apartment?
Obviously his apartment was far of a journey away, but he still had to be prepared in a sense. Or maybe this was his mother working from the grave, begging him to appear presentable…
No, that was the problem. Every article of clothing he had was picked out or approved by her. It wreaked of her. As if her dead body was hanging in the closet. Haunting him forever.
“Hey.”
“Ah!” Sirius felt his soul leave and re-enter. “Oh my god.” He breathed heavily to steady himself.
Remus skewed his lips to the side, grinning. “Sorry.”
“No, no. I’m sorry.”
“No I - I should have knocked.”
Sirius grinned back, still uneasy. “I don't think that would’ve helped.”
He nodded, walking closer and landing on the edge of the bed. Facing the closet with Sirius. “So, what are you doing? Don’t tell me you’re still packing?”
“I don’t know how you packed your bag so fast when you came here.” Sirius huffed.
“Believe me, I would get rid of the skill for the experience.”
“What do you mean?”
Remus wrung out his hands, shifting in his seat. “I used to couch surf… I think that’s what it’s called. You learn how to pack a bag quick after that.”
“But you’re a rich author?” Sirius furrowed his brows, dropping the shirt he was holding and taking a seat next to Remus.
“I wasn’t always.”
“How long?”
“On and off from thirteen to nineteen.”
A surge of guilt and rage imbedded in Sirius, wishing that he had never gone through that. “You were homeless?”
“I wasn’t- oh… I guess I was.” Remus chuckled to himself. “Huh.”
Sirius wanted to say so much more, be so much more. “I’m sorry.”
“What for?”
“Everything.”
Remus’ lips parted and looked angelic. He may have been confused, but Sirius took the opportunity to study him. Commit it to memory. Every rough edge, every scar. Even the faint one’s running across his face that you could only see in the light. He was the burn of a bitter coffee with the layers of hazel to soothe the throat. He was- he was still questionably staring at Sirius. Most likely for his traitorous eyes falling into a trance.
There were no more words between them. Sirius felt his breath grow heavy once again watching him, and now him watching back. The questioning turned to curiosity and Sirius couldn’t fight the smile that came along with that.
“What?” Sirius spoke quietly.
Remus shook his head. “Nothing.”
James had texted them to be ready thirty minutes ago, and now they were playing the worst game ever of getting Remus through the elevator without anyone bumping into him. They couldn’t trust anyone in the building anymore. James was watching the surveillance footage on his laptop with Regulus, on the phone with Sirius and Remus walking them through everyone walking through each floor. Once the coast was clear enough from the twenty-sixth to the ninth floor. Sirius began to abuse the elevator button begging it to open already.
Finally in the apartment, James began to do the heavy lifting, carrying each of their bags to their new rooms. Sirius had texted him earlier about his and Remus’ agreement and asked him not to make a big deal of it. But when he threw Sirius’s bag next to Remus’ he winked, and Sirius shoved him against the wall. The thud was so loud, Regulus peered in from his room with a deep furrow in his brow. James has immediately straightened up, hands to his side before stepping into the hallway and giving the newbies a tour.
The place was quite big. Four rooms in the same hallway, each with their own bathroom and full closet. At the end of the hallway was James’ room which was the biggest of them all. He had a king sized bed, with a separate bath and tub in the suite. Sirius didn’t miss the shocked faces as they walked through the rooms. Remus was nodding, mumbling complimentary words every once and while like ‘cool’ or ‘suite’. Regulus was calculating each square inch, probably doing the math on much rent he owed every month. As if he didn’t own the building and could simply look through his files to see. He had a deep furrow in his brow that kept throwing James off guard, forcing him to restart his sentence every time. Sirius was a bit confused by that.
In the living room James told them to get comfortable, that was going to make food to be ready soon. However, Sirius got close to his jersey, bringing it to his nose to sniff in deeply and dramatically. “You better take a shower first.”
James scoffed and whacked the back of his head. “Do you want the food to be ready at midnight?!”
“This is why we do take out.”
“It’s not the same.” James grumbled, sauntering to his room for a shower.
Sirius was afraid it was going to be awkward with the three of them left in the living, but as he turned around towards the couch, Regulus and Remus were already in a loud and passionate conversation or the book Remus had brought with him. Maybe this was just going to be awkward for Sirius.
If Regulus had any idea of Remus’ career, he didn’t show it. Even when they dove into modern writing styles. Remus must have appreciated it from the way he was smiling.
Sirius watched them like a fly on the wall. Wanting to commit every inch of Remus’ ecstaticism to memory, while simultaneously breaking every time he saw Regulus laugh with ease. It was such a rare sight for him.
When James got out of the shower, Regulus closed his mouth abruptly. “You should be expecting someone at the door soon.”
They all had questions, but he said it was easier to explain later, so they trusted him and carried on with the conversation from earlier.
James lowered his head to peek through from the cabinets. “The remote for the TV should be around there somewhere, if you guys want to watch something.”
“We’re good.” Sirius called back. “Looks like Remus and Regulus just found their soulmate.”
That was the first time he had ever heard his brother laugh at a joke he’d made. And as much as it swelled his heart it also tore him apart limb for limb.
Sure enough, in the few moments that passed, there was a knock at the door. Regulus could always be freaky like that. He breathed a small relief, standing to get the door. Sirius followed him, and saw Dorcas on the other side with Marlene behind her, returning the look of pure comfort when she saw Regulus.
“Hurry, get inside.” He motioned at the two of them. Once they were, Regulus brought them towards the living room where he hushed everyone with a stern look. Everyone, but James who was cooking unaware, most likely with his headphones on to not disturb anyone.
Remus had a question, but didn’t vocalize it.
“This apartment is not safe yet.” He whispered. And he was right. If Dorcas and Marlene were there for anything Death Eater related, they could not speak of it yet. The tunnels were very much intact on this floor, and anyone could be watching them now. Regulus eyed Sirius in asking where to start.
Sirius nodded and had everyone follow to every point of access. Thankfully the two new additions didn’t make a scene. The same way he wanted to make a scene for how quickly they were adding people to this operation.
Everyone remained quiet and still, even as Sirius went to warn James of their plan. Quickly followed by a burst of laughter from Regulus as James quickly went back to dancing.
Signaling with his hands, Sirius directed them to the entrance through the living room, which was behind the shelf. Giving out knives he’d collected from the kitchen. If someone was there watching, it wouldn’t be enough, but it was security nonetheless.
He showed them every peep hole, every hallway, every hideaway. Just as he had suspected there had been a sleeping bag in one of them. There was someone on this floor. Sirius turned to everyone, making sure they understood. They did.
Back in the apartment, letting everyone back in one by one, before closing the shelf with a loud thud. “That should have scared them off for a little bit. While they’re gone, we need to make sure they don’t come back.”
Marlene then cracked. “Can you now say what the fuck is going on?!”
Sirius frowned deeply. “No.”
Going to James’ war room, they retrieved items he and Regulus had stalked up on for this moment. Thank god Dorcas came in with questions, because they most likely would have put this off if it wasn’t for that.
Back into the tunnels they split up: Marlene and Dorcas boarding up the bedroom entrances, Remus and Sirius boarding up the kitchen and living room, and Regulus taking care of the camper. Coming in with drywall, nails, and wood. Kitchen knife in their back pockets.
The process was draining, and it didn’t help that they were going to have to do everyone else’s apartment after this if anyone wanted to sleep safely. It almost didn’t seem worth it. Wouldn’t this send a message to the Death Eaters that they were onto them. Doesn’t this take away the only power they had left, which would have been the element of surprise. Sirius said as much to Remus.
“This feels like a war we can’t win.” He was holding up a plank of wood for Remus to hammer the nail into.
“At least we’re trying. I’d rather die knowing I did something, than them killing me and doing nothing.”
“They wouldn’t be able to hurt you in Wales.”
Remus hit the nail on the head with much force. “Who's to say they don’t follow me? Besides, there's nothing left for me there.”
“You don’t have any hometown friends that would miss you?”
He chuckled to himself, picking up another nail from his pocket. “I haven’t spoken to them in years. Probably think I’m already dead.”
Sirius didn’t respond, imagining a world where hadn’t spoken to James in years. Sounded painful. He stared up at him with defying eyes.
“Look, I’m doing this with or without anyone.” Remus warned, crowding into his space. Their noses inches apart. “If you want to discuss the logistics, then fine. But this operation is non negotiable for me.”
“Fine.” Sirius didn’t falter, only moving closer. “I just don't want you to die, okay?”
“Alright.”
It was then that Sirius realized how close they were to each other. He could smell the aftershave on Remus’ face. The smell of tea lingering from that morning. And something so innately Remus that felt so beyond intoxicating. Sirius wanted to bathe in it.
He was going to shake his head to rid himself of these thoughts, but noticed Remus unapologetically staring right back at him with every bit of the hunger he felt in his bones. Dark eyes and parted lips. Sirius wanted to eat him.
The space between them was growing tighter and tighter by the second, until Remus’ hammer hit the ground with a loud clunk. Undoing all of the magic.
Sirius closed his eyes and chewed on his lip. Not wanting to see Remus’ reaction when he heard Regulus calling them over. Like a god send.
They had run there hoping it wouldn’t have been too serious, but when they reached him his face was flashing through fifty shades of panic.
“Regulus, what happened?”
“I heard footsteps going towards Marlene and Dorcas.”
“Fuck.”
Closing his eyes again he tried to listen for the light thumps on the ground, and he had been right, they were headed straight towards them. Breaking out into a sprint the three of them followed the noise. Sirius came across the figure, and pinned it against the wall already drawing the knife. “Ah! Sirius it’s me!”
Sirius let out a loud sigh, bringing a hand to cover his face. “You fucking scared the shit out of us!”
“I just wanted to say that dinner was ready.” He flashed his white teeth, most likely hoping to get points for charm. Sirius was the last person on earth to give him that.
Hours passed, and they had all decided that since all the main peep holes and entrances were boarded up they could start again tomorrow. They could discuss now openly, only if they were wary of where they were standing in the room.
Lounging on James’ huge couch on full stomachs, there were nothing but small words once it was all explained to Dorcas and Marlene. Obviously after Regulus explained them in the first place. Dorcas had taken a second to gather it all inside her, but in short moments she spoke. “Okay.”
“Okay?” Sirius asked.
“I’m in. I want these people gone.”
Marlene interlocked their arms, leaning on each other for support. “Me too.”
Lily then soon knocked on the door with a tired slump on the couch as she was still in her nursing scrubs. She undid her ponytail and stretched. James was not so discreetly ogling at her every move. “Are they in this too now?” She pointed towards them with her scrunchie.
James opened his mouth to answer, but closed it. A thought passing through his head as clear as day. “Guys. These people are powerful… there’s no way we can just - break them up.”
“Yeah, they’re not one direction.” Marlene chuckled.
“Right…” He vividly grew uneasy.
“We’re gonna have to kill them.” Remus said gravely. Everyone turned to him, but he had nothing else to say. It was true.
“Who else are we going to tell, because I think if I explain this one more time I’m going to blow my brains out first.” Sirius groaned.
James hummed. “Mary already knows of course, growing up with you and all.” He gestured to Sirius. “Do you think she would want to…”
“We’re gonna have to board up her apartment anyways so might as well offer it.” Sirius considered. “But no one else. This is it.”
Sirius turned to gauge Regulus’ reaction. He was watching with cold eyes. Something he wasn’t saying.
“Regulus, you know people that we’re a part of them… where are they now?” Sirius knew the answer, but wanted to know how much he was willing to give up.
“They have nothing to do with this.” He spoke quickly.
“Regulus…”
“No.” Regulus looked at him through his eyebrows.
“Regulus.”
“No. Drop it.”
“If you’re going to be here, you have to be honest.”
“I am being honest, they have nothing to do with this.”
Sirius considered his options, not wanting to push it but knowing what was at stake. They couldn’t suffer through his brother being prudish with his personal life. He stood up straight. “Let’s talk about this in private.”
“No.” Remus tutted, lifting himself off the couch as well. “Nothing about this is private.”
Regulus stood too, backing away from the crowd. “This isn’t important, trust me.”
“I can trust you, when you promise you’ll explain later. But this is different. You’re holding information that could directly affect our lives.” Remus spat out.
“ Trust me, it won’t.” He glared at Sirius.
The rest of the group watched closely.
Sirius put up two hands in surrender. “I will drop it, if you tell me one thing.”
“What?”
“... Is Evan still in it?”
Remus all but exploded. “What?! Evan? As in Evan Rosier?”
Regulus’ frown deepened. “He is.”
The room could feel the weight of those words. They each paused to bear it.