Shortbread and groupchats
The next morning Remus woke to hear voices coming from the kitchen. He went to stretch as he usually would but instead realised that Sirius arms were still wrapped around him.
It was a grounding, warm presence that Remus wasn’t ready to leave yet, and although he probably shouldn’t have, Remus decided to stay wrapped in Sirius’ arms, even if it was just for a moment.
He turned over so that he and Sirius’ noses were nearly touching, and he just drunk in their presence. Remus tried to commit every detail of their face to memory, in case he wakes up and decides he never wants to see Remus again.
They were breathing deeply, and appeared to be unconscious to the world, as Remus scanned their face, he couldn’t help but think that Lily might have been right after all, that maybe Sirius was more than ‘just a friend’.
Sirius’ hair was spilling out on pillow behind them like a black halo, which Remus thought was ironic, seeing as, in that moment, Remus could describe them as nothing less than angelic.
Remus began to fell lightheaded, although it appeared to be less to do with his lessening migraine and more so due to the fact that every time his eyes swept across Sirius’ face they landed on his slightly parted lips.
The thought that those very lips had whispered soothing words to him only hours before sent butterflies racing through his stomach. ‘Come on Remus,’ he thought to himself, ‘You’re better than this.’
He shook his head in dismay at himself, how had he managed to get himself into this mess? Having a crush on your best friend was not the romantic trope he would’ve picked for himself.
Sirius stirred at the movement of Remus shaking his head, and Remus quickly averted his gaze to avoid suspicion, pretending to yawn attempting to portray the sense that, he too had, just woken up.
Sirius blearily opened their eyes, he smiled sleepily and removed his arms from around Remus to fix his hair, a fleeting thought entered Remus’ mind, that he couldn’t help but miss the warmth that had been enveloping him only moments before.
“How are you feeling this morning?” Sirius asked, his voice still thick with sleep. He stretched and his t-shirt rode up, exposing their lightly tanned stomach.
Remus adverted his gaze as he responded, hoping his face didn’t portray his internal monologue right then, which was something along the lines of ‘Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, holy shit, he’s so pretty!’
“I’ve slept off most of it, usually at this stage I just need to take one more dose of medication and I should be ok by lunch time,” Remus said as he began to get out of bed, but he had forgotten just how lightheaded he felt and swayed as he stood up.
Quickly Sirius placed a steadying hand onto the small of Remus’ back. “You ok?” he asked, keeping his hand there until Remus was stabilized, Remus just nodded not wholly trusting his ability to form words.
He felt as if his lower back was on fire, consumed by Sirius’ light touch. Quickly he stepped out Sirius’ touch and towards the door, confused by the myriad of emotions running through his mind.
“I'm just going to check whose voices are coming from the kitchen,” Remus said as he made his way towards the bedroom door. Just before he went into the hallway, he turned around, “Want anything? Tea? coffee?”
“Nah thanks, I’ll make myself coffee when I'm more awake,” Sirius responded, still with a cloud of sleep surrounding them.
Remus just smiled and quickly left his room before he could say something stupid along the lines of, ‘I can’t believe you had to see me when I was sick and pasty and clammy, meanwhile you look like a fucking Greek Adonis.”
Once they were certain Remus was out of earshot Sirius groaned and flopped back on the bed, ‘How have I managed to become friends, and only friends, with the most beautiful person in the world,’ they thought to themselves.
Remus had practically flinched when he tried to stop him from falling, but Sirius tried not to take it too personally, he understood shying away from physical contact more than most, it had taken years for him to be at the stage he was at now. Really he was hurt that Remus was hurt, Sirius couldn’t ignore this burning desire within themselves to protect Remus.
They lat there for a couple more minutes, analysing the happenings of the night before, before giving into the curiosity of whose hushed voices were coming from the kitchen. As they untangled themselves from the blankets, they couldn’t help but notice the chill that hit their skin.
So used to sharing a room, and clothes with James and Peter over the years, Sirius automatically grabbed the first jumper he could find lying around, it wasn’t until he pulled it over his head, he remembered that this was Remus’ room…... meaning this was Remus’ jumper.
The smell that was so uniquely Remus enveloped his senses, making him feel almost giddy, they didn’t know if Remus would mind or not, but Sirius really was quite cold, plus as a personal bonus he got to wear Remus’ clothes.
Remus walked into his kitchen to see Lily, Dorcas, Marlene and whom he was guessing was James, all sitting around the island drinking tea.
“Remus! You're up, and you're starting to look better,” Lily said in a slightly hushed tone. As she walked past him to grab a mug from the cupboard she squeezed his hand affectionately. Remus cast a curious look towards the rest of the group.
In his kitchen.
On a Sunday morning.
“Oh right,” Lily laughed, “You’re probably a bit confused. James dropped me home last night and we ended up talking for ages. It was too late to drive home so I offered that he could sleep on the couch if he wanted.” she said as she rummaged through the cupboard.
“Then this morning he offered to drive me back to come check on you, plus he needed to collect Sirius,” Lily finished, finally finding a mug.
Then Dorcas spoke, “And Marls and I didn’t realise everyone would be here, we just stopped by to leave some shortbread at the door because we heard you weren’t well, but then we bumped into Lily and James and they invited us up.” they explained. “I do hope you don’t mind,” they added quickly with a small smile.
Remus couldn’t complain, and he told them so, “Hey, most of my favourite people are in my kitchen, and there’s tea and shortbread for breakfast, it doesn’t get much better than this.” Everyone agreed as Lily passed Remus his tea.
“Did I hear something about shortbread?!”, came Sirius’ voice from down the hall. James laughed explaining that spending seven years in the Scottish Highlands gave Sirius a great love for shortbread, plus something about their favourite teacher always having shortbread on hand.
Sirius padded into the kitchen wearing the sweatpants he had been wearing the night before…… and one of Remus’ jumpers.
“I hope you don’t mind,” they said, taking up the spot beside Remus at the counter. “I didn’t bring a jumper with me and I'm freezing.” Remus just smiled and nodded letting him know it was fine, he quickly turned away to start a discussion with Dorcas, but not before Lily had noticed the blush spreading across Remus’ cheeks.
Remus was feeling better and invited everyone to stay for the morning, granted they didn’t do anything too loud, so the rest of the morning consisted of Marlene and Sirius getting into an argument of who could wear ABBA’s outfits better… the deciding vote being James, Dorcas and Remus discussing Greek architecture, and James and Lily playing a very competitive game of connect four, which of course, Lily won.
At one point when everyone was busy James gave Sirius a look and took out his phone, indicating for them to do the same.
(11:34)
(Da Boyyyzzzz 🥶😩😈)
Imalwaysright: PADFOOT!!!!
Effiesfav: yes???
Imalwaysright: Lily is psychology girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Effiesfav: what!!?!?!
Imalwaysright: yessssss psychology girl, the one I have liked for over a year is Remus’ best friend
Effiesfav: omgggggggggg
Effiesfav: we can go on double dates together!!!!
Imalwaysright: don’t feed my delusions, now I’ve talked to her she’s even more amazing than I thought, meaning I have no chance :/
Effiesfav: nevverrrr, James youre so hot, and kind, and caring, and hot!!
Effiesfav: oh shit put your phone away!!!
Effiesfav: Marlene is getting suspicious
Imalwaysright: okkk xoxox
However, the many stolen glances around the room that morning did not go unnoticed.
No matter how inconspicuous they all thought they were being, Marlene and Dorcas noticed the way Sirius’ gaze lingered just a little too long on Remus’ lips, or the way James feigned bitterness at losing, but afterwards gazed at Lily with a look that was so bright, no wonder Sirius called him James ‘sunshine’ Potter, he could’ve lit up the universe.
Not to mention the moment where Sirius and Remus were playing with Minnie, and when a stray strand of hair fell into Sirius’ face Remus instinctively reached out and tucked the strand behind their ear, followed by both of them immediately blushing and quickly turning away.
Soon Remus began to grow tired again, as he began to doze on the sofa Marlene and Dorcas took that as their cue to leave, whispered goodbyes were made, and promises of meeting up again with everyone, including Mary, regulus and Peter.
James insisted on helping Lily do the dishes, which left Remus and Sirius in the living room, Remus’ head had fallen onto Sirius’ shoulder, and Sirius couldn’t ignore the swooping sensation in his stomach.
On instinct he began to softly play with Remus’ hair, as they absentmindedly scrolled on their phone.
Ten minutes later James came over and tapped Sirius on the shoulder, “We should get going,2 he said in a whispered tone. Sirius nodded and gently shook Remus awake, while James went to bring the car around.
“Moony,” they whispered, “I’m really sorry but I’ve got to go.”
It took Remus a couple of seconds to remember what was happening, but he slowly lifted his head and looked around bleary eyed. “Oh shit,” he said, eyes widening, “Padfoot I fell asleep on you I’m so sorry!”
“I don’t mind,” Sirius laughed softly, “I’ve got to head home now, but it really was lovely to meet you, hopefully next time you will be in significantly less pain.”
Remus chuckled quietly, “I’m making no promises.”
As Sirius got up to leave Remus quickly stood up too, “Thank you,” he said breathlessly, “for everything.” Sirius wore an inscrutable look as his eyes danced across Remus’ face, “It really was no problem Moonshine,” they said.
Just as they were about to open the door Sirius turned back to face Remus, “You’re not what I thought you would be,” they said, Remus look slightly alarmed, but Sirius just continued, “you’re a lot less mean.”
Remus laughed, “Oh trust me, the migraine was the only thing stopping me from rolling my eyes, I mean who can win connect four that many times and not be cheating!!”
Sirius shrugged as a smirk spread across his face, “What can I say, I’m very talented.” Now it really was Remus’ turn to roll his eyes, Sirius nodded his head, “Mhmm, exactly as I had imagined it.”
Remus tried to hide the blush on his face with a chosen middle finger. Just then Sirius phone dinged, “James is outside,” they said, wanting anything but to leave Remus. Remus nodded, “You better get going then.”
Sirius had already opened the door to leave when they turned back around, they weren’t really sure what to say, but before they could attempt to form a sentence Remus rushed forward and wrapped his arms around Sirius. “Thank you for taking care of me,” he whispered so quietly it was almost inaudible, and Sirius was once again met by that swooping sensation in their stomach.
Remus pulled back and coughed, breaking the tension he didn’t even realise he had created, “I’ll text you later,” he said to Sirius, who just nodded in return, brain lacking all thought other than ‘Remus Lupin just hugged me.’
As the door closed behind Sirius, Remus let out a groan, Lily, who had been secretly watching the romantic goodbye, gave Remus a knowing look, and raised a questioning eyebrow.
“Oh hush,” Remus said as he walked to his bedroom, “As if you didn’t look like you were going to jump James every ten seconds.”
“Excuse me I like to think I was being very subtle about it,” Lily responded, following Remus to his bedroom. They both immediately flopped down on the bed, staring at the ceiling, going over everything that had just happened in the past 24 hours in their minds.
They lay in silence for a moment before Lily turned over to look at Remus, “We’re both completely screwed, aren’t we,” she whispered, as if somehow saying it quietly would make it less true.
He nodded his head in agreement, “Yep, no doubt about it.”
And with that the two quickly drifted off to sleep, only waking at dinner time when Minnie jumped up on the bed, demanding to be fed.
(24th Oct, Monday 16:23)
*Marlene created a group chat*
*Marlene named the chat “to be named”*
*Marlene added Dorcas to “to be named”*
*Marlene added Mary to “to be named”*
*Marlene added Peter to “to be named”*
*Marlene added James to “to be named”*
*Marlene added Remus to “to be named”*
*Marlene added Sirius to “to be named”*
*Marlene added Lily to “to be named”*
Marlene: hello all, welcome, young and old, tall and small (Sirius), to the chaotic group chat of your dreams
Marlene: as you can see FOR NOW we have our regular names, but that, my friends, will change
Marlene: we also have to come up with a good gc name :)))))
Sirius: I am NOT small !!! >:(
Marlene: this really isn’t helping your case please Sirius, have some social decorum !!
James: Excuse me children, stop fighting
Sirius: yes dad
Marlene: sorry dad :(
Remus: heyyy everyone
Remus: Lily is currently at work but the second she finished I will make her join us in the chaos
Marlene: you know Remus, everyday I like you more and more
Remus: yeah yeah yeah, you and Cas just wanna steal my clothes
Dorcas: But they're sooo comfy !!!!
Marlene: yeah!
Sirius: I can confirm this is a fact
Mary: Remus’ jumpers are comfy and cosy and amazing
Mary: And also can sometimes even be stylish when styled properly xx
Remus: excuse me, are you telling me I can’t pull off an ugly old man sweater ?!???
Mary: Oh Remus
Mary: Casanova of Hogsmeade University
Mary: Beloved by all!!
Mary: You could pull off a bin bag ;)
Mary: But yes, you are the one exception to my previous statement
Mary: See example below
Mary: 
Remus: thank you, dear Mary, for the acknowledgement :))
Marlene: Remus Lupin, you may be one of the prettiest guys I have ever met!!!!
Remus: one more compliment and I will cry tears of frustration >:(
Dorcas: He will
*Sirius changed group chat name to ‘stealing Moony’s sweaters at 6:37am tomorrow’*
Remus: ehhh let’s not !
Remus: you all steal my clothes enough as it is :’)
*Mary changed group chat name to ‘we love Moony sweaters’*
Remus: you forgot the 's', you just said Moony sweaters
Mary: Oh but Remus, I am never wrong, for in fact old man, ugly sweaters are called ‘Moony sweaters’
James: Oh yes I can confirm, I love myself a Moony sweater, I would steal Padfoot’s but he hasn’t take it off :/
Sirius: and I never will, it’s mine now
Sirius: sorry not sorry Moony xoxox
Lily: Your queen has arrived
Mary: LILY !!!!!
Marlene: LILSSSS
Dorcas: LILLIAN !!!!
James: *bows*
Sirius: LILY EVANS WILL YOU SIGN MY FOREHEAD
Lily: Hello my royal subjects
Lily: I have come to you with a spectacular group chat name
Marlene: I'm listening
Lily: Our group chat name will bee……….
Lily: *pause for dramatic effect*
Lily: ‘rolling with the lgbt’
Lily: Because, as you see, we are rolling with the lgbt
Marlene: I love it
Dorcas: skjshehebdneen it’s so good
Sirius: fabulous fabulous
*James changed group chat name to ‘rolling with the lgbt’*
Sirius: now to formulate the most amazing usernames with my genius we must all go round and say our names, pronouns, sexuality (if comfortable of courseeee xoxox), what we’re studying and something about ourselves
Lily: Icebreakers :)
Remus: Sirius Black don’t you dare try and trick us into icebreakers
Remus: Plus we can’t !!! Peter isn’t here yet
Peter: I'm here now !
Peter: Sorry I was making crème brûlée :)
Remus: I only do icebreakers if I get crème brûlée!!
Sirius: fineeee
Sirius: Peter, tomorrow may Remus please call over to get some crème brûlée?
Peter: of course :)))
Lily: wonderful, now Remus you go first !
Remus: ugh fine
Remus: my name is Remus, my pronouns are he/him, I'm bi, I study ancient history and english lit anndddddd ehhh
Remus: I like books :)
Sirius: thank you Remussss xoxox
Remus: mhmmm
Remus: Lils you’re next
Lily: Why thank you Remus -_-
Lily: My name is Lily, my pronouns are she/her, I'm also bi and demisexual, I study psychology and biology and I'm from Galway but moved to Wales for secondary school :)
Lily: That’s where I met Remus
Sirius: I’ll go next, I’ll gooooooo
Sirius: my name is Sirius, I study art and French, my pronouns are he/they, I'm gay and I love shortbread
Remus: of all the facts about yourself you chose your love of shortbread !?!?
Sirius: don’t dis my fact, we all knew your fact already -_-
Lily: Enough children
James: Stop children
Remus: OH MY TAYLOR
Sirius: mum and dad !!!??!?
Lily: Ha
Lily: Ha
Lily: Next person
Dorcas: I’ll go :))
Dorcas: My name’s Dorcas, my pronouns are they/she, I'm a lesbian, I study history and I love crystals :)
Marlene: THAT'S MY PARTNER YOU GUYS!!!
Marlene: My names Marlene, she/they, I'm a lesbian, I study engineering (women in stem ;)) and I really really love Dorcas Meadowes xxx
Dorcas: Love you too my dear xx
Lily: I'm gonna cry :’)
James: I can confirm there isn’t a dry eye in the house
Mary: I was going to be mean and say I wanna vomit, but your love for each-other is too pure I can’t
Marlene: aw Mary stoppp you sap
Mary: Say anything about this and I slap you
Marlene: you don’t scare me anymore Maryyyy
Marlene: no one can be scary and look like this
Marlene:
Peter: one of my fav pictures xoxox
Mary: You can’t say much Peter !!!!
Peter: you WOULDN'T
Mary: Ohhh but I think I would
Mary:
Sirius: WOOOWWWW
James: I still laugh every time I see it :)
Remus: I’m just processing where Peter got a private plane ?!?!?
Mary: Plane isn’t realll
Mary: I was bored a while ago, I decided to learn how to photoshop
Mary: And this masterpiece was created
Lily: kejeenjejejrrndnfnfnf OMGGG
Peter: yes yes it’s hilarious ha ha
Peter: OH LOOK!!!
Peter: I guess I better do my icebreaker :)
Peter: my names Peter, my pronouns are he/him, I'm asexual and demiromatic :) I study food science, and I have a pet rat!!
Sirius: KILLJOY!!!!!
Sirius: but yes, his name is Archibald and he is getting a new brother Oliver soon
James: We love him like our child. I could tell Archibald was lonely, every child needs a sibling, someone to play with, to share that excitement on Christmas morning with.
Sirius: and we plan to raise them in happy, healthy environment with lots of laughter
Sirius: wow you really couldn’t tell James was an only child and I had a shit childhood, could you ?
Marlene: nahhhh, you guys played it like pros
Marlene: you can’t tell
Sirius: wonderful
James: My tuuuuurrrrnnnnnn
James: My name’s James, my pronouns are he/him, I'm pansexual, I'm studying medicine
James: And I'm learning how to sew so I can make my mum a new saree :)
Marlene: we all just went ‘awww’ didn’t we?
Dorcas: Yep
Remus: for sure
Lily: 100%
Peter: Archibald did too
Sirius: nah I'm used to it
James: Sirius ran into my room and gave me a hug so they are a big fat liar
Sirius: LIES AND SLANDER !!
Sirius: annnyyywaaayysdss where’s Maryyyy
Mary: Here
Mary: I'm here
Mary: My apologies, had a customer
Peter: you’re still at work !! Rosemary !???!
Mary: Yes, I know I won’t forget to get your ingredients for tomorrow
Peter: I meant your working too hard
Peter: but yep that too :)
Remus: HOLD UP!! everyone stop everything
Remus: Rosemary!?!?!?
Mary: If you MUST know Remus, Rosemary is my real name
Mary: I know what your thinking, ‘but Mary, Rosemary is a much nicer name’, and it is, but I feel like being THIS hot and having an old lady name just makes me cooler
Mary: So I reserve my cottage core lesbian name for my gf and Pete
Sirius: Mary sometimes I forget just how alike we can be :’)
Mary: If by that you mean crazy narcissistic, attention seeking gods/goddesses
Mary: You would be correct
Lily: Remus is crying in the corner right now wishing he had your self confidence
Remus: ehhh Lils, can you let me hate myself in peace please !???
Lily: NEVER!
Lily: Quick everyone, tell Remus how amazing he is
James: Remus your amazing and smart
James: and super pretty
Mary: He is prettyyyyyy, like who let you be that hot !?!?
Sirius: Remus Lupin, will you please marry me you’re so amazing !!! ;)
Marlene: from Dorcas and I, Remus Lupin you are amazing and one tall, hot piece of ass
Lily: He threw his phone across the room and won’t read them, but I'm just shouting them at him instead xx
Dorcas: If he’s about to cry send me a picture
James: Dorcas can be mean !?!?!?
Remus: they are very mean to me :’(
Dorcas: Nah he just bet me that I will never get a picture of him crying
Dorcas: I'm very competitive :)
Peter: I can confirm this is true, they once ran to my flat to prove to me, in person, that they could do a handstand
Dorcas: and I did it
Peter: very impressive
Peter: WAIT I DIDN'T GET TO COMPLIMENT Remus!!!
Peter: having never seen Remus I can’t comment on his looks , but I don’t doubt you're super pretty !!!
Peter: you do however have a dope ass name that I wish I could steal it for my third rat
Sirius: THIRD RAT!????!!??
Peter: Yes, this is my rat naming ceremony announcement !!
Peter: In a couple of weeks when I get the new rat you guys can all meet Oliver, Archibald and not yet named rat, we will have a naming ceremony and shower it with gifts
James: My baby’s are all growing up, this is amazing
James: Fatherhood suits us wormy
Sirius: indeed it does
Marlene: has anyone told you, you guys are all very weird
James: Yes
Sirius: continuously
Peter: I have lost track of how many times
Marlene: good, just checking
Mary: WAIT EVERYONE
Mary: gimme attention
Remus: *hands you attention in a gift bag*
Mary: Oh Remus, you shouldn’t have
Mary: Now for my announcement
Mary: I must dash
Mary: But before I leave
Mary: My name is Mary, my pronouns are she/her, I'm a lesbian, I study biology and I really love my girlfrienndddd
Peter: I can confirm Emmeline is an angel
Remus: Well I must unfortunately follow Mary and leave assignments to do :(
Lily: Sammeee
James: Me too
Dorcas: Byeee for now everyone xx
Sirius: byyeeee dork
Dorcas: *fuck you*