Corsets and eyeliner
(2 Dec, Friday)
(moonage daydream and the diamond dog)
(08:23)
Padfoot: goood morninggg moonshineeee
Moony: it’s too early for you to be this happy
Padfoot: im happy whenever i’m with you Moony ;)
Moony: good thing we’re not together right now then
Padfoot: one day my devilish charm will work
Moony: don’t hold your breath xx
Padfoot: :(
Padfoot: anywaysss
Padfoot: only 7 days until the ball!!!!
Moony: I didn’t realise we were so excited about the ball?
Padfoot: we are indeed
Moony: care to elaborate?
Padfoot: we all get to dress up, and dancing, and because it’s an old traditional uni there will some ballroom dancing
Padfoot: and as I am highly trained in the art of ballroom dancing you will undeniably fall in love with me
Moony: bold of you to assume I can’t also ballroom dance
Padfoot: oh please Remus
Moony: begging Sirius?
Padfoot: sihdbdbsbwjwjjsjsjjdjeje
Padfoot: you can’t just flirt with me and not give me any warning !!!!!!
Moony: good Taylor I wasn’t flirting I was just making fun of you
Padfoot: see to me that's flirting ;)
Moony: you have a very skewed view of life
Padfoot: true, but i can ballroom dance so bite me x
Moony: kinky
Padfoot: oh please Remus if that is what you define as kinky we’re going to have some problems
Moony: we???
Padfoot: you will fall for my charms!!!
Moony: will i though……. will i really?
Padfoot: trying to have a serious conversation with you is essentially impossible
Moony: every conversation I have with you is Sirius 🤭
Padfoot: I really walked myself into that one
Moony: yeah you would think after all these years you would know better
Padfoot: you are just full of compliments today!!
Moony: what can I say, I’m a charmer
Padfoot: you charm people without even trying, it’s your mysteriousness
Moony: I’m not really mysterious, i'm just scared to open up to people
Moony: #trauma
Padfoot: life without trauma would be so boring, like what would you joke about??!!
Padfoot: what would you blackmail people with
Moony: honestly that’s so true
(moonflower supremacy)
(9:38)
Moony: is it too much to ask for you to get to know me on a deep, intimate level while I resist and obstruct your every attempt to do so?!?!
lilyflower: interesting thought process
Moony: I’m an interesting guy
(moonage daydream and the diamond dog)
(9:47)
Padfoot: well I know some things about you
Moony: do you really though??
Padfoot: I will not let you gaslight me into not knowing you!!!
Moony: :(
Padfoot: I know you’re bi
Moony: well no shit
Padfoot: hey I’m just getting started!!
Moony: fine -_-
Padfoot: you’re terrified of birds
Moony: they are evil
Padfoot: I agree
Padfoot: you love cats
Padfoot: you read a lot
Padfoot: you also nap a lot
Padfoot: you think that people don’t notice the kind things you do for them, but we do
Moony: I guess
Padfoot: you have this dry sense of humour that some people don’t get but I absolutely adore
Padfoot: you love you’re mum more than anything in the world and you miss your dad all the time
Padfoot: you’re insecure about your scars but I think they are the most beautiful thing
Padfoot: like a map of the places you have been
Padfoot: I especially love the one on your hand from burning it on the stove because it’s in the shape of a heart
*Incoming call from ‘Moony <3’*
*quietly*
“How do you remember all these small things?”
“They’re not small to me Remus, I choose to remember everything because I enjoy knowing you Remus.”
“……….”
“Thank you Sirius…..”
“I enjoy knowing you too.”
“Of course you do, I’m amazing.”
*scoffs*
“You’re alright I guess.”
“Coming from you Remus that’s a very big compliment.”
“Ok I’m hanging up now!!”
“Ugh fine, I knew you didn’t really love me.”
*call ended (5mins 34secs)*
(4 December Sunday)
(rollin with the lgbt)
(22:37)
galwaygirl: everyone remember we are all going to get ready at Remus’
galwaygirl: Reggie said the limo is leaving at 7 and doors of the venue open at 7:30
galwaygirl: so be at Remus’ for 4 to give ourselves time to get ready xx
sweaterweather(mv): and bring drinks for pre drinks!!
zumbagod: sounds perfect thank you Lilssss XX
galwaygirl: my pleasure Cas x
As the ball got closer Remus began to get more and more nervous. He didn’t know how he would cope with Sirius looking so stunning the entire night, and probably dancing with other guys that weren’t Remus.
He knew he had no right to feel this way, as he and Sirius weren’t even a thing, but that nagging jealousy was still ever present in the back of his mind.
The week seemed to crawl along, but his classes were all finishing this week so there was no pressing assignments (they had all been handed in the week before).
Slowly but surely time crawled along until the day before the ball. Remus was comfort watching Grey's Anatomy when he got a text from Dorcas.
(Lesbian and Bisexual Alliance)
(19:24)
Cassy: Hello my dear
Wolfboy: hello Cas
Wolfboy: what can I do for you my dear?
Casey: Is it ok if a couple of us come to your house a bit early at half three, because we’re getting the bus together and that’s the only time that works :/
Wolfboy: of course Cas I don’t mind <3
Casey: Thank youuuuuuu
(the other ones)
(19:56)
Dorcas: Remus has been informed that we will be there early
Regulus: Did he suspect anything??
Dorcas: Nope, I just said that was the only time we could get the bus
Marlene: my partner is so smart 😩😩
Mary: what about James and Lily, they still don’t know because we made this group before they got together
Peter: They may already know….
Mary: Pete, care to explain??
Peter: James and I call every evening and we were talking about Sirius and Remus being idiots, and I told him about the plan
Peter: I didn’t realise Lily was in the room
Peter: But she fully supports our shenanigans!!!
Marlene: good good
Marlene: see all you gorgeous people tomorrow !!!
Remus had barely slept all week so naturally he managed to sleep in the one day he didn’t have time. He woke at two o’clock when Minnie jumped onto the bed, shifting the duvet off of him.
He groaned and checked the time, “Shit,” he grumbles and tiredly made his was to the kitchen.
He quickly threw the dirty dishes from last night in the dishwasher and took some crisps and stuff out of the pantry, as he was kind of hosting everyone in an hour and a half. (?!!?!)
By the time he had eaten breakfast, showered, and made his flat look half decent it was already twenty past three.
At half three on the dot he heard a knock at his door. Remus opened the door to find everyone, bar Sirius and James, there.
He showed everyone in and they began putting their drinks out on the countertop, and getting makeup bags and dresses out of the many bags they had brought with them.
They had claimed the living room as the makeup area and the bathroom and bedroom to get changed in, so all the rooms in Remus’ flat, including his bedroom (where Peter was getting changed currently), were full of people getting ready.
Remus got so distracted chatting to everyone and admiring their outfits, as well as watching Mary do everyone’s makeup, that he completely forgot he needed to get ready as well.
As four o’clock rolled around there was another knock on the door and Peter got up to open it. James and Sirius arrived to happy shouts and greetings from everyone.
Remus had been showing Regulus where the bathroom was to get changed when he had heard the door.
He made his way out to the living room and the second Sirius caught his eye the butterflies he had been suppressing all week came back with full force.
His heart beat physically began to increase at the mere sight of the person he loved standing across the room to him, completely oblivious to the way he felt.
Remus tried to plaster a smile on to hide the almost sorrowful look on his face. At that moment, not shouting ‘I love you’ across the room, felt like lying.
Like if he was hooked up to a polygraph the needle would splutter and jump to read ‘I love you’ without having even been asked a question.
Remus had to internally shake himself, he wouldn’t let his feelings ruin the evening he had been looking forward to.
“Remus”, James exclaimed as he surged forward to wrap Remus in a hug, “How have you been!”
Remus mumbled something along the lines of “Yeah fine.” into James’ shoulder, but secretly he was pleased, he really enjoyed James’ company and was delighted that they had become friends so quickly in the past couple of months.
James pulled back and patted Remus on the shoulder before making his way over to the sofa and flopping down beside Mary and Dorcas to discuss the colours they were going to use for their makeup.
Remus finally turned to Sirius, who had been standing beside Marlene, they grinned widely at Remus’ eye contact and made their way over to him.
“Hello Moonshine,” he sing-songed. Remus rolled his eyes but he couldn’t help the smirk that played on his lips everytime Sirius used that nickname.
Sirius had leaned his hips against the counter and was standing directly in front of Remus.
Remus was about to say something back when Marlene called him over from the other side of the room.
“Sorry Pads, we can talk later, duty calls.”
Sirius gasped dramatically at the ‘betrayal’ but smiled as Remus walked away.
Sirius has been shitting himself this entire week, he didn’t quite know how they were going to cope with Remus in a suit, even the thought made him feel unholy things…
But when he had seen Remus from across the room, in his classic grandpa jumper and pair of sweats he had damn near died…. imagine what will happen later.
Sirius was aware he worshipped the ground this boy walked on, but he couldn’t help it, it was Remus Lupin, what could he not love about him.
His Remus-centric thoughts were interrupted by Peter, “You can go and get changed in Remus’ room if you want, I just finished in there.”
Sirius nodded and grabbed their bag with clothes and makeup in it.
Dorcas had asked Remus to give them advice on what charms to add into their locs, they had gone with some gold stars and moons, resonant of how Remus felt in that moment.
Remus checked the time and realized it was already half four, he thought it best he probably go and get changed.
Without thinking he walked up the corridor and straight into his room, however instead of the usual organized chaos and Minnie and Soxs on his bed, Remus was greeted with the sight of a shirtless Sirius.
Remus had already closed the door behind him so he did the only logical thing he could think of….
and dramatically placed his hands over his eyes.
“Shit Sirius I’m so sorry I didn’t realise you were in here, I can leave if you want!! I just need to grab my suit.”
Sirius laughed, “Please Remus, as long as you don’t mind I don’t care if you see me shirtless, plus I actually need help tying this.”
Remus uncovered his eyes to find Sirius gesturing to a black corset top in his hand.
Remus gulped but tried not to show it, he made his way over to Sirius and stood there awkwardly… “What should I do?”
“God Remus,” Sirius laughed, “What has gotten into you, you swear you had just seen a ghost.”
Remus laughed at this, he began to loosen up, this was just like any other time he had spent with Sirius, except Sirius was shirtless….
Remus attempted to shake the less than appropriate thoughts running through his mind as he helped Sirius lace up their corset.
“Moons would you mind tying a bow in the back, I can’t see,” Sirius said. Remus hummed and tied a bow as instructed.
Sirius turned around and gave Remus a wink, “Thank you Moonshine.”
Remus rolled his eyes and did the only thing he could think to do, flop down on his bed.
Sirius laughed as he pulled out his makeup bag, “Watching me putting eyeliner on Remus?”
Remus scoffed and picked up a book and pretended to look busy, “Actually I'm waiting for you to vacate my room so I can get changed.”
Sirius waved a hand in the air, “You can get changed here, you know I don’t mind.”
Remus tried not to grimace, “Thank you Sirius, but changing in front of people is not my favourite task.”
Sirius turned around from Remus’ desk where he had said up a mirror and gave Remus an understanding look, “I can close my eyes if you want.”
It seemed so genuine that Remus couldn’t help but accept the offer.
“It will only take two minutes, I promise.” Remus assured them.
Sirius just shrugged, “You know I don’t mind Moony.”
Sirius closed their eyes and began to hum a tune while Remus rustled around his room collecting all the pieces of his suit.
He checked Sirius definitely wasn’t looking before quickly undressing and putting his suit on.
A minute later he came over to Sirius and tapped their shoulder, “You can open your eyes now,” Remus said in a whisper.
Sirius opened their eyes and gasped, “Well Remus you look dashing.” Remus just rolled his eyes and playfully shoved Sirius. “Just get on with your makeup already before I kick you out into the living room with everyone else.”
Sirius gasped, “Outside with the commoners, you would never!!”
Playing along Remus nodded, “Oh yes I would, consider yourself lucky Padfoot, only the select few get to enter the bedroom.”
Before Remus realised how dirty that sounded Sirius had already raised a suggestive eyebrow. “Oh shut up,” Remus laughed and flopped back down on his bed.
“Napping already Moonshine?” Sirius asked as he pulled various eyeliners and eyeshadows out of their bag.
Already feeling sleepy Remus grunted back, “I have a chronic illness, you can’t say anything bitch.”
Sirius let out a loud, barking laugh, they were happy to see Remus becoming more open with his illness in their company.
“What time do you want me to wake you up?” Sirius asked, but Remus was already dozing.
Instead of starting their makeup Sirius instead just cast their gaze along the sleeping figure of Remus, a perfect image in Sirius’ mind.
They really felt as if Remus possessed this magical ability to fill any room he was in with a soft golden light that encapsulated everything, making the world outside bearable.
Remus’ curls were still slightly damp from his shower but we’re starting to dry the almost blonde colour of his hair. If Sirius was being honest Remus often reminded him of the greek god Apollo, god of the sun and light.
Sirius has been so lost in their fantasy world they didn’t realize the time, quickly he began to take al the items out of his bag and started to apply his eyeliner.
However the evenings upcoming events were starting to get to him and his hands were shaking just a small bit; which was NOT helpful when attempting to apply eyeliner.
Remus only slept for about half an hour before waking up, he sat up and glanced at Sirius across the room, tongue slightly poked out in concentration as they attempted to do their eyeliner.
“Struggling Pads?” Remus asked. Sirius hummed in response, lost i’m concentration.
Remus rose from his bed and made his way over to Sirius, who was furiously wiping at eyeliner, before attempting to reapply.
“Here, let me do it for you,” Remus said, he had done Lily’s enough times to know a thing or two.
“Remus you really don’t have to,” Sirius said, cautious of his slightly shaky hands holding the pen.
“Honestly Sirius I want to,” Remus assured, slowly Sirius passed them the eyeliner pen.
“Now,” Remus said, “ Just close your eyes.”
As Remus traced the wing slowly along Sirius’ eye he cupped the side of their face to help stabilise his hand.
However as he drew, unconsciously his thumb began to trace small circles on the corner of Sirius’ jaw. A common reflex to gently holding the object of your affections face some would say.
Satisfied with his work Remus tried to ask Sirius to open their eyes, but it came out as more of a hushed whisper.
“You can open your eyes now.”
Sirius slowly blinked their eyes open to find Remus poised with the eyeliner pen, checking his work was even. He was so close to their face they could count each freckle that spattered his nose and cheeks.
They held Remus’ gaze for an intense moment before dropping their eyes to the floor.
“Thanks Moony.”
“My pleasure Padfoot,” Remus responded, he laughed slightly awkwardly and gestured towards the door, “I should probably go on out and check on everyone.”
Sirius nodded, “Yeah, that seems like a good plan.”
Just after Remus closed the door behind him Sirius let out a heavy sigh, “Why do I have to be so fucking in love with this boy,” he whispered to the room.
The overwhelming urge to tell Remus how they truly felt was becoming more and more prominent by the moment, Sirius was still reeling from the intimacy of Remus helping them tie their corset…. and applying their eyeliner.
His fingers ghosted over the spot where Remus has absent mindedly shown Sirius the type of gentle affection he had been craving for years.
A crimson haze had slowly spread to their cheeks, Sirius could feel their face heating up at the thought of the previous events only moments ago, and quickly fanned themselves before finishing their makeup.
Remus had to lean against the wall beside his bedroom for a moment and catch his breath. Had all that truly happened, had he just helped the man he was in love with get dressed, and put on their eyeliner….. good Taylor.
With the time that they all needed to leave coming closer and closer Remus had to use all his might to ignore what had just happened and focus on getting everyone dressed and out the door on time.
However this was starting to become nigh on impossible when Sirius came out of Remus’ bedroom into the living room, and gave everyone a twirl in his finial outfit and makeup look, to a rather loud round of applause from the group.
Remus was so busy pushing everyone out the door and thinking about how perfect Sirius looked he had actually forgotten to check how he looked in the mirror, as he shooed Marlene and Dorcas downstairs he turned around to what he had presumed was an empty flat.
And yet there was Sirius, leaning against the kitchen island with a shit eating grin splashed across his face.
“You look handsome Moony,” he said with a wink. Deferring to his usual response Remus just rolled his eyes and headed over to the mirror Dorcas had left on the kitchen island…… Right beside Sirius, how convenient.
As Remus began to pull at his tie Sirius gently leaned over and prised the tie from Remus’ grip.
“I’m not even sure what knot you’re trying to do so please, for the love of Taylor, let me do it!”
Remus groaned but allowed Sirius to continue, “It’s not like it has to be perfect anyway.” Remus grumbled like a child.
Sirius just laughed and looked up into Remus’ eyes, “Perfection is merely a mindset Moony,” they said, “However a tie actually done up properly does help.”
Sirius patted Remus’ chest as they finished tying his tie and grabbed their phone, “Come on, after all your shooing now you’re making everyone late!!”
This was one of those ‘moments’, that had been happening to Sirius more and more often these days, moments where all they wanted to do was lean in and kiss Remus.
But the doubt would always creep in, ensuring the thought of any chance with Remus was utterly terrifying, because once they stop being friends their relationship may never be the same, there could always be that underlying knowledge that they failed…..
Even though Sirius has never loved anyone the way they love Remus, a small part of them still wanted to pretend a little while longer because the yearning is so painful, but that pain is easier to deal with than potentially losing his best friend.
And to Sirius friendship meant everything, but then Remus had that sparkle in his eyes that made Sirius weak in the knees and caused his heart to skip a couple of beats.
So mainly he was just a ball of confusion, tension, lust and love.
Remus locked the front door behind him, and before heading downstairs to join the others he took a moment to breathe….
He had this strange feeling that tonight was going to be memorable…….