Rain pounded on the thin windows of the apartment. Remus lay in bed, wrapped in multiple quilts and blankets to keep from shivering in the cold. The heating system had gone all wonky, and didn’t make nearly enough money to replace it.
Tonight, Remus felt especially alone. Six months ago, he would've had another body next to him to keep him warm. But now, he keenly felt the absence. Both physically, the bare coldness, sending shivers all over his body, but also within. An emotional wound left open.
He was jolted to his senses by a banging on the door. Groggily, he untangled himself from his bed and shoved on his slippers. Who the hell comes by at this hour?
The banging didn’t cede until Remus opened the door. He was faced with Sirius, dripping wet. His usually perfect hair clung to his face, and his clothes plastered to his body, making him look much frailer than he really was. His eyes were wide, frantic. Remus didn’t know why he was there.
“Are you insane? Come inside, let me get you a goddamn towel.”
Remus turned to re-enter his apartment, but was halted by Sirius’s voice.
“Remus.”
“What?” he said, still distracted and turned away, a slight edge to his voice.
“Remus.” More firm this time. Remus turned to find Sirius’s eyes steady on him, holding a thousand words Remus couldn’t discern.
He stayed silent, and Sirius went on.
“I’ve missed you so much. And I’m so sorry. It’s my fault, I know, and I want to make it up to you however I possibly can. It’s been a long, long six months without you and I honestly don’t know how I got through it. I need you.”
Remus searched his face. Sirius looked so sincere, so earnest. Remus wanted to reach out and hold him close and never let go. But he held back.
“God, Remus, I need you like I need air to breathe. I need you like I- I’m stranded on an island, and I’m about to die because I’ve got no water and no food, and you’re my salvation. You’re the light there to bring me back to safety, to bring me back to life.” He paused. “You give me life.”
Remus wanted to believe him. He really did. But the scars were still fresh, his heart still broken. “Why didn’t you come back sooner, then?” he implored.
“I wanted to. So badly. But I didn’t think you wanted me back, so I tried to forget, but I couldn’t. I want you, Remus, for worse or for better. I’d wait a lifetime, if that’s what it took. There’s no one else but you.
“And if you don’t want me anymore, if you aren’t in love anymore, please tell me now. I’ll leave you be, because all I ever want is for you to be happy.”
Remus’s heart soared with joy. He crashed into Sirius, letting their lips meet. Six months, and he still tasted the same, felt the same. Sirius hand pressed against the familiar bend of Remus’s back, and Remus ran his hand through Sirius’s hair. It was as if those six months of loneliness and bitter heartache were all leading to this single moment, when everything slid back into place. The way it was supposed to be.
It had been a long six months.
After what felt like a lifetime, they slowly pulled apart. Sirius cheeks were flushed glorious pink.
“I’m so sorry I broke your heart. I’d do anything to have it back, and I’ll never hurt it again.”
“I know,” Remus said, kissing the top of Sirius’s hair. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”