Unsafe
“I’m a bit tired…” Remus yawned. The friends looked at each other, before shrugging and saying, “Okay Remus, why don’t you get into your pajamas?”
Remus stood up, and then paused, “Where would the pajamas be?” he asked shyly.
Sirius slapped his forehead, then stepped forward, close enough to touch Remus.
Remus backed against the wall, “BUTCH BACK OFF! LEAVE ME ALONE! G-GRANT! JAMIE!”
“Right.” Sirius muttered, backing away. “Right. I’m the bad guy.”
James walked to Remus, patting Sirius’s shoulder and whispering, “It’s alright mate, patience is a virtue.”
“Easy for you to say!” Sirius hissed, “You’re his best friend!”
“I know mate.” James told him, then pointed out the pajama drawer to Remus.
“Remus, if you want any help, you can ask me.” Marlene said, trying her best to play into the role of the nurse.
“Thanks Ellie!” Remus said chirpily.
Marlene frowned, then realized she was the one being talked to.
“Oh! Of course, love.” She responded
Remus looked at the pajamas, “Er… These aren’t gonna fit. They’re too big.”
Sirius and James looked away, was that really what Remus had been reduced to? He literally thought he was six years old.
“Fuck you, Regulus.” Sirius muttered under his breath.
Christopher stepped forward, “Try them on!” He said cheerily, “I’m magic y’know, I bet they’ll fit just right!”
“Alright, Da’!” Remus grinned, then paused, his smile faltering as he stripped down to his boxers. His gaze fell on the scars littering his skin, and his face paled. “What… What’re these scars from?” His voice wavered slightly.
Oh fuck. What do we say now James? Sirius thought, anxiety rising in his chest.
“Remus…” James began softly, voice simultaneously gentle and firm, “Those scars… they don’t define you.”
“They’re not your fault.” Marlene piped in.
Remus eyed Sirius, “Was it him?” he pointed a shaky finger.
Sirius’s stomach dropped. The look on Remus’s face hit him like a punch to the gut. Nothing could be worse than seeing his best friend, his lover, blame him for those scars—those beautiful, painful marks that Remus wore like a battle he hadn’t chosen.
Marlene moved quickly, stepping between them, her hands gently resting on Remus’s shoulders. “No, love, it wasn’t… it wasn’t Butch.” She glanced at Sirius, her face soft with apology, but her voice remained steady, “You… You have an…”
“Illness.” Mary supplied.
“Illness.” Marlene accepted gratefully. “You have an illness, love, every month… you…”
“I do them myself… don’t I.” Remus said.
“Well… yes.” James replied, “BUT, it is in no way your fault. A big bad man came and got you and now you’re forced to do it.”
Remus’s face lit up, a spark of mischief returning to his eyes. “I wish it was something cool… like being a werewolf! That’d be cool!” he said, his voice enthusiastic, though tinged with the unfamiliar edge of forced cheer. He grinned, clearly trying to push through the heaviness in the room, and went back to changing into his pajamas as if nothing had happened.
For a long, painful moment, James and Sirius stood there in silence, staring at each other. The air was thick with the weight of what had just been said.
The Remus they knew, the one they loved, would never, ever say those words. The bright, warm smile that had once been so full of life—so full of hope—was gone. And in its place, there was something else. Something cold. Something broken.
Regulus had completely changed him.
James felt his throat tighten, his breath hitching as the realization hit him all over again—Remus wasn’t just lost; he was someone else now.
Sirius’s chest constricted, his hands trembling as he stared at the bed where Remus had flopped down, blissfully unaware of the devastating impact his words had just had.
“Da’! Da’! You were right! They do fit! You’re magic!” Remus shouted, suddenly gleeful, diving into the nearest bed, which—thankfully—was his own. He wriggled under the blankets, a sense of childish joy returning. “I’m never leaving this bed,” he announced with a serious tone. “Much better than the mattresses at St. Eddy’s.”
James chuckled weakly, playing into his role as Grant, “I’ve gotta agree with you there mate!”
“Grant…” Remus said solemnly, “Will you stay with me? I don’t feel very safe with him here.” He gestured at Sirius.
Fuck you Regulus Black.
James glanced at Sirius, then said, “I’ll be there in a bit mate, I need a word with Healer Ellie first.”
“Alright…” Remus yawned, drifting off to sleep.