Chapter 3
“Fuck.” Is just about all Remus can say in response.
After all, he is now allowed to speak to Sirius Black. You would say fuck as well.
Remus is gripping the phone like it’s about to escape, and is waiting for the front desk of the Ritz to put his call through.
“God you’re sweating.” James points out, picking out several strawberries from the bowl. “Must be one fine ass man to make you sweat like this.”
“You better be quiet. And some would say that he’s moderately attractive.” Remus says whilst wanting to pace the room, but remembers that the phone is on a coiled wire.
Remember to stay calm. Don’t mess it up before it’s even started.
“Hello?” The phone connects, and Remus’ ears detect Sirius’ voice. The tone that is usually escaping from television speakers, and never intended for only Remus.
“Yes…errrr hello!” Remus begins far too enthusiastically.
Chill you asshole.
“It’s Remus.”
“Who?” Sirius asks, voice muffled through the speaker.
“Remus Lupin. You left a message.”
“Oh…right, yes.”
“Yes, me.” Remus whispers, trying to cover the conversation from James and Lily. “I’m sorry that i didn’t call sooner, my flatmate never told me you called.”
“James i presume?” Sirius laughs, causing Remus to partly relax. He’s finding it easier to communicate when Sirius’ face isn’t a distraction.
“Yep, planning on killing him later.”
“Please don’t, he seems like a pretty nice guy from what you have told me.” Sirius protests.
Remus can imagine his smile, but blinks harshly to destroy the picture. “He is really, just not good at passing on important messages.”
“I’m right here?” James informs once again.
“So, you wanted to speak with me?” Remus tries to move the topic along.
“I would prefer to meet in person, if it’s not too much trouble.” Sirius replies, voice shaking.
“No trouble at all!” Remus flings his arms around, knocking Lily’s yogurt onto her lap. He doesn’t process the action as he has the possibility of seeing Sirius again.
“What the hell Remus!” Lily yells, standing up and running for the cloth. James tries to clean her jeans with his palm but it only creates a bigger stain.
Remus mouths a sorry, and pushes the phone up closer to his ear. Priorities right?
“You were saying?”
“Well…maybe you could come over?” Sirius hushes, mouth closer to the speaker.
Remus coughs, shocked at his bluntness.
Bloody hell.
“To discuss the previous occurrence of course.” Sirius quickly adds. “There are certain matters that must be evaluated.”
“Yes! I mean… sure if i have time. When?”
“You free today?”
“Yes, yes! Possibly.”
“Great. Meet me at eleven, floor 5, room thirty-eight. Nice talking to you again Remus.”
“Yeah, you too.”
The line goes dead, and Remus feels like he’s just ran a marathon.
“How did it go?” Lily asks next to the sink, trying to save her clothes from the yogurt.
“Amazing.” Remus sits back at the table to catch his breath. “I’m really sorry Lily.”
“Don’t worry about it.” She grins, putting the now empty yogurt pot in the bin. “Now tell me about this boy.”
“No thank you.” Remus smiles. He has exactly three hours before he has to leave, which means he needs to start preparing in a few minutes.
“Please! I have never seen you act like this. It must be someone important.” Lily pushes.
Remus glances at James. He’s sat with his arms crossed, slumped in his chair.
“Why you so grumpy?” Remus asks, nudging his ankle underneath the table.
“I deserve a thank you.” James huffs, starting to fix his posture. “I might have just reunited you with your soulmate.”
“You’re right. I’m so grateful.”
“That’s it?”
“What were you expecting?”
“At least a present.”
“Your birthday isn’t until tomorrow, i’m not buying you anymore gifts.”
“Asshole.”
“Hey, no need for such foul language dick.” Remus teases. “I can buy you another cashmere sweater if that’s what you really want.”
“Be quiet and go get ready for your date.” Lily shouts before going upstairs to change her clothes. “For the mystery guy that you won’t talk about.”
“It’s not my information to share.” Remus shrugs.
But what will i wear? I know i’m overthinking this, but this might be my most exciting meeting of the year. I can’t be looking like i stayed up all night thinking about the one person that wants nothing to do with me. The one that couldn’t remember my name.
Remus settled with a v-neck black jumper, brown corduroy blazer, and blue jeans. it wasn’t his finest work, but after collapsing on James and Lily’s bed in a panic and crying, it was the best he could do. It was a miracle he got out the door in one piece.
The Ritz’ front desk was packed, paparazzi and journalists trying to reach Black’s room for an interview. Remus made his way through the crowd in silence, debating if a career in media and movies was the right idea.
He steps into the lift, creating room for another man walking close behind. The elevator goes up slowly, and his opportunity of last minute peace and relaxation is ruined.
“You here for Mr Black?” The man says, fixing his blonde waves.
Not as curly as Sirius’ hair though.
“Yes.” Remus replies, looking around the tiny box so he doesn’t have to meet the man’s eyes.
“So bloody nervous.” The man smiles, wiping the sweat from his eyebrows.
“For what?” Remus asks, finally processing what the man is talking about. It should be him alone going to room thirty-eight.
“Meeting him of course. Apparently he’s even more intimidating than he looks.” The blonde smirks, but looks ready to throw up. He has a name tag that reads ‘Jerry’, and it wearing an extremely tight black suit.
Why the hell is this dude meeting Sirius as well? How many guys did Black kiss? Seems like it’s not the first time Sirius has had to clear up a secret premiere make out session.
“Are you seeing him aswell?” Remus questions, finally turning towards Jerry.
“Yeah, for the movie interview. When my boss told me i bagged the job for ‘lover in the foyer’ i almost died. Picked out my questions a month ago in preparation.”
What the actual fuck?
“Hold on a second, this is a movie interview? For ‘lover in the foyer’?”
‘Yes! I thought it was incredible. I made flash cards, i can’t wait to discuss the movie with him.”
What the actual fuck is going on.
But Remus doesn’t have time for a breakdown, as the elevator doors begin to open on the fifth floor. The man begins to walk towards room thirty eight, knees shaking uncontrollably as he steps.
Should i leave? Maybe Sirius got the dates mixed up.
Jerry knocks on the door, and fixes his tie. Remus can only stand frozen and pray for rescue.
“Good morning gentlemen!” A woman in a blue suit welcomes them, gripping two clipboards tightly. “If you would follow me.”
Remus steps into the room, and is distracted by its decor. He knew the had a Ritz’ reputation, but witnessing the wealth itself was surreal. Remus was used to apartments in Notting Hill, not hotels that belonged in an Oscar Wilde novel.
“What magazines are you with?” The women smiles too enthusiastically.
“The telegraph.” The blonde guy replies, taking the clipboard handed to him. He’s turned drastically pale, and struggles to form the words.
“And you sir?” The woman asks Remus, holding out the other clipboard.
Well, I am screwed.
Remus glances around the room for anything or anyone that could save him.
A coffee table. Bingo.
There is stack of magazines on the table, so Remus reads the one on the top of the pile.
“Ummm… Horse and Hound.” Remus replies, grinning to add confidence.
The woman frowns, but gives Remus the clipboard anyway. “The interviews will start in about ten minutes.”
I need to say something. No way am i getting involved in an interview. I’m only here to see him.
“Actually, my name is Remus Lupin. I think Mr Black might be expecting me.” He tells the woman boldly.
“Take a seat, i’ll go check.” The woman smiles once more before disappearing from the room.
Remus sits down and is ready to accept defeat. He feels stupid for actually thinking that he would get to see Sirius again. But before his doubts can increase further, the woman re-enters the room.
“Mr Lupin.” She signals to him. “You have five minutes.”
“Good luck mate.” The blonde pats Remus on the shoulder as he stands up from the seat.
Deep Breath, Remus.
Remus is led down a dimly lit corridor, until he reaches another lounge. The woman tells him to take another seat on the beige and gold sofa, and wait for his arrival.
It’s actually happening. Don’t mess it up.
She leaves Remus alone in the room. All he can do is observe the badly painted flowers on the walls, and watch the main lights flicker. He’s unable to process that in a few seconds, Sirius will be walking through those doors. In whichever gorgeous outfit that he picked for the day.
Remus stares at his shoes, wishing that he gave them a polish beforehand. He hears the floorboards creek, and snaps his head up.
Standing in the doorway, is Sirius Black.
His hair is smooth, falling perfectly past his shoulders, and is dressed in a black loose shirt buttoned half way down his chest. Small tattoos are on display, and skin like glass. He’s wearing tightly fitted black trousers, and Remus is ready to collapse.
“Remus Lupin.” Sirius smiles, walking over to greet him at the sofa.
Remus can’t bring himself to stand up, so offers a handshake from where he is. He hopes Sirius doesn’t notice how sweaty his palms have become. It’s like electric currents when their hands interact.
“Thank you for meeting me. Obviously you have gotten over the fear of a lawsuit from a handshake.” Sirius grins, taking a seat on the other couch. “Sorry about these interviews, i thought it would all be over by now.”
“That’s okay. But your assistant thinks i work at Horse and Hound magazine.”
“Nice choice.” Sirius smirks, opening a bottle of water from the table between them.
“I apologise for the two name situation. James and his pea-sized brain caused some confusion.”
“That’s alright, it’s a stupid privacy thing. Last time i was Mick Jagger. At least you are here now.”
The tension is thick. He notices that too, right? I can’t concentrate. That face, his smell, that…
“So you wanted to talk to me? About last night?” Remus forces to interrupt his mind.
“Ur, yes. I did.”
“Not going to make me sign a contract to shut me up?” Remus grins, shifting uncomfortably on the cushions.
“Course not. I just wanted to… talk.” Sirius’ eyesfall onto Remus lips, but strokes his own with his index finger.
Holy shit. Is it going to happen again?
“I just want to make it clear that it was never my intention to kiss you. I only invited you here to check that you were alright. I came into the bathroom for a rest, you were just the first person there.” Sirius attempts the explain.
“Wow, thanks.” Remus frowns, slightly insulted.
“No, no, i just meant that it was stupid. That i just lost control a bit. That… you’re not exactly unattractive. I don’t know what came over me”
Remus coughs, and hits his chest with a fist. “I see.”
“I want to make sure that you know it was not your fault. I insinuated it, you did nothing wrong.”
“I know that.” Remix shrugs. This is not how he thought the conversation would go.
“Oh, you do?”
“Yes. It was late, you were probably nervous about the premiere. I understand.”
Sirius finally relaxes and runs a hand through his hair. “Thank you, Remus, i couldn’t bare the thought that you were blaming yourself.”
Remus smiles, taking note on how Sirius moves as it’s unlikely that they will ever see each other again.
“But it was one good kiss.” Sirius smirks, putting his bottle back on the table.
“Excuse me?” Remus says caught off guard. He just assumed that is was one sided.
“You have to agree. Almost makes me want to try again.”
Remus’ eyes widen, and he pulls the collar of his jumper away from his neck.
Control yourself. He’s only being polite.
Before it can go any further, his assistant walks in again to replace the water. “How is going in here?” She smiles, picking up the empty bottles.
“Just fine, thank you Emily.” Sirius smiles, leaning back into the sofa.
“Do remember that Mr Black is keen to talk about his next project in the summer.” She directs to Remus.
“Certainly.” Remus replies.
Forgot that i’m supposed to be in here for an interview. Why won’t she leave?
“Just doing some paperwork over here, don’t mind me.” Emily smiles, settling down at the desk in the corner.
Excellent.
“What is your next question Mr Lupin?” Sirius smirks, crossing his legs over.
Is he serious?
“Umm, so Mr Black.” Remus straightens his back and pretends to know what he’s talking about. “Is there any horses in this upcoming movie? I couldn’t help notice the absence of horses in ‘lover in the foyer’.”
“Unfortunately not.” Sirius replies, covering his mouth to disguise his amusement.
“Or Hounds for that matter! Our readers are equally interested in both species.” Remus adds.
“It takes place on a submarine.” Sirius is trying hard to keep a straight face, but is obviously struggling.
“Bad luck.” Remus sighs.
“Damn, pen broke.” Emily says before swiftly leaving the room.
“What the fuck was that?” Sirius explodes, releasing all laughter that was bottled. “I thought you were in the movie business, have you never asked questions before?”
“I panicked! I don’t work well under pressure.”
“She’s going to be back any second. Let’s make this quick.”
“Make what quick?”
“I want to kiss you again. Would that be okay?”
Am i making up fake scenarios in my head again?
“You want to kiss me, even though you invited me here to explain how it was a mistake in the first place?” Remus asks confused at the mixed messages.
”i’m an actor, we are good at pretending.”
“Oh. So you do want to kiss me again.”
“If that’s okay.” Sirius hushes. “Even though i know it’s the last thing i should be wanting.”
“I want it too.” Remus replies honestly.
No point in lying when there is nothing to lose.
Remus stands up from the couch in synch with Sirius.
It only takes a few seconds until Sirius’ and Remus’ lips meet, and they have there hands in each others hair again. They are pulling at the roots, and moaning into each other’s grasp. They somehow managed to push the centre table to the side to make room for their movements.
“I don’t know what i am doing.” Sirius says between kisses, grabbing Remus’ neck again like he did last night.
“Me neither.” Remus utters, beginning to further unbutton Sirius’ shirt.
He runs his fingers over Sirius’ tattoos, and doesn’t give time to read them. Remus is too focused on moving the right way, and bringing Sirius even closer. It might be the last time he gets to do this, he refuses to let it go to waste.
Sirius pulls off Remus’ blazer, feeling along his long arms, and trapping his wrists. He reaches under Remus’ jumper, running cold hands across his torso causing him to shiver.
“Fuck, Remus.” Sirius moans, kissing his neck and sucking. Remus is grateful for the mark, evidence that he was lucky enough to be in Sirius Black’s presence.
The door begins to open, so the pair spring apart, and sit back onto their separate sofa’s. Emily walks back over to the desk with a new pen, and Sirius faces the wall to do up his buttons.
Both are smiling to themselves, loving the secret and how they were against each other a moment before. How they could sit still, pretending to be an actor and interviewer, nothing more.
“Mr Lupin, time is almost up. I will go and get the next magazine reviewer.” Emily comments, before walking out.
“That was fun.” Sirius beams, closely watching Remus put his blazer back on.
“It was.” Remus tries to fix his hair, and resist the urge to touch the already forming bruise on his neck.
“I want to see you again.” Sirius declares, gaze steady.
“Really?”
Maybe it wasn’t just me feeling this way after all.
“Are you free tomorrow night?”
“Yes. Oh god, no i’m not. It’s James’ birthday. We are having dinner.”
“I think i can make it. What time?”
“What? You want to come to my best friends birthday dinner?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because you are famous, and my friends can be… weird around celebrities. And people in general for that matter. I just don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“You won’t be. Please let me come.”
“As long as you are sure.”
“I am! What’s your address?”
“I will write it down.” Remus takes the notebook and pencil on the table and writes down the address for their house in Notting Hill.
“There you go. Seven o’clock.” Remus hands him the paper, and briefly touches Sirius’ skin.
“I will see you tomorrow.”
“Yes you will.”
“You do realise that this is a terrible idea right? You and me?”
“Oh, i know.” Sirius grins. “Possibly career threatening.”
“I want to thank you for letting me interview you. You are the readers of Horse and Hounds’ favourite actor.”
“I appreciate that.” Sirius smiles once more before seeing Remus out.
Remus’ butterflies don’t stop for hours. He walks home and collapses on the bed in exhaustion. He repeatedly pinches his skin to check that this is reality. It’s not until he hears several crashes from the kitchen by James making dinner that Remus starts to panic.
How the hell am i going to keep James and Lily under control around Sirius? Let’s hope tomorrow magically turns them into professional chefs and naturals at spending time with famous, beautiful movie stars.