Christmas
The whole drive home Sirius sat and thought about Remus while listening to the radio. He sang along to a few of the songs he found less annoying.
We could’ve pulled a ‘Baby It's Cold Outside’ number but we both went outside instead
Sirius was happy about everything that had happened over the past few days and couldn't wait to come back.
School is gonna be a bitch
He made it home and hardly anybody noticed. Regulus was probably out, if the power was gone there wasn't really anything he would want to do inside anyway. Both his parents were presumably at work, given that the other cars weren’t in the driveway. Sirius wondered why anybody would be working if the lights were all out but he didn't dwell on it.
Sirius stopped in the kitchen for some snacks before heading up to his room.
As soon as he got there, he put on a clean pair of jeans seeing as his current ones were still damp and cold from the morning.
Moon: is it bad that I miss you already?
Sirius: no, I miss you too, I wanna sit with you on the couch and watch tv until we cant hold our eyes open anymore
Moon: that wouldnt work anyway cause the powers not working
Sirius: it is at your house
Moon: I guess youre right
Sirius had changed Remus’s contact in his phone to Moon, both because his nickname is Moony, and he liked the night sky, but also because Remus was Sirius’s moon. He knows most people call their partners ‘their sun’ because they light up their world, but for some reason Remus being the sun didn't make any sense, so moon it was.
Sirius laid facing up on his bed, for who knows how long, at some point the power came back though, the red glow of his alarm clock made that clear.
He turned his phone on again, a couple emails came through and some other notifications. Sirius ignored them and pocketed the phone, went downstairs and outside, locking the house as he went.
Sirius walked to the closest store that was open and went inside. He wandered around inside for a bit before buying some things and leaving again, going home.
*The Ice Kids*
James: so we’re good to hang out at my place for new years?
Moon: I’m down
Sirius: yeah sure
Lily: yep
Now Sirius had a definite time he would be seeing Remus again but it wouldn't surprise him if it would end up being sooner than that.
By the time Sirius had wrapped what he bought and was sitting with a cup of hot chocolate at his desk, taking a glance over the homework he had, it was about six at night, or 10:28 as his still wrong clock displayed.
---
Sirius woke up on Christmas day and waited as long as possible before going to get food. Walburga was just as surprised to see him as he was dreading to see her.
“Sirius where the hell have you been?” she practically screamed, “merry Christmas to you too” he replied, looking down while he walked through the kitchen.
“Sirius Black the Third, I asked you a simple question” Walburga stated. “What, I was at a friend’s and then I was up in my room, I’ve been here for two days and was at a friend’s the day before” Sirius explained, looking for something he felt like eating.
“If you've been here this whole time then why haven't I seen you? And where has your car been?” she asked, Sirius winced while looking in a cupboard, he had forgotten about the car. “I parked it down the street so you wouldn't have to move it to go to work every day” was the best he could come up with.
Walburga made a noise that sounded like she at least believed part of what Sirius was telling her then left the kitchen. Sirius grabbed a cookie and a slice of leftover pizza then traveled back upstairs to his room.
Through the wall he could hear Regulus playing some computer game with people online, it sounded like they were struggling.
*The Ice Kids*
Lily: merry christmas guys!
James: yeah merry christmas everyone
Moon: are you guys free to meet up at some point later today or should we hang out tomorrow or monday? I have surprises
James: they better not be stale gingerbread cookies again
Moon: I was 12, it was a good prank
Sirius: yeah if the surprise involves stale food, I’m gonna have to decline, or feed it to the coyotes
Lily: I can do maybe mid afternoon? I have to be home for supper and am busy with other things right now
James: same story for me, 2:30 or 3 ish should work
Sirius: I get the feeling nobody here is gonna miss me much so I can do whenever
Moon: so around 3 in the park then? It wont be the whole afternoon, maybe half an hour
Lily: sounds good
James: I’ll be there if you arent bringing old food
Moon: and here I was wrapping up my gingerbread mansion for you
Sirius: see you guys at the park then
Sirius ate the rest of his slice of pizza then sighed at the fact he should do homework.
It's Christmas, nobody has to do work on Christmas
He opted for that and left it exactly where it was on his desk.
---
Sirius was on his way to the park with his gifts. He was going to walk because it's not too far, but the sidewalks had too much snow on them for his liking so he drove.
He parked his car nearby and walked from there to the pavilion where they ate pizza together the first time they all hung out.
Lily was already there, “how’ve you been?” she asked as Sirius walked up to her. “Good, not doing much really” he said, “I’m sure you could occupy yourself with the homework that you haven't done” she offered, “yeah but who wants to do homework on Christmas day?” Sirius argued, Lily shrugged. They both turned their attention to where the sound of snow crunching was coming from to see Remus, followed by James walking up to the pavilion.
The group greeted each other and Sirius tried his best to not look at Remus for too long. They sat down at the picnic table and had a sort of unprompted gift exchange.
Everyone had brought presents for everyone else, except James. He defended himself by saying he didn't know everyone was bringing gifts. Neither did anyone else, it was all coincidental. Lily laid her presents out on the picnic table, she had made a sort of friendship bracelet for everybody.
They were made of cord and had the same pattern but with different colours, they also had beads woven into them.
Sirius’s was black and silver with the word ‘pads’, Remus got brown and dark green with ‘moony’, and James’s was red and light blue with ‘prongs’.
“I know you already have a couple Sirius but I figure I would make all of us matching ones instead” Lily explained as the boys looked over their bracelets. She pushed up the sleeve of her coat to show them hers which just said ‘lily’ on it, with light pink and orange cords.
That was true, Lily had made him a couple bracelets similar to this before but none of them were as cool as the new one. The boys thanked her and helped each other put them on.
Sirius gave out his presents next. He gave Lily a CD that he hoped she didn't already have, James a gimmicky looking hockey related card game, and Remus a book. Sirius had gotten a picture they had taken developed so it looked like a polaroid and put it between the cover and first page of the book for Remus to find later.
Remus handed out his wrapped presents to everyone. James started to unwrap his and said “I swear if this is food, I’m throwing it far far away” they laughed, followed by James fully opening the wrapping paper to reveal a hockey puck.
“You sure this isn't just one that we lost in the banks?” James asked, flipping it over in his hand a few times. “Would I do that to you?” Remus responded, “yes, yes you would” James said, putting the puck on the table, “I’ve got my eye on you, if this thing explodes or something then I know why” James finished.
Lily unwrapped hers and it was a nice, figure skating themed mug, “aw, thanks Remus” Lily said before examining the mug to find all the cool details.
Sirius opened his last, it was a small box with a letter taped to the top of it. He scanned over the letter and caught the words 'what's in there isn't what you think but pretend’ at the top, so he faked enthusiasm over what should have been in the box. It was a box for a card game that Sirius had never heard of but the art on it looked nice so it wasn't too hard to pretend to be excited over it.
The group sat and talked for a little bit, making plans for James’s house on new years, like who was bringing the drinks and chips, and what time. James said his parents were going to one of their friend’s new years party and wouldn't be back until the day after so they had the house to themselves.
Lily checked her phone “I’ve gotta go, time is not on our side today” she said, standing up and gathering wrapping paper. The rest stood up to help her dispose of the paper and walked in the direction of where everyone had parked their cars.
“Thanks guys, see you on new years!” Lily said, closing the car door. The boys waved and James said he better get going too. Remus and Sirius walked with him to his car and said much of the same, then James drove off.
Sirius watched and waited until James and Lily’s cars were out of sight before facing Remus again.
“You can open it now if you want” Remus told him, Sirius nodded. “Don't read the card yet though” Remus said, Sirius did as he was told and just opened the box.
Inside was a ring with a moon on it, Sirius took it out of the box to have a closer look. “Wow” was all he had, Sirius put the ring on middle finger, “Rem you didn't have to” Sirius said, “yes I did, now we match” Remus answered.
Remus pulled off one of his mittens to show Sirius the ring he had on one of his fingers. It was almost the same as the one he gave Sirius except his had a star on it instead of a moon.
Sirius put the box down on the roof of his car and gave Remus a hug. Remus pulled out of the hug and kissed him. “Merry Christmas Star”, “merry Christmas Moon” they said, resting their heads on each other’s shoulders.
They broke apart and Sirius put the box in his car, they said goodbye and Remus went to go find his car.
Sirius drove home, even if he didn't really want to be there.
He snuck into the house and up to his room, not wanting to be a part of whatever gathering was going on in the living room. By the sounds of it, neither did Regulus, Sirius could hear the sounds of him playing a computer game in his room again.
Sirius sat on his bed after putting the box for the card game on his desk and taking the letter off it.
Dear Sirius, Star, Padfoot,
First off let me tell you what's in there is not what you think but pretend and don't open it yet.
Second off, I’ve been missing you even though it's only been a day. Reading, or scrolling on my phone in the living room doesn't feel the same without your presence anymore.
The hockey team is coming over tomorrow, they're gonna run me out of hot chocolate, and I gotta hide our cake. Mom and dad had a piece and said they didn't like it all that much, so I’m putting it somewhere for us to eat next time you're over.
I hope you like the ring and I hope it fits, if not you can wear it on a necklace. You don't have to wear it if you don't want to though.
Merry Christmas, my star
- Love, Moony xx <3
Sirius texted Remus when he was done reading the letter.
Sirius: I better come over before the cake gets moldy then
Moon: yeah
Sirius put the letter on his desk and opened the drawer he kept rings in. He didn't wear rings as much in the winter because it becomes a pain to put gloves on over them.
He took out a few of his favourites though and put them on, Remus did a good job on picking one out that matches with the majority of the rings Sirius already had.
Now that Sirius was wearing a couple more rings the new one would be less noticeable and suspicious. He's known for wearing multiple rings so if he showed up with just one, people would start to wonder what was going on.
He closed the drawer again and laid on his bed, staring at the ceiling, it wasn't long before his phone went off again.
Moon: thanks for the picture, might frame it and put it up somewhere
Sirius: youre welcome but youre gonna out us to the whole hockey team if you hang it anywhere in the house
Moon: I was thinking to maybe put it somewhere in my room, on the dresser or something
Sirius: good idea
Walburga yelled for Sirius and Regulus to come down for Christmas dinner. Sirius sighed, rolled over, texted Lily to wish him luck, then got up and walked as slowly as possible downstairs and to the dining room.
“You boys should have been down here all day, this is a family Christmas!” Walburga exclaimed as the boys took their seats at the table.
“Yeah Sirius, what's your deal, think you're better than your own flesh and blood?” Bellatrix called from a few chairs down and across the table. Sirius stayed quiet and focused on putting mashed potatoes on his plate.
Regulus wasn't here either, what makes me worse than him?
The adults had started talking about whatever adults talk about and Sirius tried to tune everything out, except for people asking him to pass certain dishes their way.
“Bellatrix, I think Sirius finally has a girlfriend, look” Sirius heard Narcissa over the adults but kept eating like he didn't.
He panicked for a moment, remembering the hickey on his neck.
Did she see it? There's no way, she's all the way over there
Sirius reasoned it wouldn't be the end of the world if they thought he did get a girlfriend, at least they would stop bothering him about being single right?
Wrong.
“Cissy, I think you're right, why else would he be wearing all those rings” Bellatrix said. The entire table went dead quiet and Sirius could feel nearly everyone's eyes burning into him.
Andromeda tried to save him, “Bellatrix don't you remember, that's just how Sirius dresses?”, “ok but why do I never see him with all those rings on?” Bellatrix shot back. She sighed, “you only see him at the rink right? I would not be surprised if he didn't wear rings to skating, I wouldn't wear rings to play hockey so it makes sense”
It took Bellatrix a second to respond, instead of insulting Sirius again though, she went after Andromeda. “I forgot you played hockey, say, any hot guys on your team?”, Sirius looked over at Andromeda who smiled and shook her head, “we haven't had boys on our team since we were little, the teams are separated into girls and boys now” she explained.
“Ok sure fine, but have you seen any guys around for their practice before or after yours?” Bellatrix asked. Andromeda made a show out of thinking to exaggerate it then said “yeah lots, you know, Narcissa’s boyfriend Lucius, and Potter’s not so bad either, then there's Remus who’s so cute and a very good defence player” she continued but Sirius’s head turned to look right at Andromeda at the mention of Remus, he tried to play it off and fiddled with his new ring while Andromeda gave him a look.
“Andy you can't bring up someone who's already in a relationship with Narcissa as potential husbands for me!” Bellatrix exclaimed. Andromeda giggled, “oh right, lets see-” “who's this cute Remus fellow you mentioned?” she asked. Sirius wanted to look up and tell her he's taken but held his tongue.
“Remus, about six foot”
Six foot two
“Plays defence, he's actually really good”
He’s lead defenseman, main guy cause he's so good
“He actually gave me some pointers on how to play on the pond behind his house recently” “we gotta go to this guy’s house then and skate with him” Bellatrix interrupted.
The fuck you don’t
Narcissa spoke up “sounds to me like he's your boyfriend Ands” “what?” “Yeah, cute romantic date on the ice, two defence players, it's the cutest love story ever” Narcissa said. Andromeda shook her head, “nah, I’m not really into him, he's cute and all but I think he's got someone else and they're happy. I don’t think I’m his type anyways” Andromeda explained and stabbed a piece of turkey with her fork then ate it.
“Well if you won't have him then I will, I’m gonna find this girl and kill her, or break them up or something, then have this hunk of a defenceman to myself” Bellatrix said.
Oh please do that’ll be funny
Andromeda laughed “he's not what you think, he's super nice, bit of a bookworm, very smart and sweet, if you're looking for a bad boy try some of the new forwards on the home team”. Andromeda steered the conversation away from Remus, and Sirius continued to eat.
The rest of the dinner went as peacefully as Sirius was anticipating. Everyone got into an argument about sports and then about relationships, saying if anyone dates anyone they don't approve of for any reason, they will be disowned and kicked out of the house.
Sirius kept quiet through all of it and just wished to be eating cake with Remus, or even cleaning off the pond with him. Everything went by slower at his house and everything was so calm all the time, unlike here.
By now all the food had been eaten and cleared off the table. An adult, who clearly hadn't been listening during Bellatrix’s spiel started talking to Sirius.
“So when are you going to knock up a girl?” he said, “excuse me?” Sirius asked, trying to dodge the question. “Aren't you dating anyone? With looks like yours I’m surprised there aren't girls on constant rotation through this house” he said. Walburga interrupted “he's not even here half the time”. The man chuckled, “going to them I see, smart move, you got your looks from your dad, not surprising you're going to girls houses all the time”.
Sirius kept his mouth shut and just listened instead of protesting, toying with the ring Remus gave him. The man stopped talking to him when he realised Sirius wasn't answering any of his questions or engaging with the conversation at all.
For what felt like ages, people were in their house. Sirius wanted to go up to his room the entire time.
When he thought everyone was leaving, he tried. Bellatrix stopped him though “if you're going up there then we’re allowed to go up there and snoop too”, Sirius contemplated just letting them go investigate his room, but remembered the letter so he told them he was instead going to hang out in the living room. Bellatrix, Narcissa, and Andromeda went to the living room with him.
“You've been oddly quiet all day, you're hiding something, spill” Narcissa said as they sat down on various pieces of furniture. “I’m tired, that's all” Sirius said.
Tired of you people nosing into my life
“You sure? Cause I heard auntie Walburga say that you have hardly been home all break” Bellatrix brought up, “yeah, it's not uncommon for me to visit Lily over winter break” Sirius said.
“So you're dating Lily, isn't that cute” Bellatrix mocked, “what? No, she likes someone else, besides, I don't like her like that anyways” Sirius said.
“‘I don't believe you” she said, “well you better. I wouldn't say you and Narcissa are dating just because you guys hang out all the time right, so why would you assume I’m dating Lily” Sirius said, “eww, I’m not gay” Bellatrix said. Sirius didn't bother to point out the incest of that relationship too.
Who am I kidding, this whole family is inbred anyway
“I still think you're lying” Bellatrix kept pushing, Sirius ran a hand through his hair out of frustration, Bellatrix and Narcissa gasped, Sirius cringed on the inside.
Fuck.
“Sirius, you are lying! Who gave you that hickey!” Bellatrix was pointing at the spot on his neck that was now covered in hair again. Sirius glanced at Andromeda for help but she didn't know what to say either.
At first Sirius didn't say anything, “if you're trying to hide a relationship Sirius, you're doing an awful job at it” Bellatrix said.
I was doing alright up until now
“It doesn't matter where it came from, it's not like I see you dating anyone, ever” Sirius replied, Bellatrix gasped “that is not true” “your boyfriend from grade five does not count” Sirius shot before she even had the chance to bring it up. “Well at least I’m not wearing hickeys around like that in front of everyone like the slut you seem to be” Bellatrix started raising her voice.
“Oh so because I have one hickey that makes me a slut? What if this is from someone I’m dating and not some random girl in a bar? Does that make it different? I know I’m attractive to most girls, but I’m not getting it like you think I am” Sirius argued.
This started to catch the attention of some adults again, Sirius was going to continue but he just let the air out through his nose and sat in silence. “Sure you aren't, but until you prove us otherwise I’m still gonna keep believing what I do, and that you're getting every other girl to suck you off whenever you feel like it” Bellatrix stopped.
Druella called for the three of them to come to the door and go home with them, Andromeda gave Sirius a sympathetic look as she walked out of the living room.
After they left, the rest of the extended families took the hint and began leaving too. Sirius made his escape upstairs while people were leaving so he wouldn't have to talk to his parents until hopefully tomorrow.
He wanted to text Remus about everything that happened, but he didn't have the energy to explain. His phone did go off though, and it wasn't Remus.
Andromeda: you and Remus are a thing arent you
Sirius: what makes you say that
Andromeda: I can just tell, youre a bit obvious if you know what to look for
Sirius: what do you want me to say
Andromeda: nothing, I think its cute, I’ll keep your secret
Andromeda was the one family member Sirius liked, she had told him about her relationship with a guy who wasn't very good at school and played field hockey. Things their family would not approve of, she told Sirius and he has kept the secret ever since. She was most likely the only one to accept Sirius’s queerness and was overall the most chill about the ‘rules’, even before she started dating Ted. In Sirius’s opinion, she was the coolest person in the whole family.
Andromeda: I can teach you how to hide hickeys with makeup too if you want
Sirius: lol thanks
Sirius was about to text Lily but remembered she didn't know about him and Remus yet either. He didn't text anybody instead and laid facing the ceiling on his bed again. His phone lit up the room a few moments later.
Moon: merry christmas
Sirius: you already said that
Moon: I know, but I miss you
Sirius: merry christmas
Moon: <3
Sirius: <3
Moon: meet me on main street if youre not too tired
Sirius: I’ll be there in 10
Sirius didn't know what to expect but went to the part of main street that was closest to his house anyway, after making sure the rest of his family was distracted enough for him to leave.
Remus found him and they hugged, “whats up?” Sirius asked, “nothing, just wanted to go for a walk with you” Remus admitted. Sirius went along with it.
There were other people out doing the same, walking up and down the main street, looking at the Christmas decorations that were up in store windows.
Instead of holding hands, they just walked super close to each other, arms brushing by each other on every step.
They stopped to look at a particularly extravagant Christmas lights set up in one of the bigger stores. Sirius watched Remus look at the lights, then past them to the night sky.
Sirius liked seeing Remus in awe of anything but he knew the moon and stars were his favourite. Even though the streetlights overpowered most of the stars, they could still see the moon and a few of the brighter stars.
As they continued walking towards the center of town where the big Christmas tree was set up, Remus leaned into Sirius’s ear and said, “you know, Sirius is the brightest star in the sky, and you're the brightest thing in my life too, it matches wonderfully”. Sirius smiled.
He’s not always the smoothest but he means well
Sirius whispered back “you know, the moon is the brightest thing in the night sky, and you're the brightest thing in my life too, so that checks out”. Sirius took his hand out of his pocket and wove it to interlock with Remus’s before putting it back in his pocket.
They had made it to the Christmas tree in the town center and found lots more people there. Some singing carols in small groups, others standing and watching, a lot of couples hugging and looking at the tree.
“It's a lot prettier at night than it is when I drive by to school, that's for sure” Sirius said, taking in all the lights.
Sirius felt Remus take his arm back and looked at him, Remus opened his mouth to talk but Sirius got there first “I get it, it's alright”.
Sirius looked around, there was a decent chance that someone either him or Remus knew would be there and could see them. Sirius ignored the paranoia the best he could and stayed where he was, looking at the tree.
After they decided they were too cold to stay outside, they started to walk back to where Sirius came onto main street.
The farther from the tree they got, the less people they saw, and Remus got his hand in Sirius’s pocket to hold his hand.
They held hands between them until they got to the little passage between main street and the fastest route to Sirius’s house. It was a bit of a mysterious alleyway, but it did have lights and wasn't very long.
“Merry Christmas” Remus paused, “for the third time” they laughed which made fog appear between them from the air being cold but their breath being warm.
“Merry Christmas” Sirius replied, he didn't really know what else to say. If parting ways was always going to be this awkward, Sirius wanted to move in just so they don't have to do it as often.
There wasn't very much light in the alleyway but Sirius could still see Remus’s eyes, enough to make out the fact he was lost in thought.
Sirius took Remus’s face and kissed him.
It was a nice, soft kiss. They held their foreheads together afterwards and just stood there.
Sirius didn't know how long they were there for but at some point they did break apart. They said their goodbyes, and see you laters. Sirius continued through the little alleyway and Remus went back out onto main street.