Carnival
The next morning, Sirius and Remus worked together to find spots for his presents. Remus’s mom gave them a piece of string and small clothespins to hang the polaroids on Remus’s bookshelf.
Remus also added the one Sirius gave him at Christmas to the little display.
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Everyone was busy after March break with the playoffs coming up and the end of the figure skating season had preparations for carnival and test day.
Sirius and Remus hadn’t had as much time to hang out because of that but Sirius was hoping that after the season ended they could hang out as much as they wanted.
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This was it, it was carnival day. The entire skating club had been working on preparing it for weeks and today was the day of the performance.
Sirius had mentioned it offhand to Twig when he asked about the season ending, and that led to almost the entire hockey team getting tickets to come watch.
Sirius liked that they had offered to come watch and support them but it wasn't needed. Sometimes Sirius thinks it's because they're taking pity on him and Lily but from what he hears they genuinely like both of them.
Sirius was in his and Peter’s dressing room getting ready for the first number, which was a blacklight one. Sirius always loved the blacklight routines because you couldn't see the audience and they can't really tell who's who.
They also get to wear neon outfits to glow in the dark and that was always pretty neat to him. Sirius was bouncing in his skates to feel if they felt right, which they did, so he sat back down and tucked his laces under his neon green leg warmers.
Peter was almost ready too, “excited?” Sirius asked him, “yeah, as long as I don't fall too hard or mess up I should be good” he said. The group had done a practice run to get used to the darkness and how to do the routine without being able to see much. Peter had done well during the practice run so Sirius had no worries “you’ll do great” Sirius said, Peter thanked him and stood up to try and shake the nerves off himself.
The dressing rooms and halls between them were crawling with skaters and coaches and other helpers trying to get everything ready. Sirius peaked out of the dressing room to see if he could talk to someone or at least help or do something to take his mind off the performance.
He bumped into Minerva who was on her way to the girls dressing room. “Hi Sirius, are you ready?” she asked. Sirius started walking with her down the hall “I think so” he said, “great cause you guys are on in about ten minutes” Minerva informed him as they got to the girls dressing room door.
Sirius turned around and started to walk back down the hall and pace a little to pass the time. He went back to his and Peter’s room to put his phone in his bag and stepped out into the hall again to check the order of performances, even though he had it almost memorised.
While reading the order of the program, he got grabbed and pulled away from the paper on the wall and before he could register what was happening there were lips on his and his back was against the wall.
A few seconds later Sirius pulled away, “what are you doing here, you shouldn't be here you know” he said, “I know but hey neither were you so I’m making it even” Remus said. Sirius looked up and down the hall for people and it seemed that everyone was too busy sorting things out to notice them.
He looked back at Remus, who was now at eye height because of the skates. Sirius put his hands up the back of Remus’s hair and pulled him back in to continue what Remus had started.
Remus had him pushed against the wall and was kissing him hard, Sirius kissed him back. It felt a little different to usual as Sirius’s mouth was level with Remus’s instead of either of them having to tilt their head for the other.
The instinct to stand on his toes was still there so Sirius went up on his toes and continued to kiss Remus from higher up. This made Remus grip Sirius’s waist even tighter so Sirius kept going, and pulled Remus’s hair some more.
Sirius heard Minerva coming “I’ll go get Sirius and Peter” she said. Sirius gently pushed Remus away again even though he didn't want to and it seemed like he understood. “Good luck” Remus said and tucked a flyaway behind Sirius’s ear, “thanks, I hope you guys like it” he said, “we will, now break a leg you hot 80’s at home workout instructor” Remus said, Sirius laughed “is it that bad?” he asked, “yeah but it's you so you're hot anyways now knock ‘em dead and break a leg” Remus said and patted him on the butt.
“Love you” Sirius said as they started walking in opposite directions “love you, now go before either of us gets caught” Remus said as he started speed walking away. Sirius turned to find Minerva, who was standing at the end of the hall.
“At least introduce us before you start making out in the hallway” Minerva said and slung her arm around his waist to guide him into the girls dressing room, Sirius felt his cheeks go pink. “Don't be embarrassed, we’ve all been there but I’d like to know more about him, us coaches like to gossip too you know” she said.
The girls dressing room had what seemed like a million people in it, mostly coaches and moms helping everyone get ready.
“Alright! Can I have everyone’s attention for a minute” Minerva shouted to the room of people, it went quiet. Sirius snuck around the group to stand by Lily as Minerva started explaining some logistical things and how everyone in there was there to help.
Lily fixed Sirius’s collar and tucked some of his flyaways under the rest of his hair to hide them better, “was the moon anxious to see you beforehand?” Lily whispered, “‘parrently the moon had to wish me luck” Sirius responded, Lily nodded.
“Alright girls, and guys, it's just about time so break a leg and get going!” Minerva finished her speech and cheers went around the room. There were still people adjusting their costumes and making sure laces were tucked in and such while they were on their walk to the ice.
Everybody lined up behind the curtain on the ice and were waiting for the lady to finish her introductions and start the music.
Sirius and Lily double high fived as encouragement and just moved a little in place waiting for the lights to go out.
The lights went out and the crowd ‘oooh’ed, the skaters let their eyes adjust and got ready in their lineup, dead quiet until the music started.
Sirius was the front of one of the lines so he had to start his line going out onto the ice when the music began. As soon as they were all out there and working together all of the nerves went away and everything felt calm.
Halfway through, Sirius’s pick got caught in the ice and he fell on his side. When he stopped sliding he got up as fast as he could and sped over to the group to catch up and keep going with the routine.
They struck their ending poses and the crowd cheered, Bellatrix ended on the side closest to where the curtain was so she started skating off to lead everyone else.
After they were out of sight the lights came back on and everyone got off to change into their next outfit. “Are you ok?” Lily asked as they walked between the ice and the dressing rooms, “yeah I’m good, landed on my hip but it's not that bad, sounded worse than it was y’know” Sirius answered. Lily nodded as they separated to get changed.
Sirius and Peter had different outfits for the next number seeing as they were in different smaller groups and Peter had to go on sooner so Sirius asked if he needed help but Peter said he was alright so Sirius got to work on getting himself changed.
The rest of the performances went well, Sirius tried to find Remus and James in the stands during one of his other routines but to no avail.
During the finale, all of the people who skated came on again like a big parade so that time Sirius had more time to look properly.
Almost everyone was holding the hand of a little kid because all the little kids had been in numbers and at least half of them could barely skate without holding someone's hand. Sirius didn't blame them, hell he was four years old when he started and needed a hand, some of these kids were three, maybe even two and a half.
Lily shook his free arm a bit “look” she said and pointed up to one spot in the crowd. Sirius followed her finger and saw Remus, and James along with most of the team waving at them, Sirius and Lily waved back as they slowly skated along. Sirius also spotted Remus’s parents standing near the team waving at them.
Standing on the ice for the finale wasn't the end of the world but it was always awkward. Everybody was just standing, shuffling a bit and talking in whispers as the lady was announcing awards and thank you’s over the speakers.
At one point the child that Sirius was holding the hand of fell down and he knelt down to help him up again.
“Are you ok?” Sirius asked him, the kid nodded, Sirius offered him a high five which was returned enthusiastically as Lily skated towards the coaches by the curtains.
Shit, what's the award for? Was my name called? I haven't been listening
Lily stood beside the coaches holding the flower they had given her, there were a few other girls with her as well.
“Thank you to all of our program assistants for your help this year, and bringing out the best in all of our young skaters” the lady said over the speakers, the crowd gave them a round of applause.
PA-ing, that made sense
Sirius clapped in their direction and Lily gave him a smile, the lady moved on to talk about the volunteers that helped set up this morning and Sirius went back to his zoning out.
They all filed off the ice in one big parade line after all the announcements were over and Lily joined Sirius again.
“That's a nice flower” he commented “yeah, we all got one, well you didn't but that's cause you don't PA” Lily teased, “I’m not good with teaching, besides I like to keep my free time the way it is” Sirius defended.
Lily raised an eyebrow “ok I’m not good at teaching kids, happy?” he said, a bit red. Lily smiled and they parted ways to get out of their costumes and into regular clothes, Sirius handed the little boy off to one of his parents before going into his and Peter’s room.
Sirius had taken his skates off and was working on hanging all his costumes back on the hangers. The door opened a little and he heard Filius’s voice “can I come in here boys?” he asked, “yeah sure, we’re just cleaning up” Peter said.
Filius came in with a rack of costumes to collect theirs. “Well done boys that was great” he said, they thanked him as they hung some costumes on the rack.
Some small talk went around between the three of them until they had sorted out all the costumes and Filius left again, “see you guys on Wednesday” “yeah see you” they said as he left.
Sirius threw on his coat and packed his skates in his bag before giving the room a onceover and headed towards the door. “See you later Peter” he said as he left “yeah see you” Peter said, he was retying a shoelace and was almost ready to leave too.
Sirius got out of the dressing room and found Lily a little ways down the hall so he ran over to catch up with her. “Were you leaving without me?” he asked, “oh I would never” she said dramatically, Sirius hung an arm over her shoulders “we did pretty good didn't we” he said “yeah we did, I didn't fall and you only fell once when literally nobody would know it was you” Lily said.
“Of course you fell during the blacklight number, forget the ice was there Sirius?” Bellatrix asked, “oh shut up Bellatrix, you can't talk, you fell on test day which is arguably worse” Sirius shot back.
“At least my parents showed up” she said, it stung at first but then Sirius remembered his friends “well sometimes I don't need my parents validation, sometimes I like to just skate to entertain people that aren't my parents, I don't need to make them proud, I was having fun, were you?” Sirius rebutted.
Bellatrix was quiet for a moment, she started to say something but it got lost in the crowd of people in the lobby as Lily pushed the door open.
Sirius and Lily walked away from Bellatrix, who ended up being called over by some other people in the lobby anyway.
The hockey team wasn't hard to find seeing as they were all in a group together on the other side of the lobby.
Einstein spotted them first and pointed at Sirius and Lily so the rest of the team would look over. Sirius and Lily did their best to navigate to them faster even though it was packed in there.
They got a lot of praise and bro hugs and high fives and fist bumps and things of the like. James scooped Lily up and spun her around “you guys did so good” he said and kissed her. Lily’s parents joined the group and gave her hugs and told her how proud they were.
The boys had all taken their turns giving their greeting form of choice and Sirius looked around for Remus. “Alright what have you guys done with him?” he asked, Twig pointed behind Sirius so he would turn around and Remus had appeared there.
“Told you you would knock ‘em dead” he said and gave Sirius the tightest hug ever, he even spun him around a little bit. “Now I’m shorter again” Sirius complained and Fry used his shoulder as an armrest.
“You should just wear skates all the time so we can be pretty much the same height” Remus suggested, Sirius stepped out from under Fry’s arm which made him lose his balance for a second.
“Maybe I should do just that” Sirius contemplated. Before he could say anything else about it, Sneak had questions.
Sneak was interested in one of his field moves again so he faced the circle and answered some of the questions. He felt someone pull the hair elastic out of his hair so that it could fall on his shoulders again.
The team started talking among themselves for a moment and Remus’s hand went up through Sirius’s hair to loosen it and get it back to how it usually is. Sirius liked having Remus’s hand in his hair, he leaned into it and let his eyes roll back in his head a little.
“Can you guys not do that here” Blue said, Remus dropped his hand and Sirius rubbed the back of his neck “sorry” he said, “don't be, it just makes the rest of us feel really single” Twig assured them.
Lily talked to her parents for a bit and they were ok with her going out for pizza. Lily’s mom pulled Sirius aside as well “I’m so proud of you too, you both did fantastically” she said “thanks” Sirius said. Lily’s mom nodded in Remus’s direction, “whos the lucky guy?” she asked, Sirius smiled and looked at Remus “I am”.
“You really are every bit as sappy as Lily says you are. What's his name?” she asked, “Remus” Sirius said, “why didn't you tell me? I could've helped you ask him out or baked you guys cookies or something” “it's alright, Lily didn't even know until a couple weeks later, I know you wouldn't mind if I told you about him, I just wanted it to be just us for a bit” Sirius explained. “I get that, well, let him know that if either of you need anything you're both welcome at our house anytime, and you know that right” “yeah”.
Lily’s dad joined “being with a dude wasn't something for me but I can see why you like him, he looks like a good guy” “he is” Sirius agreed. “Alright well, we’ll let you kids celebrate and as always call if you need anything” Lily’s mom said, Sirius thanked them and they gave him and Lily another hug before leaving.
“Alright let's go get some pizza!” Lefty said. They left the arena as one big unit and stopped at Sirius and Lily’s cars to drop off their skating bags, and Lily’s flower.
Someone had the bright idea to call the pizza place ahead of time to order the pizzas.
They walked together and it was a fun time, lots of banter and easy conversation.
This is what having friends should feel like
They picked up the pizzas and ate in the park at the tables protected by the pavilion.
“So how long have you guys been practicing all of that?” Blue asked, “I don't know something like maybe a month or month and a half?” Sirius guessed.
They all went around talking about their favourite parts and what they thought was cool.
Sirius didn't really want to bring up the fact he had fallen, he hoped they all forgot it even happened because it was during the first number but alas, Sneak asked who fell at the beginning.
Sirius and Lily exchanged glances “yeah that was me” Sirius said, he knew as soon as he said it that Remus would be concerned, and he was, he hid it well but Sirius knew.
“What happened?” Einstein asked, “I don't really know, I was still running off adrenaline but I think I got caught in a groove or my pick nicked the ice at a weird angle and I went down” Sirius explained.
“I guess falling is inherent to ice sports, you sure you're good though?” Moth checked, “yeah I’m fine, I’ve fallen worse before, you just have to get up and keep going as if you didn't fall” Sirius explained.
“You guys don't get breaks though” Twig said, “I mean I guess but you guys play what? Forty minute long games at the minimum? We skate for ten minutes at the most, including warm ups” Sirius replied.
“Different sports, different tolerances to time on the ice” Einstein reasoned.
The conversations continued until it started getting late and yawns went around the group. “Fuck, we have school tomorrow don’t we” Blue stated, some of them answered him with sad ‘yeah’s.
The pizza was almost all gone by now and it was getting colder out. “Lets go before we all freeze then” Lefty said.
They gathered the boxes and other garbage before leaving the park and walking back to the arena parking lot.
Sirius was walking with his head leaning against Remus’s shoulder. Remus was holding him by the waist. “Can I sleep over tonight?” Sirius asked, “is that even a question? Of course you can, I can barely sleep without you there anymore too” Remus answered.
Everyone broke apart to go to their cars in the parking lot, Sirius drove his car to Remus’s because he knew he would need it to get to school. It would be easier to drive from Remus’s to school instead of taking a detour to pick up Sirius’s car before school the next day.
At Remus’s, Sirius took his skates out to dry beside Remus’s hockey skates on the doormat.
Remus’s parents were on the couch watching a movie. “Hey great job Sirius” they said as he walked towards the living room.
“Thanks guys” he said, “I used to love carnival, it was so fun, it was fun to watch you guys too” Remus’s mom said, “glad we could be entertaining” Sirius said and did half a bow. Remus came to stand beside him.
“Tell us all about it tomorrow, you need rest now and you both have school in the morning” she said, the boys gave her nods and started to walk away from the living room.
“Remus, where's our goodnight hugs?” she asked, Remus sighed jokingly and turned around to give each of his parents a hug and told them goodnight. “We love you both dearly now get a good night's sleep” she said as Sirius and Remus started up the staircase.
They got to Remus’s room and Sirius took his shirt off and while he was changing his pants Remus came over to inspect his side. “Where did you fall?” he asked, spinning Sirius around, “hey, it's not that bad, I landed on this side, see it's barely even bruised” Sirius said and pointed at the hip that hit the ice.
Remus touched it and gave it a kiss “I’m really alright, you guys get hit so much harder and more often, I can handle falling every now and then” Sirius tried to assure Remus that he was ok. Remus was hesitant, but let go of him allowing Sirius to pull his borrowed pajama pants on.
Remus took his shirt off, got changed into his pajama pants and they got into bed, huddled close, and fell asleep.
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The next morning they got up and Sirius discussed carnivals in length with Remus’s mom over breakfast while Remus and his dad listened.
Due to that conversation, everyone was running late though, so a large amount of scrambling took place in order for them to make it to school and work on time.
Remus’s parents shared a brief kiss before getting in their cars. Remus shrugged “why not” he said and kissed Sirius for a bit longer before they separated to drive to their respective schools. Sirius caught the end of Remus flipping his dad off for wolf whistling at them with his car door open.
They all laughed and finally took off.
During class, Sirius opened instagram and saw that Lily had posted. It was pictures of her and James along with all four of them on the pond on various days, including the first time they went skating as a group. Sirius tried to hide his smile as he scrolled through the pictures. He was expecting some kind of long caption as per Lily’s other posts, but was surprised and delighted when he looked at it. The caption simply said “we are the literal cool kids”.