Lovers to Lovers
James was angry.
He was angry at Remus.
He was angry at Sirius.
And he was angry at himself for letting this happen.
They were an adorable couple. Perfect for each other. Soulmates even. But when Remus treats Sirius like the king he is, then runs over to his friends who are giggling like a bunch of school girls. James cannot accept it.
“Are you being a git on purpose or are you Durmstrang lads just really into gossip?” James asked with his arms crossed. Remus was lying on a comfy couch in the guest common room with a rugged book in his hands.
“What are you on about, Prongs?” Remus chuckled.
“You! I’m on about you!”
“What have I done?”
“You know what you’ve done!”
“No, please remind me. It appears I’ve forgotten.” Remus stood up, his book still in his hand.
“At lunch, you sit with us and are all sweet with Pads, then we finish and you run off to Igor and the other git who are always giggling like lunatics!”
“They have a big sense of humour!” Remus shrugged.
“Then why do they laugh at us?”
“Maybe because you’re funny?”
“No! I know a pack of bullies when I see one and your little group is definitely that.”
“What are you on about, Prongs?” Remus sighed tiredly.
“I think you’re doing something for the tournament and I think it isn’t good.” James put his hands on his hips.
“Aren’t we all doing something for the tournament?” Remus yelled in return.
“Not whatever the fuck you’re doing! This is about making friends and meeting other students and definitely not using people for whatever plan you and your goons have going on.”
Remus was silent and didn’t meet James’s eyes.
“Are you using Sirius or something?” James asked angrily, “Is this a ‘tactic’ you and your friends came up with? Because if it is, cut it the fuck out or else I’m going to have to use fists.”
Remus began tearing up and without his permission, he started sobbing. He hid his face in his hands, shoulders shaking with every sob. His book dropped to the floor and one of the pages folded.
“Shit Moony, you okay?” James asked in confusion, rubbing his back comfortingly.
“No! Fuck Prongs, this is the worse thing to ever happen to me.” Remus cried, his face was still covered but against James’s shoulder.
“You can talk to me about anything you know, I’ve been told I’m a great listener.” James said with a grin, patting Remus’s head.
“Oh James,” Remus sobbed, James’s shirt was beginning to feel wet, “I love him, I would never do this to him but I’m being forced!”
“What! Forced to do what?”
“I would never, I could never. He’s brilliant and gorgeous and- and I don’t deserve it for what I’ve been doing.”
“Rem, please tell me before you get snot on my shirt.” He tried to be funny but Remus cried harder and wrapped his arms around the slightly shorter boy.
“You’ll hate me too and I love you guys. You’re the best things that ever happened too me!” Remus weeped.
“You’ll never loose us you silly git.” James rolled his eyes. “You’re stuck with us, unfortunately. And I’ve already made you one of my grooms men when I marry Lily.”
Remus cried more and shook his head. “You’ll change your mind when you find out!”
“It can’t be that ba-“
“I’M BEING FORCED TO BE IN LOVE WITH SIRIUS OR ELSE I’LL BE FUCKING OUTED! OKAY?” Remus yelled.
James was shooked for a moment before it turned into confusion, then anger.
“You- you what?”
“It’s not my fault I swear! I do love him. So, so, so much and it’s not fake at all!” Remus rushed, he looked frantic and James almost felt sorry for him.
“But you’re playing along?”
“I have too! Don’t you get it? Or else Arnoldi will tell everyone where I go once a month.”
“Shit.” James opened his arms and Remus fell into them sobbing, “But it’s real right? You do love Sirius?”
“I’ve been in love with him before Arnoldi told me to fake it.”
“Well that’s good, what’s the problem then?”
“Igor or someone will spill their plan sooner or later and Sirius will think I used him and he’d never trust me again and he’ll never believe I ever love him as much as I do!” And the water works started up again, making James’s shirt even wetter.
“Why don’t you tell them to fuck themselves?”
Remus laughed humourlessly. “I wish. If only you knew the outcome that would come from that.”
“Tell Sirius, then he won’t be upset with you when they spill?” James suggested.
“But then he’d think it was fake the whole time!” Remus wailed, “Sirius would go to the worse possible outcome, I know he would.”
“He adores you Remus, he’ll believe you if you tell him earlier on than let it get any worse.”
“Why does everyone call you a himbo? You’re so fucking smart.” Remus cried even more.
James was starting to regret not wearing a thicker shirt.
“You know what! I’ll go get him and you can tell Sirius all your feelings then call me in so we can slander your school, okay? He’ll believe you more if you have someone on your side.” He suggested again. Remus nodded sadly and wiped his eyes and nose in a childlike way.
“Okay, thanks mate.”
——
Sirius was definitely confused.
“Padfoot, I love you.” Remus had said with a small smile.
He had felt on top of the world so he grabbed the boy and kissed him, which was pretty damn close.
“I love you too, Moony.” He replied into his mouth, the boys had giggled and kissed some more.
And now they have pulled apart and Remus looks blanched.
“There’s something you should know.”
Sirius laughed and kissed his cheek. “What? That you’re a werewolf.”
“Ha ha, it’s something worse I think.”
Sirius traced one of Remus’s scars, the one from his left eye through his right cheek that ended at his jaw.
“Now I’m curious. Am I a mistress?” He chuckled, Remus rolled his eyes but looked less pale.
“More like every Durmstrang that came here thinks I’m using you for my own advantage to win the cup.”
Sirius was more than confused.
“What?” He pulled away.
“It’s not true! I’m so in love with you I can’t even breathe sometimes, but my Headmaster thinks I’m using you to win the cup. I think he believes I’ll be a-“
“Shut up Lupin!” Sirius swore loudly, “you can’t just confess your feelings then tell me you’re using me.”
“But I’d never use you, I’ve been in love with you since before Arnoldi forced me to go with his plan!”
“Yeah right, as if you wouldn’t use me.” Sirius yelled back, his eyes were wet.
“What the fuck does that mean” Remus asked, he looked extremely hurt.
“Come on Remus, you need the prize money for your mum and you’re scared you’ll not get it unless you get into my pants!” Sirius seethed.
“Is that what you think of me?” Remus whispered, looking like Sirius punched him.
Sirius groaned and walked forward to take Remus’s elbow, who was turning away. “No Moony, I’m sorry I’m just tired.”
“But you wouldn’t have said it if you didn’t mean it!” Remus stepped backwards. He was crying now.
“No I swear, Moony please sit down. I’m sorry.”
“No!” Remus cried. “You really think I’d sleep with you just to win the cup? If you have that must trust in me then you really mustn’t love me us much as I love you.”
“You just fucking told me you’re using me!”
“I fucking told you that Arnoldi thinks I’m using you but I’ve been in love with you since the first fucking night in this damned castle!”
“Then why does Arnoldi think you’re using me?” Sirius yelled, Remus scrunched his own hair and groaned in frustration.
“Because he’s a bastard that’s trying to get you out of the competition and me to the cup and the only reason I agreed to his stupid plan - even though I’m not actually- is cause he said he’d out me and I wouldn’t wake up in the morning and Prongs would get the blame and-and I’m so confused and I hate him and I hate my school and I would never purposely do this to you!” Remus sobbed out.
Sirius’s anger hadn’t faded at all. “Prongs what?”
“Arnoldi practically told me that he’d kill me if I didn’t agree to his plan and that James would get the blame for it. He’d go to Azkaban an innocent man and I’d be dead and my poor mam and poor you and-“ Remus was cut off by Sirius’s strong hug that pushed them onto the couch.
“Bloody hell, mon loup.” Sirius muttered into his curls.
“I would die rather than use you but I couldn’t let James be falsely imprisoned, I could never.” Remus sobbed into his shoulder. Sirius kissed his head and stroked his scalp.
“It’s not fair, the position you were in. I would’ve done the same.”
Remus chuckled bitterly, “I still haven’t forgotten that you thought I’d get into your pants only to win the stupid cup.”
“You’re right Remus, that was a dick thing to say.” Sirius said solemnly, hugging his lover tightly. “But I do love you.”
“And I love you.”
Sirius grinned widely and hugged Remus tighter.
“And I was- this is so embarrassing- it was my first time, the night of the Yule Ball. So it wasn’t a small thing for me.” Remus said shyly.
Sirius pulled away and grabbed his face then started assaulting it with kisses.
“Hahaha, Pads stop! Hahaha that tickles!” Remus laughed as the kisses continued.
Sirius thought he was absolutely adorable. “I just love to kiss you.”
With one last loud kiss on the cheek, Sirius smiled down at Remus who was flushed from kisses. Merlin he loved him.
“I’m honoured I was your first. At least you know it was good sex.” He winked and Remus covered his face with a groan.
“Get off me you oaf.”
“Nope! Can’t let you run off to those gits you called friends when you could be with me.”
“I wanted to read actually, but I’m glad you like my company.” Remus gruffed, pushing him off.
“Hey Moony, I’m sorry. I’m just mad they wanted you to use me and threaten your life! It may be a little thing for you but that isn’t normal.” Sirius fought. The atmosphere turning cold again.
“You think I wanted to be threatened! If anyone else finds out about my furry problem I may well be as good as dead, no one wants their child to be near a monster. My father certainly didn’t.”
“You know that’s not true, you are certainly not a monster! And I’m sorry again for saying that. I really am fucking up tonight.” Sirius apologised. He patted up and down Remus’s sweatered arm that smelt like the amortentia he made in sixth year.
His mind flickered with an idea.
“This sweater smells very familiar.” He started, “along with those chocolate bars you’re obsessed with and a hint of forest.” Remus looked confused with one eyebrow raised.
“I remember smelling these smells in sixth year when Monsieur Graem taught us it in cours de potions.” Sirius saw Remus blushed and look over his face with wondering eyes.
“You’re a smart boy Moony, you know what potion I’m talking about. La potion d'amour.” the potion of love
“Shit Pads.” Remus groaned, hiding his face in Sirius’s shoulder.
He giggled and hugged the boy closer.
“You have to tell me what you smelt now. I almost blacked out when I realised why you smelt so familiar.” Sirius chuckled, a little nervous in case Remus’s amortentia was something different.
Remus shook his head and dug deeper into Sirius’s shoulder.
“Way to change the topic to amortentia.”
“I truly am curious! And you can tell me if you didn’t smell me, I’ll be sad for sure, but sup-“
Remus kissed him again with a grin. Sirius was starting to like the way he shuts him up.
“I smelt motor oil, the cologne you wear every damn day that was driving me crazy,” Remus started looking embarrassed.
“Go on.”
“Old books and dirt, maybe leather but it was a year ago so I don’t remember.”
Sirius smiled at his lover again, kissing his forehead and hugging him closer.
“We are written in the stars, Moonbeam.”
“Of course you get poetic after love affirmations.”
“Only for you, Moonyeyes.”
“I don’t like that one.” Remus chuckled.
“Mooncakes.”
“No.”
“Moonsicle?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Moonymine.”
“That one’s cute actually.”
“Moonymoon.”
“Ha ha.”
“My Moony.” Sirius whispered. Remus stopped laughing at his nicknames and looked at Sirius with large eyes.
“My beautiful Padfoot.” Remus whispered back, touching Sirius’s face like it was glass.
“Does that count as a nickname?” Sirius muttered, admiring the boys amber eyes.
“Would you rather I call you Paddywack?”
Sirius laughed loudly, throwing his head back. Remus was giggling and started kissing his exposed neck.
“Padfoon then?”
“The fuck is that?” Sirius asks with a giggle.
“Pad Thai?” Remus said with a wink.
“Haha yummy.”
“Paddleboat?”
“I gave you romantic additions of your name and you’re giving me these?” Sirius sighed.
“It’s hard.” Remus groaned.
“Call me Daddy then?” Sirius suggested, winking again.
“Should I bite my lip whenever I call you that?” Remus chuckled.
“Like. Daddy.” Remus said in a husky voice, he bit his lip but started laughing after he did it.
Sirius was, unfortunately, turned on.
“Good grief Remus, mon dieu.” He sighed making Remus giggle more.
“Must make up for the lack of fatherly figures in our lives.”
Sirius laughed through his nose and kissed Remus’s hair.
“Who needs fathers? They fight all the time anyway.” Sirius said, playing with the thick ringlets.
Remus nodded. “Agreed.”
“Did you talk to him Moony?” James asked, walking in with a hopeful voice.
“Oh sorry Prongs, I forgot to call you in.” Remus said, pulling out of the embrace but staying on the couch.
“Are we back to being Marauders? Can we plan pranks on Arnoldi now?”
“Marauders?” Remus asked.
James and Sirius locked eye contact and nodded. “Of course! It’s our gang name!”
Remus scoffed and fell back into Sirius’s chest. “ I’ll only join if we get Arnoldi back real bad.”
“Obviously. Anything for you Moony.”
——
“Pete, we’ll send you back if you don’t stop stepping on my toes.” Sirius snapped.
As the boys went to retrieve James’s invisible cloak, they were discovered by Peter who was writing an essay in his bed. Frank was with Alice and Peter was extremely bored and kept asking questions.
“Fine you can come, but only if you don’t ask what this is for, okay?” Sirius said sternly.
Remus had noticed those two didn’t get on very well. Peter was jealous his friendship with James was threatened and Sirius thought Peter was a lieability who would only slow them down.
It was rather annoying.
“Will you two stop bickering or we’ll send you both back.” Remus snapped.
“Sorry Moony.” Sirius muttered.
“Apologies.”
“Arnoldis office is here. I was thinking we do something to his staff, he carries it around even in his nightclothes. Maybe we jinx it or something. Any ideas are welcome.” Remus said, feeling proud to be in this group and under the cloak.
“Will you be carrying your staff?” James asked.
Remus nodded. “We have staff training tomorrow so yeah. Gotta practice spinning it around our arms and banging it on the ground so loudly sparks fly up and stuff.” He rolled his eyes at the thought.
“Will you be wearing those shorts?” Sirius asked.
“Haha no, we wear our full uniform like always with this sort of practice.”
“Stupid uniform.” He heard Sirius mutter.
“Anyway,” James said loudly. “I think we should prank you guys at the training.”
“And do what? Turn the ground into foam whenever someone’s staff touched the ground?” Remus joked.
“That’s not that bad actually!” Pete exclaimed.
“That could be good?” He asked.
“Yes! You have a mind of a prankster, my dear Moony.” James said, putting an arm around his shoulders.
“Gerrof.” Remus grumbled with a blush.
“Do we enchant the staffs or the ground?” Peter asked.
“The ground.”-“The staff.” James and Sirius said at the same time.
“The ground wouldn’t be able to be enchanted because it might feel any hard presence and turn into foam and that wouldn’t be the prank.” Remus concluded. “I’ll enchant the staffs tonight if we find the spell.”
“Bet 5 pounds I’ll find the spell first.” Sirius yelled gleefully.
Remus found the spell first.
———
“Okay here they come!” James jittered with excitement.
He loved a good prank and Remus seemed to be the brain to his brawn when it came to them.
Sirius, him and Pete were sitting at the Gryffindor table for breakfast when the Durmstrang students came walking in like they owned the place. Their staffs were banging on the floor and Arnoldi looked like he wanted to charm everyone dead. Remus winked at them and James blew him a kiss. Marlene was beside him looking smug in their wooly uniform and when all of them banged their staffs on the ground, the sparks that usually appeared were met with a bouncing sound.
“Oh Merlin it’s working!” Sirius sang.
The hall looked shocked and Remus was giggling into his collar. Marlene gave him a pointed look and stuck her tongue at the boys on the table. Arnoldi looked at his staff with distrust as ordered everyone to bang them again. The result was the same spongy sound and James saw Igors staff bounce a little.
“What is this childish nonsense?” Arnoldi roared.
Dumbledore was smiling kindly, “It appears we have some pranksters in our midsts. The soft landing charm is very easy to reverse, I will return your staffs back to normal Stefan. But for now, please take a seat and enjoy this devine breakfast.”
Remus practically skipped to their table with Marlene in tow.
“That worked brilliantly!” He gushed about his work. He kissed Sirius on the forehead as he sat down and started stacking pancakes into his plate.
“Woah woah woah! What was that Rem?” Marlene asked with her eyebrows raised.
He looked confused, “what was what?”
“That with Sirius? The forehead kiss.”
“Did I not tell you? Sirius is my boyfriend.”
Sirius looked at Remus in awe and blushed incredibly. Marlene looked speechless and James was about to stand up and kick her out if she said anything.
“Why didn’t you tell me? We could’ve been simping about our boyfriend and girlfriend all this time!” She said looking mad. It was Remus’s turn to be speechless.
“You have a girlfriend?!”
Marlene scoffed and pointed to the Ravenclaw table. “Yeah, Dorcas and I have been going at it since the Yule Ball. I thought you and Siri had a thing going on that night too.”
“Don’t call me that.” Sirius grumbled.
“We did!” Remus gasped in excitement.
“I fucking knew you were gay.”
“I was oblivious! You and Alyona were making out right in front of me in fourth year and I thought that was a normal thing for girls to do.”
“Haven’t we all made out with our girl friends?” Mary said. “Don’t look at me like that! I was curious and Dorcas was probably horny.”
“You kissed Dorky?” Frank gasped as he and Alice sat down.
Mary shrugged and looked at Remus.
“So Alice was right about you.” She smirked.
“I’m right about a lot of things, be specific please.” Alice said, picking at a bacon bun.
“That Rem was gay.”
“Oh please, I thought we all knew that when he and Sirius were snogging at the party after the first challenge.”
“I didn’t snog him, Moony looked hot and he completed the task way to quickly which made him ten times hotter an-“
“Pads, think about an ugly teacher at Beauxbatons but in a bikini.” James said with a mouthful of egg.
Sirius closed his eyes and nodded solemnly. “Thanks Prongsie, I needed that.”
“You good Sirius?”
“Please don’t talk to me Remus, I need a breather.”
It was silent for a moment when Sirius opened his eyes and nodded at everyone.
“All good. Please continue.”
“You did not just get a boner at the breakfast table.” Lily scolded.
Sirius blushed and put a finger up at her. “It was an accident.”
Lily rolled her eyes and James put an arm around her. “I need to get paid being your friend.”
“Reg doesn’t complain and he lives with me.”
“You only masterbait at night but I have to deal with you during the day which is much worse!”
“Do you think I wank when I should be asleep?” Sirius gasped in fake betrayal, his hand over his heart.
“I bet everything I own that you do.” Everyone laughed.
“Prongs! Your girlfriend is bullying me.” Sirius wined.
James laughed and kissed Lily’s hair. “She didn’t lie though.”
“I have never been so offended by something so true.” Sirius gasped again, leaning against Remus with a hand on his head.
“I wouldn’t mean against Moony if I were you.” James teased. Remus looked put off and pushed the boy off him. Sirius winked at him and blew a kiss.
Lily shook her head and took a large bite of her egg roll.
“Get a room you two.”