Apples are better than Cake
He had noticed the scent before, first a couple of years ago, but only ever in passing. He would walk by Sirius’ bed, or walk past him in the hallway, and notice a trace of the most delicious smell he’d yet found, but he didn’t know what caused it – what new emotion had he not smelled until 5th year? They were all growing up, but the smells usually just got more complex, and this was different.
The four of them were in the Great Hall, just finishing lunch, and Remus had just stretched and told a particularly funny joke – what had he just said? Some pun about gnomes? Why would that cause such a strong reaction? – and the crisp, sharp, almost spicy fruit smell – maybe apple? – coming from Sirius was almost overwhelming. Remus wanted to lick his neck, to taste it more, or see if he could taste it in his tears if he cried, lick his sharp cheekbones, but he wasn’t crying, and – oh shit I’ve been staring way too long, also what the fuck is wrong with me, who the fuck just thinks about licking their friend’s neck – Sirius was just staring back, with his beautiful grey eyes, seeming similarly dazed.
James and Peter had finished laughing long since and started talking about possible mischief that could be caused by the animation spell they had learned in charms earlier that day, totally oblivious to the impromptu staring match going on across the Gryffindor table. Sirius seemed to snap to awareness when Remus did, and Remus knew he must have had a look of confusion written all over his face, because Sirius’ smell quickly turned to angry – a little like smoke – and was he afraid? Sour.
Remus looked away, ashamed. He knew he shouldn’t pry like this, it wasn’t fair that he could smell what the others were feeling. Even if he meant the best, it was still an invasion of privacy, and Sirius especially liked to be left alone. He liked to keep his emotions hidden. Remus had long since ignored the sour stench of fear when a letter from Sirius’ parents came and would just try to give him an extra hug or some of his chocolate later. It seemed to help. And Remus loved any excuse to hug Sirius, or touch him, but that was just because he hadn’t gotten touch before Hogwarts, right?
Remus looked at his plate. He had been so excited about the butter cake that he had been eating a second ago (yes, har har, James, “how do you stay so skinny when 75% of what you eat is sugar?”) but now he just wanted… apples. Sirius’ neck. Damn.
The sour smell from Sirius was growing stronger now, and Remus knew he had to get away and calm down and let Sirius feel whatever it was that he was feeling without an audience. He stood up (too quickly) and blurted “sorry” (too loudly) and ran out of the Great Hall, hoping that James wouldn’t be too mad he left in the middle of his plotting. He had some time before Transfiguration. He could go to the library.