Mornings of Dogs Breath
James Potter was not a morning person - typically because they started with a dogs cold wet nose shoved in his face, or ear.
Typically, today the dog opted for both.
“Get out of my face pads” James groaned and fumbled around to try and reach the black dog and push dog away. He gripped the dog's fur and pushed him away. James didn't intend to push the dog off the bed, but when a loud thud was heard as the dog hit the floor caused a slight smile to appear on his face. “Now I'm not saying you deserved that, but you deserved that” and with that, James rolled over in his warm bed and begin to drift off again.
A short but hard shove pushed James off his bed, bringing his warm cocoon of blankets tumbling down with him. He let out a sharp grunt as he hit the floor which was followed by a loud, bark of a laugh.
Well, James thought so much for a gentle wake-up call. He rolled onto his back and covered his eyes as the midday sun glared through his window. He let out a groan and stood, his room bleary from a lack of his glasses - its not like he could've grabbed them anyways. He reached over and grabbed his glasses from his bedside table and placed them on his face before turning to glare at the man who stood beside him in his room.
“Aww come on prongs” the man smiled and cocked his head “don't be a grouch” James just stared blankly in response before shaking his head and giving a small smile to the floor.
James looked up and crossed his arms with a solemn look on his face “Sirius Orion Black, I dare say I'm just disappointed” Sirius rolled his eyes and punched James on the shoulder.
It had been many years since Sirius had fled his house and sought refuge in James’ but it felt as if he had always been here. It hadn't been easy though - not in the slightest - something had been clearly wrong at his house but no coaxing or comforting would ever bring the truth to light. It was the one time James Potter had ever seen Sirius Black scared.
I mean, come on. This was The Sirius Black, the same boy who had fearless pulled prank after prank on the people who had wronged them and a part of James wondered if that was it. Something had happened and Sirius was the one who was wronged in a way that had never happened to him before. I mean, hell, Sirius won't even tell him and James is his best friend. Sirius pales at the thought of his old house and it's obvious that he feels some kind of guilt, but what for? He did the right thing by leaving, and god knows what would've happened to him if he had stayed there. But, Sirius is loyal to that secret, and James will never try to push his friend into an uncomfortable spot - that isn't who he is - but James can't help but wonder if there was something in that place he used to call home that he left behind.
Sirius walked toward James’ door, talking something about breakfast and snapping James out of his thoughts before shutting the door behind him. James moved towards his bathroom and placed a small drop of light in the empty bulb, illuminating the entire room with golden rays of light. He smiled to himself before washing his face and styling his hair quickly as to not let Sirius steal all of his mother's good food - like the vulture he was.
He threw on a white shirt before layering a grey checkered flannel over the top as well as some loose jeans. He started to move towards the door, tripping over yesterday's clothes on the floor
or were they from the day before the day before? He thought, either way - my room is a mess. His unmade bed sat in the corner of the room with clothes scattered on the floor. The walls were filled from top to floor with music posters and his shelves too filled with music, with his CDs and records along with his record and CD player. His practice candles are also scattered around the room - a constant reminder of who he is and how lucky he is to be it.
Eh James though, mentally shrugging ill just clean it tomorrow. And with that, he opens the door and leaves.
The stairs groan quietly under his feet as he walks down. As he enters the hallway, he glances into the living room, where a tall figure in spread out reading a novel - no doubt one of the ones from the large bookshelf behind him - Hell come back to him later. James continues down the hall and enters the kitchen where his mother is cooking breakfast with much difficulty due to Sirius hanging around her, attempting to steal pieces of food without her noticing - earning him a scold and a tap on the head with a spoon.
Euphemia Potter continues to cook and smiled at her son as he opens the fridge to grab a drink. “Good morning darling” she said gently before shooing off Sirius - who had decided he may be better off trying to steal food as a dog.
“Mornin’ Mama” he kissed her on the cheek before grabbing a plate which his mother had conveniently placed some food on and made his way for the corridor to sit in the living room.
“Uh, disculpe hombre joven, ¿A dónde crees que vas?” his mother called after him, James turned back and saw her with her hands on her hip. “El salon, gracias mama” and with that he quickly slipped into the living room and shut the door.
Remus looked up from the chair with a questioning look and James simply smiled at the man and shook his head. He pointed towards the book in his hand “is it good?” Remus smiled at the pages, “so far yes” he replied “although, I dont like how lovesick the two main characters are” he scrunched up his nose in disgust.
James began to open his mouth to question him - Remus loved novels.
The tall man simply raised a hand - stopping him from speaking. “Before you say anything, this is that really sappy shit.” he grimaced once more, “i think it may be your mother's books, but I'm too far in now to stop reading” he settled back down in his chair and once again began to scan the pages before flipping them over and James began to indulge himself in this gorgeous food which had been made before him.
Soft mutters of disbelief and the quiet clack of cutlery were all the sounds that filled the room - these peace-filled moments were some of James' favourite as it gives him time to think.
He allowed himself to cast his thoughts back to Sirius. His curious and loyal friend who he can't seem but to worry for - being a shadow shifter is dark enough but the fog around his past doesnt help but to cast a shadow of doubt over his friends mind.
After all, it seems that Sirius Black does like his secrets, so what else could he be hiding?