The rain began again. It fell heavily, easily, with no meaning or intention but the fulfillment of its own nature, which was to fall and fall. – Helen Garner
He had always loved the rain. He was presently in the position he usually adopted when simply letting the rain fall: he was sat on the ground, idly dripping, curled up, arms wrapped loosely across his upper calf and lower thigh as he gazed up at a 30º tilt. He imagined each path of water a caress across his skin, each drop a kiss pressed like the stitches of a sewing machine needle, convinced himself that the merging of rain was a stream of black, silky hair…
He shook his head, canine-like, letting the thoughts and droplets spin away in a fading dance.
"You're making a puddle, Moons," Sirius informed him, coming up from behind. While startled, Remus did not move, mildly thinking how appropriate the nickname 'Padfoot' was.
"And loving every minute of it," he replied. Finally, he turned and faced the boy he could not quite decide if he was pleased with the sudden appearance of. Locking gazes, his chest froze and burned, informing him of its decision: no, he did not want him here. It hurt too much. The Animagus looked concerned.
"Well at least cast a drying charm – and a heating one too. Why don't you just come inside, Moony?" Remus still winced at the name that fell so easily from the other boy's lips. Sure he had forgiven him, but it still hurt. So. Damn. Much.
"I'm fine, Pads. I like the rain."
"I know, but I don't like you in it." Sirius snapped angrily.
Remus closed his eyes. The concern didn't help.
"Sirius, I –"
"Look Remus, I said I was sorry – I even apologised to Snape for Merlin's sake! You said you'd forgiven me –"
"And I have, Sirius, I just –"
"I don't want to hurt you!"
Remus' voice stayed level, but his eyes cracked open.
"I don't want that either," he replied quietly.
"Then what do I have to do?! I want to be your –" he faltered, and Remus kept his heart in check, smoothed over the flare of hope, and brushed away the disappointment.
"You are, Pads. I just…like the rain."
Sirius lunged forward, swiftly knelt down and planted a small, wet drop of a kiss on Remus' lips. Looking terrified, he rose to his feet and ran off.
But Remus didn't worry. He had seen the rejected look on the other boy's face, watched as Sirius misread the situation. But he didn't want to go in just yet. So, to convince the departed boy he felt the same, he cast both a drying and warming spell on the retreating figure. And, to even it out, cast one on himself too.
Looking out into grey, he smiled. Just another reason to love the rain.