"Okay, James. Have fun!"
"Oh, I will," he winked. Lily Evans had finally agreed to go out with him, and the pair had arranged to spend some time together in Hogsmeade. The rat was off with some first years, still at the castle. So when James left, Sirius and Remus were alone.
"I wonder where they will be going..." Remus thought aloud.
"Madam Puddifoot's, of course," Sirius told him. "It's traditional on Va-"
"Don't remind me!" Remus cut him off. He felt awkward being alone with Sirius on Valentine's Day, especially since he realised how he... felt.
But Sirius just grinned.
"I know what you're thinking; follow me." And suddenly he disapparated.
Remus felt angry and upset; what was Sirius playing at? He knew Remus could never follow him if he disapparated: he could have gone anywhere. Disgruntled, he shoved his hands in his pockets and started for the path back to Hogwarts – there was no point in staying here in Hogsmeade, alone. He could do some homework or something.
But before he reached the path, however, he glimpsed something move behind a nearby bush, and a massive, shaggy, beautiful black dog burst from it, sprinting towards him. Shell-shocked, Remus just stood there, stock still, until Padfoot leapt up, placing his paws on each of Moony's shoulders and began licking his face.
Passers-by thought it was cute, that the dog was a stray. But the flustered Remus had no idea how to react: because he and this dog, alone, knew who was really giving the show of affection. He settled for a hesitant laugh and daringly kissed the top of the dog's head. At this, Padfoot let out a happy bark and bounded off towards the stile at the end of the village.
Remus apparated to the cave at the top of the hill, put his bag down in the corner then stood at its mouth, admiring the scene upon which he looked. But the best of it was yet to come; yet to appear. Then it came.
The shaggy black dog was bouncing up the stone path.
At the sight of Remus, he sprinted as fast as he could across the grass, closing the last of the distance between them, and repeated his earlier action, although this time he pushed Remus onto his back and lay on top of him, licking his face again.
Moony felt more awkward now and didn't appreciate this; he pushed the dog away and turned to face the wall, so as to hide the tears which now rolled down his cheeks.
But Sirius promptly reverted to his human form and moved round to face his friend. As the pair sat in silence, he placed a warm hand on Remus' face and wiped away the tears. His eyes had softened: they had lost their usual mischievous look, and his whole face was tender.
"I'm sorry," Remus sniffed. "It's just..."
"You don't need to explain yourself, beautiful," Sirius replied softly, wiping away the fresh tears and pressing his forehead against Remus'.
"I love you, Padfoot."
"I love you too, Moony."
And they held each other close and kissed.