The Hospital Wing was dark and silent, but Remus couldn't sleep. It was the night after the full moon and his body was aching. The cuts and bruises that littered his body were tingling from the various remedies that Madam Pomfrey had poured, smeared and smoothed over his skin. He didn't know how much longer he could stand it all. It wasn't so much the pain, but the secrecy. It was third year, and yet he still couldn't spill his secrets to his best friends, his brothers. That was what hurt him the most.
He shifted uneasily in his bed, rolling onto his side, as a sliver of light appeared from the doorway. He watched as the door slowly opened and a shadowy figure slipped inside. "Remus?" The figure whispered into the darkness. "Lumos."
A bright light lit up the face of Sirius Black. He cast his wand around, light spreading across the wing, and spotted Remus. He quickly walked over, casting the Muffliato spell to silence his footsteps.
"Sirius? What on earth are you doing? You're going to get caught!" Remus looked outraged, but he was secretly pleased inside. He was always happy to see Sirius, and something about this night time visit made his stomach do somersaults. "Well, I couldn't leave you here all alone, could I now?" Sirius grinned and sat at the end of Remus' bed. He reached out a hand, taking Remus' and squeezing it gently. "I can't sleep without you mumbling in the next bed anyway."
Remus looked down at their joined hands. He look a depth breath.
"Sirius.. Will you.. can you stay with me tonight?" He looked back up at the boy, pleading with his eyes. Sirius smiled back.
"Move over you great lump."
Sirius nudged Remus over, curling up behind him. He pulled the duvet over them both before wrapping his arms around Remus' waist and nuzzling into his neck. They stayed still for a long moment, relaxed in each other's presence. Then Sirius moved his head, resting his lips close to Remus' ear.
"Remus.." He whispered softly, running a hand gently over Remus' scared arm. "I know. I know you're a werewolf."
Remus stiffened. He tried to pull away from Sirius, wriggling and shaking furiously, but the older boy's arms held him tight. Remus struggled, his eyes almost welling up with tears. He knew, he knew, his best friend knew! It was all over, he'd have to leave now, everyone would hate him!
"Remus, what the hell? Quit that!" Sirius sighed with frustration, and roughly turned Remus over before hugging him close. "What are you doing you stupid tosser?"
Remus burrowed his face into Sirius' shoulder, sobbing quietly. Sirius tried to work out the muffled words that the boy was choking out.
"You... must... hate... me... didn't... couldn't... secret... awful... monster!"
Sirius rested his head on Remus', breathing in his scent. He pulled away slightly, and lifted the boy's chin with a gentle touch.
"You're an idiot. Why would I hate you? Sure, I'm a little annoyed you kept this from me.. us.. but, you're my best friend Rem. I'm not going to hate you for something you can't control. It's not your fault, and it's doesn't change you." He smiled. "You're still my Remus." Sirius paused, gazing down at Remus' face. He leaned towards him, and gently pressed a chaste kiss to the corner of the boy's mouth.
"My Remus."
Remus made a little surprised noise before wrapping his arms more firmly around Sirius' neck. Sirius smiled and ran his lips gently over Remus' before kissing him firmly.
"Mine."
