No Apologies

Summer of '78

Remus liked going out in Muggle London, where he knew that if anyone were told he was a werewolf they would just laugh it off. And yet there he was, clutching his sore ribs and holding a tissue to his broken nose on the way back home.

It was meant to be a fun night out with Sirius, and it was, until they sat on the bus stop. Any resistance on Remus's part was drowned by but Moony, there's no one around; but Moony, it isn't wrong; but Moony you can't let them control you, then Sirius was all over him and he couldn't bring himself to pull away.

A few moments later, rough hands pulled Remus away from Sirius; next thing he knew he was a "filthy little pansy" lying on the pavement and everything hurt. Sirius got away with just a black eye and helped Remus onto the bus. Remus insisted that was not enough of an emergency to warrant use of magic in the Muggle world and Sirius ended up acquiescing. The remainder of the ride consisted only of tense silence and an unspoken "I told you so" in the space between the lovers on the seats.

"Moony, are you sure you can fix it yourself?" came Sirius's voice from the other side of the bathroom door.

Remus knew his boyfriend well enough to hear the sheepish undertone hidden in the question. But he wasn't having it, not quite yet.

"It's fine, only takes simple charms," Remus replied.

When Remus came out into the sitting room, bruises healed and bloodied clothes switched for pyjamas, there was a mug of hot chocolate waiting for him on the coffee table.

Without a mumbled "cheers", he grabbed it and sat on his side of the sofa. On the other corner, Sirius was sat with his knees drawn up to his chest, black eye back to normal.

Remus could feel Sirius's gaze on him as he sipped the hot chocolate. He knew if he turned around he would find Sirius giving him that look, the "are you still mad?" look, before quickly turning away. Sure enough, that was how it played out when he finished his drink.

A fond little smile crept into Remus's features, but still he rubbed his palm across his face. Then he turned to Sirius. "Just say you're sorry."

"For kissing my boyfriend?"

"For putting us both in danger because you have to stick it to the man for the hell of it," said Remus evenly.

"It's not as bad as you make it sound."

Remus sighed. "Sirius, I know they are the ones in the wrong, it's just that we don't invite over wizards on a full moon."

Sirius seemed to reflect on that. "I obviously didn't mean for you to get hurt, okay?" he said, looking at the wall.

Remus knew that was as good as he would get. And it was enough to convince him to move over, wind his arms around Sirius's stomach and rest his chin on his shoulder. Sirius looked at him curiously.

"The hot chocolate was lovely," said Remus.

"Did I get the right amount of cream?"

"Yup. Would you mind rubbing that Pain Potion on my back?"

"I thought you said you had taken care of it?"

"Most of it." Remus nuzzled Sirius's neck.

"Mmm... okay, then."

Remus kissed Sirius's temple before Sirius got up to get the potion with a hint of a spring in his step.