For the Through the Holidays Challenge (New Year's Prompt: resolution) and the Ultimate Patronus Quest (Fly: Write about the Marauders)

"This year," James says, lifting the bottle of smuggled firewhiskey to his lips and taking a swig. "This year, my resolution is to finally get Evans to date me."

Sirius snorts. "Aren't resolutions supposed to be obtainable?" he teases snatching the bottle from James.

Remus sits quietly, biting his lip. He's always hated resolutions. There are far too many things he wants to change about himself, and the main one is something he can't.

"This year, I'm going to try and focus on my studies more," Peter chimes in. "I'll be out of Transfiguration if I don't hit the books."

Remus wishes his desires could be so simple. Even James and his dream of getting a girl who despises him seems more realistic than Remus'. He takes the bottle from Sirius, taking a deep drink, praying that the alcohol can drown out his thoughts.

"Easy, Moony," Sirius cautions. "You know you're a lightweight with this stuff."

"What about you, Padfoot?" James asks. "And don't start that 'You can't mess with perfection' rubbish you always spout."

Sirius stretches out in his chair, taking the bottle again. "Well, it's true, you know. I'm pretty close to perfect," he laughs, ducking as James tosses a crumpled piece of parchment as his head. "Fine, fine! My resolution is to avoid detention. Now, I'll leave it up to you to decide if I mean that I'm going to behave or that I'm going to try harder to not get caught."

The others laugh, passing the bottle around and drinking. All eyes rest on Remus, silently prompting him to contribute to their discussion. Remus keeps silent. They're his friends, practically his family, but he can't bring himself to talk so openly.

"Come on, Moony," Peter says, nudging him. "We've all made ours, now what's yours?"

"I don't make resolutions," Remus says quietly.

"Because you're already perfect?" Sirius asks. "I can sympathize."

Remus shakes his head with a roll of his eyes. "No. Because what I want seems impossible."

The atmosphere changes immediately. Remus can feel the tension in the air, the sudden concern. Sirius sets the bottle aside and leans over, taking Remus by the hands. "Mate, nothing is impossible. Hell, one day we might be dancing at James and Lily's wedding. Who knows?" he says.

"Sirius is right," James agrees. "So, come on. Make a resolution, Moony. We'll all help you achieve it."

Remus feels the tears threaten to slip from his eyes. He wipes them away before they can fall.

All of his life, he's always been so sure that he would never find anyone to accept him. He's been so certain that any sane person would tuck tail and run the moment the learned the truth about him. And yet, somehow, he's found three friends who love him unconditionally.

"I- I-" Remus hesitates, taking a deep breath. "This year, I'm going to learn to love myself the way you lot love me."

Peter puts an arm around him. Sirius follows, ruffling Remus' hair. James is the last to join, and he stretches his arms wide enough to wrap around all of them.

"Then let it be known!" James announces. "This will be the year that Remus Lupin discovers that he is an adorable, fierce, intelligent, witty-"

"Devilish handsome," Sirius adds.

"Loving," Peter says.

"Yes, all of that, and more," James agrees. "He is our Moony, and we love him."

Now the tears do fall, but Remus doesn't try to hide them. He melts into the group hug, and for once, he feels like maybe he could be happy with himself.