It was a rainy day. It had been rainy all week, and today was no exception. Sirius opened the blinds of his home at Grimauld Place, to let in what light there was outside, but with little success. He returned to the kitchen and sat across from Remus, who, like himself, wore a blank expression.
But, despite the solemn setting, a slow smile tugged at the corners of Remus' mouth as Sirius leaned back in his creaking chair. Sirius raised his eyebrows.
"What," Sirius stated flatly, not like the question the one word asked.
"Sirius," Remus began, "Do you ever wish-" he paused.
"Wish what, Remus?"
Remus looked at his folded hands over his belt and leaned back in his own chair. "Do you ever wish that- we could be like we were?"
Sirius and his chair both fell over backwards.
Remus lifted his chin a little to show his concern, but didn't get up. Sirius got to his feet a bit shakily, and probably not from the fall, but from the question. "Remus, do we really have to get into this?"
"Well, why not?" he answered slowly, "There's nothing to do…but, if you really don't want to… I guess we shan't then," Remus flashed Sirius a pair of almost-hurt doggish eyes.
"Fine. Let's talk," Sirius huffed. "What was the question?"
Remus repeated it. Sirius answered, "Well, ah, I certainly haven't thought about that in a while," he said cautiously, wanting earnestly to avoid hurting the werewolf's feelings, "to tell you the truth. "But ah, why?"
"Oh, I'm just remembering the excitement. The adventure. The two of us gallivanting through Hogwarts, you know, the whole shebang," he answered with a smile and gazing beyond the ceiling.
"You can't possibly wish to go back to Hogwarts. I mean, just listen to the name. Hog warts?" he barked.
"Oh, you know you loved it. I loved it. But you also know that's not what I'm talking about. You're trying to change the subject."
"Remus," Sirius toned.
"Sirius?"
"I don't like where this is going."
"But haven't you ever thought about it? About us?" Remus returned the front legs of his chair to the floor and put his elbows on the table.
"I have," Sirius responded. "Okay, I do. Occasionally." He had to admit to himself that his heart melted in the warmth of Remus' returning smile.
"Well, how, er, in what sense?" Remus asked apprehensively, his comforting smile dropping a little. Sirius was uncertain, but was surely not going to crush his friend. Too hard, at least, he decided.
"I- well, not in a too romantic sort of way, just-" Sirius could see through his friend's placid face, his heart sink. "But, Remus, I am still fond of you- of course," he added as he coughed and crossed his arms, looking at anything but Remus.
Remus looked back up from the table, his amber eyes eased, but still searching. "Sirius, I must confess," he stopped, with his gaze still on Sirius' face. "I myself am still in love with you, Sirius."
Sirius immediately met his eyes and saw the fully-sad and lonely wolf inside this time, the one he knew he always loved. It hurt him. He reached out his hand to place it on Remus'. "And I, you, Remus." Sirius didn't know why he had ever doubted it before. His hand raised to Remus' face approachfully, hovering by his cheek, before softly caressing it. Remus closed his eyes and smiled, as did Sirius, both comforted in knowing that they were together, as before.