Remus's kitchen, a Sunday morning in December

"Thanks, Moony, this is delicious. Love you."

"You didn't seem to love me when you slept with her, did you?"

Sirius freezes at the sudden attack.

"Are you ever going to let that go?"

Remus doesn't look up from his copy of the Daily Prophet. "Not yet. I'm still pissed. You're stupid as hell."

Sirius grits his teeth. "Okay, fine, I'm sorry! I'm sorry for this, I'm sorry for everything I've ever done, and I'm sorry for everything I'm ever going to do. Is that better?"

There is silence and Remus doesn't move. Sirius punches the wall.

Sirius's living room, a Saturday afternoon in April

Remus's brain is trying to make sense of things. "So," he says slowly, "what you're telling me is that you screwed Corina?"

"I…yes." Sirius fiddles with the tag of his shirt.

"Are you trying to make it a goal to fuck every trashy whore you come across?"

Sirius glares, hating the other man's harsh tone. "I fucked you."

For a moment, no one has anything to say.

"You're right, you did. What a mistake we made." Remus turns on his heel and heads for the door. It slams behind him.

"Goddamn son of a bitch."

The seat of Sirius's motorbike, 12:17 A.M that night.

"Hello?" She looks tired, disorientated.

"Lily? I'm sorry, I know it's…is James there? I need to talk to him."

He watches her rub her eyes in the mirror. "He's not here, he's still out with Dumbledore."

"Oh…thanks anyway, Lily. I know it's late, I…how's Harry?"

"Sirius, what's wrong?" she sighs, sitting back down on the bed.

"I think I fucked everything up."

12:49 A.M.

Lily chews the inside of her cheek. "You know you need to go to him."

"I'm outside his apartment."

She gives him a last, stern look, before putting the mirror face down on the table.

1:02 A.M.

Sirius pounds his fist against Remus's door. He sees Remus peek out the window.

"I'm not opening the door."

"Yes, you are. We need to talk. About how I messed up, and how I'm sorry, and how." Sirius stops. "And how I think I love you."

The door opens a crack. Sirius pushes it open wider and steps inside. Remus is sitting on the floor.

"I know you're mad. You've got every right. I have done…I have been so stupid lately. But I'm going to change that, and I'm asking you to help me." Sirius inhales. "I'm realizing how much I need you. I'm asking for your help because I love you; you're it for me, kid. And, maybe, you love me too."

Remus stares up at Sirius blankly. Sirius's heart falls.

"Oh. I, never…never mind then. I just thought…I'll be going."

"Don't you dare ever leave me again, you bastard."

Sirius turns, only to be greeted by Remus colliding with his chest. They are a tangle of arms and hungry mouths and shirts over heads.

1:13:07 A.M.
This.

1:13:08 A.M.
Is.

1:13:09 A.M.
Love.