I own Nothing you recognize

Remus was woken by moaning from Sirius' side of the bed

"Shut up Paddy" he said, voice thick with sleep

The moans became louder and formed coherent words

"No… don't… James… help someone" Sirius' voice became insistent and he thrashed from side to side, flailing his arms and pulling covers into a knot around him.

Thought caught up with Remus and he sat up, peppered blonde hair fell into his face "Sirius wake up" he demanded "Sirius"

"Lily… no please… let me go… Harry"

Remus scooted over to his lover and shook his shoulder "Sirius, love, you're dreaming. It's just a dream"

The writhing man started shouted shouting "Get back… leave them alone… Remus!"

Blinking at the mention of his name, Remus leaned forwards "Sirius, come on wake up"

Sirius' eyes snapped open. They didn't focus, but rolled in their sockets showing their whites, "Get away from me… Wormtail… I'LL KILL YOU"

As he yelled this last, the Animagus slashed his hand in front o his face and cut across Remus' cheek. The werewolf bit back a yelp. Then suddenly, Sirius blinked twice and looked at his lover.

"Remus?"

"Yes Sirius, I'm here love. It's fine" he replied in relief, though he was worried about the disturbed look that had stayed on Sirius' face.

"Moony, oh moony I dreamed"

"I know my sweet, I know, I heard you" there was only concern in the yellow orbs, searching Sirius' features, "Let's have some light"

He reached over to the muggle lamp, flicked the switch and a pale tallow light illuminated the drab room

Sirius gasped, "Reems, your cheek"

Looking in the dusty mirror across the room, Remus saw the sluggishly bleeding wound. "Forget about that. No worries, it's fine. I've had worse, don't fret Padfoot, it's fine" he reassured his lover.

Sirius was trembling, Remus hadn't noticed before. He took his lover into his arms and held the too-thin frame against his chest. The werewolf rocked his friend as he would a child. Sirius clung onto Remus, as if he were a rope to take him out of the darkness and into the light. In a way he was.

With one hand, Remus rubbed his friend's back, and with the other he stroked the dark, lank hair. He showered kisses on the Animagus' head, trying the convey reassurance to the guilt-ridden man.

Remus became aware of a damp patch forming on his shirt, tears had soaked through. He nuzzled the sobbing man gently, hushing and soothing him, whilst feeling thoroughly useless. He could never give Sirius his stolen youth back, but in a way Sirius had never had the chance to grow up either. It left the Animagus a very confused man, preoccupied by the awful memories of his former life – reminders of Azkaban. Sirius' sobs quietened gradually. Remus forced a smile onto his face and pulled away. Sirius' face was glazed with tears, which Remus brushed away gently.

"Stay here" the werewolf whispered "I'll just be a minute. I'll be right back, ok Pads?"

Remus left the room. Once he'd pulled the door closed quietly, he shuddered involuntarily. Was the Sirius he remembered ever going to come back in full? The Sirius who joked around, pulled irritatingly humorous pranks, serious in deep moments and amazingly compassionate? Would he, Remus, ever stop thinking of the ghostly past? Were there still remnants of the man he had fallen in love with originally under that broken shell?

When Remus opened the door again, he immediately regretted that he had left. He was presented with the heart-wrenching sight of his lover, curled into a ball, weeping once more. He put the steaming mugs of tea and slab of chocolate on the floor and sat on the bed.

"Sirius?" he took the crying mans face in his hand, "Talk to me love"

"It's so real Remus" he said hoarsely, "It's all happening again. People are dying, disappearing, going into hiding. They don't know who to trust because I didn't trust myself. Voldemort's back because of me, I didn't kill Peter second time round either. Everything's my fault Reems, everything"

"Sirius, stop talking nonsense. This is Voldemort we're talking about. He'll do anything to gain power. He would have come back without you anyway. Here" he shoved a cup of tea into his lover's hands.

As Sirius sipped, Remus forced half of the chocolate into his other hand and proceeded to wipe away Sirius' tears with his sleeve. He gulped down his own brew and lay down.

"As soon as you're done, try and go back to sleep. It's full moon tomorrow"

"Sorry Moony, I didn't mean to wake you" Sirius sighed

"Hey no problem love. Sleep well"

They slept in each other' arms.