Note: Ancient Greece!AU, written for Liza (NeonDomino) with the prompt: Ancient Greece AU. Forgive me if it's bad!
It was the day that everyone gathered in the temple to make the weekly sacrifice to the gods. Remus had exited his home right off the outskirts of the main city when he saw something that caused him to make a strangled noise in the back of his throat. When he found his voice, his expression had shifted into astonishment.
"Sirius, where in Circe's name are you going with my goat?" he demanded.
The man in question paused in his step, hand wrapped tightly around a rope that was tied around a goat's neck comfortably. He sported an innocent look as he cleared his throat.
"How do you know that this is your goat, exactly?" Sirius responded with a casual tone.
Remus placed a hand on his hip while the other hand gestured towards the goat. "You're leaving from my yard gates, Sirius."
Sirius scoffed. "I could have easily taken a goat and walked through your gates," he argued.
"That would be believable if there were more homes in this area to steal goats from," Remus shot back before pinching the bridge of his nose. "We are not sacrificing one of my goats when I'm positive some else has acquired an animal for us to sacrifice."
The black-haired man raised a finger. "One can never be too sure, Remus," he said. "We must make sure that we please the gods properly!"
Remus shook his head. He spent a lot of time taking care of his animals, and every week he managed to secure his animal's safety. He should have known that Sirius would try to change that sooner or later.
"Put my goat back, Sirius."
Sirius bent at his knees, resembling a child that was trying to get what they wanted from their guardians. "But this could be our time, Remus," Sirius cried. "We must present this goat as the sacrifice."
"We mustn't do a thing," Remus said, approaching the other man with hopes of getting close enough to grab the rope. "I want my goat back in its proper place."
"Its proper place is with Hades and the Underworld."
"Its proper place is behind my gate without you bothering it."
The goat made a sound, showing the two men that the conversation was not as private as one would have thought.
Remus' eyes were narrowed as he looked at Sirius. "Take it back where you found it right now," he said as he placed a hand on Sirius' arm. Remus gave his arm a stiff squeeze, showing him that he meant his words this time. There was no innocent look for Sirius to utilize and weaken Remus' defenses.
"Fine," Sirius grumbled, stepping away from Remus and guiding the goat back in the gates. Remus could hear the muttering of 'chosen', 'unfair', and 'ruined fun' from the darker-haired man. He shook his head, releasing a breath he didn't realize he had been holding.
He might have dodged the opportunity to be one of the providers for the sacrifices, but he knew Sirius. He knew Sirius wouldn't give up his chance of bringing a sacrifice. Remus would have to secure his gates better before Sirius became the sacrifice himself.
A/N: Written for HSWW (Challenges and Assignments)
Assignment #12 Gardening Task 5 - write about someone doing something to 'please the gods'. (Trying to sacrifice an animal)
Word Count: 528
