Title: Coffee Stain
Pairings: Black/Lupin
A/N: this is only my fourth or fifth attempt at writing Lupin/Black, but hopefully, since this is one of my favourite pairings, I did a good job :)
Cheers
Teagan
"You alright Remus?" Tonks asked watching him with a careful eye. Her hair was dark blue, and spiky the way she liked it. Remus sighed and looked down at the table, where two little smudges of dark brown were stained into the table.
"Fine." Remus said as he forced out a smile.
Sirius always drank coffee.
Never tea.
He'd drink it black, without any sugar, or milk.
He'd drink it as he sat at the table of number 12 Grimmauld place.
Or with Remus in the morning in bed.
He drank it carefully, as he tried to keep himself steady and confident but his hand would shake a bit, and two little drops would roll down the side of his cup onto the sheets.
'Sirius, you're spilling.' Remus would say as he looked at him frowning. Sirius would roll his eyes and continue to try and keep his hand steady, as he drank his black coffee, looking at nothing.
Sirius always drank coffee.
And he'd always manage to spill. Whether it was on the white sheets of Remus's and his bed or on the Black house furniture.
"He'd hate to see you like this." Kingsley told Remus one night on guard watch. Remus snapped his head towards him and glared. "He?" Remus asked. Kingsley gave Remus a frustrated look and ran a hand over the top of his head.
"Sirius." He muttered.
"And how would he hate to see me?!" Remus snapped as he looked at the other wizard coldly. "Like that Remus, Jesus. Snapping at everyone. You're never like this. You only started to be when Sirius..."
"Shut. Up." Remus snapped again.
"He's gone and he wouldn't want you to be like this Remus and quite frankly..."
"Quite Frankly Shacklebolt, I think you should mind your own fucking business." Remus said glaring at him.
Kingsley sighed and crossed his arms over his chest, before he leaned back against the brick wall behind him. "Fine, Remus. Fine."
'Can't you just try tea? It tastes at least ten times better than that bile, Sirius.' Remus said one morning. Sirius smiled and patted Remus knee underneath the table affectionately. 'Remus I like what I like, what can I say?' Sirius said.
Remus chewed the inside of his cheek and said in an almost whisper,' I don't remember you drinking coffee before...'
'People change Remus.' Sirius said quickly pulling his warm hand from Remus's leg.
'Yes, I suppose they do don't they...' Remus sighed.
Remus sat one morning in bed, simply looking straight in front of him like Sirius had so many times before.
He carefully dressed and headed downstairs to start his morning routine.
Molly stood pouring a fresh cup of tea where Remus usually sat.
"Did you sleep well Remus?" She asked in caring, sweet voice. Remus sat and looked into his cup.
"Remus?" Molly asked looking concerned.
"Do we have any coffee Molly?" Remus said suddenly. The witch raised a brow and shrugged.
"Well of course, but..."
"Just need something a bit different today." Remus said, as if answering her question. Molly nodded and began to walk into the kitchen. Remus reached in front of him and grabbed the Daily Prophet. He had begun to read the headline, when Molly turned back and asked, "How would you like that Remus?"
With out looking up Remus replied, "Black."
