A/N: I've been told by members of an [antagonistic] forum that using the lyrics from Latch in my fic isn't allowed. So I beg of you to look up the lyrics and read the designated sections as you read the fic. Thanks, and I'm sorry it has to be this way. But if I didn't change it, I was going to be reported.
They were sitting at the tables of a karaoke bar for their first anniversary as a couple, and Sirius had promised to make it special.
Blushing, Remus gazed at Sirius, his eyes following him through the mess of tables, up the stairs, and onto the stage. The lights dimmed, until the room was illuminated only by the candles floating at each table. People around him started cheering for the next performer, but a lump formed in Remus's throat which prevented him from speaking, let alone cheering. Sirius picked up the mic, whispered something indistinguishable to the band, and turned back to face the audience.
He paused to catch his breath, then began to sing.
(first five lines of song)
Remus, realizing what Sirius was doing, practically started crying. The song was their anthem. Their ballad. It was one of those songs that made you want to sing along, while hugging the person next to you, whoever it may be.
He thought about the lyrics. Sirius, you lift my heart up too, more than you know, he thought. Then... boundaries? Well, it was hard not to think of his lycanthropy, and Sirius' regretful family ties when that word was said. But as the song told him, those boundaries didn't really matter.
(next four lines of song)
Sirius walked to the edge of the stage, his eyes searching for Remus, and grinning when he found him. He looked almost ─ shy ─ to Remus, who was used to his lover being crazy, spontaneous, and loud. This sweet sentimental Sirius was a change of pace that the man found oddly adorable.
Even if he wasn't much of a singer.
(next four lines)
The music changed, and Sirius began the chorus. Powerless, Remus began to mouth the words along with his boyfriend. Sirius attempted a falsetto, maintained it for a few words, then gave up, his voice cracking. The others in the room laughed quietly, but Sirius shushed them with a gesture and kept singing, lower this time.
(same four lines, repeated)
Then the pace changed. Sirius got quiet, and Remus strained to hear each line coming from his boyfriend's lips. Enraptured... enamored... breathless... yes, that described them perfectly. Remus smiled, thinking of their last time together.
(next four lines)
(next four lines)
(next four lines)
As Sirius returned to the chorus, he motioned to Remus. What? he thought, looking behind him to make sure nothing was there. Sirius kept singing, but more agitatedly pointed to Remus, beckoning him forward.
(next four lines)
He couldn't mean that... but Sirius stopped singing, missing a line or two to yell, "It's now or never, Remy!"
(next four lines)
Somehow Remus saw his feet start to leave his seat of their own accord. He hadn't planned to do this tonight, but why not? No one would remember them the next day.
(fading out bit, next two lines)
(next two lines)
Drunk in love, the pair stood on the stage together, grinning like schoolchildren, just singing their hearts out. Someone in the audience catcalled, but one glance at his boyfriend's beaming face and Remus couldn't care less.
(next two lines)
(next three lines)
Finally, the song was over.
They cleared the stage, paid their tab at the bar in Muggle money, and grabbed their coats before leaving the karaoke bar, hands linked as they stood in the moonlight.
But walking, not Apparating, home that night, Remus and Sirius latched on tight to each other and wouldn't let go.
