Authors Note: First of all, thank you everyone who's reviewed for your kind words and encouragement, it really means a lot to me, thanks :-)

Its Sirius and Remus' turn now. Right, this one is a bit different, serious and sad instead of fun and silly. Though there is a joke in there (don't blame me for the joke, it's Sirius' fault).

Once again a massive huge thanks to Yen Girl for the Beta, you are a life saver :-) I couldn't do this without your help and support, especially when I try new things like this and am completely unsure about it, thanks a million.

Fallen Leaves

It was a bright and crisp autumn day, with a fresh breeze scattering brightly coloured leaves around a small village nestled in the hills of Derbyshire. But despite the sun and the promise of colder weather approaching, the village streets were empty, devoid of squealing children playing in crunchy leaves and making the best of what little warmth this year had left, before their parents insisted it was too cold. People were only venturing from the apparent safety of their homes out of necessity, swiftly conducting their businesses and hurrying home. Even those who didn't understand what was causing the darkness shadowing their lives knew that these were dangerous times, where suspicion and caution could mean the difference between life and death.

A lone figure appeared and moved through the deserted streets, observing the stillness and feeling saddened by it, and the events that were causing such fear up and down the country. He kicked through the red, gold and browns of the fallen leaves like a young boy might. Though it did little to relieve his sadness he did it anyway, wanting to remind himself of the simple pleasures and joy of times gone by. Thus occupied, he made his way through the streets to a cottage on the outskirts of the village. He got through the invisible protections warding the house. Rather than knocking, he just let himself in, making sure to make a slight noise as he closed the door. He didn't want to startle the lone occupant living there.

"Sirius?" A voice floated down the hall from the living room. There were a number of people that Remus Lupin trusted enough to allow them to enter his home without knocking, but he knew there was only one person who actually did it.

"Hey, Moony," Sirius called as he moved into the living room, dropping his sadness like a cloak on the threshold of his fellow Marauder's home. He found Remus sat looking through various pieces of parchment that were spread across the coffee table in front of him.

"Hey, just bear with me a sec," Remus said, glancing up from the parchment.

"OK," Sirius agreed cheerfully. He squared his shoulders, bent his arms and put them forwards slightly and made a deep, growling noise.

Remus blinked at him, he had no idea what Sirius was doing and was unsure how to react.

"You didn't bear!" Sirius chided, then cracked up laughing at his own joke.

The Knut dropped and Remus rolled his eyes.

"That's not even funny."

"Come on, Moony, loosen up," Sirius said, flashing his trademark easy smile.

Remus frowned, the action robbing his features of what little youth they still possessed.

"Now's not the time to loosen up," he retorted. Standing up, he started to pace about. Sirius was startled by how quickly his usually calm and controlled friend was showing his agitation.

"Hey now, it's OK," he tried to soothe the other wizard, but it was the wrong thing to say.

"How is it OK? We are at war! The Death Eaters are killing innocent wizards and muggles everyday. You-Know-Who is after the Potters. They have to go into hiding. You have to go into hiding. All these need to be taken seriously!" Remus' voice had risen to a shout. He took a deep breath to calm himself, then went and stood by the window with his back to Sirius, looking out at the multicoloured trees without seeing them.

Sirius sighed.

"I am taking this seriously," he muttered. He moved towards Remus. When he saw the other's shoulders tense, Sirius stopped a few paces away, giving him enough space to calm down.

"You know me, that's how I deal with things. I'm not like you. I can't handle a situation that's so dark and scary, it unnerves me, and makes me feel useless. I need to find joy and humour in whatever small ways I can to keep myself sane. And I try and do the same for the people I care about, to make things easier for them, too. Just because I make jokes doesn't mean I'm not deadly serious about keeping you safe and getting through this. Together."

Remus continued to face the window and the leaves blowing outside. Then he sighed and hung his head.

"I'm sorry," he apologised. "I know you're trying to help. I'm just so worried about you, about everyone. You-Know-Who won't stop until he gets what he wants, and I'm scared of the danger you'll be in as James and Lily's Secret Keeper."

Sirius closed the gap between them and wrapped his arms around Remus' waist, resting his head on the other's shoulder. Remus leaned back into the embrace, enjoying the warmth and strength of those arms.

"I know it'll be risky, but I have to do it, I can't leave them without a Secret Keeper."

Remus turned around and looked at Sirius, his eyes pleading.

"Change the plan. Convince them to make me their Secret Keeper, then you won't be taking the risk. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you. I-"

Sirius interrupted his words with a kiss, deep and passionate and full of promises of eternal love. When the kiss ended, he rested his forehead against his love's, staring into soft, concerned brown eyes.

"I know it's difficult, but don't worry. I have a plan that'll keep us safe. All of us. I'll make sure nothing happens to either of us, without you taking on my risks. We'll be together, love, always."

-o-

Remus awoke with tears running down his face. He'd been dreaming about that day again. The last day he'd seen Sirius before the Potters were killed. He'd been dreaming about it more and more since he lost Sirius again. For good this time. Pain swelled in his chest as he realised there was no chance of ever getting him back this time. Sirius was further away than Azkaban now.

Remus had been filled with guilt and remorse for the past two years, wondering how he could have ever believed his Sirius capable of such betrayal. Sirius had forgiven him almost instantly, and wanted things to go back to the way they were. Remus hadn't been ready to forgive himself so easily and he'd tried to put some distance between them. Fortunately, Sirius was never one to give up and had pursued the werewolf at every available opportunity. Just when Sirius had finally gotten things back to normal between them, the fight at the Department of Mysteries ripped him away from his beloved.

Remus let out a shuddering breath as he replayed that moment over again in his mind, the moment his heart broke forever. The only thing that had stopped him from following Sirius through the veil was his need to stop Harry doing the same thing, otherwise he would have gladly forfeited the rest of his own life to join Sirius.

Remus knew his friends had been worried sick about him during the weeks that followed, but he hadn't had any more selfish thoughts about ending his life. He couldn't do that to Harry, not so soon after losing his godfather. And he knew that Sirius would beat the crap out of him the moment he got to the afterlife if he did kill himself.

A warm sensation spread through his chest that that thought. Remus smiled sadly to himself.

'I'll take that as an agreement from you then, Padfoot," he whispered.

The warmth intensified as if in approval, before fading away to wherever it had come from. With a sigh, Remus sank back down onto his bed, the sad smile still on his lips as he drifted off to sleep once again.