Sirius awoke when the morning sun rose just high enough to slip through the blinds adorning his windows, landing on his face and slowly stirring him.
Gradually awareness came to him, he felt the warmth of the sunlight, the soft material of his blanket, and a heavy weight on his right side.
Blinking his eyes opened, he remembered last night and looked down. Remus was still at his side though he had shifted closer. His leg was lying over Sirius and his fingers curled into his pajama shirt. Like this, he was so unguarded. His angelic features were heightened as he turned his head into Sirius chest to hide from the sunlight. Sirius couldn't help but smile.
It seemed that Remus had formed a strange attachment to him, though Sirius found he didn't mind. He was endeared to the other, he wanted to help him. He looked like he was the same age as him. He wondered if things were different whether or not Remus would have attended school with him, James, Peter, and Lily. If they would have been friends. How long had Remus even been there? Had he ever properly learned magic?
Seeming to feel the eyes on him, Remus stirred slowly. Coming to consciousness as his senses picked up on the fact that he was not alone. Last night came rushing back to him, it was real. It was really real.
And so, when he looked up at Sirius, his eyes were wide and frightened once more. Sirius seemed to pick up on it though because he flashed Remus a warm smile and brushed his hand over his skin.
"It's okay. You're okay. I promise." and Remus believed him. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he waited a moment before pulling away and sitting up in the bed. He didn't ache as much as he usually did, though he was a bit sore from his wounds.
Glancing around the room since he had neglected to the previous night, he made a catalog it in his mind.
The walls were a deep red color, almost maroon.
On the wall to his left was the door that Sirius had disappeared through last night, and a wooden desk. The desk was cherry wood and it was littered with papers and picture frames. There was a stack of books to one side and inks on the other along with a variety on quills. Above it was a poster with the words 'Led Zeppelin' on it, though Remus had no idea what it meant.
Directly in front of him, on the wall opposite the large bed, was a door. It was directly in the center of it. To it's right was a wardrobe, to it's left a book case. Remus longed to go to it immediately. He used to love reading before they took it away from him. His father and mother often read with him. He wondered if he would feel connected to them if he picked up a book once more.
And finally, to the wall on the right, was a window, posters on either side. There was a window seat with gold cushions along with maroon and gold pillows.
When he finally turned back to Sirius, the man was smiling at him.
"Did you sleep alright? How do you feel?" he asked. Remus was still afraid of his own voice though so he just nodded.
Sirius had no idea if the other could talk. He hadn't made a peep since he had arrived. He had suffered in silence, answering only with nods.
"Can you speak?" Sirius asked curiously, and Remus didn't answer, looking down at his lap instead. He didn't want to lie, but he didn't want to be pressured to speak. It might ruin this.
Reaching out, Sirius placed his hand on his shoulder which startled Remus a bit who looked up at him.
"It's alright. It's fine." Sirius said, though a part of him was rather sad. He took his silence as an affirmation and he wondered if he'd ever be able to speak to the man without just receiving a nod or shake of the head.
Remus took a deep breath and nodded.
"Are you hungry?"
Remus was always hungry though he rarely ate. Nodding once more, Sirius smiled and slipped from the bed. Walking over to the wardrobe, and rummaging around for a good five minutes before returning.
Remus was much smaller than him. Sirius was all muscle and Remus was all bone.
"I hope these are alright." considering the dirty prison pants he was still wearing, they were better than alright.
This time, when he smiled, it was easier and it caused Sirius to become a bit brighter. It was a cause and effect sort of thing because pretty soon Remus was grinning and Sirius gave a chuckle.
"You should smile more often." he told Remus, "You've a brilliant one."
Remus couldn't remember the last time he had been complimented, let alone the last time he had truly smiled. He felt out of his element because for the past decade it had been fear and pain and submission.
He felt his cheeks grow hot and Sirius marveled at the blush and how pleased he felt for causing it.
"The bathroom is just through that door if you'd like to wash up." Sirius said, gesturing with his hand. Remus looked from him to the door, before hesitantly taking the clothes. He seemed almost scared.
Heading off into the bathroom, Sirius smiled. Taking his own clothes, and heading into one of the other bathrooms. He really needed a shower. He made sure to hurry up and get back before Remus was done.
After quickly washing and throwing his clothes on, he headed back too his own room, raking a hand through his hair. It seemed a lot of the other werewolves had been relocated to other houses. To safe houses in their own country, safe houses that provided a better living space.
Sirius didn't want the man in his room to go.
Entering his room, he was relieved to see that Remus was still in the bathroom. Deciding to look over some papers, he sat at his desk and waited.
There was no sound from the bathroom though and after 20 minutes, he began to grow worried.
Knocking lightly on the door, he heard a clatter. "Are you okay?" Nothing. "I'm coming in!"
Creaking the door open, scared of what he might find, he looked around before finally spotting Remus. The knock had startled him and he'd fallen into the tub. He quickly got out though, and Sirius realized he didn't know what to do.
How long had he been there?
Taking the clothes which had been put on the floor, he set them gently on the counter and turned to him.
"A shower would probably feel good after everything you've been through." Sirius said, trying not to insult him by making him aware of how little he knew.
Remus stood up and looked at him, eyes intently focused on what he was doing. Sirius could detect an intelligence behind them and he mourned the fact that it had been locked away in that wretched place.
Turning the knobs to start it, he gestured to the silver knobs and said, "The blue one is cold water, the red warm, if you need the water to be either of those things just turn them to the right." he said and Remus nodded, looking at the knobs instead of Sirius.
Sirius smiled. "Um, shampoo for your hair is over there. It really hurts if you get it in your eyes, more than other shampoos. I dunno why so be careful with that, and the soap for washing the rest of you is right there. Don't worry about turning it off when you're done. I'll get it."
Once more Remus nodded, and finally looked at Sirius, waiting.
"Oh. Right." Sirius said, feeling a flush rise to his cheeks. "I'll just-uh- I'll be out there." he told him before disappearing and returning to his desk.
Another twenty minutes went by before Remus emerged. If Sirius had marveled over his appearance yesterday, it didn't compare to this. His honey colored hair seemed to shine more. It wasn't dirty or matted anymore. It had a slight wave to it and it fell just over his amber eyes. His face was cleaner It was like what he had seen yesterday, but improved.
Sirius stared for a moment, until Remus shuffled his feet and blew a strand of hair out of his face. Sirius watch as his cheeks puffed up and his full pink lips formed an 'O'. Merlin, he was in trouble.
Clearing his throat, he stood up and smiled reassuring. "Hungry?"
Remus nodded, Sirius smiled and started towards the door with Remus following.
Sirius had carried him the night before and now Remus didn't know how to walk with him. Sirius moved with such grace, such elegance, it was hard to believe it was accidental.
Sirius also didn't seem aware of any problem and walked and talked easily, telling him about the safe house, what had happened to the crowd that had been here the other night-Remus hadn't noticed-and that everyone had gotten out alright.
Remus looked so relieved and Sirius smiled.
Entering the kitchen, he spotted Lily at the stove, James leaning on the counter by her side. He beamed when Sirius walked in, starting towards him.
"Oi! You wanker you didn't even check to see if I was alright."
Remus stayed in the hall, unsure of who the new voice belonged to.
"Lily said you were alright! I was taking care of people." Sirius insisted.
"How is he? That boy with the .. The .. Who was so hurt?" Lily asked, flipping a pancake and looking at Sirius.
"Can't you see for yourself?" he said, turning and was surprised when he didn't see Remus there. He had no idea what his name was either, so he couldn't exactly call him.
Poking his head into the hall, he was met with Remus warm amber eyes and Sirius immediately smiled. Reaching out he took the others hand, which startled him so much but Sirius was already tugging him into the kitchen so he didn't notice.
James, who hadn't seen Remus last night, simply smiled. "This is James and Lily." Sirius introduced.
"Pleased to meet you." James said as he took a step forward and stuck his hand out.
Remus didn't know what to do and so he just stared at him, gaze flicking between the hand and James' face and back again. Again, Sirius smiled, reaching out to take James' hand and shake it.
Remus picked up on it right away though James took his hand back with an off look on his face. He didn't know what to make of the odd man.
Lily was much more aware though and simply smiled at him. "I'm so glad you're feeling better!" she said, stepping forward to gently squeeze his shoulder and smile. Remus smiled back. He liked Lily.
"I was just making breakfast, would you like some?" she asked. Remus nodded as Sirius exuberantly said, "Oh bloody hell yes, Lils, bring on the pancakes."
Lily frowned at his behavior. Remus didn't like her frowning at Sirius though, but he held back. "Language, Black" she said, returning to the stove and pointing his spatula at him.
Sirius flashed her a cheeky grin and Remus felt a bit better about the ordeal.
Hand still in Remus', Sirius led him over to the table sitting down and gesturing for Remus to do the same, which he did.
Lily and James both noticed the strange behavior that had developed in a single night and didn't know what to make of it. Neither said anything.
"Orange juice, or apple juice, or tea?" Sirius asked as he poured himself so apple juice and looked at Remus.
Should he speak? Should he just answer?
"Oh, I'm sorry" Sirius said, looking flustered and Sirius shot him a confused look.
"For what?" James asked, blunt as ever.
"He can't talk." Sirius replied. Remus could though. He wanted to disagree, but he didn't. Not talking was safe. He was safe. If he didn't talk he could stay here. It was strange logic but he had led a strange life.
Lily shot a sympathetic look in Remus' direction and James simply barked out, "Why not?"
Lily gave him a stern look and Remus shut his mouth.
"He just doesn't, that's it." Sirius replied, feeling very overprotective of Remus at the moment.
James nodded and Lily came over the to the table with a platter of pancakes.
Sirius grinned, reaching out to grab one but Lily took the plate away. "Guests first." she said, and Sirius pouted but submitted.
"Would you like some pancakes-I'm sorry, what's your name? I could give you a pen and paper." Lily offered. Remus thought it would be nice for them to know his name so he nodded.
Setting the plate down, she walked over to a draw, pulling it out and grabbing a pad and a pen. Lily liked pens better than Quills.
Placing it down in front of him, Remus eyed the pen and picked it up. He fumbled a few times, before getting a proper grasp. Writing out Remus in print, his writing was a little messy but not too bad considering how long it had been.
"Remus." Lily read and Remus smiled and nodded.
Sirius practically grinned though, "Remus, eh?" he said as the man and question looked over at him. "I like that name."
Remus smiled.