Pre-last chapter! Everyone, thank you for the reviews, favourites and followers so far, both on this story, all stories in general and me as a writer. W00t! I know it took me quite a long time to finish this chapter but I had such a hard time getting the emotions right. I mean.. After that certain display of affection in the library cellar and then finding out that person was the one you longed for all along. Pfew. I can't imagine what that must be like!
The most ridiculous, coincidental thing had happened and he was a part of it.
Unless, of course, Sirius had known from the start who he was. Or perhaps he wasn't even Padfoot and this was even more of a ridiculous situation than it seemed. Or he was Padfoot but it was some sort of trick. Or perhaps he just was. He just was Padfoot and all of this was real.
And if it was real.. The man he had fallen in love with but never met, at least on purpose, didn't only turn out to be an actual successful writer but also gorgeous. Bloody gorgeous.
'You..' He started.
'Yes.' Sirius responded.
'How.'
'No idea.'
'But-!'
'Right?'
Remus had his mind set on them both being responsible and intelligent adults. This conversation, however, did nothing to prove it. He wasn't even sure whether he'd ever be able to form full sentences ever again. What if he said something wrong and this bubble would burst? What if he made the wrong decisions and Sirius would just burst into a thousand pieces and disappear forever. It made him feel cold all over. A prickling in his neck. His back. Even his hands were freezing and for some reason, so was his right foot. He glanced down to find his foot off the path, standing ankle deep in a muddy pool.
'Oh, for Pete's sake.' He mumbled as he freed his foot and shook it. It didn't make much of a difference. It probably made it worse as he splattered the mud around like a wet dog. A soft chuckle made him look back up.
'Don't laugh.' He muttered but his own lips betrayed him as they formed a soft smile.
'I'm sorry.' Sirius apologized, a hint of laughter still lingering in his voice.
Remus firmly planted his foot down, on the paved path this down, hoping it would dry up while having this awkward conversation. It could hardly get any worse.
'I can't believe it's actually you.'
Thanks to all divinities for Sirius being able to find the worst that were so simply but had to be said. Remus looked at the man, staring at him in slight disbelieve. He could feel it raging throughout his entire body. It was a mixture of confusion, longing and passion. Longing to relieve that odd moment in that dark and dusty cellar. The difference now being that they knew who they were touching. Being aware that it would be even more electrifying now then held that knowledge. Then, as if something bigger than themselves made the distance between them disappear as well as the entire world around them, their lips clashed together. It wasn't their first kiss. Not even the first one this day. But it was a whole different kind of kiss. It spoke of all their frustrated desire of years at an end for something that possibly would never exist. But now it did. It was electric and raging through them like a fiery thunderstorm as lips opened and tongues entangled in new promises and heat.
And as if it wasn't a movie-like moment already, it was that very moment that the cloudy evening sky decided to explode in rain and drench them to their flesh within seconds.
It was romantic but evenly cold and wet because this was England for fuck's sake and raining was kind of its thing.
They broke their kiss, distracted by the little drops tapping their heated skin. As if they wanted to be a part of what was going on. Little intruders. But Remus couldn't deny Sirius still looked gorgeous, perhaps even more so, soaking wet, white t-shirt sticking to his toned stomach and his curls in thick strands sticking to his gorgeous cheeks. He himself, he imagined, probably looked like some old, stray dog, soaking wet.
'Want to go inside?' He asked, deciding standing in the rain wasn't his best look. He wasn't very keen on going back in the house but this wasn't exactly comfortable either.
'How did you get here?' Sirius asked. For a second Remus wondered why on earth Sirius would care about that on a moment like this until he realised cars had roofs.
'Right.' He quickly walked towards his car and almost jumped in, as did Sirius.
There had been awkward silence, passionate kissing in the rain but being in such a confined space with what probably was the love of your life was a whole new level of uncomfortable. They both muttered a 'Nope; at the same time and jumped out of the small car, back into the pouring rain.
Sirius walked over towards Remus' side of the car and took off his leather jacket, covering their heads. It made little difference. They were soaking wet as it was. But it had something. The smell of that leather jacket, so close to each other.
'This is still awfully close.' Remus smiled.
'True. But we can take a run for it if we feel like it.' Sirius grinned back.
Silence returned as they stared at each other for a little while. Then Remus leaned in for a little peck, just a small touch of lips, and it stopped raining. Sirius lowered his jacket and shook it off a little before hanging it on the mirror of Remus' car.
There was a little more silence as they leaned against the car with their practically drenched clothes.
'I guess we should.. talk.' Remus said, realizing that was practically the extent his brain was willing to go.
'I guess so.' Sirius agreed. 'You start.'
Remus was silent for quite some time. The most ridiculous questions raced through his mind and he had a hard time to pick out one that made sense. His brain would have to await the answers to Do you prefer owls or cats and How many pages do you think the perfect book should be. Eventually he settled on something a lot more practical.
'Did you know it was me? No. What I mean is. When did you know?'
Sirius smiled vaguely as thick drops of water dripped from his curls.
'I know this sounds stupid but I believe it was just now. When you opened the door.'
'Just now? But the book..'
Remus frowned. He had been so sure chapter three was Sirius letting him know who he really was. That they were Padfoot and Moony.
'Yeah. I'm quite a smart cookie, I promise. But the reason I wanted you to read that was because I hoped you'd keep reading and realise I was gay but never got married and all that stuff. But somehow my brain never thought of telling me that instead of wanting you to read the book, it was about you.'
'That is quite stupid, yes.' Remus agreed and laughed when Sirius punched him in the arm.
'I'm just a confused guy. I was thinking I'd do this signing stuff and then I'd figure out which guy could possibly be Moony. I never thought you'd be the first I'd run into. I mean, seriously. What's that all about.'
'That is some rather ridiculous coincidence, I'd say.'
'Agreed.' Sirius mumbled. 'But how did you get here? Did you call my agent?'
'Actually.. No. After reading the chapter, and just the chapter so yes, I thought you were married-' he tried to ignore the grunt Sirius gave- 'but I realised that it was hardly possible you would not be Padfoot. So I thought I'd give you one last chance and opened the chatbox. But instead of me saying something to you, you said something to me. At least I thought it was you. Turned out it was your brother that gave me the address.'
'So he figured it out.' Sirius frowned. 'I should've been more careful with that laptop. I hope he didn't treat you shitty?'
Remus shook his head.
'No. He was quite nice.' Then something dawned. 'His wife..'
'Was supposed to be my wife. Yes.' He held up his hand so Remus could look at the ring. 'Something else I should explain?'
'Please do.'
'Well. The night before the wedding I knew I couldn't. I simply couldn't. Marrying someone chosen for you is one thing. But having to sleep with them, knowing you prefer guys.. That's just wrong. Personally, I mean. I'd feel like I'd betray her and she doesn't deserve that. So I called my parents and told them I refused to go through. They were mad to say the least. But them my brother came walking in and offered them a plan. Smart cookie too, that brother of mine. We're from the same box after all.'
Remus gave him a polite smile but was too curious to how this would end.
'Any way.' Sirius continued. 'He offered to take my place. He never stuck up for me like that before. But he had it all planned out. To not ruin the family name, which of course was what my parent's dreaded most, I'd still be at the altar the next morning. Regulus would be my best man. All my parents had to do was to arrange some new marriage papers and bribe the minister. With their name and money that was fixed in no time. So I said yes and I kissed the bride. But when I signed the documents, I signed where my name was. As best man. And Regulus signed where his name was, the groom. No one knew until I wrote the book. That's why I had to leave Scotland, they weren't pleased.
Regulus and Andromeda moved to London way before that so they wouldn't have to explain a thing. I believe they actually figured out how to be happy.'
Remus stared at him in shock. His family had to be incredibly powerful to pull off something like this. But they did. And even more, Remus realised that listening to Sirius talking was the best thing in the world and he never wanted to stop it. Ever.
'We've got so much to talk about, don't we. This is just the rather unusual and practically movie worthy start' He said and Sirius nodded.
'You can say that again. Perhaps I'll write another book about it.'
'Or..' Remus frowned. 'Maybe I.. Perhaps we should go on a date. A proper one. With a dinner and perhaps a movie and not standing outside, soaked.'
Sirius' face lit up.
'You want that?'
'Are you kidding me? I found you. Or you found me. The actual Padfoot. I have to get to know you. Even better than I already think I do, I mean. '
Sirius now just smiled from ear to ear. It almost made him seen like the 12 year old boy Remus once feared he was.
'I'd love that.'
'You should go in. You've got a lot to tell your brother.'
'Yes. Definitely. So.. Date?'
'I can come and pick you up. Tomorrow at six?'
'I'd love that.'
Sirius leaned in for a small kiss.
'It's a date.'
