This is the last chapter of Hidden Scars, hope you enjoy!

All HP Characters belong to J.K. Rowling

Continued from Chapter 8

...ooO0Ooo...

Remus slumped his shoulders the moment Sirius left the room. Emotionally drained did not begin to cover how exhausted he felt after tonight, after all the revelations he'd been through. He'd never felt so vulnerable, not even when he was naked and wounded after a full moon. But just like he was then, Sirius was here for him, caring for him, making him feel whole and human. Something he rarely felt without the other boy around to reassure him.

And he knew exactly where Sirius was off to. Sirius always protected him. He just hoped that Sirius didn't threaten Will. Though the other boy had said some incredibly hurtful things to him, he'd never wish ill upon Will. He understood the fear and disgust that had gripped Will all too well, for he saw it upon his own face every time he looked upon his own scars. That Sirius had not shown such revulsion...now that was interesting. Remus wondered if it was simply Sirius being a dutiful best friend, or if perhaps he was just too shocked to react.

Remus fingered the charm before placing it back around his neck. Hiding was his life. That wouldn't stop simply because Sirius now knew another of his many secrets. He still had no idea how James and Peter would act, and seeing as they were roommates, he didn't wish to frighten them should either burst in unexpectedly.

Deciding to follow Sirius' advise, Remus pushed himself up from the bed and made his way into the shared bathroom to brush his teeth. His reflection stared back at him from the mirror above the sink, skin perfect, not a scar to be seen, his sandy blond hair and ordinary features lending him a look he'd always considered to be quite uninteresting. What Will had possibly seen in him was completely beyond Remus. He splashed cold water on his face, feeling the long gashes beneath his fingers that were hidden from sight as he scrubbed his skin. Wouldn't have lasted long anyway.

At least this way things were over and done with before either boy got too attached, he rationalized after patting his face dry and grabbing his toothbrush. If he'd had to hear those words-those incredibly hateful words-uttered from Will's mouth after he'd begun to like him more, or even love him, Remus knew he'd be devastated. Not that this wasn't devastating enough. But at least his stupid unrequited crush on Sirius had been good for something, finally. It had kept Remus from getting caught up in yet another relationship that could never be.

After quickly finishing his nightly routine, Remus quietly made his way back into the room, peering around to find James still absent and Peter snoring away. Shaking his head, Remus continued on until he came to the foot of his bed. He frowned down at it. The covers were perfectly folded, the comforter free of crumbs, parchment, and pranking oddities. It was so empty. Remus' eyes darted over to Sirius' rumpled covers. Would the other boy mind? He hoped not.

Taking a deep breath, Remus took the three steps toward Sirius' bed and crawled in, pushing a random quill from beneath his elbow and setting his wand on the nightstand. Here he was. Alone with his thoughts, in Sirius' bed. Even with all the terrible revelations of the night, that was all Remus could think about. Snuggling under the covers, Remus hoped that Sirius would return soon. And not have hexed Will...too badly.

Remus sighed. If Sirius couldn't talk some sense into Will tonight, he himself certainly would try again tomorrow. He didn't know what would happen if his secret got out. At the very least he'd be expelled-no parents would want their children attending school with a monster. He'd probably lose the few friends he had. But he'd have Sirius at least. He hoped. The lack of fear and disgust in Sirius' stormy grey eyes when he'd revealed his scars was no small thing, especially coming from someone who prized looks so highly. He swore sometimes Sirius took more time getting ready than a bloody girl. But that fact that Sirius had not shied away, not gasped in shock, but instead actually touched his most hated scar… Remus felt accepted, completely and utterly accepted.

Still lost in thought, Remus jumped slightly when the door opened and Sirius appeared, making his way to his own bed.

"Made yourself at home I see?" Sirius chuckled, flopping down on the covers next to Remus.

"I hoped you wouldn't mind."

"Not at all."

"So…" Remus started, "Did you find Will?"

"Yep, and don't worry, he's still breathing. Although after what he said to you…"

"Padfoot," Remus tried to calm his friend, "What did he...how was he?"

Sirius made an exasperated noise in his throat. "Only you would be that concerned over someone who hurt you. He's fine. Said he wouldn't tell. Probably a good idea to keep some distance from him though, just in case."

"Er, of course. Thanks Sirius."

"Well can't have you getting kicked out of school or anything, who would I get to help me with my Muggle Studies homework?" Sirius explained with a smile.

"I really do owe you one. And thanks for...you know, not being disgusted when you saw my…" Remus couldn't finish.

Sirius shook his head and put an arm around Remus. "You've kept it a secret so long, I don't think you realize how little a difference it makes to me. To any of us, I'm sure. You're still Moony."

"I just feel...I mean I've never thought of myself as attractive, but...well who would want me with all the scars? Not exactly a confidence booster when the first bloke I show runs off calling me a monster."

Sirius winced and pulled Remus closer. "Don't ever think of yourself like that. He's an arse, a complete utter wanker. He should be so lucky if you ever speak to him again."

Remus shifted his shoulders to get more comfortable, fingering his charm unconsciously.

"You're still wearing it," Sirius stated.

Remus shrugged. "I don't like looking in the mirror without it. And I definitely don't want you seeing all my scars."

"I thought I told you it doesn't matter?" Sirius sighed defeatedly.

"It matters to me."

"Remus…"

"Can't you just...I don't know, forget you know about them?" Remus sighed.

"But...they're part of you."

"So?" said Remus, "Can't you think of my charm like...like an article of clothing? It's just covering up bits of me that everyone would rather not see."

Sirius laughed. "Alright, alright I get it. But around me, I really want you to just be you. Scars and all. So when it's just us, can't you take it off?"

Remus thought for a moment. He really did not understand Sirius at all. Why would the other boy want to see him in all his hideous glory? It made no sense to him. But then again, he'd hate for Sirius to hide something about himself from him.

"Alright," Remus said after a long pause. "But only when no one's around. Not even James or Peter. And don't stare alright? Or I'm putting it back on and that's it."

Sirius raised a hand. "On my honor," he said cheekily.

"Like you have any honor," Remus mumbled as he looked down to grasp the charm and slide it over his neck. He placed it on the pillow beside him, within easy reach, before slowly turning up toward Sirius, steadying himself with a deep breath.

Sirius was smiling at him, looking him in the eye. Not at his scars. As if they didn't even exist. Remus let out a breath he hadn't even known he'd been holding as Sirius pulled him back against his shoulder.

Remus smiled and both boys were quiet for a moment.

"You didn't...you know, love him or anything right?" Sirius asked tentatively.

"Will? No," Remus replied. "Nothing like that. He was just a bit of fun. Doesn't make it hurt less though."

Sirius nodded. "So...he said something else I thought you should know," Remus raised an eyebrow so Sirius continued, "Will said that I need to stop...that I was 'leading you on.'"

Remus eyes grew wide and he leaned away.

"Do you...do you think I'm doing that? Leading you on?" Sirius was biting his thumbnail and couldn't seem to look Remus in the eye.

It took a minute for Remus to remember that Sirius expected an answer to his question.

"Er, well no. I mean, you're kind of a flirt, but that's just you. You flirt with everyone. I, you know, don't think it means anything when it's directed at me. Will must've been confused is all."

Sirius stopped looking down at the covers to finally meet Remus' eyes. "Would you like it to mean something?"

Remus swore his heart stopped beating. What did Sirius mean? Was he offering…?

After a long thirty seconds of silence Remus realized this must be a hoax. Some elaborate prank, thought it didn't feel the least bit funny. Nevertheless, Remus bit out a short laugh.

"Why are you…" Sirius sputtered. "This isn't funny!"

"No, it isn't. Sorry Padfoot, I don't understand this prank," Remus replied.

"What? It's not a prank! Moony, I just...oh nevermind," Sirius said, and only as the boy turned to climb out of bed did Remus realize the other boy was blushing. Quickly he reached out, grabbing Sirius' wrist before he could leave entirely.

"Wait, Sirius. Stop for a second. Just...just tell me what you meant by that."

"I meant what I meant, okay?" Sirius said, running a hand through his hair in exasperation.

"Okay...just, bear with me a second," Remus said biting his lip. "So, you now like blokes?"

"What? No!"

"Well now I'm really confused cause I thought you were propositioning me. And I'm a bloke so…"

"I don't...not all blokes. Just you alright?"

"Oh," said Remus, his eyes widening.

'Ugg," Sirius threw his head back in frustration. "Why are you making me spell out my feelings like a bloody girl?"

"Sorry I just...don't want to misunderstand. So you want to, what? Snog me? Date me? Sha…"

"Look I don't know okay? I'm new to this and I don't quite get it myself. I just don't want you with bloody Will and I liked snogging you but I don't know about the rest cause it kind of terrifies me and excites me at the same time so can we just…"

"Alright alright Padfoot, slow down," Remus said, grabbing Sirus around the shoulder and pulling him close.

"How about we just start with this," Remus said after a minute, wrapping his arms tightly around the other boy when Sirius finally relaxed and snuggled close.

"Just...just like this?" Sirius asked, tilting his head to look at Remus.

Remus bent his head, leaning in slowly. If Sirius didn't want this...but he did. The other boy closed the gap before he could, pressing soft warm lips to his own, arching his neck into the kiss.

Pulling away before the kiss turned into something more, something he wasn't sure either of them could emotionally handle at the moment, Remus leaned his forehead against Sirius', looking into his soft grey eyes.

"And all the snogging of course," Remus smiled.

"Well obviously," Sirius agreed.

...ooO0Ooo…

End

Thank you so much for reading my first Wolfstar fanfic, I hope you enjoyed it! Thank you for leaving such lovely compliments as well! I'm going to write an 'afterwards' for this too, cause I love fluff but I wanted something more sexy between them as well, so please follow me so you can read that too 3 Yume