A/N: The…second last chapter.*sheepish smile* It's because this last chapter turned longer than I expected and I ended up needing to cut them in halves so that I can update asap. The last chapter will be coming in around a week's time. After some editing and finishing touches are made…*grins*

Now, onto the fic.

Enjoy!

THE STAR AND HIS MOON

Chapter 11

"I love you and I don't want to simply be a rebound for you, Moony."

Remus sat in shocked silence at hearing that particular confession coming from the one boy whom he'd thought would never utter those words. Those beautiful, precious three little words. Three little words that held Sirius' whole heart opened in front of him on a silver platter.

It would be so easy to break that heart right at this moment.

Sirius probably knew that and had accepted that fate. If Remus was any less of a man than what he was, he might've taken this one chance to break the other boy's trust; just like how Sirius had broken his. Twice.

But he knew that Sirius had never meant to hurt him and Remus wasn't like that. He was someone who was in love, and all he saw was the complete love that was offered to him in unquestionable trust from the one person who'd rarely trust anyone other than himself in this world.

He saw this as a priceless offering of the one thing he'd never even thought was possible. His heart started their jumps of joy, but his face muscles didn't seem to understand their condition, staying frozen in its still expression.

He could see the hopeful light dimming within those grey orbs. Those soft pair of lips that he'd tasted started to tremble and he could see his friend biting his bottom lip to stop the movement. He could even see the knuckles that were turning white as those hands turned into gripping itself tightly.

Sirius was afraid. Sirius was expecting the worst. His loyal and brave Sirius was a step away from a broken heart.

Well, what are you waiting for this time, idiot? Everything you've ever wanted was just handed to you on a silver platter and you're not taking it?

Remus felt like a real idiot. What was it that he was doing, exactly?

"Sirius," Sirius jolted in surprise at his words, his eyes didn't manage to hide the pain and the acceptance for rejection quite as swiftly as he no doubt hoped.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know what came over me, staying silent like an idiot when the first thing I should've done is this," moving his body to hug the other boy completely within his embrace, Remus was struck by surprise at how smaller than he looks Sirius really is.

Deep inside, he'd always know this, but with his daring, go-by-my-own-rules attitude, Sirius had always seem big; so much bigger than he really was. He'd half expected himself to feel odd hugging someone who'd somehow be bigger than he was, but found himself pleasantly surprised.

The warm body that clung to him fit him like a second pair of skin. It was comfortable and not at all overbearing like he'd expected. They were of similar size, with Remus winning in the height department and Sirius in the weight. Despite the amount of sweets and food that he ate on regular basis, Remus' body stayed the way it had always been; skinny with an undertone of strong muscle.

With all of his love within his voice, Remus whispered,

"I love you too, Padfoot."

He found Sirius clinging to him even tighter, hiding his face in the crook of Remus' neck. The body in his arms started trembling and Remus got worried. Moving himself a fraction of an inch away from the other boy, he could see a tight smile on his friend's -no, boyfriend's, his mind supplied- face; his eyes glassy from keeping his tears from escaping down his cheeks.

Knowing that Sirius was simply overwhelmed by his words told Remus how much the he cared for Remus more than any words could. The beautiful, elusive Sirius Black chose him, a simple werewolf with nothing special to offer as the one he would love.

This realisation brought utter warmth in his chest. He was content to stay in this position as long as Sirius would allow him, but his mind seemed to have other ideas. After all, now that they're clear on each other's feelings it became possible for him to taste those lips once again.

Slowly and gently, he moved their bodies apart just enough for him to tilt his boyfriend's head using his purchase on those heavenly black locks.

Sirius initially looked surprised before leaning in close himself; grey eyes fluttering close in anticipation for his second kiss. As soon as their lips met, it became almost impossible for the kiss to remain chaste, for there was too much passion that the pair had been holding in for years. Their lips met and Remus couldn't help but licked those soft lips attached to his and was granted the entry to taste the cavern beyond it.

Sirius tasted of mint, no doubt from his toothpaste, a hint of chocolate and something deeper, a spicy and sweet tang that was completely Sirius.

Sirius himself was feeling somewhat overwhelmed. He could now understand why everyone seemed to enjoy the kissing sessions they carry out with their boyfriend or girlfriend. If every single of their kiss is like this, he could easily be addicted to it too. Who knew the quiet and reserved Remus Lupin had such a wicked tongue? A tongue that was able to turn his spine into melted butter, it seemed.

But human, even wizards, still have a limited amount of oxygen in their lungs. Thus, Sirius had to slowly move himself away from those addictive lips; taking big gulps of air to make up the ones he'd just lost. But Remus didn't seem to be deterred. Lips found purchase on his jaw and ear; a nip to an ear caused a moan to escape from the black-haired boy. A gentle suck to the top of his neck that was bared brought forth a whimper that he found himself unable to hold in.

When he came to a little of his senses, it was to the knowledge that his pajamas top was halfway unbuttoned and a warm hand that definitely does not belong to him slipping in-between his top and pants, caressing the skin of his stomach. He shivered at the feeling.

But he found that they were moving too fast. When Remus' hand moved lower and started to slip under the elastic band of his pajamas bottoms, he gripped the forearm gently to stop it.

Remus detached his hot mouth away from his neck that he was quickly discovering to be a very erogenous zone; especially on the spot where his neck met his shoulder.

"Sirius?"

The question was stated softly, unsurely and Sirius hurried to ease his boyfriend.

"It's not that I didn't find that enjoyable, Remus. The complete opposite, in fact. It was just- I felt like it was too much...too fast..." He whispered with bright, red cheeks. Gee, what a way to expose himself to be an inexperienced stammering fool, eh? He can only hope that Remus wouldn't mind his lack of practice.

"Oh. I'm so sorry. I- I didn't mean-"

Sirius cut off Remus' guilty stammer, "That's alright, Remus. You've got nothing to apologise for. I'm actually sorry that I couldn't bring myself to go further. We will. Just- not now?"

Looking up through his eyelashes, his eyes filled with question; he felt at ease at finding a reassuring smile on his boyfriend's face.

"Of course. Whatever you feel comfortable with, Padfoot. I'm just happy we're together; there is no need to rush things. And certainly not on my account."

"Okay."

"Alright. Now that we're clear on things, let's get our sleep. I do apologise for making you stay up, Padfoot."

"What? No, don't apologise. I'm feeling glad that you make me stay up. Because if we didn't stay up, this might not happen," Sirius smiled almost shyly.

"Then I'll let you get back to your sleep. You must be tired."

Seeing Remus moved, Sirius felt somewhat disappointed. He was hoping that they'd be able to sleep together. He'd always loved to be surrounded by Remus' comforting presence.

But to his surprise, Remus merely moved to move under the covers.

"Come on, Sirius. Come here."

Feeling decidedly giddy with happiness, he scrambled to follow Remus' direction. As soon as he was in a close proximity to the lying body next to his, Remus pulled him closer and he found himself facing Remus' neck. Nuzzling the available skin in contentment, he lifted his chin to peck the other's lips before closing his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

When Remus woke up early in the morning the next day, he wasn't expecting an awake Sirius, sitting next to him and reading something that looks like a comic book; hands softly threading through Remus' hair. He saw Remus' movement and greeted him with a soft morning kiss.

"I took a shower already, so you can take yours now if you want, Moony. Prongs and Wormy are still asleep."

Remus found himself blinking in confusion. This was not simply a rare occasion, something like this had never happened to them before and to say he was surprised would be an understatement.

"Sirius? How come you're awake so early?"

Grinning a boyish grin, Sirius replied, "I know. I just woke up this morning and I felt completely refreshed. So I decided to wake up and shower. Watching you sleep was a nice experience, Moony."

Turning red at the knowledge that his boyfriend had been watching him sleeping, Remus simply hoped that he didn't do anything embarrassing like snore in his sleep.

"If I was an artist I would've started drawing you in your sleep, Moony. Even now my hands still itched for a drawing pad and pencil. But I don't want to turn your face into something other than a beautiful piece of art and I'm afraid I'm not that skilled."

Remus couldn't believe his words, but he even released a morose sigh and pouty frown along with his words and there was nothing from Sirius' demeanour that could make him doubt his words.

Turning red from the compliment, something he wasn't used to due to his somewhat average look, Remus found himself smiling at his boyfriend's words. Trust Sirius to find the beauty on someone as scarred as him.

"No, no, no. That wasn't where your thoughts was supposed to take you."

Remus jolted in surprise at Sirius' words.

"You...can read minds?" Remus asked weakly.

"No, but I think you just proved that I was right. You were having that self-deprecating smile of yours on your face. I don't understand why you don't seem to be able to see your own beauty, Moony," Complained Sirius.

"Everyone else can! Evans think every boy should be like you, nearly all of the Gryffindor juniors adored you that if it wasn't for the fact that I knew you only see them as underclassmen, I would've been jealous long ago."

"Don't you still get jealous of them nowadays anyway?" Remus interrupted with a teasing smile.

Sirius huffed in reply, "Don't interrupt me, Moony. Where was I - Oh yeah, all of the professors see you as the apple of their eyes, popular people like Jennings fell in love with you, Prongs and Wormy loves you. And -" Sirius wasn't sure whether he should continue his words but decided to go on anyway, "And I love you more than anything or anyone else in this world."

Remus was struck speechless.

"So don't you dare belittle yourself like that again, Remus John Lupin, because we both know that everything that I said was the truth," Sirius stated firmly with a glare daring Remus to say anything against it and face his wrath.

"Well, when you put it like that..."

"I know I'm right. You don't have to tell me that. Just promise me that you won't think about yourself in that way anymore," Sirius told him, serious grey eyes boring into his own brown pair. He didn't know as to whether he would be able to keep this promise, seeing as he was used to being pessimistic when it involves himself, but if it'll make Sirius happy…

"I'll try."

Sirius beamed.

"That's all I asked for, Moony."

TBC

Okay, don't hit me! *hides behind pillows*

I know it's rather short, but the other half of the chapter would be longer, I promise. It has at least a thousand more words than this. ;]

Please comment? I do love them.