Holmes: Sirius Black

Bucket List: safe

Book Club, Silas: Sirius, responsibility, mystery

Showtime, Your Eyes: hurt/comfort

Arcade, Tobias: Wolfstar, "Does it look like I'm joking?", screaming

Basement, Liza: fluffy Wolfstar

Christmas Raffle: Sirius Black

Paper Snowflakes: slash

Snowball Fight: hurt/comfort

Word Count: 412

The screaming wakes him. By now, Sirius should probably be used to it. Remus has been haunted by nightmares as long as he can remember. Only now does he understand that they aren't run-of-the-mill nightmares. Now he knows the truth about Remus' condition, about Greyback. The mystery is gone, and he knows that the nightmares are memories.

He suspects James and Peter have cast spells to soundproof their beds because they don't wake. Remus probably prefers it that. Sirius knows that he hates feeling like he's anyone's responsibility.

But Sirius doesn't care. He loves Remus and will do anything he can to protect him.

Sirius climbs out of bed, rubbing the sleep from his eye. In only a few steps, he's at Remus' bed. Remus sits up, rigid and breathing heavily. In the moonlight that filters through the window, Sirius can see the beads of cold sweat sprinkled across his lover's forehead.

"Budge over."

"I'm fine, Sirius." He sounds anything but fine. Remus is out of breath, and his voice breaks.

"Does it look like I'm joking?" Sirius asks. "Budge over."

Remus hesitates but obeys. Sirius climbs into bed beside him, pulling him close. "It's okay, Moony," he says, stroking his lover's tawny hair. "You're safe. You know that, right?"

Remus breaks. His body trembles, and tears begin to flow, soaking Sirius' shirt. All Sirius can do is hold him tighter, soothing him with gentle shushing noises.

"I hate this," Remus whispers. "I just want to be okay again."

Sirius swallows dryly. He doesn't know how to put Remus back together, or if it's even possible. He wants to believe it is. Sirius loves Remus more than anything in this world, and he only wants the best for him.

"I don't know how to make things better," Sirius whispers. "I wish I could promise to take away the pain, but I can't. I can promise you this, though: as long as I'm alive, you won't have to go through this alone. I'll hold you after every nightmare. I will love and take care of you."

"That's all I need to know."

They lay back together. Remus snuggles close, resting his head on Sirius' shoulder. Sirius doesn't sleep. He stays up, ready for the screaming to begin again, ready to hold Remus and chase away the nightmares.

"I love you," he whispers to the boy sleeping beside him. He leans in, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. "I will keep you safe."