Drip
Drip
Drip
Fizz
Sirius Black tried to stock the fire he had been keeping lit all alone. Pensively, he prodded the wood with the poker. But, the rain from the storm outside was seeping through the rafters, attempting to smother the weak remains. Drip. The coals gave little light to the dreary room. The pitter patter of the leaky ceiling was the only metric of time in his old abandoned home. The close walls reminded him of another small room he had spent too much time in.
Drip
Knock Knock
Startled for his privet thoughts, Sirius rose, knocking over his seat and went to open the door of Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place.
"Remus" he said in a low raspy voice.
"I wasn't sure you'd be here." He had a wand in one hand and a bottle of fire whiskey tucked under his arm. Surprisingly The wizard's shabby cloak seemed little worn from the storm waring outside.
They made there way down the hall into the drab kitchen. Lupin pointed his wand at the feeble fire.
"Impervious" he said. A stray flame burst to life in the dampness. Lupin lifted the chair sideways on the floor and kindly set it upright.
"How is he?" Lupin asked removing his coat and placeing it on the back of another chair.
Sirius grabbed a couple of dusty glasses from the cupboard. Placing them on the table he replied.
"He's still shaken up. Dumbledore sent him back to the muggles. I begged him to let the boy stay here, after what happened in the graveyard, he really should'n be left . . .but he seemed to think . . . I guess he knows . . ."
"Best" lupin finished. " Well, I informed what's left of the Order; Mundungus, Emmeline Vance, Sturgis Podmore, Elphias Doge. They all agree to meet here tomorrow with Dumbledore. With what's coming, I hope they can recruit a few more people." He poored two glasses of fire whiskey. Sirius drank his in one gulp.
"And how how are you?" Lupin asked refilling the glass. He recorked the bottle. Turning he sat down in the chair beside Sirius. Lupin brought the glass of whiskey to his lips and drank.
Sirius still haven't replied.
" With this war" he paused "I'm not the same man as. . . "
"It won't be like last time." Lupin tried to reassure him.
Sirius turned his head away from lupin absently taping his finger aganst the glass; silent and still in the musty old kitchen.
Fizz
Drip
Drip
Lupin leaned over, grabbing Sirius hand comfortingly.
Sirius looked at it. It was probably only ment as a kind gesture from a friend. But it reminded him of something else, of long nights together cuddled securely in a four posted bed. The hangings draw shut, protected by a sliencing charm. Or in the shrinking shack after a hearty night of mischief making. Remus was shy then, reserved. He loved to make Remus laugh or even better blush. He was confident then, everything came easy. The dementors had eaten all that. He knew what had happened but he could no longer feel the memories. No joy. Not the thrill of intimacy or the comfort of friends. But he new he had had them once. In there absents, deep in his heart, he felt only the dementors. Empty. Sirius griped Remus 's hand like it was the only peice left of his world.
They sipped their drinks in a uneasy slience.
Drip
Drip
Lupin studied his friend. It was the first they had been alone together since his escape from Askaban. He never talked about his experience there. Lupin knew better then to ask. Sirius had never liked appearing week or vulnerable. He still hide it from others, putting on mannerisms like dress robes to a funeral. But it showed now. Slumped in his chair he was a shadow for his youthful self. Remus remember him bursting with energy, finishing his jokes with a bark of laughter. He always had a cocky smile and mischievous glint in his eyes. And now, his casual handsome features look tired and worn. Broken. Who was this man before him? What had survived of his youthful friend?
"Sirius" lupin said sincerely, moving closer. Trying to find the right words, He peered into the haunted face of his shattered friend. Peering into his sunken eyes, lost for words, he kiss him gentle; surprising himself. Pulling away he saw a hint of something more familiar in Sirius's eyes. Hope?
" I thought maybe you had a . . "
" No one wants a wearwolf." Remus said with a brave attempt at a smile. He sat back in his chair. Unsure of his desires.
"I do" Sirius replied firmly squeezing his hand. He exhaled feeling his heart quicken. He was less sure then he use to be around Remus. Their roles now felt reversed. His finger twitched as he waited for a response.
Drip
Drip
Fizz
Lupin poured more fire whiskey as if it could fill the gap of years that spread between them. The storm outside was ever present through the timely drops reverberating through the cracked room. He longed to put the pieces of his friend back together.
Gazing into his tired handsome face, he made up his mind.
"Come" Remus said finishing his drink. "Let's get you to bed". Holding hands Remus led him down the shadowy hall past the elf head. Up the stair, past tattered curtains hidding a frame. Sirius half slumped on Remus's shoulder.
"Will you stay with me, here?" Sirius asked
" Only tonight, Dumbledore has work for me"
They enter Sirius's bedroom. With his free hand Sirius pulls Remus in a close embrace, arm around his waist. Hoping for a new memory. Their hips pressing against one on other, he lifted his head to catch Remus's soft eyes.
Remus removes his hand from Sirius's for the first time and raises it. The tips of his fingers brushes the shaggy hair out of Sirius's longing eyes. He exhales, filling the air between them with whiskey and disire.
Remus kisses Sirius passionately. Desparetly tring to breathe the life back into his lover that the dementors had stolen away.