Author Notes: Sorry about my slowed posting. I have been occupied with some family matters and it lessened my time to write! Hopefully, this makes it up to you all.
The very regular date out with both men was extremely telling as to how their dynamic worked so well together. Remus had stories about first coming to Los Angeles and coming to the museum or library while going to school.
Sirius bragged about street racing he used to compete in and how he loved the sound of a good bike. Even promising to pull his out and take her for a ride. He went into detail about their lives while discovering their passions.
Hermione crossed her legs and watched as Remus talked on the phone to an associate. His maroon sweater made him seem distinguished and sexy. They were outside the museum and enjoying the sun before lunch.
"It took him a long time to feel comfortable with who he was," Sirius said.
She glanced at the dark-haired man in a tank top. "How so?"
"Love, I didn't get him laid until well into our school years out here. He was too scared to hurt someone."
Hermione's cheeks tinted and hummed. "I see."
"Yeah, and then he realized he needed to control the situation so that he knew he never would. He spent many years focusing on his health and reducing risk, but control never leaves you. You're the first woman in a long time that he has given a piece of him to. Not to say he isn't aware, but he adores you, love," Sirius sighed as he touched her thigh.
Hermione nodded. "I found out I needed less control after school, and when I went to uni. I was so stressed, so absolutely ruined. My relationships were difficult, as I always had to manage them. I was always managing everything. Harry suggested I talk to someone about the book, and that's when I met Reggie. He knew I was just like him in that sense and introduced me to a few friends."
"Ah, yes, now full circle. Severus introduced you to your ex?" Sirius asked.
Hermione sighed. "Yes, and at first, I wasn't ready and tried a few things, but Rabastan was persistent. So, I agreed, he trained me, and I was with him for two years. It wasn't always difficult. He was decent to me and taught me how to delve into my submission. I was passionate about it and realized I needed it more than just for a healthy relationship," Hermione paused and puffed.
She glanced at him, scowling. "I didn't know. I didn't know that there was a large plot being followed. Rabastan was becoming bolder with my experiences and demanded more of me. I tried, I truly did. During that time, his brother's wife popped up, and he used to make me watch them fuck and clean them up after. It was part of my ultimate training. When she wanted to join in, my punishments is when it got difficult," Hermione explained and glanced at the cement.
Sirius puffed and stroked her hair. "We will never, ever hurt you, Hermione."
Hermione rocked his head. "I know, Sirius. I appreciate you so much. You and Remus hold pieces of me, no one does."
"You know that you're safe with us," Sirius caressed her cheek.
Hermione pressed into it and winced. "What happens after this?"
"You mean in a few weeks?"
Hermione nodded and bit her lip. "What if this gets ruined by your disinterest?"
"So, with that, you know what my next statement is," Sirius said with an arched eyebrow.
"That this isn't temporary or even a year," Hermione murmured with a smile.
Sirius smirked and ran his thumb along her cheek. "No, not even close."
"You're both concerned about me moving to my own house?" Hermione asked as she batted away her curls.
He tilted his head from side to side. "A little bit. We know it changes the dynamic, and it changes how you feel about us. We are twenty years older than you, are in a state of general complacency, and you're a wealthy author who has dreams. Moony and I know how lucky we are that you even find us an enhancement in your life."
Hermione watched Remus wander over toward the edge of the sidewalk and start a conversation with someone clearly homeless. There was a sweetness to his texture, and soon the man pulled out his wallet and handed him a few bills. Hermione smiled.
"You both discredit yourselves far more than needed. We don't just acknowledge someone on how they fuck or what their station is, Sirius. We look at their heart and the passion they hold within. I don't just see two men who love to take pretty pictures and fuck me silly.
"I saw the man that saw a woman in need and offered to save her no questions asked. I saw the man who drove her to the rental lot and spoke with eloquence. I saw two men who were open arms to someone of no consequence to their life. Sirius, I'm not here because this is a phase. I'm here because you both inspire me. I can only hope at the end of the day you feel the same," Hermione finished and smirked.
Sirius rubbed his mouth and breathed. "Well, then, how are we going to do this, Hermione? Two men, crazy about you, ready to do what you ask. How do you want to keep this up so," he was stopped when Hermione climbed in his lap.
"Do I have to do something to make it clear that I want you both?" Hermione whispered as she caressed him through his trousers.
"Angel, nows," Sirius huffed before she covered his lips with her fingers.
"Oh, Daddy," she said loud enough for the couple next to them to glare.
Sirius's cheeks bloom with color. "Hermione," he growled under her fingers.
"Daddy, oh, yes," Hermione sighed with an exaggerated moan.
"Need help?" Remus's voice went over her head.
Sirius nodded.
Hermione glanced up and grinned. "I was ending an argument."
Remus lifted her and threw her over his shoulder. "Now, little girls who play with fire often get burnt," he grumbled.
Hermione growled and squirmed. "Put me down, Remus."
He reached up and gripped her ass. "You keep arguing, and I will find my butt plug in the car. It's the size of an orange," Remus hissed.
Hermione stiffened. "This is a normal day," she murmured.
"And you just broke a rule, young lady," Remus hissed.
She pouted and glanced back to see Sirius trailing. "What rule?"
"Publicly being a brat," Remus murmured. "Now, you'll have to learn."
Sirius smirked. "Oh, love, you were doing so well. That's a big no-no for Moony. His girls need to be polite," he voiced while grinning.
Hermione was placed in the car, and Remus glared at her. "Buckle up," he ordered.
She puffed and connected the seatbelt. "Are we going home?"
"No," Remus said and shut her door.
Hermione watched Remus wander to the passenger seat and waved for Sirius to drive. What was going on? Sirius climbed into the driver's seat and peeled off his shirt. "Scenic or direct, Moony?"
Remus waved his hand. "No, very direct."
Sirius bounced his head. "You're the boss."
"What's going on?" Hermione questioned.
"Do you trust us, love?" Sirius asked.
Hermione nodded with a scowl. "Yes, but I'm actually a bit nervous."
Remus arched an eyebrow as he glanced back at her. "Why do you think we packed the car earlier?"
"I didn't know you did. I was doing some writing," Hermione blushed.
"Snuffles wasn't dropped at the rescue for an afternoon out. We have a plan, but Moony is officially impatient, and you deserve a reminder," Sirius chuckled as he pulled onto the freeway.
Hermione pouted. "I'm not fond of surprises."
Remus turned on the radio and glanced back. "Red light."
Hermione blinked. "What?"
"Red light. We are going to do this without telling you, but I can promise you I will be paddling your ass for breaking a rule," Remus clarified.
Hermione's cheeks burned. "I wasn't trying to be a brat."
Remus tightened his jaw and huffed. "No, but you were. Even on off days, we agreed not to break the bigger rules."
She tucked her head, and her cheeks glowed. "I know."
Remus tutted as he turned forward. "One day without structure, Padfoot. I told you. Routine and regime."
Hermione's eyes burned, and she bit her lips. "I'm sorry," she murmured.
"Reach back and pat her for me," Sirius said.
Remus reached back and smiled as he stroked her hair. "You know I'm only looking out for you, my girl. What you did was harmful to Sirius, you, and anyone witnessing it. If you needed a bit of control, you could have asked. Can you please tell me what spurred it?"
Her lips quivered as a tear fell. "It's difficult to get out of my head when I'm afraid to leave too. This house is scary. I don't know how to show you both how much I care when Sirius keeps thinking I'll change my mind about you. I would never do what I did to Rabastan."
"Was that the argument?"
Hermione nodded.
"Well, then, I'll be slightly less mean. However, your public display of indecency will not be tolerated. You would not go to a work function or dinner with us, grabbing your ass and dragging you by a leash. Sirius deserves to feel safe, and you broke that security."
"I'm sorry, Daddy," Hermione whimpered as Remus caressed her curls.
"Apology accepted, Kitten. However, Moony is going to give you a punishment when we get to our destination, and then we're going to do the shoot."
"A shoot?" Hermione puffed.
Remus rocked his head as his fingers touched her burning cheek. "A photoshoot for me. A surprise for you. I think Sirius was fishing for me, but I'm confident in your loyalty."
Hermione licked her lips and sighed. "I reverted when talking about Rabastan, I'm sorry."
Remus's brow hardened. "You talked about him at length?"
"She broke down the evolution of how her relationship went with him. We were talking about histories," Sirius nodded.
Remus rolled his neck and turned around. "That changes things. No black box, Pads. Just the iPod."
iPod?
Sirius bobbed his head. "That sounds like a great idea, Moony. I was going to suggest a change of plans once we got there, and you've cooled a bit."
"iPod?" Hermione questioned with a small voice.
"Moony is going to give you a lesson, love."
When they arrived at the small house in the coastal cliffs of Malibu, Sirius grabbed their bags. Remus waved for Hermione to follow him up. Hermione wandered up the staircase and felt odd and off-kilter after the moments since the museum.
She suddenly wasn't feeling like herself. Small. Ridiculous. What was this? How could she have been so stupid? Hermione made it into the home, and Sirius was whistling as he put food into the fridge.
Remus bustled into the door with several bags and waved at Sirius. "Those stairs are ridiculous."
"Ah, yes, but the view!" Sirius exclaimed and gestured to the windows.
Hermione turned and gasped at the cliffs meeting the ocean. This was so beautiful. The afternoon sun glowed on the greenery. What were they planning?
"Now," Remus's voice whispered as his hand touched her shoulder. "I want you to sit on the porch, play track three though thirteen while we get things together," he finished and offered the iPod with headphones.
Hermione scowled as she turned to him. "How is this a punishment?"
"It isn't. It's recovery. You acted out due to too many stressors and not having an outlet. Hermione, my goal is to always take into account your mental state when establishing punishments. Your actions, though a break in rules, were not because you were being mean, but a cry for help and a firm hand's security. I will be swatting you later, but it will not be for punishment," Remus sighed.
Her eyes glittered as she caressed the iPod. "Remus, you're the greatest thing that has ever happened to me, Sir."
Remus stroked her cheek and nodded. "And you're the greatest thing that I've ever done, my good girl."
Hermione didn't realize with the sea air and the soothing music on the iPod, she was no longer there. She was on the grass as Sirius stroked her hair. Hermione was tangled in the sheets with Remus as he read her verses from poetry he loved while stroking her curves.
"Hermione, love," Sirius whispered.
She jerked and breathed while her eyes focused. "Sirius?"
A firm hand traced her curls and sighed. "My sweet princess. Are you feeling better? Moony has a set of zen tracks to buff out emotional ruffles."
Hermione shifted on the lounger and met his eyes. "I'm so sorry I lost myself, Sirius."
He ran a thumb over her brow. "I know, but it was likely the wrong conversation to have in public. I didn't realize it was too heavy until it was out. Moony chided me for not stopping it until we were in safety."
She grazed her fingers against his beard and exhaled. "I really don't want to move now."
"I know," he nodded. "We have to talk about this tomorrow. Moony agrees it won't do you any good to not have stability after you move. Living alone in a large house."
Hermione chewed her lips. "I know."
"Anyone hungry? We have a bit of time until we have to set up," Remus called from inside the small house.
"What kind of shoot does he have planned?" Hermione asked.
Sirius grinned and pinched her chin. "Well, you ready to find out? Moony has had this planned for over a week, but we were waiting on a few things."
"Okay," Hermione sighed.
"That's my courageous Kitten."