Written for the Quidditch League - Round 6. Chain Round - Pairing: Sirius/Remus

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - Culinary Arts - Task 6. Write a Baker!AU or write a scene featuring a character baking something.

Thanks to my team and Dash for the help!

When you're feeling lost I'll leave my love

Muggle!AU

"What would James say?" Sirius asks himself as he walks into the bedsit. It's become his mantra—James has always guided him throughout life, and when Sirius has been at his worst, he's always asked himself that question.

It's helped him a lot over the years.

He knows what James would say. He can picture the face James would pull at the state of this place. James would tell him to get some air in here before anything else.

Sirius does just that. He opens the windows wide, hoping that the damp smell quickly leaves. What would James say next? he asks himself, as he turns away.

'Clean up, for fuck's sake, Pads.'

Sirius' eyes move over the mould on the ceiling, trailing down the wall to where the damp is the most prevalent. There's a pitiful example of a welcome packet on the counter, but it's better than nothing.

'Unpack it, mate.'

James' voice, even after all these years, is still as bossy as ever, and it gets a smile from Sirius as he walks over and checks it out. Basic food, loo roll and some cleaning materials. He takes a moment to read the front of each of them.

'Look on the bright side, Pads, you're free. This might be shit, but it's better than that shitty cell, right?'

Sirius nods, even though the voice isn't real. James is right. This place is awful, but he's not confined here. It's temporary. He can go out as he pleases, he has windows, he can cook whatever he wants, and can buy things if he wants them. He can make his own schedule.

The grey walls seem a bit of a cruel joke considering that this building is a half-way house for those just out of prison, but it's still better than where he came from. Granted, the room is only marginally bigger than his cell, but James would find a silver lining in that as well.

'Look at that, Padfoot. You won't have to get out of bed to make yourself a cuppa.'

Sirius can only smile at that. Emboldened, he spins around and walks to the door, because he's free now. He can do whatever he wants.

His fingers wrap around the handle and he finds himself hesitating, because there's a whole world outside of these walls, and he doesn't know where to start.

The idea is overwhelming, and he pauses, glancing back at the flat. Maybe it's not as restricting after all. It's comforting, actually. Secure. Safe. Familiar. Maybe they were right in painting the walls grey.

He'll go out tomorrow.

'The shop is five minutes up the road. Grab some milk, will ya?'

It takes him three days to leave his flat. He's been watching the outside world from his window. It's only just hit him how many people there actually are.

They're all looking at their phones, or have phones to their ears. Whilst Sirius understands the concept of mobile phones, he's never actually seen one. He's been in prison for much too long. How is he going to understand a world that's moved on without him?

'Come on, it'll be an adventure. Just to the shop and back, yeah? I know you can do it, I've got all the faith in the world in you. Always have, always will.'

He doesn't make eye-contact with anyone whilst out. He hands over coins for items that cost significantly more than they did twelve years ago. Even the coins are different. £2 coins didn't exist back when he went to prison, and it makes him feel even more out of place.

But he's got his bread and milk. He makes it home and finds himself shaking. The world is vast out there. He's used to fences and walls and bars. He thought this would be easy, but it's terrifying.

It takes Sirius two attempts to go clothes-shopping. The first time, he can't go into the building; he merely stares at the crowd of people inside, panic rising at the thought of joining them.

He goes again the next morning when the shop opens. He picks up a few things quickly, not wanting to be in there long. It'll get easier, he tells himself, but the first time doing these things is quite daunting.

He doesn't get everything he needs. But he gets enough to manage. He finds himself rushing back to the safety of the flat every time, content to lock himself in and watch the world passing by through the window.

'You did it. I'm so proud. You know that, right?'

Sirius knows that Harry lives with his aunt. Whilst James always intended for Sirius to raise Harry should anything happen, Sirius isn't about to go and demand custody. He doesn't want to uproot Harry, but he wants to slowly build up a relationship with him.

He wants to know his godson and be there for him because he hasn't been able to for so many years. He wasn't even able to send letters. But he's free now. Free to contact him. He has a lawyer reaching out to the family on his behalf.

'Make sure that the kid remembers me, mate. Me and Lily.'

Sirius intends to do that. Whilst Petunia would have stories about Lily growing up, she didn't know Lily in her older years. Sirius has so many stories.

That's when Sirius realises he needs a job. He's living off the inheritance left by his uncle, but that won't last forever. Also, a job would look good in the eyes of Lily's sister. It'd help his case.

Getting a job is easier said than done. He fakes confidence as he walks around the job agencies. He fills out application after application, talking to women and men in each place, explaining his need for a job.

They all ask about the twelve-year gap. He can't lie about that. They all give phony smiles and promise to keep him in mind if anything comes up.

One woman - Alice - takes pity on him and helps him make an email address for himself, and helps him make up a CV. She prints out a few copies, and her offer to keep him in mind is more real than the others.

His CV is unfortunately quite empty. School results, though they don't really amount to anything for someone in their thirties, and very little in the way of jobs. He had a few at the prison, but he opted to leave them out because then people would know.

Of course, people will find out that he's been to prison, but he's hoping that once they meet him, he can explain himself properly.

He gets no responses, and there's no news about Harry, and Sirius feels so lost.

'Okay, so this is a setback. But you're Sirius Black, remember that. Pads, There's nothing you can't do.'

Sirius gets dressed as the television plays a show he's never seen before. He can't help but smile as he watches, amused at the antics. He looks in the mirror at his hair. It's longer than it's ever been at prison. Or maybe it just feels like that, but he's liking how it looks. He fumbles with a hairband and starts to pull it into a bun.

He pulls on his favourite clothes - some jeans that are strangely tight on his legs because this is the fashion these days - and a black t-shirt, and he grabs his keys and wallet. He heads out for his weekly visit to the job agencies.

"Sirius, just the man I wanted to see," Alice says, with a bright smile as he walks in. Immediately Sirius feels hope flowing through him. Finally.

"Did you find anything for me?" He glances hopefully at the files next to her as he sits down.

"Maybe," Alice says. "So… can you bake?"

Sirius deflates. "I never have," he admits.

"That doesn't mean you can't learn," Alice muses. "Look. I have a friend that's got a need. Go down to Moon-Pies on the high street and say that Alice sent you."

Sirius nods. "Thanks. Who should I ask for?"

"Remus," she says. "Let me know how it goes."

Moon-Pies isn't what Sirius expects. In the bland high street, the little bakery is a bright pop of colour. The outside is painted a calm turquoise and the cakes in the window are iced all colours of the rainbow.

He can't help but walk in, enjoying the delicious smell.

"Hi, can I help you?" Sirius turns towards the counter at the polite voice, and he realises very quickly that he's screwed. The man standing at the counter is handsome, a scar runs across his face. He has beautiful amber eyes and a kind smile.

"I'm Sirius. Alice sent me."

Remus nods. "Ah. I'm in urgent need of a baker. My mum tends to do the baking, but she's ill. I need a baker or this business will go under. Unfortunately, I can only pay minimum wage."

"Are you interviewing?" Sirius asks.

"Do you bake?"

"I've never had a chance to," Sirius admits.

Remus' lips twitch. "I may be the worst baker that's ever existed," he says. "How about this. I'll give you a recipe, you make it, and if it's edible, I'll consider taking you on for a month and we'll go from there?"

"What if I do badly?" Sirius asks nervously.

'You've got this, mate. I've got every faith in you, you know that.'

"Let me close up for a bit and I'll show you what to do."

Remus puts a sign on the door and turns the lock before leading them into the back room. He pulls some ingredients out, and opens up a folder.

"Cupcakes," he says. "Mum writes the recipes out step by step in hopes that one day I'll be able to make something that isn't terrible. It's quite simple."

Sirius' hands are shaking a little as he reads the first step. He reaches for the cocoa powder.

"Forty grams," he whispers, setting a bowl on the scales. He frowns as the weight changes, and Remus walks around and presses a button.

"This resets it to zero," he explains, an easy smile on his lips.

"I'm already failing my interview?" Sirius jokes.

Remus laughs. "Not at all. I can't expect you to know how to use these. There's nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it."

Sirius grins, feeling a little more at ease as he sifts the cocoa powder into the bowl.

By the time the mixture is done, Sirius is relaxed and a lot more confident because this is easier than he expected. Remus has been helpful, explaining how to use the equipment.

"A large spoonful into each of the cases," Remus says, as he sets a baking tray down and lines it with paper cases. "Then the icing."

"Icing?" Sirius asks.

"Oh, icing is the easy part," Remus tells him. "Butter and sugar."

Sirius nods and starts to spoon the mix into the paper cases under Remus' watchful gaze. He takes the tray and puts it into the oven.

If he doesn't get the job, at least he's learnt something today, and it's nice having someone to talk to. It's been a lot of fun, and maybe there's a little crush developing.

"Icing," Sirius says, looking at the folder. "Oh, this looks easy."

"This is where you need to dazzle me," Remus teases, a wide smile on his lips. "Sugar, butter and a bit of vanilla extract."

"Vanilla icing? Doesn't sound very adventurous," Sirius jokes. He's enjoying this. The easy conversation, and the red on Remus' cheeks, because he's fairly certain Remus has checked him out a couple of times. He's not used to this, because sexuality was always something to be hidden in the past. But times have changed.

Remus raises an eyebrow. "Well, what do you suggest?" He gestures to the little bottles of flavouring. Sirius glances at them.

"No peeking," Sirius says to Remus, as he picks a bottle. He doesn't want to make any old cupcakes. He wants Remus to be a little bit surprised.

He sets about mixing up the icing and picks a yellow food colouring.

When it's ready, Remus shows him how to put the icing in the bag and into the fridge. They'll have to wait for the cupcakes to cool enough to put the icing on.

Now all Sirius can do is wait.

Icing the cakes is harder than expected. Sirius planned to put some stars on the top of the cakes, but they came out terribly.

"You said they only had to taste good, right?" Sirius checks, looking at the mess as Remus tries not to laugh.

Remus nods. "Mum always had me do the icing. That's what I'm good at. Cooking and baking, not so much."

He reaches for one of the cupcakes, and Sirius picks up one too. They both take a bite, and Sirius is surprised that the cupcake tastes good.

Remus eats the cupcake in three quick bites, wipes his mouth with a napkin, and smiles. "Lemon."

"Yeah. I thought it was a bit adventurous, but it might give me the edge, so to speak."

Remus nods. "Right. You've passed that stage of the interview. Now, let's talk. Why here?"

Sirius hesitates. "I was in prison until very recently," he admits. "Twelve years. I'm just looking for someone to take a chance on me. I want to prove myself."

Quiet follows. "What did..." Remus trails off.

"My best friend was a police officer, involved in a case featuring gangs... he had to go into hiding with his wife and son. A friend of ours told the gang leader where James was, and... he faked his own death. I was sentenced for that, and for giving information on James and Lily. But our 'friend' Peter, he was found alive quite recently, and… well, now I'm free, an innocent man."

"Twelve years is a long time," Remus says, reaching for Sirius' hand.

Sirius nods, appreciating the comforting gesture. "The world has changed so much," he replies. "The shops I knew are gone. Woolworths doesn't exist anymore. There are new coins and I'll have to get a mobile phone, though I'm a little scared at the idea of it. I don't have a single friend."

Remus considers this. "Well, I'll be your first new friend. We'll work today, and then after work, I'm here to help you through everything. I'll help you get used to the changes in the world, okay?"

"Alright boss," Sirius says, with a grateful smile.

"It's my mum's shop, she's your boss," Remus tells him. "Welcome to Moon-Pies." He holds out his hand, and Sirius shakes it.

"You whisper a lot," Remus says, observing Sirius from the doorway. It's been a month and Sirius has learnt to make a few different types of cakes, cookies and biscuits.

"I do?" Sirius asks.

"Motivational stuff really, it's adorable." Remus' cheeks redden.

"You've just come in to tell me I'm adorable?" Sirius teases. He's more comfortable at the flirting now, because he's seen same-sex couples holding hands in the street. Because he can be openly gay if he wants.

"No. Mum is getting better and she'll be returning to work," Remus tells him.

"Oh. You... are you giving me notice?" Sirius asks, his smile fading. "You want me to leave?"

'Don't worry. You're doing an amazing job. Don't let this get you down.'

Remus shakes his head urgently. "I want you to stay," he rushes to say. "Me and Mum both have some health issues, and... there will always be a place here for you. I actually came in to tell you that you're right—you're doing an amazing job—please stay. If you want to. It's what I want."

Sirius stares. "Amazing?"

"Yeah. That's what you said, and I'm agreeing." Remus pauses. "You don't know that you're whispering these things, do you?" The smile he gives Sirius is adorable and makes Sirius' heart skip a beat.

"I…" Sirius sighs. "I don't want you to think I'm mad."

Remus raises his eyebrows.

"James has always been there for me. He never let me feel down about anything, you know. He was like a brother. I've always relied on his words to get me through everything. Running away from an abusive home as a child, relationships, everything. When he died, I still needed his words. I never realised that I said stuff out loud. I hear them as his words in his voice. He's still helping me. You don't think I'm crazy, do you?"

Remus' smile softens. "Not at all. You still need him after all this time."

"I owe him so much," Sirius adds quietly. "Lily's sister finally responded to my lawyer. She's granting me full custody of Harry without me having even spoken to him for twelve years, so I need to move to a two-bedroom. It's scary, Remus. I'm accepting, of course. But... How do I raise a teenager?"

"From what you've told me, James would have so much faith in you doing this," Remus offers.

"He'd be thrilled," Sirius agrees, reaching for the icing bag. Remus' eyes follow the movement. "I made you a cupcake," Sirius explains. "But it's almost Valentine's day, so I'm practicing icing hearts. You know, I'd love to stay. With you."

Sirius carefully pipes little flowers in the shape of hearts. "You're getting so much better at that," Remus comments, his eyes on the heart. He sounds so hopeful.

Sirius beams with pride as he lifts his hand up to rub his cheek.

"Oh. You…" Remus approaches, reaching up, his fingers stroking Sirius' cheek. "Icing," he murmurs, but his cheeks redden at the sudden closeness. Remus' touch lingers.

"Would it be wrong for me to kiss you?" Sirius blurts out.

Remus grins. "What advice would James give right now?"

'It's been twelve years, Pads, you deserve to be happy. Go on, kiss him!'

As always, Sirius takes James' advice.

Reviews are always appreciated :)