A/N: Written for QLFC Round 3 as Keeper for the Kestrels! This was a super fun one and if I wasn't limited to 3000 words I think this would've morphed into a much longer story :)
PROMPT: Keeper: Write about someone trying to put the past behind them.
WC: 2999 (yikes)
TW for light mention of blood/gore, violence
It's a cold Thursday morning, sharper than usual, and Sirius Black finds himself pulling his coat tighter around his chest to block out the biting wind. It seems even the sky is foreboding- all greys and clouds, the promise of rain imminent but for now no more than a threat. This is the worst kind of weather.
At the present moment, Sirius is making his way down a twisting alleyway, his boots clicking piercingly against the dull cobblestones. If he wasn't an experienced Investigator of the Supernatural, he might be a little unnerved by the way the shadows seem to jump out at him, but the only things currently on Sirius's mind are that cute waiter back at the cafe and how very much he is in need of coffee.
"Excuse me? Sir?" A hand settles on Sirius's shoulder and he whirls around, knocking his companion over in the middle of the alleyway. It's a gangly man with toffee-colored hair and a confusing amount of scars across his cheekbones, and Sirius frowns at him.
"You should really be careful sneaking up on people in alleyways, mate, especially people like me." Sirius extends a hand and helps the man to his feet, watching as he brushes off the knees of his trousers. He's blushing rather furiously, Sirius realizes, and his frown melts into a suave grin. All thoughts of the cafe waiter have been dashed from his one-track mind.
"I- you're right. Sorry about that." The man frowns, his brow crinkling slightly as he does so. "Are you Detective Black?"
"Who's asking?" Sirius folds his arms over his chest. Damn it. Of course he's here for business and not just a friendly chat with a handsome stranger.
"I'm Remus," the man says, as if this explains everything. "I'm here because of the application for an assistant you put in yesterday's paper."
"Oh." Sirius leans against the wall and raises an eyebrow. "Well, I wouldn't know much about that. All job inquiries should go through my good-for-nothing clerk."
"I tried that, but the good-for-nothing clerk told me the closest time you're able to meet for an interview is in July." Remus's gaze is unflinching. "And Mr. Pettigrew seemed extremely busy with paperwork, so I didn't bother him further."
"July sounds about right."
"It's November, Mr. Black. July is in eight months," Remus says, like he's explaining something to a very small child, and Sirius grins again at his condescending tone.
"Trust me, I'm aware of that." Sirius sighs, clicking his tongue at the man. "See, I'm a very busy man, Remus. Lots of cases to solve and all that."
"I've been following you in the news since I first moved to London, Mr. Black, and the last case you solved was over a year ago." Now it's Remus's turn to raise an eyebrow in question, and Sirius's grin falters. "In fact, if I'm not mistaken, last month you were involved in a rather heated scandal with a governor's daughter. Exactly how many governor's daughters have you booked up until July?"
"Well, well, well." Sirius does his best to recover his composure. "You've certainly done your research."
"You need help, and I need a job. I believe that we can help each other, Mr. Black." Remus looks at Sirius like he's stupid, and it makes him laugh.
"That so? What makes you think you're smart enough to be of use to me?" He's arrogant, he knows, but he's been told it's part of his charm. Evidently from the way his frown deepens, Remus does not agree.
"Let's just say I have experience with the supernatural." Remus doesn't elaborate, staring at Sirius with such intensity it must be some kind of challenge. If he wasn't so enthralled by this man, Sirius might've backed down. Instead, he keeps his eyes trained on Remus's. "And besides, you aren't exactly in a position to be picky considering your recent case record."
"Hey. I've been taking some time off. Nothing wrong with a little vacation." Sirius considers this man, this Remus, taking in his shabby suit and slightly disheveled appearance. He's evidently seen some things, the scars are proof of that, and exactly what those things are Sirius isn't sure he wants to know. He does need help, that's for certain. Sirius is going through a bit of a block, it would seem, and if he doesn't solve a case soon he'll have to give up his unfortunate gambling habit. Sirius does not want to give up cards.
"Fine, fine. You've enticed me, Remus." Sirius stands up straighter and adjusts the collar of his coat. "I've just received a new case yesterday, as a matter of fact. When can you start?"
"Really?" Remus's eyes widen in shock. "That's it, I'm hired? No background check, not even any interview questions?"
"You said it yourself. I need the help." Sirius turns on his heel and begins to stalk off down the rest of the alleyway, Remus's hurried footsteps echoing behind him as he follows. "Keep up, won't you? Unless, of course, you'd like me to perform a background check. Which is certainly something I know how to do."
"No, no, that's fine," Remus says quickly, jogging a little to keep up with Sirius's brisk footsteps. "I- Well, thank you."
"Don't thank me. I haven't done anything nice for you." They've reached Sirius's office, and he pulls out a jingling ring of keys to unlock the door. "You'll find this job is not for the faint of heart. I hope you're as good at it as I am."
"Yes, because you seem very gifted," Remus says, and Sirius gives him a look. "That was entirely sincere, of course. No sarcasm."
"Right." Sirius sighs, throwing the door open with his best attempt at dramatic flair. "Well, welcome in, Remus. We've got some work to do."
"The case is simple." Sirius slams a folder down onto his desk so hard that it makes Remus nearly topple out of his chair. "We've received reports of a murder in West London about a month ago. Two bodies have been found with… well, with bites taken out of them. Rather gruesome stuff. You probably don't want to see these pictures, Remus. Wouldn't want to damage your sensitive eyes." Sirius dangles the case file above Remus's head, who reaches up to snatch it out of his hands.
"Oh, give it here." Remus opens it on the desk and removes several pictures of bloody corpses, remaining remarkably stoic as he examines the photographs. "Any theories?"
"Locals reported seeing a large wolf-like creature escaping the scene." Sirius laughs at the words, knowing how ridiculous they sound. "Seems like the witnesses have had a bit too much to drink, in my professional opinion."
"Wolf?" Almost immediately, the color drains itself from Remus's face until his already pale complexion resembles a bedsheet. "How large was it? Human-sized?"
"Why? Scared of wolves, Remus?" Sirius grins at him, his teeth glinting in the dim light of the office.
"No. I'm just… not entirely fond of them." Remus picks up the crime scene photograph again, squinting at the dark image. "I don't think we're dealing with a normal wolf, Mr. Black."
"Ah, always so formal." At this, Sirius leans forward across the desk so that his face is inches from Remus's. "You, my dearest, can call me Sirius."
"Is that what you used on the governor's daughter?" Remus gives Sirius a skeptical look, but there's still something off in his eyes. "Might need to work on your technique a bit, dearest."
Well. That certainly brought the butterflies.
"Harsh." Sirius sighs, leaning back in his chair and taking the photo from Remus's hands. "What's this about a not-so-normal wolf?"
"A regular wolf wouldn't be strong enough to overpower two men of this size." Remus points at the corpses' muscular forms. "And see these bite marks? They aren't from the teeth of a normal-sized animal."
"Hm. You're good." Sirius examines the photos again. Remus is right, there's no way this damage was done by anything solely animal. "So what are we working with, then?"
"You tell me. You're the Investigator of the Supernatural." Remus folds his arms defensively, and Sirius is certain that Remus knows exactly who- or what -this killer is.
"Well, if I didn't know any better, I'd say all signs point to werewolf." Sirius draws the word out, and he doesn't miss the way a flicker of discomfort dances across Remus's face as he does so. "But there's no werewolves in London. The last recorded one died years ago."
"That's…" Remus trails off, fidgeting slightly in his chair, and Sirius narrows his eyes. Pieces start to fit together in his mind: Remus's question about the background check, his reaction to the witness statement, his strange knowledge about wolves. He wouldn't have to be a detective to figure out what exactly is bothering him.
"If you know something about this, you should say it." Sirius watches him closely, his gaze unwavering.
"I don't know anything," Remus says, his gaze on the ground. "Not about this particular killing, anyway."
Hm. So he's going to make this difficult.
"Look, you're not exactly the subtlest of men." Sirius wonders how best to put this. Is this really an issue he should press? It's clear this is a sensitive subject. "And I'm a detective, remember?"
"It's… it's a part of my past I'd really, really like to forget." Remus shakes his head as if he's trying to clear the memories from it. "I'm not even sure it'd be of use to you."
"I'm certain it would."
"I've spent my whole life trying to forget it, Sirius. It's why I need this job and it's why I haven't been able to get one before." Remus looks up at this, his gaze boring into Sirius's. "And I really, really need this job."
"Well, you're not being very good at it," Sirius says pointedly, and Remus's stare turns indignant.
"Excuse me?"
"Whatever this secret is, you're certainly not going to lose your job because of it. In fact, I don't really care whether you tell me the whole of it or not." Sirius draws in a deep breath, leaning back in his chair and putting his arms behind his head. "But I'm fairly certain you know valuable information about this case, and that's something I need to hear."
"I-" Remus sighs, obviously defeated. Something in him seems a little tired, like he's grown weary of carrying this secret with him for so long. "There- there is a werewolf in London, one who's gone unreported and undiscovered for years. His name is Fenrir Greyback."
"Greyback, hm?" Sirius knows this isn't all of it, not the full truth, but he doesn't need to know. It's obviously something Remus wants to put behind him. "Do you know where he lives?"
"No. But I've got an idea of where he'll strike next." Remus stands abruptly and pulls his coat off the rack in the corner, shoving his hat onto his head. "And I know when."
"Why the hurry?" Sirius puts his boots up on the desk languidly, rolling his neck from side to side with an obnoxious crack. "You don't have to leave before dinner. We could grab a bite to eat, maybe play a few rounds of-"
"If I'm right, and it is a werewolf we're looking for, he'll strike tonight." Remus strides over to the office window and throws open the curtains, pointing at the midnight blue sky. No, not just the sky- the moon.
"Full moon," Sirius muses. "How inconvenient." He rises to his feet and pulls on his own coat, checking his watch. "Where are we headed?"
"The only place a werewolf can kill undetected." Remus swallows hard, his gaze stone-cold and unfocusing. "Knockturn Alley."
By the time they reach the dark streets of Knockturn Alley, the full moon is hanging high in the sky, casting the dirty cobblestones in an eerie silver glow. This time, it's Sirius who has to rush to keep pace with Remus, who walks with a purpose that's almost unnerving.
"Remus?"
"What is it?" Remus doesn't look over at Sirius as they turn down a shadowed street lined by shuttered offices.
"I've just thought of something that may obstruct this little vigilante routine."
"And what's that?"
"How are we, strapping gentlemen as we are, going to defend ourselves against a fully grown werewolf?" Sirius watches intently as Remus tightens his jaw.
"I think we'll manage." Remus gives Sirius a look. "You're the famous detective, Sirius, shouldn't you be the one to protect me?" His words are dripping with sarcasm, but Sirius grins nonetheless, and he sidles up to Remus as they hurry down the street.
"Oh, of course I will. You've got nothing to fear, dearest." Sirius bats his eyelashes at Remus, who merely scoffs. Still, there's no hiding the smile that pulls at a corner of Remus's mouth.
Sirius is about to make another romantically charged comment when suddenly, a piercing scream erupts through the air, and the two of them flatten themselves against a brick wall.
"Damn it," Remus hisses, throwing an arm over Sirius's chest to keep him from moving. "Hold still. It's no use getting yourself killed."
"Someone's going to go help. People live here, right?" Sirius struggles against Remus's grip. They need to help. He needs to help. He can't just leave the victim there to die, can he?
"These people… they won't help him. Trust me, a scream here means nothing." Remus says the words with such bitterness that Sirius stops his struggling and stares at him.
"You say that like you've been there."
"I have."
"Remus…" The screams continue, and although Sirius wants nothing more than to uncover Remus's secret past, he has a job to do. "We need to go."
"We didn't think this through, Sirius. We don't have weapons, or guns, or… I can't face him, Sirius. I'm- I'm afraid." Remus's voice is shaking, and Sirius reaches for his hand, more out of instinct than anything else. The poor man is absolutely terrified, and Sirius is fairly certain he knows why.
"Remus. I won't question you about your past. It's clear you want to put it behind you. But while Greyback lives… I don't think that will ever really be possible." Sirius sighs, stepping into the alleyway and pulling something out of his jacket. "Here." He presses a small black handgun into Remus's palm, trying to ignore the way the other man's fingers shake as they wrap around the handle. "I'm by your side. Go."
"Right… Right. We have to go." With a look of something resembling gratitude, Remus takes off down the alleyway, Sirius at his heels, and the second they exit the alleyway they see him.
Greyback, all fur and snapping teeth, has cornered a cowering victim at the edge of the street, eyes flashing in the moonlight. He's seconds away from closing his sharp jaws around the woman's neck, and Sirius is certain that if they don't do something now, right damn now, they are all going to end up dead.
"Greyback!"
It's Remus who speaks, his voice echoing in the darkness, and Greyback slowly turns, nothing human left in his leering gaze. Helplessly, Sirius watches as Remus raises the gun to his eye level, training it on Greyback's head.
"Step away from the woman." His finger twitches on the trigger, caught in the horrible dance in between life and death that can only come from holding a man's- or a werewolf's- life in your grasp. "Or I shoot."
Greyback doesn't speak, and Sirius isn't sure if he even can talk in werewolf form, but it doesn't matter. His poisonous intent is written all over his face. He takes a step away from the woman, who sprints off into the darkness the second he does so, and brandishes his claws in front of his body. Sirius realizes too late what's going on.
"Remus, wait-" he begins, but then everything is happening all at once, and Greyback is rushing at Remus in a flash of fangs and claws and there's a scream and a growl and a gunshot all at once and Sirius wants to run but he knows he has to stay and Remus, where is Remus-
"Sirius! Sirius, are you all right?"
Remus is at his side, a hand on his shoulder, and Sirius realizes he's on the ground, hands raised over his head in a weak attempt to block out any incoming danger. In front of him lies Greyback, sprawled on the ground in an undignified heap, and beside Remus's feet rests a smoking gun.
"Yes- fine. I'm fine. But you, are you okay?" Sirius stumbles to his feet, doing his best to examine Remus's condition, but the man brushes him off, a ghost of a sad smile on his lips.
"I'm fine. Thanks to you." Remus stares at the body, shaking his head slowly. "I can't believe he's dead." Suddenly, Remus turns to Sirius, his eyes wide and full of pain. "Sirius… When I was younger, Greyback… I'm a-"
"You don't have to." Sirius cuts him off immediately, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I don't need to know. Whatever it is, it doesn't define you, that I'm certain of."
"Are you sure?" There's something like tears in Remus's eyes, and it pulls at Sirius's heart. "Because I- all my past employers have fired me because of it, and I don't want you to have to-"
"Are you joking, Remus?" Sirius laughs, taking Remus's hand again and gently rubbing his thumb across the other man's knuckles. "This is the first case I've solved in months. You're my lucky charm, it would seem, and I wouldn't dream of firing my lucky charm."
"The first case you've solved? I'm pretty sure I did most of the solving," Remus says with mock indignance, but his tone is laughing, and he squeezes Sirius's hand tightly.
"Keep telling yourself that, dearest. Keep telling yourself that."