Remus rubbed the drool from his face. He had passed out on his couch, his laptop perched on the coffee table next to him. Shit, he didn't stick it in the charger last night. Instead, he got sucked into an internet hole about all the strange animals that lived in Australia. The last thing he remembered looking up was the olive python. They are able to swallow animals as big as a crocodile. Plus the bastards can swim. He just hoped they were nowhere near his girlfriend. Though it's pretty likely that she works with them in some way.

He got up and started getting ready for the day when there was a knock on his door. Thankfully, he was just brushing his teeth. When he swung the door open he saw his landlord. A small man with whiskers longer than a cat jutting out of his face. Remus kept brushing his teeth, simply raising an eyebrow and waited to hear what he wanted. Rufus always wanted something from Remus. He despised the man, but he was also to blame. When he first moved in, Remus agreed to help any time the Rufus asked. He knew he had to work on saying no, but when he first moved in, he had mistaken Rufus's eagerness to speak with him as friendship and assisted with work around the complex. It started with picking up a package on his way home from work to repairing a flooded toilet because 'he couldn't get anyone on short notice'.

"So, I need a favor."

"You always do Rufus." The man gave a short laugh. He sounded a lot more like a car horn than a person. A busted car alarm, loud and assaulting to the ears.

"Well this time it's urgent. You see, I have to take my niece to court today, but the new tenant is moving in at around 2 this afternoon. Can you help them?"

"Is that even your job?"

"No, but since that old man died in it two years ago, I haven't been able to find a moron to rent the space to." Remus rolled his eyes. "Look, that shit was on the news. It wasn't pretty, but I think I did a good job cleaning the place."

"Don't flatter yourself Rufus, you didn't do shit." He said, doing his best not to choke on the toothpaste.

"You're right! It's your piss poor job that has kept people away, so help them move in. Make sure they aren't suspicious."

"Rufus, you make it sound like someone was murdered here. Mr. McMartin died in his sleep."

"Yeah, but they didn't find him for a week."

"He was a private man. I'm not too surprised."

"Whatever, make sure they are happy okay. I'll finally give ya that little room on the 4th floor for your writing. No rent or nothing. From the kindness of my heart. What do you say?"

Remus was in desperate need of an office. While he liked the library, he couldn't work late into the night if needed. His apartment was a single bedroom, single bath. It wasn't huge, but it did the job. He didn't really need much, but this could really give him the upper hand. A quiet place to write. He may be able to finish his work this year. Get it published even. Plus, no one lived on the fourth floor. It was just a storage space. There was one big room that housed a lot of the remaining building material. Tiles, lamps, buckets of beige paint, a few ladders, and so on. The little room on the other hand had a bunch of paperwork. Remus had gone up there once to get something for Rufus when he first moved in. He wasn't sure what all the unmarked boxes contained, but he didn't feel comfortable snooping. But one thing he was curious about was the ladder that led up to the roof. It would be easier to explore up there with constant access to the room.

It was perfect. In fact, it was what he needed right now. But what of Australia and his big confession of his love. Did he really want to settle into a different routine? He wasn't sure what the future held, but for now, this was an offer Remus just couldn't refuse.

"Fine, but you have to clean out everything before next week."

"Deal! Thank you, Remus. You truly are a lifesaver." Remus gave a sarcastic smile and shut the door.

The proposition was incredibly stupid, but Rufus was a superstitious guy. He once told Remus that the reason he was so short was because he pissed off a witch when he was in middle school. He always had some bizarre answer for random circumstances. was an old war vet with no discernable family. Remus had never seen anyone go in aside from the old man. Rufus always needed an answer to the unknown. It's no surprise he also believes in soulmates. That was a rather arduous conversation, one that ended with Rufus in tears, recounting the one that got away. Regardless, he wasn't going to complain. He finally had a space just for writing and working. Besides, it would give him the opportunity to meet his new neighbor.

He wondered what kind of person they would be. He didn't even have a name, but he would just ask when he came this afternoon. That wouldn't be too hard.

Remus wandered back into the bathroom before he spat in the sink and got ready for work.

Remus was lucky he had decent students this semester. He was teaching 'Romantic Literature of the 1800s' and 'The Impact of Gothic Fiction' so he was sure it wouldn't take a lot to get the students engaged. In fact, a few were even willing to participate and answer some personal questions about their connection with literature. He hoped that with a few more lectures, even the quieter students would share their thoughts. Both classes only had 15 students each. Less pressure. He climbed onto the bus and paid his toll, excited to teach all the material he had planned.

When he arrived at his complex, he saw an Oldsmobile parked along the road with boxes piled high on top. During the drive back, Remus had forgotten the reason he came back so early. As he approached, he saw the door to the building propped open by a box labeled fragile with a blender placed on top. When he stepped inside, he was surprised to see the central staircase leading to the second floor covered with the early stages of unpacking. Some of the containers looked like they had been soaked and would crumble if you tried to pick it up while others looked like they were getting ready to burst. Remus did his best to avoid the myriad of obstacles that were clearly a safety hazard and made his way upstairs.

He skirted his way around stuffed bears and bulk toilet paper, making sure not to trip on the rug that unfolded from its tightly bound state. He saw the door across from his apartment flung open and held open by a single chair. He could hear a voice coming from the depths of the open apartment door. The voice had an almost melodic quality to it, but the closer he got, the more angry and frustrated it sounded. They seemed to be yelling at someone, presumably about boxes but he couldn't make out exact words. Remus saw Ms. Turner sticking her head out the crack of her door. Her thick glasses sat at the edge of her scowling mouth while she mumbled about the idiot moving in. He waves at her as he passes her door, aware that his acknowledgement of her presence irritated her and she slammed the door with an unnerving ban. Ms. Turner has always been a fowl and nosy lady. At least as long as Remus has known her. As if the day could not get any more surprising, the roaring cry of a child erupted through the open door of the apartment followed by a series of shushing sounds.

In Remus's mind, he was certain that this man had never moved, but he had no right to place judgement, though he considered that the man may be adolescent in his behavior. By the front of the apartment door rested an ugly green couch and a dozen pillows along with some paperwork with a name on it. He wanted to look since it was carelessly left outside, but instead he grabbed them and knocked on the doorframe.

Remus watched as the frazzled man who was juggling both a toddler and his phone turned and panicked at the site of him. He must have thought that Remus was going to attack him from the way held the child closer. He was dressed in an 'I love New York' t-shirt with shorts and a single sandal. This man was in need of help and Remus could see it written across his face.

"Hello, I live in apartment 24B. Right across from you. I figured you might need a hand." He said. The man took a moment to look Remus over. The suit and briefcase combo seemed to be enough because the man rolled his head and let his shoulders drop.

"Oh thank goodness," He made his way over to Remus stuck out his right hand while slipping his phone under his ear. "The name's Sirius, and this is Harry." He said, gesturing with his head. "Could you hold him for me?" and without a response, Sirius handed the small weepy child to Remus and rushed into the bathroom as he yelled into the phone.

Remus was shocked but it didn't last long because Harry was now screaming. He had no idea what to do, he's only held a child once at his Aunt's second wedding, but that was a sleeping baby not a thrashing toddler who was kicking him hard in his stomach. This was a nightmare. A nightmare without an off switch.

"Hey there little guy, my name's Remus. It's nice to meet you?" He tried, but Harry was doing everything he could to make him let go. "Okay, uhhh, do you want food?" Harry kept screaming "Do you want to use the bathroom?" even more screaming. "Oh god, well, do you want to see a magic trick Harry?" a sniffling stare was returned as he lowered his fists. He seemed interested in Remus's proposition, but he held a deep frown. He could work with this. So he settled Harry on a box that was closer to them, put the papers he had now mutilated in his hands down, and pulled out a quarter.

"So Harry, you see this quarter right?" Harry looked between Remus and the quarter to which Remus assumed was him agreeing. "I can make it disappear you know, I learned this when I was a young boy from a friend of mine."

Remus could see his eyes get wider as he spoke and let go of the corner of the shirt he was sucking on. He placed it in the middle of two of his fingers and rolled his sleeves up while he 'transferred it' to the other hand. The little boy's eyes were glued to Remus's hand as he slowly uncurled his fist to reveal that the coin had vanished.

"But you know something Harry, I think you might be a little magical yourself. You see, I found this!" He said as he pulled the vanished quarter out from behind Harry's ear. "Here, this is for you." He cautiously grabbed his tiny hand and placed the coin inside. He watched as this child reached behind his own ears to check for any more change that might be hiding in there before returning his focus to the one that he held in his hand. His mouth was agape as he rolled it over and over trying to figure out how Remus did it and Remus couldn't help but smile.

A few seconds passed in a quiet consideration before Sirius emerged from the bathroom looking as if he had just run a mile. There was a clear stream of sweat trailing down the side of his brow as he entered the living room with a sigh as he shut his phone. His eyes locked with Remus and remembered that he had just left Harry with a complete stranger, but somehow the little boy was not crying the way he usually did with unfamiliar faces.

"How did you?" He said pointing at Harry. Sirius was more shocked than he was willing to admit.

"I showed him a magic trick, is all. A little sleight of hand." the young man smirked as he shoved his phone into his pocket.

"Magic? Huh, I never considered using something like that. Did it work on the first try?" Remus nodded as Sirius went to pick Harry up and carry him at his side. "Then you must be some kind of miracle worker, this might be the first time he's ever let his guard down around someone he doesn't know."

Remus scratched the back of his head and laughed slightly, he felt embarrassed by the compliment the man had given him. He was never comfortable with people praising him, in any context really. It made him feel some sort of strange clumsiness. As if he were walking crooked. Tonks was the exception, but that took months of grueling work for him to come to terms with the ways she expressed her love. She in return respected his boundaries and only did it on special occasions, but she thought he deserved more.

He brushed the thought aside as he bent over to pick up the papers he had grabbed earlier. He gave it a good whack on his leg and straightened it out before handing it to Sirius. He ignored the way the man snatched the papers and cleared his throat.

"Would you like any help? You still have a lot of stuff outside and I don't mind helping at all." Remus said, picking up a box of kitchen supplies without waiting for an answer.

"Oh god, I would love your help. My friends bailed on me so I don't have anyone," He said, realizing the weight of his words. "But you helped calm Harry down and that was half the battle. I can take care of this myself."

"I don't mind at all. Really, I want to help" He said as he made his way over to the kitchen and placed the box on the counter. Remus did mean it. This wasn't like Rufus's incessant requests. He wanted to stay. He wanted to get to know the man in front of him. That feeling made him nervous yet intrigued. It was a rare feeling for someone to capture his attention in this way.

"I should have just hired some movers rather than trust them. "

"Well then trust me. Let me get changed really quick and we can start by moving the couch inside."

"You're already forming a game plan, but I don't even know your name." Remus felt embarrassed, forgetting that he didn't even have a chance to introduce himself. Heat rushed to his face as he tried to maintain his composure.

"I'm Remus. Remus Lupin."

"It's nice to meet you Remus," Sirius said with a smile. The sense of relief was apparent of his face. He was more of an open book than Remus would have thought. "Will you at least let me pay you for your time?"

"I can't let you do that. You have a son, and besides, I'm the one offering my assistance." Sirius considered this in silence for a moment.

"Fine, but tomorrow you will come over and I will make you dinner. Since you won't let me repay you, it's the least I can do to show my appreciation." They looked at each other from across the counter. Sirius pouted his lip and raised his eyebrows, a small laugh breaking through his pleading face. Remus smiles as he pulls the coffee machine from the box and places it next to him.

"When should I come?"

"8 P.M."

"What are you making?"

"Spaghetti and meatballs."

"What should I wear?"

"Clothes?"

Remus looks away as he laughs before turning back towards Sirius. It has been a while since he has eaten with someone else. It was actually kind of an intimidating proposition for someone who hasn't gone out in a while. Remus could feel himself overthinking again and stopped himself before he went too deep.

"I accept." He said with a soft smile. For once he actually had something to look forward to that wasn't a meeting or a doctor's appointment and it felt like a relief. Remus rarely spent time outside of his apartment and though he would still be inside the complex, at least it was with someone else. Someone new. "I'll be right back."