Preface

Remus Lupin knew to be grateful.

Grateful to Professor Dumbledore for allowing a young werewolf into Hogwarts. Grateful to his friends who stuck with him even when faced with the dark creature that shared their dorm room for years in school. And he was definitely grateful for the Potters.

James who was always quick to include him in the fun, even if it led their group into trouble. The brave and loyal Gryffindor who wouldn't hesitate to face a pack of angry dragons for any one of his friends. And sweet Lily, who always showed such care towards him. The both of them were always there to welcome him into their home, trusting a man like him with their family.

He was terribly grateful to them. Which is why he now tried his best to stay away from their home in Godric's Hollow. He was often gone for days and even weeks at a time, running interference for Dumbledor with some of the local Werewolf packs. So whenever he was back home he now attempted to avoid the happy family, despite their insistent invitations for dinner.

He knew Sirius had become suspicious. In these times it was difficult to trust anyone. Even family members were turning against each other, betraying each other out of fear or misplaced loyalties. He knew that his long absences with the packs, and his unwillingness to discuss the reasons for his sudden hesitance to socialize with his friends were enough for the dog animigus to sniff out something fishy.

He had only hoped that his normally jesting friend wouldn't approach him directly with his concerns. Alas, no such luck. Apparently his unusually dodgy actions were enough for Sirius to summon up enough of his namesake in order to corner Remus and demand some kind of explanation.

"This has gone on far long enough Moony. You can't keep avoiding them forever. Poor Lily is going to start to think that you don't care for her cooking if you keep making up excuses to duck out of dinner."

Sirius was sitting on the loveseat in the middle of Remus' flat. Apparently he had had enough and decided to break into his home to wait for Remus to return. After a long shift at his shite job he had little energy to go out and wait for his friend to clear out. Instead he was stuck with having to answer to this interrogation if he wanted to sleep in his bed any time soon.

"Well what can I say? I've decided to try an all raw diet. Wild nuts and berries. I thought it might be nice to shave off a few pounds." Remus deadpanned.

Sirius merely rose a disbelieving brow, his arms crossed in disapproval of the obvious evasion of his question. Both men aware that the werewolf's monthly transformations took a lot out of his body, making it hard for Remus to keep on any weight.

"You will tell me what the matter is eventually Moony. It's up to you whether you come out of it with both your eyebrows or not."

"Would you believe me if I said I had no idea what you were referring to?", at Sirius's unimpressed expression he continued.

"No, I don't suppose you would." He sighed. "I promise you I'm not upset with the Potters, I just thought it might be good to give them some space. With the twins so new and their great child of a godfather hanging around I thought it a good idea. I wouldn't want to overtax them."

Walking into the room he took a seat on his armchair, facing away from his now smirking friend.

"After all, with them raising practically three infants nowadays adding an underemployed werewolf into the mix sounds like too much of an imposition."

"As much as you'd like to think so Remus, I am not an idiot. I know that this has been going on since the first time you met the twins'." Remus refused to look at his friend, staring intently at the fireplace instead. "I can see that Moony has a problem with the fawns. Your eyes flash whenever you're forced into standing too close to them. Are you feeling some sort of threat by them? Do you think you would be a danger to them, is that why you stay away?" Sirius' brow furrowed in concern for his friend and the two children whose safety was entrusted to him.

"No! No, I would never hurt Harry or Andy. They are pack." Remus quickly defended, startled by the suggestion that Moony could ever harm the cubs.

"Alright, I believe you." Throwing up his hands placatingly. "But something about them is bothering you and you're hurting Prongs by staying away."

Remus flinched slightly at the accusation, not wanting to admit the truth to his friend but knowing that he was much too observant to be easily fooled. He knew that something was up with Moony and that it had to do with the Potter babes. He just hadn't realized yet that it had to do with one of the children in particular.

He knew after first laying eyes, and nose, on little Oleander Lily Potter that he was fucked. He had been cursed since his childhood but this really took the cake. Only the universe with its cruel twists of fate could come up with something so terrible as irrevocably tying a 21 year old werewolf to the newborn infant of his best friend. What was he supposed to do? Offer to babysit his future mate?

No, The best thing he could do for everyone was to stay far away.

Sirius broke through his spiraling thoughts with a sigh. "Look Remus I'm trying to understand here, but you've got to help me help you. I can't fix the problem if you won't even look at me. Besides," he chuffs once, all padfoot before continuing, "it can't be all that bad. It's not like Moony…" his eyes widen in a way that would be considered comical if it wasn't for the situation. Remus stiffens at the pause. "But he has hasn't he? Remus. Tell me he hasn't chosen one of the pups."

At this point Remus is clutching the arms of his seat in a white knuckled grip. Jaw clenched, he hesitates to answer. Big mistake.

Sirius jumps up from his seat, whether from shock or an unconscious need to defend his godchildren it isn't clear to either of them. "Remus no. You can't be sure."

"But I am, that's why I have to stay away from her."

"But she's just a child!" Sirius shouts in outrage. Forcing Remus to his feet in defense.

"YOU DON'T THINK I KNOW THAT?! It's all I can think about! I should be Uncle Remus, not the monster under the bed, but I don't have a choice! The only choice I have is to keep away. It's better for everyone this way."

"And when she reaches maturity? When Moony drives you both insane wanting to claim her? What then? Will you never speak to James and Lils again? Keep them thinking you hate them, or worse! That you've changed sides when they weren't looking?" Remus sits with his head in his hands, unwilling to face his friend and his accusations. Without his attention, Sirius begins to stomp back and forth in front of the fireplace. Running his fingers through his hair in agitation, before deflating and returning to his seat, worn down. Both sit in silence for several minutes, catching their breath and sifting through their thoughts.

"You can't stay away forever. We're your family and we need each other, now more than ever. It's not like Moony is calling for you to claim her now, right? You can still be Uncle Remus. We can figure out the rest later. Alright?" He crosses the room and kneels in front of Remus, placing his hand on his shoulder in reassurance. Remus let's out a shaky exhale in response. "One thing's for sure though," Remus lifts his head making eye contact with his friend, "there will be absolutely no telling this to James."

Both friends laugh, one feeling a little lighter than before.