Fanfiction has been playing up a lot, and I feel (as do a few other writers in the ffnet community) that the site might be on its last legs.

If this site dies, I'll be on AO3, so you'll just be able to come and find me there. I suggest making up an account and if you're a writer yourself, move your stories across just in case.

this love was meant to be

Remus sighs as he sits in James' usual chair. It's too early in the morning to be doing this, but he's little choice. Sirius set his perfect gaze on him and asked a favour, and Remus could only refuse for so long before did the inevitable and gave in.

"You tell no one about this," Remus mutters, as Sirius grins, signalling to Peter to start the recording.

"Hey everyone, my beautiful viewers, yes you… especially you right there, in the green top. You know who you are." Sirius blows a kiss at the camera and winks. "Welcome to the latest of my make-up tutorials. We all know you're beautiful without the make-up, but sometimes we all like to have a bit of fun, don't we?"

There's another wink and Remus tries not to roll his eyes. Instead, he toys with the end of this cardigan sleeve, wishing he was anywhere else.

"As we announced in the last show, James has to take a break from the show for a few weeks. But never fear, I've got my other best friend - Moony - to take his place. Now, Moony is a little shy, but he's adorable and you're all going to love him. But… not too much. I mean, no requests to take him out to dinner or anything, okay? Behave."

Remus smiles. Sirius is too adorable, though Remus is slightly curious as to how many people actually would write it and ask him out. Probably none though. He's sitting next to Sirius Black of all people. No one is really looking his way. One of the reasons he agreed to be on this is because people will forget him so quickly.

"Right, so Remus is going to be my model for the make-up," Sirius says. "And then we'll put his skills to the test whilst he does mine."

Remus' head shoots up. "What?" he asks, eyes wide. "I can't do yours, Padfoot. I'll mess it up."

"Don't worry," Sirius murmurs. "Nothing can ruin this perfection."

Remus nods slightly, his cheeks reddening. Sirius really is perfection.

Suddenly Sirius moves forward. "Peter, get a close-up, will ya?" he demands, brushing curls from Remus' face. "I mean, Remus is too beautiful for make-up, right?"

There's a sigh from behind the camera. "Yes, Sirius," Peter agrees.

There's a long pause as Sirius stares at him and Remus is sure his cheeks are red again, as they always are under Sirius' scrutiny. Sirius doesn't look away until Peter coughs pointedly.

"Right, so, in honour of Moonpie's first time on the show, I'm going to do a moon-inspired theme. But I'm going to use my best set, because only the best of the best is allowed on his perfect skin."

Great. Now the world is going to see Remus Lupin blush a million times. Remus is almost relieved as they walk over to the table that Sirius has set up, and he sits down in the comfortable chair.

"Not quite your reading chair, my dearest," Sirius murmurs. "But get cosy, we're going to be here for a while." He turns to the camera. "But first, we're going to read out some of the fun reviews that you guys wrote in from last time."

Remus is nervous as he sits down on his chair. He had fun the week before, but the streams are always live and he is worried he'll do something or say something stupid.

"Two minutes," Peter says. "Come on, Sirius."

"Do I look okay for your show?" Remus asks, as Sirius rushes in and tosses his leather jacket onto the chair.

"I'm sorry, there was a train strike," Sirius says. "I'll be two minutes." He glances at Remus. "Perfect, as always!" He grins and Remus smiles back.

Sirius moves out of sight of the camera, pulling off his t-shirt and tossing it to the corner. "Just gonna freshen up," he calls. Remus watches him and Peter sighs. "Come on, your viewers are waiting."

Remus pulls the laptop towards himself. The show is there, people are chatting at the side. "Sirius, they're getting impatient," he starts. But he freezes as he looks at the comments.

He misses Sirius' return, and the camera coming on. His eyes follow the words.

'Sirius spent half of the last show just staring at his 'friend'. Do you think they're more than friends?'

"Remus is a little distracted," he hears Sirius say, as Sirius pulls the laptop away. "He's… watching how beautiful I look on the laptop." Sirius smirks. "So… I was running late today - public transport and all that, so I haven't had time to pick out some of your posts to read. So, I'll just check and read the most upvoted ones. It's been a hectic week, don't think I love you any less!"

He takes the laptop. "Right, so let's do this. I…" he trails off. There's almost a minute of silence.

Remus leans in for a look. The bar on the side is lit up with comments such as:

'Do it you coward!'

'Lol, look how embarrassed he is. Do we call him out again?'

'I'll subscribe and donate if you kiss Moony on screen.'

'Same!'

'Me too.'

"I…" Sirius murmurs. Somehow the smile reappears. "Let's see the posts left on the last video, and you guys all need to get laid! I mean… only those that are old enough. The rest of you, no rush at all. Go see my sex-talk video if in doubt." He looks flustered as he scrolls.

"You guys aren't going to make me read these out, are you?" His eyes move up to the camera and Remus leans over to see the in-time comments.

"It looks like you have no choice," Remus murmurs. "What could be so bad? We can get through this, right?"

"'Forget fanfiction, I have a new ship and that's Moony and Padfoot'," Sirius reads. "Oh my God, please do not write fanfiction about us."

He pauses. "There are six links. Six in a week. Do I click on one? A live reading of fanfiction on-air? Wait, this one is rated explicit!" He smirks at the camera. "I wanna click. Do I click?"

Remus' face is as red as a tomato as he looks at the comments. Everyone urging Sirius to click. Everyone is talking about the pair of them.

"Stop writing fanfiction about me and Moony, you heathen," Sirius laughs. Remus can see the cursor is hovering over the first link though, like he's really considering it.

"Okay, maybe I'll read them in private," Sirius mutters, quietly so only Remus hears. "Now," he raises his voice, "The next one says: 'you guys have more chemistry than my science lesson'."

Remus laughs softly. "We're just friends. I've known Padfoot since I was eleven. He's not even interested in me."

Sirius turns, his gaze on Remus. "You think…" he hesitates. "Moons, should we… I mean, let's get on with the show."

'You totally chickened out.'

'He fancies you, Sirius. Look at him. He just thinks you don't fancy him back.'

'Let's face it. Sirius talks about Moony every single episode. If this isn't love, there's something wrong with the world.'

'Come-on Sirius, you can be straight with us, even if you can't be… straight with Moony ;)'

'You two are so adorable. Relationship goals!'

'Where do I send the wedding present, because it's going to happen.'

Sirius' voice is getting higher and higher with each message he reads.

"Guys, Moony doesn't feel that way about me," Sirius tells them, abandoning the laptop completely. "Of course I haven't been crushing on him since school, or thinking about him constantly. I certainly don't pine over him."

Remus feels a little hurt at all of this. He doesn't have to be so blunt about it.

"Now they're telling me off for upsetting you," Sirius mutters. "Moonpie, what's wrong?"

"You don't have to be like that," Remus mutters, shrugging, trying to hide the frown. "You don't fancy me and why would you? You're utterly gorgeous and could have anyone, Sirius. You should have the best of the best."

"But you are the best of the best," Sirius says, moving closer. "You're so beautiful. I'd be lucky to have you look my way."

"I… I look," Remus stutters shyly. "I mean… who wouldn't?"

Sirius' smile widens and his eyes dart to the screen.

"Someone asked if I'd snog you if I get two hundred new subscribers by the end of the show. So… how about it?"

"Five hundred," Remus says. "I'm not a cheap date, thank you."

Sirius smirks. "You hear that - you all asked for it, now you've got to pay up. Come on fans, score me that kiss."

Remus' face is bright red, but he can't stop smiling. They better get him that kiss. Though maybe… maybe they can still do it even if Sirius doesn't hit his new target.

For some reason, Sirius is doing a Valentine's special even though they're in January, so Remus sits there with little lilac hearts dotting his skin and Sirius' fingers stroking against his face more than usual. All he can think about is Sirius maybe kissing him.

"What are we at?" he finally blurts out. He can't take this pressure anymore. He wants that kiss now. What are the viewers playing at?

Sirius smiles, fingers pushing his curls from his face. "Peter?"

"I set up a little counter on the screen," Peter says. "We need two more but we've been stuck for almost five minutes."

"I guess not enough people want to see us snog," Sirius murmurs.

"Fucksake," Remus curses. "One minute." He pulls out his own phone. He doesn't care anymore, he's getting this kiss. He clicks through the options and subscribes even though he doesn't really have the money for the paid subscription. He'll work it out. This is more important, plus Sirius said something about paying him for helping.

"Remus, did you just do that to get a kiss?" Peter calls.

"I'm supporting my best friend," Remus says. Is the make-up hiding that his face is bright red? Probably not.

"And… Prongs is here," Peter shouts from behind the camera. "Just walked in. Prongs, if Sirius gets one more subscriber, he's going to finally kiss Moony in front of the camera like we've been waiting on for so many bloody years."

"Finally," James says, striding over. "Viewers, I was about to just go to bed - I'm shattered these days, but I'm here for this. One more, you say?"

In the style of someone who has worked with Sirius for years, James dramatically produces his phone and starts the process, with Sirius crossing his arms and frowning.

"Do none of my friends support me?" he complains.

"I do," Peter calls. "And that's it. You're there. Kiss time!"

"A true friend," Sirius says. "Remus, pucker up those beautiful lips of yours for me." He takes Remus' hand, pulling him up from the chair. "It's only taken us how many years to get here," he says. "You actually added money to get this kiss, which means you really do want me. I want you too." The words are quiet and the camera might not even hear the, "Your wish is my command." Before Remus can overthink this, Sirius' lips are pressing against his, and Remus forgets about the camera and everything else as his fingers wrap around the back of Sirius' neck and he pulls his friend closer.

They only pull away when Peter coughs again.

"Right. The show." Sirius looks quite dazed. "We should… talk about that later."

Remus nods. He's not sure he can form words after that. But he glances at the screen whilst Sirius fiddles with the make-up and he can't help but smile at the comments.

James waves to them as he heads towards his bedroom and Remus touches his lips where he did have scarlet lipstick. It's half on Sirius' lips now, and Sirius makes no move to wipe it off.

"I like it like that," Sirius murmurs. "Now, let's finish adding these little hearts to your skin, shall we? And once we're off-air, I'm curious about this fanfiction."

I've not been getting many reviews these days. Sad :(

But thank you to the few of you that have been leaving reviews - they make me feel happy and want to keep writing :D