A/N: Hey y'all! Have some Wolfstarbucks… or leading up to it, anyway. I'm thinking about continuing this fic—let me know if you'd like that. :)

Word Count: 1717

WARNINGS: Knives, but no injury. Mentioned magical curses, because I just can't help myself.

Note: This is a royal!au, Remus is still a werewolf, James is a prince, and Sirius is desperate to get his brother back from an unknown evil… aka, my usual complicated worlds. Also, unbeta'd. Apologies.

Enjoy!

Remus sucked in a breath as the knife pressed against his throat. He breathed shallowly, his amber eyes locking onto James' hazel ones. His lover was across the room, one hand on his sword hilt and one stretched out to Remus.

"He's coming with me," the man who'd grabbed Remus said. Remus thought he heard a slight tremor in the man's voice, but then supposed he must be mistaken as the man's grip on him tightened. "I'll send him back in the morning if you don't follow."

Remus wasn't sure what this man had taken from the castle, but held both of his hands up in surrender. "Just don't hurt him," he murmured, his eyes fixed on Remus, "or there will be hell to pay."

"Fair enough," Remus' captor replied. "We're going now. No guards, no nothing."

He began walking backwards, and Remus had no choice but to follow. He was led out of the castle and onto a horse, and the next thing Remus knew, they were riding away.

They stopped at an inn. Remus was silent as he was led upstairs into a private room, but couldn't stop his lips from pressing together in distress when he noticed there was only one bed. He had little doubt who would be taking the floor that night.

"Damn." His kidnapper closed the door behind them and crossed his arms. "Figures. Come on, then. I'm sure we're both knackered."

Remus stood still as the man—black-haired, grey-eyed—crossed the room to sit on the edge of the bed. He toed off his boots and removed a satchel from around his waist. Remus couldn't help but track the movement with his eyes; the satchel must hold whatever had been stolen.

The thief caught him looking. "Don't get all high and mighty on me, now," he warned. "I'm not in the mood."

Remus closed his eyes. In actuality, he didn't much care if a bit of treasure had been stolen; He loved the prince, yes, but wealth was something he knew he could live without. It was this man's desperation to have—what Remus assumed to be—the jewels that frightened him. Remus breathed in and out slowly, trying to calm his erratic heartbeat. He felt an aching longing to be back within the safety of James' arms.

"I can see why the prince likes looking at you," the man said suddenly, ripping Remus from his thoughts, "but you're a right bore, being silent and all."

Remus stiffened. "Don't be crass," he snapped. "And what do you want me to say, anyway?"

"I dunno." The thief looked slightly abashed. "'Suppose I thought that you'd complain more. You're practically royalty, aren't you?"

He hadn't always been. "James and I are lovers," he said honestly. "I wasn't born into that life." He lifted his chin and tried to look braver than he felt. "Sleeping on the floor isn't going to rattle me."

The man lifted his head, an unnameable emotion flickering across his face. He tugged his hair from its bun and let the long, midnight black strands fall about his shoulders; Remus did his best not to stare. "I'm not making you sleep on the floor, mate," he said slowly. "What's your name? Your first. I know you're Lupin."

Remus frowned sharply. "Remus," he said reluctantly; the information was easy enough to find out, anyway. "And yours?"

There was an obvious hesitation, but then the man sighed and shrugged. "Sirius, but that's all I'm giving you."

"Fine," Remus said quietly. He hugged himself, emotionally exhausted and missing James like hell. "Where should I sleep? You said not on the floor."

Sirius nodded. "Sleep in the bed with me." When Remus' brows rose, Sirius added, "I'll stay on my side."

Remus walked over slowly. He didn't have any reason to trust this man, but Sirius seemed more… tired than vicious. Remus gingerly lowered himself onto the mattress.

"You'll let me go tomorrow?" he asked carefully.

Sirius shrugged off his shirt and climbed under the thin blankets. "Yeah. If he honors his word, you'll be fine."

"He will." Of that, Remus was certain. No matter the treasure, James would ensure that Remus was safe.

Sirius snorted. "Must be nice to have someone care about you that much." Those grey eyes slid over to Remus' face, and despite himself, Remus' breath hitched. "I stole his crown, you know."

The blood froze in Remus' veins. His head snapped around to look at Sirius fully. "You what?"

"Stole his crown." Sirius resumed staring at the ceiling, and Remus would have believed his act of nonchalance if not for the way his shoulders tensed. "I need something from someone, and that's what they want in return."

Remus opened and closed his mouth. There were many ways he could react to this news—outrage, cold indifference, disbelief—but he settled on falling back into the pillows and saying shortly, "Well, I hope whatever it is is important."

"It is," Sirius murmured. There was a long pause, and then Sirius continued, a tremor now clear in his voice. "My brother's in danger. It's the crown or him."

Remus' stomach dropped. Pity flooded him; and he found himself wishing that there was something he could do to help. If someone was holding his parents captive… well, there was nothing he wouldn't do to get them back.

Sirius sat up suddenly, a horrible grin twisting his face. "Honestly, Lord Lupin or Prince Remus or whatever else I'm supposed to call you, I probably won't be alive long enough to face the consequences of my actions. Maybe I didn't need to grab you to ensure a safe getaway after all… so sorry about that." Sirius ran his fingers through his hair and hunched in on himself. "I… I'm sorry about that. Regulus would hate that I've done this."

Remus knew he wasn't supposed to hear the last part, but he recognized a desperate man. And the fact that it was his brother in danger… well. Remus could appreciate that sort of loyalty.

"Your brother," he began gently, "what happened to him?"

Sirius shuddered. "An ancient curse and other rot."

Remus glanced down at the scars littering his arms; he was familiar with ancient curses. Hesitantly, he reached out and touched Sirius' shoulder. "Let me help you," he said firmly. "Return the crown—or don't, I suppose—but let James and I help you."

Surprise flashed across Sirius' face before he snorted and turned away. "I held a knife to your throat, mate, in case you've forgotten. Your lover isn't going to forgive me as easily as you seem to think."

"He'll listen to me," Remus insisted. "Come back to the castle with me in the morning."

Sirius threw his head back and barked out a bitter laugh. "Why the hell would you want to help me?"

Remus bit his lip. There was this feeling he had that he couldn't place, this desire to help Sirius in any way he could—because he knew that hopelessness. He knew that level of despair. And… he could see James' loyalty and determination in Sirius' eyes.

"You remind me of James," he whispered, "and of myself. Please, just… just let me help you."

Curiosity shone in Sirius' grey eyes, but he still took a long time to respond. Finally, he lowered his gaze. "I…"

Boldly, Remus grabbed the man's hand. "You're a good person, Sirius," he murmured. "I can see it. Dramatic" —his lips twisted into an amused smile— "but good."

Sirius stared at him, looking taken aback. "This isn't some magic spell, is it?" he asked hoarsely. "This isn't some sorcery to make me come with you?"

Remus looked at him steadily. "I promise it's not."

Sirius shook his head slowly. "I must be mad," he breathed, "to be considering this."

Remus could hardly dare hope. "You'll come?"

Blowing the hair away from his face, Sirius flopped back against the pillows. "I guess I'm really fucked enough to need your help, so… sure. Why not?"

Remus hid a grin and settled down to sleep as Sirius did the same.

It took some convincing, but Remus managed to keep James from killing Sirius on sight when they arrived back the next afternoon. Sirius was, however, kept temporarily in the dungeons—for safety measures, he promised Remus. The werewolf frowned at that development and resolved to release Sirius as quickly as possible.

James listened to his explanation over dinner, his brow furrowed and a frown on his face. "You're telling me that you actually trust him?"

"Yes," Remus said simply before taking a sip of wine. "I know it seems mad, James, but… I really do."

"He could be lying," James pointed out. "He could be manipulating you."

Remus stared down at the red liquid in his goblet. He could just barely make out his reflection. "I know what it is to be desperate, James." He raised his eyes to stare at his lover. "Before you met me, I was in his position. You know that. I stole, too."

"You stole food, Remus. You didn't hold knives to people's throats and take them hostage."

"He wasn't going to hurt me," Remus insisted. He leaned forwards and ran a hand through his tawny curls, knowing full well that James fell for that trick every time. "I know he's a good sort, James. And I already promised that I'd help him."

James sighed heavily and shook his head slightly at his lover. "You… you are the only person alive who could feel sympathy for your kidnapper and then convince him to fall in love with you."

Remus looked up sharply. "What?"

"Oh, come on, Remus. I know what this is really about." He smiled a little exasperatedly. "You think he could be the third?"

Remus was quiet for a minute before giving a small nod. "I really do, James. I've only ever been so immediately attracted to you. And even if he doesn't want that… I still want to help him."

James stared at him for a long moment before coming around the table to envelope Remus in a tight embrace. "Remus, you're… you have to be the kindest person I know. All right—we'll give this a shot, but we will take precautions."

Remus tilted his head up to press his lips against James' forehead. "That's all I ask."