Standard Disclaimer: Nothing is mine. It is all Hers. Oh wait, Rom is mine, unless She comes up with a twin for Remus in the books, that is. On with the show! ~ adieu


As It Should Be ~ Prologue


The surf crashes against the beach, soaking the two small boys playing in the sand. It is a beautiful night, the full moon sailing like a ship among the clouds.

~ Wait. Full moon? ~

The image changed, falling like sand through a sifter to reveal the same two boys, older now, curled together in a bed, listening to their parents fighting in the room below them.

~ What on earth--? ~

I am standing in front of a full-length gilt mirror, facing my reflection. ~ No. There's something wrong. I don't have gray eyes- not since- ~

My reflection spoke: "That is you problem, Remy. You *always* think too much."

I gape; I can't help it. "Romulus?"

He grins, and the tired looking professor melts away, revealing my brother at 13 years old as I last saw him. "Who else?" he shrugs.

I stand there, staring, a foolish grin ion my face. "What? How-?" All sorts of possibilities are forming in my head. Maybe he had been trapped-

"No, Remus," my twin interrupts gently. "Voldemort *did* kill me. No changing that."

Suddenly, the mirror shudders. The glass starts to crack; Romulus looks panicked. We both look around wildly; my brother sees something, I do not. "What? What is it?" I ask urgently.

He turns to face me; the glass is cracked to his waist now.

"Be careful, Remy. There's something coming. It's gonna be bad."

The glass shatters, breaking the image into a million glittering shards, then explodes outwards. I throw up my arms to protect my head-

*~*~*

I sit up in bed remarkably calmly, for all I feel like screaming; my dead brother's words are still ringing in my ears. "Something is coming?" I bury my head in my hands. "Oh, Rom, why can you never speak plainly?"

"Because that would be convenient." A voice from the doorway roused me.

Jerking my head up, I gasp. "Sirius!" Without realizing how, I find myself across the room with my arms wrapped around my former lover. "Oh, Siri, Siri," I sigh. "You're home."

Sirius smiles and gently moves a lock of hair from my face. "Not for long," he sobers. "Remus-"

I place a finger on Sirius' lips. "Shh. I know. Let's not worry about it now." I take his hand and rise smoothly up on my toes to quickly kiss my lovers lips. Sirius whimpers as I draw away and catches my lips again. This kiss is longer, and by the time it ends, both of us are gasping for air.

I smile wickedly, and take his hand. "Come to bed."

He undresses silently and we slide under the blankets, curling up together for warmth. I sigh happily, running my fingertips over Sirius's too-thin chest.

Sirius catches my hand, and presses a kiss to my palm. "Let's just lie here for a while, Rem."

I curl closer, pillowing my head on his chest. With my arms wrapped around Sirius, I am content and sleepy. "Sounds good to me." I give a brief squeeze. "I'm so glad you're home."

Sirius gives a quiet laugh. "Me, too, Remy. Me, too."

*~*~*