Disclaimer... They are not mine. Sirius, Remus and all of the other Harry Potter characters belong to JKR. And would I really want them? Well...ok...yes I would, but I can't have them, so I borrow and play, and return within the allotted time.

Dedication... Yes yes yes....I have more dedications. I like dedications. I think they are nice. Plus I think it adds a nice wee bit of mystery. As in "Ooooh ooh! I wonder who Airin has dedicated this chapter to?". Ok, so you probably don't care that much, but I do so...on with the aforementioned dedication. To Naked Graham Norton! May the dog grow hungry and go in search of food. ;) (For those of you who don't know who Graham Norton is....Tsk tsk!! Go look him up now!)

~ Chapter 8 ~

Sirius sat down heavily on the bed. He unlaced his boots and used his toes to force off first one, then the other. The black leather made two dull thuds as they bounced against the thick carpet of the bedroom floor. He then leaned back, resting on his elbows and looked up at Remus still standing just inside the door.

Remus was making no move to settle into the room but was standing staring, a slight frown maring his face as he though deeply. Sirius knew what the problem was and it angered him. How could Remus tell him he loved him one minute, then blanch the next when someone made it clear that they knew of their coupling? All Anna had done was to give them a double bed together, and after Sirius' reaction to her on the night of the full moon it was not surprising she knew. Yet here was Remus morose because of it.

Sirius sighed and stood up. "Remi, forget about it." He said, shoving the boots into a corner and striping off his T-shirt. Remus frowned more.

"But did you see the look on Jack's face? He was completely shocked."

"He couldn't have been more shocked than finding out I was a dog." Sirius tried to interject some humour. Old habits died hard. It was plain Remus was not going to laugh though. Sirius sighed again. "Who cares if he was shocked Moony. He won't even remember I was here in the morning! It doesn't matter." Sirius watched Remus for a second but the other man continued to frown. This was just senseless. Remus was proud to be his friend, in spite of his being a convicted murderer, but embarrassed when it came to strangers knowing that they were lovers for just one night, before forgetting in the morning. Sirius actually felt quite hurt. He loved the other man with his body and soul. For him they were a miracle that he wanted to shout from the rooftops. Remus was his soul mate, but his inability to admit anything felt like a rejection. A denial. That was painful.

Sirius had been looking forward to being alone together again, to sleeping wrapped in strong arms, but now Remus was worried, resigning him to a cold night.

"I don't know about you," Sirius began, "but I'm going to make the most of this double bed. God knows when we'll get to sleep in a proper bed again." Sirius unbuttoned his jeans and slid them off in one fluid motion. "If you're that bothered about what they think take the top blanket and sleep on the sofa." Sirius knew some of the hurt he was feeling must be apparent in his voice and he did feel he sounded vaguely like an offended housewife, but he didn't care. He turned to the bed and pulled back the covers to climb in. As he leaned over he felt strong muscular arms slip around his still thin body. A husky voice spoke in his ear.

"I don't want to sleep on the sofa." Remus breathed. The effect on Sirius was immediate. He could feel his body responding to the suggestion in his voice. He pressed back into the firm body behind him.

"Are you sure?" Sirius felt hands travelling over his body, one trailing through the black hair on his chest and the other sliding beneath the waistband of his boxers.

"Very sure. I may not like them knowing Pad, but nothing could stop me sleeping next to you. I slept without you for far too long." Sirius was mollified. Remus may still be far from wanting to march in Gay Pride, but at least he had not chosen the sofa for outward appearances sake. Remus began kissing his neck and Sirius turned to face him. He began tugging at Remus' top and deftly unfastening the buttons on his trousers. Remus pulled him in and their lips touched gently, softly brushing tender skin. As Sirius let Remus' trousers drop their kiss deepened. Sirius forgot about anything but the touch of this man and the feeling of elation in his heart.

*

Sirius dozed, content. He was satiated and sleeping next to Remus. Everything was right. In the darkness he heard a soft voice.

"I'm sorry Siri. I didn't mean to make you think I don't care about you enough to sleep on the sofa." Sirius reviewed the sentence in his head a few times to catch the meaning through his sleep addled brain. Finally he whispered back.

"I know Moony." He curled closer to Remus and kissed him before drifting back off to sleep.

(((A/N... Another short chapter I know, but I'm getting back into the swing of it all! I've been doing temp work (blich!) and it's very boring, so I've taken to writing while I'm there. Bad Airin! Hope you are all enjoying reading it as much as I love writing it. Sweet Sirius and Remus.)))