Disclaimer... Yada yada yada... not mine etc etc. They belong to JKR. And right now I am broke and I can't even claim to be a slacker student any more! So suing me would be pointless. I am making no profit.
Dedication... This is dedicated to my parents, and my friends, and my dog fluffy, and my cat Bob, and my landlord, and the police for being so understanding, and the off license, and Ikea for selling me things, and my teacher when I was 5.... Uh...sorry, got a little Oscar-y there! Ok...this is for all of the people who review me. I love you all for encouraging me!! *Oscar style kisses*
~ Chapter 10 ~
Sirius followed Remus over to the nearby bar. Although the sign outside has seemed to indicate that there were vacancies for the night, the only person apparent was the barman. Sirius glanced around casually as her listened to Remus enquire about rooms. The Barman's voice was low as he mentioned prices and times.
Sirius' eyes wandered over the tables and chairs. It was late afternoon, and although there were a few dedicated drinkers already with glasses littering their tables, the whole place was basically empty. In fact, it seemed as though the bar had not been open long, which was surprising as Sirius knew muggle pubs usually opened at lunchtime.
It was quite bright at the bar, darker over the tables, but colourfully lighted over a long low stage at the centre. Sirius assumed that there must be live acts, though none had been advertised outside. He briefly wondered what use the long floor to ceiling poles would be, situated in the centre and on two sides of the stage.
Remus finished paying the barman for a room. It had taken a little while to convince him that they needed only one, even if it did only have a double bed. Sirius knew Remus would happily have paid for two rooms to avoid the odd look the barman was affording them, but their supply of muggle money was running low. The two men picked up their bags and followed the barman's directions to their room. It all seemed a little haphazard to Sirius, but the rooms were not too expensive and it was better than sleeping on the floor. He should know.
Remus pushed open the door after wrestling with the key for a few seconds. The room was dark due to the stunning view of a brick wall through the tiny window. It was a bright afternoon but Remus flicked on the overhead light so they could see the room properly. There was a double bed with dingy lime green sheets and only one pillow. The floor was covered with a brown carpet that Sirius hoped had not once been cream. The walls were bare and cracked. He dumped his bag on the floor and stuck his head around the doorway into the small bathroom, noting that there was no bath, only a slimy shower and a toilet.
"Lovely. Five star even." Sirius joked, turning back to Remus. He noticed the way Remus was observing his appraisal of the room and ginned mischievously. He pulled up the front of his T-shirt, revealing a strip of olive skin and a line of black hair leading down from his navel and disappearing beneath the pale boxers peaking slightly above the jeans slung low on his hips. He watched Remus' eyes drop to the bared flesh, licking his lips. Sirius knew he wanted to kiss it. He had to admit that muggle clothing suited him, and he knew Remus agreed.
Still teasing, knowing the show he was putting on, Sirius walked over to the bed and lay down on it, stretching out like a cat. He toed off his boots and lay on his back, hands behind his head, letting the T-shirt ride up again.
"Quite comfortable." He said, as though he were not creating a display for Remus.
"Good thing." Remus replied, his voice breathy. He slipped out of his long overcoat and boots, placing them down in a corner without letting his eyes leave Sirius. He then walked over to the bed and climbed on to it gently. His legs were astride Sirius' ankles and he let his hands slide underneath the cuff on the jeans, stroking the soft hair on his legs. Sirius watched, delighting in every caress. Slowly Remus moved further up, eyes fixed on the skin showing at Sirius' mid-drift. He leaned down and pressed soft lips against the hot skin, causing Sirius to moan involuntarily. He kissed lazily, his hands sliding around Sirius and up the back of the T-shirt. Sirius arched his back into the touch. He had fully been expecting another primadonna act from Remus. It was good to be wrong sometimes.
Remus pushed the T-shirt higher, kissing the caressing as much of the skin that he could reach. Sirius wanted to kiss him but the feeling of those lips on his skin was intoxicating. Suddenly Remus seemed to get annoyed at having to push the material out of his way and sat back on his knees, pulling the top off Sirius and then leaning in for a kiss. Sirius kissed back and pulled Remus down on top of him. It did not matter how many times they did this, it would never be enough. As their bodies melded both men were in complete accord.
*
Sirius took one of the tables close to the stage. If there was going to be a show then they may as well have front row seats. Remus was buying the drinks, using the logic that the fewer people who interacted with Sirius, the less likely he was to be recognised.
The bar was beginning to fill up and Sirius idly watched others take various tables. All of the people arriving seemed to be men, alone, or in raucous groups. In fact, as Sirius sat up and peered about, there was not a single woman in the entire bar, except a few scantily clad ones behind the bar. Sirius pondered. Was this some kind of men only club? He leaned back in his chair and considered putting his feet up on the table, but spotted Remus looking for where he had sat, two pints of Guinness in his hands. Sirius sat up again and waved to attract the other man's attention. Remus nodded to show he had seen and wound his way through the maze of tables. He placed the pints down and took the other chair at the table. Other men had apprehended the other two and Sirius had needed to be adamant to prevent this one going too.
Remus sat facing the stage, but with his body angled towards Sirius. They both sipped from their drinks and sighed happily, grinning when they noticed their matching reactions. The Guinness had been a great discovery – a chewable beer that they both loved. Sirius leaned back and stretched his long legs out in front of him, allowing his calf to rest against Remus'.
"So, did you ask what show was on tonight?" Sirius asked. The darkness over the table gave a feeling of anonymity.
"I didn't ask." Remus said mildly. "The bar was too busy." Sirius was surprised. He glanced over his shoulder and sure enough, there were men at least two deep all along the bar. He raised his eyebrows. It looked like the night would be busier that the day had suggested.
Sirius turned back to Remus and smiled. He was feeling pretty good. Tomorrow they would continue the hunt, using tonight to enjoy themselves. He felt content to be doing some actual good for once. He wanted to protect Harry, but there was so little he could do whilst still a fugitive. At least now he was helping to make the world safer for his Godson as well as taking some revenge against the evil that had framed him. Added to all that was they fact that for the first time in his life he was with the man he loved, and was loved in return. Sirius grinned again, brushing his hand against Remus' and waiting for the show to begin.
Remus had just brought over their third pint when the lights over the tables dimmed even further and a spotlight appeared over the stage. The bar had filled up considerably and a lot of the men began to cheer. Sirius assumed that meant the show was about to start. He settled more comfortably into his chair, pint in hand.
About five minutes later Sirius felt able to speak again. "Uh...Remus? I didn't know muggles had places like this!" He looked over at Remus whose face mirrored his shock. On the stage, light brightly by swirling coloured lights, were two women dancing to music whilst writhing up against each other and stripping off their clothes. It suddenly became clear why the bar had been empty during the day, why there were only men in the bar and, most of all, why the barman had been so surprised at them asking for a double room to share. Those rooms must be used for customers hoping to get more than just a strip show.
Sirius could not help himself, he started to laugh. He caught Remus' eyes and the other man began to chuckle. Soon they were both doubled over, clutching their sides and trying not to draw too much attention.
Sirius leaned in and spoke over the music into Remus' ear. "We should suggest this idea to the Ministry!"
Remus laughed more, tears falling down his cheers. "Good idea...maybe it would give the Death Eaters something better to do with their evenings!"
Sirius was thankful that the dim light in the audience, and the men having eyes for only the dancers, meant no one noticed their mirth. Eventually they pulled themselves under control. Sirius shrugged to Remus and they sat back to enjoy the rest of the show.
