The late afternoon sun was struggling in vain to stream through the dark clouds which were leaking cold, white flakes of snow onto the grounds below the window that Remus Lupin looked longingly out of.

Today he and Sirius were going to go for a walk beside the lake, just the two of them. But now...

With the snow falling so heavily, Remus was sure Sirius wouldn't want to go out. He sighed, and found himself wondering for the hundredth time that day if Sirius had gotten himself a date yet. He knew that the chance Sirius would be going stag was slim to none, all the girls in the school wanted him.

::And at least one guy, too.:: Remus thought wryly, as he watched the layer of snow building on t he frozen surface of the lake.


Moony, you up for our walk?

Remus turned around, surprise etched on his face. But, it's snowing. He said, gesturing out the window as a rather oppressive gust of wind blew into the window, giving it a great rattle.

Sirius smiled. So? It'll be fun!

Remus didn't exactly look convinced, but he sighed, and grabbed his cloak.

All right... I guess if you want to...

Sirius grinned, and ran forward to grab his own cloak, letting his hand rest on Remus' shoulder for a moment on the way. Remus felt electricity run through him at the touch, and closed his eyes.

::Relax...::


***


Once outside, the falling snowflakes were quick to rest in Sirius' raven hair, and Remus thought it to be the most beautiful thing on earth. He resisted the urge to run his hands through the sweet smelling, warm hair, and instead packed a snowball and threw it playfully at Sirius' turned back.

The young man jumped, and turned, giving Remus a mock-glare and crafting his own ball, which he threw at Remus with such velocity that it knocked him back a few steps.

Remus gasped, as he was almost knocked onto his butt. He laughed once he regained his breath, and made yet another snowball, not knowing why they were doing this like Muggles, but enjoying it all the same.

He threw the ball, only to have it be dodged by Sirius with ease. The ebony-haired man gave a whoop, and took off running for the nearest tree, which he quickly hid behind.


Remus smiled, and rubbed his now-numb hands together a bit, trying to warm them up. Finally he picked up two handfuls of snow, and ran to the tree, rubbing both hands into Sirius' face.

Sirius gasped, which was a mistake, as a generous amount of snow went into his mouth. Remus was laughing quite hysterically by the time Sirius had cleared the snow from him, and he growled playfully and leapt onto his friend, knocking them both to the snow covered earth, where they sunk in just a bit.

Sirius, being Remus' best friend, knew all of the boys ticklish places, and he attacked without mercy, until Remus' face was red, and he was gasping for breath in-between giggles and laughter. When Sirius finally stopped his hands, they looked into each other's eyes. Tears of mirth in Remus', and a sparkle to Sirius', they both moved in closer and closer...


And then they kissed. It was gentle, exploring, everything a first kiss between longtime friends should be. When they broke apart, Remus wasn't the only one with a flushed face, and Sirius quickly looked away, too afraid to look into Remus' eyes.

Remus whispered, reaching out his hand as if to touch him, but then quickly withdrawing.

Sirius got up without a word, and began to walk back to the school. Remus lay there for a minute, trying to process what had gone wrong, before jumping up and running to Sirius side, shaking snow out of his hair on the way.

He repeated, this time putting his hand on the boy's arm, effectively stopping him.

Where are you going?

Sirius sighed, and looked at the ground. Away. From you.

Remus winced, but continued on. Why? Didn't that mean anything to you? He demanded, now shocked and a little bit hurt.

Sirius bit his lip. He wanted to say yes. He wanted to say that the kiss had been the only think he'd been dreaming about for the last two years. He wanted to grab Remus into his arms and kiss him, and never let him go.

But instead...

I have to go. And then he broke free of Remus' grasp, and dashed back into the weathered old building, leaving Remus standing in shock, the delicate white flakes falling onto him. But he didn't feel the cold. He didn't f eel the sharp bite of the December wind as it pushed into him. All he felt was sharp pain in his chest, and he knew his heart had just broke.


Defeated, he turned, and walked back to the indentation a few feet away.


It was shaped perfectly like them.

Like love.


***


That's all for now.. nice turn of events, huh? *ducks angry fans* Don't worry..they'll figure something out! PLEASE remember to review, and I'll see you all next time!