Disclaimer: Still slashy
Dedication: To all of you who waited for it!
Authors Note: I realized half of the first posting of this chapter was cut off...here it is, fixed and reposted!
Compromising Circumstances
Chapter 10
Sirius folded his arms, frowning in Remus' general direction. His friend had suggested that they go out, just the two of them, and settle the air. The ex prisoner thought it was a horrible idea, but had agreed out of a desire to make Remus happy. Now they were sitting in a small Italian restaurant, in a booth a bit removed from the main dining area.
"Well, this is nice." Remus said, smiling openly. Sirius knew that smile. It was the sort of vague, cheerful one that meant bad news was coming. Or that Remus was hiding something.
"Yeah." He agreed, deciding he wasn't going to make things difficult. "So..."
"You and Harry seem to be getting on splendidly."
"Yeah, yeah we are. Oh, hey...I never told you any of those funny stories I said I would..." At least talking about Harry wasn't talking about Snape. Which he knew they were there to talk about.
"No, you didn't." Remus' voice was encouraging.
"Most recent one...I came down one night, not too long ago, to get a midnight snack...guess what I find on the living room table?"
"I can't imagine."
"Porno mag." Sirius shook his head, laughing a little. "Just sitting right there, plain as day...I tell you..."
"Pornography?" Remus' eyes sparkled with laughter, and he had to cover his mouth. "What did you do?"
"Honestly?" Sirius gave a wry grin. "I flipped through it...wasn't bad, wasn't bad at all. Then I just out it down and went to bed."
"Oh really?" Remus raised his eyebrows, as if not believing Sirius' claim.
"Yes, really. I'm not so desperate that I'm going to do *that* with Harry in the next room. Besides, I've got my own porn."
"Well, at least it's good to know that Harry's a healthy young man."
"Oh yeah...little too healthy." Sirius shook his head, remembering the kiss.
"Oh?" Polite interest. Sirius was well acquainted with that tone and facial expression. It seemed fake on most people-and most people took it as fake on Remus-but it was sincere.
"Harry...harry had a nightmare last night. And...when he woke up, he was all out of it, and we talked, and then...aw hell, Remmie, he kissed me." Sirius stared down at his plate, not wanting to look at Remus' face when he told him. Because he was rather certain Remus wouldn't believe him when he claimed nothing had happened.
"Really?"
"Yeah...I stopped it, I mean I had to!"
"Sirius, you didn't have to do anything." The werewolf's tone was brisk and casual, as if the entire subject meant little to him.
"He's my godson...and he's only sixteen..."
"He's not a blood relative, and he's of a legal age." Remus was being dam calm about this! And hadn't Sirius thought of those arguments already? But all in all, they meant nothing. This was James' son! There was a wrongness there that Sirius just couldn't get past.
"That doesn't matter..." Sirius insisted. Remus was missing the point. Entirely.
"Then what does matter?" Remus asked, putting down his fork. He sighed, his face turning serious. Maybe he wasn't being as casual as Sirius had thought. "Let me ask you s few things."
"All right..." Sirius was a bit hesitant, but well, at least Remus was being supportive...though supportive of what, he had no idea.
"Answer me honestly. Don't worry about what I'll think, or how you'll sound. Do you find Harry attractive?"
"Remus!" How could he answer that? Without sounding like some sort of pervert?
"What? He *is* attractive. I think he is, at any rate. He's not a child anymore, Sirius."
"I know he isn't..." Sirius sighed. Well, if Remus really wasn't going to care... "I think he's good looking. I'm very attracted to him. Merlin, when he kissed me..." He shook his head.
"I understand." Remus nodded. "You stopped him...did you really want to?"
"Honestly? I don't know." Sirius' mind was at war. The part that was connected to between his legs said no. He wanted to throw Harry down and have his wicked way with him. The more rational side of his mind thought that part was insane. Harry was his godson. James' son. And he was confused and alone and reaching out in the only way he knew. And Sirius would be a first class creep to take advantage of that.
"Think about it Sirius." Remus said, turning back to his meal. "Think about him...I really think you'd make a good pair."
"He's only sixteen!"
"And you have the mental capacity of a man not much older." Remus sighed. Sirius hated when he pointed that out to him. "If he kissed you, that shows some sort of interest on his part. Did you talk about what happened at all?"
"Not really." That had probably been a stupid thing. But Sirius had been shocked and aroused and not in any state to talk.
"Maybe you should."
"Maybe..." To be honest, Sirius wasn't very comfortable with the current conversation. He still wanted Remus. But...it was fading.
"It would be a good idea." Remus put down his fork again, reaching across the table and placing his hands over Sirius'. "You deserve to be happy, and I think Harry could make you happy."
"Maybe...maybe he could." Sirius nodded, his hands wanting to jerk away from Remus' touch. Or to twist around, clasp them in his own... "I don't know. I guess....I mean, I don't have any other prospects at the moment..."
"Just talk to him." Remus urged, taking back his hands.
"I will." Sirius nodded. "Now...I guess I ought to ask you: how....how is everything?"
"It's good." Remus nodded. "I won't upset you with the details."
"No, it's okay." Sirius said, gritting his teeth. He'd have to get used to the idea. He'd have to accept it. Remus was with Snape. Remus didn't want him. Remus wanted Snape.
"Well, there's really nothing exciting to tell you at the moment." Remus shrugged. "I sent him a letter, yesterday."
"He treats you right?"
"Yes, Sirius, he treats me well." Remus smiled, obviously amused.
"He hasn't...tried anything has he?"
"Oh honestly Sirius!" Remus actually laughed. "You sound like....like a spinster aunt!"
"Well, I mean it." Sirius frowned. "How long have you two been going together?"
"Oh....a month or two maybe..."
"Then he better not have tried anything." Sirius said. That was far too early. And Sirius had no desire to see Remus get hurt. He had a feeling it would be like Snape to get a bit of tail and then run.
"He hasn't." Remus assured Sirius. But then added, quietly. "I have though..."
"Remus!"
"What?" Remus laughed, shrugging. "I'm a grown man. Oh, do relax, we haven't slept together." Sirius could read the disappointment in Remus' tone. "But...well, we've gone beyond formalities."
"Okay, you can stop with the details!" It wasn't something he wanted to think about. Whatever Remus and Snape did behind closed doors would stay there.
"All right...but you said..."
:Forget what I said!" Sirius laughed as well, though, feeling a bit better. They were still friends. No matter what, they were still friends. It felt good to know that. And if he couldn't have Remus as a lover, friends was more then enough to make him happy. Things were lookin a bit better now. And he would talk to harry. Maybe there was something behind that kiss. And Harry *was* funny, and sweet, and attractive...yes, things were looking up. Harry was waiting at home, and now he was enjoying a good dinner with a good friend. All in all, life was good.
"But...Remmie, I need to ask...is he *any* good at...whatever it is you guys do?"
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