Title: On the Way to Nowhere

Archive: Here, but if you want it, just review and tell me you're taking it.

Rating: Mostly "R" I think that's how it'll stay.

**Remus**

He leaned back into his pillows and sighed. The night was dark around him, bearing in on him, but he welcomed it, because it came without moonlight. He hated so few things in his life, but he hated the moon. It ripped him away from his life; it degraded him into some beast that couldn't love or feel. It was an odd thing, to come back from that kind of transformation, and see James, or Sirius, standing next to him, holding out a robe, trusting him completely. It was odd, because he felt a rush of love for them, and it contrasted with the beast so greatly.

But truthfully, he couldn't even distinguish the beast that cleanly. It was always there, hovering in the back of his mind, making him hyperaware of everything that happened around him. James, though smart in many things, was the least observant person he knew. James could be caught with his boxers showing in the middle of a press conference, and he wouldn't notice. But he noticed, just like he noticed Sirius watching them with much more intensity and interest. Sirius was always looking at them now, waiting for the moment they would betray their little affair to everyone.

But, Sirius wasn't going to say anything outright, he would wait, because he could. However angry or powerful Sirius might be, Remus had something over the other boy. He was stronger, smarter, and infinitely more patient. He could destroy Sirius in a moment, because he possessed that one element that Sirius, for all his anger and all his talent, did not.

Oh yes, he thought as he stared at the ceiling, I saw you standing there, looking at us, Sirius. You wanted to be there, didn't you? But you aren't. So don't make it anymore difficult. Leave James alone.

Chapter Da Second

"Really, Padfoot, you could put on some clothes," Peter grumbled. He covered his face with the paper and ignored the half-naked boy that was sauntering through the dormitory.

Sirius merely grinned, one hand on the towel around his waist, and tsked at Peter. "But think of all the disappointed boys and girls, Wormtail. What would they do without me?"

"Live well-adjusted normal lives?" James said. He was lying on his belly on his bed, reading over a History of Magic textbook. Remus was sitting against the headboard, reading a Quidditich magazine. James absolutely, for no reason, allowed the magazines to leave his bed. Therefore, anyone who wanted to read them had to sit on his bed.

"I was thinking they would rot in their little repressed balls of sad teenaged life," Sirius retorted. He frowned at James and then dropped the towel to pull on his boxers.

"Right," James said, "Missing a chance to see you strut around naked is going to ruin us for life."

"Incidentally, Sirius, did you have to give Severus that 'disappearing clothes' curse?" Remus asked. He looked up from the magazine briefly as he inquired, grimaced at the memory of the poor boy's embarrassment. "Now you have Lucius and his followers after us."

"After me," Sirius corrected. He sat on his bed as he tied his shoes. "Besides, Lucius is nothing compared to the Marauders Four, now is he?" With that, he flipped his hair back and ran a hand through the damp locks, smiling charmingly, and then pulled on his robe in a great swoosh before disappearing out of the room.

Peter uncovered his head and made a noise that sounded too much like a squeak before making some lame excuse so he could run off to watch the girls undress in the shower before he got caught and they screamed rat.

"Is it just me, or is Sirius getting progressively hornier?" James asked. He rubbed his leg against Remus' and waited for the answer.

Remus responded by rubbing his leg back and dropped the magazine. "I don't know. But sooner or later they might notice that I've read the same magazine five times. I don't like the sport that much." He leaned forward brushing his hand across James' thigh until the boy rolled onto his side.

"No they won't. And besides why don't you read another one? I have dozens." He motioned towards the stack under his pillow. They were hidden all throughout his bed, and it was a wonder that he didn't wake up in the morning covered in paper cuts.

"Because I don't like Quidditich. Other than watching you play." He moved forward, lying on his stomach. He ran a hand over James' clothed covered chest. "And of course, there is the added benefit of certain muscle developments. Although, I can't figure out why they would make you seeker when you have glasses…"

"I can see better than most people," James interrupted.

"Of course you can." Remus leaned in closer and smiled. "And you're smarter and faster than most the people on the team too."

"Naturally."

Remus tilted his head to one side, lifted James glasses away from his face and then pressed his lips against the other boy's. James smiled—Remus could feel it—and he wrapped one arm around Remus' waist, pulling him closer. Remus pulled away and kissed him again, softly, again and again.

And Remus knew, as he pulled James tight against him and kissed him, that Sirius was there, in the doorway. He felt that dark gaze until Sirius turned away and left them silently. And when he finally pulled away from James it was to smile and run a hand down his arm.

"I need my glasses back, Moony," James said. He took the glasses back from Remus and slipped them back on his face. "And I would love to lay here and…be here with you, I have to study." He kissed Remus one last time, and then turned back to book.

"Yeah," Remus said absently, "I need to go see what trouble Sirius is getting into." He stood up and winked at James. "But I'll be back." Remus left the room and descended the stairs silently. Sirius was leaving through the portrait when Remus entered the common room. With a sigh, Remus followed the retreating boy. Once into the hallway, he looked around, but he didn't see Sirius anywhere, so he walked quietly through the hallway until he heard the footsteps behind him.

Occasionally, the werewolf found in humorous how his friends constantly underestimated his abilities. Sirius might have found a way to hide, but he couldn't silence his footsteps. So Remus allowed the other boy follow him down the stairs and out into the yard before he turned around.

Padfoot was there, sitting on his haunches, head cocked to one side. He looked almost as if he were smiling. Remus shook his head sadly and continued to walk with the dog right next to his leg, following closely.

"You know, some people might eventually suspect something," Remus said. He patted the dog's head and scratched behind his ears. Padfoot was a lovable animal. He was sleek and huge, but he was lovable—and sometimes, Remus though Padfoot was Sirius' softer side.

"Talking to yourself, Lupin?" Lucius inquired. He was standing there, his blond hair slicked back and gleaming in the sun. He was drawn up, trying to be taller, and looking strangely regal. Severus was standing next to him, clutching his robes as if afraid they might disappear.

"There is so little good company," Remus replied. He crossed his arms purposefully, and glanced down at the dog next to him. Padfoot was sitting docilely at his feet. "It seems like a waste to speak with someone like you."

Briefly, Lucius smiled, and then his lips turned down in a sharp scowl. "Really, Remus, you might want to control that wit of yours. It could get you hurt."

"I'm shaking from fear," Remus replied, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to attend to someone more important than you." With that, he looked down at the dog and then motioned Padfoot forward, ignoring Lucius enraged glare. Once they were a safe distance away, Remus looked down at the animal again and sighed. "He has a glory complex from hell, doesn't he? Almost as bad as you." They walked behind a tree and Sirius changed back.

"Wow. I didn't know you were so bold. Now he's going to go after you too."

"Marauders Four, Sirius. That means all of us, not just you," Remus said. He dusted the leaves off Sirius' shoulders.

"Still, that was pretty bold. Not even James could have stood up under that sort of glaring." Sirius grinned maniacally and clapped Remus on the back, pulling him into an one armed hug. "I think I just might have taught you something after all."

Remus raised an eyebrow, smiled slightly, but said nothing. The thought lingered in his mind, though: now, if only I would rub off on you, we might be okay. Patience and moderation, Sirius, when are you going to learn that?

~~~~~~~~~

So, review if you hate it. Review if you love it. REVIEW!