Another day, another chapter. And again, closer to the end... -sighs- Okay, enough babble. This is where it starts to get good.

Disclaimer: I own no one and nothing from the Harry Potter books. They all belong to J. K. Rowling. This story is not for profit, only reviews and an ego boost.

Summary: On one hand, we have Remus: the quiet kind, a good boy. Mostly doing what's right. Sure, he's gay. No one knows about it. But now he's in love. On the other hand, Sirius: the troublemaker, gay, in love, much like Remus. The odds keep them apart, but can Fate bring them together?

Chapter 16

Sirius's POV

Darkness. Everything is shrouded in darkness. I know I'm unconscious. I can feel a soft bed under my back. I can even hear Madame Pompfrey speaking to me in comforting tones. I just can't bring myself to respond. Nothing seems to be working on my body. I'm scared. I've never been so afraid in my entire life. Even when I saw those Bludgers flying around.

Madame Pompfrey slips a potion between my lips, forcing me to swallow. It burns all of the way down.

James's voice is soon by my side. I can feel him hold my hand under the blankets. Peter must be near. James is very much against public displays of affection.

"Hey," he whispers. "Nice game you played. You're a naturalborn Beater. Now if only you can get over your fear of Bludgers." He laughs weakly.

"Exactly," Peter said. "But you did wonderful! Fantastic! Great!"

Peter is such a suck up. Sometimes I just want to punch him in his bloody face. Why James ever keeps him around, I will never know.

"Remus is here, too. He's visiting that... floozy..." I instantly know that he is talking about Hope Moon. "I don't know why he talks to her. She's such an arrogant prat. Then again, she is friends with Lily..." He said that last part thoughtfully.

There was that name again. For almost a week, he hasn't spoken that name. I'm barely listening as he keeps talking. Has he been thinking of her this whole time? Did I really not sway his feelings? Is it still Lily who holds his heart while I'm in his bed? Is it her he imagines touching when it's me he is caressing? As if sensing my fears, he squeezes my hand.

"I hope you get better soon, Sirius," he whispers against my ear. "I'll have a nice... surprise waiting for you, if you know what I mean."

Giving me a secretive peck on the cheek, he rises as a soft voice calls his name. Remus must have something to say to him. I feel him and Peter get up and leave. Leaving me to stew in my doubts.

There were times during our moments abed when James's eyes would take on a far away look. I had dismissed it then, but now the doubt tugged at my mind. Was he seeing aburn hair, green eyes as bright as fine emeralds, creamy skin, and a female body? Is that what he smiles about when he dreams in my arms?

My mind wanders in a whole different direction. Remus... soft brown hair, gentle eyes, the smooth, tanned skin... Those shy looks from under lowered lashes. My heart flutters. Even his name lately is enough to cause this feeling in me. It might just be my imagination, but I think I can feel myself smiling.

Sobs are suddenly the main occupation of the room's noise. I can tell who it is. The sobs are so heartwrenching even I feel horrid, as if it is something I've done to upset that person.

"Ssh, Remus," a female voice says. It's Hope talking. "Just let it all out. It will be all right.

"No, it won't! It won't, Hope! I love him! And it's so much that it hurts! Does he notice? No! Not at all! This isn't puppy love! It's the real thing! I will love Sirius Black for all my life!"

The room has gone silent with the exception of Remus's sobs. Did he really say what I think he did? I listen as he leaves the Hospital Wing, whispering something I can't hear. Damn his soft voice.

"Hope you heard that," Hope whispers. "Now don't say I never did you any favors, Black."

She planned it? God, she's a wiley one! I would have never thought of that! With that said, I hear her leave. I finally open my eyes for the first time since the accident.

"Finally awake, are we," Madame Prompfrey tuts, standing over me. "Well, drink this and be on your way to your room."

She hands me a small cup filled with a liquid that is a strange color of which I don't know the name. I down it, hoping it tastes sweet. Sadly, I am disappointed. The bitter goo gags me as it refuses to go down. I finally somehow manage to choke it down to my stomach.

With careful slowness, I head back up to the Gryffindor Common Room, thinking of the soft bed that awaits me. Just before I reach the portrait hole, a sound in a side corridor catches my ear. Always nosy, I look towards the corridor. There, I am witness to a heartbreaking sight.

Lily and James are in the corridor, groping at each other like a couple of dogs in heat. I'm too late to stop them from doing anything short of spending themselves. Soft, gagging noises are coming from my wide open mouth. James looks up at me, trying to form words.

"You whore..."

I storm up to the boys' dorms, James following with some diffilculty as he tries to pull his pants up.

"Sirius! Sirius, come back! Damnit, listen to me!"

Whirling around, I pin him with my most venomous glare. My heart feels like someone is squeezing it, waiting for it to pop and end my life.

"Siri, I'm sorry... I just... Lily and I love one another..."

"She hated you a week ago!"

"I know," he says, rubbing the back of his head. "Then one day, we got caught in a rainstorm, and I brought her up to the dorm, and... well..."

"That's the day you ditched our detention! You were screwing her? I can't believe you! You told me you hit your head during Quidditch practice!"

"Sirius..."

"No! Just leave me the fuck alone!"

I run upstairs and flop down on my bed. Tears start forming in my eyes, but I won't cry. No, not over... that. But I can't help it. The tears come anyway. Good thing I am alone in here. James is probably off snogging Lily again, Peter has detention, and Remus...

"Sirius?"