Collar

Chapter Three --
Lion

"You know, I could almost hate you for the way you use him."

"What's with you?"

"I just said it."

"Who, Remus? How am I using him?"

"You think I'm deaf and blind, don't you? He's completely hung up on you, Sirius. How can you not see that? He does anything you ask him to do ..."

"I pay him in chocolate, of course."

"Stop it. This isn't funny."

"He doesn't mind, Prongs. If he minded he'd tell me. Besides, I don't ask for anything particularly kinky."

"That's just the point! If you did ask for it, he'd give it to you."

"I know. He would. But I don't ask, so how am I using him?"

"Idiot."

"What? Even you must have noticed he seems happier now. Back in fourth year he had me really worried for a while."

"He perked up long before he started sleeping with you, so don't you dare play noble rescuer on me. Remus deserves a lot better than you."

"Of course he does. He deserves better than me, or you, or even the great Lily Evans. He deserves better than the world can offer him. Let's face it, Remus is a saint. And after what his dad did to him – still does to him – he deserves a little comfort wherever he wants it. I mean, have you seen the scars on him?"

"I don't make a point of stripping him."

"Oh, shut up. Point is, he gets what he asks for from me too."

"But he never asks."

"You don't listen very well, do you? He does ask sometimes."

"I don't want to listen, freak. But whatever, he asks, and you expect. And you demand a lot more than him."

"I don't demand. He's happy to give me whatever I want. He doesn't mind. You can ask him yourself."

"You really think he'll tell you the truth?"

"Yes. He knows he can tell the truth to me."

"Right. Out of curiosity, when did you decide to be gay? Not that it changes anything."

"I still like girls. I'm not into guys in general, just Remus. I mean, God, he's so innocent. And beautiful! I can't believe it took me so long to realize how drop-dead beautiful he is."

"Spare me. I'm surprised he doesn't hold back. He doesn't even make friends easily. I mean, I doubt he knows what he's doing in bed ..."

"That's the funny part, he does. Instinct, I guess ..."

"Oh, quit fantasizing. What I'm trying to say is that it's weird he's not bothered by having sex with you."

"He told me he's wanted to do that since he was twelve."

"Just because he's our resident saint, doesn't mean he can't lie."

End

A/N: The sequel is called "Doth I Protest." Please review.