Characters: Remus and Sirius
Rating: PG for angstiness
Summary: MWPP era. Takes place shortly after The Prank. No spoilers; minor, obscure slashy undertones.
Author's Note: Feedback is like air to me, and con. crit is very much welcome and appreciated. Written for a challenge on LiveJournal. You're supposed to think about the given lyrics then write a story in about 20 minutes. I did this in 17 minutes, which is faster than I do my Spanish homework. Yay me :) Around 580 words.He was leaning against the wall across from the Prefect's bathroom waiting for Remus to appear. One foot was flat against the wall behind him and he drummed his fingers against his thigh. To the casual passer-by, he would look impatient. That wasn't unusual, after all, Sirius impatiently awaiting his much more subdued friends.
But he was nervous. Scared out of his mind, actually.
The door across from him opened and Remus came out, laden with his towel and robes, clad in his threadbare pajamas. He stopped short as Sirius stood up straight and took a half step toward him.
A heavy silence filled the corridor. Finally, Sirius found his voice. "Remus..."
Remus shook his head slowly, damp hair flying and sticking to his face. "No, Sirius," he interrupted, "I don't want to hear it." He turned from the boy in front of him and started to shuffle down the corridor back to Gryffindor Tower. In his head, he was counting down from five. Sirius couldn't stand to be ignored or, worse, cut off. When he reached zero, and wasn't tackled or yelled at, he almost faltered before regaining his grip on his anger and carrying on.
"Moony. Please."
Now, he did falter. There was a pleading note in Sirius's voice that Remus had never, in five years of living with him, ever heard. It almost scared it him. Remus stopped his retreat, but didn't turn, clearly making his point of I'll listen, but I won't be making any extra effort. He heard Sirius take one step forward, then stop before speaking again, voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm so sorry, Remus." Sirius's voice cracked and Remus felt his resolve waver slightly. "I'm an idiot. I..." He stopped, whether to reign in his emotions or to find the words, Remus wasn't sure. "I...There's nothing I can say is there? We're never going back are we," he added painfully, finally realizing the gravity of his mistake.
Remus shook his head slowly as he turned to face Sirius. "No. No, we're not." He could see Sirius blinking furiously, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed heavily, his hands clenching his robes. He wanted to pity him. Really. He did. But..."I almost...You almost...If it hadn't been for James...You set me up to murder someone, Sirius."
Remus's cool demeanor was cracking. He hated how Sirius did this to him. Coherent thought was nearly impossible and emotions ran wild. Sirius's effect on him coupled with the memories of that night were destroying his cool facade. "I thought I knew you, Sirius. But I was wrong. And to be brutally honest, I'm terrified of you."
The look on Sirius's face made Remus want to run to him, hug him, kiss him, hit him, anything to make it go away. Instead, he turned and walked away, silent tears streaming down his cheeks, Sirius's nearly-silent sobs reaching his ears.
As he turned the corner, he paused, chancing a look behind him. Sirius was in the same place, holding his head in his hands. He looked up and met Remus's eyes. "I love you."
Remus blinked once, before turning his back.Author's Note 2: I really do love Remus! He's one of my favorite characters. I swear. I need to write a lovely fluffy Remus after this....
