A/N: This is very important. This chapter is rated R for a brief oral sex scene between the two principle characters. It's written in what I hope is a tasteful fashion with not a lot of detail, but it is there nonetheless. Therefore, if you feel squeamish about these things or are under age, please just skim over that section and continue. There won't be enough of these scenes to warrant changing the rating of the entire story, but I feel compelled to let you know for those it applies to. Many thanks to Star for helping me with this dilemma, you're wonderful. I hope you enjoy the chapter... Kat.

Chapter Four

Remus and Sirius got their wish, the Quidditch game didn't last long. Unfortunately this was because twenty minutes in, James Potter had to be rushed to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey hurried about, clucking over him like a mother hen. Remus, Sirius and Peter stood to one side, glumly looking over at James.

"It could be worse," Peter said cheerfully.

"How's that Wormtail?" James asked through gritted teeth. He didn't look at his friends but stared straight ahead. The pain shooting up his arm was making it difficult to concentrate on anything else.

"You could have broken both of them."

"Well, hold still," Madam Pomfrey said impatiently. She waved her wand over James' arm and he felt a tingling warm sensation. A moment later the pain was gone but the dizziness remained. "You should probably just rest for a bit," she said gently. "We should wait and make sure everything is fine. You three can leave and let Mr. Potter sleep please."

Sirius rolled his eyes at James but he had already closed his eyes and missed it. The three left, as being with a sleeping James wasn't much fun. As they were leaving, a breathless Lily was rushing in.

"Is he okay?" she asked anxiously.

"He's fine. Madam Pomfrey fixed him up. He's just resting now," Remus told her.

"Oh, alright," she said. She seemed almost disappointed, as if she regretted running all the way up to the hospital wing if he was fine. Nonetheless, she entered the hospital wing tentatively. When she located him she sat in the arm chair beside his bed watching the rise and fall of his chest while he breathed steadily.

"James?" she asked softly. He didn't respond. She got up from the chair and was about to leave when she heard a small noise like someone clearing their throat. She turned around and saw that James had opened his eyes and was now watching her.

"Made an arse out of myself earlier, didn't I?" he asked sheepishly.

"Well, if not paying attention to the bludgers and trying to impress me makes you an arse, then yes. You certainly did."

James flushed red, a contrast against the stark white sheets. Lily watched him in mild amusement before sitting in the armchair once again.

"You okay though?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. She was going to amputate the arm, but decided not to."

Lily raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. James cleared his throat to interrupt the awkward silence.

"I better get going then," Lily said, standing.

"Why?"

"Well, because I have things to do," Lily said, hoping she sounded determined and important.

"Why can't I be a thing that you do?" James asked casually. She raised her eyebrows at him. "Oh, not in that way," he said quickly. "Well, I won't complain if you want to though..."

"I don't want to and I won't want to, James Potter." She turned abruptly on her heel and made to leave.

"No, Evans! Lily come back! That came out all wrong!" He called, but no avail; she was leaving.

She had every intention of leaving. She even got to the door before she hesitated. Something in her wanted to stay there with him. A part of her wanted to listen to him ramble on while he tried to be charming. She stood for a moment, her hand on the doorknob. Suddenly the door opened away from her with a whoosh and Peter came in, Chocolate Frogs in hand. Lily quickly made her decision and left, leaving Peter startled at the flash of red hair that hurried past him.

"How long do you think Peter will be gone for?" Sirius asked, looking over at Remus. They had just come in from visiting James in the hospital wing. Peter had insisted on going back with Chocolate Frogs, not that Sirius or Remus had really argued.

"Long enough for us to finish what we were starting earlier," Remus guessed, a mischievous smile creeping onto his face.

"Or at least try."

Sirius was against him before Remus could answer. He pushed his body against the other boys, forcing Remus against the wall. As Sirius kissed him deeply, Remus untucked Sirius' shirt and undid the buttons hastily, almost too hastily as one button flew across the room and ricocheted against a lamp with a dull pinging sound . Sirius chewed on Remus' bottom lip for a moment before kissing and nibbling his way down his jaw, past his ear to his neck. Remus felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as Sirius stimulated his sensitive ears with his tongue, lips and teeth. A gasp escaped his lips before he could gain control over himself. Sirius really did know what he was doing, he mused briefly.

Sirius dropped his hands from where they had been around Remus' waist to allow his shirt to fall to the floor. Once the shirt fell to the floor, the hands returned to his waist once again. They lingered around the waistband of his pants, as if deciding whether to go North or South. They decided and slid downwards into the back pockets of his jeans.

Remus kneaded Sirius' back gently with his hands while Sirius pulled him even closer to him. Remus kissed Sirius briefly on the mouth before moving his attentions downwards. He kissed down the others chest and past the navel, following the thin line of dark hair that formed there. Sirius sucked in his breath as a reflex to Remus' tongue on his stomach. He chuckled lightly at the tickling sensation, causing Remus to laugh as well at the sensation of Sirius' stomach rising and falling on his lips. Sirius tangled his fingers in Remus' hair as he watched him undo his belt hastily but efficiently, like he had done this many times before. There was a jingle of buttons as they too came undone.

Remus teased his fingers around the zipper, causing Sirius to groan in impatience. Remus tsk'd at him and continued to tease. Sirius finally tilted his head back and willed himself not to rush, to be patient. It wasn't easy. When he looked down, Remus was looking up at him with his hazel eyes. After a brief smile Remus slid the zipper all the way down and pulled his pants down a smooth motion. Remus closed his eyes and listened to his lovers breath growing heavier as he fondled his erection through his boxer shorts. When the boxer shorts finally joined the pants around his ankles, Sirius let out a soft moan. He closed his eyes as he felt Remus' slow kisses and then his tongue caress him. Remus was really quite good. It was almost disturbing how good he was, Sirius thought vaguely. Just how many times had he done this? He pushed that thought aside hastily as he watched Remus briefly below him. He came quickly, quicker than he had intended. Remus didn't seem to mind though as they kissed briefly afterwards.

Sirius wanted to reciprocate, to please him, but when Remus held out Sirius' shirt for him, he knew they were done. Remus sat cross-legged on his bed and watched with interest as Sirius got dressed again.

"Don't you want me to..." Sirius trailed off.

Remus shook his head. "It's fine."

"Do I even want to know how you got so damn good?"

Remus reddened, secretly pleased that Sirius had enjoyed himself.

"You know you've ruined me?"

"How so?" Remus asked, reclining on his bed.

"I'm never going to be able to enjoy a woman, am I? She'll never be as good as you are."

"Well, that's the idea Padfoot," Remus said with a smile. Sirius sat on the bed with him after picking up the discarded button which had landed on James' bed. He leaned against the wall, still breathing heavily. "That was amazing," he breathed.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," Remus said politely, as if they were speaking of a film or a particularly good book. Sirius glanced sideways at him, slightly bewildered, wondering what had happened to the incredibly sexy bloke who had just serviced him. Remus stared straight ahead, his face blank. Sirius would give anything to know what he was thinking, but didn't want to ask so they sat in silence. They were still sitting there flushed when Peter entered moments later.

"How's James?" Sirius asked, getting up casually from Remus' bed. I'm getting better at this secrecy thing, he thought happily.

"He'll be fine," Peter said. He looked at Remus for a moment and then his eyes widened. "Is that a hickey?"

Remus' hand immediately went to his neck. "Where?"

"Right there!" Peter gawked. Remus hurried over to the mirror. Sure enough, there was a definite hickey on his neck.

"Who was it?" Peter asked.

"Yes, Moony, do tell," Sirius said, his eyes sparkling in amusement.

"It's not important," Remus shrugged. Sirius' eyes were no longer sparkling in amusement, but filled with hurt. Remus' offhand comment had somehow wounded him more than if Remus had made up some girl like Sirius had fully expected. Not important? What just happened was not important?

"Not important?" he echoed his thoughts. "Come on Moony, you have to tell us!"

"I would rather not," Remus said curtly. He reached for a book on the floor and opened it somewhere around the middle.

"Fine," Peter grumbled. "At least you're getting action."

"Ah Pete, cheer up," Sirius said. "You'll get laid eventually, and when you do you'll see what all the fuss is about."

Peter turned bright red at Sirius' blatant mention of sex. "I know what the fuss is all about!" He stuttered. Sirius laughed at him, causing Remus to frown slightly.

"When is James out of the hospital?" Remus asked to change the subject.

"Soon," Peter replied. "Tonight or tomorrow?"

"Good. The full moon is tomorrow night." Remus tried to sound casual but knew he hadn't at the way Sirius suddenly turned towards him.

"Hey Pete?" Sirius said suddenly.

"Yeah?"

"Can you be a pal and run to the kitchens to grab us something to eat? I'm starving."

"Why can't you go?" Peter asked, suddenly suspicious.

"Because you're so much better at sneaking around than I am." This was in fact a blatant lie. Peter was always the one they worried about the most when sneaking out of the castle, but Peter didn't have to know this. His face flushed at the compliment and nodded eagerly.

"What do you want?"

"Anything, just go." Sirius waved his hand impatiently towards the door and Peter left eagerly. Remus set down his book and looked at Sirius expectantly.

"Well?"

"Well what?" Sirius replied.

"Well, you got rid of Peter for a reason. I don't think you're particularly hungry and we both know that Peter is awful at sneaking around, in fact he's the reason we're all very good at silencing charms."

Sirius sighed. "Everything alright with you?"

"Yes," Remus said immediately.

"It's full moon tomorrow."

"Yes, I know," Remus said a bit testily.

"Is that why you're being moody?"

"Moody? I wasn't trying to be moody earlier, if that's what you're referring to."

"Alright," Sirius said, suddenly wishing he hadn't brought this up. When Remus fell silent as well, it was an uncomfortable silence. Unsaid dialogue filled the air between them, waiting to be voiced.

"Why won't you let me reciprocate?" Sirius asked suddenly.

Remus blinked twice. "I will. Later. I knew Peter was coming back at any minute today. Didn't want to be caught with my pants down. Literally." He paused and then asked, "Did you really think I didn't want you?"

Sirius murmured something incoherent and Remus chuckled to himself.

"Oh Padfoot. When has someone ever not wanted you?" Remus asked with a smile. When Sirius looked at him, suddenly serious, Remus realized his mistake. The people who were supposed to be most important in his life didn't want him. Had disowned him, in fact.

"I'm sorry," Remus said immediately. "I didn't mean..."

"'S okay. It doesn't matter."

Remus got up to go over to Sirius but froze when the door opened and Peter entered, hands full of food. Remus cursed Peter silently in three languages and grabbed a book from his bookshelf as if that had been his intention all along.

"Thanks, Wormtail," Sirius said, brightening slightly.

"You're welcome." He dumped the food on Sirius' bed and they both devoured the delicacies that the house elves had made for them. Remus watched them silently from his bed. Full moon tomorrow. It lay heavy over him. As the night fell he felt himself grow feverish as he usually did the eve before full moon. Sweat formed along his brow despite the cool towel resting there. When he got into bed that night he happened to glance over at Sirius' and found troubled pale eyes looking back at him. He gave a forced smile before closing the bed curtains and letting the darkness engulf him.

He slept fitfully, tossing and turning. Even though he was on top of his covers he was still sweating. He wished more than anything he could fall into a peaceful sleep but his wish was not granted. Instead he dreamed the same nightmares he always dreamed before full moon. They were his worst fears realized in his mind. Instead of being the wolf, he was standing from afar, watching the wolf. He watched the wolf turn on his friends, one by one, and rip them apart. They somehow couldn't transform no matter how hard Remus screamed at them to. It was always the same. He always murdered his friends the night before the moon and then awoke to find them alive. Even though he knew he would awake to find his friends alive, the dream was no less vivid. He didn't wake up in any less of a panic.

Tonight, however, he awoke as soon as the wolf started tearing apart Sirius. He awoke to stare at the very real and alive version of the murdered one in his dream.

"Are you alright?" Sirius whispered quickly. "I heard... You called my name."

Remus didn't answer, just pulled Sirius to him in an embrace. How close he had been to losing him again that night in his dream. Sirius crawled into bed beside him and pulled the curtain shut. Remus stared at him.

"You can't stay," he whispered.

"Yes I can and I will," Sirius replied. "I'll leave before Wormtail gets up tomorrow. It'll be fine. You'll be fine."

Remus didn't have the strength to argue with him, nor did he particularly want to when he felt strong arms around his body. He sighed softly and closed his eyes. Sirius kissed his neck and shoulder softly until he was sure Remus was asleep. He watched the other boy sleep for a few moments before surrendering himself to his own dreams.

For the first time that he could remember, Remus didn't have the nightmares before the full moon. In fact, he didn't have any dreams at all. In the morning when he awoke, he felt Sirius beside him and knew why. Sirius had released him from the nightmares. He had calmed the wolf into submission as he did every full moon. Remus felt a wave of gratitude sweep over him and fell back asleep, content in the arms of his lover.