Author's Note: So this is the real end of the story. I know, no kissing or anything. Which is why I wrote the epilogue. It's got some kissing and funnyness, I hope. But it's okay to end here too. Not that I think anyone will ; )
Disclaimer: Character's are not mine. None of them. At all.
Madame Pince wakes him the next morning with a quiet scolding, but no detention or points lost. It is early, about six, so Remus has time to get up to his room to change before breakfast and classes. The portrait hole swings open sullenly and Remus steps into the common room, grateful for the warmth inside the Tower in comparison to the chilly stone corridors of the rest of the school, and relieved to see that no one is awake—or at least downstairs—yet. However, as soon as he opens the dormitory door, Remus becomes aware that someone is not asleep. Nevertheless, the werewolf creeps into the room.
Someone sits up suddenly. "M-moony?" It is Sirius.
Remus closes his eyes against the fresh wave of anxiety, fear, and sorrow, for surely he's ruined their friendship now, with his stupidity. He ignores Sirius, not ready yet to pretend that nothing ever happened, and makes his way to his bed and opens his trunk. As he pulls out a fresh shirt, Remus hears the slide of sheets as someone—Remus doesn't need to guess who—climbs out of bed and pads over. The werewolf does not turn around, but pulls off his jumper and unbuttons his shirt. Sirius seems to be waiting for him to face him, but he doesn't. Instead, Remus shrugs out of his shirt and is about to put on the clean one when hands grab his shoulders. At the sensation, all the breath leaves Remus's body and he shivers.
"Remus. Why won't you look at me? Why won't you talk to me?"
Because, Remus wants to say, because I'm afraid that if I look at you, I'll kiss you. And if I talk to you, I'll say 'I love you'. And after I say it once, I won't be able to stop.
"Rem. Please." Sirius's voice cracks; it sounds a bit like what Remus's heart is doing. "Please, just turn around."
So he does, eyes shut tight so he can't do anything Wrong. He's getting goose pimples on his arms and chest from the cold air on his skin, but he doesn't move, just in case his heart takes over after his muscles start moving and make him kiss or hug Sirius. Inertia, or something like that.
Sirius sighs—it sounds a bit like a sob, but Remus ignores that—and then his warm hands move from the werewolf's shoulders—Remus also ignores how he feels without his hands there—and are used to cup his face. Remus's eyes fly open in shock. This is a Big Mistake, because as soon as he sees Sirius, he can't look away.
There are tears on his cheeks—apparently Remus was right, Sirius has been crying—and he looks to hurt, like someone just tore out his heart and stomped on it. Remus finds he can sympathize.
"Rem, I'm so sorry…"
Remus blinks. Why is Sirius apologizing? He is startled into speaking. "Wh-what?"
"I said I'm sorry, if I did something stupid—I mean, besides the obvious." Remus looks at Sirius, puzzled. "I know I should have come after you, when you ran away." Remus tries to break free, so he can look away, but Sirius holds fast. "Just listen to me. I was going to, but I had to beat up Lestrange and those other two bastards first. They…I can't explain it. They just made me so mad, the way they treated you. The look on your face when they read the…you know. I just wanted to…I dunno. It made me crazy. And then, I was halfway through thrashing Lestrange—I already knocked the other two out—when McGonagall found me and I got an immediate detention. I only got out an hour ago, and I was going to go find you, only I didn't know where you were, and I know I'm just making excuses, and if you want to ignore me now, I won't blame you, because I know I deserve it. Only I just wanted you to hear why I couldn't follow you and make it alright."
"A-alright?" Remus is crying now too, silently, hope, love, and fear warring in his heart. He looks up at Sirius, not allowing himself to interpret those words.
Sirius makes an anguished sound at the back of his throat. He takes a deep breath, and then pulls Remus to him, hugging him tightly. They fit together so perfectly, like glove to hand. Remus freezes in Sirius's arms, not breathing, as if he might exhale away this dream. Sirius turns him around so the werewolf's back is pressed to his chest.
With a sigh, Remus rests his head against the junction of Sirius's shoulder and neck. Sirius twists a strand of moonlight-frosted golden hair around one finger and, wrapping his arms around Remus, whispers,
"Sirius Black loves Remus J. Lupin too."