3:Surfacing Feelings

"Reem? Are you done yet?"

Remus glanced up from his potion's book.

Sirius lounged across the room in a chair by the window watching him intently.

This had been the fourth time the question had risen within two hours time, Remus could feel Sirius' restlessness and he sighed; knowing Sirius would much rather be playing Gobstones, Wizarding Chess or flying with James than watching Remus do homework he himself refused to do until the last minute. But for the life of Remus he couldn't understand why Sirius wouldn't find Peter to play with him. Why if he was so bored, didn't he get up and do something about it?

"Why don't you join me?" Remus asked for the fifth time, Sirius shook his head grimacing.

"I'd much rather do something else with you."

Remus' heart gave a jolt but didn't let himself falter. "I know you're bored, but I want to get this done. If you do your homework, like you're supposed to, it'll take your mind off things."

"That rubbish is boring too."

Remus sighed once more, he truly enjoyed Sirius' companionship but Sirius' complaints had a limit.

"What would you like me to do?" Remus asked with slight exasperation, turning to Sirius shutting his book, and laying his quill neatly beside it.

Sirius surveyed him quietly for a moment. He placed a hand under his chin in mock concentration, looking to the common room ceiling for an answer.

Remus had a feeling one of Sirius' favourite pastimes was to tease him, which seemed fairly obvious as Sirius practically glowed with enjoyment and Remus began to suspect this was all staged.

After a long minute's pause of silence, Sirius returned his gaze to Remus, a grin on his face.

"What do you want to do?"

Remus showed his full exasperation, but a smile increasing in size ruined his attempt at annoyance.

"Whatever'll take place of your plague of boredom."

Sirius smiled approvingly.

"So then I may work in peace." He added, grinning mischievously.

This was the trigger.

Sirius strode to Remus' seat by the fireplace and sat in the chair in front of him. He perched on the edge, his eyes narrowed, upper body leaning forward.

Remus took this as a challenge. He shifted in his seat, so that he too was on the edge leaning forward, his elbows rested on his knees, his fists cupping his chin.

They began a stare down, the circular table holding Remus' school work the only thing in-between them.

Remus was good at not breaking his gaze and Sirius knew it. He grinned, Remus grinned back. He stuck out his tongue, Remus was unphased, he tried to blow a raspberry without scrunching his eyes closed, he failed and Remus chuckled. Finally, on the verge of forfeit, Sirius, never blinking, moved forward, taking Remus by surprise, and planted a kiss on the other boy's lips.

Remus broke his gaze before Sirius was upon him, dumb-struck he sat, Sirius' lips firmly interlocked with his own then suddenly he pushed Sirius away.

"N-no." Remus mumbled, his face flushed, his hands clammy.

The smile slid from Sirius' face, he too was pink in the cheeks and breathing heavily.

"You didn't want me to kiss you?"

Remus shook his head automatically, then caught himself nodding.

"Which is it?" Sirius asked, leaning back in his chair, still tense and full of adrenaline, his voice showing his hurt.

"I-" Remus couldn't find himself able to speak, his thumping heart lodged in his wind pipe.

Sirius frowned.

He wanted Sirius to kiss him right? Yes and no. His head began to throb in time with his heart.

"When you've come to a conclusion..." Sirius trailed off moodily. He slid from his seat and strode to the portrait hole, he glanced back once and disappeared.

Remus' brow furrowed in anguish.

Was Sirius mad at him? Was he disappointed? Yes of course. Would he refuse to speak to him?

Remus leapt from his chair, knocking over his things as he did so, he hurried after Sirius.