Woes of the Moon

by Raei

Remus Lupin has never experienced love other then that of his mother. When he starts to feel different towards a certain marauder, things rapidly change - but for the better or worse? Only time will Tell. (RL-SB, Slash)

30. Chapter 30

'Dear Remus,

Your father has informed me of the identity of your mate. Though I can say that I was rather surprised at the time, I've thought about it and I've decided that I don't mind that it is a man instead of a woman. Somehow I've always figured that you weren't meant to be with a woman. Don't take this as an insult – because it isn't. Not in the slightest. I'm just so very happy that you've finally found someone to love you and accept what you are.

Things around the house have been slow; I've been doing a lot of spring-cleaning. You'd be amazed at the amounts of dust you find underneath and around things after winter. Do you remember when you used to follow me around all day when you were a boy, with a little rag over your hair and a duster in your hand? Oh you used to love to dust, Remus. It was your most favorite thing to do. There were times when I would simply sit on a couch or on a chair, and watch you skip around the house – humming a song and dusting absolutely everything that looked as if it needed dusting. Oh you were such a precious little boy. But – that's getting off topic and threatening to help the tears fall from my eyes. Memories are so very amazing, Remus. The power that they hold is most unfathomable.

Your father has told me that you've got the highest marks in this school year along with... who was it? Oh yes, Sirius Black. He's your mate, right? Well anyway, I'm so very sorry that I wasn't able to make it to the meeting, but I was held up around the house with a rather nasty dwarf infestation. I've taken care of it now – but it would have been lovely if I'd have had your help. No matter, though! It's all done. And I am so, so proud of you, Remus – know that.

Now, I suppose you've scanned this letter through and through to find the answer to the question you posed to your father and I, right? You would have... the first thing you would have done is scan the letter. Your father and I have spoken at great length about this idea of yours... and we've decided that it would be better if he were not to come with us to see your Grandmamma. I am sorry, Remus my love – but she is in no state to be accepting company outside of blood relations. Maybe he can come and see us later in the year – for Thanksgiving or Christmas? While I realize that you are more than likely to go into a tirade about this – I would ask you not too. I suspect that deep down in your heart you knew the answer to be no. I am very sorry for having the answer end at no, but please do accept the reasoning for it, darling. We shall see you next when July comes to an end.

All my love,
Mama'

Remus sighed upon finishing the letter. He had received it that night, and was now sitting in the comfortable and fairy-overstuffed chair beside the fire in the Gryffindor common room. The family owl that had delivered the letter was sitting on the armrest; his eyes closed as he rest. Remus looked towards the owl and reached out, running the back of his finger along the chest of the great bird. The owl, which was named Louie, opened his large yellow eyes and cooed softly at the touch. Remus managed a small smile as he spoke to the bird.

"I havn't got a return letter, nor do I have any owl treats..." Louie shook his head, and hooted to make his discomfort known. Remus smile widened faintly. "But I am sure that if you go to the Owlery – there will be food there, and you can rest for the night before heading back to Mama and Papa if you choose too."

Louie sat and looked at Remus for a moment before leaning into the stroke on the top of his head and lightly nipping Remus' finger before spreading his wings and taking off through the open window at the top of Gryffindor tower. Remus looked up and watched as Louie's large form disappeared into the clouds as he head towards the Owlery. Remus sighed once more as he looked towards the letter.

"What's wrong, Remus?"

Remus looked up to be greeted with a girl with long red hair. "Oh... I just got a letter back from my Mama about... you know – asking if Sirius would be able to come stay with us for a while." Remus gently thrust the letter up at her and shifted over in the chair so she would be able to sit down beside him. "Here, read it if you'd like."

Lily took the letter and smiled as she took a seat beside Remus, blushing slightly when Remus rest his head on her shoulder, closing his eyes. Lily held the letter up and began to read it, her green eyes darting back and forth. Now and then she would smile at things his mother would say, before she came across some interesting content and felt the need to voice it. "You used to dust with a rag tied around your head?"

Remus nodded against her shoulder. "Sometimes. Dusting is rather fun... but, only if you get to wear your mother's frilly apron while doing it."

Lily broke out into a warm laugh. "You used to wear a frilly apron?"

"What can I say? I'm gay."

Lily giggles died down slightly. "Oh, well now your being stereotypical."

Remus shrugged. "As long as no one else finds out about the frilly apron, I'll be as stereotypical as I want to be."

Lily nodded and returned her eyes to the parchment letter infront of her. She finished the letter and folded it up again, holding it sideways for Remus to take it. Remus had by this time opened his eyes, and, as he took the letter - he laid it in his lap, covering it with his hands.

"Are you upset?"

"No... I knew they'd say no. I just needed to ask to be sure."

"Oh... I see. Well – I'm sure that it won't be that bad... like your mother said, he can come around during Thanksgiving or Christmas."

Remus frowned and lifted his head nodding. He then look down and began to pick at the edges of the letter. "I know. I but I wanted him to be there with me for the first few days... I want him to meet my parents – both my parents - when it doesn't involve being in Dumbledore's office."

Lily looked down at the letter in Remus' lap. She took one of his hands in her own, placing it into her lap, thus stopping his picking at the letter. At this, Remus laid his head back down on her shoulder. "I know, but you will be able to see him soon, Remus. Your parents wouldn't knowingly cut you off from someone you love. For now, you just have to be there with your Grandmother, and help her last few days be the best."

Remus sighed. The air going into his answer back. "I know... but I can't help but hope that she dies tomorrow and that I don't have to go with her."

"Remus! That's a horrible thing to say!"

"But I'd be lying if I said I hoped that she would live until autumn." Remus heaved another sigh and crossed his leg towards Lily. "I hate having to leave and go to France. It's too far away from everyone and everything."

"What are you going to do when you get there?" Lily began to draw small designs on the top of Remus' hand.

"I don't know... go to secondary wizarding school I suppose."

"What are you going to study?"

"Defense Against The Dark Arts. It's my best class, and the one I know most about." Remus gestured towards his body. "All things considered..."

Lily nodded and rest her head against the top of Remus' head. "So you're going to study to become a Professor? Or are you planning to work at the Ministry?"

Remus was quiet for a moment, mulling over what Lily had just said. "Professor maybe... I don't think that I'm cut out for working in the Ministry – too many people."

"Well if you're a Professor, then you'll have students running around you all the time. There is far more students mixed with Professors than there are people working at the Ministry, Remus."

"I know. But at Hogwarts – I know the surroundings, I know the teachers. It'd be more comforting to be teaching in a place that I knew like the back of my hand." Remus felt Lily nod against the top of his head. "Besides, who in their right mind would hire a bloody werewolf other than Dumbledore?"

Lily laughed. "No one."

"Exactly. So, either I become a Professor and teach here – or, I live on the streets in Paris... selling my body for my next hit of heroine." Remus smiled and shook his head.

"Well, if that ever happens – you can come live with James and I... we'll support everything but your heroine habit."

"Excellent!" Remus laughed and sat up, running a hand through his hair. Remus turned around and looked at Lily, raising his hand to her cheek. "Thanks Lils..."

"What for?" Lily's smile was wistful as her eyebrows furrowed just a little before straightening out.

"For being a friend."

Lily blushed and her smile widened. "Anything for you, Remus."

Remus sat back and clasped his hands in his lap, crossing his legs once more towards Lily as he sunk into the chair. The two sat in silence, their attention captured by the dancing fire. Realizing that he had forgotten his watch up on his bedside table, Remus turned his head to look at Lily after the long silence. "What time is it?"

Lily broke her gaze and looked towards Remus. "Hmm? Oh..." She lift her delicate hand and looked at the watch. "About half past seven. Why?"

"I was wondering where Peter was. We havn't been seeing much of him at all lately." Remus turned his head again and looked towards the fire. "What do you think he's up to?"

"Oh I don't know, a new girlfriend perhaps? Maybe he's spending all his time studying."

Remus' laugh sounded more or less like a scoff than anything else. "Oh yes, Peter... studying – that'll be the day that hell freezes over."

"Hey now... Peter does study – he just doesn't take anything in..." Lily grinned when Remus began to giggle slightly.

"Yes... but in all honesty – I havn't seen him all week except for classes. What can he be doing that's so important that he has to bugger off and never spend time with his friends?"

Lily looked towards the sudden noise at the stairs and then back towards Remus. "Well, why don't you ask him yourself?"

"Wha? Oh!" Remus jumped up and looked towards the stairwell. "Oi! Peter! Come here!"

Peter looked up from the book he was reading and around the room until his eyes fell on Remus. Peter smiled and started a new course towards his friend. "Oh hey Remus, Lily... what's up?"

Lily smiled and crossed her legs, resting her hands on her knee as she lent forward. "Hello, Peter."

Remus crossed his arms. "Where have you been the last week?"

"Oh... you know – reviewing, studying."

Remus looked down at Lily and smirked. Lily returned the smile and lent back.

"Is that so? Well why havn't you found the time to sit around with us?" Remus raised an eyebrow and lent forward slightly.

"Erm..." Peter lent back from Remus and his eyes darted towards Lily for a second before moving back to Remus. "I don't know... I always figured that you didn't care if I was around or not... so I didn't think it mattered, that's why I didn't tell you."

"Of course we care if you're around, Peter!" Remus smiled and lent back. "You're our friend, are you not?"

Peter narrowed his eyes. "You Remus, have taken on Sirius' personality."

Lily smiled as she spoke, tilting her head to the side slightly. "Is that why you've been so detached? Too many Sirius' running around?"

"Um..."

"I'd be scared right out of my pants if there was more than one." Lily looked towards Remus. "But, you are right Peter, he does act a little bit more like Sirius than he does himself."

Remus narrowed his eyes at Lily as she spoke. "Wait until I tell Sirius that you all think I'm a clone of him... I'm sure he'd get quite upset with you, Lily dearest."

"Ohh, is that so? Well – why don't you run and tell him, and let me know what he says?" Lily tilted her head towards Remus and grinned.

"See, I would, but – I havn't got a clue where he is."

"They're at the Quidditch pitch." Peter spoke up, his eyebrows raised.

"...They?" Remus turned his head and looked at Peter.

"James and Sirius... Sirius is helping the team captain with James's training." Peter closed the book he was holding and dropped his hand, holding the book at his side.

"Hmmm... well in that case, I do know where they are – and I am still not yet motivated enough to move." Remus grinned and uncrossed his arms, stretching. He lent back far enough to crack his back and allow about 5 inches of his stomach to show from under his shirt.

By this time, Sirius and James had entered the room. Sirius walked towards Lily, Remus, and Peter and watched as Remus let his arms fall from above his head to cover his face as he yawned. Smirking, Sirius put a finger over his lips as he tiptoed towards his boyfriend. Then, just as Remus was about to pull his hands away from his face, Sirius reached out and grabbed Remus' waist, pulling him towards his body in a hug. This was the first time that any of Remus' friends had heard him give Lily a run for her money in the form of a scream. Sirius winced, as Remus had just screamed, no, screeched into his right ear.

Remus stood with wide eyes as he breathed heavily, attempting to catch his breath and will his heart to slow down. Remus blinked at looked up into Sirius' eyes. "If you do that again, I am going to castrate you and send you to live with the choir boys."

"Aww... you wouldn't... you need that part of my anatomy just as much as I do." Sirius placed a gentle kiss to Remus' neck. "Hello."

"Some hello." Remus pouted as he felt his heart begin to slow down. "You scared the shit out of me."

Sirius' breath was warm on Remus ear when he spoke. "I'm sorry love, I won't do it again."

"You'd better not..." Remus lifted his arms from between his and Sirius' body and wrapped them around Sirius' neck. Remus smiled before he felt Sirius's lips against his own.

"Get a room." James laughed as he sat down on the arm of the chair beside Lily.

"No thank-you, I happen to enjoy public displays of affection." Sirius grinned as he left one arm around Remus' waist and turned to face James.

"What for?"

"Because it makes Peter squeamish." Sirius winked when he looked over at his pudgy friend. "Speaking of which, where have you been Wormtail?"

"Studying."

"Studying?!" Sirius began to laugh, as did James. Remus rolled his eyes and let his hands fall from around Sirius' neck and to his sides. "Peter, Peter, Peter – you do not study."

"I do so!" Peter shoved the book he was holding in Sirius' direction. "See?"

Sirius removed his arm from around Remus' waist and took the book. Sirius looked from the book to Peter, and back again. He cleared his throat before he began to speak. "'Advanced Divination: A Guide to the Universe'...?"

"Since when did you take Advanced Divination?" James cocked his head to the side and raised his eyebrow. "I don't remember that on your schedule in the beginning of the year."

"Oh!" Peter took the book back from Sirius and brushed the surface of it off – as if he was brushing off dust. "Well I started taking an extra class after school the second week into the school year. The regular class was really easy – so I talked to McGonagall and she switched it around for me after she spoke with Dumbledore. They let me do both classes at once." Peter's face broke out into a large smile as soon as he had finished talking.

"Is that so..." Sirius lifted his arm and clapped Peter on the back. "Well – good luck on the N.E.W.Ts test next month then."

"It's actually really easy! I don't think I'll have a problem with it. Even though I'm taking two classes with the same subject manner." Peter grinned.

"Really...? Well... wow, that's... that's... rather surprising." James smiled as he watched Peter nod.

"Right... well... as much as I'd love to stay and chat – I need a shower." Sirius put his hands to his hips.

Remus raised his eyebrows as he took a breath, noticing a smell that wasn't there before. "Oh my dear God... yes you most certainly do..." Remus wrinkled his nose and looked off to the side, his face in a slight grimace.

Sirius grinned and turned to Remus. "Care to join me?"

"I've already showered, thank-you."

"You sure?" Sirius lifted his eyebrow and smirked.

Remus studied Sirius' face for a moment before shaking his head. "No. I'm already clean."

"Oh for Christ's sake – just go stand in there with him or he won't let it die, Moony." James crossed his arms loosely across his chest and shook his head.

At this, Sirius broke into a large smile and raised his eyebrows. "You're an excellent friend, Prongsie. You know me very well."

Remus sighed and rolled his eyes. "Fine. Get moving."

Sirius grinned and took Remus' hand as he began to walk towards the staircase. "Don't wait up for us!"

"That's disgusting!" Peter made a face and sat down on the couch.

"It's not quite as disgusting as you think it is Peter. It's really rather quite nice."

Remus let go of Sirius hand and placed both his hands onto Sirius back – pushing him up the stairs. "Shut up and get moving Casanova."

"You really think I'm that good?"

"Again, Shut UP!"

"Be careful Remus, you may just hurt my feelings."

"If you don't shut up I may hurt more than your feelings... now lift your damn feet and walk up the bloody stairs you useless lump of a person!"

"I resent that."

"Resent it all you want, just MOVE while you do it."

"They are definitely two of a kind." Lily shook her head and laughed as the bickering couple's voices slowly began to fade, and, by the sounds of their voices – both were smiling. James nodded his head as he looked at the stairs, and Peter shook his head and rolled his eyes as he opened his book and began to read once more.

Remus hopped up onto the counter and tucked his hands underneath his thighs as he watched the fuzzy image of Sirius in the shower. Remus began to shake his head as soon as Sirius had started to sing 'twinkle, twinkle little star' as he washed his hair. A whining 'Oww' interrupted the song every now and then, considering he had seemingly just developed a terrible problem of keeping the shampoo out of his eyes.

"IT STINGS REMUS!"

"Then wash it out, Sirius." Remus laughed, shook his head, and looked down at his feet, which he had begun to swing. Remus soon heard gurgling noises from the shower. "...Did you get it in your mouth?"

"No... I was thirsty."

"And being thirsty means that you have to gurgle instead of drink?"

Sirius spat out a mouthful of water and gave Remus an excited answer. "...Yes!"

"Are you done?"

"I have to wash my back still, you slave driver!"

"I asked once Sirius."

"See above answer!"

Remus rolled his eyes and smiled. "There is no above answer, this isn't a multiple choice test."

"It can be a multiple choice test, you know."

Remus sighed. "Ooh, okay... so, give me your answer: You are either a) done, b) not done, c) nearly done, or d) none of the above."

A pause, then a very keyed up answer. "E!"

"There is no 'e', Sirius." Remus shook his head and smiled as he looked down at his swinging feet.

"Sure there is, you just don't realize it."

"You know, you're like those people who when you ask them to pick a number between one and three they immediately yell out five." Remus heard Sirius break out into laughter.

"How right you are... though I've only done that once."

"I know... I was the one who asked you to pick."

"Huh... Fancy that... TOWEL!"

Remus hopped off of the counter and walked towards the towel that Sirius had brought into the shower. He picked it up and held it out, waiting for Sirius to turn off the water.

"Have you seen the soap, Remus?"

"No, Sirius. I havn't been in the shower. You are currently in there – so, look for it." Remus shook his head, a smile playing on his lips.

"I can't find it, Remus." Sirius opened the door leading to the shower. "Help me!"

"No, Sirius, I – AHHH!!"

Sirius had reached out, grabbed Remus by the waist, and pulled him into the shower stall. Remus stood under the fountain of water, eyes closed, soggy towel in one hand. Remus opened his eyes and glared up at Sirius.

"Why my dear, you look like a drowned rat." Sirius grinned and reached forward, brushing a strand of hair out of Remus' face.

"That's it, Sirius Black. No sex for a year." Remus growled and threw the towel down on the tiled floor and began to walk towards the shower door.

"That's not fair!"

"Yeah? And neither is bloody well soaking me you insolent brat!" Remus whirled around, sending little droplets of water to spray Sirius in the face.

Sirius immediately sobered. "Wow... that was really low of you to say."

Sirius shook his head and moved to turn off the tap. He then pushed past Remus and out into the bathroom. Remus rolled his eyes and ran his hands through his hair, following Sirius out of the shower stall.

"Sirius-"

"Nevermind Remus, just... let me get a towel and I'll be out of here in a minute."

"Your not being fair, Sirius."

Sirius turned around, clearly angry, as his cheeks had begun to take on a pink tinge. "And you're being a right asshole."

Remus was taken aback slightly. He furrowed his eyebrows. "What...?"

"You're being an asshole Remus."

"Yeah because you fucking soaked me!"

Sirius shook his head and turned to leave the bathroom. Remus quickly jumped forward and grabbed Sirius' wrist. "Wait-"

"No, Remus... I was trying to cheer you up but obviously that's not going to happen because you're being a real..." Sirius stopped and took a breath. "Just... let go of me before I say something I'm going to regret."

"Do you want to know why I'm not in the best of moods? Did it ever occur to you to ask?"

Sirius whipped his wrist out of Remus' hand. "Why Remus? Is your perfect life not going so well anymore? If so, please, do enlighten me with your horrible reason as to why you are in such a bad mood."

Remus took a deep breath to calm his anger. "I got the letter back from my mother tonight."

"So?"

"The answer is no, Sirius. After graduation I won't be seeing you for a very, very, long time. Excuse me if that isn't reason enough to be upset." Remus immediately dropped his head and pushed past Sirius, leaving the bathroom.

Sirius' gaze fell to the floor as he felt realization sweep over him. He brought his hands up to his face and scrubbed his eyes. "...Shit..." Sirius turned around and started to follow his boyfriend. "Remus!"

Sirius went to the only place that would have made sense – the dorms. And upon entering, he found Remus to be frantically looking through his suitcase, looking for dry clothes.

"Remus I-"

"Drop it, Sirius... just... let me find my clothes and get out of here." Remus pulled out a pair of jeans and threw them onto his bed.

"No. I'm not going to ignore something that's so obviously made you upset."

Remus turned around, his eyes brimming with tears as he held a t-shirt in his hands. "What and it hasn't made you upset?" Remus turned around again and began to search for a pair of boxers.

"Yeah, Remus – I am upset about it but-"

"But what Sirius? But you don't really care? But you knew it would happen?" Remus threw a pair of clean boxers onto his bed on top of the sweater. He then began to peel off his soaked shirt.

"No! Will you bloody well let me finish?!"

Remus rolled his eyes, throwing his wet shirt to the corner with a dull thump. He then turned around and crossed his arms. "Fine. Finish."

Sirius ran a hand through his hair. "I was going to say that I was sorry for calling you an asshole, and pulling you into the shower."

"Lovely. Thank-you – apology accepted. Is that all?"

"Why are you being so damn difficult?!"

"Because I'm upset, Sirius! I just found out that I'm going to be separated for months from the one person that I love more than anything in the world and there isn't a damn thing I can do about it!" Remus felt tears begin to fall down his cheeks as he took in a deep breath.

"Remus just... come here..." Sirius began to walk forward as he held out his arms.

"No! I'm wet and I need to change!" Remus turned around and slammed the top of his trunk down before beginning to work on the belt of his pants. He blinked furiously, trying to see through the tears that had clouded his eyes.

Sirius walked up behind Remus and wrapped his arms around Remus' waist, stilling his frantic hands. He kissed the back of Remus' neck and felt Remus' body shudder as he began to cry.

"Shh... baby I'm right here, it's okay." Sirius kissed Remus' shoulder and began to lightly sway back and forth. "Shh..."

Remus' breath caught in his throat as he cried. "I hate them... why did they have to-" Remus dropped his head to his chest and let out a hitched breath.

"I don't know, but we can work through this, Rem..." Sirius' voice was soft and gentle as he pressed his cheek to the side of Remus' head.

Remus pushed away from Sirius and turned around, his amber eyes flashed yellow for an instant as his rage exploded and he screamed at his mate. "I DON'T WANT TO WORK THROUGH IT!"

"Remus – just..."

"NO!" Remus took a deep breath and felt tears fall down his cheeks. "I don't want to work through it!"

Sirius tilted his head slightly to the side, his voice still soft – in a near whisper. "What do you mean?"

"I don't want to have to loose you all over again," Remus raked his hands through his hair. "I don't want to be alone when I leave, I don't want to have to deal with being alone like I have had to my entire life. I don't want to..." Remus brought his hands up to his face and broke down into more sobs. "I don't want to do this," Remus rocked to the side and moved his hands, bringing them through his hair. "I don't want to do this..."

"Do what, Remus?"

"This!" Remus motioned weakly between himself and Sirius.

"What... Us?" Sirius felt his heart begin to pound at a very unexpected rate, and it felt as if his soul was beginning to feel detached from his body.

"Yes! ... No... God – I don't know... I just can't..." Remus fell and sat on the top of his trunk. He let his head fall into his hands as he cried. His shoulders trembled, and his breath constantly hitched as the tears poured from his eyes.

Sirius watched as Remus rocked back and forth slightly. "So... you want to end it."

Remus' voice was high pitched as it cut through his tears. "...No..."

Sirius felt tears burn in the corners of his eyes. "Then what are you saying?"

Remus let his hands drop from his face as he looked over at Sirius. "I'm saying that I love you and that I don't want to be separated from you."

"Then what is this nonsense about not wanting to do it?"

"I DON'T KNOW!"

Sirius closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He then began to walk towards Remus, and kneeled infront of him. Sirius took Remus' left hand out of his hair and brought the ring that he had put onto Remus' finger to his lips. "I love you, Remus, but there's nothing we can do other then to work through it and be patient." Sirius reached up and took Remus' cheek in his hand. "Remy I don't like seeing you cry... all the while knowing that there isn't anything that I can do to make it better. Pull the strength you need from me to help yourself through this."

Remus sucked his bottom lip into his mouth and gnawed on the tender skin. Remus looked into Sirius' eyes and felt his eyebrows twitch as he tried to keep his tears from falling from his eyes. Soon enough, Remus lost his control and brought Sirius' into a hug. "I'm so sorry, Siri... I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."

Sirius wrapped his arm around Remus's shaking form and kissed his shoulder. "Don't apologize, it's alright."

"No it's not... I shouldn't have snapped at you like that and-"

"Shh... just let me hold you."

Remus nodded against Sirius' neck and after a while, began to feel his tears slow to an eventual stop. Remus sniffed and sat up, rubbing the back of his hand under his nose as he looked down. Sirius gently combed his fingers through Remus' hair repeatedly to calm him, leaning forward every now and then to kiss him on any available patch of skin on his face.

"Are you alright now?"

Remus looked down into his lap and nodded weakly as he sniffed.

Sirius smiled and bent down slightly, catching Remus' eyes with his own. "...I love you."

Remus broke out into a smile and once more wrapped his arms around Sirius' neck. "I love you too."

Sirius wrapped his arms around Remus' waist and held him quietly for a few moments before stating the obvious. "Rem, as much as I love holding you, and I do, I love it so much," Sirius bent his neck and placed a soft kiss to Remus' neck. "But my man marbles are about to freeze off..."

Remus laughed and pulled back from Sirius. "Man marbles?" Sirius shrugged, a smirk on his lips. "If they're so cold, then get changed."

"Only if you don't burst out into water works again." Sirius smiled as he looked into Remus' eyes.

"I won't." Remus let his arms fall from around Sirius' neck.

Sirius' smile widened as he let his hand come to a rest at the back of Remus' neck. He lent forward and caught Remus' lips in slow and gentle kiss. Sirius smiled against Remus' lips, as he tasted the remains of Remus' tears. Placing a last and hasty kiss to Remus' lips, Sirius began to stand up, pausing his movement to kiss the tip of Remus' nose, and the worry lines on his forehead. Remus dissolved into a helpless smile as he felt Sirius' lips grace the top of his head in yet another kiss. Remus feathered his hands over Sirius' skin before letting them come to a gentle rest on Sirius' hips. Remus watched as Sirius' hands took a hold of both of his, taking them away from his hips to hold up to his mouth. Sirius then smiled and closed his eyes, kissing both of the tops of Remus' hands before gently placing them into Remus' lap.

Remus smiled and looked up at Sirius. Sirius winked and lent down once more to kiss Remus' lips. Remus gladly kissed his mate back, feeling his chest swell slightly as they kissed. Sirius ended the kiss and smiled before beginning to feather kisses along Remus' jaw and randomly around his face.

Remus laughed and brought his hands up to place to either side of Sirius' face. "Stop kissing me,"

"Why? I love kissing you."

"If you don't stop, your... ehem... man marbles as you call them – will fall off."

Sirius shrugged. "They can fall off all they'd like. They can even throw a temper tantrum if they'd like. But right now, I just want to kiss you."

"One last kiss, then you go get changed. You may not need your man marbles, but I do." Remus smiled.

Sirius whimpered slightly and lent forward, kissing Remus gently on the lips. Before Remus could pull away, Sirius kissed him again and held his lips in a long embrace. Remus made a slight noise in the back of his throat – something that could be described as a small laugh or a happy sigh. Remus ended the kiss first, and, after placing one last kiss to Sirius' lips, he opened his eyes and pushed Sirius' face away lightly.

"Get changed!"

Sirius pouted and began to walk towards his trunk. "You're a slave driver."

"You enjoy it, admit it." Remus grinned and stood up, walking towards his bed. "You like it when I tell you what to do."

Sirius laughed and pulled his towel off from around his waist. He bent over and toweled away what wetness was left in his hair before replying. "It's not that I enjoy you telling me what to do," Sirius cleared his throat and threw his damp towel to the side. "I just that enjoy the look on your face when you tell me what to do, and, thus – I do it. It's sort of like a chain reaction."

"Ooh and what exactly do I look like when I tell you what to do?" Remus laughed and pulled his still wet pants down his legs, gratefully stepping out of them. He looked down and was amazed when he found that his legs weren't great prunes.

"Extremely, and undeniably sexy." Sirius smirked and pulled on a pair of black silk boxers.

"Really, is that so?" Remus smiled and pulled on the boxers he had thrown onto his bed. "It's cold."

"It is so, and would you like for me to warm you up, oh sweetest darling of mine?"

Remus shook his head, a smile still on his lips as he pulled his t-shirt over his head. "I can hardly imagine anything I do to be sexy... but – if you think so, then it must be true. And no – I've got a t-shirt."

"Everything you do is sexy, Remy!" Sirius pulled on a pair of shorts. "How can you deny yourself the irrevocable truth that you are a walking sex machine?!" At this, Remus laughed as he pulled up his jeans. "Just a t-shirt? How can that keep you warm?"

"I'm not a walking sex machine, I'm a walking basket-case – a poor excuse for a man. And yes, a t-shirt. It'll keep me plenty warm as soon as my skin finishes de-pruning..." Remus examined the skin on the fleshy part of his fingers.

Sirius grinned and slipped on his muscle shirt. "You are a basket-case, no argues from me," Remus turned around and shot Sirius a quick glare. "But – you are most certainly a man. Oh yes, you are as manly as they come."

"As manly as crying men can manage to be."

"Indeed!" Sirius smiled and walked towards Remus, stopping infront of him. "I don't care that you cry. You're in touch with your emotions and-"

"That classifies me as being a girly-boy. Boy's don't cry."

"You are no ordinary boy, Remus."

"I'm not? Good Lord then what am I?!" Remus held a hand up to his chest in mock horror as he looked into Sirius' eyes.

"You are, of course – the lover and mate of the infamous Sirius Black." Sirius held his chin high and smiled at his self-compliment.

"So... that makes me a sex toy to the arguably infamous Sirius Black. Excellent – that's what I've always aspired to be ever since I was a child." Remus grinned and placed his hands to his hips.

"You aren't a sex toy, my darling. You are most certainly not a sex toy. I'm upset that you would even joke about classifying yourself as one."

"Then what am I, Sirius Black?" Remus stepped forward and placed his hands to Sirius' hips. "If I am not a sex toy, and I'm not a girly-boy, then I must be something, and – you seem to hold the answer."

Sirius smiled warmly and took Remus' hands in his own, bringing them up to his lips. "It's simple really," Sirius kissed the knuckles of Remus' right hand. "You're my soulmate."

"Arguably, that is the most cheesy answer I have ever heard when posed with a question of utmost importance." Remus smiled in spite of himself, and felt a blush creep along his cheeks.

"I would be lying if I said otherwise." Sirius smiled and lent forward.

Remus felt Sirius' breath ghost over his lips, and he knew that Sirius was going to wait for Remus to initiate the kiss. So, taking his chance, Remus spoke instead. "We should be tarred and feathered for being so completely sappy."

"Perhaps..." Sirius closed the space between their lips. "But it would be rather fun to be tarred and feathered someday – don't you think? It would make for a very lovely picture."

"Mmm... careful Mr. Black – you may have just given me an idea for your birthday party."

Sirius immediately lent back and his eyes went wide. "Birthday party?!"

Remus laughed and tilted his head further up to look into Sirius' eyes. "Perhaps."

"Oh, oh you are a cruel man, Remus. Very cruel indeed."

"I am not cruel, I am anything but cruel." Remus kissed Sirius' neck "I'm soft, easily moved to tears, and ever so thoughtful." Remus smiled and was surprised when Sirius let go of his hands and moved to grip Remus's shoulders in his large hands. "Wha-"

"You can't just mention a birthday party and not follow through with the thought! What's this noise about a party? You have to tell me!"

"I don't have to tell you anything, Sirius." Remus' voice was annoyingly soft and high as he spoke.

"Yes you do!"

"All you need to know, is that yes – you do get a party. We simply can't let Sirius Black's 18th birthday go by without notice." Remus raised his eyebrows. "Ask me any more questions and you'll get smacked every time you do."

"When is it?"

Remus lifted his hand and smacked Sirius rather hard across the arm. "No questions."

"But Remus-"

"No questions!" Remus grabbed Sirius' jaw in his hand. "That means that you can't ask James, you can't ask Peter, and you can't ask Lily."

"Oh are they involved in it?!"

"Sirius!" Remus lifted his free hand and smacked Sirius once more.

"Oww!"

"Then stop asking questions! I'm not one to break a promise."

Sirius groaned and began to pout. "But it's my party-"

"And you'll cry if you want to... blah, blah, blah – you'll have to exercise a little known resource of yours and be patient. There's only two and a half weeks until the 18th."

"Of July?"

"No you daft, gorgeous man!" Remus let go of Sirius' jaw and stepped back, out of Sirius' reach. "The 18th of June. Your birthday is in June, my dear – remember?"

"So the party will be i-" Sirius immediately stopped himself from asking another question, as he watched Remus' hand lift from his side. "Right, no questions. You're making this very difficult for me, Remus."

"It's my job."

"No, your job is to love me and kiss me and hold me and tell me when my birthday party is going to take place." Sirius' face broke out into a huge 'beginning-to-melt-Remus'-self-control' smile.

Remus groaned and walked past his boyfriend. He was about to walk past the edge of his bed when his hand was caught and his body was yanked back in the direction he had just left. Remus fell back rather clumsily, and luckily Sirius caught Remus and wrapped his arms around Remus' small frame.

"If you kiss me I won't ask about my birthday anymore."

Remus looked up into those devious eyes – eyes that promised something more than a kiss if it happened. Remus paused for a minute. "Just a kiss?"

Sirius' eyes shone slightly, as the devious look slowly deflated. "Yes, just a kiss."

Remus smirked and lifted himself up on his tiptoes in order to press his lips to Sirius'.

"And here we thought they'd broken up..." James sighed and lent against the doorframe.

"I don't think there's a damn thing in this world, or the next that would keep those two off of each other." Peter rolled his eyes and walked into the room.

Remus and Sirius laughed into each other's mouths at their friend's voices. Remus pulled back to end the kiss, but one of Sirius hands had snaked – in record time – from Remus' lower back to the nape of his neck, bringing him back into a longer, much deeper kiss. Remus was about to refuse the kiss, when he felt Sirius' tongue against his lips. Knowing that Remus wouldn't be able to refuse – Sirius continued to run his tongue along Remus' lips before Remus finally (and rather faithfully) forgot what he was about to refuse too – and willingly opened his mouth with a light noise seeping from the back of his throat and into Sirius' mouth.

James rolled his eyes. "Think they can manage a day without nearly launching into a copulation fest?"

"Oh you enjoy it, James. Don't hide your lust." Sirius stopped kissing his lover just long enough to speak before diving back into the warmth and comforting sweetness that was Remus' mouth.

James came and stood beside his friends, and crossed his arms. His eyes critically glazed over the couple infront of him. "My God Peter! Look at-"

"I'm not watching anything that has to do with those two kissing. No thank-you." Peter grimaced and turned his back to the couple as he sat down on his bed.

Remus actually giggled slightly as he finally let his now rather pink and swollen lips leave Sirius'. Remus backed away slightly and ran the back of his hand along his lips, devoiding them of any moisture from Sirius' mouth. Remus then turned and looked into James' hazel eyes. "Jealous?"

"Possibly." James grinned and stepped back, turning to walk to his bed.

"Poor, poor, Prongsie..." Sirius sat down rather lazily on Remus' bed, leaning back and supporting himself with his elbows.

"Why poor, poor me?" James looked up from his trunk.

"Well, since you are bisexual – you most likely found it rather stimulating watching Remus and I just a few seconds ago. And, it's poor, poor you because you can't do anything about those urges – if you happened to have any."

"Who says I have urges?" James settled on the end of his bed, sifting through a Quidditch magazine he had pulled from his trunk. "I don't have any urges."

"The response to my question." Remus smirked and lay stomach down on his bed, facing James. "You should choose your responses much more carefully if you don't want to be berated for it in the future." Remus looked down at Sirius shorts and reached over to pick a piece of fuzz off of them. He rolled it between his fingers briefly before reaching out and dropping it on the floor.

"I may be bisexual," Said James as he flipped through the pages of his magazine, "But not everything you two do gets me going. You give yourself far too much credit."

"Maybe we do, but, you have to admit – Remus is a very good kisser."

"He most definitely is a good kisser," James grinned as he looked up into Sirius' eyes. "But that's completely off topic."

"Since when does anything we talk about make sense? I rather prefer to jump from subject to subject. It makes life much more manageable and random." Sirius smirked and crossed his ankles.

Remus rolled his eyes and got off of the bed. "I'm going for a walk."

"Aww... have we embarrassed you, Moony?" James tilted his head to the side, a mock look of concern crossing his features.

Remus shook his head and grabbed his shoes. "No. I just don't want to sit around anymore. I feel like walking."

"Alone?"

"Alone." Remus smiled at Sirius and slipped his shoes on.

"Why alone?" Sirius rolled onto his side and faced Remus.

"Just because... if that's alright with you?" Remus turned his attention quickly to Sirius before looking back at his shoes to tie the one on his left foot up.

"It is alright with me."

"Good." Remus finished tying his shoes and turned his body slightly, kissing Sirius gently on the lips. "I'll return in an hour or so."

"I'll count down the seconds till we meet again." Sirius grin widened as he watched Remus hop off of the bed and start towards the door.

"Yes, alright Romeo – you do that."

"My God! Casanova and Romeo, and all in one night!" Sirius laughed when Remus rolled his eyes and disappeared from the room.

Sirius flipped onto his back and turned his head to look over at James. "So do you think we have a chance at winning the House Cup?"

"Sure..." James stopped to briefly scan over an article about broomstick grooming kits. He then looked up from the magazine, and nudged his glasses back up his nose. "I mean it's an equal chance between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor."

"Hufflepuff's seeker is really amazing... have you seen him in action?"

"Oh, yeah. I've seen him perform some moves that I couldn't even dream of performing. I swear to God, no, Merlin that they have a stunt double for him that just magically appears out of thin air and takes his place." James held up his hands (near his head) and moved them quickly, and slightly towards and away from his body, fingers spread. "It's magic I tell you. Magic."

"GOOD GOD!" Sirius rolled over and sat up. "Not magic! Anything but magic! We should report them, that's what we should do!"

"Yeah! Those bastards!" James fisted his hand slightly, and laughed as Sirius' jaw dropped open in teasing shock.

"My ears!" Sirius immediately moved to cover his ears. "James Potter! How dare you swear infront of children!"

"There aren't any children here..." Peter looked up from his book, a smile playing on his face.

"Sure there is!" Sirius got up and walked towards Peter's bed. "You are a child still, Wormtail."

Peter's mouth dropped open quickly before he sneered. "I'm already 18! I turned 18 before any of you did!"

"Sure, sure, Wormtail, sure, sure." Sirius turned around and hooked his thumb over his shoulder at Peter. "That boy has taken to lying like second nature, Prongsie."

"Good Lord what are we to do?" James rolled his eyes, still not facing Sirius and Peter.

"It's simple really." Sirius grinned. "We plan a prank."

James turned and looked at Sirius. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"MY GOD!" Sirius crossed his arms. "You poor excuse for a Marauder! I'm ashamed of you, Prongs. Very ashamed indeed."

"Yeah, I mean, there's nothing wrong with pulling a prank every now and then..." Peter offered as he shrugged his shoulders. "As long as we don't get caught, anyway."

"AH!" Sirius turned around, causing Peter to jump with his exclamation. "That's it old boy! Come on; let's leave Miss. Potter over there to tend to his magazine and we'll plan something by ourselves..." Sirius dropped down on the bed infront of Peter, leaning close.

"Hey now – no secrets."

"Why?" Sirius asked as innocently as he could. "You know we'd never keep a secret from you, dear Prongsie."

"Yeah, course you wouldn't." James rolled his eyes and hopped off his bed, throwing his magazine to someplace near his pillow. He then set a brisk walk towards Peter's bed and hopped on to the side that no one was sitting on. "Now, what's this prank business?" James finished, a trademark Marauder smirk on his lips.

"Excellent man Prongs!" Sirius clapped him proudly on the shoulder and lent in, beginning the early stages of planning for the next prank that would wreak the halls of Hogwarts.

Remus stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked along the side of the Lake, watching where he placed his feet – lest he was to step on a bug or frog. He finally came to a stop around the bend of the Lake, and bent down, picking up a thin, round rock and turned to his side, throwing it out into the water. Remus watched as the rock skipped over the surface of the water five times before turning it's direction in the air somehow and making a 'bloink' sound as it dropped into the lake – slowly settling to the bottom.

Remus continued to throw rocks across the surface of the water for a while, until the giant squid's tentacle surfaced, putting a quick end to Remus' game. Remus nodded out of respect for the squid and set down his other rocks, beginning his course back towards the castle. He hadn't noticed that he spent a little more than an hour and a half walking alone along the lake, and as he looked up – he caught sight of the moon. The moon had a slight dip out of the side, making it look as if someone had just taken a very small bite out of a round cookie. Remus let his knees give way as he lie back on the grass, crossing his arms under his head to use as a makeshift pillow.

No matter how much Remus swore every night under his breath that he hated the moon... he couldn't bring himself to actually mean it. The moon had always been – and always would be the constant in Remus' life. At times, he felt as if he loved the moon. Loved the way the dips and curves of the caverns on the moon's surface created a seemingly happy face. It wasn't the moon's fault that Remus was a werewolf – and he knew that. But he needed someone other than himself to blame for his affliction, didn't he? He couldn't very well say that it was his own childhood stupidity that got him bitten. Or... could he? Remus had struggled with the truth of his Lycanthropy ever since he was bitten as a child, and only now did he actually realize that perhaps he was, oddly enough - meant to be a werewolf. Could the man or woman who bit him that night, had some cosmic, psychic or plain mad reason behind it? Did she, he, or whoever it was - bite him so that he would find his mate? If he had not been bitten, and he was just plain old sandy blonde haired, amber eyed Remus - would he have still met Sirius, James, Lily, and Peter?

Remus heaved a sigh and sat up, rubbing his hands over his face. Remus felt a shiver work it's way up his spine, so, cupping his hands in a loose circle infront of himself, Remus's eyes began to shine as a small fire lit inside the safety of his hands. He studied watched the small dancing flame that looked as if it was suspended between his palms by some magical string on either side of the licking warmth. Remus felt his body warm as he stared blankly at the flame, watching as out of focus flames appeared and disappeared – flickering left then right and danced up and down.

Once Remus had warmed, he lifted his arms and held the fire infront of his face, and, un-cupping his hands, Remus held both his palms towards the increasingly starry sky and watched as a light breeze blew out the small flame. Remus sat in silence for a few moments before the wind wrapped her cool arms around his body and urged him to stand and walk back towards the castle.

Remus watched the grass blow slowing in circles and waves as he trudged up the hill towards the entrance to the school. Once Remus reached the top of the hill, he broke into a brisk run, seeing as how it was nearly time for the gates to be locked. Remus made it to the gate just as Filch was closing it, and he smiled and bowed his head in thanks as he ducked under Filch's arm and veered his direction towards the Gryffindor tower.

Remus offered an apologetic smile to the Fat Lady as he passed through the Gryffindor threshold. The Fat Lady smiled and clicked tightly shut behind him. Remus then began to drag his feet towards the stairs, and only now realized how tired he had actually been. Silently thanking the wind for lightly pushing him inside, Remus slowly made his way up the stairs and towards his dorm, stopping at the doorway to let his eyes adjust slowly to the dark. Reason being, he really didn't want to repeat the incident from months ago when he tripped over his bag after being stuck in the infirmary all day.

Remus' eyes adjusted quickly – being as he was a 'creature of the night'. His mind briefly thought about changing into his pajamas, but as soon as he had made it to the side of his bed – the thought had vanished all too quickly and all he could think of was taking his pants off and falling into the giving comfort of the mattress. Remus did just that, and, just before falling – he turned abruptly and made course for Sirius' bed.

Remus crawled under the covers, and beside his boyfriend - tucking his arm securely around Sirius' turned side. Sirius made a low keening noise in the back of his throat, and pushed his back against Remus' chest. Sirius then tucked his head towards his chest and smiled in his sleep, revealing a small amount of his bare shoulder from under his t-shirt when he moved. Remus took his opportunity to kiss the skin tenderly and slowly before letting his forehead come to a rest on the back of Sirius' neck.

"Night, Siri."

Sirius stirred slightly, sighing. "Night, Rem."

As he fell into the arms of sleep, Remus' lips turned up into a smile.

---

Author's Notes:

This feels like an 'in-limbo' chapter. Oddly enough...

Anyhow, I don't have the time to address everyone (Lie: I just don't feel like it, I feel like being lazy... O.o). So, Thank-you for all the reveiws! Last chapter I got... um, 33 reveiws? See if we can't beat that EH!? OH YES! (giggles) Anyhow, unnn - IMPORTANT: I'll only be updating bi-weekly until about January or so... considering I've just started my online courses - and I seem to have required a half ass life. (laughs) My ass... ANYWAY: Yeah, expect to have a couple weeks at most between each chapter update. Thanks for being understanding - if you are understanding...

BUT! My readers are the BEST, so, you GOTTA be understanding, right? You all kick MUCH ass.

PS: To the guys who read this story - I didn't aww, I didn't OMG! GUY READERS!!1!!one!!1, I AUGHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ed at you. IE: I squee'd, only because that's it's all like... I dunno... nice to know that -some- (IE: one...) guy(s) read my crap story and are all "Hey! Idea's for sex... (eyes boyfriend)..."

Yeah, anyway, Thank-you all so much for the reveiws, and I hope that I continue to get tons more! Also, I'm leaving for a few days - not that me leaving has ANYTHING to do with you, nor this story... but, uhm... yes - you can know anyway... (looks to the side and hangs her head)

Oh dear... ANYWAY - Um.... spoilers? Meaning: Conjunction of the stars and moon. We'll see it in September... (it's in POA and it's exposed for the Trio to see! OHMYGASP!!!!!) O.O!!

Let's see if any of you can figure THAT one out?! EH? EH? EH?! BWAHAHAH!!!

I love you!