A/N: Sorry it's taking me so long to get this story up. Thanks again to all who have reviewed. For those who have asked about where my NC-17 stuff is – you can find it at the archive for the SB/RL Yahoo Group at http/ Sirius ignored his father's note, suggested a trysting spot to Remus, helped Professor Kettleburn and came out to James. And, finally, Remus and Sirius arrived at the Shrieking Shack.

Chapter 6 - The Shack

Somewhat breathless, with faces slightly flushed, Sirius and Remus stood staring at each other in the Shack's little bedroom, which was transformed from its usual sparse coldness by the fire crackling in the small hearth and the many softly glowing candles. It wasn't simply the rapid trip through the tunnel and the scramble up the stairs that made their pulses race. Mesmerizing hazel eyes, glowing with the tones of forest and earth, locked with ethereal gray, sparkling with the light of ice and diamonds. The warm hearth illuminated the autumnal riot of flowers and leaves, as if the power of the sun still radiated from them.

Sirius smiled, trying in vain to ignore the fluttering in his stomach. "Well, here we are. Finally." How could Remus look so calm, when Sirius felt his heart might pulsate right out of his chest? After all, he was the one with some experience at this, not Remus. He rubbed his hands nervously down his hips to wipe his sweaty palms dry.

All the while Remus stared at him, deserted by speech. He grinned suddenly. Somehow, Sirius' visible anxiety made him feel more relaxed. More daring. He slowly closed the distance between them, entranced by the candlelight playing across Sirius' face. Without even thinking about it, the fingers of one hand traced the patterns of shadow and light, dancing with the fleeting touch of snowflakes across jaw and cheekbone.

Sirius felt as if he was already naked, caught by those fingertips, trapped by the ineffable face before him. That completely unforgettable face. He felt he'd bear its imprint in his heart forever. This had to be right. He wanted so much to make this night good for both of them. A convulsive fear suddenly gripped him. What if he disappointed Remus? What if he bumbled this golden moment and deformed their growing attraction into unfulfilled yearning?

His anxious thoughts began to lose coherency, as now both of Remus' hands touched him, barely marking his outline, as if conjuring flesh and bone and deep, dark hair, carving a lover in the air. Phantom touches undid buttons and smoothed the shirt off Sirius' shoulders. A slightly wicked smile slowly spread across Remus' face. "You are so very, very alluring, Sirius. I've wanted to touch you for so long."

Sirius felt like he was falling off a cliff. He didn't resist. "Me, too."

Remus felt his own skin ripple as hands slid under his sweater and brushed against him. Seconds later the sweater was tossed aside and Sirius' slightly calloused fingers whispered across Remus' skin. The feathery touch made Remus shiver with anticipation, a feeling that climbed higher as Sirius' arms encircled him, pulling him close, skin to skin, hip against hip, and finally, mouth to mouth in a heady, drunken kiss. They devoured one another, their lips and tongues fired by the friction of their flesh. Their hands fumbled at each other's waists, pawing at belts and zippers until finally all the constricting clothing was gone and it was just the two of them together, sprawled across smooth, cool sheets.

They had seen each other naked countless times during their years at Hogwarts. But a glimpse of skin in the bathroom or when changing clothes was nothing like the complete submersion into the senses that overwhelmed them now. Exploring each other's flesh with fingers and tongues, tasting, breathing in the subtly changing scents of each other's bodies was an aphrodisiac neither fully expected.

Remus thought there wasn't enough oxygen in the room or blood in his veins, as if every scrap of air and energy had left his lungs and heart to spiral in a swirling maelstrom right into his groin. He found himself on his back with Sirius pressing down on him, their erections rubbing deliciously against each other. This was too much too soon and he felt he might–

And then Sirius' mouth found his scar. Not just any scar. The Scar. The oldest one, still fiercely impressed into his shoulder. He didn't care about the others that marked his legs and arms and chest and abdomen. They were incidental, the inevitable outcome of his transformations. But that first scar was another matter. It burned him like a brand. It marked the loss of his humanity and his birth as a Dark Creature. The slashing path of a werewolf's teeth had left a pattern of bright, white ribbons draped over his shoulder, front and back. The pale tissue was hard and frozen, deadened to feeling for all these long years. Sirius had seen it before. But, now all of its ugly connotations intruded on them, as if it carried the howl of the wolf to their ears.

Remus tried to twist away, embarrassed at the exposure of this symbol of his maimed life to his almost-lover. "Don't, Sirius."

But his black-haired tempter saw no shame or ugliness. Tenderly, his lips caressed the numb trails that bore witness to terrifying pain. His tongue laved the ruined flesh. A low, soothing growl hummed from the back of Sirius' throat. His warm mouth awoke sensations long dormant and, to Remus' wonder, the frozen ache that was always there dissipated, leaving him speechless.

"Ohhhh," he breathed.

A bolt of pure, frenzied desire swept through him at the realization that Sirius found him ravenously attractive. Remus clutched Sirius tight, arms and legs wrapped around him, wanting him close, closer, wanting them to meld into each other. His hips hitched upwards. It felt so good he knew he wouldn't last.

"Sirius," he gasped against his lover's mouth, "I can't…I'm going to…"

"Hold on." Sirius' voice was aural smoke. "For a few more minutes. Let me do this for you."

He pushed himself down Remus' body, his face alight with an unbridled lust that made Remus' insides clench with expectation. Remus grabbed at the mattress, the sheets, anything he could reach, as he watched the tip of Sirius' tongue delicately play across his flesh.

Eyes squeezed shut, Remus flopped back on the bed, the long muscles of his legs straining. If he looked at Sirius, if he watched himself disappearing into Sirius' mouth, he'd come for sure. He fought desperately for control, hardly recognizing his own voice in the choked, mewling cries that spewed from his mouth.

A totally new sensation made Remus jerk as if hit by a bolt of lightning. A finger coated with ointment gently probed him. Reflexively Remus tensed against this invasion, but the finger was so slickly insistent, and the mouth savoring him so succulent he couldn't resist. Remus seized fistfuls of ebony hair. He choked out a garbled warning that lost itself in a wordless cry as he came hard and fast.

Remus lay panting. His hands unclenched and combed gently through the silky hair. Sirius slithered up his body, one hand still deep between Remus' thighs. Remus regretted not being able to hold on longer. "I'm sorry. I couldn't last-"

"It's okay," Sirius murmured, kissing Remus deeply. Sirius' lips caressed Remus, sidling slowly along his jaw. The moist, warm breath spiraled into Remus' ear. "Re, I want to fuck you."

Oh, Merlin. No force on earth would make Remus refuse. "Yes," he sighed, pushing up against the pleasurable weight of Sirius' body on top of him. Remus finally opened his eyes to a vision of Sirius crouched above him, gorgeous in the firelight. He still had trouble grasping the idea that Sirius found him attractive. But his doubts were swept away by the way Sirius looked at him. The strong, long-fingered hands grasped Remus' lean hips. "Turn over. It'll be easier for you face-down."

Remus resisted. "But, I want to see you."

Smiling apologetically, Sirius leaned down to kiss Remus, his lips warm and soothing. "Remus, this might hurt." His insistent, nibbling lips were very persuasive. "It's your first time. Trust me. Please."

Remus reluctantly drew his mouth away and rolled onto his stomach. Sirius' eyes and hands swept down the smooth back, unmarked except for the scar of the werewolf high on Remus' left shoulder. He looked so pure in the warm firelight. So beautiful. Sirius tugged his hips higher and slid the pillows underneath.

Shaking with the effort to go slow, Sirius pressed against his lover. "Try to relax, Remus," he gasped. He heard a garbled reply, and pushed again. Sweet Merlin, but Remus was tight. "Easy, easy," Sirius mumbled as much to himself as to his lover until finally, he was completely sheathed within Remus' body. Draped across Remus' back, he panted with effort to keep still, letting Remus adjust to him.

"You okay?" Sirius gasped.

"Uh huh," Remus replied. This amazing feeling was like nothing he'd ever experienced before.

"Good." Sirius nuzzled the nape of Remus' neck, savoring him with lips and tongue. He wanted to draw this out, let his passion slowly build. He wanted to make Remus feel how good it could be. But the heady realization that he was with Remus undid him. Beautiful Remus, with the smooth skin of one shoulder ravaged by scars. Powerful Remus, who had willingly given himself to Sirius. Sharing this intimate act with him was more than Sirius could handle and with a sudden cry, he came.

Remus tensed as Sirius pulled out of him. He felt some pain, but also incredible warmth and a renewed arousal deep inside. It would be his turn next. With a hungry grin he curled onto his side to face Sirius, who for some reason looked vaguely ashamed.

"What's wrong?" Remus was genuinely confused.

Sirius shrugged. "It wasn't as good for you as I wanted it to be."

Remus was both delighted by Sirius' admission and touched by his concern for Remus' pleasure. In spite of his experience, Sirius was still unsure of himself. He was such an alluring bundle of conflicting emotions. Remus simply loved this complicated young man. He shifted to kiss Sirius softly. And his hands indulged themselves in a slow exploration of Sirius' body, feeling the muscles relax in response to his touch. Remus finally began to get a sense of his own power.

An idea occurred to him. He rose from the bed and, at Sirius' raised brows, he winked and said, "Chocolate mint balls." Scrambling through their supplies, he dug out the box of rich, creamy candy. Remus fished out several, tossing one into his mouth. Climbing up next to Sirius, he held a ball up questioningly. He could feel the chocolates starting to soften in his hand.

"Yes, please," said Sirius.

Remus delicately fed the slowly melting confection to Sirius. Remus popped another one into his mouth and made short work of it. Then he held the last ball between his fingers. With a sly smile he asked, "Do you want it?"

"Yes." An expectant grin now graced Sirius' face.

"Come and get it." With that Remus flicked the ball into his own mouth. Sirius tackled him. They rolled around on the bed, making a rumpled mess of the sheets, until Sirius was finally able to pin Remus to the mattress. Their quickened breath surrounded them in clouds of minty chocolate. Remus snorted in amusement as Sirius' lips pressed against his own, the importunate tongue darting nimbly into his mouth in search of the vanishing candy. Remus gave up and allowed Sirius to claim it. The hard-fought for reward rapidly disappeared, trapped as it was between their tongues.

"You're a dreadful tease, Remus Lupin." Sirius scolded, trying not to smile. "And, besides, you should never bring chocolate to bed. It could melt and get all over the sheets."

Remus attempted to look thoughtful, but his eyes fastened on Sirius like searchlights. "Well, then. Maybe you should do something about the chocolate that melted on my fingers." Without taking his eyes off Sirius', he slowly raised his hand and slid his smudged fingertips between Sirius' lips. The lips parted, freeing the practiced tongue to work its magic. Remus felt the coating of chocolate disappear as it was licked away. With no more chocolate to distract it, the agile, pink ribbon began a slithery caress of his fingers, weaving between them, thoroughly coating them with saliva. The pale eyes stared knowingly at him. Remus' pulse raced as he thought of what he could do with his slick fingers, what Sirius expected him to do.

He squirmed to get out from beneath Sirius. The taller boy obliged him and simply rolled over onto his back, his long, muscular legs spread wide. A surge of power fired though him. Sirius wanted him. Sirius was aroused by his body, his taste, his touch.

As best as he could, Remus imitated Sirius' actions. He used his wet fingers to prepare Sirius. He felt wild and untethered and free. Free to allow his senses, his instincts to take over.

"Come on, Re," Sirius pleaded in a whimpering moan. Remus had to take him. He moaned in expectation as Remus thrust forward. But, suddenly, he stopped. It wasn't as easy as it looked. Remus shifted his position slightly, trying a different angle. But, he pushed too hard and he saw Sirius wince.

"Sorry, Paddy. Maybe…maybe you should turn over," Remus gasped aloud. And, to himself he thought, 'Oh, please let me does this right.'

Remus pulled back and, with one lithe movement, Sirius whipped his legs to one side and rolled onto his hands and knees. One hand shot out to the nightstand and grabbed something. Glancing back over his shoulder with a sardonic grin, he tossed the tube of lubricant to Remus. "This might help."

"Oh, right. Of course." Remus felt like an idiot. An overheated, desperate, sex-starved idiot. He fumbled with the tube for a few seconds, his haste making him clumsy. He breathed with a high, keening sigh as once more he pressed against his lover. And this time it worked. His hands gripped Sirius' hips hard as his body instinctively settled into a rhythm as ancient as any magic; as primal as the need for food or water, and as feral and untamed as the deepest desires of his werewolf soul. But, all too soon, he came in an explosive rush of energy and emotion that careened out of his control. Remus fell forward, his face between Sirius' shoulders, his arms wrapped tightly around his lover. Sirius collapsed onto the bed. Remus felt he could stay like this forever, with Sirius' smooth skin under his cheek, listening to the strong beating of their wild hearts.

Eventually Remus slid in a boneless heap to one side, stretched full-length against Sirius. He brushed the thick, black hair away from Sirius' face and was rewarded with a sweet smile. "So, Remus," Sirius whispered in a voice that slipped like a powerful drug into his bloodstream, "any regrets on losing your virginity?"

He didn't recognize his own voice when he answered. "No. None. Although maybe we need a little practice to really get it right."

Sirius' eyes glittered like diamonds. "Well, we've got all night, don't we?"

Remus' kiss was all the answer either of them needed.

TBC