Disclaimer: I do not own any characters created by J.K. Rowling.

WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS EXPLICIT SEXUAL SCENES BETWEEN TWO MEN. IF YOU DON'T LIKE, PLEASE DON'T READ. NO FLAMERS / TROLLS.

Chapter Thirty

.

"DAD! DAD! LOOK! YOU'RE NOT LOOKING! YOU HAVE TO WATCH ME JUMP!"

Sirius pushed his sunglasses back up into his hair and laughed as Harry waved enthusiastically at him from the other side of the swimming pool. He had almost been surprised when the boys had informed them last night that there was still a swimming pool located on the Chateau's grounds. To him, it seemed like one of those things that was too plebian for aristocratic purebloods -like the Black's and Malfoy's -would ever both him. However, according to Narcissa, Draco had thrown a tantrum at not being allowed to do anything whilst on holiday. Eventually, Lucius had caved and commissioned a swimming pool for his son. He sincerely hoped that Lucius even took a dip, preferably with a red rubber ring as he doubted the bastard ever had a swimming lesson in his life.

He refocused on his godson just in time to see him launch himself into the air, tuck his knees to his chest and come crashing down into the water, sending a tidal wave of Draco who had been reclined back against the poolside, face tilted towards the sun.

"POTTER, YOU LITTLE GIT!" came the outraged cry.

Harry probably didn't hear a word as the adults laughed loudly.

"Padfoot?" Lazily turning his head to the side, he cocked an eyebrow at Remus. Said man was holding at a tube of muggle suncream towards him. Sirius frowned. "Could you rub some of this on my back? I fancy taking a dip."

Taking the tube Sirius popped the cap open and said, "What makes you think I won't draw a cock on your back?"

"As long as its yours, I'd imagine it'll just make everyone jealous."

Sirius spluttered as Remus turned his head away, barely concealing his own smirk. Perching on the edge of Remus' lounger, Sirius slapped a great big dollop of cream onto Remus' pale skin and started to rub it into his taut muscles, probing in just the right areas to make the man squirm on his front. Was he getting hard? Sirius hoped so.

'Serve the bastard right for teasing me,' he thought smugly, as he continued to gently work away the tension in his lover's body. He had to stop his mind from wandering on its own, though, because although Remus had agreed that they could date and take things slowly, that meant that there was all too much sexual tension growing between them, and very little actually being done about it. To say Sirius was frustrated was an understatement, however he rarely ever let it outwardly show. His bike took the brunt of his frustrations on a weekly basis.

When he heard the barest of moans escape Remus' lips, he decided to move back to his own chair. Otherwise he would get too aroused as well, and probably end up dry-humping the man in broad daylight.

Remus glared at him from where his head rested on his crossed arms, but Sirius pretended to ignore him and went back to cheering his godson on as the kid challenged Draco to a canon-ball competition, with the adults as judges. Eventually, the heat was starting to get to Sirius. Peeling off his t-shirt, he spelled his hair into a knot at the back of his head before declaring, "Make way kids! I'm about to put you all to shame!"

Remus rolled over onto his side just in time to see Sirius bomb into the water, almost having turned upside down. Narcissa and Andromeda tutted light-heartedly shaking their heads. Between them, Teddy was sat with a little hat on his head as they basked in the shade. Narcissa smiled warmly at him. "Are you sure this is the one you're smitten for?" she asked teasingly. "I'm sure we can find someone for you who doesn't feel like challenging every childish whim."

Remus sighed and smiled, "Unfortunately, I've made up my mind. This is the one I want."

The sister's laughed. "Good luck to you, dear!" Andromeda smirked, toasting a glass with her sister.

Remus watched as Harry immediately tried to clamber onto Sirius' shoulders, despite the man being barely tall enough to see above water. Draco lounged on the side, his pale legs gently treading water below him. He was watching the antics unfold before him, his smile always widening just that little bit more when Harry was launched into the water, or splashed. The pieces clicked into Remus' brain. He felt like an utter fool having not seen it beforehand. However, they did have a war to get through and at the time, matters of the heart had been few and far between. A stab of guilt rushed through him at the memory of him willing to abandon Tonks to go off with Harry and his friends. He had literally risked the few happy months they'd had as a family, to go on the run. To think that was all the time he had gotten with her and their son ...

"Moony! Moony!" Jerking his head upright, he saw Sirius resting his elbows on the side of the pool, smiling at him. "Come on in, it's lovely! If you're lucky, you and Draco might even get a tan!"

"HEY!" they cried out. The others laughed in response.

Feeling his body creak -or was it the lounger -as he sat upright, Remus gingerly reached for the hem of his muggle t-shirt to pull it up over his head. He was very conscious of the numerous scars that created a tapestry across his arms and chest. He hoped the sun was bright enough that it would blur the lines without anyone really noticing. He hurried across the hot tiles until he was at the edge of the pool. Usually, if he was alone, he would acclimatize to the temperature of the water, easing himself in slowly. However, if he wanted to hurry in without being seen, there was only one thing for it.

"Cannon ball!" he cried out, launching into the air and bringing his knees to his chest. When he broke free of the cool rush of water, it was to everyone cheering and laughing. When he wiped the water from his eyes and peered up to see Sirius grinning at him and, above him perched on the table, Teddy giggled and clapped his hands, his hair turning a bright, bubblegum pink.

~0~

Flushed from the sun and dressed in very loose muggle clothing, the three boys settled down on the cool marble floor of the informal lounge, relaxing in the shade. Remus tried not to linger as he watched how easily Draco kept a ready arm looped loosely around Teddy as he crawled around on the large sofa. Harry looked extremely comfortable, probably not caring nor really knowing how much the three hundred galleon armchair he was lounging in, was really worth. It was amusing to watch though; Remus could imagine that was exactly how Sirius and James would have acted in their pre-teens.

A presence loomed behind him. He barely had a second to register it before an arm snaked around his waist and a pair of warm lips found his throat. "Spying on the kids, eh, Moony?"

"I'm not spying," Remus tutted. "I'm observing them."

Sirius chuckled. He tugged gently on Remus' t-shirt, pulling the man away from the doorway. He slid his cool palms up and over the scarred planes of the taller man's body. "How do you fancy taking that evening to ourselves, hm?"

"It's a little short notice isn't it?"

"Don't fret, Remus, Cissy and Andi are more than happy to watch the boys, they said so themselves. I just want one night away so we can appreciate being together properly."

Remus' expression melted, the softening of his amber eyes giving Sirius hope. "Pads, I already appreciate every day with you, can I really ask for more?"

"Alone time is needed, Remus, especially now that Teddy is getting bigger. You'll be running after him until he's off to school," Sirius shrugged. "I adore this new time I'm having with Harry, too, but for one night lets just be by ourselves. What do you say?"

It was a nice though, Remus reasoned as he plucked idly at a loose black curl that had unraveled from where Sirius had it knotted at the back of his head. It sprang back into place and he was unable to hide his smile. Admittedly, alone time with just his boyfriend -gosh that word was going to take some getting used to -did sound appealing. "Alright," he relented with a smile. "I'd love to spend the night with just you."

.

Harry had somehow convinced them all to give muggle monopoly a try later that evening, so Sirius and Remus took their leave as soon as the name was mentioned, yelling a hasty goodbye as they retreated out of the Chateau and started jogging down the long, winding path to the iron gates. As they stepped out of the wards, they were hit afresh with the stifling heat that was starting to encompass Europe. Extracting his wand, Sirius waved it over both of their garments. Remus gave a yelp when his waistcoat released itself into a thinner, more casual one, his shirt thinning and the top button popping open. Even his starched trousers were replaced with softer, casual trousers. Sirius' own attired had done much the same. He rolled his own sleeves up manually and raked a hand through his roguish curls.

"There, much better," he grinned. Holding out a crooked arm, he waggled his eyebrows at Remus. "May I escort you to dinner?"

Remus cast a disbelieving look at the nearest village over on the next hill. "All the way over there? I know we're wizards and all but … I don't fancy walking or flying in this heat."

Sirius laughed. "Oh no, I have something much more intimate planned. Come, I'll show you."

Remus rolled his eyes and took Sirius' arm. Immediately the jolt of apparition tugged through him. They landed on a grassy hilltop, under the shade of a few trees. They had a wonderful view of the sprawling hills below them, the sky seeming to go on forever with the sun taking centre stage as it sank slowly between the hills. The village was bathed in warm yellow and peachy tones as it grew later. On said hilltop, in the shade of the trees, was a picnic under a stasis charm. Sirius must have come out earlier to prepare all this for them. The thought made Remus' insides do a somersault.

"You did all this for me? What's the occasion?"

Sirius smacked him on the arse. "I want to have a nice meal with my ever so handsome, sarcastic boyfriend in this beautiful country, alone -why does there need to be an occasion?"

"I feel like you have an ulterior motive."

"I always have an ulterior motive when it comes to you, Moony."

Remus eased himself down on the picnic blanket and reclined on his elbows, tipping his head back and letting his tawny hair fall to one side. Sirius stood over him, his heart lurching at the sight before him. He was over six feet of gorgeous, scarred, beautiful man and it took all of Sirius' control to have slept in the same bed as this gorgeous creature for months without making a move.

Settling down, Sirius removed the statis charm on the food. Suddenly, numerous aromas rushed into the air and Remus sat bolt upright. "Suddenly I'm starved," he practically growled, licking his lips.

It should not have turned Sirius on as much as it did.

Reigning in his primal instincts, Sirius popped the cork on a bottle of wine, poured them each a glass and reached for a chicken leg. Remus clinked their glasses together, downing half of it in one go, before returning his attention to the food between them. It was so serene, eating on the hilltop and watching the sun set. As it sank even lower, dusk creeping over the vineyards below in a soft hush of purple, small orbs levitated out of the grass around them, glowing a soft amber colour as though they'd captured the sunlight and had retained it just for them.

Remus glanced all around them, his jaw dropping slightly as fireflies crept out of the grass to congregate among the orbs.

"Wow," he breathed, setting his wineglass down. "This is just … wow, Sirius."

Sirius let a satisfied smirk crawl onto his mouth. "All for you," he said, reaching between them and covering Remus' hand with his own.

Glancing down at their entwined hands, Remus was suddenly struck by everything that had happened between them. Not just in that year, but ever since they met. Sirius had been his best friend for such a long time; he had looked after Remus after a full moon, he had brought Remus all the homework from their classes, even though he barely done any of it himself. He always brought Remus some food whenever he skipped a meal due to the overwhelming fatigue. He was happy to stay up late when Remus attempted to catch up on schoolwork or when he was too excited for Christmas day or even when he had a nightmare. Sirius was a constant in his in his life. Even five years ago when Sirius had escaped from Azkaban and had declared his innocence … and all Remus had thought in that moment was that he had his best friend back. Murderer or not, he had his Sirius back in his life.

"I love you," he said suddenly, the words jumping out of his mouth without him thinking. Sirius blinked up at him, clearly not having expected it. Reaching for both of his hands, Remus gripped them tightly. "I know you might think it's a little rushed, all things considered, but I do, Sirius. I know I've been trying to keep you at a distance this entire time and you've been ever so patient with me but … you have to know. I love you, Sirius Black. I can't stay that I always have, not in this precise way, but I have always had a deep affection for you, feelings that aren't rivalled by anyone else. But now I can actually say, hand on my heart, that I am in love with you."

Sirius stared back at him, completely at a loss for words.

Remus chewed on his lip. Fuck, had he screwed this up? Sure, he knew how Sirius felt, he'd implied it many a time, but maybe –

"I love you too, Remus."

"You do?"

"Of course, I do!" the older man grinned. "Haven't I made it obvious all this time?"

Remus ducked his head, blushing, as Sirius cupped his jaw. Merlin, blushing?! What was he, a twelve-year-old Hufflepuff? "You may have implied it … once or twice …" he smiled bashfully.

"Good," Sirius stole a kiss, grinning impishly. "Now, would it be too forward of me if I were to … show you how much I love you?"

"S-show me?" Remus frowned. He felt, rather than saw, Sirius' hand drifting down to cup his cock through his thin trousers. He gave a surprised yelp. "F-fuck, right here? Right now?"

"Can you think of a better time?"

Remus hated to admit, that he couldn't. Blushing furiously, he asked, "How exactly would we do it?"

Sirius smirked, leaning over Remus. Pressing teasing kisses along the tall man's throat, he gently nudged Remus down onto the blanket. "I was thinking that you might be more comfortable being on top? And … I may have brought a few things to help."

Remus shivered as Sirius nipped at his jaw. "Y-yes that might be easiest."

He let out a moan, allowing his eyes to roll back in his head as Sirius leaned over him, nipping and biting at his ears, jaw, throat and collarbone. He did his best to control his urges, feeling himself unravel at the feel of Sirius' hands on his bare flesh, each button unfastening made his throat run dry and his cock to grow harder. When Sirius dipped his hand into his underwear and grasped his cock, he let out a deep, guttural growl. He was already growing wet and hard as Sirius knelt over him, plucking the buttons free of his shirt and trousers. He discarded both, standing to do so, and Remus felt the wolf inside him prick its ears up.

Sirius wasn't wearing any underwear underneath.

He felt saliva pool in his mouth at the sight of Sirius' erection, thick and standing upright, the head slick with pre-cum.

"Sirius …" he growled. "You're such a tease."

"I want you Remus," Sirius growled, his voice low and husky, sending shivers coursing through the lycan's body. "I want to show you just how much."

"Show me …" Remus panted.

Sirius sank down to his knees beside Remus, took his hand in his own, and slowly pressed his lover's fingers into the crease of his arse. Remus felt himself grow even harder, feeling that Sirius was already slick and stretched for him.

"Is it … bad of me to … want to taste you?"

Sirius shook his head. "Not at all …"

Gripping Sirius' shoulder, Remus practically through him onto his knees on the picnic blanket, knelt up behind him and used strong fingers to pry his cheeks apart. Sirius shivered, bracing himself on his hands and knees. Remus pressed hot, searing kisses along his cheeks, before his long, wet tongue teased at his hole. Biting his lip, he tried to control himself as he felt Remus tongue and explore all he had to offer before he felt the tip of his tongue tease inside him.

Lightning shot up his spine.

"Fuck Remus …" he hissed, arching his back. He blindly reached behind himself, feeling his fingers knot into his lover's tawny curls. "Remus please, I need you! Please!"

"You want me?" he growled, nails digging into Sirius' hips, his teeth grazing over the older man's buttocks and thighs, anything within reach he marked with his mouth. He was so hard he was aching, but his nerves were jangling around inside his head. What if he wasn't any good at it? It had been so long … and even then …

"Remus!" Sirius begged, his voice breaking. It made Remus' insides spin. "How do you want me? Tell me and I'll do it!"

Remus smirked, leaning back and turned Sirius around so that they were facing one another. "It's so sexy when you beg like a good boy," he growled, biting at his lover's neck. "I want to watch you come undone on top of me. I want to watch as I thrust inside you, cum hard and fill you up."

Sirius was panting, tentatively stroking his cock with one hand. His head dropped forward onto Remus' shoulder, his free hand stroking his lover.

Settling back against the tree, Remus splayed his legs and stroked his cock. Patting his thigh, he cocked an eyebrow and smirked up at Sirius. The man knelt over him, took Remus in hand, and slowly guided his erection inside himself.

Remus let out a strangled gasp, his head banging back against the tree so hard he saw stars. Fuck, Sirius felt so tight. So tight! How was it possible to feel so tight, wet and good? Every nerve ending was set alight as his nails bit into Sirius' thighs. He was sure he was drawing blood, but other than a faint grimace, Sirius gave no indication that it bothered him.

"Good boy am I?" he ground his teeth, taking advantage of Remus' blissed-out state and biting at his jaw and down his throat. "I'll show you a good boy, Remus Lupin!"

Remus barely had a moment to register the words, before Sirius was sliding up and down in his lap, coaxing Remus' erection deeper and deeper into his body, his thighs splaying wider across the lycan's lap until he was fully sheathed. Remus could smell the sweet tang of sweat on Sirius' skin as he trembled, bracing himself on Remus' shoulders just to keep himself upright. When he opened his eyes, his pupils were blown wide with pleasure.

When he started to rock his hips, Remus felt his limbs turn to putty. All he could do was sit breathlessly and watch as Sirius gyrated in his lap, arching into various positions to hit that sweet spot inside that made him scream Remus' name, or pant it, or both! The sounds he made were delicious, spurring Remus closer and closer to the edge, and just when he thought it couldn't get any better –

"Move."

"W-what?"

"Move, Remus, I want you to finish yourself inside me!"

Mustering the last remnants of his strength, Remus gripped Sirius' hips and help him in position, whilst thrusting his hips upwards, burying himself deeper and deeper inside his lover. He could feel it when he hit that sweet spot. It spurred him on, every grunt or moan from Sirius' mouth made him thrust deeper, harder, faster and all too soon he felt his vision give out.

"Sirius -fuck, Sirius I'm coming! I'm coming!"

"Rem-u-u-u-s!"

They fell over the brink of their orgasms within moments of one another. Remus continued to thrust long after he'd come, dragging Sirius over the edge until he had to smother the man's mouth with his own in a desperate attempt to stifle their moans. Remus clung to Sirius, cradling the man against his chest as they rode out the last dregs of euphoria entwined together, before a sudden wave of exhaustion collapsed upon him. He slid down onto the blanket, Sirius panting heavily where he rested against his chest.

Breathing deeply, Remus grunted, "I feel a wretched fool to have kept you waiting this long."

"You were worth the wait."

"Sirius, I dragged this out for months! I -"

"Remus!" A hand blindly groped for his mouth, before a palm was pressed over it. "It was perfect. You are perfect and I love you. Can we just enjoy this moment and watch the moon rise together?"

Remus wanted to argue. It was simply his nature, to rise to a challenge and grind everyone's argument down into dust. However, turning his head to view Sirius' profile, he felt his breath hitch at the sight; firelight made long shadows dance over Sirius' body, highlighting every muscle, scar and tattoo the man had accumulated over the years. His dark curls were dampened with sweat and he was perfectly fitted into the curve of Remus' body.

Humming gently, he settled lower onto the blanket, nuzzling his face into the crook of Sirius' neck, his arm curling tighter over the older man's waist. "It was perfect," Remus mouthed against his flushed skin. "I even allow myself to feel perfect, in these moments when I'm with you."

Sirius smiled softly, turning his attention onto the clear night sky overhead. "That's all I ask of you."

Remus turned bright amber eyes to the sky above and sighed, contentment washing through him.

After a long while the sky was completely black, the stars shining silver against the glow of the moon. Remus pressed a chaste kiss to Sirius' cheek and murmured, "You know, that wasn't entirely how I imagined our first time together."

He felt Sirius tense in his arms. "How do you mean?"

"I just mean … I had expected me to be on the … receiving end."

To his surprise, Sirius let out a laugh before turning in his arms and brushing their noses together. "As much as I would have loved to make you a grovelling mess, Remmy, I also wanted our first time together to be … comfortable for you." He nipped at his lover's bottom lip, grinning cheekily as Remus groaned and clutched him tighter. "Next time we can change positions. See which way you prefer it. I do believe your birthday is coming up."

"Mmmm it is," Remus smirked. "Next month, in fact."

"So it is," Sirius chuckled deeply, his hands snaking up to knot themselves in Remus' hair. "Sounds like we're going to have a lot of fun together."

Remus lowered his mouth and stole Sirius' in a deep, melting kiss.

~0~

By the time they returned the Chateau the lights were off. Only the Auror remained awake, twirling his wand between his fingers and reading an issue of the Daily Prophet. Upon seeing them, and after asserting they were who they claimed to be, he dismissed them into the belly of the house.

All was quiet as Sirius and Remus crept up the main staircase, hands clasped tightly. Remus slipped, causing a floorboard to creak. Sirius shushed him with a hand over his mouth, and then both dissolved into stifled laughter. They felt like teenagers sneaking through the castle again!

Just as they were creeping along to their own room, Remus stopped and turned to Sirius. Even in the dark, the man's grey eyes gleamed like starlight. For a moment, Remus was struck dumb.

"Moony?" Sirius frowned.

"Sorry! Uh … I was just wondering if we should check on the kids?" Remus whispered. "We were gone a long time, after all."

"They boys will be asleep."

"Still. I just want to see them."

Sirius smiled, squeezing Remus' hand tighter. "Of course, love. Come on."

Bypassing their own door, they made their way to the far end of the corridor where Draco and Harry were sleeping. For one night, they had moved Teddy's little cot into the boys' bedroom as Draco was most likely to know how to calm Teddy down. Andromeda was a close second, but Sirius and Remus had discussed that the sisters should share their own room so they can get to know one another better. It had been a risk, but an honourable one.

In the faint light cast from a small glowing orb that floated beside the bed, Sirius felt his heart swell at the sight of Draco sprawled out across the bed, his mouth slack and breathing deeply, his usually immaculate blonde hair in disarray. Curled up against his side, was Harry with one hand fisted into the fabric of Draco's sleep shirt. Remus edged into the room, gazing down into the cot. Teddy was sound asleep, his hair changing colour with every exhale. Remus often wondered what his son dreamed about to warrant such changes. There would be time in the future to ask. He had time now.

Leaning down, he pressed a kiss to Teddy's forehead, before creeping back out of the room. Once Sirius had done the same -kissing both Draco and Harry on the forehead in turn -the two men silently made their way to their own bedroom down the hall. Once inside, they cast a silencing charm and went to open the windows to let the warm, heavy air inside.

Sirius stripped naked before climbing between the cool sheets. Remus followed suit, clad onto in a pair of boxer shorts, and opened his arms to accept Sirius instantly.

"It's so strange to imagine how far we've come in the last year," Sirius mused quietly. His words were almost drowned out by the chirruping crickets outside. "Even stranger to think that both Harry and Draco don't object to being kissed on the forehead."

"They're asleep, Pads."

"Like they don't know."

Remus smiled, nuzzling his chin against Sirius' hair fondly. "We're so fortunate to have this second chance. I still think I'm dreaming."

"What makes you say that?"

"When you've had enough misfortunate befall you, even in the brief moments when you think you're happy, you learn to doubt anything remotely good in your life."

Sirius squeezed him tighter. "I think … We might be too harsh on ourselves. We're going to be forty soon. I think we're allowed to be happy."

"You know I never thought I could feel happiness again," Remus sighed, his thumb tracing along the tattoos on Sirius' shoulder. "Not after I lost you. Especially not after I lost Dora."

Sirius learned up so that he could look down into Remus' face. His heart twisted at the gleam of tears in those amber eyes. Cupping his lover's jaw, he stroked the bristles there, wishing that he had words to describe all the emotions warring inside him.

Remus reached up and entwined their fingers. "Thank you for showing me that I was wrong."

Sirius offered a weak smile. "It's what I live for, love. Proving you wrong for the rest of our lives."

"Good. Always prove me wrong about this. Promise me that."

"I promise," Sirius breathed, ghosting his lips over his lover's. "I will always promise you that you deserve to feel happy again. I promise, I promise, I promise."

Remus accepted the kisses rained down over his cheeks, forehead and jaw, feeling for the first time in months, as light as a feather. If it weren't for Sirius leaning on his chest, he may very well have floated away through the open window.

A/N: Please leave some lovely reviews! I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and got to see some family during these difficult Covid times! Please keep safe out there!

B x