Disclaimer: All belongs to JKR.

Notes: Written a long time ago, only now posted. Delicious angst.

Lie

The cold metal bit into his fingers but he paid it no mind as he grasped the bars and glared into the cell beyond. Huddled in the dark, dank corner was a pitiful figure, barely recognizable as the brash and impulsive Sirius Black.

Remus had arrived at Azkaban fifteen minutes prior, half shaped accusations and questions swirling in his mind, but now that he found himself so close to his old friend, he was at a loss for words.

Glancing behind himself, he saw Dumbledore standing placidly. The old wizard had gotten him into this place, and he didn't even want to think about what he had had to do to manage it. Azkaban didn't usually allow visitors. And here he stood, unable to move forward and unwilling to move back.

Finally, with an anxious sigh, he stepped back and allowed the door to be unlocked. Then, with hesitant steps he made his way into the cell, stopping just short of where Sirius crouched.

Again he tried to will himself to speech, but was unable to find the words.

Sirius solved the problem for him. Hearing the approaching footsteps, he had looked up, his eyes a mix of agony and confusion. His mouth worked for a moment, before he managed to choke out, "Remus?"

"Yes, it's me," Remus confirmed through a lump in his throat. He had never thought he would see Sirius in such a state, and it broke his heart.

"Remus, I-," Sirius began, but was shushed by a hand over his mouth.

Shaking his head sadly, Remus murmured, "Please, don't say anything. I don't want to know."

Then he did something he had wanted to do for a good many years. He leaned down and pressed his lips against those of his old friend. Sirius was stunned at first, but allowed the contact, reaching up with grasping hands to latch on to Remus' robes.

Sirius tasted like vomit, and the gruel fed to the prisoners to keep them alive, just barely, and teeth that hadn't been brushed. And sorrow… the tang of salt was unmistakable.
After only the briefest of moments, Remus pulled away and gently disengaged Sirius' hands from his clothing. With a sad smile, he turned and walked away, the taste still lingering on his lips, where it would reside for the coming days, months, years that followed.

"And now, I can put them all behind me," Remus told Dumbledore. And so they left, neither one of them commenting on the lie.